af day Sun 19 May

[treetops]

MAE - still dark here but its Sunday morning. Cup of tea anyone? Coffee coming up.

Who's peeking into the future today? No doubt there will be more posts on the Sat thread. So I get to turn back time. I have another trip to Europe in a couple of weeks - so more time traveling - thats why I am working on this paper for my presentation. I also have a presentation at the end of the week - but thats close to home. Had a good stab at these papers last night and then watched a dreadful DVD - it was too sci fi and violent for my taste. I better stick to the retro stuff:H Time I read some more novels too - don't do that enough these days.

Kuya - you keeping warm? Good time with the relies? Have you got many here in NZ? Liked your comment about our health system. Another thing is that we need to give more credit (I think) to many of the medics - most work bloody hard and I think do care. Just like many vets!:dog:

Lav - hope the weather held for DIL's grad. What did she graduate in? I have to attend a graduation next weekend and get dressed up in the gown. I hate looking like I have stepped out of a Harry Potter movie.

Bear - hope you are getting through the weekend OK. Well done yesterday for riding that yukky Friday night. Yes, early nights and reading about the booze helped me. I also read a lot written by addicts in my early days. Just be careful that such memoirs don't set off triggers - or comparisons (eg "I was never that bad so I don't have a problem" because thats delusional as we all have problems - thats why we are here).

Mick - good day in the garden? Today is your offski day which is partly why I am shaking the troops.

Glad your house plans are advancing LTLW. Now don't get too anxious if there have to be a few steps back with the house situation. Read Mick's post yesterday.

Cinders - glad your hubby's getting fixed. No wonder you couldn't sleep on Fri night. Take care.

PPQP - I could hear the snores:H How is your frantic weekend?

SL - demons under control? Yes, I too am a great follower of the B vitamins. Must be my Mum talking to me as well (she's dead) but she always said they were important for the brain. This was a ploy to get me to eat yukko food I bet. I can remember my big brother sprinkling wheatgerm on everything - this was back in the 1960s in conservative old NZ!

Mr G from OZ? You awake yet - bit early for you? Are you peeking here?

Hi there Det! Don't worry -I had a margarine free day:H

Everyone else who is still just getting into Saturday - or popping in here - have a great AF day. No big jokes I am afraid - thats Mick's cue.

Huggies!!!

[Guitarista]

af day Sun 19 May

Hi y'all!

G'day TT. Yep, i'm having a peek. I hope all your Uni paperwork is not too much of a chore.

All good here thanks Mick. Impressed with your 100 laps of the pool! (and your jokes...I needed a laff)

Welcome back Bear. Best wishes on your journey mate.

Sunday morning here in Oz. Off for a run and a dip in the freezing bay, then off to make some music with my band. Half hourly tweets on twitter.

Wishing everyone a safe, sober, and magical weekend.

[kuya]

af day Sun 19 May

MAE

Morning TT and Mr G

Lovely day yesterday with the whanau, we have such good times when we get together and I know it is down to the absence of alcohol. Only my younger son gets tetchy and that is due to his continuing drinking but family get together s are always AF. This is because my eldest and his fianc? no longer drink so it is not part of our life anymore. My younger sons GF is more or less teetotal so he is the odd one out. I know I am fortunate to have this safe area in my life, where there is no battle or feeling different or deprived.

Have a good day out Mick.....I wish I could say I was keeping my exercise up but the onset of shorter days and rain has sapped my motivation :upset:

I have smoked again two days ago and am struggling again with this. I got complacent and stopped using glutamine ( ran out) I realise I am going to have to focus on quitting fags as hard as I did alcohol. My problem is around finding no reward in stopping smoking ( apart from money) and also finding withdrawal nearly non existent so part of my brain thinks I can just have one........yeah right!!!! :H:H:H. 20 packs later and I am struggling for a day one again......BUGGER.

