Friday was exciting.  I went to a work Christmas party that turned out to be nice.  They were raffling off wrapped gifts, I won, and chose one that happened to contain a counter top convection oven!  I'd just used one like it that morning that belongs to mom.  This one is bigger which we need.  I feel a little guilty keeping it knowing people are in need.  I've never one anything so nice.  I would normally give it away because I don't NEED it, but if I move out on my own it would be awesome to come in handy.  Very nice gift.  I work w/ my sis and she did not attend.  She is off in her own world right now (more later). Then I found out my interview with the AA oldtimer got published in the January '09 AA Grapevine magazine, meeting in print www.aagrapevine.org Neato.  I saw the interviewee that night and it was just a thrill.  He got sober at the same age I did (34) only he's 94 now, and still sober and in AA daily. WOW.  The area representative resubmitted my article recently.  I wrote it last summer and it didn't get selected.  I even resent it the same time he did, and they never got back with me.  It's weird.  He even signed the release instead of me, I guess they got mixed up - he seemed to think he was signing for a story he'd contributed.  Well.  What an accomplishment.  I got an advance copy, and people can even listen to it on "audiograpevine" - now that is cool.  They edited out a lot of details but it is still quite neat.  I was so nervous to read it in print, I stalled for hours.  I didn't know if they'd edit out stuff I really wanted.  My favorite part was included - that he hopes to find someone with more sobriety than him so he find a sponsor :)  Now THAT's HOPE. So my sis has separated from her husband of nearly 20 years this summer.  It is still sad and a shock to our family and her teenage boy and girl.  Anyway, now she has picked up her teenage love who was released from 10 years in prison on Thursday, and moved him into their home.  They are back together and she is not considering the kids feelings.  I am so concerned for them and for her.  Yes I know people can change, but this is seriously bad judgement.  I wonder if he's even employable.  She and her husband used to minster a church, so this is real out of character for her.  The family stopped going to church a while ago.  Mom said the new guy wasn't invited for Christmas dinner.  Sis didn't take this well, but had said she wasn't going to invite him anyway because she's not ready for dad to know.  Now she may not come or may just stop by, and my nephew is saying if she comes it will be with him.  I wish my dad knew. She asked me to keep it a secret from mom till she was ready to tell her, which was on Thanksgiving.  I didn't want to take time isolating from the family to tell her, but I'd offered to be there when she did.   You see, my ex bf was also an old convicted prisoner, so I had some things I shared with her that I did understood.  I find myself being angry.  I know I have to accept it and let it all play out.  I did get him a gift of a recovery book (he's an addict - originally she hoped I'd help point him to meetings - Al Anon issue of mine that I'm glad she's not pestering me.  Besides, the guy I told her I'd like to introduce him to, who has turned his life around after being in prison, he said no thanks, that he wants someone who has not been in prison.  I believe he doesn't trust or feel safe around mostly anybody because of his past he's dissassociated with of gangs and drugs.  Glad it isn't my situation - I have been through similar stuff with my ex.) Oh, my dear oldtimer friend is friends with my ex, and says he's in town to visit his kids for Christmas.  I thought I was over him the day before, but knowing he's in town kind of leaves a bad taste in my mouth.  And reading last years journal, it was awful how insidious the verbal abuse I endured was.  Last year this time I was in deep doo doo making his suicidal behavior and mental illness my issue.  It was truly horible and traumatic. I took my nephew shopping for Christmas clothes today, and he selected some real nice tennis shoes.  I've never done that for him before.  I thought I might meet the new guy of my sis's (I met him once when I was a kid), but they weren't there.  I feel so bad.  My niece stayed at her friend's instead of joining us - next weekend I get to take her shopping.  It think it was better to take them separate, anyway. My phone rang a few times this weekend, which was weird.  I'm way too isolated.  I visted with a close male friend yesterday and discussed the issue with my sis with him.  He is a very reformed ex gang member prisoner drug dealer - you'd never guess it.  He is very active with sharing the bible with people and a nice friend.  I even told my sis he'd be a good reference for her guy.  Maybe some day.  I also ran into a woman friend from AA at the dog park and we hung out.  I also got to lead the women's AA meeting which is always exciting. I felt lonely and bored. I don't seem to want to hang out and clean like I need to.  I called my male friend to see if he could go for hot cocoa with me, but ended up letting doggie tag along, which was nice.  Doggie sure loves company. Sad a small dog got killed by a big dog at the dog park by our house a couple weeks ago, where I take doggie.  There are some aggressive dogs there and I tend to keep him in the small dog fenced area. I felt so tired last night.  And I overindulged in sweets and wanted to lay around today.  Tomorrow I start my temporary administrative assistant position at a local college, and go in the evening to my regular job.  I need to write a gratitude list about my new jobs.  I really feel like hibernating which means I really need to avoid the sugar to avoid the sugar lows that accompany it and drag me down. I really enjoyed gift shopping this year.  I wish I had more money to buy more stuff, it was so fun.