One Step at a Time - February 2017

[NoraC]

Excellent way to flip to gratitude mode. (But, I don't blame you for being pissed!) :harhar:

[Lizann]

WF. You've got me laughing with the chainsaw and hubby.:happy2: Sounds like something my hubby would do. Yes be thankful that he is there to be irritated about. Why don't you get yourself some coloring books? I know they sell them everywhere now for adults. I happen to love it and do it often. I got gel pens for Christmas and the are my favorite:love: it is very calming and distracting.

Nora, I am sorry you felt like you were talking to yourself earlier. Sounds like you and hubby had a nice day. I am glad he let you sleep in, you deserve it.

AG yes please call me. I think I understand what you are talking about, feeling trapped and I get that it's hard to put into words. I don't count my sober days nor do I feel I can yet say I will "never" drink again. I'm content right now with just taking it one day at a time. I've got quite a few one day at a time behind me! I'm glad you and hubby are getting along better. You're sounding great and I'm proud of you! I would love to talk to you some more about this if you want. I am here for you:love:

Rusty, what are or did you do for your birthday? I hope you got spoiled rotten!

SK, scali, glassie, how's it going? Glassie, would love to hear about your trip.

Pauly, how are you doing today?

Had another super busy day today. Went shopping with my girls. I found a great store just one town over that carries bridal accessories so today CJ and Erin and I went in search of earrings, bracelet and a sash for Cjs wedding gown. Can't even tell you how much fun that was. I happen to love all that glitzy sparkly stuff! She did find all three and we are able to cross another thing off her list. We had a lovely lunch then Erin and I went to continue her baby registry. We lost track of him and hubs was wondering what the heck happened to us. We were gone for hours! We did get a lot done. I can't even wait. My father made the baby a change table already. So sweet. Me feet are killing me! I thoroughly enjoyed my day.
Wishing you all a good night.

[actiongirl46]

But, I didn't say that I was never drinking again. I said that I'm not drinking right now. Anything past this moment was too much to process. The truth is that once I got a little time under my belt, I realized that this was for ME. I am not drinking for me.

Thanks all! And thanks for these words Nora! You got it, despite my struggle with the finding the words. I do think this quit is for me, perhaps that is what is different. However, at times there is this nagging thought . . . These thoughts just need to go for now. I need more AF time.

Day 20 went well! Hubs and the boys are gone. I thought I may have some AL thoughts but I was ok. I kept myself very busy. Went for a run, made myself a healthy stir fry, had my ice cream. I am SO BEHIND at work. But instead of trying to get everything done I rearranged my schedule this week to have more office time. Said no thanks to a few extra commitments.

WF, my hubs is CRAZY with the chainsaw. I can so relate. Once he really went to town and rented a wood chipper. The neighbors came over that time. Yikes!! But you are right, its done now!

pauly, socali, Techie, Glassie, Rusty, how was your day? Techie, what is your next adventure?

NS, Nora, Liz, thanks again for the kind words. I have been focusing more on gratitude. I am so grateful to have a clear head! And not have had a hangover in 3 weeks!! And, ice cream! And, only 10 days until I hit 30!! I am going to get there.

Have a restful Sunday - AG

[techie]

Thanks all! And thanks for these words Nora! You got it, despite my struggle with the finding the words. I do think this quit is for me, perhaps that is what is different. However, at times there is this nagging thought . . . These thoughts just need to go for now. I need more AF time.

Day 20 went well! Hubs and the boys are gone. I thought I may have some AL thoughts but I was ok. I kept myself very busy. Went for a run, made myself a healthy stir fry, had my ice cream. I am SO BEHIND at work. But instead of trying to get everything done I rearranged my schedule this week to have more office time. Said no thanks to a few extra commitments.

WF, my hubs is CRAZY with the chainsaw. I can so relate. Once he really went to town and rented a wood chipper. The neighbors came over that time. Yikes!! But you are right, its done now!

pauly, socali, Techie, Glassie, Rusty, how was your day? Techie, what is your next adventure?

NS, Nora, Liz, thanks again for the kind words. I have been focusing more on gratitude. I am so grateful to have a clear head! And not have had a hangover in 3 weeks!! And, ice cream! And, only 10 days until I hit 30!! I am going to get there.

Have a restful Sunday - AG

Hello Steppers. Great work, AG!

[NoraC]

I was joking around today because I just kept posting. I thought it was funny. I really wasn't pouting.:congratulatory:

[Rusty]

Good Sunday Morning, Friends!

In a rush here so I apologize in advance for not addressing anyone. I am delighted with the in-depth dialogue, with AG and WF journaling their journeys here...with Nora, Liza,Skendall NS, Techie, and Pauly offering support. It is amazing to see AG and WF's AF days just building more and more.

