When I was around 3-4 years old, I had a pillow that my grandmother made for me that I named Elizabeth It was white on one side and blue on the other with a big white bunny quilted on it. I had this pillow until I was 19 and our house burned down and poor Elizabeth the pillow did not make it out. (All my family was completely safe, no one was home).

As of right now, its a power-puff girls pillow. The blonde one named Bubbles. I got it shortly after the house fire as a gift to myself to replace Elizabeth. It started as a joke within my close friends and parents, bc what grown/teenage girl really needs a power puff girls pillow?! But I did and obviously still do. I am not even sure that my parents know I still have it or if they remember the replacement but I'm sure they would remember "Elizabeth." haha

Yes, my husband will hand it to me if I am tossing/turning at night and do not have her near me

P.S. When we go out of town, I need an extra pillow to hug/lay on, I do not take Bubbles with me but I did take Elizabeth a lot of places.

I have odd things - like a card holder/decks of canasta cards that I played with my grandpa (mom's dad) for years. I got some of his glasses he got in Poland, when he finally got to go home for a visit, but I never knew about them before he passed. With my mom's mom, I mainly have memories. I have a few small cute things that were hers, but none that I remember as much as I do her. My dad's dad, I just have memories. My grandma still is with us, so his things didn't really get distributed much, other than when they downsized to move a retirement village.

My former MIL passed at 49, and I held on to things of hers for a number of years, but the horrible way my ex and I wrapped things up left me wanting to sever most of that connection...

But, while I have "things," I don't pull them out, look at them, or use them regularly. It is kind of odd. The person I miss the most, though, is my daughter. She is still on this earth, but she, by way of her father and stepmom-to-be, has removed herself completely from my life. There is a long story there, but I'm okay overall...I just miss the her I used to know. From what I understand, the person she is becoming I wouldn't know or like. But that really isn't surprising since she is with her dad full-time now... Anyway...

For me, it is more about the memories than the items.

Hugs, Carly in OK

Do either trigger sweet cravings that you give in to sometimes? Some people are anti diet sodas, some are not. It all comes down to artificial sweetners. Honestly if it is not affecting your weight loss and you do not feel bad on them and are not finding you crave more sugary stuff after drinking it just go for whatever you want. Personally I would probably have the iced coffee and then drink the diet pepsi as an occasional treat, get a small bottle for yourself once a week kind of thing. I like Coke zero, but I do not buy it regularly, maybe once a month we get a bottle and DH drinks more of it then me. I have a friend who allows herself to a can of diet pop in the evening if she has stuck to her cals and has already gotten in all her water. I thought that was a nice idea.

I have a horrible habit of drinking iced coffee. Though my recent discovery is kroger brand carbmaster chocolate milk. Add a cup to iced coffee and off I go. 80 cal, 7g carbs, 11g protein I believe. Good and bad, however you want to look at it.

My drink treats were sweet tea and coke. Slowly I have learned enjoy unsweet tea and diet coke. Though the diet coke is still a tad sweet tasting for me. Both of these are on a "treat" basis.

I believe in you Pat!

For me the things that have a lot of meaning to me include an old pocket watch I was given by my Grandfather and a Swedish family bible from the 1700's from the other grandfather. I also treasure the set of ****ens' novels that I was given by my great aunt.

No ride yet. I just needed to get more client work done. So it's been a little bit of a frustrating day. I might be able to go this evening but i'm not sure. I think any long rides will have to wait till the weekend. Just one of those days.