Going for a month AF

[uda]

Going for a month AF

Hi everybody!

Hope you are all doing well! Haven't really been here for the last couple of days - very busy trying to get some work done and nipping out into the garden to pull out some gigantic weeds in between showers of rain. Today has been mostly dry - just a little rain this morning. It's been unbelievable for June.

On day 17 for me - had to refuse champagne yet again at lunch time - that's three times since I've given up drinking - somebody's got it in for me, I swear.

Have a great rest of Sunday
Uli

[Sweet Cheeks]

Going for a month AF

Hi Guys,

Had a fab weekend. Went to a Motown evening at our local club on Sat night and was dancing the night away. Did have a few ciders but nothing too awful. Went out for the day yesterday for my son's birthday and had a fab time - the kids really enjoyed themselves. Came back to work for a rest. My poor friend had an awful day yesterday - she's got cancer and is facing a huge operation and she picked up a text on her husband's phone from the woman he's having an affair with - he'd spent the whole night before telling everyone how brave she was and how proud he was of her, as well as saying how much he adored her - then this bombshell drops. She's in bits at the mo - what a complete bas****d. We managed to cheer her up a bit when we were out, but the poor girl had to face him when he prized himself away from the pub (he was there feeling sorry for himself apparently). Made me realise how special my relationship with my husband is and that I really wasn't doing myself any favours by wrecking it with drink.

Still on the detox tabs and am definitely feeling heaps better. Am beginning not to even think too much about drink now, which is a definite milestone.

Well done for getting your gardening done Luc and Uda - need to get out to do mine as the grass is growing like crazy with all of this rain we're having. Well done the af days - I'm going to keep at it to see how many days I can go. How's the toochache Uda - did you get sorted?

How's U Cindy? Did your evening go OK in the end? How on earth do you manage to look 45 and be 60 without surgery - I think I need some tips on that.

Take care all
Sweet
xxx

[uda]

Going for a month AF

Hi everybody - well done sweet cheeks - brilliant achievement! Where's everybody else though? Cindi, luc, retteacher.... Hope you are all ok? Have very little time atm - big job to finish for work and daughter at home as it's endless French school holidays, so am only checking one or two threads.

Take care
Uli

[luc]

Going for a month AF

Hi uli, sweet, and cindi; my - we are quite a small group now n'est pas ? Well here we are into July, and it's still effing raining, and cold. I have had to flash up the log fire again today, and I see from my web forecast we will have a little snow fall at around 1650 mts. tomorrow.

Uli, you started this thread on June 14th; have any of us had a dry month so far? I had two Saturday slip ups, but otherwise I am really happy with the ease I've managed 39 AF days from the last 48 ( May 17th - when I decided to change my life). I like the new me, but I do miss the wine, I have to be honest.

The next little disciplinary hurdle is a buffet lunch with twelve friends on Sunday. A small group was walking in the mountains together last week, and nobody really commented when I produced AF beer for any body that wanted it, in fact they seemed to quite enjoy it, and said they would get some in for the buffet (good).

I can see all the black / red / white currents ripening on the bushes (through the mist & rain), it's just the birds who are getting a good feed so far. Gooseberries are coming on nicely, they're a bit big for their greedy beeks ! The vegetables are very late this year, I have a very good recipe for Green Bean Chutney if anybody should be interested. It's good for runner, dwarf, french, helda or in fact any green beans.

It's so easy just to ramble on isn't it - so I'll shut up now. Hope you are all doing well, and are feeling the benefit of our efforts.

love,

luc
x

[Sweet Cheeks]

Going for a month AF

Sorry folks - just a quick post to say hi as I have to collect my little one from my sister-in-law's. We've just had thunder and lightening here - what joy; it's always when I'm leaving work.

Yes we are a lovely little group aren't we? Let's hope it stays that way. An AF month would be great. I keep feeling really hot inside, as if I'm burning and my face is red like a traffic light - anyone else experienced this?

Still on the detox tabs - I'm going to try them for a month and TRY not to drink inbetween as of now. Fingers crossed.

Take care
Sweet
xxxx

[uda]

Going for a month AF

Luc, I'd love the recipe for bean chutney - husband is huge fan of chutney and I have never made any. It's still raining here too - very occasional burst of sunshine which mostly seems to be over by the time I've changed into gardening clothes and got the tools out of the shed. Very frustrating, particularly as the weeds seem to be seriously thriving with all this rain and I am becoming concerned about living (or rather dying) as they did in the book 'The day of the Triffids'.

