Jubilant January ~ Week 2

[mg72]

Jubilant January ~ Week 2

back from vacation!

Good morning to all,
I just returned from Hawaii yesterday after almost two weeks of sun and 80 degree weather. This probably sounds strange but I am happy to be back home even though it is below zero this morning with six inches of snow on the ground. On our trip we spent the time with two other couples with too many calories consumed and very little exercise expended. It is so good to be back where I can do my daily mediation, regular yoga practice and eat a healthy diet instead of tons of chips and fries. Oahu is a beautiful island and we did see great beaches and went on two nice hikes. Getting outside was fun but I believe a positive life style is more important to me than loungeing so much. It took me a little while to find the name of this thread as I just started posting the end of last month. I have not had the chance to catch up on posts since for two weeks but will stay current now.

The plane ride from Honolulu to Houston yesterday was made difficult by a drunk man that sat across the isle from me. He was probably in his early thirtys and said he lived in Canada. The first thing he said to me when he sat down was "I can't believe they let me on the plane because I am so drunk". I won't prolong the details but will say that he made a spectacle of himself almost the entire way. He hounded the stewart and stewartess to give him AL the entire tirp and was completely obnoxious to be around for them and all passengers around him. It made me realize once again what a fool AL can make of people and how sad it is for someone to drink like he did when obviously he had a strong addiction problem. The last thing he said to me before staggering off the plane was that he was going to the president's club to drink their free booze. That was at 6:30 in the morning!

It is good to be back and look forward to becoming an active member of the team!

[papmom3]

Jubilant January ~ Week 2

Hey MG-welcome back!! I totally get the part about being glad to be back home and back to routine. I love going on vacation and exploring new places but 4 days is my limit and then

[ladybirdheart]

Jubilant January ~ Week 2

So good to hear from you Shelley and welcome home MG. A quick stop from me as I have lots of cooking to do, sourdough bread; Rustop?s curried parsnip and apple soup; roasted chicken with golden beets, lemons, and garlic; and green beans with hazelnuts and mint. If I don?t cook (or at least prep) early in the day I still get ghastly cravings and it is no fun. Dewdrop I really laughed about you watching your ?tree men? as I do the same. Unfortunately tomorrow it will be not be above freezing and they will be roundly swaddled in wool from head to ankle. I also laughed at the fantasy triumvirate of Rusty, SD, and Rebirth, how sassy would that be. The trees on my tiny lot, Dill, are an eighty plus year locust (worked on in the summer); seven tall narrow pines (Russian, Afghani, Ponderosa ranging from twenty to seventy years); an eighty year old mountain juniper; two interesting pinions; and a decades old twisted Japanese black pine that is really short like a fairy tale tree. They all fit together in clusters with sunny spots for the little gardens, pond, and Moses. Star, the constellation of problems that make up your son?s disability sound hardwired and highly daunting for all of you; I love hearing how you are increasingly taking care of your well-being when under sustained stress, I am learning to do the same even though I can?t always keep it up. In the past I would invariably reach for the temporary relief of a drink and did so until it started to affect my health. It was only after I gained alcohol free time that I realized that drinking had also stunted the growth of alternate skills, perspectives, and states of being. Sometimes I don't know my lines. Lets keep at it. Goodness this turned out to be a longer post than I intended. Love, Ladybird. PS. Lav, your blankie is cool.

[Dewdrop]

Jubilant January ~ Week 2

I?m feeling a little blue today mainly because I?m getting back into the swing of things at work however I am so glad I took an extra holiday week on the end of the festive holidays because it has given me a chance to replenish and restore my emotional and spiritual batteries. We really are so fortunate with the amount of holidays we get in the UK compared to other countries and I often take that for granted.

It?s taking me hours to do simple things and I am feeling a little lethargic, I really need to get a bit more energy and enthusiasm back as I have felt a bit like a half shut knife all day. Fortunately I only have tomorrow to work and then I have an all day meeting in Glasgow on Friday and that?s the week finished, wonderful. I wish I could win the lottery and live a life of luxury !!

This will be short because I?m tired tonight and a bath, book & cosy bed are beckoning?..

