Whooo-hooo Flower! That's some kind of triumph, coming at this part of the year. Wow. And I was thinking, if you'd allowed the slip-up to get worse, this sure wouldn't have happened.

Thanks, Ceara. The cold is pretty fully-fledged, but i'm taking C and zinc (don't have the lozenges, but maybe I'll look for them when Im out this aft.) periodically throughout the day, plus Cold FX plus echinacea extract, plus garlic, ginger, sage. We'll see How much zinc is in the lozenges, do you know?

Can I just hide until all this Christmas insanity is over? I am absolutely exhausted. Shopping every lunch hour and after work, plus run off my feet at work all day long...covering for a co-worker who is on sick leave until Jan 1 PLUS doing my own job with a year-end looming. I fell asleep on the sofa after dinner and after 30 minutes or so, DD called from work. She asked what we'd had for dinner and I couldn't remember. Didn't know what day it was, or if it was early morning or evening....not a nice feeling. Just have to get through tomorrow and then I am off until the 28th. Haven't been able to get to the gym this week and I miss it....feel sluggish and fat and miss the stress relief!

DH made a trip to the book store last night and bought me FIVE new books for Christmas! I am SO looking forward to some down time and a chance to read.

Congrats on the 2.5 lb loss Flower!!

Arabella, hope you beat that cold....there is a very nasty, long-lasting one on the go here that I've managed to avoid thus far. I am taking ColdFx daily this season and so far, so good.

Anagram, how did the babysitting go? You are a brave woman!

Ceara, maintaining this time of year is a good thing!

Hi Kaylets and wsw!

Huzzah 'n happy holidays from another palace far far away, Queens!

I snuck in here dodging popups and various site issues I still seem to have on 3FC but couldn't let the Winter Solstice come 'n go without saying a hello to all of ye here 'n making a quick foray through the latest thread, hearin' tale o' how it's really poppin' here 'n read through with pleasure.

Thank ye to all who've been a part o' my life this year and to those supportin' the sister-venture o'er the water and a hearty good morrow to all denizens here.

Hallo to all ... and I'll see if this posts ok!

Fa la!

Tons of congrats, flower, on that loss! Well -earned.

Hope the cold's improving per your plan, Wood Nymph. And glad DH is sharing, not shutting off. So helpful to you both. So many changes to deal with.

Howdy, Amarantha. So glad you're taking time for us in that hectic schedule, Wildfire.

I must confess I have been very unregal. I KNOW that I must check into the palace regularly to have any hope of staying reasonable. But I have gone the evil route of overindulging, avoiding due to shame, and then more overindulging. So here I am, shamefully back and hopeful.

Neighbor boys very good. Older is high functioning autistic and both have lots of food allergies and I was to give them lunch. Fortunately all set up for me but I would hate to, even inadvertently, do something to cause them harm.

Then next day, visited w/ailing sister. She's coming along but it's been very slow. Then yesterday, got phone call that BIL in local hospital. He'd had surgery on Monday at Johns Hopkins, gone home Tuesday, needed ER Wed. night. So I offed to that hospital to see/support other sister. He's doing ok now and got to see doctors there that he'd had appts. to see yesterday and today. Thinking chemo/radiation will start soon.

But stress, time, all that stuff did their damage. However, TODAY starts Christmas here as DS/DDIL arrive until Sunday. Sunday I go to DDs, home Tuesday, DD/krewe coming either Wed/Thurs., Ds/DDIL returning Friday, etc., etc. I'm in as good shape as I need to be, I guess. All stuff was limited this year but I ended up doing more than I'd expected to. So, all's good as I think Christmas always turns out to be no matter what is/isn't done or what plans get thrown out of whack.

I can't promise to be on total track. Will make a better effort though than's been going on.

Yes, I do love the little Christmas s. Doesn't take much to make me happy!

Expect to be back but just in case

flower-congrats on the lbs down. terrific!

arabella-i hope you are feeling better. nasty cold be gone!

wildfire and amarantha-so nice to see you!

ceara-hope you enjoy your time off for the holiday, and that you had pleasant brekkie with friend.

hi kaylets!

anagram-your holiday schedule with royal family sounds busy and fun. enjoy!

and to all the royal kingdom-hello! i have been able to maintain weight, so can't complain. plan to just continue to try and hold the course til end of year. starting to feel better and getting some energy back. had nice visit today from my golden retriever buddy and his "mommy." thinking of you all. well, take care.

I baked a ton today, but sending most to my dads. The kids are home for 2 weeks, so I doubt I will get much of it anyways. I STILL need to work on the excersicing part. Not sure what is wrong with me. Probably too much to do time of year. Or the freezing weather.... Or me just be lazy like always. Ho hum...

Getting into the mellow spirit here. Church tonight w/DS/DDIL, wearing a way-too-big Christmas sweater. Feels good. Long enough to be a tunic

Leaving in the morning (after they do) so I'll be wishing a marvelous Christmas to all who celebrate same. Need not be Merry - Peaceful will suit me just fine.

My parents fed me way too much last night. I walked afterwards cause I was uncompfy. I bought a jr's size 19 t-shirt for modivation to stay on track! (it seems so tiny compared to my stretched out man shirts. lol ) I am promising myself, no more splurges this week. The yummy stuff will always be there. No reason to undo hard work.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Hope the day is being good to everyone!

Just staggered in from Princessville. Ready to cozy in here for a bit of quiet before they hit here in a day or two. Will be a bit frenzied on and off until New Year's but then will straighten me out.

My first Christmas w/o DH is over. It was good, better than I would have expected, but still bittersweet. I'm beginning to focus in a little on what I'd like besides good health and a svelte body and that's a good way to start a new year.

Much love to all Royal Personages and much Good Cheer as well.

Hello all......


Hope everyone's holiday was perfect.

Myself, also had a sugar meltdown and then what must have been a touch of something as after a few hours up each day, I had no energy and needed long afternoon naps 3 days in a row.

Yesterday, went back to work meaner than the Scrooge but by the end of the day, felt more like myself.


DH started yesterday am riding the stationary bike while the coffee is being made. Hearing the bike this morning motivated me to get up and going.....

Congrats Flower on pounds gone during this wild time of temptation.....

I start a Biggest Loser Competition w/ coworkers on Jan 2.... Its all based on percentage lost.... that's the only rule.....

I start Day 1 today of no sugar......

So, my royal friends.....

We are doing our best!

Onward! Today we will do as well as we can!