It's so good to hear from you Trish (((hugs))) and honestly it sounds like you're doing very well.
Yep, there's lots of BS and gossip in the rooms of recovery, we're a sick bunch ya know, and this ain't exactly a hotbed of health. I learned a long time ago to distance myself from that as much as possible and remember that "it ain't about me", my recovery is what matters so I keep the focus on myself and seek out the healthy ones that have something I want, then I stay close to that crowd.
It's a slow process Trish, in time you'll get more comfortable with opening up and sharing at meetings. I found that when I emptied the trash, made the coffee, wiped down tables, etc. people would talk to me so I didn't have to initiate a conversation. Now I've been called a "service *****" for doing it so much, but hey it's kept me sober a few years and it works! Lol