AF Daily - Monday 6/20

[greeneyes]

Bonjour abstentionnistes!

Sugar hangover. Feck. How utterly typical of me to binge on a substance that I am on the brink of curtailing. That is all.

Today is supposed to be 102 in the "famously hot" city - why didn't they add "and humid" to such a clever phrase that surely will attract summer tourists by the droves. (See? See what sugar does? I'm snarky already! :H) I have the misfortune to have to be out and about in it. OK, I must dig around in the mood change toolbox. Spending time in a negative state is wasted time.

M3, look towards the back of the room today and we'll be in the popcorn eating section.

Have a lovely! Stay cool!

Tomorrow is summer soltice.

[AAthlete]

AF Daily - Monday 6/20

Morning Greenie, and thanks for starting us off this morning! Going crazy on the sugar actually makes sense, at least to me. How many times did I tell myself that I was stopping drinking tomorrow, so I might as well go crazy with it today?? Wonderful brain buckets that we were given, aren't they??

In answer to your question yesterday, I actually haven't been swimming lately. Roughly three months ago I did a pretty good job of pushing my achilles to the breaking point doing some running hillwork for an upcoming tri. Doc said I came as close to tearing it as I could without actually tearing it and diagnosed me with achilles tendonitis. Bugger of an injury to recovery from even with therapy twice a week, and yesterday was the first run I've had where I didn't really feel anything and was able to push a good pace. Long story short - I've been focused on rehabbing, cycling, and getting back into running so I've pushed swimming off to the side now, even though I was starting to get pretty good at it.

Actually ended up not being a bad thing to have happen, as we've identified some pretty bad mechanics in my running stride and corrected those, plus my son has started running with me as well! Funny how things that start out seemingly so bad can turn out so good in the long run.

Anyway, sorry to ramble on, and hope everyone has a great Monday! Raining again in the Chicago area (did I mention again??), so it looks like it is going to be an inside day today!

[LVT25]

AF Daily - Monday 6/20

Hello friends,

Thanks for the start this morning Greenie--sugar hangover and all! :l

Very interesting Mom3! The brain is a fascinating organ!

Rainy here again today. I should have worked in my garden on Saturday instead of cleaning house--now it is too muddy again! Oh well, at least I got some cleaning done and I may get more of that done today! We have had some severe storms in our area, but so far we have been pretty lucky. There is some concern about flooding, but not right where we live luckily.

My son invited the football team over Saturday night after their day at Waterworld! I am so glad we put in a family room in our basement for all of the kids to hang out! They just "chilled" and watched a couple of movies. Ate pizza and drank a case of bottled water and root beer. I hope this becomes a common thing. So much nicer than worrying where they are, what they are doing. Especially since I finally heard on the news this morning, the accident Friday night was a head on collision--a car crossed the center line. They didn't say anyone died at the scene, but it frightens me to think my son was just a few minutes behind it. I have been listening to and reading Doreen Virtue's books about the archangels and I did ask "Michael" to protect my son and his friend and others on the road that night.

We had a nice father's day. Relaxing, yet I got some stuff done. Ended up having lunch with some good friends. I don't have as much trouble being sad on father's day without my dad, as I do mother's day without my mom for some reason.

Anyway, here's to wishing everyone a happy, productive and sober week!:h:h

[Lavande]

AF Daily - Monday 6/20

Good morning Abbers!

So overcast here I've had to turn lights on everywhere. Hot, humid & threatening thunder storms here too Greenie ~ you are not alone

Greetings AA & LVT too!
Running with Achilles tendonitis must be extremely challenging AA - take it easy!

LVT, I always felt better when my daughter had friends over for a safe, fun evening. My son was more of a loner but joined the local fire company as soon as he could & spent most of his time hanging out there so at least I knew where he was & what he was doing I am grateful everyday my kids got thru those years safely. My 18 yr nephew didn't, he died just weeks after graduating from high school in an AL related accident, very sad.

OK, time to get some work done!

[Kaslo]

AF Daily - Monday 6/20

Good morning Abstinikoffs!!!

Greenie thanks for the opening salvo. I think I could become addicted to eating grass, I just have that kind of physiology/personality, so I sympathize re sugar.

AAth dont you hate achilles tendonitis?? I had it combined with plantar fasciatus, what a ROYAL pain that was. very difficult to heal too. And get exercise at the same time.

