April Appreciation AF - week 2

[Lavande]

April Appreciation AF - week 2

Good Hump day morning everyone!

How did it get to be 9:20 am already???
This insufficient amount of daylight has me moving like a slug.

John, Congrats on 9 months buddy
Make sure you get to Longwood if all possible ~ always nice there!

I'm signing up for the Spring mediation challenge today (meant to yesterday). I really enjoyed the Winter session & wish I really could keep it a daily practice.

OK everyone, have a terrific AF Wednesday!
Lav

[Rusty]

April Appreciation AF - week 2

Good Afternoon April Allies, Comrades and Loved Ones!

I'm home I'm home I'm home!!! It's a scrumptiliumptious afternoon here (quoting Mary Poppins) and I am about to take a a happy unhung run along the lake path. Now I will see where all the naughty dog owners did NOT clean up after their pooches all winter.

Thank you, dear friends, for all the support you've given me for my upcoming exam. It means sooo much to me!:h I need to be clearheaded, focused, undistracted. I have NO clue how I passed it 3 years ago when my drinking was so out of control it was frightening.

Chill-Here's what I would do with McDoofus. I would feed your lovely puppy a canine buffet, fit for Prince William, and then take him for a long stroll on McDoofus's front lawn. Maybe your dog will leave him a message!:H:H McLibra will awaken to find tootsie rolls all over his lawn. Hmmmm....he's never been married, has he? GEEEEE....I wonder why???? There was a reason why there was no spark there, Chill. He wasn't right for you. Dog lovers generally don't click with non-dog lovers. I know I don't. I'm single and my little dog is everything to me. Hugs to you. You will find a solution to your housing situation...I know you will.

PAGUY-CONGRATULATIONS ON 9 MONTHS AF!!!:: You have no doubt seen positive changes in your physical and emotional strength with all those AF months behind you! You are an inspiration to all of us.

Star-I am sooo sorry you are dealing with a bully. I hate that and it's happened to me. Bullies are generally overwhelmed with insecurity and fear and that's how they act out. My former boss was like that. I had to stay one step ahead of him, quietly, because confronting him would only have made it worse. Sending you love and strength.

A cheery hello to Granny Lav, Papmom, Rustop, Sooty, Dew, Cyntree, Jolie. Mr. G (Heart beating uncontrollably here), Mario, Newgrange, and anyone I might have missed....see you tomorrow!

[paguy]

April Appreciation AF - week 2

Good Evening!

Thanks folks for all the kind words on my 9 month AF anniversary. I really do feel like a different person now and it is clear to me that I was living in a fog for such a long time. Now, I have focus and determination and I am much more content than I've ever been. Many of you have been here with me from the beginning of this journey and I sincerely appreciate your friendships. :h

Star- Dealing with bullies at work is probably the single most stressful part of any job. I am so sorry you are having to go through this. Hang in there an be brave. One thing that I have experienced in the past that has been helpful in these types of situations is an 'Assimilation' exercise that is generally moderated by HR. It's a way for team members and managers to get issues out in the open in a non-threatening way. Not sure if would be helpful here but wanted to mention it.

I celebrated my 9 months this evening by going to the gym and bicycling for 15 miles. It felt good to take a day off from running and still get some exercise. My next 5K race is coming up on Saturday (praying for nice weather!)

Well, friends, hope you all have a peaceful evening...

Warmly.
John

[Guitarista]

April Appreciation AF - week 2

G'day Appreciating Allies of April and beyond, in fact, to infinity!

A huge congratulations to you John! Well done mate. Sobriety absolutely ROCK'S doesn't it? Makes you know you can do ANYTHING. Keep it going.

Hi Rusty! I will come to Wisconsin, but only if your hair really is like Kramer's.

You will find a place for you and your pooch Chilli. For sure. It's obviously a pain in the @$^% trying to organise a place from afar, but something will turn up, as you know! May 10? Don't you mean May 4th? (my birthday :H) More music real soon, and thanks for asking.

Have a terrific week everyone, and ramp up that gratitude thinking!

