Joyful June - week 1

[Dewdrop]

Joyful June - week 1

Cyn and LBH it?s lovely to hear from you both and we hope to hear more, in the meantime it?s really nice to know that you are both well and life is good. You have both added so much to this thread since I joined and I miss you both. I also miss Dill and Shelley and wish that they would get back in touch with us just to let us know they are okay.

Cassia so sorry that you are feeling lonely but it?s just to be expected really, and you know it?s not going to be for long, and you know it?s the right thing to do for your future, sometimes ?change? hits us in unexpected ways. Truck on Cassia and you will achieve your goals before you know it. Good luck with the interview Chill it?s great to have choices but I still think you could make a business out of Dog Walking especially if you get a few clients like the doc.

Hi to everyone else you are all doing so well and |I?ll catch you all tomorrow.

Dewdrop

[ladybirdheart]

Joyful June - week 1

Goodness, Chill, Doc certainly pays top dollar for doggie day care. That is close to what I pay for somebody to live in and take care of my entire house when I travel:H. Thank you for being glad to hear from me, Dew, I am always so glad to hear from you also.

I am restless and daunted by the monstrous fire the to west right now. It is already consuming more than 300 square miles of wilderness, so hard to fight, and there is not a single area of containment on any front. The smoke rolls in here two hundred miles away, the sky becomes dark yellow, and the eleven thousand foot mountain just to my east simply disappears. Very creepy. My neighbor is a firefighter and she has been over there for four days, she says it looks like the end of the world. Even here people are wheezing and coughing and encouraged to stay inside as the mountain acts like a wall that contains the smoke, I can?t imagine what is like to be in its path. So take deep breaths and think of rain in the Southwest US, hard rain, gentle rain, any rain. Love, Ladybird.

[Lavande]

Joyful June - week 1

Wow LBH, take care of yourself & play it safe!
Those fires look absolutely horrible on TV

Chill, I'll come walk that dog for $800/month - really!
You really should place an ad & get a few more paying customers - why not??

Dewdrop, I am seriously tired today after 3 days of chasing my grandson around :H He'll be here for a few hours tomorrow as well. I don't need any other exercise when he's here!!!

Heatwave #2 2011 on the way - ugh.

[Jolie]

Joyful June - week 1

Ah ha moment

Morning Abbers,

Went to donate blood yesterday (I do this routinely about every 6 months). Now in the past, there has always been an issue with either my veins or just the fact that after a few minutes, my blood slows down and it always takes me much longer to donate than other people. Yesterday was totally different! When she said I was done, I was shocked! I commented that it usually takes so much longer and there always seem to be issues - she said "were you dehydrated those times? That could make a big difference". DUHHHHH! Of course I was dehydrated! Who wouldn't be after downing 5-6 glasses of wine the night before! I thought I had realized most of the things that are different now that that's not my every day routine but I guess there are still a few surprises (pleaseant might add) out there!

Lav - I suggest you find some nice quiet activity INSIDE tomorrow to entertain EB with

LBH - I have never been through anything like a wildfire so it's hard to imagine but keeping you and everyone else out there in my prayers. Hope you get that much-needed rain real soon.

Chill - I'm with everyone else - sounds like you are on to something with this dog walkin plan - plus you get the benefits of being able to enjoy being outside as well as getting in a little exercise! It's a win-win situation. Good luck with the job interview no matter what you decide.

Star - hope you are feeling better - keep marching on my friend! I know exactly what you are going through!

Papmom, rustop, Dew, Rusty - hope you guys are all having a great day!

[Stargazerlily]

Joyful June - week 1

What an active Monday...

Good morning to all!

LBH, how scary, I am definitely sending thoughts of rain, moisture, and cessation of the fires. I know there are usually fires out west, but this seems awfully early in the season. I think what is particularly surreal would be the ashes in the atmosphere, affecting the sun. You can't get away from it. What are people doing, staying inside? It is just hot and humid here, hard to be outside if you like to breathe, it would be a good day to be at the beach. But, I get to work.

Dew, the books I am reading are women centered books, Jean Shinoda Bolen and Sue Monk Kidd. I have just read the Bolen books and they are OK but nothing really exciting. They talk about women changing the world with circles of women changing perceptions, setting goals, etc. I love feminist stuff as I grew up in the patriarchal Catholic world, and did not even realize that there was a woman centered view of the world in the past. We are so lucky to be living now, when we have so many opportunities and freedoms, although it is still so unequal. I shudder to think how hard it is in so many third world countries. Anyway, nothing in particular at this point that I can recommend, I am so happy I did not buy the books, but used the library.

Chill, when I read your post I just thought, one step at a time. Remember to listen to your body when you go for the interview. I had an interview six years ago, and my heart would not stop pounding. I later found out it was an unhealthy place to work, so I always felt my body was telling me to GET OUT!!! Another interview felt right, good, I was at peace. With my current job, it was the same. The interview went on two hours, it was just the right fit. So, something to think about. I had to consider a longer commute, and now drive over an hour a day, but to me it is worth it. We'll see how I feel in the winter!!! There are always trade-offs. I also only work four days a week, so I am actually putting in less time. Just lots to consider, but you will have time. Good luck to you. Chill, tell me about the weather, is it always cold, can you never go biking?

