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 have always wanted a rock-tumbler, you know, that makes ordinary rocks shiny and beautiful. I have wanted one since I was about 5. Always asked for one for Christmas. Nope. Oh, my sister got the Easy-bake oven she wanted. But rock tumbler....nope.
I had expressed this to my husband a while back, that I always wanted one. I guess I could have just bought one myself, but I am not one to spend friviously on myself. So, for the past 47 years, I have wanted...NEEDED a rock tumbler.
Well, last night, when I got home from visiting my friend who just had neck surgery, and has a very ill newborn granddaughter I wrote about, I pulled out the computer chair. And what was in the seat.......OMG! The sweetest anniversary card, and a ROCK TUMBLER from my husband! Our anniversary was Sept. 9, and we took a little vacation trip for it, but he didn't get me a card, tho I had gotten him one. He felt bad about it, but I told him it was no big deal, and it wasn't, although I secretly thought "Man, he can't even stop and get a measly CARD for me??? Sheesh!!!!" But, I kept my mouth shut. We were together, having fun. That was important. So, I let the stinkin' thinkin' go.
But, anyway, I cannot believe he thought of me, on just an ordinary day, and did this.
I guess this is one reason I stay. Behind the alcoholism mask, there is a man I am very much in love with. One who DOES realize my hopes and dreams. He DOES want me to be happy. And he fulfills me in a way no other person ever has (well, as a husband, anyway). When I saw the gift, I, of course, cried and jumped up and down. I have told people all my life that I wanted a rock-tumbler. And he was the only one who listened! Isn't that weird? The person I think never, ever listens to me, actually does now and then!
Now, I have some unpolished rubies I bought at a gift shop on our anniversary trip, and I have them in the tumbler right now~ Also some semi-precious gems that we "mined" at the gift shop in the little man made stream, with a bag of dirt with gems hidden in it! I cannot wait to see how they come out! It takes several days. I kind of got to thinking how Al-Anon is tumbling me. I arrived dirty, ugly, looking pretty worthless. After a while in the old Al-Anon tumbler, I am getting shinier by the day! And I'm staying in it until I am absolutely glowing!
Those of you who know my recovery story, can you even believe I would be able to write this, after the way I started out on this journey? I can't.
No, he isn't perfect. But, you know what?? Neither am I! LOL! This is what happens when you put the focus on you, and stop expecting them to do this or that and being disappointed when the A does not meet our expectations. Miracles! And Rock tumblers! Wow! Maybe someday he'll get in his own Rock Tumbler!
HOOOOOOOOORAY!! See when you are a good person good things will come your way !! Glad things are working out for you. Happy to hear you got such a sweet suprise!!
I too have always wanted a rock tumbler...only I bought it for myself. Then that is where I dropped the ball, LOL.
It has sat on a shelf in my basement for...get this...TEN YEARS!!! LOL!
My sisters is also a coveter of rock tumblers and noticed and asked me if I used it. I told her not yet. Then she said that she has ALWAYS wanted one and just never felt like she could indulge herself enough to buy herself one, LOL. How ironic, she who is loaded wouldn't buy herself on, and me, who has always had to scrimp and pinch pennies, managed to buy one on clearance in a super duper "too good for even me to pass up" deal one year when a craft store was going out of business.
Well, my sister has always been very generous to me and we are very close so when she heard that I have never used it she was not shy about asking if she can have it! LOL! Of course I couldn't part with it without at least TRYING it, but I would be happy to share with my sister who has always been so loving to me.
Well...she said if it has been sitting there for ten years and I still have not used it, she will be dead before I get to it and am ready to share, LOL, since she is older than I am.
So, we made a deal, if I have not used it by the time she comes to visit next I have to just hand it over, LOL.
AND, she just called to say she was coming at the end of November, LOL. She did NOT remind me about the tumbler, no she will do that the second she gets here, she does not want to remind me so she gets first crack at it, LOL.
I told her the possiblity exists that I MAY love it so very much that I won't be able to part with it, so she wants to make sure that won't have a chance to happen.
Well...now that you have shared your lovely heartwarming story with us I am going to crack open that box TONIGHT and get those rocks tumbling, LOL.
This is SO funny!
We can compare how our rocks turned out in PM, LOL.
Isabela
PS I teach jewelry construction and am also a jewelry designer, too bad you did not live closer and we could make jewelry with our tumbled rocks together! It would be so much fun!!!
LOL!!!!! I can't believe this!! I got my rock tumbler about a month ago!! Hmmm, maybe someone should research Alanon women and rock tumblers!! Also got a slicer, findings etc. from my MIL who used to rockhound and make jewellrey with her hubby. I've been a rockhound since I could walk. Have tons of rocks coming from her estate too, we just have to figure out an easy way to get them from the 2nd floor window to the truck. Plus I have all the rocks we have collected on our beach, (known as a Rockhound's Paradise). We are going to start working on them this winter when it's too cold and miserable to go look for more, LOL. Good luck with your gems! ROTF!! Hmmm, do you suppose if we found a way to get our S.O.'s into them.....we could almost think of our lives with our A's as us getting tumbled and coming out shiny and new.
LOL! This is just too darn funny! I think there is something about Al-Anons and having pets, so why not rock tumblers, also! Seems there is a need for a creative outlet!
I have had my rocks tumbling since Monday night. I guess it takes quite a few days to get them done all the way. I am so excited! There are 4 steps
1. rough grinding (getting rid of all of the rough edges)
2. smoothing
3. polish
4. final polish
Hmm, wish AA/Al-Anon only had 4 steps, it would be a lot easier! (Just kidding)
Isabela and TLC, sounds like we have a lot in common. I love rocks too, I was always the kid (and grown-up, too) who had pretty rocks stuffed in her pockets. Used to drive my mom nuts trying to do the laundry.
I have lots of rocks in my yard, too. Big ones. My husband brings them home from work, if they are plowing a field and turn one up, he brings it home. I have lots of rocks with fossils in them, too big to lift. He has to put them in his truck with a loader, then back the truck up to where we want the rock in the yard, and use a pry bar, and let it roll. I have them all around the flower beds and garden. I love everyone of them!
Faith and Noni~ thanks for your commentsyou guys like rocks, too?
How cool is that! When I was in college, the anthropology dept (my major) and the geology dept. were in the same building. I use to watch the grad. students tumble the rocks. It was great. Have a ball.
Love and blessings to you and your family. Kiss the kitties.
Live strong,
Karilynn & Pipers Kitty
__________________
It's your life. Take no prisoners. You will have it your way.
