One Step at a Time - March 2017

[abcowboy]

Howdy ho Steppers! Thought I’d swing by and say hello! Y’all will pardon me if I don’t mention you by name cause I don’t know how the rest of you do it. By the time I looked back at each post and wrote something out, I’d be 2 days behind again! So I’ll see if I can’t capture you all in this little blurb;

We’re finding it hard getting used to the time change, we’re all feeling some sort of ache, pain, or illness, we’ve all got some sort of relative that gets under our skin, most of us are battling spring storms, and we all had a drinking problem! There, that would cover just about everyone. Not going to touch on any body parts though lol.

So last night or I guess early this morning, I wake up at 1:18am, terrible tooth ache! Rinsed with some salt water, and went back to bed. Tossed and turned so ended up taking an Advil, something I hate doing, but I had to ease the pain so I could get some sleep. Woke up this morning a bit tired, a bit of swelling on my lower jaw, but toothache just about gone. Then I remembered back to what my old toothache solution was. Rinsed my mouth by swishing 3 or 4 big shots of spiced rum straight from the bottle and voilà, no more pain. Until the next morning that is! I’d have a headache as well as the toothache still! I’ll stick to my new way of dealing with it now, even go through a bit of pain before I use booze as a cure!

[NoraC]

Re: One Step at a Time - March 2017

Hey all - quick check in from me.

WF - no you didn't hurt my feelings with your advise about my brother. Thank you. I hope that you get some relief soon.

Rusty - hope your stomach bug is already gone.

Pauly - I remember years & years ago.....long before I had this problem. A woman I know had hurt her back badly. She told me the question at the end of the night was whether to take a pain pill or to have a drink. So, your husband is not the only one.

Cowboy - I don't know but something was missing in that condensed version. :rotlf: Hope your toothache goes away.

Sent one of my nieces an e-mail today about her Dad and the situation. I think it's to the point that his kids need to step in to get him moved. She called her brother and we'll see how things go from there.
After all of that, i found out my boss is in he hospital having open heart surgery tomorrow. As much as I complain, I've known him since I was 19 years old.

Going to say goodnight. Sending positive thoughts to you all.

[actiongirl46]

Re: One Step at a Time - March 2017

Checking in!! Whew, I'm ready for Saturday . . . long week. Rusty, I don't know how you do this travel thing so much. It wipes me out. Speaking of our Rusty, I hope you feel better soon! We have had a lot of people getting really bad colds/flu this year. They have closed a lot of schools for a few days which is unusual. Hopefully you will have the short version.

WF, I hope you heal quickly too.

Cowboy, sounds like its time for a trip to the dentist! Darn!

Good idea on contacting your niece, Nora. Hopefully he will listen to them.

I had a great conversation with a dear friend today. I've known her over 40 years and she always makes me feel good about myself. I am able to be honest with her about everything, including AL, and that feels really good.

Off to get some sleep before traveling for work again tomorrow. Have a great night all!

[Ne/Neva Eva]

Re: One Step at a Time - March 2017

do you guys ever feel like thinking about the past,good or bad is kind of uncomfortable and almost triggery?
...NS,has that thread about what you don't miss but I can't contribute cuz I just don't wanna go there

YES! yes and yes. I wish I hadn't contributed. Not good for my soul to relive and live in the past. Especially when I still feel bad about it.

Endless post ahead. Can’t keep up! Must check in everyday, obvs.

Rusty, I hope the drive was uneventful. I LOVE the virtual blanket forts. Brilliant. Thanks for explaining. Reading is okay… Better than many alternatives. But I do it to the exclusion of everything else. I decided yesterday to take on some new projects that have been sitting idle way too long. I’m excited about it.

The intervention sounds horrific. Tough love in any form is anti-productive. I abhor the information people get about addiction from media and from common stereotypes. My number one goal in life is to change that. Don’t share until you want to.

I don’t know about getting a job in nursing. I do know I’m not ready to think about it yet.

Hope the bug is gone! Feel better…

Pauly, Ramen noodles? HAhahaha! I heart carbs and will never give them up. And cheese. Tried an exclusion diet (no gluten, dairy, legumes, and something else including coffee) for a minute. Never going to happen. When I was super-thin (from lifting weights, mostly) my boobs were small. (Not shriveled. EEK!) I can’t wait to lose ‘em again. I’m so over boobage.

Liz, so glad it wasn’t horrific and that your dad is ok. Super bummer about the snow blower.

