Ah, E, Sometimes our Pearls of Wisdom are earned at great price. Or perhaps I should say our Gifts of Wisdom as I so consider Joe's words to be.

DH seems intent on driving himself to bits - mowed lawn yesterday, played 18 holes of golf the day before. Soooo tired, weak but I understand his desire for "normalcy" of a sort. I'll plot a lighter day for him today (and for me too). Tomorrow's the surgeon visit so we'll have a DATE and then a better idea of the overall progression of all these major changes in lifestyle. (Good for me who likes to schedule not for him for wants to stay in denial of a sort as long as he can). The marriage vows run through my head as a constant mantra - "for better or worse, in sickness and health" - and the words of Paul on the definition of Love....must find and reread.

Food was much better yesterday. Some days the Food Furies are much better behaved than others but I will be glad when this prednisone party is over - though I must admit it has helped me mightily in other ways.

Empress, changing a tire was my father's criteria for my getting a driver's license. That's why I didn't have one until I married dh. I knew the wisdom of Dad's thinking and I knew (know?) the theory of changing a tire but....... Last time we had a flat, we were rescued by a passing college student because neither of us was physically able anymore and, of course, it also happened in mountains where cell phone was useless. It's that travelling in the mountains all the time that seems to make it a prudent skill in your case.

Well, onward to embrace the day. Hail, Queens, Princesses, Duchesses and other Ladies of the Realm.

Love is patient, love is kind......
There is nothing love cannot bear.

That's the parts I was looking for.

Weekly weigh-in
 

Good Morning Royals!

A fond hello and welcome to our newbies joining us!! Welcome all!!

Wanted to post a recent pic of my little angel Sydney.

I'll be back in a bit to post more, phone is a ringin'!

Aww...
What a beautiful angel!

Frogger she's adorable!!!! Is it the picture, or is she a redhead??? The world needs more redheads.... ;)

Till later!

Yes that's right, she's a fair skinned blue eyed redhead. Her mommy and daddy are olive complected brunettes. (Dad has blue eyes though! Mine are dark brown.) Both her gramother's are nearly full blooded redheaded irish lasses.

She's a pistol I'll tell ya!

Here's another one.

Fly-by almost non-existent post -- it's been about 3 times as busy here between my new job, trying to get work done and make sure everything's covered before I go AND train the assistant editor in record time. I've been beside myself! Now, we leave day after tomorrow -- YIKES!!!

I'll be gone for 2.5 weeks and won't have access to a computer -- I know myself too well -- I'd end up working if I took the laptop. And I desperately need a vacation.

Love to all -- I did read to this point and am thinking about you all! :grouphug: See you in a few weeks!

Have fun Arabella!!!! :wave:

Frogger, God bless recessive genes huh? Either that or it's stubborn redhead genes! Both my parents can tan, one's got brown hair, the other dark blonde and out I come - fair redhead. I'm sure it's all in the redhead's nefarious plans to take over the world... show up when you're not expected and take over! :devil: Seriously, she's a doll! :bb:

Nothin' much going on here. Found all my old WW stuff from the '92 Freedom Plan and am making my OWN program based on exchanges. So far I'm down almost 3 pounds from Monday so it must be working... Almost all my friends are interested in me sharing what I'm doing because they don't care for WW or the Points system. Looks like my days of teaching WW programs aren't over yet! It'll be nice to have the group support!

Have a great day everyone!

Till tomorrow!

Terri

Punkinseed, both my husband and I were white blond (and could tan) as chidren (each one of us has a parent with freckles all over and blue eyes) my husband also has freckles all over and my son is strawberry blond (more red than blond) with freckles only on his cheeks and blue eyes and tans.
Go figure theses genes, lol!

This Princess is having trouble getting started. Either that, or the scale is stuck! Hmmmm! Wonder if there is a conncection?

Today is a 13 hour work day. Don't ask! But, the sun is shining, and there is NO reason why Lazy Maise can't get her butt out the door for a brief walk.

OK - I'll fill up my water bottle and GO!

Much love to the Kingdom
Ivanna

Hola chicas.

Amarantha, there is no need for brevity mode! We at the palace enjoy your many "personalities" if you will, and there is always room for everyone here, be they real or players in the game. Post away! Naysayers can say their nays elsewhere in their sad little worlds, for a world without imagination is a dreary place indeed. We love ya...ALL of ya! ;)

Frogger, Sydney is one cutie patootie! Look at those cheeks!

