One Year and Over Club- Part 6
Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 1,474
I had a great reminder today of just how fortunate I have been in my life.
I was facilitating a recovery class to a group of folks who have recently been discharged from the psych hospital, and I asked a final question...what is that one thing you have always wanted to give a go?
Answers:
sky diving, bungy jump, swim with dolphins, fly in a plane, take a boat trip,see a sperm whale in the wild,travel overseas, learn to play the guitar
I realised that I have done all bar one of those(not the guitar) and it astounded me that I had forgotten just how bloody fortunate I have been.
This evening I had a discussion about it with a close friend and he said the one place he has wanted to see is the Sistine Chapel. My response was so incredibly blase....yep seen it and it wasnt that amazing. Wow. I could not believe I said that! then I had to think about all of the places I have been that I found more amazing........York Minster with its incredible steeples, the Alhambra in sothern Spain etc etc etc. I am glad that I had this fantastic reminder to be thankful.
Just be thankful.
I was facilitating a recovery class to a group of folks who have recently been discharged from the psych hospital, and I asked a final question...what is that one thing you have always wanted to give a go?
Answers:
sky diving, bungy jump, swim with dolphins, fly in a plane, take a boat trip,see a sperm whale in the wild,travel overseas, learn to play the guitar
I realised that I have done all bar one of those(not the guitar) and it astounded me that I had forgotten just how bloody fortunate I have been.
This evening I had a discussion about it with a close friend and he said the one place he has wanted to see is the Sistine Chapel. My response was so incredibly blase....yep seen it and it wasnt that amazing. Wow. I could not believe I said that! then I had to think about all of the places I have been that I found more amazing........York Minster with its incredible steeples, the Alhambra in sothern Spain etc etc etc. I am glad that I had this fantastic reminder to be thankful.
Just be thankful.
In my Own Little World
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Champaign, IL
Posts: 368
Hey guys!
Us sober chickies had a GREAT weekend! It ended up being 5-6 (depending on the night) staying in Asheville. We also had another 2 sober goddesses meet up with us too who lived locally. I have to say...it was weird. I was the veteran sober one there with my 18 months the other day. It was so reaffirming spending time with those awesome women and so...."restorative" to the soul (as someone dubbed the weekend).
I ended up doing some hiking on Sunday and because my middle name is "graceful" I ended up falling a foot down the mountain. LOL. Skinned my knee nice and lovely but it's pretty freaking bruised and very sore. I don't think I tore anything, but I'll keep watching it. Aside from that the hike was BEAUTIFUL! It's was a really neat trail up to the top of a mountain to a flat area of grasslands...on top of the mountain! But the whole way up was trees. It was very unique (and the sign said so too haha)! I've done quite a few trails in my short life and haven't seen one like that before. There were dozens of huge rhodendren bushes the entire way that only had a few blooms left on the them. I can't even IMAGINE the smell and colors when they bloom first of the season. Wow. I got some gorgeous pictures. It was trying to rain and the clouds were low enough that they were coming along the trail while I was hiking. Looked like fog but if you looked to the next mountain you realized it was clouds. SO COOL!
I tried to hike it with another of the sober chickies on Saturday...but we ended up getting lost on the way to the parkway. As we were driving along, we looked to the side of the road and low and behold there was a bear there sunning!! My friend quickly replied that it was no matter we never found the trail - seeing the bear for her was worth it! He ran off too quickly for either of us to get our cameras/phones out and snap a quick picture. Still - I am hoping my memory does not fail me and that image will forever be in my head.
Last night, I decided enough was enough and called my friend Mike's wife. They both are such a huge reason I even went after any new positions and I felt like she deserved to know. I ended up talking to her for nearly 90 minutes. It was the first time I had spoken to her since Mike passed. We both cried a little but tried to hide it from each other. It was such a wonderful and reaffirming conversation that really capped off the weekend I had. She chided me a bit and told me not to wait so long to call next time - I apologized to her and said I didn't want to be the one that broke down on the phone and I felt really bad about it. She scolded me again and told me not to apologize - that she just wanted to hear from me more often and understood that I needed the time I did. So accepting, loving and forgiving. Just like Mike. Two of a kind people. It really reminds me how blessed I am in my recovery by having them in my life. I know more people will come along who are just as wonderful - but they are so special in their own right.
