November Knowing

[Snoopy56]

Good morning to all...

I chose November Knowing so that we can take this month and reflect on where we were, how we got here and where we may want to go. I've had a few people, both young and old, tell me that they feel an unrest, changes, in the environment, and find that interesting. It may be a good idea to think about all of the above.

So, Halloween was lovely, a little lonely despite the Trick or Treaters, but my son stopped by and then we watched a few spooky movies and it was fun. So, now November and all the changes in the weather, eventually. Today high 70s crazy.

Lav, again, sending you support, hope your day is good.

Cyn, hope your sleep gets better after the time change. I am always ready, I could sleep another hour but will not like it getting darker earlier. Time to get out the fall pillows and blankets!

Pauly, hope you are feeling better and sleep comes easily. That 7 layer dip sounds good, better than all the candy I ate.

Have a great AF Tuesday.

[treegirl]

Rabbit Rabbit!

Star- what a spot-on perfect name. Good job! I do think that autumn and winter gives us extra time for reflection (although it is very different in the desert, right Pauly? Now you can finally go outside!). At any rate, I feel called to a deeper Knowing in my path right now, so it works for me, thanks.

Lav - of course you thank the chickens, that's no surprise! I think that most people on MWO have gratitude and thanks in their life -- we know what we've lost, and we know what we've found, and we are grateful. When I read that passage in the book, it was a good reminder for me personally, and also I was so impressed that a culture could revolve around that idea of grateful partnership with the earth. On your family front, what a wonderful place to reach out to - those strong women. I hope they can sprinkle some Light on the situation, and also bring you some peace at the same time.

Pauly - oh dear, what a situation with Michele... sending you extra strength as all this unfolds. Is Kell feeling OK?

I forgot to mention that on Sunday night my dear neighbor and I went to a Sound Meditation. It was singing bowls and gongs, tiny bells, and I don't know what all. About 12 of us were in this small space - and art studio in real life. We could sit or lie down, and he had us start with deep breathing. The he went into this orchestration of unbelievable sounds, for nearly an hour. It was amazing! This guy personally experienced solace and growth the first time he had a session, and eventually quit his day job, bought all his own 'instruments', started a retreat center here in New England, and does this sound therapy (also drumming, which I would love to get into). I can't say that I had any particular life insights during the meditation, but the sound of those gongs and bells will remain with me for a long time. Then I read that Sunday night was the Scorpio New Moon, which is starting a very powerful phase for us all. So, watch out!! Maybe our Knowing will take us places that we have not yet dreamed of.

Wishing all a wonderful AF month :heartbeat:, and a terrific Monday.

[paulywogg]

Morning friends, great name Star,thanks for the kick off last night was hectic cuz all 3 daughters are here with boyfriends in tow,was thinking that having 4 kids 3 of them girls is really hard cuz even though they're grown now,I still have to pay attention to each individual and they always think I love so and so more just like they did as kids,grrrr,Cyn, Kell is doing well, I had forgotten that you asked awhile back,I think her relationship with Louie's dad is so crappy that maybe she's a little relieved that things turned out the way they did,who knows, Michelle and her boyfriend are crashing here until they leave tonight, I'm detaching myself so I don't get worked up, there's nothing I can do anyways,glad you had a nice time at the meditation,sounds unique Lav,what did little granddaughter dress up as? Louie was a Ghostbuster and looked so cute, I was sad thinking that he's little and his "trick or treat" just sounded so cute and I'll never get to hearhim at 3 say it again so I definitely filed it in my mind,I keep having fleeting alcohol thoughts I don't want to drink but maybe I'm just so scared of my past behavior that it's hard to feel concrete if you know what I mean, gotta work on that,also I've let more dairy into my life and I think it's causing stomach probs,brain fog and moodiness,or maybe I'm just a witch with IBS haha,hope everyone has a peaceful AF Tuesday,(I miss Dill)

[Lavande]

Good evening friends,

Thanks for the great kick off Star & I truly hope we all grow & know more by the end of November
Little bit chilly here, nothing drastic. I just heard it's heading up to 80 again on Thursday followed immediately by another blast of cold air, storms, etc. Seems to be the new 'normal' these days.

