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**ThreeDogNight** · January 20, 2013, 08:23 AM

January Generosity Week 4

More on the Interlock: Yes, Pap, the "rolling road test" can occur any time after you have been driving, and seems to happen quickly for the first one, then maybe fifteen to twenty minutes after that. I have been okay doing the test without stopping and pulling over, but haven't been on a highway yet, so don't know about that. Yesterday on the way out of town to a supermarket about a half hour away, it went off, and I just hoped that the cars passing me weren't people I knew! There is the embarrassmnet factor, as I hope you understand.

I picked up a friend last night to go to a local talent night, and I was happy it was dark out. Saw so many people I know there, and it felt good to be out --and without our husbands:H I remembered the last time I'd been in that auditorium, over two months ago, and had had about a bottle of wine before going. I wasn't drunk, as I'd had the wine oer the course of about four hours, but being fully present last night felt so good! We parked where we could find a spot, and it as well lit, and I was happy that nobody came along while I was doing the exhale/inhale thing. Then saw that two kids were getting into the vehicle next to us, but I had just finished the test, so felt better. My friend was kind of fascinated with the whole thing. She has been so supportive, as has her husband, an alcoholic with about 20 years of sobriety.

I am grateful to be able to drive again, despite the Interlock. I wish things were different, but do believe that things happene for a reason, and the fact that I am here, AF and with the support of all of you and of so many of my friends, keeps me going and focused.

Not sure if we are going to chucrh today or not, but will go out for errands and maybe lunch. Mr TDN needs to oberve the whole process a few more times, because he will need to do all of this if/when he needs to drive my car. Did I mention that the installer said that using the windshield wiper fluid can set the Interlock off?? The person I spoke to yesterday said that she'd heard that, and knows that there are some fluids that don't contain alcohol. HUH?? I asked about going through the car wash, and she "thinks" that is okay! She said it took her about a month to learn how to use the device, and was "locked" out for missing a rolling test and her horn beeped for eight blocks

These things are reported, and can get you a violation. She made a note of my call, and told me to keep a log myself, which I will do. The installer and the guy who has the device on his car and was there when I got mine, were astounded that I had gotten my license back without proof of the Interlock. But did say that "they" would have caught up ith me eventually. Sigh.

Need to get moving, I guess!

Have a great AF day!

**Stargazerlily** · January 20, 2013, 09:00 AM

January Generosity Week 4

Happy Sunday...

Whipping wind woke me up in the middle of the night, the temps are dropping... arctic cold today. Looking outside, it is just starting to snow and will continue for the next three days, on and off. Brrrr. Soup and vegan lasagna today. I am sleeping so well, did not get up till 8:00. It is a blessing to be able to rest, relax and sleep for long hours. There is nothing better than a Sunday, in the winter, cozy and inside. We went to an ice festival yesterday, it was in the 40s, everything was melting. Lots of people out.

Chill, miss you and understand. Hope you get this situation straightened out soon.

Dill, funny thing with our kids, everything has to run its course. My daughter had troubles in that same area about 8/9 years ago. It was so sad, but nothing I could do, except not get her out of trouble. Suffering works. But, it took time, she did not get it right away. We were worried, but angry too. Looking back, all I can say is I am such a hypocrite. Today, things are so different, and I am humbly grateful. I did make a few comments to my son the other night, and told him he went over the top on a certain day. He made a point to not drink, and apparently thought about what I said. I would never say anything to any one else, but with my own kids I question them, calm tone, curious, reminding them about how they are better being themselves. It is true, too. We are all much better, just as we are. We do not need a drink or drug to improve us. Most impaired people are annoying, loud, idiots.

TDN, great you can drive, what a pain with the interlock. Those things scare me as they are not really accurate from what you are describing. However, freedom

. Going out, appreciating being sober, remembering, enjoying, being yourself. What a great gift you are giving yourself. I really try to remember to be mindful and enjoy whatever I am doing. It doesn't work impaired.

Lav, I copy catted you, making the Rigatoni with eggplant and zuchinni, and it was delicious. So good, so anything you are making, feel free to suggest. My goodness, it is such a light meal, veggies, tofu, and a just a tad pasta. The cold is coming....