Bear....jealousy is a painful emotion. It helps me to realise that, regardless of the front people present, beneath is a human being struggling with life EXACTLY as I am. They may have different problems, but they have problems nonetheless. In the end, since we are all mortal, we share the inevitable end of all we hold dear so try and learn to say 'fuck it' and enjoy and be grateful for what you have. I look at life as a huge game, we are dealt certain cards and play them the best we can.......have fun, it is JUST a game.

Even being an alcoholic and a smoker and being broke ATM, are just cards in my huge set, levellers, to balance all the wonderful cards of my kids, job I love, humour ( well I like it :H), amazing experiences etc etc.

I can and have at times been a victim to the bad cards, but that was my CHOICE, as was the drinking, as IS the smoking.

Right, now I must go eat. Laters

[blondie]

af day Sun 19 May

mae peeps

Catching up with new technology (new to me that is) so getting back to internet land.

Cold but sunny here this morning; had the woodburner on last night and it was wonderful (probably not for the neighbours as they disappeared under our blanket of smog!)

TT - trip to Europe sounds great. I'm still struggling with my NZ one, but once I'm there, it'll be great and I'll want to move back again! How's the kitchen - are you superChef now?!
Mr G - you can't be serious about swimming in this cold (I know it'll be colder in Melb)?! Yikes!
Kuya - I might get some LGlut for the sugar, though it's under control now. Oh, Happy belated birthday. I guess your pool days are on hold for a few months?!

Mick - hope all goes well with your op. don't know the answer to the cholesterol either (my brother was told to take margarine too!) Mine did drop when I did Atkins (and I was still drinking!)
Cindi - hope your hubbie is doing well. Is he home yet?
Hi PPQ (snow stopped?!), YAH, SL, Det and everyone

[learningtolovewinter]

af day Sun 19 May

Good morning, coffee anyone?
Going to make it to my favorite class this morning, exercise is a great reason NOT to drink!
Awesome workout for you yesterday Mick!
This morning's class is by far the most fun workout of the week for me

So, now I have the L-Glut and other supplements, all for cravings and anxiety, and last night I was feeling pretty drowsy. I had one hell of a morning workout and that was part of it I assume, but we slept at 10:30! Let's see what today brings. I think the house hunting stress is part of this. Yesterday I suggested we get a quote from a contractor on insulating the ceiling? I really think we need to take more time on this decision. We shall see.

Just looked at my calendar and I started tracking my drinking the end of February.
Even if I am not there yet, it really is great that I am doing this and GOOD I finally got some supplements to make the road easier. At least, after a week of L-Glut it seems to make a difference? Going to do some more research & doctor consult on the GABA as I think it looks helpful too, just want to be careful on that one.

It seems the L-Glut quiets my racing mind a bit? I am taking quite a lot of it though, the recommended dose wasn't effective, but now I think it is building up in my system? I focus my mind throughout out the day that I want to be calm in my body. When I think of wine, I imagine myself relaxed and calm, "I want to be calm, serene and in control".
Whatever it takes I would say!
Somehow I think these long evenings help me not to drink? It gets dark so late now, I am ready to sleep and it isn't even dark yet. No more, "It's dark, time for a drink". Great opportunity I would say. Although if I were not trying of course it would make no difference. Being aware and accountable for my actions is also helping.

Happy trails to all for an AF Sunday.

[Mick]

af day Sun 19 May

quick jump in ..hi everyone...how arey ou all today?on my way out now..turns out todays travel is only 80 miles away so not too bad

Ky ...you CAN do it you know you can ..quit lettin your brain fool you...as for the treat...save the cash and get yourself something...I bought my first digital camera with mine!!!!so go for it

ppqp ...where did you go to? hiya

morning Lav,TT blondie ...nice to see ya , bear SF ,G,Det ltlw..apologies for any I have missed..take care n have a great day


Just after takeoff, the captain made an announcement over the intercom: ?Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. Welcome to Flight 293, non-stop from New York to Los Angeles. The weather ahead is good and we should have a smooth and uneventful flight. Now sit back and relax?OH, MY GOD!?

