Hey hey, busy morning 'round here, I'm happy to see!

I've had my morning walk already. I had myself a revelation of sorts. I'm back to the track, just cuz it's closer and I had some stuff to do around town afterwards. So I'm going 'round and 'round...all kinds of thoughts floating through my head. Too many, actually. Things that are bothering me, things that have bothered me, things I feel the need to find solutions for. All at once, I thought, "STOP." Everyone OUT! I had to force myself to empty my thoughts and just focus on the right here and now, (well, there and then) nothing else. The sky is blue. The sun is shining. I smell the pine trees. I hear the birds. Why does that woman always walk in the opposite direction? It took some doing, more than a few trys to keep my head clear, but in the long run, it made for a very refreshing walk. I hit the farm market when I was done, picked up some veggies for lunch and a 1/2 pint of raspberries, all for me. Can't wait for that!

I find negative people completely draining. I love, anagram, how you gently try to point out a different perspective to your complaining friend. Of course she doesn't get it, people like that rarely do...they really are comfortable in their misery. How sad for them. I love the idea of "refreshing your spirit" after an encounter...I will keep that in mind tonight at work.

This is day 2. So far, food has been good, with plans for the next two meals. Exercise-done. Pilates as soon as I'm done here. Water-working on it. Vitamins-with next water break. Rest-I slept all through the night, ahh!

Welcome back, ceara...sounds like a loverly trip!

Arabella...so what is your antitoxin? I find that sometimes just a few deep cleansing breaths and happy thoughts can purge the negativity that people sometimes leave behind.

flower, did you get to the weight room? Thank you for reminding me, I have been neglecting the weights that are sitting on the floor right next to me here as I type! I think I will put them to use today.

Like right now...before I forget. Okay, gotta go be productive~

Have a great day, all!

What a nasty storm we had last night! Patio of P/T was very damp and debris strewn this a.m. but I had my sit and my "commune" anyway. It does so base me for the day.

Ah, yes, the antitoxin does depend on the dosage. Deep breaths help (sometimes even as I listen on the phone w/a few little exercises thrown in as well) but for the biggies, it takes a l o n g time. Easier though - things don't throw me as much now that I'm sort of "in control" Was many a time an excuse for a cookie or ice cream binge. I'm carrying around a lot of other people's problems on my body.

Trip sounds wonderful, ceara - relaxing. Keep some of that good medicine throughout your hectic day.

Good job on the "focusing", kat. Yes, this is YOUR time - those other things will wait. I find jotting them down early in the day works to assure me I'll not really forget (like I could!) and clear out my mind a little. Some things have been jotted down for a long time but they're not forgotten; just not messing w/my head as much. I review the lists periodically and cross off/update.

I too hit a farm market over the weekend. Cherries, strawberries, cantelope, and a huge salad that I'll be eating until I leave for DD's on Friday. Yes, another trip to Princessville. Guess I must be "healed". Eleven is a WHO in Seussical the Musical over the weekend and I get to see it twice. I'll also be tending Six and Three Quarters while parentals do back stage work, etc. Trying to hoard energy so I'll have enough.................

TODAY IS SHOE SHOPPING DAY. And shoe trying on day - afraid I'll have very few left but, hey, that's ok. No? I've decided to wait until this afternoon so I can get to pool first. I haven't talked to dr. yet. He had said he was overcorrecting as it would likely revert. I just didn't expect so much. Both chilluns say call - I said lets wait a bit. We'll see next week maybe after I'm running around w/orthotic, etc.

Ah such a sweet memory, Arabella, and another one to be added tomorrow. And a week of sleeping in should help you catch up on some much needed sleep. Sleeping in is probably to 6:00............Your Dad memory conjured up similar of my Dad (before he stopped smoking). He was ever the early riser and drove to local store to pick up daily paper when it was dropped off outside before store opened as he couldn't wait for it to be delivered - His day was well under way by that time.

I've been up early a lot lately too but I've been sleeping much better than I had been so I'm not feeling drained from it.

Sort of luck on the shoes - found three pair (amazing) that almost worked. The only three I tried on. The third pair is still under consideration (with some alteration to the orthotic). However they are considerably expensive and I want to look another place or two and go back another day and try them on again (less swelling, maybe, or getting more used to orthotic. Then did buy a pair at KMart to wear in DDs house (long boring story).

