My binge drinking neighbor M is now establishing a pattern of going completely off the rails every four months.
On Friday night at 8 PM she buzzes me from the main front door, she's lost her keys. I buzz her in and she proceeds to dump the contents of her handbag and shopping on the floor, unfortunately no keys.
My other half (OH) and I brainstorm of what to do. Her spare set is in her flat. After many attempts with a coat hanger through the letterbox we realize that she may have left her balcony door unlocked (we have a shared roof terrace separated by a wall that can be climbed around.) So like Spiderman I carefully scale it and lo and behold her door was unlocked.
During the brainstorming session it becomes apparent that she has no money for a locksmith but plenty of cash for a £75 jumper (sweater) and a £100 pair of boots. Plus the mortgage is due next week. My other half says gently, maybe take the boots back.
She then says, 'I know, but I bought them for a date I'm supposed to have, but he's not texting me back for two days.'
I said, 'Even better reason to take the boots back, look for someone who deserves you.'
She then says matter of factly, 'Yeah, I know, but I'll probably just wear the boots out, get pissed and pull.'
Well then.
On Saturday night OH and I stayed at his house. On Sunday morning an apologetic text came through from M. When I got home there was an equivalent paper note under the door. She apologized for shouting and making a lot of noise.
On the opposite side, D and I share a balcony so I was again Spiderman and popped around for a chat to hear what had transpired.
It seems she went out wearing the boots and got pissed.
She came in at 3:30 AM and it was the usual shouting, ranting and throwing herself against the doors in the hall. He said for a while it was a screeching/screaming that had no words. It went on for 30 minutes.
She called him at 10:30 this morning, put an equivalent apologetic note under his door and then called him while I was there at lunchtime.
We really don't need this.
Sunday, 23 December 2018
Sunday, 9 September 2018
Aug 30
And my drunk neighbor has again come home extremely drunk, emotional and shouting for 10 minutes in the hallway. We had a precursor that this was coming as we could hear he'd down the street shouting at someone. Thankfully she figured out how the key worked when she started to wretch and made it in her door.
I don't have the energy to relive the whole experience by writing it down.
There but for the grace of God go I.
Day 39
I don't have the energy to relive the whole experience by writing it down.
There but for the grace of God go I.
Day 39
Tuesday, 24 April 2018
An unfortunate Friday night
And it wasn't me! My gym has just started a new 'lifting technique' class which is an awesome way to end my Friday. Heavy lifting on a Friday night makes my heart sing.
I went to bed at 11 PM completely worn out. It was most unfortunate that I was woken up at 4 AM by someone shouting.
I live in a little rooftop flat, we are 3 apartments on the top floor. Neighbor 1 (D) is a scientific writer, he also works from home. Neighbor 2 (M) moved in last summer, she's a female, early 20's. I think she works in London.
M came home completely and spectacularly drunk. In her drunken stupidity she put her key into D's door. She then concluded that we had locked her out of her flat.
Oh Lordy Pete.
D is a phD scientist, he would never hurt a fly. He tried to tell her about the key (he was also now locked into his flat due to her key) but she was having none of that. I looked out of the peephole, she was laying down on the floor, I thought I could sneak out and get the key as she was laying down on the floor but that just set her off again. She started to throw herself violently at his door and I got an earful.
D and I share a balcony so I went over the side and knocked on his bedroom door so we could figure out a solution.
M was violent and abusive. Apparently D is a 'F***ing C*** and a weirdo and we are both F***ing losers who sit at home all day and do nothing whilst she is out working so many hours.
She was like a caged animal in our little hallway. This tirade went on for 45 minutes. Apparently she resents us quite a bit.
Apparently we think we're so much better than her and she just wanted to go home to her life before with her parents and twin brother but her parents are now dead. And we are nothing. Queue the abusive name calling again.
Finally she figured out her mistake at 445 AM. We were so awake that we ended up having a cup of tea and watching the sun rise. I finally crawled back into bed at 6 AM.
My day was a little out of sorts, I woke up before 10, when I looked in the hallway it was a mess of whatever was in her handbag that she was throwing around: coins, gum, a broken pen. I have no idea if her phone survived being thrown down repeatedly.
We received an apology letter under the door on Sunday.
Then we got a longer one on Monday in an envelope.
She was sorry, embarrassed and ashamed and going through a bad time in life. Both letters told us that she didn't remember much. In the second letter she said that she was a good person and that struck me as odd.
I ran into D today, as you know we sit around and do nothing all day...he got equivalent notes. He made a statement to the effect of, 'I know what it's like to know something happened but not know what...at the same time I try to treat people carefully who are going through a rough time in life...but at the same time I don't need this.'
I dropped her a note under her door saying that we're weren't angry just worried that she would hurt herself as she was so upset and 'onwards and upwards' as we say here in the UK.
Just another example of why alcohol is not your friend.
I went to bed at 11 PM completely worn out. It was most unfortunate that I was woken up at 4 AM by someone shouting.
I live in a little rooftop flat, we are 3 apartments on the top floor. Neighbor 1 (D) is a scientific writer, he also works from home. Neighbor 2 (M) moved in last summer, she's a female, early 20's. I think she works in London.
M came home completely and spectacularly drunk. In her drunken stupidity she put her key into D's door. She then concluded that we had locked her out of her flat.
Oh Lordy Pete.
D is a phD scientist, he would never hurt a fly. He tried to tell her about the key (he was also now locked into his flat due to her key) but she was having none of that. I looked out of the peephole, she was laying down on the floor, I thought I could sneak out and get the key as she was laying down on the floor but that just set her off again. She started to throw herself violently at his door and I got an earful.
D and I share a balcony so I went over the side and knocked on his bedroom door so we could figure out a solution.
M was violent and abusive. Apparently D is a 'F***ing C*** and a weirdo and we are both F***ing losers who sit at home all day and do nothing whilst she is out working so many hours.
She was like a caged animal in our little hallway. This tirade went on for 45 minutes. Apparently she resents us quite a bit.
Apparently we think we're so much better than her and she just wanted to go home to her life before with her parents and twin brother but her parents are now dead. And we are nothing. Queue the abusive name calling again.
Finally she figured out her mistake at 445 AM. We were so awake that we ended up having a cup of tea and watching the sun rise. I finally crawled back into bed at 6 AM.
My day was a little out of sorts, I woke up before 10, when I looked in the hallway it was a mess of whatever was in her handbag that she was throwing around: coins, gum, a broken pen. I have no idea if her phone survived being thrown down repeatedly.
