Know November - week 3

[dill]

“Some people believe that holding on and hanging there are signs of strength, but there are times in life when it takes much more strength just to let go.”
― Ann Landers

Hello and welcome to a new week. Time flies!
Lav, my Tessa weighed in at 95lbs. Seems like we both have big mouths to feed! Thanks for keeping me in your thoughts. This is truly one of the hardest times in my life to date.

Star, have things settled down fairly well for you? I hope so. I too am in a funk about what to fix for dinner these days. How about we make a pot of minestrone? That's what I'm thinking about for today.

Cyn, I am happy to see you posting more. I am really glad too that you have an end date to all the stress!

DTD, any more stories about flowers and plants and other things that warm my heart?

Fly, I have been in that funk mood too. I know it is partly because of my circumstance, but I think Star has it right when she suggests the gray and cold. That's been pulling me down for sure. Hope you manage to get yourself to a brighter mood soon.

Rusty, Sunny, Witts, et. al., thinking of you all. Let's all have a peaceful and AF Sunday.

[FlyAway]

Know November - week 3

The time change definitely affects my mood. And I just never seem to adjust to it until we set the clocks ahead in the spring!

Dill-Another great quote from you. You have no idea how much this talks to me right now. I hope your son is doing well and pray for your strength and peace of mind.

Star-Thanks for your kind words on the other thread. It sounds like a few of us are in the same place mood-wise.

Lav-That is one huge dog and a 22 pound weight loss is impressive!

Hello to all the rest.

[Lavande]

Know November - week 3

Good morning friends!

Overcast & foggy but a mild 50 degrees here - strange weather.

Dill, I hope your granddaughter is OK. It's rough when the kids have a bad night
Doe she usually nap in the afternoon? My grandkids have moved past that routine afternoon nap so I have to deal with overly tired grumps by dinnertime.

Speaking of the little grumps, the boys will be here by 1 pm :H
My son is working this weekend, my DIL out of town on a conference. Her parents have been here staying with the boys but they have to go home at some point. So now it's my turn

I made a large crockpot full of turkey meatballs & sausage yesterday for the little carnivores. Today while that's warming up I'll cook up a box of GF pasta & make a salad. Minimal kitchen time is my goal while watching these boys!

The weather report for the Midwest looks frightening today. I hope you girls out that way don't have any problems.
I'm with Dill - let's all have a peaceful AF Sunday!

Hi there Fly - you snuck in on me

Lav

[DreamThinkDo]

Know November - week 3

Dill, another great quote! There are a scillion things that I should let go. And I do indeed have a flower story: a lady stopped at my house the other day, saying that she's cleaning up her garden and wanted to know whether I would like to come and get some plants. Now, I'm busy redoing the front garden, removing the lawn and putting in mainly white and purple plants: agapanthus, lavender, with some annuals in the same colours. She noticed the work being done, and made this really generous offer. I rent the house, and don't want to spend too much on the garden, and her offer is a godsend. The joys of living in a small village!

I was going to suggest a courgette, feta and mint fritatta, but it's much more of a summer meal - but what about that old standby: curry?

It's been grey and wet here for several days now, and I felt really down yesterday. But, as the wonderful Byrdie always encourages the Nesters, there rarely are two bad days in a row. I really do hope that all of you have a serene Saturday - or as serene as things can be with little ones to care for. I admire you for your strength and determination to make things better, as or good as they can be, for the people around you. You each deserve a monument!

[Rusty]

Know November - week 3

Good Morning, Friends,

I am here in Idaho Falls, with a 4th-floor room overlooking the Snake River, and the Mormon Temple directly in front of me. The sun is shining and FINALLY, I am in a better mood. Like many of us here, I have been in a particularly sour mood, due to terminally cloudy, cold and rainy weather at home, and the time change. I am at my hotel now, and I am surrounded by about 100 8-year-old boys who are in town for a hockey tournament. Isn't there a rule that the kids have to taller than their sticks?:H

Dill-that quote today was what I needed to hear, truly, thank you.:l:h I MUST change my thinking so I believe that acceptance does NOT mean submission, concession, defeat, failure. Why is this so difficult for me????? I stand here in your corner, dear friend, hoping that when your son gets out of rehab that he will be motivated and focused to find a job, and become self-supporting. Did you read that Elizabeth Vargas is in rehab for alcohol addiction? I always thought she was a good news reporter and anchorwoman. Minestrone soup sounds good to me, BTW.

