The LIW Small Talk Thread

[TooPatient]

Jewish holiday celebrating the giving of the Torah. It is a bit more than that, but that is a good summary.

We light candles on both nights (2 day holiday) and eat dairy (this is just a custom). There is also a service we attend.


This is supposed to be a non-working holiday but you can cook (not true of all Yom Tov). I'd love to take the days off of work/school to fully observe the holiday, but I have an exam on one of them and neither of us are in a position to take days off of work right now


This is one of my favorite holidays of the year -- services are less rigorous (NOT all day things), it is a celebration of sorts, and I love dairy. In our home, the "traditional" dairy dessert we serve is CHEESECAKE. Not just any cheesecake. This is my homemade 5 packages of cream cheese, 8 eggs, heavy cream, super dense cheesecake. We only have cheesecake this one time each year. (B gets super sick from this much dairy so he can only manage about 1/2 a slice.... the rest of the 10" cheesecake is left to me )

 

[Jessie702]

Jewish holiday celebrating the giving of the Torah. It is a bit more than that, but that is a good summary.

We light candles on both nights (2 day holiday) and eat dairy (this is just a custom). There is also a service we attend.


This is supposed to be a non-working holiday but you can cook (not true of all Yom Tov). I'd love to take the days off of work/school to fully observe the holiday, but I have an exam on one of them and neither of us are in a position to take days off of work right now


This is one of my favorite holidays of the year -- services are less rigorous (NOT all day things), it is a celebration of sorts, and I love dairy. In our home, the "traditional" dairy dessert we serve is CHEESECAKE. Not just any cheesecake. This is my homemade 5 packages of cream cheese, 8 eggs, heavy cream, super dense cheesecake. We only have cheesecake this one time each year. (B gets super sick from this much dairy so he can only manage about 1/2 a slice.... the rest of the 10" cheesecake is left to me )

O wow.....that sounds wonderful. I couldnt handle that much dairy either. Im sorry you cant get off, but enjoy it as much as possible.

 

[Jessie702]

I signed up for a cake decorarting class.....im so excited. Im baking some cookies now for my class.

 

[TooPatient]

Oooo! That sounds like fun.

 

[Jessie702]

It should be, i want to work up to making wedding cakes, and maybe selling my items. Hey, how are your cupcakes comming along?? I so wanna see, did you get his gift, how is it? Been thinking of you all day

 

[TooPatient]

Your baked stuff is always so delicious sounding and pretty! You'll be great at wedding cakes!

I just got the robe yesterday and it is SOooooo soft & fluffy. I haven't had a chance to pull it out of the pretty bag and see how long it is or anything, but the fabric is just perfect.

Cupcakes & cake will be yummy.----- OOoooo!!! And I've gotten ambitious and am planning to do a batch of cupcakes to surprise FI at work for his co-workers! (like around lunchtime or so and then haul B home for dinner/cake/gift). Then lots more cupcakes for Friday.

I'm getting the first batch of supplies this weekend so I can make the filling Tuesday evening. I think I'm going to try something a little different this year and do a batch of key lime cupcakes along with the batch of lemon cupcakes. In order to keep the surprise, I'll have to bake & fill the cupcakes Wednesday morning right before taking them to B's office.

 

[Jessie702]

Your baked stuff is always so delicious sounding and pretty! You'll be great at wedding cakes!

I just got the robe yesterday and it is SOooooo soft & fluffy. I haven't had a chance to pull it out of the pretty bag and see how long it is or anything, but the fabric is just perfect.

Cupcakes & cake will be yummy.----- OOoooo!!! And I've gotten ambitious and am planning to do a batch of cupcakes to surprise FI at work for his co-workers! (like around lunchtime or so and then haul B home for dinner/cake/gift). Then lots more cupcakes for Friday.

I'm getting the first batch of supplies this weekend so I can make the filling Tuesday evening. I think I'm going to try something a little different this year and do a batch of key lime cupcakes along with the batch of lemon cupcakes. In order to keep the surprise, I'll have to bake & fill the cupcakes Wednesday morning right before taking them to B's office.

Thanks Too- I made a chocolate cake last night with a homemade buttercream icing. I just made cookies the other day. I think ill drop the cake off to his job later, so his coworkers can eat it. LoL....

O man, it sounds and looked soft and puffy. You got it in a blue right? I would be rubbing my face on it...lol...its the only way to properly feel out a nice robe.

