AF Daily - Saturday 1 August

[Pamina]

Morning Absville

And jack rabbit (the things one learns on MWO....)

:welcome: to all newcomers to this thread and :goodjob: on the accumulated AF days. Way to go!

OK Loppy. Time to come out of the woodwork. It is the 1st of August, and the start of your detox programme. Come tell us how it's going!

There was an epilogue to my ex-BF story from a few days ago. After I'd told him I didn't want to meet up, I had a wobble in the evening. Sitting on a bus, I started thinking maybe it could have brought more closure, maybe things could be different now, maybe we could be friends etc.... I'd been down those thought pathways a million times when I was with him. Within seconds I realised how very similar it is to the mental bargaining over AL. It boils down to the same central conundrum: wasn't there some way to just have the buzz without the hangover? The answer is the same - a resounding NO! By the time I got off the bus, I was done obsessing.

Thank God for sobriety, this site and all your stories. Thank God I'm not there any more.

I love the beginnings of new months. They must have been created so we'd remember we always have a chance at a new start, new opportunities. Let's seize them.

What are everybody's plans for August?

Have a good weekend one and all.

[momof3]

AF Daily - Saturday 1 August

Good Morning Daily AF'ers,

I haven't posted in awhile but do check in from time to time. Life is very full and I don't think much about Al anymore, really.

Panima, your comment about being wobbly about your BF and how it relates to Al is spot on. I have found that a great benefit of being Af is that I am less and less indecisive and ambivalent about things. When I make a decision, that's it...no going back and forth and questioning whether I've made the right decision. I believe that this is due to the healing that has occurred in my brain.

It has been an extremely challenging summer...lots going on with my brother's mental illness, his rotation in and out of psychiatric hospitals and my travel to see him and advocate for him (and at the same time managing my business and caring for my three kids). I have been remaining vigilant about my sobriety and know that times such as these (or soon after the crisis) are when we are most vulnerable to picking up the drink.

I'm really happy to read about how so many of you are getting some serious AF time behind you and that you are sounding so solid.

Be well,
M3

[Marshy]

AF Daily - Saturday 1 August

Hello all,

Pamina - I've often solved a mental argument while sitting on a bus - there's something very therapuetic them! Glad you've got things sorted out.

Momof3 - good to hear you're doing well - not thinking much about drinking but still being aware you need to be on your guard. I think that's a good position to be in.

My plan for August? Give myself permission to relax. I don't have much work lined up this month (about 12 days I think, so far), but I've been working hard lately and it's the first time since about March that it hasn't been full-on. So I'm going to sit back and enjoy the heatwave that just has to be arriving any day now (we were promised!), get down the gym and get serious about shedding the final very stubborn stone (14lbs), and NOT worry about chasing any more work this month. Oh, and my most important plan for August, as always, is simple: don't drink.

[Cinders]

AF Daily - Saturday 1 August

Pamina,

Wow, great post to start today's thread. It makes me think that it is possible that one of our issues is how we look at life in general. Is there something about us that makes us only remember the good and forget the bad that comes with it?

Is it possible to retrain our thinking so that we view life's events and our activities in a more healthy way as a natural course? Or will we always have to struggle with that?

Do "normal" people have these same impulses but their rational thinking overcomes the irrational, "it won't be like that this time?"

Good thoughts for today. I will have to think more about this.

My plans for August is to stay on track. I am so excited about actually getting lots of sober time piling up. I am looking forward to another month of learning who I am.

Love,
Cindi

[Cinders]

AF Daily - Saturday 1 August

Hi M3 and Marshy,

x posted.

Cindi

[Accountable for Me]

AF Daily - Saturday 1 August

Marshy;680340 wrote:
Pamina - I've often solved a mental argument while sitting on a bus - there's something very therapuetic them! Glad you've got things sorted out.

I couldn't agree more! Since taking the bus to and from work, I, too, have solved a lot of mental arguments! :H

Pamina, it is exactly the same as the mental battle with AL. Geesh, I have been there and done that many, many, times. Only now I am so picky that I can't get past a first date with someone! I honestly believe that every relationship I was in was a result of low self esteem and having no confidence in myself. The result was always toxic.

