FIREWORKS - ANYONE WANT TO JOIN ME FOR 30 DAYS AF

[Carmac]

FIREWORKS - ANYONE WANT TO JOIN ME FOR 30 DAYS AF

Thanks Teardrop, Sweetpea, Shelby et al

Thanks, as always, for your support. It is just soooooooo appreciated. Big :thanks:

As for AA, no, I had gone to a few before and have now found a women's group that is truly wonderful. The women there are very open and the laughter is contagious as they share their experiences with alcohol and can laugh, yet also cry, at themselves. They make us truly understand, in a personal way that we are not alone.

They also shared how they worked to get out of it so enlightening all around and zero judgement no matter what. I plan and need to attend more so I am off to another this evening and another Saturday AM. Oh! Tuesday we had a women who was celebrating her 19th year of sobriety. Four times in rehab, drugs and alcohol. Then at 25 she was finally willing to change her life. Now she is moving to a new job professional job in Arizona and says....sometimes life sucks but for the vast majority of tie, she is truly happy.....AF. Talk about your inspiration! So, I am looking forward to tonight's meeting very much.

One more thing, BF is so impressed with all I am doing, we spent last evening together with a lovely dinner and conversation. He's pretty special but staying his distance....a good thing till I prove myself better. And I want him too for that is great incentive.

Hope everyone is looking forward to a wonderful AF weekend. I will be focusing on getting a new quilt started, cleaning this house and getting outside...AF only.

Cheers to all,

Erin 7 days AF (Going for 30 days+ so Sweetpea will let me toot that Sweatpea train whistle)

[Eastender]

FIREWORKS - ANYONE WANT TO JOIN ME FOR 30 DAYS AF

Hi Firecrackers,
Back online again!:happy:
Now with my new provider, Engineer just finished installing, came here first, Have missed you guys. Will need to catch up, just finding my way around new set up. I am soooooo far behind with work. Will try to post again tomorrow, take care and hope you are all doing OK.
Eastx

[Eastender]

FIREWORKS - ANYONE WANT TO JOIN ME FOR 30 DAYS AF

Teardrop:thanks: sure wish I looked like the girl on the train, maybe 20 years ago! Oh well we can always dream! Do you think a nip and tuck will help?:H

Eastx

[happydog]

FIREWORKS - ANYONE WANT TO JOIN ME FOR 30 DAYS AF

Just phone my brother and he has spent from wednesday 120pounds on booze im trying soooooooooo hard looking after him like a baby but i have a family as well... i look after his money do his shopping he has not got a fridge freezer i think his taking a piss out of me and my sister so guess who will be ringing me up thats right my evil sister she will put the blame on me .....

Just had to get this of my chest. just feeling fed up.

love
Teardrop.x

[Carmac]

FIREWORKS - ANYONE WANT TO JOIN ME FOR 30 DAYS AF

Oh, Tear....

Having not been on the boards consistently, I do not know all the details, but gosh....what a tough time for you. I am so glad though, you took time to vent. If it would help to share more details, please do. That's why we are here.

120pds since Wednesday? That's a fortune!!

Keep talkin' and good luck. As much as we love our families, be they blood or chosen, they can be also beyond trying.

Erin

[sweetpea]

FIREWORKS - ANYONE WANT TO JOIN ME FOR 30 DAYS AF

Hi Everyone

Teardrop I am so sorry that brother of yours is still behaving so badly. You have invested so much time and effort into being there for him - I presume he still has the job that he got recently but as to what more you can do I really don't know. Sorry not much help but I will put my thinking cap on and if I think of anything I will post ASAP. Is he alone or has he got a girlfriend or even a close friend that you might be able to enlist help from. If he has maybe you could encourage them to get him walking or down the gym or some physical activity to get him away from thinking of AL 24/7. As you say you have your own family to look after. If sister kicks off big time tell her that if she can do any better then she is more than welcome to have the money, do his shopping and organise his life for him. That should shut her up because I don't think she would relish the responsibility. Anyway hang on in there and vent any time. We are here for you:l:h

YAY East is back on line - missed you big time and been thinking of you xx

Rustop have a good couple of days away

Shelby well done on staying AF. Think I will send :boxer: the heavy mob over from across the pond to sort out your boss. Hang on in there and here is hoping you get a new job really soon xx

Erin well done on 7 AF days. Really, really pleased you got to spend a lovely time having dinner with bf - a really good step in the right direction xx Keep us posted on the AF meetings - inspirational the story of lady celebrating 19 years

o2m, Kat, Lukalee, Vlad, Ma, Suez, startingover, lil.michelle, nurseindistress, Maasai, Mad Mummy, Wakeupmom, Suki, FBY, Amelia, Panadol, MWO2 and all the other crackers and visiting crackers here is sending you loads of love and support

Hope everyone has a good weekend

Lots of love Sweetpea xxxxxxxx:groupluv:

[rustop61]

FIREWORKS - ANYONE WANT TO JOIN ME FOR 30 DAYS AF

Hi Firecrackers

Just a quick check in as things are hectic around here. Good to see you back East, when are you due to go for your operation? Hang in there Teardrop, you can only do so much and your own family come first, good advice from Sweetpea on what to say to the sister!! You are our inspiration Sweetpea, where would we be without you.

