Delightful December AF-Week 2

[Lavande]

Delightful December AF-Week 2

Good morning friends

Well it's the day after snowstorm #2 but the sun is out, yay!

Star, we started this thread shortly after I arrived at MWO - I believe & that will be 5 years in February. No wonder we've gotten to know each other so well
I think being a witness to each other's trials & tribulations has made us grow stronger en masse.

Be careful driving out there everyone. I don't mind driving on snow but I do worry about some of the others out there!

Jolie, love having you back!

I need to get lots & lots done today because I am back on boy watch tomorrow :H
I haven't had the boys here since Thanksgiving!!

Thinking of everyone & wishing a great AF Hump day for all!

Lav

[DreamThinkDo]

Delightful December AF-Week 2

(My) evening, all

Lav, it's amazing how these threads continue for years, sometimes with the thread "owners" no longer posting. And each has its own special character' it really does become a second home. I hope your friend recovers fully.

Rusty, kitty is called Giada, because of her lovely jade-green eyes (and because all my cats have Italian names). She's getting quite vain with all the compliments she's received - thanks too, Star and Dill.

Jolie, you have such a lot to look forward too - a grandson, the wedding and the whole AF journey. How many grandchildren do you have?

Hope the snowstorms and cold are not too bad - but as Lav said, be careful on the roads.

Have a lovely AF day, friends - stay warm and cosy!

[dill]

Delightful December AF-Week 2

Long day again. Jury duty was very intense as there was a case that we didn't all agree on. Most of the time the evidence is just so cut-and-dried that there is little to do but to review it and vote. But sometimes the case doesn't present enough physical evidence and this was one of those times.

Star, what I think is that this thread has been very important to me. I was here hat the start of the thread. I fell away one ore two time and was really drifting and alone. I was really happy when I came back and found the thread still here. It was a life line for me!

DTD, it is amazing how the threads continue long after the person or persons that founded them. It is their spirit that continues. It is on a much smaller scale than Mandela, but it is along the same lines. the force for good.

Lav, when I go to the store these days I see SO MANY gmothers pushing small children in their carts. I talk to people I meet in my daily life as well. It is crazy how many gparents are raising the next generation I used to think it was a bad idea: like if these people didn't get it right with their kids, why would they be getiting it riight with the grandkids? Thing is, I don't know because here I am, kind of raising my gkids at the present.

Hey Jolie, hang in there!

Good night all, and happy AF Hump Day!

[Stargazerlily]

Delightful December AF-Week 2

Good morning to all...

DTD, love the idea of Italian names for your kitties. So glad you have joined our thread. How have you been doing on your journey? Any positive changes you can share?

Lav, I drove through blizzard conditions yesterday, where I live, you better get used to it. Just drive like a granny, real slow. Wow, five years, and we do know a lot about each other, in a way, emotionally and spiritually, a different way to share a relationship with others. Have fun with your darling grandsons.

Dill, drugs/addiction have forced lots of grandparents into parenting their grandchildren. It is almost an epidemic...I have seen lots of it. I do not blame parents when their adult children are addicts. It is a nightmare as you can attest. I was happy to hear this thread is important to you, me to. It is one of the first things I check into almost every morning. You all are support and friends to me. Thanks for being there.

Have a good day, off to get ready for work.

[Lavande]

Delightful December AF-Week 2

Good Thursday morning kids!

Well Granny did it yesterday - walked outside to go take care of the chickens, slipped & fell on black ice on the driveway. Scrapped my knee, bruised my ego, no other injuries :H
Crap, it's not the snow that bothers me it's the ice!!!! I learned to drive on the snow being a December kid, I'm OK with the snow - not the ice!

DTD, you cat is very pretty indeed!
I live with two smelly dogs :H

Dill, I think the cost of day care is one of the reasons grandparents are so involved these days. The cost of health care is another reason. I see some young adults forking over almost a whole paycheck for health care premiums leaving little to pay for daycare. I'm just happy to be able to help & I do enjoy my time with the kids

Star, we do have more snow forecasted for Saturday. I'm not going to worry about it yet :H
But I am going to get out this morning for a while & reload some supplies. The rest of my day I will be on boy watch.

