No fooling -- April 2013 AF

[halo]

No fooling -- April 2013 AF

RA ,I remember when i was drinking, I hated to drink alone. I was a social drinker and would find anyone and any environment that would support my habit/addiction..perhaps your husband has no desire to drink alone either,perhaps a longer heart to heart is needed or it will be very difficult for you....My husband doesn't drink which has made it easier for me to go AF, I don't think I could have completed this man AF days if he was a drinker or wouldn't support me in my quest...
Wishing you the best :l

[Siren136]

No fooling -- April 2013 AF

Quiet day for us today. The weather was so lovely I went for a nice long bike ride. I used to plan things like that and then bag on them because I was too hung over or dehydrated to do it. It felt good to go out and push myself today.

Other than that I have been cooking and watching Mad Men while doing so. Our lives are so busy now that we are not able to eat healthy on the fly anymore. We're eating out too much and that's expensive and not really healthy. So I spent a good deal of today making dirty rice from scratch, italian meatballs, guacamole, and broiling chicken breasts. That is all for the coming week - I still have dinner to make tonight!

I hope everyone else is out doing fun healthy non-AL things today and that we get to catch up tonight or during the week!

[Running Aussie]

No fooling -- April 2013 AF

halo;1488823 wrote: RA ,I remember when i was drinking, I hated to drink alone. I was a social drinker and would find anyone and any environment that would support my habit/addiction..perhaps your husband has no desire to drink alone either,perhaps a longer heart to heart is needed or it will be very difficult for you....My husband doesn't drink which has made it easier for me to go AF, I don't think I could have completed this man AF days if he was a drinker or wouldn't support me in my quest...
Wishing you the best :l

Thanks Halo. It has been hard without his support but it has been especially hard with alcohol literally all over the house. In the kitchen, in the living room bar, downstairs in the granny flat. We have had many talks but they always end up short because he doesn't really entertain my quit. We've been drinkers for the ten years we've been together and he doesn't want things to change. Except when I get too drunk and do something excruciatingly embarrassing or dangerous...then he's all over telling me I have to quit. So I'm trying to gently remind him of my track record so the quit makes sense to him. But he's just not hearing it.

We did have a little break through yesterday. I was telling him how good I feel and that I'm enjoying getting back in shape and he said (with a cigarette in one hand and a glass of port in the other) that he has cut back heaps since I quit and he just needs to taper himself down to quit but that he wants to get there too. Just in his own way. I don't want to pressure or nag him to quit because then he will do the opposite but I was so happy to hear he's at least thinking about it.

I haven't exactly told him I'm quitting forever. I don't think I've completely committed to a lifetime of no drinking yet. I have this banter with the voices in my head constantly. If I want to continue my quit my plan is to say I feel so great and I'm doing so well with my running that I don't want to drink again. I am just so happy that I have NINE days of AF so I can make clear headed decisions.

[Mein Sonnenschein]

No fooling -- April 2013 AF

Hello Everyone! I'm sorry that I have not checked in for a few days. Work had taken up the majority of my time at the end of last week so this is my first chance to check in.

We were in Switzerland again this weekend for ski "saisonabschluss" (the end of the ski season). My husband had invited a few of his work colleagues including his former boss. It was a great weekend! Luckily the weather produced some sunshine and warmer temps. The snow was fantastic; not the normal April snow. And I was successful with staying away from AL. Don't as me how. LOL. I think that I had too much work on my mind so I concentrated more on my task planning for this week rather than worrying about where my next drink is coming from.

This week my husband and I are going to execute a modified "fast". He does this a few times per year when he starts to feel heavy (which he is not, but you know how feelings go). Our daily menu will be fresh juice in the morning (combo of fruit and veggies), a simple soup for lunchtime and fresh salad for dinner (minus cheese and meat). Plus lots of water all day long. I've executed this modified diet before and it really does make you feel good (after seven days). So this is one more task I have in my life that will promote staying away from the AL.

