@RubyRed427, I like the quotes. Like the John Hamm one, I recall hearing Dr. Christiane Northrup saying years ago that when we’re young unhealthy things say to us, “Aren’t we having fun?” Then about age 40 they announce, “Now we’re going to make you OLD.” Wisdom.
@RubyRed427, I like the quotes. Like the John Hamm one, I recall hearing Dr. Christiane Northrup saying years ago that when we’re young unhealthy things say to us, “Aren’t we having fun?” Then about age 40 they announce, “Now we’re going to make you OLD.” Wisdom.
Few pics from our trip to Fort William today. Stopped off at a few different places before we got there. The scenery always fills us with wonder, no matter the weather. It was a bit rainy today, but like I seen in a local shop ....."In Scotland there is no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes." (Got a Maccy D drive thru for dinner, we are taking small steps back to normality thank goodness. That was our first time going anywhere since this whole lockdown started).
Getting soaked at Fort William!
Fort William
Glad to be home now, dry & warm in my Pjs! I will sleep tonight!
@FeelinFooFoo, Thank you so much for sharing the beautiful pictures. It makes me SUPER homesick. I remember going to Ft. William and then taking the ferry over to Mull. Funny, our pictures of that trip have identical weather. Ha! It's still gorgeous. It must have been really nice to be out in nature. Hope Scotland does the "reopening" in a more sane fashion than Texas did. We are a total hotspot and I'm wondering when we'll ever be able to be out and about safely. Sigh.
Today I celebrate "independence" from alcohol! I am missing it somewhat today; old habits die hard. But I do remember last 4th of July I was sober and same with today. The neighbor asked if I wanted some wine I said "Nope I am trying to stay clear of wine!" She laughed. She said "Ok how about some tea." See... no one really cares if you don't drink.
p.s. She is the one who told me about THREE DUI she has had including an 18 month stint in jail due to DUI. She has not car currently and lost her nursing position. As she told me I was scared straight. She said the DUI ruined her life. She lost her career, house and money.
@FeelinFooFoo, Thank you so much for sharing the beautiful pictures. It makes me SUPER homesick. I remember going to Ft. William and then taking the ferry over to Mull. Funny, our pictures of that trip have identical weather. Ha! It's still gorgeous. It must have been really nice to be out in nature. Hope Scotland does the "reopening" in a more sane fashion than Texas did. We are a total hotspot and I'm wondering when we'll ever be able to be out and about safely. Sigh.
Scotland is moving at a slower pace than England. Still, things are re opening but exactly how it's all going to work out is the great unknown....but yeah it's opening up slowly it seems. Face masks are mandatory already on public transport and next Monday it will be mandatory to wear them in all shops. I guess they offer some protection alongside social distancing measures. It was exactly what I needed today. I couldn't spend another day indoors even although it was raining on and off today I was glad to see sheep and cows, ducks and lakes, and all that wonderful scenery. I like it when you can't get a signal on the phone or radio, and your out in the wilderness, even just for a little while. It makes you feel totally away from it all 😊
Good morning! It's Sober Sunday in the midwest. So happy I didn't drink last night on Fourth of July because today I have a massage. Will not be going to it hungover! How's everyone's weekend?
Good afternoon here in Scotland, sober Sunday here as well. I am about to commence my Spa Day here at home, body scrub, face scrub, hair & face mask & then I'm gona give myself a mani and pedicure. Think I might put the video game on, bit of a storm outside and kinda fed up watching t.v. programmes 🙄
Had to turn nurse again today. My wee brother arrived home at 2:30am worse for wear and he has felt so rough this morning, he was asking for cuddles ! Which I gave him and also we had another long chat about him taking it easier. We shall see.
@FeelinFooFoo, your wee brother is lucky to have you. I would imagine seeing him suffer helps you stay resolved not to go back down that road!
@RubyRed427, enjoy your massage! That sounds wonderful, and it would be so yucky to be hungover for such a nurturing event.
I decided to splurge on Kate Bee's 6-week course that begins tomorrow. I was probably going to do it anyway when I added up what drinking costs, but then Thursday an unexpected project fell into my lap. I sort of felt the universe was talking to me. The project will more than cover the cost of the course. Kate does offer money back during the first 7 days, so if I feel like it's just not my cup of tea, there is that. She asks for a 6-week ironclad commitment to not drink, and that will help me stick to it, I think. The six weeks will end on our first day of school (whatever form that will take).
@donimfp We look forward to hearing what the program entails. I imagine it will be quite motivating and eye opening. Please share any thing you learn! @FeelinFooFoo Lovely idea to have a spa day at home. I feel for your brother. I was him many many times. Sundays suck when you're hungover. He will learn with your help and love. I agree with @donimfp seeing him suffer makes our resolve even stronger.