LV i managed to keep my second daughter outta trouble doing just what you describe. What garden zone are you in? I am in 5b so roses are starting, and rhodos are on thier way out. I have a garden tour coming up this coming weekend so I will be very busy out there this week.

Lav we must have cross posted, so sorry to read about your nephew. That is very hard to bear. that is what we all live in fear of. In BC it was a huge problem, because our roads are pretty challenging, and AL consumption in teens is horrendous here. There is a graduated licencing program and schools go very hard with AL free post grad pre grad during grad AL free activities. We lost many many teens here. Have a good day, Lav...

We have had way too much rain and the weeds are inSANE. Also didnt get much done this weekend as grandkids and daughters both here. A one year old and a two year old....anna one anna two....= Noise and total chaos, most of the time. I love em but they are leaving this morning. I wish they lived closer....

I am taking most of this week off from work...WHOO HOOO!

Have a great one you folks. Will check in to say hello later.... kas

[greeneyes]

AF Daily - Monday 6/20

Kaslo, do you know what may be eating (past tense really) the petals of my purple cone flowers? And the leaves of my butterfly bush as well?

This is the daily OM message and quite a good one I thought.

Try not to take everything personally, things that people say and do don?t always have anything to do with you.


Every time you interact with others, you have the choice to listen to, acknowledge, and let go of their words, or you can take what they are saying personally. Taking things personally is often the result of perceiving a person?s actions or words as an affront or slight. In order to take something personally, you must read negative intent in an individual?s words or actions. But what people do and say has no bearing upon you and is usually based on their own experiences, emotions, and perceptions. If you attempt to take what they do or say personally, you may end up feeling hurt without reason.

If you are tempted to take a comment or action personally, creating some distance between yourself and the other person can help you. Try to determine what is at the root of your feelings. Ask yourself if the other person?s words or actions are just reinforcing some insecurity within you or if you can really be sure that an offense was intended. You may even want to ask them what they meant. Finally, put yourself in the other person?s shoes. Instead of taking their words as the truth, or as a personal affront, remember that whatever was said or done is based on their opinion and is more reflective of what is going on inside of them, rather than having anything to do with you. You may have been an easy target for someone having a bad day, and their comments may have been offered with no ill intentions.

When you recognize that what anyone says or does doesn?t necessarily have anything to do with you, you will no longer feel hurt or attacked. While it?s easy to take things personally, you should never let anyone?s perceptions or actions affect how you see yourself or your worth. Your life is personal to you, and it is up to you to influence your own value and sense of well-being.

Now I really must leave for the day.

[Kaslo]

AF Daily - Monday 6/20

Hey Greenie, that could be a caterpillar foliar feeder, check for rolled up leaves. Open up a rolled up one and check for a little inchworm there, of some kind. Squish em where they reside. Very satisfying. Thanks for posting the Taking things Personally quote. This sounds like it came from the Four Agreements, by Ruiz. Big hero of mine. Its hard though, because although it may not actually be about me, it is often aimed at me and said to me, and intended to hurt, or chastize or dominate me, so NOT taking that personally, ie realizing the person doing it has a problem and its not about me really its about something else in thier lives is very hard, but I have to do it, as it will drive me into the ground.. The pressure in my job is intense, and its one of the reasons I used to furtively drink at home in the evenings. Maybe the main one.

Here is an old photo of the cliff part of the garden.... sorry these are so BIG i cant get photobucket to size it down easily. Computers...ptui.

[scottish lass]

AF Daily - Monday 6/20

Hi all - 101 here today!!!
I wanted to thank all for the replies as I start all over again. Some asked re my plan, and I am having to think harder as the plan i had made did not work.
I actually think it was a good plan - the ability to avoid AL venues would have been helpful, but I do not have that luxury with work events. Due to the conference in Denver I was not able to access MWO as often as I did in Vegas - that was huge.
I also happened upon a horoscpoe around the time I let down my guard - and I wanter if I should read my horoscope daily - this was so close to the truth!
"Catch yourself before you set off headlong as you might find you're acting out a pattern from early life. You could be masking pain by indulging, or you could be using words or action to mask an inner hurt. You could be running after one thing when you really need another. Slow down. Observe your behavior. You'll come to a realization that can uplift and change things for you."
I am so looking forward to the time when I am posting fun, chatty posts instead of plea's of help and support.

[Bean]

AF Daily - Monday 6/20

Morning all

Well today is a week AF and it has gone by effortlessly. I had the loveliest of weekends tending to body, mind and spirit. I ran, I read, I slept, spent time alone, spent time with friends...and all the while quietly appreciated the lack of craving and my good fortune to be where I am, physically, geographically and emotionally in my life.