Lav, good exhaustion, after taking care of your darling grandson. I agree, thank goodness for AC, I slept well last night in comfort!!

Cassia, we are here for you as much as we can be. You are incredibly brave in starting a new life and of course there are times that are hard. Any change consists of getting out of our comfort zone, and leaving a beloved husband behind for a time is not easy. How is your job going? I love my new job, but find I miss the friends I left behind as I worked in a large company. Now, it is smaller and there is less socialization. Not good or bad, just something to adapt to on a daily basis. It was not all good, believe me.

I am not going to work out at my health club this morning as it is so hot. I think I will bike ride for half an hour this morning to be outside and get the energy of nature. To all, have a great AF day.

[Lavande]

Joyful June - week 1

Good morning June friends!

The AC is already tuned up in anticipation of the coming heat. I'm such a weenie :H
My ancesters were from northern Europe so my genetics jusy don't cope well with excessive heat.

Greetings Jolie, Star & all who drop in today

Must go feed & water the yard birds while it's still cool
Wishing everyone a fantastic AF Tuesday!

Lav

[rustop61]

Joyful June - week 1

Hi everyone

Just a quick check in. Off to stock up on what my daughter needs for her exams. She starts tomorrow morning. She ended up at the doctor yesterday. I took her a few weeks ago as she did not seem to have gotten rid of a sore throat, cough etc. and I did not want it lingering. She was given an antibiotic which cleared it up for her but then she got thrush. Agggh, it was a holiday here but luckily there was a doc on call in a local outpatients and a chemist open. She's fine today but it was better to have it taken care of. If it had not been for the exams I would have let the original cold run its course.

Other daughter off to her friends and hubby fishing so a nice quite house. I have been getting lots of sleep lately and feel all the better for it. Living life on life's terms and taking it one day at a time.

Have a great day everyone

Rustop

[Dewdrop]

Joyful June - week 1

Star I had to respond.... and I haven?t read those authors however I had no thoughts of feminism until I lived in the Middle East during my 20?s and I was forced to be faced with it on a daily basis and it was quite an awakening for me. We were not long married when my hubby got a job with an American company and we lived in the dessert in Saudi Arabia. Quite an adventure but it wasn?t long before I realised that many of the ?partners? of the American men on our compound were ?bought? when the men went on R&R to Thailand for 5 days or a week and came back with wives. We could argue the ins and outs forever over a signed contract and the rights and wrongs, however all I remember are the many females I helped to escape the abusive relationships they suddenly found themselves in, and the debt they felt they owed their families to stay for as long as possible as a few dollars a month could keep their whole families in Thailand. The American passport was the jewel dangled in front of many and yet few actually achieved it.

Another difficulty for me was the attitude of the UK and American guys we were living with as they felt this situation was really alright as both partners had agreed a contract and it was a business arrangement; none of them would accept the complete lack of control, power or ownership the women had ? it was all one sided. I felt I was arguing against a brick wall of opinion and had few supporters and little changed, it left me feeling quite hopeless yet I know the women I did help to escape were very grateful. That experience and the knowledge that many women and children are still treated like commodities and currency in this world really makes my blood boil.

Okay off my soap box :xmouth: and back to being calm, peaceful and collected.........

Dewdrop :h

[papmom3]

Joyful June - week 1

Calling All Fashionistas

Below are pics at my first attempt to personalize the Paphut. I need your honest opinions on color and design.

1. It's bubblegum/fushia pink. Should I go lighter?
2. Should I keep the beige stripe
3. Should I paint the beige stripe pink?
4. Should I have one big solid block of pink without the white stripes inbetween?

Sorry the pics trying to compare the before stripes and after stripes are dark-they really don't do what it looks like justice.

[Chillgirl]

Joyful June - week 1

Papmom - a quick input from me.... I LOVE LOVE LOVE the pink stripes! I'd stick with your color and paint the beige one pink too! It's FAB :h

[Rusty]

Joyful June - week 1

Good Morning June Bugs,

Jolie-WOW!!! You opened my eyes on the issue of being dehydrated and trying to donate blood or even submit to a blood test. I had the same problem when I was drinking, too...but nobody told me I was dehydrated. Good for you to see another positive result because of the AF life! I love your avatar....I try to envision you in real life...if you're tiny and you have blonde hair? I also think it's wonderful that you donate blood...what a kind person you are.....I am sure you have a boatload of friends, too.

LBH:upset: Run for cover, woman! I've never experienced a wildfire and this is giving me chills. Have you experienced this before? Where do you and Lord Bird Heart go in a situation like this? Thoughts and prayers are being sent your way!:h

Chill-$800/month for walking a dog? All I have to say is, I and the rest of the people on this thread are in the wrong business!:H Dog walkers around here get between $25-35 per visit. You could end up like J Lo in the Wedding Planner. Have you ever seen that movie with Matthew McConaughey? (insert panting and drooling face). He is sooooo good looking. Good luck with the job interview, dear friend. We are all pulling for you and you will make the right decision if it's meant to be yours. I totally understand your angst regarding the commute or another move. Ugh....decisions, decisions. I've never been to Glasgow, but, my cousin spent a semester in Glasgow when she was in college. She absolutely loved it. And my friend married a man from there.

