December Determination ~ AF

[ladybirdheart]

Good going all, walking down the sober street. I have been working all day on some renovations in Lord Bird Heart’s study which is also where we have our television, and I am off for a hot, hot bath. I love hearing about the Christmas preparations and anticipations, and Lil, your visiting young ladies are in for such a lovely time. I have a complicated work assignment tomorrow and after I finish up it will be my turn to join all of you in making everything seasonal. I went to my first holiday party last night which was so alcohol oriented it was even in the title of the event (the signature drink involving seventeen or eighteen syllables in German). I actually loved the fact that I was not drinking more than anything else at the party, how curious is that. Hope this post finds everybody well (and Red getting better). Cuckoo, I have had insomnia at the drop of a hat since I was a little child so getting off the sauce has me awake much of the time. If it is any consolation, when you are awake I am too, looking at the same night sky. It is far better than being all alone with the alcohol induced night terrors. Cute kid Mr. Asp. You are doing so well SD and I agree, who cares why we don't drink at this point as long as it works! Hi Cyn, Lav, Kimber, Pea, Finding, Mighty, Tylyr, Sooty et.al. Hi Dill. Hi Sheri. Love, Ladybird.

[redhibiscus]

Finally starting to feel a bit better....stayed in yesterday, had to cancel plans so am doing a bit of catch up on this thread. Sheri, thanks for the links, both full of great information. I have a liver cleansing diet book that recommends drinking water with lemon first thing in the morning. I am going to start that again.

LBH, great that you attended a party and with the focus on drinking, stayed AF.

I have a Christmas party on Friday, for work, but there will be no booze there. I think it is a good policy to have work parties AF. There is never any drama and no one makes a fool of himself. I can think of a couple of my husband's work parties that were out of control. He always told me, "I'm at work," when we attended those events.

Did a little Christmas shopping today, we will have to stick to a strict budget this year, but that 's OK. Love the food, decorations, music and of course the religious meaning of the season. I love the Advent wreath at church and the incense. It remind me of my childhood when I was immersed in it.

I am reading a great book, Touching Spirit, about a spiritual healer's personal journey of healing. Sounds like everyone is doing well, another week of AF. We can do this.

[Lavande]

Good Sunday evening friends,

Dill, we still have snow left out there - I'm shocked! It was just enough to be pretty & put you in the Holiday spirit

SD, yo're doing great! When you talk to your Doc about Amoryn, don't be suprised if you receive a vague look! Most Docs are not fans of herbal remedies.......I personally don't care about that. All I know is that I prefer them if they do the job & don't cause me any ill effects. Some of the younger Docs have a more open minded attitude!

MM, glad you are back with us! Stay close, we are determined!

Aspman, ute = utility vehicle? Just a wild guess

Red, glad you are on the mend! It's no fun being sick this time of year.............

LBH, you sound good, that makes me happy!! Don't go getting involved with too much work now - it's time for decorating

Had my son, DIL & grandson here for dinner - always good to see them together. My son's work schedule is so encompassing sometimes we don't see him for weeks at a time.

Well, time to call it a day, wishin everyone a cozy evening!

[aspman]

hi Lav, yep a ute is aussie shortness for utilite. a smallish 1 ton truck.
is now surpless to requirements as i cant put the bub in it for 8yrs( no kids in front seats over here)
and the misses dont drive yet.

[lilmea]

Happy Monday to One and All,

Aspman-When is your little girl due? Was it April? Have you picked out a name yet? What an exciting time for you. Enjoy it because it does go fast.

Lav-I woke up to snow this morning. Yesterday I dried a bed quilt outside on the cloths line. I probably won't be doing that again for awhile.

Red-I am glad you are feeling better. I think af Christmas parties are a very good idea. I've only had one place where I worked that did that though. The owner was a recovering alcoholic.

LHB-Congratulations on getting through your first party af! You are sounding not just strong but happy.

