January Generosity Week 3

[Lavande]

January Generosity Week 3

Good morning friends,

Looks like another dark & damp day around here, oh well!
The mud is a serious pain to deal with though.

Dill, sorry to hear your son is sick. Pancreatitis can be a bugger. A clean diet with no AL usually helps recurrences. Hope he feels better real soon. It is a good thing that you are ready to help in an instant

OK, I have dogs staring at me, I think they are hungry.
Wishing everyone a good AF Humpday!
Lav

[ThreeDogNight]

January Generosity Week 3

Good snowy morning, eeryone!

We are getting the snow now, and it is supposed to continue all day, adding up to 4-5 inches. Will arrive late to work, but it's no big deal. Probably going to be a "volunteer" day, anyway

Dill, so sorry about your son. Any idea what caused it? Have only known a dog with that, but I know that it is supposed to be so painful. How old is your son? Glad you were able to pick him up.

Lav, will you get any snow?

Not driving yet--need to get the Intoxalock installed first, and that is Friday.

Will check back later, but wanted to wish you all a great AF day!!

TDN

[sooty]

January Generosity Week 3

Happy humpday folks. It's so cold here, the wind is strong and from the north,, it's horrid. Snow is forecast for Friday, some parts of the country already in the grip.
I hope we're all keeping well and warm.

Thanks for the vegan links Lav, I bought a couple of vegan cookery books lately, Forks over Knives and Get healthy, get vegan, both American books, dunno if you've heard of them? Some nice recipes in both.

I'm off out with the dog now, trying to burn some calories before my weigh in at slimming class this evening!

Have a good day everyone :l

[Lavande]

January Generosity Week 3

Hey Sooty,
I have the Forks over Knives book on my kitchen counter - love it
Have you watched the movie? I thought I knew so much about health & nutrition
I've also printed recipes from their website. Cuban Black Bean soup & Barley & Sweet Potato Pilaf are two of my favs.
Hope you stay warm!

No snow here TDN, it's all rain & that means extra mud for 8 doggie feet. No point in mopping floors today.

Ok, back to work for me!

[Kaslo]

January Generosity Week 3

Thanks all. Very busy so cant say much except I hope the pancreatitis sorts out soon. That sounds very scary.

My gas meter is being replaced so my house and office is freezing. I have an electric heater on and the parrot and budgie are in here making a racket while I try and work.

Happy AF day....


K

[Lavande]

January Generosity Week 3

Kas, I can start a fire for you
Hope your heat is back on!

I'm wondering where this week went....does anyone know? :H
Losing track of time is a symptom of something.....I think :H

I made a big wok of veggie fried rice this afternoon but ended up tossing a little chicken in when I heard YB was looking for dinner...again. I am so nice

Have a good evening all!

[papmom3]

January Generosity Week 3

quick check in folks. Dill - how is your son tonite? I too have only known dogs that have had this.

My friend's 4 month old (the one I made the baby quilt for) is in the the hospital with RSV. Haven't googled it yet but will. I know she is scared but the pics on FB don't look too bad. He's smiling and looks comfy. The IV is bigger than his hand!!

Work is crazy x 100. My boss and I had a sort of heart to heart tonite. I apologized for not giving him a full month's notice. I really regret that now. I could have used next week for packing and cleaning up. As it is, I've requested that my demo for Sunday be cancelled as I plan to go into the office and do what I can in 8-10 hours and I'm also planning on working as much as I can on Monday (holiday). I just could not live with myself if I left all these loose ends. Sigh. I've never given less than 1 month for a professional position before. What was I thinking?????

I have dogs staring at me now and a cat chewing electrical wires. That's my cue.

[Catbuddy]

January Generosity Week 3

Hi my friends,

I'm here for a quick check-in as it's past my bedtime. I'm fine, just caught up in year-end (ugh) and a bunch of medical appts.

I forgot to think about drinking and MWO this past week. Wow. I am reaching the promised land. It's just something that feels right now. I don't drink. That's my new identity. I faked it till I felt it. Now urges are still there, but less threatening. Kas, I read your beautiful post about 23 months, and that is the future. Beautiful. Thanks for sharing. All along the way as I newbie, I have read these posts shared by veterans. They light the way.