Cyn, that sound meditation sounds awesome. I have some old CDs around here with sounds like that, I should go look for them.
My little girls handed over 6 of those tiny eggs today, ha ha! They're getting there, slowly but surely!

Pauly, DO NOT let those thoughts spend any time in your head!!!!
The minute you recognize them, send them on their way. You don't drink anymore, no way!!!
Dairy is being found to be more damaging to our systems than previously known. I know how it affects me so it's pretty easy to just say no. I hope everything works out OK for your girls. Louie looked cute in his costume

I made dairy free baked risotto for dinner - one of my favs (YB loves it too)
Creamy Dairy-Free Baked Risotto (Italian-Style)
Easy to make & wonderful to eat. Yes, I posted the link on Facebook too, LOL
Make a salad and/or some roasted broccoli to go along like I did, yum.

Wishing everyone a peaceful night.
Hi there Dill!

Lav

[Snoopy56]

Good morning...

Glad you like the name of the month. I am feeling so good being 73 days AF and thinking about alot.

Cyn, I have been to a crystal bowl sound meditation and it was amazing. I felt the sounds and vibrations flowing through me, very relaxing. How cool that the facilitator had the courage to go full time with his dream. Your neighbor sounds really great, hope you get to go to more of those meditations.

Pauly, you are doing so well, hope the drinking thoughts are not allowed to take over. If I get them now, and I have from time to time, I immediately think of the last time I drank, the GSR, physical illness and how it is just not doing anything for me anymore. It is fantasy to think that drinking is fun, relaxing, or good in any way for me. Right now my job is challenging and I am meeting that challenge. I shudder to think how I would be managing if drinking. My kids probably talk smack about me too, I do the best I can and I know you do too. Nice to have them all around.

Lav, how cool to be getting eggs again. I bet it is beautiful in your area. So lovely here yesterday I got home and took a half hour walk, it felt soft, smelled of fall, and was wonderful. I checked out that recipe, looks amazing, thanks for sharing.

Have a great AF Hump Day!!!

[treegirl]

Morning all -

Pauly - sounds busy at your house! Great job detaching from Michelle's trip - it's great to hear you taking care of yourself in that way. As for drinking thoughts just say 'no thanks' to that old part of the brain that is acting up... it does not control you! I'm glad to hear Kell is OK - what a sweet story about you 'memorizing' the sound of Louie's 'trick or treat', really lovely. I haven't done most dairy for awhile now, and I can say it definitely affects brain fog and emotions. Remember that they say the 'gut' is the 'second brain'! Good luck with all of that.

Lav - I love to hear about the chickens. It must increase the sense of connection to where our food comes from! I wish I could have just one or two, but my dogs would probably have them for dinner, and we have a really active fox family here, so I guess not for me. How is the greenhouse doing? Any plans for over-wintering things? I just moved most of my plants indoors. I'm wondering whether to try to keep the geraniums going.... they are so cheery... or to try to do cuttings and overwinter them in the basement. That didn't work last year, so I'm not sure... maybe I'll do half and half!

Star- what a nice description of the autumn air. It's warm here today - like Lav said, unseasonably warm, then crash into cold once again. I don't have a client until Friday, so I have been racing around using the good weather to finish up winterizing activities. Today it will be to enclose the screen porch in it's plastic shell once again. Not an easy job alone, but at least it won't be windy and cold! So glad to hear that your job is challenging in a good way, and that you are still feeling the great benefits of the AF life. Amazing that you have been to a crystal bowl meditation! Sometimes I imagine that the vibes are still circulating around... and I think that I'm breaking through a block that has been holding me back in my business, having to do with a project I'm trying to start. So maybe the sound waves helped!