O, that would be such a nice surpise for him, and the coworkers. He is going to have so many sweets that weekend, he is going to be stuffed. That will be such a nice surpise, where do you get your items? Also, where do you get yoru reciepes, i would love to make a KeyLime cupcake, but dont know a good recipe. Can you send it my way? Where do you get your cupcake cups? If you have a Joanns close to you, you should check out their baking section, they have the cutest cups to put your cupcakes in( after they are baked)
http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/productdetail.jsp?CATID=cat313846&PRODID=zprd_02414050a...like those, but they usually have a lot more in the store.

 

[TooPatient]

The key lime is going to be the same recipe I posted for the lemon cake just with key lime in place of lemon. The best cupcake papers I've found are the cheap ones at QFC -- haven't had anything stick in them. Other than that, pastry flour and other ingredients come from Whole Foods or QFC.

I usually just search for a recipe and see what comes up. This one came about because B wanted a lemon cake for his b-day a couple of years ago. I searched for lemon cakes and this one looked absolutely amazing with lots of lemon. Last year he wanted a spice cake and that recipe I actually got from a PSer over in Hangout and it was delicious.

 

[Jessie702]

The key lime is going to be the same recipe I posted for the lemon cake just with key lime in place of lemon. The best cupcake papers I've found are the cheap ones at QFC -- haven't had anything stick in them. Other than that, pastry flour and other ingredients come from Whole Foods or QFC.

I usually just search for a recipe and see what comes up. This one came about because B wanted a lemon cake for his b-day a couple of years ago. I searched for lemon cakes and this one looked absolutely amazing with lots of lemon. Last year he wanted a spice cake and that recipe I actually got from a PSer over in Hangout and it was delicious.

Awwww, that is smart. I havent tried a lemon cake before, but would like too. I actually want to make like a margitrita one, but i dont know, im always a bit worried when it comes to making cakes and cupcakes like that. Also, ive never tried a spice cake, how did it turn out??

I get the ones from jo-anns craft stores, just to put the cooked cupcakes in. I dont actually bake them in them, they are just like the finishing touch for a cute cupcake. Also, i would like to see your cupcakes, im sure it will be cute and yummy.

 

[TooPatient]

The spice cake was good. I don't generally care for "spice cakes" that other people make (or anything purchased) because they seem to be either really dry or overly sweet. The recipe I got here was wonderful and I actually made it a couple of times.

A real lemon cake is yummy -- the recipe I posted turns out wonderfully as written. I didn't have to modify at all and it came out fluffy and lemony. And the frosting is Sooooooo good! I made a batch of the frosting to put as the "dip" on a fruit tray we brought to a dinner once and it was a HUGE hit.



SOOOOoooooo frustrated!
I'm spending tonight studying for the calculus exam I have in the morning then tomorrow instead of doing cupcake stuff I have to take the car to the dealership to see what is wrong with it I know that it has to be done since if I don't take it tomorrow, it would have to wait until next week but it still stinks. We're hoping the repairs will be covered on the extened warranty but I think we have to pay for the rental car(???) --- gah! Why does this stuff have to happen when I'm busy at school (finals next week) and RIGHT before B's b-day?!!?

I'm NOT going to get negative and give up! Life IS getting better. We WILL have a pretty wedding. The house WON'T crumble around us.

 

[TooPatient]

Okay. Semi-irrational (completly irrational?) frustration vent:


WHY do MARRIED people say that people should have a small wedding and put the money they would have used for a "big" (fancy, nice, whatever) wedding towards a down payment or savings? I mean, logically it makes sense but if someone wants a more expensive wedding then what business is it on theirs? Isn't it rather hypocrytical to spend months planning a big, expensive wedding then start lecturing other people on how to use their own money??
You notice that it is almost always someone who HAS ALREADY HAD their nice wedding (with all the great memories and pictures to treasure) telling those of us who haven't that it really is just a frivolous waste anyway? WHY? What makes you so special that you deserve to have a frivolous wonderful day? Why do you think it helps to tell me that it isn't important or "is just one day" or any of the other things that you hear so often? Maybe I WANT to have one completely frivolous wonderful day to look at pictures of and remember as being the day we joined our lives!



Note: This isn't about anyone in particular or even specifically PS people. I'm just super frustrated and torn and confused about what to do about a wedding and life just gets more complicated all the time and while rationally I know life is getting better and very soon (like in the next year) we'll be able to have the wedding we'd both love (without going into debt - in fact, it would be after paying off the little debt we do have) I just........
GAH!!!!
I think I REALLY need to take a long weekend after this quarter ends. Maybe even just a day to drive up into the mountains to pick blue berries.

