Twelve Step Program

The first step in taking back control of your life is admitting you have an addiction. The recent crazed antics of Charlie Sheen have made me do a little self-examination, too. While I am not addicted to alcohol or drugs, I do have an addiction to word games: the NY Times Crosswords on Sundays and Scrabble and Words with Friends on my iPhone. Hey! At least my children are not at risk and I haven't threatened to cut off Bill's head and send it to him in a box.

The iPhone allows me to satisfy my cravings so easily. Not only can I play Words with Friends with friends, but also with complete strangers!  All you have to do is press the screen and a game will automatically be created with someone halfway across the world. Brings new meaning to the old AT&T phrase "reach out and touch someone". 

I use my iPhone as my alarm in the morning. When it goes off, I check my Words with Friends to see if any of my global competitors took a turn between midnight and 7 a.m. That action, reaching for the phone as soon as I wake up, reminds me of my dad, a HORRIBLE cigarette smoker, who would light one up as he got out of bed.

Hint #1 - if it's the first thing you reach for in the morning, you may have an addiction.

Hint #2 - When Bill sees me with my iPhone up to my face, he asks "Scrabble"? Nine times out of ten I will lie and tell him I'm checking email.  I don't want to appear as if I'm not productive 100% of my life. Lying to cover up an addiction is a bad sign.

Hint #3 - If I don't complete the NY Times Crossword on Sunday I save the magazine, keeping it in a special place.  Having a stash makes me feel better - that sounds bad, too, doesn't it?

So let's recap:  I have a new set of friends that I haven't introduced to my family, I have an uncontrollable desire to play as soon as I wake, I'm lying about it and I have secret stashes.

 I have a problem.

I think this blog may be the first step of my twelve step program. Luckily, I can count on the support of my husband.