MARCH MOTIVATORS

[K9Lover]

MARCH MOTIVATORS

Hi My Marchie Friends!

Well my daughter had her first visit to the therapist and she says it went well. They only had about 15 minutes together after we got all the "paperwork" out of the way, but she is going back in 2 weeks. My girl has been happy lately and I think going to the therapist just reinforced the fact that I'm willing to help her in whatever way I can. When we got home she was playing Adele's song "Someone Like You" on the piano and singing, and I was in the other room smiling at how happy I am that SHE'S happy!

Blonde - Awesome job on 30 days tomorrow! WOW! There's something about getting through the first 30 days and then time really seems to fly. I'll be at 90 days on Sunday and I have no thoughts of drinking at ALL...for the first time of my MANY quits, I don't miss it and I don't long for it. My little pea brain is finally catching on me thinks! LOL

Our electricity went out on Monday night so our favorite show (The Voice) didn't record so we were bummed last night. LOL Instead I gave myself a facial steam (just got a new machine off eBay...love it!) then put on clean jammies and got into bed early with a new book. I swear I was asleep by 9:00 and slept like a log too! It's so nice to wake up in the morning, as opposed to "coming to"....we all remember that horrible feeling!

Well Marchies, I am off at 12 today due to mandated furloughs (no pay)...I try to break them up so I don't have too many non-paid hours on one paycheck. I'll be checking in with ya'll later...keep up the great work and stay strong!!!

K9

[mylife]

MARCH MOTIVATORS

Hello Marchies - checking back in.

Ginger - hope your pain gets better. Is it something chronic? I remember when I had back pain for several years (I finally had surgery) I used to swear if that pain ever went away I would never complain again LOL. Well I've TRIED to stick to that promise.

K9 - so happy to hear about your Daughter. I am sure it really means a lot to her that you cared enough and took her problems seriously. I'm sure that alone will help. I'm also so happy to hear your thinking is different. I feel like mine is too but I don't want to get my hopes up yet as I'm "only" just past my 30 day mark.

Good to hear from everyone!

[GingerDust]

MARCH MOTIVATORS

K9, that's great about your daughter. I think ML is right. The concern you showed in getting her therapy may wind up being more important than the therapy itself.

ML, I've had it before but it's been brief periods and it has not been this intense. It does feel a little better today. Thanks for asking.

[allswell]

MARCH MOTIVATORS

Good morning everyone,

Went to my first spanish class last night. After it was over and driving home I thought about how alcohol steals 100% of your commitment to anyone or anything else and concentrates it all on alcohol. "Don't have the time", "Can't commit", "Maybe later" were all me rationalizing only making time for alcohol and nothing else. I'm also surprised at how I'm able to focus and retain when my mind is not in a fog. I'm so glad to be at the point where I see nothing but positives.

K9, glad your daughter's session went well and she's back to being happy. Ginger, hope the pain eases for you today. Take care friends!

[Unwasted]

MARCH MOTIVATORS

Good Morning Everyone,

I am amazed at how I feel every morning when I wake up. Not only do I feel healthy and vibrant and alive, I feel profoundly thankful that I don't drink. Something has shifted in my brain and drinking feels like another life to me. I don't know what all has gelled for me this time, but it's vastly different. I think it's what they describe in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Not only has my thinking changed, but my behavior has too, and I'm a changed person. I'm not trying to say I float around in la la land, chirpy and bubbly all the time. But there is a calm acceptance and happiness about where I'm at and I honestly can't imagine compromising this ever again. I still think in terms of one day at a time, but the sound of forever doesn't intimidate me at all. THAT's different from when I tried to quit previously!

And, Blonde, I too am forever grateful for the Vale book because it was the single biggest thing that changed my thinking and I consider it a big component of why I quit. The timing was good for me when I read it because I was ready on multiple levels. I actually drank one more time after reading it, but it was still in my mind and I re-read it and it really stuck.

Allswell and ML, you both addressed this and I'm there too. Our lives revolved around drinking and now so many things are opening up. Before, I wouldn't commit to anything that would interfere with my plan to drink. Now, none of it's an issue and it feels wonderful. Alcohol was such an albatross.....how did we put up with it for so long?!! What a relief to be free of the ball and chain.