 

[TooPatient]

Progress...


I heard back from both of our attorneys today! Nothing resolved yet, but a little closer. Yay!


OOooo!! -- and our car made it to school this morning! I had been afraid it would sputter and die and I'd miss my calculus exam
(I'm taking it this afternoon to be diagnosed so hopefully it will be all fixed soon and (with any luck) should be covered on the extended service plan(!!!))




Jessie, How are you doing? When do your cake classes start?

 

[Jessie702]

Sorry Too- my net has been acting up and ive been trying to write you back.

First off, im sorry nothing has been resolved with the attorney, but getting one step closer is much better. Also,im sorry about the car, please get it over to the dealer as soon as possible so you dont get stranded somewhere, been there done that. Get it over as soon as possible, and dont worry, you will be able to get the cupcakes done. When you gedt them done, please send me a picture of them. I might try that recipe for one of my classes.

On the big wedding rant. I understand what you are saying about our looking back, and saying how if they could do it again....and blah blah blah. Heres my take, if you want the huge wedding go ahead, and do it. Personally, and not everyone fits into this catergory, but i sometimes feel the ones who have the big weddings are over compensating about some things. Same thing with rings and gifts. Im not saying its the same thing for everyone and all, but sometimes its the case. Do what makes you happy, well you and B. Personally, even though i know nd have enough family for a huge wedding, i wont be doing it.Its not C,and myself. We are a more private, intimate type of deal, and than amybe a party latedr with those who didnt make the list. LoL....we are very private people.

I started my cake class last week, its once a week for 2 hours, for a month. I go on wedensday, and i am so excited for this week. We are decorarting cakes this week, last week it was just cookies. I have to take in a 8 in cake, that we will cut and torte, frost, and decorarte. Im suppose to take in a picture, of something with not too much details. Im thinking of making a Corvette embalm, since the cake is going to my friends job, where he will share it with other guys, so i think a manly design is in order. LoL....

How was the final exam?? Also dont give up, you ahve much in life. A close friend of mine, is going through a hard time. She is currently fighting her ex boyfreind in court, because he beat her up bad, is in jail, and is about to lose her job( which she lives on her jobs location), which means she is losing her place to live, and hasnt been on her own, doesnt have any family, and moved out of state with him, and doesnt know anyone where she lives( She is in vancouver, washington)

 

[TooPatient]

I'm sorry to hear about your friend. I can't even imagine what she is feeling right now. Court is bad enough (especially for abuse!) without the threat of losing your job AND your home

Post lots of pics of your cakes! I love pretty baked stuff and have always wished I had the talent to decorate them.... probably just as well I don't otherwise I might bake a lot more often!

I'm still planning to make the filling tonight & cupcakes/cake tomorrow. Somehow. B doesn't know I've taken the day off so I can make nice food for him! (I'll post pics once I've got stuff made)

I tried to take the car in on Friday (they don't generally check until the yellow light is on for 2 days -- red is a very different thing and MUST be taken in immediately) but they don't do anything with "extended service" cases after 3:00 on Fridays . I have an appointment for this afternoon to get it diagnosed and repaired.
Until then I have my cell phone with me at ALL times (I usually do, but I'm extra careful right now and make sure it is charged too). We have roadside assistance through the car insurance and they are truly wonderful -- we had to have the car towed (turned out to be an airconditioner problem that was part of a recall just after we got it repaired) and the whole thing was just great (tow truck was there quick, they made sure we were safe and would have sent additional help if we had needed to get out of the road or something).

The wedding thing I'm torn on. I've always dreamed of the fluffy, flowery, elegant wedding with everyone we love celebrating with us. But we're both quiet and not really comfortable with larger (or even smallish!) groups of people so it sort of seems strange to think about. In the Jewish community, weddings are supposed to be a community event as 2 people join their lives. In the community we are a part of, it is "traditional" (normal? expected?) to be recognized in the service the week of your wedding and host a lunch for everyone who attends the service (regular weekly service). It is also "traditional" to have a ceremony of some sort and then a big celebratory meal. So with knowing that, I feel like it is "expected" (mostly because it really is here!) that we'll host a lunch for everyone and then have the ceremony & reception too. Then there is the money thing -- I mean.... weddings are expensive and the "lunch" (in addition to and NOT a replacement for a reception dinner) alone is a couple thousand dollars.... so..... My romantic, dreamy side (the one that has always wanted a beautiful wedding with a dress I designed myself followed by a happy long marriage and the achievent of 50-year-anniversary (and beyond!)) says to just go for it and have a great day. My insecure/not-super-social side says that not many people would come anyway so just plan something tiny and be done with it. My responsible side says that even a tiny thing would still be too much and just imagine what else even a couple thousand dollars could be used for...


I think I'm just tired from school/work. Finals are next week. I think this exam went okay (not great, but I don't think it will be too bad) so now it is time to move on and get ready for finals.
I REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY wish there was more than one week between my last final this quarter and the start of summer quarter.... I'm getting worn out and just need to get away for a day (or two or three) for some quiet relaxing time with B. I always feel so much better after a day of just fun with him

 

[Jessie702]

I know, i feel horrid for my friend. All i can do is support her, and try to make her laugh.

I will post what i make. C told me to tnot bring anything else to his house( My soon to be home, ill post on that in a minute). I love to decorate, and do homey stuff. I swear, ive become a little happy house/homemaker, its slighty weird. I guess i just have too much time.

Thats funny how B doesnt know you took off work. I swear sometimes men can be so blind!!Like, he lost his wallet, and it was in the last place he was. I did something at the house the other day in front of C, and he totally missed it, but caught me doing something else!! Cake decoarting is so easy, i love it, its like edible art!!

I understand what you mean about the big wedding, and happily ever after, and the whole Disney princess thing, but do what feels best for you. Dont go by what your community of society thinks is best. Its about you and B combining your lives together, and do what is best and most approaite for you two. Thats how i feel about C and myself( whenever we get to that point).

Im sorry you only get a week off for a break. Im off right now, and love it, but the free time is driving me crazy!!! How much long do you have left in school.

So, i found these at the craft store, today. The store is closing( so sad, its been there all my life), but i got it disounted, so i got 2 tins for 20 bucks.

 

[Jessie702]

Okay, i had a crazy/nice dream last night. I dreamt that I was planning my wedding at a amazing location. C was there, but he wasnt there, it was like he was somewhere on the location, but i couldnt find him. Well the place carried and did everything, and a friend( more of a person i just know well) was there with me picking things out. When we walked in, we were assigned a wedding planner, who sat at a table, and brought fresh fruit and water( this is the crazy part, i could taste the fruit). She had to finish helping a bride, but showed up were the swings were( ????) and we went and were swinging. While playing, you could see over the location, and see the sea. When she was done, we went back to the table adn she started covering what they did there, which included wedding dresses, food, and the cake. She started to take us around the location, which happened to a a beautiful manor, on the side of a cliff, with the ocean view. AMAZING view. It had warm rooms, lots of differeant options for the ceremony and for the reception. After the tour, we sat down, went over how many people, which was like 20. After that, we were able to sample food to choose the option for dinner( This is were it gets weird, its like C is there with me during that part, while my friend is sampling food with her fiance). We choose a few items, and than moved on to the cake. After choosing flavors, we had to hop on a horse like animal to get out of the manor, and was close to the cliff, it was scary. I looked back and it was my friend and her kids( in my dream it was perfectly normal), than something happened to my friend and i had to help her out. When we got to the other side, C was standing there with open arms, and we looked back to the manor, talking about how we found the perfect location, and couldnt wait to get married. SO WEIRD.

 

[TooPatient]

Great deal on the pans! I can't wait to see what you make with them!

Strange dream. It sounds beautiful though. I wonder if your mind is thinking about stuff while you sleep? It sounds like you & C are doing pretty okay?


School
I have approximately 7 quarters (nearly 2 years) left at this school and then I'll transfer with my associate's into the big university here as a Junior. About two years there depending on how many classes I can reasonably complete with good grades. That takes me to a bachelor's. I'd like to keep going in the Master's program so if they accept me into that then there will be another 2 years or so.

So... yeah.... about 4 years and then another 2 (if I'm accepted)

I went to the big school and talked with an advisor there to make sure my planned classes can be transferred (I'd already looked myself, but they know the system better than I do) and I'm meeting all of the prerequisites for admittance into the program I want to do. She was pleased with my planning. She also said that it was a great idea to take the two programs I have been thinking about (I had originally planned for just computer engineering, but so many classes overlap with aeronautical engineering that I'm leaning towards doing a dual degree) and told me how to go about applying for them.

