life safari #142

Thank YOU for life.
Thank YOU for Saving Grace.

Today, I am Grateful and Thankful...

that I have a nice roof over my head and heat in my home
that Precious is safe in the house with me
for a wonderful Thanksgiving Day with Sister and Brother-In-Law
for Lee and the many changes he is making in his life
that Lee is in my life
for Prayer and Meditation
for a wonderful Church Family to worship with
God's Grace and Love
THANK YOU

life safari #141

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone !!!!!!

Thank you for...

lunch with my sister and brother-in-law
the warm wishes call from Barbara and Dell - what a pleasant surprise
a wonderful lunch
beautiful music by a very talented pianist-took me back to memory lane
having a few minutes to drop by Lambda and talk to Lee after church
the day off
that I was able to hook up and set up this grand, new All-in-One Canon unit (after that cheapo HP unit, this is the bomb !!

I am Grateful for/that...

I started my day off at Mass
I enjoyed seeing my sister and brother -in -law
the music I have been listening to while at this desk since I got home
for the cold weather
that I snuck in a couple more photos of Precious - It is hard to get a good photo of her - she hates having her photo taken !!!
for the tradition of sending the best photo I can get of the two of us to my AA Family
God's Grace
that Lee is changing for the better and people are noticing his changes and treating him better
I have the Honor and Privilege of Sponsoring Lee (He is quite a character)
Precious in my life
to be clean, sober and smoke-free again today
thank YOU

life safari #140

HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LISA !!!!!!!

today, I am Grateful and Thankful...

to Lee, my Sponsee. He is teaching me things that I thought I already had learned. I'm seeing them all from a different perspective
that we will begin reading the first 164 pages in the B.Book and begin working Step 1 tomorrow
for the season of Thanksgiving and Family
that, I view the seasons with different eyes and thoughts today
to be sober, clean and smoke-free another day
for my AA Family
Precious in my life. "God made cats so that man could pet a Tiger."
God's Grace
thank YOU

life safari #139

What a wonderful AA Birthday Night with good friends and Family. Thank you all for making Birthday Night special for me.

I love yous !!!!!

life safari #138

Happy Birthday Scott W !!!!

Today, I am Grateful and Thankful...
for the people in my life
for those folks who have influenced my life but are no longer here with us
that we'll all meet up again one day
for forgiveness
for Faith
for my Church Community
for God's Grace
for AA
for my friends and Family
for good food and company that I look forward to in a few hours
for the safety of my friends who come from Chappel Hill to help make my Family whole today
thank YOU

life safari #137

Oh, what a beautiful morning !
It is good to be alive and well. If I was not sober, I would be missing out on the happiest period of my life.

Today, I am Grateful and Thankful for/that...

I am becoming who I never knew that I could become. Perhaps I never thought that I would give myself permission to be this happy (?)
God's Grace
the Gift of Faith
Precious
the people in my life and those who have passed from this life - never to be forgotten
the opportunity to serve on the "Events Team" of RCIA. I'll be setting up food tables, washing dishes and giving back what has so freely been given me. It's a wonderful honor to be a part of this team who serves quietly in the "background"
Thank YOU

life safari #136

Saint Anne's Retreat in Surfside, TX. Saturday 10, 2007
RCIA Class
What a Spiritual group of people, a beautiful day for this outing and a transforming experience on Saturday, followed by our Rite of Welcome into our Church on Sunday - awesome !!

Thank you Frank
Thanks to ALL of the RCIA TEAM - they take great care of us !

Love and hugs to you all.

life safari #135

Happy Wednesday !

Today, I am Grateful and Thankful...
that I care Nothing about going out to bars
that I am a "homebody" and have been for some time now
that Saturday is a big day - filled with good food, good friends, good times !
for the Holiday Season
my Father has been gone for 5 years early this December
that my Mother has been gone 33 years - they are now together again in happiness and love
I have had my home for 29 years the end of this month
that I celebrate 10 years of Sobriety on the 17th this month (after 25 or 26 years of messing around)
Precious- the smile of my day
God's Grace
that all is going well while Mike is on vacation - hope you're having a blast Mike !
for Danny and his good leadership, thanks Danny
for Saving Grace
for Lee and his 4 months. He walked through fears yesterday and we all got to witness his courage. Kudos to you Lee !!
keep up the good work. I love you !
another day of life
that tomorrow is Catechism class
thank YOU

life safari #134

What a wonderful weekend and week thus far !
I am Grateful and Thankful...

