Drive-by post of the day. Things are going well, but today we are filing a case and there is a lot of last minute work to do. Yikes.
I am glad all of your pets are doing ok/in recovery. We took Leicester (big cat) to the vet and he weighed more than I care to admit. The vet said it was his medication, but yikes. He is on a kitty diet now. Poor baby cat.
At any rate...off to work. I know, I know, I need a break. Soon. Very soon.
Thanks for the congrats, K! I know it doesn't seem like much to anyone else, but every half pound I lose is very hard won!
Your mantra to yourself on the new job seems very appropriate ... you DO know the people, know how to get there, know the dress code, know the corporate culture and so forth ... you chose to go back there because you know it's right for you and they chose you to come back because THEY know you and that you're right for them. They want you, so it's all gonna be great! You're a champ and they know it!
Zadie, I replied to thee on the 21-day challenge thread re the bike challenge ... that's so fun! Can't wait to follow your adventures!
QOD: I've never been able to whistle, though it's not for lack of trying. Same thing with swimming and calculus. Can do most other things, though!
The yard sale went pretty good. I made about $200, my stepfather made about $250 and my mom almost $400. That doesn't include the $5,250 they got for their pontoon boat they've been trying to sell for 2 years. Yup, someone finally bought the boat!!! I didn't really have that much to sell, so I'm happy with what I made - but honestly it wasn't really worth all the time spent preparing for the sale and sitting on my butt for 3 days - and the amazing sunburn I have now on my scalp... But, it's done now! We've all decided it'll probably be the last one we have.
Weight wise, I've gracefully climbed back on the wagon and tightened my seat belt. I'm down about 4 1/2 pounds from last Monday. I was a little more than 5 pounds on Saturday, but too much sun, not enough water and too many mixed nuts undid some of the loss (temporarily, I'm sure). I'm amazed at how much better I feel already.
Thanks to my Stella kitty I've been getting little sleep. She's taken it upon herself to make sure I don't oversleep by waking me up when the sun starts to come up. Not a problem in the spring and winter - but at this time of year the sky's getting really light at 4am! So, she's been "making beds" with her claws on the side board of my bed and waking me up between 3:50-4:10am for WEEKS now. Yesterday I put tin foil on the side of my bed - so she went to the other side. Tonight the whole bottom of the bed gets foiled!!!
Dad and stepmom's coming in from Yuma in a few days. Their visit is the last of the company I'm expecting this summer.
FROGGER MOM!!!!!!! It's sooooo good to hear from you again! Sorry to hear about the pain with DH's job - but so happy to hear you're doing better in that department! Can't wait to see the sonogram pictures of the little tadpole!
Wildfire, your nephew is a doll! How is it that all newborns have that wise, old looking face? I don't get it - there was a comedian a long time ago that said it was funny how all newborns have a "oh great, here we go again" look on their faces . Continued luck to sister and son - is he out of the hospital yet?
I'm with you on the weights too. They always say how it's the muscle that burns the calories - doesn't it make sense to make more muscle then?? I'd seen some exercises for building the butt muscles (I have a flat butt even at my weight!) and then in the yard sale I found my old Jazzercise adjustable leg weights - I vowed to start putting them to use!
Eydie, wow Weed is one smart kitty! In the litterbox you may have not noticed her problem for a looooong time! Glad she's feeling better... my old Ochoco started loosing some weight a year or so ago too and they said it was just her age. Granted, she's still 13 pounds - but she's quite trim considering she used to tip the scales at over 16!
Amarantha, do tell! What's a plank??
Kaylets, so how'd the first day go? Geeeeeez I hate the first day of *anything* new! I'll get the kettle on asap for ya!
Anagram, I'm liking the sound of your "good vibes"! Spread 'em around now!!! There must be something about spending time with little ones that just makes it all... right. Not having children (and apparently I was born without a biological clock too) I sometimes forget how much joy they bring. My best friend's daughter is almost 13 - not a child but a full fledged young woman! This weekend there were a LOT of little kids and we were giving them all little fist sized polished rocks (with parental permission, of course) and the look on their faces.... just made me miss having babies to dote on and spoil and blow raspberries on their tummies... Hug the princesses for me, ok?
WSW and Zadie!
Well, should away to my work... after working all weekend I'm sure this week will seem never ending. Here's to early bed times and kitties that don't wake me up at 4am!!!!
