Abstinance is the Best Policy

Really been struggling today with the whole sobriety thing, but have been able to ward off the alcohol demons so far. It's really weird that the relapse can happen in the blink of an eye and when least expected. I will have to guard against "stinking" thinking and know when I become vulnerable to the temptation.  On a more positive note,  I talked with my recruiter today and all set to get started on the 7th. I'm really looking forward to getting back to work and making the dollars! Selling my Blazer to live off the money while I'm in training and have a guy coming by in a little bit to take a test drive. He came by yesterday and looked at it, but couldn't drive it until today. Hopefully, he will love it as much as I have and put some cash in my hand :) The in-laws have bought a new car and are "giving" the wife their old one. It would really be a blessing  if we could at least  sell one of them soon. Anyway, I've been alcohol free for 7 days and know I can't drink  today  either.  I'm hoping  it gets  easier as time goes by.  Until  next time,  stop by and check out my new articles on addiction at My Addicted Mind.Com and if you need to locate an AA meeting in the Akron, OH area, check this link - www.akronaa.org - for meetings and times. Thanks.

Sobriety Ain't so Bad

Hello, I'm John and I'm powerless over alcohol. It's been five days since my last drink and I've come to grips with my affliction and have turned it over to God... again. Fasting and praying seems to have worked this last time as far as asking my Higher Power to remove what he has given me.  God told Paul that His grace was sufficient and I know God will forgive me as well. "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me" (2 Corithians 12: 9). However, I live in the world and need to be alcohol free for my family and occupation. Once I framed this "thorn" in this perspective, it has been a little easier for me to stop. I also realize I cannot do it by myself.  I know that if I have just one drink today, I may have two (or more) tomorrow and the cycle is perpetuated. I know that I cannot take that first drink!  "I call on the LORD in my distress, and he answers me". (Psalm 120:) Join me in recovery at My Addicted Mind.Com

Not a Morning Person!

Well, evidently I am not Mr. Congeniality first thing in the morning? Woke up to, "I need my pain pill" before I was fully alert and oriented. Where are they? Downstairs. Why are they downstairs? So, I drag myself down the stairs and return with the meds. "Don't I need to take these with food"? Well yes, how silly of me. Another trip down the stairs produces needed sustenance. Well, might as well get up and get ready for the day! I will rise and shine to the challenge! Visit us at My Addicted Mind.com

Post-Op Follow Up

Other than a two hour wait in pre-op to have the surgery, everything went pretty smoothly today. 

Cathy seems to be recovering well and the nasty gall bladder has been eradicated. And, although they wouldn't let us keep the stones, (not they we really wanted to anyway), everyone involved with the process was very congenial and polite. Thank you Summa staff.  Now on to a full and complete recovery!

Another Surgery in the Family

My wife is having a lap-chole this morning and we're here at the hospital now. They've called her back for the prep work and I'm just kinda hangin out waitin to be paged. Seems just like a few weeks ago I was the one going under the knife. I'm just praying everything goes well and the recovery is quick. Summa did a great job with me and I have no reason to worry this time.

Is There Such a Thing as Religion Addiction?

Religion Addiction Believe it or not, I have experienced first hand how religion can be addictive. But then anything can be carried to the extreme by overzealous practitioners of all sorts of different behaviors or activities. But those of us with addicted minds cannot limit our involvement in these behaviors - it is all or nothing. I have witnessed individuals "drunk in the Spirit" or "High on God" and heard others say that God is like a drug that needs to be tapped into for the emotional high that praise and worship can bring. I for one wanted this spiritual high and seriously contemplated selling all my possessions, giving up current relationships, and become like Jesus. In Matthew 16:24 Jesus also tells his disciples, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me". Again in In Mark 8:34 Jesus tells the people,"He said unto them, “Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me". And in Luke 9:23 Jesus is portrayed as making the statement, ""Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me". However, I came to a realization that what I was doing was unhealthy. It is a phenomena known as Religion Addiction, or being addicted to religious aspects. During research for different addictions, I found some interesting concepts about how some churches are able to actually fuel the emotions of people and foster addictive-type qualities in their "productions" or sermons. Mega Church services are one type of worship experience that some claim can be "addicting". James Hart, president of the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies, has this to say about mega church worship productions, "Ecstatic worship can be positive, nurturing the emotive side of God's relationship with us. But when ecstasy begins to dictate theology, or suggest normative behaviors, we risk falling off the plateaus of orthodoxy and orthopraxy." http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2012/october/is-megachurch-worship-addictive.html For more information on addiction, visit My Addicted Mind.Com

