HOW TO HAVE FUN ...WHEN YOU REALLY DON'T FEEL LIKE IT

[Ann]

To The Top For Diva

[EmotionalMeg]

You know it's funny, I have been so on the recovery trail for myself, that I didn't stop to think how this might be affecting my kids. I think I will really take the time in the next few weeks to focus on THEM too.
Thanks
Meg
P.S. I think I can add one to the list too...
VOLUNTEER - at anything! It is such a wonderful feeling to help others out...

[Old Lady n Shoe]

FRIENDS;WELL HERE IN KY.WE ARE HAVING THE FAIR,SO THE LITTLE GIRLS THAT I HAVE HELPED RAISE ENTERED A BREAD SWEEPSTAKES,WE DIDN'T GET A RIBBON BUT WE WENT TO THE FINALS.IT IS SO FUN TO BAKE YOUR OWN BREAD KNEDING THE BREAD IS SO MUCH CARDIO EXERSIZE IT CAN REALY WORK UP A SWEAT.BUT OF COURSE THE EATING IT SOMETIMES IS NOT SO GOOD FOR YOU,BUT IS SO MUCH FUN.ONE OF MY GIRLS IS 6 YRS OLD.SHE PLANED HER GARDEN,PLANTED ,PICKED,AND CANNED HER GREEN BEANS,TOOK THEM TO THE FAIR AND WON A BLUE RIBBON.THE GIRLS HAD 11 ENTRYS AND TOOK 6 RIBBONS.IHAD 10 ENTRYS AND TOOK 3 RIBBONS.I THINK THE YOUNG GIRLS OUT DONE ME.YEA!ALSO JOSIE THEY DECORATED TWO CAKES.ONE WAS MS.FREEDOM SHE TOOK 4TH.CULINARY ARTS ARE SO MUCH FUN IF YOU HAVE SOMEONE TO DO THEM WITH.GOD BLESS MY LITTLE FRIENDS.OLD LADY N SHOE [HAD SO MANY CHILDREN SHE KNEW WHAT TO DO ,'LOVE THEM.]

[Ann]

What a wonderful way to have fun with your children. I'll bet you are all so proud, and even if you hadn't won ribbons, you still would have all had a great time.

Your children are lucky to have a mom like you.

[Old Lady n Shoe]

ANNS;THANKS AGAIN FOR THE WONDERFUL WORDS,YES I AM PROUD OF THEM BUT THEY ARE NOT MY DAUGHTERS .I AM A NANNY;I ONLY RAISE THEM FOR THIER PARENTS.THEN I LOVE THEM AND THEY ADDOPT ME AS THIER FAMILY MEMBER.SO YOU SEE I AM BLESSED TWICE.I HAVE THREE DAUGHTERS AND 5 GRANDSONS AND TWO GRAND DAUGHTERS.THE OTHER 15 OR SO ARE JUST EXTENDED FAMILY.CAN'T I BE CONFUSING?I GIVE YOU PERMISION TO CALL ME OLD LADY MY HUSBAND OF 45YRS.CALLS ME THAT.I CALL HIM HAPPY.HIS NAME HAS BEEN WITH HIM SENCE HE WAS ABOUT 3.OLD LADY N SHOE

[Ann]

Mature Female in a Gigantic Boot aka Old Lady,

My goodness, that's one big shoe. I'll bet these children just love you, and no wonder your husband is "Happy".

I now have a hankering for some home baked bread. Mmmm.

[Kitty]

I'll call you OLS : ) Got any great southern peach or any thing receipes to share YUMMMMM for southern cooking! I used to live in the south years and years back.
I am now in the mood to cook as the A is gone and my kids are soming over .../YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS........finally we can have a family get together without him ruining it.
Love Kitty !

[Old Lady n Shoe]

ANNS,KITTY,AND ALL.THE NAME COMES FROM THE NURSERY RYEMS;IT GOES LIKE THIS'THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO LIVES IN A SHOE,SHE HAD SO MANY CHILDREN SHE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.'I DON'T REMEMBER ALL OF IT BUT I WILL LOOK IT UP AND FINISH IT ANOTHER DAY,HA!HA!.KITTY; I LOVE TO COMBINE PEACHES AND BLACKBERRYS.I HAVE MANY RECIEPS FOR COFFEE CAKES AND PERSERVES,ALSO THEY USE WILD BLACKBERRYS,THAT HAPPY PICKS FOR ME,I FREEZE THEM SO I HAVE THEM ALL YEAR WHEN I NEED THEM.I AM STARTING A COOKBOOK ON THE COMPUTOR SO IF YOU WILL SEND ME A E-MAIL I WILL BE GLAD TO SEND YOU SOME DELICIOUS RECIEPS.MY BLACKBERRY PERSERVES OR JAM TAKE MANY BLUE RIBBONS FOR THE LAST 20 YRS.AND I ALWAYS GIVE MY HUSBAND THE CREDIT FOR THE PICKING HE DOES FOR ME.OLS

