Focused February - Week 4

[Jolie]

Focused February - Week 4

Good morning my new focused friends!

Snowy in my neck of the woods - I know I complain about it a lot but it is really beautiful (just don't like driving in it).

Thanks for all the welcomes! Chill - I remember exchanging posts with you when I was here before - so glad to see you here.

Congrats Cassia on 62 days - awesome - I'm not too far behind you!

Star - sounds like a great plan and my frame of mind these days seems to be grateful as well.

PM3, Lav, rebirth, mylife & dewdrop - Happy Tuesday to all - hope everyone has a great day with whatever your day brings!

[Chillgirl]

Focused February - Week 4

Happy Tuesday Focusers

Jolie i remember you too, we were Newbies around the same time, its great to see you back here.

Star - thank you for the gratitude reminder, today im so grateful to be in a country where i feel safe and secure. Im thankful to my parents who have gone to great lengths to make me feel comfortable in their home and im grateful to have this place to come too each day where i can enjoy the freedom of being me without judgement....

[Lavande]

Focused February - Week 4

Good morning Focused Ones!

Unfortunately looking out at 6 inches of snow that needs to be shoveled. Yeah Jolie, it's pretty to look at but I'm sick of having to move it around! mylife, you are welcome to have all of my snow from now on

Haven't heard from my daughter yet this morning so I assumes she's still waiting.......
Star, the cookies were good, definitely an adult taste with an interesting sweet-spicey blend. Kind of like a gingersnap with a hot spicey layer.

Read about the earthquake in NZ - hope our friends there are OK.

Well, I can't put it off any longer. I need to shovel my way out to the chicken house to feed & water the girls. Hope everyone has a fantastic AF Tuesday.

Lav

[Cassia]

Focused February - Week 4

Hey all and thanks for the congrats! I am pretty impressed with myself and looking forward to celebrating 90 days in....NYC! I am 90 days the day I fly out to New York - can't complain really.

Chill - I take it you aren't flying back to Portugal in the next couple of days as there is a certain match and me thinks there will be some crazy folk flying to Portugal.

Jolie - what day are you on? It's great to have you hear in the thread - I have read some of your posts and you seem focused and supportive of others. I love that!

Rusty - AFness is defo agreeing with me - I am disappointed I waited this long to experience it. How much of my twenties did I throw away with binging, partying, and all the negative energy? Are you a gym bunny too? What do you do at the gym as I am always looking to mix it up.

Star - sorry to hear you had more snow. You gave me an idea for my gratitude list - a good night's sleep - you can't beat it!

Rebirth - hey - good to see ya!

mylife - do you travel far for work? Did I hear you say that you live in Georgia? One of my friends is living in Savannah just now. Loves it!

Lav - still on stork watch here!

to anyone else I missed - apologies and much love.

I had a massively successful day today - got a huge deal through at work (that i didn't think would happen). Got some real leads in jobs in Cali and NYC - it might mean going back into accountancy (I am NOT a tax accountant and no nothing about tax returns) which wouldn't be the end of the world if the pay and the lifestyle is right. I am in touch with a firm in San Jose, CA - they get over 300 days sunshine a year - BLISS! Otherwise, feeling fab. Had a really sobering conversation with my former drinking buddy recently (we are still good friends). She had a pretty heavy boozy weekend and was (surprise surprise) feeling like crap on Monday - she told me drinking just isn't worth it. I said to her - we are truly changed women. Incredible.

Dying to hear what's going on with all of you!

x

[Chillgirl]

Focused February - Week 4

Evening all....

Cassia - no, not heading back to Portugal for another week, i fly over to Dublin on Friday for Oneys birthday!

I have to say that despite the weather which is in stark contrast to what im used to, im loving being back in the UK. Its been great to be here this way, living in my parents house on my own and not as a guest as it gives me a better feel for what life would be like. Im not planning an iminent move back but I'm much more at peace about it than I was before.

It's very quiet on here today, I hope everyone is having a good one....

[Cassia]

Focused February - Week 4

Chill - that's awesome news! I love Glasgow and the surrounding area! It is truly my second home!

Enjoy oney's bday!

X

[Dewdrop]

Focused February - Week 4

Well we are all still on stork watch from all around the world, this baby has already made a huge impact and we are all glued to your posts Lav, huge expectations!! Cassia you are just so energetic and taking on the challenge of resettling back to the States full on, my goodness you are so committed and focussed on what you want, I?d love some of your motivation and mojo girl (something I?ve been lacking in recently).

