Glad you're starting to feel better, Arabella, and hope your dinner w/friends was a help in that direction. Sometimes we need to relax and laugh.

Video - how invigorating, challenging. Something new.

Elderhostel course is sort of an intercisciplinary thing. Didn't even focus on that except for a cursory (screening) glance. I'm interested in a lot of things so that was sort of the approach I wanted. Several other factors played in - It's about a 2 1/2 hours north (about my limit for travelling) - it's at a small college I attended for a year when I was 18 and while I'm sure it's changed a lot - there'd be a sort of comfort factor for my first outing. DH and I had gone there (as a side trip on one of his business trips) probably 15-20 years ago and it's much more modern but still isolated up on a hill, etc. It IS six days and I was going to start with about a three day program for a tester. But the single supplement is a lot less than some other places. I haven't given up on having someone decide to go with me but I'm not optimistic either. So I haven't signed up yet - intend to look some more. But feel like it's a pretty good candidate.

Went to the mall yesterday just to get some exercise. Walked perimeter at my best speed, walked Penney's and a lot of Macy's but a lot slower in there . Didn't buy except an Auntie Anne's soft pretzel but felt better that I had done at least that much exercise.

What's the latest on the move, flower? Hi wsw, ceara.

I am so completely stressed out. I come and read the posts here and I just can't concentrate enought to make a half way descent post so I leave without saying anything. I do think of you all daily.

I called the realtor yesterday. He won't know for sure if they have financing til Friday! Gosh this is cutting it close. Then it dawns on me I have to have the money for the uhaul and the new apt before the house sells. I try and do the taxes last night as our refund would help tremendously right now and it is beyond my abilities this year. Sending it all to hubby and having him deal with it. Even if it cuts into our refund.

Of course hubby being 2500 miles away I have no one to sound off to. He is sick too so even phone calls don't make me any calmer. He will be looking at apts tomorrow. I pray he finds something. My step mom offered to drive across country with us. Sometimes I wonder if it would be more calm just to do it alone. hmmmmm

Anyways, I have stayed on program food wise. (back on WW at home) I expect a loss tomorrow. I do need to excersice more though. But right now I am just trying to get thru each day without any more panic attacks and not eatting junk food all day.

OH, hugs, to you both, flower and Arabella. And to your valiant efforts despite all.

Hard call, flower. As I recall, two of your boys are fairly grown and should be of some help. I guess it depends on personalities and how much space there is. I'd be a wreck with all your decisions right now.

And, yes, a change of "space" can sometimes help, WN. And I like the way some puttering gets done despite plan when you're in between the things you MUST do.

Food ok yesterday. Did walk for a short time outside, very short, yesterday. At least sun was out and it was about freezing instead of below 0 wind chill.

Expecting a storm - really our first of the season tomorrow into Wed. And drat, only social thing I had planned is Wed and will likely be cancelled (I sure won't go out in bad weather for lunch). Then off to Princessville on Thursday, back Friday. Basically that means I have two days to "work" this week. Today and tomorrow. So here I go -- slowly.

Hello all....

Storm is still teasing us.... will I, won't I? maybe just slushy rain.....

I am ready to get on the road early ....big clunky work boots at the ready in the back seat.... ready, ready, ready......

DH saw the doctor and he 's dropped 4 lbs and blood sugar numbers are good,good good.

Doctor offered some kind of injection 2x a day to help weight loss.... DH said No thanks......

So what this diet plan is this....
If you ( I know you are going to chuckle)

If you eat 1/2 lb of meat ( preferably beef) you can have with it
1/2 cup of nonstarchy veg
1/2 cup salad with an oil dressing.... no vinegar allowed
1/2 piece of fresh fruit....

its preferable to have 1lb and have 1 cup each of the above....

I couldn't get a pound in..... Its very strange. Like being on a different planet.
BUT, I will say this.... I AM NOT HUNGRY.....

And.... believe it or not.... although I only really began this in earnest on Friday..... scale at work says I dropped 3 lbs.....

Which since the beginning of the year has been stuck on the same number or even up one or two....

PS>...... Splenda not allowed... raises blood sugar, creates cravings....

also, waitress told us that 20/20 TV show says some women find they are very cranky w/ Splenda.....

PSS.... Did you know that each serving of Equal counts as 1 carb???

Crazy.

All I know is ....I'm not hungry.....

