January Jewel

[Lavande]

Good evening friends,

I did see some sun today - nice. The wind has kicked up once again, I think it's bringing cooler temps.
Took a ride with YB to buy greenhouse supplies at a wholesaler about 45 miles from here. We ran across a fun looking dinner & stopped for lunch. Not Amish owned & operated but it was in a heavily Amish populated area, ha ha!
I went to bed at 11:30 last night & was wide awake at 1 am, 2 am, 3 am, 4 am then slept until 6:30 am. Absolutely ridiculous & I know it's all due to the political unrest. I purposely avoided watching #45 on TV last night.
He took a trip to Philly today & got exactly the reception there I thought he would Big crowds of protestors were there giving him that special Philly salute - if you know what I mean!!!

Cyn, glad you are getting your computer sorted out, what a pain.
The sun was a welcome distraction, for sure. I hope your soup was good & comforting!

Star, glad you enjoyed your book club meeting without the pressure to drink. That's exactly the way life is supposed to be, right?
I hope something turns up for your son soon in the job market. Tonight I made an interesting salad with chickpeas, sweet potatoes, red onion, garlic & a load of seasoning. The dressing was fresh lemon juice, zest & olive oil. Very tasty but I'll cut back on some of the spicy seasoning next time.

Pauly, I would have been miserable at that restaurant with that heavily cheese laden menu, ha ha!
I hope your wisdom tooth extraction went as well as possible today :hug:

Hello to Liz & Dill.

Have a decent night's sleep everyone.
Lav

[Snoopy56]

Good morning all..

Glad it is Friday, up early, I have to go to a work retreat, and we have to walk to a different location and it is in the 20s, so I am leaving early and bundling up. I chose to look at this as an adventure as lots of people are complaining and I don't want to be part of that negativity.

Lav, that salad sounds good! Tonight it is breakfast for dinner, bacon, eggs, and toast. Easy and delicious. Your lunch out sounded fun. Sorry about the lack of sleep, the political scene is a nightmare. I read an article where 45 is going too snap soon, he is such an embarrassment and making bad decisions, nothing has changed since the election. A few people have shared that they feel this is unreal, very worried about what is going to happen. The Mexican president told him to buzz off.

Pauly, sounds like a fun night, especially AF. That's the thing, I always have a better time AF, and most people drink one or two drinks, tops. Louie under the table is so funny, my grandson did that too and my daughter dragged him out. Glad you had a nice time.

Cyn, interrupted sleep seems to be the order of the day, glad you could take it easy at the end of the day. We are starting to gather our tax documents too, I have completed tasks this week and feel good about it. Again, this is a tough time of year. Next week, February. Anybody have any names we could use for our thread?

Lizann, this week is really moving along. Friday plan?

Hello to Dill.

Have a great AF Friday.

[paulywogg]

Morning friends,Star,I read that article too,if I were to diagnose him I'd think HPD,its an attention freak personality disorder, I also used to think that applied to that Wilson poster who used to wreak havoc allover the boards,I'm no doc but it just fits,Kell kept trying to make Lou get up off the floor at dinner but it was a private room anyways so I told her just let him hang out,I'm such a weakling when it comes to disciplineDentist went OK,I seen a woman dentist this time cuz my guy was busy and they said they could get me out quicker if I went to her,she had to give me 3 shots on the inside cuz it would not numb up!feels OK now though but I'm still gonna take it easy,fitbit says I only got 2,500 steps yesterday, sounds about right Lav,the name to that restaurant you went to was cute,was it good? Cyn,I read about probiotics and worsening symptoms like I get and in the article it said the worse the guts are,the worse healing reaction, I'm sure I have tons of yeast and stuff from all that gross beer,plus the sugar I'm still eating,grrr,hello to Liz and I wish us all a wonderful AF Friday

[Lizann]

Happy Friday evening all! Went to the boat show in NYC yesterday with DH and had a long but fun day. We did not purchase a new boat, but sure did a lot of dreaming. Nice to escape from reality a little bit. Worked a long day today and I am grateful I don't have to get up early tomorrow. I promise I'll read back tomorrow and comment some more.
Wishing you all a wonderful evening

[Lavande]

Hello friends,

Brrr, the cold weather is coming back!
Thank goodness for the fireplace & fire wood.

