The Sober Squad- Alcohol Free Living

@Ed_Zilla, Yay! I love it that your doc says let the great work you’re doing have a good chance before jumping to meds. I’ll bet you feel so relieved. I think most docs know to double the number of drinks their patients admit to, but it is great to finally be able to be frank. At least that was my experience.

On to day 18 for me. I’ve ordered a pack of awesome colored Pilot G-2 pens for my Day 20 treat. They make me happy.

Ok...here was my wee laugh for the day. I received an email from the company I had ordered my blinds from asking for a pic of the "missing" piece. My reply was, "the piece is MISSING, so I cannot send you a pic" of something I do not have...too funny!! I did take a pic of the spot where the missing piece 'should be' and sent that along...I also suggested that they look at the install instructions of their product that they sold me to see what piece is missing. There is only one piece that the wand attaches to and it isn't there so likely THAT is the piece. Does anyone detect the sarcasm in my voice....??

On the brighter side for me, the company that I returned my broken microwave to emailed me to let me know they have processed my refund...It was interesting how they broke down the refund...X amount$ for the microwave and a $ amount for a "goodwill gesture" + $3.32 shipping costs (it cost me $33.32 to ship it) Anyway, when I added the "goodwill" amount to the shipping cost they allowed me, it amounted to what it cost me to ship it ($33.32) SO, where is the "goodwill" on their part?

3 more sleeps. Today I'm off and have a doc appt to get an exam I'd rather not get but have put off for some time. So when all is said & done I will be thankful I did it! Ladies You all KNOW what I'm talkin' bout !!

@lorrainequiche59 @donimfp Cute anecdotes ! Made me laugh. Lorraine: good luck on the move!! Very exciting times.

All good here. I am shopping for furnishings for my apartment. I’m getting along well with the husband; he said that when he told his golf friends about the divorce, they all told him their horror stories. He came home and said he was thankful we are being respectful and kind to each other. I agree.

I am learning and growing so much. I signed up for an account on Ameritrade (investment)) and doing all sorts of things my husband used to do. It’s very empowering. I believe that my “less alcohol” journey many of us started in January of 2017 on the other thread... i think it has enabled me to create a life that I want to have, not escaping into a bottle because I feel constrained or stressed. Now, I feel so calm.

@BuffMom84 Here are some books many of us have discussed on the thread over time.

Hello all, Lorraine funny email haha! Ruby so glad you and your soon to be ex get along,I hate when people divorce and still fight it's like if it's over it's over ya know? Feeling better than I felt last week,alot of my "problems" are hormones I think,I'm getting to that age where things are a changin' (sorry men) I just need to get thru to get out,waves to all and wishes for a Fab AF day

@Ed-Zilla that dryness decision sounds great!

Well I have made my plan for the holiday. I am working Good Friday. Someone who prays, please pray it is a delightful day for once. I hope I don't regret working that day. Son passed on Good Friday, even though this year Good Friday did not fall on April 3rd. This is the first year doing this. It has been heck every day recently. Hope it is better. EASTER I DON'T WORK----YES!!

Enjoying the day not drinking. Thinking on it more lately, but it will pass. Doing my hobbies on my day off and loving the peace and quiet. I finally found some noise dulling headphones. Will check them out soon.

Ignored a friend this week after she didn't apologize for yelling at a mistake we both made. I did my part and apologized. I really can't tolerate any more stress right now. No more abusive relationships (includes the ex, who I don't argue with anymore--just NEVER speak to him---he is THAT mean). I don't put up with the lack of apologies when the relationship is mostly decent. Life is too short. Been down that road too many times. Need to take care of myself and not drink. I don't have to disclose drinking issues, just stick to the issue at hand.

I have found that I have to work on how I got to drinking SO much. Most of it seems to center on feeling out of control and poor relationships. If we can't apologize, forgive and try and forget, BINGO. PROBLEM. Have to make some adjustments here and still forgive and try to forget. I have moved hours away from family, made sure I disclosed the problems, did my part to apologize when I had something to own.....Much to work on yet, but I do it when I can and not when already very stressed.

Working on always cultivating new healthy relationships. Most people are not going to be your closest friends. That is ok. Trying the gardening club at church. I have started 7 types of herbs inside. Not sure if they will go to the church or stay at home in pots. I am leaning towards at home. Not sure if I can put them in the ground eventually then bring them back in....Will try growing lettuce, cukes and for fun turmeric outside and who knows what else.

I am thinking of the new lives here without alcohol. It really is a new life. Keep going. It is worth it.

@salleewins Thanks so much for sharing... I am sending positive vibrations on Good Friday, I am so sorry for your loss... I relate so much to "working on always cultivating new healthy relationships." I feel like there is a connection between relationships and alcohol, for me at least. I had the WORST (by worst, meaning had none) boundaries when it came to some of my friendships that left me stressed and resentful. I'm getting better myself at communicating and realizing I am allowed to say NO and put myself first. I was the friend that went along with *almost* everything.... let's just say that didn't do so well for my mental health and anxiety and at times attracted some people who were complete users.

My boundaries are improving and I'm practicing self-care more these days... and with that came my interest in trying to eliminate things that contribute to my anxiety. Ta-da - my wine drinking! My self-awareness is at an all time high! It's refreshing to see so many other self-aware people on this forum. I'm cheering for you all!

@kelagurl I can Totally relate to your post. You are definitely a good addition to this thread.

@JenT304 Stress is a definite trigger, for me too. You'll be SO thankful when you make it through the holiday AF. It will make you stronger for the next trigger.

@RubyRed427 Thanks for that Annie Grace article...very helpful for me right now. I was thinking drinking thoughts for part of the day today. I've been planning & shopping for food for my moving crew & had bought beer a couple weeks ago. Today I bought a bottle of wine for the wives of the moving crew and I think that is what fueled it. I took everything over to my new place and was doing a bit more organizing & as I sat down in the kitchen with my bottle of water, I looked at the wine on the counter & began to "wish" I could be "normal" Rr-r-r-r!! What the H..E..double hockey sticks IS normal? Some really good reminders in that article and THEN Craig Ferguson topped it off for me...these two things are the shot in the arm I needed to get me back to my NEW "normal" I want to be sober going forward because I LOVE my life so much more this way...I do not want to go back to being dependent and hopeless & guilty, depressed, regretful, anxiety ridden...because THAT is the result of the drinker's "normal" NO thank you

Day 20 today! For some reason, “this time” (may it be the last) is different. Maybe because I hit my own version of rock bottom with the sleepless, panicked nights from hell.

Another resource I love is Bex Weller’s Sexy Sobriety blog. She also wrote A Happier Hour.

Today is Friday for those of us lucky enough to have tomorrow off. Have a blessed Easter weekend!!

Salleewins,sending positive vibes your way Lorraine,you too sorry for the loss of your friend also,just posted on my alcohol forum that I was so drunk last Easter weekend I barely remember any of it,sure bits and pieces but not like I should,I hate that wasted time! Wishes for a happy AF day for us all