Friday, December 22

[capto]

Good Morning Absville,

Recovering from a wonderful pre-Christmas visit from our daughter and grandkids. Whew! It?s the season for ?God Bless Us Everyone,? but I?ve always said quite sincerely, ?God Bless All Mothers.? There is NO job more demanding.

Day 21 AF, three weeks, and still wondering what has happened? In some ways, it has been the most difficult thing I?ve done, and in some ways it seems to get easier, though I wince, when I just wrote that word. I?ve learned too much from so many of you that this is not an easy journey, but I look forward now, to thinking about the possibility of long term abstinence, not just a short trial.

Did anyone catch the article ?Hi, my name is Amanda?and I might be an Alcoholic,? in January 07 issue of ?O? Magazine. It speaks to the difficulty of motherhood, and one person?s struggle and recognition....

?God Bless Us Everyone?

Cap

[YoungAtHeart]

Friday, December 22

I'll Second that Emotion!

Yep, mothing takes the case as the hardest job, in my book, if you are invested in being a good Mom! I remember when my daughter was little, and the books said that when you child was having a tantrum, to leave the room and not reward the behavior (provided the child was safe, of course). The book didn't tell you what to do when your child FOLLOWED YOU AROUND THE HOUSE TO CONTINUE THEIR TANTRUM!:H My daughter was DETERMINED that I would witness her disturbance and distress. In some ways it hasn't changed. Sometimes I joke with Maddy and tell her I think she still has colic. Fortunately, there are so many joys that come along with kids' antics and less-than-charming behavior.

Maddy is very excited, because apparently she has bought me a fabulous Christmas present, and she is just itching until I open it. We're having a little celebration here tonight, because my sister is taking off for NY tomorrow. I'm looking forward to it. The tree looks so pretty with all the presents underneath it. Just looking at that corner of the living room gives me a feeling of serenity!

At any rate, enough of all of that.

I am wishing everyone here in Absville a wonderful and blessed holiday season! Whatever deity you observe, whatever spiritual path you follow, know that you are loved and appreciated here! Blessings in the new year dear friends. Thank you for your inspiration!

Hugs,
Kathy:l

[vinophile]

Friday, December 22

Good Morning,
I'm going to go right out and buy that magazine. Yup having the kids around and being their true sullen selves is a challenge. I have to keep telling myself it is so much better to pass up that 30 minutes of craving/temptation to give in at night in order to feel great in the morning.
Be back later.
Janet

[southernbelle47]

Friday, December 22

Merry Christmas Absville!

My "kids" will all be here by this time tomorrow! I'm so pumped!! I get to hang out with the grandkids and be a "kid" again! It's the one time ol the year that I can do the "chicken" dance and lay on the floor and play games. My grand-daughter loves to play "Sleeping Queens"...I highly recomend it for anyone five and up!
We will pump up the inflatable bed and watch silly movies and get popcorn everywhere!

I saw a video on tv where a child was having a tantrum and the parent had a camera recording it all. When the parent left the room, the child would stop yelling and go look for the parent and then fall in the floor and start crying again! That went on through 3-4 rooms! It was so funny.:H

I hope you all make some wonderful memories with your family this week.

I can't wait to hear what Mandy got you Kathi! You had BETTER be thrilled...no matter what!

:h you all.
Nancy

[stacyschorr]

Friday, December 22

As my child is screaming in the other room I can vouch for the difficulty that is mothering. Getting ready for the holidays and to go out of town with presents wrapped for everyone and I haven't had a drink or a smoke in 2 days. Gee it seemed longer than that. This is the first time I have ever written on any kind of board so I feel a little self conscious, but that is the beauty of the internet only the amount of intimate details you allow. I feel very thankful that there is something like this out there and I am so interested in learning from the people on this site a way to abstain from alcohol. I want to know tools to use that will be helpful because no matter how many times I quit and abstain for long periods. Both times I was pregnant with my children(that was easy)it just feels like it is something my brain needs like I am compelled by some inner chemical drive to relieve my brain and body. My husband and I call it getting our head straight. I just want my head to be straight. Alcohol is so destructive. I want my family to always be my first priority with. Since I have become a mother it has become a dirty little secret after the kids are in bed I can't help myself I just want my brain rewired new habits more interesting hobbies.

[Accountable for Me]

Friday, December 22

Good Work StacySchorr!

Good for you for being two days AF and SMOKE free! Holy moly! That is a tough endeavour on it's own, but with the holidays here now, and travelling, AND being a Mommy - that is absolutely fantastic!!!!!!!

BRAVO!

