InParticular

Congrats on not drinking the Philippines Drake. Welcome home. I dealt with that when I was in Germany and there was drinking all around me all the time. I feel like after getting through that without drinking I can get through pretty much anything now.

Good morning/afternoon to the Overs. It's -19 this morning! That's -2F. Hope my car starts! Fingers crossed. Although being late for work wouldn't be a big deal today. I'm ahead for once.

If anyone's looking for some holiday reading, here's a good website I like to browse through. Interesting stuff: https://www.brainpickings.org/

Soberwolf

Afternoon to all the overs nice to see you Drake hope Philippines was nice

Thanks for the link IP

IWLSAST

Hey Overs,

FG, nice to see you. I'm sure you will get that internet thing sorted out soon. Hey, the dufis trump wants to limit internet access in the usa if he becomes prez...my days on here might be limited.

IP, sounds cold. I had a friend that moved to Alaska (haha, decided to do so while dating me ) and she had to buy some engine heater contraption. Do you have one of those?

Drake, welcome back to SR. Sounds like you had fun...and kept it sober. Good for you. I spent two winters ago in St Thomas another land of cheap booze and even had a roomie that was the brand manager for Patron in the USVI - it was my fav and it was everywhere in our home. To be honest, it didn't even phase me in the least...I can look through that bottle to what awaits on the other side.

Least, congrats on 7 years. You were the first person to respond to my first post on SR, 11/1/2010, where I proclaimed day 3 for me. It was a cool response with you saying, "I hope it is your last day 3." It wasn't, I had two more 8 month runs left in me...but the comment did strike a cord. Kudos!!

Snooze, thanks for the PM...you are in my thoughts and I am sending positive vibes daily.

Itch Man...sweet msg to least. My best with your new home trials and tribulations.

I continue to knock down the obstacles and barriers to having all my affairs in order prior to leaving for Florida. It has been a challenge to say the least and has tested my resolve to live the one and only code in the Big Book...to be loving and tolerant to others and simply focus on keeping my side of the street clean...and all will work out.

Fact is, it hasn't been so bad to approach new issues practicing AA principals in all my affairs...in fact. it is refreshing to finally have a filtering system, where before there was none. Accepting a middle ground was so foreign to this self centered, egotistical fearful alkie. Hey, the middle is a cool place.

I held on to things, ideas, opinions...well, everything so tight, feeling this need to win or find bigger and better for years...never satisfied. Now I know what they mean in AA when they were telling me to let go...lol. Letting go of my old ways of thinking and doing things has offered a peace, joy and freedom far beyond what I ever imagined I would have.

Well Itch Man, I've procrastinated long enough for today. Back to the business of moving forward in today.

Hi to all others...gotta boogie.

Carlos

Saskia

This thread turns the old idea of taciturn men and talkative women on its head

Soberwolf

Going to walk Glen spk after guys

Soberwolf

Goodnight Overs

venuscat

Touché

Thank you for the awesome website InPar!!

And I love your photos Drake!

Love to all of the Overs. ♥

Mags1

Hi overs. It's been hectic but it's now 3.13 am, I'm having problems with the old asthma so had a hot lemonade drink. It has settled down now. Had an asthma attack at work but it subsided. I heard later the air quality was bad, I'm gonna have to wear a mask!

Drake, pleased your home safely and your photos are brilliant!

Inpar, I agree with itchy, you are hard on yourself. You're a good one, sometimes we have to give ourselves a break.x

If I'm honest, I've been thinking about drinking just lately. I'm pleased to say I haven't but I'm getting those thoughts that I'm in control and could have one or two. I want to say my normal resolve that I don't and won't drink but I don't know. Now I have wrote this I know I'm being stupid and I will not drink.

Dee often said if you write it down it can be better or clearer or words similar. Sorry for my outburst, I was just being honest.

I enjoyed all your posts but my head went, selfishly thinking of my desire to drink and squashing it. I will be keeping close to you all.

Have a good Friday friends.

