Ah, Ceara, you mean IMPORTANT stuff. Good luck on the dosages and the tests.

Kaylets, it took deep thought but I guess I'd have to say white sharp cheese. I like so many it's hard to decide these big questions.

Beautiful day in Central PA. NO APPOINTMENTS OR COMMITMENTS except of ourselves. Had a leisurely brekkie (Slimfast) and paper read on the Patio of Inner Peace so am ready to move it a bit but slowly and non mentally at least for a while. We said we'd work this a.m. and go in search of some fun later in the day. There won't be much a.m. left by the time I start so it won't be much work.

Decent weigh in - not great or exciting but decent - I'm always all over the place. But with only five days left in May I wanted to see how far I've come since May 1. As of today it's a 2.4 loss for the month. It's been more but I jump up and down so much I don't get excited about the upsies and downsies of water retention. And 2.4 is a MAJOR move for moi. So concentrating on keeping that and hoping for a tad more by Tuesday morning.

So move it, me, move it. Sunny skies, all.

Treading carefully on that Patio of Inner Peace (thanks for the image, Anagram), as my anxiety is at an all time high. Translation, I'm not doing much. Went shopping and also to gym to walk slowly on (until I stop having some symptoms I'm supposed to do everything veeery slowly).

Depression is just around the corner.

Thought I'd just drop by here and cheer everyone up with the above statement!

Rats, not supposed to drink that either!

Oh, well!



Anagramatic, congrats on thy May weight loss!!!! Pretty good job there, Kemo Sabe!!

Kaylets, definitely thou shouldst go with the tiny jeans!!! Jeans are always the best choice and they can be so dressed up. Dost thou have a pink cowgal hat?

Ceara, sorry about thy medical woes ... sounds as though thou be in control of it, though, and know what you want to do about it. BTW, they make little pill cutters that work very well. They're usually in the general area of the vitamins and the little pill boxes.

Ok, I'm going to go experiment with having actual (lite) faux butter again on my whole wheat bread (as opposed to only butter spray ... I'm getting tired of spraying the stuff and am willing to sacrifice the calorie differential).

Later ...

hello all!

Just heard moments ago, that an employer from 8yrs ago was contacted to verify my employment....
And theywere told who and why was verifying...

Am just realizing now that the application had no area to mark " May we contact current ..." I didnt even think about it...just assumed discretion would be used...
Made a panicked phone call to DH who says not to stress ... may all work to my advantage anyway...

OH BOY!

So, it's FRIDAY!

If anyone is traveling this holiday, take care. Seems as though there are proms, graduations, celebrations everywhere!

And for those of us staying home....try to come by and keep me company!! Holidays are tough for lots of us... all the stores have "holiday goodies"... let's get through this together and have some fun at the same time!


****

Thought of the day:


"Change is something we must all deal with.
Are you changing
or is it changing you?
Where lies the control of change?"
---Ron Rathburn


Question of the day :

"Name your proudest moment"

****


KETTLE IS ON!


sorry to be so frazzled but this wouldnt be a good time to be without employment!

Good morning all, ‘tis Friday, true, good? I don’t know yet…

It’s been a wild and wooly last couple of weeks. Bo-Beena, other best friend, their husbands and Bo’s daughter were all up at my house last week. Had a blast, but now I’m tiiiiiiired and looking forward to the 3-day weekend for some post-vacation R&R.

The hubbies of the girls helped me move my futon into my den and the elliptical out of the den and into the back spare room. This officially makes my back spare room my home gym!!! I am also buying a treadmill soon so I’ll have my yoga stuff, treadmill, elliptical, step and weights all in that room with a tv and stereo. I’m so excited to get in there and make it perfect! The computer’s in there too so I hope to be in there a lot!

The weekend before Bo-Beena showed up my 21 year old washing machine decided I needed to clean ALL the floors on one side of my house – so it filled them with an inch of water… not to mention the water soaking in a foot into my bedroom carpet. Apparently it no longer knows when to shut off the water so even when it’s spinning, it’s still filling with water. Oh well, my floors look FAB and since I’m in a very dry climate, mold isn’t a problem! Now, where to get the $$$ for a new machine...

Then, this week, my old Ochoco, my Maine Coon kitty is trying to decide if she’s ready to move on to the next life or not. We found her living under my mom’s front deck over 5 years ago and she’s been family ever since. She’s about 11 and has had some issues for the last few months and the vet kept her overnight on Tuesday. I’ve already told her that the choice is up to her. I didn’t think she’d live through the night last night, but she seems to be doing a bit better. Still not eating or using the litter box at all though and just sleeps all day. I’ve been crying on and off all week, and have been preparing myself for the eventual passing. This part of being a mom to a fuzzy kid sucks. Just plain ol’ sucks.