Love to all, and I'll be back soon,
Cat

[Stargazerlily]

January Generosity Week 3

Good morning...

Kas, keep as warm as possible, glad you are protecting your birdies.

Dill, I am not sure what streaming is, and I love your idea: watching a favorite sitcom. I do love Seinfield, and he is on alot. I have been working late and do not get home till evening, so miss TV time. However, I am out of the doldrums for the most part, just hope they don't come back. So sorry your son is ill, how scary. It is a gift to be there, not buzzed, at any time. I don't think anyone can realize what it feels like to change in this way, unless they've been unavailable due to alcohol. So wonderful that you were there and able to be there for your son and grandson.

Being AF we just have more time. It is a gift, that time. We are emotionally available for our family and friends, hobbies, exercise, chores, our pets (we are all better pet owners, AF) and when emergencies come up, and they always do, we are prepared and can handle whatever comes up. I was thinking about the gifts we give ourselves, being AF.

Lav, you feed the whole world. Really, you are so generous, such a big heart. It sounds like YB has made what peace he can with himself. I made a delicious recipe, Black Bean and Orange soup, I wonder if it is the same. It is easy, filling, and delicious.

Sooty, I have one of those books, want to read the other, but it is not at the library. I love vegan recipes. So happy you are into the vegetarian path, it is fun to eat veggies in a new way, rather than just canned and thrown on a plate. Have fun with it as the weather sounds as if it will keep you inside for the next few days. Hope you are doing well.

Pap, if you remember, I thought your boss was being unreasonable about expectations, and that you were doing the jobs of more than one person. Could that be a factor in not getting everything done? Hope it goes well. Again, when do you start your new job? Good luck and best wishes, I know you will do well.

Cat, my thing is to always be on guard and not take the AF for granted. Great you are busy and doing well. Kas's post was inspiring.

Has anyone heard from Chill? Hope she is doing well.

To all, have a great day.

[dill]

January Generosity Week 3

Hi Friends,
Cat, that's great to hear that you continue moving forward and to the light. Your son is so, so, fortunate. Your are too, off course.

Lav, time is flying, I agree. I do wish it would slow down a little. It doesn't sound like it slows down in retirement, not based on your posts!

Pap, you only gave 2 weeks because you didn't feel respected or appreciated there. I don't blame you at all. Sorry you are having this time crunch with tying up ends. Soon this will all be a memory and you will be on to new and better things!

Being AF we just have more time. It is a gift, that time. We are emotionally available for our family and friends, hobbies, exercise, chores, our pets (we are all better pet owners, AF) and when emergencies come up, and they always do, we are prepared and can handle whatever comes up. I was thinking about the gifts we give ourselves, being AF.

Star, you are so right about being AF giving us more time. It's not actually more time quantitatively, but as you pointed out, qualitatively. We are more present emotionally and mentally when we spend our time with family, friends, etc. You are so right that it is a gift.
Netflix streaming is a service through the netflix website. We have Netflix which started out just being a service where movies are mailed to the home and returned after being viewed. We signed up for 1 movie/week. We watch a lot of movies. But they expanded the service to include watching movies and shows from the website. We have it connected somehow to our TV (ask Mr. D for details:H). The ones on the website are mostly old movies and TV series. We love it!

Kas, hope you're heat is back on!!!

TDN, count down to D-day! ("Driving Day") Woo-hoo!

Hi Soots!

My son is still in the hospital. His condition is improving but he is still not allowed to eat or drink while his pancreas is given a rest. His pancreatic enzymes are coming down which is a good thing. He was complaining about being there and being hungry etc. when we visited him so he is definitely starting to feel at least a little better. Before all he focused on was the pain. Pancreatitis can occur without a known cause, but a very common cause or factor, is alcohol abuse. I do believe that to be a factor in his case, so I am hoping this is a huge wake up call. Thanks to everyone for your comments and questions.

[Lavande]

January Generosity Week 3

Good morning friends!

Still waiting for some sunshine around here but I don't think I'll be holding my breath, ugh!

