Daniella: I had to laugh when I read your post about shoppers running you over when they are at a sale. That happened to me a long long time ago.

There was a synagogue having a flea market and it was to begin at 7:30 p.m one night. So Alan and I took a walk there and there were all these people in front of the door. I said to Alan, "what's going on here?, are they giving the stuff away?" I had never been to that type of flea market before.

Well, you would not believe what happened. When the doors opened up, it was like they were giving away automobiles or something expensive. The people rushed in to the place in droves. I could not believe it.

I tried to go down one of the aisles and all of a sudden I landed on top of a table of brassieres. Alan looks down at me and says "Melody, do you realize you are in a pile of bras???" I had never been pushed like that in my life'.

I said 'get me up and get us out of here". We had to run for our lives. The people were like bulls in a china shop.

Then we became flea market people ourselves and I used to make baby socks and design and paint them. We did this for years at various flea markets. It's better to be the one selling the stuff. You stay behind the tables.

Mel

This morning on tv, they showed these fools who camped out at Best Buy in Huntington, so they would be the first ones there when the doors opened this morning. Now, there is no sale good enough for me to camp out on a sidewalk in November! There is no sale good enough for me to camp out on a sidewalk anytime, for that matter!!!!

Thing is, these stores have these huge sales and only get 4 of the sale items in and offer no rainchecks, it's only a lure to get people in the store and people are so gullible, they fall for it every year. I watched 2 women fight over a Barbie doll one year in Walmart, it was hillarious. To be honest, the best sales come in the middle of December anyways. I don't understand why people can't figure that out.

Well, I have to go to the bank, I bet the lines should'nt be bad there today!!! I do know, the lines will be nasty for sometime now at the grocery stores.

Hope you all aren't suffering tummyaches from yesterday, I'm not!

Deb

You know I was just at the grocery and they said today is usually slow cause people have left overs and are shopping. I think people get a high of getting even a small discount and the mad rush of the holiday. Its like a ritual for people they do every year. Go figure. I just think people can be rude sometimes and really takes the pleasure out of the holiday. We do so low key in our family. In MI where I lived things are open on Chirstmas there is even a huge shoe sale and the line at the deli is out the door. Its weird and to me everything should be closed cause you know some of the workers celebrate christmas. It will be super weird here in Ca since I'm used to the cold and snow.Don't miss that at all though. Hope all had a nice day. I'm the grinch that stole the whole holiday thing. I don't like them and will be happy when the new year is here. I hope we all have better times this year in 2008

--209.6 pounds.

Needless to say, I am gratified; I did exercise over the week, and stayed away from the gluten-free pumpkin pies (did I mention I adore pumpkin pie?) but I did eat a lot of turkey and vegetables.

It does seem as if the simple carbs do me in--so perhaps I dodged that this time (but Chanukah is only a week and a half away, and that involves potato pancakes--latkes , for those who like the term . . .)

Anyway, I believe one of my work cohorts actually had the gumption to predict I wouldn't top 210, so she will get two muffins (all that's left).

Unfortunately, my wife has just made a cranberry something or other . . .

Well that is good. So who won the bet in your house?I can't believe almost Chanukah. I like it when it is near Christmas. My gram used to make latkes. Are they fattening? I haven't had them in years. Not big on Jewish tradition foods. I do like Matzo ball soup homemade of course. The size of a tennis ball.Your a trooper cause if people were making bets on my weight I would be peeved. All in good fun I guess.The average person I think gains 7 pounds over the holiday.

I'm italian, and Alan is jewish.

We were married 27 years ago. I wanted to make him a traditional jewish dinner which of course includes Matzo ball soup. Never even heard of it, let alone cooked it before.

So I go and buy a package and follow directions. It says to add water, and let the mixture stand in the bowl for 15 minutes. I will never forget this.

Then after 15 minutes elapses, the box said "make 18 matzo balls. I looked at the mixture and said to myself: "18 matzo balls???" "are they kidding, there must be a mistake, there is only enough mixture for 2 balls"

So I made two nice size matzo balls. Each was the size of a walnut. So I put these two matzo balls in the broth and cover the pot.

I go back in 15 minutes and started to scream. It was like the invasion of the Matzo Balls. Alan comes running in and starts laughing. I thought he lost his mind. I called my jewish sister-in-law and said (and I quote). There are two matzo balls the size of heads of cabbage in my soup pot." 'HELP HELP"

Well, after she stopped laughing it was explained to me that matzo balls EXPLODE in the broth and expand to this big size. So I SHOULD have made 18 matzo balls and I would have had enough to feed an army.

I asked her "what do I do with these two things?? She said "eat them of course".

So I took one, divided it into 10 pieces, and Alan had the biggest bowl of Matzo Ball Soup in history.

Never did this again, believe me.

mel

I'm not Jewish. Not even remotely. Southern Girl here with an Irish heritage. I had a dear friend who was Jewish tho and I have eaten Jewish food. I adore it!!! No one around here to cook it for me now. You are all starving me to death today with the potatoe pancakes, matzo ball soup, etc. Quit it!

I'm so envious. I'll get more turkey I imagine for Christmas. Actually, now that I think of it, if my son and his wife come for Christmas, I'll call a local deli and have a vegetable tray and a meat and cheese tray made up. Then I'll have my husband pick it up along with some great bread and spreads. No way can I cook for my son and daughter-in-law. They are vegetarian. Oh, I'll also get some spinach and water chestnut dip and bake a pie or two (frozen).

But you are making me want potato pancakes soooo badly.

Billye