LESS Alcohol ~ NOVEMBER 2024 ~ One Day at A Time

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  • globalhiker
    globalhiker Posts: 1,734 Member
    Who is going to be "drinking AF" with me for Thanksgiving? Strength in numbers :)

    Strategic Planning:
    I did my total wine run for AF wines for Thanksgiving. Now I got my favorite NA Sea Glass Pinot Grigio. Best so far and I like it from Total Wine. Wherever they get it from, it tastes fresh. I also planned it out so some of the others bring something or cook something. The days of little me doing it all are so OVER.

    @MissMay congrats for the zero sugar in the coffee and the successful AF streak!!!

    Working on day 84 AF today. To set up the Xmas tree or not today, that is the question.
  • SurferGirl1982
    SurferGirl1982 Posts: 483 Member
    @globalhiker I'm with you! I will not be drinking on Thanksgiving.

    You're probably all tired of hearing me whining about our liquor store hours here. But, tomorrow (Sunday) the store is only open from 11am to 5pm. So my husband is going to the store later and get a fifth of Black Velvet for me. After that is gone...I'm done! I've had enough. I can't moderate. I will be done for good.

    Hopefully, others will join us for an AF Thanksgiving. Hey, there's other things to drink...coffee, iced tea, ice water, club soda with a little lemon or lime. And, we can have fun without alcohol. We may even remember everything the next day 🙂

    Also, congrats on 84 days. Please be careful when 90 days arrives! You don't want to go backwards!

    Have a nice weekend everyone!
  • Michieb125
    Michieb125 Posts: 875 Member
    We had my daughters’ family dinner party for 8 adults and 3 kids last night. Her best GF and husband joined us. I made all the homemade Mexican food and chocolate cake, put up super cute decorations and balloons everywhere- Rose gold and pink and silver. It was really nice. Popped a pink Mumm champagne to toast her.

    I opened a Chardonnay for dinner and no one drank it but me. In hindsight, I wish I had the mocktails I put out for others (which I bought for this occasion)!

    Accountability post…..two glasses between 5-9:00 p.m. Then a BIG glass after family left and while I cleaned up the kitchen. Super fog head today.
    I went into the party very tired which isn’t the way to set myself up for success.

    Planning for an AF day to reset.

    November stats:
    AF - 5
    A - 17
  • SurferGirl1982
    SurferGirl1982 Posts: 483 Member
    @Michieb125 What was the occasion for the dinner party? Mexican food is my favorite.

    Unfortunately, I don't have much to report on my stats. But, since you posted yours, I will post mine (not very impressive).

    November:
    AF - 0
    A -23

    I will have some AF days this month...I'm sure of it!
  • Michieb125
    Michieb125 Posts: 875 Member
    @SurferGirl1982 it was my daughter’s 40th birthday! I had her when I was 25 - feels like I was just a baby myself! It’s a strange feeling when your child turns 40 LOL.

    I have a feeling you WILL be AF very soon - there are still 7 days left in the month for us!!!
  • SurferGirl1982
    SurferGirl1982 Posts: 483 Member
    @Michieb125 It is funny how the time flies. Boy, I would love to be celebrating my 40th B-day. I hope you had a great time.

    Thanks for reminding me that we only have seven days left in November 🤔 But, I'm sure I will have at least a few days AF this month. I envy those of you that can just have a glass or two of wine and call it quits. But, for me, it just doesn't work.

    And then we have @NonnieDoiron that has bottles of wine that just "magically" appear 😕 Hmmm? I must be doing something wrong!
  • MissMay
    MissMay Posts: 3,784 Member
    edited November 25
    Oh the holidays are coming and there is no stopping them. It is still hard for me to look at houses decked out fully for Christmas when the temp here is 73°.
    Went into the beer/wine/liquor isle at Walmart, directly to.the item I wanted. I will be surrounding myself with this for Turkey Day/get-a-way. Just have to pick out a fancy glass to pack with this

  • SurferGirl1982
    SurferGirl1982 Posts: 483 Member
    @Womona I'm sorry you're struggling. I'm struggling also. When I hear you guys talk about drinking 2, 3, or 4 glasses of wine. To me, that doesn't seem like that much. I drink whiskey. But I don't use a cute little rocks glass. I mix my drinks in a 16 oz tumbler. If I drank 4 glasses of wine in my glass, it would definitely be too much.

    I need to quit. For me, it needs to be permanent. I have major anxiety about quitting. I've been drinking a fifth (750ml) a day for probably a couple of weeks now. One way is to taper. I actually did it successfully that way before. But, doing it that way, you really need to be serious. I'm talking about getting a tablet and recording what time you start drinking and how many ml you're consuming. And, of course, starting later each day and drinking less. I really would like to quit cold turkey. But, we'll see. My husband is willing to help me.

