I don't want to be totally AF......,

[actiongirl46]

Ah . . . good advice!! We have not really started figuring stuff out yet but this is a great prompt. I hope you had a wonderful dinner. Lots to be proud of!

[frances]

AG you sound great! Yes, I agree - what a waste all that time spent on drinking was (not to mention money!).

Thanks for the congrats about my son! We are going out dinner tonight to celebrate. I'm so proud of the young man he has become. You are in good shape if you get stuff figured out now - we didn't really do much until the very end of his junior year and into the early part of senior year. Thankfully he knew he didn't want to go too far from home so that made what few school visits we did pretty easy.

[actiongirl46]

Sorry to hear about the job Blue! Hopefully something else will turn up soon.

Things are good here. I've been really enjoying the extra time to go to the gym, yoga class, music, etc. since I don't down a bottle of wine every night. Good grief, what a waste.

Frances, that is great news for your son!! How exciting. We are just starting down that path with my oldest (he will be a junior next year) and I am already terrified!!!! : )

[frances]

Aww that's too bad Blue - that must have been frustrating too! Doesn't sound like it was the right fit. Hopefully some of these other things will work out for you!

hope everyone's doing OK. I finally had a couple of decent days at work, and also heard that my son got accepted at his number one school choice so we are so happy for him. Everything is flying by I can't believe he graduates high school in just a few short months! Yikes!

[blue1]

Happy Monday everyone and I wish you all a great day and week! I'm tired and not looking forward to going back to work today. I've been having a heck of a time staying focused at work. Hopefully this will be a fresh start and I can get on track.

How did the interview go Blue?

Well....I went to the interview....but it wound up being the wrong store. I applied for a store close to my house...but the store I was suppose to be at was miles away.....actually two buses from my house. I would have needed to be available for all shifts..,,they close to 10pm. Hubby would have been able to pick me up sometime but other than that I would have to wait until two buses in a not so good part of time. I've started different businesses before so I was thinking about selling something on esty.com...haven't tried that yet. Plus my children said they would pay me a little something to babysit.....so we'll see.
Hope everybody is having a successful day.....evening lol

[frances]

Happy Monday everyone and I wish you all a great day and week! I'm tired and not looking forward to going back to work today. I've been having a heck of a time staying focused at work. Hopefully this will be a fresh start and I can get on track.

How did the interview go Blue?

[actiongirl46]

Hi all, happy weekend! Since I started playing keyboard in the church band, Saturday mornings are my only day to be lazy. I can't give that up now can I??? Its noon here and I'm still in my pjs but will have to rally soon.

Well, the down mood only lasted a few days. Better now. It was due to things that I'm working on with the therapist. Basically, I am learning that I use AL to numb out my feelings and opinions with difficult relationships. For example, I wouldn't even think of calling my mom (I love her so much but some of our interactions can be challenging : ) without having a glass of wine in hand. If she said something I didn't agree with, I'd just take a sip and agree, stuffing down the anger. Then have more after the call.

I am learning I am a highly sensitive and empathetic person, I see a lot of gray. Apparently, not everyone is like that! Who knew??!!! So instead of being myself and letting those who don't see as much gray and have more judgement on situations or people, just deal with how I think, I hide that part of myself at times to keep the peace. AL, especially in the last few years when it has gotten out of control, has played a very big role in that. WHEW! Sorry if TMI but it feels good to get it out somewhere.

Frances, having a few beers with my friend felt great. I think that is my goal if I can accomplish it without over-drinking. We shall see as I haven't been as successful as you have been. Yet. : ) I was not the one that said why one (I think that was on Newbie Nest). I have had one beer while my friends have a few more and it feels just right to me.

Blue - For me, having work is a good thing. I actually like to work : ) as it helps give my mind something to do. I also need some kind of schedule or I'd be very very lazy. And probably a drunk!! Good luck to you on finding something that works for you!! Let us know how it goes.

Take care all - AG

[blue1]

I have a job interview on Tuesday for a retail job. I don't really want to do retail but that's all I'm qualified for....and we need the money right now. I only want 20-25 hours if they work with me on that this could possibly be a good move. The last job I had at the liquor store was suppose to be 20-25 hours but by the time I left it was 38 most weeks and almost every weekend. So I couldn't do much. I was miserable.
Well...at least I'll be out of the house....that will definitely cut back on the drinking....lol
Hope everybody is having a successful day!

[blue1]

Hi – no big news here. Things going along pretty well. I’ve been slacking at work so I need to get focused. Anyone have any good tips for that?

I haven’t watched any ‘new’ movies lately but I watched an older one last weekend – ‘Crash’ from 2004/2005 time frame. It was very good – intense.

Sorry you were feeling down, AG. I hate when those moods hit and I don’t know why. I’ve been feeling kind of blah lately but not necessarily ‘down’. Sometimes hashing through difficult subjects can do that. Not drinking might not help, but it certainly will not make things worse! I’d say give it a try and see what happens!

How was drinking with your friend? Did you have to restrain compared to how you’ve been in the past?

I’m going to a happy hour this evening, but I think I might not drink anything. It’s been almost two weeks since my last time. Not that I would feel bad drinking, just honestly don’t really feel like it. At least not now. This is not a ‘friends’ happy hour but a farewell gathering for someone I work with who I don’t know well at all nor do I know the people who will be there very well.

Blue – glad you’re doing well with not drinking as much. I sure hope you don’t have more major asthma troubles too!

Well, back to work - talk to y'all soon!

Frances.....I just watched Crash the other day too....good movie!

[blue1]

Hi all - Blue, that post made me hungry!! Seen any good movies lately?? We watched "Meet the Patels" on Netflix last Saturday. It started out a little weird but we both ended up really enjoying it at the end. Its a documentary so you have to like that style. I thought it was funny.

