ODAT - Thursday

[Bessie]

Morning all (or afternoon or whatever time you check in)

Here's to today and rising to the challenge of AF or modding - whatever your goal is.

Realised yesterday that my relationship with alcohol is changing. I think we do have a 'relationship' with it - it is no accident that there are references on here to Al and Alice and the Beast and about hating him/her, beating, ignoring, loving, being beaten by, controlled by, controlling, kicking his/her arse etc etc!! Quite a volatile relationship!! Needs counselling!! In order to beat it I think it does help some people to give it a character that they can work against.

However, now I feel much more dispassionate about the bottle of wine that is my usual temptation. I can see it more for what it is. A beverage made of grapes, processed in such a way as to produce an alcohol content. Mood altering in moderation and lethal if taken to excess. The desire, the romance, the pleasure associated with that first glass of wine is diminishing and the hatred of its effect on me is also doing so. So this volatile 'relationship' is being replaced by a growing understanding of how I need to deal with it. Preferably not at all and when I do, with preparation and caution. I don't need a 'relationship' with alcohol any more than I have a relationship with, say, marmalade.

Hope this helps. Particularly if you are new and wondering how the hell you will ever be able to get your relationship with alcohol (Al or Alice or the Beast, whatever!) under control. You will see how long I have been on here. It's taking a bloody long time to work all these things out for myself even though I always read posts from other, more successful members. I just don't identify with what they say until the penny finally drops for me. Think I am probably one of the slower ones on here so if you are new, take heart! You have to put the time in but if you stick with it things will change for you.

Love to all to come. :l

Bessie xx

[DAMO]

ODAT - Thursday

Good Mornig Bessie,
Day 3 for me, witha goal of 30 days AF.
Never did more than 6 days before but feel confident I can do it with hard work.
My ultimate goal is to just have a few drinks on special occasions, birthhdays, holidays,christmas or the occasional party.
Not sure whether I will be able to but feel if I can do 30 days AF, I have a chance.
I hope to post more during my quest (I read a lot of your posts), and support others in their goals.
If its ok I will fill you in on my story later.
Regards to all, you are a great bunch.
x

[greeneyes]

ODAT - Thursday

Geez, talk about slow. I do believe I may get the award. But I do know what you are saying. I just don't feel it every day. Sometimes I obssess and succumb and sometimes I just don't notice. I hope the don't notice wins out. And yes I know I have to work at it.

So for today, I will show up at the hole with a smile on my face and a black eye I'd rather not have to explain and look for a penny.

[My New Beginning]

ODAT - Thursday

Good Morning
I've been away for a few days visiting my daughter. I did break my 12 day AF run though. Last weekend while visiting we went out to dinner and I had only 2 glasses of wine one night and another night had only 1. I'm back on track now and doing fine. Been battling a nasty cold...maybe it's bronchitis. I'll be calling the doc today. Other than that I'm feeling great, at least mentally. I hope everyone has a great day.

Love and Peace

[caseaday]

ODAT - Thursday

Hello Everyone,

I haven't had time to post the past few days as I had clients in town and had many meetings, lunches and dinners. Through the past few days I have been able to stay AF so I am now on day 18. It is amazing how clients have been so supportive of my AF approach. I basically tell them that I really want to be altert for their meetings and that AL may impair my performance. They are paying me money so they want to get a bang for their buck!

Bessie, I really liked your post today in regard to our relationship with AL. In some ways it is like a relationship with your family. Some you get along with very well and with others there is always some level of tension. I have three brothers and three sisters and out of a total of 6 there are 2 that I have never been able to get along with and I don't even know why. AL is sort of that way. I can have one glass of wine or a shot of whiskey and put it right down. But with beer it is like drinking water and it is a battle everytime to stop!

I have a question for the thread that I would like some help on...I am usually a pretty calm and level headed person but on Day 14 I started to become somewhat of a grouchy hothead. If something doesn't go right I get really tense and angry. I have never been like this before and really don't like it at all! Is this a side affect of the brain rewiring itself? Any insights would be appreciated.