Star, my fitbit recorded me as restless 6X last night. I remember tossing around a few times but not that many. No wonder I'm dragging my butt this week - lousy sleep.
I know that YB voted for #45 & it's making for some very intense feelings around here so that's not helping. I have been trying to get him to explain WHY he thought it would be a good idea putting that tool in the white house. I'm afraid the truth is he really does not care about anything or anyone unless it directly affects him. Not giving a damn about your fellow human beings is pretty shallow & pathetic. This is going to be a very long 4 years if #45 actually lasts that long

Pauly, that diner was cute & the real thing. I can't believe they had it moved from Texas all the way to Lancaster County, PA, ha ha!
Apparently it's been there since 2011 but we hadn't seen it before, very cute!
Cut out the sugar & your gut just may heal itself

Liz, I imagine the boat show is fun. Philly is starting their car show now, haven't been there in decades, ha ha.

Cyn, we went back to Lancaster today to do some outlet shopping. It was cold & cloudy when we into the stores & when I looked out there was a blizzard going on! Fortunately it stopped as quickly as it started but geez, lol
I hope you had a decent day!

Hello Dill, hope all is well with you.

Peace to everyone tonight!
Lav

[treegirl]

Evening all -

Dreary here, windy and overcast and cold. I keep thinking about how lucky we are to have automatic heat... how did people manage in other centuries? I feel that I'm not as tough as I should be.

Interrupted sleep here as well. I really applied myself to some action items today, so maybe that will help some. This is a challenging time.

Pauly, glad to hear that your trip to the dentist went OK. I always need triple the normal amount of novacaine too! Star, I hope you were warm enough at your work walk today. Lav, the greenhouse supply run sounded fun, and the diner too - glad you found something to eat! Dill, how are you? I am concerned about how you are coping with so much responsibility - just taking care of my pooches is driving me a little nuts right now.
Liz, when I lived in a big midwestern city the Boat Show was the major mid-winter experience! I hope that you got some good ideas.

Computer issues almost finished up. Taxes underway. New set of tires, for less than I'm paying each month for insurance - I read that the insurance companies hiked things up as 'insurance' against the business uncertainties of the ACA being repealed. Whatever, I have to make some more $$ soon! I started another knit hat, it goes so fast and is comforting to do instead of working every moment or reading the news.

I'm trying to stick with my bedtime and wake up time, even though there are lots of awake hours in between! So must start the bedtime routine now.

Wishing all a great AF night and happy bright sober morning.
To the light...

[Snoopy56]

Good morning...

Reminder, we need a February name! Too early for me to think of one, but I bet you all will come up with something good.

I had a disturbing dream and woke up at 3 am, but was able to go to sleep and interpret it to be about alcohol and saving myself from death, seriously. It was hard to go to sleep after that but I do a body scan and focus on energy in each part of my body and fall back asleep. So here I am at 5:30 am, a much more civilized hour, right? Geez. I had a momentary craving yesterday (Friday after work, tough time for me) and said something to my DH and he said, No you don't want to do that, and he was right I didn't. So we went out to eat and that satisfied the restlessness that I feel sometimes on Fridays. My day went well, I enjoyed the retreat, although I did eat too many carbs, so there was no real reason to get a craving except for the day. I am cherishing each day AF, feel sharp mentally, physically still healing little by little, and am determined to stay this way, AF, for the rest of my life.

Lav, I cannot imagine the stress at your house, my husband and I agree on political issues, and he is a feminist and always has been. He knows I am equal to him and treats me that way. I really feel for you, that has to be tough. You know when we connect with someone at a young age, it is for different reasons than what we need now. You two have been getting out though, and doing fun things, so good for you. Anymore news on the DIL front? No visits for us this weekend, just low key and staying at home, which is OK, it is cold and has been icing and snowing a bit. How many weeks till spring?

Cyn, the health insurance pricing and coverage is so scary, I don't know what will happen to ours either, I heard it will affect all insurance in coverage and pricing. Great, rich people could care less. I say all congress should have to purchase their own insurance and live in the real world, then they would understand the health insurance issues. Good idea to stick to your bedtime rituals, I try and do that too. I think I have been drinking too much caffeine and that is not helpful at 3 am. You mentioned the early morning walk and it was actually fun, cold, brisk, but in the city as the sun was rising, with a co-worker, and we made it in record time. The retreat was held in a lovely building and the food was good too, so I made the most of it. This is the second time in my life I have worked for a big organization, and both times I have liked it for the most part. Would you consider working for an organization or is that not something you would do. They usually have decent insurance but you would not be free to travel. Just a thought.

