Just back from a good long walk through local forest area. That was good! Sun was out and blue skies so I soaked it all up.
On way home we noticed the local pub/restaurant/B&B was open. It's got outdoors areas and today all pubs / resturaunts etc can open for business as long as it's served outdoors so we decided to nip in. It was quiet cos it's a Monday so we got seated straight away. Had a nice lunch sat in the sun and I ordered a sparkling water with lime, other half got a pint of lime & lemonade. I thanked him for being so supportive cos I think he would have also enjoyed an ice cold pint for his first time back in a pub since lockdown but he said he didn't mind. It did feel a little strange ordering a water, looking around I seen all the wine bottles and glasses, pints of beer ! My eyes were darting around lol but I managed it without any issues so I'm glad about that!! What I really enjoyed ? Thinking how much money we saved. A large wine would have been £6-£7 and a pint £4....normally we would have sat and had a few drinks so I got a 'buzz' thinking of the money saved.
Hi there ! Had a great workout with personal trainer. I can't imagine drinking the night before a session; I am so happy I didn't last night. Tonight, the neighbor across the street is coming over for dinner. I gave her a few basil plants and she would like to make me basil mozzarella flatbread. She is the one who told me she just got out of jail for 18 months for a third DUI. I asked her what wine does she like? So, I bought her a moscato; I do not like moscato so that won't be an issue, and she can take the bottle home.
I am a picky alcoholic. I have no inclination to drink something I don't like.
I watched two episodes of unsolved mysteries last night. That scared me. I had bad dreams and then I let my imagination get carried away and worried about having the new neighbor over. Of course, in the morning, I realized I am silly to think that way. BUT it is good to be cautious in new relationships/friendships.She says she is lonely and lives with a schizophrenic adult brother. She said she has no friends. Anyway..... her house is in foreclosure and she has no money, car or job due to the recent prison time.
I'm scared straight over here in the midwest! Her life is a nightmare, but I hope to give her a little bit of friendship. They say people cross paths with you to teach you something; I am sure I can learn a lot from her.
@aroze0928 I have a 22 year old son and a 19 year old daughter. My daughter has anxiety (but is on meds) and I feel that that has been one of the reasons I turned to alcohol year ago. Anyway, I agree with you as a parent to tell our children the lessons we have learned and about the familial patterns of alcoholism/heavy drinking that run in our family.
@Carp614, That is awesome. Everything being better is what I'm looking forward to.
Day 1 of The Sober School class. Introductions from 125 women from all over the world. Interesting to realize how universally misery-making alcohol is. I never seem to stay off the alcohol long enough to get to the "good bits," as Kate calls it. Hoping this commitment to a solid 6 weeks will at least give me a glimpse of the good bits, enough to want to continue after that.
Another sober Independence Day, check.
Hope everyone had a good one!
We had some young folks out on the boat drinking White Claw. Erg, even when I was drinking, I had my standards
I've noticed those nearest and dearest to me are drinking far less. I am not judging or saying anything, but I'm also no longer leading by (bad) example.
I found a hop-essenced seltzer that is awesome. It doesn't pretend to be beer but it gives me that hoppy happy that I've been missing in the warmer weather. Have not been motivated to find an alcohol-free beer substitute.
This book may have been mentioned here before, but if it was, I missed it. I'm reading "Mrs. D. Goes Without" by Lotta Dann. I'm finding it delightful and insightful. It's her account of mostly the process of quitting drinking, with just a little of her background, which is fairly tame. She was a drinker like many of us--keeping it together well with job, kids, etc., but drinking way too much. I've read a good bit of "Quit Lit," and I'm enjoying this light read very much. I bought the Kindle version after reading the almost unanimous 5-star reviews on Amazon.
@lorrainequiche59 That story you shared about the wine delivery on the hour throughout the day is quite sad that it has to even happen but I understand how it is a more dignified way to die if someone is set on killing themselves with alcohol. I know a few of us have known people who have died of alcoholism who didn't want to stop no matter the begging of family members.
