The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
Good morning family. I hope all is well with you and your families, and that you are recouperating from the chaos of the holiday. Christmas for us was quite. AH was sober (yeah) but hadn't been feeling well enough to travel to see the kids and grandkids for Christmas. It bummed him out. But he called the family, and all was well. They said just come when you can get here.
What a wierd season. The tree had cracked at its base and hanging ornaments was dicey. I guess it has become a symbol for our recoveries. Not perfect, but still standing. (Plus I get to buy a new prelit tree next year! ) This retail season was particulary hard. People were really difficult. They must have been having a tough time too. The long hours certainly took their tole on me. I was in a foul mood coming home. I was tired of the chronic relapsing. I certainly lost my program and was taking it out on him. I was really anxious for him to get out of my hair the week before Christmas. (Although I am convinced that all women wish their husbands, kids, significant others, etc would get out of their hair the last week before the holidays! Too much to ) But now that he's gone, I miss him!
I decided Christmas morning that since having Christmas Day was rare with him, I would spend it home. I called my sister and explained just about everything. I don't bother with the relapse and recovery stories. She just doesn't get it. So hubby and I made it a Piper Kitty Christmas. We stayed in bed and snuggled. If we got up we got up. Piper decied to join us. My sister and nieces came over briefly to drop off gifts and get theirs. I am still trying to figure out how my sister gives Irish Cream coffee to a recovering alcoholic! Sigh... she means well. It was kind of like the year I had to have a breast biopsy and was nervous about it. Well she decided I needed Breast Sculpting Cream! I laugh about it now, but I wasn't then. Oh well, I'll drink the coffee (A doesn't really like coffee and certainly not stuff like that). I'll laugh about the coffee later. It really was the most relaxing Christmas I have had in years. I stayed in my jammies all day!
Well yesterday, hubby was well enough to travel. He made it to his kids house! He left a message and I could hear the chaotic joy in the background. He'll be gone through Jan. 5. I was afraid he wouldn't get sober in time to see the kids. He was afraid they would know that he had been drinking again. But he looked good, and hopefully this will jumpstart his recovery again. THERE IS NO DRINKING AT THAT HOUSE. His exwife and kids would not understand. He did ask me to look up numbers for AA in that state. I did. Perhaps once his gets back into it he'll stick with it again. He's realizing that he can't drink 2 days then not for 3. Much too hard on his system. Ya think?
As for me, I am enjoying the serenity. The hours are back to normal. I am a creature of habit. I have today off and next week have 3 days! My boss wanted to know if I wanted to work or take the extra day off for my paid holiday. Usually I refuse, but I took it next week. I am planning to relax . She still owes me for Christmas but I may not bother with that one. I can take it later if I want, as I have already been paid for it. I have some small projects I'd like to get done. But I mainly want to watch all the college football games and eat ! I do miss hubby when he's gone. But it's good for us to have time apart. I have spent sooo much time taking care of him due to his foot surgery. I frankly am tired. I need just for me time. So that's what I plan to do. I also plan to get back to my meetings. It was so hard not to get in here for meetings when I needed it the most. But I either worked really late or very early. Not conducive to a healthy recovery.
Piper by the way, is going through her usual antics of missing her Dad. It'll take her a few days to get use to his absence. Meanwhile, she'll drive me crazy! lol Oh well. Pretty soon she'll be snoozing on his side of the bed and not letting me stretch out. She's very protective of him and his space. hehehh.... that's my girl!
So here I am this morning. It's started to snow and I am hoping the maintenance crew will come hang my new blinds. The tree lights are on, and I am slowly getting back to normal. I may or may not get dressed. I am even treating myself to eggs benedict w/hash browns and really good coffee. Ahh..... serenity a priceless gift. I plan to take advantage of it. Much love and blessings to you all.
Live strong, Karilynn & Piper Claus
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It's your life. Take no prisoners. You will have it your way.
Your post was so upbeat and made me laugh. Just how I needed to start my day!
