down the proverbial drain

todAAy i Am grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I'm no longer circling the drain

for a wonderful AA Birthday Night @ Lambda

that I want to stay sober, if for no other reason than to see what else is gonna happen (I heard this on a birthday night share)

for a quick Lambda Center Board of Directors meeting

for more evidence that I have to take care of myself before I can take care of anyone else

for a sponsee who is getting it

Here is a test to find whether your mission on earth is finished: If you're alive, it isn't.
-Richard Bach

20 things to remember

1. Faith is the ability to not panic.

2. If you worry, you didn't pray. If you prayed, don't worry.

3. As a child of God, prayer is kind of like calling home every day.

4. Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.

5. When we get tangled up in our problems, be still. God wants us to be still so He can untangle the knot.

6. Do the math. Count your blessings.

7. God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.

8. Dear God: I have a problem. It's me.

9. Silence is often misinterpreted, but never misquoted.

10. Laugh every day - it's like inner jogging.

11. The most important things in your home are the people.

12. Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional.

13. There is no key to happiness. The door is always open. Come on in.

14. A grudge is a heavy thing to carry.

15. He who dies with the most toys is still dead.

16. We do not remember days but moments. Life moves too fast so enjoy your precious moments.

17. Nothing is real to you until you experience it; otherwise it's just hearsay.

18. It's all right to sit on your pity pot every now and again. Just be sure to flush when you are done.

19. Surviving and living your life successfully requires courage. The goals and dreams you're seeking require courage and risk-taking. Learn from the turtle, it only makes progress when it sticks out its neck.

20. Be more concerned with your character than your reputation. Your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are. No matter the storm, when you are with God , there's always a rainbow waiting.

HAVE A GREAT SUNDAY!!

Saturday morning

I'm gay, so of course, I don't understand this video.

just hangin'

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I have hope

for a realisation that hope is made of having choices versus the days when I had run out of choices

to welcome a newly sober blogger, Sober Alcoholic Soldier

for a break (maybe) from the chaos in my life that has defined my waking hours over the past 2 or 3 weeks

for a firm offer and agreed upon sales price for my current townhouse; we're due to close at the end of May

that Hayden got home safely (a 6-hour flight)

"Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless."
-- Mother Teresa

(very) slow progress

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that my Mom continues to hang in there, although she rarely seems to recognize me anymore

for problems and the challenges they bring forth to make life interesting

for solutions to those problems

that my low self-esteem issues have been at the forefront lately, forcing me to confront them

that I thought I grew up in a very normal home as a child;
I suppose I did compared to many others

WORRY/FEAR

"Consult not your fears but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what it is still possible for you to do."
-- Pope John XXIII

"The fear is worse than the pain."
-- Shannon Bahr

"Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. The fearful are caught as often as the bold."
-- Helen Keller

"Anything I've ever done that ultimately was worthwhile initially scared me to death."
-- Betty Bender

a man of few words (today)

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I woke up sober this morning, just like the past 1691 days

for a wonderful tool box meeting

that the Astros' bats seem to be coming alive

that we have received an offer (very fair) on our townhouse and have made a counter-offer

To fulfill a dream, to be allowed to sweat over lonely labor, to be given the chance to create, is the meat and potatoes of life.
-Bette Davis

back in the saddle

I am not attempting ot make any type of political statement or judgement by using this cartoon. It is meant solely for humorous purposes. If you are offended, talk to your sponsor or psychiatrist.

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I'm just another Bozo on the bus

that a blogger friend is back after doing more research

for further proof that when I am able to just let things go, life is so much easier

that I rarely ponder longer than necessary over decisions that have to be made

that I can share my Astros tickets with others

"It seems to me that it's actually harder to invent excuses than it is to be successful."
-- Jeffrey Gitomer

"Don’t be content with doing only you duty. Do more than you duty. It’s the horse that finishes a neck ahead that wins the race."
-- Andrew Carnegie

starting a new week...

A walker noticed an old lady sitting on her front step, so he walked up to her and
said, "I couldn't help noticing how happy you look! What is your secret?"

"I smoke ten cigars a day," she said. "Before I go to bed, I smoke a nice big joint. Apart from that, I drink a whole bottle of Jack Daniels every week, and eat only junk food. On week-ends, I pop pills, get laid, and do no other exercise at all."
"That is absolutely amazing! How old are you?"
"Twenty-four," she replied.

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for a good meeting on relapse; the thought came to me that my recovery is NOT dependent on your sobriety. Comments??

that I survived another day of living inside of my head; it can be a very nasty place

that PJ (It's a Girl Thing) celebrated her One Year AAniversary 8 days ago. I was a bit slow in realizing it. Better late than never.

for the honesty I find so plentiful in recovery;
drop by and visit An Alcoholic's Story.

for progress, here and there

that MC changed her blog-name to One Sober Alcoholic
(I'm not sure why I'm grateful for this, but let's act as if, eh?)


Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage.
-Anais Nin

on this Sunday

I read this the other day and really liked it. Just passing it along...

I don't want to get to the end of my life and find that I lived just the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well.


