One Year and Under Club Part 47
Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: CA
Posts: 2,977
NYM enjoy your trip and congrats on the job opportunity!
Got my parts in the mail for my water heater and replaced it and still no luck. More cold showers for me. Pretty bummed and frustrated. Another womp day tomorrow
Got my parts in the mail for my water heater and replaced it and still no luck. More cold showers for me. Pretty bummed and frustrated. Another womp day tomorrow
Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: California
Posts: 1,914
BF- sorry about your water heater! At least it's summer? Cold showers are never fun but even worse in the winter!
Nymets- have a safe flight! Keep us posted. I'm over here now and Europe is much better sober! I'm out exploring and really enjoying things instead of worrying about my next drink. Its a nice change! Congrats on the job offer too! Sounds like a good one.
Nymets- have a safe flight! Keep us posted. I'm over here now and Europe is much better sober! I'm out exploring and really enjoying things instead of worrying about my next drink. Its a nice change! Congrats on the job offer too! Sounds like a good one.
Living and Loving Life at Last
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: gods own country
Posts: 12,164
NYMets, congrats on the job, another reason to focus on your sobriety! Enjoy Europe and remember we will all be sharing it with you vicariously so you need to come here regularly and tell us all about where you are and what you are seeing, and your impressions of it all.
BeFree, bite the bullet Hun and get someone in to fix or replace it, you have saved a lot over the non drinking time you have clocked up, and deserve it. Is your sister still living with you? Perhaps for once she can cough up a contribution. X
Site, I agree, once we stop indulging it's wonderful to take in the world around us as if it's all new!!
BeFree, bite the bullet Hun and get someone in to fix or replace it, you have saved a lot over the non drinking time you have clocked up, and deserve it. Is your sister still living with you? Perhaps for once she can cough up a contribution. X
Site, I agree, once we stop indulging it's wonderful to take in the world around us as if it's all new!!
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Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Ashburn, VA
Posts: 30,196
I'm sorry about the cold showers, BFree. Does your sister still live with you? I haven't heard you mention her in awhile. If so, definitely get her to pay for her fair share of the repair costs!
Mets, tremendous congratulations on that great job offer. I hope your current job matches it!
I'm sure you'll be sober with a vengeance on your upcoming trip. Looking forward to your travelogue!
Site, I'm glad you're having a nice time. Where are you now?
Mets, tremendous congratulations on that great job offer. I hope your current job matches it!
I'm sure you'll be sober with a vengeance on your upcoming trip. Looking forward to your travelogue!
Site, I'm glad you're having a nice time. Where are you now?
Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: CA
Posts: 2,977
Gilmer and Toots yes my sister still lives with me. She's gone a lot so I guess that's why I haven't mentioned her in awhile. The water heater is only 2 years old so it's still under warranty. The company is being stubborn and not wanting to send someone out. I'm going to call them again Monday and really push for someone to come out at no charge to me to get it fixed.
Wompland today then 2 days off! I am so looking forward to not womping tomorrow and having a relaxing day full of TV and naps haha. I need a lazy day after this crazy womp week
Wompland today then 2 days off! I am so looking forward to not womping tomorrow and having a relaxing day full of TV and naps haha. I need a lazy day after this crazy womp week
Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: PA and Florida
Posts: 4,179
BF, good luck with the water heater fix.
Sask, yes, I stopped on a dime my first attempt for over a decade. Still not sure if that was a blessing, or a curse that it all seemed to be so easy. I'm not certain how many times I relapsed after that first time...at least 50...leading up to this current 26 month sober journey.
One thing that I am certain of is that at 26 months, I am more secure in my sobriety than I ever was during that 11.5 year span. Simple answer is that I've built a tool box in AA.
Also, for me now...not drinking as a goal plays less and less of the role recovery has offered. My problems with drinking started and ended between my ears and fixing that toxic thinking offers joy, happiness and freedom.
Case, congrats on your milestone.
Dhar, thanks for that inspiring story of enjoying an evening out with friends and not feeling left out without booze. Not drinking for me is not a net negative either.
