Simply Sober October - week 4

[cyntree]

Simply Sober October - week 4

Hello all - I've just read these two pages, and as ever, I see how much I've missed in the past weeks. I've been back in the country for a week, but I am just now 'surfacing' and understanding where I am in the world. (How do you do it, Rusty?). We arrived back in the states, driving home from Newark, and the next morning we went to LaGuardia to pick up step-daughter who flew in for her birthday long weekend. I was so jet-lagged I don't remember much, but she was happy so we must have made it a celebration somehow!

I also am getting ready for the storm - I have a little PTSD after last year's 20 inches of snow and no power for 5 days...crossing fingers that doesn't happen again, and looking with alarm at all the big trees close to our house...good luck Lav, Dill, PMom and anyone else in the path of the storm.

I have missed everyone, and will look forward to reading back to see what all the news is...
Hello to all, and Kaslo I must say it's great to see you and your beautiful photos posting here...

Wishing all a great night -

[Rusty]

Simply Sober October - week 4

Cyn- you're home! Hugs! How was your trip? We've missed you! How do I do it? Because the positives far outweigh the negatives. Personal/professional/financial freedom and security, and bosses located in different states. Welcome back:l

[ladybirdheart]

Simply Sober October - week 4

My thoughts are going to be with all of you sweethearts in the path of the storm. On the map it looks like a dreadful convergence of the jet stream, a nor'easter, and a hurricane, a true trifecta of poop if it all does come together. Stay safe, there is always an end to it. Dill, I loved your pencil story. I have one also, a story and a pencil that is, and if I have already shared it forgive me and attribute it to being the elder statesperson here. Once I was marooned alone on a rural highway for hours due to an accident involving a semitruck. Having desperately to pee (is that word acceptable here?) and being in a rolling high desert with no trees, I took off for a ravine, a bit of a hike. Finally situated and in midstream (is this image allowed here?), I looked around me and saw a PENCIL in the dirt. There was nothing else for miles, no litter away from the road, just brush. On the pencil was the inscription "you are on the earth so you will explode". What a weird moment. I still have it, the pencil that is. Welcome home Cyn, stay safe, this time you are not alone. Beautiful photo Kas. Hi everybody. I had a good day, two elderly gay men gave me a wonderful present for my birthday "What Every Woman Wants" which turned out to be a facial and massage. Love, Ladybird.

[papmom3]

Simply Sober October - week 4

Happy Birthday LBH!! What a wonderful gift you were given by your friends!!

Welcome home Cyn! Glad you and hubby arrived safe and sound but unfortunately just in time for Sandy. As we say in New England-Batten down the Hatches!!

Lav-I sense you are a tad nervous about this storma and I am with you.

There are a few things in the yard I need to bring in just so they don't become missiles but mostly I'm worried about the power going out, especially if the temps take a nose dive. It is the worst possible week for this to hit as at work we have registration next week starting Sunday nite. That always means the phones ringing off the hook Monday morning and throughout the week. I could really use Monday off to get prepared but unfortunately that isn't possible. I will have to do what I can Sunday after work. I have probably waited too long to get water and dry foodbut will get what I can tomorrow on the way home even tho it means blowing my budget and dipping into christmas money.
My dad is in SC-he hasn't mentioned the storm and I get the feeling we will get hit harder than they will. His condo is empty and I won't be able to get over there until Monday nite to make sure patio stuff is secure. He doesn't have much in the fridge or freezer I'm sure but I do and unlike the ice storm of 2008, I won't be able to keep things cold in a cooler outside.
I am getting more nervous by the minute and feel helpless as I HAVE to work the demos this weekend-no way can I call in sick to make preparations.
Well, we got off easy this summer so I guess this is payback.

Sausage-sure hope you are feeling better very quickly!! Lots of tea and digestives OK?

Hi to everyone else that stopped by today.

Off to bed as this papmom feels like she hasn't slept for a week even tho I had a great sleep last nite. Or so I thought!

[Lavande]

Simply Sober October - week 4

Good evening all,

My girls decided to spend another night with me ~ I don't mind one bit

LBH, you're a birthday girls today? Hope it was fabulous!!!

Dill & LBH - the pencil stories are freakishly funny. I always thought special messages came inside fortune cookies :H

papmom, the supermarket was out of bottled water today when I got there at noon. Oh well........
I did buy gas for $3.51 in Fairhill, MD today so that was good news.
Hunker down the best you can & stay connected here as long as you have power - that's my plan

Sausage, feel better soon!

Greetings Rusty! Welcome home Cyn!
I want to hear about your trip.

