My "Single Awareness Day" Edition of....

You can fill in your own bold blanks HERE!


1. It seems like I am finally learning to love others in the manner in which I want to be loved.

2. Think of the love I've offered you when you are done with me, please?

3. If I thought you would actually try I'd maintain some hope!

4. Amazing and wonderful is what I think of most when I think of you.

5. To me, Valentine's Day means telling those I love how much they mean to me, once again.

6. My courage gives me strength.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to shutting myself up in my room as I continue to lick my wounds, tomorrow my plans include sucking it up to enjoy a night out with the girls as we continue a birthday celebration and Sunday, I want to relax and recuperate from the night before!

When You Fall Down......

Decisions, Decisions......

I am learning to let my 17 year old make decisions when it comes to stupid ideas like...is-it-really-a-good-idea-to-head-50-freakin-miles-out-of-town-with-a-group-of-friends-when-it's-snowed-all-damn-day-and-it's-extremely-cold,- yucky-and-nasty-outside, and then just send her off with a ubiquitous parental reminder to wear a seatbelt and be careful, when she decides it IS a perfectly sensible thing to do after all... Mom you spoilsport!

So, a few hours later, I get a call that the car carrying my daughter, her boyfriend and three other young people who also made the above ridiculous decision, has broken down about 8 miles out of town...in the freezing cold weather and SHE wants me to come pick ALL of them up!



Again. Wait. What?

Doesn't the teenage driver that you chose to ride with have parents? Why is it that you want ME to come get all of you. Do I need to make sure the car is towed also? How the HELL did this become MY issue? Oh..I see. Because YOU want it to be my problem.

However, I calmly and regretfully explained to her that I had just gotten out of the shower, had wet hair and an appointment with my Al-Anon sponsor within minutes and I could not pick them up and they'd need to make other arrangements.

Wrong answer.

That was not what the Princess Child was going for here. After "some kind stranger" brought a couple of them to town, Ab berated me with "What the HELL kind of effing Mother leaves her 17 year old kid stranded with a broken down car on the highway in this kind of weather?"

I want to ask that driver's mom the exact same thing, since my oldest kid went to rescue the rest of those little Einsteins from the side of the road.

Anyway you look at it, it somehow became MY problem.

I just don't get it.

Workin' It!

Family togetherness.

Spending about 36 hours of extremely close contact with some of my loved ones in Los Angeles this weekend gave me more than a few opportunities to practice patience, understanding, detachment and unconditional love. I am proud to say the Serenity Prayer also got a work out.

You take the bad with the good.

Fortunately, the good times and excellent home cooked meals outweighed the not so good times and for that I am grateful. I am also very grateful to have made it home before the blizzard hit here, as one more night with all of those people combined...was about to seriously mess up all my hard work in my quest for a peaceful life. Although, I held on to the fact that regardless of how long we were together, there would likely be some great material for my blog.

My very irritable, spoiled-36-year-old-birthday-girl was clearly outside of her comfort zone despite all the love and attention she was receiving. Even though she was the guest of honor and her much adored brother Fly Boy is in Afghanistan, she still lives in his very accomplished shadow in the blatantly obvious eyes of their grandparents. It's been that way for their whole lives and it ain't pretty. It's clearly affected her self-esteem and sense of unconditional love. That coupled with her drug/alcohol and mental health issues can make for some tense moments.

In the "too much information files" I patiently listened; as I was nearly held captive, to my former mother-in-law's woeful stories of her dysfunctional sex life prior to my former father-in-law's prostate cancer. And, I heard about and witnessed the propensity this now nearly 80 year old man has to be a little preoccupied with kissing and hugging on other women (including my 17 year old daughter), making inappropriate sexual comments and his unrelenting jealousy and possessiveness with his devoted but clearly irritated wife, despite their marriage of nearly 38 years.

While I realize she may need someone non-judgemental and loving to listen to her...BUT as my blogger friend Cat would say...Wait. What?

Isn't it in situations like that where we're to set some boundaries?