Wishing everyone a great AF Thursday - be safe out there!

Lav

[Jolie]

Delightful December AF-Week 2

Good morning all!

Very cold morning but woke up feeling great after one of the best nights sleep I've had in a really long time.

DTD - this is my first grandchild!! My friends who are already grandparents tell me it's absolutely the best thing ever!

Dill - I remember the couple of times I was on jury duty and it was actually nice to participate rather than sit for a couple of hours and then told we can leave Good luck with that.

Star - I absolutely hate driving in the snow - I try to avoid it at all costs. Sounds like you take it in stride

I'm feeling a little better both physically and mentally today - coming here and sharing with all of you just reinforces all of those good feelings.

Have a great day everyone!

[dill]

Delightful December AF-Week 2

Oh dear, Lav! I'm so sorry to hear about your fall. I'm glad you didn't injure yourself seriously. I too do not mind driving in the snow. I grew up in Cleveland so I kind of had to get used to it. You are right about the need for gparents to be helping out duirng these hard times and I too am glad that we are able to do it.

Jolie, you sound really good. Don't you just love a good night's sleep and waking up without a hangover? Its the best! I am enjoying my jury duty. It's grand jury so we meet once a week for 2 months. My last day will be Dec. 30. I think I will actually miss it when it's over.

Star, Gparents raising kids is definitely epidemic right now. I chatted with a lady yesterday who said it was such a phenomenon that the pastor of her church was thinking about starting a support group at his church for them. When I go grocery shopping I look around at the customers and am amazed by how many grandmothers are pushing carts with gkids in tow.

.

[papmom3]

Delightful December AF-Week 2

Guess who's baaaaacccccckkkkkk!!!!!!!!!

Hello my lovely december friends. I have missed you so. I can't beleive it's been 2 months since I posted. Time has just flown by and that is not a good thing.

Lav-whew! so glad you suffered nothing more than a skinned knee. could have been broken bones!

Jolie-good to see you again. Glad you're giving it another try. You have so many reasons to make it stick this time!! We are here for you.

DTD-good to meet you! This must have been a surreal week for you and your countrymen/women. Love your cat as well-I'm a cat lady from way back but also have dogs.

Rusty-hope your trip to Atlanta went well. I've missed you girl!!

Dill-relieved to hear your son has acknowledged his addiction and is working towards getting better. How are the g-kids?

Star-you sound good! I seem to remember that winter was always a tough time for you with all the cold and dark. Am I remembering correctly? So you have a new job prospect? Exciting!!

So what's new with me? I finished the software implementation at work, and my nephew's quilt in time for christmas. Oh, and I had a heart attack Monday morning. They put a stent in as one of my arteries was 100% blocked. I also have another one that is 60% blocked.
It still seems so surreal to say those words. I was in ICU until Tuesday afternoon and spent the night at my sisters. Finally home yesterday. I've been doing a lot of reading and planning for meals. Can't do much else as i can't drive until Monday. The ironic thing is that I was 2 steps from joining the bariatric program at the local hospital. I still can-I'll be going to behavioral medicine and nutrition support groups but I can't do the boot camp. Will be doing cardiac rehab instead. I'm out of work for a month (maybe more) and will be seriously looking into early retirement. I'm out of my demo job until February. I'll be starting the support groups and cardiac rehab in 2 weeks.
My dad, bless him, took care of my dogs and cat for 2 mornings and my hoarder friend went over Monday nite to take care of them. I was able to feed them and let them out on Tuesday inbetween being discharged and going to my sister's. I missed them so much and it kills me to think I might have left them for good.
I am feeling OK except for my groin which gets so sore so easily due to the catherization. I do get very tired very easily. BTW, there were NO symptoms that this was going to happen and except for a slightly elevated cholesterol level all my labs were perfect in August. I never even had any pain when I was doing the couch to 5K program in October. It's also ironic that one of the consult appointments for the bariatric program was a mini physical with different labs done. I remember asking the doc if they were going to do an EKG and she said no, no need unless the labs came back otherwise. I've been wondering if they had done the EKG (the appointment was November 19th), would anything have shown up then? I'll never know.
So I guess my takeaway is that I have to dramatically improve my diet, get back to exercising and SLOW DOWN!! I've got to figure out the finances of not working 3 weekends a month (cut down to 2?) and possibly retiring. It's going to be one heck of a journey and I hope you will all join me.
Oh and yes, I'm still sober-3.5 years!! Thank God!! :H