Recovery rocks!!!
I hope everyone had a great weekend - Manz congrats on your teaching certificate!!!! That's fantastic!
And Itchy! LOVE THE RIDE! It's fantastic looking!
Oh - Thursday morning leaving for my trip I kind of backed into a trailer. Parked trailer. First time I've *EVER* been in an accident/hit anything since I started driving at age 16. Do you know how foolish I felt? Fortunately (for me - in this one instance), the other driver has some illegal workers working for him and was like "I don't want my trailer fixed! You just worry about your car." Then he temporarily fixed my car with gorilla tape and red taillight tape and said have a nice day!
Now I need to have the tiny dent in my bumper popped out and the paint retouched...and the taillight replaced. That's all though which isn't bad for hitting a metal tire well on the broadside of a trailer. I just had too much on my mind that day and completely forgot he was there. *sigh*
Of course - now it's all about packing and cleaning my place. And finding a new one. Which I am going back to Illinois this weekend to look at a couple of places and probably decide on one. Thank goodness for my friends who live there already and I have been able to ask them "Is this a nice place? What about this part of town?" etc.
I turned in my notice yesterday too. Today - I'm getting the stone wall treatment from the big boss. I don't even exist - being ignored, isn't even looking at me, etc. Just as long as I get to continue working the next 4 weeks, that's all I care about. At this point, I really don't know if I'm going to be allowed to go to our yearly picnic at King's Island. I asked my boss and he kind of laughed like "seriously?" Ah well. 18 days left. ._. SO MUCH TO DO IN THAT TIME.
Anyways - you guys take care!!
Us sober chickies had a GREAT weekend! It ended up being 5-6 (depending on the night) staying in Asheville. We also had another 2 sober goddesses meet up with us too who lived locally. I have to say...it was weird. I was the veteran sober one there with my 18 months the other day. It was so reaffirming spending time with those awesome women and so...."restorative" to the soul (as someone dubbed the weekend).
I ended up doing some hiking on Sunday and because my middle name is "graceful" I ended up falling a foot down the mountain. LOL. Skinned my knee nice and lovely but it's pretty freaking bruised and very sore. I don't think I tore anything, but I'll keep watching it. Aside from that the hike was BEAUTIFUL! It's was a really neat trail up to the top of a mountain to a flat area of grasslands...on top of the mountain! But the whole way up was trees. It was very unique (and the sign said so too haha)! I've done quite a few trails in my short life and haven't seen one like that before. There were dozens of huge rhodendren bushes the entire way that only had a few blooms left on the them. I can't even IMAGINE the smell and colors when they bloom first of the season. Wow. I got some gorgeous pictures. It was trying to rain and the clouds were low enough that they were coming along the trail while I was hiking. Looked like fog but if you looked to the next mountain you realized it was clouds. SO COOL!
I tried to hike it with another of the sober chickies on Saturday...but we ended up getting lost on the way to the parkway. As we were driving along, we looked to the side of the road and low and behold there was a bear there sunning!! My friend quickly replied that it was no matter we never found the trail - seeing the bear for her was worth it! He ran off too quickly for either of us to get our cameras/phones out and snap a quick picture. Still - I am hoping my memory does not fail me and that image will forever be in my head.
Last night, I decided enough was enough and called my friend Mike's wife. They both are such a huge reason I even went after any new positions and I felt like she deserved to know. I ended up talking to her for nearly 90 minutes. It was the first time I had spoken to her since Mike passed. We both cried a little but tried to hide it from each other. It was such a wonderful and reaffirming conversation that really capped off the weekend I had. She chided me a bit and told me not to wait so long to call next time - I apologized to her and said I didn't want to be the one that broke down on the phone and I felt really bad about it. She scolded me again and told me not to apologize - that she just wanted to hear from me more often and understood that I needed the time I did. So accepting, loving and forgiving. Just like Mike. Two of a kind people. It really reminds me how blessed I am in my recovery by having them in my life. I know more people will come along who are just as wonderful - but they are so special in their own right.
