The Holidays are over.  YIppee!!!!  Still have some decorations to pack up and some toys to find places for but all in all it was all good. 

Gonna keep me out of the pool halls...

This week is going to be crazy!  As you can see for yourself-
Sunday (today)- make a sleigh load of cookie dough, finish decorating the house, wrap a few presents, make a menu for the week and for a party and a family dinner
Monday- wrap ALL the presents
Tuesday- video Gryffin's Christmas play which is the last day of school for the year
Wednesday- make some crafty goodness with Gryffin and start the holiday deep clean of the house
Thursday- finish up the crafts and cleaning
Friday (thank goodness Mike is off work)- shop and cook for the party tonight
Saturday- cook for the family Christmas dinner, set out cookies and carrots for Santa and his minions
Sunday (Christmas)- head over the river and through the woods to the mother-in-laws for more Christmas crazy
And in all of this madness I will be very thankful because I have all these wonderful, fun things to do for and with my family and friends.  So many of those I know are struggling with loss and hardship right now, I keep them close in my heart and prayers.  Merry Christmas to all and to all a good life.

Update!

I lost 10 lbs!  More importantly- I've kept it off thus far and with Thanksgiving in the mix I'm pretty proud of that.  This diet plan made me look at cooking (and eating) in a completely different way.  I couldn't use ANY fat or oils, not even non-stick spray, no fillers like rice, pasta or potatoes and no sugar.  I learned a lot:
1. Unless it is fried, it doesn't need oil.  Using a non-stick or well seasoned cast iron pan can eliminate the need for oils.
2. Cauliflower can be a lifesaver.  When chopped fine, it makes a great substitute for rice. 
3. Stevia tastes pretty good in coffee.  In fact, I now prefer it to sugar. 
4. Hunger is a wolf in sheep's clothing.  The first sign of dehydration is... hunger!  When a cup of hot tea didn't work a piece of fruit did.