December Determination - Week 2

[Rusty]

December Determination - Week 2

Good Sunday Evening Friends,

Star-we are having major snow here, too, in Wisconsin....and I am happy as a clam to be sitting here in my flannel pajamas, with a big fire going, all cozy. I bet it feels nice to have the house to yourself after having company.

Dill-I asked my sister for the Bunwich recipe and she forgot to include the oven temperature but I know she'll have it for me by tomorrow morning. I don't know how to post new recipes in the Recipe Thread, but I will post it here or PM you.

Dewdrop-you sound so positive, and you're a wonderful addition to our thread!

Rustop-it sounds like you and your husband have done a great job with your daughters...one off to university and the other will be there soon, too. I'm happy for you!

Papmom-your little dogs are so cute in their holiday outfits...and I bet they look adorable in sweaters. Do you put booties on them, too...if they were in Wisconsin, they would probably need them.

Lav-the chicks are huge! What have you been feeding them...Miracle Gro? Max is so cute...he looks like he'd be a good cuddler...I love cuddly dogs.

Cyn-is your dog recovering well?

Chill-you amaze me with your cycling stamina. I envy you.

Paguy, where are you? And Mr. G? Come back, come back!

Hello to Sooty, Sped, LBH, Raven and anyone I may have missed, have a wonderful AF evening.

[papmom3]

December Determination - Week 2

Hi Star-I do have to stay put for now just because of the market but always in the back of my mind is moving out of this very dog unfriendly city and getting some room to spread out. I dream of a normal kitchen and a bedroom that has a real closet and wall space. Of course now I also want a fireplace after reading everyone's posts mentioning cozying up in front of the fire!! It's soooo cold in this house but I refuse to turn up the heat. at almost 3.50 a gal of oil who can afford to? I am feeling restless these days-like I need a huge change. Probably shouldn't wish too much for that-you know what they say!!

Rusty-no, no sweaters for my guys. Only my little one will tolerate any type of clothes. I do have boots for him but he hates them. Every winter when the snow gets really bad I try to get him to keep them on but no luck. I have so many friends who dress up their paps for all occassions. Sometimes I'm a teeny bit envious!!

I do wish Paguy would check in. I've seen Mr. G on some other threads so I know he's alive and kicking!!

Time to eat supper and start getting ready for work tomorrow. Sigh.

[paguy]

December Determination - Week 2

Hello Everyone!

I can't believe it's been nearly a week since I last posted. All is well with me - just getting caught up in the craziness of the season. Plus, I am trying to get to the gym 3 times a week and I am still going to Physical Therapy twice a week. On top of that, I somehow got inspired to bake Christmas cookies this year - I think this is the first time in 5-6 years that I have baked cookies. It's been fun and yet another activity I would never imagined doing when I was drinking every evening. Heck, baking cookies would have interfered with my drinking time! :H

I loved the quote "Worry is like a rocking chair -- it gives you something to do but it doesn't get you anywhere." Thanks Rustop!

Dewdrop - I, too, have re-discovered reading with my sobriety and I have been reading a book a week. I did read "The Last Child" and thought it was very good. Recently, I read "Bloodroot", "The Secret Scriptures", "The Plague of Doves" and "Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen." This morning, I started to read "The Thirteenth Tale". I've also gotten myself a library card which has been great - I don't have to spend a small fortune at Barnes and Noble anymore!

I reached a major milestone in my physical recovery this week ? Yesterday, I actually jogged on the treadmill for 2 miles and this morning I logged 2.5 miles! Needless to say, I was ecstatic. I am taking it slow and easy but nonetheless, I am making progress. I am planning to run my first post-injury half-marathon in March so I think I should be in pretty good shape by then.

I couldn?t understand why I was so darn tired last night (went to bed at 9:30pm on a Saturday night!) but today I realized that I had not jogged in 16 weeks ? Yikes! Now, I have a better appreciation for why I was exhausted.

