Monday July 31

[drEAmIng]

Hellooooooo Absville!

Just a quickie for now. I'm exhausted from my wonderful day at the beach, so I'm going to try and catch up with you all later. Hope you all had a great weekend!

Congrats to everyone for sticking to their goals!

Peggy, 43 days!
Wayne, 58 days!
Gonnastop, I know you drank, but 37 days is awesome!! And so is climbing back up onto the wagon! Hope you're hanging in there sweetie!! Let us know.

:h Deirdre

What we call the secret of happiness is no more a secret than our willingness to choose life.

-Leo Buscaglia

[soberk]

Monday July 31

hello all, i'm going to post tonight as i don't know if i can post in the a.m. before i leave for work. just want to say wahoo, august starts up in a giff. and it will be another fun month for us abbers. i haven't quite got the hang of our new site. i meant to post sunday and it ended up back on saturday. oh well. happy sober monday all. smiles kimber

[sophia]

Monday July 31

Greetings abbers, I am so thrilled to say day 9 for me and looking forward to starting August. Like other people recently I have faced my first test, a boozy family bbq over the weekend. It was at our old family home too, (sold last year) the current family invited us back! So lots of emotional stuff going on. But the Shloer (sparkling red grape juice) went down well , and I woke up feeling great Sunday.

Its great to plug in and read your stuff gang, thanks for the inspiration and wonderful wisdom that abounds on this site. I am privileged to be part of it.

Stil waiting for my sups and cds, (must be wearing arm bands Bambino!) seeing health prof today to talk about med. even though I feel good I still want to give myself a fighting chance long term. I have decided abstinence is for life, not just for summer! Having been down a similar road to Susan, I stopped for three years but gradually my drinking crept up and up and here we are again!

Have you started on yours yet Bambino? Wondered how you are doing.

Thankgs again Love Carole

[Bambino]

Monday July 31

Sorry for not bein in touch

Hello my little abster chums !!!

Sorry for not posting over theekend - was s'posed to go food shopping on wednesday cos hubby finished work earlier than usual, BUT - we dropped in at the pub.... wait!!! it's not all bad... Drank J2O ( OJ and Mango flav )for most of evening - ended up stayin until kicking out time cos met up with some friends.... Had 2 small wine and lemo's at about 10 o-clock - Jolly proud of self since the other three were having a boozy-ole time... isn't it funny when you sit and see exactly just how loud and daft people get !! Was giggling inside... I used helpful hint - On antibiotics.
We went back to their house and I hold my hands up - 2 more glasses of wine - but THAT is all... I don't feel cross with myself because I still am getting used to all of this - and was first time socialising and I (sort of ) abstained - ish !!! Anyway - my friend admitted that she is drinking 3 bottles of wine a day - and off work with depression, - my jaw hit the ground... i have given her the address of this site, but she got upset and said that she isn't ready to face her demons yet -0 had in depth conflab until early hours and boy - she has some demons to face... I feel pleased that at least she has the option of using this wonderful place when she is ready. Anyway - stayed all day sunday all of us just chillin, chattin, listening to music - us girlies did girly things - gave each other facials - I tried on one of her bridesmaid dresses they're gettin married in sept and we had a bit of a try on of clothes n stuff - just girly stuff - it was brill !!! Had an Indian ( meal ! LOL ) on the patio and came home about 8 pm on sat night... lee popped home to let the dogs out intermittently and phoned the stable manager to muck out bambi and give her her dinner .
( just in case you were just about to phone the RSPCA !!!! )

They are having a 40th birthday bbq nxt saturday so I'll have to L-Glut and Kudzu myself up gor that !!!
So all in all - really good weekend.

Carole, I had 5 boxes of supps arrive today - from Healthspan - I think the postie thinks I'm a junkie , cos on the back it's got a Customs Box thing, - they come from Jersey !!! I hope your little fishy arrives on your little dishy soon hun bun. - I bet they arrive today. Fingers crossed for U.
I'm going to write out a personal tablet schedule because it's getting a bit confusing. - I'm rattling as i walk with all the tabs !!! And still awaiting Amino acids and SAMe AAAARRRGGG..

Hope you and girls got back safe n sound Macks

And hope evryone else is good :l

Anyway - you know me - I could carry on knattering for the rest of the day - but just going to pop the hoover round and then make some lunch.

So love to all of you here... Keep on Swimmin chaps !!
Bambs
xxxx

[YoungAtHeart]

Monday July 31

And a New Month Ahead!

Good morning, All!

I want to make this short (aren't you all glad! ) because I need to get some pre-work work done this am. I'm glad to get back to my normal routine today. Looking forward to another abs week and the beginning of a new month full of new promise! I got an e-mail re the two new abs hypno cd's and I think I am going to purchase them. It seems like a worthwhile investment, to me. Also, Lori's Magic Bullet blender seems like a good deal. I sometimes skip the smoothies out of laziness of cleaning the big blender!!

