AF Daily ~ 26th February 2011

[Sarasmiles]

AF Daily ~ 26th February 2011

Hello Ab-Fabbers!

I'm popping in for the first time in a long time. I've been going to SMART meetings, and doing some posting on the SMART online site, but I've missed MWO. I am very happily AF, with no intention of ever trying to "moderate" again. I went about a year drinking occasionally and not getting drunk, but my big discovery was that I didn't like it. On AF days, I yearned for a drink. On "modding" days, I'd struggle to stop at one or two, always feeling guilty about it, and living in fear of some day losing control and getting drunk again, with all the risks that involves. No more.

My biggest achievement is an ongoing one...raising three amazingly healthy, happy, self-confident boys who tell me they love me, every day. I am incredibly grateful for them, and that gratitude is big part of why I have worked hard to deal with my issues with alcohol. When I was trying to moderate, I always felt I was putting them at risk, and that was an awful, awful feeling. I'm still not a perfect mom (of course, there is no such thing) but I'm a very good one, and much better for getting rid of alcohol in my life.

Good to see so many familiar names, still here, and some new ones to me, too! Best to one and all!

Sara

[Doggygirl]

AF Daily ~ 26th February 2011

Hi Fabbies! How wonderful to learn more about all of you. I used to think "alcoholics" were people who lived under bridges and peed on themselves. Never gave much thought to what they must have done before they got to THAT point. Just look at us high achievers! Blew that old theory right out of the water.

Climbing the corporate ladder of that sort of success was not nearly as difficult as admitting I'm an alcoholic, stopping drinking, and mustering up the courage to look deep inside myself for the truth about me. (for better as well as for worse!) Mustering up the courage daily to make good use of the good stuff, and improve upon the not-so-good stuff.

Another huge achievement was giving up the smoke which I did FOUR YEARS AGO TODAY!!! :yougo:

Yesterday went from bad to worse. The tears were turned on by 9AM and just wouldn't stop. I figure I must have needed a good (really really really good) cry. Today is a new day! I think this time of year gets to me a bit, then all it takes is one A-hole to bush my buttons and BAM. :upset:

Bear, you asked some excellent questions about getting the sqatters out of your head. The serenity prayer is an excellent tool you are using to sort out which is what - trying to control what you can't v. not having the courage to take an action you can. I find I sometimes need to keep saying it over and over and over. I also find that "getting out of myself" is extremely important. When I most want to draw the blinds and crawl under the covers is when I most NEED to get out and do something for somebody else. My volunteer work helps me with that as does helping others thru AA. (give rides, clean up after a meeting, whatever needs doing that I am capable of doing)

How do I know this? Because whenever I think crawling under the covers is the answer, and I do just that, it does't work. As in, that is what I did yesterday and I woke up feeling just as crappy as when I crawled under the covers yesterday afternoon. I did not WANT to get up and get moving today but at least now I recognize that what I WANT to do most is usually not the best thing. Today I ended up getting some stuff done and also re-connecting with an old sponsee who want to get active with her sobriety program again in AA. Just talking through her plan with her and making a committment to help her helped me too. I feel loads better.

So anyway...that's what seems to work for me.

STORK!!! YAY!!! Can't wait to hear when the deed is DONE! and see pics. EB must be very excited to have a cousin, yes??

One thing is for sure...

DG

[Lavande]

AF Daily ~ 26th February 2011

Miss Lily Marie has arrived safely, thank God! 8 lbs 7 oz & 21" long. Mom, Dad, baby & Mi Mom doing just fine. I'll get better pictures tomorrow
Hope everyone is well tonight!

[papmom3]

AF Daily ~ 26th February 2011

she's a cutie and a keeper!! Congrats to mom and dad and Lav, you get some rest finally OK?

[universal]

AF Daily ~ 26th February 2011

Yeah! She's so cute! Thanks for sharing her with us - get some sleep and give us all the details tomorrow!

(((hugs)))

Love,
Uni

[Doggygirl]

AF Daily ~ 26th February 2011

Awww...congrats Lav! I love the name Lily too. :h

DG

[momof3]

AF Daily ~ 26th February 2011

Lav, 8 lbs; 7 oz; my goodness it is good that your daughter did not have to wait too much longer. That is a good size baby. I LOVE the name Lily. So sweet and so very happy for you.

DG, I'm happy you are feeling better. And I agree, there is no better tonic in the world for me than helping others and getting out of my own stuff.

M3

[greeneyes]

AF Daily ~ 26th February 2011

Oh sweet little baby lily!!! Yay!

[Lavande]

AF Daily ~ 26th February 2011

Thanks you ladies
My daughter said (quietly) to me - 'Mom, I din't know she was so big' :H

[Determinator]

AF Daily ~ 26th February 2011

welcome to our crazy planet Lily! how sweet

Sarasmiles, great to see you again

have a great night all xxxx

[prancy]

AF Daily ~ 26th February 2011

She looks like she is saying: Wasn't I worth the wait!!??

[witchywoman]

AF Daily ~ 26th February 2011

Welcome to the world, beautiful Lily.
may you be blessed by all good things in your life.

[bear73]

AF Daily ~ 26th February 2011

aw lovely name - happy for you Lav and your family.

[Cassia]

AF Daily ~ 26th February 2011

Hey all

I just wanted to say how interesting it was the learn more about you and about your accomplishments in life! Thanks so much for sharing!

x