donimfp Member

@JulieAL1969, it's so exciting to follow your journey. 62 days is amazing. I'm now entering the one-week countdown to my Italy trip. I am planning to have some wine in Italy . . . however, for me, I've learned that once I allow myself that "just one," the AF struggle really starts all over again. It's happened 3 times…

There was a feature on our local news yesterday about SXSW, which starts in Austin on the 12th. A guy is opening a "Sober Bar" with all kinds of AF options. It's encouraging that going AF suddenly seems "cool." I have to think that will mean more options and also less pressure for younger people who are probably more…

I love that answer @JulieAL1969, I can’t moderate. It clearly states that these are YOUR boundaries and not a prescription for anyone else. I think owning our own “stuff” is a major strength of this group. Yay us!

@momefee, so sorry. I can't imagine. What is wonderful is that you know how important it is to have an alcohol-free brain when faced with tough or important decisions. I'm glad you found this supportive group. On tips for staying AF, the one thing that works best for me to cut off a craving is to eat just a little…

@blackopal93, thanks for the correction! I'm just hoping I'll be forgiven for slight mistakes when I'm in Italy. I always find it charming when Italian- or French-speakers make slight errors in English, but then they have those lovely accents, not my Texas twang! I'll be sure to specify "frizzante" for my acqua! Love the…

E anche io sono “in”. At least I think that’s how to say I’m in in Italian. No telling what kind of trouble I’ll get myself into attempting to speak a bit of the language. But I do know how to say “Vorrei un’acqua minerale,” so that will prevent some potential problems.

@dbanks80 and @WinoGelato, thanks for the good Italy wishes. Oh, yeah, the gelato sounds awesome! And I know we will walk and walk and walk, so that's good. I'm looking forward to feeling a little leaner and meaner after 2 more weeks of AF living before I leave. The 2 almost-completely-sober months have resulted in a more…

I'm with you, Julie, on the better skin, thinner face, way less anxiety, and weight loss (I think. I'll find out Wednesday at my doctor's visit). This month I learned the hard way how depressed alcohol makes me feel. That is now a motivator for me. I don't want to feel that way the next morning. I also learned during my…

@ehseeker, I have relied a lot on San Pellegrino. It feels so festive and fancy and doesn't have sodium like club soda. Last night at my mom's b'day party everybody had champagne and then at the restaurant martinis and wine and margaritas. I had San P. (l'acqua minerale!) at home and then diet Coke with lime (important!)…

OK, one more post for me. Today is my mom's birthday (Jane Fonda is 86!). My brother, sister, and I are giving her a tour of nearby VODKA DISTILLERIES--a vodka-tasting afternoon. Oh boy! Well, I volunteered to be the driver. And I'm not even freaked out about it. Yay! Also, my husband just returned from the farmers market…

@kcn2bluesky, that is a great question. From reading all the posts, I think you are not alone in finally surprising yourself with your success. I'm the same way, although I haven't hit 50 days yet. I know that is coming. My theory is that @JulieAL1969 succeeded in creating a thread that attracted a lot of nonjudgmental,…

Thank you, @JulieAL1969 for that! This is the kind of info. I need to keep myself going. When I lived in Edinburgh decades ago, one of the women in our American Womens Club was married to a Scottish physician who was a hepatic specialist. One time we were all enjoying our cocktails when she announced that her husband was…

I'm hosting my mom's birthday party tomorrow and serving champagne. I'm not going to be drinking it. I just saw a suggestion from Annie Grace that I'm going to try: Muddle 2 sprigs of fresh mint with the juice of half a fresh lime. Add ice and top with lime-flavored sparkling water. That sounds like a plan! I guess for…

@JenT304 mentioned Sober School yesterday, so I looked it up. It seems to be a great site specifically aimed at women. Her blog from Feb. 19 is the one @Jen mentioned. It's kind of sad and funny at the same time. She lists 25 strategies that didn't work for her based on her Google searches (in the past--before her 5-year…

Another book recommendation. A Happier Hour. I just started it tonight. As the author describes her failed attempts to moderate she says “So much energy and headspace wasted.” Amen!

@MaryBethHempel, after you finish @Norminv’s suggested reading list, Drinking: A Love Story is good. Some have recommended A Girl Walks Out of a Bar but I haven’t read that one. I’m learning Italian for my upcoming trip, which is pretty easy since I speak Spanish, and I learned today that when Italians say their email…

@lporter229, that is a WIN!

And if you do listen to Mary Gauthier’s haunting song, here are her thoughts about having to be sober in order to write it. http://www.marygauthier.com/news/behind-the-song-i-drink

@JulieAL1969 you continue to be an inspiration and our fearless leader. You have done a world of good by starting this group. Thanks! For a soulful riff on drinking check out Mary Gauthier’s “I Drink.” Easy to find on YouTube.

@jselmi, welcome! Thanks for educating us/me about Wharf Rats. I just looked them up on Wiki. What a great thing for people who love music and want to be sober. Keep reading and contributing.

Well, after drinking on Sunday, I'm thinking moderation probably just won't work for me. Alcohol makes me depressed! I guess I've been walking around depressed for awhile and haven't realized it, but I could really feel the difference after drinking this time. My problem is (well, ONE of my problems is) that I do indeed…

I love kombucha. It does look good in that glass! Also, shrubs are really good mixed with sparkling water. The vinegar makes it a pretty nice wine substitute. I've ordered from Tait Farms: https://www.taitfarmfoods.com/shopshrub.html

I might be a little bit glad that I drank (to excess) last night because I have been SUPER depressed all day today. Not depressed "about" anything, just feeling depressed, chemically I guess you would say. Maybe this is how I always feel when I drink, and I just had gotten used to it. It's gross. I can't wait to wake up…

Thanks, y'all. I feel like poop this morning. But guess what? I know I feel like poop. Feeling like poop no longer feels normal. I guess that's something. Those drinks were SO not worth it. Why do that to myself? This is an adventure.

OK, so, today was day was day 28 (since Jan. 22, after blowing it starting Jan. 1). Seriously? Can't make it to 30? I drove from my awesome AF weekend with granddaughter to home to a funeral for a precious 40-year-old friend who died in New Orleans during Mardi Gras. Still don't know how/why but suspect substances. His…

Every 6 weeks or so I travel to Ft Worth (4-hour drive) and spend an intense weekend with my 4-yr-old love of my life granddaughter. We always cap off Friday night with a “fancy lady” dinner at Olive Garden. I put on lipstick and she does too (Burt’s Bees), hence the “fancy.” I can’t possibly convey what a joy this is for…

@ norminv, your honesty and willingness to look at things as they are will surely serve you well. You are an inspiration. I hope you are keeping a journal. As I said before, there’s a book in you. Maybe just for your loved ones. Or beyond.

@norminv, I don’t think any of us here are past the “This is freaking hard” stage. That’s why we’re here. My positive thoughts coming your way and I will take the liberty of assuming I speak for many here. Imagine us as virtual “Abilibuddies” or whatever your term was.

@kittybenn, how lovely that you don't want to be too judgmental toward drunk people. Such an open attitude is refreshing these days. We need more of it. I hear you on the wine thing. That's why I'm going to try a glass or two in Italy . . . it will be "good stuff" for sure, or why bother? @dressagerider1020, OK, I finally…