One Step at a Time - February 2017

[paulywogg]

Happy anniversary Wildflowers Liz,don't be afraid of offending me you guys are all my adopted sisters,we can talk about anything I know its hormones! They're allover the damn place,women talk about PMS,that seems like the only time I feel more stable,seems I have Post MS! Valentines decs are up,looks nice,less naked around the house,dreading work with a passion today oh well,AG,you're doing great Nora,Rusty,Nursie,Techie hope we all have a nice AF Saturday

[NoraC]

I read a good Positivity quote of the day:

"At any given moment, you have the power to say: This is not how the story is going to end." -Christine Mason Miller

[Wildflowers]

Thank you Nora and WF! Yes, your comment above was true for me. Until I started rewarding myself everyday. Poison is not fun, you are so right.

I am working on shifting my mindset to accepting my home as my "safe" place. It used to be my most dangerous place when unlimited AL was here. That's done now, so yes, if I don't stop anywhere and get here, eat, watch TV, interact with my beautiful family, all is good.

I am so grateful to be here. :thanks:

Many moons ago, the good people of MWO taught this basic principle alcohol isn't a reward, it's poison. They'd say is there anything fun about throwing up, not remembering, bruises from bumping, falling, etc. I fell off our back deck once, other injuries, currently still have one. Worrying next day driving. Cops can smell it even with a shower.

I chuckled when Nora suggested taking a smaller purse out. Talk about good prevention. Never thought of that.

I'd hurry in garage take a gulp, hide it. Wonder do I smuggle it in now or hide it out here? Then figure out how to get it in later. Run in bathrm, use a dab of toothpaste. Couldn't have breath to minty, they'd know. Exhausting playing those games. In the end I'd buy two pints, one for garage & one inside. Wine was too hard to hide, but not a six pk.

Can't tell you how many times I'd have good intentions not to buy when out. At the end I caved. Walked around store, put in cart, take it back, make to ck out, leave by magazine rack. They must have thought I was a looney. Thought I was all clear. Only to drive to gas station or liquor. Crazy crazy. No more!!!...

Thank you all, for the nice anniversary wishes & cute image. Going out to dinner later. Heard from kids. They thought it was 34th. Told them recently it was. Apparently, Mr. WF was paying more attention then I realized.

Weird, Pauly I was speaking to Mr WF early about how I'm glad I've arrived to the other side of menopause. Agree with Liz that mood swings are related. However, their are some downsides in not having these hormones. Have you tried black cohosh tea, wild yams, think evening primrose oil for relief? I now eat pistachios to add back in hormones. Recently stared taking flaxseed capsules. Also have it ground with coconut & coca in fridge. Live probiotics in fridge. All these supplements cost a small fortune. Don't want to burden SIL.

So have coupon for five course seafood rest. We may head to the dollar store for a date. Haven't been in long long x. It can be fun there. Still have movie gift cards from couple yrs back. Maybe, will get out more. Were homebody's at this point. Sure, my alcoholism has been an issue to.

Liz so glad you slept well. Mine was better. Maybe tell your girls, "poor planning on your part, does not constitute an emergency on mine." No worries on caling or texting MIL. She likely understands. Your such a sweetheart, tired too.

Sorry, if I forgot anything important with any one. :hug: Well tom is Superbowl 51, hope it's competitive.

[actiongirl46]

Just checking in! Thanks for all the support.

Tonight we are going out with another couple for dinner. It is risky, I'll admit. I get down staying in every night, especially since I work at home most of the week.

Here is my plan: I told hubs I will not drink. He will be with me. I'm going to bring a bottle of Pelligrino. No after party, dinner and go. These are very good friends and will be supportive, but they are also ten years younger than us and I don't think they have hit the health problems or the progression yet that this disease can bring. I'm not sure that they will, I really don't know how much they drink at home or on a daily basis.

I think my need for social interaction and getting out of the house will top my craving for AL. I'm going to give this a try. If I am too uncomfortable, I'll know that I need to stay home for a little while.

The last part of my plan is posting here so I can be accountable! Onward!

[actiongirl46]

One more thing! I made it to Yoga this morning. I also tried acupuncture for the first time. One thing I didn't know is the Saturday morning yoga session at my gym is geared toward detox. And the acupuncture session is geared for recovery. Not just from AL, everything, but still, how convenient!

It was a very relaxing morning, but not if I was hungover!

[NoraC]

Great plan. Be sure to have fun. And the truth is that you will once you know AL is out of the equation

[actiongirl46]

Hi all, back home. Everything went really well and I did have fun. Drank a diet coke at the restaurant.

In hindsight, being out at a restaurant was not difficult. It was thinking about it ahead time that was more stressful. I am seeing the value of having and sticking to a plan. All other quits I would just wing it and certainly not tell anyone I was trying to abstain.

Last week I told my hubs if I get to 15 days (a new personal record for me) that I am getting my car detailed. Almost there!!

[Lizann]

Hi all, back home. Everything went really well and I did have fun. Drank a diet coke at the restaurant.

In hindsight, being out at a restaurant was not difficult. It was thinking about it ahead time that was more stressful. I am seeing the value of having and sticking to a plan. All other quits I would just wing it and certainly not tell anyone I was trying to abstain.

