Arabella, please keep us posted on what's happening with your son. My best friend's sister was recently diagnosed as bi-polar and it was a wild ride for the family because my friend's sis thought her behaviour was totally normal. What did your friend have to say about the situation?

Hi Anagram! I love those Klondike Slim-A-Bear things--really not bad calorie-wise, as long as you don't eat the whole box!

Kaylets, so envious of your breakfast. Sounds wonderful!!!

Ceara, how are you?

Amarantha, I took some of my homemade Xmas cookies out of the freezer last night. Granted they're whole wheat, reduced fat and all that--but hard to resist and we were eating too many. Providence sent me a saviour in the precious form of my hound Jubal. I heard something in the kitchen this morning and he'd gotten into the container and was eating them as quick as he could. Yep, got them all! Oh well, less calories for me and Garry!

Love to all! Wish me luck today; I have another reception at work.

Hi All,

The situation with my son deteriorated last night. Three of his cousins were with him and took him out to emergency and they admitted him. No real change yet, we went to see him today and I guess stayed too long. He was pretty good for the first part of the visit, but then wanted to come home and was angry, told us to stop confusing him.

On the way out, a very caring male nurse said that shorter visits would be better, that he would be overstimulated by longer ones.

I'm just absolutely shattered. I know that it's good he's getting help. To be honest, I think he was far beyond a state where talking to someone would do any good. My hope is that this will turn out to be a fleeting, one-time episode, brought on by stress and exacerbated by not sleeping. I will keep you posted.

Still no appetite, just trying to get nourishment and good nutrition and that's about all I care about. Continuing to exercise. We were supposed to go to a party today, but I decided there was no way I could do it. Just puttering around the house, doing laundry and cleaning up a bit. Always makes me feel a bit better to do that.

Kaylets, thanks again for the PM.

I'll keep you posted. Love to all!

Hello all!

Have had a good day On Program--did some walking thru BJ's, up and downstairs doing laundry and etc, filled 2 bags of too beat up to give, sell, etc.
But I need to chug water and tea as I somehow am low today....

Arabella: Please remember this is the safe place. You are always welcome no matter how you feel. This is the safe place where venting, complaining or even peel- the- wallpaper blasting will go nowhere else.

For as enlightened as we think we are, its still galling that we feel we have let our loved ones down when they need some kind of pyschological help. But if they were diabetic or had broken their leg, we'd feel no guilt about seeking outside help....
Not that I wouldnt keep an eye out! I still am as cynical as I was before...
but sometimes the only choice is to find someone who has had more experience than we have.

---

Empress- I know you are thrilled with the loss!! Congrats! I saw a woman doing the plank for one minute ( which was her goal) and she was exhausted once the minute was met. Your routine is tough! Look how far you've come from when you wrote to us about your Walking Poles!!

--
Eydie-- So the dog was doing you a favor?? Here, it would be me fighting the dog!! Who am I kidding, I would've defrosted the cookies in the microwave last night!!

---
Wildfire-- the Empress mentioned salmon, sounds great.. somehow I missed that post...

hmmmm.......

Football has been on all afternoon here. DH is rooting for the opposing team as he likes to be the devils advocate at his job. He will be able to needle his coworkers play by play.
Yikes! Don't these guys ever grow up???


started the first draft of my speech. I need to work some more.

Later!

Hand me a Fresh Start card will you? And a No Guilt one, too. Guess that .2 loss is bugging me, because I've been off kilter since. Back on track tomorrow! Haven't really gone way off program, but probably have eaten more points than I should have. Cooked a chicken in my rotisserie tonight, and we had all the trimmings...potatoes, stuffing, green beans...and I didn't measure anything!

Arabella, glad the cousins knew to take your son to the ER. As tough as it is, you'll have to put some faith into the professionals on this one, and hope that they can find out the reason DS is behaving this way. Sending all the good vibes I can muster to the Island! We're here for you, luv.

Kaylets, the waffles sound scrumptious! Even better that your DH cooked them for you! Does he give lessons? (to other husbands)

Amarantha, congrats on the loss! I went surfing this morning and found several avatars that I like, but this one suits my Wildfire persona. The salmon was great, and well worth going out to get. I make a mustard-dill glaze to put on top when it's cooking.

