One Step at a Time - November 2016

[SKendall]

Hi all,
I've been AWOL for quite a while. I spent some time in British Columbia before the start of my trip - will be in Cheyenne Wyoming tomorrow. Peggy not traveling well, although she should be - on valium while her mom strokes her and sings to her all damn day. Last road trip for her.

Idaho and Utah have speed limits of 80 mph and the cross winds through the canyons blow the 18 wheelers about. Both hands in a death grip!

Lost the keys to my car in Oregon and had to find a locksmith for new keys. I could have bought a new couch. I gulped when he told me the price, but then it's a Lexus and computer had to be removed, etc. Whatever.:sad:

I can't wait for this trip to be over and it is taking so much longer with Peggy's neuroses, hotels, gas, keys, oh my expensive. Did anybody know speed limit in Idaho and Utah is 80 mph? :egad: Shocked I tell ya.

I'm thinking about you Techie and your challenges.

Thinking about the rest of you too. Stay well Pauly and Liz and hugs to the rest of you.:heartbeat:

[Lizann]

Hi all,
I've been AWOL for quite a while. I spent some time in British Columbia before the start of my trip - will be in Cheyenne Wyoming tomorrow. Peggy not traveling well, although she should be - on valium while her mom strokes her and sings to her all damn day. Last road trip for her.

Idaho and Utah have speed limits of 80 mph and the cross winds through the canyons blow the 18 wheelers about. Both hands in a death grip!

Lost the keys to my car in Oregon and had to find a locksmith for new keys. I could have bought a new couch. I gulped when he told me the price, but then it's a Lexus and computer had to be removed, etc. Whatever.:sad:

I can't wait for this trip to be over and it is taking so much longer with Peggy's neuroses, hotels, gas, keys, oh my expensive. Did anybody know speed limit in Idaho and Utah is 80 mph? :egad: Shocked I tell ya.

I'm thinking about you Techie and your challenges.

Thinking about the rest of you too. Stay well Pauly and Liz and hugs to the rest of you.:heartbeat:

What an adventure! So glad to hear from you, though.

[paulywogg]

Exhausted. com! Tree is up but naked cuz hubs didn't feel like going into the attic to get the Christmas stuff,,, don't blame him. Techie,have fun in Hawaii, wish I could go SK,omg what an adventure! Be safe out there I do remember the speed limit being 80 in Utah so of course we drove 90 haha,did some wrapping but ran out of wrapping paper, oh jeez, hubs has weirdo 're-runs on again,maybe I'll run and get more wrapping paper haha

[Rusty]

Good Morning, Everyone!!!

It looks like we all had fun and relaxing and SOBER Thanksgivings! YAYYYYY!!! Me, too.:yay: No one made fools of themselves....we all REMEMBERED our meals....our families were proud of us...hey, that RAWKS as Mr. G would say.:yay: G...pop in here, my man, I need a really good dose of virtual sexuality. Hahahahah!

Techie-thanks for keeping us posted on your treatments. I am delighted that you are able to go to lovely, soothing venues to pursue your courses of therapy. Thank you for your positive energy here...we all love you here!

Skendall-you have had some incredible adventures on this trip...I cannot imagine 80-mile speed limits and winds gusting through the canyon. I would be terrified. Thank you for checking in with us. We missed you. Did you have to log in under another name, 2nickels? Is that you?????

Liz-hope you are feeling better today. Yesterday, I was a slug...did nothing but watch movies, football and chill. Heavenly after a boisterous Thanksgiving and exhausting day with my mom.

Nora-wow, what a terrifying experience for your son and DIL. So glad your DIL could bravely think on her feet. Phew...that was close! To answer your question....I spent Thanksgiving night with my mom and have EVERY intention of getting up early, heading to the gym, then having coffee with my mom before going back to my house (70 mins. away) to continue trimming my tree and decorating for Christmas. Well, that didn't happen. My Mom had plans for me on Black Friday! OMG!!!! I didn't get home until after 7:00 PM! I LOVE ALL my friends here...but you and I share something unique...moms whom we adore but whom manage to throw us on our heads with their last minute-hour-day-week requests. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHh!!! Nora, this is how WE will be at our Moms' ages!! So glad we are NOT drinking!!!

Nursie-Good for you for getting through Thanksgiving happily sober!:yay:I cringe when I think of my drunken episodes. One thing I did...and maybe this is something you and others might think about...is that although I never went to an AA meeting, and never will...I really embrace the AA idea of making amends with people you have hurt with your drinking. I wrote letters to my closest friends and family, apologizing for the drinking episodes where I embarrassed them, or made commitments for which I decide to drink and then let them down...as in promising profusely to picking my 80-year-old mother up at the airport....and then choosing to drink and passing out. My SIL had to pick her up. CRINGE WHIMPER SIGH. You are doing so well and I am so proud of you!!!!:sohappy:

Pauly-no, I don't watch "A Haunting." I've never heard of it. Sounds like you had a relaxing day yesterday, too. :-)

Big hellos to everyone I may have missed!

Ok, kids, I have to get going with my decorating as I did not do much of it yesterday. Let's all have a fantastic AF Sunday!!!

[Lizann]

Good morning. Rusty, i am glad you enjoyed your thanksgiving. It was nice to have one drama free. Totally mellow and enjoyable here, even with the 31 people.
So today is CJ and Joes engagement party. We opted for a brunch with no al. We will go early to set up. For me the fun is in the planning and decorating, not so much the party. But whatever, they are excited and cute!
I am just hoping my dress will fit:eek-new:, I do have a plan B. Off to make myself beautiful. Happy Sunday guys!

