By the way, Ramon has been published. He did the cover art for a novel a friend of his wrote. Here's the link - that's one of his finer pencil pieces:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...glance&s=books

I'm so proud...

Hello all!

How nice to see so many posts tonight....

Ouch... I remember the last time I forced myself to wear cute shoes ...
I'd be almost tempted to go home barefoot if could ....

and you're not wasting your talent, you have a new voice teacher and the next step is what to sing first....
Besides, looks as though you're partnership w/ Ramon the artist is flowering beautifully... the book cover is AMAZING...... wow.

Punkin... your trip sounds incredible... your description of the sound of the ocean was perfect. Glad its a year for Mom and the results are so wonderful.
And yes, I can relate to that first lightbulb moment of being without them.

Empress... cannot imagine the heat you've got to deal with....I know when I'm in Florida its very easy for me to be overcome.... I can easily imagine myself with a daily siesta if I wasnt in constant a/c...

Anagram... Interesting that you'd be asking for an update... I had an experience today that crystalized a feeling I'd been trying to squash for awhile... In fact, I have decided I must take action... this new slot doesnt fit any better than Cerise's platforms... I am spending much too much time "waiting" for that "level of comfort"... just wish I had seen the handwriting on the wall sooner...

Zadie-- Oh, yes, I can relate....luckily, most of us use the phone enough that the pain of learning doesnt last that long... if the phone was only used once a week, it would be an entirely different issue...
But keep smiling... I'm sure as soon as you tell your caller you've using a new system, they aren't suprised by anything that happens....

Eydie--Please send positive vibes my way... I could use some...my meter shows me below half....

ok all!

I'm thinking of a long hot shower....

Oh, Kaylets, sorry to hear that. I was just thinking that it's six months and that's a fair time to see the lay of the land. I also felt the feeling wasn't coming through that you were bouncing around about the job. Was hoping I was wrong.

Cerise, I give dh shots of Procrit because he has an anemia related to his kidney damage. It's back to once a week at the moment but changes depending on test results. I am so excited about Ramon being published. What a big step; he's crossed over into another realm careerwise. Hope lots of good comes from that.The 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 sagas are really interesting. Mine would probably all relate to medical milestones.
Ten years ago I was still playing golf, nine years ago I was on a cane outside the house, seven years ago I had first knee replaced but second went bad so it was cane again, three years ago I had second one done, two years ago I was able to walk a lot better (though not at "exercise" level) and also went into remission enough to go off one my "bad" medicines (though I note it was great really because it put me into a "remission" of sorts). Since I was then in better shape than I had been in for years I decided to work further on my health while I was not on steroids or shots or lots of medicines (though still on some). That's when I started on this journey. One year ago I had lost about 40 lbs and dh was starting to come back from his really bad time. I thought I had the world by the tail and then Mom became worse and exercise per se went out the window for a while. I'm not in full remission at the moment but am pulling it back together from recent flare and some other things and think I can once again say "I'm healthier than I've been in years".

It is hard to believe, Punkin, that a whole year has flown by- thankfully with a good outcome.

I don't know about 29 year old socks but I sure do have some old clothes still hanging upstairs - they're really too historical now to part with them but have no idea what to do with them. There is a campus about an hour away where they have a clothing archive but they're short of money and aren't taking anything else last I heard.

Be safe driving those mountains tonight, Empess.

Cerise, how exciting for Ramon!!!! :D Garry's an artist too and I called him in and we were both so impressed. We were both reminded of William Blake's stuff. Congrats!
Take care of those tender feeties. I can remember working retail years ago and hobbling out to the parking lot in my stocking feet--I just couldn't wear those shoes one minute more. I don't do 'cruel shoes' anymore----well, not for long periods of time anyway!

Punkin, thanks for telling us about your full moon ritual. Oh to be there!

Anagram, thank you for sharing some of your journey with us. Hey, it might be interesting to speculate on where we want to be in 1-2-3-4-5 years? I love things like that! I'm sure it'll get better and better.... :D To quote our beloved Empress: "Yowza!"

Speaking of that, as I approach my 41st birthday I'm seeing that I'm liking my 40's a lot. So far so good!