I'm thinking the girls and I absolutely need to work on learning to set those boundaries. After having just had a little talk with Ab, I know I'll be making that a priority.

From InspirationLine.com..............

Let Go...Love More!



To "let go" does not mean to stop caring—
It means I can't do it FOR someone else.


To "let go" is not to cut myself off—
It's the realization that I can't CONTROL another.


To "let go" is not to ENABLE—
But to allow learning from natural consequences.


To "let go" is not to try to change or blame another—
It's to make the most of MYSELF.


To "let go" is not to care FOR—
But to care about.


To "let go" is not to FIX—
But to be supportive.


To "let go" is not to JUDGE—
But to allow another to be a human being.


To "let go" is not being in the middle, arranging all outcomes—
But to allow others to affect their own destinies.


To "let go" is not to be over-protective—
It's to permit another to face reality.


To "let go" is not to DENY—
But to accept.


To "let go" is not to nag, scold or argue—
But instead to search out my own shortcomings and correct them.


To "let go" is not to adjust everything to MY desires—
But to take each day as it comes and cherish myself in it.


To "let go" is not to regret the past—
But to grow and live for the future.


TO LET GO IS —
TO FEAR LESS ... AND TO LOVE MORE.


~ By Dr. Margaret J. Rinck
www.FamilySuccessConsortium.com

Rainy Days and Fridays..........

I am feeling rather accomplished this morning, having walked for 50 minutes TWO days in a row.

Today, my walking partner and I knocked that walk out in the pouring rain! Well, actually it didn't really start the heavy rain until we were about half-way finished and before it started we had a brilliant rainbow to enjoy! Despite the cold and the fact my dripping eyeglasses could have used windshield wipers, we decided that even though we were both made of sugar...we wouldn't melt, and we kept on!!

I feeeeeeel good...dadadadada! ::sung in a James Brown sort of way!::

It's supposed to snow here all weekend, beginning late tonight... so that may change our weekend plans, in which we were to go to down south to celebrate Tam's 36th birthday with my former in-laws. Yes...my oldest is now THAT OLD! She's not loving it, but I am rather amused wondering how I got old enough to have a kid THAT age!

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful.....

-that my daughter's cardiologist cleared her for some non-heart related surgery that she's had to put off due to recurring Pericarditis; a very painful inflammation of the tissue around the heart. Her recent echocardiogram shows all clear right now!

-for my youngest son, Bubba...who remarkably is 22 years old today! I can't tell you how many times he cheated death as a child/teen. The boy has no fear and apparently a minimal amount of common sense as well!

-for my Al-Anon sponsor, who is a perfect match and we're beginning the 4th and 5th steps, starting tonight!

-I was "eligible" to upgrade my cell phone today and got Tam and I the new Samsung Propel, which has a "qwerty" keyboard, big screen, internet access and navigation capabilities! Woooo-hooo!

-for getting a new SIM card for my "old" phone and passing it on to Abbie since she lost hers about a month ago and her line wasn't eligible yet for an upgrade!

-that Abbie was extremely grateful for her "new" telephone! That's progress!!

Lovely Award........

I am very honored and grateful to have just received this Lovely Blog Award from Laura, one of my favorite, magical writers here on Blogger, at A Bit Laura Jayne! If you haven't visited Laura's incredible blogs, you must! She just wrote this story that brought tears to my eyes as it thoroughly touched my tender heart. Isn't that what good writing is all about? She also hosts Pictures, Poetry and Prose; where she provides a photo or piece of artwork along with a writing prompt!

In bestowing this award to me Laura said...'yes, I really do think your blog is lovely thing that I enjoy every time you post. (Which you may have gotten before, but can you be too lovely?)'

Wow! ME? Thank you so much Laura! You are very lovely to give me this award!

I recently received a couple of other awards...that I acknowledged with thanks on the presenters comment section but I am such a procrastinator that I haven't yet gotten around to placing them in my blog! But I will! Soon!! Promise! And...maybe someone can help me figure out how to post them in my sidebar?

