8/23 Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara

Tomorrow we leave SB for the Channel Islands for five days of no must do's. I plan on catching up on my naps, good sex and my summer reading! We have been busy here in SB doing some repairs and spending time with the "kids."
The tension between son Josh and dad has eased and they seem to be back on fine footing. We haven't seen our daughter-in-law Dianna since last summers wedding so we have been catching up a bit plus I got to meet the new addition to the family....their new dog Gus. He is a very sweet adopted apricot poodle. I got to get my dog fix in with a good snuggle both times we all got together.
Most of our time has been spent doing boat chores but SB is a big town and they have lots of AA.
I feel so rich here because I was able to make it to two meetings in the last three days. The first one actually was an NA meeting that I stumbled on Sunday morning while out trying to get some decent exercise. They had a 9am meeting beach side that I happened to pass by. The crowd looked "right" and the coffee carafes on the picnic table were a clue. My mind was just starting to think..."maybe" when I overheard a woman saying..."and its so unusually to meet someone with the same birthday...." I kept walking checked my watch to see that it was just a few minutes before 9 then just turned around and asked someone in a lawn chair if it was an AA meeting. Not quite but close.

I have been an NA member in the past and now that I am traveling I figure beggars cant be choosers. If God drops me right next to a meeting I can recognize then I better take it when its offered. It reminds me of a friend I had back in Covington....she was in and out of the program and really struggling in trying to stay in the program...she was out and about one morning trying to talk herself into or out of going to a new meeting. She started praying...asking for a sign...."please"....show me, let me know.....as she began driving by the AA meeting there was a reader board out front...it said.."Looking for a sign?" "Here we are!" She pulled over, parked and has been sober since. Wish it was all that clear!
Then this mooring I got up early and went by myself to a meeting nearby. Turns out it is right across from the SB Harbor marina and they meet daily at 730, 1200 and 500.! They were a great bunch of folks and I felt instantly at home. I am already planning on going back tomorrow and now that I know it is so close I should be able to make several more before we leave here.

Anyway...that's about it...just rejoicing in the sheer number of meetings close by and easy to reach. No bus or taxi needed and I can sneak out early and make the meeting on my own. Before now Bill has accompanied me to every meeting. I don't want to complain and I appreciate his help and support but it is nice to be on my own. I have a new appreciation for couple who are both in the program.

Thanks again for being a part of my recovery. kat