September Serenity - week 4

[Lavande]

September Serenity - week 4

:help! Our friends Dill & LBH have both been missing since 9/16!!!!!

Please check in ladies :l

[cyntree]

September Serenity - week 4

Yes, Dill and LBH - really missing you both - need to 'hear' your voices.

Sped - I think your anticipation of the weekend is much harder than the event will be! You are so ready - it sounds like it will be a great big slumber party. RE: antivirus. I have a really superior product, which has been checked out by numerous computer geeks, and they all are impressed with it. "Viper Antivirus" by Sunbelt Software. Endpoint Protection, Antivirus Software, Email & Anti-Malware Protection - Sunbelt Software. You can buy it online and install it in a matter of minutes; I forget how much it is, but I think it was cost-effective. It doesn't slow down my ancient computer with long scans or anything, and they email you a monthly note about what current viruses are out there, and what to watch out for. Highly recommended.

I love House of Mirth, or anything by Edith Wharton. (But Chill, maybe save it for a later date - it's a little depressing - - - )
-----
At dawn this morning I was walking the dogs - we were headed east, but something made me turn around, and there in the west was a luminous turquoise sky with cotton candy pink wisps of clouds, and the golden orb of the setting moon - wow, what a great universe we live in.

[cyntree]

September Serenity - week 4

hey - postscript. I've just caught up with the first 4 pages of this week - HB is out of town tonight, and so I'm taking advantage of the time to relax in front of the computer (he gets kind of jealous, though completely supportive of my posting - just likes it to be shorter rather than longer). So anyway, I have been reading slowly and to my heart's content.

I am glad to hear others say that they are on the far end of the Introvert scale. Me too - I think if I weren't in a relationship, I would probably seek out a cave some where to live with my dogs. As it is, I must continually be in high profile social situations with lots of AL around. I am quite sure that not being able to face some of these situations gave me the idea to use some 'liquid courage' to get through. Which of course only made everything worse, even when no one knew I had been drinking. I am finding the strength to deal with it AF these days, but I know that I have to just back out sometimes. In fact, HB is on a trip to LA for an event, and I just couldn't make myself do it (Rusty, how do you keep going like you do?). I couldn't even bear the thought of figuring out what to wear, and putting party makeup on, etc. etc., much less deal with rooms full of strangers. I'm turning into a wimp!
Anyway, it was comforting to hear that I am not alone.

Mr. G - I finally had time to listen to your song - how wonderful! Thanks so much for posting the link. Do you work with a combo, or do you lay down all those tracks yourself? Either way - beautiful words, lovely voice, great orchestration and development of ideas; what a pleasure! And, BTW, I was stunned to see the picture that showed up on my screen as your song was playing (though I think it belongs to the 'desert love song')-- the picture of Monument Valley - that's in my state! I have actually been there - the monuments pictured are East and West Mitten, on the Navajo reservation. It's a long story, and I'm too tired, but in short when we were there HB, stepdaughter and I took a 2 hour horse back tour (in December). As we were about finished, my HB realized that he had put the rental car keys in the same pocket as the camera....uh oh......So now each December we give each other postcards of that same view, with arrows pointing and the words "the keys are here".....
Sleep tight/happy morning to all, and don't put your keys in the same pocket as your camera -

[Guitarista]

September Serenity - week 4

Ah, glad you liked the music Cyn. Yep, i do it all myself, usually. The Monument valley pic was a sample pic i happened to get with my p.c. so i just flicked it up there! It's nice to know where it actually is, and a beautiful part of the world it look's, too.

Haven't seen LBH around, but i noticed Dill around on other thread's recently. Hope your respective leg's heal quickly and truly Sped and Pa.
Safe travel's Chilli!

[Stargazerlily]

September Serenity - week 4

I am up too early!!!

Today at work we have to be checked out by a wellness company and if we do not meet certain critieria,they will raise our rates. Nice, huh? I am furious, so I am sure the one blood pressure measure will be off the charts. What is our world coming too. If you have healthcare, it costs tons of money, then high deductible, then they don't want to cover anything. On top of it, the administrative part always messes up the bill. Sorry, what a way to start the day. But I can't drink coffee either, this morning.

