Hi all, gosh this thread moves so quickly it is difficult to keep up!
venus - I really felt for you on Friday night but so chuffed that you made it through also desire so glad you made it through Friday - both of you really helped me stick to my resolve.
Friday night I had many wobbles, it is a real end of the week "Friday Night, pub and chinese" night in our household. We go to a lovely child friendly pub have a few glasses with some great friends and then come home to a chinese and then I usually start on another bottle of wine and probably finish the lot! The kids were whining to go but I stayed firm and we didn't go. Thankfully my DH is in this with me, we both drink too much and realise things had to change. DH is not as "addicted" as me I don't think, he can far easier switch it off and not drink for a few days and he sleeps much better etc. Thing with him is that he does five days and then wants a beer one night, then can switch off again however I usually have five days off then drink one evening and then the next night think oh well might as well drink tonight and so it goes on.
Saturday also challenging - I went to a 25th wedding anniversary, all my friends and family were there and all drinking, I wasn't driving, I hadn't had a drink for 6 days so could easily have done the usual "well I have been good this week, will just drink tonight and get back on it tomorrow" but I didn't. Big wobble at the bar, looked over and saw my friend who had also resolved to give up in January had ordered herself a large wine and thought....well you know the thoughts....but then said NO, just NO!
So here were are on day 8, sleep getting a bit easier with the help of Nytol, not waking up so "hungover" feeling and generally feel calmer and happier in myself.
Realise I have been snappy and miserable for some months and this is due to anxiety and fear about my drinking and overall health.
Bafana - great about the smoking! I also need to stop smoking, have done it many times in the past and given up for 3 years before, sadly keep going back to it but decided this year to do something about it.
Not yet though, one thing at a time for me...
Scrumpet can really really relate to the eating/versus drinking thing. I definately don't drink as much if I leave drinking until after I have eaten. I like a wine when I am cooking and notice that I drink a lot more if I start earlier, if I wait until I have eaten and drunk (water) I usually find I don't actually want to drink wine so this I am going to keep reminding myself.
Jesus - Has it really been seven months? WOW! I am seriously impressed, I remember your first post as if it was yesterday and of course it really struck a chord with me - you are inspirational.
Really liking the feeling that this is an online AA meeting. I would never go to AA because I am too ashamed. I have convinced myself for years that I don't have a problem as everyone I know drinks however forgetting them, I do have an addictive character and I can't just leave it at once or twice a week. I do have some rules that I stick to but even then how bizarre to have adopted all these rules in my life relating to drink! I.e. I won't drink during the day unless it is a real occasion i.e. Christmas or going to the Races or something. I usually don't drink until the kiddies have gone to bed unless we are out at the aforementioned pub or have friends round etc. I will never drink and drive, I won't drink or I drink very small amounts at work events or before big work presentations/meetings etc. I have nnever drank when pregnant - errm think there are a few more but can't think what they are now..
Sorry for the big ramble 
but one last thing which is a TOP TIP (IMHO) and that is to take Chromium Picolinate - it is a mineral that you can get in tablet form in most health food shops it really controls the blood sugar levels. I was really craving sugar earlier in the week but since taking th chromium that has slowed down quite considerably.