Saturday, July 29

[drEAmIng]

Holy Hotness! Is this hotel booked or what!? Absville is on the map fo sho'!!

Thank you Ms. Clogs for the dynomite leadership this week! Smashing Babay!

I'm stunned at all the new... faces...?... LoL Can't turn my head for a few shakes without missing a whole lot around here.

:w Dieann, Julie, Big V... !! and anyone else new that I missed. And welcome back to all of you who have come back home to la Villa de Absa... aaahhhhhh... truly refreshing! Verrrry Niice.......!

Congrats Sophia/ Carole on 6, now 7 days! That's wonderful!

Kathy, how many days are you up to now? So many I've lost track. Congratulations!

Great work everyone!

I'm a little behind on all the inside jokes and nicknames flying around, so far I've got Bubba, and Mackarel Man, The Oracle and God(ess)... love them all! Where's our princess Tiara Jane, anyone seen her, or have I just missed her posts?

Keep your eyes on the prize guys!

:h
Deirdre

"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal."

-Henry Ford]

[Wayneuk2006]

Saturday, July 29

Morning All,
gonna keep things very simple today(like me).Nice to see everyone doing well, It was 8 weeks for me yesterday and noticing changes in my get up and go.Actually applied for my taxi drivers badge this week,been out of work for 4 months now and need to get some money coming back into the house.Never done taxi driving but like the idea that if you need some extra money one week you can just stay in your car till i earn it.
Hopefully this will be the change in lifestyle i've wanted for my family for the last 10 years, but been too drunk to do anything about.
Going to manchester tonight to pick up my girls(missed em loads)so might not be back on till Tuesday...Gonna miss this place too.....Oh Lori..I think its fine.....You get a small row of smileys on your search bar....I've had no problems with it...
Take care all......Wayne (Mackeral Man)

[cv1]

Saturday, July 29

Morning all Abbers ...it's been a bit crazy this week with me changing roles and trying to finish up some exams and papers...so things were slipping a bit. Anyway, in order to get myself back on track I found and posted a couple of new info posts on aminos and how much they can help the brain, cravings, emotions, etc. I finally got the dl-phenylalanine that I was waiting for, which is supposed to be useful for emotional and physical pain, so we'll see how that goes...and I made up some wonderful bath salts with geranium and orange oil scents and epsom salt and sea salt...relaxed me a bit. Since my source is selling the actual l-tryptophan now and I have the 5-htp but I've read that americans may be deficient in some substance to utilize it properly, I'll probably give the actual l-tryptophan a try...and yes, I really need to stay away from the sugar and wheat and carbs! My first 18 days of abs were SOOOO much easier when I wasn't adding in sugars but then I started to sneak some in and the cravings for everything came surging back...pizza, ice cream, wine, vodka, you name it...so I just have to grab the l-glut...but interestingly, I also just read that if I take my dl-phenylalanine under the tongue, it will suppress my appetite and cravings too?! I'll keep you all informed.

[YoungAtHeart]

Saturday, July 29

Hi?

Well, Dierdre,
It's funny that you should ask how many days it is now, because until yesterday it WAS 10 (on Thursday). I caved last night and had 2 glasses of wine. Just basic stressors/bullsh*t....no really good reason to break abs. Trying not to kick myself around too much. I had had brief thought while stressed of listening to clearing CD, but reached for the more IMMEDIATE remedy......I just bought two "mini" (one portion) bottles of wine to at least make for damage control. In the end, it didn't do that much for me, just made me tired instead of wired, but no buzz or good feeling.

At any rate, I feel that, for the most part, I've been doing well, and I don't want to get in a downward spiral of not liking myself for a slip, so I'm just dusting myself off and getting up and going. I know it is bothering me though, because I did not have the deep, restful sleep that I got used to having in the last week and a half, and I was troubled by dreams.

At any rate, to paraphrase Anne of Green Gables, "Today is new day, with no drinking yet in it!" I want to keep it that way. Onward and upward.

