Oh, wow, I'm so proud of me. After a breakfast of (small) pancakes and apricot syrup, I was still able to come in under 1600 for the day. And some of that was luxuriously added after dinner. And basically with no real hunger. Thank goodness for veggies, lots of them. And some fruits. But I think a part of it was the satisfying carbs at breakfast plus the idea of not breaking my "streak". Now I do know it will go on sabbatical this weekend but will strive to get in another day or two before then.



To that end, I've decided not to go to an "eat out" event today. Will instead go to the pool and then maybe have my hair "done". The little spoiling will help too.

Arabella, I'm excited by your excitement! How nice to have that in your life - even if it makes it hard to sleep sometimes. But, oh, the deadly fatigue....does make everything tough.

Love the excitement evident in ceara's life too with her "girls".

Glad you're back, Kaylets, and love the quote. Sometimes I do get to sleep straight through but then it's a shorter night. Usually up once maybe. Every once in a while I'll get to sleep through on a 7 0r 8 hour night. Not often enough

Fall is starting here today,I think. Cool, less humid, boo-full. To get even better this weekend. Time to find some fallish clothes (I've been ready except for the heat - by the end of each season, I'm ready to throw away everything from that season but the stuff that seemed old and awful in April beckons me as fresh and new right now).

My "sort" the last few days was through about 10 shoeboxes of greeting cards. Some going back to the '70s. It was fun - not done totally but a preliminary sort took it down by about 4 boxes. Was specifically looking for birthday cards from DH and feel much loved after reading some very nice ones again. Will keep those for "therapy" from time to time. Looking at those from kids was fun too. Can tell their teenage years, for sure. But all nice to have.

Well, I've sort of a plan for the day - so it's off to tea and then off to the plan. It's been a long time since I've had 8 days under my belt.....must not get cockey.

Fly by...busy busy busy last few days. No time to read, post, think. Will catch up eventually. WW going well. I'll probably be back to posting tomorrow, I'm off to Mom and Dad's this am. Have a good one, all!

Safe trip, Arabella. And, of coure, DH needs you there. Yes, even the briefest of trips takes so much coordination. I feel it every time I head to DDs even for an overnighter. May as well be going for a week - well except for the numbers of clothes.

Take your advice too - B R E A T H E. Except now that you've got another thing to do in a limited amount of time, I'm thrilled you're getting to start on your ghost stories.

And Arabella is right, Kat. B R E A T H E.................................

I had my hair done today and my brows waxed. I'm getting good at treating me. Weather is soooooo perfect right now, I'm off to the patio for a little read before darkness creeps up on me.

Made it to pool again and food good so far today w/enough left for a little treat before my 8 oclock cutoff time.

So we have another cool glorious morning! Must while a way a bit outside before shower. Not a tremendously busy day today but must hit grocery stoe big time as expecting the Crewe for the weekend. Plus a leetle low on "me" things.

My streak has hit ten days. Unbelievable. Added more water yesterday, still not enough. This morning I hit the new lowest number again but only unofficially because I didn't meet all the "conditions". When I shortly weigh in again meeting the "conditions", it'll be up. Sigh - but it's down the extra five or so it had been a week or so ago (mostly but not all water).

So I think it's groceries, paperwork, maybe a tiny bit of yard work if I get out enough creaks. Should try a little more walky. Need to get more shoes that fit. Surgery (plus orthotic) has done nasty things to shoe size.

Fresh Start Monday for all that too. Plus (now that weather's a bit cooler) maybe a better house sweep, maybe

I'm starting to pack for the move from the Summer Palace.......not long now..

Yo, it's me again. Not trying to hog the thread but had to come back on after "official" conditions weighin. I HAVE LOST A TOTAL OF .2 pounds the last three weeks for a new "official" new (current) low.

I really didn't think I'd go under the earlier number but I did and I'm claiming it for however long it lasts. With all my ups and downs, it's hard to know if/when I'm losing or not but when I see a new (current) low number, I'm happy. I won't likely make it to Onederland by our move but I'm going to go for it.

Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy!

I also forgot to announce that Puppy Girl is a proud 4 months old today.

Gray morning again. But my "streak" made it through another day. Hope to make it today yet but that's a bit iffy. Plan to have a "no count" day tomorrow. All of tribe 'cept DDIL will be here from today until Sunday. My energy's low this a.m. and that's not good. But maybe I'll put on some loud music which will (a) hopefully make me want to dance and move about and (b) help transition from my normal quiet environ to chaos.

At any rate - IT'S FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!

I'm home, totally wiped! All went well, though. I'll be back tomorrow.

Hi, Royals. I too am totally wiped. I'm just too old for this celebratory stuff.

Friday, my kids/grandkids arrived. Saturday we headed for a museum (Antique Automobiles) that supposedly my granddaughter wanted to see. The plan was that we'd do that, then maybe a street fair, then maybe rest, then all go out to dinner to celebrate my birthday. When I walked in the museum my sister popped out and took a picture and said "we thought we'd join you".

As I'm walking along, I see my nephew's wife and kids. M. says her son always wanted to see the old cars. Ok, I walk a bit more and see a nephew and wife who would have travelled somewhat more distance so I grew slightly suspicious. Then a bit more and I see my sister and bil from Texas. Well..........He does love (and owns) antique cars but their health is such I didn't think they'd come just to see the cars.

Short version - about 30 family members gathered in a local restaurant to wish me a happy 70th. Some came back to the house later.

Sunday morning DD/crew left, Sunday afternoon, DS left (after doing some tough chores). Less than an hour later, two sisters came back for an overnight slumber party - bringing matching pjs for all of us. They left at 3 oclock Monday and I started "organizing" (i.e., shovelling out wrapping paper, etc.).

So today a friend picked me up for a planned birthday luncheon (we do it everyyear on hers and mine). I knew my two sisters would be joining us but when we got there, about ten other friends were there. I'm still in shock. It was all very lovely and arranged by DD with Dsis and D friend. They were for the most part all long time friends and consist of the innermost circle of my local friendships. I'm only home an hour or so and am still digesting it all. What a crew, what a daughter, what a sister, what a friend (friends). I did make a speechlet about how lucky I feel I've been in life and esp. lucky to have so many dear friends.

I feel that way about my friends here on line too and wish you all could have been there too. It was just about perfect.

So while I did make a few good choices over the last few days, I will need a ton of Fresh Start cards again. And this explains why I've been silent a few days. Just overwhelmed. Good thing I don't have a bad heart!

I would like to share with my Royal friends a Maya Angelou quote that was on one of my BD cards. I think it's appropriate for our group of s -

"A woman who is convinced that she deserves to accept only the best challenges herself to give the best. Then she is living phenomenally."

I'd say, that's us (we?). And will start back in again striving to give my best to this journey and the others in my life.

Hi, Ho. I've got to start decompressing. Whew!!! Five days of partying.....worth having a birthday with such a high number but next year I think I'll start downward.