Now, for the important stuff ---

Older than dirt

How many do you remember?

Head lights dimmer switches on the floor.
Ignition switches on the dashboard.
Heaters mounted on the inside of the fire wall.
Real ice boxes.
Pant leg clips for bicycles without chain guards.
Soldering irons you heat on a gas burner.
Using hand signals for cars without turn signals.


Older Than Dirt Quiz:

Count all the ones that you remember, NOT the ones you were told about! Your ratings at the bottom.

1. Blackjack chewing gum

2. Wax Coke-shaped bottles with colored sugar water

3. Candy cigarettes

4. Soda pop machines that dispensed glass bottles

5. Coffee shops or diners with tableside juke boxes

6. Home milk delivery in glass bottles with cardboard stoppers

7. Party lines

8. Newsreels before the movie

9. P.F. Flyers

10. Butch wax

11. Telephone numbers with a word prefix (OLive-6933)

12. Peashooters

13. Howdy Doody

14. 78 & 45 RPM records

15. S&H Green Stamps

16. Hi-fi's

17. Metal ice trays with lever

18. Mimeograph paper

19. Blue flashbulb

20. Packards

21. Roller skate keys

22. Cork popguns

23. Drive-ins

24. Studebakers

25. Wash tub wringers

If you remembered 0-5 = You're still young
If you remembered 6-10 = You are getting older
If you remembered 11-15 = Don't tell your age
If you remembered 16-25 = You're older than dirt!

Being me

Try THIS marketing test.


todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for an interesting meeting yesterday about forgiveness -- I have a different perspective than most people (apparently). Since getting sober, my feeling is that the concept of forgiveness allows me to play God, doling it out at my discretion. ie: you deserve to be forgiven, so here ya go. OR -- you don't deserve it, so I won't forgive you. You've been too naughty. So, I just live as though everyone is trying to do their best and it's not up to me to play God.
Comments, please.

that we've had propspective buyer's looking at our house every day, although it's a real hassle keeping it this clean! LOL

for some needed rain this morning

Old age, to the unlearned, is winter; to the learned, it’s harvest time.
-Yiddish saying

today's list

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that Kenny -- RECOVERY ROAD - celebrated his 4th year of sobriety yesterday. I had the fortunate opportunity to meet Kenny last July while I was in London. We met at a pub, of course.

that I had the opportunity to chair a meeting yesterday in which I read aloud There Comes a Time. This writing is about a fellow AA members' spiritual awakening. You can link to it by clicking on the title above and it is also linked on my sidebar. I think it's one of the most powerful writings I have read (yet) about recovery from this addictive disease.

that I rarely try to fool any of the people any of the time any more

that today is National blah blah blah Day. (click for more info)
Celebrate accordingly.

that Hayden and I are continuing to pick out stuff for the new house. Yesterday we picked the bathroom and kitchen fixtures. Today is supposed to be light fixtures and ceiling fans. We'll see.


Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you’d have preferred to talk.
-Doug Larson

I'm not the lush I used to be

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for constant, conscious effort to practice Step 12; it goes against all my instincts

that I don't regret my past nor do I wish to shut the door on it

that my experiences, before and since sobriety, can be of help to another

for a really beautiful day in Houston, weather-wise and life-wise

that I have always been a very responsible person; Syd mentioned this yesterday and I certainly identified with it (check out his list of characteristics)

"Accept the challenges, so that you may feel the exhilaration of victory."
-- General George S. Patton

"Winners are people with a definite purpose in life."
-- Denis Waitley

"It seems to me that it's actually harder to invent excuses than it is to be successful."
-- Jeffrey Gitomer

"Don’t be content with doing only you duty. Do more than you duty. It’s the horse that finishes a neck ahead that wins the race."
-- Andrew Carnegie

as it is now ...

todAAy i Am grAAteful & thAAnkful

that my playing field is more level than it used to be

that I went to a meeting I have not attended in a couple of years; a Beginner's Meeting, although there were many people there with more years of sobriety than I

that it's getting easier for me to accept people as they are

that my mortgage broker and I ironed out an acceptable deal

Too many people spend money they haven't earned to buy things they don't want, to impress people they don't like.
-Will Rogers

back to ...

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for a good reminder that I probably won't fall off the edge if I stay in the middle

that I attended a workshop @ Lambda about Living Sober: Avoiding Relapse. It was presented well and followed by a great BBQ dinner. The dinner was followed by 3 speakers; with 29, 32 and 32 years of sobriety, respectively.

for a peaceful and non-busy weekend; I needed the break

that I am back to normal computing power

for Houston weather in April

Never stand begging for that which you have the power to earn.
-Miguel de Cervantes

*** make sure to check out the video below

Check this out

a legal perspective

A lawyer purchased a box of very rare and expensive cigars, then insured them against, among other things, fire. Within a month, having smoked his entire stockpile of these great cigars and without yet having made even his first premium payment on the policy the lawyer filed a claim against the insurance company. In his claim, the lawyer stated the cigars were lost "in a series of small fires."

