Genuine July - 2016

[paulywogg]

Morning friends, Star,I'm just irritated by the job cuz his last one was 9 to 5 Mon-Fri easy peazy now his schedule is weird,I'm not gonna complain(yes I am haha) roast is in the crock pot already,roots are done,off for a walk soon,then groceries(yuck) woke up to 4 mosquito bites!! 1 on my forearm,1 on my elbow another on my leg,the other on my foot,the bony areas itch the worst,hate mosquitos,probably get so many cuz we live by the flood channels annoying, hello Lav,Cyn and Dill hope we all have a great AF Sunday

[Lavande]

Greetings friends,

More bad news, this time in Baton Rouge. Three dead police officers in Baton Rouge, more wounded. Violent, psychotic criminals need to be locked up for the sake of public safety, illegal guns need to be eliminated.

Not much else to say, this BS is getting in my nerves.
Have the best AF day possible!!!

Lav

[paulywogg]

I hadn't heard of that Lav

[Lavande]

I can't even start to imagine the violence & hate that this election is going to stir up Pauly
I'm glad YB has retired & am sincerely grateful our son changed his mind about career paths & went with Fire/EMS

Peace to everyone tonight :hug:

[treegirl]

Hello all - you'll probably be reading this on Monday morning, but I'm writing now at a little past 10 PM on Sunday. At the airport again, ready for an overnight flight to the east coast. I just bought a flight blanket - so many times the airlines don't give them out anymore... I'm determined not to freeze and to be able to sleep on the way home, since I have a long drive after I arrive at 8 AM.

Pauly - Ha! I love the technique of writing 'Let it Go'! on your arm. That's a good one. And congrats on your steps! The water balloons sound fun - you gson is lucky to have such a fun gmom.

Lav - I'm so sorry - I know all of this is hitting way too close to home... sending you peaceful thoughts. It is good that YB decided to retire, but I'm sure he's very affected by all of this as well. This country really needs to ratchet it down...

Star - wow, that's a lot of trees to go away - that must have really transformed the area! I hope the guys continue to work and to get it all done soon.

Dill - I love hearing about your cutting garden. One of these days...

Star, I guess I should feel lucky about all this travel, but honestly it's not the kind of travel that I would commit all of these funds to if I had a choice. I go to support HB's work, and of course I am happy to do that. This trip in particular, I was so glad that I was there - he wasn't feeling well, has some situation going on with his eye, no time to take care of anything, and a really tough, stressful job assignment, so I was especially glad to be there for him. I spent most of my time going to drug stores and finding a Whole Foods to get supplements and other stuff, doing laundry and ironing to get him set up for the next week when I won't be there to help. Now I'll go home for a few days before it starts all over again!

Anyway, it's all good - I'm grateful for another safe trip, the chance to help, the chance to meet good people and see some pretty things. I keep taking pictures of plants and plantings that I see, hoping some how I will be able to re-create them at home. (I think I should just put up the pretty pictures in the house!)

I'm wishing all a good AF Monday, and peace in our hearts. It all starts with us...

[SnoopyC]

Good morning all...

Cyn, thanks for wishing us all a good Monday and peace in our hearts, we and our country need it. It would be hard to travel when you explain that it is all work related, hard to get time for self care. Great outlook though, so like you.

Pauly, sounds like you are adjusting to the new schedule well, that's the best thing to do, I can see that the new schedule is irritating. Let's do our best to have a good week.

Lav, I am horrified by another shooting, all the haters are out with guns. It is not just one group, but haters against all people, looking for an excuse to spread their evil. I am horrified and yes, the upcoming election is going to blow all the hatred up even more. My daughter and her family skipped an event that was in a public place this weekend, just not comfortable being in crowds with all that could happen. That is so sad to me, but I was glad to hear it. Peace to all.

Hey Dill, hope you are well.

Have a good one.

[dill]

Hello friends, good to read such nice posts.

Cyn, that sounds like a grueling travel schedule. The things we do for love! Mr. T is so fortunate to have you in his life. I can't imagine you being able to do all that if you were still a slave to the bottle! That's a good idea to take pics of plantings you like. How is the PI situation? Have you had someone come and treat the area yet?

Star, it is a shame your daughter cancelled her plans out of caution. I'm sure she is not alone in that. I am grateful every day that I live rurally. I would be so fearful if I lived in a big city at this point in time. WOW! 12 trees! What a big difference that will make! Did you take before pics to compare to the after?

Lav, I am glad YB has retired and is safe from any possible lunacy directed toward officers. I'll bet he is deeply affected by what's happening. We all are, of course, but having been an officer himself makes it even harder. It's hard not to be very fearful for our nation right now, but I try to think positively. There was a time in the 60's that things were volatile like they are now, but peace was returned to the land. So, I'm hoping that "this too shall pass".

