November Nuturing - Week 2

[Chillgirl]

November Nuturing - Week 2

Good morning guys

I did not have a good nights sleep as my dog was restless and barked every other hour. This can be extremely annoying but I wouldn't be without her and her super sensitive hearing to warn me of any activity even although last night it was probably only a stray cat! Lav, the mountain dog, get her back!! Being a woman living on my on my most important priority is to feel safe, we cannot live in fear, it's just not an option, life is tough enough without that one, our homes must be our sanctuaries.

I love all your trash throwing! It's one of my most fav hobbies as I hate clutter, I spent a couple of hours yesterday helping my boss clear a whole lot of junk from his office. I can see lots more that has to go but I'd better break him in gently to my extreme tidying :H

Cyn - thank you for the reminder about what our November is supposed to be about, I'm up for a good dose of nurturing! I remembered still have part of the gift voucher my girlfriends gave me for my birthday for beauty treatments and I think there is enough to treat myself to a facial, I intend to book one today!

[rebirth]

November Nuturing - Week 2

Good morning folks
I live on my own too so security is also very important for me. Infact I check my doors more than once when I retire for bed...although I do suffer from OCD.

Lav - How safe are your windows and doors? How did they get into the other houses? I would definitely get another dog!

Chill - I also love clearing junk. I have moved so much in my life and I feel another move will happen in my future. I try not to keep unecessary junk. Keeps my mind clean too.

Have a lovely Hump day all. x

[Raven.joy]

November Nuturing - Week 2

I threw out 6 big black rubbish bags at the weekend, dusted all surfaces and cleaned windows. It took all saturday but now when I walk around everywhere feels lovely and sparkly. Out with the old in with the new, all good

[Chillgirl]

November Nuturing - Week 2

Rav - where the hell have you been!!??
lovely to hear from you and that all is good

[Lavande]

November Nuturing - Week 2

GM friends!

Raven, nice to see you. That throwing out activity really is nice, isn't it?

I probably will be getting my big dog back in the next few days. I emailed you know who about it & actually received a response.
My house is only 7 years old, built very solidly by my BIL. The secuirty system had troubles from the very beginning, had the company here several times to work on it. The last time they told me the entire system needs to be replaced for big $$. That irritated me to say the least.
The burglars gained access to my neighbor's house by kicking in the front door. My dog surely would make a lot of noise if someone attempted to do that here.

Well, I have an appointment to get my B/P checked & meds adjusted. It's been running way too low lately. Then I'm meeting some old friends for lunch & squeezing in a little Christmas shopping since I'll be near some stores

Wishing everyone a very happy hump day
Lav

[sooty]

November Nuturing - Week 2

Happy humpday everyone and good to see you Raven.

Lav hurry up and get your big dog back - we can't have you feeling uneasy.

I had a lovely evening last night, both daughters were home and we watched a rental dvd called Letters to Juliet, it was romantic nonsense and a very pleasant way of spending an hour or so! So that was my nurturing for last night, not sure what I'll do tonight.

I've done a little meditation today and will try and do some more later when the house is quiet. My last class is on Sunday and it has been very valuable. Now the challenge is to keep going on my own.

Off to make our evening meal now, will try and pop on and see you all later. Have a good humpday everyone
love Sooty

[Chillgirl]

November Nuturing - Week 2

Sooty - I hope you do keep up the meditation, it is hard to do it on our own, there are always a million excuses not to. I dont actively meditate every day but I always seem to find moments of awareness when I stop and breathe and just centre myself again.

I had a unexpected bill today for 350 euros which quite frankly I cant pay :upset:, it was for repairs to a burst pipe I had last month and for repairs to a water pump. At 1st my reaction was "i cant do this anymore, I just cant go on, its too difficult". I wallowed in this for about half an hour and then let it go. This is what im so grateful for! The spiritual practices I have learned over the last few years are serving me well as is my sobriety. Before the depressing thoughts would have lasted for days, maybe even weeks whereas now I seem to be able to handle them and turn my thinking around quickly.

Back to Cyn's reminder on nurturing: tonight I put on a facepack and had a candle lit bubble bath to my favorite chill music, im now relaxing in front of the fire with my darling dog and life really isnt so bad right this minute

[Lavande]

November Nuturing - Week 2

Sooty, so nice to spend time with both your daughters! I love my kids & the grown-ups they've turned into

Chill, receiving those big repair bills have been a big part of my worries too! I've been busy trying to reduce the regular monthly bills a bit so I can stash some $$ to cover those emergencies. That is not an easy thing to do. Things will work out for both of us, I'm feeling confident!

Was not pleased to find this morning out that my cholesterol & triglyceride levels continue to rise! I quit smoking, quit drinking, have practically quit eating (lost several pounds). I know the problem is not my diet or lifestyle........must be genetics. I'm going to go back on the Red Yeast Rice - don't know why I stopped taking it because it was working well. Oh well!