Rusty, happy to hear that another customer realized what you have to offer

.

Pappy, things are moving right along for you. Taking MLK day off I hope. Wishing you success and happiness in your future work. New challenges are good for us, keeps us fresh and young. Loved hearing about your relationship with your nephew, aunt's are special people.

Sending you positive energy, have a great day.

**papmom3** · January 20, 2013, 11:09 AM

January Generosity Week 4

Morning January friends!!

It is very windy out but the temps are still warm. 45 yesterday, 45+ today until the Pats play and then dropping to the bitter temps. I feel bad for those actually at the game tonite. Why is that better than a cozy living room with a 50" TV and fire blazing, friends and appetizers? Not my house I'm afraid but visualizing where my sis will be. After 15 years of watching college and HS football from the sidelines, I never again wanted to go to a live game. I've never been to a Bruins or Pats game and never will. I have gone to a Sox game but found it noisy and easy to miss important plays. Long live HD TV!! :H

Dill-my commute is just a tad shorter but only because of the non traffic. I used a single crochet stitch using a fairly larger hook and the yarn is Shamrock Green (not the real color name but what it looks like). I finished all 4 sides with a SC as well. Last nite I took out the scarf I was crocheting for my dad (over a year in the making) using a half double stitch and 3 different color yarns at the same time (brown, wheat and forest floor green). It was about 2.5 feet long and I decided it wasn't perfect enough-the edges were too wavy and the width varied-and it was too wide (about 12") so I ripped it all out and rolled the yarn up in a ball. I will restart the scarf with a different stitch and a smaller hook. I may even do wide stripes instead of trying to do 3 colors at the same time. Hmmm, maybe time to look for a pattern!! :H

TDN-I am a HUGE believer in everything happens for a reason. You will become an expert in the Interlock in no time. Just make sure you keep that log up to date. You know how your town is!! I'm so happy you are finally back to driving and have freedom now. You are an inspiration for getting through this past few years with dignity. I know you had a relapse but that happened for a reason too. You are finally free on many levels. I haven't been assigned any northern demos in a while-she seems to be concentrating on Dave's and AW Brown's. Chris left Pet Source and once that happened I didn't go back but maybe she concentrates on different chains every months. I'm happy with the W. MA and PT Pet Supply demos to tell the truth. But, lets talk seriously about a visit next summer!!

Jeez, you guys are almost inspiring me to try that casserole!! I may have no excuses if I actually can leave at 4pm everyday in April (I'll be staying late most nites until my raise kicks in!!). I am taking 2 Sundays off in Feb from the demos so there prolly is no excuse!!

Star-I am taking tomorrow off! Yea!! Thanks for the kind words. I am getting excited now!

G-haven't listend to your song yet but will. You are magical!!

Gotta hop in the shower and get to the office to clean up what I didn't get done last week. I really really hope I only have to spend 2 hours there. Then to my dad's for dinner.

**Lavande** · January 20, 2013, 08:54 PM

January Generosity Week 4

Star - glad you liked that recipe

I dragged out the leftovers to go with the chicken I roasted for the carnivores :H

Papmom. that recipe feeds a small army. Make half of it & expect leftovers. Very worth the bit of time it takes to prep the veggies! I haven't been to a football game since my kids got out of high school & that's perfectly OK with me :H
I'm sitting in front of my own little warm fire, dogs asleep & sheer quiet. Grandsons were especially loud & obnoxious during dinner so they went home early :H

Have a warm & cozy evening everyone!
Lav

**sooty** · January 21, 2013, 02:02 AM

January Generosity Week 4

Morning all, it's freezing cold here and deepish snow which has turned to ice and is treacherous underfoot so i'm staying in and am making Lav!s rigatoni today. By some fluke I have absolutely all the ingredients so it must be destiny

I haven't had time to read back very far. LBH I hope your ankle improves soon, its awful when we fall. Take care.

I have never heard of interlock but it sounds very tricky, I hope you manage to master it TDN

I must away and start the day, the dog wants to go out and I don't want to open the back door cos it's so cold!

Have a good day everyone

**Stargazerlily** · January 21, 2013, 07:01 AM

January Generosity Week 4

Wind Chill 1 degree. Brrrrrrrr. What a way to start Monday, yes I am working, and I don't mind. I had some weird dreams last night and need to get out of the house.

