Got a Happy Story?

Got a Happy Story is a community gathering every Friday night where we share stories large and small that have put a smile on our face.  It is a time to acknowledge the joy and wonder we experience.  The Happy Story diary exists as a way to anchor the community in hope and comfort while we do the hard work of taking back our country. Everyone and all sorts of stories and pictures are welcome. May we find joy and strength here.

I have no major story to tell this evening, nor do I have a theme for tonight.  My 11 year old son has been on school vacation this week and we've been taking each day as it comes.  

In New England we've been blessed by a week of beautiful weather.  Spring has finally arrived.  Our days have been filled with baseball in the yard, walks on the beach, lunch with friends and projects around the house.  And many trips to different ice cream parlors in the area.  And I'm amazed at how different both of us feel at the end of a week.

The yard looks so much better now that the shed is primed and ready to paint.  I spent a huge chunk of time hand scrubbing our kitchen floor, a task I avoid as long as possible but which is necessary because of the flooring.  It looks like a completely different kitchen.

My son hadn't seen his godmother much over the winter but they've reconnected after we ate lunch in her cafe twice this week.  He's also been short of stamina in swimming since his surgery in December.  The baseball and the walks have helped him to regain his strength.

All of these tiny things add up.  I don't find the house as annoying as I did last week.  soberboy feels stronger and healthier than he did last week.  

I like how I feel when I let the days order themselves rather than trying to force my will through each day.  That's our happy story this week, letting life take us where it wants us to go and not fighting the current.

What's your happy story this week?
 

•  I'm also very happy

  to be a part of this community.  I'm sorry that this was a bit later than usual tonight.  Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

  by sobermom on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 05:38:05 PM PDT

  •  No really good stories here

    but the bad mood is at least partly affected by the incredibly high pollen count.

    New flowers=good
    Tree pollen=oy!

    Thanks for making me smile.

    by Youffraita on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 05:40:38 PM PDT

    •  Yes we're also affected

      We start the day with Nasonex and sudafed and then switch to benadryl at night.  So far it seems to be working well.  Good luck to you, allergies really do affect the enjoyment of spring and fall.

      by sobermom on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 05:49:59 PM PDT

      •  It's only really bad every few years

        and so I eschew antihistamines (always feel worse when they wear off).  This just happens to be a bad one.

        But: thanks again!  weather.com says the worst of it is maple pollen, locally, plus grass pollen.

        Oy gevalt!  My eyes hurt...

        by Youffraita on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 05:53:44 PM PDT

  •  blogger picnic this weekend

    My poor son has a snow make-up day - or morning - tomorrow morning, and he is not fond of Saturday school. He will have Chinese class in the afternoon and will be in a bad mood. Still, on Sunday, local bloggers are having a real NC bbq/picnic and many candidates will be given a little time to say a few words, too. I look foward to seeing buddies.

    In our home renovation, the kitchen cabinets are halfway to being installed, and look nice. Slowly things get done and we get closer to the time when we don't have people wandering around our house at 8 am and throughout the day.

    by Chun Yang on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 05:43:38 PM PDT

    •  I don't blame him

      We have tons of cancellations during the winter in New England but I've never heard of any town doing Saturday school for makeup.  We just end up getting out later in June.  School on Saturday is just wrong.

      You must be thrilled by seeeing the kitchen coming together.  It makes such a difference.

      by sobermom on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 05:56:50 PM PDT

      •  new kitchens

        The whole room is not super-big, but we have floor to ceiling cabinets,light oak. We will get an estimate for concrete countertops. A friend's son has a business making these, and he made a small one for the bathroom off our big meeting room. We have custom stained glass panels and some of that glass was incorporated into the tiny sink top, really pretty. One thing we have done is to get a few things done by people, like the glass artist, and letting them free their imagination and trusting what they do. Results have been great, and once I get someone to help me post a photo, I will show you the stained glass panels.

        by Chun Yang on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 06:43:07 PM PDT

        •  posting a photo

          is easy as long as you have an account at photobucket or flickr or one of those.  Then it's just img src="url goes here" in between <> and you've got a picture in your post.  To make it a specific size just do img src="url goes here" width=300 between <>.

          by sobermom on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 06:49:26 PM PDT

        •  If You Get A Flickr Account (free)

          I've got screen captures that show you the process from start to finish. This is a question that has been asked here more than once :).

          by webranding on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 06:51:31 PM PDT

•  I finally got my legs waxed.

