Ladies on a Mission: The Official Site

[Pavati]

Hi, Gloamers:

I concur, NS. My love and strength to all of you having hard times right now. Life is an endless supply of tough times, but thankfully also a lot of contentment, at least for me.

I'm with you Nar. Hard to believe how far we've come. I don't drink, and isn't that great.

NoSugar, I know you've talked about it before, but what was it that kept you from drinking when you were younger, and what was it that started you drinking later? Drinking was such a GIANT part of my younger life that it is hard for me to imagine that you didn't drink by choice. Not that now isn't a choice, but you get what I mean, right?

I read an op ed piece about how at least the blizzard was a good excuse to stay home, hunker down, and disconnect for a minute. I know that it caused havoc, but those photos of the streets empty of cars, and the quiet that snow brings - looks magical to me.

Happy Monday, Gloamers. Hope it was a great one.

Pav

[NoSugar]

Nice to see you, Pav. I know you've been managing a full life :wink:. My story is so boring - I grew up in a family with no AL - no problems or major prohibitions, just no interest on my parents' part. In high school I was very reluctant to get in trouble so ... I stayed out of it for the most part. Drank some Boonesfarm apricot something once with older friends and rum and coke once. As you can imagine, once was enough for both of those. I tried beer at the beginning of college and didn't like it. Had an occasional glass of wine in my 20s and early 30s and couldn't imagine why anyone would regularly drink something that tasted so bad. So, I guess it was lack of exposure, my perception that it tasted awful, and the fact that I didn't care what anyone thought about whether I did or didn't drink. It was absolutely a non-issue in my life. Which is part of why it was so hard for me to accept that it became such a huge problem. I started drinking for the stupidist reasons - health benefits of red wine and to appear/feel more sophisticated :egad: . My sister who is close to me in age still feels about the occasional drink that I used to feel - doesn't taste all that great or do anything for her. I sure wish I'd done what she has! (But then I wouldn't have met all of you :hug.

[j-vo]

A guy I graduated from high school with, and his wife lost their child on Saturday. I haven't seen them since high school, and was never friends with them (we graduated with over 1,000 kids) but my son informed me this boy worked with him as a caddie at Oakmont Country Club. He and three friends were on their way back to college (he was a college freshman) and slid on black ice. When son told me about him, I didn't connect his parents to him, then I saw the picture of him with his parents on FB today. Gosh, how can that happen. Another woman I'd gone to high school lost her daughter a few years ago, also in college. A parent's worst nightmare. It's not fair for that to ever happen.

Sorry to be such a downer. I was a work today, but my heart wasn't in it. I know this mood will pass, but it sucks going through it. I'm gonna get off right now, as I don't wanna put anyone else in a down mood.

One grateful thing today: I'm sober 98 days.

[treetops]

J Vo I think we can feel very sad when someone dies who has a situation that we can identify with. You are probably thinking a lot about connections with loved ones at the moment and naturally concerned about your son's going to College next year.
With our children I try to remind myself that Most of us will worry no matter what they do. There is always something. Even when my daughter goes swimming in the sea I worry. She is a strong swimmer and a sensible person who does not take risks but one can't control everything. And drowning is as a major fatality for people here in my country. I get anxious when she has a lift with other people in a car but logically an accident could just as much happen with me driving. You are in a vulnerable space at the moment my dear.

Hi there to everyone else. Good to see you Pav.

[little beagle]

Hugs J-vo. Late check in here.

[j-vo]

TT, you're right. I am at a vulnerable point. The not having control is difficult, but it's even more difficult to let go. It's part of life and we all have to do it. I'm going to rely on praying because I won't rely on booze.

Thanks LB. Back at ya.:hug:

[Choices]

Hi Jvo, it seams like when I am my most vulnerable stories like the one you mentioned hit me a lot harder. I think your exactly right the lack of control feeling. The world and life can be scary! It might help to light a candle, that can help to pay homage and light in a place that needs it.

I'm good. Finally some rain! So I need to mention this... Even though I don't want too... Which tells me that it's important that I do! My husband and I have been gifted some very nice bottles of... Wine and champagne. They were courier, and came in a really cool wooden box. I'm keeping the box because I want to store essential oils in it.. And I need to regift the bottles... But I found myself very picky on to who. Hubby just said he would give them away at work.. But I found myself possessive of these bottles. Wanting to save them to give to my father who visits in April or another family friend from my side in March... They are expensive and I guess I want to give them to someone who will enjoy them? I'm being kind of weird. Why do I give a hoot? They are in the house, I'm not needing to pour them out, but yeah,,? Just posting to stay on track.

