When life hands you lemons add alcohol and stir!

[MichelleLT]

We are all works in progress. There is no such thing as a perfect human. Don't beat yourself up about that part. Just keep doing work. You have come SO far, have made such amazing progress, and are well onto the path.

Good for you about biting your tongue with Gabe! And yay that he did it!!!! I hope you let him know how much you appreciated that.

Yeah, paperwork isn't fun. Good luck with all that!

[mishka422]

Finished all the IRA transfer and life insurance paperwork. Now I have to finish gathering all the hospital bills together for the AARP hospital indemnity. That is a LOT of paper!!! The postage is going to be huge for that one! LOL

Now that things are getting more in order (except my house...that's a complete disaster area) I'm going back to weight watchers this Saturday. My group leader will probably fall over when she sees me. With all the depression eating I managed to put back on every ounce I lost along with a bit. UGH! I feel miserable. Can't wait to get back to work on ME!

I already warned Gabe that the food choices in the house would be changing and all 'bad' stuff will be banned from my sight. He didn't balk at it so I figure he can get his junk fix while he's out. Now I just have to hope that my plantar fasciitis doesn't flare too badly.

Now that I've told you all about that......I have to start my Christmas baking and candy making soon. It usually takes me two entire weekends to get it all done for my family. The funny part is that I don't ever eat what I bake. After smelling it for days I find that I really don't want any. Miracle!

Do any of you do much baking for Christmas? If so, would be care to share a special family recipe with me? I'm trying to change up a couple of my cookie choices this year.

[Reincarnated]

Just a quick question, in light of all the upheaval you have had in your life these last few months.

Do you WANT to cook and bake?

Or do you think you have to, that it is expected, and you don't want to upset anyone?

[mishka422]

I always cook and bake. It's the one gift I can give and I enjoy giving. I already know I'm not going to make as much as I usually would because I'm not being that ambitious. No one would truly be upset, but I wouldn't feel right about it. It's a tradition.

[Reincarnated]

If you love to bake and do it to relax and get in the holiday spirit, then yes, I have an easy and fun recipe that I can change a few ingredients and make lots of variations...they start with a boxed cake mix (not sure if you are open to that).

[mishka422]

That sounds great! I make Paula Deen's Ooey, Gooey, butter cakes that you change around all sorts of ways and it starts with boxed cake mix too. I am all about Simply Homemade. Heck, Sandra Lee made a fortune out of something I have done forever!!! LOL

[JCJ]

Ooooh Mishka, whenever you talk about the food you make hear it always makes my mouth water... I love doing stuff like that but am such a terrible cook! What a wonderful gift to the family! And fun for getting in the holiday spirit. Do you sing loudly to Christmas songs when you do it? I always do when putting up the tree

(((Mishka)))

[mishka422]

I usually turn the Christmas music up loud and sing sing sing but there were some HUGE football games (American football) this weekend so I had those on while I was decorating the tree. Cookies are another subject. I do need music on while doing that. I haven't started that yet but I'm hoping that I can knock some of it out next weekend. The fudge keeps really well in the fridge for a couple of weeks but the cookies have to wait until right before Christmas or they aren't fresh. I can't stand to give stale or even heading toward stale cookies. UGH!

Gabe has been back in California since last Wednesday. On day two he sent me a text that said "Yes, I miss you." I hadn't asked him that, I hadn't been texting him except in response to something he sent me. That was a shock. I don't know if he was just feeling a little sad to be away or if he actually misses me but it sure gave me a little jolt of happiness for a little while. Like I've said before, I live on the edge teetering, waiting for him to walk out. He had nothing keeping him here and never says what he wants and we all know I'm not about to say a word to him about my feelings. Just feeling like he cared was nice though.

Hope you all had a great weekend. I spent mine trying to decorate my tree and put up some outside lights. I got the tree done with only a few tears and got about half of the outside lights done. The rest will have to wait until next weekend. Not bad.

[MichelleLT]

If baking relaxes you, definitely go for it.

I can post my easy recipe for dark chocolate guinness cupcakes if you want, it starts with a boxed cake mix too.

I haven't even figured out the tree thing yet. Growing up the rule was no talk of Christmas til after my mom's birthday (Dec 11th), she always figured 2 weeks before Christmas was enough time LOL.

Very cool about Gabe missing you. (Who wouldn't though, you are totally awesome!)

Sorry to hear the stress has contributed to gaining back some weight, but I'm sure you'll get a handle on it soon. You can do it!

Hang in there chica. Sounds like you can see the light at the end of the paperwork tunnel! And don't worry, if it is the light of the oncoming train, at least it'll run over all the paperwork!

[mishka422]

And don't worry, if it is the light of the oncoming train, at least it'll run over all the paperwork!

Bwwwhhhhaaaaa haaa haaa haaa haaa!!!! That was awesome!!