Briar

That's true, we are making a new past for ourselves. I look forward to having more of it. I'm looking forward to sober holidays this year. I was sober last year too, and those were some of my best holidays. Will be nice to rack up a few years of those.

Commemorated my eight month anniversary by busting out 30,000 steps on my Fitbit today! I basically never sat down.

Mark1014

30,000.....wow.....no wonder you're such a wee young lady!

Good morning gang and happy Wednesday. I'm only working until lunch and am looking forward to a midweek quiet while I take care of some things.

Wishing each of you the best day.....gym time.

BrighterDayz

I skipped the gym on Monday for the dentist; went yesterday instead. It was packed! They got a lot of new equipment and I am really feeling it today, but I barely made the 10k in steps. I'll be back tonight to give it another go. Feels good to switch it up a bit. Have a great day gang!

SoberLeigh

30,000 steps - wow, Briar!!!!!

SoberLeigh

Good morning, afternoon, evening (dark of night), dear Octsobers.

May a warm contentment fill your hearts today.

Mark1014

Hey BD.....the gym is less packed at 4:45am around here.

A beautiful and warm day here so soaking up some rays trying to solve various life lessons my two oldest kiddos are dealing with. Gotta eat your wheaties to raise kids. I know this....I'm a better dad sober.

SoberLeigh

It is hard to watch them go through those life lessons, isn't it, Mark? I'm not sure who they are more painful for, the kids or the parents.

Mark1014

It is Leigh. My nature is to jump in and make things easy for them if possible but at this stage I do pull back a bit and let them reason through the situation. I expect them to achieve academically (according to ability), have a good work ethic, and not consider themselves entitled. I'm pretty flexible on many other things. I do want them to have fun.

We're traveling for Thanksgiving this year and I want the older ones to go.....haven't decided if I will 'make them'.

Conquest

Mark, I left work a little early to enjoy the awesome weather too! It's our window of gorgeous weather, Oct.-Nov. Gotta get it while we got it. I hope things smooth out for the kiddos. For the record, I'm all for "making them" go.

30,000?!?! Holy moly. I've been on my feet all day and haven't hit 10,000 yet. Granted, I've been browsing and dawdling. Congrats on your milestone, girl!

It certainly is nice to enjoy the holidays with a clear heart and mind. I even got a little Christmas shopping done today. To be thinking ahead like that is big for me.

Big hugs all around!

Mark1014

Yep, all the team knows how to do sober holidays this year! Makes me happy.

SoberLeigh

Me too, Mark.

Arbor

That's the quote of the day. Boy oh boy does it ever take all you got. Don't matter if your tired. They don't care. They always need you. Challenging week so far in that regard. Especially with my wife's father in town staying with us. Nice to have an extra set of hands, but it has also put me a bit out of my element. Ultimately though it's good to change up the daily routine.

Mark1014

I had to have a good laugh at that. Truer words have never been spoken!

We had a certain routine of sorts when the kids were babies and although help from others was nice, it was sometimes hard to let it go. My brother in law had a habit of coming in and getting the kids all wound up when it was their bedtime. He, of course, could then leave and go home.

My 17 year old daughter started a job at smoothie king last week. In contrast to what she'd been told she has been scheduled to 'close' each weekday meaning that she goes there shortly after school and leaves at about 10:15. No one else is there with her. It is in a ubiquitous strip-style retail place and she has to park out back. I'm just finding all this out and I'm not comfortable with her being there alone so late. Therefore this will be her last day there (I think she's quietly relieved).

Conquest, I love October and November......it almost makes up for August.

SoberLeigh

Wow, I agree wholeheartedly, Mark. Closing alone at night and walking to a rear parking lot is not a good situation.

phoebe64

I would not like that night shift situation, either Mark. I used to work a late shift at a busy place in Harvard Square, but the boss always scheduled me with one of a couple of friends. We then could get home safely together, or get a ride from a parent together. I worry about the kids I see alone in our yogurt shop at night.

phoebe64

Just used the last 11 apples for some apple sauce. I will them make it into some apple sauce muffins sometime soon. Son is enjoying some warm.

SoberLeigh

Mmmm, applesauce muffins.

Don't leave them to cool by your window!!!

Mark1014

I've never had applesauce muffins. Man I bet that smells good.

It's official....I want Steven Raichlen's job. I have to watch that kind of stuff before bed to wind down. Everything he cooks sounds good to me and I like the setting of his shows.

Good night gang.

SoberLeigh

Goodnight, Mark.

SoberLeigh

Goodnight, Octsobers.

Good morning/afternoon, venuscat.

See you tomorrow.