Monday 19th February

[lushy]

Monday 19th February

Morning muffs and muffin man!!!

Fan, hope you are feeling a little better today.

Hawk, good for you to take some selfish time. Think positive things!!! No dwelling on the negative or I will have to come over and slap you too.

Sophiah, sounds like lots of good life changes coming your way. Embrace them and know you are lucky to be able to retire at such a young age. What a gift.

Waves, you still counting yellow boxes?

Rachele, that is too bad about your friend. I have a heavy drinking friend who takes all of that crap you are not supposed to take when she is drinking. It is bad enough to drink too much but then Tylenol and all of those drugs are just brutal on the liver on top of it all. I am like you in that I want to kick this whole thing before I am forced to because of health issues. We CAN do this and we WILL.

SM-Mary, enjoy your day off. One of the perks of being a teacher.

Hey PreciousPinot where are you? Do not tell me you have disappeared. I miss you. Tell us how you are.

Paula, I had no idea you were going on vacation, but have a good time. We will miss you too.

Jenneh, I hope the house thing works out for you. I expect pictures to be PMd for me to see please!!!

Jude, I downed a whole bunch of supplements and my All-one before church yesterday on an empty stomach. Big mistake. I thought I was going to hurl during the sermon. Managed to not do that but ugh. I need food in my belly before I do that again.

Allie, how was the trip? You went to one of the Carolinas didn't you? Tell us all about it.

Ilex, the boards are a great place to help you formulate plans on whether you want to be abs or mods. 30 days is something to be very proud of. Something I should do but have not yet.

MKR, as always you amaze me how you just say no to your cravings. That is a lesson many of us could learn around here. Good job on the smoking and the drinking.

Phew! I am exhausted now. Hope I did not forget anyone but am sure I did. Have a wonderful Monday all. Don't know what I would do without you all!! :l

[Waves 2]

Monday 19th February

Hi all,

I am aware of all your individual concerns/hopes for the hols/future and give you all a massive hug.:l

Yesterday was the 14th anniversary of my dad's death and it made me remember how he was always there for me but I don't think I was there enough for him. I miss him.

Mary, I think it's a brilliant idea to revert to the weekly stating of intentions cos I sure have slipped recently.

Hubby has said that he thinks we should only drink when out and not in the house. Great idea but I think we will find that very hard at the weekend. However, I am extremely jealous that MKR has been told how good she looks and I want that too. So - Big efforts for me this week.

• No alcohol when at home.
• Daily walk.Catch up on work.

Will book hair appointment and eye package too. Anything to try to look 40 again.

Love to all of you as always.
Waves

[InnerStrength]

Monday 19th February

MKR Mary I think that is a really great idea.
Renewed goals:

Sunday - Thursday inclusive, no excuses ever -> AF!! Doesn't matter if hubby wants to have a drink etc. - I must be AF during the week. I have to do it. And I WAS doing it with an exception of the past week - surprisingly - brought on by HUBBY! What the heck!? (NOT that I blame him - he certainly didnt force me!!) Example -> Valentine's day - he had a bottle of red wine for us which we split and then some beers, so we each had one of those as well. While I certainly was not drunk or hung over on Thursday, I was still mad at myself.
Then on Thursday night, he tells me he forgot he had also gotten us a bottle of champaign (yes its confession time - I was too down in the dumps about it last week to tell all about it at that point). And so we split the bottle of champaign on Thursday night - also to celebrate being pre approved for our mortgage and some other financial matters coming together! So, I felt bad about myself the next day as well! Then the next night, we went out with the people we are likely purchasing the home from - who happen to be heavy drinkers - and we drank with them!
So this week, back to the goals and focus. I was doing really well and let it slip - even though not over board in terms of amount, I still didnt follow my goals.

SO, again AF - Sun - Thursday - no excuses.
Friday and Sat - one day AF and one day - MAX three drinks.

I have to do that or I HAVE to go AF. Thats it - and I already told hubby - he can't encourage any other way. I love him dearly but he has to understand that I have to be rigid about my schedule or I may fall back into old habits and I dont want that!

Thanks Mary for refocusing us all!
Love Jen

[Mighty Mouse II]

Monday 19th February

Hi Everybody, I've been away from the boards for a few days, and WOW, so much has happened! Between the frazleness of the radio show and making soup for five families in addition to the Oneg lunch for over 100, and pastries for the men's club, I can hardly stand up or see straight today! I am very sorry that our New Year has started off as a struggle. Perhaps we should all step back and have a special "new" New Year to help us set and jumpstart some goals that will get us where we want to be. New Year's resolutions are nice, but you know if they break down, its almost like a downward spiral. Its hard to get on track. So maybe we should set March 1st as our "new" year to start some real goals that will help us be where we want to be. It gives us something to look forward to and get excited about, think about, prepare for, and achieve.

I have been a little more fortunate, but only because of personal catastrophe. While I had been maintaining my goals, I couldn't get to the next level -- But when my father fell down stairs in a drunken stuper a couple of weeks ago, it catapulted me back into determination. I set some new goals that I could achieve and have been doing well. I have now gone six days without drinking at lunch. I usually have one to two at lunch and one to two at night. Now, with rare exception, I am only drinking in the evening. Starting March 1st, I plan to only have two in the evening instead of three. Though three is not considered a problem by most medical standards, it is not where I want to be. I want one or two. So, hopefully, March 1st I will be able to reach and stick with my goals. We'll see. Anyone who wants to join me in setting up a goal for March and having sort of a "buddy system", let me know.