 

[TooPatient]

B's b-day was yesterday. Didn't quite go with my original plan but was very nice anyway.
The company B works for sent out an e-mail the day before reminding everyone that evaluations are starting this week. It is a bit complicated, but what that basically means is that everyone is scrambling to finish up projects, give feedback to management about other people as requested, meet with managers, etc, etc, etc, etc... So this is NOT a good time to bring goodies.


B got his robe in the morning after his bath. I left him at work and then went to calculus. After calculus, I scrambled to get the rest of his b-day stuff gathered and ready.... this included shoving a 10-12 foot TREE into our car
The weather turned nice so I shifted from a roast to a couple of THICK steaks with all the yummy sides.
I picked B up at work (we only have the one car) like usual so he still didn't know what I'd been up to... until we got home and the trees were waiting in the driveway for him He's been wanting to grow a black mission fig tree for the last few years and recently has been really wanting to grow a quince tree (he's never even tried a quince so I don't know why the sudden urge to grow them but whatever) so in the driveway was a little (like 3 foot tall) fig tree and a huge (10-12 foot tall) quince tree. He was so surprised -- he thought the robe was everything.
Got inside and told him that he needed to cook dinner. He looked a little confused (I cook dinner most nights and he helps) until I handed him the package from the butcher . (He LOVES to grill stuff and has been wanting a super thick steak for a long time)

Dinner was a bit late because he got a phone call from a friend he hadn't talked with for some months. By the time we had finished eating dinner it was after 10.... then came the cake!
I'd tried to find key limes when we were shopping this last week but couldn't find them. He had asked what they were for and I told him I thought he might like key-lime instead of lemon in his cake. Well... he loves key lime so got really excited about the idea and was disappointed that we couldn't find any. BUT.... I FOUND THEM!!! So he got to have his key lime cake after all! (I'll post pictures from home) And it was DELICIOUS!

Headed to bed after 11 and gave him his one last surprise -- a new book to read from a great author he likes.



Still planning to do cupcakes for the dinner tomorrow evening. (I'll post pics of them too)
Just doing the lemon ones though because I used almost all of the key limes (not likely to find more right now) in his cake and they are a huge PITA to zest/juice. (30 had to be juiced for the cake... took 45 minutes --- I'd need 60 for the cupcakes )

 

[Jessie702]

O wow, you had a busy day, but it sounds like B enjoyed his birthday. Sorry you couldnt drop off the goodies for the office, but that just gives you another chance to make something extra special. Also, where did you get the trees from, and when did he want to plant them. That is such a cool birthday gift idea, i think i will steal that for C's birthday, but change it to cactus, since he loves them.You had a whole day planned, right until bed, i love that. Im Sure B did also.

How do you think your exam went? O, so your in the same boat as me when it comes to school, but im working on my B.A right now instead. I have 2.5/3 years until im done with my B.A in Psychology, than i have 4 years of Med School, THAN 4 years of Residency. I had thought about just going to be a P.A, since its only 2 years, but i dont think i would be happy as a P.A., as silly as it sounds, i want to be DR. J... or DR.Mommy as C tells the doggies. I think it would be great for you to go get yoru masters, maybe by the time your done with you Masters, the economy will be better.

Yes, the dream was weird, but the location was beyond breathetaking and amazing. C and I are doing better, we are working on things little by little. Even though he said some messed up things, i have forgiven him, but it means im not forgetting. Right now we are working on firguring out a good time for me to move in, what to do with my stuff, and my cats( we have a waterbed). I dont want to leave my kitties at my moms house, but i dont know what to do, we have 2 dogs, and my cats still have their nails. Any Ideas?

Have any diet tips?? Ive been working out with TeamBeachBody workout tapes( THEY WORK!!!) but i need some more tips. Im trying to get down another 2 sizes

 

[TooPatient]

O wow, you had a busy day, but it sounds like B enjoyed his birthday. Sorry you couldnt drop off the goodies for the office, but that just gives you another chance to make something extra special. Also, where did you get the trees from, and when did he want to plant them. That is such a cool birthday gift idea, i think i will steal that for C's birthday, but change it to cactus, since he loves them.You had a whole day planned, right until bed, i love that. Im Sure B did also.

