A couple of weeks ago I decided to kick alcohol on the head
It's been an easy decision to make for I have been thinking about it for several months, ever since my brother died in fact.
A large glass or two of a decent pinot a night can become a bit too much of a habit as you are unwinding with a good film, a good blog and/or a good Zombie Blood fest and now I have reached that "certain age", I feel it's time to take that final step towards a better and healthier lifestyle.
I think, for me, it's far easier to stop totally rather than just to cut down.....that half opened bottle of wine in the fridge is just too much of a temptation to finish off at the end of a busy day........do you know what I mean?
Andrew's premature death from motor neurone has been a catalyst for the re evaluation many of life's bits and bats, of that I have no doubt.as many other family members have reviewed what is really important to them in their own lives over the past six months ago.
It's not rocket science..but for me, it's time
I have not really missed it ...a fact .which has surprised me...and I am looking forward to my next proper weight watcher's weigh in so see if those non glugged fluid ounce calories have had their desired effect.on my fat arse.......
oh to have the hips of a snake.........
Ps I rolled over in bed at around 7.00 am this morning and promptly came nose to nipple with this little chap who had been thoughfully deposited on chris's side of the bed ( and UNDER the duvet!!!!!!!!!)
That cat will drive me to drink!
Fat chance of finding half a bottle of wine in our fridge. If it's been opened, it gets finished.
ReplyDeleteGood luck.
is that a rat or a mouse ?
ReplyDeletea large mouse jason.....
ReplyDelete(i hope!!!!)
Well if you think you need to do it, then well done for doing it. It's a funny thing, but all my friends who thought they had a problem with alcohol seemed to drink less than I do. Maybe it's me who needs re-educating...
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who used to run a wine-bar, and allowed himself 2 Special-Brews every lunch-time - I cannot drink in the day, unless at a wedding or on holiday. He is now almost 80, but I remember when he was 60, he said to me - "I have spent all my life fighting against alcoholism, and now I've given up".
Whatever alcoholism is, it is 99% in the mind, I believe - unless you are seriously damaging your body.
on second thoughts it looks like a very yound rat
ReplyDeleteWhere can you purchase never-ending bottles of booze like the one the lady in your little clip is guzzling? Seriously though, I admire you for giving alcohol up. I have reduced my intake considerably in recent months but don't think I could ever give it up completely.
ReplyDeleteI'm only sad because it means you'll never get to sample the delights of a badly pulled pint that's been butchered by my lack of bar skills!
ReplyDeleteWell done.
ReplyDeleteThat half a bottle left over is the danger. We drink that then open another because we like it !!
What do you drink instead?
I am so glad we have indoor cats... and no mice (or rats). I'd drink and then I'd move!
ReplyDeleteWhat a special gift. That cat really loves you guys!
ReplyDeleteThanks, John.
I can't tell you how grateful I am that none of our pets put dead rats in our bed!!
ReplyDeleteI'm the shame of the Irish side of my family in that I'm lucky if I can finish a beer. I'm a terrible lightweight when it comes to drinking! :) But I suspect that may have something to do with my mother getting loaded a little too often when I was a chid.
Meanwhile, my GP is from Russia. He's the best doctor we've ever had, but he makes me laugh because he's always on about the health benefits of a daily drink. He's also the fittest doc I've ever had... runs marathons etc so I guess he works off any alcohol he consumes!
Does the cat work for the mafia, but just couldn't carry the horse head?
ReplyDeletewell done on the booze front...I have no will power...
I almost never drink... my brain is already so muzzy it doesn't need more muzzying. I have a great time in life as it is without booze. I have it sometimes - like wine at a fine restaurant (which is rare - most burger joints don't serve wine!) and I enjoy it. I don't make a conscious decision not to drink - it's just not important.
ReplyDeleteI think you made a good decision.
And that's definitely a mouse - although it looks remarkably like someone's pet hamster.
I quit 4 yrs ago, narcotic drugs and drink doesn't mix well I hear ...lol. I used to quit once a year for 3 mos when I was bartender (way back), as I would just get tired of seeing it. Curious on the poundage effect, if any from you quitting, John?