Just home from body pump class and the farmers market where I purchased so many healthy fruit, veggies and free range organic eggs. Looks like yard-work, hitting some golf balls and a local festival fills the remainder of the day.
Enjoy the weekend, undies!
Carlos
Sask, yes, I stopped on a dime my first attempt for over a decade. Still not sure if that was a blessing, or a curse that it all seemed to be so easy. I'm not certain how many times I relapsed after that first time...at least 50...leading up to this current 26 month sober journey.
One thing that I am certain of is that at 26 months, I am more secure in my sobriety than I ever was during that 11.5 year span. Simple answer is that I've built a tool box in AA.
Also, for me now...not drinking as a goal plays less and less of the role recovery has offered. My problems with drinking started and ended between my ears and fixing that toxic thinking offers joy, happiness and freedom.
Case, congrats on your milestone.
Dhar, thanks for that inspiring story of enjoying an evening out with friends and not feeling left out without booze. Not drinking for me is not a net negative either.
Just home from body pump class and the farmers market where I purchased so many healthy fruit, veggies and free range organic eggs. Looks like yard-work, hitting some golf balls and a local festival fills the remainder of the day.
Enjoy the weekend, undies!
Carlos
Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: ohio
Posts: 3,615
Hi Undies!!
I thought I couldn't post here anymore, but I see a lot of "overs" on here so I'm popping in to say hello!
Casey, super congrats on 70 days!!
I guess I'll chime in on the relapse thing. Once that switch flipped somewhere along the line and I went from moderate drinker to alkie, it was never, ever easy for me to quit drinking. The firs time I quit was 2009 when at my partners urging, I went to see an addiction specialist and she challenged me to quit for six months and see how I felt. It was hard, but I joined a gym, ate better, lost 25 pounds, felt great. Got a cheap flight home for a mini vacation as a little reward even. Life was awesome. So of course I had some tequila with my brother back in Cali in celebration . He had no idea at that point about my problem. That slowly led to a relapse of some duration, then I quit for six more months, then I relapsed again...
That one was more spectacular. I was home for Christmas. I usually stay with my uncle for a few days before Christmas, then Christmas morning with the boy (who is now 14, wonderful, and just came to visit me in Ohio). That year, they were living with aunts mom, so I had to find a hotel for Christmas Eve. Christmas at my brothers house starts in late afternoon, so that meant I had about 24 hours to kill. You can imagine how I used that time... I'm still very embarrassed to admit i drove to my brothers house, in a blackout, and pretty much passed out once there. On Christmas. With all of my family there.
I thought that HAD to be my rock bottom, but somehow I still had another 6 months sober then another relapse in me. I had to become willing to do anything and everything to get sober. Outpatient, meetings, sr.
Then I hit that happy/dreaded 6 month mark, which always had led to a relapse for me. So I stepped up meetings again, and did the unthinkable. I did the steps. found a sponsor here on sr and she was perfect for me. Knew when to be gentle, knew when to push me to do the uncomfortable stuff. Now I'll have 29 months in a few days. Pretty sure I'll get it.
I can't think of sobriety as vigilance, apparently I'm too lazy for that. actually, I'm prone to anxiety and the thought of being constantly vigilant totally stresses me out! So I pray every day for guidance and the obsession to stay lifted. When I feel myself getting stressed, complacent, or having any of those thoughts that can lead to drinking, I pray or get on here. Many folks go to a meeting when that happens.
Recovery takes a ton of work at first, but it really mellows out after a while. I've found that I need to step things up a little every now and again, but it doesn't really feel like work. Because I'm enjoying my life and all kinds of fun stuff that comes from not concentrating on my next drink all the time. I've found wonderful friends on sr who keep me laughing, too!
Woo sorry for the novel ! But I hope it helps someone.
P.s. Congrats Carlos on 26 months and healthy eating!
I thought I couldn't post here anymore, but I see a lot of "overs" on here so I'm popping in to say hello!
Casey, super congrats on 70 days!!