I hope everyone is having a great day! I am grumpy today for no reason... hoping that clears up soon. I started taking vitamin D3 to help with my mood since we've rarely seen the sun in Germany this winter season.

Gotta get back to work... love and strength to you all! I will try to check in again before bed.

[Siren136]

No fooling -- April 2013 AF

So everyone who has 7 or more days - make sure to post in the Roll Call. Starfish will have a surprise waiting for you - your 7 day award!

[free at last]

No fooling -- April 2013 AF

Way to go AAAs--happy to report another AF day for me.

[Siren136]

No fooling -- April 2013 AF

I couldn't get into the forum last night again. Put me in a bit of a panic. I'm glad to see the site is up and running today.

Yesterday was strange. The weather was beautiful - warm and sunny. I certainly didn't feel like working. I went to lunch with a girlfriend to a local bar/restaurant. She's not a drinking buddy so I was happy to just keep to iced tea - they have really good tea there. We had a good time bitching about hubbies and whatnot. But I just felt weird all day. I can't really explain it other than that. I just felt out of place and like I should be doing something else. Meh, oh well.

I'm hoping some folks check in soon - Notts, Miley, prettytulip, ImOnMyWay, piper, and anyone else who started this AF April journey with us.. Let us know you are OK and still fighting the good fight.

[Running Aussie]

No fooling -- April 2013 AF

Hi Siren
I couldn't log in either. A bit scary in times of need.
Hope today is better for you. I'm going great. Day 10 and feeling ok but starting to miss my evening drink and talk with hubby. Will have to pick up a relaxing tea habit I guess.
Take care
RA

[prettytulip]

No fooling -- April 2013 AF

Hi everyone and well done on your eight (and more for some) days!! I'm still AF and not drinking is starting to feel more 'normal' (not always of course...the cravings still hit me like a ton of bricks!)

Last night was especially tough because I couldn't get on the site (I log on everyday but spend more time reading and lurking than posting), but I made it through and got another AF day under my belt. When I couldn't log on I started surfing other sites and I found am AA document which really reiterated what people say here. Have a look, it may help if you have no access to the site

http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org....s_4_834303.pdf

Have a great AF day everyone!

[prettytulip]

No fooling -- April 2013 AF

prettytulip;1489614 wrote:

Last night was especially tough because I couldn't get on the site (I log on everyday but spend more time reading and lurking than posting), but I made it through and got another AF day under my belt.

When I couldn't log on I started surfing other sites and I found am AA document which really reiterated what people say here. Have a look, it may help if you have no access to the site

http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org....s_4_834303.pdf

Have a great AF day everyone!

I posted this in another thread but thought some of the nesters might like to read the link
xx

[Snapdragon]

No fooling -- April 2013 AF

Hi everyone - and hope you don't mind me jumping onto this thread too (need to keep motivated!!)

I'm in a bit of a surreal situation where I haven't actually told anyone (apart from my councellor and you guys on MWO) that I'm not drinking anymore. I'm just carrying on as normal, but without drinking and no-one seems to have noticed!!

That's probably not true - my husband MUST have noticed (he's hated me drinking for years), but he hasn't said a word. We went out for a meal on Friday night and I drank lime and soda all night. At the end of the meal, we were offered a free nightcap - he had a Baileys and I said 'no thanks'. The waiter said 'oh go on - what can I get you, anything at all, but I stuck to my guns and said 'I don't want anything thanks.'

Then on Saturday night my daughter and her boyfriend came for a meal and she asked me if I would make everyone Irish coffees after (my speciality). I made three coffees liberally laced with whisky. My daughter asked 'aren't you having one mum?' I just said, 'no, I think I prefer tea.' and that was that!!

