New Year Resolution Three Months Late! (Better late than never?)

I’ve done it – I’ve started a new weight loss program.
 
First let’s update you on my kids and the reno plans – I drew up some suggestions and now they’re getting bids and more suggestions to see what can be done with their budget to make their house work better.  If they move forward with the kitchen, I’ll share photos!
 
 This past weekend was busy as my daughter and her family were in town for a wedding and stayed with us. My grandson has reached the age of letting us know he’s headstrong. It will serve him well in twenty years, but it might wear the rest of us out sooner! LOL.  Unlike his grandmother who can talk a mile a minute about anything any time (lol) my grandson hasn’t found a good reason to talk to us yet. I expect he’s going to wait a while longer and spit out full sentences instead of first words.  My daughter is going to try a few new suggestions a friend gave her, but who knew too many toys and distractions could delay speech? Learn something new every day!
 
Okay – my newest weight loss effort. I’m on a diet plan (though they don’t like to call it that). The reason I opted for this one is that I don’t have to cook. There are lots of prepackaged foods which makes eating small amounts five times a day plus dinner much easier. Not all of them taste so great but in the first five days I’ve lost three pounds so that’s a great start!  It also forced me to discover that my favorite Italian restaurant makes a fantastic spinach salad with feta cheese and mandarin slices. Amazing, and on the diet! Also, they do great grilled shrimp! What more can a girl ask for on a weight loss effort?!
 
And now – with all the family stuff going on, I’ve been a little behind on my next Honeymoon release. I’m making slow progress but I’ve taken a liking to the heroine’s new next door neighbor. One of three sisters, Mina describes a large family well:
 
Mina stuck her hand out, holding the sheet of paper. “The nice thing about a really big Italian family is that there’s always a relative around who can fix something broken. Of course, the downside is even when nothing is broken there’s still always a relative around.”
 
I’m liking her enough to consider a Honeymoon for Five book – though no clue how to make that one happen!
 
I think that’s enough of me yakking for today.  Tell me what you think of Mina so far (I’ll tell you her full name is Philomena), if you’re waiting for Angela and Honeymoon for four, and remember if you have something in particular you want to talk about, let me know.