I guess I'll chime in on the relapse thing. Once that switch flipped somewhere along the line and I went from moderate drinker to alkie, it was never, ever easy for me to quit drinking. The firs time I quit was 2009 when at my partners urging, I went to see an addiction specialist and she challenged me to quit for six months and see how I felt. It was hard, but I joined a gym, ate better, lost 25 pounds, felt great. Got a cheap flight home for a mini vacation as a little reward even. Life was awesome. So of course I had some tequila with my brother back in Cali in celebration . He had no idea at that point about my problem. That slowly led to a relapse of some duration, then I quit for six more months, then I relapsed again...
That one was more spectacular. I was home for Christmas. I usually stay with my uncle for a few days before Christmas, then Christmas morning with the boy (who is now 14, wonderful, and just came to visit me in Ohio). That year, they were living with aunts mom, so I had to find a hotel for Christmas Eve. Christmas at my brothers house starts in late afternoon, so that meant I had about 24 hours to kill. You can imagine how I used that time... I'm still very embarrassed to admit i drove to my brothers house, in a blackout, and pretty much passed out once there. On Christmas. With all of my family there.
I thought that HAD to be my rock bottom, but somehow I still had another 6 months sober then another relapse in me. I had to become willing to do anything and everything to get sober. Outpatient, meetings, sr.
Then I hit that happy/dreaded 6 month mark, which always had led to a relapse for me. So I stepped up meetings again, and did the unthinkable. I did the steps.
found a sponsor here on sr and she was perfect for me. Knew when to be gentle, knew when to push me to do the uncomfortable stuff. Now I'll have 29 months in a few days. Pretty sure I'll get it. I can't think of sobriety as vigilance, apparently I'm too lazy for that.
actually, I'm prone to anxiety and the thought of being constantly vigilant totally stresses me out! So I pray every day for guidance and the obsession to stay lifted. When I feel myself getting stressed, complacent, or having any of those thoughts that can lead to drinking, I pray or get on here. Many folks go to a meeting when that happens. Recovery takes a ton of work at first, but it really mellows out after a while. I've found that I need to step things up a little every now and again, but it doesn't really feel like work. Because I'm enjoying my life and all kinds of fun stuff that comes from not concentrating on my next drink all the time. I've found wonderful friends on sr who keep me laughing, too!
Woo sorry for the novel ! But I hope it helps someone.
P.s. Congrats Carlos on 26 months and healthy eating!
Living and Loving Life at Last
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: gods own country
Posts: 12,164
WeHav, good to see you and to read your post on relapse as it is certainly beneficial here to read that kind of warning.
You say you don't have the temperament for vigilance, but I feel you misinterpret the word because going on to describe your actions to protect your sobriety certainly sound like vigilance to me!!
I guess, vigilance does sound strong, guarding, proactive protectionism, defending ones sobriety literally to the death does sound like a constant battle for the rest of ones life.
For me, vigilance takes the form of a daily visit to SR; my personal reminder of how far I fell, how far I have climbed, how much I stand to lose, and how many people I can look to for support at the times in my life when previously I would have hidden in the bottle.
Coming here and offering my support and hard earned wisdom, reminds me that I am a good person with much to give to others. Coming here gives me back my self respect, my sense of worth. Coming here gives me the daily strength I need to say 'for this 24 hours I. Will. Not. Drink '
This is my vigilance, it is also my succour.
You say you don't have the temperament for vigilance, but I feel you misinterpret the word because going on to describe your actions to protect your sobriety certainly sound like vigilance to me!!
I guess, vigilance does sound strong, guarding, proactive protectionism, defending ones sobriety literally to the death does sound like a constant battle for the rest of ones life.
For me, vigilance takes the form of a daily visit to SR; my personal reminder of how far I fell, how far I have climbed, how much I stand to lose, and how many people I can look to for support at the times in my life when previously I would have hidden in the bottle.
Coming here and offering my support and hard earned wisdom, reminds me that I am a good person with much to give to others. Coming here gives me back my self respect, my sense of worth. Coming here gives me the daily strength I need to say 'for this 24 hours I. Will. Not. Drink '
This is my vigilance, it is also my succour.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Spain
Posts: 2,004
That's an interesting and moving post, Toots. Thanks!
Today is my 90th sober day. In a way a very short period but I've travelled so far in this time. Thanks to all for the hard-earned wisdom. Pretty sure I wouldn't be here without you!
