Genuine January, 2016

[Lavande]

Good Thursday morning friends

Feels balmy out at 30 degrees after the past few cold days.
I am at my granddaughter's house. Had a quick & relatively easy 55 minute commute.

Hope you have a great day Star, Dill, Pauly & Cyn!
Love the AF life!!!

Lav

[dill]

Hello All,

Pauly, that is awful that people used twitter to attack Carrie Fischer like that! Twitter is a sewer full of slime balls, IMO. I thought she looked really good! I did wonder about her voice quality tho. I guess I focus on such things due to my training as a speech therapist! LOL But anyway, her voice was quite husky and I wondered if she had abused it with smoking or something.

Lav, the af life brings so many benefits! Hope you have fun with your granddaughter today.

Star, I have been reading C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity. He is of course most well known for the Chronicles of Narnia, but he has written several other books. This one includes transcripts from radio talks that he gave on the BBC in London during the dark days of the 2nd World War. That, and a memoir by Pete Hamill called A Drinking Life. I think you would like the memoir. Hamill grew up in NYC in the 40's also during the second world war. It is about his relationship with alcohol as a result of his early experience and his descent into alcoholism as an adult.

Cyn, I hope you are feeling much better today after yesterdays adjustments! Mmmm, the red lentil soup sounded so good to me! I think I have some lentil soup in my very near future!

Have a great day everyonef!

[treegirl]

Morning all -

Lav -- 55 minutes each way... that is Dedication! Lucky kids. Are they working on finding a place for her in Day Care, or is this a semi-permanent solution? I'm sure that gdaughter doesn't want this plan to change!

Dill - I am lucky that our little store has wonderful packaged red lentils. The package would look perfect in a middle-eastern market; it has the recipe on the back of the bag, and I do it exactly as they recommend. So simple - wash the lentils, put in with 8 cups water or broth, simmer 30 minutes, add turmeric/cumin/paprika, saute one onion, put it in at the end - simmer 5 more minutes - juice one lemon and put in at the end. Serve with yogurt dollop. Yum! I had 2 bowls last night, it was so comforting!

Pauly - hope all is well with you. Is Kell looking for a new place? I hope she finds a great place to be.

Star - I'm with you on the lights. Mine will stay up good and long - we need them for January! But I did take down the rest of the decorations. It felt good to get those boxes put away... it was starting to feel kind of cluttered. We'll take our tree down tomorrow, when HB comes home from his trip away. We put it up really late, so I'm not tired of it yet!

Hope all have a great AF day... I'm still pretty sore, but better. Last night stayed up late making a 'rack' card for my business. I got it ordered during the online-printer's sale, so that was progress! To the light, all --

[SnoopyC]

Good morning all...

Still have my tree up! Will have to take it down this weekend. My house does not feel cluttered, due to the high ceilings and I just don't have alot of stuff, after moving and getting rid of so much. It is ok, I kept what I wanted. I am going back and forth with my emotions, mostly feeling at peace regarding my friend. She was so sick for the last few years, it was painful for her. But, I miss her. Darn.

Lav, my daughter lives that far too. I drive that regularly, and last summer for an entire week. It was worth it too. Hope you had fun!

Dill, thanks for the recommendations on the books. I know about CS Lewis as a great Christian writer but have not actually read his stuff. The Peter Hamil book sounds good too! They are going on my list.

Cyn, I have a great recipe for Turkish Lentil soup that I just love. It is so filling and delicious. My recipe calls for garlic cloves and onion sauteed, then adding the red lentils and a cut up sweet potato, broth, spices and finally putting it in a blender, then with lemon juice. Wow, so good and it has to be healthy. Soup will get us through the winter. I really need the lights too, especially this year. How do you get over or through the feelings for such a close friend? Whew, it is so hard. With parents gone, moving, now good friend's passing, the world just feels so lonely at times.

Hey Pauly, hope our week is going well.

Off to work and to start my weekend.

[Lavande]

Good morning friends,

Happy Friday to all!
The sun has disappeared & some rain will be moving in later, oh well. At least it won't be as cold.
I did have fun yesterday, had some nice girl time

Cyn, my granddaughter is enjoying her new daycare/preschool but it is only three days/week. They are hoping a spot opens up in a five day class so until then, I am happy to help out.

