Focused February - Week 2

[rustop61]

Focused February - Week 2

Good morning everyone

Thanks for getting us started Star. It does feel much better when you are focussed on a healthier lifestyle. I am back taking my supplements and eating right so feel much better.

I had to wait around for a fabric shop to open this morning as my daughter needed something as back-up for her art exam. Went for a walk on the promenade. It was a bright sunny morning and it was lovely to hear the waves and smell the sea. Made a nice change from the woods.

Chill - I am sure things will work out for you, keeping my fingers crossed.

Everyone else big hello. Have to go as have my weight watchers meeting soon!! Catch you all later.

Rustop

[Stargazerlily]

Focused February - Week 2

Good morning to all.

Chill, so good your interview went well.....you just never know who else interviewed, or if they just didn't get the chance to call...it is brutal, the waiting. I know the experience of interviewing was positive, and will aid you in your continuing search for employment. Looking for a job is such a humbling experience, it is why I keep putting it off and stay where I am. Just wanted to say I admire you for your strength and courage. It is so hard to put it out there after years of not working full time....I know the feeling. I also think that more mature workers have so much to offer due to life experience, I just know you will get a good job. Sending you encouragement.:l

PAguy and Dill, I read Prayers for Sale over the weekend and just loved it. I went to the library and checked out more books by the author, so will continue to enjoy her storytelling. Thanks for the recommendation.

Sheri, on another thread, offered this site and I looked it up and found it helpful so thought I would pass it on. Let me know what you think, if you have the time. We can never learn enough about gettng and staying AF, as it will be a lifelong journey. I realize that after a time, it will just be a way of life, so not so much a part of our everyday thinkng. I appreciate all the info I can get. http://www.spiritualriver.com/wordpr...lyRecovery.pdf

How is everyone doing on their AF committments? Valentine's day is coming up, for some that will mean a night out, for others, not a big deal. We are going out to dinner with friends, and have vowed to stay AF.......

Have a powerful peaceful AF day.

[Cassia]

Focused February - Week 2

Hi Star

Af commitments going well at this end. I actually have so much on my plate just now which drinking would just make ten times worse. So even though it's tough, it is actually a blessing in disguise!
How are your af commitments going?

X

[Lavande]

Focused February - Week 2

Good morning Focused Ones,

Overslept this morning, don't tell the boss :H

Thinking about you chill, keeping my fingers crossed!

Star, I've enjoyed learning & reading all sorts of different things these past two years. Trying to increase my consciousness & move closer to the light so to speak. It all has helped me stay calm enough to keep my quits thru these changes in my life.

I am really anxious for the arrival of my granddaughter My daughter was here last evening & she is can't wait either. She really does look ready to go to me

Very windy here today......but no storms prerdicted - phew!

Valentines Day has been a non-event for me for many years......you all know why! It would be awesome if my granddaughter decides to make her appearance that day

Wishing everyone a super AF Tuesday!
Lav

[piper123]

Focused February - Week 2

Chill -- FWIW I am also waiting on finding out if I did or didn't get a job. It's not in my field, but my skills would cross over quite nicely and it's under my experience which is why I can't understand them not hiring me. I actually would rather do this lower paying job in an incredible environment, than something in my field. But I was supposed to find out last week, and now it's tuesday. I have another lead on a virtual job, so I'm now working on that application. Moving on. I was not AF when I interviewed, and I shudder when I think of how I looked. Even now on my 10th day I see significant improvement in my appearance. I'm not going to let it get me down though. My focus is being AF, and I'll use my unemployment to get by. I really do hope you hear one way or another because sitting on the fence like this is torture.

I am headed to the pool for a 10:10 preschool level three swim class, then straight to the gym to try to run a mile and a half without stopping. I tried yesterday, and when I couldn't I realized I didn't eat --when will I learn? I did get a mile in, I am not going to slip backwards.