Today is my 90th sober day. In a way a very short period but I've travelled so far in this time. Thanks to all for the hard-earned wisdom. Pretty sure I wouldn't be here without you!
Administrator
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,372
Congrats Carlos and Amp
Thanks for your post WeHav
To me 'vigilance' really just equals self care - I brush my teeth twice a day, I bathe daily, I eat....I should exercise...
I keep my mind active...recovery slots in there too
D
Thanks for your post WeHav
To me 'vigilance' really just equals self care - I brush my teeth twice a day, I bathe daily, I eat....I should exercise...
I keep my mind active...recovery slots in there too
D
Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: US East Coast
Posts: 14,285
Amp, congrats n 90!!! You sound delightfully laid back :-)
Toots, lovely post. For me, the Popovers are always welcome here.
I'm finding strength in reading the whole spectrum of perspectives. It also hit home for me recently that we are all traveling the same road yet our vehicles, speeds, etc can sometimes be radically different. Occasionally I run into a fellow traveller who seems, like me, to be a very strong rebel and isn't quite ready yet to hear the messages here. It is a good reminder for me that I need to moderate my defenses at times because they do get in the way of my living the best life that I can.
Have a lovely day, Undies!
Toots, lovely post. For me, the Popovers are always welcome here.
I'm finding strength in reading the whole spectrum of perspectives. It also hit home for me recently that we are all traveling the same road yet our vehicles, speeds, etc can sometimes be radically different. Occasionally I run into a fellow traveller who seems, like me, to be a very strong rebel and isn't quite ready yet to hear the messages here. It is a good reminder for me that I need to moderate my defenses at times because they do get in the way of my living the best life that I can.
Have a lovely day, Undies!
Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Spain
Posts: 2,004
Originally Posted by Saskia 
we are all traveling the same road yet our vehicles, speeds, etc can sometimes be radically different.
Re-Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: USA
Posts: 7,909
Morning, undies! Starting day 73 here. Just woke up but I'm still pooped from a long night at work last night. Think I'll probably go back to sleep for a bit after I do my usual morning SR routine. Work again this late afternoon/evening.
Great post, tootsl1! Thank you!
Amp -- congrats on 90 days! That's amazing.
Greetings to everyone else who has posted in the last 24 hours. Thanks again for keeping me sober!
Originally Posted by tootsl1
Coming here and offering my support and hard earned wisdom, reminds me that I am a good person with much to give to others. Coming here gives me back my self respect, my sense of worth. Coming here gives me the daily strength I need to say 'for this 24 hours I. Will. Not. Drink '
This is my vigilance, it is also my succour.
This is my vigilance, it is also my succour.
Amp -- congrats on 90 days! That's amazing.
Greetings to everyone else who has posted in the last 24 hours. Thanks again for keeping me sober!
Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: New England, USA
Posts: 3,958
Moving post, toots.
Hi WeHav.
BoozeFree - Good luck with dealing with the warranty on your water heater.
Carlos - I can't speak enough to the tool box in AA on both saying no to booze and finding a new way to approach life.
Amp - Way to go on 90 days sober, a quarter of a year sober. Ninety days is a great milestone.
Casey - Great job working through uncharted territory to 73 days sober! I stay sober by replacing drinking, isolation and self doubt with self care and time with healthy family and friends. It looks like you know what you need to do to stay sober. Keep up the good work.
Saskia - I like your description of your inner rebel. That was me for several years after I realized I had a drinking problem. I thought I had all the answers. I was doing something right - I was living the American Dream. It took me a long time, and lots of drinking, hangovers, Day 1's, blackouts, and personal embarrassment to realize that some of my answers were right but others led to self destruction. I felt a whole lot of freedom when I stopped using my inner resources to hold on to all of my old ways of doing things, and became willing to let the toxic ones drop.
