Just Joy ~ June Week 3

[sdlovespackers]

Just Joy ~ June Week 3

Hi from Minneapolis!

Am here with my son and his friend....took them too their Twins Training Camp today..they had a blast and learned a TON too!! I got to go to Crave for dinner and have sushi so momma is happy too!!! Tomorrow we are hitting the MOA and then I'm taking them to a concert at the Target Center...How cool am I??? LOL!!! TOTALLY KIDDING!!!! Heading back home on Saturday....which is ok with me...I'm kinda miss seein' someone!! :h

Hope everyone is having a great AF week!! Will catch up with you all when I get home!!!
SD

[Stargazerlily]

Just Joy ~ June Week 3

Good morning to all...

I got up freakishly early again, just don't need a whole lot of sleep for some reason. It cooled off here so maybe the change in the weather has something to do with the change in need for sleep.

Off today, so will go to the library, water water water my plants, go out for lunch and there is a festival in town, may try that tonight. Nothing exciting here, just a lovely Friday.

Rustop, wow, your weather sounds intense...glad a friend came over to chat. I too need a new table and chairs, but feel kind of attached to my old set. I have eaten many a good meal and lots of good conversations around this table.

I was wanting to do something artistic as I was talking to a women yesterday while she was making jewelry. She loves it and I was thinking I would like to be creative in some way. What are your artistic outlets? One of mine is gardening, but I would like to figure out something else.

Hey, I got my Iphone and it is amazing. No instruction manual whatsoever, so I have been on the phone and kind of asking around for some guidance. I can now call, receive calls, down load apps, and hopefully today will figure out how to get the thing to ring when someone calls me. Also, I want to figure out how to take pictures and post them on Facebook. I do have goals.

Yesterday for lunch we ate outside a little cafe and it was lovely. Sunshine, a lovely breeze, and a siberian husky and his owner were at a table next to us eating ice cream. Yes, the doggy had his own little bowl with vanilla. He ate some of it but wanted his owner's ice cream, staring at him and begging.

Enjoy your Friday and greetings to all.

[rustop59]

Just Joy ~ June Week 3

Good morning everyone

Your day sounds fab Star. I had planned to throw this table out and was at an ideal homes exhibition and came across this guy who lives close by. He looked at it yesterday and said he would strip it and repolish it and it will come out like new 300 euro compared to thousands if I had to buy a complete new set. I am also getting a coffee table done.

I only learned how to put the photos up on facebook from the phone on Sunday and OMG as my teens say, it is soooo easy. The camera is excellent too and I got some lovely pictures of our walk on Sunday. Its not an iphone its a Sony Ericsson Xperia arc S and I find it really easy to use.

Not quite raining so got a walk in, need to get stuck into some re-organizing but have been putting it off.

Have a great week-end everyone.

Rustop

[Lavande]

Just Joy ~ June Week 3

Good morning June friends,

Cloudy this morning but still very warm. I think it will be a thunder storm type of day & that's OK with me if it breaks up this heat.

Greetings Star, rustop, SD, LBH, Dill & everyone!
I have an android phone. When I snap a picture I just click on a SHARE button, then click on Facebook......the pic goes right to FB & I can add text if I like
These phones are a lot of fun....once you figure them out

Hobbies - well mine has been sewing. I started at age 12, took a summer long class. I don't do near the amount of sewing I used to do but still enjoy the creative process

Time to haul myself to Curves then back here for a bit of work.
Wishing everyone a terrific AF Friday.

Lav

[Rusty]

Just Joy ~ June Week 3

Good AF Friday Morning June Friends!

I'm home, I'm home, I'm home! The sun's out, and I'm going for a gleeful run along the lake path, a dip in the pool, then getting my hair cut. I can do all these things happily because I am AF. I remember the days when I would TRY to run along the lake path with a hangover. I remember running about a block and then stopping because I thought I would vomit.

