VIP LOUNGE! Welcome to the 2025 Winter 5% Challenge!
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@Tabatha_Cain , Awww TY Joe for helping out your co-worker!! That was so nice of him, in turn if he wants/needs time off hopefully she'll help him if she can. Will it be overtime? LOL I used to love getting overtime!! A day off though is also nice. For his stone it depends on what is made from. Water is the best thing for any kidney issue.
@Patti241, Happy to hear your Friday went well. Over the weekend are you able to relax?
@Ittybitty456, Love having you back with us!! Glad you found Janey ( Gouldsgranite) we were both leaders back on Sparkpeople on the Spirited Under Dawg team.
@Sweetpeasmom55, my kidney dr recommended lemonade because I needed the extra acid. OH man when the kidney stone decides to drop down OH MY GOODNESS!!! Glad you are going to put yourself first!! Like on airplane, put your oxygen on first before someone you are with.
I had a sleep study Thurs night, LOL this picture cracks me up!! I'll hopefully have any answers in 2 weeks.
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Insight Timer Quote:
The mind is just like a muscle-the more you exercise it, the stronger it gets and the more it can expand.—Idowu Koyenikan
Daily Insight:
Do the right thing. It will gratify some people and astonish the rest.—Mark Twain
I AM:
I create my own future.
Action for Happiness:
Say hello to your neighbor and brighten their day.
Fitness Quote:
Turn the pain into power and conquer your goals.—gymquotes.co
Fun Fact:
BILL OF RIGHTS DAY
Bill of Rights Day (by Presidential Proclamation)
"Now, Therefore, I, Franklin D. Roosevelt, President of the United States of America, do hereby designate December 15, 1941, as Bill of Rights Day. And I call upon the officials of the Government, and upon the people of the United States, to observe the day by displaying the flag of the United States on public buildings and by meeting together for such prayers and such ceremonies as may seem to them appropriate."
BillOfRightsDay
The first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution make up the Bill of Rights. Passed by Congress on September 25, 1789, these rights place limits on government power.
Did you know?
• The bill was introduced by James Madison. He later became the 4th President of the United States.
• Congress passed 12 of Madison's proposed amendments. The states only ratified 10 of them. One of the two rejected by the states concerned the number of constituents for each Representative. The other limited when and how members of Congress are compensated. Neither was ratified at the time.
• The latter of the two rejected amendments was ratified 203 years later. The 27th Amendment restricted compensation for members of Congress.
• The Bill of Rights is displayed in The Rotunda of the National Archives Building in Washington, DC.
• There were 14 copies made; one for each of the 13 states to sign and one for the federal archives. Only 12 copies survive today.
ADVERTISING
HOW TO OBSERVE BILL OF RIGHTS DAY
Learn more about the Bill of Rights and exercise them. Read or watch a documentary about the first 10 Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
• The First Congress by Fergus M. Bordewich
• James Madison by Ralph Ketcham
• The Story of the Bill of Rights
Use #BillOfRightsDay to post on social media.
Learn more right now by reading 6 Facts About the Bill of Rights.
BILL OF RIGHTS DAY HISTORY
President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared Bill of Rights Day on December 15, 1941, recognizing the history and importance of the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
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Good Morning VIP friends:
I hope you are all doing well this morning. Today is Sunday and it is the day I am actually going to my cousins for cousin baking day. It is going to be great. We are gonna chat about bake and just hang out. I am not sure if my sister will go. Probably not. Since she has been with her boyfriend and also gotten cancer she really does not go anywhere he cannot go. I don't understand why either. She is so afraid of being without a man. She will take whoever she gets. This guy she has been with him the same amount of time I have been with Joe and well he already told her he would never marry her, and he doesn't invite her to anything having to do with his family. He always leaves her home. I feel like he is using her for a place to live. Oh and he doesn't work because supposedly he hurt his shoulder at a job and is trying to sue them, but keeps getting told the injury is not from the job so no lawyer will take the case. Sounds suspicious right.
@ittybitty456 - Welcome back to the Challenge.
