LESS Alcohol ~ DECEMBER 2024 ~ One Day at A Time

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  • SurferGirl1982
    SurferGirl1982 Posts: 454 Member
    @NonnieDoiron I didn't put up any lights this year. I really like to. They're so pretty! But all of our holiday stuff is in storage. Not impossible to get to. But a slight hassle. Next year I'm going to put them up around Halloween before it gets too cold. And, then not light them until around Thanksgiving.

    Sounds sad about all the trash that people just leave. Especially the condoms. I've always been the type, that if you pack it in you pack it out. I guess the younger generation never learned that.

    There's a lady that goes to the gambling establishment across the street where I sometimes go. She uses oxygen. But it is just a small tank that she basically carries in a small bag like a purse. Maybe your MIL can check out something like that.
  • NonnieDoiron
    NonnieDoiron Posts: 352 Member
    @SurferGirl1982 we put up lights every year. As much as my husband hates climbing a ladder and getting on the roof, he likes the lights too. I refuse to decorate until after Thanksgiving because I firmly believe each holiday should be celebrated in its time. I hate seeing Christmas stuff before Halloween in the stores! One holiday at a time! LOL

    Here’s my fireplace with the garland I replaced the lights in last night as well as my husband asleep on the floor. LOL

    zpmzobmsoivz.jpg

    I grew up with tv commercials about not littering and the message being preached at school. My mother would’ve kicked my butt if I threw something out of the car! My kids know that littering is bad, too.

    I’ve seen the “oxygen purses”. I suggested one when she initially got the oxygen after her last hospital stay. I can’t remember why she couldn’t use or get that type of equipment. It may have been something to do with her insurance. I stopped asking, making suggestions, and for the most part worrying about it. If she doesn’t use her oxygen and suffocates because her oxygen saturation drops too low, then that’s on her. I can only try to be helpful and concerned for so long before I decide that it’s just not worth the effort or anger. She’s either going to do it or not. I just hate to see how it affects my husband.

    Anyway… still wine free.

    AF = 5
    A = 0
  • SurferGirl1982
    SurferGirl1982 Posts: 454 Member
    edited December 6
    @NonnieDoiron Your mantle is gorgeous! I normally put the lights out. Even though I have a man in the house. It's just something that I enjoy. Even as a teenager, I was the one on the roof stringing the lights. Hmmm? I'm not sure why because I have an older brother 🤔

    We've kind of outgrown the house where we currently live. We have a cute little tree. It's small. But, it's pretty. But, I really don't know where I'd put it right now.

    I've been looking for a larger home. I live very much on the outskirts of the town listed on my profile. It was OK at first. But, since I've been having vision problems, I would much rather be more in town. The town I currently live in has no bus service, no Uber, no Grubhub, etc. So, I hope I can find something closer to everything. Maybe this spring.

    Congrats on being wine free! Keep it up...you guys are doing great!

    And, I wish the best for your MIL.

  • Womona
    Womona Posts: 1,813 Member
    Two glasses of champagne last night on “wine night” at work-my colleague brought it in to celebrate my birthday (that I had last week).

    I’m off today, and excited to get the candles in the window, and interior Christmas decorating done. The tree isn’t for another week or two so I don’t kill it.
  • SurferGirl1982
    SurferGirl1982 Posts: 454 Member
    MissMay wrote: »
    This is what I imagine while drinking
    cwv0yw782jpl.jpg



    When in reality this is what is happening LOL LOL LOL LOL
    3yt1s3fuduga.jpg

    HaHa...How funny and how true!
  • SurferGirl1982
    SurferGirl1982 Posts: 454 Member
    @MissMay I didn't think it got cold in Florida? I have some Meyer lemon trees. I did bring them up on to a covered deck. They are actually quite cold-hardy. I believe kumquats are the most cold-hardy. In the past, I tried bringing them in the house. Well, without getting into too much detail, they actually prefer being outside. There's quite a few people that are into growing citrus in areas that they really don't belong. There's a bunch of websites. You wouldn't believe how elaborate some of the people get. Some that live in the northeastern part of the US have no choice but to bring them indoors. They have special lighting and ventilation systems. I used to be a bit of a citrus nerd myself. But, lately, not so much.