Lol, Punkin, you hit it on the nose. Tummy Raspberries on the younger princess were part of my good vibe. Plus telling them lots of times how lucky I am to have such beautiful granddaughters. It's a message I want them to carry with them all their lives because I think it will really help their self esteem later in life. I've needed a good weekend like this one for quite a while. And any day when I get to see all the loves in my life is a good one - well, usually.
The take from your sale sounds good if you didn't have a lot to sell but they sure are work. But I like the "people" part of it too.
Safe night in the mountains, Empress. And I second the request for a report, Kaylets, if thou not be too exhausted.
All in all, came home on the Express bus last night knowing I had made exactly the right choice...
Did panic when was handed a schedule of learning accomplishments ... wondered if I had jumped from fire to the pan but by day end I was able to reverse that thought... The trainer already had books ready, actual "excercises" to practice , etc... I learn faster "hands on" so I was thrilled with the practice sheets .....Its difficult when you have to learn by what comes in the mail/ or by phone so having samples for practice is great....
Which leads me to this morning's thought:
***
Thought of the day :
"The big question is whether you are going to say a hearty yes to your adventure."
--Joseph Campbell
Question of the day :
"What if the hokey pokey is all that it's about?"
****
Punkin-- sounds like between all of you the sale went very well.....
But yes, can be incredibly draining.... but look how much you got out of the house/garage ??
and Punkin, was wondering if you'd share some thoughts about your WW leader experiences.... am wondering if I would make a good leader...
To everyone!
BIG HUGS-- Lots of positive energy to get us thru!!
Flybye as didn't get home until midnight, went to gym at 5:30 a.m. and have to work as I intend to attend a yoga class tonight!
Punkin, a plank is a yoga exercise that works your entire core in the most subtle way (and IMO it improves mood and metabolism as well, all in one fell swoop). It's my fav exercise. There are lots of variations but basically you just lift lie face down on the floor and lift yourself onto toes and forearms (so you're resting on them like a plank) and stay there as long as you can. You've probably done it. It is harder than it looks.
Congrats on 4.5 pounds down! Huzzah!
Kaylets: Congrats on getting that first day under your belt! Sounds like you did make the right choice!
Must be really goofy as this is my third read of Anagram's description of Tummy Rasberries... and am JUST getting it... I thought...well, I'd rather not say except I was thinking of jam... !
Seems as though heat and humidity built as the day went on... took a short stroll at noon and it was pleasant... coming home at 5pm was a shock...
ah well...
Another goofy thing I caught myself doing....
Remember I said I am now working on the 2nd floor... and that I'd have to go up and down more times to make up the difference??? Well, there I am this am.. going up and down... and then on the 3rd turn around said to myself...
WHAT ARE YOU THINKING ?????
This building has 10 floors... why are you stopping at the 2nd floor and going back down to turn around to come right back up?? WHY are you not climbing 4 flights and THEN coming down???
PERSPECTIVE Royals!! Perspective!!
How many times have I done something similiar in other areas of my life??
There I was, clomping up 2 flights, clomping down.... pushing myself...
Well, enough about me....
WSW- how are you? Is it steamy where you are?
Empress-- I know I must sound like a real whiney baby about the heat...
what can I say.. Perspective...
Must be really humid out as the windows are foggy inside.... hee hee...
So...
Scale is finally showing a small decline.... hoping more activity is knocking that bloat away... Today I challenge myself to at least one extra flight..
Did I mention that I am reading "London" by Robert Sarum on my bus rides??
Its full of many Celtic, Scottish, Roman, traditions, rites, holidays... Certainly a terrific upside ... had forgotten how wonderful it is to find a good read and have the time to enjoy.. guilt free!
So.... new habits again for me!
How quickly we revert to "old" habits when we get sidetracked....
No matter, just a detour... as long as the detour doesnt become a destination...
And maybe I'll even get to the 21 day challenge more than to sign up for it!
Hope everyone is well ! I do realize the past few weeks the posts have been ALL ABOUT ME! and I appreciate how everyone has been so supportive....
So...
Frogger... did you hint a baby pic was a possible for us?
I know you are taking your vitamins!
Anagram... is the garden thinned to your satisfaction?
Cerise... I'm getting worried about you! Hope to see you here soon!
Wsw... How's the a/c in the new castle?
Arabella... Has heat wave touched your grace's kingdom?
Empress.. I heard on the radio there was a big candy makers trade show... and ..... sugar free PB cups were introduced... I know just what you're thinking...
Zadie... How are thee?? Saving your seat for you!
Eydie...Trips to the vet slowed down??
