Less Alcohol ~ DECEMBER 2022 ~ One Day At A Time
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Soooo sorry reading about family drama around parent deaths. Sooo sorry. My mom died Aug. 14, and it was a very difficult time with all the family pulling oars rowing in the same direction. I cannot imagine how the difficulty is amplified when people work at cross purposes. Just cannot imagine. You both have my sympathy. About not having a memorial service, my limited observation is that this is increasingly common. DH uncle (with whom MIL lived) died in June, and despite being very involved with his church community, there was no service. I wouldn't make too much of that. I might even give a pass just this once on bad communication. There is a lot to deal with following a death. And some people suck at communication regardless of the circumstance. It's not fair, but it just is.
On happier fronts, I lurve cross country skiing! I'm a little jelly of Dawn's wintertime activities. Near 80F in the forecast this week here.
Brother lives in Breckenridge, CO and had 5 great ski days before December. Hopefully a good ski year for Summit County.
Several have mentioned anxiety. I personally am not a chronic anxiety sufferer, luckily, but I have 2 family members who are prone to it. I have noticed drinking alcohol amps my anxiety the next day. I'm not sure if that is something that started as I got older or if that is something that I only noticed once I really cut back on alcohol (abstaining M-Th). Either way, alcohol causes anxiety that otherwise I don't have. It's like it messes with my brain chemistry (blocking receptors or depleting neurochemicals that otherwise help). My two family members who DO have anxiety notice the alcohol connection, too, and flat out do not drink when they are struggling with anxiety. Alcohol only makes anxiety worse, IMHO.9 -
I’ll leave the cross-county skiing and other cold weather fun to the rest of you! I’m a warm weather person! Quiet Sunday here. I had a ginger beer pineapple juice mocktail tonight.
Goal: 15 AF days, no more than 2 drinks, only drink at events (and there are lots of events)
AF: 12/2-4
A: 12/15 -
I'm back! It's been a few years and way to many pounds but I'm here.
Goals for this month: only have a drink if I'm on a date and during Christmas/birthday celebrations.
AF: 2
A: 29 -
Dec 1- 2- 3 A
Dec 4 - 5 - AF Hoping the crazy parents and unreasonable admins don't get the better of me today!7 -
Good morning. I have enjoyed reading all your stories and challenges. Sharing is vital so people know they are not alone. I am on day 5 (as it is Dec 5) of my Dry December. I have lost a little weight, my complexion looks better, and I am sleeping more soundly. I have only felt one pang of temptation so far and it passed in a few minutes, thankfully. I want to tell people that are new to exploring less alcohol/sobriety to never give up. I have been on different threads, including this one, on and off for at least 5 years and been thinking about my drinking for at least 15. It is never, never too late to attempt to live your best life, whatever that means to YOU. I am just finally at the point where I feel that alcohol no longer serves me. I don't dare say that out loud as I don't want to let my husband/family/friends down for the umpteenth time. I will just as they say, take it one day at a time. All we have is today anyway.
Question: what is DH? Dear Husband is all I can think of!
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December 1: no change
December 2: no change
December 3: no change
December 4: less alcohol
December 5:
December 6:
December 7:7 -
Question: what is DH? Dear Husband is all I can think of![/quote]
Yes! DH is dear husband....although I suppose sometimes could be Darn Husband or even Damn Husband.
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Hello all! I’m Amanda, I’m from Michigan. I am a crazy cat lady and work for a veterinarian. This will be my sixth month with this group and it has helped me cut back on my drinking so much! I am not ready to say I am 100% sober but last month I had 30 days alcohol free 😃
12/1: AF
Yesterday was my last day at work before I leave for about 10 days. It was like preparing to leave for 8 months. I caught myself saying “if things go well, maybe I can do A, B and C before I come back.” And then I said “No actually, I need the time off to heal, it will have to wait.” Boundaries. Geez.
12/2: AF
Yesterday was a painful procedure without any pain meds that I handled with only one “son of a _____” blurted out. Today things hurt. Tylenol and ice my *kitten*!
12/3: AF
Got all my holiday shopping done except for food. I’m preparing before this surgery like I won’t be back for awhile. Not sure if my brain is trying to distract me or what.
12/4: AF
Getting ready for another procedure today with no pain control offered. Scared. I found a really cool interactive breast cancer app last night that I think might help be a sounding board for some of my worries. Put up the Christmas tree yesterday. It’s cheerful.9 -
@tmbg1 Hugs to you. Now that I know you’re a teacher I understand why you’re here. My best friend was a teacher. It wasn’t the kids. It was the admin. It was the work she brought home in the evenings and the weekends. If it was the parents, it was usually a case of neglect that kept her up at night. I give you the utmost props!6
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@mfowler883 You May have really wanted a drink , but good thing you didn’t so you could be sober while you handled your weapon and got that creeper off the property! I don’t think that was a coincidence. Good for you for your fast action!!!! Sorry to hear it’s an ongoing issue. Scary. Any chance of extra patrols by the police department?5
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Welcome new people to this thread! Thank you for sharing your stories, they are so helpful in more ways than you know.