How do you think your exam went? O, so your in the same boat as me when it comes to school, but im working on my B.A right now instead. I have 2.5/3 years until im done with my B.A in Psychology, than i have 4 years of Med School, THAN 4 years of Residency. I had thought about just going to be a P.A, since its only 2 years, but i dont think i would be happy as a P.A., as silly as it sounds, i want to be DR. J... or DR.Mommy as C tells the doggies. I think it would be great for you to go get yoru masters, maybe by the time your done with you Masters, the economy will be better.

Yes, the dream was weird, but the location was beyond breathetaking and amazing. C and I are doing better, we are working on things little by little. Even though he said some messed up things, i have forgiven him, but it means im not forgetting. Right now we are working on firguring out a good time for me to move in, what to do with my stuff, and my cats( we have a waterbed). I dont want to leave my kitties at my moms house, but i dont know what to do, we have 2 dogs, and my cats still have their nails. Any Ideas?

Have any diet tips?? Ive been working out with TeamBeachBody workout tapes( THEY WORK!!!) but i need some more tips. Im trying to get down another 2 sizes

He really was happy so it was all worth it. The trees were a slight change in plans but I'm excited to be able to watch them grow. We're going to add more fruit trees later. There is a great "local" (yeah... about an hour drive) place called Flower World and they've got everything. The best part is that they make sure to sell only stuff that will grow in this area (in fact a lot of it they start in their own nursery area). We'll probably get them planted this weekend. There are some over-grown ugly bushes that need to come out in the back yard and I think that is where these 2 will go.

There are so many great varieties of cactus! I've never had any luck with them (too wet/cold/dark here?) but love to look at them.

Yeah... school forever. You've got a lot of years ahead!
Have you ever thought about going into cake baking professionally? (Not that I don't think you'd be a great doctor, I just have noticed how you really seem to LOVE baking. Your posts are just so happy, excited, content sounding when you're talking about baking stuff)


Hmmmm.... Cats and waterbed? I remember having cats (with claws) and a waterbed in the house when I was little. I don't remember anything bad happening but I was really young (5-6). My grandparents ended up with the waterbed but replaced the water-mattress thing with a traditional matress so it was really just the waterbed frame holding a standard mattress. That may not be a great idea though because I have vague memory (again long time ago) of the frame not holding a standard size so the mattress (and bedding!) was a lot more expensive because it was special order stuff.
Personally, I'd take the opportunity to buy a new (non-water) bed. I don't think de-clawing cats is a good idea for lots of reasons and it wouldn't be fair to your mom or your cats to leave them behind.
Oh... one warning --- avoid the adjustable air-filled mattresses too. (sleep number is one of them I think) My mom and her husband bought one and after a short time it sprung a leak so her side of the bed was always deflating.



Diet
I loved/hated/loved the 30 Day Shred. It worked. I was losing weight pretty quickly (not at an unhealthy rate though) just doing one 20 minute session each day. If you can hang on and keep going through the first week, it gets a lot easier.
Spark People is nice too and helped a bit when I used it (wish I had tried it combined with 30DS!) but measuring everything and entering stuff into their meal tracker took time and I just didn't have time.

I need to go buy the 30 Day Shred DVD (I got it from Netflix for the couple of weeks I did it before I hurt myself and had to stop for a bit). It is only about $10 and is REALLY REALLY REALLY worth it.

I was getting dressed this morning and about cried when I saw myself in the mirror

 

[Jessie702]

O wow, you had a busy day, but it sounds like B enjoyed his birthday. Sorry you couldnt drop off the goodies for the office, but that just gives you another chance to make something extra special. Also, where did you get the trees from, and when did he want to plant them. That is such a cool birthday gift idea, i think i will steal that for C's birthday, but change it to cactus, since he loves them.You had a whole day planned, right until bed, i love that. Im Sure B did also.

How do you think your exam went? O, so your in the same boat as me when it comes to school, but im working on my B.A right now instead. I have 2.5/3 years until im done with my B.A in Psychology, than i have 4 years of Med School, THAN 4 years of Residency. I had thought about just going to be a P.A, since its only 2 years, but i dont think i would be happy as a P.A., as silly as it sounds, i want to be DR. J... or DR.Mommy as C tells the doggies. I think it would be great for you to go get yoru masters, maybe by the time your done with you Masters, the economy will be better.

Yes, the dream was weird, but the location was beyond breathetaking and amazing. C and I are doing better, we are working on things little by little. Even though he said some messed up things, i have forgiven him, but it means im not forgetting. Right now we are working on firguring out a good time for me to move in, what to do with my stuff, and my cats( we have a waterbed). I dont want to leave my kitties at my moms house, but i dont know what to do, we have 2 dogs, and my cats still have their nails. Any Ideas?

