Y'know what my problem is? No caffeine.
 

Hi, Sizzlers

No, I don't follow American Idol (nor did I follow previous shows).

So nice to have the Wood Nymph and Cerise check in. Methinks spring fever must be hitting our gentle folk and causing some to be more up and some more down than a few weeks ago. But positive vibes of energy and encouragement to all for whatever is called for to make life go in rewarding cycles again.

Though, sad to say, I'm not as perky tonight as some. Any of you ever dealt with a periodontist? Dh has had the unpleasant experience and is considering not returning for his hopefully last appt. We feel like we've been through a financial wringer with this thing and while money is not as important as his health, his blood pressure goes up everytime I mention the Dr's name. Believe me, neither the surgeon who replaced his heart valve nor any of the doctor's who saved his life last year charged anywhere near the hourly rate involved here. It's particularly galling that the actual work was done by a technician (and I doubt she gets a large share of the fee). Just a bummer all around.

Wood Nymph, my "beautiful" car is a '96 Lincoln Town Car. It's white and has a navy blue cloth roof. It wears it's 108,000 miles well. And for my birthday last fall, I told dh I wanted it detailed. It seems to have a very feminine personality as I felt it loved its makeover and I swear I've never owned a car that's as thrilled with an oil change, lube, etc. as this one. No, please don't call the men with the nets. I know I'm not imagining this. We have a very sweet relationship. She's been getting a little lonely lately as she's usually driven only when I'm going somewhere alone or when ds is around (he's very fond of her too). He did take her to MA over the Christmas holidays but that's been her last real runaround and I think she's chomping at the bit to get out for a bit of real exercise.

The palace isn't really crumbling, nothing that can't be fixed with a full crew. Things have been quiet but I do think it's spring fever of a sort. And maybe a sign that things are going better for some? Kaylets, we'll be waiting with you with baited breath for any news.

Empress, hope the new challenge gets you revved up again. Only 11 more days to go on the journalling thread too. Yikes!

Arabella, sounds like you're feeling 'revived' with your new program. I'm going to check out the site you mentioned. Thanks! How's your son doing?

Kaylets, thought of you yesterday during a program at work. The speaker was absolutely unbelievable. His name's Elliot Engel. He's been to the Homestead before and even if I go to these programs with no interest at all in the subject, I find myself hanging on his every word, because he's so engaging and animated. The most amazing thing was he didn't use notes and not once did he utter an 'ummm' or 'errr'. His website's AuthorsInk.com if you're interested.

Cerise, about my wanting to eat anything that doesn't move. This time I think it's a hormonal thing or maybe it's just one of those stress eating things. This week's been really busy, but it's been fun! I've gotten really good at giving tours to schoolkids. I think that I prefer them to adults, because adults always ask 'sensible' questions--like dates and family tree stuff. Boring! Today a group of 100 librarians from Virginia Tech are coming and my task is to take the ones that want to go on a 2-mile hike thru the woods. Most of the time I love my job! Hey, do you think your recent malaise has something to do with your birthday. For years I'd get a bit weird around my birthday, don't exactly know why, but I have my theories. This year I haven't experienced any of that---it's very different. In the last few months I feel that I've shifted quite a lot in a really good way---but that's another story! I'll tell it, when I can think of a succinct way to tell it!

Anagram, your affection for your car doesn't sound odd at all. Last week, I made the decision to really clean up the interior of our 2 cars and I could swear they're running better. Must be a feng-shui thing. Sorry about the thing with the periodontist---how frustrating!

Amarantha, sorry to hear that you're feeling depressed. Anything we can do? Anything bring it on?

Hello all!

Thanks for the positive thoughts... I too am waiting... in fact, have to call a moratorium on thoughts in that direction as my imagination is running away with me and I am also superstitious enough to believe in "jinxing" myself....
I do know I am not the only one being considered and that is just a fact of life, no matter where you go.

**************************
***************************
Now you know everything!!!!

The liquid inside young coconuts can be used as a substitute for blood plasma.

No piece of paper can be folded in half more than seven (7) times.

Donkeys kill more people annually than plane crashes.

You burn more calories sleeping than you do watching television.

Oak trees do not produce acorns until they are fifty (50) years of age or
older.