Yo! Apologies as in brevity mode big time, eg, I have to get some work done! :)

Zadie, yea, my new spam blocker is very effective. I'm zapping those :devil: s right and left these days ... my inbox be mine own again!

Yo, Punkin, I loved thy full moon ritual story also ... wish I had a group like that ...

Eydie, I think it's really fun to have a five-year plan ... I think everyone should write them up just as thou we all were little organizations ... with mission statements, too!!! Thought I was missing thee in the journal thread for Thursday and then realized I posted so late I was just behind thee all!!!

Kaylets, the heat's really not bad, although I kind of felt it when I went running with trainer at 8 a.m. ... I missed the part where thou was having trouble with the job ? Or did I ... I'm confused. Hope all's well.

To all others who mayhap I'm missing, I gotta go and hope thou understandeth!!!! Yowza!

Brevity mode. I really like the idea of a five year plan. The only problem is that I frequently have no idea what I am doing.

Last night had dinner with mom and both of my sisters. Figured out that I am now the most overweight member of the bunch, with both sisters now downright skinny. I do not begrudge this, but it really makes me want to get things into gear.

Cerise - the cover is lovely. do not worry about the "what have i done" issue. when I turned 29 I was once again a student. talk about regressing. But it is not a race and there is no deadline when you have to decide or accomplish something. The journey is the important part.

At any rate, I suppose I should get back to work. The phone system is going better today. We have some kinks worked out plus our administrative assistant is in today.

Great idea, Eydie and Empress. I'm going to give a lot of thought to a five year plan. It should really help me focus on honing my life even further.

I am having one of those "if only I could find a quick fix kind of days." You know the days I am talking about...the ones where you look at all of the really stupid diet websites. Actually I avoid the commercial product sites, but still, the ones I looked at were pretty bad. Now I feel like I need to be deprogrammed.

Hello all!

Server was not working this am so here I am now.

Empress.... I really hadnt said much and really havent had a real "problem" ...
it seems to be more a case of "it doesnt fit" .... I still have enormous respect for the manager, I am very excited about the technology but I just can't seem to "make it mine".... Its an entirely different rhythm than the other group and I also seem to be a beat or two behind... and am starting to realize this just doesnt fit.... still like the car, its a great ride but no matter how I try, I'm smashing it up trying to get it into the garage....

and am beginning to see where I am frustrating others becuase I am not on top of things yet.... I am more a liability than an asset... and the more stress I feel, the harder it is to think clearly and do make fast, clear decisions...

so....

I await my boss's return on Monday.. want to speak to him first ... he deserves it.. he is a good boss... hope he is more understanding than offended...
And then again, there is a very real chance I will be told that I am not giving this enough time and should remain where I am ......

*********
*********
Here's a thought of the day :

The Four Minute Mile

Remember the four-minute mile? People had been trying to achieve it since the days of the ancient Greeks. In fact, folklore has it that the Greeks had lions chase the runners, thinking that it would make them run faster. They also tried tiger's milk. Nothing worked. So they decided it was impossible. And for thousands of years everyone believed it. It was physiologically impossible for a human to run a mile in four minutes. Our bone structure was all wrong. Wind resistance too great. Inadequate lung power. There were a million reasons. Then one man, one single human being, proved that the doctors, the trainers, the athletes, and the millions and millions before him who tried and failed, were all wrong. And then the miracle of miracles, the year AFTER Roger Banister broke the four minute mile, 37 other runners broke the four minute mile, and the year after that 300 runners broke the four minute mile. What happened? There were no great breakthroughs in training. Human bone structure didn't suddenly improve. But human attitudes did. Banister believed in himself and changed the world. If you believe in yourself, there is nothing you can't do.

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

I'm only here for a moment between movies (just watched Calendar Girls - fabulous!!!, and have In America waiting), but I had to post to say

:cb: :dancer: :cp: :hyper: :cheer:CONGRATULATIONS, RAMON!!!!!! :encore: :bubbles: :balloons: :hat: :bravo:

Excellent work! What talent! (Inspired, of course, by your Muse, Cerise! ;) ) Good on you!

