AF Daily - Saturday July 10

[Gaia]

Back again and still AF! Hi Abbies!

Do you think that there is genetic engineering involved in growing a 5 lb zucchini? It doesn't sound natural to me... Produce in the US has gotten so freaky. We really don't know what we are eating. And someone told me that the pesticides in our food suppress estrogen, which is supposed to be the fountain of youth.

Last week I accomplished very little other than making a healthy busy set of days for the kids. All I did was take care of their needs, and create a nourishing environment. I have nothing crossed off my own list. The papers are still there to file. The phone calls are still there to make. The intellectual updating has not been done. This is inconsistent with the past. In the past I would have tried to do everything at once and make no one happy, least of all myself. ON the one hand, I feel content because I have done well. ON the other hand, I feel malcontent for lack of accomplishment. At least I'm still AF!

In closing, I think of the end of the movie Life of Brian, and singing to myself, "Always look on the Bright Side of Life."

Can I say Cheers? I don't mean it in a drinking way.

Cheers!

T.

[Marshy]

AF Daily - Saturday July 10

Hi Gaia & all to come,

Haven't had a chance to catch up. Hope everyone is doing well.

My mum has been diagnosed with cancer. My dad called me late last Friday night to tell me and he was so upset (and so was I!) I decided to drop everything and head up there (I live 200 miles away) on Saturday morning so I could see mum and keep dad company while she was in hospital.

It's been a tiring week. Hospital visiting was twice a day and there was just enough time between visits to sort out whatever mum had asked us to take in to hospital, have something to eat and then go back for the second visit. Then when we got home at 9pm every night, me and dad sat talking while he hit the whisky and drank himself to the point where he thought he'd be able to sleep. But mum was great at each visit and my sister and brother and assorted grandchildren (hers) meant that she always had lots of visitors and we had lots of laughs.

Mum is out of hospital but has to have a couple more tests to find out about the spread of the cancer before treatment starts. But she's in good spirits and is feeling positive about things so far. She's coping much better than my dad is!

I'm back in London but I'll be going back to see them in a couple of weeks for a visit that was planned anyway, and will go as and when things happen.

Busy day ahead catching up with all the things I dropped last week! Have a good day all.

[Pamina]

AF Daily - Saturday July 10

Hi Gaia, Marshy and all to come,

Last week sounds like time well spent, Gaia, as we can never accomplish everything all at once anyway. Life does have lots of bright sides!

Sorry to hear your news, Marshy. Are they planning to operate any time soon? I think it was a good move for you to drop everything, you would've been far more anxious sitting in London. It's great that your mum is coping well so far. How are you coping yourself? The cancer charities should have support groups for relatives if you think that might help. Meanwhile, look after yourself. :l

I'm feeling a bit off balance myself from encounters with the C-word while visiting my relatives last week. Turns out my dad's neighbour (65) had just had surgery for prostate cancer that was only diagnosed because he was very persistent about wanting a biopsy. A friend's brother (48) had surgery for bowel cancer a few years ago, and it's now reappeared in his lungs - he'd just had one lung removed. And the other friend's husband (50) with pancreatic cancer had had bits of his bowel and colon removed. Their son is 5, and my friend told me not to use the 'c-word' in his presence. Hmmmmm. I don't have kids so wouldn't know how I'd react in her shoes, but I don't believe in lying/withholding information, I think kids figure things out anyways. I just can't believe how common cancer is, apparently across more and more age groups.

On a brighter note, it's warm and sunny in London. I'm off to the market to collect the ingredients for my summer salad (unless DG wants to Fedex one of those zuccini/courgettes??!! Greenie, the meatballs are a bit on the heavy side for this weather).

Have a lovely Saturday everyone!

[momof3]

AF Daily - Saturday July 10

Good Morning All,

Gaia, Glad to hear that you are staying AF during all of life's craziness. I too feel like I never get anything accomplished but I chalk that up to being a working mom. During my first few months of being AF, I had what I called a "fuzzy head." I could not stay focused on one thing very long and couldn't finish anything. I think my brain was in shock and healing from it's daily dose of alcohol.