  Fiddleheads are in season.

  Baby is starting to smile.

  Got some new shoes made out of recycled and sustainable materials...tires, cotton, hemp etc. Eco Sneaks (still made in China, but whatever).

  by ablington on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 05:40:20 PM PDT

  •  I tried to do the leg waxing thing

    but found it to be too painful, I'm thinking maybe I wasn't doing it right, but I'm happy with my Veet :o)

    I wanna try the laser removal when I'm rich ~lol~

    by Muzikal203 on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 05:48:25 PM PDT

    •  That's the first thing I'm doing

      when I win the lottery.

      by ablington on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 05:53:26 PM PDT

      •  Let me know how that works out

        the leg thing, not winning the lottery (I figure if you're telling me about the laser removal you'll have won the lottery) :o)

        by Muzikal203 on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 05:56:38 PM PDT

    •  interesting

      I stopped shaving my legs about 30 years ago and now I have very, very little hair anywhere on my legs. Of course, I don't have a lot of hair anywhere but not having it on my legs is pretty nice!

      by kainah on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 06:04:50 PM PDT

  •  I love it when babies start to smile

    right up until they start smart-talking!
    Enjoy your baby days :)

    by AussieJo on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 05:52:51 PM PDT

  •  Also, I managed to finish

    TWO BOOKS IN A ROW in less than 3 months, which is a small miracle for me since having children. I used to fly through books ever since I was a wee lass, reading several dozen a year, a least. For the past 3 or 4 years I have barely had the time or attention span to really lose myself in a book. In fact, since the beginning of the Bush administration I have been more keen to read crap celebrity magazines and bathroom readers than actual books. It's like I had no room in my head for any more contemplation.

    I just finished John Adams (started it 3 years ago and then re-shelved it until a couple of weeks ago), and earlier read Middlesex, which was a'aight.

    Speaking of the Bathroom Reader, my brother's band was mentioned in it's music issue recently. Pretty funny stuff...see my sig line link and scroll down a little on his site for details. I'm so proud!

    by ablington on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 05:52:55 PM PDT

    •  my Kindle came this week!

      I ordered one of Amazon's new electronic readers -- the Kindle -- a few weeks ago and it came on Tuesday. I am pretty thoroughly in love with it now. It is so incredibly light and my worries about eye strain or it now working well with a booklight are long gone. I'm outside the wireless zone so I have to download stuff through my computer but that's not a big hassle to me. And, of course, I knew it would be that way. With the wireless connection, it would be really, really cool.

      I finally decided to go ahead and get one a few weeks ago -- after months of going back and forth and back and forth about it -- when I had to give up reading the very good Part 2 of Blanche Wiesen Cook's biography of Eleanor Roosevelt because it was just too darned heavy and I couldn't comfortably hold it. That will never again be a problem. And I'm really looking forward to reading a lot again now that some of the physical barriers I have begun to encounter have been removed.

      And it will be absolutely wonderful for traveling!!

      by kainah on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 06:12:05 PM PDT

    •  Re your sig line

      have you heard DHinMI's skunk-eating story?

      by MissLaura on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 06:45:34 PM PDT

      •  Oh God...

        um, NO.

        by ablington on Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 07:02:31 AM PDT

  •  Oh, cool sneaks...

    I got lost in your link. Must not buy shoes. Heh.

    by blueteam on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 05:52:56 PM PDT

    •  The soles are tires!

      makes me seem edgy and hip.

      by ablington on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 05:54:05 PM PDT

      •  There's a running track...

        down the street from me that's made of recycled sneakers. I wonder...If I got some cool sneaks like yours and went down there and walked around the track, would I be able to fly?

        by blueteam on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 05:59:09 PM PDT

    •  So Did I, I Had To Force Myself To NOT Bookmark

      I have shoes and bag related issues (and I'm a dude).

      by webranding on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 05:54:43 PM PDT

      •  My husband is the same way.

