One Step at a Time - February 2013

[Sunbeam]

One Step at a Time - February 2013

Nora, I really am so much happier without alcohol in my life. My life is my oyster, I can do whatever I like. With alcohol in the picture, that wasn't true. I did not drink every day, my life is too full for that. But whenever I had some "spare" time, I would spend some of that time "relaxing" with a drink. Doesn't sound so bad, but deciding to have a drink turned gradually into "gotta drink", and usually slowly consuming a whole bottle when I did drink. The choice to not drink disappeared. There was that initial warm fuzzy feeling, but that within minutes turned into self-loathing. There were so many better choices I wished I had made. Choices to accomplish things, better ways to relax for awhile without sacrificing the day and damaging my health. I just finished reading The Relaxation Response book. This link tells you the steps for this particular type of meditation: Steps to Elicit the Relaxation Response
Other information about this strategy is on this web site.

[Frequent Traveler]

One Step at a Time - February 2013

Good morning all,
I just love reading this each day and love how everyone just reaches out and helps each other, awesome.
Today for me is going to be a little rough but I will survive, on this day 2 years ago my father passed and to this day I miss him everyday.
Anyway hope everyone has a good day as I know I will and I will maintain course.
FT

[NoraC]

One Step at a Time - February 2013

Thanks for the support. :h I took my AB today.

Juja - the AB does help me because it stops me from the immediate 'gratification'. I can't just decided and do it. I do have to make a conscious decision to stop taking the pill. So for right now, I'm not drinking. I am just conectrating on today. Today is AF. And, as I add up more and more of those AF days, I am hoping that my mind set changes. :l

[Glass Half Empty]

One Step at a Time - February 2013

Hi everyone
I haven't had time to post but I've been trying to keep an eye on you all.

I've been away from home all this week attending a uni res school and staying with my parents who live nearby.

The last few days have been really hard! My parents don't drink a lot, but we've always had a ritual of sitting down before dinner with a glass or two of champagne to relax and discuss the day's events. Intellectually, I know it's just habit and it should be just as relaxing to sit and chat with a non-alcoholic drink, but breaking that association while they both drink my favourite wine in front of me has been excruciating! Anyway, I made it through so I'll be going home tomorrow with 21 days under my belt!

Nora - well done - keep racking up those AF days!

Mama how is Clay?

well done to everyone else - keep hanging in there

[FlyAway]

One Step at a Time - February 2013

Great job Glass! Three weeks done and onward to one month. Getting through our old traditions and establishing new ones is what it's all about.

FT I'm sorry for your loss. Lost my mom this past November. :l You have a great attitude and I am constantly amazed that you have given up smoking at the same time. Well done.

Sunbeam thank you for the link. I've been trying to do lots of things like that; yoga being one. I'll give the Relaxation Response a try too. My neurologist thinks that stress is a huge trigger for my headaches.

Juja I had to laugh at your "dipshits" comment! :H I know you're still not feeling 100%, but it's good to have you back here posting.

Dottie great job on the yoga class! I've been doing yoga at home most nights and I feel like it helps me sleep too.

Nora well done on going to yoga for you too! I think the ups and downs are common when we first quit. Just keep sticking it out. Things slowly started falling into place for me as time went by.

Mama is Clay starting to feel better yet?

K9 been missing you!

Damn, my guests finally left yesterday and I've finally got time for myself, but I've got to run and get ready for work. Talk to you all later. :h

[mama bear]

One Step at a Time - February 2013

The weary traveller is home.....I amnot much of a traveller compared to FT, but it was plenty for me.
Two days of computer training made my mind numb
I have not read bacl, but I will'
Clay is well....he is tired and naps when he gets home. He still seems pale to me, but he says he feels good. Even he is amazed at how tired he is.
Gotta shower and get into work.....I will check back in a few
xo
Mama

[Dottie Belle]

One Step at a Time - February 2013

Morning all,
Day 5 and feeling itchy..I know that is normal...drinking my water and trying to eat well...Friday night is the hardest so i will try to stay close...gotta get it into my head that I just can NOT drink...
Dottie

[Frequent Traveler]

One Step at a Time - February 2013

Thanks FlyAway, went to dinner with my son lastnight and it was nice to build that 2nd level of father and son bonding. We talked about dad/grand pa and it was truly nice.

