Mindful March!

[Lavande]

Good morning friends & welcome to March 2015!
I was going to go for March Madness because of this awful weather prediction but didn't want to get confused with basketball finals, ha ha!!!

So here we sit waiting for another snow/ice event to begin :sad:
Just doesn't quite seem fair at this point - oh well.

Greetings to Dill, Star, Cyn & Star!
Wishing everyone a great AF Sunday & a wonderful month ahead

Lav

[treegirl]

Rabbit Rabbit!
Thanks for starting us out, Lav! I love Mindful March - yes, the weather is getting old, but your title reminds us to take our time observing how wonderful so many individual moments are.

Just waved good bye to SD - she headed back early because the snow has already started here. Then HB and I did a stint reducing the 5x20 (no kidding) pile of snow on the deck. The task is pretty pressing, as the rain predicted here for Wednesday and subsequent re-freeze will turn it into a heavy load of cement. We're hoping to get through the winter without a deck collapse!

I did a lot of cooking on Friday night and all day yesterday (including GF banana bread, Lav). So I'm glad for the chance now for quiet time to get back to work this afternoon; taxes, etc. are calling.

Cheers all for a new month of sobriety and mindfulness --

[dill]

“Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.”
― Thích Nhất Hạnh

I have been in a funk today so the above quote helped me get a bit more centered. Mindfulness is the order of the day for this whole month!

Gdaughter is here, having spent the night. She has been very, very good and a little dear. She always wants to help. I usually find some way she can participate no matter what the chore. It's a good quality to want to help, so I am encouraging it. I am pretty sure I didn't have the patience to do that when my kids were little. I was always in such a big hurry then, plus had to have things done "right". Silly.

Lav, Thank you for starting our thread this month. I hit the ground running this morning and didn't have time for internet. Kylie was up at 6:45. Luckily I got my shower done before that. Mr. D kept her busy in the snow this morning while I went to church. The roads were absolutely awful, but I made it safely there and back, thanks to 4 wheel drive!

Cyn, You have had such a rough go this winter with all the snow on the roof and on the deck. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you to get thru this last little blast of winter. (Surely it has to be the last!)

Star, Papmom, greetings.

[SnoopyC]

Good morning ladies...

I love the name Mindful March!!! Thanks for thinking of it.

Lav, I received my new Northrup book, "Goddesses never age." I am subscribed to her website, and love the information she gives, as a physician. Not sure about the astrological information. I always take stuff like that with a grain of salt, so may have just ignored it. I did not get a chance to watch the show yet, so may tonight.

Dill, fun with your granddaughter and love the story about finding the college gym. I had fun with family, the concert was a journey, like concerts always are. I feel like saying this was my last concert. I just get overwhelmed with them. All that money and traveling to see little ants on a stage, at least we were far enough away I could hear the day after. I hate to sound like a spoilsport, but I have never liked concerts, even when I was young. I went because others wanted me to go and everyone else seemed to like it.

Cyn, we were hit with about six more inches, at least. I am sick of snow and know what it is like to have so much snow it is painful. This year is over the top. It is March, so hopefully we will have a little melting. Last year when we had feet of snow, it took time to melt, and the house I lived in had damage that I did not discover till we were ready to move. Too much snow is just too much!!! Take care of yourself. Last year I was self-employed and it was often lonely and I did not make much money. But, freedom. That means a lot.

Pap, hey, hope you are doing well.

Have a great Monday as we start another week.

[bear73]

morning everyone, day off today - I'm meant to be studying but I think I may just chill - 3 days next weekend to study and that's plenty of time.

Think I'd feel better for a nap,gym sesh and clean and tidy,quality cuddle time with cat and a wee bit of study rather than a full day .Bloody hell - I almost sound balanced and not trying to do 999999 things by tomorrow - must put that right

Hope everyone is good - just a quick whizz in here today.
Day 43 - wahoo!

[treegirl]

Morning all -

Dill, what a wonderful quote, thanks. It's a good reminder for me to find my Hahn book that I read early in sobriety...I can't remember the title. But I do remember one particular example he gave: leaving his meditation cabin for a walk, a big wind came up; when he returned to the cabin, his papers were all over, things were in disarray. He shuttered the windows, picked everything up, made a cozy fire, returned to center. A metaphor for not always leaving the 'windows' wide open, or if you do, how to return to center. I think that ability to always return to center is such a great thing to learn. I'm working on it! How great that you are developing that can-do instinct with your gdaughter!

Star, I actually don't mind the snow. It's a good way for me to be outside for a time each day - we're just hacking away at it, and playing 'avalanche' or 'igloo' (as I slice and dice the compacted drifts). We got another 5 inches or so last night, but it's light so won't be hard to manage. However, I'm not looking forward to the ice and rain and re-freeze - that gets on my nerves.

