December Determination ~ Week 4

[papmom3]

December Determination ~ Week 4

Oh we have to see a picture of that Lav!! Party Hens!!

LBH-good to hear from you today! Gosh I love the way you write!!

MG-have a sober Af blast in HI!! You lucky dog you!!

Sped-I'm neither areobic or yoga inspired. I like strength training and walking the best although I have given myself the goal of running a 5K in the spring. Just for the hell of it!! Yoga does not agree with me at all and I truly envy those who love it!! I even tried Bikram yoga twice. I got all the way through both times to my absolute amazement but I never went back. Guess I didn't like it enough. I have a good friend who got her certification as a Bikram Yoga instructor this year. She quit her job and everything to do this full time. After about a month she found out she was pregnant and has since had the baby. Not sure if she'll go back but she's been a bikram fanantic for almost 6 years.

Welcome My Life!! You'll love this thread!!

:l

[Chillgirl]

December Determination ~ Week 4

Wow this has been a very busy thread today! I will have a proper read in the morning
but just wanted to say to MG "Hawaii"! Can't I come carry your bags and we can compare yoga notes....

Also for Rusty's online soap had to tell you, went out for dinner with McLibra tonight and stopped off on the way home at our local where there was karaoke going on, normally my pet hate but McL loves to sing!! I'd never heard him before and he sang Great Balls of Fire and guess what..... He was amazing!

Goodnite guys

[papmom3]

December Determination ~ Week 4

I don't know about you Chill, but there is no bigger turn on for me than a guy who can sing!! Just saying....

[paguy]

December Determination ~ Week 4

papmom3;1030891 wrote: I don't know about you Chill, but there is no bigger turn on for me than a guy who can sing!! Just saying....

This one's for you, Papmom!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CP0e68JsR7I[/video]]YouTube - MARIO LANZA "With A Song In My Heart" Sept. 16.1951 Coca-Cola Show

[paguy]

December Determination ~ Week 4

Hey Folks:

I wanted to share a holiday story that really helped reaffirm my convictions to be AF. On Christmas Eve, I was at a family gathering where my partner's brother proceeded to get trashed on red wine and then began to pop Vicodin to help with some post-surgical pain (he had knee replacement surgery 2 months ago). He couldn't take 1 pill at a time - he needed 2 because he has 'intestinal absorption' problems as a result of the gastric bypass surgery he had several years ago. Can you believe it? This is the same guy who was locked up in jail for 60 days a few years back because of his alcohol and prescription drug abuse which caused him to trash his house and beat his wife! Oh, and by the way, this same person is an ordained deacon in his church and was on the altar for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services - OMG!

I really do feel sorry for this guy but he is a walking disaster who is in complete denial that he has a problem. I hope I don't come off as being totally judgemental here but it was a real eye-opener for me to see the hold that alcohol and presription drugs have on this person's life and the chaos and destruction that it has caused. I really do hope he finds his way to sobriety - he would be at such peace if he did.

So, that was my one experience of looking from the outside in and being very thankful for my new perspective....

[rustop61]

December Determination ~ Week 4

Hi everyone

We may not know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future."
--unknown

When you find you are upset over a situation, stop and ask yourself one very important
question. "Is this something I can change?" Whether it is or not, turn your negative
energy in to productive energy. You can either change the situation, or change your
perspective of the situation.
--unknown

Wow, what a busy thread, I need more time to keep up with everyone. John - you lucky thing I would love to be going to Hawaii.

Lav - glad you got your bed fixed.

I'm taking the car in to the garage today and might buy a new washing machine tomorrow.

Chill - your talk of yoga has reminded me that I need to start doing my meditation and yoga again. With all that has been going on I stopped doing it, same with my long walks so roll on the New Year.

Off to leave my car in so catch you all later.

Rustop

[Chillgirl]

December Determination ~ Week 4

rustop61;1031098 wrote:
When you find you are upset over a situation, stop and ask yourself one very important
question. "Is this something I can change?" Whether it is or not, turn your negative
energy in to productive energy. You can either change the situation, or change your
perspective of the situation.

Rustop I LOVE this one....

I am so happy today and this is when I really see that happiness comes from within. There is nothing about my circumstances which has changed and yet im able to feel this intense joy for life. I know we cant feel this way all the time but knowing its possible is something to hold on to....

[dill]

December Determination ~ Week 4

Paguy, Thanks for explaining "Mummer's Day". I sure hope you have good weather for the parade. We are supposed to have 3 “warm” days here in Ohio which should take us into New Year’s Day. Unfortunately, there is rain in the forecast.

My dear Lav, you definitely must cut back on the Christmas cookies!!! But, seriously, I’ll bet that event packed an adrenalin rush that lasted for hours! Glad YB got it fixed for you.

Papmom, you have some ambitious goals for 2011! I wish for you that they all come true. What kind of job are you looking for?

Chill, how long can you hold that particular pose (in your avatar)? What is it called?

