December Determinators - Week 1

[rebirth]

December Determinators - Week 1

Hello folks who have posted today. Didnt mean to be rude. x

[ladybirdheart]

December Determinators - Week 1

Greetings Dewdrop and Chief and it is good to hear from you again Gaia. I had a hard, hard workday on Monday but finally a solution came to me out of nowhere as usual, and I was able to complete things. I love nowhere. I have since been (after my early morning exercise, huff puff) mainly getting ready for our trip, the usual Zen of cleaning and watering and organizing has been so far sweet but crazy. I may be making an effort at letting go of many attachments that storm my mind but leaving my pets and our home for fifteen or sixteen days will always be orchestrated with the subtly of a moon launch. I met with my house sitter last night for the last time and thought of you Chill when I read today?s posts. She is remarkably cool and free, picks her work, is paid very well, takes very good care of things, makes decisions without phone or email deliberation, and loves being alone with her own self while able to dip into the changing world around her in terms of a new caf? or foray into unfamiliar territory. I like her very much. She seems to have a good mix of spirit and taking care of business. I am so glad you can move more normally, John. Star, you eternal sweetheart, the diet I found that works for me is humanely raised food in any form, deeply appreciated with every bite, not very much of anything in particular (usually). Hi everybody. Love, Ladybird.

[spedteach]

December Determinators - Week 1

Hello everyone, greeting from western Oklahoma, on my way east. Felt relief crossing the NM state line although I know and believe geography really fixes nothing. My son is happy for me to be on my way. It does seem that there is some snow disturbance I may have to dodge. Just what I wanted!!! a snow storm.

Chill, congrats on your 11 months. But too so sorry about your financial woes. $ worries can just be so unsettling. Am very proud of you for working out your internet problems with a help line. I am like "the modem??" "the router??" Hopeless.

UK folks, can't believe the snow you are getting. Bundle up and stay snug. Rustop, your kids were home for a week?

Dill, I find gossip/comments about others' al problems in the work place or elsewhere to never be supportive. It always feels judgmental to me. Hope you are doing okay in the throngs of December in an elementary school.

Lav, you talk about on line shopping. I do some shopping online. But for me it feels isolating. Feel like I need to go out and be with people even if I don't know them. Staying at home too much is always a trigger for me.

Ah another motel, Rusty, how do you stand it? Am going to start checking out B and B's in Kansas, Nebraska, OK. All these states I stay in while traveling back and forth.
Today I fantasized about writing a book about truck drivers, those people out here driving for hours day after day.

Nite guys, hoping for an early start manana. Lucky me, I saw they have Fruit Loops for breakfast!

Hey welcome to all you new guys. This thread is a keeper.

LBH, have a wonderful journey, the Panama Canal sounds much more exciting than rural Indiana.

[Lavande]

December Determinators - Week 1

Shelley, Fruit Loops - really? :H
Travel safely!

LBH, I can't wait to see your Panama Canal pictures. Hope you love every minute of your trip. BTW, I'm going to measure up my chickens soon for those jackets. Thanks so much for the pics!

Chill, hugs to you! I'm so sorry you have to deal with the money mess. Honestly, if you want to come & spend some time in cow country with me......... I have lots of room :l
If all of this is a test - you are passing with flying colors!!!!

I just spent 4 lovely hrs with my son & grandson while my DIL was in class. They are my favorite guys

Greeting to all Determinators! Wishing a good night for everyone of us & special thoughts to our girl Chill.

Lav

[cyntree]

December Determinators - Week 1

Lovely Determinators! Hello from your lost sheep out here in the desert. I just have been able to read the posts since December started - it will take me some time to excavate the history of the last 2 weeks in November....
So sorry to be absent for so long -- Chill, congrats on your 11 months, and I'm sending big hugs for your challenges. What an amazing message for you to receive on that day...
Hello to all who are joining us here - I think you will find solace for your soul -
LBH - Bon Voyage!! I'm glad that I did not miss the chance to wish you well. I understand the pre-trip panic; but at last you will be on your way -

The past weeks have been a curious time for me. Upheaval in the professional world, and odd gatherings for the holidays and beyond. Family who came for Thanksgiving all ended up with the stomach flu (2 adults, 7 year old, 3 year old, and 1 year old), my male weimaraner suddenly has lost control of his back legs, I took my husband to emergency last night in dreadful agony because of an ear infection - today he is flat out in bed because of labrynthitis. All very weird, and I am depleted from the care-taking of 10 days of hosting. I had a foolish slip on November 20th, and am totally and completely done with pretending that I ever again take one drink. Not for me, I can't. So Chill and Lav and Mr G and all else, I am joining your 'never again' approach. Who needs to do battle with this over and over again? i do well for 2 or 3 or 4 months, then seem to have amnesia...so I am giving you all permission to remind me monthly that my goal is sustainable. Enough said.
It has been wonderful to 'hear' everyone's voices as I read through...I look forward to reading back into the November history of the group.
Thank you for your healing...
cyntree

[rebirth]

December Determinators - Week 1

FRUIT LOOPS!! I forgot all about those. Oh I use to love them!