        MUCH more than I am. He can spend all day contemplating backpacks and sneakers, etc.

        by ablington on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 05:55:49 PM PDT

        •  I So Want One Of the Bags An Flip Flops

          I was a big Teva or Keen guy. I only had like 5 buck flip flops I wear when I shower at the gym. I was in Florida (on the beach) for a week last summer when my brother got married. The new Keen's I got didn't fit right. Cutting into my ankle. I bought, and I am embarrassed to type this, like a $40 pair of flip flops. I've worn them non-stop. Who knew (I didn't) they could be so comfortable.

          by webranding on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 06:03:32 PM PDT

          •  There are more embarrassing things to

            spend 40 bucks on than flip flops...

            by ablington on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 06:27:34 PM PDT

      •  bag related issues

        Ah, sounds like my husband and packs! My god, the man has a different pack for everything you can imagine -- and yet somehow he manages to keep finding new ones that he really, really, really needs.

        by kainah on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 06:13:28 PM PDT

        •  I Just A Quick Count And I Have

          Nine. From one large enough to hike into the woods for a week or so to small enough for going to a concert or a short walk.

          by webranding on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 06:18:09 PM PDT

          •  I think he's got you beat

            but he hides them from me so I couldn't count if I wanted to.

            by kainah on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 06:32:25 PM PDT

            •  Does He Store Bags In Bags?

              that could signal a problem :).

              by webranding on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 06:33:44 PM PDT

              •  oh.....

                We passed that problem decades ago!! :)

                by kainah on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 06:38:20 PM PDT

•  My story is sad

  because my dear son is driving to stay with us (at 28 years of age) because his girlfriend has found another man.  The problem?  Their 6-month old son.  He's having to say goodbye tomorrow and then drive 11 hours to stay with us.  It's a heartbreak.

  The happiness?  That we can help him work through this.  And we hope we can stay connected with our dear grandson.

  Happy.  Sad.  It's the way of the world, eh?

  by klnb1019 on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 05:43:27 PM PDT

  •  so sorry to hear that

    about the break in the relationship, that is. I'm sure your support will mean the world to him.

    Hope that things will work out, and you can help him through this.

    by stitchmd on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 05:47:05 PM PDT

    •  Thanks

      there's great benefits of this internet age  - but also great risks.  She's moving to live with a man twice her age that she's never met - but they have found true love online.  Aaugh.

      by klnb1019 on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 05:48:33 PM PDT

      •  wow, well

        hope reality catches up to her in a good way, for her sake and the baby's.

        by stitchmd on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 05:50:24 PM PDT

•  Back in March

  I spent two weeks in Death Valley National Park, camping, photographing wildflowers and hiking. It was 80 degrees F, beautiful weather and a great camping trip.

  Now back in Montana after six weeks of sub-freezing weather and unrelenting snowstorms, memories of that Death Valley camping trip is the only thing keeping me warm!

  by Ed in Montana on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 05:45:02 PM PDT

  •  Soon you might not want to be in Death Valley.

    Summer temps of 100++++ are right around the corner, if not there already.
     I am embarrassed to admit that despite being a native Californian (raised in So. CA at that) I've never actually been to Death Valley (that I remember.)  Been to many places on the outskirts, but not in the valley itself.  
     Guess it's too easy to take for granted the wonderful places closest to home.

    by FoundingFatherDAR on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 06:04:40 PM PDT

•  several happy things

  I guess all of which, together, constitute a happy story.

  Issues with my job seem to be settled and I'll be able to continue to take care of my patiets - at least for the time being.

  Issues regarding my son's schooling seem to be settled and we are embarking on a new plan for next year.

  Issues regarding my daughter's skating and transitioning coaches are resolving. She's so happy with her skating now, it's easier to deal with the longer travel that this new plan requires.

