This Time I'm Really Going To Do It

LadyWithAPlan

Good you are recognising where alcohol can become a crutch, that is such a major step and makes all the difference.
Had friends who slipped down that slippery slope  of excess drinking to forget when in real emotional pain - from the odd glass to a full bottle so much they had to go full AA  to stop. However recognising the issue and stopping now shows real awareness and self love so well done.
 I am the same as you - I can see where it becomes my distraction and then stop. Plus its fattening in excess - I have not had a drink in 3 weeks now  - after a very boozy lunch! but will be drinking a few glasses over the weekend, moderation in everything..

Walking, gardening etc are all better distractions for your mental health and at least the sun is now out!

I have bought just my first item from Vinted -inspired by you -  waiting to see when it arrives and I got free postage via those inpost lockers. I will put up some clothes for sale on that when I get back from my holiday.

Watty1

I think I was aware that I too could slide down that slope.   Although am now eating chocolate instead so I'm not sure my calories are any the less but I can work on the chocolate later.   Lets just get off the wine for now.     

@LadyWithAPlan do hope the Vinted item is a success.  I've a few more items to sell but am happy with my very slow progress.

Suffolk_lass

A bit late to comment, but re your lawn full of self-heal - we inherited a patch of marjoram in our "lawn" and have mown it to grass length for many years. This year we have agreed to scalp the lawn around the fruit trees (only five but euphemistically referred to as our orchard area, it has my greenhouse and two large ornamental shrubs in the lawn too) and plant wildflower seeds. I have bought some from Kings Seeds, who are local seed merchants, primarily for farmers, but they sell some smaller packs to households. I recommend yellow rattle, to reduce grass, if you are going wildflower meadow and Phacelia - it is in the borage family, is great for pollinators and has a pretty blue-mauve flower. It is also used as a green manure so might be better sprinkled where you have some impoverished soil, to replenish nutrients, but if you plant it and let it set seed, you will always have it. Other than that, there are plenty of native poppy and wildflower mixes

Watty1

Thank you for the tips @Suffolk_lass   That sounds wonderful.  The "green" area looks ok mowed and I'm going to follow up your tips.  Whilst riding I've been looking at the verges and I've an idea of how to fill in between the fence and the "lawn" that might work but I need to do a bit of research and I've seen something growing that I think would be ideal and I could mow to the edge of the plant without needing to get out a strimmer (so saving time)     I've really poor soil as it is so sandy (an old sand quarry opposite) so the Phacella sounds great.    

Honestly thank you so much for the  tips.  I'm actually excited about doing this now!

Watty1

Fabulous coronation day, watched the service at the local church which had it on a big screen.  Not many people there which was a shame but there was an "after coronation lunch" which was really well attended as it was a free lunch provided by the Parish Council and it was a really fabulous lunch of salad, quiche, ham, cheese, bread pickles and a glass of Prosecco.   After I had collected mine I heard a voice call out hello to me and so I ate with a lovely lady I vaguely know who works in the village cafe and her husband, a friend of hers and the town crier.

I'm really on a mission to cut my wine intake down so I did have one glass but then did not do my usual behaviour of coming home to drink a bottle. Instead I came home to read my book club book and really enjoyed my day.

Simple pleasures and all fitting in with the life I want to build for me.   

daisy_1571

Sounds lovely 

Dxx

LadyWithAPlan

Sounds Idyllic - I am at family with a family birthday party so we had 7 teenage girls all staying overnight in a tent on the lawn.  However we were running around feeding them and they sang all night and kept us awake
So I am like a zombie today - your green grass meadow sounds lovely

Watty1

I am doing a programme for survivors of domestic abuse.  Astonishingly out of 9 women 4 of us have been arrested by the police after a report from our (ex) partners.  The waste of resources is one thing, but that 4 of us had had identical experiences was shocking.

Humdinger1

@Watty1 are you feeling heard and understood now? By yourself and others? You are an absolute legend love Humdinger xx 

badmemory

I didn't realise the figures were THAT high although I can't say I am particularly surprised.  My ex set the police on my father.  Saying he threatened to punch him on the nose.  It did help that not only had he been at my father's school where he was head but he also had the same surname.  My father didn't lie, he'd been really quite ill & lost a few stones & just said do I look as if I could do that to a fit man in his 20s.  He'd done the same to my parents that he had done to me a couple of times & used his car to try to run them off the road, only I had no car around me to protect me.  This is why I always warn people in this situation, they can behave in some shocking ways once they have lost their target.  I don't "see" him anywhere near as often now, but the only car accident I have had which was my fault was the day after he died.  This is 50 years ago now.  My parents slept with a hammer by the side of their bed until he died.  He just couldn't let go & this is why I add warnings when people land in this sort of situation.  You just never know when the worm could turn.