Less booze. More AF days. But still a bit damp. Not dry jan, but not a soggy summer. Support thread for reducing alcohol.

[Frouby]

New thread in case the other fills up while I am busy this weekend.

Did I mention I get married tomorrow? 😁

Rubbish at clicky links but sure someone clever will be along to link the last thread.

This is a support thread for those wanting to reduce the amount you drink. There is no judgement on here. We are all struggling along with our own problems and lives and looking to cut down. You might only want a couple of weekends off. Or reduce the amount of days you drink. Or the amount you drink. Or both.

Whatever your starting point and whatever your goal come and join us for friendly chat and support.

Well cystitis seems to have eased off a little. Suspect being AF helped too.

Smelly bedroom carpet covered in bicarb of soda and carpet cleaner paste. Hoping that gets rid of the worst of it.

DS had me up all bloody night the little toad. Not because he was ill, just because he fell asleep early. Woke at 12.30am and didn't go back to sleep until about 4am. DHs alarm went off at 5am. Dds went off at 6am. DS happily snoring until 8.30 while I stared at laptop a bit bleary eyed.

Fml.

Not sure if AF tonight. It's so bloody hot. Been out with the dog and we were cooking at 9.30am. Got to take dd to retail park after school too. Ds still at home due to 48 hr exclusion for sick.

Am going to allotnent in a minute. Then tidying around and working for a couple of hours more this afternoon. Ds can have his tablet so I get a bit of peace.

Am very looking forward to him going to school in the morning.

Oh Frouby. Nothing but immense sympathy from me.

Frouby - immense sympathy from me too. Hope you get to have some down time on the allotment

I think you could do with a bit of sympathy too, Woosey, given the situation with your DD.

Bless you Dion. Well I’ve had a pretty shit 24hrs. Emotional wreck!! Had complete meltdown last night to Dh about the whole situation. Feel trapped at home which I find tricky at the best of times as love the great outdoors but dd can’t really go out much. It looks so gorgeous out there too. I’m sad Cos dd can’t go to school and can’t do normal things. I’m weeping for her too. Life is so cruel sometimes. Also scared of what the future holds for her. Life is so fragile. Was looking forward to a weekend away with Dh end of July. My mum was going to have my daughters for me. She’s now said she’s too scared to look after dd. So here I am..no one will help. It’s dh and myself as full time carers, although with Dh working 70hrs a week, it’s really me. I feel so guilty moaning as dd is my utter world. But the responsibility is whopping, I need to freshen myself occasionally in order to be on the ball!!
So here I am every single day deciding not to drink and for it to be AF day 1. And then I just can’t manage it!!
Fml over and over and over

woosey my dsis is the same with her dd who has epilepsy. It's awful. She is lucky as she can get out and about with her at least but her epilepsy at one point was triggered (we think) by noise and over stimulation. Had quite a few softplay parties that ended with blue lights.

Just sat in the car with the aircon on woth ds while we wait for dd to come out of boots. Bought myself a dress too, only a maxi dress/t shirt dress thing but it's very rare I treat myself.

Was going to be AF but keep thinking about those little bottles of bud in the fridge at home. It's 31 degrees here. I love the nice weather but I feel hot, fat, pmtish and sweaty today.

AF here tonight. SmugMcFuckingSmug.

Couldn't be arsed in the end. Made tea early, as soon as we got back from shopping. Just downloaded a new book to my kindle and going to have a shower and an early night.

Also. Bicarb of soda does get rid of sick smells. Was instantly fresher once it was one then gone after about an hour. Just in case anyone needs it for future reference.

