[retteacher]

I'm having one of those stubborn insomniac nights again. I actually don't fret about them the way I used to. I really began my solo drinking career w/drinking to fall asleep at night. I loved falling into bed half drunk & just letting my mind do whatever it wanted. Of course, I didn't realize that the drinking at night would progress to the extent that it did.

The evening w/the family was just wonderful. I'm so grateful that I stayed sober. My daughter & SIL brought a bottle of wine, & they & my husband had a few glasses. They got that nice glow that normal drinkers get when they've sipped a little wine. They ended up taking home the bottle which still had about a third of its contents. I cringe when I think that I've polished off that size bottle all by myself. This just underscores to me that I just do not drink like a normal person drinks.

I'll have a lot going on during August: a week-long visit from my son & his kids, a trip to my parents to get some things done for them, another dinner party here where wine will be served, etc. I'm taking it one day at a time & keeping my sobriety as a priority.

It's experiences like tonight's dinner w/the family that reinforce my committment to remain AF. I would be so sad & guilty if I had taken even one drink...additionally, I'd be planning my next binge.

Thank you MWO. None of my limited successes would have been possible wo/all of you out there. I know for sure that I'd still be struggling all by myself.

Mary