w/c 4th

[treegirl]

Re: w/c 4th

Evening all --

Home, and with HB as well! Whew, that was a whirlwind. Now must go off to a presentation this evening, despite the driving rain. What possessed me to join the board of this organization? You would think that I would learn...

Lav, so sorry to hear of grandson's arm... thank heavens your son was around. Did you get your allergy answers today? It will be interesting to hear. I am looking at the instapot as well for a holiday gift for myself... it sounds like it is key for cooking veggies and taking care of the lectins.

Pauly, so good to hear from you! I love hearing about your grandkids!

PPQP, what's on for dinner tonight? I purchased food from a market in Grand Central - I knew I would have no time or inclination to get stuff ready, and there is a marvelous fish bar there.

SK, what adorable antics from your cats, except for the closet escapade, sorry about that... we lived with scorpions in the desert - I was never bitten, but HB was, and it was painful. Watch out!

Det, I think PPQ gave you very good advice - reach outand get a safety net around you. Good luck!!! You will make a great comeback.

Mick, glad to hear that Bonnie is keeping you in line! Good luck with the glasses - the progressives take some time to get used to, but they eventually work. I too need to see the eye doc, it's been over 2 years.

When I was at Grand Central today, I happened to be there when there was an Armistice Day presentation... a bagpipe group, presentation of colors, a lone trumpet playing taps in that huge space, it was so moving. I stood behind several of New Yorks Finest and was moved by all that this country is going through - first responders, populace, military, all the wars that have gone before. Lots to think about...

Wishing all a good night, where we honor our hearts and souls and take great care with ourselves.

[porqoui]

Re: w/c 4th

MAE ALL...

Mick...great pics, they are so cute together. I think they bring out the best in each other. Has Julie started packing yet? LOL I had cataract surgery on the eye I have iritis in. They remove the old lens with the cataracts on it and put in a new one. You can decide what vision you want, most go for distance but I went for near as I like to read in bed without glasses. There really was nothing to the operation and basically no down time. It was a lovely day today and going to continue to improve. Yup, the fact that the insta pot can also slow cook sold me. I'll be checking them out.

Pauly...the air fryer you're talking about makes me think of a frying pot that you just put a drop of oil in and then it spins while it cooks. Is that the same thing? I've been thinking of getting one of those as I like homemade french fries but not the deep frying.

SK...so the scented litter was the culprit eh. Hard lesson to learn. I had been thinking of replacing my crock pot and you can get some pretty cheap ones but I want the ability to cook other things so the insta pot may be it. ....as soon as she sees the piece of nail fly off, she runs to chase it. :rotlf: You've got a couple of characters there as well.

Tgirl...it's perogies and cabbage rolls for dinner tonight. Our Christmas Craft Sale started at 3pm today and with having Ukrainian caterers what else would you expect. Too bad you had to head out to a presentation tonight it sounds like you could use some down time, especially if HB is home!

Lav...will check back later to see how the results turned out.

Det...hope you are feeling better, let us know that you're ok.

Need to vent....we have run our Christmas Craft Sale for 30+ years. I was in charge of it for 6 years. We run it as a 2 day event, Fri 3-8pm and Sat 10am-3pm. We supply tea/coffee and Tim Bits for the vendors, our Girl Guides run a concession and we have carols playing during the sale. Vendors are supposed to set up from 1-3 but as the room is ready to go by at least 11am I always let the early birds in. Would help clear the vendor cars out of the parking lot before the sale starts. Program Coord would not let them into the hall till 1pm so a lot of them hauled there stuff up the stairs and overloaded the lobby, big fire hazard there. At 2:40 vendors asked where the tea/coffee timbits are and she said they'll be available at 3pm. What! Wait until the sale starts and then make the vendors leave their tables! I asked her about the Christmas Carols and she said we're not having music as there were too many complaints last year. Bullshit! I was there last year. The real reason is she can't figure out how to run the DVD player. So when the sale started I said to the boss, you don't need me to hang around do you? He said no I don't think so. I said good because I feel I should just not be here. He said why, have they started complaining already? I said yup and there's nothing I can say to them. We used to get 1,000 people a day come through my craft sales and I'd be surprised if we got 800 for both days last year. Boss said ya the numbers were down last year and I said the fact that she disallowed food/baking probably had something to do with. No baking or preserves at a craft fair, WTF....ok rant over, thanks for listening.