The first product to have a bar code was Wrigley's gum.

The king of hearts is the only king without a mustache.

American Airlines saved $40,000 in 1987 by eliminating one (1) olive from each salad served in first-class.

Venus is the only planet that rotates clockwise.

Apples, not caffeine, are more efficient at waking you up in the morning.

Most dust particles in your house are made from dead skin.

(No wonder my house is so DUSTY! LOL!)

The first owner of the Marlboro Company died of lung cancer. So did the first "Marlboro Man."

Walt Disney was afraid of mice.

Pearls melt in vinegar.

The three most valuable brand names on earth: Marlboro, Coca Cola, and Budweiser, in that order.

It is possible to lead a cow upstairs...but not downstairs.

A duck's quack doesn't echo, and no one knows why.

Dentists have recommended that a toothbrush be kept at least six (6) feet away from a toilet to avoid airborne particles resulting from the flush. (I keep my toothbrush in the living room now!)

Richard Millhouse Nixon was the first U.S. president whose name contains all the letters from the word
"criminal." The second? William Jefferson Clinton.

(Please don't tell me you're SURPRISED!?!!)

And the best for last.....

Turtles can breathe through their butts.

(I know some people like that; don't YOU?)

Now you know everything there is to know.

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

***
Thought of the day :

"There's no place like home."
--Wizard of Oz

Question of the day :

Some say the Wizard of Oz inspired their love of tornado chasing, studying exoctic animals or as Oprah says, the shoes inspired her to love shoes....
What most impressed you about the Wizard of Oz?

****


Wish I could hang out longer this am...

Big hugs to everyone... Did I ever tell you that you're my favorites?


KETTLE IS ON!

Holy Crow, Universe -- I hear you!!!
 

Eydie, thanks for asking about my son. He's doing... okay. He's a bit depressed, and is not feeling motivated. I'm going to try to get him to do the checklist thing with me. I devised it originally, years ago, to get myself out of a similar slump. I know it works. He'll be much better when he gets a job. He's just overwhelmed with everything now; it's like he's got to start back at zero, gain independence from us (and especially me), get a job, get more of a social life. Difficult, but --- what can you do but pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again?

I was surprised last week when I had lunch with a friend I hadn't seen since the fall. She didn't know what had happened and I found that I didn't want to tell her, because the thought of going into it just made me feel like I wanted to cry and cry and cry. I'm coping, I guess, but it's still very upsetting.

Eydie, how cool is it you're going to be at goal this birthday (the 25th, is that Cerise's too?)!!! :cb: :cb:

Kaylets, thanks for that excellent trivia list! I adore trivia!

Ceara of the Shining Lockes! :wave: Glad you emerged from the depths. That's right -- we'll set our course and find our way. :yes:

Happy...
 

Oh, yeah, and Kaylets, I'm seriously going to start eating an apple every morning instead of drinking coffee. This is episode # 53 where Kaylets' superior knowledge has improved my life.

Thank you, Amarantha, for getting the 21-day challenge set up again. I'm really excited to get some forward momentum going again. Episode #53 where Amaratha's generous ideas and enthusiasm have gotten me moving, too.

What can I say? I really couldn't do this without you guys.

So hard to accept that it's Friday without :queen: Punkin declaring it so. But here 'tis anyway.

Ceara of the Shining Locks - what a great visual that makes with you climbing out of the muck and the gorgeous hair aglimmering. And welcome to the party.

Wood Nymph - glad son is doing "ok". That's better than a few weeks back. Of course he's depressed but I'm sure you and he will pull him through. Sometimes the coping mechanism breaks down at the time you least expect it, doesn't it.

Apples be one of my favorite foods ( applesauce, too) and I've been known to pour some apple cider vinegar into my water to change the pace of things.
I gave up most caffeine years ago, Cerise, but have been having some in my Tab and tea for the last year or so. LOTS less than I used to have though. I went to half regular and half decaf the first few days I tried to cut out the coffee. Finally decided that was too much trouble, quit colder turkey. It wasn't really too hard because I had cut down to just one cup a day prior to that time. Earlier it sure would have been.

