When a bandaid doesn't fix it

What do you do when your daughter has a problem and you can't make it go away? I guess mother's through the ages have been asking that question. I would like to wrap her in my arms, give her a hug and help her work through it.....not tonight though.

It seems that a teen on the other end of her cell phone did or is doing the trick - I hear giggles.

When do we turn this Mommy thing off?


My Weight Watchers journey has been placed on a temporary "time out". I'm such an emotional eater. I've just been so bogged down with work and what's going on there - my husband's family, the holidays, my daughter - gee let's see how many more excuses I can come up with. I haven't journaled my food for a while, but am trying to be aware of what I put in my mouth, including the multiple candy cane Hershey kisses :) Go, no run to the store right now and get some!

I have noticed one thing. I made a personal resolution to allow myself to be happy, to let the little things go. I guess I'm sort of coaching myself through it. But I feel happier. I have made conscious choices to change my tone of voice and hopefully the targets have noticed the edge is slowly softening.

I just love this time of year - Eric seems to have caught the spirit a lot earlier than usual too. We're putting up the fire fighter tree this year. I can't wait, Saturday won't get her fast enough! I love just sitting in the room with the tree all lit up and nothing else but the glow from a candle or two, some nice music - ah paradise in November.

Another weekend

Another weekend and we're off to North Conway for the weekend. Don't really have an agenda other than some holiday shopping. This will be a little different as usually Aimee doesn't come with us for get-a-way weekends and this was her idea. I guess she was feeling left out.

I plan on finding all the LYS in that area. My mother has give me her order! Not that I need to buy anything else!

Currently on my needles:

1. Basic socks for Lt E
2. 2nd Magical Fingerless Mittens - great pattern!
3. Lady Eleanor for me
4. Morehouse Farm Alligator scarf for my sister
5. two different 2nd socks for me! (they will just have to wait)
6. random bath puffs for holiday gifts - ok, I'm a hooker too!

Weight Watchers - stopped going to meetings as we are now cooking for the in-laws everyother night for the time being and I just don't have enough hours in the day for everything. I will continue to watch what I put in my mouth and make my best effort to track EVERYTHING! That should be a lot easier now - Ijust got the new Palm Centro phone/pda. I will always have my tracker with me and will always be connected to WW.

Did you Vote?

Of course I did!

Now, if my 17 year old daughter could only understand that somethings in life are private. As I wrote on my FaceBook page - "I don't discuss politics in mixed company". I truly believe that. We are all entitled to our opinion and I certainly don't want to debate yours or mine. My husband and I don't even discuss it. But through the eyes (and ears) of a 17 year old who has NO problem voicing her opinion, it's not good enough that we don't want to share our choices. Her feeling is that if we don't agree with her opinion we are automatically against her. As adults and responsible parents, we have chosen to let her express her opinions on the election, but also are trying to point out the other side of her opinion to open her mind so to speak. However, as an oh so wise 17 year old - she doesn't see it that way.

Mom, yet again, I apologize!

Can't believe it's only Tuesday! Yikes, this week won't pass fast enough. Mom and I are off to the Boston Christmas Festival on Saturday. This is probably one of the best craft shows I have ever been too. It's the official start of the Christmas season! We have gone every year. Unfortunately DD will not be coming with us this year - she has to work at noon and I would hate for her to be late.

We are though doing something that we have NEVER done this weekend. When DD gets home from work on Saturday we are heading north to New Hampshire, North Conway specifically. No reservations, no agenda other than coming home Monday afternoon. So, if anyone can recommend a yarn shop in the area please contact me!

Must remember to get batteries for the camera - the kitties have been just too cute tonight and I have a few projects that I need to photograph.

I have decided to do WW only online as of today. My husband and I are again preparing meals everyother day for his folks and it's just too much to rush around like this to attend the meetings. I know it's only once a week, but my commute can be 1 1/2 hours just to come home! I would rather spend my time away from my family at a class. I am actually toying with a belly dancing class offered in our community. I am hoping I will be able to continue to journal and keep up with the posts online through the WW site and Ravelry.com and keep up the success I have had to date.

GO VOTE!!

Thoughts for Sunday

Brrrr it's chilly out today. Then again, I live in New England and it's not like it should be 70 degrees out on November 2nd!

Here's another recipe I found through Weight Watchers and Hungry Girl.

Pumpkin Muffins

18 muffins / 3 pts each

one box of yellow cake mix
one can of pumpkin

Preheat oven to 350
Mix well and spoon into cupcake pan. I sprayed my pan instead of using the liners.

Bake for approximately 17 minutes. Check for doneness with a toothpick.

These were yummy, even my finicky daughter liked them. Very light.

Plans for the day:

Finish Magical Worsted Fingerless Mitts
Do two sections of Alligator scarf
Take top off gazebo in back yard and put away cushions/furniture.
Groceries and laundry.

Ok, now that I've written it - looks like I better get to work.

Happy Saturday

Well, we made it through another Halloween - actually 75% of the candy we have left will go in the freezer. Next month while my husband is away on his annual hunting trip my daughter and I will make candy dish ice cream. It's something we've done numerous times.

Tonight for dinner I thought I would drag out the crockpot and whip up this:

Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti
From the kitchen of JING04/Weight Watchers
12 servings

16 oz. dry spaghetti, cooked
1 lb. Velveeta Light cheese
12.5 oz. can chicken breast, drained and flaked
10 3/4 oz. can 98% fat free cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
10 3/4 oz. can 98% fat free cream of chicken soup, undiluted
10 oz. can diced tomatoes and green chilies (Rotel)
4 oz. can mushroom stems and pieces, drained
1/2 cup water
1 small onion, diced
1 medium green pepper, diced
salt & pepper, to taste.

Instructions
Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray.Combine all ingredients in slow cooker and stir to mix well.Cook on LOW for 2-3 hours. Stir again just before serving.

I am going to substitute the canned chicken for a couple boneless/skinless breasts that I didn't use last night. I will most likely omit the mushrooms - I'm the only one who likes them.
For those following WW here is the NI: 286 cal, 5.7 gr fat, 2.7 gr fiber

I'll most likely make a dash to Walmart for a few of the missing ingredients. My husband has a hockey tournament all day today so this recipe should warm him up. I'll probably make a salad too or garlic bread to keep my daughter happy.

A. and I will probably take a run to the mall to look for an outfit for her to wear to a wedding we are all going to in a couple of weeks. Hopefully we will find something that will do double duty and work for her homecoming dance.

Knitting:

CO - second basic sock for Lt. E (husband)
Must work on Tracy's scarf - Morehouse Farm Alligator.
Will do a couple of tiers on my Lady Elanor

Less of Me - weigh in on Tuesday!