Rough times and gratitude - Al-Anon Family Group

PP · ~*Service Worker*~

Rough times and gratitude

SerenityRUS · ~*Service Worker*~

Hugs .. PP .. you remind me of the Saint Bernard my mom and I found on the side of the freeway in CA .. LOL. It won't be forever .. hugs :)

likemyheart · ~*Service Worker*~

Me too, tired=road to depressing thoughts - hope you can get a good rest, the image your post brings up is you in a hammock with T-Rex laying underneath, your hand trailing on his head. T-Rex - great nickname! just this description of him makes me think of Luke the overly enthusiastic about every speck of dust in the world Doberman pup a friend of mine owns - big clown dog that someone should write a comic book about! Be well!

grateful2be · ~*Service Worker*~

There's room with me and we can put the cats in their room. We can also go to the lake that isn't too far from me or Lake Michigan's beaches. Hope you get rest soon and lots of prayers for your parents, Paula. You are such a kind and loving person with a heart for big dogs, little cats, and people. I guess feeling depressed at times comes with being a heart person who chooses to be open and nurturing for yourself and for others. (((P)))

PP · ~*Service Worker*~

Serenity, LMH and Grateful.. thank you for your responses and more images of sloppy, enthusiastic dogs loving life. The beach, oh the beach.....

hotrod · ~*Service Worker*~

Paula Love the name as well Take care This too shall pass.

PP · ~*Service Worker*~

Thank you, Betty.

el-cee · ~*Service Worker*~

Hi pp, I can just imagine this huge dog sitting on your knees. I understand where your coming from, my life is a bit topsy turvy just now, just trying to go with the flow and accept what is. Ive got to do the work for it to go like that though, the prayer, steps and meditation is a must I think. Love, this too shall pass, this is my fantasy tattoo, along with easy does it.x

pinkchip · ~*Service Worker*~

Feel better!! I am settling into married life....AKA: The same life we had only now I wear a ring and say I'm married. I am wondering why we scheduled the honeymoon 2 and a half weeks after the wedding. I want to go on this 2 week Baltic cruise now.

As you know, my home is overrun with pets. I might have almost as many animals as Deb. When I am down, I randomly pick one for forced cuddling time. That...or they volunteer....thankfully. Chuck is also good at forced cuddling....and sometimes voluntary.

grateful2be · ~*Service Worker*~

LOL! How can you be so funny this early in the morning, PC? I'm still walking around wondering what time it is. And Paula! I hope today is a better day for you!

milkwood · ~*Service Worker*~

Hi Paula,
I hope today is all set to be a better day and the big dog lodger is perhaps finding his way around a little better.
Our big dog seems to have a knack of wagging his tail in only one direction thank goodness, thus averting the potential for much table clearing! When I'm feeling blue he comes and sits next to me and then gradually leans in. He weighs fifty plus kilos so I tend to slide off if I'm sitting in my office chair (which has wheels)!

PP · ~*Service Worker*~

Elcee, PC, and Grateful, thank you for your responses. I am reminded how a thought and words can lift and hold us.

A few mornings ago, I noticed our cat, Noel, gently batting what looked like a clump of grass that had been left behind from a shoe. I reached down to pick it up and was surprised to see a little frog all wrapped up in spider webs that contained pieces of ants, T-Rex hairs, and other misc dust (how that happened in my house...who knew??)). He was immobilized and appeared to have given up on life. So, I carefully removed the schmutz, afraid I would tear off his little toes, until his legs were freed up. He stayed in my hands and opened up his little eyes. I kissed him on the forehead and told him it was time to be let go. I took him outside to the patio, set him down and he crawled between two pavers. I thought, no, no, this not where you need to be and picked him up and placed him near the pond, where, once again, he found a little crevice to burrow into. I let him go, acknowledging he would do as he innately knows to do....I walked away.

Little by little I had become entangled with concerns that were not all mine to carry; creating tension, worry and anxieties that were contributing to poor sleep. I helped set up home health for my dad, kicked the cats out of the bedroom and let go of my worries of whether or not T-Rex's presence was causing them anxiety and finished a painting that was commissioned. I untangled myself, kissed the frogs and let them go. I feel better.

PC, I am so happy for you. And I look forward to seeing pictures of the awaited Baltic cruise..it sounds wonderful.

PP · ~*Service Worker*~

Thank you Milkwood. T-Rex (his given name is Rocky) was so loving last night. He and I were home alone and he laid next to me while I painted in my studio.

grateful2be · ~*Service Worker*~

I love how you go down and come back up in your own insights and share your experience and wisdom with us, too.

Cathyinaz · ~*Service Worker*~

(((( Paula ))))

There are days when we just have to cry a little, pray a little and then continue with our lives. We feel " why me "

I pray your feeling better as the days go by and life can be more normal.

We love you....all of us here at MIP.

PP · ~*Service Worker*~

(((grateful, Cathy))) It worked out for us this weekend that we can get away to see our grandbabies in Columbus....so glad to see those cherubic faces....Yay!!

grateful2be · ~*Service Worker*~

oooooooooooooo - Love the sound of that getaway for you. Nothing better than little cherubs to soften the edges of life for us.

PP · ~*Service Worker*~

aww

ilovedogs · ~*Service Worker*~

Love the story about kissing the frog, PP. Hope your days are getting better and you are enjoying a new day today, as well! HUGS!

Debilyn · ~*Service Worker*~

It is hard when our parents are not well. Hard to face them getting older too.

Well t rex, hmmmm now i wish I had a picture. What kind of dog is this??? I love the giants but I know we have to dog proof our home to have them. Admit it, you find it delightful.It loves its grama!!! I wish my son and his dog would come stay!He has a mastiff/newfy.

I hope you feel better. i know too, I get teary when I am tired. Once i finally realized that,I now tell myself I am just tired.

Sometimes the overwhelming life of doing everything gets too heavy for me. I see a chicken came in the doggy door and knocked my plant down. ugh.the thought of cleaning it up overwhelms me. ugh welll I will do it tomorrow morn when my energy will make it no big deal.

Next morn...my pot bellied pig prudie had to get her snouter in the plant dirt and get it all over the place so now I have snout goblins to cleanup to. which is fine as it is a funny story to tell lol

LOVE your frogy story too. Oh fore petes sake you are as bad as me do not kiss everything!!!

We do need to listen to our bodies, its ok to be tired, and not feel well. It is also ok to take a nap, go eat something good and watch a movie.

Oh go take the dog for a walk. Also they make great nap partners. Be glad it is summer so he does not have muddy paws....

hugs, loved your share!

Jerry F · ~*Service Worker*~

Paula one of my best most used tools under conditions like this is Attitude...Attitude of Gratitude like you mention here and Attitude of playfulness...an attitude of acceptance and powerlessness and more. I ask myself the question how do I want this to go for me and then adopt that attitude and then the situation changes and I can participate more fully in a better way...it doesn't tire me out. I use finding the humor in situations a lot and often that helps others around me also. Sometimes Tough is not enough and it will not bring you down. Love the post ((((hugs)))) smile

PP · ~*Service Worker*~

(((ILD, Deb,Jerry))).

The material presented here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method to exchange information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal level.