[Lavande]

Delightful December AF-Week 2

Papmom, sending you super hugs :l:l:l
So glad you are stable now!
You have had one major wakeup call - LISTEN TO IT!!!!!

The finances & everything else will work out. You need to take care of yourself first & foremost! You really don't want nurse Lav up there kicking your ass now - do you? :H
Fabulous on your continued sobriety. We are all with you 100%!

I'm still watching grandsons here at almost 10 pm - getting tired but their mother should be here very soon.

Hello Jolie, Dill & everyone else.
Have a safe & cozy night everyone!

Lav

[Stargazerlily]

Delightful December AF-Week 2

Good morning...

Pap, sorry to hear about the health issues, wow, so glad you are on the mend, getting the medical care you need. I am sure it is still surreal to you, a shock. When something big like that happens, it takes time to adapt to it, accept it. Glad to hear you have support and it is great to hear from you. Don't be a stranger. It is awesome you have been AF so long.

Lav, I was interested in your view of health care costs and day care as a huge expense for young familes...of course. Will the Affordable Health Care Act help any? Who knows. Day care was so expensive for me that I chose not to work, it didn't make financial sense for a few years.

Hey Dill, grand jury duty does sound interesting, glad you are enjoying it. My son is doing well, one more day of school work and he will be able to live. He has been dating a bit, so interesting, online meetups. I know some others who use eharmony, matchup, pile of fish, etc., it seems a new way to date. More snow, what a busy winter.

Jolie, isn't it great to sleep well, wake up refreshed and ready to go. A blessing right away.

Hello to DTD, Rusty, Cyn, and all....

[Stargazerlily]

Delightful December AF-Week 2

I'm back. Lav, so sorry you fell, it is very scary. This weather is not only cold it can be dangerous. Glad you are OK except for a few scrapes, bet you are sore. Take care.

[Rusty]

Delightful December AF-Week 2

Pap!:l:h,

It is soooo good to see you, but in no way would I have ever expected to hear from you under these circumstances!!:upset: I have missed you, and I am so glad you are ok! Lav and Star are right....take the time for self-care. I know you have struggled with your weight and it's been so frustrating for you. Now with the behavioral medicine and the cardio rehab, perhaps you have found a permanent solution, and are on a path to a slimmer, healthier you. Were you seriously thinking about Gastric Bypass Surgery when you said you were signed up for the bariatric program at the hospital?

Lav-sorry about your fall! Glad you're ok and you escaped with minor scrapes. I've known people who have blown out their knees and suffered concussions from falling on black ice. Hope you get a break from granny duty today.

Star-I'm delighted to hear your son has been dating....gets him out of the house and probably boosts his self-esteem. You're such a supportive mother and I know he appreciates you even though it doesn't seem like it, and he doesn't verbalize it.

Jolie-thrilled to hear you are feeling better both physically and mentally. You will undoubtedly have one of your best Christmases ever with the thought of your new grandchild and the clarity of being AF. I missed you and I am glad you are back here with us. So you don't like driving in snow, huh? Good thing you don't live in Wisconsin! Hahahah!

Dill-I know a few grandparents who are raising/caring for their grandchildren. I think you are giving your grnadkids the best gift ever through your good example and your wisdom. I thought jury duty was every day so good thing it's only once a week, although it seems like an interesting diversion.