Lav-a 22 lb. weight loss for Maxie is amazing. She had no choice as she was the recipient of Lavin-i-tude!:H To answer your question, Twin Falls is 2 hrs. southwest of here. I wish I could have some of your Carnivore Stew :-).

Cyn-You have less than a month to go....and then you can dump that godforsaken job! YIPPEE!!! We will count the days with you.

Dream-I used to travel internationally quite a bit for my job....Japan, France, Spain, England...but now it is limited to the USA and Canada. I'm fine with that. Your flowers sound amazing...what a beautiful color scheme. I love white and purple plants.

Fly-I never adjust to the time change until spring, either. Hate it, hate it, hate it. I wake up in the morning and I'm tired....I'm tired after lunch, too, and then I want to go to bed at 7:00 PM. You mentioned that your stepdaughter takes you for granted, and I was wondering if your husband is supportive of your position, and helpful when the grandkids come to visit?

Star-I hope your funk lifts. I know your son's situation weighs heavily on your mind every day, with no end in sight. I admire your courage in maintaining your AF status.

Well, I am off to the gym, and then to a mall. Geez, this might be an expensive trip. Hahahahahah!!!

I hope everyone here has a lovely AF Sunday!

[cyntree]

Know November - week 3

Hi all -

DTD - keep up with the gardening stories, it is giving us all a lift, I think...our gardening catalogs haven't started arriving yet!

Dill - I will read back but it sounds like you are handling a huge amount of issues and stress - big big hugs going out to you now and every day. BTW - my favorite minestrone (and super-easy as well) is available as recipe on Food Network channel: Giadda's 'Winter Minestrone', delish.

Star - it sounds like you too have been having a lot of issues with your son. I'll read back and find out -- so sorry for the stress. Candles, tea, hot baths - I'm sending you lots of hugs as well.

Rusty - I had relatives in Twin Falls, Idaho that we visited when I was about 8 years old. I have pictures of me holding fish caught on some lake there - but the Snake River, that's famous for fly-fishing, right? Hope the 8 year old boys don't get underfoot!

Fly - so sorry you're not feeling well - I think the time change is very hard on bodies...take care.

Lav - good luck with the boys - they are so lucky to be with you - and your son is so lucky too!!

Hope everybody could grab a little peace today....

[FlyAway]

Know November - week 3

Rusty-My husband tells me he's supportive and that he agrees with me, but we'll see if he'll do anything about it. She's coming with the kids for Thanksgiving and I'm cooking for my sister's family too. I told him if this turns into the usual mess that I'm getting in the car and leaving and that he can cook the damn meal. Last year was bad enough. I'm envious of your sunny weather!

DTD-That was so generous of that woman to stop!

Stay strong Lav!

HI to Cyn, Star, and Dill. Now who else did I forget?

[Lavande]

Know November - week 3

DTD, I used to have a neighbor who would share her garden gems with me - I miss that
Now I'm living in an area where the neighbors are further apart & you're lucky if you get the occasional wave 'hello'.

Rusty, my one & only trip to Idaho was the Spring after my Mom passed away in 1987. I took my daughter with me & she turned into my favorite traveling companion. My brother drove us all around the state, I remember lots of snow in Sun Valley at Easter time. Hope your stay is a good one!

cyn, it's so nice & comforting to have you back - like old home week!
How are your doggies?

Speaking of doggies, papmom still hasn't made an appearance here. She did assure me that she was OK though.

Dill, Star - I hope you two haven't experienced any of that nasty weather.

Fly, it's not nice being taken advantage of, I know.
Maybe you should just come here for Thanksgiving & let me do the cooking. You can play with my new chickens & forget all your troubles :H

OK, time to end this day. The boys went home around 8:15 so I'm enjoying some quiet. They weren't bad & YB was here to help.

[narilly]

Know November - week 3

I haven't posted or visited this site for years but I am back. I'm going to try and post every night. My mod days are done. Abs is the only way, and you know what? I feel FREE!! No more trying Not to drink too much, no more hang overs, no more guilt. This time I am not missing it, I am happy not to have it. Drinking is a burden in my mind and I am Done!!
Thank goodness for all your posts. I will keep reading.
Xo
Narilly

[Stargazerlily]

Know November - week 3

Thanks Dill for starting the new week thread and the great quote. I think that sometimes it is hard to know whether to move on or hang on. Choices, choices. Sorry your Granddaughter had a bad night, but glad you have a little time to yourself.

Lav, we had some big storms, lots of rain and wind, but no damage. We were lucky. Lots of flooding in the streets as all the leaves were rakes and clogged the drains. What a mess. Nice that YB helped you with your grandsons. Hope you had a relaxing evening.