Pap - hope you and pups are OK. Hang in there. I registered for a Linda Tellington 'Touch' online seminar. If I can't listen in this evening, the audio file will be sent to me. I'm hoping that this will be a tool for my girl dog when she has an 'episode'. I used some of the techniques for one of my previous crazy weimys, and it helped a lot.

Lav - did you see the choc mousse recipe made with avocados and coconut cream? I'm going to try that one out? (in the next year or so...). Will try to check out the Northrup site today.

MUST make some headway in my business today. Taxes, grrr. Off to the races -- cheers all for a great start to this month, whatever the weather brings. As my dad used to say "whether it's cold or whether it's hot, we will have weather, whether or not!"

[Lavande]

Good morning friends,

Grateful to be waking up in a warm house, full power on. We had a real ice storm yesterday on top of the snow - bummer.
Everything is cancelled or delayed around here, not sure I want venture out. My DIL has asked me to come over at 10 am to watch the kids until my son gets home from work - not so sure I want to go.

Cyn, looks like we are in the bulls eye for 2 more weather events this week - geez!
I hope everything is OK with you, your pups & the deck!!!!

Dill, your little one is an early riser - same with my youngest grandson. I always appreciate enough alone time to get coffee & a shower before they get up & going, ha ha! Be careful out there today. I'll be giving Curves a skip today I suppose.

Star, who did you see in concert? I always loved live music events, something we used to enjoy quite a bit.
I remember coming home from a few with my ears ringing for a day or two afterwards. Doesn't sound like such a great idea at this stage of the game, ha ha!!

OK, my DIL just texted me - I'm not needed this morning. That's a good thing because I really don't want to risk life 7 limb on this ice

Hi there bear! Enjoy your day off & stay in balance!!!

Greetings to Papmom!
Have a great AF Monday everyone!

Lav

[dill]

“If you want to conquer the anxiety of life, live in the moment, live in the breath.”
― Amit Ray

Hi Bear, good to see you and well done on 43 days!! Excellent!

Star, I couldn't agree with you more on the whole concert thing. I'll never understand why the volume has to be painfully loud at concerts. I gave up on them years ago for that reason. I'm glad you enjoyed the family time tho. As far as the story about finding the gym, I thought it wonderfully ironic that I would learn about it at a bakery of all places! While stocking up on sweets and breads! It just leads me to realize the importance of keeping open and being friendly.

I found a really interesting business while watching TV. What a good idea and I wish I had thought of it myself. The business provides art classes where amateurs can attend a 2 hour class and go home with a painting. All materials included and a really affordable price. There are franchises all over the place. http://www.paintingwithatwist.com/about/
The only down side of it from my perspective is that the class includes wine. It's great of course, for those who can drink normally, but for me it would perhaps be a hurdle to my attending.

[dill]

Cross post, Lav and Cyn.

Lav, We had that weather yesterday. Today the roads are clear and I am grateful. I have to drive a good 20 miles to get to my GP for my appointment today. Just a regular appointment, going over blood work and the like. Have a great day!

Cyn, I'm glad you liked the quote. It helped me too. I am going to try to include Mindful Moments in my posts this month. Keep warm and safe!

[Lavande]

Hey Dill -
My DIL went to that art & wine thing Saturday night with her friends!
She is actually a fairly good painter, ha ha.
They do give each person their own bottle of wine I believe. Not a good idea for most of us

[papmom3]

Evening all.
Hi Bear-welcome back. Keep up the good work. You still doing roller derby?

Cyn-OMG, are our decks really in danger of collapsing? I'm so upset! I have 6 feet of snow on mine and can't do a thing about it. Don't have anyone I can call to come over either-my go to guy, my nephew is now working full time. I guess I just have to trust that everything happens for a reason and if it does go, there will be a better deck in my future. I just hope only the part farthest from the stairs to the yard will go otherwise I am screwed with potty time for the dogs. Crap.

Star-I have never liked concerts-have only been to a few in my life and I think the only one I really like was the Moody Blues. My sister on the other hand loves going=she and her hubby go to quite a few every year. To each her own, right?

Dill-I know a number of people who have done the painting and wine thing. Not all of them are drinkers so I'm sure it must be optional. They seem like they have alot of fun. I just prefer to spend my money on other things then painting bad pics LOL!!

Lav-glad you didn't have to make the trip today. We get the ice tomorrow. Yech. Hope quilting isn't cancelled.

so tonite I tried Yoga. It was painful. Not sure I'll do it again but on the other hand I can only get better right?

LM didn't eat well this morning but surprised me tonite. ODAT and trying to be grateful for everyday he is still with me (but god his breath makes that hard!! Its nauseating!! JK, I do love him no matter what).