Recovery rocks!!!
I hope everyone had a great weekend - Manz congrats on your teaching certificate!!!! That's fantastic!
And Itchy! LOVE THE RIDE! It's fantastic looking!
Oh - Thursday morning leaving for my trip I kind of backed into a trailer. Parked trailer. First time I've *EVER* been in an accident/hit anything since I started driving at age 16. Do you know how foolish I felt? Fortunately (for me - in this one instance), the other driver has some illegal workers working for him and was like "I don't want my trailer fixed! You just worry about your car." Then he temporarily fixed my car with gorilla tape and red taillight tape and said have a nice day!
Now I need to have the tiny dent in my bumper popped out and the paint retouched...and the taillight replaced. That's all though which isn't bad for hitting a metal tire well on the broadside of a trailer. I just had too much on my mind that day and completely forgot he was there. *sigh*
Of course - now it's all about packing and cleaning my place. And finding a new one. Which I am going back to Illinois this weekend to look at a couple of places and probably decide on one. Thank goodness for my friends who live there already and I have been able to ask them "Is this a nice place? What about this part of town?" etc.
I turned in my notice yesterday too. Today - I'm getting the stone wall treatment from the big boss. I don't even exist - being ignored, isn't even looking at me, etc. Just as long as I get to continue working the next 4 weeks, that's all I care about. At this point, I really don't know if I'm going to be allowed to go to our yearly picnic at King's Island. I asked my boss and he kind of laughed like "seriously?" Ah well. 18 days left. ._. SO MUCH TO DO IN THAT TIME.
Anyways - you guys take care!!
Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,826
LB, so excited for you.
OK overs. I got an email this morning from my agency offering me a freelance writing job for a BIG company. I actually thought it was a joke on first read.
I am realizing in Recovery that I don't really *really* believe in myself. I'm strong on the outside but not on the inside, for real, for true. Not believing in myself is another lie that my Addictive Voice and my Ego tell me, to keep me vulnerable. I have self-sabotaged my career and opportunities in small ways through the years. Never enough to blow the whole thing, just enough to never really break through.
Time to step up and go for it.
Sending everyone good wishes to feel happy, inspired, and supported today.
OK overs. I got an email this morning from my agency offering me a freelance writing job for a BIG company. I actually thought it was a joke on first read.
I am realizing in Recovery that I don't really *really* believe in myself. I'm strong on the outside but not on the inside, for real, for true. Not believing in myself is another lie that my Addictive Voice and my Ego tell me, to keep me vulnerable. I have self-sabotaged my career and opportunities in small ways through the years. Never enough to blow the whole thing, just enough to never really break through.
Time to step up and go for it.
Sending everyone good wishes to feel happy, inspired, and supported today.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Diego
Posts: 4,451
I am in Kansas City today, where it is super hot, and my colleagues/travel companions are very excited to go get some beers. Good for them. I am super excited to get my hands on some of KC's famous barbecue!
Welcome aboard, wheresthefun! Congrats on the year. I love both of your signature quotes. (I try very hard to emulate Pooh's zen-like attitude.)
Welcome aboard, wheresthefun! Congrats on the year. I love both of your signature quotes. (I try very hard to emulate Pooh's zen-like attitude.)
Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 1,474
Good luck for the move Lotus.
welcome and congrats wheresthefun.
Frances, I can understand the dilema you have identified for yourself. I too have the same challenge. I know you will overcome it...in fact looks like you already are hun.
Weeks when I wonder where all the money is going to come from.......I put up a silent prayer....and lo and behold.....I sell some jewellery outta the blue. The universe works in mysterious and kind ways.....if only we let it.
