July 10 - Thurs. - Daily Thread

[retteacher]

Hi Everyone:

I'm up early, but I'm surprised to be the one to start this thread. It's good to be home, & last night I got some quality sleep. Crossing many times zones is exhausting (as those of you who travel for a living must know for sure). The biggest bonus is that I didn't come down from the trip & the exhaustion w/AL. That was my pattern.

Yesterday, I got back into my daily life & didn't feel any desire for AL at all. When I thought about drinking, it was to be grateful that I don't do it. I told my brother & SIL that I no longer drink (wo/going into specifics as to why). It felt good just to acknowledge the fact that I like to stay clear-headed & self-possessed instead of bleary & confused. There's no contest (between sober & drunk) when it's put like that.

I'm having some people over for dinner on Sat. We'll be serving wine, & I'm going to be totally prepared in advance. I want to be able to be around mod drinking wo/giving in...especially in my own house.

Take care everyone. I'll try to check in later.

Mary

[Cinders]

Hi, Mary!!

As you know, a plan is important when these events are coming up. I buy AF beer (because I hate the AF wines) and pour it into a glass with a lemon. I have no idea why it works but it helps me. It is funny because I really don't like beer.

Otherwise, I drink iced tea. I love my iced tea. Southern girl thing. At least I don't sweeten it with sugar like I used to. When I think about how much sugar I used to drink in that tea, it gives me the shivers.

Hope all to come have a great day.

Love,
Cindi

[charlee]

Morning all
Seems like alot of us have such a busy summer, Mary welcome back!
Cindi, I have a picture in my mind of you sitting on your front porch, brimmed hat, sipping that tea!!!...Nice thought, but seeing that sports car of yours, maybe the tea is in a water bottle, as you roll down that top and put your pedal to the metal...why do I think its the latter...lol
Busy, busy....Italy is just 2 weeks away and my "to do" list is getting longer and longer!!..I have a packing issue, and even though Beck was kind enough to forward me "tips"...I can't seem to get it!!!
Hope everyone has a great day!!!

[Doggygirl]

Mary you sound like it was a good trip but it's good to be home. I can understand the pain of time zone adjustment - I had a really hard time with that when I used to travel a lot on business. Even an hour difference bothered me - I have no clue how people that have to travel a lot globally do it! Best wishes for your dinner party on Saturday. I'm sure it will be lovely, and I KNOW you will do well not drinking wine even though you plan to serve it. I tried my first AF wine last night. It was the Fre White Zin. As others here had mentioned, I found it WAY too sweet by itself. But I did enjoy about 1/2 and 1/2 with club soda, and a little crushed ice. I lemon slice would probably be good in there too. Just throwin' that out there! That is something I'm sure I'll do if I ever have wine drinkers at the house.

Cindi, I think I filled my lifetime beer quotient by college graduation, because I totally lost my taste for beer after that. It only tasted good to me in certain situations on a VERY hot day. For whatever reason, I did like the AF beer last Saturday even though the thought of a real beer was . (a good thing!) I'll have to try it with a lemon or lime next time!! I stayed away from the AF beer / wine thing for a long time, but I can see now that it's sorta nice to feel "grown up" even without the AL, if that makes any sense. Not that I worry what others think - LOL I'm WAY WAY too selfish for that!

Dad is doing better - posted more about that in Booze Busters. It was very nice to spend time with him and Mom yesterday afternoon with Dad being "all there" and able to communicate. He was in a good mood (maybe a little help from something in the IV bag??) and we laughed and had a nice time. We made a memory.

Today is Day 50 AFHF and Day 500 Nicotine free. I just think that's strange and fun that the numbers worked out like that. Tomorrow will be one year since my first MWO AF day. I wish I had done things differently, but progress has been made too.

Happy AFHF Thursday to all who are yet to come.

DG
+ ********************

[Beck]

Hi all,

Didn't think I'd be checking in today as I have company. She has taken the 4 big girls on an errand and I have the little girls (and one boy). I just spent an hour and a half raking my back "lawn" - new construction and the grass has taken in some places, not in others. Time to reseed.

My friend who is visiting is the last person I drank with before this sober period. She called her husband last night ( I drank with him too) and he asked if we had started drinking yet. I'm sure I cringed a bit as I hadn't mentioned my non-drinking. And before the bottle of wine was opened, the voice kept saying this would be the perfect time to see if I can just have one...I fessed up instead. Just said I hadn't had a drink in over 5 months and proceeded to have my AF beer while I cooked dinner for 11. I do have to say I was a bit jealous when I could tell the wine was taking effect. Oh well, tonight I get to not drink and cook dinner for 14 (and more drinkers). Char taught me to ask myself what the drink would accomplish...nothing good that's for sure.

Char, regarding the packing. The bottom line is that I have never been upset that I pack too little...only when I pack too much.

Cindi and DG, I have been drinking the AF beer and it does seem to help me. When this challenging period is over I will use sparingly.

DG glad your Dad is better - congrats on the 50 and 500 days!!

Cindi, happy you are feeling better. You gave some advice to a newbie the other day - told her she was playing with fire and to tell her husb to take the kids for a bit while she relaxed. Have to tell you it was the best advice I've ever read at MWO.

Okay, now I'm going to refinish some furniture (yes, I think that is fun!!!)

Beck

[Sheepish]

Wow Beck
Standing back and being able to ask yourself the question 'what the drink would accomplish'. With the added pressure of being the host to drinking friends- I have felt that 1000s of times and caved and felt bad about myself. You are my hero.
-Sheep

[Determinator]

Happy Thursdays ABlanders!

50 days for DoggyGirl!!!!! yeeeeeeehaw!!! woof wooooof!

well, I'm just glad to be home it was so smoky here last night we had trouble sleeping and it's been bothering our lungs. I cannot imagine what people with serious lung issues are doing about this...? yikes. My athsma used to bother me when I drank...probably all the sulphites in the wines these days.

anyhow, life is good and I wouldn't be dead for a thousand bucks! so there!

be well friends

[Cinders]

Wow,

What great posts.

Det. We would rather you not be dead, either.!!! We love you!!!
I hope the fires settle down soon.

Oh Beck. You are doing so well. Well, not well, AWESOME!!! You have kids over, a friend over you drank with AND YOU ARE NOT DRINKING!! I am totally impressed. TOTALLY. You are my hero!! (No, don't take that to heart, but you ARE!! )

Sheepish, Charlee (yes, I am a pedal to the medal kind of mama) and Mary,

I pray everyone has had and will have a glorious AF day. I have. I am happy and looking forward to Lenair. Love to all of you.

Cindi

[Pamina]

Hi all,

I just found out a friend of mine has died suddenly. She had a blood disorder, had been to hospital, had been discharged and then collapsed in the tube station. Just like that. All of 40-something years old. She's not on the planet any more.

The last time I learned of a sudden death it was an acquaintance through work. My then BF bought me something with Southern Comfort.

Tonight I walked to the group I was on my way to see and told them that if I was drinking, I'd want a stiff drink right now. Which in theory I did. I paused at the bar for a few seconds. Then I ordered a cranberry juice.

I feel very disoriented. But I'm not drunk. For some reason it was her time.

[Beck]

Pamina, I'm so sorry for your loss. I am also proud of you for not drinking. That is a tough one and you are handling it well. Be careful over the next week or so. I'm not sure if you know but many of us had a very tough time around day 60 - for me it was emotional rollercoaster time and the loss of your friend will exacerbate that. Me, I almost caved at Day 65 and for no good reason at all. Take care of yourself.

Sheep and Cindi, thanks for the kind words. I am beginning to think that my last drink may have actually been my last drink.

Beck