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!)

Yes i have an interview next week, on Tuesday, in front of a panel of FOUR! Aaaagh. Got to make a presentation of my choosing...

I haven't worked for 3 yeards catinboots and I think it's daunting but exciting to think about going back.

I've just had a big mug of warm water, big mug of earl grey and four peices of Rittersport dark chocolate and marzipan... YUM. I think that there's a lot of sugar in booze and I need to replace those cravings in some way.

Cat over last few nights I've found urge to drink goes once I've eaten dinner - could you cook an early dinner and see if this helps?

thankyou all SO much - it means a lot. Going to wake DS2 now and get suppper ready. Will come back later xx

trinity - oh just one I know that feeling. If only i could stop at one. How did I get myself in this situation.

I WILL NOT FAIL TODAY xxx

Trinity I understand, wine's been my 'reward' for so long now, and after a big day with kids it's something that I've always looked forward to. But I am starting to enjoy my evenings because I don't have that 'lift' from a glass or five followed by a slump in energy and mood and frustration about never getting anything done. Do you find you have more energy in the evenings?

Interview-tastic round here! Promise you both that you will prepare better and perform better by staying booze free. Christi you are soooo right about the sugar in alcohol and needing to replace it - I have a sweet tooth now! I never did before because I got it all through booze!!

A day without alcohol is a successful one. Even if any of us feel like we have not achieved much for the day if we have not picked up it's a success!

Trinity, I so understand the 'not fair' feeling. And you do deserve a treat after your hard day.

What would be a better reward: a cup of tea, acold rink of juice, an hour in front of mindless TV, a walk with the dog? Or the guilt and frustration that would come with drinking a glass of horrid sour wine? You have a big target Trin, and it is not fair that you have to face that either.

You have done so well already and you will feel so good about yourself as you keep this up.

Keep posting Brave Babes - will catch up tomorrow x

"its not fair I cant have drink" - I like to remember that, as a former problem drinker, if life was fair, I'd be dead.

MIFLAW that's great

So I have a dinner out with friends tomorrow they will think it's very odd if I'm not drinking. So much so I will need an excuse, as they will think I am pg and not believe that I am not. I guess I should just say 'I'm not drinking today'?!

Take the car, pretend you are on anti-biotics, tell them you have had a stomach upset, tell them you have taken pain killers for period pain and you can't drink at the same time (stops the pregnancy rumours), tell them that you are not drinking for a month to support a friend who is doing the same in honour of her husband.

Are you around mouse? How are you doing?

cat and mouse (he he he) are you both here? are you ok?

I;m cooking spag bol for the kids and wondering what I'll make for the big people

I'm also employing child labour

gecko is fillling the washing machine and dd2 is picking up rubbish from upstairs

dd1 is folding wshng

venus

I'm here, lurking.

Keeping busy trying not to clock watch.

OK mouse, so you lasted an extra 55 minutes last night and you had 2 fewer drinks. What's your plan for today?

Why not start at 6pm with a non-alcoholic drink? I could sometimes delay my first proper drink by having a lovely G&T without the T: a crystal glass, ice cubes, lemon, and ice-cold tonic. Sometimes just preparing that gave me what I needed.

spag bol done
still feel like I deserve a drink

and I'm hungry

have you eaten the spag bol yet??? have you got something yummy in for pud??

i'm just about to cook our steak. Can't wait till bedtime and for this day to end

Or try changing the pattern completely. make something for tea that you have to put in the oven for a long time (e.g. casserole and baked potatoes). Go out for a walk and return only when your meal is ready. (OK, I admit it, it's beena few years since I've had little children around at tea time).

I did spag bol for the kids

cant seem to go in the kitchen and look for soemthing for me as I will be closer to the booze

I thought I was over the worst

MIFLAW has an acronym for the danger times: HALT

You are more likely to feel as though you need a drink when you are Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired.

What else can you drink Trinity? Juice? Coke? Eat a slice of bread, perhaps. You have done so well so far.

What can you do to take your mind off things. Plan your meals for the rest of the week, write a shopping list, plan your activities with the dcs for tomorrow. More garage cleaning?

oh trinity

i have rid my house of ALL booze

Would a picture of the CUTEST (IMHO) baby cheer you up??!!

I have put a picture of DS2 on my profile for you all to see. I am doing this for him and his older brother.

I would have rid the house of all booze but my dss2 and his gf live here so its not my booze

sayng that I could drink it, we all share iyswim

but I'm not going to

he is gorgeous cat

I'm drinking irn bru

I'm put a curry ready meal in the microwave and pinched a bit of the dcs garlic bread

Oh yes, I know about not going in the kitchen. Last week I had a major wobble and I was avoiding the kitchen for about an hour. But I did get over it. And then I was really glad.

Can you take the dc or the dog out for a walk once they have eaten their spag bol? Move your body position - put your arms above your head, reaching for the sky, try and find a position that makes the need for a drink disappear. You may look crazy, you may think I'm crazy, but at least not crazy and pissed

P.S. My in-laws are moving to Loch Maben in October.

mm irn bru. That's my plan for tomorrow - to stock up on all my favourite soft drinks. Can you still get Dandelion and Burdock??

everybody hold on
I'm going to take you out with me to have a fag

feeling decidedly wobbly

dont know whats happened really

I was so so strong for the first few days

oh and random tmi

I seen to be a bit bunged up

I used to have the runs every morning because of the booze
whats going on?