Eydie, I am usually a very grumpy critter for two weeks or so before my birthday. Every year not just significant birthdays. I don't know whether it's because my hay fever catches up with me, or the heat, or the aging. But I noted it years ago. Fortunately once the birthday passes, so does the mood (so far).

Never been a fan of the Wizard of Oz - in fact I'm probably the only person I know who actively dislikes it.

I'm calling on all Queens to huff and puff to the southwest (well, at least that's the direction for me) and blow all of the Empress' dark clouds into the Pacific.

Hi-de-ho to wsw, zadie, and all lurking "queen"s. And a Happy First Anniversary to Frogger whereever she may be.

Anagram, I'm not crazy about the Wizard of Schnoz either.

Someone just sent me this prayer as part of a chain letter thingie. I don't do those but thought this seems to express many of the goals of our regal ones.

St. Theresa's Prayer:

> May today there be peace within. May you trust your highest power that
> you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the
> infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts
> that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
> May you be content knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence
> settle into our bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance,
> praise, and love. It is there for each and every one of you.


I particularly like the "settle into our bones" part and allowing my "soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love" (I guess that means no matter how badly")

Came back from Michigan with the bruises to prove it. Anyone know what Whirlyball is? Well, it was a team-building activity at my conference. Whirlyball is two teams of five in motorized bumper cars on a basketball-type court with a lacrosse-type scoop and a whiffel ball, the object being to hurl the ball from the scoop to the net in the center of a backboard. It's crazy, it's fun, and it's violent. Oh, here...have a look, although as my DH said, "It doesn't LOOK dangerous." http://www.whirlyball.com I am bruised from hip to hip across my lower abdomen from getting hit rather hard by an opponent...if I hadn't had the seatbelt on I would have been thrown out of the car and headfirst into a wall, so it could be worse. Also have a bruise on my left thigh bigger than my hand, it's swollen and lovely shades of red, purple, and blue. Yep, team building.

Been preoccupied with my sister. She is just 30 weeks pregnant and has been in and out of hospital because her blood pressure has been so high they are afraid she is going to stroke. She is hitting numbers like 220/130, which the doctor has told her he has NEVER seen. She is on all kinds of medication to try to keep it stable, but it isn't working. Baby is fine, but it is a balancing act with what is good for baby and what is keeping her from stroking. This has been going on for about a month now. They gave her steroids today to help develop the baby's lungs, and are prepared to transfer her to another hospital four hours away if they have to deliver. Would much appreciate any good vibes you can send.

Will catch up over the weekend. :wave:

Good vibes winging their way to thy sis, Wildfire!!!!! :goodvibes:

Welcome back!

Hello, darling Wildfire.

Thinking about your sister very much this weekend. All this hubbub and she can't possibly be having much fun. Here's hoping that things calm down and that everybody, especially Mom and Junior, hang in there for just a bit longer.

All sorts of loving vibes to you, your sis and the wee one, Wildfire. Sounds so difficult.

And good job vibes going out for the Empress. Sounds like a good use of yesterday's time even if it kills today. Grindstone being delivered by the A1 towelboy (they're multifaceted).

Whew, I'm glad to know other :queen:s have affection for their vehicles. Thought maybe it was senility rampant.

Should be a good day here in Central PA, she says with fingers crossed. Looking like a good yard sale day so perhaps Kaylets is already scampering.

Wow, so many great inspiring, profound, thoughtful posts I don't know how to catch up with everyone. I'm quite literally awestruck! And we thought things were going quiet here! Hah!

Okay, now it can be told---nay, MUST be told! A couple of weeks ago Garry and I finished this "project" that changed our lives. We wanted to do something because we were feeling stagnant, and quite by accident [yeah, right! :lol: ] I found this book called "Soul Coaching" by Denise Linn. I didn't want anything that I had to struggle with, I wanted something easy;I admit it. It's a 28-day program--week 1 deals with air and clearing mental debris, and physically decluttering your home! Week 2 deals with water and emotional stuff, cleaning your house, and drinking lots of water! Week 3 is about fire and creativity and week 4's about earth and strengthening your physical body.
I don't know what is was about this program but it really got to me. Cerise, please give this book to yourself for your birthday! It's a wild ride, because one day you're decluttering your closet and the next day you're being asked the purpose of your life. And somehow it all works! Very profound---I've become much more courageous with my life and it's inspired me [and Garry] to start with another book. Right now, we're working on "The Alchemist's Path"; its a book of spitual exercises inspired by alchemy. We're loving that one too! I love it when one find the spirtitual in everyday life stuff. Hey, maybe that's the purpose of my life! :D

I have a quote I'd like to share, so listen up, Queens!

