Long time, huh??? Yes, over a month..sorry. Life is so very busy and how I would love to take the time to slow down and enjoy my blogging experience. Of course, it doesn't help that I am still on dial up so slooooowwww is one issue...especially when at work I have a T-3 connection and that is super fast!

Ok...it's Thanksgiving! Yipppeeee! I love it and guess what??? WE ARE IN WISCONSIN! Our favorite place to be..well, one of them!

OH before I forget....my latest update:
I have reached 'purse pounds'!!!! I have lost 30.5 pounds and 17 inches and I am wearing pants that I bought 7 years ago and they fit like a charm!!! Everything else....well it just falls right off of me! My tops are no longer 2x but now XL. I have bought new panties....ok so maybe that is too much info....but you just don't know how exciting it is for a gal! OK I have to insert here that Jen was folding clothes this past weekend and said, "HUH! Two-momma! Now your panties are so small I have to look at the size to know which are mine!" See...EXCITING!

OH YEAH, let me explain. "Purse pounds", that is my first reward for losing 30 lbs. Not just any purse, but THE purse. Of course, I haven't a clue which purse, but don't think I haven't been on the hunt!! I am quite partial the Vera Bradley and have never had any of her designs. But I have been eyeing a couple on her website! Now I am setting a new goal: 20 lbs I get to have another reward..I just haven't figured out what that is just yet! It has to be like a purse, what I deem as a 'luxury'. It definitely can't be something I need..it must be a treat!

Ok...back to Wisconsin...we have 45 lbs. of turkeys in the oven (2 big ones)! It smells so good. Soon we will load up the van and head over to Shari's house were the family will gather for the feast. We expect more than 25 people this year. There will be folks we don't know...my BIL's very wealthy sis will be there. I can't wait to meet her. She sounds so fascinating and she is a world traveller. She is a millionaire..which alone is a wonderful blessing in her life, but, as usual, I am fascinated by the thoughts of her travels and the stories she has of all the places she has seen. How wonderful to just be 50 and in such an awesome position. Of course, I know with the hustle and bustle of the holiday, there will be little to no time for conversation with her, but I would love to hear just a few comments. Maybe she will be a talker...I can hardly imagine her not being one....my BIL sure is a big one!

This is Jen's first trip here and her first time to meet the family. She wasn't thrilled with such a long drive..7.5 hours! We only took 2 potty stops on the way up...that alone is a feat! We are so excited to introduce her to the family. I think she and Aubrie will love each other. They actually share some similar things. Both have had surgeries...Aubrie had a hole in her heart at birth and when she was about 6 weeks old, had to have open heart surgery. Both have struggled in school. Both are very loving and strong willed. Both are blonde...though I hear Aubrie has gone a bit red-headed...or as my FIL says, "PINK"! Of course, Nana says adamantly, "IT IS NOT PINK!"

Oh another note, Jen turned 15 on Tues. We had 8 girls come home with her on the bus for a party. Two stayed the night with us. What fun they did have! The cake came from a woman who was Jen's foster mom from ages 3-6. She has a business, "McAlpin's Sweet's N Treats"...yes, she is distantly related to our family! Char says that now, it is the only place he wants us to order a cake from...it was YUMMY! Soon I will try to post a picture of the 3 layer masterpiece! We went to get a new hair cut last Wed. in honor of the big event (turning 15), and it was the BEST thing we could have done! She looks so much older now...both a good thing and a bad thing...ehehehehe! Char says the boys best not start calling! It is the perfect cut for her, stacked in the back, parted on the left toward the right with just a hint of bangs. We flat iron it so it is as smooth as her naturally wavy, course hair can be and it is awesome.

Speaking of flat iron, I have work to do to get her hair ready. It is a job for her and I do it so much faster and get so much pleasure in fixing it for her. It is the time we use for 'girl talk', and boy, do we love our talks!

Oh me...I gotta get off here.