We received an apology letter under the door on Sunday.
Then we got a longer one on Monday in an envelope.
She was sorry, embarrassed and ashamed and going through a bad time in life. Both letters told us that she didn't remember much. In the second letter she said that she was a good person and that struck me as odd.
I ran into D today, as you know we sit around and do nothing all day...he got equivalent notes. He made a statement to the effect of, 'I know what it's like to know something happened but not know what...at the same time I try to treat people carefully who are going through a rough time in life...but at the same time I don't need this.'
I dropped her a note under her door saying that we're weren't angry just worried that she would hurt herself as she was so upset and 'onwards and upwards' as we say here in the UK.
Just another example of why alcohol is not your friend.
Tuesday, 30 January 2018
Alcohol, depression and weightlifting
It seems a lot of people in blog land suffer from depression. The
alcohol blocks/feeds the depression and it's an endless loop of more
depression. Maybe this will help someone out there...
Each time I would do dry January or 30+ days off alcohol I would see benefits. A little weight loss, toning, better sleep, money savings. I never really made it to a beautiful point though, I just felt very flat. I trundled along with my alcoholic free beverage and continued my overthinking and average existence. Even when I did 60 days off I just ended up feeling sad and deflated.
A lot of people extol the virtues of fresh air. "Let's go take a walk, clear the cobwebs!" Great, here in the UK the weather is crap, it's dark early and all walks end in a pub where I have to put on a fake smile and order a fizzy water.
I've always done a lot of sport, mainly because my gym in 90 seconds from my front door and I have a training partner who depends on me to meet up. I've been playing with my schedule and in speaking with trainers and internet research I decided to incorporate weight lifting twice a week.
I started lifting weights on Oct 7th in a Les Mills Body Pump class at the gym. I was 2 weeks into my 100 days alcohol-free stint. I had occasionally lifted here and there but not in a proper 1 hour class. It's offered at many gyms, it's a choreographed class so every instructor in the world is doing the same songs, same moves. Then they bring out a new version every 12 weeks.
I enjoyed the class and the instructor's energy so signed up for another one....and another one.
I was one month into being alcohol free and lifting weights in this class twice a week along with my 'regular' hiit sessions with my gym buddy. I was walking back home at 830 PM on a Monday night (which historically was my heaviest drinking night due to hating my job) and I found myself humming the tunes from the class. I felt very alive and happy. It was a confusing moment as I had not had a 'good' day in many months.
I began to look forward to the Monday and Thursday classes and had some more good days.
Then I started to do some googling online. I know a lot of people have success with running for depression while others recommend yoga. In some research, weight lifting can have the same or better results than other forms of exercise. Here are two quick summaries:
https://health.usnews.com/wellness/fitness/articles/2017-03-30/can-weightlifting-treat-depression
https://startingstrength.com/article/the-prescription-of-strength-training-for-treating-depression-and-optimizing-cognitive-performance
I've now upped my weight training (still doing the Les Mills Body Pump) to three times a week. I find I feel consistently good for hours afterwards. After class I come home with no desire to open a bottle of wine as my mind is calm and I feel a mixture of energetic yet exhausted in a good way.
I think this may help someone else out there. In particular, the 2nd article makes this statement, 'Another important finding in this study was that there was an association between a change in depressive symptoms and gain in muscle strength.'
I've never been one for running, especially outside in the rain, cold or dark weather. Even when I go out and run the 5k park run, I never get that runner's high, ever. I go on the treadmill for an hour and it still doesn't happen. However one month in to weight training I started to actually get arm, back and shoulder muscles and it's precisely when I started to feel mentally better.
I tried yoga and then mindfulness class but they made my brain spin too fast and then the partner exercises and instructors touching me put me over the edge. I find weight training focuses the brain. As all your mental energy is thinking about the bar and the weight everything else is blocked out.
So if you're sitting in a dark room with a bottle and racing thoughts suffering from bad sleep, flat moods and hangovers, maybe give weight training a try if other sport and activities haven't helped.
I do the Les Mills Body Pump classes as I have a gym membership and I need a structured time and place to do things. If you have access to weights and youtube you could have a weight training program. There's always free cycle to get free weight equipment or even plastic water bottles filled with water or sand could get you started.
Each time I would do dry January or 30+ days off alcohol I would see benefits. A little weight loss, toning, better sleep, money savings. I never really made it to a beautiful point though, I just felt very flat. I trundled along with my alcoholic free beverage and continued my overthinking and average existence. Even when I did 60 days off I just ended up feeling sad and deflated.
A lot of people extol the virtues of fresh air. "Let's go take a walk, clear the cobwebs!" Great, here in the UK the weather is crap, it's dark early and all walks end in a pub where I have to put on a fake smile and order a fizzy water.
I've always done a lot of sport, mainly because my gym in 90 seconds from my front door and I have a training partner who depends on me to meet up. I've been playing with my schedule and in speaking with trainers and internet research I decided to incorporate weight lifting twice a week.
I started lifting weights on Oct 7th in a Les Mills Body Pump class at the gym. I was 2 weeks into my 100 days alcohol-free stint. I had occasionally lifted here and there but not in a proper 1 hour class. It's offered at many gyms, it's a choreographed class so every instructor in the world is doing the same songs, same moves. Then they bring out a new version every 12 weeks.
I enjoyed the class and the instructor's energy so signed up for another one....and another one.
I was one month into being alcohol free and lifting weights in this class twice a week along with my 'regular' hiit sessions with my gym buddy. I was walking back home at 830 PM on a Monday night (which historically was my heaviest drinking night due to hating my job) and I found myself humming the tunes from the class. I felt very alive and happy. It was a confusing moment as I had not had a 'good' day in many months.
I began to look forward to the Monday and Thursday classes and had some more good days.
Then I started to do some googling online. I know a lot of people have success with running for depression while others recommend yoga. In some research, weight lifting can have the same or better results than other forms of exercise. Here are two quick summaries:
https://health.usnews.com/wellness/fitness/articles/2017-03-30/can-weightlifting-treat-depression
https://startingstrength.com/article/the-prescription-of-strength-training-for-treating-depression-and-optimizing-cognitive-performance
I've now upped my weight training (still doing the Les Mills Body Pump) to three times a week. I find I feel consistently good for hours afterwards. After class I come home with no desire to open a bottle of wine as my mind is calm and I feel a mixture of energetic yet exhausted in a good way.
