October Optimism - Week 4

[sooty]

October Optimism - Week 4

Happy humpday evening gang. Not been able to get on till now, but better late than never to wish you a good wednesday.

I hope that we're all having a good mid-week, the weather has been very mixed today but mild. The clocks go back at the weekend so the nights will be getting shorter - yuk!

Take care everyone, I'll catch you all tomorrow

Sooty

[Chillgirl]

October Optimism - Week 4

Hi guys
I quick check in from me, I'm finding it hard to have any "me" time with my Parents here, they are wonderful but do like to take over my schedule.

Are we all happy with Nurturing November? Or do we want to add nutcases to the title? :H

When I was in Dublin, me and some of the gang went to the Mind, Body Soul Fest and I had a reading done. She saw a man in my life who makes me laugh and I have to say this sums up McDreamy, then she asked if he was a Libra and I nearly fell off my seat because he is! (although so is my ex husband so maybe she was picking up on that) anyway I thought I could call him Mr Libra from now on and ditch McDreamy.

I have another date with him tomorrow and I'm so looking forward to seeing him again :h

Re meeting the MWO gang, they were all pretty much how I imagined, no surprises, actually it was amazing how alike they all were to how they come across online, because of that we were all very much at home in each others company. Wannachange said I was exactly how he imagined apart from my laugh which he loved and said it was an added bonus......

[rebirth]

October Optimism - Week 4

Chill - Well thats settled then. You and Mr Libra will be getting it on!! OUr first MYO romance here!!! Everyone start buying your hats for a future weddijng here! Exciting or what!

P3- What a clever dog you have! Or more like clever owner! Well done! I was very impressed with the videos on your blog. How do you get the dog to do that??? Can you do that with cats? I have terrible wind and all sorts when I overdose on sugar...Hmm. Too much information there

Rusty- Tae bo is the thing to do. I can imagine people's bodies changing by doing this workout. Its only been three weeks but my six pack is there..just hidden under flab. I can feel it though. Use to be very soft there. now its soft, then rock hard!! Wouldnt it be nice just to pull the flab off your body...sigh. Then I could eat more.

Dill - what was that quote you wrote once about being a fool for a minute if you ask a question. Could you tell me again? I am sure it was you who posted it.


My mum has my son all week cause it's half term and I am enjoying the FREEDOM! All this ME time is GLORIOUS! You would think i am out every night. Nope. Just me, my cat and my house. BLiss

[Chillgirl]

October Optimism - Week 4

rebirth;991075 wrote:
Dill - what was that quote you wrote once about being a fool for a minute if you ask a question. Could you tell me again? I am sure it was you who posted it.

RB - do you mean this one? He who ask a question is a fool for five minutes he who does not ask a question remains a fool forever?

[rebirth]

October Optimism - Week 4

Thats the one!

[rebirth]

October Optimism - Week 4

Thanks Chill. Now I must get to bed and do some reading for a change

[papmom3]

October Optimism - Week 4

Hi RB-we take lots of classes (2 years 2 worth so far) and it helps to have a smart dog!! Yes, you can teach cats agility-just google or do a search on youtube for cat agility. You will be amazed!!
I've always been a little afraid of taebo so I've never tried it. Maybe I'll see if the library has a dvd I can borrow and try it out.

[ladybirdheart]

October Optimism - Week 4

Thank you Rustop for your quote this morning. It was a reminder for me that letting go is the only way I can get out of here for long. I have to let go. Over and over. I found this other quote around a year ago and posted it, and I thought that it would be good to revisit it now. I took a copy with me for a while in my pocketbook and it helped me unclench. I liked how quiet it was. Love, Ladybird.

She let go.

She let go. Without a thought or a word, she let go.

She let go of the fear. She let go of the judgments. She let go of the confluence of opinions swarming around her head. She let go of the committee of indecision within her. She let go of all the 'right' reasons. Wholly and completely, without hesitation or worry, she just let go.

She didn't ask anyone for advice. She didn't read a book on how to let go... She didn't search the scriptures. She just let go. She let go of all of the memories that held her back. She let go of all of the anxiety that kept her from moving forward. She let go of the planning and all of the calculations about how to do it just right.

She didn't promise to let go. She didn't journal about it. She didn't write the projected date in her Day-Timer. She made no public announcement and put no ad in the paper. She didn't check the weather report or read her daily horoscope. She just let go.

She didn't analyze whether she should let go. She didn't call her friends to discuss the matter. She didn't do a five-step Spiritual Mind Treatment. She didn't call the prayer line. She didn't utter one word. She just let go.

No one was around when it happened. There was no applause or congratulations. No one thanked her or praised her. No one noticed a thing. Like a leaf falling from a tree, she just let go.
There was no effort. There was no struggle. It wasn't good and it wasn't bad. It was what it was, and it is just that.