So - more of same today - not going to pool as worked out too well there yesterday which felt good but has given me some slightly sore spots today. Will do something else instead.

Lovely day here today which is great as local Jubilee Day is today and though people come rain or shine, it's nice to have good weather for it.

Hopped on scale today and it looked better but not "official" until AFTER breakfast. MAYBE I'll be lucky and weigh in where I started when this thread started. Salads, fruit have helped me shed water weight which I think had somehow been even more than usual. But, of course, that means I haven't really lost any............................Again, I blame lack of exercise not any "treats" I might have accidentally ingested..........

On to new adventures and lots of fun - hopefully.

Huzzah! "Official First Day of Summer Weigh-In" shows me down all of one (1) pound in the last two months.

But still not as bad as I had been expecting. Down 3.2 pounds in last three days so we know it's all water. However, all that said.............It's still down.

So off I go for more shoe shopping in a good frame of mind and into a lovely day.

Thinking good thoughts of all the Royals who keep me going on my non-progressing journey.

I have walked 3 times and swam once in the last 48 hours. Yippy!

Fly by...I'm here...just busy...be back soon!

Patio was cool, tranquil, lovely this a.m. and I got to spend at least a little time there. But must be up and off and getting ready for my trip to Princessville.

So I'll see y'all Monday and will do my best to eat in a decent manner. DDs place is really one of my biggest challenges. I have some food packed up and ready to go but it's more the hectic pace/stress, etc. as compared to my tranquil haven. Offset, of course, by lots of hugs and demands for attention

So, let's all be Regal this weekend - in the best sense of the word.

Why did I think a second, pre-bed, piece of pie with ice cream was a good idea? Or the first, for that matter? In fact, why, oh why, did I buy pie? (I feel a Seuss-y book coming on...)

Contributing factors:

• >5 hours sleep
• Frantically trying to get work done betwixt and between picking up friend at the airport, buying groceries, cooking dinner and getting DH off to the airport.
• Having one sister monopolize the conversation and go on and on and on about herself in a self-aggrandizing kind of way (This is the same sister that's in so much trouble.) I'm sure it's all tied in, but ... still hard to take.
• Prolly too much wine

When my other sister suggested that it would be nice to do the dinner with all four of us on his night of arrival, I thought it seemed like too much for one day. But of course didn't say so. Would have been much preferable to just have dinner with my friend and try to get together with the others another time.

I ended up being up until almost midnight and then unable to sleep (for which I blame that second piece of pie.) Ah well, that's why it's a challenge and that's why it's 21 days. Back OP, I am.

This morning I got a panicky call from a non-computer literate sister trying to print out a spreadsheet for a business plan that she has to submit today. So I've spent most of the morning screwing around with that instead of getting my own stuff done. Will have to treat myself very, very well today once I get that out of my hair.

Anagram, congrats on the pound down! And have fun in Princessville.

I intend to salvage the rest of my day. Going for a run, just about now.

Good Friday evening to all an' sundry! What a beautiful day twas 'round these parts. Didn't walk tho'. Too tired. Work kicked my butt last night. I'm finding that when I get sufficient rest, I'm much more in control of things...when I don't....well, let's just say tomorrow will be a new Day 1!

I plopped around here most of the day, dozed a bit, did some laundry, watched the tube as I folded clothes. Saw a glorious movie called Monsoon Wedding. I had never heard of it before, but thoroughly enjoyed it. Takes place in India, events swirling around a family's preparations for an arranged marriage. I love to watch how cultures different from my own celebrate life. So many differences, but the similarites are always there: love, laughter, tears, joy... Anyway, a very good movie, I highly recommend it!

Well, I'm treating myself well this evening. I'm off for a massage. Been wanting to do this for a L O N G time now. Today, I decided is the day. My neck and shoulders couldn't be any tighter if I tried. It's time.

So, with that in mind, I'm outta here...have a peaceful/tranquil evening, all!

Hello all....

System issues, time issues.... just wanted to say hello, and I will try again if this post takes....