November Nuturing - Week 3

[Lavande]

November Nuturing - Week 3

GM Chill, Rustop, Star & all to come!

Bright & sunny this morning & chilly. I'm about to head outside to let the 'kids' out into their yard for the day. I guess you would call them teenagers at this point :H

I have no special plans for the day so I'll see what happens. More online shopping is a good possibility
Wishing everyone a great AF day - hope your day with McLibra goes well Chill.

Lav

[dill]

November Nuturing - Week 3

Whoooo!

Just a quick check in to say hello. I have been going non-stop here with house guests. It's all I can do to just keep up with the cooking and dishes. Everyone is outside right at the moment. Luckily it is a sunny and dry day so the children can enjoy the outdoors. It's my brother and his wife and 3 energetic children. Such a change from our usual quiet here. At least they are non drinkers. In fact my brother has been sober for 21 years now. Quite an accomplishment. I admire him for that. And two years ago, he went smoke free as well.

Well, must go. Happy AF Sunday, all!

[paguy]

November Nuturing - Week 3

Good Sunday Morning Fellow Nurturers:

I've spent the last hour ready through this week's posts trying to catch up - we are a busy crowd!

We got through our layoffs this week and it really struck me on Thursday when the aftermath hit me head on. There are colleagues and friends who I won't see walking down the hallways, getting their coffee in the morning, standing in line at the lunch counter. All in a matter of a single day, people with 10+, 20+ years with the company had their impromptu meetings with their manager and HR, given the line that due to our stressful economic situation, our company had to conduct a 'reduction in force' and as of today, your job is being eliminated. Finished. Done. Hand over your badge and walk out the door. All the while, our corporate offices continue to grow, executives are added and highly compensated. Our CEO continues to maintain his fleet of corporate jets. Do I sound bitter? Yes, I am. Or maybe, disappointed is a better way to describe my feelings.

Rustop -Thanks for your quotes this week. My two favorites were the ones on honesty and perfectionsism. I always seem to feel more content with myself when I am totally honest and it's been my experience that is why people respect me so much, especially at work. And, Annette Funicello's quote was helpful for me, the closet perfectionist that I am!

Honesty is the best way to gain the trust of others. By being honest,
feelings may or may not be hurt. Whichever the case you will end up
respecting yourself more for it.
--unknown

Life does not have to be pefect to be wonderful.
--Annette Funicello

Rebirth - What the heck is the Cambridge diet? Anything that makes you more hungry is going to work against you in the long run. Sorry, being totally honest here. The best diet advice I have ever found is Jorge Cruise's program: 3-Hour Diet? : Official site of the 3-Hour Diet. For me, eating the proper things, in the proper portions, at the right times has proven to be my solution to maintaining a healthy and nutritious diet. And, considering I don't drink AL anymore, I'm even in better shape.

Sooty and SD - Congratulations on your daughter's graduation (Sooty) and for passing your orals (SD). My gosh, brought back memories when I prepared and took my orals at the University of Minnesota, SD. I was such a nervous wreck. I am sure you felt like a ton of bricks were lifted off your back - Congrats!

Star - Glad to hear your son is getting out of the house and working. It's healthy for him to be out in the mainstream and healthy for you to have some free time in your own home.

Sped - I know you've already hear lots of opinions about the behavior of your friends - I do think they had good intentions but they were also insensitive. The fact that they ask you to house sit and dog sit for them is a clear indication that you are a trusted friend. I have observed that people really feel awkward about the alcohol 'problem' and are very uncomfortable in uderstanding how to deal with it.

I have been perplexed by some of the reactions from my friends when they learn that I don't drink anymore. It's as if my admission of having a problem makes them feel guilty because as long as they don't admit that they have a problem, they are OK. I hope that makes sense. In other words, as long as they don't admit that they have a problem with AL, then they don't have a problem with AL. That is the ultimate case of denial.

LBH - The aromas coming out of your kitchen sound divine!

Rusty - Sorry, but the MARRIED man who was trying to cheat on his wife by taking you to dinner is a LOSER.

Dill - I can empathize with the cracked tooth - I just had one repaired and found out that I have to have a wisdom tooth extracted. That is coming up next month - UGH!

Lav - More grandchildren - Congratulations!

Papmom et al... I am an avid dog lover. I had a cocker spaniel growing up that I adored but never had another dog until 5 1/2 years ago when we got our little Westie. I would love to get a 2nd dog but my partner will not agree to it. I generally travel frequently for work that takes me out of town so my partner feels it would be too much for him to take care of. I continue to work on it and maybe I'll catch him in a weak moment. Sad to say, I am not a cat lover. (Being highly allergic to them doesn't help matters.)