@joans1976 thinking of you today. What procedures do they have to do that can’t involve pain meds, all before the big day tomorrow? Ugh. Sounds miserable.
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This group really helps me hold myself accountable, plus everyone is absolutely great. My primary goal this month is 16-19 AF days targeting no more than 3A days a week and no more than 2 drinks in a day. I post in the mornings about the previous day.
12/4: AF - Had 1 NA IPA with dinner. I'm saving my next A day for Wednesday, which is hubby's birthday.
Rolling Total: 2 AF Days out of 4
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@joans1976 Sending good thoughts your way and hoping all goes well.3
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Thank you to welcome backs as I am seeing them. I looked for sobriety groups but they have either seemed to disappear or cease to remain active. Being here does help.
We put up the tree last night. Nobody got drunk or obnoxious and my little boy had the best time decorating. Last year he used the bulbs as balls despite having toy balls. This year he was thoughtful and joyful and decorated more than anyone.
Despite having conflict with the wine witch, I did not succumb. Day#5, AF, I can do this!5 -
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Spent yesterday doing Spring cleaning at our new townhouse. Spiffing up details I never got to before we started moving in October 24.
Washing windows in Dec and having the air on is so nice. No more shoveling snow. Less anxiety about the ice, snow and such is a welcome event at this stage of my life.
Day three in a row AF 🙃6 -
December to remember without alcohol because it'll be better this way. No adult Christmas parties planned, only stuff for the kids. Most difficult thing this month will be finding a way to "unwind."
We could always start a list of non-drinking things to do.
1) Go to the movies
2) ....
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Okay, @mfowler883 ...you have made me understand why Eldest Daughter's husband absolutely refuses to take me to New Orleans even though I beg him each time I visit Louisiana..."you don't want to go near there"...He opts for haunted old plantation houses and boat trips through alligator infested swamps instead.
"Unwind" is a family joke. There is an in-law who constantly complains about needing to "unwind" because of her oh-so-stressfull life. She is job free, has 2 perfect children [just ask her] , memberships to 3 different gym/yoga studios [I swear!], new car every 2nd year, and plenty of her husband's salary to waste as she sees fit. Yet she is constantly needing to do something to "unwind". Trip-spa-aroma therapy....
After spending time with her my 3 daughters & I have a ritual....we all stand tall, stretch out our arms, and spin in a slow circle til we can't stand up. One day it was so bad that I pulled my car over to the side of the road and the 4 of us "unwound" in some random field, falling hysterical into the snow.
Cyber shopped some Rum Cakes and sent them to my daughters in honor of our last cruise to Bermuda. I've promised myself I'll eat mine with tea or expesso, not wine.
May everything for everyone this season turn out even better than you hope.
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So yesterday we made homemade pizza for dinner. Because of the heavy snowfall (I mean the snow was super heavy but only about 3" fell) Have you ever driven in falling snow and it is so heavy that it just packs on the side of your windshield and won't fly off. Then the wipers can not move over the whole window?....
Anyway it was a great stay in and watch movies and eat pizza, without alcohol. You know I am a craft beer drinker but I was ok with none of that yesterday.
Today I am focusing on meal prep so I don't go off the rails in the evenings.
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@forestdweller1 - I really enjoyed your "unwind" story. Hilarious!4
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December accountability: 2 days AF
Alcohol: 3 days (7 drinks)
Goal: Limit 2 glasses per day; 12-16 AF days per month. Aim to drink no more than 2 nights in a row.
12/1 - 2 wine @ restaurant
12/2 - 1 bourbon & Diet Coke
12/3 - 4 wine ; overdid it at a wedding ... drinks were flowing; wedding at 3pm, reception 4:30-10pm ... well when the band stopped at 10pm they had a DJ take over till midnight. We left at 9pm.
12/4 - AF, DH too
12/5 - AF, DH too
Wedding Saturday night for son in laws brother ... Loved dancing with DH & all our kiddos and their spouses! Evening out sans grandkids.
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@joans1976 - Festive picture posted I've been keeping you in my prayers. Hope that you're feeling a little more like yourself as you begin the recovery process.
@Womona - No pressure from anyone to drink at the wedding but I did go up to one of the many bars and get my own. At least I was able to count and keep it to 1 wine per hour! There were 2 waters in there as well. Wish they had handed out water bottles to those that were leaving. Something to think about in the future ... water in my car waiting for me.
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@forestdweller1 I think I'll start "unwinding" myself!
The day's not quite over but I'll stay AF the rest of the night. DH (dear this time) and I usually "unwind" with herbal tea. And I saved some calories so I can have a small piece of homemade fudge.
Goal: 15 AF days, no more than 2 drinks, only drink at events
AF: 12/2-5
A: 12/13 -
forestdweller1 wrote: »…my 3 daughters & I have a ritual....we all stand tall, stretch out our arms, and spin in a slow circle til we can't stand up. One day it was so bad that I pulled my car over to the side of the road and the 4 of us "unwound" in some random field, falling hysterical into the snow.
