@w8goal4life has taken off for a wonderful holiday. It's very worthwhile to repost her words of wisdom. This is her gift to us
Practical pointers:

1. A kitchen scale is absolutely essential for tracking and much more accurate than measuring or estimating.
2. For tracking purposes, eating at home is preferable to eating out. Social eating is problematic, but planning ahead can mitigate some of the hazards.
3. Keep it simple – recipes, in general, are counter-productive to weigh loss. Eg. Better to eat the apple than apple pie. Better to eat plain potato rather than potatoes au gratin or potato salad. Better to eat the banana rather than banana bread. Better to just have a piece of cheese instead of mac and cheese. Better to eat a plain egg than to turn it into an omelet.
4. Keeping it simple requires much less prep time in the kitchen and fewer dishes to wash.
5. Always better to track as one goes through the day, rather than trying to remember everything for an end of the day entry. Adjustments can be made more easily throughout the day.
6. The scale is only a number. How one feels and their physical well being are better indicators of health.

Suggestions:

1. Portion control is my responsibility. I can begin to curb portions simply by using a smaller plate, filling it once, and not having seconds. I am known to eat ice cream in a small dish or cup, using a baby spoon. I get lots of small bites that way!
2. Keep an insulated cup of ice water in the refrigerator or an easily accessible place at all times to stay hydrated. Limit beverages to just water/milk. Alcohol & juice are not good choices in a weight loss program.
3. Have healthy fruit and vegetable snacks in the refrigerator for between meal hunger urges.
4. Flossing and Brushing teeth after each meal may interrupt snack attacks and curb the desire to eat, again, right away.
5. Everything in moderation. I don’t deny myself anything, but exercise judgment as to the portion size for each.
6. Have a weight loss buddy. My buddies are the UAC participants. There is no better forum in MFP. We are blessed with reasonable daily goals that assure success if committed to the program…and it’s FREE!
7.
@Jan10144 responded to the above, and added:

Excellent points in your post. Only one more comes to my mind ... Success is all a out consistency and persistence, not perfection. Focusing on perfection tends to lead to all or nothing thinking and, ultimately, either failure or endless yoyo dieting.

Thanks to both @jan10144 and @w8goal4life

Well, despite the wonderful words of @w8goal4life, today was a Pass Day.
I did fine through lunch time, but this evening's trip to a sushi bar with the newly 14 year old granddaughter, did me in. I have NO idea how many calories I had so that = a Pass Day.