The harbor and condo sounds just delightful. Farmers market too.
And so cute abouit DGS and leaves. Love how you turned it all into a great education moment.
Kaylets, I am so sorry about youir sister. And I definitely can relate to the DH birthday situation. I still schedule nothing on DHs birthday and then do something "appropriate" to situation and mood. Sometimes just as simple as eating at Hoss's - which he liked to do, or walking in a park he liked.
Been strange here - tornados hitting locally - unusual for PA. Messed up my garden and some tree branches, etc. down. Fortunately no loss of life here. I'll be forever getting garden and patio of P&C back in shape but working on it.
Lost phone and internet for a while - didn't know I was so adicted.
Then BIL in intensive care for last week and a half. His kids flew in to Texas to say goodbye but he has now rallied a bit. Some similarities to DHs situation so that, too, has been hard.
The trip to Pville was great. "floats" race didn't come off (for us anyway). The creek was way swollen and muddied from all the rains. Plus there had been a sewer malfunction nearby which added some additional contaminants to the creek. It was a lovely day and I think they had the race but, for us, it was a no go. So I met up with the foursome at the outlets in G'burg. Wish retail therapy restored me as it does some. Our economy would be in better shape.
My best news this week was a call from a nephew that he and wife (and 18 month old doll baby) are expecting twins. Always fun.
Still dragging - but a bit better. And yesterday - at about 4:45, I felt a little surge of energy and got up and did some vacuuming. Yes, it was that noticeable. Feeling better this morning as well and did a little bit. Not in danger of overdoing as I want to go to pool this morning and then have a graduation party this afternoon. Had a picnic Thursday too. Not doing well on food front but social life a bit better
Not admitting yet that the new med is part of it Maybe the better weather - hope it lasts.
Anyway, hope to be better (in all areas) in June.
Congrats on that five pounds, WN. /And all the NSVs.
Third day of a four-day weekend. I'm still draggy myself -- a bit of the whatevers -- but not incapacitated. I'm blaming the weather. We've had very little this spring. At one point, the weather man reported that it had rained for 28 out of 32 days. No wonder the whatevs can get us. But maybe the sun will come out today...
This morning's the "lite" hot yoga class, so just an hour, a bit less heat and a bit less rigourous. I went for the first time last week and it was good. Still 96, though. And it feels good to be able to mostly do everything, as I can in that class. Friday night I was trying to demonstrate for DH the impossibility of moving from downward dog into pigeon: From downward dog, "exhale right leg up to point to the ceiling and then inhale right leg down so the bent knee comes to the right wrist, while lowering the left hip until the left leg is straight out behind on the mat and toes pointing to the back of the room."
Then, haha, we're supposed to get both hips and forehead down to the mat. Well, I'm not going to get there any time soon but I found that I COULD get as far as the getting my right knee to right wrist and get as close to as in position as I can get. V. impressed with self, I am. Now to see if I can demonstrate in class...
I've been getting in a fair amount of practice. I want to advance to the point that I have the words memorized so that I can practice freely while I cook and putter. Four weeks from tonight is the performance, so still a very nice block of time to get ready.
Anagram, sorry that BIL has been having a hard time! Have things been very up and down with him? Also sorry your Patio of P & C was assaulted -- we s need our refuges.
Here's to energy surges and ! May there be more of both!
WN, I too am very, very impressed with your yoga capacities. The visual was entertaining though - I probably had more trouble visualizing that than you had accomplishing it. No problem visualizing you practicing though
Been very, very hot and stormy here again. Today somewhat better. Have been pooling and tai chiing and running around for fun every chance I get.
Which explains the 200.4 on weigh in day, then was down to 196.6 yesterday and 197.x today. Must not have so much fun - which seems to translate as eating though talking is close. And patio of P&C has been restored and is being much used. Aaaah!
A little computer problem or two since DS installed something more when he was last here. Kiddos had decided they'd give me new computer for Mother's Day as they figured mine is getting up there, etc. I declined so he added some external drive or another so if my motherboard (or something) should give out, I not lose everything. Since then, thing is getting wonky from time to time and is trying my patience. Plus, since I cleaned the crumbs out of my keyboard, it doesn't seem to be as responsive. Hungry, I guess.
I've been doing a tad better at the "whatevers" since I'm back on the new/old med. Hate to say dr. may have been right. Not where I want to be yet but lots, lots better.
Well, off on another very runny aroundish day.....
Just slurping before heading out for Sunday walk, to be punctuated by the 60-minute Sunday Moksha "lite" class. I went to the 90-minute non-lite class yesterday and it was a bit much -- left me feeling a little too tired to do anything the rest of the day -- but today's class should be more user-friendly.
Can you believe that we STILL haven't gotten more than a few hours of weather warm enough to sit out? And has been scarce, too. Seems to be improving, but even this morning it was cold enough to put the heat on. Didn't do it, mind you but it was cold enough.