Yesterday was a cozy day, and I was happy to stay in by my fire. Not much else, except loved Downton Abbey, so yes I am officially very boring.

But AF and feeling good, and that is what is important to me.

Lav, Pap, Sooty, TDN, Rusty, Chill, LBH, Dill, Mr. G., Cat, and all, have a great week and hope you enjoy this day, espeically if you have time off.

**Lavande** · January 21, 2013, 08:06 AM

January Generosity Week 4

28 degrees here at the moment Star, don't know what the wind chill is but it's cold!!!!
I hear ya in the weird dream department......Hope you have a good day!

Sooty, be careful out there lady! Remember, falling sucks!
I hope you enjoy your rigatoni - yum

I have a full day planned. Heading out to Curves now. Then my daughter & grandaughter arrive here before lunch. I am taking them up to the outlets for some lunch & shopping. YB heard about my plan and asked if he could go along since he's off work today. Not sure if that's a good thing or not but we can probably make him pay for lunch :H

Have a great AF Monday everyone!
Lav

**ThreeDogNight** · January 21, 2013, 09:21 AM

January Generosity Week 4

Good morning, everyone.

Star--I did the same thing yesterday!! I love Downton Abbey and look forward to watching it every week. I did manage a 2 1/2 mile walk before it got cold and very windy. I also worked on my boring project, and it's taking loner than anticipated, as I have to go to schools' websites for info, then add to spread sheet.

It is 11 degrees right now, and imagine 0 with wind chill. We are supposed to get sno tonight, but not sure if it will be 3 inches or 6 or more

I am going to the gym for the first time this a.m. for a class I used to call "the old ladies' class." Well, having been away for so long, it's the only thing I can manage now. I would like to go to a Zumba class tomorrow night, but will see. Eventually I want to get back to step class, which gives the best workout, but there is now only one a week. I never got into spinning, and that seems to be the most popular class. I am already dreading parking--trying to find a place where I on't be seen blowing into the Intoxalock. I know so many people at that gym and really don't care to have them see this. The I want to do a few errands, and again, thinking of where I'll park.

Lav, that shopping trip sounds good, and I do hope that YB pays for lunch:H I have recently seen a Euro stiker on a few cars that is "YB." Anyone know what that stands for?

Sooty, you've got cold weather, too--and snow. How did the walk with the doggy go?

Hi to Dill, Rusty, Chill, LBH, G, and all others! Have a great AF day!

TDN

**dill** · January 21, 2013, 09:34 AM

January Generosity Week 4

Good Day,

Lav, your shopping excursion and free lunch sounds like a great way to spend the day. I hope YB behaved himself. I have yet to make the rigatoni because I don?t have an eggplant!

Star, nothing wrong with ?boring?. Sitting by the fire feeling the warmth and watching the flames, well, it really doesn?t get much better than that in winter, I don?t care who you are!!

reminding them about how they are better being themselves. It is true, too. We are all much better, just as we are. We do not need a drink or drug to improve us. Most impaired people are annoying, loud, idiots.

Amen. Star, I hear what you say about feeling like a hypocrite, but I hope you don?t judge yourself too harshly. You have learned and made changes and have grown. After reading what you said about your daughter I was actually wondering if her situation played some part in giving you the motivation to start your own journey to become sober, whether consciously or unconsiously.

Soots, what time is dinner?!:H

Papmom, the scarf for your nephew sounds great. I?m making a vest right now out of granny squares using an off white and a J hook. I got the pattern out of my Christmas present book: Granny Square Crochet, by Catherine Hirsh. When you were working on your dad?s scarf, were you crocheting all three strands together? If you switch to wide stripes are you going to crochet it with single strands? Inquiring minds want to know!

TDN, if you miss a rolling test does the engine shut off? That could be dangerous! Yiikes! Thanks for starting us off on week 4.

G, I follow your link and listened to your music. I added "Startingover Again" to my favorites. I tried to add a comment, but I guess I didn't do it right because I didn't see it anywhere. I would love to play Startingover Again for my son and may just have it playing sometime when he is here. You have a very nice singing voice.