Dee74

I think as long as you're self aware you'll be ok Mags...my golden rule is don't confuse abstinence for control

D

Mags1

Ah, I understand, thank you Dee .

petals

Had a lovely meal out last night and av came too but was left wanting. My friends were a mixture of soft drinkers and my avs favourite, wine drinkers but I held firm and even got the giggles when I couldn't get my key in the lock just because it was dark and cold( as opposed to shaking due to wine).
Hugs to all xx

feeling-good

Just popping in to say hi on what is Christmas Jumper Day at my workplace! Happy Friday everyone - I'm looking forward to chilling out this evening with a lovely cup of tea and some kind of Christmas cookie which is not yet purchased

FBL

Had a very large meal at a nice restaurant last night and the boss was pretty generous with the bonus this year. I'm also hard at work on the next book, so all is good on the work front.

I'm feeling a bit melancholy this morning...it was exactly one year ago that I watched my Dad pass away. As most of you already know, he was my recovery hero and just my hero in general. I think about him most every day, especially about all the good times we had over the years. I'm thankful that he got sober when he did and that he was around long enough to see my recovery.

Have a great Friday, gang!

Soberwolf

I am knackered but I've done everything I want to jump in a bath but I'm too hot going to cool down first

Saskia

Good morning, Overs!

Mags, good that you came here and posted - I think any one of us could find ourselves in your shoes. I think they call it "stinking thinking" in AA. Sorry to hear about the continuing asthma problems. I used to have allergies which the specialist said were "galloping toward asthma". Luckily, with weekly injections for 3 years we were able to head it off. I do still remember how panicky I felt.

Petals, I'm seeing major changes in your posts since we first met (in the Undies?). Way to go!

Drake, happy to see you back.

InPar, love the phrasing of your message to Drake about not "drinking the Phillipines". . Btw, I agree with the others - you don't give yourself enough credit. I don't know many people who would have the guts to move to a place like you did and have accomplished all that you have.

Happy Friday to all!

InParticular

Thanks for the encouragement you guys, yes I have given what Itchy said a lot of thought. I've always known that I tend to blow things out of proportion, and that things usually do turn out fine and totally not worth all the stress I gave it. It was good to have someone point it out so: thanks Itchy. I'm really going to try to have more faith in myself from now on, just that I can handle situations better than I think I can.
Mags---I completely empathize with you about the drinking thoughts, I get those too, quite often around Christmas, actually. I miss me some coffee with baileys which turned into coffee and whiskey which turned into just whiskey. Etc. The holidays are a big trigger for me. Used to have pretty much a constant buzz on all December. And New Year's Eve parties that are just a haze of drinking as much as possible. So like you Mags, writing it down makes me realize what a right decision I made by not drinking. I'm off that constant crazy rollercoaster of drunk, depressed, craving, drunk.
Now we actually get to enjoy our lives and be present in them, not just messed up bystanders along for the ride, barely participating. Even when I seemed like I was enjoying myself I was always just in my own head.
I'm getting better at talking and connecting with people, out of necessity, because that's what you have to do when you're not wasted. Or else sit there like a lump. I'm proud that my social skills, which used to be atrocious, are getting better.
Petals glad you had a nice night out. I love those little moments of sobriety giddiness. Like little gifts just for you.
FBL-the fact that you both got to see each other's recovery is such a gift. It must have made him so happy and proud to see you follow in his footsteps, and you got to share that. Thinking about you and your dad today.

One more day till my holiday. Yeah I'm excited. I almost, almost, wish I could stay here and just relax at my place and enjoy the nature. But, I can't wait to spend Christmas with the fam. Last year we were all apart, so it's been two years since we've been together on Christmas.

Have a good Friday!

IWLSAST

Humm, guess I should keep this short.
Mags and Petals, so glads that you choose not to test the waters. AV is cunning, baffling, powerful and patient. Kudos.
Off to shower, post office, vet's, buy toothpaste, meet friend at starbucks, body pump w/out, home, cook, eat, wrap presents, call youngest rug-rat, pack some, netflicks and crash.

Soberwolf

Stick with us Mags drinking offers nothing the stuff I got done today I could of never of done drinking after everything today I surprised Mrs sw picking her up from the tube station we then went & got my haircut I'm about to have a hot long soak

Your awesome Mags x

Saskia

Carlos, of course I wasn't referring to you and itchy

Write all you want!

Soberwolf

Hi Saskia xx & evening overs