As I hit the equal sign on my calculator, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I knew the number would be high, but perhaps I didn’t prepare myself like I should have.
$1972.24
The number flashed along the screen, staring back at me like a scorned lover. I looked over my scribbled numbers and thought perhaps I’d inputted a wrong number or hit the equal sign one too many times. So I recalculated my notes.
$1972.24
It appeared on my screen again.
$1972.24
and again. and again. Until I finally realized the calculator wasn’t lying to me, I was just refusing to acknowledge all the damage I had done. Just $30 away from $2000, this number is scary. But what is scarier is the fact that this only reflects my debit purchases from 2011, not cash or purchases made by someone else. Who knows what the real number actually is? But, I don’t want to dwell on the hypotheticals, this number is still very real.
So what am I talking about?
This is the amount of money I spent in 2011 on alcohol. Frightening, huh? Let me tell you, if you really want to scare yourself in sobriety, calculate this number. You’ll never want to swipe that card at a bar again. Haha.
So why did I do this?
Well, I just celebrated my 90 days of booze free life, crazy right? At least to me it is. But crazy in that refreshing holy fuck I am so proud of myself kind of way. And I felt it was time to take a look back on my drunken life. Following the calculations, I began going through my archives and came across this post, “Giving up Alcohol…Well, Sort of”. I wrote it almost exactly a month before giving up alcohol.
In this post, I mention my great admiration for having a drink in my hand:
I love to drink. Yeah, I said it. I love pretty pink cocktails, mojitos by the beach, mimosas on Sundays at brunch, and wine anytime anywhere. Before I get ready to go out, I have some drinks. At work meetings we have drinks. And just about everytime I go out to eat, I have a drink.
As the post continues, I go on to say this:
Now with this all being said, I’ll be honest, I am not going to 100% give up drinking. This is just not a reality for me. Maybe for others it is, but I just know that isn’t a realistic goal for my lifestyle.
At the time I didn’t find these words troubling, but as I read them over and over, I feel quite differently — understandably so. Perhaps it’s because I’m taking a step back and seeing myself with a more clear outlook. Although it’s not the easiest thing to do, I recognize and can openly admit that I love alcohol too much. And I say love, because I still do love it. Some nights it’s a struggle to not grab a cocktail along with everyone else. And other days, it’s easy as pie. Luckily, the rough days are few and far between, and I owe a lot of that to some very amazing people in my life, some near and some far. But whether it’s been just supportive words, book recommendations, or fancy soda details, it’s all been so wonderful, and I can’t thank these people enough.
While I sit here and type this, I can truly say that I’ve never felt better in my entire life and there hasn’t been one negative outcome from this life change. And as I continue on this journey, I’ll be sharing more and more with you guys.
So now I keep this tally sheet in my wallet now as a I reminder to stay on this path of living a sober life.
As I mentioned in my first “A Life in Lists” post, I decided I wanted to try all the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavors in 2012. A quite ridiculous goal, but a fun one nonetheless. There really isn’t any method to my madness of flavor picking, I kinda just went for the first one that looked good. (But really, don’t they all look good?)
Well, this week I’ve begun the ice cream adventure, and I started out with Half Baked. And folks, I’m sorry to say that I was a bit disappointed. Cue: Gasp. I know, right? How could I not love something that has my favorite condiment, cookie dough packed inside of it?
Well, the story goes a little something like this. The container says, chocolate & vanilla ice cream, but truth be told it’s more chocolate ice cream with a hint of vanilla. And right off the bat, this annoys me quite a bit. While I don’t mind chocolate ice cream from time to time, I’m more of a vanilla girl. So, you can imagine my disappointment when I opened the carton and all I saw was chocolate ice cream all up in it. At first I thought there was a layer of vanilla just waiting for me underneath, but nope, just more chocolate. And once the ice cream melted slightly, it was basically like eating plain ol’ chocolate ice cream. The brownie bits were tasty, but the consistency was too chewy for my liking.
Sadly, for my first round of flavor tasting, I wasn’t sold on this one. Off with your head Half Baked!
What’s your favorite flavor of Ben & Jerry’s? What should I try next?
P.S. – Fingers crossed I don’t gain a hundred million pounds after trying all these flavors, hahaha.
Continuing on with my “A Life in Lists” project, here is the next one…10 recipes for non-alcoholic cocktails. I love a good ol’ fashioned Shirley Temple, but I do get bored of it. Plus, I’d really like to have a fabulous sober girl’s bar in my house for when I do throw a party. I’m hoping to get around to trying all these too, and reviewing them on the blog. That’ll be a fun little project.
