December Determination ~ Week 3

[rustop61]

December Determination ~ Week 3

Good morning everyone from a very cold and snowey Ireland

This has been the worst winter that I can remember. We have had nearly a month of it now and its still snowing and absolutely freezing. They are running out of salt, awaiting a shipment so the roads are a complete mess. Hubby spent over 3 hours on the motorway last night, it should only have taken about half an hour. Never thought I would say it but would welcome rain at this stage.

Lav - I too live in cow country so you could see anything on the roads. I have met goats, there is a herd of wild ones living a few miles from me. The strangest thing I met was a man and woman out for a walk with a large dog (German shepard) and a deer on lead!! Obviously a pet and they take it for walks.

Rebirth - You should not have to put up with that and are right to get the police involved. Maybe that will make her see sense. Take care of yourself.

SD - Poor you, our school was closed today and what a relief not having to go out in that snow. They say friends are the family we choose for ourselves and there is a lot of truth in it. Good luck with your Dad.

Everyone else big hello. It is hard to try and fit everything in this time of year. Some days I dont get to post but I am thinking of you all.

Rustop

[Stargazerlily]

December Determination ~ Week 3

Tremendous Tuesday, good morning to all. In my neck of the woods, snow was predicted, but for once we did not get it. I like the snow, love winter clothes, and keep my car in the garage, so don't reallly every get cold, just after work. I feel unreasonably happy, festive, in that Christamassy mood. One drink of Alcohol would kill the feeling, for sure. AF only for me.

Dill, you are right, chicken with skin and bones, and actually the original recipe called for a half stick of butter, rather than spray oil. Yuck, too fatty for me. Hope you like it, I just love it. It is also good with bread, I know my father preferred bread in the gravy, rather than mashed potatoes.

Rusty, I respect your efforts for balance in your life. I usually just get online in the morning, then cut myself off, otherwise it can become an obsession for me.

Rebirth, call the police and make a report if nothing else. This person needs to focus on something or someone else. So much for the anonymity of AA, right? It is a shame since it can be such a life changing program. Sending you strength and righteous anger. Dealing with someone that disturbed is scary, sorry you have to go through something like this.

Cyn, good to hear from you, SD, you too. It sounds like we all have our holiday challenges.

Rustop, what a winter for you. It really slows everything down when there is so much snow.

A safe and peaceful day wished for all, AF.

[Chillgirl]

December Determination ~ Week 3

Hi Determinators

Watching the news, the UK looks like its at a complete standstill. I saw a report explaining the shift in the gulf stream and these types of winters are going to become the norm.

Lav - Goats in the road are quite usual where I live, we still have old fashioned shepards who roam the common land with their goats and sheep and their regular route is passed my house.

Rustop - A dear on a lead!! If i didnt know better id thing you'd been drinking....

Rebirth - I really feel for you over this crazy woman, I hope you get it resloved asap.

Paguy - You forgot little old me in Portugal! I did love your analyses that we are not alone, you are so right when you say there are people in every corner of the world struggling with AL issuse, its sad but I hope by uniting we can make a difference. Recently I have gone into a mode where I want to save the world from this horrible addiction and I guess If I can help just one its a start.

Star - I too am feeling ridiculously happy despite my woes and im just going to bask and enjoy it as long as it lasts! Some days the smallest thing going wrong can have me in floods of tears but today I cant be phased.

My oven has been broken for the last week and the oven man came today to fix it, sadly it needs a part and I wont have it working till after New Year. I could cry at the frustration of not being able to cook especially at this time of year but that would be to argue with reality and when we do, we always loose! So instead I will get by on soup and whatever else I can make of the hob, I am counting my blessing that I even have that when millions of people out there dont even have fresh clean water.

Wishing you all a very wonderful sober Tuesday.......

[rustop61]

December Determination ~ Week 3

Chill

I dont blame you, the first time I saw them it was dusk and at first I was trying to figure out what breed of dog it was!! It was only when I came up close I saw it was a deer. Am trying to get snow tires so if what you say is true I will need them.

Star - I am like you, I try and get on in the morning and then leave it for the rest of the day. Otherwise it does become an obsession.

Happy Tuesday everyone.

Rustop

[spedteach]

December Determination ~ Week 3

Hey everybody,
Back in NM, only slightly worse for wear. My son loves to drive more than me and we made it in record time. Feeling pretty worn out though. Son #3 zoomed in from California with friends last night about 9. They ate and promptly zoomed out to see other friends. Son #1 and my new DIL are flying in today, spending 2 days and then heading to DC to see her family. Feeling very anxious about my DIL being here. We don't really know each other very well. When she's here my family seems so Western, rowdy, informal, loud, how about MALE. Plus her mother sent all of us gifts, like a Harry and David food box that probably cost nearly $100!
Have pretty much decided to not do Christmas. No tree although I did decorate my enormous ficus. No stockings. Pretty much no gifts. The boys don't care and definitely don't need anything. I crocheted my HB a scarf. This is because he has absolutely no sense of fashion and will wear anything. We are focusing on cooking though. Green chili potato soup last night, chicken and dumplings tonight. Made cookies in Indiana and brought them back with us and of course there's Harry and David! Going to some parties, having a Christmas Eve dinner here with family and friends.

