Life Lately: Celebrating

I had a post a couple of days ago where I wore a long striped maxi dress and was telling you that I could remember the exact time I last wore it. It's true. It was the worst night but then the best day followed.

That night was a repeat of many, many other nights so on the surface, it was nothing too special. My husband had become used to my antics and my mom, people I worked with and most others just had no clue. I had drank way too much only this time I made even worse decisions. My mom had to become involved and my husband had to be woken up at 3am to come and get me. Not good.

The next morning I told my mom,

I am an alcoholic.

And I want help.

The beginning was hard but I started going to Celebrate Recovery, which is like A.A. and N.A. and all of that rolled up into one with a focus on Jesus Christ as the only way to fully recover. I didn't like being sober in the beginning. I hated it. I had NO idea what I was going to do with all of my time. I really worried how I was going to not be so bored all of the time. But honestly, I beleive through prayer God actually took the desire to drink away from me. I believe He lifted it from me. Now, I don't mean that when I look at a beer or see a glass of wine I don't think, hmmm...that looks nice. But I don't "want"it. 

Here is what wanted to share with you today. I have completed 1 YEAR SOBER! 

My sweet friend that is almost celebrating her 1 year gave me these flowers the night of the chip ceremony. It is such a wonderful feeling to know I have made it 1 year. And I have more to come!!!!!! It is also so comforting to know that no matter where I have come from or what I have done I have been forgiven. I do NOT have to carry around any guilt or shame of what I did. I am starting my 12 step study in the next few weeks. I am excited to get very deep into my recovery and to uncover clues that might have led me to be an alcoholic in the first place.

Life Lately: Bubbles

Blowing bubbles....all well and good until I've blown so many I start getting light headed. Here's a solution. And I cannot take credit for this one - heard it from a girl I used to work with. Brilliant!

Hold it over the air conditioner unit and let the blowing begin. Whew. Mommy doesn't pass out today.

Remembering Girl

Bolero: NY&Co, Dress: Roses, Shoes: Aldo, Necklace:? Earrings: Premier Jewelry

I remember exactly the last time I wore this dress. It was almost one year to the date. I can tell you the whole story.....soon! I have a special post coming up later this week and it will alllll tie together and you will just be so satisfied that you finally know what I'm talking about. Or you will forget all together. Whichever one happens, I'm ok with.

Traded Girl

Top: my cousins - we traded at our yard sales! Skirt: Eddie Bauer, Sandals: Kohl's, Necklace: Avon (I think?)

A couple of weeks ago we had a big family yard sale and we weren't quite satisfied with the results. So we called up my cousin who lives a few towns over and asked if we could yard sale crash at her house the following weekend. She said yes and it was a HUGE success! We saved up that last little bit that went towards the beach trip. I traded her some comic books for her hubby for this top. YAY!!!

 

 

Complete Girl

Entire outfit thrifted

Success! Each piece was thrifted separately but they all come together for one complete look.

Life Lately: Fun Times To Be Had

We have been volunteering at the Community Garden down the road. It has been really rewarding. I have learned a lot about gardening, plants, and how to harvest. The master gardener always lets us come home with a little bit. I don't like to take too much. We are so blessed and are definitely not in need like others. I need to get some more photos of the garden but there is no easy way to lug my huge camera. I don't have a fancy smart phone...yet. I'm fighting it off until the bitter end. I will have to go back on an off day when I'm not covered in mud and sweat and snap some photos. It's really a beautiful spot. I am so glad that families and people in need get super fresh food on a regular basis from this wonderful garden. Part of the garden is rented lots too but each renter must donate 10% of their harvest.

After the garden we usually head straight to the pool because we are sweaty and exhausted.

I love love love the view of the mountains from our little community pool. It's so calming.

Beach Bound Girl

Top & Sandals: Target, Skirt & Belt: Thrifted

Me feeling all beachy last week before we left for the actual beach where I might have looked cute once for about 1 hour. Most other hours were spent soaking wet, sticky with sand or heavily sweating. Not cute.