March Maintenance ~ Week 1

[dill]

Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others. -Cicero


March 1st, we made it. Let's have a focus this month on maintenance and what we do to achieve AF maintenance. One thing I know to be helpful is to focus on gratitude in things both great and small. Starting the first day of a month hangover-free is something I feel grateful for.

[Rusty]

March Maintenance ~ Week 1

Hi Dill,

I love that quote, and totally believe that gratitude is our greatest gift to others. Thank you so much for starting us off with the attitude that we will maintain our AF status, our health and our minds. Yes, waking up hangover and guilt-free is something to be grateful for....and being able to remember what I did the night before. I am very grateful for the online friendships I've made on this thread. Dill, how many days of work do you have left? I bet the last day can't get here soon enough.

Today I am especially grateful that my trip to Kentucky has been cancelled, and that my new consulting client is giving me more days of work than I expected. I am particularly grateful that I even HAVE work.

LBH-a river trip in Portugal? Love it! I pray that you will be able to float down the river with the sight in both of your eyes.

I am meeting with a new client today.

To everyone I missed, happy AF Friday!

[Stargazerlily]

March Maintenance ~ Week 1

Rabbit, Rabbit....

New Month, New Start, it is great to get up feeling healthy and at peace. Even though it snowed, there is a difference, spring is coming. Green spots on the lawns, it is slowly changing.

Dill, loved the quote, gratitude is the start of all other positive attitudes. Thanks for beginning the month for us. I too miss Chill, but she may be in her new life and want to leave this part of it behind. Having someone hack into your computer and try to hurt you is positively frightening, I would be so upset and cautious.

Lav, good for you for keeping up your CEUs. It is worth it, even if you are not working right now. Anything special planned this weekend? I want to go to the movies, that new one with Brad Cooper. Silver Linings Playbook, I think it is.

Rusty, I too am grateful for work, not too much, but enough to keep up my bills and save for retirement. Today, being off, it will be a day of housework, laundry, and library. There needs to be time for that too.

LBH, what a cool vaca. Spontaneous is good, I would love to go to Portugal. One of the best times I had was last fall when I booked that ranch, to go horseback riding. It is an adventure I will always remember fondly. I think you are a seeker, and it inspires me.

Off to start my day.

[Lavande]

March Maintenance ~ Week 1

Good morning March friends

I am truly grateful for everything, good & bad
I have learned & grown quite a bit, made lots of good sober friends here & feel like I am still blooming. I am grateful that my thinking processes are what they are today

Greetings Dill. Rusty, LBH & everyone!
I will be busy the next few days helping my daughter & SIL - they are moving! I am not carrying sofas or heavy boxes but I will watch my grandaughter & that will be fun.

Greetings to Star as well!

Wishing everyone a great aF Friday!
Lav

[cyntree]

March Maintenance ~ Week 1

Morning all - I posted on February, so moved this over - thanks Dill!

LBH - I absolutely understand the feeling of time slipping away (or whizzing by) with no punctuation. It does also for me produce an anxiousness; it was good of you to name it. A river in Portugal? Sounds fabulous, a good image for enjoying the journey of life. How is your eye?

Star - thank you for your gentle post of gratitude this morning, what a good reminder. I hope spring is just around the corner for you.

Lav - would it be possible to find a trip somewhere with your daughter, or a friend, or a like-minded group? While you are able-bodied, you really should follow your travel heart - you so deserve to fulfill that dream, dear friend. Forget taking care of anyone!!! (though I'm glad to know that you're keeping your nurse status 'legal').

Dill - time to break out the seed catalogs! I can't wait until I return to the east - this year I have a perfect setup for starting plants, so I'm hoping to get myself organized and going on that on my return. Rusty - your daffodils are pushing the surface - in WI?! Wow, that really is a harbinger.

Happy Belated birthday, TDN, hope you had a happy day. Lav, I think I have a breakthrough - I've been supplementing with Niacinamide (and a million other things), and finally see some improvement, whew.

Hope everyone has a good AF end to the week...

[ThreeDogNight]

March Maintenance ~ Week 1

Good morning, March Maintainers!

Dill, I love the quote you have offered. Trying to remain grateful for what I do have and not focus on the negative. I am listening to something posted by Ringing Cedars on the Holistic Healing Forum here, all about changing negative thinking patterns, and consciousness vs. subconsciousness. Will have to listen a few times, but it is very interesting.

LBH, I am sorry about your eye issues, but sure sounds like you are handling it very well. And that river trip--I imagine it's a barge trip? I have wanted for so long to do a barge trip in France, but like YB, Mr TDN has steadfastly refused. I think I first mentioned it at least 15 years ago. We have friends who would go in an instant, and I am now thinking that maybe some day I'll be able to go with a friend. Anyway, it sounds like a wonderful adventure for you!

