Class of June-Part 2

[Lindsay]

Yay spen! It's day 25 for me today as well.

Just wanted to check in and say hello quick. I'm about to leave work for the day...and then head to the gym. I'm so glad tomorrow's Friday! This week has gone by SO incredibly fast for me though...so I can't complain!

[ADayAtATime]

Hi there everyone,

I'm just letting you know that I'm still alive and I appreciate you being concerned about me
I do pop my head in and out of here to see how you guys are doing, I can't help not to....you've become my extended family.
Hubby and I are still doing ok.....we're still applying for jobs and waiting for the phone to ring...no luck yet.
We're getting ready to go to my Mommy's house to install her window A/C....she is desperately in need of cool air.
I just wanted to let you guys know that your in my thoughts and heart....I wish the best for you all.
When I feel that I'm ready to come back, I will be here....and hope your still here too
Still Wuv Ya All,
Hugs,
:ghug
Kimmy XOXO

[eoghanacht]

Hi all, sorry for the late posting, think I'm going to have to try and post earlier if possible. Hope everyone is okay and have had/are having a good day!.
Chama- Good to hear that the therapy went ok- ok in a way, that is. I understand what you mean about coming out of therapy and feeling lighter, it's like you got 'rid of' a weight, or things that were in your mind, right?
I don't know about the time difference either- I guess we could work this out- I mean, if its say... 12 Midnight over here, what time is it where you are?
Thanks again for the congrats.. how many days/weeks/years are you at?
Take care!

[bnme247]

Hello to you eoghanacht...i am bnme in the united states i used to correspond with a guy from england, when i was getting up over here for work, he was going to bed...or vice versa...i think...it's now 9:30, p. M...if you are here now ..what time is it there?.....hope to hear from you soon, for i will be going to bed soon!!....oh and by the way...i'm pretty new here, i don't have a drink problem, i had an opiate addiction, i love the people here, hang around you will too....they are all awsome!!!.....

[waterfountain]

Wow! spen71 and Lindsay, you're both getting really close to the big 3-0; awesome!

Jade19 and ADAAT - I'm extremely happy to see you guys are still here

Eclipse, I hope things are going smoother for you - best wishes!

Chama, did the nap help? I know the feeling. Tomorrow night is a Friday night - you should treat yourself to something fun, even if it's a solo event.

Gaaargh, there were more posts by others that I wanted to get to, but I gotta jet for a few hours. I'll try to get back later.

Take care everyone!

[Jade19]

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to pop in and say hi and that I have had no desire to drink but I am all still turned around. Awesome to be reading all your posts and ADAAT we miss you girl. Chama, awesome about your therapy. I am so happy but I am a bit delirious due to lack of sleep...LOL....I will write more tomorrow. Sweet dreams everyone!!!

HUGS!!!
Reb

[Jade19]

Chama, and what I meant by awesome about your therapy is that in most of my toughest sessions things that needed to get worked on did...hang in there and keep facing forward!!!

HUGS!!!

[bnme247]

Shoot..............i'm always on when no one else is............hope everone has a great day.....may be going shrimping with my hubby on our boat tonight, i'll surely be sleeping tomorrow....but if not i'll check back in when i'm @ home, i'm off to work....."gotta make the donuts"!!!! Remember that guys????...that's as old as farrah....and michael jackson!!!have a good whatever!!!......day night....who knows!......bnme

[Chamabama]

Good Morning!

OK, I looked it up. London is 8 hours ahead of me here in California. So while it is Friday Morning 5:45am for me, it is currently 1:45 pm Friday afternoon in London. That makes it only 6 hours difference for bnme. So when bnme wrote above that it was 9:30pm for her, it should have been 3:30am the following day in London. Eog, are you in the same time zone as London? If so, then subtract 5-8 hours to get the US time. % for New York, 8 for California and somewhere in between for the in betweens.