Chill you sound like you are having a good time back home, I often feel a bit nostalgic when I go home it just brings back all those family memories, my parents are still in the house we grew up in and even the smell of it reminds me of a happy childhood. I realise now that I was very lucky to have a normal, stable and secure family environment to grow up in, unfortunately as a teenager I certainly did not appreciate how lucky I was! Libya ? no, no, no, no ? there are millions of jobs and a happy life to live all over the globe why on earth would you want to end up there

Star I love green tea especially Suki Ginseng Green Tea it is mildly fruity flavoured with ginseng root, ginger and pineapple pieces, now I know that might sound a bit weird but it tastes lovely. I also like their Ayurvedic Stress Free Tea which has cinnamon, liquorice root, ginger, fennel, orange peel and cardamom so is spicy but even the smell as it is brewing makes me relax. I don?t know if you get it in the States but their website is Suki Tea · Home page · Tea as it should be... and you can order small 80 ? 100g bags to try them out, not sure what the postage would be to the States but they are very light in weight.

Hi to Rebirth, mylife, Rusty, Jolie and everyone else yet to come along: I love Marvellous March, Magnificent March or anything else that you can think of to be honest. I hope you are all well and having a Focussed Tuesday.

Dewdrop :h

[sooty]

Focused February - Week 4

Evening all and to those on Stork watch, may the new arrivals arrive very soon. Lav has your daughter tried raspberry leaf tea? Its supposed to be good - I hope she's not getting too exhausted with the waiting. Both my daughters arrived late and it seemed like forever getting through each day after my due date so I can sympathise.

I'm off to bed now but just wanted to log on and let you know that things are ok in my neck of the woods. The weather continues to be miserable but the days are getting longer and its not dark till 6 p.m. so spring can't be too far away.

Take care all, catch up with you soon
Sooty

[Lavande]

Focused February - Week 4

My neck is stiff & sore from all this stork watching :H
Nothing happening for her today either. Found out a couple of hours ago she went shopping in IKEA today so I guess all is well

I kind of tired tonight, shoveling snow on top of everything else will do that to you. It's cold, 18 degrees right now so I imagine it will be much colder overnight. I heard a rumor Spring is coming, when?

Hope everyone has a great night!
Lav

[papmom3]

Focused February - Week 4

Hey Cassia-Congrats on your 60+ days!! That is fabulous and you have nowhere to go but up!! 60 days was HUGE for me-it's kind of when I knew I could do this for a very long time and now I know I can do this for the rest of my life. You had a great day today too-you rock!!

Chill-So glad you're at peace with being back home and how cool is it you'll be there to help Oney celebrate her special day!!!! Great things for you are just around the corner-the feelings are stronger than ever.

Lav-hang in there-the baby will arrive soon!! Sorry you got 6 inches-for once we are not following in your footsteps, at least not with snow. Temps, yep. Hope your snuggled up fro the nite!

Sooty-you hang in there too!! I bet in 2 weeks you'll be singing Spring's praises!

Not much to report from this end. Back to work today but it was catch up day. Tomorrow is digging in and getting the job done.
No quiliting or agility this week which is disappointing. Almost don't know what to do with myself. Oh yeah, Planet Fitness :H

Shout out to Jolie, Mylife, Star, Rusty, Dew, RB, John, Mr. G, Sped (please come back!!), Dill-where are you and LBH???

See you all tomorrow!!
:l

[Stargazerlily]

Focused February - Week 4

Good morning to all....

Welcome to Cassia and Jolie, I was not sure if I had taken the time to say how great it is to have a few new people with such enthusiasm and willingness to share their journeys.

Lav, the labor cookies clearly were not effective, darn! Is your daughter overdue? I was three weeks each time and it was a very difficult time for me. But of course, so worth it in the end.

Chill, how interesting to read that your are feeling more comfortable in Scotland.....and willing to be open to endless possibilities. You are so smart not to panic and make changes impulsively. I think being AF, the first good choice, leads to better and better judgements, ability to reason, and make decisions and plans that make sense.

One thing I have noticed is feeling increasingly calm. Anyone else? The horrible up/down of drinking/recovering is farther and farther away, and a certain stability has set in. I am not saying all the time, but with good nutrition, sleep, more regular exercise, and better overall health, I am just able to go through my day peacefully, pacing myself, knowing that my mornings at work are hardest, and the very end of my day can be a time of feeling tired. But it is OK. I will soon be home, eat, and feel reenergized.

Rusty, you sound good. How is your studying going? Traveling anywhere interesting?

Dewdrop, I like Celestial Seasonings Green Tea, the Acaia and Mango combo. I can drink it straight, it is very soothing to me in the evening. And no bad effects, unlike vodka or wine.

Pap, good attitude about going back to work. Sometimes after time off I have a hard time readjusting.

Sooty, good to hear from you. This is a tough time of year.

I hope Sped, that you are OK, please let us know how we can be there for you.