I miss Dill and LBH, too. Hope they come back to this thread. But, I am happy with the newer comers.

Cyn, it is great to have you post. I like a few social things, but mostly like to do my own thing, even if it is mostly reading, walking, and nothing exciting.

Sped, your dinner will be fabulous. Please enjoy despite the pressures.

I have McAfee Virus protecter, and have for years. Our computers are so important to us, what with banking, etc., that we really have to have something to protect our information.

I am just kind of blah this week, nothing exciting, which is good, but nothing much to share either. So I am glad others are picking up the slack.

[paguy]

September Serenity - week 4

Good Morning All:

I woke up in a panic this morning thinking that my calf muscle was cramping up in my leg that?s in a cast. That has been my biggest fear ? getting a cramp that I won?t be able to rub out! I?ve been eating a banana every day and drinking lots of water to prevent this from happening. Anyway, it was a false alarm thank goodness. (Am I sounding paranoid?) :nutso:

Here it is Friday already! I am finally getting caught up at work after having been out for 2 weeks and that feels good. Being on conference calls for most of the days actually does make the time pass by quicker so I am thankful for that. For the most part, I really do work with a great bunch of people (believe me, there are a few outliers) and my boss has been very supportive of my circumstances. I am very fortunate.

This weekend, I am actually getting out of the house to go to my sister?s which is a 2 ? hour drive. Of course, I will not be driving. We are having a family gathering to celebrate 3 September birthdays in our family. This will be my first family event being AF and I?m feeling very confident I?ll be OK. My sister and BIL are pretty big drinkers and get into bickering wars after they?ve had a few bottles of wine so that scene will be positive reinforcement for me as to why I want to remain AF! :H

Three weeks from today ? my cast comes OFF! (And then, Physical Therapy begins) ? YEAH! :banana:

Star ? sorry you?re feeling blah this week. :l I know sometimes I am affected by the change of seasons and fewer daylight hours this time of year. Hope you get back into the groove soon.

Cyn ? your comment about ?liquid courage? resonated with me. Whenever I had to deal with a social situation, there were always at least 2 drinks included as part of my preparation.

Hoping everyone has a happy Friday and that you are all looking forward to the weekend?

[rustop61]

September Serenity - week 4

Hi everyone

"Bitterness is like cancer. It eats upon the host."
--Maya Angelou

"You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in
other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people
interested in you."
--Dale Carnegie

"Life is too short to spend your precious time trying to convince
a person who wants to live in gloom and doom otherwise. Give
lifting that person your best shot, but don't hang around long
enough for his or her bad attitude to pull you down. Instead, surround
yourself with optimistic people."
--Zig Ziglar

"He who asks a question is a fool for a minute; he who does not
remains a fool forever."
--Chinese Proverb

"It takes time to build a corporate work of art. It takes time to build a
life. And it takes time to develop and grow. So give yourself, your
enterprise, and your family the time they deserve and the time they
require."
--Jim Rohn

Each of the above struck a chord with me this morning so I thought I would share them with you all. Dill - Miss you and your readings, you too LBH.

John - Enjoy your family get together. 3 weeks will go very fast, especially now that you are up and moving a little.

Chill - Hope you got to the UK ok and are enjoying yourself.

Star - Hope you are soon feeling better, sometimes it helps to vent.

Sped - 12 people staying over, you are brave. I had 6 this summer and it did take preparation more than anything but it all went ok.

Lav - did you get your driveway done?

Teens off school today and Monday so am out of my routine a little. Hubby has his last fly fishing competition of the season so will be away all week-end. Intend to catch up on things and fit in my 40 minutes meditation every day!

Wishing everyone a very enjoying and AF week-end.

Rustop

[Rusty]

September Serenity - week 4

Good Friday Morning Serene Friends,

Aw, Cyn....I am finding the strength to deal with it AF these days, but I know that I have to just back out sometimes. In fact, HB is on a trip to LA for an event, and I just couldn't make myself do it (Rusty, how do you keep going like you do?). You are sooooo sweet. Actually, I do not avoid social gatherings where there is AL, and here's why: I fretted for months about going to Maine to be with my family knowing that my hard-drinking cousins whom I LOVE to be around would really be tossing them down. But then, I thought, that would make me feel more isolated. I've always been an extremely happy, outgoing person, and I don't want to turn down fun opportunities with my family. My family is great, but several of them drink and if I turned down every opportunity because there's alcohol around, I would never leave me house. I understand why you didn't want to go to LA, though. I'm sure you made the right decision!:l

Rustop-I so loved your quotes this morning. I love Dale Carnegie and Zig Ziglar. I wish I could go to Ireland as I am Irish.

Star-you'll go through the wellness bit today with flying colors. Great that you're sleeping so well.

Sped-your guests will have a great time with you as the hostess. I used McAfee for a year and now I have VIPRE because my IT guy says it's the best (who knows?)

John-Enjoy the party! Only 3 more weeks til you can have a Cast-Off Party:H

Lav-did you get your driveway finished?

Dill and LBH-I miss hearing from you. I hope you are both well.

Papmom-I would love to see your agility training sometime. It's fascinating to me.

A cheery hello to G, Sooty, and anyone else I may have missed, have a wonderful Friday!

[spedteach]

September Serenity - week 4

Morning,
It is positively nippy this morning and what a beautiful moon. I've got kindergarden again today which is a good thing. Keeps me occupied with things other than obsessive compulsive cleaning. I actually fairly relaxed about the wedding at this point. People start arriving on Sunday, my son, his fiance, her mother. Let the show begin.

Cyn, (and everybody else) thanks for the anti virus info. And aren't desert moonsets wonderful. You are right about The House of Mirth. Not a good time for Chill to read that right now. And the keys and camera in the same pocket??? I don't get it. What am I missing.

Star, you're right. You're an early riser (as am I) but you got up really early today. I got up at 3 but made myself go back to bed until 4:30. Hope your blahs go away.

Rustop, is it hard for you to meditate for 40 min? Did you have to work up to it? Where do you meditate. I remember reading somewhere that if you get really good at meditation then you'd be able to meditate anywhere, at a bus stop, in a grocery line, etc. I need to pick up the practice again.

Paguy, lucky for you that you can work at home. thinking about your weekend trip. For me it can be a real learning (or at least reinforcing) experience to be around people who overindulge. Makes it crystal clear why you don't want to drink.
Oh and I empathize about leg cramp fears. They are positively the worst.

Morning Rusty, Lav, everyone.

[papmom3]

September Serenity - week 4

good morning everyone!! Last real day of vacation and I am feeling extremely unmotivated to anything but lie around, take the dogs for a walk and read. So much for the 2 big projects :H.

Dill and LBH-we really miss you here-are you guys OK?

G-love your new avatar but it doesn't get my heart beating like the other one

PAGuy-your weekend party sounds like a lot of fun and I know you will really enjoy yourself without the AL. Have you been working from home this week or telecommuting?

Rustop-LOVED the quotes! Hit me square in the gut. Thanks!!

Star-practice the yoga breathing during the BP taking and try to let go of the anger. you can't do anything about the way the system works so getting yourself worked up so that you fail one of the tests is counterproductive and they win. :l

Sped-OM!! 12 people? You are one gutsy lady!! You will have a great time and will be able to heave a huge proud sigh of relief when it's over.

Rusty-do you want me to post a couple of the videos of my runs? I thought I had but maybe not.

Hi to Sooty and all others that visit today.

My day at the beach yesterday was fabulous!! DD loved the off leash walking and running and the water. It was so funny watching him trying to dodge the waves and then when one caught him the look of surprise on his face!! I tried to get him to go in deep enough at the river end (calm water) to actually swim but he didn't trust the fact that he couldn't feel the bottom. I think if I had gone in with him it would have been fine. he did very well off leash and meeting dogs and people although there were a couple of mild incidences. Just all part of the learning process and his socialization. The weather was perfect-not too hot or cold, a little cloud cover to provide some shade. Ice cream on the way out capped the day. I was even able to appreciate my friend for who she is, not who she isn't until she brought up the clutter/hoarder conversation again. It is so obvious she is in denial. I finally told her I couldn't discuss this subject with her as it was too frustrating to me. I would discuss anything else in the world, but not her clutter problem. She seemed surprised but OK. I was pretty proud of myself for finally saying that. Then of couse MY evil side came out when we were stuck in rush hour traffic and it was obvious I wasn't going to make it to agility in time. It was a classic example of getting upset over something I absolutely had no control over. She was very nice and offered to have us go straight to the class instead of stopping at my house first. It should have made me feel better but my anxiety level was way too high at that point. We were 15 min late and I had missed the day's lesson. Oh well, it was still a good class and I learned something very important about myself that I can work on. All in all a wonderful and relaxing day (minus the commute) and I think I need to move close to the ocean!!

