A lovely day here, looks like. I was out earlier getting the recycling to the curb. It was beautiful, and quiet out there in the dark; the moon was still bright and high in the sky and I saw my old friend Orion up there. I like touching base with the constellations I recognize. I remember, as a kid, being out on the big skating rink with my sibs and dad and him introducing me to them: Orion, the Big Dipper, Cassiopeia. I think I need to take a refresher course so I can teach DGS.
The interview went really well yesterday. I didn't stumble much and managed to tell a few stories without getting messed up or saying anything really stupid. It's a very different experience talking for radio (or, I'm sure, TV) and knowing that what you say will be heard by a large audience. I recorded it from the radio and didn't really sound nervous. Only way you could tell would be if you could see the red rash on my neck. I guess if I go on TV I'll have to wear a turtleneck... But then again, with the heat of the lights I'd probably end up sweating buckets like William Hurt's character in Broadcast News... Hmmm... well, I suppose I don't need to pick out my outfit immediately.
And then had a good choir practice last night. I managed to record it, too, so I'll be able to practice the songs at home. Plus one of the members also recorded a piano CD of the alto part. I need to practice, practice, practice!
I stayed up after we got home and had a glass of wine, puttered around the Web. It was so much more pleasant than lying in bed trying to get to sleep. When I did go to bed I had no trouble dropping off. So I guess that's the secret. Did the same after my writer's group last week and it worked then too.
And today is the first sound yoga lesson.
So -- suddenly, I am having fun! Without half trying.
WW quest goes well too, all challenges being met. And now I must be off for my little woods woggle.
Belated congrats, Empress, on the Plateau Breaking. A Momentous event, for sure.
So happy for you, Woods Nymph. I did check out your link and it was fun hearing your five o'clock news but I'd rather have heard you. Glad it went well, glad you're in a fun zone.
I had a good day yesterday. Day One of new streak, walked again, enjoyed fall. A little more cloudy today but not the gray clouds. Pleasant and to be so. This morning's forecast called for "a few showers" NEXT TUESDAY. But nice and in the 80s again a few days between now and then.
I did manage to get that extra bag of trash on its way too. Ah, the little victories...........
Congrats on doing the interview, Wood Nymph. I had to do that once (talk on radio), was very nervous!
Have fun on Day Two, Anagram.
To all, mentioned or un, huzzah!
I snuck in under the radar here and seemed to have no problems today. I will try the blog and see if I get kicked off.
In the meantime and with sincere apologies for the me-me-ness o' it and the sheer laziness, I wish to update ye queens re my weight loss journey by cross postin' on Hago the Halloween Hut's Halloween Challenge (I am doin' a LOT o' challenges and am a LOT o' different people these days, as bein' just one person be kind o' borin' to me). This is a report on Hago's mornin' challenge meetin'
"Cacklin' this meetin' to order! Hago the Halloween Hut (of the hag side o' the family Hut, who dwelleth always in the Halloween Challenge Hut in the Deep Dark Dilemmatic Diet Forest, where it's sometimes gae scary, lads 'n lassies).
"Thanks fer comin' to this early meetin'! We THOUGHT we were gonna exercise but it didn't work out, so do be sure to come by the Halloween Challenge Hut Gym Room later 'n get a weight workout in as time's a'wastin' 'n so be our bods if we don't use 'em. Take that from a Hag who be 555 years young (or there'bouts) 'n be in really FAB shape fer a magickal creature that elderly.
"Ok, speakin' o' which. Our Piratical Personal Trainer Paula, who works part time as a seafarin' wench terrorizin' the coastal city o' Not Fit Folkes Who Won't Exercise 'n Eat Right (we scorn 'em, even though our own dear Diet Maiden Amarantha claims kinship with the clan, which openly flaunts the upright laws o' the Universal Dietary Law Consortium here on Planet Fine 'n Fit, but that be another meetin', so I will continue) hath noticed that Am be havin' trouble gettin' back to her fightin' weight o' the AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL 'N BENIGN 130s.
"Upon detainin' said maiden Esa this a.m. for a brief period o' gentle 'n kindly interrogation, Pirate Paula came to a conclusion 'bout Tuesday.
"Seems that in recently past years, Am's job took her to a far-flung location where she worked quite actively for several hours. Sometimes durin' those hours, she DID fall prey to the Bad Food Demon but mostly she put out a lot o' cals as the tasks (same employer, just an additional task set she doesn't do now) involved lifting, moving, standing, etc., as well as sittin' 'n writing. Sometimes she went for long walks as the town up there is hilly and beautiful and the work stressful. She also often took mini hikes on the way up just to delay getting there.