Happy AF Hump Day to all (Here's to you, Sooty!) And hello to Dill - I hope you are well ---

[paulywogg]

Morning friends, Michelle left last night on a bus at 1am! Dunno why they didn't fly? I'm sure she'll be ok but I still worry, then Portland daughter leaves today and I hafta drive them to the airport and that place gives me anxiety oh well I'll get through, have a bit of grouchiness running through my veins this morning, think it's just too much going on and I can't believe it's time for the holidays again! Lav,I do think that the dairy is causing something cuz I used to avoid milk like the plague and was using almond milk but decided to give real milk a shot and like I said it makes me feel weird, Cyn,that sounds really positive about the meditation still vibrating within you Star, I don't want the turmoil of drinking either,it's gross and NEVER what I imagine it's gonna be but then I still let myself talk me into it, why? I'm just sorting this stuff out,wishing I could get my mojo back from last year when I absolutely knew without a doubt that I was done,I think I just make it too hard ,I over think everything, everyday,I read this blog and she sends emails everyday and in one it said try different, not harder but I don't know what to do different? I don't like AA,I didn't like the counselor I had but yet I've been at this for awhile, meh,this is too deep for the morning haha,I'm just focused on a AF day for today, right? I hope we all have a great Wednesday

[Lavande]

Good evening friends,

It took me most of the morning to shake a seriously crappy mood, ha ha! I was fine when I went to bed but I think 4 am outings with this old dog are wearing me down. Actually this is the first time she's had me up at night for a few weeks.
We spent an hour & a half sitting with a financial planner this afternoon. It was really much less painful than I thought it would be. We will be meeting this young genius next Wednesday to see his recommendations for us. It's time to make our money work for us

Star, great job on 73 days! Whatever you do keep that going - you're on a roll!
80 degrees here again tomorrow then we should be back to seasonal temps. I did get a few windows washed & some screens stored away today.

Cyn, are there zoning regs where you live? My daughter lives in a city like borough in her county but they actually allow people to have a few hens, no roosters. I could probably move an elephant into my backyard & no one around here would give a hoot, ha ha! Maybe you could have just a few girls in one of those cute little hen houses like you see on Facebook

Pauly, years ago (when YB did his walking out act) I had a choice to make. I could sit around worrying & crying or I could accept the whole situation & believe that I was going to be OK.
We simply just do not have control over other people's behavior. Look at what is going on with my son right now. I am hurt & confused by his indifference but I am going to be fine. We owe it to ourselves to protect our boundaries & not let others throw us off track. Keep your focus on you & Louie & be grateful for his cute little face

Wishing everyone a peaceful night & I hope we all sleep really, really well!!!!

Lav

[Snoopy56]

Good morning...

Just a stop in, I woke up a little late, watched too much of the World Series and I am ready for the time to change, I need that extra hour of sleep.

Have a great AF day!!!!!

[treegirl]

Morning all -

Lav, I hope that you had a better night's sleep! Loss of sleep can definitely translate into a grumpy morning - I know that routine well! We are pretty much 'country' here - on well water, not the town water, with lots of small farms close at hand. There's actually already a tiny chicken coop here. But I can't imagine negotiating for a chicken-sitter as well as a dog sitter! I think it might just be too much with my traveling... If my life were up to me, I'd live here on this property, but in the big shed (converted to a tiny house and all solar powered), chickens, a goat, and a big garden. Bliss. No internet, by the way - I would go down to the library to post!

Pauly - often in the early months I would do '1 hour at a time'. And you know what, the craving never really even lasted an hour! Sometimes breaking the task down into small bits is easier. You can do this - hang in there!

Star - what an amazing game! I didn't watch, but I did check the score before I turned off the computer, and it was 5-1; even that was pretty amazing. Both teams are to be congratulated.

I'm a little unsteady this morning, as I got news first thing in my morning phone call to HB; a dear friend of ours is in a tough battle with breast cancer (for the second time). That really rocked my sense of the world -- and put things into perspective. Elections come and go, but life -- that's different. A good reminder to live each moment of every day, and celebrate all the good that you experience.

Wishing all a good AF Thursday...

[Lavande]

Good evening friends!

Star, I hope you had a good after a hectic start this morning!
I didn't watch any baseball, I have to be honest.

Cyn, does your local community have a Facebook page? We have one & I really think if I put out a request for a chicken sitter I could probably get one, ha ha.
I am very sorry about your friend, that is always so sad. No one deserves that diagnosis once let alone twice. Wishing her comfort :hug:
We really do owe it to ourselves to be happy with what we have.....there are no guarantees.

Pauly, what are you up to today?
Dill, hello if you are lurking.

Tomorrow is Friday already, 'twas a pretty quick week.
Wishing everyone a peaceful night!