I walked to work and walked home for lunch but had to cry uncle and drove back to work. The wind was so bad at one point I couldn't make any forward movements! I'm not lying! It was straight out of a cartoon!

It was a good day at work-got lots done and feel like I'm really making a contribution. Interestingly, my ex boss was on campus on Friday for a meeting that I wasn't able to attend. I thought she would stop by my office to say hi but she didn't. Told my boss she had to get back. I'm hurt. She was in the same building and couldn't spare 5 minutes? what an insult. so glad I'm out of there!! Continuously amazed at how easy it is to talk to my new boss and discuss every day business without being made to feel stupid. At this point I would do anything for her!

Cyn-if I ever can get my hands on a free video or book on T Touch I will get it. I think it would help DD a lot. I've looked into the workshops but too steep for me.

guess I should head to bed and prepare for tomorrow's rotten weather!

[SnoopyC]

Good morning...

Lav, we saw Maroon 5, the music was great, it is just such a journey. I even felt like that when I was a teenager, too much effort and I was always exhausted afterwards. I am so happy we went though, and have good memories. We had ice last nice, snow tomorrow. When will it end?

Dill, remembering to breathe is so essential to peace. I want to find another conference focused on that to hone my skills. The time changes next week, and I am ready to sleep longer. Really could have slept longer today.

Cyn, the snow is pretty, it is just time for spring. I want warm and sunny.

Pap, good to hear from you, your old boss sounds unpleasant, thank goodness you got away from that type of treatment. It is so wearing over time. I am so glad I left where my boss was narcissistic, he has not changed and it is hard to work for him. Yuck. Life is too short, don't you agree? Give yoga a chance, I prefer gentle yoga, and always go at my own pace. Nice you tried it though!

Have a good one all.

[treegirl]

Good luck with the weather, everyone! My goodness, all that ice - so sorry Lav and Dill. I prefer snow, if you have to have precip.

Pap - don't stress about your deck! I just said that because HB is possessed about clearing it off, and keeps telling me it will collapse. Also, ours is way to big, literally about 15 x 20, ridiculous! It used to have a full-size hot tub on it, so I'm thinking that it is plenty strong. I'm sure yours will be fine. I was doing the same thing - a tunnel-way for the dogs - they didn't seem to mind. Good luck with yoga - as Star said, find a 'gentle' place. I never found a class gentle enough for me!

Lav - so glad that you got off the hook yesterday, no fun trying to get somewhere in the ice.

Star - I keep thinking 'spring'! This is getting kind of ridiculous, and there's more on the way. But I do see buds on the trees, so they know spring is coming. Have you got your garden planned yet?

Dill - how is Stella? Hope your doc appt went well.

Bear - congrats on your days, just keep them coming!

Today's duties include more roof raking prior to tonight's snow, and feeding the birds. Poor dears! It's 4 degrees out right now - they must think they've landed in Urkutsk, Siberia!

Stay warm and safe, all!

[Lavande]

Good morning friends!

No sun this morning, the next storm doesn't begin until sometime after lunch. So I need to get out & make the morning count

Star, glad you enjoyed the concert, they can be fun. I'm beginning to lose hope that we will ever see Spring, LOL
More snow & ice expected this afternoon & tonight, rain tomorrow & more snow Thursday. Insanity!!!

Papmom, your ex boss sounds like an A-hole. Don't waste any more time worrying abut her. Focus on your new job & the better people. I sure hope your deck holds up OK - what a pain! I add a breath freshener in the dogs water bowls to help with their breath. I get it from 800PetMeds.

Hi there Dill & Cyn! Hope you guys are OK.

OK, time to get out & about!
Have a great AF Tuesday everyone!

Lav

[dill]

“The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.”
― Thích Nhất Hạnh

Lav, no sun here either. I am so tired of this weather I could scream! I guess I better take a moment and breathe instead.

Cyn, thanks for asking about Tessa. She is doing well, but still seems to favor that hind leg at times. It's funny that you remembered her name as 'Stella'. That would suit her well. Actually, we had a mare many years ago that had a star on her forehead and we named her Stella. It would be fun to have a dog named Stella because when you shouted for her it would be like Marlon Brando in Streetcar Named Desire. :happy2: We had a dog once that was a black Lab/Akita mix that my son wanted to name "Killer". He was a middle schooler at the time. We compromised. He called her Killer, but we called her Keela. We didn't want to be out calling her shouting "Killer!" We thought it might upset the neighbors!

Star, I can't remember. Did you say you found a place to go for yoga? I used to do it years ago, and I wish I had kept the practice up. At this point I am so stiff it would be difficult. I really should try tho.

Papmom, I think your old boss sounds incredibly rude. Don't give her another thought.

Off to the gym. Have a great AF day.