Marshy, It's so good that you can be there for your mom and dad. What are the next steps for you mom's treatment?

Pamina. Good to see you.

Leaving for the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee today for a family vacation. We are renting a house with our dear friends.

Chi Running workshop last week was great. We learned lots about running from the core and allowing your legs to follow. It feels almost effortless compared to the way I used to power run. I am hoping this will get me back into the running groove. I actually got to see James Taylor and Carol King while I was away. I snuck in and sat on the lawn at Tanglewood with two Canadians I met at the workshop. A huge bonus!!

Raining here finally. Feels soothing. It's been so darn hot.

PS Greenie. Meatballs, meatballs. I want some meatballs.


M3

[bear73]

AF Daily - Saturday July 10

hey all happy Saturday to you.

Marshy - thinking of you and your family.

Just come back from skate training - so hot with all the helmet and protective pads we wear - I could wring my hair out with sweat after 5 minutes!I am giving it a miss tomorrow - I have skated 3 times and bee nto the gym once - plenty of exercise!
I am off to world cup final bbq at friend's house tomorrow - I will be armed with my diet 7 up!

Tonight friend's birhday drinks,popping in for an hour so no pressure there - then off to friends' house for dinner - good friends who do drink,but don't encourage me to and I feel really comfortable with them.

I'm a week AF/NF tomorrow and I am determined to stay that way,need to focus on the now - it's too hot to fancy drinking anyway - heatwave!

[greeneyes]

AF Daily - Saturday July 10

Morning fabbie abbies!!

:l Marshy.

Gaia, I went to the Kennedy Center in DC to see Mary Poppins (which was a great production - UK cast as a matter of fact) so I'm singing "It's a jolly holiday with greeeeenieeeee!" Mary Poppins flew over our head at the end. I was quite impressed.

M3, glad you enjoyed the workshop. Made me think of the Alexander Technique. Are you familiar? Please tell me every detail about the Smokeys trip. I am literally pining for a visit there. I miss spending 2 weeks there every summer near Townsend.

Pamina;907729 wrote: Greenie, the meatballs are a bit on the heavy side for this weather.

Yes, they are and I had no intention of buying meatballs. I don't often buy or eat meat. But he started telling me about his neighbors farm (source) and his wife was in the back making them blah blah and all of a sudden there I was buying them. Little did I know what came with. Shoulda taken a peek at the wifey first, eh? :H

Feck. FH is at the door.

[Lavande]

AF Daily - Saturday July 10

Morning Abbers,

Rain, thunder, etc outside my windows today! This apparently is a one day break in the heatwave - it returns tomorrow!

Marshy, sorry about your Mum! Anything you can do to keep her spirits up (and yours) will be most helpful. Will be thinking about you both!

Awaiting visit from the MIA Mr Lav...........who knows? Could be a good day, could be a not so good day, we shall see.

Wishing everyone a peaceful, AF Saturday!
Lav

[LVT25]

AF Daily - Saturday July 10

Feck. FH is at the door.:H:H:H


Marshy, I am so sorry about the diagnosis on your mum. I know how you feel unfortunately-been there, done that. My mom had emphysema and then she got cancer. They never really called it lung cancer--it seemed to start from a large tumor on her leg??? Then my dad survived prostate cancer for almost 20 years before it metastasized to his bones. Sorry to say they passed away about 6 months apart. My mom was a very strong person and did quite well with the treatments for some time. They both actually lived longer than the doctors said they would. So, don't give up hope, but do spend as much time as you can with them. It's great to have family to offer support for your dad too. :h

My hubby told me yesterday he is taking a break from alcohol. We will see. I wish he wouldn't tell me things like that.

Have a good sober weekend all.

