Royal Fresh Start Express... all aboard!

Arabella · 10-03-2009, 08:34 AM

219.4. So, considering the normal post-Friday night bump-up from eating later, I expect to be back down to my previous start point in no time. I expect this daily accounting might get boring for peeps -- feel free to ignore! I just need to do this for my own benefit. On track!

I wonder where everyone is? We've gone through quiet stretches before in the Palace but this is sort-of unprecedented. Almost two weeks since anyone but Kaylets and I were in here.

Hope all is well with other queenlies! Love to all, in any case...

Arabella · 10-04-2009, 07:53 AM

218.4 -- going down...

Went out to dinner with DH last night and had 4 oysters for an app, grilled salmon w/little red potatoes (cream-dill sauce but not a lot of it) and fresh veggies. We also got in a 40 min walk there, to the movie (Jule & Julia) and home again. A triumph!

Sunday, so we're off for our long walk of the week. Hope all is well with all!

Arabella · 10-05-2009, 06:42 AM

217. There -- just .6 up from my initial "facing stupid reality" weigh-in.

I've got to say, I'm finding food much less entertaining when that's all I'm doing, not reading, not watching TV. Possibly partially the result of having a head cold -- but that's never stopped me before. I'm hearing a click, I think... I keep thinking "food is just food."

I worked yesterday trying to lighten my load today so maybe I'll take a partial sick day.

Hope all queenly folk are well, wherever they be. Love!

Kaylets · 10-06-2009, 08:15 AM

The click..... if we could just package it and sell it.....
Wouldn't that be something??

"Protects against all outside marketing....commercials seem boring, TV food programs bland, previously mouth watering smells just make you crave water......"..........................

And I love the name ...."The Click"........

I do find it interesting that with so many changes in my life, I am easily missing meals, bowl of fruit and yogurt more than enough for lunch, etc, etc....For years, everytime boredom was mentioned I never realized that was me.....or at least a part ......

We have a radiation doctor appointment today. We beleve it's a tutorial about radiation, etc. But we could be there for less or more.

DH began feeling the chemo side effects late Friday night, Sat could barely even turn over in bed, Sun, some better but still exhausted and lots of naps.
He went to work on Monday, plan is we both go to work today after the Dr Appt and then chemo again tomorrow......

I keep praying.

And trying to find humor along the way....

***************************
Today's thought:

***AMAZINGLY SIMPLE HOME REMEDIES**

Avoid cutting yourself when slicing vegetables by getting someone else to hold them while you chop.

Avoid arguments with the Mrs. about lifting the toilet seat by using the sink.

For high blood pressure sufferers: simply cut yourself and bleed for a few minutes, thus reducing the pressure in your veins. Remember to use a timer.

A mousetrap, placed on top of your alarm clock, will prevent you from rolling over and going back to sleep after you hit the snooze button.

If you have a bad cough, take a large dose of laxatives; then you'll be afraid to cough.

You only need two tools in life - WD-40 and Duct Tape. If it doesn't move and should, use the W D-40. If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape.

Remember: Everyone seems normal until you get to know him or her.

If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem.

******

Wood Nymph, you're doing great, head cold and all.... I just realized I didnt check out the video......

We can do this!!

Arabella · 10-06-2009, 09:02 AM

216.8 this a.m. I was a little leery of getting on the scale this morning, because -- after my bold assertion yesterday -- the afternoon found me finishing off that pecan pie (2 pieces) with ice cream. I did eat it at the table and I didn't read while I ate.

And you know, it undoubtedly could have been worse otherwise. I said to myself, two pieces of pie, even with ice cream, is not a real binge. Some normal people occasionally do things like that. There's a chef here, not overweight, that wrote a column all about how he occasionally makes a pie and then just sits down and eats it. Not that I want to do that but... not beating myself up, just moving on.

And that's just the kind of little misadventure that working outside the house in the afternoons will prevent.

Looking at reasons, it's the usual kind of thing -- resistance lowered cuz I'm sick and NOT doing what I should do, which is going back to bed (or lounging watching old movies) but working instead.

Kaylets, I'm so sorry your husband is suffering ill effects from the chemo. Sending good energy! I don't know how you and your husband feel about energy healing but there's a free, volunteer-run site where you can put in a request for healing and they will assign volunteer workers to pray/send energy: http://www.the-dhn.com/ I honestly believe they work miracles.

It sounds as if you're in that state where, in the midst of extreme difficulty, things become clearer. Interesting how there's always something to be learned from situations.

Loved your list! And here's another video -- this one's funny: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGOohBytKTU

First time -- okay, first several times -- I saw that I laughed SO hard.

