Daring December

[paulywogg]

That's great news Cyn

[Lavande]

Is it really 10:30 pm?
Honestly, time flies!!!
We went to see the holiday show at my granddaughter's school, so cute. I never knew there were so many different songs about snowflakes, ha ha!! Traffic seems to be getting intense, even in mid-day, ugh.
It was a brisk 12 degrees here this morning, yikes. Tonight we are getting ice & snow, not something that thrills me.

Star, glad you are enjoying your new phone. I think I am due for an upgrade pretty soon myself. Anything that is easier to see is a plus
I haven't seen my grandsons since Thanksgiving either, I miss them. You get used to things being one way then boom, it suddenly changes. Trying to roll with the punches here because I refuse to let anything get me down again.

Dill, hope your volunteer day was a good one!

Pauly, enjoy whatever kids you have handy, right?
I feel like I have grown a lot over these past 8 years since becoming a grandparent & finally giving up the addictions once & for all. It took my stubbornness to help get me to where I am now. I guess I had the power all along, just didn't always remember that.

Cyn, I'm glad you are in touch with LBH too, she's wonderful!
Good news that your husband had a successful trip, hope you can relax now.
Boy, with your awesome organizational skills you should be able to do quite a bit to help out that family! What a great opportunity to share the love

I just read about a house fire not too far from here, a total loss. That person/family is going to need a lot of help so I will see what we can offer. Why do these things always seem to happen around the holidays? Heartbreaking!

Hello to Liz, how are you?

Wishing everyone a peaceful & warm night. I hoe this ice storm doesn't mean a loss of power, ugh.

Lav

[Snoopy56]

Good morning...

How about this: Everything is better with soup! Haha. Making soup will be on the schedule this weekend. Today, exercise, laundry, cleaning, then shopping. My husband has to go out with work so I will be on my own till at least 8 pm, lots of time to get things done and then after shopping, relax. Yay! It is going to rain today, then overnight freeze, so I am sure the ice will be a problem tomorrow. That's winter.

Lav, I am determined to never let anything get me down again to the point of drinking and ruining my life. Some facts about getting older, sometimes you get lonely. Since this is a fact, it is important to have lots of things you like to do, including posting on MWO. Our kids have their own lives and that is as it should be, (I wish I could see them more) but I can find plenty to do, as you do. Being happy is a choice to a large extent, what we decide to focus on, take action to do. I get to choose every day to be positive and have a good day. Let's do it.

Cyn, glad your husband is on his way home too. I am going low key on the food piece, a few parties at work and the sugary carb loaded food gave me stomach upset, so will rein it in at home. I am going to meditate and do yoga every day now till after the new year and see how I feel. I wondered if you had kept up your practice?

Pauly, of course you love your kids, you are a great Mom, we all want to be involved in our kids lives and for things to go well. What great tip, lucky you!!!!! Are you having both Christmas Eve and Day at your house? What kinds of food do you prepare? Just trying to get some new ideas.

Dill, hope your day went well.

Hello to Lizann.

Have a great AF Saturday.

[dill]

Hello friends, it looks like my mood is finally lifting! I hope it continues and I hope you all stay happy and well too!

I love the crockpot for chuck roasts. The other day I took a 2 lb chuck roast out of the freezer, coated it with a little salt, pepper and 1/4 cup flour, then placed it on top of carrots, onion, potatoes in the cockpot, still frozen solid. I put in a lipton onion soup packet and poured in a cup or more of water. Mr. D checked on it midday and pushed it down into the liquid. It came out perfectly! Falling apart tender in a smooth stew like broth. Yum! Mr. D was in heaven.

Star, things do change as we get older. Loneliness comes with the territory and we have to actively work to keep busy and connected. I am sorry it's been so long since you've been with your grandson. Things should get back to a more normal schedule after the holidays, eh? I downloaded the audio version of Winter Solstice yesterday and will start listening today. I'm sure I will like it. The only other Pilcher book I have read is The Shell Seekers. I liked that one very much.

Lav, I feel like we have all grown a lot over these past 8 years! It's true that we still need to learn and grow at every stage in life. I'm so glad we all came together here and turned our lives toward the light. Songs about snowflakes, eh? Sounds like fun!

Cyn, yes, you are right that going to my volunteer job is good for my mood. Putting a smile on my face to greet others works to help turn my mood to the positive! I'm very happy that Mr. Tree is safe and sound and hopefully home now. And, next time you communicate with LBH, tell her I miss her and think of her fondly!

