Just a follow up to a very alcohol-FRIENDLY weekend. I shall begin with Friday evening. Monthly Book Club. Always wine flowing at this gathering. I even brought a bottle. Now, how gracious was that?? 🙂 My friend always has some Crystal Light handy, so I put some ice in my wine glass and filled it to the brim with Crystal Light. And the evening goes on without a thought. Even though EVERYONE else is enjoying the spoils. I must say, each of these ladies is so well behaved when it comes to drinking. They have a max of 2 glasses every time and on limited occasions, a 3rd. It’s always a wonder how they can do that. Normal people, sheesh. But, it didn’t bother me much. I got over it once everyone had poured their first glass, and we had commenced eating dinner. Hm, do I see a change in my future?
Then Saturday. The BIG holiday work party. Again, I brought wine. Amazing to go into a liquor store and buy a bottle knowing you are not even going to get to taste it. Anyhoo. The booze was flowing again at this party. This time it was really flowing. It was catered, so the staff was constantly refilling everyone’s glass. Most drank wine, but I saw a few hitting the Scotch. It actually didn’t bother me that everyone was drinking. And I mean EVERYONE. I mentally reminisced about last year’s party where I couldn’t wait for the server to refill my glass – continually.
What I did notice that evening was a young girl, not out of her twenties. She was with a guy I work with. He is in his early 30’s. Now, this guy can put away the alcohol. He is quite the drinker. By the time he and his girlfriend showed up at the party (taxi driven), I had a feeling they had already kicked back a few. And, hey, that’s cool. It’s the holiday season after all, and they were being responsible. I was introduced to her early in the evening. We spoke briefly. What a sweet young woman. Well, through the course of the evening, she continued to try to keep up with his drinking. While still at the dinner table, she came to sit and visit with me. Her speech had become slurred. Later, she kept hugging me. I SO saw myself in her. It was so sad. Her date did eventually bring her some coffee, but that was well into the evening.
It was just all so familiar. As I was driving home at 9:30pm, I remembered how last year I stopped off to get a bottle to share with myself once I got home. A little topper to the evening. Not so this year. I got home, watched some TV and went to bed. Slept soundly and didn’t get up until 8:45am 🙂 Now, that’s the way to end a Saturday night and begin a Sunday!!
In summary, I did good. It was relatively easy, and it is possible to go to a party, have a great time and still go home sober 🙂 A. MAZ. ING. !!!!
I have one other alcohol-included event next week. Bunko. Another chance for me to make it through an event sober and add it to my toolbox! That should be it. The rest of the “season” will be quiet. Don’t have any plans for New Year’s (never do), so it should be a quiet ringing in of the new year.
And what a NEW YEAR it will be, huh?
dangling on the edge 
LIKE….LIKE….LIKE!!!!!!
ha! Thanks 🙂
You are so much more generous than me. I never buy wine now if I can possibly3 avoid it. I just don’t want to go into a bottle shop and the idea of spending money on booze I won’t drink makes me grumpy. I DO make an effort to bring other extra nice things though, like flowers or fancy cheese and ice cream or something homemade. Amazing how much nice food you can buy for the cost of a bottle of wine too,
Interesting how that girl reminded you of you and it just seemed sad. I know just what you mean there and it’s A wake up. How fabulous you not only went out but had a great time. And I laughed at the ‘bottle to share with myself’ too. And this is why we quit too because most people just don’t need another bottle after a heavy drinking night but I did the same many a time.
You are doing so GREAT!!!!
I thought about bringing other stuff, but didn’t have time to think about it. Just stopped and got 2 bottles for each occasion! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
I am excited about the new year sober too. I’ve always kind of hated New Years and plan to boycott it this year, NOT going out amongst the drunken throngs. Only going out if any friends are doing something low key involving eating not just drinking. Am thinking I may need too go climb a mountain somewhere pretty the morning of Jan 1st feeling fabulous.
Oh, climbing a mt to watch the sunrise on Jan 1 would be fantastic. A bit too cold here in the Rocky Mountains though. But good idea!
Love this. Go you, sober, happy warrior!
Oh, thanks!
Great job! Sounds like you rocked it. A quiet New Year’s sounds nice. 🙂
I’m usually home alone with my bottle of champagne and a bottle of wine, because, hey, why not! NOT ANY MORE! Maybe I’ll make a grateful list, have some tea and read a book. Thanks, Jen!!
I had my book club on Friday too. The first couple of minutes when everyone was trying to decide whether to drink red or white was a little hard, but once I requested tea and sat next to the snacks, I was fine. Saturday I decided not to go to a party, I had to work all weekend and my husband knew I would want to come home early. Also, it was a big drinking party and I am not that steady yet, so opting out was really better.
Great job on your weekend.
Reading your post was very encouraging.
You know what I’m talking about!! I so appreciate your taking the time to read and comment. It is so helpful!! THanks, Jean.
Hi Debbie,
One more party down and it wasn’t too bad. I brought my own 6 pack of San pellegrino grapefruit soda which is very good and just ate a lot of snacks. Honestly though, it is a little boring. I can see from reading the blogs that things get better, but this time of year is just a little depressing.
Thanks for your honest blog, all the posts make a difference and they are keeping me strong. I look forward to being able to say, No thanks I’ll have …. And not feeling like I owe anyone an explanation.