Have a great evening all....:smile:PPQP

[Determinator]

Re: w/c 4th

weak and very shaky here but pulling it together. day 2 I think. bronchitis is better too. first day eating in a long time.
thank you all for the encouragement. on the phone with the facility getting remote help as I'm going to be able to do this
at home. I've started applying for jobs in the addiction treatment field even though it's a huge change for me. i know it would
help me, i just know it. at least I had a pretty good span before this lapse and it wasn't my worst thankfully. I know why I stumbled
and it was a combo of things. I need to work on being a happier person in general. I fake it pretty well but rarely really laugh and
i don't think it's normal, or good for me.

much love to all

[Lavande]

Re: w/c 4th

Good evening folks,

Cold temps & heavy rain today - not fun for driving.
So far it turns out I am allergic to nickel, potassium dichromate & diazolidinyl urea & more areas are still developing so I have to go back Monday for another look. These chemical things are in just about every household product we use from cleaners to shampoo, cosmetics, sunscreen.....you name it. AND, just to make matters worse I used a new eye cream last night (hoping to repair the last of the previous allergic damage) & I reacted to that!!! I can't win. I thought it would be a safe product to use because it's made by the same company that makes the soap I was told to use 'CeraVe'. UGH!!! This is not life threatening stuff,, just a big pain in the A$$, ha ha!

Went to see my grandson when I got home this afternoon, he's OK. He has a long arm temporary cast on now & will get the hard cast on next week. He was running around the house playing with some neighbor kids, as usual, LOL

Mick, even with new glasses I still don't feel like I'm seeing quite right. Is this an age thing or what? I don't know.
Good luck with your garage tomorrow, sounds like fun.
These razor scooters are all the rage but they (obviously) are too hard to control for 7 year olds

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00009V2LU?tag=amz-mkt-edg-us-20&ascsubtag=1ba00-01000-org00-win10-other-nomod-us000-pcomp-feature-pcomp-wm-4&ref=aa_pcomp_ptui1

Pauly, I personally think the kids should be wearing helmets when they are on these scooters too just like when they are on bikes. It all depends on the parents, obviously. My daughter makes my granddaughter wear her helmet, my son gave up trying to make the boys wear theirs. I don't know.

PQ, that's a real shame about your craft show! They are big attractions this time of year & can draw in lots of people & $$. I remember the part about the baking being disallowed last year, ridiculous. I hope the perogies draw them in this weekend
This is the Instant Pot I got last Christmas. I has a lot of features & I'm using most of them. You can buy them with fewer features for a bit less this year.

https://www.amazon.com/Instant-Pot-Ultra-Programmable-Sterilizer/dp/B06Y1MP2PY/ref=sr_1_4?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1541814507&sr=8-4&keywords=Instant+pot

Look them over & think about what features you would use the most I fell in love with mine once I got over the fear of using it the first time or two.

SK, your story about the cats using the closet for a toilet brought back some memories, ha ha! Our last house was old, built in 1919. We knew we had a lot of work to do to restore it but that was OK. We found a closet in the downstairs hallway that smelled like cat pee. It was so bad we had to tear down the plaster & replace the wood flooring in the closet. Apparently the former owner's cat used that closet for a toilet for decades LOL. Now that we know kittens don't like scented litter it's plain stuff forevermore!!!

Cyn, glad you survived your whirlwind week! You are truly a woman on the move.
I love the way the IP handles veggies & everything else. You should give it a try, a nice gift for yourself.

Det, glad you checked in & glad you are recovering.
Being happy is a choice we all have to make each & every day. We can't just sit back & wait to feel happy, we have to work at it non-stop! I have read this over & over & I am now a believer. I think you would do great working in the rehab field. Nothing wrong with starting something new. Keep yourself well!

Wishing everyone a nice night!
Lav

[porqoui]

