Life...

I've been reading everyone's blogs...just not commenting...sorry!  Some of you are doing better - in spite of what's going on with your loved one's addiction; some of you are doing worse - health problems and/or emotional issues and some are status quo.  I've been praying for you (except for about 8 days while I was working 12-15 hr. days moving, painting, removing wallpaper, etc.)

To catch you up with my life...we closed on the other house at the end of July and officially moved out on Wednesday.  We closed on the new house 10 days ago and since that time with the help one day of 8 friends/family and my son J and his girlfriend, were able to paint three bedrooms and move the boxes and smaller stuff.  Since then Randy and I have finished painting the remainder of the interior of the house, had new carpet installed, a new refrigerator delivered and the movers moved the heavy stuff on Wednesday.

I am known for being able to move and have everything put away (including pictures put on the wall within 2 days).  My husband thinks I'm a bit obsessive compulsive.  Even if it is...I get a lot done!

The visit with my friend from England went well.  We stayed busy...went to an amusement park and rode all of the intense thrill rides.  I was proud of myself for riding the biggest and badest (is that a word?)!  We went to a wine tasting, a party, went boating/skiing twice, out to eat a few times, spent two days in Chicago...which was amazing and shopped a lot!  Since she can get $1.50 to every pound, she took advantage of it. 

I've had two interviews with one company and one interview with another.  I have a third interview with the first company on Wednesday.  Tuesday I have to get a crown at the dentist and Thursday I have a routine over 50 colonoscopy.  My girlfriend said you're getting it at both ends!!

Anyway, I love this house.  So does my husband and son.  My son is still doing well.  He celebrated his one year abstinence from drugs on Saturday.  He has chosen to drink a few beers once a week and now questions whether he ever was an addict.  He tends to push the envelope in many ways...we'll save that for another post.

He continues going to his court ordered classes four mornings a week (which should be reduced to two any day now) and working 40-45 hours a week.  He is getting frustrated because he only makes $9.50 an hour at a machine shop and the other men make quite a bit more and don't do as much work.  He's going to ask for a raise and then look for another job if it's not granted.  I explained that life is like that...it's not always fair, but you have a choice sometimes to do something about it.  He talks about going back to college part time in a few months...which would be great!

He and I don't see each other much during the week, but he'll open up occasionally and talk about how he feels about issues.  His girlfriend is doing well.  She apologized to me over the weekend for the past and is in a voluntary program through a hospital that is covered by her insurance.  Her mother attends a class once a week there and she goes twice a week.  She has random drug/alcohol screens and she and my son attend 1 or 2 NA meetings per weekend.

She was so sweet for his one year abstinence...she took cupcakes to the NA meeting to share with everyone.

I got a phone call about an hour ago from my mother that she fell in her apartment and is waiting with my brother at the emergency room to be seen.  She told me not to come...that she would call me as soon as she knew something.  She thinks her arm is broken.  My older brother is living there with her because he can't find a job (or should I say he doesn't look) and he's the one that has been abusive to her in the past.  So needless to say I'm concerned that perhaps she didn't "trip over a cord", but was pushed.

She lives in a retirement complex and has to sneak my brother in and out.  The apartment complex manager called me a couple of weeks ago and said he's been getting complaints that people think he's living there and asked me if he was.  I said that I'm not in contact with him and don't want to get involved.

She is in jeopardy of being evicted, but she is the "enabler"!  I'm waiting for another call and am worried.

There's more to talk about...but it's getting late...so I'll stop by your blogs this week and say hello!