The cutting out/cutting down alcohol thread (part 7)

Miss_Piggy_2

Afternoon all

I'm slinking back in!!! Piglet at nursery so I have some "me" time before work. I still intend to stay away from computer while he's home though so will be popping on in the evenings I expect.

Thank-you all for your kind words re the situation with my Mother-in law. I quite honestly feel I am better off without her in my life. Makes life difficult for OH and kids though which I feel terrible about. OH's daughter is definately being funny with me, which really hurts as I've always tried to be there for her. I feel very upset about it.

I'm sure it will all work out. I hope so anyway . The last few days have been a bit funny. I'll admit I have been drinking, but not huge amounts, and to be honest I've felt I've needed it (please don't jump on me for that:().

It seems lots of others on here are going through some stuff too. Hugs to everyone that needs them.

HB - please try to think good of yourself. You are always there for others. I know you are only "virtual" to me, but you seem like a good, kind person.

Winebox - loads of ((hugs)).

:hello: Hello to all newcomers! I'm sure I'll catch up with all the posts soon and will know who you all are!

Miss P
xx

brokepaolo

I've just had a LBM of a positive kind!

I just went out for a cigarette and thought of my life this time last year compared to this year and here's how it pans out.

April 2009

- I was living in an expensive houseshare that was soon to crumble with people I liked moving out and being replaced that people I couldn't stand.

- I had just started seeing a beautiful girl but our relationship rapidly turned sour due to my own issues in part but in fairness, the main problem was that we are completely different people and we would never even have been friends had we met under different circumstances.

- I was starting to spiral into ridiculous levels of debt through payday loans on top of the debts I already had that I was hiding from by burying my head in the sand.

- I was often feeling very low and would turn to drink to block it out, only for it to obviously worsen through the effects of drink.

- I wasn't enjoying the job I'd been promoted to and often called in sick just to avoid it all.

April 2010:

- I am living in a cheaper houseshare with a bigger room, nicer housemates(only 3 of them + an adorable Jack Russell compared to the 5 other people I shared with last year), in a nicer area, with a garden and closer to my friends.

- Yes, I bumped into my ex and had a bit of a lump in my throat as a result but that's nothing compared to how I'd feel after one of our numerous arguments that reigned supreme over our brief relationship. The only thing I miss if I'm truely honest is her beauty, shallow I know, but true.

- I have taken action to address all of my debts in the fairest way possible by starting a DMP(well, I hope it starts in June and should be finished by october 2011). no more running away for me thank you very much.

- The relief I feel thanks to having taken steps to sort out my finances and the new activities in my life that I have started doing and greatly enjoying(photography, cycling, and playing football on Tuesdays apart from today - GRR, but nevermind) have benefitted my mood infinitely and I feel much less in need of drink as a way of blocking things out.

- I'm still working for the same company but in a much nicer team with a much more interesting role and lo and behold, even the salary is slightly better. Added to that I also have a sunday job making roast dinners in a nice country pub which brings in an extra £50/60 per week and I love doing it.

hell, reading through that it makes me wonder why on earth I wasted yesterday's bank holiday feeling so down in the dumps.

If this year is better than last year as I have realised it almost certainly is, then who knows what next year will be like when I get to be debt free!

Bring it on!

and yes, music is a fantastic healer for all manner of ailments. I cannot recommend it enough.

Different_Corner

Paolo
Great post, I hope just seeing it all in black and white puts all in perspective and cheers you up

Icandothis_2

Good Afternoon
I have been off work and as I don't have a computer at home I haven't been able to 'check in'. I seem to have missed loads so will try to catch up tomorrow (when the boss is at a meeting).
I finished April on an AF total of 13. Don't know who is scoring but I would like to declare a target of 15 in May; I have managed 1 so far.
Back tomorrow
ICDT
XX

winebox

Just a quick pop-in before dins; thanks again for your supportive words. Went to see OH on way home from work & things nearly went v wrong all over again, more tears (that'll be me, then) (it's not just the booze is the problem; we can argue sober!) but in the end things were OK. As a result I feel a lot calmer, have had a drink but not a lot & am not in the mood to totally "go for it", also feel ok about being af tomorrow whereas this time yesterday although I wanted to do it today, at the same time I kind of knew I wouldn't. So....will be up on that wagon tomorrow; trouble is it's been such a looooong time I can't remember where the steps are

Blimey, I'm old enough & ugly enough to get over myself, surely. I can always console myself with the knowledge that OH is both far older & uglier then moi! :rotfl::rotfl:Une fois le tosseur, toujours le tosseur

Miss P - not been in your situation before, so hard to know what to say about your MIL, I hope OH's daughter will come to terms with it OK. Maybe MIL herself might have a change of heart?...........?? I'll set James Gray's wife on her!

Will pop back later - no more depressive posts tonight, really. Have a good evening all xx

winebox

oh & Paulo, hi, I believe we've not been formally introduced.......tell me about your record collection (tho be warned, I might tell you about mine, & I'm the first to admit it's mostly totally chart pop carp, but my so much of it...)

brokepaolo

winebox wrote: »

oh & Paulo, hi, I believe we've not been formally introduced.......tell me about your record collection (tho be warned, I might tell you about mine, & I'm the first to admit it's mostly totally chart pop carp, but my so much of it...)

Hello to you too.

My record collection isn't anything special, I've only got about 60 records, mainly old classics like the stones, beatles, roxy music, marvin gaye, sinatra some reggae, a few soundtracks and then there's a load of 90s dance music that's fun to play at parties.

I'm going to reward my alcohol free-ness at the end of each week by buying myself a new LP from the second hand record shop down the road. they've got thousands of classics in the £1 box.

Different_Corner

Right here I am armed with a strong cup of tea, determind to stay on the AF wagon tonight. Dinner done, DW loaded.

Re music, Billy Ocean has been high on play list recently, love a bit of mid '80's cheese. Red light spells danger. And some pointer sisters...

jo1972

Evening all,

Paolo, welcome and very well done and thanks for a terrific post, we need incentives like you posted to keep us all on the straight and narrow.

WB, good luck at docs tomorrow. GGT tests how many enzymes there are in the liver, the LFT only checks that the liver is functioning normally so this is a more in depth test. Beware though if you hadn't drunk in years then had a skinful a day or two before the blood was taken then this will show a high score, so its not exactly full proof!

A big fat 2 for me please DB and Sparkles

Xx

Different_Corner

What's for dinner Jo ?