Marvelous, Magnificent March

[Lavande]

Marvelous, Magnificent March

Morning all!

Woke with a sinus headache, ugh!
This changeable weather always causes me problems.

I do have very occasional drinking thoughts - a glass of wine would be nice BUT I quickly tell myself - DUH Lav, you don't drink anymore then it's over. Same goes with the smokes. I'm not going to mess up my nearly 2 year quits now, no way.

More annoying than the drinking/smoking thought are the @#$%^ YB dreams/nightmares that pop up from time to time. I can only hope he's suffering with them too :H

OK, time to get this show on the road.
Safe travels to John & Rusty & wishes for a terrific AF Thursday for everyone.

Lav

[mylife]

Marvelous, Magnificent March

Sorry about the Sunuses Lav! And I'm with you on the 2 years... Don't mess that up by any means!!

[Lavande]

Marvelous, Magnificent March

Don't worry about me mylife - I'm more & more stubborn by the day! I refuse to give up my quits now

Finally, a pic with her eyes open :H


Hope Thursday is going well for everyone
Lav

[Chillgirl]

Marvelous, Magnificent March

Evening everyone

Lav - lily is just adorable! I just shared her picture with my own Mum :l
My Parents are here till Saturday and I'm so grateful for them, they are in their 70s but never stop doing everything in their power to help me. My dear Dad has spend the last two weeks tending to my neglected garden which is now looking great!

Papmom - thanks for the info on the L-glut, I will go source it out at the weekend. Oooh restless leg syndrome is nasty, I haven't had it in a long time. I used to be a sufferer when I mixed wine with nytol, yet another benefit of not drinking!

Star - I have to admit to having a strong drinking thought today, I was back at work and had a very stressful day. When I walked out the door at 5pm my 1st thought was how much I would have loved to come home and pour a very large glass of wine. Luckily like Lav, I have an automatic voice that chips in almost immediately with the "Duh! I don't think so!" and the thought vanishes.

[Cassia]

Marvelous, Magnificent March

Hey all

Sounds like are all doing pretty marvelous this month already.

I have had some cravings lately too. I am going to a hen weekend on Saturday but we are rockclimbing during the day and then off for some lunch and then going to see Mamma Mia at night. We won't be spending much time in the bars so it will be fine. I much prefer eating without alcohol anyway. The hen knows that I have quit drinking and as long as I stay until the end of Mamma Mia that's all I need to do. I actually have to work all day on Sunday (I have a really tight deadline) so I can't drink anyway. Total blessing in disguise.

If any of you are on a weight loss journey, can I recommend that you use one of those online food and exercise diaries. I started using one again last week and I have already lost 4 pounds. I am a numbers girl (accountant and all) and it really helps me to see it in black and white. Plus, if I overeat, I know how much exercise I have to do to stay on target. It is really good!!!

Speaking of exercise, I was at hot yoga last night and played football tonight and I have the trainer tomorrow am. I scored three goals one of which was an absolute cracker. I got a round of applause and everything. I am so pleased with myself. I thought, geez - none of this would be possible if AL was still a part of my life.

Wishing you all love peace and strength my friends (i feel like I know you well enough to call you that now.)

xx

[sooty]

Marvelous, Magnificent March

Hi folks, no internet yesterday and today, its only been on for the last few minutes so this is a quick one before i hit the sack!

Beautiful day here today, frosty this morning but then the sun came out and it was lovely, managed a short walk cos had lots of things to do around the house. Visitors next week so am trying to clean and tidy up! Its just as well I have visitors now and again cos it does make me deal with the general untidiness which seems to creep up on me.

Hope to get back on tomorrow - have a good Thursday gang
Sooty

[witchywoman]

Marvelous, Magnificent March

Hi everyone,
it sounds like everyone is doing awesome. back in Jan when I did nearly the whole month AF, I hardly had any cravings at all, hardly even thought about AL at all, then came Feb which didnt go so well & I had really bad cravings, now I have march,I have decided to get the supp's etc, since I just did 14 days in a row at work I will have enough money to order the starter kit, My sobriety is so important to me, I am going to do everything i can to hold onto it.

