December Mod Squad

[nonamegirl]

December Mod Squad

Happy Solstice everyone.
Yesterday, the Winter Solstice, was just lovely for us here. We had friends and family over for dinner, light low in the late afternoon, good laughter, good food, good times. A true joy.

My dear Crocus. I am going to PM you, too, but you know that I throw my arms around you. Please don't feel badly about yourself. You spent a night in your own home doing something you love - listening to music, and I'm going to guess here that it was by the Christmas tree and you were all nostalgic and feeling yummy inside and all. So, you had a bit too much, and maybe a bit more than that. You were home, safe, and had made a wonderful day for your guy. You are OKAY. You know what to do now. Take it slowly, treat yourself well, eat some good food and don't exhaust yourself with your family being there. :l

Stewarts, I am glad your mom was there to take care of you. That is wonderful! Christmas Eve at your house? Wonderful. I hope you feel better for it so that you can enjoy it as well.

happy Sunday, everyone.

[I'm Strong and in Control]

December Mod Squad

Sorry for not checking in - sounds like you all have wonderful holiday plans!

Crocus, ditto NoName's sentiments. Be kind to yourself. I realized what brought me to this site was to end the pain, angst and remorse caused by my drinking. I am also someone that used to stay up and drink long after hubby went to bed. (No clue what I thought was so important that I wanted to stay up and do, other than drink). I won't drink alone anymore. Same thing with drinking on an "ordinary at-home night". Those were two of the major things that caused me pain and remorse. I can't distinguish between when that pleasurable moment of enjoying a glass of wine with my husband turns into emptying the bottle all alone and passing out, so I just dont' do that. I hope to stay mindful of when the pleasure turns into that desperate "got to have another" frenzy. I'm finding my way, and truly am not one to give advice. I want to enjoy every moment of my life.

We're planning on being at home, on Christmas, making a fabulous meal, sitting in pjs and watching telly - and I don't consider that an ordinary night - so I bought good wine (not the cheap crap in the big bottles and boxes that I regularly guzzled). It is totally ok with me to get tipsy and I'm not going to sit up all night alone finishing all the wine in the house. Our New Year's Eve (and wedding anniversary) will be spent in business class somewhere between Tokyo and Sydney. I will enjoy anything they put in a glass for me. (not really, it will be champagne or wine). All of these celebrations will be separated with alcohol-free days. This is how I would like to drink for the rest of my life and with all your support, I hope to make it happen.

Will stay in touch this week - hope you all have a loving, joyful, delightful and remorse-free holiday!!

[ToMyHealth]

December Mod Squad

Hi everyone! And Merry Christmas to those who celebrate Jesus' birth. We are so glad to be where we are even though we miss family. We pinch ourselves daily as we sit on lanai in shorts and tank tops looking at the Christmas tree and Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Years ago I ran the SunMart trail 50K in TX in mid Dec. and I thought it was so weird seeing the decorated tree at The Sheraton with no snow outside. Stayed 3-4 days and by the time I left I vividly remember saying to myself "I could get used to this".

Em, I love your plan for how you want to drink for the rest of your life. I'm not sure my health will allow me to continue drinking, at least as much as I presently do. Happy Anniversary and have a nice trip!

Nng, yes, I am still planning on an AF January. I have to start thinking about drink replacements. DH suggested last night that we start biking 3-4 nights/ week. Oh, instead of Happy Hour? Yes! I think we are both ready to get healthier. We will play golf tomorrow. We've planned a lobster tail Christmas Eve dinner and church at 8p. On Christmas Day we are invited to friends' house. And other friends invited us to play golf on Boxing Day. Life is good!

Isn't it terribly sad about the young man (Loop) who just passed away. He evidently was a strong supporter of Baclofen and helped so many people. You can read about him on the Meds thread.

Thank you for listening to me ramble. I may be doing such daily in January as I really want to get past the 2 weeks AF period. Have a blessed week.

