What a day!

Ho there

what a relief for you, it's dreadful waiting for news but what a lovely outcome.

I struggled with empty nest syndrome when my son left home about six years ago as all his friends used to come and stay as well so it was open house and I loved the company. That has been replaced and the Christmas just gone was all family at his and his partners, he did all the cooking, so lots of lovely things for you to look forward to in the future as you never lose the relationship it just developes and changes.

Brilliant that you managed not to gamble when you were stressed, just shows us all it can be done.

xxx

Thanks x

Day 97

Hopefully, tomorrow I'll get a chance to catch up with people.

Hi Irene,

That is gr8 news about ur son, I know u were worried about it, I am really happy 4 u all 🙂

Well done on 97 days gamble free, u r doing brilliant. I am soooo proud of u 🙂

Have a gr8 nite xxxx

Still reading Irene and just to say you are doing fab....another stress situation managed and you should be proud of yourself xxx

"the futures so bright ..you gotta wear shades"

R and D xx

he he he..

i was sure it was "works hard for a living'...lol...but" has far to go" still sounds like a lotta hard work...'he he he

The capers of cape crusaders......This is refernce to re and myself both being cape wearers at various times in our lives..lol..Rob now envsioning the cape crusaders..lol

I always saw myself on some windswept barren heathered moor looking like that woman from the "Scottish Widows" advert..lol ....

Thanks for popping in Irene...glad to see you up on page one...now you got me singing..."gonna be some sweet songs..going on ..on the nightshift"

R and D xx

My usual "thanks" for the support- shades at the ready! x

Day 98= 14 weeks gamble free

I like a Sunday, my days change to weeks gamble free 🙂 Sundays also remind me of how/why I realised I've a gambling problem and of feelings I never want to experience again.

Son's quietly delighted with mortgage decision- guy of few words lol. They've got grand ideas of how it should look and what they need. How things change- I had no furniture when I got my 1st flat, relied on hand me downs. Although the purchase will be completed on a set day- not sure when he's actually moving!!!

Don't think I've mentioned my ceiling's still not fixed- (flooded by neighbour Boxing day). Wrangling with insurers who expect me to pay £100 excess- cheeky gits, don't they know I'm pratted??!

Me n Paddy's had a great day- went for a massive walk, visited sis and ate cake. Got home and pal txt- did I want to go for a "run"? No, I didn't want to but I needed a push to start the app- day 1 completed lol. Jog 60 secs/ walk 90 secs for 30 mins- knackered tonight lol.

Looking forward to the week ahead- my daytime work's great at the moment 🙂

Hi.Irene

Thanks for your words of encouragement. If you remember, I am going to have an Elemiis facial at Harvey Nics - one of my 50th birthday presents so isn't actually costing me anything. Thought this would be a nice treat to celebrate the online betting sites not getting anymore of my money - NOW OR EVER!!!

I hv been to my son's to help him work his new washing machine and show him how to hang it on a maiden!! What else are us mums for!!

Take care and speak soon.

Feb.x

Good Morning,

Thanks for your post. Happier and stronger was always going to be an inevitability provided you did the 'right' things. Once you break that habit of gambling our biggest worry or enemy is complacency. That is all you guard against now from a gambling perspective.

You know I absolute love how you have embraced and become a really popular member of this site :). I remember my first post to you and our first 'meeting' in chat. I don't need to see you to know that you are a different lady now. 100 days tomorrow and yes treat yourself 🙂 go for it!! I share the Sunday love with you they also mark another bet free week for me too. I used to hate Sundays really hate them but now it is very different. So many things change when we don't gamble large and small.

Have a lovely week and enjoy being the 'new' you!!

Flagg x

Irene

just wonderful to read, keep enjoying by making a choice today to better your tomorrow.

be immensely proud you really are doing something amazing.

just for today.

enjoy the fruits of your marvelous efforts.

99 not out!!

duncs stepping forward never back.

good to see your days keep mounting and way to go. guess my days be mounting to piles of cash in slot machines that they wont let me take home. lol hell guess i thought it was my piggy bank. lol yeah now that i figured that one out i got me a piggy bank at home instead so i be feeding it here and see if it grows.

think i like your work out plan and on i can stick to. lol

As always, thanks folks (welcome back soul)

Day 99

Jeez, legs are aching lol. Thinking about planning a jog before work tomorrow- just at the pre-contemplative stage........time will tell!!

I was quite proud of myself today- had a massive rammy on the phone about the excess demanded by the insurance company and kept my composure- almost! she didn't see frantic face pulling and hand gestures lol.

Life seems to be a bit of a battle at the moment- f**s, gambling, diet, debt, insurance grrrrrrrrrr...........why can't things be easy? Sometimes I wonder if I attract/create problems in some way- other folk seem to sail carelessly through their days. Och well, promised myself weeks ago that I wouldn't worry about stuff that I can't change- but I'll give it my all to change stuff that I can!

Sister's wee mutt is halfway through her radiotherapy and coping well. The prognosis is good.

Son gets his keys next week. He, and gf hopefully moving shortly thereafter. He'd better shift himself and clear out all his junk from mum's house 🙂

well hell girl that 100 day mark be looking like its yours and way to go. sure cant argue with it and wishing ya many more.

boy ya make me laugh when ya mention f**s. must have a different meaning there than here in the states. guess here its mean 2 people of the same s*x that like each other.

Hi Irene.

WOW!! Approaching your century mark tomorrow - FANTASTIC!!!

Get you on the jogging fitness trail!! I was thinking of giving it a go once I turned 50 (I did used to be a long distance runner in my youth and competed in the English Schools Championships) so the technique has never left me but for now, I'm going to stick to my very fast power walking!!

Good point you made - only changing things you can change

and not worryjng too much on those you cant.. I was on to Virgin Media today and that left me frustrated with some 'jobsworth' but I just told myself, they can have what I can afford.

Enjoy your special day tomorrow - do we get a telegraph from the queen for reaching 100 days!! You enjoy your facial.

Feb.

Wow Irene

100 days amazing..... i am hot on your back!

It is such an achievement and you deserve your treat.

What were the main barriers you overcame??

Thanks for all your support.

Thanks x

Day 100- gamble free

Did I ever think I'd be saying that? No, until 100 days ago I didn't acknowledge or admit that gambling was a problem (despite the hours, cash, emotions spent chasing the next big win). Onlineaddict's post asked about the barriers I overcame.....got me thinking......the main barrier to change was me! I've learned to be independent in life- I've always had to be strong, dependable etc, someone that others can rely on. It was a massive shift for me to admit that I needed help with anything. I know that the help/support I've had on here and from a couple of pals has enabled me to keep on. My GC buds know how I feel, can empathise with the gambling feelings and share experiences. My 3D (or are they 4D?) pals know me, how I function at home and at work so both have had roles in supporting me. I've accepted that to ask for help is not a weakness. I'm human and not infallible or invincible.........

I've not been brave enough to share my gambling problems and debt issues with my family, which is hard, yet I ask myself if I really need to burden them with my issues.

I've kept my daily diary here and have no plans to change that habit-it's been one of the most useful tools for offloading the mess in my head at times! Like others sometimes I post prolifically and others just write a wee note but I do read daily- especially when the urges creep in.

I know I should set some goals to aim for but I'll be happy to maintain my progress. I'll keep practicing my avoidance strategies- I'm so aware that I'll never be totally "safe" from gambling, but today I was 🙂

100 day waffle complete!!!!

Except- THANKS x