I think this may help someone else out there. In particular, the 2nd article makes this statement, 'Another important finding in this study was that there was an association between a change in depressive symptoms and gain in muscle strength.'
I've never been one for running, especially outside in the rain, cold or dark weather. Even when I go out and run the 5k park run, I never get that runner's high, ever. I go on the treadmill for an hour and it still doesn't happen. However one month in to weight training I started to actually get arm, back and shoulder muscles and it's precisely when I started to feel mentally better.
I tried yoga and then mindfulness class but they made my brain spin too fast and then the partner exercises and instructors touching me put me over the edge. I find weight training focuses the brain. As all your mental energy is thinking about the bar and the weight everything else is blocked out.
So if you're sitting in a dark room with a bottle and racing thoughts suffering from bad sleep, flat moods and hangovers, maybe give weight training a try if other sport and activities haven't helped.
I do the Les Mills Body Pump classes as I have a gym membership and I need a structured time and place to do things. If you have access to weights and youtube you could have a weight training program. There's always free cycle to get free weight equipment or even plastic water bottles filled with water or sand could get you started.
Monday, 1 January 2018
Hello 2018
I completed my 100 days. Once again, no balloons and confetti fell after I met my goal.
While I'm bored with the routine I haven't missed alcohol.
So the plan is to take a few days off from abstaining and then to get back into my routine: work, gym, healthy food, no alcohol.
While I'm bored with the routine I haven't missed alcohol.
So the plan is to take a few days off from abstaining and then to get back into my routine: work, gym, healthy food, no alcohol.
Thursday, 7 December 2017
Day 77
I never get to post on milestone dates, meh. Still on track for 100 days.
All the gym work and no alcohol is finally starting to pay off with decent arm muscles and abs. It's now getting to the point that I'm kicking around going past 100 days as I'm on such a roll on this front.
I am flavour of the month in this holiday season as everyone's favourite designated driver.
This time last year was our annual family Christmas at the in laws. They do it early to fit into everyone's plans. Last year I was hungover on the Sunday due to the non stop wine. This year, I'm booked into the gym for a 9 AM class this Sunday after the Sat night shenanigans.
That's how I roll these days.
All the gym work and no alcohol is finally starting to pay off with decent arm muscles and abs. It's now getting to the point that I'm kicking around going past 100 days as I'm on such a roll on this front.
I am flavour of the month in this holiday season as everyone's favourite designated driver.
This time last year was our annual family Christmas at the in laws. They do it early to fit into everyone's plans. Last year I was hungover on the Sunday due to the non stop wine. This year, I'm booked into the gym for a 9 AM class this Sunday after the Sat night shenanigans.
That's how I roll these days.
Tuesday, 31 October 2017
Day 40
Just chugging along here, heading towards day 100.
Someone from the gym is doing dry October and is now extending it until a planned party in late November as she feels so great and is down a stone in a month (just from giving up sugar, no other diet or exercise changes!). That's how my dry January went on for 40 days too, I was in the zone. Funny how once you get started and get over the tough days it gains momentum.
Someone from the gym is doing dry October and is now extending it until a planned party in late November as she feels so great and is down a stone in a month (just from giving up sugar, no other diet or exercise changes!). That's how my dry January went on for 40 days too, I was in the zone. Funny how once you get started and get over the tough days it gains momentum.
Monday, 4 September 2017
On form
I'm more of a blog lurker than writer these days.
In October I did 30 days off alcohol.
I did dry January this year and it lasted 40 days.
I then did a fresh run of 60 days off alcohol.
I'm finding that I now do most days off of it and that's ok. I've come to a conclusion that I'm more of a boredom drinker than anything else. At the same time I picked up at the gym back in January and now evolved into a set routine, 6 days per week. Alcohol does nothing for me on the sport front and I've been enjoying the benefits of working out.
My current method is to be on 'off' mode with the exception of pre-planned 'on' days. I find that I'm no longer counting hours and days. Backtracking on my calendar I'm currently on day 7 and my next 'on' day is the weekend of Sept 15th as we have some time away planned.
Looking back, 30 days seemed so difficult the first time around. Even a week was daunting in a series of day ones. Thankful to be off of that hamster wheel.
In October I did 30 days off alcohol.
I did dry January this year and it lasted 40 days.
I then did a fresh run of 60 days off alcohol.
I'm finding that I now do most days off of it and that's ok. I've come to a conclusion that I'm more of a boredom drinker than anything else. At the same time I picked up at the gym back in January and now evolved into a set routine, 6 days per week. Alcohol does nothing for me on the sport front and I've been enjoying the benefits of working out.
My current method is to be on 'off' mode with the exception of pre-planned 'on' days. I find that I'm no longer counting hours and days. Backtracking on my calendar I'm currently on day 7 and my next 'on' day is the weekend of Sept 15th as we have some time away planned.
Looking back, 30 days seemed so difficult the first time around. Even a week was daunting in a series of day ones. Thankful to be off of that hamster wheel.
Saturday, 11 February 2017
Day 40
The recovering Catholic in me recognizes that I just did the equivalent of no alcohol for 40 days of Lent.
I still haven't come to any conclusions about not drinking, except that I won't drink today as it would sound silly later to say 'I gave up alcohol for 39 days.' 'Forty' has a better ring to it.
In the gym this week, the manager (in her mid-20's) whom I affectionately call 'my weekday teetotaler' and I were comparing notes. She has zero willpower and used to say, 'I'm not drinking this weekend, well, except for Friday night, and Sunday afternoon.' She had a similar statement about mid-week drinking so thus the name.
She did Dry January like I did and just kept on going. Any big reason? Nope, just didn't feel the need to stop yet. No wedding plans, no weight loss goals, nothing. I feel in the same boat.
In an ironic twist I've been getting a lot of mystery shops recently. It's only a hobby, I like writing about travel and experiences and this is just a chance to eat out for free while doing so. Many of them are via the brewers who want to test how their pubs are doing. So if the brief says, 'you must order a half pint or pint of beer on this visit,' then I task that to the boyfriend while I get a coffee or sparkling water. To be fair, I'm impressed with the state of the coffee machines in many pubs these days, on par with the fancy coffee shops!
OH is continuing to follow his fitness regime but got sidetracked this week on two work nights out as the vendors were providing free beer and nibbles. To his credit he had none last night (Friday) and has a weekend on the cross trainer planned. My not drinking means that a Saturday for him is usually a can of beer rather than a bottle plus of wine so small wins at least.