1. Little Pink Pearl – I’m not going to lie this name sounds a bit dirty
2. Green Apple Sparkler
3. Hibiscus Punch
4. Winter Warmer
5. Faux Kir – This sounds luxurious. I can’t wait to try!
6. Baby Bellini – simple, yet tasty
7. Down East Delight
8. Ginger Lime Fizz
9. Pink Grapefruit “Margaritas” – I’m looking forward to sipping on these with vegan tacos!
10. Non-Alcoholic Raspberry Mojito – OH MY GOODNESS!! YAY!
I mustn’t forget to mention that I did invent my own version of a sober girl’s mimosa….drum roll please…..
Ok, it’s not that exciting or innovative. It’s just sprite and orange juice. Still get the bubbly feeling of champagne without the booze. And it’s a lovely compliment to a Sunday brunch while everyone is downing those mimosas I miss oh so much. Hahah.
Some days are just perfect for opening all the windows, lighting some incense, and playing Rolling Stones on full blast…all while dancing around the apartment in underwear, a vintage kimono, and house slippers. Well, today is that day for me.
My infatuation with the Rolling Stones started at a pretty young age, my dad is a pretty big fan and passed that knowledge onto me. Whether it’s for the music or the style, the Rolling Stones have inspired my life in so many ways, and now I couldn’t imagine my life without them. (Like they’re family or something…well aren’t they?) It’s pretty surprising that I don’t have a Rolling Stones tattoo yet, I’ll be adding that to my list.
I’m obsessed with the photographs of the Stones during the Exile years at Villa Nellcôte. I’d really like to get some framed photos for my wall. . . someday.
Well folks, I’m happy to report that it’s just about to turn 9am, and I’m already sitting down at my computer to get my blogging work done. But, I’m not just sitting here in my PJs having just rolled out of my hella comfy and cozy bed. I’ve already worked out, dropped off my dry cleaning, taken Biscuitdog for a walk, and picked up my morning dosage of gingerbread latte from Starbucks. Can you believe it? Just typing all that out seemed a bit exhausting, but in that good way of course.
So, now I’m sitting here in my sweater boots ready to get my blog on. . .
I’ve never been that person who just hops out of bed ready to tackle the day. Honestly, those people scare me. (No offense to you folks. Although you kind of offend me with your wide eyed cheery morning ways.) But, I’m quickly recognizing that while I might not need to fly out of bed like a bat out of hell, I should get my morning routine down to a science in order to increase productivity.
Have you hit the next button on Google Reader yet? I probably would have. If not, well high five for you.
I’m not writing this as some sort of motivational thingamagig, I’m just writing to write. Cause well, isn’t that what us bloggers are supposed to do? It’s not all pretty photos and outfit posts over here in Betseyland. Sorry, ya’ll.
I digress.
So here I am, two weeks into 2012 and trying to get my routine on. I’ve attempted blogging in the afternoon, that just doesn’t work. Mostly because at that point I’m already involved in a million things and my brain is on the train to ADD hell. I’ve attempted working last at night — biphasic style and all — but it’s just not for me. I find that it’s suuuuuuper easy to get distracted and bored within minutes. Usually resulting in putting on some reruns and passing out. So, now I’m going to give this morning thing a go. It seems like a lot of people do it, so maybe I should as well.
Some of you are probably like, why is this bitch having so many issues with a routine? Well, to be honest, I don’t live a normal lifestyle. I don’t have a 9-5 job, and this makes regular daily scheduling a bit difficult. I know it shouldn’t be thaaaat hard, but what can I say? I just struggle with routines. Gimme a break and/or get over it. But, this time around. . . I’m going to really try. Cause whatever the hell I’m doing just isn’t working.
What is your morning routine like? Do you have one?
PS – I now understand UGGs. But only in the privacy of your own home, of course. But, let’s just say, I’ve been lusting after some fur lined boots to wear while sitting around in my non-heated apartment when I’m blogging and writing. Also, not gonna lie. I want a comfy sweatsuit. Ya know, like a Juicy or Victoria Secret one. All I’m saying is, I get it. And I’m not ashamed to hop on the cozy working at home train. Cause really, who the hell blogs in “Litas” with their makeup done and a pretty dress? Not this bitch.