MKR, Mary -- WOW, you must be soooo proud of your son. He and his children sound so special. Thanks for the comment about the dress -- I was having so much fun on Valentine's Day. But even my husband and son agree that the picture made me look about 10 years older than I actually look!!! Probably because I didn't have my hair -- my hair is probably my best feature. I have also been struggling with my weight for about six months -- ever since I got pneumonia (so you know what my goal will be in April!!!).

Sophia -- congratulations on your retirement!!!!

Allie, I didn't see anything wrong with your post. I think anything that comes from people's hearts are appropriate on this forum. After all, that is what this forum is all about -- helping each other deal with dnking AND THE EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS THAT PROMOTE IT. It was kind of you to care about us all so much that you wanted to clarify it!

Imagine, I still think that you and others who can cut and paste the names are brilliant. Everytime I try to do that, I lose it!!!! No one would ever acuse me of being a genious on the computer.
EVERYBODY, HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!

LOVE,
MM

[sammys]

Monday 19th February

Hi everyone renewing your goals sounds like a really good idea, cause I can get off track so easy sometimes.

It was so nice to see everyone here today, I just feel so lucky I have this opportunity to be part of this group.

Sammys

[Mighty Mouse II]

Monday 19th February

Sammys, we think that you are great too! It is so wonderful to have so many of us "holding hands" and supporting each other. I know I would have never gotten this far without all of the help I have received from so many people within this forum.

[Deniselb]

Monday 19th February

Hello all,
Love the idea of goals; AF on weekdays, 1-2 glasses of wine in the evening on weekends, 6-8 glasses of water daily, excersise 3X a week.

[Saint Jude]

Monday 19th February

Hey Denise, where is your avatar picture taken? It's not the Black canyon of the Gunnison is it? Looks like dark rock cliffs in the background...

I used to kayak that lower section a lot.

Lava Falls? God I miss doing white water! I pretty much stick with the flat water anymore... Maybe a class 3 once in a while.

[Mighty Mouse II]

Monday 19th February

Hi everybody. Hope people are feeling better this afternoon.

Judie and Denise, love the pictures. I am actually looking for some outdoor pictures that are public domain and avatar size. I am exploring the possibility of opening an internet environmental store that specializes in environmental-friendly products and services. I am currently doing website design and am looking for pictures for the outdoor environmental products. Judie, your avatar is perfect for some of the products, like the water monitoring kits and "how to" books on cleaning up the water for water sports -- those kinds of products. I'm also looking for a good hiking up a mountain picture for the air products. If anybody has any public domain avatars or suggestions, I would really love the input.

Hope all is well.

Monica

[Saint Jude]

Monday 19th February

Monica, glad you like the photo. That's me & my doggie, doing what we do best! I need to get one of him sitting up on his hind legs on the bow. He's quite a character... He did that in the middle of the river one day, when I said something about chow chow. He just sat right up & started begging, while on the boat.:H

[MKR]

Monday 19th February

Judie, Love your kayaking avatar back in place . . . must mean spring is around the corner!

MM, I use stock photography places. Purchase groups of photo credits at at time and sign releases that I will use them one time so if you are using it for the web, go back and buy it again to use it in print work. that type of usage. Saves a ton of time too! There are a couple places that have such nicely priced stock photos they are wonderful. Did a restaurant site where I had over 300 stock food photos on it and it was really cost effective.

Just read somewhere that Beth was 3 days not smoking so if everyone can cheer her on that is such a hard thing to overcome also!!!

Will hopefully have time tomorrow to check in personally with everyone.
I hope everyone is having a better day today . . .calm, calmer, calmest . . . .Hawk!!

[Mighty Mouse II]

Monday 19th February

Thanks Mary! That sounds great. Where do I find something like that?

Also, Mary, both you and Beth should be applauded for stopping smoking!!! I'm proud of both of you!!!!CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!

Monica

[Saint Jude]

Monday 19th February

MKR & Beth,

:goodjob: No smokn... Right Arm! Wish I could get my Hubby to do that!

Mary, I'm REALLY hoping spring's just around the corner... can't wait to get back on the river!

[Lucy Van Pelt]

Monday 19th February

saint Jude

I was an ex-smoker for so mamy years!! and then, when I became a single parent the stress put me back for a little while, but only for a little, then I quit again, but....under stress I would falter...ugghhh...so, for the last 10 years or so, I would pick up the cigs under stress. I picked up again recently with a vegance....again...secretivetlly..ugghh...I hate that about me...My hubby knew, but I never smoked in front of him, and I hid it from my kids. BUT, I have a 17 year old. WELL, she found the cigs in my purse, and she is soooo mature (so much more than me)....she left me a note in the pack saying..."Sure you want to have another addiction?".....that did it for me. I was just floored. I went out, bouught a ton of Nicorrette gum, and the next day, talked to her about it. She knows I have had times where I have gone back to smioking so it wasn't a difficult discussion. But it really hit home. So I am so commited to being done with that...and it IS NOT EASY

OK LIVE YOU GUYS

BETH

[Lucy Van Pelt]

Monday 19th February

meant to say Love you guys...but live you guys works too..lol

anyway...so hard to have a personal note to you all, but you all are sooo wonderful!!

Mary...you are just the best...you have been sooo supportive!! AND you are 50 days cigarrettes free as WELL??? that is AMAZING!!! YOU are my LEADER!!!

MM- You amaze me as well...actaully I don't know how you do it...you must be the busiest woman in the world!! I am a full time working mom, and actually for one year added to that Director of Programming of the Young Families Club at our Temple at it totally blew me out of the water...so....I don't know how you do what you do...It would definately make me continue to drink for sure Anyway, I couldn't handle the day to day stress...to much to do... yikes!!

Paula- If you get this before you leave for Florida...where are you going??? I am in West Palm area!!! Maybe we can meet up?? LEt me know!!

Everyone else...I love you all...

Love,

Beth