I remember about three years ago... or maybe four. I was in a fancy rooftop bar. The bartender kept bringing me drinks even when I didn't ask. I remember drinking down martinis like they were water. Then, I saw myself from above. I was having probably an outer body experience... and I remember thinking. "Who are you? Why can't you stop drinking? Why does he keep bringing you more? ...." It was one of several aha moments in my life. It was the realization that I am not like my friends. I am not normal. I have an addiction and the only way to stop is to just accept it I have no off switch. Not wish I could drink. Not hope I will be able to in the future. Just accept reality. I cannot stop once I start. So, it's a pretty easy decision for me. Do I want to live my life regretting my decisions, risking my life and organs, waking up wanting to die? NO No NO. I don't want that life. I am totally in control of my decisions. There is such peace in accepting yourself for what you are. Thanks for listening!
@RubyRed427 keep posting! I love your posts 😊 and yeah I have been quite frank in my discussions with my brother and I told him honestly, seeing him suffering like this is definetly strengthening my resolve. He could totally appreciate where I was coming from. I also told him that I wish he had chosen to join me and my other half for the day trip to Fort William because I knew that he would be binge drinking, instead. He actually said "I wish I had came with you guys instead." But I know he has to live and learn and make his own decisions. I also explained to him that, really, it's also not fair that we have to witness him in these states so often. He was actually shaking this morning repeating how he won't drink again. And I had a chance to tell him that I do now worry when he goes out, cos I know what he has ahead of him the next day. Its tough and it's making me realise what I will probably have to go through when I have my own children!
@RubyRed427 your comment re: No OFF switch, reminded me of watching The Fifth Estate on YouTube (Canadian news docu-type show) It was entitled, "The Pour ~ Treating Alcoholics with Wine" It is a residential treatment facility, The Oaks, for chronic alcoholics who have failed several attempts at conventional treatment programs. Every hour the residents line up to get their "pour" of a prescribed amount of homemade wine made on site...from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. every hour on the hour. Being served up to 3 bottles of wine over the course of 14 hours...it was a very interesting account of how these people are actually regulated and able to have some kind of a life, keeps them off of the streets, they are dispensed their medications regularly, fed healthy food regularly and have a social life within the home. It is funded in part by the residents through whatever $$ they have coming in. The commentator asked the doctor who created and facillitates this program about the 3 bottles of wine that residents drink in a day...certainly that can't be good for a person? he says. Of course it isn't, says the doctor...it will kill them BUT this way they can die with dignity...death is inevitable for these ones, but it is how they die that is the difference between leaving them to their disease on the street and giving them a hand up to house & treat them...they also had a law enforcement officer talking about the drain alcoholism takes on emergency resources and how this program has actually eliminated the drain with some of these hard-core alcoholics being taken care of because they are off the streets and their drinking is monitored so they don't get crazy drunk and into all types of criminal behavior. The residents do not get intoxicated, if there are any signs of them being so, it is addressed by holding off their next "pour" longer....it just keeps them from being sick and allows them to function within their disease...as I watched this show it saddened me tremendously to see the toll that alcohol can have on people's lives...most of these people were at rock bottom in a big way, losing their families, friends, homes, jobs etc before they were offerred this treatment option, but to me their lives are still in the toilet...better than they were but not great by any means. YET, this is the hold that alcohol has on those of us who have a problem. As we know here, there are varying degrees, but it all leads to one thing...unhappiness in varying degrees and eventually it WILL kill us! sooner or later! and it most cases make us very sick until we die. The temporary escape & buzz is not worth it!
I remember being his age and binging. I would not drink daily - just binge when I went out with friends. It may take awhile for him to learn, but in the meantime at least he has your guidance, empathy and awareness. I didn't have anyone to tell me " this is a problem when you binge or can't stop". I had to learn over and over again.
You had such a wonderful day at Fort William. I will have to look it up to see what it is all about.
My 19 year old daughter went camping this weekend; I packed a bunch of ibuprofen, tummy medicine and ginger ale for her just in case they were drinking. I didn't want her to feel sick. Sometimes, I am petrified thinking if either of my grown kids have my drinking issues. But I have told them several times about my issues; no beating around the bush. I told them just be aware that alcoholism runs in my Russian family.
@RubyRed427, I will certainly share anything I think might be interesting or beneficial. Our 3 pre-course suggestions were to stock up on plenty of NA alternatives (check), get a journal (check), and take a selfie (Will do tomorrow morning when I’ll be Skyping with a student and thus wearing makeup). I’m looking forward to an adventure. Kate answered me personally when I had a question (clearly not a canned or surrogate response). I like the fact that the course members become a support network like this one. It’s not just content delivery.
Re: your comment that you wished you could be “normal,” I relate to that. On the other hand, I wonder how it can be normal to ingest alcohol on any kind of regular basis and “seem” unaffected. So many people do, but that creates a real cognitive dissonance with what I know to be true about alcohol. Oh well. I just need to tend my own garden.
