Purdy, that is a cute story about the bell!

Cyd, I love your description of the smokes, that was right on!

Karen, some days you can just do nothing, it's fine!

Diana, Thanks for the support.

BBGum, I've already lost the weight and kept it off. When I quit today I am not afraid to gain 5 lbs or so, I could use a little meat back on me. I'm too thin but I've been maintaining this weight for about 3 years. You can do it if you put your mind to it!

My DGF dropped off her son this morning, (TYG I didn't have to go through what I went through yesterday trying to get him up! ROFL!) He is such a nice boy, I had a little talk with him about his sister and his mom. There is a lot of anger going on there about the split-up and they are both at a dangerous age.

We finished at noon and then we went to the storage locker and I brought home another 4 bins to go through hopefully this weekend. One is already packed for DD and marked. This is just what I don't want, more stuff coming into the garage.

Going to take a shower and wait for DD. Have a great day all!

Oh boy have I been busy. After breakfast I washed the garbage can inside and out, I cleaned dishes, baked an upside down cake with leftover pineapple, made popsicles with banana strawberry smoothie juice, redid the dishes and wiped the cabinet fronts.

One of tote bags I cleaned a few days ago needed mending. I had to redo the straps holding it. The best part is I took my sewing machine and was able to put it on the table in the second bedroom! I store it on a rolling caddy near the table, had all my supplies next to me, got the ironing board behind the door and all my stuff was easy to put back afterwards; so neat!

Invited a friend over for a BBQ but he couldn't, felt very sad and alone for a while, most of my friends are on vacation, them being younger I sometimes feel like I would intrude in their lives. Thought I'd go see a movie, but it's so expensive and I was so proud of myself this month, very disciplined with budgeting, so I changed my mind and will enjoy the regular TV instead. I also did two loads of laundry.

It has been so hot here also, some of my flowers have died in the front flowerbox, I went to the nursery and got 4 new sun resistant ones. Planted and watered them, I deserve to have nice things to welcome me when I come home On my way back I saw a sign that indicated a blueberry nursery not far, going there tomorrow, I'm not going to do nothing just because I'm alone!

Then I put on exercise clothes and did 1 hour of exercise videos. Tomorrow I'll go back to DGF's and walk/run like I did yesterday. If it's sunny I might take my book and a chair and go read at a local park. Again, why stay inside, just because I'm alone?!

Took a shower, folded/put away the clean clothes and towels and went to look at the files I had in the cabinet and tried to figure out how I'd go about it without messing up the whole room again. I worked on that for an hour.

Now going to stir fry some vegetables to go with my tofu pasta!

WOOO HOOOOO BBGum! You did all this today???? Good for YOU!!

OK, I went to the therapy, DD was stuck in traffic, and I went without her, don't need any more stress today, wanted to be on time.

4 hours now and no craving a smoke. Please, God, I hope this works again this time. The next few days are crucial. Got to detoxify, then break the habit.

It means being aware, planning, ready to change everyday habits. Organizing and planning is my route right now.

I was up very late or very early this morning watching the Olympic ceremony which I thoroughly enjoyed and I know I'm biased but I think it was the best. It was gone 1am before I got to bed.

I was up by 8am (surprisingly) so got the dog walked and a wash put out the dry and another on.

It was then time to tackle my bedroom after I made my committed decision yesterday. I started with a very small area. I came up with a box of tapes and cds I didn't know I had but that is why I'm doing the declutter, so I have time for my music and other things I want to do. I did go briefly through them and decluttered a few but I will have to go back and do that again. I didn't want to get stuck on it - overwhelmed so early on.

I found one set of cables for my laptop which I didn't know I had and thus was about to buy another set so I've saved myself money already. I also found a family tree book that I had got out for Dad to look at before his hospitalisation but it had disappeared - fell down the back of the bed - so thats another find.

I've also got a carrier bag full to go to the charity shop/sell etc.

I'm going to rest this afternoon, and watch the Olympics. The first medal has already gone to a chinese (Suling Ye) for the rifle shooting.

Oh did I say, I'm treating my bedroom decluttering as an Olympic event, so I want it finished by the time the Para Olympics closing ceremony takes place thus giving me some time to do it.

Purdy:
I too stayed up late to watch the ceremonies. Very nice.
Always love seeing all the countries Olympians arrive and march!
Loved James Bond with the queen in our opening! Too cute. Loved Paul and sang along. Fireworks, the torch arriving by boat, lots to enjoy!

Love your Olympic event in your home! Good for you.

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I basically ate dinner and watched the Olympics and did some knitting! (babysteps).

Yesterday and today I have been at my aunts as we had a surprise party for my granddads 75th. We all dressed as Elvis and he loved it and so did we

I have put photos on the July goals thread (page 9) if you want to take a peek at us all

Waterlady, blueberry picking and reading in the park was for today! Although the blueberry didn't happen because it was closed when I got there(?) Will see if I can go tomorrow morning, have the phone number now, I'll call first. I did read in the park and if I do not have an invitation I might pack a lunch and make it a day thing.

I did train again, did 45 minutes run/walk and the last 10 was walking at a steep incline, working out those gluts! Also did a little cleaning up the place around here. Now cooking pork filet and vegetables on the BBQ for myself, love the smell! setting out to eat in what is left of the sunshine then start a new book!

Trying to get caught up on everyone's posts! We are back from our time away with family. Normally we would have stayed until tomorrow but they had to leave today and so we decided to as well. That way DS can play baseball with his tourney team tomorrow!

Our house was well when we returned and our neighbors kept an eye on things for us.

Mostly unpacked and did one load of laundry. Had to spend some time logging the 18 geocaches we found over the last two days. Caching in Eastern Washington in 97 degree weather is not as easy for us from the Western side of the State, LOL!

Will be up early in the morning and will spend all day the baseball field.....looking forward to it!

Dianaro -

I spoke to Dad yesterday and he is a bit confused after the stroke, so his in a good place at the moment in hospital. The nurses seem to be on the ball and very good with him. My brother is going to see him today so I may know more later.

I've gone a bit potty this morning considering its only 10.30am and tea break. I've done the following so far:

1. Walked the dog
2. Fed the fish
3. Decluttered two drawers of CDs and have another bag to go to the charity shop. I still feel I'm keeping too much but I guess that will come with practice.
4. Peel, chopped and prepping a bag of carrots and another of parsnips for freezing.
5. Got the potatoes on half boiling for roast potatoes.
6. Put a load of washing on.

As I type I'm listening to the heats for the swimming, which I totally love and adore.

I want to get some ironing done later and maybe some more of the bedroom but we shall see. I am going to sit back for half an hour then back to it.

The afternoon rest is working out really well, I feel a lot better and more focused. I guess not having a good break since last September with Dad really did get me beyond exhaustion.

Last push for July!

Photos: I've made progress on sorting the digital photos into folders by going from the present, back to October 2011. I figure I can go back later to edit, crop, enhance them as needed. By putting them into folders I can at least find them! Now I must vow to always stay current!

Yard: I've pulled a few more weeds but hurt my shoulder. Maybe I should give up and wait until cooler weather in the fall.

Preparing for vacation: Typed a separate list! Much to do and pack and plan!

Friends: spent yesterday with friends.

House: spent the day before cleaning, ironing. ick.

Self: had dental appointment. exercised. will get a haircut. bought two new blouses. (But still didn't lose my 2 pounds! Gosh!)

Family: will write two letters today.

Thanks for your encouragement. On to August!