Hi (((Cat)))! I spoke to Larry through email and he is fine and not gambling. He reads posts but is working on some issues in his own life. I also spoke to Vera through email and she is not gambling. They will both come back and post on GT in their own time. A lot of us compulsive gamblers have been type A personalities and perfectionists in the past. It’s been all or nothing for us. Could you just prioritize what needs to be done before your trip, and only do that, and not the “it would be nice if things”, and just do the basic. One day at a time! Everything doesn’t have to be perfect. Ask for help with the Christmas dinner; it doesn’t make you less than, if you ask. My mother had a cleaning obsession, and she has stated that she maybe shouldn’t have cleaned so much. As kids we don’t remember any good times with our mother, only that she cleaned crazily. My kids and grandkids will remember the good times we had, not that their grandma’s house was spotless. Give yourself a break (((Cat.))) Be kind to yourself! Keep reminding yourself of what life was like when you were actively gambling. I know that you don’t want to jeopardize your future by doing the one thing we cgs can’t do, and that’s gamble. I hope that you can retire soon so that you don’t have the workplace stress. As we age, I find that I don’t have the patience for workplace nonsense, nor the energy and stamina I used to have. It depletes a person’s emotional energy in the kind of job you have. I’m going to remind you again of one day at a time, as it seems that you’re worrying about everything personal and workplace related you have to do, for December. You can get through today, and that’s all that is required of you. Carole