The insurance company refused to pay, citing the obvious reason, that the man had consumed the cigars in the normal fashion. The lawyer sued ...... and WON!

Delivering the ruling, the judge agreed with the insurance company that the claim was frivolous. The judge stated nevertheless, that the lawyer held a policy from the company, which it had warranted that the cigars were insurable and also guaranteed that it would insure them against fire, without defining what is considered to be "unacceptable fire" and was obligated to pay the claim.

Rather than endure lengthy and costly appeal process, the insurance company accepted the ruling and paid $15,000 to the lawyer for his loss of the cigars lost in the "fires".

NOW FOR THE BEST PART...

After the lawyer cashed the cheque, the insurance company had him arrested on 24 counts of ARSON!!! With his own insurance claim and testimony from the previous case being used against him, the lawyer was convicted of intentionally burning his insured property and was sentenced to 24 months in jail and a $24,000 fine.

sit back and relax, please

Happy Birthday, Lambda Center

This weekend, Lambda Center, here in Houston, celebrates its 30th year of operation. It's a big deal because hundreds of lives have been saved here, including yours truly. It's a big deal because this building is wholly supported by contributions from alcoholics and drug addicts. Today's operating costs often exceed $9000 per month. It's a big deal because there are more than 40 gay-oriented AA, Al-Anon and CMA meetings each week. And it's a big deal because it may be the finest such facility in the world. If you're in town tomorrow, please join us from 4pm -9pm.

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for the gifts of being present

for an extremely busy, yet peaceful week

for a really nice day, mostly spent with my better other half

I am using my second new computer this week. I only got it partially configured last night and don't yet have my old files and folders loaded. This one has sound and everything else a young woman older guy wants to have.

Imagination is the highest kite one can fly.
-Lauren Bacall

for eyes only

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I got to hear a sponsee tell his story (the very short version) yesterday

for the miracles I see and feel each day

for necessary reminders that my sobriety and happiness are not dependent upon another human being

that I have no plans to travel via air any time in the near future -- what a mess!

that my internet problem is fixed but now my new computer has no sound -- at all! If it ain't one thing ...

for my high-class problems LOL

Service is the rent you pay for room on this planet.
-Shirley Chisholm

in the middle

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for the gorgeous weather in Houston this time of year

that I am sober and aware of my environment

that my sponsor and I went to the Astros game last night; we lost

that the papers are all signed and the tiles, colors and countertops are all decided upon at our new home; completion date set for late May

*** I'm still having major problems with my internet connection. I can't open my email for the past 2 days and it's really stacking up.

There is nothing better than the encouragement of a good friend.
-Katharine Butler Hathaway

blackouts

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that we read "Jim's Story" this morning at the 6:30am meeting; it reminded me of my many years of blackout drinking

that I have a choice - I can either change my attitude OR I can change my sobriety date

I have internet problems, so this is it for today.


TIME MANAGEMENT

"Time has a way of getting away from us, because we never have a grip on it during the day…"
-- Doug Firebaugh

"Learn to use ten minutes intelligently. It will pay you huge dividends."
-- William A. Irwin

"Lost time is never found again."
-- Benjamin Franklin

"Don’t mistake movement for achievement. It’s easy to get faked out by being busy. The questions is: Busy doing what?"
-- Jim Rohn

Onward

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that there is a solution to every problem

that the light at the end of the tunnel is rarely an oncoming train

that it's BILL'S first sober birthday -- Yeaaaa!!! Bill !!

that I too got a new computer but it's not as pretty as MC's;

it's a Sony AR730 laptop and it's sooooooooooooooo fast!

that The Astros begin their 81-game home season tonight here in Houston. I am fortunate enough to have tickets to 27 games this season. I will be forcing Scott W to attend a game this year, even if his hands have to be tied behind his back.

"Few things help an individual more than to place responsibility upon him, and to let him know that you trust him."
-- Booker T. Washington

Time rarely stands still

THE LAW OF FORCED EFFICIENCY

by Brian Tracy

This law says that, "There is never enough time to do everything, but there is always enough time to do the most important thing."

You Always Find the Time:
When you run out of time and the consequences for non-completion of a key task or project can be really serious, you always seem to find the time to get it done, often at the very last minute. You start early, you stay late and you drive yourself to complete the job rather than to face the negative consequences that would follow if you didn't get it completed within the time limit. Rule: "There will never be enough time to do everything you have to do."

You Are Already Overwhelmed:
The fact is that the average person today is working at close to 100% of their capacity. And the jobs and responsibilities just keep piling up. Everyone has stacks of reading material they still have to go through. One study concluded recently that the average executive has 300-400 hours of reading and projects backlogged at home and at the office. What this means is that you will never be caught up. Get that out of your mind. All you can hope for is to be on top of your most important responsibilities. The others will just have to wait.

On another note:
I hated to hear this morning of the death of Charlton Heston. Click here for more info.

Saturday morning

Have you ever wondered where the phrase, "You Gotta Be Shittin' Me," came from?

