Simply Sober October

[dill]

Simply Sober October

Long day here and I'm exhausted. I don't have the energy to write, but I just had to get on here and give you a big :l, Papmom. Please vent away. I wish I could wave a wand and smooth your way.

Chill, I hope you get your health issues resolved quickly.:l

[papmom3]

Simply Sober October

oh yikes Chill! I totally missed what you said about the gyno problems!! I sure hope it can all be resolved without surgery! Keeping you in my thoughts!

Thanks Lav and Dill for the good wishes. I know I've brought this on myself through years of poor money management but I am really really trying to make it all right and I just can't seem to get anywhere. I feel like a hamster on an exercise wheel!! Its been over 2 years now since I thought I had turned my life around by giving up AL and it just seems like it is getting worse and worse with no end in sight. At the same time I am wallowing in my own misery, my heart goes out to Mary (Retteacher) and there is nothing I can do to help her. I don't know her except for the few posts I've read but I've always felt like she is one of the pillars on MWO, like you and DG and a few others. I won't let her relapse shake my commitment but it sure is unsettling.
Anyway, after 3 nites of rain/fog/clouds, I can see the moon again. It is a half moon and bright orange. It must have been amazing at it's full state. I wonder if I've really ever seen a harvest moon before.
tomorrow is supposed to be loverly. MUST mow the lawn. It's been over a month and I can't see the poop anymore! My big project for the weekend.

[Lavande]

Simply Sober October

Isn't grass supposed to stop growing this time of year?
It's still growing like crazy around here too.
I really feel bad about Mary too. Scares me to think it could happen to any of us. We must keep our guards up, eyes & ears open, watch each others backs as best we can
PS: don't worry about the dog poop, it will soon be covered by snow :H

[Stargazerlily]

Simply Sober October

Good morning, early morning...

Even though I am up early, I feel good, being AF. I know Mary, on the other thread, values her life AF too, and hopefully will get right back to it. The really scary thing about relapse, is will you be able to stop the madness and get back into your AF journey. So yes, it is important for all of us to keep suppporting each other, to get through our feelings, challenges, rather than try to numb them.

Lav, it is so cold here, 30s, that I put the heat on last night and will keep it on. Loved the fireplace last night and some good smelling candles. But my bones ache with the change of the weather. So, get ready for that cold front.

Pap, digging out of a money hole is so hard. I know that I have lived on a budget my entire adult life, and have to say NO to myself. Eating mostly vegetarian, we have lowered our grocery bill significantly. It takes lots of thought and preparation, though. It is so horrible to have gas prices so high, affecting everyone's budget bigtime. Sorry you had a UTI, I used to get those all the time and they are painful and energy draining. Get well soon. I am happy to hear that you continue to look for IT work, never giving up. Keep on talking and sharing, we are here for you.

Chill, we are leaving the end of October, and will stay at that ranch for just a few days. I am excited and love the West. It is so different out there, the desert is fascinating to me, and I look forward to time spent outside, with lots of activities. I want to get a book on astronomy, as the stars are very visible, from what I've read. It will be nice to be warm before the winter. Also, no TV, and I will love it. I want to get away from all the media for a few days. Always bad news. Sorry you are having female problems, I used to have them too. A laproscopic partial hysterectomy took care of it for me after years of problems. Hope you are able to get it under control without invasive treatment.

Today will be a mix of work and pleasure. Meeting a friend to walk inside, then complete some paperwork from my job, pay bills, and get winter clothes out!! I have to think of something for dinner, any vegetable crockpot ideas? I am open to suggestions.

To all, have a good day.

[Lavande]

Simply Sober October

Good morning October friends

Work & more work for me today Star but it makes the time go by fast.
I am making a chickpea cashew curry tonight - 20 min quickie dish, no crockpot needed although I suppose you could toss it in a crockpot if you really wanted to do so. It definitely is cheaper to eat meatless & dairy free!!!!

papmom, I didn't know until after my 2nd or 3rd UTI but they are early symptoms of menopause D/T the shortening of the urethra that naturally occurs at that time. Would anyone like me to draw a picture? :H:H
The good news is I haven't had one for quite a few years so they do come to an end!

