Fearless February

[treegirl]

Hi all - sorry to be away. What a wild 7 days it has been. Travel was difficult last Thursday, but I made it. Had a nice 24 hour visit with the cousin I stayed with, but the memorial service was very hard - I had to sing, so couldn't really sink into the emotions of it all. Then hopped in a cab right afterwards, only to sit in the airport another 6 hours before getting back to NYC. 8 inches more snow at home when we arrived late Sunday. Monday was the 1 year anniversary of my mom's passing, so that was a hard day. I made a little video of images from her life accompanied by music, and sent it to family and close friends, and I think that was appreciated. Now trying to get caught up from being gone basically a week - it's a race, did 4 loads of laundry yesterday. Today the house will get clean, in between meeting writing deadlines. Have been up during the past 2 nights with girl dog and her mysterious illness - I may have to get to the vet as well today, though hoping to put that off until tomorrow. I have been outside each day, and even with the cold, the bright sun feels so warm. There's no lack of shoveling to do, so that's my exercise and therapy - love being in the sun!

Take care all, and stay warm!

Have been thinking of you all, and sending good thoughts...I'll be able to read back through

[papmom3]

Evening my Fab Abbers! Sorry to be away so long-time just got away from me. LM is not doing well. He's got bloody stools and hasn't eaten in 24 hours. I'm sure he feels nauseous although I haven't noticed any vomiting. I will call the vet tomorrow and pay the exorbitant $$ for Cerenia as a last ditch effort. If that doesn't work, there is nothing more I can do and I will just have to let him tell me when its time. Since he's still managing to climb over the baby gate, I don't think it's quite time yet :friendly_wink:
Work is still going well. I'll be seeing my old boss tomorrow-hope it won't be too awkward. She's coming to my campus for a meeting.
today hoarder friend and I took DD to the vet in CT (Marlboro Cyn) for his rabies and annual exam. We stopped in Vernon on the way home as there is a plaza with a quilt shop, yarn store, upscale consignment shop, quirky gift shop and a used book store. Doesn't get any better! then we went to the Goodwill store a few miles away. I managed to keep my credit card in my wallet the whole time. Good thing too as DD's bill was hefty. Tuesday Mick had his final neuro exam at Tufts. He will be forever restricted from jumping up on furniture but other than that he looks good-not 100% according to the vet but nothing that I can notice. Can't wait to get him out on short walks!! Because of the timing of the app't I had to bring him to quilting class and he was a hit. Mostly they were amazed at how good and quiet he was in his crate.

Dill-that is amazing that the K9 was found!! Miracles do happen!! Lots of missing dogs around here as well as dogs that have shown up in yards or picked up on streets. Lots of dogs walking over fences apparently. I can' see how that would happen but really people, put a leash on them if there is a chance at all of them going over the wall! Can't believe people just leave their dogs outside in this bitter cold either.

Star-glad you are getting comfortable in your new city!! Hope the book club turns out to be enjoyable!!

Lav-interesting observations about the GS. I'm sure with your wonderful guidance and savvy he will turn out to be just fine!

I've been recovering from a cold this week so have done 0 exercise and have driven to work everyday. Hope next week is better all around and for everyone. Suppose to get up to a balmy 40 degrees on sunday then right back down to extreme cold. So freaking sick of this!!

Have a great nite all.

[papmom3]

Oh Cyn-welcome back!! Hope you are finally settling down and will be staying put for a bit! Since you did 4 loads of laundry when you got back can we assume the septic pipes are staying thawed out? Hope so! Did you end up taking girl dog to the vet today?

[Lavande]

Glad to see you both Cyn & Papmom
I'll catch up some more tomorrow!

[Eloise]

Almost done with Fearless February :sohappy: and movin' on! :victorious:

[SnoopyC]

Good morning all...

Good to hear from you Cyn and Pap.

Cyn, my thoughts are with you as you continue mourn the loss of your mother. How wonderful making a tape of her life. You are so thoughtful. It takes so much time for it to not hurt as badly...lots of time. We are with you as much as we can be.