[greeneyes]

AF Daily - Saturday July 10

He asked me if I had any meatballs. :H:H kidding. He wanted a piece of aloe for the skateboard wounds. In a short space of time he picked a scab and would have left it on the coffee table (someone started barking and it wasn't little doggie), tried to lay claim to a painting, tried to poke around in the garage, and left his frappacino wrapper in the yard while his car dripped black oil on my newly powerwashed driveway. FH.

Lav, I hope the quality of your visit exceeds mine.

Bear, sounds like you have some good supportive friends.

LVT, why do you wish hubby wouldn't tell you about a break from AL?

[Doggygirl]

AF Daily - Saturday July 10

Hello fabbie abbies!

Marshy, I'm so sorry about your Mom's diagnosis. It's good that she is handling it so well. How are YOU doing? It must be hard to watch your dad drink himself to sleep at night. :l and strength to you our friend.

Gaia, sounds like you got some great stuff accomplished for the kiddos! I'm trying to learn to take joy in what I DO accomplish rather than sweating over what I don't.

M3, that running workshop sounds interesting. Is there a web link that sort of describes Chi running? (I think that's what you called it!) Can I come with you to the smokies? I've been googling "sober vacations" since the San Antonio trip and there is all kinds of cool stuff out there making me want to plan 42 vacations! The smokies sound awesome at this time of year. HAVE FUN!

Greenie, sounds like time for some new boundaries for FH? And possibly reminder that aloe is available at other places than your house? I'd make him lick that oil off the driveway if he did that at my house. :H

LVT, I too am interested in why you think he told you that. I hope his "taking a break" works better / lasts longer for him than when I tried to do that.

Lav, I hope the visit with Mr. Lav goes good today. Is this just a social visit or do you havre a mile long honey do list for him? (well, a list sounds good to me whatever the stated purpose for the visit!) I hope YOU are OK whatever state of mind or "readiness" he is currently in.

Bear, sounds like you are doing well taking things one day at a time. Good that you are hanging with some people who do not pressure you to drink. For me, that is key along with making new friends who DON'T drink.

Pamina, what is your summer salad recipe? (or general directions if it's one of those flexible things) I NEED zucchini recipes. And also cuke recipes. No dill yet in the farmers market.

The zuke bread recipe on the weight watchers site is good.

I'm feeling good today. As though I had a strong dose of meatballs yesterday or something. No yeast infections here today. The peaches and plums are appearing at the farmers market. And blueberries! Raspberries too but I think I'm done with those for the season. I need to get my butt out to my garden and then figure out how to deal with what has come out of it already. Zoom zoom. I think we will be having stuffed zucchinis for dinner with zucchini bread for dessert. Cucumber salad on the side. Green beans too. Anybody ever made grilled peaches? I saw that and they look good. Maybe some of those too.

One thing is for sure - no drinking here today!

DG

[Pamina]

AF Daily - Saturday July 10

Doggygirl;907975 wrote:
Pamina, what is your summer salad recipe? (or general directions if it's one of those flexible things)

DG, it's very flexible, as in throw together whatever strikes your fancy. Today it was lettuce, cucumber, radish, tomato, onion, avocado, broccoli and feta cheese. In fact I forgot the courgettes though I was going to get some. The only twist is that now that life is calmer and my head stays more focussed on health, I make an effort to include an anti-cancer food in every meal. Lunch was broccoli (tomato & onion are good too), dinner will be raspberries and green tea.

More info on: Anticancer: A New Way Of Life - David Servan-Schreiber

Let us know how the grilled peaches turn out!

[papmom3]

AF Daily - Saturday July 10

Hi Everyone!! Can't believe the day is half gone already speaking of not getting everything accomplished!!

Marshy-I'm so sorry to hear about your mum but she sounds like a very strong lady with a loving supportive family behind her. I bet she beats this thing to a pulp!! I hope your dad can be as strong. I'm glad you were able to drop everything and get up there to see her and be with her during the hospital stay and to be with your dad. Your family seems very close knit, just like mine. Keep string Marshy!!