According to the rules...I must pass this on to five of the blogs I read who I believe are lovely!

And in no particular order, the AWARD goes to.......

Jamie at An Animal Rescuer's Life. I've known Jamie since the early days of AOL journals and I consider this very wise, charitable young mother a friend. She's a very devoted animal lover and she blogs about her life with the animals and her family!

Indigo at Scream Quietly! Indigo is one of the most fascinating souls I've had the pleasure to "meet" via blogging! She, like me is Cherokee woman, and she lost her ability to hear 4 years ago. Her writing is passionate, honest and brilliant as she shares her life with us! You will be inspired by her triumphs!

Clean and Crazy at My Recovery! This remarkable young mother is a recovering drug addict and doing extremely well as she learns to live life on life's terms. She's very inspirational to me as she seems wise beyond her years! I wish I was as young as she is when I started to learn about making life easier by letting go!

Syd at I'm Just F.I.N.E. Recovery in Al-Anon is my only male recipient as this is a "lovely" type award. Because Syd is a fellow Al-Anon-er, and in touch with feelings and all..I totally think he can handle being given such a feminine looking award. Not that his blog is feminine in the least...I am just sayin'! He writes about the Al Anon life, principles, and traditions with ease and I have learned so much from being a regular reader of his blog! He's an amazing, giving and insightful man!

Cat at Wait. What? Cat is probably the most inspirational writer that I have EVER come across in blogging! This woman regularly touches my heart as she writes about the affects of alcoholism on her family! Sometimes I am left speechless. Sometimes I am empowered. Sometimes I cry. But always...I feel compassion and love for her as she makes her way through her journey with the help of Al-Anon and her incredible strength.

Poo-poo goes in the potty.......

I was awakened yesterday morning by a telephone call from Fly Girl, my daughter-in- law, who wanted to share news about "adventures in potty training" with my oldest grandson, who is now 2 and a half. He's apparently catching on quite quickly and was able to tell me in his sweet little toddler speak, "Poo-poo and pee-pee in the potty! Lollipops all gone!"

This translates to a very proud little boy telling his Nam Ma that he's going poo-poo and pee-pee in the potty so much that mom has now run out of lollipops that she was using as rewards!!! How's that for progress!!!

She decided to use fancy "big boy" underwear, decorated with graphics from the Cars movie, so he can feel the full effects of any accidents he may have.

And...there have been one or two...

The other day she said he came to her with his hands covered in poop, as if, "What do I do now?" There was poop on his face, tummy, back and legs and he was kind of upset. She grabbed him up, ran to the bathroom to put him in the tub and that's when she saw it in the potty chair!

A "man-handled" toddler poop.

He knew that he had an accident and that poo-poo goes in the potty!!!

So....he took it out of his big boy underpants and put it where it belongs!!

I swear, the kid's a genius!!

Dancing Queen............

So many invites. So little time.

Oh yeah. Good times.

In my younger days, I was a little too shy and reserved to fully relax and enjoy myself in a bar/club, but lately I've decided that life's too short to pass up an opportunity for some fun and laughs. I am accepting all invitations and making up for some that I let pass by!

Last night I was invited for a girl's night out to celebrate a birthday with a few drinks and dancing to the blaring sounds of a mediocre DJ who managed to disappoint some in the group as he was lacking the ever popular women's dance tune...Buttons, by the Pussycat Dolls.

Loosen up my buttons babe
Saying what you going to do to me......

Instead, I found my self dancing to CRAZY BITCH, by Buckcherry.

And...liking it, I might add.

Some of you may be like me and not very familiar with today's "modern" and explicit music lyrics. I exited the dance floor saying to one of my friends, "Did I just get up in front of God and everyone, in this little small town bar and dance to a song that says...

You're a crazy bitch, but you F*@& so good, I am on top of it. When I dream, I'm doing you all night........"

Ummmmmm. YES!!

Like Rate-a-Record on American Bandstand...I think it's got a good beat and you can dance to it!



I am soooo downloading that sucker to my Ipod!!

Should I be ashamed of myself?