~cattleman cafe~ & another 24...

[dill]

Ginger, I searched for that diamond art kit by typing it in the amazon search bar. It didn't come up, so that must be why the link you tried to insert didn't work. But there were loads of other small projects that look like great "samplers" for me to try. I haven't settled on one yet though. Thanks for that suggestion! It got me further along in my quest. I don't want to jinx you on reaching a year, so I won't say another word about that!

Rava, you are right to look at your quit wholistically. There are many ways to get this job done. Finding what works and adding it to the mix is one of them. We are all doing the best we can here and we all share the same goal. You are not the only one who slips. I still slip now and then too. But my slips are farther and farther apart, thanks to God and this group. And I hope one day to be like Ginger, tip-toeing up to a year. But I'm not there yet, not by a long shot. One day I hope to be, and I hope you all will be here to share it with, if I ever get there! I keep a sobriety calculator app on my phone. I don't want to think about how many times I've reset it to 0. I can't drink normally, and every slip is a quiet disaster. I wake up the next morning full of sadness and no memory of the evening before. The day after the slip is always a physical and mental struggle and a day full of self-loathing.

Waves to Jude, Cowboy, Slo and Mul.

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

[Ginger999]

Busy day here so quick check in! I'll take another day of freedom! Ps....it sure is easier to string days along when hubby isn't drinking. He seems pretty committed. I hope it sticks!

[abcowboy]

Love your butterfly diamond art Ginger! And great to hear you're getting close to that 1 year mark.

You have a good outlook Rava, you don't need to count your days if it's not your thing, just take it one day at a time if that works for you. Those days will add up quick if you stick with it. Hopefully your dad will get the care he needs while he's at home.

Waves to the rest of the gang, let's all just have a day of freedom today.

[abcowboy]

5:22am in Alberta, I'll have another 24 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!

[Rava]

Good morning Cafe. I just ordered a book from Amazon called The Dirty Truth on Social Drinking by Hadley Sorensen. I have watched her Reels and feel like I can relate to her way of thinking about drinking. I will let you all know if it’s helpful or not. I am too old to recover from hangovers. It is NOT what I want. I just wish I could turn my brain completely off when it comes to alcohol. It takes up too much space in my head and I need to let it go. My sisters house is full of booze and partying and I know thats my trigger. I need to plan accordingly for her next party. She cant drink socially and not get black out drunk. I on the other hand am a mess. I have had far too many sober days in the last 20 years or so compared to my slips. I don’t let the slips define my quit and I cant count the days because i would be totally depressed. So day to day I go. I have felt strong since Sunday. Hopefully this book will speak to me. Ginger, I love your diamond art butterfly. Jude your quit has been going on a long time. I am happy for you. Hope everyone has a wonderful day. Oh by the way, my father is home on hospice. They cant deal with that so they refer it it as home health. Anyway I have not spoken to them and only get my news thru family members. I would like to blame all that drama on my slip but I know better. I can slip for simply no apparent reason. Ok 24 more please and thank you.

[Jude58]

Ginger, I haven't had a slip since January 1st of 2024, so it's been a year and a half since I had my last drink. I've actually been sober for a few years before that but there were a few slips in that time period. Like everyone says, don't pick up that first drink. Sometimes easier said than done. Love your diamond art!

Rava, as Ginger mentioned, you have way more time sober than drinking. The hard part is keeping a slip from turning into a full blown relapse. Definitely not worth it!

Dill, we're in for some hot and humid days as well this week with a few showers and thunderstorms. It's been a very weird Spring for sure.

Waves to all!

Twenty four more please...

[Ginger999]

Omg! ABC, Bruce 2 is amazing. I love Great Danes. Your daughter is lucky to have such a majestic animal! Loved your pics!
Jude, how long has it been since your last slip? It seems like ages. If I'm correct, that sucks. How does it stick in our brains so long? It's a little discouraging to me. I'm sneaking up on a year since my last slip and it feels so fragile but I'm determined and I know you are too!

Dill, am I remembering correctly that you don't buy from Amazon? They sure have a wide selection! My very first diamond art was a gift from a friend. It was just the right size to peak my interest! It hangs in my kitchen window and I love it! I tried to include the link but it wouldn't post it.

Rava, you got this. Just remember, you have way more AL free days than drinking days!

Slo, did you say how long your sister will be there? I can't recall. In any case, Enjoy! I'm keeping your brother in my thoughts.

Mul, great to hear from you. Enjoy your time at your mom's!

Techie, looking forward to your post!

