Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

[nojoke]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Hello to everyone,

Today is my third AF Friday! I haven't been AF for 30 days consecutively like I wanted to but I have managed to moderate when I have had a drink. I think I have 24 days up and I feel good about it, and I really can feel the wine go to my head now when I indulge. I guess because I am taking it slower I'm noticing things like this. I can't say I like it, so I keep asking myself 'Why are you drinking at all?' Well, if it were as simple as that we wouldn't all be here would we?
Take care, nj xx

[Ollie]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Good Morning!
I listened to the CDs last night and they are so relaxing! I do not know if they work but I slept soooo good last night and feel refreshed this morning. It's nice to have something to do in the evening when I would normally drink and great alone time after taking care of a preschooler and infant all day.

This is my 2nd AF Friday also.

I hope everyone has a great day!

Ollie

[LVT25]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Good morning (usa) all!

Headache is still at bay!! yippeee!!

I can't decide if it's just me, or if my family doesn't like the new me. I think hubby has issues with me not drinking. He gets home from his job, starts in on the beer--to keep him going....comes in at dark, has a couple more beers, eats supper (that I made hours ago) either fights with kids, or talks politics, or wrestles with kids, takes shower, goes to bed. Sometimes he'll talk on the phone for hours. I know he misses me drinking with him all the time, but I told him I'm not going to drink alone, so I can drink with him when he's done working! I think I've been handling it really well. Last night the kids pissed me off---hubby got an attitude......WTF!!! Should have taken my GABA!!!

At least he got my garden good to go. (I think he wanted a metal) so I can play in the dirt today and tomorrow. Having mother's day with in-laws. I'm sure part of my problem is that particular upcoming event. Since my mom died, I have "trouble" with mother's day, and my in-laws drink like fish. They won't "get" it either!

Sorry to ramble and vent--but thanks for "listening". I'm going to have a great day no matter what!

[Peanut]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Oh Diego!!!

Morning everybody,

What does the Gaba do?? Should I try it? I made an appointment with the accupuncturist and will be seeing him monday. Kinda scared!!!! What if a fire breaks out!!!!

OK - time to fess up. We had unexpected visitors drop by last night, so I thought good - time to get the cool Chilean out and feed it to them, so I don't have it there tempting me anymore. Well - one of my visitors had a couple of glasses, they left and I couldn't take it - I had to try it!! ("had to?" - I must stop letting that thing in my brain tell me what I have to do!!!) I felt like I was at a wine tasting event - just sipping that glass of wine, tasting the flavour, but I could feel it before the glass was half gone. Very strange, stepping back and being aware of the feeling alcohol gives the human body!! I ended up drinking the rest of the wine. So there - I said it!!! I don't feel so poorly today, just disappointed. I think I have a thing about the "in a row", and hate to break the streak. Somebody wrote on another thread that they were planning on having some drinks this weekend, but didn't like breaking the in-a-row thing either. I think I am more of a modster, in my goals, so normally, I should be happy that out of the last 8 days, I drank less than 500mL of wine, but still. Kind of a let down.

I am going away this weekend, and planned to Mod on saturday. Today being friday - always a challenge - I believe in myself that I can have another AF day. We are travelling afterwork - about a 6 hour drive - and by the time we get there it will be close to midnight. The house we are staying at will be crowded with visitors (and has a hottub - yippee), and everybody will have been out to a Speakeasy, so by the time they return and we are there, I am sure (nay, positive) that they will all be shit-faced, so I wonder how we will communicate with them.I will take some AF beer with me. I am hoping to be the one up earliest saturday to make breakfast for them all, and feed them aspirins before the main event of the weekend!!!

I feel very happy and honoured to have been in all your company this past week or more. My beau feels he has had to share me with you, as I do spend a fair bit of time on this stie. You all have given me such strength to do what I have been able to do thus far. I want to start another AF streak on sunday, and will be bringing all my supps with me. I may be travelling again the following weekend, as my middle child, who lives in Calgary, will probably be moving, and wants my help (actually, she wants me to take her shopping at IKEA!!!), so I will see a couple of siblings there too. My sister has a whack of homemade wine, and my brother -who may be starting in on this program - is a daily wine swiller. It will be a trial, but ODAT!!!!! I have not found the past week very easy -in fact it was downright painful at times, moods ranging all over the map from euphoric to bitchy to weepy to laughing hysterically - but I won't give up. Makes life kind of interesting!

I had best grab a coffee and get some work done here.
Congratulations on all your fabulous successes, Abbers. I hope everybody has a wonderful weekend - enjoy your gardens and the sunshine - the buds are finally starting to appear on the trees here, and the air is getting the green smell! I love it!

