One Step at a Time - May 2017

[ToMyHealth]

Re: One Step at a Time - May 2017

Waking up to another gorgeous day in Paradise. 72 deg, getting to a high of 79. We do need rain here in SW Florida. Unfortunately, states north of us are being flooded. I need to put my farmer hat on and do a little harvesting. Have tomatoes and green peppers gowing on lanai. Also want to cut some thyme, basil, and spearmint leaves and freeze them in ice cubes.

Anyone celebrate Cinco de Mayo? We Did not. May go up to club tonight for Kentucky Derby outing. It will be outdoors and since we have cooled off a bit might be fun.

Rusty, are you still traveling a lot? I remember you used to go to MN ( where I grew up & stayed til in my 60's). Thanks for the compliments.
Glass, babies are so precious. Our grandchildren age range is from 3-24. 7 of them as we are a blended family. My son is getting remarried this summer. To a lovely lady.......BUT she has 5 kids :apathy: means doubling the family. Hi Pav. You and Available still twins on this journey?

Better get trucking here. Just finishing 2nd cup of coffee. Have a terrific weekend!

TMH

[NoraC]

Re: One Step at a Time - May 2017

Glassie - just love that you babysat last night. How special is that. :heartbeat:
I'm sorry Liz, but I did laugh at the grandparenting class. Funny thing is that I imagine that we'll be told about it too. LOL Whatever makes the parents happy.

Ok - THEY FOUND AN APARTMENT!!!!!! Papers have not been signed yet. Probably Monday or Tuesday. Planning on moving in on Wednesday. I'm a little in shock, a little sad and also happy. We're already planning on getting that bedroom painted and buy a bed for Mom.

[Wildflowers]

Re: One Step at a Time - May 2017

Nora, Really happy for your kids, you, hubby and Mom. Hope their not to far away. Our kids are moving today. Our oldest is ill, so hoping and praying. She's in school, so its hard. They had no choice.

Liz, I laughed to at the classes. Such an exciting time for you and your family.


Home made pizza Mediterranean style. I discovered goat cheese this yr and am addicted now. It's really expensive, so I only use a little.

Waves to everyone. Hope all the Steppers have a good evening.

[NoraC]

Re: One Step at a Time - May 2017

TMH - We had drizzles today. Had been in the 80's a few days ago. Hope you had a fun time.

Wildflowers - pizza sounds good. Someone I work with loves the goat cheese pizza at a restaurant she goes to.

What is everyone up to? Quiet day here. It was nice. T
To be honest, it's going to be nice to not have to go to bed when hubby is ready for bed. I'll be able to sit up out here in the living room. And, on that note I'm shutting down my computer and will catch you all tomorrow. Hubby & I are going out to breakfast in the morning. Last chance to sneak out in the morning while son is here to stay with mom. (We should be going in tomorrow morning to turn in our aluminum cans. But, breakfast sounds like more fun!)

[actiongirl46]

Re: One Step at a Time - May 2017

Hi Steppers! Exciting news Nora! I hope your son won't be too far away? It would be nice if he could still help out with your mom.

TMH, you are doing awesome, nice job!

I am not doing that great, to be honest. Hubs has been gone for a week and my extra voice of caution? not sure what it is but it is gone. I wake up feeling so mad at myself and around 4pm have zero problems going to the store. Its robotic.

I need a good day today. Send me some tips!! And good vibes! Thanks, I appreciate all of you!!

[NoSugar]

Re: One Step at a Time - May 2017

I need a good day today. Send me some tips!! And good vibes!

Hi, AG. I've been where you are. Before I joined MWO, I had long stretches of fabulous AF living that I would choose to ruin and give up the thing I wanted most. I couldn't understand it and it made me feel crazy. At about the same time of day as you, I'd start having those intrusive thoughts that made me question how "bad I was", start wanting a drink, and then feeling like I NEEDED it. Eventually, my will power would be gone and I'd give in and once again get trapped in the daily cycle of addicted drinking.

My main tool after I found this site was to sign on at ~ 4 pm and read and/or post until the intense feelings had passed (which they always did at some point) and I felt secure that I wouldn't drink. I'd then make dinner and eat, which always helped. Then, I'd check in on MWO throughout the evening. If no one was around to interact with, I'd read back years in the Newbies Nest - turns out that although the characters change, the stories pretty much stay the same. It was reassuring and motivating to read about the early days of now contentedly sober people I admired so much - [MENTION=11704]Byrdlady[/MENTION], [MENTION=7008]JackieClaire[/MENTION], [MENTION=8356]Lavande[/MENTION], etc. It gave me hope that if I stuck with it, I, too, could someday lead an AF life that felt permanent - that didn't depend on my constantly trying to control my thoughts and actions. That 'not drinking' could be easy and feel normal. And believe it or not, that is exactly what happens if you give yourself enough time and never give up your power to say NO to that first drink. All the best, xx NS

[NoraC]

Re: One Step at a Time - May 2017

[MENTION=18725]NoSugar[/MENTION] - I miss you :hug: :hug: Thank you for that wonderful post.

[NoraC]

Re: One Step at a Time - May 2017

AG - NS has great advice. Log on here & stay on here during the hard times. :hug: Try to use your tools and build up more AF time.
I know that I never want one drink. Never. I think about the fun feeling after 2 or 3 that immediately leads me to 10+. To the guilt, unhappiness, self loathing...... I think that I stopped allowing myself the fantasy and I started playing that whole image in my head ending with the real picture (and or all of these: falling down, getting sick, shakes, disgust, guilt, cravings). It makes it an easier decision.
Thinking of you.

