AF Thursday 21 November

[treetops]

MAE everyone - just a quick check in as I am travelling for the next few days - attending a conference. Will be sharing a room with the minibar but that should not be a problem. Since I am typing Ina strange position at the moment I will just keep this brief.
Sorry Det that you are not so good.
Bear. Not sure what to say this time. I know it's not easy but you just have to be really hard on yourself and absolutely say no to AL. If that is what you want No thinking, no justifications- time for some self tough love.

Have a good Thursday one and all

[narilly]

AF Thursday 21 November

Thanks TT, have a good conference. Great you are not worried about the mini bar.

Bear- hang in there

My hubbie's 50th is tomorrow and we are going out for supper. I might treat myself to a sweet non AL drink or desert but no booze. Wow, it's hard to believe but it is awesome!

G'night

[Mick]

AF Thursday 21 November

mae all, and hows the world today?ok I hope..weather a lot colder over here now..need some sun!!Soon be the weekend ..anyone got any special plans?Was watching a programme last night on a certain place in the south of England,and basically they were interviewing younger people on the aspects of drinking and why they do it..The general consensus for the males was that 1 in 5 people are out of work, there is nothing else for them to do so what do you expect?go out get drunk and smash lumps out of each other.from the females side,a large % were young unmarried mothers,again the main theme was there is nothing to do here apart from get drunk or have sex so what do you expect.kind of thought that was pretty slanted thinking...gives rise to the excuse well its not their fault, its everyone elses,which seems to be a common line of argument now over here,especially in criminal cases..its the way they were brought up ,its the area they live in etc....no mention of self pride ,motivation..anyone ever heard of the goya principal? (get off your arse).Ho hum life is a bowl of cherries !!!!
Today I am moving the bedrooms round...Amys room always had the best view ..thats the one over the back ,whilst ours looks out into the street..now that she has moved,that gives us another spare room ..a room with a view..(eat your heart out E M Forster ..nice title!)so methinks I would like that one ..lotsa tings to move, computer points etc...and I just know as soon as its done ,new wardrobe,curtains carpet ,..the machinations of the female mind!!

ok tea and coffee on the go

Hiya tt ...wow you sound pretty busy ...typing this in a strange position not place all ok?grab a cuppa on your way past!!

Hiya Narilly ..yep you sure are becoming regular now ...good stick with the nutters!!You have a great meal with our hubby......would be eeeeeeven better if he was paying!!thanks for daugter compliment.

Hiya bear ....welcome back ..sounds like you enjoyed your self on hols ....apart from the drinking ..what happened to the af option?And surfing the crests?Think maybe you need to reassess your strategy for turning cant have into dont want...and yes over confidence can lead to disaster ...but under confidence can also lead to mishap..Confident ,but aware that will get you there...you doing a training programme for the 5 mile run?Sat in pj s sounds ace to me!

Hey Pauly ...how are you?fanx for the comps about Amy...as for looking for the positives ...think about it ..how often in the past when you have felt a bit crappy would you have said ..sod this and had a drink..now you can say hey my sinus may be blocked but actually the rest of me is doing ok..and dont forget ..pressie for you .com as a reward for not drinking ..be honest with yourself ..ok how much would I have spent and put it aside either for you hubs n you or the kids ...how will that make ya feel?

Hiya ppqp ....wow thats some temperatures ..eek..hows work ? boss back yet or are you still in charge?Glad that the lawyer thing has taken a more positive outlook...now heres that brew!

hiya Rusty how are you?what are your plans for today?anything exciting?Sounds as if you like your travelling.

