Hello Ladies! I heard Arabella calling from way over yonder and decided it was time to end my journey to the far reaches of the Queendom and return to the palace. I see Punkin has also returned. Welcome home, my dear!

A very happy belated birthday to Anagram!

I got my car back from the collision center about 10 days ago. Seems to be running well, but I have issues with some wind noise on the front passenger side and it is slightly out of alignment, so it will be going back. They are waiting for one section of splashguard for the driver's side, so there is a creak in that spot...I'm hoping when it's all connected again the creak will be fixed. Feeling better...wrist is no longer popping out of joint, and back/shoulders/neck are better, although I still have constant pain right where your neck bends backwards...my "flip top head" joint as I've been calling it. Headaches from that, and it is still painful to have to turn around to back out of a parking spot or the like. Still hoping time will take care of that, as there isn't much physical therapy to help that spot.

I was on a great roll with walking in the evenings for a few weeks. My sister came to visit with baby Jase on the 15th and left yesterday, so although we walked in the evenings it was more of a stroll and not very far. Jase, of course, is the cutest baby ever! He is four months old as of yesterday, and weighs just over 9lbs. I'll post links to some pictures. Unfortunately, my sister caught a cold on the plane, and Jase got it on his second day here. So we had a sick mom and a sick baby for their visit. They didn't get to do much, but my sister was just glad to be away from home for a bit...change of scenery and extra hands with the baby.
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So I'm getting back on the walking track and I've found company. Moses will be accompanying me. He's a full-size black poodle, five months old so not quite full grown yet, and just a darling. His owner works very early shifts driving a bus and is often too tired in the evenings to take him out, so I asked if I could and she agreed. I need to pick up some treats for him and hope to have a trial run with him this weekend.

That's about it in a nutshell. I can't possibly catch up with everything I've missed, so I'm going to take it from here.

Have a lovely Saturday!

Big hugs to Wildfire and Punkin. The palace has been empty w/o you. Punkin, so sorry about Grandpa and so very happy to hear BoBeena's good news. And Wildfire, hope car is soon in good shape and that the lingering pains leave you so you'll be even better than ever. Aren't those baby hugs good for everything?

I seem to have been away longer than I realized and (like Wildfire) probably won't catch up with everything. I must, however, wish wsw a belated Happy New Year. Are you exempt from fasting because of your technical difficulties or have you been working that in too? I admire your steadfastness and staying so on plan.

And Wood Nymph, so proud of you and the Breast Cancer Run. DDIL does that one most years and has a large collection of their shirts - most made into a bed quilt.

Ceara, how'd this weekend's show go? Eydie, thought of you and Mayberry Days as we trudged for more than two hours at a Fair. We had planned to go to a nearby favorite but it was cancelled because of last weekend's flooding. So we picked another a bit over an hour away. It was interesting enough but many exhibits had closed out last night and they were a far distance away from the rest anyway. Still it was a touch of small town America and I love that.

I've finished (for now) the garage cleanup. Much still to go but at least now I know where it is. Neighborhood garage sale next weekend but haven't decided yet to do it. Could only do one day as committed to the princess's other day. At least should put out my Granny stuff (high chair, portacrib, etc.) as I'm not expecting to need them again any time soon. Kaylets inspires me so in that direction but hard to get me moving.

Monday's coming of the Harvest Moon likely means the end of our sojourn in the Summer Palace. Time now for all Queens to prepare for the move back to the Grand Palace of Renewed Intention and Stalwart Dedication to our own Healthy Quest. We will be just in time to band bravely together to face the calorie laden perils coming in the next few months.

The return of Wildfire and Punkin from the furthest reaches of the kingdom bodes well for a Grand Convocation of Queens. I've even heard reports of E. Crone and Hag O'hut ocasionally scouting out the environs. Mayhap they are planning great challenges for our future sprints.

Be alert for future reports on a new little princess and on Kaylets new WW direction and Eydie's Pilates class. And mayhap a special visit from our Empress? I've even heard a rumor Kaylet's will make available a new and specially designed Fresh Start Card though it seems so many Queens are staying so dedicated that few may be needed.

