Old Timers and Newbies Challenge

[Lost and Found]

Originally Posted by *Pear*

I've been sitting here playing with my new phone and trying to figure out what to have for dinner ~ scrambled eggs, thats the ticket!

I hope your family starts treating you with respect L&F. I got really angry when I read about your dad not including you in dinner.

Yes!!! It's been really hard to even do my school work around here!! The air is, normally, so thick that you could cut it with a knife!!! This just is not a positve environment for me...or the boys!!!

I've lived with my parents before...and I know without a doubt...that had I known that we wouldn't be off by ourselves in "our own little apartment", I never would've come here!!!

My Dad is one of those guys that likes to play games...you know the type!!! I left a long marriage...another control freak...except worse than my Dad!!! I certainly would not choose to live like this again...I guess that I was tricked into it!!!

RESPECT!!!! He thinks that everyone should respect him...without any given out from him!!!! (I think that a lot of men are like that!!!) I've been trying to raise my boys different than that...you know...that women aren't just a non-important fixture in their lives...and that we have feelings too!!! My oldest gets very upset when he hears how I am spoken to and treated!!! I really do not want them here for long!!!

[Lost and Found]

Pear:
I do not know if you like a little spice in your food, but when I scrammble my egg in butter...I also put a little cayenne pepper in them!!! They are really good...not enough to be hot, but enough to add a little something. Oh yeah...I also put a little garlic salt or powder in there too. But make sure that you check ingredients on all spices...the carbs (sugar ) are hiding everywhere...even when we aren't expecting it!!!

[Lost and Found]

I thought that you gals would get a kick out of this...I did!!! Bring on the bacon wrapped shrimp please!!!


The Five Most Fattening Holiday Appetizers

It's not just the cold temperatures that get you eating more in the winter, it's all the food-laden festivities. Here are some calorific grazing items you might want to avoid.

By Temma Ehrenfeld | Newsweek Web Exclusive
Dec 3, 2007 | Updated: 11:27 a.m. ET Dec 3, 2007



Ah, December, the season when homemade cookies magically appear on conference room tables and any trip down a corridor can end in a small, fattening wine-and-cheese party. Ensuring you don't look like Santa by January can require a special discipline. Holiday-party appetizer grazing—that is, eating while standing up or distracted, or when you're sitting too close to the snack bowl—can result in some truly diet-busting calorie consumption. After all, who ever ate just one pig in a blanket?
Here are five of the worst party food offenders. Their calorie counts are enough to make you run to the crudités plate. (For more eating habits to avoid, check out our story on the worst ways to gnosh.
Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp Yes, grilled or boiled shrimp is low-fat, but when it's wrapped in bacon (and sometimes drizzled first in sauce), the calories can climb to more than 100 per morsel, including at least 8 grams of fat.
Pigs in Blankets The quintessential '50s hors d'oeuvre—with at least 80 calories and 5 grams of fat per pig—never went away. How could it? Don't pretend you've never stalked the waiter with the tray. Keep it down to two or fewer of these little morsels or you could find yourself ingesting a meal's worth of calories in a few fleeting bites.
Mini-quiches This fork-size version of a ladies-lunch favorite can be deceptive. Keep in mind there's typically bacon or ham along with the cheese. Mini-quiches start at 7 grams of fat and 90 calories each.
Sliders The latest thing in party food, these mini-cheeseburgers have the advantage of built-in portion control. If you manage to stick to one, you've consumed only about 120 calories and 8 grams of fat. But can you stick to just one?

SO WHAT HOW MUCH FAT THEY HAVE!!! How about the useless carbs in them?

[*Pear*]

Wow, that bacon wrapped shrimp sounds really good. Mini quiches too.

I love spicy food, as long as its mexican spicy (not hubby), hubby likes chinese spicy (not me). I use alot of tabasco sauce. My favorite soup is chicken soup, I take a portion for me and add vinegar and tabasco sauce, and I have hot & sour soup. Close enough to the real thing to satisfy me, although not authentic.

So, if I remember correctly, you can start doing your classes online in January, but you have to wait for the next draw in order to move in March? I think your parents should have told you the basement was unfinished and bare. Did they think you would remodel it for them?

