Fearless February

[Lavande]

Good morning Star, Dill, Papmom & Cyn!

I understand the temp is heading up to 42 today, nice but there surely will be a re-freeze tonight. I am not a fan of this messy weather.
Heading out later for my granddaughter's birthday party at ChuckECheese, LOL
I'm sure the kids will have a ball eating pizza & playing! I'll eat before I go, ha ha.
That soup was good Star, I use lots of garlic!!!
Glad you are connecting with nature right in your own neighborhood
My youngest grandson has been an extra handful lately but he was half decent yesterday. I know he's testing limits like they all do. I have no tolerance for mean, rude & nasty behavior, I think he's starting to get the message!

Wishing everyone a warm & cozy AF Sunday!

Lav

[dill]

Late check in again.

Star, I agree whole-heartedly with what you said, that with heavy drinking you lose your capapcity to enjoy other things. The crazy thing about it is that you don't realize it when you are living it. It takes distance and time before you realize what you were missing out on when chasing that so-called reward at the end of the day.

Lav, how old is your younger grandson now? Would you say that he has met his developmental milestones at the typical rate? He sounds like he is such a puzzle to you. Do you think he needs to see a developmental specialist? Did everyone have fun today at Chuckie's? I'm always so happy to get out of there, but I know the kids love it. It is such a stimulus jam tho! It overloads the senses and the brain.

Not much to report from my world today. I'm just plugging along.

[Lavande]

Survived Chuck E.
It actually was fun, noisy but fun all the same. I think the adults had as much fun as the kids did, ha ha!!!

Dill, my grandson will be turning 4 in April. He absolutely has met his developmental milestones. He's learning quite a bit in his preschool 4 afternoons/week class. His problem is his personality - I swear he is just like YB, LOL
I sit back & try to just observe but when he's in my care he needs to follow some basic rules - you know? I will win the stubborn contest - hands down!!!!

We did reach 45 degrees today which melted a good bit of yesterday's snow. I have a feeling tomorrow morning will be treacherous though.

have a good night all!

[SnoopyC]

Good morning...

Cold again, darn. It was kind of nice for a while yesterday, sunny and high twenties. Now, back in the single digits. I slept well so feel ready to start my week, and I was grateful my car was in the garage, so lots of gratitude today.

Had a nice time with family yesterday, and more to look forward to in the next few weekends. I need to join something, but will wait till spring comes. It is just time to get through February right now. As Dill says, "just plugging along."

Lav, good idea to eat before you go somewhere where the food is not so healthy. And you still had fun. I remember those places, loud loud loud. Kids love it.

Have a good one.

[Lavande]

Good morning Star & everyone!

Cloudy, chilly, not looking real great out there, oh well. Seeing the end of the month of February will be a blessing!!
I've been putting off gathering my tax info for the accountant - looks like today is the day!

Wishing everyone a good AF Monday!

Lav

[dill]

Hello All,

Lav, I have no doubt you will win 'the stubborn contest'! LOL! And I'm right there with you. It's important for these little ones to know the rules and be made to tow the line. It is especially important for kids who push the limits. They perhaps need even more than most to know there are limits on behavior. It gives them a sense of security. Ultimately, it gives them even more security knowing they aren't in charge, no matter how dearly they thing they want to be! My little granddaughter is one who needs that too, much more so than my grandsons.

Star, I hope you find something to get involved with that you enjoy. I always start with the library. They are a great resource and can point the way to groups. Often they have little book clubs and meetings for folks. Our local library has a crochet/knit/needlework group that meets monthly. I would like to join but they meet in the evening. I don't like evening activities. I am half way thinking of asking them if they would consider another meeting time during the month, in addition to the evening one. I can't be the only person that prefers afternoon meetings, can I?! Also, I am joining a group this week with a girlfriend I used to work with. We are going Wednesday to the Retired Teachers Association luncheon. I am quite sure there will be activities that present themselves thru this group that will allow me greater involvement should I choose. I do hope you find a group you would enjoy come Spring.