Dewdrop :h

[papmom3]

Jubilant January ~ Week 2

Well the blizzard is about over but it's still blowing pretty hard out there. I got out of my sick bed to shovel the walks and get my car cleaned out and shovel some paths for the boyz. My neighbor's boy had been out since 4:30am shoveling and didn't have any motiviation to help me out. My sister didn't want my nephews driving. Luckily my neighbor 2 doors down was out with his snowblower so I swallowed my pride and asked if he could help me out since the plow had just come by again. he did my drive and half my walkway. Very nice!! However, I think instead of looking to buy a new house I need to be looking for a condo assoc that will allow 5 pets!! Either that or move out to CA or FLA (it might be cold but at least there isn't snow - yet). I'm not up to dealing with this shite anymore I can tell you that. Last year I would have been deep into a bottle of wine by now. Today I have no desire. Thank God!!!! Oh, BTW-2 feet easy!! And the drifts make 3 ft in some places.

Dew-hope you feel better tomorrow. I'm finding that the more AF time I have the shorter the periods of blueness.

LBH-your little lot sounds lovely!!! Maybe you can post some pics in the summer when the gardens are in full bloom?

[Lavande]

Jubilant January ~ Week 2

Glad yor blizzard is about over papmom!
The wind is kicking up now, blowing snow all over the place & making it feel very cold!!!!

I hope someone gets motivated someday to build some condo units in this vicinity. I'm thinking a nice cozy place but big enough to entertain the kids......someday.
For now I will enjoy my time here in cow country with my dogs, bird & 26 hens

Dewdrop, returning to work after vacation was always depressing for me. Just didn't see right somehow :upset:
Now that I'm self employed I rarely get away from home......don't know what's worse

I need to go out & chase the 'girls' in for the night.....some of them were brave enough to go out & play in the snow today :H

[paguy]

Jubilant January ~ Week 2

Happy Hump Day Folks...

Not sure about the rest of you but I just want this week to be OVER. I woke up today thinking it was Thursday so that wasn't a very good way to start. However, the fellow who does our plowing and snowblowing showed up promptly at 6am so we were actually able to drive into the office today. It was like a ghost town as most folks elected to work home due to the snow - weenies!

Mg - Welcome back! Your story of the drunk airline passenger reminded me of a time when I was on a flight and a similar situation occurred. When we finally landed, the crew arranged to have the police come on board and arrest him. The whole plane cheered and clapped when they escorted him off the plane. I've never been to Oahu but I visited Kauai once and it was gorgeous. I'd like to go back someday.

Lav - The blanket you embroidered is beautiful - you have quite the talent. I have a new grand-nephew / grand-neice arriving in March.. hmmm...

Papmom - Sorry to hear of your technical difficulties - what a drag. And another blizzard on top of that. I think you have paid your dues for the month.

I think for February, we should all plan a virtual vacation somewhere nice and warm. Or, better yet, a virtual 50th Birthday party for Rusty. Hey Rusty - you pick the place and we'll pretend we're all there!

Have a pleasant evening everyone.... Take care..

[Lavande]

Jubilant January ~ Week 2

John, glad you liked the blanket....Rusty did too
I like to have a little fun with my embroidery machines every now & then. I get seriuosly bored just doing shirts, caps, etc.
I think I should start putting together something special for G to wear when he pops out of Rusty's cake next month :H
Are you still seeing stink bugs? OMG, I think I've killed at least a dozen of them today. I have no idea how they get in.....maybe they come in with the dogs??? I don't know!

I wanted to post this Martha Stewart Coconut cookie recipe. I just made a batch for the party - they are great
Coconut Cookies - Martha Stewart Recipes

The president is on TV, guess I should pay attention.
G'nite all.

[Chillgirl]

Jubilant January ~ Week 2

I just want to say CONGRATULATIONS to Paguy on 6 months AF today!
For me the 6 month mark was a huge milestone and something really shifted in me making being AF much easier and more joyful. I bet in the beginning 6 months looked so very far away John and now here you are and doing amazingly!

Off spinning..... Back later

[Rusty]

Jubilant January ~ Week 2

:yougo::yougo::yay:CONGRATULATIONS PAGUY ON SIX MONTHS AF!!!!:cheering::cheering: John, I am so proud and happy for you. This thread is so lucky to have you...you always offer support, lend a worldly and educated opinion, and have helped many people here with your experiences far and wide. Your vast range of knowledge has come through for me, and for many people here. We love you, John. Please don't ever leave us.:h

[Stargazerlily]

Jubilant January ~ Week 2

Good morning all...

Paguy, congrats on 6 months AF. I aspire to the same, your willingness to share the positives in your life, AF, have been an inspiration to many.

Rusty, thanks for your support. You do understand. I find most people don't, and the finger pointing starts. It hurts when you have struggled for years to find solutions, and you are again in a negative pattern. Hope you have fun today now that the work part of your trip is over. I can guarantee that the Midwest continues to have typical snowy, cold weather.

