October Mod Squad

[nonamegirl]

October Mod Squad

Hey, TMH, we crossed posts! Yep. You are right about the sleep thing. I'd love to be a good sleeper.

I agree that comparing notes about the weekend and then looking forward to a GREAT week are both good things to do. We learn from our mistakes, but shouldn't take them to heart and beat ourselves up. Sounds like this was a weekend for overdoing for all of us, but we are going to make this the best week ever. Okay?

[Emmy Lou]

October Mod Squad

Argh! This is the third time I've tried to type a message only to hit the wrong part of the screen and go who knows where! Very frustrating.
I've managed to slip backwards this weekend. I worked long hours and will have to continue to do so until next week. Having work is good, I subcontract from home, but it means I'm not physically active, and I've not had an AF day when I planned to.
For some reason I feel more able to be in control when I've had a long walk, done some DIY at home, or spent the afternoon gardening with my boyfriend.
I will just have to stick at it, I'm sure that admitting to it here will help to make me more determined when I next feel the urge. Perhaps it's a case of 'treating' myself after working so hard. Damn those deadlines!
Goodnight all, I have read your posts, I wish I could retrieve all the nice encouraging things I said about them but I'm sorry that I'm too tired now. You're a great bunch,
X
Em

[crocus]

October Mod Squad

Dear Noname, Emmy Lou, TMH, Lasha, Stewarts, Eve, Texas, and all of you.

Thanks so much for checking in and talking about what's going on with your lives and your efforts. I think you are all the best! Comparing notes like this is really helping me follow through on my efforts to stay aware of myself, and not abuse alcohol. I completely relate to the "want one more, so take a hit off the scotch" syndrome. Of COURSE it is the alcohol that makes us feel like that. I don't think that feeling like that is bad, necessarily. After all, we drink because we enjoy it. And it's meant to be enjoyed.

Not to get too religious on you, but the first of Christ's miracles was the water to wine at the wedding in Cana. He made it clear that the right use of the wine was fellowship and good cheer. But I am very sure that when I get the "I'll just take a hit off the scotch" feeling I have to acknowledge it, and take a minute to actually SAY to myself...this drink has made me feel good. It's good to feel good, so long as I don't get greedy and self-indulgent. I am trying to be a person of strong character and virtue. Greedy and self-indulgent are ugly characteristics. Do I want one more drink for good reasons? Or am I just getting greedy and sloppy?

If I make myself be still, so I can answer myself honestly, I don't abuse it. If I do not do that, I've been known to get pretty drunk.

I can also relate to the sleep thing. Sleep patterns have always been a problem for me, and have often fed into my over-drinking. I'm still working on that one, and am making some progress.

Emmy Lou...yup! I felt so much in control today after I worked and walked in the fall sunshine ...BRISKLY...for two miles with my i-pod to keep me rocking!

All for now. Long day tomorrow. On campus from 7:30 to 5. Great big hugs to all of you. Hope you had a good AF Monday too.

[nonamegirl]

October Mod Squad

Crocus, I love what you said about getting greedy and sloppy versus feeling good and comfy, and asking yourself which is what you are looking for. I am going to try to make that a part of my routine, from now on. It is good that we have someone in our group who is praying for us... thanks for that, Crocus!

Last night was not a good one for me. Had a migraine in the early part of the day, and then felt like poop the rest of the day... and then my husband had an unsettling phone call about his new job and because of that he wanted a drink. So, instead of having an AF day as I had intended, I over-indulged again. NOT the Monday I was looking forward to or planning on having.

And of course, that meant that last night was disturbed and uncomfortable. SO, today is a new day, I won't continue to kick myself about messing up last night but rather will be even more determined to do a better job of taking care of myself today.

Emmy Lou, I'll keep you in my thoughts this week as you go through your much-too-busy week. I will do what I am telling you to do: get outside as much as possible, allow yourself some down time and also some time to do personal chores not associated with work. It does help, doesn't it?