Eydie, hope the reception went well. Give Jubal a pat for me for saving you from the evil cookies!

I finally did my taxes for 2002! Figured it was time to cash in on that refund.

Time to gear up for Monday, as much as I am fighting it. It will come regardless, might as well be prepared.

Hello all!!


Empress- You may be suprised at how whole wheat would taste... we don't make biscquits but the waffles were ww pastry flour...
I didnt realize the plank was a yoga pose... everyday I learn something...

Scale is up 1 lb this am... I suspect TOM as I mentioned earlier.. Face is clearing but feel other symptons...Initially I was disappointed but what I have been walking to NOLA, banned CC for nearly 60 days ( funny how I joined a challenge I'm already doing.... Well, I did mention the Cadbury eggs, didnt I?.) The point is, I don't think its because I ate too much.
Thinking this new group of women I've joined at my job may be influencing my cycle....
Interesting how biology shows us who is leader, who is follower no matter how independent we pride ourselves......

Everyone here at my house works today. Although I anticipate a light day at work because of no mail delivery.

Made real progress with a first speech draft... I can visualize certain sections and even think I might have an ending....
Need to start rehearsing w/ DH... Sometimes I think he gets as nervous as I do...


(As she lifts her tea cup to toast)
Here's to a gentle Monday my friends.
I am thinking of all of you today. You are an inspiration to me.

*****************

Todays' thought of the day :

"All the wonders you seek are within yourself."
--Sir Thomas Brown

Question of the day :

"Do you like to play Scrabble?"

******************

KETTLE IS ON!

The Awakening

A time comes in your life when you finally get it...when in the midst of all your fears and insanity you stop dead in your tracks and somewhere the voice inside your head cries out enough! Enough fighting and crying or struggling to hold on. And, like a child quieting down after a blind tantrum, your sobs begin to subside, you shudder once or twice, you blink back your tears and through a mantle of wet lashes you begin to look at the world through new eyes. This is your awakening.

You realize it's time to stop hoping and waiting for something to change or for happiness, safety and security to come galloping over the next horizon. You come to terms with the fact that he or she is not Prince or Princess Charming and you are not Cinderella or Cinderfella and in the real world there aren't always fairy tale endings (or beginnings for that matter) and that any guarantee of *happily ever after* must begin with you and in the process a sense of serenity is born of acceptance.

You awaken to the fact you are not perfect and not everyone will always love, appreciate or approve of who or what you are...and that's OK. (They are entitled to their own views and opinions.) You learn the importance of loving and championing yourself and in the process a sense of new found confidence is born of self approval.

You stop criticizing and blaming other people for the things they did to you (or didn't do for you) and you learn that the only thing you can really count on is the unexpected. You learn people don't always say what they mean or mean what they say and not everyone will always be there for you and that it's not always about you. So, you learn to stand on your own and to take care of yourself and in the process a sense of safety and security is born of self-reliance.

You stop judging and pointing fingers and you begin to accept people as they are, and to overlook their shortcomings and human frailties, and in the process a sense of peace and contentment is born of forgiveness.

You realize that much of the way you view yourself, and the world around you, is as a result of all the messages and opinions that have been ingrained into your psyche. You begin to sift through all the beliefs you've been fed about how you should behave, how you should look, how much you should weigh, what you should wear, where you should shop, what you should drive, how and where you should live, what you should do for a living, who you should sleep with, who you should marry, what you should expect of a marriage, the importance of having and raising children or what you owe your parents.

You learn to open up to new worlds and different points of view. You begin reassessing and redefining who you are and what you really stand for. You learn the difference between wanting and needing and you begin to discard the doctrines and values you've outgrown, or should never have bought into to begin with, and in the process you learn to trust your own knowing.

You learn it is truly in giving that we receive, that there is power and glory in creating and contributing and you stop maneuvering through life merely as a *consumer* looking for your next fix. You learn principles such as honesty and integrity are not the outdated ideals of a by gone era but the mortar that holds together the foundation upon which you must build a life. You learn you don't know everything, it's not your job to save the world and you can't teach a pig to sing. You learn to distinguish between guilt and responsibility and the importance of setting boundaries and learning to say NO. You learn the only cross to bear is the one you choose to carry and that martyrs get burned at the stake. Then, you learn about love, romantic love and familial love. You learn how to love, how much to give in love, when to stop giving and when to walk away. You learn not to project your needs or your feelings onto a relationship. You learn you will not be, more beautiful, more intelligent, more lovable or important because of the man or woman on your arm or the child that bears your name.