[*Pear*]

We got elfed *LOL* ElfYourself™ : Brought to you by OfficeMax®

[jeanran]

By L & F
Yes!!! I can tell that Chelli loves her job...almost, as though it is an integrated thread of life that runs through her being.

Wow, that is heavy, L & F, I will share it with her. Thanks for your comments.

Jean

[jeanran]

Originally Posted by Tooter

That little girl may be paralyzed from the Chin down, but her Spirit sure isn't! LOOK at that BEAUTIFUL smile!!!!!!!

Jean, your daughter is Very Lovely and Pretty. *sigh* Lovely inside and out. How blessed you are. She must take after her mom.

Yes, Leilani is great, Chelli takes her to school every day and the kids are great with her.

Thank you for your sweet words, Tooter. I think most nurses have a great sense of compassion.

She gets so tired of dealing with her naturally curly hair but I love it. Amanda didn't inherit it as you can see.

Jean

[jeanran]

Originally Posted by MomToEli

Sorry, I missed this post!

That is actually a picture I took with my Palm off the front porch of a house we used to live in. A really bad storm had just passed through. I loved the double rainbow. Not sure why the tint of the sky is what is us, except it looked just like that

Wow, awesome, you took this with your palm? I love it and thought it was a professional picture. That was one of those blessed moments that you were able to capture. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Jean

[Ailuros]

I'm out all day again today - sorry I don't have much time to reply to all the details before I go.

Jean, I love the picture.
L&F sorry your family are giving you such a hard time, but I can tell from the determination in your posts that you'll get through it and won't let them sabotage your attempts to do the best for yourself and the boys.

I think the energy benefits of coconut oil come from the type of fat (medium chain triglycerides) which are broken down very quickly by the body to make ketones, which can be used to fuel parts of your brain amongst other things. The non-virgin stuff should have the same kind of fats, just not with extra micronutrients, maybe. I'll dig out some more details when I have time - maybe tomorrow afternoon.

Happy Saturday .

[jeanran]

Pear, I had more fun elfing my whole family. Thanks for sharing.

Jean

[MomToEli]

Originally Posted by jeanran

Wow, awesome, you took this with your palm? I love it and thought it was a professional picture. That was one of those blessed moments that you were able to capture. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Jean

Yep. Rarely do I have a real camera handy when I see such sites. My Palm or cell phone are usually the handiest. I still haven't figured out how to get pictures from my phone to my pc, though.

[Lost and Found]

Originally Posted by *Pear*

Wow, that bacon wrapped shrimp sounds really good. Mini quiches too.

I love spicy food, as long as its mexican spicy (not hubby), hubby likes chinese spicy (not me). I use alot of tabasco sauce. My favorite soup is chicken soup, I take a portion for me and add vinegar and tabasco sauce, and I have hot & sour soup. Close enough to the real thing to satisfy me, although not authentic.

So, if I remember correctly, you can start doing your classes online in January, but you have to wait for the next draw in order to move in March? I think your parents should have told you the basement was unfinished and bare. Did they think you would remodel it for them?

MMMMmmmmm!!!! Bacon wrapped shrimp!!! It is very good!!! I've had it before!!!! Just wrap them up, insert toothpick, and broil. This is, also, good with chicken breast--cut in bite size peices, wrap in bacon, stick tooth pick through, and broil!!!!!

I am currently taking 2 classes on-line and started a late-start class here in October. The next semester starts in January---which I signed up for three on-line courses through my school in Minnesota. I should receive my next student loan in February.....can't come quick enough!!!!

Because of finances...and my quest to better myself...I need to make a trip back to Minnesota here in the near future...and apply to get into these town homes that require 30% of your income for the rent amount. That is the only way that I can make it...with kids!!! I will have help with my food, utilities, and health insurance. This is all pretty embarrassing , but if I utilize the help now...I should be able to stand on my own two feet when I'm done with school!!!! (They wouldn't count my student loans as income...since it has to be paid back. I receive $500 a month from child support...So, my rent should be $150.) Then, after applying, you are put on a waiting list....when it's your turn...and there is an opening...then you can move in!!!! So, I really need to get there A.S.A.P. and get my name on the list. Hopefully, my name won't be on the list real long!!!!! I just need to come up with the finances to go there...to get my name on the list!!!

