calichris

Good morning Undies,
It was a beautiful sober Easter weekend. My family all (except my wife) drank lots and I watched sober and clear-headed as they all got sluggish and tired and I had lots of energy to keep up with the kids etc. I love that! One of the many many benefits to not drinking!

Getting ready for my weekly business trip. Will be sure to check in with you as this was in the past the worst 2-3 nights for me. lately I have had better weeks but I never let my guard down.

Love to you all from sunny California. -Chris

P.S.- Thanks everyone for the warm welcome it means a lot !

IWLSAST

Hey Undies,

Bruce, my prayers are with your friends Dad. Okay, I tried, but I simply cannot do the Bruce thing, it's Cowboy! I may need to bust out a pic I discovered when cleaning our original family house out recently. Haha, this city-boy had a cowboy period. Feeling thirsty, off to get a drink of H2O, upstream lol.

Seeks, congrats on the 75 days!

AF, welcome! Don't be a stranger. Good show on joining the 24 hour club and seeking help on Newcomers thread. My best to you on this sober journey.

BF, good show on the sober Easter!

Courage, really, allergy-eye is contagious? Did hubby tell you that? kidding Hope there is improvement!

Toots, enjoy the race today. Amazing, 36,000 racers! As for doing good things in sobriety...the first time I quit I did a spread sheet listing all bad things that had happened to me as an adult, then listing the cause. Daaa, yes, the common denominator was always some degree of overbegeradging. That was my self created simple acid test 27 years ago. Too bad I took up fixing it on my own, even if it lasted > a decade out of the gate. Not drinking was not living sober, for me. At least this time I am not simply avoiding the bad, but searching for the good. Walt exemplifies that search.

Glee, cool advice to AF66.

Dottie and Drake, thanks for the drop by. Nice to see you are wearing your year plus sobriety so well!!

Gilmer, what happening girl?

BB, haha, yes, aa mtgs are about individual ESH, thank goodness I listen for at least 58 of those 60 minutes. It's that appt with my therapist that I must do 50 minutes on just me that can make me wishing a quiet a beach on Bimini was nearby.

Well, I must dash for now. Enjoy your day, Undies. Hey, no drinkin or drugin, okay?

Carlos xx

PS - Chris, missed on a cross-post...Enjoy a productive and sober business trip!!

biminiblue

Hi, all! Such an interesting group of people.

This morning I'm off to my 10AM AA meeting, this is my favorite one of the week. The Chair is an addiction specialist and he is so kind and accepting and knows exactly the right thing to say every time.

Then I have to take care of some medical needs for my kitty.

Then I have to call a woman I've never met who I am inviting to an AA meeting. Long story.

Then I will take my beach walk. It's five mile round trip, 700 foot elevation change walk in the woods and it's my favorite place nearby.

gleefan

Welcome to the Undies seeks!

Calichris - do you have support lined up during your weekly business trip? Reach out to us and post if you need us.

Bimini - the walk you have lined up sounds superb. As much as I like to share on here, I'm tight lipped at AA meetings. It's a relief to not feel like I need to be leading the discussion.

AlcoholFree - keep up the daily commitment to sobriety and watch those days stack up!

SR Halloween -- Cowboy Carlos and Biker Toots!!

Gilmer

Hi, everybody. Welcome Chris and AFree.

AFree, definitely get rid of the alcohol in the house. Live on here 24/7--everybody has already told you other great threads to go to. This place is so positive. People really get to know one another here (as well as you can genuinely know others online) and care and like one another and support one another. We give encouragement most of the time, but on occasion a gentle kick in the rear. But only a gentle one! Any criticism you get is only the most constructive and edifying.

SR is a great place.

Carlos, I had fallen into a deep pit of despair: I got enthralled by the show "Breaking Bad," and did nothing but spend night and day watching episode after episode till I finally finished it up on Saturday afternoon. I snapped at anyone who interrupted me! I put all schoolwork on hold. All friendships on hold--even SR on hold! I found myself getting volatile and intense just like Walt on the show!

Anyway, I decompressed for Easter and had a happy day with my priorities right.

Now I am digging in to my first week's worth in my "Gospels" class. Unfortunately, I've got to cram in a whole week's worth of heavy reading and lectures by Tuesday night! On the syllabus, it looked like two little assignments--but those "two little assignments" are about three hundred pages and three hours of lectures and notetaking!

