Get busy living... Or get busy dying..

Thank you everyone for your posts.

Soooooo Today I did it another gamble free day and the 1 YEAR milestone achieved.

Ive just been reading my first post and i posted about the things that i know, over a year later I could add to the list ten fold about the things I am certain of the ones that stick with me the most are

I know that I am stronger than I ever thought possible.

I know that gambling never was and never will be the answer.

I know that I can not place one single penny on gambling because I cant win because i cant stop.

I know that without gamcare and the people on this forum I wouldnt be here now on this day, 1 year gamble free.

I know that life will always through spanners in the works but gambling never makes it go away or any better.

I know that facing the darkness of my past day by day brings me closer to the light.

I know that forgiving myself and making amends is one of the kindess things i can do for myself.

I know that i have to be responsible and accoutable for my decisions and actions no more living in dream land.

I know that my life has improved, my self worth has grown, my relationships are better, I am true to myself and the people i love and each day i will build those bridges which is worth more than no amount of winnings could ever buy.

The list is endless and will continue to grow as i will continue to grow by keeping gambling out of my life ONE DAY AT A TIME.

I couldnt thank you all enough for supporting, helping and guiding me , no words could express my gratitude.

365 days no gambling, next target 366.

Thank you everyone.

Blondie filled with gratitude I love you dad I hope your watching over me and continue to be proud of the fantastic legacy you left me xxxxxxxx

Blondie.

Christine my dear friend today you have achieved I believe a great landmark in your recovery, One years abstinence. A yeear gamble free. in that year you have for me laid the foundations for continued arrest of your addiction.Why?? because just for today stand back and look at what you have achieved in a year, amazing things.

The work you put into your diary is testament of the huge effort.

Today take a bow, you earnt it, use the power you have gained this last year and keep making the right choice.

Me I will doff my battered old cap to you my friend, and more over I will smile in the knowledge that today there is one super proud Dad out there, smiling down as his girl, the apple of his eye did something amazing.

Keep doing it, me I will take great pleasure in standing by your side.

Honoured.

Duncs stepping forward never back.

Blondie,

Just wanted to drop in and wish congratulations on a year gamble-free.

A fantastic achievement and one for which you should be very proud.

An inspiration to others on here.

D123

Blondie.

Well done on 1 year gamble free.

Best wishes for year 2...ODAAT

gazza

Happy Birthday - ONE WHOLE YEAR!!!

Blondie, yours and Irene's diaries were the first two I read from start to finish when I joined this forum. I laughed, cried, sympathised, and agreed with many of your posts. One night, I was up until 6am reading them. That in itself tells you something about the person BLONDIE.

Blondie is a woman who is STRONG, KIND, CARING, LOVING, TENACIOUS, EMOTIONAL, HARD WORKING AND A FIGHTER. For this, she thoroughly deserves the applause, commendations and beautiful messages from all of her fellow Gamcare friends - including ME!!

Blondie, a huge personal congratulations from myself on your tremendous achievement. I just know your Dad will be the proudest man up there today, right at the front of those gates, looking down on you.

Have a truly wonderful day. As you said to me once in my diary (which I have never forgotten) - BE KIND TO YOURSELF - because you deserve it!

Take care and enjoy.

Love from Lady Feb.xxx

Hey Blondie,

Much congrats to your huge accomplishment of 1 year gamble free! I'am sure your dad is very proud of you. Thanks for all your kind words and support you have given me. You are an inspiration, and I look forward to my 1 year milestone on my journey also. Embrace and enjoy the day, you deserve it!

Chicagoguy

Hey there Ms B

Just logged on for first time today and saying a BIG BIG CONGRATULATIONS today on your one year...loving the change of topic header too in remembrance of your HP your Dad xxxx

I hope you feel on top of the world today and I hope that your achivement has been recognised by the one person who matters the most..YOU ...

sending big hugs and bigger fantastics ..((((((B )))))))

Rach and Dotski XXXX

Hey my friend,

A massive massive congratulations from me to you on achieving 1 whole year without gambling! A truly outstanding achievement! Through all the ups and downs you have stood firm and turned your life around! You have made many people proud me happy today!

On to day 366 🙂

Flagg x

Hi Ms B

A great big "Congratulations" on your first whole year gamble free.

You are an inspiration. Not only have you ploughed through all that life has thrown at you, you have taken the time to support others along the way.

I wish you happiness in everything you choose to do in the future.

Thanks friend

Irene

x

Hi Blondie,

Just got in from work. Wanted to say congratulations on your year darlin. That is massive. I am trully inspired!!! Big Hug! -joanxxxxxxx

Hi blondie. Wanted to say a big congrats to you for getting a massive goal, here's to many more. Keep up with feeling you got now and never relax.. Well done. Xx Dawn (from the supporters side. Xx

Just sneaking in before midnight to say a huge well done.

Loving the idea as you say of grabbing life by the short and curlies.

Things can only get better and will be thinking of you on the 8th.

xxx

Hiya...just to add my congratulations on your year gambling free. An excellent achievement for sure!... warm regards... S.A 🙂

Hi Blondie

Haven't posted on your diary before but read your posts with interest.

Congratulations on your fantastic achievement. I understand you've had some tough times which makes your year of abstinence all the more impressive- and your foundations that much stronger for it. Enjoy!

thank you so much everyone for all your posts of support completly blown away by them all. xxxxx

Blown away by a text i received from my friend yesterday, we have been friends since school and although i dont see her that much we are always in contact, she has split with her boyfriend and is going to maderia on the 31st may and asked if i wanted to go with her its free all i need to do is pay for the name transfer.... Thats the second time thats happened to me and last time i went away with my other friend i met my fiance lol.

I have just spoken to her and said im touched and hounoured that she thought of me first and it shows how strong our friendship is even though we dont see each other that much, but i cant go as i wont get the time off work and also i dont think its that fair on my fiancie.

I am a bit of a nutter when im let lose so she would of been guaranteed a laugh lol but i know i have done the right thing.

Yesterday was a great day It was like i was walking on air for most of the day im not sure why the 1 year milestone had such significance but it did.

Over the next few days i need to start setting myself some more targets, its good for me to stay focused.

So its pay day tomorrow which doesnt scare me to much but i will also recieve my annual bonus tomorrow and i nearly fell over when i got the letter of how much as its quite a large amount, this made me a little nervous as i had the thoughts of, "Well its money you have never had a few quid wouldnt hurt", But i no that i must protect myself at alll times, You can get the monkey off your back but the circus never leaves town.

So i will be settling some of my credit card debt and also I will be treating my eldest to a nice birthday present and also paying off her credit card and transfering some money to my mum as a treat for her, the rest is going straight into a savings account that i cant touch without giving 90 days notice.

Now i feel safer and at ease that no matter if those thoughts come i am protected.

They say knowledge is power and its true I know and accept that I will perhaps always have those thoughts but I dont have to act on them, I just have to ensure im protected and that I make the right choice..

Mum got some great news at the hospital she will have her lumpectomy on the 8th of may and then 3 weeks of radio therapy which is much better than the orginal september date they had said, so its all systems go to the next phase of getting my mum back on the road to better health.

I was at my mums yesterday and her calender blew down twice the first time in landed on the month of july where my mum had wrote kefalonia ,she is supposed to be going with my brother in july but had previously been a few times with my dad and me, the second time it blew down and opened on november the month my dad died, stupid i know but i said thats my dad letting us know he is still here, shear conicidence im sure but makes me feel better, after all even DR Brian Cox said that "We are all energy, and NO energy ever dies"

A waffle of a post today but its good to offload and get it out.

Take care everyone

Blondie xxx