@Kurtize - Beautiful Poinsettas. I wish I could have some of those in my house. My cats would eat them though and they are toxic to animals.
@SweetPeasMom55 - Oh Wow. Our urologist said that the blasting Joe is having done will actually turn the stone into powder for my husband to pass. So maybe your dad had the shock wave blast which we were told only works in 60% of cases. So I could see why it did not work. My husband's stone is 13mmX11mm. They said 2 big to pass naturally and if it gets any bigger they will need to do multiple procedures to get it all turned to powder. Yeah that building is definitely interesting. I would love to see it. Definitely make a plan on what you need to be happy and healthy. You cannot help others if your tank is empty.
@Dianedoessmiles1 - It was overtime for Joe. Joe drinks so much water every day. They said his kidney is well hydrated just now the stone is too big to pass naturally. Don't you love sleep studies. Joe will be having one soon. We go see the sleep doctor Thursday this coming week. I am sure they will order a sleep study for him since he has not had one since 2013.
Well I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday
Tabatha0 -
Diane: Not really. Every now and then I can relax0
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Dad was having a rough day. I took over the Christmas gifts and put them under the tree. Dad was so excited . Another year I am sure everything will be opened before I get there Christmas morning. Amazing how he normally does not get moving til 9 am but Xmas morning everything is all unwrapped by then. Lol I also made sure they both had equal number of gifts to open. Mom had an extra last year. Yes I actually wrapped his lottery tickets. Just hoping he doesn't struggle too much with the wrapping paper. He wanted paper and not tissue.0
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Happy Sunday, have a wonderful day.
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@Tabatha_Cain, how did the day go? Hope that was fun!!! I had a huge kidney stone, they put in a stent to help me. On top of the OUCH of the stent i had a bad UTI!! OH, MY GOODNESS!!! I hope Joe can sleep for the sleep study!
@Patti241, have you seen the healthy habits for this challenge? Will those help you with relaxing.
@Sweetpeasmom55, I smiled reading about your Dad. LOL things that make us feel excited like a little kid again.
@Kurtize, hope you did also!!0 -
Good Morning VIP Friends:
I hope you are all doing well this morning. Today is Monday and it is my long day at work, but it is going to be a great day. I am hoping that I am able to get everything done that I need to get done today. I have to call Joe's old doc office and see if they have a copy of the report from back in 2013 because the place he had it done at no longer has a copy of it. Weird huh. How does a hospital not have a record of a sleep study they did back in 2013.
@Dianedoessmiles1 - I hope so too. It will be so weird having to sleep without him. I don't think we have slept apart since we have gotten married so it will be really weird not having him at home asleep next to me. Stent was not even mentioned for Joe's kidney stone. I am betting since you also had a UTI that is why they put in the stent.
Well I hope you all have a wonderful Monday.
Tabatha0 -
Insight Timer Quote:
Our greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.—William James
Daily Insight:
It is the fight alone that pleases us, not the victory.—Blaise Pascal
I AM:
I let go of what was and welcome what is.
Action for Happiness:
Look for something positive to say to everyone you speak to.
Fitness Quote:
Never apologize for having high standards. People who really want to be in your life will rise up to meet them.
Fun Fact:
NATIONAL CHOCOLATE-COVERED ANYTHING DAY
Chocolate lovers rejoice on National Chocolate Covered Anything Day! December 16th offers the chocolate day you've been waiting for. On this day, dip and drizzle your favorite foods in every kind of chocolate imaginable.
#ChocolateCoveredAnythingDay
If you could cover anything in chocolate, what would it be? So many foods improve when we dip them in chocolate. Many businesses build their foundation on the practice of dipping food into chocolate. Whether you pick up a chocolate fountain or order a bouquet of a beautiful arrangement of chocolate-dipped fruit, celebrate!
But fruit isn't the only food meant for dipping in chocolate. Oh no. Other foods cry out for chocolate, too. Have you tried chocolate-covered peanuts, cashews, or walnuts? Pretzels undergo a divine transformation when dipped in chocolate, and they even have a national day of their own. Pound cake and gummy candies taste delicious with chocolate, too. If you love coffee, how can you pass up chocolate-covered coffee beans?