Here's a laugh..... dropped weeman at school, one of his classmates blurts out to me "look at your hair, its all messy!"....I laugh and say oh this is just my real curls.......Weeman says in a very defensive tone " Well actually she has some cool gel in it dont you know".......I dont btw but how sweet to stand up for his ole Mum.
Have a great day Overs
welcome and congrats wheresthefun.
Frances, I can understand the dilema you have identified for yourself. I too have the same challenge. I know you will overcome it...in fact looks like you already are hun.
Weeks when I wonder where all the money is going to come from.......I put up a silent prayer....and lo and behold.....I sell some jewellery outta the blue. The universe works in mysterious and kind ways.....if only we let it.
Here's a laugh..... dropped weeman at school, one of his classmates blurts out to me "look at your hair, its all messy!"....I laugh and say oh this is just my real curls.......Weeman says in a very defensive tone " Well actually she has some cool gel in it dont you know".......I dont btw but how sweet to stand up for his ole Mum.
Have a great day Overs
Encourager In Training
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: KS
Posts: 717
Originally Posted by ReadyAndAble 
I am in Kansas City today, where it is super hot, and my colleagues/travel companions are very excited to go get some beers. Good for them. I am super excited to get my hands on some of KC's famous barbecue!
Let me know where you went. Maybe it'll be somewhere I haven't gotten to.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Diego
Posts: 4,451
Ha, Jack Stack it was, Ranger!
The hotel clerk tried to steer me to a tiny hole in the wall, located in the back of a gas station, swearing it's incredible. But most of the locals were saying Jack, and it was a two-block walk, so there we went. Cheesy corn on the side. You guys sure know how to live out here.
The hotel clerk tried to steer me to a tiny hole in the wall, located in the back of a gas station, swearing it's incredible. But most of the locals were saying Jack, and it was a two-block walk, so there we went. Cheesy corn on the side. You guys sure know how to live out here.
Encourager In Training
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: KS
Posts: 717
You were being steered towards Oklahoma Joe's, which truly is a hole in the wall but often receives national attention. Unfortunately, its less-than-ideal location makes it very difficult to get into and out-of much of the time. Four blocks from my in-laws' place.
Since it was a short walk, I assume you went to one of the more sterile Jack Stack locations at either the Plaza or Metcalf Ave. The Freight House location is by far the coolest, but the food is excellent across the board.
Since it was a short walk, I assume you went to one of the more sterile Jack Stack locations at either the Plaza or Metcalf Ave. The Freight House location is by far the coolest, but the food is excellent across the board.
Re-Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Posts: 7,583
Wow!
I have been absent doing stuff and missed a bunch.
Manz,
So glad your big night went well. I know what you mean about living a wonderful life.
Newby,
I have found that our actual travels and experiences tend to exceed many people's capacity to believe. Name it and except for the Orient and down under, we have pretty much done many of the things we wanted to do, and been to many places from the top of the Alps to the bottom of the Red Sea, and from the valley of the Kings, to the top of the Andes in Bogota. We aren't quite done yet.
Frances,
You go! Safety can only be found in the mediocre middle. Aim high, and fall spectacularly when you do. It never fails to amaze others when we just bounce back and climb again. And yes do give a good used Forrester a go when you can.
Least,
I am glad you reminded me too! I had chicken pox as a kid and they don't cover the shingles or the pneumonia shots until age 60. Now that I get senior status, they are talking about moving the goal line again!
:day2
Whereis,
Congrats on joining us. Welcome!
LB,
Good for you, both for thr trip and the change of scenery.
Ranger,
Hey!
R&A,
Enjoy the steaks too!
Nite all, happy over the hump night.
I have been absent doing stuff and missed a bunch.
Manz,
So glad your big night went well. I know what you mean about living a wonderful life.
Newby,
I have found that our actual travels and experiences tend to exceed many people's capacity to believe. Name it and except for the Orient and down under, we have pretty much done many of the things we wanted to do, and been to many places from the top of the Alps to the bottom of the Red Sea, and from the valley of the Kings, to the top of the Andes in Bogota. We aren't quite done yet.
