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.
There was a luncheon for my Grandmother's 80th today, which involved getting up at the crack of...well, 7:30 which is early for a Sunday, and traveling 3.5 hours to get there, have lunch with a family i have almost nothing to do with these days, and then 3.5 hours home again, ugh!
Complicating matters, there have been a series of car break-ins at the train station this last week and there is broken window glass all over the car park. I asked the station dude where he thought would be a safe spot to park and he said "seriously, at home". Grand. But I can't be ruled by fear anymore so we emptied the car of anything that might attract thieves and parked under a security camera and went, and you know what? Go me. I wouldn't have been able to do that 6 months ago.
I had contemplated not going at all because I am not at my best lately. My broken foot which seemed to be healing took a dive and now I am in one of those giant moon boot things with no end in sight and it makes me feel very claustrophobic and frustrated (it isn't the most graceful piece of foot-wear I've ever worn). I've stacked on weight from 2 months of inactivity and I feel yuk, and I'm just so sick of not being able to walk like a normal person. I'm worried it's going to be forever to be honest; it's the 3rd break in the same spot and it won't heal so it's actually pretty concerning. Ugh ugh ugh ugh ugh just get better you stupid foot!!!
Anyway I wasn't sure if I'd be able to keep my serenity in tact spending a day with the Masters of Passive Aggression, I must have said the serenity prayer 50 times before i even left the house lol plus decided that "just for today i can keep up something for 12 hours" etc.... It started badly; I arrived, sat down, and my sister launched into me immediately with the picking and criticism and while the small quiet voice inside reminded me to not react, remember my program, count to ten, my middle finger and mouth had ideas of their own apparently and told her where to go within 5 minutes of arriving, ooops. But after that it was actually a lovely afternoon, my grandmother really enjoyed herself and was glad to have us there and I was glad I made the effort. She really did look happy.
And did i mention I am glad to be home? lol.
Now here comes the good news.
Daughter has been asking for months now if we can start doing yoga (yes but it's expensive, maybe...we'll see...) and i want to take up swimming (she says hmmmmm well, i'll come along but i don't LOVE swimming...much the same as I say about yoga...) AND she wants to start going to a gym but there are no gyms that allow under 16 year olds unsupervised.
ANYWAY we discovered today that there is a gym down the road from us with a kind of eye-popping deal on family memberships at the moment that gets us unlimited access to all of these things- pool, classes including yoga, she can use the gym as long as i am with her...it's sort of a bit perfect. I hadn't even considered it before thinking it would be crazy expensive but, right when we need it it's super cheap so, hurrah!!! All of these things i can manage with a buggered foot so, yay for solutions On top of that it's affiliated with the big outdoor pool in town and we can go there for free too, AND since it's a family membership she can bring a friend, it's kind of absurdly good value.
Anyway I'm pleased with the idea, my body is screaming for some exercise and I am soooooooo sick of the inside of my bedroom. So i think this is very positive and it's the first thing I've been excited about for a long time.
So anyway, this isn't really going anywhere, just, that was Sunday...I didn't think I could handle family when I was feeling low but it all worked out fine and perhaps even well so, yay for keeping program tools handy and leaving expectations behind, and yay for solutions appearing right when they are needed
Thanks for reading.
(((everyone)))
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If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn't be. And what it wouldn't be, it would. You see? (Lewis Caroll)
Oh MissMell......so very sorry about your foot - that has to be such a let down for you - I'll keep my prayers going for your healing!! I can't imagine in my mind doing your day trip in one of those boots so am so glad you were able to do it and make the best of it. I am grateful to know that I am not the only one with a middle finger that has a mind of it's own! That about made me spit my coffee out....
How super cool about the gym and it's affordable membership deal for you and daughter! That's the small things (or medium or large) that help me see HP working in mysterious ways all around us. That brightened my day for you!!! Except - I am so tired and having some muscle pain today after the first softball tourney of the season, so if someone offered that to me, just for today, I might have to go take a nap...
Be proud of making the day trip for your grandma. It warmed my heart to hear that she was happy about the day, which is as it should be - the celebrant enjoyed. Family events are often so taxing that the one honored doesn't have a good time, so you done good.
Take good care of yourself and that darn foot. If you are like me, you probably curse it often and maybe even fly your finger at it too!! I seriously hope it heals faster than before...be easy with yourself!
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Practice the PAUSE...Pause before judging. Pause before assuming. Pause before accusing. Pause whenever you are about to react harshly and you will avoid doing and saying things you will later regret. ~~~~ Lori Deschene
I guess i have to look at the positives; I was stuck in a bad routine of never venturing far from home, work was just delivering in local streets, walking the dog around the corner to the boring easement area, study mostly online...I was in a real rut. Now, ironically, not being able to walk is pushing me further and further from home....going to the gym/pool to exercise, having to make contacts and grow my business because i can't work the old walking job, and I've used up all of my online study options so foot or no foot i have to go and attend classes on campus now to finish my degree so I guess as unpleasant as it is, it's helped push me out of my isolation.
So, yay? lol!!
__________________
If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn't be. And what it wouldn't be, it would. You see? (Lewis Caroll)
Sounds like you're doing really well despite some significant hardships. I can relate to the familial issues (which you handled beautifully), your physical ailment that seems permanent, and being very tired of the inside of your bedroom. I'm happy that you and your daughter found a way to meet (and exceed!) both of your needs/wants. All my best.
Wow, sounds like you are in the hands of your HP. Doing for you what you couldn't do for yourself. Sorry about your foot but glad to hear that you are managing it well. Glad to hear about the super price on the gym membership. Take advantage of it and when you are 60 years old you will be one of the "old timers"..... and you will swim like a champ and balance and stretch yourself around yoga like a pro.
(((Ms.M)) Love your new picture and am pleased that you were able ot utilize your program tools even though your" index" finger had a mind of it's own. :)
It is great that the gym is now areal possibility and pray that the injury begins to heal properly
I can so relate, I found I I have a huge bone spur in my heel and have to baby my foot a bit. I really hate set backs, but by now I know how to run with the punches at least. You will persevere and the gym idea is amazing! Sending you love and support!
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Sending you love and support on your journey always! BreakingFree
Al-Anon/Alateen Family Group Headquarters, Inc. 800-344-2666
" Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional."
"Serenity is when your body and mind are in the same place."
On top of that it's affiliated with the big outdoor pool in town and we can go there for free too, AND since it's a family membership she can bring a friend, it's kind of absurdly good value.