New Project!

Excited about the next book project… meditations for people who don’t like meditating. This is a test

Fellowship

I was standing around today after a meeting watching as small groups talked and laughed together in the Spring sunshine. I never belonged before to a group and it is an absolute privilege and honor to finally fit right in.

A supposedly slim person I’ll never be again

It’s not as though one day I put away the high heels, threw down the cute panties and bras and embraced the muu muus and late-night candy, but it feels that way. The time-warping devolution from slim pretty thing to puffy 40-something started with having kids (doesn’t it always) and ended with getting sober and a nasty divorce (in progress). Not as an excuse, mind you, only by way of a righteous explanation to convince you I’m not one of “those women” who hates herself, puts herself last, and lets her kids win every bid for time and attention.

Except when I am.

Read the rest of this article at Imperfect Parent…

January Good Housekeeping on the stands now…

Me and Brooke Shields, sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g… On page 130 in case you’re a check-out line browse-er.

Glass Half Full

In these uncertain economic times, it’s easy to worry sick over mortgage payments, medical bills, and the heavier emotional costs of decisions like divorce on one’s children…

It’s so easy for me to veer into worry and forget all the miracles I see every day in meetings.

I stayed sober today.

If I start there, all the other stuff doesn’t necessarily get easier, but I’m better equipped with humor and gratitude to beat back the angsty onslaught.

Whitman College

Returning today from a lovely visit to Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA, where I gave several talks, and met with many intelligent thoughtful students.

Topics covered included:
* alcohol, sexuality, and women
* how to prepare for the holidays, with family members who are problem drinkers

Local coverage included the Union Bulletin,  the Pioneer , and the college website.

November is so lovely…

Gratitude month. I used to dread it early in recovery. Now it’s something to look forward to…

Speaking of gratitude, MDDH will be excerpted in the December/January issue of GoodHousekeeping. I’ll put up links when it’s out.

NPR Weekend Edition

Great interview with Jacki Lyden

California is lovely in Fall

Looking forward to my readings in California. Here’s the schedule:

Monday 9/14 – Los Angeles, Book Soup, 7pm
Wednesday 9/16 – Santa Rosa, Copperfields, 7pm
Thursday 9/17 – Berkeley, Pegasus Books, 7:30pm
Friday 9/13 – San Francisco, Red Mill Books, 7pm

Why Women Drink

I participated in an excellent conversation with Jacki Lyden for NPR’s On Point out of Boston… Fantastic call-ins and a pleasure to share the conversation with Sarah Allen Benton, author of the High Functioning Alcoholic and a total Baberaham Lincoln.

Click through to listen.