Okay, so the Irish Cream coffee and breast sculpting cream topped my mom-in-law buying non-alcoholic beer for my ah for Christmas dinner. Among other things, she doesn't realize that offering "beer" to a newly recovering alcoholic who is surrounded by family all drinking nice wine would not foster positive emotions. Why not buy him a button that says "I'm an alcoholic!" LOL! Bless her, she tried, but goodness!
My kids are off on vacation with their dad for 5 days so I am alone too. I slept til 9:15 this am. Woo hoo!
I was left with a new kitty. Cute, cute, cute but driving me nuts. It is litter box trained, as well as plant trained, sweatshirt trained, basket full of papers trained, if ya get my drift. The kids named him Sweeney. He could use some etiquette lessons from 'ol Piper.
Sounds like you have some wonderful time planned for yourself. I love reading about your serenity. I love how you can talk of the hard and imperfect times and still say, "life is good".
I can only imagine the relief you must feel knowing your hubby made it sober to go visit his family and that there will be no drinking there. Yes, I know it is not a guarantee, but it is nice when the situation is set up for success.
I am glad you took your extra day off and may stay in your jammies all day. This is your time and so well deserved. You certainly are off to a good start. Enjoy!
Blessings, Lou
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Every new day begins with new possibilities. It's up to us to fill it with the things that move us toward progress and peace. ~ Ronald Reagan~
Sometimes what you want to do has to fail, so you won't ~Marguerite Bro~
Aloha Karilynn and Lou and I know there are hours between our address and we are still in our Jammies...LOL!! My imagination went over time Kari when you mentioned the maintenance crew coming in. You gonna dress over for that or see what kinda program they have? I'm in plaids and a long sleeve, Chloe and Sadie are waiting me out from bed watching Dad do his MIP service and wondering if they will get a chance to go outside today. It's been raining for a month which means they stay in.
I love the Holiday thoughts ladies...great soul food. It doesn't sound like it takes too much to please you Lou...9:15 sleep in? Gooood for you try for 9:30 tomorrow morning.
As for me I experienced a violent disabling equilibrium attack twice this am that nauseated me (1st time that has happened) and caused me to litterally dive backward onto the mattress, eyes closed groping for some neurological defense. Don't know what the exact cause is so therefore don't have solutions except stay in the jammies and hang around you guys oooooops gals and see if I can be supportive to other clueless victims to the disease of addiction.
Getting older. Wife says she knows oak trees younger than me.
Have a great day sisters! I'll be hanging around smiling.
Thanks for your positive share. Your acceptance of your life is inspriing. Hope to be there some day. Wish I could catch my kitty Spot. She freaks when my boys come home and won't come in.
) This retail season was particulary hard. People were really difficult. They must have been having a tough time too. The long hours certainly took their tole on me. I was in a foul mood coming home. I was tired of the chronic relapsing. I certainly lost my program and was taking it out on him. I was really anxious for him to get out of my hair the week before Christmas. (Although I am convinced that all women wish their husbands, kids, significant others, etc would get out of their hair the last week before the holidays! Too much to 
) But now that he's gone, I miss him! 
Sigh... she means well. It was kind of like the year I had to have a breast biopsy and was nervous about it. Well she decided I needed Breast Sculpting Cream! 
He left a message and I could hear the chaotic joy in the background. He'll be gone through Jan. 5. I was afraid he wouldn't get sober in time to see the kids. He was afraid they would know that he had been drinking again. But he looked good, and hopefully this will jumpstart his recovery again. THERE IS NO DRINKING AT THAT HOUSE. His exwife and kids would not understand. He did ask me to look up numbers for AA in that state. I did. Perhaps once his gets back into it he'll stick with it again. He's realizing that he can't drink 2 days then not for 3. Much too hard on his system. Ya think? 
. She still owes me for Christmas but I may not bother with that one. I can take it later if I want, as I have already been paid for it. I have some small projects I'd like to get done. But I mainly want to watch all the college football games and eat 
! I do miss hubby when he's gone. But it's good for us to have time apart. I have spent sooo much time taking care of him due to his foot surgery. I frankly am tired. I need just for me time. So that's what I plan to do. I also plan to get back to my meetings. It was so hard not to get in here for meetings when I needed it the most. But I either worked really late or very early. Not conducive to a healthy recovery. 
