Ahh...It's so nice to be back in the palace! I sat here for a while catching up realizing how much I miss being a part of this merry group o' strong women! I'm inspired by all of you...and plan to get back to a place where I can also, hopefully, inspire someone to persevere and do well! In order to do that, I suppose, I should DO WELL myself. Which I plan on doing, starting... NOW.

I'm tired of plodding along, need to rev up the machinery and get back, WAY back, on track. Time has come.

Dad is still hangin' in there...it seems as though they've finally figured out the right combination of drugs, and he's much steadier on his feet, a little clearer in the head, and thankfully for Mom's sake, sleeping at night. I was hoping to get one good solid beach day in, now that summer's just about over, still might, but I'll stop off there later to check up on them. In the meantime, there are many appointments that need to be made, and piles of mail to sift through around here, not to mention homework. The never ending saga...

Arabella! Congratulations, woman! You rawk! You have plugged along, and have even, with a few steps off the path, managed to do very well this summer. A fine example of "Slow and Steady Wins the Race!" Here is my new mantra, courtesy of you: ...worked on attitude and what's done will be done and what's not won't and it will all be fine.

Anagram...I have also noticed a few subtle 'end of summer' signs. The cooler weather for one, but have you noticed how early it gets dark now? For some reason I just noticed last night. Of course, I'm usually sleeping during the sundown hours...

I hate to cut this short, but I'm havng contact lens issues and can't see very well...one of the appts I need to make is with my eye doc!

Hail to all fellow queens! I'm hoping that your weekend plans, whatever they may be, bring you happiness and contentment. I'll be taking mine to work with me...

Of course that's a V I C T O R Y, Arabella. Not even in dispute. Congratulations. A Wet Woggle - well, that conjures up a silly sight or two.

Nice here this a.m. Coolish. To be nice the whole next week, they say. So no excuse for me not to enjoy.

Glad to hear things are working out a little better for your parents, kat. Deep breath time - catch all you can. And enjoy the little 'tween moments. You are a and you will manage despite all the difficulties.

Wishing you a sunny day for your beach trek. You're close enough to me that I'll bet your weather this week looks good too. Eh, kaylets? First I realized (duh) that we're a Middle States Triumverate here.

Mornin', ceara. Since you're working anyway, hope it's a mite rainy for you too. No sense wasting a sunny day!

Will be waiting for DDs posse - late aft arrival, I think. So a leisurely "get ready" after I have tea and paper. Late start too after a good night's sleep. Yes, 'tis getting dark so much earlier. Was late dusk when I got in from grocery/gas run last night and seemed so strange as it was only about 8:15 or so. The ONE thing I don't like about FALL (GLORIOUS).

Strangely peaceful this a.m. (partly I'm sure because I did the grocery run already). Hope it stays this way so I'm fully rested for two princess days. They're going to amusement park tomorrow actually and I'm not going along so I'll have a rest period in there.

Tea, tea - I'm coming, I hear you.......................

G'mornin' Sunny and brisk this a.m. To be warm later but pleasant. The kids and I are up but things still quiet. One of those days it will be hard to eat the way I should but I'm trying to be on top of it.

Enjoy the day, all.

Flying by... tired this a.m. A little too much wine last night (not a lot, but a bit much) and had a few off-p nibbles. But, again, not a lot. These things will happen in life from time to time.

Walked an hour and will put in a couple hours house-painting today so any indiscretions should be more than made up for.

DH suggested I roll the .2 into my goal for September, which I guess is not overly ambitious. Should be able to make it...

Ceara, wish you could have made it for dinner! In fact, wouldn't it be sweet to be able to gather round with all lovely royals? If I ever win the lottery... 'Course, I guess I'd have to buy a ticket... But then again, with the odds what they are, I figure they're just about as good for me to FIND a ticket and have it turn out to be a winner.

Anagram, we've got the same weather here -- cool and breezy turning warm. But I expect cooler in the cool, and cooler in the warm, for that matter. Have fun with the kidlets!

Amarantha, thanks so much for the cheer! I was stalled for SUCH a long time. But, yea, we shall persevere and succeed. Huzzah!

Let's make this a good one! Love to all, mentioned or un-...

More fall/late summer weather. Posse left - things in a semblance of order. Anxious to make "fallish" changes - tomorrow. I think I'm a bit ahead of myself but I'm going to go with the flow anyway.

Bad on food yesterday. Only ten days or so to work on goal. Going to start harder on exercise and see if that helps the jump start. If I can't make it by b.d., maybe by equinox.

All my inspiring s, thank you for helping me at least not to give up