My cousin's wife survived organ failure and was released from the hospital. My cousin picked her up and she asked "Where is the vodka?" He said are you crazy, you want vodka after it nearly killed you. She yelled and hit him and ordered him to take her to the store. Needless to say she died a few months later. Tragic.
I am not completely sober but not drinking regularly has changed my life! I can enjoy a glass of wine on occassion, a beer here and there but most of the time I drink flavoured sparkling water. I just love feeling 100% all the time.
One bad hangover did it for me, I couldn't imagine why I would ever do that to myself again. It changed my whole mentality on alcohol. My only struggle now are friends who can't understand why I wouldn't drink. "We just want you to have fun!" and hand me a drink or line up some shots. Telling people I don't drink just because is almost not an option. I wish being sober wasn't such a weird thing to everyone... I have just as good of a time without booze than most of my crew does drunk.
@aroze0928 I have a 22 year old son and a 19 year old daughter. My daughter has anxiety (but is on meds) and I feel that that has been one of the reasons I turned to alcohol year ago. Anyway, I agree with you as a parent to tell our children the lessons we have learned and about the familial patterns of alcoholism/heavy drinking that run in our family.
I have a 22 and 18 yr old daughter. The oldest drinks sparingly. Youngest... well, jury is still out there.
I think their dad and I did enough to scar them in their younger years that hopefully they will not go down the road we did.
I have a lifetime of making up to do! I think they are both super proud that I am currently AF!
In yesterday's Sober School, we were asked to make a list titled "Things I Hated [past tense] about Drinking." My list is very, very long. It was an interesting and useful exercise for me because I have often made "Why I Want to Quit Drinking" lists, which focus on what I will gain (better sleep, weight loss, improved appearance, more time, etc.). However, those potential gains are kind of abstract because I haven't really experienced them yet. But the things I hate(d) about drinking are very vivid and real to me: waking up at 3 a.m. in a panic, puffy face in the mirror, nausea, increased blood pressure/blood sugar."
It's a subtle little switch, but I think this list will be the one I refer to when I'm tempted to drink, simply because it is so real and painful for me. The positives seem very far off when the booze is beckoning. The negatives are just a drink away.
Sitting with a lemon water, just about to complete the housework (done most of it yesterday) then I'm gona make lunch & sit and get back into my book. The weather looks kinda okay today, so be able to get a seat in the garden for a bit as well.
So glad I was able to get up early this morning hangover free & enjoy my coffee. If I had indulged in alcohol yesterday, I would have been feeling sick, stuck in bed, feeling low & my only hope would have been the Chinese takeaway opening at 16:30 which would have meant id be sleeping until then. (To avoid how *kitten* I felt).....so glad that isn't the case !! 👍
In yesterday's Sober School, we were asked to make a list titled "Things I Hated [past tense] about Drinking." My list is very, very long. It was an interesting and useful exercise for me because I have often made "Why I Want to Quit Drinking" lists, which focus on what I will gain (better sleep, weight loss, improved appearance, more time, etc.). However, those potential gains are kind of abstract because I haven't really experienced them yet. But the things I hate(d) about drinking are very vivid and real to me: waking up at 3 a.m. in a panic, puffy face in the mirror, nausea, increased blood pressure/blood sugar."
It's a subtle little switch, but I think this list will be the one I refer to when I'm tempted to drink, simply because it is so real and painful for me. The positives seem very far off when the booze is beckoning. The negatives are just a drink away.
The lists are such good ideas to reflect on and remind / reinforce resolve, I think. I made up a list quite recently titled After Bingeing. I listed all the undesirable & negative effects of after a binge, but I also included all the rubbish that can happen during. Bursting into tears, was 1 of them. I clearly remember being out at the pub, last year I'm sure with my partner and we were basically just getting drunk. We seemed to be enjoying ourselves and suddenly I began crying, right there in the middle of the pub. I had grossly underestimated just how drunk I had became and I remember feeling quite embarrassed and wondering how on earth, when I'm meant to be 'enjoying' myself, am I crying ?? Just proves how alcohol messes up our emotions. But yeah, I really like how honest iv been on my list and it DEFINETLY helps to remind myself why I don't wana carry on boozing.