Lav, happy belated birthday. Are you catching up to me yet?

Rebirth, so sorry for your troubles, especially around the holidays. Good luck with the police today.

SD, School until Thursday?? You've got to be kidding. I hope they give you the entire month of January off. Be careful with your dad, protect yourself and that beautiful boy of yours.

Star, I love Chicken Paprika, made with real Hungarian paprika. Hey, forget being a nutritionist. You should become a counselor, you always give such sage advice.

Cyn, hope you recovered from your migraine. That is a malady I hope I never experience. What was the web site you and John were talking about, a book recommendation website?

[spedteach]

December Determination ~ Week 3

I am not finished but am always in fear of losing my posts.

Just want to say hang in there to everyone on the east side of the Atlantic Ocean. You all are getting slammed with wintery weather. It is so balmy here compared to Indiana.

Dew, Just finished The Last Child. Great characters and what a plot. Have you started Down River yet?

Chill, thinking about you lots these days, how you spent your last Christmas alone with your bottles. You've come so far this year. Also know what you mean by that paralyzing fear you talked about awhile back. For me it can be incapacitating.

Sooty, Rusty, Mr. G. , Dill...jingle, jingle.

[Lavande]

December Determination ~ Week 3

Good mid-morning everyone!

Yep, old Lav stayed up to watch some of the lunar eclipse, interesting!

Chilly, sunny but windy in these parts. I think someone has threatened snow later in the week but I haven't really been in the mood to listen. I'll worry about it when it gets here

Rustop, snow tires are helpful in the snow but not perfect. You can still get stuck if you attempt to drive on an unplowed road. And, they don't help a bit on icy roads. Still safer to just stay home if at all possible. A deer on a lead huh? That certainly beats my goat sighting :H

Shelley, so glad you are home safe & sound & that your family is with you. I'll be sitting here all by myself Christmas Day (most likely) so come hang out on the thread with me

Greetings to everyone. I need to go & catch up on stuff around here.
Have a terrific AF Tuesday.

Lav

[Rusty]

December Determination ~ Week 3

Good Morning Friends,

Well, it's the first day of winter and we got clobbered with snow yesterday. I am in the mood to do some cross-country skiing. Shelley, I'm looking forward to having you join me on the hills of the Kettle Moraine. Do you know how to x-c ski? There's a beautiful state park here with a wonderful restaurant that serves the kind of food you love.

Shelley-I know you're anxious about being with your DIL...how about planning a little shopping trip or going out for coffee...just the two of you. She is probably anxious, too, and I am sure she would be delighted. It'll probably be good for both of you. I'm glad you got back safely because I missed you.

Rebirth-that woman sounds like she's bipolar, too, hence she's probably dangerous. Let us know how it goes with the police.

Lav-Christmas Day alone?:upset:

Hi to all my lovely friends here I may have missed: Star, Dill, SD, Chill, Papmom, Cyn, Mr. G., Paguy, Dew, Raven-have a wonderful AF Tuesday!

[Chillgirl]

December Determination ~ Week 3

Hi again from me....
Sped - Im so glad you checked in, I had worrying visions of you and a bottle and we all know that never make anything better. I like Rusty's suggestion about time with your dil, she probably is anxious about it too.

Rusty - Im a very competent downhill skier and spent many a winter in the French Alps, I have tried cross country but found it hugely difficult and not much fun. I guess I like the exhilaration of speed flying down a mountain instead.

Lav - Christmas alone? Are you not having dinner with your kids?

My night sweats are continuing every night and must now be into week 3, are phantom AL withdrawal symtoms a possibility?! (Im 99% certain its not premenapause and cant think what else can be causing them) Anxiety has been suggested.

I havent told you all a lot about what has been going on with me as its hard to explain it all. A brief summary is that Im giving myself 6 months to make things work here although im pretty certain in my mind already that I wont stay. I just really want 6 more months as I know if I go I wont come back. Im either going back to the UK or im going to Libya. My friend over there has found me a job as a PA with an oil co which would come with accomodation, the only problem is I would need to start in Feb which is a little quick to pack up and move countries!! I would also need to at least go there 1st to visit incase I absolutely hated it. My biggest concern is my dog who is my very reason for being most of the time. Its a really big deal taking her there as the accomodation may be unsuitable and I know from my friend that they have a very different attitude to dogs and dont see them as pets. She had her dog kidnapped and held for ransom and this terrifies me. Going without her is also NOT an option. So many things to consider but for the holidays Im trying to put it out my head and just enjoy what I have here today.......

