String a few AF pearls together with me!

[ChickenNumber3]

String a few AF pearls together with me!

Thanks for all the congrats!

It does feel awesomely good doesn't it..

Bellydancing was fun, I am so totally un-co and also old and stiff and unfit, but it was a laugh and nice to do something totally for me!
Check in tomorrow, off to sleep now...
Chook

[bratty57]

String a few AF pearls together with me!

Hi Choochie,

I know what you mean. I feel like i will never go back. I am feeling too good. I love feeling like biking and just feeling like living. Something i havent known in a couple of years.

My dependency on alcohol began after i was diagnosed with cancer. Had to have 3 surgeries and radiation. Went thru hell... had to file bankruptcy cuz of no insurance just when i was getting things in good order.... BUT, I know people face alot worse and dont go off the deep end like me. So , now i hope when i have obstacles face me in the future. . i will handle them without booze.. I know i can. I am stronger than that.

The boyfriend issue has been a bit better. I have been spending more time exercising and we have been doing a few things other than be at the restaurant/bar. I am liking to be there less and less, so i dont know what the future will bring because that is his life. We will just have to wait and see. He will have to be happy with me not being there so much.
I want to be out of that world and back into mine.

I am not giving up. I am going to hang in there and have a life !

[fluff]

String a few AF pearls together with me!

Hi again-deeep breath- and let's do this again...it's like I have an automatic switch and I go into robot drink mode at dinner time- I know what I am doing but I can't seem to stop myself-okay I am diving back in here again-I wasn't going to -I just kept lurking- but I need to post about it.
Chickn'-sooo fantastic you made 30 days- you are motivating me -
Chooch and Bratty- -you guys are motivating me as well-
Hi Pink- I saw your diary- good job-we can do this! I'm strapping myself in here, too!

[bratty57]

String a few AF pearls together with me!

HI Fluff !
Great to see you !. Lets string some pearls together. I know every day is tough. I sure didnt think i was gonna make it that first week at times. And i am still guarded and scared, although a heckofalot more optimistic than i was.
Hang in there ! We can do this..

[Choochie]

String a few AF pearls together with me!

Fluff - I did what you describe here many many times. It's the reading and posting that's keeping me sober. Now, it seems like I've gotten over some kind of hump. At least for me, the longer I go, the less likely I feel I'm in danger of drinking again. I haven't been in any really tough situations yet, however (socially). It still feels strange to order a meal without wine in a restaurant. Doing great at home, though. Re the boyfriend - if he really wants to support you, he should certainly understand your not wanting to hang out in a bar. Even if I could do it without drinking, I can't think of a less appealing atmosphere! Like you, I'd rather be enjoying the outdoors, reading, cooking, etc. etc.

Just keep trying - something will change if you really want it. Then if you can keep it a while you won't want to give it up.

Bratty - so sorry to hear that you've had cancer. My husband has had recurrent cancer and that really sent me off the deep end. It's part of what got me here. You know, he has stopped drinking with me and is doing much better. I think when you're body has been compromised by the chemo and radiation that you really need all your strength (without the added poison of alcohol) to get/remain healthy.

Pink - hope you're still with us.

So, cheers to us all...........to something far better than AL!

[bobyt]

String a few AF pearls together with me!

chicken#3

Please help me to get to day3 AF

[fluff]

String a few AF pearls together with me!

First one on here today!-Welcome Bobyt-hope you are doing okay-
Drinking my cup of joe-and loving the clarity of this morning-even if I am a bit groggy from a good night's sleep-Watched NCIS last night then jumped on here for a bit-then hit the hay-had trouble falling asleep right away- took about an hour...but at least I had a good night's sleep!
Hope you all have a great sober day- Day 2 for me! Why do I drink when this feels so good?

[bratty57]

String a few AF pearls together with me!

Stringing Pearls ! ! DAY 14 AF
Two weeks.. it is unbelievable.. I have to get out on my bike.. i will be back to talk to ya soon !

[fluff]

String a few AF pearls together with me!

Day 14! Good job, Bratty- I can't wait to get there- I feel so psyched about this quit this time-!

[ChickenNumber3]

String a few AF pearls together with me!

Evening all!

Well been busy at work today and am totally weary right now, but had to check in and see how we are all doing?

Firstly-Fluff, great to see you back again...remember this thread is about just stringing more than one in a row..anything extra is a bonus...so you've already done well, and you can get just one other..then maybe another..but who knows...? If you get two, then miss a few, then get three togother, well to me that is still progress and still you working on the problem. It's not about counting how many you can acrue straight up...it's about beating habits and getting confident in your own ability to survive for two or more days without AL!

