Know November - Week 2

[dill]

?Be grateful. These feelings, no matter how painful, are part of
living. Today, we are alive?not anesthetized, not sedated, not passed
out. Take control of your feelings and through action you can change.
Today, as every day of sober living, we have a choice.?
― Ann D. Clark, Women & Recovery: Sex, Sobriety & Stepping Up: Practical Suggestions for Quality Living in Recovery

Hello Friends, can you believe we are already into the second week of Novemeber? When I went to title the thread I thought about DTD's "No, no November" and smiled. Then it suddenly occured to me that Know sounds like No and we here will all KNOW and REMEMBER November without alcohol dampening our memories or causing black outs.

[Stargazerlily]

Know November - Week 2

I loved the quote Dill, thanks for posting it. It is good to be alive and part of that is feeling everything: good, bad and ugly. Sorry to hear there has been drama at your house too. It is exhausting. Luckily, he went to the city for the weekend. Whew.

Sunshinegg, my son is in his late 20s, gay, and not making enough to live on his own. I think if he had a partner, it would work if they pooled their money together. So, this is not something that is going to go away soon. It has just been a rough week or so.

I have a really good friend who is sick, and I know she is dying. She only goes to a nurse practioner who is jacking around with her. Two months in bed, swollen legs, not able to function and she has not been hospitalized? I can't push it cause it is not my business, she is private, but I know it is heart problems. Really sad and I am struggling. She has never been one to take care of herself, older than me, but we raised our kids together and talk almost every day. One of those kind of friendships. Now, she really does not want to talk. You can feel her drifting away...

Today is supposed to be a lovely day, mid 50s and sunny, so I will rake outside. Being in nature is healing for me, and probably for everyone. I appreciate each nice day as snow is predicted for early next week. I had a lovely day by myself yesterday, cleaned, laundry, read, and was able to enjoy quiet in my taken care of house. I want to go to my yoga class today, it is really healing for me too.

What do all of you do to heal, take care of yourselves? AF, finding healthy things to do is so important to deal with the bad weeks, and to build yourself up in the good weeks. Would love some feedback, and any visitors are welcome.

[FlyAway]

Know November - Week 2

Dill that quote really struck home with me. Last November my mom died. She stopped eating and drinking and was almost in a comatose state for 3 days. I sat with her those 3 days until she died thinking about how grateful I was to be sober and to be present. I was grateful that I could wholly be there to help lovingly assist her out of this life. No matter how positive or negative the emotion, it is a gift to be present to feel it. Thank you.

Star I am sorry to hear about the turmoil in your house. I went through a lot of fighting too with my stepson. I can remember saying to my husband that the only way he'll move out of our house is if he finds someone else to take care of him. He recently got married and is out on his own. I felt that he was unmotivated and took things for granted before moving out. I don't know if any of that applies to your son or not, but it can be difficult living with our adult children.

I'm also sorry to hear that your friend is isolating herself. I hope that connecting with nature today brightens your mood. Being outside is almost like meditation for me. I stop thinking about all of the things going on in my life and all of the things I need to do and just notice. It feels great to quiet the mind!

It felt like heaven to sleep in until 7am today! I have a massage scheduled (hooray) then I just found out that my stepdaughter and 2 grandsons will be spending the weekend with us. So perhaps not the relaxing weekend I was expecting, but it will be filled with family and love. :h

[Lavande]

Know November - Week 2

Good morning friends,

Thanks for starting week two Dill & the great quote!
Shocking to realize how fast time flies. I hope you have a great day

Sunny & 32 degrees at the moment. I'll wait for some warmth before I think about doing much of anything outside

Star, sorry about your friend, that's sad. My brother did see doctors & he still just kept on the downward slide. I've long wondered why some people just seem to give up on living. Is it all about depression, emotional exhaustion?
Glad your son is out of the house for the weekend so you can reset yourself

My girls stayed over again last night so we're watching cartoons, munching on cereal & having coffee - nice
Having them here is a pleasure but it's nice when they go home too. I'm just grateful for these bonding moments!

Hi there FlyAway! You snuck in on me :H

Have a great day everyone!
Lav

[DreamThinkDo]

Know November - Week 2

Dill, that's a lovely quote. And tomorrow is Remembrance Day, so it ties in nicely. I have some beautiful red Flanders poppies in my front garden, also just in time.

Star, gardening definitely for me. I spent a couple of hours in there this morning: weeded some beds, planted 4 types of tomato seeds - two of them heirlooms that I'm really excited about, green and purple basil, baby marrow. The Aztec plot has sweetcorn, beans and butternut - I have to read up some more about herbs that I can use as a companion plant in that bed. The heat drove me indoors round about noon!

Fly, it must have been quite an emotional time for you when your mum passed away. This month will be a sad month for you. My parents are in their seventies, still very strong and healthy for their age, but do are getting older. My dad stopped drinking was I was in primary school. There's so much that I want to talk to him about re the not drinking, but I also don't want to jump the gun. I hope to go home for Christmas, and just doing (or rather, not doing) should be enough. At least I'll have one partner in crime!

Lav, you are the eternal mother: if it's not children and littlies you're caring for, it's the other two-legged ones. (Have I said that before? Can't remember, but I certainly think so, often.)

I'm off to an art exhibition tonight. We have quite a number of artists in the village, and wine cellars around here also sponsors the wine, and the artist supplies snacks. I meet a lot of the people I know there, and I think most of them will be surprised to seeing me not holding a glass of wine.

Have a lovely Saturday, everybody.

[sunshine_gg]

Know November - Week 2

Hello there on a damp, cold Saturday evening :hallo:

Dillster - LOVE the quote. Thank you.

Oh Star.. I'm sorry. About the situation as home as well as your friend. I hope you get to relax a bit, though, this weekend.

Fly, you darling... if you went outside today HERE... no, it would not have brightened your mood one bit :H Yuck. I swear, even the ducks sought cover. I do love gardening (well, that's over now) and that does feel a bit like therapy. So does spending time with my horses. That's what I did this morning and tonight. There is a saying about horses being wonderful therapists. I agee.

Lav.. I totally get the "it's great when they're here but it's great when they leave, too!" I feel the same way.

DTD... it may be you, who will be surprised! Others really don't notice or care what, if anything we're drinking! :H Hope you had a fun time tonight!

Well, I really don't have a whole lot of exciting things to report here. Will be watching a DVD one of the ladies at the women's meeting lent me. I'm too lazy to go look at the title right now, though :H It's something about shift - a spiritual approach to life kinda thing. I think. I will find out shortly

Have a fabulous Saturday evening!

[Lavande]

Know November - Week 2

Good Sunday morning friends

Sunny & chilly in these parts but the coffee is good

My visitors left shortly before 9 pm last night. I put my jammies on & just sat in front of the fire not believing how exhausted I was :H I was actually aching from head to toe last night but slept like a rock so I'm good as new this morning!

I need to do some trolling on Facebook - papmom has kind of disappeared this week
It's nice being able to keep up with folks there too.

I'll check in later to see what everyone's up to today.
Make it a great day!

Lav

[Stargazerlily]

Know November - Week 2

Good morning all...

All the leaves, or most of them, blew off the trees so I was able to watch the sun rise this morning...it was gorgeous.

Fly, so your stepson finally left, then there is hope for me. It IS hard to live with adult children, not good for them or us. He does take us for granted, and I am tired of it. I love being outside too, on my days off. Yesterday we fed the ducks, took a walk, it was windy and did a lot to brighten my mood. Later, took some neighbor kids down there and they were just the spice of life, so excited and fun. I will remember that being outside can be made into a meditation, what a good idea.

Sunshine, I really understand the part about animals being therapists, I love my pets. So innocent and loving, accepting of whatever comes there way.

Dreamtd, how lovely to be gardening...as winter creeps closer in our hemisphere, it is nice to hear your gardening efforts. I still have parsley out there, it has to be cut today to put in soup. Having herbs that you can just use is so fun and healthy.

Lav, lucky you. I won't see my daughter till December...miss her. Enjoying my coffee and some sunshine, but it is chilly. Have to get those sweaters out, already having fun with my boots. Hope you have a good day planned.

Rusty, Dill, Cyn, and anyone I missed, have a lovely AF Sunday.

[sunshine_gg]

Know November - Week 2

Happy Sunday, Fabbies!