Greg :h

[Stargazerlily]

April Appreciation AF - week 2

Good morning all...

Well, I am trying to handle the bully in a different way. Verbal cutdowns about my credentials, etc, and I just emailed my supervisor with cc's to the directors. Is this true? The bully was shocked, by I figured, hey, I don't have to put up with being put down, if it is true, I'll take care of it. I'm just tired, that's all. It will be nice to get away this weekend.

Not even considering drinking. That is a relief and a sign of strength. I am just taking everything day by day and that is all anyone can do. To all, have a great day, AF.

[rustop61]

April Appreciation AF - week 2

Good morning everyone

Very full day ahead so this is just a quick check in.

Well done Star, you sound so, so strong. Last year Al might have had some hold. It shows how far you have come.

Got to dash, hi to everyone and have a great AF Thursday.

Rustop

[Jolie]

April Appreciation AF - week 2

Morning guys,

Busy day ahead for me as well so gotta keep it short. Star - good for you - upper management may not even know there is a problem so hopefully they will address this bully and put him/her in his/her place!

Looks like it's going to be a beautiful day here on the east coast and I'm taking advantage of it! Taking the day off from work for some shopping with a friend. YEA - love to shop.

Thoughts of AL are popping up less and less. Not having any in the house helps a ton as well as all of you guys here - my mood is grateful and I am truly grateful for a lot of things right now - MWO and all my friends here are top of the list!

Have a great day everyone.

[Lavande]

April Appreciation AF - week 2

Good morning all!

Yay - sunshine
I'm taking full advantage of it by running to the nursery today & buying some plants. Those empty pots outside need some color!

Star - help yourself to all the Lavanittude you need! Take no hostages :H

Greetings Rustop & Jolie & all who stop in today!
I'm looking forward to some newest baby & EB time later today

Have a terrific AF Thursday!
Lav

[Guitarista]

April Appreciation AF - week 2

Star,

Just punch the idiot! (metaphorically speaking, of course)

Have a peaceful, non violent, and harmonious day everyone.

[Chillgirl]

April Appreciation AF - week 2

Hi guys
I'm trying very hard not to get despondant here but another day of "no's" to renting with dogs :upset: I have now completely exhausted the type of properties and areas i would have preferred and I am now just considering anything, I have also upped my budget and will have to worry about how to pay the rent at a later date. If I don't get a move on I will lose my tenant here and be back to square one.

Star - don't take any crap from nobody :no: that strength we get from being AF makes us realize we are worthy again of respect, don't you forget it!

Lav - I hope you had a wonderful time with William, how is EB taking it?

Rusty - I love you! Your energy and humor is contgious :H who looks after your pooch when you are away?

I'm meeting the marvelous Mario tomorrow at our usual little beach bar, and yes he is as handsome as his avatar

[papmom3]

April Appreciation AF - week 2

Chill-you're pulling out all the stops right? Networking? Isn't there someone out there who will let you crash for as long as it takes to find a pet friendly flat? I know I would open up my house to you in a heartbeat! Come on over to the US Chill! You know the language and with your experience in Real Estate we could find you a job in no time (now the work visa would be a different issue!! ). I'm praying for you and doggie Chill-Something will happen right at the last minute!! I say rent your place, go to Scotland, crash at your parents and let the Universe take care of you. BTW, would it be financially possible for you to rent a caravan or small RV to put on your parents property temporarily? I was going to do that if I had had the chance to move out to the western part of the state where my brother is. I'd hook up to his electricity and use their facilities but doggies and I would have some privacy until I found a place to live. That never happened but it could have. We were all set to find an old RV is decent shape to tow to his property.

I'll keep brainstorming for you!!
:h

[Chillgirl]

April Appreciation AF - week 2

Good morning appreciators
My dear dog has been waking me 40 mins before the alarm goes off and I have been enjoying that extra time to meditate and journal.

Papmom :l you are such a dear friend and I appreciate your brainstorming so much. I had already though of the caravan idea but havent looked into it yet. My Mum has 3 apartments to see at the weekend and has already told them about the dog and they are checking with the owners so fingers crossed, at least it wasn't a straight "no". I'm finding I can't sit at peace I'm so agitated with the waiting, it's going to be a long weekend!