  We're in a generally happy place in our household right now. Lots to be thankful for.

  by stitchmd on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 05:45:36 PM PDT

•  Well nothing too exciting

  I took a nice long shower and it feels glorious.

  by InsultComicDog on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 05:46:36 PM PDT

•  Happy story is that my family is blessed

  with health... I drive by St Jude's everyday. It makes me appreciate everything.

  by TennesseeGurl on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 05:47:12 PM PDT

•  The weather has been just beautiful here

  in NJ. My plants are flowering, and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel in terms of the end of the semester.

  by blue jersey mom on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 05:47:22 PM PDT

  •  Same thing here in Ohio

    but I'm not all that excited about my finals. I have one tomorrow (who the hell thought it was a good idea to do finals on SATURDAYS!?!?)

    by Muzikal203 on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 05:49:45 PM PDT

    •  Good luck.

      We still have about a week and a half of classes left.

      by blue jersey mom on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 05:50:31 PM PDT

      •  Thanks!

        I have one tomorrow, one Wednesday, and one next Saturday. Then I'm done for the semester (thank God).

        Good luck to you as well!

        by Muzikal203 on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 05:51:29 PM PDT

  •  flowers

    I made another off-handed remark to my on-again, off-again gardener husband last week about the lilies he promised me and then went to take a nap. When I woke up, I walked into the kitchen and there, cheerfully displayed on the counter, were multiple varieties of (bulbs to plant) lilies and gladiolas and seeds for sweet peas!! My three favorite flowers!!! It was so cool and so sweet of him. Now, we have to root that they get in the ground. :)

    But it's only in the 40s here today and very blustery!

    by kainah on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 06:20:50 PM PDT

•  Great idea.

  My happy story ties in to the election.

  Last night we had free tickets to the Opera.  Julius Ceasar.  We were ready to go, watching Chris Matthews.  The clips from the Moyers/Wright interview hit the airwaves.  Hardball became Spinball, and Chris Matthews said "This is his Iraq."

  We were livid.  How ridiculous is that?  A meglomaniac preacher that can't keep his mouth shut is going to be the dealbreaker?  The real issues don't matter, because the traditional media says the preacher is more important?  What the hell happened to the process, that it has come to this?

  We were worried.  We wondered if the power play we were seeing in the Opera was playing out in our country.  We shivered in our box seats, afraid that the television had become Obama's Brutus.

  Then morning broke.  How did the man respond?

  He started the 50 State New Voter Registration Drive, turning the focus back toward hope for the future.  He completely neutered the doubts, by nuturing the grass roots instead of giving any more power to the trivial distractions.  He made the perfect move, and renewed all our faith.

  I gotta say it was a good day.

  by Rian Fike on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 05:48:52 PM PDT

•  I FINALLY found some

  Moose Tracks ice cream!! I was craving it. Finding it made me very happy, and it was quite delicious :o)

  by Muzikal203 on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 05:49:02 PM PDT

  •  Ha!

    I had some yesterday afternoon while soberboy had peppermint stick.  

    by sobermom on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 05:53:33 PM PDT

    •  There's just something so right about

      Ice Cream with little peanut butter cups :o)

      by Muzikal203 on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 05:54:58 PM PDT

    •  peppermint stick

      that and mint chocolate chip used to be my faves when I was a kid. From the soda fountain in Kaplan's Drug Store in Beach Haven, NJ. Good memories.

      by kainah on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 06:24:01 PM PDT

  •  just split a Moosemunch

    bar with my husband.  Makes me very happy!

    by bigforkgirl on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 06:00:20 PM PDT

  •  Moose Tracks

    I've never heard of it before and now I have to have some. Thanks a lot! ;)

    by OLinda on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 06:03:19 PM PDT

  •  yum!!!!