Well, it just so happens to have originated through the Father of Our Country, way back when George Washington was crossing the Delaware River with his troops. There were 33 (remember this number) in Washington's boat. It was extremely dark and storming furiously and the water was tossing them about. Finally, Washington grabbed Corporal Peters (remember this name) and stationed him at the front of the boat with a lantern. He ordered him to keep swinging it, so they could see where they were heading.

Corporal Peters, through driving rain and cold, continued swinging the lantern back and forth, back and forth. Then a big gust of wind and a wave hit and threw Corporal Peters and his lantern into the Delaware. Washington and his troops searched for nearly an hour trying to find Corporal Peters, but to no avail. All of them felt terrible, for the Corporal had been one of their favorites. Sometime later, Washington and his troops landed on the other side, wet and totally exhausted. He rallied the troops and told them that they must go on. Another hour later, one of his men said, "General, I see lights ahead."

They trudged toward the lights and came upon a huge house. What they didn't know, was that this was a house of ill repute hidden in the forest to serve all who came. General Washington pounded on the door, his men crowding around him. The door swung open, and much to his surprise there stood a beautiful woman. A huge smile came across her face, to see so many men standing there.

Washington was the first to speak, "Madam, I am General George Washington and these are my men. We are tired, wet, exhausted, and desperately need warmth and comfort."

Again, the Madam looked at all the men standing there, and with a broad smile on her face, said, "Well, General, you have come to the right place. We can surely give you warmth and comfort. How many men do you have?"

Washington replied, "Well, Madam, there are 32 of us without Peters."

And the Madam said, "You gotta be shittin' me."

It's Friday, for what that's worth.

This has been one of my toughest weeks in dealing with life since I got sober in 2003. I suppose I could find all kinds of reasons, but they would sound more like excuses. It probably boils down to my fear of this huge mortgage hanging over my head. I need to get used to it.
However ...

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I haven't had a thought about drinking

for overwhelming proof that I have a mental disease

that I know it will all pass, eventually

to be aware of how much I dislike confrontations

that today is 3-meeting Friday for me (3 AA meetings by 1pm)

that our townhouse officially went on the market yesterday; I think it's on 3 local real estate websites. We had several inquiries during the afternoon just from passersby, so that's encouraging.

Kindness makes a fellow feel good, whether it’s being done to him or by him.
-Frank A. Clark

have a seat; take a load off ...

I really don't have much to say, but ...

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I am healthy

for the chance to be better than I was yesterday (that won't take much effort)

that I have the opportunity to learn from my mistakes

that I've always been one of the luckiest people in the world -- I know this from my many years of travel to places that many of you have never heard of.

that our money negotiations should conclude today regarding the new townhouse; I'll let you know more tomorrow

If you are patient in one moment of anger, you will escape a hundred days of sorrow.
-Chinese Epigram

parenthetical

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that my stress-level shall pass (I have too much on my plate, but I put it all there, so I can't blame anyone [damnit!]). I am aware that stress is a product of my reaction to circumstances, not the circumstances themselves. Yeah, yeah.

that even though I've been a bit short-tempered the past few days, the world has continued to revolve (fortunately)

that I can at least be aware that I no longer have a consistent ability to multi-task (it used to be a specialty but I think I destroyed all the necessary brain cells)

for my remaining brain cell and my intention to protect it (whatever it takes)

that I woke up sober (again)

"Always demanding the best of oneself, living with honor, devoting one’s talents and gifts to the benefits of others - these are the measures of success that endure when material things have passed away."
-- Gerald Ford

"Success is doing your own thing, for the benefit of others."
-- Denis Waitley

No fool here (at least not today)

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

I am pressed for time again today, so let's keep this short...

for an extremely busy, but peaceful day where I did not get overwhelmed

that my CPA will visit me today and we will review and discuss taxes and then I'll hand over hundreds of pages of papers for him to make sense of

that if the financial negotiations are successful today, we'll have the opportunity to choose our new homes' interior; wall textures, colors, fixtures, tiles etc...). We're even moving a couple of walls around and adding a balcony.

"In the Midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside of you."
-- Deepak Chopra

"If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself but to your own estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment."
-- Marcus Aurelius

"I am more and more convinced that our happiness or our unhappiness depends far more on the way we meet the events of life than on the nature of those events themselves."
-- Karl Wilhelm Von Humboldt

"Stress comes from within; it is your reaction to circumstances, not the circumstances themselves."
-- Brian Tracy

Sugar & Spice

We spent time over the weekend preparing our current townhouse for staging (click for an explanation). Most of the personal touches are now gone or will be by tomorrow.

I don't much care for the way it looks. I like those icons that set me apart from others.
hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...


todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for another realization -- my entire adult life, until I got sober, centered around my relationships with people who drank. I only knew how to relate to those who drank. Some drank as much as I did, or more. But all my personal friends were drinkers. I didn't know how to connect with sober people. Today, all my relationships center around people who don't drink (except my life partner). I don't know how to relate to inebriated folks.
What I am trying to get across to you is that I do not comprehend how to have a proper social relationship with another human.

for the possibility of one day having some social skills

for a really groovy AA Birthday Night @ Lambda

that when my mind began making up untruths yesterday afternoon, I went to an AA meeting. It provided just the relief I needed, as advertised.

for progress on the home front

Miracles sometimes occur, but one has to work terribly hard for them.
-Chaim Weizmann

High Speed Camera

I love this kind of stuff!

no handicap at all

running late, keeping it short ...

