~cattleman cafe~ & another 24...

[Jude58]

Rava, remember that these urges to drink are just thoughts and nothing more. Whenever I feel the need to drink I think of all the things in my life that I'm grateful for. If I went back to drinking, many of these things would be lost, most importantly, my freedom. Drinking used to be a way that I could temporarily shut out the problems in my life, but in the end booze only added to my problems, not solved them. Think of all the good aspects of your life, and how much you could potentially lose. Your life is worth it!

24 more for all of us please...

[dill]

Jude, that was very well said. It was very heartfelt and affirming. Your resolve is contagious.

Cowboy, that is an interesting exercise and very useful. I wonder if there were times though that you couldn't identify a reason. Sometimes it just feels like compulsion. I guess if you identify it as that, then you still can make a plan about how to defeat it... The toolbox is a great place to go. Thanks for the reminder.

Ginger, I am sorry the change in environment is messing with you. I can see how that would definitely affect the desire to drink. Boredom and loneliness are often at the root. I hope you get over the hump. How is Cyrus doing with the transition? (If I messed up on your kitty's name, I do apologize.)

We got a whole inch of rain yesterday and today we are in for more. Not complaining, although Lily is a bit frustrated by it. We had a break in the rain yesterday, so I took her on a "ranger run". We drive out into the pasture and woods, and she runs alongside or in front, clearing my path. She chases deer when we come across them and feels like she is saving me from danger. She loves to run full tilt and can cover so much ground, it's amazing! You guys would love watching her.

24 more for all of us here, please and thank you.

[abcowboy]

5:17am in Alberta, another 24 please, and thanks...

In the last 24 hours, these friends have joined in for 24 hours of wellness:
Jude58 Rava dill Ginger999

Today is going to be a darn good day not to drink!

[Rava]

Good morning and thanks for yesterday’s breakfast Cowboy. Thanks for your solid ideas about abstaining. Yesterday I read about 8 pages from the toolbox and today I will read some more. Ginger, it may also be change of environment. Booze is so easy to get here. Just grocery shopping requires strength as it’s sold in the grocery stores here. So many retirees drinking that “one” glass of something at the pool. It makes me sad that I am not like the others. I definitely dont want to be the wife that sneaks and hides her bottles. That is not what I want. I am already stressing about Thanksgiving at the neighbors house where drinking will be everywhere. I need a strong backbone for that day. I on the other hand don’t want to say no and stay home. I will miss too much of life hiding from abstaining from alcohol or hiding to drink alcohol. Dill, my friend admitted to me a few weeks ago that she is drinking again. So she is my friend but not a resource at this time. Jude, you are so right that booze only adds to the problem. My mantra yesterday getting thru the day was. I DONT DRINK. I will continue with that today. Thanks everyone. You would think after all these years, life would get easier. Not so. 24 more please and thank you.

[abcowboy]

That was very well put Jude, we lose so much when we get lost in the booze.

It would have been great to see Lily on her Ranger run dill, and I'll bet she loved getting out for the exercise.

I think there's many reasons why we all drink, and just as many if not more reasons why we should quit. Even now there's the odd time that I wouldn't mind the taste of a cold refreshing beer, and I never used to drink for the taste, I drank to get drunk.

[Ginger999]

Well said, Jude, well said. I'm fortunate that the people we hang with aren't too much for drinking. I'm just punky but I'll get over it.

I'll take another day of freedom!

[Jude58]

Dill, I can just picture Lily as she runs through the fields having a great time. She's one lucky dog!

Rava, I also worry about upcoming events where there will be lots of booze. I think that most of us need to start "living in the day" instead of fretting about the future. Try to think about all of the times in the past, when you had to make a choice whether or not to drink and you said no. You made it through those events, as you will on Thanksgiving this year.

Very windy, rainy and cold this morning with a few flurries tonight. I guess that winter isn't too far away after all.

24 more for all of us please...

[abcowboy]

5:14am in Alberta, 24 more for me please, and thanks...

In the last 24 hours, these friends have joined in for 24 hours of wellness:
Jude58 dill Rava Ginger999

Today is going to be a darn good day not to drink!

[dill]

Winter is coming. The change in seasons can often be a trigger. At least, it can be for me.

We have a busy week going. Saturday is our annual Auxiliary Christmas Bazaar and Bake Sale. I'm head of the Bake Sale table again this year. My granddaughter has offered to help, so it will be a great way to spend some time together.

24 more for today!

[Ginger999]

I love that your g-daughter is helping, Dill. These memories will be with her forever.

Waves to all my pals

I'll take another day of freedom!

[Rava]

Hello Cafe. Dill what a great thing to do with your granddaughter! Good memories for you both! Hope everyone has a great and sober day. 24 more please and thank you!

[Mulburry]

Just checking in. Not too much going on here, hanging with my brother, watching lot's of hockey, and trying to get out a bit in the breaks in the rain in this completely unpredictable fall weather. Stay strong everyone!

[Jude58]

We had our first snow yesterday, but no accumulation. Not sure what this winter will bring as the last few years have been fairly mild with less snow than usual. We shall see...

Dill, I don't think that I'd sell much at a bake sale as I would eat everything in sight!

24 more for all of us please...

[Rava]

Good morning Cafe. They are talking about another hurricane coming to Florida next week. UGH. I will be watching closely. Will not be drinking tho. Last night I was feeling weak. I played the tape forward and then went for a bike ride until dusk. Came home took a shower and played on my ipad. I got thru it. Grateful for this group. 24 more please and thank you.

[abcowboy]

5:16am in Alberta, I'll have another 24 please, and thanks...

In the last 24 hours, these friends have signed in for 24 hours of wellness:
Jude58 dill Ginger999 Rava Mulburry

Today is going to be a darn good day not to drink!