As I said, I'm a Very Grateful Recovering Alcoholic. I Say Grateful because without the Program of AA, Life truly stinks, not only because I drank and couldn't control it, but because I didn't know how to deal with everyday problems that life dishes out to all of us. My Date Of Last Drink was 10/01/84. Most say Date of Sobriety, but for me I'm just learning about that part of it all. After 12 years of not drinking I've learned that for me personally Alcohol & Drugs were only a symptom of my disease. I'm sure that some who read this will know my story, but for those who don't let me share a little about me. First of All I'm not a writer!! :)) But it comes from the heart, and if one person can read this and relate to it, then I've done a good days work. I signed myself into treatment on 10/01/84. From that day until this, I've not had a craving for alcohol. I came out of treatment, and got back to my life. I was a working Wife/Mother/Daughter. Needless to say I stayed busy. I Did my meetings (as much as I hated them) like they told me I should. I guess that's not being honest, I might have done 2 a week for 6 months, then about 1 a month for the next 6 months. Then in my 2nd year I only did about 2-4 a year, and from there until my 9th year I was only doing 1 a year and that was to pick up my Yearly Chip. Then from 10 & 11 I would get my Chip from my sponsor at a special dinner we would have. In 1995 I was off work for an extended sick leave due to knee surgery. I couldn't get out of the house, and had nothing to do but get on a computer, and my husband and daughter said Try chatting!! Like I really wanted to talk to people that I didn't know!! DUH Anyway one night I couldn’t' sleep because of the pain in my knee, and I didn't want to take anymore of the pain medications so I landed on the computer. Tried a couple of the "OTHER" Channels, and had nothing in common with those people. Then I saw #AA and thought what the heck. From that day until today I've been going there. Ok, so I'm still off work, and I have nothing but time. I started to realize that something was missing in my life. I had no clue what it was, but I went looking. Needless to say some of the paths I looked on, led me head first into Brick Walls LOL, but from those mistakes I learned. I made lots of friends on the computer and most were amazed that I could stay sober without meetings. Well being Twila I said of course I can. I was still lying to myself, and to others about me though. Somewhere towards the end of 1995 I decided to try a meeting at the suggestion of several dear friends. Well as is par for Twila, I did it with Half measures. I went to the meeting, and sat back in a corner by myself, and headed out before anyone could say a word to me. Then told everyone that meetings in Indy were awful, and I wasn't going back LOL. To make a long story short at this point, today I know that Half measures avail ME nothing. I go to meetings, I try to do Everything that is suggested, I'm learning to ask for help, I'm working on the walls that I've built around me, and most of all I'm learning that it's ok to have all of the feelings I do. 1996 was the year from Hell for me, but today I know it was also from Heaven. Today I know that without pain, tears, and sorrows, there is no growth. My close friends can tell you of the growth I made in 1996. I know today that my growing process will be a life long journey. For those of you that have helped me to this point in my life, and for those that will help me in the future I thank you. Today I am Grateful for the Program of Alcoholics Anonymous, A Very Loving & Forgiving HP who I choose to call God, My chosen family, and My Wonderful Sponsors. These are the blessings I have today! Today I have choices that I never knew about before, but I have to remember it's up to me to make them. Today the Pity Pot just doesn't feel as comfy as it used to. What a Blessing!!! Anyway, when I'm online I can be found in #AA an Online Channel for Alcoholics Anonymous, I go by the nick of MsIndy. So where did IndyLady come from? That goes back to when I came on line. Everyone wanted to know #1 Male or Female and #2 where you were from!! I just got tired of repeating it :)))) I've met several of the people from #AA, and it's such a great experience. Last year I as even able to visit Dr. Bob's house in Akron with SFCannon. I also will be there this year for Founders Day!!

A Couple Pictures Of SFCannon & Myself at Dr. Bob's House

** "At the Dedication Rock outside Dr. Bob's house" **

** "In the Living Room Of Dr. Bob's house" **