Well, That Didn't Take Long

[Pinecone]

Well, That Didn't Take Long

Hi friends,

Wow, a lot of great discussion happening here!

FAL, that encounter with your wine drinking friend sounds harrowing! I'd be pretty pleased with myself too. I'm glad you posted about feeling that the addicted voice is still strong. I think we really need to post honestly, warts and all. That is what will really help us get through a tight spot, not posting what one thinks the rest of the group wants to hear. We can come here and ask for support. It doesn't matter how many AF days one has, we all encounter a rough patch from time to time. I remember hitting a really noticeable calm period around 4 months where my mood really leveled out and it was wonderful.

NS, I appreciate the time and effort you put into your posts. You really are a fantastic writer. I laughed when I read about the perfectionism types. I am an extremely selective type 1 (illogical, unreasonable perfectionist). I can be pretty forgiving of myself, but I expect those around me to be pretty perfect (not really but I do drive my wife a little crazy sometimes; she's a very patient person..).

Mylife, Alls, Lifechange, Un, thank you so much for being here and posting here. I'll do a more proper check in tomorrow when I'm off.

Have a great AF night!

[free at last]

Well, That Didn't Take Long

Hi everyone, just a quick check in as I am off to my consulting gig. Don't know how the internet situation will be once I get there.

Pinecone, thanks for the encouragement. I have read in other posts that for many people they seem to reach the "new norm" sometime around 4 months. Am holding on tight, working each day on this quit.

Allswell, are you in DC yet? Going for a run around the monuments before the big race? We will be cheering for you come the weekend.

MyLife, been thinking about your retirement options as I say at advert for Belize while hanging out at the airport lounge. Looks like my DH and I will be retiring come June (I'm 55 with no kids). We really are fortunate to be in a position to consider other options at this stage in our lives.

Lifechange, are you anywhere near Berlin? I was only there one weekend but loved the energy, the German design style, and the museums. What a treasure.

NoSugar, how are the hives? you fully recovered? I have been bad about eliminating desserts from my diet for the past two weeks. Am planning to start tomorrow, as I will have two weeks without flying and I think I can get some decent Sugar Free time combined with exercise. Right now, the little dark chocolates they offer in the airport lounge have been too much. Buy hey, not caving in to the champagne.

UN, I hope you're checking in. Hoping the move has gone as well as can be expected.

Hope I didn't miss anyone. If so, blame it on 3 hours of sleep.

Dashing off, they are calling my plane.

[mylife]

Well, That Didn't Take Long

Hello All,

Sorry I haven't been posting. Of course I can't wind my job down peacefully - I feel like I'm just running from one emergency to another. I have to say I'm happier and happier to be jumping off this ship! Wish it would be coming sooner!

Free - I read your post about the 90-days and the thoughts of AL and the AB. There was an interesting article I read a year back or so about long term use of AB and the fact that successful people used it for a year or more. So really you should NOT feel like a failure for your 1/2 pill! You're a success story! And I agree with you - for me it's a lifesaver as the mental challenge is my biggest one and it helps immensly with that! I know that K9 has been taking it long term (not sure if she still does) and it's really worked for her. Congratulations on the wine experience you had with your friend. That would be a really tough one. One of the reasons I'm looking forward to ending my job is just to be "out of the closet" and tell people I don't drink. Now, I always use excuses - on a health kick etc...sometimes it's fine sometimes it's a pain.

I have also had thoughts lately along the lines of "what if I always have cravings" etc. And I will always have that argument of "I think I can control this" in the back of my mind. I really wish Alcohol would become illegal!! (LOL)

Pinecone thanks for the article! I think probably several of us on here will find that interesting. It seems to be a recurring theme.

No Sugar, Life, Alls, Un (if you're out there!), hope you enjoy your AF day! :l

[free at last]

Well, That Didn't Take Long

Hi MyLife, thanks for the encouragement about the AB use. I re-read my "on becoming joyfully AF" thread and saw that originally I thought I might need to take it for 6 months so now I am not beating myself up for the half pill every week. I agree with you about telling people --it really gets old answering all the questions about how long I intend to do this, "not ever again" and all that.

I am starting my retirement in June by going hiking for three months with my DH and dog -- no one asking me anything about anything except "does this look like a good place to camp?" So ready.

[lifechange]

Well, That Didn't Take Long

Hi lovely friends!