The list goes on. What's your favorite covered chocolate covered anything?
HOW TO OBSERVE CHOCOLATE COVERED ANYTHING DAY
Pick up some chocolate-covered anything, or try your hand at dipping your favorite food in chocolate. Invite friends to join you and share in the experiment. Chocolate-covered treats make great gifts during the holiday season, too.
Try these suggestions:
• Bananas and peanut butter
• Cookies
• Potato chips
• Orange wedges
• Ritz crackers
• Biscotti
• Peanut brittle
• Marshmallows
• Fudge
• Shortbread
• Ice cream
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I just so love it when the weather man gets it wrong in my favour.
Forecast wall to wall rain all day.
Just dreich in the morning so I got the paths I intended plus almost half of the rest of Anne’s paths and wall tops powerwashed today. Just meant to do the main paths and steps to remove slippery algae. We don’t need to add broken bones to all her other issues.1 -
Diane: I did see the healthy habits and they will help to relax0
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Happy Monday.
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I think we got hit with the full moon juju. Definitely had some big problems at work. I think support has had their fill of us. Oh well tomorrow is a new day. It was stressful but I didn't eat candy.2
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Good Morning VIP friends:
I hope you are all doing well this morning. Today is Tuesday and I have my first one on one with my supervisor. I am excited about that. I have a decent amount of questions and well I hope they get answered and they are good. I am looking forward to it. I also got some time off the phones yesterday to do some quoting for a client. He called in and wanted us to quote 4 different vehicles he was looking at purchasing to see which would not affect his insurance rate too much. So my supervisor let me get off the phones to do the quoting and then email him the pricing differences. So I thought that was pretty cool.
@nansbones7708 - That is great. So glad you got the power washing done. I need to get them done on my front steps as well. My steps are wood and the steps get quite slippery when wet. My husband slipped a couple weeks ago. Unfortunately our temps outside are not warm enough for us to be able to power wash the steps without causing them to freeze and then we will really slip all over the place. Definitely going to get that done in the spring though. Or when warm weather strikes again.
@SweetPeasMom55 - I could see that. It had to be full moon juju. I do hope today is better for you. We had a lot of technical stuff as well. Although we always have slow documents, and slow transaction times because our system runs so slow sometimes.
Well I hope you all have a wonderful Tuesday
Tabatha1 -
Insight Timer Quote:
Often it’s the deepest pain which empowers you to grow into your highest self.—Karen Salmansohn
Daily Insight:
There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so.—William Shakespeare
I AM:
I celebrate my individuality and embrace my uniqueness.
Action for Happiness:
Give thanks. List the kind things others have done for you.
Fitness Quote:
This year is all about BEAST MODE.—gymquotes.co
Fun Fact:
NATIONAL MAPLE SYRUP DAY
Get the flapjacks ready for National Maple Syrup Day. December 17th calls for orders of pancakes, french toast, or biscuits topped off with butter and delicious maple syrup.
#MapleSyrupDay
It is usually from the xylem sap of sugar maple, red maple, or black maple trees that maple syrup is made from although it is not limited to those maple species.
These trees, in cold climates, store starch in their trunks and in their roots. In the spring, the starch is then converted to sugar that rises in the sap. The maple trees are then tapped by boring holes into their trunks and the released sap is collected. After the sap is collected, it is processed by heating to evaporate much of the water, leaving the concentrated syrup.
The indigenous peoples of North American first collected, processed, and used maple syrup. European settlers adopted the practice and gradually refined production methods. In the 1970s, technological improvements further refined the process of making syrup.
• A maple syrup production farm is called a sugarbush or a sugarwood.
• The sap is boiled in a sugar house which is also known as a sugar shack, sugar shanty, or a cabane à sucre.
• Up until the 1930s, the United States led in maple syrup production. Now, Canada produces the most maple syrup.
