Daring December

[Snoopy56]

Good morning everyone,

I was really enjoying Amazon prime and all the deliveries, then last night I checked out my FB and a neighbor or two had their stuff stolen off their porch. I noticed big footprints going up to my porch and no packages, so the bad people may have stolen from me. I feel really upset! My husband is home today so will watc out, but I am supposed to get my new phone today, delivered, it was put off a day, thank goodness. Can you believe some people are so horrible? They need to get a job and a life! Some made police reports so hopefully they won't come back or will be caught if they do. Geez.

Dill, sorry you are depressed, do you know what it is about? Take care.

Hey Pauly, hoep you feel better.

Lav, interesting what you are sensitive to, I do believe that food sensitivities can lower immune system response and cause illness.

Cyn, hope you are having a good day, don't work too hard. It is getting down in the single digits tonight, good night to stay in. No hot tub for me, I can't bear it.

Shout out to Liz.

Have a happy hump day.

[dill]

Hello All,

Star, OH MY! I do hope your packages were not stolen! I have been reading about the problem of packages being delivered and stolen and have been concerned. They had a news story on the TV about it showing footage from security cams. So upsetting! Can you have future packages delivered to your place of work? Or set up a post office box?

Lav, I can't believe you had a reaction to mushrooms! You love mushrooms! Maybe you can still eat some, just occasionally? I know what you mean about being lazy about cooking for yourself. When I am on my own, which isn't very often, I can't get motivated to cook. I believe if I lived alone I would be picking up dinner at the local store deli and salad bar. I would still use the crockpot tho because you can never have too much soup!

Cyn, it is bitter cold here with a blanket of snow. We had 6 inches yesterday with now wind. The snow is still clinging to the trees. It is gorgeous! With the full moon breaking thru last night the light outside was incredible. It was just like the blue sparkly night time snow scenes they have on Christmas cards! Awesome. I think your light display on the small trees will redeem you in the eyes of your neighbors! LOL You are the least Grinch-like person I know!

Liz, how are ya?

Pauly, I don't usually have the blues and when I do, they usually go away in a day or two. So, this prolonged period is really concerning. But as Lav says, the moods do pass. I'll have to hang on. In the mean time, I'll work on 'fakin it til I make it'! I am biting my tongue to keep from snapping Mr. D's head off. Other people I am simply avoiding. But I'm going to fake a good mood today to see if I can shift to a real good mood. I read somewhere that smiling, even if it is a conscious effort to smile, will bring about an elevation in mood. I'm going to be practicing today!! LOL

Happy AF Hump Day everyone!

[paulywogg]

Morning friends, Star,I hope your packages weren't stolen,I posted about being paranoid about that a couple of weeks ago I put a crate in front of my door and the mailman/UPS guys are good about putting the packages in there and covering it with the doormat,I hate thieves! Speaking of this, last night Kell called me upset,I guess there's this girl at her work that doesn't like her for some reason, anyways this girl text all of Kells coworkers saying that she stole $20 out of her purse and to keep an eye on their purses!! Kell was livid,I don't blame her,she said that girl was only in the shop briefly yesterday so even if Kell wanted to steal when would she have done it? Plus Kell works two jobs,she certainly isn't gonna jeopardize one over a measly $20,not sure what the chicks problem is, hairdressers are such catty people to work with, too much gossip,too much competing,just too much everything, anyways, Lav,I'd be sad if I was sensitive to mushrooms,apples I could live without,defo getting the test Cyn,glad you got your winterized stuff done,brrr,that just sounds cold! Dill,I'm the same with the blues,they usually pass in a few days but this is weird,it shall pass,dunno how I feel this morning except exhausted! Very restless sleep last night,had half a peanut butter sandwich right before bed cuz sometimes I sleep better with a little food in my tummy but last night was opposite, I'll get through, I hope we all have a wonderful AF(of course) Wednesday

[treegirl]

Hello all -
Star, how terrible if your things were stolen!!! I'm so sorry. glad it wasn't your phone... take care.

Pauly - how incredibly rude of Kelly's co-worker!! Twitter? I grow more and more to dislike it. I'm so sorry; I hope things get straightened out.

