The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists

Evening Markman,

Sorry for being quiet this week iv got the week of with the girls so been none stop.

Really good that your getting close to the 100 days mark but I also understand how your feel with the urges/recovery - it really is a difficult one as I don't believe they do ever go just how you learn to deal with them that's different.

keep up the good work mate.

Shaun

Evening again,

Just had a good catch up on your diary, when I see that is was back in 2011/2012 you and I both joined this site to kick this addiction in the a*s and here we are in 2017 fighting the same battle but it's different this time you nearing 100 days (which I know you don't want to celebrate) but it's a massive achievement and one you should be proud of.

I read the post where you talk about wondering how/where previous members are and I'm glad when I did decide to come back you welcomed me back with open arms thank you.

Hope you've had a good day.

Shaun

Working solidly. Relaxed. Looking forward to a lovely long Easter weekend with my family.

Adult 7 aside football tournament at Brentford's The Hive ground tomorrow. Very nervous as have not played a game for 20 years and whilst I still have a good touch fitness wise I will not last 10 minutes. Just looking to avoid embarrassment!

Saturday riverboat down the Thames to watch flotilla followed by Cutty Sark and dinner with family.

The benefits of leading a normal gamlble free life continue.

No urges at the moment. When I wake up in the morning gambling is not a consieration let alone a possible entry on to my agenda.

Markman 93GDF

Back at work this morning after a busy Easter break.

A little bit bored but mainly due to being tired as went to bed far too late last night.

For me right now, gambling is merely something that exists. I have no complusion driving me back towards it.

The thought of the websites and the bright lights of those machines make me shudder with terrification.

Things are settling down, however I have to negotiate mundane routine which is a completely different ball game.

To anyone that reads this, remember, that little voice in your head telling you that you that all is lost is addiction talking. If you want to quit, with some work and courage, you truly can.

Markman 98DGF

100 Days Gamble Free. I am pleased with this milestone, but not able to celebrate. I have far too much work on recovery ahead and there are far to many poor souls still afflicted by this awful curse.

I'm going to congarulate you on the 100 days anyway...yes...there's countless people chained to addiction. ..but this is your journey. ..and it takes mega strength to get this far...and you've arrived at this point because you've fought for it...so...a big well done....we all know are journeys will never end...it's a voyage we learn to travel.....each milestone is merely a pit stop....but if we'd never started our journey.....we'd never get anywhere would we. ..be proud you chose to fight x

Me too Markman, I understand your sentiments but it's taken hard work to get here & so a massive:

Welcome to the century club 🙂 from me.

I follow your diary and your support of others. Well done on 100....here's to the next 100 days, and your recovery.

Very well done on your achievement.

Best wishes

Evening Markman,

Congratulations on reaching 100 days, I know you don't wish to celebrate but be proud of where you are now, hopefully life is starting to get easier and we will fight in this battle and come out happier on the other side.

Keep up the good work mate.

35275 😉

Thank you so much Loxxie, ODAAT, Rhoda, Bal and Shaun. I am truly touched by your kind words.

I must say I really felt a come down this weekend and have never come so close to falling off the wagon.

Having reached 100 days, all the months of effort and anticipation passed, leaving me feel quite exhausted and empty.

Then, Mrs Markman, who I love dearly, but after 13 years of marriage reallys know how to wind me up, berates me for sitting on my **** on Saturday, notwithstanding the 8 hours spent on Sunday fixing the lawn mower, mowing the lawn, scraping moss out of the paving, shopping and hanging up washing. Don't get me wrong, I do not want a Blue Peter Badge for housework that needs to be done, but give a man a break!

So there I was on Sunday evening, outside the red and white shop of horrors, out of which all the usual suspects are waiving at me and calling me in - like little fauns trying to tempt me back into the bowels of hell.

I told myself, one small bet would be amazing would it not, but that one small bet is all it would take for me to once again become "Addiction *****!"

I gracefully nodded back to the devilish minnions and walked on by to the supermarket to pick up milk.

Being ****** off at one's wife is normal. What is not normal is being P****d of at one's wife on the back of a gambling hangover. Trust me, you lose all leverage!

This morning I got back rubs and everything is fine.

Markman 104DGF

Evening Markman,

Firstly well done for resisting I know how hard it is and the fact you had a 2nd thought and told yourself no that's amazing, your doing really well the days/weeks and months are clocking up so keep at it.

My wife also does the same if I have a cuppa on the sofa while she's doing some house work I get it in the neck, I just laugh it off now.

Thanks for the message yesterday sorry iv not replied as you can imagine it's been a very busy weekend, the whole experience was something else I would most definitely recomend anyone giving it ago even if you have to walk it you will do it within the time it's fantastic.

Hope you have a good week mate.

Shaun

Glad you had a good day Shaun. I suppose our better halves are used to seeing us doing nothing whilst enthralled to our addiction so it is no surpise we get a hard time when once again they see us inactive. I work very long hours and have held a full time job for 15 years. I help my wife with the house work and as long as I am gambling I consider that I am entitled to one day a week of doing not much - I accept that I will get me labelled a lazy sod. Hopefully that will change when our standard of living improves and the proof of my recovery is in the pie.

Markman 105DGF

With a little money in the bank and no extraordinary pressures I am ever so tempted. At this moment I have to remember that crushing anguish that addiction causes and that with one hit I will become "addiction's b*t*h" once more!

Markman 111DGF

Evening Markman,

Keep strong mate your doing great at 111 days gamble free, there will always be temptations but we can't fall back into our old ways, keep going mate.

Shaun