:goodjob:

I'm off today, Hurray!!!

**Lavande** · January 21, 2013, 11:32 AM

January Generosity Week 4

Waiting for everyone to get here.....

TDN, please focus on your gratitude for getting your license & car back & most of all your FREEDOM

Screw what anyone else sees or thinks. What you think is all that matters

There are two,possibilities for the YB sticker:
1. YB = a chemical element I've never heard of before
2. YB = YO BITCH

I think #2 is the winner :H :H

Dill, enjoy your day off

I think you can substitute whatever you have on hand for the egg plant. I added a big handful of sauteed mushrooms & carrots to mine.

**dill** · January 21, 2013, 04:36 PM

January Generosity Week 4

Oh, I forgot to mention: my son got out of the hospital yesterday. He still has to take it easy and will have to schedule his gall bladder op within a couple of weeks after his pancreas has time to more fully recover.

He mentioned again today that he will not be drinking at least for the duration. Maybe this will be a starting point for him once he sees how good he can feel!

**Rusty** · January 21, 2013, 05:31 PM

January Generosity Week 4

ThreeDogNight is 60 Days AF Today!

CONGRATULATIONS, TDN, ON 60 DAYS AF!!!:happy::cheering: I am so happy and proud of you, dear friend! I started a thread for you in the General Discussion Forum. You have dealt with the ramifications of the AL beast with such incredible courage...you are a model for everyone here. I will email you right after I get off the thread.

Dill-I am happy your son is home and maybe the pancreatitis was an epiphany for him. I was going to ask if maybe Mr.D could talk to him about his drinking?

Lav- you crack me up with your YB definitions. Why not call him Chore Boy (CB)? Because he does more than just yard work....fixes your embroidery machines, etc. I am so proud of you that you have set boundaries for him, physically and mentally, so that his negative mood does not destroy you.:goodjob:

Mr.G-thank you so much for the YouTube links to your songs...I played them over and over. Your voice is very soothing to me.

Chill-I hope you are doing ok. (HUGS). I will email you, too.

LBH-I hope your ankle is healing and you're not in any pain. I felt so badly for you because I know how thin you are....and I was worried that since you were in so much pain, maybe your appetite was affected and you didn't feel like eating. I hope Lord BH is waiting on you....in a tux.

Papmom-I hope you have had a restful day off and you are excited about tomorrow.

Sooty-oohhh....Lav's Rigatoni....I'm dying to find out how it tastes. Sounds delish!!! How cold is it in the UK? It's 5 degrees F here.

Star, I smiled when you said you slept so well that you slept in until 8:00 a.m. Good for you! Don't you feel like you can take on the world when you get a good night's sleep? I do.

Thank you EVERYONE for your compliments, support, and encouragement regarding my new consulting clients. It means a lot to me.:h I looked at my calendar just now and saw that I only have to fly 4 times between now and the middle of May. I would not be able to say that if I were still in the automotive industry. I have been spoiled by not having to rise every morning at between 3:30 and 5:00...it's going to be a real drag to get up at 5:00 tomorrow. Oh well...it's local work and that's all that matters. Back to cleaning out my client files....I have to make room for all those new customers in my file cabinet.

I hope everyone is having a lovely AF evening!

Love,

Rusty

**ThreeDogNight** · January 21, 2013, 09:36 PM

January Generosity Week 4

Thank you so much for those kind words, Rusty! I cannot tell you all how much being a part of this group has helped me.

I will be back in the a.m. Trying to work on this project and get distracted all the time:H

I did make it through the exercise class today, and I had forgotten that the class is made up of older women--most older than I am--but you can take it as high as you want. I was surprised at how easy it seemed--except the ab work, of course, which was dreadful! That is where I need a lot of strengthening, and the part I dislike the most! I hope to go back tomorrow if we don't get too much snow.

Good night, all!

**Lavande** · January 21, 2013, 11:05 PM

January Generosity Week 4

I had a fantastic day & it's still going on.
The girls decided to stay overnight because it's now snowing!

YB remembered his wallet & did pay for lunch today :H
TDN, I didn't realize that you have 60 AF days today :yay:
Glad you enjoyed the exercise class - that gets easier too

Wishing everyone a good night!
Lav

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