Better to Ramble than Gamble.

Hi Martin

just want to say how well you are doing with your parents away. I know this caused some concern before they left as you would have to start taking on some responibilty in handling your own money etc. Hopefully you are enjoying that little bit more independance and its always nice to have a little more space and the full control of the tv remote 🙂

Also wanted to say that your parents seem to have given you great support, your mum chilling your beer and leaving that note saying don't drink until after your meeting made me smile. Feel you have gone a little bit quiet on your diary and maybe you are missing the support that your parents bring to your recovery. Might be wrong and you can tell me to do one but just to say don't be afraid to speak up.

All the best

Rob

I used to go in the bookies everyday on my lunch spend £20 at least I've not been in for 232 days that's £4,640 of winnings I'm very happy with that.

KTF

That's sooo very positive Martin:)) look what you have saved, and just think how much saner you are thinking now:))

You deserve to feel very happy about that, 232 days ain't bad either lol.

Well done my friend, keep one step ahead and keep winning for real.

Suzanne xxx

Hi Oldham,

Read one of your posts earlier on that you made today for a newbie. Reminded me that I read your diary when I first became a member. It gave me extra determination to become gamble free. Just read some random posts and I'm glad to hear you enjoy your GA meetings like I do. Shame I can't have a pint afterwards with a couple of the guys but I have a long drive home. On the GA Coin meeting I will make the effort and go for a meal with my fellow members. Well done to you on over 200days, rolling on nicely to a year. I'm really looking forward and determined to reach the year milestone but a long way to go, one day at a time. There's no harm in saying I will do it one day.

All the best and thank you for being such an important member on this forum.

Hey Martin , thanks for the welcome me old mate it's all a bit humbling to be honest !.

I couldn't leave you alone now could I , we've come this far together and there is only a couple of weeks in it after all , nice to see you still working your magic around the forum , with some great advice as always .

Take care old friend and catch up soon ..................AL

KTF Well done on over 235 days and the thousands of pounds you have kept instead of handing over to the bookies.

Keep believing and keep 'winning'.

Hi KTF

First off all great you have done more then twice as many days as me at obstaining from gambling, a lot less stressful and money saved - I bet (not literally).

Thanks for the advice on my diary, I didn't go to the museum just walked around as it was a nice day and brought a few things. Will visit there in two weeks when we go again though.

Paul

I've not had a bet today or since my last post.

Things are ticking along nicely. I can genuinely say no thoughts of gambling. It just doesn't interest me anymore that's not to say I'm becoming complacent, my guards are high, do I feel I need them maybe not but I'm not prepared to take that gamble. Spotted a new bookies that had opened up added it to my SE list no point in risking it.

I've started to see a bit more money, well I say see i have it my hand for 10 mins then pass on to the mother to look after till I need it. Still rarely carry cash unless I need it anything over a fiver I get recipits for its just become the norm.

Bit awkward asking for beer tokens mum struggles to understand how I can drink more than £20 I think she saw where £50 went at the weekend with the state I come home in. You can't beat a few beers at the cricket when the sun is shining and its was shining on Saturday as my red face proves.

Had my lad on Sunday just a nice chilled day he's good as gold that lad. He was delighted with the new Xbox game I got him as a reward for what could only be described as an outstanding parents evening, how he got out of the room after his science teacher sang his praises, star of the year!!! I think was part of what she said. Made me very proud he has always been a good lad but he's had a lot to deal with over the last 8 months, I was worried it might have had an effect on him but I need not have been concerned.

While I accepted I could not gamble anymore back in September I have been in denial that me and the ex would get back, it's time for me to accept this is very unlikely never say never but I have to start being realistic.

I actually feel ok with that I didn't think I would be saying that 8 months ago.

Still enjoying my GA meetings not missed one since I started tomorrow will be my 34th on the run not inc the others I have been to round and about. I've found its worked really well in tandem with this site.

Ok going to pop into chat for the last half hour make sure that Triangle isn't causing any bother(only joking Tri)

Lovely post Martin , you can see how proud you are of that lad of your's and it great as a parent when we see praise being given where it's due, I'm also sure he's very proud of his dad and how youv'e turned your life around these past months . As far as the relationship with your ex goes I can't really comment , your the only one who knows how that side of your life is panning out but like you said never say never buddy and I know you dont like the word but I think were all hopeing that things work out for you .

You said about feeling ok with that and being realistic , perhaps thats because youv'e grown as a person over the last 8 months ?, your no longer the Martin that turned up in bits just as I did ? and as the old saying goes " What doesn't kill you makes you stronger " Were never too old to change buddy , as weve both proved eh ?.

Pleasure to walk alongside you mate !

All the best for now ..................AL

Great post Oldham and you're a credit to the good things about this site. It must be great to be a human again and to appreciate the things that matter rather than a poxy machine or poxy betting slip. Great stuff.

Second Deano's post

Hi Oldham what a great post it's lovely to have kids to be proud of and use to focus on! Cheers Andy

Awwww Martin, thanks for your fly by, it means a lot 🙂

Funny thing this recovery, it thaws our hearts & brings us close to people we would not meet in a 'normal' environment!

Go your little man...You must be so very proud 🙂 I think I've mentioned it before but from the child of a CG, I would feel equally proud of my mum for doing what you are so never stop fighting! I'm not giving up on Missus KTF (20 years is a long time) but so good to see you in a place of acceptance, I think that's encapsulates (wow look @ me with my big words) the meaning of recovery!

KTF - ODAAT

Thanks for your kind post on my diary. Keep up the good work and best wishes

Cheers Martin , just saw him post this morning but had nothing to leave a message on , as his diary had gone ( again ) !

Take care matey !!