af day Wed 28 Nov

[treetops]

And top of the morning this Wednesday. Gradually I am getting to know the people on these daily abstinence threads - takes a while - so apologies if I don't mention you all each day.

I see our Scottish friend Mick has returned. Hey what is it with us people with Scottish ancestry??? (note I did not say genes cos i think there is too much shite about culture and genes). That includes me although my folks have been generations here in Kiwiland. Don't know about you Mick but in my grandparents/parents generations it was either alcohol to excess or not a wee drop of the 'doings (aka whisky) (so alkies and stern teetotallers often in the same house - yikes!). Pretty much the same for many families with Irish backgrounds. Those Celts have a lot to answer for - they even wrote lots of poems and songs about booze. I don't want to romanticise this - just that it is complicated.

Yesterdays thread reminded us about health and health-checks. The people on this thread live all over the world and we all have different forms of health plans (if at all). In NZ I can get free blood tests but first I have to go to the GP - which costs c $45 - affordable for me but not at all for those on welfare or low incomes. If you have to have specialised tests - then you go on a long waiting list or pay privately or use private health insurance. Not great - and we pay our share of taxes here.

reminds me - I am having bloods this morning (tests that is!).

Take care everyone and catch you later!!!!!!!!

[satz123]

af day Wed 28 Nov

treetops;1417756 wrote: And top of the morning this Wednesday. Gradually I am getting to know the people on these daily abstinence threads - takes a while - so apologies if I don't mention you all each day.

I see our Scottish friend Mick has returned. Hey what is it with us people with Scottish ancestry??? (note I did not say genes cos i think there is too much shite about culture and genes). That includes me although my folks have been generations here in Kiwiland. Don't know about you Mick but in my grandparents/parents generations it was either alcohol to excess or not a wee drop of the 'doings (aka whisky) (so alkies and stern teetotallers often in the same house - yikes!). Pretty much the same for many families with Irish backgrounds. Those Celts have a lot to answer for - they even wrote lots of poems and songs about booze. I don't want to romanticise this - just that it is complicated.

Yesterdays thread reminded us about health and health-checks. The people on this thread live all over the world and we all have different forms of health plans (if at all). In NZ I can get free blood tests but first I have to go to the GP - which costs c $45 - affordable for me but not at all for those on welfare or low incomes. If you have to have specialised tests - then you go on a long waiting list or pay privately or use private health insurance. Not great - and we pay our share of taxes here.

reminds me - I am having bloods this morning (tests that is!).

Take care everyone and catch you later!!!!!!!!

Hiya Treetops
Still Tuesday evening 17.20 over this side of the world. How mad is that ?
The whole booze thing was romanticised for generations - in "songs & story", poems etc. The authors , poets etc were heros - no matter that they were raging alkos - it was brushed under the carpet Still is ! No names mentioned !

[kuya]

af day Wed 28 Nov

Morning afternoon and evening all,

Thanks for the start Tree.

Tha hardest thing to handle here in NZ is dental costs! Wow those Feckers charge like wounded bulls...... Really pees me off cos the state of people's mouths here is like the third world.

Anyway..... Busy day and just off to get my hair cut so back later

[TheSunFlower]

af day Wed 28 Nov

Kuya....dentists make so much.....that they are not open on Fridays here in the states

It is my busy season, lots of stress....no time to entertain AL. But, I can't freaking sleep! I know all the sober tricks of the trade. I just need to finalize a few deals.....and maybe sleep will come

[Mick]

af day Wed 28 Nov

Right then......morning all,how are you all today then?Hands up everyone who missed me?yeh right.Well back no..planning for the next holiday!!!Best thing ot of it all was...didnt drink any alcohol...and whats more,I didnt miss it.I was dreading that.Had a few bottles of af beer with meals at times, but even then it was because I actually liked the taste of it,but not once did I think...I need or want a drink.
Anyway, nuff of that...how have you all been doing>Treetops thanks for starting the thread off..and anyone else..kind of confused me to see a Wed thread started but hey ho.

Tea and coffee for anyone who wants.......no sugar..one thing I didnt do was stop eating!!

Treetops...that brought back memories...my dad used to say that just going to have a wee drop of the doings...dont think there were too many teetotal in our family!!!!

Satzy my long lost sister from over the water...how are you?make sure Mr Nosey gets an eyeful today.............no not like that!!

Afternoon Kuya...how are you ? see youve been busy zoomin all over the place so thought I would follow and see what you were up to..Oh and just to resurrect an old thread if youll pardon the pun..it was Jack Duckworths funeral yesterday.Landed at Manchester the other night, and the first thing to greet you is a wall size print of Coronation Street..I thought how impressive for tourists...never mind the home of house music, numerous bands the Hacienda, soul music, Lowry its Corrie!!

Mornin SF..you ok?whats with the no sleeping?

Hi Catbuddy ..you ok? grab a brew quick.Yep like yuo..love chewing vit C tablets!

Morning PPQ..how are you today?:l you all sorted? good ...glad to hear it,we will need to have a chat sometime......

LAV..............good monin maam...and how are you?one large cuppa here for you.Hows the kid minding, dog minding ,chicken minding going?reading through some of your replies..and yes could detect some feisty replies in there ...screw them and the dinner!

Scottish lass..........and how are you?You will get through it on Friday..its mind over matter...you dont mind if they drink....but it matters if you do!!Personally I think its a load of bollocks...always hated work do s .....everyone getting hammered and then every concievable plan to fix the world,few nasty knives remarks getting thrown about then the dodgy liasions thrugh drink starting.....NOT putting you in that bracket by any means..if you HAVE to go..take your car, tell people that you aint drinking and thats it ..end of..the rest is up to you.If needs be take an af drink with you, get someone to phone you while you are there, anything.I have now been to 2 weddings and a holiday since I stopped,dreaded them, but I really enjoyed them in the end...anyway here I am if you need any help!! you are not throwing 30 odd days away for the sake of a party!!