Sweet cheeks I too have the 'red face' syndrome, though it might be the menopause (I'm 48 but have no other symptoms) or high blood pressure (though it's actually normal these days and I didn't go red when it wasn't) - guess it's something that will pass - at least I hope so!

Well done guys on curbing your drinking in such a big way - really impressive progress and achievement. I'm now on day 20 - it seems harder some days than others. I don't keep any wine in the house but bought one today as I have friends for lunch tomorrow. Hope I'll be able to resist the temptation - no, won't even think about it being there, don't want it, don't want it at all.....

Right, better go off swimming with daughter and friend right now - they've been bugging me for the last hour.

Hope you're having a great day and hope the others pop in again too!

Uli

[lilaclover]

Going for a month AF

Hi Everyone, Just read this whole thread last night...for some reason I had missed it. Would like to join if you have room for another member. I am on Day 16 AF here going for 30 for the first time in about 20 years. It is the 4th of July here so have to run. Will catch up later. Thanks. Have a great day everyone.

[luc]

Going for a month AF

Green bean thingy

Hi uli, I am going to post the chutney recipe over on a new thread in Recipe Corner or what ever it's called. I've also added my green tomato pickle recipe, because unless we get some sunshine soon, the tomatos simply will not ripen - but now they will not go to waste !!

I'll be back here later.

luc.

[uda]

Going for a month AF

Of course you are welcome lilaclover - and brilliantly done with your 16 days af after 20 years. Outstanding! Hope you're having a great 4th July!

Luc, I'll check out those recipes - talking about making use of what's in the garden in this weather, do you have any recipes for 6ft tall thistles ?

Off to bed in a mo - day 19 af is almost over.

Uli

[luc]

Going for a month AF

Salut Lilac,

Sorry but I missed your post yesterday, but I see that Uli picked up on it (well done Uli). You are so very welcome to join this very small band of AF pilgrims - we are quiet - not too serious with day to day thingies - but determined in our struggle against our common frailty -- the booze. You have done sooo well to achieve 16 days for the first attempt in twenty years - you make it sound a doddle !! My best 'ever' was 19 days, and I'm on 12 again now, I have to admit I don't find it too difficult; as a 'negative bonus' I never really suffered from hangovers as a deterrent, but I am easily led astray when my partner is home, as we have always enjoyed drinking wine together. It's what I used to sling down my neck on my own that was doing all the damage. Anyway good luck for your first thirty.

Uli - glad you found the recipes, if you prefer your chutney more on at the hot end of the scale, just up the amount of Cayenne - I also use garlic (in everything except boiled eggs); my runner beans are only just starting. As for your thistles, cut / dried / & sprayed they make attractive winter decorations (if you like that sort of thing) or just leave them to the Gold Finches, they're always fun to watch.

How are the rest of the group, Cindi and Sweet - what news ?

Bonne continuation,

luc
xxx

[uda]

Going for a month AF

Luc, you are really full of creative surprises! Not sure I 'like that sort of thing' - I'd still see the thistle underneath the spray paint, I fear - and I loathe thistles. Of course, I could do it and then give the finished product as x-mas gifts....

Sweetcheeks, Lilac, Cindi and everyone else, hope you're ok. I know what you mean Luc about the temptation when other people are drinking around you. Am slowly getting over that. Had a friend for lunch today (eating lunch, not actually eating her for lunch lol) and offered her wine as I don't want 'my problem' to become an issue. She knows about it, so it kind of backfired with her clearly feeling guilty about drinking in my presence. Was the first time it really didn't bother me at all that someone was and I kept telling her so. It's complicated, isn't it?

20 days today - and feeling really good about it, energetic and positive after yesterday's tiredness.

Hope you're having a good
Uli

[lilaclover]

Going for a month AF

Hi Everyone, Thanks for the warm welcome Luc and Uda. The bean chutney recipie sounds wonderful but I don't have a green thumb...can't grow a thing except basil. However, I do make my own pesto with that and freeze it to use all year. Have a wonderful pasta salad recipie with fresh vegetables that uses it that is just yummy. Anyway, my first post had a little slip of the typing finger and that should have said 10 years and not 20 (don't want to be older than I already am !!!). But the last year should probably count for at least 5 since I went from a bottle or more of wine a night to drinks morning, noon and night (very stressful work year, etc, etc). Lucky I found this site just in time !!! So, today is Day 17 AF and feeling really good...just a little cranky !! Determined to make 30 days !! Hope you all have a great weekend.

