December Determination ~ Week 3

[Chillgirl]

December Determination ~ Week 3

Hi dewdrop
I've read 5 People You Meet in Heaven, it's by Mitch Albom who's famous for "Tuesdays with Morrie" is you haven't read it you just must!

[spedteach]

December Determination ~ Week 3

Busy thread,
Wonderful feeling connected again.
My DIL, in 2 and a half years I have been alone with her once. We were at a restaurant and my son went to the bathroom. Yesterday he emailed to let us know which bed she prefers to sleep in at our house, oh and a gentle reminder about clean sheets. Oh and they missed their flight from LA this morning. She just hates to get up early. Sorry guys but I'm feeling resentful. My other 2 sons don't like her, she's a snob, stuck up. That doesn't help. They usually seem to like just about anybody.
Deep breathe!
Rusty, I'll bring my skis when I come east in Jan. Although I haven't cross countried in 20 years.
Dew and everyone, for one happy dog lover book read The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein, not too long, such a sweet story.
Son #2 and I ventured out to a mall...mistake!

Last year didn't we do a community chat on New Years Eve or Day?
Love the whole bunch of you and am happily downing my Antabuse every night. Sober Xmas 2 years in a row.

Chill, I'm googling Libya. Sounds like a scary adventure.

[Lavande]

December Determination ~ Week 3

Shelley - just say so whenever you want to chat, OK?

Yes, I'm looking forward to my 2nd sober Christmas as well. This could get to be a habit

Don't sweat over your DIL. She's coming to your home, she needs to learn to to be a proper guest, right? I'd just give her some kitchen jobs or something to do - really make her feel like a part of the family :H I told my SIL to go out & get some firewood & make a fire for me the other night - he did it with a smile on his face

Speaking of lighting a fire........

[paguy]

December Determination ~ Week 3

Good Evening Friends:

Chill and Rustop - I am so sorry for neglecting you and your locations (Portugal and Ireland) in my message last night... I realized after I hit the Submit button that I didn't have all areas covered!

Sped - I have 'The Art of Racing in the Rain' on my 'to read' list. I read some really good reviews and it caught my eye. Here is the web site you can use to catalogue your books and read reviews: LibraryThing | Catalog your books online

Just a quick check in tonight. Hard to believe that tomorrow is hump day already. We are leaving to drive up to Massachusetts on Friday and will return home on Sunday.

Thinking of all of you.... take good care...

[rustop61]

December Determination ~ Week 3

Good morning everyone

Quick hello from me this cold, frosty and snowey morning. Have a lot to do today so wont get much computer time. Hope you all have a great AF hump day.

Rustop

[Stargazerlily]

December Determination ~ Week 3

Hump day, Yaaaaay! I am off after today. I have been so busy at work, I am exhausted. Plus, I have had insomnia the last two nights, gettingup in the middle of the night and not being able to go back to sleep. I was up at 2:30 a.m., ridiculous.

Chill, I am so happy you have some options, I think we Americans freak out about the Middle East. Do what you need to and just be safe. You are already in Portugal, and have laerned to live in a different culture. Having said that, I realize that Libya is very different then Europe. It is just good that you are in a stage where you can plan, and out of the paralyzed state that leaves a person feeling helpless and hopeless. It seems your confidence in yourself and your future is becoming more positive. So great you are planning an AF Christmas.

Sped, it is hard at times to get along with the partners our kids choose. I try to make things nice, but in the end, they have to accept me as I am. I think it's funny your son would say something about clean sheets. At our house, that would be a set up for alot of teasing and joking. Your DIL will have to adjust in a house full of men. I like Lav's idea of giving her jobs to help you out. Sometimes when people act snobby or standoffish, they are really shy and uncomfortable. Actually, your Christmas house party sounds like alot of fun!!!! The milder climate sounds kinda nice, too.

Paguy, thanks for the library site, I will be checking it out.

