18TH JAN 2013 - Time to let go.

Hey Feb,

Just a fly by to congratulate you on your continued abstinence. Great to see high spirits in you, you getting stronger with each day, be proud and enjoy every day on the bright side of the road!!

P.s. hope no hangover from ur lovely gathering last night 🙂

Take care

Day at a time

S x

Thanks Sandra

Well then, time to reflect back on last month's mini/long term goals....

MINI GOALS:

1. To pay all bills. (Tick)

2. To put some money into my ISA. (Tick) I did have to take it back out though as I had 5 Birthday's to see to)!! Not wasted though.

3. Put money onto my Sainsbury's savings card. (Tick).

4. To buy myself something (nothing major). (Tick) Well actually, I was able to "bag myself a bag"!! Plus a new Mason Cash mixing bowl. Well pleased.

5. To budget wisely for the month. (Tick).

LONG TERM GOALS:

1. To continue to pay my sister back. (Tick)

2. To remain GAMBLE FREE. (Huge Tick)!!

Now time to start thinking about my March pay day mini/long term goals. Will add them to my diary this week.

Take care all and have a lovely gamble free week ahead.

Feb - Feeling "normal" on "The Bright Side of the Road" and it FEELS SOOOOOO GOOD!!

Evening all.

On Annual Leave this week so got some nice things planned. One of which was to meet up with my friend today. Went to a lovely Italian restaurant and had a bottle (or two) of wine - well I am on holiday!! It was so lovely for me to be doing this again - just like old times! Lovely to roam round the shops first, lovely to go to a nice restaurant, lovely to have the money in my purse to enjoy the afternoon - all because I REMAIN GAMBLE FREE.

I still have huge debt but as long as I know that I am paying what I can back each month, I am optimistic that I can strike a good balance of paying off my debt and being able to enjoy my life at the same time.

Take care all.

Feb - Having a lovely time on "The Bright Side of the Road".

Thanks Julie for your lovely comments. Onwards and upwards all the way for both of us!!

Take care.

Feb.

Hi Feb and thank you for your post, congratulations too on all you've achieved thus far. You deserve to be on that bright side of the road and long may it continue.

Enjoy your week off.

All the best Steve

MINI GOALS FOR MARCH PAY DAY.

1. To pay all bills.

2. To pay the last of my council tax arrears.

3. To pay the last of my gas arrears.

4. To treat myself to something nice.

LONG TERM GOALS.

1. To continue to pay my sister back.

2. To be patient.

3. To remain gamble free.

There we go - all doable.

Take care all and have a lovely gamble free weekend.

Feb - feeling pretty content on "The Bright Side of the Road".

Hey LF

I'm so sorry we keep missing each other. We can try for next weekend (or maybe this sunday?)

Have a great weekend with your sis.

Take care

Irene

x

MONTH 14 - WEEKLY UPDATE.

Just realised that I did not do my usual Saturday weekly update last week!! That's probably because I was too busy enjoying myself doing things I enjoy again!!

Still nicely bobbing along and enjoying being gamble free. Pay day next Thursday. Not quite so desperate these days waiting for my salary to hit my account, nevertheless, it will be nice to be paid again.

Caught the Cheltenham Gold Cup race on the news this evening. I do love horse racing, mainly because, once being a runner myself, I love to see anything racing. When I heard that the winner came in at 20/1, I just thought "that'll be plenty of people lost a few bob on that race then" I must admit, whilst watching the end of an extremely close finish, I did get a slight tightness in my stomach. This acted as a quick reminder of how it used to be for me after I had gambled and lost lots and would end up with my stomach in knots. It was so nice knowing that I was not one of the many hundreds who had lost lots of money on that race and it made me feel good.

A relatively quiet weekend for me in relation to the last few weeks which have been hectic but very enjoyable. Going to ring my good Gamcare friend on Sunday evening for a huge catch-up!

Take care all and have a lovely gamble free weekend.

Feb - Feeling stable (pardon the pun)! on ~"The Bright Side of the Road".

Hey Feb,

Fantastic achievement girl, really lovely to read you are doing so well, keep making the right choice. Recovery never stops giving, so just take it all in as you doing now. The only way to go is a bright side of the road. Be proud and have a lovely Sunday :-))

Take care

S x

MONTH 15 - WEEKLY UPDATE

Another pay day has passed and all bills are paid. It's been so nice this morning, spending the time to do some online shopping - and having the money to do so!! Yes, normality is definitely on it's way back and it feels sooooooo good!

Just pottering around today and tomorrow, off to town to buy my lovely sister-in-law a nice Birthday present.

Take care all and remain gamble free.

Feb - Shopping until I drop on "The Bright Side of the Road"!!!

Thank you both Sandra and Julie for your lovely comments.

Feb.

MONTH 15

The rewards of becoming gamble free......been shopping in town today. Bagged myself a food processor, a new baking palette knife. some perfume and a lovely glass dish with a butterfly on it (loving butterflies at the min)!! All bargains as well which was even better. I drive a hard bargain me - needs must!!

I must admit though, I did find myself feeling a little guilty and questioning myself whether I should have bought them. As my sister said - could I afford them? Well "yes" was the answer. I think it's because I went so long without being able to buy myself anything, it now feels a little strange to be able to do so!! I have always been able to do what I want with my money in the past, pre gambling and so it's just so nice again to be able to buy some of the simple things, as well as treating myself to more luxurious items also.

First thing on my list of things to do with my new food processor is to make a smoked salmon and Asparagus Terrine. Got family coming for Easter so collecting some nice recipes as I will be busy baking and cooking but can't wait - just like old times!!

Take care all.

Feb - feeling a little giddy (with happiness) on "The Bright Side of the Road"

15 months gamble free is amazing - well done you!

I can't wait to be saying that myself

J100 x

Thanks J.

We'll done Feb on this milestone

Haven't been on here for a while, as moved house and no internet

Life is good and I am proud to say over one year gamble free for my son 🙂

I am so very proud of him, he is working hard, has ,are some lovely new friends. Since he move last year and is loving life ... I still keep an eye on his bank account, but that is the way he likes it and if it works for him that's fine with me.

Take care and happy cooking J x