Re: w/c 4th

Det...so glad to see your post, I was a little concerned when you said "worried". You definitely were in the right facility being able to have remote help and I'm so glad you called them. I too thought of working in the addiction treatment field when I went through my 3 month rehab. Being able to bear my soul, fears, anxieties, hopes and dreams to my councilor and the total non judgmental support I received made me feel that I was worth being me. I wanted to be that non judgmental support for the next me that walked in. May be a huge change for you but maybe the best change you make. I struggle to be a happier person too. As many have told me I can choose to be happy, but I still haven't got that yet. I spent many years faking it and crying on the inside. I'm working on it and listen to all the advice that's given to me. I have learned to stop my "stinking thinking" (wanting a drink) which I hugely attribute to Mick. Seven years ago he suggested to make a pro/con list before deciding to drink. I truly believe that when you write things down it makes a connection to your subconscious, you know, where the "stinking thinking" happens. Then when shit happened and I was usually pissed off my first thought would be F this I'm going to get pissed (not just drink) and sitting outside the liquor store I would think of Mick's pro/con list. And that was all it took for me to see there was no pro. I have used the mental pro/con list in my day to day living ever since. You have had a lot to deal with and have made mega positive progress. Don't let this derail you. You will laugh again. :heartbeat:

[Mick]

Re: w/c 4th

morning all...how are we today then?all good I hope ..we had one heck of a storm last night but it seems to have eased off..pretty cold tho...tomorrow is remembrance Sunday,as a good few of you know ,I pen together every year some words as a mark of my respect .the number of people who have asked to share copy etc this years one has been unbelievable..It has even been typed out and put on a war memorial ,next to someones grandfather ,which is wow!
A really interesting post..happy??is there such a thing ?a very hard word to define..Im not happy ,I never will be ,simply because I cannot work it out ...content ,contented ,satisfied ,enjoying life ,safe ,secure ..I can accept them as descriptives...we have heard the phrase "happy drunk"...also she is a happy person...so how can you link those 2 phrases with the one word?there you go food for thought !

ok brew time ...

hiya ppqp ...firstly ..thank you for your kind thoughts..the list definitely works ,as you know ,..Interesting ..choose to be happy?meaning ?do you not think it would better to phrase it .."choosing to enjoy life?"that way you can alter bits and pices to fit ..for instance ..you aint happy because of the no baking at the craft fair ...which is mad btw!!so does that mean if there was baking you would be a happy person?doubt it ..but it would mean you were satisfied ,content and enjoying it more ..hard to put down in words but I know what I mean (even if everyone else doesnt !!)so crock pot on the go eh? go for it!hope you have a good weekend ..oh as for the packing ...just before this I got asked to get the cases out of the loft...I just dont fancy the idea of anyone near my eyes ...(the cataract job)

hiya Lav ..hows you then ?wow thats some allergy list ...I was looking at it ,and Julieis similar ..she cannot use anything scented soap ,cosmetics or otherwise ,washing powder etc ...she uses "Simple" soap..she is also allergic to tropical fruit .glad the grandson is ok and still bouncing around .hows your weather today?heres an autumnal brew...have a good day.

hiya Det ..how are you doing today?hope you are better ...glad you are getting the remote help ...next time ...(which Im sure there wont be)try the list method ,it does work but to do it you must do it properly ..remember feeling like needing a drink is like surfing a wave ,and eventually you get over it ...happy to send you the details or anyone else ,its nothing special ,just dont want to bore anyone ..
secondly you said you need to concentrate on making yourself happier ..I note happier and not happy ..which denotes to me that you alreandy have some enjoyment and satsifaction out of life ,and you scrambling to get out of the pit of despair..again break it down into little bits and work on it ..ie am I enjoying life ..no why not...no friends interests finance ,...break it down into an action plan kind of thing

Lack of friends....go out ,chat to folk ,any local clubs I can join,internet ,anyone local to me.....?
Interests ...what do I like ? cooking, foods, photography,out in the countryside.......any clubs with similar interests ,any one on internet any groups ,any adverts in local papers etc?or even start your own ..
Finance ..lack of ...how can I make some extra cash? what must I pay bills wise?how can I live without going beyond my means ? turn that into a challenge...extra cash ? selling photos doing jobs ,advertise yourself etc

this is just an example ,by the way but it would be good ...there is a lot of self satisfaction in creativity ,even if you had the money ! thats just my thoughts though mate ..main thing is address the issues that got you back boozing ..

evenin treegirl hows you then? how did the meeting go ?was it worth the rain..strange isnt it ..that the poppy is mostly worn by the Commonwealth of GB countries after being inspired by the poem In Flanders Fields..and yet the wearing of them is attributed to Moina Micheal an American..I thin in The USA you wear them on Memorial Day?
Yes those 2 are getting on brilliantly ,I really do have some fun with them..

hiya Pauly Im with you on the chrimbo thing ...there are 12days of Christmas ....and none of them are in November!!!hope you are well..

big hello to everyone else..

