Hello everybody,
Elf wow! You inspire and impress me every time you post, you've done so well.
Mint get you with your 4G! Hope you're ok? Flowerey we're all here because we never know/knew when to stop aren't we? You hang on in there m'dear, being busy does help so I think your plans are wise.
Wemayhaveaprobelm Yes, I felt excited about sobriety too, it's like a huge new life change, well done on day 5, I know exactly what you mean about being ready, it's just how I felt.
Tiger yeah the entitlement thing, I get that - I used to think, well, he's having a drink so why shouldn't I? I did it with money too, tit for tat spending, daft really.
Made hope you're ok honey, Elba hope you're ok and recovering from your epic challenge, Ma hope you're well, *Flora if you're out there hope you are doing ok?
Far to many OK's up there ^^.
Margie how are you lovely?
I am sorry, I know I've missed people and it's never intentional, just so much to keep up with.
I am writing the following as much for myself as anyone else and a lot is common sense and obvious, it's not aimed at anyone, it's just something I want to write down to remind myself how things were and are now and if it does strike a chord with anyone that's great.
I drank far, far too much wine - always wine. It cost me at least £40 a week. I could never afford new shoes or a haircut, I could always afford wine.
My sleep was terrible, waking up in the small hours, often with an upset stomach, promising 'never again'
I was so used to feeling mildly hungover every day I thought my physical feelings were normal - they weren't - I was hungover.
I was impatient with my darling child, 'NOT NOW - I'm trying to RELAX' well, bully for me, it wasn't very relaxing for her to have a mum on a short fuse.
Staggering up to bed, barely scraping off my make-up and an inadequate brush of my teeth (sometimes skipped altogether) doesn't make for an attractive complexion or smile, on top of what the booze does for your looks.
Sneaking out the first empty to the bin and pretending the 2nd bottle is the first, always planning to have drink in, ice for the gin, tonic etc.
Panicking there won't be enough and running out.
Not being able to remember going to bed/getting home/the film plot - that wasn't normal.
I could go on and on and on, but kicking that wine has been the very best thing I have ever done. Yes, I will have the odd beer or gin but they don't get under my skin or in my brain the way wine does.
I feel in control now, of me
I am very aware that one slip will see me back at square one, like the smoker who quits for 10 years, has one ciggy and is right back to being a smoker. I have to remain vigilant and mindful. That will probably mean my hopes of one glass of champagne at a wedding or on Xmas day can't happen and that makes me a little sad but it's a small price to pay.
I do go on don't I 
I had decided things must change, and did a lot of thinking while I worked up to make the change and that's when I joined this thread. (Shyly would you believe!) and it's made all the difference, really. All the support and strategies and sometimes just daft chat about nothing in particular - thank you all.
Onwards Babes, onwards.