Tata for now!!!
xoxox Peanut

[Kiri]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

I am going onto my 3rd AF weekend. going to work on my beach house which I have been remodeling since December. Almost done! yay! I may even get to relax on sunday as it is Mother's day. My son's should come to visit and we'll go out to eat at a marvelous Mex restaurant. I am sure the margaritas are wonderful but I will never know! And best of all I don't mind. My life is great today. Happy Mom's day to all of you maternal types and don't foget yours to all you children of moms types.
Kiri

[ntcentral]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Hi all, I'm grateful to read your posts tonight. I need support and reading your words is helping considerably.

This is my third Friday AF and man-oh-man I'm feeling very vulnerable. The only wine in the house is our save-for-a-special-occasion red wines down in the basement. I have a feeling that if I were to open a bottle and take a sip, I'd inhale the contents. This would be a collossal waste since these reds, at least by our standards, are expensive. What a shame it would be to drink one of our good bottles for the purpose of getting blotto and not for the purpose of savoring the taste. Mind you, it's been a long while since "savoring" has taken precedence over "blitzing". Hubby is watching the hockey playoffs and he's not drinking his usual nightly cocktail because he knows I'm white-knuckling it tonight. I think I will head off for the bathtub where I will soak until my fingertips look pickled. Best to you all, NTC

[Wooflet]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Hi everyone

I've become rather addicted to this site and in particular to this thread - I check it first thing in the morning and last thing at night! Sad but true...

Speaking of which, I'm having WWW - wonder world withdrawals. WW hope that project of yours isn't driving you too crazy. We're thinking of you.

Congratulations everyone on the AF days. I love that we have people from day 1 to day 100+.

Ollie thanks for reminding me about the CDs, I've been rather slack about using them. I did try the sleep one but it kept me awake as I'm used to total quiet while sleeping. Funny thing is, I reckon my puppy could hear the subliminal messages, as he kept staring at the CD player and making little growly noises!!

LVT25 I'm glad your headache is gone, and love your positive attitude despite your family driving you nuts. Have fun in the garden and good luck with your in-laws on Sunday if we don't "speak" before then.

Peanut GABA is for calmness and relaxation, and I'm taking it twice a day. I also love that it is supposed to increase the metabolism of fat, which is always a good thing! I can understand that you're disappointed about Diego given you didn't plan to have some, but as you say, in the overall scheme of things less than 500ml of wine in 8 days is a HUGE improvement. I don't think I would have lasted as long as you did with Diego (and the red Frenchy) in the house. For me the way to success has been to not have any wine in the house and I think I'll have to keep it that way for at least for the first month or so. I guess that's hard to do when you've got a partner who drinks. Have a great weekend away, look forward to seeing you back here when you return.

Have a great weekend everyone

Love Wooflet

[Wooflet]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

You can do it NTC

NTC I feel for you, having the temptation of those lovely reds in the basement. But aside from it being a shame to "waste" a good red getting blotto instead of savouring it, it would also be a shame to slip after all the hard work you've done thus far. Turning yourself into a prune in the bathtub is a great strategy. Have you got the CD's to listen to while you're there? Seems to work for Ollie. Herbal tea is helping me too, as are the supplements.

Hang in there NTC, you can do it, I know you can. I'll be around for the next few hours if you want to chat or PM.

Love
Wooflet

[ntcentral]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Wooflet, thank you so much for you kind message! Here's the most amazing thing about tonight. I stayed in the tub until i was about pickled. Then my husband and I went to our favorite sports BAR. Yes--a sports bar! The teenagers were out and I didn't want to cook and he wanted to watch the rest of the game and SO...we found ourselves sitting at the bar, waiting for a table in the back, which is more of a restaurant. He asked me if I would be okay sitting there on the bar stools or if we should wait out in the lobby. He had a beer and I ordered a Coke--- a COKE folks! We sat there a good 30 minutes waiting for a table. I was mesmerized by watching people drink (the place is super popular and always packed on a Friday night). What particularly astonished me was how many people can walk away from a half empty glass. I must have seen a half dozen half-full glasses dumped out by the bartender. That is such a foreign concept to me. And even though it was getting late, no one seemed particularly blitzed. I've been there on more than one occasion seeing double and I have always just figured that everyone else was in a similar state. When we finally made it to the table my husband asked me how I was doing. I said in all honesty that I had two choices and only two choices. I could either stick with a Coke or I could drink two pitchers of beer by myself and that that amount still might not be enough to get the job done. And here I sit now, at almost 10:00, sober as a [what can I fill in here? Judge? Nun? 2-month old baby?] and I figure I've made it through Friday night---just. Again, thank you Wooflet. I'm new to this site. I've ordered the Kudzo and probably shoujld order the CDs. I'm drinking the recommended Herbal tea as I type. Phew.

