Thursday Dec 7th

[Guest]

Good Morning to all.

Last night I was in and out of the bed like a yo-yo. I think because I have reduced my drinking, my body doesn't know if it is coming or going !

This morning I have had a bath, drunk 2 cups of coffee and eaten breakfast. The breakfast was my mum's influence, but it works wonders . I feel stronger today than I have done in a while.

I am thinking about getting out the christmas decorations today, and putting up the tree - we have one of those fiberoptic scenarios ( hubby's bright idea ) !

Guess what...? Raining again here ! Cold and rainy - how worse can weather be !

Anyway, I thought I would kick off since I am up and active .

Take care and God Bless X

Cait X

[southernbelle47]

Thursday Dec 7th

Good morning Absville,

December 7th has special meaning for me.
It was on this day 28 years ago that I gave birth to my youngest son.
I did not plan on having three children as I already had one boy and one girl.
In honor of his birthday, I would like to share a story I found in my "mail" this morning.
BTW.......I don't think ANYTHING happens by accident to "those who love The Lord and are called according to HIS purpsoe."
I could have missed the years of wild toddler chasing and the messes and the pain of his trip to Iraq in 03 BUT.........then I would have missed the dance.
Here's to many more years of dancing!
I love you, Brandon.
Mom:h
Insight from DAVID LEESTMA (NASA Mission Specialist and Astronaut)





MATTERS OF LIFE AND death were familiar to David Leestma. He found the courage to deal with the challenges of his career through his faith in God. Then a month before Columbia blasted off in 1989, David learned that his wife had breast cancer. She would require an immediate mastectomy and chemotherapy. The doctor also reported that Patti was pregnant. He recommended abortion.
David and Patti were stunned by the news, but abortion was not an option for them. After seeking a second opinion, they found an alternative. Another doctor suggested that with careful monitoring, Patti could have chemotherapy and not endanger the baby's life. The surgery was scheduled, and when David was launched into space aboard 'Columbia,' Patti was in Florida to watch the liftoff.
Patti had her last chemotherapy treatment in mid-December, and Caleb was born on December 28, full term and perfectly healthy.
The power of the family's faith saved young Caleb's life. And the power of God brought Patti and David through the greatest challenge of their lives.
Point to Ponder:
A respect for life is a natural by-product of our faith in God. As we see His fingerprints on all creation and recognize that all things are held together by His power, we honor Him in the living things He has made. And His crowning accomplishment, human life, becomes even more sacred when the lives we treasure are those we love best. Choosing to preserve life, to fight for it, to treasure it, is a form of worshiping the Creator of life. He, in turn, demonstrates His ability to accomplish the impossible in our lives as we reverence the works of His hands.
Power Quote:
God is the source of all life, and when we honor life, we honor God.
Scripture Reading:
Matthew 17:20 - If you had faith no larger than a mustard seed, you could tell this mountain to move from here to there. And it would. Everything would be possible for you.

[Andy1111]

Thursday Dec 7th

Nice post Southernbelle. Very nice. I love space and the NASA angle really tugged me in to read

Day 12 AF for me. Never thought I could go this long. Wow. The weekdays, which used to be tough, are getting a lot easier, but the weekends are still tough. I'm afraid of having another boring weekend. Oh no, I am looking too far ahead. Shouldn't do that!

I really hope my MWO supps come today, I am all out of Kudzu and starting to feel the effects of not being on it the last two days. I have plenty of L-Glut and GABA, but the Kudzu really does it for me. Please come today!

As for holding off those cravings, I've started to read a lot. Thriller novels that keep your attention for hours are really working for me. Hope that helps anyone on the edge.

Later!

[YoungAtHeart]

Thursday Dec 7th

Historical fiction does it for me, Andy! I am praying your kudzu comes today too!

Hugs,
Kathy

[Newyear]

Thursday Dec 7th

HI,

I'm at work and can't talk much. Just wanted to say Hi and I'm doing ok. Nice post Nancy! Great job Andy- 12 is awesome!!
I love history too Kathy...well, I like them on audio books best.
I have been a little down but doing ok...still working out which helps so much and still af which is of course the goal. I'm not craving alcohol so much as just craving a crutch/or escape of some sort.
Guess I'll just have to be tough!

Hello to everyone here today(and all those checking in later) - hope it is a good day and you are doing something positive for yourself - or someone else.

:l Lisa

[Andy1111]

Thursday Dec 7th

Darn, Kudzu didn't come today and I ordered it on Saturday. Oh well. Are there any worthwhile things that replace it? I guess I'll take a little extra GABA, maybe sprinkle it on my tongue for a quick effect. I'm betting it comes tomorrow (keeps fingers crossed and promises never to wait so long to reorder!)

[Andy1111]

Thursday Dec 7th

YoungAtHeart wrote: Historical fiction does it for me, Andy! I am praying your kudzu comes today too!

Hugs,
Kathy

Thanks, and thanks to everyone for the support. I guess I'm not so much craving alcohol, perhaps more of an escape or break from reality. Kind of a weird thought, but I'll throw it out there: I work in a creative field and I used to enjoy getting drunk and coming up with different ideas; sort of expanding my mind. I kind of miss that. But I know I was just feeling the high and most of the time those ideas came out to be pretty stupid.

[pansy]

Thursday Dec 7th

I'm back - where is everybody?

