Scarlett Chesser

May 5, 2023  280 days of sobriety! (9 months and 6 days) I recently celebrated 9 months of sobriety. Last year, this time, I had no clue that my life would be forever transformed in the upcoming months. I was looking for all the answers to the pain and misery I was experiencing, but unfortunately, the more I looked, the further down the bottle I fell. In so many forums and discussion boards that I partake, many people will ask, “What was your turning point?” My turning point was when I could no longer look at myself in the mirror because the guilt, shame, and remorse were unbearable. Drinking had become the epicenter of my world.  Unfortunately, in May of last year, although I had not hit my rock bottom, I was in the process of digging a hole that would take almost a miracle to get out of. At this time, I was preparing for my final reconstructive breast cancer surgery. I had the perfect opportunity to dwell in self-pity and therefore choose to consume excessive amounts of alco...

February 28, 2023 214 days (7 months) of sobriety!  February has been a month full of opportunity to grow in sobriety! Living life sober is starting to feel like the norm, rather than the opposite. I feel like I am more at peace with who I am and who I am supposed to be. Today, I am so grateful to celebrate 7 months of sobriety! In mid-February, James and I were finally able to get some time alone. We decided to take a mini-vacay to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. It was truly an amazing trip in which we did a whole lot of eating and sleeping! We both truly needed the relaxation. It felt so good to be “hangover free” the entire time and enjoy things that I normally would have bypassed. The triggers were minimal on this trip. I remember the last time we vacationed in Gatlinburg, although I kept my drinking to a minimum, it was constantly on my mind! The obsession of the mind to have that first drink was powerful! It feels so good to have my cravings for alcohol slowly diminish.  This pa...

 January 29, 2023 6 months! This morning I went to a meeting and graciously received my 6 month chip!  Upon leaving my meeting, I sat in the car and tears began to roll down my face. I was overcome with complete joy!!!  Ironically, the song, "Maybe It's Time" sung by Bradly Cooper in the movie, "A Star is Born" came across my Spotify. When listening to the lyrics, there were some that just were profound to me. "Maybe it's time to let the ole' ways die...I'm glad I can't go back to where I came from, I'm glad those days are gone, gone for good." Today, I was literally able to let an old piece of me die, and it felt so liberating.   I find that when listening to or reading personal stories of recovery that they have 3 things in common: what we were like, what happened, and what are we like now. My story is no different than many, but it is my personal journey into 6 months of sobriety. It is MY story as of TODAY...forever editing deta...

January 17, 2023 171 days!  I started blogging about 100 days ago.  I have been so amazed by the people that have reached out to me and connected about alcoholism and/or sobriety. It is wonderful to know that we are not on this journey alone.  I recently read a quote that said, "The best things in life are the people we love, the places we've been, and the memories we've made along the way." This quote truly defined this past weekend for me.  THE PEOPLE WE LOVE. As I have mentioned, time and time again, the people in my life have helped pave the way for my success.  They have been so supportive and have encouraged me every step of the way. This weekend I had the pleasure to celebrate birthdays with two of my besties. Kelley is truly one of a kind. She has been my ride or die the past 11 years! She is beautiful on the inside and out…doesn’t look a day over 18! She has stood by me through so much bullshit, and I will forever be grateful for her loyalty. She has se...

  January 12, 2023 166 days I didn't know what "true love" was, until I went through an extreme transformation of the soul.  Prior to sobriety, I was so self-consumed and selfish, that my heart just didn't beat for much, other than my daughter or alcohol. Prior to sobriety, I cared, I had emotions, I worried, but understanding love at a deeper level, just became so surreal when I stopped drinking. "True love" has many facets, and I strongly feel we love at a multitude of levels, in a variety of ways, for many different people.  Today, I wanted to focus on the love I have for my husband, and how my relationship has been transformed by giving up alcohol.  James just celebrated his 45th birthday!  He deserves some attention! He has truly stood by me in the darkest of times, and it takes a virtual saint to withstand the mental (and sometimes physical) abuse that an alcoholic or addict can project.  I was reunited with James in 2012, many years after we attended...

 January 1, 2023 155 days Happy New Year! WOW...as I look back at 2022, it was definitely a year to remember!  It's crazy to think I have 5 months of sobriety under my belt already.  It's also crazy to think I have been officially CANCER FREE for just over a year! I have so many things to be grateful for...the good and the bad have all contributed to where I am at today!  So, how did I celebrate the New Year? I decided to stay busy!  New Year's Eve was a very eventful day, full of lots of things to do!  James and I did a little shopping Saturday morning.  I love the simple things I get to enjoy with him.  After shopping, we celebrated Brad's and Devan's birthdays at Big Shots with the family.  It was so nice to be coherent and fully involved in the moment.  I absolutely adore getting to see our granddaughter, Hallie.  She is precious.  We are blessed with wonderful kiddos, and Devan has been one of the best daughter-n-laws EVER...