Greetings to Lav, Dill and Liz. I won't post more tonight - I am in a state of grief for so many things going on in the world. Aleppo, the crimes against humanity in so many places and so many ways...all I can do is try to send some light that might help someone, somewhere.

Be well and strong.

[Lavande]

Good evening friends!

Yep, it's chilly, down to 29 degrees & going lower with some ice/snow or something coming during the night.

Star, our phone deliveries always require a signature. I don't think Fed Ex or any delivery company would just leave them at the door. Same goes when we have computers delivered. You should be safe! The news has been full of stories about packages being ripped off, sad.

Dill, I can't ever think of an instance where I felt unwell after eating mushrooms & a lot of things that I tested positive for but who knows? I don't have them every day so I guess the frequency of consumption factors in there somewhere.
That 'fake it until you make it' theory has worked for me, over & over. That & really truly learning to detach from annoying people or situations that you have no control over helps too. Trust me :hug:

Pauly, I just wish for once that you & your girls were surrounded by better coworkers & in a less hostile environment. I just don't think I could keep putting myself back in that situation day after day. I know I mentioned this before but why don't you all think about retraining in a completely different area? Honestly, I would really give it some good consideration. You all deserve to be happier

Cyn, speaking of detaching....
The news is horrendous both international & in our own homeland. What can we really do to help? This makes me feel powerless but I am trying my best not to feel hopeless. There are still good people out there in the world & we can hope & pray they will prevail.
Be kind to yourself :hug:

Hello Liz, hope you are well!

Peace to everyone tonight & stay warm.
Lav

[Snoopy56]

Hey Friends,

Very cold here, 5 degrees, feels like -9, brrrrrr. I have an 9 o'clock meeting too. Driving, defintely, not walking.

Sorry so many are getting the winter blues. Update on the package stealing. Well, I guess this time I was spared, received my phone yesterday, it was Fedex and Lav, you were right, there was no way they deliver a phone without a signature so that was good. Other thing came at night, so just have two packages left. Hopefully it is too cold today for the bad people to steal. I hope. I guess they were seen in the neighborhood again and the police were called for a second time. Yikes.

Cyn, international news in the middle east is bad, I just prayed, asking God to help them, I don't know what else to do. Are you reading anything good? That can sometimes help. I winter book that I love is Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher, it is a lovely story. Sometimes fantasy is better than reality, so I go there.

Dill, I think faking it till you make it is a good idea. I am not in the mood today but will shower, dress sharp, and have the best day I can. What else can you do?

Pauly, so sorry you have to work with crabby mean people. Yikes. Your daughter too. That would be horrible to have someone spread harmful lies. That is harassment. A good manager would stop that stuff in its tracks.

Lav, right now there are lots of things to be grateful for and I am sure you are thinking about them and so am I. Having money to pay the bills, a home, heat, a car, gas to power it, health, good hot soup and friends on MWO. My sobriety is a gift that keeps on giving too.

Have a positive AF Thursday and stay warm.

[dill]

I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality... I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word. ~Martin Luther King, Jr.


Did I offer peace today? Did I bring a smile to someone's face? Did I say words of healing? Did I let go of my anger and resentment? Did I forgive? Did I love? These are the real questions. I must trust that the little bit of love that I sow now will bear many fruits, here in this world and the life to come. ~Henri Nouwen

Oh, dear Cyn. I am sorry you were feeling the weight of the world's troubles last night. I completely understand. Somehow I think that my continued state of sadness right now is at least partly brought on and maintained by the exact same thing. Lav is right: time to practice detaching and continuing to bring light to the world in your special, Cyntree way.:hug:

Pauly, fakin' it yesterday actually worked to some extent. I wouldn't say I was on top of the world...or even in a good mood. But I did make it up to neutral for much of the day. Believe me, that was a big improvement! I started out the day yesterday reflecting on the above quotes, too. They also helped. Did Kell respond or defend herself to her coworkers with a reply-to-all to that horrible false charge in the mean girl's text? I'm sure people who know Kell will know the charge is false. I agree with Star. That is harassment. The shop owner should put an immediate stop to it!

Star, I like R. Pilcher very much so I am going to check out the Winter Solstice. I need something else to listen to. The Chaucer's Tales are very good, bringing to life the people and ways of the 1300's. But it is not holding my attention. I am too distracted and troubled lately to listen to something that takes an effort, even tho the effort may be worth it. I need a more absorbing story to take me away. So, Winter Solstice, here I come!