Good morning all! It is a beautiful, cooler day here in sunny Victoria! Yesterday was warm but nothing compared to the heat wave we just finished having. I actually got out in the evening last night with Little AFM and we rode bikes to the park. When we arrived, there was an ambulance and about 5 police officers there. This was at 6:30pm. They were having a hard time getting a severely drunk couple off of the grass (they had passed out) and into the police cruisers. Although, I have never been that drunk in a public park, I most certainly have been that drunk at home MANY times! It was a flash back at my intoxication on a daily basis back in the day. I have never felt more grateful for my sobriety and my continued recovery! Life is so much better than being in that state. I feel so blessed that my life is unfolding into something very fulfilling and wonderful.

This morning I am going to the hair dressers and getting a hair cut. Little AFM had a professional cut last weekend so I think today is my turn. My hair is fairly long but I am getting an asymmetrical bob done. Long in the front, shorter in the back. An inverted mullet! :H Geesh, I just thought about that - LOL! Oh, I make myself laugh. I will attach you a picture to show you what I am getting.



My hair is the same colour as her's in this one. I am so excited!!

Then we are going to go for a drive up island to scope out veggie markets and just do something fun on a whim!

Have a great day everyone!! xoxo

ps. Loppy keep in touch with us to let us know how you are! I can't believe it is August 1!! Holy smokes! Attached files [img]/converted_files/985982=5108-attachment.jpg[/img]

[My New Beginning]

AF Daily - Saturday 1 August

Hello all Abbers!
Ahhhh it's a nice fresh month and my plan is to rack up the AF days..but one day at a time.
Lovely morning here in New England after 5 inches of rain the last 3 days.

Good thoughts to all of you out there!:h

My plans for this month are to stay sober so that I can enjoy life around me and see it through clear eyes and a clearer head!
Oh. And maybe lose a little weight in the process. :H

[Marshy]

AF Daily - Saturday 1 August

AFM - they send out the cavalry to get two drunk people off the grass? It must be a very spick and span neighbourhood! People are left where they drop in London. There's a park near where I'm working that is always busy with street drinkers, and when I come in on Saturday morning about 8.30am there are always lots of "bodies" strewn about from the night before.

[momof3]

AF Daily - Saturday 1 August

Hi Cindi,

It's good to hear you doing so well!

M3

[Lavande]

AF Daily - Saturday 1 August

Good morning all!

Happy August to each and everyone of you. No special plans for me this weekend, I'm dog sitting for my son once again. I just love 4 large dogs romping through my house - not really!

My August plan is to remain AF & NF and hopefully kick off a few of the pounds that have piled on as a result of my quits. I also plan to spend even more time with my 8 month old grandson. His Mom is returning to work part time so I'm in for baby sitting. Love it

AFM, Mr Lav is a retired police officer - boy have I ever heard the stories.............The police were always dropping drunks off in the ER on Friday & Saturday nights - one reason why I really don't miss my nursing career.
I never thought about that hair cut being an inverted mullet - I suppose you're right!! Enjoy yourself!
Marshy, take care to not trip over the bodies strewn about the park, ha ha.

Hello to Pamina, M3, Cindi and MNB, glad to hear you are doing well.

Have a great AF day everyone!
Lav

[Determinator]

AF Daily - Saturday 1 August

Happy Saturday ABeroooooooos!!!

big welcome to Afresh, welcome to the neighborhood.

Momof3, great to see you again! sounds like you've maintained your AFness through some pretty trying times of late. bravo.

Cindi, regarding this question: Is it possible to retrain our thinking so that we view life's events and our activities in a more healthy way as a natural course? Or will we always have to struggle with that?

it's an emphatic YES! from me on that one. the mind and our subsequent outlook on life is fully trainable like the rest of our body and skill set. There is a section of Eckhart Tolle's 'A New Earth' called "is that so?" that is a great parable in non-reactivity to outside influences.

I'll need more coffee before getting to your other great questions

be well my friends,

[LVT25]

AF Daily - Saturday 1 August

Hello friends!