Woosey I'm so sorry that your mum can't take your DD - it must be so difficult being housebound for you both especially in this weather. Is there no-one else who you would trust? I guess not. Is it still the grass that is the main problem or are there lots of things?
Frouby bicarb of soda is wonderful for vomit and animal smells too - along with vinegar. Although you have to like the smell of vinegar for a while if you use that! Dresses are great in hot weather, I'm usually a jeans and boot girl but had a dress on yesterday and will look at getting a couple more in the Sales which start today in France (they only happen twice a year and are usually quite good for bargains).
I had lunch again with Mr Potential who was lovely, he showed me his appartments, his forest (no euphemisms) he was a gentleman and yes I can say that he is the best thing I've met in years on a dating site. Funny, interesting and honest, he talked a lot because he was nervous I think. Fingers crossed for this one.
Me too smug 2 nights AF. DD coming back from the UK today with a case full of Primark no doubt, they still don't exist in this part of France!

Oh anglais....he sounds more than Mr ‘Potential’ now..he sounds mr perfect!! Let’s hope he hates bum sex now!! Keep us posted, it’s lovely to hear. How old is your daughter..sounds like my eldest on the Primani front!!
Yes my youngest is anaphylactic to cut grass but the medics also think it’s something immune now, so internalised. Just so stressful!! She’s going to try an hour at school today as they’ve got a show..fingers and toes crossed!!
Still not AF, had half a glass left in a bottle followed by half a bottle. So I left half a bottle IN the bottle!! IN the fridge!! So that’s hardcore moderation for me!!

Can I join in please noticed my drinking has become a bit too frequent for my liking. Going to try today alcohol free and see where I go from there

Everybody here says the same grumpbum but all these girls will give you plenty of support. I only look in every now and then (as if I’m doing ok I try not to think about it at all) - and am no good for advise but I come on when I’m having a wobble or upset with myself and need a pep talk! It’s hard. I’m on track now for 16 af days this month and 14 wet and since that was the target I set myself I’m quite please. That’s better than most months! My intention is 2/3 af and 1/3 wet so that’s 10 max wet next month and hoping I can manage it! I do think it’s getting easier - I’m certainly good at 2 or 3 in a row now! Just the next few I find a hurdle. What is your aim? There are a few lovely ladies on here that are usually about later in the day and will help you along. I think my eventual aim is to be like Angelise and just maybe a couple at the weekend only. By August. Enjoy this evening knowing you will sleep well and wake up proud!

Woosey, I can't say how much I feel for you (can't say why on here, as it's potentially outing). Obviously your first concern is for your DD, but being trapped in the house is awful. Weirdly I didn't drink during that phase, but it it were happening now, I'd be drinking every night. I just hope things take a turn for the better.

Anglaise, I am liking the sound of your Mr Potential. Though I did laugh about him showing you his forest. Sorry.

Frouby, you are more than allowed to be McSmug if you resisted the siren call of Bud in the fridge. And thanks for the bicarb tip. I hope not to need it.

Grumpbum, welcome. Hope you manage tonight.

Actually, 16 AF days in a month is fantastic. My aim was four days in a row, but it has now gone back to two. Ugh. Half a bottle of wine plus a bit extra last night as I met up with a friend. I have confessed to Drinkaware. Determined to be AF tonight, so it is Day One Yet Again.

Dionysa try adding them across the month - it’s made so much difference to me - I mark them on the calendar - red for wet and green for dry and it’s brilliant with a capital B to see the green equal to the red! Now I’m looking forward to see July all green with the odd red spot! Still embarrassed to tell anybody in rl - pretty sure most wouldn’t understand how exciting it is to be sober half the time 😐 - you’ve got tonight in the bag already! Good luck with tomorrow.

Anglaise, it looks like you've found a good one, and with a forest to boot.

Woosey, being a caretaker for anyone is grueling, and when it's your child who you'd love to see up and about enjoying life, so much more so. Is there another relative or close friend who could work up to staying with her for the weekend or just overnight? Perhaps someone who has had first responder or other training who would feel comfortable even in an emergency situation?

After a totally soaked weekend I was all geared up for a few days af this week (and ideally for much of the next several weeks, as we have vacation coming up.) I managed Monday and Tuesday was on it's way til dh came home. We've both been kinda bitchy lately so scotch was swigged and wine acquired after going to the store and garden. We split the bottle and left some in the bottom, so it wasn't too bad.

