Marigny23

So close! I can almost taste that glass of Malbec currently sitting in my wine case bought just for the occasion! :P.

Thanks for the encouragement Dragonfly! I feel great! Congratulations on your weight loss thus far! 9 lbs - that's fantastic! At the rate you're going, you'll be at goal in no time! I admire your ability to stick to your resolve at the birthday dinner. Formal dinners like that have definitely been the toughest events for…

Thankfully, last night was the first night I really struggled, and hopefully the last one that proves so difficult! I grew up immersed in a culture where copious alcohol consumption was "the norm", and observed, first hand, much of the devastation you cite that alcohol abuse can lead to. It wasn't until I moved elsewhere…

Last night was the cooking lesson/dinner party, and I was very discouraged by how difficult it was for me to abstain from alcohol. I did make it through the night without falling off the wagon, but it was just extremely difficult. I received more peer pressure and kick back than I expected I would. Despite showing up with…

Dbanks, way to get back on the horse! We are more than halfway through Lent now, and I imagine that abstaining from alcohol on your birthday is the biggest challenge you have faced and will face during lent. It's all easier from here!

I picked up the red blend, since I prefer red but am not a big fan of Merlot. I really need to just make some time for myself each evening. It's just that with so much on my plate recently, I've been running around nonstop until the moment I climb in bed (and then I wonder why I can't fall asleep!). I am sure I would be…

A bear went over the mountain. A bear went over the mountain. A bear went over the Mmmooouuunnntttaaaiiinnn, and we went over the hill!!! Yay, we are more than halfway there! I haven't fallen off the wagon yet which I am very happy for. I wasn't sure how I would handle going this long without drinking, hadn't done it in…

Don't stress yourself over it. Forgive yourself (and if you are doing this for religious reasons, know that God already has forgiven you!). I know that a lot of times for me when I make one mistake, I tend to start compounding them rather than forgiving myself and allowing myself a fresh start. For instance, if I ate a…

Dragonfly, sorry I kind of hijacked the board, starting the new threads. It almost feels like a personal victory to be able to start a new week, having successfully made it through the previous. It also forces me to make a plan of how to be successful in the coming week and then vocalize it so I feel like I am held…

Thanks Dragonfly! :). The progress is some much needed encouragement. I hate to admit it, but my countdown to the end of lent has already begun... Daaaaahhhhhh

My big dinner party plans never formalized, which, by no means was a disappointment. Instead, I was able to enjoy some high quality time with my dvr Friday night. I must have really needed the rest because I was hard asleep before 9:00. Saturday, I had my own st. Patricks celebration as planned. Two good friends came by…

Thanks for sharing. I will, of course, pray for you as well as remember your resolve when I am challenged this weekend. That's a big challenge you are facing, and your dedication really serves as a great role model. Because it is a big challenge, have you thought about planning a reward for yourself when you are…

Thanks Meg. I am a big fan of club soda and commonly drink it in place of alcohol, but your alternatives sound much more delicious than just plain soda water! Mmmm. I might just have to give those a try! I also saw some alcohol free wines advertised online. I'm not sure if they are any good, but they may be worth trying.…

Hooray for making it through the first weekend successfully! Congrats to all who did, and to those who may have stumbled, jump right back on the band wagon! It won't leave you behind! I just wanted to share my own struggle with the challenge in hopes that someone may be able to provide some words of encouragement or…

I am a huge fan of bahama bob's mixers. They are made with Splenda. My favorite is to mix the sugar free mojito mixer and club soda, with some muddled lime quarters and mint. So refreshing! I can just picture the palm trees now!