Support Groups - THE :queen: s NOT CHOMPING THEIR WAY TO CHOCOLATE CHIP DAY..MAY 15th.

With Anagram's vote, here we go...new challenge! Now the challenge is to NOT eat your way to Chocolate Chip Day...and I assume we all know that doesn't just MEAN chocolate chips! ;) Hope y'all followed the trail :lol: May 15th is about halfway to the solstice and gives us all 6 weeks to do whatever.
:wave:

Off shortly for a walk....that darn springing ahead makes me tired! However, will finish the coffee, eat an orange and hit the road. Hope to see y'all here!
:drill:

Good morning, Queenlies!

Ok -- I'm down with the chocolate-chip free stroll. Six weeks is a nice stretch. Will amend ticker with new goal tomorrow (WI day) but am thinking 12 pounds is doable.

Cool, damp and windy here today -- although the rain held off long enough for us to get round the harbour. Somehow this always seems like seaside weather to me so it's still enjoyable. It really poured here last night. Sometimes we talk about adding a sunporch onto our house to extend the seasons -- t'would be lovely to go out there and enjoy the rain on the roof...

No big plans for today. There's a literary contest deadline coming up in a couple of weeks, though, so I may try to get started on a piece or two.

Ceara, I must say -- I DEEPLY resent losing an hour. I got my sleep, but the thought of having an hour less ON THE WEEKEND makes me quite irate! Why don't they nip it out of the workday instead?

Must go read old thread now... Happy Sunday, all!

Oh no, is there really a Chocolate Chip Day? :yikes: Scary! I will definitely NOT chocolate chip my way to that day! Hooray!

This is my Sanctuary Sunday and I am doing no work work (e.g., work that they pay me to do that is makin' me nuts and I don't mean almonds). I am rehabing my stupid leg but discovered a novel way to exercise ... posted this on my journal in the land far far, but somehow I noticed the poor forgotten 10-year-old cardio glider in my exercise room ... now these are NOT very challenging machines, but they do provide light resistance, a bit o' cardio and stretching ... I got on it and did five minutes ... body felt better, leg felt better, so I am challenging myself to do 30-60 minutes today, broken down into segments ... did a few weights as well. Feel I may be able to run/walk again by next week and hopefully can continue on with my half marathon training, as well as the one-mile race I'm registered for this month ... if not, c'est la vie ... I'll become a walker again!

Lost 1.2 pound and am happily back in the 130s again. I believe I will re-institute my 3FC ticker, since I'm postin' more here these days.

Thanks for the fresh thread, Ceara!

Hello all!

Yes, this royal is not pleased w/ losing an hour.....especially this year, dh and I went to bed early and were caught off guard this am.... yes, we somehow heard all the reminders and then forgot last night...
I woke up about 30 minutes b/4 the alarm went off.... to find out later I was 30 minutes late.... ah well...

tomorrow will be interesting...

SO... here we go May 15th, Here we go....

[color=blue][b]We never lose an hour here as there's no dst, but I wish there were as I'd rather have an extra hour of daylight!

I didn't get in my hour on the cardio glider as leg started to hurt again ... it's better and I think I will not need an x-ray but it's put a crimp in my runnin' dreams ... oh well ... I've set a goal of 1.8 pounds down in two weeks time, which is the week before my mile race ... I will likely not do the race now ... probably won't even go unless I can train, 'cause that was the point ... anyhow, I digress. I can't even think ahead as far as May 15 but again will definitely not eat chocolate chips ... I did have three Cerritos chocolates (dark, buttercream) today ... am experimenting with eating small amounts of refined sugar treats now and then so I don't freak out and go crazy when I do, but am still dedicated to the sugar free, low glycemic lifestyle.

In honor of NO CHOCOLATE CHIPS, I made some quite good sugar free oatmeal cookies ... my recipe needs work ... involves a cup of oatmeal, another cup processed in blender to make oat flour, baking soda, unsweetened applesauce, an egg, liquid Sweet 'n Low, canola oil, water ... first baked and then dried in oven. Quite good, actually, but still could be improved ... I just needed something sweet. Old Dog had one and is lobbying for another.

Glad you guys followed the crumbs! Yup, there does appear to be such a day Empress A! And we will NOT chomp our way to it!

Have to go into work today for 10:30, so I'm not too animated yet...I'll likely walk tonight after work...will see. It rained a lot last night...glad I tossed a dirt/peat moss mixture around a few things in the afternoon. It will have soaked through and settled it!

Yes that hour loss is quite the thing. We had a couple walk into church early for the old 10:30, but late for the new! :lol: I changed my clock Saturday night at 8 when I went upstairs just so I wouldn't get caught...I do have menomind you know.

So need to get prepped for this am and mayhaps put in some laundry. Am rather sluggish....so off like a herd of turtles! :wave:

Good morning, :queen:lies! 'Tis Monday and April. Cold, dreary, windy -- Novemberish, really, out there. But flowers are coming up and this is good "working" weather. On the bright side, also, I'm 2 pounds down from last Monday by my scale -- changing ticker accordingly :cb:

I'm getting more of a handle on this thing as we go on: finding it easier to eat smaller portions, to refuse those things that potentially push me off the wagon. Even if it takes a year I'm doing it this time, absolutely. I can feel a real difference in my attitude between this time and last and am carefully keeping a finger on the attitude pulse to make sure it stays that way.

Kaylets, we also forgot to change the clocks Saturday night but don't have anything pressing early on Sundays. It's always a bit of a thrill to me to turn off the alarm on Friday after it goes off. Didn't sleep well last night, but feel pretty much normal today. Don't know why that happens to me but it does sometimes.

Amarantha, your cookies sound very good. I'm definitely going to try them. I sometimes add a smidgen of xanthan gum (you can get it from health food stores) to non-wheat baked goods to make them hold together better. I mostly just don't bake, though. Before I started back to WW, I'd occasionally have some sugar-free chocolate. I don't know where you stand on the sweeteners they use, but some of them are awfully good and they don't (for me, at least) trigger the urge to eat more sugar. I might use some points on one some day...

Re: running -- it's still speculative for me. My feet have been hurting me. I think I need to wear more supportive shoes than I have been. Kind of bummed to have to wear my sneakers but I feel like I need it. Then, once my feet feel okay again I'll start my gentle runs through the woods again. I haven't timed mileage -- just go by time. But there's a 5k race in June that I'm aiming to do again. I came in last when I did it 2 years ago, at 41 minutes. But I did it :cb:

:wave: All

xo
Arabella, WN

Y-A-A-H-H-H-O-O-O-O-O FOR ARABELLA!!!!!
:dance::dance: WOO-HOO!!!! :cheers:

Thank ye, thank ye! I'm down a total of four pounds in the two weeks according to my (now) good friends at Weight Watchers.

And look at your ticker, Woman! You're an inspiration, is what!

Good morning, :queen:lies all!
The long-anticipated event actually occurred yesterday. My new assistant editor started yesterday. I'll be training him for a few applications today but I think he'll catch on quickly and life will just get better and better. Huzzah!

Sunny here now but we're supposed to get a rainstorm tonight. Hope it's early enough for me to enjoy it before bed! I'm going to try to sneak out to buy myself some tulips -- I used to buy myself some small treat like that every week that I managed a loss at WI and I do think that beith an worthy habit to maintain.

Amarantha, I hope your bod recovers soonest! If you're not ready for this race, though, there's always another one coming up. My tummy is still calling out to me for your oatmeal cookies. Must buy some applesauce and try it.

How goeth it, Other Queens? :wave:

K, I'm away -- have a great day!

xo
Arabella

Thanks Arabella! You are doing great!

Class visit went well yesterday...Grade Ones are so cute....and wiggly. We had fun though...next Monday is Grade Two's I think.

Am talking myself into a walk today as I didn't yesterday...first time for a while that I've missed. Today's goal will just be to walk...no racing with myself because I'm tired. And, just walking is going to be monumental for me. It is quite blustery out there again. :( At least the sun is half shining and it isn't raining.

So off to the salt mines I go...it was quite busy at work yesterday...prolly 'cause it was raining....and I have reports to do at some time today! Usual stuff on the menu for the am...groom a girl, walk the road, laundry and vacuum....maybe I'll start putting away some of the heavier clothes from winter...that sounds like a plan!

Avanti! :drill:

Thankee, Fair Ceara, for our new thread. I must repeat "NO CHOMPING"......

Congratulations, Arabella, on both the downage in poundage and the presence of the new assistant. Life's looking good!

HUH, trying a new colour...we'll see. (Oh Arabella...THAT is the colour you used...very cool)

Had some snow last night...just enough to dust the grass white and make the deck slippery :lol: It won't last long I'm sure.

Had a non-scale victory of sorts last night...battle with DD at supper. She left, and I left to grocery shop. Did not go to Timmie's for boston cremes, came home and then left for class...which was good. Got home from that still bothered, and hungry, had a piece of left-over meat loaf and a baked potato from supper. Still wanted cookies and ice cream and crackers and, and, and,....so I went to bed. Scale is good this am. I guess I am a stress eater, EH? :shrug:

So off again...want to walk, wash the dog that I didn't yesterday...we groomed instead, and rip apart a skirt that is too long. I need to shorten it, but is has a kick pleat in the back...if I shorten from the bottom I lose the kick pleat, and I'll fall over when I run :lol: So off comes the waist band and I'll move everything up. Been ruminating on how to do this whilst walking this week past.

:wave: You are all doing great! Where is Frogger et al these days? Palace seems a little, well, empty :( . Come back, come back.....

:drill:

Thanks for the crumbs...too bad I'm low carbing!!!!:)

I've lost 4 lbs! :carrot:

Onto sadder news...My mother has a lump. They found it on her mamogram. So she's going in today for further testing. She's so afraid she has cancer. I'm being more optimistic. I'm scared, but I'm trying to be positive for her.

Job scene: It's been expressed to me by the admin for our group that it seems that people I'm employed with have it out for me. She's overheard several negative comments about me in the recent weeks. There is hope though..There are other openings with another company here at the same building. (WHY CAN'T I GET AWAY!!!!!) So we'll see how that goes.

I'm bummed, here, for no apparent reason. DH says it's likely the diet. I don't know -- I suppose I might have headed the mood off at the pass with food before. Anyway, soldiering on. Getting lots of exercise, eating right, meditating at least some each day. Will go buy self some tulips later.

Frogger, wooo-hooo for you. Four pounds gone is GREAT :D :cb:

Ceara, yeah, I really like that color -- so springy! There's another one that's similar, though, that performs an instant retina-ectomy on display. I've viewed a message I wrote in it and immediately gone back in to edit it out. Forget what it's called...

:wave: Anagram, how goes it with thee?

Hi-ho, hi-ho and etc.

xo
Arabella

Hello all!

Another week just flying by....

DH 's got some low grade fever, deep cough again....stayed home sleeping yesterday and was actually watching a lifetime movie last night...

Job heating up a little bit but nothing like previous yet so although I am stressing a little, I am not w/o hope....

Have been invited to give a secular invocation tonight at a Toastmasters Area Speech Contest.... the invocation is to end w/ the Pledge of Allegiance....
I have a few quotes by JFK and LBJ related to the subject but am not 100%...
I want to tie the Toastmasters goals to freedom of speech.....
I was initially told I had 5 minutes, I see on the websites that I should go less time so I feel pretty good.

Congrats to all for trying!! Yay Frogger! 4 lbs is nearly 2 mos loss for me!


*****

Thought of the day:

"A free lunch is only found in mousetraps."
- John Capozzi

Question of the day :

"Share a story from your life about mice."

*******


Tea Anyone?

Yes, the time is flying by...it just seems like it was last Thursday yesterday! Another beautiful sunny day out there....and I've got my plate full for this am as usual. Minutes to type for a meeting and a walk and all that stuff....I wanted to get a quick trip into THE CITY in too, so best boogie.

Mouse story...I've had 'em in the cupboards and the dogs alerted me to their presence. We have constant traps set in the garage, but I guess the funniest one actually happened to my DD. She was house sitting for her grandmother and they'd set a trap in the cupboard before they left because there was a mouse. They showed her where the trap was so she wouldn't catch herself. One morning I got this frantic call, that the trap wasn't there. I first asked if one of the dogs could have moved it..no, the door was shut. So then obviously I told her to look for it in the cupboard. "No. There might be a mouse caught in it (DUH) and there might be blood." And then she did this shuddery thing with her voice. Well I just cracked up...whch was not appreciated. I don't know if my parents found the trap when they got home or not...likely.

Anyway...off I go! :bike:

Dark and drear this morning and snowing big, fat, sloppy flakes. I expect it will turn to rain later. April in PEI is not a lot like April in Paris.

All goes well, diet- and exercise-wise. Got up and practiced qi qong while DH went for a run and will do step tape later. Not enough of a glutton for punishment to want to get out there and get soaked. Maybe if I thought it'd continue to snow and not start pouring on me, say, half-way 'round the harbour...

Work is INSANE this week as I try to get stuff done per usual AND train the new boy. Can't wait till things get back to what passes for normal.

Celebrating DS' birthday this evening. I've invited some of my family, his cousin (who was like a brother to him, growing up), DGS of course, my mom, one sister and her daughter (who DGS has the BIGGEST crush on!). And that doesn't even begin to make a dent in my family but I'm not up for having 30+ people in for dinner. Nuh-uh.

Serving lemon-garlic chicken, hummus and Greek salad. With a big, goopy carrot cake for dessert along with chocolate ice cream (DS' request). Will not have a smidgen. No, shan't taste a crumb :ziplip:

Kaylets, your speech will be fabulous, I know! How have you found the experience of Toastmasters? I seriously think of joining from time to time. I think it would make me much more comfortable in meetings. LOVE the TOD. As for QOD, the only mouse story I've really got from my own life is about when we lived in the country and one of our cats seemed ****-bent on single-pawedly wiping out the population of mice and other small mammals -- oh, and I guess birds too. We had very rustic steps built into the hill that led down from the parking area to the house, like what you'd come across on a woodland trail. And would be frequently up and down those steps in the dark. Always hoping you wouldn't feel a nasty crunch underfoot.

Ehh. I like my mom's story better, of being sick as a child and tucked up in her parents' bed. She woke at one point and saw her dad's tie moving as it hung on the side of the dresser. Puzzled and a little woozy, my little mum sat up for a better look and saw two little mice, one on either end, swinging back and forth in play, as if on a piece of playground equipment. She said that they played that way for a good five or ten minutes and then scampered away when her mum came into the room.

K, Dovies, work and etc. beckon. Let's make this a good one!

Ceara, I just KNEW we were simulposting! I almost mentioned that in my post... All offhand I was going to be, like:

Hi Ceara, I expect we're simulposting as we tend to do, so I'll see what you're up to when I finish posting. :)

Dang! I should have and got the psychic cred I'm lookin' for.

S'all right Arabella. I KNOW you are psychic! :lol: Actually you are posting an hour earlier...right....can't quite get me mind around that one.

So...it is dark and rainy out there....I may melt. I'm not walking at this point. However have brekkie with the parentals and have to pack to leave for the show...gonna go up and wash the girl who's going with me. My daffs are close to busting out....they'll likely do it whilst I am gone :( Have a great week-end all! :wave:

Oh, we've gone all quiet again! Well, these things happen. Doesn't mean we have to like it though... :(

DS' birthday party went well last night. No impulses to eat cake. Scrupulously rinsed any icing or ice cream or suchlike that got on my fingers while I was distributing.