I'm starting to get a little worried about the other royals. I hope everyone's okay. Let's take this day we've been given and make the most of it. Love!

wsw · 10-06-2009, 07:07 PM

hi royals! i sure have missed everyone! i have had a lot of "ms technical difficulties" which have been a bit intense, but i'm definitely feeling better now.

arabella-hope your cold is better! good for you for not reading or doing any other activity while eating. a couple of pieces of pie would probably have ended up in a binge for me, and i certainly applaud you. congrats on the weight loss!

kaylets-sending you lots of hugs and good thoughts. sorry that dh is experiencing the chemo side effects now. you are one courageous queen, is all i can say! your strength and good humor inspire me.

thinking of all our lovely royals, one and all. having a little problem with speech (and writing), so will sign off for now. take care, all.

Kaylets · 10-07-2009, 07:48 AM

Hello all....

Wood Nymph....I did look at the You tube video...hopefully after this weekend and getting everthing in place for DMom to settle in here, I can spend more time online....

Wsw!
I was afraid you were having techincal difficulties, I was sending many good health prayers and vibes your way! Am sending a couple hugs too!

Still have lots to do but getting closer.....am gearing up for another trip to Goodwill, recyling and am hoping that to have a bed where I sit right now by tonight.

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

"Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear."

-Mark Twain

Question of the day:

"How will you be celebrating Columbus Day?"

***********

Okay, here we go, get the washing machine and dishwasher running, see how fast I can fill another trash bag or Goodwill box and try to figure out where to hide the personal paper shredding.... how lovely it would be throw it in a fireplace! So, so tempting to take it to the park and start a bonfire!

Hmmm, even that visual helped!

Arabella · 10-07-2009, 08:28 AM

216.8, same as yesterday. Let's see if I can make that lower for Friday WI.

WSW, so sorry you're having MS technical difficulties!

The prohibition against sitting on the couch/ reading while I eat is probably the only thing that kept me from a full-on binge. Will power is funny, isn't it. I felt driven to eat the pie but I could control part of the situation. I think the ideal plan would be to have appealing healthy alternatives onhand for those times...

Kaylets When my SIL was diagnosed last year, she made a concentrated effort to get funny books and movies. Remember Norman Cousins laughing his way to health?

Well, it's beautifully sunny out there and supposed to be torrential later. I think I'll have a bath and then see about a little walk...

Let's make this a good one!

Arabella · 10-08-2009, 06:36 AM

217.2. Maybe lower tomorrow?

Still pretty crappy. I decided to try to walk yesterday, even just a few extra blocks going to the store and felt so wonky it made me realize I was too sick to exercise. Ah well.

I'm picking up DGS after school and having him overnight tonight. His baby brother has to go have a permanent shunt put into his head to relieve pressure on his brain because last week's tests showed he was still having a little bleed. His parents will be away for maybe a week.

I got a call from his cub scout leader last night saying that she was concerned about DGS' behavior last week, that he'd been acting out and very uncooperative. There's got to be something wrong. I think maybe he's not getting enough attention. Anyway, I'll spend the time with him today and try to talk to him.

Let's get out there and do our level best!

Arabella · 10-09-2009, 09:11 AM

217. Official WI, down 4.4 from last Friday, although that was like the bump-up on top of the bump-up. Whatever. It would have been a triumph at WW and I'll consider it the same here. And aim for another 2 pounds next week

I've been doing very well only eating when I'm eating and it really has made a big difference. I've also been eating lighter dinners. Not exercising though, although I might try a little walk today. I feel somewhat better but still so crappy that it makes me realize how sick I must have been, if this is what you'd call better.

Kaylets, it sounds as if you've been extremely productive. And doesn't every bit of improvement feel good?

QOD: Columbus Day coincides with our Thanksgiving this year so I'm going to celebrate it by recovering from the big dinner I'm putting on Sunday. 10 ppl, looks like. Also may be taking an excursion with my mom to drive around and look at the leaves, etc. Or I may do that Tuesday afternoon, after giving myself a day of rest.

WSW, hope you're feeling better. Sending good energy!

Ok. I am officially worried about the rest of the Palace inhabitants and I'm going looking for at least Anagram and Katrinabgood because it's not like either of them to be AWOL so long.

Let's make this a good one!

Arabella · 10-10-2009, 11:16 AM

217.6.

Still really sick and we've got this big dinner happening tomorrow. I think I'm okay for it, just have to be careful not to do too much all at once. DH will help out. He's vacuumed and cleaned the bathrooms and I suspect he's going to have to make a solo grocery trip. I will summon the energy to mop the kitchen and clean out the vegetable crisper today. And some laundry. But I've got to watch out for doing too much.

Not really anything much to report. If DH goes out solo, which I guess he's going to do, I'll find something entertaining on TV and watch it, guilt-free.

