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.
I haven't been around much due to MANY reasons. This week it has been because I (and son) have been helping make sandbags for the impending flood waters. My home isn't in danger (so far) but I have several friends that stand to lose their homes. I can't lift the 40 lb bags of sand becuase of my back so my job is to tie them after they are filled. We have been filling thousands of sandbags for days and building a 6 ft wall around my friend's 120 yr old family home. I was even on the news, dressed in a old pair of shorts and a t-shirt with the sleeves and neck ripped off..lol And really sweaty after working 10 hrs in 85 degrees. A lovely debut. My hands are sore and swollen from tying but that's a pretty minimal complaint under the conditions. The best exercise of the heart is to bend down and lift someone up. I love that line. It's by Tim Russert. I'm getting a good tan though :) Water breached a levy about 150 ft wide tonight about 12 miles up the road in Winfield. It is tragic for people living nearby, houses literally were floating down it's path. Unfortunate as it is, it may prove to be some relief for my friends house since some water was directed elsewhere. The coming together of our community has been incredible. Much of the surrounding area is under water. The town of Hannibal, MO, where Mark Twain was born was a quaint tourist town. It is horribly flooded. Some small towns along the river are basicly gone. The water is over the rooftops. It's so tragic to see elderly people interviewed on TV. They've worked all their lives for these homes, raised their families and long retired. It's all gone. On a more cheery note....Taylor (son) was asked to play with a very established band and they are going on tour! His dream is coming true little by little. His first gig with the band is on the 27th. As luck would have it I'm leaving for Alaska on the 27th. ARGH!! I can hardly stand it!! So far they are lined up to play in Chicago, Michigan and Pennsylvania. They get more gigs while they are on the road. It's scary and exciting at the same time. It'll just be Louie (my Jack Russell) and I here at home, who learned to go through his doggie door in less then 24 hrs. He's so smart..lol I called my husband in Alaska (at work no less) and told him his youngest son accomplished the doggie door!! He said to give him a biscuit from Daddy. Can you tell he's spoiled rotten? I guess I better give kudos to Lou's Daddy too (my sober A). He makes me proud to be his wife everyday. He's been sober 2.5 yrs., I NEVER thought those words would come out of my mouth. Husband and Sober just didn't fit in the same sentence. His original job at BP ended a year ago. We thought he was coming home but another part of the company asked him to join their team. After only one year in his current position he is the Lead Contract Specialist, the boss. He loves his job, he loves Alaska and he has learned to love life instead of drowned it in vodka. I feel very blessed. He is one of the very rare few that didn't have a program and didn't hold on to the isms of alcoholic behavior. He's become a very spiritual person and we share that together. We have long discussions about life and how we want to live ours and who we want to be. We believe there are universal laws to live by and that anything we want or wish is attainable, we believe in miracles. Hubby IS a miracle. Lucky me! He's darn handsome too!!
That's about all I have for now. Please keep those that are fighting the flood and those that have already lost so much in your thoughts and prayers. If anyone is interested, you can go to www.ksdk.com or www.kmov.com to see the damage in the area. It's our local news.
Take care Christy
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If we think that miracles are normal, we will expect them. And expecting a miracle is the surest way to get one.
Thanks so much for the update. As I kept reading, my heart was filling with love for all you've been through (it seems like it was yesterday). Where does the time go and who would have thunk?
You kept coming and when you made the decision to focus on your life, your whole world changed. WHAT A MIRACLE! I hope others that are struggling now will read your post so full of experience, strength and hope and know that our lives can change if we do the changing.
So proud of you!!!! Hubby!!!! and Taylor !!!! Wow! Thank you for helping those families affected by the flood. I guess HP has a purpose for you A big ole hug to you and hubby. What an accomplishment for him. Just goes to show that miracles are happening every day.
Thank you for sharing, Love ya (((((((Christy)))))))), Maria
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If I am not for me, who will be? If I am only for myself, then who am I? If not now, when?
Thanks for sharing your trials and triumphants! I guess we can forgive you for not posting because you were sandbagging lol. Hope everyone is safe and sound. I was wondering about Alaska. I pulled out some Alaskan fishing pictures to show my class. What a place. Keep us posted on your community.
Thanks Christy, Its so refreshing to hear something positive. This path is such a difficult one and your sharing created so much hope for us. Luv, Bettina
It's good to hear from you :) I had been wondering about ya. Love the Tim Russert quote, and I know at a time like this that is the way to live . I saw some of the video on tv of flood conditions in the midwest, and I said to hub, omg, that looks like us when Hurricane Opal hit us. ....all the stuff, precious belongings heaped on the street, etc. So sad, but life is more important!
Congrats to Son on his tour. Pray for his safety and your well being. Let us know about your Alaska trip when you can.
Good to hear from you. I will continue to pray for the safety and well being for all affected by this horrendous flooding. I remember what it was like when we flooded 2 years ago. I was incredibly lucky not to have lost everything. I can't imagine what it must be like for those losing their homes and livliehoods. I have made a donation to the Pet Smart so they can rescue pets from the flood.
You know dear friend what goes around comes around. You have given so much of your time, love and support to all around you, especially to me. You deserve nothing but happiness. (We all do.) I am so happy for your son, your hubby and your entire family. Can't wait to come your son play! Time to boogie! (Okay I don't boogie, but I will for your son!) Give hubby an extra big hug for me. Tell him well done. I am proud of him. Someday I hope to be able to post the good news about mine. Give Louie an extra big dog cookie (dang! I forgot to send the recipes to you!) from Pipers and me.
Have a safe trip. Enjoy it. Much love and blessings to you and your family.
Live strong,
Karilynn & Pipers Kitty
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It's your life. Take no prisoners. You will have it your way.
A big ole hug to you and hubby. What an accomplishment for him. Just goes to show that miracles are happening every day.
Give hubby an extra big hug for me. Tell him well done. 
I am proud of him. Someday I hope to be able to post the good news about mine. Give Louie an extra big dog cookie (dang! I forgot to send the recipes to you!) from Pipers and me. 