Frances,
You go! Safety can only be found in the mediocre middle. Aim high, and fall spectacularly when you do. It never fails to amaze others when we just bounce back and climb again. And yes do give a good used Forrester a go when you can.
Least,
I am glad you reminded me too! I had chicken pox as a kid and they don't cover the shingles or the pneumonia shots until age 60. Now that I get senior status, they are talking about moving the goal line again!
:day2
Whereis,
Congrats on joining us. Welcome!
LB,
Good for you, both for thr trip and the change of scenery.
Ranger,
Hey!
R&A,
Enjoy the steaks too!
Nite all, happy over the hump night.
instant
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 5,711
Congrats Whereisthefun. It is great how there is plenty of time to consolidate after 12months. I am still noticing slow but steady improvements. I am clearly far more resilient and emotionally stable. Today I was convinced my mind had actually expanded !!!!
non-drinker
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 13,851
Wheresthefun, congrats on one year! Welcome to "the club"
Heading out to Miller Park tonight to watch the Brewers play ball. In the old days, I would've started with a few beers in the parking lot and there would've been about 4-6 during the game and more at a bar after the game. The next morning would not be pretty. So glad those days are over and I can enjoy the game with a clear head. Although the way the Brewers are playing lately, they may drive me back to the drink!
Heading out to Miller Park tonight to watch the Brewers play ball. In the old days, I would've started with a few beers in the parking lot and there would've been about 4-6 during the game and more at a bar after the game. The next morning would not be pretty. So glad those days are over and I can enjoy the game with a clear head. Although the way the Brewers are playing lately, they may drive me back to the drink!
Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,826
Welcome and congrats whereisthefun.
Good run this morning with two friends. Company and conversation are the way to go.
So, I read the following in a personal trainer's newsletter and it really hit me, in the good way: "Thinking about doing something is the same as not doing it."
Whoa. So yesterday instead of thinking about a couple of small housechores, I just did them.
Hope all are well today!
Good run this morning with two friends. Company and conversation are the way to go.
So, I read the following in a personal trainer's newsletter and it really hit me, in the good way: "Thinking about doing something is the same as not doing it."
Whoa. So yesterday instead of thinking about a couple of small housechores, I just did them.
Hope all are well today!
Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Toronto ON
Posts: 1,180
Just checking in with a story from last night.
I have a good friend that quit drinking about two years ago. Great guy with a horrible addiction to alcohol. When his drinking got bad he would disappear for days and weeks of drinking alone in his apartment. His binges would usually end with trip to the emergency and detox.
We play squash together and I saw him last night. I've told him that I've quit drinking but we really haven't talked in any great detail about either of our situations. Last night he asked me how long it had been for me...so I told him 13 months. Then he said that he's at 6 months.
When I asked what had happened he told me that he went on a work vacation to the Bahamas for a few days 6 months ago. He relapsed as soon as he got there. He ended up in the hospital down there, missed his flights back. A friend had to fly back down to the Bahamas to escort him back to Canada.
Anyway...his story really struck me. For him, drinking again really is rolling the dice on life and death. I'm afraid for him. I'm thankful that either I never progressed to this state or that I am not the same sort of alcoholic that he is.
I have a good friend that quit drinking about two years ago. Great guy with a horrible addiction to alcohol. When his drinking got bad he would disappear for days and weeks of drinking alone in his apartment. His binges would usually end with trip to the emergency and detox.
We play squash together and I saw him last night. I've told him that I've quit drinking but we really haven't talked in any great detail about either of our situations. Last night he asked me how long it had been for me...so I told him 13 months. Then he said that he's at 6 months.
When I asked what had happened he told me that he went on a work vacation to the Bahamas for a few days 6 months ago. He relapsed as soon as he got there. He ended up in the hospital down there, missed his flights back. A friend had to fly back down to the Bahamas to escort him back to Canada.
Anyway...his story really struck me. For him, drinking again really is rolling the dice on life and death. I'm afraid for him. I'm thankful that either I never progressed to this state or that I am not the same sort of alcoholic that he is.
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