Company needed for Day 1 - Please and Thanks

[free at last]

Company needed for Day 1 - Please and Thanks

Hi everyone, just checking in. Tonight was tough -- got back to the hotel and wanted, so very much, to pick up a bottle of wine from the store in the hotel (yeah, a great wine selection) and sit in my room and eat junk food and drink. But, thought about what the issues were -- I was hungry, alone, and tired. Forced myself to go to the pool, if only for 15 minutes. Thirty minutes of swimming revitalized me, and the cravings were subsiding. Then ate a really healthy dinner with seltzer water, and the cravings were almost gone. Then checked in with MWO supporters and the cravings are now gone. Lesson learned for me -- address what is causing me to think about drinking.

Tomorrow I have a cocktail reception added to my work schedule. Haven't yet come up with a plan but am trying to visualize me holding a seltzer water and working the room. Also trying to figure out how I can leave early and get a swim in. Will try to stay strong.

Great to read the posts on how everyone is doing. Have to say today was harder than arriving to my hotel room with a bottle of wine and glasses on the table. But, can now report Day 7 AF. Cheers.

[4thekids]

Company needed for Day 1 - Please and Thanks

Congrats, Free At Last! It has to be very difficult to be on the road so much and without the comforts of home to help you whe you are looking for a drink. Expect the cocktail reception to be very difficult and the hopefully it will be less difficult than expected. I actually have an auction for my children's school in a few weeks and that, for some reason, is stressing me out more than a St. party's Day parade/ party my husband's family has every year. I think I am less confident in the school auction setting and just worried about the perception and people saying, "oh, just have one!". Has anyone on this board been through this yet and conquered it successfully? If so, how did you handle it?

For some reason, I have no problem being around alcohol a theme when my husband or mother a drinking but I am very apprehensive about going out in a social setting with many acquaintances and not drinking.

[NoSugar]

Company needed for Day 1 - Please and Thanks

free at last;1470326 wrote:
Tomorrow I have a cocktail reception added to my work schedule. Haven't yet come up with a plan but am trying to visualize me holding a seltzer water and working the room. Also trying to figure out how I can leave early and get a swim in. Will try to stay strong.

Great to read the posts on how everyone is doing. Have to say today was harder than arriving to my hotel room with a bottle of wine and glasses on the table. But, can now report Day 7 AF. Cheers.
Congratulations on a FULL WEEK under much less than ideal circumstances, Free at Last!
I think you have your plan: seltzer water + schmooze + leave because the people drinking are getting boring + swim = Day 8 AF!!

4thekids;1470349 wrote: I actually have an auction for my children's school in a few weeks and that, for some reason, is stressing me out more than a St. party's Day parade/ party my husband's family has every year. I think I am less confident in the school auction setting and just worried about the perception and people saying, "oh, just have one!". Has anyone on this board been through this yet and conquered it successfully? If so, how did you handle it?

For some reason, I have no problem being around alcohol a theme when my husband or mother a drinking but I am very apprehensive about going out in a social setting with many acquaintances and not drinking.

Hi 4theKids (and even more importantly, 4YOU!!!),
Even though it is essential to be really honest with yourself right now, I don't think you are under any obligation to bare your soul to acquaintances. If anyone is so rude as to comment on or ask about your not drinking alcohol, say whatever you like; e.g.:

-None of your dang business! (might be good to just say this one in your head).
-My name is 4theKids and I'm an alcoholic ... (this likely is gonna get a reaction!)
-I'm on medication and can't drink right now (Short of further rudely asking you what drug you are taking and why, this should stop the conversation. The reason I'm not going with this one is because it leaves the door open for questions in the future when surely I'm off the medication...).
-I've decided I feel better when I don't drink so I'm not going to anymore. (true, and no one can argue with you and should avert future questions. This is my chosen response.)

Thanks for letting me hang out with you guys! I really love your spirits and how hard you are working on this. Reading about your success helps me feel confident about mine.

NS

[I'm Strong and in Control]

Company needed for Day 1 - Please and Thanks

NoSugar;1470422 wrote: Congratulations on a FULL WEEK under much less than ideal circumstances, Free at Last!
I think you have your plan: seltzer water + schmooze + leave because the people drinking are getting boring + swim = Day 8 AF!!



Hi 4theKids (and even more importantly, 4YOU!!!),
Even though it is essential to be really honest with yourself right now, I don't think you are under any obligation to bare your soul to acquaintances. If anyone is so rude as to comment on or ask about your not drinking alcohol, say whatever you like; e.g.:

-None of your dang business! (might be good to just say this one in your head).
-My name is 4theKids and I'm an alcoholic ... (this likely is gonna get a reaction!)
-I'm on medication and can't drink right now (Short of further rudely asking you what drug you are taking and why, this should stop the conversation. The reason I'm not going with this one is because it leaves the door open for questions in the future when surely I'm off the medication...).
-I've decided I feel better when I don't drink so I'm not going to anymore. (true, and no one can argue with you and should avert future questions. This is my chosen response.)

Thanks for letting me hang out with you guys! I really love your spirits and how hard you are working on this. Reading about your success helps me feel confident about mine.

NS

When someone asks you a question you are uncomfortable answering - a great response is "Why do you want to know that?"

Will be thinking of you - and know we are all with you. Plus, you'll have to come back to the board and let us know what happened - that may be motivating for you!

Hey, its Day 3!!!

[free at last]

Company needed for Day 1 - Please and Thanks

Hi all, thanks for encouragement. The cocktail party is not the problem for me. I never have more than 2 glasses of wine when I am working, BUT when I get back to the hotel, I have, in the past consumed a whole bottle just to unwind. They key is not starting.