TMH

[nonamegirl]

December Mod Squad

Happy Christmas Eve, to everyone who so believes. And to the rest of us here, happy Tuesday!

I am loving this particular Christmas season. And not in small part because of you all, and your good influence. I am with Strong and TMH in that it is important to monitor and see what, how much, and when to stop drinking. Last night I had my two, thought about having the third as has been typical this month, and chose to not have it. Perhaps we really can teach ourselves to pay attention.

Such a lovely holiday this has been! Weather in our part of the world has been perfect. Cold when we wanted it ( a week of double digits below zero) warmer when we needed it (pipes froze and burst at our rental) snow and snow and snow to cover the mush. Hurray! Perfectly lovely. However, I do in fact enjoy and appreciate TMH's warmer clime as well. I have spent a couple Christmases with my sister in Florida also thinking "Hmm. I could get used to this!"

Ah, well. Crocus, hope you are doing well. You are in my heart, dear one.

Merry Christmas, everyone. I hope your holiday, what ever you celebrate and how ever you spend it is just exactly the way you want it to be. You are my angels.
:l:l:l:l:l:l:

[crocus]

December Mod Squad

Dear Far Away Friends,
Happy Christmas Eve, and may you all have a beautiful Christmas. Thank you for all your kindness.
Strong - your post about staying up and wondering what was so important, really struck me. Thank you. What struck me is that the "thing that is so important" really falls into an odd realm of private escape for me. There is some loneliness and fear mixed in there as well. Not healthy. I have to make my peace with life in this world. I'm going to have a talk with my Jesuit friend about this. SO thank you again.

My daughter and I decorated our church with 400 poinsettias and lots of greens on Saturday. We had help, of course, and it looked so heavenly! My kids and their spouses were all here until Monday for our early Christmas. They showered me with their love and too many gifts. I told them what happened last week, and they loved me right out of my sadness. They gave their Dad a bit of a talking to regarding how he treats me...nothing too heavy, but it helped me to see that happen.

The weekend passed with no over indulgences, just happiness. We have no snow, and it's far too warm for Christmas, but tonight is Christmas Eve, and I will be in church offering up my best singing and prayers for all of you, and for all my many blessings. Merry Christmas each of you, no matter how you celebrate the day.

[crocus]

December Mod Squad

It is a beautiful Christmas Eve, and "we" are watching every news channel there is, with emphasis on every war and threat available. Every tragedy, every disaster, and immediately fast forwarding through any and all ""sentimental" and anything less than serious. and we will be watching that until Hubbs hits the hay around 9. I HAD put on Christmas music, and set out food, but my plan for the rest of the evening is to "just keep my mouth shut." Then I will not get myself to feeling like such crap that I will stay up alone and drink and listen to all things Christmas. Good grief, but it feels good to vent this! Love you all! Merry Christmas from Keeping her mouth shut!"

Sorry; I'm sorry to be such a bummer. I should have said... I wish you a Christmas eve unlike mine.

Earlier today, Hubbs said..."What's wrong with you"? I confessed to my hubbs that I was feeling blue with all the kids gone. I said I was feeling lonely. He said "I'm sorry you feel that way; let me know if there is anything I can do; I'm going our for a while to do a few errands." I so wish he would have talked to me.

I guess I better adjust. This is not new. We will go to church tomorrow instead, and I will show Hubbs all the beauties, and we will appreciate anew all our gifts, and THEN I will sing!!!

Bless you all! This is really a beautiful and holy and wonderful night!

[nonamegirl]

December Mod Squad

Happy Boxing Day, all my dear friends!

Hmmm.... Crocus my friend, I do think I am going to have to come to your house and have a little chat with your husband. As is a little "What the heck are you thinking, you big bully? Can't you see that you need to love and support your wife when she is sad? Can't you see that you are part if not all of her problem? " Dang him! I wish you could have been at my house on Christmas Eve. We had lovely friends over, lovely music, lovely food... no news, no bad thoughts. You would have been so welcome, my friend.