Punkin... Was looking for some thoughts from your grace's kingdom...
Wildfire... Status check on your kingdom please
Ceara... Yes, I'm saving your seat too! How goes it???
Sorry to all those I have forgotten..But please check in and tell us how things are going for you...
***
Today's thought is:
" You can't cross a chasm in two steps."
---Rashi Fein
I'm on Day 4 of the 21 Day Challenge, and Day 3 of South Beach Phase I. I'm completely happy with SB. Lots of veggies, protein, and (I think) enough carbs in the form of legumes. I feel well on it, which I did not on the fruit/veg detox. I'm not going to weigh in until Friday, but I feel like this is working. Hope so!
Stayed up until after 11 doing my taxes last night and then couldn't sleep after that, so I've got about 3 hours sleep under my belt. Feel relatively normal at this point. The night before I'd gotten the first full night's sleep in about a month and felt pretty much like a new woman for it. Ah well. Maybe I'll get another good night's sleep tonight.
Thanks for the pm congrats on my weight loss, Wsw! I really appreciate it.
I know it may seem odd the way I'm shamelessly begging for congratulations right now but I seem to need support and notice right now ... not sure why!
Arabella, SB looks pretty healthy to me as well and I've thought about doing ... glad you are enjoying it ... you're dooing great!
Nay, K, thoughts of pb cups (even sugar free) no longer trouble me ... I don't seem to want them anymore, although I'm bingeing on everything else ...
And though seemeth never like a whiner ... heat is relative and I'm sure it's humid where thou art as well ... although the "it's a dry heat" thing we joke about here isn't really much help ... especially in July when it's NOT a dry heat! (If people wouldn't plant so many lawns, though ...) ... also, it's actually a fact that the blood "gets thin" in hot climates ... e.g., the platelets (sp?) get further apart or something ... and one gets aclimatized (sp?) ...
Second the call to Cerise ...
I was four when I started kindgergarten ... my mom taught me to read the year before ... it annoyed the teachers ...
Hello,
After some awfully busy days I finally have a bit of a break. Things are going pretty well around these parts.
QOD: I was 4, and like Amarantha I was already reading and it drove the teacher nuts. With my younger sister they tried a different approach and did not start her in school till she was 5, but this backfired and she ended up ahead in everything and graduating a year early.
I was just noticing a lack of Cerise as well. Hello? Helloooo?
I have a friend on SB who loves it. She lost a ton of weight so far and has been eating a lot of broccoli and other good foods, so I guess it is an OK thing.
Thanks to my worried boyfriend I now have a really good bike helmet. It has a distinctly elvish look to it, which is not a bad thing at all. It is also very comfortable. Leif figures that anything that makes me stick to my bike to work plan is worthwhile, plus he worries if I am riding without a helmet. The next step is to get a new seat so my a** does not hurt so darn much.
Well, despite the slow day I have to get some work done. Hello to everyone.
First: apologies. I'm SO BLOODY SORRY that I've neglected some of my favorite people on the planet! I feel terrible and missed you all, but didn't have the mental or even physical energy to spare to log on. Well, that's a lame excuse, but kind of true, I guess.
Second: what the **** was I doing that whole time? I was sick. Not the whole time, but I was either sick and miserable or weakly recovering. I've had some sort of horrible intestinal bug that has given me constant...um...runs..., and a lot of dehydration and general distress and weakness. I finally decided I couldn't shake it on my own, went to Urgent Care, got threatened with an IV if I didn't get more serious about Gatorade, and went on antibiotics. That seems to be helping, and as soon as I'm back to 100%, I'll start taking acidophilus to assist my depleted and much-injured intestinal fauna.
One good thing (I guess, though the circumstances that brought it about were **** on earth) about this whole thing is that my stomach capacity is down to nil right now - two eggo waffles this morning nearly did me in. Lots of drama. I'll try to keep it that way.
Anyway, I'll try to catch up with all of you today and get some posties done, but for now let me thank you for your patience and good wishes, and thanks for being here. I feel so much better. Thank god.
Sorry for the disappearance... we're starting to get applicants for our job opening now! So, I've been playing office manager and scoping out the best possible guy for the job...
Anagram, I think it's such a huge gift you're giving the Princesses, self esteem. It's not that I was ever belittled as a child, but I believe my parents were too busy with their own lives (divorce, re-marriage, etc.) during that time in my life when I needed to hear all that wonderful stuff. I did have a few very, very special teachers in my life at that time though and for them I'll be eternally grateful.