Give yourself a pat on the back -and have a wonderful holiday! :welcome:

[weemelonhead]

Friday, December 22

Mornin' abbers.....Belle...pleeeeezzzz can we line up with you and do the chicken dance...I think this could be a good start to my morning...ready everyone? A one A two A one two three...
Cap and Y at H....yes, God bless the Muttis....my daughter is coming over sometime this weekend to spend a couple of days, and I always look forward to her gifts...she usually either buys me a pampering something (foot spa, oils, candles etc) oe, even better...she makes something. One year I had a little silk pillow stuffed with lavender, last year, she painted me a picture of a Japanese lady's head with the words 'beautiful mother' written down the side in Japanese script.....It's things like this that make me wanna kick this thing so I feel I really deserve that phrase...She will be soooooo surprised when the only thing I get out of the cupboard this year is a t-bag!!!!!!
Stacy....I have smoked like Ivor the engine since I started AF....I agree with Accountable, you have the strength of a Brahma Bull missus to go AF and SF.....(sounds of riotous applause and roses thrown on the stage!!) stay healthy....good work!!
Have a good day all.......only 10 days to go, and then back to 'normal'?????? (wossat then???) Melon

[lucky 2.0]

Friday, December 22

I am happy to have a 0 to plug into abs chart today and so happy to have Campral now. It does not kick in for 5 days, which will be XMAS day, but so far, so good. Kinda in a funk though because so many I care about on the boards are hurting.

lucky

[pansy]

Friday, December 22

Afternoon all,

Had so wanted to get up and take a pic of the tree in my little town to use as an even more festive avatar. Felix has some Xmas treats to eat and he is very tired. Ex BF called last night at 11:30 (now he knows I usually get up at 5:30 for work) and he kept me up way late!! At least we are still good friends. So, no pics and my sleep schedule is way off. I am angry at him because he was always asleep 10 minutes after hitting the pillow ... and he KNOWS what I am like with my sleep. He has seen the toggle switch go off many times at 2 am. Why call SO late (like he always does)?

Today is Day 6 AF (consecutive), but something like 14 out of 15 days AF, so I am pretty happy. Abs with slips. It would be nice to make it for at least 3 or 4 more days AF. I have not taken my Klonopin for two days now, so my sleep is a bit wonky, but I can remember everything from last night. No PMs that I have forgotten so that is good.

Congrats on Campral Ducky. I am happy you are getting to put 0 in your drink tracker. Keep reading Alan Carr - I am sure it will help a lot until the Campral kicks in.

I too am saddened by the pain our boardmates our experiencing right now. I am thinking of Becca and Allie, and all those folks who may not have shared their pain with us at this time. So, I am thinking good thoughts for everyone who is going through a rough patch right now.

Hugs to all,
Pansy

[tawnyfrog]

Friday, December 22

Just visiting Absville this morning to wish you all a safe and joyous Christmas.

I'm off to spend a few tranquil days with my gorgeous sister.

[pansy]

Friday, December 22

Tawnyfrog,

Please have a wonderful vacation with your gorgeous sister, what is her name - Uberfrog???

Hugs, Pansy

[tawnyfrog]

Friday, December 22

Pansy - it's Unterfrog - she's younger!!!

[pansy]

Friday, December 22

Have a wonderful trip Froggy ....

I did not want to call her Froggy Minimus ...it did not sound dignified enough for a Froggy. I do hope you and UnterFroggy enjoy your holidays ... ribbit ribbit.

Hugs,
Pansy

[YoungAtHeart]

Friday, December 22

It's hard to feel happy knowing that Becca and Allie are in such distress. I've been reading their threads, and I am blown away. It makes my problems seem small. It's not fair that there should be such pain and distress during this season!

Happy holidays to all, and to the uber and unterfrog!

In response to Nancy, I will say that I didn't even have to pretend to be thrilled about my Christmas present. My daughter gave me a giftcard to my favorite salon--a haircut, full hour massage and a manicure. She was so excited to give such a pricey gift and I was delighted to receive it! I must be doing something right.... Our Friday night Santa party was nice and low key. And now I'm off to bed.

I won't actually be going away until Christmas day it seems, so I'll be around this weekend. Hope someone else will be too, so I won't be too lonely.:no:

Hugs,
Kathy:l

[Newyear]

Friday, December 22

Kathy- very nice. Maddy was right to be excited.
I love it when I think I got the perfect gift. My mother's neighbor called me in, probably October this year. She said she had borrowed a catalogue from my mother and one of the pages was turned down (a purse).
The neighbor asked my mom if she was going to buy it and my mom said 'oh, no, a little too expensive for me but I do love it'. So the neighor emailed me the info and I bought my mom the purse. btw...most things according to my mom cost 'too much' when it is for her! I'm excited for her to open that gift Christmas morning - she will be quite surprised.
Nice neighbors my mom has huh? Giving is so much fun.
I will be going out of town this afternoon but I will check in while I'm gone. So I'll be around too kathy.

Merry Christmas Everyone!
Lisa