I still haven't come to any conclusions about not drinking, except that I won't drink today as it would sound silly later to say 'I gave up alcohol for 39 days.' 'Forty' has a better ring to it.
In the gym this week, the manager (in her mid-20's) whom I affectionately call 'my weekday teetotaler' and I were comparing notes. She has zero willpower and used to say, 'I'm not drinking this weekend, well, except for Friday night, and Sunday afternoon.' She had a similar statement about mid-week drinking so thus the name.
She did Dry January like I did and just kept on going. Any big reason? Nope, just didn't feel the need to stop yet. No wedding plans, no weight loss goals, nothing. I feel in the same boat.
In an ironic twist I've been getting a lot of mystery shops recently. It's only a hobby, I like writing about travel and experiences and this is just a chance to eat out for free while doing so. Many of them are via the brewers who want to test how their pubs are doing. So if the brief says, 'you must order a half pint or pint of beer on this visit,' then I task that to the boyfriend while I get a coffee or sparkling water. To be fair, I'm impressed with the state of the coffee machines in many pubs these days, on par with the fancy coffee shops!
OH is continuing to follow his fitness regime but got sidetracked this week on two work nights out as the vendors were providing free beer and nibbles. To his credit he had none last night (Friday) and has a weekend on the cross trainer planned. My not drinking means that a Saturday for him is usually a can of beer rather than a bottle plus of wine so small wins at least.
Tuesday, 7 February 2017
Day 36
Dry January rumbles on. I had said that I would extend it out longer than Dry October, so it needed to top 31 days. The Saturday just gone would have been my first 'possible' drink day. However the time is not yet right.
Physically I've done a bit of toning up this past month. Down one solid kilo and even dipped down another kilo for three days straight. Back up again after overdoing it at the gym and taking four days off. I'm down at that annoying last five pounds stage.
OH's sis hosted us for dinner on Sunday with their parents. That one is an easy one as the parents do not drink. So I brought along my current favourite non-alcoholic tipple: http://www.echofallswine.co.uk/sparkling-tisane which they enjoyed too. Note: the bottle on mine looks more green than this photo. Price is under 3 GBP at Asda.
Undecided as to how long to keep this up. I'd like to get more in shape and actually have some ab muscles at 42. Perhaps a lofty goal. Otherwise, the job is still carp so not drinking is helping me to preserve my mind, it would drive me nutso otherwise.
Physically I've done a bit of toning up this past month. Down one solid kilo and even dipped down another kilo for three days straight. Back up again after overdoing it at the gym and taking four days off. I'm down at that annoying last five pounds stage.
OH's sis hosted us for dinner on Sunday with their parents. That one is an easy one as the parents do not drink. So I brought along my current favourite non-alcoholic tipple: http://www.echofallswine.co.uk/sparkling-tisane which they enjoyed too. Note: the bottle on mine looks more green than this photo. Price is under 3 GBP at Asda.
Undecided as to how long to keep this up. I'd like to get more in shape and actually have some ab muscles at 42. Perhaps a lofty goal. Otherwise, the job is still carp so not drinking is helping me to preserve my mind, it would drive me nutso otherwise.
Monday, 30 January 2017
Day 28
A quiet Monday. Another Monday of working out prior to eating. Supposedly this burns more fat. I'm not sure yet but it isn't doing any harm.
A completely ridiculous and wasted weekend. OH's friend (3 hours by car, direction North) was having a party to celebrate turning 40. We did the drive up on Saturday afternoon, I was well-stocked with my non-alcoholic fizzy and fizzy water. We had our pillows and blankets along as we were going to spend the night and drive back Sunday.
It was a mixed group, 15 - 20 adults all around 40 plus 2 older parents. 6 or 7 kids aged 6-10. One 19 year old son of the birthday girl. In an ironic twist, the 19 year old was probably the most sober, delicately sipping a can of beer.
No one gave me any hassle about not drinking, the birthday girl told people I was 'doing dry January til the end'. Her other half said he admired that, he had done the month but had decided earlier to go until her birthday, so 27 nights. I was the only sober adult in the house by around 7 PM.
As the night rolled on the fizzy and Stella were plentiful. The birthday cake came out, the kids did some dj'ing on the computer and the dancing started.
Fast forward to 130 AM, many had headed home for the night but a group still going strong. We were sneaking off to bed when an altercation started, the 19 year old son and one of the 40's males had some history, doors started slamming, walls were getting punched. Not wanting to dwell on the back story or the reasons. You can imagine the ridiculousness of this situation, some males hyped on testosterone and Stella, now the step father became involved. Add in some shrieking females.
I told my other half we were not spending the night. Everyone shouting and hitting things. Not safe. He was not comfortable leaving his 19 year old Godson outnumbered, especially as he is physically small, smaller than many of the Northern lasses there. Queue more fighting activity in the house. By now I'm standing outside on the street with the car loaded up. No double glazing so neighbors are starting to come out. The 19 year old comes out and is going to get on his moped but my other half tells him not to as he has had some beers and it's now 2 AM. To be fair he was the most sober so had the foresight to lock the front door, leaving them locked in and buying us two minutes to get away as I ordered the 19 year old into the car. His stepfather punched out the window of the front door. My other half and the sister of the stepfather agreed that my OH would call the police on a domestic.
At 215 in the morning I'm driving around an unfamiliar town as we go to the 24 hour McDonalds.
So re-grouping on our plans the 19 year old has swelling on his hand so we take him to the emergency room. At 245 on a Saturday in a Northern England town it's mostly males involved in altercations as the pubs shut for 230.
My OH connects with the lad's mother, the police have since been and the stepfather is on the way to the same hospital. So my OH had to stay around for his arrival, having alerted the hospital staff. So we left both of them there under their care. My OH wanted to get a hotel but by now I was powered on adrenaline and two bottles of non-alcoholic fizzy (sugared up). So we set off at 3 AM making it back to our safe little corner of Essex as the clock was striking 6.
While I drove my OH was fielding updates from the boy's mother. At 6 I took a shower and went to bed until 930. We spent the day like zombies, no gym session.
The son and stepfather were both seen at A&E and took a taxi home together at 6 AM. Both have hand difficulties which will require follow up this week. The stepfather will require surgery due to the glass/tendons. As he works with his hands he is out of work for the week.
This whole situation was the result of alcohol. I cannot even begin to type my devastation of seeing the children crying, observing this situation. I told my OH, never again will I be going up there. If anything, this will extend my 30 days a little longer.