Hello all,

Nice to meet you Andy - 12 days AF is GREAT. Lisa, I am not sure you were on board either when I was posting a lot here. So, if not, howdy to you as well! If you were here, sorry for my bad memory - good for faces, bad for names. I do love your fat cat ....sorry you have been down, Lisa. I am sure that working out is making a huge difference. Wish could get my butt out of chair. Of course, Southern Belle and Kathy have been good and continued posting all along ... while I have been bad and neglected this aspect of the board. So, I am jumping back on the abs train ... choo choo. I am surprised to see so few posts - where did everyone else go?

Last week was hard - got really self-destructive with the drinking. This week was supposed to be better - indeed had 3 AF days so far and then slipped last night. BIG TIME. Totally psychological decision to drink yesterday - I was not craving. Also took a sleeping pill, which obliterated all memory of last night past, say 10 .... NICE. One reason I (total insomniac who can stay awake for days) used to overindulge was to sleep (it does work if enough is consumed). Ya'd think I could just take the damn pill and go to bed, right? Guess not.

I have always considered myself as "abs with slips," because it is just too hard for me to think about the moderation aspect. Today is a done deal - it is strange that I am not craving as much. Good, but strange - only on 25mg topa. At least today will be another 0 on drink tracker. I did my first 60 days abs without topa and then moderated pretty successfully for a LONG time. However, I have decided to go back on the topa given my behavior during the past few weeks. I am really, really mad at myself.

Wishing all a good evening. I will make posting again part of my program. Congrats Andy ... and looking forward to hearing about everyone else in absville. Kathy you still mayor?

Hugs,
Pansy

[Newyear]

Thursday Dec 7th

Hi Pansy- I remember you from when I first started here - back in July. I think I saw you on chat a few times then. I don't do chat room much at all. Not sure why but it feels stressful to me at times - can't type fast enough I suppose!
Happy you are back posting here. And glad you like my fat (we prefer big boned) kitty cat! I'll tell Allie she has an admirer.
Funny you should have Felix as your avitar. My sister and I used to watch that cartoon All the time!(reruns of course)
In fact we can sing the the theme song .....Felix the cat
The Wonderful Wonderful Cat
You'll Laugh so hard Your sides Will Ache
You're heart'll go Pitter Pat
Watching Felix........The Wonderful Cat!!

whew...I feel better already-

Hey, I think today is day 40 af for me...? I'm possibly a day early... either way, 39 or 40 - still feels good.
Thanks everyone- pretty sure I'd be thinking of what to buy on the way home from work today instead of thinking of working out tomorrow if it had not been for this place and all of you here. Feel like I have my very own support group and I have access to it 24/7....oh, I guess that Is what I have!
Anyway - thanks for all the support these past months. It has meant all the difference.
:l Lisa

[pansy]

Thursday Dec 7th

Hi Lisa,
Congrats on Day 40!!! That is really a wonderful accomplishment for you.

Okay - so Allie the cat is big boned. I shall have to remember that. She is lucky to have owners who take such care in maintaining her feline self esteem. Did you buy that chair just for her?:H

Thanks for welcoming me back,
Pansy (who has a 25 pound cat that is also big boned)

[vinophile]

Thursday Dec 7th

Hey all in Absville,
I've borrowed my son's keyboard so I can type a quick post. I've been reading and following you all but can't post without a keyboard (obviously)

I am indeed struggling but refuse to leave absville as i know it is really the only way for so many of us. I'm so inspired by your posts!!!!! Lisa, we started out together (after a few other attempts for both of us) and then I crashed after 10 days or so. It is so wonderful to see you going strong after 40 days!!!You give me such hope. And once again I will tell you how strong your posts are. I know you were down a bit today but I can really feel the strength and confidence in all of your posts.
Everyone else keep up the good work.
See you tomorrow. (keyboard permitting!!!)

Janet

PS Good to see you Pansy (I also loved Felix the cat)

[YoungAtHeart]

Thursday Dec 7th

Hi Pansy, welcome back!:l It's good to see you again here! I'm not Mayor anymore--we just kind of take turns these days. I've gotten so busy these days, I can barely keep up with posting every day. But it is great to see you here.

I'm sorry that you're feeling down, Lisa. You remain, as Janet said, an inspiration. Janet--I hope you'll splurge and get yourself a new keyboard!

By the way, I have a big-boned kitty named Tootsie who weighs in at 22 pounds. She looks a little like your kitty, Lisa. Should we form a kitty club for them, our larger than life kitties?

Thanks, yet again, for the inspiration, Nancy!

Still praying for your kudzu, Andy!!

And hope everything is going well for you Caitlin.

Today was very sad in my community. The football quarterback from my daughter's high school and his younger sister in junior high were killed last night in a car crash. Their mother teaches in the high school. There was no evidence of alcohol abuse or speeding. They were wearing their seat belts. I am praying for their parents and all the kids in school, including my daughter (who didn't know the boy that well). Apparently, the boy was a model citizen. One of my clients who had also heard speculated that perhaps a deer had run in front of the car, since there was no other vehicle involved.

So grab someone you love and tell them how much you love them. You never know....

Love to all,
Kathy:l

[Newstart]

Thursday Dec 7th

yeah

Congrats on day 40, wow, Im only on day 2...................
Oh well where theres a will theres a way, right????
Take Care
Dan