• Vermont is the largest producer of maple syrup in the United States.
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Another co-workers Dad passed only in his late 50s. Really makes me want to get healthy.0
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@Tabatha_Cain , great job of looking up info for the customer. Was he pleased? How did the 1 on 1 go? Ice freaks me or, but today was 51. Sigh.
@Sweetpeasmom55, was work better? I took, want to healthier so I do not die before 70.
I was busy Tuesday's and today I'm not 100%. By being careful I can do more in the long run. TY 4 understanding.1 -
Insight Timer Quote:
Experience is not what happens to you; it’s what you do with what happens to you.—Aldous Huxley
Daily Insight:
Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.—Albert Einstein
I AM:
I remain grateful through the highs and lows.
Action for Happiness:
Ask for help and let someone else discover the joy of giving.
Fitness Quote:
Train with BEASTS if you want to become one.—gymquotes.co
Fun Fact:
NATIONAL TWIN DAY
On December 18th, National Twin Day celebrates all the siblings who enjoy the unique connection because they share a birthday.
#NationalTwinDay
Whether fraternal or identical, twins share everything right from the beginning. While their personalities may be different, they often know what the other is going to say before the words are spoken. Distance isn't an issue either. Twins manage to stay connected across the country or around the globe.
Of course, mythology teaches us about twins from the very beginning, as does the Bible. From the rivalry of Esau and Jacob to Aphrodite's twin sons Phobos and Deimos as well as the mortal and immortal twins of the constellation, Gemini, we explore a host of human conditions.
Notable Twins
Through the years, we've been fascinated by twins, too. Literature embraced the twin duplicity with enthusiasm. Take Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, for example, and the confusion that ensues with Sebastian and Viola. Even modern-day sitcoms keep us in tears when twins are portrayed. Phoebe Buffay of the sitcom Friends and, more recently, Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory humorously depicted their twin lives.
But real-life twins intrigue us, too. When twins move into the White House, we are sure to pay attention, as was the case with Barbara and Jenna Bush in 2001. Of course, when they play magical characters like James and Oliver Phelps did in the Harry Potter series, we feel like they're family. Their roles as Fred and George Weasley kept us coming back for more.
Some twins have the same interests. For example, Mark and Scott Kelly both became astronauts and have contributed not only to space exploration but also to scientific study. Twins Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson and Monique Lamoureux's love of hockey brought them together on the U.S. Olympic Hockey Team.
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Good morning everyone0
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We are having more construction today at work. The brand-new equipment is faulty. The problem is they squeezed it into tiny spots. Not thinking about it ever having to be fixed. Lol
The pool was only 72 degrees this morning. Oh my was it chilly! I got in and ran around to warm up. Only in for an hour as I was getting really cold.
Tonight is stretch class. Weather may be icy but hopefully holds till I get home.
I'm feeling very tired today. I may go to bed early so I can make swim tomorrow. Hopefully, it'll be warmer. I wore my alpaca socks to warm up my feet faster but they are still pretty cold. My swim buddy was all thank goodness I didn't go. What a party pooper.0 -
Keep finding more excuses I need to overcome.
Today
I needed to eat candy because I always do while driving ?????
It’s the same on Sundays we always suck candy during the sermon.
I stopped for a cuppa on the way home and we never buy a cuppa without a biscuit.
How many more excuses will I come up with before I realise that my clothes will ALWAYS keep shrinking while I always do these things1 -
I’m really looking forward to the winter challenge. It’s my first but I think it will really help me stay accountable. I’ve lost 24lbs since July 1st and have another 35 to go. (Hmmm,.. just realized I’m almost half way to my goal!). I’ve been all over the place with keto, fasting, low carb type diets. Then I found out about Lumen. Using it in conjunction with MFP I’m really learning about what my body needs and wants.
My biggest challenge is getting in enough protein. I’m sensitive to dairy (casein not lactose), egg whites, and a few other things. I lived off of dairy (cottage cheese, cheese in general, yogurt etc) now not being able to eat it my only option is meat, fish and tofu. I know there’s some beans out there but they’re high in carbs which can throw off my macros. I’m not giving up! I will figure this out!