Tomorrow I'm taking my mom to visit my dad's sister, who lives only a few blocks from the church where we rehearse Carmina. We're going to visit my sister who lives 10 mins away and then visit my aunt, go out to dinner. Then my mom and aunt can visit for a couple of hours while I go to practice. I'm very fond of my aunt but rarely manage a visit. A combination of busy-ness and a big family, I guess. So hard to fit everyone and everything in.
Anagram, so glad the Patio of P&C has been restored! Computers are so frustrating. Maybe you should agree to the new one. They really have improved in the last few years.
Ah, tai chi! I must start making a point of doing a set every day. It really only takes a few minutes and is an excellent practice.
Just about time to round up my stuff and get out the door. Have a fantabulous Sunday!
The heat, heat, heat !! Now I remember what happened! Record breaking temps and almost 100% humidity, does not flatter me......................
Trying to get bettter at better eating.
No icecream in the house which is better.
I did notice last night during a support group meeting when things got tense, I became craving and tasting a chocolate milkshake. Could honestly taste it while sitting there listening to someone very emotional and angry share.
I had the craving all the way home but instead came straight home and had Vanilla yogurt with frozen blueberries.
One of the first times I could draw an arrow directly from stress to response.
Weather has been lovely for two days. Hoping to finally, get the garden in some kind of shape.
Hope all the Royals are well.
WoodNymph, re yoga: you are miles ahead of me in flexibility so do not despair!
Anagram: Keyboards..................I have had instances when some crumbs wind up under the letter and the key is unable to hit the contact underneath.
If you have a specific key that doesn't seem to respond, ( for me, its often the space bar) you can carefully lift the key off the key board. It's amazing what you might find!
I began taking Black Cohosh again, ran out a few months ago and I realized I was having extreme hot flashes. Sweat running down my forehead while sitting in airconditioned rooms. It's been a week and I notice it's helping mood a little too.
an update on my sister, thanks for all good thoughts and prayers: She is much improved and has returned to the assisted living. She knows the staff and routine although it is not the perfect solution for her. I appreciate your support!
Another cold day here -- high 40s F. It's just WRONG! It's supposed to be warmer later on, with some I sure hope so!
Busy times around here. Things will quiet down again after the performance, on July 3rd. No more practicing, travelling to rehearsals. And the writing group will be on hiatus for the summer too.
At hot yoga yesterday, one of the instructors said "You look smaller every time I see you -- it's crazy!" I said that I'd actually gained a pound last week and another instructor said that it's better not to weigh yourself when you're starting with hot yoga. I know that it targets every muscle in the body, so there's some muscle gain. And I can see a difference. But I'm not going to stop weighing in -- might just have to be satisfied with my slow loss. At least for now.
Kaylets, I wish we could exchange some heat/cool -- then we'd likely have some weather that suited us both. Our temps have been ridiculously low for -- oh dear -- months. Literally.
Anagram!
All right. Let's take this day we've been given and do our level best with it.
hello queenlies! have missed you all. just a quick note to say hi, and i have been thinking about you, even though not very good at checking in. will be back again when have had a chance to catch up on your posts. definitely have not been stellar on my food program, but sneaking back in to it more and more. well, take care, all.
So good to come back to the palace and see both wsw and Kaylets "in the house".
Well, computer stuff!!!! Turns out I've had a mess lately and a LOT OF IT was the server. They finally said so at some point and then a day or two later sent some instructions to follow. I did and almost all the emails in my email got eaten by a technology ogre.
However, things seem better the last few times I've tried. Not there yet but things are looking up.
Some problems too with something I allowed to "install" from Adobe. But, overall, better. Though I am looking moderate term to get something new. I had had it in mind for longterm before DS mentioned it. Just hate to learn all the new stuff but am looking for something more at least like a laptop and then "perhaps" wi-fi and all that stuff. Decisions, decisions....
But I have missed the Palace and that may be my main reason (beyond family pictures) for staying in the marketplace.
I have been bad, bad, bad, bad, bad. And scale is showing it.....
DD/family are here this weekend but are at Hersheypark today so I'm "resting". We saw Hello Dolly yesterday and went to a site where "Extreme Makeover -Home Edition" was working the day before. Don't know what, if any, plans for tomorrow are.
Hope visit with aunt went well, Arabella. I can feel your excitement about next week's performance.
Kaylets, I've worked a lot out of my freezer and house lately and by the time the crew is gone things should be really low. DS/DDIL were here last weekend for a very brief time as well.
wsw, always good to hear from you and you're still an inspiration
BIL is still in intensive care but is expected to go elsewhere early next week. He's come a long way but lots and lots of "way" to go.
Back from my travels to other castles.................I guess that's where I was.....amazing how fast June has sped by..................