Hope everyone has a great day...Case

[cowgal]

ODAT - Thursday

so sad

I am sorry to be a downer, I just feel so sad today......................last night was horrible, drank and fought w/ Mike, rightfully so, his family is meddling and controlling, his dad hates me (because I am female and dumb in his eyes) I cried right after dinner, am trying to figure out how in the world I can be strong enough to leave, tried the counseling, which was a total waste of time, i did all the work, reading, talking, "homework" etc................he did nothing, but expects us to be "better"

We fought, it was ugly, kids, poor kids, I know they are upset I drank, don't give a hoot if dad does though, he drinks more than me, and gets way more mean and ugly..............

I just need some support, maybe this is not the place, wish I had more time as i am busy at work again, but maybe I will start a thread................

feeling un-loved, unloveable, less-than, all those horrible feelings we feel when we feel lower than the scum on the bottom of a mud puddle........................

sorry,:upset:

need hugs,:l:l

MA

[Bessie]

ODAT - Thursday

HUGE hugs Cowgal. :l :l :l Sounds like real bitch of a time for you.

You are so not unloveable. You are much loved here. Go and put another post somewhere so it won't get lost in this one then as many people as possible can give you the support and hugs that you need. Don't let these bloody men drag you down to drinking!

Bessie xxx

[Eastender]

ODAT - Thursday

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to :hijacked: and offer a hug to Cowgal after reading her above post,she has always supported me and a number of others many times.
I could not find a thread started anywhere else.

Thinking of you Cowgal,

Eastx

[lukalee]

ODAT - Thursday

Cowgal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please don't let others bring you down. You are a great person and deserve much more than that.

[universal]

ODAT - Thursday

Hi everyone,

Had another AF night last night and no smokes either so feeling pretty good. Bess, you and I are always on the same wavelength - always has been that way, right from the start, eh? My attitude towards al is changing too - it's not the romantic glass of wine anymore - now it is more the enemy - still would like to have one with dinner once in a while but it is losing it's appeal to me. Going to buy a bottle of AF wine for tonight as I am making a steak dinner and know I will want one but don't really want one, you know?

Cowgal, I'm sorry you had such a rough night - you have been such an inspiration lately - don't let the bad night drag you down, you have done so well - he's not worth all the work you have put into your sobriety. You are such a strong woman - you can do this! Love you girl.

Love and Hugs everyone,
Uni

[rustop61]

ODAT - Thursday

Hi everyone

Big hugs Cowgirl. Stay strong, we are all there for you. There are so many relationships going on in our lives including the one we have with Al. Be gentle on yourself.

Rushing today so this is just a quick check in. Hi to everyone, will catch you all later.

Rustop

[Ripple]

ODAT - Thursday

Its ME!

Is it Thirstday! OMG...been sleeping toooo much. Hello everyone...i am doing really well. Last nite the gold cat placed all her kittens with Claudette, can you believe that? That changed this morning. She better get it together. Anyways...love to all. :h

[cpn1004]

ODAT - Thursday

Hugs to Cowgal. Don't ever give up on yourself.
Love and Peace,
Phil

[LVT25]

ODAT - Thursday

Happy May Day all!!

Bessie you are the wise one!

Cowgal....hang in there, girl. I've not had a great week with my hubby either. Not as serious as your situation, but they can be soooo insensitive at times! Not gonna drink because of it though!! Only gonna drink if I feel like having a cold beer someday. I wish there was more I could say to make you feel better!:l:h:l

Suppose to snow today!! It was 80 degrees yesterday!! Only in Nebraska!!!

Have a good day all!

P.S. My friend had twin girls. Very premature, born at 27 weeks, but they are all doing well so far.

[matthen]

ODAT - Thursday

Hhi Bessie and the gang, hope that all those sho are suffering today get better minute by minute. sometimes it deoes happen that way. Inspiration is found in odd places, take a walk,have a cry, fake a smile. somedays are diamonds and somedays are stones. I find thtat when I drink, well the following day is just anotherr stone. Today is so far is a stone for me, but Iam holding out for a diamond tom orrow. I think this is day 7 for me. Thanks Bessie and all.