[neva]

What wonderful news! Congratulations!  I am so happy for you.  To everyone who wants to know if recovery is really possible, you’re proof that it is.  May all  your dreams continue to come true!

[neva]

At least you’re laughing too.  Pizza does sound good.  Maybe I’ll put one in the oven and I’ll double check it’s right side up.

[neva]

I agree, don’t let Bingo ruin your recovery time.  On the other hand, Bingo is also addictive. Don’t put yourself in that situation because you might grow to like it…I didn’t much care for the slots at first.  Many alcoholics didn’t like drinking at first either. Maybe that’s why they say to avoid all types of gambling.

[neva]

A post on the monthly thread from Vera is a gift!  We can’t change the past, we can’t control the future but, just for today we can make our own choices.  My choice to today is to not gamble.

[neva]

That’s a real jackpot!  Good for you.

[neva]

Hey Razz, how are you doing?  I haven’t seen a post from you for awhile.  I was thinking of your post about the lady that embezzled $115,000 because a 65 year old man embezzled $2 million from a government agency and spent it on ******* and gambling.  The article said he had a hundred dollar a day **** habit so that means he must have had thousands of dollar a day gambling habit.  Just goes to show that unlimited money still doesn’t get you ahead in gambling. I also thought he must have a strong heart to be 65 years old and doing that much *******!  It made me think of all the ***** I wish I had more money to gamble but I know all the money in the world wouldn’t change the fact that we always end up broke.  Hope you are having a great gamble-free weekend.

[neva]

I saw a reader board at a health club and it said.  This time next year you’ll wish you would have started now. Of course they are talking about exercise and fitness but the same holds true for us.  Here’s to a good year in recovery. No gambling for me either.  We’re all in this together.
 

[neva]

Я видел доску для чтения в клубе здоровья, и там было написано. В этот раз в следующем году вы захотите начать прямо сейчас. Конечно, они говорят о физических упражнениях и фитнесе, но то же самое верно и для нас. За год выздоровления. Для меня тоже нет азартных игр. Мы все в этом вместе.

[neva]

Yesterday I took mom to the house and then out to lunch.  She complained a lot.  Is that something older people do?  Her constant complaints weren’t about anything big but they were stressful. The soup is too spicy.  The fog is too thick, how are we going to see?  You didn’t park close enough to the curb.  On and on.  I took her home after lunch and then met my husband with lunch to go.  We went up to our property so he could load a big bale of hay to feed after work. I also worked on our income taxes.  That isn’t fun but I’m happy for turbo tax where we just fill in the blanks. 
Vera, your words gave me chills.
 "But "WE" know better ! We have been given the tools and the chances that others never had so "to him that much has been given, much will be expected" (Those words are haunting me all day)"
We do know better.  We know from repeating the same insane behavior over and over yet we still choose to gamble again.  Hopefully, it is less and less until we can finally break free. Recovery might be a lost cause for the Neva’s and the Vera’s but it’s not too late for any of us. We have the tools and the desire and the goals for a gamble free life. Don’t lose sight of your goals…getting your life and soul back. 
Cat, I’m the same way too about going stretches without thinking of gambling. I think the longer I go without gambling the less I think about it but then the crazy thinking pops up and I forget about why I wanted so desperately to stop the madness, how I couldn’t walk out until there was no money left, and how low and dispicable I felt afterwards.  There was a time where I felt I could never stop gambling as long as my mom was alive.  I tried many years ago to stop but mom would always minimize my problem, suggest we go gambling and loan me money to gamble. Kind of like waving a bottle of alcohol under an alcohlic’s nose.  So, I just avoid mom as much as possible.  I feel guilty because she is getting up in years but I really think she tries to entice me into wanting to go to the casino.  She either doesn’t get it or she wants me to suffer along with her.
Today is all we have to get through.  I have my day planned out and it won’t include the casino.
 

[neva]

I’m glad you started a Feb thread.  I’m with you all the way.  We’re already 2 gamble-free days into this month and we only have 26 more…ODAAT. 

[neva]

That was a pretty pricey fix for your car!  Hope that’s the end of car troubles for you.  My car is getting old and I worry about repairs coming up but I don’t want car payments either!

[neva]

We all need validation at work and a paycheck just isn’t enough!  At least you voiced your opinion of their opinion.  I’m glad we don’t have reviews.  I don’ think my self-esteem could handle it. 
I always wonder why people say hurtful or demeaning things. There is no excuse for it but they must have a motive to make themselves feel superior.  If that’s the case, then it’s really all just about them so try not to take it personally!
 

[neva]

Cat, I’m surprised on how much we have in common.  I also had 7 gamble free months in a row last year, and haven’t gambled for a few months (I can’t remember November but I know December and January are definately gamble free) and we’re close to the same age. I know the goal isn’t to get past 7 months but I know the longer we work at recovery the better we get at it…even a few years ago, 7 gamble-free months was something I didn’t think was possible. Today is all we need to get through and doing that everyday will get us to where we want to be. Hope you have a great day Cat.

[neva]

I’m going to spend some time with mom today.  I haven’t spent any time with her in January.  I try to stay away since she talks about gambling a lot.  We’ll go to lunch and I’ll show her the progress on our house.  I wanted to sweep and foam some open spots but guess I’ll still have time after I drop her off.  The heat ducts are there so the heat system will be installed next week.  I’m hoping the windows and doors go in next week too.  It’s really cold here and I feel sorry for the workers in this cold weather.  At least we haven’t gotten any more snow. I ordered a beautiful lodge wood and leather bench to go under a window.  It was $300 and I normally wouldn’t spend that much on a bench but we have wonderful views and I want it in front of a window (with a set of binoculars) so my family can sit, enjoy the view and watch the baby calves, wild rabbits, deer and other wildlife. I almost ordered two benches because we have lots of windows but thought I’d wait to see how this one works. Haven’t even gotten it but it’s paid for.  That’s the rewards of not gambling…being able to spend $300 on something you want instead of shredding it in a slot machine and trying to make up for it by living frugally the next few weeks. I don’t want to ever go back to the gambling life again…and I don’t have to.  The choice is mine and the greedy Indian casinos can stick that in their pipe and smoke it!  ha ha
 

[neva]

Iwon, paydays and the habit of gambling when we have money is hard to break.  The only way I know of is with enough road blocks that we can’t gamble.  Now, with direct deposit and having my bills ready to go out a few days early, when payday finally gets here I don’t even have to think about it.  I had so many ‘weekends after payday’ where I spent too much time and money at the casino that I might as well be working for under minimum wage. Now I pay an extra $150 on the mortgage payment and transfer a few hundred to savings.  The money that used to be wasted for gambling is being spent on a guaranteed pay-out. It was tough learning to get by without a debit card but it was well worth it!  I use a credit card (no pin so no ATM choice) and pay it online a couple of ***** a month so I can get groceries and gas anytime.  This payday gambling is a lesson to protect yourself ahead of time for next payday.  It’s tough but you can do it!

[Author]

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