I have an observation to note: I am on wellbutrin, cymbalta and 2 pills a day of HBP meds. Even on the HBP meds while drinking towards the end I was getting very high readings, 166 over 106, 143 over 79, and since I am unemployed I have to pay oop for my meds, and the genertic welbutrin and HBP meds are very very expensive. So I am weaning myself off the wellbutrin, I've been taking one pill every other day with no side effects at all, and I am taking one bp pill instead of two and my reading this morning was 110 over 69. If I experience anything I will run to the pharmacy and get a weeks worth which is manageable, but I know and have always known but been in denial that my anxiety and HBP were most likely due to my two plus bottles of wine a night. Once I started that morning habit of finishing off what I didn't of the third bottle which was usually almost full, was when my bp stopped being controlled by the meds anymore and the blackouts started almost daily rather than sporatically. I know I shouldn't be weaning myself off of the meds, but without health insurance, it makes it kind of hard to do it any other way.

[papmom3]

Focused February - Week 2

Hi All,
Just wanted to pop in real quick and say hi. I will be back tonite.

Thanks Chilli!!!

:l

[Lavande]

Focused February - Week 2

:crowned: You get the crown today papmom!
Congrats of your 9 AF months

piper, retired nurse Lav says keep a good eye on the B/P.
I figured when I quit drinking my B/P would level out but it didn't. Turned out my spouse was keeping it elevated, he was a MAJOR source of stress for me. I'm still on two meds but the numbers are excellent since he's left

I just want Ms Sooty (our famouse bus driver) to know that I have found another delicious use for parsnips! If you love roasted garlic you'll love Roasted Garlic, Parsnips & Mushroom Soup. The recipe is on Fatfree Vegan Recipes
YUM...................:h

Hope everyone is having a great day!

[AAthlete]

Focused February - Week 2

Papmom, just wanted to throw my congrats in here as well. Nine months is awesome and I hope you are feeling great!

[Rusty]

Focused February - Week 2

inkele:CONGRATULATIONS ON 9 MONTHS AF FREE, PAPMOM!!!!inkele: You are such a positive, vibrant asset to our thread!

Good Evening from Oklahoma Focused Friends,

CALGON, TAKE ME AWAY! (for you young peeps like Rebirth), you probably don't remember this commercial. Calgon is a brand of bath beads. I am in BFE, Oklahoma, where they expect their second blizzard tonight in two weeks. If so, I will stay in my nice warm hotel room. Oh, please, give me a snow day!

Dewdrop-I appreciated your thoughts on gratitude. I share your opinion-I have lots to be thankful for today.

Star-I am still committed to being AF and I'm doing it without the help of Baclofen. I quit taking it. It was making me so sleepy and I felt it was making me scatterbrained. That is one issue I don't want to have to worry about whilst studying for my exam. I have logged onto the Spriritual River website.....lots of good info. there.

Chill-I know you might be feeling discouraged. I have been in your shoes many, many times. The hurry-up-and-wait anxiety is mind-boggling. Don't lose hope, though...there is something out there for you....I just know it.

Lav-a blue egg? Was the mother hen depressed?:H I think having your granddaughter arrive on V-Day would be the finest gift of love.

Paguy-Prayers for Sale....I'll stop and get it at the library. Oh yes, I did the Happy Dance Sunday night.:crazymonkey: Congratulations on that 10.5 mile run! :goodjob: You continue to surprise me.

Piper-19 year-old triplets? WOW....girls, boys, or a combination?

G-so glad you checked in. I was worried you were swept away by the cyclone. Do you have friends or family who were affected by the cyclone? Lav wanted me to tell you that your G-string is done and it's ready to be fitted, so please make an appt. with her. And don't forget to pick up the cake.

Rebirth-don't fret about your weight...10 pounds....piece of cake, baby! Tae Bo, here we come!

Cyntree and SD-come out, come out, wherever you are! Check in, please!

Regarding, Valentine's Day.....I buy my close friends and family cards. I don't do anything special since I'm not dating anyone. No big deal to me.

A few of you have mentioned that these winter months have made you depressed and I totally understand. However, I am thrilled to say that I am NOT depressed this year and it's because I am AF. Even when I find out my SIL left my brother, I wasn't even tempted to drink. I just found out last week that she apparently has quite the gambling habit, so she did my brother a favor....if she wants to blow her money at the blackjack table, then she can use her own $#%&* money! I am at peace with her moving out....even though my brother is devastated and still loves her. Like any other addiction, she loves gambling more than my brother. LOSER. Good riddance, I say.