ReplyDeleteI do believe that what the cat brought you is a Siberian Hamster.
ReplyDeleteAt least it didn't get there by it's self.
ReplyDeleteGood decision on the drinking.
Good on you for quitting, John. I don't drink: not socially, medicinally or otherwise. And I enjoy life very much, especially the morning after! While in Isle of Man recently, I was sipping my tipple in a pub, which is club soda, lotsa ice and two slices of lemon. A guy sitting near me asked if it was G&T. When I replied in the negative, he said How can anyone visit the Isle of Man TT races and not drink? Mmm... Oh I love the gift of the rat/mouse/hamster! I hope you have a wonderfully dry weekend in more ways than one! Jo
ReplyDeleteI think you should leave the pressie for Chris, it's on his side of the bed ..it was meant for him!
ReplyDeleteJane x
I have one glass a day because it helps with my 'twitching' from a non fatal variety of motor neurone/auto immune thing.
Good for you, John! Drinking is so over-rated....always gave me major headaches and I would be sick for 24 hours. And I didn't drink much.
ReplyDeleteNow I don't at all. Amazing what one can do with a 'clear head'!
That looks like a very large mouse....rats have a whole different demeanor. Whew! I really don't know what I'd do if I woke up to THAT! I do know what Ron would do though!!!lol
Was it Albert who brought you the rodent? Good kitty. He's earning his keep.
ReplyDeleteNo tail on a hamster, it must be a mouse . . . a large mouse.
ReplyDeleteWell done on breaking any habit, especially one that is so "socially acceptable"
Chris isn't looking too good these days... ;)
ReplyDeleteI've been trying to cut down this last week myself. We actually "bottle" our homemade wine into 3L jugs with a screw on lid (classy, I know)... way too easy to go through half a jug every night between two. (I have a high constitution and tend to be the one who drinks more). But I want to get serious about writing and not feel fuzzy-headed anymore, so I've been allowing myself one beer with dinner (until the beer runs out) and one red wine night cap. Telling myself no more at all, always creates a rebound reaction. So I've been doing this for 6 or 7 days now (which is actually some sort of miracle for me!) and not finding it too bad. However, I'm wondering if I should let myself kick back Friday's and Saturday's... hmmm...
Well done, anyway. Here's to getting healthier in our old age. *chink with a tea cup*
luckily our cats only deposit tiny field mice in the bedroom & usually still alive.
ReplyDeleteMy brother once had half a rat slide down his face, he looked up & saw the cat on the porch roof with the other half !
A present for you.
ReplyDeleteMy cat only leaves the guts. Be grateful. x
The rat would have given a less hardy person a heart attack. lol
ReplyDeleteYes it sometimes takes the shock of losing a loved one to make us take stock and change our lives.
Briony
x
Oh how sweet of the cat to bring you such a lovely present!!
ReplyDeleteMy medication forbids drink so I have no option, but I do agree John that it is easy to go over the top. Keep at that weight. Yes, the death of a loved one always makes you evaluate what you have got and what is important. Your brother would be glad to know that he has left such a legacy behind.
Albert is so good at his job. Without alcohol. I must have OD'd in college because barely drank after that. For years, not at all. People tell me what good stuff they're drinking and at that I know it would be wasted on me.
ReplyDeleteLook on the bright side. Better to see a dead rat beside you when you open your eyes, than to see a live one, looking BACK at you. Good luck kicking the booze. (I'll drink to that!)
ReplyDeleteThere's no doubt about it, your weight loss will speed up no end, once you kick the booze.
ReplyDeleteI guarantee it.
It's just *another* sodding example of how everything I *really* like, conspires against me....
Oh. And it's a rat....
No, really, it really IS a rat...
A sensible decision if you're someone who is too easily tempted by the stuff. Hope your resolve stays firm. Fortunately I've never been that excited about alcohol, a few glasses a week does me fine.
ReplyDeleteHmmm. Alcohol withdrawal and sudden pillow-rats. If the creature remains in the photo we can rule out temporary hallucination.