Today I am going out to my volunteer job for a bit, and stop by my brother's house to check on his cat... then back home to revel in the quiet of Christmas. And probably have a yummy big ol' Dagwood type of ham sandwich. I am thinking that I will have to join TMH for a January diet and clean-out, if not for the whole month at least for part of it. Gosh, where did that extra 20 pounds come from? Oh, well. Life is good.

[ToMyHealth]

December Mod Squad

Boxing Day it is. Learned about what it means visiting my dd in Canada. Found a looney and a tooney by the 11th hole green on Christmas Eve day. $3 to the good. Personally, I feel joyful that life gets more normal. Did Face Time with all kids, gkids yest. Enjoyed that.

Mindset has been slowly evolving toward wanting to get an AF January. Lately, dh has been very tired, takes long naps. He said he was going to go to dr. To get treated for low testerone. I said well
I feel tired also and I am quite sure it's due to alcohol. A day or one more nap later (yest) he said I think you are right. Let's moderate tonight, then not drink til NYE. We were invited to friends from Illinois who are here with no family also. Had a lovely time which started with appetizers & wine on their lanai showing off their absolutely incredible view. Anyway, we did not overdrink and no thought of more once home. As far as NYE I said I am thinking of being one of the DD. Dh said that would be fine if I knew where I was going. Didn't say a word and he said oh, that's right you go downtown to get your hair cut, you know more about it than I do. Thank you. LOL

Crocus, my heart hurt reading how you were ignored. You bounced back & concentrated on the positive. Good for you!

NNG, it's been difficult sticking to any eating plan over the holidays. I've pretty much held my own and am now ready to get back on plan. Also, observed a pile of workout DVD's while also watching Joyce Meyer this a.m. Think I'm going to start a Slim Series program. Know you are going on vacation, but still would love to have company on workout thread at least for part of Jan.

Invited to play golf with couple from NY today. Love hearing all these accents. Of course, those of us from the midwest don't think we have one.

Hope everyone's Christmas was wonderful! On toward a healthy 2014!

TMH

[crocus]

December Mod Squad

Good Morning Everyone!

And thank you all for your kind words. Christmas Day was bright, cold, and quiet. Church was beautiful and joyful, and I am ready to keep Christmas in my heart all year! I had a few drinks, but nothing too big. We watched a movie TOGETHER and went to bed at 9. A very nice evening.

NN - Thanks, my friend, I feel the same way, but he is who he is, and I have to accept, forgive, and love him just as he is. As long as the kids keep visiting, I think I'll be better. I must continue to work on whatever it is that I feel when he treats me like that. I want to not react with AL. I'm soooo happy you liked the Dickens stories. I love them!

TMH - and NN - sounds like you had lovely Christmas moments...as you should. Bless you!

We all seem to be thinking alike. Less Al and more exercise, rest, and healthy eating. I get fatigued easily after this holiday diet. Yummy, though, huh? I like the giant turkey sandwiches with stuffing, cranberry, lettuce and a ton of mayo. I'm not big on sweets, and I tend toward the thin side, but I feel and look like I am made of jello. And I am going back to the gym today for the first time in a month. I have TERRIBLE eating habits. I don't get hungry, but then when I do, I've been known to eat all the wrong things. New habits needed!

Going to get my mouth stitches out today! YAAAY!!! Then I have to get next semester's courses put together because we are leaving for Turks and Caicos Island on Jan. 1. This is our first trip since our honeymoon. I'm so nervous. (He's got to talk to me, right?) Plus I'm afraid to fly, and we really can't afford this, but the kids are funding half of it as a present, so I am a lucky girl! As the kid in Home Alone says...."AHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

[I'm Strong and in Control]

December Mod Squad

Happy Boxing Day all! I'm working today and a tad crabby. Just wanted to pop in and say hello!!

[crocus]

December Mod Squad

TMH- Just watched a film called "A Stroke of Genius" about the guy who built the Augusta National course. You would totally love this movie. It's about the golfer, Bobby Jones.