Cyn and Dill - Thanks for the information mon Distress Tolerance. I have seen documentaries on this topic and have always thought my tolerance for pain was quite high compared to other people I know. Also, I remember reading or hearing that they've documented that red-headed people have lower tolerances for pain. Not sure what that's all about (I have brown hair).

The concept of Mindfulness was helpful for me and I do find that I am trying to practice this approach more frequently and it is helpful:

When we realize we have allowed our minds to dwell on the past or the future, shifting into the present can be calming, comforting, and effective in helping us to deal with life as it is (not as it was, or as it might be in case something awful happens).

Sorry for the long post, folks.... Hope you all have a great AF Sunday!

[sooty]

November Nuturing - Week 3

Where has the day gone? Its nearly 7p.m. and the day has simply whizzed by. I've done some on line shopping too Lav - I took a look at the site you recommended but I'm never confident about shopping abroad cos of exchange rates etc. so I'm afraid I stuck with Amazon uk. I wanted dvds and hair straighteners anyway!

I'm waiting for my daughter to return from her graduation weekend (we left her there on Friday to go to the graduation ball and catch up with her mates), no doubt she'll burst in soon, starving and exhausted.

I'm getting very interested in Strictly come Dancing - think you have it but call it Dancing with the Stars, there's a local welsh rugby player on there who's probably going to get kicked off tonight while the public vote for a horrible politician with as much grace and dance sense as a rhino!

I hope Sunday has been relaxing and pleasant for us all - see you all tomorrow
love Sooty

[Rusty]

November Nuturing - Week 3

Good Sunday Afternoon Friends,

It's a dreary day today and I'm in an equally dreary mood....despite spending the weekend with my mother and my lovely sister. I'm not sure why so I think I will go to the gym later this afternoon and soak in the hot tub. I've always hated Sundays but must do something positive to snap me out of this mood.

Sped-I'm glad you confronted your friend. It would have eaten you alive if you hadn't. I guess if I had been in her shoes, I would have asked you if you were comfortable with having the booze around rather than removing all of it. Like Star said, you're an adult and if you had really wanted it, you could have gone out and bought it. Regarding cats vs. dogs. I am not a cat person, I'm a dog person. Our family has had black labs for years....they just love you unconditionally and love the fact that my sister's two Labs lick my face off when they see me. But, I have friends who have gotten dogs after they've had their cats all to themselves for a few years, and cats are very territorial. When they feel threatened (like adding a dog to the mix), they pee everywhere and refuse to use their litterbox just out of spite. It's something to think about before deciding to get a dog.

Sooty-congratulations on your daughter's graduation! It sounds like you have a wonderful family-I'm thrilled for you.

SD-Are you watching the Packer game? My mom and I are watching it together....she likes company whilst watching football games. I just cannot convince my mom that watching her having a glass of wine is not going to make me jump right into a bottle, and I have to tell you, it hurts my feelings....it really does. She did that same thing to me last night.:upset:

Dill-I loved your post about your brother and his wife. Sober for 21 years? That's quite an accomplishment. I bet he's proud of you now that you're AF, too.

Paguy-Yep, those RIFs are just awful!! I've been on the receiving end of those a few times. And I agree that the people at the top won't take a pay cut. When my dad was president of our family business, he took a pay cut when business was slow rather than lay people off or cut the pay of his employees. You don't see that happening much now, do you? John, I love westies....my dog is a bichon/westie mix and he looks like a fat little polar bear cub. I used to make fun of lap dogs....I used to say they were hors d'oeuvres for real dogs, like Labs, but not anymore! Also, I remember reading or hearing that they've documented that red-headed people have lower tolerances for pain.. That explains a lot as I am a natural redhead.

Chill-I hope you had a fun day with McLibra.

Lav-I have never heard of the Etsy website. Must check it out.

G-I am not flirting with you today, but I hope you're having a wonderful day.

Dill-it's great that your brother has been sober for 21 years! He must be proud of you.

Rebirth-congratulations on your weight loss!

Rustop-I liked the quote on happiness...how true.

A warm hello to Papmom, Cyn, LBH, Raven, Choochie, and anyone I may have missed...have a wonderful AF Sunday.