A completely ridiculous and wasted weekend. OH's friend (3 hours by car, direction North) was having a party to celebrate turning 40. We did the drive up on Saturday afternoon, I was well-stocked with my non-alcoholic fizzy and fizzy water. We had our pillows and blankets along as we were going to spend the night and drive back Sunday.
It was a mixed group, 15 - 20 adults all around 40 plus 2 older parents. 6 or 7 kids aged 6-10. One 19 year old son of the birthday girl. In an ironic twist, the 19 year old was probably the most sober, delicately sipping a can of beer.
No one gave me any hassle about not drinking, the birthday girl told people I was 'doing dry January til the end'. Her other half said he admired that, he had done the month but had decided earlier to go until her birthday, so 27 nights. I was the only sober adult in the house by around 7 PM.
As the night rolled on the fizzy and Stella were plentiful. The birthday cake came out, the kids did some dj'ing on the computer and the dancing started.
Fast forward to 130 AM, many had headed home for the night but a group still going strong. We were sneaking off to bed when an altercation started, the 19 year old son and one of the 40's males had some history, doors started slamming, walls were getting punched. Not wanting to dwell on the back story or the reasons. You can imagine the ridiculousness of this situation, some males hyped on testosterone and Stella, now the step father became involved. Add in some shrieking females.
I told my other half we were not spending the night. Everyone shouting and hitting things. Not safe. He was not comfortable leaving his 19 year old Godson outnumbered, especially as he is physically small, smaller than many of the Northern lasses there. Queue more fighting activity in the house. By now I'm standing outside on the street with the car loaded up. No double glazing so neighbors are starting to come out. The 19 year old comes out and is going to get on his moped but my other half tells him not to as he has had some beers and it's now 2 AM. To be fair he was the most sober so had the foresight to lock the front door, leaving them locked in and buying us two minutes to get away as I ordered the 19 year old into the car. His stepfather punched out the window of the front door. My other half and the sister of the stepfather agreed that my OH would call the police on a domestic.
At 215 in the morning I'm driving around an unfamiliar town as we go to the 24 hour McDonalds.
So re-grouping on our plans the 19 year old has swelling on his hand so we take him to the emergency room. At 245 on a Saturday in a Northern England town it's mostly males involved in altercations as the pubs shut for 230.
My OH connects with the lad's mother, the police have since been and the stepfather is on the way to the same hospital. So my OH had to stay around for his arrival, having alerted the hospital staff. So we left both of them there under their care. My OH wanted to get a hotel but by now I was powered on adrenaline and two bottles of non-alcoholic fizzy (sugared up). So we set off at 3 AM making it back to our safe little corner of Essex as the clock was striking 6.
While I drove my OH was fielding updates from the boy's mother. At 6 I took a shower and went to bed until 930. We spent the day like zombies, no gym session.
The son and stepfather were both seen at A&E and took a taxi home together at 6 AM. Both have hand difficulties which will require follow up this week. The stepfather will require surgery due to the glass/tendons. As he works with his hands he is out of work for the week.
This whole situation was the result of alcohol. I cannot even begin to type my devastation of seeing the children crying, observing this situation. I told my OH, never again will I be going up there. If anything, this will extend my 30 days a little longer.
Wednesday, 18 January 2017
Day 16
Just a small story. OH has been doing well on his drinking break. Granted he's more of a moderate drinker, but I'd call him more of a consistent drinker. He has no problem stopping at one, but often it will be one or two beers a day five days per week.
He's now on day 12, something he hasn't done since forever. It's nice that he's shown a bit of solidarity with me on dry Jan, he's exceeded my expectations. Plus he's lost a kilo.
His boozy friend texts him, they work near each other in London.
Boozy friend: I'm stopping in for one before getting the 630 train. Join me at x?
(x is a cheap and nasty pub, a chain with overpriced, lackluster beers.)
OH: No mate, need to get home and do the shopping, out of food.
OH's later commentary to me: Now that I've been 11 days without alcohol, my next drink is going to be a nice beer at a proper pub!
Too cute, I must admit that it gave me a giggle that he currently has such high standards!
He's now on day 12, something he hasn't done since forever. It's nice that he's shown a bit of solidarity with me on dry Jan, he's exceeded my expectations. Plus he's lost a kilo.
His boozy friend texts him, they work near each other in London.
Boozy friend: I'm stopping in for one before getting the 630 train. Join me at x?
(x is a cheap and nasty pub, a chain with overpriced, lackluster beers.)
OH: No mate, need to get home and do the shopping, out of food.
OH's later commentary to me: Now that I've been 11 days without alcohol, my next drink is going to be a nice beer at a proper pub!
Too cute, I must admit that it gave me a giggle that he currently has such high standards!
Sunday, 15 January 2017
Day 13
I find around day 8-9 I start to feel good and by day 13 I get some energy.
OH had to work today. He works in technology and occasionally gets overtime when he needs to do things when users are not in the office. In the past I would have cracked open the fizzy just after eating lunch so I'd be on the second bottle by the time he finished. I'd be in no fit state to cook dinner so it would either be him cooking what I had prepped or us being lazy and having frozen pizza.
Today was an entirely different experience. Off he went at 8 AM. As it was an early start I had a coffee and caught up on the news online. I do freelance writing on the side and I have a deadline the week after next. Normally I do everything the night before but instead I started my work already.
Then I popped onto youtube to find some good fitness videos since my gym isn't open today. I did a sweaty 40 minutes and am now feeling good.
OH is on day 9 of this AF lark. He had mentioned that not drinking last Sat/Sun he thought that he'd feel better Monday morning but instead he had a headache. I challenged him to keep it up another week to get the alcohol truly out of his system and to try it again. Fingers crossed he feels a positive difference.
So there is a chicken in the oven for OH and the cat. I have a piece of fish. Then we have cheesy garlic potatoes (Oh so many calories to burn without the drinking!) and beans.
Looking forward to a hot bubble bath and a restful sleep to be bright and clear on Monday.
OH had to work today. He works in technology and occasionally gets overtime when he needs to do things when users are not in the office. In the past I would have cracked open the fizzy just after eating lunch so I'd be on the second bottle by the time he finished. I'd be in no fit state to cook dinner so it would either be him cooking what I had prepped or us being lazy and having frozen pizza.
Today was an entirely different experience. Off he went at 8 AM. As it was an early start I had a coffee and caught up on the news online. I do freelance writing on the side and I have a deadline the week after next. Normally I do everything the night before but instead I started my work already.
