2012

It has been a while since I posted on this site. I am excited about this month. My husband and I are going to get off of alcohol for 3 weeks. We are going to start on Sunday, Jan 8th. The day after my son's 30th birthday. In the past we have gone off of alcohol in January for a couple of weeks, during the week and picking it back up on the week-end. A little mini-cleanse. But, we have never gone three weeks in a row without alcohol. This is a big deal because we love red wine. This is a big deal because I have always thought my husband has been a heavy drinker and I a moderately heavy drinker. My husband, Byron has always thought I was full of crap. That he was a moderate drinker and I was a light drinker. For us to go three weeks without any alcohol is going to be a big deal! And to top if off it was Byron's idea! I think it will be harder for me because I am alone at night when my husband is working. I like to pour myself a glass of wine about 7 pm and sip on it throughout the night and then possibly pour another glass as I cook dinner and surf Facebook and Pinterest. He is trucking at night and doesn't get home until about 9:30-10 pm. Then I like to have another glass of wine with him when he gets home. Do you see the problem here? Just know that I am being really transparent about my own drinking. But, I am guessing that I am not alone. Am I an alcoholic? Gosh! I hope not. But, I do think I am a heavy drinker. But, I am going to rely heavily on God to help me get through this time.

My mother was a heavy drinker when I was a child in junior high and high school. It was a tough time for me. She stopped drinking when I was a senior in high school. It was a miracle that she quit drinking. My whole family fasted for an entire day and prayed for her. She quit drinking after that day. It was remarkable. I have never seen anything like it. She was addicted to alcohol and God saved her. I love my mother dearly. She was an incredible woman, a good mother. She took care of us and worked hard. Her husband who was also my dad was a tough old man. He was a good man, a good father, mostly. I don't think he was a good husband in today's standard. But, we have to remember things were different back then. I think my mother started drinking when she went through menopause. She did it to cope. I guess she didn't know to go to the doctor and ask for help back then. Going to the doctor was a sign of weakness.

So for me the upcoming three weeks hiatus from alcohol will be a big accomplishment and I am looking forward to the rewards of it. I am especially excited because Byron and I will be doing this together. So stay posted as I will keep you updated on our progress! Mari