January: Just Do It! Week 3

[Lavande]

January: Just Do It! Week 3

Good evening group,

Had a nice afternoon with my grandson - my DIL is back in class. He's a lot of fun, lifts my mood

I think I've worked thru my irritation re yesterday's cholesterol level. I've watched my diet all of my adult life, knowing family history.........I was just PO'd that the level is rising now & thru no fault of my own. It was mentioned to me yesterday that being post menopausal is also a risk factor - WTF? Sorry, I'll change the subject.

Shelley, I haven't seen anything today about Cowgirl - what happened? I've been posting on another thread with her.....I'll have to go look. I hope she's OK!

Greetings of course to LBH, Sooty, SD, lode, Dill, cyn, red, open, Finding , Chill & anyone else I have missed.

Wishing you all a good evening, AF of course

Your fat-blooded friend,
Lav

[Lavande]

January: Just Do It! Week 3

Good God!

I just read the thread about Cowgirl! What a sad, sad turn of events for her. She sounded better the last few weeks, this is shocking news. Depression, drugs & alcohol are so incredibly dangerous.

Even if you don't know her - a little prayer couldn't hurt!

[lodestar]

January: Just Do It! Week 3

How very sad about cowgal. My, oh, my...that could be any one of us, couldn't it? I hope she pulls through. She was just here sounding strong and then...how quickly things can change. Perhaps it was an accident, even. Just tragic either way.

Dill, my sister is not really a drinker. She might have a drink when she's out of town on business with friends but that is all. She's a very take it or leave it (almost always leave it) type of person. Thanks for asking after me. AF won't be difficult being with her. Also, if I choose to drink in the future it will not be a "slip" from an AF lifestyle, but a thoughtful choice to put a glass to my lips and pursue something other than complete abstinence. I have no interest in testing myself at the moment and I am grateful to be where I am right now. This leads me to another thought...

I have been thinking about what RJ says in her book about wanting to treat alcohol like butter ~ not something that she had to have in large quantities regularly. For me, I've been playing around with the ideas of alcohol and alfredo sauce. I know alfredo sauce isn't good for me and I rarely have it because of the calories, the way it makes my stomach hurt because it is so rich, etc. I don't crave it often because I don't have it often, I can always stop when I should, and I can always choose something else on the menu...oh, and the biggie, I've never been alfredo-dependent. I did used to be quite overweight though, so I wasn't doing something right. My alfredo sauce off-switch works properly. I don't know if it always did. It took a lot of work to get to the point where I always think about the pros and cons of what I'm putting in my body (food-wise) and much effort went into learning and practicing. I had to get serious, really honest with myself, learn from others, prioritize my diet and work hard on changes that I wanted. Now it is second nature to make healthy food choices. It feels comfortable. My alcohol off-switch may be broken beyond repair though. I've worked so hard these last few months to detoxify my body of all alcohol, work on my mental health, and learn about my problematic relationship with alcohol. I want to continue this growth process and love how I feel now. I think a prolonged period of sobriety is essential for me and I wish I would have done it sooner ~ I also wish I could say I am committed to an entirely AF life and mean it. That would not be honest ~ I'm not there (yet?). I can say with certainty though, that I am committed to finding my way out...and that, I think, is a good thing.

LBH I seriously doubt my parents were children when you finished, but that made me laugh. I've been in college for over half my life. I have to say though, I don't miss the days of typing papers on a smith corona. Still, better than chiseling them!

Well done, Chill. Hope all turns out just the way you want it tonight.

Hi to Lil, Lav, Sooty, SD, Shelley, MM, Peanut, Cyn, Red, Madalay, Openheart, Finding, and anyone I missed tonight. My sister arrives tomorrow night, so I'll pop by during the day tomorrow. Wishing you all a lovely evening.

[cyntree]

January: Just Do It! Week 3

Dearest very lovelies - I couldn't post last night, and boy did that feel strange! I traveled back to my home city yesterday afternoon, had some meetings, fed the dogs, started to walk them, and lo and behold - rain! An unheard of substance here - and not only rain, but a bona fide storm. It threatened to cut out the lights a couple of times (I had my candles at the ready), so I decided that the safest position for the computer switch was 'off'. Missed everyone's stories, thank goodness I could catch up with them today.

Man - I struggle with chronic pain, though not to the extent that you do - I'm so sorry you have to deal with that. I have found that it is one of the major reasons that I drank...and it still could be a trigger for me, so good for you for coping without it. RE: Doctors, my life and body have been saved by my osteopath (hey Sooty!), who with regularity 'unwinds' me from myself. It is a particularly North American kind of allopathic/naturopathic blend - I wonder if you have them in Australia. If so, and if you can find a really talented one, it might just be something to try. Good luck...