**********
Flower..... Keep your chin up.... YOU ARE DOING LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS....
Try to make sure you have a "quitting time" every day....Too much to do to have quitting time you say??? You need it to pace yourself so that you can be strong all the way thru this....Don't let yourself fret about the buyer mortgage only but 2 minutes in the morning and 2 minutes in the evening.... AND NOT IN THE SHOWER.... Just keep busy.... If this buyer works out, you'll need to have everything emptied, packed, etc....
If this buyer doenst work out, you'll still need to have everything ready to start showing again....
You are still Queen of your Kingdom! ALL of the other Royals are behind you.

I think you are very clever to let DH take care of the taxes.... That was a very regal decision!!
Sometimes men need to know they're needed. Now I wonder if he'll take it to the tax man......

Anagram.... I love the hostel idea. Plenty of time to find a companion.
I am sure there are others who also be looking for roommate.....
Perhaps if you spread the word, your circle of family and friends may know of a queenly lady who is interested in the hostel too?? It makes so much sense that the place would have a "buddy or roomate needed list".....

Ceara.... I picture you with dogs in the morning.... Me, I'm afraid I open the back door and then start making the lunches waiting for a "woof" to call me back to the door.....

Woodnymph.... I so admire you doing the yoga... I tried similiar and it just is so hard for me to slow down long enough to enjoy instead of wondering "how much longer.... I have so many things to do...."....

Napping is so much easier for me when I need to relax....

WSW.... we were at above freezing today... how about you??? change in weather made me very sore on Sunday.... hoping it doesnt effect you too much....

ok alll.....

I am off to the showers...

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY, ROYAL ONES

Such messy weather - how can Cupid get about to do his job? I'm in for the second day in a row. Lots of snow, now sleeting like mad. Freezing rain to come then back to snow.

Not bad foodwise yesterday. Exercise was pushing some snow around until a young guy came along, about 13-14. He was out shovelling to get money to buy his girl friend a Valentine's gift. So cute. Asked for my advice as to flowers or candy. I, of course, voted for candy. I think at 13-14 it's nice to get a heart shaped box. Hope I'm right on that one. Also asked him to come back today when stuff hopefully stops. Maybe he'll want to get her a St. Pat's gift. That's about as close to romance as I'm going to get today so I got a kick out of the whole thing.

How's the change in diet going, Kaylets?

May Romance find you all today.

Hello all...

I lost a previous post ....It wasn't Shakespeare so I am not stressing....

We too have now have freezing rain ....temps are 1 degree below freezing but wind chill is fierce so rain is freezing when it hits the ground. My job has a 2 hr delay but I will probably not go in at all.... I have "carryover" vacation days from last year that will be lost if not used by 3/31 so why not use them today.

Yesterday I came home midday due to weather and realized when I went to let the dog out that our back door handle was broken. Snapped off in my hand.
Out of desperation, I called the maker, Andersen Windows hoping for info on a generic replacement. Instead, I was pleasantly suprised to find out that based on the numbers etched in the glass, they could tell the french door was made 10 yrs ago and still under warranty. So they are rushing me a replacement for free.
Amazing.

Luckily the outside handle will still work and lock but only outside. So once the ice on the fence gate melts some and we can get to the back yard, we will get to the backyard by way of the front door. Until then, we are huddling along side the house holding onto whatever we can. All of this is very strange to the dog. So far t his morning, we have tried twice and the dog has only walked.

As for new eating plan, still not suffering hunger pangs. But did have heartburn yesterday.

Its all very different.

I hope to do lots of decluttering today. Anyone with me? I want to fire up teh shredder too....


Hope all are well!

Anagram.... you are such a clever royal.... of course the young Juliet will like the chocolate! Besides, its then something she can share with the young Romeo!

DH 's gift is a massage at the nearby Therapy center. Its far cheaper than the Spa and I can literally walk there....Timing is perfect as this kind of weather makes me very sore and achey.

I am hoping it will warm up enough for me to get to the library later. If they even open. I'm needing to take a look at the books for these high protein, low carb diets and get some ideas for the bedtime snack. DH's doctor is very, very big on the bedtime snack and how it relates to morning blood sugar numbers.....

Ok all....

who is with me decluttering??

Well, my "romance" came in the form of a Valentine craft from the little boys next door. Enjoyed it! in the evening, their Daddy showed up with a heart shaped little chocolate cake. Yes, I ate it. It's delicious - made specifically for the little one with a gluten (and I think everything else) allergy. I've had it before but never heart shaped

Had to gather another (stronger) fellow to dig out driveway. Several inches of ice on top the snow made it too hard for lots of people. Sun out now so hoping to get some melt on the driveway. Too cold otherwise.