Then I popped onto youtube to find some good fitness videos since my gym isn't open today. I did a sweaty 40 minutes and am now feeling good.
OH is on day 9 of this AF lark. He had mentioned that not drinking last Sat/Sun he thought that he'd feel better Monday morning but instead he had a headache. I challenged him to keep it up another week to get the alcohol truly out of his system and to try it again. Fingers crossed he feels a positive difference.
So there is a chicken in the oven for OH and the cat. I have a piece of fish. Then we have cheesy garlic potatoes (Oh so many calories to burn without the drinking!) and beans.
Looking forward to a hot bubble bath and a restful sleep to be bright and clear on Monday.
Friday, 13 January 2017
Day 11
An awesomely tough but good gym day. Still doing ok on the food front, making sure to keep the clean calories up to match the gym activity. Not eating garbage, no crisps or chips.
I remember in dry October I reached a point where first I lost the fat bloat/water retention from my face and then I lost a little weight overall and further weight disappeared from my face. I am pleased that the same thing has happened again, it started yesterday.
I feel like I dropped five years from my dowdy and sagging middle aged 40's appearance! The double chin has been minimized!
I take little peeks at myself as I pass my hall mirror, just amazed.
Overall, I've held steady all week at 58.3 kilos. I've knocked off a kilo since I started dry January. I'll probably stay in that range but might go down another kilo. Keeping in mind the trade-offs of muscle vs. fat. As long as I keep toning up like this and with good gym energy, the scale weight is more for informational purposes than incentive.
I hope everyone is enjoying a good start to the weekend. Terribly cold and windy here in my corner of the UK, keeping cozy with tealights and a warm cat.
I remember in dry October I reached a point where first I lost the fat bloat/water retention from my face and then I lost a little weight overall and further weight disappeared from my face. I am pleased that the same thing has happened again, it started yesterday.
I feel like I dropped five years from my dowdy and sagging middle aged 40's appearance! The double chin has been minimized!
I take little peeks at myself as I pass my hall mirror, just amazed.
Overall, I've held steady all week at 58.3 kilos. I've knocked off a kilo since I started dry January. I'll probably stay in that range but might go down another kilo. Keeping in mind the trade-offs of muscle vs. fat. As long as I keep toning up like this and with good gym energy, the scale weight is more for informational purposes than incentive.
I hope everyone is enjoying a good start to the weekend. Terribly cold and windy here in my corner of the UK, keeping cozy with tealights and a warm cat.
Wednesday, 11 January 2017
Day 9
Productivity unleashed. Went to do 30 minutes of strength training at the gym and ended up staying for a zumba class too, felt good to get in some cardio. Hiit tomorrow and Friday.
Storms coming to my part of the UK tomorrow and Friday, sleet and hail. Did my shopping already so not needing anything before Monday.
Once I get past the 6 day mark I start to see and feel tangible benefits. I sleep so fully! No more 3 and 4 AM wake-ups. If I were to ever stop drinking permanently, it would probably be due to the sleep.
OH is on day 5 and still committed. He's back on myfitnesspal to control his weight as well. For him, sweets are the equivalent of alcohol, just no willpower. He's already warned me that he's due a break Sunday evening as he has to work that day, so he plans to enjoy one on the train home. Fair enough as he normally only goes 3 days at best, although he's a moderate drinker so he doesn't quite benefit from the long stretches of alcohol free days as the rest of us. He's going to go in one week stretches so fair enough.
I'm a little disappointed, his sis and her OH dropped out on Jan 5 and have given up for the month. That's one of the things that troubles me about dry January, that people make it an all or nothing.
I follow another forum where people set a target at the beginning of each month, be it 5, 12, 20, whatever number of AF days. Then each month you set your target a little higher until it's 30/30. From the forum postings, it helps a lot for people who are good planners or boredom drinkers. Whatever it takes.
Storms coming to my part of the UK tomorrow and Friday, sleet and hail. Did my shopping already so not needing anything before Monday.
Once I get past the 6 day mark I start to see and feel tangible benefits. I sleep so fully! No more 3 and 4 AM wake-ups. If I were to ever stop drinking permanently, it would probably be due to the sleep.
OH is on day 5 and still committed. He's back on myfitnesspal to control his weight as well. For him, sweets are the equivalent of alcohol, just no willpower. He's already warned me that he's due a break Sunday evening as he has to work that day, so he plans to enjoy one on the train home. Fair enough as he normally only goes 3 days at best, although he's a moderate drinker so he doesn't quite benefit from the long stretches of alcohol free days as the rest of us. He's going to go in one week stretches so fair enough.
I'm a little disappointed, his sis and her OH dropped out on Jan 5 and have given up for the month. That's one of the things that troubles me about dry January, that people make it an all or nothing.
I follow another forum where people set a target at the beginning of each month, be it 5, 12, 20, whatever number of AF days. Then each month you set your target a little higher until it's 30/30. From the forum postings, it helps a lot for people who are good planners or boredom drinkers. Whatever it takes.
Monday, 9 January 2017
Day 7
Nothing much exciting to write about, except that I'm still on my dry January streak. Overdid some furniture moving over the weekend on top of the 'welcome back to the new year' full-on week of gym sessions so ended up skipping the gym tonight and probably tomorrow, perhaps even the rest of the week. Aack.
The cat has been up and down the past 2 months. At age 19 suddenly developed kidney disease followed by a tumour. So now we've moved to palliative care and she's on some intense kitty pain relievers that cause her to sleep for hours. The remaining parts of her day involve eating copious amounts of freshly cooked chicken.
The boyfriend is on day 3 of his two dry weeks. So proud of him to go to the pub on Saturday when everyone around him was drinking and he had a coke.
The cat has been up and down the past 2 months. At age 19 suddenly developed kidney disease followed by a tumour. So now we've moved to palliative care and she's on some intense kitty pain relievers that cause her to sleep for hours. The remaining parts of her day involve eating copious amounts of freshly cooked chicken.
The boyfriend is on day 3 of his two dry weeks. So proud of him to go to the pub on Saturday when everyone around him was drinking and he had a coke.
Saturday, 7 January 2017
Dry January success stories
The Daily Mail here in the UK isn't necessarily the best source of journalism, but I love reading Dry January stories and how one small month of abstaining from alcohol makes such a big impact on one's health:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-4082714/We-proof-Dry-January-really-worth-doing-5-drinkers-gave-alcohol-month-reveal-astonishing-results.html
Interesting how the ladies were more prolific drinkers than the gentlemen.