Been working since 7am this morning. Remeber that update that went *kaboom*? Yeah, well, to add insult to injury, an incomplete backup did nothing to fix things. So, I've lost 3 days of work altogether, and can start from scratch now. Let's just say, the weather matches my mood! :upset:

Anywho... I am sober today, and for that I am grateful.

Back to you!

[DreamThinkDo]

Know November - Week 2

Sunny, when technology goes wrong, it goes wrong spectacularly so - unfortunately.

Star, isn't it funny how every we have is just "the best one ever" - even if there are 10 of them.

The art exhibition was a good one: painting, ceramics, linocuts, mosaics, etchings... such a talented artist. The proceeds went to the local pet care society, and the lady who runs it is so dedicated. There were a wonderful turnout, so there's some much-need money in the coffers.

Getting my mind in Monday-mode - good night all!

[Stargazerlily]

Know November - Week 2

Good morning...

Monday and it looks like we have snow predicted. Yuck. Monday and snow?

Have a great day?

[FlyAway]

Know November - Week 2

Whew what a whirlwind weekend. I'm glad it's a holiday in the States, otherwise I'd be on my way to the loony bin. What I thought was going to be a peaceful 3 day weekend turned into 2 days of non-stop kid patrol while my stepdaughter found everything under the sun to do except watch her child. We had dinner plans with four friends last night that we had planned prior to her announcing her arrival. I was so wiped out that, when our friends suggested hanging out after dinner for a while, I had to decline. I told my husband that I was all "gived" out and I had no more to give! No more talking, no more interacting, just leave me alone. I slept in until 7 this morning--ahh--now have some errands to run.

Off to get my day started. Best wishes to all!

[Lavande]

Know November - Week 2

Good Monday morning everyone!

Sunny & chilly here

Star, snow? Really??
Please don't send it this way.....I am not ready.

FlyAway, I completely understand the post kid patrol exhaustion
Hope today is just right for you!!

I have lots of work this week & owe myself at least three trips to Curves. I also need to get some online Christmas/birthday shopping going this week. Busy, busy!!!

Have a wonderful AF Monday everyone!

Lav

[Rusty]

Know November - Week 2

Good Morning, Everyone!

I am home after the most heavenly trip to South Carolina. My sister and I biked, walked, shopping, ate, and talked and laughed nonstop. Truly the break I needed. All refreshed and ready to report to work tomorrow.

Dill-thank you for another relevant and inspiring quote...the gentle reminder that with sobriety's gift of choice, we can select actions for positive changes, as opposed to numbing ourselves and accomplishing nothing.

Fly-I agree....you have been giving, giving, giving, now it's time for you. Too bad your stepdaughter ruined your weekend. Take care of yourself today. I will remember you in my thoughts today since it's been a year since your mom passed away.:l What a true victory for you in that you could deal with the toughest challenge in your life AF, and do it with compassion and dignity.

Star-so sorry to hear about your ill friend. Do you think writing her a letter might help? At least she will know how you feel and your kind action might prompt her to action, too. You asked what we do as far as healing ourselves. For me, a powerful workout on the Stairmaster (powerful as in sweating profusely) knocks out sad/negative feelings many times and boosts my endorphins, especially if I can sit in a hot tub afterward. It's a gift to myself. I also find walking/running on the lake path to be very therapeutic. Lastly, my mom and I are involved in an organization that teaches adults practical living skills and social interaction. These adults are dually challenged: most of them are deaf AND blind. We volunteer one Saturday per month to spend time with these lovely people because they are so poor, and so isolated, that any friendly interaction means so much to them. My mom and I find it extremely rewarding. It takes our minds off our own problems/issues, and it reinforces our gratitude.

DTD-I am so glad you had fun at the art exhibit....and to have the chance to donate a perfect cause: pet care.

Big hellos to Lav, Cyn, SunniGG, Witts/Corgipups, and anyone I have missed...have a wonderful AF Monday.

[dill]

Know November - Week 2



What happened? I know I posted this morning and made comments to everyone individually. But it's gone. What's that about?

Well, I'm sorry about that. I will just try again tomorrow. I'm too frustrated right now to post!

GRRRR!

But I do want to ask my question to you again, DTD. Did anyone comment on your missing glass of wine at the art exhibit?