July Jamboree - week 1

[rebirth]

July Jamboree - week 1

Hi everyone,
Just got back from an AA meeting and I got my first medal!! I am overjoyed. I swore I wouldnt but I became emotional and cried like a baby when it was handed to me. I am going to post something tomorrow in the newcomer's section...x

[Chillgirl]

July Jamboree - week 1

Rebirth - These things are a big deal, we make decisions and take small steps which become life changing for us, I carry my AA coin in my purse at all times, it symbolizes my commitment to being AF...
Its so nice that you posted here & I hope you keep sharing your journey with us.

I am having an incredibly eventful weekend dealing with an old friend who is at rock bottom with alcohol and drug addiction. I hadnt seen him in 5 years and the changes in him physically are devastating. He is only 53 but I think he is dying and he has absolutely no intention of altering his lifestyle. I dont know why some of us "get it" and some of us dont, but I am so grateful I fell into the catagory of those that "got it", this is such a waste of life.......

[Lavande]

July Jamboree - week 1

Shelley the traveler,
Glad you checked in. Nothing wring with hanging out at Borders....they usually have good coffee
Isn't it funny how little young men actually need to survive? My son worked at Wildwood, NJ Fire Dept. during the summers while he was in college. I remember him packing his things in 2 trash bags........that was all he needed! Strange!

Rebirth, congrats on your 30 AF days and receiving your medal - keep up the good work

Chill, your friend's condition sounds very sad. It is a fact that some people will never see beyond the walls of denial. You are a good friend I'm sure! Maybe you'll be able to show him a better way to live.

I'm going to do a little reading myself then turn in. Had some grandson time this afternoon, it was nice. I'm teaching him how to pick raspberries

[spuddleduck]

July Jamboree - week 1

hi guys. alls well at the jamboree. bit of a challenging day ahead for me. its the annual town carnival. its always a great day, lots of silliness and alcohol. i wont be drinking, i have my bottle of fizzy drink ready (it used to disguise vodka, not any more). if i start to feel uncomfortable i will come home, it will be great to be involved in the fun SOBER

[rustop61]

July Jamboree - week 1

Good morning everyone

Lav - Hope you enjoyed your raspberries. Have just had a bowl of our own strawberries, ummy.

Shell - Love borders, could spend hours in it.

Rebirth - Congratulations on your 30 days. Loved your post on it.

Chill - Sometimes things happen for a reason. Maybe seeing your friend in this condition and not willing to do anything about it highlights what you are doing for yourself is the right thing. You know it already but there is nothing like seeing it in a real life situation to reinforce it.

Cyn - Enjoy your time at home, 3 more trips, hard going. We have a busy summer ahead so I know how you feel.

Star and Dill - Looking forward to seeing you both over at the book club. Got my copy from Amazon yesterday and am looking forward to starting it.

Going out for dinner with hubby tonight to a new restaurant. Driving so wine is not even an issue. Looking forward to it.

Hope you all have a great AF Saturday.

Rustop

[rustop61]

July Jamboree - week 1

Hi Spuddle

Cross posted. Enjoy the carnival AF, being prepared is the key.

Rustop

[dill]

July Jamboree - week 1

Hi everyone! Happy unhung Saturday! Looks like we have another beautiful day on tap here.
Rustop, I will look for that book today. It sounds like a good one.
Spuddle, I like your plan. Enjoy the carnival.
Sped, how long will you be in Indiana? Are you heading home from there or do you have another stop planned?
Chill, I hope you can possibly reach out to your friend and show him the blessings of an AF life.
I have no big plans for today, so will see what develops. Let's all enjoy an AF Saturday!

[Lavande]

July Jamboree - week 1

Happy Saturday one & all!

The heatwave returns today...........the past 3 days were so nice, comfortable. Oh well, that's what summer is all about I suppose

Nothing planned either for today. Tomorrow the whole gang will be here - even Mr Lav accepted an invitation. BBQ, bonfire & a perfect view of fireworks from the backyard. I still don't know who puts on the fireworks show but we enjoy it every year without having to leave home

Spud, enjoy the carnival AF - you'll be glad you did!!

Keep driving east Shelley - you're almost here!

Enjoy the day!

[rebirth]

July Jamboree - week 1

chillgirl I feel the same way too...grateful! I feel so blessed that I still care for myself and my life. I shall also carry my medal with me at all times. It's so sad to see people in that condition and very frustrating to see that they still carry on being self destructive. But I guess many people thought the same about me for a while. Oh I feel so blessed today!

Lavande I almost fell off my chair! I didnt notice that your little blue avator winks!I thought my sobriety was playing tricks on me.ha ha.

spuddleduck I also have a challenging day ahead of me. It's my best friend's birthday barbeque tonight. She is an alcoholic but doesn't think she has a problem. We usually get drunk together, cry in each other's arms and black out on the sofa. She is a trigger for sure...I will also leave early if I feel uncomfortable. but I will her food first. ha ha

Thanks for the uplifting comments everyone. x

[cyntree]

July Jamboree - week 1

Happy unhung Saturday! Sounds like everyone has their plans in order. I am home alone with the dogs this weekend, and I have to say it is bliss for me. Too many people, too much 'crowd' time can be a problem for me. My step-daughter is in town, but thankfully she is in love and will be doing something with her beloved. I think I will make blueberry pies for a her and another friend, and call that my contribution for the holiday weekend. I am realizing that I am thrilled not to be the party-putter-together as I usually have to be.