    Moose Tracks is wonderful...... My problem is I always forget the name and call it Moose Droppings. Doesn't sound quite as appealing, does it?

    by kainah on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 06:22:46 PM PDT

•  After Several Weeks Of Rain & Now Earthquakes

  my basement flooding twice from the rain and once cause my pipes backed up I was able to save all my new carpet (Rug Doctor, sump pump, wet vac expert now). And the aftershocks from the 5.4 quake seemed to pass and short of a few broke picture frame (all replaceable) nothing else went wrong for me, my family or my friends.

  by webranding on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 05:50:03 PM PDT

  •  wow, webranding

    stay safe!!! Makes me feel like a wimp for complaining about our 40 mph winds yesterday. Glad to hear that you've come out relatively unscathed.

    by kainah on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 06:25:33 PM PDT

•  love your moniker, sobermom

  My happy story is that I'm trying to gain some perspective. Over here in China the news is all about the food crisis. The price of rice and wheat has skyrocketed, and people are rioting all over the world. "An Inconvenient Truth" has been showing non-stop for 48 hours on HBO over here, for Earth Day, I guess. I give them kudos. So I've been flipping out about the planet, but it all felt very familiar. And then I remembered.

  I grew up near Newport RI expecting to have nuclear bomb dropped on my hometown by the Russians at some point.  In 5th grade we were told Newport would likely be the target of an attack because of its Naval Base. So I learned what x amount of radiation exposure does to the human body; how to keep water fresh for months in a radiation shelter; how to set a compound fracture (!). Apparently only skilled adult medical personnel would be completely wiped out and we kids would have to set the bones and decide who to allow into the shelter and who was too contaminated to be admitted.

  Now I rarely think about nukes (except when out fucking congress seems about to approve a new research program for "little nukes").

  I need to have some faith that somehow the human race will start addressing more capably the food insanity (which is based on several forces, but primarily on speculation which has driven up prices) and climate change.

  Over here it's depressing how many people are now driving. Car sales in China double every year. On the other hand, most of the cars people drive here make the Cooper mini look like s sedan. They drive really, really tiny cars here. Maybe some are binging on gas guzzlers, but for the most part, no.

  Also, people still don't use dryers over here.  Even in grand apartment blocks you see lines of shirts hanging on balconies. Can you imagine how much energy would be saved if the West simply stopped using dryers? And drove these little tiny cars? Or instead had the great transportation systems they have hear? The Hong Kong subway handles over 2 million riders a day.  Buses fly around Macau, where I live, for fees of 30 to 60 cents a ride.

  The strides in solar technology and wind are coming fast. I believe change can come.  

  by MmeVoltaire on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 05:52:42 PM PDT

•  Beautiful, beautiful day today...

  Finally. I rode my bike in the sun and I was smiling like a goofus the whole time. Most everyone else was smiling, too. The sun will do that after too many days of rain...

  by blueteam on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 05:56:02 PM PDT

  •  I miss the long bike rides I used to take

    to clear my head of some of the stress from work.  Chronic tendonitis in one leg put a damper on that activity.  Grrr.

    by FoundingFatherDAR on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 06:11:49 PM PDT

    •  Sorry to hear that...

      Although I'm happy you can at least remember the feeling of a long bike ride - you did it while you could, eh? So many people just don't. I'm well on my way to needing some bionic knees myself.

      by blueteam on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 06:16:28 PM PDT

•  Ice cream

  Younger Son had a whole week of "good days" (meaning no outbursts at school), meaning we got to stop for ice cream at the best little ice cream shop in Denver on the way home from school today.

  I really hate it when it's a nice day, but we don't get to stop for ice cream.  I don't let Younger Son know that.  But when we do stop, it means it's been a good week for at least someone, and no matter how my week has been, it's gotten better!

  by Frankenoid on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 05:58:03 PM PDT

•  No happy story

  Man I am grumpy. I hate Capital One. They are so rude and the customer is always wrong. Then, I went to work, and worked on crappy stuff.

  It's been a bad day. :(.

  I did see a fox on the way home. In fact it ran across the street in front of my car. That made me smile.

  Then, at home looking out the window I think I saw a butterfly. I didn't have my glasses on, so maybe it was a moth! Ha!

