Operation October - week one

[redhibiscus]

Operation October - week one

Up bright and early and trying to wake up. Hope to have an AF free week. I will go to work, and after, have a healthy dinner, cuddle my cats, and watch TV and read. I have intentions of eating really healthy and feeling strong and having a right attitude.

I am having problems with anxiety, this is day 15 for me. I realize that many times I drank to forget about life challenges and some things that just don't go away. I wonder if anyone else feels like this?

[dill]

Operation October - week one

Good morning, all!

Red, fantastic on making it to day 15! Sorry you are having anxiety issues. I myself drank mostly because it was a habit I just enjoyed, mostly. But, I think I also used it to deal with anxiety. That's why my Aug/Sept family loss (brother's illness, hospital stay and death) threw me off course so much. I read (actually listened to an audio book) by Eckhart Tolle called The Power of Now which I found helpful. If you decide to give it a try, definitely get the audio version read by the author. I tried reading the book, but it didn't make a lick of sense to me until I listened to it. I also use Calmes Forte in the evening for anxiety.

Lav, I'm glad you're hb's birthday was fun and that you had a nice day with family. I was wondering how this year's birthday celebration compared to last years, now that you are AF.

When a person habitually thinks optimistically and hopefully, they activate life around
them positively and thereby attract positive results. Positive Thinking sets in motion
positive and creative forces and success flows toward you!--Norman Vincent Peale

I know that positive thinking is a good thing, but I have a really hard time doing it some days, specifically between 4-8:00pm! This is what I need to try to turn around.

Have a great day, everyone!

[Lavande]

Operation October - week one

Good moring red & Dill,

red, congrats on 15 days, terrific! Dealing with anxiety can be tricky, it was for me! I drank to calm myself in the beginning, then I drank, even when I didn't want to just because it became habit. AL actually increases your anxiety over time. I smacked down my anxiety by going AF & using an herbal supplement called Amoryn. I am a much, much calmer, happier person these days

Dill, I've been trying to incorporate Gratitude in my daily life to help keep me positive. My biggest battle these days is keeping the resentment demon at bay. I use the readings at the ToDo Institute to help. I have a membership but you can do do a lot of free reading there: The ToDo Institute: Mindfulness, Procrastination, and Gratitude using Morita and Naikan Therapies
Yesterday's BD celebration was definitely a calmer, more relaxed event compared to last year. I didn't have anyone staring at me wondering if I was going to do or say something completely stupid. I didn't fall on my a$$ like I did last Christmas, that's for sure

Well, I need to get moving - at some point!
Have a great day everyone, I'll check in later.
Lav

[ladybirdheart]

Operation October - week one

Very good quote, Dill. There are so many ways to think about the very same world out there, why would we not choose thoughts that are constructive? I am working on that one every day myself with mixed results so far. At least when one is not drinking there is a chance. Red, I drank to contain anxiety which worked until the middle of the night when of course it woke me up and threw me through the wall. What helps me now is L-theanine (a green tea extract from the health food shop) and another herb Holy Basil. They really take the edge off. I have also ordered some promising herbal medications that should arrive any day. They are the ones that have helped Lav very much. I?ll let you know what happens with me. Lav, good show for the more peaceful and civilized birthday; I should be safer at events this year also! I am with you as well on softening resentments, they will eat us up otherwise, no matter about their target. Love, Ladybird.

[lilmea]

Operation October - week one

Good Morning all,

Just a really quick fly by as I am leaving right now for a dentist appointment. I'll check in later and catch up with everyone.

Hope everyone had a good weekend and now a great Monday!

[sooty]

Operation October - week one

Hello everyone I'm feeling very sorry for myself cos I've got a cold and I'm sniffing and sneezing. Hope everyone else is doing ok on this fifth day of Operation October.
see you later
sooty

[cyntree]

Operation October - week one

Go Red! Thanks for the welcome, Dill! Great ideas out there -- I'm determined to keep honest and keep on checking in - have a great AF day all -

[ladybirdheart]

Operation October - week one

Welcome Cyntree. So glad to have you join up and I look forward to learning about you and hearing about what you discover along your way.

Poor Sooty! Just curl up dear one and pamper yourself. At least you know that since you have been taking better care of your health your immune system will rally. We love you, Sweetie, Ladybird.

[sooty]

Operation October - week one

Hi LBH thanks for good wishes, I am pampering myself, been lazy all day and drinking lots of fruit tea/orange juice etc. Gave in about an hour ago and had 2 paracetemol and feel a bit better now - I hate taking stuff (ironic when I used to pour alcohol into my system) but at least my headache has gone.
I'll be better tomorrow I hope
Keep strong everyone
Sooty

[choppersmom]

Operation October - week one

Good Morning October Friends! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Sounds like everyone had some exciting things happening. I was out of town all weekend at the races, and wasn't able to get on the computer once. :upset: It was quite a fun weekend, even if I practically froze...fall has definitely set in around the Pacific Northwest. Our mountains and hills have snow on them too!!! I missed you all and was thinking about everyone. :l

So, now it's back to a busy work. I will catch up with everyone later this evening, or tomorrow. Have a great and sober Monday all! Talk soon

[lilmea]

Operation October - week one

Cyntree :welcome: You've come to a very supportive place. Stay close.

Red-I suffer from anxiety. I take samE. I don't know if it's that or because there is a lot less drama in my life since I've been AF, but the anxiety has calmed down a lot. Congrats on 15 days!

Lav-Your apple cake sounds great. Glad you had a calm Bday party this year. And no bruises on the old a$$s is a plus!

Sooty-I'm sending you a virtual box of really soft tissues for you sniffly nose. Hope you're feeling better soon.

Dill-Thank you for the quote. A positive attitude is so important to us isn't it. Since I've been AF I've had to change the way I think about things a lot. In some ways, that has been harder for me than the not drinking.

Chops-It's always so good to hear from you! Yikes, snow already? You sound like you had a good weekend despite the cold.

Time to get dinner. Wishing everyone a peaceful evening.

[dill]

Operation October - week one

Hi everyone! I trust you all had pleasant days. I worked on my attitude. Like I say, it's really pretty much easy to be positive, except between 4-8:00. So, I consciously worked on it at that time. I also employed Miss Sooty's half-hour-by-half-hour strategy. That was helpful. At 7:00 I realized that I was back to "normal" and was not having to work so hard at the attitude. So, that is progress!

Lav, thank you for the link. I shall explore it! I am glad your birthday celebration was without the drama of previous ones. That must make you feel good. Real progress. This may sound like a dumb question, but "the resentment demon"? Is it resentment about not being able to drink? Or is it resentments in general such as in feeling wronged by other people or situations? Pardon my asking, and only answer if you feel like it. I guess I'm asking because right now, when I think about resentments, the biggest I have is resenting this battle that I find myself in. I have others, but they are controllable. Does that make any sense?

LBH, same question to you. Again, if I am overstepping, just don't answer me! I think about you and wonder if you are still grieving the loss of your parrot(s). They must have been very special to you. Do you ever think about taking on a new one, perhaps a rescue parrot? Oh, and thank you for sharing with us your Paris adventure with Lord Birdheart. I enjoyed reading it and could just picture it!

Lilmea, how was the dental check up? No cavities, I trust! Did you enjoy this glorious day we had? I was happy to get to go outside on the playground with the little ones at school. And after work, g-son came by with his parents to look at our new boat. He had a really hard time understanding why we had a boat in our barn. Boats are for water, you know!:H

Cyntree, I'm very glad you joined us! I love your avatar, too! Are you going to try for an AF October with us?

OK, Chops, what's new? Are you still living with your Dad? How's your grandson and son? Catch me up!

Miss Sooty, I shall send you some virtual chicken soup to go with Lil's extra soft tissues! Hope you are feeling better!

Well, I am tuckered out and think I'll settle in for the night.

[Lavande]

Operation October - week one

Good evening October friends,

Had a good day here, it's 10 pm & I need to call it a day soon
My grandson spent the afternoon with me while his Mom was in class & Dad at work so yes - I'm tired!!

Dill, I have no resentment about not drinking - I really couldn't care less about that, believe it or not! It wasn't good for me & I knew that all along.
My resentment has everything to do with Mr Lav & his lifelong inability - well - to be honest & truthful. His choices, decisions & actions over the past 36 have always been in his best interest, not necessarily mine! I know this probably sounds kind of vague but I can tell you that anyone else would have packed up & left years ago. I chose to stay because I don't believe in breaking vows & promises & I worked too hard making this family. He is a good person but also can be very cold, self-centered. I've felt manipulated over the years.......thus my resentment. I always thought I was doing the right thing - now I wonder...... and I resent that too, especially at this age! Are you sorry you asked or what, ha ha!! I made my choice to stick around all these years, now I need to find better ways to deal with my feelings. When my healthier coping mechanisms were no longer effective I turned to a bottle of wine - well, I can't do that anymore! That's why I am trying to practice Gratitude & trying to forget what I feel I've missed out on. OK, that's enough about me.......
Dill, I'm glad your evening went smoother than you had anticipated.

Greetings to LBH, Sooty, Chops, Lil and Cyntree too

Have a great evening everyone!
Lav

[ladybirdheart]

Operation October - week one

Evening folks, I love reading about your days. I had a busy alcohol free day myself punctuated by a silly mad dash to find a proper city raincoat of all things; I learned a hard rain was forecast for the formal place I am headed off to at the end of the week and my existing raincoat looks as though I should be carrying a rifle and leading a damp horse. Now I have a black sleek one.

Good questions, Dill. I?ll have to give them more thought than I have time for now. People tend to treat me very well so I don?t feel resentment toward individuals whom I know. I feel resentment more when I have little control over a circumstance but feel responsible for the outcome, seems to be a pointless part of my character. I don?t feel resentful about being an alcoholic when others are not; not sure why, I have always felt rather neutral about alcohol and addiction, it is just one of many parts of life that can go wrong. I?ll have to think about that one. As for my funny old green parrots, I still miss them very much. I have a relatively young dog and cat, but my elderly pets are dying off in their time, and taking on more is likely a part of my life that is on its way out with them. I?ll have to think about that one too, but at this point it just again seems like a normal waxing and waning.

Looking forward to hearing your tomorrows, October Operators. Be strong and let's get out of here. Love, Ladybird.

[sooty]

Operation October - week one

Thanks for tissues and soup folks, the cold is progressing as colds do ..... I'm managing to breathe easier because I've sprinkled Olbas oil over the old jumper I'm wearing - my husband says the smell is really strong but I can't smell it at all - weird !!
Horrible horrible day here, rainy and v windy so another day for pampering and being lazy methinks.
Hope everyone is having a good Tuesday take care one and all
seeyou later
Sooty