"So, when to her relief she did not have that Tuesday work and in fact had no scheduled work on most Tuesdays, she tried to replace the activity by just a more vigorous lifestyle on that day. BUT she's sort of fallen out of that habit and Paula thinks just that extra effort put back into Tuesday lifestyle and formal exercise might be helpful to the Plateau Bustin' Project.
"She strongly suggested this to a grateful Am, who was then released from custody with a pledge to sis boom bah more on Tuesday and the case was closed.
"Now wasn't that a nice story about how cooperation 'n gentle reminders help us all. Have a nice day, meetin' attendees."
And I'm feeling a little humpy today, too. Too much salt yesterday has me back up a couple pounds -- still lower than WI but not close to where I wanna be. And also feeling like... "What can I EAT???" I should have something on hand for such times. Maybe I'll cook a sweet potato. I just had soup for lunch so I'm feeling a little peckish.
O/w, all well. But I can definitely feel the edge of the wagon and I need to keep self on So I shall.
Sound yoga was blissful yesterday. We all left there walking on air, big smiles on our faces as we walked down the street.
But I'm tired I need a vacation, I think. I may talk to the site director about taking a lightish week next week. Oh I hope this writing gag does help me squiggle into doing only freelance and books. I'm keepin' the faith!
Anagram, nice weather here too. Will be very good for the last of the house painting -- which we have contracted out!
Amarantha, nice to see Hago again! And congrats from me, too, on breakin' thru that plateau.
K, lies, let's do our best here. I will if you will...
I'm trying, Woods Nymph, I'm trying. Hope you're feeling more "harnessed". A light week would be something nice to look forward to. Glad you contracted our test of painting. Love that "lighter than air" feeling when you've had a good experience.
On day 3 of current streak. Did well yesterday and proud. I was out shopping today - for appliances. My 38 year old stove had an element burn out in the oven. The last time that happened I told myself I'd get a new stove the next time - and that was 17 years ago! DW element gone too and microwave seems to have lost something. Both more than 20 years old - way more. So I'm trying to decide if I should bite the bullet and go ahead. I think I know what the smart/right thing to do is and can srike a better deal if I go ahead on 3 things (or could throw in fridge too which also has problems) but it's the shekels thought that throws me. Also shopping for a new front door - also much needed.
On the bright side of shopping - I hit a sale at local dept store and ACTUALLY found something I like. 25% off today plus another 20% if you use their charge card plus I had two loverly gift cards from the birthday parties so, voila, a new stylish outfit for $17.80. Merlot is what they call the color and I can go along with that. A N D (drum roll) the pants are a size smaller than I thought I'd need (may be the mfgr - don't think I've ever had anything of theirs before) but whatever.................a size smaller is a size smaller. I had bought some in this size previously (another mfgr) and was pleased but didn't expect it would happen with this mfgr.
So a joyous moment. MUST get some groceries this afternoon, just MUST. Cupboard of streak friendly items is tres low. And I want no excuse to eat the chips and Fritos still here from family visit. When I go for the calories, I want it to be things I REALLY enjoy not just stuff that's "here".
I just read thru the posts quickly and can't believe how much has happened since I last posted....
Anagram... I am so proud of you to be able to think beyond yourself in this situation and deal with all the issues to be able to make sure this never happens again. You are wearing more than a crown for sure!
Woodnymph! how exciting to have so much interest in your ghost story !
You are so clever to do it this time of year.... If it was me, I'd never have thought of tying it into Halloween.... Clever lady!
Empress.... I see you continue on the path... a beacon ! Too bad the computer is throwing curve balls!
Ceara.... Did you have a nother trip? Did I get all the details?
Kat----My thoughts are with you and your family....these are very difficult times. You will never regret the time you're spending with your dad. You are making your memories.
WSW??? How are you? Sending you lots of good thoughts!
New Royals?? How are you doing?
So... My employer merged with another. Last Thursday. Officially.
And, for right now (and per a few that I think I trust, ) I am safe. Some of hte cuts came very close and it was very, very nervewracking.
I had been looking but really saw nothing to even send a resume to start fishing.... So the good news is at least,my entire dept is safe for at least the end of the year. Those I trust believe it will be at least 2-3yrs and probably permanent but we all know how business is.....
So... I continue to pay down bills to prepare if the worst does happen.
I ended up having a bowl of high-fiber cereal mid-afternoon yesterday -- ok, two bowls. But that did it and is permitted so... claiming victory! This morning, I made something that turned out slightly cake-like (I was going for custard):
1/2 baked sweet potato
1/2 banana
cinnamon & ginger
2 eggs
3 T. ground flax seed
maybe 1/8 c. soy milk (more might have led to custard, I'm thinking)
6 pecans
Mashed everything but the pecans and nuked for 3 mins. It was good and all core but for the pecans. Could have used a little sweetener of some sort but I'll definitely make it again. I was thinking it would work very well as a pancake, too. I think I may make a pan of it to keep on hand. Very satisfying!
