Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

[ntcentral]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Hi all, it's AM here but I'm posting anyway. In about two hours, we're off to a graduation brunch where I'm sure there will be many a Bloody Mary and Mimosa cocktail. The woman hostess is someone with whom I've not had the best of interactions with in the past (she once hollered at me in a parking lot over kid issues---I was dumbfounded, never saw it coming). Time has passed, our kids are now graduating from high school, and it's time to let bygones be bygones. But with all that said, I'm expecting to feel some anxiety and trepidation, sure-bet triggers to start imbibing. I plan on putting on a pretty dress and a pretty smile, and floating through the get-together serenely and soberly.

Loppy, so sorry that you're riding the emotional roller coaster. If it is any consolation, I think that's only natural. You're losing a steady companion in AL, and it's only natural to feel some grief and sadness. It's also natural to feel off-balance a bit. I'm not sure exactly what the antidote is, but here's a few suggestions: don't isolate yourself from others (that can be dangerous for these kinds of moods), get outdoors (which it sounds like you are doing), move, sleep, eat healthy, and .....pat yourself on the back. You've logged in three weeks and that's something to be proud of.

[wakupmom]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Hi guys,from a very wet and misserable sunday here in the uk!
Hope everyone else is having a better day.

Loppy.I can so relate to how you are feeling at the moment.I think we are at the same stage 25 today?I was thinking that by this stage i would be as hi as a kite.All i can say is that this a big shift for us and i suppose we are changing.I too want the old me back but to be perfectly honest i don't know who that is.Any way heres a hug from me to say keep going.Just be patient with yourself you are doing great xx

Hello to everyone else.Peanut,NTC.LVT,Wooflet.Hope your having a great weekend xxxx

[ntcentral]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Hey wakupmom, we must have overlapped in our postings. Congrats on stage 25 today. I hope your day goes well, here's a hug to you.

[wakupmom]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Hi NTC,We were posting at the same time.I hope the graduation brunch goes well for you.I bet you will look great in your pretty dress and that smile will be just the job.Try not to be anxious although i can imagine how you feel.Let us know how it goes,will be sending you some cyber strength xx

[wakupmom]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Thankyou NTC!
Heres a hug to you too. xx

[LVT25]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Hi guys,
Glad last night is over. I think I spent too much time thinking about it and worrying about it--I didn't do too great. I'm talking about the bbq for my friend's b-day. It wasn't that bad, it was nice to see everyone again, but I'm glad it's over and I can go back to my own little af world.

I have 1 week to get my garden finished, my pumpkin patch started, and everything else I need to do before my son and I go to Texas on a mission trip. Today I feel like a nap. That can't happen. Working our cattle later, and weather will be turning for the worst again tomorrow, so I better get out there!

Happy Memorial Day--remember our veterans!

[Peanut]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Happy Monday Morning!!!

I truly wish I could have stayed in bed this morning. I am so sleepy again!! I wonder if this is going to be a usual, monday thing for me!! I did sleep without waking, so things are getting better there, but just not enough sleep I suppose!!!

Loppy must be on day 25??? Emotional?? I hope happiness and feeling proud are part of those emotions!!! Has your gardener returned yet?? WakeupMom - how many days are you now?? LVT and NTC - party weekend - did you succeed in staying AF?? I of course did not!!! Grrr..... I did drink wine on saturday at a house warming party. Gorgeous house.... tons of wine to drink, so tons of wine I did drink! Didn't I vow not to get shitfaced anymore?!?! We got driven home to my brother's at the end of the night - last to leave of course. So maybe this is why I am so tired - what kind of sleep does a person really get when it is passing out, rather than blissfully falling asleep??? Plus the long drive home yesterday, during which I did not snooze!

So I shall go to the drinktracker and fess up - although I don't think I can put a number in there - I have no idea!! It was nice to hang out with my 18yo daughter though. Although she has always been so difficult, I really do miss her!!

AF this week - and I mean it. Next weekend I have another event - a friend has joined a roller derby team - I find this totally awesome and there is a competition next weekend that we will watch. I'd love to try that, but think I would just do irrepareable damage to myself!!! Maybe I will just stick to the pool!

Have a marvelous monday!!
Peanut

[meditation mama]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Hello, my friends!

I have popped in here to offer my advise, but am now cementing myself in here to make it through the next 30 days after my last spar with AL. I am feeling pretty good today, my day 2. I just finished up with a session at the gym with my trainer and now I am going to pick up my daughter for a matinee of Indiana Jones and a huge tub of popcorn! At least I went to the gym.

I have a stronger resolve than I think I have ever had right now. I have a lot of sober days to reflect upon and a few not great days of drinking to learn from - again.

I plan to pop in here each day to count along and hopefully add something to your journey.

Thank you for your kindness and words of encouragement in my thread. I really appreaciate it.

Namaste,

MM

[ntcentral]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Hi MM, how was the popcorn? Sounds like you have two days down and only 28 to go. Peanut, those open house parties with free flowing wine have always been a downfall for me. I'm one of those who go for a refill once the glass becomes a third full. Hope you have a good week. Dolphin, sounds like you had a rough day yesterday. Isn't it amazing that a royal hangover (which it sounds like you might have today) isn't enough to keep us abstinent for ever? The pain seems to fade all to quickly.

I made it through this weekend, as much by circumstance as by resolve. We went to a big brunch yesterday and I had visions of bloody marys and mimosas during the drive over. I was swinging to and fro as to whether or not I would have just one (yeah, right). When we arrived, there were sodas, waters, and unspiked tomato juice. Part of me felt relieved and part of me disappointed. Yesterday makes me realize that I'm still not ready to attend a night function with AL.