Just for the record, I had a horrible craving last night, it was insane. I was tired and hungry. I did the "I don't drink" thought process, and thought of feeling sick the next day, then I ate something. That did the trick. Also, the precaution of having no booze in the house was really helpful, too. I still need to stick to the basics, and I am so happy I did.

Have a great AF day.:h

[Guitarista]

December Determination ~ Week 3

Star,

You've probably heard of an acronym used in A.A called H.A.L.T. ? Hungry-Angry-Lonely-Tired. 4 potentially dangerous states for us to be in, and i note you found yourself in 2 of them.

Have a good one folk's.

[ladybirdheart]

December Determination ~ Week 3

Home again and hello from here. I see I have much to catch up on with your posts and I have missed you. I feel like I have been on the moon, there is something about traveling 5000 miles at less than twenty miles an hour that can change one, and for me it is for the better. I loved that nobody had cell phone service, when I got back the airport sounded like a monkey house. The internet was available but very slow and remarkably expensive for every minute so I never even walked into the caf? with Lord Bird Heart. Free. I did appreciate technology after my return late Monday night as I uploaded a photo from the trip and picked up 125 holiday cards the next morning and sent them out in the afternoon.

Yesterday I awoke to the most beautiful sunrise I have ever seen anywhere, it actually looked like a fire outside all of the windows and there is a picture of it in today?s newspaper. Our traveling companions are still stuck in the US after being unable to get into London and on another extreme, the other couple has flown to Quito to begin a six week journey to Chile with rucksacks. Our trip was splendid although I had dreadful cravings almost every evening before dinner and the only reason I didn?t drink is I told Lord Bird Heart and our waiter that I sent my liver on holiday and I had to go with it. They thought I was very funny but you know the truth.

Our cat and dog had enough the second week of us being away and were naughty. They both forgot their house training and the cat who had never missed his litter box once in his seven years actually piddled on the pet sitter?s slipper. She said it was quite a statement. They are now little angels after a period in which they lied, denied and counter-accused. Off to swim and then it is a bit more warp speed holiday cheer. Love, Ladybird.

[Lavande]

December Determination ~ Week 3

Good morning everyone!

Welcome home LBH, you trip must have been wonderful! So glad everything went well for you. Sounds like your pets really, really missed you

Greetings to Rustop, Star, the fabulous Mr G & everyone

I need to my myself in gear & get moving.
Wishing everyone a terrific Humpday.
Lav

[cyntree]

December Determination ~ Week 3

LBH! Welcome Back! Can't wait to hear more about the trip. The idea of traveling at 20 mph sounds delicious...

Sped - welcome home to you too! I hope that you can set aside your anxiety about DIL -- people are just different, and it's good when everyone makes an effort to get along; some do and some don't. I don't know if you saw my comment a week or so ago about holidays being an olympian opportunity to practice loving detachment. That's what I'm going with this holiday - trying to see it all from the perspective of a novelist that's making a chronicle! Your home sounds fun, delicious and fabulous; hope your holiday is the same.

Lav - I'll be coming over to sit by the fire with you on Xmas Day - even if only virtually. I'll join you in chat early in the day if you'd like - just tell me when. I'll be in NE, so only an hour off in the time zone. PS - I was driving into my neighborhood yesterday, and caught site of a furry, boney white behind of an animal which was sticking out of the bushes. My first thought - I'm seeing Lav's goat! Unfortunately it turned out to be a naughty poodle that had run away from home. I was so disappointed (and yes I helped him get home).

Chill - great that you have options. For me, I could never relax in a place that didn't love animals as much as I do. For me, like you, my pups are part of my essence. Good luck with your decisions, and I echo Mr G - don't be rushed, great things await you.

Rusty - you are breaking my heart with your big fireplace and x-country skiing...2 of my favs from my Minnesota years. I think I'll drop by for a ski with you on my way to Lav's...

Dew - always great to hear from you, such a calming voice - happy reading.