Pauly, great to hear you are doing well after the tooth extraction, ouch, that takes time to heal, take care. Any plans this weekend? Going for hairapy this morning, then not sure what I will do. I have the entire day to clean, laundry and maybe something fun. We'll see.

Liz, the boat show sounded fun, glad you had a nice day. Take care.

Dill, you OK?

Have a great AF Saturday.

[paulywogg]

Morning friends, any Feb name is fine by me feeling dizzy this morning so I'm just waving hello for now,have a great AF Saturday

[dill]

Hello all, yes I am fine. I am not posting here for the duration and maybe ever. I guess most of you will not understand this, but I did vote for "that tool" "#45" and I don't have the least bit of regret. The reason I no longer post is pretty much summarized in Lav's statements:

"I know that YB voted for #45 & it's making for some very intense feelings around here so that's not helping. I have been trying to get him to explain WHY he thought it would be a good idea putting that tool in the white house. I'm afraid the truth is he really does not care about anything or anyone unless it directly affects him. Not giving a damn about your fellow human beings is pretty shallow & pathetic. This is going to be a very long 4 years if #45 actually lasts that long"

I suspect that is how most of you feel about me or anyone else that thought President Trump was an acceptable choice, given the two options. I actually think it was a good choice, not just acceptable. I think it is sad that there are people who are being so intolerant of others. I'm afraid that finding common ground is a thing of the past for now. I can't speak for YB, but I for one do care about my fellow human beings which is part of the reason I voted for Trump. I do not mean to be singling you out Lav. You just boiled it down so succinctly. I know that is how many people feel, not just you.

Anyway, that's why I'm not posting anymore. There is no point in coming on here to discuss politics when there doesn't appear to be a possibility of a rational discussion. It's tedious and it is everywhere you turn right now. And it really doesn't help me in my sobriety. My viewpoint does not appear to be one that would engender anything but angry feelings or at the least, irritation here. Just thought I'd jump on and say so. I am really glad for you all to have each other to support each other thru what is obviously a very trying time. I sincerely mean that. This thread used to be my touchstone for sobriety. But no longer. I no longer feel comfortable here. I do appreciate all of our times together in the past and thank you for your support and care over the years. This is going to be difficult for me. You have all been extremely important to me on this journey.

May we all continue "to the light"!

[paulywogg]

Hello all, yes I am fine. I am not posting here for the duration and maybe ever. I guess most of you will not understand this, but I did vote for "that tool" "#45" and I don't have the least bit of regret. The reason I no longer post is pretty much summarized in Lav's statements:

"I know that YB voted for #45 & it's making for some very intense feelings around here so that's not helping. I have been trying to get him to explain WHY he thought it would be a good idea putting that tool in the white house. I'm afraid the truth is he really does not care about anything or anyone unless it directly affects him. Not giving a damn about your fellow human beings is pretty shallow & pathetic. This is going to be a very long 4 years if #45 actually lasts that long"

I suspect that is how most of you feel about me or anyone else that thought President Trump was an acceptable choice, given the two options. I actually think it was a good choice, not just acceptable. I think it is sad that there are people who are being so intolerant of others. I'm afraid that finding common ground is a thing of the past for now. I can't speak for YB, but I for one do care about my fellow human beings which is part of the reason I voted for Trump. I do not mean to be singling you out Lav. You just boiled it down so succinctly. I know that is how many people feel, not just you.

Anyway, that's why I'm not posting anymore. There is no point in coming on here to discuss politics when there doesn't appear to be a possibility of a rational discussion. It's tedious and it is everywhere you turn right now. And it really doesn't help me in my sobriety. My viewpoint does not appear to be one that would engender anything but angry feelings or at the least, irritation here. Just thought I'd jump on and say so. I am really glad for you all to have each other to support each other thru what is obviously a very trying time. I sincerely mean that. This thread used to be my touchstone for sobriety. But no longer. I no longer feel comfortable here. I do appreciate all of our times together in the past and thank you for your support and care over the years. This is going to be difficult for me. You have all been extremely important to me on this journey.

May we all continue "to the light"!

Dill,this really makes me sad

[Lizann]

Dill, it makes me sad that you don't feel you can post anymore. I, for one will be keeping my political views to myself. It is what it is. I did what I could at election time! I for one will not judge anyone on the decision they made, it's their decision for their reasons. We must now move forward.