Dream-Giada....what a lovely name...perfect for your feline beauty. I probably should have said when I wasn't a cat person, that I MEANT to say was, "I'm more of a dog lover, but I like other people's cats and they like me." It's true! I do like other people's cats...and for some reason....they crawl right up on my lap when I'm at someone's house. Go figure!:H

Cyn-countdown....it's Friday the 13th. Sunday will be a red-letter day!!!!

I am still in Atlanta, and it has just been such a long week. I've been really bored with work and I just pray that my flight leaves on time this afternoon and that I get into Chicago as planned. Tomorrow, my mom and I have our deaf-blind social gathering and then Sunday is my big holiday brunch, so I probably won't be checking in until Sunday night. But I'll be reading.

Happy AF Friday the 13th to everyone!

[Lavande]

Delightful December AF-Week 2

Good morning all!

Ended up keeping the kids overnight & they are still sleeping - it's past 8 am.
My daughter-in-law never got here to pick them until 12:20 this morning - was held over at the event she help sponsored at her college. So, the three of them are piled into one bed in an extra room

Woke up thinking about you Papmom!
I hope you really follow the care plan being set up for you - sadly too many people don't.

Star, I can only hope the younger generation works as hard as we did & is rewarded as well!
I hope your son enjoys his downtime & R&R.

Rusty, there's some storm moving towards the east coast & will be here by tomorrow morning. Hopefully you are southwest enough to not be affected. Enjoy your weekend, sounds nice

I need to get myself together, want to get to Curves while I can.
Hello to Dill, Jolie, cyn, DTD & everyone. Have a wonderful AF Friday the 13!

Lav

[papmom3]

Delightful December AF-Week 2

Good Morning Lovelies!!!

I do want to meet you Lav, but not under the circumstances of you running up here to kick my ass so I will be a good girl, follow all instructions and get myself into tip top shape so that I can come for a visit in the near future.
Thanks for the PM and the encouragement!

Rusty-my dear friend. I hope I didn't give you too much of a scare! No, I am not even remotely thinking of the surgery but this program is for both surgical and non surgical candidates which is what makes it so cool. I can't wait for it to start! Next Wednesday i have consults with both nutrition and PT.

Cyn-what is up with you? Prepared for our mega storm tomorrow? Are you still in CT or are you on the road for the holidays? What is new for you these past few months?

Star- how nice to hear your son is dating and doing so well!

Today I have a handyman coming over to look at my entry door. It sticks horribly and every year my dad has to lengthen the hole the dead bold goes into because the frame keeps sinking. He's had it with the inconvenience (you would think he live here :H) and so my Christmas gift is the handy man. It would be a real gift if he were handsome and single . I will at least get a new frame if not a new door so that is quite sweet of my dad. I also have a follow up with my primary at 2. I'm hoping they are familiar enough with the cath process I had that they can assure me the pain and stiffness I'm still feeling in the groin is normal. I'm sure I'm being my typical impatient self!!

Speaking of him, plans are to move him into the independent living section of the nearby assisted living facility down the road from me after Christmas. Movers have come and given him an estimate, my brother and BIL will take care of the junk and my sister will help with packing up the small stuff. I am very upset I will not be able to help at all. My plan was to help him on the last 2 weekends of Dec as the company cancelled all demos for those 2 weeks. After all he's done for me, now and in the past, this was how I could pay him back and now I can't. :upset:

Well, should probably get up and feed the beasts and get ready for the handyman's visit. Also have to make one more appointment.

Have a great day Abby Fabbys! Will check in later!

[Lavande]

Delightful December AF-Week 2

Papmom, don't worry about your dad's moving - that stuff will get done & you can still be there to support him like the nice daughter that you are
Jumping into a warm shower once or twice/day will help relieve the groin discomfort. As long as there is no fever or warmth, redness or drainage at your op site - everything is fine.
So, what did the handyman look like?? :H :H

Prepping for snowstorm #3......
Good night all, stay warm!