Special Occasion/Weekend Challenges

[MissBlue]

Hi Cowboy , I was also struggling with where to post and what to post after my relapse but someone ( forgive me but I can't remember who ) posted this link. I found it really helpful to find out exactly how a support group was meant to help me . Here is the link and I hope you find it useful too. http://addictionsandrecovery.org/12-step-groups.htm The pages before and after are also interesting reading.

Well done on clocking up these sober weekends

[cowboy]

Interesting reading Miss Blue. Thanks for taking the time to share this link and your thoughts. Two weekends bookending a solid week of sobriety. So far so good. Cowboy.

[MissBlue]

Two weekends bookending a solid week of sobriety. So far so good. Cowboy.

Great news and well done Keep posting as your wise words are much appreciated

[cowboy]

Oh man it was so great to make it through the last weekend without drinking myself into an oblivious state and paying for it on Monday. My week at work was so much more productive and I really am enjoying getting up in the morning and looking forward to the day. Even the weekdays - go figure. Now waking up without a hangover on Saturday and Sunday is even better. Imagine a full (and I mean full) day to wake up, have a long enjoyable breakfast and have the whole day spread out in front of you to enjoy the summer weather. And imagine - it's free for the taking. I'm looking forward to sober weekend 3. Happy Trails. Cowboy.

[MissBlue]

Fabulous post Mr Cowboy I so agree with every word .

[Maddie]

I'm setting myself the challenge of not drinking next weekend. I normally allow myself to drink at the weekend and remain sober during the week. However, I've just been on holiday and have had a drink each day. The first day more than I should have done, but the rest of the time it was controlled. So now I'm home, I'm going to not drink at all next weekend to see how I feel and maybe reassess my goals regards drinking. During the week will be easy for me, but I'm not sure how I'll feel on Friday when I finish work. I think I'll prepare myself with maybe cooking a nice meal and getting some tasty non alcoholic drinks in - ginger beer's quite good. Maybe I'll watch a good dvd to.

[Maddie]

Right, I'm all prepared ready for tomorrow. So no wine after work tomorrow, I'm breaking the old routine.

Saturday could be a challenge. I've been invited out with a colleague late afternoon for her birthday. I really want to not drink this weekend, but now I'm tempted. Grrrr. If I drink, I'll feel like I've failed. If I don't drink, I'll feel like a gooseberry. If I have a drink, then I'm less likely to come home and drink alone, which is something I definitely don't want to do. If I don't drink, then I'm in danger of drinking alone at home. Oh bloody hell, why is it so complicated??

[Pineapple]

Hi Maddie

If spending this weekend sober is important to you then I would think the easiest option on yourself is to make up a prior arrangement and give the drinks a miss. Why set yourself such an obstacle? It will be an internal battle and whatever the outcome you will be making it harder than it needs to be. Breaking a long standing routine is a tough thing so plan a weekend that supports this.

P x

[Maddie]

Thanks Pineapple, your words make so much sense. I'm just stuck as to what to do. I've already said I'll go, and I'd feel awful if I backed out at short notice. I really don't want to lie. The plan is to go for something to eat, and then a few drinks, so I'm thinking I'll go for the meal and say that I can't stay late. I'm also thinking I could be designated driver, so that'll mean I'll be on lemonade. Then after the meal, I cold drop them all in town where I'll then leave them and I'll come home. I have got a DVD here that I haven't watched yet from lovefilm, so maybe I could watch that when I get home.

[Pineapple]

That sounds like a good plan, you get to enjoy the meal and your Sunday morning The meal with also help dull any possible cravings and you will score brownie points for being a taxi

P x

[Maddie]

Yes, I'm sure I'll be very popular offering to be taxi!

[cowboy]

It's the weekend folks. You know what that means. As our lovely and talented misschatterbox always says "shields up". This is the time to really enjoy your sobriety. It's summer (at least in the northern hemisphere) so get out and enjoy. In Canada we will soon be shoveling snow. I'm gonna get as many hours of sunshine on me as possible. I've heard vitamin D is very good for you. I'm sooo looking forward to a complete day off with nothing to do but no drink. Sound like a plan?

[Melanie961]

Cowboy: You' re leaving up to your name.

Blazing new trails.

You should read the book thread.I think you started a new book club.

I am with you on the vitamin D.I plan to go to the beach tomorrow and get plenty of it


Melanie

[Rags]

Did someone say the words?

Shields up.jpg (7.27 KiB) Viewed 102 times

Have a good weekend Cowboy

[fresh-start]

Yes we best make the most of it. Could be another long winter!

I'll be sat outside cafes in Amsterdam watching the world go by this weekend. I've noticed most of the Dutch don't drink much anyway so staying AF isn't too hard!

Have a good one folks!

[cowboy]

Hi fresh-start. Sounds like a great way to spend an AF day. I had the pleasure of spending a quiet Saturday afternoon watching people in downtown Utrecht (hope I have the spelling right) a couple of years ago. It was a great day.

Well off a little early today. Normally, on a Friday afternoon, I would be heading straight to the liquor store to stock up on booze and see how quickly I can get myself hammered. Today I think I'll take a page out of Pitstop's book and load up on ginger beer. I wish all my BE friends (especially the early dazers) a happy and AF weekend.

I'll be hanging around here this weekend looking for and offering support on this oh-so-important first weekend of sobriety.

[fresh-start]

Yes cowboy, Utrecht is close by and is the correct spelling!

We've been over here since February with hubbys job. Back to good old Blighty in 2 weeks. Best make the most of those pavement cafes right now!

Right now on a Friday I'd be sozzled on the settee after a bottle of wine and be opening the second bottle.

Aren't we doing well!

[cowboy]

Well I didn't get sozzled last night. I had a nice dinner in and soda and lime to replace my usual cocktails. Topped by a cup of vanilla sleep tea and an excellent sleep. Now it's Saturday morning and I am feeling great and looking forward to the day. The sun is shining and the temps are up and guess what? I'm not in bed forcing myself back to sleep because I feeling so shitty. Got me ginger beers in the fridge and ready to go.

[Kazzl]

Onya Cowpoke

[cowboy]

Thanks Kaz. The ginger beer is pretty good. Hits the spot and no after effects.