Lav - glad to hear about your BP. About the cholesterol - I also have fat blood (thanks, Mom) and the docs want to put me on low dose of statins. But my osteopath suggested that I try Red Rice Yeast (or Red Yeast Rice?) and get re-checked. Since you're into natural solutions, I thought I would share that info. I obviously haven't checked it out for myself...one of these years.

LBH - maybe I'm just overtired, or I truly do have a twisted mind. I actually thought that you meant that stone tablets had been the SUBJECT of your dissertation. ("...since I wrote my dissertation on stone tablets..."). Lord, I really can complicate things sometimes! I'm seeing your tulips in my mind's eye. I studied in Sweden one February - long, very dark days, but I loved being there. Everywhere there were candles and tulips, and everything seemed bright and cheery and cozy and lovely.

Chill - I'm sending you good vibes for your dinner - hope it all turned out well. Sooty - diabetes?! You sound like you are doing well with it - very impressive. SD, Lode - I was walking behind 2 college age girls doing thier walking workout/chat session. At one point, they must have shared something very special, and one stopped the other and threw her arms around her in a very sweet, BFF kind of hug. And what did I think of that? I thought immediately of your HUG emoticon; I felt like I was witnessing the emoticon jump off the page and come to life. How wonderful to see sweet things in life - and they always remind me of all of you.

I am in a better frame of mind tonight - the last few days have been slowly darkening and teary. Why? Who knows. Anyway it seems like the fog maybe is lifting. The most amazing part is that I've had no thoughts to drink - too tired maybe...BTW, my fingers remember all too well the Smith Corona days, when I was writing my thesis on Welsh Bards (no, no, not ON them, about them).

Open, Lil, Shelly, MM Peanut, Red, Finding and all else - thinking of you -

Glad to be back in touch - hope your night is wonderful, and happy day after hump day tomorrow.

[redhibiscus]

January: Just Do It! Week 3

Welcome to Thursday.

I was so sorry to hear about Cowgal's overdose. We'll not know if it was intentional or not unless she recovers. It may have been a mistake. I mean, drinking, you just don't know what you are doing and could easily take the wrong amount of pills. The support and prayers on that particular thread was amazing. We just have to hope and pray that she makes a recovery.

It brings the danger of alcohol so close to all of us. I know that at times I trivialize, minimize, and rationalize my use....the risk we all take is so clear. I am so thankful I found this site. I was reflecting on the changes I have made over the last couple years with alcohol. Recognizing the problem, slowly making changes, and now, really trying to be AF all the time.

Lavande, thanks for the vegan site - I checked it out and saved it, it has marvelous recipes that I want to try out. I feel so much better when I eat mostly veggies, fruits, nuts, and lots of water. It really makes a difference in my mood and my body.

Dill, Lavande, SD, Lodestar, LBH, cyntree, sooty, spedt, and all, have a great AF day.

[dill]

January: Just Do It! Week 3

Hello, friends!
Lode I really enjoyed reading your reflections on your alfredo vs alcohol switches. I find your contributions here so refreshing and mature beyone your years! Thank you!

Red, I'm glad you spoke of the dangers of alcohol. I do tend to minimize the danger, too. It's good you've made so much progress on your way out, and wonderful that you're sharing it with us!

Cyn, I am glad your mood is improving. I was impressed that you had "no thoughts to drink" while immersed in the fog. Good for you.

I was thinking yesterday about "the dark cloud" that afflicts us all in the process, how it changes its shape and form for each of us at various times. I know that there are other things besides this struggle that affect my mood, but there is still the constatnt presence of 'the cloud'. I think of it as the ironic conflict of needing something you don't want and wanting something you don't need. I am confident that it will dissipate but will it ever completely disappear?

Well everyone, (and you all know who you are) have a lovely day!

[Lavande]

January: Just Do It! Week 3

Good morning friends,

I have a sunny morning here so I'm hapy!

I woke up thinking about Cowgal & I hope, by some miracle that she pulls through.....anything is possible!

Lode, I'm glad my alfredo switch is still functioning too - God, I'd be a blimp if it wasn't

Cyn, thanks for the heads up - I will look into the red rice yeast today. I hate Rx meds & am willing to try just about anything!

Red, the news about Cowgal is very distressing. We really all need to pull our heads out of our butts & pay attention to what we are doing! We need to learn from other people's mistakes as well as our own.

Well, I wish everyone strength today! Let's make it a good AF Thursday
Lav

[lilmea]

January: Just Do It! Week 3

Hello All,

Red-Yes it is sad about CG. Whether intentional or accidental, it does remind us just how dangerous this addiction can be.

