Just stopping to say hello, dears.

anagram, I hope you are getting some much deserved time to yourself this weekend with DS & DDIL visiting.

Amarantha, sorry that your bird died. Poor little thing. What kind was he? And you had to tell someone to take their hands off you? That's awful!

Frogger, those little changes will add up! Good luck with the job search.

Arabella, isn't it frustrating when people think they are doing you a favor by providing treats? I've started a journal here about my Atkins adventures. It's tough going, but I'm determined. I just have to get through induction and I'm sure I'll feel better in the second stage.

DH is calling for me to watch a movie, so I better go. Hope everyone is doing great!

Yowza, we've got quite a bit o' activity here in the palace this weekend, seemingly.

Yea, Arabella 'n Wildfire, I DID tell someone to take hands off and next time I'll tell 'em with an order of protection.

This worm hath turned, folkettes.

Actually, I think I'm startin' to get paranoid, though, but maybe not. I seem to be attracting negative energy from the universe lately in the form of confrontations and scary people botherin' me. This sometimes happens in parking lots ... I typed out a long story here about a scary happening to me in a parking lot today but decided it's identifiable ... so deleted.

Anyhow, be careful out there s ... it's a evil world sometimes.

Arabella, I'd just suggest that if you want to avoid sugar with ease, it is a good idea, as you say, to avoid "starchy" veggies, as well as white flour, white rice, etc. (and corn) ... getting those out of the system really makes a difference on how easy it is to get the sugar out. Sorry for the unsolicited advice.

Anagramatic, sorry the caregiver did not show and messed up your day. Hope there was a good reason for this, as it seems a little unacceptible not to show up for such an important job.

Wildfire, you're doing great on your Atkins. Hold on ... re the headaches, I have them when I've been on sugar for awhile and then withdraw ... horrible, very bad headaches. They do abate, though.

Oh, Wildfire, the bird was a pure white English budgie called Bette Boop.

I don't think she suffered, though, although birds hide their problems well.

This is the first time since I've been five that I've not had a budgie in the house.

But will not get another one.

Hello all,

Condensed version.... DS was given 2 choices when we realized he was out of work again ( got 2 paychecks this time) AND is using....
Choices were.... Take a drug test ( home kit) and if test positive ... leave
or Take the money we would have spent on the test and leave.....

DS was very loud and dramatic but DH was not to be distracted or swayed....
Most of the same arguments were brought up again... especially DS's argument that he disagrees w/ the laws that make drugs illegal so that should be enough for us too....
DH told DS that we cannot be "helping" him continue his present lifestyle.
DS took the money and DH took him to a motel. Who knows if he checked in....DS told us he'd come back for his "things"
DH told him it would be the last money he got from us.

That was Friday evening.
Yesterday, I washed nearly all of DS's clothing as it was impossible to tell what was clean or dirty... Nearly all of it is packed now except for a few pieces hadnt dried.

Coincidently, both Friday and Saturday night, I woke up what felt like a dozen times.. bathroom, coming downstairs for apples, tossing, turning....

Empress.... I shudder imagining a work situation that I have to tell someone to remove their hands from me..... I really don't know what I would do....

Wood Nymph.. thanks for the link, I 've already saved it and read a couple articles too....
You and Wildfire are so clever to imbed links into your postings... I am impressed!
Anagram-- How frustrating to have to reschedule because the caregiver didnt show.... wow... I would've been reaching for more than apples!

Frogger---I am sending positive vibes to travel w/ your applications... "you must hire Frogger... you need Frogger"

WSW-- Are you feeling like you've put some distance between you and the pnemonnia?? My guess is that you're still feeling the aftermath.... Keep taking those naps!

Wildfire--My own experiences w/ Atkins were so, so long ago that I am no judge anymore... then, you ate only protien one week, than no protein the next... I was too hungry the no week to continue... Interested to hear your results....

Ceara-- How are you and your job now too??? Are things easing up or do they still expect you to be their SuperWoman??

Aria-- How is life treating you?

Punkin?

I must go to the farmers market while DH is at work .... I am also thinking I may finally get the ironing board out of my dining room .....hmmmmm

maybe thats exactly what I need to do...
Reorganize...

hmmmmm can you reorganize stuff that isnt organized in the first place?

KETTLE IS ON!

Kaylets, I am sorry you had another sad DS incident, but you know you and dh are doing the right thing. Somehow I am getting vibes from the universe when I read this and feel it will play itself out and resolve itself favorably, it will just take time, sweetheart.