I just love Fall and hopefully it will crisply announce it's arrival here in a few days. The actual "fall" feeling has been lagging a bit behind the calendar here in Central PA.

Hi, all!!! I miss everyone but am still having troubles with this site (it's the software issue again). Sorry for the lack of personal responses (thinking the computer's going to kick me out of here so no time) but wanted to say hello and give a weight loss (actually a weight GAIN) update. I just posted this in my Diettalk journal:

Hear ye, hear ye: Due to the deep dilemma of Athletea's FALSE evil Demon Scale LYING about her weight this week (we aren't gonna talk about that), Athletea and the Scary Hallowe'en Challenge team of Challenge Director Hag o' the Hut, Nutritional Expert Elberta Crone (the fab 'n fit 100-year-old spa cook) and Athletic Director Elbertine Pep have been closeted this a.m. in emergency consultation ... the Cute Ghostie also attended!

A few minutes ago, the team emerged from the meeting and Director Hag made the following announcement: "LET THE CHALLENGE BEGIN!!! Having consulted the boiling cauldron and the crystal ball and entering some figures into a spreadsheet, we've come up with the following challenge for Athletea from today, September 26 to Hallowe'en weekend (A's fav holiday): Change the dross of EVIL WEIGHT GAIN (represented by 159.2 pounds) to the gold of HAPPY WEIGHT LOSS (represented by 154 pounds) by the alchemy of losing 5.2 challenge pounds BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY!!! There's no reward. Virtue beith its own reward, someone once said. Athletea's mission is to carry the team to victory. No excuses will be accepted for failure."

Elbertine Pep and Elberta Crone issued a joint statement: "In order to meet her goals, Challenger Athletea will have to adhere strictly to Flexpoints (although that's not part of the challenge and slipups are to be expected). We've also asked that A remove yet another point from the maximum food points on her Flexpoints calculator. She still seems to be eating too many points to reach her goal, even when she's not cheating."

Here's the way the figures will fall out over the five weeks of challenge. Of course, A is free to exceed her mission:

159.2 (September 26)
158 (October 3)
157 (October 10)
156 (October 17)
155 (October 24)
154 (October 31)

The Scary Hallowe'en Challenge is a project of the Athletea-Will-Reach-135-Pounds-by-2005 Consortium. For more information, contact Hag o' the Hut at Challenge Headquarters in the Dark Diet Forest ... if ye DARE!!!!!!!

Again, sorry for the me-me postie. Love to all! Thinking about you guys all the time!

Hello all!

Well, sure feels like I'm on vacation! Schedule? Who said schedule? Seems like
the longer I believe I am on vacation the more things are jumping on the TO DO List....

First time in the longest had a sinus headache nearly all day... At first, I thought it was a head cold but since I feel much much better since I chopped up onions and garlic for chili, I now blame sinus....

Since we are due for another 2 week sprint.. I'm wondering if we should also
use the Empress's theme of Trick or Treat.... hmmmm

Opinions??

Need to stir the chili...

WILDFIRE!! So glad to see you!

Fly-by -- took the weekend off, and now we're into the sprint to the dreaded EOM (end o' month). Must work hard, but at least feel equal to the task for once. And next month will be better (stop me if you've heard that one -- no, it REALLY will!) Went for a 2-hour hike (fast, hilly) with DH on Saturday and then ran the race route yesterday. Good thing, too because I had a couple of face-stuffing episodes -- Darn that munch monkey! Still, I feel reasonably optimistic about WI (not Wisconsin) today. I think I can see a difference. Shall report back.

Wildfire!!! Glad you heard my plaintive cry! I had that same neck problem that you describe for months. I eventually got muscle relaxant (is that a word?) meds and after a few days it was all better.

Anagram, I loved your wonderful fall postie! Do you write? Ever think of putting your hand to short stories or essays?

Amarantha, so lovely to see your elegant form sprinting through the palace. I like your 5-week plan.

Kaylets, hope you're feeling better. I'm thinking, sprint-wise, we could head for Halloween now.

Ceara, did you lose the munch monkey? Next time, could you pls. point said monkey in some other direction when unleashing?

