[finding_laura]

come join us in chat if you are free!!!

[finding_laura]

wish I was there to give you a great big hug and have a venting coffee together 🙂 My moods are all over the place right now and I’m trying to decide how much of it is because of how I’m being treated or affected by outside things and how much of it is because of that running commentary that always seems to be going on in my head. Where I am constantly seeing myself from other’s perspectives. But i really can’t know what they are thinking. I’m guessing. So truly it’s none of my business. Sorry, hijacking your thread!

I’m sorry I haven’t been around so much. I have just had about two of the hardest months in a row in my life. But now I’m taking a bit of time for me. I tried to send you messages on skype several times now and they just don’t go through. Not sure why. Hang in there. Good news is in a few hours your mood may change again?? 🙂 Just kidding! Hope you are sleeping like a baby. Take care of yourself.

[finding_laura]

Hi P,
stopping by, hoping to see you posting away. I miss your posts when they are not there. I have “known” you for forever it seems. You would be dying at the cold we have here right now. -25 C with the windchill! We’d have to wrap you up in a extra thick parka 🙂 I hope you and your little family are doing ok. ((((( P )))). Thinking of you.

Laura

[finding_laura]

thanks for the posts P and Cat. It feels good to purge doesn’t it Cat? I just wish I had more time and more energy to do it. Hoping to get a lot accomplished this weekend with some help from my sisters. It will eventually get there. Years of ignoring things won’t be fixed in a snap. My meds seem to be making me more drowsy than usual these days. TGIF, off to work and then a busy weekend. Hope everyone is doing ok. Laura

[finding_laura]

Hi P,

I think you and I are on opposite each other usually as we both seem to be here more during our morning time. We’ll have to set up a chat date so that we know we will be there. I’m so tired I can hardly keep my eyes open as I type this, and it’s morning! Hope I wake up soon for the drive. Not much new here, still busy, hoping things will slow down soon. One day at a time I’m getting through. take care, Laura

[finding_laura]

with you this morning 🙂 As you are beating yourself up for your moods and your feelings it reminded me of this link:
http://www.addictionsandrecovery.org/post-acute-withdrawal.htm

My gambling addictions counsellor who specialized in gambling addiction said that gambling addicts go through post acute withdrawal symptoms also. Mood swings and sensitivity are two of those symptoms. You are progressing P and it’s hard to get through this but you are and you will. Keep doing what you are doing: talking to others, meetings, posting, it is working! You are here and not gambling. It will get better. xo Hope you have a great sleep. Off to work I go, take good care of yourself, Laura

[finding_laura]

well things have smoothed over as they always seem to. Til the next time likely! Focusing on what I want and I’ll have to see where that takes me in 2014. Had a chat with an old recovery friend in chat, caught up on a few posts and now it’s time to get something accomplished. take care, Laura

[finding_laura]

We all deserve happiness and peace 🙂 Knowing that you haven’t listened to all the good advice you have been given means that there is more you can do to make solid a gamble free life and future. Much better than feeling as though everything had been done. It means you know where you have left perhaps an access to gambling? Or that there is another source of support you could be using? It is a good time of year to take stock of our situation and work on those things that need it. Thanks for the reminder! Happy New Year

[finding_laura]

that is great news about the settlement!! One day at a time 🙂

[finding_laura]

hey ((( Bettie )))

I’m just trying to catch up on some posts too! Never enough time in the day to accomplish what needs to be done and what I would like/love to do. I am a creative person and it’s been sooo long since I’ve had a chance to indulge that side of me. Anyway, I’m getting off track!

Your comment above:
“When I first found GT I couldn’t wait to sign in as soon as i got home and do two things. One was to see if I had a response and some good advice. The second was to keep connected and fend off gambling thoughts and urges. i am fortunate that the site was there as I feel it was God sent to me. I am not sure that I would be gamble free today if not for GT and then GA.”

I could have said those very same words. It is soooo true! I am very grateful for the connection and life saving advice this site provided to me. I so needed it and spent my free time here whenever possible. As we move on with years of recovery work under our belts ( notice I didn’t say clean time, to me a slip doesn’t take away the clean time and the hard work we put in if truly focused on a new way of life) we have evolved our lives to include other things. When we were in action the last thing that would seem like fun to us would be to have a wonderful meal with family and watch a game on tv, to have a hobby like “picking”, often with company, and selling on line. Or least of all taking road trips all over to visit new friends. I wouldn’t be thinking of learning guitar and be working on my home or taking my annual trip home to see family and friends. So it is natural I think that we perhaps stop posting as much as we have less free time. Thanks so much for posting! It reminded me how important the support from others was in my recovery.

Keep posting dear Bettie! There IS life after gambling addiction and you and your thread are part of the living proof.

talk soon,
Laura

[finding_laura]

And thank-you for your support and caring over the years. It has been gratefully accepted by this recovering CG. Sounds like your month has been a crazy busy time! I hope you have had a very Merry Christmas with your family and that you are enjoying a lovely holiday. As I read back through your month you reminded me of my issues with getting overwhelmed by too much too do and not enough time. A little at a time, I can only do what I can do. You too 🙂 Happy New Year Cat! Laura

[finding_laura]

I’ve gotten a lot done even though it is early yet. Posted, cleaned, sorted some of my office, started a list of the things I need to take care of today and in the next few days. I feel accomplished.

[finding_laura]

Good morning Elizabeth! You are such a whirl wind of accomplishment and activity in an organized and mannerly sort of way 🙂 Please do give yourself permission to be sad and grieve. It seems to me you are doing it in such a healthy way. So many people completely retreat from life or dive into addictions to avoid the feelings. I truly admire how you have handled everything over the past year and how you dealt with your recovery to date. May the New Year bring you peace and joy, new experiences and meaning, and love of family and friends. Take care Liz!
Laura

[finding_laura]

Hi Carole,
hope you are getting over that nasty cold you have been full of. I’m thinking of moving out for a while but Canadian winter is keeping me staying put. I guess nothing is easy but for once I wish it could be. The thought of trying to deal with a separation and all the logistics that go with it when there are still kids at home makes my head spin. Big kids they may be but they still are kids. One step at a time I guess. Hope you are feeling better. Thanks for posting your experiences as they are helpful! Onward and upward! Laura

[finding_laura]

thanks Carole, we do tend to think a bit alike 🙂 I’ve withdrawn my company and a difficult conversation is still left to have. The one where I tell him I can move out for a little while or he can leave me alone for a little while. I need to take some time to think things through. I was left alone on Christmas Eve until late. It very much hurt my feelings. And he knows how upset I am as I told him in no uncertain words. And it wasn’t for a good excuse like picking up a christmas gift. He also complained and carried on Christmas day about having to spend some time with extended family. Then got upset when I went out boxing day and wasn’t home in time to spend time with him before I went to bed. He hadn’t wanted to go of course. I guess I find the immaturity, selfishness and self centred behaviour something that likely won’t be fixed in this lifetime as it has taken half of one to get this far. Honestly I feel I deserve better. There I said it. So thank you all for your continued support. Seems we are always on a journey of some kind or other. Laura

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