[Choices]

Ok... Because I posted, it made me realise I need to give away the bottles this morning. I'm thinking about them WAY too much. And giving them too much value., when I think of how this could set me back or hurt me drinking one drop I've made my decision. I'm going to the gym, daughter will be at kids club.., after gym we will drive to where I use to work.. An art supply store.. And I'll text my friend who I enjoy our friendship and have her come out and get them.. I'll be to sweaty , so that's what my dilemma was... About going there.. Seeing old co-workers etc.. Looking gross. But I work out with her so she has already scene me .. Blah blah.. And, I did use to enjoy drinking with these people... So it's a good time to say here you go, enjoy, I don't drink... I don't see them much since I left my job, I miss them but was worried about seeing my friends there and saying I don't drink etc.. Silly.. As I'm sure they do not care and knew the sober me more anyway. (Thank goodness!)

[treetops]

Thats a great decision. Look at this way - a few days ago you didn't have these bottles and they were a gift. So its not like you are 'loosing' hard earned cash here. Pass them on and forget about them. I get given AL as gifts sometimes and thats what I do. In your early days of temptation you need this out of the house.
If all else fails - ask your husband to pass them on.

[narilly]

Good advice TT, just give them away. I agree. I used to love getting a bottle of wine as a gift but now chocolates will do just fine. It is interesting how things evolve when you aren't drinking. Everyone starts to figure out you really are not drinking and the gifts of wine slowly stop. I haven't been gifted booze for ages. Today I met a guy who was a great drinking buddy of mine and my hubby's. He was impressed that I had quit drinking and said he drinks a lot less now too.
I think it is a sign of getting older and booze making people sick. There are stats showing a large number of people stop drinking or slow down after they are 50. I remember reading that somewhere anyway...

JVo, that is so sad about your friends having lost children. That really sucks. There are no words to really express the sadness that brings. Hopefully these dark clouds pass you by soon girl so you can enjoy the sunshine.

Have a great sober day.

[Choices]

I texted my friend to see if she was at work.. And she was taking a mental health day.. So lucky for me I got to meet up with her for the exercise class I was going to. I told her that I'd stopped drinking and she looked surprised and was happy for me. She is such a cool chick. She's in her early 20's living the starving artist life style... And we laugh SO hard together. Nothing is better then a good friend you can laugh so hard with your cheeks hurt. Anyway, she was happy to receive them as she is saving money to go to Europe... Etc. Honestly, I wish I could of enjoyed them with her... But, that isn't my reality. And I am glad to have them away from me. She asked if my not drinking was for good. I told her I hope so, as I feel a lot better. And that when I didn't drink before for four years I felt great.. So was going to stick with it. She told me I looked great, and kept meaning to tell me. Yesterday I got my hair done and my hairdresser who is kinda a friend,, told me I looked really, really good... SO even though I can't really see a difference in my appearance and haven't lost weight.. I must be looking healthy. I am going to soak the compliments up for the rest of the day. I wanted to drink that gift, so I'm very glad I posted and got rid of it sooner then later.. If I didn't it would have taunted me. I wish it would have been nice chocolate! Yum! Maybe I'll make a chocolate treat for us to have after dinner. Thanks TT and Nar, everyone here. I'm feeling good and doing well, but just in a blindside kind of way re alcohol at the moment. I'm SO glad I'm here. Thank you!

[NoraC]

Just wanted to drop in and say hello. It really helps to be able to read your posts. I just wanted to say thank you everyone.

I also hated the taste of alcohol. Guess I figured out that I can drink day and get a buzz. Yucky!

j-vo - sorry to hear about that tragedy. I've had to go to two different funerals for teenagers. Heartbreaking.

Choices- glad that it all worked out with getting rid of the wine. Great decision.

[treetops]

Choices - this is a new ice-cream I have discovered. Dont think your daughter will like it but I bet you and hubby would. No alcohol in it.

Tiramisu

[little beagle]

Great decision Choices. I still don't like alcohol in my house.
Happy late 3 years NS.
J-vo Pitt sounds like a nice place fot your son to go. It'll be nice to see him on weekends some.
Thinking of you Jane.

[Choices]

Ah- Yummm! TT must have some. I love Movenpick. It is a guilty pleasure for sure. And hubs loves tiramisu .. (As do I). I am feeling better and better every hour from my re gifting. Wow, just the look of the stuff.. Yeeks! I actually loved the taste of alcohol. Especially the stuff I got rid of. And beer,,, all of it. But, enough of that!!! I did the right thing. Posting, saved me. Last time that was my mistake. It was in the house... I knew it. Had a bad day... Didn't post... This time I posted and got it out of the house asap. It wasn't here 24 hours. Sorry to go on about it, but it was really hard to let it go. I feel great now.