I consider all of you my friends...or I wouldn't have brought any of this up...it's kind-of embarrassing!!! Yesterday just set me off, and when I wake every morning...enjoying the peace...the thought of the upcoming day is just a dread to me...I am strong (or maybe just stubborn ), and I will make it through...yet another...major stir in my life's path!!!

As far as my parent's basement...I do not know what they were thinking...I've racked my brain trying to figure it out!!! I do not think that I will ever really know their true intentions. I can only speculate that my Mom missed us, and thought that if she atleast got us here...we'd stay in the area if we left (Because finances would dictate where we would have to be). So, being as stubborn as I am, I'll prove her wrong...and be 10 hours away again....the stay here has made me realize that sometimes...sad, but true...distance from family is best!!!!

[Lost and Found]

Originally Posted by *Pear*

We got elfed *LOL* ElfYourself™ : Brought to you by OfficeMax®

This is so cute!!!

[Lost and Found]

Originally Posted by jeanran

Yes, Leilani is great, Chelli takes her to school every day and the kids are great with her.

Thank you for your sweet words, Tooter. I think most nurses have a great sense of compassion.

She gets so tired of dealing with her naturally curly hair but I love it. Amanda didn't inherit it as you can see.

Jean

Hey!!!!!!!!!!!! I have naturally curly hair too!!! I hate it!!!!!! I can make it straight...if I spend three hours on it with straightening irons!!! Watch-out though...one little bit of humidity, or mist in the air....and it's curls again!!!

[Lost and Found]

Originally Posted by Ailuros

I'm out all day again today - sorry I don't have much time to reply to all the details before I go.

Jean, I love the picture.
L&F sorry your family are giving you such a hard time, but I can tell from the determination in your posts that you'll get through it and won't let them sabotage your attempts to do the best for yourself and the boys.

I think the energy benefits of coconut oil come from the type of fat (medium chain triglycerides) which are broken down very quickly by the body to make ketones, which can be used to fuel parts of your brain amongst other things. The non-virgin stuff should have the same kind of fats, just not with extra micronutrients, maybe. I'll dig out some more details when I have time - maybe tomorrow afternoon.

Happy Saturday .

I do not know if it is determination, or PURE STUBBORNISM that gets me through life!!!

[Lost and Found]

Originally Posted by jeanran

Yes, Leilani is great, Chelli takes her to school every day and the kids are great with her.

Thank you for your sweet words, Tooter. I think most nurses have a great sense of compassion.

She gets so tired of dealing with her naturally curly hair but I love it. Amanda didn't inherit it as you can see.

Jean

Yes!!! GOOD nurses must have a built-in capability to express compassion. Without this...they are nothing, but a book of information!!! (and they won't like their job for very long!!!)

I am trying to not allow this hurdle...induced by deception...to ruin this trait that I am happy to have...I love to help people when they are sick...or just need someone to care!!! Some days...lately...my kind heart is hidden behind the hurt and despair that has been enthroned upon me...and I am not happy like this...I need the old me back (my old life, and my old weight!!!). So....I'm making changes!!! I thought that it would be beneficial for the boys to be near family, but I have come to realize that, sometimes, being close to family could be as harmful as beneficial!!!! Someday...maybe...I will overcome this deep threaded feeling of deception, and hurt!!!

[Lost and Found]

Originally Posted by Tooter

That little girl may be paralyzed from the Chin down, but her Spirit sure isn't! LOOK at that BEAUTIFUL smile!!!!!!!

Jean, your daughter is Very Lovely and Pretty. *sigh* Lovely inside and out. How blessed you are. She must take after her mom.

Tooter...you would make a good Nurse!!!!

[Tooter]

Originally Posted by jeanran

Wow, awesome, you took this with your palm? I love it and thought it was a professional picture. That was one of those blessed moments that you were able to capture. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Jean

I thought it was a professional picture too. MomtoEli, that is an awesomely beautiful picture!

[backspace1]

Checking in this morning...

hi to everyone!

Breakfast - 3 eggs scrambled w/half slice cheese, large pat of butter - coffee w/cream

Lost and Found - So sorry you're going through all this turmoil with your family. I know you will end up in a much better place for you and your boys. I will keep you in my prayers that everything works out for you. I truely believe everything happens for a reason. Congrats on all the weight loss, you're doing awesome. Just a thought, why not try a cheap cooler in the basement for some of your food?


