Ladies on a Mission: The Official Site

[treetops]

Hi there everyone - its been a long hard slog at the salt mines today for me. Just had some ice-cream even if it is freezing outside.

Pav-I definitely wouldn't worry about the accident almost drinking thing. I think I have had the odd dessert at functions with perceptible AL in it - I don't know and it doesn't bother me. It was of course something I had to be very careful about when I was taking AB. I get more anxious about accidentally eating meat when I am at a function.

SL - at least your daughter went for her test and is keen to drive. My girl has no interest and it would actually really help if she could drive.
I am gearing up for the big budgetary talk about tertiary studies and living costs next year for my daughter. Not looking forward to this but it has to be done as I worry that she is coasting through life not thinking about actual costs and budgets over a 3 -5 year period. If she wants more independence then I think she has to understand what tertiary studies cost and where it comes from. I wish my partner would be proactive in this - or at least share the responsibility - but he is totally passive and does not think about finances. Sorry to moan.
Jane - I dont envy you with the MIL situation. All I can suggest is that you try not to let this happen again. How are those niggles about AL that you were having?
LB- Interesting point about AL and ads. Here AL is so often associated with sport. At the moment its beer and ski-ing. Well fortunately I have no interest in either. At least they drink the beer after the ski-ing, in the ad I am thinking of.
Hope everyone else is doing well - I don't have any embarrassing stories of my daughter drinking my AL but i did do some things with my drinking when she was a kid that I wish I hadn't. But on the whole I think I was very present in being a Mum and no regrets there.

[NoSugar]

Jane, I hope things are settling down for you and that you get some good news today, Nar. We have a couple out-of-work family members and see how stressful it can be.

Where in TN are you thinking of going, LB? Graceland was really fun (but I must admit, I went in with very low expectations -- our daughter was really into Elvis at the time). I loved Memphis and Nashville but Gatlinburg was pretty touristy. Hiking in the mountains around there is really fun, though. Hope it works out and isn't rainy!

SL, it must be hard for you and your daughter to have another disappointment. I know the world doesn't work this way but it sure seems like you guys are due to catch a break on all of this. I hope summer school ends up on a higher note :hug:.

Good luck with that financial conversation, TT - never an easy subject. You are fortunate not to have regrets.

Besides nearly anything off Boz Scaggs' Silk Degrees album, my favorite song would be Miss Sun. Verrrrry sexy...and I love the beginning!

I'd forgotten about that song, Pepper, and just downloaded it to add to my awesome BS playlist - it is a great one. I listened to Silk Degrees obsessively the summer after my freshman year at college so now when I listen to it, I feel like I'm 19 :smile:! Now I'm obsessing on Speak Low - wonder if someday I'll hear some of these songs and fondly remember being 57 ????

[jane27]

SL, Sorry to hear that your daughter didn't pass the test. There is lots of luck involved that. I failed the first round too. The thing that I found the hardest about learning to drive, was driving while also paying attention to everything else. Traffic lights -OK, but signs? There are so many of them! I still can't and don't parallel park. Just backing out of my driveway is a challenge (and my car has a rear view camera). On a separate note, A1's shrink gave him (and hubs) a sheet that describes the different phases people go through in life, and how communicating can be difficult between people in different phases. Gonna email it to you. (I found it eye opening w/ regard to communicating with A1)

NS, Where will your travels take you in the fall? I'm 100% sure that some time in the future you will hear those BS tunes, and fondly remember being 57. I'm 65% sure that some time in the future I'll look back at the Delaware extended family vacation and find something to feel nostalgic about. I'm hoping this is the case lol!

TT, I admire the folks that can keep it together and give a touching eulogy. It means so much to all the people grieving their loss; many are too sad to express their feelings in the sharing of memories, and so when a person can give a speech that captures the spirit of the person who passed away- well, its just such a relief in a soothing way. Like it brings everyone in the room together to a connected place - yes, we really loved and will miss him/her. Thank you from afar for giving all the mourners just the thing they needed.

Boz Scaggs, I know I remember at least one song that was a hit in the 80's...Googled it to try and pin it down. 'Look What You've Done To Me' and 'Heart of Mine' I loved for sure!

