Day 27

This morning is April 24, 2010 and I'm really starting Day 29 but I'm behind on my blogging. This is only a good sign if I've been busy doing good things and not been busy relapsing. I'm happy to say that I have been having a blast trying new things! I played tennis with my sister-in-law which should have been on You Tube. I was a little rusty but it came back to me quickly like riding a bike. I didn't say I was any good but it was fun. It was a lot better than I anticipated. I was picturing me being like Pheobe on the episode of Friends where Pheobe and Rachel go jogging together. I cannot wait until match 2.

The next day I threw our bikes in the van and we headed up to the park. My daughter and I rode around the bike trails and then went back and forth and played on the two different playgrounds. It was a riot. She met new little friends and it was the first time we had done something like that on a work night. She informed me she'd like to go everyday. I didn't tell her this, but so do I.

My body feels like I got hit by a bus because I'm out of shape. Oh, speaking of out of shape, I forgot about my embarrassing getting old mom moment #2. It's up there with the meat market incident. At the park we go to, there are tennis courts, a basketball court, sand volleyball courts, horseshoes, 2 playgrounds, and 2 ball fields. We live in the middle of the country and this park is only 1 mile away so we are blessed to have it out here. Softball leagues are starting up soon and so there were some college aged guys practicing at one of the fields. My daughter and I pulled up on our bikes, parked them, and proceeded to the playground. One of the guys yelled, "Hey, can you get that ball?" Excited because I used to pitch softball and used to have an arm, I ran for the ball behind me and attempted to throw it to him.

I had 2 things working against me, my age and the fact that my shoulders and arms were spent by our so called tennis match. There was another big obstacle in the way, the fence. If you've ever been to a ball field note the fence behind home plate. It is taller than the fence surrounding the rest of the field. Lets just say the fence does just as good of a job keeping balls in the field as it does OUT.

As my new found love for athleticism took over, I attempted to launch the softball over the fence. OMG! My muscles tensed up and I felt like I dislocated my elbow as I watched the ball slowly bounce of the fence and come right back at me. It was so embarrassing! Not as embarrassing as the meltdown my toddler had when she grabbed the ball and said , "I can do it mommy" and took off running with the ball. So now we're providing live cat and mouse entertainment for the guys. They decided to continue to 'play ball' and I continued to chase her around as she's screaming "I want to throw it!". She finally finds an opening in the fence and bolts onto the field and throws a noodle armed cute little girl throw, just like her mommy to the batter. Not the pitcher, the batter.

Life is going to be full firsts from now on, and America's funniest home videos. Before I quit drinking, I'd get off work, rush home to make supper and get everyone to bed, just so I could selfishly sit and drink. It was unheard of to go to a park on a work night. There was barely enough time to get supper made, do a load of laundry, and drink. When you quit drinking you not only add years to your life, but you add hours to each day. Now I get off work, come home, clean a little, go do something fun with my daughter, come home, make supper, do more with my daughter, tuck her in, relax and watch TV with my husband until he goes to bed, then do laundry, dishes, and finally, relax and blog.

We've all experienced benefits from my quitting. I love my new life! I love being a 'good sore'. I love my daughter so much. I cannot wait to provide her with a memorable childhood just like my own.