As for comments to rude people about not drinking -- my favorite comment that shut everyone up was "I notice that red wine makes me sweat uncontrollably, and that is not a pretty site on a middle aged women." The room was silent. But, I can get away with a comment like that only once in a great while.

Will try to check in after the event.

[mama bear]

Company needed for Day 1 - Please and Thanks

you all are doing great and the support you give each other is awesome!

[free at last]

Company needed for Day 1 - Please and Thanks

Hi everyone, quick note to say I made it through the cocktail party and the post party desire to drink wine. Have to say the fact that I would be posting this morning, helped me with my resolve to say no to wine yesterday. Today is the start of day 9 -- still working on my plan for how to deal with "witching" hour cravings, as I am traveling this evening. It's the weekend and I am wishing everyone strength to continue with his/her journey. Cheers.

[4thekids]

Company needed for Day 1 - Please and Thanks

Free: Congratulations!! You must SOOOO proud of yourself!!! Very difficult situation that you navigated well. Kudos!

Good luck to all this weekend!

4 the kids
12AF

[NoSugar]

Company needed for Day 1 - Please and Thanks

free at last;1470606 wrote:

As for comments to rude people about not drinking -- my favorite comment that shut everyone up was "I notice that red wine makes me sweat uncontrollably, and that is not a pretty site on a middle aged women." The room was silent. But, I can get away with a comment like that only once in a great while.

Will try to check in after the event.

That is pretty funny (and true). It fits in with an earlier menopause/night sweats discussion in the Nest. Here we all thought it was menopause and it really was wine!

One thing I've noticed since giving up AL, I'm freezing most of the time and especially beginning at the time I used to start drinking until I go to bed wearing sweatpants and a sweatshirt (almost as sexy as sweating... ).

NS

[Snowflake]

Company needed for Day 1 - Please and Thanks

HI

HI ALL

Thanks for your words of support Mama Bear (I do love your Avatar)! And thanks as usual NoSugar for visiting and for all your wonderful advice, it is much appreciated.

Just a quickie, quickie check in as it?s nearly midnight here and I still need to do loads before I get to bed?? I?m sorry for not checking in yesterday, but I didn?t get to sit down until very late and then I basically fell asleep on the sofa (not passed out as in the past ? thank goodness ? a different feeling altogether UGH), I was annoyed at missing a day ? but it?s just one of those things.

I am so glad that everyone is doing well, Free, I am so impressed with you ? you are absolutely right on track and hitting the enemy big and hard ? you are really giving him a huge beating ? I am so proud of you ? keep going the way you are and there will be no looking back ? congratulations! I hope that I can be a strong as you in the future when faced with social functions etc. ? I?m still playing it safe ? thanks so much for sharing your daily challenges.

Nice to hear from you 4thekids and congratulations on AF Day 12 ? that?s brilliant news ? you must be feeling so much better!

Wishing strength and courage to all (Remember you have to check in to the thread ? so please be good!)

Have lovely weekend!:l

Snowflake
AF DAY - 19

[kuya]

Company needed for Day 1 - Please and Thanks

Snowflake.......so good to see you and everyone doing well.

I will be back posting regularly soon, just focussing on some work/life issues, but contentedly sober and internally happy and at peace.

Keep on trucking

[Snowflake]

Company needed for Day 1 - Please and Thanks

DEAREST KUYA

Dearest Kuya ? I have MISSED you so very much ? AS HAS EVERYONE AT MWO ? I didn?t want to make a big fuss ? as I knew you would have had your reasons and I knew that you would come back. You put so much effort and time into looking after everybody here at MWO and I really don?t know when you have time for yourself ever. So please enjoy your peace and happiness and wishing you well with your ?issues?, I know you will get them worked out!

Thanks once again for your guidance, and yes I?m trucking along slowly but surely thanks to you and the community here at MWO.

I have many questions to ask about this disease/addiction ? but I will keep them for your return

Take good care of yourself and please concentrate on you for the time being and try to get some rest also.

Love Snowflake :l (If I may)

[kuya]

Company needed for Day 1 - Please and Thanks

Snowflake;1471425 wrote: Dearest Kuya ? I have MISSED you so very much ? AS HAS EVERYONE AT MWO ? I didn?t want to make a big fuss ? as I knew you would have had your reasons and I knew that you would come back. You put so much effort and time into looking after everybody here at MWO and I really don?t know when you have time for yourself ever. So please enjoy your peace and happiness and wishing you well with your ?issues?, I know you will get them worked out!

Thanks once again for your guidance, and yes I?m trucking along slowly but surely thanks to you and the community here at MWO.

I have many questions to ask about this disease/addiction ? but I will keep them for your return

Take good care of yourself and please concentrate on you for the time being and try to get some rest also.

Love Snowflake :l (If I may)

Ask away Snow, I have a couple of hours free this afternoon before a BBQ at my son's housewarming.

[columbia]

Company needed for Day 1 - Please and Thanks

hi snowflake!

I am on day 3 of my journey........I too am a functioning alcoholic...with 3 wonderful jobs i hold down....as well as 3 teenagers and a wonderful husband..........i am a binge drinker......so can go months without drinking or just a few days............i would love to join you on this positive change in our lives............lets keep in touch daily...............have you read my way out yet? are you planning on following the program...i am just researching topamax right now.........whats your thoughts? off for a run to clear my mind...............

[columbia]

Company needed for Day 1 - Please and Thanks

confused on site

hey nesters


i am struggling to find out how to reply to fellow nesters on the site? is there a quick and easy answer.........just want to respond to the passages people are entering on the newbie site..............help............