I think you would just love it.

[ToMyHealth]

December Mod Squad

Hey, Crocus, am going to put in Netflix Queue right now. Thanks for thinking of me!

TMH

[nonamegirl]

December Mod Squad

Hello, all my dears.
Such a good time, to come here and chat. I love hearing how you are doing. So, now we just need to hear from Emmy, from Stewarts, from Eve, from Lasha.... and anyone else who hasn't chimed in. So, you guys, how was your holiday?

Crocus, a trip! Wow! I am jealous. My guy and I have never taken a trip (with the one exception of a weekend in Vegas) that didn't focus on family. Never. We haven't even had a honeymoon, and this coming anniversary will be #23. Hmm.... guess we'll have to see what we can do to remedy that someday. But YOU, my dear Crocus! The Turks and Caicos! Hurray! And you know what? I bet with your good groundwork, your husband will step up to the plate and talk about things that are fun and/or important to you. I believe this is going to be a lovely trip for you. Perhaps you can plan time alone each day, and then set up a "date" time each evening, when the focus will be just on each other. Hmmm.... lovely!

Well, my friends, the last Friday of the year. I have enjoyed spending so much time with you all. And yes, TMH, I am in on the diet and exercise resolution. I am going to be one of the leaders in the local "Walk the Marathon" class this year, and if that is to actually happen, I'd better get back in shape. I'm in.

[ToMyHealth]

December Mod Squad

Hi. Enjoyed yesterday so much. Lots of energy, feeling of well being. Today not so much. Because of rain tomorrow, dh thought we should play golf today. It wasn't on my radar screen, and I couldn't shake off the feeling I'd rather be working out or at least doing something else. Weird. Did not help that we both got crabby when we were not playing well. When done, admit to making comment "enough to drive you to drink". Have not. Am tired, hungry. 2 things get warned about. Also said, could be a heck of a lot worse, could be in MN!

Anyway, hope everyone else is having a good Sat. and not feeling listless and deprived as I seem to be. For heavens sake, get a grip, girl! Off to shower and then read for a bit.

TMH

[Emmy Lou]

December Mod Squad

Hello all, Merry Xmas! Sorry for my absence. I've been in a whirlwind of social and family stuff. Which brings me to the next point, Strong, yes you're right to say why drink if you don't have/want to? And I can confirm that every afternoon and evening I've been tied up with yet another gig/event/work do/family get together...it's exhausting. So this is why I didn't put the pressure on myself to fit in AF days...there's nowhere to put them! But I am glad that in also looking forward to January, and getting that back on track. I really enjoy drinking and so it's not a matter of drinking when I don't want to, it's more of a pleasant surprise to also be looking forward to a quieter time.
Stewarts I'm sorry to hear that you've been sick. What a crap thing at this time of year. I think I may also understand your work commitments...I was a PA for 12 years, being sick does not make the work disappear does it?
NNG I think if you want to change your name none of us would bat an eyelid! Just keep your gorgeous puppy pic & we'll know who you are!
Well. I've just spent four days at my boyfriends mothers house in the country. His teenage kids, Sister and Brother in law were there too. OMG I'm not cut out for family living or the country...whew! I got out without killing anyone which is something believe me. I live alone and am sooo not used to being mothered, or having to fight for the bathroom. I didn't even have my car with me so there was no escape! It was great to be with the boyfriend on Xmas day and I did get presents which doesn't normally happen for me, but it's hard for me to go with the flow. His Sister is lovely but I think I've upset her by not needing constant feeding. She really startled me by ordering my lunch for me at a country town cafe...I was so surprised and felt like a little kid! I had to say that I didn't want what she'd ordered and she looked so upset. I'll have to explain when she comes to town this week, not to be offended and that I'm just not used to it. I do feel bad because she's such a great girl.
I have nothing else to report, I hope you all are happy & well,
Take care friends,
X
Em