April Fools!

That's sounds absolutely amazing Pinkie and not a single bet in sight. Family is everything isn't it and it sounds like you have an incredible weekend planned. 🍷🍸🍹

@lp5vut869c It certainly is Stuart and I am blessed to have such a loving family.

Hope you have a lovely Easter too with your own family.

🩷🍎.

And you Pinkie. Smashed into those eggs in the morning 🥚 🥚 🥚 

@lp5vut869c 👍👌🍫🍫🍫🍫😋. Me too!!🥴

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Day 209.

Today is the start of Grand National weekend in my hometown. I actually didn’t even know this until my sister mentioned it to me, referring to potential traffic problems for when her daughter who is visiting with her children, travel home tomorrow!

At around aged 45 is when I discovered online gambling and there began my introduction and downward spiral into the world of “self destruction and turmoil”. Betting on horse racing initially. This was then coupled with virtual racing.

Later on down the line, I never really bothered with horse racing and even went 5 years g.f whilst being subscribed to Gamstop. Unfortunately for me, I did not know about the “auto renew” button or if it was even a thing back then? Subsequently, I returned to gambling but this time, it was with online casinos and solely playing Blackjack, with the odd rare online horse bet. Things then went from there again sporadically and eventually lots more debt and wasted hard earned salary 🙈.

Anyway, back to today! I took the bus into town and when I get the bus home, it is right outside a betting shop I used if/when I did have the odd bet (online betting was always my worst enemy however).

I noticed that splashed across all their windows were advertisements for The Grand National. I glimpsed inside from the bus stop and just thought to myself “what a dark, dismal and sad place that is”. I had no thought or desire to place a bet - anything but! Even so, I have gambling blocks on my debit cards and not in the slightest bit interested in going to a cash machine to withdraw money to basically then “wave the lot goodbye”! Sounds ludicrous just even saying this now!🤷🏻‍♀️.

Instead, I just mumbled to myself “you will only lose anyway”! That was the end of that and I continued with the rest of my day!💪.

Tomorrow, as it is Ladies Day, if I am indoors and the weather is not good, I will check out all the fashions if I am in the mood but it will most certainly NOT consume my day. As I mentioned earlier, I had no idea it was actually Aintree this week!

I have had a lovely relaxed evening with my friend (she is still currently lodging with me). We have watched t.v together and had a laugh as well 👌.

The difference between being caught up in the depths of gambling and all that goes with it, compared to just “feeling normal” and being at peace with myself, even when currently being faced with the worst financial challenge of my life, is just second to none!

So tonight I remind myself what I am grateful for:-

- Remaining sensible and committed 

- Enjoying peace and calmness in my home and in my mind

- Enjoying laughing with my friend

- Being able to concentrate just on today and see what tomorrow brings”🙏

Take it easy everyone.

Night God bless 🙏.

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Hi Pink lady

Are you a Scouser then ? That explains a lot...only joking

I love your post. I guess you don't have Moses in place so might be worth adding that to your blocks ? 

What a gratitude list at the end of your post 🍎🍏🩷

That said it all. Not just the simple things in life that we lost recognition and enjoyment of but they are all free of charge. They just take a bit of effort but they effort is freely given. Your gratitude list just speaks connection which of course is the opposite of addiction. 

As you say, I am writing this on Friday 10th April 2026. There will only ever be one of those in history and I'm sure you will make use of it one day at a time one hour at a time one minute at a time 

@lp5vut869c Hi Stuart. Yes indeed, I am a proud scouser - not as scouse as some but still a born and bred scouser!💪😆. I now live just down the road from Royal Birkdale golf course but the “scouser” in me will always be there!😆.

I do not have Moses as betting shops have never been an issue for me. However, it has crossed my mind to add it but for now I am happy in knowing that whenever I go to my bus stop right outside a betting shop, it just doesn’t affect me in any way. Is it easy to add if I did decide on using Moses?

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Hiya

Are you red or blue ?

Moses only take about 15 minutes on the phone, then they send you an email and you send photo ID then it's done. I don't either but just put it in place in case, along with senses for casinos

It's such a lovely part of the world up there. I've only played Hillside but had a good round there of two over which was good for a first round and was off the back tees

@lp5vut869c Hillside golf course is just opposite Royal Birkdale and is a lovely course too 👌. Good score 👏👏. My late nephew used to be a member there as a teenager 💙💔😢.

I am a blue now and forever more!🤣💙.

Thanks for that Stuart. I will consider it if I ever feel weak/vulnerable. However,  this being unemployed for the first time in my life has been a real test financially. Emotionally however, I just couldn’t think of anything worse to do that to start gambling again to better my situation!👎👎👎.

Casinos have never interested me in the least. Again, another dark environment where the establishment is just raking it it. No thanks 👊👋.

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Hi Pinkie

Everyone I speak to is a blue. Maybe all compulsive gamblers are blue and responsible gamblers are reds lol

You know this already but I'm sure you will be like Zorro en guarde when you do get a job and money is coming in

@lp5vut869c No - “reds” are just boring - not sensible. There is a massive difference!!🤣🤣😊.

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@lp5vut869c 

I already have a fair bit of money in my savings account Stuart for future bills so if I wanted to gamble, I have the money to do so. However, like I said, I couldn’t think of anything worse to spend/waste my money on!👎.

I also send my sister a weekly update of screenshots of my savings account from the previous week so could you imagine the embarrassment of her seeing any withdrawals/asking me what they were for?😱. No chance!👊👋💪.

🩷🍎.

Love that accountability. I don't have any savings but i have two people that look at my current account and feel the same as you, it would be awful to have anything odd on there 

Sounds like your doing well PL keep up the great work.  Well done avoiding Grand national week. Keep that focus through to Sunday ! And don't forget to treat yourself after! 

@dazza85 Awh thanks Dazza 💙.

Not a chance gambling on any part of the Grand National!👊💪. In actual fact, whilst I was watching the crowds in my hometown yesterday on the t.v, I called my sister. We were on the phone for that long that I missed the whole of the big Grand National race!!🤣. Wasn’t bothered as this was not the reason I was tuning in!

You know me Dazza - always one for a treat!😆. As you may be aware, I am currently unemployed. However, yesterday, I did order myself a couple of sale items from John Lewis so let’s see how they go down when they arrive!🤨.

Take care and keep “cracking on” cracking on, as am I 💪👌🙏.

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