Cerise, luv, foot soak with epsom salts!

Yo! Still in brevity mode as I'm still working. :)

Kaylets, I'm sorry you're feeling that "doesn't fit" feeling about your new job. I'm fairly familiar with that feeling, except I have it about all my jobs even if I've had them for years! Hoping that whatever decision you make regarding talking to your boss right now is the one that will work out for you best. Maybe you just do need more time to feel comfortable.

I loved thy story about the four minute mile!!!!

Zadie, Anagramatic, and all :queen: s, :wave: ... I have to finish work before I fall asleep. :)

Hello all!

After some doubt, I have had to admit I have a decidely scratchy throat....am hoping its because we've been sleeping with the windows open
rather than use the a/c but vote is out. yes, I will go take some more Vitamin C right now....

so, while I took them, I unloaded the dishwasher and hung a load of towels out to dry... I can chat here guilt free for a few moments....

Dh is doing a big yard job today... rebuilding a wall to be exact ...nothing I can help with and I am just not in the mood for yardsaling today... don't ask why.. just not as much fun I guess when he isnt with me...

so... am putting some thoughts on paper for an upcoming speech ... the theme is Heroes Among Us... how more of us pick the "harder" thing to do than the "easier" way... that there are more heroes than we realize... that most of us have a few in our families, our neighborhood, our jobs...

hmmmmm....

Yo!
 

Feel better, :queen: K!!!!! I like the beginnings of thy speech!!!! Avanti!!!

Cerise, how's thy refined sugar countdown coming? Inquiring minds want to know ... doesn't matter if it's short, sweet or sour, I'd love to hear how it's going.

To all, let's go out there and have a great Mommy Day Weekend (I'm only a mommy to a canine, feline and avians, but it counts). Let's all perk up if we're down and report, report, report!!!

As ol' Anne o' the GG saith, "Today is a brand new day with no mistakes in it ... yet!" Or she said words to that effect ... :shrug:

So.....
went to meet an old coworker, best friend and after 3 hrs conversation, she says, in a just "Oh, by the way, if you know anybody.... we got an email...there are openings at my job.." well,... her job is w/ the company that downsized... yes, she is in another division but, its a division now managed by the same managers I know.....
Hard to describe the feeling as she told me about the opening... It was though someone had just told me that it was safe to go back home....

I came home and told DH and his first words were..."You can use my computer as it prints better... want the resume to look perfect"....
He says I've not really been happy this whole experience.... interesting what we think we are thinking and what others perceive don't you think??

So... isnt this interesting.....
About a year ago, I took a silly email survey and the outcome said I had "made a large compromise" and was " unhappy" about it... and said to myself " This is hogwash" .... but the feeling today was indescriable... as though a large burden had been lifted....

Hmmmmmmm


I guess this is a MMMMMMEEEEEEE post....

also got some cherry, grape and regular tomato plants at the farmers market..
and eggplant too...

this has been an interesting few days...

Kaylets, what an interesting and amazing turn of events. Good vibes at you!

Get that work turned out, Empress. I feel you're churning away at it today.

I'm being lazy. I have felt the last several weeks were go, go, go. And I wanted a slow day or three. I started yesterday afternoon although that wasn't my intent. I've been just lazing along today and would you believe I think I got a lot done anyway? But it was little things I've been wanting to do and just never got to. I'm feeling much more relaxed and plan to do more of the same tomorrow before I jump back into another busy week.

Will not be seeing kiddos on Mother's day - mucho ok w/me as I've seen them more than a fair amount the last two months. DS was "inclined" to come up but had some minor surgery yesterday afternoon which turned out to be more trouble than he had expected and it really doesn't sound like a great idea for him to come. And this plays more into my lazy, lazy scheme. I have always told them I expect to be treated well the other 364 days a year and they do not need to follow the commercial holiday unless they're so inclined. They always do something anyway but it might just be a phone call some years. More than enough. I sort of led them that way w/Father's Day too but then I realized THAT's not MY choice to make. Maybe DH wants to be fussed over a bit.

Well, my universe is a lot more peaceful today - may I wish you all the same.