Lodes-After reading your post, I am now craving Alfredo sauce. :H

Cyn-Glad you are feeling less "foggy". It always feels good to come out on the other side of one of those moods still af. Good job.

I think of it as the ironic conflict of needing something you don't want and wanting something you don't need. I am confident that it will dissipate but will it ever completely disappear?

Dill-I have a brother who quite smoking over 30 yrs ago. He told me that he still wants a cig every once in a very long while. I think that's how it will be with AL. But I must say, if it never gets any "better" for me than it is right now. That's okay. Because right now is so much better than it was.

It's cloudy and slitting outside. I was going to go out and do some shopping and run some errands but my opp for an in house day instead.

Wishing all my friends a safe, af day.

[lilmea]

January: Just Do It! Week 3

Lav-cross post.

We really all need to pull our heads out of our butts & pay attention to what we are doing!

You said it friend!!! I agree totally.

[sooty]

January: Just Do It! Week 3

Afternoon all, what dreadful news about Cowgal, I can't believe it and I send all good wishes for her recovery. I didn't know her but I've seen posts from her and she seemed so strong and positive, I hope that strength is with her now in her hour of need.
I just can't believe it and hope we have some good news soon.
Hi Dill, lav, Lil,Red, Lodes, Cyn and anyone I've missed
Have a good day everyone, chins up
Sooty

[cyntree]

January: Just Do It! Week 3

I woke up thinking about Cowgal too. Sending prayers is all we can do at the moment, I guess. But the occurance is truly chilling...there but for the grace of god...I had episodes while drinking that I don't remember what I did...pills could have been part of the equation, they just didn't happen to be. This addiction truly is life-threatening. Period.
I choose a life without alcohol. Like Sooty says, chins up.

[Chillgirl]

January: Just Do It! Week 3

Hi everyone,

Id just like to say that Cowgal has been on my mind all day and it made me realize just how much i value this site and all of you for your amazing support. You have all saved many lives you dont even know about and id like us all to see the positve in this awful situation and give thanks for the friendship and support we give each other......

On another positive note I managed my 1st AF dinner date last night and enjoyed watching my date go from sober & talking sense, to tipsy and getting animated, then slightly drunk and more forthright, then drunk and repeating himself, then more drunk and just plain boring!!!

I know that was me only a few weeks ago and im counting my blessing on another hangover free day....

[lodestar]

January: Just Do It! Week 3

Hi there friends. Another wet & windy day. I see that cowgal is moving a bit now and hope that she will pull through. Lil, sorry for giving you al(fredo) cravings :H omg! I think I might be alfredo-ing this weekend after all that thinking about it. Dill, thanks for your kind words as always. I liked what you said about something we don't need, etc...so true. Why would we want something that makes us feel yuck most of the time? I guess for the infrequent times it didn't. Hmmm. Cyn, I loved the story about the girls walking along. My sister is arriving tonight and I'll be hugging her all she'll let me! I can't wait, I can't wait! The clock is ticking loud today, as if taunting me. I just spent $200 at the market because I was so excited and she's only coming for 4 days! Oops. Oh well, I have every special AF drink I could think of and all of our favorite munchies. Chill, your story cracked me up and good for you! Isn't it like a whole new world watching the al-sodden brain at work? I've always hated being around people smoking pot past a certain point...boring indeed! Funny how al is the same way really.

A big squeeze to everyone :groupluv: Enjoy your day...it's the only thursday, jan 21 we'll ever get. Make it count!

[Chillgirl]

January: Just Do It! Week 3

Enjoy your day...it's the only thursday, jan 21 we'll ever get. Make it count!
Lode thank you for this reminder... it made me smile as i head off to bed.

[ladybirdheart]

January: Just Do It! Week 3

Lav, thank you for the vegan recipe link, I especially like the regional ones, and I don?t think I told you how much I also enjoyed ?Vegetarians in Paradise? as we primarily eat vegetarian meals along with dairy and eggs. While our purchase of meat is infrequent it sometimes seems important and today is one of those days as Lord Bird Heart has a whopper cold. He may have the flu but probably not since he does get all those shots as he is in a super high risk group. I bought a solid gold chicken this morning (local organic free range, I always hope the little guy was treated well), roasted and boned it, and now am simmering the bones for many hours. I usually make three different kinds of soup from one chicken, green chile and corn, and a Thai and an Indian one, it?s a big deal when I buy a chicken. The weather is cold and I am thankful for my soup (and all of you). If you are in need of a diversion we saw a lovely movie, ?Departures?, last night on DVD, really sweet but not cloying and at times very funny. It?s a Japanese one but the subtitles are very easy to follow and it hit all the right notes for me. Love, Ladybird.