that I am as interested in other's as myself (perhaps a touch to the other's side)
for the gift of my Faith
I have made changes because of the work I am doing on my faith journey
it has been a very Spiritual 4 days. Very satisfying as well
I can not, and have no desire to...hide my happiness and joy in the way I am living my life the past few months
for Lee in my life. He walked through many bad fears this morning and afternoon. He is one of the bravest people I know today
It is Lee's 4 month AA birthday today as well
Happy Birthday, Lee
I look forward to a tasty dinner with friends and family this Saturday afternoon
All of you who are coming, Thank you for gracing me with your presence
It is an honor to break bread with you all
God's Grace

life safari #133

Monday morning. A Glorious day to be alive !

I am Grateful and Thankful...

for the people who rallied around a friend who needs support and help - thank you Tammy, Allen. Tammy followed through like the Professional that she is ! Awesome Woman !!

that I am not Bi-polar. I feel for those folks that are. Being a depressive myself, I can not imagine the pain of being so happy and giddy that it causes as much (and more) problems, pain
and suicides as depression. I have many friends and loved ones suffering from Bi-Polar disease. Bless Them Lord and watch over them, please !

to be clean, sober and smoke-free today

to be joyful to have friends today. I look forward to Saturday afternoon to sit down to fantastic Italian food together

for Precious and her beautiful "Cat Spirit"

that Father John shared with me the fact that he had to put down his diabetic cat last week. I feel for him and hope that his sorrow will ease day by day. Love you Father John !

for the beautiful weekend retreat in Surfside and the Soul Felt and Soul Healing Rite of Welcome yesterday

For Frank - who is traveling with me in my Faith Journey

for Lee and his friendship. I love you Lee, I am here to support your sobriety and give you help where and when you request it

for this day of life. For forgiveness and Love. For Redemption and Prayer.

For God's Amazing Grace !

thank YOU

www.flickr.com peanut1997's Set #1 photoset

life safari #132

Happy Sunday !

It has been an awesome two days. A retreat in Surfside yesterday, the Rite of Welcome into the Church this morning. The Rite was a beautiful experience as was the retreat.
The significance of what mySponsor and I did on retreat yesterday had everything to do with what took place in the Rite this morning !
I walked out of the Church this morning having gotten the Grace of forgiveness of myself and the things that have kept God at an arms length from me. It was a moving experience and one that I will look forever back on with tears of joy !

Thank you Frank. What an AWESOME Sponsor and Friend !

Love to all.

I am Grateful and Thankful...
to be sober, clean and smoke-free today
the friends that are coming to dinner Saturday afternoon
for friends !
Italian food - Great Italian Food, you are all going to enjoy the food !
thank YOU

life safari #131

What a lovely breath of fresh, cool air the past two days !

Today, I am Grateful and Thankful...
for another day of life
to be sober, clean, and smoke free
for being off work today. It's Catechism night and I'm able to get back to my routine because,
Ruth - the woman working to fill Astere's shift, is all about work, has caught on fast and is very customer oriented ! What a Blessing !!! And, she isn't on a cell phone her entire shift !
Thank you Ruth. I am happy to work with you.
to be invited to have Thanksgiving lunch with my sister and her husband
that I do not suffer from Bi-Polar Disorder. I have great empathy for those who do
for God's Grace in my life
Precious and her company
my friends and family
that it is almost Birthday Night - I'm getting nervous already. I do not enjoy going up in front of all those people. What to say ?
that the weather is supposed to get warmer for the weekend and our Retreat at Surfside
Thank YOU

life safari #130

Good Morning. I am enjoying the colder air this morning.

I am Grateful and Thankful...
to be alive. sober, clean and smoke-free
For God's Grace
that I have another day to work at getting my life and actions as I want them. I want what my Higher Power wants.
I acknowledge the changes I have made. I acknowledge I have more changes to make - One Day AT A Time.
The 17th is closing in. It will be a day and evening of being with friends and AA family
I am Grateful and Thankful to be happier than I ever thought that I could be
my Spiritual life, my belief in my Higher Power, Prayer, Seeking, Believing - I am Grateful and Thankful !
thank YOU, and YOU, and YOU

life safari #129

Good morning everyone !!
It is a great day to be alive, sober, clean and smoke-free.
the wind is up and the air cooler. the front is coming in.