[Lavande]

November Nuturing - Week 3

I CHOOSE to be happy regardless of the bullshit going on around me! It can be done :H:H

Rusty, when you're looking for a unique handmade gift - Etsy is the place to go
Etsy - Your place to buy and sell all things handmade, vintage, and supplies

I did a few things around the homestead then made the mistake of flopping myself on the sofa in front of Lifetime TV. Oh well!

Dill, sounds like you are having a great weekend

Warmed up a bit more that I thought it would today, not bad.
OK, back to mindless TV :H

[papmom3]

November Nuturing - Week 3

Hey Chill-ya want to tell us who the bluesy muscian was you were listening to while soaking in the tub? Huh Huh?? I know who it would be if it were me! :devil:

Rusty-some cats will act that way with dogs. Mine didn't. My orange male stood his ground from day one and let my dogs know who was boss. Still does! My female seemed to really like the boys right off the bat. I don't know if the fact that they all are fixed had anything to do with it. All I know is that the transition with each dog was pretty easy. It just took a few days of getting to know each other through closed doors and then crates. DD is still a horror show with the female cat so she just exiles herself in the front of the house where he can't get her. I've never seen inappropriate pee out of either cat. I love labs but am deathly allergic to them. goldens too.
Sorry you're in a dreary mood. It sucks. Go on over to the daily thread. IJM will cheer you up in no time!!

John-I can't even imagine how horrible last week was for you. I'm so sorry you had to watch all that happen. They say sometimes there is survivor guilt. Painful. Very proud of you for staying AF through it tho. Did you do some theraputic cooking this weekend? Just tell your SO that there is no more work to taking care of 2 dogs than 1 and if your westie likes the new dog, they will keep each other company when you guys are away!! I hope he says yes. The love just multiplies!!

Sooty-hope your daughter had a fabulous time at her grad weekend!! How exciting!!

Yeah Dill-21 years IS wicked impressive!! We can do that too!!

Hey Rustop, Star and Sped-how you guys doing tonite? Sped don't feel bad about the cat/dog experiement not working out. It's pretty methodical the way you have to introduce them-can't just throw them together but no harm done. Is your cat talking to you yet?
Did I see that our Mr. G stopped by earlier? Something about being 129??
Have a great nite/morning everyone! I'll check in before bed. Think I'm going to try for a walk in a few. Cold tho!!
:l

[ladybirdheart]

November Nuturing - Week 3

Hi Beautiful Ones. Working early tomorrow on a last minute assignment which is mixed as I have a ton to do and the work sounds stressful, but the extra money is pleasant right now. What a time, John, I once was in a position where many people around me were let go, some with far more tenure than I, it was horrid, like being the only one who survived a car wreck. On a far lighter note I just finished your recommended The Last Child, fun thriller, very cool little boy protagonist, thank you. Thank you everybody for being here, I am running low emotionally and listening to you chatter about this and that, hard and easy and impossible, is such a relief, a connection. Weighing in on pets, I have a fifteen pound orange tabby gentleman, a four pound Yorkshire girl, an elderly African Grey parrot, and a house fish. All relentlessly cordial to one another and funny. Shelley, I would have been horrified also in your circumstance. I also agree that the best way to proceed is to address the situation at its highest level of probable good, assume that your friends love you very much and have behaved like bozos. We will get through this in all of its curves and cliffs :l. Off for now, please forgive me for not addressing everybody here, I am in my heart. Love, Ladybird.

[Stargazerlily]

November Nuturing - Week 3

An evening check-in....

PAguy, we had layoffs were I work not to long ago, and the VPs, supervisors, RECEIVED A RAISE. What? I am just working my job, doing my best, and keeping out of it. It is upsetting, sorry you have to be a part of it, it just seems that the general consensus in business is profit, profit, profit. Hopefully on our AF journey, all of us are thinking about not just oursellves, but relationships, mindfulness, and being of service. I can tell from all our posts that self-improvement, not materialism is our focus. It is hard to reconcile society's goals of more, with our goals of respect for ourselves and others.

Dill, sounds hectic and fun at the same time. Twenty-one years sober is beautiful.

LBH, good to hear from you and sorry you are struggling right now. Thanks for touching base with us, any special plans for Thanksgiving? Just wondered what is on your menu as you have shared such original recipes.

I am still fighting a cold or virus, and have just hung out today. I dread work tomorrow. Rusty, I have a hard time on Sunday evenings, it is always better once I get to work and into my routine. Mindfulness is something I need to work on. Right now I have my cats by my side, loving me. Animals are so loyal. The Music Awards are on and they are fun to watch.