My weight has unaccountably bounced up a couple of pounds again. My eyes are puffy -- probably just some clingy water. I resolve to do whatever I must to ensure a good WI on Monday -- well, within reason: more water, extra exercise, low carb it, yogurt for brekkie on Monday.

So glad it's Friday! I'm going to also get chores done ahead so I can just enjoy the weekend. And today I WILL buy myself those tulips I've been promising me.

Frogger, keeping my fingers crossed for your mum: :crossed: :hug:

Ceara, I hope your daffs wait for your return to burst forth. I was thinking we're way behind you but I noticed some just about ready to open up around the corner from my place. I keep forgeting to say I get a kick out of your sig every time I see it. So evocative! :lol:

Have a great day, Royals, wherever you are...

Ahhhh, freedom o' speech for writers (obviously FOS extends to nonwriters but my thoughts are on writing ... a profession I desire to leave soon, but it never happens) ... anyhow, just commenting on the Dan Brown verdict ... ah, duh, copyright laws apply to the FORM of EXPRESSION of ideas ... ya can't freakin' copyright an idea ... ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, so nice to hear a judge agrees with that long-held basis of all that is holy and fair in the universe ... thanks fer listenin' ... this is not a copyrighted post! :)

Yes, the long awaited day arriveth. :) 'Tis dampish out :rain: but Saturday none the less and I am glad of it. Last week was frantic, what with training New Boy. But we got from one end of week to the other AND without chomping our way through. I've been finding it easier to eat less: smaller portions, fewer returns to the pot. No loss yet this week, but so far I've noticed it's the last couple of days that a loss seems to be registering so I'll just try hard and hope the scale gods are wi' me and not agin me. At least the 2 mysterious pounds that bounced up are gone again. :yes: Onward!

I'm going to get some non-work writing done between now and Thursday for a lit. contest here with good prizes. It would be great to score some cash -- not to mention the cred :cool:

I did manage to get shopping done yesterday and enough cleaning that I'm happy. Bought two pots of purple tulips and a pink hyacinth in deep green pots. Have arranged same on a big pale turquoise plate on table where they gladden my heart as soon as I step in the front door. And I'll be able to plop them in the garden when they're done in here.

Some health-related association is selling bleeding hearts in a fund raiser next month and I'll be very happy to buy a few. I adore them! Last year I went looking for them at all the garden centers but too late to find the pink ones. I did get a big white one that split nicely into two...

Amarantha, you're right -- the idea of having copyright on an idea! Just silly.
And it so often happens that more than one writer gets the same idea, anyway. I've often written something I thought was a unique insight and then later come across it written by another -- who no doubt also thought it was a unique insight.

Taking self for a walk round the harbour before too long, otherwise planning on nesting, reading, writing this weekend. I think I may have convinced DH to come out to see Match Point tomorrow evening. I do like to get out once in a while!

If any missing Royals lurketh, wouldst thou pop in for a quick :wave: ? 'Twould be lovely to see thee. We understand that one doesn't always feel inclined towards a long visit...

Avanti!

[color=blue][b]Yea, verily, Arabella, there is no new idea in the universe! :) All thought, all invention, all progress is based upon concepts and ideas added one-at-a-time to a universal whole ... all progress, all literature, all THINKING would have to come to a screechin' halt if someone decided ideas were the exclusive property of one person or another.

Anyhow, the case had a good effect on me as I had not read DVC, which I picked up yesterday and so far it's quite good ... it's inspired me to start a new journal in the land far far away as I realized how much I was journalin' 'bout PAIN in the previous one (so far there's a lot o' talk 'bout PAIN in DVC).

I have made the decision to take the pressure off of myself to become a world class runner ... this "injury" or whatever (you don't wanna hear what the chiropractor called it) is an "awful warning" that maybe I jumped in too fast ... granted, I was only running slowly for approximately 12 miles a week ... but that was apparently too much too soon ... I am registered for two races in the next 8 months but am going to take the pressure off and say I may not be able to do 'em ... I just need to get back to eatin' sanely, loosing the weight I've no doubt gained over the past week of little exercise and INSANE amounts of bad food ... will get on scale tomorrow and assess the damage and then return to my gentle fitness program ... cardio glide, weights, mind-body, maybe some jog/walking ... I just need to scale down my fitness expectations for awhile ... not quit, just scale back.

Arabella, good luck on your contest writing ... I wish I liked writing enough these days to want to do stuff like that ... all I want to do is get out of the profession and run a gym. :)

Good morning! I resolve not to prattle on for a long time -- don't want to scare away any Royals coming into palace with over verbosity.

Had a lovely walk yesterday -- walked through town and to a gallery in the old section on a wonderful old street that ends at the water. Looked at some beautiful art, then headed down to the boardwalk, all round the harbour and home was an hour and a half. Coolish and grey but beautiful. It felt very self-affirming.

Amarantha, me too -- I've got to put off running until my feet feel okay again. I think I did them in walking more and wearing shoes without proper support. Now I'm wearing running shoes if I walk any distance but I guess it'll take a while to recover. Of course, lessening poundage will help, too. I should get my bike out of the shed -- it barely made it to the road last year.

Finding I'm reluctant to actually start on writing projects -- 'tis ever thus, is it not? I don't mind most projects once I get going but starting is like trying to get a rebellious kid on task. :rolleyes:

Avanti!

I like it when thou and the other royals go long, Arabella, so don't stop.

Apologies to all for not seeming to offer much support diet-wise these days (it IS a diet challenge ... :) ) ... it's really just hard for me to get on 3FC since the good sisters changed their server, so I've gone back to journalin' on the land far far.

Back in the 140s again: 141.2 ... s'ok, ate an average o' 2300 cals last week, barely exercisin' and eatin' sugar ... HAVE SET UP MY OWN PERSONAL PRE-CHOCOLATE CHIP DAY HOLIDAY: THE NINTH O' MAY ... goal: 137.2 ... can accomplish this by cal averagin' and gentle exercise.

Last night I was in big time pain and stretched sore leg and hip went "pop" and pain abated ... still sore but feels much better ... it may be there was a dislocation not showing on x-ray or they read it wrong or somethin' ... dunno ... standing by my decision not to become a world-class runner ... sigh.

Arabella, that's one thing the "coach" I talked to said ... about the shoes ... I was wearin' old ones 'cause my new ones were so pretty ... he said ALWAYS wear your good runnin' shoes ... first rule ...

I am totally reluctant to start writing ... need to do two stories to make tomorrow bearable ... I DO mind the projects and don't wanna do it anymore! :)

See ye, guys!

Where have i been? Even I don't know why I haven't posted in a while.

Nay, nay, don't ever give up on long posties. I love to hear of your harbour walks. And the tulips and hyacinth sound so lovely. I think after the violet, I like the hyacinth best.

I am unhappy with weight. It seems I gained AFTER I stopped the prednisone even though I was eating less. Have had some solidly good days creeping in but gaining. The purple suit that was big on me when last worn is now on the slightly snug side.

I've gotten in some small walks and fertilized the front lawn, walked some stores. Found a nice outfit which I'll wear on Easter and to some spring concerts, etc. in which the princesses will be involved. That was a novel day. To actually find something I like and that looks good (or good enough) is a banner day.

I must say I'm relishing the way my yard is looking. I don't have a lot of any one variety of flora but what I do have is just spectacular this year - or maybe I'm appreciating it more or something.

I've been putting off pool in favor of walking but not getting in enough walking yet (bunion/toe problems). But must soon make an effort to get that in as well. Maybe after this week - which seems incredibly busy again somehow.

I found DVC to be interesting as well. Complex, well written (mostly), quite a fantasy. Finished reading "Year of Magical Thinking" and liked that as well. Didion gave me words for some feelings I didn't quite realize I was having.

Did my taxes too - I'm so darn proud of me. One more check on the returns and I'll be putting them in the mail in a day or so.

Hope your gal showed well, Ceara!

Monday! ACKKK! I have a class visit this am and discovered last night that a couple of the books I brought home to use were not appropriate. One too hard, one too easy, so I'm at it already this am....will buzz down and early and find something else. Coffee is on....

Had a really great week-end. A lot of fun with friends and my girl did exceptionally well...she and I learned a lot....again. Life is a learning experience. She picked up both majors and went Best of Breed over specials (dogs who are already champions) both days! So I am pleased with her.

Am pleased with me too...scale has stayed relatively the same...no booze, just iced tea, and food quantities were higher, but so was the walking. Did over 5 miles on the first day. Now, back to the grind. There is no magic formula...just consistent, bloody hard work and commitment. I sleep better without the alcohol, so that is what I say when pressed. It also bothers my hiatial hernia if the truth be known. Besides, there are a lot of empty calories in that stuff. :( They just float by magic to my hips! :lol:

So gotta go...that :coffee: is calling me and I need to prep...How was the writing Arabella?...and I too love the long descriptions of the harbour walks. I noticed some bits of yellow here and there when I drove in last night, but was too tired to look closer...will cruise the beds this am...I think the daffs are just breaking...the cooler weather likely held them back. Good luck with that injury Amarantha...I pulled something in my inner thigh in early February and I still cannot lift that leg in towards me...like to put on a sock or shoe...I can lift it straight in a marching position, but pivoting inwards..:nono: It is s-l-o-w-l-y improving...I do really gentle stretches. Thank goodness it doesn't affect walking or running! Anagram, your yard sounds lovely! We haven't fertilized our grass for years...maybe we should...although the last time DH did, we had that checkered effect....

Gotta Boogie!

Ah yes, a fresh new week with no mistakes in it yet. WI this morning has me down 2.4 from last week, which I'm happy with. That makes 6.4 in three weeks -- give me a banana! :cb:

I had a lovely weekend -- long harbour walk and gallery visit on Saturday, harbour walk with DH on Sunday and then a set of tai chi in the park, facing east towards the water. Cleaned up flower beds in the afternoon and then walked across town to see Match Point last night. Lots of exercise and fun too! We walked around the harbour again this morning and I'll walk to my WW meeting later -- ends up being 85 mins walking between the two.

Amarantha, I've seen some really cute shoes -- mesh tops attached to running shoe bottoms with crisscross ballerina-type straps across the top. Thinking I must buy self a pair on the basis that they'd be good for my feet. :)

Anagram, so nice to see you posting! Congrats on finding the Easter outfit. Inspires me to go look for same! The Easter weekend is shaping up to be busy but fun -- concert on Friday and then friends in to dinner and a birthday party for 2 sisters and DH on Saturday and Easter party on Sunday. Three different groups of people, though, so if I find something good I can wear to all three :s:

Ceara, bet you've posted while I've been bopping back and forth between post and other things. :wave:

Aha -- I see that's indeed the case! Writing didn't happen and we're getting down to the last couple of evenings in which it could be done. Will I be able to make myself do it? Stay tuned...

Congrats on your good weekend! I'm mostly off the sauce, too. Although for me it's the worsened hot flashes that help me say :no:

K, Queenies -- let's hit it!

xo
Arabella

There you are! Glad I finally stirred around to find you all again!

Eydie! There you are! How's things?

The daffs did wait for me...they are just popping today! Very nice...they always look so cheery...as do the dandelions unfortunately. Saw my first one of them today too...

Had a great day...managed to do the road walk after my class visit, and walked to the post office during crossover shift times...needed a stamp or two. Plus got the mail. So, back to work... am chomping on a salad.... :nono: chocolate chips for me!

Sunny out there, although I see from my office window that there's frost on my neighbour's roof. I did some qi qong and a brief meditation whilst DH was running and will meditate a bit more once I get him out the door again. Will get out for a walk or maybe even a little walk/run. I'm going to try to get in a set of yoga too. Then, this evening, I'm getting my hair cut.

Work is work. The site director seems intent on adding more duties to my list to compensate for adding an assistant. I was stressed and frazzled by end of day yesterday. Today I'm going to devote myself to making sure I stay peaceful! AND tomorrow the director is out of the office and I've decided I'm going to dedicate my day to writing, other than the usual chores :s:

:queen: Eydie! How lovely to see you! What is the news from without the palace walls?

Frogger, how are you doing? Remember to look after yourself! :hug:

Ceara, YAY for your daffs! Mine are not quite there yet, but I'm looking forward to them. As for dandelions -- pfft! I have no quarrel with them. (DH is another story) I decided to like them. Sort of like Steve Martin's line about turning dog$hit to gold by deciding "It's gold to ME." :lol:

Tee-hee -- we would have been more color-coordinated yesterday if I'd seen the color you picked before I posted!

Queenies, let's hit it!

xo
Arabella, WN

Yes, I did notice we'd picked the same colour...:lol: That's OK...I like teal. Have been up reading since before 6am...thought I needed a coffee so I got up. You are up very early this am Arabella...sounds like you have a full day!

I'm mentally working up to walking the block this am...it is supposed to be near 70 this afternoon, so it should be not too cold this morning. I'm plateauing minorly so I think the body needs a jolt. Maybe some light weights too....

Yes the gardens are starting to show colour...those darn rabbits ate my crocus flowers...I wish someone'd eat them. They truly are pests. The tulips are starting to send up flower buds too. The hyacinths that are on my kitchen table are magnificent...6 inch flower part...that does not count the stalk, just the flowering stuff at the top. I had to stake them up they were so heavy. And the scent...yum. You can smell them when you enter the house. I have purple ones, which I will plant outside and enjoy for many years. I have mini-daffs around my trees that have to be nearly 10 years old....they were $1.99 specials in the grocery stores a long time ago and continue to bloom for me outside. They take a year to recover from the forcing necessary to flower in a pot so early though. I wait.

So Arabella, how was the weigh-in...and how come your scale measures in 10ths? I can hardly see the numbers on mine in the morning...should use the binoculars I guess....Good to see you Eydie...just for a flash. Come back and stay a bit...maybe Kaylets would bring in some tea.

:wave: to all :queen:s MIA and present! :tread:

Weigh-in was good, Ceara. Down 2.4, according to WW. 6.4 in three weeks. My ticker might be confusing because I started a new at the start of the May Day challenge so it only registers this week's 2 pounds. I've got a fancy-shmancy scale that measures in 10ths and also reads body fat, visceral fat, muscle mass, bone and water content and gives you a rating. I should do a complete measurement soon...

[color=deeppink][b]Yo, just a flyby as I am in one of our offices waiting to cover a meeting and so have a computer that doesn't try to shut me out of here! :wave:

But I am exhausted and also trying to stay out of having an argument with someone so will go take a walk.

I feel much better. Went to a new chiropractor ... was never one for chiropractic but it seems to work like a miracle, still a little sore but better.

Arabella, I think you should buy the shoes! :) My nice pair has mesh tops ... so valuable in Arizona.

I'm hoping I can run again sometime, but have ruled out the racing for now. Will walk in park with trainer tomorrow.

Later, gators! Hi, to all, mentioned and unmentioned.

Lovely, lovely day out there. Frost on the roofs again but it's supposed to be warm today. Fantastic spring weather for PEI. DH and I are back from the gym and I've done first part of yoga. I'm going to have to get out again as much as possible to take advantage of that sunshine. :)

Got my hair cut yesterday and it turned out very nicely. I might try to post a pic later (after shower and makeup ;) ). I've got my writing group tonight, so that will be another 40 min walking there and back. I've been managing about 85 mins a day, between one thing and another.