Anagram, I have violets growing under my bay window and while talking to the neighbor I said something about having "Anagram's violets"...she apparently thought I was some great plant expert and asked if I could identify something in her back yard. *L* I told her no, I just happened to be familiar with this particular violet.

Arabella, sending good vacation vibes in your general direction. :goodvibes Enjoy yourself, dear.

Eydie, hope your Dad and BIL are doing well. Walk barefoot on that beach for me!

Where is Kaylets today?

Sure would be nice to see Cerise back in the court...miss her bunches...anyone in touch with her?

Well, co-worker's Mom was moved to hospice yesterday. Apparently it is a beautiful place and she is more alert now that chemo is discontinued, but still on morphine. This place focuses on the patient and helping them pass with dignity and grace in peaceful surroundings. Many bird feeders, sunny windows with comfy chairs, personal attention, home made meals by the staff, and all under proper medical supervision. Sad, though, that it is a place she will never walk out of.

It has been a VERY long week. Woke up yesterday and actually had to wake DH and ask him what day it was. Couldn't figure it out for the life of me. Usually when that happens, I get it after a moment or two, but not this time. Wasn't very happy to learn it was only Wednesday, either.

Trudging along here, trying to live healthy. :kickcan: Made grilled tilapia tonight. :hun: It's yummy, if you haven't tried it.

Hello to all...:wave:

Wildfire, your botanical expertise gave me just the giggle I needed tonight :rofl:
Saw surgeon today and dh is scheduled for surgery to prep for dialysis on 5/31. That means it's likely he'll be starting on it just about the end of the challenge.

Not doing well but not absolutely horrendous either. Scale was up a couple of pounds but honestly not too upsetting as it's a minor gain for being on pred. Another week & a half of that to go.

Frogger, what a cuddler you have. I'd never want to put her down.

Fun breaks, Eydie and Wood Nymph.

Turning in early tonight......I think I say that every night. May watch Prime Time to see some of George Lopez kidney story. Might be depressing but I guess it's turned out well.

I think Crazy Daisie has been seen in my neighborhood recruiting.

Amarantha, many thoughts and prayers for thee on the "anniversary." Somehow those days keep coming back to us, but they do seem to get less painful as the years go on. Sort of-----. But, thy eyes are on the FRONT of thy head - so look forward.

Well, a restructure of my life is definitely in order. I teach piano and am head of the keyboard department at a private school in California. I also teach piano outside the school. NOW is the time to decide on what I will and will NOT do next year, so that I don't end up with days like the ones I have been putting in recently. All I can do now is to ride out the rest of the year, but make plans to say many NO's next year.

Hey, we have over a month to go before the Solstice - we can really make some tracks, right?

Much love to all!
Ivanna B. Svelte

'Mornin'. Up way too early again today. Just not getting in enough sleep in a consecutive fashion. Food good until last night when I undid most of my earlier efforts. Did get in an hour of gentle exercise in the pool but one pool session and one tai chi session just doesn't cut it.

Thy career sounds lovely, Ivanna, though perhaps overly burdened at the moment. That NO is a magical word, isn't it? So hard to say but so powerful when used. I used to find it so hard to say and/or so hard for people to hear when I did say it. I've become more practiced and it does become easier.

Hope you keep your word to self, Empress, and get to take today off. I know oft they plans get changed for you and hope it's not so today. Enjoy friend and walk/hike.

I'm torn between being lazy/relaxed and being frenzied/getting projects done. I have my eye on one particular one and am thinking if I got THAT ONE done, I could then be lazy and sort of combine my opposite goals. Sounds like a plan - or close enough.

I too miss our dear Cerise. And am sending out :goodvibes: to our missing Ceara as she approaches her surgery date. Also :goodvibes: to :queen: K in the hopes it's only computer problems and no dire straits keeping her from the palace. Also :grouphug: to wsw and :goodvibes: for more pleasant days.

:flow1: :flow1: :flow1: :hat:

Well, at least you got in your exercise. I did finish the project I had my eye on, did two other smallish ones and then helped DH get the patio together. I've showered now and that means I'm officially DONE and am going in to turn on the vast wasteland and hope to doze off a tiny bit. Feeling very saintly about all the work I scratched off my list though unintentionally. Loverly weather here today, thinking we may go to a fair type thing after church this evening, eat (carefully), watch fireworks. That is, if Ma Nature's fireworks don't come through early.

Hi everyone!
I am all in favor of the word "NO"!
Only when necessary, which happens to be often, lol.
DTimpma and Amarantha, I happen to be a piano teacher (among other things) myself.
I understand where you are coming from... :dizzy:
For some good laughs have you, by any chance, checked the pianoforum.net site?

