Not much new to report: just kitten crazies that are so much fun to watch and to get involved in, and pressured about finishing up the collage Grace & I are making together for Bob's mom's 90th (the party's not until the 23rd, but we want to get it professionally matted & framed for her).

I see Grace again for art education on the 19th. My friend Mary arrives for our annual movie festival (we call it the Blood Binge—a yearly event since 1991!) on the 20th. Grace is coming over again briefly on the 21st to see and hear Mary's big bass viol, called a viola da gamba (Grace plays the double-bass). Then, on the 23rd, I have to leave Mary briefly to run to the 90th birthday party and present our gift and then scoot back home again. I don't like it that my precious five days a year with Mary will have these interruptions, but there's nothing to be done about it except go with the flow. I tried to talk Bob into letting me skip his mom's party, on the grounds that she won't remember whether I was there or not, but he said, "Everyone else will remember if you were there, and Grace especially will remember," so... that was that.

Meanwhile, I have tons to do over the weekend to beat the guest room and guest bathroom into a semi-acceptable state. And Bob even wants to go to Grace's father's 40th birthday party this Friday! And not long after Mary leaves, we'll be driving to the farm, with the kittens, for a long Labor Day weekend during which (hopefully) my auxiliary studio will get painted—the floor, the ceiling, the walls, the door, the windows, the woodwork—all of it. We're hiring someone to do it, but still, making the arrangements, buying the paint, dealing with the fumes...

I don't like having a schedule this packed because I worry that I'm going to suddenly cave under the stress, even if it's positive stress, and go into depression pain. Then I'd be useless to everyone, including the kitties. =sigh= Please wish me luck that I can live through it all without losing my joie de vivre....

Ubee Back on track pushing HARD this week so don't worry...not gettin all comfy yet!!!

Betsy DH and I didn't get our walk in on Monday but are going today where this would usually be my rest day.

Millie Thank you so much for the kind words. Its been a real learning experience for me since I started my journey in January and I still have a long way to go but I feel great!

I hope everyone else is doing well. Last night I pushed harder than I ever have at the gym with my friend. We're going again tomorrow and I'm ready to push just as hard!! Hoping for a nice loss this week so I have something to report for my 7 month weigh in

I'm off to get a walk in before it gets too late and I'm ready for bed lol...night all!

still here. Still fat. They accepted our offer on the house, just jumping the bank hoops now. Been busy packing. Also doing interviews, hoping to go back to work soon.

Dieting is on off but im not giving up!

Good morning all. This has been one of those weeks where I seem to be meeting myself coming and going......not normal in a retiree's life!

Terra Did you know I think about you every day? Every day I say to myself.....I need to start walking like Terra does. And every day my knees say.....what planet are you orbiting. I'm hoping to do that once more weight comes off. Keep on being an inspiration!

Silent SO GLAD you went to the doctor and hopefully at least began the investigation into why you're still feeling lousy. You haven't felt good since you came back from Cuba -- think how long ago that was! Hang in there.

Fi Just take it one day at a time. Don't even think about what has to get done by such and such a date (except for the collage since it has to be matted and framed). It sounds like you've got so many fun things coming up in your schedule (OK, the painting doesn't sound fun, even with hiring it done) that hopefully all the good vibes will carry you through. While your breathing exercises don't do much to curb my appetite, they did totally relax me -- maybe do those if things start to seem like they're spinning out of control. How are the kitties doing after the vet visit?

Sam Sounds like you're continuing to get back into your normal stride. Just getting back into our normal life rhythms can be very comforting.

Kayley Sounds like things are beginning to look up for your surgery and that everything is getting treated! This is so exciting for you!

Jane Yahoo! While the move itself is a pain, moving to a new house is so exciting. And eventually the right job will turn up for you as well. I know how much of a pain in the neck getting a loan is -- so much paperwork and so much of it seemingly meaningless!

I'm still on a path of losing between .4 and .8 a pound each day since I got back to eating on plan. Of course, it would be more exciting if this weren't weight I'd already lost before! Still kicking myself for being so out of control there for awhile!

Off to take some friends to the airport. Becky is here for the next few days while my BIL is off in Canada fishing with my nephew. For the last five days, I've told him that one of the vent covers on the roof of his travel trailer was open. For the last five days he didn't walk the 20 feet to the trailer and close it (he has the keys, otherwise I would have done it!). So, we finally had a storm and it blew off and rain got in. So yesterday right before he's scheduled to leave, we're out there on the roof of his trailer trying to do a temporary fix with plastic sheeting and enough duct tape to go around the world once or twice. I do not understand how men think.....actually I'm not sure that they do, but that's another discussion. Ta ta.