Glad things are going so well Erin. Shelby, Kat, Lukalee and everyone else big hello. Have a great week-end.

Rustop

[57Shelby]

FIREWORKS - ANYONE WANT TO JOIN ME FOR 30 DAYS AF

Mornin"

TGIF!!!!!!!!! Happy Friday Crackers! Usually I am happy it is Friday because it means it is the weekend and I will drink!!!! I am happy it is Friday and I get a break from the stress at work. Tomorrow we are going to the horse races. For those of you in the states, it is the Arlington Million. It will be a fun day; races, live music (a band we really like-the lead singer is from Ireland and was a contestant on the UK version of American Idol), food, AL (AF Beer for me) and Fun, Fun, Fun. I am really looking forward to the distraction from work.
TearDrop, I can't say anything more than Sweetpea already did. Other than, you are not responsible for your brother, despite the responsibilities you have taken on. Can I ask why you do it? Other than the obvious answer that he is totally irresponsible. Hang in there. Put yourself and your family first, no matter WHAT!!!!!
East, welcome back!!!! We have missed you! Can't wait to catch up and hear how you have been.
Good morning! Rust
Erin, good job on how you are handling things. You sound so positive and strong! Way to go!!!
Hello to all to follow.
Just a quick note on the work situation. It is still a struggle, but my boss did something yesterday, that to me was a sign of his commitment to working this thing out. In answer to one of his questions, I told him what my vision for myself was within the practice. It included him taking a seminar to bring a new project to the practice that I would be in charge of. He signed up for the seminar yesterday morning.
The biggest struggle is going to be to work out my relationship with the co-worker. It has always been an oil and water relationship. Our personalities clash and there is lightening sparks all the time. I tried to work things out in the beginning, but it was fruitless. So, we are both constanly on edge I think waiting for something to happen. I know I am. I stuff my frustration and feelings, try to ignore the little irritations daily, but they build and then one day it all comes out in a snappy comment, or a demeaning tone. I have confided in another coworker what is going on and he told me yesterday that he observes the interaction between the two of us. He said she is difficult to deal with. He has called her a loose cannon. It helps having a confidant at work, to talk to. I know I have made some mistakes, and I will work to correct that. Not only for this job, but for my life in general. I also have to work to forgive my boss for the mistakes he has made about my character, if I decide to stay. Right now it is day to day. I have feelers out with people in the industry and a placement agency.
So, I will not bore you all any more with that saga. It is just ugly drama and it will work itself out. I appreciate all your care and kind words. I apologize for taking up so much of the thread with it.

Have a great day!!! Sorry for the long post. I am always so long winded!!:soapbox:
Shelby

[Carmac]

FIREWORKS - ANYONE WANT TO JOIN ME FOR 30 DAYS AF

Mornin' all -

First, if there are any lurkers out there, you have come across a great group of folks here on the Sweetpea Express. We need more joiners so grab a free ticket and jump on board! :welcome:

Lovely, lovely day here in Northern Virginia. :rays: Just returned from a nice long walk (it's early AM here) and feel awesome, looking forward to a lovely weekend. My adult daughter returns from her stint as a camp couselor in her last summer before getting a "real job". She completed college in May. I could not be more excited. :yay:

Teardrop, I must say, I agree with previous comments regarding your brother. You are right...he is hurting himself. But most important to you must be you and your own recovery. As for your sister? Indeed, if she thinks she can do a better job, let her have at it! And if your brother turns around with her? (different sibling, different dynamic) awesome!! Win - win. Meanwhile, you can be good for no one if you are not ok yourself. Besides, we need you here to keep posting. You're part of the Sweetpea Express. (Shhhh....Sweetpea, don't tell her we need her to load the coal burners) :H

Shelby, seems like the work thing is looking up. Yeah! inkele: Co-worker relations can be awesome or frustrating. Hopefully you have more there of the former than the latter. Keep plugging.

East - welcome back.

O2m - good news on the Vodka. Isn't amazing though on how once we make the comment not wanting to drink, no one pushes it on us? It's just harder for us I think to actually say it. We're sometimes our own worst enemy.

To all other expressers, have a great weekend AF!!!

Cheers, Erin

PS. Shelby - we love long posts!