Cold weather is on the way here overnight SO I need to drag some firewood in & fluff up the nest boxes for my girls, etc, etc.
I will also be putting together a big pot of meatballs & sausage for the carnivores coming for dinner tomorrow - ugh.

Wishing everyone a great AF Saturday!
Greetings Dill, chill, Rusty, Rustop, is LBH back yet?, SD, Tip, IMT & everyone!
Lav

[papmom3]

Simply Sober October

Thanks for the belly laugh last nite Lav!! It is overcast this morning, chilly and the grass is still wet. I'm hoping for some sun this afternoon. If I can get one more mowing in, with the blades very low, I think I will be all set until next spring. I wish I could hire someone to come in and give the yard a good cleaning before the snow but alas, that is off the table. gotta dig in and do it myself.

Oh my gosh, I swear I just put the winter clothes away Star!! It's not that cold out here in the northeast, in fact its supposed to get up in the mid 70's today but I'm skeptical. Starting tomorrow however, there will be frost warnings.
I do have a vegetarian/crockpot cookbook and should really break it out next week when I can go shopping.

Lav, interestingly enough, I never got one UTI pre-menopause. I just took a look at the dip stick results and there is definitely an infection but I swear I passed a stone too. The pain came and went way too quickly-3 hours at the most. the RN says a high protein diet can cause the stones so I will be looking for foods to avoid. I really didn't think I had that much protein to begin with but I should hop back on myfitnesspal and start tracking.

I did have one victory tho-last nite I went without my nightly Ambien!! It wasn't the best sleep-I woke up multiple times but I did dream so I know I got into the deep sleep at least a couple of times. My goal is to continue going without all weekend. I am hoping by Monday nite I will sleep like a baby. My trick to quieting my mind was to sing "Soft Kitty" over and over. It's the song that puts Sheldon to sleep on The Big Bang Theory. I think the writers have something there :H.

Star-if there was anyway just one person could learn from my mistakes it would be so great. The mistakes I have made with money since I was in my 20's is just horrifying. The fact that I still have my house and can feed 5 animals is a miracle. It is a whole new world to say "No" to myself and I cry buckets of tears every time because most of the No's these days have to do with my animals and the remainder are for me, mostly in the grocery department. Well, at least I might lose some weight now that I can't afford Klondike Bars anymore!! Thank you for letting me come on here and vent and work it all out.

come on sun, show your face!!

[Rusty]

Simply Sober October

Good Morning Everyone,

Wow, lots going on here.

Pap-I logged on this morning after reading your post, and I think Lav has a great idea to mitigate your financial woes. Why not take in a boarder? I know it's risky but if you have an extra bedroom and bath, it might be the answer. Plus, you might make a new friend, and it would be nice to have someone to bounce ideas off of and companionship is a great thing. Maybe you'll find an animal lover who has different working hours who will take care of your furry creatures while you're at work. I have a 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo, but one bedroom is an office with no bed in it, and I've decided that I'm going to start saving so I can renovate it and install a Murphy bed. That way, if I should become sickly and need overnight care, or my career goes in the tank and I need a roommate, I'll be all set.

Star-I think your trip to Arizona sounds amazing. I'm so happy for you!

Lav-carnivores are coming to your house...I see you said "ugh" at the end of your post. Well, then. I guess I really don't want to know what you think of me.:H

Chill-I hope your female issues get sorted out soon. Yes, you're right....traveling is overrated and I have more Rusty and Mum time.

Ok, I'm still sick but have a boatload of errands to do before I leave for Connecticut on Monday. To all, happy sober Saturday.

[papmom3]

Simply Sober October

Awww, thanks for picking up on that Rusty. Unfortunately I have a very small, 2 bedroom, 1 closet, 1 very small bath bungelow. there is no way I can take in a roommate. I actually thought about that years ago but it just won't work. Even my basement is uninhabitable-too damp and no private egress. Also, DD has to be in his own room (my so called second BR/office) when i'm at work as he can't be trusted to be with the other animals.

