Dontondan

Stormy, this is so nice of your sister to accomodate all of us! Either way is fine with me.

Donna

I really like the drive down and I would have to drive over an hour to catch the train anyways.....I have a hybrid car that takes very little gas, so I can get down there under $20.00. I made my reservations on hotwire and got a room at the Sheraton by the airport. Besides, I like to stop and shop when I want to....Centralia is on the way home. Thanks anyway!

Donna

I wear an 18, (some 16's) so would love to have a look!!!

Donna

I haven't been on in a few days and just wanted to let you all know that I am coming down for the get-together. Does anyone want to ride with me? I plan on leaving Saturday morning and will be staying the night---will try to get in the Radisson also if I can. I will need to be back up to Bremerton by Sunday dinnertime! I can't wait! The buffet sounds wonderful, either way it will be a lot of fun.

I will be driving, so if I stay at the Radisson you can get a ride with me. I would love the company.

Donna

Yay, looks like I have the kids all arranged, so I can plan on the Portland get-together! Any thoughts on where to stay down there--want to stay Saturday night.....anyone want to share a room? I am game, but I am sort of picky about where I stay......I don't do hell-holes! Pammie, I am interested in seeing that show with you also, so let me know if you want some company.

Donna

Because the rice is pre-cooked and in soup I don't have any problem with it. It is not sticky at all. There is also vermicelli in the rice a roni, but I haven't had a problem with that either.

This is a simple and good recipe for cold fall days. Thick and hearty!

1 package chicken rice-a-roni

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 can of water

diced leftover chicken (optional)

Prepare rice-a-roni to package directions; when it is done add cream of chicken soup and water and chicken and heat through.

How easy was that!

This is my favorite recipe for chicken---it is so tender and juicy and falls off the bone and smells fantastic while it cooks!

Chicken pieces---I use thighs with the skin removed or you can use pork

1 onion chopped

1 garlic clove chopped

1/4 cup vinegar (I like cider)

1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce

1/2 cup water

I throw all of this in a skillet (or crock pot) and simmer covered for about 30 minutes turning the chicken every so often and then I take the lid off and let it simmer until the juice is absorbed. My family loves this stuff and I serve it with rice (not for me) So easy and quick.

Oh that is so romantic, he sounds like a "keeper". What great memories for you.

Donna

Thanks all of you! I am glad that I was missed! Gives me the warm and fuzzies! Having another rough day----kids are off of school again, some holiday. Tomorrow I have respite for a few hours, but have several trainings and meetings (for the kids) that I have to attend to. I have respite in the works so that I can come down to Portland for the get-together.....am so looking forward to that and my hubby is so supportive of whatever I have to do, I am so lucky in that respect. He is fortunate as he has his work and gets away from home every day for 10 hours! I get my "me" time every Thursday evening when he watches the kids for me and I get to go to the casino alone and play. This is my only "vice" and I get triple points on Thursdays! Yay!

As far as the weight limit on the snorkel trip, it is through the cruise line and I think it is because of the Catamaran that takes us out to the site. I have been snorkeling many times before and love it even when I was heavy, but my husband is not a big fan of it and would just sit on the boat anyways.

I know this too will pass. I will try and look up some yoga tapes on Netflix this evening and see if I like it. This kiddo doesn't sleep much though and it is usually one of my most stressful times is trying to get him to go to sleep and then he is up bright and early every morning......UGH!!! I have some great things planned for the cruise. I am going snorkeling by myself since my hubby doesn't meet the weight requirement!!! LOL! I can do it now!!! Apparently you have to be under 250 pounds to snorkel? Is that stupid or what? I also hope to see some gray whales down in Baja on their migration. That would be so cool. Next year we will probably go back to the Carribean for our vacation and I want to go horseback riding in the surf...never could make the weight limits for that in the past. Oh, my good thing is that I got 2 formal outfits this week that are a size 16 and they fit beautifully. Maybe a zip-line next....

Yeah, I do have support, but sometimes it is not enough. It is harder dealing with other peoples children as we have to do everything by the book and sometimes it is so frustrating. My own child was a piece of cake and I usually have older teens, right now I have a 7 year old and a 12 year old and it is more difficult for me than the teenagers!!! Never thought I would say that one! You cannot reason with a 7 year old!!!

This sounds really yummy, have put it on my shopping list for next week. I think it would be really good with some chopped up green chile's in it too.

Cara,

I am looking forward to talking with everyone. I have to say that I have been doing foster care for many years (around 20) and I do love what I do and at times it is very rewarding, but right now I have some very difficult kiddos that are really challenging me and I am hoping for a breakthrough at some point and it will become easier. I truly don't know how people do this for the money, don't get paid enough for what we go through. I am called a B**** every day and have so much damage to my home from these kids to ever recover from. I have been spit on, hit, had things thrown at me and call the police to the house almost weekly, but I have to say that the sucesses are what keeps me going.

I really want to do my flouro in Mexico as I like them there. I can wait....

I know things will get better.

