Well, the barracuda is finally going home!!  She's decided I'm ok enough for now, and her mission is accomplished.  She showed me so many options for schools and careers that I actually got a feeling for many of my options.  I have to thank her for that, because I realize I was actually kind of splashing around, not learning to swim and not getting any nearer to the dock.

One day working at the treatment center, I was complaining to one of the counselors about not knowing what to do for work, and she pointed out the obvious--duh--that I was working there.  So I pointed out that I wasn't getting paid, and she pointed out that I could get a certificate in chemical dependency and actually get paid to do what I was doing there.  I guess I was so flooded with feelings about Rochelle and Plern and the Barracuda and my own Al-Anon work and all the stories of the residents here that I couldn't see the pink elephant in front of my face.  So I looked into it, and signed up for the classes at Cal, and told the Barracuda, and she decided to release me!  I have to admit, I'm really excited about it.  I really do love helping people who need it.