Much better day...

I had a good day. It was interesting towards the later afternoon. But I won't get into that. I got up and going. Then went to the Sholom old people's home to workout and volunteer. I ran 1.5 miles and then took a shower and went up stairs to volunteer with Geordie. It was nice to spend some time with the old people. I got a call from Kevin and went out to his house for a little bit. Chad has been acting strange lately, and he wanted to see my take on it. I got home and went to the grocery store with Geordie and then got a sandwich at subway. Now we're watching Captain America. I have to get up early and got out to Kevin's to work. So until tomorrow...
-Mike

Back to MSP life...

Today was ok. I slept in some, because I didn't have work today. Chad is doing some articulate work on the book shelving, and discuss compensation with Kevin. I kind of just hung out at the house for most of the day. I read a little bit; and took a nap. Which was really nice. James came and got me for our retreat aftercare tonight. It was a good session, we had a speaker come. I had been feeling kind of down all day because of having to leave my family and Ashton. I really didn't want to. But I know what I must do, and why it is here for now. My time home was so precious. I have grown, matured, and changed into the person I was supposed to be all along. It is exciting to me. I just HAVE to stay on the positive thoughts and things. I am tired, and can't stop thinking about Ashton; all good things. It is so amazing to me how much better out relationship has gotten since just 2 months ago! I love her and everyone reading this. So until tomorrow...
-Mike

Weekend in Bama!

Sorry for not writing the past few days. I had such an amazing time being home this weekend. Just a recap; Friday meg came to moms for breakfast. Which of course was yummy. Hung out for a bit after that and then liv, meg, and I went to meet dad for lunch at mandarin house. It was really nice to spend time with them. Left from there and ran an errand with dad. I got back to moms and relaxed for a little bit. Then met Ashton at dads:) I was so anxious to see her. It could not of gone any better though. She has grown in so many good ways. Im so proud of her. We got ready and went to moms Friday night dinner she was having for all the February bdays. It was a highlight of the weekend, though quite interesting at first... It was awesome seeing Katie and John, and the gaskills came by later after dinner which was great. And of course seeing Stu; he's such a good guy. Mom cooked chicken pot pie; it was delicious! We all got around the fire Stu made outside and sat to talk for awhile. I can never remember a time where I felt so content just being. It was so nice. I spent the rest of the night with Ashton:)
Saturday- It was a fantastic day, got up and went to get chicfila for Ashton and I. I havnt had a chicken biscuit in a long time. She got ready and we went to meet Katie and John for lunch. We walked from there house to La Paz, it was very good. It was huge for me to have Ashton there. And everything couldn't of gone any better! I really miss Katie and John. Later on ash and I enjoyed a fabulous dinner with Kathy and Dad. The whole time home was extremely important to me; it gave me more motivation in order to do the best I can while I am away! It was so hard to have to say good bye and leave again. It's still hard to this moment right now. Thats all I'm going to write for tonight. Thank y'all for such a wonderful time home:) I love y'all!
Until tomorrow...
-Mike

What a day...

I got up and had wonderfully home-made biscuits with sausage that had some kick to it; "god it's good to be back in the south." Naturally I enjoyed breakfast with Mom and Liv. It's the little things, i.e. spicy "southern" sausage, that I have noticed I really appreciate now. Nonetheless I got on my way to Dr Amos' office. Where I came to find out that the reason my contacts have given me such problems is because I have had a viral infection in my eyes for the past 3 months! Got some special eye drops and eye cream to put in before bed. So thankful to finally of found the answer to this. Then I headed to Cahaba valley road to see my new doctor "Dr Smith." It also went extremely well. By the time I left I had just the amount of time to go check my Liv out of school! (which I've never done before so it was fun) We went and got some of the most amazing food ever constructed on this earth... MILO'S!:) There are not many of those in Minnesota..... We thoroughly stuffed our faces, and then went out to get some February birthday shopping done. And come to find we were very successful. Got home and Liv did a magnificent job wrapping them. I hung out for a little, then went over to Dad's to have dinner with him and Kathy. Which was a huge joy. I'm just so blessed in so many ways with the people that surround me. Anyway we ended up playing spades! I'd never played before, neither had Kat. So it was a learning experience, but a whole lot of fun. I had a blast with them. Come back to Mom's, and now I'm here bout to close my eyes. So until tomorrow...
-Mike

Finally HOME:)

I didn't get much sleep last night because I was so excited to get to the airport, and get on a plane to get home!I flew through Chicago and then onto beautiful warm Birmingham! I got off the plane, and was more than ecstatic to find that it was a comfortable 70 degrees outside:) a veRy nice welcome home present from God. Mom and liv picked me up from the airport. I can't explain how great it was to see them and to my surprise see Meg when I got home. I have really missed her. I camt wait to see Kate and John! I saw dad for a little bit today too which was so good:) I also went to Mimi and Papa Georges; this was a major highlight to my day. It made me feel so good to see them and share my journey with them. I have really missed them... Bought to watch a movie with the girls..(mom, & liv) So until tomorrow...
-Mike

Leaving in the mornin...

