Sunday, November 4th 178/336

I can see clearly now, the fog is gone till who knows when. M and I went to Peet's for coffee and it was like a dog show. There were 8 or 9 dogs all with their owners and they were all competing for affection. Went home and took a little rest and the dog sat in front of me and whimpered every 30 seconds until I got up and took him for his walk to the river. The animal has me wrapped around his paw. M says that I'm his bitch.

TX has taught me a lot, overall I view it as a positive experience. I'm stronger and I've learned compassion and humility, a year on this poison changes you forever. When I first started, I told M that I thought I would never be the same after this experience, little did I know the the majority of the changes would be for the better. I have an attitude of gratitude and I'm very happy to have met M, we have grown very close through all this. As positive as I am, it ain't been all that easy. The hardest part has been not being able to paint and draw as my concentration is shot and not being able to exercise and feeling tired and weak all of the time. I'm way into it but I have a long road ahead of me. 15 years sober, one day at a time and "that which doesn't kill you makes you stronger" works for me. All is well and bye for now.

This is the child I'm sponsoring through "Save the Children". Marilene Orelus of Haiti, age 6.