    Everybody is talking about decorating and shopping for gifts. I love putting out lights. But, all of our decorations are in a storage unit 12 miles away. You may be wondering why our storage unit is 12 miles away. But, it's because it's by where we used to live and we are trying to move back to that area. I could just buy more lights. But, it's too late now...next year!

    It's a shame that people are littering. I can't even imagine throwing something out of the window while my mom was driving. She probably would have handed me a Hefty bag, told me to get out of the car and made me pick up trash for a couple of hours. We don't have much of a littering problem in our neighborhood. I think we're just a bunch of old "Hippies" 🙂

    Everyone have a great day and weekend!
  • SurferGirl1982
    SurferGirl1982 Posts: 454 Member
    @Michieb125 You're doing really good. It cracked me up when you said that you dumped the wine down the sink. I do the same thing. Some thought I was committing "alcohol abuse". It is a waste of money. But, our health is more important than money.
  • NonnieDoiron
    NonnieDoiron Posts: 352 Member
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    And there it is! The magically appearing bottle… 😔

    Today hasn’t been good.
    1. MIL’s neurosurgeon called. After reviewing the MRI results and consulting other neurosurgeons, he believes it is unsafe to proceed with surgery. Hubby had to have a talk with her about getting long-term care insurance because she’s just not going to get any better.
    2. My daughter’s friend and her have been planning for a couple days to go to the Christmas parade tomorrow morning and then, I was told, the friend was having a birthday party at the skating rink. The closer we got, it seemed like I was chaperoning the parade. But, I wasn’t getting any details about the birthday party. Turns out, there is no party! The friend’s dad was basically leaving it up to me to take the girls to the parade and then skating. He even had the audacity to tell his daughter to tell my daughter that I had to stay at the rink with the girls, that he didn’t want a “drop off thing”. What the actual f…?! I told my daughter I’m not going to freeze my butt off at a parade, but I’ll take them skating after I made her cry because she was going to tell her friend she wasn’t going after I fussed at her about being forced to take responsibility for her friend’s birthday. I realize my daughter doesn’t have many friends, and she doesn’t ask to go anywhere very often. So, I caved on the skating.
    3. I told my family that today would be a long work day for me. Reminded my husband this morning it would be a long work day. I was right, and my clients were extra special this evening (seriously ticked me off). Then, the kids were hovering over me waiting for dinner. My husband was not helping. Then, he got mad at me when I told him to put away the stuff he left on the counter instead of putting it in the cabinet when I was trying to clean up the kitchen after dinner.

    Now, I’m sitting here thinking about opening the bottle of wine.
  • Womona
    Womona Posts: 1,813 Member
    @NonnieDoiron sorry to hear about your MIL, that pretty much seals off that option. It may be too late to get long term care insurance, or the premiums will probably be sky-high. It very well may be cheaper to just pay out of pocket. Ugh, what a situation.

    As for the other father foisting the responsibilities on to you, that really is a dick move. How old are the girls? I’m sure they are old enough to be dropped off and picked up again after skating. If he is dictating to you how he wants it done, he can jolly well drive them and stand around in a cold ice rink until the end of Publix skate! Geez! The nerve!

  • Womona
    Womona Posts: 1,813 Member
    I wanted a glass of wine at 3:50 PM yesterday, but held off until 5:00. It didn’t even occur to me to have a NA substitute, even though I have plenty of options! This of course was followed by two glasses of wine at dinner (my hubby made pasta and homemade bread- guess whose weight is way up today and way over calories?).