Well, I better get to the gym....I had salt and sugar cravings and pigged out on my favorite pig out food....potato chips, topped off with Oreo cookies. SIGH.

Have a wonderful AF everning!

[Lavande]

Focused February - Week 2

Ahem.........
Rusty & G - the G-strings are OSFA (one size fits all so there will be no fittings) :H:H

There are all sorts of addictions Rusty & they are all hurtful in one way or the other!
I wish yor brother peace.

piper, dealing with 19 year old triplets must be quite a trip - blessings to you!

Got my 3rd blue egg today - very pretty actually

I need to do some homework, oh well.

[papmom3]

Focused February - Week 2

Good Evening my Focused Febbers!!

Thank you everyone for the congrats and well wishes. It was a great day! 9 months AF felt very special for some reason-maybe I've given birth to a whole new Papmom? Work was nice and slow and no bossman! I got caught up with a lot of things-found ways to do things faster and more efficiently and was able to finish my book at lunch (Knit, Purl, Die-based on the North Shore of MA). I've been listening to the Elm Creek Quilt series on CD on the way to and from work and its making my commute so much more enjoyable!!

After work I had my first Zumba class and loved it!! Defo going back next week! Must remember NOT to wear mascara on zumba days tho! :H
Had to go to my dads and check out some ice damage that happened this morning. No big deal-lost a gutter and fascia board but nothing else. All is good.

So V-Day is next week and it's no biggie for me. Hasn't been in decades. I'm actually glad I have the week off as there will be lots of candy in the office!

time to hit the hay. I'll see you all tomorrow!!

Chill-I totally know what you're going through right now. Have been through it too many times myself. If you don't get the job, it is their loss, not yours and something way better is around the corner for you. Believe. :l :l

Rusty-hope the blizzard didn't materialize but if it did, hope you were able to stay safe and warm in your hotel room. I too am not as depressed this winter and it has to be because I'm AF. I've had my overwhelming moments and pity parties but on the whole I feel very happy and grateful.

Piper-good for you on your BP readings!! I had really hoped mine would go down too when I stopped AL but they haven't so i'm not sure what's going on. I know my nephrologist is very concerned but so far all tests are normal. I too am on 2 BP meds. Keep up the great work!!

Lav-3 blue eggs? Just blue from this hen or could you get pink or yellow?
Thanks for the crown!!

rustop-I'm back on the supps too and will be adding 5-HTP shortly. I do think I'm feeling better on them, espicially the GABA.

Star-great website link! I quickly perused it but will read it all the way through this weekend. Thank you!!

[papmom3]

Focused February - Week 2

Good Evening my Focused Febbers!!

Thank you everyone for the congrats and well wishes. It was a great day! 9 months AF felt very special for some reason-maybe I've given birth to a whole new Papmom? Work was nice and slow and no bossman! I got caught up with a lot of things-found ways to do things faster and more efficiently and was able to finish my book at lunch (Knit, Purl, Die-based on the North Shore of MA). I've been listening to the Elm Creek Quilt series on CD on the way to and from work and its making my commute so much more enjoyable!!

After work I had my first Zumba class and loved it!! Defo going back next week! Must remember NOT to wear mascara on zumba days tho! :H
Had to go to my dads and check out some ice damage that happened this morning. No big deal-lost a gutter and fascia board but nothing else. All is good.

So V-Day is next week and it's no biggie for me. Hasn't been in decades. I'm actually glad I have the week off as there will be lots of candy in the office!

time to hit the hay. I'll see you all tomorrow!!

Chill-I totally know what you're going through right now. Have been through it too many times myself. If you don't get the job, it is their loss, not yours and something way better is around the corner for you. Believe. :l :l

Rusty-hope the blizzard didn't materialize but if it did, hope you were able to stay safe and warm in your hotel room. I too am not as depressed this winter and it has to be because I'm AF. I've had my overwhelming moments and pity parties but on the whole I feel very happy and grateful.