This week represents another big milestone for me. I am travelling all week on a business trip and this will be my first business trip since I stopped drinking alcohol. So?. I am bringing 2 books to read, my Christmas cards so I can write and address them while I?m on the road, and I?ve already staked out a gym that is part of my membership that I will be able to visit. The hotels where I stay have nice gyms but I think it will be better for me to make the effort to drive to a gym ? it will take more time in the evening and I won?t be faced with a lot of solo time at the hotel. I am feeling strong and confident.

I went to my partner?s office Holiday party on Friday evening. It was very nice. Lot?s to eat and most people were keeping their alcohol intake in check. It was at the CEO?s home so I think most people were very respectful of that. I did have an interesting conversation with one of my partner?s business associates who we socialize with. I mentioned to him that I stopped drinking completely. He seemed to be very interested since he is planning to retire in the next several years and is concerned about his alcohol intake. He?s afraid of having more free time on his hands with nothing to do. I told him about how I?ve re-discovered things like reading that really help pass the time. He asked me how hard it was to stop. I told him it was one of the hardest things I?ve ever done but it?s getting easier. I think I may be having more conversations with him on this topic in the future and I welcome that.

Tomorrow is my 5 month AF Anniversary ? Yeah! It doesn?t seem possible but here it is!

I will not have my personal computer with me on my business trip this week so it?s not likely I will be able to post. I know my employer checks internet usage and I just don?t want to deal with any hassle from them. It would not be worth it at this point.

So, hoping you all have a wonderful week ? take good care of yourselves!

[Lavande]

December Determination - Week 2

Hey John glad you checked in!
CONGRATS on your 5 months AF - WOO HOO!!!!!

Have a good week on the road, travel safely & don't overdue the exercise!

Lav

[Chillgirl]

December Determination - Week 2

Good morning everyone

Paguy - thank God you are ok and just busy living life, fantastic job on reaching 5 months!!

Cyn - Jupiter

Must run, I slept in this morning!

[Rusty]

December Determination - Week 2

:cheeringGood Morning Everyone,

PA-CONGRATULATIONS ON 5 MONTHS AF!! I'm so glad you posted...we were all worried about you. I was also touched by your Xmas party story where your partner's business associate was reaching out to you about his alcohol intake. He must feel comfortable talking with you, and imagine how good it made him feel to be able to confide in you for support.

Good Morning Chill!

It's a busy day for me so I best get crackin.

Have a wonderful AF Monday everyone!

[Guitarista]

December Determination - Week 2

Morning folk's!

Just a quick hello. All's super here. Our summer is taking it's time to kick in where i am, though today was a sunny 25C, but i won't rub it in. ;-)

Great stuff on the treadmill run John, and well done on 5 months AF! I reckon you'll be fine on your business trip away.
Hi Rusty!

Best wishes everyone.

[Stargazerlily]

December Determination - Week 2

Good morning on Monday morning, a new beginning and a fresh start.

I was inspired by PAguy's post, his determination and consistency in following his AF and exercise goals. Our daily actions are what make the difference. I would love to be able to run a half-marathon, it would be so empowering.

Since our alcohol issues are physical as well as psychological, it is so important to get control of our bodies, to work on eating right and being physically fit. It is part of the package, and why I love MWO so much, the holistic piece. It's not just about being AF, it's about filling our time to create a new life, celebrating everyday. Once we are break the pattern of misery, we are free to rediscover our true selves, our higher selves. Any kind of substance separates us from our higher self. Did anyone else notice this?

I have been thinking lately of how important it is to be kind and loving. Especially within our homes and our family. It is really hard right now as it is cold and we are all stuck in the house, cabin fever is here. So, I decided that purposefully striving to be loving and kind is my goal this week, to spread joy and kindness, wherever I am. Smiling, low tone of voice, laughter, helpfulness, making the extra effort; these are the types of actions I will be taking. I realized that I spend alot of my time thinking that I do more than others, I am tired of this, that, etc. That is not where I want to be. Anyone else struggling?