Nar, The stuff with my MIL IS funny. Everywhere we go, people get a kick out of the banter back and forth with her and Uncle (FIL). Sometimes they remind me of one of my favorite comedy teams, Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara.

Here's an oldie but a goodie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H--kLKTGzaQ

Lil, Ranger is sooooooooooo cute. How is he getting along with everyone? Hope you don't mind if I share this pic which I copped off of FB. He looks like a happy feller- and he doesn't look small at all.



I've been thinking about Golden Retrievers a lot lately. I've heard so many good things about them. Been looking around on the internet at rescues. I'd never have imagined getting a big dog like a retriever. We'll see what the future holds.

With regard to the niggles, they are getting smaller in size and reducing in number (by a lot). It was just too much all at once for me; but on the upside I survived another first, and did so on the fly. I'm glad that the circumstances were what they were- that my hubs was cool about me retreating to our room when I needed to be alone, that bottles of Vodka weren't sitting around with everyone drinking & doing shots. My SIL & BIL drink a lot, and I think this contributed to my anxiety and desperate I-want-to-drink-thoughts. In a vacuum, or under normal every day conditions, it wouldn't have bothered me or tempted me. What made it an issue was being out of my comfort zone, trapped in the commitment (6 days), and the sensory assault of the particular group dynamic. I'll say this- it was scary to go from being serene in my quit to feel like I was free falling through a black hole. Anyway, that was then, and serenity now.

Wishing everyone a bewdie.

[NoSugar]

You sound good, Jane :hug:. I can't say enough good things about golden retrievers! I hope to never again be without at least one in my life :heart:.

[treetops]

Good one Jane. There is much to be said for the comfort of our own space and the everyday routines (that don't revolve around AL).
Cute dogs here.
I really feel for the Mums having to deal with these lifelong learning issues that are so massive. I have been listening lately to some reports on this and the hiring of teacher aides and it ain't great. Wish I could offer more support.

[scottish lass]

Hi all - sneaking in at work.
My first child was a golden and the very best - I am count the days until I can get another, I have a really good rescue group who will match me when I have the time to give to a Golden, maybe in about 4 years, but i dream of it a lot!
Nar - that's a terribly story - how very sad..
Jane - glad you can find the humor in your relationship with MIL, I am sure it is the only way to survive it!
LB - your LB is lovely
TT - this is the written test to allow her to get her permit, still have a very long way to go..
NS - I'll take you up on that - hopefully the tides will turn..
Hi Pepper and anyone else checking by - I probably better get back to the work I should be doing...will check in later

[scottish lass]

Well got work finished for day - and no-one else visited since my last lookie see!
It was good to have a few more posts to read back over..

I just wanted to alert us to a party tomorrow - I have choc sauce if someone brings the ice-cream!
Pie - so looking forward to congratulating you tomorrow - happy celebration eve!

Any news Narilly? - thinking of you a lot....

[little beagle]

I need ice cream with chocolate sauce. Even virtual.
Yes Jane tyey are all getting alone and he's honestly only half the size of the girls. Vet said approximately one year old. He's a MONSTER. How can something that small get into so much trouble?
Terrible story about that girl Narilly. Talk about regrets. Poor baby.
Quick check in for me. I worked tonight and early tomorrow. Later Gators.

[scottish lass]

LB - lets do it :hug:- choc sauce and ice-cream coming up - little early, so may save mine for later..
TGIF - work to do today, but weekend is coming - still early in the day for me...
Tonight girls and I are off on a bat spectacular kayak tour! Lesson in kayaking in a nature preserve that has a huge bat population that we will see wake up as dusk approaches! I hate mosquitoes, so LOVE bats! Hopefully they don't shock me into tipping my wee boat lease:
Normal Sat - should get my walk in, then state fair on Sunday - then back on call, but not thinking about that!

Happy day Pie - come visit us!
Hi to all else...