Just bought my Christmas Tree from the market and the man said if i gave it plenty of light and water he would even and come and take it away for me come February! What a great deal and nice young man he was!!

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[paulywogg]

Re: w/c 4th

Mae everybody,Lav interesting list,is it done or is there more to test for? Mick,I nearly fell over when I seen the inflated Christmas tree outside of Walmart yesterday,,we haven't even had thanksgiving and I'm tired of it being glossy over so I bought some leggings with pumpkins and leaves to wear on the day,plus I have FALL decor up NOT Christmas stuff haha,I don't know if anybody can relate or if I'm just crazy but yes a drink urge is like a wave,sometimes I can survive it out,,,ok,,yet sometimes I almost feel like I'm in a black out when I get a hard urge,I get shaky,my stomach hurts,I feel dizzy and I almost am in a daze when I go to buy the beer,not quite sure what's happening during those unfortunate times,something mental?biological?craziness? Who knows,,PQ,I don't think you add oil to this fryer,think it's just air? Maybe like the Nuwave oven from a few years ago,just hafta wait and see,much love to all and wishes for a fantastico BF Saturday!

[SKendall]

Re: w/c 4th

G'day.

Cyn, that sounded very moving what occurred at Grand Central, I love occasions like that. In Burlington, ON one year a "shopper" broke ot into accapella Chritmas sons and others joind in - they were pros but well coordinated and such a wonderful surprise. Christmas is now, and has been a profiteering occassion. Marketing and materialism has killed the spirit.

I know that people don't practice Christianity like they used to. Scandanavians have kept it pretty small and it's geared for kids. Vivian only knows coming down to a load of gifts. Last year she and I painted rocks as paperweights for her parents. She is clearly a giver an couldn't wait to give those gifts jumping up and down while they unwrapped them. My SIL saw that immediately also. Viv came to me later and said DD just put it on a shelf out of the way.

When I lived in Victoria, it was nicely done, but now, it's just Amazon. The homes here are decorated to the hilt.

Lav, wow to the allergies. I use CerVe too. I have gone to mainly chemical free cleaning, vinegar, and water cleans Glass and floors, borax cleans bathtubs and much more. I use the site from J Jilly (I think) and she is
natural everything. She does use essential oils though. I would be greatly deprived if fragrance wasn't in my life - I love it. Did you have these reactions when you were younger? Glad g/son is better.

Det, please heed Micki's advice and start breaking things down. I think you overwhelm yourself with trying to fix it all at once, and choose happiness like Lav did. Don't forget we are your support also.

Mick. thanks for the pics. I don't know your facebook name.

Yesterday I was having lunch - soup and a buttered rolls. I was carrying it in on a tray and set it down on a tv tray. I went back to kitchen for juice and heard a big crash, Misty had gone for the buttered roll and sent said lunch flying. This a.m. everything that could get knocked over did. I need to put my apt. in the washing machine.

Going to see how they react to Roomba today!

Pauly, I agree about the razor scooters.

PQ, Glad you shared your rant with us. Obviously, the Program Coordinator has no clue how to coordinate! That was frustrating at best. Maybe people will complain and she will listen.

[porqoui]

Re: w/c 4th

MAE ALL...aah the freedom of not working the craft sale for the first time in 9 years!

Mick...Wow! What an honor! You must feel pretty chuffed. Care to share this year's words with us? I know I'd love to read it. "choosing to enjoy life" I like that, for some reason it takes the pressure off of trying to be happy. Your words made perfect sense to me. :hug: I think it's funny Julie asked you to get the cases out of the loft. I hear you about the eyes, I don't have any problems with people poking around in mine, probably because of all the years dealing with iritis. My SIL can deal with just about anything, except anything to do with the eye, she faints. As far as the tree, February!!

Pauly...I agree with you about not wanting Christmas decorations etc. so soon. Most stores here have agreed to wait until at least after our Memorial Day, tomorrow, but good old Walmart has their festive offerings already out. I think the whole world needs to slow down and think about what's really important, just saying.

Got a notice from the management company saying they are doing mandatory fireplace inspections starting next week. Been living here for 13 years and have never had a fire. Going to have to move all the crap away from the front of it so they can find it. LOL At least it'll give me another day off work as there time line is similar to Mick's cooker repair man.

