December Determinators - Week 1

[Rusty]

December Determinators - Week 1

Sooty-

All I have to say is....since you are making a necklace for Mr. Sooty's first wife, then you have more class than I will ever have!

[Chillgirl]

December Determinators - Week 1

Hi Guys
Sorry Rusty if I worried you, im here and still in one piece,
so much is going on that Im struggling to find the energy to post.
Miraculously im still sober!

The last two days have been a turmoil and Im trying hard to work my way through a host of things that urgently need resolved.
Once my head is a little clearer I will be back....

Sending you all much love
Chill

[Dewdrop]

December Determinators - Week 1

Star you made me laugh when you talked about the snow arriving and people just driving on through. We seem to have come to a standstill here and I know when I?ve been on skiing holidays other countries manage magnificently. If this is a sign of the future we had better get our act together. Snow chains for the cars would be a good start and also snow ploughs for the airports.

Rusty wouldn?t it be lovely if you could make it over to Scotland, I don?t know if you golf (I don?t) but I am surrounded by golf courses and have a few famous ones right on my doorstep. I live on the coast so lots of beaches and small harbours yet only a 45 minute drive from the hills and I think the best time of year in Scotland is autumn.

Lav I am sorry to hear you are going through a tough time it sounds like a dreadful situation to be in, relationships are so emotional when you are in them and even when you are out of them, we just can?t win! What is a smudge stick and what does YB stand for? and my god a 97lb dog that?s a horse is it not ?????

Papmom you sound so energetic and full of life I don?t know where you get all the energy from, those dogs must be very grateful you came into their lives. There are many of us feeling the draughty chills of finances at the moment, my plan is to squeeze the belt tighter, baton down the hatches and make do as best I can. Every penny?s a prisoner as my Grannie used to say.

It has been a very busy and tiring day at work today and I really am brain dead but I have yoga tomorrow night and then I have friends arriving from Spain on Wednesday to stay for a couple of nights and I am really looking forward to catching up with them, haven?t seen them in a couple of years. So I may not be able to catch up with you all till later in the week.

Hi to Dill, Sooty, Raven, Rebirth, PA, Mr G, Sped, Cyn, & Chief and have a lovely trip LBH. Chill I hope you can sort things out and regain some of your peace and tranquillity. Apologies if I?ve left anyone out its not intentional!! I had planned a well earned soak in the bath and an early night but somehow that?s escaped me.

Dewdrop :h

[Lavande]

December Determinators - Week 1

WE HAD FLOW SNURRIES TODAY!

Pretty to see but I hope they go away, not in the mood for snow yet!

Sooty, a necklace for your huband's ex - you are a nice old lady :H
Even though my son turned 30 last month somehow I'm still 29!

OK here's a link for diaper cakes:
How to Make a Diaper Cake - wikiHow
I started mine tonight, I think it's going to be OK. 100 small size diapers, a bag of rubberbands, some pink ribbon & a pink stuffed animal (stork) for the top. I'll get a pic when it's finished.
Rusty & Shelley - the diapers are clean, dry & smell good

Dewdrop, a smudge stick is a bundle of dried herbs (white sage) (looks like a giant joint!)
The American Indians used them in rites of purification like some churches use incense. I like to think I'm helping to move some of the bad vibes around my house......long story. Anyway they smell very good! YB is short for Yard Boy the nickname I gave my husband this summer. After 37 years he decided to just pick up & leave & returns only to cut grass,
another long story. My 97 lb dog is a big girl - Greater Swiss Mountain dog (and part pig I think) :H

Chill - this link is for you:
Inspiration & Expert Advice for Changing Your Life | First30Days

Time to say good night all!
Lav

[cyntree]

December Determinators - Week 1

G'night, Lav. Almost cross-post! G'morning all you easterners...
Yesterday turned out to be difficult - in the middle of a big project, I got a call from the Realtor, wanting to show our house - so I raced around cleaning everything (again) and making it all perfect (dog beds, bowls, toys, blankets, walking shoes, etc etc go to their 'hiding' places - great bins in the side yard and garage...). Vacuuming every day is getting a little old, though living in a tidy clean space is mostly worth it. Anyway, got the dogs in the car, found ways to use the time out and about...then heard from the realtor that the prospects never showed up! Grrrr! Oh well, a clean house is never anything to complain about, right?

Today went to a town up in the higher altitudes of the state, 2 hours away, to seek the guidance of an holistic vet regarding my sweet weimaraner boy who is having such difficulty. It is clearly some neurological problem - he has a terribly wobbly walk, and can't remember how to get up sometimes. I am working hard at not getting into a panic about all of this. I have to lift all of his 64 pounds into and out of the car, so excursions are a bit of a stretch...anyway, this vet did acupuncture on him, and gave me herbs -- we'll see. He did seem a little better tonight...