World, I have lost another .40 and started a new journal in the second PBI (Plateau Bustin' Initiative) in the land far far. I would put a link to it also but I don't know how.

Thank you, Kaylets, for the comment on my HANDS-OFF working problem. I don't really know how to get past all this either, I just appreciate being able to connect with the s on it.

Amarantha, sorry to hear about your bird-friend. You've had birds as pets since you were five? That's really something! And someone put their hands on you unbidden? Evidently they don't know who you are!!!

Kaylets, sorry to hear about the ongoing drama with DS. I wish I had something profound to say but I can't imagine how stressful and painful it must be.

Wildfire, I look forward to reading about your Atkins adventures! Can you post it here too? Also, I was wondering why coffee is forbidden during the induction phase.

Arabella, I didn't know there was a veg. version of Atkins. I did see several lo-carb vegetarian cookbooks at the bookstore yesterday though.

I have a book to recommend: "The Beggar King and the Secret of Happiness" by Joel ben Izzy. Lovely little true story about a storyteller who loses his voice. Garry read it and then talked me into reading it and we're telling everybody! We checked out the author's website and saw that he was going to be telling stories and signing books at a bookstore a mere 3 hours from us so we decided to go on an adventure. The book signing was yesterday and it was a great experience. You always take the chance when you meet someone you admire, that that person will be a complete jerk, but he was so nice! The store was in Raleigh, NC and on the way home I though of you, wsw, and that's where you live!!!!!!! We're planning on coming back and we HAVE TO meet, okay?
Anyway, yesterday was one of those magical rare days where all goes right. Believe me, it's not like us, to travel 3 hours [one way] for an hour-long event, but it was really good for us.

I trust everyone has disposed of their Halloween candy.......?

The palace seems to be a social hub this weekend! So nice to enjoy all.

Empress, my sympathies too on loss of B.B. So many emotions wrapped up in one little parcel - and to have to tell someone to keep their hands off is certainly another tension making moment for sure. And to have to keep going back to the "scene of the crime" doesn't help.

Kaylets, I'm so sorry. I had hoped this time it would work for DS. How heartbreaking for you and dh. But glad he's firm - this is certainly not good for his health - or yours - or for that matter DS's.

I did have a quality weekend. DS & DDIL took us on a leafpeeping tour that included going to our favorite state park and that was a "milestone" in that dh was anxious to get back however briefly. Then I got out to the grocery store and to church. Today I went alone to a favorite local park where dh and I have done a lot of walking. It was very bittersweet. I loved being out in the autumn air and seeing the color and the leaves dropping. I had a lovely walk but on the other hand, it was so lonely being there without dh. I had a bit of "survivor's guilt" that I could do it and he couldn't and then I had such a sense of loss. It isn't likely we'll be able to do it together again - at least not anytime soon. So sad.

DDIL said she'll cook Thanksgiving dinner (well, she and DS). Here. So we agreed I'd do a turkey or turkey breast, she'd do other stuff, DD will do desserts and misc. Should be fun as we've agreed to be as informal as possible with an eye to making it easier (possible?). I had not wanted even to think about it though had to a day or so earlier when DD started talking "planning". I guess the important thing will be to have enough wine . Everything is so out of place around here, it will be hard to have the dining room presentable by then but I guess as much decluttering as I'm able to do would be a start. We have medical supplies just about everywhere it seems (except in the living room which has other stuff in it from rooms that needed more space for medical purposes. The only bedroom not disrupted is my own - my loverly blue (with a slightly violet hue) refuge. I know I'll get it sorted down sooner or later but not too likely by Thanksgiving. But, hey, I always say it's the people, not the food, not the place so time I believe myself, eh?

When I got back from walk, DS had DH on the patio of peace and tranquillity. Was glad he got out again today - doesn't always want to go for me but DS can get him to do almost anything.

I'm trying to decide on a really motivating color for this week's seatbelt. Last week was better in many ways but so much room for improvement. Are those Fresh Start cards here from the printer yet, K? And does anybody have any spare "get up and go"? I'm sort of out at the moment and could use a bit to tide me over.

Always a joy to visit the palace........

Hello everyone!
Just found this thread.

Morning 'ies!!

Amarantha-My sympathies for the loss of your dear bird.