Pink- nice to see you diving! How is it going for you?

bobyt- welcome also! How can I help? Are you AF now?

If three is your goal, then let's do it! It's a good place to start...plan your next three days, find something else to drink...Lemon and Soda Water is my favorite, or a cool drink or some other non-al beverage; plan an activity for the witchng hour...urge surf...the cravings usually only last a little while..ride them out, observe them as if you were looking at the outside in, be aware of what your body and mind and emotions are doing, write it down if you need to. And if you do have a drink, try and have just one less than you would normally....little steps, but you take back the control.....feel free to PM me if you need to..we are all here for you!

Today is 31 af for me, but in my mind it has gone back to Day one again, simply because saying I'm going for 60 days seems to put up big blockages in my brain..its like my mind has a minor freak out..."nope I can't do that...too big..too much...too hard", but if I cut it into smaller chunks of time.....then I'll get there! That is why I started this thread, because I seem to need to not look at the big picture, otherwise the task ahead almost seems too overwhelming for me to take.....little steps

Like I said before folks, two steps forward and one step back, is still progress in my books!

Stay strong and don't forget your flippers!!!!!
Chook:h

[FancyC]

String a few AF pearls together with me!

Sounds like you are all doing great! Love the attitude Chick3. Everyday we can put on our calendar is one to celebrate. I know my calendar looks much better than it did previously, and I like to think that building better habits will pay off! After all, we didn't just jump right into the situations we are in now without some practice. Congratulations everyone and keep on trucking!

[bratty57]

String a few AF pearls together with me!

Hi BobyT
Gosh i remember how hard days 3 and 4 were for me. Just hang in there.. Read and read and post and stay busy. Anything to keep your mind off of alcohol. You can do this !

Hi Choochie,
I look for you every day to make sure you are hangin in there with me. You are doing so well. Isnt it amazing how our attitudes about everything has changed now. I see myself in the past as such a sad, sad person who wasnt living life and was missing out on everything. What a difference just 2 weeks can make !

Hi CHOOK !
Good to see ya. I am glad you checked in with us. Hope you are rested up a bit now.
One of my favorite non AL drinks is diet sprite with a little cranberry juice. I love it !
I think the "little steps" is a great idea. I cant look too far ahead either. I am happy to accomplish one week at a time. It was one day at a time..now i am trying for wk 3 !

Hi FLuff,
Thank you for the encouragement ! I know you will get here too. I will be watchin for ya ! lol

Hi Fancy,
You are so right.. we didnt just jump into the situation we were in, so we cant expect to just jump right out. It is going to take mentally getting thru each day and i am going to try to wear myself out physically so i only want to go to bed and sleep..lol

[Peacefull]

String a few AF pearls together with me!

Hi everyone,

Haven't been on this thread for a bit. Everyone sounds good and positive

I am feeling very strong at Day 51 :happy: that could not have happened without the support of you all. We are all at different stages of our journey and each and everyone of us learns from each other. I depend on this site to get me through the rough patches and also to be able to celebrate successes.

Working out regularly again and love it.

Chicken - I have taken Bellydancing in the past and it is a lot harder than you think eh? I really enjoyed it and want to take another session. I am going to a Zumba class tomorrow night actually, they are tons of fun if you love to dance.

Quick check in, just wanted to say hi and keep being true to yourself everyone :h and a big thank you :l

[Choochie]

String a few AF pearls together with me!

Peace - I just ordered a Zumba tape that will be here in a couple of days! I'm so admiring your 51 days WAY TO GO!!:wd:

Bratty - we're goin strong there girlie girl. Whoo Hoo..........:h

Fancy, Chook - I think you guys are right on about not putting too much pressure on with the big chunks of time - I will adopt this thinking too. I think it's a prevalent premise of AA which really works for a lot of people.

Fluff and Bob - Hang with us and keep stringing those pearls. There is strength in numbers!!

A happy AF hump day to all.

Hugs,
Choochie

[K9Lover]

String a few AF pearls together with me!

Hi Everyone!
I haven't been on this thread in a while either....I've got about 196 pearls strung together, with a bit of a gap in there (36 days ago...arrrggghhh). I can't wait to look at my 2010 calendar and compare AF days to non-AF days.

Welcome BobbyT! Days 3 and 4 are definitely some of the hardest. I can't even tell you HOW many times I'd cave in on day 4....I did that for years. But it DOES get easier, so please hang in there!

Happy Wednesday everybody!!

K9