Ah, such a lovely evening on the patio of peace and contentment..........reminded me I had not been in touch with the Palace for a while...........

Arabella - I loved the treatment - what a great story - can't wait to see it on screen - could visualize everything. Marvelous. Just like your harbor and woods descriptions.

A champagne convertible, kat - whew! Sounds such fun - and sort of reminds me of the year when my son first went off to college. Once he was moved and settled in, I traded in my "Momma" station wagon and went with a sporty little thing for a while. Was so glad to be more-or-less out of the taxi business.

Andria, isn't it amazing the things you can find to do when you have a little extra time and a lot less stress? When do the princesses return? How nice to have an in-house dr. if you must have a problem. Good luck with the "control" plan.

And, wsw, how I love your friends for being such good friends to you. I love the girly shoes story too as I also must wear the sturdy type 99 3/4% of the time (which sure limits the types of clothes you wear).

And K - you certainly made me smile. Too bad you warned me before I was approached by that "inspector".

Speaking of smiling - I just saw "The Proposal" - haven't laughed so much for a long time.

I spent a week in Princessville recently and have just sort of caught up, i.e., ended up back where I was before I left (well, except for weeds). Getting back in the routine of pool workouts but have had a bit too much social life lately to say I've been on the straight and narrow.

So have a happy 4th, all ye of that persuasion and a belated happy Canada day to others.

Smiles and happy days to all ye Royals.

What a busy you were yesterday, Arabella. I'm always impressed you do so much AND woodswoggle

I agree on the health merits of social life and have been working hard to improve mine despite the ruination of my healthiest of plans. My biggest complaint about it really is the amount of salt in most restaurant foods no matter the type. Since I retain water so easily, it can take me a week or two of "home cookin' " to get rid of what I pick up in once nice dinner out.

It is just so lovely here this morning. Read the paper on the patio and, once I make my meager brekkie, I think that will be out there as well. Have only laundry, groceries and gardening on my tentative schedule and all of those can wait as well. So - my idea of a perfect day and I do have a book I want to get into. Sigh - but this time a good sigh

Isn't it nice to have a long weekend? I'm still getting used to not shuffling holidays, and being off every weekend and holiday is a continuing source of delight! And NOW, with DH on the same schedule? I feel like we're dating again! We had a lovely day yesterday... (my birthday, btw) We packed a picnic and went to the beach, (in my new convertible, natch) spent a long, languishing day there, stopped in a pretty little harbor town on the way home, got ice cream, and took a nice long stroll. We got home just in time catch the local fireworks show. The best place to view them, away from the crowds, is the parking lot at the movie theater, so after it was over, we popped inside and saw "Public Enemies." It was pretty good, from what I saw... I did cop a few ZZZs in the middle of the story, but I guess I only missed another bank robbery and shoot out with the police! (I think next week's movie will be The Proposal, thanks for the insight, Anagram! It looks funny in the previews, but sometimes you never know, so I'm glad to have a first hand review!) All in all, it was a nice, mellow day... today I intend to spend the entire day doing gardening and yardwork... maybe throw some hot dogs on the grill later. It is gloriously sunny today, warm and not humid! Finally! The summer weather we've been waiting for!

So, with the birthday coinciding with the halfway through the year mark, I decided that it was time to review and re-evaluate what's working/what's not, re: weight loss issues. (note to self: nothing is working at the moment!) I've gotten myself stuck in a rut again and it's just time to crawl out of it! Daily exercise has dwindled down to a very occasional lunchtime walk, food choices, by and large, could be much better... the direct result of the near non-existence of planning ahead. (or maybe all that dating! ) My big plan at the beginning of the year was to LOSE 50# by my birthday, but I'm not going to wail and gnash my teeth over what I haven't accomplished. I know what to do, so I will just readjust and reset that goal for the END of the year. Certainly doable if I just, uh... DO IT!

So I will! Which means I need to get moving here...

Wishing everyone a Happy Fourth of July and a belated Happy Canada Day! Have a wonderful weekend, eat well and move much! (my plan in a nutshell!)


PS... I just killed me to change my ticker, but it's time to face it!

Belated birthday greetings to kat and to kaylets. Sisters under the stars!

New plants sound delightful, arabella. My day lillies are currently a joy of my life. And SOOOO much patio time - aaah!

Today I meet DD "halfway" to bring Princess 13 up for a couple of days - another joyful time. We'll do it again Wednesday and I'll bring up Princess "almost 9" for an overnight stay and then again Thursday to return them both safely to Mama. I go a little less than "halfway" as we meet at an outlet mall Needless to say, there will be a little shopping done as well - but more DD than I as many of the shops are aimed more at the younger crowd and I'm betting there will be some bargains for the early days of back to school.

So I'll be missing here a few more days but I'll be thinking of all in the Palace.

Just sending some quick *HUGS* to all my favorite royals! Curriculum writing is kicking my backside, but we'll be done Friday. See y'all this weekend.

Andria

A very quick, late night "hello" to all... then I'm off to bed. Dh and I have spent the major part of this evening cleaning out DS's room... The horror! I have 3 large bags of clothes to be donated and 2 huge bags of trash out at the curb. Tomorrow I'm heading back up there with the vacuum and and some Lysol! He's coming home tomorrow, just for an overnighter, then back to camp he'll go on Sunday. Boy, is he gonna be pissed when he sees what we've done! (when he should get down on his knees and thank us!) DH came across an old journal of his... started when he was about 9 or 10, and kept it up for about 3 years... I know, I know... we shouldn't have read it, but it was SO FUNNY! And how else would I know that he could write so well?

I'm loving this weather... the AC has been off for over a week! I had a grand walk last night, it was gloriously cool out and the smell of honeysuckle was intoxicating! The dog and I cruised all over the neighborhood, checking out streets I've never been down before... I love doing that! I need to do lots more of that. I am entertaining the thought of signing up for a private trainer at my gym... we'll see.

I need to hit the sack now, but I wanted to pop in and check up on y'all... and I still have to check out Arabella's thread about the Gabriel Method too!

Have a lovely weekend, pretty s!

So it's a lovely Saturday morning and I'm having trouble getting me going. But it's ok - I can be a leisurely after such a busy week.

So enjoyed the princesses. Was FORCED to buy an outfit at the outlets while waiting for the "late as usual" DD. Had P13 M-T, did a retrip on W to pick up P8. Museumed, bowled (the Ps, not I), minigolfed (ditto), "cooked", sewed, etc. Then last night I went to track and casino with friends. Lost, of course, but not much.

Have a 50th birthday party today - then at least two evenings out so far next week. I'm trying to make wiser choices but no way I'll be losing at this rate. However, I often say I need more social life so can't complain when it's happening.

New little grandniece born yesterday in Alaska. New life is always such a joy. Will be losing my dear little neighbors soon - their house sold in two days (so all is not rotten everywhere) and am musing re a parting gift. No idea what but want something "special".

Well, my second cuppa should be cooled off enough. I think I'll throw a load of laundry in and then take the tea to the Patio of..........

Some computer problems this week - hope I've managed to "fix" them.


A joyous weekend to all Royals.

It did occur to me, whilst I was out a-walking, that it might sound like I thought that meant I don't think I'm fat. I assure you, that's not the case. I'm a good 40-odd pounds overweight and I know it! Just... all dressed and with no actual skinny person standing next to me... I looked fine.

I can't think of a better NSV than that, Arabella! Being happy with my reflection is something I long for! Good for you!

I popped in for a minute to use the loo... heard the computer humming and had to check for an email, so, naturally I cruised on over to the Palace. I bought some impatiens to replace my scraggly pansies, and three big pots of cosmos, just because I love 'em! I picked 2 giant zucchinis out of my garden and a fistful of green beans. We picked up some corn at the garden shop and two nice tomatoes, which I'll cut up with some of my fresh basil. ...guess what's on the menu tonight?

Okay, back to the dirt for me. Hope all are having as lovely a day as I am!