[Sweet Cheeks]

Going for a month AF

Hi Guys,

Sorry I didn't log on yesterday - had a really busy day and didn't even get on to the site at all.

Hope you're all doing OK - welcome Lilac. If you could pass on your recipie for pesto that would be fab - I luv the stuff and hadn't really considered that you could freeze it. I could put it in ice cube trays and put it into meals when I'm cooking.

Thx for the reassurance Uli. Had my blood pressure taken last week and it was fine, but read somewhere a month or so ago that red face is an indication of the drink. I guess you can start the menopause at 41?

I was really bad last night and had 4 small glasses of red wine. My friend that I was telling you about earlier came round in a right state as her rings had gone missing and her mobile phone. We think her husband is playing mind games with her and has taken them. After alot of talking to my husband it all came out that he had been beating her too. She's lost all confidence in herself and is just can't bring herself to walk away - she's got to go through a bit op next year to remove some of her bowel and she will have to have a colostomy bag. She feels that she can't go through it the way she feels now. I really feel for her, so we opened a bottle. I'm going to try to be a/f at least from Monday to Friday - it's the 5 o'clock craving that's the killer. Must get some Kudzu to see if that helps. Still 5 glasses of wine in one week is a heck of a lot better than 2 bottles a night, so I am feeling rather chuffed with myself.

Luc you're amazing - how do you do it? You're an inspiration to us all. Well done for dealing with the lunch situation. I hope that one day I'll be able to do thesame. I must say, it's becoming less of an obsession now than it was when I first started, so hopefully that's a good sign.

Hope you all have a good day. I've got an hour with my personal trainer at lunch time today. I won't be able to walk this evening as he's pretty tough, but it's just what I need at the moment.

Take care all.
Sweet

[Cinders]

Going for a month AF

Hello All

Luc, Uli, Lila, Sweet,

Sorry I haven't posted for a while. Been so busy and not doing great. However FINALLY did a day AF, ONE WHOLE DAY. Hah!!

Shooting for another today.

Got to work from home Wed/Thurs/Friday this week because of holiday but client has me calling in on calls and sending in deliverables like crazy so only have a few minutes. This gig is really going to kick my butt.

Project plan shows several weekends in August working through. sigh.

Haven't mentioned that to hubby, make him grumpy.

I am so proud of this group. You have all done well and inspired me. Believe it or not one day AF is a huge huge accomplishment for this old lady. My liver is probably in total shock.

It is night time where you are and you are all in bed by now, I hope, and doing well,
Take care and "see" you tomorrow!

Cindi

[uda]

Going for a month AF

Hi everybody,

Lilac, I'd love that pesto recipe too - my daughter adores the stuff and I get really fed up buying the jars, forgetting I have them and finding them mouldy in the fridge (ok, if I was a better housekeeper that kind of thing wouldn't happen but I have to live in the real world with the real me). Ice cubes sound perfect, Sweetcheeks! Lilac huge congratulations on 17 days (18 now?). That's a HUGE achievement.

Sweet cheeks my red face seems to be getting better, so if it is to do with the alcohol/withdrawal there's hope - gets very expensive in foundation otherwise. It does/did seem to be connected to feeling hot, so it might be like night sweats? They certainly pass. So sorry about your friend, seems like she's living in a really difficult situation and is in need of a lot of support and encouragement. Hard to see someone you care for suffering, isn't it? Too right that 5 glasses a week are better than 2 bottles a night! Outstanding.

Cindi, so glad you're back! I've missed you. And congratulations on 1 day af - it's how everyone starts and, speaking for myself, that first day in many years was the hardest and the one to be most proud of.

Passed the 3 week mark yesterday and am feeling a bit down today. Am having some huge family issues to sort out - meeting my father for the first time in more than 20 years in a couple of weeks and am feeling, well, all sorts of emotions which is pretty tiring. Shall go and spend an hour in the garden with the thistles lol hoping it will make me feel more centred and together.

Hope you're all having a great day - and hoping to hear from luc later too!

Uli