Punkin, hope you had a restful weekend! Any events planned for the full moon?

WSW, thinking of you! Hope all is well!

I must away! Love to all, mentioned or unmentioned! Let's make this one count!

Hello all!

Think maybe come this weekend we'll drop the 2 week sprint for a month focus .... or maybe not....
Might make more sense to break it down in 2pcs..
Hmmmmm


So...

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Quote of the day :

"To not be perfect is perfectly natural."
-- Stone Phillips


Question of the day ;
"Ketchup or mustard?"
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So far, 2 bags of trash out for pickup, 1 load dishes, 2 smallish boxes readied for Saturday's flea market.....
let me put some more beans on to boil and start a load of wash....

and I already feel ravenous... think I'll make a cup of hot crystal lite and hope that helps.....

Good sunny morning, Queens! And a great "vacation" week to you, Kaylets. Don't forget the fun - but then sometimes accomplishing things is great fun.

I've THOUGHT about writing for years, Wood Nymph, but it is so darn much work. AND it would be "putting myself out there" which is one queenly aspect on which I'm really not good.

Will be sending in my money to neighborhood assn to do garage sale on Friday. Turning point in decision was when DH said to let him know if I'm going to do it as he has some things he'll get ready. AND he volunteered to take an early shift. Won't be a biggie but I'll do some.

This week I'm working on refurbishing my spiritual side. Wasn't totally in ruins or anything but needing the occasional spiffing up. Heading for the pool - have been good all month about that. Appt with gastrologist postponed almost two weeks. Tummy doing somewhat better but still not "normal". Hoping it will go away by appt. Not overeating, doing water, doing exercise, not losing.

Feeling really good today and wishing y'all the same - even Arabella in the throes of EOM.

Well, here's another me-me postie from the dark diet forest ... sorry to be so focused on this ... it's time to lose the weight for me, s ... also realize it's somewhat crass of me to repost my journal entries here but it's my way of saying hello to the palace and I have to go back to bed ... had a prowler last night and didn't sleep but did a lot of thinking about the weight loss thing and posted this about Day 3 of my challenge:

... monumental day o' decision dawns in the Darkkkkkk Scaaary Diet Forest! The Challenge Central Team has consulted the data (e.g., the bubbling cauldron computer and crystal ball, which is also known as Demon Scale) and come to a sad but inevitable conclusion: the Amazing has lost only one pound on Weight Watchers in the past month.

We at CC are not blaming the plan. As AA put it this a.m. when discussing the Diet Dilemma, the fault dear Brutus, etc. ... anyhow, we need to take this thing back to basics forthwith and are returning the official challenge methodology to calorie counting, which is more precise for our needs.

We will post more details of the new plan as we think 'em up. Actually, there aren't any new details ... we're just gonna count calories instead of points.

We are referring to ourselves in the plural again. Not a good sign.

Hmmm.

To thine own self, Empress! If calorie counting works best for you, that's the road you've got to choose. Wishing you the best though I too have done little to no losing. Best I'm doing right now is hanging in.

Not feeling great yet today though I had a good night's sleep. Jeanne is passing by here today and bones are creaking. So I'm taking a leisurely morn (fortunately, I was able to) and expect a rejuvenation at some point. It'll come together soon.

Hello all!~

well, it happened... first time in a long time but then again... guess its really due...
Last night's weighin showed a .5 gain... it 's due as its nearly the first of the month... but last night, I got mad... sat thru the meeting thinking that I was wasting my time, etc etc... came home and ate dinner, had ff sf pudding and then 2 pb sandwiches...
That after the entire meeting was about "knowing what stage of hunger you're at"....
DH says I am stressing too much about meeting goal... he says I am even obsessing...

I guess he's right... I have been trying to ignore hunger pangs and can feel the stress...

And then.... I read some posts from folks who just had their power turned back on in Fl.... and realized I needed a priority check.....

And then saw a post on "Being Kind to Yourself Challenge".... and I realized I was expecting too much from myself... I am a slow loser and need to be grateful I have made the progress I have...