If the worst case scenario ever happens and I have to declare Ch 11, my backup plan is to move into my brother's cottage on his property and look for work out in W. Mass. I'm hoping he's OK with that plan too as they are not using the cottage for a rental as they had planned.
I truly hope it doesn't come to that point as I will never be able to buy another house again and renting will be iffy as my credit rating will be in the toilet. No, the answer to my problem is to make more money than I spend and right now my spending is the only thing I have control over. It sucks that we get paid twice a month instead of once a month as I seem to have most of my high end bills due before my second paycheck. However, we are getting a 1.5% raise next week and some retroactive pay will be coming then as well. Its not much and not enough to get me out of my hole but it is something.

The good news is that I've just finished a cost analysis of my demo job and with the adjustments my manager has made to make up for the extreme decrease in mileage reimbursement I think I will be able to continue doing this job and not lose any money.

Thank you for caring Rusty and everyone else, I truly am blessed to have found you guys.

:l:h

[Lavande]

Simply Sober October

Here's a terrific CHEAP meal :H
Chickpea Curry with Cashews - yum
I served it over brown rice & it was awesome.

The funny thing is my youngest grandson is a huge meat eater, EB, not so much & Lily doesn't really eat meat at all - she loves beans & chick peas!!!!!
The carnivores are YB, my son & DIL, my daughter & SIL, not so much. I almost have to fix two meals (one with meat & one without) to make everyone happy

Papmom, it is hard to say NO to yourself but you can do it if you set some goals for yourself. Think in terms of maintaining your independence. Do you really want to live in your brother's place? You can live quite well on beans - I love them :H

Rusty, sending you some healing vibes
Hard to be on the road when you're not feeling great.

I had EB help me fill the cart with firewood today. I hear tomorrow is supposed to be cold & wet so I have what I need on hand. I just turned the freakin AC off last night - believe it or not.

Wishing everyone a cozy night!
Lav

[papmom3]

Simply Sober October

Yes Rusty-sure hope you start feeling better very soon! My memories of traveling while feeling like poop are not good!

Rice and beans it is Lav starting on Monday. Wish I liked curry-i'd ask for your recipe.

It is getting very cold out there now even tho the house is still at 73 which is very good.

Got the lawn mowed, raked and trimmed right before the rain started but it was a short storm and the stars are out tonite. Cold and rainy tomorrow so I'm glad I made the effort today. The boyz are too-Mickey will now willingly go off the deck to poop. He so hates the long grass! What a prima donna he is :H

I also got my intitials and year sewn into my neph's quilt for tomorrow. Not a great job and probaby won't last long. I really need to take a basic stitchery class. Can't wait to give it to him.

Nitey nite all. Hoping for sweet Abien free dreams!

[Lavande]

Simply Sober October

Good morning friends!

Matilda slept in until 7 am - yay.
Mid 50's & just starting to rain a little, will see what develops in the weather dept.

papmom, if one of my dogs pooped on the deck I would just go ballistic on them :H :H
Matilda hasn't had to deal with snow yet ~ she will have a rude awakening I'm sure.
The grass here should have been cut yesterday but it wasn't. YB did show up with chicken feed though so the girls are good for a while

OK, so the big pot of meatballs & sausage I made yesterday have been in the fridge overnight developing 'extra flavor'. Today they will go into the crockpot to re warm. I'm putting together a big tray of baked ziti with REAL CHEESE for everyone. I'm not/can't eat any of that stuff so I will fix something agreeable for me

Hope your nephew likes your work of art papmom!
Greetings to everyone & wishes for a great AF Sunday.

Lav

[Lavande]

Simply Sober October

Just ran across a great sale
Think I may do some Christmas shopping....

Meditation books & audiobooks :: Wildmind Meditation Supplies

[Rusty]

Simply Sober October

Good Morning Sober Sunday Friends,

LBH-poke your head in here and let us know about your trip to Seattle. I miss you.