"BE BOLD....AND MIGHTY FORCES WILL COME TO YOUR AID"-----Goethe

Ain't it the truth! ;)

Yo, just to inform thou mighty :queen: s that I posted this on the 21-day challenge thread in case anyone be interested. Anyone can win no matter when they join the "club" because it's kind of hard to do 21 consecutive days, so people will be restarting. Apologize if I seem to be recruiting here, I'm not, just wanted to share an idea to perk us up, if we need perking:

HEAR YE, HEAR YE!!! The 21-Day Challenge Club Prize Committee hath announced that a small NON-VIRTUAL AWARD OF HONOR will be snail mailed to the first challenger to complete their 21-consecutive days!

This prize program is a one-time offering and will be administered by Amarantha, who is not eligible to win the prize (since obviously she intends to be first and she started first!!! :D )!!! The eligibility caveats are thusly: The prize winner must complete 21-consecutive days of their challenge and be regularly reporting in on their progress to this thread (at least twice a week) because we need to support each other. The winner must notify Amarantha by email or pm of a snail mail address to send the prize (could be a PO box to preserve anonymity, the prize will be small, although the committee doesn't know what it is yet! :coffee: ).

Amarantha hath promised to purchase said prize in a real store, not weave, bead, crochet, knit, carve or otherwise craft it herself! She warns, however, that said prize will be veeeery inexpensive and a mere token of honor for the stalwart 21-day winner!!! (So don't get too excited, challengers)!

In the event a snail mail address is not received from the winner or the winner doesn't want the award or in the event no one wins before July (say, we all give up because we ain't got the stuff), no prize will be awarded. If Amarantha hath already purchased the award she will have sole discretion as to what to do with it! :yes:

Huzzah! Bye all!

;)

Thanks for the good thought/vibes, girls! I'm going to be an auntie any day to a very wee one, and I want both Sis and baby to get through this healthy!

Happy Saturday
 

Ungodly hot here today. Ran an ad for free hostas, daylillies, etc. Had 15 calls by 11:oo a.m. Gal showed up at 1:00. Took lots of those plus 3 forsythia and a few other things. But now I have to call the next person on my list and hopefully have someone dig those out tomorrow. Am trying to cut back a bit on the yard work required here. This year I really think I'm going to make it = if I keep my promises to myself anyway.

I'd never seen the St. T. Thing either but some of it seemed to hit my goals for now. A teeny weeny is right Wildfire but they can catch up fast. Recently a woman near here gave birth to SIX babies at, I think, the 29th week. She had been in the hospital since March but was able to hold on long enough to make it work. All were a good survival weight and were off ventilators within a day or two and seem to be doing well. Amazing what can be done these days. Can't wait to share your auntiehood.

I'm tired from watching that gal dig so I'm done for the day.

Holy Mackeral!

How long have I been gone??

Ok...

Here they come...the royal minstrels... and the royal buglers....

Ta da ! TA DA! TA DA!

Are you ready---

GOOD VIBES - to the East, West, North, South......

To the SouthWest... " WE MUST HAVE THE EMPRESS! WE MUST HAVE THE EMPRESS!"

To the Northwest " Cerise will realize she can be as amazing as her vocal teacher thinks... Cerise will realize she can be as amazing as her vocal teacher thinks.."

And a little bit more Northwest: "Punkin will be able to come and visit, Punkin will be able to come and visit"

To the North " Wildfire's sister and baby will be fine! Wildfire's sister and baby will be fine!"

And North again " Arabella and son will succeed. Arabella and son will succeed.'

And again, " Zadie will see her dreams come true, Zadie will see her dreams come true"



To the East " All the Plants will be taken away....all the plants will be taken away!"