[happydog]

FIREWORKS - ANYONE WANT TO JOIN ME FOR 30 DAYS AF

hi all firecracker,

Thank you ALL for your support and advice.....sweetpea my brother does not have a girlfriend thank god needs to look after himself first. he was marrried but divorce his wife which is only right got half of the house but she was a bit of a money graper right at the end of the final settlement she made sure she got her faith share of my dad will as well that was owing to my brother. He cannot afford to go to the gym he has to much debts to pay of yet.
my sister was not to bad but the last few weeks ERIN she has slowly giving it to me to do. my brother is a binge drinker me and my sister thought SHELBY we would help out for a whole year so he can sort him self out so he is not allow any cash in his hand but is very hard if he is doing a private job. his friend did tell him to go straight home knowing he gave him cash in his hands he knows the score. BUT no he had to go in the pub got drunk loss his money and also some work tools and slept rough in the park. The good thing is he did not get into trouble. Today i had to check his house for any bottles oh and he did say sorry lol heard that one before. But he is very mad with himself.

1 2many.... well done for not drinking that bottle.
Shebly... enjoy your day at the horse races.
Erin... your AA meeting sounds really good.

yesterday i was reading cindi post on the lenair and gabby posted something about the mindset which i think is so true if you can get a chance and read it, because i notice trying to do 30days this time round is a lot harder but the first time round i had my mind was a lot stonger. if i can i will cope and paste the post. on here.


Have a good week end everyone.

Take care:l
Love

teardrop.x

[happydog]

FIREWORKS - ANYONE WANT TO JOIN ME FOR 30 DAYS AF

here is the post i was talking about. soooo true1

Cindi, I too was really pulling for you as I hoped for anther possible magic fix. However it only convinces me more of what i am already thinking.

When I was af for so long on the topa and I swore that that was it! the topa. solely and completely. In fact i couldnt understand anyone who was takin it and drinkin. What the heck was wrong with them?

But i now realize how much it was only a tool and my real success was my mindset.

I had it and had it strong.

As some of you know I hit about 18 -19 months af and then started drinkin again.

I simply lost my mindset. Or more like i gave myself permission to give it up. Thought I had tackled the whole thing and that it would be ok to drink again. Even on topa. So then i quit topa and really started drinkin. And then the old addiction grabbed on again. Before you knew it i was drinkin my old 12 pk a day. So i get worried and started topa again and guess what????My old godsend that i swore by before doesnt work now. why?????? no mind set!!!


for any of this we can get help and other little tools but if we dont click into a mind set and set our mind to succeed.....it aint gonna happen.
__________________
Gabby

[Eastender]

FIREWORKS - ANYONE WANT TO JOIN ME FOR 30 DAYS AF

Thanks for all the welcomes!
So very busy Son due home shortly,daughter on holiday abroad, trying to get house in order,which is proving IMPOSSIBLE with son decorating his room!!!!!:upset:
Rustop Hi Two weeks today my op will be over (I hope) and I will be on the morphine:eeks:
Not totally AF I am ashamed to say, but trying not to stress too much. Sorry Sweetpea could not make it with you.
Teardrop so sorry to hear about your brother,and your frustration, but I am sure he feels bad enough about himself already. As for your sister, Sweetpea is right let her take the baton for a while see if she can do any better!!! You have and do a wonderful job and show how much your brother means. My son has come home with some troubles but I cannot turn away and let him get on with it as some of the family has said. I am just not made that way.
Love to Erin Shelby onetoomany and anyone else reading:l

Eastx

[kriger]

FIREWORKS - ANYONE WANT TO JOIN ME FOR 30 DAYS AF

Hi Teardrop,
I am new to this thread but I know quite a few here. This is easier said than done, but you and your sister need to stop helping your brother. If you keep bailing him out by doing everything for him he may never reach that place he needs to reach where he is in enough pain to stop the drinking. This is called "enabling". I have the same problen in my home- my husband and I enable each other. We were on a vicious cycle until I found this site and I am trying to break free- 4 days AF. My husband and I both need to pay the consequenses of our drinking as does your brother. I know how hard this is when family is involved-after all, we can't let our family members fall can we? Yes, if it is in their best interests to learn. If he is sepnding all his $$ on booze he needs to pay the consequenses for that. When he gets to the point he is paying the consequenses for his AL drinking he may be in enough pain to stop. You need to concentrate on your fight and journey. I hope I am not offending you but helping an alcoholic solve their problems doesn't really help them at all- it just makes them more dependent on those around them. I wish you the best. I'll be looking forward to your future posts. I am going for 30 days also. kriger

[sweetpea]

FIREWORKS - ANYONE WANT TO JOIN ME FOR 30 DAYS AF

Hi Everyone

Very busy this weekend but will do a long post on Monday

:welcome: kriger pleased to have you on board - well done on 4 days AF

Teardrop the post you pasted was awesome - very true it is all about your own personal mindset - I will read it again and digest it further. Regarding brother and doing jobs for cash - if you know the friend maybe a little word in his ear about giving your brother the cash may be useful - Could suggest giving it to you or your sister instead for safekeeping

Everyone else love you all and will respond as soon as I have a few spare minutes

Loads of love Sweetpea xxxxxxxxxxxx:l:l:h:h

[happydog]

FIREWORKS - ANYONE WANT TO JOIN ME FOR 30 DAYS AF

right now all i can say is thank you all for your support ....but yes i have to really think about myself right now ....xxxxxxxxxxxxxx