You're very right about the people part of the yard sale! We *finally* met all our neighbors! Mom's been here for 12 years, me 5, and we had SO many people come by and say "hi" it was great! I even had one lady stop me in the post office on Monday and say "hi, remember me? I was at your garage sale and I'm your neighbor" - thank God I remembered her name! Very cool though...
Amarantha, ok, I want to try the plank here, but I'm sure my mom would come in and ask what in the **** I was doing! Will try it at home - one can ALWAYS use more core strengthening!
I'm with ya on the climatizing too - when I first moved to Oregon 30 degrees was call for as much clothing as possible, now it's simply jacket weather. Now I don't *really* bundle until it goes below 20 and I learned you can go glove-less as long as it's not under 10 - then your fingers start to burn....
And your "shameless begging for congrats"???? Ok!
Hi WSW!!!!
Arabella, make sure you get some sleep!!!
Zadie, better to look elvish than have all of us shaking fingers at you for not wearing your helmet! My mom's STILL getting scolded for not wearing hers when she was thrown from her horse and it's been almost a YEAR!!!!
Kaylets, climb those floors!!! I used to work on the 13th floor in San Francisco (yes, there was a 13th floor in our building!) and once got the urge to climb it. I did it, but the next time I got off on the 7th or 8th floor and walked up from there!
Ok, WW-leaderness.... I enjoyed it more than I can say. The only thing I didn't like was that they didn't live up to their end of the bargain. When I was hired they said I'd have to weigh in with my boss once a month and I figured that would keep me on track and honest. Well, one month came and went, then another and another and in the almost 3 years I was a leader NO ONE ever weighed me. What actually happened was that everyone wrote down their weights on the slip, everyone signed each others and no one ever verified it. Well, with no watch dog that little voice in my head said "so why bother, they won't be checking!" and up my weight went.
Really that's my only gripe. Other than that I had a blast. Of course that was also when there were actual centers and getting in and out of your meetings was fast. Right before I left they started closing centers and moving into "travelers", meaning you, the WW employee, are responsible for setting up everything before the meeting and cleaning up everything afterwards. It takes a LOT longer to do it this way - but since WW pays you by the meeting and not by the hour, they don't care... I have zero regrets about being a leader though and have even thought about doing it again. I love the interaction with people, have no problems speaking in front of people (my largest meeting was 110 people in Napa, CA the Saturday after New Year), and I honestly do believe in the program. I'd say "do it" if you're thinking about it! You could be the leader that clicks with someone who's about to give up...
Q o' the day - 6 years old. To start kindergarten at 5 in September, you had to turn 6 by the end of the year. Well, my birthday's in January, so I had to wait almost another full year... Grrrr!
Yes Empress, you DO deserve the congrats!! And why should you not mention you need it?? I am seeing more and more, that some help ( support, congrats, etc,etc) is SOOOO much better than none... and that it actually makes it easier for folks if we ask because than they don't have to worry that they are intruding... So often I think my asking is a weakness on my part yet I am actually giving someone a chance to give me a gift ...
So, I will do the same for you... CONGRATS! on mollifying the PB cups!
It is a great feeling to realize we can get on the other side of that binge isnt it???
Cerise-- I was afraid you werent feeling well.... Saving you seat for you...
I imagine you must be exhausted too... I dislike IV's too... perhaps some soup a 1/2 cup at a time would taste good??? This is the one time you might notice a real difference once you've absorbed the sodium... a real "Must have needed that!"....
***
Thought of the day :
"Out of every crisis comes a chance to be reborn."
---Nena O'Neil
K! I know it doesn't seem like much to anyone else, but every half pound I lose is very hard won! 
But, it's done now! 
We've all decided it'll probably be the last one we have.
. Continued luck to sister and son - is he out of the hospital yet?
There must be something about spending time with little ones that just makes it all... right. Not having children (and apparently I was born without a biological clock too) I sometimes forget how much joy they bring. My best friend's daughter is almost 13 - not a child but a full fledged young woman! This weekend there were a LOT of little kids and we were giving them all little fist sized polished rocks (with parental permission, of course) and the look on their faces.... just made me miss having babies to dote on and spoil and blow raspberries on their tummies... Hug the princesses for me, ok? 
WSW and Zadie!
Huzzah!
Starting off the summer with a groan.
My mom's STILL getting scolded for not wearing hers when she was thrown from her horse and it's been almost a YEAR!!!!