I've got a new webcam and am going to try doing a vidcast of tech news summaries for the site. Also after shower and makeup...

Ceara, I understand your frustration with the rabbits, but they're awfully cute, aren't they? When I visited a friend in upstate NY last year I was very excited to hear that deer came right into her garden -- we don't have deer on PEI. Then she told me that she kept a pile of stones on the patio for pitching at them to keep them out of the smorgasbrod :lol:

I could have sworn I saw Eydie...

Amarantha, I will check out those shoes for sure! I hate having hot feet -- and besides, who can resist comfort, support and girlyness all in a single pair of shoes? :shrug:

K, Chicklies. I am off to work. Avanti!

xo
Arabella, WN

Morning, all. Lovely here again today - at least 3 perfect spring days in a row but some rain expected this evening. Need it.

My food days haven't been bad but not getting in enough formal exercise. Some walking, some yard work, some up and down step stool, stairs, etc. Doing dumb but necessary stuff. No losses.

Hope you stayed out of that argument, Empress. Good strategy to walk. While I was walking last evening, good friend saw me and came out and joined me so I ended up walking a teeny bit more than planned.

Glad your haircut turned out so nicely, WN. Had planned to have mine done this a.m. but forgot and washed it myself. Turned out so nicely when I fixed it today that I think I'll wait until tomorrow for the cut. If I had anything more going on today than the dentist, it would not have turned out so nicely. So long that I styled it slightly differently (more or less in a "who cares, I'm getting it cut today" mode). I probably could never get it this way again and in any event, it's too long for me and would be guaranteed to look awful on Easter.

Ceara, my yard's not big (about .3 acre) and I probably wouldn't bother with much but dh always did until last year and it got to look pretty rough with lack of care while he was ill. So I fertilized and weeded. Kid cut it for me yesterday and I think it's looking fairly decent or else I'm blinded by all the spring color. I'll never be the fanatic re lawn dh was.

Well, on to the rest of this beautiful day! Missing you, wsw, Wildfire, Kaylets, Frogger, aria, fIREFLY et al.

Had writers' group last night, which was good. And I did walk there. It was a lovely evening when I left home and the moon had risen by the time I left my friend's house. It was just a gorgeous evening and by the time I got to the point where I'd turn from the harbour towards home I decided to go 'round instead. The moon kept pace along with me most of the way and then shone over my shoulder while it did the little tricky bit of business necessary to switch over to the other side and keep me company between the end of the boardwalk and home.

I often feel like I should be out there for the full moon and was v. happy to get a chance to do that -- ordinarily I'd have been on my way to bed and just feeling wistful...

And, incidentally, that made an extra 55 minutes walking to add to the walk to the gym and circuit training, little bit of yoga and raking I did yesterday (where IS that darn "patting self on back" smiley?)

We've got a very full line-up for the next three days. Planning to clean and shop today, so I can relax and enjoy it. FOUR days off! Reminding self to stay out of office...

Anagram, isn't that the way with hair. It's like it feels threatened when you intend to get a cut and suddenly behaves much better than you thought it was able to. The day I had my cut scheduled my hair suddenly looked great and I was getting compliments. :rolleyes: It's okay now, but was kind of dramatic-looking precut.

Missing the wanderers too...

Avanti!

xo
Arabella, WN

Everone out enjoying the good weather, I see. Looks like more of the same here at least for the morning. A few showers overnight but pretty again and up to 76 here today. Too bad I won't enjoy it. Wasting this afternoon w/gyn appt.

Otherwise just pulling a few more things together. Went for the haircut yesterday afterall. The "nice" look started fading after only a few hours. Feel better now.

Biggest debate of the morning - should i walk outdoors this morning or through a store that's having a big sale? Hmmmm.

Ah the magic of simulposting! Enjoyed your harbour walk description. I do love that full moon and saw it while driving home from a meeting last night. Alas, I wasn't smart enough to stay out and walk a block to enjoy it more keenly.

I did enjoy thinking as I walked that all my friends were under the same moon. Nice that you were out to enjoy it, anyway. It's much easier to keep walking when you're in that mode than to switch from driving to walking.

Ah, Anagramatic, I always choose the walk through the store when there's a choice (e.g., when I have funds to spend freely)!

Missing the et als also.

Brevity mode again ... career is taking a rather strange detour backwards and forwards in the next few days, maybe good, maybe bad, probably a dead end ... a lot o' angst for nothin' likely, but we soldier on. Anyhow, one result is that I have to go to work tomorrow when I'd planned not doing so ... it is a complex situation.

Later, gators.

Friday! :cb: Have brekki with the parentals and then..........:dunno: Planted a couple of things yesterday...few dahlias that didn't mold, and some elephant leaf bulb things that have to go in huge pots with lots of manure...they are heavy feeders.

Daffs look great...so glad they waited for me to be home.

Did a lot of tossing at work yesterday...old files. Should continue here with that plan. :shrug:

So I'm off....:wave: to all and et al.

Just back from a long harbour walk (105 mins) with DH in the cool drizzle :rain: today. Yesterday was so beautiful, windy and mild around the harbour and the water shimmering in the sunlight. And having had the moonlight tour the night before, I've been getting to the harbour a lot lately in all its variousness. :)

We're going to a choral concert this aft., Mozart's Grand Mass in C minor. A good friend, the female half of a good friend couple, is singing. And then we're going to have them over for dinner: hummus and tabouli to start, slow-roasted lemon garlic chicken and roasted root veggie melange for main. And a purchased but delectable selection of baklawa for dessert (of course, I WILL NOT have a crumb of the latter, nuh-uh).

Ceara, I admire your tossing! I'd love to pick up Kaylet's 15 minute habit. Just set the timer and dive in... This house could surely use a big spring clean.

Amarantha, sending good vibes for whatever's happening work-wise :goodvibes:

K, My Doves. I'm off to pluck parsley leaves for an hour or so...

xo
Arabella, WN

Dinner went well last night although it started early and ended late -- which is how I'm explaining the amount of wine I drank: too much! Two parties to go and I'm pretty much partied out already :dz: Ah well. I don't think I'll drink today and will keep it down to a glass or two tomorrow if I drink at all. I'm already looking forward to getting back from the party tomorrow and relaxing...

I didn't have any banned substances yesterday. Having my mind fully made up on the issue has made all the difference. And the chips on the counter (must put in cupboard) call to me this morning, but I'm not listening.

Today I'm making the sugar and wheat free chocolate raspberry cake. It's a huge recipe, so I'll split it in two to have 1 to take to today's party and another tomorrow.

Never did manage to get out and find an outfit so I'm low-key. It'll be more fun to shop when I lose a bit more weight. At least I'm not going to have one of those semi-puzzling, semi-horrifying trips where I go out and "don't understand" why things don't fit and don't look good :rolleyes:

Hope all are having a good weekend!

xo
WN Arabella

Have fun, Arabella! A wheat-free, sugar-free chocolate cake sounds interesting! :)

Hoppy Easter, everybunny!

Hello all....

Am quickly saying hello so you know I am here and then will read the posts...

be back in a sec!:hug:

And today I actually need it. WI this morning and I succumbed to ham and potato chips yesterday along with a tiny piece of baklawa (containing both sugar and white flour) :shrug: I was feeling under the weather and tired, which is always dangerous. I guess I was getting a little cocky about this whole thing, thinking it wouldn't be difficult, just take a long time. Now I see that some days are still going to be a struggle. Ah well. Onward! I was up a pound by my scale, so that should be gone again, with interest, in the next few days.

Funny, I was looking forward to all the social stuff this weekend, but then found I wasn't really up for it. I like more of a mix of relaxation and socializing with the occasional big party, I guess.

Rainy and cool here today. Not raining TOO hard though, so I guess I'm off for a walk soon.

Kaylets, thanks for popping in to say :wave: Hope you've got the day off today.

Amarantha, the cake turned out pretty well. I've still got a half of a one in my freezer that I can pull out for some other occasion.

Avanti!

Am off and running....very slowly. DH has gone to get his hairs cut...good thing too. I'd have had to braid them soon :lol: And I've had two coffees and a half a book....time to move.

Did some plant moving and potting up yesterday...am finding the hostas. I always forget where I've planted them! And the Astible are coming up...so far 5 of 6...which is pretty good I guess. The tulips are coming on....and again I'm surprised where I find them...I had a lot of babies that I just stuck in wherever...and they will only produce leaves this year, but they will mature!

So have some more cobblestone to set, and I want to walk. Of course there are always hairy beasts to work on..so..I surely can't be bored. Right?

I cleaned out one cupboard yesterday......washed and tossed. :dunno: if that streak will continue. Then we had dinner with friends...very nice. I brought the garlicly mashed potatoes and cole slaw. Too much wine, a beautiful turkey dinner and a couple small pieces of pie...my friend makes good pies...pumpkin and lemon. Guess I should just eat veggies today! :lol:

Have a great day...sunny here but chilly...it will keep the flowers longer! :wave:

Still sunny but chilly. (Did you see the snow out west? Argh!) Did a lot yesterday but not what I'd thought I'd do...such is life. Plan to finish brushing on the guys this am, walk and go to work early to clean out that flower bed. Then I work until 5 and hope to get to class this p.m. Gotta boogie! :wave:

Go away for a day or two and what happens? My pink dogwood, one azalea, one rhododendron blooming as well as candytuft and some more odd tulips for starters. Gorgeous. Oh, and the violets in my lawn are back this year but not quite as many.

I can't discuss my food over the weekend. I'm trying to forget about it. I was good at meals - it was the evening once I got home (with goodies from "my Easter basket"). Both princesses looked lovely in their complementing frocks. A little girl in the exact same dress stood next to 5 in the kiddie choir but neither seemed to notice. Or if they did, they'd have thought they were twins. Both seemed to know their songs well as they sang out consistently.

Ws harder than I expected. First family party, first big holiday without dh. DSIL most comforting (!).

Nothing much new. Plodding on. Debating all morning about going to pool as nothing written in stone on agenda. Giving in, going - surprised at my reluctance. Shame on me. Need to do some constructive grocery shopping.

TRANSMONGRIFICATION!

That's my new magickal word for the changes I will be makin' ... details in journal in land far far ... sorry lack time now fer a nice cuppa and a chat! :lol: I can't afford to get fired right now so shall hie away! Love to all queens!

Hello all....

Seems like I AM chomping my way to May 15 ....
Took yesterday off I thought mostly for mental R&R but I did go back to sleep till nearly 11 am. Old, old neck/shoulder injury seems to be acting up....
Couldn't even sit up comfortably.... hot showers and asprin not taking the edge off....

Am better today although still very sore... Would be very inclined to take today off too except I am scheduled to take vacation next week so I am going in.

as I mentioned, I have literally been climbing onto the wagon ONLY to be able to jump off it.... today I take flavored water, yogurt w/ strawberries and other on plan items trying to get myself back on p lan instead of a willing hostage of sugar....

Still fighting the time change... seems like when I want to sleep I need to be awake and when I am awake I should be sleeping.... must be a better way....


To everyone...
Thanks for being here... I know I havent been doing my part.... sorry about that... its part of being a willing sugar hostage....

BUT ....

( as she dusts off the throne )

I AM BACK.....


*****************************
Thought of the day :

"Challenges can be stepping stones or stumbling blocks.
It's just a matter of how you view them."
---Anonymous


Question of the day :

"When is the last time you cursed?"

***********************************


Anyone for tea?

Good morning, Royals! Horrid day here -- torrential rain with just enough snow mixed in to make it interesting, wild winds. Power's flickering, so I'm going to try to get essential work done first. DH and I did venture out to the gym this morning but it's gotten worse. Quite a change from the beautiful weather last week...

Kaylets, nice to see you! Sugar is so insidious -- I've read that sugar and white flour are two of the most difficult addictions to beat. Nevertheless, look at what you've accomplished! I'm following in your footsteps. QOD: I don't think I've sworn yet today :rolleyes:

Anagram, your yard sounds gorgeous! What a lovely thing to return home to. Sorry that your party was so painful for you -- things like that make one so conscious of the loss. He was your life partner :hug:

Amarantha: Transmogrification? I like it!

Ceara, postest thou? Prolly! :wave: I must get some astilbe for our back yard. 'Tis pretty shady. We actually had patches of snow on the ground here, yestermorning.

Heigh-ho, heigh-ho and so on...

xo
Arabella, WN

I love candytuft bushes...mayhaps I should investigate that. Am still madly brushing....have 3 legs and 2 beards to go on 2 dogs before I can bathe them, and a whole other dog to do...think I'll wash the one that I'm currently showing first...geesh.

Anyway, obviously I have plenty to do....Off for my walk...after I get dressed of course! Then I will start the rest...I've already cursed this morning if you count the use of bad words :rolleyes:. I have not cursed in the biblical sense yet...that is taking the name of the Lord in vain or any members of His family.

:wave:

Morning! Slow start - probably due to MY chomping my way, etc. Having a divil of a time getting it together but did do pool yesterday and bod feels better for it.

Yard is looking pretty but forsythia, daffs, etc. fading...such a short time w/us.

Not counting "divil" - well, I said "darn" in front of the princesses on Sunday. They caught it immediately and chided me. Don't cuss much at all, often THINK that way. Or more often, I think "expletive deleted". Does the same thing for me. Weather still good here. And to continue. Rain expected for weekend but I'll be away again and we do need the wet stuff.

Massage again today. Supposed to be a "reward" but I haven't earned it, for sure. Still.....Then a special service tonight at the church for the ladies from bereavement group there. Only a few of us. Expect to fall apart at least a bit. But never know - make it through things I'd expect to be tough but then it creeps up on me at unlikely times.

To the shower - enough of this dillydallying and shillyshallying. The world awaits -

Another dark, damp and dreary day here, although not raining at the moment. I'll seize the moment and get out for my walk soon. And I think I'll grab a bouquet of crocuses. My tulips and hyacinth in the house have had the bikkie. I'll stick them in that soft ground and then think I'll get self some more though...

Weight's dipped down into the next "decade," which is cause for celebration. Hoping to get a couple of pounds off for WI on Monday. I'll change ticker then.

Worked late last night and then had a tussle with site director right at the end of it and as a result lay awake until midnight -- I know, normal people are awake until then, but their alarms aren't set for 5:20. I wasn't really upset, but my mind just wouldn't shut off for me.

Ah well. We should sort out the problem this morning and I doubt there'll be any lasting repercussions.

Let's take this day and do our level best with it. Love to all!

Congratulations (and felicitations) on the "dip". So happy for you - and by extension for me because at least I know someone who's losing.

Gorgeous here again today. Incredibly gorgeous! And I felt so good this a.m. (also "after massage") that I went out early for my walk - before it got too warm ;) Some slight yard work and carrying around of summer furniture. So sort of exercised. Had the annual mammogram this afternoon. So a few things being accomplished.

Food "ok" so far - hope I can make it last. Up late last night too (a remembrance type service for dh and others earlier in the evening) but slept well when I did sleep.

Visiting with the princesses again this weekend (always bad for diet but good for morale). Sleepover birthday party tomorrow night. Earplugs, anyone?

Supposed to be a rainy weekend. We need the rain badly so I guess I'm spending it in the best way. I'm beginning to think I need a weekend at home. I think that will be next week.

