Jaunty July - Week 3

[papmom3]

Jaunty July - Week 3

Morning all! Snakes, spiders and ticks and earwigs. All creatures that the Big Guy didn't have to create as far as I'm concerned!!

T-Storm brewing but it almost looks like it's sliding by just to the north. We're getting the wind (and cooler temps) but no rain or show. Yet. Unfortunately it's not supposed to do anything for the heat and we will be close to 100 again to today. Yesterday in boston it hit 103 which tied a record from 85 years ago!! I have a doggie playdate to go to and I'm not really looking forward to it if it's really going to be that hot.

No call from job #2a. Very disappointing. A position finally opened at my present place. The woman is retiring in Sept. They are keeping the title and salary the same ($$$) but have totally changed the job description. I'm not sure I agee with what they are doing but I applied anyway. I can do anything for $70K a year! I'm well qualified for this so I at least should get serious consideration. The one person who I thought would be my biggest competitor is on the Search Committee for some reason. Very odd. They were grooming her for this or so I thought. So, I've got 2 irons in the fire if #2a doesn't work out. Timing is starting to suck however as we get closer and closer to Orientation and the beginning of school.

Tomorrow I head down to the Cape for my friend's engagement party. This will be my first really tought social even since went AF. I dont' know anyone but my friend and her fiance and they will be mingling. I'm also riding with them to the dinner party so I can't leave when I want. The other part is I'm very self conscious about how I look. I'm sure I've added 20 lbs since my skinny very fit friend last saw me in 2009. I have nothing to wear to this thing-all nice clothes don't fit anymore so my self confidence about meeting these new people is at an all time low. I'm also still very nervous about leaving all my guys with my hoarding friend. She has promised to clean up the living area and kitchen so there won't be hazards on the floors for LM to get into. Fingers crossed. So, this trip is going to be very stressful on all fronts. My one goal is to make it through AF. I don't really have any plan in place except to have an AF drink in my hands at all times and to dig deep into my memory and my committment to this lifestyle. I'm not worried about what people will think if I'm not drinking-could care less. I'm worried that I will feel so uncomfortable I will turn to AL for relief.
But, need to get through today's scorcher first. It's finally raining and there is a great breeze coming throught the windows. So nice to have the AC turned off!!
Will check in again tonite.
:l

[Stargazerlily]

Jaunty July - Week 3

Wow, lots going on, good morning!

SD, it is so funny to me when neighbors who are lawn nazis start to freak out when someone's lawn isn't perfect 24/7. We have a lady who mows her lawn, four times a week. I think she is obsessive compulsive, who cares? Plus, why waste the gas, time, etc. I guess it is time to get a life.

SD, so glad you brought up feeling guilty when you just want to chill out. I think we need that more often then we think. Our society tells us we have to be busy, busy, busy, going out, doing doing all the time. Go ahead, relax, do nothing for four days, screen your calls. How often do we get that opportunity. There is a huge difference in being alone and lonely.

Rustop, have fun, we look forward to hearing from you in a week.

Papmom, interesting that new job opportunities keep popping up. That party sounds kind of miserable, sorry you feel obligated to go and not drive so you can escape. Hopefully, it will turn out much better than you think. I like your plan to have an AF drink in your hand at all times. I understand about not being confident in how you present, as I would like to drop 30 lbs, as I know I would look so much better. Remember, people think about themselves more than how others look. With you new hairdo, I bet you look great.

Lav, the weather is getting to me too. My stomach has been upset, this always happens when it is hot for days on end. I am pacing myself today. Are you reading anything good? I just finished The Tenth Gift by Jane Johnson, and really enjoyed it. It has alot about embroidery in it and how it has been an art throughout time and in all cultures, with a good story spun around that info. Your skills are part of a long line of talented women!!!! I knew that women have always done needlework of course, but this story gave it a different perspective for me.

I have to pay bills, do laundry, clean downstairs, (UGH) and have paperwork as I am trying to refinance my home. I feel overwhelmed and wish I could just do nothing, except read and watch TV all day. Oh well, if I start now I can get it over by afternoon, then relax. Have a good Saturday today, AF.

[Cassia]

Jaunty July - Week 3

It's a long one - grab a coffee...

Hello from a Cassia that has been on hiatus! I have been reading frequently and following all the goings on but not posting myself.

P3 - How are you mrs? I just wanted to say that if you have any questions or you want to chat through your mortgage in detail please PM me. I work for a bank so I know just how awful they can be at times. We also have branches in MA so I can see what we are doing there to support customers. I really must say that I admire your spirit and positive attitude throughout this. I hope job 2A does work out but if not, there do seem to be opportunities coming your way and no doubt on of these opportunities will turn into a success. Anything I can do to help, just give me a shout. Have you thought any more about part time?

Chill - I am so excited for you! Aren't the beginnings of a new relationship just awesome. My best friend has been seeing a new guy for just over two month and is totally loved up. Its so great to see her so happy. I want to hear more about your minibreak! What else is going on? How's work?

