January:Just Do It~AF~Week 2

[lilmea]

Happiness is an attitude. We either make ourselves miserable, or happy and strong. The amount of work is the same. - Francesca Reigler

Hello all JJDTs

Cyn-Good job on making it through your party af. It is possible to have intellegent conversations at social events when you are af.

Congrats to Chili on 9 af days as well as Mandalay for 10 af days. On ward and up ward!

MM-I know you are busy, busy with your new job. Hope all is well.

LHB-I love doing picture puzzles in the winter. I have a problem though, as my Stray Cat (that is her legal name) loves to get on the table and sleep among the pieces.

Dill, Shelley-Isolation and drinking at home alone is so familiar. Last year when I did my spring cleaning, I was very nervous about cleaning out the closets for fear of what I would find. And yes, I did run across some hidden stashes. But not this year!

Yesterday, Mr. L and I went to the small park we have here in town and fed the animals. They were very glad to see us. I don't think they get many visitors when the snow is a foot deep.

Hello to Tawny, Soots, MissO, Open, Pnut, Red, SD, Savvy, Lod and Lav. I wish everyone a warm and peaceful Saturday.

[dill]

January:Just Do It~AF~Week 2

Hi JJDI's!

Good Morning Lil, and thank you for kicking off the thread and doing the heavy lifting of moving it, too! I loved the quote. I believe I'll work on a happy attitude for today!

From last week's thread: Cyn, I'm glad you made it through your party with such ease, and had an interesting time, to boot! Who'd of thought that being AF at a party could work out so well?:H Fortunately, we are learning that it can!

Mandalay and Chill, great jobs on accumulating those days!!! Keep it up! Man, I don't think I would be able to just dust the wine bottles. If it's in the house, I will drink it. That's a fact. (With the exception of white zinfandel!)

LBH, a picture puzzle?! I could so relate to your bemusement at enjoying that activity. I mean, you probably used to have such 'better' things to do than such child's play! And then to find out that it was actually fun to share in that with Lord BH!! AF life is full of surprises, eh?

Lode, why are you working such long hours? Is that common for you?

Lav, It looks like we are going to have this snow around here for awhile. You may have to get your hens fitted with boots!

Question: Do you think it is easier to quit drinking if you are a daily drinker or a binge drinker? I've been thinking about this lately. As a daily drinker, I have a lot of strong daily habits I am having to un-do. It's a craving every day of varying intensity, at least once and usually more.

OK, I pledge to be AF today. Peace and strength to all.

[Lavande]

January:Just Do It~AF~Week 2

Good moning all!

Thanks for getting us started in our new locations Lil - we deserve to be here
I need to get to the feed store today & stock up on wild bird seed. The little birds really do appreciate it when I keep the feeders filled. I pour some out on the deck railings & other flat surfaces for the larger birds. My deck can be a very busy place some days!

Dill, you know I was a daily drinker & I did have to get used to doing just about everything without a glass of wine in my hand. Absolutely everything was awkward at first but you do get used to going thru your day without a glass in your hand I'm still having smoking thoughts though after nearly 8 months. All I could think about all day yesterday was firing one up - I really don't want to go there because I know, from former experience I can't have just one!!! Yikes! I really need to refocus today. We live about 20 minutes away from Longwood Gardens, thinking about going there & walking the miles & miles of indoor gardens Longwood Gardens - Home Page

Mandalay & Chill, congrats you two on your AF progress - good job!

Well, I wish everyone a sunny Saturday even if it is freezing outside!

Lav

[spedteach]

January:Just Do It~AF~Week 2

Good morning,
Interesting question Dill. I was a daily drinker who over the course of several years became a binge drinker. I can tell you for myself binge drinking had much graver repercussions than my daily drinking. Health wise, consequence wise, relationship wise. I have read/heard that binge drinking is harder to overcome. You go week without a drink and then drink for 5 days without let up. In binge drinking counting days of sobriety doesn't really mean much because of the drinking pattern. What's 30 days when your pattern is to binge every 4 to 5 weeks. Also because I was a binge drinker it was/is very hard for me to trust any sober time. Because a 5 day run might be just around the corner. Lordy, I hope not! Enuf!

Cyn, saw the cranes in NM in Nov. and they were wonderful. Took my sons to see them in Dec. and they had for the most part flown the coop.
I too am a rather frustrated transplanted Midwesterner southwest gardener, if that makes any sense.