Have a Super Sober Saturday all, I am enjoying my life today....:smile:PPQP

[porqoui]

Re: w/c 4th

X-Post SK...never a dull moment with those two around. If you figure out how to get your apartment into the washing machine please share as mine needs the same. I'm not really quite sure what the pro-cord can do except draw lines on paper and then charge overtime when she gets her husband to do the computer part of her work. I just try to put it out of my mind being secure in knowing what I am capable of offering to the association and knowing that the association is aware and grateful of my work....:smile:PPQP

[Mick]

Re: w/c 4th

heres the poem Iwrote ...apologies to those who have seen it

Every year I try and write a poem with regards to the armistice and the memory of those who gave.I appreciate that this is the 100th anniversary,but for me that pales into insignificance in comparison to remembering those who went before...despite those who think it is about glorifying war..Not so it is about the sacrifice that was made by simple souls ...not politicians. thank you
In memory

Remembrance Sunday, what is it for,
Respect for the fallen, or glorifying war?
Remembering the crippled, the limbless, the blind,
The love and the families, lives left behind.

Torn bleeding bodies, gassed, trampled in mud,
Minds twisted and screaming, blinded with blood,
When does it finish, when will it pass,
I’m scared in this hell, please don’t let it last.

The horror now over, the guns they are mute,
Their barrels blown open or dipped in salute,
Confused wounded soldiers, now left on their own,
Their hopes and their prayers, let us go home.

Four years of horror, destruction and strife,
Smashed bodies and minds trying to rebuild their life
The fighting now done, but the nightmares are there ,
Each waking moment, full of fear and despair.

Remembering the fallen, or glorifying war,
Their sacrifices given, their lives no more,
This was the cost for the lives we accept,
The least we can do is to show them respect.

[porqoui]

Re: w/c 4th

Thanks Mick....

[Determinator]

Re: w/c 4th

checking in with much thanks to all. I've been reaching out for mega-support all over the world and it's been amazing.
the sobriety communities are wonderful. Mick, lists made. many of them... oh my. I'm getting this very organized too, my
ex wife wouldn't believe it for one sec.
Lav, what is the name of the happiness book? I have 2 books coming but a good one is precious.
so very tired from lack of sleep but relieved to be getting stronger and putting my aF backpack right back on to stay on the
trail with you all.
be well loves

[Determinator]

Re: w/c 4th

Mick, I just reread and saw you wrote that poem. my word mate.. tears in my eyes.

[Lavande]

Re: w/c 4th

Good evening Abbers,

Grandsons just went home after a rather raucous few hours, ha ha!
Apparently a broken arm doesn’t slow down a 7 year old too much, geez! If I had broken my arm in two places on Thursday afternoon I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be bouncung off the walls today, geez! Do these kids not feel pain?

Mick, that tree looks kinda illegal to me, Lol
As far as the allergy stuff goes, this is kinda new to me. I hsve had minor reactions to certain things over the course of my lifetime but nothing this severe. I really don’t use harsh cleaners or questionable personal care products. I have pretty much used the same stuff for years & years.
I think it’s a matter of my immune system overreacting really, typical side effect of aging. I’ll just have to be even more aware of what I use from now on or pay the price.

Pauly, be like me & ignore all the holiday propaganda until the proper time. We have two Late November birthdays to get thru before I even consider dragg8ng out Christmas decs.
I’m not really sure about more allergy testing. I was fairly certain that my problem was chemical related. Some of these weird chemicals can also pop up in our food & water supply too so......

SK, you & those cats, ha ha!!! They need a full time keeper!
I think sharing holiday traditions with the grandchildren is wonderful regardless of what their parents choose to do. Viv will have fond memories of rock painting with you & that’s special.
I have no tolerance for people wearing cheap perfumes. I have had to run out of closed places like church & theaters coughing my head off when exposed to that stuff. I had a hard time going into a little pool supply shop to buy stuf for our pool (at our former house). The chlorine smell was overwhelming, just about knocked me out. Anything I use around the house has to be quite mild.

It’s suddenly very cold & windy here - supposedly a cold front from Canada. Thanks PQ, ha ha!!!
Glad you are enjoying your craft fair free weekend
We usevour fireplace all the time & really should have someone look at ours. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Det, thinking of you & really hope you are doing OK.
We are all here for you, don’t ever forget that.

Cyn, I guess you are getting this cold rush of air as well. Stay warm!!

Have a nice night everyone.
Just heard that a total of 25 people have died in the two CA fires this week. Horrible situation.

Lav