posted October 21, 2012 10:04 PM            

We later went to an astrological counselor and not only was it cheaper, but it worked. Granted, we did break up after a few years, but we were warned that our charts weren't compatible for a lifetime relationship and therefore it was very unlikely to last.

posted October 22, 2012 01:48 AM            

From my perspective, the person who is acting out gets the most focus. Like the squeaky wheel that gets the grease.
We thought they would "fix" him.
They did not, they did, however give us options and ideas on how to handle him.

I also remember some labels being thrown around.
My Mother was The Enabler.
I was The Cheerleader. etc.

posted October 22, 2012 03:27 AM            

Sunday morning, we were friends again - partly buoyed by little Rita perking up a bit, but also because I'd relaxed and Mum had sobered up (she's been drinking heavily for well over a year now, but not every day). She said that she didn't mean to put this on my shoulders, but that as long as we're friends, she knows she won't drink so much. She's been depressed since she lost her mortgage loan business, with things happening in the family (like our losses and huge arguments this year), as well as her age and a lack of money.

Gypsee, I think that they would say that I'm the one acting out the most, but they also know that my sister isn't quite that innocent, and neither is mum. Dad is the only one who's reaching levels of sainthood at this point. I've argued with him over the past two weeks, and then immediately regretted having said one hurtful word, or even being angry with him at all. I'm actually scared to death of losing them, and am worried about stressing them out so much that something might happen. I'm fine until something happens with my mother, my sister or a pet, but my coping skills feel pretty non-existent now. I'm calm at the moment, because Rita is sleeping soundly, my parents were so happy that rita has improved (and I've calmed down). I found my progesterone cream, too, when looking through remedies in a box, and I think that has helped.

I don't think we're all going tomorrow, unless something extreme happens with our little dog. She needs someone with her, and there's no way that I'm leaving her. I've been accused of making a lot of things about myself over the past couple of years, but they know that actually isn't true. My mother asked me where her "brave and quietly competent Angela" had gone, so I made her a list of things that most likely contributed to the semi-nutjob that I now feel like at times.

re: counselling: I've been reading yet another book on past lives, and thinking about this, it would be nice if we could sort certain things out before we, well... aren't here anymore. My family is mostly great, which is why I've been so surprised and dismayed at things going on. I wanted counselling with my sister, ages ago. Here I was thinking that my most important relationship is likely with her, and of course, she had her fiance (now husband), that I'm leery of being around for long. She stopped seeing my side of things, and went nuts on me in his defense. I wanted to sort this out long before her wedding; it hurt like hell being left here, and essentially cut out, with no understanding achieved and her sneering over the way I was feeling - and my parents going along with it.

posted October 23, 2012 05:00 AM            

In light of Rita's passing I guess this is all moot right now.

I don't know if you would believe me when I say that sometimes you can be a certain way for a long, long, time. You think this is life, and might as well settle into it b/c nothing is every going to change.

Then WHAM, that is exactly when something happens to change everything.

I think past lives play a part in understanding why we are with the people in our lives, but I also look to transits and progressions. I think all of it can paint a somewhat clear picture.