Part way through

The support on my blog really helped me get through last night. I kept sneaking back to my computer and rereading the comments. Thank you all so much.

So, here I am on Saturday afternoon, otherwise known as Day 12. Yes, my friends, I survived. I must admit, I was struggling. When my visitors arrived, armed with SIX bottles of wine, I knew that I would have to tell them. But it wasn’t until they’d had their first glass of champagne, and I’d had my glass of AF fizz unnoticed, that I spilled the beans. I wasn’t drinking. But then – guess what? – it transpired that they were in the middle of doing Dry January, but had decided we’d be too disappointed and had therefore given up their quest temporarily and were drinking this weekend. They had drafted an email to warn me they were doing Dry Jan but had then deleted it, thinking it sounded silly. So if we’d all been honest with each other beforehand, we could have shared and celebrated a sober weekend!

They and my husband proceeded to drink the rest of the bottle, then wine. I was ok with my alternatives. Did I feel left out? A bit, I guess. I found it hard to relax into it, and felt on the edge of having a nice time. But I stuck to it; I didn’t let myself or you guys down.

The weekend is not over yet. I don’t feel stronger as we close in on Saturday night. But I have suggested that we all have a mocktail by the fire this evening before they dig into the wine. Small, small steps.