I too, have been not good with the food but at least if I have to have icecream, etc, I have to leave the house and get it. I continue not to measure but its with fruit, plain yogurt, etc.
As I write 'fessing up about a milkshake Monday night I suddenly remembered the last time I went to a Grief Support meeting I was craving milkshakes.............Monday night I thought it was because I didn't haver supper.....Hmmmmm..... well, the good news about the Monday night milkshake was that it was a medium size AND it was supper.
I have to make a plan for the next meeting...............Have a supper I really enjoy before hand and something I really enjoy waiting for me afterwards..............Hmmmmmm.......talk about comfort eating...........................Hmmmmm........... ...................
Glad to see everyone is getting things done. I filled two garbage bags so far with shredding and it was very freeing.
I am trying to get a pattern of a few minutes in the garden, hoping the little bits will add up. I am far, far behind this year. I finally decided that the big tomato garden will just be wildflowers and sunflowers................
The dogs are convinced its the best place to dig....I am going to have to get a real fence to keep the dogs out as what I have up now, they can just leap over.
Have shopped at some garage sales. Found some treasures, mostly nice pots or plant racks that I am using in the front garden. Safe from the dogs, especially the one who enjoys chewing up flower pots.
She enjoys chewing up sticks too, just a dog who loves to chew.........
I can just barely believe we've gotten to this point but, yes, the performance is tomorrow evening. We were in rehearsal all day today, standing and singing most of the time between 9:30 this morning and 5 this aft. I'm not a good stander -- I could walk that same amount of time much more easily than stand. But... it's going to be spectacular! My DH and DM and two DSes are going to be there, as well as my neighbour and maybe a friend or two.
Hot yoga still going well. I was going to go tomorrow morning but we've got to be there earlier than previously scheduled so I may try to go through the sequence by myself after the Sunday walk. Steppin' steppin; steppin'
WSW, so lovely to see you peek in the Palace portal! Now get your butt back in here
Anagram, why do I suspect that your "bad, bad, bad" means that you're up two or three pounds? You'll recover in no time.
Kaylets, I'm thinking I'll be able to get a thing or two done after the performance is over. Oh, things have been sliding. My plants were looking reproachful.
So how went the performance? Sounds all so exciting. And what next?
Yes, Arabella, that's exactly what it means. I've gone over 200 again a few times. Some is the med (as I feared) but I certainly am helping it out. I'm not to the point of always being over 200 so all hope is not lost but I SWORE this would not happen.
Went to see Ilianthe (?) - Gilbert & Sullivan - last week. Cute. DD/family were here for about 4 days and are coming again Friday. Piddling along, accomplishing some, just not in gear. Doing the tiny bits of yard work too, Kaylets. Sometimes gaining on it, sometimes feeling in Jungleland.
Never seem to get notices of posts though I have the block checked. And I always relied on that to remind me to crumb it back to the Palace. Whole computer thing still a hassle. DS says it's dying so I'm looking into replacement which means a whole lot of study for me - before I just hand him the credit card and say buy me what you think I should have
Feeling less draggy though so suspect med is working. Still no bundle of energy though.
Oh, oh, oh - I really stepped out of my comfort zone. During one of those free weekends of a matchmaking site, I "connected" with a fellow - drove 35 minutes to lunch with him last week. Nice guy but suddenly seemed to want a lot more than he had indicated on his profile (we both said "casual" and "friendship"). I left lunch feeling I could be engaged by next week if I wanted. Well, I now know that (even after five and a half years) I'm nowhere near ready for any thing more than I have now. But it was a step out there and that's always good. I kept thinking of my Queens and how I'd have your back no matter what. Nice friends and feeling to have.
Off to P/P/C for a few last minutes of the gloaming before settling in for the night.
Maybe I'll catch sight of a fairy or a lightning bug.....
Well. My voice sounds normal today, at any rate. Had gone quite husky after the performance, and no wonder.
It was just amazing. Sold-out house, and after the last note the audience leapt to their feet and applauded, hooted, stomped and bravoed. The entire choir was grinning ear-to-ear. We sure worked hard. My mom said that she'd thought we rehearsed a ridiculous amount and it was not necessary but when she saw the performance she understood. Not quite like singing any other kind of music.
I was wiped Monday and yesterday but, like my voice, normalish today. I spoke to the conductor and she said that she'd be a wreck for two days and then back to normal. So maybe that's the standard for Carmina. I've never experienced the same thing with any other music I've done. Especially demanding, I guess.
Nothing more planned until my regular choir starts up again in September. I intend to learn to read music better in the meantime.
Oh, Anagram, how interesting! Maybe some folk just say "friendship" so that they won't raise expectations unless they meet someone exceptional. As your guy seems to have done.
Fun to have boy friends, even a little flirtatious, anyway. I feel like if I lost my DH I'd probably not want a relationship for a long time, if ever.