Lav - ACK! Spiders that leave spider pooh. I can never come and visit your area of PA. I am deathly afraid of spiders! How was your day yesterday? How hot did it get? What have you got planned for the weekend? Are you seeing the grankids?

Dew - How are you keeping? Have you taken time off work? I love it when I get a proper long lie which I tend to do on the weekend even though I still wake up at like 8:30 at the latest. It sounds like you really needed it as well. I really hope you guys get a decent August - the weather just seems to be crap in Scotland. Anyway, look after yourself!

Rustop - it sounds really hectic in your world. I know what you mean about getting your hair coloured. I used to get my hair coloured every four to six weeks in the UK and I went eight weeks without getting it done and I was freaking out. Finally just went and did it. Went to a super cheap salon here as well (a cut and colour over here is ridiculously expensive) and they did an awesome job. Good luck to your daughter in her show!

Rusty - you have been doing some amount of travelling lately. I wish I had a job with travel! Do you get to travel internationally? I am jealous that you are getting to go to Utah - I love it out there. At least you are getting some relaxation time in too. I bet Cali is colder than the East Coast at the moment.

SD - Hello and sorry I haven't given you a proper welcome, I have not been around a lot. Always great to see new people posting on the thread and you seem to have a good sense of humour about you which is what us jaunty july folk are all about!

So everything is great except what's not great *raises eyebrow*. Basically, it looks like the reason me and my best friend in NJ had such a close relationship is because there was an ocean between us - she is a drama queen and a very jealous person. She has been playing games and throwing her dummies out the pram and I am seriously unimpressed - this isn't high school. So I have had to distance myself which is a shame. I also found out that she said something pretty nasty to my best friend in the UK about me moving back and I am SEETHING! Usually I would just out with it but she is working 80 hour weeks, doesn't know what she is doing about the wedding ceremony (she asked me to be a bridesmaid and now can't decide if she even wants a bridal party - after I spent over $400 on a dress - nice!) and is having issues in her relationship. I don't want to add to that. I also don't want involved. AYE DIOS MIO!

Work is brilliant except for the mess I had to clean up this week which meant that my colleague didn't come out in the best light and now he is trying to make me look stupid. He really insulted my intelligence in a meeting I had yesterday and I was gobsmacked - as was my colleague. When I joined the company I had a bad feeling about him but decided to stop being so judgemental and give him a break. I have been proven right. So I need to see how this is going to play out over the next month and decide what I am going to do about it. This will probably sound arrogant and please call me out if it does but I think he thought because I was foreign and hadn't worked in the US that I would be an idiot. I have come in there and showed that a) I can do my job and b) I know what I am talking about. Also, I can do so much more analysis and structuring because of my accountancy background. I think he is intimidated which is daft because I am a AVP and he is a VP. I don't know.

So on a more positive note - I am doing the HR income tax course from August to Nov so if you have any questions about US taxes, I am your gal. I am also getting my UK qualifications evaluated and it should come out as either a Bachelors of Business Admin/Accounting or a Master's in Accounting which will make me eligible for the CPA exams! So, I am going to do those early next year. If anyone can recommend a course that would be great.

So that's all from me - I will try and post more regularly. Have a great day!

xx

[Lavande]

Jaunty July - Week 3

Good morning all,

Just in from my first chicken funeral this summer :confised:
Poor thing just didn't cope overnight with this extreme heat. I'll be taking more ice out for them today & possibly plugging in a 3rd fan for them.

Star, this heat dies a number on my digestive system too......yuck. I've been doing more reading in the self-help department than anything else. I have my Kindle loaded with books like 'Let Go Now: Embracing Detachment' by Karen Casey, 'Buddha's Brain' by Rick Hanson & Energy Medicine for Women by Donna Eden. :H I swear I'm going to fix myself :H
Don't feel overwhelmed with stuff to do - I try to avoid that feeling at all costs

Rustop, enjoy your trip to sunny Portugal & take some nice pics!

SD, I hope you're sleeping in a bit

papmom, sounds like a job change is getting closer for you!
I don't blame you for feeling uncomfortable about going to a dinner/party where you don't know anyone. I usually try to latch on to someone sitting at my table & just talk about the news or weather or something You won't be tempted to drink because I'll be right there on your shoulder whispering Lavan-ittudes to you :H

OK, must go feed dogs & do other mundane stuff.
Wishing everyone a good AF Saturday!

Lav

[Lavande]

Jaunty July - Week 3

Cross post Cassia - great to see you

[mario]

Jaunty July - Week 3

Dont post here to much now ,think i am in the wrong time zone, hope you are all well, :-)

[spedteach]

Jaunty July - Week 3

Just wanted to check in and make a commitment to post daily. I finally have made it past the 30 mark, in fact I noticed SD and I have the same sobriety date. Nice goin girl.
Feeling sorry for all you humidified midwesterners and east coasters. Keep those chickens cool, Lav. At least here we now get some cloud cover and smatterings of rain in the afternoon. The thunderhead build up in the afternoon is beautiful.
The dilemma of doing nothing has always plagued me. Feel guilty just lolling around but sometimes, I'm convinced, that's the sanest, healthiest thing for me to do for myself. Especially on a torrid afternoon.