Star, I think I understand feeling abandoned by oldest friends & relatives. There just seems to be no one left fom the past. I suppose that's why I focus so much on the younger generations. They are here & they are my family now.
I hope you have a good day & a good weekend!

Hello to Dill & Pauly!
Let's all have a great AF day. Inam heading back to Curves then bsck here to finish up tge big job I've been working on all week

Lav

[treegirl]

Morning all -

Star - glad you are noticing all of your feelings, and taking care of yourself. How do you get through it? Just the way you are... I am sorry for the loneliness... take care.

Lav - hope you got home OK yesterday. At least here no big snow yet. (I wish we had a little though!)

Dill - CS Lewis also wrote about his love for an American woman that he corresponded with - maybe 'The Screwtape Letters'? They ended up being married just as she was about to pass away - it was a very dark time for him that caused him to question his faith. I saw an excellent movie portraying it, years ago; maybe it is still out there.

Pauly - hope you are hangin' in out there in NV!

HB coming home today. I'm cooking for dogs and cleaning up, putting away. He took a redeye flight, poor guy. Sending him energy for the 2 1/2 hour drive home.

Will check in later ---

[paulywogg]

Morning friends,everyone sounds positive its been raining off and on all week here,I realize how much I appreciate the sun did a YouTube meditation for sleep last night,my body felt so heavy,seemed to work though but I turned it off before I knocked out cuz I didn't want to have ear buds in all night,somehow slept so deep I took my fitbit off and don't remember doing it,I wear it 24/7 so when I woke up to got to the bathroom I was like huh?found it in my bed haha,also I'm burning a lavender scentsy in my room,that smell is supposed to have relaxing powers, I've been walking like a mad woman and for the last 2 nights been doing 100 reps with the thighmaster,remember those? Suzaane Somers? I found it at the thrift shop a few years ago and am now putting it to use instead of letting Louie hit stuff with it haha,day off today,not sure what's up but will figure it out,hello to all and I hope we all have an easy Friday

[dill]

Hello AF friends, I'm running around like a chicken with it's head cut off today getting ready for my daughter's visit. She and her hb and son will arrive this evening. I'm so excited!

Sorry I don't have time for posting today, and I'm not sure about the next couple of days. I'll try to pop in tho.

I hope you all have a peaceful af Friday evening.

[SnoopyC]

Good morning...

Didn't sleep too well last night. Going to exercise and do a few things around the house. Hope you all have a great day.

[treegirl]

Morning all -

excuse typos, please - i am writing without glasses -- HB is still sleeping and all 3 pair of glasses are in the bedroom! Pauly - good for you for being proactive for your sleep - hope it continues to help! Star - sorry about your night... i also woke up around 4 and was awake for awhile - can't think of a reason. Dill - have fun with family! Lav - glad you had good girl time. What you wrote to Star is a good reminder to cherish family, and also to take time with friends now, while we are all well and able to be together.

We're off to SD's this morning, taking her a rug and some 'super =immunity soup' -- she has a mild case of pneumonia! But she went into work this week all but 1 day, sheesh. Anyway, it will be a lot of driving and a quick visit to check in on her...

Wishing all a great AF day --

[Lavande]

Good Saturday morning friends!

We have a light rain but it's above freezing so I won't complain too much.
I need to spend the day inside anyway cleaning & finishing up the job I've been working on all week.

Dill, I hope you have a wonderful visit with your daughter & her family

Pauly, sounds like you had yourself a good sleep - nice!!

Star, I haven't sleep decently myself for quite a while. I guess it's time to change up routines again. Hope your day is OK.

Cyn, you did pretty well being glasses-free, ha ha!!
I can't do much without mine anymore.
I hope SD feels better very soon. I believe in the power of soup & plan to roast a chicken today & use the bones for a pot of bone broth - yum.

Wishing everyone a wonderful AF day!

