BaldHeadedJohn

Hello all.

I had my last drink Wednesday. Went to my local home group yesterday after about 5 weeks on constant drinking. Got a sponsor right away, and he's already given me some 'homework' to do when I see him again Sunday. Killing some time now before I go out to another meeting.

Felt pretty good waking up. Beautiful crisp morning. Work went well. Not too shaky or irritable, but just feeling a little out of sorts, but I had a very productive day. I told my boss all about my problem and he's very supportative. He's a very good person as well as a boss.

I have an appt on July 2 to talk to a rehab counselor. A place I was at several years ago.

I do have a question for you folks...
How do I go about starting to rebuild what I've destroyed and damaged?? You have no idea (well, maybe you do) just how filthy a house can get. Where do I start? I've got beer cans all over the place, a bag broken open outside and I have cans all over the yard. I haven't dusted or vacuumed worth a poop in quite while. The gutter leaks from where I fell of the roof... It just all seems so overwhelming now, seeing how much needs done.

Any advice??

Blessed be.

BHJ

Spiritual Seeker

Have the trash company bring in a dumpster on Monday and just start clearing out the place. Set a goal to clean 2 hrs. ea. day until it is done. Babysteps.

BaldHeadedJohn

I thought about that. No real place to park it. Also been thinking about buying some of those great big heavy-duty trash bags and try to fill one or two a day.

GlassPrisoner

I didn't have THAT much trash, but in early recovery I took baby steps. Alcoholics have a propensity to overacheive and expect too much as it is, so just doing a little at a time, on a consistant basis (key), is helpful to us. Well, me at least.

OK, that's just not the house you know.

Step work.

Reminds me of the old joke.

A guy is lost in New York. In deperation, he asks a hippie "Hey, do you know how to get to Carnigie Hall ? "

The hippy replied "Practice man, practice......"

Spiritual Seeker

trash bags - perfect idea. For me, making a list each night of things to get done the next day works well. Also, when I clean I do it one room at a time. When your environment is clean it will be easier to clean up the other messes in your life.

barb dwyer

Go to meetings.
Don't drink in between.
Do the Steps.
In order.
With a sponsor.
It works when you work it.
Do it for real.
Everything else - clears up.

That's no sales pitch.
it's the Truth.

(I love this part - heehee)
Any person on this thread with kids ... knows.

One thing at a time.

Pick a spot.
Any spot.
Don't look at anything else.
Nothing else.

Personally, I tend to start at the front door.
Work my way in.
When it's the kind of cleaning you seem to be talking about - I just chuck everything. Who needs a statue saying 'I' love beer' anyway?
Out.
Done with it.

Forget recycling and all that crap.
Just get rid of it.
You're gonna be amazed how much better you feel with each task.
Truly.

(can you tell I've gone in and 'hostile takeover'
for other recovering alcoholics' places before, too? )
*g*
been there.
did that.
chucked it.

Most of us ... MOST of us ... have been there, hon.

One thing at a time.
ps - I get my big trash bags at the dollar store.
They're not as 'industrial' ... but ok for just cans.

and -
I just chucked every bit of clothing
bought all new at the Goodwill.
My entire summer wardrobe - $28.00

I know that when I put off laundry ...
for two months ...
it's time for new clothes.
LOL

hang in there!

barb dwyer

ps -

I don't even remember my day two.

so you're way better off than I was!

Pilgrim

Barb. You crack me up.

Hi John. I was a bar drinker so didn't have such a problem with the empties. I have no idea how I managed to keep my house relatively clean but I never dusted. In fact, they say that when dust reaches a certain depth, it never gets deeper.

Can you get a cleaner in? One of those industrial companies? Make sure they have really big man-size cleaning equipment.

If you are anything like me, you might get a big energy rush in a few days. I went mad. Couldn't stop with the weedeater. It doesn't last so make the most of it.

barb dwyer

I'm with Rosanne Barr -

still waiting for hoover to make a riding vacuume.

or bobcat to make a house - grade front end loader.

Lizrox

Try to get rid of the beer cans as soon as you can. Housework isn't your priority right now; your sobriety is.

Liz

Rusty Zipper

BHJ suggestion... start with the first can!

get a camera, and take a picture of the mess...

then step 1...

when times are good, or not so good... look at the pic... and then ask the unmanigability question!... OMG

all good wish BHJ...

xxoo, rz

barb dwyer

Rusty -

that's great!!!

Rusty Zipper

thanks BD... i try... lol

lostmdboy

One more saying for ya " Easy does It" I remember my day 2.; I was completely nuts. Drink lots of water, take vitimin B complex, and get some rest. Well after those d@mm cans. Good luck, and keep posting tha helped me a lot.

AcceptingChange

as far as keeping your sobriety goes,
what works for me is, to think of alcohol as death-poison.
which it is. to know that when you drink it, you become a different
person.
to remember that you're not happy now with where drinking has led
you, so why will you be happy after you start drinking again.
to remember that you will have pain in life. if you drink, the pain may
be ignored (for a time), but it will come back. and it will be worse.
because while you're drinking, you're ignoring the pain, and creating new problems
for yourself.
to remember that only 10% of people who try to stop, actually do stop.
To make a commitment to yourself to be in that 10% category.

i hope you keep posting everyday.
I'm on day 23, so i'm very new to this stuff.
but i have spent some time edumacating myself.

best of luck.

BaldHeadedJohn

Just got back from my 3rd meeting in 3 days. Feel good, got a sponsor. I'm meeting him a little early tomorrow to begin the work. I DID manage to get most of the cans in a bag, now just to get them to curb tommorrow. Maybe I'll even run the vac in the living room befor my boys come over for a movie.

Thanks for all your help, everyone.

Best to all!!
BHJ

barb dwyer

BHJ -

Word for the day .... FEBREEZE.

wow.
amazing stuff.

would take the smell off a monkey.

Pilgrim

OOOO - movies with the kids. What are you watching?