Lunch with sisters today to celebrate little sister's 65th birthday! I'm so blessed to have sister-besties! I'll enjoy it all AL free and gratefully take another day!

[abcowboy]

You gave me a chuckle this morning dill, Bruce pretty much takes up the loveseat all by himself lol.

Tonight is a do or die situation for the Oilers Mulburry, hopefully they can win and force a game 7 back in Edmonton. It would be nice to see the Stanley Cup back in Canada after 34 years.

Funny thing how we know we can't drink Rava, but that AV somehow convinces us that we can.

Good to hear that you got through those cravings Jude, no time now to give in to them after what you did to get here.

Bubba got a diamond art project for Christmas Ginger, but I don't think she's started on it yet.

Sounds like you're enjoying your time with the ex sister-in-law Slo, hopefully it's helping taking your mind of your physical ailments.

I have a date with the lawn mower today, time to get the grass cut before we start into the rain forecast for later in the week.

[abcowboy]

5:18am 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 Rava Slo dill Ginger999

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

[Rava]

Good morning Cafe. Jude, You are right those cravings are intense. Sometimes I dont even think before I react, other times I have a plan in place. We were at a social gathering and they were making a specialty drink and I just followed along thinking one cant hurt. I was feeling pretty drunk after 3 which is where I stopped since my tolerance is so low. I think that I can drink like I always did. Well I cant. I feel so much better without the booze. I should know by now but damn I am dumb. Anyway, Slo I am sorry about your brother. He can only help himself as we all know. Cowboy, thank you for sharing the pictures. Looks like a great day with family and Bruce! Hi to Mul. Good to hear from you and that you are doing well. Hi to Ginger, Dill and Techie! 24 more please and thank you.

[dill]

Cowboy, thanks for the pics! So nice to see you and all your lovely family. You are one lucky man. And it was also really nice that Bruce #2 shared his love seat and lap blanket with you...

Ginger, I am thinking about trying the diamond painting. Yesterday after posting, I went and watched a couple of youtubes about it. If I can find a small project that at the craft store I might just give it a try. I can certainly see the appeal.

Mul, good to see you. I was wondering where you'd got off to. You sound like you are doing great!

Hot weather supposedly headed our way this weekend. I'm not looking forward to it. Woke up to a gentle rain this morning.

Waves to Slo and Rava.

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

[Jude58]

Rava, thank you for your honesty regarding your slip; I know it's not an easy thing to admit. It's in the past, so let it stay there. I have been struggling with cravings for a couple of days now, and yesterday I came very close to chugging down a few cans of Mr. J's beer. I don't know what came over me but the urge to drink was intense. It was so scary, but somehow sanity took over. The alcoholic mind is cunning, baffling and powerful but we can overcome it.

Great pictures cowboy! Glad that you got to spend some time with the family!

Waves to all!

Twenty four more please...

[Mulburry]

OMG, my alcoholic brother is pure yellow now …his skin is all yellow, the whites of his eyes are all yellow, and he has lost significant weight. It’s just ghastly, and such a shock as when I was out there visiting and playing cards with him & his sons in April, he didn’t look like this!.

That's awful! He didn't go to the hospital? That's jaundice, and as far as I know very serious medical condition (severe liver and or bile duct impairment). I guess he probably knows they'll tell him he has to quit drinking. But if there ever sign to tell you that it's time, yellow skin/eyes is certainly it.

Anyways, I realized I hadn't been on here in quite a while so just wanted to check in. I'm out at my mom's now and keeping busy enjoying the nice weather, catching up on yard work around the house etc.... and still watching hockey (go Oilers! hopefully they can still pull it out abcowboy !).

[abcowboy]

From left to right, Amanda, Brandie, Darcie (daughter-in-law), Adam, me, Bubba, and Ashley


And yep dill, Bruce #2 was here as well!

[Ginger999]

Rava, I wish I had wise words to boost you up, but alas, I don't. I'm not sure what goes haywire in our AL brains. All I know for sure, is you are here and AL today. That's what matters!

Slo, I'm so sorry about your brother's health issues. I wonder if he realizes he's dying? I hate AL so much. F'ing poison

Dill, have you tried diamond art? If not, you should try a small one. You might enjoy it!

Jude, please share your art when you're done. I've never tried paint by number as an adult but loved them as a kid. Can't wait to see your finished project!

ABC, sounds like you had a great Father's Day too! What a wonderful father's day gathering we had. I got to sit and rock baby Ben while he napped. My heart was so full. Grateful!

Hey Techie and Mul, looking forward to a check in from you two!

I'm in for another day of freedom!