Lav

[paulywogg]

It was a quick week Lav,I love what you said "We really need to be happy with what we have, there are no guarantees" work drama, kid drama, I got caught up in the middle and I should've kept my nose out of it! The scorpion and the frog analogy pretty much fits what I did Cyn,so sorry about your friend, I don't know what I'd do in that situation, it's very sad,my mom is coming down this weekend, I love her to bits you only get one mom but she's got laser cleaning beam eyes! If you guys remember I had this issue last year, hope everyone has a nice night

[Snoopy56]

Good morning all...

Up earlier again to day, I have to give a presentation at work so need to get there early. I don't normally have to do this, so feel a little nervous, will be glad when it is over. However, it is good to stretch myself and do something different.

Cyn, so sorry to hear about your friend, grief for me always starts with shock and denial, and I think there is an essence of grief in just hearing that news. Sending you strength and hope. Funny you should mention those tiny houses, they are so cute, easy to take care of, but no hang out space/living room. What would you do with a goat, out of curiosity? The chickens=eggs, but not sure about the goat. I could not live out in the country, visit yes, but I like to be close to things, have people about. I love my neighborhood, friendly but minding our own business. So far, pretty good neighbors. The weather here continues to be lovely.

Lav, we have a neighborhood FB page, I look at it but have not asked for help with anything, yet. You are not going to believe this, I just saw on TV that Santa is arriving today at a mall in the area. What the heck is going on? It is not even Thanksgiving. I am just going to ignore it and move on.

Pauly, hope you are doing well. I always say I won't get involved with my kids stuff but still worry/care. Sometimes you just can't help it! Hope they are safe and keep in touch. How are you doing with cravings? They come and go for me less and less, but I am trying to be really on guard and shut them down by remembering the truth, which for me is so UGLY. Any fun plans this weekend?

So happy it is Friday!!!!! I just need to get through this work day, and I will! Have a good AF day.

[treegirl]

Hi all - Quick post for me, I was up in the middle of the night with dog care, then also early this AM, so I took the opportunity to meditate and send healing to my friend, but then I fell back asleep, eek! Must run now to get things done before I meet with my client.

Lav - I am on the local FB page! Star - the goat would be for 'mowing' the lawn, and for goat's milk (which I can tolerate rather than cow's milk). Oh and maybe a sheep so I can make my own wool. Ha! Pauly - I remember last year when you cleaned, and it all went great! I'm sure that will happen again.

I have decided that the best thing I can do for my friend, long-distance, is just to keep dropping cards and pictures and texts and whatever to let her know that we are right there with her in spirit. She's told very few people, so we feel lucky to be in the 'support' party. I told her that I will meditate every day and send her white healing light. I really believe that it can help, so I'm doing it, and anything else I can think of. It is possible to beat a bad diagnosis, and she's a fighter above all.

Cherish every moment -- wishing all a great AF Friday --

[Lavande]

Good evening friends,

Boy did my mood ever sink today - what's up with that?
I decided to not force myself to do anything that I really didn't want to do today. I ended up in the kitchen cooking......somehow or another it made me feel better. I think maybe it's a combination of nearly 8 weeks of family drama combined with not great sleep & the shorter daylight hours doing a number on me. I didn't even feel like eating that much so I have a lot of leftovers including a pot of mushroom barley soup, ha ha!!

Star, I hope your presentation went well. I didn't mind doing them at the hospital because it was just basically talking to 7 or 8 people that I worked with everyday anyway - no one to impress
Good thing I did not run into Santa today, he would not have liked me much.

Pauly, your house is your home & your Mom is a guest. If she gets picky about stuff just tell her, in the nicest way possible to buzz off!
I make a gigantic point to keep comments & opinions to myself to avoid hurting my kid's feelings.

Cyn, YB's cousin just posted a FB request yesterday from a friend of hers looking to rehome 6 sheep! I wish I could have one or two but I have no where to house them - they wouldn't fit in the chicken house I'm afraid, ha ha!
A farmer on the end of my road has a huge flock, I love watching them serenely graze the fields. I could use a goat for poison ivy removal!!
I hope your friend is doing OK & that she keeps her fighting spirit strong.

Wishing everyone peace tonight!
Lav