K, I'd best get back to work. Finally hot here and I'm wishing I didn't have to, but I do. Aw, heigh-ho.
Carmina is indeed inspiring. wonder how you'll exceed that? Glad it went so well and really glad it was appreciated.
I feel badly in a way about "my" (oh, my) guy. I feel perhaps he'll be discouraged - I think it was his first stab as well. Only widowed a year and a half though.
Well, I was a bit curious but now I'm not anymore. I compare everyone with DH and doubt I'd get that lucky again. Actually wouldn't expect it to be the same, of course. Still I have a teeny bit of "flirtatious" left. Not up to hassles though.
DD & crew here again overnight and some back again tomorrow night. All else seems to be going rather "summerish". Hot, laid back, etc. Weight UP. Went out to dinner this evening with neighbor - salmon, rice, broccoli - yum.
Hope all other s are being "summerish" too. A time to be lazy a bit.
WoodNymph --So glad your performance was so well recvd but more importantly, that the choir and Carmina were pleased and knew a good job was done by all. How magnicifent. Congratulations!
Such a lesson isn't it??? A group comes together, in this case for music, is challenged, challenged some more but presses on and the outcome is so much more than the paticipants efforts.
Yes, Anagram I am seeing either in the face to face meetings or online groups for Widows/widowers that too many people have such a sense of urgency. If you were not the Royal you are, you could have taken advantage of your lunch date because he is so vulnerable. I can identify with you about social companionship but really dread the 'dating' scene.
And then, I witness so many with this urgency.
In the corporate world, when they are having trouble filling a position, they refer to their sense of desperation to hire anyone as "warm body syndrome"........Its a distasteful term in business and even more so in the dating context.
I can relate. To have the companionship again.
But I do not look forward to the dating scene.
And again, as you said Anagram, the support and friendship here.....this little group too, we have become greater than just the parts.....
Hmmmmm.....I was thinking about the expression "Putting yourself out there".....used to think that expression had a bad connotation....now realize that by putting myself out there, has been an enormous help.
Then, back to food/eating issue. I am starting this morning a new routine.
Might sound odd, but since DH died, I have been waiting too long to eat and then wind up with a cheese sandwich or cereal because I can't wait for food to cook............So..... today, I go and have a veggie burger for breakfast to avoid the 1pm "so hungry I can't wait another minute"............
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Thought of the day:
"Many stones you will find on your path. It's up to you what you make from it ;
A Bridge or a Wall....It's always your choice..!"
I'm sitting in my front porch while it pelts down outside. Makes me feel a little outdoorsy instead of stuck in the office. Now, I suppose, I should be thinking about doing some actual work. Soon...
I carried all my houseplants out to the deck -- I could see them looking longingly at all the water coming down outside while they were getting dry. I swear, I can see them look extra perky when they get some real rain.
Kaylets, "warm body syndrome" is a serious issue. I've got a couple of sisters who've suffered from it. They used to be compelled to find a new beau as soon as the current one was out of the picture. And one of them always complicated it by being immediately "in love" with the new beau, too.
I think there's a lot of value for us in being alone. And, of course, you don't have to jump into the dating scene until -- or if -- you want to.
Love the QOD! Today, I'll say, I've decided to start working on a fictionalization of the best ghost story I collected for the book. And then, go back and write a screenplay based on it.
Anagram, flirtatious and hassle-free sounds like a plan. I wouldn't feel too badly about "your guy" -- there are lots of women dying to settle again ASAP and no doubt he can find one. Not your responsibility, it isn't. Not at all. Have fun and keep things light! When things get serious, they can soon be all too serious. Who needs it!
Not summerish yet, so much but I'm feeling that "on with what comes next" feeling today, post-Carmina. What comes next is summer stuff, I think. I'm having my sisters and a few honorary sisters in on Monday evening for a no-fuss dancing event. I'll take a week off in August to hang with DH who has the first two weeks off. Hoping to start beaching soon, although I'm not sure that the water will be very hospitable after the cold spring we had.
this spring. At one point, the weather man reported that it had rained for 28 out of 32 days. No wonder the whatevs can get us. But maybe the sun will come out today...
s need our refuges. 
May there be more of both!
before heading out for Sunday walk, to be punctuated by the 60-minute Sunday Moksha "lite" class. I went to the 90-minute non-lite class yesterday and it was a bit much -- left me feeling a little too tired to do anything the rest of the day -- but today's class should be more user-friendly.
Anagram! 
The entire choir was grinning ear-to-ear. We sure worked hard. My mom said that she'd thought we rehearsed a ridiculous amount and it was not necessary but when she saw the performance she understood. Not quite like singing any other kind of music. 
I'm sitting in my front porch while it pelts down outside. Makes me feel a little outdoorsy instead of stuck in the office. Now, I suppose, I should be thinking about doing some actual work. 
Soon...
