It’s my 5 Year Sobriety Anniversary! Yes, five years ago today I woke up on a beautiful sunny day with yet another raging hangover, promptly had a panic attack (I remember that day very clearly) and decided THAT’S ENOUGH. It was quite a journey getting there, but once I made that decision, one of the most important decisions I’ve made in my entire life, everything changed for the better.

Here’s what else happened in 2008:
– I got engaged
– I lost about 30 pounds (booze made me fat)
– I got married
– my painting output increased enormously

…and more too, no doubt, if I could just find the blog entries from that time period I’d be able to “remember*”. I found the blog entries from pre-2008 and maaaaaaan–it was pretty grim. There’s a reason why my current blog starts in 2009, best BELIEVE. My life is 10,000+ times better now than it was 10 years ago, 8 years ago, even 5 years ago, and these days I have very little to complain about! Remember kids: it works if you work it. I quit smoking in 2010 and have zero regrets about that decision as well–only that it took me so long to finally do it. Sometimes I find old clothes tucked away in boxes that still smell of smoke, and it makes me gag.

So! What are we doing tonight to celebrate my 5 awesome years of living life booze free? Why, going to see “Hedwig and the Angry Inch”, of course! No idea what I’m wearing, but false eyelashes will definitely be involved in tonight’s outfit. Maybe I’ll wear a kicky little dress. I have been feeling like getting frocked up lately. Pictures to come!

* I blog to remember.