Late checkin today for me! Can't even think howcum except I'm off on another planet today mentally. Have been working my way back.

Went to tai chi this a.m. Only 3 of us instead of the usual 14-16. Plus no instructor. Seems suspiciously like 3 of us didn't get a message but "person in charge at the moment" says she has no idea why ins. wasn't there. Find it hard to assume a dozen other people suddenly decided to be elsewhere on the same day.

Haircut (finally done yesterday) seems like one of the best I've had for a while. At least today I'm satisfied with it.

Enjoyed dinner for sis last night. Only non coworker there but I'd met 6 or 7 of those present throughout the years.

DS is 40 and I still have to work on the tendency to overmother. Had independence struggles when he was in high school too, to some degree. However, I've had to learn to be SO subtle when I want to get something across (I suspect he's on to me there too). But when he got engaged (at 24 or so) he said I could stop nagging him then because SHE nagged him about all the same things and she had more influence. I thought it was nice he had such a nice intelligent female who valued the same things I did and took the hint. She HAS done a good job with him (but I take credit too).

I think I had the strange, nebulous tummy thing the end of last week. All fine now.

Did a bit of cleaning out (never enough) and sorting through of paperwork and other stuff. Need to do some actual stuff or at least thinking. Will blow stuff off patio first. I think the patio of peace and contentment will retain that aura for me even without dh to share it. It has saved my sanity so many times through the years. Today's a toughie as it's a year today since dh had the surgery which led to .......all the rest. I suspect I'm going to have a few rough days coming up as we pass certain milestones. Really could have used that tai chi today! Sigh....pool tomorrow and later a picnic that we always enjoyed. I THINK I'm going despite the fact that there will be so many people who will be saying things that are kind but that will just remind me that I'm not as far on my journey as I want to be. Have to go search the cupboards and decide what I want to take. I'm thinking of one of Kaylets' angel food cake recipes. Did that once before and it disappeared quickly.

So - hang on, Queenlies, who are in the midst of doing so much and being alternately stressed and refreshed. I second the call to the missing and the lurking.

Fly-by -- just frantically getting ready for trip -- leaving in about 45 mins. I'll try to check in tomorrow.

xo

Had a good time at picnic yesterday. Wasn't even sure if I wanted to go but it worked out pretty well. And I did not overeat. Not the best of choices food wise but not bad considering.

Hanging around this a.m. doing little things and waiting for rain. Lunch buddy-to-be "forgot" so I'll head out to the pool and get in some more exercise. It'll will be the first time in a year I'll make it for 3 times a week.

Have much to do but no get up and go. Maybe if i look around, I'll find some.

Punkin - HERE WE GO FRIDAY, HERE WE GO.

Hello all....

The "heatwave" is officially over, we had crazy tstorms yesterday. Its cooler but actually not better as its so muggy the windows are wet w/ condensation.
Ah well....


Can brag that I was in the gym yesterday...only about 20 minutes but I did use the bike and the treadmill.....and got the treadmill moving quickly too....
It got very close and warm in the gym and I needed to make sure I showered w/ time to get to my desk. I am bragging as the last thing I wanted to do was go in the gym but naturally, I felt better long afterward.

Finally have gotten to a place on the job where I can evaluate quickly how long tasks will take and I'm able to make the right judgement calls to meet each deadline. Accidentally found out that the "office" I handle is the busiest,( at least right this minute) and I am doing great if I must say so myself.
Naturally, experience is a great help here but on the other side, I can see my improvements learning the specific policies and procedures of this division.
In looking back, although it was a transfer w/in t he same company, it was more like going to completely different company. Which I didnt expect. Just thought I was old and having trouble learning.
Nope. Just overwhelmed.


And speaking of learning.... read an article in an older Prevention magazine ( about 2 yrs old).... that claims studies have been done showing the higher the amount of hydrogenated oil in your diet, the more difficult it is for you to learn.
Interesting.

So. How is the food going you say?

Well, let's put it this way. The Peanutbutter I bought for the mousetraps was only eaten by humans. Good thing I bought a small jar. Not economically sound but for sure was sound for the diet......

But I am still in there for the fight.

Let me try to get a few things done.

Managed a decent day yesterday despite being completely slothful. All in what you decide to do "instead" maybe. That kind of day today too.
Friend "forgot" lunch date yesterday so I went to pool instead. Was going to fertilize today so am working on my "instead" for the day. Might treat me to the used paperback store. Some to return for credit so would at least clean a little up on one shelf.

Needed to find some old business papers of dh so ended up spending some unscheduled hours going though that stuff. Ended up making a dent as well (of course, not nearly enough).

Ceara, glad you got all that gardening done. I didn't put much in this year - now am going through my usual temptation to do just a little more.

Kaylets, glad the job is working out - yes,it would take a while to learn all that code, etc. But even though really busy it seems you are more content there.

I don't need much from grocery store but do need enough to warrant a leisurely stroll through - two, I think, because of what's on sale where. Don't often do that but it's that kind of day. Need to walk anyway so just might do it through two stores, maybe even add the farmers market.