Papmom-love the choice of colors for your Paphut. My gosh, you are ambitious! :-)

Off to shop for a dress for my niece's wedding this Saturday. Wish me luck!

Back later!

[papmom3]

Joyful June - week 1

Chill-I too have to say WOW!!! $800 a month for playing with his dog every day? Don't EVER quit that job! Yep, you may have found your niche so I would explore it more. Definitely go on the job interview tho just to see what is available. I would LOVE to do pet sitting as a full time job (only small dogs and cats) but it doesn't pay enough and my area is chock full of pet sitters/dog walkers.

Thanks for the input on the paphut colors guys! I think I'm going to paint the beige stripe pink, live with it fo a while and then decide if I continue with the rest of the striping or go lighter or make it one wide stipe. Continued opinions welcome!! gotta love spray paint and painters tape!!

[Chillgirl]

Joyful June - week 1

Evening Guys

LBH - Forrest fires are terrifying, how brave these firefighters are, it must be hard for them to see such devastation up close.

Jolie - Loved your story about giving blood, wow, the no. of things in our lives which improve without AL are unbelievable.

Lav - I hope your batteries are recharged today.

Star - You are so right about tapping into what feels instictively right, when I look back at wrong decisions ive made there were warning bells ringing I just never listened to.

Rusty - You got my heart rate through the roof at the mention of Matthew McConaughey although my Doc comes pretty close with a smile that makes me weak at the knees.

Last night when I returned Charlie from her walk the Doc was home for an all night on call looking at scans on his computer and he invited me in for tea. :h I told him about the interview and we discussed the pros and cons if I were to get it. Its amazing how verbalizing our thoughts gives us new perspectives and I woke up this morning with a much clearer view of what I want.

I didnt move all this way to make a new life doing something that doesnt make me happy. I have to stay in this apartment until end October and I dont want to stay a minute longer. I spend my whole time plus fuel money travelling to the next town where my parents live, where the Doc lives and where my gym is. So thats a no brainer, I need to find a place there that will allow me to have Elle. Its a bigger town than where im living and therefore more chance of finding work. I can survive over the summer on my dog minding pay and savings. After that I can look for a new rental and a more grown up job as we head into the winter.

I dont want to move to Glasgow, I prefer small towns and I would propably only see my parents once a month. The rents are higher and if I ever managed to get a mortgage the property is way too expensive up there. I will go for the interview anyway as its good experience for me but having this opportunity has given me clarity about what i really want and what my heart is telling me. And Papmom, your right, Id be insane to quit this salary for dog walking! Im in love with Charlie and her with me and walking her twice a day is sheer pleasure..... eh and so is having to be in touch with her handsome owner.

[Dewdrop]

Joyful June - week 1

Laybird the fires you are enduring are awful, I can’t imagine what it must be like and I’m sending rain thoughts your way. I woke this morning to rain drumming down on the velux window in my bedroom and I actually thought of you and how you needed it more than we do. Rusty sounds like we both have weddings this weekend, or are you wedding dress shopping?

Papmom I so love your stripes and my only suggestion would be to paint the beige one purple/damson as a contrast but I do like it beige and think it would also be good pink. I’d continue the whole caravan with the 2 pink stripes at the moment and then see how you feel. You are pretty good with the spray paint; can you do the same with the chrome parts that had rust spots on them?? Chill are you really tied into your apartment until October, a friend has a few properties and although the tennants sign a 6 month lease he never holds them to it if they want to leave earlier. I think these things are sometimes open to negotiation.

I’ve had a really xxxxy day today and am fed up so I’m in bed with my knitting and my laptop, I’m hopeful for a good night sleep and a fresh start tomorrow (hopefully). Life can be a bit draining at times and this is one of them.

Dewdrop

[ladybirdheart]

Joyful June - week 1

Hello everybody. I hope you can rest Dew, it is good just to let go and dream. Thank you Rusty et. al. for your concern, we are never going to burn up in a wildfire here in an inner city, for us it is really bad, ?hazardous for everyone?, air quality. The smoke and ash have not let up for a minute all day and are supposed to get even worse again tonight and continue in days and nights to come. We are urged to stay inside with the windows closed and not run the evaporative coolers that are used in the desert for air conditioning any more than we can manage without frying. I have ashes in my house. It is just tiring, our lungs hurt and eyes burn but my heart breaks for all the people struggling to move their livestock and evacuate their families and pets from the path of the fire. It just keeps getting bigger, and the forest is so beautiful there. On a much brighter note, Pappy, I like your stripes! I think the pink looks quite cheerful; I also very much like the idea of a rainbow. Probably in part because I am obsessed with rain. Speaking of water (again!), good for you on your revelation of hydrated veins, Jolie, healthy body parts are cool wherever they occur. Love to all, Ladybird.