Ugh, Lav! Did you have to say the "T" word?! Oh well, I guess it is time to gather all the paper work together and let the fun begin! I can't tell you how much I resent the complexity of the tax process! We need a flat tax and abolish the IRS!

Have a good AF Monday one and all.

[SnoopyC]

Good morning...

It's cold again, really cold. I could have slept all day. Except on the weekends, when I can sleep, I wake up early. Crazy, but true for alot of people.

Setting limits with kids and adults is so healthy, and can be done in a pleasant way. I think liking yourself, not feeling guilty, makes it easier.

Dill, I want to the library yesterday and a lady asked about the book discussion, so I got information. It is at 6:30 so would work well for me. It is just hard to go to an activity after you worked all day. I am tired and hungry, but I'll figure it out. Got some new books, hope I like them.

Lav, stay warm, it is either there (the cold weather) or coming your way. Names for March anyone? madness, magnificent, managing, marvelous, mediocre, need more ideas.

Have a oood Tuesday and stay warm.

[Lavande]

Good morning friends!

Sunny & 3 degrees here again!
I have had enough of this winter stuff, no kidding!

Dill, I may be totally wrong but I am seeing Will's behavior as pushy, arrogant & total ego-centric. This IS the time to make him understand that it is just not socially acceptable. If he doesn't learn it now from his family then he will learn it on the playground, if you know what I mean. Bullies come in all sorts of shapes & sizes. We are both part of their learning teams since we spend so much time with our grandkids
I did not get much tax work done so I am staying home this morning to try to finish it up. I am sick of our tax system too.

Star, it is difficult going somewhere after being at work all day. The last thing I was involved with was my stint as a girl scout leader. It was actually fun & challenging & pre-dated my drinking career. I wasn't thrilled with the occasional weekend activities because I only had two weekends/month off from work. Still glad I had the experience.
I hope your book discussion group works out for you!

Papmom & Cyn, time to check in :hug:

Have a great AF Tuesday everyone!

Lav

[dill]

I can't believe it is already time to think of March names! But won't we all be so happy to say goodbye to February? It should have been named Frozen February!

Star, I'm glad you found something to join. How often does the group meet? It was so crazy cold this morning here. The schools remained open but the temp was -14 degrees at morning bus time! No wind tho. As the day wore on the temp rose by 40 degrees.

Lav, your grandson is lucky to have a grandmother with a firm hand. Do you and his parents see eye-to-eye on the behavior issues?

Good news! The missing K9 dog "Carson" has been found! He was spotted near an interstate highway by a couple who called the authorities. He was missing 61 days and had lost 14 lbs and was dehydrated but otherwise ok. He's back with his handler now. Isn't that wonderful?!

[Lavande]

Wow Dill - that's one lucky dog!
Isn't it amazing how a dog can survive in his own for so long like that?

My son & DIL certainly do realize that Will has behavior issues. His preschool teachers & Sunday school teachers are also aware, ha ha!!! In a way he reminds me of his father - I got complaints from EVERYONE about him & that's why I am so aware of these things. I just keep telling them that they have to be consistent enforcing rules & teaching him boundaries. If these kids catch you feeling sorry for them & letting them 'off the hook' for some things they catch on & try to take over. Believe me ~ I know, LOL

I hear it's supposed to go up to the upper 40's next Monday - we shall see

[SnoopyC]

Good morning...

Still waking up. I was so tired I went to bed at 8:30 and slept 9 hours. That's February frozen this year for sure.

Lav, the book discussion meets once a month, so I have time to get the book, probably on my kindle, and show up. I'm hoping March is better and I do not feel like coming right home and hibernating. I made a new recipe, it was good, but ate two helpings and that was a bad idea. I again blame this cold. I am looking forward to the time changing next month I think, and having more light. That and warmer weather is something to look forward too. Your grandson sounds like a handful, and I agree that setting firm limits with him helps him and others to feel safe. Kids need and want limits, even if they moan and groan. I knew some kids before whose mother let them run the house and her and they were the most anxious unhappy kids. Then of course a friend of mine who could never set limits with her son and he is in prison. Yes, prison. That is obviously the extreme, but still, it is alot of work to tame a wild little one. I looked into curves around her and there is none close, so I have to find something else. They have Curves, but on the opposite side of the city, and I live in a pretty big city now so don't want to drive. Can you tell I have cabin fever? I do. How are you managing the winter blues?