In yesterday's Sober School, we were asked to make a list titled "Things I Hated [past tense] about Drinking." My list is very, very long. It was an interesting and useful exercise for me because I have often made "Why I Want to Quit Drinking" lists, which focus on what I will gain (better sleep, weight loss, improved appearance, more time, etc.). However, those potential gains are kind of abstract because I haven't really experienced them yet. But the things I hate(d) about drinking are very vivid and real to me: waking up at 3 a.m. in a panic, puffy face in the mirror, nausea, increased blood pressure/blood sugar."
It's a subtle little switch, but I think this list will be the one I refer to when I'm tempted to drink, simply because it is so real and painful for me. The positives seem very far off when the booze is beckoning. The negatives are just a drink away.
I love this idea. I think I will make a list today just to reinforce the positives and REMEMBER the negatives.
I am afraid the farther I am from that last hangover that the memories will soften and not seem so bad. This group reminds me how bad it really is. I really enjoy not spending an entire day in bed sleeping one off!!!
@FeelinFooFoo - I love seeing your smiling face in your profile. You are absolutely beautiful!!!
Aaaaw thank you @Beka3695 😊 I was admiring your profile pic as well it's lovely. I like your hair cut I'm considering going shorter when I can finally get back to a salon. Think the 15th July they open but think I'l hang off for a while to let the ques calm down. Actually, a few folk at work have commented on how I look and said I look really well. I was like, yeah okay, thank you. And they were like no, seriously, whatever your doing right now, it's working! It's been so so nice to recieve genuine compliments, especially from other women. So, leaving the booze alone seems to do wonders for my appearance. I think that's a definite plus point to not drinking. ☺🤘
I stopped drinking when I was about 25 after waking up one morning after a squaddie night out thinking wtf did all my money go, I am 57 now and when ever my wife and I go out I drive so stick to a 0% alcohol and I really don't mind not drinking.
@donimfp Love that list. Very specific. What I hate about drinking. I think a list of the negatives are as important as the list of the benefits to NOT drinking. I like to have lists to look back on when I feel weak against the Wolf. Thank you for this.
Replies
On way home we noticed the local pub/restaurant/B&B was open. It's got outdoors areas and today all pubs / resturaunts etc can open for business as long as it's served outdoors so we decided to nip in. It was quiet cos it's a Monday so we got seated straight away. Had a nice lunch sat in the sun and I ordered a sparkling water with lime, other half got a pint of lime & lemonade. I thanked him for being so supportive cos I think he would have also enjoyed an ice cold pint for his first time back in a pub since lockdown but he said he didn't mind. It did feel a little strange ordering a water, looking around I seen all the wine bottles and glasses, pints of beer ! My eyes were darting around lol but I managed it without any issues so I'm glad about that!! What I really enjoyed ? Thinking how much money we saved. A large wine would have been £6-£7 and a pint £4....normally we would have sat and had a few drinks so I got a 'buzz' thinking of the money saved.
I am a picky alcoholic. I have no inclination to drink something I don't like.
I watched two episodes of unsolved mysteries last night. That scared me. I had bad dreams and then I let my imagination get carried away and worried about having the new neighbor over. Of course, in the morning, I realized I am silly to think that way. BUT it is good to be cautious in new relationships/friendships.She says she is lonely and lives with a schizophrenic adult brother. She said she has no friends. Anyway..... her house is in foreclosure and she has no money, car or job due to the recent prison time.
I'm scared straight over here in the midwest! Her life is a nightmare, but I hope to give her a little bit of friendship. They say people cross paths with you to teach you something; I am sure I can learn a lot from her.