Liz, do you have a good corn chowder recipe? I've been asked to bring a corn dish to a gathering. I am thinking about scalloped corn, or corn pudding.

Pauly, too bad the guy that posted that it's better to just be done and move on was given flack by other people posting! Everybody has their own way of quitting and his is a very valid one. It worked for Lav! I think it makes absolute sense. Keeping the door open just prolongs the process of getting free. Take it from me! Anyway, do you post on several forums? Years ago I posted on rational recovery, but I found two forums to be too much for me.

Granddaughter will be here today. Yay! I wish I had the patience to bake cookies with her, but I know that I just don't. At least not other than drop cookies. That I can handle. But I want to make some spritz and rolled sugar cookies. I'll have to give her just a little more growing time before I plunge into that. Let's all have a good, AF weekend!

[Lizann]

Love the long posts and how you all include everyone in your posts! I am just getting to know you all so forgive me for not commenting on everything!

Tree girl (Cyn?). What a lovely thing to do for that family. We did that for a family who came here from Kenya. They received a lot if help and support but dare I say we did too. They're friendship is priceless!

The corn chowder was delicious. Perfect for the cold snap we are in the midst of!
Currently snowing here. Two to four inches predicted. Figures I have to go to the dentist, ugh!

Pauly, I do believe I am the same with my grown children. I try to take a step back and I am very conscious that they're adults but they're still my kids. Kind of a weird place to be.

So I don't think I have mentioned this here, but I have had a very eventful few days. DH and son were away skiing in Colorado for the week. They got back last night. Thursday as I was driving home from food shopping my SIL texted me which is very unusual. He said Erin (my daughter) had gone to the drug store to pick up some Gatorade.. She had been up all night with a stomach virus. She passed out in the store. They called an ambulance and took her to the ER. SIL works two hours away so of course I'm going to the hospital. That's the call no one ever wants to get. How I got to the hospital is a miracle in itself. Erin did text me while I was in the car and that was good. The ambulance was just getting to the hospital when I got there. She looked ok. It's a long story but she was very dehydrated from the stomach virus and then she says"this is not the way I wanted you to find out, but I'm pregnant"! WHAT? At this point I don't even know how I was still standing. How's that for some excitement? She is 13 weeks along. She is fine and baby is fine. They are having a little Christmas party next Friday with his family and ours and will announce it then. I didn't tell my husband or son about any of this, and I will not. I am not good at keeping secrets. I am just so excited and had to share our secret!
Happy Saturday guys! Hope it's a good one!

[paulywogg]

Morning friends, Lav,I'm glad you had a great time at your granddaughters little program, so cute Star,I go easy on Christmas day, ham,cheesy mashed potatoes, Mac and cheese, all easy to cook but too heavy, after this that's it,I'm getting tired of heavy food,Dill,I made a roast on Monday, it was nice and tender love my crock pot ,I post and read on soberrecovey sometimes, I joined in Oct of last year but I'm not really into it,it's too big to keep up with, very pro-AA,can't talk about supplements or meds,can't cuss haha,I did have a group of people who had also quit in Oct of last year and we had a good connection but they all decided to start drinking again and left,I'm not assuming they went drinking, they posted it beforehand, now I mostly just read there when its quiet here and I have down time,Cyn,they were talking about how magical NYC is at Christmas time I would love to go just once, I've rambled enough, wishing us all a peaceful AF Saturday

[Lavande]

Good evening friends!

Liz, CONGRATS to you & your family
Will this be the first grandchild? How exciting for you!!

Pauly, I see 'cheese' a lot in your menus, ha ha! Try dropping the cheese dishes & replace with something non-dairy. You will automatically lighten up the meal, honestly

Dill, I was just thinking last evening that I miss my oldest grandson the most. He's the one who sparked my desire to quit for good. I'm used to having him help me make cookies, he's pretty good in the kitchen. Enjoy your granddaughter time, make a mess!!!!

Star, I repeat that sentiment to YB all the time - happiness is a choice. It doesn't come naturally to him nor did it for his brother who killed himself two years ago. I am still trying to introduce him to the concept of gratitude as well. How can someone live 64 years & not understand gratitude? This is why I am so determined NOT to fall in with his chronic depressive thinking again! Never again!!!

Cyn, I hope you had a good day today!