Piper-good for you on your BP readings!! I had really hoped mine would go down too when I stopped AL but they haven't so i'm not sure what's going on. I know my nephrologist is very concerned but so far all tests are normal. I too am on 2 BP meds. Keep up the great work!!

Lav-3 blue eggs? Just blue from this hen or could you get pink or yellow?
Thanks for the crown!!

rustop-I'm back on the supps too and will be adding 5-HTP shortly. I do think I'm feeling better on them, espicially the GABA.

Star-great website link! I quickly perused it but will read it all the way through this weekend. Thank you!!

[rustop61]

Focused February - Week 2

Good morning everyone

Papmom - Congratulations on your 9th months, you should be so proud of yourself. Glad you enjoyed your zumba class.

Dewdrop - I echo your thoughts on gratitude, we all have a lot to be thankful for.

Chill - Any news - dont loose hope.

Lav - Blue eggs, wow is that a bit like a blue moon, very rare?

John - Thanks for the book suggestions, I must take them down and well done on the running.

Rusty - Gambling, well we all have our addictions and they cause some much hurt and pain not just for ourselves but for others. All you can do is be there for your brother.

Piper - 19 year old triplets, wow. Are they girls? I have an 18 year old and a 16 going on 17 year old and these are challenging times!!

Star - Great website, thank you for the link.

Dill - Know what you mean about internet time and finding a balance.

Sooty - How is weight watchers going? I lost 2.5lbs this week so was pleased.

Regarding Valentines Day, we always give each other a card and I sometimes get flowers, depends on how busy he is. We went out for dinner on our own last week-end for it. That's why I was so pleased to loose any weight. Although this new programme has 47 points for week-ends so that must have covered it.

Cassia, MG, Mr G, SD, LBH, Rebirth and anyone else I missed big hello and happy hump day.

Rustop

[paguy]

Focused February - Week 2

Good Morning Focused Ones:

Papmom - A HUGE Congratulations and round of applause on 9 months - :wd: You GO GIRL! You sound so positive and focused on where you want to be. Well done.

Piper - Nice job on the BP readings. I, too, was able to reduce my BP after I stopped drinking. In my drinking days I was averaging 150/90 and today I usually run at 120/70. It's still a little higher than I would like it to be so I monitor it regularly.

Star - Glad you enjoyed 'Prayers for Sale', too. I want to read more of the author (Sandra Dallas) but I don't like to read books by the same author back-to-back. Just one of my silly idiosyncracies I guess!

Here is another book that I read in the past 6 months that I really liked: Peony in Love, Lisa See, (9780812975222) Paperback - Barnes & Noble. It's set in 17th century China and is a bit whimsical and deals with the afterlife but I just fell in love with the main character, Peony. Read the reviews and see if it appeals to you.

Chill - Hope you are hanging in there. I know the waiting for a response and uncertainty can be very nerve wracking. Just remember, if this opportunity doesn't work out, one closed door always seems to lead you to new opportunities. You will get through this.

Lav - Blue eggs - how beautiful! Don't robins lay blue eggs?

Rusty - Potato chips and Oreo cookies? At the same time? Huh?? :H:H

Greetings to everyone else (cassia, rustop, rebirth, sped, LBH, dew, mg, aathlete... hope I haven't forgotten anyone!)

Make it a GREAT hump day!

[Lavande]

Focused February - Week 2

Happy Hump Day Focus Ones

No Oreos for this girl today (because I don't have any), no promise on the potato chips though :H

Greetings Papmom, Rustop, John & all those who haven't checked in yet!

My Amerucana hen will lay blue eggs for the rest of her egg laying days - it's interesting. The eggs are not as dark blue as a robin egg John but still very pretty.

I'm dragging around this morning, need more coffee. I have some work to finish this morning then meeting friends for lunch in the Mushroom Capital of the world

All the wind we had yesterday blew in some very chilly weather but at least it's dry out so I won't complain! Not really

Have a great day one & all!
Lav