Have a great day everyone!!

:l

[Lavande]

September Serenity - week 4

Where's St. Patrick when you really need him???

I'm grateful that my brother-in-law was available last evening when I found a 5 ft. long Black Rat Snake in my chicken coop :shocked:

OMG, I went out after dinner to refill the chick's feeders taking EB with me. My heart thudded to a near stop when I saw the snake in there eyeing up 'dinner'!
I put 2 calls in to Mr Lav but he didn't answer his phone (he almost never does). He could be here in 15-20 min. So, I called on his brother for help. We successfully removed the snake into an empty feed bag & he made it disappear into the heavily wooded area behind his home. I feel quite fortunate that all 25 chicks were present & accounted for

Here's the best part - my brother-in-law gave me & EB a ride home (I had walked/ran over to his house) because it was pitch dark out. We got here to find Mr Lav standing in the driveway - wondering what the hell was going on. I guess he felt like an giant ass when I told him his brother took care of the problem for me :H:H

I can handle mice, even a rat if I have to but huge snakes, no way! :eeks: I've seen much, much smaller ones around these parts but never anything almost as big as me!!!!!!

I will be back later to address everyone -
I'm glad you are all here

[Chillgirl]

September Serenity - week 4

good evening guys!
I quick check in as im using my friends old laptop and already panicking about her finding this site on her history, its freezing cold here in the UK grey and dismal but at the same time hugely comforting to be here.
I realize that although I love Portugal and it has been home for 9 years, in my current financial state I dont think I can afford the luxury of staying there. Just being back in an English speaking country where everything is familiar makes me feel much more confident in my ability to find work and a means to support myself. I have a million thoughts flying through my head and i will need time to digest them, right now i dont even have the funds to physically move back here or to be able to rent somewhere to live. I hope this new found confidence doesnt disappear when I get back to Portugal, i have spent enough time in limbo and need to get my head out the sand.

I hope everyone is doing well and look forward to catching up on all the posts when I get home.

Much love~
Chill x

[dill]

September Serenity - week 4

I’m OK. Thank all of you for asking and for the kind PMs I received. I hit a rough patch and did not feel right posting. Alcohol is indeed cunning, baffling and powerful. Recently I gave in to that little voice that said “just one won’t hurt” and it was not such a good thing. I can’t even say that I had a compelling reason. It was more just a change in my routine from summer to back to work, and then a change in scheduling at work and the increased stresses, and it just snuck up on me. The ‘just one’ turned into more, of course. I continued to post and did not mention the slip, thinking I would just get on with things. But the opposite happened. A few days later, another slip, then a couple days later another slip. Before I knew it, I was drinking almost every other night! I was heading straight back to my old drinking habits very, very quickly. I was in denial about the whole thing. Finally I just woke up and opened my eyes to what was happening. Honesty is so important and without it, alcohol has the power. I believe one of my last posts contained a reading about “Denial”? Anyway, I took a break from posting while I shifted my gears and got my head back in the game, so to speak. I’m considering whether I should post elsewhere on the site until I become steadier. So many on here are here for the long run and are doing fabulously. I don’t want to hurt anyone else’s progress.

Chill, very well done on your big and very long day in the company of drinkers. I love your strength and commitment. I pulled over yesterday to the side of the road on my way to work. I saw a cornfield and thought of you and this thread and my previous promise to take a Fall picture of the corn in Ohio.

Sped, I was so sorry to read about your foot problem. I trust you will do what it takes to take good care of yourself.

