Hello my Friends!!

I am finally home from the long trip along the Italian Riviera (and everywhere else it seems...lol).  Our trip was amazing!!  I had no idea how to even picture the sights in my mind befor the trip and honestly did t think cruising would be for me personally.  I was wrong again...lol

Seriously, we started in the South (USA), then to NC, NY City, London, then Barcelona, Spain.  From there, we boarded and went to so many lovely ports all over Itsly, Spain, France, and Montenegro (to name just a few).  It was HOT!, but still a very nice vacation (with the exception of a few hiccups).  I must honestly admit that I have never had a real vacation like this before and it was a very enjoyable experience.  

The only issues wear that a couple of extended family members were either being their normal (hateful and cruel) selves or their normal (immature and argumentative) selves.  This, and the fact that my RAH stopped taking some needed meds (under the impression he was doing something so we could spend some "adult" time together).  I was not aware of the medicine change until after he had already gone too long without it in his system.  So, it was a very, very bad day/night and I truly thought it would be the end of us!  He as so loud and yelling at me and being "mean", which is quite out of character (especially after 15 months of sobriety.  

Once we talked and I became aware of the medcation issue, I understood he was simply "sick" and was able to get past my hurt feelings to enjoy the rest of the cruise.  Forgiveness and detaching were quite difficult at first, but I am proud to have had  my AlAnon tools, which helped make this a very special trip for our family!  And, the photos are simply amazing!

Thank you GOD, AlAnon, and MIP for helping me to find serenity and joy in situations where I have always before found jealousy, criticism, and disdain!  There is no really way to explain the extent of the difference, except to say I had joy where I only had pain in the past.  My extreme jealousy was gone and I could relax in the moment and be pleased that other women found my RAH attractive, rather than my normal response of uncontrollable rage and anger, followed by self doubt and self loathing.

I won't continue to chatter on and on, but I wanted to say hello and to share our wonderful experience on this chance of a lifetime trip.  I have truly missed my MIP family and look forward to catching up with you  over the next few days/weeks...lol