AWARD TIME!

AWARD TIME!

Thank you Child Lost for the award - and thank you for the kind words.

Linking my name with the word "hope" is truly a miracle and a gift from my God. As I commented on your blog - this is an amazing thing - considering I was depressed and had suicidal thinking for over 30 years.
WOW! Thank you God!

I decided to "go with the program" and try to choose six other bloggers to pass this award along to........very difficult because I love all the blogs I follow - that's why I follow them.

Shadow - (I guess this means you are getting two awards, but I didn't see anything in the directions that said I couldn't do it.) I always love the pictures, the poetry, the thoughts, the emotion expressed in your blog. It's funny how even though I have never met you and really don't know you, I feel that I am coming to know your "spirit" through what you write. And a beautiful spirit it is.

Lou - I so relate to everything you write. Kindred spirits in many ways is how I react to the things you express. You always connect with my "inner mother". I hope you understand what I mean by that. Love you Lou!

Jenn - You are an inspiration to me. I identify with your struggles. I relate with your situation. No matter what is happening you "keep on keeping on". I have watched you ask for help, be open to suggestions, follow directions, work the program as best you can, and I share your successes. KUTGW

Syd - I "ALWAYS" really "get" your blogs. They always speak to me in such a clear, precise way. I love Alanon and can't believe how much it has expanded my growth. I am forever grateful God led me there and I am grateful for your insights.

ZaneJabbers - You are always so completely honest and no nonsense. I love that. You always keep things simple when it comes to not drinking. Great reminders for all alcoholics. I also always love your gratefulness.

Alkyseltzer - (Some may say this is not fair since there is a connection beyond blog-reader here, but I didn't see anything banning this in the award directions.) I am amazed at Alky's insights, humor, and ability to convey recovery in the words he writes, and lots more. Love the blog-a-roni!

IF I HAD ALL NIGHT, I WOULD JUST BREAK ALL THE RULES
(the only one I actually know about is passing it on to six bloggers)
AND TAG ALL OF YOU.

Prayer Girl

BACK TO REALITY

BACK TO REALITY

It's not easy getting back to reality. Just look at that ship! I had taken a tender onto an island where I had an opportunity to listen to island music, eat "again", and swim in the Caribbean. I was out in the water, camera over my head in order to get this shot from this perspective. I just love it - loved the ship, loved the water, loved the beautiful day, love this picture.

Mr. Kitty was more than happy to be home. He has been roaming his "jungle" - our screened lanai has an outer portion that has a screened roof area where plants grow below. Kitty loves to prowl what he considers his personal jungle.

Kitty got the first bath he's ever had while he was boarded. He was at the Cat Care Clinic - they take care of only cats. They understand them. He's much happier there than when I used to take him where I also used to board our dogs. I have had cats that I could wash, but Mr. Kitty isn't one of them. Well, now he feels and smells so nice. He even struts around with his head higher as if he's saying, "Hey, look at me - I'm hot stuff".

My 4 hours at the hospital was 100% in God's control. It's pretty amazing - having absolutely no idea as I enter a room what God may want to accomplish. I find the more I keep in mind that what happens is all about God and zero about me, the better it goes.

Went to a 5:30 meeting. Alkyseltzer and I rode our cycles. I love the cooler air fall is finally bringing. I hadn't been on my scooter for over a week, was a little nervous (especially since I'm still swaying a little), but all went well and I had no problems. The meeting was a beginner meeting and the after the meeting fellowship consisted of a potluck meal together. A wonderful time was had by all.

I'M "BAC" AND I'LL BE "BAC"

I'M "BAC" FROM CRUISING
AND I'LL BE "BAC" WITH
MORE POST LATER

Hello, hello, hello friends & bloggers,

I'm "bac" from my cruise and I'm still swaying. The insides feel like I'm still on a BIG SHIP. First time in over 23 years that I have weaved when I walk.

Yesterday when we returned it was unpacking, napping, and organizing time for me.

I'm off to pick up Mr. Kitty who has been boarded about 10 days. I'm pretty sure he's anxious to come home.

Then I'm off to "pastoral care". I just wanted you to know I'm here. I'll add to this and post a blog later today.

I thought about you all while I was gone - that is when I wasn't eating, going to shows, watching the waves, attending meetings on-board, etc. -Grin-

Love you,
Prayer Girl

8:00 P.M.

I'm going to just blog the rest of my day tomorrow.
See you then.