[Old Lady n Shoe]

She fed them some broth without any bread,and sent them swiftly to bed.It took me a long time to get it all remembered.I have been so busy and havn't had much time to post but I am reading and learning alot too.My children are doing fine too.OLNS

• Exercise, aerobically
• Go on a reading program-Dickens, Lecarre, Agatha Christie, etc.
• Do good deeds-give blood, visit a shut-in
• Play with your pets
• Organize your closet
• Go on the wagon for a month
• Cultivate your sense of humor-Marx Brothers, M. Hulot, Mel Brooks
• Socialize - get together with friends informally- have an impromptu potluck
• Phone or write to old friends
• Read a biography of someone you admire
• Cook something different, a new kind of cuisine
• Learn about a new subject: the Civil War, the American Revolution
• Get an orchid plant, or buy some flowers
• Sort through old photos
• Hang out at the library
• Organize an outing to a museum and dinner
• Join a reading group
• Listen to a book on tape
• Make fudge
• Make soup, and bring some to a neighbor you don't know well
• Get up early or sleep late - vary your routine
• Go swimming
• Music - play it loud, without any distractions
• Learn the computer and get online
• Rearrange the furniture
• Shop the garden catalogs
• Wear loud colors
• Learn a joke a day and tell it to five people
• At your impromptu party, play pass the tangerine, or twister
• Have a day of beauty, or grow a beard, or shave a beard
• Change your hairstyle
• Take walks
• Take naps
• Add something to this list

[spindell]

Hi all


Well i have just read all of your posts , and its great to see ur all as crazy as i am. It ten o'clock at night over here, and my eight year old, was in her room watching tv, [ that was untill i read ur post on what to do even if u dont feel like doing it]

I dont know if u have heard of the las ketchup song, its a huge hit over here, with a selsa beat.My daughter bought it the other day, and wanted to teach me the dance, but boring old mum had to much , on, untill i read what u all had to say.

So ,the long and the short of it its , for the last half hour me and sharna, have been boogeing in the front room , music blaring, Sharna has been in hysterics over my feeble attempts at dancing , and trying to look hip, but , we have really laughed our socks off, Im totally knackerd, but it was such fun to act like a kid again.

ANd can anyone tell me how a eight year old can learn to move the way my daughter does,time that girl went to dance class.

i've had a crap day, and once again u all have brought a laugh and given me time with my nipper , that i wouldent of thought of taking

thankyou so much , love to all spin, xxxxxxx

Sharna sends u all a kiss

[faithinbrian]

I like all the inspiration I am getting from the posts, you are so right anns when you talk about getting out and doing things especially when you dont feel like it, that is the most important time and I have to start making myself get out and do some of those things, I bought a new home last January and I cant wait till spring to get out in my yard.

[Ann]

Bringing this up for anyone who still needs to have fun. If you don't really feel like it - this one's for you.

[Ann]

I'm bringing it back up....just for FUN.

HI everyone, I am band new and just registered tonight. Now for my story:
I am living with a sr. alcoholic, he is my father. He has been drunk every day in March except for 3 days. Today he took the car and drove drunk. His binges are getting closer and closer together, and he is 85 yrs old. He attempted to get into the car tonite to get more wine. I stopped him. He left on foot. He is in a fog. Then I called the cops. They told me that til commits a crime, they can't do anything.
I'm very aware of alanon, but mustn't let him drive drunk.. feel its my civic duty. I also have a grown son who lives out of state, he is drunk 5 days a wk and his wife is probably going to leave him for good, but is leaving the door open if he wants to change. She tells me he then can join her in her own homeland country. Today I pulled weeds in the yard taking my frustrations out back, while he was out there drunk with the car. This is how my day started, viewing him take off in it.
It is very very hard to just do nothing when it involves innocent lives. I know I didnt cause it and I can't cure it, is not the point, I expect him to take himself out and die from this disease. I am not very optomistic at this point. He has drank every mo. since thanksgiving and has also wrecked the car back then. Since this is a progressive disease, I expect the worst. Had a substance abuse counselor on the phone from his HMO tell me that, the likelihood of him changing at this late date is slim to none. I won't forget his words. I take it day by day, and try to remember other's suffering and the way our world is right now. Remembering how others have it worse helps get me through, but then I also know there's plenty of happier people than I am, living very normal lives without this nightmare.

[Ann]

Bringing it back up for the new newcomers

bringing to the top

[mommyas]

These are great ideas! Thanks for sharing them. I just seem to also try and get more involved at my church. It seems there is always something going on that I can jump into.

[StandingStrong]

Okay, I admit, I've been "trying" to do this, but honestly, I fall short.
So...........I was in a store recently and saw a magazine lying on the counter (free for the taking). It was magazine that listed all the events in our county such as festivals, fairs, etc. as well as advertisments of course.
Funny thing is that there have been many many times that I have suggested doing such things w/ the kids - but of course AH never wanted too so we just didn't.
Well, I've been through the magazine with a pen in hand and have jotted down the dates and events on my calendar! I'M taking the kids this year!!!
They are getting older and I know that it won't be long before they don't want to be seen in public w/ mom (lol) so I'm going to enjoy it while I can.