And a little bit farther East " WE MUST HAVE KAYLETS! WE MUST HAVE KAYLETS!"
and to the Southeast ..." WSW will feel energetic and cheerful! WSW will feel energetic and cheerful"

And on a mountain... "Eydie and Garry will enjoy their new book! Eydie and Garry will enjoy their new book!"

....
The Royal Minstrels apologize if they have not mentioned someone. Even if they have, GOOD VIBES ABOUND!!


so...

let me go see what the Empress has posted on the 21 day thread.

Gosh this thread is jumping, sorry for the brevity mode again here. I love all the posts and am reading, it's just that the connection between my brain and fingers is a little loose right now. Too many council stories and school boreds, methinks.

Eydie, I need that book, it's right in line with the self-improvement projects I'm embarked upon, one of which is the 21-day challenge, which I blew today, but will be back on with bells on the morrow.

I believe my weigh-in will be high again, but I know the 21-dayer will save me, if I could just complete it!!! Yowza! Not IF, WHEN!!

Was lurking, as is sometimes my wont, in our neighbor's pasture here at Miscellaneous Clubs and saw a post by someone (name escapes me at the moment) to the effect that they'd been told that when one has worked out intensely with weights there is sometimes a water weight gain because, I guess, the muscle fibers are swollen (or something). Since I've been working with much higher weights lately and feeling kind of swollen and gaining weight, I wonder if that's part of the reason (besides eating too much). Anyway, I like the idea of easing off on the weights for awhile, even though in the long run I want to gain more muscle (eats calories, makes it easy to walk around the world and lift stuff, keeps your arms from sagging).

Good vibes to all. I love your vibe list, :queen: K! Mayhap we should institute a weekly vibe request (like churches do for prayer requests). Everyone can post their vibe needs on a certain day and we can all dispatch the vibes during the week.

Ok, bye. Braindead! :doh:

Sunny Sunday
 

Yo! I will check that website, Cerise. I love jazz, but mostly the old, old acoustic stuff with vocals (Billie H, et al) ... thanks for the suggestion.

Dunno if anyone's going to start a vibe thread but I'm asking for career vibes again this whole week. I think I'd really like that in-town job (if it's actually a job and not an independent contractor thing designed to take advantage of reporters yet again).

:queen: K, where beist thou ... sending career vibes to thee ... thou must have :queen: K, though must have :queen: K, thou must have ...

Vibes to Wildfire's sis and tiny arrival (if that's happened yet)

Vibes to Arabella and son (and all Arabella relatives)

Vibes to Eydie and dh as they pursue self improvement

Vibes to Cerise and thanks for putting me in the vege mood in the 21-dayer

Vibes to Ceara, who beareth the sword and careth for the heathen!

Vibes to Wsw, 'cause I KNOW you're out there and that makes me happy

Vibes to Punkin, who's doubtless planning on being here Monday morning on the dot!

Vibes to Wildfire, just because she's so wild and fun!

Vibes to Zadie who hath dreamed big dreams and hath a great legal career ahead and probably doesn't need any career vibes!

Vibes to Anagramatic, who I haven't seen in a few days on the journal thread but sure miss a lot whenever she's gone for even one day.

Vibes to Frogger, Dollar, Hotsplashes, Seattle Jo and all other missing :queen: s, wherever the heck they are! :)

Ok, bye! If I forgot anyone on the vibe list, it's only because I'm not very smart! But vibes to any and all forgotten :queen: s!

I have shopped, now must lie on sofa and read!

No news on the sis front, so I'm assuming that's good. 38-40 weeks is normal pregnancy gestation, so the little one will be about 2 months early if it happens very soon. Normal weight of a 30-week old fetus is just 3 lbs, and they are just opening their eyes and may have hair. Amazing that these little babies can be born so early and survive. Every day longer is better.

Cerise, no, DH is not sympathetic to my sports injuries at all. The bruises are still a lovely bright red with some blue and purple mixed in. The one on my leg is so large and ugly DH told me to wear long pants when I had shorts on two days ago. He said, "Cover that up! That's just not RIGHT!" So I've taken to flashing my bruised leg at him when I want him to go away.