Rustop, Sooty, be careful! Star, thanks for the wisdom, SD - hang in there, just one more day, RB - how did it go yesterday?. Greetings Mr G, PA - wishing you safe travel, and everyone happy humpday. I will have a long day again today - getting on the plane tomorrow for NE, and All Business needs to be finished up. Will try to check in later --

[rebirth]

December Determination ~ Week 3

Hey John- great little summary of our MYO community. Made me chuckle. Never treid pumpkin spiced tea…

Rustop and Sooty. Snow is getting on my nerves now. We are just not prepared for this kind of weather. It has affected my christmas trade as no one can get about! Me too. I welcome rain at this stage…or a bit of sun to melt it down.

Star and Dill. I love chicken stew. Such comfort food! I make a similar one but I add more spices to it. I taste it as I go along. I use to drink wine when I use to cook…Havnt I changed..well done Star for beating the craving!

Sped. The food that you cooked sounds heavenly. I was salivating!

Oh Chill. Bless you…soup. I wish I could sent you a parcel of warm food. And aw Lav..alone on christmas. Make sure you both pamper yourself on that day

Hi LBH. Long time no hear. Hi Cyn, SD, Dewdrop, Mr G , P3 and anyone else I have forgotten


Thank you all for your comments about my trouble maker. The law is on my side so she will get a visit from Mr Policeman if she sends me another email in the future. I dare her!

[rebirth]

December Determination ~ Week 3

Oh! Forgot to say hello to the wonderful, fabulous Rusty. x

[sooty]

December Determination ~ Week 3

Happy humpday everyone. I've been out food shopping with Mr S and am well stocked up now. It was good to have a change of scene even though some of the roads were still rather dangerous.

Got back at about 2.30 p.m. and guess what? My Yak Traks have arrived - and I only ordered them yesterday afternoon. I have given them a little try in the street which is very slippy with compacted snow and ice and they seem to be excellent. I shall give them a proper test tomorrow - I can see that they will make a huge difference.

LBH welcome back, your trip sounds amazing.

By the way Paguy I'm in Wales not Scotland so that's another country to add to the list!

Have a really good day everyone
love sooty

[Chillgirl]

December Determination ~ Week 3

Good Evening Guys

Star - So sorry you havent been sleeping, the full moon was last night so that could have been the cause. Well done for staving off the craving, the more you suceed the stronger you will get.

I had a very vivid dream last night about teaching my ex all i've learned about going AF, you can tell its playing on my mind.

LBH - :welcome: back! and many congratulations on having an AF vacation, I hope you are feeling proud of yourself.
Isnt it funny how our pets react! The poor petsitter.....:H

Cyn - I love your commitment to practice loving detachment. I will join you in this.
Im hoping Mr G is a little bit psychic and that great things do lie ahead for me

Rebirth - Lets hope this is the end of your fruit loop stalker.

Sooty - Love the sound of your yak traks!

Im having McNotdreamy over for pasta tonight, he has suddenly become all attentive and I suspect he is having 2nd thoughts about keeping our friendship platonic. It was him from the outset that said he wasnt ready to commit to a relationship and I then lay down the ground rules as to what this meant. i.e. i wasnt going to sleep with him although we have shared a few kisses. However I dont think I now want any more other than friendship so may have to make this clear tonight. I hope I dont loose him as a friend as he's such a kind and decent guy.

Enjoy the rest of humpback Wed, only 2 more days till Santa comes!!! :coolsanta:

[Lavande]

December Determination ~ Week 3

Hey Chill - I might think about changing my mind about McNotdreamy..........he sounds pretty decent to me

YB will be here after work tonight. I need some paperwork that he has hidden somewhere to send to the mortgage company. I decided to save some $$ by refinancing the home loan now while the rates are good. I hope this visit doesn't kill my mood like the last one did.

Anyway, I am maing plans to make a German Apple Strudel for the holiday. While searching for a good rum substitute I found thisz page:
Substitutes for Alcohol in Cooking - GourmetSleuth

Thought I'd share in case any of you run into a cooking/baking situation that calls for AL.

OK, back to work