DG-I'm think I had a couple of monster zucs last year as well. They sit there so quietly and hidden and then one day-WOW!!

Greenie-you could write a very funny book about FH. I like DGs idea of how to clean the driveway!! :H

Lav-hope your visit goes well and that you are happy and stress free afterwards.

M3-your weekend in the Berkshires sounded marvelous!! Running without effort? Sign me up!!

LVT-hope your hubbys announcement is a good thing but it didn't sound that way.

Gaia and Bear-good for you guys for staying AF!! I'm glad you're finding ways to deal with different situations. It's so key in this journey. Gaia-I think you accomplished a ton!! Be proud, be very proud!!

Pamina-So sorry to hear about all the cancer news. What a bummer. Sure hope they all make it through. Rough.

OK, here it is!! The new Papmobile!!



It's hard to see cuz the lighting wasn't too good(T-storm had just passed by) but it's that wonderful gray green color. It has all the bells and whistles too:

• keyless entry-I have an alarm!!
• Electric everything!! windows, mirrors, seats
• No CD player but at least the stereo cassette is better quality than what I had. I'll probably upgrade to a new Pioneer CD/AM/FM when I can afford it.
• Heated seats and mirrors!!
• A sunglass holder!!
• Cup holders that hold the bigger water bottles and travel mugs!!Outside temp monitering!!Cruise control!!Under the wheel well cover there is a styrofoam cover over the spare that has cubbyholes!!Tie down hooks in the cargo area!!Fake wood dashboard!!Plastic instead of carpeting in the cargo area!!

It's only a 2001 and it has 126K miles on it but I feel like I'm driving a brand new luxury car!! And I can't believe how high up I sit!! And of the course the most important part??? AWD!!! Do you feel lucky New England winters? Well do ya??

Going to go out in a few and start filling her up with stuff. Can't wait to see how it all fits. I've already got dreams of ordering seat covers and vanity plates :H.

Be back tonite. Have a great rest of the day everyone!!

[Doggygirl]

AF Daily - Saturday July 10

Pamina, thanks for that link. Have you read the book? If so, do you recommend it? (I'm guessing yes but never want to assume!)

P3 - Congrats on the new ride! I love all the features! These days, a good car will go a lot of miles! I drive a '99 Explorer and it has 115,000 miles on it now. I try to be very good about getting it to the mechanic every 3 - 4 months for an oil change and whatever other maintenance stuff the mechanic thinks it's time for. It runs great and I hope to still be driving it at 230,000 miles. Our mechanic is also in one of my leads groups. When he is the speaker, he often reminds everyone that there is no reason to run out and buy a new car every 100,000 as it sort of used to be in the olden days. So yours is practically new!!!! :yougo: I bet you are having fun filling it up.

Well, I just gave away more zukes and cukes. (dog training is here today. They had no idea what they were in for getting bombarded with garden stuff!) Whew. I feel back on top of things now. Well, I will be as soon as I finish baking the other 8 loaves of zuke bread.

DG

[momof3]

AF Daily - Saturday July 10

Hello All,

Half way to the Smoky Mountains. We're staying over in Blacksburg, VA. Greenie, I'll keep you posted on what it's like. Plan to do lots of hiking, some horseback riding and white water rafting! And, when were you at the Kennedy Center? I live about 20 minutes from there.

DG Here is a link to Chi Running.

ChiRunning

I took it at Kripalu which by the way is an AF health and wellness center (used to be an Ashram) in the Bershires of MA. The other place I go to, Omega Institute in NY is also completely AF (There are daily 12 step meetings at Omega as well). I don't know if there is anything similar in the Chicago area. Both places are in gorgeous locations, lots of fresh air and extremely healthy locally grown food.

Papsmom3. Is that a Suburu? We used to call that the state car when we lived in NH.

[greeneyes]

AF Daily - Saturday July 10

M3 I was there July 4th. Only went to the show. Didn't stick around for the celebration music or fireworks. Didn't realize you lived so close to DC!