Army Gates open for the 3rd week of May!

[stirly-girly]

Good Morning Army!

Thought I'd start us off with a different kind of gate today. My part of the world but open for everyone and anyone who wants to join us!!

Wishing you all a

[Mick]

Im in for that one definitely !!mornin all..

[Tabbers (a.k.a. KTAB)]

Looks good to me too, morning folks.

[JackieClaire]

Good morning,
Lovely gates. Skies as blue here as it is there but I'll bet the temperature varies by 20C..............its freezing here.

Tonight we're meeting up with Mr JC's 2 cousins and their husbands..........one couple over from WashingtonDC and the other Cannes (France).......the sisters haven't seen each other for nigh on 25 years..............I'll bet a fiver that as soon as they got over the Tyne bridge their Geordie accent came back within minutes.

The S&H and his GF are off to Marbella in the morning and I'm working 3 days this week.....

[JackieClaire]

So.. Best line for why one does not partake in alcohol? I know we discussed this before..I need reminders!

Bringing this over from last week in case we've got any more answers especially since the last time I met the cousins I prolly drank more than my fair share of cocktails and wine.

[stirly-girly]

Bringing this over from last week in case we've got any more answers especially since the last time I met the cousins I prolly drank more than my fair share of cocktails and wine.

Hiya Mick, KTAB and JackieClaire!!

Jackie - it was always easy for me to answer as to why I don't drink. Not that anyone ever asked me when I said I don't drink alcohol. But I did supply an answer in case they were wondering. Both about the calories in AL. 1) - I'm watching my weight and would rather eat my calories than drink them. Or, not watching my weight - 2) There are a lot of empty calories in AL so I prefer to consume the calories from food rather than from AL.
Plain and simple. No one can argue with the answers. And if they should insist on asking something like, don't you miss your wine/cocktails?, then my answer would be that I don't miss them and prefer to have an extra slice of cake or an extra serving of whatever. And that's that. And if they still insist, say that AL upsets your stomach and you really want to enjoy your afternoon/evening meal rather than be in the loo with an upset stomach. Then make a fake gagging sound so they get the idea. :lildevil:

[JackieClaire]

You know, Stirls, I'd love to reply.............'Why, do you have a problem? Would you like to stop. I know some people who can help'

[stirly-girly]

You know, Stirls, I'd love to reply.............'Why, do you have a problem? Would you like to stop. I know some people who can help'

LOVE IT!!! Yep, that would be a mighty good answer. Nosey cows who probably don't think they have a problem and do. Anyway, I'm sure you'll come up with a fitting answer...

Am off to the farmer's market and the supermarket but I'll be back. Gotta get me some greens and some fresh, juicy oranges. And chocolate...

[satz123]

Morning.
I've had my fair share of questions.
The longer I'm sober the more confident I become that I've made the best decision of my life.
I have come to a point of just looking them in the eye :

"I do not drink alcohol for the same OBVIOUS reason I stopped smoking - for my health.
This body is a temple "
- and swan off with a flick of the hair...............

[JackieClaire]

I'll have to practice flicking.

Another one that some people ask is when did you give up..............just be vague and say ages ago...........even if you know to the minute and you're dead chuffed.

Back to the ironing.

[IamMary]

Morning army.
Thanks for all the replys there. Yes, I think my current line is "in line" with most of your replys: gave it up for a couple of months as a health kick and don't miss it at all.. Mostly being evasive works too.
Mind you, it's only the same few people who are conscious about it so far, most don't give a fiddlers.
Sometimes I wish I had a real medical excuse, or that there was no bloody shame in the fact that I can not drink like a normal person just like a celiac can not tuck into some fresh crusty bread Roll!

[IamMary]

I'll have to practice flicking.

Another one that some people ask is when did you give up..............just be vague and say ages ago...........even if you know to the minute and you're dead chuffed.

Back to the ironing.

Yes, I've thought about that one. I think responding: 303 days, would create some gossip in my circle!!

[NoSugar]

Sometimes I wish I had a real medical excuse, or that there was no bloody shame in the fact that I can not drink like a normal person just like a celiac can not tuck into some fresh crusty bread Roll!

When I was Dx with celiac disease in the 90s, before the general public knew much about it and had never heard of gluten, the responses I received when I turned down bread, baked treats, etc. were unbelievable. Many people truly can't believe they could live without bread (even more than some think they couldn't live without a drink). Well, my experience was that if eating it makes you feel like you're going to die, it isn't hard to live without it at all! The situation is better now in some ways because almost everyone knows someone who eats gluten-free but a new set of problems has developed -- people consider it faddish and and overly self-involved so they don't take it as seriously as I need for them to. It is nice, though, to no longer have to grill the staff at nice restaurants when I try to order a meal. Almost all chefs are extremely accommodating and often have several gluten free options on the menu to begin with.

Yes, I've thought about that one. I think responding: 303 days, would create some gossip in my circle!!

One time when out with a few friends, one asked me how long I hadn't been drinking and I easily answered "13 months". UGH. I immediately wished I'd said "oh, about a year or so...". But, no one really reacted one way or another and at this point, I don't really care what people think about my refusal to drink alcohol, eat gluten, or consume much sugar/carbs. Maybe people don't push me about any of it as they've just decided I'm an orthorexic on top of being a celiac, diabetic, alcoholic !

[satz123]

I'm an orthorexic on top of being a celiac, diabetic, alcoholic !

Jesus NS-if you were a horse we'd have to shoot you :haha:

[IamMary]

Jesus NS-if you were a horse we'd have to shoot you :haha:

haha
I was going to say, Id still ride ya NS - but that has an entirely different meaning for us Dubs!!:smiles: