First off I am ecstatic to report I dropped 3 lbs at my last weigh in on the 27th. That counts for Thanksgiving week with 3 moderate meals of "turkey with all the trimmings" (not all in the same day mind you) and 1/2 slice of pumpkin pie included. I am super proud of myself. This brings me down 24 lbs with only 6 lbs to go to eliminate the reminder of this year's regain. So far so good!

In other news, I have been without my computer for the past week. Prior to that I had only intermittent access to the internet. Virus issues! The Geek Squad at Best Buy has been doing their thing with it and returned it to me late yesterday. I learned the viruses (2) tagged along when I downloaded the latest version of Adobe Flash. I wasn't even aware that could happen. Let me tell you it's rough when you have no internet. I didn't realise how much I have come to depend on it to keep in touch with family and friends. Nevertheless I did managed to get a lot done.

Our Christmas decorations outside are up. DH and I bought 3 new pieces this year. A set of white light Christmas Trees (1 large, 1 small), a large white light Reindeer and a tall inflatable Nutcracker. These go along well with our Super duper inflatable Santa, super duper tall inflatable penguin, inflatable Mickey Mouse with presents, and hard plastic light up Santa, stackable gifts, Polar Bear, and Snowman. Our house, hedge, and bushes, are all trimmed in white lights and our sidewalk is lined with candy canes. Garland, big red bows and wreaths here and there add the finishing touches. Next up the inside and 2 Christmas trees (1 with ornaments we have collected from our families as well as throughout the years), and 1 Disney inspired complete with monorail running underneath!

I also got busy tackling the office desk, my dressers, and my side of the closet. This weekend I need to sort through my husband's dressers and his side of the closet, with or without his help I might add. Most likely without since he HATES getting rid of anything!!

As for this week, plans to take the grandson to the movies on Tuesday are in the works. So is the official start of our Christmas shopping. I found out the other day that in our county alone there will be 1200 children slated to go without Christmas presents this year. It's times like these I really wish I would win the lottery (of course I would first have to play it) but nonetheless DH and I will do our best to buy for as many as we can. The Angel Tree and Toys for Tots have been our charities of choice at Christmas time for years now. We also do a local food drive. And for the past 5 years we have made certain to include our grandson in our participation in hopes the act of giving whether it be with food, clothing, gifts or time, rubs off on him.

As for our daughter, she is still grouchy and mean spirited as ever. No changes expected but I must say she is doing well in her first semester back at college. I pray she hangs in there this time around and finishes what she starts. Believe it or not she wants to be an RN. I say more power to her. Perhaps she will eventually learn to care, not judge and have compassion in the process. There is always hope, right? In the meantime I will pray mightily for her future patients.