Pauly, I love the visual cue to ''let it go"! I'm not one for tattoos, but that would be one that would make some sense to me! LOL!

Mr. D and I have been asked a very big favor which we are considering. A very dear friend has been struggling with al issues and has asked us if he can just come stay with us for 30 days. He would give us the keys to his car so he can't leave to buy al. He thinks if he can just do that it will launch him toward sobriety. I am thinking he would be better off going to a professional rehab facility and we are looking into those options for him. But if it comes down to it, we may do it.

Weather is looking a bit iffy right now. Lots of thunder off in the distance. This too shall pass! Ha! Let's all have a peaceful and af Monday.

[Lavande]

Good Monday morning friends,

I feel a bit better after some decent sleep. Yesterday I just couldn't shake the feeling of impending doom & that's not really like me. I just saw this quote & it made me think of all of us -
It is not the practice which liberates, but the intention, the motivation, the heartfelt effort with which it is applied...
- Stephen Levine

Cyn, I hope your flight home was smooth & restful. And I hope you are kind to yourself today!

Star, I don't blame your daughter for wanting to avoid crowds right now, I feel the same way. Better to feel safe
I hope your yard project is progressing. The mason was just here to drop off more cinder block & will be back tomorrow to get the greenhouse foundation done.

Dill, wow, that is some request from your friend!
If you are willing to help him is he willing to go to an AA meeting daily while staying with you? Just a thought but it would show his willingness to participate in his recovery. Whatever you decide I hope it works out best for all of you.
I am ready for some storms to help clear out this stagnant weather, yuck.

Pauly, I hope this week is better for you on all fronts
Keep you chin up!

I am heading out to Curves then to the dentist for a cleaning - oh joy.
Have a great AF day everyone!

Lav

[paulywogg]

Morning friends, Dill,interesting about the friend asking that cuz I remembered back and I always wished someone would take me somewhere isolated so I could not get my hands on alcohol or handcuff me to my bed haha,on the one hand you'd be helping a friend but on the other there's can he safely detox?Will he say"sod it" after a few weeks and get demanding for his keys back,will he sneak booze and you end up babysitting him,there's a lot to think about but it would be awesome to help him if he's really ready,I don't understand this new shooting in BR,this guy was just targeting cops I guess cuz those killed were white and black,I hafta hope like Dill that peace will eventually reign but this election makes me VERY nervous, I am still in awe that these two are the candidates, feels like bizarro world,anyway, hello Lav,Cyn and Star,please let this week go smoothly for us all

[treegirl]

Hi all - Home safe. But no more red-eye flights! I was in head and neck pain the whole way, and just couldn't get comfortable. Plus then had a 3 hour drive home with a massive headache. But some ice and a nap helped once I got home, and of course I'm happy to be with the pups again.

Star - I think your daughter was smart; maybe we'll start having more small local gatherings as a result of all this...

Dill - good luck with that decision regarding your friend! I agree with everybody that it would be good if he had some way to demonstrate his desire to 'stay the course'; and I think you are right to think ahead about his detox needs. 30 days is a good beginning, but now we all know that it is just the fog lifting... it takes months to really start to see the benefit. You are so kind to consider the plan.

Pauly- crazy times we live in, right?! I just hope everybody (everywhere) can concentrate on staying 'cool', if ya know what I mean...

OK, now off to remember what I'm supposed to being taking care of... Hope all have a great AF Monday night...

[SnoopyC]

Good morning...

Cyn, great you are home and safe, a red eye flight would about do me in too! You are a tough one. Yes, any type of public gathering kind of makes me nervous right now.

Lav, I have also been feeling some dark cloud or somthing...I don't like it.

Dill, be careful, you don't want to be liable for someone if they go into seizures or something. I agree with Pauly, best handled in rehab, but, having said that, I don't know the situation.

Pauly, also very nervous about the election, very scary.

Have a good one.

[dill]

Hello All, I just finished making a batch of good old-fashioned blackberry jam. Yes, loaded with sugar.... Oh well, what can I say?! LOL! Mr. D wouldn't eat it any other way.