Hiya Lav how are you? ok ok ..you get a big brew ...especially after the compliments!!wow sounds like you are pretty busy..the craft fair ..that sounds interesting ...what do you do on that ..scuse my ignorance?so the hens are offski to the Amish farmer?Im sure they will have a happy retirement

Morning SF ..you ok? again thanx for the compliments ...Was reading about the chakra stones...and also crystals ..they can command quite a price..I remember once when we were on holiday we met up with a couple and Sarah was into it all..I remember holding a stone ,and her putting one on my head and remember thinking I can feel heat from this..

right me hearties orf we go until tomorrow so take care ..weekend starts tomorrow


One day a man goes to a pet shop to buy a parrot. The assistant takes the man to the parrot section and asks the man to choose one. The man asks, ''How much is the yellow one?''
The assistant says, ''$2000.'' The man is shocked and asks the assistant why it's so expensive. The assistant explains, ''This parrot is a very special one. He knows typewriting and can type really fast.''
''What about the green one?'' the man asks.
The assistant says, ''He costs $5000 because he knows typewriting and can answer incoming telephone calls and takes notes.''
''What about the red one?'' the man asks.
The assistant says, ''That one's $10,000.''
The man says, ''What does HE do?''
The assistant says, ''I don't know, but the other two call him boss.''

Q: What's black and brown and looks good on a lawyer?

A: A Doberman pinscher.
A secretary goes into her boss' office and asks, "May I use your dictaphone?"
He replies, "No. Use your finger like everyone else."
A hardworking female executive dies and meets St. Peter at the pearly gates and he says, "You've shown an outstanding aptitude for making business decisions. Choose whether you will go to heaven or to hell."
"I don't know!" she flounders.
"Tell you what," St. Peter says, "You can have 24 hours in heaven and 24 hours in hell. Then you have to decide where to spend eternity."
"Okay then," she says. "I'll start with heaven since I'm here already."
She goes in the pearly gates and makes some acquaintances. They have a nice walk among beautiful gardens. They have a nice quiet lunch. They have a nice stroll along a pristine, white, sandy beach looking out on brilliant blue ocean. At the end of the day she is shown to a nice room, and has a quiet meal on the balcony, looking out over the setting sun and the ocean. She marvels at the scenic beauty of heaven.
The next morning, St. Peter takes her to the fiery gates of hell and hands her off to Satan.
Satan takes her to a power breakfast given in her honor. Then she is escorted to a tennis club where she is greeted by her old boss, some co-workers, and previous business acquaintances. She plays a few sets of tennis and catches up on the gossip. At lunchtime her old boss takes her to a gourmet restaurant and she has an excellent meal with vintage wine.
After lunch he takes her to an exclusive golf course and they play 18 holes of golf. She runs into other business acquaintances and catches up on news and gossip.
After golf, he drops her at a spa where she is pampered and spoiled by beauty and body treatments. When she is finished at the spa, an acquaintance takes her shopping at designer stores. She picks out a fabulous evening gown, and Satan himself takes her to a huge party with drinking, dancing, gourmet food, and famous people.
At the end of the evening, a stretch limo drops her off at a five-star hotel. As she soaks in the Jacuzzi tub, and sips the complimentary champagne, she ponders eternity.
The next morning, she meets St. Peter at the pearly gates.
"Well, have you made your decision?" He asks.
"I've decided on hell," she announces.
"So be it." St Peter waves goodbye and she reappears before the fiery gates of hell.
Once inside she is teamed up with her old boss again, only this time everyone is wearing rags. They are filthy, diseased, malnourished, and living in a barren desert. They have to scrounge for food, water, clothing, even shade.
"What happened!?!" She exclaimed.
"Well," said her boss, "Yesterday you were a recruit. Today you are staff

Lem: ''I got fired from my job as a bank guard.''
Clem: ''That's awful. What happened?''
Lem: ''Well a thief came in to rob a bank. I drew my gun. I told him that if he took one more step, I'd let him have it.''
Clem: ''What did thief do then?''
Lem: ''He took one more step so I let him have it. I didn't want that stupid gun anyhow!''

Q: How do you know when it's going to be a good day at work?

A: When you see your boss' picture on the side of the milk carton.