Mg72, OMG, I would hate to have to sit through 3 hour dinners on a regular basis. Drinking would have been a natural choice for me in that situation! But, you were having working dinners, right? You must have paced yourself so as to keep some modicum of control. Good for you on retiring and also getting a grip on your al consumption instead of just letting it escalate, which would be easy to do once the structure of daily work is removed. I hope to retire within the next two years at age 60. Wow, I can’t believe I’m almost 60! Where does the time go?

Mylife, :welcome:

Yes, dear Sooty, what songs are you and the choir about to tackle?

Rusty, your goals for 2011 are commendable. Let me know what volunteer opportunities you find. I want to do some volunteer work when I am retired, or maybe even before then. I’m going to be looking into it.

Rustop, They say everything comes in threes, so Watch Out! Washer, car, …? I hope none of it is too costly for you.

Sped, you jump on your bed?!

LBH I am glad you ran into that friend. Laughter is the best medicine.

It's actually above freezing here today!!! Yay! I'm meeting yet another friend today and if it's not raining, we'll have a walk outside after breakfast. If it's raining, we'll have to walk in the mall. Either way, it should be fun!

SD, RB, and Cyn, where are you?

[cyntree]

December Determination ~ Week 4

Hey Ho! Just lost a long post, trying again......thanks Dill et al for checking in after me. All is well, my travels were not affected by the storm, the days were just filled to the brim with family, and I arrived home Tuesday night with a nasty cold. Spent today in my office, dragging myself around to do crucial catch up; now find myself inexplicably awake since 2:30 a.m., trying to solve all of life's riddles in one sitting.

Welcome, MG and mylife -- good to see you! I had gotten far behind in reading everyone's holiday stories, so now I feel that I have had a virtual whirlwind tour of the experiences - sort of a kaleidescopic vision. Glad to hear all survived relatively unscathed. Mine was happily AF and filled with extended family. However, I feel that something is out of alignment for me, (thus awake in the wee hours) and I am doing some heavy listening for some guidance....Rustop, the quotes this morning were pitch-perfect for me. Perhaps in other years, I sunk this feeling under the heavy stone of the AL/hangover cycle.

So much to relate, but my Tibetan chimes outside are swinging madly, and maybe I'm supposed to be listening to them...and of course, now that it's time to get up, I'm getting sleepy...

Cheers to all - hope we hear from SD and RB soon -- I'll try to check in again later --

[cyntree]

December Determination ~ Week 4

X-post Dill and Chill! And yes, LBH, doesn't a little touch of black here and there make all the other colors stand out? I loved your story -- it reminded me that recently HB and I had an obligatory presence at a Holidae Feaste - I was dreading it, especially when we were met at the Banquete Halle by Costumed Lordes and Ladyes. Lord, give me strength, I thought. But instead of stuffing it, HB and I had a gay time being evil (quietly) and for the first time ever I joked with him about drinking. "Would you like me to get you something to drink?" he said politely. Batting my eyelashes I said "yes, dear, just bring back the whole bottle of Grey Goose, would you? That's a darling..." We had a good chuckle over it, and you know what? That bottle which had been calling to me from across the room instantly lost its appeal, and I saw it for what it was - an escape hatch straight to a dungeon (or dungeone, in this case). It turned out to be much more fun sharing innocently black quips with one another all night.

OK, I really should listen to those bells, or go back to sleep.....cough cough sneeze sniffle....

[Lavande]

December Determination ~ Week 4

Good morning DOs,

Cyn, hope you feel better soon! Your insomnia is equivalent to mine.......although I did sleep pretty well last night on a sturdy bed frame

John, it's hard to watch people stunble all the while denying their problems. I just hope that guy sees the light before someone else around him gets hurt. My nephew (no angel) married into a large Irish Catholic family in the Boston area & it seems that many of his in-laws are in the same stupfied position. His FIL suffers from AL related dementia & he's not an old man. His BIL is a priest with a huge drinking problem. Geez!

I'm happy to be having EB & his parents here for dinner tonight. I haven't seen too mych of my little buddy the past few weeks due to holiday business.

Wishing everyone a good AF Thursday!
Lav

[Rusty]

December Determination ~ Week 4

Happy New Year's Eve Eve Determined Colleagues,

Chill-you sound joyful, jubilant, and at peace with your life. Please share your epiphanies with us. I agree with Papmom.....I get turned on by a guy who can sing. Obviously this is why I have a crush on Mr. G.

Mr.G-we are taking a vote here.....anyone on this thread who wants to see Mr. G's avatar changed to him jumping out of a cake for my 50th B-Day present, raise your hands.:thumbs:

Lav-I hope YB put in a new titanium frame because I have a feeling you will still jump on your bed.....especially since he's not in it. Just kiddin.'

John-what a sad story....I'm glad you're using it as an affirmation for sobriety, but still, you must have been embarrassed for your partner, and I can just picture you cringeing.

Sped-Oh, I am oh-so-aware- of my AL consumption and know that the beast is never far away...hence, I do not drink alone, at home. or anywhere else where I know I could be vulnerable. With my family, I feel like a different person...I don't feel vulnerable. I just feel good!

mg72-Have fun in Hawaii! Lucky dog. We expect videos of you in a grass skirt singing "Tiny Bubbles," by Don Ho. I saw Don Ho when I was in 18 on my senior trip. He was wearing a way too tight leisure suit and the shirt open to his waist. Uh, Don, you have to have 6-pack Abs to wear your shirt like that, and you have 12-pack Flabs. Nix the leisure suits, please.