In a way, I'm quite enjoying that this isn't an issue worth talking about. My husband isn't a big drinker, but enjoys a small glass of cider with his meal in the evening (never more than one) - I've continued to buy and serve him this. As long as it isn't wine - I have no problem having alcohol in the house. I can't imagine what it will be like if we are out with people drinking wine - but I will cross that bridge when I come to it.

Day 9 today - and feeling strong. :thanks:

[NoSugar]

No fooling -- April 2013 AF

Snapdragon;1489637 wrote:
I'm in a bit of a surreal situation where I haven't actually told anyone (apart from my councellor and you guys on MWO) that I'm not drinking anymore. I'm just carrying on as normal, but without drinking and no-one seems to have noticed!!

In a way, I'm quite enjoying that this isn't an issue worth talking about

Hi, Snap -

We are in similar situations! No one ever expressed concern that I drank too much and no one thinks is odd that I've stopped drinking. In part this is because I was very secretive about my over-consumption and maybe I am a good actress. However, I also think that people, and perhaps especially our loved ones, see what they want and expect to see. This part of my life was totally at odds with just about everything else about me --- not what people, including me! --- expected me to be doing.

This is a double-edged sword. I don't have support in my day-to-day life (and can't really whine when it is tough) but I also don't have to deal with criticism from a spouse who doesn't really want me to quit drinking or with the feeling of being watched and judged by family members who want to be sure I am quitting.

I am well-known as a person who experiments with changes in diet and lifestyle so in many ways, giving up alcohol doesn't seem to those around me like a really odd thing for me to do --- it is just that I know it is the experiment that I should have conducted FIRST in my quest for health and happiness and chose not to do.

Given all this, it is not surprising that I did not have any sustained success until I joined MWO. Telling the truth and getting unconditional support seems to be crucial. I am so grateful to have found this site and all of you. This makes the apparent instability of the MWO site alarming to me -- and I see that is the case for many members.

I think it is a good idea to have a connection with at least one other MWO friend by phone or e-mail. Just knowing that you have another means to contact a pal when the website is down and you are feeling needy or panicky might make you not need the help so much! Kind of a Stay Sober insurance policy...

Have a great day, Everyone!!

:h NS

[friedabee]

No fooling -- April 2013 AF

Again with the computer glitches! Whew. Glad to see more faces this morning. Lovely, crisp morning here. Ordered some fresh tea from Republic of Tea to replace the old bags I’ve been using.

Prettytulip, fabulous job you’re doing! Thank you for the AA doc. Sonnenschein, must have been a bit rough avoiding AL while on your trip. And to those who persevere, AF, with the substance in the house: I'm in awe! For me, it was “Have wine, will drink.” For the couple of years prior to my move toward abstinence, I wouldn’t have more than one bottle in the house, so I’d go to a different place each day to get my fix. At one place, the clerk pointed out a coupon attached to my bottle. “Oh, that’s for beer. You’re a wine drinker!” Ugh. Guilty as charged; how embarrassing.

Have a great AF day, everyone!

[BHOG]

No fooling -- April 2013 AF

Snap, NoSugar-
Believe it or not, even after years, some "friends" still offer me AL when I am at their house. My tag line is, summer is coming, I need to shed the winter pounds so I can ride more. Or, I need to stay in shape for snowshoeing.
As this particular couple is grossly overweight, they cannot say too much! LOL
My family is much more understanding, they have stopped offering AL, althought they do drink in my presence (not a problem for me).

[Running Aussie]

No fooling -- April 2013 AF

Hey guys I just set up an email in case the site goes down again. It's RunningAussieMWO@gmail.com. Maybe if anyone else wants to set one up you could follow the same template.

Your member name + MWO @gmail.com

The MWO was added to ensure the email address isn't already taken (RunningAussie was taken). Gmail is super easy to set up. Addresses aren't case sensitive.

So please email me if the site goes down and you need to talk. Imagine if the site was down longer than 24 hours...I hope someone else does this so I will have someone to lean on.

Cheers
RA