Lav - your wee Lily look so sweet.
to everyone else stay strong, we are the Resistance in the war against AL & we will win!!!
well off to work, will check in as soon as I can.
XX

[Cassia]

Marvelous, Magnificent March

Hi everyone...
Wanted to share this with you from twitter.

“The purpose of our lives is to give birth to the best which is within us. -Marianne Williamson”

Xx

[Guitarista]

Marvelous, Magnificent March

'There's a hole in my sidewalk' by Portia Nelson.

I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost…
I am helpless.
It isn’t my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.

Chapter 2.

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don’t see it.
I fall in again.
I cant believe I am in this same place.
But it isn’t my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.

Chapter 3.

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in… its a habit.
But, my eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.

Chapter 4.

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

Chapter 5.

I walk down another street.
__________________

[Guitarista]

Marvelous, Magnificent March

'There's a hole in my sidewalk' by Portia Nelson.

I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost…
I am helpless.
It isn’t my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.

Chapter 2.

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don’t see it.
I fall in again.
I cant believe I am in this same place.
But it isn’t my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.

Chapter 3.

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in… its a habit.
But, my eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.

Chapter 4.

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

Chapter 5.

I walk down another street.
__________________

Thank's Portia.

[Stargazerlily]

Marvelous, Magnificent March

Good morning all....

Yay, Friday..... :H

Guitatrista, thanks for the poem, I am familiar with it and realize it applies to all of us. So thoughtful of you.

Papmom, thanks for the list; GABA, L-glut, and Htwhatever, I need something. I ate so badly yesterday, but it is still better than having one drink.

Jolie, you are doing so well, thanks for responding to my request about cravings.

John, my drive home used to be my worst temptation time, but I managed to change my thinking patterns on the way home, and listen to NPR. I don't have a long ride home, but it didn't matter, I did damage in the past in 15 short minutes.

Lav and Chill, thanks for sharing that you both still occasionally have the strong craving thoughts too. Your thinking skills, through habit, pop up automatically now. I think that is a key thing for all of us, and we start that process through the CDs. It is probably a good idea to write down or memorize about 5 phrases that we can pull up at will: I don't drink, I will feel sick tomorrow, I'll never have just one, who am I kidding, I am doing so well and feel so healthy AF, I love sleeping through the night and waking up healthy and honest. Can we take time today to add to this list? It seem like certain triggers will always be there, we just have to have our ammunition ready!!!!!

I am focused on another AF weekend, it is vital that I plan my Friday as it is the hardest day of the week for me. The Charlie Sheen self-destruction show is a visible reinforcer not to want to use any substance. My goodness, that poor sick arrogant man. I hope he can accept help.

Have a great AF Friday, sending all peace and strength.:h

[Jolie]

Marvelous, Magnificent March

Guitarista - wow - that poem really hits home - thanks for posting.

Star - my drive home from work is about the same as yours - amazing how thoughts of that first drink occupied those whole 15 minutes every single day for way too long - huh?

Friday is hardest for me as well! Start of the weekend, deserve it after a long stressful week at work, etc. etc. The benefits of not taking that first drink on a Friday night far outweigh the "temporary" numbness that comes after a couple of glasses of wine. So not worth it! Fast forward to Monday morning and think how great it will be to wake up hangover-free and (even though it is Monday), feeling guilt-free and ready to tackle another week!

You've got a good plan laid out and have already given all the good reasons to not take that first drink - good luck and sending positive vibes your way!

Cassia - great quote!

Witchy - good for you! Hope the supps help - I'm going out to buy another bottle of the L-Glut today to hopefully help with all these sugar cravings I have! Sounds like you are getting stronger and more determined than ever to beat this thing.