Yo! Well, I edited the above post to delete any reference to making up a weekly eating plan. I tried it and just realized that for right now, it'd set me up for failure.

Kaylets, that IS interesting news re your former employer having openings. I'm not sure what the icon for crossing fingers is, but consider it inserted here. Isn't it great how the universe opens up options for us that we didn't know existed?

Anagram, nope, I'm not working this afternoon or tomorrow. Did assignment in the a.m. and also emailed editor that I'd need to hold off on another thing I'd agreed to do (but privately felt it should wait upon more data). So I'm now officially not working until Monday.

Later, gators.

Yowza! A weekend off.

Yo! Totally bummed as :devil: Scale pushed me UP (this is the WRONG DIRECTION, :devil: ) past the 150 mark! Actually, I did better this week and should be down, but it's not to be. I could keep getting on and off but it's not going to change that much, so I'm just going to keep on going with my program and see what next week brings. In the meantime, I might as well eat brunch and go shopping.

Its official... I have a cold .... a big stuffy headed, tight chest, don't dare tip your head without a tissue in hand ...... or a horrible allergy reaction...

anyway...

I'm full of cold/antihistamine and am pretty much calling this a day in bed...
except for having breakfast out and then wandering around the Farmers Market w/ Dh but it was just sheer wandering, not looking....

And of course, there's no way I want to call off tomorrow as I want to speak to my boss ( have to cover all my bases.,....even w/ the other possibility opening up)....

Sorry, I feel like I'm wandering here too....

:)

Yo! Kaylets, feel better. May I venture to give advice here even if it's not solicited (of course, that never stops me)? Since you're working up a submission for the job at your old company, mayhap just holding off at least a few days in talking to the new boss would be a good idea? Just a gut feeling I have. I think you should pursue the other possibility without delay but what can it hurt to wait a bit on playing all your cards? There's no law that says you have to cover all your bases immediately ... unless you are worrying that you might be fired from the new job and nothing you've said indicates that's the case, just that YOU are feeling uncomfortable, not that THEY'RE uncomfortable with you, other than that you're new and settling in.

Kaylets, you don't feel well and it's not maybe the time to lay it all out. Maybe take a day off and get that resume out or even make a discreet phone call to someone in the old company, if that seems right to thee. Remember, employment is a game, don't let them win but don't make yourself miserable. You are clever enough to pull this off and end up back where you want to be ... but make sure your timing is right for laying things on the line.

Anyhow, I'm sure whatever you decide will be best ... again, apologies for offering advice ... it's my nature (busybody)!!!

I'm going to go kick :devil: Scale again! See ya!

Empress-- No offense taken! And I wasnt very clear was I?? No, what I want to discuss is an internal transfer....which may not be allowed ... and at the same time also pursue this other development... and see what happens..
That's what I mean by covering my bases....


It will be interesting as I have a history of major changes happeing in the fall... don't know if the last major change was an exception or a new pattern...

I do not believe I am in a desperate situation... certainly has not been brought to my attention...

I cannnot believe how miserable I am... Even laying down is an effort...
I have already decided that if I don't feel better in the am, I have to stay home as if I'm having trouble focusing in bed, how will I last sitting up for 8 hrs?

Am only up now as DH got tired too... but the beagles wanted their supper...

Oh, that's good, then. I was picturing you marching in and saying the job just wasn't for you and quitting or something. Definitely, though, if you don't feel well tomorrow, you should stay home. I think you are due for a rest!

Happy Mother's Day to all of us, whether our children be of the human, furry, feathered or scaled type! :hat:

I spent the weekend going through closets, wardrobes, dressers....resulting in six heaping garbage bags of clothing to be donated. The state of our bedroom and lack of space has really been dragging me down for weeks, and it is great to have it done!

I am going to give the South Beach another go and see if I can make it without threat of taking anyone's head off this time.

Just got in from dinner with extended family, and have to get some laundry done or I may be arrested for indecent exposure in the morning on the way to work!

Monday looms....

Wildfire, I bought a copy of the Mediterranean Diet (or a version of it), which, at some point when I'm past this scale crisis, I might have a go at. I seem to naturally aspire to that kind of diet (except for the binge food) so it might work out.

