December Determination ~ Week 3

[papmom3]

December Determination ~ Week 3

question about cold remedies

Was it someone on this thread about a week ago who recommended either a herbal or holistic remedy right when a cold starts? Whoever it was swore by it. Began with an S I think. Anyone??

[Stargazerlily]

December Determination ~ Week 3

Good morning to all on this snowy Sunday.

Christmas is such a mix of feelings.....we think everyone else is having this picture perfect holiday, and memories of the past come up, extra duties, expenses, time, effort. I am just trying to take it day by day. I had to get alot done this weekend as I am working most of the week. So, I make lists, and Friday shopped for hours, Saturday, exercised, then shopped again, cleaned house, and rested. Saturday night wrapped presents with my men, who did a great job. Today, the food part, planning, shopping, while still keeping up with the week. Whew!!! It is alot, and I am only having a small Christmas. I felt bad at work, received a few gifts, and I am just not going to start giving gifts at work, it is just TOO MUCH. Then the guilt for not returning the favor, but I made up my mind to just say thanks, and let it go.

This is a really important time to take care of yourself, with all the stress. Can anyone share what they are doing for selfcare?

This is also the time when I think of my loved ones who passed on. It makes it hard, missing them. Christmas carols are so wonderful, I saw a choir group on Friday night at the mall, and had to hold back tears. My husband is so sweet, he noticed my strong emotions, and knew I was thinking of my mom. It is just a very emotional time.

Sped, sorry you are going through a rough time. Please be careful traveling at this time of year. I wish for you in 2011, peace. I kind of feel that you are running in circles, NM, Indiana, and hope you can find what you need in the new year. It is hard when our kids grow up and leave. I want to spend more time with my daughter, and cherish the little time I get to spend with her. Your son is so lucky to have such a loving caring mother, willing to spend time and driving across the country. Please let us know how you are doing, we are here for support.

Chill, it would be hard to be in another country than your family during the holidays. Do you usually spend Christmas on your own? Good to hear you were able to work more and can treat yourself to a yoga workshop. Have a good time going out to dinner with yoru friend. You sound so computer savvy, I dont facebook, and struggle to just post here at times.

Lav, you will make it through these holidays with grace and dignity. I am happy for you in that you do not have to put up with YB's moods and behaviors anymore. It will be such a freedom as time goes on, to not be captive to that self indulgent crap. I get really annoyed with self aborbed depression after a time, and feel it is a game some people play to manipulate and self serve. You are free!!!

Papmom, was the cold remedy echnicea? I prescribe lots of rest, sleeping in, naps, etc. I have again been struggling with minor congestion, and notice it gets worse when I am tired, so sleep alot if you can. Lots of liquids, and fruit, too.

I have never managed the chat thing, but is sounds fun. If I can be there, I will.

Have a satisfying, super AF Sunday.:h:h:h

[Lavande]

December Determination ~ Week 3

Good morning Determined Ones!

Star, this certainly is an emotional time of year, for so many reasons. I am not overextending myself in any way this year for the holidays. My online shopping was completed a while ago, things are wrapped, minimal decorating done, a lot of baking done (I enjoy that), dinner planned for the kids Christmas Eve. I did not extend an invitation to my husband - I hope he stays away.

Today is this girl's BD & her 19 month quit smoking anniversary!
So I'm going to be very, very nice to myself today & reflect on just how wonderful I am :H:H Just kidding!

Hope everyone has a super AF Sunday!
Lav

[dill]

December Determination ~ Week 3

"Keep your head and your heart going in the right direction and you will not have to
worry about your feet."--Unknown

Greetings Determined Ones,

Papmom, I don't know the name of the supplement you are trying to remember. Sorry. Take Star's advice and get lots of rest and drink lots of fluids.

Lav, that Chrusciki sounds really good. I am not half Polish but one of my brothers married into a Polish family. MMMmmmm! They are King of the Pastries!

Star, I have withdrawn from excessive gift giving during this season, too. At work I was given a few small gifts and I had nothing to give in return. I did as you did. Said thank you. I am actually a pretty giving person, and I tend to give all year long. I don't like the feeling at Christmas that there is an expectation of giving. It feels wrong to me. As for self care, I have been engaging in relaxing hobbies such as knitting and listening to books on my Ipod. Also, when I take my bath, I have Christmassy votive candle holders that cheer me. One is shiney red, one is shiney green and one is shiney silver. I have another that has a little Christmas tree design on it. I put tea lights in them and put a drop of evergreen scented oil in them. It's really a treat!

I'm going to try to make a test run with chat today at 4:00. I'll poke my head in and see if any of you are there.

[Rusty]

December Determination ~ Week 3

LAV, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR LAV...HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU....AND MANY MORE!!:bday7:

Congratulations, too, on your NF anniversary. You certainly have a lot to be proud of...and we are all so proud of you!:goodjob: Tou are doing a marvelous job as far as dealing with YB.