You learn to look at relationships as they really are and not as you would have them be. You stop trying to control people, situations and outcomes. You learn just as people grow and change so it is with love...and you learn you don't have the right to demand love on your terms...just to make you happy.

You learn that alone does not mean lonely...and you look in the mirror and come to terms with the fact you will never be a size 3 or a perfect 10 and you stop trying to compete with the image inside your head and agonizing over how you *stack up*.

You also stop working so hard at putting your feelings aside, smoothing things over and ignoring your needs. You learn feelings of entitlement are perfectly OK...and that it is your right to want things and to ask for the things that you want...and that sometimes it is necessary to make demands.

You come to the realization that you deserve to be treated with love, kindness, sensitivity and respect and you won't settle for less. You allow only the hands of a lover who cherishes you to glorify you with his or her touch...and in the process you internalize the meaning of self-respect.

You learn your body really is your temple. You begin to care for it and treat it with respect. You begin eating a balanced diet, drinking more water and taking more time to exercise. You learn fatigue diminishes the spirit and can create doubt and fear so you take more time to rest. And, just as food fuels the body, laughter fuels our soul, so you take more time to laugh and to play.

You learn, that for the most part in life, you get what you believe you deserve...and that much of life truly is a self-fulfilling prophecy.

You learn anything worth achieving is worth working for and wishing for something to happen is different from working toward making it happen. More importantly, you learn in order to achieve success you need direction, discipline and perseverance. You also learn no one can do it all alone and that it's OK to risk asking for help.

You learn the only thing you must truly fear is the great robber baron of all time, FEAR itself. You learn to step right into and through your fears because you know whatever happens you can handle it and to give in to fear is to give away the right to live life on your terms. You learn to fight for your life and not to squander it living under a cloud of impending doom. You learn life isn't always fair, you don't always get what you think you deserve and sometimes bad things happen to unsuspecting, good people. On these occasions you learn not to personalize things. You learn no one is punishing you or failing to answer your prayers. It is just life happening.

You learn to deal with evil in its most primal state ~ the ego. You learn negative feelings such as anger, envy and resentment must be understood and redirected or they will suffocate the life out of you and poison the universe that surrounds you. You learn to admit when you are wrong and to building bridges instead of walls.

You learn to be thankful and to take comfort in many of the simple things we take for granted, things that millions of people upon the earth can only dream about: a full refrigerator, clean running water, a soft warm bed, a long hot shower.

Slowly, you begin to take responsibility for yourself by yourself and to make yourself a promise to never betray yourself and to never, ever settle for less than your heart's desire. You hang a wind chime outside your window so you can listen to the wind and you make it a point to keep smiling, to keep trusting, and to stay open to every wonderful possibility. Finally, with courage in your heart and with faith by your side you take a stand, you take a deep breath and you begin to design the life you want to live as best as you can.

~Author Unknown

************************

Good Morning All,

Thanks, everyone, for the support. It really does help, which is why I keep coming back. I spent the day cleaning and sorting stuff out yesterday, along with crying. Feel a bit more positive this morning. I do think, mostly at least, that this will turn out for the best, but I'll be glad to find out more.

I'll go to see him this morning. My mom wants to come with me. Think I'll bake him some cookies, take some magazines and etc.

Good news: 4 pounds gone this a.m.

Sorry to not send out individual responses -- I am thinking of each of you individually though, very fondly, and with a great deal of gratitude for having such a wonderful group of friends! Love to all ... let's take this day and make it the best we possibly can.

Wood Nymph:

((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))) )))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Thanks, Kaylets! Isn't it amazing how you can feel those virtual hugs and kisses. right through all this distance and technology!

Oh Arabella...am keeping you and your family in my thoughts....especially DS
And Congrats on the gone to the land of excess baggage!

K...I think I NEED an Awakening! Enjoyed that...thanx.