Day 1 of The Sober School class. Introductions from 125 women from all over the world. Interesting to realize how universally misery-making alcohol is. I never seem to stay off the alcohol long enough to get to the "good bits," as Kate calls it. Hoping this commitment to a solid 6 weeks will at least give me a glimpse of the good bits, enough to want to continue after that.
Hope everyone had a good one!
We had some young folks out on the boat drinking White Claw. Erg, even when I was drinking, I had my standards
I've noticed those nearest and dearest to me are drinking far less. I am not judging or saying anything, but I'm also no longer leading by (bad) example.
I found a hop-essenced seltzer that is awesome. It doesn't pretend to be beer but it gives me that hoppy happy that I've been missing in the warmer weather. Have not been motivated to find an alcohol-free beer substitute.
Just one more day.
My cousin's wife survived organ failure and was released from the hospital. My cousin picked her up and she asked "Where is the vodka?" He said are you crazy, you want vodka after it nearly killed you. She yelled and hit him and ordered him to take her to the store. Needless to say she died a few months later. Tragic.
One bad hangover did it for me, I couldn't imagine why I would ever do that to myself again. It changed my whole mentality on alcohol. My only struggle now are friends who can't understand why I wouldn't drink. "We just want you to have fun!" and hand me a drink or line up some shots. Telling people I don't drink just because is almost not an option. I wish being sober wasn't such a weird thing to everyone... I have just as good of a time without booze than most of my crew does drunk.
I have a 22 and 18 yr old daughter. The oldest drinks sparingly. Youngest... well, jury is still out there.
I think their dad and I did enough to scar them in their younger years that hopefully they will not go down the road we did.
I have a lifetime of making up to do! I think they are both super proud that I am currently AF!
It's a subtle little switch, but I think this list will be the one I refer to when I'm tempted to drink, simply because it is so real and painful for me. The positives seem very far off when the booze is beckoning. The negatives are just a drink away.
So glad I was able to get up early this morning hangover free & enjoy my coffee. If I had indulged in alcohol yesterday, I would have been feeling sick, stuck in bed, feeling low & my only hope would have been the Chinese takeaway opening at 16:30 which would have meant id be sleeping until then. (To avoid how *kitten* I felt).....so glad that isn't the case !! 👍
The lists are such good ideas to reflect on and remind / reinforce resolve, I think. I made up a list quite recently titled After Bingeing. I listed all the undesirable & negative effects of after a binge, but I also included all the rubbish that can happen during. Bursting into tears, was 1 of them. I clearly remember being out at the pub, last year I'm sure with my partner and we were basically just getting drunk. We seemed to be enjoying ourselves and suddenly I began crying, right there in the middle of the pub. I had grossly underestimated just how drunk I had became and I remember feeling quite embarrassed and wondering how on earth, when I'm meant to be 'enjoying' myself, am I crying ?? Just proves how alcohol messes up our emotions. But yeah, I really like how honest iv been on my list and it DEFINETLY helps to remind myself why I don't wana carry on boozing.
I love this idea. I think I will make a list today just to reinforce the positives and REMEMBER the negatives.
I am afraid the farther I am from that last hangover that the memories will soften and not seem so bad. This group reminds me how bad it really is. I really enjoy not spending an entire day in bed sleeping one off!!!
Aaaaw thank you @Beka3695 😊 I was admiring your profile pic as well it's lovely. I like your hair cut I'm considering going shorter when I can finally get back to a salon. Think the 15th July they open but think I'l hang off for a while to let the ques calm down. Actually, a few folk at work have commented on how I look and said I look really well. I was like, yeah okay, thank you. And they were like no, seriously, whatever your doing right now, it's working! It's been so so nice to recieve genuine compliments, especially from other women. So, leaving the booze alone seems to do wonders for my appearance. I think that's a definite plus point to not drinking. ☺🤘