Lav

[paulywogg]

Morning friends,maybe my insomnia is spreading to you guys too,feeling meh these last couple of days my mood is up,down,up,jeez,hormone hell I guess,I hope everyone has a nice Saturday

[SnoopyC]

Good morning...

Woke up bright and early and have time to talk.

Lav, sounds like you are enjoying family and your work. Also, Curves is a big part of your life. I did work out yesterday, again, and really enjoyed it. Then my son drove down and we found him an apartment. He is going to live in the same city as us, looking for a job, now that he graduated. It will be a new adventure for him and I know he will find a great job. It is so hard to move in winter, but when your lease always comes up then, you have to go. Last year I was moving at this time. We woke up to snow this morning, but just two or three inches. However, it was after tons of rain, turned to ice so I am sure it is treacherous outside. Wonder if snow is coming your way?

Dill, have a great time with your daughter!

Cyn, chicken soup always helps me feel better with a cold, flu, or anything. I am making turkey soup again today with the left overs from Thanksgiving that I froze. Looking forward to it. Your poor SD, but I know work does not want you to stay home even if sick. Not helpful. The snow is so beautiful this morning, when the sun rises it will be really beautiful. Lots to do today, take Christmas tree down, plan meals for week, go to home and garden show later this afternoon and work out too. Whew, we'll see what I can get done.

Pauly, hope you slept better, I took a nap yesterday after we got home from apartment shopping, and it helped after my restless night. I have been purposefully looking for things to be grateful for, and it has helped my mood after the loss of my friend. I have so much to do in my life, she left alot unfinished due to her unexpected passing. I have been thinking alot about that lately. Purpose and my value to others. Any thoughts?

Hope you all have a great Sunday!

[treegirl]

Morning all!

Rain rain rain here today, and windy. It would have been a blizzard if it had been snow! However, I would be happy if there were a couple of sweet inches of snow -- makes it all cheery to look at here in the country. Rain in January seems strange, but whatever!

After a few nights of really deep sleep, I too am having light-sleeping issues. So many changes in our household, people coming and going. I think the dogs and I will do better with a little stability! I hope everyone gets to their 'happy sleep' place.

Star - wow, your son is moving to your town! This is certainly a new chapter - congrats to him, and best wishes on the job search.

Pauly - hope you can find a way to deal with those hormones, gal. It seems like it's making things a little difficult for you.

Dill - I know you are having a wonderful time with your daughter and family - enjoy!

Star - I think bringing peacefulness into our own lives and then spreading it to others is about the most perfect purpose there could be! I am trying to build that into my life, but I'm finding lots of roadblocks. As you say, Gratitude is a key element - thanks for the reminder. A friend that lives close here and I are joining together to do the 8-week practice of Mindfulness-Based-Stress-Reduction started by Jon Kabat-Zinn. I've always admired him, but never read 'Full Catastrophe Living', and am doing that now - it's eye-opening in a lot of ways. I look forward to actually committing to the 'practice' of 45 minutes a day. A big commitment for me... I'll let you know!

To the light, all!

[Lavande]

Good Sunday morning friends!

Dark & raining here as well at a balmy 57 degrees, weird!
Tomorrow starts a week of cold weather & probably a few flurries, haven't seen even one flurry yet.

We didn't win the Powerball drawing last night so the jackpot goes up to at least $1.3 BILLION for Wednesday's drawing. Just imagine that
Money can't buy happiness but it would sure would eliminate a few worries.

Pauly, how did you sleep? Any better?
I think the rain helped me a little bit last night.

Star, that's great news about your son. I hope he finds a job real soon.
My purpose in life has always been about serving others in one way or another. I was not able to do much of anything when I fell into my depressive/drinking mode. That made me feel even sadder. I remain eternally grateful that I was able to move past all that & find myself once again. I know now that I have to take care of myself first - lesson learned!

Cyn, be careful what you wish for, ha ha!!
A touch of snow is nice to see makes getting around a lot more difficult.

I had all three grandkids here yesterday, it was totally unplanned but fun. Today I will try to get to the things I wanted to do yesterday before the invasion.

Dill, I hope you are having a great visit with your daughter & grandson.

Have a great AF day everyone!

Lav