[Lavande]

Good evening friends,

It's late so I'll just say hello.

Dill, I'm not sure why you feel you can't get on here & express your thoughts & feelings the same way the rest of us have been doing.
Did anyone say that you couldn't? Did I give you that impression somehow?
Given what's going on in DC & the fallout it's having on the rest of the world this is the time we should all be standing up for what we believe in.
I truly believe in social justice for all. I truly believe that our constitutional rights are being trampled on by an unreasonable, possibly mentally unstable man & his unsuitable cast of characters. If that is OK with you, that's your choice. But it will never be OK with me.

So there we are. I will not sit down quietly & keep my mouth shut.
If you want to blame me, blame me, it doesn't matter.

Peace to all tonight!
Lav

[Snoopy56]

Good morning...

Dill, part of being an American is being able to have free speech, and what Trump is doing right now is not productive and is not serving our country, to put it mildly. I care about our country and feel very upset about many issues and this affects my sobriety which is front and center of my life for now and always. I have enjoyed having you as part of our thread, hope you are doing well with your AF journey, and know you are always welcome to come back. I doubt we will be able to not comment when basic rights are being taken away from all Americans and things continue to get darker.

Lav, our sobriety is our main focus, but everything is connected, and as you know, #45 is an evil man, and all that it takes for evil to triumph is for good people to say and do nothing. So we are saying and doing what we can. If Trump supporters don't want health coverage for all, believe the alternative facts that are being spewed, think things are moving forward, I disagree and cannot and will not be silenced. It is sad to lose friends though, but she may come back as things negatively unfold. I don't know. I have been as clear as you have in my views, and both of us believe in the same things so it is easy. If I disagreed with you I would tell you, I can back up my views, I am not afraid or ashamed to speak my truth, and that may be the difference. I can remember what it was like for women in the past, and I was silenced and do not want to go back to those times again, so feel a moral imperative to speak out when necessary. This is not about you and I, but about people who do not want to face the truth, that our rights are being signed away in executive orders. Should we bury our heads in the sand as protests continue?

Pauly, it is sad that Dill will not post, hope you feel better and have a great Sunday. No matter what though, being AF is our main focus. I am now AF 161 days and continuing to heal, I have been taking a liver tonic, vitaminn C, D3, and liquid B12, that I believe are making a huge difference, for me. My body still has lots of healing to do. I have a feeling it will take 18 months of being AF to be back to my new normal. I read that at 18 months your liver is much better.

Liz, I respect your right to not speak out on this forum. Hope your weekend is going well.

Hey Cyn, are you keeping busy this weekend, and how is the weather in NE. I met a friend I had not seen in 30 years yesterday who lives about 2hours south and the weather difference was astounding, sunny and in the 40s, wow, I loved it. It was a great visit, something I would not have attempted if I was hungover and not feeling well.

Have a happy AF Sunday to all.

[Lavande]

Good morning,

Goodness, my first thought upon awakening this morning was this thread!
I love each & every one of you & would love to have all of us remain together for a long time to come. But, with that said I firmly believe this is no time to be burying our heads & pretending this is 'normal'. Isn't that how Hitler took hold in Europe? I will not be lead into that sort of thinking - no way, no how!
How can you ignore injustice? Just last evening seeing the protest going on at the airport in Philly broke my heart. Fortunately the governor, one senator & the mayor of Philly were pledging to help the people who were being held & denied entrance into the US. How can you turn your head & ignore something like that?
We all want & need to maintain our sanity so that we can maintain our quits. I think open & honest discussions are vital!!

Wishing everyone a wonderful AF day ahead. I'll check in later.

Lav

[treegirl]

Hello all - I am on the train to NYC, so I hope this post will actually show up. Dill, I am concerned about you and about your AF journey. I do not believe that you are a selfish person, and I would welcome the chance to have a long conversation with you about your position. Without that, I think we will not make much headway in this country. It is clear that we disagree politically, and I am sorry to have brought it up here, but honestly things do seem to me to be so dire that it is affecting every fiber of my being, my life, which of course affects sobriety. I am sure that voicing opinions here has made you feel unsafe. I just wish there was a better way to work these things out. I promise you to talk to folks with views that differ from mine, and I hope you wil find a way to do that as well. Perhaps that is the only way for us all to move forward. I know you have a tough road at the moment - please stay strong and find support that is comfortable. I know you way the AF life. Good luck, and I will always be sending you light. Feel free to PM me anytime.