Monday 19th February

[Ilex]

Morning All - feeling a bit fed up and grouchy this morning. Maybe just 'cos it's Monday - maybe cos I drank at the wekend and I feel cross and dispointed with myself. I don't know why really as I had given myself permission to drink; but somehow I didn't get much else done. I am frightened that I will just slip back into my old ways - already being AF for 30 days and the pride I felt with that seems a long way away now. Maybe I'm just being too hard on myself. Maybe part of the problem is that I don't have any goals to work to now. Maybe I need to set some? Maybe it's that realisation (again!) that just because I've stopped drinking or are moderating that all my problems aren't majestically 'fixed'. Maybe it's just a reminder of that - like Irish's painted wall.....

Anyway enough navel staring and rambling - time for a brighter attitude! Hope everyone has a great Monday whatever you are doing - are most of you stateside here??

I x

[fsophiah]

Monday 19th February

Good morning. I haven't been here for a few days beccause since last week and my early retirement offer, I've been in the process of deciding whether I'm leaving my 27-year career teaching. It's been a good career. I've won some awards, and I've gotten a Ph.D. My whole life has ticked on a nine-month schedule from inservice to graduation. This year, when we march in to graduation in our academic robes, it will be the last time for me. I'm taking the offer. I haven't been able to get my brain around much of anything else. I lost my car keys sometime yesterday, and they were my only ones, so I'll have to get my husband to drive me to work and call the dealership.

I had to fly to Austin on Friday to meet with my mother's accountant Saturday morning, then back to Dallas Saturday afternoon, then to a party Saturday night, then doing taxes, then discovery of lost car keys, so stressin' and stressin'. Overload, exceeding my limit of wine and not exercising. I need to breathe. With all this, all I can focus on is the car keys. Isn't that funny?

I look our my window, and there's a plastic bag floating, just like the one in American Beauty. Maybe I need to remember that and look for a new day.

[dilayne]

Monday 19th February

Mornin' Glories!
Just flying by to say hi. I've been traveling the last two weekends and am looking forward to a simpler schedule..feeling hopeful about the future..and the spring. Hugs all around..will be back later.
Namaste!
Di

[betty boop]

Monday 19th February

Hi Ilex, this drinking lark is a pain in the neck isn't it ...

Like you I did an AF spell, then mods, the strange thing is that I'm planning to drink while on holiday but i'm already looking forward to being AF when I get back, how strange is that then?????

Sophia, yes look for the new day, thinking of you ......

Much love and hugs to all to come yet, I'll try and check in again, but we leave at 8am in the morning for Florida

I'll miss you guys xxx

[Quiescent]

Monday 19th February

Good Morning Moddies,

Ilex, I think it's definitely a good idea to set some goals or have some limits in place. Congratulations on 30 days AF, what a terrific accomplishment!

Sophia, congratulations on your retirement! Sometimes our brains know when we need to hone in on just one thing because the alternative is overwhelming. I know when I'm overwhelmed exercise does help.

A girlfriend of mine told me yesterday that she went to the doctor for burning in her stomach. They did a scope and found she has an ulcer. She has been a heavy drinker for years. They said the ulcer isn't from the drinking, it's from the years of taking Excedrin for the hangovers! Anyway when they did her scope, they tested her liver function......her enzymes are off. She was told she had to stop drinking. When I talked with her yesterday, it had been two weeks since she quit. Her entire life revolved around drinking and she had gone two weekends in a row without touching it. I suppose when you are told your life is in the balance it's easier to make that choice. I just hope I don't have to be ill to get a hold over the drinking beast.

Have a great Monday!
Love Ya,
Rachele

[Quiescent]

Monday 19th February

Hi P, ( I would rather call you that than Betty, is that okay?)

We were posting at the same time.......

I hope you have a terrific time in Florida!

[Hawk]

Monday 19th February

Morning all -

Sophia - congratulations on the retirement. Its a whole new beginning. Sounds like you have had a whirlwind few days and I totally understand the focus on the keys!!

Ilex - goals are good. I do much better when I have them. My goal is to always have a daily goal. Easier said than done.

Paula - Enjoy FLA!

Di - good to see you. You sound ready for quiet time!

Rachele - Sorry to hear about your friend. Ulcers are no fun. I was diagnosed with one at 20. It was stress and sometimes, I still feel a tinge of it. I am notorius for Tylenol, Advil, anything....so this is a good reminder to think before I take anything. I do hope your friend does OK and the issue was caught early.