Hope the "tussle" resolved well, WN.

Fly-by :wave:

Another blustery, dark day. Supposed to be sunny and warmer tomorrow though :D

Everything is fine, work-wise, other than there's a lot of it. I think I've made my peace with that never changing. Cleared the air with Director and it was no biggie. Aaaand... it's FRIDAY!!! :D And that's a good thing. Have stuff that must be done this aft so I can stay out of the office til Monday, so off I go again.

Anagram, earplugs sound like a plan -- I wear them every night, along with a sleep mask to keep it dark for me (and let me sleep sometimes if DH has the light on). Have fun!

Love to all...

Just me again. Oh, lonesome me :cry: Sunny Saturday here, though. I walked an hour and came home and did a set of tai chi in the back yard. Meditated. Now I've got the jacuzzi filled and will soak and give self long-overdue pedicure. Then it's off to do the shopping and maybe take a drive around to see the sights. Thinking tomorrow I might drive out to the shore and go for a run there -- that would be pretty exciting!

I'm working hard to try and squeeze off a fluffy one or two by Monday. I think I'm due, so maybe it will happen. :crossed:

K -- jacuzzi awaits! Have a great weekend, All! (Any?)

Ho-hum. I bore me. Nevertheless, here I am. I took a drive out to see the cottage I'm renting, end-of summer. It looked like it would work out great. Waterfront, little beach. I'm just a little concerned that the beach will be too difficult for my mom to access, but we'll figure something out.

Afterwards, I went for a little run on the trail. 45 mins -- walked at the start and end, but ... not bad. Felt very heavy, though. I think my woods path may be more suitable.

Still well-OP, but weight this a.m. didn't register a drop. Still hoping for one tomorrow, though :crossed:

K. I'm outta here. Way too echo-ey!

My goodness, Wood Nymph is holding the fort all alone! Sorry to have been off. Mostly a good weekend except for food. Got to stop going away and get a handle once and for all. All clothes getting tight. Can't go backward one more step. It's time.

Nothing else new - time to change that too. Need to get a good night's sleep so I'm up to living a better life tomorrow.

Reinforcements?

Good morning, good morning :queen:lies!

It's a lovely morning here, the sun just coming up. The moon was a slug-a-bed: I woke up around 4:30 and saw her just rising over the tops of the houses across the street, hardly up before the sun. She'll be a pale sliver crossing the sky all day.

I don't feel any the worse for my run yesterday :cb: and will try to get in 15 sweaty minutes on the elliptical trainer today. Along with over an hour walking, the circuits and some kind of mind/body exercise today -- that ought to do it.

Oh, and I am down a pound now, too. Not the 3 or 4 I hoped for but the right direction and I'll take it! :)

Yay Anagram! Thanks for coming to save me from driving self (and possibly others) mad. I hope you got a good night's sleep. Life is so much harder when you're tired. I truly believe that if it weren't for fatigue and poorly-managed stress, I'd be a slim woman today. Working on those things now to get me there, though.

Glad you had a nice weekend. Yep, let's hit it!

And on that note, I'm off! Avanti!

Drizzly here too....and damp. Am motivating self to go for a walk...have been incredibly lazy all week...lots of self talk going on....

You're doing great Arabella....slow and steady wins the race. If I'd kept off all that I've lost over the years...there'd be nothing left of me! :lol:

Anyway...off like a herd of turtles!

THIS IS THE MORNING! I've had it with me. I'm full of firm resolve and must make it last!

Food will not solve my problems. At least not massive caloric values in which I've been indulging. I am up 12 pounds from my very lowest. 12 pounds. Now I wasn't at that "lowest" more than once but still.........I had been doing fairly well while I was on the prednisone but not in the six weeks or so since I've been off. I think the lessened activity is a part of it though I've been doing some walking etc. On the P, I'm go, go, go - er.

But today is the day. Fresh Start and all that. Back to water, kill the sweet tooth, move the bod. HANG ONTO THE WAGON, bumpy though it may be.

Must find a way to handle food situation when I'm at DD'S as I was again Fri-Sun. Chaotic place w/not much healthy food choice. (She'd get what I ask for but I've tried not to make my visits more work for her - my plan is to bring/get my own stuff which I already do to some occasional small degree - will intensify.)

Anyway, sun is beginning to emerge and is to be 66 or so today which will be nice. Have assigned myself the completion of one important piece of paperwork and will do one load of laundry. After that, it will be flow of the moment but MUST include exercise of some sort. a walk and some yardwork sound good.

Please extend my visa for the Kingdom - I'll be back to "citizenship" soon. I'm promising me.

Scale showed another little drop today, but I'll wait until it's a full pound more to change ticker. Dark and rainy here today. I've got a date with Kathy Smith (step tape) at 10, followed by yoga. My little run on Sunday reminded me of how helpful it is to really work up a sweat. And in SO many ways: mental, spiritual, appetite control, weight loss, mood, etc. I've been feeling ready to increase exercise again. Have had days where I felt antsy by end of day and like I should do something energetic. I start moving (after having been sitting at computer) and think how good it feels to MOVE. I should try to build in more periods of activity, little breaks away from 'puter.

Anagram, I like the sounds of that resolve! You're right -- planning is essential. I know when I've got food-related events I've got to think about what's going to be offered in advance and plan my game. Chaos is tricky, too. When DGS is here, I have to force my mind back on track to keep myself from popping things into my mouth without thinking.

12 pounds is not such a bad point to catch yourself. If I recall correctly, at one point we weighed around the same. And then I stopped weighing self so as to let 50 pounds slip on "unnoticed." Flips me out to even think about it, but that's what happened. :o Ah well. Onward!

And so we are, and so we shall be. Missing all the wanderers. But, in any case -- let's hit it! :dance:

Ah, Day 2. Yesterday was good (for me). Did get in the walk and an hour of yard work (fairly light yard work but physical movement nonetheless). Food was good - liquids were the best in perhaps a year although a mixture of tea, water and Tab.

Ouch, I didn't realize it was a 50 pound gain, WN. Hoping not to get there. But was noticing gain when it was 5 pounds and thought I was going to nip it in bud then since it takes me forever to lose 2 pounds. Plus I have lost inches in height over the last few years so have even more tendency to roundness. No more of that "you carry it well" stuff. I'm admiring your "get up and at it" and predict you'll have the "new" stuff off and gone in short order. Amazing how easy it is to put back on.

Had some small "people" contacts. I tend to not worry about whether or not I talk to people because it usually happens naturally enough. But have decided I must watch that part of my life so as not to become isolated. I'm not sure talking on the phone with people while trying to straighten "things" out really counts as social activity.;)

Forecast is for rain later today and arthritis is agreeing with that call. I completed my "work" goal yesterday (even made that TWO loads of laundry) and have 3 things set for today. Did a lot more than my goal, of course, but the goal is the only specific things that must be accomplished. Was a load off my mind to get the paperwork goal off and then the mail came and a potentially larger situation presented itself. One of those "hang over your head for a looong time until it's resolved one way or the other" things. I've decided not to panic - it won't do any good anyway. At some point I MAY lose some money OR it could work the other way OR nothing may change. It's the uncertainty. AND it's definitely something DH would have been the one to handle. I'd have been concerned and been involved but the actual thinking through of everything (if it comes to that) and filing of paperwork (if it comes to that) would have been his. Just when I think things are getting under control..........So what does a Royal do. Nothing at the moment (because there's nothing to do at the moment) and hopefully put it out of mind and hope there will BE nothing. I know this sounds nutsy but there it is.

Good for you, Anagram! It begins!

Yup, 50. Over about 5 years. Ugh. It never ceases to amaze me how I can fool myself. Anyway, I'm at 34 up from that low now and heading downward.

Re: contacts -- I love having time to myself but I've got to build in the social thing when DH is away for long periods. I start feeling a little ungrounded or something when I go too long without interacting with other humans.

I hear you on the "situations." They're so freakin' huge when they hang over your head. Why I let them get up there, I don't know, but they never seem to be that bad when I actually tackle them. Nevertheless, it's like pulling teeth to get me to deal with 'em. :shrug:

Windy out there. Think I'll wait to walk...did pick up the yard though and will go back out and do it again!

Have found all but 1 hosta...I forget where I plant them. Of course it doesn't help when the 4 legged excavators move them :lol: Have gotten some veggies in...the cold ones...beets, peas. Hope to do more later in the week.

Gonna go find something to do!

Well, I'm back here again because I'm stalling....As usual, don't want to start. Naughty, naughty.

I've lost a few hostas as well to "predators" - need to separate one or two to fill in the blank spots. Getting more pretty out there by the minute but it won't be that way all day and then I'll wish I hadn't fooled around so late this morning.

I too like my own company a lot and don't mind much being alone. But eventually I'll miss "something" and since my "social life" is in massive restructure at the moment, I should be doing something constructive about it. Good thing I always had "my" thing because massive parts of my life seem to have disappeared along with dh. But I have to start paying a bit more attention to "my" thing or that will disappear too. My luncheon a week plan seems to have dissipated for now though I have some set up for later weeks. Maybe I'll work on that. AFTER I do my 3 goals. AFTER, AFTER. No more stalling..........I'm so good at that.

Hello all!

Sorry to have been away so long again. It's amazing to me how easy it is to stop doing something just because the keyboard has to be taken from the locked room and reconnected every time.... but that's not the subject I want to discuss ....

I scanned the last few pages quickly and see that the court is still inspiring me as you remind me that we all have daily issues no matter how clever, wellplanned or royal we are, we have new challenges thrown at us constantly.

This week I am on vacation and am realizing how much work I planned for myself with the community yard sale this week.... Just this morning, coming down the stairway, I thought I was going to have a real problem w/ one knee but luckily it was just lasted till I got to the next floor. I have lots and lots of stair climbing ahead of me and panicked for a good minute.

Which by the way, am finding more and more I am having actual physical symptons of real panic more and more over small things ( where are my keys, cell phone, etc.).....I am going to up the Black Cohosh again but am really wondering what the next step should be....

Have I been doing regular excercise... No... could that help... well, it sure couldnt hurt...
Even as I write about these "overreactions" I can feel my face getting hot and my heart beat start to get fast.

I also wonder if sugar is aggravating the "panic" symptons too. Actually, I wonder if this is part and parcel of the hot flashes..... maybe its not me losing my mind, its just part of the change.....

So....

Thanks for being here, its more than wonderful to come and find you all here to remind me that I'm not alone...


Anyone for tea?

Ceara, I've been inspecting the flower beds every few hours looking for the bleeding hearts I planted last year. Actually, it was just one that sort-of fell into three pieces , complete with roots, when I took it out of the pot. It's a white one -- going to get some pink ones next month when there's a charity drive sale. I get to buy plants and feel virtuous -- can it get any better?

Kaylets, stress and hot flashes go hand-in-hand. I know! :stress: :flame:

Thanks Wood Nymph, somehow I knew that all along but when it started happening to me personally...... WOW....

SO, any tips, hints, etc?

I sure could use them....

Brevity mode again from moi, :queen: s ... it just takes me so long to get on this site since the last server change that I get out of touch and it takes too long to catch up, but I am always thinkin' of thee all and missing my friends. I'm glad the server change made the site better for all the other members, but for me it was not so good.

Not to worry, K, yes, those panic feelings could be related to perimenopause/menopause (I'm not sure exactly where ye may be in that cycle) just like the hot flashes are ... just be careful about "upping" the black cohosh ... herbal supplements are serious medicine, we need to be conservative in using them.

I do have a tip fer ye: In a word, soy!

And in a word, yoga! :)

Anagramatic, Arabella, I'm another who has to work to build in socialization ... I tend to disappear from the world a lot ... a reaction to a very public job, I guess.

Hi, Ceara! :wave: The talk of hostas makes me nostalgic for the midwest. I don't think they grow where I live now ... at least I've never seen them ... they used to be a favorite of mine.

I am still trying to rehab sore hip/leg/back/nerve/whatever from my failed running career. Bought a recumbent bike and put it together all by myself ... doing pilates, walking gently ... doing a 30-day exercise "streak" ... just like the old 21-day challenges (mine is to do "intentional" exercise every day) but for 30 days ... posting it in the land far far's challenge section as it's easier for me to get on there. :)

See ye ... I'll be back.

Good Morning all!

Well, another lesson in perspective! Opened a drawer in the secretary and found all my flower/vegetable seed envelopes chewed. Lots and lots of mouse nest/droppings ..... DH and I just took each drawer outside, dumped w/o looking into big trash bags and then did the same w/ some kitchen drawers too. One kitchen drawer had a forgotten bag of flax seed.... chewed open and spread ALL over the drawer... Some of the containers of spices might be missed but most might have been out of date anyway. My point is, it sure makes makes it so much easier .... no decisions.... just trash, trash, trash when its food or paper related products that would might transmit a disease......

And yes, did I mention, as DH was emptying a drawer outside, he swears he felt a mouse run down his arm ??.... I didnt see it but trust me, there was enough in the drawer that one could've been.....

so ......MONSTER YARD SALE set up continues..... seems like once you get into the mindset of discarding rather than profit margin, so many things wind up in the yard sale pile. Lots of what we have were purchases bought cheap in an effort to resell at a profit....which is why right now, we have at least 4 bird cages, Pfaltzgraff dishes in aprx 6 different patterns, salt and pepper shakers ( only 2 sets found so far really worth much.... those 2 marked Made ib Occupied Japan).....but then some of the stuff is a snap shot of my mindset..... for instance the more than 200 record albums I "recollected" when I decided I missed playing vinyl....As well as the record players we picked up on that mission.... Buys too good to pass up.... Interesting concept that one....
Too good to pass up.... but then what, do we just "Stack them up".....
Who says these buys were that good in the first place?? :dizzy: :dizzy:

So now of course, the only way someone will give me cash to take these items away is that I price them the same " Too good to pass up"......

Ah well.... at least I am getting some excercise doing all of this....

Empress... I read of your injury and am so sorry you have to defer your dream of world class running..... perhaps there is another alternative??
My guess is you'd be great at whatever you decided was worth the effort.....
And thanks for the input on the hot flash/anxiety combination. And Soy is a major part of our diet.... lots of tofu and veggie burger products.... although mayhaps not as much as previous months.....hmmmmmmmmm

Anagram..... Things still flowering? Everything is in bloom here too.... and lots of folks have runny eyes and the sniffles because of it too..


Ceara.... was thinking of you and doggies in general as one of our beagles had a spell of something and spit up a few times last night.... DH was afraid she had gotten into poison somehow but since she is still w/ us this morning, cclear eyed and begging for toast I think she just ate something that didnt aagree with her.


Wood Nymph...how is your day going?

Frogger? WSW? Eydie? any one heard from Wildfire?

****************
Thought of the day :

"There are two ways of exerting one's strength:
one is pushing down, the other is pulling up."
--Booker T. Washington 1856-1915

Question of the day :

"Do you think you are strong?"
****************



Th

Good Morning all!

Well, another lesson in perspective! Opened a drawer in the secretary and found all my flower/vegetable seed envelopes chewed. Lots and lots of mouse nest/droppings ..... DH and I just took each drawer outside, dumped w/o looking into big trash bags and then did the same w/ some kitchen drawers too. One kitchen drawer had a forgotten bag of flax seed.... chewed open and spread ALL over the drawer... Some of the containers of spices might be missed but most might have been out of date anyway. My point is, it sure makes makes it so much easier .... no decisions.... just trash, trash, trash when its food or paper related products that would might transmit a disease......