Lav, Mankind/civilization is proceeding at a two step forward, one step back pace it would seem! At the current time it seems were are moving 2 steps forward, 3 steps back! But I am like MLK. I refuse to believe that goodness will not prevail. You are right. We have to continue shining hope and love. And pray for the victims of the evil that is being unleashed at present.

Hey Liz, hope you are well.

I am going out to do some actual brick and mortar store shopping today. I haven't found anything yet for Mr. D for Christmas. He's hard to buy for. Wish me luck!

[treegirl]

Morning all -
Sorry to give the impression that I was down yesterday - not down, but speechless at events tumbling in the world. I actually had a very good productive and positive day. I've decided that posting in the morning is best for me! I don't take in any news during the day, I only read newspapers online at night so that I am not at the mercy of any particular newsfeed.

Thanks for quotes, Dill. What an incredible wordsmith MLK was, and what a big thinker.

I agree that most of the world is full of good people! I live in increasing gratitude for that fact. But I also agree with MLK's words "unarmed truth' , which to me means seeing, witnessing. I remember that LBH wrote that once, and it has always stuck with me. Thank goodness that the first thing in my inbox today is 'Angel Healing' from Doreen Virtue. Sending light to others and bringing peace to oneself is always the best way of course.

Wishing all a good AF day -- (stay warm, Star!)

[paulywogg]

Morning friends, Cyn,I try to limit my news,too depressing! I still don't understand what's going on over there,who's bombing, what they're even fighting about, I've googled it but its just over my head,I just feel for the people Kell talked to the manager yesterday, see what happens today,I've decided that Christmas is an anxiety giver, I thought I'd have plenty of time to mail out Michelle's package but the news said today is the deadline for the postal service, I could go UPS but they're so expensive! I'm at least gonna get her card in the mail with a check so she'll have something in time,stress,stress! LB,is coming today,Kell and I were talking about that the other day too,its like we get all excited she's coming then sad she has to leave, guess that's just how it is though, one of my regular customers gave me $80 for Christmas yesterday it was a nice bonus Star,Dill,Lav hope we all have a great AF Thursday

[Lizann]

Good morning all! Yes Cyn it is frigid here too! I am not looking forward to heading out today.
Sorry some of you are sad . Yes there is a lot of bad out there. I just try to focus on how blessed I am in my own little world. There is only so much we have control over,
Off to do some grocery shopping and to pick up one or two more gifts.
Lav, I will be making corn chowder for dinner tonight I think. It is a soupy/crockpot kinda day.
Wishing everyone a great Thursday!

[Lavande]

Good evening friends!

It's a chilling 16 degrees at the moment - geez!
My young hens did fine last night so I guess they knew what to do

Star, glad you got your new phone OK.
I don't know if I mentioned it but package stealing is so huge in Philly that a guy has opened a service to help out. People have their packages delivered to him & he delivers them directly to you when you are home! Sounds like an extra expense but worth it I guess. Glad I live in cow country where there is no traffic except for your neighbors.

Dill, glad to hear your mood is lifting. I used to get annoyed hearing the phrase 'we can be our own worst enemies' but I think it's true.
I found I have to be vigilant & keep my thoughts positive or risk falling into another protracted depression. I don't ever want to go there again. We are in charge of our thoughts so we owe it to ourselves to choose the good ones
So what did you find today for Mr D?

Cyn, glad you are OK too!
You know I get in touch with LBH via Facebook & have some nice chats with her from time to time. I can hook you two up if you like.

Pauly, stop stressing over Christmas, please! Take some deep breaths & get yourself settled. Everything is going to be OK, it always is.
Your grown kids will be just fine whether packages arrive on time or not. Use your energy to make a nice holiday for Louie :hug:

Liz, how was the soup?
We walked into an Amish market today, just to look & came home with a smoked ham hock. That's not something I usually shop for but I brought it home & turned it into a pot of ham & bean soup - yum
Let's make the world a better place by making delicious soup!

Wishing everyone a peaceful & warm night!
Lav

[Snoopy56]

Good morning...