Cyn-hope you feel better. It's a drag to have a cold. Insomnia is horrible, too. I have to rely on Baclofen and Advil PM to sleep. I loved your story about the holiday party and the bottle of Grey Goose. It made me smile. Ah yes, my freezer had a bottle of Grey Goose in it for quite some time.

Papmom-are you going to dress the doggies in little NY's sweaters with little party favors on them? Please post pics if you do.

Dill-I haven't decided what kind of volunteer work I will do...probably something through my church since it's so close by. We have a food pantry and that's a thought. What about you? Any thoughts?

Rustop-this one is a keeper:When you find you are upset over a situation, stop and ask yourself one very important question. "Is this something I can change?" Whether it is or not, turn your negative energy in to productive energy. You can either change the situation, or change your perspective of the situation.
--unknown. Good luck with the car repairs, and the washing machine, too. I bet you're dreading what the 3rd catastrophe will be.:upset:

Mtlife-what's on your agenda today?

LBH-great to see you. I always enjoy your perspective on things.

Rebirth and SD, please check in!

Star-what are you up to, today? Cooking, baking, exercising....all of the above?

Sooty-what are your plans for NYE?

Everybody, I am posting my new thread tonight in the General Discussion Forum (thank you, Chill, for the instructions). It is called "What I Accomplished Today Because I Did Not Drink." I am doing this because I do feel much better, stronger and faster when I don't drink, and I want this to be affirmation for people, struggling or not, as it will be NYE and it's a vulnerable and sad time for many. It's also a time where we are pressured to drink. I know I need this affirmation because of my upcoming trip to Spain. I hope this thread is a support for all members whether they are AF, struggling to be AF, or drinking and in despair.

Have a great AF Thursday, everyone!

[paguy]

December Determination ~ Week 4

Rusty;1031208 wrote: Mr.G-we are taking a vote here.....anyone on this thread who wants to see Mr. G's avatar changed to him jumping out of a cake for my 50th B-Day present, raise your hands.:thumbs:

:thumbs: lease: :yay: :woot: :thumbsup

[Chillgirl]

December Determination ~ Week 4

Hi Guys

Paguy - dont encourage Rusty! Im never sure what she will suggest next
Your story about your partners brother is so sad but so common, its the denial that fascinates me. When something is so obviously a problem and yet we can convince ourselves otherwise. I too did this for many years and of course now it seems totally absurd. This reinforces how mindblowingly powerful our thoughts are and if they are capable of such brainwashing in a negative way just think what positivity we can also create

Sped - you have so many more types of yoga available in the States that I bet you could find something you'd like. I cant do the slow stuff either, I need to feel im working. Check out astanga yoga which is very powerful. I'd love to do bikram yoga which is done at high temperatures and is supposed to be a tremendous workout but we dont have it here in Portugal.

Dill - In my avatar im doing tree pose (vrkshasana) which is pretty easy to hold for some time.

LBH - Im rather intrigued by your meeting with your old friend, is this someone you have crossed swords with?

Cyn - Sendng you healing thoughts :l

Papmom & Rusty - I agree totally about men who can sing being very attractive. The problem is I think with McLibra he would need to spend most of his time singing to me instead of talking!

One of my epiphanies the other day was regarding him. He is a handsome, rich, clever, kind guy and I have really really tried to fall for him but its just not happening :no: He suggested we fly to Mallorca (a beautiful Spanish Island) for a few days to take in New Year which would have been a wonderful experience. I thought very long and hard about it and just couldnt muster any enthusiam for going, if I was romantically attracted to him this would have been the invitation from heaven and I would be so excited about it, instead I realized Id rather be home with my dog than with him. :upset: I will probably never meet such a trustworthy, old fashioned, mannerly gentleman in all my life who would be faithful and only want to make me happy but..... I find him so so dull.

I told him I wanted to stay home alone on New Years Eve to take part in a global collective consciousness meditation for world peace. I said I knew it sounded a bit wacko but the collective energy on the planet would be at good vibrational level with people focusing on loved ones and hopes for the future. He said that maybe Im wacko but im lovely wacko....
Anyway, Im under no pressure at the moment to change the dynamics of the relationship but Im now very clear in my head how I feel.

[Dewdrop]

December Determination ~ Week 4

Just a quick flyby to say hello. I?ve had my grandson for a couple of days and we have been busy baking, saw Sleeping Beauty Pantomime, went walking in the woods and generally had a great time. I dropped him at home late morning and popped into my parents for lunch and this evening I have friends coming round for dinner.

I?m collecting my second granddaughter tomorrow and keeping her New Year?s Eve until Sunday, meeting friends Sunday evening for dinner and then lunch out with other friends Monday. I swear I have put on 3 or 4 lbs over the holidays and must do something about it soon

I hope everyone is good and looking forward to New Year and all the new beginnings it brings. I?ll try and check in more regularly soon. Must fly and set the table.

Dewdrop :h