Rusty, so happy that the trip was cancelled and that you have more hours from your new client!! You deserve it! And daffodils??? Here we have had snow, rain, etc. and it has been very gray. But not freezing cold, so that helps. We actually lost power twice on Wednesday. It was my birthday, and I was stuck at home all day. :upset:

Star, Lav, Cyntree--you all sound good. Cyn, glad the niacinamide is helping. I have had rosacea in the past, and it as awful. The only thing that seemed to help was Tetracycline. Thank goodness I have not had a flareup in years.

Lav, hope you enjoy the babysitting! It's great that your son and family will have their own place.

Not sure what I will be doing today. May take a nice long walk if we don't get snow. Have done Zumba twice this past week--including one class I will simply refer to as Zumba on Speed for teenyboppers:H I have signed up for Monday night again. Must be crazy! Also did Step class on Thursday, and it is still my favorite in terms of an all body workout.

Have a great AF weekend, everyone. So greateful for your friendships

[Lavande]

March Maintenance ~ Week 1

Good morning Marchers

Yay, the sun is here today!
Just heard there is some coastal storm forming on Wednesday - seriously???
All I really want to do is get my Swiss Chard seeds in the ground - guess I'll wait a whike longer.

cyn, is the niacinamide causing you any flushing/hot flashing? It's such a great supplement that helps with so many things but I understand some folks are bothered by hot flashes, ugh.
Glad you are having some positive results
My daughter & I talk about taking a trip together (like we used to) but it's just not in the cards right now....maybe some day. We were good traveling buddies.

TDN, when we realize that negative thinking patterns are learned behavior then we can do something to change them. That was the basis of the program I used called 'Habit Busting'. We are not born negative thinkers. Our family, caretakers, teachers, neighbors, etc teach us that behavior. And boy was I ever surrounded by a bunch of negative people when I was a kid!
It takes 28 days to break a bad habit & form a new one but it can be done
I still have not tried Zumba yet but I want to at some point - we shall see!

OK, gotta get more coffee in, get showered & ready for a super busy day with Ms Lily
Wishing everyone a peaceful AF Saturday!

Lav

[Rusty]

March Maintenance ~ Week 1

Good Morning Friends,

Cyn-I don't know where you read that there are daffodils popping through the surface here in Wisconsin, but it was not I. Lots of snow here and the sun is out. I am so glad the Niacinamide is working well for you.

LBH-I hope you got through your sad meeting without any lingering negative aftereffects.:l

TDN-I wish I could go to a step class with you. We don't have them at my gym. I am so sorry you lost power on your birthday and you were trapped at home....with Mr.TDN....he must have been very unhappy.

Lav-yes, I was overwhelmed by my dad's negativity. UGH. I am generally a very positive thinker but I have this cloud of self-doubt that has always hung over my head. I am planning on getting some therapy for it. Have fun with Ms. Lily today. Are your daughter and son-in-law moving farther away from you?

Papmom-how was the conference?

Lots to do today so better get going. Big hellos to MIA Rustop and Sooty, Star, Dill, and anyone I may have missed....happy AF Saturday!

[Lavande]

March Maintenance ~ Week 1

Ahhhh, 9:30 pm & all is quiet!
I ended up keeping Lily for an overnight stay - first time for here without her Mama
Wasn't as bad as it could have been, that's for sure although she did decide to put her shoes on at 9 pm - I guess she was thining it's time to go home :H

Rusty, my daughter will actually be living about 2 miles closer:H

cyn, it's my daffs popping thru here in SE PA

Wishing all of us a good night!
Lav

[Lavande]

March Maintenance ~ Week 1

Good morning friends!

I'm up by 7 am with thedog - Lily still sleeping

It's cold but sunny outside, maybe we can get some outside time later.
Now I hear about a coastal storm devloping on Wednesday, I didn't order one, that's for sure!

Hope everyone has a terrific AF Sunday!
Lav

[dill]

March Maintenance ~ Week 1

Hello Marchers,

Star, I picked up Pavilion of Women yesterday of the hold shelf at my library. I started reading it in the car on the way home. (Don't panic, Mr. D was driving!:H) It caught my interest on the 1st page.

LBH, I had a google of your river, The Douro. My goodnes that looks like it will be a wonderful cruise! How many days is your cruise? Lord BH is a lucky man to have you making such wonderful plans to look forward to.

Lav, I truly envy you having your daughter near. I miss being able to do simple things with mine like shopping and taking walks. I hope that when I am retired I'll be able to spend more time down her way. She's going to have to add a room to her house!!

Cyn, I am looking forward to Spring for sure! Mr. D is way ahead of the game. He actually started his tomato plants already!! Not only that but he has had to transplant them to larger pots already. What plants will you be starting?