Nosugar, once again, congratulations on this 9 month milestone you've reached. I'm a bit of a stalker where you're concerned, following you around the threads. You are so supportive for so many people here.:l

and Free, I'm a bit jealous of you right now! Tomorrow is indeed a big day. You know, sometimes I read the 100 day thread, even though I'm not there yet. I know it's not allowed but I so want to be there. I should concentrate on the moment, shouldn't I?
I will be looking for you tomorrow!
I am living in Berlin, by the way--If you ever make it over here in the future (you lucky gal! re:retirement!) you'll have to give me a heads up so we can meet for a coffee..

Mylife, you've got a lot going on! Hang tough-- just a few more months and you'll be relaxing in Panama, planning your future. Sounds wonderful--

big hugs to Alls, Pinecone, Un, 3June

[lifechange]

Well, That Didn't Take Long

Actually Mylife, aren't you going to Panama sooner to visit? When are you heading over and how long will you be able to stay this time? xo

[Pinecone]

Well, That Didn't Take Long

Hi friends,

Sorry to be absent, I've been working a lot this week. I'm looking forward to hanging out some more on MWO over the weekend though.

Lifechange, here on MWO, we turn stalking into a good thing, lol! There are posters that I will read anything they post on any thread, because of their wisdom and perspective. NS is definitely definitely one of those.

FAL, gosh! You really know how to unplug! My wife and I are backpackers too, and looking forward to the days where our daughter is old enough to come along. I've never done anything of that duration, though. What a way to start retirement!

Mylife, great to see you! I don't think you'll always have cravings. We just have to be prepared for what AF life will put in front of us. That includes occasional thoughts about drinking, even though we don't want that! Just pull those thoughts out like the weeds they are and come here for support if necessary! I hope you get some peace at work soon!



I'm off to have my lunch and then meditate! Have a great AF day.

[lifechange]

Well, That Didn't Take Long

Hi Pinecone! Hope you have a really nice day/weekend. Meditation sounds like a great idea! Can I ask how old your daughter is?
Free, somehow the 3 month part didn't register immediately. Goodness gracious! Where will you be hiking?

[free at last]

Well, That Didn't Take Long

Hi everyone, no internet in the hotel rooms, but I can usually get some connection in the VIP lounge if I am willing to face the bar and walk past the free wine on the counter. Am ok with this, but have not resisted the numerous desserts by the expresso machine. Ugh.

NoSugar -- huge congrats on your 9 months. I imagine it really is very much like being born. You grow so much during the early AF days and then really take off during the last trimester. You are a force for good on this site -- please know how much I, and I know many others, appreciate your stalwart presence and good advice. You rock -- especially for a middle aged lady. I can say that since you are older than me

Re: retirement. Since I am away from my DH and dog so much these past two years (three weeks away this consulting gig), we figured we would start our retirement with a lot of "closeness" through a road trip with hiking in Wyoming, CO, Utah, WA, and Oregon. Will vary from day trips to sections of the Pacific Crest Trail (if we can get permits for sections that will allow our dog to come along). After that, we'll be back in the city enjoying urban pleasures that we never have time for now, reading, and community service. I also plan to take some classes in meditation, yoga, cooking and painting. And, finally, am going to try to lose the 20 pounds I put on between 50-55 years of age. Good thing I am working on getting AL out of my life now so I have time to enjoy life!

Dashing this off before the internet bleeps and I lose this message. Cheers everyone!

[mylife]

Well, That Didn't Take Long

Hi AF Gang! I got a really good nights sleep last night what a difference!

FAL my hubby and I have also thought of a long camping trip and visiting multiple national parks this summer...we're currently divided between tent and pop up tent camper. Probably the tent will win as we have no place for a pop up later....

Life -we are headed to Panama next week to visit for 2 weeks. we are really up in the air about many things right now but at least we are exploring options! . I'm really excited to go somewhere new.

NS I also admire and look for your posts! I'm even flirting with the no sugar idea for weight loss reasons...!

Have a great AF day all!

[NoSugar]

Well, That Didn't Take Long

Well, the gods of sobriety are certainly working to keep me in check! I have been feeling tremendous all week - just loving my new life. I wasn't thinking "cured"' "I can control it"' or any of that business but I have just awoken from the most specific "guzzling a drink and frantically trying to hide the evidence and plan for more" dream I have had! I was so glad to wake up and realize it was a nightmare - and I mean NIGHTMARE! I swear I was about ready to go verify my tongue wasn't stained purple! Anyway, if I was acting cocky or something, that dream took care of that! I am humbly grateful to be living a sober life. And thank you to everyone who has and continues to help me - which is everyone who hs the guts to put themselves out there and post on MWO.

