How Addy's Attic Came About.......

How Addy's Attic Came About.......

Finding Solitude, Support, and a New Passion: Our Family’s Journey Beyond Alcoholism

For many years, peace and solitude felt just out of reach. Escaping the grip of alcoholism has been a long and winding journey—marked by setbacks, moments of self-discovery, and, above all, the unwavering support of my family. After hitting rock bottom in January, it became clear that our last, best chance was for me (Terry) to enter rehab and finally regain control of my physical and, more importantly, my mental health. Together, we’ve weathered some of life’s toughest storms, but through it all, we've stayed strong and united as a family.
Along this path, we’ve tried countless hobbies—always searching for activities that could bring us joy, healing, and togetherness. Not every hobby stuck (and some were outright disasters!), but camping in our travel trailer always offers us a special way to reconnect. Out in nature, away from the day-to-day noise, we find moments of real calm and connection. Still, we longed for something to enjoy together at home—a fun, ongoing pursuit to keep us busy and bring us even closer.
That’s when we stumbled upon a surprising new passion: 3D printing and bargain hunting for everything related! What started as simple curiosity quickly turned into weekend adventures at thrift stores and online marketplaces, searching for deeply discounted products, filaments, gizmos, and gadgets. The thrill of the hunt, the excitement of watching our ideas come to life layer by layer, and the laughter over trial-and-error projects have brought our family even closer.
This blog is our way of sharing these new adventures: our journey through 3D printing, finding deals, creative crafting, and—most importantly—our ongoing search for peace, one project and one small victory at a time. We welcome anyone in search of hobby inspiration, encouragement in recovery, or simply a bit of family fun to follow along, connect, and share your own stories.
Here’s to new beginnings, the strength of supportive families, and the endless possibilities of creative exploration. We can’t wait to see where this journey leads us—and we hope you’ll join us along the way.

 


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6 comments

Recovery isn’t only about the person with the addiction, it affects everyone around them in one way or another and it is a constant work in progress, not an overnight success story. Recovery is a family journey—one that extends far beyond the individual struggling with addiction. It touches spouses, children, parents, and even close friends. Everyone feels the ripple effects, from the initial chaos and heartbreak to the gradual rebuilding and moments of shared hope. Recovery doesn’t change one person, everyone is forced to learn new ways of relating, and find their own healing. Some days, it’s about offering support and patience; on others, it’s about setting boundaries or speaking honestly about pain and fears. We’ve all had to grow, forgive, and discover new strengths in ourselves and each other.

We will try to let our story reflect both sides—the personal victories and the collective effort. True recovery is something we do together, strengthening our bonds through openness, shared goals, and a willingness to keep moving forward even when things get tough.
If you’re walking alongside a loved one in recovery, know that your support matters more than you might ever realize. Healing happens in community, and transformation is possible for everyone involved—one day,
Looking ahead, we’re more excited than ever for what the future holds. We realize that while recovery is a continuous process, so too is the pursuit of happiness and fulfillment. Each new skill we learn—whether designing something from scratch with our 3D printer, mastering a new camping recipe, or perfecting the art of thrifting—adds another layer to our family’s story.
We’ve found that some of our best moments come from the most unexpected places. Maybe it’s sitting around a campfire after a long hike, talking about the weirdest object we found at a flea market. Maybe it’s celebrating a 3D print that finally works after weeks of trial and error. Or maybe it’s just enjoying a quiet evening together, recognizing how far we’ve come.
What matters most, we’ve learned, isn’t perfection or even constant progress—it’s presence. Being there for each other, having patience on the tough days, and celebrating the wins, no matter how small. Our hope is that by sharing our journey, others will feel encouraged to embrace their own ups and downs, and to find peace—even if just for a moment—in activities that bring joy and connection.
Thank you again for following along. Together, let’s keep chasing curiosity, celebrating triumphs (and failures), and finding joy in both the mess and the magic of new beginnings. Until next time, here’s to more happy discoveries—whatever form they may take.

Terry Shipman

T we’ve been friends since 9 grade.
I couldn’t be more proud and excited for you. It the new chapter of your story of life and most importantly your family!
Remember I’ll always be here if you need me.

Mike

So proud of you and your family! Recovery is a tough, but beautiful journey! Can’t wait to see all your creations and finds on here. Best wishes!!

Stephanie Jordan

I am proud of you for your journey. We do recover and just have to take it one second at a time in certain moments! Keep pushing forward! Praying for many new happy memories!

Cassie Neighbors

Very Cool & Very Awesome.
That is something to not take for granted!

Jason Briscoe

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