November Navigators ~ AF -Week 3

[Lavande]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 3

Evening all!

Red, like your new signature & glad to hear your day went well!

Great idea SD - walk in the dry spots!! We're sure to be safer there

Tulipe, MM, LBH hope you all had a great day!

Dill, maybe we can assist Sooty if she needs a little help steering. I'll print out a Google map to get us to Africa if necessary

Pnut, missed you - check in more often & watch out for those slipppery spots on the weekends, OK?

Wishing everyone a good night, let's do it all again tomorrow!
Lav

[sooty]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 3

Morning all and thanks for support. Lav you are such an inspiration to us all and you make it sound so easy - I am going to spend some time today looking at that website you recommended.
Thanks for steering the ship while I've been absent - isn't the Cape of Good Hope somewhere near Africa? I like that name - we'll go there as well.
Have a good day everyone see you all later
Sooty

[girl_from_oz]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 3

Struggling through day 9 with a big, black cloud over my head. Won't take up too much space on here with my dark mood just need to vent! Had a bad day at work and gave up a concert ticket tonight to see one of my all time favourite bands play with one of my all time favourite singers because I knew I wouldn't be able to go and resist AL (especially after the day I've had). So grumpy and mad at myself for not having the self control to be able to go and do it AF so guess I'm punishing myself by not going at all. Now I just want to drink to overcome the internal rage but I'm not going to let AL win again when it's deprived me of so much tonight already.

Really want to reply to some posts on this weeks thread but will do it when I'm feeling more positive and actually have something to give. Off to do some exercise which will hopefully calm me down a bit then off to bed to keep out of trouble!

[redhibiscus]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 3

Good morning.
Lavande, thanks for your cheerful hello, really appreciate your great attitude and support. Sooty, not sure which website you are talking about, girlfromoz, sorry you have had a bad day....it is great you are on day 9 and you are very smart to realize that you would drink if at the concert. Good idea to exercise, it really makes a difference for me.

Today is going to be very busy at work and I slept well last night, so am healing from my disaster Saturday night, but still do not feel 100%. I am grateful for this site and everyone's support. Let's make this a positive day and do our best. Life is good AF. Strength and hope. :l:h:h:h

[dill]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 3

Hello, Navigators! It looks like Sooty has pointed the boat toward a perfect destination!

"The Fairest Cape of them all

Despite its harsh reputation among early navigators as a "Cape of Storms", the Cape of Good Hope is also a place of gentleness, tranquility and alluring beauty. The Reserve offers brilliant scenic and exploratory walks, and despite the many visitors the peace remains undisturbed. A visit to this nature's gem will enrich you with memories of bright flowers, perfect skies, seas of azure and sun soaked beaches."

Cape Town, South Africa - Attractions - Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve

GFO, well done on avoiding a drinking situation. Over time, you WILL develop the skills to attend drinking events without drinking. You don't have to deprive yourself of fun. I first thought many things would not be worth doing without drinking. But, I have found that now, although different, those types of events are actually enhanced by being AF, especially since I am no longer able to drink just one or two. If I drink what I want to drink 'all mine, all your and everyone else's' (to paraphrase LBH) then I am no longer really present at the event anyway. Sorry to see the dark cloud hovering over you. I hope you find a big fan somewhere and blow it away!

Red, you are so right about our reactions to our "oops". I am grateful for this serious group of friends to share this journey with. When we miss the mark it is good to know support will be offered, and not judgement. But AF is the goal with this group and that is my guiding light as well. I guess in a way, I feel responsible for so many of the oopses because I posted that I drank. I feel like it nudged others to drink, and if it did, I am sorry. I will try harder!! Drinking: It just isn't good anymore. (That sounds like a Novel!)

Lav, print out the google map. We're on our way!

[Lavande]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 3

Happy Tuesday!

I'm happy because the sun is out again this morning - really doesn't take much to please me

Sooty, a foray into the land of Gratitude can be quite pleasant. I think it helps soften up some of my rough edges, if you know what I mean. If we're heading to Cape Town I'd better trim a few pounds off so I can squeeze into my bathing suit - the beaches sound lovely there....

Thanks for the travel info Dill Sounds like a great place to go, relax & explore!

GFO, you showed tremendous restraint by turning down your evening out - you should be quite proud! You thought it through & came to right decision for yourself right now! I think, as we get more AF time under our belts, it will be easier to handle those sort of situations. You're doing a great job & you are winning the battle

Time to get some work done this morning then off to the hospital for a mamogram & dexa scan, lucky me
Have a great Tuesday!
Lav

[lilmea]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 3

Morning Everyone,

I haven't been able to really be on for a few days. After that virus I had a few weeks ago, I've had to do a total erase on my computer. All the files and the hard drive. It's taken a couple of days to scrub the hard drive and pretty much put me out of action. If this doesn't work, I guess I will have to get a new computer.

My house has really been in a mess after my mini remodel so have spent a lot of time cleaning. At least that kept me busy when I couldn't get on here.

Just a quick fly by. Will try to catch up with everyone later. Have a great af day.

[mighty mouse]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 3

Hello everyone, It is a beautiful sunny day here in michigan hope all are doing well.

GFO,I can't add anything to what everyone has said. Hang in there and that black cloud will eventually blow away and the light will be bright.

Dill, I want to remember what you said about drinking at the social functions. ( that when you do you are no longer truely present at the event anyway) sooooo true. I'm finding a greater appreciation for reality staying AF. a bit of a rebirth. But also dill I think posting your slip ups is fine, you need support also. falling and rising up is part of the process to learning how not to fall again. And for me that public image I was trying to keeo up is what lead me to drink at home alone. you are a true inspiration to me and I would never want you to be alone in cyber space..then we couldn't support you when you need it.

Love, MM

[mica]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 3

HI, Everyone,

I just checking in. Still alive and kicking, and still holding true. You are all in my thoughts, even when I don't get on-line. Please don't think that I have jumped off the end of the world or into the neck of a bottle, as this time neither one is true.... I am simply keeping quiet and small, and staying very close to home. But you are all very much in my thoughts. November is a very contemplative month for me. The silence of the early evening calms my soul. I give thanks for each of you and for the blessings of your friendship. Thank you.

[MamaZum]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 3

Hi friends!

I apologize profoundly to all of you. This is a wrong thread for me to join with my frequent slips and falls.
I did not realize that this was an AF thread. I somehow cannot get a grip on my problem. I will still be reading, and hope to join you in the December thread if I get better.

Good luck everyone!
Love, MZ

[ladybirdheart]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 3

Thank you for the images of our port, Dill, this helps, let?s keep our eyes on the horizon. If you recall I too have feared that my talking about things other than success might have a negative effect on our group, but nobody gives anybody permission to drink, only to talk about it if it happens and learn from it. As you observe, we might laugh at this and that but are at heart a serious group, and that is what will get us through. I can?t really read threads at this point where people have goals of moderation because things don?t mean the same and I get confused. I am glad to see you, Lil, I fuss when you are not around, you drank like I did and I want to recover like you are. Buy the way, you shine through your cloud, Girl, you are brighter than any darkness. And you, Mouse, you are taking to this like a trooper, it is very cool, I love your avatar with the little fist raised. Glad your body and spirit are healing up, Red, I know it is Tuesday and work is likely going to be a pain, we shall be here at the end of the day, pushing through the sea, doing what we can to learn not to hurt ourselves. Hi, Sooty. How?s our Peanut and SD? Hope you are close by Cyn and Finding. Hi Lav. Hi Mica. Mama, sweetheart, you personally got me started on my first AF goals when you had your famous Four Day Alcohol Free Binge thread, it was great, and you brought lots of people along with you. I know we shall being seeing you. :l Love, Ladybird.

[FindingMyself]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 3

Hi everyone!

I had a 2-day conference mid week last week and had been worrying for the past month about navigating the evening dinners. Didn?t do it AF, but I didn?t feel bad about the one glass of wine I had. However, I ended up going out of town for the weekend and had another evening where I had wine. It?s not the per evening amount that bothers me as much as it is the feeling of AL creeping in to my life again. I?ve been happy to enjoy my evenings without AL, and seeing that I can change my habits has been very empowering. I don't want to go back to those old habits.

I see the course is still set for Africa! I clicked on the link you posted Dill and noticed a link at the top for ?white shark cage diving?. What an adventurous group we are! I think I?ll stay on board though, I probably taste like chicken.

Off to read through some posts of the past few days and then get back into the swing of the work-week. Good to see everyone!!!

[Lavande]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 3

Good evening fellow Navigators!

Well, I'm here - all freshly X-Rayed & Scanned! I realized today as much as I dislike the yearly screenings it is fortunate that we have them available to help keep us healthy. So, I am grateful

Lil, over the years we've had computers so badly infected with viruses it was necessary to toss them. We both rely heavily on our computers for work & need them in top working form. These days you can always find a good sale!!

Hi MM & Mica, good to see you both. Don't be a stranger Mica - we love to see you!

MamaZum, no apologies needed! Our goal is AF, week by week. But, as you know, sometimes stuff happens! As long as we keep learning & keep trying everything will be OK. We'll be here, stop in

LBH, hope your day is going well! I carried my book 'Thanks!" How Practicing Gratitude Can Make You Happier by Robert A. Emmons, ph.D. with me today. I figure practicing Gratitude along with a healthy dose of 'Lavan-itude' will keep me stepping in the right direction!

Finding, good to see you! You won't find me signing up for 'white shark cage diving' any time soon - I KNOW I taste like chicken, ha ha!

Wishing everyone a peaceful & restful evening!
Lav

[redhibiscus]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 3

LBH, thanks for your positive post and encouragement to all. You are a sweet person and are really appreciated. I too get confused with the moderation thing, as I know for me it will end up drinking to much and being sick. It takes me days now to feel 100%.

Lavande, it is a pain to go get screenings, but results in peace of mind. Wishing you and everyone a peaceful and restful evening, too.

I am happy Tuesday is over and tomorrow is again hump day. Yay. :h:h:h:l

[redhibiscus]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 3

Dill,
I went back and read your post. I also felt guilty when I shared that I drank, but that is what this is about. Learning and changing, reaching the goal of living life AF. Honesty and making it through with support. We need each other to succeed.

Mamazum, it is fine with me if you want to be part of this thread. You sound discouraged and maybe we can help. TAke care.