Looking forward to settling into the group.2 -
Answering these one by one (but in this same feed) because I was mostly done, got distracted and closed it out OOPS without posting. I am cooking up taco meat with very low sodium. I'll not use a lot of it, but it'll add flavor. YUMMY!!
@Patti241, what did you do today? Today I took an easier day physically, but I've been busy online. WOOHOO!!
@Sweetpeasmom55, UGH that no one even thought of repairs needing to be done. Hopefully, that's now being corrected. I used to swim at our community pool, it was 72 to 74 now? it's at 68 ONLY 68 and sometimes 66 because the HS swim teams use it. OH MY!! That's WAY to cold. I stopped going. I did giggle at your swim partners response, I GET THAT!! Your new team will LOVE having you with your "Positive" attitude. (She'll understand this likely @Nansbones7708 others will also.)
@nansbones7708, Nan have you thought of using a journal to see why you are grabbing what you deem as maybe not needed? With the time written down, how long since you had eaten, were you hungry (IF SO ALWAYS eat, or on an earlier meal you may wish to eat more) where you thirsty? Eons on ago on Sparks I did this it helped me to see most of the time it was a habit, not hunger driving me to eat more. This may not be the case with you. I found it useful, so I am sharing it with others.
@cruising132, HI WELCOME ABOARD the 5% Challenge!! we are happy to have you and many new members for the 2025 Winter 5% Challenge!! TY TY TY for posting to any team is great!! You'll be assigned one as we get closer to Jan 11th (Likely by the 4th, but that's not set in stone). The 11th is. With our any team members as the teams fill up, we love all 8 teams to start with the same number of members. We use the Any team members to help even them out if needed. SUPER congrats on the 24 gone with 35 to go!! What is Lumen? I know I've heard of it, but others may be interested. I am sure you've watched many videos (I use youtube a LOT for recipes and ideas) and have googled it. Are there many veggies and fruits you can eat which are low carb? Healthline (dependable site) has some. Here's the link: https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/low-carb-fruits-and-vegetables#low-carb-vegetables
Here's a list of carbs in some beans. I am not sure what your limit is, this list may not be helpful, but I hope it is!
Black beans: 12 grams (*)
Pinto beans: 15 grams (*)
Kidney beans: 14 grams (*)
Navy beans: 13 grams (*)
Great Northern beans: 13 grams (*)
Lentils: 12 grams (*)
Lima beans: 13 grams (*)
Chickpeas: 17 grams (*)
Green beans: 2 grams (*)
Soybeans: 4 grams (*)
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Yes boy's varsity swim was last night so the pool was chilly this morning. When the twins won't tell us the water temp knew it was chilly. My rear feels like a frozen turkey. Normal swim crew not present this morning. I got out of the pool starving as the women kept talking about food. I ate my protein bar and am feeling better. Yesterday I did not eat anywhere near my protein level. I was exhausted by day's end. Yep, doctor knows best. The doctor rescheduled my appointment for Feb. Hopefully I can drop another 5 lbs by then. This time of year is always hard for me. I just need to do things in moderation.
Have a great day everyone!!0 -
@Dianedoessmiles1, thanks for the warm welcome and congrats!
To answer your question “What is Lumen?” It’s easier for me to just cut and paste from google the explanation 😊
“Lumen is a device that tracks metabolism and provides personalized nutrition and lifestyle recommendations. It uses CO2 sensors and other technology to analyze breath and provide insights on sleep, workouts, and meal timing. The goal is to help users manage their weight, increase energy, and discover a healthier lifestyle.”
I’ve been using Lumen since October. So just a few months. The morning breath is the most important. The goal is to wake up in fat burn not carb burn. My experience is by waking up in fat burn I feel better. I’m ready for my day and have energy. By using the Lumen I’m learning that eating the majority of my carbs earlier in the day is helpful and I’m finding the best 16:8 fasting window for myself.