Lil, you can not believe the hidden stashes I have come across in my time. Who would have thought a drunk could be so creative! And what to do with the newly discovered stash. Not always an easy decision for me.

Dill, I'm proud of you to be able to draw the line at white zin. That stuff makes me gag. Does anyone remember Boone's Farm, think it was apple wine? Maybe that was just a Missouri thing.

LBH, your puzzle/Serkin evening does sound wonderful. I myself love the relaxing mindlessness of a jigsaw puzzle, which can at the same time make me feel very mindful.

I am off to a painting, as in creative art painting workshop. Find yourself through painting. Wonderful woman from northern NM leading the workshop. Last time I painted was probably with my fingers.
Finding without al, I'm able to spread my wings, meet new people. I never would have signed up for this workshop if al were a primary player in my life. Drinking kept me very busy.

Stay warm. Hang in there all ye newly sober.

Shelley

[Peanut]

January:Just Do It~AF~Week 2

Hi gang - just a quick stop into say hello and that I am missing you all. No computer or phone at work and exhausted at night, but still getting out to the pool every other night and crashing on the other nights. Just tooooooooo busy! I was so happy to get home last night to supper already made (good boy, BF!!) but then had to go out shopping for stuff for my new lab and didn't get home until after 9, complete wasted. Most likely hormonal too - finally got my monthly visitor after skipping a month and having only hot flashed. It's making me nuts, this pre-menopausal stuff!!! Sorry - too much information?? Anyway, I made a big booboo and had a glass of wine, which turned into way too much and now I feel like a shite!!!! So much to do today, and I can't seem to get motivated. I'm off on an airplane tomorrow for my aunty's funeral, but am only going for 2 nights, so will likely come home exhausted and needing a holiday, which I cannot under any circumstances take at this time, due to my work load. So, back to the AF battle for me. I don't know how it will go when I am away, being around my family. I will be as strong as I can, and if I fail, I will come right back here. Is that ok?????

By the way, my aunty is being buried, not cremated (very Catholic, she was) and they need 6 pallbearers. There are 6 of us sibs going to be there (out of 8) so I think we will do it. Never done such a thing before in my life!!! A new experience!

Lav - those gardens look beautiful!!! I'd love to stroll through them, but will have to make do with slightly milder temps today. Take my dog for a run or something. It is only -8C out there!!!

Dill - I find as a daily, evening drinker, the actual HABIT is what is so hard for me. I don't really think I am so physically dependent - it is just "what I do", and as a creature of habit, it is hard to change.

Lil - I love that quote..... and your little kitty pic!!

Hi to everybody else too, LBH, Cyn, Sped, Sooty, Lod, Sav, Red , SD and everybody else who stops in. I'll check back with you all when I return next week. Wish me luck????
xoxoxo peanut

[sooty]

January:Just Do It~AF~Week 2

Hi everyone, sorry to be so late logging on, its been a busy day over here in a very cold UK.
Cyn the parsnip soup is as follows
500g parsnips chopped
250g carrots "
1 onion "
3 sticks celery "
1 inch grated fresh ginger
half tablespoon curry powder (or less depending on your taste)
1 litre stock
fry onion, celery and ginger in a little oil, add curry powder cook for minute, add stock, parsnips and carrots
simmer for half an hour or till everything tender, then blend
serve with a little cream if wanted
S'luvly and very warming on these cold days!
I hope you're all having a successful and satisfying Saturday. I'll be off to bed in a couple of hours so see you all on Sunday
love Sooty

[mandalay]

January:Just Do It~AF~Week 2

Hi Chili, great to know you have made it this far too! Every aspect of my life has improved, and I cannot imagine how I used to function. I have a part time job, but in my 'real life' I am a writer, and a few days ago I had cause to pick up the book I wrote as I needed to find something in it in order to answer a query. I cannot believe that I actually wrote that while I was under the influence most evenings. It took me a year or more to write, and somehow it stands up - clearly we can and do function while we have drunk so much, and I used to kid myself that it must therefore show that my drinking level was fine, I just had a higher tolerance than most people. I remember being quite proud that I was ;my father's daughter.' I realise now how misguided I was, and wonder how much better, easier and quicker would it all have been had I been sober when I wrote it? I just recall opening a second bottle around midnight night after night, and working away into the small hours - jolting awake, trying to look sober, and having to appear to function all day. My current book may be interesting - the first half written while I was clearly drunk, the second half while I was sober. I am just loving this sober life, and can't believe how I ever thought that the way I felt was normal, ok, and no threat to myself or anyone else.