On to posties….

Auntie Wildfire, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! Good luck to sis and Jace! If it’s any consolation, Bo-Beena’s daughter weighed 2 lb. 7 oz. when she was born and is now a spunky soon-to-be 13 year old and doing great! Enjoy the shopping Auntie!

Ceara, I’m so glad to hear you’re doing ok with all the rain that’s been falling!

Kaylets, mucho luck on the job prospects. It honestly sounds like it's going to happen!

Eydie, Happy Belated Birthday!!!!

Cerise, Happy Belated Birthday to you too!!!!! Has it really been a year already??? Amazing…. Enjoy your last year of your 20’s, but believe me, life only gets better in your 30’s!

WSW, it’s so good to see you again!

Amarantha, I’m convinced that the food companies are only just a ½ step below the cigarette companies when it comes to how much they care for the consumers of their products. Their first priority is to sell, sell, sell. Sick isn't it?

Any word on Frogger? She’s got to be getting pretty round by now!

Anagram, Zadie, Arabella!!!!!!

Have a Dr.'s appt next Thursday.... won't she be "happy" to see I've regained 20 pounds???? Well, I've been back on the wagon for a couple days. Having some palpitations due to stress and have decided to start back on my yoga and HAVE to start working on my daily meditation - even if it's only for 10 minutes. I will NOT be buying new, larger clothes so there's nowhere I can go but back down...

I’ll be working on getting my computer at home set up so that I can use it safely (no spy ware or virus protection on it yet). Have a busy few weeks coming up - Full moon ritual on Thursday, Harry Potter Friday, Saturday watching the Belmont (Gooooo Smarty!!!!!), Sunday mom and I are walking the Heaven Can Wait 5K for breast cancer. The next weekend we're having our garage sale, the weekend after that my dad and stepmom are coming up from Arizona.... I'm tired just talking about it!!!!!

Toodles for now!

Terri
Time for honesty...
loss____/current 227.2/highest 259.9

hi punkin! good to hear from you! fridays just aren't the same without you. having the guests in town sounds like it was fun-and busy.

it is so hot here and i am trying to brace myself for the non-stop wave of heat. my car is in the shop, as i write, having the a/c repaired. it also needs some other work done, but will have to take it back in over several trips since can't afford to fix all at once. just hoping the a/c really will be in top notch shape, since without that, i can't drive at all.

my new place really does look pretty with all the colors i picked out. i love each and every one and my furniture looks very "at home" here. it is tiny (same size as my previous apt.), but having colors which i chose and all the t.l.c. that my friends put in to fixing it up for me, make it feel like a palace! the place still needs a lot of work, but little by little it will get done. i have had fun placing my nick-nacks and prints. the mood indigo shelves in the kitchen look great. the bathroom actually is kind of funny. my friend who wanted me to have a walk-in shower and consequently, did all this hard work, laughs at himself because the tiles are in crooked and the shower floor slopes so much that i have to squeegie it out after each shower. i love it, of course, because he made it, but his idea of making a walk-in shower easier for me than having to step over a tub didn't quite work out as he had planned! my condo. looks very cozy. several of my friends liked the colors i had picked so much that they have since done some painting in their own homes. i hadn't done any decorating in so long. it was nice to find that i still had some good decorating style in me.

today, i have been doing paperwork (which i hate!!) since i'm stuck here without my car and have wanted to eat more (and differently) than i had planned. i didn't succumb though. just wanted to keep myself honest by saying it "out loud."

greetings amarantha, cerise, anagram, arabella, wildfire! and hi to all the remaining courtly personages. hope your afternoons are pleasant.

Hello all!!

Stopped by last night, read posts and then .... realized I was just crashing... and went to bed... it was a very emotional day...

Because....


ITS OFFICIAL!!!!

New employment begins June 14!!


Had been carrying my cellphone around with me for days... When I returned from lunch Friday, there was a message on my desk phone... AND THAT WAS THE MESSAGE !!
So the expression about watched pots and all.... and if I had really thought about it, my cell phone number was not listed on my resume nor the j ob application... lesson for next time...

I thank everyone for bearing with me the past weeks of my decsion/indecision/etc/etc.....
In many ways, this experience has been very freeing... very much as we've learned from the Empress and as WW's teaches too... and even Dr Phil... if something isnt working out the way you need it to work, change something....
Its not a question of "giving up" ...
its a retreat to try a new approach, not a surrender....

