We had horses for several years. Sometimes 2, sometimes 1. We currently just have a pony for dd. He's a sweet pony named Phoenix :)

Reducing calories and building lots of muscle. I'm 45 and know how hard it is at this age :scared:

Testing

We replace when they get pretty big holes in them :D

This is such wonderful information! Thank you all! I should have set myself free from cast iron years ago! lol. I finally know what to ask for for Christmas :D

I will look into both of these. MIL needs Christmas ideas for me. This may be just the thing...

:svengo: Please no. Say it isn't so.

I need skillet help :D I don't use non-stick skillets but I am growing weary of using cast iron all the time, because I can't put them in my dishwasher. Is there a certain brand of stainless steel skillet that I should choose? Obviously I would like them to be as "non-stick" as possible and I'd like to have a few sizes too. And I want to put them in the dishwasher. And I'm desperate, because I have no clue which are the best. Thank you so much!

Jennifer, have you looked into doing virtual bookkeeping? Lots of business owners are tuning to virtual assistants for many of their needs (I do VA work in other capacities). Just a thought--you can work from home and even do it while you do work :)

Corned beef in the crock pot! :D

My grandmother used to call them colors. I wonder if it is an older way of referring to them?

I am not vegan, but I feel so much better when I restrict the animal protein in my diet. I have more energy, feel lighter and just plain feel better. :) I eat lots of beans, rice and nuts and quinoa for added protein. I also use a chocolate vegan meal replacement shake that has complete protein in it plus probiotics. Also, I have found that a little cheese (even though cheese isn't vegan) sprinkled on veggies and beans helps me eat more veggies and beans :) It doesn't take much cheese to really help the various veggies be a little more palatable (did I spell that right? lol)

Dd is very picky, and she likes Tom's Strawberry. We buy it at Kroger :)

Just posted this in another thread. :) We love this... Pumpkin Chili 1 med onion, chopped 1 med. yellow pepper, chopped 3 garlic cloves, minced 3 cups of chicken broth 2 cans of black beans, rinsed and drained 2 1/2 cups of cubed, cooked turkey (chicken is great too!) 1 can of solid pack pumpkin (or pureed, baked sweet potato or pumpkin) 1 can of diced tomatoes UNDRAINED 2 tsp. parsley flakes 2 tsp. chili powder 1 1/2 tsp. dried oregano 1 1/2 tsp. cumin (I was liberal with it) 1/2 tsp. salt (use more) Combine all ingredients in crock pot and cook for several hours.

You can put pumpkin, sweet potato or squash in chili and no one will ever know it it there. Here is one of my family's favorite recipes... Pumpkin Chili 1 med onion, chopped 1 med. yellow pepper, chopped 3 garlic cloves, minced 3 cups of chicken broth 2 cans of black beans, rinsed and drained 2 1/2 cups of cubed, cooked turkey (chicken is great too!) 1 can of solid pack pumpkin (or pureed sweet potato or pumpkin that you cook yourself) 1 can of diced tomatoes UNDRAINED 2 tsp. parsley flakes 2 tsp. chili powder 1 1/2 tsp. dried oregano 1 1/2 tsp. cumin (I was liberal with it) 1/2 tsp. salt (use more) Combine all ingredients in crock pot and cook for several hours.

It doesn't bother me--it sounds like a fun thing to do together :) Parents influence their children's political values in all kinds of ways--this is just one way of doing that:)

If I didn't want to pay, I would let the parents know how much it costs and let them decide if they wanted to spend the money. It really wouldn't bother me--we have friends who do the same thing. It makes it easier to invite and be invited :)

School with the kids, working on my businesses, will fix lunch soon (salads with crumbled turkey burger-yum), workout (P90X, baby! lol), then take dd to choir, then go to a couple business meetings, then back home! :D

lol--you are so sweet. Thank you. I'm trying to fight the middle aged creep :)

Run, don't walk, to your nearest library or bookstore and get "Younger Next Year for Women." I promise it will change your life. :grouphug: You can also get it cheaply at Amazon... http://www.amazon.com/Younger-Next-Year-Women-Strong/dp/0761147748/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1352199571&sr=1-2&keywords=younger+next+year This book helped to set me on a different course for my life--a course of seeking wellness, fitness and energy. It is amazing.

Estee Lauder (sp?) is working for me these days. I have very dry skin.

:)I LOVE Lands' End Silk longjohns. They are amazing; not sure how I survived winters before I started using them!

I think dd was around 5 or 6 when she got her first one--she did fine with it! Just let her know this doll is special and will require gentle handling.:)

I think they are worth it--we have used them in the past. :)

I know how you feel too :grouphug: I would not trade my years at home with my children for the grandest home.