And makes me feel like, yeah, I can stick to this. I want to go light on carbs the rest of the day in preparation for tomorrow's WI. Salt is keeping a couple extra pounds on me, which is not what we want to see on the scale. Gallons of water called for, I'm thinking.
Anagram, hope you get all sparkly new appliances -- and a good deal on them Your merlot outfit sounds lovely! And congrats on the lower size, which is v. meaningful
Kaylets, I'm a real conniver! And it seems to be paying off for me with this -- reminds me of the concept that if you make any movement towards goals the universe will pitch in, big time. This feels like it's all happening pretty quickly. I had a ghost story submission yesterday
K, Dollings, hope all goes well with all mentioned or un- Love, love, love! And let's do our best today, shall we?
Keeping fingers crossed for you, Kaylets, that you stay "permanent". Seems like you're just settled in - but I guess that's an "old fashioned" concept in today's business world.
Conniving is good, Arabella, as you're proving. I was just rereading a horoscope I had clipped on my birthday and it seems like it's recommending some conniving on my part. Or maybe at least that it's time to shake me up a little.
This morning was my "official" weighin and I'm only .6 lbs above that recent low. Of course, tomorrow and water weight will have me up again but one of these days, it will be there (below) permanently. The birthday binge was in between, unfortunately. You know, that same 3 lbs over and over but it was so high after the bd binge that it's like a 7 lb loss the last couple of weeks. Which is really no loss at all because I'm not quite back yet to the miracle loss of 3 weeks ago.
And today is an official "no-count" day for me - i.e., I'm not counting the calories today - not planning a food orgy or anything. Just not going to count them. So I'm ending the current str eak at 3 days and will start another tomorrow when I'll count again.
Gray here today - going to be warm again this afternoon. But gray right now and still a mite foggy. And, I confess, I'm having a mope-ity day. So I'm strapping me on to the wagon (though definitely not counting for this day - only) and going to search out some ways to make me smile
Huzzah! I am here fer the nonce, except it won't be long as I need to take a nap, working tonight, have headache! So much for cheerfulness.
Arabella you IM popped up on your post. I tried to send one, I'm not sure why it did that as it never has before. You might want to make sure that you want that to be on 3FC.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING to ceara, Arabella, Wildfire and all other Canadian Queens.
Foggy again this a.m. but got quite warm yesterday, ditto today. Should have gone to bed when I posted intention to do so - added some calories but had been low enough I was still ok.
Stayed up too late reading so getting a later than usual start but it's that kind of day so should work out ok. Debating a pumpkin festival later in the day. Hmm, a "we'll see".
I am so grateful for the blessing of my Royal comrades! And many other things.
Feeling, this morning, a bit like two parties in two days R2 many parties. And like I'd rather be looking at a stay-at-home week off than a trip to Savannah if I've only got a single week. But I'm sure the parties and trip will be fun and I'm just going to have to find a way to build some space into my weeks before and after so I don't feel overly stressed. Today's the day I'm hosting so I'll make sure to have everything ready well in advance as much as possible. I've got a 27-pounder down there waiting to go in the oven and DH is making stuffing even as I type. We're not even having a big crowd but we love having all the leftovers. That should take care of our poultry needs for a long while to come.
Those ARE some cute birdies!
Amarantha, I hope you're woes with the site are a thing of the past
Anagram, it's fun to stay up a little later occasionally! Wow, you're so close to that big goal.
Kat, hope all goes well
K, I think I'll practice for concert while DH goes out for a run and then go out my own self. Love to all!
Life is suddenly exciting!
I recorded it from the radio and didn't really sound nervous. Only way you could tell would be if you could see the red rash on my neck. I guess if I go on TV I'll have to wear a turtleneck... 
But then again, with the heat of the lights I'd probably end up sweating buckets 
like William Hurt's character in Broadcast News... Hmmm... well, I suppose I don't need to pick out my outfit immediately. 
to all.
but mostly she put out a lot o' cals as the tasks (same employer, just an additional task set she doesn't do now) involved lifting, moving, standing, etc., as well as sittin' 'n writing. Sometimes she went for long walks as the town up there is hilly and beautiful and the work stressful. She also often took mini hikes on the way up just to delay getting there.
suggested this to a grateful 
Am, who was then released from custody with a pledge to sis boom bah more on Tuesday and the case was closed.
help us all. Have a nice day, meetin' attendees."
Hump day
I need a vacation, I think. I may talk to the site director about taking a lightish week next week. Oh I hope this writing gag does help me squiggle into doing only freelance and books. 
I'm keepin' the faith! 
lies, let's do our best here. I will if you will...
Hanging in.
And we've made it to Thursday!
Your merlot outfit sounds lovely! And congrats on the lower size, which is v. meaningful 