Papmom, just put your time in & forget the old job! Don't stress yourself out about undone work ~ it will be done by someone else. Focus on your new job & your brighter future

Glad you are enjoying the AF life Cat
What a change, huh? I wouldn't give this mind peace for anything!

Hi Star!
I see Chill posting on FB, she seems to be fine.
Hope you have a wonderful day!

Dill, I watch whatever I want on Netfix on my laptop & on my iPad! How did we ever live without all this fun & entertainment? :H
Good to hear your son is improving. Getting hungry & cranky is a good sign
I have read so much lately about stress being at the root cause of illness, even cancer
I'll have to look up some links to post here for everyone. I hope you have a good day sister!

I have a full day of work lined up for myself & no kids scheduled - yay!
Take care everyone!
Lav

[Rusty]

January Generosity Week 3

Good Morning AF Friends,

Kas-congratulations on the 23 months AF!:goodjob: Also, congratulations on getting the new contract. Is your heat back on? What is a budgie?

Sooty-how is your class going? Is it everything you had hoped?

Pap-I think two weeks notice is the norm. Lav is right. Focus on your new job and someone else will have to worry about any unfinished tasks. It happens all the time.

Dill-I feel for your son. Perhaps this will be a wake-up call for him, and yet he has probably been self-medicating with all the stress he has been under with his ill ex-wife, the divorce, job search, etc. My 59-year-old brother has had it 4 times in the last two years. He is a very, very moderate drinker, and even one or two beers can send him into a full bout of pancreatitis...sending him to the ER and then in the hospital for 3 days. Yes, he complained about being hungry all the time. We believe his internal organs are very sensitive due to his being run over by a powerboat when he was swimming in a lake in August, 2007. Everyone I know except for my family and I has Netflix, and they swear by it. I don't need it because I have all the premium movie channels.

Star, I too loved your quote about the extra time we have when we are AF and we can always be present then, for emergencies, or whatever comes our way. We will be ready!

Catbuddy-I just love your positive and energetic spirit. I'm sure your son sees the positive changes in you, too!

TDN-it won't be long now and you'll be on the road!:yay:

I am at home today quoting a consulting assignment that would give me about 16 days of work. Then, it's off to get my hair cut and colored. Right now, it's four colors-red, blonde, gray and mousy brown.:H

Big hellos to Lav, Chill, LBH, Rustop, Jolie, IMT, Hippy, and anyone I have missed....happy AF Thursday!

[Hippyman]

January Generosity Week 3

Happy Thursday my new friends! I am very grateful for another wonderful day. Today I am hoping the animal shelter will let me become a volunteer to walk the doggers that are waiting for forever homes. I feel like I owe them so much because this is the shelter where I adopted my precious Abagail. She is my reward for getting sober. I used to carry a Monk's bag with beer as my constant companion. Now I carry her in my bag and together we are healing.

[ThreeDogNight]

January Generosity Week 3

Very quick check in, as I am leaving for work soon. Had a drinking dream last night--first in a long time, and I imagine it's because I will be driving as of tomorrow, and am nervous.

Dill, I hope your son recovers soon and completely. I didn't know that he has a history of drinking. I imagine many alcoholics/heavy drinkers have had this. it's a wonder I never suffered from that.

Pap, that boss is a first class jerk, and two weeks is standard. I know people who gave a month's notice and were dismissed right away. You are too consciencious (sp??) and too caring.

I will be back later. Don't feel like going in today--some days just do not like doing all the chores nobody else wants to do

TDN

[Lavande]

January Generosity Week 3

Hey there Rusty, Hippy, TDN!

I took an early lunch break today & watched a documentary on Netflix called: Stress: Portrait of a Killer.
This 55 min long film was nicely presented by National Geographic, was easy to watch. I highly recommend everyone watch this if possible.
A neurobiologist named Robert Sapolsky has researched the effects of stress at the cellular level. There is a little something for everyone in this film
I was particularly interested in the part about the effect of wartime famine on Dutch society. That really explains a LOT about my sister-in-law & her family

Anyway, I mentioned earlier that I believe in the mind-body connection & the role of stress in causing inflammation & illness. This was a good film documenting all that