I do enjoy throwing classic dinner parties but haven't thrown a fancy one in over a year. I like an excuse to open my china cabinet, take out the silver, crystal, china, pretty serving bowls, lovely vases.

My mom was a big entertainer and caterer as I was growing up, so I got used to ironing the linen tablecloths, helping set the table, etc. It all seemed so elegant and festive.

 I have a great big round table now which I didn't have the last time I threw a dinner party, so I'm glad you brought thisidea up. It's high time I did it again.

 The most challenging part to me is who to invite. You want good conversationalists who enjoy each other's company, but you want to introduce a new person or two to mix it up a bit. And of course, you don't want any one person to dominate the conversation. 

 After thinking about this a bit, I think I want someone to invite me to their dinner party instead! Anyone? Anyone?

Estella

Estella

I much prefer the hand-written note to email. I have kept all the little notes my kids have written me over the years.  I always encouraged them to write and draw their feelings. I remember once when my son was angry at me and went into his room and slammed the door. I thought I'd give him time to cool off before going in there. Well, apparently I waited too long. I was in my room with the door shut, too. Within about 15 minutes, I heard a rustling noise and a piece of paper shot out from under my door. It read, I NEED LOVE. I opened the door, we shared a big hug and laugh and sat down for a long talk.

As soon as my kids were old enough to hold a pencil, I taught them the importance of the thank you note. I let them pick out stationery that didn't look like mom's. Whenever they received a birthday or Christmas gift, they were not allowed to play with it until the thank you was written. To this day they are very prompt with thank yous and write the most heartfelt  cards and letters. It makes me sad to think that with the advent of email, the hand-written note has become a lost art.

Estella

Estella

Estella

Estella

Estella

Estella

Estella

Even though I hate to drive, a road trip across the U.S. sounds appealing to me. I have seen so little of my own country that it is embarrassing.

 The best road trip ever: We were living in Arizona. My family took off for a day trip one summer to the Grand Canyon.. After the G.C. my dad decided he wanted to go to the Petrified Forest. Then something in New Mexico caught his eye. Then he remembered that he always wanted to see Wolf Creek and Pikes Peak in Colorado. Long story short, we stopped at gift shops and bought extra T-shirts, underwear, and  a toothbrush slong the way so that we could make it to Wyoming, Montana, and Canada. A couple of  nights we had to sleep in our car because no motel rooms were available, and we hadn't planned ahead. We had a flat tire and some car trouble and spent a day or two in an auto shop. My dad stopped at every single historical marker along the way and read them aloud to us very slowly and with emphasis. I was in 8th grade, and this was my idea of hell. But as I look back on this 2-week trip, I realize that it is my all-time favorite family memory

Estella

I am so very sorry for your loss. I hope that time will ease the pain, although it will never erase it.  When a young, vital person dies we feel cheated that we will never get to see that person's full potential realized. It helps to know that many people send their love, support, and prayers.

A few years ago I lost one of my best friends very suddenly and tragically. She was young, beautiful, full of vitality. If she was in the room, it was a party. She had a smile that could warm the coldest heart and a way of bringing people together with her wit and charm. Many of my fondest memories are of times we spent together. Of course she knew I loved her, but did I ever tell her? I'm not sure. Losing her so unexpectedly has changed me.  I wear my heart on my sleeve now, and I'm not afraid to be bruised. I believe the old saying, "It is better to have loved and lost then never to have loved at all." Now, I am no longer hesitant to tell people how much they mean to me. I make a point to spend time NOW with people I care about because there really may not be a tomorrow, for me or for them.

Estella

Estella

I think lots of exercise is the key to a successful diet. I try to walk 3-5 brisk miles a day unless I'm on vacation, and then I eat, drink, and be merry!  I don't get hung up on weight as much as inches since muscle weighs more than fat.  If i want to lose weight in a hurry, I do a modified detox diet that is so easy and healthy for two weeks. Then you need to add protein and variety.

Before breakfast: half a lemon squeezed into a glass of water ( eliminates sugar craving) Then drink another glass of water and lots of water during the day.

Breakfast: real homemade  old-fashioned oatmeal ( not the packaged kind) I use skim milk and Splenda.

Lunch: brown rice and assorted stir-fried or steamed veggies ( any and every kind)

Dinner: same as lunch

You can sip herbal tea and water throughout. No caffeeine or alcohol.

If you feel weak from lack of protein, add a little chicken or fish to the stir-fry. I try to avoid meat as much as possible unless I feel faint.

Pros and cons: Pros---very simple, healthy, full of fiber so you don't get hungry.

Cons- after a couple of days you are bored to death....but not hungry!

Once I lost 14 lbs in 2 weeks on this diet! Sure, some of it is water, but I also lost a whole clothing size. Oddly, my shoes and rings were too big, too. I was like Lily Tomlin in The Incredible Shrinking Woman. Bracelets slid off my arm, etc.

I need to follow this diet again now after coming back from vacation, but the boredom of it keeps me from committing to it. I have used this diet  3 times in my life and was successful each time. Of course, you need to come off it slowly or your body goes into shock. Don't order a steak or anything like that on the 15th day!

Estella

Estella

You had me at "ya'll"....

I left a big piece of my heart in Texas, too. It was love at first sight...warm people, live music, outdoor festivals. I enjoyed all of that for nearly 13 great years, to date the happiest of my life.  I'm planning a week back there in the next month and I'm just counting the days until then....

Welcome to MommyTalk. You will love it here. In many ways it's like Texas!

Estella