I hope everyone has a comfy night!
Lav

[cyntree]

Simply Sober October - week 4

Happy Birthday LBH!!! Richly deserved facial and massage - enjoy! And hanks for the laugh out loud pleasure of the pencil story...

...Oddly enough, I actually 'dropped trou'(sers) this morning while walking my dogs in an autumnal-richly-hued New England glen. There were extenuating circumstances, which I will describe at some later date. There were however, no pencils.

Lav - thanks for the reminder, gas is crucial - made that mistake last year. PMom, good luck getting all the projectiles secured. I'm busy eating up everything in the freezer/fridge - might as well clean it out!

Happy AF sleeping - I'm so glad to be home with you all -

[Chillgirl]

Simply Sober October - week 4

Good morning from a very cold grey Suffolk

Cyn - :welcome: back! Do explain about the dropped trouser incident....

The pencil stories are wonderful! I will be on the look out for one.

Everyone in the path of the storm, stay safe.

Im going through hell here :upset: I told Mr S I was getting my own place and he completely flipped. I mean like in a completely crazy irrational way. He has a vicious temper and I have been bombarded with insults. I have nowhere to go until I get the paperwork done on the new apartment and I'm trying to stay out his way as much as I can. I have to say this is absolutely horrendous and I'm repeating my mantra and this too shall pass..... I just have to survive the weekend and then at least on Monday he is back at work. We also have his Son this weekend and I thought that would make him act civil towards me but it's not :upset: I even had that f**k it drinking thought last night but I mean literally for a fleeting second. Im strong enough to get through this, I've coped with much worse!

Wishing you all a more happy peaceful weekend than mine

[papmom3]

Simply Sober October - week 4

Chill-please stay safe!! Now you know you have made the right decision-he has shown his true colors. If there is anyway you can get out of there now, please do. Even if it means begging your parents and or sisters for the $$ for a hotel stay somewhere that will take Elle. Your safety and Elle's is paramount right now. My Pink Sistah gut does not feel good about this. Good on you for not taking that drink-it would have escalated things for sure. I will be thiniking and worrying about you until I know you are safe.

Cyn-I've had to drop trou on more than one occassion while hiking/walking with the dogs. It sucks getting older!! I've never found a pencil either!! :H

Going to do as much as possible before I leave at 11:30 this morning. tonite or tomorrow I will fill up on gas (would have had to anyway) and make a BJ's run for water and few other sundries I just found out I am totally out of (had to wash dishes with hand soap last nite!!).

It is damp and grey out this morning when they promised us sunshine. Bah.

Will check in tonite.

[Stargazerlily]

Simply Sober October - week 4

Good morning to all...

Feel bad hearing about the weather being expected to EXPLODE...all you can do is get food, water and gas and hope that the weather people are wrong. But, take care.

Chill, what a mess for you. I am glad you are getting out as soon as you can. It is always hard to understand intense anger being spewed out...you are not a slave or possession and can do as you please. I admire your bravery as I have a friend who is currently in a similar situation and is staying, getting more anxious and depressed, day by day. Hopefully you will be out of there really soon. Sending you lots of love and care.

It is lovely here in Arizona, perfectly beautiful weather and lots of fun. Will try to check in when I can. To all, have a great day.

[Kaslo]

Simply Sober October - week 4

Good morning all of you on this fine Saturday . I read back and was both charmed, and alarmed. Chill I sure hope Mr S calms down, but I have a bad feeling about this similar to Paps and hope you can get yourself out of there. Bad temper + broken heart = violence. I wish for your safety.

As for the charmed part, I got a REAL charge out of the pencil stories. I too have possibly several dozen pencil stories, but they are all the same. As a field biogist, I lost my fair share while leaving my nitrogenous signature behind in the woods/ fields/mountains/ rivers edges etc _____ fill in gap here. None were enscribed with any pithy sayings, just Bic 0.7 mm or DIXON 2 / HB, They would fall out of my cruisers vest pocket every time. So what im sayin' is probly those old pencils were left behind by follks like me. Eventually , after losing a forest of pencils in the rocks and dirt and weeds of the Pacific Northwest to the Arctic Circle, I started tying them to my clip board with a string and putting a bit of brightly colored flagging tape on the slippery little Bast^%rds.

Sausage I hope you feel better soon. LBH i really connect with your penchant for walkabout. I have it bad myself. Pap, Lav, Cyn I hope your hatches are battened.

Thanks to all of you for your kind comments and warm welcome. I have been drifting around this board, looking for a safe, calm haven.

[Lavande]

Simply Sober October - week 4

Should I be worrried that the Governor of Pennsylvania declared a state of emergency yesterday?? The storm is not supposed to hit here until overnight Sunday into Monday
I'd better dust off the life jackets for Stella & her sisters - up to 10" of rain is a big deal :H

Daughter & Lily went home about an hour ago only to be replaced by the grandsons for a few hours this afternoon. There is absolutely no rest for the weary around here.

Chill, do you have a police department in your town? If so, stop in & give them a heads up about your concerns......it helps if they know ahead of time that you may be in a volatile situation. Just get in your car & take it if you feel threatened, please.

Star, dry in Arizona? Nice

Papmom, the stores were packed here yesterday - glad I got a few things. Don't put your trip off too long, people are in panic mode, sadly.

Kaslo, you fit just perfect here Stay & be happy!!!

I am feeling fed up (again) with a few of the argumentative, know-it-all newbies in the newbies nest & just may be taking a break from them. It's ridiculous that people can just swoop into a peaceful, well functioning & useful thread & wreak total havoc with mindless posts.

OK, back to hurricane prep.
Have a terrific AF Saturday!

Lav

[Lavande]

Simply Sober October - week 4

OK, bring it on - I think I'm ready! I know I am exhausted, that's for sure :H
YB has offered to come stay here during the storm. Yeah, I think that's because he's afraid the little hovel he lives in will blow away during the monter storm :H
May even end up with my DIL, grandsons & the Insanity Twins - oh boy!

This afternoon EB asked me 'what is a monster storm?'
He asked if it was going to rain monsters from the sky. I told him I hope not

I'm keeping an eye on Byrdie (ByrdLady) on FB. She lives on the NC coast!

Wishing everyone a comfy night!
Lav

[cyntree]

Simply Sober October - week 4

Chill - do take care, you are our precious person. Getting in the car is always an option. Please please be safe.

Lav, PMom, et al; I have cash in hand, car is gassed, I have wood put up, water stored, canned goods, gutters cleared, tarps and plastic sheeting ready (lots of trees that could fall on the house), etc. With all these preparations, I'm pretty sure nothing will happen here!

Star - I loved Tucson when I lived in AZ. Such a special part of the state. Enjoy! (Lav - Tucson is dry 98% of the year...)

Kas - please do stay here, I think it would be a great AF home for you. I have found it so for at least 3 years - lots of deep-thinking, artistic, compassionate souls here. I owe them my AF life. Plus, selfishly I love all that you bring to your posts.

Thanks everyone, and happy Friday night -

[Stargazerlily]

Simply Sober October - week 4

Good morning on this Sunday...

Kaslo, stay and have some fun, good conversation, and support on your AF journey. I love this thread because discussion could be about anything. Look at the pencil stories!! I don't have any to add, but find them interesting.

Lav, some of the newbies are know-it-alls, which to me means they are insecure, and know less than they think. I was slightly irritated by some comments equating meds with lack of character. Different strategies work for different people. Being closed minded or having all or nothing thinking is a waste of time and not the point of this entire sight. But, to some, being right and stirring up the pot takes the focus away from the real issue, which is find the way out of heavy, deadly, consumption of alcohol. What works for one person may be different than another. Plus, we are all in different places in the progression, meaning we need different interventions. Some who are new may not understand this fact. I love that we are all supportive and encouraging, lets keep the flow going in that direction.

LBH, wishing you a belated Happy Birthday!!

Cyn, I love the weather here, and it is hot, high eighties. I will enjoy for the next few days before I go back to cool autumn weather. The world is such an amazing place, I am in awe of the scenery here, sunsets, plants, smells, it is so different from the Midwest. Hope your storm experience is short and no damage.

Hey, Chill, check in when you can, we are concerned about you.

After being away from home for a few days, I can feel myself letting go of the stressors, getting some perspective, and relaxing. Before I left I was focusing on negatives, and it was starting to drive me crazy. I was making mountains our of molehills, if you know what I mean. I have things to deal with but so does everybody else.

Hello to all and have a good Sunday.

[Lavande]

Simply Sober October - week 4

Good Sunday morning kids

My farm dog Matilda insists on being up before the chickens :H
Dark & raining lightly at this point.
Cyn, I think we are all going to see this storm. I'm concerned about my DIL's parents in Cape May, NJ. 15-22' waves predicted. That's going to cause some serious flooding. They live a bit inland, not on the beach but still.....

Hey Kas - a 7.7 earthquake in western Canada has caused a tsunami warning for Hawaii. Did you feel that? Crazy mother nature is busy

I need more coffee so I'll be back. Wishing everyone a safe & AF Sunday!
Lav