Hi cyn, Lav, Sped, LBH and any other determinators.

Today ia a new day, a new start. Yesterday's woes are gone. That's my motto for today.

Dill I still love your recent quote. It's a good one and really suits my situation perfectly.

Have a lovely friday all.x

[dill]

December Determinators - Week 1

Good morning, Rebirth! Good to see you.

"History has demonstrated that the most notable winners usually encountered
heartbreaking obstacles before they triumphed. They won because they refused to
become discouraged by their defeats."--B. C. Forbes
:lChill:l

Cyn! So glad you are back. I missed your voice very much! Quote for you (all of us, really):
A smooth sea never made a skilled mariner.--English Proverb
Sounds like you have been through a very rough couple of weeks. I hope Mr. Cyn recovers quickly. Is your dog able to use her back legs now?

:welcomeewdrop and Chief!

LBH, have a wonderful trip. Check in with travel stories if you can.

Greetings Sped, Star, G, Paguy, Papmom, SD, Lav, Sooty, Rustop, Rusty, Raven, all Determined ones!

[Rusty]

December Determinators - Week 1

Good Morning Dear December Determinators,

TGIF! It was a total bummer to go back to work yesterday, but working is what pays for painting and floor restoration, right?

Sped-I don't mind the traveling because fortunately, I stay at Hampton Inns most of the time....if I had to stay at Super 8s, I wouldn't travel at all. I agree with you, though, check out B&Bs, which will make your traveling so much more pleasant.

Cyn-what a tumultuous two weeks you've had:l:l:l. Everyone was sick with stomach flu over Thanksgiving? OMG!:nutso: And then your husband with an ear infection? I think I would have checked myself into a luxurious hotel for the weekend. Now, on to November 20th. A while back, I said, half in jest, that I felt that I didn't belong on any MWO thread, and truthfully, I feel that way SOME of the time, because my opinions about slips are not very popular and are generally disputed, but mostly on other threads, not here. What I've read on the Daily Thread and the AA thread is, it's not HOW much you drank or WHAT you drank, it's did it affect your behavior? Did it turn you into a mean person, did you drive while under the influence? Did you put yourself or others in danger? I know, I know, I see on the other threads, "slips are never acceptable in recovery." If that hiccup changed your behavior that day, or you woke up with a monstrous hangover, then I would be rethinking my decision to drink, but you have been AF for months at a time, successfully, and on November 20th, you drank. OK. I'll always be here to support you, Cyn, and if your goal is to be AF then we'll do everything we can to help you figure out why you did, but I know for me, there is really no particular reason other than I chose to drink. We can move forward into December determined to be AF, but if we're not....well, I guess we'll all cross that bridge when we get to it. You are a positive force on this thread and I have missed you!

Chill,:l Is there anyway your boss can give you more hours? I am so proud of you for fighting off the beast and trying to sort out your next move. As resourceful as you are, I'm confident you'll find a way. Sending you lots of love and support today.

Off to work. Have a lovely Friday, everyone!

[Rusty]

December Determinators - Week 1

Hi Dil,

Sorry, cross post. I love your quote for the day...and is this quote ever true!

[Stargazerlily]

December Determinators - Week 1

Good morning determinators,

Chill, your current financial situation brings to mind what happened in the early nineties to my family. The overwhelming dark cloud of fear, imagining the worst, and we had two small kids. Contacting an attorney and making a plan was the beginning. Then I had to find full time employment, new job for hubby, file bankruptcy, and somehow we were able to keep our house. I was the one who faced it head on, my husband just kept pretending it would be OK. It was so stressful, but getting an attorney and getting back some control helped. It was still a dark time, though. I have to say, within a year, things had turned around although it took years till everything was resolved. Life is just like that sometimes, I am so hopeful that you are so strong in your resolve to stay AF. We are here for you, if you want to PM me anytime, do. I only tell you of my experience to offer ideas, hope, caring. I don't pretend to know what you should do, just take care of yourself.

Cyn, good to gave your back. What a stressful time for your. Caretaking is exhausting. I have never had guests for ten days, I can't imagine. I realize that I cannot have that drink either, it always ends up ugly, over the top, so I am with you in your vow to keep in mind what happens with that first drink.