Came home and tried to do the day's work that I missed out on yesterday. Actually got some things accomplished, thank goodness. I have not been too happy with myself of late...just can't seem to accomplish all that I want/need to.

Speaking of which, it's off to bed with me now. Sleep tight, happy mornings all.
Lav - can't wait to see the diaper cake...

[rustop61]

December Determinators - Week 1

"When you get in a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though
you could not hold on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and
time that the tide will turn."
--Harriet Beecher Stowe

"When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."
--Franklin D. Roosevelt

Good morning everyone

Know some of you are struggling with life's problems so thought the above might help. I am so glad to be back in some kind of routine again. We had more snow last night but they are forecasting a thaw towards the end of the week. I hope so, they are just not equipped to deal with this kind of weather here.

The diaper cake sounds interesting Lav, looking forward to seeing the pictures. I managed to get all my Christmas cards/letters/packages done yesterday for the US as it was the last day for posting. I did the ones for the UK as well as. I was glad that I was so organised a few weeks ago and had so much ready.

Anyway, off to struggle on the school run. They are opening the schools an hour later so that helps. Have a great day everyone.

Rustop

[Guitarista]

December Determinators - Week 1

I can't wait for the diaper cake either!

[Stargazerlily]

December Determinators - Week 1

Wow, woke up this morning to a foot of snow!!!! And it is still snowing. Luckily I live close to work, so I just have to go slowly and leave early. This weather encourages lots of sleep and food. I would love tgo stay home by the fire and curl up with a good book.

Had a productive day yesterday, ate well, and feel healthy today. Thanks for the support, I am really tired of this battle, I want to just give it up, and take for granted that I DON'T DRINK. Ever, for whatever reason, occasion, mood, event or whatever. The peace that Lav, CHill and others have who have significant time AF is what I want for Christmas. Truly, nothing material, just off this roller coaster. Yet, only I can give this to myself, it is about loving and respecting myself enough to stay committed.

Lav, you are right on, it is about mindset, thinking right, not letting the BEAST get control. Would you mind rehashing what led up to your committment and your first few weeks? I would greatly appreciate it.

Rustop, thanks for the inspirational quotes.

Have to get ready for work now, and brave the snow. Need to find my big boots.

[dill]

December Determinators - Week 1

Good morning Determined Ones,
Star, I am glad you are feeling better today. I agree with Sped. Be kind and forgive yourself. We learn from each slip. It sounds to me like this one strengthened your resolve.
I've been a bit quiet lately and I'm not sure why. I'm just not feeling up to par emotionally. I think it is the long dark nights and the frigid temps that are getting me down. It's been cloudy for too long!
I appreciate reading all your posts and they have lifted my spirits somewhat.
Rustop, thanks for the quotes. They are spot on!
Have a wonderful, AF Tuesday everyone.

[spedteach]

December Determinators - Week 1

Star, am jealous of that snow. Yesterday was dry and sunny here. If the high is only going to be 12 degrees, it might as well snow! I walked yesterday during the day in a 10 below windchill. It felt invigorating at first until all the digits began to hurt. Plan to wear more layers today. Being housebound is not going to work for me.

Lav, I feel betrayed. You can't eat a diaper cake! I was envisioning your baking sheet cakes and somehow arranging them to look like diapers. I was having a hard time thinking of how you might incorporate chocolate. Anyway, have fun assembling it.

Chill, thinking lots of you and your plight. Sending sweet light and positive energy across the seas for what it's worth. You have such a basic inner strength. Hope you have a good Tuesday.

Cyn, so sorry to hear about your pup. Hope your holistic vet can work some miracles.

Dill, do the holidays get you down. You sound so blue. Wish I could send you some IN sunshine. It is relentless. I left New Mexico to get away from cloudless days. Guess they follow me wherever I go. Take care of yourself.

My son just left for work and today is going to be full of daytime TV and major cleaning. He is so like his father, an intellectual slob.

Am afraid I'll lose this post if I stay on much longer. Morning and happy Tues to all.

[Lavande]

December Determinators - Week 1

Good morning sister Dill & everyone!

Brrr, it's a chilly 27 degrees but dry outside.
I'm working this morning then lunch & with afternoon with my favorite boyfriend EB :h

Star, I hope you have someone to plow your driveway for you, I'm still concerned about that nonsense. You asked why I quit when I did..........Making an ass out of myself on Christmas Eve two years ago did it for me!!!!! I was still on my antidepressant (which wasn't working) & I poured God knows how much wine down my throat that evening. I lost my balance, fell on my butt & couldn't get up without help. I was mortified, to say the least & vowed that would never happen again! It took from December 24 until March 26 to work my way through but I didn't give up. Dumping the AD & starting on the herbal product (Amoryn) was key for me!