Last week I told my hubs if I get to 15 days (a new personal record for me) that I am getting my car detailed. Almost there!!

You go girl!

[abcowboy]

AG, I think you're onto something there, the thinking beforehand about how we're going to handle things. We get ourselves all worked up over should we go, will we drink, or what will other's think, that we almost have ourselves convinced that we're doomed to fail.

You should share that post in the Nest, many could benefit from it!

Opps, I see you did share this in the Nest, good for you on getting through!

[Rusty]

A quick check-in as I have A LOT of paperwork to do today!

Cowboy-I agree with you wholeheartedly!

AG-congratulations on getting through your dinner AF. YES, a key tool is to not project that the worst thing is going to happen (drinking) or that you won't have a good time... before going to any event. So glad you focused on your husband and I am delighted that he is supportive of you. I love your idea of rewarding yourself with detailing your car. :-)

Skendall:hug: I am so sorry you are in so much pain! Have you tried Gabapentin? The opioids will do NOTHING for nerve pain. I know from my own experience with my neck. My doctor put me on Hydrocodone and all that did was make me constipated. Sorry if that's TMI. I take 600 mgs. of GABA at night and it works like a charm. My neck is WAY worse than it was when I went to the ER in 2011 because of the pain. Now the discs are actually pressing against my spine. I am trying to avoid surgery at all costs. My new doc says that as long as the Gabapentin is working, then I don't have to have surgery.

Liz-yes, all my V-Day decorations are up. How was the party for your SIL? Any progress on CJ's bridal shower venue?


Nora-I have this GREAT picture I would like to post because it reminded me of you and I, Liz, and Pauly...because we seem to have bosses/co-workers and clients who drive us nuts. I do not know how to post pics. If I email this picture to you, could you please post it??? Thank you also, for the inspiration and the support you give people here. I know some people thought our thread was dying out. I do remember a wise woman saying that threads seem to ebb and flow. Hahah! LOL. :love:

Glassie-how was your trip? Please let us know!!!

I am in my office with the TV and the local TV station is talking about the food people eat during the Super Bowl and the news reporter showed booze-infused pizza. UGH! GROSS!

Big hellos to everyone else...Wildflowers, Mr. G, and anyone I missed...Happy Sunday.

[paulywogg]

Wonderful job AG!! See you phyched yourself out for nothing! In the end the power is in our hands to make the right choice and you did Nora,I hope you can post the pic Rusty sends you,sounds cool.Rusty a booze infused pizza,bleh I'll pass,actually last night I was watching a Lifetime movie (my faves) and this guy was at a concert holding a beer bottle and sipping it here and there,I tell you my stomach was clenching with the biggest wave of nausea! It was amazing how seeing that bottle brought on such a physical reaction like that, first time I've had that feeling just by looking usually its thinking of drinks that makes me want to puke,I ordered a food sensitivity kit yesterday that Lav suggested, it tests for wheat,fruits,dairy and such,I'm excited for it to come cuz I really need to clean up my eating...but today I'm off for pancakes and bacon!! Hey its Sunday hugs to Liz,Nursie,Techie,Glassie,Skendall,Wildflowers,hop e we all have a beautiful AF Superbowl Sunday

[NoraC]

RUSTY - THANK YOU. I CAN NOT STOP LAUGHING!!!!! :rotlf: :harhar:

[SKendall]

AG, you have more success since daily posting. At the witching hour maybe log your success into a diary, it makes you more accountable and you get the reward of looking back and watch your sober self emerge. Many people listen to the Bubble hour and find if very effective.

Congratulations Wildflower! You are doing this. Also, congrats on your wedding anniversary.

Rusty, the gabapentin gives me blurry vision. great suggestion.

How are you doing Liz?

Nora, your advice and suggestions are always golden.

Right now I don't want to be politically correct. We are living a nightmare and America has never been like this. My anxiety has increased as has my friends. There just isn't any way to sweep this under the rug and pretend it isn't happening when all day and all night we are affected.

Pauly, I hope the food testing proves to be an answer.

The treasure hunt was a big success and she carted a big bag home. I notice she keeps her candy here, probably doesn't want to show her mom. She has her own shelf in the pantry and it all stays there with her pouch of money.

[Rusty]

NORA!:heartbeat: How did you turn my cartoon into a color photo from a black and white? You wonderful sorceress! Thank you!!!

Skendall-you may have strong political views but please start a SEPARATE thread if you want to express your views. Really, politics has NO place on this thread, which is supposed to be about alcohol recovery. If the current state of affairs has you particularly anxious, then talk about it on your SEPARATE THREAD.

[NoraC]

I still need to read back completely but wanted to post Rusty's picture. Warped Work that Makes her Go Wacky. I'm putting it on my phone so I can look at it when things get nuts!

AF - Great job on making it thru with no issues. I did realize that I worked things up in my brain and the actual events weren't as hard as I dreaded. Maybe you already follow Belle-Tired of Thinking about Drinking. But, I like some of the bracelets because you can wear them for strength and nobody else would understand the message. Some of them have the message on the inside. Sometimes it helps me focus if I am able to hold onto something. I don't wear much jewelry but I carry a worry stone with me.