In the space of letting go, she let it all be. A small smile came over her face. A light breeze blew through her. And the sun and the moon shone forevermore.

--Ernest Holmes

[paguy]

October Optimism - Week 4

Greetings Everyone:

I swear my computer is possessed with a morning gremlin. For the past 2 mornings, I?ve gotten frozen and hung up ? did not get to post this morning as it put me behind and had to get moving. Yes, I am actually moving these days.

Rustop ? I really appreciated your quote on ?letting go?. I used to have so many issues with not being able to let go of things. I would internalize issues and they would go round and round and round. With age, I have gotten much better but when I think of all the time I wasted and anxiety I caused myself, it is very scary. I think what has helped me is that I really focus on what I am accountable for and don?t feel responsible for other people?s actions. I can control me but I can?t control others.

Choochie ? Good luck to you and as others have already said, be sure to drop by and let us know how you are doing.

Papmom ? I get to Massachusetts a couple of times a year. My partner is from the Boston area and I lived up there for about 6 years back in the 90?s. We usually spend Christmas with his family but are making different plans for this year. Not sure when my next trip will be but I?ll let you know whenever I head up to Massachusetts.

Just 2 more days left to the work week ? Yeah!

Lav ? I haven?t experienced any bizarre dreams yet taking the melatonin. I do notice that I am very groggy when I first wake up but that generally clears after my first cup of java

Physical Therapy is coming along well. My incisions are looking MUCH better so that makes me feel good. All in all, I would say that my recovery is progressing nicely. I can even walk up the stairs foot over foot - as long as I hold on to rails on both sides :H

Hope you all have a peaceful evening?

[papmom3]

October Optimism - Week 4

LBH-thank you. that was beautiful and it's now printed out and will be in my purse shortly. I'd love to figure out how to copy and paste it into my EVO on the post it app.

John-I would be honored and thrilled to meet you! Let me know when you guys will be in the area and we'll figure something out. I'm so glad you're feeling better everyday and that PT is going well. Keep up the good work!!

:l

[Rusty]

October Optimism - Week 4

Hey Ho Everybody!

A cheery good evening greeting from Ontario, Canada. Thank you all for your concern last night. I just barely made it out of Minneapolis, and as the plane was in a holding pattern whilst approaching Milwaukee, we were over Lake Michigan and I thought, oh well, I guess my death will come by drowning.

Rustop-I so needed the quote on letting go. I wish I had learned that lesson 20 years ago. I would ruminate over how people had wronged me and the hurt I felt, and everybody kept telling me, and I mean EVERYBODY...to just move on and learn from it. Nah! I'd rather be p*ssed off for 20 years. UGH!

PA-your words summed up the old me exactly: With age, I have gotten much better but when I think of all the time I wasted and anxiety I caused myself, it is very scary. I think what has helped me is that I really focus on what I am accountable for and don’t feel responsible for other people’s actions. I can control me but I can’t control others.

Star-you always say the sweetest things to me. If I'm having a really bad day sometime, I'm calling you.:l

Dill-I love your Daily Recovery Readings-they hold so much meaning for me.

Rebirth-great job on the Tae Bo. Maybe TB can even help my 12-pack Flabs!:H Enjoy your alone time...ooh la la!

Ladybird-Did you and Lord Bird ever get the situation resolved?

Lav-enjoy your evening with EB and your son!

Papmom-you must be just as fit as your dogs with all the agility you do!

Sooty-I hate it when we turn the clocks back...the day seems SO long and then I want to go to bed at 7:00 p.m.:upset:

Chill-I can't wait to read Chapter 2 of "Lucky Libra Meets Thrill Chill." When we last left our heroine, she was found glued to her IPad, waiting for a text from the criminally handsome accountant whom she discovered had more than just a calculator in his pocket

Cyn-Are you pulling your hair out with the move?

On a more serious thought, I was reading the posts from Sped and Dill on discussing AL use with their children and how touchy a subject that is. It brought back a grim reminder for me of when my family confronted me 2 years ago and my sister said that because of me, she was worried that her kids might have AL issues as well, since we have such a horrendous history of alcoholism in our family. And now I find myself studying my nieces and nephews when they drink....wondering if they will become alcoholics and praying that they don't. Lav has said that she stopped drinking because she wanted to be fully present for EB, and like Dill and SD, I want to set a positive example for the young people that I am around...my 22 nieces and nephews. I do not want them to see me swilling wine and acting stupid....I want them to remember me in only positive ways. I can still be the "cool, single aunt" (their words, not mine) but one whose relationship with alcohol is now over.

Well friends, I have more work to do before bed. A warm hello to G (where are you, man?), SD, Sped (now a possible Hoosier), Choochie (come back, come back), and anyone I may have missed....have a wonderful evening!

xoxox


Rusty

[cyntree]

October Optimism - Week 4

Thank you Rustop and LBH...straighforward, but oh-so-tempting not to walk in that clarity - what is that all about, I wonder? Great reminder to keep things simple...