And I just got another cold! Just what I need!

Matthew, how are you doing? Just thinking of you with the Boston Marathon coming up and remembering last year.

Toots, sounds as if you're living life to the fullest!

calichris

Thanks Gleefan, I have a few groups and people (I live chat with) on SR as my support. Also I sometimes attend Lifering meetings in my area. Thanks for asking!

courage2

Hi everyone --

Calichris, business travel is horrible. Although these days I get a peculiar joy out of telling hotel staff to take all the liquor out of the minibar. Actually I had my first experience with that in San Fran, your town. Also my first experience taking public buses in strange towns to AA meetings. More recently, since I don't squander money on overpriced hotel drinks and watered down ones at airport bars, I indulge in better eating when traveling. Treat yourself well!

Carlos, this turns out not to be allergies but good old pink eye, in a particularly nasty form (possibly aggravated by pollens?) anyway one of the most contagious afflictions known to man. I need hugging -- will you still love me when there's pus running down my cheek?

Bimini, a beach walk sounds lovely! Are you NoCal or SoCal?

Gleefan, I hope you're not busy judging those of us who share in AA

Gilmer, I'm glad you had a lovely Easter. Good luck on your new studies -- I'm sure you'll catch up quickly!

We have so many new Undies, I need to make a list: abcowboy, AlcoholFree, Seeks, BoozeFree, Soberjim, Babs, who am I missing? Plus all the lovely "graduates" who keep visiting --thanks to you all for making this thread so great!

dorothyparker

Hello undies,

Toots, so nice that there were 9000 more runners at the Marathon this year.

Today I was off and I had one of my VBBD (very bad black day), the worst I had in ages. I must have PMS. I watched Blue Jasmine and I felt like drinking like crazy, insanely.

Weird how my cravings were good for the longest time and seeing her distressed and drinking but not that much, made me want to reach for the same medication.

I had to go back an re-read Allan Carr's instructions, which I do in the most desperate times.

I'm posting them again hoping it might help the newcomers too.

It's true, where are Steve and Matthew? Toots do you see them on the over thread?

Hope everyone is fine tonight and not suffering from Easter Monday blues!

ALLEN CARR - The instructions that make it easy to quit


1. Cultivate the attitude: « isn’t it great? My life is no longer dominated by DEVASTATION »

2. Never, ever doubt your decision: there is absolutely nothing to give up!

3. Do no try not to think about drinking.

4. Be aware that the little monster exists, but don’t worry about him.

5. Don’t worry if occasionally you forget that you no longer drink.

6. Don’t wait to become a non-drinker.

7. Accept that you will have good days, and bad days.

8. Be aware that you control the craving, not the other way around.

9. Do not mourn the death of an enemy.

10. Don’t change your lifestyle because you have quit drinking.

11. Don’t try to convert your friends unless they first seek your help.

12. Change those parts of your of your lifestyle which you do not like, but for purely selfish reasons.

13. Do not use substitutes.

14. Enjoy breaking the associations.

15. Never envy people who drink alcohol.

16. Last but not least:


ENJOY LIFE!!!

calichris

Good night Undies. I had a 10 hour day at work and 2 hours on the tennis court. I have successfully exhausted myself and hence my cravings are very manageable at my business-travel hotel.
Love and hugs to you all and see you tomorrow sober and hang-over free. -Chris
PS- no minibar in the room which is nice

Aarryckha

Wow, so many friendly (and familiar!) folks here!

Like Bim, I'm also from the March 2014 thread and we seem to have lost a bunch of people lately.

Wandered in here trying to keep my mind busy tonight.

gleefan

Hi Aarychka. Welcome!

IWLSAST

Good Morning Undies,

DAY #1 - in so many ways.

Well, I have some time prior to getting ready to go to see "the man" later this morning. This will now be my third trip to court for this latest offence. My emotions have been all over the place for at least a month now. Much of the peace and serenity that I carried home with me following my journey to St Thomas have disappeared.

I've worked hard at trying to get right with this inevitable consequence. If all goes as expected, my plea agreement will become my sentence. If that happens, I should be nothing but extremely, no, more like monumentally grateful...but I'm not. That I can't find gratitude makes me sad, which I guess by paradox offers some hope for my soul.

I am about to be physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually tested on everything that I was able to add to my tool box these past near 11 months. In a worse case it should be all over in 6 months.