Thanks for all of you out there as it makes my goal so much easier to know you all are out there.

FT

[Kradle123]

One Step at a Time - February 2013

Frequent Traveler;1465961 wrote: Good morning all,
I just love reading this each day and love how everyone just reaches out and helps each other, awesome.
Today for me is going to be a little rough but I will survive, on this day 2 years ago my father passed and to this day I miss him everyday.
Anyway hope everyone has a good day as I know I will and I will maintain course.
FT

FT, Big :l's

This may sound odd but my father passed 3 years last Sept and no one misses him or ever will that i know of because he was not a nice man. I have found that harder to deal with than anything. He missed all of our lives (mine and my sisters) due to his fixations and brutality.

The love and admiration you had for your dad is very special. :h

Thinking of you. :l

[K9Lover]

One Step at a Time - February 2013

Hi Everyone!

I'm feeling better from my bronchitis/sinusitis infections...although I still feel PUFFY around the eyes...ugh. I hope this is not my new "look". LOL

My daughter and I took a Zumba class last night...so fun! We're trying to be healthy. We'll see how long it lasts. ha

FT...HUGE :l:l:l I can totally relate to your feelings toward your father. My dad is the nicest, kindest, wisest, most PATIENT person I have ever known (and funny as heck!). I am thankful to still have both him and my mom (they just had their 50th anniversary last September...). I treasure them and my sister...the 4 of us have a very tight bond. Hang on to those good memories of your dad, and be happy you were blessed to have him! :l

Mama - I'm glad you are back from your trip. I hope Clay gets some rest and does not overexert himself. There's nothing wrong with taking it easy when you need to. I learned that the hard way last week!

Nora - Good job with TTDP! I know it's not easy sometimes. My big temptation is still smoking. I've faltered here and there and now I'm mad at myself.

Kradle, Dottie, Sunbeam, Flyaway, Glass, Juja and everyone else...hope you all have a great day!

Lots of love!!

K9

[mama bear]

One Step at a Time - February 2013

hi everyone
All I have to say is I am NEVER missing two days of work again.....ack!!
bacinabit

[mama bear]

One Step at a Time - February 2013

Niner - glad you are feeling better
hugs and kisses FT

[Sunbeam]

One Step at a Time - February 2013

Hi friends, another pretty pleasant day at work, and now it's my weekend.

Mama, welcome back! It has been very quiet without you.

K9, glad you are getting back in gear following down time that your body demanded.

Dottie, just keep taking those daily steps. We believe in you.

Glass, your strength is increasing every day, it sounds like.

FT, I miss my dad, who died in 1987. His birthday was in March on the first day of spring. His two sisters were also born in March. They are all gone now.

I'm off to church again tonight, for our monthly Board meeting. Presbyterians do everything decently and in order. I didn't make that up, it is a phrase we commonly use.

[mama bear]

One Step at a Time - February 2013

yep...Loudmouth is back.
I am poooped and glad to be home. I learned alot and had fun with my friends, but I like my own bed and miss my family.
Clay is well and Mama has a headache, so off to get some dinner
enjoy church Sun

[Juja]

One Step at a Time - February 2013

Those of you who have fond memories of your parents are so-o-o fortunate. I'm in Kradle's position, and won't miss my father at all. My husband doesn't miss his, either. Both men were, as Harper Lee wrote in To Kill a Mockingbird, ..."like a mountain: cold, distant, but always there." I was always relieved when I got home from school and saw the car was gone. It meant my father wasn't there. He's a hard, hard man.

He's starting to lose it a bit, and becoming much nicer as he tries to manipulate all of us. I can't let my guard down, because he's a complete narcissisist. I fall for it all the time, though. Stupid, stupid me.

Anyway, he told my sister he was worried about our mother stabbing someone with scissors at her asst'd living place! I laughed out loud. My mother would never do such a thing. I believe he was transferring his rage to her.

God almighty, I am tired.