[sooty]

December Determination ~ Week 3

Hi everyone, hope we're all keeping safe and warm. The weather here continues to be quite horrid. I had a serious dose of cabin fever this morning so walked to the end of the road and down the lane to the fields but it was so slippy I turned round and came back.

I've ordered some grip thingies which go onto the bottom of your shoes - they look like coiled wire springs and criss cross under the shoe, so I'll go out again when they arrive!
I'm hoping that Mr S will take me shopping tomorrow - things are so bad I'm actually looking forward to going to the supermarket!

Lav will you be ok on Christmas Day my dear? I'll try and log on if you're going to be on here.

Chill I dont like the sound of Libya if your dog won't be safe, you'll never be able to relax. The UK might not be very exciting but at least we love animals ! Take your time making these big decisions.

Ok off to do some cooking now ... why is it that the cold weather makes me so hungry? I've put about 4lbs on with this recent cold snap!!

See you all later
love Sooty

[Rusty]

December Determination ~ Week 3

Sooty-those "thingies" on the bottom of your shoes sound kind of like Pogo Sticks or Slinkies:H It must kind of like having studs on your tires during the winter. Don't slip and fall in the nasty weather. I can appreciate how you feel with having cabin fever. I used to get that a lot here before I got my condo with the big fireplace. Here in Wisconsin we're used to the weather you're having, but I know in the UK, it's like some parts of the US, if you're not used to having snow, it can cripple an entire state/country. I say ask Mr. S to take you $$$Shopping...for you!

[Guitarista]

December Determination ~ Week 3

Greeting's everyone,

Take your time deciding i reckon Chilli. I wouldn't feel pressured by the February Libyan possibility/deadline. I have a feeling that something else will come along.

Best wishes all! A safe, sober, and magical day to you.

[papmom3]

December Determination ~ Week 3

Chill-From the bottom of my stomach I got such a horrible sense of foreboding when you mentioned Libya as a possible option. Please don't pick that option. It's such a dangerous country. The US won't even grant student visas to anyone from there. If you can't stay in Portugal then in my humble opinion the UK is the place to be. I'm sure you can find work there and you'll be close to family and friends. Last but not least your doggie, that beautiful creature, deserves to be safe, just like you. I truly hope something will turn up so that you can stay in the country you've adopted and have grown to love. That will be my biggest wish for the new year.

Sooty and Rusty-those things for your shoes are called Yak Traks and I have 2 pair. One I keep in my car just in case. I broke a wrist almost 4 years ago slipping on black ice. I have a plate in it now. I do not go outside without my yak traks on if there is even a hint of ice on the walks.

I'm almost ready to pack up and get on the road so I'll sign off now but will try to get on tonite.
PS: LOVED our chat session the other nite!!
:l

[Dewdrop]

December Determination ~ Week 3

SD I hope that you can work things out with your Dad because I can feel the stress it puts you through but in the end you must do whatever is best for you and your son, whatever makes you both happiest and whatever gives you peace and contentment during your well earned holidays. Rebirth I can?t believe the hassle you are having with this weird woman, she clearly has mental health issues to be stalking you like this, but you do have evidence to prove the distress she is putting you through.

Sped you seem to do an awful lot of driving around the country, is that due to your work? Do you commute between Indiana and New Mexico? ? my geography of the States is dreadful but I don't think it's close enough for a commute I will look it up on the map over the holidays. I wouldn?t worry about the DIL she will love your happy, boisterous home and you can tell her that you love having another female in the family to share girly things with. She will probably be as worried as you are and I am sure you will be able to put her at ease. Yes I have finished Down River and it?s another excellent story so I am going to order The King of Lies over the holidays, his first book. Since reading Down River I have read two Lynda La Plant novels and am now on The Five People You Meet in Heaven which seems a delightful story. I?ve become a bookaholic !!

Chill have you thought about seeing your doctor about the night sweats; it wouldn?t do any harm and might put your mind at rest. Isn?t it some kind of a relief that you have some options on where to go and what to do with your life? I often find I am most anxious and stressed when I have no control over what?s happening. The great thing is you don?t have to decide straight away, if your friend found you a job so quickly I am sure there will be others if that?s where you decide to make your home. I lived in the Middle East for 7 years during my 20?s and enjoyed the expat life even if it was a Moslem country however it?s not for everyone and Libya is a fanatical regime. I?m sure you will make the right decision for you when the time comes.

I hope everyone is happy and content tonight and tomorrow is another day.

Dewdrop :h

[Dewdrop]

December Determination ~ Week 3

Hi Papmom x'd post, I'm off to google Yak Traks