Well, belated HB to andria - yes, we just must beeth twins! I'll be doing lots of catchup as well - soon! Thanks for the BD greetings, Royals.

I'm suffering a birthdya bumpup. DS took me out to dinner Sat for my birthday and I took him out for lunch on Sunday for his recent birthday. Then I headed to Princessville for an actual Monday birthday dinner out with her Serene Princess and the younger princesses. Came back yesterday to the usual lots-of-little-stuff to catch up on. A nice birthday - always a nice birthday when you can see loved ones. I'm trying to figure out if this is a good year to stop counting and I truly believe it is. Last year was ok but this number is just too high.

Ah, the magic of Ireland - sounds like the place has still "got it". I had the castle experience as well - Knappoque (?) (McNamara) in my case. Yes - we got to saying "ABC" (another bloody castle) after a while but still fascinating.

Loved the idea of "working" at the symphony, arabella. And there you are - a ghost story in waiting if you don't get to do the new one in time - so you are truly prepared.

Must rush off though I'm loath to. But it is a lovely fallish day here today as well and I must be out in it for a while at least.

Always nice to get back to the palace.........................................

See, wsw, that wasn't so bad, was it? Just remember all the progress you've made - the hard way. And what a lovely dream. Try for that one every night.

A fire breathing dragon? Wow - will be some party, I'll bet. We're staying so close in weight, arabella. Just wish we were staying close a tad lower.

Yes, whoosh fairy should visit us all once in a while. My whoosh is TEMPORARILY gone again - celebrated b.d. once again last night with friend. Nice evening. Then didn't sleep as well as I'd have liked so will drag a little today.

However - TA DA - I put out a table of "FREE"s for the neighborhood garage sale. None of which shall find it's way back to a safe haven. Probably what will go has already gone but it was stuff from garage I'd never use. We'll see. If I had any ambition I'd continue searching (it wouldn't be hard) and replenish a bit. But - in line with "a little is better than none" - I'm happy to have done as much as I did. Also took some nice things to an organization that will take them to VA hospital and also assembled a little pile to go to my sis who will take them to a woman who takes things to women setting up housekeeping when leaving a shelter for abused women. (What a sentence - I know better.)

Add the stuff that actually made it to trash and recycle and I feel I've made some real progress at least in that area of my life this past week. Probably the only area where I've made progress but at least it's some progress. Way more that could be made there too - just as in my weight battle.

Made it to gym once this week. Tai chi this afternoon unless friend calls re previously scheduled but then cancelled luncheon. At this point, I think I'd rather not but she's had a death in family so it's her call. I'll go if she wants to. Don't HAVE TO overeat (repeat as required).

I'm glad you got out and about, wsw, and I can see you make an effort to as well, Arabella. I need to continually find reasons to go or I'd be back at old weight in no time. Plus blue. I love the contentment of my home but the need for people contact is so strong. I'm casting about looking for some other new interest to give a good kick in the pants to my interest level. Hoping for something out of my comfort zone since going with the "singles" group was such a success to me.

Well, while it's still nice and cool, I think I'll take a broom around the garage (all my stuff is outside so it's a good time to hit it). I'll feel SO PROUD if my garage just looks neater. There's even room on some shelves!!!!!!!! Not totally reorganized yet but maybe someday.

IT'S FRIDAY!!!!!!!

Hello All!!!!

Boy am I glad I slowed down long enough to get here!!! Finally!

Okay..... Yes, you DO know someone who is involved with the 85 BILLION Loan the Federal Reserve to the World's Largest Insurance Company.
Yes, you're right, I'm the person you know.....

YIKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And, right about now, you probably still know more than I do. Although I am beginning to figure it out. Except for these "Complicated Credit Instruments"...

So, now what? Well, its all up to whoever buys what......

And yes, I am one of those "profitable divisions" the press continues to mention...... SO......

Seems like a really good reason to stress eat doesn't it???
well, I thought about it and.... decided the job, the Fed, the banks, the this, the that.... I have no real control over all that outside stuff....
I need to be healthy and strong for whatever will happen next .....

I really think I heard that CLICK that Woodnymph talks about it. It sure sounded like a click to me....


Happy Birthday Anagram!!!