Have any diet tips?? Ive been working out with TeamBeachBody workout tapes( THEY WORK!!!) but i need some more tips. Im trying to get down another 2 sizes

He really was happy so it was all worth it. The trees were a slight change in plans but I'm excited to be able to watch them grow. We're going to add more fruit trees later. There is a great "local" (yeah... about an hour drive) place called Flower World and they've got everything. The best part is that they make sure to sell only stuff that will grow in this area (in fact a lot of it they start in their own nursery area). We'll probably get them planted this weekend. There are some over-grown ugly bushes that need to come out in the back yard and I think that is where these 2 will go.

There are so many great varieties of cactus! I've never had any luck with them (too wet/cold/dark here?) but love to look at them.

Yeah... school forever. You've got a lot of years ahead!
Have you ever thought about going into cake baking professionally? (Not that I don't think you'd be a great doctor, I just have noticed how you really seem to LOVE baking. Your posts are just so happy, excited, content sounding when you're talking about baking stuff)


Hmmmm.... Cats and waterbed? I remember having cats (with claws) and a waterbed in the house when I was little. I don't remember anything bad happening but I was really young (5-6). My grandparents ended up with the waterbed but replaced the water-mattress thing with a traditional matress so it was really just the waterbed frame holding a standard mattress. That may not be a great idea though because I have vague memory (again long time ago) of the frame not holding a standard size so the mattress (and bedding!) was a lot more expensive because it was special order stuff.
Personally, I'd take the opportunity to buy a new (non-water) bed. I don't think de-clawing cats is a good idea for lots of reasons and it wouldn't be fair to your mom or your cats to leave them behind.
Oh... one warning --- avoid the adjustable air-filled mattresses too. (sleep number is one of them I think) My mom and her husband bought one and after a short time it sprung a leak so her side of the bed was always deflating.



Diet
I loved/hated/loved the 30 Day Shred. It worked. I was losing weight pretty quickly (not at an unhealthy rate though) just doing one 20 minute session each day. If you can hang on and keep going through the first week, it gets a lot easier.
Spark People is nice too and helped a bit when I used it (wish I had tried it combined with 30DS!) but measuring everything and entering stuff into their meal tracker took time and I just didn't have time.

I need to go buy the 30 Day Shred DVD (I got it from Netflix for the couple of weeks I did it before I hurt myself and had to stop for a bit). It is only about $10 and is REALLY REALLY REALLY worth it.

I was getting dressed this morning and about cried when I saw myself in the mirror

Thanks too, i thought about doing it for a living, the cake baking, but ii think i would love to do it on the side. I gotta get really good at it. Im sorry you have such a long time of school too.....at least we can relate and vent to each other about school.

Yes, i dont want to declaw my cats, but i dont know the best option. I dont want to leave them, but dont know. The issue with buying a new bed is, C is use to sleeping on a waterbed( 20 years). So i dont know how that would work out. I guess we will come to a agreement.

I like looking at other trees and flowers, but nothing really grows here, its too hot in the summer and too dry. C has an obesseion with cactus, so needless to say, the backyard is like a cactus garden. Thats really cool about the local shop, its nice to know that whatever you buy will grow.

I heard about the 30DS....im actually doing Team Beach Body, its from the same makers of P90X, and let me tell you, even though its just workout tapes at home, its makes you sweat. I have lost 6 lbs in the last 2 weeks, doing the tapes twice weekly( i need to do it daily) and watching what i eat. I eat all the time now, but its like a cup of watermelon here, a peach here, some veggie sticks here. Its crazy. I need to lose another 30 by August 17( My trip...lol). Hon, dont be sad when you look in the mirror, you are a beautiful girl, no matter what size you are, and if you want to be smaller, just make small adjustments.

 

[TooPatient]

20 years on a waterbed???

There are some great beds out there that are super comfortable. Ours is some regular bed with one of the $100 foam toppers from Bed Bath and Beyond. It is GREAT! Soft enough for me but still supportive. (the $100 foam topper is great because it really gives the same benefit of the expensive beds we tried at the stores but cost a LOT less -- better still, it is only $100 so if it starts to squish down over time (we've been using for over 2 years now and it is still in great shape) or get damaged in some way (cat claws, red wine, etc) we can just replace it)


Another option would be to keep the bedroom a no-animal room. You might have to keep the door shut to do this but some cats learn to stay out of certain areas so you might only have to close it for awhile.

