Just wanted to pop in and say 'Hi' to my buddies at MIP:) I have received a few messages from people here which are much appreciated. I am still getting used to people wanting me around LOL! It's a relatively new concept to me after years of being the manipulator of getting not so positive attention or inquiries haha. Anyway- I am still sober (18 months now), and still a non-smoker (over 3 months now). In terms of 'updates', not much has changed... Yet everything's changing. I am guessing that this is what recovery is all about- little bits and pieces of progress and change that sometimes go unnoticed until I'm like 'hey, wait a minute ! I don't do 'x' anymore, or react like 'y' anymore. It's strange, but great isn't it? I often have these realizations while doing the most mundane of things. I often use grocery shopping as an example. For years, I couldn't go to the grocery without having a 'few' beforehand. It was a very sad insanity of solo bar-hopping on my way to the store. I'd arrive at the store trying desperately, and without success, to appear sober. I would wonder why fellow customers and employees would give me odd looks... At some point during my wandering around the store staggering drunk in the middle of the day, the manager would approach to ask if I 'needed assistance'. I would get soooo angry at the stares and assumed the manager was attempting to hit on me (really?). This is how I lived my life. Today, I go to the store, get my things, chat with a few people from the neighborhood, smile to the employees that used to stare in horror and pity at me, AND... That's it. I come home to start baking cookies (peanut butter chocolate chip PAPPY!!!!). I realize I am slowly becoming a member of humanity.It truly is the little things. I have much to be thankful for. Love to my family of choice in recovery - happy thankgiving!!