April Appreciation AF - week 4

[Rusty]

April Appreciation AF - week 4

Good Evening Dear Friends,

Just dropping to say hello. I've just been through a 3-day witnessed performance evaluation. In my line of work, all of us have to go through this at least once every 3 years. I did fine....got lots of great feedback from my evaluator, and just found out I am getting an award next month. Mentally, I am exhausted and took a break from studying today and will go back at it tomorrow. I spent the day watching movies, eating healthy food, and padding around the house wearing my favorite sweatshirt, a gift from a very dear friend of mine.:h My gratitude list is long today. The last time I was evaluated, my drinking was at its worst and you can all imagine what I did when my evaluation was over....I went to a bar and chug-a-lugged scotch. I was traveling at the time and cannot imagine how I was allowed on the plane because I was so out of it. Not the case anymore. I woke up this morning happy and unhung....AND, NOT at Rusty O'clock. I slept in until 6:30!:H

Paguy-My studying is coming along but today I took a break from it....I was completely saturated. Safe travels to MO-I don't evny you. I went to college there and it's definitely not one of my favorite places.

Papmom-Good luck with your interview tomorrow. I am sending you posiitve thoughts, vibes and prayers.:l I know you'll do well.

Lav, loved the pic of Will and EB. I bet EB loved being on the fio twuck.

Chill-glad you got home to Scotland safely.

Rustop-Kudos on the weight loss! YAY!

Star-only one day off and then you can relax.

Dill and Shelley, please check in. I'm worried about you and I miss you guys!

A happy hello to Jolie, Cassia, Sooty, Dewdrop, Newgrange, Mr. G, Mario, and anyone who drops in, have a wonderful Friday!

Love,

Rusty

[Lavande]

April Appreciation AF - week 4

Good evening April friends!

The sky looked completely awful this morning but all we got was bit of rain, I am grateful. That huge storm system missed this area. I feel so bad the the folks in the south.

Newgrange, hang in there! I think getting AL out of our lives is the first step, then we have to build new & improved lives without the demon. Finding something else to focus on really helps! Bring an old interest or hobby back to life or start something completely new. I found myself suddenly in grandmotherhood & it's been wonderful You'll find something to interest your 'new self'!

Speaking of grandkids, I watched EB for 7 hrs today - oh boy I am tired tonight

Greetings & good night wishes to one & all!
Lav

[Lavande]

April Appreciation AF - week 4

Cross post Rusty

[Rusty]

April Appreciation AF - week 4

Lav-I am so glad you love being a grandma. My mom can't get enough of babies either, and I like being the favorite, single aunt. I spoil my nieces and nephews and then they go back to their parents. Perfect. I never had the desire to have kids....I just love my nieces and nephews, though.

Lav-Just sent you a PM

Newgrange-Lav is right....now you have to find fun things to do to replace the time you spent drinking. What I did was I changed my workout routine. I was always a morning workout person but then, after work, the witching hour would call me and I would end up drinking. Now after work, I get to the gym because I can be around other people and when I'm through with my workout, I have no desire to eat or drink. I think everyone gets drinking thoughts, even after many months of sobriety. A huge congrats on your AF time.:goodjob: Stick with us.

[Dewdrop]

April Appreciation AF - week 4

I was catching some of the weather reports yesterday on the tornados and storms some of you are experiencing and it looks really scary, I had no idea it was quite so bad so I hope everyone is safe :l Stay in the basement guys - what?s happening to the world?s weather?? I plan on gardening as much as I can this holiday weekend I?ve strawberry plants, potatoes and peas to plant and I also bought plants for the tubs so need to get them potted up too. I have 2 of the grandkids today and Saturday so they will be helping, I bought a packet of sunflower seeds and have honesty seed pods from last year so we will scatter them about the garden. My son and DIL are going to a wedding today (no not the royal one!) so I volunteered to have the kids and let the grownups have a night in a hotel for a change. They haven?t had a night away in over a year so are really looking forward to it.