I want to not want it, but when the boys (their father included) are driving me batty, and worries for the past, present, and future descend, it's one of the few things that will shift them. Sigh. I guess I just keep working on the good habits while mitigating the negative ones.

Best of luck to everyone this week!

Call of the bud was strong tonight. Hd 3 x 330ml so not horrendous but far from dry.

But after 2 nights AF am not too worried.

Off to bed very soon. Am bloody knackered. Up since 5am working. Worked until school run, then housework then done tea. Dd been a witch. Shouted her 4 bloody times for tea. Then she came flouncing down saying she was on the loo. She wasn't because I can see the bathroom door from the bottom of the stairs. Will have beem talking to her friends on skype.

She can make her own bleeding tea tomorrow.

Aprilivy- my mum is a retired nurse....and she feels too scared to help out. Waiting to see if we meet criteria for help...
Hey...you’ve done some Af this week and tonight not hideous so don’t beat yourself up over it.
Frouby - I swear my kids drive me to drink!!

So far I’ve had half a glass of white topped up with soda and then another glass of soda!! I really am struggling with AF currently. But I’m trying to drink the same quantity of fluid but half of it being soda water......

Ooof, woosey. That ain't heartening. I'll be hoping for your assistance to come through. Just an overnight nurse could make a huge difference. Anything so you and dh could have a night off, at least.

I've been going with the spritzers as well. Of course, now I've poured myself a regular glass "while the seltzer chills"

FML. Had to go to a work thing this evening, unexpectedly. Had one small glass of horrible white wine. Then came back and had 1 x 40 ml gin. I hate myself. But going to go to bed now, before any further damage is done.

Dion.....that’s not hideous!! Don’t beat yourself up xx

Dion that is moderation. Be proud!

Won't be AF tonight. Football is on, beer will be drank. Moderation tho.

Off to work the ponies this morning after getting up at 5am to do some work. Housework after ponies, another hour working then am having a lovely long bath, drying my hair and chilling with a cold beer.

Seem to have been on the back foot all week for some reason. Think it was ds being off monday and Tuesday and my hangover monday morning.

No plans for the weekend which is lovely for a change. We were supposed to be going out for a meal saturday with friends and dcs. However because the dhs organised it instead of the wives the other dh forgot his dd is in a performance all weekend. So now will have dd disappointed and flouncy when I tell her. Sigh.

Might take them somewhere on sunday but it's difficult finding stuff to do that keeps an almost 14 year old and a 4 year old happy. Dd just wants to shop. Ds hates shopping.

Frouby I had that prob when mine were younger. Ds is 21, dd is 12 and dd2 is 9. When they younger was hard entertaining a near teen boy with two little girls in tow!! Not just the age prob but the boy/girl interests to tackle!! I sympathise

There are 6 yrs between DD 17 and her brother 11. That is fine, 10 years difference is much more difficult to find common entertainment.
AF day 4 smugness here but a beer was tempting tonight, fortunately I had a lot to do between 7 and 8 so got through the danger time.
Did back with lots of Primark clothes. Not sure about the sizing though, she bought some pants size 40-42 and they seem huge...here is a comparison with French pants (on the left) which are size 36-38

Anglaise, I love the pants photo. I was looking in the charity shop this morning, and noticed that M&S 1970s size 12 skirts are absolutely tiny. I'd be about a 16 if it were 1976 (I'm an 8, or at least was until this morning).

My DC are very close in age, but still can't find any common interests other than sniping at one another.

Frouby and Woosey, thank you for reminding me that I'm moderating rather than failing. It felt like a fail given that I'd resolved to be AF - but viewed in another way, it could have been worse. AF tonight, thus far - but as I know, this can change at the last minute.

Frouby, it does not surprise me that the dads can't manage to organise anything.

April, how are you getting on?

Pissed again here

Fmfl