And yes, did I mention, as DH was emptying a drawer outside, he swears he felt a mouse run down his arm ??.... I didnt see it but trust me, there was enough in the drawer that one could've been.....

so ......MONSTER YARD SALE set up continues..... seems like once you get into the mindset of discarding rather than profit margin, so many things wind up in the yard sale pile. Lots of what we have were purchases bought cheap in an effort to resell at a profit....which is why right now, we have at least 4 bird cages, Pfaltzgraff dishes in aprx 6 different patterns, salt and pepper shakers ( only 2 sets found so far really worth much.... those 2 marked Made ib Occupied Japan).....but then some of the stuff is a snap shot of my mindset..... for instance the more than 200 record albums I "recollected" when I decided I missed playing vinyl....As well as the record players we picked up on that mission.... Buys too good to pass up.... Interesting concept that one....
Too good to pass up.... but then what, do we just "Stack them up".....
Who says these buys were that good in the first place?? :dizzy: :dizzy:

So now of course, the only way someone will give me cash to take these items away is that I price them the same " Too good to pass up"......

Ah well.... at least I am getting some excercise doing all of this....

Empress... I read of your injury and am so sorry you have to defer your dream of world class running..... perhaps there is another alternative??
My guess is you'd be great at whatever you decided was worth the effort.....
And thanks for the input on the hot flash/anxiety combination. And Soy is a major part of our diet.... lots of tofu and veggie burger products.... although mayhaps not as much as previous months.....hmmmmmmmmm

Anagram..... Things still flowering? Everything is in bloom here too.... and lots of folks have runny eyes and the sniffles because of it too..


Ceara.... was thinking of you and doggies in general as one of our beagles had a spell of something and spit up a few times last night.... DH was afraid she had gotten into poison somehow but since she is still w/ us this morning, cclear eyed and begging for toast I think she just ate something that didnt aagree with her.


Wood Nymph...how is your day going?

Frogger? WSW? Eydie? any one heard from Wildfire?

****************
Thought of the day :

"There are two ways of exerting one's strength:
one is pushing down, the other is pulling up."
--Booker T. Washington 1856-1915

Question of the day :

"Do you think you are strong?"
****************



Th

Good morning, :queen:lies! So nice to see a number of posties in one day! DGS was here for a "shleepover" last night, fun but frantic as always. And I've still got to get to the gym and get cleaned up in time for meeting in a couple of hours. Hmmm... I may end up going after the meeting, I guess. Because I'd just about have my butt out the door now and I don't see that happening.

I just ordered 4 new bras and 5 pairs of (mostly) matching panties from Victoria's Secret. Very exciting! Not, I hasten to add, any of the racier stuff but such pretty colors! I told DH that he could expect me to spend a bit more money on vanity-type stuff to help my weight-loss campaign. How could he refuse me? :carrot:

I've got a new contest going at the site -- anyone heard of Fibs? This is pretty cool, I think -- we're getting some good responses. Here's a link (http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/0,289893,sid9_gci1184203,00.html)

Kaylets, the flashes can be awful -- a lot of women think they're having panic attacks. Here are a few of the things I've found helpful:

avoiding alcohol (don't know if you imbibe, but when I do I'm guaranteed flashes)
yoga, tai chi, any kind of mind/body exercise
meditation
drinking cold beverages rather than hot
dressing in layers
keeping bedding on the light side -- even if I'm cool to start I'm usually fine through the night
I do the soy but I've never been sure if it helped or not. Has benefits anyway
weight-lifting
vigorous exercise (sweating really knocks the stress out and balances the hormones. Ditto with weight-lifting
calcium/magnesium (I find 1:1 best)
trying to avoid stress (yup, I absolutely know how hard this is)

Oh, God bless and good luck! I've been flashing for over 5 years, but it is getting better. I think that the problem may ease after I drop a bunch more weight.

Amarantha, so nice to see you in the palace! I wish the site worked better for you... just occurred to me that my colors and sig. etc. probably don't help. Sorry! (avoiding impulse to add embarrassed smiley... oh how embarrassing!)

Anagram, I am a world-class procrastinator too. If I ever managed to stop procrastinating -- well, I could be dangerous! :devil: So, I'll try to only mend my ways slightly. :s:



That said, time for me to get back to work. Get stuff done, pre-meeting, so I can just head off for the gym afterwards.

Love to All!

Morning, all. Good to hear from you, Kaylets. Aaagh, on the meecies - hope your beagle didn't get into any of the "infested" stuff - glad she seems to be doing better.

Yard sale in the neighborhood this weekend too and I SHOULD be setting up too. But I'm not. I'll be "sitting in" for neighbor Friday when she goes to pick up her preschooler and she said I could bring some stuff over to sell but may not even get to do that. A lot of work, for sure. But a big gain in space and clarity.

I too am sorry to hear your marathon training is at a standstill/end, Empress. I agree you work hard enough at anything to make it a success.

Yes, things are still flowering beautifully although the first blush has gone. Right now, it's the dogwoods and azaleas and a small leaf rhododendron or two plus some pink and white tulips under the pink dogwood. This is the best two weeks of the year for my front yard (would be a good time to have house up for sale) - maybe next year).

Did pretty well again yesterdy. Having the almost immediate good effect that a good day or two OP can bring. Today's a weird day otherwise so will hold on best I can and see how it works out.

Simulposting is such fun! To see another new "read" pop up after I've hit reply gives me a lift. I'm sort of procrastinating again at the moment but it's in a "break" style today. Have done lots getting ready for this afternoon. Now must go do some more. Will get NOTHING accomplished after NOON today (well except for an important meeting).

'Morning, :queen:lies!
Was waiting to move ticker until it was a whole pound down and now, this morning, it's a bit over two whole fluffy ones gone. I think that's over 10 since joining WW, 5.5 weeks back. YAY!!! :dance: :dance:

I've been getting some high-intensity aerobics every day and I really think that's making a difference. This is very exciting!

Have a dinner engagement for Saturday night, but not too scary as they tend to serve light-ish and healthy meals and I've offered to bring sugar-free, wheat-free chocolate raspberry cake that is conveniently sitting in freezer. Think I'll whip up a raspberry sauce and some whipped cream to top off.

Kaylets, I know what you mean about not posting because you have to retrieve the keyboard. Just put a single, small impediment in my way for ANYTHING and the chances I'm going to do it are so much less. For example, if my bike is easily accessible, I'm much more likely to ride it than if it is, as now, in the locked garage. Thinking of locking it to fence and tarping...

I e-mailed Wildfire but didn't get any response.

Anagram, spring is the best season in my yard, too. There's a brief period when we've got forsythia and/or lilacs, clouds of forget me nots and hosts of daffodils and tulips.

Amarantha, I'm going to say now what I did not say when you were talking about the marathon and that's what a researcher who studied marathoners told me about how hard they are on the body. He said that someone had worked out how much time each marathon (and associated training) took from the length of people's lives and it was significant.

I think if we grew up running places all the time and were in supreme condition it probably would be okay, but I'm a little leery of the marathon thing. Also intending to be very careful with my own training -- the last thing I need is to get sick or injured.

YIKES!! I just clicked a link that took me out of this window -- what a relief to see my note still here when I hit the back button!

Ceara, bet we're simulposting :wave:

Anyone else around? Where is Eydie? WSW? Frogger? And so on... :cry:

K, bucking up and getting back to work! Let's make this a good one!

Wood Nymph! How proud I am of you! That's terrific!

Yesterday a tough day all around. Today looks somewhat easier and I intend to get out and enjoy it. No big projects. Did move around some pine nuggets a neighborhood kid dropped around the beds for me but that was only exercise.

I HAVE PROCLAIMED TODAY A 'FUN' DAY!! Hear ye!, hear ye! So off I go.

well, I sure will be glad if we get customers to come and take this stuff away......Its amazing what you find when you open a drawer, box, closet.....
and its a shame how dirty just dust will make something.

Been wearing sweats nearly all week and was shocked to remember my jeans almost don't fit. Especially freshly washed.... So, trying to remember this weekend's activity are all for the good....

So, off to make signs....

but before I go.....
And did I mention that DH has decided that I should move my computer to the empty bedroom and we will install new locks on that door. DS will be suprised now w/ that turn of events but there you have it.

So.... now... to the signs....

:)

Frost on the rooftops, but at least it's sunny. :)

Warning: Vent/rant ahead!
Had an awful day yesterday. My mom had emergencies that I had to rescue her from, just stuff that could easily have been done weeks ago but that she'd put off until the situation was dire and, because I work from home, I was the only person she could contact. So... I had to take her to her bank between meetings. And she waited until then, when I had 5 minutes to get home and get set up for the next meeting, to tell me that she also had to send money to someone and ensure that it arrived today. Gak.

It just drives me crazy that she never tries to take control of situations. Especially when I have to go in for "clean up." My mom is the sweetest person in the world, but :shrug: I just need to learn to deal with the stress better, because the situation isn't going to change.

I took her back here to wait, tried to get set up for the meeting, and my computer crashed. Finally got set up and the meeting went over an hour without ever getting to the part of the agenda that pertained to me.

Then I had to dash out to get my mom to the post office and take care of that. And of course, had to work until after 8 to get things done that I hadn't managed because of all the running around.

I was a frazzled mess by the end of the day, eyelid tic back, near tears. I've been verging on burnout at work anyway and this was just the icing on the cake. I just have to try to make sure that I don't get sick from this -- stress is so often the straw that breaks this camel's back. Trying to look after myself very carefully to make sure that doesn't happen.

The good news is that I'm getting next week off to make up for all the extra work. Just hope things don't pile up while I'm off!

Feh. That's my report. BUT I didn't overeat. Had a single glass of wine. Will recover.

Today will be better. Let's make it a good one!

Good yard sale weather here today, Kaylets. Hope yours is beautiful too. Going over to neighbors to"man" hers for an hour very shortly. Thought of a thing or two I could take over but too lazy to ready them.

Ah, family rescuer. A job I had for a long time as all the "sibs" worked and weren't available. Esp. annoying when things could be taken care of earlier (as I had to do to be "available").

Not bad yesterday, not really good either. Feeling awfully tired. Wondering if thyroid is acting up again or if it's just that I was used to doing more when I was on prednisone. This morning ok so far. Have just about finished the things I had "plotted" for the day - always way more to do but I find listing several smaller goals to be achievable. Did buy a couple of geraniums and two new hanging cocoa mat pots so that may be today's "play". That and maybe picking up a few more plants. NOT going to do much planting this year (I know I say that every year but I have cut down a lot). Fear if I go to doctor he'll say "depression" and I'm not depressed. Too easy to categorize me right now.

So sorry you're so close to burnout, WN, but this next week should help a lot. Enjoy! Neighbor had yesterday off with pay because four people had gone to management with compliments. She had one the week before too. She IS good (retail sales) but I didn't know companies did nice things like giving her the day off.

Looks like a chilly start here to a beautiful day. Feeling ready to get up and out. DS coming today so must enlarge his "to do" list. Only one major job for him but maybe if I think hard.........

Watching a bunny outside my window. Nature loving the easy way..

Did get in a small walk yesterday but food was not good. Not my worst, of course, but not good. So I've started off with a Slimfast this morning. And my green tea w/lemon is brewing.

Wonderful weekend to my favorite Royals - that's all of you. Missing so many - aria and firefly, wildfire and punkin, esp. wsw and thinking of your technical difficulties. Frogger, it's been a while again. But glad to see those who are still in the palace regularly (or semi).

Avanti!

This is me slinking back....:o I've had a few trials and tribulations for the past few weeks and have let things overwhelm me. Soooo, my weight is the highest it's been in years and most of my clothes don't fit me properly anymore, so I HAVE TO get serious again. And I just generally have to learn to cope with things better. Oh, and to paint the picture for you, my ideal weight is 135 pounds [I was there!] and somehow I've found myself at 150!:(

I've indulged in lots of emotional eating, have allowed small [but deadly!] amounts of sugar back into my diet, and have fallen far far away from a proper exercise program. I exercise everyday, but the intensity isn't there---and I need intensity for it to be effective for me.

Somebody stop me! I'm having crazy fantasies of whipping off 10 pounds in the next 4 weeks, as if that's even possible--I just want to feel comfortable in my body again!!!

I really have missed all of you; just feeling sheepish, I guess.:^:

One more thing: I AM RESOLVED TO THROW MY REGAL SHOULDERS BACK AND GET ON WITH THE BUSINESS AT HAND!

I say this because yesterday we treated ourselves to a day out in the world and I noticed that all day long I was trying to be invisible, something I haven't done in years, where I'd sort of unconsciusly roll my shoulders forward and try to look small. A very bad feeling, and scary to me that I could go back to that behavior.

Well, pardon my French, but screw that!!!

Well, Eydie, I was about to say "sheepish" is nota royal attribut and therefore is not allowed. But then I read your next post and I see your head (and shoulders) is/are in the right place after all.

Isn't it just so darn easy to get it all (body, appetite, and mindset) back to where you don't want it. I'm working hard when my mind is ok but when something emotional comes up, I'm at the trough again - and if that would really help, it would be ok but it just puts on another level or two or guilt, blahs, etc and makes the climb up the latter even tougher.

The good thing I did yesterday was to buy some good fresh veggies while I was picking up my flowers. So I'm off to the kitchen to chop, chop, chop. DS coming today and he must always have a salad ready when he comes. Of course, I forgot a cucumber so it won't be his "usual" but close enough.

Did plant my flowers yesterday even though I knew it was too early and had to cover last night because of a frost warning. But after I chop, I'm going out to water them. Bought a new cd of classical stuff too and so I'm bopping around a bit even as a type. Can't hurt.

Welcome back, Eydie.

Looks like I really don't know how to change things. I only meant to emphasize one word. Ah, shucks.

We had a power outage (half the island, actually) for a good bit of the day today. I got back from my walk and couldn't make coffee. And, believe me, this was serious -- I felt like going back to bed. Actually, first I felt like eating a lot of food. And when I remembered I couldn't do that OR drink coffee I felt tremendously deprived and thought I should just go back to bed and wait for it all to be fixed.

As it turned out, the grocery store had power by the time I called and the thoughts of the cafe upstairs got me there, so I did the shopping. Just puttering now, trying to whip the house into at least an appearance of ... semi- tidiness.

Going to go vaccuum the carpet and kitchen (two worst spots) and then make some popcorn, relax for a couple of hours before we drive out for dinner with friends!

Eydie! So glad to see you back! And 15 pounds could be worse, says she who managed to gain 50 pounds "without noticing." Back at WW now and down 17 pounds from the fall. Ah, that weight'll fly off you in no time! Darn that sugar though -- it's EVIL! :devil:

Anagram, you're so right about how easy it is to get right back to where you don't want to be. If only it were as easy to get to where we DO want to be :rolleyes:

K -- must go vaccuum before DH gets home so it doesn't interfere with ball game.

Have a great weekend, all! (Pssst... Eydie's back -- who else, c'mon?)

Hello all!

well, Yard sale did ok .... folks who came by are definitely in buying only useful items mode.... which worked out well as DH sold a small utility cart and some brand new power tools ( part of the deal when he bought a truck...he barely uses the electric drill he has now.....he figured it made more sense to get the cash).....

