I haven't been on in a while.  In early November we moved into a new home and that actually went really well.  AH was on his best behavior and, despite the stress of moving, was actually plesent and easy to deal with the whole time.  As far as I knew, he hadn't been drinking since his last drunken episode back in late October, but I always knew there was a chance for relapse since this was/is his pattern.

Fast forward to Thanksgiving.  My dad (2500 miles away) nearly died of pneumonia but was released mid-November.  He continued to deteriorate and eventually died in hospice care at the age of 62.  My dad was a life time smoker and heavy drinker.  He'll tell you he's a social drinker and that he's not an alcoholic, but I disagree.  Anyway, he had been suffering from a spinal tumor for the past 2 years and was paralyzed from the waist down.  He was in a great deal of pain so his death was not unexpected to me.  

Anyway, AH has been wonderful lately.  He's still taking his Paxil and it seems the meds are amping up his ADD side and energy levels, too.  He's been working so hard around the house, getting things done, organizing the garage, etc.  AH came down with pneumonia this past week and now I'm sick and dealing with a possible sinus infection.  So, last night I went to bed early but couldn't sleep.  I woke up because the dog was walking around whining so I went to find AH.  He was in his office with the door closed and was drinking a beer.  I said, "Since when did you start drinking again?"  He replied, "I never stopped.  I just don't drink as much."  So, I said, "Oh, ok.  Whatever.  I need to find the thermometer and need you to take the dog in the office with you."  That was it.  I didn't go back out checking on him.  I didn't berate him.  Maybe it was my fever, but I realized that I am not going to win this battle and he's going to do what he's going to do.  Oh, and he's also started smoking a pipe.  As long as he keeps doing it outdoors, I really don't care.  

So, that's our update.  We love the new house even though AH sleeps in a separate bedroom right now.  His snoring has gotten so bad this past year that I used to leave the bedroom and sleep in the guest room so now he just goes to the guest room himself.  Not ideal, but I at least get a full night's sleep and I'm not cranky in the AM, right.  Hope everyone has a wonderful New Year!