Up at 5:00 am to walk the dogs - have to, it's already 90 + degrees at that hour. We've been having temps around 114, 115, and to go outside during the day just feels like you've opened the oven door to check on your baking....

Spent time last night and this morning reading up from May 12th, (thank you Dill for the directions - I always wondered what all those page numbers were about!). What an incredible group this is. Have filled a notebook with your wisdom and pithy sayings. Will be pulling from that material for a long time. It is an interesting journey to read through them all at once rather than piece-meal. More, much more soon -

Happy AF start to the holiday for those state-side, happy weekend to everyone....
Cheers,

[Chillgirl]

July Jamboree - week 1

Happy 4th of July to all our American jammers!

Cyn - I was interested to hear you say you enjoy quiet time away from crowds. I have friends here for the weekend & it sounds awful to say but I can't wait to get back to my usual peaceful routine with just me & my dog! Since being AF my life has become more structured that ever before & I love that about it but it seems to have left me far less flexible than I used to be. I now crave time alone & find too much interaction with others quite tedious, I could quite easily become very reclusive & this from a person who a few years ago found it frightening to live alone. I had been heading this way already but giving up AL has multiplied these feelings & I wondered if anyone else felt this too?

[rebirth]

July Jamboree - week 1

Morning chillgirl,
It's a beautiful day in the UK. I have also noticed that I am turning into a recluse as the years progress and giving up AL has definitely multiplied my feelings.But I enjoy my quiet time away from people as it's my time to relax ,reflect and recharge. There is so much noise and chaos out there and I do find people to be rather complicated (including me).The less drama in my life, the less urges I have to drink . But I am in the early stages of sobriety so I am very fragile at the moment.Keeping it simple wil keep my sobriety in check. .

Have a lovely sunday everyone. I am off strawberry picking with my son. Then doing a lovely sunday roast later.
x

[rustop61]

July Jamboree - week 1

Good morning everyone

I'm an only child and like you Chill I find that I need a certain amount of time alone. Had a lovely meal last night sans wine and sans desert!! (Trying to loose a few pounds). We then went to a pub while waiting to pick up our daughter. The world cup was on and there was a great atmosphere. I kept reminding myself to be grateful, I was fully enjoying the moment. I have never had a problem moderating socially, its drinking alone at home that has gotten me into trouble. Better not drink at all.

Woke up early this morning and took the dogs for a walk, then went to 9 am mass and got the papers on the way home. Have had a nice hour reading them and drinking coffee. What a difference not being hungover makes.

Hope you all have a great AF Sunday.

Rustop

[Stargazerlily]

July Jamboree - week 1

Happy 4th of July and good morning.

Chill, wanted to comment on your friend who is so ill from the disease of addiction. I am so sorry. Sometimes I forget that this is life and death for me and all of us. So many people do die from this disease, and by the time we are in our 50's, our bodies really suffer. I too need my time alone, to read, think, and just be. I love being outside, and have a nice deck and a great back yard with lots of privacy, so in the summer I plan time to just hang out with myself. People are so complicated and relationships are so messy, it is refreshing and vital to my peace of mind to renew sense of self. You are not alone in treasuring your peace.

I had a great visit with my friend yesterday, spent time in her pool, and talked, talked, talked. Good friends are like that. You may not see them for months but as soon as you get together, the time spent apart does not matter. We picked up where we left off.

I really need to do something about my weight. Went out for dinner last night and I just eat too much. Plus, I have not been exercising. Today I will be good. We are going to friends for a short time tonight, my husband has to work tomorrow, so I will have to get some walks in.

Rustop, what is the name of that book again? I went to the library and could not find it, but I think I did not have the right name. It will be fun to read a book in a group.

[Lavande]

July Jamboree - week 1

Happy July 4th!

This is my second sober Independence Day

Chill, I always enjoyed some quality alone time too. I had a hectic life surrounded by demanding employers, patients, family, kids, etc. Everyone needs time alone to reset their internal computers. My objection to my current situation is because it was forced on me - I didn't get a vote! When one partner makes a unilateral move the other is left stunned!

I am doing my best to use this time to rest my computer so it hasn't been all bad, really. I decided months ago that I need to lose 25 lbs - yikes!!! I lose 2 lbs., gain them back, then lose them again - frustrating. It's not even a matter of water retention because I take a diuretic dail to help control my B/P. It's a matter of inadequate focus & physical activity. I've become quite accustomed to sitting with a book, a meditation CD, etc - not good! Must refocus soon

Wishing everyone a happy & safe day!
My gang will be here later so I should get moving.

Lav