Well, I was up at 3:30 am with my dog & it was just starting to sleet. I woke up to a thick coating of ice on everything around here. Too slippery out to even walk to the chicken house, ha ha! It did a little melting & now it's refreezing of course.
There was a terrible 55 car pile up on I-95 in Baltimore, just south of here. Two people lost their lives, sad.

Wishing everyone a warm & peaceful night!
Lav

[Snoopy56]

Good morning, on the Sunday before Christmas!

Up early, had a good day yesterday, shopping in the afternoon, then again in the evening with my husband. I got two new coats, have not bought a new one for around 8-10 years, it was needed. You know how sometimes you go shopping and you find what you need, right size, price, etc., well it happened to me. Yay.

Lav, the weather was rainy and cold, last night turning to sleet, snow and ice, lovely, and they don't salt the roads here, so it will be slippery. Sunday and I will stay in till later in the morning. Sorry you are missing your grandsons, that hurts. It is amazing that you were able to turn your depression around, especially living with negativity. Our life really is a result of what we choose to think and focus on. Let's fill our lives with love, light and compassion.

Dill, great idea to listen to the book via audio, hope you enjoy. Glad your blue mood has lifted. I think faking it till making was the boost you needed. I have been missing my parents, grandparents, and other deceased relatives lately, I think it is just that memories come as we prepare for Christmas and celebration. I am grateful I have lovely memories. Have fun with your granddaughter!

Pauly, I like to read other sober recovery sights, but not post, just not enough time in the day. I am feeling good this time about being AF, when thoughts come, and believe me they do, I am taking time to see if I am hungry or tired, then usually eating and drinking something. I find it usually happens after work, and I have to get through the craving, then I am OK. Of course I am always OK the next morning, grateful as can be to have slept well, not feel sick, etc. Tomorrow will be four months and I it seems longer for some reason, but all good. How are you doing on your journey, if you want to share. Have a good one.

Lizann, what a thing to happen to your daughter, how exciting to discover she is pregnant! Having grown children is a delicate dance at times. I want to be there, but not to enable or irritate them. Sometimes I am successful, sometimes not. Haha.

Cyn, hope you are doing well. To all, have a lovely AF Sunday.

[dill]

Hello All,

Star, I started listening yesterday and find it very pleasant. Just the right escape for me! Congrats on your 4 months. I think the perception of time is a strange things. Good thing we have calendars to keep us straight!

Liz, Congrats! What a wonderful secret! I wonder how you'll keep it. That would be difficult!

Pauly, Thanks for the feedback about Sober Recovery and your feelings about it. As far as AA, I think it's really great. I just haven't joined it myself. Meetings out in the country are sparse and I never wanted to be known by my family or friends to be a member of AA! I have kept my drinking pretty secret over the years and going to AA would be letting the cat out of the bag!

Cyn, hello. Not much going on here as far as light goes. All clouds and wind and cold. This too shall pass. Hope you are well!

Lav, yes I well remember EB being your motivation....apart from your own internal desire to be a better, more healthy person. I am sure you do miss him! How old is he now? I'm sorry DIL is so difficult.

Grandkids are still here and may be here another night due to weather. If so, we will have a very early morning Monday in order to get them to school on time. I promised we would make home made play doh today. Thinking about baker's clay instead. We'll see. Fun!

[Lizann]

Dill, homemade playdoh, how fun. The weather here yesterday was pretty bad. The roads are slick. My DH thinks it's no big deal as he just returned from Colorado where they really have snow!

Lav, I don't know the situation with your family exactly although I have been reading about some of it. How sad to be at odds for the holidays. Hoping it all works out in your favor, somehow.

Snoopy, I love when that happens. You've got to get it when you find them. Most times I am looking for something, I can't find it. I bought "winter" shoes on clearance last spring. While I hated that I couldn't use them for months and they just took up space it turned out to be a great thing now!

So I helped my DH and son shovel snow yesterday and I'm feeling it today. I do love a good work out though. Afterwards we went to see the latest Stars Wars movie. It was a fun afternoon. Then we stopped by Erin's (my daughter). She is still not feeling well. She says she feels worse now than she did the first three months! Of course I worry about her. We brought over some soup and just kept her company. Her hubby had a company party to attend. Now I'm looking at my DH and son and wondering, how the heck could you not know? It's so obvious, but they seem clueless. It's still a secret.
Well off to church for me and then a holiday lunch for work.
Wishing us all a great AF Sunday!

[treegirl]

Morning all - good luck all with this crazy weather... the 6 inches of beautiful snow that fell yesterday is now being reduced to smoosh' by rain... they say to expect thunder and lightening this afternoon!

