AF August - Week 3

[Rusty]

AF August - Week 3

Hi Chill,

Sorry you are feeling melancholy today....is there anyone you could invite over for tea, lunch, etc...since it's too hot to do anything else?

[Lavande]

AF August - Week 3

Good morning everyone!

Yes, I am a well rested Lav.........with no doggy breath in my face this morning

I feel your pain ladies re the wedding frenzy! In 2006 (when I was really drinking a LOT) my son was married Sept. 30 and my daughter on Dec. 23!!!!!! All of the anxiety those weddings produced & all of the wine I poured down my throat trying to calm my anxiety...........well, I suppose you can just imagine the result! I was a disaster!!! Be very proud of yourselves for being AF ladies! Shelley & Red - you will be just fine, the weddings will be wonderful & you both will enjoy yourselves much, much more than I did - believe me

Rusty, wishing you good luck with the car repairs.........a necessary evil, for sure!

Chill, I do understand your melancholy due to money. I don't always mind my aloneness here too much but sometimes it really is nice & comforting to get out & about around happy people. Lunch out with a good friend, a little shopping, etc is definitely comforting. I love to bake. I used to bake almost every Saturday when I was a kid with nothing better to do. Also sewing, another lifelong hobby. I actually designed my own outfit for my son's wedding but haven't sewn a thing since. I made a long skirt, matching top & jacket (embellished with embroidery of course). It would do me good to dust off my sewing machine & make myself something now Can you do anything like that to keep yourself motivated & occupied without spending too much $$?

I need to get myself in gear here!
Enjoy your day one & all.

Lav

[Stargazerlily]

AF August - Week 3

Back for a quick check-in.

Rebirth, the picture of India was fascintating, beautiful and amazing. I always picture India as Calcutta, never the beauty of the coast. Stoning is one horrible thing. Has anyone heard about the female genital mutilation? It is disgusting and goes on in the Middle East, Africa and I think anywhere there are strict Muslim customs. But the there have always been ways to torture women. The Chinese foot binding, and in our own country, corsets in the 19th century and the current expectations of women to look like ten year old boys with fake breasts. I mean really. (Rant)

Chill, it is so hard to be short on money. I know since I have lived most of my life this way. Enough for the bills, and not much for too much else. Reading is my outlet. I don't know if there is a good library system where you live, or even if the books are in English. I agree, thank goodness for the internet.

Rusty, I have to tell you that the dress I bought for my daughter's wedding is the biggest size I have every purchased in my life. It is what it is. So, setting a goal this far in advance is a great idea. Go for it.

Hi Lav.

Great AF day ahead.

[Rusty]

AF August - Week 3

Hi All,

Checking back in while waiting for my car to be repaired.

Star, I so know how you feel about being the biggest dress size you have ever been. I was that way for my niece's wedding last year, and my July vacation with my family this year. I cringe when I look at the pictures, but I had to put my size out of my mind and concentrate on the joy of the events. I thought for sure someone would make a comment but no one did and no one cared....except me. I know you will be an absolutely beautiful mother of the bride and your daughter knows how lucky she is.

Chill-I know how horrible it is to be in financially dire straits. I lived that way for 16 years and Star has a great idea in the library system. I am spending more time reading now and I am enjoying it. Where AL was my escape before, picking up a book has been good for me.

Rebirth-I also have never envisioned India as having a beautiful coast.. that picture was amazing. You must have a great camera, too! But what you said about all the polution and the waste coming up on shore made me feel sad and angry at the same time. I think we have a lot to be thankful for where all of us on this thread live. We may have AL, financial issues, etc., but we are safe and live in conditions with good plumbing, educational systems, etc. My sister and her family vacationed in Borneo a few years ago and they were at a mall and she went into the restroom and there was a sign on the door that said "No washing dishes in the toilet!"

