noexcuse

For me, Delilah, I have had to realize that I am drinking for the effect. One glass would just be a tease and it would lead to a lot more, because my mind immediately thinks, "Gee, one was good, so two would probably be great!!" and thus begins the vicious cycle into oblivion.

One thing that I have started doing in the last week is coloring Mandalas. It keeps my hands busy and keeps my mind occupied. Even better, the kids enjoy them as well, so if they are in the mood, we can all do it peacefully together. If anyone is unfamiliar, here's an example:

I printed out over a hundred coloring pages to work on. This is definitely a new hobby for me!

Day 24

noexcuse

My daughter's cheer squad is cheering before the local minor league baseball game tonight. Then we're staying for the game and fireworks after. Last time I went to one of these games, I snuck a half pint in with me, chugged that in the bathroom, and bought beers the rest of the time. I'm going with my husband (who has been sober for two months tomorrow) and my dad, who knows that my husband and I are no longer drinking. That being said....I'm a little on edge about going. This is one of my places. Rarely did I ever drink to excess at a baseball game (at $6-$9 a beer, who can afford to?) but I always had something. I'm not worried about drinking while I'm there because of who I'll be with, but I am worried that I'll have cravings. So, the plan: I'm going to make it a point to drive with someone else, because if I'm feeling really tempted, I know that I would leave everyone at the game and go home alone where it would be easier to 'sneak'. Being around people that know what's going on will keep me accountable. I'm also going to be honest with my husband and if I need to leave, we're all going to leave. The kids will be disappointed to miss the fireworks, but it's supposed to be chilly tonight so that can be reason #2 if I need to get out of there.

I'm looking forward to Memorial Day weekend, and thanks to all of those that have served.

Day 25

ZaBoozer

Hey NE, congratulations on day twenty five. Deep breaths. You can do this. Just enjoy the game. It will pass so quickly and you will enjoy the interaction so much more while sober.

Dee74

how did it go NoExcuse?

D

noexcuse

Well, my plan to drive with other people to the baseball game didn't work out. I ended up having to drive myself because my daughter had to be there well before the gates opened, and everyone else was coming after the gates opened. Shortly after her performance, though, my parents left and that's when cravings started to hit me. So, I gave all the cash I had to my husband, got out of there and went straight home. For once, I left early to preserve my sobriety, not so I could sneak some drinks by myself. What a concept.

I had a wonderful weekend. We went shopping for plants and flowers for our patio, plus I spray-painted my table and umbrella to match my chairs. My patio feels like a retreat now, and my husband and I actually spent over a half hour out there yesterday just talking. I don't remember the last time we did that. Then we watched a movie and went to bed at a reasonable time.....all without the kids (they were spending the night at my parents' house last night). I literally cannot remember the last time that the kids weren't home that we didn't drink. It might be years.

ZaBoozer

Well done NE, you should be vey proud of yourself.

noexcuse

One month today.

dwtbd

keep truckin

ZaBoozer

Congrats on the month NE. You're doing great.

Surrender2win

Congrats on one month! That's awesome.

Calicofish

Well done, Noexcuse. I am rooting for you.

CF