All this time and quiet come by virtue of having first "alone" weekend in a good while. Rested a lot yesterday so no need to do too much of that today

So - come on, weekend!

Yoo Hoo - sure is quiet in the palace. Hope your trip is going well, WN, and that you're able to find some intersting things about it.

Wishing I had felt up to going to family wedding in CA today. Unfortunately most of those who went encountered lots of delays etc due to weather.

Expecting rain on parts of every day this week. Lots of sun eventually yesterday though and looks like it will be more sun than rain most days.

can't even begin to discuss food. Horrible.

Yo Queenies! Just flying in for a The trip has gone very well and I'm very glad I came. It's really a gift, to have this kind of time with my mom and my sister and get in a visit with my brother. We had fun coming up on the train, although I don't think I got an hour's sleep, total, overnight. Ah well, I coped and have slept well the last couple of nights. Went out to restaurant with the members of my mom's graduating class last night and enjoyed the people we sat with very much. K, you were very right -- I wouldn't have missed this for the world, even thought it's been "inconvenient."

Picked up a pair of Nike Frees yesterday, which was one of the things I said I'd do for me on this trip. They are very different and I'll be looking forward to giving them their trail test on Tuesday. We've got a birthday party with my brother and his girlfriend and her adopted children (adopted from her sister who has serious addiction issues/prostitution, etc. -- they really saved these lovely children, who would have almost undoubtedly had serious problems, if they even survived their childhoods. And they're really so sweet! I'm so glad that it wasn't too late for them.)

Anagram, I can't believe your friend "forgot" lunch -- have had friends do the same or come 45 mins. late while I had driven 45 mins to get there and was waiting in the restaurant. Does not feel good.

Sooo... anyway we're back on the train after the party and then home late tomorrow afternoon. I'll see you on Tuesday!

Addendum: Have been coping pretty well, diet-wise. Had pasta for dinner Friday night but there was no better choice. Had wine every night and a bite of cheesecake last night, but doing pretty well. Did a half-hour on the elliptical trainer this a.m. and a set of tai chi. Carrot, please!

Well, I did a nice walk this morning and some yard work. Going to shower. Food ok so far. TRYING to drink more water. I know that's my answer.

Hi, s ... very long, hot day, just the usual, first real heat o' the season ... no small thing in Arizona when one only has AC in two rooms ... not so bad as that sounds, though, since that's the way I've lived for years! The AC rooms are mostly for the computer and pets.

Got in here again by dint o' playin' a game whilst it loaded, still slow.

Lost 2.4 pounds this week ... almost to my original 135 goal (am at 136.8) ... going for 125 now, though.

Truncated, disjointed thoughts as usual, still exercising every single day but abjurin' gym. Doing powerwalks with heavyhands weights, lifting, pilates and recumbent bike, mostly. Mysterioso job thing is a no-go, pretty much.

Glad thou art enjoyin' thy trip after all, Wood Nymph. Hope it is cool there.

Anagram, how rude of thy friend to "forget" a lunch date. That is so disappointing when someone does that.

Kaylets!

To all mentioned or unmentioned ...

G'morning! Congrats, Empress, that sounds like a GORGEOUS WEIGHT. And I'm optimistically still crossing my fingers on le mysterioso.

Re forgetful friend - I called her night before as we had not set time or place. She IS a good friend of 40 plus years and I more or less expect she makes it only 25% of times she plans to. Has medical concerns w/daughter right now and has been in the middle of it all. Even when she suggested Friday, my mind said "no way", so not too upset or disappointed. Just a little. I also know a lot she's forgetful. (This is not age - she's always been this way.) So why's she still my friend, you say? Well, because she knows my history and has ALWAYS been so supportive. And I need that more than lunch. When we do make it, it's like a long stop on a counselling couch for both of us.

I'm upset about something else though. Went to cemetery yesterday to remove cut flowers and bring home the vase that's part of the marker. Well, someone else had the same idea, I guess, because the vase was GONE. It was there less than two months. And others were nearby that had nothing in them (not that I'd wish this on anyone else but they would not have had to dump the soggy, wet, dead flowers). Again, I'm not as upset as you might think. Upset, yes. But it doesn't seem worth getting upset to the point where it devastates me.

Question of the morning: trying to decide whether to chuck plans and head south for an overnighter. Princess Ten was an Honorable Mention in a contest regarding being being Mayor of Day and gets to go to a Council Mtg (or something). Wants me there. It will be televised and, ergo, taped so I'd get to see it but that's not sharing the "moment". Also a little thingie at school tomorrow for Princess Five I could attend. I do not really feel like upsetting my plans (such as they are - taichi, pool, phone calls but nothing else but routine stuff) but won't otherwise be seeing them for close to three more weeks. Would have to leave in six more hours at latest. I guess I'm not as spontaneous as I'd like to think. Because of constraints, it would be pretty much a non exercise day if I go. But then, nothing brightens my life like the princesses........

Gray here again this morning. Did get beautiful later in the day yesterday so I hope for the same today.