I had a pretty good day yesterday. I got two loads of laundry out of the way, went food shopping (the store was a nightmare), and even got my butt on the exercise bike. I didn't take a nap, but turned in early and slept late this morning.

I also called the director of the R. Club yesterday. She said the reason that the DRA meetings are in disarray is because the staff member who runs them is on medical leave, so they are currently being run by members. As far as the club is concerned, she said there is no such thing as being "too functional" and encouraged me to go there for a tour. I'm heading over there today. The van picks people up in the morning and drops them off in the evening when the club closes. That's too long of a day for me, so I'm taking a cab.

I'm being extremely brave here… Generally social anxiety would get the better of me, and I'd go running for the hills, but I think like most people it's easier for me to approach other people on common ground. I know it's going to feel awkward though… I just don't know to what degree. I hope for a positive experience.

I bet it will go much better than you expect!
bobby

perhaps if it goes well you can time the outing so that they pick you up but you take a taxi home when You feel it is time to leave. I hope it goes well for you!
bizi

I am getting to this late.

I hope the activity went well, Kay.

M

It went well yesterday. The people at the club were very nice and approachable. I wasn't immediately wowed by the experience, but I was fairly comfortable, I could tell that it was a place where people cared about each other, and I got the impression it would grow on me.

Members work in the kitchen, maintenance, or business departments. Everyone's expected to chip in to some extent, but they understand some people have limitations. They recommend new members have a four day orientation period (I already had the day 1 tour) to see which unit they're interested in working in. I will have to break this up because I wouldn't be able to commit to going 4 days in a row… way too much for me. I was encouraged to make my next visit in time for the morning meeting at 9am to see how a normal day starts.

Most days they open at 8 and close at 4. They are open until 7 two days a week. Some people spend the whole day there. I would probably only be able to manage a couple of hours once or twice a week. Right now I'm probably only going to go once a week because of the cab fare. The pick up time is too early and drop off time too late for me to take the van, and when I start reaching my limit I just have to leave. It will be easier to participate when I can come and go at will. It's very close to home.

People are working, but there is a lot of socializing going on at the same time. I had coffee and a cigarette with a couple of members…. that's right up my alley. They also serve meals at the club. I know a regular sized lunch is $1.75 and a large is $2. I saw the salads… they look really good!

Pdoc has to fill out a referral for me. I'm going to mail it to her and have her fax it to the club's office. It will get to the club faster that way since I don't see her until the 28th. I guess I can keep going to the club in the meantime.

It was a positive experience.


I have my final appointment with my substance abuse counselor tomorrow
I think she's going to be very happy I went to check out the club yesterday.
She has put a lot of emphasis on the importance of a "sober support system." I think she'll be particularly happy that I have found a place to support people with mental health problems.

And I spoke to my case manager at drunk.org yesterday and she said she will "complete my file" once my counselor sends in the final paperwork and I send in a $60 money order for "monitoring fees" (2 phone calls). I'll send them the money order tomorrow on my way back from my appointment.

I'm going to call my GYN's office once it opens to follow up on the results of my PAP smear. She said they always call with bad news, but that hasn't proved true in the past…. Every bit of ****** news has been a result of a report I received in the mail or a follow up to a phone call I made myself. I've been trying to ignore the issue but it keeps popping up to aggravate my anxiety.

hugs
love
bobby

oh I am so glad that you had a good experience there! and yes she will like that you went. Good luck today. Time seems to be going by quickly you are almost finished with her visits. yes! one more step closer to getting your license back!
happy for you today.
(((((HUGS)))))
bizi

So glad things are going well Kay.

I like that you went to look at the Club.

Donna

Kay,

One last visit with the substance abuse counselor today!!! A big accomplishment!!!

Great to hear that the visit with the club went well.
I am so happy to hear that you felt it was a positive experience.

You already sound comfortable and it is looking like the people and the atmosphere really could be a place a support for you. How wonderful!

And I like hearing that the place overs opportunity for nice lunches.

Mari

I got some great news yesterday… My PAP smear came back normal!!!
The previous test results were false positives because of inflammation. I have to have a follow up in 6 months, but that's no big deal. One less huge thing to deal with.

I made my husband take me to a plaza by our house to get the business with drunk.org's money order over with. I got a little exercise walking back and forth trying to find a working ATM, buying the money order, and walking back to mail it. That's over with now.

I'm excited to have my last appointment with my substance abuse counselor today! I can't believe how fast the time has gone by! I can't believe we survived the expense! I will miss her. She is a nice lady. I have a feeling we'll keep in touch.
I wonder how long it's going to take me to get my license back now? How many more snags there will be in the road?
I know I'm going to need a copy of my NH driving record that's no more than 30 days old for both trips to the MA DMV. I'm going to request them by mail. I just don't know when to request them. It's the little things…

I'm all excited to make my corned beef and cabbage! My husband loves it now too. I don't just make it on St. Patrick's Day, we have it a couple of times a year. It will go in the pot around 3:30. Since there's just two of us, I'm going to make coleslaw with the other half of the cabbage, and hash with the leftover corned beef and potatoes. I'll probably have an O'Doul's or maybe even two. I can't wait!

Happy St. Patrick's Day Everyone!