I'm sure there is a logical explanation...



I dropped by Roger Clemens' house last week to say hello, and had the camera with me so I snapped this photo of his dog Rocket.



todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for patience

that Hayden and I have pared our potential new home list to 2; we have looked at 15 houses this week, but now can't decide which to choose

for high-class problems

A good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow.
-General George S. Patton

the fellowship matters

I want this towel.


todAAy i AAM grAAteful & thAAnkful

that being sober seems so natural these days, I often forget to include it on this list

that most of us can speak endlessly about the topix of fear and resentments

for the wonderful and humorous speakers that Scott W. chose during his month of chairing the Wednesday 12:15p AA speaker meeting

that Pam, Zane, Hayden and I had the opportunity to meet Lash (Coffee Bitch) and enjoy a dinner with him (he paid) while he was in town

that Hayden and I visited and graded 9 properties yesterday; we'll see about 6 more this afternoon and then it may be time to make a decision, one way or another

Many of our fears are tissue-paper-thin, and a single courageous step would carry us clear through them.
-Brendan Francis

for the life of me...

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that recovery in A.A. helps to keep my particular brand of insanity within resonable managability

for continuing awareness of the insanity of my drinking days

that I understand the concept of whatever it takes

that Hayden made it home safely

that we are putting our townhouse on the market today; we are looking at upgrading our living situation but in the same area of Houston (we live in Montrose) -- Yes, I know it's not a seller's market, but it IS a buyer's market, so at least I've go it half right!

The only way to find the limits of the possible is by going beyond them to the impossible.
-Arthur C. Clarke (may he rest in peace)

passing the message

This little animal is called the Naked Mole-Rat and is from Africa.


So if you are having a bad day and feeling sorry for yourself, remember:
You could look like a dick with buck teeth!


todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for another busy and productive day that just flew by

for the infinite methods of carrying out Step 12 (A.A.)

that Lash (Coffee Bitch) will be in town tomorrow

that most nights, I sleep really good; I remember that I was so worried about being able to sleep without drinking to oblivion.

that I actually enjoy hearing about the experience of others, good and bad

"Every behavior you participate in will have a consequence."
-- Brian Tracy

"Work joyfully and peacefully, knowing that right thoughts and right efforts will inevitably bring about right results."
-- James Allen

"An idealist believes the short run doesn't count. A cynic believes the long run doesn't matter. A realist believes that what is done or left undone in the short run determines the long run."
-- Syndey J. Harris

taking a breath, then continuing

Need new sheets?

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that my Mom just keeps on hanging in there; she was able to remain alert again for the hour I visited on Saturday

for people who actually do what they say they are going to do

for the irony of a Sunday morning discussion meeting about fellowship, and then spending the entire day alone

for Steps 6 & 7 -- since there is no operation that allows a doctor to remove my character defects

that Hayden arrives tomorrow for a week-long visit

for my cats

"Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up."
-- Thomas Edison

Pink

Bill tagged me last week with a meme.
I enjoyed reading his answers, so I figured I'd try it too.

Five (5) names you like:

David
Nigel
Joseph
Scott
Marcus

Five (5) names you don't like:

Tommy
Harlan
Egbert
Peter
Driscoll

Five (5) things you do, or should do, daily:

pray
shower
eat
refain from drinking alcohol
go to an A.A. meeting

Five (5) stores you like, in person or on-line:

Macy's
Marshall's
Best Buy
Fry's Electronics
Home Depot

I'm not tagging anyone in particular.
But maybe you want to do this little meme too?

Have a Happy Easter, if that's your thang.

a coupla funnies

submitted by Mr Zanejabbers


This was not me in school. I promise.

Superb Friday

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that Rule 62 will guide my attitude for this 24 hours; if you are not familiar with it, see the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, page 149

that today will be good

for breakfast with my sponsor this morning

that Pam is a non-smoker who is losing weight

that I'm registered for the Palm Springs A.A. Roundup in September. Did I already tell ya that? Huh? Hayden is going to accompany me.

for the years I lived in the United Kingdom -- from 1989 - 1992-ish. For some reason, I was just thinking about those days which were so good. Howdy Liz!!

