International Army October 2020

[Anjicia]

Re: International Army October 2020

Hi again Molly Satz and anyone else about. I live just off the main street in a quiet little terrace. Very close to where Bloomfield shopping centre and the imc cinema is. Only 3 little places where i am 2 one bed bungalows and my apartment is one it own detached with steps up to it. hard to describe but its on poles you walk tru 2 gates 2 on site parking spots and then a nice fair sized courtyard and the bungalows are beside each other. My neighbours and most on the terrace are nice and friendly but kinda keep to themselves going work their day etc. Yes outside the town there are a few rough places but does not affect me. And a visible homeless drug problem around but they congregate in areas away fro mthe main streets and the guards. I think thats every where now tho. And a few regular roma beggers they must be making some money as they are 5 to 7 days in the town and along the seafront. I love walking along the piers and the seafront area. Salthill and Sandycove are close by and nice small beaches. I am sure you know the area fairly well if your daughter has moved here i am sure she loves it also so handy for everything. So sorry you are under the weather Molly just rest eat well and do your best. May be a short break some where when we can get out of Dublin again. My energy levels are bad some days and i do sometimes get sinius type headaches but i have meds and a nasel spray to help and don't need it too often. Are you still in the libraries? Where do you work now Satz? i am still semi retired on my invaliidty pension and happy enough to be out the rat race i would be unemployable now lol. Sorry about the bad news on the husband whizzy that must have come as a shock. i do remember you were really great at the running and taking part in marthetons . Sorry my spelling is so bad i need spell check on this lol

[JackieClaire]

Re: International Army October 2020

[MENTION=24564]Anjicia[/MENTION]................so you're our Foxy .............I knew you'd been here before and realised it was a new user name but couldn't for the life of me get a handle on who you were at all from your posts................anyway welcome home.

[MENTION=8529]mollyka[/MENTION]..................everything you describe there is something I have suffered with sometimes in just little bits and sometimes full on. FOGO................fear of going out ,
As the days are growing cooler I don't even see the neighbours in the back garden for the morning of shouting abuse..............the kind of abuse that's funny we lived next door to each other for more than 34 year so its done In the nicest possible way.
Plenty of tips on line................eg when you're feeling low as can the advice of 'have a quick jog around your nearest field' sounds like gouch you eyeballs out with a spoon.

I'm actaully sitting with my heart in my throat as Mr JC's suggested a trip to IKEA............something that would send me in to mega-excitement. I want to hide under the duvet for another week.
Mr JC can't take any time off, its a tiny business and its all healthy hands on desks. Actually one of they're crew starts maternty leaves soon..

I miss Bess, she gave me structure and routine to my day.

[satz123]

Re: International Army October 2020

Dont think that was the message to the kids here, but maybe thats what they choose to hear. Teens, as we know, are invincible.

Mers it deffo was the underlying message - I remember saying it to MrS at the time. It was subtle but it was there. An old person's disease.
"You may not get it yourself but you could bring it home to your granny" was repeated so many times. And still is.

• Sure they weren't allowed to visit granny anyway... so why should they be careful.
• Mean age for a long time was 80. Then 65 now 45. Even 45 to an 18 year old is feckin ANCIENT.
• So they still congregate in hundreds at Uni and come home from school in tens. No social distancing. I see it every day.

The message is not getting through to them - or they are ignoring it.
We need adverts on telly & facebook & instagram with young people telling their COVID-19 stories to drive it home. Something they can relate to.

[satz123]

Re: International Army October 2020

Ok I'm off to take a rest from here .............

[techie]

Re: International Army October 2020

Where the hell is [MENTION=9094]satz123[/MENTION], huh? Well, back to the sock sorting. See you next month!

Well someone understood my feeble attempt at humor. I should perhaps contemplate a career change!

[stirly-girly]

Re: International Army October 2020

Time to re-invent ourselves I think.
We need to talk more about alcohol & how the lack of it has affected us. There is no value in me here talking to myself. People read but don't comment. Why ?
Perhaps if you have a hangover from hell & the only thing that will cure it is another drink - do I want to listen to me talk about fecking eejits in Dublin drinking ? NO.
I know I'm not the only one who talks to themselves on here each day but really what is the point in me waffling on about stuff that is of no interest to anyone who doesn't know me and is battling to get & stay sober.

Discuss ..........