Great to 'see" you M3! My plans for August...hmmm....Back to a regular fitness routine and more healthy eating and start taking my supps regularly. I'm looking forward to fall sports since we have a son in high school now. I hate to see summer end, but love the weather it brings!
I really enjoy reading everyone's posts here!!!:thanks: :h

[speedster]

AF Daily - Saturday 1 August

Hello all and Happy August!

M3 best wishes for your brother. You have a lot on your shoulders.
DET glad to see the foot will not require surgery!

I've been incredibly busy the last week and not checked in. I bought a touring kayak for the nearby lakes! The pupster can even sit in it with me. He likes to stand and I need to teach him to sit so his weight is closer to the center. Paddling with him in it requires a different technique. I'm brand new to paddling but really like my new toy and have high hopes that pupster will learn to sit. I'm working with him with the kayak in the grass, teaching him "load up" and sit. He keeps facing me when I'm in the boat. Need to work on getting him to understand to face the other way. lol

I'm consumed with my small garden and farmers market. Also went to a friends and picked 3 gallons of blueberries. Been busy freezing the last 2 days. Will spend tomorrow canning green beans and making some jam.

Hubby is on a bike trip this week and it's so nice to be home alone and AF. Last year I would not have been AF the entire week. I would have been productive, but felt like crap. I don't miss feeling sluggish, I don't miss heartburn.

Looking ahead at this month, I have one challenge in 3 weeks, going on a weekend trip with some friends who are moderate drinkers. It's almost easier to abstain around hard-core drinkers because one can loath their habit. But the 'normal' drinkers are tricky for me. Then again normal drinkers are less pushy about it when you pass on AL. I re-supplied myself with kudzu and L-glut in preparation.

Off to bed. Sweet AF dreams to all!

[Determinator]

AF Daily - Saturday 1 August

oy Speedster! there you are. how cool....kayaking and berries. balancing a doggy in a boat is an art as I'm sure you're discovering

[Doggygirl]

AF Daily - Saturday 1 August

Hi all! What a great thread that I missed

Pamina, what a great thread for the start of the day AND the new month. Interesting point about the parallel thinking WRT AL as well as other aspects of life. I certainly catch myself in stupid thinking all the time! At least I "catch" some of it now..... Hopefully I will get better at "catching" more of it as time goes on. Maybe I should find a bus to ride! Glad that you are being sensible about XBF.

M3 it's always good to see you and good to hear you are staying sober through life's problems.

Cinders - I am happy for you with every post you make these days! Congratulations on your sober time - you deserve it!

AFM I'm :H at the "Reverse Mullet" terminology. Made me think of the upcoming figure skating season and wondering if the Russian men will have discovered a new hair style, or will still be sporting the mullets they have been sporting for years. I bet you look adoreable in the New Do! Me Too about being as drunk as the couple in the park so many time - just in my home instead. That was my life on a daily basis. I'm so grateful that is over.

Marshy - :H on Londoners dropping like flies and being left where they lie! OK - August is :b&d::sofa::b&d: for you girlfriend!!!

MNB - I LOVE the sound of your August goal. It's great that you are seeing life around you with a fresh and sober pair of eyeballs. That is so much better than mourning for AL.

Lav - My life is 4 dogs in the house. 16 muddy feet. Never again! I'm glad to hear about the babysitting gig (the grandson, not the dog!)

Hi Det! I've got to get 'round to reading Tolle at some point.

LVT - your mention of fall high school sports made me wish very briefly (VERY briefly) that I had kids.

Speedster, congrats on the kayak! I love your stories about teaching Pupster to sit properly in it for rides. I have all these dogs around all the time but nowhere near the bond you and Pupster share. That is the type of bond Mr. Doggy has with his Schutzhund dog - it can only come from doing lots of things together beyond just walking or basic needs or playing a little bit. It's truly amazing to see.

The war with Evil Bunny rages on. Based on LVT's suggestions on Friday, I took one of my dogs Cleopatra out to the garden with me yesterday. I set up a grooming station near my beans (what few remain) and gave her a good brushing which she needed anyway. Then I let her loose while I did my gardening thing. This plan back fired as the dog "picked" the big green peppers that were waiting to turn red off the pepper plants. She then picked a tomato which she tried to bury where the the base of the honeydew vine is - I hope she didn't kill it.

So I'm looking for more new ideas to further wage the Bunny War.

DG