Peanut, I've really enjoyed reading your posts. We go to Sask. every summer so I know the territory. It sounds like you only had a partial bottle of the wine the other night so that's a minor slip in my book. Hope the trip to Calgary goes well.

Here's to tomorrow, night all, NTC

[wonderworld]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

HI!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There is absolutely no chance I can get caught up:upset:. I've been working like a maniac. I miss you guys so much! This is a great project I'm working on - and one which I NEVER would have gotten or been able to do with you-know-who (AL) around. NO WAY. Will share it with you when I can.

In the meantime, I hope everyone is okay. I think of my friends here throughout the day and it really lifts my spirits. I can't wait til after next week is over and I can go back to "normal" (!) and hang out here with my buds all hours of the day and night :l:h:l.

My AF is solid in case anyone is worried. I have no desire to drink. I know this would all disappear if I did. A couple of late anxious nights when I just wanted to knock myself out with ANYTHING, but I did okay. Keeping up with my supps, eating as best I can, resting as much as I can. I feel good.


Hope to be back in not too long. So sorry to have been so absent so suddenly. Nothing else but this could have taken me away from you !!!!

Love WW xox

[Wooflet]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Wow NTC that is amazing - a sports BAR!?! Fantastic work :goodjob: Also well done to your husband who sounds wonderfully supportive - not all partners are willing/able to be that way (sometimes when I read these boards I'm glad I'm single!).

I can identify with you being mesmerised by people who can drink "normally". I can't remember the last time I left anything in my glass...

Well done again NTC. In my very brief AF experience each triumph like that just makes us stronger and stronger.

Have a great weekend

Wooflet x

[Wooflet]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Hi WW!!

Hey there WW!!

Great to hear from you. Figured that project of yours was keeping you very busy. Look forward to hearing about it when time permits.

No I don't think any of us were worried about you staying AF, we knew you'd stay strong.

We're all doing great here but miss you and look forward to your return next week.

In the meantime enjoy what sounds like an amazing opportunity.

Love
Wooflet x

[Captnjack]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

I might join you guys if thats ok Im on week 2 and feel so good I aint stopin pretty much followed the programme with out the meds or CDs however I listen to a Australian version of the cds I find it helps heaps. I cant believe I have been swallowing the DUMB pill for so long. I like the sound of "Thanks but I dont drink."
Love to all
Captn

[Peanut]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

doh'

Well here I am, writing from sunny edmonton. Of course, only a few short hours sleep after a bit of a hottub after we arrived, 2am bed time and I woke a 6am. Man! I hope that accumpuncturist can help me with this insomnia. So I managed to sleep a bit more, get up, and don't you know it?? I have a bladder infection!!! NOOOOOO!!!! not today!!!! Plus cramps!!!! On the day of the big run!!! Why why why?!?!?! I was very fortunate, that my friend here has a running friend in the same group, whose wife is a doctor (I suppose I will meet her in person in a couple of hours). So, she called her up, I talked to her, and she called a prescription in to the nearby drugstore. Within half an hour, I had an antibiotic in me. Oh, I hope it works FAST!!!!! That sure beats sitting in a walk-in clinic for hours!!! I would have died!!!

I think I will ease off the supps a bit. I do tend to get these, and always when I am away from home travelling! Such a drag! I have started taking an already-filled prescription with me when travelling. I wonder if everything, the supps, the lack of sleep, etc. led me to this. My beau said he was expecting it! Too much change in my system. Aiy!!! whatever is a gal to do??

Anyway, it sounds like everybody is doing great!!! Well done on all your AF days. And Wooflet - that sneaky Diego just got the better of me. I have Frenchy with me, so hopefully my friends who are putting us up will enjoy it. Good on you NTC for having coke at the sports bar - I think I will be dinking water water water today, not beer beer beer. But apparently, one of our stops on the run is a wine stop. I should probably avoid that considering my infection.

Have a wonderful day everybody (or night, as the case may be) I'll be back home tomorrow night and will check in on you all then.

Keep up the good work!
On-on!!!
Peanut

[Frogzter]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

This is my first day sober in quite a while. I am miserable and overwhelmed. I have read the book and now hoping to bring all this together so that I can get my life on track! There is so much to get and do I feel hopeless but have managed to read the book so far and make a Dr. appointment for Monday. I hope the Topamax will help me.

Just wondering if anyone out there has multiple problems to deal with as I do? Sorry to say that I am also bipolar, have an eating disorder and am addicted to everything I touch including headache powders and soda... nothing in moderation for me. I am also wanting badly to quit smoking. THe Dr. says I have emphysema and need to quit but it is a crutch of 35 years. I read that Topamax helps with a lot of these symptoms so I pray that it will work for me.

I appreciate having this place to vent and read what works for others!

Have a great day all... meanwhile I shall suffer this day to its end!