Over here, day 5 and counting...
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-4082714/We-proof-Dry-January-really-worth-doing-5-drinkers-gave-alcohol-month-reveal-astonishing-results.html
Interesting how the ladies were more prolific drinkers than the gentlemen.
Over here, day 5 and counting...
Monday, 2 January 2017
Roll on January
I'm becoming much more of a blog reader rather than a poster.
My moderating December turned out better than expected due to the flu. I ended up nailing my off days and gaining a few extra credits on my 'on days' as I felt so awful. Extra brownie points earned due to driving on Christmas day. It was originally planned to be a walk to the pub but I didn't have it in me, just so cold and sniffly. So I drove and had a coffee, ha! I did have some drinks later in the evening but the day ended up quieter and calmer than expected.
My 'dry Jan' officially starts Jan 3rd. I need the routine of work/gym, days off are my downfall. As I did dry October I thought it was time to kick it up a notch. When I came back from holidays in November I mostly gave up caffeine, so thought I'd try a mostly clean eating month too. So no frozen pizza or general garbage. We're not quite veganuary, but going in that direction.
I have done dry January for over 10 years prior to meeting the boyfriend. I'm a little surprised in the UK at the hoopla over not drinking in Jan as my Irish colleagues turned me on to it and it seems to be commonplace with them. I've done it for years with no fanfare.
My OH and his sis both have birthdays in Jan so earlier years have been derailed by this, and that he doesn't get it.
This year is different, his sis and her OH are attempting dry Jan (again). I challenged him to do two weeks/weekends, that I would buy him dinner on each week that he does a week. So he committed to two full weekends.
To say I am pleased is an understatement. Now I just need to keep up my end of the bargain and I can do it!
My moderating December turned out better than expected due to the flu. I ended up nailing my off days and gaining a few extra credits on my 'on days' as I felt so awful. Extra brownie points earned due to driving on Christmas day. It was originally planned to be a walk to the pub but I didn't have it in me, just so cold and sniffly. So I drove and had a coffee, ha! I did have some drinks later in the evening but the day ended up quieter and calmer than expected.
My 'dry Jan' officially starts Jan 3rd. I need the routine of work/gym, days off are my downfall. As I did dry October I thought it was time to kick it up a notch. When I came back from holidays in November I mostly gave up caffeine, so thought I'd try a mostly clean eating month too. So no frozen pizza or general garbage. We're not quite veganuary, but going in that direction.
I have done dry January for over 10 years prior to meeting the boyfriend. I'm a little surprised in the UK at the hoopla over not drinking in Jan as my Irish colleagues turned me on to it and it seems to be commonplace with them. I've done it for years with no fanfare.
My OH and his sis both have birthdays in Jan so earlier years have been derailed by this, and that he doesn't get it.
This year is different, his sis and her OH are attempting dry Jan (again). I challenged him to do two weeks/weekends, that I would buy him dinner on each week that he does a week. So he committed to two full weekends.
To say I am pleased is an understatement. Now I just need to keep up my end of the bargain and I can do it!
Saturday, 17 December 2016
Still here, moderating
I'm still lurking in the background and reading all of the wonderful blogs that are of a similar topic to mine.
I remain undecided on the moderation topic, but am trying it out for now. After my 31 days were up I had a few days of heavy drinking then a few days of non-drinking. I was worried to go down the slippery slope back to my pre-31 days off so have been keeping an eye on things. Now that I have tasted the sober life it's become easier not to default into a bottle of wine because I'm bored on a Saturday.
We went to Paris for part work/part long weekend away (wine and cheese, ooh la la) then it was a week away in Gran Canaria (wine and tapas, si). I make it a strict rule not to drink at work events. So even with 2 nights of extravagant dinners and plenty of French wine, I ended up being the only person out of 14 not drinking, while the rest of them hurried to get their fill on the company's expense.
Gran Canaria was just for a week of hols. It's interesting being in another culture that is not so over the top about drinking like the UK. As I speak Spanish we ventured further afield and were often the only non-locals in a location. When you ask for a glass of wine there, they give you the same sized glass of wine as the locals would get. I estimate it at 1/3 of the size of a UK sized glass. It puts it into good perspective as we whittled the days away drinking Spanish style in the shade of an umbrella under sunny days.
Coming back with the usual holiday weight and knowing that we're coming into the holiday season of parties and endless food, I've made the decision to enjoy party days (at a moderate level) and on the remaining days to make them no alcohol, mostly vegan and heavy on the exercise. All three tie in together so nicely once they get rolling. As I did much of those during my month off I decided to up the game and give up caffeine.
So far 2 party days have passed successfully, OH's family does a Chinese meal out and he had his big company party in central London.
OH admitted in advance that he was worried about the company party. I told him that it was a 'work' event and fell under my 'work' category so he didn't need to worry. Am so happy to report back that I made him proud! At the pre-meetup of his department in a nearby pub, the others had 2-3 pints and I had one. When we arrived it was dazzling, all the party dresses, all the drinks! I had a glass of fizzy, then a second and then switched to their non-alcoholic mocktail.
It was quite clever of them, they had an alcoholic version and a non-alcoholic version, they looked the same and were served in the same glasses. However, they were laid out at opposite ends of the bar and the alcoholic ones had 2 cherries but the non version had a lime bit. So if you wanted to ditch the lime, no one would know that you were not having what they were having. Both were based on pomegranate juice.
Around this time all his younger colleagues were flitting around higher than kites.
The doors opened for dinner. There were 10 of us at a table and 6 bottles of wine. As I don't drink with dinner I wasn't really bothered. I did have a glass of wine while others enjoyed the desert but then we went to go dancing. A number of his colleagues were now a bit of their gourd as the meals were fancy but tiny.
As we needed to get the 11.30 pm train we picked up an open but almost full bottle of wine (i.e. it would have been thrown out) and sneaked it out of the venue and enjoyed a glass on our long train journey home. We ended up giving the remainder of it to others who had been at the party as they had an even longer train journey home.
So glad I cleared the 31 days as that set the foundation to have a moderate night. I need to keep an eye on it, to keep the alcohol days in check and keep the non-alcoholic days just that.