Lav, you brought a smile to my face, "let's make the world a better place by making delicious soup!" I agree, nothing like a warm delicious soup to make a wonderful day. It is so cold and keeping warm is a focus right now. Love my new phone, so much to learn, but I like that it is bigger, easier for me to see.

Cyn, glad to hear you had a good day! I post in the morning or not at all, it is a habit now, and no computer for me after work.

Pauly, I agree with you, Christmas is an anxiety giver and everyone is too busy. I have not seen my grandson for a few weeks, and won't see him till Christmas Eve. I don't like that but understand there is too much to do. Take care of yourself and do something relaxing if you can.

Dill, loved the quotes, they are beautiful. We have to keep up hope and believe that there are good people and there is good in the world. I see it every day. In Japanese psychology, they say your attention is like a flashlight and a vacuum, and what you put your attention on grows. I love the way you focused on the good and had a better day. I will reread Winter Solstice this weekend too, it is such a lovely story. I am also reading What She Knew, for a bookclub I am joining, and it is depressing, about a kidnapping. I need something cheerful to focus on.

Liz, it was lovely to get up today and have the Christmas lights warm and twinkling. Hope your day is good.

Let's make this Friday AF and celebrate all the good.

[dill]

Hello Friends, just a quick check in for me today. It's my volunteer day and I slept in. I have things I need to do this morning before I go. Let's all keep warm and have a peaceful AF Friday.

[paulywogg]

Morning friends, Dill,have fun volunteering Star,I thought of you this morning when I was reading another forum,a person had posted about how it's better to just be done with drinking and know that they don't want or need to drink no matter what and focusing on the addiction and dwelling kinda keeps the relapse cycle alive,I like how you just have a attitude like"that's it I'm done!"approach and I agreed with the person on that forums post but of course he got a lot of flack,people saying he sounds like a"dry drunk"(hate that term!)saying he's not commited to sobriety, etc,I understand it's a lifelong "thing" and we hafta keep working on ourselves but if we're done isn't it ok to just be done? LB is here she almost got delayed cuz it snowed a lot in Portland but a neighbor helped get them to the main road,posted on the daily how I love having her around cuz she's a peaceful soul,crabby at times but ever since she was a baby she's always been peaceful, Lav,I know, I know I carry on about grown kids,I get irritated by my mom when she does it yet I do the same thing, I think I just still see them as little or something, Cyn,has the Christmas spirit grabbed you yet? Gotta get my shopping done today then I can relax a bit, wishing us all a positive AFFriday

[treegirl]

Morning all -

Brrrr cold here - maybe below zero, I'm not sure... I'll look at the temp when I go out!

Lav, I love your thought about soup -- we need you to make something that has it embroidered: "Better world through delicious soup!" It really is true, and there is something about making it oneself - the ultimate self-care. I am in touch with LBH through FB; I saw her post with the African Peanut soup, and I made a batch that day. (I have a printout of the original post on MWA - she says hi to Dill and Lil, and Lav she talks about the full-moon insomnia!)

Star, yes there is so much that goes on with the holidays, and the expectations are so high. I'm glad I set the bar low this year... now everything that gets done done is a bonus instead of a burden. Good luck with everything... the holiday will be here soon and you will be so present for it, since you have been so brave and steadfast!

Dill, so glad to hear that you are feeling OK. Maybe it is a good thing that you are at your job today - I notice that even my total introvert personality does better when I am with people for a little bit. Lav's words are very inspiring for me, and thank you Star also for that bit of Japanese psychology. Hope you did OK with the shopping yesterday!

Pauly - your gift to your kids is being a great Mom - they know how much you care for them and love them - what could be better than that? So glad that you got a nice tip -- you deserve it!!

Lizann - that soup sounded yummy. I love crockpot recipes - the fragrance of food cooking is a such a good thing,

I am relieved this morning that HB is on a flight home from his job - he was in the country that has been so much in the news recently, and I found that unsettling. But the people there took tremendous care of him and were incredibly generous and sweet. It will be good to have him safely home.

More tomorrow about a Syrian family that I found out has been resettled in a nearby town! They arrived with nothing but the clothes on their backs. I'm hoping that I can help them in some way - they are anxious to learn English, so perhaps I can help there. Very exciting.

Wishing all a safe, mindful AF Friday.