OK Dill-iscious:
I think that this is from the NY Times, but is very similar to one I have from Food and Wine...it really is mostly a summer dish, but here in the desert we eat it year-round...

Cold Noodles with Sesame Sauce, Chicken and Cucumbers, Time: about 30 minutes
Salt
1 to 2 C shredded cooked chicken, or about 8 oz boneless chicken breast (for me, this is optional)
1 pound cucumber (about 2 med size)
12 oz long pasta (linguine, spaghettini) or 16 oz fresh Chinese Egg noodles
2 T dark sesame oil
1/2 C sesame paste (tahini) or peanut butter (I use both, more body to the sauce)
2 T sugar
3 T soy sauce, or to taste
1 tsp minced ginger, optional
1 T rice or wine vinegar
Hot sesame oil or Tabasco sauce to taste
1/2 tsp freshly gr black pepper
At leat 1/2 C minced scallions for garnish

1) Set a large pot of water to boil and salt it. If your chicken is uncooked, poach it in water as it comes to a boil: it will cook on about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, peel cucumbers, cut them in half, and using a spoon, scoop out seeds. Cut cucumber into shreds and set aside.
2) When water comes to a boil, cook pasta until tender but not mushy. (If chicken is not done, you can still add pasta: remove chicken when done). While pasta is cooking, whisk together sesame oil and paste, sugar, soy ginger vinegar, hot oil and pepper in a large bowl. Thin sauce with hot water, so that it is about the consistency of heavy cream; you will need 1/4 to 1/2 C. Stir in cucmber. When pasta is done, drain it and run pasta (and chicken, if necessary) under cold water. Drain. Shred chicken.
3. Toss noodles and chicken with sauce and cucumbers. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary (the dish may need salt), then garnish and serve. Yield: 4 servings.

(I just realized that I've never actually read the recipe carefully, or done it correctly! - Oh well, it always turned out fine...LOL!)

Chill - thx for the news about the meetup! I like Nurturing November.
Pap - great job on the night walk! Have you read 'Sugar Blues' - an old book, but I think still true. I used to live in the Berkshires of MA - may favorite place in the world to live. We're moving east, but not sure where at the moment....hopefully close to MA!

Take care everyone -

[Chillgirl]

October Optimism - Week 4

Good morning Optimisers

LBH - I loved the poem on letting go! I was reading with trepidation thinking the end would be letting go of this world for that's how I imagined would be the only way possible to let go of so much. It's so freeing to let go, sometimes I stand and allow feelings to wash over me then let them go.....

ladybirdheart;991160 wrote:
In the space of letting go, she let it all be. A small smile came over her face. A light breeze blew through her. And the sun and the moon shone forevermore.
--Ernest Holmes

Paguy - I'm glad to hear your making progress

Rusty - your talents are endless my girl, I will be sure to give you a report on my date tonight, I think it's date 6!

[Rusty]

October Optimism - Week 4

Good Morning Everyone-

Chill-can't wait to hear about the date.

Cyn-thank you SO much for the recipe. I will add it to my list of dishes to make this weekend.

LBH-I echo Chill's words on your beautiful poem on letting go. I have to remind myself daily not to ruminate over past mistakes, past people, etc.

Quick check-in this morning....I was shocked that I spent 2 hours last night just lurking, reading and posting. Balance? Um...gotta work on that!

Have a great AF day everyone!

[rustop61]

October Optimism - Week 4

Good morning everyone

I think we should fit in nuturing in the November thread title as I find that this thread does indeed nurture me. I get such an uplift every morning when I log on and read it. You get everything from wonderful readings to recipes to fun quotes.

Dill - I highly recommend walking. I actually miss it if I dont fit it in every day. They say even 30 minutes is beneficial. Papmom - I admire you for going out at night. Now that is hard. I have a routine of going every morning after the school run and even at week-ends I try and get out early as otherwise the day takes over. I too face sugar cravings, try to stock up on the low cal variety but it is not easy.

Star - Feel for you, at nearly 49 I will soon be facing the same thing.

Cyn - Good luck with the house move and thank you for the recipe.

Chill - Saw that Mind, Body Soul advertised but did not manage to get into it. Very interesting! Hope your date goes well.

Rebirth - You lucky thing having some time alone. We all love our kids but there is nothing like some me time. Well done on the Tae-bo, keep it up.

LBH - Thank you so much for that reading on Letting go, I am going to print it off and like you carry it around with me.

John - Glad the PT is coming along nicely, you will get there eventually.

Rusty - I am sure you are a wonderfully cool Aunt to all those nieces and nephews. Glad you got to Ontario OK.

Lav - Hope you had a nice evening with EB and son.

Sooty, Shelly, Guitarista and anyone else I missed big hello and have a great day.

Rustop