devastated

Sooo funny, Ann!! I am so happy you learned all the important things from me!! You have to admit we had so much fun at the "almost jail wedding" didn't we? It's true, Ann, I still call him my boy, and he is 54 years old now. Wonder how come he's so old, and I'm not!! LOL
I remember all the crazy things you did too, Ann, like going to the drug dealers house to confront him. Such dangerous things, but who even thought about that when we were so busy trying to save the kid.
Got to tell you a funny thing that happened the other day. The boy was trying to reach us, and we were out. I came home to about 5 missed messages from him. I called back and asked what he wanted. He said, "Geeze Mom, I kept calling you and Pops and you weren't home, and you didn't answer your cell phone. He said I was so worried. Then he went on to say, "but then I figured to heck with them, if they're in jail, they're in jail!" OMG, I was hysterical! He can be so funny! He recently went to the hospital for a procedure, and he was so afraid he wasn't going to come out. Mind you it's a simple procedure. Funny, huh, he often says, "I never thought I would live to be this age. I thank God He allowed me to!" Makes me cry, but then everything makes me cry! LOL
Yep, Ann, we are sisters separated at birth! I know that for a fact, 'cause my sister always said I was adopted! Thank you for being my friend! Yes, the chef says love red heads!! Especially those fuxxy ones! It's the broken English thing!
Hugs, kisses, Dev

MsPINKAcres

bwah ha ha ha ha -
I have laughed so much in reading this thread - tears almost ran down my legs!!

Oh Dev I have missed you so much ~
I think about you often - especially when dealing with our little Sunshine - who will be 12 next month!!!!
I keep telling myself if Dev can do it, so can I! (like when she conned her Aunt into taking her to get her ear cartilage pierced when I told her she had to wait til she was 16 - not 11 - needless to say that little earring came out & someone was grounded for quite a while!)

Geez where do they get this determination & Strong will???

I also remember the thread count/sheet story - Sunshine's dad has serve a little time under the supervision of the authorities & Mr. PINK has had a difficult time detaching ~ I have worked on minding my own business and let Mr.PINK do what he felt he had too - as long as he didn't call the warden to talk about thread count on the sheets - I figured we were doing ok!!

So this ReeRee is off to the softball fields - our Sunshine made the traveling softball team, Junior Beta and no new piercing (as this morning when I left the house) and we are still taking one PINK day at a time. . .

BIG PINK HUGS!

devastated

Thank the Lord someone missed me! You just made my day! Do you know where I was today for about 30 seconds? I attended a meeting, best one yet, at the casino!! Yeah, what fun. First thing I did was get in trouble. You know how? OK, here's the story. I was playing, what I thought was going to be a winning machine, and this guy next to me decided to smoke. YUK! The smoke was coming in my face. I noticed that he had the name "Victor" tattooed on his neck. So, I just assumed that was his name. Wrong! So I said, "excuse me, Victor, could you hold that smoke in the other hand, 'cause it's coming right towards me and in my face!" He didn't respond, so I said it again, "excuse me, Victor!!" He looke at me and said, "you talking to me?" Well, yeah!! He said, "my name is not Victor!" Whoa, big mistake tattooing it on your neck huh? Geeze was the tattoo artist drunk or something? He said "no!" I said, "why would you tattoo Victor on your neck if it isn't your name?" He said, "In memorial of a friend that passed!" OMG, I said, "why didn't you put it somewhere where it wouldn't show? " Hmmm, did he have to call security because of that? Chicken! Guess I won't be going to the casino anytime soon! LOL
Now, about little Sunshine! So nice you still are hanging in there. OMG, a piercing already??? They are sure smart cookies aren't they? They know how to play their cards. I'm glad you made her take it out! However, it isn't as bad as our little darling writing a check for $6,000,000 to a classmate. I still have to frisk her before she leaves for school. She asked me how much longer I'm going to do that? LOL
Poor Mr.Pink, I wish he could learn to let go. How about reading him the poem on "Letting Go?" Do you remember it? It's so beautiful. I'm going to post it for those who have not ever heard it. It helps!!
Our little "check writer" is starting softball this week! She played soccer when she was 4 and Mr.Dev and I ended up having to be coaches! OMG, why me?
Hugs, Dev

MsPINKAcres

Oh Dear - Kicked out of the Casino - you wild woman!!!!!!!
I guess some of our "character traits" stick with us don't they???

I'll share that letting Go with Mr.PINK - he's trying - you know - both he & Sunshine have a hard time accepting the concept of the disease -
I made the comment the other day about my step-son being an alcoholic/addict & Sunshine "well he's not anymore" & Mr.PINK said "I think he may be past that phase"

Sooooo grateful for the program that has taught me to keep my mouth SHUT - I said "You could be right" and left it at that!!!