Ah, my birthday...so far I have put on 3 lbs! I celebrated with a close friend at a lovely Italian restaurant on Friday night. Yesterday, I went out to dinner with a bunch of friends. Today, my dearest friend is taking me out to lunch, and next Saturday, I am going out with my family. Yes, Liz, I do feel spoiled. Haha!

Pauly-I am sorry about your relapse. It seems like you are most vulnerable on Fridays, your day off. Maybe because you don't have set plans on Fridays, you go into this mode, "f@ck it...I'll just drink because I don't know what else to do with myself?" That's how I was on my days off. Maybe moving forward, you should have plans on Friday that take up your whole day where you don't have time to drink.

Skendall:hug:I am so, so sorry you are in so much pain. I can't imagine living like that day after day.

Nora-I love that talking bird. It makes me laugh. No, you never talk too much.

Big hellos to everyone else and Red67...who hasn't been here in a bit. Red, please pop in.

I am off. I hope everyone has a lovely AF Sunday!

[abcowboy]

Rusty!

[actiongirl46]

MAE!

Cowboy, I don't know how you find all that fancy stuff but its pretty cool and breaks up the blue, black and white on here!

Nora, I'm joining you in the frequent talker club. :thumbsup: I can easily entertain myself though so no worries.

So glad Rusty and Nursie had wonderful AF birthdays!! You guys rock.

Ok, I REALLY NEED to stop and get some work done today. I'm presenting to two groups of people tomorrow and I'm not ready. YIKES.

See you later tonight - AG

[abcowboy]

AG, and anyone else for that matter, check out Glitter Graphics: the community for graphics enthusiasts! They've got all kinds of unique things c/w copy and paste code for different forums etc. I don't think this is Spam?

[paulywogg]

Hey all,just saying hi and want to thank everyone for the support

[SKendall]

Pauly, glad you posted. You must feel terrible and for many of us sobriety was elusive for a long time.

[Wildflowers]

Thank you, everyone for being here to support each other through thick & thin times!...:heartbeat:

Spent two hours face time with kids. :smile: Told them AF for 30 days. They are very happy!... :smile:

Still in pain, but know it could be worse. Using homeopathic treatments.

Hope you all have a good AF Sunday. :hug:

[Wildflowers]

Forgot to mention this: Watched a movie last night. Burnt with Bradly Cooper as a chef. Didn't know he was also playing a recovering alkie/addict. There was this one line mentioned by his counselor. Alkie/addicts are addicted to their feelings. This really sorta smacked me in the face. There's truth to this. Have known for years that so much of active addiction is about changing the way we feel. Still I never put two & two together. Think I truly understand the selfish part now. Think I'll go a bit deeper with this. It's still on my mind.

Believe science has shown that feelings come before thoughts. Recently, tested this. Had uncomfortable feelings first, then the negative thoughts. Will continue exploring internal and external triggers. Continue with having plans in place.

[NoraC]

WF - Interesting. And, I do know that how I feel/mood does affect me addictions. Run to alcohol.

Rusty - Glad that you are having a wonderful birthday weekend. :hug:
Today is my niece's birthday - 42 years old. I was going thru old boxes in the garage today and found her birth announcement. I was able to post it on her Facebook page. She loved it.

I tell you, we kept EVERYTHING!! Our trash can is full. We must have kept every paper that our son did during school. Oh my gosh. :rotlf:
Son, DIL and I leave in 2 weeks to spend a week in Oregon. We are going to start going thru all of my parents stuff. I am getting pretty good at saying, I love this very much but let it go to someone else to love. But, it's still hard sometimes.
Hubby is going to stay here alone with Mom for 8 days. He is so thoughtful and I am very blessed. He loves her as if she was his own Mom. He takes such good care of her. But, I'm still a little nervous. Hubby has such bad pain much of the time that it will be hard for him to be on call 24/7. When she has a bad day, it usually means that I'm up most of the night. He doesn't do well on being woken up at night. Even when our son was a baby, I was the one that got up with him. Hubby assures me that he will be fine. My niece lives about an hour and a half away. My cousin lives about 15 minutes away so if something would happen, they would be here to help until I could fly home.
Oh well - no sense in worrying about it. Everything will work out just the way it is supposed to.

[NoraC]

Pauly - thank you for checking in. I wish that I had words of wisdom. I think that you are doing amazing. I can't remember how many days you drank last year but it was minimal. Please remind yourself of all those wonderful AF days. I think Rusty is right about Friday's being a hard day for you.
Had you built yourself up to it and were going to drink no matter what? Could you have come here and asked for support? Or call/text someone to talk to? Just wondering what led up to it.......if it was sudden or had been building for a few hours. Hang in there. :hug::hug: