LESS Alcohol ~ MARCH 2023 ~ One Day at A Time

ahoy_m8 · March 2023

@dawnbgethealthy Yay! So nice to see you out and so glad it was an awesome day. It looked like crystal clear perfect weather. Thanks for the pics!
@RockinRobyn672 very sorry to hear about care complexities with your dad. It's tricky navigating fo sho. ((hug))
@mfowler883 Take care out there and drop in anytime. Thanks for the photos.
@Michieb125 & @Lilylady3k My brother and I are a bad combination, too. We don't get together often so we use the special occasion excuse when we are. It doesn't have to be that way, but that neural pathway is well established, unfortunately. C'mon neural plasticity!

Quiet weekend so far. Interns in Austin, DH & I home alone and haven't gone anywhere. Planned a quick easy dinner of Hatch chile stew but could not find (I am not kidding) the starter sauce in my freezer. It's like jenga in there. Obviously the freezer has reached the breaking point because my notes told me I had 2 chunks of hatch and one chunk of tomatillo (which I was also planning to use this week) that vanished. Poof. Fortunately I still have peppers so I could make the hatch sauce from scratch. Gotta say. It's so good it's worth the effort.

Opened another varietal of wine club wine last night and really enjoyed the 2 glasses I had. Planning 1 mixed drink tonight then switching to soda.

Michieb125 · March 2023

@ahoy_m8 I think family systems are full of the deep neural pathways and connections to alcohol. I can completely relate to your insight there! Your homemade hatch chili stew sounds incredibly delicious.

forestdweller1 · March 2023

@Pokey4321 ..Congratulations !! One giant step forward. And no points deducted for slips. Just get up, dust off and start from "one" again. It's all about LESS.
NAS is a grand place to turtle watch. May, when the mommas come in to nest, and August, when the hatchlings dig out and scatter 🐢

Thanks @Womona ...now every time I think about pulling a cork I'm gonna be watching out for a "smak".

Watched a documentary about Iceland's sustainable energy...and now I'm waiting for a cross ocean order of omNom Chocolate. Really really really tried to resist. Probably needed another couple reallys....

Salt & Vinegar popcorn and NA beer this evening.

Lilylady3k · March 2023

March accountability: 1 days AF
Alcohol: 4 days (7 drinks)
Days over 2 glasses: 0
Goal: Limit 2 glasses per day; 12-16 AF days this month.

3/5 - 2 wine; Split 1 bottle at dinner between 3 of us (6 glasses total so small pours)

My sister came over for dinner and brought 1 bottle of wine ... not 2. So another improvement. We held off until 6pm for dinner and opening the wine even thought she was here by 4:30. Baby steps!

Now to work on my AF days this coming week.

joans1976 · March 2023

Hello! I’m Amanda, I’m a crazy cat lady from Michigan! I joined this forum in June of 2022 and since September I have decreased my drinking to one day a month! This is a huge accomplishment from where I was and I absolutely could not have done it without the wonderful mix of people in this group!

March goals: just make it through the month unscathed! (27 doctor appointments)
Alcohol goals: 95-100% AF

3/1: AF
Yesterday was a rough one but I didn’t even think about having a drink. Radiation continues to suck the life out of me but I can’t fight it, I have to do this. After today I will be halfway through treatment!

It’s almost Friday!

3/2: AF
Yesterday was a tough day on the radiation front. Skin breakdown and fatigue affecting my daily routines. I have 10 more sessions of radiation, or 2 weeks and then those effects can continue for up to 4 more weeks. I’m trying to manifest the complications away!
29 days AF

3/3: AF
Big blizzard here. March in Michigan. I hope anyone else who was hit by it has power and is warm and cozy and safe.

3/4: AF
31 days AF

3/5: AF
I’m having this crazy need to purge things in my house. Every drawer and every closet. I lost 50 pounds last year and I have clothes with the tags still on them that I would like to sell but I feel like maybe that’s tempting fate? I haven’t gained the weight back but I haven’t lost any since my diagnosis either. And I’m tired of looking at these clothes!

I hope everyone had a good weekend and your week is off to a good start

joans1976 · March 2023

@Lilylady3k Awesome! You call them baby steps but I think when it comes to A those are big steps!

@mfowler883 Take care of what you need to take care of, we are here but don’t be a stranger! Nice pics!

@ahoy_m8 That reminds me I need to purge my freezer too…

SunnyDays930 · March 2023

I know many of us have problems with sleep. Obviously alcohol makes that worse but this is a very interesting read on foods that help you sleep. Now if I could only get DH to not snore lol.

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/9-foods-to-help-you-sleep

SunnyDays930 · March 2023

We went to an Indian restaurant last night. I looked at the wine list and was tempted but asked myself, "are you really only going to be satisfied with one?" I decided not to risk it and stuck with water. I had a really delicious vegetarian dish and felt good about myself after.

Womona · March 2023

@pokey4321 thanks for sharing your story, especially the “come to Jesus” moment about the amount of empty cans. Whatever it takes to get on the path of less alcohol!

@joans1976 this too shall pass. Sorry to hear about the skin breakdown! Thinking of you.

Oh also, unless you can find a consignment shop that will take your items, I say just donate your too-big clothes and take the nice tax write off. Selling on Poshmark, etc is WAY more work than they would have you believe, and your items can sit there for a long time. All for pennies on the dollar. Just get that stuff out of your house and out of your life.

@mfowler883 don’t be a stranger! You to @lmlmrn!

Went to dinner with the family last night, it was delightful. Celebrated DH’s birthday, DS1’s acceptance into Accelerated Officer Candidate School, and DS2 being home for spring break. Bliss. I had one old fashioned and only about half a glass of wine with dinner.

Today I am going to the gym, and then have a long day at work. I’m glad my job is active! I’ve never counted my steps, but I’m sure there are a lot of them! Plan is to be AF until Thursday night.

RockinRobyn672 · March 2023

Hello My "LA" friends! Happy March! I am SO ready for spring! My goal is 16 AF days.

3/5: AF - We drove to the Wright Brothers Monument, and wow! It was great! It inspired us to purchase and start listening to David McCullough's audiobook on the way home! I kept it AF during our travels and was able to order an Athletic Brewing Co. NA Golden Ale with lunch (surprisingly good). Food-wise, I did okay, but can get back on track today. It's so hard to do that when it's outside of the normal routine.

Rolling Total: 3 AF Days out of 5

dawnbgethealthy · March 2023

SunnyDays930 wrote: »

We went to an Indian restaurant last night. I looked at the wine list and was tempted but asked myself, "are you really only going to be satisfied with one?" I decided not to risk it and stuck with water. I had a really delicious vegetarian dish and felt good about myself after.

I work at an Indian restaurant. Which veggie dish did you have?

dawnbgethealthy · March 2023

Thanks for keeping us going (and accountable) @MissMay

I am Dawn, I live in South Eastern British Columbia.
I joined this thread in November of 2018, a daily drinker at the time
My primary goal with drinking less is weight loss.

My usual goal is 16-20 AF days for the month,
I had 16AF days for the shortened month of February.

I do this diary style, I normally post the next morning.

Sunday March 05 - AF after an indulgent first weekend feeling healthy and active in awhile. Doctor's appointment about my sore ankle Monday morning, then back to work at the restaurant for the first time since Covid. Time to get some AF days in!!

Rolling total: 2AF day out of 5 days.

Michieb125 · March 2023

This week I want to finish touching up the edges of the guest bathroom paint (painted new color last November). I have been procrastinating since then, how very silly!

Scheduled are some in-person and zoom meetings this week, then a dinner planned with my adult children for DS’s and DSIL’s birthday’s on Friday. These thirty somethings are all doing LA on their own but never suggest that others should as well. I find that pretty incredible and yet they were instrumental in helping me to start thinking about it a few months ago. We are all learning how to have fun together without drinks.

Planning no A this week until Sat. night.
March accountability: Goal is 20-23 AF days

AF - 4
A - 1
No more than 2 glasses on A day

Have a good week ahead!

lmlmrn · March 2023

Hey my wonderful less A village! It's Monday LOL just a reminder in case anyone reading this forgets where they are...just a PSA hehehe

I did have my lunch beer yesterday. We are slowly saying goodbye to our favorite haunts as we prepare to leave. But sticking to my resolve that is my trend now (not a year ago) to have my two beers then home and not to continue to drink into the evening. So I feel good about that. Next will be to pair those lunch dates down to 1x per week. Then who knows where this will take me. DH's having a drink in the evenings surprisingly does not tempt me.

Today when it warms up a bit, it is tag the items in our garage for packing, tossing or on the fence as maybe's if there is room.