TDN, staying positive takes some effort. I don't know why that is but it seems going negative is almost 'the default setting' in human nature. But one can cultivate the positive and it can become habit, at least that's what I think.

Rusty, a big hello! I hope your day yesterday was busy AND fun! Mine was enjoyable but low key. I knitted and read. The weather is just too damp cold to be enjoyed so no outdoor activities. Tessa is losing patience with me I'm afraid. Maybe I'll force myself out today, just for her. The weather is supposed to warm into the 40's this week. I look forward to that. I'm not sure I could live in WI. Do you like it?

That quote I started the thread with has been rolling around in my head off and on ever since I read it. Can gratitude actually be the greatest of virtues? I always thought that love was. I can see that gratitude could be the parent of other virtues, but the greatest? I guess I shall leave that question for wiser and more scholarly persons than I!

[ladybirdheart]

March Maintenance ~ Week 1

Good Evening. I finally just saw "Flight" which I think Dill first recommended quite a while back?I too appreciated how it depicted the particular prison of addiction and the freedom that comes with recovery. Things are good here as I spent the entire day outside, late winter gardening in a long sleeved shirt and overalls, no need for coat, scarf, or hat! The air was so fresh in spite of my fish bone meal and cow poop. In the background still, spring is gathering momentum, the corner has been turned. I love the name of the thread this time?I just want to take care of what is around me, of who I am. Love, Ladybird.

[papmom3]

March Maintenance ~ Week 1

I'm Baaaaccccckkkkkk!!!!

I have read through the new thread and glad to see everyone is doing just fine!

Conference was very nice. I learned a lot, excited to start the project and eternally grateful for being wined and dined (just an expression folks!) on the highest level by the company who put on the conference. The hotel was the poshest I've ever stayed in, they fed us every meal except Wed. nite and the food was fabulous! They also arranged a private tour of the Georgia aquarium and dinner at the World of Coca Cola on Thurs. nite. Truly amazing 2 days. My traveling partner was gracious, considerate and a super listener. Too bad he's 20 years younger than me! I arrived home around 11pm Friday nite to hungry but happy cats. My sitter/friend did a great job with them and keeping me updated. Well worth the $30. The 2 boyz had a fabulous time at the resort and everyone fell in love with them. I had fun watching them on the web cam every morning and evening. Their baths Sat. morning left them fluffy and smelling oh so good! The only bad event was that my hoarder friend ended up in the hospital early Thursday morning with a facial infection. She was able to call another friend to come over and stay with the dogs. I didn't find out until Thursday afternoon and was of course very concerned with a stranger trying to take care of DD but apparently he did great! She didn't try to interact with him or touch him. Just gave him his meals and asked him to go into his crate which he willingly did. He really is a wonderful dog if you communicate and interact with him on his terms. My friend has been going to infusion therapy for the past 3 days and is feeling much better. They think she got the infection (maybe MRSA or another strain of staph) from the hospital where she works and when she picked at a zit, got infected. Her face totally swelled up, she had a high fever and then started vomiting. She never goes to the ER so you know she was in bad shape to check herself in AND to agree to be admitted. She is out of work for another week and is hoping to switch over to oral antibiotics tomorrow. This has been a wakeup call for her, so she says. I would like to help her as much as I can but have told her in no uncertain terms that she must be prepared to make some tough decisions. If she is not willing to do so, than I am not wasting my time. We shall see. At any rate, DD was happy to see me, and looked none the worse for wear. He's actually been acting pretty good these past 2 days. Maybe all I have to do is threaten to go away again! :H
today was a work day at a new store for the company. It went very very well but I was exhausted when I got home!
Tomorrow we're back to the regular grind. I heard about the coastal storm on Wed and am praying it stays well to the east.

TDN- a VERY belated Happy Birthday! I'm so sorry I missed it. I hope this is a year of new beginnings and clarity for you.

10:00 pm all ready!! Time to start the bedtime routine. See you all tomorrow!!
:l

[Stargazerlily]

March Maintenance ~ Week 1

Good morning to all...

Papmom, the trip was so good for you, you needed to get away and have some fun!!! It sounded a great trip, hope you are feeling refreshed.

Back to work today, a beautiful sunrise. Tomorrow, another snow storm, yuck. Hopefully it will be the last one this winter. To all, have a great day.

[Lavande]

March Maintenance ~ Week 1

Good morning March friends,

Glad your trip went well papmom
Sorry to hear about your friend's infection but not too terribly surprised, huh?

LBH, nice to hear you are enjoying some gardening time
I can't believe there is a snow storm creeping across the country right now that could make for a crappy day on Wednesday here.

Dill, I've been thinking that with gratituide, most other things seem to fall into place & that we don't always get what we want but what we need.
I am grateful to have my daughter living only an hour's drive away. We need each other, that's for sure

Wishing everyone a wonderful AF Monday!
lav