Had a nice lunch with my GFs. I always enjoy spending time with them

Wishing everyone a wonderful AF evening!
I'll feel more secure when Maxie is returned.......I've missed her & her 'presence'.

Lav

[dill]

November Nuturing - Week 2

Chill, so sorry about the unexpected bill. It's great you didn't let it up-end you though. Now that you have a job, you'll be able to take care of it.

Lav it will be no surprise to you to know that I have high cholesteral, too. I am taking statin drugs, but with health care copays going up so much I am thinking about trying more natural products like red yeast rice. My GF uses it (she's an RN) and it works for her, too.

SD, I am so glad you are feeling so positive about staying AF. You are an inspiration!

Sooty, it's great you got time like that with both your girls. I can't wait to see my daughter this Thanksgiving.

Cyn, nurturing is something that is so important to staying AF. I try to give myself little moments alone throughout my work day to calm my mind. I also take a walk at noon for at least 10 minutes, especially on these Indian Summer days. A hot soak with scented candles or bubble bath is a way I nurture myself pretty much daily. What do you do?

Rebirth, it is good to keep clutter to a minimum so that you can grow and move forward in life.

Hello, RJ, long time no see!

Well, I have to get to the store and buy some supplies for my day tomorrow. I have promised the children a tea party. They have made crowns so they can be princes and princesses. They are very excited.

[Lavande]

November Nuturing - Week 2

Well - of course my virtual twin sister Dill has elevated blood lipids as well :H:H

I've already restarted the Red Yeast Rice! If you're thinking about trying it - I use Nature's Way. 600 mg. caps twice/day with food. You can take up to 4 caps/day. It worked great in the past I never should have stopped it

Wish my big dog was here - guess I have to wait! What else is new??

Wishing a good evening to one & all!

[cyntree]

November Nuturing - Week 2

Evening all -
Good to hear from you, Raven - drop us a line a bit more often, would you?

RE:decluttering; since it is literally my business, I get to see so much of our desire to hang onto things with my clients. It really is enough to give me the desire to give nearly all of my worldy belongings away! But I am always reminded of something a mentor told me once: as babies, our instinct is to hang on - survival depends on it. But the ability to 'let go' is a [I]learned[I] process, one that we must teach ourselves. I always have to be mindful of that with my clients...some just aren't ready yet. But what freedom comes to us when we can do it! Woo hoo!

Chill - try this with your bill...call the people, and say that you will pay it, but need to set up a payment plan. Explain that you are starting a new job, and need time to adjust your budget to accomodate the bill -- or even say that you want to pay, but have been out of work for some time, can they reduce the bill by 20 percent or something. I had to learn this - most business people would rather be paid something by an honorable person than have to go to the expense of a collection agency or whatever. They can be quite accomodating and helpful - and if they're not, well, you haven't lost anything. It's always worth a try. I learned from my HB not to take the first 3 'no's as an answer. I was aghast when I watched him 'work' a situation. I was raised to do whatever people told me to do -- it was quite a lesson for me to see that the world is much more flexible than I thought. Anyway, good luck with the bill.

Dill - no, I didn't do a great job of nurturing last night. Was too tired to even try the bath, just went to bed. Not so good. But I WILL find something this week - I may take up a knitting project again. PS - yes, you can make the Cold Sesame Noodles with peanut butter - I often do when I'm out of tahini. But I almost always mix tahini and peanut butter for the recipe. Just like it better that way.

Red - have been thinking of you, and your nurturning challenges. I have a client that I just helped transform her guest room (which was being used by her HB for his Trialthon equipment - bikes, helmets, etc.!!) into a sanctuary that she can have to herself. Women with families seldom have their own room (thanks, Virginia Wolff), and can feel adrift in their own house. This 'claiming' of space for herself has made a big difference for my client -- is there anything like that that you can do? I would be happy to help 'virtually' if you want to try something (that offer goes for anyone else here on the thread too!). Anyway, would like to see you get some solace...

Hope everyone had a good 'humpday' - good luck everyone on choosing something to nurture yourselves.

[Rusty]

November Nuturing - Week 2

Good Evening Nurturers,

A quick check-in tonight as I have limited battery power left on my laptop. I leave Ohio tomorrow and am looking forward to spending a few days at home.

Lav-I was shocked to hear about your neighbor's house being burglarized. Good idea to get Max back from YB.

Chill-Cyn gave you great advice. I would work out a payment plan.

Star-you have been so on my mind and hope your son can figure out what to do with himself soon.

Dill-thank you for the Daily Recovery Readings.

I'm exhausted and I am going to bed....it's been a long, long day.

Have a restful evening, everyone.