Server Down

Well, my hosting server has been down for the last two days and now that it's back up, there are issues with all the traffic and web stats (they've gone missing). Wasn't able to post or upload any files for over 24 hours. this really bites because I finished an article to post and wasn't able to even upload it until the next day. Anyway, all is well and my surgery is healing up nicely. This is a good thing due to the fact that my wife is going to have lap-cholecystectomy surgery this Wednesday. Nice! Two surgeries within the same month! At least we'll have it done and over with, right? Start orientation with my new truck driving job on the 7th. Three days in the classroom learning e-logs and doing paperwork, then 5 weeks with a trainer! Woo-Hoo! Can't wait to get on the road and making money again!

Cool Photoshop CS5 Tutorial - How to make a website - cool,quick,easy

Domino's Pizza "Craftsman" Misleading Commercial

Oh My GOSH! Just saw the new Domino's Pizza spot proclaiming that the people who prepare their pizzas are otherworld "craftsmen" who have artistic license to create deliverable pizza pies as they see fit. Don't buy the hype! Even though they portray their hands are their "tools" as painters and glass-blowers, they are still hamstrung by corporate bylaws and franchising legalities. The marketing is slick and believable, but I would question why a pizza chain would use a "mom and pop" approach to selling pizzas (maybe it works). Just saying, personally I would not be misled by a cool commercial. The pizza may be great and the goal for Domino's is to get everyone to try it. Eat it if you want, but don't think it was prepared by individual "artisans" who create pizza pies one at a time just for you.

Just Another Day at the Office

Progressing very well with the surgery. Still having some discomfort every once-in-awhile, but much better. Only had ibuprofen yesterday and no narcs. Will probably save the rest of the percocet for when my wife has her gall bladder surgery at the end of the month. Working on my website and writing more articles, or as they say, "populating the site with content".

Sleep has been kind of erratic, but nothing new. Was up pretty late last night, but back up by 8:30 this morning. Everything seems to be progressing well and we are even planning on building a loft bed for the boys. Hopefully we will be getting the lumber for it over the weekend and finishing it up next week. Here is the link for the loft bed:
http://www.thedesignconfidential.com/2012/07/free-woodworking-plans-build-full-sized-low-loft-bunk

Think You Have a Sweet Tooth? It Could Be a Sugar Addiction

Sugar Addiction

Sugar addiction is a serious disorder in that an individual gains uncontrollable cravings for sugar and is rapidly becoming an epidemic in western cultures that can lead to chronic fatigue, obesity, diabetes, and a laundry list of other psychological as well as medical problems. In the sugar addiction realm, individuals experience diaphoresis, headaches, and genuine frustration (anxiety) if they are not permitted to consume sugar. That said, a sugar addiction is as prevailing as most illicit drug addictions. In the USA and other Western countries, sugar addiction is at an all time high.  Studies show that the average individual in America has more than 22 teaspoons of added sugar in their daily diet.

Read more about sugar addiction at My Addicted Mind.Com.

 

Discomfort Versus Pain

Day nine after surgery and I'm definitely feeling discomfort from the procedure, but not really pain. I've taken one dose of the ibuprofen today, but not any narcs. I did walk a few blocks with the dog today to pick the kids up from school. The constant pulling of my canine commrade has made the incision seem inflamed and with a burning sensation. However, not really something I need to medicate for. I'm thinking that there will be discomfort from time to time, but do I need pain relievers? Probably not.

Is There Really Such a Thing As "Love Addiction"?

Love Addiction

Love Addiction, as with any other compulsion, has to do with impulse control as it deals with relationships. Because of the “love” component of the addiction, people often do not comprehend the extreme seriousness of the situation. Hollywood, in fact, likes to poke fun of these situations in movies and sitcoms due to the fact that a true, monogamous relationship just isn’t that interesting. On the other hand, Cinderella-type relationships are fodder upon which most major movies are based. But, no matter how insignificant Hollywood tries to make it, love addiction is nothing to laugh at as it progressively effects the addicted person as well as their significant other.

A love addiction is where individuals become addicted to the feeling of being in love. With this, they typically have emotional needs that are unfulfilled that they try and satisfy with romance or other relationships.

