Being realistic

[Popeye]

Being realistic

Hi Kate,

I have watched a few shows about fishing in your neck of the woods. It looks fantastic with a whole lot of different species that I've never heard of. Ain't nature great?

and Paula, I'll give Mr. Hutson a whirl. I really like scaring myself with a good horror. It's been a while since it's happened though. I used to get myself into some state...you know...trying to get to bed without turning off the lights until I absolutely had to and not peeking into any dark corners until I was well tucked up in bed. I have always had an overactive imagination and I can easily turn myself into a quivering wreck.:wow:
I look forward to scaring the life out of myself in the near future.

Love and thanks to you both.

[Mackeral]

Being realistic

kate....You were already high on my list...But now you have broke the roof tiles...

Paul....Was it a certain Mr Rex Hunt you watched in Kates neck of the woods???..The man is a legend.....

[pixie]

Being realistic

Hi Paul

I've been around here since early November, and haven't posted a lot but I do check in at least every few days, and I have to say that your posts have been inspiring to read. Your commitment is clear, and you write so honestly about what you're going through. Thanks for that.

I too am worried about the 'honeymoon' ending. I've been abstaining most days, with only 4 days in the last 6 weeks where I drank moderately, and 1 day when I went a little overboard. But thoughts are starting to creep in as you said, and I'm starting to feel like I'll grow out of this phase and go back to (over)drinking every day. But maybe if I treat it like a new phase that needs new strategies, I can keep it going. You sound like you're already on to that.

As others have said I've found the kudzu very helpful. I haven't tried the hypnosis CDs, not sure I have the time to fit that in but maybe I should at least try.

Hey, I fish too. I'm in New England, not much fishing this time of year, though my husband has bobbed for smelt in the dead of winter, and occasionally ice fishes. We do mostly saltwater fly fishing in the spring and early summer for striped bass and bluefish, from the shore. But we're not fanatical about it, and we do spincasting sometimes too, fresh and salt.

pixie

[boycie]

Being realistic

HI Paul,
Congrats mate on day 11 AF and all cold turkey bloody amazing mate. Glad all you guys like fishing I love it have been doing it since I was a little kid. My sister and hubby moved to Cairns in far nth Queensland so go Barramundi fishing couple of times a year, rest of the time it 's just lake and beach fishing for flathead, bream and the odd jew fish. If you guys don't like the cold this time of year come out here it's very hot and the fishing is great. Cheers Kim

[Mackeral]

Being realistic

Me too.......................But what a dude.....Yibahda Yibadah....

[Popeye]

Being realistic

Hi everyone
I just woke up. It's only three o'clock in the bloody morning. What's going on? I'll try to get another hours sleep. I couldn't resist checking to see how my mates are doing.
Thanks pixie for your kind words. You seem to be rolling along nicely.
I can still feel this sense of impending doom, this feeling that it's only a matter of time before the wheels come off this wagon. Most days I'm OK until I jump into the van and start heading home from where ever we are working. Then, sometimes, I'll catch myself talking myself into having a good drink. So far it has been fairly easy to quieten myself down and start thinking about something else, though once or twice I have been almost drooling at the prospect of a nice bottle of vodka....remember, this is always in the van on the way home....then, for whatever reason, the craving just goes. I don't know why.
I am half way through RJ's book. Hopefully, once I've read it, I can organise a proper plan. Still, so far, so good....thanks to you lot methinks.
And pixie, fishing where you are sounds great.....ice fishing....I fancy that.
boycie, I dream of going to your pary of the world.
Macks. Rex Hunt....what a life that man has, travelling the world .....fishing. How cool is that? Yibahda, yibahda.:H

[narilly]

Being realistic

Hey Paul,
I have been reading this site for a month now and haven't posted much. I wanted you to know it has been the same amount of time of time for me too. 12 days today. I read the book and am taking the sups and doing the hypno cd's, the topa should be here around the 22nd. I am really scared to even try one drink for fear I will just go back to the same old. I tried this program about a year and a half ago and started drinking 'moderately' for awhile. the next thing I know it is a year later and I look back at a year full of drinking too much and of 'episodes' where I lost control.
Tomorrow night is the company Christmas party and I am not going to drink. It is going to be difficult. Just that one glass of red wine - so enticing. But then 3,4,5 glasses later not so much.
Hang in there, finish the book and get a plan. talk to your friends. You will make it.

[Popeye]

Being realistic

Narilly,
Well done on 12 days AF.....
I too have tried to give up many times. I don't think that I can do moderation because, as you say, one drink is never enough for me. I have read so many posts saying that peolpe have stopped for 3 or 4 days then the urge becomes just too strong. I really don't know why I am lasting so long this time. (I know it's only 13 days or so but when I look back on this past month, I 've only drunk on 2 nights out of about 25.) I believe this time, with the help I have found here, I can change my life. I really feel a part of this community. I've said it before but I am amazed that an internet site could have such a profound and meaningful effect on me. I have never been very sociable, in fact I'd go as far as to say that I often make an effort to avoid socialising. I honestly thought that I didn't like people - immediate family excepted - so you can imagine my surprise when I struck up an instant rapport with the people here. Maybe, again, this has something to do with my brain sorting itself out, but I am a different person now. I was always of the opinion that I didn't need any help from anyone. To put a Christmas spin on it, I was like Scrooge; friendless and happy to be so. Now I feel like Scrooge after the visit of the ghosts, flinging open his window, euphoric and welcoming the new day.
I feel good!

[Olly]

Being realistic

Paul,

Thanks, I love the analogy of Scrooge ! What a perfect Spirit of Christmas to keep in mind during the holidays. Really , really good :thanks:

take care, Olly

[Popeye]

Being realistic

goodnight all

Well folks, it's Saturday night and I'm off to bed with a clear head and a clear conscience. I had a slip yesterday, but I wasn't too bad. Today I have been trying to have some good old-fashioned fun. I have been listening to ghost stories all night....in between jumping in and out of here.....and I can report that I have had a fun day. There will be many more to come I'm sure. I'd like to thank you all for your help and kindness over the last few weeks. I've said it before and I'll say it again....This is a great place. I have found some of my old enthusiasm. I thought that had gone the way of the dodo.
I shall hear from you in the morning.
Goodnight everyone. :happyheart:

[Mackeral]

Being realistic

Ghost stories aswell????....I'm thinking more twin now.....I better chill...you'll think i'm stalking you...

Seriously though dont worry about the slip....And yes it is great to go to bed with a clear concience.....Better still wake up in the morning and feel proud.

[Cashregister]

Being realistic

Fishing

There's a fine line between fishing and standing on a wharf

Cash

[tawnyfrog]

Being realistic

Standing on a wharf sounds rather nice.

As long as the wharf doesn't mind ...

[Mackeral]

Being realistic

Makes you think Cash....A million years of evolution....And we still get out smarted by a fish..

[narilly]

Being realistic

Thanks Paul!
I went to the Christmas party and had three glasses of wine over 6 hours - pretty good. And then another Christmas party on Sunday and 2 glasses there. I know when I am vigilant I am good, its when I forget to be really careful - that's when I mess up. I have to keep reminding myself over and over to be careful. My husband is doing the same as me too because he has a bit of a problem himself. That really helps me because I can talk to him about it and we can 'plan' how we are going to drink when we go out. It is just a matter of never letting your guard down. We have another party of Friday and then Christmas is here. Lots of drink for everyone! DONT let your guard down everyone! Remember don't drink OR drink only a few.....we have to stick together.