Tooter - you've convinced me to get the virgin coconut oil. I've got to do something to jumpstart my weight loss. Keep losing and gaining the same couple of lbs. Will keep on keepin on.

Jeanran - what a lovely picture of your girls. Chelli is a special person, caregiving is an emotionally difficult job for most. Her smile conveys the love she has in her heart.

Pear - lol, isn't that elf thingy great? DD included the dog in hers. I also recieved one from a friend and her two birds! ;o)

Gotta get off my butt and start moving here. Will hopefully put up the tree today and do some online shopping. Will try to check in later tonight.

backspace

[Tooter]

Originally Posted by Lost and Found

Tooter...you would make a good Nurse!!!!

I love Nurses. They truly are the ones who give you the "Care". 4 Sons and the Nurses were the ones who helped me, did all the work with me and the doctor showed up to "Catch"! lol

I have done a little Nursing. (LF I want you to listen up with what I am going to share, because it shows you that Hard times don't break you, you become stronger). Nursing for my family. Wasn't trained, had to learn on my own and with a little help from Doctors and Nurses (on what to do).

When My Oldest son was 18 months old and I was pregnant with my 2nd son, my husband was BADLY burned at work (his legs). To make a long story shorter. I pushed my husband around in a wheel chair for 6 months. I had to take him to Debridement Treatments. That's where they put you in a tub and scrub the burns with a metal brush to promote proper healing. EXTREMELY Painful. Of coarse we were broke, and hardly getting by at all. I had to do everything for him. He couldn't walk at all. Finely it got to the point where they could do skin grafts. Praise God, he healed and could walk again.

At the same time all this was going on, I gave birth to my 2nd son. Everything was great. Until his 2nd week check up. All his organs were inlarged because he had a Hole in his heart (It didn't show up until then and didn't show up right after he was born). I had to Stay in the hospital with him for 2 weeks. Then I could take him home. He had to take digoxin and I had to mix breast milk with high calorie (made extra strength) formula to make sure he was getting enough to eat. This is at the same time of taking care of my husband (with his burns) and taking care of a Toddler (my first son).

Another long story shorter....each visit to the cardiologist showed that the hole was getting smaller and smaller. At 2 1/2 years old, they did an echocardiogram and it showed that the Hole was sucking in one of the Leafs of the Aorta. They said he had to have open heart surgery, that this COULD NOT heal on it's own. If they didn't do the surgery, he would be an invalid.
My heart was broken, but not my spirit. Of coarse I prayed. I was scared to death, but All I could do was believe that God would help us get through this. It sure seemed dark. But it's always darkest before morning and "Joy" cometh in the morning. You just "Hang on" by your fingernails and faith.

Right before they were to schedule Surgery, they did another echocardiogram. Normally it takes 20 minutes. This was taking 45 minutes. Finally the Doctor looked at me and said "I can't explain this, It's the same machine, the Same Tech doing it... HIS HEART IS COMPLETELY HEALED!! The leaf of the aorta was in it's proper place and some skin out of no where covered the hole. It's as if it never happened. Like he never had a hole in his heart in the First place. It was a miracle. documented. (Thank you, Lord).

Tough times never last, but Tough people do.

Touch times don't steal your compassion, they give you even more.


This is how I KNOW you are going to come through this to the other side and be So much stronger. It also will give you lots of wisdom and experience to share in your nursing career. Your kids? They will learn from this too. They will learn what truly IS important. They will learn to enjoy the "little things" in life. That it's People, not things. They will learn to appreciate life and Loved ones. They will learn that tough times don't last, but tough people do. They will learn that you can be tough, gain wisdom and still have compassion (actually have more).

[Tooter]

Originally Posted by backspace1

Checking in this morning...

hi to everyone!

Breakfast - 3 eggs scrambled w/half slice cheese, large pat of butter - coffee w/cream

Lost and Found - So sorry you're going through all this turmoil with your family. I know you will end up in a much better place for you and your boys. I will keep you in my prayers that everything works out for you. I truely believe everything happens for a reason. Congrats on all the weight loss, you're doing awesome. Just a thought, why not try a cheap cooler in the basement for some of your food?


Tooter - you've convinced me to get the