What a day

Yesterday I had one of the most fascinating days I've had in a really long time. My mom actually had three different events to attend for the day and it started with a trip to an AA meeting. I know what you're wondering and no I do not have a drinking problem. Here's a little back story. My mother's boyfriend/significant other will be three years sober in March. This is a huge accomplishment and I want to commend him for his efforts at successfully overcoming another year. Congratulations! There was an open meeting on Saturday where members could bring their families. So we went to support Jorge and to celebrate. However, I wont lie and say that's the only reason why I went. I will admit I went for selfish reasons as well. Let's be real...unless you're an actual alcoholic or Edward Norton in Fight Club, who can say they've attended an AA meeting? Plus I absolutely love being able to observe/be apart of different environments and people. I'm a little weird and if I had the chance to be in prison for a day (with the assurance no one would shank me) I would jump on that! Some things I noticed - It really is true that once one stops a habit or addiction they start another! Yes everyone was a recovering alcoholic, but by the way they were chugging coffee and chain smoking they have another habit on board. There was definitely a range of people. Although gender was fairly split up equally, there were people of different age groups, ethnicity and socioeconomic class. If you're interested, check out this website for more stats. It does have an interesting article with more information. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/alcohol.htm Overall AA was great. It was eyeopening listening to the guest speaker. She couldn't have been older than seventeen years old and to hear her struggle as well as her families struggle with addiction makes you realize how difficult, but amazing life can be.


After AA, there was my mothers work appreciation dinner a complete turn from where we've just been. Virginia (mom) is one of two cooks at a nursing home in a fairly small town. Let's just say the dinner was very Iowan and I loved it! We arrived for cocktail hour and you can just tell people were there to get loose. I had myself a gin & tonic, yes a G&T after AA, and was ready to win a door prize. I held my blue ticket up and waited for my number to be called while my mother and Jorge mingled with friends. Finally the lucky number 252 was called and I won beer mugs! YES! Next was dinner and I just knew it would be what I've been craving. A hearty midwestern meal filled with meat and potatoes. And not just basic mashed potatoes, but sliced cheesy gooey taters that melted in your mouth. Of course there's always a hypnotist at any event. It was hilarious until one lady was so deeply hypnotized (or intoxicated I'm not really sure) she kept hysterically laughing and screaming at the crowd. Needless to say they had to escort her off the stage and out of the room. It didn't end there. Throughout the show she would randomly make her way back to the room and start laughing and yelling at people. Although the hypnotist lost his mojo after her initial outburst this was even better than the hypnotist. I just sat back with my brownie cake and watched her with awe.

Last, we had to attend a Mexican baby shower. I say Mexican because it wasn't your typical baby shower. When Mexicans, not mexi-americans, but true Méjiconos have something to celebrate they celebrate. They didn't have games like guess the baby weight or guess the candy bar by eating it melted out of a diaper. It was a true fiesta with lots of food, dancing and booze. What a great day!