Middle age is when you have a choice of two temptations and choose the one that will get you home earlier.
-Anonymous

first day of Spring

for my jogging friends...



todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for the change of seasons; seems like it happens every few months!

that Mom keeps hanging in there - on my most recent visit, she was able to remain awake and aware for the entire hour I was there; this is most unusual

for an AA discussion meeting about acceptance; something I need daily hourly

that I'm considering making more changes in my life - stay tuned LOL

that I can be honest in all dealings with everyone I meet

that when my head is in a good place, my fear of people almost disappears

that today is Boston's 30th birthday

I have accepted fear as part of life--specifically the fear of change. I have gone ahead despite the pounding in the heart that says turn back.
-Erica Jong

staying active

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I have been able to replace my drinking activities with more productive action and behavior

that we read "Women Suffer Too" yesterday in our Big Book Study

that even though my activities and priorities change as I mature, sobriety must always remain #1

that I stay so damn busy as a retired person

Only I can change my life. No one can do it for me.
-Carol Burnett

the next day

Lisa Lampanelli.
This picture was taken with my mobile phone camera last Friday night.

If you don't know her, and are not too offended by nasty language, click on her name.


todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for a nice, peaceful and serene day yesterday; only 364 days until I am 55 years old -- Wow! How'd that happen?

for all the wonderful comments by you guys, my fellow bloggers

that I can sit and watch all the Paddy's Day party-goers going to and coming from the Irish pub that I still hold a financial interest in AND I have no desire to join them; in my past life, I led them

for so many tools and resources at my disposal, patience being one of them

for THIS bit of A.A. history -- in pictures

He who forgives ends the quarrel.
-African proverb

Another Day of Victory

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I have learned to recognize when I'm getting overwhelmed and how to nip it in the bud before the insanity returns (usually)

that on Saturday night, I got to hear another friend tell what it was like, what happened and what it's like now

that I was asked to read a part in Bob S's one-act play, "King of the Hill";we did this last night at a community theatre and I forgot to stay afterward to sign autographs

for the fun of listening to Lisa Lampanelli for 1 ½ hours

tha I have been on this planet for 54 years; never thought that would happen!

that I'm sober enough to be a bit worried about Kenny.
He hasn't responded to my emails. Does anyone have any information?
Gallagher opened the morning newspaper and was dumbfounded to read in the obituary column that he had died. He quickly phoned his best friend, Finney.
"Did you see the paper?" asked Gallagher. "They say I died!!"
"Yes, I saw it!" replied Finney. "Where are ye callin' from?"

An Irish priest is driving down to New York and gets stopped for speeding in Connecticut . The state trooper smells alcohol on the priest's breath and then sees an empty wine bottle on the floor of the car.
He says, "Sir, have you been drinking?"
"Just water," says the priest.
The trooper says, "Then why do I smell wine?"
The priest looks at the bottle and says, "Good Lord! He's done it again!"

PSA

I never realized that a wet dishcloth can be a one size fits all lid to cover a fire in a pan! This is a dramatic video (30-second, very short) about how to deal with a common kitchen fire ... oil in a frying pan. Read the following introduction, then watch the video.

It's a real eye -opener!! At the Fire Fighting Training school they would demonstrate this with a deep fat fryer set on the fire field. An instructor would don a fire suit and using an 8 oz cup at the end of a 10 foot pole toss water onto the grease fire.

The results got the attention of the students. The water, being heavier than oil, sinks to the bottom where it instantly becomes superheated. The explosive force of the steam blows the burning oil up and out. On the open field, it became a thirty foot high fireball that resembled a nuclear blast.

Inside the confines of a kitchen, the fire ball hits the ceiling and fills the entire room. Also, do not throw sugar or flour on a grease fire. One cup creates the explosive force of two sticks of dynamite.



Walking into the bar, Mike said to Charlie the bartender, "Pour me a stiff one - just had another fight with the little woman."
"Oh yeah?" said Charlie, "And how did this one end?"
"When it was over," Mike replied, "She came to me on her hands and knees.
"Really," said Charles, "Now that's a switch! What did she say?"
She said, "Come out from under the bed, you little chicken."

teddy bears

A woman meets a man in a bar.

They talk; they connect; they end up leaving together.

They get back to his place, and as he shows her around his apartment.

She notices that one wall of his bedroom is completely filled with soft, sweet, cuddly teddy bears.

There are three shelves in the bedroom, with hundreds and hundreds of cute, cuddly teddy bears carefully placed in rows, covering the entire wall!

It was obvious that he had taken quite some time to lovingly arrange them and she was immediately touched by the amount of thought he had put into organizing the display.

There were small bears all along the bottom shelf, medium-sized bears covering the length of the middle shelf, and huge, enormous bears running all the way along the top shelf.

She found it strange for an obviously masculine guy to have such a large collection of Teddy Bears, She is quite impressed by his sensitive side. But doesn't mention this to him.

They share a bottle of wine and continue talking and, after awhile, she finds herself thinking, 'Oh my God! Maybe, this guy could be the one!

Maybe he could be the future father of my children?' She turns to him and kisses him lightly on the lips He responds warmly.

They continue to kiss, the passion builds, and he romantically lifts her in his arms and carries her into his bedroom where they rip off each other's clothes and make hot, steamy love. She is so overwhelmed that she responds with more passion, more creativity, more heat than she has ever known.

After an intense, explosive night of raw passion with this sensitive guy, they are lying there together in the afterglow. The woman rolls over, gently strokes his chest and asks coyly, 'Well,how was it?' The guy gently smiles at her, strokes her cheek, looks deeply into her eyes, and says:

'Help yourself to any prize from the middle shelf.'

here we are

You might like this Gratitude Dance ...

