You're a fisherman, Paul? What a coincidence - I'm very often a fishing widow!

Definitely hooray for you! That is strong, really, really strong and you shall be so proud of yourself! Still keeping my fingers crossed that you get the job. Or not - whatever makes you happiest. Personally, I've done like Groucho (Marx) and worked my way up from nothing to a state of extreme poverty..

Fortunately for them, the Sierra Nevada trout I normally terrorize are on rest and relaxation time, probably under several feet of snow and ice, but as soon as the mountain passes open, the gear is all prepped, organized, packed and ready . . . and I'm itching to go!

I hear you Borje! I've worked my way up from being a poor broke-@ss musician to being a poor broke-@ss teacher.

Congratulations, Robin. It takes tremendous will power to overcome addictions.

And yep, I've had my identity stolen and they went after my bank account. Fortunately, there wasn't much money in thereto steal, but it was a pain in the @rse to get everything straightened out. I still hear from one collection agency about a cell phone bill calling a prison in Southern California, and I keep telling them I wasn't me. Funny thing, it's off my credit report, but the collection agency keeps calling.

Hi Don. When I was a kid we we went fishing June Lake every year. Ever been there?

Thank you Don. It does take will power, but even more than that, it takes the support of people who care. I am one of the lucky ones.

Hi Borje. Thank you very much. I could not have conquered my demons without my ex and my two sons standing by me all the way. My ex will always be my hero because he never deserted me throughout all my troubles. To this day he is my very best friend.

Thanks for the crossed fingers. Although I am a lazy, spoiled bum by choice, I want to work to help contribute to our retirement. Although my ex and I have been separated for years, we are still family and partners. He works very hard to support us, and I work very hard to make his home life relaxing. We are a great team.

Extreme poverty is no fun. I have been there more than once. Voluntary poverty, such as being homeless and living with different friends when I was in in my late teens was fun. The trick is to be happy no matter what.

Robin: I think it takes more strength and courage to overcome our demons than most people will ever know.Keep on truckin down the other way! I wish you the most with the job scene. I'm doing fine in my currant position,just looking at the day I can retire.

Don, This was my first outing of the spring. I usually get out more often, and with all the nice weather we've had I should have gone.Mostly I target Large & Smallmouth bass .For many years I fished the club tournament circuit .It just gets so costly,with fuel ,lodging ect. and sadly I wasn't cashing a check each week.

Toni,yes I must say,among many other things.Can you explain to me-I'm very often a fishing widow!

Hi Paul. Yes, you are right. I tend to downplay my own part in my successful recovery, because I am fortunate that I received so much help. But, now that you mention it -- I am extremely proud of myself. I earned the esteem of those who mean the most to me (including myself) in life and that is another priceless gift.

Thanks again for all your kind messages to me here on this board, Paul. I appreciate it very much.

Well done, Robin. Life certainly throws some difficult stuff at us at times, and you have my admiration after reading your comments. Keep up the inspirational work!

Easy, Paul....it just means my husband goes fishing a lot, but I don't. We live on a barrier island - ocean on one side, intracoastal on the other and a great freshwater lake about 50 miles west.

Thank you so much, Tony. As I said to Paul W., I usually downplay my own role in my recovery, but talking about it here these last couple of days has brought to my mind the monumental struggles of my life, and the even more monumental achievements of overcoming them.

As with many addicts, once we are able to stop self-medicating with drugs and alcohol, the real work begins --- healing the traumatic emotional issues that often proceed addicton. I came to my marriage a severely damaged person. My knight-in-shining-armor ex and my incredibly loyal and supportive sons never gave up on me. Because of them, I never gave up on myself.

With all life throws at us, we all need something to get us through the darkest moments. I encourage everyone who turns to drugs and alcohol during these times, to ask yourself -- is this helping you or hurting you in the long run.

These beautiful words by Alvin inspire me to take as much loving care of myself as I try to do for others:

You are living
You are in the world
And your life belongs to you

You are living
You are of the earth
And the earth is of you, too

Toni:all is well, I simply wasn't sure that was what you were getting to.It has taken me along time to realize , that my plans seemed to always come first.