Mother Superior called a young novice into her office one evening. ''Now dear, I want you to give the Father his nightly bath. You are to do as he tells you and be sure to report to me in the morning,'' she said. The novice agreed to do as she was told and went to prepare the Father's bath. Doing as she was told, the novice washed the Father's hair and back. While she was doing this the Father told the novice that he had the key to heaven. The Father told her that if his key to heaven fit her gate, she would be saved.
The next morning the novice entered Mother Superior's office.
''So how did it go last night dear? He didn't try anything on you, did he?'' she asked.
''Oh, Mother, it was wonderful! I did exactly as you told me to and when I was giving him his bath he told me the HE has the KEY TO HEAVEN! I was amazed, and he went on to tell me that if his key fit my gate, I would be saved. And Mother, his key FIT my gate! And it was the most beautiful thing in the world!''
And the Mother said, ''Damn that man! He told me it was Gabriel's horn and I've been blowing it for 40 years!''

[bear73]

AF Thursday 21 November

Hey everyone - day 3 here and getting a cold, better than getting pissed though so I will take that on the chin.

Hey Mick - I think the reason I keep lapsing is I always worry about not fitting in, even when there's no outside pressure to.This has been a theme through my life,not rocking the boat etc,seeking approval, and yes I need to switch thinking from can't to choose not to. Being aware of this should help me challenge the BS when it occurs.
For 5K I am doing a run/walk programme for 30 minutes three times a week on the treadmill due to shite weather as well as bit of weights/core. I'm doing planks for core and squats to fix my knee for 5 minutes each am before work. I think I really needed a goal to work towards and had convinced myself I couldn't run because of my knee, not true.

Rusty - I'm VERY amateur,there's no professional rollerderby in UK it's all amateur, London Rollergirls are amazing though and recently competed in US championships finals. I'm itching to get back to it and to get my fitness back up too. I'm going to make just one session before Christmas because of work, still it gives me time for the gym though.

Another day of pottering for me, I feel very lucky to have 4 days off before going back to work on Monday.Today I'm sewing buttons back on my big winter coat,taking meter readings, buying a new tyre for my car and pumping my other tyres up, there will be more washing and the first session of hitting the gym.Off out for dinner with rollerderby team tonight which I am looking forward to,zero temptation to drink as no one else is. Being aware of my triggers and keeping them in mind will help me stay sober and get the life I want.I need to believe in myself that I can achieve my goals,e.g. training for my 5k, keeping sober and losing weight.Baby steps.

[Samstone]

AF Thursday 21 November

hello all
how's everyone? dark gloomy, chilly (but not like the PQ forecast).
Mick, enjoyed the pictures, my son was delivered by a midwife, it was a great experience. Wish the US was more accepting.
Enjoyed my music lesson yesterday then went out and played with friends. Late night, early morning calls for another cup of Joe.

[Lavande]

AF Thursday 21 November

Good morning Abbers,

Partly sunny & below freezing here at the moment!
I am one with my pot of hot coffee :H

TT, I hope your conference is a good one

Narilly, happy BD to your husband! Go for the dessert!!!!
Turning 50 scared me but not as bad as turning 60 next month. I'm trying not to dwell on that just yet

Mick, don't wear yourself out with all that furniture moving!
The Amish farmer said yesterday morning that Yes - all of the chickens will go to good homes :H
He probably thinks we are crazy :H
I don't really do any arts & crafts so to speak but I do some small things in my embroidery shop that can be passed off as such - lace Christmas tree ornaments, kitchen towels with holiday designs, that sort of thing.

bear, hope your day is a good one.
Have you ever heard of Dr Rick Hanson? He writes some great books & publishes an online e newsletter called JOT - Just One Thing. Today's JOT was titled 'Enjoy Your Sobriety'.

Oops - almost missed you - Hi Sam!

Wishing everyone a wonderful AF Thursday!
I have another crazy & busy day ahead.