Lav-I loved the pics of you with your grandsons and Matilda. You are all so photogenic....you have great hair and skin, too, a testimony to your long-term AF and healthy lifestyle. Geeee....I don't know who's growing faster.....the boys or Matilda. I am so glad you had a day out with your son and his family. It's nice to get out and do something spontaneously different, isn't it? For me, it snaps out of a funk if I'm in one. Regarding traveling solo....I love it. I get to see what I want, when I want, and when I do travel with others, it's only with my mom and/or sister. We all awake extremely early and go to bed about the same time. It's hard to find that perfect traveling partner so I can see why you don't want to travel alone. Also, when you see something amazing, you want to be able to share that moment with someone special.

Star-enjoy your Iphone. I have one, and it's addicting.:H I want to upgrade mine so I can get Facetime...which is like Skype. As far as creative talents, I love flower arranging with fresh flowers, and entertaining, as I like to put extra time into decorating my table.

Dill-I loved your quote:

trip will be enjoyed more intensely as it will be af, so all senses will be directed towards the experience and not numbed or distracted by alcohol

. It reminded me of the time I went to a wonderful exhibit at the Milwaukee Public Museum when my drinking was at its worst. I went with my mom, and my sister and her family. I drove in separately, and arrived late, and I was already trashed.:upset: My mom was undergoing chemotherapy for colon cancer, and I was drinking out of sheer sadness. She had lost a lot of her hair, and I pushed her around the museum in a wheelchair, crying off and on. I would have enjoyed it so much more without the booze. No, I haven't seen the Lark Rise to Candleford but I will google it.

LBH-is LordBirdHeart happy the Miami Heat are the new NBA champs?

Rustop-great job for not getting rid of your table. I can't wait to see it when it's done.

SD-I'm glad you are having fun in Minneapolis. For all our European friends, when SD said she went to the MOA, she didn't go to the Mother of All, she went to the Mall of America.:H Oh yeah, I can just see us at a Packer game together. We would be laughing through the whole game, and some guy behind us would say, "Geeeezzzz, those ladies must really be drunk!!!"

A big hello to Papmom, Cyn, Jolie, Chill, Fly, Janice, Sooty, Shelley, and anyone I might have missed. Have a fabulous AF Friday!

[dill]

Just Joy ~ June Week 3

Hey Rusty! I'm glad you are home and you sound just so great and upbeat!!!

Our trip to the aquarium was fab and a good time was had by all. The aquarium is located across the river from Cincinnati in a town called Newport, Ky. From the aquarium we could look across the river and see the city of Cincy including the baseball and football stadiums. I was reminded of going to a football pre-season game during my worst drinking days. I don't know how I did it, but I managed to be plastered almost from beginning to end and when I think back on it I am quite sad that that was how I chose to attend. The experience was all seen and heard through the muddled/muffled filter of alcohol. The memory called to mind the many other events I experienced in the very same way. Wow.

Rusty, I can just imagine walking by your side at the Milwaukee Museum in a tearful stupor.

Today is another day though, and it is precious and to be enjoyed AF!

Hobbies: crochet, knit, sewing, MWO!!!!

SD, ENJOY!!!! Thanks for popping in!

[ladybirdheart]

Just Joy ~ June Week 3

Good Evening. Late check in for the day; I don?t even know how to begin to describe my particular day at this point but it was AF so that?s good and otherwise it is almost over. All of your outings sound fun and diverting and it helps me also to remember those many times when drinking put a veil between me and the world, I thought I needed to take the ?edge? off, but it takes the heart of things as well. See you tomorrow. Love, Ladybird.

[Stargazerlily]

Just Joy ~ June Week 3

Another beautiful morning...

I have started watering before 6 a.m. Like you Rusty, I am an early riser most days. It is so fresh and lovely out at dawn. Yesterday was one of those days you want to remember in the depths of winter. Hung out in the morning and messed around with my phone some more and enjoyed a trip to the library. Then, went and had lunch outside again, laid by the pool and swam for a few hours. Later, after reading out on my deck, we went to the music festival in a nearby town and had dinner outside, so I certainly had my outdoor time. Today I have to clean and do a little yard work, then off to the pool again. I am NOT going out to eat today or for the rest of the weekend. It was good to have a relaxing day. After working indoors, I really appreciate being outside. Sounds like many of us had good days too.