Lav-You are truly multi-talented, and I bet the outfit you made for your son's wedding was lovely. I admire people who are good seamstresses as I couldn't sew my way out of a paper bag :H

Oh, here comes the mechanic with the bad news.....I'll check in later. You guys are the best!!!!!

xoxoxo

Rusty

[Chillgirl]

AF August - Week 3

Ok even if it's over 100f tomorrow this Chillgirl needs to get her ass out and do some exercise!! An afternoon reading by the pool may sound idyllic but i'm going stir crazy...

Thought pattern this afternoon went something like this "I have no social life anymore, I never have any fun since I quit drinking, life wasn't so bad, I might have had hangovers but wasn't all that partying worth it?, now i'm more in control I could probably just drink in moderation, if I don't get back out there life will pass me by and I will never meet a nice guy, it used to feel so good to get dressed up and be hitting the bar!"

And I know this isn't really how i feel and it will pass but it's kinda shocked me that these thoughts are still lurking.....

[sooty]

AF August - Week 3

Hello everybody and a happy saturday to us all. I've been to my friend son's engagement party which was a bit of a bore but they were grateful that we made the effort to make the trip.

Home now and wondering what to have for evening meal as I'm still feeling a bit sick from the party food ....and this was going to be day one of my diet! Never mind there's always tomorrow.

Have a good day gang see you on Sunday
love Sooty

[rustop61]

AF August - Week 3

Hi everyone

Just a quick check in from me to let you know I am thinking of you all. This is the last week-end before my teenagers go back to school so it's extra busy with their social life!!

Chill - stay strong. Al is just being a sneaky beast attacking when you are feeling down. Sending you lots of cyber hugs.

Hello to everyone else. Enjoy the rest of the week-end.

Rustop

[Lavande]

AF August - Week 3

10 pm here - day winding down!

I actually enjoyed theday today - beginning to end. I've had positive, pleasant thoughts & feelings going on all day. Not sure where they came from but I'm grateful.
Had most of my family here for dinner (son was at work as usual).
Mr Lav was 'pleasant' for a change today as well. What's up with that????

A full day without the Insanity Twins here is probably what made all the difference!

Wishing everyone a peaefulnight - where's Dill & LBH?

Lav

[Stargazerlily]

AF August - Week 3

It's a beautiful Sunday morning. Good morning to all. AF, I slept well, had peaceful dreams, and a full day ahead.

Chill, the Beast, our alcohol thinking, is always ready to pounce when we are down. Cunning, baffling, powerful, good thing you were on guard. I have to be especially careful when tired and hungry, as I have given in to the Beast and regretted it afterwards. I know you know this, but feel grateful that you are willing to share your struggles, even after being AF for months. Noticed your posts on some other threads and want you to know that you are inspirational and I appreciate your kindness and comments on dealing with feelings.

Lav, your continued courage and kindness to you husband amazes me. I don't know if I could be so giving. Good you had a positive day.

Will check in later.

[Rusty]

AF August - Week 3

Good Morning AF Friends,

It's the start of another week and I awoke with this feeling that somehow several of us might be tempted by the Beast this week. For myself, I am going to be in Montgomery, AL all week, staying at a lovely hotel that offers THREE FREE DRINKS EVERY NIGHT. In the past, I've said to myself, "well, hey, it's free.....why not?" So, my plan is to go to the Y during the time they offer the free drinks and have a nice swim in their outdoor pool or a kick butt workout. The people who work at the Y and its members are really great so that's what I am going to do.

I guess the point of this post in starting off this week is that we are ALL vulnerable to the beast, even after weeks, months and years of being AF....it will always be something we will have to contend with. We all have our triggers and I am praying this week that we all stay strong and not give into the Beast, who is truly Satan for us.

On a more cheerful note-Chill, I hope you are feeling stronger today and you found that exercise helped. For me, it's essential to start out the day with a workout if I want to keep the demon at bay.

Lav-you set the finest example of charitable acts of anyone on this thread-the calm way you deal with Mr. Lav. I can't explain his behavior, but if I were you, I'd take advantage of it. "Um, Mr. Lav, the grass needs mowing and when you get a chance, I have 6 light bulbs that need to be changed,"etc. (heh, heh)

Star-you wouldn't believe what I dreamed about last night? Pizza and soda at a party-and I came by motorcycle with of all people, Kiefer Sutherland (yuck, where did I pick him up?) It must have been the double dose of Baclofen I took because I was having cravings in the afternoon.