Nora, your brother sounds like a bother, (or worse, but that rhymes) but it’s amazing how well you’re handling it. Very rational. Very sane. Where is he moving? Why is it on you to help him? Is he ill? Sorry, I know I’m late to the party and you’ve probably explained it before…

Wildflowers, thanks for the shout out. It feels good to be adding up the time. Cravings much lower than they were. Interesting that your doc prescribed baclofen for anxiety! Very cool of him/her. Just so you know, it doesn’t work taking it as needed, and may backfire. It has a cumulative effect, so taking it regularly is important. Taking it randomly may just increase side effects, which can be really uncomfortable. Also, I know lots of people who take it with a beta-blocker, which I take PRN for certain kinds of anxiety. Not sure why it wouldn’t work for you… Glad you posted about you! Sorry for the gout and the kidney problems!! Hope you’ll see the doc and get some resolution. Gout looks and sounds incredibly painful!

[Rusty]

Re: One Step at a Time - March 2017

Good Morning All,

Thank you for all the well wishes. I am feeling better and today I will be on-site working with a client until 6:00 PM. Long day since I woke up at 3:30 and couldn't go back to sleep.

Liz-

Rusty drive safe. I am paranoid driving in the snow. As far as the intervention, may I ask how it failed? Did they just all get together and confront you? I can imagine how I would feel and it wouldn't be good. I think it would cause me to drink more. Did your doctor talk to your sister about you?

To answer your questions, my mom, sister, brother and sister-in-law confronted me at my mom's house...It was an ambush. I told my mom I was coming over to go out to dinner with her, and my mom didn't tell me that they were all waiting for me. Thank God my wonderful brother-in-law (sister's husband) did not participate because I would have died of shame if he had. He is SO good to me and he has done nothing but shower me with love and generosity. The intervention failed because I didn't stop drinking and the shame of the whole scenario made me drink even more. NE is right when she said tough love is counterproductive. Tough love has NEVER worked on me. My doctor did not give my sister info. on what drugs I was taking (I was only taking thyroid and blood pressure meds) because of Hippa but she gave me sister the name of this rehab in central WI. All my doc knew was AA and rehab. My family thought for sure I was going to go. WRONG!

[Rusty]

Re: One Step at a Time - March 2017

I forgot...Techie, my dear, good luck running in the LA Marathon!!:yay: You are an inspiration to all of us.

Pauly-I try hard not to dwell on the past because it makes me sad. I think it could be a trigger, like you said. What helped me heal was writing letters to everyone I had hurt because of my drinking...including my mom, brother, sister, BIL, SIL and a couple of friends. Fortunately, they all have forgiven me and I have forgiven myself.

[paulywogg]

Re: One Step at a Time - March 2017

Morning all,Rusty,glad you're feeling better hon and I agree on tough love! When someone tried that sh*t with me I'd just write them off,I dunno why maybe I'm heard headed and stubborn but I think knowing that someone is there for me is a help,not someone trying to back me into a corner,just pisses me off NE,I'm so glad you could relate to what I wrote, I'm certainly not in denial,I've accepted what the drinking is,that I can't control it so I don't feel like by avoiding the past I'm avoiding having a problem its just I'd rather move on than dwell,good luck on getting the projects around the house done,my poor back yard has sooo many weeds but with my allergies I'm scared to tackle them,Nora,I'm glad you contacted your niece,this shouldn't be all on you,besides he might be a bit easier on his kid than on you,you know how siblings are, sorry about your boss hope it all goes smoothly, AG,I'm glad you have a close friend to sort stuff out with, my best friend moved a few years ago back to UT and we kinda kept in touch at first but not now,I think she grew up and thinks I haven't yet Liz,hope you're OK,you've been quiet,do we know what were having yet? My brother(not the weird one) announced yesterday that they're having a boy! I'm happy but I'm sad cuz next week Kell would have been having her baby,I wish it not worked out this way but God has weird plans I guess,anyways wishes for a wonderful AF Thursday

[Lizann]

Re: One Step at a Time - March 2017

Happy Thursday! Rusty, I hope you're feeling better! I do understand how hard it is to talk about the things that we did. I feel a little guilty I asked. Please don't share if it is too hard to talk about.

Pauly, talking about my drinking and the things I did and said does bring up. "Icky" feelings. Can't say that they are triggery but in comfortable for sure! How old is Winslow? A very unusual name, how did you get that? I would love a cat but hubby and kids are extremely allergic. Lucy is supposedly hypoallergenic but they get all itchy and sneezy with her too. Erin was fine when she lived here but now when she come back it's bad. I tell them all the time, Lucy is staying.

Wildflower, hope you are feeling better. After my daughter Erin was born I went back to work for two weeks and gave my notice. Stayed home for 15 years. I was so lucky hubby was able to sustain us. I am now working part time and he is working less. I am so grateful that things worked out the way they have.

