Hello all,

Weekend had ups and downs:

Beautiful weather both days was a definite plus, Saturday, went to a few yard sales and found some gardening items I was honestly looking for and was thrilled to find a salt glazed lamp by a pottery nearby in PA. Its really lovely and worth far more than what I paid and has a place of honor and safety in the living room where I can admire it.

Late Saturday, checking my email I was saddened to find that a DS is having what appears to be a psychiatric breakdown. She has had a diagnosed problem for many years and for the last 10-12 yrs, been stable but something has changed and the symptons sound exactly as when the problem first presented. Unfortuntately, she is not close by and until a solution, even a temporary solution is found, most of the family can only wait and pray.

The other down was that by Sat evening, I was too hungry and grabbing peanut butter, rasin bran, etc mindlessly.

I have to figure some type of foundation so that I do not get so hungry.
And to make sure what I am eating, is something I enjoy. Nothing worse than eating something that doesn't taste right..................


Thanks Arabella, I think I have seen the xylitol in the stores .........see if I can find a sale and/or coupon. I do have rice syrup in the house; perhaps I can experiment with that too.

Anagram, President Princess 15 has a lovely ring to it! How wonderful to watch the Princesses doing so well!


The cruise idea is either high comedy or a life lesson: I have never been other than a 'dinner cruise'.............the only other time 'in' a boat was one of those paddle boats.
But that quote that says
" We cannot change the winds, but we can adjust the sails"

is so meaningful for me.

And I suppose, as the Royal I am, my cruise ship would be custom. Yes, I am liking this idea more and more. Far better than my original image of just a sail boat hugging the shore until it seemed safer to venture further out to sea.

Hmmmmm.........................virtual sailing...........................hmmmmmmm........


PS: The robin's nest in front of kitchen window now has at least 3 tiny mouths reaching up when a parent returns! I am entranced!

Sunny Tuesday

Hello all,

Did better yesterday with food, it's been almost 2 weeks now that I have been out of ice cream and as long as I have yogurt to add to cereal or just fruit I have been ok. Trying to get some momentum for cooking for myself but those first moves are just not happening. I challenged myself as part of a Financial Fitness weekly challenge to just eat out of the pantry and the freezer, and I was thrilled to find my favorite veggie burgers and that's been a help moving me towards cooking .............Not much closer but the veggie burgers are an improvement over peanut butter!

Last Sat, also found some matching pieces to a favorite dinnerware pattern so decided as I running them thru the dishwasher, time to swap the 'safe' corelle and start using the favorite every day. When DS was living here, the good stuff would be treated like it was disposable and I packed it up for safekeeping.
It is heavier than correlle but its a physical thing with me; the feel of holding it.

Now that it's just me, I think I should enjoy my favorite dishes. Small consolation, I would use the corelle forever to have things different but..................


Am also noticing that I am now in the pattern of not eating anything till noon although I am awake by 6 most days. And am eating sometimes 'supper' at 9 pm............. Getting too hungry is dangerous so I need to have something about this time of day and see if that's what it takes to wake up my appetite before noon.....................



How I do go on and on..................


Here's to Tuesday!

Hello all,

Learned a very valuable lesson. Was doing pretty well with the food but then, something triggered memories and I was eating and eating for almost a week.

I did notice yesterday which was another enormous memory day, that after spending over an hour mowing the lawn that I still felt the emotions but was able to control the eating. Mowing the lawn was a lucky accident as I had to mow it yesterday; the only day this week rain isn't forecast.

Feeling sore today as I am in no shape to be pushing the mower but it's done, I got some exercise in, and I might be able to get some gardening done in btwn storms too.......................but need to go and get some vegetables to put in the ground. Have some sunflower seeds and radishes, etc but the tomatoes are to be bought.

I did cook chicken breast to put in smaller portions and freeze. Trying to eat out of the pantry and freezer to get ready for a freezer defrost and to avoid eating out.



Hope all the royals are doing well!!

My toenails are this color too!!!! For two whole days now and before I read WNs post.

I'm looking forward to your week in your Halifax condo too. How sweet to be able to combine work/travel/second honeymoon. And glad you were able to see ex in a different, wholesome light.

Ah yes, Kaylets, the memory binges. Still have some as well as "just plain darned tired" ones. I too am out of ice cream and living from freezer, pantry. I have food - I just don't always have what I'm hungry for and many times can't figure out what that is anyway. Your pet birdie sounds sweet.