Hi Rustop and Sooty-good to see you!

Dill and Ladybird....where are you?

Hi to Sped, Cyn, and anyone I may have missed....have a wonderful AF Sunday!

[Chillgirl]

AF August - Week 3

Hi Gang
As they say - What a difference a day makes...

I got up at 7.30am walked my darling dog before the heat got up then I drove into town and met up with a cycling group that organizes rides every weekend. Its only 5 euros and we covered a 30km cycle through beautiful country lanes stopping in a rustic village for coffee half way through. The company was delightful and I burned 850 calories! The lesson to myself is in addition to avoiding HALT (hungry, angry, lonely, tired) i need to add a B for bored!

Having been sober for nearly 8 months I realize the transition is a long process and while at 1st I was happy to hybernate away from the world, I am now at the stage I need more. Realizing how fit and healthy I feel, breezing the cycle this morning, makes me so happy to be sober. Getting up to do this on a weekend in my previous life would have been unheard of.

Rusty;940940 wrote:
Star-you wouldn't believe what I dreamed about last night? Pizza and soda at a party-and I came by motorcycle with of all people, Kiefer Sutherland (yuck, where did I pick him up?) It must have been the double dose of Baclofen I took because I was having cravings in the afternoon.

Rusty this really made me laugh :H

Now Im off for a well deserved dip in the pool.....

[Rusty]

AF August - Week 3

Chill-

A 30K cycle? WOW! I can only dream of riding a bike that far. That is amazing...good for you...the scenery, the whole day, sounds idyllic. Maybe this could be a regular weekend activity for you. Boredom is one of my triggers as well.

[Chillgirl]

AF August - Week 3

Hi Rusty! Yes they organize rides every sat and sun, 12 months of the year. The sat ones are much more challenging, faster and hilly and sun's flatter and more leisurely. My aim is to get fitter to do the sat rides. I love your plan for your forthcoming trip, exercise is such a mood booster!

[Lavande]

AF August - Week 3

Good morning August friends!

Is it time to start worrying about Dill & LBH? Maybe I'll send some PMs.........

Chill, your energy is amazing - I am profoundly jealous
Boredom is a huge problem for me as well. My original AF plan really focused on boredom prevention. I read Eckhart Tolle's The Power of Now & learned the importance of staying in the present. (Thanks for that suggestion Dill).

Red(Star) I have always had a lot of patience (probably too much) for Mr Lav. I know for sure that he has a good heart, it's his lack of self control in the thinking & behavior departments that cause the problems. Colin Tipping's Radical Forgiveness has helped me to see that everything is hapening for a reason, everything is already OK. I just feel better & funtion better when I keep myself calm.

Rusty - 3 free drinks? Are they nuts????
I'd pitch a huge fit if that didn't include free coffee
Business owners need to smarten up a bit - don't you think?

Well, it is dark & raining now. Eventually (when I really get my motors running) I'm going to start organizing for my Sept 18 yard sale. My daughter pushed me into doing this so she can unload a bunch of unwanted stuff. I have plenty of unused stuff to unload myself. I have already given Mr Lav fair warning, ha ha!

Wishing everyone a wonderful AF Sunday!
Lav

[Rusty]

AF August - Week 3

Hi Lav-

Yup, 3 free drinks (of any kind, AL or non-AL) and you would not believe the people that line up. This hotel also offers snacks/hot food to go with the drinks and from 5:30 -7:00 every night, the breakfast area is packed with people eating and drinking. According to the front desk personnel, this hotel amenity is what draws people. When I was drinking, I never turned it down :-(

Well, I'm off for my run, and will check in later!

Dill-I hope you've been on your boat. I'm worried about you. You, too, Ladybird. Lav and I are getting to issues APBs for you two. We miss you!