Wheels at Lst

It's been a marvelous day here in Key West, where I was absolutely delighted to take ownership of a brand new electric bicyle (that looks like a scooter). After having given up on trying to deal with the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (another long post at a later date), I can now get around this island with a bit more ease and without the benefit of a driver's license.

Thoughts in November

It's been too long since I've has the time to actually spend any of it trying to keep this blog even close to up to date. We'll see if that can be changed.

I returned, a week ago, from the first "real" vacation I've had in nearly five years and have been totally refreshed in invigorated. The ten days away have given me a new perspective and has allowed me to understand that I can do it again, if (when) needed.

I've had all sorts of experiences in the past year and, as time allows I will begin to share them.

but for now I wish you...

Love and Peace from Key West and from...Chris

Most of the way there

I had all of the teeth pulled on Feb. 19th - at one sitting. No stitches were used but I had to gum some gauze pads for a couple of hours. I was given the rest of the week off from work, though I probably didn't need it...Extra strength generic Tylenol seemed to do the trick. I go back to the dentist in a week and a half when the doc will make impressions and then..a few days later, new teeth!

Not being able to chew anything is not a pleasant way to eat. I've come up with thousands of ways to scramble eggs.

The dentist is all paid off (in advance -howdathappin?) and I'm grateful for yet another dream come true. Sobriety has been the best gift of all as, without sobriety I'd have absolutely nothing. Today my life could not possibly be any richer nor fuller.

Love and Peace from Key West and from...Chris

Vacation, sort of.....

It seems that, though I got away a number of times last year, I still had 52 hours of unused vacation time accumulated! What a surprise that was. Even more surprising was the management decision to allow me to use that time in February (after the January deadline - use or lose). So..I find myself, for the entire month of February, reduced to a three day work week, while being paid for the rest as well.

I'll be spending the bulk of this time in the Dentist's office. The first appointment is today. This is something that I have put off for far too long and I actually find myself looking forward to this experience. Now there's a change in attitude.

Sheesh...The next thing you know, I'll be looking for a barber as well!! Nah...I probably won't go to that extreme quite yet. One day at a time, one drastic move at a time.

It'll be nice to be able to smile again.

Love and Peace from Key West.

The end of a real day off

Today, I've had my first honest day off in quite a while . While I wasn't compelled to do anything really "special", I did take the opportunity to simply relax. Listening to Classical Music and getting lost in a good book (Mornngs on Horseback by David McCullough) were how the bulk of the day was spent. There were the inevitable loads of laundry and some minor food shopping to do and a trip to St. Louis to start planning, but that was as close as I got to doing anything really "physical".

I don't give myself enough time to relax but I'm learning to be better about that. Though I have loved the way my life has been turning for a long time now, I find that I am just now becoming comfortable with it. I'm don't have to "prove" anything anymore - to anybody else or to myself. I'm still quite teachable but have come to understand the value of teaching as well. I've learned to say "Thank-you" when praised and to be generous with praise myself.

I'm pretty sure that I am fully realizing that I'm okay just the way I am. There's more to learn and more to give, but for today I'm okay with me.

Life is Good

Love and Peace from Key West

I hardly have the time to get here anymore, but have been inspired to try a little harder and to make the time - a little more often.

I just celebrated my Fifth Anniversary of Sobriety (yesterday) and these past five years have brought heretofore unimaginable changes in my life. I never really understood how very good life could be. I live, work, and even play in sobriety and have found a life that is filled with happiness and freedom. I have gratitude in my life and resentments have become a thing of the long ago past. Openness and honesty have become a way of life...and have opened doors that I never even knew exsisted.

Life is good...very good indeed.

vacation (I think)

I've been on vacation since last Friday and, quite frankly, cannot wait to get back to work. Though I've had a lot of rest and relaxation, the whole situation has been more like work than work itself.

I've been in a nice suite of rooms and have hung out by the pool, spent time reading and relaxing, gone shopping, and have cooked meals. I have not had an urge to drink alcohol and have managed to enjoy parts of the week, but...all in all, I'd rather have been back in Key West. surrounded by familiars.

I know that "work" can get along without me. That's not the point at all. The house and the staff will and have fared very well in my absence. It's just that this vacation seems to have had no real purpose. I've not been bored, as I love to read. I've been a little bit lonely, as I really enjoy having friends, staff, and clients constantly running in and out of my day. I guess that I am "supposed to" be having fun.

Thank gooodness, I get to go home tomorrow.

Sheeesh! Looking back and re-reading, this seems to be the most negative bit of writing I've done in a very long time...but I'll go ahead and post it anyhow.

Love and peace from Orton Terrace and from...Chris