It was great to get my little grandson out of bed this morning, and to go up the yard to the chooks to see if they laid any eggs for us (no, too early, have to go again in an hour or so!) and to sit out there in the early sunshine with a cuppa.

Well done on another AF day everyone, and have a great weekend!

Mandalay

[mighty mouse]

January:Just Do It~AF~Week 2

Hello to all of our just do it,ers,

January 2010! Big changes for so many of us and loads of learning also. For those of our group who are there AF I wish and want continued success for you. You are inspirational. For others like me who are getting large AF times I wish us success in realizing how great it is to own our days and add many more clear, free thinking moments to our self discovery. And to others who may have one day or 2 or 3 or one hour that leads to a first day! Welcome to your journey!

Sorry I am a bit sentimental. Dill, :goodjob: on resisting the drive through. Believe me it will help me in my weak moments to picture you driving thru:H I love it.
And why do we all hate white Zin? I do too. I would never drink it.
I don't know how to answer the dayly or binge question? I my self have not really been both. I was caught up in raising my family to their life and guiding my parents to their death. I used AL as an escape, with the support of all my friends ?? I always asked my fellow friends about drinking and they would say it is ok!...I always knew they were wrong
I knew in my heart I was doing the wrong thing.

Peanut, Hormones are HUGE!!!... It has been a good 5 year battle with that and I know it affects everything and also al. Please pm with any ?.. I'm working now but would love to help. The medical world does not have a clue. Don't listen to them alone.. .. they are way behind and don't care about this because it is not life threatening!! Ha,, it is very life threatening. and I have a medical degree...we need to stand up for our selves.

Sooty, Good soup recipe. Man and Chili!!!!, I'm so happy to read about you, Please stay and I wish you continued learning. Every little step is a positive one!

Still training in my new job. all is going well but time is to limited,, miss everyone

Lil, Shelly, Lav SD, RD,LBH, oct, and anyone else I may have forgot. Love, MM

[dill]

January:Just Do It~AF~Week 2

Lav, Longwood Gardens looks absolutely awesome! Did you go?

Sped, I remember Boone's farm, but I don't think I drank it. It was big in Ohio, too. Interesting what you say about binge drinking being harder to overcome. It makes sense the way you expressed it.

Pnut, I know the pre-menopausal stuff is rough, but here is something that came to me while reading your post. My drinking got much worse during and after menopause. I don't think I'm alone in this, so beware!!

clearly we can and do function while we have drunk so much, and I used to kid myself that it must therefore show that my drinking level was fine, I just had a higher tolerance than most people.

Mandalay, I have been amazed at things I managed to do while drinking...but the key word here is "function". Yes, we were functioning, but not actually living!

Mighty, good to see you! It sounds like your job is going well. I'm glad. I'm also glad my drive thru story gave you a laugh. I understand your drinking to cope with the stresses of parenting and caring for aging parents. I navigated those waters in much the same way.

Sooty, the recipe sounds wonderful and I will certainly give it a go! When you say "stock" do you mean chicken, vegetable or beef?

I went to Church this afternoon and spent almost the entire time engaged in the internal dialogue. I wasn't sure if I was going to win and get home empty-handed or not. I prayed, I reasoned, I breathed, I attempted meditation, and then I thought of all of my JJDI friends. .. I made it home empty-handed.

[Lavande]

January:Just Do It~AF~Week 2

Good evening friends from a very chilly Lav, Brrrr!

I must finally be over the menopause hurdle because I'm really feeling the cold like I haven't in years - or is it just living with no AL in my system

Had a lovely afternoon walking thru the Conservatory at Longwood Gardens. I really noticed today the fragrance of all the blooming flowers mingling with the moist earth. The sun was shining thru the glass rooftop - it was like paradise! Everything was still decked out for Christmas - so pretty. In additions to thousands of pointsettias of all colors I loved the use of red winter blooming begonias along with white cyclamen - very pretty. I always feel inspired & motivated after spending time there. I think I'm going to go ahead & treat myself to a membership pass & start taking my grandson (and his Mother) there on regular visits. They run great programs for kids & I want him to get interested in all kinds of nature stuff

Sooty, I'm going to try your soup recipe - sounds very good, thanks!

Pnut & MM - I agree the hormone stuff is a big deal & it seems to just go on & on & on! I wish I had known about Amoryn 15 years ago - it would have helped me a lot in terms of mood swings, anxiety, insomnia, etc. Maybe I wouldn't have turned into such a wine guzzler......... Oh well, you live & learn!