Hope all wandering lies find their way back...

xo

wsw · 10-10-2009, 10:03 PM

arabella- being down 4.4 lb certainly is a triumph! sorry you're still feeling icky. stick to your guns, and try not to over-do too much, anyway, in preparation for your big dinner party tomorrow. hope your thanksgiving is delightful!

kaylets-all your de-cluttering and getting things ready for your dmom to settle in helped to motivate me to get some de-cluttering done today. it is really amazing how good that feels, isn't it?! liked your recent "thought of the day."

ok, need to get offline now after having a busier day than i've had in a while. tomorrow evening, i am going out for dinner with good friends, and it will be lovely to see them. well, take care, dear royals. thinking of you all.

wsw · 10-11-2009, 07:12 AM

well, i have had and am having an interesting time. i woke up in the middle of the night to the sound of rain. it turned out not to be rain, but water coming down through my ceiling. that was at 1:30 this morning. i called the condo. management co. and she called their plumber, and called me back to say she got no response, but the plumber would probably call after 8am. i explained how serious it was and she said she was sorry, but until their plumber comes out to look at it, there isn't anything else she can do. she did say she will call back after 8am. i tried several plumbers listed in the phone book, which said 24 hour service, but have not gotten any responses. i got my clothes and purses out of closet (all drenched, many ruined). i tried calling several+ friends, so i could get some help moving things out of my closet. anyway, no responses. most of my friends only have cell phones and probably turn them off over night anyway. ( i think i'm the only one who also still has a landline.) now, it is 6am. my closet floor, bathroom floor, and 3/4 of my bedroom floor are under water. the ceilings look like they could collapse, and i am on higher ground (for now at least) in my living room. i literally just had all new blinds put in (which look nice, by the way), as part of the the preparation to eventually sell my condo. well, i have to say i wasn't ready physically or emotionally for this flood, but here it is, nevertheless. when i was going through my stuff to see what i could save, i did the predictable things: pictures, momentos from my grandmother, important papers, etc. i have these things in bags readyn to take out to my car as soon as it is daylight. after i can get a/any plumber out here, i will go find a hotel to check in to (with my plastic bags.) several pieces of furtniture in my bedroom are already ruined, which is unsettling, but of course, it is just stuff. hey, i had too much furniture anyway.

this definitely was my red flag flood that i need to move asap! the only possible place has a waiting list, but i will call later this morning and get on the list. at least once i can move there, it will give me time to see if i can take living there, or need to keep looking for something else. well, in the meantime, i have not gotten any return calls yet, so i will start taking some stuff out to my car soon. i don't know if any of this blathering made any sense or not. i was having trouble with my writing before being up all night, so please pardon me if it didn't make much sense. bottom line is---i will take care of what needs to be done, and figure the rest out along the way. take care, all. from your soggy friend, wsw.

Arabella · 10-11-2009, 08:57 AM

WSW! How shocking! Where is the water coming from? That is just about unbelievable, that the condo management couldn't do anything. And no response from plumbers that advertise 24 hour service. That's not right. Holy crow!

That condo has just been a nightmare. I keep asking myself what the lesson/purpose is behind some of my more difficult experiences. And I guess you're right, here, the message seems to be that you should be living somewhere you won't have to deal with things like this but -- REALLY! -- most of us don't have that kind of crap happening. I practically come unhinged when little things are wrong around the house -- leaky faucets, etc.

I like how you describe this as "interesting." Oh my gosh, WSW! Keep us posted, if you can. Sending good energy!

xo

Arabella · 10-12-2009, 10:47 AM

Dinner was fabulous last night, everything went very well and I was up to the task. It was extremely colorful in my kitchen. We put two tables together and put on a red, embroidered tablecloth, red and orange candles and miniature gourds of many colors. Somehow managed to time everything so that it all came together. DH made stuffing and gravy and carved the turkey.

SIL and a friend brought apps and my mom brought sweet potato pie. Which she hadn't told anyone was sweet potato, and not pumpkin. Then one of the boys started talking about sweet potato pie and people said they couldn't imagine what it would be like. I said, well, actually sweet potatoes are naturally closer to the taste you're looking for in a pumpkin pie. I said "they taste a lot more like what you're tasting naturally than pumpkin does." (meaning until pumpkin is sweetened and spiced-up, it doesn't taste much like pumpkin pie; sweet potato is actually a little closer.)

Then Mom said, well, guess what: "I did use sweet potatoes." To much laughter.

I think I'm actually going to do some of my own writing today. Work on the ghost story book and the screenplay. DH and I went for a walk and I'm not going to worry about being productive around the house. Dinner will be turkey sandwiches and salad. Huzzah!

Oh I know some of my beloved lies are being challenged very severely right now. Hang on, Lovelies! This, too, shall pass.