Pap, sorry to hear about your older dog...it is so hard to see them decline. He is lucky getting the best of care from you. Smart move driving if it is bad out and you have a cold. I am doing what I can to take care of myself and get through this touch month.

Lav and Dill, Pap and Cyn, Eloise, have a good one. I am going to be very busy with family coming in this weekend, two nights of activities and an overnight here on Saturday. So, I may not be able to check in, but you never know.

[dill]

Hello All,

Glad you are back, Cyn!
Good to hear from you Papmom, but sorry your dear dog is not doing well. He is lucky to have the love and care that you provide and I'm quite sure he feels it.

Eloise, welcome. February is definitely on it's way out the door and I am glad to see March coming. It looks like it is coming in like a lamb. I hope it stays that way, February was the King of Beasts!

Star, have a wonderful weekend with your family.

Lav, I'm still hanging in there with my gym activities. I'm so lucky to have this near by. I can't believe it's been right there all the time and I didn't know about it!

Here comes the weekend. Looks like it will be mild temperatures. Won't that be welcome!

[Lavande]

Good morning friends & happy Friday to all!

Would you believe it's snowing?
I definitely did not order this.

Cyn, So nice to see you back.
I know you are missing your Mom :hug: Putting together a video for family & friends sounds so wonderful & thoughtful.
I hope you are caught up with all that laundry now

Papmom, you have been busy!
Sorry LM is still unwell. Sounds like you have done about all you can do for him.
Good that your job is going well! I hope this is the end of the snow for all of us.

Dill, have fun at the gym - sounds funny, don't you think?

Star, sounds you have an awesome weekend shaping up - enjoy!!!

Hi there Eloise! Join us on our March thread - whatever it turns out to be!

OK, off to feed animals & get my day in gear1
Have a wonderful AF Friday everyone!

Lav

[treegirl]

Morning all - happy Friday!

Finally had a better night of sleep last night; even though girl dog lost her dinner at 10:30 pm, she was OK the rest of the night. We spent it together on the couch, just in case she had more difficulties, but all was OK. Dogs!

Pap - so sorry about your pup...good luck with it all, and know he appreciates all you are doing. During the days my girl is perky and has appetite, so I'm not taking her to the vet yet. I'm just recording all the issues and emailing them to the vet to put in her file...they were baffled by it all last time we went, all the tests turned up nothing except an $800 bill, so that's not happening again. I'm doing the 'wait and see' approach now, feeding small meals of congee and a little chicken.

Dill - so great to hear about the gym! My gym right now is the snow rake and the shovel, but I'm loving it.

---

Lost the end of this post, and now have to dash. Know I'm thinking of you all, and will join you in a wonderful AF Friday night and weekend to come - cheers!

[SnoopyC]

Good morning to all...

Up early after a wonderful family time last night. We laughed so much and enjoyed the love and affection we have for each other. The most anyone had was one beer, maybe two. Water, pop/soda, and heavy carbs: pizza, bread sticks, double oreo cookies. Yum, but whew!!! Today I have to get my house ready, go to the store, entertain this afternoon and going into the city tonight for a concert. Rock and roll, and I am getting a little old for this. Reserved seats, so I don't have to worry about being squished. Believe me, this was not my idea, but I have a feeling it will be lots of fun. I really love my sister-in-law, and she just has never enjoyed alcohol. She does not make a big deal about it, just avoids it. So, it is easy to be with her and normal and accepted to be AF.

Lav, the weather here is just cold, will warm up, rain, then snow. Lovely. Don't know if you would be interested in this, but today there is supposed to be a PBS special by Dr. Christine Northrup about women and healthy aging...I am taping it, and ordered her new book, "Goddesses Never Age," or something like that. She has written alot on menopause in a healthy and normal way, understanding that for some it is tough. So, I enjoy her information. She approaches getting older in a productive way and warns about the intake of alcohol, in fact encourages limited or no consumption, realizing it is not a health potion.

Dill, March will come in like a lion here, which is fine with me. I want it to go out like a lamb. It is so great that you have a close workout place. How did you find out about it? Exercise on a regular basis is so important for health and mood. If I go for a period without exercise, I start to feel old and achey.

