My Long Introduction

[42cat]

My Long Introduction

Hi .. I'm struggling too, so probably not much help or advice here .. but just wanted to say that I've posted here several times, and under a couple of other names over the years (couldn't remember them, so had to re-sign-up) ... and as I was reading yours I was wondering if it was one of mine that I'd forgotten I'd written ......... You sound SO much like me, it's almost scary. I mean, everything ... (except working abroad, and that my drink of choice is not wine) ... but everything else. Yikes.

I wish you (us) .. (and all of us here) ... much strength and hope that we all find our ways. Fee free to pm or say hi anytime. Keep on posting too. You can do this .. we can.

[lupine]

My Long Introduction

Hi LBJ,

I will be joining you on Monday and I might even start on Sunday depending on how those Sunday night blues go. Good luck and keep in touch.

Lupine

[shelbysmiles]

My Long Introduction

LBJ,

I also will be joining you on Monday. Our stories are so similar. Hopefully we can find strength and encouragement from each other.

Olivia

[LBJ]

My Long Introduction

Sorry I haven't had a chance to write -- it's been very busy here over the last few days, but I'm happy to announce that I've just completed Day 2 AF. Not too bad -- just the lack of a good sleep. But, I'm not stressing out over it -- I'm staying calm and relaxed. BUT, I am looking forward to a good night's sleep.

How's everyone else doing??? Olivia -- doing okay? You, Lupine??? What about you, free bird?

[shelbysmiles]

My Long Introduction

LBJ-I'm on night three and it's really a struggle. I'm just trying to stay focused and not let this get the better of me.

Olivia

[LBJ]

My Long Introduction

Congratulations on Day 3, Olivia -- you should be so proud of yourself. Just take it a step at a time. When you wake up tomorrow, you'll feel so good that you were able to stand up to the beast. And you will have such a lovely day with your baby. Someone recommended a cup of hot cocoa with real milk. Sounds good, doesn't it???

[free bird]

My Long Introduction

Hey Olivia, How about real whipped cream on top too.....and....maybe chocolate shavings. I must be hungry. Anyway,

LBJ and everyone on this thread... I am doing good with MWO program and feel better about my drinking than I have in very long time. Friday night I had two glasses of wine while out to dinner and feel like I somehow failed because I was really going for A/F for 30 days. So I will try again with you all, which, as you know, will be over the American Thanksgiving Holiday.

I am a bit worried because we are travelling from NY to Oregon for Thanksgiving for a long overdue family visit. Did I mention "Family Visit". There will be wine (my bevvy of choice) and I need to decide if I will decline or not. I feel at this point I have an awakened control that I have not felt before and that I can abstain after two drinks or one (or even none), but the fear of the "Beast" is there...(I'am going to get that Mother......)

What I want to do is simply decline and say "I just don't like the way it makes me feel any more". ANY MORE....DONE....FINITO....FINI...Any advice.

I hope you are all having a wonderful success with you new awakenings and journey...

GO

[lilnev]

My Long Introduction

Hey LBJ, Shelbysmiles, free bird. I'm glad to hear you're off to a great start. And I'm glad that you've found each other for support. Keep it up! I expect your sleep will get better after about the second night; mine did, and I've heard others say it too. In fact I sleep much better now than I did while drinking. Free bird, I'll face a similar visit at Xmas, and I plan to drink moderately, socially. For me, losing control in public situations was never the issue -- it was the daily drinking at home to fill the evenings. On the other hand, I recently went to a friend's wedding (including a few days of hanging out before and after) and declined all alcohol. If you think it'll be better for you to decline, then do so -- keep a glass of something non-alcoholic handy at all times, so you don't feel out of place, and so your hands don't get fidgety with nothing to do. If you decide to drink a moderate amount, do so knowing it's a specific exception to your sober lifestyle, and go in with a plan for how much you're going to drink and what you're going to do (hint: switch to water) when you reach that point.

peace and strength,
lilnev

[Eastender]

My Long Introduction

Hi LBJ.
Only just registered in the last couple of hours and found myself in the chat room when trying to post my thread. (Bit of a technophobe) Someone there kindly told me how to find my way around and before starting I read your posting. You could be me ! Everything you said its amazing!
I feel lost to add anything which would not duplicate what you already said apart from the fact that I live in England and have three kids.
I have been af for two days and coming up to my happy hour so thought I would register.
Amazing you got to 10 days good girl ! never managed more than 3! Good luck to you .

[free bird]

My Long Introduction

Eastender,
Don't really mean to pry, BUT, you don't happen to have chosen your name because of the television show did you? Since moving back to the USA have not been able to catch up since they about 4 years behind here. Just wondering. Everyone used to think I was crazy for watching that show, but I loved it....still do.

GO

[LBJ]

My Long Introduction

Lilnev provided some great insight and excellent advice. It's really quite amazing that we all have so much in common. We just need to keep on keepin' on.

Free bird -- 2 glasses of wine at dinner and you stopped after that!?! Congratulations on (1) stopping, (2) the number of AF days you actually achieved, and (3) resuming your AF goal.

I, too, have American Thanksgiving plans with in-laws, so I'm trying to get my 30 AF days in beforehand. Then, I can decide if I'm interested in partaking in Thanksgiving cocktail hour or not.

Eastender -- Glad you could find your way here. It's unbelievable how many people mirrored my story. I really felt like I was alone when I was telling it. It has also made me realize that alcohol doesn't discriminate against any of us. I think it's about who's more vulnerable to alcohol, which, unfortunately, our physiological make-up gets to decide. And, the more vulnerable ones will eventually have to meet the challenge of abstention or moderation, while others less vulnerable can turn it off with a snap of a finger.

Congrats on your 2 days, Eastender -- I hope you got through happy hour, okay.

Keep up the good work, all...

[Eastender]

My Long Introduction

Free bird, Thats O K , I am an Eastender! Cockney name for anyone born in the East end of London (and it is my favorite soap)
LBJ I wish you luck you have also given me a sense that I am not alone which in itself can be very inspiring (bit scared at the thought of withdrawal symptoms but will keep in touch to see how you are getting on:new: !