hi anagram-so good to see your posts! i'm sorry you have had such a long, rough time with your ra. i sure hope the prednisone helps a lot, and without too many side effects. i sympathize about the weight gain side effect, believe me. no fun.

wildfire-thank you for telling us about your irishman. i'm glad that he called you on that very difficult day, and of course, that you made the decision that you did. i am glad you have such a wonderful, close friend. the pix of jace and dh are great.

amarantha-congrats on your 100+ days on sb! terrific!

eydie-that's so neat about your bellydancing in public. pretty neat story! it made me smile.

hi ceara, kaylets, arabella, punkin! aria, danicomia- welcome!

i am having to really push to stay op, but am hanging in there. some times are just harder than others to keep it all together. am continuing with my regular exercise of tai chi, back exercises, etc. physically, things are getting more challenging ms-wise, and am having to take more time just for daily living activities, and that stress, plus the financial, are reminding me just how important stress reduction is for me. i am keeping up with my meditation, deep breathing, etc., while having to figure out more creative ways to maneuver in my condo, etc. i am glad to have these relaxation techniques to help me. sometimes i don't always want to do them, but i realize that no matter what attitude i go in with, they always help me to feel better in the end. it is definitely spring here, and very pretty, and still moderate temps, which i am thoroughly enjoying! well, i wanted to check in and let you know i am thinking of you all, mentioned and unmentioned. take good care.

Hello all!

DH worked till nearly 10:30 last night which made this morning crazed.

I had prepped lunches, change of clothes so he can go directly to bowling this evening if need be but didnt do the same for myself and am regretting it now.
Luckily, I washed the pants I wore yesterday so that's what I'll be wearing.....
I myself, might have a supper date so I am kicking myself as I wanted to look my best since some folks havent seen me in about 3-4 yrs......

Ah well.....


**************

Thought of the day :

"There are two ways of spreading light:
be the candle or the mirror that reflects it."
---Edith Wharton

Question of the day :

"What did you dream about last night?"

***********


Kettle is on!

Hi all and thanks for the welcome!
Special hello to Eydie too!
DH is going to hear Bob Dylan tonight (yep, still alive, lol).
So it is "me time night" for me (well, I guess I do have to take care of my 12 year old...)
Have a great day everyone!

Welcome, to the new Royals! Yes, Eydie, I did know (and have eaten) violets, I believe usually dipped in sugar or something. Also marigolds and some others. However, dh had fertilized and weed killed over these so I think they're off limits.

So glad to hear from you, wsw. It's so great you're able to keep on with meditations, etc. despite all. Isn't the spring great?

nicer day out than had been predicted as was yesterday - a truly glorious one. Having lunch w/friend of 43 years who "knows" me so should be a good psychical cleansing (for both of us really because I "know" her too). And really not much else planned - how fortunate!

Solstice sprint works for me as well. In the meantime, let's do a group hug/buckup and get this nasty alignment squared away. Mayday is almost here and we must greet it merrily.

Good one, s.

Yes, Anagram, a big group hug is in order. I'm feeling better already because of the wise counsel of Queens Anagram and Amarantha. YES YES YES, I want to end this sprint positively and shake off the grey-ish cloud that's been lingering over me for no apparent reason.

My food plan is off---Still sugar free [day 222!] but I'm just eating way too much. And Water intake is way low. I'm back to posting my food journal tomorrow. Maybe it's because I've had a busy work week. I've had to prepare lunch for 20 every day this week and it's hard being surrounded by food for about 6 hours a day. Thankfully, exercise is still on track; I'm not willing to compromise on that.

So Amarantha, my plan for the next 3 days is to get my food plan firmly back in place.

My resolve is to sprint into May with a POSITIVE ATTITUDE. Am feeling very relaxed this evening and want to maintain that. My food isn't really bad but not as good as should be so I'll work on that but mostly just want to stay on an even keel and enjoy GOOD THINGS and let my body/spirit heal. I've always considered MAYDAY our unofficial Royal Holiday and am looking forward to it with relish. Did we not one year set an "official Maypole Dancing Hour" at which time we sort of "got together" virtually, or psychicly set out minds to the same thoughts? Or 'twas that another Official Occasion?

My plan for the next 3 days is to get organized with tons of paperwork to sort through, so I am not tempted to eat out of stress. Also I should get out for at least a 30 minutes walk a day, unless it is pouring.

Ah, royal thoughts of spring and of winter being delegated to the land past! Just the ticket to get through a rainy weekend. Just the thought to make me finish (start?) the closets, drawers and finish organizing { } the summer clothes.

Will start with Slimfast or oatmeal this a.m., get in my 8 glasses of water, plus ONLY decaf green or herbal teas and no Tab, continue clearing papers from dining room table office (did real well on that yesterday), tackle some very small cleaning projects, and work on aligning my royal sacktime with what my body tells me. Another few steps on the road to sanguinity.

Am awaiting the sun to arrive from s Arabella and Kaylets (and others who may also be to the East) and will send it on to s westerly as time moves through the day. Not sure of the exact order (a project) but think wsw, Eydie, and Wildfire be close in line. Don't know location of newest s so will think of them with welcome at times between.

Plus am totally on board for a virtual meeting at any convenient time. Evening EDST preferred.

i too plan to sprint in to may with a positive attitude, continue with daily meditation, exercise, and more healthy portion sizes of healthy food. my positive attitude, perseverence, good sense of humor, and using my little bag of relaxation techniques have gotten me this far, thankfully(!), and i plan to hang on to them. for the next few days, i also plan to get more much-needed sleep, and coninue op. one huge stressor regarding finances has been resolved, and though that area is still very challenging and will continue to be, i am grateful that there is one less stressor "keeping me awake at nights." i am also very proud of myself regarding how i handled that long, difficult situation-both practically, and emotionally. sometimes, i forget what a strong person i am, and it was good to be reminded recently. well, good morning anagram, amarantha, aria, eydie, arabella, wildfire, kaylets, punkin, and to all the lovely royals, mentioned and unmentioned. thinking about you all makes me smile, and reminds me just how lucky i am that all you wonderful ladies are here! take care, and have a great day, one and all!

Flying by -- got about 3 hours sleep last night and finishing up tasks for EOM along with new Site Editor duties so am busy and zonked. Nevertheless, I have proclaimed that the whistle blows as soon as I finish the necessary duties today and I am NOT working this weekend. Love to all, welcome to newbie Royals, and Huzzah!