I've rearranged my birdbath location this year so it's better seen from my kitchen. It's been full from all the (depressing) rain but birdies seldom seem to come when it's pouring down. I am so longing for sunshine. Last week's was nice but boy, this rain.

Sorry to hear about DS and her illness. It can sound lame but sometimes all you can do for someone is pray and be there if they want your help. You too are vulnerable right now and need to take care of you too.

Dr. feels it's time for me to go back on a nasty drug I left behind many years ago and I'll be starting next week. One, I might add, that I feel contributed to my weight gain.

Speaking of - two "talking points" from this week. I hit the dreaded "2" one day this week (but am currently at 197 so I know it was one of those things). And when I went to doctor's, I was 200.2 on his scale w/o shoes. Now that's not too bad but one of my many goals is to be under "2" on his scale. So close - no cigar.

Heading to Pville this weekend for dance recitals. DS came up for Mother's Day as I was too tired/draggy to accept his invite to come down there for the occasion. Always nice to have him here. While I see him and his sister, neither had been here for months. I think she's coming next weekend unless plans get changed (which happens a lot).

Tried the eating at table instead of while watching tv. I might try to make it a habit at least for a few days to see if it makes a difference for me.

Love the idea of a cruise theme. Hope you sign up for a real one, Kaylets.

The moat at the Palace does not seem about to overflow from all the rain. Huzzah!!

Sun here this afternoon finally. Should be working outside but way too dragged out. Had bloodwork done Wednesday and figure it's nothing "radical" as I've not heard anything yet.

So good for DS to see his Dad doing well too.

Was 196.6 this a.m.

Think I'll take a ride for a few groceries and gas so I won't need to do that before I leave for Pville tomorrow.

Smile back at all the pretty blossoms and flowers. And tell them how much we've missed them.

Yep, WN - I always find it amazing how "coordinated" we are.

Greece - ooh la la, what a trip that would be!!! (Excuse my French

"Survived" trip well. Got in this afternoon and am "almost" back in shape. Missed tai chi though and what with cuts and all it will be almost 3 weeks w/o a class - will have to break down and do it on my own.

The performances were great this year. 50 acts over two "shows". One princess or another was in 7 of them. The tap numbers were particularly good. Both also did a jazz number and P15 did a ballet thing as well.

Still no energy but not as "dead" tired as I might have expected. The plan now is for them to come up next weekend to do an "anything that floats" race that our neighborhood does on the creek each Memorial Day weekend. The girls watched it last year and got all gungho for doing it. With all this rain though, the creek is running pretty high. More rain expected here and there and I'm afraid the race will be cancelled if the creek doesn't go down to it's normally placid depth. Well, can't do a thing about it.......

Happy Victoria Day!!!!!!

Hello all,

NSV's from the closet are always encouraging!! Reinforces job well done and strokes the frugal side too! Well done Wood Nymph!

Anagram, I can so relate to do things, getting things done and then, just tooooo tiiiiirrrreeeeddddd to do anything. I had a difficult weekend this past weekend was DH's birthday and I was overwhelmed in more ways than one.

Today is a better day and very warm so I ran the lawn mower ( only takes 20 minutes to do the backyard when I'm motivated!) and am now using the bright sun and high temps to motivate myself to get big items like blankets and couch covers washed and dried quickly.

My Dsister lives in NC in an assisted living as she is schizophrenic and mentally ******ed. She has been exhibiting fear and other symptoms the past 10 days or so; yesterday was very bad for her; she was intensely afraid; too afraid to move, eat, etc.

She is currently in an emergency psychiatric unit where she is under 24 hr observation and feels somewhat calmer but it could be that the unit is far quieter than the assisted living facility is.

Please keep my sister in your prayers ( and for the the doctors and staff who meet her ) and please feel free to add her to prayer lists


I appreciate!


Back to the laundry~

Hello all!

How interesting to feel so much lightness mentally knowing May is behind me!
It was a long month but for the most part, I did ok.


My sister is showing improvement, hopefully soon we will have word if a permanent place for my sister to stabilize and recover has been chosen.
The hospital where she was admitted last Wed would be a wonderful solution for her in more than a couple ways. Thanks for all the good wishes and prayers.


Temps above 90 predicted today, humidity close to 100%.................I do not enjoy the heat and it makes me sluggish and often worse.
So, I have a meeting at 3 pm today............rest assurred I will be fresh from shower and might even be carrying frozen water to use on wrists and neck!

May was not a good food month.
Royal proclamation: June will be better.

Take care Royals!