Kaylets-Way to go standing strong. DS sounds a lot like my nephew (remember him?) Sometimes somepeople just have to hit rock bottom before they wake up. (And in my nephew's case, it's taken several bottom of the barrel attempts to realize he has a problem. He says he's in treatment now because he knows he's got problems.) We are the same age and when younger were completly the same. Passed for brother and sister several times because of looks and attitudes. It's funny how we turned out completly different now though. Kudos to you and your DH. One day, DS will wake up and thank you.

Increasingly positive for me today even though it's back to the same ol same ol here at this job. I sit with my cupa coffee, my bottle of water and the want ads. Don't know where this positive mental attitude is coming from considering I had a bad morning. I have realized that I now only have 2 pairs of pants that fit correctly. Oh, I can SQUEEZE into the rest of them, but then you get the fat overhang and pinching which I just will not do anymore. (I was part of the squeezing into smaller jeans and pulling the zipper up with a pair of pliers club as a teenager.) I hate how it looks (and then try to cover it up with a larger blouse which makes you look even bigger!) But I'm on my way to doing something about it. YES I AM!!!!

Have a snazzy kinda day!

OK, HERE'S MY SEATBELT COLOR - ONE OF MY FAVORITES (TIED ONLY WITH BRIGHT FORSYTHIA YELLOW).

SO HERE WE GO, MONDAY, HERE WE GO!!!!!

AND ALL THAT JAZZ!

WELL THE YELLOW SURE DOESN'T SHOW UP WELL ON MY SCREEN - IT SAID "here we go, Monday, here we go".

Dovies, I have had a frantic day -- started this message this morning and am just about to head for bed

Amarantha, I do thank thee for the good advice, which I do believe is 100% correct. And I forgot to say how sorry I was about B.B. -- very sorry indeed!

Eydie, I did the veggie version of Atkins back in the eighties. I remember one veggie casserole, made with garlic protein bread croutons, tons of veggies, cottage cheese and some kind of nuts. It was good -- I wouldn't mind finding the recipe again.

Kaylets, my sympathies to you and your DH! Sometimes it's awfully hard to do the right thing, but you KNOW that you and DH have, absolutely. Peace!

Anagram, your walk sounds like a powerful experience, one of those extra-real real life experiences. Full integration with the natural environment unfolding while realities of your situation made themselves felt.

K -- off I go. Wishing all a peaceful night!

Arabella, that recipe soundeth good even if I'm no longer vege and was never on Atkins ... could you PLEASE find the recipe?

Thanks to all who offered sympathy re my birdie ... s'ok, though, as she was happiest these last few months since I'd moved her to a different location where she had a better view o' things. T'isn't the way o' birdies to live too long, although I had an English budgie named Max once who lived 13 years. He was quite extraordinary and thought he was a dog. But not all budgies have the intellect of Max.

Anagramatic, I wish I could send some warm, warm Arizona sunshine your way ... it is extremely yellow. Hang in ...

Eydie, I think we are cosmic twins! Tomorrow, before I go to work in the mountains, I am going to stop by a book signing by two of my favorite authors (won't say the names as don't want to be identifiable).

Yes, I've had budgies since age five, my mom raised them and we always had some o' the little guys hangin' about. They are quite nice, but I am tired of mourning for them.

Froggie, I know thou will vanquish those jeans ... never give up.

To all, mentioned and unmentioned ... I've gotta go lie down! :0

Morning Loves!

Positive mental attitude continuing today.

I have a phone interview today out of the blue. A company pulled my resume off one of those career sites and sent me an email. They're calling "sometime" today. I wish it was a little more narrowed down, but I will not complain!!!

On a sad note, I lost my cell phone yesterday. It was in my pocket one minute and the next it was gone. I had some really great pictures on there of Sydney. Waiting on a replacement phone. We purchased a phone a while ago and activated it on our plan for such emergencies as this. Well guess what? I charged it up yesteday and the phone doesn't work!!! It won't make a call and it won't recieve a call! Customer service was no help. They gave me the run around and then after an hour on the phone (20 minutes of holding) the lady comes back on and says we're sorry for your inconvienience. We don't know what's wrong with your phone. AND HANGS UP ON ME!!! DH is taking it to the store were we purchased it from to see if maybe their techs will be kinder and more knowledgable. Glad I didn't have an emergency out on the road or something.

Lazy day, the "man" is supposidly in a meeting offsite that no one knows about which means he's at home. He says he'll be in this afternoon. YEAH RIGHT!!!!

Amarantha -- LOL!!! -- the recipe was in a book I had twenty or twenty-five years ago. It's possible it's on my mom's bookshelves...