http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725 Has anyone seen any of the HBO series....Addiction? It is amazingly real, educational, and a bit scary for any of us who have kids. I have been watching it, and I have to share it.with&nbsp;you all&nbsp;&nbsp;if you have kids out there, have a gander. These are real stories involving real people and what they go through.&nbsp; They had a whole show on Meth(&quot;Montana Meth&quot;), and as I understand it, Kern County has a Meth problem. It is a very scary dark, drug! Any comments on what is being done to curtail the problem or view points from current or former&nbsp;users? Do we have any community support to fight this problem in our own community? They showed all the ingredients on the series, and it's essentially made from a combination of poisons and toxins. Yikes! Has anyone seen any of the HBO series....Addiction? It is amazingly real, educational, and a bit scary for any of us who have kids. I have been watching it, and I have to share it.with&nbsp;you all&nbsp;&nbsp;if you have kids out there, have a gander. These are real stories involving real people and what they go through.&nbsp; They had a whole show on Meth(&quot;Montana Meth&quot;), and as I understand it, Kern County has a Meth problem. It is a very scary dark, drug! Any comments on what is being done to curtail the problem or view points from current or former&nbsp;users? Do we have any community support to fight this problem in our own community? They showed all the ingredients on the series, and it's essentially made from a combination of poisons and toxins. Yikes! en-us <p>I have&nbsp;been on drugs and I have faced addiction head on..&nbsp;&nbsp;NO, I did not do drugs because I was bored.&nbsp; To think having an exciting life, being intelligent,&nbsp;being religious,&nbsp;belonging to a middle class family, and having two wonderful parents will&nbsp;prevent your child from doing drugs.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; You are WRONG.&nbsp; I had all the above and it did not stop me from taking drugs.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;I could have done anything and I could have been anyone, I had many great choices in life when I was young.&nbsp;&nbsp; I was given many opportunities to &quot;better&quot; my life.&nbsp; I wish it was that simple.&nbsp;&nbsp; The truth is, I did drugs because I did not feel I belonged to any social group, I felt different, like an outcast.&nbsp;&nbsp; I had everything... looks, money &amp; intelligence, but I was different than most kids.&nbsp; You wouldn't know it on the outside because I hid it well.&nbsp; SO, I hung around other kids who didn't care who I was.&nbsp; They were lost as well.&nbsp;&nbsp;Some were nerdy, some were gay, some were geeky or dorky,&nbsp; some were Bible thumpers, some where ugly, some were mix breeds, some were too tall or too short.... etc etc etc.&nbsp;&nbsp;The thing we ALL&nbsp;had in common is that we felt society did not like us for who we really were, some of us did not like each other.. we had to hide. &nbsp;It's easier to get high and visit a better place than live in&nbsp;a life of rejection and lies, we lied to ourselves and to others.&nbsp;&nbsp;People can be cruel. &nbsp;Especially if you are surrounded by bigots.&nbsp;&nbsp; People teach their children to be bigots and children can be hurtful to other children as well.&nbsp; THIS is why I hate bigotry and will not tolerate it in ANY form.&nbsp;&nbsp; If you were to ask any of my friends, they will tell you I was the most popular girl in high school, but i was living a lie and I was not happy unless I was high.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Now you may say oh shucks Debi this is just YOUR story.&nbsp; Well after I got clean, I worked on staff at a Rehab center for addiction, and guess what? it's EVERYONE's STORY once the truth comes out.&nbsp;&nbsp; The very first thing we do to help addicted people, is to help them face the truth, their truth of who they really are. Then we go through the difficult task of helping them accept who they are.&nbsp; It's our primary goal.&nbsp;&nbsp; Bigots make this goal difficult, they are everywhere and they scare us addicts to death.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I have learned to LOVE who I am.&nbsp; I don't care what people think.&nbsp;&nbsp; You can see by the way I blog that I say what I feel at all times.&nbsp; THIS is what keeps me sane and keeps me from wanting to do drugs.&nbsp;&nbsp; Being honest and being strong will free you. Sadly it's hard to be strong and face rejection&nbsp;when a pill or a drink that will make it all better&nbsp;is just around the corner.</p> <p>&nbsp;So the next time you tell your kid,&nbsp; Hey don't do that... it's stupid or silly or for sissys or ugly or etc etc..&nbsp;&nbsp; YOU are helping them embrace drug addiction.&nbsp;&nbsp; You should love your child NO MATTER who she or he is.&nbsp; It is really that simple.&nbsp;&nbsp; As for people who feel inadequate because they are poor...&nbsp; I don't know how to help them.</p> http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_67850 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_67850 <p>I have&nbsp;been on drugs and I have faced addiction head on..&nbsp;&nbsp;NO, I did not do drugs because I was bored.&nbsp; To think having an exciting life, being intelligent,&nbsp;being religious,&nbsp;belonging to a middle class family, and having two wonderful parents will&nbsp;prevent your child from doing drugs.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; You are WRONG.&nbsp; I had all the above and it did not stop me from taking drugs.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;I could have done anything and I could have been anyone, I had many great choices in life when I was young.&nbsp;&nbsp; I was given many opportunities to &quot;better&quot; my life.&nbsp; I wish it was that simple.&nbsp;&nbsp; The truth is, I did drugs because I did not feel I belonged to any social group, I felt different, like an outcast.&nbsp;&nbsp; I had everything... looks, money &amp; intelligence, but I was different than most kids.&nbsp; You wouldn't know it on the outside because I hid it well.&nbsp; SO, I hung around other kids who didn't care who I was.&nbsp; They were lost as well.&nbsp;&nbsp;Some were nerdy, some were gay, some were geeky or dorky,&nbsp; some were Bible thumpers, some where ugly, some were mix breeds, some were too tall or too short.... etc etc etc.&nbsp;&nbsp;The thing we ALL&nbsp;had in common is that we felt society did not like us for who we really were, some of us did not like each other.. we had to hide. &nbsp;It's easier to get high and visit a better place than live in&nbsp;a life of rejection and lies, we lied to ourselves and to others.&nbsp;&nbsp;People can be cruel. &nbsp;Especially if you are surrounded by bigots.&nbsp;&nbsp; People teach their children to be bigots and children can be hurtful to other children as well.&nbsp; THIS is why I hate bigotry and will not tolerate it in ANY form.&nbsp;&nbsp; If you were to ask any of my friends, they will tell you I was the most popular girl in high school, but i was living a lie and I was not happy unless I was high.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Now you may say oh shucks Debi this is just YOUR story.&nbsp; Well after I got clean, I worked on staff at a Rehab center for addiction, and guess what? it's EVERYONE's STORY once the truth comes out.&nbsp;&nbsp; The very first thing we do to help addicted people, is to help them face the truth, their truth of who they really are. Then we go through the difficult task of helping them accept who they are.&nbsp; It's our primary goal.&nbsp;&nbsp; Bigots make this goal difficult, they are everywhere and they scare us addicts to death.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I have learned to LOVE who I am.&nbsp; I don't care what people think.&nbsp;&nbsp; You can see by the way I blog that I say what I feel at all times.&nbsp; THIS is what keeps me sane and keeps me from wanting to do drugs.&nbsp;&nbsp; Being honest and being strong will free you. Sadly it's hard to be strong and face rejection&nbsp;when a pill or a drink that will make it all better&nbsp;is just around the corner.</p> <p>&nbsp;So the next time you tell your kid,&nbsp; Hey don't do that... it's stupid or silly or for sissys or ugly or etc etc..&nbsp;&nbsp; YOU are helping them embrace drug addiction.&nbsp;&nbsp; You should love your child NO MATTER who she or he is.&nbsp; It is really that simple.&nbsp;&nbsp; As for people who feel inadequate because they are poor...&nbsp; I don't know how to help them.</p> Good for you sparks. I am glad you've found the person you love within yourself. I know it takes some people a long time. I know some never find it. I am one of the lucky one's who has always had it. While I watched many of my friends and family members through the years go through drug and alcohol problems, I was blessed with something that at the time I didn't appreciate: I knew who I was. I think I have my wonderful mother to thank for that. In my case, the reason I never was interested in drugs was threefold: <br /> 1. I saw the damage it did within my own family <br /> 2. I thought my life was interesting enough not to need to add drugs to it<br /> 3. I was educated about what drugs can do to you<br /> Those three things with a heavy-dose of self confidence luckily kept me away from any of those kinds of addictions. I cannot say I have had an easier or more difficult life than anyone else, but I never quite felt it necessary to turn to pills or a drink to ease my pains. Why I can make that kind of decision easily when someone else in my family cannot will always bother me. I am convinced that society weighs too heavily on what environmental factors contribute to addiction when they should be looking at the body's chemical factors that contribute. http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_67865 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_67865 Good for you sparks. I am glad you've found the person you love within yourself. I know it takes some people a long time. I know some never find it. I am one of the lucky one's who has always had it. While I watched many of my friends and family members through the years go through drug and alcohol problems, I was blessed with something that at the time I didn't appreciate: I knew who I was. I think I have my wonderful mother to thank for that. In my case, the reason I never was interested in drugs was threefold: <br /> 1. I saw the damage it did within my own family <br /> 2. I thought my life was interesting enough not to need to add drugs to it<br /> 3. I was educated about what drugs can do to you<br /> Those three things with a heavy-dose of self confidence luckily kept me away from any of those kinds of addictions. I cannot say I have had an easier or more difficult life than anyone else, but I never quite felt it necessary to turn to pills or a drink to ease my pains. Why I can make that kind of decision easily when someone else in my family cannot will always bother me. I am convinced that society weighs too heavily on what environmental factors contribute to addiction when they should be looking at the body's chemical factors that contribute. <p>Well, I have gotten  to the point in my life where I do accept myself, and don't give a rat's  you know what about what other people think.  