Tomorrow I slash prices and / or mark things Free like books and etc and hope, hope, hope folks will take things away so I don't have to pack them back up.

Eydie... I CAN RELATE!!! And YES, for me, 99% is sugar driving me crazy. In factr, b/4 I came to check in, I had a sweet potato for dinner and thought of you....

AND YES, I can relate to feeling like its 150 pounds gained instead of 15....
Everytime I see the shape of my thigh I cringe.....

BUT... We know what to do!


in fact, DH just called upstairs to tell me the salad he made as part of our dessert I guess is ready.... point is... we are trying .....

And PS.... We ran to BJ's to get milk and they had a grape plants for sale.... 4 pak of 4 different varieties... YAY!! How much fun to experiment w/ something that will grow year after year!!

Anyone for salad??

I'm enjoying the feeling of having more time already, although I've got a couple of things I want to do for work before I really sign off for the week. Puttering goes on around the house. I think I could probably devote the entire week to cleaning, which, I guess, I'm not prepared to do. Nevertheless, the house will be in much better shape by the end of the week.

We had a nice dinner with friends last night. I managed not to over-indulge. Although dinner was white pasta, which I usually avoid. Did stay away from the bread, anyway. And today am drinking extra water and eating extra-lightly to try to keep the loss off for tomorrow's WI.

My friend gave me a beautiful plant -- streptocarpus (sp?). Looks like a very large, unfurry African violet. It really evokes a lush jungle for me... Gorgeous blue violet, violet-y looking flowers. I've got them on my dining table now, along with some pinky-purple tulips. I love seeing them when I come in the door!

K, I'm outta here. Have a fantabulous day!

xo
Arabella (WN)

Halloo................hope all Royals are enjoying their weekend. I am.

The plant sounds lovely. Esp. violet-ish. Have some violets in lawn right now but not as many as last year.

Glad yard sale went well yesterday. Did salesit for neighbor but ne'er got lazy bones together to take even one item over.

Did find a few more chores for DS = as long as he's here and willing to be useful. Every little bit helps.

Yowza, so many posties to catch up on ... it is so hard for me to get here these days, as aforementioned. The site doesn't seem to like me anymore, it hesitates to let me in! :)

WN, methinks my troubles have nothing to do with the smilies and colors. For some reason the server change doesn't react well with my software ... which is odd 'cause I no longer have a system that's much unlike all other folks. Oh well.

Re your comments 'bout marathoning, yes, do be careful. I used to run and so thought I could do so again, but too much water under the bridge and bod reacted badly, obviously, to my suddenly running every day. May do so again sometime ... but not now ... I am happy with having QUIT the d*mn gym and am working out at home in my own exercise room and with personal trainer in park once a week. I love the recumbent bike I put together all by myself and I take long, long walks, do weights and do Pilates and am getting quite a bit better in the less-pain department.

I AM ON DAY 15 OF THE 30-DAY EXERCISE "streak" ... which is in the challenge section o' the land far far (which I can access more easily than here).

THANKS, queen E, fer findin' me there and carin' enough to come and say a howdy to me! I was so glad to see thee! I am gonna :whip: off enough to get me down to my original weight goal o' 135 by May 21 ... it seems to be harder than I originally thought to get there but I intend to do it and then blast on down (well, in the turtleish way I blast) to my final goal of 125.

I am also doin' a "stealth" challenge, which I shall keep secret, but it involves stopping the madness o' thinkin' I can eat a bite or two o' refined sugar products now and again.

Oui, "scr*w that!" Mais oui.

Hola, Anagrammatic! :wave:

This is kind of a me postie and I'd do better at providing some responses, but have to take off now! Bye all!

Happy May Day! I'm taking this as my signal to really get my weight loss going again. I was doing so well yesterday and then went wild with mindless nibbling late at night. :o What is up with that? :dizzy: And I did it in that sneaky way too--which is always a bad sign.

So nice - we all get to be Queens of the May! Perfect May day here. Hope I can make it a perfect non-chomp day!

Small walk, small gardening yesterday - big food ;(

Good morning, :queen:lies! Cool but sunny again today. I've been to the gym, did 15 mins on the elliptical trainer and the circuits, walked back and have done most of my yoga. Will finish that and walk to WI (not Wisconsin) for a total of over an hour walking, 30 mins. yoga, 20 mins. weight training. :cb:

Reminding self that I have no excuse for not meditating today, too :yes:

Ah, I'm liking this extra time. Wish my house was already clean but will putter my way through cleaning and it will be in much better shape than it has been.

I ate very carefully yesterday but had more salt than I probably should have so the loss today might be not as great as it would have been otherwise. Nevertheless, a loss. All to the good!

Eydie, I know what you mean about the sneakin' :s: Very strange, isn't it. I bet if I'd only ever eaten openly I'd never have been in this condition. Great day to reenergize, though! Let's GO!!!

Anagram, the flower is very much like a wild violet flower and the most beautiful blue-violet shade. I feel a little guilty for taking two plants, though, like I might have coerced my friend a bit -- she gave me one freely and then I said how much my mom would love that plant so she gave me one for her too. I'm going to send her a note to tell her I feel a little guilty :o And maybe offer to make a dish for her son's wedding -- which she's preparing all the food for. Whew! It's in July.

They're going on a walking tour in the south of France in a couple of weeks -- we talk about someday doing something like that together.

Amarantha -- whoo-hoo for you on your exercise streak! Have a carrot! :carrot: (I totally don't believe they're bad on the glycemic load -- have read that debunked.)

Kaylets, glad the yard sale went well. I'm looking at just taking stuff to our local thrift shop. Mostly clothes that aren't doing anything but taking up space. Closets are a MESS!

K, Dovies. I'm off -- hanging sheets on line is next on agenda then the rest of my yoga and a nice hot jacuzzi to see if any extraneous ounces will do me the favor of departing.

Let's make this a good one!

Well, tonight I got in here quite easily so f'ings is lookin' up, I guess! :)

Eydie, thanks for stoppin' by my "streak" spot in the land far far and I am encouraged by yer streak declaration! Huzzah! :cheer:

Wood Nymph, thanks for the carrot ... actually even the diehard Sugar Busters authors have recanted on their carroty ban! It's only a very small part of a carrot's mass, apparently, that is highly glycemic, and this is surrounded by so much fiber and water, that, well carrots are ok on SB in moderation ... but then, one would only eat carrots in moderation, wouldn't one. It's not like anyone's likely to develop a carrot addiction or somethin' ...

Anagram, glad you have ds to lend a hand fer the nonce. Enjoy! :)

Kaylets, I am working on trying to like sweet potatoes (which I don't). I found some organic sweet potato fries that have a light seasoning (no bad stuff) and canola oil. These can be baked or fried ... I opt to bake a few at a time and they are really good. Other than that I've occasionally enjoyed a microwave sweet potato or yam (same thing in the U.S.) with salt, pepper and butter ... I don't like them with sweet toppings.

I am on day 16 of my exercise streak!

Doing good on the stealth challenge involving sugar ... it must remove itself from my universe and the only way to get it outta here is to ban it for a period of time (after which it becomes automatic until something triggers the start-up again and the cycle continues, but that's cool as life goes on even if we are not perfect).

Just finished work and must go to bed. Huzzah!

Last night we tried Shirataki noodles. Anyone heard of them? They're made from tofu, and processed somehow to look and taste like noodles. And the best part is they're VERY low in calories---as in 20 calories per serving! ;) I made a sauce with kale, carrots, and lots of garlic to go with them and felt very virtuous!:carrot:

They're alittle hard to find---I found them at one of those natural foods supermarkets in the refrigerated section. They come in bags and are packed in water, so you just have to boil them a couple of minutes and they're ready.

Sorry if this sounds like a commercial! Can you tell I was impressed?:D Anyone else found something new they're thrilled with?

I'm a little tired today. Really did get an awful lot of exercise yesterday, so I'll try to build more rest into today.

Sheesh. So far, so good. I made a cafe latte and sat on the couch to read the newspaper and ended up watching most of a show on global warming. Now to get out for a little walk/run...

Amarantha, there would be a great HUZZAH-ing throughout the palace if you could reliably get through the gates without much difficulty. You've been missed!

Eydie, I'll have to look for those noodles! Sounds like just the thing.

K, must go. DH will be home at lunch time even if I am on holiday and I want to be back from run and cleaned up.

Avanti!

HI LADIES!!!!

Sorry for the MIA status as of late. I've not been busy at work other than looking for other jobs. Just haven't been in a posting mode.

I have an interview this thursday. Closer to home (thank goodness) so wish me luck.

I have also lost as of this morning, 10lbs :carrot:
DH has lost 8. :carrot:

Decided to put us on the South Beach diet. So far, so good. I really feel like I'm eating A LOT. But as long as the :dance: comes off, I won't complain, even about the grocery bill....:dizzy:

Hope all is well. I'll try to catch up this evening.

Tootles!!!

And with it the realization that no human could accomplish what I'd like to accomplish this week. So I'll have to prioritize and create a plan that will help me get these things done while still working. DH is going north in June for a couple of weeks so I may make more progress then. Mustn't allow myself to be bummed out about not getting the entire house sparkling, sorting out all the nooks and crannies, etc. Attempting to just do the most essential and enjoy the improvements...

I had a bit of a skirmish with the binge :devil: yesterday afternoon. Why I always think I've totally beaten him, I don't know. Didn't consume mass quantities or eat junk -- extra soup at lunch and then a couple of pieces of stevia-sweetened homemade chocolate pb fudge (don't ask for the recipe. :p Yucky, but I ate it anyway :o ) and two chicken legs. I didn't need it and then felt overfull.

And I think the major problem was allowing myself to eat while sitting on the couch watching TV. K. I resolve, once more, not to do that.

Frogger, nice to see you! And whoo-hoo, you! for the 10 pounds. That's awesome! Good luck with the job hunt. :crossed:

Ten pounds, YAY FROGGER! What an accomplishment!

Ah, Arabella, that perfectionist streak = no, you cannot get it all done and you're not supposed to. You're supposed to be refreshing YOU! A little here, a little there and it goes a long way towards making chore type stuff more manageable. But the joy of little things is the oil that fuels that work machine so you MUST give you and your inner self the priority. 'tis the queenly way.

The week is passing, a few chores getting done. Not in the best of moods, but soldiering on. I guess the moral of this story (and I've seen this one before) is: we have to enjoy our lives in the midst of whatever situation, whether working and busy or on holiday. And we can't count on one or the other to make us happy; conversely, sometimes we're quite happy for no apparent reason at all.

I need to track my non-Core points and exercise points, which I haven't been doing. I know that doing it "by the numbers" works. K -- will do, today.

Anagram, you're so right -- it's that perfectionist streak, for sure. Can't do everything, everything can't be perfect... so why not just wallow and feel overwhelmed? Obviously, that's the solution. :rolleyes:

Oh-kay. I'm off to pitch half the clothes in my closets into bags to take to the thrift shop. Every little thing I do to bring order makes me feel better.

Avanti!

Mornin' all.
Just pulling out of the fog. My grandmother, 97, died last Saturday. Funeral was yesterday. She'd been in the hospital for 10 days prior to her death and we knew she wasn't going to make it this time. The funeral was very moving. On top of this my DS decided to move out on Tuesday night, and I'd started with a cold the previous Friday so I've just been hammered on all sides. I think the cold is improving, :dunno: about the son, and I have breakfast scheduled with the parentals and the far-away brother and his wife. No Gramma. (brother is stationed in Shearwater).

I guess the only good thing about funerals is that you see all the relatives. Ironic.

Have no idea what the scale sez...and right now I really don't care. Just want to get back to normal...whatever that is.

Am off for a walk...good to see you Frogger! And those kindergarten ladies are really funny!....will have to welcome them later...

:wave:

Ceara, dear, my deepest sympathy to you on the loss of that very important lady in your life. But what a long and full life she apparently had!

No, this is not the time for you to worry about the scale.

Your DS has a marvelous sense of timing, I'd say. But a good walk is medicine for everything.

I'm for wallowing, Arabella. I do a fair share of it. But with my self imposed time limit - which I'm close to for this morning. It's been interspersed with trips to the patio of peace and contentment which brings such joy. Amazing how the world goes on and that spring can still be so beautiful!

HEading to DDs again for an overnighter. My May is full of trips to see her and the princesses - lots of little concerts and ballet recitals, etc. that require my attention and attendance. This trip is to see a podiatrist and an orthopedic surgeon though. Would rather stay home and admire my flowers and the blue skies.

Off to shower and pack - wishing y'all a great weekend. And sorry your "off" time is almost over, WN - goes so fast, no?

Trimmed the daffs last night....the tulips are lovely now though, and the bleeding hearts are flowering. The lilacs are just breaking...they smell so good!

Am off for some R&R with my friend for the day....so I need to boogey. Scale news is good...am right at the ticker...which really surprises me. Amazing what stress does!

Frogger...you are doing great! And Arabella...we could be simulposting!

:wave:

Howzatt? The week has sort of slithered past again. I'm just going to swab the bathrooms and do a once-over with the vacuum. I did manage to clean out a couple of closets and straighten my office. Maybe I'll make a list of single tasks that I can do in 15 minutes or so and try to select one a day...

I'm supposed to be taking my mom out today. I'm aiming for something brief enough that I can still have some of the day to myself.

Ceara, so sorry to hear about your grandmum! :hug: 97 is quite an accomplishment. How old is DS? I've recently come to the realization that I find change stressful even if a good thing. And any change involving our kids is bound to be significant to us. And a cold, too? Take good care of yourself!

Anagram, hope your trip was good, even if not a fun one! Yes, the time has gone fast and I haven't enjoyed it that much, to be honest. I think I'd need a week to decompress and THEN a holiday. Also, I think, I'm just having some kind of hormonal mood thing. :shrug: I sometimes feel like I've got the whole menstrual cycle thing, symptom-wise, except for menstruation. Feh -- moods ! At least I haven't been attempting to eat my way out of it.

K, I'm off. I don't want to be still sitting here and get a call from my mum that she's ready to go...

Avanti!

Sword Bearer, so sorry to read o' thy gran's passing ... she achieved a noble age, that's for certain.

Having trouble getting on the site here still ... kudos to all who are achievin' on the weight front.

I lost another pound ... just one more and I'll be skirtin' virgin territory ... at least for these past many years. :)

I am depressed, too, but doing well on fitness front.

Bought a new weight bench today ... just a little "girlie" adjustable one for my home gym ... I've always only had a flat one ... it came already assembled and was very cheap and light. I love it ...

And a sunny one, at that! Warm already. I'm going to go for a little walk/run in a few minutes. I've been doing well diet and exercise-wise but having some problems with salt. Which explains the pound UP this morning. Have to be careful for a couple of days to ensure a good WI on Monday.

The flowerbeds are starting to come into their own -- tulips, daffodils, forget-me-nots, grape hyacinth. It's by far the best time of the whole year for our gardens. I put in some new perennials last year, too, though, so summer might be improved from last year.

Amarantha, I think there's something in the air, or the stars, or something. So many people seem to be inexplicably bummed. We'll just hang tight and things will look up again. Kudos to you on the pound down -- that's very exciting that you're nearing virgin territory :cb: :cb:

Ah, too bad that you're having trouble getting in :( I hoped, when you'd gotten in easily that last time that the problem was cured. Sigh...