In answer to your question Eog, I am on day 35. My day 1 was on May 23rd. It's written under my name, above my avatar on the left hand side. While technically this group is for people who started in June, I actually started in late May. But I didn't join SR until a few days after that and since the Class of May was already so established, I just joined the June group because I really wanted to get the chance to get to know people from the begining. You know what I mean?

I didn't end up taking a nap yesterday. Really didn't end up feeling much better, but didn't feel much worse either. I skipped the happy hour. Around 4pm, I reallly knew I didn't want to go, but was still feeling guilty because I know it's not good for me to isolate when I'm bummed out. But then 2 of my closest friends texted me saying they weren't going either. One was sick and the other just got fired So I felt better about canceling myself. Spent the evening talking to my upset friend (letting her vent, poor thing!) and went to bed early.

I'm feeling better this morning. Up at the crack of dawn (really wish I could sleep in a bit) but sober and while not overwhelmingly happy... I guess 'fine' is the correct word. I'm fine! And fine is fine with me! I've got to spend some quality time at the dmv today (blah!) taking care of a car registration and make some changes to my car insurance which renews tomorrow. So send me som patience please! Plus hiking with a friend in the afternoon and then dinner with a different friend.

Hope all is well with everyone else!

[eoghanacht]

Hi all. Not too good at the moment. I will reply to what Chama and Bnme wrote to me, on saturday hopefully. When I say not doing too good I mean there is a party next door to us (in the next apartment/flat). And I can't stand parties (not just for the obvious). It's really late and my partner is trying to sleep. So it doesn't help. I am still sober but I am p****d off and fed up, sorry.
I might hang out in the chat room for a while if anyone reads this while I am still awake, hoping that the fools next door will shutup soon.
Take care.

[Chamabama]

Sorry about the loud neighbors Eog! I know that's annoying! Hope they settled down and that you ended up getting a restful nights sleep!

Glad you're still sober! I am too!

[Lindsay]

Good Morning everyone! I just got back from my boyfriend's house, had breakfast, coffee, and now I'm about to get ready to go workout. Afterwards I'm going to shower, do some shopping...and eventually head back to his house to lay out and play with the kitty. I love that damn cat...haha. It's ridiculous. I'm so used to being around dogs, (my roommate has three, YES THREE) so a kitten is a nice change of pace. I'd upload a picture on here of Soph and I if I could figure it out...it keeps telling me the file's too large?

Chama...I can relate to having 'off days'. I will often have days where I just don't feel RIGHT. Sometimes I really just feel the need to be alone...I don't know about you but I really value my alone time sometimes! Don't feel guilty for needing that time.

Today's day 27. I feel wonderful...and despite having a few urges from time to time, I've learned to stop and check myself. I truly think about what the end result would be if I decided to drink. I've been there many, many times...and I don't want to go back! My desire to remain sober is much stronger than my desire to drink. For once I can truly say that.

Hope everyone has a great day!

[bnme247]

Did anyone see farrah's story?......if u didn't u missed a spectacular story of her journey fighting for her life!!!..........we all need to go out and embrace the beauty of the day.......you can see clips if you google farrah's story.....it's really something to see!!!........i am going to go out today with some of my grands and children and float down the river on a tube...so much fun!!.....have a blessed day everyone....much luv, bnme

[bnme247]

Hey lindsay!!!.............AND MY GRL CHAMA......

[Chamabama]

Good Morning!

Funny little twist Eog... I went to bed before 10pm last night and woke up at 5am... I had a text message from my downstairs neighbor asking me to keep it down (around 2am) Of course I was sound asleep at that hour (and live alone) so it wasn't me. But funny that my neighbor was surely pissed off at me at 2 am this morning for being too loud. LOL.

I've of course texted her this morning explaining that it wasn't me. We have a good relationship and in the years that both of us have lived here, this is a first, so I'm not worried.

But also funny that even though I'm completely sober, I still feel some nagging guilt as if I had been drunk last night and perhaps played the music too loud and don't remember it. Like emotionally I'm having that "what did I do last night?" sorta feeling even though logically, I know I was simply having a nice sober sleep.

