Progress, not Perfection!!

[Jamesjohn]

Well, the session with the C yesterday went ok. My tests turned out pretty "clean", nothing way out of whack. Did show a lack of caring for myself (i.e. excercise, smoking, nutrition, etc.). Some hypersensitivity, inferiority, and personal discomfort. I guess there were really no big surprises, not sure if some of these things were always there or if they're a part of the present situation. Either way, these are issues I need to address.

C couldn't tell me much about W's test. I asked her if there's anything I should be careful of doing or not doing in dealing with W, what would be some of the best things for me to do. She told me the best thing I could do is to take care of myself. To do things to strengthen myself. I'm living with a couple of very strong personalities, and it would be easy for me to get sucked into everything going on. Take care of me, set an example for everyone of a healthy person. As the head of the household, to be an example of strength and stability. Does any of this sound familiar from things we've all read on this board? I guess I know what I need to do.

Monday went ok, we talked a bit. The conversation got around to the D getting a job, got around to her baby-sitting, which I have mixed feelings about. It then ended up to be for OM's nephew, and it started to turn heated. I didn't like that idea a bit. She left the room, came back in, and I asked her if she wanted to talk about this now or later. I turned off the tv, gave her my full attention. She went on about how his family were decent people, OM was the black sheep, she would like to help them out. I told her I felt uncomfortable with it, it would be a reason for chance contacts. When I talked, she kept interupting, so I said "W, you want me to tell you when things are bothering me, not to hold it inside. When you don't let me talk, I seems that how I feel and think aren't important". She apologized, and let me talk. Told her I didn't want to tell her what she should or shouldn't do. Went through all the feelings I had concerning the idea. Told her I wasn't sure how I would feel or what I'd do if this plan actually happened. Told her that I would like to discuss it some more with her before any promises or plans were made. She said that she wasn't used to having to include anyone in on her decisions, and admitted to making some pretty crappy choices lately. Told her that was one of the problems we both had, not discussing things that affected both of us, and I would like to change that. She was agreeable with this. I'm sure this issue will come up again. If nothing else, it was a positive step in us talking about things that are uncomfortable. I feel good about that.