Good gravy - I need these recovery tools more & more every day !!


have fun at the softball fields - when packing for the tournaments - I am an expert - I pretty much bring EVERYTHING - from bandaides to ponytail holders, Benadryl to hairspray, sunscreen to every snack imaginable ~
It looks like I'm packing for a herd of wild animals - a bunch of pre-teen girls is about the same thing! lol

devastated

Regarding the characteristics, Yeah, pretty much! LOL
Good for you being able to keep your mouth shut! When I grow up, I want to be just like you. Unfortunately, at the moment, I still have to voice my opinions. No one usually listens, but at least I feel better. LOL
Everyone must learn in their own time! It took me only 35 years, so who am I to judge.
Did I mention the fact that my ggd's birthday is two days before mine? Man, we could be twins! Everyone calls her little Ms.Devastated LOL

Hugs, Devastated

Ann

Ms. Pink, I am like Dev and have a hard time holding my voice back...but one thing I have learned...if I keep my mouth shut, I cannot possible put my foot in it. I can save myself a lick of trouble if I just don't speak my mind all the time.

I have key phrases I like to use, I use these to respond kindly rather than say things like "are you out of your ever lovin' MIND?" and "good luck with that, pal, you're gonna need it".

My salvation phrases are:

"Isn't that wonderful! Good for you!"

"Really? I hope that works out for you!"

"You DID? Isn't that wonderful."

The thing is, Mr. Ann is on to me. When he tells me something obtuse and I respond with "Isn't that wonderful, good for you." he KNOWS that I mean "What kind of crazy are you?" or "Puleeeze, Louise, tell me you didn't."

You see, there you go, I need to keep my mouth shut, I should never have told Mr. Ann my secret phrases. He doesn't use them well when he tries, so they would have been my safe little secret.

Dev, getting kicked out of the casino was one thing, but please don't come back and tell me you got a tattoo on your neck. It would be very hard for me to keep a straight face and say "Isn't that wonderful!!!"

MsPINKAcres

Ann - you crack me up -

I can relate - the entire time I'm keeping my mouth shut on the inside I'm praying
"Dear Baby Jesus, please don't let me go crazy on these folks & slap somebody upside the head - like you & I know they need it! Amen"

Tats & piercing

The warden would be so proud!

devastated

Hmmm, guess it's too late for me because I flat refuse to keep my mouth shut, except when the little miss is with me, as I want to set a good example. Drives me crazy too!

Gosh, remember when the mailman asked me who I knew in San Quentin? I said, "my son!" He was shocked, but asked, "what for?" I thought to myself, if he has the nerve to ask, I have the nerve to answer, so I said, "he killed a mailman!" Wow, guess he couldn't take a joke, cause after that he never spoke to me again! Suits me fine, I didn't want to chat with him anyway. That wasn't the mailman that was crazy for me. You know, the one I told Mr. Dev about and his reply was, "watcha outta for 'em, he a fuxxy one! " Translated means "Watch out for him, he's a foxy one!" OMG, he makes me laugh.

In any event, I come from a long line of 'MOUTHS!" Must be the Italian in me.
I do like to say "how's that working out for you?" But I always end up laughing!

Hugs, Dev

Ann

Oh don't even start me on the prayers. Poor God, but He is getting used to me I think. Melody Beattie once said "Pray for anything you want, God will sort out the junk". That just set me loose and God has been hearing from me on a regular basis every since. I no longer send prayers like a letter to Santa wish list. Today I just ask for courage and strength and unload my burdens and leave the cleanup to God and his angels. Okay, so maybe sometimes I whisper "Did you see that, God?" and leave the lightening bolts to Him.



I remember that, it's a classic!!! Oh lordy you both are making my sides hurt. Mr. Ann is looking at me and said "What's so funny". I just said "It's Devastated" and he looked at me even funnier.

MsPINKAcres

I truly laughed aloud on that one too!!!
it's just so hard to control the smarta$$ in us isn't it??
especially when she is just so funny!

Mr.PINK is a big jokester himself & likes to tell me he
"needs to slap the fire out of me for being so sassy"
(me knowing he wouldn't hurt me if he had to)

and I politely smile back at him & in my pinkest voice say

"not & live to tell about it"

He laughs & says "I know that you would"

mission accomplished!

devastated

When you were talking about what Mr. Pink says to you "slap the fire out of you!" I couldn't help but remember something really funny. When my son was in one of his "fire camps" I went to visit him and the guard proceeded to search him with me standing watching this. He did the hands out to the sides and the chest area, (you know the routine right?) then he slid his hands up and down the legs. When he did that my son said, "I love a man with strong hands!" OMG, I thought the guard was going to die! He said, "Get outta here, Mr.Dev's son!" So damn funny! Later the guard had a spatula 'cause he was going to bar-b-cue. When my son went by, he pretended to hit him with it. My son turned to him and said, "Don't threatened me with a good time!" Those guards went crazy with him. Especially when he had me call a Rescue Group for the feral cats that were on the property. I did call them, but had to get permission for them to go on the property to trap them. They trap and release. I called up and had to speak to the Officer of the Day to get permission. He said, "who is your son?" I told him, and he said, "Oh right, I should have known he was the one!" I said, "well, at least he isn't there for animal cruelty!" He said, "don't take offense to this, but we can't wait to get rid of him!" Hmmmm, can't understand why?
One time I went to visit him at another place and I was supposed to follow the yellow line, but I lost it, and ended up at the back door of the prison with the guard in the tower pointed a rifle at me, telling me not to move! Damn, I don't know how I lost that yellow line! Poor me! I could write a book about prisons!! Now isn't that something to be proud of?