Funny.... I was just starting to type a warning about excess moisture and mold that can happen if you leave the door closed -- I am at least half-asleep right now! You are lucky to live in a drier area!



The depressing thing about my weight is that I am up by 30 pounds over the last year and a half. I really HAVE to go buy new clothes soon as everything I have is really wearing out and I really don't want to have to buy a larger size
I know I'm not eating great and that is part of it but I'm also not getting nearly enough sleep, am pretty stressed out, and haven't been exercising much at all.

 

[TooPatient]

Have to run to chemistry.

Talk to you later

 

[Jessie702]

Good luck with Chem

Too- when you are ready to lose the weight, you will. Its just determantion, and choice. I eat all day....LITERALLY, but make the hoice to eat right, and i will until i reach my size. Ha, i dont even wotkout daily, but its all about choices. You can lose the weight, also, dont go buy new clothes, set a goal for yourself, and instead let it be new clothes in your old size. I REFUSE to go clothes shopping right now, and Heave knows i could use some shorts, and new shirts, and EVERYTHING, but i refuse to buy another piece of clothing in this size. So the only other option is to lose the weight.

 

[Jessie702]

So im so excited, tommorow im going to make Sweet Champange cake with a Cream Cheese Champange Frosting. YUM

 

[TooPatient]

So im so excited, tommorow im going to make Sweet Champange cake with a Cream Cheese Champange Frosting. YUM

That sounds YUMMY!!!

Is this for your class?

 

[Jessie702]

Nope, just want to try a new flavor. LoL......also, im going to be trying a bellydancing class today. YAY....Hmmmmm, maybe i should have went to summer school, i have way too much time.

 

[TooPatient]

Are these classes through your school or just things offered near you? They sound fun!


Oh---- my poor key lime b-day cake! I forgot to mention that I managed to grab the wrong pans out of the cupboard so instead of being in two 9"x2" round pans (it rises to fill that and go a bit above the edge) I put it into two 9"x1" round pans . Got super lucky that it didn't run over the edge of the pan. It did get a lip around the edge where it started to go over the pan and it didn't rise as much as it should have so the cake was a bit shorter than it is supposed to be and a lot denser.
Tasted great and looked nice enough with frosting.

And.... somehow I managed to end up with a chunk of broken glass in the filling . The only glass anything I used was the bowl I poured the lime curd in for cooling. It must have been in there? --- I found the glass when I took a bite
Of course the cake was good enough that we decided to eat it anyway with the hope that there was only the one piece



I haven't forgotten about pictures, just been really busy.

 

[Jessie702]

Are these classes through your school or just things offered near you? They sound fun!


Oh---- my poor key lime b-day cake! I forgot to mention that I managed to grab the wrong pans out of the cupboard so instead of being in two 9"x2" round pans (it rises to fill that and go a bit above the edge) I put it into two 9"x1" round pans . Got super lucky that it didn't run over the edge of the pan. It did get a lip around the edge where it started to go over the pan and it didn't rise as much as it should have so the cake was a bit shorter than it is supposed to be and a lot denser.
Tasted great and looked nice enough with frosting.

And.... somehow I managed to end up with a chunk of broken glass in the filling . The only glass anything I used was the bowl I poured the lime curd in for cooling. It must have been in there? --- I found the glass when I took a bite
Of course the cake was good enough that we decided to eat it anyway with the hope that there was only the one piece



I haven't forgotten about pictures, just been really busy.

O my......i hope that was it, and your mouth didnt get cut. Goodness thats scary, my mom did that put it was toothpicks. She forget to tell everyone and almost everyone got cut.

Its okay, about the density, as all as it taste good thats all that matters. If you want to make a richer cake, add an extra egg, it makes it a little richer and hold it together good.

No these classes are just offerred around my city at different locations. I LOVED the class today, even though it was mostly little old ladies, but it was fun. Also, i got a good workout in, i was sweating! Didnt think i would. Also, you dont have to sign up and pay ahead of time, you pay when you go, thats good, in case i miss a class. I gotta get some little finger cymbals and a hip/coin scarf...lol...

 

[TooPatient]

Remember when I first rescued Millie as a puppy? It has been almost one year.

These pictures are taken with her on the same bed. (she does have bigger beds too, she just likes this one to eat treats on)