Good to see you back, Dierdre. I've missed you! Love to all!
Kathy

[lorik]

Saturday, July 29

Good Morning

Hey guys and gals.

Missed ya Deirdre, glad you're back.
10 days is nothing to sneeze at Kathy, way to go girl!
Wayne, we'll miss you but happy you're going to enjoy some YOU time. I'll ask my warden if I can get the smilies, I LOVE them!
Kimber, glad you are back too....missed ya!

My little town is in 'party mode' with great bands playing in the streets all night. For the first time in a while I don't feel like I'm missing something by not being there. All I need to do is call into memory my Cheap Trick disaster (escorted out by security )and I realize I've used up all my passes. No sadness though, I have a buddy in recovery who I can go with when I'm ready. That won't be for a while yet as my AF days need to build up again.

Love Ya,
Lori

[MattD]

Saturday, July 29

Hi Friends,

What a great month july has been!!! Way to go residents of Abopolis

I'll be on the road tomorrow travelling to the beach for a family vacation. I'm looking so forward to being there 100% for my kids and not thinking about drinking. This will be a new experience for me as vacations have always been a wonderful opportunity to smashed and hammered all day long. When I look back at those times I just think "how stupid" and what a waste of time.
Onwards and upwards!

Congratulations to everyone for making this such a great month in Absburg. August will be even better!

I'll check in from the beach on Monday.

Matt

[DebbieG77]

Saturday, July 29

I can't wait for August.

Hi folks,

I joined abs early on this month, and I fell off the wagon quite a few times, because I thought I was into moderating instead. I'm going to jump in early for August today. I have a goal of making it one month, just one month how hard can that be? This one will be a real challenge too, my BF is out of town and that usually means to party it up. He left yesterday, so today I am hung over, naturally.

CAUTION: the following is gross.

Here's some inspiration for all you folks who have been abbing and doing good, but can always use another reason not to drink. I threw up this morning, and there were these fatty green globules in my barf. I think it was bile, and lots of it. My poor liver. Keep up the good work folks. And pray for me, I need it.

thanks,
Debbie

[DebbieG77]

Saturday, July 29

One quickie

I have a quick question for you supplement vets out there. I think I need a little help in that area, CDs are kind of helping, but I keep slipping! I keep "not moderating" while I'm moderating. I think I'm going to have to abstain for a while, and that's going to be hard. Damn it! A drinking buddy is comming into town next week! Argh!!

My question, is there any one supplement that you've found especially helpful? I'm on a student's budget, and I know some of those vitamins and stuff can get pricey, but I am willing to shell out some cash for maybe one bottle of something. I'm a binge drinker, has anybody found one amino or herb thing to be very helpful. Kind of like a must have?


Debbie

[dieann]

Saturday, July 29

Hi all, just checking in even thought I'm not planning to abs until August 1. Psyching myself in the meantime, you know? Anyway, just went for a short run and man is it hot out there!!! (Denver) Getting ready to go to the grocery store for the air-conditioning.

Debbie, the kudzu for sure. Also, you just gotta do it. It doesn't really taste good anyway, and it obviously doesn't make you feel good if you're talking to the porcelin god. Be good to yourself.

I went to the bar last night to meet my BF and there was a guy there I'd never met before. Apparently he'd just finished one month of rehab and he was HAMMERED. I so don't want to go there.

My plan is to abs for all of August. That's as far as I've go worked out in my head, and I feel it's far enough. I don't remember what it's like to not drink regularly. I have had one day this month where I didn't drink at all and that's it. Wish me luck!

And never beat yourself up! You can't change the past. Concentrate on right now so you'll be healthy in the future!

[nomorewine]

Saturday, July 29

July 29

Hi all....This is day 5 for me. Went to the ballgame last evening with husband, my brother and his girlfriend. Had a tall bottle of water as it was auite hot. They had beers and I just did not have the desire. (Thank God!) We left and then they wanted to go to an Irish Pub. So I went and we sat down and all ordered a beer -- myself included. I just let it sit there, ordered a water and drank that. Waitress came by for round 2 and I just gave mine to my husband. It was a good feeling to have the strength.