Good morning Lindsay! Sounds like you have a nice day planned. Kittens are the best, aren't they?! I have a siamese that just turned 16. I've had her since 6 weeks. Love her!

Yes, alone time is very important to me also. I spend a lot of time alone and I really enjoy it. If I'm too social, I can start to feel overstimulated. My problem is more that I start to isolate if I get bummed out, and I know it's bad for me. So sometimes I have to force myself to get out and about. Once I do, I do start to feel better. Today I'm supposed to meet some frinds at the beach (it's gonna be a hot one today) but again, I just don't think I'm up to it. I have a few hours to decide.

Hope all is well this morning and everyone manages to stay cool!

[Chamabama]

Originally Posted by bnme247

Did anyone see farrah's story?......if u didn't u missed a spectacular story of her journey fighting for her life!!!..........we all need to go out and embrace the beauty of the day.......you can see clips if you google farrah's story.....it's really something to see!!!........i am going to go out today with some of my grands and children and float down the river on a tube...so much fun!!.....have a blessed day everyone....much luv, bnme

That sounds like a lot of fun! Hope your surrounded by love and laughter!

[bjork]

Chama and Lindsay....I am so glad you guys posted about being alone.

Today is totally one of those days for me. I got a text asking me to meet for a street festival tonight. I really want to go, but don't want to go. I really don't trust myself to not drink at this point. I also feel lonely today. Could've been the rain earlier? I just feel so BLAH! Tired and lazy.

I did manage to go to the gym today. I made a really good chicken curry. I tried cut back my smoking. I finally broke down and bought a mini-pack of cigs today. I have had 2 cigarettes today.

[waterfountain]

Hi everyone!
Just checking in briefly. I hope everyone's Saturday went smoothly; if it didn't, then

Today went well for me - spent more than I should at the farmer's market, worked a few hours of overtime to make up for the spending, and got my hair colored and highlighted. I feel refreshed and ready for day 19! I'm going to the local gay pride festivities with some friends (my group tries to hit up all the festivals in town in the summer - last week was the jazz festival, next week is 4th of July stuff; it's gonna be a busy few weeks!) where I plan to spend more money :P Luckily, there's plenty to do there to keep me occupied for most of the day, so even though I'm sure it'd be the type of day where I would normally have "had a few", I think everything is going to be fine.

It's quiet around here...... I hope everything's okay. Maybe it just slows down on the weekends. Ah well. Take care everyone!

[Chamabama]

Good Morning! Just checking in! Day 37 for me.

Hope everyone has a wonderful day!

[jade09]

Hello all....I was away from my computer again all weekend....I feel like I have no time to do anything!!! Hope everyone is hangin in there...I have to read back to see what's going on with everyone...but I hope all is well and still moving foward.
The "alcoholic" voice in me is starting to speak up again.....I have no control over these thoughts that pop into my head....I won't even be thinking of drinking and then out of no where my thoughts are taken over by the idea of it. Of course I recognize this, I have for years...It still just amazes me that something that makes me so miserable and has ruined so much in my life still can invade my mind and try and get me to go back to it---and for a spilt second I actual ponder it.....I know this time I can not ponder these thoughts, I can not even allow myself to continue the thought about it, cause eventually I will do more than just allow myself to think about it, I will talk myself into thinking its ok to actually do it. So pathetic, I can't believe what a hold it has over my subconcious. It's like I can't control my own thoughts sometimes.....BUT I can control my actions, and that's what i have to concentrate on until these haunting thoughts leave.
Thanks for listening STAY STRONG....and remember all the reasons you want to change your life.....I hope this gets easier as more time passes!!!

[NewBeginning010]

Checking in class... all is good here ;-)

[Lindsay]

Good morning everyone. Day 29 here...almost at the 1 month mark! I know there are some others in this thread that will be celebrating one month on Wednesday as well.