As I was typing this, OH just called, he's braved town to shop for Christmas presents. As I didn't drink last night and we need to go to his house tonight by car, he was checking if I still had not opened any fizzy and could he stop by the pub on the way home to have a drink with his sister? In the old days he would not have bothered to check as the assumption would have been that I would be well into a bored Saturday afternoon and halfway through a fizzy bottle. So proud of myself, that I could tell him to go ahead and stop. As a substitute for my boring Saturday I had a nap instead and it was so much better than an afternoon of alcohol.
I remain undecided on the moderation topic, but am trying it out for now. After my 31 days were up I had a few days of heavy drinking then a few days of non-drinking. I was worried to go down the slippery slope back to my pre-31 days off so have been keeping an eye on things. Now that I have tasted the sober life it's become easier not to default into a bottle of wine because I'm bored on a Saturday.
We went to Paris for part work/part long weekend away (wine and cheese, ooh la la) then it was a week away in Gran Canaria (wine and tapas, si). I make it a strict rule not to drink at work events. So even with 2 nights of extravagant dinners and plenty of French wine, I ended up being the only person out of 14 not drinking, while the rest of them hurried to get their fill on the company's expense.
Gran Canaria was just for a week of hols. It's interesting being in another culture that is not so over the top about drinking like the UK. As I speak Spanish we ventured further afield and were often the only non-locals in a location. When you ask for a glass of wine there, they give you the same sized glass of wine as the locals would get. I estimate it at 1/3 of the size of a UK sized glass. It puts it into good perspective as we whittled the days away drinking Spanish style in the shade of an umbrella under sunny days.
Coming back with the usual holiday weight and knowing that we're coming into the holiday season of parties and endless food, I've made the decision to enjoy party days (at a moderate level) and on the remaining days to make them no alcohol, mostly vegan and heavy on the exercise. All three tie in together so nicely once they get rolling. As I did much of those during my month off I decided to up the game and give up caffeine.
So far 2 party days have passed successfully, OH's family does a Chinese meal out and he had his big company party in central London.
OH admitted in advance that he was worried about the company party. I told him that it was a 'work' event and fell under my 'work' category so he didn't need to worry. Am so happy to report back that I made him proud! At the pre-meetup of his department in a nearby pub, the others had 2-3 pints and I had one. When we arrived it was dazzling, all the party dresses, all the drinks! I had a glass of fizzy, then a second and then switched to their non-alcoholic mocktail.
It was quite clever of them, they had an alcoholic version and a non-alcoholic version, they looked the same and were served in the same glasses. However, they were laid out at opposite ends of the bar and the alcoholic ones had 2 cherries but the non version had a lime bit. So if you wanted to ditch the lime, no one would know that you were not having what they were having. Both were based on pomegranate juice.
Around this time all his younger colleagues were flitting around higher than kites.
The doors opened for dinner. There were 10 of us at a table and 6 bottles of wine. As I don't drink with dinner I wasn't really bothered. I did have a glass of wine while others enjoyed the desert but then we went to go dancing. A number of his colleagues were now a bit of their gourd as the meals were fancy but tiny.
As we needed to get the 11.30 pm train we picked up an open but almost full bottle of wine (i.e. it would have been thrown out) and sneaked it out of the venue and enjoyed a glass on our long train journey home. We ended up giving the remainder of it to others who had been at the party as they had an even longer train journey home.
So glad I cleared the 31 days as that set the foundation to have a moderate night. I need to keep an eye on it, to keep the alcohol days in check and keep the non-alcoholic days just that.
As I was typing this, OH just called, he's braved town to shop for Christmas presents. As I didn't drink last night and we need to go to his house tonight by car, he was checking if I still had not opened any fizzy and could he stop by the pub on the way home to have a drink with his sister? In the old days he would not have bothered to check as the assumption would have been that I would be well into a bored Saturday afternoon and halfway through a fizzy bottle. So proud of myself, that I could tell him to go ahead and stop. As a substitute for my boring Saturday I had a nap instead and it was so much better than an afternoon of alcohol.
Sunday, 13 November 2016
Non-alcoholic wine review
After a bit of googling, I was excited to try Tesco's non-alcoholic South African Chenin fizz due to the great reviews like this:
http://metro.co.uk/2016/02/09/tesco-is-selling-alcohol-free-fizz-they-say-is-the-closest-ever-to-the-real-thing-5634766/
Technically it is a 0.5% level so I waited until after my 30 days off to try it, purist that I am. I went with the white one but they also had a pink one.
For now I'll stick with my non-alcoholic fizzy grape drinks. Asda has discontinued my favourite but Co-op does an ok one, as long as I water it down a little more with fizzy water or ice.
Edit: I served it to my other half without commentary, but mentioned that it was a non-alcoholic wine. He has quite a sweet tooth and could eat chocolate all day. He had two glasses of it with dinner and thought it was quite nice as a non-alcoholic substitute to the usual offering of cola that most of our non-alcoholic friends endure. As we always have a few friends who are minimizing alcohol due to driving later in the evening or to limit sugar/calories, he would buy this one again to have on offer at gatherings.
http://metro.co.uk/2016/02/09/tesco-is-selling-alcohol-free-fizz-they-say-is-the-closest-ever-to-the-real-thing-5634766/
Technically it is a 0.5% level so I waited until after my 30 days off to try it, purist that I am. I went with the white one but they also had a pink one.
My thoughts on this as an alcohol-free substitute:
- I like fizzy things and will easily drink a litre of fizzy water on a Sunday dinner while others are drinking wine. My personal favourite is Tesco's Ashbeck as I love a lot of fizz in my water. When I opened this bottle it has a high amount of fizz.
- At £2.75 a bottle it's easy on the wallet.
- It's nice to have something different than water and a festive cork to pop. It comes with a nifty resealable plastic cork.
- I've never been a fan of South Africa white wine, it's a little too sweet for me. This bottle was extremely sweet, I couldn't get beyond a glass of it. If you are a fan of sweet wines, dessert wines, I think this would be worth a try.
For now I'll stick with my non-alcoholic fizzy grape drinks. Asda has discontinued my favourite but Co-op does an ok one, as long as I water it down a little more with fizzy water or ice.
Edit: I served it to my other half without commentary, but mentioned that it was a non-alcoholic wine. He has quite a sweet tooth and could eat chocolate all day. He had two glasses of it with dinner and thought it was quite nice as a non-alcoholic substitute to the usual offering of cola that most of our non-alcoholic friends endure. As we always have a few friends who are minimizing alcohol due to driving later in the evening or to limit sugar/calories, he would buy this one again to have on offer at gatherings.
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