Cancelled today's trip to Princesstown. May be 3rd day "in" for me. Worked on gathering stuff for tax return - ready now for Monday appt. w/ dh friend. I usually do my own but last year was so different I wanted an expert. Did make oatmeal cho/chip cookies for girlies (4 heart shaped) - into the freezer for those until I make the trip next.

So back to the ever present paperwork. Maybe a little decluttering as well. Who knows what else? At least right now the sky is blue and smiling. Ice still shimmering on the trees. Yes, Wood Nymph, there is love and romance all around us, isn't there? I've felt it in recent days - friends calling to be sure I'm ok, kiddos fretting about/getting things ready for my upcoming surgery, all the concern for DBIL in his cancer bout (today is a BIG day re chemo), good neighbors. That thought makes me more relaxed and I needed that. Seeking some fun again today. Hmmm - why do I have so much trouble with that part?

No love for me yesterday. The house sale fell thru.

Why did it happen on Valentine's Day? I was already sad as my Valentine from hubby didn't make it in time. I miss him like crazy. Work is in it's busy season so he won't be flying out until the house sells. I have another open house in 2 weeks. I sure hope we get an offer and things go smoothly next time around.

I am down to 187. It is going SLOWLY, but at least it is going. I know I need to up the excersice. It is so hard while being a single mom, but I will find a way. At least everyday I find something else in my closet that is too big.

Well, off to go clean something, maybe pack up some books. Do something other than feel sorry for myself. lol

Hello all.....

Dh's out bowling so I am enjoying the solitude....


Flower, so sorry you need to find another buyer but all you need is 1... 1 is very doable....I remember when we bought this place at one point we had to swap lenders....You have the right idea.... just keep packing, washing, windows, floors, doorjams, etc.....In the end, it will work out.

Anagram.... how cute! You are braver than me to bake and let the cookies stay in the freezer!

WoodNymph....Sinus buster sounds interesting!

Right this minute the dog is telling me she needs some love....
So, I am off .....back door still only operational from the outside....

take care all

Sky's blue but still so frigid. Many roads still icy but my driveway's ok and I may need to go out today to save my sanity. This would be Day 4 indoors.

Flower, I'm SO sorry about the deal falling through. Long time since it happened to me but I still remember. Actually two fell through but, in the end, we got a better deal all around. Of course,you miss your sweetie - and would be nice for kids to see him too. I'm sure by now they're antsy about it.

Kaylets, I know it's a mind thing. If something's in the freezer or unopened (like a bag of chips) I can ignore it. Bring it into the "open" and it's fair game. I don't understand it. I baked Irish soda bread yesterday. Froze most of it but did cut one loaf BEFORE THAT and - well, you know. So good though and it meant I felt satisfied for a bit. I need a different taste every now and then. Not necessarily sweet - just DIFFERENT. Another reason I'd best go out today. When home in cold weather, I bake. Things I'd do sooner or later - today would be nut roll for Easter, etc. Freezes well and I can have it there forever and not cut it until someone comes. But once cut.....................

So off to the shower and figuring out my agenda. Watching to see how much sunshine can improve street despite cold temps. Should try for tai chi class anyway.

Hi, ceara! Bad weather keeping our royal personages away from the palace?

Left the home palace finally yesterday morning. Roads still not even close to good. Then, bringing in the mail yesterday, I slipped and went full out down. Hopefully I'm none the worse for it and, fortunately, some nice woman driving by saw me go, stopped and helped me up. With these two replaced knees, I couldn't have done it alone. I had been out chopping ice in the road and on driveway exit to road earlier. No problem. But I think the top part that had melted just slightly was refreezing. It was so fast.

OK, I baked nut roll. Maybe brownies today. Running fairly low on flour, sugar, etc. Cancelled princess 10 visit over the weekend. Supposed to have slight coating of snow this a.m. If so, I just may be in for the day again. Fall frightened me as everything is almost set up for surgery and I don't want anything to mess that up at this point.

My taxes are ready to go to CPA friend tomorrow. Have seen lawyer about possible lawsuit. Up to her now (pretty much) to take over decisions as to how, whether to proceed. She says DD did a tremendous job of researching. (always knew she would).

Tai chi cancelled Friday (teacher stuck in snow somewhere). This storm has really been a mess - penndot usually does a good job as does our local municipality. We've had 24 inches cleared away faster than this. I guess it's the 3-6 inches of ice on top of the snow that's been the problem. So we've only had one storm so far but I think that's enough for this winter.