Pap-I'm sure your nephew will love the quilt. Wow, you were a busy bee yesterday. That must have felt good. Yes, after I sent that post about you finding a boarder, I figured you had had already explored that option and it wasn't feasible. Regarding having the second job and still being in the red....maybe it's a simple case of nickle and diming yourself into overspending. I know it's a long ride for you to get to your demo job....do you stop and grab fast food on the way home? I don't mean to sound condescending, and my apologies if I do...but my best friend's son lives on SSI and she handles his bank account, and so she asked him about why he couldn't stay within his budget, and they figured it out that a few times a week, he would go to Starbuck's and get grande iced coffees. Ah-Hah! That was the culprit. Just sayin.:l Spending and shopping are addictions, too, aren't they? In a way, possessions are just like AL....we want that instant gratification to make ourselves feel better, so we impulsively buy something we don't really need....thinking it will make us happy....only to be crushed at the end of the month when we are terrified we will have bank overdrafts. I lived that way for 10 years. I was so miserable with the low-paying jobs I had (I'm talking $11K-$13K/yr)in the media, that I found comfort in shopping. Like AL, it was a form of escapism. I would buy clothes almost every week, and before I knew it, I had maxed out 2 credit cards. Ohhh....it took me YEARS to pay them off.

Lav-is YB coming over for dinner today, too?

It's rather dreary today and I spent most of yesterday just resting, so I will try and get out today....I have cabin fever.

To all my friends here that I missed: Chill, Dill, Star, Rustop, SD, IMT, nurndl....have a fabulous AF Sunday!

[Stargazerlily]

Simply Sober October

Good morning to all...

A lazy Sunday to look forward to and the Bears in the afternoon. It is really cold here, so not alot of outdoor activity.

Pap, hope things are going better, know you are doing the best you can.

Rusty, it is true, we can spend tons of money on the little things, Starbucks, fast food, discount stores, stuff we don't really need. I am amazed at how expensive Starbucks is, but their latte's are sure good. Hope you have a great day and feel strengthened after your day at home.

Lav, good morning. Nice of you to prepare and cook meat when it is not your thing!

Everyone, have a great Sunday.

[papmom3]

Simply Sober October

Below was written and I attempted to post but apparently had a Trojan virus that was screwing with my browser. All fixed now:

Morning Lav! How about a mini tray of baked ziti with soy cheese for you Lav?
Gorgeous crip, cool (45) morning here with beautiful sunshine. Hard to accept it will gradually disenegrate into rain by tontite's Bday party.
I know, I try so hard to shoo him off the deck when we first get outside but he can be a sneaky SOB!
Boyz got me up at 5:30 to go out. Grrrr. Went back to bed until 8. Slept OK but did have to take a Benedryl last nite as I got a major allergy attack right around 9:30. Better than Ambien I suppose but still not what I wanted.
Would love to see new pics of Matilda-she must be getting so big!!
Hoarding friend's puppy arrives next Saturday. I suppose I should start getting excited to meet a new baby. Not his fault.
OK, off to make breakkie. Have a great day everyone! AF rocks!!

So to catch up with Rusty and Star:

Rusty, yes, I have my budget pared down as far as it can go and still can't make my expenses/income match up. the culprit is not shopping anymore-it used to be for sure, and it's not fast food anymore. It used to be. the culprit is my car and gas. I can't control either one and I can't cut anymore from any other line items. If I could just get my exp/inc to match up, I would be able to work within the budget I've set for myself. The answer I'm sure is in downsizing the car-It's just going to take some creativity to figure that one out and time to talk to banks. If it weren't for the PT job (I drive for it, not to it) I would be 3 or 400 in the red, not 1 or 150 so it is helping. But thank you, and no you didn't come across as condescending. You never do sweetie!!

Lav-big piece on stink bugs this morning on GMA!! Only 15 states do not have them and the mid atlantic coast is the worst. I'm just waiting for them to show up here. They say vacuum them up and throw the bag away outside-its the only way to get rid of them. You should have seen some of the video they shot-creepy for sure!!

big shoutout to everyone to come! Can't wait to hear about LBH's trip!