    We have a Christmas party tonight- I do better when I’m out so two is my max. Must motivate to get stuff done around the house, and get my butt in gear to rein in the overeating and over drinking. On a positive note, I think my TOM is any day now, so if it decides to show up this month, I will be relieved from my voracious appetite. Fingers crossed- peri-menopausal bodies have a mind of their own! Ugh!
  • globalhiker
    globalhiker Posts: 1,726 Member
    Not yet to day 100 AF, it is coming soon though. Thank the heavens for non-alcoholic bev, since they have saved me many times. To-date, the non-alcoholic or de-alcoholized wines I actually like and enjoy:

    1-Mionetto alcohol removed premium sparkling wine (good fizz, like a prosecco, the sweet level is spot on-not too sweet) - $14.99 on sale at the supermarket

    2-Sea Glass NA sauvignon blanc - $8.99 if on sale at Total Wine. Kroger/Frys has their NA Pinot Grigio version for $11.99 by me but it tasted spoiled and Total Wine carries this item also.

    Runner Up (meaning drinkable when mixed with a bit of club soda):

    1-Giesen non alcoholic Premium Red Wine - about $15 at Total Wine

    Fell out of love with:
    Cruse sparkling N/A rose: $9.99 at Total Wine. You'd love it if you like it on sweet side
    Senorio de la Tautila n/a sparkling rose: too expensive, Amazon. Liked it at first, then discovered way better. Palate has changed and now I find this too sweet.

    On the Worst of the Worst List (meaning gag at first sip, missing flavor altogether or disgustingly sweet and throw it down the sink):

    1-Giesen non-alcoholic Rose & the Pinot Grigio
    2-Thompson & Scott, both the white and the sparkling rose
    3-Freixenet n/a - too sweet

    For Variety, I do keep on hand: Corona n/a beer, $11.99 six pack.
  • Michieb125
    Michieb125 Posts: 862 Member
    @NonnieDoiron if the dad doesn’t want a “drop off thing” then I guess he can stay at the rink himself or his daughter can skip it? Or if the girls are really old enough to stay out, maybe he will see they will be okay for a skate night. So sorry he isn’t respectful of you and your time.

    @Womona - I had delicious pasta and home baked Sourdough and wine on Thursday! I know what you mean about going over calories! But, your dinner sounded lovely especially when your husband did the cooking…. Mine does not lol.

    @globalhiker thanks for posting good/decent NA wine choices here! Last month, I tried a very good NA sparkling rose wine called Sovi and have been looking for it ever since. Small bubbles and not too sweet.
  • Michieb125
    Michieb125 Posts: 862 Member
    Did attend 2 gym days this week and am quite sore from the weight machines. And, my house is fully decorated so I’m happy about this. But, I spent some time in my LA journal this morning (haven’t in days). I can see when I don’t make a mindful plan, I find I’m winging it. Again, my limits are pretty much in check, it’s the off days I want to increase.

    Soooo, looking at this weekend and all the early morning commitments I have for next week, I have plenty of opportunities to catch up. I will take a trip to Total Wine or Bev Mo and look for the Mionetta NA sparkling wine and other NA options to try. This might save me for the in between holiday festivities. Appreciate the insight from @globalhiker!

    Now to execute 🧑🏻‍🎄🎄 🎁

    Stats:
    AF - 1
    A - 6
    Limits - no more than 2 glasses
  • Womona
    Womona Posts: 1,813 Member
    edited December 7
    globalhiker wrote: »
    Not yet to day 100 AF, it is coming soon though. Thank the heavens for non-alcoholic bev, since they have saved me many times. To-date, the non-alcoholic or de-alcoholized wines I actually like and enjoy:

    1-Mionetto alcohol removed premium sparkling wine (good fizz, like a prosecco, the sweet level is spot on-not too sweet) - $14.99 on sale at the supermarket

    2-Sea Glass NA sauvignon blanc - $8.99 if on sale at Total Wine. Kroger/Frys has their NA Pinot Grigio version for $11.99 by me but it tasted spoiled and Total Wine carries this item also.