Okay Satzy - I didn't have time to answer you properly yesterday, but I really did want to get back to this. For two reasons. Even though I am 1000% sure that I will never drink again and never have even the slightest passing thought of taking a drink, it does no harm to remind ourselves what things were like when we were drinking. And also, in remembering those years of alcohol abuse, someone who is thinking of quitting or struggling to stay sober, might relate to what we write and might just be inspired to get and/or stay sober. So here goes - answer to the topic of discussion - how has the lack of alcohol affected us...

Listed in random order....

I am no longer hung over every single day of my life and I look forward to waking up and starting a new day, every day.
I can look at myself in the mirror in the morning and even if I am bleary-eyed from lack of sleep - I can face myself without the shame and regret of having gotten drunk yet again the night before
I don't dread the phone ringing after "witching hour" in case I'm too drunk to talk coherently (mostly I was afraid of my kids calling)
Until I moved out, Mr. Stirly knew that he could count on me to drive him to the hospital in the middle of the night if needed (he'd already had 2 heart attacks, luckily during the day)
I can babysit my grandkids in the evening without wondering what time their parents will be home so I can go home and start drinking. Yes even at 3a.m.
I don't have to wear an oversized winter jacket with a large inside pocket to hold my 26-oz bottle that I just went out and bought while walking the dog. Nor do I have to carry an oversized handbag to put the same size bottle in if it's during the day.
I have loads more energy, even when I haven't slept well.
I have time to do things I enjoy in the evening instead of slowly getting plastered in front of my laptop
My mind works better. A lot better.I can actually have a logical thought process without losing track of what I was trying to do or say. This is due to two things. I no longer have a constant AL brain fog and second, my mind is no longer occupied on and off all day by AL thoughts
I can go away for the weekend without worrying about where in my luggage will I hide my bottle hoping that no one will find it.
I can go out for dinner and not worry if someone is noticing how much I drink and wondering what time will I finally get home to continue the drinking there
I spend a lot less money.
I weigh less.
I am not afraid of falling down when drunk and injuring myself. Nor am I afraid that one of my kids will find me on the floor in a pool of blood.
I don't have to eat breath mints all day so the stale AL taste/smell is not obvious
I took over the family business and turned it completely around into a profitable operation. From a one-woman show (with help from younger son) we are now a 600.000 euro a year business with 5 people employed. It would never have happened if I had continued to drink.
I have left the past where it belongs - in the past.
I have hope for the future.
I enjoy my life.
I live, I do not just exist.
I like myself again. Actually, I love myself again.
I am proud of who I am and I am very proud to be sober.
I am free.

[stirly-girly]

Re: International Army October 2020

Firefox yes you will remember me. i have moved home since i left here so i would think its closer to 3 years since i was last on i do remember all of you xxx

Foxy - of course I remember you - really good to see you back again.

I've been unwell --- physically and mentally -- it's like my body has given up - nothing major so didn't want to make any big 'announcement' -- just so many small things that I feel jaded - chronic fatigue - headaches - vomiting for a while - and mentally - fairly low - I'm isolating even more than I normally choose to isolate - anyone coming into my sphere is a nuisance - and that includes my family -- so yeah - tried to save yiz all that misery ;-) I haven't got the virus (just pre-empting what anyone may be thinking) - I don't need a doctor - I just feel worn out - literally - work is beyond busy as well which in a way is a blessing but in other ways it's hard -- we are working longer shifts so a couple of very early starts in the week and that on top of no sleep... suffering ... == well -- yiz did ask:welldone:

Molls, sorry to hear that you've not been well. But mebbe you do need a doctor. I mean, mebbe you should get your blood tested at least to see if there is anything you should be concerned about. Anything chronic - like fatigue plus headaches and vomiting, could be warning signals that you need some kind of boost to your system. I'm sure you know best. The chronic part just caught my eye. Mebbe something to help you sleep would be a start. Lack of sleep can be so frustrating besides draining us of our strength both physically and mentally. Anyway, just a thought. Hope you're feeling stronger soon.

[Anjicia]

Re: International Army October 2020

Evening Stirly and thanks for those reminders and well done on all you have acheived on your own and with the help of your son but it seems you did the bulk of the work. Did you and hubby split and what kind of bussiness do you run there in Greece i also forget waht part of Greece you live on. Just came on to read and see whos on this evening before i watch some tv or youtube. Sorry for all the questions lol

[Slo]

Re: International Army October 2020

I have loved not having to be overweight anymore -which is what happens when one is stuck in the cycle of needing to drink so much, and then needing to absorb it and get over it with rich food and junk food.

