Hey LD--Think of fun things you can do with grandkids as a distraction. My neices and nephews have been a great distraction during my struggles with BF though I've had to be careful because he felt that I over focused on them (and he was right). Kids do have perspective that is pretty amazing.
You are getting wonderful advice and we all have experienced similar emotions at one point or another. Also, think of what you have accomplished... stopping drinking in itself is pretty amazing. Shifting your focus to other areas of life to "get in order" is very helpful also. When your wife does come back, won't it be great to have those areas under control? Less stress and chaos to complicate.
Hang in there.... be careful with the brake job. Dropping the rope and complete detachment used to scare the he** out of me, but I'm getting used to it... It is not fun at first, but it does get better and some amazing things can and do happen.