So, I guess I wound up trying to speed my way to goal in the fast lane . Instead I kept stripping gears .... Let me go back to the regular driving lane where thngs are more manageable... easier driving... prettier scenery...

Empress--
Please post here too... We need your input and insight!

Anagram-- Me too! Very achey today!

Wood Nymph-- Hope you can schedule some breaks in!

Eydie-- Think I can understand some of your doldrums... sure was feeling something!

Wildfire-- How goes it?

Punkin-- Same message...

WSW-- Lots of rain your way too??

Ceara-- What's happening your way?


Ok all.... I do have a cup of tea and sure could use a quilt and a good book...
Should go out and make sure all the baby broccoli, cabbage and lettuce are not flooded ... one of the beauty parts of having them in pots... if need be, I can just tip them some...


So... I guess today's thought really was more of a message to me than I realized....

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Thought of the day :

"Let it be."
-- John Lennon

"What's the last thing that made you laugh?"

****



KETTLE IS ON!

AD IN AN ATLANTA NEWSPAPER:

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

SINGLE BLACK FEMALE seeks male companionship, ethnicity unimportant.

I'm a very good looking girl who LOVES to play. I love long walks in the woods, riding in your pickup truck, hunting, camping and fishing trips, cozy winter nights by the fire.

Candlelight dinners will have me eating out of your hand. I'll be at the front door when you get home from work, wearing only what nature gave me.

Call (404) 875-6420 and ask for Daisy, I'll be waiting...

Over 15,000 men found themselves talking to the Atlanta Humane Society about an 8-week-old black Labrador retriever. (Men are so easy? Or just plain stupid!)

Mornin' ladies!

Busy busy weekend! Friday night was our book discussion group and our Mabon/Thanksgiving circle and Halloween planning party. Saturday I went to my mom's best friend's wedding then to a pamper party with some friends who are starting their own business making herbal spa products. Sunday my women's group and I went out to the caves where the petroglyphs are for our full moon ritual. She was so big and bright we didn't even need flashlights to walk to our cars! But, now I'm whooped and ready for this upcoming quiet weekend....

Kaylets, I'm jealous of your vacation! I just got back from a mini break and I'm ready for another NOW! Enjoy yourself!

Arabella, sorry your writing group turned into a chatting group - guess it's a good sign that everyone gets along though! We run into the same problem with our book group, we end up just talking and the books are closed...

Eydie, I could *so* join you on the reduction of sugar intake. I've been grabbing M&M's instead of the fruit I have in the fridge. BAD TERRI!!!!
The family's all doing well, thanks. I think everyone thought about how Papa had outlived 3 of his 5 children and his wife... I know I felt that he was probably ready and looking forward to his homecoming. If he hadn't had the accident he may have only lived another 6 months with the undiagnosed prostate cancer, so the accident was a blessing because it gave everyone a chance to say goodbye instead of him dying alone in his house. More proof that everything in life happens for a reason.
Oh, and your Mayberry days sound soooooo cute!

Ceara, love the "munch monkey" term! Hate the munch monkey though... he must have a cousin cuz he's on my back too! Looking for monkey repellant, will send to you as soon as I find it!

Anagram, What's this about an upcoming new princess???

Wildfire, I obviously missed that you had a pretty bad accident! I'm so sorry... cars are never quite the same after body work, but YOU are what's important, take care of that, what was it? Flip top head?? Ouuuuch!
Jace is adorable btw!

Amarantha, good to see you again!

Been "on call" for the last few days with Bo-Beena. She's doing well, not wanting to eat though, no morning sickness, just dizzy. She figures she's about 4-5 weeks along. I'm ecstatic, ****, EVERYONE'S ecstatic! After 16 months, just when we all thought it might not happen - surprise! After a year of so much loss we all needed this little spark of life...

Smooches to you all, someone tell the wagon to stop and let me on in the next couple'a days would ya?

Terri

Punkin!

Glad you could stop by!
Glad Bobeena is feeling well!

Sending a couple lifesavers, towbars, assorted ropes and climbing devices, Grab at will!

Wildfire! I just ( FINALLY) looked at the pix... SO CUTE!! And your sister is gorgeous too!