I HAVE BEEN ROBBED

It's been a long time since I've changed the counter or typed a post. Ever since my last post my main activity has been getting ready for Christmas.

Decorating the house inside and outside, painting watercolors for sale on EBAY, shopping for items at the resale stores for my White Elephant Christmas game have occupied all my time. The grand-kids came over and we made a few new ornaments for their tree.

I've been determined to have a paperless Christmas and so all 70 plus items for the game are in Christmas boxes. All the personal gifts to family are without wrapping paper to tear off too.

I haven't been this involved for a long time and that is why I say I've been robbed. It's evident in so many ways. I was a different person during all those gambling years and that was not who I am. I am this current involved person.

One other example of what I've lost is when I opened the Christmas seal box and all the memories of my cousin who passed at the height of that lost period,

came to me.  I had no money to travel home to see her when she was diagnosed with cancer or when she passed. We spoke on the phone and I shared my addiction to her but I wasn't there to support her or her family.

All I can do now is look inside that box and remember how we played with those seals at Christmas as children. I see her as my Maid of Honor at my wedding and countless other times in our lives. I miss her very much.

It's Christmas Eve and I can't wait to have all my family with me tomorrow. It should be a crazy day with friends here as well, and lots of cheer, food and fun. Merry Christmas everybody.