ReplyDeleteEW! My cats must not like me very much, no presents. But then the field mice were cleaned out long ago. If any cat gifts me with a scorpion on my bed...
ReplyDeletejanet
Don't forget you are officially old enough to drink Sanatogen.
ReplyDeleteHow long is the body John? It looks like a field mouse in coloration and size.
ReplyDeleteWell done you! I don't think I could do it, and I justify this by remembering 3 of my pals who are no longer with us, and they never touched a drop - or smoked. xxxx
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're finding it easy to give up alcohol. I don't drink very often and when i do imbibe, it's not usually very much. I like a dram of Scotch every now and again and might have one every two or three months.
ReplyDeleteAlbert appreciates you and Chris, and perhaps wanted to gift you with his idea of a lovely breakfast in bed. I'd have screamed, i'm sure. I think it's a large mouse, as i think a rat's snout is a bit more pointy. It looks very similar to the mouse down cellar that Phoebe killed the other week--it was the evening of the day that the bear dropped by.
Well done you! You'll be a proper skinny-minny soon :-)
ReplyDeleteIt took me 35 years to give up the fags so it may take a while to give up the booze too, so I'll raise a glass on your behalf and toast Albert...you must be very proud LOL ^..^
spinner I thought that but the bloody thing was very long!it looked more like a very young rat
ReplyDeleteGood luck with giving up the booze John, I try it from time to time and I last about a month. Which is better than nothing.
ReplyDeleteAnd it's a rat, IMHO. My god, Albert must be fast, gammy leg and all!
I hope you accepted the mouse donation in the spirit in which it was given!
ReplyDeleteI actually gave it up about seven years ago myself out of necessity. Loved it a bit too much and my aging body wasn't dealing with the strain as well as my younger one had. I'm just grateful I could quit. My sister-in-law couldn't and died of cirrhosis at 43.
ReplyDeleteI think your weight loss should definitely pick up, as long as you don't replace the drinks with fudge cake or something like it. (Don't, John. Trust me on this one.) I've lost 47 pounds and about fifteen years since last October (almost 3 1/2 stone). Go Weight Watchers!
And last but not least, I'm sure you and the mouse were equally disgusted by the situation.
Dxxx
Pour that half a bottle on a ham and roast it the alcohol cooks off and the ham is great.
ReplyDeleteOh, the many gifts our cats bring us. My gifts were not always dead - like a snake, a bird and a baby bunny. I've had my share of mice and rats too. Thank goodness this last cat doesn't get to go outside.
And I too wish I had the hips of a snake! Good for you for dropping the alcohol habit. Your cat was so thoughtful to bring you a meal for your breakfast. All I ever get from my dog is a dirty tennis ball on my bed -- reminding me its time to get up and throw the ball. -- barbara
ReplyDeleteGive up my Merlot? mmmm I don't know. LOL.
ReplyDeleteFun visit. I just joined you.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOops, hit the wrong button, sorry. I was going to say, why am I reminded of variation of that old phrase..."Is that a rat under the duvet or are you just happy to see me?"
ReplyDeletewelcome mary
ReplyDeleteand thank you all for your comments
rat and alcohol ones included x
Thoughtful gift.
ReplyDeleteI stopped drinking a evening glass of Cabernet Sauvignon when the pounds started creeping on, and it really did seem to help with weight loss. But, I do miss the wine. I haven't given it up completely, but I have cut back a lot; maybe that's what you should consider. Good luck, John.
ReplyDeleteKitty Niles likes to leave me a mouse present next to my slippers. Such a thoughtful kitty.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on getting healthier. I also put it down when my eldest brother died of liver failure and a sis-in-law went into wet brain. It's just not worth it. I'll still go on a mission now and then, but it's not a weekly or even monthly occurence.
ReplyDeleteAren't cats thoughtful? ;)
Good choice for yourself. Hope you can find some suitably satisfying alternative. I'm drinking an awful lot of tea right now. Ah those bitter tannins...
ReplyDeleteHey your rat/mouse in the bed reminds me of waking up on our narrowboat soon after we'd bought it to find a slug trail on my pillow!