Sure am glad its Friday~

"I need to be healthy and strong for whatever will happen next ....."
Wow, I am so in the "next" portion of that statement right now, Kaylet. Last week I was all fired up and ready to move on, and then the bottom dropped out of my life once again. I really don't enjoy drama, and I don't like having it as a part of my life, but I can't get away from this one, either.
I can't really explain yet what is going on, mostly because I don't understand it all, but suffice it to say that I'm about as stressed as I was with my mother's cancer and death. And I'm not dealing with it as well as I should. My eating is slipping backwards toward comfort instead of good, clean fuel.
I've been avoiding posting here because I have to sound so cryptic right now, and that doesn't feel right. As soon as I am able, I'll share the rest of the story. Until then, I have to remember to keep myself healthy and strong, not only for myself, but for my family. Healthy and strong isn't found at the bottom of a French fry container or swimming around in the dregs of a pint of ice cream.
I'm going to head out of here and do some nice, quiet meditation before the day really gets going. Wish me luck!

Take care, and have a great Sunday, all.

Andria

Goodbye, sweet Summer - Welcome Fall - best time of year as far as I'm concerned. Hope it works out that way.

Congrats on reaching your 40 lb goal, Arabella. That's so affirming!!!

And, Kaylets, our Connection to all the News. I'm trying to not pay too much attention until things settle a bit. No wonder you've been hearing rumors of layoffs, etc. But you're right - not a lot you can do and eating won't help. I'm trying to convince myself of that too.

Oh, Andria, you certainly have had much drama in your life lately and I hope this mysterious latest chaper will resolve itself quickly so you can get on with enjoying life.

I'm going to be gone a day or two again. DD having lithotripsy tomorrow for another kidney stone, this one three times larger than the last and still in the kidney so dr. has warned her she'll need to be on painkillers, etc. while trying to pass the pieces once it's blasted into smaller pebbles. So don't know when I'll be back as it depends on how well she does.

I did try something new over the weekend but know already it won't be my new "open door". Going to find one though.

Well, going to turn in early tonight so I can get up nice and early and be on my way.

Hi, wsw, kat, ceara. Hope all's going well.

I've enjoyed this nice fall weather and hope we get lots more of it.

No excuses, I just need to get my self into high motivation mode once again. I finally got around to watching The Biggest Loser... oh, if that isn't motivating, I don't know what is! They did a thing where they showed what your internal organs look like covered in fat, and how it affects your body's actual age... One man was my age, (51) but with the weight and all the health issues associated with that, his body's age was somewhere in the 70s. 75, I think? Scary.

I had taken today off, originally because DH was off, but he got an offer to play golf with my brother and jumped on it. I don't blame him, the weather is perfect for a day on the links! I've been puttering around here, catching up on the decluttering that I've been meaning/trying to do, and more importantly, I made all the appointments that needed making: routine physical, mammo, gyn, eyes, I even contacted the community college to take a course that I had missed last year when my dad died. Still waiting to hear back on that...

I'm actually looking forward to seeing my primary doc, haven't seen her in over a year, so I've lost a chunk of weight since that last visit. It's two weeks til that appointment, so I'd like to kick the efforts up a notch or two and really impress her.

Geez! What the heck is wrong with me?! I'm happy to do what's right for me, for her, so why not for me??
Note to self: think about adding shrink to list of doctors to see!

Last week, I made a point of hitting the gym four nights in a row...haven't been back since, but I had the best of intentions for today! Definitely tomorrow.

This post has been sitting here for, literally, HOURS, waiting for me to finish and send... I know I've been terrible at keeping up, but I feel as though I have very little to contribute... I'm boring myself with what I've written so far, but I don't want to not post, again. You guys always inspire me to do better, I hope that inspiration kicks in again and that I can soon return the favor.

Please forgive the dismal post and lack of personal replies... it's been all I can do to muster up the nerve to post this!

I promise I'll be better soon.

Thanks, Arabella... I need to be needed! So here I am, and in a much better mood today! Go figure. I got on the scale and was wholly disappointed with what I saw...which sometimes sets the tone for the day...BUT! As I was looking for a blouse for work, I came across one that (last time I tried it on) was a wee bit too snug to wear and be comfortable. I was desperate, so I tried it on, and lo and behold, no pulling at the buttons, not even when I sat down! Dare I say it's a teeny bit loose? I DARE! I DARE!

So that was a serious mood booster. That, and this glorious early Fall weather, which gladdens my heart!

Where is this 21 day thread, by the way? I'm game! Halfway through Day 1, totally OP food-wise, & packed and ready for the gym after work today.

Okay, I could really sit and post away, but I should get back to work... I just wanted to share and let you know I'm okay. I have a dentist appt after work and then I'm hitting the gym, so I don't know if I'll be back tonight, I will try.

Have a great day, all...