On my days off, I'd be lucky to brush my teeth before I run into town! Maybe I need to work on that? </p> <p>I don't like bigotry because it hurts everyone. I have been the victim of it too, just because I have nieces who are from an interracial relationship, and I have had 'The looks" like what are those (colored) kids doing with that white girl sort of stuff. It really burned me. <strong>It has even happened to me in this town, when I have them with me, hello, people wake up!</strong></p> <p>But for some, it's more than just that I think. Why do some people get sucked in and spend most of their lives in and out a rehab, while others can walk away from it and never touch the crap again?  </p> http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_67893 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_67893 <p>Well, I have gotten  to the point in my life where I do accept myself, and don't give a rat's  you know what about what other people think.  On my days off, I'd be lucky to brush my teeth before I run into town! Maybe I need to work on that? </p> <p>I don't like bigotry because it hurts everyone. I have been the victim of it too, just because I have nieces who are from an interracial relationship, and I have had 'The looks" like what are those (colored) kids doing with that white girl sort of stuff. It really burned me. <strong>It has even happened to me in this town, when I have them with me, hello, people wake up!</strong></p> <p>But for some, it's more than just that I think. Why do some people get sucked in and spend most of their lives in and out a rehab, while others can walk away from it and never touch the crap again?  </p> <p>I think the most important thing is self confidence and you &quot;feel&quot; that from your parents.&nbsp; I was in my mid to late twenties before I realized that I wasn't alone.&nbsp; That I wasn't a freak or a horrible person.&nbsp; I didn't want to be in my own skin.&nbsp; I had mutilated myself physically and emotionally over and over again.&nbsp; If anyone knew what went on in my own head they would hate me.&nbsp; I met my best friend and realized, after a few years, that she was hiding the same type of feelings.&nbsp; We joke now and say that our &quot;darkness&quot; is what attracted us to each other even though we didn't know it at the time.&nbsp; Parents sometimes belittle their children without even realizing it.&nbsp; I have been guilty of this from time to time.&nbsp; But I apologize to my son.&nbsp; So far I have raised him to have a voice.&nbsp; Not to believe that everything he says or thinks is wrong.&nbsp; And in doing sometimes I have wanted to pull my hair out because he is so independent and has more confidence in his little toe that I have in my whole body!!&nbsp; Some people don't appreciate my son when he questions them.&nbsp; Especially the ones who feel that children should be seen not heard.&nbsp; There will be a day that I will have to explain to him about the mistakes I have made.&nbsp; He will make too.&nbsp; But I will be here for him.&nbsp; </p> <p>And I do believe that there might be some people that have a &quot;addictive personality&quot;.&nbsp; I've had my share of experiences.&nbsp; I use to go to class drunk and drink in the classroom.&nbsp; I was hiding. I was reaching out.&nbsp; I was alone.&nbsp; I was hurting.&nbsp; I was covering up wounds (literally).&nbsp; And most people would have been surprise to find this out about me in school.&nbsp; I feel like I am one of the lucky ones...I have found my calling.&nbsp; I have found in someone a complete confidant.&nbsp;&nbsp;No&nbsp;matter what I do or think, she is there to tell me &quot;I'm OK&quot;.</p> <p>I believe there are many different forms of addiction, and in my opinion the most dangerous is self hatred.&nbsp; Because that leads to others.&nbsp; </p> http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_67899 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_67899 <p>I think the most important thing is self confidence and you &quot;feel&quot; that from your parents.&nbsp; I was in my mid to late twenties before I realized that I wasn't alone.&nbsp; That I wasn't a freak or a horrible person.&nbsp; I didn't want to be in my own skin.&nbsp; I had mutilated myself physically and emotionally over and over again.&nbsp; If anyone knew what went on in my own head they would hate me.&nbsp; I met my best friend and realized, after a few years, that she was hiding the same type of feelings.&nbsp; We joke now and say that our &quot;darkness&quot; is what attracted us to each other even though we didn't know it at the time.&nbsp; Parents sometimes belittle their children without even realizing it.&nbsp; I have been guilty of this from time to time.&nbsp; But I apologize to my son.&nbsp; So far I have raised him to have a voice.&nbsp; Not to believe that everything he says or thinks is wrong.&nbsp; And in doing sometimes I have wanted to pull my hair out because he is so independent and has more confidence in his little toe that I have in my whole body!!&nbsp; Some people don't appreciate my son when he questions them.&nbsp; Especially the ones who feel that children should be seen not heard.&nbsp; There will be a day that I will have to explain to him about the mistakes I have made.&nbsp; He will make too.&nbsp; But I will be here for him.&nbsp; </p> <p>And I do believe that there might be some people that have a &quot;addictive personality&quot;.&nbsp; I've had my share of experiences.&nbsp; I use to go to class drunk and drink in the classroom.&nbsp; I was hiding. I was reaching out.&nbsp; I was alone.&nbsp; I was hurting.&nbsp; I was covering up wounds (literally).&nbsp; And most people would have been surprise to find this out about me in school.&nbsp; I feel like I am one of the lucky ones...I have found my calling.&nbsp; I have found in someone a complete confidant.&nbsp;&nbsp;No&nbsp;matter what I do or think, she is there to tell me &quot;I'm OK&quot;.</p> <p>I believe there are many different forms of addiction, and in my opinion the most dangerous is self hatred.&nbsp; Because that leads to others.&nbsp; </p> <p>hmmmm. very interesting.&nbsp; </p> <p>canibeyou...i watch intervention too.&nbsp; Did you watch it Friday night with that boy using oxycontin?&nbsp; Oh my God, it took me 2 days to stop thinking about him.&nbsp; The horrifying part about it is hes gonna die!&nbsp; Thats what will eventually happen if he doesnt seek help.&nbsp; </p> <p>Sparks...is that you?&nbsp; Wow!!! I relate to 1st paragraph of&nbsp;your comment.&nbsp; The only thing is sometimes the middle class families are just not as functional as everyone likes to think.&nbsp; My parents loved me but they were not happy together, which left me on my own to make my own decisions and i kind of got lost in the shuffle.&nbsp; My parents are wonderful people and they did the best they could under the circumstances, they didnt get the &quot;how to be a great parent&quot; manual either.</p> <p>My story starts out at age 13, weed, alcohol you know the usual.&nbsp; I can look back on it now and i realize, from day one, i used and drank to escape me...&nbsp; plain and simple.&nbsp; I never drank or used to be social i did it totally for the effect.&nbsp; For some reason i felt like i was no body and i needed to become somebody....somebody else.&nbsp; My whole life was consumed in one form or another with drugs.&nbsp; IV meth user, heroin addict, pill popper, alcoholic, thats what i was.&nbsp; Thats who i am.&nbsp; My life has been spared one more time and the only reason i know i am able to stay sober is because i believe in God and i work the 12 steps.&nbsp; I stay connected with people in the fellowship, i am of service and i help the people who are still suffering...from addiction.&nbsp; I managed to raise 2 kids in my insanity and now i have a beautiful grandson who never has to see me loaded.&nbsp; My life was built on bad choices and deceit and i have really worked hard to change, it is an ongoing process.&nbsp; </p> <p>Alot of people arent able to just &quot;walk away from that crap&quot;, they die.&nbsp; I am blessed, i am alive</p> http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_67918 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_67918 <p>hmmmm. very interesting.&nbsp; </p> <p>canibeyou...i watch intervention too.&nbsp; Did you watch it Friday night with that boy using oxycontin?&nbsp; Oh my God, it took me 2 days to stop thinking about him.&nbsp; The horrifying part about it is hes gonna die!&nbsp; Thats what will eventually happen if he doesnt seek help.&nbsp; </p> <p>Sparks...is that you?&nbsp; Wow!!! I relate to 1st paragraph of&nbsp;your comment.&nbsp; The only thing is sometimes the middle class families are just not as functional as everyone likes to think.&nbsp; My parents loved me but they were not happy together, which left me on my own to make my own decisions and i kind of got lost in the shuffle.&nbsp; My parents are wonderful people and they did the best they could under the circumstances, they didnt get the &quot;how to be a great parent&quot; manual either.</p> <p>My story starts out at age 13, weed, alcohol you know the usual.&nbsp; I can look back on it now and i realize, from day one, i used and drank to escape me...&nbsp; plain and simple.&nbsp; I never drank or used to be social i did it totally for the effect.&nbsp; For some reason i felt like i was no body and i needed to become somebody....somebody else.&nbsp; My whole life was consumed in one form or another with drugs.&nbsp; IV meth user, heroin addict, pill popper, alcoholic, thats what i was.&nbsp; Thats who i am.&nbsp; My life has been spared one more time and the only reason i know i am able to stay sober is because i believe in God and i work the 12 steps.&nbsp; I stay connected with people in the fellowship, i am of service and i help the people who are still suffering...from addiction.&nbsp; I managed to raise 2 kids in my insanity and now i have a beautiful grandson who never has to see me loaded.&nbsp; My life was built on bad choices and deceit and i have really worked hard to change, it is an ongoing process.&nbsp; </p> <p>Alot of people arent able to just &quot;walk away from that crap&quot;, they die.&nbsp; I am blessed, i am alive</p> <p><a href="http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/User/ChristineFroehlich"><strong><font color="#005826">ChristineFroehlich</font></strong></a>&nbsp;&nbsp; The bigotry in this &quot;Christian&quot; town is the worst I have&nbsp;seen compared to anywhere else I have been.&nbsp; But still, most of Tehachapi is very warm and caring.&nbsp; The people I hang out with don't care who you are, what color you are, or who you are sleeping with.&nbsp; To dislike someone simply because they are different shows the ignorance in even the most intelligent of people.&nbsp; I surround myself with happy people..&nbsp; And Christine, some of the happiest people I know are from Tehachapi... they are HERE. </p> <p>Why do some NEVER get better and keep returning to rehab?&nbsp;&nbsp; For some it's because they can't fully accept themselves, or the truth is just too painful for them to bare.&nbsp;&nbsp; Don't forget, they must be very strong to quit.