Silence followed, and after a few minutes, the captain came back on the intercom and said, ?Ladies and gentlemen, I am so sorry if I scared you earlier. While I was talking to you, the flight attendant accidentally spilled a cup of hot coffee in my lap. You should see the front of my pants!?

A passenger yelled, ?That?s nothing. You should see the back of mine!?

A blonde who?s having financial troubles decides to kidnap a child for ransom. She writes on a piece of paper: ?I?ve kidnapped your son. Leave $10,000 behind the oak tree in the park tomorrow at 7 A.M. The Blonde.? She walks over to the park, grabs a little boy, pins the note to his jacket, and tells him to run home.

The next morning, the blonde goes back to the park, where she sees the boy standing behind the oak tree.

?I?m supposed to give you this,? he says, handing her a brown bag. As she counts the money, she notices a new note pinned to his jacket: ?For the record, I can?t believe that one blonde would do this to another.?

Three guys with dogs walk into a bar. The first orders a beer, and when it comes, his dog pours it for him. The second guy orders a beer, and his dog cracks open peanuts. The third guy orders a beer, but when it comes, his dog just sits there.

?Your dog doesn?t do any tricks?? asks the first guy.

?He?s a blacksmith,? says the third.

?What the hell does that mean??

?Well, if you stick a hot poker up his ass, he?ll make a bolt for the door.?

Q: How are Viagra and Disney World similar?A: Both make you stand around and wait an hour for a two-minute ride.

What?s the difference between a drunk and a stoner?A drunk drives through the stop sign; a stoner waits for it to turn green.

Q: What?s the difference between a wife and a hippopotamus?A: One has a big mouth and a fat ass?and the other one lives somewhere in Africa
Two men are driving through Alabama when they get pulled over by a highway patrolman. The cop walks up and taps on the window with his nightstick. The driver rolls down the window and ?Whack!? the cop smacks him in the head with the stick.
The driver asks, ?What the hell was that for??
The cop answers, ?You?re in Alabama, son. When we pull you over, you better have your license ready when we get to your car.?
The driver says, ?I?m sorry, Officer, I?m not from around here.? The cop runs a check on the guy?s license, and he?s clean. He gives the guy his license back, walks around to the passenger side, and taps on the window. The passenger rolls down the window and, ?Whack!? the cop smacks him on the head with the nightstick.
The passenger asks, ?What?d you do that for??
The cop says, ?Just making your wish come true.?
The passenger asks, ?Making what wish come true??
The cop says, ?Two miles down the road you?re gonna say to your buddy, ?I wish that asshole would?ve tried that shit with me!??

A trucker who has been out on the road for three weeks stops into a brothel outside Vegas. He walks straight up to the Madam, drops down $500 and says, ?I want your ugliest woman and a bologna sandwich!!!?
The Madam is astonished. ?But sir, for that kind of money you could have one of my finest ladies and a three-course meal.?
The trucker replies, ?Listen sweetheart, I ain?t horny, I?m homesick.?

[bear73]

af day Sun 19 May

morning all - good grief what time do you guys get up!!

Guitarista - really good to see you too moderating just didn't work for me AGAIN. Feeling good so far - it's day 8 here with supplements for the first time, anxiety is starting to lift,feeling more positive and had a nice unhungover Saturday getting lots of chores done,seeing a friend.

I was thinking of getting a cleaner but with these extra hours in my day now I may not need to!Or I may just treat myself anyway, getting into a routine eating better and exercising also seems possible now - baby steps.The plan is to take a gym class twice a week and protein and veg for dinners - easy and healthy.

anyway last night friend's leaving drinks was fun, lots of people I know from long ago so I felt relaxed and sociable.I drove as that way I KNOW I won't drink - it wasn't a night about people getting really hammered either so that helps.I think I would avoid those at all costs now.

Off to a friend's next weekend and we're staying over then off out the next day. I know I may feel pressure to drink. My line is that I will smoke and need to quit and I feel awful on a small amount of alcohol these days(all true). I am also taking my own yummy AF drinks. I know I don't need to justify myself but it helps to have something simple to say when under pressure.good day all - off to rollerderby practice in a bit - not skating as injured but keeping my attendance up/social element.

