Ladies on a Mission: The Official Site

[narilly]

Way to go LC, you are sounding good. It sure is great to wake up feeling good. I Ana big fan of that!
Hey NS, sorry I wrote SL instead of NS. I agree, I could listen to him talk about anything! Ivor would have been a good name but he already is Elvis. Lol

SL, you sound great. Glad you are enjoying your day.

Gotta work tomorrow so goodnight all y'all.

[Pavati]

Hi, All:

So much action around here. I can't keep up these days, as work is FULL again.

J-Vo - you asked about my weekend away. This is an annual trip with VERY good friends and my husband, and a trip that involves a lot of drinking. We leave our kids, and hang out. It was a time when I didn't feel bad about drinking, and drinking didn't get in my way at all. I thought it would be impossible to enjoy sober. First, I thought it would be awkward for everyone that I was the one not drinking. Second, I thought I would be watching everyone else have a blast and I'd be wanting to go to bed early. On the day I quit, this trip was the first thing I thought about, even though it was still 8 months away.

The first year I was SO stressed before hand - not worried that I'd drink, but worried about all of the above. I ended up having such a good time - it wasn't awkward and I laughed hysterically, just like before. This year I got a little tense the day we were leaving - I was thinking about missing alcohol again, and I had had an extremely long, hard week at work, so I was missing that early, melty and great feeling of that first drink with friends. I got home and my husband was having a martini (one of my favorites) and I just about lost it. I was pissed at him for making it look so good - and pissed at myself for the pity party I was throwing, nearly TWO YEARS after I had stopped.

Well, we got on the road (we all drive in one mini van), and the concern melted away. I was still with good friends, and we laughed and had a ball. I romanticized that happy hour drink more this time than I did last year, but only for a moment. I made my special drink, enjoyed the view, and was both grateful and smug when I was the only one who felt fine on Saturday morning (well, and one other woman who doesn't drink much ever).

So, yes, it was more of a challenge than other things, but I had a really wonderful time (and I'm not just saying that), and it doesn't take much for me to remember that I don't want just one drink, and my rose colored look back at my drinking days is all just a bunch of BS. I think my friends and husband like me better not drinking, too, so there's that as well.

There's my rant. Good night, gloamers. Happy Veteran's Day.

Pav

[Choices]

Hi everyone. I just read through. It's so nice to read how everyone handles different situations. So helpful. I'm so tired or I'd wright more. I love how positive this thread is about a sober lifestyle but honors the challenges of those pop on thoughts.

[Choices]

I'm still doing well. I have that re-born feeling. I'm so glad I stopped. The option just isn't there for me anymore to drink. I feel so much better physically and mentally. It's great.

[j-vo]

Choices, that's so great. Not to be a downer, but always be on guard as this reborn feeling may shift a bit. But that's life. That's why this is such a great thread, so we can hash these moments out.

[lifechange]

Hello Gloamers,
I'm so beat! It's only 8pm and I think that after I do the washing up, I'm going to BED!
So I wish you all a lovely rest of your day.. or evening..or new morning!
Hugs to you all.

[treetops]

Hi there everyone. I had problems getting on to MWO today and now I had better start work. I haven't read back properly so please excuse the lack of specific references. I also have to get more acquainted with some of the new Gloamers (that is new for me as I have only posted on this thread for around one year). It does sound as if you all are handling the testing times of social (e.g. Pav on her weekend) and not-so-social (e.g. Choices and SL) encounters with AL whether it be in a weekend away with pals or eyeing up the red wine in the supermarket. My testing times, if any - and they don't seem to come up these days (but I always say "touch wood") are mental and have nothing to do with whether or not AL is around me. Its my state of mind and the stuff going on in life.
Its exam mania here at home with the daughter - and lots on at work for me. You all be good and catch you later.

[j-vo]

Thanks Pav for sharing. I remember your first time going without the drink, and I remember your fears months prior to this event. I was curious how things might have changed for you with two years under your belt.

I know overall you had a great time and I'm really happy for you. strange how our minds can be so strong one time and less the other, even with so much sobriety time. But you did say you had had a really tough week prior to the get away and I know when I'm overworked, overtired and over stressed, my vulnerabilities when faced with tough situations seem to get the best of me. My expectations of believing that I may never have that tug or wish or desire to drink in a situation like that may be unreasonable or just that it takes more than a few years for those things to completely dissipate. Even if there are those fleeting moments of desire for that feeling of the first few melty, good feelings, they are just moments. Thanks Pav.

Going to a fancy dinner tonight and there is no desire to drink as I wouldn't drink much in this particular situation. Son was asked to introduce a man who is being inducted into our communities sports hall of fame. It was a great honor for him to be chosen to do this and I'll be beaming with pride tonight!

Have a great night Gloamers.

[scottish lass]

Quick check in - my great day ended with a bang as I got home and found girls had done nothing (ie empty dishwasher, put away laundry) - in spite of a note - well, I lost it! Had had a nag about helping me out the night before - lots of remorse and we will's - but then no action! At least I did not feel guilty that it was AL driven! Felt guilty for shouting thou...
OK - quick check in here before I wind my way home...
Good to see everyone.
Very well done dear Pav - I also recall that trip too, successes are the best and that is a great one!

[Choices]

Just checking in to say I'm 30 days. Feeling proud. It wasn't easy at all but it's easier now if that makes since. My husband had a work function and overdid it on his drinking last night so hungover at home today. I am not jelous at all! He's so sick. He's getting sick of the whole thing too. But, not my place to tell him anything. He knows the other side too... And doesn't drink as much as I was. I think he missed sharing drinks with me and so tied one on a bit too much away from me. His path. His drinking doesn't upset me... Although now I'd like us to be sober buddies again. We'll see. J-vo thanks for the reminder ;-). And TT good luck to your daughter getting through exams. Hello to everyone else . Hope your all having a good day!

[Choices]

Well done Pav, on your trip and SL for not letting frustration get in the way of your goal!

[NoSugar]

A month for Choices and a week for LC - CONGRATULATIONS! And the same to any of us who don't get derailed when life happens. :hug:

[treetops]

Well done on 30 days Choices, and also a week for LC - and hang on in there SL. My daughter might work hard at her schoolwork but she does very little around the house - and neither does Mr GB (Grumpy Bum).

[little beagle]

TT i hear you on that! My hubby comes home, plops down on the sofa and is finished for the day unless I nag!!
Yay Narilly. A dachshund. They are so cute. Elvis is a great name too.
Thanks for that post Pav. Congratulations LC and Choices. Progress feels so wonderful.

[Pavati]

Hi,

SL - I acutally swore at my kids the other day. I texted a couple of times to say when we'd be home and that the kitchen should be clean, and the house looked like a typhoon hit it. I HATE losing it like that, but yes, I am so relieved that I know it wasn't due to alcohol. My fuse is so much longer these days.

CONGRATULATIONS, Choices! Whoot. Any 30 day speeches in the works?

7 days, LC. Like they say in the nest, you've been sober every day in the week.

Night, Gloamers...

xo
Pav