It is time to prove that my recovery to this point came from my heart and not my ego, desire for literal freedom and saving some of my bank account. Just from me finally wanting to be the best person I can be.

I will start by "trying" to end this forward thinking to the best of my ability. I can not only make it through today, I can thrive in the knowledge that this can be the LAST TIME in my life that I ever have to feel this this way again!!

I am asking the Undies for their prayers, good vibes, support, hugs, whatever you can offer. I need the solid rock that I know you can provide. The rest is up to me.

Thanks,

Carlos xx

MidnightBlue

Hi, Undies)

I am still sober, still kicking)

Carlos - My good vibes, hugs, and lots of positive energy you way!


My best wishes to all the Undies.

Have a great day)

abcowboy

Carlos my friend, it will be me sitting on your shoulder today giving you the support you need, not the despair and depression that comes from not knowing.....

DrakeCKC

Carlos : Will be thinking of you today.

gleefan

Gilmer - I sequester myself the same way with an entertaining book. It's strange to reemerge back to real life when it's over. Good luck with your class, although if you previous hard work and dedication are any indication, you will do well.

ABC Bruce - I enjoy your musings on sobriety and life. All my best to your buddy with cancer. Needy has been struggling with stage 4 cancer for eight years.

Courage - I am super appreciative that others share at AA. I'm chatty in real life. Shutting up and listening is therapeutic in and of itself. At AA, I learn a lot by listening. Trying to do more listening in sobriety.

CaliChris - Sounds like a successful sober day of your business trip.

Dottie - thanks for publishing that list from the Alan Carr book. I needed it.

Arrychka - Welcome to the Undies. It's a thriving community here.


I've been struggling the past few days with living and thriving in sobriety. I'm feeling kind of lost. I posted on the Febbie thread that I need a hobby, but I don't know what the answer is. I'm lost without the surge I get from intense exercise, drama, coffee, anger, my kids' busy schedules (travel hockey is over), stress, and other external forces. Advice?

tootsl1

I'll be sitting right by your side love. You will survive this with the determination, dignity and tenacity with which you have driven your recovery thus far. I have utmost faith in you. Xxx

abcowboy

Welcome Aarrychka (I had to scroll up 3 times to make sure I spelled it right lol) The Undies family is growing and growing..... must be doing something right! Going to be even harder to keep track of everyone and their progress haha

GF - a hobby? Take one of the things you love to do, baking, knitting, painting, reading etc, and turn it into a hobby..... shoot some suggestions my way and I'll see if I can be of some help...

Tonight I get to chair our weekly meeting, should be an interesting time.... I don't have any problem with public speaking, just going to have to try to keep my humor in check lol..

Have a great day my friends, I'm off to the Church again! Will be there till seeding starts, then back again after seeding.....

tootsl1

Hi Aarryckha, good to have you along for the ride!

CC, you seem focused enough to get through the travelling, evenings are also a good time for nice walks around new cities, looking at architecture, people watching, doing ghost tours..... Keep up the good work

AFree, how are you doing today? Stick close love.

Drake how's your voice after all the singing?
I yelled myself to a croak yesterday cheering on the runners, it was an incredibly emotional day and I was proud to do my part. I had to cancel a recording session today though, I'm not even sexy husky, more neutered bullfrog!

GF, I knw your time is not your own with having the boys; how about a page out of Gilmers text book, and do a course? It doesn't have to be a certified anything, just a night class or correspondence course? Or how about amature dramatics? Lean an instrument? If you like disappearing into a book why not try writing one? I am. I've no idea where to go with it when I've finished - so anyone with ideas on that front, little help please?- is there a parents of autism support group around you that you could get involved with, or perhaps you could start one?
Swimming? Volunteer work?

Courage, I will still love you, but from a step back if that's ok? cyber hug though on it's way

Dottie thanks for the reminder, and I hope your blue mod shifts. It is amazing the things that can trigger us out of the blue and after so long. You can and will come out the other side of this, I know, but a big hug is winging it's way to you to speed it along.

I'm offski for now so big ups to anyone I haven't mentioned by name x

gleefan

Carlos - Don't be down on yourself for not feeling at peace with your court date or pending loss of driving privileges; that's kinda a lot to ask. I'll be sending you my prayers, thoughts and good vibes today. I know you will face this with strength and courage. xxxooo