Dill, that story about the dog is so interesting. So glad he was found. I always think, they have it so good, why do they have to take off? What are you doing to get through winter and any ideas about a March name?

Hello to Pap and Cyn. Have a good one.

[Lavande]

Good morning friends & happy Hump day!

It's a balmy 21 degrees heading up to 39 today - woo hoo

Star, The past week or two have been hard in the 'blues department'. This ongoing cold & snow stuff is seriously getting on my nerves. I know it's important to stay busy & not dwell on stuff but I honestly cannot get myself interested in much. I feel like I'm just waiting it out, if you know what I mean. I've been overeating too & that's just a stupid coping mechanism I think, ha ha! Overeating healthy foods is not that big of a sin IMHO!!!

I am going to try a new recipe I found last night on the Finding Vegan website. It's a quinoa mushroom vegetable bowl. The picture looks awesome - I'll let you know how it works out
I am pushing myself to get to Curves 3-4X/week to keep myself from blowing up like a blimp! I hope you can find a happy place to exercise!

Greetings to Dill, Papmom & Cyn - hope everyone is OK.
Have a great AF Wednesday .

Lav

[dill]

I noticed this morning that it was getting light earlier! The lady at the bank told me that we change the clocks forward in a week and a half! Woo hoo! It will be light later in the evenings. That should help sweep the blues away.

Lav, I have been trying to get to the gym to walk on the track every day. It's been great. I have been doing 3 miles each time. Sometimes I run into someone I know, too, which is a bonus.

Star, I have cabin fever too. I'm managing by simply trying to get out and do a little something each day. Going to the gym, going out for a bite to eat, going to the library. Today I went to the Retired Teachers Association luncheon. That was pleasant. The food wasn't great but there was a good speaker telling us about the charity she started locally called "Shoes for the Shoeless". http://www.shoes4theshoeless.org/ She was helping tutor poor children when it came to her attention that many of them did not have shoes that fit, nor did they have socks. She researched and found that this was an area of need not filled by any other organization, so she start her own. Very inspirational story.


Happy AF Hump Day.

[SnoopyC]

It's snowing again. Yikes. We haven't heard from Pap, wonder if she's been snowed in!

Lav, I eat pretty well on the weekdays, if I eat at home, it's the weekends that go wrong. I have started exercising a little at home, I am so stiff I would be embarrassed to go out with others till I loosen up. The mushroom and quinoa sounds interesting. Tonight,that mnestrone soup with parmesean cheese and rye bread.

Dill, what a great charity. How inspiring. The luncheon sounded fun and working out and socializing sounds good too. We will get through this winter!!! If March comes in like a lion, it goes out like a lamb. Right?

Have a good one.

[Lavande]

Good morning friends,

Cloudy, chilly & awaiting more snow - not what I ordered

Dill, glad you are enjoying the gym! Walking is good for us in so many ways. If we can walk at a good clip & get our heart rates up it's even better. We do need the weight resistance training as well so get to those machines when you can
I do feel the need to go somewhere & connect with people most days too. That charity is awesome, love it when people come up with such great ideas!

Star, the quinoa pilaf was very good - give it a try!

http://www.wingitvegan.com/2015/02/quick-and-easy-quinoa-pilaf-with.html

I doubled the recipe because I love leftovers for lunch

Papmom, I see you on Facebook - stop in here & say hello!
Cyn, check in too, please!

Must feed hungry animals then get myself to Curves. I have a little work to finish up later & then I don't know what.....we shall see.
Have a terrific AF Thursday everyone!

Lav