I am Grateful and Thankful for/that...
the cooler weather
the beautiful red hibiscus in bloom in my atrium
Lee G. in my life today
All of my friends and Familia
I am learning to be more patient and kind
candles, incense and beautiful Choral music
the changes that I have made of late
I am happier than I have ever been in my life !! It just gets better from here.
the gift of my Faith - it grows more every day because I am nurturing and feeding it
that I now have a Religion that I enjoy and can not wait until Sunday to go in and worship with the rest of the Church
Father John, Father Bill and Father English
Frank, my Sponsor. I respect and honor his knowledge and time helping me to grow
Thank you Frank
Mike, you too !
And, a huge THANK YOU

life safari #128

after writing my thoughts and Gratitude list, my program miss-fired upon hitting "publish."
I have no desire to do it all over again.

Happy Monday everyone
God's Grace is alive and present this morning
Precious and I are together and well
I wish you all a magnificent day
thank YOU

life safari #128

Happy Monday ! It is good to be on a time cycle that suits my internal clock.
I hear we are going to have a cold front move in this week, I am thrilled !
I am pleased as to how I conducted my self yesterday
I was able for the first time in my life to totally enjoy sharing my massive bucket of popcorn at the movie ! I shared with folks sitting on both sides of me. I had never met the Priests to my right. I now know twin brothers who became Episcopal Priests, had not contact with one another for some time and both chose (unknown to the other) to convert to Catholicism. I met some of Mike's family and friends. What an enjoyable day and evening I had Sunday.

I am Grateful and Thankful...
for my life as a woman of Faith
for my life as a "baby" Catholic
for Don K and his wonderful gifts of himself and articles and books that interest me
for the members at the board meeting yesterday
A few barbs were thrown, I, unfortunately let my old ways show a couple of times. But, other than the room being unlivably hot, no one needed medical treatment (teehee)
God's Grace
thank YOU

life safari #127

Happy Sunday morning !
I am happy with the time change.

I am Grateful and Thankful...
for my life today
for Lee, I want to be there for him
for opportunity to go worship today. In some places it is not allowed
for Precious
God's Grace
thank YOU

life safari #126

Good Morning. Happy Saturday.
I got a nice restful night's sleep. I slept in this morning, no alarm going off at 4:30.
I am back to my usual schedule at work come Monday afternoon, finally.
Thanks to Ruth who is working the morning shift. She is eagar to learn, she showed up early for training and was willing to stay for hours yesterday. I'm impressed !
Thank you, Ruth !

I am Grateful and Thankful for/that...
it is Saturday
that I will go to Lambda for the speaker meeting tonight
that the clocks "fall back" tonight. It is my body's clock time.
that I am sober, clean and smoke-free
that I have the Gift of Faith in God
that I am learning wonderful things in my Cathecism classes
it is beginning to make more sense week by week
I am very happy in the Catholic faith
I am a registered member of Saint Anne's Church now
I will stop by the Church today and revisit the Shrine of the Departed Souls - it is a healing experience to have placed photos of my Departed Souls on the Shrine and the Prayer List for the month of November - very healing !
I am Grateful and Thankful to be alive, healthhy and loved today.
I am Grateful to love others today
thank YOU

life safari #125

Happy Friday !

Had a wonderful experience yesterday. While honoring my Departed Souls, I had the pleasure of hearing a woman sing (softly) her prayers. She had a lovely voice and was barely audible. It was uplifting, not only for myself but, for the souls of those being remembered on the Alter in that room. I had the pleasure of talking to her and telling her how much hearing her touched me.

All Souls Day:
the opportunity to gather pictures of my loved ones who have passed on and put a collage together helped me to honor and mourn their passing. Some of those have been out of my physical life for many years. Some, very recently. The experience availed me a chance to think of them all in a loving, sorrowful manner. Some, I never grieved fully because I was too devastated at the time of their death.
I have a different attitude regarding death today. Not that I do not miss these folks, but I know today, that we will meet again one day.

I am Grateful and Thankful...
to be alive another day
to be sober, clean and smoke-free
for the Blessings, Grace and changes I am making
for God's Grace
for those who have touched my life in the past and in the present,
I love YOU