I was thinking about the comments regarding enjoying life AF. We are there, all of us, mind, body and soul. Drinking separates us from reality, the full experience and we don't need it to have fun and enjoy all types of activities, from formal to informal. Again, we are fed a big bunch of hype on ads, showing cool young people drinking in all sorts of social situations. Bull. We know better. So, let's enjoy this Saturday and be there, all of us, AF.

Lav, thanks for the simple instructions, I need them.

[Lavande]

Just Joy ~ June Week 3

Good morning June friends,

Matilda slept in until 7 am - woo hoo!!
I think her baby bladder is starting to grow a bit :H

Star, I understand you can find an actual instruction book for the iPhone online if you need it - just Google it.

Cooler weather this morning after last night's storm ~ nice

Not sure what's happening yet today but I'll figure it out....I always do.
Wishing everyone a great AF Saturday!

Lav

[Rusty]

Just Joy ~ June Week 3

Good Morning Friends,

Dill-I was speechless when you said you had gone to the Newport Aquarium, as I have been there a few times, and I was using my cup that I bought at the gift shop there when you posted yesterday. That aquarium is fantastic, and the sharks are my favorite, too. My niece and her husband, a medical resident, just moved to Cincy on Wednesday. I love that city.

Star-my day and your day will probably be similar. I will be spending time at the pool today, and tending to the flowers on my deck. Regarding not needing alcohol to have fun, I agree with you wholeheartedly. I think I mentioned that my sister, who is 56, quit drinking quite suddenly at the age of 34. She and her husband have the most enviable social life, and nobody comments on the fact that she doesn't drink. I think the novelty of drinking as romantic and a reward for hard work has diminished greatly in this country, based on what I see at airports, at least among women. I see many more women at 7:00 p.m. with Starbucks' cups in their hands instead of wine glasses. I will join you in the AF Saturday chorus, Star.

So Lav, just a few more months and little Matilda should be right on your sleeping schedule. I am glad you were able to sleep in a bit.

LBH-how true your quote is, and you will be in my step today:

it helps me also to remember those many times when drinking put a veil between me and the world, I thought I needed to take the ?edge? off, but it takes the heart of things as well.

AL does take the heart right out of a person, for sure.

Well, I'm off for my run. Have a wonderful AF Saturday!

[rustop59]

Just Joy ~ June Week 3

Hi everyone

No fear of lying out by the pool here but I have enjoyed the morning in the garden. There is something great about being outdoors. It is better for Miss Layla too, she putters around and gets lots of exercise. Her mistress is back tonight so I will be handing over most of my duties. She got her bed washed and had a bath, I have no doubt she will not be needing her own bed tonight as my daughter has taken her in quite a few nights. I keep telling her not a good habit!!

Regarding pastimes. I love to read, enjoy my walks, especially hill walking and intend to do much more of it in the future. I used to crochet and knit years ago. I keep meaning to take it up again some winter, maybe next year. While not a great gardener I enjoy it. I also enjoy my meditation and yoga.

Have a lovely Saturday everyone.

Rustop

[Chillgirl]

Just Joy ~ June Week 3

Hi Guys

Sorry for my absence, life has been a little crazy this week!

Monday night got home from Scotland - Reiki course was great and I now have another level to practice. Lots of stuff came out while I was there and it was wonderful to see the others again that I'd bonded with in January during reiki 1.
Tuesday - Collected a houseguest from airport. She is a friend of the girl I'm staying with but I also knew her in Portugal, in fact she has dog sat before for Elle. Its lovely having her around and she is staying another week.
Thursday - Drove 2 hours to visit Starty! Was lovely to see her as always.

Today another friend we all knew from Portugal arrived! Its insane really, he is a reiki master and an EFT practitioner so we spent the afternoon tapping and doing reiki.

Tomorrow I have a date with a very nice guy I met 2 weeks ago.

So my previously very solitary living has gone and im embracing all what these changes are teaching me. I do love being alone as its when I feel most comfortable but it has been pointed out to me that I cant grow unless I face interaction with others. Its easy to be zen when sitting on top of a mountain in Tibet but as unfortunately I cant, perhaps its time to say hello again to the world.