Kathy - 10 days is great and I hope to get there myself. You are smart to get up and move on -- at least it was 2 glasses and not 2 bottles -- that's usually my MO.

Have a good day all.

[sujul]

Saturday, July 29

Whatever It Takes!

Hello Absville!
It's great to hear about people getting their lives back--and to hear from those who are hoping to get their lives back! My advice: don't wait! The time is now! For so many reasons.....

Last week I was invited to the birthday celebration of a good friend...I accepted the invite but then started feeling a little anxious about it because it was going to be in this trendy Moroccan restaurant in Soho (NYC not London!) and I knew that people would be ordering plenty of interesting drinks and generally having a good time... Finally I decided that rather than jeopardize my new found abs life, I would skip this event....

So, while everyone did indeed have a great time, I had to determine what was a "good time" for me....I stayed home, drank Fuze (fab natural juice/water drink), ate salad, read posts on MYO, listened to great music and went to bed early...believe me, I had a GREAT time!! Mainly because I hadn't let myself down...and I had demonstrated to myself that I was really and truly serious about this....

No, I wasn't afraid I would lose all control and order a drink or, worse, grab someone else's...what I was concerned about was that I would start a PROCESS that would eventually end up in my drinking--whether it was the next day or the next week or whenever...slips don't necessarily happen at the time we think they will, but a seed gets planted that eventually sprouts into a full-grown desire to have a drink...this is how I have always found myself back in the alcohol abyss....What I had to do was send myself a strong message that this sh*t is serious--serious enough for me to miss an event that I would undoubtedly have enjoyed!

For me, this is truly life and death here....I know that if I drink I will die (or kill myself) from the damage alcohol is doing to my body, mind and spirit... And NO program, whether it be rehab, AA, MYO or any other plan will keep me sober in and of itself...it's finally up to ME. I have to be willing to do WHATEVER IT TAKES to hang onto this new life...WHATEVER IT TAKES means not only doing a lot of healthy things for myself but also being willing to miss certain events, keep my distance from certain people, give up some of the things that I thought I enjoyed in the past. Because "whatever it takes" eventually turns into all the wonderful things I get back!!

And, eventually, when I have some more abs time and I feel ready, I will be able to just relax about this sort of event--the very fact that I felt anxious at all was an indication to me that I wasn't ready for it yet.

So my advice today is to have a serious talk with yourself about how important not drinking really is for you....are YOU worth doing whatever it takes or not? For me, there is only one answer that works here: YES, I'm worth it!

Sorry, if this sounds unduly harsh or rigid--this is just what it finally took for me to dig myself out of the huge hole I found myself in last April...and I couldn't be more thrilled to be where I am now--I've got my self-esteem, my dreams and my hope back!

Okay, I've gone on...and on and on...enough!!
:h
Clever Clogs susan

[MattD]

Saturday, July 29

Debbie,
If you can afford booze you can afford the supplements. Half-assed attempts at anything will always fail. Just being honest Sister.

Matt

[MattD]

Saturday, July 29

Susan,

You Rock!!!

It is so inspiring to see you dancing down the road to health and happiness!
To folks who are just joining in for August I'd like to share something.
I joined this group for an alcohol free July just to prove to myself I could 30 days.
I fully intended to shift into "moderate drinking" after I did my 30.
Something profound and wonderful happened during July.
As each day passed I felt better, stronger, healthier and more alive and realized that I prefer to stay AF rather than trying to moderate with all of the potential pitfalls that entails. This total shift occured on its own and I feel like I'm finally on the right path.