Eydie, responding to your question on another thread (which I did already but I just thought of this), I think the Med Diet Pyramid would be a great meal planning tool for me when I get past the crisis. I can visualize putting that on a spreadsheet ... :chin:

For now, I'm all about the calories and that means no more BK French toast or ANYTHING that I am not sure is calorically what the Calorie King tells me it is ...

And getting 350 min of exercise.

And staying employed.

And going to the weaving class.

And getting that Old Dog to come back in the house (she's hiding in the yard somewhere and ignoring my pleas to return).

Ok, bye! [/color]

Good morning -- literally just stopping in to say hi :wave: I've got some work I need to get done this morning, want to fit in a run and also am driving 45 mins (each way) to have lunch with friends today. I hope to get a chance to get in and have a real visit this aft.

Let's make this a good one (even if that means sleeping/reading trashy novels all day for the indisposed -- hmmm, that actually sounds pretty good, if one could only manage to get to that ideal spot where you're too sick to work, but just well enough to read :chin: )

Love to all!

Kaylets, sounds like opportunity is knocking at your door! I hope you can get the transfer, if that is what you really want. Feel better!

Amarantha, what is the Mediterranean diet? Hope you have stayed employed and got Old Dog back in the house! :lol:

Arabella, how was your lunch?

Ceara, wasn't the thunder great last night? I was in that half-awake state and could hear it rumbling through around 1am.

anagram, did you get a couple of slow days to enjoy this weekend?

We have not seen Cerise since she self-mutilated her feet last week....I wonder did she type with her toes all this time, and that is why she is absent? :D

zadie, Eydie, Punkin, wsw, Frogger...Hello! :wave:

Ah indeed, Wildfire, I did have a very lazy weekend. Started Friday afternoon and continued today. I did things but had very little "musts" scheduled. Am feeling slightly more sane.

I too enjoyed our Empress "to do" list, esp the 'stay employed' part. Probably sometimes as difficult to do as losing weight.

Shared in the thunder boomers here as well. Heard a bunch today but they skirted ever so slightly to the north which I appreciated as I had pillows drying on the line.

Visited four places yesterdy to look for flowers and turned my nose up at all. These are places that usually have nice stuff (and at nice advertised prices). So tomorrow I hie me off to one or two greenhouses where I'm guaranteed a nice selection and I'm going to ignore the higher prices because I'm not really going to put many in this year (I say that every year) and what I do I want to really have punch.

Was pleased this a.m. when I tried out DS. Was still at the nice new number reached last week (has been up and down a wee here and there). Am hoping for another nice new number this week so don't want to get too cozy with this one.

Howdy,
We also had some mighty storms. We even bundled ourselves and the kitties into the basement, but the worst of it was a bit further north.

Kaylets - it really sounds like you are doing the right thing by shifting jobs. Whatever makes you Happy. It is so difficult when you have a job that just does not fit properly

Amarantha - I have heard really good things about the Mediterranean diet. Let us know how it goes.

Cerise - I feel your pain about ill fitting yet cute shoes. I had a pair that I wore part of the time I was in DC that I am still recovering from. I have been wearing my Birkenstock's every day since then to let my feet heal. But hey, maybe this is a sign from the powers that be that you must go shoe shopping.

Happy late mothers day to all the mothers out there, whether your kids be human, feline, canine or other.

I have nasty amounts of work, but at least the eating exercising thing is going well. And Leif is done with finals on Saturday. Hooray!

Hello all!

I'm back! Even when I felt well enough to poke my head in, my server wasnt so.....

starting to feel much more like myself.... and that's good becuase the sick person is not much fun... feel like I've been in another dimension...where everything moves very slowlllllllyyyyyyyy.....with a tissue box and a bucket at close proximity....

too much info??? sorry...

ever notice how you're whole outlook changes when you don't feel well??

hmmmm...

let me come back in a few, DH's just come home ...

Hi Royal Court!