I don't have much to say other than I'm so excited to be jumping on a plane and getting the opportunity to see my wonderful family and loving girlfriend:) God is good...
Until I write tomorrow from B'ham!
-Mike

2 days and counting...

No work today; because of the snow coming down so hard. But I didn't mind too much... I feel like my cold is getting better! I really hope by tomorrow I will be back to par. But I guess well see. I had a good time at aftercare tonight. I don't have much more to say for tonight. Im tired and so ready to feel 100 percent and more than ready to see my family and Ashton:) So until tomorrow...
-Mike

Gloomy, sleet, but good Sunday...

I woke up today and looked outside, it was gloomy, cold, and rained/sleeted all day and night. I met with Joe; "my sponsor". We had a really good time today. He gave me a few reminders to think about when I head back to Bama on Wednesday. I cant explain how excited I am to go home! I have an annoying cold that won't go away. So tonight I went to Walgreens and got some Tylenol cold and flu, and vitamin c to help my immune system. I really really hope I start feeling better. Until tomorrow...
-Mike

Finally meet with Craig...

Craig and I finally got the chance to get together today. It went very well, he said that he was extremely proud of how far I have come in two months! And is extremely supportive of my trip home that is so close now!! I'm so excited:) later on I went to a meeting with some of the guys in my house. The only down side to right now is that I have a little cold... Which sucks bc I just got over a cold a week or so ago. And I really don't want to be sick when I go home! Hopefully warm soup some medicine and good rest will be the remedy. Until tomorrow...
-Mike

Friday!

Got up and headed out to Minnetonka; we had a pretty good day of work. We had materials dropped off at around noon. We didn't get the opportunity to start in on too much in the way of starting to re-do everything because Chad needed to be off early. Took a shower and went to a meeting with some of the guys from the house. And now were watching a movie. I'm so excited about coming home in a few more days. So until tomorrow...
-Mike

Long but successful...

Im sorry I didn't write anything last night, I was very exhausted! Had to get up early again this morning. I got up and Chad picked me up. I ripped down the rest of the sheet rock. And then took down all the insulation that was under that. We got a whole lot of work done today, and got a dumpster delivered; but it was filled within a few hours because of how much debris we had to throw out. Oh yeah it was -11 degrees when we started work this morning! That is brutal I must say. Also tomorrow is my 2 month mark:) Day by day I just keep pushing and I owe it all to God. I have to get some rest now, early morning again! Until tomorrow...
-Mike

Finally some work...

I woke up and got going today, Chad called me and asked to go out to Kevin's house so that we could get measurements and talk to him about pricing the job. We spent the whole day out there; Kevin lives on Lake Minnetonka. It's a gorgeous house looking out over the lake. Chad and I are going to remodel one of the bedrooms and the guest house/studio area. Everything from dry wall to the crown molding; to putting in new electrical outlets. It's going to be a great learning process for me, as well as a steady job for at least a month or so. We start bright and early at 645; so I best get to bed now. I will write more tomorrow...
-Mike

Snow melting away...

The snow is melting, and it was a little bit warmer today. Which made me some what happy... I went and got a nice new North Face parka today, so that I will be prepared for the brutal winter that lies ahead. A birthday present from mom and dad, with a little help from me. Had a good night at aftercare, and then got home to go out to eat with Geordie and Nick. Oh also I started back working out today, lifting weights and running. Time to get real healthy! Until tomorrow...
-Mike

Lazy Sunday...

I slept in a little bit today. Then got up and showered; ate a little something and waited for my sponsor "Joe" to come pick me up. We went to his house and I told him my whole story. It felt good to know that someone has a vested interest in me, and cares about me outside of family and friends. Later we had our house meeting, and now Geordie, Nick, Jim, and myself are headed to go see the Mark Walbherg movie "Contraband". So until tomorrow...
-Mike

Last day of Crashed Ice...

I got up and going this morning, ate a little something and headed over to Bill's. We hung out for a little bit, then headed out into the cold to the Red Bull Crashed Ice event. We got there at 4 and stayed until 10. It was a whole lot different than last night; it was so busy tonight. I don't think I say down the whole time! But all in all it was a lot of fun and enjoyable with the guys I was with! I'm super exhausted though so I'll write more tomorrow night...
-Mike

Crashed Ice!!!

Too tired to write anything but here are lots of pics!!

Job Searching...

Got up and going today, and decided to go up to Grand Avenue with Geordie. We got a ride with Nick, and got dropped off by The North Face store. I went in and applied; as well as tried on the big winter jacket I want for the winter while I'm up in Minnesota! As well as decided that I had to get a neck guard "gaiter" for this weekend on Thursday and Friday when I have to work outside at the St. Paul Red Bull Crashed Ice event. I'm really happy I'm going to get the opportunity to work, and make some money! After Geordie and I went to one of the nice restaurants and applied there as well. Went home and then went to my after care program. Were watching Moneyball right now with Brad Pitt. So until tomorrow...
-Mike

Shalom!!

Jim and I went to the Shalom Center today to get a tour from the program director "Jim". He said that we are both welcome to come volunteer anytime that we want. They have a pretty nice work out facility... I can't imagine that too many of the residents there use it! After I went home and hung out until the it was time to go to our meeting tonight! It was a great meeting, but that's all I have for tonight too tired to type anything else, so until tomorrow...
-Mike

National Championship day...