I love not having to hide all the empty bottles & cans, then sneak them into the recycle bin when nobody is looking...and then hope nobody sees them in there before the garbage men come!

I love not having to get the disgusted or pitying looks from clerks or waiters when purchasing a drinks or drinks at an odd time of day...

These are just three of the many freedoms that I can now enjoy!

[Guitarista]

Re: International Army October 2020

Hi Molly.

Post holiday/travel blues? I used to get it every time i'd come back from a tour or adventure away. Takes some adjusting. Either way take care of yourself mi amiga.

Hiya Foxy loxy!

Thinking of you and hubby Mrs A.

Big waves to all.

[IamMary]

Re: International Army October 2020

Mers it deffo was the underlying message - I remember saying it to MrS at the time. It was subtle but it was there. An old person's disease.
"You may not get it yourself but you could bring it home to your granny" was repeated so many times. And still is.

• Sure they weren't allowed to visit granny anyway... so why should they be careful.
• Mean age for a long time was 80. Then 65 now 45. Even 45 to an 18 year old is feckin ANCIENT.
• So they still congregate in hundreds at Uni and come home from school in tens. No social distancing. I see it every day.

The message is not getting through to them - or they are ignoring it.
We need adverts on telly & facebook & instagram with young people telling their COVID-19 stories to drive it home. Something they can relate to.

YEs your right Satz. good list.
Looks like we could all be moving into 5 now. Dr Holohan is back!

[MENTION=24564]Anjicia[/MENTION] great to have you back. My mind worked differently, had to have my daily medicine. How long since your last drink? Stick around and and we will all be here when you feel a trigger on the way :happy2:

Super feelgood post [MENTION=11158]stirly-girly[/MENTION]. I will read that again.

sending :hug: to you Molls, JC and Mrs A. I hope tomorrow is going to be a bit brighter.

Have to run, teenage drama lama.. :nutso:

[stirly-girly]

Re: International Army October 2020

Good morning Army!!

Wot's the drama lama Mers? Always something with teens, even more so, I think, with girls...

[MENTION=19596]Slo[/MENTION] - a check-out girl at a supermarket once commented on how often I bought my favorite AL drink. I avoided her checkout like the plague after that. Mortified.com

[MENTION=22839]brit[/MENTION] - thinking of you and sending :hug:

Just dropped by for a quickie - hopefully get back on here innabit.

Wishing you all a good week. Cloudy day here in Stirly World. Nice for a change....

[Anjicia]

Re: International Army October 2020

Good morning Army another wet one here in Dublin. Well we could be going in to phase 5 lock down now the whole of Ireland we will know later. Not good news for our economy jobs mental health and everything really how will our country recover from another strict lock down? I hope it does not happen but we have to wait and see. It will very difficult for a lot of us as stuck at home no visitors or or visiting and only allowed travel 5km for essentials journeys and exercise. As most of us are not bad enough. Mary my last drink was Friday so early days but i stopped. With covid now i need all the help and support i can get. and even if meetings like AA were open i stopped going was not working and i found most negetive and depressing plus dated advice. Still sorting out Summer/Winter clothes and shoes and got a bit done this morning. Just shoes and the hot press to finish and see what else for Charity shops. So happy Monday as best we can with this mess looming over us.:eek-new::love:

[JackieClaire]

Re: International Army October 2020

Morning just,
Would have been earlier but just sat on the floor clutching Bess's blanket.

[MENTION=24564]Anjicia[/MENTION]..................well done on three whole days.

The days seem endless and I'm lucky enough to have Mr JC he leaves at 8am coimes home in around 7pm.

The gung ho of zooming, whatsapp groups, skyping have faded away.

We're teetering on 5 at the moment so Mr JC and his office are getting ready to work from home again.

[stirly-girly]

Re: International Army October 2020

Morning just,
Would have been earlier but just sat on the floor clutching Bess's blanket.

The days seem endless and I'm lucky enough to have Mr JC he leaves at 8am coimes home in around 7pm.

The gung ho of zooming, whatsapp groups, skyping have faded away.

Don't know what to say. Maybe look for the pictures you put away and that might help. You know, to look at them and remember special moments with Bess and how lucky you were to have her in your lives for so many years. Sending you :hug:.