K9, I was thinking about your concern that your daughter might see your past drinking as part of her issue. If she brought this up with the counselor I bet the counselor gave you huge accolades for what you're doing now and probably was able to make your daughter undrstand just what a profound change you are making by quitting.....and how part of why you did that was to be a better mom. So, it actually might be a good thing in the big picture. And, maybe you've spared her the pain of having to go through what you did. Wouldn't that be super if your daughter didn't drink? In my next life I'll be a teetoatler from birth! OK, maybe in this life I'm living now, starting about 4 months or so ago.

Ginger, have you ever taken Glucosamine & Chondroitin? I just ordered it for my husband because he has some degenerative bone issues. My sister used it once for back pain and it helped her. BTW, how is the kitchen coming along? Hope you're feeling better today. Be sure to post a pic once it's done!

Well, sorry I wrote a novel this morning and thanks for taking the time to read.......

It's so nice to have you guys on the journey - it really helps to have people even if only virtually.......who understand what this is all about. Thanks for being here!

[mylife]

MARCH MOTIVATORS

Unwasted;1284123 wrote: I am amazed at how I feel every morning when I wake up. Not only do I feel healthy and vibrant and alive, I feel profoundly thankful that I don't drink. Something has shifted in my brain and drinking feels like another life to me.

What a great quote to start the day with UW! I'm so happy to be a "non drinker" now too. What I'm really noticing is that even when I don't feel "great" I don't feel like I want a drink! I have actually been tired and kind of stressed out all week - but drinking just isn't on my radar right now. I'm so happy for that!

Alls - funny you mentioned about Spanish class. I have been taking Spanish as well and last night was our "final night" of this term. (It starts again in June). So we all went to a Mexican restaurant for dinner. Myself and our professor ordered Ice Tea and everyone else order Margeritas and Beers. I really did NOT feel at all tempted or left out. I just didn't want one. I was angry at myself later for the big glass of ice tea as it interfered with my sleeping last night...but that was it!

Several of the students in the group were talking about other things they do - several take salsa dance lessons and others are involved with other things - and I also thought to myself how much time I've been wasting my evenings drinking! There's a whole other world out there of people who are living life and I'm so glad to now be a part of that.

Hope everyone has a great day. :l

[BlondeAFAmbition]

MARCH MOTIVATORS

Hello Motivators!

And Motivators you trully are! Each and everyone of you!

UW, I enjoyed your post earlier about waking up everyday and feeling "profoundly" grateful for not having to drink. I also read the Vale book at just the right time. At the end of the book, he does say to have a goodbye drink to AL, but I sort of did that before I started reading it and even though he gives permission to do this one last time (unless, he states that you already have stopped drinking of course). I wouldn't have a final goodbye drink now as a ceremonious sort of thing because I reallyh don't have the desire to drink! The last few nights, during the "witching" hour, I seriously caught myself NOT wanting a drink...lol. Like it's not in my daily routine anymore. After 30 days, I guess that is normal but I have quit for 60 days in the past and still got those cravings. I really think it's Jason's way of thinking...the change in thought of being fearful of giving up AL to being grateful for not having to drink because it does nothing for you and being finally free of it. It's the others who are still drinking (even though they think they have it in control) that we should feel sorry for. Not those of us who have gotten out of the trap!

K9! 90 Days! That is wonderful...you go girl! We are so proud!

MyLife-I also re-read the Vale book almost everyday. I don't feel the need to read it again cover to cover since he's made his point and it luckily stuck in my Blonde brain, but I do just randomly open it and leave it to destiny to fall on a page that has some point in it that I can reinforce. I was on his juicemaster website and read a bunch more about him and watched some of the online videos. He is certainly charasmatic! I am not really into juicing but would be curious to read his other books. He is admirable.

Well, have a great day everyone!

[K9Lover]

MARCH MOTIVATORS

Hi Marchies!

Wow you guys all sound so great...makes me happy! I agree with UW, I've never felt this good about any of my "quits" before either, something is just different this time. I am living life without giving alcohol much (if any) thought, it's just not a part of my day anymore. Thinking back, I can't believe I wasted so much time on it...ugh, but we live and we learn (hopefully).

Things are well with me, my daughter is her happy/silly self and my nephew got high-speed internet in his room...so the kids are all happy. Now the dogs and their fleas are another story. LOL

I mentioned in the Nest that I was the receipient of some drunk texts last night. My ex-boyfriend can't seem to let go (7 years later...he also came up in my daughters counseling, we BOTH took it hard when he left us after 7 years with us). Anyway, he was feeling emotional and drunk, saying he'll always love me, we should be together, etc., etc.. I am just so thankful that I was sober (sound asleep actually) and did not engage in the text wars that we've had so many times in the past. Part of getting over him is moving on, and I FINALLY have (it took years). Anyways, although I woke up to some texts, I felt good knowing I had nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about, although he will probably will be today. I'm SO glad those days are over!