YAH how are you doing? I actually missed you gang too on hols..back now..complete with crap jokes!


Cantoo...................hiya :l you ok? wow loved them pics Well its exercise time for me now few pounds to shed!!! minus 27 oops bit cold that! stay warm

Mornin Det..how you doing?things getting back to normal now?

Right folksies..I put a couple of pics on yesterdays general thread, of hols,Ill put a couple on here, then tomorrow back to normal?


looking towards Los Gigantes







view from balcony of the room

[Quest for the key]

af day Wed 28 Nov

Morning mick (again !!)

I'll have a strong white coffee, no sugar, I'm sweet enough

[kuya]

af day Wed 28 Nov

Hello again, folks. Hair all nice a neat, I'm looking priiiitttttyyyyy fine if I say so myself, a real laideeee. :H

Mick.....you bin stalking me again? Found out I yabbering too much as usual ? I wish there was a prize for talking, you and I would fight it out for gold.

Starting to lose a little weight at last. Eating better is paying off. Also getting more sleep, you can't eat when you're asleep!

SL your decision NOT to go sounds strong, and that's what you need to be, firm in whatever you choose to do. The boss sounds like a bit of a knob.

Yah....you get my PM, plan B....I will PM you tomorrow. Need to pull on my big girl pants again.

PPQ.....got your head straight ? The next time you go away Mick send Porq some Valium, we thought you'd died! :H:H

Cantoo ....what u doing?

Questy....any dreams? U are welcome to send them.

Hi to all to come,

Laters

[porqoui]

af day Wed 28 Nov

Good Morning Satz, KY, SF, Mick, Quest and Treetops...thanks for the kickoff.

The extra "P"s in my pocket helped.

I'm sorta getting sorted and am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Great pic's Mick, glad you figured out how to make them bigger.

Have a great AF Wednesday all and all to come...PPQ

[Lavande]

af day Wed 28 Nov

Good morning Abbers around the world

Very nice pics Mick, I'll have to go back & look at the others
Feels 'normal' to have you back in the fold.

I have long wondered why folks bend to peer pressure about drinking AL
I never had a problem in that area ~ when I say NO then that's it......no discussion & no explanation needed!!!!! We are ADULTS, right? Peer pressure is a junior high school thing & has no place in my life. I now call that 'Lavan-ittude'

Wishing everyone a great AF Hump day!
Lav

[YoungAtHeart]

af day Wed 28 Nov

Hello fabbies! Short thread today. It sure is interesting to have two threads going simultaneously! I will post on whatever thread is "my time" when I post.

Thanks again for starting the thread, treetops. You have it wrapped over there being a whole day ahead. I have Scotch/Irish ancestry on my mother's side, and all of her father's male siblings, all were drunks except my grandfather. He, taking a different path, was profoundly depressed. Go figure!

Hi, Satz. I have some tendency to romanticize wine. My romance is based back on when I drank like a normal person. The reality now is not at all romantic; unless getting toasted every night and being overweight is romantic. Naw, don't think so.

I don't even want to TALK about dentists and what they cost!

Hey SF and Quest. I hope you've had a good day.

Beautiful pictures, Mick.

SL, one of the best things about being sober at parties is that if people start to get hammered, you can get up and leave, because you haven't been drinking. Any momentary twinge at the beginning of a party is so small compared to how good you feel about yourself afterwards when you don't drink, and when people get stupid and tedious, you're outta there. It has helped me to spend some time visualizing myself saying, "No thank you" or "I don't drink." Imagine yourself being successful standing up to AL. When you're ready to face the drinking world, you'll do fine.

Good on the weight loss, Kuya! Keep up the good work.

Glad to hear that you are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, PPQ. You are always so helpful to the rest of us.

Lav, I love your Lavanittude, and I think we should all try to have some.

Waves to all who are lurking today!

See you all tomorrow!

Hugs, :h

YahYah

[scottish lass]

af day Wed 28 Nov

Quick check in here - loving the Lavanittude - and have made the decision, and sticking to it, that I am not going the the party - just don't want to - last year it felt like a challenge, and one that I was ready to take on - this time it just feels too much, so not going:H. Thanks for all the words of wisdom and ideas, they are great - and will be kept in store for when I feel ready to go out.
Mick, your photos are wonderful - looks like a beautiful place to be!
Glad you are feeling ladyliek after your hair do KY.
Wet and rainy here today, and windy, with lots more to come - so buckling down for the night - chat to you tomorrow...

[Lavande]

af day Wed 28 Nov

Good for you SL
Stick to your guns & if anyone gives you any BS ~ send them to me :H :H
Stay safe in those storms!

YahYah, I'm thinking about offering Lavan-ittude lessons. Want to sign up? :H

[scottish lass]

af day Wed 28 Nov


Sign me up - I think I actually have a fair dose, probably the nurse factor - just have not used it to look after myself - use it a lot for other things, but it is refreshing to put myself first for once:l

[CanToo]

af day Wed 28 Nov

SL- good for you!

Mick - OMG that's beautiful! No wonder all the Corrie characters go there? . And yes I saw the news.

KY - hey now that you're all purdied up... Where are you going? I'm happy you saw movement on your weight.... The downward movement on the scale gives me motivation to continue the behavior. What have I been doing? Seeing doctors and physio therapist. She thinks I need to change my water sport. Twice today people have told me that 'the body has an expiry' and that 'things just wear out'. WTF. At leat my PT agrees with me and they can all F#%? @&&! Well the menopause thing I'll keep. Teehee.

Winning!

Glad to see you all here and AF.

Det - hope you are doing ok.....

CT