I've had this enormous sweet tooth since quitting, something that I've never had before. I had an early dinner because I have a function (something to do with daughter's high school) to attend tonight. My daughter made us chicken but I passed on it and ate strawberries with sugar, short cake, and whipped cream with sugar, washed down with lemonade. Now I'm sitting here typing with a mega-sugar buzz. Any one else having sugar cravings? Good evening to all, NTC

[LVT25]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

What's wrong with this picture?

Okay, there's something wrong when I'm starting this thread for the day. Mountain time zone people!! Hope everyone's day is off to a great start or end.....

I for one, am glad the weekend is over. Of course it doens't matter that much to me since I don't have a "real" job. This will be the start of me trying to keep my kids from driving me crazy this summer! They really know how to push my buttons, but I'm putting my foot down, and going to give them a good balance of fun and work. Give and take!

The only social outing I had this weekend was the BBQ for my friend's birthday. I drank more than I wanted and shamefully smoked a couple of ciggies--YUCK!!! But that was it for the weekend. We worked our calves and cows, and that always involves beer afterwards....but I had iced tea instead. It wasn't hard--that is good. I LIKE feeling good. Not hungover!

Have a busy week planned. I want to get the house clean and laundry done, then a long list of jobs outside when the weather is nice. Still have to finish the monster garden, and start the monster pumpkin patch. Last year we couldn't find any pumpkins for Halloween, so this year, the boys will raise and sell some (I hope).

On that note, I better get busy!!!

Thinking of you all! :h

[Peanut]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Good morning everybody,
I have ony a moment - must get going in my crazy laboratory!! I have not had much luck in the AF life, except that no excessive drinking has been done, apart from last saturday. I must get my mind set back, and make a greater effort to put in a streak of AF days!!! What is it with this wine thing?!?!?

Anyway, this thread has been getting rather thin lately, notice??
My technician is calling me - I have to run!!!
Talk to you all later!
Peanut

[1morechance]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

hello everyone
sorry i haven't been around. lots of work and house stuff. i missed reading the post, i couldn't belive i had to read so much to catch up! i've been so, so. wasn't AF unfortunatley but i'm back and determined. congratulations to everyone that's been doing well. i can't belive is almost the end of the month and you're almost there! keep up the good work, you're my inspiration.

[Wooflet]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Hi everyone

Despite my good intentions it's been ages since I last posted, so this'll probably be another long one I'm afraid. I guess the reason for not being here is partly a good one - the whole AF thing has been going so well that I've not needed to come here as often. On the flip side as I approach day 30 (three more days to go) I'm starting to think about what to do next, and the fact that the 30 days has been pretty easy makes me think I can moderate - dangerous thoughts?

cedar welcome, congratulations, and thank you for sharing your joy. It made me smile and love my day even more for having read your post.

LVT and Peanut well done on the AF streaks, what a huge change since last month - I hope you're both very proud of that.

Kiri you must have passed day 30 by now - congratulations!! Do check in and let us know how you're going.

NTC your yoga post has inspired me to give yoga another go. I tried it a while back and just couldn't get into it, although I think part of the reason might have been that the class was at wine o'clock and all I really wanted to do was get back home and drink. Speaking of which, yay to you for leaving the red wine for the osso bucco. I've still not tried having wine in the house, and fear I'd fail if I did. I know what you mean about noticing wine in the movie, not to mention all the ads for booze beforehand. Over here around a third of the ads seem to be for beer, wine or spirits. You asked about sugar cravings - I've developed a sweet-tooth for the first time in my entire life. I figured I'd let myself indulge somewhat in the first month, but from next week I'll start cracking down on the sweet stuff or I'll never lose my wine weight.

bestlife I like your motto! Glad you're feeling so calm and content.

Loppy sorry to hear things have been so all over the place emotionally. I've been a little bit that way myself from time to time, and I think it must be the fact that we've got to deal with our feelings instead of drowning them in Al. So I've started celebrating the fact that I'm feeling something (even if it's not so comfortable) rather than being numb.

kiagmin welcome. I responded to your questions on the separate thread you started - hope all is going well with the start of your programme.

dolphin welcome to our thread and congratulations on taking the first step.

meditation mama it is so lovely to have you here (although I'm sorry you've experienced a 'glitch' in your sobriety). I was inspired and thought-provoked (new word!) by your posts when I first found this site. Hope you enjoyed Indiana Jones. I saw it last Friday night and it was fun. I ate so much popcorn that I thought I was going to burst!

1morechance good to see your back and as determined as ever.

wakupmom hope all is well with you. You, Loppy and I are nearly there...

WW Kate has posted elsewhere that you're well and busy - glad to hear it and look forward to seeing you back here. The thread just isn't the same without you.

Love to you all

Wooflet x

[ntcentral]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Hi all, went to yoga tonight and then ate a huge chocolate fudge sundae for dinner. For lunch, it was another strawberry shortcake confection. Am I nuts or what? But sober, and that's what counts right now. I'm sure I'd be doing better craving-wise if I could give up this sugar binging but maybe that will have to hapen in the next thirty days.

Cheers to all.

[Wooflet]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Hey NTC I think we cross-posted there. As I said, I can identify with those sugar cravings. I stopped taking the L-glut and kudzu because I was ok with the Al cravings, maybe I should take them to curb my newly developed sweet tooth. Do you take any supps to deal with cravings?