I have been missing you all so much. I haven't been able to catch up on all your posts but please know I am thinking about you and you all mean so much to me. I have had this very long stretch of being out of commission due to MS and I am ready to be over it any time now! Not so sure if my body will cooperate with my plans, though. I did get out the other day for a little while with a friend and that was a pleasure. A friend took me to a movie (in my wheelchair) and I realized the last movie I had seen was at Christmas time. I hadn't even realized it had been that long. My food has actually been pretty good now the past few days and I have written down what I've eaten. I need a fresh start card to get back to eating smaller portions and back on the stick. Sometimes, it feels like I will be 105 'til I get this thing right, but little by little I am getting back in to the positive routines which I know have worked in the past. I just can't begin to tell you how glad I am that you wonderful folks are here. I feel honored to be here in such company and to be able to come back here. I hope it can be a lot more often than it has had to be in the past couple of months. Take good care, all.

wsw

Ceara, do you do children's story time? There's this new [?] kid's book that I love--"The Boy Who Cried Fabulous"---do you know it? It's so much fun to read aloud. Garry [my bookmobile librarian] shows me all the new kid's books!

wsw, FABULOUS to hear from you. Do you feel all settled in?

Amarantha, sorry to hear about the weirdness at the class. Don't let it stop you from doing what you love! Know what you mean about the snoot factor---ick.

Went out and worked in the yard today and feel like I got a decent workout. I've been living at my house for 11 years now and the trees on my property freaked me out today for the first time! We have a sweet little cottage nestled in the woods and those trees are big---what if one falls??!! On our house? On my tender little head? I think I really stopped to consider all this because I heard the trees groaning and creaking in the breeze and actually stopped to admire them and they're pretty awesome, huge and tall. I haven't stopped to consider or admire in a while, I guess. Okay, I going off on a tangent here---guess you had to be there. I'm tired........ :^:

:D Glad you're able to come back in, wsw. And glad you're feeling well enough for an outing or two. Hopefully your progress will continue on all fronts.

yardwork was my exercise today too, Eydie. Sounds like you have a lovely place. We took four pines and a spruce out last December because I was afraid one pine was going to land on the neighbor's house one of these days. Had some guys here today taking more shrubbery out. I think I got carried away when we moved in. Hard to take out things you've planted though it now be way overcrowded. Plus it's all part of my goal of simplification. Too much to maintain.

Empress, we share that "not one of the crowd" feeling. I seem to put a lot of my energy into trying to see that things work out in a civilized manner but not too many seem to think it's worth worrying about. I'd have been sorely vexed about that "fee" being sprung on me on top of the cost, etc. I've been trying to learn to tone it down a bit and had a great victory today. The yard kids were over two hours late arriving (and I had figured they'd brushed me off) but when they did show up, I figured no sense shooting myself in the foot and grousing at them. I wanted that work done. Glad I asked dh to go to grocery store so it turned out I was still here when they showed up. It also helped that the business owner is just a kid really and I think has a good start on a business at his age. I also knew he had a final today as he's taking some business courses at the local college . So I put out cookies and lemonade (ungodly hot here today) and got most of what I wanted done plus he put in two shrubs that dh had bought while he was out. (Yes, I KNOW I said I have too much in but these were to put where we have a small lack of privacy from removing the pines.)

Feel better, Kaylets. Glad to see you're beating that scale into submission, Ceara. Hope the aching tootsies are better, Cerise and zadie. And hi's to Wood Nymph and Wildfire.

Non Scale Victory - yesterday dh called me "baggy pants" again. I was so plesed when I was able to start wearing these last summer and I have been feeling they were getting more lose - but he confirmed it. Love that feeling.

Sending you good strenthening energies, Kaylets, to add to what you already have. You know, it doesn't help that you're not feeling completely well.
Know that you're treasured and respected by all of us!

Sending you good vibes, Kaylets! Eydie's right - you're not feeling well yet so breaking down under a stressful situation is not unwarranted. But the "not applying yourself" is not a way I'd describe the Kaylets we know and love in the court. Your determination shines through in all of your posts and accounts of other aspects of your life. Doing your darnedest does not seem to have been noted in your workplace. Let's hope the resume, etc. to downsized place brings good results. In the meantime, Queen K, soldier on with our strenth and good vibes behind you.