[treetops]

Congratulations to Pie. A year AF is amazing and so well done. I know how hard that first year can be.
Your batty tour sounds great SL. Unfortunately I associate bats with AL. When I lived in the tropics we would have our sundowners and watch the bats migrating to the trees each night. Beautiful time of the day but in reality a great excuse to get smashed. Still I can recall the amazing images and sounds. You enjoy it!
Catch you all later as I have work to do.

[narilly]

TT, that brings a whole new definition to going batty! SL, it sounds like a lot of fun, I love bats too.
LilB, I know what it's like to have a naughty dog. I guess your gonna have to reel this puppy in..it will take some time I guess.

Well, no news from the interview but no prob. I am enjoying my summer. Today we went square dancing and now off to a. Market and then to watch a band I really like. They are having an album release gig at a local hall called 'The Barn'. It should be fun.
Hubby went on a 4 day motorcycle trip so I am solo- going with some friends.

Looking forward to having a soda tonight. I was up this am at 5:45, I cleaned, gardened, and did a bunch of stuff by 9am. Wow! Before I would have crawled out of bed at 9 or 10 all puffy with wine mouth.
I love being Un Hung!!!!

[jane27]

Hiya Gloamers,

Nar, I love how good it feels to have accomplished so much by 9am. Good for you!

I have been dragging the last few days. A1 came grocery shopping with me and I appreciated it soooooo much. At times I think maybe I worry too much about what he's up to, but its easier to feel that way when he's spending more time at home, and not being mysterious. In any case, it was such a nice feeling. We went and got slurpees on the way home. That was a bonus :-)

Nothing on the weekend agenda so far. Hopefully the weather will be nice. Wishing everyone peace & calm. xo

ps If anyone has tips to offer on sight seeing / places to eat in Seattle, please let me know! Our trip is mid August. I know we have planned a tour of Boeing, the underground and have booked a glass blowing session. I was hoping we'd get to pop over to Vancouver but apparently its a couple hours each way, so we have shelved that idea.

[narilly]

Good Un Hung Saturday morning everyone!
Got home at 1:00 pm last night and slept in, the soda water was cold and free. (Like Canada haha) sorry bad joke.

Jane, I lived in Seattle for a year, it is beautiful for sure. I would visit Alki beach. Take a ferry from downtown to Alki beach and enjoy the day. Pikes Place Market is interesting, there is a cool fish market there and the first Starbucks is across the street. They have an oh so cool underground city tour. Eat some fish at Pikes Place- across th street there are a whole bunch of fresh fish places.
Have fun!

Well, it is already +24 out ((78F) and it is 9am. How cray is that? I am going square dancing with my daughter and my SIL will bear there dancing away. Will be seeing my BIL and his partner (love those guys), have a great Un Hung Saturday!

[Pavati]

Hi, All:

I'm back. The conference was great and intense. I feel invigorated and am very happy I went.

My fave Boz Skaggs song is You Make Me Feel Like Dancing - reminds me of listening to am radio when I was a kid. I still know every word. I'll check out those album recommendations for sure.

Jane - if you can, get up to the San Juan islands. So beautiful and unique. If not, Seattle is a great city. I'd go to the rock and roll hall of fame - I haven't been because I haven't been up there in a long time, but I have heard it is great.

LB - Enjoy your vacation wherever you get to. I'd love to see Mt. Rushmore. There is a great PBS American Experience on Mt. Rushmore - I recommend watching it to anyone. That whole series is great.

I am in for the ice cream party.

I am off to enjoy the day. Will check back later.

Pav

[Dottie Belle]

Hello everyone,
I have not been posting here...my bad. In case any of you dont follow the steppers this is what I have been up to.
I am dabbling in the world of on line dating. It has been good, mostly, so far. Met some really nice men and a few strange ones. It is very strange to be out at my age on a date. But I am managing very well and having some fun. I know hubbs would want me to get out and enjoy life so that is what I am doing. Not looking for anything serious just testing the waters I guess. It did force me to clean up the house...;-))
I also spent time going through his clothes. I have them washed and ready to donate the end of the month. That was very hard but something that needed to be done. I pick one room at a time and work on that. It was just too overwhelming to think about the whole house and the garage and the basement. It will take time but hopefully I have that on my side.
Missed you ALL and I will try to stay in touch.