&nbsp;&nbsp; When they get out they are most likely going to be faced with the same flipping people and the same rejection as before.&nbsp; If they don't LOVE themselves for EXACTLY who they are and tell the bigots to shove it.&nbsp;&nbsp; They will abuse drugs or alcohol again.&nbsp;<strong>For others,</strong> they simply cannot handle responsibility...&nbsp;&nbsp; A job?&nbsp;&nbsp; A commitment?&nbsp; I'm too unstable for that, it won't work out.... and it probably won't.&nbsp;&nbsp; Some people just cannot handle the simplest pressures of life.&nbsp;&nbsp; These are the addicts that sadden me the most. </p> http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_67922 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_67922 <p><a href="http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/User/ChristineFroehlich"><strong><font color="#005826">ChristineFroehlich</font></strong></a>&nbsp;&nbsp; The bigotry in this &quot;Christian&quot; town is the worst I have&nbsp;seen compared to anywhere else I have been.&nbsp; But still, most of Tehachapi is very warm and caring.&nbsp; The people I hang out with don't care who you are, what color you are, or who you are sleeping with.&nbsp; To dislike someone simply because they are different shows the ignorance in even the most intelligent of people.&nbsp; I surround myself with happy people..&nbsp; And Christine, some of the happiest people I know are from Tehachapi... they are HERE. </p> <p>Why do some NEVER get better and keep returning to rehab?&nbsp;&nbsp; For some it's because they can't fully accept themselves, or the truth is just too painful for them to bare.&nbsp;&nbsp; Don't forget, they must be very strong to quit.&nbsp;&nbsp; When they get out they are most likely going to be faced with the same flipping people and the same rejection as before.&nbsp; If they don't LOVE themselves for EXACTLY who they are and tell the bigots to shove it.&nbsp;&nbsp; They will abuse drugs or alcohol again.&nbsp;<strong>For others,</strong> they simply cannot handle responsibility...&nbsp;&nbsp; A job?&nbsp;&nbsp; A commitment?&nbsp; I'm too unstable for that, it won't work out.... and it probably won't.&nbsp;&nbsp; Some people just cannot handle the simplest pressures of life.&nbsp;&nbsp; These are the addicts that sadden me the most. </p> <a href="http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/User/Colitas"><strong><font color="#005826">Colitas</font></strong></a>&nbsp;&nbsp; I am glad you have found someone that loves you unconditionally.&nbsp;&nbsp; It's what we all need.&nbsp; Finding someone like that is rare.&nbsp;&nbsp; You are very lucky indeed.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Tolerance is one of the most beautiful qualities a person can have....&nbsp; ahhh... The love, can you feel it????&nbsp; (smile) http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_67926 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_67926 <a href="http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/User/Colitas"><strong><font color="#005826">Colitas</font></strong></a>&nbsp;&nbsp; I am glad you have found someone that loves you unconditionally.&nbsp;&nbsp; It's what we all need.&nbsp; Finding someone like that is rare.&nbsp;&nbsp; You are very lucky indeed.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Tolerance is one of the most beautiful qualities a person can have....&nbsp; ahhh... The love, can you feel it????&nbsp; (smile) <p><strong>Jewels&nbsp;</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp; Did your son ever get a copy of your beautiful story????&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I was actually going to drop him off a copy but, I had a out of town emergency.&nbsp;&nbsp; I was hoping somehow your son got a copy of your very loving story. </p> <p>Yeah, insecurity .&nbsp; No matter where it comes from, it&nbsp;encourages most of us to drink.&nbsp;&nbsp; I was weak when I was younger, although I acted like the toughest person in the world.&nbsp; I didn't understand that there was another way... no matter how often people tried to tell me my life could be better.&nbsp;&nbsp; I just COULD NOT SEE IT.&nbsp;&nbsp; I wish I knew back in my teen years what I know today about being honest and accepting myself and the situations that happen around me. </p> http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_67933 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_67933 <p><strong>Jewels&nbsp;</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp; Did your son ever get a copy of your beautiful story????&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I was actually going to drop him off a copy but, I had a out of town emergency.&nbsp;&nbsp; I was hoping somehow your son got a copy of your very loving story. </p> <p>Yeah, insecurity .&nbsp; No matter where it comes from, it&nbsp;encourages most of us to drink.&nbsp;&nbsp; I was weak when I was younger, although I acted like the toughest person in the world.&nbsp; I didn't understand that there was another way... no matter how often people tried to tell me my life could be better.&nbsp;&nbsp; I just COULD NOT SEE IT.&nbsp;&nbsp; I wish I knew back in my teen years what I know today about being honest and accepting myself and the situations that happen around me. </p> i gave him a copy.&nbsp; He loved it.&nbsp; http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_67935 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_67935 i gave him a copy.&nbsp; He loved it.&nbsp; Yeah, Sparks...I feel it !!&nbsp; (big smile) http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_67996 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_67996 Yeah, Sparks...I feel it !!&nbsp; (big smile) I don't think the people on this blog are saying that if you are insecure that you are going to differently have a needle hanging out of your arm...Just that being extremely insecure can lead to and has for many, many people, to bad choices.&nbsp;( maybe except&nbsp;for the one in a million).&nbsp; &nbsp;Am I the only one who has ever seen an &quot;after school special&quot;.&nbsp; If you can stand by your convictions, no matter what your age is, you don't succumb as easily to pressure.&nbsp; Whether that pressure is from the outside world or from your own inner demons.&nbsp; And in my opinion you can't stand by your convictions and be extremely insecure at the same time.&nbsp; I think everyone is insecure in some way....am I fat, am I pretty, am I a good mom or spouse, am I a good person, do these jeans make my butt look fat, etc....but when it goes to an extreme that is when problems start.&nbsp; And yes, drug use can start from boredom or having nothing to do but so can vandalism, pregnancy, violence, infidelity, ya get what&nbsp;I'm saying.&nbsp; But to get back to the original blog, I think people are trying to say is once again, make your children feel special and of course education them on the evils of drugs.....but that always doesn't work now does it.&nbsp; If they are good with themselves way down deep they will have a better chance.&nbsp; Addiction comes in all shape and sizes.&nbsp; Addiction does not discriminate.&nbsp; No matter what it is. http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68034 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68034 I don't think the people on this blog are saying that if you are insecure that you are going to differently have a needle hanging out of your arm...Just that being extremely insecure can lead to and has for many, many people, to bad choices.&nbsp;( maybe except&nbsp;for the one in a million).&nbsp; &nbsp;Am I the only one who has ever seen an &quot;after school special&quot;.&nbsp; If you can stand by your convictions, no matter what your age is, you don't succumb as easily to pressure.&nbsp; Whether that pressure is from the outside world or from your own inner demons.&nbsp; And in my opinion you can't stand by your convictions and be extremely insecure at the same time.&nbsp; I think everyone is insecure in some way....am I fat, am I pretty, am I a good mom or spouse, am I a good person, do these jeans make my butt look fat, etc....but when it goes to an extreme that is when problems start.&nbsp; And yes, drug use can start from boredom or having nothing to do but so can vandalism, pregnancy, violence, infidelity, ya get what&nbsp;I'm saying.&nbsp; But to get back to the original blog, I think people are trying to say is once again, make your children feel special and of course education them on the evils of drugs.....but that always doesn't work now does it.&nbsp; If they are good with themselves way down deep they will have a better chance.&nbsp; Addiction comes in all shape and sizes.&nbsp; Addiction does not discriminate.&nbsp; No matter what it is. Sparks - I get what you were trying to say with your comment about bigotry in this &quot;Christian&quot; town.&nbsp; No, of course not every single person is a bigot.&nbsp; No, not every single person is a &quot;Christian&quot;.&nbsp; But I too know many people who have been judged by their so called &quot;Peers&quot; in this town only to learn that those same &quot;Peers&quot; are doing the if not worse behind close doors.&nbsp; But when they walk down the street with the &quot;Good Book&quot; (metaphorically speaking of course) beneath their arms, they are the &quot;Good People&quot;.&nbsp; I am glad that you haven't experience any negative perception from the town canibeyou, but again you must be that one in a million.&nbsp; And I am sure there are many other towns that are the same.&nbsp; And from what I hear Tehachapi is growing faster everyday so maybe their is a silver lining.&nbsp; http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68037 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68037 Sparks - I get what you were trying to say with your comment about bigotry in this &quot;Christian&quot; town.&nbsp; No, of course not every single person is a bigot.&nbsp; No, not every single person is a &quot;Christian&quot;.&nbsp; But I too know many people who have been judged by their so called &quot;Peers&quot; in this town only to learn that those same &quot;Peers&quot; are doing the if not worse behind close doors.&nbsp; But when they walk down the street with the &quot;Good Book&quot; (metaphorically speaking of course) beneath their arms, they are the &quot;Good People&quot;.&nbsp; I am glad that you haven't experience any negative perception from the town canibeyou, but again you must be that one in a million.&nbsp; And I am sure there are many other towns that are the same.&nbsp; And from what I hear Tehachapi is growing faster everyday so maybe their is a silver lining.&nbsp; Okay, I have to agree with the "nasty idiots" part...lol.  Different people have different experiences.  And by the way, you just busted my bubble canibeyou....I was starting to believe the town was changing..lol.  But with more people like you it will (by the way that was a compliment) http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68045 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68045 Okay, I have to agree with the "nasty idiots" part...lol.  Different people have different experiences.  And by the way, you just busted my bubble canibeyou....I was starting to believe the town was changing..lol.  But with more people like you it will (by the way that was a compliment) <p>Growing up in a happy middle class religious family doesn't exempt you from abusing drugs and alcohol. Especially if you are expected to be PERFECT. No one is perfect.</p> <p>If your&nbsp;friends do drugs your chances of doing drugs are much higher than if your friends don't do drugs.</p> <p>Love yourself. Better yet, Love your kids and let them REALLY know it. Self esteem, self worth, plays a huge role in weather or not you will choose to abuse alcohol and/or drugs.</p> <p>&nbsp;I myself have never done drugs in my life. My friends and I&nbsp;had totally different views of what was fun. Hiking, camping, 4x4, movies, etc. Sure we may have been considered nerds to some, but we didn't care. We were happy with who we were.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> <p>I have seen addiction first hand though. I have seen some who have just been able to walk away and some who still fight with it to this day. I'll tell you what I have learned though growing up in a &quot;perfect&quot; family. I will never be that parent that thinks,&quot; not my kid, my kid wouldn't do that&quot;.&nbsp; We would all love to think that, but you just CAN'T! I will never put off or ignore the little warning signs that need to be addressed before it is way to late because I just didn't want to believe&nbsp;MY KID would get involved in drugs/alcohol. Just my 2 cents.</p> <p>Oh and Christine, yes meth is a HUGE problem in Kern County.</p> http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68054 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68054 <p>Growing up in a happy middle class religious family doesn't exempt you from abusing drugs and alcohol. Especially if you are expected to be PERFECT. No one is perfect.</p> <p>If your&nbsp;friends do drugs your chances of doing drugs are much higher than if your friends don't do drugs.</p> <p>Love yourself. Better yet, Love your kids and let them REALLY know it. Self esteem, self worth, plays a huge role in weather or not you will choose to abuse alcohol and/or drugs.</p> <p>&nbsp;I myself have never done drugs in my life. My friends and I&nbsp;had totally different views of what was fun. Hiking, camping, 4x4, movies, etc. Sure we may have been considered nerds to some, but we didn't care. We were happy with who we were.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> <p>I have seen addiction first hand though. I have seen some who have just been able to walk away and some who still fight with it to this day. I'll tell you what I have learned though growing up in a &quot;perfect&quot; family. I will never be that parent that thinks,&quot; not my kid, my kid wouldn't do that&quot;.&nbsp; We would all love to think that, but you just CAN'T! I will never put off or ignore the little warning signs that need to be addressed before it is way to late because I just didn't want to believe&nbsp;MY KID would get involved in drugs/alcohol. Just my 2 cents.</p> <p>Oh and Christine, yes meth is a HUGE problem in Kern County.</p> <p>Canibeyou&nbsp;wrote:&nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Sparks said:&quot;The bigotry in this &quot;Christian&quot; town is the worst I have seen compared to anywhere else I have been.&quot;------ Wow. Why would you ever have the need to single out a religion and blame the religion instead of an individuals choice to act that way?</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;The reason the word&nbsp;&quot;Christians&quot; is in quotations is because&nbsp;they are not really Christians.&nbsp; Real Christians like Jesus can not possibly be bigots as far as I know.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;I wasn't putting down a religion, I was putting down the people&nbsp;in this town&nbsp;<strong>who say they are Christians</strong> and yet act more like the devil they believe in.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; In the future if you see me put a word it quotes, there is a reason for it...&nbsp;&nbsp;Next time you do not understand why a word is in quotes... just ask me about it.&nbsp; I will be happy to explain.&nbsp;&nbsp; Again bigotry of any kind is a horrible thing.. even when it's against a certain religion.&nbsp;&nbsp; I don't have to embrace a religion in order to accept that others may have .&nbsp;&nbsp; Please do not assume that simply because I am godless that I am anti religion.&nbsp;&nbsp; And btw, Tehachapi is known as a Christian town .. look anywhere on the web for information on Tehachapi and it will say&nbsp;&nbsp; Christian town.&nbsp;&nbsp; lol</p> http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68062 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68062 <p>Canibeyou&nbsp;wrote:&nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Sparks said:&quot;The bigotry in this &quot;Christian&quot; town is the worst I have seen compared to anywhere else I have been.&quot;------ Wow. Why would you ever have the need to single out a religion and blame the religion instead of an individuals choice to act that way?</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;The reason the word&nbsp;&quot;Christians&quot; is in quotations is because&nbsp;they are not really Christians.&nbsp; Real Christians like Jesus can not possibly be bigots as far as I know.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;I wasn't putting down a religion, I was putting down the people&nbsp;in this town&nbsp;<strong>who say they are Christians</strong> and yet act more like the devil they believe in.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; In the future if you see me put a word it quotes, there is a reason for it...&nbsp;&nbsp;Next time you do not understand why a word is in quotes... just ask me about it.&nbsp; I will be happy to explain.&nbsp;&nbsp; Again bigotry of any kind is a horrible thing.. even when it's against a certain religion.&nbsp;&nbsp; I don't have to embrace a religion in order to accept that others may have .&nbsp;&nbsp; Please do not assume that simply because I am godless that I am anti religion.&nbsp;&nbsp; And btw, Tehachapi is known as a Christian town .. look anywhere on the web for information on Tehachapi and it will say&nbsp;&nbsp; Christian town.&nbsp;&nbsp; lol</p> <p>Mimi&nbsp; I can tell by your posts that you are intelligent and that you like yourself a very lot.&nbsp;&nbsp; That really is the key to being mentally healthy and not wanting to do mind altering drugs.&nbsp; I enjoy reading your posts and love your outlook on life.&nbsp; I like that you are bold and stand by your convictions.&nbsp; There is an inventory that addicts do when they go through a 12 step program.&nbsp;&nbsp; You list the <strong>people</strong> you have resentments about, then you list the <strong>resentments</strong> then you list <strong>what part YOU played in making these resentments happen</strong>.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; In other words we learn not to blame everyone else for situations we ourselves may have contributed to.&nbsp;&nbsp; We learn to take responsibility for our actions as well as learn to like who we are.&nbsp; We do this by being PAINFULLY honest with ourselves.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; It's amazing what honesty and self realization will do for ANYONE whether you are an alcoholic or not.&nbsp;&nbsp; I haven't been involved in&nbsp;a 12 step program in a dozen years or more although I remember it well and let me tell you I was INSANE, I was ANGRY and I&nbsp;was CONFUSED LIKE HELL&nbsp;until I learned to like myself , and as you can see&nbsp;I do like myself a very very lot today!!!!&nbsp;&nbsp;lalalalala&nbsp;&nbsp; lol </p> <p>&nbsp;I am one of the few that do not believe alcoholism is a disease.&nbsp; I drink a couple drinks now and again and on special occasions and I do so without fear that I will go back to being a drunk.&nbsp;&nbsp; Why? Because I love my life and I love my life sober.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I don't recommend that people drink while they are in recovery though.&nbsp; LMFAO&nbsp;&nbsp; Once you love yourself and are willing to take responsibility for your own actions... Then drink all you want.&nbsp;&nbsp; You will be amazed at how little that will be.&nbsp;&nbsp; P.S.&nbsp; Drugs are very addictive to anyone mentally sound or not..&nbsp;&nbsp; STAY CLEAR OF DRUGS. </p> http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68064 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68064 <p>Mimi&nbsp; I can tell by your posts that you are intelligent and that you like yourself a very lot.&nbsp;&nbsp; That really is the key to being mentally healthy and not wanting to do mind altering drugs.&nbsp; I enjoy reading your posts and love your outlook on life.&nbsp; I like that you are bold and stand by your convictions.&nbsp; There is an inventory that addicts do when they go through a 12 step program.&nbsp;&nbsp; You list the <strong>people</strong> you have resentments about, then you list the <strong>resentments</strong> then you list <strong>what part YOU played in making these resentments happen</strong>.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; In other words we learn not to blame everyone else for situations we ourselves may have contributed to.&nbsp;&nbsp; We learn to take responsibility for our actions as well as learn to like who we are.&nbsp; We do this by being PAINFULLY honest with ourselves.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; It's amazing what honesty and self realization will do for ANYONE whether you are an alcoholic or not.&nbsp;&nbsp; I haven't been involved in&nbsp;a 12 step program in a dozen years or more although I remember it well and let me tell you I was INSANE, I was ANGRY and I&nbsp;was CONFUSED LIKE HELL&nbsp;until I learned to like myself , and as you can see&nbsp;I do like myself a very very lot today!!!!&nbsp;&nbsp;lalalalala&nbsp;&nbsp; lol </p> <p>&nbsp;I am one of the few that do not believe alcoholism is a disease.&nbsp; I drink a couple drinks now and again and on special occasions and I do so without fear that I will go back to being a drunk.&nbsp;&nbsp; Why? Because I love my life and I love my life sober.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I don't recommend that people drink while they are in recovery though.&nbsp; LMFAO&nbsp;&nbsp; Once you love yourself and are willing to take responsibility for your own actions... Then drink all you want.&nbsp;&nbsp; You will be amazed at how little that will be.&nbsp;&nbsp; P.S.&nbsp; Drugs are very addictive to anyone mentally sound or not..&nbsp;&nbsp; STAY CLEAR OF DRUGS. </p> countygirl -thank you, thank you, thank you....&quot;self worth&quot;...I was searching for that phase all day yesterday and wouldn't come to me!&nbsp; Self esteem or self confindence is very important, but I was trying to come up with &quot;self worth&quot;.&nbsp; Thanks for the finding the words that I couldn't :) http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68081 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68081 countygirl -thank you, thank you, thank you....&quot;self worth&quot;...I was searching for that phase all day yesterday and wouldn't come to me!&nbsp; Self esteem or self confindence is very important, but I was trying to come up with &quot;self worth&quot;.&nbsp; Thanks for the finding the words that I couldn't :) <p>WOW SPARKS...i am surprised.&nbsp; I love myself now and i do take responsibility for my own actions, but that in no way gives me the power to drink.&nbsp; I am completely powerless over any substance that alters my state of mind or physical being.&nbsp; You talk about the 12 steps for addicts, well it originated in AA.&nbsp; ALCOHOL.&nbsp; Anyone who has ever been addicted to anyting, knows one is to many and a thousand never enough.&nbsp; </p> <p>Actually the inventory step is step 4, &nbsp;1. writing down the name of who you have a resentment against, 2. why you have the resentment, 3. how it affected you, 4. what your part was in it.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp; So you are saying someday if an alcoholic &quot;gets better&quot; they can drink?&nbsp; Didnt you use to work in a recovery center?&nbsp; I think you are justifying and rationalizing having that drink.&nbsp; If you have had any real education in the treatment of alcoholism or drug addiction you would know that drinking is NOT an option. The whole point in being and staying in recovery is being ok with yourself to never have to take that drink.&nbsp; WHY DO YOU FEEL THE NEED TO HAVE A DRINK HERE OR THERE?&nbsp; Is it for the taste? For the affect?&nbsp; Whats your point?&nbsp; </p> <p>ALCOHOLISM IS A DISEASE OF THE MIND, IT ONLY TURNS INTO PHYSICAL CRAVING AFTER I HAVE TAKEN THAT 1ST DRINK.&nbsp; STOP KIDDING YOURSELF!!&nbsp; ITS NOT OK!</p> <p>sparks wrote:</p> <p>Yeah, insecurity .&nbsp; No matter where it comes from, it&nbsp;encourages most of us to drink</p> <p>also Sparks, didnt you send me a link to your 12 step website? Are you still involved in a 12 step program or not?</p> http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68094 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68094 <p>WOW SPARKS...i am surprised.&nbsp; I love myself now and i do take responsibility for my own actions, but that in no way gives me the power to drink.&nbsp; I am completely powerless over any substance that alters my state of mind or physical being.&nbsp; You talk about the 12 steps for addicts, well it originated in AA.&nbsp; ALCOHOL.&nbsp; Anyone who has ever been addicted to anyting, knows one is to many and a thousand never enough.&nbsp; </p> <p>Actually the inventory step is step 4, &nbsp;1. writing down the name of who you have a resentment against, 2. why you have the resentment, 3. how it affected you, 4. what your part was in it.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp; So you are saying someday if an alcoholic &quot;gets better&quot; they can drink?&nbsp; Didnt you use to work in a recovery center?&nbsp; I think you are justifying and rationalizing having that drink.&nbsp; If you have had any real education in the treatment of alcoholism or drug addiction you would know that drinking is NOT an option. The whole point in being and staying in recovery is being ok with yourself to never have to take that drink.&nbsp; WHY DO YOU FEEL THE NEED TO HAVE A DRINK HERE OR THERE?&nbsp; Is it for the taste? For the affect?&nbsp; Whats your point?&nbsp; </p> <p>ALCOHOLISM IS A DISEASE OF THE MIND, IT ONLY TURNS INTO PHYSICAL CRAVING AFTER I HAVE TAKEN THAT 1ST DRINK.&nbsp; STOP KIDDING YOURSELF!!&nbsp; ITS NOT OK!</p> <p>sparks wrote:</p> <p>Yeah, insecurity .&nbsp; No matter where it comes from, it&nbsp;encourages most of us to drink</p> <p>also Sparks, didnt you send me a link to your 12 step website? Are you still involved in a 12 step program or not?</p> This town does have a serious drug and alcohol problem. The actual population is open for debate, yet the residents of the area spend over $300,000.00 a month on alcohol alone (conservatively)? I do believe in Christ and there are many Individuals here who say they believe in Christ and have no love for thier own neighbors........................... its quite tragic. My point is I truly beleive we are all born with a void to fill. Im trying to fill my void with Christ on a hourly basis. but some people for many destructive reasons choose drugs or alcohol, shopping etc etc............................ Can we all just get along? http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68109 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68109 This town does have a serious drug and alcohol problem. The actual population is open for debate, yet the residents of the area spend over $300,000.00 a month on alcohol alone (conservatively)? I do believe in Christ and there are many Individuals here who say they believe in Christ and have no love for thier own neighbors........................... its quite tragic. My point is I truly beleive we are all born with a void to fill. Im trying to fill my void with Christ on a hourly basis. but some people for many destructive reasons choose drugs or alcohol, shopping etc etc............................ Can we all just get along? I don't really want to get in the middle of all of this, but jme, how in the world did you come up with the claim that residents spend $300 a month in alcohol?  Can you reference the source of that claim?  Or did you just whip it up out of thin air?  http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68121 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68121 I don't really want to get in the middle of all of this, but jme, how in the world did you come up with the claim that residents spend $300 a month in alcohol?  Can you reference the source of that claim?  Or did you just whip it up out of thin air?  <p><font color="#0000ff">Wow if I spent $300 on alcohol I would be seriously intoxicated!! I guess I am below average because I spend maybe $40 a year on alcohol and that is usually at the end of the year for New Year's eve...</font></p> <p><font color="#0000ff">I would also like to know where jme got his facts from???</font></p> http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68135 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68135 <p><font color="#0000ff">Wow if I spent $300 on alcohol I would be seriously intoxicated!! I guess I am below average because I spend maybe $40 a year on alcohol and that is usually at the end of the year for New Year's eve...</font></p> <p><font color="#0000ff">I would also like to know where jme got his facts from???</font></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Sparks and Jewels~</p> <p>Okay. let me chime in here for a moment on Sparks behalf. Everyone has their own tolerance and hopefully at some point knows what they can and cannot do as a responsible adult. I think that if Sparks wants to have a glass of wine once in a while, and doesn't have a problem with alcohol, and does it for her own enjoyment, there's nothing wrong with that. I myself like to have a glass or two of wine or a really ice cold beer once in a while and that doesn't make me an alcoholic. The purpose of&nbsp;my blog was to get some guidance about raising kids in a town that apparently has a Meth problem. My brother has several kids that are&nbsp;teens and right at that age.&nbsp;Although my boy is only five, I worry about&nbsp; this. He is my only child and since I don't have a whole heck of a lot of past child rearing experience, I was looking for some suggestions and comments on how to be prepared and work towards raising a kid that could walk away from the temptations that he will no doubt face when he is a teen. Meth seems to be a particularly dark drug, and the slide downhill seems to come rapidly. </p> <p>What is our town doing about this Meth problem if we have one? Are we bringing in drug educators into the schools, are we preparing our children for this crisis? Can anyone out there answer this? Are we just ignoring the problem hoping for it to go away? </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68151 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68151 <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Sparks and Jewels~</p> <p>Okay. let me chime in here for a moment on Sparks behalf. Everyone has their own tolerance and hopefully at some point knows what they can and cannot do as a responsible adult. I think that if Sparks wants to have a glass of wine once in a while, and doesn't have a problem with alcohol, and does it for her own enjoyment, there's nothing wrong with that. I myself like to have a glass or two of wine or a really ice cold beer once in a while and that doesn't make me an alcoholic. The purpose of&nbsp;my blog was to get some guidance about raising kids in a town that apparently has a Meth problem. My brother has several kids that are&nbsp;teens and right at that age.&nbsp;Although my boy is only five, I worry about&nbsp; this. He is my only child and since I don't have a whole heck of a lot of past child rearing experience, I was looking for some suggestions and comments on how to be prepared and work towards raising a kid that could walk away from the temptations that he will no doubt face when he is a teen. Meth seems to be a particularly dark drug, and the slide downhill seems to come rapidly. </p> <p>What is our town doing about this Meth problem if we have one? Are we bringing in drug educators into the schools, are we preparing our children for this crisis? Can anyone out there answer this? Are we just ignoring the problem hoping for it to go away? </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Christine~ i totally understand what you are saying...a glass of wine is fine for most people, hey even getting drunk once in a while is fine for a normal person.&nbsp; But for someone who has ever fought an addiction....its different.&nbsp; I am not alcoholic today and because i worked my steps and love myself, i can drink tomorrow.&nbsp; It doesnt work that way.&nbsp; It just doesnt.&nbsp; I am not trying to take Sparks' inventory either.&nbsp; It is just beyond my comprehension that she was involved in rehabs, and 12 step programs and now says its ok to drink.&nbsp; It doesnt make any sense.</p> http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68154 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68154 <p>Christine~ i totally understand what you are saying...a glass of wine is fine for most people, hey even getting drunk once in a while is fine for a normal person.&nbsp; But for someone who has ever fought an addiction....its different.&nbsp; I am not alcoholic today and because i worked my steps and love myself, i can drink tomorrow.&nbsp; It doesnt work that way.&nbsp; It just doesnt.&nbsp; I am not trying to take Sparks' inventory either.&nbsp; It is just beyond my comprehension that she was involved in rehabs, and 12 step programs and now says its ok to drink.&nbsp; It doesnt make any sense.</p> It is so hard to pinpoint where a drug problem begins. I don't know that educating in schools even helps. Did I pay attention to that? No. I read about it on my own and was provided material by my mom. When I think back to the kids I grew up with, the ones that stayed away from drugs: They were all active either in sports, music or hobbies. Many of them excelled in school, though not all. Religion was not always involved, but some were fairly religious. But nearly all of them had strong family ties. The were active with their families and close to their parents and siblings. Their parents were around as much as possible and were part of their lives. I think a combination of these things helps to keep kids away from drugs. I think the meth problem will always be there. The only things we can do for our kids is educate them ourselves (not rely on schools to do it), keep them active and happy, make sure they feel loved and cared for, and stay involved in their lives. That is the best chance we have. http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68157 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68157 It is so hard to pinpoint where a drug problem begins. I don't know that educating in schools even helps. Did I pay attention to that? No. I read about it on my own and was provided material by my mom. When I think back to the kids I grew up with, the ones that stayed away from drugs: They were all active either in sports, music or hobbies. Many of them excelled in school, though not all. Religion was not always involved, but some were fairly religious. But nearly all of them had strong family ties. The were active with their families and close to their parents and siblings. Their parents were around as much as possible and were part of their lives. I think a combination of these things helps to keep kids away from drugs. I think the meth problem will always be there. The only things we can do for our kids is educate them ourselves (not rely on schools to do it), keep them active and happy, make sure they feel loved and cared for, and stay involved in their lives. That is the best chance we have. Believe me Christine...there is definitely&nbsp; meth problem in Tehachapi.&nbsp; It is much bigger then most people think.&nbsp; I dont know what the stats are but i know 1st hand its BIG.&nbsp; I dont think the problem is being ignored, i just dont think school and community organizations know how to approach the subject.&nbsp; Mimi is so right when she states that the parents have to be involved. http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68159 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68159 Believe me Christine...there is definitely&nbsp; meth problem in Tehachapi.&nbsp; It is much bigger then most people think.&nbsp; I dont know what the stats are but i know 1st hand its BIG.&nbsp; I dont think the problem is being ignored, i just dont think school and community organizations know how to approach the subject.&nbsp; Mimi is so right when she states that the parents have to be involved. Growing up here, the saying went, &quot;It's such a small town with nothing to do, so kids either have sex or do drugs.&quot; High teen pregnancy rate still around? So far as keeping kids from doing drugs... how can you? If you are super-religious, your kids could rebel and do the exact oppostie. If you are laid-back and not very disciplined as a parent, you could end up with a child you never expected: one who follows the rules and does no wrong. We all think we are smarter than we actually are when we are teenagers. Teens will make their own decisions. While it is most important, guidance isn't fool-proof. It can backfire. http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68163 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68163 Growing up here, the saying went, &quot;It's such a small town with nothing to do, so kids either have sex or do drugs.&quot; High teen pregnancy rate still around? So far as keeping kids from doing drugs... how can you? If you are super-religious, your kids could rebel and do the exact oppostie. If you are laid-back and not very disciplined as a parent, you could end up with a child you never expected: one who follows the rules and does no wrong. We all think we are smarter than we actually are when we are teenagers. Teens will make their own decisions. While it is most important, guidance isn't fool-proof. It can backfire. <p>Mimi and Jewels~</p> <p>Thanks for the tips. Maybe watching some of those programs with a teen would help? Openly discussing the issue. I know it starts at home, I was just wondering if the schools are also addressing these issues.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68164 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68164 <p>Mimi and Jewels~</p> <p>Thanks for the tips. Maybe watching some of those programs with a teen would help? Openly discussing the issue. I know it starts at home, I was just wondering if the schools are also addressing these issues.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> No,&nbsp;I didnt whip it up in the air. One day........I was thinking about the drug and alcohol problem that I beleive exists in this area and asked some of the local retailers what they sale on a daily basis (some tole me, some didnt)and multiplied that by 30 days. http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68201 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68201 No,&nbsp;I didnt whip it up in the air. One day........I was thinking about the drug and alcohol problem that I beleive exists in this area and asked some of the local retailers what they sale on a daily basis (some tole me, some didnt)and multiplied that by 30 days. also, Im not saying the average resident spends $300.00 a month on alcohol. Im saying three hundred thousand dollars&nbsp; ($300,000.00) of alcohol are sold here in this area each month. http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68204 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68204 also, Im not saying the average resident spends $300.00 a month on alcohol. Im saying three hundred thousand dollars&nbsp; ($300,000.00) of alcohol are sold here in this area each month. <p>That really isn't that much when you consider the price of alcohol. Let's say that a twelve pack of beer costs$10.  That's only 30 people buying beer a day. How many people live in this town?  Now if we start calculating the price of hard liquor that number only goes down. Not much of a problem to me.</p> <p>Plus, I'm sure some people like a little wine with dinner or something. Let's say 10 people buy a $10 bottle of wine for dinner. That's $100 right there. Again not a PROBLEM.</p> <p>Pretty much anywhere there are people. You are going to have a "drinking problem" according you your standards.</p> http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68258 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68258 <p>That really isn't that much when you consider the price of alcohol. Let's say that a twelve pack of beer costs$10.  That's only 30 people buying beer a day. How many people live in this town?  Now if we start calculating the price of hard liquor that number only goes down. Not much of a problem to me.</p> <p>Plus, I'm sure some people like a little wine with dinner or something. Let's say 10 people buy a $10 bottle of wine for dinner. That's $100 right there. Again not a PROBLEM.</p> <p>Pretty much anywhere there are people. You are going to have a "drinking problem" according you your standards.</p> <p>Aero:</p> <p>A bit off the subject, but....I like it! </p> <p>I love Trader Joes! They have the coolest food and beverages! That's what we really need in Tehachapi instead of these copy- cat stores that we already have a source for. How many coffee places and ice cream places do we need, honestly? </p> <p>&nbsp;I thought about getting some people together and opening a Trader Joe's&nbsp; up here, but the don't sell franchises, so I guess we should all write to them and tell them to bring on the Trader Joes to Tehachapi. Now that would be a great idea!</p> http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68297 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68297 <p>Aero:</p> <p>A bit off the subject, but....I like it! </p> <p>I love Trader Joes! They have the coolest food and beverages! That's what we really need in Tehachapi instead of these copy- cat stores that we already have a source for. How many coffee places and ice cream places do we need, honestly? </p> <p>&nbsp;I thought about getting some people together and opening a Trader Joe's&nbsp; up here, but the don't sell franchises, so I guess we should all write to them and tell them to bring on the Trader Joes to Tehachapi. Now that would be a great idea!</p> <p>OK ladies&nbsp;&nbsp;(smile)&nbsp;&nbsp; I knew I was gonna get in twubble ..&nbsp; I knew Jewels would be shocked at my statement.&nbsp;&nbsp; The truth is I quit drinking and doing drugs 15 years ago.&nbsp;&nbsp; I joined AA,&nbsp; a year later I was doing panels and working at a rehab.&nbsp;&nbsp; 3 years after my last drink I decided that I loved myself and my sober life so much that indeed I would never want to be a drunk again.&nbsp;&nbsp; Being a geek and very scientific, I tested myself to see if i truly did love myself enough not to want to be a drunk again and I drank my fave... A shot of whiskey with a cherry.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I have since been able to drink whenever I like.&nbsp;&nbsp; Sure I don't drink much, maybe once a month a couple drinks..&nbsp; BUT the point is I CAN drink, I just don't care for the taste of it or how it makes me feel anymore.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Now some might ask..&nbsp;&nbsp; are you sure you were an alcoholic.&nbsp;&nbsp; Well you tell me.&nbsp;&nbsp; I drank every Friday Saturday and Sunday.. . blacked out regularly.. I was always totally drunk for the entire weekend.&nbsp;&nbsp; EVERY weekend, from the time I was 16 till I was 30.&nbsp;&nbsp;I called the&nbsp;weekdays when I worked &quot;my life in hell&quot; till the weekends came. &nbsp; Was I an alcoholic????&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Most would say yes.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Do I recommend Jewels&nbsp;test herself&nbsp;and have a drink.&nbsp;&nbsp; Absolutely not.&nbsp;&nbsp;Some people are never ready to drink again.&nbsp; &nbsp;I KNEW without a doubt that I could drink when I took my first drink...&nbsp; know why?&nbsp;&nbsp; Because I really didn't even want it.&nbsp; I just have this overwhelmingly stupid obsession to test things.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp; Yes I did write a&nbsp;12 step program and still stand by it today. <a href="http://wud1.com/steps/Steps.htm">http://wud1.com/steps/Steps.htm</a></p> http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68336 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68336 <p>OK ladies&nbsp;&nbsp;(smile)&nbsp;&nbsp; I knew I was gonna get in twubble ..&nbsp; I knew Jewels would be shocked at my statement.&nbsp;&nbsp; The truth is I quit drinking and doing drugs 15 years ago.&nbsp;&nbsp; I joined AA,&nbsp; a year later I was doing panels and working at a rehab.&nbsp;&nbsp; 3 years after my last drink I decided that I loved myself and my sober life so much that indeed I would never want to be a drunk again.&nbsp;&nbsp; Being a geek and very scientific, I tested myself to see if i truly did love myself enough not to want to be a drunk again and I drank my fave... A shot of whiskey with a cherry.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I have since been able to drink whenever I like.&nbsp;&nbsp; Sure I don't drink much, maybe once a month a couple drinks..&nbsp; BUT the point is I CAN drink, I just don't care for the taste of it or how it makes me feel anymore.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Now some might ask..&nbsp;&nbsp; are you sure you were an alcoholic.&nbsp;&nbsp; Well you tell me.&nbsp;&nbsp; I drank every Friday Saturday and Sunday.. . blacked out regularly.. I was always totally drunk for the entire weekend.&nbsp;&nbsp; EVERY weekend, from the time I was 16 till I was 30.&nbsp;&nbsp;I called the&nbsp;weekdays when I worked &quot;my life in hell&quot; till the weekends came. &nbsp; Was I an alcoholic????&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Most would say yes.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Do I recommend Jewels&nbsp;test herself&nbsp;and have a drink.&nbsp;&nbsp; Absolutely not.&nbsp;&nbsp;Some people are never ready to drink again.&nbsp; &nbsp;I KNEW without a doubt that I could drink when I took my first drink...&nbsp; know why?&nbsp;&nbsp; Because I really didn't even want it.&nbsp; I just have this overwhelmingly stupid obsession to test things.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp; Yes I did write a&nbsp;12 step program and still stand by it today. <a href="http://wud1.com/steps/Steps.htm">http://wud1.com/steps/Steps.htm</a></p> ADDICTION is a great show..I have have it on Tivo, and I watched it with my Father&amp; Mother Inlaw ( HE a physician She a Nurse) and we all learned something new about addiction. I myself have probably tried a multitued of differnet drugs , but my addiciton still is nicotine everything else I stopped at one point in my life because I just got tired of it. I think as I grew older I was just more concerned of my own mortality and started caring for myself a little more ( yes I know nicotine isnt good for me, but I went down to&nbsp; 5 cigs a day, which is real good considering what I used to smoke), I eat a healthier , go for long walks on the beach to get my heart rate up, stopped drinking excessivly , and stopped smoking pot everyday. Dont get me wrong I still party once in a while and may have a glass a wine here and there, but I dont have the urge to get Sh*t faced drung every weekend like I did in my youth. http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68549 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68549 ADDICTION is a great show..I have have it on Tivo, and I watched it with my Father&amp; Mother Inlaw ( HE a physician She a Nurse) and we all learned something new about addiction. I myself have probably tried a multitued of differnet drugs , but my addiciton still is nicotine everything else I stopped at one point in my life because I just got tired of it. I think as I grew older I was just more concerned of my own mortality and started caring for myself a little more ( yes I know nicotine isnt good for me, but I went down to&nbsp; 5 cigs a day, which is real good considering what I used to smoke), I eat a healthier , go for long walks on the beach to get my heart rate up, stopped drinking excessivly , and stopped smoking pot everyday. Dont get me wrong I still party once in a while and may have a glass a wine here and there, but I dont have the urge to get Sh*t faced drung every weekend like I did in my youth. <p>Zu- I think it's cool that you and many people on this site can share their experiences without judgment by other.</p> <p>What's right for someone is not necessarily right for another. </p> <p>Christine </p> http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68566 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68566 <p>Zu- I think it's cool that you and many people on this site can share their experiences without judgment by other.</p> <p>What's right for someone is not necessarily right for another. </p> <p>Christine </p> Hope i didnt offend anyone and if i did i apologize...i shouldnt try to pass judgement on people and what they are doing.&nbsp; So using step 10, continued to take personal inventory and i am wrong so i am admitting it.&nbsp; I am sorry Sparks for lashing out at you.&nbsp; What you do is none of my concern and i need to take a look at my own behavior.&nbsp; Christine, i realize you started this blog for advice and i got carried away...dang! http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68577 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68577 Hope i didnt offend anyone and if i did i apologize...i shouldnt try to pass judgement on people and what they are doing.&nbsp; So using step 10, continued to take personal inventory and i am wrong so i am admitting it.&nbsp; I am sorry Sparks for lashing out at you.&nbsp; What you do is none of my concern and i need to take a look at my own behavior.&nbsp; Christine, i realize you started this blog for advice and i got carried away...dang! <p>&nbsp;I wasn't really testing myself I was testing the disease theory.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> <p>As for my AA symbol on my webpage.&nbsp; My alternative steps page has helped 100's of&nbsp;AAers in the last 15 years.&nbsp; I still receive emails daily of thanks.&nbsp; I won't remove my AA symbol because it was my&nbsp;AA group who made it for me, in fact&nbsp;my&nbsp;AA page is the very same as it was 15 years ago, i have never changed a word. &nbsp;&nbsp;Many of us who reach out to the emails coming from this page&nbsp;are sponsors&nbsp;and we work on AA panels.&nbsp;&nbsp; To answer your question YES I am still a big part of AA and I won't let you take that away from me. This is not a game to me, I do not believe that all AAers are alike and I know many prefer the alternate steps.&nbsp; To say we do not belong to the&nbsp;AA fellowship simply because we use alternate steps does indeed offend me Jewels.&nbsp; AA saved my life and it did so by allowing me to use the 12 steps in anyway that I choose.&nbsp;&nbsp;We all know the Big Book and Traditions by heart and yes we do the alternate 12 steps, and if you look a little closer you will see...&nbsp; these steps lead to the same recover as the traditional ones.&nbsp;&nbsp; There are NO rules in AA we do the best we can for each other, THAT'S IT. You are entitled to your opinion, however to say that I am not worthy of flashing the AA sign that I am so proud of&nbsp;on my webpage simply because I don't follow the same steps and rules as you do is just wrong.&nbsp; Our&nbsp;fellowship stands by one another no matter how diverse.&nbsp;&nbsp; I am glad that you are so proud of AA that you feel a need to defend them against me,&nbsp; I'm glad you are sober and doing well.&nbsp;&nbsp; BUT don't EVER put down or condemn another AAer simply because they do not do the program the same way you do.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; This is NOT what AA is all about.&nbsp;&nbsp; If you will notice at the bottom of the page of&nbsp; my <a href="http://wud1.com/steps/Steps.htm">http://wud1.com/steps/Steps.htm</a>&nbsp; there is a link to the traditional steps and many other resources that YOU yourself may find useful. </p> http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68603 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68603 <p>&nbsp;I wasn't really testing myself I was testing the disease theory.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> <p>As for my AA symbol on my webpage.&nbsp; My alternative steps page has helped 100's of&nbsp;AAers in the last 15 years.&nbsp; I still receive emails daily of thanks.&nbsp; I won't remove my AA symbol because it was my&nbsp;AA group who made it for me, in fact&nbsp;my&nbsp;AA page is the very same as it was 15 years ago, i have never changed a word. &nbsp;&nbsp;Many of us who reach out to the emails coming from this page&nbsp;are sponsors&nbsp;and we work on AA panels.&nbsp;&nbsp; To answer your question YES I am still a big part of AA and I won't let you take that away from me. This is not a game to me, I do not believe that all AAers are alike and I know many prefer the alternate steps.&nbsp; To say we do not belong to the&nbsp;AA fellowship simply because we use alternate steps does indeed offend me Jewels.&nbsp; AA saved my life and it did so by allowing me to use the 12 steps in anyway that I choose.&nbsp;&nbsp;We all know the Big Book and Traditions by heart and yes we do the alternate 12 steps, and if you look a little closer you will see...&nbsp; these steps lead to the same recover as the traditional ones.&nbsp;&nbsp; There are NO rules in AA we do the best we can for each other, THAT'S IT. You are entitled to your opinion, however to say that I am not worthy of flashing the AA sign that I am so proud of&nbsp;on my webpage simply because I don't follow the same steps and rules as you do is just wrong.&nbsp; Our&nbsp;fellowship stands by one another no matter how diverse.&nbsp;&nbsp; I am glad that you are so proud of AA that you feel a need to defend them against me,&nbsp; I'm glad you are sober and doing well.&nbsp;&nbsp; BUT don't EVER put down or condemn another AAer simply because they do not do the program the same way you do.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; This is NOT what AA is all about.&nbsp;&nbsp; If you will notice at the bottom of the page of&nbsp; my <a href="http://wud1.com/steps/Steps.htm">http://wud1.com/steps/Steps.htm</a>&nbsp; there is a link to the traditional steps and many other resources that YOU yourself may find useful. </p> I apologize Sparks, hurting people is really NOT what i am about.&nbsp; I removed my comments.&nbsp; I respect you and I have no right judging you in any way.&nbsp; It was completely unfair.&nbsp; http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68609 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68609 I apologize Sparks, hurting people is really NOT what i am about.&nbsp; I removed my comments.&nbsp; I respect you and I have no right judging you in any way.&nbsp; It was completely unfair.&nbsp; Jewels&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I respect you ... and thanks for apologizing.&nbsp;&nbsp; I see AA is working for you.&nbsp;&nbsp; I see strength.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I too want to apologize for being so defensive.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I think both our hearts are in the right place..&nbsp; that counts for something huh?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; OH Christine.. sheesh I'm sorry for the change of topic.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; You know I love ya.&nbsp; (smile) http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68613 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68613 Jewels&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I respect you ... and thanks for apologizing.&nbsp;&nbsp; I see AA is working for you.&nbsp;&nbsp; I see strength.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I too want to apologize for being so defensive.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I think both our hearts are in the right place..&nbsp; that counts for something huh?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; OH Christine.. sheesh I'm sorry for the change of topic.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; You know I love ya.&nbsp; (smile) I feel the love!!! http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68616 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68616 I feel the love!!! <p>Group HUG!!!&nbsp;</p> <p>Hey ZU&nbsp; don't pinch my butt unless you mean it.&nbsp; lol&nbsp;&nbsp; I love all you gals.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; We are all different and YET,,&nbsp;&nbsp; I too can feel the love.&nbsp;&nbsp; I'd say we are all very mentally STRONG women.