Just a quick note to say that the kitties are fine: they've stopped sneezing, the nasal congestion is clearing, and they're full of energy! I have a new picture of them. That's Nénu looking up (but sleepy-eyed) and Oscar is curled up against her. Here you can see that even at four months of age, they have the long body type of the oriental shorthair breed. And as I've explained before, their ears won't always look so huge: as their heads get bigger, the ears will be more in proportion.

No time for personals this evening (sorry!), but I had to share...

MY SURGERY IS SCHEDULED.

And it's way sooner than I ever anticipated. September 15th. Cue nervousness...

Kayley Heck yeah girl!!! I've been pushing so hard this week so I'm hoping for a good loss this week. Your surgery is really soon!! Good luck with everything and hope it goes well!!

Silent You have been sick for awhile now sweetie. I sure hope it's nothing too terrible and you're able to get some relief soon. (((Hugs)))

Jane Congratulations on the house offer! I hope everything goes smoothly. DO NOT give up this fight!!! You have come so far and I want to see you go even farther...You CAN do it!!! I'm here for ya lady if you ever need anything!!!

Betsy It really does feel good to be back and pushing as hard as I can again. I know my friend would want it that way. I'm trying really hard amd have been 100% on plan and with work outs this week so I hope for a nice loss.

Fi The babies look ADORABLE!!!! Ahhh I am so in love!! They have great parents so I know they will grow up and be just fine. I'm glad to hear slowly but surely they are getting better and adapting well at the house. Has Grace met them yet? How are things going with her?

Ubee I hope you are doing well today!!! I'm pushing HARD!!! Hope you are too!!

Well today was gym day for me with my friend Suzanne. We pushed it to the max and worked and sweated harder than we have in awhile. We really have been doing a phenominal job this week and I'm really proud of the both of us.

Had a NSV today. I put on a T-shirt that hubby got back in his touring days that has always been a little snug on him, and I've never been able to wear it until today!!! And its a men's size large!!! It's not extremely loose on me but it isn't turning me into a sausage roll either. I would feel comfortable wearing it out of the house

Tonight is my friend's wake in Toronto as well as a benefit concert for his family. Tomorrow will be the funeral and burial. I have a heavy heart tonight and really wish that DH and I could be there. My friend that lives up there is going to send me one of the shirts they had made as well as a patch for my denim vest. I really do miss him...and I'm going tondo everything in my power to make him proud.

Tomorrow my friend Ana is coming to town and staying the weekend with me. I'm real excited!!! I'm gonna try and get her to work out with me tomorrow night and on Saturday we're gonna hit up the beach and take a long walk. She'll go home sometime on Sunday.

I'm pretty pooped and have work in the morning so I'm going to call it a night. Take care everyone!!

Betsy ~ Awwww thats so sweet to know that you think about me every day and that you say to yourself I need to start walking like Terra does. Im glad Im being an inspiration to you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today I woke up at 8:30 am and as always I got my morning duties done. Im currently watching Leann and Eddie while posting on here and on two other forums,reading my facebook news feed and reading and replying to emails. Im gonna jump in the shower at 11 am cause at noon I need to start watching for my bus cause my friend Wilma and I are going to the movies today. I'll get back home between 4:30 and 5 pm. I'll be sure to do my 2 mile walk tonight and then tomorrow morning I'll be sure to make myself get up so I can walk outside. Usually when my alarm goes off at 5 am I usually just turn it off and I got back to sleep but I really need to stop doing that, I need to just make myself get up at 5 so I can be awake and ready to walk outside at 7 am. So I'll definitely work on that.

This is the second day in a row that I'm having depression pain in the afternoon. I know it's the rebound from all the stress associated with preparing for, and getting, our new fur-kids. I always have to remind myself of what I learned in medical school: positive stress (like new baby, new job, getting married...) is just as hard on one's system as the negative stress we usually think about when when we say "stress."

And as a person with bipolar affective disorder, I'm exquisitely sensitive to stress. I do OK while it's happening, but a few days later, I always swing into depression.

But don't worry about me, y'all. It's not very bad, and I know how to handle it.