In fact, I believe some 12 step programs would agree with me that its
"The wisdom to know the difference"....



So my friends... Thanks in so many ways....

I think you will find me more cheerful... less distracted...


***

Thought of the day ;

"Not all who wander are lost"--
Lord of the Rings

Question of the day :

"When is the last time you were lost?"

****


KETTLE IS ON!

Yard sales await!

Back from the beach and I missed you all so much, my friends! Ahh, that was fun but it's so lovely to be home. And lovely to hear so much good news too! Kaylets, I'm thrilled that you got the job---I knew you would! And great news about Jace Rishi--so glad he and Mom are doing well.
wsw, your new place sounds so nice. Sometimes do you find yourself just looking around in awe and utter contentment? I do that sometime here, even after 11 years!
Punkin, I'm so envious of your having a whole room for all your workout stuff. That's a dream of mine, but I have a small house, so the treadmill's in the bedroom and I do my videos and yoga, etc. in the living room. Maybe when I make my first million, I'll put in a gym! Thinking of you and Ochoco and won't try to say anything profound and comforting. I know it's just hard to go thru.
Anagram, did my heart good to visulize you on your patio of inner peace!
Amarantha, sorry to hear that depression's looming for you. I don't want to say anything flippant about it, because I know that feeling. Hope it passes by soon. I do want to join you and my "twin" Cerise, in your low-carb rant. I'm jjust soooooo tired of it!!! It's everywhere and I'll be so happy when this trend passes. It will, right? I mean, I don't recall the low-fat trend being so big.The thing that shatters my mind is perfectly healthy foods like corn, peas, carrots, bananas, potatoes, grains, breads, beans, are verboten on this diet! And also, I think that people are using the lo-carb diet as an excuse to eat a lot of meat and butter and cream. Really, no offense to any low-carbers among us, I'm just so weary of it being everywhere!

I had the most wonderful birthday! Garry went so out of his way to make it, well, pretty spectacular. I think he overdid it this year, because the gifts kept on coming--he even held onto a couple to give me while we were at the beach. A couple more books that we could work on togther--I love that! He made me that wonderful cake--have I mentioned that? Worth every calorie! And the best thing was he gave me this amazing goddess statue of the Morrigan. Quickie lesson: She's the Celtic goddess of war. And she's magnificent--very fierce and strong looking. I'm going to use her as my inspiration when i don't feel like working out! She actually has my body--only I don't have the spiral tattoos all over! It's funny--I've collected all these sweet-faced goddesses over the years, but there's a new goddess in town now. Yee hah!

Wow, how quiet! But what wonderful new, Kaylets. You're probably busy floating on air. Just goes to show how life can change in a matter of a few weeks.

And, wsw, glad to hear you're growing stronger and able to get out a bit more. I know I'd be lost without a/c as well. And thanks for the kind words but, really, what choice does one have? You know probably better than I that when we're knocked down, what can we do but get up and keep on going - the only other choice is to give in and queens are predispositioned not to do that.

Cerise, how goes the muscial career? I envision you belting out all sorts of beautiful music as you go about your domestic doings.

Punkin - I'm so glad you checked in. Not sure if Fridays are legal if you're not here. Zadie, professional opinion on that? Pro bono, of course.

And, Wildfire, that description of Jace's tiny hands and toes just made me send lots of light kisses his way. I have this thing about baby feet. Hope Sis is ok too and there's no permanent kidney damage.

Wood Nymph, how's eom going? Or are you still getting dh out and away?

So glad you're back and well celebrated, Eydie. Your Celtic goddess sounds very interesting. I like the tough Momma image there.

Speaking of things Celtic, dh and I took a couple of hours at the local Artsfest today and I felt like it must be Celtic day there, however unofficially. During the time we were there we caught parts of four performances that were Celtic or Celtic influenced. And as we were leaving, I saw two husky fellows go by in kilts so felt there was probably going to be some pipes at some point or another. For a change I hit it right.

One performer was a Celtic harpist, there was a duo with Christian/Celtic, a trio w/mostly Irish and/or folk and then my own fave The Arcona Reel Band (mentioned some time previously). Didn't catch much of them but did buy a new tape for my car.