Sooty - I am really thinking about going out and purchasing a new computer today! Mine is old and the fact that I still have dial-up doesn't help. It is just so sloooooooooooooow. Really frustrating. I can't be without MWO - it's been a godsend for me these past months.

Lav - sooo cute! She is beautiful and looks like she is enjoying spending time with her grandma! (not sure if that's what she is going to call you - grammy maybe?)

Chill, wonderful to see that you are grateful for your parents. I see lots of people who take their parents for granted and then regret the loss once they are gone. My brother, sister and I were reflecting on this time last year - my Dad had suffered a stroke the year before and required a lot of at-home care. When my mom became ill and had to go into the hospital, my sister, brother and I basically took over caring for my Dad while juggling our own families and jobs. Hardest thing we've ever done but it brought us all closer and now that my Dad is gone (passed away in July), I will always have those special memories of the time we shared with him. Hope you enjoy your visit with them!

It's Friday and I will not be drinking today because I'm having too much fun being sober and healthy!

Hope everyone has a great day!

[dill]

Marvelous, Magnificent March

"Lots of people limit their possibilities by giving up easily. Never tell yourself this is too much for me. It's no use. I can't go on. If you do you're licked, and by your own thinking too. Keep believing and keep on keeping on." ~Norman Vincent Peale

Yay, Friday! I need the weekend. No big plans, just rest and relaxation. May we all have a restful, AF weekend.

Lav, that baby is just beautiful. Being a Knitter/crochetter, my eye was caught by the cute hat, too. Did someone make that for her?

[Lavande]

Marvelous, Magnificent March

Good morning Marchers!

And it is a good morning! I actually woke up in the same position I fell asleep in last night - OMG - that's the first time in 15 or more years I've done that!!!! No hot flashes, no tossing & turning, nothing. A girl could get very used to this :H

Dill, I'll have to ask my daughter about that hat - it is cute! It's very possible that someone did make it for her.

G, thanks for the poem - can you hum a few bars for us?

Star, I adopted a few quick catch phrases & trained myself to use them the second after a drinking/smoking thought enters my mind - simple but effective. It becomes a new habit & it's very effective! I really do not want to mess up my quits, not for anything or anyone!!!

Witchy, my granddaughter was born last Saturday, she's precious
Glad you are here to travel thru March with us!

Greetings & wishes for a great day to everyone!
Lav

[Dewdrop]

Marvelous, Magnificent March

I'm sitting at the airport waiting on a flight home - I sooooo want to be at home now !! John & Rusty I so relate to your time in hotels as I've spent the last 2 nights in a hotel in London and boy is it challenging trying to keep yourself occupied and out of trouble. As a single female I find it difficult knowing how to spend my time in the evening ie in the bar/restaurant, spa, gym and pool or simply hibernate in your room with room service and watching trashy TV. There was nowhere to walk to and nothing much to see locally and by the time I finished at night I couldn?t muster the energy to go seek out something to do. I think it?simply boredom and I don?t quite know why. Surely I could read a good book, meditate etc but there is something about being confined in a small room overlooking a car park or industrial space that I find quite depressing. ?? I sometimes sit in the foyer of the hotel on my laptop trying to look busy, people watching. Maybe you can offer suggestions??

Oh Lav the pics of Lilly are just lovely and I am so delighted for you, I so love having a new baby in the family and each one bring new pleasures and they change the family dynamics. New babies are like a breath of fresh air into a family and each one has brought their own individual character and personality, they are all amazing and beeeaaaauuuutiful. Cassia Mama Mia is brilliant I saw it in London and I have to say the girls just sang, danced and laughed all night it was great fun.

I so want to be tucked up in bed at home but a flight and then a long drive to get through yet. Okay I'm off to lurk and see how others are doing Friday night is often a difficulty for many. Catch you over the weekend.

Dewdrop :h