Read more about Love Addiction at My Addicted Mind.Com 


 

Momma's Gone

Mom went back to Oklahoma this morning at 0500. Gonna miss having someone to help me out around the house. Just want to say thanks Mom for coming up and being available after the surgery. It was a big help and I know the kids really loved having you here. Also, really enjoyed Red Lobster last night and I know that the rest of the family feels the same way. Just know that we love you and appreciate everything that you do for us. Hope your flight goes well and you arrive safely back in Tulsa. Good times!

Saturday-Day 6

Hard to post from my phone because the keyboard covers up the text field (mom is playing solitaire on my laptop and I don't feel like hiking to the basement to write).

Kinda sore this morning from the incisional pain, but tolerable. Had my coffee and took some ibuprofen. It's been almost a week since surgery and I'm definitely feel better, but still have to take it easy for another week. Sure I'm a little bit sore, but feel I am bouncing back, progressing normslly - except for the nightmare last night where the incision opened up and the hernia came back.

Post-Op Day 5

Some incisional pain this morning, but much better as compared to Tuesday morning! Had two doses of narcs yesterday and probably a little more active which relates to the pain this morning. Looking forward to day seven and how much improved I'll be at that time. I'm trying to go narc free today to see how well the ibuprofen works. Guess we'll see.

Some Unknown Alcohol Addiction Facts

Often unknown to the general public, alcohol addiction facts can be quite an eye opener. Among many alcohol addiction facts in general, the fact that alcoholism is the most common addiction in the world is, in itself, a powerful concern. However, promoting general awareness of alcohol addiction facts is significant so that alcohol abusers, alcoholics, and their friends and family may gain a better picture of the wide-ranging reach of alcoholism and the resources of qualified help that is available. Below is a list of key alcohol addiction facts to know.

Alcohol Addiction Facts 1: Alcoholism is a disease-

Find more alcohol addiction facts at My Addicted Mind.Com 

 

Post-Op Day 4

Doing much better this morning. Only had two doses of the narcs for yesterday and the rest was ibuprofen. took a 600mg dose of ibuprofen this morning when I got up and the incisional pain is much better. Minimal inflammation around incision and normal peristalsis has returned! I definitely feel like I'm well on my way to a quick and speedy recovery! Woo-Hoo!

Post Surgery: Day Three

Felt better this morning, but still pretty sore. Trying to get off the narcotics right now and substituting ibuprofen for doses of the percocet. Had 800mg at 9:00 this morning and can still feel the soreness, but not quite as bad. Most of this soreness is incisional pain and very uncomfortable when changing from sitting to standing positions. Next dose of meds is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. and I think I'll go with the narcs this time - just to get a little more comfortable and then alternate with the ibuprofen with the next dose. Tomorrow, I want to be "narc free".

Find out more about drug and alcohol addiction at My Addicted Mind.Com

The Day After

woke up this morning and oh my gosh. I was so sore! I had no idea how sore I was going to be! I did notice that there was some swelling last night when I went to bed. But I had no idea it was going to be this bad this morning! I had even taken a pain pill before going to sleep. I was not prepared for the pain this morning! So I have hobble down stairs to find something to eat and take more pain medicine. took one and a half pills this time. And now I'm just resting and letting the pain pill work. Hopefully in about an hour everything will be ok.

Post Surgery Follow-Up

Surgery went off without a hitch. I gotta admit though, the pre-op xanax was a lifesaver! didn't think I would be as nervous as I was, but the Summa people have this procedure down - a well-oiled machine, if you will. Was in at 0600, processed, had the surgery, and was back home by noon! Now, I just have to make it through the prescription percocets without developing another stupid addiction.

On a side note, fan blower in the furnace decided to go out last night at the same time we were picking family up from the airport (and whose plane was delayed for a total of 8 hours due to the weather). Had to call out a furnace repair company out at 0200 which wasn't cheap by any means! Absolutely no fun and games here in Northeast Ohio! Just have to say that Murphy is alive and well and kicking the hell out of me at the moment!

Going Under the Knife!

Have surgery scheduled for tomorrow morning. Have to be at the hospital at 6:00 A>M>! Yuck! Never had surgery before and I'm not really looking forward to it. On the other hand, it's outpatient surgery - so it

shouldn't be too bad. Go back in a couple weeks to the surgeon and hopefully everything will be good to go and I can get back to work. Can't be off too long. Just hoping everything goes well and I don't have any complications. Oh well, guess this will give me more time to blog and write for my website!

Find out if you are addicted to sex at My Addicted Mind.Com