May We Be Sober ~ week 2

[spedteach]

May We Be Sober ~ week 2

I'm baaack!
One of my sons gave me a thing you wear on your wrist when you run, walk, bike. It tells how far you've gone, how fast you're going, how much elevation you've gained. Such a crazy gadget but it does allow me to kind of randomly run through neighborhoods, looking at gardens, with having to think to much about where I'm going. This morning I can report the roses on the University of New Mexico campus are beautiful!

Hi Lav, Congrats on the news of another grand baby. You know I'm jealous. My middle son successfully defended his thesis this week so he is now officially known as Dr. Not as fun as a grand baby but enough to make me proud.

Oh Dill, hang in there. Every school I sub at is full of frustrated, stressed out unappreciated teachers. Summer vacation will be here soon.

Red, glad to hear you are doing well. Summer..well summer makes me nervous. If you're an alcoholic and a teacher, summer provides a great opportunity to indulge. But what I love about summer, farmers markets and thunderstorms.

Thought about the progress and perfection theme on my run. I now have 9 months af as of last Monday. No way could I casually have a glass of wine at this point. I would feel like I was starting over. Also there are not many people in my life who would calmly sit by and watch me have a glass of wine. Even if was only one glass on one day. I guess I went to AA for too many years. Seems I will always be counting days even if I try not to. Alcohol is not just alcohol to me. It's lying and deception and unkindness and not being present for people you love.
Whew, I am glad to be sober today.

Having lunch with LBH today. I will give her a little kick in the whatever to try to get her posting again. Even I miss her posts and I get to see her. Are you reading this Miss Bird!

Hey UK folks. Gosh Sooty, sorry it's taking so long to get over your spill.

Oh hi Cyntree, do you dread summer in the desert? Do you have a place to escape to?

Must run to tutoring.

Be back soon, I promise.

Shelley

[sooty]

May We Be Sober ~ week 2

Hello all, I've had alovely Saturday so far - went to the gardens and had lunch outside in the sunshine listening to a male voice choir - how civilised is that?
The flowers were absolutely beautiful - this really is a gorgeous time of year, full of buds and hope ...just like us
Sped do give LBH a hug as well as a kick - I hope that she is continuing to make progress.
Chill - I know what you mean about the PM and deputy PM - but I'm not convinced that they are being motivated by a sincere wish to improve things - but thats a very cynical sooty-view I'm afraid!
Lav, Dill, Rust, Cyn,Red, Star, Spud and anyone I've missed - keep strong and safe
love sooty

[Stargazerlily]

May We Be Sober ~ week 2

What a beautiful peaceful Sunday morning. I am filled with gratitude at waking up after a restful night's sleep. Yesterday I was so busy and we went out of town for several hours and out to dinner. AF and laughed so hard, had a great time. After getting home I took a warm bath, totally relaxed, and went to bed, sounds so boring, but was wonderful.

I am focusing on living in the present moment. I have been having some worry difficulties and realize it is all about the future....nothing I can do or control. So, doing my best right now, making gratitude lists in my head and it really works.

Dill, I loved the daily reading. We get to a point where we are just content. Reading others posts who are in the midst of it, it is all high drama due to the alcohol and its effects on our bodies and minds. Plus the fact that alcohol takes our judgement away and we do and say stupid things while under the influence. That's why it is important while AF to look for things to be grateful for and happy about in the present moment.

Spedtech, great to hear from you. I feel for the teachers, it is so hard to have the responsibility all on you.....what happened to the parents responsiblity and the team work? Don't get me started. You all are lucky to have summer off, I really could use some weeks off to regroup. But then I don't know how I would go back. GReat job on 9 months AF, you are amazing.

Lav, how ya doing? Greetings to rust, cyn, spuddle, and all. Have a great Sunday.

[dill]

May We Be Sober ~ week 2

Good morning friends!

Sooty, I tend to share your more cynical view.

Sped, thank you for your thoughts and comments on progress/perfection. It goes back to everyone's story being unique in spite of our common problem. I really appreciated your thoughtful honesty. I relate so much to your statement: "Alcohol is not just alcohol to me. It's lying and deception and unkindness and not being present for people you love." Do you still go to AA?

Lav, how are you? Any news from Mr. L? My day yesterday started out as a sunny day with lots of gardening hopes. But a call from our son up-ended those. His wife was feeling poorly and he had to work. He wondered if we could watch our g-son for awhile so DIL could get some needed rest. Well, what do you think we said to that?!!!:H We spent the afternoon feeding the catfish in the pond, swinging, helping "Pop-pop" mount a blue bird house, and then splashing barefoot in the creek and watching leaves and twigs race along with the current. A pretty good day, I must say!

I saw a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie last night called, "When Love is Not Enough". It was about Lois Wilson, wife of Bill Wilson, co-founder of AA. I recommend it.

Have a good Sunday, everyone!

[dill]

May We Be Sober ~ week 2

Hi Red, Cross-post!

Your evening out does not sound one bit boring!! You laughed hard. You enjoyed yourself. How could that be boring?

We really do have to get that AL = exciting out of our brains!!!

[Lavande]

May We Be Sober ~ week 2

Good morning Dill & friends,

Sitting here drinking coffee & trying to make sense of yet another seriously disappointing chat with Mr Lav yesterday afternoon. The resulting stress caused several major hotflashes overnight, destroying my sleep! I have nothing nice to say regarding him.........he is pathetically stuck in his misguided thinking pattern. Weekly visits to his shrink are having no noticable effect. I need to push him out of my mind if I'm to have any peace today.

Shelley, congrats to your son! You do have a 'grand' son

I hope I can get my grandson over for some playtime today - I could really use it

Wishing everyone a peaceful AF Sunday!
Lav

[sooty]

May We Be Sober ~ week 2

Hi Lav, sorry you're not making any progress with Mr Lav - its so frustrating trying to talk to people who are "stuck" and who refuse to look at things differently.
Have you heard of mood gym? Its an online site based on CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) which helps challenge negative thoughts etc. don't suppose he'd be willing to look at something like that?
I hope you manage to sleep ok tonight
I guess we're all busy today - hope Sunday is a happy one for all of us.
Seeyou tomorrow
love sooty

[Lavande]

May We Be Sober ~ week 2

Thanks Sooty,
I'm looking at that website now - very interesting!
I'll send him the link, don't know if he'll try it but it's worth a try.
Thanks again

Lav

[dill]

May We Be Sober ~ week 2

Lav, I'm sorry things aren't improving with Mr. Lav. Have you considered getting some counselling for yourself to help you sort through all this? At the very least, I hope you have a friend you are able to confide in. Sometimes just talking helps clarify our thoughts and emotions.