&nbsp;&nbsp; Great Post Christine...&nbsp; mumbling... I guess i will have to watch the show now. (grin)</p> http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68617 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68617 <p>Group HUG!!!&nbsp;</p> <p>Hey ZU&nbsp; don't pinch my butt unless you mean it.&nbsp; lol&nbsp;&nbsp; I love all you gals.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; We are all different and YET,,&nbsp;&nbsp; I too can feel the love.&nbsp;&nbsp; I'd say we are all very mentally STRONG women.&nbsp;&nbsp; Great Post Christine...&nbsp; mumbling... I guess i will have to watch the show now. (grin)</p> <p>Yahoo !!!!&nbsp; This is what I like about this site.&nbsp; Yes, this got a little heated, feelings were hurt, judgments were made, difference of views and commitments, some harsh words were said, but you guys didn't stick out your&nbsp;tongues at each other and run away.&nbsp; ( which was in no way a laughing matter)&nbsp; You two worked it out although your practices are different.&nbsp; You two still found a common ground.&nbsp; And most of all respect!!&nbsp; Thank you for showing that you can get down and dirty but come out patting each other on the back with smiles.&nbsp; </p> http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68626 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68626 <p>Yahoo !!!!&nbsp; This is what I like about this site.&nbsp; Yes, this got a little heated, feelings were hurt, judgments were made, difference of views and commitments, some harsh words were said, but you guys didn't stick out your&nbsp;tongues at each other and run away.&nbsp; ( which was in no way a laughing matter)&nbsp; You two worked it out although your practices are different.&nbsp; You two still found a common ground.&nbsp; And most of all respect!!&nbsp; Thank you for showing that you can get down and dirty but come out patting each other on the back with smiles.&nbsp; </p> Didn't the person (sorry I can't remember now) who spends $300. on alchol state it was at the gas station on unleaded? Not on drink. I have enjoyed reading all of you guy's comments on this subject also. I'm being the peanut gallery. http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68649 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68649 Didn't the person (sorry I can't remember now) who spends $300. on alchol state it was at the gas station on unleaded? Not on drink. I have enjoyed reading all of you guy's comments on this subject also. I'm being the peanut gallery. God bless the peanut gallery http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68669 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_68669 God bless the peanut gallery <p><strong>Gillfish~</strong> That was me, I started another post about the outrageous price of gas and since someone&nbsp;on this post&nbsp;said&nbsp;&nbsp;that the average person in Tehachapi spends $300 a month in alcohol (BTW, Very hard for me to believe), I started a new post saying that yes, I did: only it was the high octane stuff I put in my gas tank.&nbsp; We all kind of float around from post to post, so anybody who had followed this thread would have gotten it. </p> <p>But seriously, I probably only spend half &nbsp;that much on alcohol&nbsp; once a year re-stocking my bar for the Holidays. Other than that, maybe $ 30-50 bucks a month, if that ,on a couple of bottles of wine, and some&nbsp; decent beer.</p> <p>&nbsp;Wonder who is drinking all that alcohol and if it's true or if it takes into consideration the restaurants and bars, etc., around here that purchase alcohol to stock their bars, but it doesn't necessarily get consumed in one month by the locals?</p> <p><strong>Gals~</strong> Glad to see you gals are all getting on now. I have a way with alluding to things...that way you all have a chance to chew on things for a while. I know a few of you probably think I am straight out of Mayberry! (Sparks, now I now you are LOL on this one). </p> <p>Truthfully, &nbsp;I spend allot of time working with lawyers (and I&nbsp;deal with adversity&nbsp;and contention on an on-going basis most of which is completely unnecessary).(before I start feeling the hate, let me stop you short: I am not a lawyer.&nbsp;I consider myself to be a very strong personality&nbsp;and frankly,&nbsp;I couldn't survive in that realm if I wasn't,. This website is my escape from that rat race and I try to treat people the way I would like to be treated and&nbsp;everyone&nbsp;here the benefit of the doubt. </p> http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_69045 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_69045 <p><strong>Gillfish~</strong> That was me, I started another post about the outrageous price of gas and since someone&nbsp;on this post&nbsp;said&nbsp;&nbsp;that the average person in Tehachapi spends $300 a month in alcohol (BTW, Very hard for me to believe), I started a new post saying that yes, I did: only it was the high octane stuff I put in my gas tank.&nbsp; We all kind of float around from post to post, so anybody who had followed this thread would have gotten it. </p> <p>But seriously, I probably only spend half &nbsp;that much on alcohol&nbsp; once a year re-stocking my bar for the Holidays. Other than that, maybe $ 30-50 bucks a month, if that ,on a couple of bottles of wine, and some&nbsp; decent beer.</p> <p>&nbsp;Wonder who is drinking all that alcohol and if it's true or if it takes into consideration the restaurants and bars, etc., around here that purchase alcohol to stock their bars, but it doesn't necessarily get consumed in one month by the locals?</p> <p><strong>Gals~</strong> Glad to see you gals are all getting on now. I have a way with alluding to things...that way you all have a chance to chew on things for a while. I know a few of you probably think I am straight out of Mayberry! (Sparks, now I now you are LOL on this one). </p> <p>Truthfully, &nbsp;I spend allot of time working with lawyers (and I&nbsp;deal with adversity&nbsp;and contention on an on-going basis most of which is completely unnecessary).(before I start feeling the hate, let me stop you short: I am not a lawyer.&nbsp;I consider myself to be a very strong personality&nbsp;and frankly,&nbsp;I couldn't survive in that realm if I wasn't,. This website is my escape from that rat race and I try to treat people the way I would like to be treated and&nbsp;everyone&nbsp;here the benefit of the doubt. </p> I spent $300 a month on alcohol easily.&nbsp; Over a $100 a weekend sometimes. UGLY!! http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_69120 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_69120 I spent $300 a month on alcohol easily.&nbsp; Over a $100 a weekend sometimes. UGLY!! <p><strong>Jewels~</strong></p> <p>Wow, that's a lot of moula! I respect the fact that you can be so honest, and now I see why you were so adamant about the AA thing and not drinking. Keep it up and hopefully with all your knowledge you can help others in this town. </p> <p>I feel really bad when I see people that obviously (trying very hard not to judge) have a problem. Several times I have seen really skinny, shaking people/ or twitching/ can't stand still, walking around the Check Cashing place, or the Save-mart, usually buying crap food, and only a little bit. The thing that really breaks my heart is that I have seen them with little kids in tow. It's easy to spot as the kids are usually still in their pajamas, and such, no socks or shoes, and look disheveled or dirty. It makes me just want to reach out somehow. It's one thing if someone wants to ruin their own lives, and tragic nonetheless, but when I see kids involved it really&nbsp;gets to me. It makes me feel helpless as I do not have the experience or the knowledge to help these people, and the fact is, they probably don't want my help anyway. Do the existing programs in Tehachapi try to reach these people on the streets or do they have to walk in to a meeting?&nbsp; </p> <p>Anybody out there working the programs, please feel free to chime in here. How do you reach out to these people? </p> http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_69140 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_69140 <p><strong>Jewels~</strong></p> <p>Wow, that's a lot of moula! I respect the fact that you can be so honest, and now I see why you were so adamant about the AA thing and not drinking. Keep it up and hopefully with all your knowledge you can help others in this town. </p> <p>I feel really bad when I see people that obviously (trying very hard not to judge) have a problem. Several times I have seen really skinny, shaking people/ or twitching/ can't stand still, walking around the Check Cashing place, or the Save-mart, usually buying crap food, and only a little bit. The thing that really breaks my heart is that I have seen them with little kids in tow. It's easy to spot as the kids are usually still in their pajamas, and such, no socks or shoes, and look disheveled or dirty. It makes me just want to reach out somehow. It's one thing if someone wants to ruin their own lives, and tragic nonetheless, but when I see kids involved it really&nbsp;gets to me. It makes me feel helpless as I do not have the experience or the knowledge to help these people, and the fact is, they probably don't want my help anyway. Do the existing programs in Tehachapi try to reach these people on the streets or do they have to walk in to a meeting?&nbsp; </p> <p>Anybody out there working the programs, please feel free to chime in here. How do you reach out to these people? </p> You can reach out, but it is totally something that they are going to have to WANT to do.&nbsp; Sometimes with a nudge from the judge and they are court ordered, it turns a light on and they get it, but really they have to hit their bottom to really surrender and change.&nbsp; I dont live in Tehachapi anymore but i attend my fellowship whenever i get up there.&nbsp; I wish i could save everyone, but i know i cant and i just do what i do and hopefully be an inspiration to someone else.&nbsp; After all its all about helping the person still suffering. http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_69142 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_69142 You can reach out, but it is totally something that they are going to have to WANT to do.&nbsp; Sometimes with a nudge from the judge and they are court ordered, it turns a light on and they get it, but really they have to hit their bottom to really surrender and change.&nbsp; I dont live in Tehachapi anymore but i attend my fellowship whenever i get up there.&nbsp; I wish i could save everyone, but i know i cant and i just do what i do and hopefully be an inspiration to someone else.&nbsp; After all its all about helping the person still suffering. <p>There was another really cool episode last night. It was the story of Rick Kirkham, a former news correspondent that lost everything, a phenomenol job, his family, wife, everything. </p> <p>C~ </p> http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_69157 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/ChristineFroehlich/6725/#c_69157 <p>There was another really cool episode last night. It was the story of Rick Kirkham, a former news correspondent that lost everything, a phenomenol job, his family, wife, everything. </p> <p>C~ </p>