Well, now that my heart rate is slowing down, Hello!

It was nice to hear from many of you. Free, your responses in your 100 day thread were so gracious - you are one classy lady.

Allswell, we'll be eager to hear about your time in DC and how you fared in the marathon. I hope it was a really rewarding, empowering day. A person who can train for and compete in a marathon clearly is physically fit but also mentally tough.

A trip to Panama sounds wonderful MyLife, especially since you'll get a break from what sound like a stressful last period of your current job. If you can post, it would be fun to hear about what you're seeing. Hey, not eating sugar can be more fun than it sounds...

Pinecone, I've read some of your posts around MWO the last few days that are so Just Right. You are so good at being encouraging in a calm way. I bet you are a great dad and will be an awesome father of a teenager one of these days (and don't blink - they grow up faster than you can imagine on an almost logarithmic scale! Savor each stage! Like Free said, I'm older than even her :H and can say this "middle aged lady" stuff!).

LifeChange, how are you? Are you at an "easy" stage of getting this done? You wrote somewhere that you need to spend less time on MWO. Is that thing called Real Life getting in the way??? I think we need less connection sometimes and more others - but don't forget to use MWO however you need it on a particular day. I'm reluctant to mess with something that is working!

I hope you all are doing well and enjoying a wonderful day. :h NS

[3June2013]

Well, That Didn't Take Long

Morning y'all!

I missed your 9 month milestone NS congratulations! I can't thank you enough for all your help over the months, you have supported us all throughout your own journey and that selflessness is something I aspire to. I've had my head stuck in a new job and slacked off on my MWO rounds lately. I'll never get to be a senior at this rate lol.

I can relate to your nightmare story, having had the odd one myself. It's strange how our subconscious works isn't it? Even when we think we're in control there is this little nagging voice in the background reminding us to stay focused and never let down our guard.

I'm off now to have brunch with my mum. She's 85 and feisty, I am taking my son over, as he's leaving for Costa Rica for the winter tomorrow. Can you say jealous? No, actually I'm just happy for him and looking forward to a long visit this winter. My goal is to retire there for at least four months of the year.

FAL your retirement plans sound like heaven! So happy for you!

I'm going to have to run, I'll be back to catch up soon. All the best.

[free at last]

Well, That Didn't Take Long

Hi NoSugar, your dream does sound like a nightmare. Must be your defense mechanisms kicking in to make certain any thoughts or whims about "a glass of wine" are pushed out of your mind.

3J, great to see you on the boards this morning. Hope your birthday was super special.

I'm dashing this off because I am guilty of spending too much time on MWO and not enough time on my consulting work. Reallly must meet some deadlines today. My treat, after working for the next 5-6 hours will be a great swim in the outdoor pool, watching the sky turn from dark blue to black while also listening to the call to prayer from the nearby mosque. Heavenly.

Ok, friends, here's to another AF day.

[allswell]

Well, That Didn't Take Long

Hello everyone,

Back from the marathon in DC and it was so nice to get out of town and enjoy some different scenery. DC really is a wonderful town and the weather was perfect for the race. Back to the everyday routine now and the final push for my own election just a week away.

Mylife, I would love to hear about your trip to Panama and what your impressions are. I plan to go there next year in May. FAL, I hope your retirement plan includes all of the fulfilling things you want to do you don't have time for right now. Hiking the Pacific Trail sounds fantastic. I forget the title of the book I read a year or so ago written by a woman who hiked it herself as a kind of life cleansing event. The book cover had a couple of hiking boots on it, it was a great read.

NS, congrats on the 9 month mark. The satisfaction of having sobriety be the new normal way of life must really feel like being reborn.

Hi to Pinecone, Lifechange, and everyone else. Let's make tomorrow matter and have purpose!

[Pinecone]

Well, That Didn't Take Long

Hi friends,

Sorry it's been a while, I've been working long hours lately. It makes it hard to carve out a good half hour to post when all I do is recover from work. The mindfulness has been helping greatly though.

LC, she's 3 and a real treat to be with. Super congratulations on your 60 days!!! I saw that and was so happy for you.

NS, those dreams are the WORST! Thank god they are rare! I occasionally have a vivid one and there is never any enjoyment whatsoever just horror "oh god what have I done!" I like how my subconscious knows that drinking is a disaster.

Alls, 3June, Mylife, FAL, Un, thank you all for being here. Have a great AF night.