(I stole this from SOJO)



todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for a meeting topic about Tradition 10; I am so glad I regularly attend a meeting that discusses the traditions of A.A.

that I don't have to force my will upon anybody or anything anymore

that I'm going to see Lisa Lampanelli tonight

that this budding thespian will make his stage debut on Sunday;
I have always been mystified by the secret world of thespianism

Failure is a stepping-stone to greatness.
-Oprah Winfrey

a potpourri

Criss Angel is at it again!


this guy is tooooo much!!

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that Scott picked a really good speaker for the noon meeting yesterday; she only has about 33 years of sobriety (so far), tells a good story and tells it with humility and humor

that my life is so different and so much better than the last year of my drinking

for political incorrectness (I'm old-fashioned)

for more beautiful weather here in H-town where our NBA team just won their 20th consecutive basketball game

THIS is not meant to be bathroom humor, butt...
it's not a charmin' story!

Do you prefer that you be right, or that you be happy?
-A Course in Miracles

Paddy was driving down the street in a sweat because he had an important meeting and couldn't find a parking place. Looking up to heaven he said, "Lord take pity on me. If you find me a parking place I will go to Mass every Sunday for the rest of me life and give up me Irish Whiskey!"
Miraculously, a parking place appeared.
Paddy looked up again and said, "Never mind, I found one."

Hurdles

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

tha the wreckage I may create in my life today is mostly negligible and avoidable but always fixable

for a string of really good days (inside my head) interrupted only by a few hours of slight depression

that it behooves me to not regret the past nor do I wish to shut the door on it; I only need remember those last days of my drinking and that is enough to forever keep me sober in conjuction with the program of A.A.

that I am more flexible than ever, both spiritually, emotionally and physically (well, to tell the truth, I was more flexible physically when I was 18 years old)

Each handicap is like a hurdle in a steeplechase, and when you ride up to it, if you throw your heart over, the horse will go along, too.
-Lawrence Bixby

on a cloudy day ...

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that as I come to, the insanity seems to decrease

that some people trust me enough to confide in me

that Rodney and I went to see Vantage Point last night; I recommend it

that I'll never be a Governor caught in a scandal;
I don't care for politics

for another successful Shuttle launch early this morning

Don't regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many.
~ unknown

another Monday

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for another Monday without a hangover

that my Mom continues to hang in there but is mostly unresponsive; it seems to get more difficult for me to watch; I appreciate all the kind thoughts and words from you guys

that hearing the AA story of people in recovery often keeps me on the edge of my seat. Such was the case Saturday night when Tony S. told us what it was like.

for another productive Lambda Board of Directors meeting

that I'm gonna hit the gym at 5:20 this morning

that my sister sold her house after 13 months on the market

that what comes around, goes around

that my fellow bloggers have handled difficulties with another blogger with class, dignity and without compromising their spiritual principles

What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family.
-Mother Teresa

a heart warming little guy

Not Down

There is a two-letter word that perhaps has more meanings than any other two-letter word, and that is 'UP'.


It's easy to understand. UP, meaning toward the sky or at the top of the list, but when we awaken in the morning, why do we wake UP ? At a meeting, why does a topic come UP ? Why do we speak UP and why are the officers UP for election and why is it UP to the secretary to write UP a report ?

We call UP our friends. And we use it to brighten UP a room, polish UP the silver, we warm UP the leftovers and clean UP the kitchen. We lock UP the house and some guys fix UP the old car.

At other times the little word has real special meaning. People stir UP trouble, line UP for tickets, work UP an appetite, and think UP excuses. To be dressed is one thing, but to be dressed UP is special.

And this UP is confusing: A drain must be opened UP because it is stopped UP . We open UP a store in the morning but we close it UP at night. We seem to be pretty mixed UP about UP ! To be knowledgeable about the proper uses of UP , look the word UP in the dictionary. In a desk-sized dictionary, it takes UP almost 1/4th of the page and can add UP to about thirty definitions. If you are UP to it, you might try building UP a list of the many ways UP is used. It will take UP a lot of your time, but if you don't give UP , you may wind UP with a hundred or more.

When it threatens to rain, we say it is clouding UP. When the sun comes out we say it is clearing UP. When it rains, it wets the earth and often messes things UP .When it doesn't rain for awhile, things dry UP. One could go on and on, but I'll wrap it UP, for now my time is UP, so........... it is time to shut UP!

Living today

A dog is truly a man's best friend.
Don't believe it? Just try this little experiment:

Put your dog and your wife in the trunk of your car for an hour.

