What a day!

Hey Q.I.

I know exactly how excited you will be feeling about getting a job done properly and more importantly - BEING ABLE TO PAY FOR IT!!

Like you, I am now enjoying having spare money to do other things and it feels great!!

Take care and enjoy life.

Your friend Feb.xx

All the best to you

Last gambled 11/11/12

Still relishing the gurgly, wooshy sound of an unblocked sink which has been properly mended- aha, the simple things are great!!!

Still on holiday from work, managed to catch up with wee bits n pieces and looking forward to a cocktail evening with my sis (could be messy!!).

Gambling is not intruding on my life which is how I need to keep things- I refuse to go back to that dark time! I'm liking being "normal" (ish!).

Great stuff Irene! ....502 days for you (I think!)...even I am beginning to lose count lol

Enjoy your messy cocktail evening. Regards.. S.A 🙂

Have been looking back through some of my last diary and wanted to thank you for all the support and understanding. Funny as I have been low the past couple of weeks but reading has reminded me how much lower I actually felt back then and reminded me I can climb back up.

Know exactly what you mean about the sink - at last after months of waiting I have a loo that flushes again - yipeee, now just need my boiler before the next winter.

Am worried sick about my son at the moment and often think of you and your son, I am sure it was easier when they were tiny, not harder.

So happy that things are working out for you, you so deserve it as I know just how hard it is to achieve.

xxx

Last gambled 11.11.12

Ooft! Time's flown past-over a month since I last updated my diary. Really because Ive got nothing to report thats gambling related-I rarely think about slots nowadays, for which Im thankful. I couldnt handle that awful feeling again and to be honest Im still scared stiff!

My lifes good just now. Paddys still my wee confidante and 4 legged companion, we're loving our long walks in the lighter evenings! This is helping my endeavour to get fitter and lose weight (2 stone off)

Debts are being paid as planned and Im rather proud that Ive not missed or been late with a payment. Im still working 2 jobs but considering a 3rd to pay them quicker (I sometimes forget Im getting old n past it!).

Im happy to record that my family and friends are healthy and seem content with their lot too!

Maybe sounds strange, but I sometimes reflect that losing control with gambling has been the motivation I needed to shift my backside and appreciate my life!

Progress, not perfection!

Irene

What a great post to read my dear friend.

A huge well done for everything you gift yourself through recovery.

For me the bottom line is gambling gifted your life nowt but misery,financial loss and self loathing and emotional torture.

Then you took the gift that is available to each and every compulsive gambler

LIFE

for me this is what recovery gifts

Only we can take it,you keep taking yours.

Duncs stepping forward never back

Hey Q.I

Lovely to hear all is well in your world. A third job!! Will be calling you Superwoman before long!!

Cath up tonight hopefully.

Your friend

Lady Feb.xx

Hey my wee pal 🙂

Fantastic update to read, really proud of you my friend. The day you started your diary was the day you closed one door and opened the other. Best decision ever made so now just enjoy the benefits abstinence gifts you. There is no better feeling than having peace and harmony in your life.

3rd job?...ohhhh, that's a dedication! ! I could do with the second job, but, well maybe when I change my existing one for day shift lol

Keep making the right choice my friend your updates are lovely to read and as always boosts my belief and confidence to reach for that calmer life.

Well, waffling on here lol lol, better start typing that email with all the gossip lol

Catch up soon my wee pal :-))

(((((( I ))))))

Sxx

Hey girl 🙂

d**n you like to hide lol..but no running from me - I will find you lol lol - no pressure

Thank you for your kind words on my tread, as always I'm right behind you and always keeping the same distance. Be proud urself wee pal and just enjoy enjoy enjoy!!!

Take care

S x

hi there

so pleased that things are going so well for you, much deserved as I remember the hard work at the beginning. Don't be scared of the dormant demons as I know you have the skills to bop them now.

My son's wedding at the weekend which had caused me much unnecessary anxiety as turned out brilliantly although raised some ghosts I thought I had well and truly disposed of but that is just life I guess.

Made me realise the present is the important bit and like you I need to make it happen.

Hope all good with your son as thought of you at the weekend.

xxx

80 weeks since last gamble

I've got that horrible post nightshift lethargy going on today. Plans for today to spend time gardening have been rained off, so finding myself at a loose end and on here!

I've been catching up with a few diaries and happy to read that several of my peers are enjoying life to the full. If gambling has done nothing else, the destruction it caused has made me appreciate the good stuff I've got going on.

I'm back on the "no smoking wagon" after a bit of a wobble- motivated primarily by financial necessity. I had stopped for several weeks earlier this year and had accrued a wee tin of savings which I hope to do again.

My 26 year old "baby" boy has been sick this week-(nothing too serious thankfully). Despite his age and living independently now, I'll always think of him as my boy and it felt strange that he managed his illness without his mum's TLC!

I did something recently which I rarely felt the need to do- shared my gambling problem (with my new beau). We've been together for 6 months now and I know he was a bit perplexed at why I live so frugally on a decent salary or why I have so much debt when I don't have an extravagant lifestyle. He accepted this shared confidence without blanching and offered his support. I'm so glad I told him, keeping my secret was more difficult than disclosure.

I've reflected about the taking of a 3rd job which I'd thought about. I've decided that although the extra cash would help to get me out of debt quicker, my quality of life would be affected, so on balance its probably not worth pursuing.

80 weeks gone.....and 80 weeks further from "that" day.....who'd've thought??

Hey wee pal!! 🙂

o*g what a lovely update! Really pleased for you Irene, you will always be the most inspiring person for me and the journey you share just gives this soul more belief and determination to carry on.

Hope ur son is tackling those health issues well and will feel much better soon.

Telling your other half must of been very difficult for you, but hey girl doesn't it feel so much better now and I'm so pleased you get full support and understanding of him.

Well done on your ongoing abstinence, something to be so proud of, no more looking back girl, onwards you go!!!

Me...heh heh..I shall give u a little update : happily married, deep in love with two gorgeous kids and job I love to go to.while writing this I'm also sipping a lovely "malibu" cocktail on a shore of Barbados. ..opps..my fantasy world here lol lol..sorry, email on it's way to you 😉

Stay safe and keep smiling...and get some good rest, I sure know how night shifts works on our heads lol

(((((I))))) xx

Hey Irene... great stuff on your 80 weeks. Its good to read that am still exactly one week behind you. For your records that's 560 days completed 😉

Sounds like life is good in your world, long may that continue. Regards.. S.A 🙂

Last gamble 11/11/12

thanks for the continued support guys x

I've just managed to log onto chatroom (1st time since it changed). I'm glad I did. I'd almost forgotten what a great support tool it is and I'm feeling uplifted by the chat there tonight......thanks folks x