SEE YA LATER

(Prayer Girl & "better-half-a-roni")

"SEE YA LATER"

That's me, Prayer Girl, and "better-half-a-roni". As you can see, we have just had our luxurious bath and our hair done in preparation for our voyage. We were pampered and handled with care.

We're setting sail (more accurately setting out on a cruise) tomorrow as you all know. We'll be on a floating city. It will probably take the whole week just to figure out where everything is located. By the time we get home we'll be familiar with our home away from home and will be ready to go back and do it again.

I'm looking forward to rest, relaxation, fun in the sun, the beauty of the expansive sea, lavish food, new friends, AA meetings, island destinations, meditation, spirituality, prayer, togetherness with my "better-half-a-roni", and "silence".

I'll miss all you bloggers. See ya later.

A MEMORY OF MY MOTHER

(Queen Anne's Lace)

"A MEMORY OF MY MOTHER"

So many things remind me of different parts of my life. Sometimes it is an object, other times a place, and even smells - can send me careening back to another time and place. ALWAYS - this trip to the past generates poignant, nostalgic feelings!

Many things remind me of my mother. She loved birds, trees, flowers, gardening, cooking, dressing up, going out, having friends over, throwing parties, and many other things.

I remember the pansies she planted each year on the side of the house. She would point out their faces that peeked up at us. This delighted me so much.

She and my Dad always grew roses outside our family room window. In the same general planting area, they also grew tomatoes that were picked ripe and deep red - always a favorite at our table.

Later on when I was grown and had moved away, she would always cut flowers from her garden and put them on display whenever I would visit. She would have flowers in vases and others floating in water. She loved arranging flowers. She loved pleasing those who would enjoy looking at them.

QUEEN ANNE'S LACE was one of her all time favorites. Whenever we traveled by car, she would always point out the lacy flowers that grew along the side of the road. I can't see Queen Anne's Lace without thinking of her.

One of my favorites that had also been one of her's was the Weeping Willow Tree - I always called it the "tree with lines". Beautiful memories. My mother has been gone more than 10 years, but I feel like she's near right now. "Hi Mom".

This blog could get "very" long if I let it - if I went beyond my mother's love of flowers in my memory. I'm going to limit it to these memories for now. I will head for bed with a smile on my face and in my heart.

Thank God for mothers. Thank God for memories.

Photo Credit: Anne Abrams

OH - AIN'T SHE CUTE!

OH - AIN'T SHE CUTE!

Here's hoping I don't look like this bird (visualize a human head on top of this body) when I return from my cruise. Well, at least she's very cute.

I certainly plan to enjoy all the wonderful food I anticipate will be served while cruising. One of my favorite things is good food that I don't have to cook.

I've been packing for a week - laying clothes out, putting clothes away, sorting through shoes, resorting the shoes - have it all laid out on our spare bed. It's enough to make me crazy. (I think this may be a "girl thing".) I'm trying to remember the slogan to "Keep it Simple". As of now, that's my plan and I'm sticking to it.

Here are a few more favorite affirmations I have used:

I act out the symptoms of radiant happiness and there I find God.

I keep life simple.

I am free of envy and jealousy.

I am taking in information from Positive Sources.

I am grateful.

NIGHT TRAIN

"NIGHT TRAIN"

About 32 years ago I took a trip on the Auto Train (a train that carries passengers and your automobiles) from Lorton, Virginia to Sanford, Florida. It was winter - very cold and ice and snow had been on the ground for weeks and weeks on end. I was on that train traveling ONE WAY. I was born and raised in Washington, D.C. and had been there about 30 years. (Please don't do the math here. -grin- ) I was moving with my first husband and our son to the sunny state of Florida.

The train left Virginia late one afternoon of a freezing winter day and arrived the next morning in the warmth of Florida. The poem I'm copying here I wrote that night as the train sped down the rails.

I had no idea what was coming in my life -not a single clue - another child, descent into alcoholism, the struggle to survive it, admission of complete defeat, the opportunity to carve out a new life in Alcoholics Anonymous, divorce, the growth of relationship with God, a new God-given marriage, Alanon, finding the blog world, etc.

Often through the years I have thought that God gave me these poems to serve as a life vest I could grab hold of whenever I was sinking - to keep me afloat. I still believe this.

NIGHT TRAIN TO A NEW LIFE
The rails are humming
With piston power
Speeding through the dark
Black sequined night
Towards a new dawn light

My life is racing
With an unleashed urging
Careening through an unknown,
Strange, new passage
Forward to a special message

Quick are the changes
Changing dark to light
Leaving cold for warmth
Casting off illusion to clearly see
Past a clouded veil to a new reality
Prayer Girl