Chill I am glad that your trip was uneventful and you and Elle are home safe and sound ready to start a new chapter. Newgrange sorry to hear you are having a bit of a struggle at the moment, I think we all have blah days/weeks and these are normal whether you are drinking or not, it?s just easier to deal with them sober. I hope you feel better today and if not have a look at the threads on PAWS they resonated with me around the 60-90 days. I think its good advice from the others to look at changing your routines AF; we need to consciously fill the time we wasted drinking or drunk with positive enjoyable activities that give you a buzz and make you feel good.

I?d better get a move on I have to drive through St Andrews to pick up the kids and it?s really busy there today because of the wedding, there are loads of celebrations, street parties and media folk about. Enjoy the wedding those of you who are watching it?s quite an event over here - I am intrigued to see what her dress looks like. It?s a beautiful morning the birds are chirping away and the sun is out, I have a long weekend stretching before me and all is good in my world and I appreciate it so so much.

Hi to Cyn, Jolie, Paguy, Star, Cassia, Rusty and everyone else and good luck for the interview Papmom I?m sending positive vibes across the pond

Dewdrop :h

[Chillgirl]

April Appreciation AF - week 4

Good morning guys

Arrived late last night at my parents, Elle is staying with them and I'm in a nearby motel.

*sigh* I did it!

I'm going to try to relax today before I think of all what's to be done next. It feels great to be here and I'm excited about my new life. I have a completely blank sheet of paper in front of me and I want this next chapter to be a great one! Thank you to you all for the tremendous support. :l

Newgrange - hang on in there, we get the blues whether we are AF or not but the difference is we can cope better with it and get through it with a clearer mind.

So sad for the terrible devastation in Alabama, I hope no one here is suffering the effects of these dreadful weather events.

I'm watching the wedding guests arrive on tv, Mum by my side and Elle at my feet, Dad has bought me some pink grape juice to toast the couple.... Chill is happy

[Rusty]

April Appreciation AF - week 4

TGIF Friends,

Chill-so glad you arrived safely and are enjoying watching the wedding festivities.

Papmom-Good luck, girlfriend. We're all rooting for you here!:l:h

Back to studying. I'll check in later!

[rustop61]

April Appreciation AF - week 4

Hi everyone

Chill - so glad you arrived ok and checked in. Watched the bride arriving and will tune in for bits and pieces again. Her dress is very classy, thought she would have gone for slimmer fit but I guess the abbey is so huge they said she needed something to fill it or she would be lost.

Star and Papmom - Thinking of you both today. Also all our friends in the US. Glad it missed you Lav, hope everyone else on MWO are ok.

Newgrange - hang in there, sometimes you just have to take it ODAT.

Everyone else big hello and have a great week-end.

Rustop

[Rusty]

April Appreciation AF - week 4

Hi, I'm Back!

Rustop, I'm with you on Kate's...er, I mean, KAtherine's dress....I thought she would have picked a more tailored fit as well. The Abbey is beautiful! I hope to see it sometime.

Now, on to important thread business. Have we decided on a name for May? Magical May, Magnificent May, May Magic, Majestic May, Militant May (just kidding), Mystifying May? Oh, the joys of coffee!:H

[Stargazerlily]

April Appreciation AF - week 4

Good morning...

I am really enjoying the wedding, the styles, the gossip, the pomp and circumstance...and my husband is snoring in a nearby chair. :H I love Kate's dress, just lovely. I hope they are able to make this marriage successful, because to be in a loving relationship is one of the greatest gifts in life.

I am having a hellish time at work. My supervisor will not let me leave in a healthy and professional manner....she is insisting that I have to keep my regular schedule and close up lose ends at the same time.. Impossible, and the culture is that the last week or two, you finish up. I called human resources and the next person up. I have been up since three as I am so stressed. I wanted to leave in a healthy manner, but today I am managing my own schedule and if they want me to leave early, then I guess so be it, or I will be sick. I have to say I am so relieved I am leaving, to work in an atmosphere like this is not healthy. I am glad I am strong enough to handle it. Thanks for letting me vent.

