~cattleman cafe~ & another 24...

[Ginger999]

The man is still missing. The search continues this morning. It is now a recovery mission, not rescue. They were out jeeping and thought they could make it across. So avoidable.

ABC, good plan on the doors. You're ready when the weather is.

Jude, when I volunteered at our humane society, I struggled with wanting to take the critters home every time I worked. You're strong!

No booze for our t-day. Only two of our group embib so we will be in good company.

Hi to everyone on this fine Tuesday! I'll take another day of freedom.

[dill]

Ginger, I'm glad my day with gdaughter evoked sweet memories for you. She is our first and only granddaughter, so she is very special to me. No, her mother is not in her life. It is a sad story of addiction that started with prescription pain pills for both of them (son and DIL), and even though she tried several times to go through rehab, she just couldn't seize that golden ring. She had mental health issues beyond just the addiction as well. It is heart-wrenching to this day if I allow myself to dwell on it. My son was also addicted and at the same time. It was awful. He came to me one day and came clean and said he needed to be able to go to a rehab if he was going to have any hope at all. It was a long road for all of us, and to be honest, I don't know if we ever get off of it. But we are so grateful for him and for his continued recovery.

Rava, I have never seen the croissant bread at our Aldi's but I'll keep an eye out. And I'm sure you'll enjoy Thanksgiving much more without wine pulling you off balance! Stay strong. I have no real desire to drink on family holiday's anymore. I have had enough of them to know they are a very positive experience, much more enjoyable than if I have booze available. My battle remains the nasty pull of drinking by myself at home. There's nothing social about my drinking anymore.

Cowboy, It's really hard to find a small turkey so I got right on it when they first put them out. I think they go fast! In the past we have tried going with just a turkey breast but Mr. D really misses the drumsticks when we do that.

Jude, not takiing any cats home would definitely be hard! How is Peanut doing? (I'm not sure if that's the right name.)

Think I'll make the cranberry sauce today. Tomorrow, the pumpkin pie!

24 for all of us here, please and thank you.

[Jude58]

Ginger, that's really sad about the missing person who tried to cross deep water. A little common sense would have saved his life.

Dill, I didn't realize that in the past your son was addicted to prescription drugs. I'm so glad that he was able to get help and is staying clean.

Sounds like everyone has a plan for staying sober this Thanksgiving. Mr. J and I are staying home for the holiday so resisting temptation shouldn't be a problem.

Waves to all!

24 more please...

[dill]

Jude, I know you didn't know about my son's struggles because I never mentioned it here before. I am still not really sure I should have mentioned it even now. Not an easy subject. Enjoy your peaceful Thanksgiving. It sounds wonderful!

24 more for all of us here, please and thank you.

[abcowboy]

5:17am in Alberta, I'll have another 24 please, and thanks...

In the last 24 hours, these friends have joined in for 24 hours of wellness:
Jude58 Rava Ginger999 dill

Today is going to be a darn good day not to drink!

[abcowboy]

I imagine it's not an easy past to remember dill, but you should be proud of your son for changing his life around and raising his kids as a single dad, that couldn't have been easy either.

We tried those turkey breasts as well Ginger, but I still prefer a full turkey. That way I get to make my turkey and rice soup!

Sounds like y'all have your Thanksgivings all planned out, now just to enjoy all that great food once it's done being prepared.

[Ginger999]

Dill, thank you for sharing. We had a very similar situation with our middle son and his daughter. Unfortunately, mom was around and reeked havoc for granddaughter her whole young life. It would have been better for gdaughter if she hadn't been.

Waves all. I'll take another!

[Rava]

Good morning Cafe. Dill, thanks for sharing about your son. This group is a good support system and we are anonymous so that makes sharing easier. I want to say that your grandaughter is a lucky girl to have you and Mr. D. In her life. You are lucky to have her as well. I hope everyone that celebrates tomorrow will have a great one. When it comes to Thanksgiving I need a whole turkey because I am one of those people that love bones. LOL. Drumsticks, wings, neck, I love it all. Pure redneck here. Made the stuffing last night so most of the cooking is done. Bob Evan’s sells the best original mashed potatoes. I will be putting them in my bowl and they are just as good as the real thing. Maybe better. Hope everyone has a great day. No drinking for me today. Waves to everyone!

[Jude58]

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! We are having our 102 year old friend and neighbor for dinner. She usually goes to her daughters for the holiday but everyone in the house is sick so she will be spending the day with us.

Dill, I agree with cowboy that you should be proud of your son for overcoming his addiction. Not an easy task as we all know.

Peanut is doing well and sometimes allows me to pet her, albeit grudgingly. She was born feral and still has a lot of those instincts that keep her from trusting me fully, but she has come a long way since we first took her in.

Hope that everyone has a terrific booze free day!

24 more please...

[abcowboy]

5:14am in Alberta, 24 more please, and thanks...

In the last 24 hours, these friends have joined in for 24 hours of wellness:
Jude58 dill Ginger999 Rava

Today is going to be a darn good day not to drink!

[abcowboy]

[dill]

Happy Thanksgiving, Cafe Friends! And thank you for the lovely greeting, Cowboy. It's really beautiful. And I am definitely proud that our son did what it took to remain a good parent and positive role model for the kids.

Thank you all for your positive, supportive comments. I truly appreciate them. Rest assured, we are very proud of our son for admitting that he needed help and for him going forward with it. It was a long process, and we know how very difficult it was for him. I know he wanted to help his x to get on her feet as well, but unfortunately, she never truly committed, and he didn't have the strength to be around her and his x bil who were both actively using when our son was trying to get and stay clean. It was such a dark time for our family, but not a time without hope. That helped a lot. At one point the courts got involved and we didn't have to take full custody of the kids, but we had to take temporary custody. It was during that time that the x lost her parental rights until she could demonstrate that she was clean. If she ever did, we do not know.

Rava, I had to laugh when you said you have to have the bones and all the gizzards and such and referred to yourself as a redneck. I also like to have the bones. After Thanksgiving is over I always pick the bird clean as we can and then cook the bones in the crockpot to get them completely clean. We use the broth for soup or to add protein to Lily's food at her mealtime. My mom always used the gizzards and neck to make giblet gravy, but I was never a fan. I usually boil that for Lily, too.

Jude, thanks for the update on Peanut. Things are definitely moving in the right direction. It's early days still, but one day she will be fully accepting of you.

Ginger, I hear you on the pitfalls of having the mom around wreaking havoc. We had many an awful scene back in the day. She wasn't a good role model by any stretch.

Well, back to the kitchen duty! 24 more for all of us here, please and thank you.

[Rava]

Good afternoon Cafe. Happy Thanksgiving to those celebrating. Dill I know we will be enjoying bones later! Thats my favorite part when all is done and cleaned up, i like to pick some bones. Lol. I guess is similar to picking crabs for me. Hope everyone has an enjoyable day without booze. 24 more please and thank you.