TMH, I agree that we need to focus on the upcoming week (or the current week) and make it good, not fuss and bother about mistakes that we have made recently. We need to stick together to get this job done for all of us.

Thanks, my friends, for being here, for understanding, and for always giving such supportive words.

[ToMyHealth]

October Mod Squad

Wow! I look forward to coming on here and reading how things are with all of you. Think we have a great bunch caring about ourselves and each other.

Em, I hate that when that happens - losing post. Sometimes I type in Word and paste it in if I'm having too much trouble. I sure hear you about the 'treating' yourself. And I don't even work anymore! LOL

Crocus - you gave me a lot to think about, esp. the "if I make myself be still". And we know the Bible phrase about that.

NNG - I hope you are not feeling too badly physically today. Yes, concentrate on moving forward. I also have a story about yest. Yest a.m. I ran/walked for 40 min, did some strength training. For many months I have been discussing with dh our going for a bike ride around 5:00 for 2 reasons. More exercise and to delay HH. We were in rainy season, and it just wasn't happening. Well, now we are out and a few days I went biking by myself. Last night I asked dh if he wanted to go, he said yes, we biked 5 miles and when we got back he said we still get to have HH, right? I really, truly did not want a drink. And I could have had tonic water or a non-alcoholic beer, but (always the proverbial but) I didn't want to discourage the positive we had just made happen. Does that make sense? We made a drink, halfway through it, I said I was really hungry and if he didn't mind, could he go grill the steak and I'll make the salad. It worked. No more drinks, no wine with dinner, just water. Slept well last night and before 9:00a today I've run/walked 2 miles, did a leg strength training, stretched, made tee time for 3:00p for 9 holes and hopefully will bike again. Yay!

Has anyone read Finally Done's Relapse thread? I think it is in General Discussion. Someone posted a tool thread for reclaiming their life. It is terrific! Extremely motivating as to reprogramming your mind to want to take care of your body, get healthy. It really resonated with me so just thought I'd mention.

Agree with NNG, thanks folks. This is great!

TMH

[Emmy Lou]

October Mod Squad

Hello again! Good to hear about the exercise you've all been getting, being out and about is just wonderful. Well, I had planned a surprise BBQ for my neighbour and good friend this afternoon and it was something I couldn't cancel (even though I had too much work to do) because I was the organiser. We have a free gas BBQ at the park in our train station and everyone lives within a short walk. So I did get to be outside! I brought 2 bottles of a prosecco and shared it all to celebrate the birthday. I've ended up with half a bottle left in the fridge and I know there were three of us drinking it so for a social event that's not bad. I think I had about 4 glasses. I left first, to come home and work, but it was also good to stop drinking. I know the birthday girl took the stragglers back to her place to continue the merriment.
I have my father arriving from Perth tomorrow afternoon and about 6 hrs work to get done before I go to pick him up at the airport, so it's an early start.
Thanks NNG for thinking of me, I'll survive, I'm just at the mercy of a client who doesn't give me the full picture of the workload til the last minute. It will ease up soon. I hope you don't suffer from migraines often? I used to get them years ago, then I stopped taking the contraceptive pill and they went away. I'm sure that stress is a major factor too.
TMHealth you are sooo active! It's inspiring! I look forward to getting back into my walking so much!
Crocus you too!
Thankyou everyone, it's bedtime for me, way too late,
X
Em

[ToMyHealth]

October Mod Squad

Feel great this a.m. Bike ride turned out to be up to club & back as had a dead battery. Shot a 46 to add to Sunday's 44 so the score into GHIN of 90 tied my all time best. I know, if you don't golf makes no sense.

Had 2 gl of wine, dinner, then we went for a walk. Met a new neighbor who just came down from Iowa. We told him he is going to love it! Community is like a melting pot, mostly midwesterners and easterners.

Enjoy your day!