[NoraC]

Re: One Step at a Time - May 2017

Liz - how are things going? Are you busy, busy, busy?

Rusty - where are you now?

I hope that everyone is having a fantastic AF day. We just had a rain storm pass thru. Thunder, lightening, hard rain (hail?), wind. Wow!

[Rusty]

Re: One Step at a Time - May 2017

Hi Nora, I am at home....working. I am grateful to be working and SOBER on this Sunday night. So happy that your son and DIL have found an apartment. Nice to know that you and hubs will have your own room and might play "checkers" once in a while.:yay: Will your son moving out mean that you will have to find someone to help with your mom?

AG:hug:I will tell you what I did...I worked out like a mad woman after work. I changed my routine from working out before work until after work I did fine as long as I could just prevent myself from stopping for food...because I was ALWAYS HUNGRY at 4:00 PM. I was NOT thirsting for AL, I learned. Try and tell your brain you are not craving booze, you are craving nourishment. Pack healthy snacks with you and put them in the fridge at work and when you are done with work...eat before you get in your car. Can you join a gym or take a spin class at 4:00 PM so you can sweat and burn off the frustrations/boredom of the day? ACTION is better than INACTION in my opinion. :hug: And you WOULD know that because you are an ACTION girl! :-)

[narilly]

Re: One Step at a Time - May 2017

Hi all you sober people!
Rusty, Nora, Action, To my Health, WildFlowers, NS, everyone
Have a great sleep tonight and enjoy waking up Un Hung tomorrow!

xo
Narilly

[Lizann]

Re: One Step at a Time - May 2017

AG, I agree with what the others have said. A good work out for me does wonders! I feel too good and tired to want to drink. I know I won't work out if I drink, so working out later in the day works better for me like rusty suggested. I wish there was some magic secret to stop this
viscous cycle, but alas you know there is not. Just for today I won't drink.

Nora, how exciting that the kids are moving out and so soon. Will they be close by? Are they talking about having a baby? I don't know how you guys have managed living in such close quarters. They are lucky to have you. Is the apartment furnished?

Rusty, working on a Sunday night? Did you do anything fun this weekend?

Glassie, I am glad you managed with the little one. How sweet you sang to her.

I have not seen Pauly around. Has anyone heard from her? I wonder if she had trouble getting back on like I did?

Had a lot if fun yesterday in PA. Hubby's cousin owns a brewery with five others. They make their own beer on site. It was such a cute little place. Kind of industrial meets cozy. There were ten if us there and none of the ladies drank beer. The guys sampled. Afterward we went out to dinner at a place close by and just chatted and laughed the night away. No one drank. Why do I not hang out with these people more often? Likely we will, as a good time was had by all. Even the ride home (1 1/2 hours) was totally enjoyable. Hubby had 2 diet cokes and was very chatty!
Tonight I watched Diana the last 100 days. Kind of interesting and so sad really. I hope you all enjoyed your weekend. Wishing us all a quiet AF night.

[ToMyHealth]

Re: One Step at a Time - May 2017

Good day. Had a pretty tough weekend. The couple that introduced us to this fantastic lifestyle is now just one. Late Sat afternoon she suffered a heart attack & died. Age 70. She had other health issues but no heart history problems. She was extremely sedentery, however not overweight. She liked to read, watch tv and play bridge. Years ago had a hip replacement so got a handicap sticker which meant if out with them you parked the closest you can. IMO, you have to move - 20 or 30 min walk/day at least. As former big time runners and warned we were going to wreck our knees, we would say we would rather wear out than rust out. Will be traveling to MN for the funeral.

Stuck to our plan of can have some on weekend but not weekdays. So very ready to be AF again. In just 4-5 days my skin and eyes improved. So ready to enjoy that again.

Off to bike to Fitness Center, lift weights, do a run/walk (intervals), stretch & bike home. This afternoon have book club. With the weekend event did not finish the book. Think they will kick me out? Probably not, as it is a Christian Book Club.

TMH

[Lizann]

Re: One Step at a Time - May 2017

TMH, how very sad about your friend. I agree with you, sedentary is not good. You certainly are keeping very active! You make me look forward to retirement. Have a safe trip to MN. So nice that you will be attending the funeral.

Well not much new since my check in last night. Cool here but the sun is finally out. Just my usual Monday errands today. Spoke to Erin last night, she said the baby is moving around sooo much! It woke her up with a kick to the ribs. Little boogger is going to be an active one I think. She found out one of her friends is 3 months pregnant. I'm glad she will have someone to hang out with.
Wishing us all a fabulous AF Monday!

[Lizann]

Re: One Step at a Time - May 2017

Sure is quiet here today! After food shopping I decided to go to the mall as my son needed new flip flops and apparently they are on sale at Old Navy this week. OMG, I bought everything but!. Ever have one of those days where you like everything AND everything fits? Bought 2 dresses today. I have a wedding in June in Atlanta and the dresses are perfect. Bought a sparkly clip for my hair for CJs wedding a pair of shoes and a shirt. Everything was on sale or clearance! My lucky day! With all the money I'm saving on not buying AL, I figured why not!
Hope everyone had a great AF Monday!