I always assume that when people quit posting that they are struggling, maybe back to drinking, maybe not. I have seen alot of people come and go, this journey is hard, and without resolution, the progression is really scary. So, Dill, LBH, let us know how you are doing. This thread has been going for a while, we all have a connection.

Sending all thoughts of peace and strength, AF.

[Jolie]

Focused February - Week 4

Thanks Star for the welcome. It means a lot. I would have to agree with you on this wonderful feeling of calm - for me I think it's because I feel like I am truly back in control of my life and not utterly consumed with AL. Thinking back - all my thoughts were always so consumed with it - which liquor store I would stop by (as to not frequent the same one in the same week), where I was going to hide it in the basement, sneaking the bottles upstairs to put in the bottom of the trash can, planning all social events around drinking, guzzling down several glasses of wine BEFORE going anywhere (not while driving though - hubby always drives). PATHETIC. I think the calm comes from feeling confident that we've made it as far as we have - definitely the longest I've been without AL in many years.

Chill - Scotland sounds so very romantic - never been across the ocean but would love to travel to Scotland or Ireland at some point in my life. Have you ever been to the states?

Lav - was just reading back thru the posts and actually found the recipe for the labor cookies - how were they? always looking for new recipes to try. Hope that baby comes soon!

Pap, sooty, dew, and anyone else that drops by, hope everyone has a super sober Wednesday!

[paguy]

Focused February - Week 4

Good Morning Friends:

Checking in this morning. Not sure what's gotten into me lately. Haven't had much to say - but, I'm still here lurking around!

Hellos and welcomes to Cassia and Jolie, too! Glad you have stopped by our thread to share your journies. Great encouragemenet and support here.

I had a phone call from a friend last night who was completely trashed. With caller id, I knew who was calling and based on the time of the evening I kind of knew what to expect. I think part of what's going on with me right now is the realization that alcohol is all around me and destroying the lives of people I know and care about. It's sad. I don't want to come across as being preachy to my friends but it is all so clear to me now. Alcohol is indeed the beast. Between my friend last weekend who espoused how much he enjoyed drinking but was falling asleep in the restaurant by the time we were finishing our dinner, and my friend last night who talked incoherently for 30 minutes - the tragedies of ruined lives is weighing on me.

No need to worry, I am not concerned about a relapse. All of this continues to reaffirm my commitment to make the right decisions for myself. I just wish I could be more helpful to others. But, I do realize that people have to want to help themselves first.

Sorry - don't mean to be such a downer first thing in the morning. As I started to construct this message, I realized what's been going on with me lately. A true epiphany!

Hoping all of you have a great day.... And, as always, thanks for all of your encouragement and support along this journey...

John

[rustop61]

Focused February - Week 4

Good morning everyone

Just a quick check in from me. It's mid term and I have to say I am enjoying a break from the constant go, go, go. Had another lie in this morning so feel re-energized.

I really enjoy reading all your posts. You are not a downer John, it helps us all to be reminded of what we sound and act like when we drink.

Jolie, welcome and thanks for sharing with us.

Chill - Glad you are having a good time in Scotland. I visited Glasgow a few years ago and loved it. Want to get to Edinburgh some day too.

Lav - Still on stork duty? This is a much awaited little lady, that's probably why she's waiting to make her grand entrance.

Sooty - Good to hear from you. Are you still meditating? Mine has slipped by the way slde. Must start again. Staying AF is my priority, I am exercising and eating well and taking my supplments. Hard to keep all the balls in the air.

Star - You sound wonderful, I am so glad to be sharing this journey with you.

Everyone else big hello and happy hump day.

Rustop

[Lavande]

Focused February - Week 4

Good Wednesday morning Focused Ones

It's so nice to see the sun first thing, gives me hope that Spring is inching closer. Back on stork watching duty here. Star, the due date was Feb 15 & my daughter felt that was pretty accurate so yes indeed she is overdue. I'm having flashbacks to her arrival 11 days late in an emergency C-section - I hope she doesn't have to go thru that

Jolie, enjoy all that free time you have now that you're no longer obssessing about AL, seriously
The labor cookies are definitely an adult taste ~ very good.

John, I think I understand exactly how you are feeling. One of my brothers continues to pickle himself daily & it does make me very sad. I would just love to see him quit as he has destroyed his health, is no longer working & is as nasty as you can get. I got sick of seeing his drunken postings on Facebook & asked him quietly & privately to consider quitting drinking. He responded by posting on Facebook that I am 'The Ultimate Bitch' & then 'unfriended' me. Is that normal behavior for a 63 year old - I don't think so. Don't let your friends get you down. I include everyone who is struggling in my daily prayers & meditations & hope they soon find the light. :l

Rustop, enjoy your 'break', ha ha!

I have 26 birds outside waiting for food & water so I'll go take care of business.
Wishing everyone a wonderful AF Hump Day.
Lav