Cyn, glad you got a better night's sleep. Has the weather in New England settled down at all? Hope so.

Hi Pap, so happy you like your new job. Me too, although at the six month period, it is becoming more challenging, which is good for me. I need to be stretched. Busy this weekend and are you still working that part-time gig? You are one busy lady.

Have a great Saturday.

[Lavande]

Good morning friends!

Sunny but still way too cold, Brrrrrrr!!!

Cyn, I can't tell you how many messed up nights I've had because of my dogs. I sometimes feel like I'm running a nursing home here, LOL
Glad your doggies seems to be doing better

Star, it's so great to spend time with people who aren't driven to drink constantly. Enjoy your time with your sister-in-law!
I read Christiane Northrup's 'The Wisdom of Menopause" when it was first released way back. It was recommended to my by my NP & I did get a lot out of it. I have listened to her on Hayhouse Radio (which is in my favorites btw). I also had her on my Facebook feed for quite a while until she started getting a little 'way out' with her astrological advice (too freaky). I do think she offers some solid advice, well worth listening to & incorporating into your routine.

http://www.drnorthrup.com/

Enjoy the concert!!!

Hi there Dill & Papmom! What are you guys doing this weekend?
I don't even know what I am doing yet this weekend, ha ha!! I really, really want to be outside but it's only 16 degrees - geez!!

Have a great AF Saturday everyone!

Lav

PS: Tomorrow we begin our March thread - any name suggestions??

[dill]

Hello All,

March names? Have we done Mindful March? I kind of like that. Or Magnificent March. I'm sure I'll be happy with what ever name pops up tomorrow.

Star, how I learned about the gym is a bit ironic. I go to the local bakery almost every week. I like the woman who runs it. It is a real small town bakery. The owner is the baker and is the counter girl. I go in there to buy from her just to be supportive of the local economy, plus she makes excellent cookies and breads. She and I usually get to talking about things and one time she told me she was battling with her weight and was going to join weight watchers. We got to talking about the importance of exercise to the process and that is when she told me I should check out the local college athletic center. Star, I'm so happy that you had some good family time. It really does the heart good to laugh with our loved ones. I miss hearing the laughter of my parents and my brothers who have died.

Lav, thanks for the link. I am going to explore the website later today and perhaps I'll tear a page out of Star's playbook and record the program today.

Cyn, I thought of you today when I was in the checkout line at the grocery store. There was a Good Housekeeping magazine featuring an article on decluttering and simplifying. I paused and wondered if perhaps you were the author.

Hello Papmom, thinking of you and your dear LM today.

[treegirl]

Hi all -

Last night just as SD was arriving, girl dog had another stomach episode, so even though she was OK the rest of the night, I emailed the vet. They suggested coming in, so I did - and got Cerenia. Made me think of you, Pap - hope your guy is doing better.

Cold here too Lav, but clear as a bell and sunny. As I was at the vet, SD and HB took on one of the humungous (sp?) hills of snow on the deck. That eliminated my shoveling 'therapy', so instead I took a walk up the hill we live on. Felt better after that - it seems like all I think about these days is what to feed myself, HB, and the dogs, plus money issues. Better to just be positive, have a plan and work it, right? When I get tired, I lose perspective and feel like trying to make a success of work as a self-employed person is just too hard. As I walked by the deli counter of our tiny local grocery store, I almost asked them if they had a position open. The thought of just showing up to work each day and doing whatever someone tells me to is very alluring at times. But I know it would not work for our lives right now, so I let that fantasy go. Just got to keep working my plan. Sometimes I think that drinking kept me from having to confront any of these thoughts - I was just always trying to get through the day and couldn't really see or act on the big picture at all...

Dill - no, I didn't write that article. Isn't it amazing that there is some organizing or decluttering article in every woman's magazine each month? Hopefully that will help me get a few clients...

Star, so great to hear about your family time - wonderful. Hope you enjoy the show tonight.

Lav, thanks for the C Northrup info. I read her years ago, but haven't for awhile. I'll check out the website. I didn't know that you listened to Hay House. I've been thinking of a subscription, but may go for the MindBodyGreen subscription instead...

Hope all are having a great AF Saturday --