    You seem to be younger than me because the PMS days are way behind me. The reason I'm posting this is because I'm concerned. You mentioned that you think you have a drinking problem. I do too. And, the problem gets worse with time. As we all know, alcohol disrupts our sleep. So, at times, I'll wake up at 2am and have a couple of drinks...go back to bed...wake up a few hours later...and start all over again.

    I don't want to be the bearer of bad news. But, you may be like some of us that has to chose abstinence. I don't mean to offend you or anyone else. I just care. I don't want anyone to be going through what I'm going through right now.

    We're not making Thanksgiving dinner or putting up a tree or putting up outside lights because I can't do it right now. I hope to be better soon and hey maybe I can put up a few lights.

    Once again, no offense. And take care of yourself ❤️



  • Michieb125
    Michieb125 Posts: 875 Member
    edited November 25
    Sending a big hug to you @Womona! So good to read your post and hear what’s going on. You know we’re here encourage you. About feeling anxiety over the “3 days without alcohol?” Super normal for me anyway. That’s a huge chunk of future planning during both a hectic and wonderful time. I did the exact same thing yesterday! Once I gave myself that mini goal I felt super anxious like I’m not sure I can do this. It’s a cycle we get into and something our brains tell ourselves which I believe we can counter and reframe. But, it’s much harder when we are stressed and tired! You have a good idea to excuse yourself in the later hours on Thursday. It is always a long day and your guests haven’t done all the shopping, cleaning, and cooking. I hope you will honor your needs and say goodnight when it’s appropriate for you.

    @globalhiker your tree and decorations will be wonderful! In 15 bags no less! Your approach to getting the house ready is smart. I do the same these days…a little at a time, otherwise it can be backbreaking for me lol. Our 3 trees are up in the attic too! It was a Jenga puzzle but we organized it pretty well two years back. We gave the huge pre-lit tree to youngest DD but we are still storing it here (they live in same town and SIL can take that one down). I will put up the nice smaller one in the formal living room with dining room connected, and one whimsical tree in the family room by the TV and fireplace. My grandkids always help decorate the whimsy tree.
    Great plan to tidy one room at a time too - pace yourself instead of overdo!

    After my food and wine festival over this past week/weekend I took my own advice yesterday, “just for today”….”I will skip the wine.” So, I did it, AF last night and I definitely woke up earlier and feeling more rested. So much so, I’m going to skip the wine again, “just for today.” I think I have some FOMO around staying AF but that’s another myth my brain tells me.

    I am listening to Dr. Andrew Huberman again. What a smart human! He is a neurobiologist Stanford grad with superb YouTube podcasts on sleep, effects of alcohol and umpteen very interesting science based subjects. Learning about how alcohol effects every function in our bodies again….planning ahead to crush December goals (power of positive thinking).

    I’m going to Costco this AM to get that errand done, and then hit the gym with a friend this afternoon.

    Congrats on all the super AF and LA success stories too! For those who are really struggling to get that one AF/LA day, you are not alone. 🤗
  • Womona
    Womona Posts: 1,813 Member
    @SurferGirl1982 no offense taken at all! It definitely crosses my mind, believe me. Normally I can moderate well, but lately my F-it gene has kicked in!!

    I read a quote the other week. “Choose the pain of discipline, or the pain of regret.” Will power alone doesn’t get anyone far. I guess the discipline comes from the routine, and clearly having a “why” spelled out and at the forefront of our minds keeps us on track. I need to choose the pain of discipline . Because I sure as hell regret the extra lines on my face or the fact that my pants are getting snug!
  • Womona
    Womona Posts: 1,813 Member
    @globalhiker my God, how big is this tree???? 15 giant bags for one tree? Egads! Good that you’re pacing yourself! It gets overwhelming really quickly!
  • Womona
    Womona Posts: 1,813 Member
    edited November 26
    Weight is coming down! Yay!

    @Michieb125 isnt it a great feeling? You’re hot chocolate sounds amazing.

    Hope you all have a great day.
  • Fursian
    Fursian Posts: 566 Member


    @NonnieDoiron My heart goes out to you. It all sounds incredibly overwhelming, but especially sad reading how each of your birthday milestones has essentially been put on the back burner and shoved under a rug.
    NonnieDoiron wrote: »
    <Snip> I know it sounds like the most selfish BS ever, <Snip>

    No, actually. It's you that sounds like you're surrounded by selfish people.

