Hi All

[Annie B.]

Had to start a new thread to say how great is was to hear from so many familiar voices from the past! It's nice to know that some of you remember my name!

All is well. I didn't mean to give a gloom and doom impression and worry some of you! Laura, thank you for your concern. I know exactly what you meant in your post. As far as I'm concerned, every day I'm not working the program of recovery, I'm working the program of relapse! I have a couple of friends in the program with well over 30 years and they all still attend daily meetings, stay in service and the steps. They say that the further they get away from a drink, the closer they get to their next one. Makes sense if you stop and really think about it.

I can't remember who suggested women's meetings (We used to be able to read the thread below our message being composed.), but wholeheartedly believe in them. My weekly Women's Step Meeting is the one that I abolutely, positvely will not miss. Tons of sobriety and very serious step work going on in that room. I love it. I know that as bad as things might get, if I can hang on until Thursday night, I'll be OK for a while. DH knows too, that that's the one night that he MUST be available to be home with the "terrible two."

Steve, Citoig, (I'm a Citoig as well!) you're right. This is life on life's terms. 5 years ago, all this stuff would have been another reason to drink, but today, it's life, plain and simple, and again, a good chance to practice the steps. God must think that I need more practice. That's the way I like to try to look at things that "happen to me" these days.

As far as the sponsor. I need one, I know. I have no excuse for not having one. I keep making the excuse that I'm not a phone person, and being that every sponsor I've ever had has required the daily phone call from me, I tend to fire myself before I "hire" a sponsor. Honestly, I believe that it's the old asking for help thing. Deep down, I don't like to do it. I'll ask for help for the surface stuff--shovel my driveway, dig my garden, fix my car? Sure! But help me out with that soul sickness kind of stuff--Nah--I'll do that on my own. Look how good I did on my own before!

I'll ask her, my word on that. I know who will be best for me. She's one from my Women's meeting--the one who always gives me the unpopular advice and tells me what nobody else will--what I don't want to hear, but what I know I need to.

Geez, I've gotta run and earn the money they're paying me here at work. Citiog, my prayers for your friend. He's had his run of bad health lately from what I think I've read while in lurker mode this year. I hope he enjoys some good health with the Spring weather. You're a good friend to help him out.

I see that Lee has posted some on the other forum (NeuroTalk) She's going be Leealle over there. Citiog, have you (or anyone else) heard from her lately? Is she well?

Again, it was so good hearing from everyone! Hope you can read past any typos. Didn't have time to proof!

xoxo,
Annie B.

[citoig]

Hi Annie. Haven't heard from Lee in a while. I owe her an e-mail. Well my friend, John keeps me busy with his medical appts. but it gives us an excuse to eat out. To add to his trouble, his room mate has been hospitalized and is now in a nursing care facility for rehab. I don't know what the story is with him. Afraid it's more serious than John is letting on or what Vinny is telling us. Time will tell.

Thank heaven Spring has sprung. Hope weather is fine where you are. Well have to run along and pay some bills.

Have a great weekend.

Citoig

[steve m]

Hi all..I havent seen Lee around either..This place sure took a big hit during the crash, and in a sense hasnt recovered yet

Ive been doing ok..feeling pretty good these days..Thank God!

One of my cats is ill..She has diabetes, and I have to give her 2 units of insulin twice a day..Her appitite has returned, and she gained a half pound back so far..She had lost almost 4 as a result of her blood sugar not being high enough the first visit to the Vet, but her liver count was up..Long story short..I took her back and her liver count went down a bit, but her blood sugar was 500..I think we've finally got it under control

Happiness to all!

Steve

[batsinwonderland]

Here here for the women's meetings and sponsorship. May I also add service and steps? That has been what has worked for me. 7 1/2 years clean all in a row! I am still not perfect, but my life is a whole lot more manageable. One day at a time I just do the next right thing. Keep coming back!

[Annie B.]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for all of the replies and good wishes. I am so glad to have this place to come to, if only when I need to vent or just to talk, so to speak!
Bats--you are so right. The only way to experience the true HAPPY, JOYOUS and FREE life that we all know is out there for us, is to work the entire circle (or square) of recovery. The fellowship is important, but the service and steps are vital and without them, there can be no sobriety. One can maybe be clean, but not sober and recovering.
I do hope that all reading this know that my words are my opinion only--not anyone else's. Please don't flame me or the wonderful 12 steps of AA/NA. This is what has saved my life and it's important to me that I acknowledge it here, especially at a time when it is difficult for me to work the program as I need to be working it.
Citiog, I am insulin dependent and take up to 6 shots a day. I can empathize with both you and your kitty. Your kitty is most certainly not even feeling the needle as they are so finely gauged these days. (I use a 31 gauge and don't even feel the pinch!) You, as my hubby is also insulin dependent and there have been times when he's been in crisis and I've had to take the sugar and do his shot. It's like what our parents used to say to us right before the spanking--"This is going to hurt me much more than it does you!" Good luck to kitty, John, Vinny, and of course, Citiog. You seem to be a wonderful friend and I hope that your circle know how lucky they are to have someone like you in their lives. The service that you give to them is a gift from God.
It's late guys and I've got a sick Ellie. (Strep throat) She's in bed now, but is going to start crying for me any minute. I haven't eaten dinner yet so gotta go and grab some grub before she starts!
So happy that you all stopped by! Hope some others do as well!

xoxo,
Annie B.
(Too tired to edit. Please excuse any mis-spellings, etc...)