Eydie...I am OK....I took another hit on Saturday morning...my dear friend whose husband has multiple cancers was told by the chemo doctor that he has 3 months (the wife was told not the patient...I don't know if he knows yet)...which is likely optimistic...however I'm still workin' on a miracle for her. Unfortunately the news came early in the morning...7:30...when I was getting ready to leave for the show...I made it to the site and in the building 20 minutes before ring time with a lot of help from my friends....with dogs that had been combed and groomed the night before. Ah well the breed is supposed to be unkempt. The good news is that the 17 month old won the points....she did it for her Mom...'cause that's who died the day before. Odd how things go, isn't it?

But I'm back on track now...got a seatie belt here Wildfire...grab on I'll fasten it around both of us!!!! It has an unfastenable catch...just let's get it done up and we'll be stuck!!!!

to all the lie court....gotta go and take down the Christmas tree....although I could just leave it up for next year ...NOT!

Ceara

Howdy everyone,

Rain, blessed warm (well, 40 is warm 'round here) rain is falling...

Down a bit more than 5 pounds since last Monday - the first week back on the wagon is normally a goodie. Still, almost 14 pounds from where I was at my lowest . I know, quit complaining, I could've waited until I was 54 pounds from my lowest to do something.... I'm learning.

Arabella, please feel a virtual hug from me too. I'm both sorry and thankful for the turn of events for your son. Of course we'd wish for nothing to have happened at all, but since it did, I'm SO thankful that his cousins had the presence of mind to take him to the hospital. Please keep us updated and take extra good care of yourself - I can't imagine how stressful this must be for you.

Kaylets, isn't "warm" a funny term? Most people think warm is in the 80's but around here after a week in the low teens, mid-30's is tropical! Bundle up out there!

Amarantha, on the loss!! I think you'd be a great massage therapist solely on how I feel about your people skills. It's 50% touch (which is mostly learned, but also a little intuition) and 50% non-touch. How you talk, relate, listen, etc. to the client is almost more important. I met a lot of people who couldn't care less about the massage, they wanted to be face down, feel annonymous and talk about stuff I shouldn't really know - almost like it was their therapy. It was probably the best job I've ever had, getting to work in the Napa Valley, meeting people from all over the world, hearing their stories, etc. I wish you tons of luck - and wish I was closer to reap the benefits of those mandatory practice hours you'll have to do!!!!
(oh, and *I* killed the clowns! Eviiiiiilllll clowns! )

Wildfire, love the new avatar! makes me wanna change mine now....

Ceara, I got goosebumps when I read your post about the pup who's mom you just lost got the points! Yes, things do work in odd ways. But if we believe our loved ones who've passed help us, is it too far a stretch to think it could work the same in the dog world?

WSW, Eydie and Anagram! AND EVERYONE!!!!!

Well, must end this now, the wrist only cooperates with typing for so long before it starts screamin'...

Terri

I have discovered a new munchie snack that may have been around for some time, but we just found it...Cheerios Honey Nut Crunch mix. According to the package, 1/3 cup is only 1 point. IMO, 1/3 cup is NOT enough, but 2/3 cup for only 2 points is great!

ceara, thanks for buckling me in! So far, so good today! So sorry to hear about your friend's DH. How heartbreaking. Congrats on the doggie win.

Arabella, congrats on the loss! I hope DS was in good spirits today when you visited.

Punkin, congrats on your loss too!

Cheers, Kaylets!

Now where is Cerise? Cerise get your hiney in here and post! What's going on, luv?

Frogger, how is our mommy-to-be?

wsw, how are things with you?

Hello to everyone! Monday's down...just three more to go until Friday!

hi all

arabella-sorry this is such a rough time for your ds and you and family. i too am sending you a virtual hug and lots of good thoughts your way. congrats on the 4 lbs. down!

ceara-sorry about the news regarding your friend's husband. that is so sad. congrats on the win for your dog!

hi punkin, amarantha- congrats on the weight loss!!

hi eydie! kaylets-hope your speech is coming along well.

hi wildfire! love your new avatar!

i just wanted to check in and say hello to all. cold is definitely relative, but to me, it is verrry cold here. it is supposed to stay pretty chilly for the rest of the week, so i remain bundled up. i had my 2nd physical therapy appt. today, which went well. i'm op and glad it has been going well. my hands aren't working so great right now, so i need to sign off, but know that i'm thinking of you all and will finish catching up on the posts. take good care.

wsw