Day 26 Check In

Happy Friday All,

So, The Holiday Weekend is upon us and being such a few challanges may arise. As Deirdre pointed out last night, it may take a conscience choice on our parts to make some changes in what we are normally accustomed in doing on a holiday such as this to successfully navigate all the triggers that may arise. In other words, "think outside of the box".

So, what do you do when attending the parties, and backyard BBQ's, and the trips to the beach where certainly tradition, in my family at least, has the wine, the beer, the martinis, and other such beverages readily available. Well for me, I make sure and listen to the hypno cd, take my supps, bring my cranberry juice and soda, and focus on my goal. I find that keeping my personal goal forever present in the front of my mind to truly be one of the best tools I have.

So, what are everyone's plans for the weekend, and how do you intend on successfully negotiating the obtacles you may encounter.

CDS:
Subliminal, and Sleeplearning.
Everything else is the same.

We had alot of rain move through here last night however, the weekend is looking clear for the most part, I think anyway. Have a GREAT all!!

Donna

Happy Friday!

Wow, it's the last weekend of May, congrats to everyone who has made it through abs so far this month. Deidre and Donna prompted some interesting thoughts yesterday.

It is ALL about personal choices and I have made some poor choices in the past. If I was feeling down I drank, if I was bored I drank, If I wanted to celebrate I drank, etc, etc, etc.

I put alcohol above everything, my family, my friends, and even myself. I have learned that alcohol is not the answer to everything. It's an easy way out and not a smart one. It is much more difficult to address issues and problems in my life when sober, but also much more rewarding when things are resolved!

I hope everyone has a great day.

Marcie

Hi Guys -

I'm feeling better today and in a more positive frame of mind. I have to let go of my stupid behavior from Wednesday night and just be grateful everything turned out OK and LEARN from that. I think I have.

Anyway, already did the hypnotic CD today and headed to gym shortly. Then I have a job interview at 2. Yikes. For the weekend, I am just playing it low key and staying away from friends and places that get me into trouble. Also, husband will be home tonight so that is good too.

Thanks for all the support yesterday. Have a good day everyone.

Have a great weekend boy hit by the car is back home should have a 100% recoverly . Going fishing away from all 3 days have a safe weeked.

Hey Everyone--Good work!

Donna, thanks so much for reminding us that we have choices to make. For me, I just have to remember that I seem to only have a choice about the first glass of wine--my ability to choose seems to go out the window AFTER I've had that glass!

And, Deirdre, about going outside our comfort zone--yep, definitely have to do that.... I don't have your post in front of me, but I think you also made the point that this is not just about coping with alcohol, but also in all aspects of our lives. I certainly have discovered that I learn so much more about myself, other people, the world, when I DO go outside my comfort zone.

I agree with the idea above (was it you, Marcie?) that alcohol is the easy way out--or at least it seems as if it is. I think a lot of my drinking was to keep me "safe, " or so I thought. In other words, although I got into some outrageous behavior in the early days of my drinking, for the last couple of years alcohol served to keep me isolated, staying at home and "safe." What a delusion that was!! There is absolutely NOTHING more dangerous to ME than staying at home drinking alone! If there was any way I was going to lose my health, my dreams, my friends and family, it was by staying home and drinking--so how "safe" is that??? It's really only an illusion/delusion of safety.

I think alcohol is actually only an illusion of "escape" too. Let's face it, by the next morning any idea of escape is a distant memory since our problems are still there and now we have to deal with them through either a ghastly hangover and/or feelings of complete worthlessness! When things aren't going so great now I at least feel a bit more able to handle it...and, as you said, the whole experience is that much more rewarding when it finally is resolved!

Oh dear, rambling on here....nomorewine, good luck with your job interview! And Teechino, great news about the kid and have a fabulous time fishing! We're going to our cabin in Vermont for a whole week starting tomorrow....I plan on getting all sorts of stuff done that I've always been too wine-soaked to get to!

Have a great day, everyone!

best, susan

I am working on a project with a couple tight deadlines so I have not had time to read the boards or post much. I am also slacking on the program, which concerns me. At least I know the project will be done one week from today. In time to join the June group!

Hi Folks,
Already Friday and the start of the weekend. For today I'm just trying to gear up for tonight. By that I mean getting everything done so I don't get stressed out and become trigger-weak.Hopefully just going to rent a movie and go to bed early. I am not going to worry about the rest of the weekend but taking it and evening at a time.
This month has been very eye-opening. I certainly feel more grounded when not drinking. However life still presents its plate of problems even when we are not drinking. In some ways this month has raised more questions in my mind than it has answered. I suppose that is good and has left me with a lot of work to do in June. At some point I would like to deal with drinking and anger... is that anywhere in the boards???
Good weekend to you all. I'll be around and near the boards for support
Janet

Janet, I think if you started a post about drinking and anger many people would contribute. When you're ready, I say go ahead!

Marcie

Hi All,

Sounds like we are off to a great start to the weekend. There are some very good thoughts from all above. Marcie, I agree whole heartily with what you said. Heres to all of us enjoying some resolution in our lives. Janet, I think anger is quite a powerful emotion! It can work wonders, or it can quite frankly, eat us alive. I think it IS a good idea, when you are ready, to start a thread about this. It could make for some very interesting discussion.

Kate, hope the job interview went well. Teechino, good luck catching fish. Kris, I am glad to hear an end is in sight for you, and Susan, you most certainly do not ramble!!

Hope everyone is having a great day!!

Donna

Well I don't know where the day went today, it's midnight here so I guess I'm a pumpkin again, at least I'm not a pickled pumpkin though. :D

Great posts today, I feel like I missed a really good party! Catch up with you guys tomorrow...

Deirdre|I