DH is having some dental work this afternoon so no real work today.

hope to pop back on later this week......hugs to everyone

RubyRed427 · March 2023

I'm still around here - just reading your posts and enjoying them. You inspire me!
I have had 5 days A and 1 day AF in March.

I also broke my leg this weekend, so I will be sedentary for awhile. I was craving this afternoon but have no means to get to the fridge because I am on crutches- won't be able to fill a glass of wine and take it to the couch! Not a bad thing:)

Womona · March 2023

RubyRed427 wrote: »

I'm still around here - just reading your posts and enjoying them. You inspire me!
I have had 5 days A and 1 day AF in March.

I also broke my leg this weekend, so I will be sedentary for awhile. I was craving this afternoon but have no means to get to the fridge because I am on crutches- won't be able to fill a glass of wine and take it to the couch! Not a bad thing:)

Noooooooo! I’m so sorry to hear you broke your leg! Heal well and quickly!

The visual of anyone attempting to use crutches with an open glass of wine in their hand is pretty funny! No way to transport it without spilling!

Womona · March 2023

AF tonight, didn’t even want it. Also did great on the food and exercise front!

zensome · March 2023

I haven't been doing very well on my AF days, only one so far this month but I am motivated today to get back on track. It is still early in the month and there is plenty of time to turn this around. I think I am just bored being stuck inside with this cold weather. I also cooked Schnitzel with mushroom cream sauce and spaeztle last night so I had to have beer with that!

I am really looking forward to day light savings and things warming up so I can get back on a running schedule. Having that routine is always helpful to me.

Won't be having any A today so I am actually 2AF/6 including today.

globalhiker · March 2023

RubyRed427 wrote: »

I'm still around here - just reading your posts and enjoying them. You inspire me!
I have had 5 days A and 1 day AF in March.

I also broke my leg this weekend, so I will be sedentary for awhile. I was craving this afternoon but have no means to get to the fridge because I am on crutches- won't be able to fill a glass of wine and take it to the couch! Not a bad thing:)

@RubyRed427 I feel for you and hope you recover fast....sending big hug!

forestdweller1 · March 2023

@RubyRed427 ...A broken leg is no fun at all...unless it happens when you are scheduled to move, then others have to do all the work...it's all in the timing...Yep, I milked it...Heal swiftly !!
I used to take a small carafe of wine, a book, & a glass to the upper deck at my beach house after work. Chill, sip, watch the boats on the Bay. Hummingbirds were a pesky issue. "Shoo away from my glass, feathered creature !!" My daughters gifted me with a wine glass enclosed in plastic, kinda like an adult "sippy cup". No spill, no avian incursions.
No longer need or use it...no deck-no beach-no nightly wine. Should I put it on "LA Bay" ?? @RubyRed427 want ??

@joans1976...Just donate the large-size outfits and, as suggested, take the tax credit. Dithering over it will not help your weight loss, and may impede your progress. "I may get heavy again...I might need them later...spent SO much money"...When you get thru this cancer treatment and back to "normal" life those clothes will be useless. The new life you will be living will be more important than a few outdated clothes.
Oh, and it's none of my bizness...but after treatment is done, GET A FRICKIN' NEW JOB!!! 1001 hugs.

The "6 minute" desire to imbibe ? Okay. It passes. But for me it comes back during the next hour...and the hour after that...Going to bed early to combat cravings...Dang...I'm going to bed at 3 pm ??

Discovered that my favorite packaged "Hindu Meals" have more than doubled in price lately, I'm looking at recipes and finding that the required spices are already in my pantry. My home is going to be smelling quite fragrant now !!

Bibbs, Middle Daughter's marmalade feral rescue cat, is still living indoors. SIL can pet and brush, MD is not allowed to touch, although Bibbs follows her everywhere, including bathroom, and playing solitaire. The "only using boxes of dirt for elimination" continues. I've given up on suggestions for easing him into using kitty litter. It would only lead to screaming and shaking . The last time MD took my advice was when she was 5 years old. That was a half century ago. Their other rescue cat, Mother Scrappy, will play, chase wand toys, and run amok....Meanwhile, Bibbs will watch this activity with a "WTF" look on his furry face. It's very puzzling for him....

Another 60+ degree day with the window open for Catpuccino, then back to 40-50 for a while. On the lookout for the lilies of the valley under my pear tree as a Spring alert.

LESS Alcohol ~ MARCH 2023 ~ One Day at A Time

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