    Runner Up (meaning drinkable when mixed with a bit of club soda):

    1-Giesen non alcoholic Premium Red Wine - about $15 at Total Wine

    Fell out of love with:
    Cruse sparkling N/A rose: $9.99 at Total Wine. You'd love it if you like it on sweet side
    Senorio de la Tautila n/a sparkling rose: too expensive, Amazon. Liked it at first, then discovered way better. Palate has changed and now I find this too sweet.

    On the Worst of the Worst List (meaning gag at first sip, missing flavor altogether or disgustingly sweet and throw it down the sink):

    1-Giesen non-alcoholic Rose & the Pinot Grigio
    2-Thompson & Scott, both the white and the sparkling rose
    3-Freixenet n/a - too sweet

    For Variety, I do keep on hand: Corona n/a beer, $11.99 six pack.

    This is so incredibly helpful. I saved a picture of this post on my phone!

    My favorite LA wines, both Sauvignon Blanca, are Decoy Featherweight (I’ve only seen this at Joe Canal’s in NJ, PA state store doesn’t seem to carry it), and Starlight , made by Starfish.

    @Michieb125 I also copied your suggestion. Thanks!

  • NonnieDoiron
    NonnieDoiron Posts: 352 Member
    AF = 6
    A = 1

    I didn’t make it to Christmas. 😕

    But, I didn’t drink last night with a bottle of wine sitting open on my counter. It was the night before.

    I took my daughter and her friend skating yesterday. Then, I took them for cupcakes as a birthday treat for the friend. Her friend mentioned something about getting a book for another friend of hers who had a birthday the same day. When we got back to my house and I took off my shoes, my daughter asked me about going to the bookstore. I said not tonight because it was already dark outside, and I hate driving at night. Then, I had her friend call her grandparents to come pick her up. I guess this friend’s dad and grandparents don’t take her anywhere, so she’s trying to get me to do it. I’m not going to do it.

    Plus, I was working the whole time. I don’t know why this weekend’s events have been so crazy, but they were. And, I was putting out fires since they started Friday evening and all day yesterday. I hope today is quiet. I need a break!

    Son’s competition was great yesterday! His 2 teammates who competed with him yesterday and my son all won 1st place for their divisions and weight classes. My son also won best Special Olympic athlete bringing home 3 medals!

    Next weekend my husband is attending a retreat with his best friend, so I am planning to take that weekend for myself. No one is planning or doing anything! I am not running around, and I am going to do the things I wanted to do this weekend. I think that will be an announcement I make at dinner tonight… “unless you have a true medical emergency, you will not ask me to do anything! You will clean your rooms, vacuum, dust, clean your bathroom, take care of the animals, and LEAVE ME ALONE!”

    Anyway, I hope everyone else has been having a good weekend. I see we have some doing really well on the AF train and some not. We’re in what I consider to be the most stressful time of the year with all the holidays and extra things to do. I’m not good at doing it, but please try to remember to take care of you. ❤️
  • tmbg1
    tmbg1 Posts: 1,449 Member
    11 AF days in a row! Why don't I lose weight when I stop drinking??? I feel great but I never lose even so much as an ounce even though my wine calories are all water and unsweetened tea.
  • Womona
    Womona Posts: 1,813 Member
    @NonnieDoiron I love your plan for next weekend! Sorry to hear this weekend didn’t turn out like you wanted.
  • Womona
    Womona Posts: 1,813 Member
    Had a really great time at the Christmas party last night, and only had 1.5 glasses of wine. But then they came out with these shots of Irish cream served in tiny little mason jars with a tiny little lid on top. Very cute presentation, and because they weren’t strong (I suspect it was more for the flavor than the alcohol), I’m counting that has half a shot, for a grand total of two drinks. Very happy I did not exceed my goal, and was sober when I drove home.

    My challenge this week…. 0-1 drinks when I am home. I think I need to put this quote on a stickie and place it around my house…” Choose the pain of discipline, or choose the pain of regret.” Hopefully if I refer back to this enough times, the discipline will win out, on many areas of my life.

    Happy Sunday!

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