[Lavande]

af day Sun 19 May

Good morning Abbers!

Up early with one of my dogs, dark & damp out this morning, oh well!

TT, my DIL just received her undergraduate degree in social work & is starting on her master's degree in two weeks. She did exceedingly well earning several awards & a scholarship for graduate school.

Hi there G, kuya, blondie, LYLW, Mick & bear!

kuya, quitting smoking was twice as hard for me - honestly! I think it was because I smoked much. much longer than I abused AL
Keep trying though & one of these days you'll quit. Today is my 4 years smoke free anniversary :yay:

Wishing everyone a terrific AF & SF Sunday
Lav

[Cinders]

af day Sun 19 May

Good Morning Abbers,

Kuya, I smoke also. What a horrid addiction. I am so proud of all those who have kicked it.

I worked with a Muslim several years ago. We became very good friends. He once said to me, "Cindi, smoking and drinking cannot do anything positive for you. Why would you do them?"

I often think of his words.

Bear, I do not think I could stay AF if I were to continue being around people who I drank with. At this point, I avoid both my children when I know they have been drinking. I won't even talk to them on the phone if I hear it in their voices. Luckily, both understand.

I am continually amazed by the MWOers here who have gotten and maintained sobriety while still living with a drinker. I can't even imagine trying to do so. Luckily, my husband could care less if he ever drank another drink in his life. He would break anyone's arm who brought alcohol into our house at this point.

He does have a friend that he traveled with many years ago that was a recovering alcoholic. John would go out with hubby and one day hubby noticed that John never drank. John told him he was an alcoholic. Hubby asked him why he went out with all the guys who were drinking so much. John told him that it no longer bothered him but it took him several years to become comfortable around others drinking.

I guess everyone is different.

Waving to all Abbers. I had another restless night last night. I think subconsciously, I have been worried about my husband and now that he has been operated on and things are going to get better, my brain is allowing all the concerns that I pushed down to bubble up. This, too, shall pass.

Have a lovely Sunday all around the world.

Cindi

[porqoui]

af day Sun 19 May

MAE ALL...

Got rather busy yesterday with Dad visit, family get together and yes community garden work. Working on an announcement to be emailed today so don't mind the light rain we're getting right now.

Apologies for not responding individually but way too tired this morning. Will check in later so for now have a great AF Sunday all and all to come....PPQP

[kuya]

af day Sun 19 May

Congrats on your for smoke free years Lav........I WILL get there, I am in the grip of the relapse demon ATM.......tomorrow has become the day.....when we know tomorrow never comes!

[YoungAtHeart]

af day Sun 19 May

Hang in there, Kuya! I know all about tomorrow's never coming. I also know that you are stronger than whatever is stopping you.

Just finished making some black bean soup. It's a pretty good meal for austerity.

I have decided that every day I will do one thing to build my practice and take one step to fix my finances, and I am feeling better for having done this for the last several days.

I did go up to the house yesterday, and I realized that I am not willing to put much more of myself into the place given what I am likely to get for it. I won't get what I want from it, but I will get what I need from it, and that is the most important part.

Mick, TT, Winter, Cat, PPQP, Lav, and all others, hope your day was good and productive.

:l
YahYah

[Lavande]

af day Sun 19 May

Kuya, two things helped me succeed in quitting smoking (I failed a thousand times before).
This time I used a nicotine replacement product as recommended by QuitNet. I chose Nicorette lozenges.....
I continued to use the MWO Hypno CDs & just trained my brain into believing that I would keep my quits......
I say just keep trying until you find what works best for you

YahYah, today was a perfect day for black bean soup - damp & a bit chilly. Good for you & your finances
Real estate is such a pain these days, getting back our investments is not always guaranteed
I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!!!!

I have had one busy weekend & I am tired!!!
Have a good night one & all.