You know what I like about not drinking? Well, one of the many things!  It’s that when I go out to dinner, I don’t have to chuck whatever I’ve worn into the dirty clothes or dry-cleaning pile!  Most times, I can actually wear that same blouse or sweater or tee-shirt again!  Even white jeans!  Isn’t that something?!  I’m not saying that I always got sloppy drunk everytime I went out to dinner-but to be honest, I was always a little bit buzzed. Please don’t think I eat like a barbarian or am lacking in table manners.  I think I can hold my own in the table manners department with the best of them- (now this does not include eating dinner on a tray in front of the TV) But, I guess I just wasn’t as careful.  Not sure.  It’s just something that hit me the other day after wearing a cobalt blue silk blouse and white jeans  out for Asian food!  I never would have done that in my drinking days.  Always black for me!

Of course that leads me to ponder all of the other “little things” that have changed for me in this 9 months-yes! today is day 270! of not drinking.

I went to another yoga retreat this past weekend.  Didn’t cook for this one.  The head Guru was in from India.  He brought about 7 monks with him as well as other teachers.  Where the retreat I went to in August was about 20 people, this one was probably 150-175 people. The energy was great and my meditations were deeper than they have been for a long time.  While many stayed at the Ashram where the retreat was held, my SO and I stayed in lodging in the nearby town.  One night-on the way back after a long day-we started with a little yoga at 5:15 a.m. and went on from there! Well, at about 9:00 p.m.on our way back to our hotel, we stopped at a convenience store for some ice cream bars.  Needed those!  Anyway, in the store as I was walking to the counter to pay, I passed a big, open cooler filled with ice and 24 oz cans of beer. Ice cold.  Now in the past, I probably would’ve grabbed 2-or 3- to take back to the room and guzzled them down. But this time? I  just kept on walking.  When I got to the hotel, I took a shower and got in bed with my chocolate covered Dove bar.  I was one with it. I was totally happy and had a great nights’ sleep. Never had to fight that urge or feel that guilt.

Now that was blissful!