Dewdrop, you are lucky to have much time off. It would make such a difference, to feel refreshed and rested.

Papmom, you sound panicky about the power outage, do you live in the country? Despite the bad weather here, I live within 1 1/2 miles of a grocery store so feel relatively safe regarding communications and food. This weather is overwhelming, and the accumulation of days and days of snow and cold........

This weather is really tough.....I am sleeping longer hours, and feel like hibernating. We have so much snow it is ridiculous. We hit the two feet mark over the weekend. It snow continuously, just stopping every once and a while. I am thankful that I am sleeping well, and not drinking. It is a gift I am giving to myself, getting stronger each day and really focusing on health. I am going to go exercise this morning, and find it is so helpful. But it sure is hard to leave the house at 5:30 a.m. I keep visualizing spring and a tighter, thinner, firmer body. Not because of looks, but because it will feel so good. Oh, and I am focusing on warm, pretty clothes, particularly my new scarves. Oh, and I ordered my favorite holiday coffee online, peppermint mocha trio. It is beyond good. So, I will do my best to make it through January. How about you? What are you doing to make it through the winter blues?

Have a lovely AF day.

[dill]

Jubilant January ~ Week 2

Greetings JJ's,
I saw a weather map on the news last night of the US. Almost the entire land mass was white, indicating snow. Of the mainland states ALL have some snow except for Florida.

What to do to make it through January? I've been listening to books on the iPod and going to the local mall to walk. In the evening we watch movies. I have been noticing that the days are ever so gradually getting longer and that gives me hope!

Congrats PAguy on your 6 months! I concur with Rusty's comments.

Let's all have an AF Thursday, and to borrow Cyn's words: "To the light!"

[rustop61]

Jubilant January ~ Week 2

Good morning everyone

Nothing is so bad, that a drink won't make worse.

This is so true. We were just saying yesterday on our walk how much better we all felt to be out exercising again and eating healthier. Plus in my case, Al is out of the equation. I have to say I did not enjoy over-indulging as much this Christmas. I felt bloated and ugh, also because of the weather I was not exercising as much. Maybe my mind set is changing.

John - :goodjob: on 6 months. You should be so, so proud of yourself.

Star/Papmom/Lav/Sped/Dill and anyone else being snowed under, stay warm and safe.

Rusty - When are you back in the US?

Hard to believe we are nearly half way through January. Lots of positivity in the thread. It feels good to be back in routine again. I am taking my vitamins (which I neglected over the holidays), doing my meditation (also neglected), exercising and trying to eat healthy so feel it is a good start to the New Year.

Happy hump day to one and all.

Rustop

[Lavande]

Jubilant January ~ Week 2

Good morning Jubilant Ones!

:cheering: CONGRATS JOHN ON YOUR 6 AF MONTHS :cheering:
You rock - be very proud of yourself!!!!

My plan to get thru these winter months, without falling into a blue slump, is to continue taking my herbal Amoryn (works like gold for me) & stay focused on the arrival of two new babies into my family. I go over my gratitude list everyday (all day) in my head & that helps me stay focused. I listen to as many teleseminars as I can, the speakers are fascinating. I'm listening to a series called The New You. http://NewYOUYear.com/tony

Heading out to the supermarket now with a list of necessities for Sunday's party
Wishing everyone a terrific AF Thursday.

Lav

[papmom3]

Jubilant January ~ Week 2



John on 6 months!!! WELL DONE!!
I agree with Chill-6 months was the turning point for me-I stopped feeling as deprived, like I was missing out on something and started seeing AL for what it is-Poison. I wish the same feelings and mindshift for you!!

Star-I actually live in the 2nd largest city in the state!! but the memories of the 2008 ice storm are still strong. 3 days without electricity or heat. We were soooo cold-the house got down to 40 degrees and I couldn't use the toilet because I had to shut the water off. I was lucky in that my dad's power came on after 12 hours so I was able to bring all my food in the fridge/freezer over to his house and we crammed it in. I could have stayed with him but didn't want to leave the furkids. Anyway, we didn't lose power this time and the snow was light.

Here's a video I took this morning of the dogs romping in their small area I shoveled out ( just click on the picture):



I'm home sick again and hoping it doesn't turn into bronchitis-fingers crossed.
So far the short cold days aren't affecting me negatively anymore but I will make more of an effort to enjoy the season for what it is. Everynite I list what I am grateful for and promptly fall asleep. Last nite I don't think I got past the serenity prayer!! :H