TMH

[Lasha]

October Mod Squad

Hi All, NNG, Eve, TMH, EL, Cr, Stew, Tex and all that's looking on.

TMH, Wow, great score of 90, golf is one of the few sports that you play against yourself, that's what makes it so interesting. Good to hear you're doing well and enjoying your golf.

I'm really getting into the don't "drink during the day" attitude and feel so much better for it. So much more positive and get things done easier. One drink during the day ruins my plans and ends up in disaster. I dropped my guard a wee bit with the just come for a couple of drinks with the dog walkers on Friday and need to keep working at it.

Going to finish off the decorating this week as new sofa arriving soon.

Lash the painter

[nonamegirl]

October Mod Squad

Hello, Everyone!
I had a good day yesterday, quiet as my husband was called in to work (I HATE this on-call stuff....) but the weather was beautiful and I rode my bike to my writers' group. All was simply lovely. Whew!
TMH, my heavens what a lot of exercise you are getting! Congrats on the way you handled Happy Hour and dinner. I am going to channel you this evening.

Emmy... yes, I am afraid that migraines are a part of my life. They come in groups, so if I get one, I am pretty sure I'll get more during that same week. It is disappointing, as my doc told me that as i age they will get less frequent. The opposite seems to be true. And yes, stress definitely brings them on. Oh, well. It is relatively minimal compared to what some people have to deal with.

Lasha, I LOVE it when you post. Thanks for letting us know what's going on with you. I so much agree with the no=drinks=during the day idea. I know that you don't really want to say, but I have to ask and you don't have to answer... how are things going with your wife? I hope that you are getting the support you need.

Crocus, how are the wedding plans going? Such an exciting week! I will enjoy thinking about you and your family on Saturday. I love weddings, even when I don't know the folks involved. If I see an outdoor wedding, I always have to drive around the block to see it again... LOVE the things! Maybe I should become a wedding planner

So, today is Hump Day. I hope everyone has a good Wednesday and that your week is calm, gentle and without TOO much work (that's for you, Emmy. Don't let the bastards get you down.)

:h:l

[Emmy Lou]

October Mod Squad

Hi All,
Lasha I agree entirely with how just one drink during the day can totally slow you down. I used to pour a glass of wine around five ish to make me feel happier about having to work into the evening but I realise now that it just makes me less effective and so easily distracted.
TMH your neighbourhood sounds a little like mine! An eclectic mix of laid back, interesting people. And you're right, the golf scores totally bamboozle me! It's great to have such an outlet though, sounds like you really enjoy it.
Well, I picked up my Dad from the airport today. He was smiling and said that I was looking so well! I guess I am not as bloated as I had been when drinking every day and it's been ten months since I've seen him, so he would be the best person to spot the difference. For the first time ever he had a wine with dinner and I ordered a pot of green tea! The waiter gave us a complimentary port after dinner which I did drink but it must have not even been half a shot. So my drink tally for tonight will be 0.5. I drank diet tonic when I got home and wound down in front of the tv.

Early start and a full on day of work tommorow so I'll go now. Here's wishing you all a great day (as most of you are just starting your day on the opposite side of the earth)

Thanks for all being here,
Em

[Emmy Lou]

October Mod Squad

NNG I just read your post! Must have missed it by not scrolling far enough. It's always good to read your news...tell me about the writers group? So I can read about it when I log on tommorow perhaps?
X
Em

[nonamegirl]

October Mod Squad

So, I feel very lucky to be a part of my particular writers' group. It started as a class given my our state's Poet Laureate, and over the months has morphed into just a group of five or six of us who have stayed together. Our leader, the Poet Laureate, is marvelous, brilliant and a very good teacher. The rest of us are a very mixed group... one young, two quite a bit older, then those of us in the middle and some of us (me excluded most of the time) are VERY powerful writers. It always takes my breath away to read some of their work. I am lucky to live in this town where we have such a large group of nationally known writers....