I have had problems getting into Chat, but I will be here at 3:00 p.m. Central Standard Time to participate in our online celebration. I spend more time with all of you than I do with any of my other friends!.

Sped-so sorry that you are down, and safe journey back to New Mexico. The Christmas season tends to bring the absolute worst out in people and I am sending you peace to be able to deal with your HB with a clear head.:l

Star-you asked about self-care this holiday season. I really like buying my family members gifts and truly enjoy spending time with my family, and I know I'm very lucky. The one person who has been an annoyance for many years ...particularly during the holiday season because he's such a Grinch and a Bah Humbug type of person is no longer in my life. That was my decision and I'm really glad that I rid myself of such a negative, toxic person. He can spend Christmas alone this year like Ebeneezer Scrooge...absorbed in his self-induced misery.

Dill-thank you for the lovely quote this morning, and it is a fine way to start off our week.

A big hello to Chill, Paguy, Papmom, Cyn, Sooty, Rustop, LBH, SD, and anyone I have missed...have a wonderful AF Sunday!

[Chillgirl]

December Determination ~ Week 3

Hi Guys

Lav - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Papmom - I hope you feel better soon, best alway is to get plenty hot fluids in you :l

Star - Glad the men helped with the gift wrapping. I told all my friends a while back I wasnt in a position to do gifts this year and asked if they would respect my request not to buy me anything and instead we agreed they would buy a gift for the local orphanage.

I have only been on my own (as in single) for the last two Christmases and last year in my final drinking days I actually turned down many invites from friends as I wanted to be alone with my bottles, it was all very ritualistic and looking back it seems very weird but thats how I wanted it to be. I guess it was the end of a long love affair and although toxic I needed to have that final fling. I will always look back on it as the "Christmas i spent alone" but the very last one I spent drinking.

Had an absolutely fantastic evening last night with McNotdreamy, fabulous restaurant where we met some mutual friends who we joined after dinner. It was a very late night and I didnt get to bed until 4am, unheard of for me! I was awake as usual at 7am so Im not firing on all cylinders today. Im going to take my dog for a nice walk then chill on the sofa with a Christmas movie. Although we had mutually agreed our relationship would be purely platonic McN greeting me last night with a kiss saying he'd missed me (he'd been away the previous weekend) then at the end of the evening was making noises about our relationship, it was too late to have a big discussion and we agreed to talk about it another time. I havent heard from him today and not sure what he is thinking. I enjoy his company and its lovely to be taken out every other week and I make it up to him by cooking dinner inbetween times. (We see each other about once a week.) Having got to know him he is not someone I want a romantic relationship with so I hope this is not going to spoil what we have. I will keep you posted

I hope to see a few of you later in chat, that would be really nice!

[papmom3]

December Determination ~ Week 3

OK, chat it is at 4pm est. I hope I remember as I know I'll be in the thick of gift making (I'm going to attempt to put together 2 no sew fleece dog beds for my co-worker/friend).

I am feeling better today so I think it's just winter allergies but thanks for all the well wishes and advice. Had lots of fruit for brekkie and am taking Vit C per Nurse Lav. I also found out what the herb was: Sambucol or Black Elderberry. I try to find it locally and keep some on hand.

Here ya go Lav-From Maxie with love (wait a few seconds for more text to appear):

[paguy]

December Determination ~ Week 3

Lav - The 'Chrusciki' sound delish! I'm not Polish but I am half Czech and I have many fond memories of the baking my grandmother used to do around the holidays. She used to make nut rolls and prune pastries that I always enjoyed. And, I can make a mean 'Halubki' (stuffed cabbage)!

I'm in the midst of making some Snickerdoodles right now... will check in later today....

[sooty]

December Determination ~ Week 3

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAV, HOPE YOU HAVE A LOVELY RELAXING DAY - AND YOU'RE RIGHT YOU ARE WONDERFUL

love Sooty

[Dewdrop]

December Determination ~ Week 3

Hi everyone,

No time to read back at the moment but just wanted to check in and say Happy Birthday Lav and I hope you had a lovely day.

I've been Christmas shopping today and had a lovely time buying mostly for the grandchildren but that's it all finished and I'm going to get them all wrapped and under the tree tonight. It was really nice around the shops with all the Christmas music and excited children, I distracted a little girl while her Mum snuck a few things through the checkout I'm going to have a soak in the bath and then get on with the wrapping. I hope everyone is good and enjoying a sober Sunday.

Dewdrop :h

[papmom3]

December Determination ~ Week 3

I'm having trouble getting into Chat. Anyone else having the same trouble?
I get a big square with the red X in the upper left corner. Always been able to open it before. help?

[Rusty]

December Determination ~ Week 3

Papmom,

I am having the same problem and I don't know how to fix it. I'm here with you!

[Chillgirl]

December Determination ~ Week 3

Hi Papmom let me go check and see if I can get in, back in a sec x

[Chillgirl]

December Determination ~ Week 3

Guys I'm in..... Do you have java on your computer?

[dill]

December Determination ~ Week 3

I'm having trouble too. I'll keep trying.