Sorry to be away yesterday, it was crazy. On Friday, the dog sitter offered to come stay overnight so that I could get down to NYC before all the snow hit. Bless her! So I did a quick re-group and got myself on an evening train, arriving at the apartment jus t about the same time as HB. Yesterday was packing up, cleaning the apartment (the landlady is coming there to stay over xmas), seeing my dear cousin and barely making the train home. We arrived to a completely snow-encased car, and were lucky to get out of the parking lot! But we got home safe and sound. The Pack is back together!

Liz - what amazing news! Congrats! I'll be sending you strength to keep your secret.

Lav - 8 years, wow. I remember when first grandson was just a little tyke. Your fierce determination to stay positive, strong, alive , and a great role-model for your kids and grandkids has been a great model for us all. Thanks for doing the heavy lifting!! Good luck with YB, I know he has always been difficult around the holidays. Sorry about the boys, that's hard.

Pauly - how is Louie coping with the run-up to the holidays? I hope that you have easy and happy customers this week... and Kell too.

Dill - I have a wonderful corn casserole recipe from my Mom... it's super easy and delicious. It's always on our holiday menus. I'll post the recipe later for you.

Star - the holidays really bring everything up, don't they? Good job on your self-care during this time, and cherish those 4 months! I have started having all my meals (yes, even breakfast) with candlelight - I am lighting a separate candle for each person that I am missing, it really helps me.

Wishing all a good AF Sunday - be careful out there!

[paulywogg]

Morning friends, Cyn,that sounds lovely lighting a candle with each meal, peaceful and calm,Star,my journey is moving along, trust me if I were drinking I'd either be whining about it on here or do my dissapearing act,Dill,I'm not a fan of AA at all,works for some and maybe if I lived somewhere else I'd go but the meetings I went to here creeped me out,there were only a handful of people who didn't look/act like they just got outta prison haha,I think it's just the neighborhood I went to and of course there's other sides of town but I just don't think I'd take it seriously enough to go,I'm just being honest, Lav,I'm sorry you're missing the boys,makes me sad cuz I know if I don't see Lou for one day I feel sad Liz,maybe she's having a boy,I swear I was so bleeding sick with Brady for what felt like forever, couldn't eat,couldn't stand the smell of meat for some reason? The girls I sailed through but him whew! I'm still so excited that I almost told these ladies, that's how awful I am with secrets about happy news wishing us al a wonderful AF Sunday

[Lizann]

Pauly, funny how your pregnancys were different. Mine, I was sick with all three! The only difference with the boy was that I was very um, how do I put this delicately, much more amourous.

Love the idea of lighting the candles Cyn. We have an advent wreath and light one candle the four Sundays before Christmas, today we light the fourth candle.

[Lavande]

Good evening friends!

Well, we watched all of yesterday's ice melt today as the temp hit 60!! Dropping back to 23 or something tonight ~ crazy!!!! Can anyone say 'sinus headache?' Ha ha!!!

Star, sounds like the perfect coat sale, very nice.
Be careful out there on untreated roads!

Dill, EB just turned 8 right after Thanksgiving. He's the man
Nice you are enjoying grandkid time, sounds good!

Cyn, so no more NYC trips for a while? You certainly deserve a break
Maybe you & your pack can hunker down for the next few months.
I am hoping for a lighter/brighter YB this holiday season. He realizes that we have both been thru a lot these past few months.
He has a doc appointment tomorrow & asked me to go along because I am better at communicating & telling the truth, ha ha! We will be meeting up with our daughter & son-in-law afterwards for lunch to celebrate my birthday. Yep, another birthday, ho hum.

Pauly, stick with us here & on FB, we will support you any way we can.
I understand about those AA meetings & wouldn't go either. Most of those people you see are court ordered to be there, I wouldn't be comfortable myself. Louie looked happy at the mall

Liz, I love family holiday traditions, sounds like you do as well.
My DIL had some sort of mental freak out back in early September, we haven't seen or heard from her since. She decided (for no reason) that we are no longer friends. OK, so now what? I'm trying to figure this thing out but not really getting anywhere. One thing for sure is that I/we didn't do anything wrong.

Wishing everyone a peaceful & warm night!
Lav

[Lizann]

Lav, thanks for explaining. I'm sure you have tried to smooth things over. Maybe time will fix this. How sad to have dissention, especially during the holidays.