The downside is they use Facebook as their main source of communication and information on the device. I personally don’t care for Facebook.
I agree, Healthline is a great source for information on different foods and a whole lot more.Thanks for the info on beans. I’m assuming what you’re providing is based on 100g.
I can eat many fruits and vegetables so that’s not a problem. My typical macros are 65-100g carbs, 130g protein and 60-75g fat.
I have found the best way for me to get my protein is by having protein shakes in the morning with greens, fruit, nut butter and a none dairy milk.
I then ensure I take in at least 100g of meat (beef, pork, fish, chicken) for lunch and 150g for dinner. I don’t mind tofu but I’m challenged with flavour. You’re right in that u-tube is a great reference for ideas.0 -
Insight Timer Quote:
The world has only as much power over you as you give it. Rebel. Go beyond duality.—Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj
Daily Insight:
You must be the change you wish to see in the world.—Mahatma Gandhi
I AM:
I feel secure in my body.
Action for Happiness:
Contact someone who may be alone or feeling isolated.
Fitness Quote:
The hard part isn’t getting your body in shape. The hard part is getting your mind in shape.
Fun Fact:
NATIONAL HARD CANDY DAY
A favorite of young and old alike, National Hard Candy Day on December 19th, recognizes the sweet tooth in all of us.
#HardCandyDay
Most hard candies are 100% sugar with flavoring and colors added. To achieve a hard candy, confectioners boil a sugar syrup to 320 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the temperature is reached, the hot, pliable sugar is poured into molds or rolled and folded into shapes and left to cool. Once cool, solid sugar becomes hardened and brittle.
The first hard candies, such as lemon drops and peppermints, were likely prescribed as a remedy for stomach ailments.
Hard candy became popular in the seventeenth century as sugar prices fell. Previously, hard candy was something that only the well-to-do could afford. By the mid-1800s, over 400 companies were manufacturing this popular treat.
In 2015, Jolly Rancher surpassed Werther's Original as the best-selling hard candy. Other popular hard candies include Dum Dum Pops, Life Savers, Tootsie Roll Pops, and Charms Blow Pop.
HOW TO OBSERVE HARD CANDY DAY
Enjoy your favorite hard candy. While shopping for some to taste, be sure to pick some up to fill those stockings, too. National Hard Candy Day is also an excellent time to discover the history behind your favorite hard candies. You can read about many of the candy makers from bygone days or who are still producing our favorites. Watch videos showing you how these colorful candies are made, too. You will be amazed at how innovative each candy maker had to be to develop their own unique process.
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This is our building for Xmas. It's a historical landmark so it's pretty.1 -
@SweetPeasMom55 - It's beautiful 😍0
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@micaroo4 Space is really tight. Honestly it has taken us a few months to adjust. I really enjoy working there.0
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@Sweetpeasmom55, I did shiver for or with you!! But as I swam, I'd warm up. I found the water kind of invigorating, but I live in Maine. Often the ocean warms up to 63, but at 61 I am IN ALSO!! I went to FL and also CA and got into the ocean and was SO GROSSED OUT!! That is bath water!! Hehehe!! PRETTY Office! Nice openness. Though it's cramped it doesn't look it.
@Cruising132, that was quite interesting!! If I were still stalled, I probably would look into Lumen. I belong to several groups on FB to do with health. At times I wish I had created a fake name to do so. But I didn't and i am known on most of them. I am ready to drop the admins are such a PAIN! CONGRATS on the weight loss!! Nicely done. Will this be sustainable for you in the long run?
@Macrat12, OH I LOVE that hard candy!! I do not eat much candy, but that one is always yummy!!
Today I took it very easy again. I am happy I did. Tomorrow will be more active with shopping and going with a friend for 3 hours all in all. What we'll get into we will find out!! LOL!! At some point I am going to be teaching (or reteaching her, rebuilding her confidence) with playing CRIBBAGE!! No doubt it'll come right back to her. She wants to join a tournament I am in!! BRING IT ON GF I say!! LOL There's talk of it starting in Feb.0
