Good morning shipmates. Hope you're all as hale and hearty as can be this morning. I have re-read @ShyMaryEllen's lovely poem out loud to Sid. He is very impressed. His normal output consists of things along the lines of "There was an old man from Venus, Who had an -" thank you Sid, we'll leave it there. I very much like the idea of agreeing a time around Christmas to all be on here if possible at the same time @ShyMaryEllen, that'd be nice. A bit like the old chatrooms in the earliest days of the world-wide-web (remember them?!)
Very many congratulations to @ponzusoup on your anniversary. Six months is brilliant and an amazing victory.🎉 So, SO proud of you, if that doesn't come across as too patronising.
@CarrotSeeds - that's an extra layer of courage, having access to a stash but not being tempted to drink. I couldn't do that. I can't have any in the house or I will go through it. Even after all this time. Congratulations on your three weeks, that's absolutely fantastic. 🏋️♀️
@Onewildandpreciouslife I struggle with AF versions of drinks, not sure why, but I find them quite triggering. I prefer to stick with sparkling water or OJ+Lemonade. Although there are a lot more tempting AF options around these days. I've got a London event coming up at which I fear there will be a strong Margarita presence. Although there was sufficient carnage at my last one with these friends to act as a deterrent. I wasn't drinking much back then but others most certainly were. Several had items stolen from them in bars whilst too p~ssed to notice and one chap phoned me at 3am to shout at me that he didn't know where he was, didn't know what street his hotel was on, and he couldn't find his phone (the one he was ringing me on). The call disconnected to the sound of him puking on the unfortunate Rozzer who asked him if he needed help. Hmmm... perhaps not so tempting after all.
Great news on the weight jab front @NextPhaseOfLife - I'm really glad it's going well thus far. That's interesting about the quietening of the booze noise. I wonder if some of these new jabs may also in time be nominated for use principally in addiction treatment?
Hope you're enjoying a fantastic time in Sicily @EastCoastDamsel and that your DD's sickness has eased. ❤️
So wonderful to hear from you @Faffodils, it gives such strength and inspiration to hear from those who have stuck to the fight and made it. Lord knows it isn't easy, but I am so pleased for you. 🎉
@WendyWagon I'm sorry about your mother's anniversary. That must have pierced your soul all over again. It's not easy with these complicated parental relationships, particularly at a time when things are not currently so great at home right now. It says a lot about you as a mum and a person that you made your poorly DS a nice breakfast, even after he has caused you and your DD such distress of late. I really hope things improve there. Enjoy the gardening! I saw a nice shrub in the garden centre on Sunday with pretty purple berries (perhaps a callicarpa?) and was quite tempted - but given that I can kill a plastic cactus at 50 paces I decided to spare its life and stuck to buying the bird food I'd gone there for.
My M has the effect of guiding me to the rebellious "f~ck-it button" as well. There has rarely been kindness there and, often, it takes only a look, word or gesture and I'm back as a frightened, hurt and confused 7 year old, cowering in a corner. Yesterday evening she confessed that she is not always making it to the loo "in time". I've known that this has been the case for several months now, but gentle enquiries have been met with lies or angry denial thus far. And so it begins.
Strength and love my friends. Every SINGLE sober morning is a magnificent victory, and a battle worth the winning. Here's Sid, extending the arm of love, comfort and solidarity to you and reminding you - it's going to be alright, you know. It will, honest. xx