Thank you javachik for sending along this note. I am still in AL and DH and DS2 are still in CA. Things are progressing well . Meetings every day and DS found one he feels comfortable in just 3 blocks from the apt. so he can walk over. He has made some new friends there and that has helped too.

DH and DS will be attending a Vipassana retreat for 3 days in Aug. , another step in the right direction. They will be camping before they go, in the Big Sur area , a new experience for DH that DS will be introducing him to.

I am hanging in there. I swim 1 1/2 miles every day and have worked in the garden and in the house. I have a stack of books to read. It is so very hot at present that I haven't been on the bike but I do have it put back together and will be using it instead of the car as I did before I left on my trip.

All in all it is what it is. DH is planning on flying back here in early Sept and he and I will drive together back out to CA. It will give us some time to talk before we get there. I am also planning on going to see grandson and family in August .

There is a lot to deal with here if I am going to be gone . The "stuff" of our lives has to be dealt with. Our pool and Meatball the cat and the yard can't take care of themselves:) I haven't figured out yet how I am going to assign these duties, at present there is no one that can take them on.

Thanks again for thinking of me. I am just quietly moving forward day by day. c

So glad to read your update Caroline. It sounds like things are going well for your son. It also sounds like he is determined to beat this - and that is a big part of the battle. I pray for him and for you, his parents, through this.

Do you have a young friend or son/daughter of friends that could maybe house-sit for you? That is what our friends who are at Mayo (with their son) did. Well, actually the young man doesn't stay at the house - at least not all the time. He goes and walks the dog, feeds the dog, bathes the dog, etc. and checks on things around the house. Mows the yard. Perhaps you could find someone like that. I know at work we have one of our graduate students who has done some house/pet/farm animal sitting for a little extra money. Do you know any college students you might employ? Many times they are willing to sit for a small price, in exchange for staying someplace on their own (away from campus, roomates, etc.) for a time. Just an idea! Keep us updated.

tina

I too was thinking about you and so am glad javachick asked. Glad to hear that there is some progress being made and I hope that your DS meets with success. Thinking about you.

I have been thinking of you and your family also.
Please take care of yourself.

hey tina..thanks for all of the ideas. I am trying to get together a "to do " list for a person so they would know what they are getting into :) It is a lot of stuff to take care of. Less when the weather turns cool..if it ever does ! Grad student or someone from our church...I am going to have to start exploring ideas. I appreciate the suggestions.

Things are going well at present. DS hasn't been back to the therapist ...told his Dad it is hard to make the appt since he doesn't feel so sad/desperate at present. Of course that is part of the problem...when things are going well..they go well...he and his Dad are talking...they swam in the ocean today !! Wow....DH hasn't done that in like 60 years ! So that was exciting.

Thank you bl and irish. I am taking care of me...got out on the bike and did errands...paid bills and went to the local farmer's market . Not too much it is so hot !! Had my swim and read my books...made dinner...pretty mundane stuff :)

We had a nice thunder/lightning storm so I sat on the porch and enjoyed the brief respite from the heat. Means I don't have to drag out the hoses.

I really appreciate you guys checking in on me...thank you. c

Keep well and enjoy your quiet time !

The next best thing to sitting on a porch looking out at the ocean is sitting on a porch watching a storm/rain. Glad you had that moment. Also glad things are moving in the right direction, Hugs.

Cynthia

Can't forget - you have to take care of yourself too.

mitch...it is pretty quiet...even I am finding it a little too much so...need to think about getting out more ..thank you for caring :)

cyn..me too ! I do love my porch...I wish we could get more rain ..thank you for the hugs,,,it means a lot.

holly I know but I sure do feel like I am not contributing anything...just superficial house sitting ...I know that all will work out and every bit is important. I am just used to being more in the middle...YKWIM. thank you for sending your good wishes...each one of you means a lot to me. c

Checking in and glad everything is going well. My sister is out of rehab and doing well so far. I wish she would go to meetings but she is just as addicted to her denial as she was to her pills. Frustrating!

gold...I know what you are saying. Our DS2 has always maintained that he could do it himself..that he was smart and strong and didn't need the "losers" that he had seen in AA. Of course part of his rebellion was due to knowing that his Grandparents, my folks, had been members for all those decades. He had a love /hate relationship with them ( too much to go in to here). So part of it was that he didn't want to do anything that would identify him with them. Part of it was because he didn't want to admit that he was " weak". A lot of arrogance involved. What he didn't see was that in not being able to say he needed help he was actually admitting to a greater weakness . He has finally connected with his needs and weaknesses and his inner strength that has allowed him to ask for and most importantly accept help. Saying "yes" to yourself is the best thing a person can do. I hope that your sister will let herself be strong in the right way and say yes to the help that is waiting for her. (( )) to you and thank you for taking the time...you and everyone on this forum to support me and all the others that come forward daily. I appreciate it and so glad to be part of this family of friends here. c