Old Bags No More - The Brave Babes & the Battle with the Booze

[MoominMags]

Well, here we go ladies (and MIFLAW)! The new thread to follow on from JWN's 'me and alcohol have ruined my family'. I hope no one minds that I decided to go with 'brave'? I just think that it describes us!

As a quick recap, I am 33 and on day 22 of sobriety (on this occasion!)

Gloup

What made you decide to drink when you seemed to have decided not to?

I drank because I have received some very good news,I was celebrating ! we had a lovely dinner with it..I know its wrong, the positive thing is that I didnt finish the bottle and settled in the front of the box with a glass of water !

Hi ido, just keep posting when you get a chance.

JWN - now we are waiting to hear what next? Let us know what your lovely surprise is.

I had a surprise last night - dd2 ringing the door bell at 1.30am. I'd stupidly put the chain on when I went to bed and she was locked out. Ahhh! I hate being woken up like that, it took me ages to get back to sleep, must have been why I needed a little nap this afternoon.

Gloup, well done that you had spritzers rather than just wine, and very good that you didn't finish the bottle. That is probably much better than it would have been a few weeks ago and must feel like a step forward.

In the past I have got to similar stages, the problem I have had is that I then gradually start to think that I am back in control and that I can just have a couple of glasses. Eventually though I've been right back to (and worse than) where I started from, so for now, I am not having any booze at all. Well, one day at a time, that is.

Saturday evening. Nice cup of tea and a dvd with dh. I've been missing this.

Listening to radio 4, thinking just one litle drink wouldn't hurt, I've been so good all week. Just need to make it to 10,as soon as the off licence closes & I know I can't go and buy a bottle I'm ok, who said " I can resist anything but temptation"?
Bought sparkling water & tonic water yesterday, but they don't appeal! Mind you it's raining which makes a trek out less tempting!

Have been reading some of the other threads on here; I should count my blessings I think!

Gloup

It's not wrong, and your (or my) drinknig has nothing to do with morals - but, if you're still the same woman who joined the thread a few days ago, you must know that drinking is rarely going to go well.

So, if it's a one-off, why take the risk? And if you now think that next time will be safe, does that honestly strike you as likely based on your experience?

Glad you are back off it, but do be aware that every time you drink you are playing with fire and the risks are immense.

Not meaning to nag - but maybe now is the right time to consider how, another time, you might celebrate without alcohol. That's certainly what I do, if only because I've fucked up so many celebrations for myself and others with a drink in me.

Morning all!

7.15 Sunday morning after a big day out and my head is clear! Just as well, dog has taken sick and left three big piles of poo in the kitchen, heave. Not the way I had envisaged my morning panning out...

JWN...where did you go? Maybe you're still there!
Venus, I'm with you on the slipping back, and a post you made a few days ago has been really helpful to me, you said sometghing about the milion time a day voice nagging you, and you sometimes saying 'fuck the fuck off'. It's working really well for me!!
Ido, hope your counselling goes well, and Kate, hope your gerbil cleaning and decorating went well!
Gloup, you are your own person...maybe you can control your intake? I don't know...
Wrinkly, I felt all day that 'one can't hurt', or ratrer I kept telling myself that. Then I used Venus' mantra 'fuck the fuck off'!
MIFLAW...always there!!
Look everyone, I read and took notes!!!!!!

I shall now proceed to bore you with my day.
50th birthady celebration in Brighton. I drove. I did the 'prop' thing at the beginning (i know MIFLAW you advised to avoid it, but there was no soft drink and I didn't want to draw attention, amongst a lot of stangers). Once dh had drunk half of his shampoo, we swapped glasses and I clutched a half full one until the water arrived!

Lunch...well, like with the picnic, nobody noticed...nobody was watching what I was drinking, just chatting and enjoying. I even managed to haver a discussion about the best whiskey and polish vodka!

It got very loud, and twice I had to clench my butt because I was embarrassed about the show we were making...by the time we got to the pier, I quietly broke away saying that I felt a bit hot and bothered, and claustrophobic...VERY busy in Brighton yesterday.

