Back to basics

Hi BA,

Sorry to hear that news about the changes in the shifts, no wonder that it would get you down when things were starting to go well. Would there be any sympathy if you put forward an appeal saying you've already paid for tickets for the rest of the season based on his previous promise to you?

I know what you mean about changing jobs too, I work in a call centre, but the other jobs in the area are several thousand lower. Performance linked pay increases are also unlikely to be matched elsewhere, so I'm pretty much only looking for jobs within my company, as I don't really want to start over.

Anyway, keep up the good work in beating the gamble, and keep your guard up to block out any temptations from your colleague and other events.

Ryan

Just remembered I was going to include in that last post:

You got to see Russell Crowe? Were you not EnterTAINED????!!

Phil

Fella you made a choice, your reaping the benefits of the effort it takes to maintain living by making that choice.

The fella at work will gift your resolve, he will gift your recovery.

See working with him as therapy, don't rise to any bait thrown your way, you have the ability to rise above it.

I learnt that often some of the greatest things I have learnt upon my recovery journey have been found in places I least expect to find them.

Regards your boss, maybe approach the subject with the 'if it isn't broken then it doesn't need fixing'

Keep topping up that glass.

I won't mention the football, you did what we have become great at, snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

One positive, we can plan for your visit next season! ! Hopefully the fixtures gods will be kinder!!!!!! Not a tTuesday night fixture!

Keep making the right choice

Abstain and maintain

Duncs stepping forward never back.

Made me laugh this morning Ryan, no I was not entertained, Saints were garbage, although Russell Crowes side was the best rugby team I have ever seen.

Thanks for the post Duncs, this muppet in work come over to me last night and said hello. I don't actually like him and avoid him, but now as hes on my team and I'm his supervisor I will have to speak to him if its work related. Anyway he comes over 'Hi Phil how are you' I reply I'm good thanks, how are you? 'Oh I'm good, now I know you're not betting at the mo......but' FFS can't he get the message!!!! I said 'no buts, just stop right there, I don't want to talk or hear about gambling and that also means if I'm in the office don't talk about it to others. He walked off with his tail between his legs. I will keep drumming it into him, I work hard to avoid anything gambling related, I won't let him hamper me.

Day 88 gamble free, 189 days to New York, payday tomorrow...........I need to keep making the right choices! No bets today!!!

Thanks for your message Phil, and yes 88 days today of winning,

Keep strong and keep making that right choice abstaining and maintaining because it is the only way to win.

Have a good day at work.

Suzanne xxx

Great job Phil. 88 days is great. Less than two weeks until your century!

Many thanks for your post. Will drop you more of a line over the weeken when I have a minute. Lots in your diary of interest to me!

Remember, you are that douche's supervisor, so he he talks out of turn, gove him warning!

Best,

Mark

Day 89 and I'm spending it so far just chilling out, I have to work hard to avoid anything that may cause an urge. Its payday so the fact I'm safely in the house and my cash is well looked after by my mum is good for me. One thing I have noticed this past couple of days is that the gambling ads and snippets on radio or tv that I ignore seem to stand out more. They sometimes show racing clips on skysportsnews so I quickly turn over, but I've been noticing them more. I don't think this is just luck, maybe my gambling devil is becoming more lively. I just need to focus on that last day gambling and how bad it made me feel, I don't need to waste hours in a bookies, I don't need the stress, I don't need the walk of shame followed by that empty sinking feeling. For a few minutes this morning I had a stupid thought that came into my head about easy money, it very quickly went as I'm stronger now and recovery is gifting me way more than a bookies can, but I need to stay focussed and deal with any urges as they come.

I have a date tonight, so I'm going to stay in and relax, maybe do a bit of food shopping and then go enjoy my date. I'm not really sure how much I want to start dating, but she seems nice so I will just see how it goes. Then I'm off to Cheltenham tomorrow, its years since I saw Tranmere win away, hopefully tomorrow will be the day.

No bets today!!!

Day 90 and I'm en route to Cheltenham for the football! My date last night went really well, I spent way too much but it's keeping my life music high and that's what matters. She's lovely and I'm looking forward to seeing her again. I'm coping well with my urges, I'm enjoying recovery. No bets today!

Well done on 90 days today phil. Life seems great for you at the moment good to read mate.

Hope you enjoy your trip to Cheltenham will be a big win if they can pull it off.

Well done on 90 days today phil. Life seems great for you at the moment good to read mate.

Hope you enjoy your trip to Cheltenham will be a big win if they can pull it off.

Sorry for the double post mate

Just popping in to say WOW 90 days today Phil, and enjoying recovery.

PS pleased you have met a nice girlfriend,

Enjoy your day at Cheltenham, you deserve no less.

Suzanne xxx

Day 91, three months free from gambling. That horrible Sunday when I lost a fortune and felt dreadful seems so long away. I've been enjoying life since then

The football yesterday was awful, nothing enjoyable at all about the day and I need to stop following Tranmere away from home as its just a waste of time and money. I think I've been to about ten away games this season and not seen us win any of them.

Still feel good, no urges, no desier to gamble, enjoying the gift of recovery! No bets today!!

I suppose the one positive thing with your new shift pattern is that you'll be forced to miss a lot of depressing away defeats 😉

I am glad you had a good date the other night. Having an enjoyable and rewarding relationship with a special person can act as a catalyst for the rest of one's life. It'll take your mind further away from gambling and you can go for dates any night of the week - they don't have to revolve around the weekend football fixture list.

Thanks for all your work on the 2015 challenge - you are doing a great job.

Thanks for the post pellekanin, no doubt we will start winning once I have to start my new shift!

Day 92, just been to the supermarket, I really need to get back on my diet, I was doing so well but am now struggling with it. I also need to start some sort of regular exercise, I just can't get that motivation to get out and run or join a gym.

No urges to gamble today, I'm focussed on budgeting, I've been awful with money for 18 years so saving enough for New York and paying my bills doesn't leave too much for going out. Meeting someone certanly puts more pressure on my finances, we are out for dinner and drinks on Friday night which will blow my weekly going out budget. But its worth it, managing my money is a skill I need to improve. The old me would have to cancel Friday night because I would have blown my money in a bookies. This recovery is gifting me so much.

No bets today!!!