Thanks for asking, Em!

[crocus]

October Mod Squad

Happy Wed. Morning to all my wonderful new friends. Hi NNG, Eve, TMH, EL, , Stew, Tex , Lash. Thank you all! I am so grateful that you guys are in this world with me.

Texas...Ha ha..my ca'st name is "Texas Jack High Plains Drifter." Don't mess with Texas!

Must be quick this morning...two kids and spouses arriving tomorrow for my third and final kid-wedding this year. Getting my dancing shoes on. The drinking thing is not a problem for me at weddings and such, because I am too busy and having fun, so I think I will be able to behave myself without having to hire a body guard to take the glass out of my hand.

I forget if I told you this already, but my pastor once said...regarding religious doubts...."A million doubts don't equal a single denial." There is a good corollary there for my drinking issues. A million screw-ups don't equal a single all-out surrender. Good thing to note, right?

NN you are still loved and treasured, and I see that you are not surrendering. Nor will you ever!

Here's what I think: We all clearly want to be wise, and use alcohol for the good it can bring. Let's not forget all the times we have NOT gone overboard. Excess of anything works against goodness. I think this is no exception. For me, it's true I have to pay attention! I like drinking enough that it could get me into trouble if I don't PAY ATTENTION! I'm going to do that. I'm going to pay attention and NOT get greedy, self-indulgent, and sloppy. If I screw up, I will pray first, then I will RUN to you all for a pep talk and a pat on the can. I want to love this life I have been given. I want us all to love it. It's kind of an amazing gift. I don't want to be that person who unwraps the beautiful gift, then says..."This is just not enough for me, I need ten gallons of alcohol before it will be good enough for ME! Love you all. Here we go into Wednesday!

[Lasha]

October Mod Squad

Here's what I think: We all clearly want to be wise, and use alcohol for the good it can bring. Let's not forget all the times we have NOT gone overboard. Excess of anything works against goodness. I think this is no exception. For me, it's true I have to pay attention! I like drinking enough that it could get me into trouble if I don't PAY ATTENTION! I'm going to do that. I'm going to pay attention and NOT get greedy, self-indulgent, and sloppy. !
Hi all,

Crocus, Totally agree, too much of anything is bad as we all know and we must always be on guard. Packed in cigs, look after my weight but sometimes forget about the alcohol.

NNG and all that helped, My wife is now on the mend big style and her nurse is paying more attention now. I think her nurse has had a reprimand for not getting her into hospital sooner. One pill a day keeps the doctor at bay and it's only a small dose but try explaining that to someone who thinks they're OK and are clearly not and getting worse. She accepts it now and is really happy she's not having bad thoughts any more.

Back to decorating it's a lot more relaxing than what I've gone through recently.

Lasha

[nonamegirl]

October Mod Squad

HI, Everyone.
Crocus, I also love what you say about being wise, remembering when we haven't gone overboard and also especially the thing about PAYING ATTENTION. Whew! I needed to hear that. I really need to pay attention to the triggers... for me, stress (yeah, like that's a surprise), and especially not eating. If my blood sugar gets too low, then I end up chugging that first glass and that is just the beginning of a bad spiral. Every single time. Cheese and crackers, a power bar, something in the tum before alcohol helps.

Lasha, I am so glad to hear about your wife. There is a parallel, I think, between what she (and you along with her) and we are all going through. It sometimes seems as if she thinks she doesn't need that little low dose pill and can do just fine without it, which isn't the case as you have found out time and again. WE on the other hand sometimes think WE don't need to pay attention... perhaps we've moderated successfully for a long time, perhaps we feel we are fully adult and can control it, perhaps we miss noticing our triggers and then we feel we can do just fine drinking like a "normal" person. Which isn't the case, as we have found out time and again.

As Crocus said, I love having all of you here. Knowing that I can come here, be honest, and have someone to turn to really helps. I love you all.
:l