  Beautiful weather here in Denver.

  Take care everyone.

  by OLinda on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 06:00:43 PM PDT

  •  for you, OLinda

    by kainah on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 06:27:58 PM PDT

    •  thank you so much. :)

      It's been a bad day, please don't take a picture!

      I guess I am supposed to put things in perspective and count my blessings. Done.

      Great sound.

      by OLinda on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 06:36:50 PM PDT

      •  cheered me up too! n/t

        by kainah on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 06:39:53 PM PDT

•  no happy stories tonight

  except I am so glad that this week is over. I've been working on a grant for the Alliance for Historic Wyoming all week and I have never been as sick of scanners and printers in my life. Luckily, my piece is now done and I can turn it over to someone else to finish and mail by Wednesday.

  Sunday, I got to speak to the local UU church about the costs of war. That should be interesting but right now all I want to do is take my week-long 100 degree fever and my aching spine and go to bed.

  by kainah on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 06:01:58 PM PDT

•  Not my story, but

  gchaucer2's diary earlier today was a happy story that gave me a smile for the day.

  by FoundingFatherDAR on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 06:07:24 PM PDT

  •  Thanks for the link

    That's a great story.

    by sobermom on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 06:22:23 PM PDT

•  Happy to be home

  after attending a conference in Denver, but was really happily surprised at how great a city Denver is these days. I was at the convention center where the Dem Convention will be this summer and spread good energy throughout the place in anticipation.

  The last time I was in Denver was at the time John Lennon was killed, Dec 1980 and I hardly recognized the place. Of course there was no snow this time. Anyhow I had a great time there, but I'm very glad to be home. I'm cooking goodies on the grill as I type, sipping a frosty Mexican beer in a chilled glass and am looking forward to a nice weekend of relaxation and gardening.

  I'm also feeling better about the prospects of this primary now that a little time has passed since PA. We're gonna be ok. I feel it in my heart.

  I hope all of you have a great weekend.

  by cosmic debris on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 06:09:11 PM PDT

  •  big changes since 1980!

    I can't imagine how different Denver must have looked to you. It really is a nice city, as cities go. Once you get away from driving, there is much to enjoy.

    by kainah on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 06:30:12 PM PDT

    •  Oh There Are A Number Of States In This Area

      of the nation that has done a ton since 1980. Denver, Kansas City, Cleveland, and Louisville. Alas my home town of St. Louis might have fallen backwards.

      by webranding on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 06:43:50 PM PDT

      •  Louisville

        Mr House's famiy is in Louisville, and in the 23 years we've been married, it's changed (for the better) dramatically - especially downtown.

        Kansas City was also much nicer than I imagined it would be.  

        by 1864 House on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 08:19:49 PM PDT

•  My team won the office Biggest Loser

  contest today after a 16-week contest of smack talking and intrigue. We got $50 each.   Was a great way to get to know coworkers and get healthier. Highly recommended as a fun office activity--we did it without signing up for anything related to the actual TV program, we just did it all ourselves.

  by decembersue on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 06:21:36 PM PDT

•  Happy to say that

  Monday I will celebrate 13 years clean and sober (for the second time)living one day at a time and learning to live in the moment.

  by Alohaleezy on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 06:23:41 PM PDT

  •  That Is The BEST Happy Story Of The Day!

    I have fought more than I care to admit with addiction. I kicked all drugs many years ago in a non-official manner. I should work on the other things.

    by webranding on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 06:26:25 PM PDT

  •  I agree with webranding

    that is the very best happy story.  Congratulations on your miracle.  I am hoping that my first sponsor will follow in your footsteps.  She got away from sober friends and drank after 23 years.  Now she's coming back around after 2 years out there.  It's nice to know there are others that are able to put together time after having had it previously.  Good for you.  Thanks for sharing your story.  I'll pass along your hopeful message to my friend.

    by sobermom on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 06:33:11 PM PDT

    •  Glad to hear your former

      sponsor is hanging in there.  Sobriety is so precious; I always appreciate seeing your posts and comments.  Any reminder that we're not alone is powerful, and I've found that transparency about this is valuable on so many levels.  Thank you.

      by ceebee7 on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 07:21:15 PM PDT

  •  Congratulations!