    I'm just a lurker that used to post in here for help (very grateful for this thread) and still read from time to time. Your post moved me to pop in and wish you well with everything that you're going through and seriously hope that you can catch a break soon, YOU deserve it.
  • Michieb125
    Michieb125 Posts: 875 Member
    edited November 26
    @NonnieDoiron you are an incredible person and my heart breaks to read all the things you and your family are going through! Lots of parental units (recalling an SNL skit) dealing with medical issues - but not funny. I’m feeling that you are approaching this with a level head while there is chaos all around you!! Personally, I think you should do exactly what you want on your big birthday! You are only 50 once. It would give you something fun to plan and be surrounded with those who want to celebrate YOU!

    All these other things in which you have no control will pass! But your response to all of that and your 50 & fabulous birthday is something you CAN. You deserve it!

  • SurferGirl1982
    SurferGirl1982 Posts: 483 Member
    Womona wrote: »
    @SurferGirl1982 no offense taken at all! It definitely crosses my mind, believe me. Normally I can moderate well, but lately my F-it gene has kicked in!!

    I read a quote the other week. “Choose the pain of discipline, or the pain of regret.” Will power alone doesn’t get anyone far. I guess the discipline comes from the routine, and clearly having a “why” spelled out and at the forefront of our minds keeps us on track. I need to choose the pain of discipline . Because I sure as hell regret the extra lines on my face or the fact that my pants are getting snug!

    Hi @Womona Thanks! Sometimes I prefer not to say too much. But, I was a bit concerned when you said you were thinking that you might have a drinking problem. Most of us think that we don't have a drinking problem. But, eventually, we realize that we do.

    A little bit of humor here...a good friend of mine's husband once had a T-shirt. It said, "I don't have a drinking problem! I drink, I get drunk, I fall down. No problem!" 🤔

    Discipline (or routine) is what a person like me needs. Will power is something you do to not eat that cookie on the counter.

    I'm still struggling and it's not fun. I will get through it. But, once I get a few AF days under my belt, I can't go back.

    As far as the weight issue, I'm kind of a statistical type person. And, I definitely notice the correlation between drinking (or not) and weight loss or gain. You would think that would be enough to motivate us not to drink!


  • SurferGirl1982
    SurferGirl1982 Posts: 483 Member
    Michieb125 wrote: »
    @NonnieDoiron you are an incredible person and my heart breaks to read all the things you and your family are going through! Lots of parental units (recalling an SNL skit) dealing with medical issues - but not funny. I’m feeling that you are approaching this with a level head while there is chaos all around you!! Personally, I think you should do exactly what you want on your big birthday! You are only 50 once. It would give you something fun to plan and be surrounded with those who want to celebrate YOU!

    All these other things in which you have no control will pass! But your response to all of that and your 50 & fabulous birthday is something you CAN. You deserve it!

    Ditto!
  • SurferGirl1982
    SurferGirl1982 Posts: 483 Member
    @MissMay Awesome quote! And, congrats on 52 days AF. I don't have to ask because I've experienced it before. But, I imagine you feel so much better. And I also imagine the sugar thing is getting easier.

    I had every intention of being AF by now. But it didn't happen. There's a reason why it didn't happen.
    But, I would have to implicate someone else. And, I don't want to be a tattle tale.

    The liquor stores will be closed here on Thanksgiving. So, my husband went to the liquor store and stocked me up to get me to Friday. I've been drinking quite a bit and if I have any problems, we would have to drive 140 miles to California. I guess better safe than sorry.

    So many of you are doing great! And, there's a few of us that aren't doing so good. But, I'm sure we will all do better soon.

    Take care everyone!
  • SurferGirl1982
    SurferGirl1982 Posts: 483 Member
    edited November 27
    NonnieDoiron wrote: »
    Thank you, @Fursian, @Michieb125, @MissMay, and @SurferGirl1982

    I’m sorry I ranted. Didn’t have anyone else to listen. Bestie was working. She’ll be here tomorrow to spend Thanksgiving with us, and I can’t wait. I’m ready to spend some real time with her. Maybe I should just pay for the 2 of us to go away for the weekend for my birthday. I’d probably have more fun with her anyway.

    That is weird. Because, I was thinking the same thing. I was thinking you should just go away for a couple of days, relax, and have a nice time!

    This holiday season is questionable for me. But, I'll try to make the best of it.

    Most of you probably don't know this. But, summer begins on December 21st. It's kind of a personal joke with us. But, that's the day that the days start getting longer (well, at least, for those of us that live in the Northern hemisphere) 🙂

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