Sober life is good! I got my cabin yesterday. It will be delivered on Wednesday. This is my second major accomplishment since getting sober. For the last 6 months, I've lived dirt poor, worked hard and saved hard to accomplish my goal of getting a mini cabin and a patch of land in the boonies to call home. Hillbilly living at its finest, haha. A lot of dreaming and planning turned into reality. My meager military pension was barely enough to exist on but I managed to save a little each month and do work-at-home jobs to earn a little more so this wacky dream of mine could be a possibility. I'll be living 12 miles from civilization in a peaceful place where I can finally relax and the future is what I make it.
When I was drinking, I was broke most of the time. I spent everything I had on booze. I occasionally borrowed money and owed friends because I hid how much I drank from my husband. I had no self pride...all the lies and sneaking around to feed my drinking habit. My husband was the money maker in our family and I added most of my pay to the family fund but always kept some for my Bacardi fund. I had no idea how spoiled I was until I left and went on my own and learned what "seriously poor" really meant. I learned to appreciate a can of hot soup or a lamp bought at a yard sale. I learned what saving meant also. I couldn't save a dime when I drank. I didn't care if I looked neat or about much else. I had no integrity at all. I was ashamed of myself. I would sit around with my bottle and wallow in thoughts of how unfair life had been to me. True, parts of it had but I'm not really any different than others who walked where I did. When drinking, I was trying to console myself for the last and couldn't see the future at all. I lived in the "family home" and was miserable. I left that bad situation and lived in my vehicle for awhile, got my 30 chip and felt much better. I moved into a redneck trailer shack and felt nothing but appreciation and a happy sobriety. I didn't have much else but I had a 30 Day chip!...and I kept dreaming. I developed a little bit of self pride and started finding happiness. I discovered honesty with myself and others. I had a VA review and this time I wasn't too embarrassed to give the right answers. That turned into a pay raise for me but my false sense of pride got in the way before. "rigorous honesty" makes all the difference. i know for a fact I would not be sitting here now if not for the program of AA...and for that I'm most GRATEFUL!!
when I get settled into the new place, I'm thinking of starting Friday night fireside meetings... That way I can join a meeting and still be close enough to mom to help her if she needs me! I'll be living too far from my home group to attend very often...I'll have meeting withdrawals!
What a great story, and what a sweet little place! Looks like the perfect spot for an intimate meeting with a few chairs on the porch, or a larger meeting around a fire pit out front.
BTW, there are now several new TV shows all about "The Tiny House Movement" - Looks like you're a trend setter !
... I expect that Coogi is still getting the new house 'settled' (literally!!), since it was scheduled to be moved to the permanent site just a couple of days ago.
Coogi, let us know how things are going once you get a computer up and running again!
Great to see ya back Pappy! I hope all is well in your world. Thanks for asking about mom. Some days are better than others and we just take life a day at a time. I worry excessively on her bad days.
I've been digging a hole 4x8x6 the pioneer way (with a shovel) and when it measures just right we will have a normal functioning sewer. I have the fun job of digging, which I enjoy. Next project is to finish the porch and deck. I'm worn out and in slow notion these days but still getting it done. I'm taking tomorrow off and calling it a day of rest.
You are wise to rest a bit ... you described me this past couple weeks, I've had good days and worked to 'catch-up' on needed work around this place ... then the bad days put me 'down for the count' ... hasn't left much time for me to just read and comment on the board here ... sorry guys, well, unless there are those that are tired of me 'carrying on' like I do, LOL, then you're welcome for the break ...
When a person works to accomplish the goals like you've set for yourself, it makes it doubly rewarding to finish a project such as you have ... personally, I can't imagine doing that kind of work the 'old fashion way' ... I'm truly impressed ... you remind me of another member of this board, whom I haven't heard from for a while, called Angell ... he has gone thru some severe medical issues too and had to 'ruff' it to get by ... I admire you guys, it's hard enough to stay sober when you have a lot to be thankful for to start with, I can't imagine how hard it would be when the struggles to live run much deeper ...
Love you and God Bless, Pappy
P.S. I think God intended for us to rest at least one day a week ... (my problem is I have to rest about two or three days a week, LOL) ... Lord willing, that will improve ...
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