I have been giving it a lot of thought and I think all these feelings of not fitting in are about my sobriety. In a crazy way, when I was drinking, I knew exactly who I was, what I liked doing and everything in my life fitted together even in the chaos. Being sober was a totally alien existence for me and so it felt easier to retreat from the world as I no longer knew my own identity. I bet the caterpillar feels like that when the metaphorphis sets in.

So I guess during the last 2.5 years I have been developing into a new creature and until I could see what I was becoming it was too uncomfortable out there in the world. If I didnt know what I was how could anyone else? It was easier to just hide away. I certainly dont claim to know now exactly who I am but I realize its time to have the confidence to step into my new skin and wear it proudly. I do feel the recovery period is over and with all the other stuff life threw at me while it was going on, I know Im strong enough to cope with the future with confidence. I look forward now to becoming a butterfly!

Sending you all lots of love. :l

[dill]

Just Joy ~ June Week 3

Chill, glad you are back. You sound so upbeat, almost like a different person than the one I met 2.5 years ago. I suspect you have discovered your true self and it is so wonderful that you shook off the shackles of alcohol!

Rusty, you have probably stood on the same spot at the Newport Aquarium as I did!!! That is awesome! Small world, eh? I have been to the Newport Aquarium 2 times and I was sober on both occasions, so that's at least something.

LBH, I loved your quote about losing the edge resulting in losing the heart. I saved that one for all time.
I saw your post just before I went to bed and it gave me something to ponder as I drifted off to a natural sleep. It's so nice to experience that process instead of just more or less passing out, is it not? It's one of the gifts to be grateful for~except on those nights when sleep eludes.

Rustop, Lav, Star, so good to hear from you all. I was feeling kind of lonely and somewhat challenged by cravings today and yesterday, so all your posts have been keeping me anchored.

Off to watch Bleak House on Netflix live streaming. Enjoy your evenings, af!

[papmom3]

Just Joy ~ June Week 3

Evening Joyful ones!! Hope you didn't miss me too much (actually I hope you did!! )

A lot has gone on this week and I've been feeling very overwhelmed. I found out I am no longer in the running for the job I interviewed for a few weeks ago. Very upset I didn't get a call back. I also found out that my very good work friend and lunch buddy, the one who is retiring at the end of the month is dealing with a very serious family illness. Her dear husband has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. The last I heard on Tuesday, he was scheduled for surgery on Wed morning. I haven't heard a word since then and I'm very worried. She is a very private person, doesn't do email or cell phone and had promised to give me an update at the lastest on Thursday. I am now very scared to call her and yet the whole office is very concerned and also needs to have updates. they and I would also like to send cards/flowers but only if appropriate. I've told them she won't be back to finish up (she had gone on vaca and was supposed to come back for her last 10 days on Wed.). I fear the worst as it doesn't feel like no news is good news anymore.
Along with that I am also very emotionally involved with a lost sheltie in the northeast part of my state. My offers of help in searching for her were denied and I can understand why. All I can do is pray and send good thoughts to the owners who are out of state. She remains out there and has eluded all attempts at capture. She is a gorgeous show dog and not used to being on her own. I don't know why this has affected me so much but it has. I don't know her, never met her but feel the owners and the handler's pain and frustration somehow.
I have also spend many many hours obsessing about how I can safely transport my pups. Each time I think I've got the configuration down, I find something wrong with it and more to improve upon. Sometimes I think nothing short of an armored tank will make me feel safe now!! :H

I have taken the time to read through all the posts that I missed and am so happy to hear that everyone is doing so well and that us east coast people survived the horrid mini heat wave this week!

I will try very hard to post regularly again.

On a sidenote, my nephew gave me his present he brought back from Ireland for me. A canister of authentic Irish tea-Bewleys Dublin Morning Tea. I didn't realize he knew me so well!! What a lovely perfect gift for his Auntie!!

[Guitarista]

Just Joy ~ June Week 3

Greetings co-adventurer's,

Dropping in to say g'day, and that all is well here.

Wishing everyone a safe, sober and magical weekend. Hope that dog returns safe and sound Pappy.

:h