Fly, holidays are complicated at times. We are driving 8 hours and spending hundreds of dollars to eat turkey with family. Yet, Thanksgiving is my fav as there are no gifts to worry about. Can you give your hubby jobs to do on the day of? I usually ask mine to make the potatoes, help me clean up, directly. Otherwise, it is football and acting like everything magically happens.

DTD, how cool that your neighbor wants to give you free plants!!!! Take advantage, and enjoy.

Rusty, Idaho sounds magnificent right now. Hope your trip goes well. I AM struggling with family issues, but doing my best. Drinking would put me over the edge for sure. Just what I would need, to be sick and anxious too.

Narilly, glad you are joining our thread. Tell us more about yourself.

[FlyAway]

Know November - week 3

narilly;1586655 wrote: I haven't posted or visited this site for years but I am back. I'm going to try and post every night. My mod days are done. Abs is the only way, and you know what? I feel FREE!! No more trying Not to drink too much, no more hang overs, no more guilt. This time I am not missing it, I am happy not to have it. Drinking is a burden in my mind and I am Done!!
Thank goodness for all your posts. I will keep reading.
Xo
Narilly

Hooray for you! I know exactly how you feel, because that's where I was mentally when I finally quit for good. I was relieved when I realized I didn't have to do it any longer. No more shame or worrying. No more guilt. It's so much easier when you embrace the idea of never drinking again. :goodjob:

[Lavande]

Know November - week 3

Good morning friends

I should have turned my phone off overnight. I was awakened 5X by weather news alerts! Never had a drop of rain here let alone severe thunderstorms

Glad the storms weren't bad for you Star
Have a good day!

Hello & welcome narily!
I tried moderating for years with little to no success & just went AF once I found MWO, haven't looked back! I had no idea that choice would bring me such relief

Fly, Dill, Rusty, cyn & everyone - have a great AF Monday!

Lav

[Stargazerlily]

Know November - week 3

Good morning...

It IS a relief to just be AF. Deciding to let go, deciding to enjoy feeling good, sleeping well, making good decisions, is freedom.

To all, be free today.

[dill]

Know November - week 3

Amen to that, Star!

Lav, I hope you had a better night's sleep last night! Did you get your older hens off to the farmer? The storms here were strong but no real damage. Lots of strong wind and rain tho. Then yesterday was breezy too, but sunny. I'll take that! It was warm enough outside that I felt comfortable in the garage cleaning out the interior of one of the cars. That's a job I hate due to all the bending and reaching. It's hard on the back, that's for sure.

Fly, good for you on speaking out about your daughter-in-law and your expectations of the holiday. It will be quite something if you have to follow thru on your statement that you will simply leave, but I am in complete solidarity with you! I think the only way I used to get thru the holidays was drinking. When I feel I have to do the lion's share and Mr. D just visits and acts like it all happens magically, I get quite resentful. I have put my foot down on that since I am not drinking to get myself thru. Now Mr. D helps out quite a bit. I'd say he does at least half!

Star, I chuckled at your description of Thanksgiving, about driving 8 hours and spending hundreds of dollars to eat turkey with family. It does sound funny when you say it like that! But I am in agreement with you, Thanksgiving isn't about presents, it's about sharing time with family and hopefully pausing to reflect on what's important and good in our lives. When we go around the table each telling something we are thankful for, we all seem to start out saying we a grateful for family.

Rusty, no, I didn't hear about Elizabeth Vargas. Wow, that shocked me! You just never know, do you. This addiction thing can bring anyone to their knees, even "the best and the brightest".

Narilly, :welcome: I hope you stick with us because I love your attitude! It lifts us all up!

DTD, thanks so much for the garden story. I pondered the concept of your area being all shades of purples and whites! Love it. Loved the kindness of your neighbor, too.

Cyn, I'm really glad you are posting with us again. I hope you can slow down your busy life and have more time to do the simple things you enjoy.

I am officially out of time now and must get the children ready for school. Have a great AF Tuesday everyone!

[Lavande]

Know November - week 3

Good morning friends

Tomorrow is actually departure day for the older hens. The farmer was too busy on Saturday for them so they have one more day here. The young ones are growing like crazy.

I have to finish up whatever I am taking for the start of craft week at Curves tomorrow. I don't usually do crafty things so this is kind of fun for a change.

Greetings to Star, Dill, Rusty, Fly, cyn, DTD, Narilly & all who drop in today.
Grateful for my clear head & health!

Have a great AF Tuesday!
Lav