Good Morning!
We had a nice time up north and are happy to be back home.
Fi your kitties are precious! Glad you are so aware of your depression feelings and needs. Have a nice time with Mary and at the farm.
Terra you inspire a lot of us! What movie did you see?
Sam Yipeee! for NSV and pushing yourself so hard! Still going to keep an eye on you so you stay out of the danger zone.
Kayley Sept. 15th. Got it. I am really excited for you and hope you will be able to take the time to share your experience with us.
Betsy, Bill just wanted an excuse to be manly and use his duct tape. It is such a guy thing. Awesome that you are losing. Keep it up Betsy your a fib thing has got me worried. Not to mention we are tossing that cane into the back of the closet someday soon!
Jane your "still fat" gave me a good chuckle. So is it the house of your dreams, a starter or a I can make this work house? I'm glad you brought up not giving up. So important for some of us. We will get there. I just know it.
Silent what did the doctor say? Do you need me to drive to Betsy's and jump in her RV, head up really north and we both nurse you back to health?
Have a peaceful day.

Good morning everyone.

Fi Your kitties really are adorable big ears and all. Sorry you're dealing with the depression pain, but glad you feel confident in how to deal with it. You do have a lot going on right now -- even if a lot of it is positive.

Kayley Wow -- guess they did decide that the medical issues would be resolved by then. How wonderful for you to get it scheduled. I know you're a little nervous, but we're all here rooting for you.

Sam Definite wonderful feeling when an item of clothing passes the "I can be seen in public in this" test. Sounds like you're really pushing it and getting back into your rhythm. Glad you friend is coming for a visit.

Terra I would hit the alarm, too. Actually, I would never have set it in the first place. One of my retirement gifts to myself was to vow to never set an alarm clock again unless I absolutely, positively, unquestionably have to (like making a flight to someplace fun!).

Ubee Welcome back. Glad you had a good trip and glad you're back home and posting -- we missed you. Bill does love his duct tape. Last year I found some in camouflage that I got him for Christmas. I swear he liked it the best of all of his presents! I'm definitely back on track -- gave me a good scare with the a fib and got irritated enough with myself to make amends. It's amazing. Did you know that if you just stay on plan and exercise moderately that you'll lose weight? It's a miracle!

Silent OK. Are you feeling better? I figure the threat of Ubee and me coming up there would result in an instant cure. Of course, that could be fun! I'm game, Ubee......right after I take care of Bill as he's scheduled the surgery to get the other hip replaced and guess who is taking care of him and the dogs again.

Well, I've gotten a third of the weight gain off since August 7. The rest won't come off that fast, but at least the scale is going in the right direction again. I've been laughing at myself all morning because I am so excited over getting a new stick vacuum cleaner (Hoover Linx if anyone is interested). Toby brings in at least half of the outdoors with him each time he goes out, and my floors always look horrible. But cleaning then required a couple of hours to first Swiffer them and then to get out the vacuum that must weight 35 pounds if it weighs an ounce. Well, I kept reading about these stick vacuums, so I decided to take the plunge, ordered one off of Amazon, and am amazed at what it gets up. I may actually get to the point of liking housework. OK, I got carried away there, but at least my house stands a chance of looking like I try to keep it clean. Off to cut the grass and Bill's grass since he's gone. I actually don't mind doing it since I get to ride on the big tractor! Have a great day.

Just a quick note to say I'm very busy getting ready for Mary's visit. She doesn't arrive until the morning of the 20th, but I have my last art-education day with Grace on the 19th, so I really have to have the guest bedroom and bath shipshape by the 18th, or at least the morning of the 19th. There's an enormous mound of clothes on the guest bed which need to be stowed somewhere: I've made a considerable dent in it, but there's more to go—plus grocery shopping, cleaning all the bathrooms, you know the drill. At least today I didn't have any depression. Just working slow, because I need lots of breaks...

Hi everybody, I'm new here - may I join in your group?

Good Morning!
Welcome shinesgirl! Jump right in. Please feel free to tell us about yourself, but only what you feel comfortable with.
Fi put on your super cape and go! I find crisis cleaning to be important to me actually getting things done. It is kind of like crisis dieting before a wedding or other occassion.
Betsy is your stick vacuum cordless? As for your staying on plan and exercising working, is it really that easy? Are we making it harder then it is?
Whoops gotta run! Going to a ball game. Yes Silent, I am getting a social life.