To all who come after - have a good one. I am still on low key, selfish Hawk time. I think its helping.

[betty boop]

Monday 19th February

Rachele, I whats really strange is that all my close friends and family call me P (rather than Paula) so of course you can call me P xx

Anyone got any advice on how to deal with a 10 year old that is already wheeling her flight bag round the house, and generally climbing the walls with excitement and we don't actually leave till tomorrow .... It's gonna be a long day :H :H :H

Paula xx

[soccermom]

Monday 19th February

Good Morning All!
P--have a wonderful, safe trip!! You are going to have a blast!
Ilex-30 days AF is something that I've always admired to begin with.
Di-enjoy your restful rest of the week.
Rach---we'll get there--Love you!
Hawk- how are you this morning? I've been thinking of you and hope you are feeling better about things.
Sophia-I can relate about the 9 month year. Are you feeling like you'll miss it so much, because I can see that, because you sound like an amazing teacher who bonds and interacts with your students. And then you just won't have that. Or am I just totally off. Because retirement sounds wonderful too!! In so many wonderful ways!! Find those car keys! dang--I hate when that stuff happens!
I'm just happy it's a holiday today!!
Love you all!
mary

[Hawk]

Monday 19th February

SM Mary - better today. Still taking it really slow and easy. I just need to decompress from all the craziness around me and get centered. So....better!

[InnerStrength]

Monday 19th February

Hello all
I hope everyone is well. Sounds like a holiday for a lot of you. I am working today but that's ok....
Still working on the house thing...
Jen.

[Saint Jude]

Monday 19th February

Morning ya'll.
It's my Saturday!! Had a busy week @ work, with the holiday weekend... thinking maybe I should go shopping & spend some of that cash I made!

Hey P, have a wonderful trip! I hope you get to see some mannattees! I was checking out some diff sites on the web, for when we go to Fla, in April. "Discovery Cove", looks great! Swim with the dolphins, hopefully we'll be able to do that!

Sophia, Congrats on retiring! Sounds wonderful:goodjob:

Hang in there Ilex, some days are just better than others...

Hi Sm Mary! Have a great day off. It's my Saturday, wow! I actually have a day off the same time as everyone else..for a change.

Rachele, I think I must have a "cast iron gut"! I do wonder sometimes, when I take all my supps in the morning... on an empty stomach... lately I try to at least eat a cracker or 2...Just not hungry that early, but I like to get all my pills outa the way.

Hawk glad you're feeling a bit bettter.

Hope everybody has a great day!
:l Judie

[Saint Jude]

Monday 19th February

Hi Jenneh! We were posting @ the same time:wavin:

[MKR]

Monday 19th February

Do you ever just burst out laughing, when you suddenly remember that I'm always with you, right by your side, marshalling the troops, summoning legions, moving mountains, constantly planning for the best of times?

The very, very best of times.

**** The Universe
__________________________________

Sounds like a lot of us are struggling and I would just like say that back in June/July mods we started every month with our goals written out for all to see and revisited them almost weekly. We learned a lot from each other still making it an individual program per se. At that point I learned so many little details from Judie on how to fashion a program . . thanks!

What does your mods plan look like, what has worked best, what has been the hardest aspect of it?

I don't know if anyone wants to share on this topic. I find that even this far into so many moderate days, I thought a LOT about stopping at the liquor store this weekend to buy a "small" bottle of rum. . . then came the . . . how about a pack of cigarettes too? I am 50 days smoke free today but why would I have those relentless thoughts? Cigarettes are so much harder for me to stop and there is no "mods" action for me on cigarettes. It is finished period. The ONE thing that kept me from stopping at that store was . . . You all here on the boards. I am so thankful for you.

Exercise 5-7 times a week on the recumbent bike
Drink 8-12 glasses of water per day
Get 7-8 hours of sleep per night
Drink alcohol later in an evening if I am going to have any
Do one nice thing, just for me every couple days
Come to the boards as often as is possible, you all keep me sane and honest about this

To all struggling, we are here to help support each other, just ask, to all doing their programs really well, kudos please share what works for you!

Hugs and Love,
Mary

[Quiescent]

Monday 19th February

Judie,

Do you take all of your kudzu at the same time!