Ann

Dev, we could get you a job as Tour Guide if they ever open San Quentin to the public. I will be in charge of linens, I think.

We may have seen places no mama ought to see, but we are wiser for the journey and Iike to think that maybe, somewhere there is a prison guard recanting stories to his grandchildren about that crazy lady who had the warden on speed dial.

devastated

You are right, Ann, I could be a tour guide now that I know which line to follow. LOL

If you're in charge of linens, you'd have to get the 1,000 count pillow cases 'cause if you didn't you'd be hearing from the mamma's like me.

Do you want to really hear something crazy? When we first moved here, a couple was looking to buy the lot across the street. They came over and started asking questions about the area. After we chatted for a while, I asked the usual questions. When I got to where are you from? And they said the Bay Area, I said, me too! What kind of work do you do? He said, I',m a warden! YIPES!!! Are you serious? Yes, I didn't dare go further, but had to. Where? And held my breath. Folsom!! Oh, I've been there before. Not in prison, but the town!! OOPS! They didn't buy the lot! LOL To this day I wonder if he recognized me! LOL

Ann

Dev, I have a feeling that anyone who has ever met you, would never forget you.

I have to share...every time I buy linens for myself and catch myself checking the thread count, I think of you and laugh. Other shoppers look at me funny and I just haven't had the courage to say "It's funny because San Quentin prison has terrible thread count linens"....they wouldn't "get it".

Big hugs for you, Mr. Dev an that darling great grand daughter.

Kris47

Nice to meet you, Dev.

Beautiful story! Let Go and Let God. I wear that bracelet everyday and have it in every color. lol. It has started to sink in.

Praise God and may He continue to bless you and your family.

Kris

MsPINKAcres

Isn't it funny the stories that stay with us - when I buy sheets & see the thread count - I think of the San Quentin story too ~ I'm sure the clerks at Bed, Bath & Beyond - think why is that lady in the pink always laughing so hard when she buys sheets???? Probably think I'm a little touched in the head or maybe buying sheets for a "Chicken-Ranch" bwah ha ha ha

Isn't it great to laugh about our insanity - I'll bet the counselor at the treatment center still talks about that crazy lady who asked her "just how long have you been working here??" when she tried to get me to attend an al-anon meeting when my now ex ah was in treatment ~

Poor thing, I was so determined NOT to go to those crazy meetings where they made you believe all those alcoholics lies again.


Six months later when I finally started going to the meetings - you couldn't keep from my meetings ~

Thank the Good Lord He got to a meeting & then to SR -
there is absolutely NO telling what I would have continued to do without recovery!
(maybe make the sheriff start ordering better sheets for my family of inmates)

devastated

Once again, you're going to the Alanon meetings reminds me of a hysterical story.

I was thinking of joining Weight Watchers (that's when I was chunky) lol and Mr. Dev said, "NO DONTCHA DO THAT!" I asked why not? He said because they belong to those clubs! What clubs? Then he tried to tell me, but didn't get it for at least an hour. He kept saying "cultry" HUH? He was trying to tell me Weight Watchers was a CULT! OMG! No wonder I stayed fat!

Not since the ggd though! Lost 20 pounds in no time flat! Men are crazy for me, you know! LOL That's what I tell Mr. Dev, just to keep him on his toes!

devastated

I am so happy to hear you are on your way to "letting go." It is such a difficult thing to do, isn't it? I know, it took me 35 years of trying and, it was only after being on this forum and meeting people like Ann and Ms.Pink, that I was able to finally let go and take care of me!! I am so sorry that I hung on so long, and wasted all those years. Had I only let go sooner, my son would have recovered much sooner!! By hanging on to him for so long, I just prolonged his agony and mine.

Don't take the bracelet off!! Prayers heading your way.

Hugs, Devastated

Ann

I resisted buying the book "Codependent No More", everyone told me to read it, that it would help me, but nooooo, my heels were dug in and I just resisted. Until one day I walked into a book store and knocked over a pyramid book display, like a strike in a bowling ally, those books went flying. They were copies of Codependent No More. I was too embarrassed not to buy one and that book changed my life.

To this day I believe God set those books in my path and distracted me to get my attention. He succeeded!

It all is so clear today, but holy cow my heels were dug in deep.

We learn when we learn and not a moment before.

Thanks for all the smiles and memories Dev and Ms. Pink. I sure wish we all lived near each other, what fun we could have at a meeting.

Hugs

devastated

Wow, I also believe that God put those books in your path for a reason!!

My question to you is, why did He put an entire end display of bar-b-cue sauce in my path which I hit every so light with my cart and the next thing I knew was I was covered in bar-b-cue sauce!! OMG, when everyone stopped laughing, they got help for me. I was totally ready for the spit!

Hugs, Dev