I can totally relate to the "how pretty" comment!

How long will your brother be staying with you?

"How pretty"--LOVED it.

This IS very inspirational, Clover. Thank you, and I am genuinely happy to hear your brother is doing so well.

Congrats on the car! That is very exciting!!!

O I remember that early time when I went back out to restaurants. I would almost have to put my blinders on and just look at my table. Now it is better / more easy but there are still feelings of jealousy and envy, i cant lie. But there are feelings of gratitude as well / like when we got sat in the bar area of Outback. There was this guy at the bar and he was being all loud and just like I used to be.. I had to broadcast to the world I was having fun. I felt sorry for him. I even looked over at him and met his eyes and immediately he got quiet. It was like he knew what he was and what I was and he got quiet. Then the lady next to him said later that she was leaving and needed to pick up a bottle of wine and they went over and over what kind she finally agreed on a kind and left. That was me. I would drink in the bar till it was late and time to go home and then i would need to stop and get more. It was a viscous cylces

I am glad you got out! and Cheese buscits@@@@
1is2many

Thanks. Funny thing is that the "pretty drinks" never held any appeal to me. I don't like sweet drinks that are loaded with sugary stuff to mask the booze taste. Makes for an even worse hangover.

My brother might be here for another two weeks or so. I don't mind as he's no trouble and that will extend his time being alcohol-free.

We have also talked about what it will be like when he's alone in his own place and to avoid drinking when he is lonely, stressed, etc. It appears that when he keeps really busy that it helps. (Like for all of us.)

I might still try to sneak in an AA meeting with him. I just think that with his personality, he'd do well in that environment -- talking to other people, having a sponsor, etc.

Baby steps.

Sounds good...

I also try to only "admire" the martini menus (or avoid them!) in a way that is an interesting recipe...

Just be careful that you don't fall into a pattern like I am that you think you can control your brother's drinking... It sounds an awful lot like my mentality, and many people on here caution me against that...

I've enjoyed going out to restaurants throughout my sobriety. I can finally enjoy the food!

When I was drinking, it didn't much matter what I ordered, just that I had enough to drink. I drank almost all my calories so I didn't have room for much food anyway.

Sober it is so much fun! If you aren't spending money on predinner drinks, get an appetizer! And after dinner? Room for dessert! I don't envy the people drinking, though there have been a few times with groups of people all the talk of wine has gotten a bit tiresome. But I am content to sip my sparking water and enjoy my meal and the company I am with.

I am glad you enjoyed your dinner out and I think it is great that your brother's visit is going well. The best part about your new car? You can drive it whenever you want without worrying about getting a DUI! Congrats!

I used to go out with my "group" on a Saturday and have a few drinks in the afternoon... then have a few as we were getting ready to go out, then have a few at the bar until our table was ready. Then have wine during dinner. Then cognac after dinner and dessert cocktails to dance/listen to music to. And of course, we smoked throughout.

Back then, I thought I was living the life of Riley...

So much alcohol and rich food... My liver hurts just thinking about it.

Then, there'd be Sunday with a bloody Mary to numb the hangover.

I'm SO HAPPY I don't do that anymore!

so happy to hear that you are working great. I hope you are staying strong since I was off the wagon a few times in the past.

Dude, I’m very happy and I understand how happy you are, because recently I also recently stopped drinking and I haven’t been drinking alcohol for more than 2 months and I feel very happy and free from this shit. I also recently visited a cool restaurant in Dubai and I even started thinking about starting my own restaurant business in Australia, because it is very profitable. I have about 450,000 bucks for investments. This is actually not difficult. It is necessary to conclude several contracts. To start, I have to find a comfortable room and make a cool repair there. After that I will have to conclude a contract and get equipment for storing goods, and the guys from https://ianboer.com.au/commercial-refrigeration/ will help me with this. My friends worked with them and they are leaders in the field of commercial equipment. I am going to purchase several Back Bar, Sandwich Prep Fridges and Upright Glass Doors. After that I have to start buying various goods. After that I can open my own restaurant. This is a great idea and I only need patience to achieve my goal.