Saturday dinner went well! It is always fun to focus on one kid at a time. He ate so much he toppled over in the booth. At least we got him full for a little while.

I had a few beers with a girlfriend on Friday early evening then none since. I was REALLY DOWN on Sunday, I'm not sure why. Just hit me like a ton of bricks and nothing was helping. My hubby was out of town for about 6 hours so maybe I was reacting to that? Wanted that wine? Anyway, I powered through it but it was tough. I'm not sure if the Friday night consumption was a factor or not, but I felt fine on Saturday and wasn't feeling down at all . . . you'd think it would be the next day if it was related?? What I was down about was not AL but the stuff my visits to my therapist is stirring up. More relationship with spouse stuff. If the down feeling keeps up, I may have to try to get 30 days in. Longest stretch I've done is 14 in a row in December. Ah . . . I am still just trying to figure this stuff out. So much analysis but that's me.

Thanks for letting me vent. I hope you have a great rest of your week! AG

Hey AG....hope you're feeling better today. Did you figure out why you were down? Glad your dinner went good!
I don't have cable or Netflix but we have a HUGE dvd collection. I've never seen meet the patels...sounds interesting.

[frances]

Stopping in to say hello and hope you all have a great weekend! I'm going to open a checking account for my 17 year old today and start working with him more on financial management. He doesn't have a job but hopefully he will this summer between high school and university! My husband and I will put money in the account for gas, spending and he'll have to manage with that amount. He doesn't spend much so it won't be a big problem - he's pretty low key and stays home most nights. I hope he transitions to college OK - one of his friends last year wasn't happy and I remember someone commented to me that he was a homebody before he went to school....so is my son...hmmmm. Well, we'll see. My son will play baseball if he gets in to the school he wants to so that should help a lot with connecting with people.

It turns out that I did have one drink at the happy hour and sat with people and talked. It was fine. I do often think 'if only one why not none' (AG I think you or TMH mentioned that not too long ago) - I agree with that, but still sometimes one is nice.

My two year anniversary is coming up at the end of this month (9 months AF, 1 year 3 months moderating with not a single overdrinking episode). I'm thrilled and proud.

[frances]

Hi – no big news here. Things going along pretty well. I’ve been slacking at work so I need to get focused. Anyone have any good tips for that?

I haven’t watched any ‘new’ movies lately but I watched an older one last weekend – ‘Crash’ from 2004/2005 time frame. It was very good – intense.

Sorry you were feeling down, AG. I hate when those moods hit and I don’t know why. I’ve been feeling kind of blah lately but not necessarily ‘down’. Sometimes hashing through difficult subjects can do that. Not drinking might not help, but it certainly will not make things worse! I’d say give it a try and see what happens!

How was drinking with your friend? Did you have to restrain compared to how you’ve been in the past?

I’m going to a happy hour this evening, but I think I might not drink anything. It’s been almost two weeks since my last time. Not that I would feel bad drinking, just honestly don’t really feel like it. At least not now. This is not a ‘friends’ happy hour but a farewell gathering for someone I work with who I don’t know well at all nor do I know the people who will be there very well.

Blue – glad you’re doing well with not drinking as much. I sure hope you don’t have more major asthma troubles too!

Well, back to work - talk to y'all soon!

[actiongirl46]

Hi all - Blue, that post made me hungry!! Seen any good movies lately?? We watched "Meet the Patels" on Netflix last Saturday. It started out a little weird but we both ended up really enjoying it at the end. Its a documentary so you have to like that style. I thought it was funny.

Saturday dinner went well! It is always fun to focus on one kid at a time. He ate so much he toppled over in the booth. At least we got him full for a little while.

I had a few beers with a girlfriend on Friday early evening then none since. I was REALLY DOWN on Sunday, I'm not sure why. Just hit me like a ton of bricks and nothing was helping. My hubby was out of town for about 6 hours so maybe I was reacting to that? Wanted that wine? Anyway, I powered through it but it was tough. I'm not sure if the Friday night consumption was a factor or not, but I felt fine on Saturday and wasn't feeling down at all . . . you'd think it would be the next day if it was related?? What I was down about was not AL but the stuff my visits to my therapist is stirring up. More relationship with spouse stuff. If the down feeling keeps up, I may have to try to get 30 days in. Longest stretch I've done is 14 in a row in December. Ah . . . I am still just trying to figure this stuff out. So much analysis but that's me.

Thanks for letting me vent. I hope you have a great rest of your week! AG

[blue1]

Hey guys! Sounds like y'all had a good productive weekend. My hubby is on vacation until next Monday.....we've been chillin watching movies eating good (he's been doing all the cooking....and he can really cook)!!!
I've been pretty good with not over doing it...,I really took it easy yesterday....didn't sleep well at all last night....was up until about 5am.....back up around 8:30. Plus these allergies are acting up like crazy....having to take the benadryl throughout the day and at night....and I'm back to using my inhaler all throughout too. I'm afraid of having another severe asthma attack....so I'm being quite vigilant.
AG.....how did the dinner go with your son?

Hope everybody is having a successful day!

[frances]

Hi everyone! I hope you enjoyed your time with your son AG -taking him out to dinner was such a nice idea! My productive weekend is over - worked a long day yesterday but this evening I'll be home earlier - will try to do at least one productive thing every evening during the week when I'm home. I like that goal - it will make me feel better about my weeks - so many days always fly by and the same old 'to-dos' not getting done.

The weather has been quite a bit warmer lately. I'd love it if we didn't get any more temps below freezing. One big snow is enough for me!

Hope everyone's doing OK out there!