Cerise, sounds like you had a lovely day yesterday. I've been doing much the same around here, watching movies, reading, sipping tea, wine last night, DH and I went out for coffee to the Coco Cat Cafe (don't you love the name?) and went for a drive. I'm avoiding the stack of dishes in the sink. I'll have a listen to your friend's music later when I have the patience to download the tracks.

Amarantha, what is this job you are hoping to land? :goodvibes:

I have decided to get back into weight training. I'm still done with diets and trying to use common sense and mix in some principles of the South Beach diet (good carbs vs. bad carbs). Thinking back over the last few years, even when I followed a diet to the letter, I only lost a few pounds before it stopped working. So I truly believe that exercise (much as I hate it some days) is going to be key for me. I was quite buff ten - twelve years ago when I did weight training, so I'm going to ease back into that and see what happens.

:wave: Hello to all our lovely ladies!

Wildfire, it's just a reporter job on a new project close to my home. Not sure if it's going to be what I want or need or if I'm what they want or need. We'll see.

That is good news about things being on hold for thy sis' delivery ... the more time, the better, methinks. Sending more good vibes.

Sending more good vibes for thy exercise program ... here's to buffdom! :cheers:

hello dear royal ones!

amarantha-i smiled when i read what you wrote. i am so grateful you are here! great career vibes going out to you, empress! congrats on the weight loss!

wildfire-i am sending strong good health vibes to your sister and the wee one. those bruises don't sound fun. you have my sympathy for them, believe me.

hi anagram- i am thinking about you and hope your weekend has been pleasant.

kaylets-good career vibes from me to you! i loved reading the good vibes list. it really is true that all this good karma being sent out from here helps---no doubt about it!

cerise-will check out the website you mentioned. i love jazz. glad to hear that you like your new voice teacher. at this moment, as i am writing, i am sipping tea and listening to jazz, in fact. i would love to hear you sing some day.

hi arabella! thinking of you.

hello ceara!

eydie-the book you mentioned sounds interesting to me too. i plan to check it out when i can next get to the library or bookstore.

hi also to punkin, zadie k., frogger, and to all the rest of the royal court. you are all in my thoughts even when i am unable to check in or post.

i am back on the stick more consistently now with food and exercise. i have been feeling so crummy physically for so long now and have been using that as an excuse to not be diligent with a food plan and all that accomplishes is make feel even worse, so enough of that. i am declaring this re-committment time. kaylets-the cheerful and energetic vibes you sent me are working, methinks! even if i can't do anything about this stupid old ms, i can at least make positive strides with weight loss and eating healthy, so i am declaring officially that i am back in the saddle again! all of you are so inspiring and i can do my part too. i am very grateful all of you are here!

all the best to each of you,
wsw

Huzzah, queenlets all. Good vibes swirling about the kingdom. Great vibe that wsw is improved enough to join us and is determined once again to be stalwart foodwise - we know she's the queen of stalwart elsewise. Great vibe that Wildfire's wee one is still safely in utero and growing stronger daily. Great vibe with all this job excitement and I'm twirling around emitting vibes in all directions.

Had yet another flower person here today digging out hostas and day lillies. Watching is great exercise and then I moved a few other things and put down more mulch and yet the yard is calling me with little enticements urging me to drag my tired bod out and do more. The whole point of all this effort is simplification but even that takes work. My goal is to work on that in all areas of my life.

A good day for me today in so many ways, not the least of which was finding so many queens reporting in.

Away......

Yo, just saw journal thread, Anagramatic, and did not mean to imply that thou'd not been posting faithfully! :) Thought thou'd gone away for a day or so and just meant I always look for thy posties! Must have been mistaken, apologies!!! :yes: Will post this there also! Huzzah!

Hello all!

Oh boy... up until about 30 seconds ago, I was really feeling the typical Monday stomach churn....

Am wondering how much employement situation vs menopauasal situation is at work here....Or just maybe that I was very close to reaching my "stress level max" and the past weeks sent me over the edge. I too, did very little yesterday... was very warm yes, but also felt I needed the break and took it.

Sat when we returned, we found an Overnight envelope with drug test instructions . I am leaving very early this am to go for the test. World has definitely changed since my last employment application with this company but at least this part of the application I have complete certainty what the results are... and if otherwise, I can demand a retest...

Just this second, I realized my frame of mind could be described as " Just holdinig my breath for the outcome"... so, of course, then what we need to do is so obvious....

Just breathe.

Thanks for all your vibes, support, love.
You are all making an enormous difference for me.


***
Thought of the day :
"Just Breathe.
Breathe in,
Breathe out.
Repeat."

Question of the day :
"What was your first job?"

***

Again, so many posts! The weekend's usually a little quieter.
So glad to hear all's well with your sis and bairn. What's the latest?
Good vibes going out to Kaylets and Amarantha to land their dream jobs!
Where's our Punkin? Come back, Terri!
Will be really busy the next couple of days---tomorrow [on my birthday, naturally.] I'll be serving lunch to our advisory board. I don't know why it's so stressful, they're all perfectly nice people, but it's always a big deal. We always feel like we have to put on a good show to ensure the funds continue and all that. Hey, I guess I'm lucky; I only have to provide the food!
Then on Wednesday we're going to Virginia Beach for a couple of days. I'm so looking forward to it! One more time before the rates go up. We've never been in May before--it'll actually be hot!

As noted in pm, Empress, no apologies ever necessary.

So glad you took a rest, Kaylets, stress can really lay us low and you've had it. Sometimes one needs to treat oneself as a :queen:.

I guess the weekend posting flurry was our "party" though it didn't pull in those among the missing.

Empress, glad to hear you got in some shopping time over the weekend. You must have knocked out those articles in no time. Again, good vibes to you and Kaylets on job situations.

eydie-i hope you have a lovely birthday(!!!!!) tomorrow and a pleasant trip too!

anagram-i liked the prayer you posted a while back. it was calming, and lately i realize just how much i have been needing soothing and calming words, activties, reading, etc. i am working on a bit of simplifying myself also recently. it is interesting to me how much work simplifying actually takes.

greetings, empress amarantha! i am thinking i just may join the 21 day challenge to help keep me on the right track. thanks for having started it.

kaylets-"just keep breathing"--so true and helpful, thanks for the reminder. i know how this one eludes me all too often. deep, cleansing breaths---ahh! more good job vibes coming your way.

i am only now starting to feel settled in to my new place after several months. some of that is due to having been physically feeling so bad recently and all the moving and post-move kind of took their toll on me. some of it is due to the fact that it still needs a lot more work in here, but now ever so slowly, it is beginning to feel like my home and more cozy. i realized i have needed to continue to "make friends" with the place more than i have had to in past places i have lived, but it definitely seems to be worth the effort. yesterday ended as a good op day, and so far so good, today. hope everyone's day is pleasant.

hi cerise, arabella, ceara, wildfire, and all the rest of the courtly ones. take care, all.

Hey girls, I'm an Aunt!

The wee one was delivered by c-section this morning. My sister's kidneys were starting to fail and the baby's heart beat was getting weak, so they did the surgery. He is 2lbs, 12 oz. So tiny! He is breathing on his own right now, but the first 24 hours are critical. Keep those good vibes coming for both sis and nephew! Digital pictures are being sent, I'll post a link when I get them.

Birthday Eve
 

Congratulations, Wildfire! Everyone must be so relieved that the wee one and mother have made it to this stage. Stilll one mustn't be complacent---will continue to pour on the good thoughts for everyone!

Thanks for the pre-birthday wishes. And she's been more modest than I---so I want to remind everybody that it's our darling Cerise's birthday tomorrow too! Strangely, I'm actually looking forward to tomorrow. It's supposed to be 90 degrees out tomorrow, so I'm making all cold dishes: wraps, salads, cookies, chocolate-covered strawberries. All very easy on the cook, but festive and 'picnic-y'. And then I'm off for the next 9 days--hoorah! We'll only be at the beach for 3 days, and then we'll spend the rest of the time in our little refuge. Gardening, and maybe resurrecting the labryinth.

wsw, I'm so glad you're able to post more now. You were so missed!

Kaylets, I agree w/ Cerise---getting a drug test has to be a good sign!

congratulations, auntie wildfire! i am sending strong good health thoughts to your sister and the wee one at thris crucial time. big hug to you. please take good care of yourself.