Red, if you check in today - I saw hundreds of red hibiscus in bloom today - very pretty!

Wishing everyone a warm & cozy night in front of the fire (which I'm about to light)
Lav

[Lavande]

January:Just Do It~AF~Week 2

Cross post Dill
I went - it was lovely

[ladybirdheart]

January:Just Do It~AF~Week 2

It is good to be in the new spot and I thank everybody with sore winter hand bones for typing hellos. Lav, you are very fortunate to live so close to Longwood, I have only been once and would love to go at least seasonally, so beautiful. I also love visiting the cranes in the Southwest although, like Cyn, it can be an uncertain rendezvous. I did have a peak experience once when I was particularly lucky and thousands flew in along with snow geese, the sound and feeling of the wings are with me forever. Thanks Sooty (Sooty), for the recipe and the chance for me to join in parsnip discovery; it sounds very warming and strengthening. Good going Mandalay and Chill, the alcohol free discovery is a keeper. Hi Peanut! Hi MM! I hope you had fun in art class, Shelley, like you and Dill and Lil, I am by nature a solitary drinker and my life got so small it was microscopic. I agree Shelley that binge drinking must be much harder as alcohol free time doesn’t mean the same thing. It has always been my fear since starting this process that I would go from my history of daily drinking to binging and I have had three mini binges of one to two evenings since the end of July. While that may seem minor, the effect on me was inordinately creepy as people who have been around here with me can attest. We shall overcome, yes? Love, Ladybird.

[openheart]

January:Just Do It~AF~Week 2

I do so appreciate hearing the struggles others have in staying af. I have a tendency to assume everyone else must be stronger than me, and then the self doubt creeps in and I wonder if I can really do this. So then I must make a conscious effort to change those thoughts, yet it still casts a shadow over my efforts. Thank you for so candidly sharing your internal conflicts--it helps more than you know.

Sped and Dill--Boone's Farm apple was my first taste of the dark side. To this day, wine coolers (which I didn't drink--not enough alc in them) still remind me of Boone's Farm. And rarely got desperate enough for a white zin. But look out if there was anything blood red.
MM--in your research on hormones what is your opinion on herbal type hormone creams?
LBH, Lav, Cyn--after all of the mention of indoor gardens and sandhill cranes, I can see I am going to have to explore experiences further!

Interesting thoughts about the daily vs binging drinker. Can you be both?

Warm thoughts, hugs, and strength sent your way to all--
:hOpen

[cyntree]

January:Just Do It~AF~Week 2

It's late here, so I will hold most of my thoughts until morning light so that I will make more sense. I'm assisting a not-for-profit in organizing their Gala celebration, and leadership seems to be falling by the wayside...the chairperson is leaving next week and will not be back nearly until the Ball is held on Feb 13. So I am stepping in (or am I stepping 'in it'?) Long days of detail-o-rama, and constant talks between administration, staff and volunteers. I should change my name to Switzerland.

Congrats to you all on your accumulating AF days - Man (writing a book!), Chill, Lode - great job! But Dill, you win the prize today...I was so moved by your story of grappling with the beast while meditating, breathing....I could almost see your white knuckles gripping the pew. Bravo to you -- fantastic, you're our hero-du-jour.

Soots, thanks so much for the recipe. Now I just have to figure out which one of those root vegetables is a parsnip - tomorrow there is a farmer's market; I'll go there, and they can tell me!

Pnut - good luck, and always keep on posting.

I have much I'd love to say re: hormones, binge/daily drinking, Lav's garden walk, etc. But must end now so I have a few brain cells left to finish up some work. Just know how much love I'm sending you.

dill - how about this line of shelley's to be the hymn for your church meditation? "Hang in there all ye newly sober". Love it!

Sweet dreams -

[sooty]

January:Just Do It~AF~Week 2

Hi gang, re the soup stock - I use vegetable (cos I'm a vegetarian) but I actually think that's the best, I think chicken or beef would be too strong. Good luck if you make it, hope you like it.
Still cold here and little flakes of snow falling and trying to make an impression - lets hope it peters out cos I'm getting a bit fed up with it now!
Lav those gardens look absolutely wonderful hope you enjoyed your trip.
Lil well done for feeding the animals I'm putting stuff out for the birds - its good to see them tucking in!
To everyone who comes here today a happy and healthy sunday, relax and recharge my friends. See you later
Sooty