Sped, you traveler you. Be careful with the snow and ice. Are you spending Christmas in Indiana?

LBH, it would be hard to travel right now. We were invited out to dinner Saturday night and I thought that I needed that time to plan for Christmas. I need to chill out, shopping will be done right before I guess. What a good idea to have a house sitter, less disruption for the animals and someone to check on your crib.

Lav, how long does it take, on average, for delivery, once you order something online?

I hope to get out of work early, then come home and rest. I am tired, and need a little R and R. It is cold and wintry here in the Midwest. I love it, so Christmassy. Have a lovely AF day.

[Raven.joy]

December Determinators - Week 1

Hi there beautiful people, just having nice cup of tea and reading all your thoughts, I am sleepy and have litlte to say myself but I appreciate greatly my AF community and the daily words of widom.x

[Lavande]

December Determinators - Week 1

Happy Friday kids!!!!

Woke up to a chilly 32 degrees but at least it's dry. Hoping the rest of the mud dries up today - yuck!

Dill, you came up with the perfect quote for all of us today - thank you sister

Cyn, sorry you had such a rough holiday, goodness! Hope you husband, dog & guests are all recovering quickly. We had an episode several years ago with our Swiss Mountain dog suddenly losing control of her back legs. It was seriously difficult lifting her 100 lb body into the back of the pickup then into the Vet's office. It was just some viral thing - by the next day she was fine, strange!
Cyn, once you accept the fact that you cannot drink - really accept it, things become much easier! Taking that option off the table is the best thing you can do for yourself & everyone around you.
Now don't make me come out there Cyn to kick your a__! :H:H
We all need to stay put on Sooty's AF bus, right??

Rusty - I am the queen of online shopping! :H Delivery time varies a bit. When I order blank shirts, etc from my wholesalers (located in VA) for my biz - they're here the very next day!
When I order from say Kohls, JC Penney & those types of stores, my purchase arrives in about a week. I really do all my Christmas/birthday shopping that way
I mentioned this last year but there are only 2 places in this area to pick up gifts. One is Eldreth Pottery & the other is Neufchatel Chocolates! I usually do stop in those places & pick up something

I have work to do this morning - better get to it.
Wishing everyone a terrific AF Friday
Lav

[cyntree]

December Determinators - Week 1

Good morning all - thanks for the welcome back. What a relief to have this home to return to -- I feel I can 'rest' here better than almost anywhere, like Wallace Stegner's "Angle of Repose".

Dill - what a brilliant, comforting quote that you picked out for me - thank you. I am ready to learn how to navigate different waters now - I'm tired of this particular storm. I know that there will be different challenges ahead, but I feel ready for that change. Lav - I will keep your invitation to kick some a.... in the forefront of my mind! But seriously, I agree that putting the question to rest is best for me. I am returning to the CDs, as you suggested a while back.

Rusty - you are a dear to post so clearly about the different 'slips'. I never worried too much about a glass of something here or there, but now I see for me that the little chinks in the armor will inevitably lead to the whole thing falling apart. This event wasn't dramatic or dangerous, and didn't affect anyone but me, but it was ill-concieved and I did suffer physically and mentally afterwards. Life is too short i think for even the whisper of a hangover. Yes, these have been challenging weeks -the funny thing is, I never drink during a crisis, only after one, or when I think it's 'safe'. So that's my new goal: to realize that for me, that is never 'safe'.

Thanks all for the concern about my weimy boy. I have suspected for a month or so that he has a condition called 'Wobbler's Syndrome'. It is a neurological issue where the spine is inflammed in a certain area of the neck, which disturbs the messages going to the back legs. It has been heartbreaking to see him so confused. I have noticed signs, and have been doing a lot of research, but this episode came on so suddenly - in the middle of a walk - so it has been alarming. I am pursuing every holistic course of action, as there is nothing much that allopathic vets can do. Stay tuned....

Wishing all a great AF Friday, and look forward to catching up with you all -

[Chief]

December Determinators - Week 1

Happy Friday All,

Day 3 here. Not TOO bad so far. Been staying focused and taking care of myself.

Going to the gym to go running....

Don

[sooty]

December Determinators - Week 1

Evening all, late log on for me again ... I hate winter. We've had the most horrible day, heavy hail storms and now its raining like mad. If it freezes we will be in big trouble. I have volunteered to pick my daughter up from a night out at midnight and I'm not looking forward to it but she's very skint and taxis cost a bomb - and I hate the thought of her coming home on her own. I shall put the hot water bottles in our beds before I go out!!

I hope we all have a happy, safe and AF weekend. The bus is heading for warmer climes gang - any requests for destinations?

Love Sooty