Catching UP

I have a lot of blogging to catch up on. A few months worth anyway. I need to work backwards...from today backward to March sometime. Ready?

Las vegas. Ok, dad had the bright idea to take his family on a bonding trip. Well... the siblings seemed to all agree that this could result in an international incident. The usual drama ensued, but was shortlived. Could that mean we're growing into adults maybe? Maybe.

We each had a room at the Mirage and we went to dinner, breakfast, etc. we went to the botanical gardens at the Belagio, and road the rollercoaster. The roller coaster by the way was an upside down coaster that we all were quite shocked by. I have never had such a wild ride...very much fun for all of us and we will probably always remember that as a highight of the trip. We all laughed and giggled the whole ride and were sore the next day, as old people should be! 

Also, everyone says it was my idea...and well, I don't remember it, didn't even know there was a roller coaster in the casinos, oh well... as long as no one got hurt or died, I will take the blame. 

Well, anyway, it was a fun trip. We all enjoyed it, got along well and it made a nice memory. Kelly says we never went on roller coasters when we were kids...had to wait till we're close to 50 or more. Well, now we have done that. We also went to hear a funny comedian, heard fun Jazz the first night and

Cheryl and I enjoyed some drunk college boys at the pool. What stays in vegas... well comes out on my blog I guess.

After Kelly left, we had one more night then Cheryl Dad and I went to Love, by Circus Du Soliel, about the Beattles. We put on our dancing shoes, although there was no dancing, we just looked hot so we had dad take a picture of our shoes. Fun times.

Quitting Drinking For Lent. I have been drinking a lot for the past few years. It started out about 5 years ago with a glass of wine at night to help get to sleep. It escalated to a bottle of wine...and all the time. I gained 15 pounds. Became foggy headed and my skin was pasty white.

I listened to a sermon about the Sacrifice Jesus made for us and being lent, what would we give up? The idea is to make more room for Jesus in our lives. What would we give up to make room?

I thought wine would be a good sacrifice...(compared to Dying with for my sins...not so much!). Well, anyway, I committed my heart to that end...only to realize I wasn't able to quit. I found a high school friend who opened a recovery center and went in for a consultation. Being supportive and a professional, he suggested AA. Ok. So, AA it was. I attended my first meeting and there they were, my brother and a former co worker greeted me. So much for anonymity and my desire to go to that meeting!. Anyway, I recieved my 24 hour coin and got busy not drinking...I made it 30+ days. Then I went to Vegas. I had a glass of wine to celebrate not drinking with Kelly and Cheryl. I'm kidding. I had a glass of wine, but it was because I felt like it...not sure it was the right thing to do, but did it anyway. Then I had two the next night. The upward cycle continues. Sigh.

I am home now, and back to working at not drinking. I don't think I can actually say I am in AA because I don't think I am committed enough. Although I hope to learn to live sober again...I did for 30+ years... and to manage times of celebration and relaxation life basically, without depending on alchohol... So, there we are. I am enjoying the process, learning a lot and happy for the most part to do it.

A few remnants: I love my grandkids so much. Here are some shots of being with Emirie and GG. That cowboy boot coming in toward Emirie is GG's foot... thought that was a funny shot.

Hope to see Gabe, Ava, Clara for Easter if they aren't busy. Then on to welcome Lincoln into the world.