twilap

What a wonderful and easy recipe! Yum....anything with chocolate is good...but especially simple recipes. Thanks! I am going to try it!

Way to go! I am doing terrible! I have blown my diet for a few days and I am not exercising! I am so busy running around trying to get everything done that when I slow down I feel "too tired" to exercise. What an excuse, huh? Okay....I can do this! I think!

How tragic!!!! Those poor parents! Very, very sad!

Hi Stargirl!!!! Wow, we have Debbie's all over the place!!! Welcome back to the board! I am glad your son is doing better and hope you are able to post a lot more now! Have a wonderful day! Debbie

Thanks Mare and everyone for the recipes! You have given me some wonderful recipes to try! The Open House is usually from 1-5 p.m. We have a good friend that is now diabetic, plus many who started to eat healthier this year, so we are going to focus on some healthy foods, but of course we need to have some yummy "fattening" foods too! If you think of any more feel free to put them down, as I will continue to check and see if there is anything new.

Wow, thanks for all the ideas everyone! Yum!!!! I think I am going to try a lot of these things this year. Mare, I would like the recipe for the hot crab dip if you have time to put it here. Thanks again!!!!! If you think if any others, I am still open to ideas! I want it to be a little different from previous years. Our friends and family have really been there for us this year with all that we had going on. So, it's a small way we can say thanks for their friendship!

I just said a prayer!

Oh Debbielee, I know what you mean. It is so tempting to eat those foods. I have quit eating cheese, and so pizza is out, but sometimes.....droooool....it sounds so good. BUT, we can do it! We can resist! There isn't much nutritional value in those foods. They put on weight, but don't nourish our bodies. We can resist....I think I can...I think I can...I think I can....chug...chug...chug... Hang in there!!!!

Oh Dee...that would be scary! I am grateful he survived it! I pray he will think next time before drinking so much!

My husband and I always host a Christmas gathering where we have an open door policy for people to come and go anytime they want within a 5 hour time period. We usually have between 35-50 people. We usually serve easy finger foods, etc. Do you have any recipes that are proven to be well liked for parties? Healthy recipes are wanted too! I would like to make chocolate "shells" that are round and can be filled with things like chocolate mousse, etc. Does anyone know how to do that? Any "make ahead" recipes that can be frozen, etc. would be good too! I am on a budget, so I need to be careful how much I spend! Thanks for any input you can give to me!

How did your sale go? I will assume if you don't respond that you sold your computer! Hope it went well!

I am waving my flag from So. California! Hi ya'll!!!!!

We use the "Stevia" for sweetening things now. It is an herb! It is very sweet, so you don't have to use very much at all. I will squeeze lemons and put a little Stevia in it and water and there I have my lemonade! Japan uses this as one of their main "artificial" sweeteners, but it doesn't have any chemicals in it. There are NO side effects. My husband and I have been using it since January and have had absolutely no problems with it at all. We purchase ours at our Health food store. It is expensive, but in almost a year we have only used about 1/2 of a bottle. Just wanted to share with you if you want to find a natural source of sweetening!

It sounds to me like you can't afford to let your guard down....your daughter is at risk! Hang in there....I will be praying that God gives you the wisdom you need in this situation!!1 Have a blessed day!

I used to subscribe to "Taste of Home" but now I just do "Light and Tasty" Both very good!

Diimi I am glad your mom is doing better! Lois, I will be praying for your mom too!

I tend to let myself get too stressed out! I have learned that sometimes saying I need a few minutes to myself helps and I go and pray, read, or just lay on the bed. Talking to friends helps, gardening helps, prayer, Bible Study, playing with the dogs, cleaning house, getting things done on my "things to do list", eating healthy makes a big difference for me, exercise.....

Wow...your letter sure seemed to make a difference! How do you feel about it?

I just had to check out your weather reports.... My dad is a truck driver and is in the midwest right now! I will have to call and see where specifically he is and what the weather is doing. I live in sunny Southern California...but would love some rain or snow...maybe not as much as you get though! Bundle up!!!!!!

I have been to Calico a couple times when I was in school.....oh boy, that was a long time ago! I have heard and studied Scotty's Castle in Death valley, when I lived in Bishop as a kid, but have never been there. I don't know why I have a hard time going to visit a desert area...maybe because I live in one. But, maybe we will have to check that out and go visit! Thanks for reminding me about it!

Oh boy, I would have loved to go to a BJ Thomas and Neil Diamond concert! I have been to mainly christian concerts: Supertones, Skillet, Rich Mullens, Alter Boys reunion concert (the drummer is now our worship leader at church), The Imperials, etc. My dear hubby wants me to go to see Switchfoot in concert tonight. I don't know...I hate the crowds...but usually enjoy the concerts.

Suzzee: I am sorry about your fall and about your father. I do think emotional things can truly effect our physical being. Although circumstances sound different, I understand the sudden loss of a parent as my mom passed away suddenly and unexpectedly in March. Take your time getting back to what you were doing before. It will take time to walk as much, etc. I miss swimming too! It has cooled down enough that the water is about 65-68 degrees or so...a little too cool...although I did swim once at 73 degrees. It almost too my breath away it was so cold. I love the fall weather, but I don't get out and walk. I need to, or at least use my treadmill! I don't like to go walking by myself. Hang in there, and know that I will be praying for you!

It sounds like your daughter is being tested as if she is in Special Education, yet it doesn't sound like she is in Special Education. Is she in RSP? The reason I ask this is because my husband is a Special Education Teacher for middle school. EVERY YEAR they test his kids to see what level they are at for reading, math, etc. They are required to meet with the parents to discuss the results and set a plan. This would include behavior. They test physical abilities, emotional, etc. I think every few years. At my husbands school the special ed classes are smaller in size, which allows for a little more one on one help as well as helps lower the chances of behavior problems within the class. Now, he has the same problem though with kids not turning in their work. He would love to have you as parents because you care if she turns it in or not. He has had a several parents over the years say that he is picking on their kids by making them do their work. I agree with you about her turning in her assignments. That would help her grade...even if she doesn't do 100% on each assignment, but makes the effort to turn in her assignments is part of a grade. My husband has had to give D's and F's mainly for assignments not turned in. Even after many, many phone calls to parents, reports home,etc. nothing changes. I think it is a bummer that school districts do not hold kids back...but you are right...I think it is a money thing. Even when a teacher wants to hold a student back and talk to the parents, they are not always allowed to. Many times it has to be the parent to bring it up. Before switching schools, I would find out more about the other school to see if it is just administration at your current school or administration at the district level. I would also sit down with the principal at the new school to have a plan set in place BEFORE you switch her. That way you know that all are concerned about her well being and want to work as a TEAM! I will be praying for you!

Still praying for you all!

I just heard about the Winchester house! I think we are going to try and go there the next time we are in the area with relatives. Dee, that's a bummer you didn't get a chance to see Hearst Castle up close. It was better than I imagined. At first, I thought I wouldn't like it. I am not into fancy things, wealth, etc. So, I didn't think it would be very interesting, but it was. If you do go, plan to get there about 1 hour early so you can see the movie before going on the tour. That's what made it more interesting for me. When we were in San Francisco it was 92 degrees. I couldn't believe it. It was warm and beautiful.