All in all a great day. Must have walked two or more hours. Weather beautiful, a bit nippy as I like it and even cool when in the shade as it's right along our pretty river and the breezes o'er it are always coolish. Thought we'd beat the crowd and go early. Ha! So did everyone else. Walked through all those good smelling food booths w/nary a whimper for days gone by. We went specifically to get some lunch at our favorite "gypsy" - usually we get his pit beef sandwish but today we both had the pulled pork. Deelicious. But smallish enough - unfortunately. Maybe two ounces on a burger bun ($5.00). But that was it until we got home when I had a banana and two pretzels (and some tea waiting for me as I type).

Ceara, are you firmly demucked yet?

Empress, thou be too quiet today for me to think all has started to bode better. May I trust that thou art also enjoying some pleasant things on a gorgeous day? If not, I am thrusting the strongest of good vibes in your direction and hoping for a goodly report to the court at thy convenience.

Shall now go and enjoy my strong tea to reinvigorate me for the evening.

Hello all!

Eydie, the fair sounded like so much fun... DH and I went out to breakfast, then to a yardsale on the way to bringing a friend a truck load of furniture DH had picked up from storage.... one thing led to another and at noon DH suggested we go see a movie! And since we had spent not one dime at a yard sale, I said yes.
We saw " The Day After Tomorrow".. I thought it not bad. Glad I only paid matinee prices but I did n otice the audience did very little moving around so I thought perhaps they were riveted. I thought the beginning a little slow but didnt realize till we left that DH nearly dozed off... but things kept moving along enough to keep me interested. I thought it was pretty well done.
I think I might have enjoyed Shrek II more... Dh says now he remembers why he enjoys movies at home more... He felt claustophobic w/ people around and was offended that water was $4 a bottle. ( We passed)..

But... I did get thru the whole movie much like Eydie at the fair, not really feeling deprived that I was w/o popcorn or candy. The popcorn lost its allure long ago when I worked a movie theatre and found out about the popcorn. If you love movie popcon, I won't ruin it for you.

Was setting the alarm for 15 minutes a time but got involved and spent nearly 30 minutes tidying up some dress pants I promised a coworker... want to bring, give, return as much as I can remember on Tuesday as I expect the word will travel fast. Am also making sure I am prepared just in case I am asked to leave b/4 my final date... Don't know if that's a possibility... might be just wishful thinking on my part but might as well get these larger sizes to the folks I promised.

So now, I can spend 30 minutes here!

Also have the kettle on... Eydie made it sound so appealing I thought I should have a big cup for myself.

So, with this job move, I can now take the bus and save on downtown parking fees. The bus is also federally funded somehow which means totally free to me... and I get some extra walking in... which will be needed as this job is only on the 2nd floor... I 'll need to run up and down quite a few times to make up the four flights I've been climbing! I figure while on the bus, I'll write/read... I do have audio books yet to hear as well...
Now that slacks are "safe" for me to wear... ( I used to think long skirts 'hid" the extra weight) I imagine I'll be glad for slacks on rainy days...
I must be really losing my mind..... thinking of the bus on winter days made me go try on a coat I found long ago that was so pretty and so cheap ( Goodwill buy) ... And it fits! Of course, anyone who is trying on winter coats
when during record breaking heat wave Memorial Day must be either... losing weight or... going off the edge...

Let me go fix my tea..

This was sent to me, have no idea who the author is...
Too bad most of isnt true!



The Rules of Chocolate

If you get melted chocolate all over your hands, you're eating it too slowly.

Chocolate covered raisins, cherries, orange slices and strawberries all count as fruit, so eat as many as you want.

The problem: How to get two pounds of chocolate home from the store in a hot car. The solution: Eat it in the parking lot.

Diet tip: Eat a chocolate bar before each meal. It'll take the edge off your appetite and you'll eat less.

A nice box of chocolates can provide your total daily intake of calories in one place. Isn't that handy?

If you can't eat all your chocolate, it will keep in the freezer. But if you can't eat all your chocolate, what's wrong with you?

If calories are an issue, store your chocolate on top of the fridge. Calories are afraid of heights, and they will jump out of the chocolate to protect themselves.

Money talks. Chocolate sings.

Chocolate has many preservatives. Preservatives make you look younger.

Why is there no such organization as Chocoholics Anonymous? Because no one wants to quit.

Put eat chocolate at the top of your list of things to do today. That way, at least you'll get one thing done.

Yo, to all! I be a bit on the depressed side at the moment and too braindead to type but wanted to say huzzah to Kaylets for the job coup ... it is so perfect how this has worked out for thee, K, but I knew it would! Congrats ... thou deserveth it ... how wonderful that you don't have to drive ... thanks for the one-liners!

Huzzah to all and I will get back to thee ...