Anyway for now I'm off for a cycle before I meet Mr Mario... Have a great Friday guys.

[Stargazerlily]

April Appreciation AF - week 2

Good morning to all...

Well, yesterday was an interesting day to say the least. At work, our new supervisor let us know in writing in a meeting that we cannot take our paid time off unless all of our paperwork is done. This in a profession where the paperwork is never really done. I was just stunned. I am checking with HR today to see if this is official policy. What a tyrant. Then, I listen to my messages when I get home and I have a message from an employer for a job interview. I communicated with this person and have an interview set up for next week after work. Wow, I was surprised. I thought of the Universe and being taken care of. There is alot to think about if I am offered the job. Alot. No benefits, farther away from home(gas $4 a gallon)evenings and difference in pay, with potential for more. However, autonomy, new work, less days, less paperwork, and a whole new experience. I feel calm about it so far, which is a good sign. We'll see.

I am taking off for the weekend and am looking forward to getting away. My brother called up to see if we are still not drinking, he is obsessed. I am still the big sister and he wants to follow my lead. It is so funny. He too is not drinking much. Many of his hard partying friends are divorcing and their lives are in tatters. I know it is because of the booze. His wife drinks only on occasion, and is totally against getting drunk. She is just able to control it. We are good friends so it will be wonderful to see her.

If I was drinking I would not even have the initiative to try something new. Now, I feel confident and ready to face new experiences. I don't want to take the first thing offered, but need a positive change. I will go forward trusting that everything is working in divine right order.

Chill, keep the faith, you will find a place to live, it just may take a little more time. My experience is that nothing in life is ever too easy. I was happy to read you are keeping bus with exercise and visiting. How fun. We are all keeping you in our thoughts and sending you positive energy.

Have a fun Friday, AF

[papmom3]

April Appreciation AF - week 2

Oh Star what great news about the interview!! Don't think about the what ifs and oh the commute etc. Just think about putting your best self forward, acing the interview and THEN when they offer you the job, you can negotiate and decide if it's worth the sacrifices and perks. ODAT and OSAT!! I agree that being sober and unhung really opens doors and lets us be the best we can. I remember one big interview I had at a University I REALLY wanted to work at (would have brought me to western ma and closer to my brother and his family). I wasn't going to drink "much" the night before as I had some schools to visit early the next morning before I headed out to western MA but we all know how that turned out! I did my visits, went home, changed and headed out. I was hungover, shaky, my face puffy, of course I had to have fast food to counteract everything AND I was running late!! How I got through the interview I'll never know. I do know that I wasn't at my best although I still feel I covered it well. I didn't get the job but I heard through the grapevine (same one that told me I didn't get it-they apparently couldn't be bothered with a phone call) that the person leaving decided to stay afterall. So, I will never know how I really did. I will always have that question mark. Fast forward to last Friday's interview-chipper, alive, brimming with health and confidence. I KNOW I did my absolute best and felt my best. If I don't get the job, it won't be because they could sense something was off about me.
You go for that interview and feel confident that you will wow them because you are sober, healthy and the Universe is with you. :h

[Jolie]

April Appreciation AF - week 2

WOW - so much positive energy here today!

Chill - Hope the apartments work out but I think Papmom's idea of the RV is a good one as well. You'd be right there with your parents but would have your own space for you and doggy as well.

Star - lots going on with you as well - I know this will all sort itself out and that divine right order is playing a huge part in your future.

Is it just me or does anyone else feel like there is just this whole different world out there less AL? I am doing so many first-time sober activities that I never would have attempted in my drinking days. Life is good and I'm appreciative.

Hey Guitarista, Lav, Rustop - Hope you are all having a great Friday! Lav - the sun is out again! (this is getting a little scary) and it's not supposed to be quite as warm but at least it won't be raining today - now tomorrow will be a different story:upset:

I'm thinking positively - going to do a lot of inside cleaning/organizing around here tomorrow.

Everyone have a wonderful sober Friday!