Still baby-stepping - but on my way to getting my life back!

[Ann]

That was a big step, Standing Strong, and I know that you and your kids will have fun. The thing is, WE hold the key to our happiness, not anyone else, and I know I wasted a lot of years waiting for other people to make me happy. Today, I am one of the happiest people I know, and it came from me taking the lead, deciding what was fun for me, and if others joined in that was great, but if not I still had fun rather than forego the pleasure.

This will also teach your kids to have fun, regardless of how dad is doing. That's a great lesson for them too, and what a nice way to learn it.

Hugs
Ann

[StandingStrong]

Just wanting to draw attention to this fine post/thread! I think a lot of us forget sometimes that we all need to have fun and smile!
let's have some fun!!!!!! And tell us all about it!

[Theresa A.]

101 Ways To Get High Without Drugs

Seventh-graders in Felton, CA, were asked to make a list of reasons why someone might use drugs. Students responded: boredom, fear, curiosity, escape, family problems, peer pressure, etc., and stated that everyone experiences these things at one time or another. Then students were asked how they might deal with these things WITHOUT using drugs, and this list was compiled.

• 1 Play a Game
  2 Take a Bath
  3 Go for a Walk
  4 Eat
  5 Buy Something
  6 Get a Job
  7 Listen to Music
  8 Build a Snowman
  9 Go Skating
  10 Cook a Meal
  11 Dance
  12 Talk on the Phone
  13 Ride a Bike
  14 Sing
  15 Go to a Movie
  16 Get a Make-Over
  17 Play Basketball
  18 Take a Shower
  19 Have a Party
  20 Get a Haircut
  21 Chop some Wood
  22 Build Something
  23 Go to a Sports Game
  24 Sit and Think
  25 Visit Neighbors
  26 Play with your Cat
  27 Window Shop
  28 Go to the Park
  29 Watch the Sky
  30 Climb a Tree
  31 Clean your Room
  32 Smell some Flowers
  33 Go Skiing
  34 Play Pool
  35 Go Sledding
  36 Plant a Garden
  37 Milk a Cow or Goat
  38 Feed the Animals
  39 Go Horseback Riding
  40 Paint your Room
  41 Wash your clothes
  42 Run through the Sprinklers
  43 Go Swimming
  44 Go Sailing
  45 Ride a Motorcycle
  46 Be with a Friend
  47 Make up a Joke
  48 Do an Art Project
  49 Learn to Play an Instrument
  50 Go Fishing
  51 Clean the Fish Bowl
  52 Invent Something
  53 Volunteer for a Charity
  54 Go to the Beach
  55 Start a Collection
  56 Wash the Car
  57 Go to an Amusement Park
  58 Dress up
  59 Swing on a Park Swing
  60 Plan a Picnic
  61 Buy Someone a Present
  62 Go for a Drive
  63 Do your Homework
  64 Have a Slumber Party
  65 Sew
  66 Talk to a Friend
  67 Start a Club
  68 Crochet or Knit
  69 Visit your Grandmother
  70 Go Sky Diving
  71 Work a Puzzle
  72 Doodle
  73 Lift Weights
  74 Play Cards
  75 Be nice to your Brother or Sister
  76 Write a Note to a Friend
  77 Go Hiking
  78 Rent a Video
  79 Make a Video
  80 Write a Book or Story
  81 Make Weird Noises
  82 Go Skateboarding
  83 Hang out with Friends
  84 Run
  85 Start a Hobby
  86 Build a Secret Fort
  87 Bake Something
  88 Write a Song or Poem
  89 Fix Something that's broken
  90 Play on the Computer
  91 Lie in the Grass
  92 Take Pictures
  93 Talk to your Parents
  94 Sit by the River
  95 Have a Pillow Fight
  96 Play Miniature Golf
  97 Go Bowling
  98 Walk your Dog
  99 Iron a Shirt
  100 Read a Book
  101 Hug Someone

Theresa
www.iwantrecovery.com

[BohemiMamaof3]

I want to add a few more fun things, or at least they can relax you, especially if you have kids, but even if you don't!

Color with crayons in a coloring book or get coloring pages from educational websites. Sitting for half an hour with your kids and doing some coloring yourself can be fun and surprisingly relaxing. Also painting with those cheap watercolor paint sets instead of the crayons, and of course, making stuff with Play-Doh.

Find a new recipe and making it from scratch.

Making your own pizzas with kids can be fun.

[Ann]

This thread began in 2002, and is a little out of date with some broken links and members no longer here...but it's still good suggestion so I'll not put it back in the archives, but instead hope it helps a newcomer find healthy ways to distract themself from obsession.

[whereisthisgoin]

Took my son and his friends to the highschool football game last night - that was fun.