[Closed] Stephen Stopped Gambling Saturday 22nd February 2020

Good morning stephen , hope u are well ? Bit of a dull day here just drinking a cuppa then off on my travels with vin glad I dint pack my winter clothes away their going to be needed today , hopefully get on at some point today to see you and scotty , hope u have a good day ??

Many thanks Lively & Zoe for your kind words and thoughtfulness.

Your posts have brightened up my day and made me feel happy inside.

Zoe ..... Hope you and Vins had a lovely outing this morning. I got a picture in my mind of you bounding over fields and along country lanes with your hair blowing in the wind and Vins running happily by your side?‍♀️ ?

Lively ......Wonderful to see you having fun and being creative in the kitchen ? ? ? 10/10 ?

Loved the quote which touched my heartstrings because you chose it especially for me ??so I have reprinted it below:

Every situation in life is temporary, so when life is good make sure you enjoy and receive it fully.

And when life is not so good, remember that it will not last forever and better days are on their way ?

My thoughts today are also with friends who are reaching significant milestones in their recovery and to friends who have left the diaries I also send my best wishes. 

My song choice today us "We Are Family" by Sister Sledge.

Later on when walking by the harbour entrance I will sing it to the ducks who will answer me with a few happy quack quacks.

Stephen x x x 

Morning Stephen... Thanks too 

??? Stay safe

Boo ??

Hi Stephen hope you had a good day today been very wet here today dogs love the rain when they are out but not many about today which is good hope don’t mind me writing on your diary but i had a very bad seizure today so not been on chat so just need to catch up with some  as I can’t really cope with life today no gambling  just so fed up with my seizure sorry share all my problems you must have your own.  friend scotty  

Thank you Boo & Scotty for visiting my diary.

Good to see you are both keeping fit and active. The walks with your dogs ?‍♂️? ? will keep you in good shape Scotty and I have always admired you Boo for your daily runs in the park ?‍♀️ along with your optimism and love of life.

I personally love walks to the harbour near the pier and marina. Fresh air and exercise in a beautiful setting ⛅ ? ☁️. A little piece of heaven where I can relax in a riverside reverie.

No thoughts of gambling whatsoever. No longer need cash to make purchases and all the betting shops are closed ?. Monthly works pension went in the bank this morning but it is not a big issue because my bank account was already looking reasonably healthy after spending very little last month.

I am missing my dancing but j enjoy putting my headphones on now and than to dance around my living room and kitchen ???.

Missing socialising but that is the way the cookie crumbles so will just get on with life and try to use my time productively.

Wishing everyone on the diaries a super duper Thursday 

Stephen x x x 

Good evening Stephen,

Thank you so much for popping into my much neglected diary ?. I haven't quite hit the six month milestone yet, that will be Monday but I can say with certainty that I will ?. I hope you are keeping well in these challenging times my friend. Keep smiling ?. 

Murlo x

Hi Stephen 

Thank you for your post on my diary and what you said in chat this evening. You are one of the main reasons I keep coming back here day in day out to see how you’re getting on and to make sure you’re okay and still going strong. I have just finished an evening watching some tv with my daughter after what you described as a ‘healthy’ takeaway.?

If only you had seen it, that would have been the last word that would have come to mind. I have just clambered into bed and wanted to make sure I kept to what I said about writing you a poem. It’s probably a little rough around the edges so will work on my poetry skills. So here it goes: 

Stephen the dancer, Stephen the Walker, 

the man full of words who is a good talker. 

The man who I can count on for support on this site,

the one who’s always there and a ray of light. 

He spreads his charisma wherever he goes,

and is highly thought of, which I hope he knows. 

He’s caring, supportive and banterous  too,

and the forum wouldn’t be the same without you! ?

Sweet dreams and hope you have a good Friday.

Lively ?

Lively my friend ??? the above poem is absolutely wonderful.

Thank you so much for your kindness. It is not often I am lost for words but this is one of those occasions. Speechless but in the nicest way possible ??

I am feeling quite emotional to be perfectly honest and full of gratitude that I have the support and friendship of such delightful people like your good self. 

Wishing you a super duper Friday 

Stephen x 

We are GamCare Warriors & Warrioresses. Determined, wise and resilient.

It has been a beautiful morning in sunny Hull.

Basked in the sunshine on my balcony followed by a donning of headphones for some exercise with dancing around my living room and kitchen and whilst in the kitchen I paused to read some lovely poems which I have put on my cupboards.

Just about to have a late breakfast of porridge and fruit. At 1 o clock will adjourn to the chatroom for a get together with gamcare friends and after chat I will head off for a stroll to the harbour entrance for some fresh air, inspiration and a bit of reflection.

Love and best wishes to everyone on the diaries.

Stephen x 

Good evening Stephen , how has your day been ? Just thought I’d pop by to say a quick hello , haven't spoken to you today , braved the shopping today was a lot better in their than what other shops have been , not long got back from walking vin I’m ready for a early night now hopefully see you in chat at some point tomorrow ?

Thank you for visiting my diary Zoe.

Great to see you and Vins getting out for walks. 

Loved what you wrote on your diary about enjoying stargazing with your sons when they were younger. I imagine it would have been quite magical. I love being by the harbour wall on the riverside with the stars out and moon beams reflecting off the water. 

Stephen x 

Good afternoon Stephen I’ve had a go at writing one , ain’t sure how good this is going to be ??‍♀️                                                   I met a man called Stephen ,   
his friendship was such a blessing 

I love are chats 

it helps keep me on the right track 

the friendship is deep one I wish to keep 

with the warmth in my heart 

a true friendship from the start

hope you like it ?

Zoe the poem is absolutely wonderful.

Later tonight I will copy it out and put it up in my kitchen.

Thank you for your ongoing support and encouragement which means a lot to me.

Stephen x

Over the past few days I have been awoken by disturbing dreams. Not nightmares but enough to wake me up. It does happen from time to time so wouldn't have given it a second thought but a couple of gamcare friends have also reported been woken up by dreams, so it has made me curious!

I wonder why we have dreams and if they mean anything!

Maybe ???there are things we don't fully understand!

Hi Stephen , I did once have a dream book I to was fascinated by what dreams ment and wanted to find their meanings, when i first stopped gambling I had dreams that seemed so real about winning and taking another spin even in my sleep I couldn’t escape from the dreaded slots . I haven’t had these dreams for quite awhile now I do think it’s all part of withdrawals from this horrible thing that took over are lifes , hope u have a better sleep tonight all my love ?