Rustop, I am looking forward to hearing about your Meditation classes. I am currently practicing the body scan almost daily and find it very beneficial.

Cyn, I too am an introvert. Sometimes just having to spend my day around people is too much for me. That is a huge factor as to why I lost my way this month. Getting back to work after a summer of solitude.

Star, that is AWFUL about the wellness check up. That would have put me in a bad mood, too. But, it reminded me that in the past , you had to do the same thing in order to get life insurance policies, etc. I honestly don’t know where all this is going to end up with health care. The way things are going, it won’t be too long before No One can afford insurance.

Paguy, I put a request in at the library for the book, The Shadow of the Wind. It must be good, as there were two holds on it ahead of mine.


Sooty, Rustop, Rusty, Papmom, , Lav, G., Spud, LBH, warm greetings to you all.

[Lavande]

September Serenity - week 4

Afternoon all!

Still trying to calm myself after last evening's excitment! If I see another snake around - I'm outta here

John, nice to hear you have weekend plans. I hope it cools off a bit - ugh, too hot out! The guys that were supposed to coat the driveway earlier this week just called & said they'll be here tomorrow. I'll be inside in the AC!

Rustop, loved your quotes this morning, thank you!

Rusty, you're home now, right?

Shelley, the moon was huge & orange last night. My 22 month old grandson actually pointed it out to me while I was running for snake removal assistance.

Papmom, it would be nice moving closer to the ocean - hmm, something to think about!

Chill, I hope your UK weekend is warm & wonderful

I'm so happy you checked in Dill. I'm sorry that the stress bug hit you.......it stinks. I hope that you continue to post here with the rest of us. Remember we used to say 'Progress not Perfection'..........because we are all vulnerable humans, stuff is going to happen. We can continue to hold each other up, at least that's what I want to do. Nobody here is going to hurt my feelings - I'm way too full of 'Lavan-ittude' for that!!!!!

OK, time to go check on the chicks again. I'm beginning to think I need to carry a weapon.....some sort of snake repellant, ha ha.

[paguy]

September Serenity - week 4

Good Evening Folks:

Not sure if I am bringing my computer with me to my sister's tomorrow so I thought I would do a late night check-in here.

I tipped the scales tonight and splurged on my calorie intake for dinner - ordered delivery from a local Italian pizza place and had a chicken cheese steak sandwich that was smothered with melted provolone cheese. And... a side order of fried onion rings! This was my Friday night 'treat'! It tasted so good while I was eating it but man, I have to tell you, I am feeling a little bit unsettled right now. I wonder what types of dreams this will spark for me tonight. :H

Lav ? OMG ? your snake experience would have been enough to have me spiral into a wild panic attack. :egad: Maybe it has something to do with being raised a Catholic and the whole Snake / Satan / Devil association is engrained in my brain but I just cannot deal with snakes. I am glad to hear your chicks are safe and less appealing to the reptiles now that they are sporting feathers.

rustop61;966559 wrote:
"He who asks a question is a fool for a minute; he who does not
remains a fool forever."
--Chinese Proverb

Rustop - I enjoyed your quotes from earlier today. One in particular stuck with me. I know people who refuse to admit they don't know everything and will try to b*lls**t their way out of a brown paper bag. For me, I have always taken the approach to let people know that I may not know the answer to a question, but I will use my resources to get the answer. I, for one, would much rather be a fool for a minute and have the answer for the future!

Papmom ? I really like Gloucester. I lived in the Boston area for several years and I had friends who lived in Gloucester. What a great New England town.

Chill ? sounds like you are synthesizing lots of information right now to help get you in a more stable and sustainable living situation. I know you must be so thankful to be able to do this with a clear head. I know it doesn?t lessen the severity of the situation but you can be proud that you?ll be making sound decisions. Continuing to send good vibes your way.
:l

Dill ? glad to see you back. We have all had our rough patches and that?s one of the reasons we?re all here, right? We have to be able to lean on one another during the rough times. That?s an important part of friendship. You hang in there.

Sped ? Good luck with all of the wedding activities and have fun!

Time to check out now?. Hope you all have a great weekend?