Easy does it!

Ice skating yesterday after work just to give my little one the experience. She liked it at the end but not at the start. I fell over once but surprised myself that I could even stand up on the things.

Definately off to LL today to get a nice bowl of soup and sit n front of a big open fire. A really nice warm feeling and a million miles away from almost everything.

On the gambling front I honestly thought about buying lottery tickets last night and was just about to turn in to supermarket but resisted and drove on. My demons are telling me I can buy small lottery tickets because it's not really gambling. Well you all know what I think of that. On the plus side my indicator never went on so I don't think I was ever going in anyhow. If I was meant to have money I would have been born or married into te Royal family.

Looking forward to today, I do hope everyone has a good day today and remember it is up to you what you do today. The choice is ours from the start.

Take care

Hi Smiler,

I am actually the third Countess of Basildon, and until I blew all my money I can verify that it was s**t being rich.

Hope that helps!

f x

Hi Freda

It's a strange one as I don't think I'm bothered about money and yet in contradiction i have drove myself to near devastation trying to get more. Today I feel contented and don't feel the need to have lots of material things. I have family that have been successful beyond belief in terms of finances and they turn to me and try to advise me how to get on. I cannot tell them enough I am not interested in making lots of money. I think getting in touch with cousins etc has made me realise there is more to life that chasing money. It's a strange one though!

There will always be this debate about whether buying lottery tickets or being in a syndicate is OK.

What I will say is this:

1. What was life like before the lottery started? I can remember far less of a gambling problem in society. Yes, bookies and arcades were still around then but there were far less opportunities to gamble.

2. And talking of opportunities, it is far too easy to be able to go into a shop and ask for £50 worth of tickets/scratchcards. Then go into another shop just down the road and do the same. Then...

That's why I think lottery is a definite no-no for me. It's only raffle tickets (the instant wins ones like a bottle stall) at a local village fete or a quiz night is my absolute limit.

They have always been around and never, ever been a problem for me.

Well done to you for resisting those urges. I hope that my comments will help you resist them in future.

GT

I agree GT

I have no intentions of starting lottery tickets again. I went through a faze some years ago buying scratchcards and kicked it just as quick. But as you know it leads on to other things. My lurking demons would love me to buy lottery tickets and feed their hunger for gambling at get back into action. It was a quick thinking thing that hit me out of habit. I used to clock watch and things like that to get tickets on. Now I actually watch the show and enjoy the quiz but have no interest in the numbers that roll out. Hope everyone is in a good space. I'm off to Loch Lomond for soup and crusty bread!

in a good space Smiler....so jealous of your LL day with soup and crusty bread...xxx am there in spirit

The tomato soup was delicious. It has been on my mind all week to go there. It is only 45 minutes away or so. It was a bit cold but enjoyed it. Whilst sitting in the car I put radio on and realised how i would have been worrying about the score, scorer, HT score and what is latest odds and so on. Now I am not worried who is doing what. my love for football diminished years ago maybe it will come back. I just got rid of Sky on months notice as I don't watch it. Not sure where you are dotty but LL is well worth a visit!

Hiya Smiler...left you a post on my diary too..sounds like you have had a fab time up there at LL...its great to just have no washing machine brain and just be out and about in nature..I used to cover Scotland in my job so know it quite well..and also a fan of the Galloway Smokehouse at Carsluith as I have friends near Dumfires...now I am North and Mids based..

I have been to LL once and remember it was stunning and good food always a draw!!....keep posting Smiler...and staying worry free xx

Just been out to clear the cars of frost and it gives me a good feeling for some reason. Before it would have been a chore etc but now it is part of a simple life I lead without the whirling of gambling in the back of my mind. It feels like I have another family on this forum and like to watch out for everyone. If anyone is reading this forum please feel free to join this family it will change your life forever. Hopefully in a good way!

You hit the nail on the head there, Smiler!

It is like a family, but one that doesn't put you down or f**k you up ; D

Your posts make me want to come and hang out with you! I love all that simple stuff. Soup and crusty bread - what's not to like?! Cold and frosty in my part of the world this morning, but I'm still positive. I think we may actually be becoming glass half full people - eek!

Take care,

f x

Just wanted to thank you for posting the tread, in overcoming problem gambling.

It has really given me food for thought and encouraged me to post. This definitely helps keeping me gamble free.

Like being part of your second family, like that we can all be honest with each other. Like that there are so many wise people on this site that inspire me daily.

So thanks again, you really are a one of those people who inspire and I admire your dedication to your own recovery but also to others.

Respect

Dusty

Hi Smiler

Thanks for taking the time to post on my diary and your support.

Good to see you can enjoy the simple things in life now, all the little things we never notice when gambling really does make you appreciate life. I remember last year sat indoors on a lovely summer's day watching a 'fixed' Cricket match from India.

Take care, hope this 'family's support is keeping you healthy.

Keith

((((((((((GAMCARE)))))))))

Where's the like button?

If there were one I would hit it for the last three posts. By posting something and someone replying, and pointing out how easy this recovery has to be, it gives me such a goo feeling. I am indoors for a small while and peeled potatoes and got veggies ready then automatically flicked on Skysports news. Sport, sport and more sport! What do I know about sport? Not one thing only that I used to gamble on it and anything else I could get a bet on. Obsesive to the extreme. Now I just listen to what is happening and don't really care who is making sporting news. Thanks again to everyone that takes time to read my diary and post. All welcome whether I agree or not it just shows me there is more than one way to skin a cat!

Take care

PS Freda Soup and Crusty bread made me chuckle in a lovely way!

Hey smiler,i dont post much on your diary but i always read it.

Your post about soup and crusty bread had me straight up the shop i was drooling my the time i got back.;0)

I just also wanted to say what a great support you are on here giving advice and telling it straight if need be.

I agree with your comment about the forum being like a family weather your down,happy,struggling,being stupid theres always someone who will kick your b**t or make you laugh.

Take Care and Stay Strong

E x

No worries Elizabeth!

I have just read over my first few posts and can remember how desperate i was to get better. I was angry with most people on here as they seemed to be living a total lie (I thought). As time as gone by I have realised that recovery takes time. I was in recovery as soon as I stopped but the quality of recovery was of no substance. I am slowly learning how to live without gambling being a constant whirling in my mind. If anyone is reading this in the throws of gambling please hang in there and make a stand against the demons that lurk inside our minds. Take care