Donna

I haven't been on in a while and am in need of a good "kick in the pants" to get back on track. I guess this is my cry for help or at least acknowledgement that I have a problem, so I can defeat what is eating me (or what I have been eating). I have a very stressful home life dealing with disturbed foster children and for the past few months have not been able to go out in public much because of their poor behaviors, plus I can't leave them with my hubby as he "loses it" with them and that stresses me even more. Therefore I have not been going to the pool to do my exercise (which I love) and have been staying at home and cooking crap and eating everything I can get my hands on. I have been lucky as I haven't gained any weight back, but I am really worried about it. I have to eat by myself or I get so stressed by the kids that I PB everything, but this only happens when I am stressed. Maybe I just need a kind word or some supportive ideas. I have a vacation coming up in December and have just had a getaway weekend to Vegas a few weeks ago (by the way, my eating was under control and I was very relaxed while I was gone). I am so afraid that I have stretched my pouch, and have plans on getting a flouro at OCC in December after my cruise. Otherwise I am biting the bullet and writing about this and getting it out into the open so that I can't "hide" my indiscretions any longer. I am also planning on going down to meet the girls in Portland next month if I can get someone to watch the kids for me. I miss all of you out there and need some encouragement. HELP!

Donna

Thanks Cara, I am planning on coming down there as I need a good kick in the pants!!! I am going to be down in San Diego to catch a cruise in December and am planning an extra day after the cruise to go to OCC for a "tune up" flouro. I think it is all the stress that I have been under with my foster kids! I am very affected by stress and when I was in Vegas for 2 days a few weeks ago I felt great, wasn't hungry and ate very little. I am truly thinking about not doing foster care anymore and looking for a different job which will be difficult at my age and being out of the work force for so many years now. I just got done disinfecting the bathroom as one of the kids threw something in the toilet and there was about 3 inches of poop water in there! Is is worth it????? Between court hearings, school suspensions, family visits and phone calls and dealing with the attitudes of damaged children, I don't know if I can deal with it anymore! Never a dull moment!

I know the Dr. suggestions were disappointing, but they make some sense if you think about it. I don't want to have anything done until I know that my weight is STABLE. I am sure it will be worth the wait if I only have to go through one surgery, instead of multiple ones. At least he was honest about it.

I didn't know that there was a Canadian Thanksgiving. I was informed that my husband "invited" some people over for our thanksgiving dinner.....I have been avoiding "food functions" like the plague. How am I going to pull this one off???? I guess I will have to cook again this year. Well, hope you Kanucks have an enjoyable holiday!

Donna

Pammie,

Haven't been on here for a while and sort of forgot about the get-together in Portland, still wanting to go though. I will most likely just drive myself down there though as I am not a party girl and don't do dance clubs, but your show sounds like something that I would find fascinating! I have been really down and depressed lately--my life is too hectic and the kids are bothering me a lot. I could use a re-charge. I think my pouch is expanded....depressed = overeating. I am the queen of PB-ing and have not lost anything for months. I am so down on myself lately that I haven't been on the forum except about once a week. Not gaining, just staying the same. Haven't been to the pool in months and I know I need it but just can't get there on my own. I usually get glum this time of year and am hoping to snap out of it soon. Still have to check into someone to watch the foster kids that weekend, will work on that on Tuesday.

Donna

Pammie,

Haven't been on here for a while and sort of forgot about the get-together in Portland, still wanting to go though. I will most likely just drive myself down there though as I am not a party girl and don't do dance clubs, but your show sounds like something that I would find fascinating! I have been really down and depressed lately--my life is too hectic and the kids are bothering me a lot. I could use a re-charge. I think my pouch is expanded....depressed = overeating. I am the queen of PB-ing and have not lost anything for months. I am so down on myself lately that I haven't been on the forum except about once a week. Not gaining, just staying the same. Haven't been to the pool in months and I know I need it but just can't get there on my own. I usually get glum this time of year and am hoping to snap out of it soon. Still have to check into someone to watch the foster kids that weekend, will work on that on Tuesday.

Donna

I am going to try to arrange for someone to watch the kids and then I will try to get down there too. I would love to have some company on the drive and can pick up whoever wants to come on my way through Tacoma. I really am having a tough time of things lately and would love some talk buddies.

My personal food bill has gone down drastically! I no longer find myself in the fast food places and I rarely eat out anymore and when I do the meal will last me for days! (leftovers) My family bill however has not changed as I still have to feed them the way they are accustomed to. I keep some protein powder on hand, I get it at Walmart for those occasions when I need them, but otherwise I buy quality--not quantity. My snack bill is way down and no drive throughs anymore and I order no drinks when I eat out so that saves huge amounts of money.

My kids really hate the fact that I don't go through the drive throughs any more!!!

I have to confess, I had my mind in the gutter and was thinking this post was about something totally different! LOL!

I have that problem from time to time, but find that if I deprive myself it becomes an OBSESSION!!! I just get out my little plate, have a small amount of what I am craving and then put it away. I chew the hell out of it, savor the flavor and then I am done with it. If it (the craving) is too strong, I will go take a walk or visit a friend, or go to the casino and play my slot machines (I never eat when I do that) until the craving passes.

I still have to add fiber or things get slow in the downstairs department!!! I usually use the metamucil capsules, but lately since my last fill I have some difficulty taking the capsules so will have to try something new when I run out of them. I never had a day of constipation prior to surgery, but it is a problem now that I am not getting the grains in.