OK, need to go now. Hope everyone has a great AF Tuesday!
Lav

[rebirth]

December Determinators - Week 1

Hello my lovelies,
Just saying hi as I am still busy with the christmas rush. But it's still important that I report to this thread. You guys are becoming one of my good habits!
x

[Chillgirl]

December Determinators - Week 1

Wrote a huge post this morning that disappeared :upset:

Lav - I have absolutely no idea what diaper cake is either and await the photo with anticipation.

Dewdrop - I think my canny Granny went to the same school as yours

Cyn - Im so sorry about your dog, its so heartbreaking when animals arent well because we cant explain it to them, I hope you find some treatment that helps.

Rebirth - Good that you are busy with business, do you think people are getting more confident about spending again in the UK?

Dill - Im sending you some special positive Chill vibes. They say smiling instantly lifts your mood as does a good laugh, I have just downloaded one of my fav comedy shows (those of you in the Uk will know - Faulty Towers) and I intend to watch them to make me feel better

Star - For me a switch finally went off im my head re drinking when I realized there was no longer any conceivable pleasure left in the activity and all it was doing was creating misery, guilt, self hatred and depression as well as severely damaging my health. I could also see the joy in the freedom of no longer being a slave to something that had control over me. Because of my awareness of how much we are responsible for our thought patterns I continually allowed dialogue in my head, constantly replacing drinking thoughts with positive determined thoughts and sometimes I played out conversations like this:-

AL: Oh wouldnt it be nice to have a drink!
Me: no! Why would I want to throw poison down my throat?!
AL: but one drink isnt going to hurt
Me: I never managed to stop at one drink in my life!
AL: but this time you probably could just have a couple
Me: just one drink alters your mindset and distorts your ability to make good choices
AL: think how much a drink would help you relax and unwind
Me: I can find much healthier ways to relax that dont involve feeling guilty the next day!
AL: it would take all your stresses away for a while
Me: but all my troubles would still be there tomorrow and Id be even more anxious and less able to deal with them.
AL: Cant you just have some fun for a change?!!
Me: my idea of fun is not drinking evil poison which does me absolutely no good, makes me behave badly, distorts my thinking and makes me feel ill the next day!
So bugger off :H

Thank you for the quotes Rustop, I especially loved this one which will keep me going today....

rustop61;1018658 wrote: "When you get in a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hold on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn."

[sooty]

December Determinators - Week 1

Hello everyone from a very cold UK, still no snow in my part but loads and loads of frost and ice. It has been a beautiful day though but the sun is going down now and its getting cold again. Its been -3C all day, think thats about 26F.

I understand the diaper cake now thanks Lav - it looks very pretty. These diapers are made of cloth presumably, not disposable ones? We call them nappies by the way!

Well this old lady is going to get on with the aforementioned necklace and some christmas present wrapping this afternoon.

Have a good day folks
love Sooty

[cyntree]

December Determinators - Week 1

Good morning, USAers - (Sooty - sleep tight!) Chill - so sorry about you losing your post! When I was having difficulties, I would type up my message in Word (or whatever word processing) and then paste it into the message box - if it didn't go through, at least I wouldn't have lost the basic message and could try again later.. (Or try Dill's technique of checking it out first in Go Advanced?) Anyway, thanks for putting another message together - and what a great one!! I'm going to print that conversation out and keep it with me at all times. I am in the same place that Red/Star is -- I really need to be watchful of the lying Beast talk. You have been and continue to be a true light for us all - I hope that your issues are resolving - I think the ability to take action is real freedom.

Dill - I have been thinking about you so much, and noticed that we haven't heard a lot from you -- big hugs to you, I know how that slow malaise-feeing can be as difficult as a crisis -- sending you warm enveloping supporting energy.

Sped - I too am a snow-lover, and am living vicariously reading about these snow-storms...sorry it is sunny and cold where you are. Hope it warms up to 28, and snows a ton!

Star - I hear you, I am with you in this. If you hear the Beast and want to hear someone else's voice, PM me, anytime -- we can do this -- let's 'rise above the battlefield' and take the high view --
In the meantime, be careful in the snow!!

Lav - I loved the look of that site that you referenced for Chill yesterday - haven't had time to really delve into it. You have amassed such a quantity of helpful sites, herbs, behaviors, etc. Have you ever put a list together? It would be a great gift to everyone if you could manage that some day....

OK, off to chip away at the To Do list...happy AF Tuesday all.