[paulywogg]

Hey all, Liz,have fun sweetie I need to add you on Facebook again cuz when I got my new phone I forgot the password, I want to see pics!! Rusty, you have such a positive attitude this morning and I think I caught it, thanks off to grocery shop boo-hoo! Nora and Nursie,Aihfl, Mr.V I hope everyone has a lovely AF Sunday

[actiongirl46]

Hi friends . . . I have had a wicked four days after some good ones. I am just feeling so defeated. Any words of encouragement for this professional relapser would be greatly appreciated.

I'm going to read back on Newbie's Nest later today. I know I can have an AF day today, just feeling so uncertain I can keep it going. And I need to . . .

[paulywogg]

AG,you can do this! Seems like the holidays are a tough one, I was putting up my Christmas stuff and kinda fondly remembering how I used to drink before putting it up,that's bad thinking! I've been posting in the NN too,it helps to post on a busier thread sometimes, are you still taking the Nal?

[Rusty]

AG-sending a big hug from Wisconsin. Have you read the 3Ps Thread in the General Discussion Forum? It is REALLY good. It talks about how we can have a thousand thoughts a day but we don't need to act on all of them. You might find that thread helpful. Nursie is taking Antabuse and I took for a while many years ago...it does make that choice for you because you CANNOT drink on it. Is there a time of the day when you're most vulnerable where you might need to change your routine instead of reaching for a drink? That's my advice. We all know how powerful those cravings can be...and I would increase your NAL dosage if you need to. You can PM me anytime. We are all here for you.

[actiongirl46]

Thanks Pauly & Rusty!! I have not read the 3Ps thread . . . I will do that.

I stopped the NAL because, although it worked with beer, it wasn't working with wine. I know I just need to QUIT AL. Antabuse is probably the next step for me. I will see how this week goes. All wine is out of the house (because I drank it). I should probably get back into my doctor and therapist.

I'm off to cook a healthy meal for the family and then set up my Christmas jigsaw puzzle. I'm feeling a new level of determination, which I think has been lacking in the past, but I don't want to be too optimistic.

I really do appreciate each and every one of you. You give me much needed hope. Thank you!

[NoraC]

Hello all - had a lazy weekend. Much needed. Back to reality tomorrow. Have started decorating for Christmas. Our decorations are such a hodgepodge. But, that's ok because we're happy.

Liz - can't wait to hear about the party.

AG - I wish that I had the magic answer. It took me a very long time to get to this point. Longer than I know. I spent a huge amount of time trying to moderate. Then I tried to go AF and kept relapsing. Then, I gave up. But here I am.
Moral of the story is - do not give up. Who would have ever thought I would be here? Over a year AF. You will get this. :hug:

Rusty - Black Friday? Yuck! Hope you're having fun decorating.

Pauly - did you get finished decorating & shopping?

Hope everyone has a WONDERFUL Monday.

Ok - Off to relax for another hour. :heartbeat:

[Nursie]

AG- I was a chronic relapsed for a long time. In fact I wouldn't even call it relapsing. I would get sober and then feel like a drink and say "f&ck it" and drink. Always feeling like a failure and like maybe I couldn't quit. Drinking again made me put my real feelings on hold but the shame and danger kept building.
I don't know if I really have a bottom. And that scares me. I have been at the bottom many times and still managed to convince myself that I could drink "this time". That I would try again another day when I wasn't so stressed out. I think I mentioned before, under the bottom is freaking hot lava. It will burn your face off! Stay away from the lava.
I went back to therapy, journaling, hypnosis, mindfulness, meditation, and Antabuse. The Antabuse works for me because I know in my heart I don't want to drink. What ALWAYS gets me is when I get taken off guard. I get a hankering for a drink while I pass the liquor store and pull right in. I find a bottle of wine and I want to gulp it quickly before I can talk myself out of it.
Antabuse prevents me from sabatoging my plan.

[Rusty]

Nursie-brilliant post! Thanks!!

Nora-so glad you had a lazy day and you were able to fit in your Christmas decorating, too!

Liz-so happy for CJ and Joe! Well, he DOES have the most beautiful future mother-in-law. :-)

Hey, where are all our guy friends??? Aihfl-tell us about your Thanksgiving and the Mexican buffet we were all drooling about here.

Mr.V-what did you and Mrs. V do for your 30th anniversary? Hopefully something romantic!

Mr.G-did I scare you away again? Please come back. :-)

Ok, time to hit the gym.

Happy Monday, everyone!!!!!

[Lizann]

Good morning. Party went well, but I did drink. Champagne darn it. Very quiet here at my house today and like you AG I could use some words of encouragement for a chronic relapser. We can do this, right? Food shopping and laundry on the to do list today along with licking my wounds. Have a good one guys!

[paulywogg]

Morning all,house is all decorated on the inside.. looks wonderful and gives me peace,maybe I'll leave it up year round haha,Louie is sick he has hand foot and mouth disease! Sounds freaking creepy but I guess it's common with toddlers,especially cuz they're dirty little creatures,I've got to be better at making him wash his hands more often, Liz,sorry about the drinking but in your case at least you don't go on benders,that would really freak your family out,did hubs say anything to you when he seen the champagne? Kell said they made mimosas on Thanksgiving with dinner, I told her those are supposed to be morning drinks with brunch haha,hello to all and wishing everyone a positive AF Monday