Aftrer a very delicious non alchoholic coctail (augus sometyhing bitters in it which I shall hunt out) I DROVE HOME!!!

Feeling proud of myself I have to say, and happy to be hangover free. Dh is still looking like the living dead in bed!!!

HAppy Sunday!

ps Day 17!

Well done algee on your day out, I bet you couldn't have imgined that a few weeks ago.

Angostura bitters comes in a small bottle (200ml) with a big paper label. You should bet it easily in a supermarket, but it will be on the shelves alongside the booze.

It does actually contain alcohol but it is not classed as an alcoholic drink because it is very concentrated and you only use a few drops at a time.

Some alkies would not even have that tiny drop of alcohol.

Wrinkly, hope you lasted till 10 last night. What is your favourite way of distracting yourself? I do things that keep my hands occupied - some embroidery or being on here.

Miflaw talks sense Gloup (was it Wrinkly who stopped for four days, then carried on as they were convinced they could stop anytime?)

and Gloup did you read the lists of excuses, why one of us needed/deserved a drink a page or so back?

you cant be saved while you are drinking, only from drinking if you see what i mean??

Algee, imagine facing the poo with a hangover!
another plus to having quit.
sounds like you handled yourself really well yesterday.
Happy Sunday to you too

Venus, i have been using the bach remedys, noticed they are in an alcohol solution, to be taken 4 X drops, 4 X daily...

my AA friend doesnt touch a single drop (spat out a boozy chocolate)

Hi Katerum, does it bother you that there is alcohol in the bach remedy? Does taking it make you desperate for a drink?

I have noticed that the windscreen washer solution has alcohol in it - no I wasn't drinking it! I just thought it smelled horrible.

morning ladies!!!

i have had the best day ever! i have been treated as a vertitable princess and guess what?

I DID NOT DRINK!!!

dh took me shopping, out for lunch, bit more shopping (home for a 'snooze' ) then out for dinner and the cinema!
he bought me the most beautiful ted baker handbag and guess what else!! a sewing machine!! i have wanted one since forever!! and now i have one - he took in me into the shop and let me run wild! i did end up buying a resonably basic model though, i thought £1000 was a bit much for the sort of thing i wanted it for. - i know money does not equate to how much one is loved, but he really wanted to show me that he loves me and to have a lovley 'treat' day is his way of showing it.

he is busy today so i am going to cook him a lovely dinner, i have a piece of venison which is his favorite and as dd is away i can do a romantic table!

lovley to hear about everyone elses weekends, brighton sounds good - well done algee!! ( i second the thought about facing the poo with a hangover! eeuuugghhh)

venus - i just choked with laughter at the thought of you sucking the windscreen washer nozels!

btw - we went to see inception at the cinema, now, before i would have been pissed and not understood a damn thing - last night i was sober and i STILL didn't understand a damn thing

Hello veus kate and JWN ...I had no idea that whatever I had contained alchohiol, and really I can't imagine ordering a measure of it...angostura bitters on the rocks please or double whiskey on the rocks please...no contest! Guess I won't bother getting it in though, not really a coctail girl anyway!

JWN what lovely day! Hope your lunch is a hit! Dh has said about going to the cinema to see cats and dogs next weekend. Oh joy! Not quite the same...

Dh back off today, have packed bottles and bottles tpo go with him...

Still feeling proud (and amazed). Bit of a hypocrite though, imagine me being bored by the drunks! What an old fart...

...i really must learn to proof read before posting

Zeus, for venus looks good though!

What a lovely day JWN and how thoughtful and lovely of your dh. When I have been stopped drinking for 8 weeks, will your dh buy me a handbag too?

I have just been for a swim and this afternoon I am going for a walk with lovely dd1. Everything is ready for us to make a thai meal tonight - stock ready for the hot and sour soup, ingredients all laid out for the thai crab and sweetcorn pancakes, and cardoamon rice puddings are just waiting for their almond brule topping. Did food always taste this good?

Venus...room for a small(ish) one??

Hello again,

didnt bother me initially that the bach contained alcohol as it was such an improvement on a bottle or two of wine.
it hasnt made me want to drink (i dont think?) as it tastes/smells like old whisky (YUK!)

not sure if i am an alcoholic?
though i am borderline for sure, have alkies in the family, ruined relationships, acted stupidly and regretted it...

what is the criteria?

i should read the first thread...

i think i will do just that when i put the DC to bed.

kate - only you can make the 'im an alcoholic' call, you know you best - i just want to tell you how i felt the morning i posted the first thread - i think it was a feeling almost akin to being dead, i was at total rock bottom, i was convinced my family would'nt have cared less if i did die that day - i had never felt quite so alone, lonely, tired and just plain desperate.

when i look at that thread now, i feel so sorry for that woman - she had no idea that she could turn it around, that life could feel so sweet (sounds corny, but my god, its true!)

in just EIGHT WEEKS i can feel, taste, smell and enjoy life! i cannot describe how wonderful i feel, its almost bordering on euphoric - to spoil it, all i need to do is pick up the first drink, the ones after that mean nothing, i will have lost it then anyway.

venus - thai sounds lovley, we had that last night, weeping tiger, georgous!!

a swim and a walk is a good plan aswell, getting fitter into the bargain! yes, btw, he is so happy right now i think he would buy you all a handbag

algee - never proof read! i have a guilty pleasure when i see that i am not the only person on here you dosent!

JWN raeding your post made me so grateful to you all over again...you won't stop posting will you??? Hey, and good news about the bags

Kate...I keep on hearing 'somebody' in my head telling me I can't possibly be an alchoholic, but I know I am. I still find it hard to say that, but feel better for saying it if you see what I mean? I just wish that constant 'oh just have one' would go away, but I'm getting better at countrering with 'but it wouldn't just be one'...I HAVE to drink until I'm drunk. Wtf is that all about??? What total crappy bullshit. I soooo envy people like dh who can be 'normal', but there we go,

I'm on my own for the week to start packing/ decorating/ running round in a blind panic... dd has never stayed away before for a few days, family all miles away etc, and I have to say I was a little worried about being on my own once dh headed off at lunchtime. However, I'm busy, clear headed and planning my evening of reading in bed. feel like I'm on holiday! It's amazing to me that at almost 8 in the evening, I'm totally sober. Usually start about midday on Sunday, just to help me prepare lunch, don't you know...god that makes me squirm.

Lined up a couple of meetings to get to this week, let's see how they go! ...just hope they're all miserable gits so I don't get scared again!

Hi all. You're all sounding well and cheerful. It is my birthday this week, now usually that would be a good excuse for a skinfull, I wonder what I shall do this week instead.

Enjoy your 'holiday' algee . Are you moving closer to where your dh works?

My dp will be away in a couple of weeks time, last time he was away I was just drinking and drinking. I felt so awful most of the time. This time I have lots of things planned and a friend is coming to stay for a couple of days.

It is strange katerum, that even though I was drinking so much before I would never have called myself an alcoholic (I was never tempted to drink the whiskey in the house), but I now recognise that I have a problem with alcohol, and that I prefer myself when I don't drink. I don't really care what label is on that.

algee - 'course i wont stop posting! where else can i find people prepared to listen to my old waffle!

venus - may i ask how old you will be this week? i am 47 going on 22!

well - it is offically EIGHT WEEKS since i had a drink and i feel great!

i used to be totally pissed this time on a sunday, this evening i have done some sewing, watched sherlock and done my nails - the kitchen is all sorted out from dinner and the house is clean and tidy ready for the week - so, instead of waking up to a foul taste in my mouth and a shitty house i am prepared, in control and ready to face the world tommorrow - what a nice feeling!

so my lovley babes, i am off to bed, got the sunday paper to read and a cup of tea.

see you all tommorrow

goodnight, sleep well! xxxx

l

btw - wonder how the wasindie family are tonight? must be tiring, wonderful chaos!