Chill, how wonderful to watch this wedding with your mom. Good times and memories.

[Rusty]

April Appreciation AF - week 4

Star,

I'm jumping in here because I wanted to give you some support based on my previous experiences with NUMEROUS jobs AND careers. The reason they are making your last 2 weeks so hellish is they are hoping you will quit so they don't have to pay you for those last 2 weeks. Happens all the time. I've had fellow managers admit to such nasty behavior. It's also anger that they are losing such a fine individual like yourself and they will have to find your replacement, which will not be easy and this means everyone will have to work harder and possibly put in longer hours. Too bad they don't have the class to send you off with a royal ending. Good luck today. I am sending you strength, positive vibes and a boost of Rustytitude!:l You are going to a much better place and those losers all know it.

[Lavande]

April Appreciation AF - week 4

Good morning kids!

Sitting here watching a rerun of the Royal Wedding:H

Chill, you made it safely, I'm happy for you & Elle

Rusty, don't hurt your brain with too much studying today, OK

Star - a few words oif wisdom for you - FECK THEM!!!
Rusty's right - they just want an excuse to not pay you what you really deserve! Don't let the bastards get you down. Give them a gigantic dose of Lavan-itude:H:H

Waiting on YB - he was supposed to pick up eggs this morning.......figures

[Newgrange]

April Appreciation AF - week 4

Thank you all for the support. One thing I find really hard is asking for help. Loads of reasons etc. I almost did not post last night but I am so grateful I did. A big step for me.
Thanks for the advice too.

John your schedule sound so hectic. Thanks.
You sound happy chill. Good to be home.
Lavande I love hearing about your eggs.
Star ask for an exit interview with the HR boss and say what it is like to work with this boss and make a formal complaint.
Good luck pap mom.
Rust top yes odat. I feel way better today, thanks.
Thanks dewdrop.
Hope the study is going well rusty.

Having a lovely day watching the wedding and catching up with my daughter. Took the day off work. Love the dress!

Alcohol played a huge role in my life and I am adjusting to a new life without it. Big adjustment.

Have a great day everyone.

[Jolie]

April Appreciation AF - week 4

Good Friday evening abbers!

Got up early to watch the wedding (though not at 4:00 a.m.!). It was so worth it. I love all that stuff and I thought the whole thing was just beautiful. I'm really routing for these two - they really seem to be so much in love.

Chill - glad your long drive is over and hope you are resting up!

Star - sorry about work - don't let them get to you!

Lav - YB come and get those eggs yet?

Hello to Rustop, Newgrange, Rusty, Dew, PA Guy, Papmom, Guitarista - hope I didn't miss anybody. Early night for me - working at the church garden mart all day tomorrow - at least the weather is supposed to cooperate.

[Rusty]

April Appreciation AF - week 4

Good Evening Friends,

Jolie-when is the Royal Wedding in your family? I love your posts. They make me smile and I look for them.

Newgrange:l I didn't ask for help for the LONGEST time. I grew up with a loving but tyrannical (sp?) father and asking for help was a sign of weakness....besides, I actually thought I was fooling everyone....when in fact, I was drowning in the controls of alcohol. So, I didn't ask, because I thought I was so in control. Yeah, right. You are doing great and I read ALL your posts because you are indeed a bright addition to any thread here. Oh, how I know about the adjustment. The Toolbox thead is a great place to start....but also, don't be afraid to PM anyone here...we are ALL here to help.

Lav-just checking in with you, dear friend. Did YB show up at an acceptable time?

Chill-how are you, dear?

Ok, back to studying!:upset: I AM THE MOST BORING PERSON ON THIS THREAD!

Papmom-how did the interview go today? I've been pulling for you so please check in.:h

Star-how are you holding up with those losers, dear one?

Please, let's not forget Guitarista's birthday on May 4. G, guess what? Chill dumped McBoring and I think she is so available. Whaddayathink? I think you guys would be so good together. And, don't worry, G, Chill and I will talk about you in Paris in July!



Paguy-where are you, dear friend? I miss you!:h