Today I feel rather...slugish. I went to bed last night at 830, but when my alarm went off this morning I had an awful time getting out of bed. Even after a huge coffee I'm STILL DRAGGING.

I spent the majority of the weekend with my boyfriend. He's really, really helped me in remaining sober; more than he realizes. I love him to death! It's amazing how much better our relationship has been since I've stopped drinking. It's like night and day. I was such an irrational pain in the a$$ when I was drunk!

With this weekend being the 4th of July, holiday weekend and all...I am worried about being exposed to alcohol. Not that I think I'll be really tempted or cave in, but I'm nervous about how I'll feel if I'm exposed to people drinking. Uncomfortable maybe? I know at some point I'll have to be exposed to it...but how long do you guys think it takes to get to the point where it doesn't bother you at all to be around it? Like I said before, the whole social aspect is definitely going to be the most difficult for me...especially when I'm surrounded by people I've drank/partied with in the past. I really don't have much of a problem saying "I don't drink anymore"...i just dread feeling uncomfotable/awkward...

Hope everyone has a wonderful day. I'll check in tonight...

[bjork]

Hello everybody! Hope everybody is doing well. The board has been quiet lately. I hope everybody is just busy doing some really fun stuff!

Lindsay-I have been avoiding situations where I would be around alcohol too. I just haven't trusted myself to be in that situation.

I finally went out lastnight. My colleague has a friend visiting who doesn't really drink. So that made it much easier for me. I was asked to take a glass of wine and when I replied that I was trying to lose weight, they joked and said I have it all wong. I should drink and not eat. They were joking and it was funny. But, that was it. There wasn't any pressure and the conversation continued without making a big deal of it. PHEW!

Today I climbed up the Duomo! Afterwards, we went to my friends place for dinner. She asked to pick up some prosecco on the way. UGH....I definitely don't want to buy alcohol right now. Luckily her friend picked it up. Again, at her house, she asked me if I wanted some wine. I declined and it wasn't a big deal. YAY!

I know it seems small, but it felt like a big hurdle. I am sober and happy I made good decisions today and lastnight. I have also managed to be social for the first time in awhile since I quit drinking.

Have a nice evening everybody!

[Jade19]

Hi everyone,

I did it again last night. I don't know why I keep doing this. I just can't do this alone so I made an appointment to get outpatient counseling here. I have my appointment on Wednesday the 8th and I am terrified yet relieved beyond all things...I am crying here and just want you to please keep me in your prayers...I don't want to drink anymore and I need to stay sober. I deserve better than this and I want it. I want the life I am supposed to have. The life that was meant for me. This is no way to live and I want to live. I hope you all are doing good...I will be checking in daily because I really need your support and I need you all so very much right now. Thanks to whoever is reading this.

~Rebecca

[eoghanacht]

Hey all, just me checking-in. Had a bad weekend (in case anyone missed that part)- scroll back and you'll see my post(s).
Had a not bad Group meeting this morning. Only 2 others were there.. that was odd.
Today we just talked about how our weekend went and how we coped.
'Steven' worked on his conservatory. 'James' went over to St James Park (it's a really nice park in Central London).
Me.. well see above.
One thing that bugged me in the meeting was how the guy who took the meeting didn't introduce himself to those that were newbies.. that annoyed me, because it would've helped to make us feel at ease with him (if you see what I mean?).

Anyway.. Rebecca- Real sorry that you're having a hard time at the moment.. try to remember why you stopped drinking in the first place..do you have any coping strategies for times like this? Read a book, go for a walk, meditate, phone a good friend, do some art, etc.? I remember someone posted up some great ideas for what to do in situations like this-and Carol made it a 'Sticky'.
Just because you relapsed (which many people have done here)- does not make you bad- pick yourself up and focus on the present, not the past.. I know it's not always easy, life isn't, but just remember we are only human after all, and we carry on with whatever we have to do to get us through... take care then and I hope that at least one thing I've said might help..