[Stargazerlily]

November Nuturing - Week 2

Woke up at 4:00 a.m., really early. In a way, I like being up, it's quiet, and time to myself.

Cyn, I do have my own room. About two years ago, after a trip, I gave myself a birthday present of being able to sleep through the night. My husband snores, really loud. I mean really loud. So for years, I would wake up and go on the couch. Never felt rested. After not being able to sleep and with no couch for a week while on the trip, I was done. I know I hurt his feelings, but I just had to take care of myself. I decorated the room with some of my stuff, and there it is. Thanks for being there, you are so kind. I just want my adult son to be an adult. He may have a job for the Christmas season, but his attitude is not good. I am working on the letting go......surrendering. Controlling what I can, myself and my attitude.

On a positive note, my daughter called and wants to come for a weekend and bake some recipes that were my grandmother's. Now that is my Christmas present. I am never drinking a drop, ever, around her and her husband, no matter what. I want all our interactions to be AF. Currently, my daughter is easier to be around. The last time they came, she and my son purchased a bottle of wine. I had none and it was a good decision: integrity and no regrets.

Chill, good advice about the bill. Two years ago, I had hospital bills, a few big ones. My girlfriend told me that you can call and "make arrangements." I did and got 10% off. It is common and done all the time, which I did not know. You sound like you are taking good care of yourself and enjoying what you've got: loving pet, fireplace, good health, hopes for the future. Mindfulness, thanks for sharing, I need to focus on being grateful for what I have RIGHT NOW.

Dill and Lav, I take it that the Red Rice Yeast lowers your blood lipids naturally? Do either of you have any info on this, a website or something? I would love to read more about it. I am against, if possible, pharmaceuticals. It is unfair, as you get older, your genetics take over.

Lav, a few years ago, someone tried to break into our house, twice. Once by jimmying the window, and the other time by kicking in our side door. We had big footprints on our door. It was scary and around Thanksgiving, too. I think most people who break in do not want people in the house, so I always try to leave lights on, etc. However, I have worked with individuals who commit crimes, and if they want to break into your house, they watch to see when you leave for work, a pattern. But they do not want anyone home. Scumballs.

Indian summer is still here, the most beautiful I can remember. I have been able to walk at lunch with coworkers, it has been a way to nuture myself. Thanks everyone for your supportive words, sometimes I feel so alone, it is good to be able to discuss stuff without judgement. MWO is another way I nuture myself. Have a great AF day.

[papmom3]

November Nuturing - Week 2

Star, I'm right behind you! Long story short: I just got back from the ER where an ingrown fingernail (I've never heard of such a thing! Toenail yes, fingernail?)was painfully released after suffering with horrible pain since Tuesday. I did go to my GP on tuesday as I felt my finger tip was infected but didn't know why but GP said no, it's just a bruise, even tho I had no recollection of hitting it. And I'm AF so I remember things like that now!! Anyway after not being able to sleep last nite due the throbbing I finally said the heck with it, I can't wait for the GP's office to open in 6 hours so off i went. One good thing about living in the city is the close proximity of hospitals. The nerve block will stick around for a few more hours but since it never really got to the pain site I can already feel the difference. Whew!!!

I've had my tea and a bagel and i'm going to try to get a few hours of shuteye. I'm still going to try to declutter today but may not get as much done as I had hoped. See you all in a few hours!!

[rustop61]

November Nuturing - Week 2

You can choose to worry about something or you can realize that there are actually very
few circumstances in life you can control, and just let things be. This is not an "I don't
care" attitude, this is simply accepting what is.
--unknown

Good morning everyone

I think above ties in with the theme of the thread over the last few days - letting go.

Cyn - really enjoyed your observations and advice to Chill regarding the bill.

Chill - Glad you have started your new job and things will improve, look how far you have come in the last 11 months!!

Star - Having a room of your own sounds divine, letting go regarding your kids is probably the hardest thing as they are such a part of you.

Dill - thanks for the advice on red yeast, this site is such a mine of information.

Rusty - hope you got home ok.

Papmom - Never heard of ingrown finger nail before either, glad you managed to get it sorted.

Sooty - I have finished my course. Now I face the challenge of fitting it into my everyday life. Our instructor said it was better to do a little every day rather than say the body scan once or twice a week. My least favourite is the sitting meditation. Each week I drop the girls off to something where it is not worth my while going home so I sit in the car and read. last night I brought my tape with me and did the sitting meditation. I felt great afterwards. Some people on my course had worked out what routine worked best for them e.g. getting up 20 minutes earlier and doing the yoga and then body scan before bed. I still have to figure that out. I really enjoyed the course and am glad I did it. They run renewal days every few months so I think I will attend those as well to keep me focussed.

Everyone else big hello and have a great Thursday.

Rustop