K, I'm running. I'm going to walk around the harbour and then up the path back, do a little running on the trails through the woods. Gently! And then probably a set of tai chi.

Avanti!

Mornin', had a great day away...change is as good as a vacation sometimes. Have had a :coffee: and some oatmeal and am nearly ready to walk. Thanks for all the thoughts.

DS is 18 1/2. He (and we from the $ side), just recently got a motorcycle, and since that event, the attitude has really changed. Well the motorcycle is still in our possession, and the ball is in his court. He needs to talk with us.

I'm feeling better today...no crying jags yesterday (and I know they're OK) and I actually slept through the night last night. Cold is breaking up...we're to the greenie stage. :lol:

Glad to hear from you Empress A....sounds like you are doing great! Our weight bench is a flat one also, but it has the capacity to do leg lifts on one end. We do have a Weiser multi-use machine though....I walk.

Speaking of which....must find my hat and hit the road...supposed to be cool but sunny here today. Good for flower blooming. They don't fry in the sun! I have been practising the 15 minute rule too Arabella! I do 15 minutes of dandelion popping (outta the ground...environmental you know), with the benefit (after 4) of a glass of white wine during the day when I can! :lol: We have 4 baby robins out front already hatched, and some adolescent mourning doves hanging around ...these birds are quick!

:wave:

Evening, all. Stayed an extra day with DD as the elder princess used all her tearful charms to entice me to stay. She knows how to manipulate me, for sure.

Saw two more medical people who both said "no amputation" to the toe situation. Both say I can wait on a surgery decision so I intend to - for a while. I don't think either my kids or I are up to anything medical for a little bit yet. But all the more reason to get me in shape. Had bloodwork done last week and some not too good. Must call in Monday and ask more detailed questions.

Have had a sort of restful time since I hit home earlier today and plan just that kind of day for tomorrow too. I could become a hermit - I enjoy home so much.

Mornin' all :wave:

Did some gardening yesterday....got the hanging bags planted and some of the pots...then of course it was going down to 38F last night....everything except the pansies had to come in...Geesh. Also bought groceries...first time in 3 weeks...I had food and so did hubby but the junk front was scarce :lol: . So the cupboards aren't so bare.

Am off shortly for a walk and then maybe I'll catch some of Coronation Street before I head off to church! Glad you had a good couple days Anagram..I know that hermit feeling. And Wood Nymph, you are right. The week just slipped away! We are just a bit ahead of you, our tulips, daffodils, forget-me-nots, & grape hyacinth were at their prime 2 weeks ago...we are now into the paperwhites and late tulips. Nice to see you Empress....thanks for the thoughts....too bad on the loading...do a set of lunges whilst you wait!

Gotta boogey!

Carpe Diem! Tempe Fuget. (sp I think :?:)

Not a bad day yesterday -- I got out for a run in the morning, did some yoga. Relaxed and puttered through the afternoon. Back to work in the A.M., which isn't such a bad thing. I realized I do get some lifts from work.

Walked with DH this a.m. and now won't do anything too much for a few hours. We've got a party to go to this aft., an early M-Day celebration. Trying to think of some exotic salad-y concoction to take. Weigh-in is tomorrow and Sunday is always a day of extra caution. When I visited an aunt on Friday she tried to foist cookies and cake on me (she's renowned for her baking). I never faltered for a moment though. It was totally out of the question :nono:

Ceara, we took simulposting to the max yesterday: 9:04.

I haven't so much been practicing the 15-minute thing as contemplating it :rolleyes: but I'm hoping that contemplating is the first step. Sheesh, what a pain to have to take all your planties in again!

18 is pretty young -- and out of the blue, and at such a time!

Glad to hear cold is on it's way out.

Anagram, I'm glad to hear that "no amputation!" I hope you get good answers to your questions about the bloodwork.

That's kind of sweet that the Senior Princess is always so loath to see you go, even if you feel a bit like you're being manipulated. My princeling is still at an age when he finds it hard to understand why all his favorite people can't live in one house.

I must go select color for toenail polish. Decisions, decisions!

Avanti!

Hello all!

Ceara, so sorry to hear of your loss. My best to you and your family.


This is a short message. I will see if it posts and then post again if it does.

Hello again...

For some reason, a long post didnt post when I hit submit and which is why I was testing....

Hope everyone is ok.

I am now oficially online in the "spare bedroom"...Although I only fought my way thru 1/2 of the dust,etc,etc, the worst is done. A few things are already at the curb as they were just too nasty to try to reclaim.

Spent most of the day babysitting a refrigerater freezer that suddenly is forming ice everywhere. We awoke to the refrigerater making a loud noise th is morning which stopped once we turned the freezer temp low. We think the fan was iced up and the noise was the ice on the blades.

Weather was nearly perfect. Got a great breeze going thru the house and had clothes and sheets drying outside. Even managed to tidy the backyard a little.... at least things are in orderly piles now instead of helter skelter.

As for food... well... am nearly beyond the worst of the sugar cravings. But clothes are not fitting well. I am not going to buy larger. I am going to lose and fit in what I have.

Now that felt good to say!

I am sorry I have been so long inbtwn posts. Need to slow down a little. I think that's part of the weight gain too.

I think tonight is the last night bowling for the season. In a word, YAAAAAAAAAAAY.

Have a good one!

Ceara, good idea 'bout doin' lunges while waiting for 3FC to load! :) It's a little faster tonight, though.

Anagram, also glad there's a wait-'n-see attitude prevailin' re work on the toe. Surely that's best! Hope it all goes well.

WN, yea verily, there seem to be some negative forces in the universe swirlin' 'round down here anyway ... bad vibes ... oh well, we shall hang tight and prevail.

Kaylets, that is a good decision re clothing ... never, ever buy larger ... leads to things we don't even wanna contemplate.

This is a me-me quickie postie again, sorry. In a very negative mental place, mostly work related.

Still on my 30 day x-each-day challenge ... not sure which day ... postin' on the land far far. E knows where it is ... where be E, by the way!? :)

Gained .20 of a pound this week, no surprise ... x has been way up and hips and each thigh went down by .25 of an inch, while other areas remained the same. I am taking that all as a sign that the .20 of a pound is muscle weight ... so am good with that gain.

Later, royal ones!

Hello all,

The kingdom has rain this morning.... badly needed rain so we are grateful altho might be interesting for Monday am commute.

So, I say, its been a very very long time....

Are you ready....



HERE WE GO MONDAY, HERE WE GO!

And now, with feeling puleazzzzzzzzzzzzzzeeee

HERE WE GO MONDAY< HERE WE GO!!



*********
And now, the thought of the day:

Thought of the day :

"Whine less, Breathe more;
Talk less, say more;
Hate less, Love more,
and all good things are yours."
Swedish Proverb

Question of the day :

"What's your preference, water or wine?"

********


Have a good one all!

Nice and sunny here. I have a staff meeting this am...3 hours :( That kinda blows the morning, and I work until 8pm. Oh well...$. Perhaps I can do some re-potting at lunch.

So this will be a short postie. Got a bit more gardening done yesterday, but then hit a wall and just "veg"ed. We had some friends over for BQ chicken boobs, yams, brussel sprouts and lettuce-less salad...oh yeah, fresh sour-dough. I haven't managed to kill it yet apparently! :lol:

Scale is staying steady, no time for a walk this am. This will be my day-off on that front. So....I'm off...sorta slowly. Will get ready to go, and then lighten my heart by touring the gardens.....Avanti!

:wave:

Grayish and teasing us with a drop or two but I think we're a tad north to get Kaylet's rain. Durn!

Went to my Tai Chi (based) class for first time in almost a year. Boy, could I tell how badly I needed it. So, the plan is to do that twice a week, pool 2 or 3 other times a week, walking/gardening in between. Was in much better shape last year at this time. But did it once, can do it again. (I hope.)

Out of Slimfast so it doesn't seem like Monday. Enjoyed my oatmeal though.

Well, wine of course but don't drink anymore (at least hardly ever) - only because of all the meds I take.

Good Morning all.....

Welll, the rain was just a tease, nothing really but a few drops. We are needing more so hoping we see some soon.

Food front, ok. Actually I will give myself an A as I fought sugar cravings by drinking a diet Dr Pepper and SF hot choc..... Did I mention there was choc cake at the bowling center ala baby shower?? And pretzels....
crazy I tell you....

But I did mostly stairs yesterday... only took the elevator a few times and because carrying things and couldnt get slide my security card at the same time.....

I want to get back into a structured activity routine.... I am finding more and more situations where I immeadiately go into HIGH ALERT.... b/4 I really have concrete evidence the situation warrants it.... Adrenalin floods and I am on edge for hours..... but am working on that too.....
Trying to find more humor in things.... a laugh defuses adrenalin quickly.....

hugs to all... I must be off....

Thought of the day :

PEOPLE COME INTO YOUR LIFE FOR A REASON
People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you
know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person. When
someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have
expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide
you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or
spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for
the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part
or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do
something to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize
is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The
prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON,
because your turn has come to share, grow or learn. They bring you an
experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you
have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe
it, it is real. But only for a season.!

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons,
things you must build upon in order to have a solid
emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the
lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other
relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but
friendship is clairvoyant.

Thank you for being a part of my life, whether you were a reason, a season
or a lifetime.


Question of the day :

"Do you think you are clairvoyant?"




Here we go Tuesday, here we go....

Mornin'...nice day shaping up here. Got a lot of things to do...scale is behaving eventhough I had a mini-binge last night...gotta stop that. Dogs are all out and I'm off for a walk. Then grooming etc.

Wine of course, but I'm workin' on the water! :lol:

:wave:

Weigh-in was good yesterday, down 11.6 since I joined WW on March 20, down 19 since the fall and 6.5 since the start of the May 15th goal. Although it does seem unlikely that I'll be able to get another 5.5 off by Monday to make goal. Maybe I should make my goals a little more reasonable... :chin:

Kaylets, I can so relate, both to the stress :stress: and the "clairvoyant" question! On Sunday morning, I was suddenly struck with an overwhelming feeling of catastrophe, almost like a body blow. It was intense for about an hour and then started to ease up a little. But I've been on high alert ever since. I keep thinking that something terrible's happened to someone I'm close to.

The last time I had a few days where I felt so inexplicably stressed out, we found out DH had lost his job. I'm trying to stay positive and get in touch with people to make sure they're okay.

Amarantha, maybe that's it -- I'm just reacting to some cosmic bad vibe. Surely seems to happen from time to time, doesn't it.

Anagram, I bet you'll notice some nice improvement after you're back at tai chi for a while. That reminds me -- I must do a set today. Will probably help the stress level.

Ceara, the growing things do gladden, do they not.

Must get back to work. Love to all, mentioned or un-

So PROUD of our Wood Nymph!! Went to pool again today.

Used to think I was clairvoyant but nothing much happening in that direction in recent years. Also buy cosmic vibe theory - sigh....

Looking nice outside - may make a "recreational" grocery run later.

Went out to start "my" car (which I love) - it had a problem occur in Jan. and I'm just getting around to taking it in since it now needs inspection. Wouldn't start - called AAA - guy came, turned the key and it purred like the good little auto it is. How embarrassing - what can I say. I've been driving it a little on a regular basis and DS gives it a run when he's here but I was sure it was on it's last legs. I've been driving DHs as it's much better on gas mileage plus it didn't have a problem. But I miss driving my ten year old baby and will use it for the occasional short run or two once it comes home from garage tomorrow (unless they say it needs mammoth repair - won't put lots of money into a ten year old no matter how endeared I am).

And here we are, almost at the end of another challenge. Have dropped maybe two pounds of excess water.......

Water for my body, but wine because it is a family business. :)

Sorry, this is a me-me-me-me-me postie as short on time again and it takes so long to get on this site. I may go explorin' on it a bit now that I'm on! :)

I've been doin' well with my 30-day intentional exercise self-challenge to rehab messed up bod from too much running. :) Am starting to think of WALKING a marathon ... but not for awhile. Am walking, doing the recumbent bike, lifting weights, doing pilates ... all at home or outside ... no more gyms for me at the moment. Am very close to the elusive 135 pounds ... then on to the ultimate goal of 125.

Still in career slump, still in depression funk, but happy to be alive.

Sort of getting into one of those I want to do only pilates and walking exercise moods, reading pilates mags, looking with longing at the machines ... would love a reformer at home ... ah, but where would I put it? pilates is bringing back some peace to my fragmented spirit and body.

Avanti, all! Sorry for lack of personal responses. I seem to be all about me these days ... very bad character!

Hello all....

Didnt want to start the day w/o saying hello but to quote the Empress,
am in brevity mode....

This morning, I have decided, that you Empress are also an inspiration....
No matter what, you find a way to continue to pursue your goal....Long ago, when walking was an issue, you used walking sticks....then you gravitated to the gyms....when that needed to change... the running... another forced change...walking and pilates....
MY HERO!!!


Not to worry, all of you inspire me.

***********
Thought of the day :

"How do you have a good idea? Have lots of ideas and keep the good ones."
Linus Pauling

Question of the day :

"Name a good idea you've had."
****************


I'll be thinking of you all today.


Anyone for tea?

[color=blue][b]You are always an inspiration to me, :queen: K! :wave:

But I've been sitting here at the computer for hours writing emails to people, then not sending them. I am not really very inspiring to anyone right now as I'm very upset ... over the same stuff ... being publicly attacked (verbally) all the time, for doing my job or for not doing my job (I know that doesn't make sense, just venting). I don't know how much more of this I can take, queens!

The good thing about something that happened tonight (which, obviously, upset me) is that I didn't have an eating binge ... so I will go for my planned walk with trainer tomorrow and try to continue to take care of my body though it is being battered by this toxic stress.

Sorry for the negativity. I think I'm at the end of my proverbial rope ... but will obviously survive. :)

I think I will buy a Total Gym.

Still very anxious here. Did an hour walk/run and still ... I'm trying to track down all my nearest and dearest to make sure they're okay. Still haven't been able to contact one of my sisters.

I'm going to start tracking exercise and "extras" points, which I haven't really been doing.

Anagram, thanks for that pat on the back -- it sure helps! :) That's funny about your car -- don't you just hate it when stuff like that happens? Sometimes you'd swear that these mechanical things had a perverse sense of humor.

Amarantha, I hear you on the job stress! My site director is driving me nuts -- telling me to change things one day and then change them back the next. Says she's going to do something and then totally blows it off -- like asks me if I can take a phone meeting and then disappears at the appointed time. Let's hang tight and prevail.

Kaylets, I like that quote. When my mental state is good, I'm full of ideas and things seem exciting. O/w, I'm focusing on how to get from point A to point B.

Heigh-ho, heigh-ho...

Morning - off morning here too but it's more weather related than anything. So I'm taking it very leisurely (like I don't usually) - But today I woke up before six, and I'd usually get up. Today I went back to bed and here it is after nine and I'm just starting to move.

Tai Chi'd again yesterday, will pool today. Can tell how REALLY out of shape I am. Was moving around a lot for a long time and walking too but really need this more concentrated stuff.

Sorry you Queens are under so much stress. Not a good feeling.