Mets - Congratulations on your job offer. I know what you mean about your thoughts turning to drinking to celebrate. Something similar happened to me last week. I was triggered by a busy day at work. I felt irritable and impatient and my thoughts turned to the physical relief of the first couple of drinks. I worked through so many cravings early in my sobriety that I had tools to work through it: I played the tape all the way through. Then I practiced self care. I have a job that doesn't allow me to take unscheduled breaks without good reason, but I knew it was important to take a break and get a glass of water. Simple. Done. That night I went to my usual Friday night meeting, and then swung by my sponsor's house afterwards for a few laughs over the fire pit.
Dharma - Thanks for sharing the story of your successful night out sober. Knowing what to share and with whom was challenging for me in early sobriety. I had to tell my friends in my bookclub. There was no way our small group could get together without knowing I was struggling with alcohol. I didn't share with my Bunco group right away, though, as I wasn't as close with those folks. I chose to avoid Bunco for a while. Only after I was a bit steadier in my sobriety did I share with a few of my relatively closer friends in the group. Neat story: that smaller group of friends and I got together recently at my house, and although I bought the booze they like, none of them drank.
It is a hot one here for me today. I've got to get rolling to a youth hockey pool party. Lol, we even have hockey in the summer! There are going to be some folks there today who've perpetrated some difficult situations. I'm grateful to have the 12 steps in my tool box today to keep my frustrations in perspective and my response to it appropriate.
Have a great day Undies! Enjoy the sober day!
Hi WeHav.
BoozeFree - Good luck with dealing with the warranty on your water heater.
Carlos - I can't speak enough to the tool box in AA on both saying no to booze and finding a new way to approach life.
Amp - Way to go on 90 days sober, a quarter of a year sober. Ninety days is a great milestone.
Casey - Great job working through uncharted territory to 73 days sober! I stay sober by replacing drinking, isolation and self doubt with self care and time with healthy family and friends. It looks like you know what you need to do to stay sober. Keep up the good work.
Saskia - I like your description of your inner rebel. That was me for several years after I realized I had a drinking problem. I thought I had all the answers. I was doing something right - I was living the American Dream. It took me a long time, and lots of drinking, hangovers, Day 1's, blackouts, and personal embarrassment to realize that some of my answers were right but others led to self destruction. I felt a whole lot of freedom when I stopped using my inner resources to hold on to all of my old ways of doing things, and became willing to let the toxic ones drop.
Mets - Congratulations on your job offer. I know what you mean about your thoughts turning to drinking to celebrate. Something similar happened to me last week. I was triggered by a busy day at work. I felt irritable and impatient and my thoughts turned to the physical relief of the first couple of drinks. I worked through so many cravings early in my sobriety that I had tools to work through it: I played the tape all the way through. Then I practiced self care. I have a job that doesn't allow me to take unscheduled breaks without good reason, but I knew it was important to take a break and get a glass of water. Simple. Done. That night I went to my usual Friday night meeting, and then swung by my sponsor's house afterwards for a few laughs over the fire pit.
Dharma - Thanks for sharing the story of your successful night out sober. Knowing what to share and with whom was challenging for me in early sobriety. I had to tell my friends in my bookclub. There was no way our small group could get together without knowing I was struggling with alcohol. I didn't share with my Bunco group right away, though, as I wasn't as close with those folks. I chose to avoid Bunco for a while. Only after I was a bit steadier in my sobriety did I share with a few of my relatively closer friends in the group. Neat story: that smaller group of friends and I got together recently at my house, and although I bought the booze they like, none of them drank.
It is a hot one here for me today. I've got to get rolling to a youth hockey pool party. Lol, we even have hockey in the summer! There are going to be some folks there today who've perpetrated some difficult situations. I'm grateful to have the 12 steps in my tool box today to keep my frustrations in perspective and my response to it appropriate.
Have a great day Undies! Enjoy the sober day!
Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: California
Posts: 1,914
Congrats Carlos and amp! It's so nice to see people making such progress.
Gilmer, I'm back on France again today. Just kind of going in weird circles over here haha
Thankfully it's cooled off some today, which is a lovely change of pace. Going to have a busy week but I'll check in when I can! Happy Monday everyone!
Gilmer, I'm back on France again today. Just kind of going in weird circles over here haha
Thankfully it's cooled off some today, which is a lovely change of pace. Going to have a busy week but I'll check in when I can! Happy Monday everyone!
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