Flying by really quickly, sort of waving at the palace and wishing I could stop in for a R&R...

Thank you for all your kind thoughts and well wishes. You have been more than s for me, to be sure.

The funeral was simply beautiful, and it was so comforting to be around all my siblings. I was able to bring home a couple of things that belonged to mom, and that is helping a bit as well. What I really need right now is time to take a day out and just cry, but school isn't going to allow for that. The paperwork behind the scenes is killing me, and all the meetings are sealing the deal. They don't warn you about this part.

On the good side, the weight seems to still be moving down. I guess it is because I am so busy? I'm not entirely sure, because I haven't been journaling the last couple of weeks. Anyway, the scale said 299 this morning. I'll wait a couple of days to see if it sticks, but have to tell you that it was shocking to not see a 3 as the first digit.

Arabella, love to hear you are pulling out Messiah practice stuff. It would be so much fun to be out singing with a group! And you know you are right about the effort keeping your weight steady instead of moving up. Keep steady. It will move the right direction again, and we're keeping our fingers crossed that it is sooner instead of later.

wsw, you mentioned plateaus, and I couldn't help thinking of the beautiful mesas back home. The view is so incredible up there, and maybe that is what a plateau is all about; we need to take a moment to enjoy where we are before we move on down again. The thought is kind of fuzzy, but maybe you get where I'm heading with it.

anagram, thank you for mentioning meditation and taking pride in the little things you are doing. It really reminded me to do the same for myself.


There are a zillion more things to say, but there is no time left to do so this morning. I'm still trying to sort out the mess the substitute left behind. I left it all in the middle of my desk when I walked out of the school at 6 last night. Just couldn't deal with one more thing, and figured it would still be there in the morning. Much easier to face some things with a fresh day behind me.

*HUGS*

Andria

Flying by here to bump us up. Awfully quiet in the Palace.

As might have been expected, since I had a plan to make work bearable, I got a whole pile of stuff loaded on me. Anyway, digging out from under.

Still plateauing -- and I've had it with this view! (although I loved the metaphor, Andria!)

Andria, the funeral sounds perfect. Odd concept, I know, but it's so meaningful and helpful.

I'm so excited for you getting to Twoterville! This really seems like a very significant time for you, with the passing of your mom and your new job too. Try to take a few moments for yourself, whenever you can.

Back to woik. DGS is due to arrive any moment, too. Must prepare!

I am one naughty and deserve a slap or two on the wrist. Have not been checking in regularly for some reason and am lucky not to have gained a ton or two as is my wont when I stray too long away. 207.8 this morning and I consider that a gift.

I'm glad you were able to get some comfort at the funeral and with your sibs, andria. Hopping right back to work too is no picnic. You will need that day to cry - even if it's in bits and pieces. But it's so wonderful you're seeing that 2 number. Hang in and hang on. You've had so many changes in such a short period of time - just go with the whirlwind as much as you can and, eventually, life will seem sort of "normal" ish again. Whatever your new "normal" will be.

Loved the mesa thought too - and maybe it would help to consider my long plateau a stay on a gorgeous mesa. I agree, Arabella, if I were not at least "on and off" about my working on my weight, Lord knows what I'd be like. I could be lots better but I sure could be lots and lots worse. If fact many moons ago DS commented to me that I'd been working on my weight as long as he could remember and it must be discouraging not to be able to get it down. My reply was that I had to keep working at it because it would be so much worse if I didn't. Still true.

Keep hanging on to that resolve, wsw. You'll have another swoosh one of these days shortly - like when and if cool weather ever comes. Humidity makes me hang on to water too.

Stick to that "making work bearable" plan, Arabella, no matter how much they try to throw you off. A beach day should help - or a beach couple of hours - or meditating about the beach. I'm sure that stress plays a role in your weight battle somewhere - I always felt that was way true of Empress too - and maybe all of us in one way or another.

As to where this delinquent has been - beats me. DD & the princesses were here for a couple of days. Two gym trips, one tai chi. Oh, and I got my new Camry - Royal Blue btw as befits a . Just put my 100th mile on it today. My "be nice to me" gift (now I'd better start earning it )

I've been trying to be leisurely the last few weeks and it's been working. I know hectic times will be coming up again soon so I've been taking advantage. So much rain for you, Arabella, and (up until Gustav and Hanna) we were on track for our dryest August ever. I didn't venture out on yesterday's rain but it's lovely outside today. Just put in some uplifting patio time. This coming week has a habit of being one of my most reliably "depressed" weeks of the year. Noticed it many years ago - always ascribe some of it to hay fever but that hasn't been too bad this year so far (though certainly showing its miserable face) and oft questioned if it had anything to do with soon becoming a year older. So I'm trying to head that off any which way I can - see if I can beat the "down" trend in that area of my life and get another area heading "down" that struggles to keep going up.

So I'm glad to be back in the palace. Looking for that Ireland report too as soon as kat comes down to earch a bit. Hey, Kaylets - we need a little fresh inspiration................

So what was it I was going to do next? Hmm, senior moment - I can't remember but it's not like I don't have lots to choose from.

CY'all.

206.8 today but eating out with Singles group tonight so don't think I'll weigh tomorrow. Mexican and I'll try for good choices but there's always that salt thing. However, I think I need the company enough that it's a good trade off.

Nice out this a.m. and did read paper on patio this a.m. again but want to spend some more time outside doing putzy little things before it's time for tai chi. Then some little errands to be accomplished but they're still fun in my little go-mobile.

Good for you, arabella. A task here and a task there and it may not ALL get done but it will be closer. I did a few little shelves here and there over the weekend too. In no particular order - just what the mood struck on. In my younger years, I'd have made it a BIG project and never got it all done that way either Also started pulling a thing or two out of closets here and there. Saw neighborhood is having a fall garage sale (which I wasn't expecting). Thinking about it Have a week and a half - might just put lots of FREE things out on a table and leave the garage door down. Hmmm - we'll see how it goes. If I get enough together by then - otherwise it will just be smallish trips to SA or GW.

Anyway, time for another cuppa and a few more leetle chores.

MARVY MONDAY

Woke up to some nasty thunderstorms today, did a little business then hit the gym and had a pedicure. (Yay, me). Having trouble getting in the swing of the rest of the day though. Was careful at restaurant last night and not feeling TOO swollen. Did an early weigh in which was good but was not "official'. We'll see tomorrow. Being careful again today so as both not to gain and also not to upset stomach which doesn't like too much of that spicy stuff.

A nap seems like a good idea but I think I'll force me to make one more phone call before I give in..........................

206.6 this a.m. I'll take it. No long term effects apparently from my Mexican night out.

Lovely today so I'm heading out for some casual shopping. Shoes, mebbe, also maybe a new little rug for the foyer. Nothing serious.

And this afternoon, I get to babysit for my little doll next door - almost six months old now. Unfortunately, she's supposed to be sleeping. Hmmm - nah, I couldn't bear to wake a sleeping baby.

Tai chi'd Monday, gym-ed yesterday. Lazy today maybe.

I can hear you singing from here, Arabella.