    Any day without alcohol has to be a happy story.  I pray that this time you won't find the need for "further research."

    by ceebee7 on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 07:16:32 PM PDT

    •  Thanks friends!

      Oh no, I am quite done. When I went back out for two years it was on coke, no drinking. Booze was my drug of choice but I realized thirteen years ago, for me, a drug is a drug is a drug. I finally kicked the big one, nicotine. It will be two years next month and I didn't think I would ever be able to do that.

      My worst day sober is way better than my best day drunk!!

      by Alohaleezy on Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 09:35:50 AM PDT

•  My younger son turns 4 on Sunday

  He's a funny little person, a hugger and snuggler, prone to random declarations of surprising wisdom, and best of all (in Mommy's eyes at least), he wears his heart on his sleeve: no duplicity or passive aggression or bottled up emotions. Of course, that also means that he has no filter, which leads to comments that would be socially inappropriate if he weren't four (upon seeing a Sharpei dog for the first time: "Mommy, doesn't that dog's face look like Grandma's?"). The minute I held him in my arms for the first time, I knew our family was complete, my heart was full to bursting, and I had the home life I'd always wanted. Happy birthday, Little One.

  by jamfan on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 06:30:14 PM PDT

  •  Happy Birthday

    to your little guy!  How wonderful for all of you.  I hope he has a great birthday party surrounded by all of the people who love him best.  There's nothing like those guileless comments from a child!

    by sobermom on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 06:37:22 PM PDT

•  I woke up above ground again

  every thing else is just details.

  Life is good!

  by beaukitty on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 06:34:29 PM PDT

•  Our graduates.

  Tonight was the annual graduate awards event. It's always humbling to hear what some of our students go through to get an education. Driving for hours a day, working to keep food on the table (not for cell phones or Abercrombie & Fitch), raising children, working through the obstacles of physical/emotional disabilities. Some come from abusive childhoods that left them unable to recognize their own amazing intelligence, others are in crappy relationships with spouses/siblings/parents who discourage them at every step.  

  But tonight we focused not on the difficulties, but on their tenacity in overcoming them.

  This is why I love my school, even when I hate it.

  My colleagues who bitch about "these kids today" never attend this event. I think it might do them some good to get out of their privileged little circles and start listening to what life is really like for our students.

  by fiddler crabby on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 06:42:40 PM PDT

•  Happy story, sad story:

  Happy story: graded all the exams for class 1.

  Sad story: still have to grade the exams for class 2 and a whole bunch of papers for class 1.

  by MissLaura on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 06:43:57 PM PDT

•  Please see my diary

  for another happy story...

  by ceebee7 on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 09:00:26 PM PDT

  •  Thanks for informing us

    That was a great diary and I would have missed it if you hadn't mentioned it here.  Thanks for the uplift.

    by sobermom on Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 04:50:45 AM PDT

•  Good Morning sobermom

  It is still evening here and everything is great in Laguna.

  Here's my happy story in pictures;

  

  

  

  

  

  And can you think of anyone better to see the San Diego Zoo with?

  

  Here's two more;

  

  

  Have a great week.

  by Eddie C on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 11:15:31 PM PDT

  •  Thank you Eddie!

    Thanks so much for the pictures!  soberboy says that pandas are his favorite animal so he especially enjoyed the pictures.  I'm glad that you had a good time with Orange Clouds.  I'm sure that she'll have you out on a hike too.  

    I hope that the vacation is a good break for you from everything you've had to deal with lately.  Do you want me to post next week for you or did you already line someone up?  

    I'd planned to do tonight's diary on colonial houses, even did all of the research, but never got took the photos.  But it has been a good week not pushing ourselves into anything, just lots of meetings.  Have you been to any out there?  I love visiting meetings in different places.  

    Have a great week!!

    by sobermom on Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 04:45:28 AM PDT