I cannot believe that March is coming to an end...already! We did good this month, let's keep it up into April....and beyond. Time to start thinking up names for next month!

K9

[Unwasted]

MARCH MOTIVATORS

K9, after my divorce I dated a very charming but screwed up guy. I had a hard time moving on. Now I look back on it as absolute insanity that I every wasted one day on him.........so glad I got out of that. My life would be a much different story today if I had been disfunctional enough to stay in that relationship. And, yes, drinking was a huge part of it all. I'm so happy to be free of alcohol and all that it encompasses.

[GingerDust]

MARCH MOTIVATORS

Hi all. I've had it with the pain and made an appointment with my GP and with a chiropractor that my husband's employer recommended. I hope something works because I'm at my wit's and my body's end. But still AF!

K9, you mentioned getting a new bed helped. The budget can't do that right now but I am going to try putting the mattress on the floor. I had a couple people tell me it really helps to have a firmer sleeping surface.

I hope everyone has a good day and doesn't whine, wince and groan as much as I have been.

[mylife]

MARCH MOTIVATORS

Hello Motivators!

Blonde you sound like you're on such a positive roll! It's great to hear.

K9 - Doesn't it feel good knowing you did not engage? What a feeling of peace and self control. And it's great to have moved on from a dysfunctional relationship.

Ginger - sorry to hear you're in so much pain. As I said I have been there and so happy not to have that anymore. I tried eveything - mattresses, chiropracters, acupuncture and even epidural shots to my spinal cord (ugh). Nothing worked and finally I had to have surgery. I was one of the lucky ones with a good result. Hopefully you can get there without surgery.

Good to hear from you all!

[BlondeAFAmbition]

MARCH MOTIVATORS

Hi Gang!

Gotta dash off to work but wanted to say hello and happy Friday to those that are celebrating the end of their work week today . As for me, I am actually coming OFF my 2 days off and heading back into work for the weekend till next Wed, but that's OK...I've had a wonderful 2 day break and the weather was absurdly awesome...plus, I got to celebrate my 30 day mark of AF time yesterday with you all and it couldn't have been better!

Keep your chins up and keep up the good work everyone! Love to all!

[allswell]

MARCH MOTIVATORS

Hi All, hope everyone has a good start to the weekend.

Tomorrow I'm going to have my first real test. About a month ago I volunteered for an fundraiser at one of the schools. I didn't know what it was at the time and it turns out to be a cross between watching college basketball on some big screens and some sort of poker tournament with beer all over the place. I really regret volunteering for it now and just feel like cancelling but I'm not one to bail last minute after committing. It will be the first time I've not been able to just get up and leave if things began feeling uncomfortable. I'll be fine I'm sure but I'm really getting tired of alcohol staring me in the face everywhere I go, even when volunteering for a fundraiser!

[Unwasted]

MARCH MOTIVATORS

Alls, be sure to take an AB in your pocket - it will give you the mental insurance just in case. That's what I did last weekend - I didn't need it, but it made me feel secure to know I had it available. I so hear you about alcohol everywhere.

Blonde - so great on your 30 days. I think this is your real quit time!

Ginger, have you ever tried Glucosamine with Chondroitin?

Not much new in my world - had a good day out and about yesterday which included a nice meal with no AL - but I did happen upon a fabulously yummy drink. It was lemonade made from scratch with a shot of some kind of strawberry sweetener, fresh strawberries and basil. I know it sounds strange, but it was one of the best drinks I've ever had. I'm going to try to recreate it at home. Honestly, it was over-the-top delish!

ML, K9 and anyone stopping by - hoping you're all doing well and achieving your AF goals!!

[GingerDust]

MARCH MOTIVATORS

Morning all.

UW, I had never heard of Glucosamine with Chondroitin. I just did a search and will def check it out.

Alls, good luck with the fund raiser. You could take the AB now, and then you wouldn't have to think about the beer at the event.

I had a better night and woke up with minimal pain. Yesterday I joined a gym and am going to do aqua fitness everyday, starting today. I'm too young to have a body that feels this old! I have no delusions of getting a "ripped" body, but a stronger one would be nice.

Have a good Friday everyone.