My middle son just turned 21 and Ive let him know to not start drinking. I cant control his decision but I can try to persuade him. Alcoholism is in the family. The others I dont worry. I know my oldest has a few here and there but theres something about my son that makes me worry. And Im sure to tell him. I never thought I would be an alcoholic. I say look what happened to me.
I dont know anyone else that just drinks normally. Normally meaning a day or 2 with one or two drinks. People that I know that drink drink every day and plenty of it. Does that label them alcoholics? Idk. My husband was trying to get me to drink this past weekend. I suppose he misses the old me to some extent. There is nothing Ive left behind that makes me want to go back not even the "closeness" we once shared. In fact I find him pitiful most days and wish somehow he would get that wakeup call. Especially after an article I read friday night on what alcohol does to your liver. Reading truthful articles like that still scare me.
♥ to you all
Replies
@RubyRed427, I like the quotes. Like the John Hamm one, I recall hearing Dr. Christiane Northrup saying years ago that when we’re young unhealthy things say to us, “Aren’t we having fun?” Then about age 40 they announce, “Now we’re going to make you OLD.” Wisdom.
😜😆
Getting soaked at Fort William!
Fort William
Glad to be home now, dry & warm in my Pjs! I will sleep tonight!
p.s. She is the one who told me about THREE DUI she has had including an 18 month stint in jail due to DUI. She has not car currently and lost her nursing position. As she told me I was scared straight. She said the DUI ruined her life. She lost her career, house and money.
Scotland is moving at a slower pace than England. Still, things are re opening but exactly how it's all going to work out is the great unknown....but yeah it's opening up slowly it seems. Face masks are mandatory already on public transport and next Monday it will be mandatory to wear them in all shops. I guess they offer some protection alongside social distancing measures. It was exactly what I needed today. I couldn't spend another day indoors even although it was raining on and off today I was glad to see sheep and cows, ducks and lakes, and all that wonderful scenery. I like it when you can't get a signal on the phone or radio, and your out in the wilderness, even just for a little while. It makes you feel totally away from it all 😊
Glad you enjoyed the pics!
Had to turn nurse again today. My wee brother arrived home at 2:30am worse for wear and he has felt so rough this morning, he was asking for cuddles ! Which I gave him and also we had another long chat about him taking it easier. We shall see.
@RubyRed427, enjoy your massage! That sounds wonderful, and it would be so yucky to be hungover for such a nurturing event.
I decided to splurge on Kate Bee's 6-week course that begins tomorrow. I was probably going to do it anyway when I added up what drinking costs, but then Thursday an unexpected project fell into my lap. I sort of felt the universe was talking to me. The project will more than cover the cost of the course. Kate does offer money back during the first 7 days, so if I feel like it's just not my cup of tea, there is that. She asks for a 6-week ironclad commitment to not drink, and that will help me stick to it, I think. The six weeks will end on our first day of school (whatever form that will take).
Hope everyone finishes the weekend having AF fun!
@FeelinFooFoo Lovely idea to have a spa day at home. I feel for your brother. I was him many many times. Sundays suck when you're hungover. He will learn with your help and love. I agree with @donimfp seeing him suffer makes our resolve even stronger.
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ON that note, have a happy, healthy AF day!!
I remember being his age and binging. I would not drink daily - just binge when I went out with friends. It may take awhile for him to learn, but in the meantime at least he has your guidance, empathy and awareness. I didn't have anyone to tell me " this is a problem when you binge or can't stop". I had to learn over and over again.
You had such a wonderful day at Fort William. I will have to look it up to see what it is all about.
My 19 year old daughter went camping this weekend; I packed a bunch of ibuprofen, tummy medicine and ginger ale for her just in case they were drinking. I didn't want her to feel sick. Sometimes, I am petrified thinking if either of my grown kids have my drinking issues. But I have told them several times about my issues; no beating around the bush. I told them just be aware that alcoholism runs in my Russian family.
Re: your comment that you wished you could be “normal,” I relate to that. On the other hand, I wonder how it can be normal to ingest alcohol on any kind of regular basis and “seem” unaffected. So many people do, but that creates a real cognitive dissonance with what I know to be true about alcohol. Oh well. I just need to tend my own garden.
I dont know anyone else that just drinks normally. Normally meaning a day or 2 with one or two drinks. People that I know that drink drink every day and plenty of it. Does that label them alcoholics? Idk. My husband was trying to get me to drink this past weekend. I suppose he misses the old me to some extent. There is nothing Ive left behind that makes me want to go back not even the "closeness" we once shared. In fact I find him pitiful most days and wish somehow he would get that wakeup call. Especially after an article I read friday night on what alcohol does to your liver. Reading truthful articles like that still scare me.
♥ to you all