You British Islers are having weather I fantasize about, cool and damp.

Pap, any way you could drive yourself to that party? It's hard to not have an escape route.

Am happy everyone is doing so well. Hoping some of this sobriety rubs off on me and sticks.

[Lavande]

Jaunty July - Week 3

Shelley, may I be the first to congratulate you on your 30 AF days :yay:
The weather absolutely sucks here (as evidenced by the chicken death this morning) and my frizzy hair
I wouldn't mind some cloud cover right now, even some rain because things are looking crispy outside. I've turned my garden over to the universe - I can't deal with it in this heat
Don't feel bad about taking some time off ~ we deserve it at this age........we need to find a new hobby for you. What do you like to do???

Hi Mario? How's your weather?

[sdlovespackers]

Jaunty July - Week 3

:goodjob::goodjob:YEA!!!! Great job Shelley!!!! Now we can celebrate together EVERY MONTH!!!!!!!!:rockon:
Looking forward to your posts!!!!
SD:l

[Lavande]

Jaunty July - Week 3

Very cloudy here all of a sudden, just starting to rain....a little. Hope it helps break this heatwave

SD & Shelley with the same quit date - very cool! You guys can be Sistahs in Sobriety :H

Praying to the sleep gods now for a half decent night of sleep ~ it's been a while for one reason or another )and nothing exciting, really) :H

[spedteach]

Jaunty July - Week 3

Good morning all,
Always amazed when I have a great Saturday night out without drinking. In fact the way I drank, it would mean holed up at home with a bottle of wine and not going out at all. Last night I went to a birthday party. Then to folk dancing and then out to walk around the local Summerfest going on near by.
Staying sober for me means keeping busy. Started volunteering at a homeless shelter. Am giving AA another shot. Anything to get me out of this house.
Lav, hope you got a wonderful dream filled sleep.
SD, I'd say our mutual sobriety dates are one of those wonderful synchronicity events. Like driving in a car, thinking about a song and it suddenly starts coming out of the radio.
Off to ride my bike before it gets hot. Stay cool, everyone or warm if you're east of the Atlantic.

[Lavande]

Jaunty July - Week 3

Good morning all!

It really shouldn't be 90 degrees at 9 AM
Not much you can do about it though, just deal with it I guess.

Kids & grandkids coming for dinner tonight so I guess I should go figure out what we're having for dinner

Wishing everyone a great AF Sunday. Shelley, you sound good my friend

Lav

[papmom3]

Jaunty July - Week 3

congrats on 30 days SD and Shelly!! Woo hoo! both of you sound so much better than before-like you get it this time and it's not a intrusion into your life and a deprivation but a whole new way of looking and living life. Roll on both of you!!

Lav-Hmmm, what to have for dinner. Hmmmmm. Would zucchini be on the menu? :H

Off to the Cape in a couple of hours for my friend's engagement party. I am feeling much better about it. Calmer and positive. This is about her, not me and I am grateful she wanted me to be there. I'm sure I will meet some facinating people as that is who she brings into her life. I'm looking forward to fabulous food and scenery and hoping ferverently that the heat lifts before I get there. As far as my hoarding friend goes, I'm leaving my boyz in my higher power's hands. If anything happens to them, she knows our friendship will be ended but I'm willing to bet I will be super surprised at the cleanup she's done to make the living area safe for them.

Have a great day all and I'll see you tomorrow when I get home.

:l :upset:

[papmom3]

Jaunty July - Week 3

Cas!! So good to see you! You sound awesome and powerful! You give em hell girl!! AVP? Not for long!! Thank you for the offer of assistance with refi info. I will probably be PMing you next week as I get deeper into it. Star-you're refinancing too? What a pain but with the interest rates what they are we HAVE to do it!!
Dew-thank you for your encouragement. Hope you are feeling well and that treatments aren't fatiguing you too much.
Lav-so sorry about one of your girls!! So sad. Hope the heat has broken for you-looked like it on the news this morning. :l
Hi Mario!
Anyone else I missed-big hugs and always thinking of you!

[Cassia]

Jaunty July - Week 3

Morning all....down in a hot and sticky PA! Shelley -congrats! I hope you are feeling stronger from making it to this milestone!!!

So, I took my sis (who is 29) to see Winnie the pooh. It was only like an hour. I was so disappointed. I am very excited for the Lion king 3D!!! I am going to see it with my childhood friends who I used to watch all the Disney films with. Good times.

Not much planned today! Just trying to stay cool. I have now reached seven months so I think I will treat myself to ice cream! X