Anyway, got a busy day with work and bill paying a getting to start up with some sewing, and I'm looking forward to it. Gonna be a scorcher here in Maryland!

I know that Absville will go rocking and rolling into August, but is anyone going to be taking over the helm?? Just wondering.

Love to all!
Kathy:l :h

[Guest]

Monday July 31

thanks Susan (Clever Clogs)

Your post on Saturday was very eye opening and inspiring. Eye opening because this is life and death; and is serious. In my case, it is the difference between having a life or wasting a life. I want a life! Death is not my worst fear--my worst fear is that I will have wasted the time I was given. I have wasted enough of it as it is. I need to start living--so that when my time does come I am not looking back with utter regret. And its not just my life it affects--it is everyone's around me. It is time for me to get very serious about this.

I could relate to what you said about setting up the complusion. Some events or things will set in motion the complusion to drink--even if I doesn't happen right away. For me its not only events, but things like smoking, eating poorly, not exercising and not getting enough sleep.

Thank you for the eye opener--every aspect has to be taken seriously. Too many times I would allow myself to slide on one area--which would eventually end up with me drinking. I am quitting smoking today--had my last one at 7am. Going to start taking care of myself--and if I do slip in any of the above areas--I know that I need to shore it up quickly, because it will lead to other things on down the line--until I am back in a place I don't want to be. I need to take them as huge warning lights--because they indicate "DANGER, DANGER".

Thanks--I am so looking forward to August and on forward!

Kim

[southernbelle47]

Monday July 31

monday

Morning Abbers,

I hope all had a good restfull weekend. We worked Sat morning but rested Sunday. Had a wonderful visit from our handsome grandsons and beautiful daughter. The only way that could have been improved on was if the grand-daughters were here also. It felt soooooo good to be sober and happy!

This will be a busy week. There are several things I need to get off my todo list for the upcoming wedding. One is to finish making about 80 more jars of blackberry jam to give to guest at the "farm" wedding. Gonna be pretty neat!

I also still need to finish up shopping for shoes and clothing for parties and showers and a tea.

Sooooooooo.....don't know how much will be here, but I am "with " you in heart and prayers.:l

Found this quote:
"In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, STAND LIKE A ROCK".
Thomas Jeffereson

I'm "standing like a rock", on the principle that my body does not want, need, desire any unhealthy substances!

:h to all
Nancy & Belle









http://www.smileycentral.com/sig.jsp...p=ZSYYYYYYJGUS

[Wayneuk2006]

Monday July 31

Good afternoon all,
Life is back to normal in the Wayne household,the girls are arguing, the boys are winding up the girls,and me and the wife are running up our own backsides......Bliss.
Had a good talk with my mum last night and without any prompting she has decided its time to keep an eye on her own drinking.This is such a relief.
Everyone is doing themselves proud in Absville today and the horizon is looking bright.
I would like to apply to join the (Smoothie Maker Gang), i managed to wangle my mums off her.Now if i can suss out what you put in it i'll be laughing.
Will check back in after football tonight...
Oh Kathy...Was only joking about the nickname...You should hear what my wife calls me....Love Macks.

[nomorewine]

Monday July 31

Hello All --

Sounds like everyone had a good and productive weekend and is off to a fine start today! This is good! I'm headed out to do errands though I don't want to leave the house bec/ it is so hot.

Anyway, husband just left for work for the week and shall not return till Friday. Have to find things to keep me busy as this is when I seem to get in the most trouble. I too appreciated Susan's insights about setting up the situations which lead to falls. I have to work on that bec/ I know its part of why I have fallen so many times. Good to keep it on the front burner. I already passed on an invite for dinner this week bec/ the temptation will be too great and if I did make it through (and I think I could) it would allow me to think I could handle that situation anytime and I cannot. I need to live in Absville for some time. So thanks for the reminder! That's what I love about this place and all of you!

Have a great day.

[Guest]

Monday July 31

I'm hopping down from the fence..


I'm going to move into absville again. Had to give it a few days of serious thought. I've been trying to moderate since my vacation in June. Have done so-so...but cannot stand the obsession in the mind that is present when I allow alcohol back into the picture. I desire freedom from this craziness! I've had it before and know it takes work! But, it is a much better and happier life than what I am living now. Today is day 4 for me. I drank on my 15th anniversary....not enough to ruin it...but enough to give me a killer hangover the next day and feel like a useless slug all day. I hated myself that day and knew I was circling the toilet again. I restarted Campral yesterday. Going to NYC this weekend to meet many of my friends here at MWO. Hopefully by stating my intentions here, I will be able to maintain abs while I am there. Vacations are ALWAYS a trigger for me! In 2 weeks I have a work conference I am going to where there will be daily cocktail gatherings at the end of the day. My timing is just GREAT?!?!?!?! Isn't it???? Like I've heard so many times.....there is NO perfect time for this. Carpe diem! There will ALWAYS be situations to tackle....gotta keep on livin'! Takin' it minute by minute right now. LOVE the support I see here. Gina:h

[dieann]

Monday July 31

ginaofca wrote:
but cannot stand the obsession in the mind that is present when I allow alcohol back into the picture. I desire freedom from this craziness!

I start tomorrow. I'm scared and excited!!!

Can't wait to hear the reviews on the new abs CD's. I know I will be listening to my MWO CD's a LOT in August.

[gabby]

Monday July 31

I'm back for a week

Hi guys,
Whew...glad that week is over. Not just the e-xtra hours, but the teens kinda out on the loose. So a week to catch up and then a nice mellow week in Tennessee to visit grandfolks.
Kimber, I know how is to whoop in and whoop out. No time to read, no time to post but afraid your gonna miss out on everything.
Sophia, good job on the first test. And that was a hard one too. Family and a childhood house. 9 days is a good accomplishment. A full week and 2 weekends? Thats good!
Bambino, It really helps me a lot to sort the supps out like for a week in advance. I have a nifty little container that I have from my herbalife days. But baggies work good too.
And Kathy...ya...who's gonna be the anchor....you could do it! Susan and Dierdre have done a great job. But when they are ready for the change....I vote you. Unless ya dont wanna....I wouldnt wanna...so heck.
Discovery, Oh boy when I stopped smoking I defintally needed to be institusionalized. My mom died of lung cancer so YES...you must do it. But get as much aid as you can to pull it off. I quit cold turkey and it was truley the hardest think I ever did in life.
Matt...are you stoppin cigs too? cant remember. Anyway hi and how many days AF are you now?
Nancy and Belle, Boy I like that stand like a rock in matters of principal thing. My motto exactally.
Mackeral, so happy for you about life being so blissful right now. You have worked for it. Caught that comment about being on the other side the other day. Nice isnt it?
Gina, Noremorewine, and Dieann, yep....pick a spot and settle in. There is a lot here...but a lot on vacation. I forget who all lives in absville just after being in and out for a short time. Talk about bbq's....we need one here. Just to get everyone figured out. Ya know....it wouldnt hurt to do a short introduction again. Think I'll start that mini thread.
Well...takin to long to do this,
Congrats to me 55 days. gabby

[Guest]

Monday July 31

9 months sober

Hello to all in absville.

Life on sober street isnt all that bad is it? Why is it so hard for us to find this street, I wonder?hmmmmmm

Some of you I know and some I dont.. so hi to both those I know and those I dont.

Today, I'm sober for 9 months. Do you KNOW how proud I am of myself. I feel like askippin and ahoppin and screaming down sober street to tell everyone. Not only do I remember very clearly how hard it was to get to day 3 - how I never thought I'd make 3 weeks... amased that I made 3 months.. but now I WANT to be this way forever. Gina mentions how doing moderation blows her mind.. well it would just cripple mine. Every time I think about it I get terrified, cos I KNOW this works for me. It gets easier the longer I do it. HOnestly, I went out this week with some friends and they didnt bat an eyelid about me having tonic water.. they just got on with it and it was NO BIG DEAL.. and by that I mean not a big deal to me... it was situation normal. I dont envy them the drink, I envy that they can stop.. but I cant.. so this is better for me.

What have I learnt this 9 months.. well... I'm actually ok... I'm worth a life and I enjoy living. Life sober is manageable, its not awful and emotions are things that I"m able to tackle and live through.

I said some months ago that change (real) change is hard work. This has been hard work for me.. but reaching this milestone is great for me.. I feel like its been worth it and I'd do it again if I had to.

Gina. I'm going to hold you to your agreement with me in NY and ask you about it afterwards.. but have a great time as best you can.

Askippin and ahoppin and whoopie
brigid

[Going Strong]

Monday July 31

Checking In!

Hi Guys,
It's already Tuesday for me and I think I will cut & paste this when Tuesday's Thread starts.
Firstly Brigid It's brilliant about 9 months, I am so impressed and happy for you. I remember your kindness to me when I first found this site and it was much appreciated:h
To Everybody else I am going to have to start keeping notes as when I read from everybodys post I go OMG, yes, thats so right, yes, I do agree!! and then when I come to write my bit I can't remember who wrote what!!
My head spins.
Just remember that I really care for all of you and am so happy to be with such kind, caring supportive people.
I am doing OK but feel everytime I open up and say I am doing OK I sabotage myself!!! So now I am not sure what to say but

[Annifofanni]

Monday July 31

Greetings All,
I've just returned from vacation to find MWO has had plastic surgery?!? (Not that it's a bad thing....)
I'm joining Absville, beginning Aug 1st. Looking forward to chatting with you.....Anni