Last weekend I broke up with my guy and although he's a great person and I care for him deeply, I can see now how our relationship and dynamic was constantly spiralling me off into destructive and insecure behaviour and thought patterns. It's so nice to feel a sense of peace about it all now.

Have a great day everyone. I just came across this quote and I love it.

"You don't need to learn how to let things go. You just need to realize that they've already gone". - Suzuki Roshi

Bean

[InChains]

AF Daily - Monday 6/20

Bean: congratulations on week 1

Scottish: I wish you the best of luck in this attempt, I greatly admire your perseverence in going AF

Kaslo: your garden looks absolutely beautiful

Greeneyes: thank you for your post about not taking things personally, when I'm drinking thats something I really struggle with, oddly when AF I rarely take anything personally - I'm a much calmer, friendlier person. Odd when you think that I always thought drinking made being social easier xD

Lav: sorry to hear about your nephew, my mums first love died in an accident caused by a drunk driver, she has always been very strict about us never getting in a car with anybody whos drunk, I'm very thankful to her for that.

everyone else: hope you're having lovely AF days

For my part today I have found a way to cheer myself up and distract myself whilst the others halfs away, and that is to spend most of my time doing stuff that will benefit both of us in some way, tidying out my room for when he stays over, filling out forms so I have less to do when he gets home and learning our song on bass guitar (an exceptionally complicated piece of music, but have learnt over half already just passing the time). One of these days I'll post a video of myself playing for anybody whos interested

xIC

[Loppy lugs]

AF Daily - Monday 6/20

Good evening everyone.

Have been reading for the last few days and everyone seems to have so much going on!

DG congrats on 13 years. That is lace isn't it?
Greenie sugar highs and lows are the pits. I won't say too much about my detox because I am keeping an open mind but I am not allowed caffeine and generally if I crave something no matter how seemingly harmless, I am to treat it with suspicion.
Lav, so sorry to hear about your nephew.
Everyone's gardens sound amazing. I have a pensioner from around the corner who treats mine as an extension of his own. Since I can kill plants just by looking at them, it is a good arrangement.
Congratulations to everyone who is doing well and chin up to everyone struggling.
Scottish Lass, keep trying. it was the giving up giving up that did for me.

It has finally stopped raining here.... but for how long?

Take care

[jennyneric]

AF Daily - Monday 6/20

Hey guys, I've been reading just not posting much. Things are good. I'll check in later.

[greeneyes]

AF Daily - Monday 6/20

InChains;1134031 wrote: One of these days I'll post a video of myself playing for anybody whos interested

Me! Me! I'm interested!!

Loppy, curious about your detox and wondering if it's an unusual approach... however since you said you won't say much, I'll make myself slink quietly away....

Bean! CONGRATULATIONS ON AN AF WEEK! Tremendous!

Scottish lass, interesting horoscope, eh? Are you familiar with the "what's your sobriety plan?" thread?

Jen, glad you checked in - I was wondering about you. Glad all's good.

Kaslo, I'm amazed at your garden on a SLOPE no less! That's not possible in the south for some reason. My whole back yard slid down the hill. :H

Lav, that is tragic about your nephew. And LVT, that is great that the kids want to hang out at your house.

Paperwork beckons... ewww! Haven't heard from the bathroom guy - oh PLEASE don't let that be a bad sign!

[scottish lass]

AF Daily - Monday 6/20

thanks Green eyes - yes, i posted a plan on that forum - and it is a good one, however, I was not able to stick to plan when at this conference - I did manage in Vegas which is why I had success - I need an alternate plan for those times when plan is destined to fail....

[Lavande]

AF Daily - Monday 6/20

Good evening all,

Nice to hear success stories today

I'm always freaked out when my horoscope seems to match my life on a given day - is someone looking in my window or something? :H

Update on an old story -
The YB was here last week to fix the leak he created while attempting to fix the shower drain cover problem. But he never fixed the original problem - just left & said try not to get your foot or something stuck in the drain (fecker). I talked to a guy at Lowes yesterday, they don't have what I need but he directed me to a plumbing supply store (that I was not aware of). I'm going tomorrow & hope to come home with something to cover the drain opening in my shower floor.

Just baked two loaves of zucchini bread & some granola (sans zucchini). Now I'm going back to the garden to do some weeding. Such a glam life here in cow country :H