Nora, I am sorry your brother is being difficult. I do think he is depressed. I hope his kids will be able to motivate him. I hope things work out with your boss. I know he was good too you. I must say you are handling this situation with grace and strength! You go girl!

Techie, on my bucket list to do a marathon, ok maybe a half marathon! Wishing you lots of luck. You had me laughing with the paulyitis:welldone:

AG, for me being busy is a good thing. You're really racking up those days. How are things with hubby? I would think they're happy you're sober. I have noticed my family is becoming more relaxed with me. Meaning they aren't afraid for life to happen and upset me thinking I will drink. I felt like there was a time they handled me with "kid gloves". I'm becoming myself again. Does that make sense?

Yes we are dealing with the snow. Driving to work was ok yesterday until I got stuck going up a hill. Cjs car was stuck in the snow but her daddy and brother managed to get it out! Nothing we haven't dealt with before. My anxiety was mom and dad and they are fine!
Ann suggested I come in today to make up the snow day. I said no and made up some excuse why I couldn't work. I feel a little guilty but I stuck to my guns.
Anyway off to run on the treadmill even though I am still sore from shoveling.
Rusty I'm going to get my nails done. Do you still go? I love wearing dark colors in winter.
Wishing you all a great AF Thursday!

[Lizann]

Re: One Step at a Time - March 2017

Cross post Pauly and rusty. I agree, I rather look ahead than back. I'm trying to do better and we can't change what happened.

[SKendall]

Re: One Step at a Time - March 2017

Hi all. Just not with it the last few days.

Rusty that intervention would kill me, very difficult for you. I'm glad you got over your bug. I thought I had a bug last week, but it turned out to be an ear infection. Caused intense dizziness.

Liz, good for you with acceptance, family and work. Good job.

AG, you're doing well with sobriety days.

Hi Wildflowers and Pauly.

Nora, that's tough with your brother and I'm hoping his kids will help. My brother and I haven't spoken since my brother's funeral. He was drunk and threw me out of his house. I've seen SIL and niece when I go to Canada. My brother was very cruel in his disease. Your brother's moving should not fall on you.

Ne, great to see you. You always post very newsy info, thank you.

Today, I'm off to get safety inspection for my new lic. plates and book an X-ray for pre-op.

Techie, good luck with marathon, my daughter runs them too. Always pretty sore after.

Good to see you cowboy. When I went to Mexico for my dental work the town was crowded with Albertans having dental work done too.

I'm sorry if I missed anyone.

[Ne/Neva Eva]

Re: One Step at a Time - March 2017

When I was in treatment, all the other women were getting their nails (and eyelashes!) done at Walmart, which was the only place we were allowed to go. I hadn't had a pedicure since last summer and decided to join the crowd for some girl fun. HUGE mistake. The nail tech chick curved my toenails when she filed them and now I have an ingrown toenail AND an infection. WHAT WAS I THINKING??? I can't imagine trusting someone to put eyelashes on!
That's all I've got for the moment. Sorry for not responding to the more serious stuff. xx

[Ne/Neva Eva]

Re: One Step at a Time - March 2017

Sk, you're getting the dental work done in Mexico? I've thought about doing that, honestly. Much cheaper than here, and I've read really good things about it. The problem, for me, are the flights and the delay between treatments. (I'd have to go more than once. $$$$ adds up when flying from the east coast!)

[Neo]

Re: One Step at a Time - March 2017

It's been 11 days since my implant and no pain at all . Implant there was no pain. Had 10mg valium 1/2hr before and ibuprofen immediately after. Then 2 hrs later, had 2 panadiene forte. I did have ice on it for a few hours and no swelling or bruising

[Ne/Neva Eva]

Re: One Step at a Time - March 2017

Glad that the implant went well, Neo. I saw on the Newbies Nest that you've had a slip but are back on the bus. Good for you!

I have been investigating MWO, since it's been ages since I've really participated and I couldn't remember what was what and where...

I don't know if any of you are subscribers, but I just discovered the Arcade section of the Subscriber's area. No one has been there in ages, it seems. BUT it has TETRIS. Now, I know y'all might not find that exciting, having much better things to waste time on. But holy wow, y'all. The original Tetris! Not some knock off, ad-filled, unsatisfying version. But the real thing. I just spent... Well, way too much time on there. I am furious (not really) that I got the high score and it didn't register.

(Are you guys wishing you hadn't been quite so inviting and friendly? I promise, that was my last post for the day!) (At least on this thread. )

[Lizann]

Re: One Step at a Time - March 2017

Ne, thank you for that info. I did play Tetris back in the day. Perhaps I will research that as well