Have a great day and keep warm and safe, AF.

[Rusty]

December Determination - Week 2

Star-I always love reading your posts-they are so insightful. Thanks for taking the time.
I think you have set wonderful goals this week. I hope they come to fruition in every way.

As far as doing more than others, no, I have the opposite problem...I feel I don't do enough for other people, other than my mother. Last Saturday, I had a wonderful day with her. She is the co-founder of an agency that teaches adults who are dually impaired...deaf AND blind, practical living skills, and every month, this agency puts on a social event for the 20 or so deaf-blind clients. I volunteered with my mom to be guides for these people, helping them find their seats, getting them their meals, and it just made me feel how lucky I am that I can see and hear...these people are so isolated with their dual afflictions. But I am single, and I live alone, and am struggling to find some kind of volunteer work but my problem is, I don't have a passion for one particular charity. I'll keep looking, though. That's one of my goals for 2011.

Back to work...will check in later!

[Rusty]

December Determination - Week 2

I'm thinking of starting a thread called, "What I Accomplished Today Because I Did Not Drink."

Firstly, is anyone interested in this, and secondly, could someone please tell me how to start a new thread?

Thanks, you guys!

[Chillgirl]

December Determination - Week 2

Rusty - Great idea for a thread! Go to "general discussions" above the various threads on the left hand side there is a button saying NEW THREAD, just click and give it a title and your done!

Star - what a beautiful thought provoking post.
For many years I had been very conscious of taking care of my body with exercise and nurishment. Of course I justified my abuse of AL with the fact that I did everything else right, Oh what denial! It is indeed a cunning substance and of course I now realize that no matter how well I took care of myself it was all being undone by the cronic daily drinking.

Being caught in this web of denial is like staring down a long tunnel and the freedom of breaking these tunnel walls is mind blowing. You finally literally get to see the bigger picture. This can be both wonderful and terrifying and in the beginning I was very aware of feeling emotions which had been locked away and numbed by AL. It is such a journey of self discovery and I think thats why there is such a big spiritual connection for addicts. I often wonder if this means non addicts dont experience this awakening to the same degree?

I love your intention to be more loving, I truely believe we are pure loving beings who get distracted by the ego into forgetting what we really are. As Gandhi said "be the peace you want to see in the world". This also reminds me of a story about Mother Teresa, when asked by an interviewer in the States if there was something he could do for her, she replied "go out into the streets of the town where you live and convince a homeless person that he is not alone in this world". This always makes me cry, we are all the same and our basic need in the world is just to be loved.

[Rusty]

December Determination - Week 2

Chill,

Thank you so much for helping me so quickly! You are so sweet...and I know what you mean about numbing yourself with AL. I still cringe when I think of all those wasted days!

Rusty

[Guitarista]

December Determination - Week 2

Rusty;1021907 wrote: I'm thinking of starting a thread called, "What I Accomplished Today Because I Did Not Drink."

Firstly, is anyone interested in this, and secondly, could someone please tell me how to start a new thread?

Thanks, you guys!

Go for it Rusty! Great idea.

[Rusty]

December Determination - Week 2

Thanks, G. Nice to see you! I have missed you. Is there any way you could possibly find a Santa's cap or a pair of reindeer antlers, put them on and then post a picture of yourself? The ladies here on this thread are looking for a little holiday cheer.

[Rusty]

December Determination - Week 2

Hi Everybody...

Can you tell I'm procrastinating because I don't want to go to work?

As far as the new thread, thanks for your feedback Chill and G. The reason I want to do it is to remind ourselves during the holidays that we must be strong and not give in to the beast. In the past, I gave in to the beast and made a fool out of myself. I also want to be an inspiration to newbies and those of us who have those mental quandaries about AL being a celebratory drink during the holidays.

Thanks again, I love you guys.

Rusty