Yup, no, no, no, no work today ...
 

Amarantha, Dijon chicken with mushrooms :T and a nap should do it, lol!

It kind of did, Aria! The chicken was really good. I braised chunks of chicken breast and mushrooms in a mix of canola oil, water and dijon ... I found a brand with NO sugar or other high glycemic ingredients ... have been taking servings of this out on jobs all week.

Hey Aramantha, I'm here.. ;)

Oh, we don't want restless towel boys....or do we? :s: Perhaps if they are tall, handsome, Irish towel boys, it wouldna be such a terrible thing...but I digress. ;)

You will have to forgive me as I've had one or four glasses of wine during dinner at a friend's place. DH was finishing up some extensive computer rebuilding for him, so he invited us both to have an early dinner with him. It was quite good...lean grilled pork, green salad, and a lovely white merlot. Very lovely. Yep...yummy. :D

I was thrilled to learn this friend is a new fan of my beloved Jesse Cook. Friend, his sister, and her husband are going to accompany us to Jesse's concert at the Toronto Zoo in August. Which reminds me, I need to order those tickets online.

A big hello to NewfieSara! :wave: We are honored to have a Royal of such fine lineage among us, as Newfies are as strong, proud, and extraordinary a people as my own Cape Bretoners are. Welcome to the palace!

Greetings to all our :queen:s. Hope you are enjoying a lovely Saturday.

It is rainy and dark here today, perfect day for doing nothing...and I've done pretty much that all day. Now the decision is do I tackle Mt. Laundry, or do I open that bottle of wine that is so nicely chilled and veg for the night. Decisions, decisions....

Hi!
 

P.S. Wildfire, I would go for the wine if I were you! :)

My challenge is to do 300 minutes of exercise per week, starting tomorrow. :-D

*makes myself comfy on my throne.. orders a poolboy*

oh WILDFIRE.. aren't we wonderful? ;)

Being a betting woman, I'll say Wild Fire goes for the wine!
Welcome, Newfie.

Morning arrives to an empty palace - ah well, we had a busy day yesterday, didn't we?

QOD - Since I started on this journey about three years and 45-50 lbs ago, I've been more or less on and off the same plan - eat less of more healthy choices, exercise more, and drink lots of water and tea. Before that (or the other two of the five years) it was eat whatever, whenever, exercise, drink tea/Tab. The two biggest changes have been in percentage of better choices and drinking water. No name brand diet programs involved, more a utilizing of all the info garnered through the years and from different posts on 3FC. I do still need to lose lots of weight but I'm working on the theory that when things are tough I try only to NOT GAIN and consider that a victory and when things ease a bit, then I try to cut back more. I need the consistency that changing my choices has allowed. Not as many bad choices hanging around trying to seduce me and while I sometimes feel I have too much tea, it's substituting for earlier habits that were worse.

Another day, another clean slate. Hopefully a few steps further on the journey (as vs. backward).

:flow1: :flow1: :flow1: :bubbles: :bubbles: :bubbles: :cheer: :cheer:

Even the Towel Boys be asleepin' methinks, Anagramatic!!! I am going back to bed as I got up to work but find I canna do 'er right now. I need to write three stories today unless I want Monday to be verra problematical, but I can't quite tackle 'em right now!!!

I am missin' :queen: K's tea!

Went back for a wee naplet myself. Helps sometimes. Lovely day outside. Feeling almost relaxed as have no major things to get done until tomorrow. Planning to see a Mummers Band this afternoon.

Got back from the beach late Friday night and had a splendid time and already want to go back. :)

Sorry to say that my dad's still not recovered--I'm really worried about him.

Ate way too much at the beach, but it was all 'too much of the right stuff' as Amarantha says! Anyway my weight is up and I have to get serious again. I bought "Body for Life For Women" while away and am thinking of giving that way a try. I'll be reading and considering it today. I'm feeling a tiny bit bored and want something new to do.

Speaking of that I was considering Amarantha's query about the different plans we've tried. [Great question!!!] I started out being rabidly low-fat and followed Susan Powter's plan, stuck with that for a long time, and have had brief flirtations with The Zone and off and on with macrobiotics. I know there are A LOT more! Now I'm peacefully settled into the Radiant Recovery way of eating. Exercise: step aerobics, dumbells, weights, The Firm, yoga, Pilates, bellydancing, tai chi, walking, some running.

Didn't work out at all yesterday. :o Spent most of the day with my dad and getting settled back home and I was really tired. Have to get back into the groove today!