Lav

[paulywogg]

AF Thursday 21 November

Mae everybody,mick i forgot to ask yesterday about the pic of you in the water where was it taken?wherever it is im going haha! holy smokes guys i could actually breathe yesterday felt kinda weird somehow,hope its like that again today,narilly defintely do dessert i love restaraunt desserts so decadent far better than nasty ass beer id usually have,bear you seem like a strong,athletic,well-rounded,confident woman i cant see why youd ever feel you need to drink to fit in?but we are our own worst critics anyways,hi sam,lav 60 is still young,i cut alot of people in their 60's and older and some of them have more energy than me! shoot my fave is this little guy who's 87 he still works as an usher in one of the casinos movie theater,says he loves it cuz he gets to watch new movies for free haha,well off to do the usual routine,as always thank you guys for being here,i forgot to say hi to tt and everyone else who pops in later

[sunshine_gg]

AF Thursday 21 November

MAE FABbies!

Mick.. wow! I second everything said prior about your lovely daughter! Congrats to her and her proud parents (rabbit pose 'n all)

Bear.. so sorry you're back to day two. Glad you had a restful holiday, though.

Hello Sam.. pour me one, too... will ya!? I swear, the sleep fairy thinks I'm a union shop. One night of decent work ethic, then she slacks off.

Lav.. good luck at the craft show! I bet a couple extra $$ will come in handy just before Christmas

Pauly... being able to breathe is kinda nice, ain't it!? I've been rubbing myself down with Vick's Vapor Rub at night.. first couple times I kept checking the jar to see if it was the infant stuff, or maybe the no-name crap.. I couldn't smell a thing. But, Mr. Sun said, he walked into a wall of Vick's when he came into the bedroom.

Hi Narilly! Not sure we've 'met' before. Yes, do have a fabby dessert! Yummm.

Hiya TT, thanks for starting us off - hope the conference goes well.

Looks kinda dreary out, but it doesn't seem to be subarctic. Very well. I will find out when I finally get my behind in gear and go feed horses. Been feeling really blah these last few days, totally lost my steam work wise (no power on Monday didn't help).. need to get back into busy mode. I like it there

Have a great day everyone and all to come!

[treetops]

AF Thursday 21 November

Hi quick hi before I hit the pool. It's Friday morning and brilliant outside.
Sam - NZ is like the UK where it's normal to have midwives delivering babies. The midwives have lots of training and now a degree like Micks girl.
I had a fantastic midwife but also had a Ob-Gyn specialist as I was a newbie mum at the age of 42
Great team!
Hope everyone's Thursday is great

[narilly]

AF Thursday 21 November

Hi Everyone,
I am just at work and posting, went out and bought my hubby a new sport coat for his birthday. Yes, I am looking forward to Desert tonight AND not drinking a glass of wine with supper. My kids will probably be a little surprized. I told them I was not going to drink anymore but I have said that before. I think this will be good for them to see. I really want them to be able to say one day:
"ya, my mom used to drink but she quit just like that after getting drunk one night and telling me(my son) not to smoke pot. It is sure wierd to think she used to drink."
Wouldn't that be awesome? What a great thing for that to look forward to. I am looking forward to the future for sure.

Today it is warmer -7C and a beautiful sunny day. A great day to be alive and sober!
PQ- its nicer here today eh?:H

Pauly- what did you mean by "you could breathe yesterday". I hope your ok. Sorry, everyone else might know, I might have missed something.
Lavande- I love farmers markets btw. Sam, music must brighten your world up! Bear, pretty soon you will be at 30 days, no problem.
Mick, the parrot joke made me laugh. TT- the pool? That sounds awesome!

Take care everyone! Day 20 AF pour moi! 10 days and I will be 30

[paulywogg]

AF Thursday 21 November

Its raining cats and dogs in vegas!! i hate it,used to love rain now it brings back depressing memories from my birthday :-( narilly,my nose has been congested for a month,antibiotics done yesterday for a sinus infection,thats what i meant by i can finally breathe