Marge

any kind of chip or crunchy snack cracker. They have to be a complete No-No in my house. But my very biggest crave is a Cape Cod 50% less fat Kettle Chip. It has been 2 years or more since I have crunched a single one. I was taking a cab to meet friends in a mini -mall ( the only place I know in this area that carries that chip). I mean I really wanted those chips. I had coffee and took my cab. I had to hunt all over that store and finally was sent to the organic food section to get MY chips. 6.5 oz. Quickly did the math. I could eat the whole bag and an apple and stay within my daily calories. SO I DID!! Am I sorry? Not one bit. Will I do that again? Probably, in about a year! Needless to say the craving is gone… for any kind of chip. Feel a little sick just writing about it. I did fine the rest of the holiday season. Stayed the same on weight ticker. Even my blood sugar was fine that day because I divided up the binge into 3 meals(?) Was it healthy? NO! But staying on plan is easier now. Have a Happy New Year and plan your “just have to haves”. Love and hugs, Marge

friend? I watched the “Winnie the Pooh’s Christmas” the other night. My grandsons loved that when they were little. I had to watch it again and again with them. This morning I had a phone call telling me that a member of the family was trying to pick a quarrel with any family member she could. (family tradition). I thought about Eeyore and the way he always looks on the dark side of any situation. Just their nature, I guess. But NO ONE is going to spoil my holiday. I am going to church tonight and hear the children’s choir sing Carols. I am going to remember the love we were shown by our greatest gift. I will treasure the memory of Ed and little Maria. Love one another. If we could all do that one special thing our world would change. Take care, ENJOY, and don’t be the Eeyore in your family! Love you anyway, Eeyore. Just hate to see you so unhappy. Love to all my buddies, Marge

and got a very odd look. I told him I was in front of the window putting on my make-up last week, my face looks like that crackle ware you see in pottery. He said, OH, MOM!! Then today I got a catalog (I get hundreds of catalogs) that had a product called “WRINKLE  FILLER….a GREAT QUICK FIX, THIS GEL INSTANTLY HELPS SMOOTH THE APPEARANCE OF LINES BY FILLING IN CREASES. Maybe a little sanding then. I call these things “Hope in a bottle”. My wrinkles are all smile lines, just smile and they are harder to see. Keep moving, too. Wrinkles are harder to see if you keep moving. Reminds me of all the Lose 7 lbs. in 4 days. No diet, no exercise. Sure. This gray hair and wrinkles got here by living and I prefer to call them “character”, you know, when you tell your kids, You are giving me gray hair by that little stunt. Have a super weekend and TRY to do the best you can surrounded by delicious goodies. Kiss the little ones for me. Love, Marge

I REALLY injured my back with the need to prove I could still go so far on my own. Then the next day I cleaned the oven. Oh, I am soooo smart, lifted the door from the oven, (they are heavy, especially from the w/c with no leverage). Then reached as far into the back of the oven as I sould manage. I felt this little pop, but I had no idea of the damage I had done until the next morning. It took me 30 mins. of agony to get out of bed. My #2 son called yesterday to tell me they were on their way over. He threatened to take the new brace off my w/c he had made and put on for me. At least he didn’t threaten a nursing home. I told him okay, but didn’t tell him my new w/c was delivered Wed. He reminded me he was as bad as I am. He does hard physical work (at 52) and when he feels good he does too much and is in pain for days. Glad they understand I am trying to improve my health, not kill myself. Well, the eating got out of hand because I wanted to be up and busy and I was flat on my back for over a week. I would grab a handful of dried fruit and nuts and get back on the heating pad. BUT I grabbed too often. I want a “do over” on weight loss this last two weeks. I promise to do better and just stretches for exercise. Enjoy your prep for holidays and chin up, mouth closed! Love and hugs, Marge

On my way back home from my trip Wed. I was helping a woman find a little dog’s owner. Then the sun went behind some clouds and a wind picked up. I had on a heavy turtle neck sweater, but I was getting chillier and chillier….. so I picked up the pace of my spin. When I woke the next morning I had so much pain in my ribs, front and back, every breath hurt. Just overdone it the day before. I had forgotten, when you overdo at my age it takes a couple of days to get over it. I would laugh about it, but it really hurts when I laugh. I am not telling my sons about this one. They will be looking for a nursing home!! No moans when they come to visit tomorrow. I hope you are on plan and moving around this weekend. I am eating well… but not moving around much. Just cleaning my oven. You remember Handsel and Gretel…. in the end the old witch climbs in the oven to see if it is hot enough and Gretel shuts her in to cook. Feel just like the old witch. Love, Marge