Dear Diary,

The coolest thing happened to me tonight.  I was sitting there, minding my own business at my Monday night meeting, when the woman sharing mentioned my name.  She said that she was able to overcome her fear of telling people that she was an alcoholic because of me.  She said, “If Laura could admit it in such a public forum, then it was okay for me to tell people.”   I was so flattered and so emotional.   I started to tear up and wring my hands (I do that when I get nervous).  What an awesome thing for her to say.  I’ll never forget that.   I’ve officially started working with a new sponsor.  Krista and I have become too good of friends.  We never get anything done, mostly because I’m a flake.  It’s not for lack of her trying to motivate me to do my steps.  We are just too much alike.  My new one is like a drill sergeant.  She’s only 26, but she works one of the most solid programs I have ever seen.    We’re going to meet later this week so I can start my steps all over again.  I’ve done the first three steps three separate times already.  I just keep getting stuck on the 4th one.  I’m pretty sure she’ll kick my butt into high gear.     In one week and six days I’ll be celebrating 3 years of sobriety!  This birthday is way more fun than my real one.

After my fulfilling meeting, I made it to an 8:30 Core Yoga class.  It’s obvious that I haven’t worked out in a week.   I was out of breath and I felt kinda woozy (as my dear Grandma would often say after a Hot Toddy.)      This day was all about rest, relaxation and a mind and body work-out.  I’ve been with Charlie and Evan since Tuesday 24/7.  They had last week off for “winter break.”    I know, right, WTH, winter break?  Anyway, we spent all day and all night together.    I don’t really remember Tuesday and Wednesday, but Thursday we went to Balboa Park for a picnic lunch.  I forgot how much I love that place.  Charlie was obsessed with finding the puppet theater gift shop.     We made it there just before they closed it down for the day.   Now, I don’t have an extra money to throw around, but when it comes to my kids I have a hard time not buying them little things.   They both wanted marionettes.  Evan only wanted one because Charlie wanted one.   They were way cheaper than I thought they’d be.  Here’s a tip for all you parent out there: Do not buy your children a marionette if you have a patience problem.  You have no idea how many times I untangle those friggin’ strings.  Oh my gosh, I just about lost it after about the 20th time.    Plus, Charlie’s puppet freaks me out.  I’m pretty sure it watches me sleep at night.

On Friday, Charlie was sick.  Friday night into Saturday, Evan was sick.  Saturday night they were both feeling better so we drove to Grandma Mary’s house.    On Sunday we went to Faith’s birthday party.  Before we left, I  curled Evan’s hair.  She ran into Grandma’s room and I heard her say “Oh Grandma, come out of the bathroom and see me.  I’m something that starts with a ‘K’…’cute!”  Funny.

On the way home from Rancho Cucamonga, we played a game called “I’ve never told anyone this, but…”  Charlie said he never told anyone that he really likes to go number two.  Mine was that when I was little, I’d go to the bathroom in the bushes because I liked to pretend that I was in a tribe in the jungle.  Evan said, “I never told anyone this, but I love parades.”  Charlie yelled “That’s a terrible one.”  I told her that it was great.  Her other ones were “I love butterflies, I love to draw hearts and I  love trees.”  Charlie was furious.  I just laughed.

Here are some of Charlie’s Balboa Park pictures:

See you later, Diary.