When you open the trunk .....
..... who do YOU think will REALLY be happy to see you?


todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for Step 10 and the range of recovery methods it entails

that AA is a design for living and Step 10 is a design for living today!

to see newcomers who really want to help themselves

that I can usually recognize the bait and I don't have to take it

that maybe some day I too can be a shape-shifting reptile (see the quote below)

"When you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself."
-- Wayne Dyer

delivered to your home

spring is in the air

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for a really good meeting and breakfast with my sponsor. He knows me so well. We don't get together as often any more, but when we do, it's good, quality time. I sometimes feel guilty because I don't meet with him every week like you guys suggest. We haven't worked the steps together in 3 years. I hear you guys talk about doing them constantly with a sponsor, so I feel guilty about this. But, at the end of the day, I am sober and usually happy, joyous and free. I am active in my program and participate as much as ever. I work with others and try to help other people in recovery.
So screw y'all. (I say this with a smile on my face.)

that I got to chair the 6:30am meeting yesterday and someone needed to speak about FEAR. It was a wonderful discussion meeting.

that my bum knee has repaired itself and no longer gives me any trouble

that the Houston Rockets have won 16 straight games. That's pretty incredible in this day and age of a balanced league. I am no longer a big fan of the NBA and its rosters of thugs, but I do respect team records.

"If you have real internal value, you don't need a loud, expensive imitation."
-- Denis Waitley

"Total, unconditional acceptance of yourself is the first step in building a positive self-image."
-- Nido Qubein

"The most influential person who will talk to you all day is you, so you should be very careful about what you say to you!"
-- Zig Ziglar

I approve this message

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for all the people I meet in recovery; their stories and their solutions to life situations never cease to amaze me

that I do my best not to participate in negativity these days

that I registered for the Hot 'n Dry AA Roundup in Palm Springs for next September. I have not (yet) been to a Roundup other than our very own here in Houston.

that a post of TAB made me realize that my isolation and depression issues have been greatly reduced since I began exercising regularly last summer

for the increase in political activism this year; I believe it may be the most positive legacy of President W.

Until you're ready to look foolish, you'll never have the possibility of being great.
-Cher

just between you and me...

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I was reminded of Tradition 3 -- the only requirement for membership to AA is a desire to stop drinking. A recovery friend says that AA could not have lowered its standards any farther.

that it was pretty easy for me to admit that I am an alcoholic. It was much more difficult for me to admit that alcohol was the cause of so many of my problems. Now I realize that it wasn't even the alcohol. It's the alcoholism.

for another blast of winter down here in the deep south; the temperature Monday morning at 9am was 76°, by noon it was 55°

that I have the privelege of voting today

for the 2-hour special on The Royal Family. I have always been rather fascinated by the pomp and arrogance of that family.

"Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are."

-- Malcolm Forbes

"Seek respect mainly from thyself, for it comes first from within."

-- Steven H. Coogler

"What you see is what you get, and who you feel like is who you really are."

-- Denis Waitley

to begin a fresh week...

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for the Step 6 meeting Sunday morning. It's my favorite thing to be reminded of because when I fail to practice it, I am at my worst behavior.

that Mom looked better and was more aware of her surroundings than in weeks past

for peace and serenity on a lovely Sunday afternoon. I had absolutely nothing on my schedule and tried to keep it that way.

that I got to hear William M. tell his tales of alcoholic behavior which led him to that incomprehensible demoralisation, something I can really identify with

that my friend, Bob S., asked me to read in his 4-person play later this month. We rehearsed yesterday morning. Successfully.

that today is Doug's birthday. We were bestest friends in high school (35 years ago). Today, he lives in California and has 3 kids. We still speak on the phone once or twice each year. Today will be one of those days.

that PAM is making a sincere attempt to stop smoking; it was one of the easiest things I ever did once I mustered the courage to do it

Love the moment, and the energy of that moment will spread beyond all boundaries.

-Corita Kent

video X 2

serious, then just for fun

CLICK HERE to see a very serious video from the Ellen Degeneres Show.


Now, to lighten up your day ...

An Italian workman wants a job, but the foreman won't hire him until he passes a little math test.

"Here's your first question," the foreman said. "Without using numbers, represent the number 9."

"Withouta numbers?" the Italian says, "Datsa easy." and he proceeds to draw three trees.

"What's this?" the boss asks.

"Ave you gota no brain? Tree and tree and tree makes a nine," says the Italian.

"Fair enough," says the boss. "Here's your second question. Use the same rules, but this time the number is 99."

The Italian stares into space for a while, then picks up the picture that he has just drawn and makes a smudge on each tree. "Ere you go."

The boss scratches his head and says, "How on earth do you get that to represent 99?"

"Eacha of da trees is a dirty now. So, it's dirty tree, and dirty tree, and dirty tree. Datsa a 99."

The boss is getting worried that he's going to actually have to hire this Italian, so he says, "All right, last question. Same rules again, but represent the number 100."

The Italian stares into space some more, then he picks up the picture again and makes a little mark at the base of each tree and says, "Ere you go. One hundred."

The boss looks at the attempt. "You must be nuts if you think that represents a hundred!"

The Italian leans forward and points to the marks at the base of each tree and says, "A little doga come along and shita by eacha tree. So now you gota dirty tree and a turd, dirty tree and a turd, and dirty tree and a turd, data makea one hundred. So, whenna I start?"

HAVE A GREAT SATURDAY! It's March now.