I went to Austin Recovery's 40 Aniversary Reunion today.  The event was great!  I'm not a vey good judge of crowd size but my best guess is that there were a few hundred people there. 

  I printed out 100 flyers for the library and set them out for guests to grab.  I don't know how many people saw them though.  Most of the event was set up outside and I put the flyers inside the hall because the wind was blowing like mad.

  If you found your way here because of the flyer...drop me a line and let me know!

    Austin Recovery will be celebrating 40 years next month!  I've been helping out with the organization of the event and I know it is going to be a huge success.

     I'm working on a flyer to have at the event to help get the word out about the library.  It was suggested by a friend that I set up a booth and talk up the site durring the reunion.  Seems like a good idea to me.  Guess I'll check into that.

     I was at the Ranch this morning doing some step work with a couple of the clients.  The remodel is going well.  I can't wait to see the addition and hopefully a space for the library!  I must figure out how to get people excited about this project.  HELP?????????

     I'm writing this on my new laptop computer!  It was quite a wait to get it but boy was it worth it.  I should be reading my assignments for class tomorrow but this new toy is too shiny.

     No new news on the library.  I seem to have hit the wall on donations.  There has to be some creative idea out there to get more people involved.  I just don't know what it is at this point.  Maybe I'll do a little Internet research on my new laptop!

 I checked my voice mail today and there was a message from a dear friend of mine.  She sounded a bit shaken up and her message was not too clear.  I called her immediately.

 About 3 months ago her young son lost his battle with the disease of addiction.  Since that time she has been doing well but also misses her beautiful son very much.  When I talked to her she told me that a coworker approached her and said "This is for you".  The coworker then handed her a heart shaped rock that she had picked up somewhere earlier.  For what ever reason she believed she was supposed to give it to my friend.

  The deal is that my friend and her son had this thing about heart shaped rocks.  WOW!  I believe that her son was sending a little love to his mom.

     Today I attended a workshop at Austin Recovery.  Actually I volunteered.  That's how I managed to get in.  My buddy LaDonna has started a new Workshop for Women in Recovery at AR.  It is held on the 2ND Sunday of each month.  I have to tell you that I was truly honored to be there.  The speaker was amazing!!  What a treat to be around so many STRONG WOMEN!

     The library is slowly taking shape.  Since school started I have not had as much time to devote to it though.  I'm hoping the word will get out and donations will start pouring in!!!!  HINT HINT .

     On a more personal note.

     I met a man in Detox at AR on Friday.  He has been on my heart since then.  He reminds me of myself when I was there.  Broken.  I talked with him after the meeting and convinced him to go to The Ranch (Mens Intensive Inpatient Program).  The next day I went to see him.  He seemed shocked that I was there.  He truly has no friends or family.  Like so many addicts, he has burned most of his bridges and is having a hard time believing that getting sober is even worth all the blood , sweat and tears.  I did my best to show him that someone out here loves him and he is worth saving. 

Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.