I had a good day today. I got up and going, and called two places to leave messages about job interviews. My house manager had a good point today though. Since I'm coming home to visit in two weeks; it's going to be hard if not impossible to get a job between now and then, and then ask off for 4 days. So I'm going to continue looking for a job and let each place know that I wont be able to start until Feb. 1st. I am going to volunteer more frequently at the Sholom Center to stay active and continue searching for a job. I started back running today too. I got in 1.2 miles before I felt like I was going to fall over... Nick and I went and got burrito's from Chipotle for dinner. And now I'm blogging while LSU is getting dismantled by Alabama. It kills me to watch Alabama do well. And Trent Richardson just sealed the deal... I hate it!!!! AHHHHHHH. Haha I definitely bleed ORANGE and BLUE! That's all for now. Until tomorrow...
-Mike

Lazy Day...

I had a real lazy day today. Woke up and had a bowl of ramen noodles. Then sat down with some of my house mates to watch the first NFL playoff game Falcons vs Giants. I fell asleep for a little nap on the couch during the second game Steelers vs Broncos. We had our house meeting at 8, and it went very well. Nick, Geordie, and I went by walgreens, and then picked up some wings for dinner. It was a very laid back day; sorry there is not more to say about it! Until tomorrow...
-Mike

First trip to Lakeville...

Sorry for not blogging yesterday; I got too tired and decided to just go to bed. I woke up early today at 7:45. My good friend Jason C who was at The Retreat with me came and picked me up at 8! He is 38 and has a wonderful wife named Quincy, and three adorable kids, Luke, Greta, and Owen. They live in a suburb outside of Minneapolis called Lakeville. Anyway we met the rest of his family at Cracker Barrel. We had breakfast and then headed back to his house. I played mario kart with his kids and made a fire outside. They live on a few acres and have a good amount of land. The creek that ran beside their house was completely frozen. I could not even see one drop of water. We went by where he works, and I got to see what a normal day to him is like. While I was there Billy and Frazer called me; two of my best buddies back home. They put me on speaker phone; they were headed to Atlanta to go see the Hawks play the Bulls. They told me how much they missed me and how proud they were of me, and how they thought of me as much more of a man than they could ever be by doing what I'm doing. It really made me feel good. I got home and just took it easy for the rest of the day. Watched the Bengals vs Texans NFL playoff game. Me and a few of my housemates went and caught a meeting at 7 after that. We talked about the 7th step which is to humbly ask God to remove all our shortcomings. I talked about how important this step was to me, and how I practiced it every night during my prayers. It was a really good meeting. Got back home and have been watching the Lions vs Saints game ever since. I really miss ash, and cant wait to grab her and give her a hug and kiss. I love yall. Until tomorrow...
-Mike
And here is a pic from today with Jason's kids!

Another warm day!

Woke up earlier today, it stayed around 36 degree's today; which I'm really starting to become thankful for! I got ready to go to the Sholom Center with Jim (one of my housemates). Once again for the second day in a row the head director that was supposed to take us on a tour of the place, but was sick for the second straight day. The Sholom Center is a retirement home for old jewish people, and is the place that I am going to spend some time volunteering at. Jay and I decided to go to the Mall of America. We spent a few hours there, and had a late lunch. Later I took the bus to Chad's house and spent some time with him, which was a very good thing, Chad has been a huge help in my sobriety. Until tomorrow...
-Mike

A warmer day, but under the weather...

I woke up today feeling under the weather. So I decided to visit urgent care, although it was a trip within itself b/c I'm still new to the area; as well as taking the bus. Which I must say is a very humbling experience. I checked the weather on my phone to see how cold it was; it was a warm 32 degrees! I can honostely say that I never thought 32 degrees would feel warm to me, but after a week of the temperature being in the 15-20 degree range... 32 was actually pretty nice. To my surprise both of the urgent care locations I made it to didn't take walk-in's until after 6 pm. I didn't get pissed off about it though, just took a few deep breathes and got back on the bus. Btw this was about a 4 hour or deal (just to keep you clued in on the time). Got back home and cleaned Tony (roommate) and my bathroom. Then decided to go get some dinner! So I walked up West 7th Street and ate at this place that serves great gyro's, and it was very good. I would have to say even better than Purple Onion. Then my buddy James who I met at The Retreat aftercare program came and picked me up to head there. A speaker came tonight his name was Joe. 45 year old man; he told us his story. I was able to relate to what he said in very good ways. He is a very worldly man and a practicing attorney. I asked him to be my sponsor and he said yes. This is my second sponsor now, as well as my second sponsor that is a lawyer... Not to sure what the repeating pattern means, but just seem to connect well with these two guys. That is all I have for tonight so until tomorrow...
-Mike
Oh yeah wanted to post some pics from the past week or so from being up here, so here they are!

Target Field

(where the Twins play)

Target Center

(where the Timberwolves play)

Me at Heat vs Timberwolves game

 

LEBRON JAMES!