Tryers to be dryers spring into spring, not as much wine, beer or gin. We sow our seeds of hope for a dryer season, but if we drink, it's for a reason.

[Frouby]

Thread 5 for Tryers to be Dryers. A thread for those who want support for moderating or reducing alcohol. Whatever you hope to do, whether it's to have more dry days, or be less wet when you do drink, come and join us for support.

Absolutely no judgement here, just friendly support and chat, the odd swear (lots of swears to be honest). All welcome, new and old tryers to dryers.

Also ikea counts as a reasonable day out in our house. Nasty coffee and gingery biscuit overlooking the north circular while kids play in creche. Meatball tea, come home with a potato masher and bag of tealights. Change from a tenner. What's not to love?

"thank you" PMSL

I'm living near an IKEA for the first time ever. We practically lived there in the when we first moved here longest style. At some point our older boy moaned about going in the playroom because he was "too old". But the little one wouldn't go without him. DH in an effort to convince him had him stand by the measuring stick-thingy. He was only about a foot taller than the stick

@frouby - irrationally jealous that you have got your washing out!! I asked DP to do ours today while I was at work .... guess what - it's still in the machine and hes buggered off out!!

I’m so upset with DD. She’s been away on her ski trip since last Saturday and she hasn’t bloody rung once! I’ve texted her a couple of times (only twice in 5 days) and she’s replied to those but that’s it. I’ve had a lovely afternoon with DD’s best friend’s mum who I’m really good friends with. Went to her beach hut and sat in glorious sunshine. On the way home in the car she gets a call from her DD who is also on the ski trip and they had a nice long chat about what a lovely week they are having etc. My friend said ‘is canshop’s DD there?’ And she said ‘oh she’s just in the shower but she’ll call her in a bit’. Was all excited, glued to my phone but not a fucking peep! I know they’ve all gone out for the evening now. I’m sat in the bath close to tears and am definitely not going to be dry tonight!

The herbs have arrived - and they a bloody huge!!!! Swallowing them will be a challenge in itself, but so worth it if they work!! @dion - as chief herbalista, how / when do you take yours? On the box it say 2, twice a day between meals....

even though I can’t get hold of the herbs still need to know

I’m also intrigued...
Frouby I like your blue shed. It reminds me of Blue Cow from storymakers. When I eventually get my shed I’m painting it sage green.
Now here’s a weird thing. I’ve woken up today with sore knuckles and ankles and an achey thigh and I’ve not been able to get warm all day. I don’t feel poorly but I wonder if it’s some kind of immune system thing that’s been making me gloomy. Weird...

NC I bet you are poorly. Take some paracetamol and have a hot drink and an early night. I think our immune system is as responsible for our mental health as our hormones are. So when you get poorly you feel mentally drained as well as physically.

I like the shed as well. It's a drastic change from the colour we had which was an orangey oaky colour. It's definitely different.

canshop . That's the sort of thing my dd would do. It's not out of malice, just thoughtless. My dd went away for a long weekend last year with my mum and didn't call once. I didn't even get any replies to text messages. I tell myself it's because she is a secure, confident, independent girl then cry into my gin that I am surplus to requirements other than providinga roof over her head and a mobile phone.

Not dry here but not horrendous. Had 3 x gins. Spent a couple of hours with my auntie this afternoon. She was diagnosed with lung cancer last year and had part of both lungs removed and now has got shadows on both lungs again so a bit worrying.

Anyone want to join me tomorrow on a drinking less challenge ??

Frouby, I'm sorry about your auntie. I love the Balamory shed, though. And the decking. And yyy to a pic of the bunting and windmills. You have to do it.

Canshop, my DD would do the same. My DS does do the same. She still loves you. She just can't imagine how much mums need to hear from their (big) babies.

NC4, I think you're poorly too. No wonder you feel crap.

Doris, you're telling me about the size of them. They're like pessaries, but bigger. I swallow them with lots of water, though was caught short this afternoon in the car, and had to swallow them anyway. It was not easy. I take one very first thing in the morning before breakfast, and one mid afternoon. Though I think it's probably pretty flexible - it probably only means they work better on a relatively empty stomach, rather than with or just after meals.

40ml red this evening just as a taste. Nothing else. This counts as AF by my standards. I can't bloody believe it. I did think about drinking, a lot, this afternoon, but when it came to it, I resisted without too much trouble. I really, really hope the 🌿 works for you, Doris.

Longest, I used to see Ikea as a grand day out when the DC were little.

A tad jealous of all the Ikea stories..my nearest is 2hrs away!!

NC4 - I reckon you have a virus. My thighs always hurt if I am viral. First sign I’m poorly. Wrap up warm and look after yourself 💐

Dion - you are doing amazingly!! These ‘erbs deffo seem to be the answer!!!!!

I’m AF tonight. Can’t believe it!! First night in months. Went out to dinner and drove. Also he coffee at end of the meal to make my tastebuds not need wine!! Usually come back and have a glass or two as a nightcap. But haven’t. Pretty chuffed. This is a major achievement for me!! Major!!

Yes, please, Frouby can we see the bunting too? 😂 i like the blue colour though!

Leaving pmsl at ds being taller than the stick.

My top Ikea tip is Monday morning - I went to buy a kitchen there on a Monday first thing and it was EMPTY! Assistants galore!

Ahhh canshop I’m sorry. It means she’s having a great time though 💐

Yay Flossie!!!!!!!!! I know what you mean about major achievements. I can't take any credit at all for the recent good days - it's all the 'erbs, believe me. They have just taken the edge off the craving. They're not cheap, but they're still cheaper than wine or gin over the course of a month, and even if they turn out to be carcinogenic, they can't be any worse than drinking, really. That said, I'm only a couple of days in. Though by my standards, that's massive. Herbal tea and bed now.

Frouby, I’m sorry about your aunt.

Well done flossie 🙂

I am AF today, second night in a row and that’s now 4 AF days this month, which is shit, given that its the 11th.

I’m out tomorrow so definitely won’t be AF. Feel shit though, like I need my period to come but since its been weeks now it’s not looking likely.

Dion, would you mind linking to the herbs? Ta!

Ah thanks @Dion I really hope so too!!! Feels like we're the same - if I only had one drink a day and knew when to stop that would be such an achievement!! In a weird way I'm looking forward to the weekend - being with people that drink but not being that one that goes ott ..... fingers crossed!

I think it’s probably a flare-up of my EDS actually, although pain in my ankles and knuckles is a new one. It’s usually hips, knees and neck. But that can make me very tired.
I’ve had a lovely AF evening though - I went to my friend’s for a brew, sat round her fire pit with music on. I smell of camp fires now!
Water you’ve been AF for 1/3 of the month. That’s not bad.
Sorry about your aunt Frouby. Cancer is such a horrible illness.
Flossie 👏👏👏

I am in awe of the herbs!

Can shop I am sorry about DD. I bet she's got swept off to something and doesn't realise you are sitting staring at the phone waiting to hear from her. Hugs though, I couldn't talk to dd1 on Brownie camp and it was hard! I hadn't really factored that bit in when I said yes to her going.

Am in Yorkshire. In youth hostel. DD is sodding well still awake but I am turning in. Knackered. Got pretty upset earlier as DH is not on great form. He's really on edge and basically jumps if anyone says anything it's not expecting. You're on egg shells the whole time and it's really wearing and quite depressing, as I feel I have ni relationship to speak of at the mo. Then dd1 got in a silk for reasons still unknown and I just felt like I had driven for hours to try and manufacture a bit of stress free family time and it was in vain. And good f we can't be happy on holiday what good is there. Things got a bit better with aid of pint in pub but it's definitely one of my only pleasures at the moment, which is a worry. Consultant called DH for phone appointment but she didn't really have anything to suggest. Is crap.

Sorry you're poorly NC4 but test for all the AF and moderation going on.

Longest - I’m so sorry you’re going though this. It sounds such a dark cold place to be right now for you. So much giving and trying to make things right for everyone, only for it to be knocked back. Can they see what you’ve tried to do for them? Is it pain that’s causing dh to behave like this on holiday, or worry? My dh hasn’t for the illnesses you’re husband has..but he’s a complete dick every time we go away. We look forward to it for months, heaps of excitement..only for me to be planning leaving him the entire time we are away!
Sending you heaps of love. Hope today is a brighter one

Ah longest that all sounds a bit shit. Whereabouts in Yorkshire are you? Leave the fuckers there, come to mine and we will unmoderate to our hearts content. Have gin, lager, vodka, wine, some baileys somewhere I think, possibly a slightly sticky bottle of tia maria possibly. And can get wine and prosecco.

And we are going to the pub later, followed by lovely indian restaurant.

We can sit in my back garden later and pretend we are in Ballamory 😁.

My dh has had manflu and is very dramatic. This morning (after a very energetic shag btw) he sat on the end of the bed, coughed and farted and groaned dramatically that he was 'sick of this flu, it's like a lingering death'.

I did point out that he was fit and well 10 minutes previously. Fit enough for an early morning shag so obviously not that ill. And that he should have warned me he was so ill incase he shagged himself to death. 😁.

Dcs break up today. I have so much to do this fortnight, said to dd we had lots on. Ponies, allotment, decluttering upstairs, sorting winter clothes out etc. She just sighed and pointed out she has 'revision' to do, so would probably ride in the morning then be 'studying'. Fucker.

Thanks for the kind messages last night. I caved in about 9pm and texted her to say call me. She replied saying ‘it keeps failing’. I tried phoning her but couldn’t get through so I phoned her on her best friend’s number and we had a nice chat. Seems she has a dodgy signal out there so she can just text but can’t phone. So I’ll let her off! Can’t believe how worked up I got and managed to sink a bottle of wine as a result!

Frouby - so sorry about your auntie
LoL about your DH though 😅 Typical bloke - up for a shag but probably too poorly for anything else!

NC4 - sounds like you are brewing something. How are you feeling today?

Dionysa - amazing!!

Longest - sorry about your DH, that sounds tough.

Flossie - well done on being AF last night.

Everyone seems to be doing really well with being AF or moderating. Feel I’m letting the side down. I’m definitely going to order some miracle herbs in the hope that they can get me back on track next week.

He should have warned me he was so ill in case he shagged himself to death
Howling 🤣🤣

Feeling slightly better today. A little less gloomy and quite a lot less achey. Just my knuckles today.

Longest that doesn’t sound fun. I’d take Frouby up on her offer.