Thanks for all the advice re: the friend seeking sobriety. All points well-taken. We gave him a number to call to get professional rehab. Whether he follows up or not, we shall see. But we told him we prefer he look into that route before we proceed forward with his request. Pauly, he wants us to take his keys from him if he comes here but I don't want that responsibility and I don't want to be the one he is arguing with when the beast comes calling, and he will!. If he comes here and wants not to be tempted to go anywhere I think it would be better if we just picked him up and brought him here for the stay, leaving his car at home. I do worry about the medical aspect Star and that is what we told him. As far as AA Lav, he's not open to it. Cyn, TBH, I don't think he has really decided he is done drinking so I'm not confident he's ready to 'stay the course'. I think he just knows he should be. I don't sense the level of commitment being there yet. And unfortunately, he saw his doc yesterday and learned that his liver was functioning in the low normal range. When he approached us he was thinking his liver was totally shot. Knowing how we think, I suspect he took that as good news and a ticket to keep on drinking in a 'controlled' manner. (Yeah, we all know how that goes, too!) So, I don't know what will happen next with this situation, if anything. I'll keep you posted.

Cyn, don't be burning the candle at both ends, friend.

Star and Pauly, I'm no more scared of the election than I am of staying on the current road we're travelling! If we keep going the same direction we have been, this nation will crumble. Heck, the whole world seems to be catching fire! We need to keep doing our bit to bring light to the world. It's hard not to lose heart.

Lav, thanks for that wonderful quote. We need all the inspiration we can get!

Ok, cheerio and chin up! Let's go seize another AF day!

[treegirl]

Morning all -

Well, a good night's sleep always helps, no doubt about that. I was able to untangle some sticky issues yesterday, so now I'm on to re-booking next week's flight and confirming a a dog sitter for extra days next week. Sheesh, I do feel for the poor pups - we definitely have a revolving door here! Fortunately, the sitters are all familiar to them, but really it DOES take a village. Meanwhile, I know that staying calm and unstressed is the best gift I can give them (besides staying home with them!)

I guess that goes for all things in the world now - staying centered and calm is the best thing we can do.

Plus self-care: I was listening to a podcast from Hay House last night. Doreen Virtue has a new ebook available, it's about Breaking the Cycle of Drama and Stress - also about toxic relationships. I fell asleep watching the first podcast, but she really stresses Self-care, which we all know is hard to do! It seems like there's a lot of toxicity floating around the world now - I am willing to witness the events, but I'm refusing to contribute to the toxicity , either about politics or world events or how other people are thinking. I am taking this crazy time as a chance to exercise restrain and personal responsibility, which I think involves Self Care. If we don't take care of ourselves and learn how to step out of the negativity and fear and embrace compassion for ourselves and others, what will become of us?!

Anyway, that's how I'm trying to position my mind/body/spirit in the coming days and months. I'm sending love to everyone here, and wishing us all a good AF Tuesday.

[Lavande]

Good evening friends.

We just spdnt the past 24 hours with no internet access. Yesterday's storm managed to blow up yet another router here. We have just now installed the 3rd one since building this house or is it the 4th?? Geez
Strange thing is we didn't lose power or cable or anything so I guess that's goid news, ha ha!

Glad you are home safe & sound Cyn
I've done that red eye flight from the west coast, rough. I hope you can catch up with everything & manage some decent self care too.

Dill, your friend doesn't sound like he has accepted what he needs to accept yet. We all know from experience that you need to be fully ready to succeed. I hope he can get himself there before it's too late. Is he doing any reading on quitting?

Star, everytime I find myself feeling dark or starting to brood over current events I stop myself & change direction! Distraction has always been a good tool for me, I can't forget that!

Pauly, my friend flew from Philly to Las Vegas today for a stopover on her way to Hawaii to visit her grandsons. Made me think of both of uou today

I watched the boys for most of today & will be watching them ALL day tomorrow starting at 7:45 am, oh boy.

Peace to all tonight!

Lav

[SnoopyC]

Good morning...

Very hot and sticky today! Whew. The backyard project is still going on, with some glitches here and there, I may have to take tomorrow off and am not happy about that. But, in the big scheme of things, it is not a tragedy, so I will have to see what happens.

Cyn, more traveling, wow, you are so busy right now. Good thing you are taking good care of yourself, including being AF. I agree with your attitude to keep a positive attitude, look to the light, and choose to live a life to be proud of, making good choices in all areas. Not easy, but what a difference it makes.

Dill, you really thought out the situation with your friend, that is alot to ask of someone. Hope he is OK. The blackberry jam sounds tasty! How fun to be able to make it and enjoy.

Lav, pretty busy, aren't you! Have fun with the boys. It is amazing to me how I change my thoughts, purposefully, and my mood changes. This morning I started to thing about the yard project, the uncertainty of when it will be completed, having to ask for a day off, etc., and started feeling upset, then decided, I am going to believe that it is all working out for the best (it will too) and maybe having a day off I can clean some closets and my frig. You know, get a few things done as long as I have to be at home. It worked, I feel better. Same situation, just choosing to think about it differently. What Kuya was talking about with the Principles or whatever that was.

Pauly, hope you are having a good week.

Happy hump day!