What a great way to deal with annoying people!
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@lmlmrn what a beautiful family! Thanks for posting the festive pix. I’m glad no one pressured you into drinking. At least you had water in between drinks!
I blew my goal of one drink per night this past weekend- I had two each night. I guess it wouldn’t be that bad but I also totally porked out this weekend, eating too much of what doesn’t serve me well, and not enough of what does. Reset today. AF tonight.
@joans1976 best of luck with your surgery tomorrow. I’ll be thinking of you, and hope recovery goes well and quickly!2 -
I did too!RockinRobyn672 wrote: »@forestdweller1 - I really enjoyed your "unwind" story. Hilarious!
ETA: @Lilylady3k Beautiful photo! Stunning backdrop!2 -
Low key weekend. Did not go anywhere all weekend. Started on holiday decor. Delivered Advent calendars and ugly sweater baking kits to all my little neighbors (and I am blessed to have many).
Don't want to make anyone jealous, but DH (yes, Dear Husband) flew out Sunday for an annual company pow wow, leaving me to luxuriate in my aloneness all day today. I had not one single thing on my calendar, nowhere to be, not even any calls to make. Did what I wanted when I wanted. I think I had lunch at 3. He's gone a couple more days but those are busier days for me so I can deploy the "unwind" if needed.
Had wine F, Sa & Su (and an extra unplanned glass of it Sa) but otherwise AF the past week. I think I have a photo with my girls somewhere.... we had brunch before the Nutcracker last Sunday, and we took Christmas card photos of them after brunch. I photo bombed one of them.
ETA: They would hate that I shared that. The other photos were much cuter of them.8 -
Af today
Running total
2 days A
3 days AF6 -
@mfowler883 You May have really wanted a drink , but good thing you didn’t so you could be sober while you handled your weapon and got that creeper off the property! I don’t think that was a coincidence. Good for you for your fast action!!!! Sorry to hear it’s an ongoing issue. Scary. Any chance of extra patrols by the police department?
Not likely. HPD is really....shall we just say, they leave something to be desired.forestdweller1 wrote: »Okay, @mfowler883 ...you have made me understand why Eldest Daughter's husband absolutely refuses to take me to New Orleans even though I beg him each time I visit Louisiana..."you don't want to go near there"...He opts for haunted old plantation houses and boat trips through alligator infested swamps instead.
Oh, man, I have some NOLA stories. I mean, I had some rough times living in Flint but hooooooooboy things went sideways when I got to New Orleans. Homeless for the first time, knife fights, home invasions, gangbangers sticking guns in my face..."You gotta pay the TAX to walk down THIS street..." Bro, I LIVE ON THIS STREET. Yeah. Bar brawls and street fights, a toddler trying to sell me crack, a girl that tried to poison me, my favorite bartender saying "You're not human" as I got to the bottom of my second fifth, overdosing on cocaine in the girl's bathroom at The Crystal...and that was twenty five years ago! It's gone downhill since then. We left for a few reasons, the schools suck, the politicians are all corrupt, the job market wasn't panning out for my career at the time, the crime was getting worse. One night, a SWAT team knocked on our door asking if we had any windows facing the neighboring building. Another day, a neighbor was killed in an attempted carjacking. I'd recommend the swamps and plantations.
Anyway....crazy week. Last night, wife and I went to The Nutcracker. I've seen it on TV but not in person. I had a drink at intermission. We ate out on the way there, and on the way home. Had a beer and listened to Darkwave. I gained a pound.
Today I was pretty good food-wise, under 700 calories after dinner, so I had a beer and a bowl of air-popped popcorn at the end of the night. No proper workout, but been a pretty active day. Probably won't drink again until Sunday, we'll see.
-m4 -
Hello all! I’m Amanda, I’m from Michigan. I am a crazy cat lady and work for a veterinarian. This will be my sixth month with this group and it has helped me cut back on my drinking so much! I am not ready to say I am 100% sober but last month I had 30 days alcohol free 😃
12/1: AF
Yesterday was my last day at work before I leave for about 10 days. It was like preparing to leave for 8 months. I caught myself saying “if things go well, maybe I can do A, B and C before I come back.” And then I said “No actually, I need the time off to heal, it will have to wait.” Boundaries. Geez.
12/2: AF
Yesterday was a painful procedure without any pain meds that I handled with only one “son of a _____” blurted out. Today things hurt. Tylenol and ice my *kitten*!
12/3: AF
Got all my holiday shopping done except for food. I’m preparing before this surgery like I won’t be back for awhile. Not sure if my brain is trying to distract me or what.
12/4: AF
Getting ready for another procedure today with no pain control offered. Scared. I found a really cool interactive breast cancer app last night that I think might help be a sounding board for some of my worries. Put up the Christmas tree yesterday. It’s cheerful.
12/5: AF
Surgery in a few hours. I can’t help but be nervous. 🤞🏼 they decide to do a free tummy tuck while there!6
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