More on that car - I think it or someone is sending a message. I took it in for inspection, oil change and a thermostat replacement. I had decided to wait for it(2 hours or so they said) and armed me with reading material. Well, they didn't take it in for an hour and a half and then they had some problem with putting in the thermostat (watched many conferences under the raised hood). Long and short of it is, I left there FIVE AND A HALF HOURS AFTER my scheduled appointment time. Believe me I had not brought enough reading material.

It meant I didn't get to check out a good sale I had wanted to get too. But I was amazed how well I took the whole thing. I just kept telling myself that "the worst that can happen has already happened" and this was a minor glitch. Was even able to tell the technician that it must have been frustrating for him.

But I'm wondering - 2 car related "incidents" in as many days? I do love the old thing but I don't need two cars and must keep the newer one for trips to DDs, etc.

Parted this week with an item that was also very important to me and that I could not throw away before. I had DS put it out in garage a few months ago and just couldn't put it out until this week when I was suddenly ready. Also along the thought line that if I can live without he who was most important to me, I can live without this item not used for years (and not saleable). So, moving along and my sweet car may be next. :o::

With that, I'm moving along for some breakfast and I think I'm going to take it on the patio of peace and contentment. Was afraid I would not enjoy it so much w/o dh but I do. Just don't think to do it as often. Then off to decide what to do after the pool.

Going to be a "me" day, I hope.

Hello all....

Wood Nymph--- I can relate.... lots of my mornings have started the same way.... all senses on high alert.... sometimes I am right, (lots of times)....but it is so wearing to wonder, wonder, wonder....
Its also full moon ......

Empress....:hug: .... we have a total gym.... it works great.... when its not gathering dust....

Anagram.... isnt it interesting how these items we hold in such high esteem for so, so long, that hold no meaning to nearly anyone else, suddenly become less esteemed..... I too, have made choices lately. In large part, letting the vinyl record collection go to the GoodWill was a big, big mind switch. Granted, folks had sorted thru them and bought what they liked but when we packed up, I didnt even look again to see what titles were left....

Trying to do similar w/ some other items.....give or sell before damaged or soiled.

Never mind calling me a collector ..... Its gone way beyond that.... if there wasnt so much glass and ceramic the descriptive word would be FIRE HAZARD.....

ah well...

Ceara.... How are things w/ you?

Eydie.... I had the coins all counted out but put them away and had SF hot choc instead.. Yay me....

Frogger???


Must be off....

Here's something cute.... The final story is great....


**********************************************
Thought of the day :

"Why God made moms" answers given by elementary school age children to the
following questions...
Be sure to read the story at the end.....

Why did God make mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my Mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of?
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in
the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use
string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other Mom?
1. We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's moms like me.

What kind of little girl was your Mom?
1. My Mom has always been my Mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.

What did Mom need to know about dad before she married him?
1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on
beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to
chores?

Why did your Mom marry your dad?
1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my Mom eats a lot.
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that Mom didn't have her thinking cap on.

Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a
goofball.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess Mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What's the difference between moms and dads?
1. Moms work at work & work at home, & dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller & stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause
that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friend's.
4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.

What does your Mom do in her spare time?
1. Mothers don't have spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your Mom perfect?
1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of
plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your Mom, what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of
that.
2. I'd make my Mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it
and not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on her back.

THE MOMMY TEST I was out walking with my 4 year old daughter. She picked up
something off the ground and started to put it in her mouth. I took the item
away from her and I asked her not to do that. "Why?" my daughter
asked."Because it's been laying outside, you don't know where it's been,
dirty and probably has germs" I replied. At this point, my daughter looked
at me with total admiration and asked,"Wow! How do you know all this stuff?"
h," ..I was thinking quickly, "All moms know this stuff. It's on the Mommy
Test. You have to know it, or they don't let you be a Mommy. " We walked
along in silence for 2 or 3 minutes, but she was evidently pondering this
new information. "OH...I get it!" she beamed, "So if you don't pass the test
you have to be the daddy." "Exactly" I replied back with a big smile on my
face and joy in my heart. When you're finished laughing, send this to a Mom.
"Dear Lord," the preacher began with arms extended and a rapturous look on
his upturned face, "without you we are but dust..." He would have continued,
but at that moment one very obedient little girl (who was listening
carefully) leaned over to her mother and asked quite audibly in her shrill
little girl voice, "Mommy, What is butt dust?" Church was pretty much over
at that point...
***************************************

Fpur straight exercise days plus rain overnight and I'm stiff and achy. Today will be a FUN day = lunching at a tea house with friend and sister and her friend. They have big fancy hats you can don and I'm sure we will. Friend will love it, sister's already done it. So I'm going to enter into it all. Afraid it will mean more food than I should have but I'm going to enjoy it all anyway. I really need something FUN. Never quite to be a ball of fire yesterday but did get a great night's sleep so maybe today will be better.

Joy to the :queen:s - so far (at least) I've not chomped one chocolate chip - some chocolate but no chocolate chips.

:wave: :queen:ies! I've walked to the gym and done the circuits, walked home and did full set of yoga :cb: (Have mostly just been doing the first part as a stretch, but said to self this morning: "There's no reason you can't complete your yoga in one go." So much more likely to complete if I'm not trying to finish "later.") I've got the sheets in the washer now to go out on the line for that fresh smell tonight :)

Monday's the 15th -- shall we saunter towards the solstice after that?

Anagram -- OUCH!!! 5.5 HOURS? There's nothing that bugs me more than having my time wasted. Even if I'm doing it myself. :rolleyes: Congrats on the 4 days exercise! I'm going to do a set of tai chi later. :yes: Yes I am.

Ah, I'm loving the image of you and your friends at a festive lunch with big fancy hats! Wish I could join you!

K, yup, wondering is the worst. I'm convinced that something significant happened Sunday morning. But maybe it was someone I'm not in touch with any more?

However, I had the thought this morning that there's not a thing in the world that will be helped by me being anxious and I'm much more effective dealing with things if I remain calm. There's my goal...

Thanks for the adorable stories! Butt dust :lol:

Happy Friday, All! If any lurk who haven't been posting, it would be so great if you popped in to say :wave: Let's make this a good one!

The luncheon was delightful and not at all as hard on the diet as I expected because all portions were very small. And their "house" tea was so delicious I didn't sample any others. It truly was delightful! I'll do it again sometime, I'm sure, when I'm next in need of a special treat.

Wishing all who are Mothers a happy Mothers Day. I'm going to a First Communion and luncheon tomorrow morning and then off to play with the princesses again until Monday. Hard to squeeze in any work with all this social activity. :smile:

Hello all.....


Been up since about 5:45 am.... ran to the grocery for eggs and at that point realized one of my sets of keys is missing. I have spares for all but two of the keys on that ring.... unfortunately, one is the big freezer key.... ( yes, its true, we have to lock it.) So, I have been thru the trash ( as I threw lots of junk mail away last night), retraced steps, etc, etc.

Dh awoke to me searching and rather than tell me I need a homing device on everything I touch, just told me that I'd find them as I always do.

Guess that's why I keep him around.


All of this might be related to the form I lost at work yesterday. Signed by one of the folks I keep in compliance.... I had marked the cover sheet that I had recvd the individual's form but now wonder if I marked it in error and never really had it. Either way, I need a replacement. Boss said to give it one more day and hope it turns up somewhere least expected.

And then, someone left a box of Girlscout cookies in a common area where our printers are. well, short story is I ate lots of them. Did it make me find the form? No. Did I wind up w/an upset stomach? Yes.

FULL MOON!!

Time to move laundry around. We had a storm go by earlier. Seems to have passed, sun shining, breeze blowing, so.... let me get some laundry hung outside b/4 the rain begins again.

Anyone for tea?

'Tis the full moon, and I heard it was supposed to rise around 7:30, but here it is past 8:30 and no sign. And I'm just about ready to go to bed. Uneventful Saturday. There's an instrumental tune called "Having an average weekend" and I guess I'd say that fits. Could be worse, then, of course. Beautiful weather here and all the multicolored flowers are in bloom. Very springlike.

We're having my mom and DS and DGS in for brunch tomorrow and then going out to SIL's for the afternoon and dinner. Should be fun.

Anagram, I'm glad your lunch was fun -- really sounded like a no-fail plan :) I was thinking about what you were saying about the worst having happened, so how can you get upset over anything less... That's one thing about real catastrophe (which is an inescapable part of life) -- it really shows you what's important and what's, in the final analysis, not. :hug:

Kaylets, this menopause business is very hard on the brain! :dz: I remembered you saying how helpful you found the dong quai, and also remembered that I've got some in the cupboard. I've been taking it for a few days now and I definitely feel better. Last night I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow and was just gone for the night. And fewer flashes, too. Actually, flashes are a major sleep disturbance. I'll just be dozing off and one will wake me up. And that's what usually wakes me up in the morning. Will be glad to be done with this foolishness!

K -- I'm off. Going to have a quick look for the moon. If I see it, I'll go for a little stroll to spend some time with it. And if I don't see it, I'll go to bed with my novel. Win-win.

Love to all! Avanti!

Hello all!

On my way out the door for my traditional Sunday morning grocery trip w/ girlfiriend. Its more about the chatting than the groceries although both are o done...

Woodnymph... Is Dong quai Chinese for Black Cohosh? I looked it up quickly and saw conflciting info.... but what did ring very true was your remark about waking up w/ flashes.... Although I'm not feeling so much heat in the morning, the adrenalin rush b/4 my feet hit the floor of impending doom is unsettling. Not a true panic attack, no pounding heart or shortness of breath but definitely a stomach tightening sense of dread.

Again, the more physical activity I can squeeze in, the more manageable the flashes/moments are.

So, I continue the "don't leave a room empty handed, remove from this room what doesn't belong " routine.
Am I the only one who actually feels lighter as trash piles up at the curb?

Off to the store!

Mom's day went pretty much according to plan. Ate what I intended to and nothing other than that. Now here I am, home again and optimistic about tomorrow's WI. Pants are looser than they have been in a very long time.

Kaylets, that's evidence of my meno-brain: I totally forgot that those were two different herbs. And it was black cohosh you'd mentioned. So far, the dong quai seems to be helping me, in any case :rolleyes: I just looked them up and it looks like black cohosh is the better bet for flashes etc.

The tidier my house the better and more together I feel, no question!

Oh, just came across this and have to share. Imagine staying away from all these culprits:

• Spicy food (cayenne, ginger, pepper)
• Acidic foods (pickles, citrus, tomatoes)
• Hot drinks
• Caffeine (coffee, black tea, cola, chocolate)
• Alcoholic drinks, including wine and beer
• White sugar
• Hydrogenated or saturated fats (meat, margarine)
• Stress
• Hot weather
• Hot tubs and saunas
• Tobacco or marijuana
• Intense exercise, especially lovemaking
• Anger, especially if you can’t express it

Guess I'm going to keep flashing :dz:

Hello all!

How interesting to think that hot drinks may have a connection to hot flashing.... So far, I have found none whatsoever....and as for physical excercise, I find the more I can do, the more other symptons disappear....( nerves, etc)...However, I do find that caffeine is definitely a trigger.....

Hormones!

Interesting....


Finally getting the long promised rain. The Northeast is getting lots and lots but ours finally arrived about 8 pm last night. We need a steady, soaking rain as its been so dry we have even been under forest fire warnings.
I am thrilled to see the rain as I my own garden is so dry the minerals and salts are visible....

Although there must be water available somewhere as we have lots and lots of birds this year. I'm not feeding them but some of our fruit bushes are big enough to be perfect places for the shyer birds to hang out. We even have cardinals nesting nearby as I see them a couple times a week. Used to be only in the worst snow storms, when the cardinals had no other choice but to use the feeder.
I imagine if the grapes we bought to plant do well, we will have more birds visiting as well.


Ok, rainy days mean traffic issues so.....

**********
Thought of the day :

"It is amazing what one can do when one doesn't know what one can't do."


Question of the day :

"Do have a favorite sports team ? "

*****


Here we go Monday!

Mornin''...grey out there. It was a cold, rainy weekend and I feel like my cold is rebounding again. Darn thing!

I have a new American Champion! She won both days again this past weekend. So onto the next.

I am very down and dumpy these days...no great news on the DS except that he is fine. And I'm not going into it right now.

I have 2 classes to do this am, so best boogey!

:wave:

Gorgeous day out there. We really need rain :rain: but -- when it's so beautiful, we might as well enjoy it. Since we can't really do much about it otherwise.
WI this morning shows me down a half-pound. So my ticker is more or less right and I've lost 7 pounds on this challenge. Short of the 12 I hoped for, but chugging along. And will continue to do so. :yes:

Still feeling anxious, but did a set of tai chi this morning after I got back from the gym and that helped.

Kaylets, the same article said that intense exercise decreased hot flashes. I guess it meant that you might experience them during the exercise but that the long-range effect would be improvement? :shrug:

Ceara, congrats to the champ! Sorry about the "down and dumpy" mood but it seems to be pretty widespread, that and anxiety. Maybe I'll go look at horoscopes...

Ah, Dovies, let's take this day and do our level best with it. Love to all!

Hi all!!

I'm still pluggin away. So far, I've lost 9lbs. :carrot: I gained one back that just won't leave this week!!

I interviewed with another job, but the contract hasn't been awarded yet, so any offer made would only be contingent on that award. It went went well though. I'm really interested in the job too, so hopefully everything will work out.
I am SO unmotivated by my current situation. It's all I have to drag myself out of bed in the morning.

Mother's Day was nice. I didn't do a thing!!! :D

I'll try to check in either later today or tomorrow.

Love to you all!

Just put me in the drab and dumpy pile today. Gray, rainy. Nice time with kids, grandkids yesterday but not enough to keep me cheery. Friday good, Sat/Sun down in dumps. Still w/me.

What a nice MD gift from your girl, Ceara! Glad you had a do-nothing MD, Frogger. That's what it takes! (Not that I did anything much.)

No great loss for me on this challenge but at least back more in line, esp. w/exercise, etc. Lots of little chores to do so best get on w/it.

Frogger, 9 pounds off is FANTASTIC!!! :D Whoo-hoo you!

Any takers on a "Sashaying towards the Solstice" (or somesuch) thread? If I post it, will you come? We could make whatever firm or flexible commitment we wanted...

Hi Frogger! WTG on the fantastic loss!
:cp:

Arabella....I'd follow you anywhere!

Ready for new challenge, whenever, I too will gladly follow.

Did your keys show up yet, Kaylets?

Still down, grumpy. Did feel a tad better yesterday after I forced me to do a good walk. I "analyzed" when I woke up this morning. It has a lot to do with problems in DDs life - I can't help her with them other than support her - but I also find it hard to deal with her problems right now when I'm dealing still with loss of DH - she too has problems dealing with his loss on top of other problems. At least I can indulge myself today - she can't. These problems are real but it's hard in some ways because she so often has had "problems" that were relatively not - sort of a case of being worn out by her crying wolf re things that were a problem to her but not in the real scheme of things.

Grrrrrrrrr.....

I too will follow!!

:dance:

Thankee, thankee for the vote(s) of confidence, Queenlies! I have posted our Summer Solstice thread. (http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1262025#post1262025)

Anagram, I feel you on that mothering issue. It's so hard to try to help and yet not just get sucked into the gloom! :hug: Let's look after US!

K. I'm going to swing by the new thread and do my initial post.

C'MON, QUEENIES, LET'S GO!!! (http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1262025#post1262025)