Start Of The Busy Work Week-August 30-13

Yes, even though it's Friday, it's the start of my week. Have a couple of overnight shifts, into three day shifts, and day off before another overnight next Friday but, that is what I want-lots of work. I am very very grateful. Only two weeks till I fly out to see my sister. It is her 57 birthday on Monday and she is finally nearing the end of a busy time building a new house in B.C. I am in awe of her adventurous spirit. To pick up and try something new and so far away from everyone that she knows is something that many people would never do.Whether it works out or not is irrelevant, it's in the journey that we learn the lessons.  Her health has not been great since she's been there but, hopefully it will settle down by years end.

I have enjoyed the slower pace of the last few days. Been to a few meetings this week. I spoke at a 5 year medallion and one of our members had his 1 year. Such incredible miracles these two people are.

My youngest daughter is going into her last year of University and my youngest son is going into his first year of high school next week. Five years from now my life will look very different. Beginnings are scary and Endings are usually sad, but it's everything in between that makes it all worth living.

New Work and Summers End is Near-August 23, 2013

Summer is starting to come to a close and I look back and wonder where the summer has gone. The past week I have started training for a new job I got. It's with a men's transitional housing agency. We provide service to homeless people for emergency, short term, long term and correctional men-a halfway house. I finished my 3rd of the 4 training shifts and I absolutely love the work. It's fast paced and busy and you have to think on your feet constantly. I feel a real sense of purpose there and that it makes a difference in creating a better world. I also spent a day at Cedar Park with three of my sons and the four grandchildren. It was lots of fun and summer heat was in full force.

Jack 2 and Grammy

I have two days off and will be gearing up for my overnight shift on Sunday and try to follow good sleep patterns so I can recover quickly. I have a few coming up as well so I need to get used to them.
I am due to fly out to my sisters in 3 weeks and I have a couple of speaking requests from people in A.A. One of them is a five year medallion for a lovely woman I have met in the rooms from another group. I try not to think about it ahead of time. I pray that my higher power will work through me to reach someone that needs to hear the message. I believe that if I prepare for my own message then it's ego coming in and the truth is it has nothing to do with me, it's about carrying the message not my message. It helps me keep the pressure off when I think of it that way. I get a bit nervous about the time they do the slogans. I do feel a sense of responsibility to reach the newcomer or someone who is struggling but in the end whatever comes out was what is meant to come out. 

Camping Bliss-and Fellowship August 11-13

I have had an amazing week. From Sunday to Wednesday my husband and I camped on our own. It was such an intimate and freeing few days with him. We did lots of couple stuff including biking, beaching, lots of ice cream eating, sitting around talking, walking and resting. It's been a long time since we have enjoyed each other without distractions and it was just what we needed.

one set of ice cream cones

first night

waiting out a rain storm-nice and dry

 All too soon he had to go back to work but one of my dearest BFF's Gail came up on Wednesday and stayed until Friday. She is a program person for the past 18 months and I am her sponsor. It was a time for her to spend time doing her 4th and 5th step and it was such a meaningful time for us both. Some people you just have that connection with and we have it. I know we will be friends forever. She has made tremendous growth in the past 6 months especially and I'm so proud of her. Really looking at yourself and wading through the wreckage of your past is emotional and takes courage but, the rewards are so great. We ate more ice cream and went on the motorcycle and I got bitten by the bug. I am seriously thinking of selling the trailer and getting a motorcycle.

Motorcycle Mama

When we came back on Friday the A.A. conference started and I was "all in" for that . I was a great three day conference and I left it on a spiritual high. Saw many people I haven't seen in a while. We went to a meeting Monday and 20 year medallion on Tuesday and my own group on Wednesday. I think in 6 days I attended 10 meetings! On Tuesday I went to a job interview and on Wednesday I was offered the job. Life is full of surprises and I'm happy to be on the path I am.

My friend Gail after some intense work. See the glow she has now.

Forward Motion and another Birthday-August 18, 2013

My third child and first daughter Racheal turns 28 today. She was my easiest birth. Woke up with some moderate contractions at 1:00am and had her at 3:17am. No stitches and she was perfect. Pink and round 7lb 9oz. She has added such joy to my life I am in awe of her most of the time.
She is at a place in her life at 28 that took me till the age of 40 to get to and she continues to grow and change. I made a Rainbow chip cake to take over tonight. I went and watched my three oldest boys play two baseball games today. They won the tournament and I just love watching them play-still. Their dad was there as well and it's such a blessing that we can be friends and share the joys of the children even though our marriage did not succeed as parents we do now. Just because people do not make it as a couple does not mean they cannot be friends and have a different kind of relationship. Accepting people as they are is the key to unconditional love.

I have gotten a new job at a Men's Shelter that provides emergency housing, short term and works with those coming out of corrections and on parole. I am so excited to be starting something new. 4 weeks I get to fly out and see my sister in Castlegar B.C. and I am missing her so much and look forward to our time together, although it will be too short and go too fast.

Went to a few yoga classes in the past week and in one of the classes had Mom come to me at the end of class in meditation. She looked about 18 to me and I felt a sense of joy and swirling colours of white, purple and blue and swirling around me like a gentle tornado. She felt light to me and slightly different, but it was over very quickly. I am filled with gratitude. Pictures of cake to follow.