#oynb

One Year No Beer (OYNB)

Looking For Help To Quit Alcohol I can’t Recommend These Guys Enough One Year No Beer Why Choose OYNB The reason I give these such a personal blog post is because of how much they played a huge part in my recovery. Upon finding this page in May 2016 my life has just blossomed. Their unique way of making it a challenge to start with 28 days to quit the booze. Followed up by aiming for 60,90 then…

Day 14.

Last BS reading was, it seems, lower than my current average. >:-(

I really hoped I’d see some physical benefits from stopping drinking but, although I have to admit I feel generally better apart from my usual “bit of a cold” there doesn’t seem to be any measurable difference. I’m an impatient **** at the best of times so…

Anyway, quick recap of the weekend. Saturday, we went to Emma (step-daughter) and Mark (BF)’s for dinner, alright, takeaway and TV. Was pleasant enough and I managed to stay awake this time. No booze on offer, no temptations. They did make a remark that made us realise they were a bit miffed at the ecstatic reaction to Xmas with David and Leanne (which they were also at) compared to theirs. Oops. Will have to hesitate before any FB posts about Sunday, then.

Sunday - David’s fortieth birthday present, the WB Harry Potter studio tour. A great time had by all though I’m not sure two glasses of Butterbeer is on the recommended list for diabetics (see above). Onwards to dinner in Wickford (Mare e monti). Lovely food, service a bit stretched, it being Mothers Day). Present - Sue and I, Leanne and David, Milly, Ella and Maddy, Mark (step-son-in-law?), his fiancée, Tina, and their brand new daughter Darcie, and Siân (step-daughter-in-law). Realised that, apart from funerals, this is biggest family gathering I’ve been at since (thinks… …keeps thinking) erm, my cousin’s wedding? In nineteen-eighty-harumph? Oh wait - nieces’ christenings! They’re at Uni now… How things change when you’re not looking.

The relevance to this blog? Not high, but drink freely available. I wouldn’t have drunk more than 2 pints or 2-3 glasses, being driver, but didn’t miss it by not having any and feel relatively pleased with myself.

Good weekend so far, then Monday.

Bit of background: we have two rescue cats from Pussycat Lodge, a charity that Emma volunteers at. We also foster cats sometimes. These are the cats who are too old or infirm to make attractive pets so, if you look after them, PCLT will provide food and vet treatment etc. Our most recent cat, Martha, was an elderly, slightly deaf, slightly irritable, black, female aged about twelve. She had been acting odd recently, sleeping in her litter tray but had apparently returned to normal.

Then, Monday morning, we were watching TV and eating breakfast when Martha suddenly howled quite loudly then went back to sleep. We looked at each other - Yes we both heard it. Back to normal. Then she began doing it again at odd intervals. After a couple of hours of this we decided she most probably needed to see a vet. This was arranged hastily and off we went. After examining her the vet said she was i) rather older than previously estimated, and ii) “quite poorly”. She admitted Martha and said she’d be in touch when she had spoken to PCLT.

Emma then got through to us while we were out shopping and said “GET BACK THERE NOW!”. Bad news for Martha.

It was all over quite quickly.

We took the empty basket home and slumped in front of the TV.

The relevance, again? This is already a bad time of year for Sue (Whoooole different, long story) and she doesn’t need much to upset her at the best of times. I now feel slightly guilty at congratulating myself for continuing to resist the drink when, in fact, I should just be acting like a normal human being.