So welcome August Absters and congratulations for giving yourselves 31 days of happiness and freedom! Don't sweat the small stuff and know for a fact that you can do this (If you need proof just read previous posts). Start with 1 day, then 1 week, then 2 weeks, etc.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Matt

[Wayneuk2006]

Saturday, July 29

Evening All,
I should be in Manchester now picking up my 2 girls....Should be..I phoned my mum about dinner time and told her we would be down about 7pm to which she replied with an awkward pause. I know my mother very well and new immediatly what was the matter..My mum has drank (and Dad ) more than most for as long as i can remember.
Since i went into detox i think it has made them look at their own drinking, and by the sounds of it they only drink at weekends now. My family wont drink infront of me,and i am gratefull for that...But now i know why i got the awkward pause...
It would'nt be such a big deal but my parents live 100 miles away and i only see them on average once a month.
Suppose i know how it feels to be on the OTHER SIDE ...not nice.

Nice to meet you Deirdre, give it five mins and you be called somthing completley different...Cant be as bad as Mackeral man though....Sounds like a manga superhero.
Kathy, thankyou for the advice about special occasions, i always value your advice, you are just bursting with commensense.
Nomorewine,well done on 5 days,that was a superhuman effort in the Irish bar.
Hello Lori,i'm dying to know about the cheap trick disaster.
Matt,hello dude, hope you have a great holiday mate, and im looking forward to having a family holiday opposed to a drinking holiday...Your holiday should be something special with your wife and kids...cant wait to hear how it goes.
Debbie and Dieann, all the best for August, you both sound ready to attack with conviction.
CV..How many days abs are you....I see you popping up all over the boards helping everybody but dont know much about you.
Hiya Gabby, you must live at 100mph its always a flying visit from you ...hope you are well.
Very surprised Bubba's not been on today...hope your well Bub.
Clever Clogs, did'nt forget you today ( proberly forgot someone else though) you suit your nickname...Like Kathy you always make tonnes of sense to me..I am also looking forward to the time when i can go to an event...be myself ...drink not be an issue...And most of all have fun..

WOW didn't write that much in 5 years of high school.
Take care all ..Love Wayne x

[YoungAtHeart]

Saturday, July 29

Evening Visit....

And hello to all! Feeling better than earlier today...and thank you, Lori and NoMoreWine, for your support. (Keep building up those AF days, girlfriends!!) I'm massively sweaty right now after cleaning out the garage with my sister--she is now napping, but I preferred being with all of you in Absville to grabbing a shower. I know, more than all of you needed to know!! But I've wanted to get the garage done for a while (more than a 1-person job!), and it also felt good to "sweat it out", perhaps a bit of penance for the misdeeds of yesterday?? I'll just have to be 10/1 and let it be, keep on swimming, right? I'm still feeling a lot better than before I started abs, and I'm keeping my goals in front of me.

Susan, I DON'T THINK that you went on and on. You have a lot of prior experience being sober, and you also have had the experience of a long, SLOW descent back into alcoholism again. I remember your story from when you started, and it is truly amazing. If you posted it on MY STORY, I hope that others will read it, in fact, I encourage them to do so!

Have a great time at the beach, Matt! Sound like it will be a whole new deal, sober!

Welcome aboard, Dieann! August is right around the corner. My experience is that the build up to going abs is worse than actually going abs. Once you do it, it is rather peaceful!

And NoMore...wow! You did great with side-stepping that temptation! I'm very impressed! Keep up the good work!

Debbie, please don't limit yourself to one supplement! If you can't afford much at first, start with kudzu and l-glutamine. L-glut, dissolved under the tonge can stop a craving cold! Then I would add the all-one or a good multivitamin and the amino complete that you can get on the site. If you have insurance, I would explore seeing if you can get on the topamax. Many people on limited budgets have gotten the supplements bit by bit. Don't let your budget get in the way!

And Wayne, thanks for appreciating my "advice", although I like to think of it as "reassurance"!! Sorry to hear about your folks and the drinking!! I didn't realize they were into drinking! I will "unchristen" you as "Mackeral Man" if you wish, because you rock, my friend, and don't deserve a fishy name! It was just a joke that went wild!

At any rate, I'm about worn out, and I've been interrupted about 50 times, and you are probably all bored silly anyway!! Brevity has never been one of my virtues!!

Love to all on a sober Saturday night!
Kathy:h