Cyn-I love your idea of a 'Saving Grace' folder. How do you print just sections? I haven't figured that out yet.

Cuckoo-Soon now you will be sleeping much better. Just keep that in mind. Exercise helps get the sleep pattern back in sink. Hang in there. You know it will get better.

Sheri-How much lemon do you put in how much water? Do you use fresh lemons or concentrate? I didn't realize you shouldn't leave the rid in for very long. That's why I asked about the concentrate.

Dill-Have you got snow where you are yet? My youngest is flying in from Fla to Dayton to visit other grandma and then driving over here. I really hope we don't get a lot of snow for a couple of weeks.

Hello to Kimber, Chops, Pea, Finding, MM, SD, Tylyr, and Sooty. Hope I haven't missed anyone.

I was going to get my grocery shopping done early, early this morning to avoid the holiday shoppers. But think I will wait until they get the roads cleared a little bit.

Everyone have a wonderful af Monday.

[dill]

"When you get in a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though
you could not hold on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and
time that the tide will turn."--Harriet Beecher Stowe

"When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."
--Franklin D. Roosevelt

I just couldn't choose between these two, so I posted both.

Had the grandson over yesterday and had fun playing, then shopping after I dropped him off at home. I picked up a lights and sound Tonka fire engine for him for Christmas!

In the crock pot, nothing exotic, just a hot chili. Mmm.

Sounds like everyone is doing well. Let's keep it up!

Lav and Lil, no snow here, yet, but it has been plenty cold!

[Lavande]

Moring Determinators!

Brr......waking up to 25 degrees this morning!

Dill, I think Ms. Stowe's deescription is closer to the way I way feeling about a year ago..........don't ever want to feel that low again!!

Have work to get to then babysitting this afternoon/evening.

Need more coffee
Have a great day everyone!

[PhoenixRising]

Hi everyone. We still have snow on the ground, but I don't think it will last long. More nast weather on the way this week.

I had an ok week - 3 AF days, one light beer day (1 beer) and 3 wine days (bottle). So, better than the week before, but not as good as I had hoped.

-P.

[sdlovespackers]

Good Monday Morning Everyone!!

And might I add (((brrrr)))) -1 wind chill here...dang, why are we always so freakin cold here?!!? Some of you may remember from last year this is a common complaint of mine for the next 6 months or longer as this is as warm as it gets for a long time Which makes recess so SUCKIE!! And all those poor little kids that lick their chapped lips and get that red circle all around their mouth...aww yes and don't forget the playground bully that dares kids to stick their tongues to anything metal!! The joys of winter!!

Well thank you everyone for the cyber "high fives" and way to gos...I really appreciate it!! I think everyone sounds like they are doing so well and are very determined in making this month a great one!!! Having such a supportive group with common goals is so helpful!!!!!

Well I better go get to work...I'll check back in later and I hope everyone has a WONDERFUL MONDAY!!!! Stay WARM!!!
SD

[cyntree]

Happy Monday all - thanks for the HBS quote, Dill: great reminder for when the December 'cravy voices' start to pick up speed.

LBH - you do sound strong AND happy - an inspiration!

Lil - here is how I printed just sections: select the area you want to print (left click and drag), then right click on the highlighted area and a bunch of options show up. Select 'print', then when the print dialog box comes up, be sure to click the button next to 'print selected', rather than leave it on the default 'print all'. Hope it works for you. There's probably an easier way, but this worked for me!

I'm off with Mr Tree on a short R&R visit to a beautiful area close by, supposedly filled with special energy that the Native Americans held sacred. Bringing my Epsom salts so I can take a lot of cleansing baths, and hoping to sink ever deeper into AF bliss. I'll try to check in with you when I can....oh, yes, I am of course taking my Saving Grace folder - it's filled with inspiration from you all, so I'll be sending it right back at you through the ether.

Wishing all a beautiful day - hope the storms don't catch you -