5 o clock. Then I have to run my time sheet to the agency before 5:30.

And at 5:31 you can curl up at home and let the stress take a hike.

You are NOT sniveling. Splash some cold water on your face and concentrate on what has to be done right now at work. Deal with the rest later in the privacy of your own place.

I like the first one, Empress.

You are not sniveling. And Fay is very, very wise. Follow her advice.

Does this place you're at currently have an assortment of free tea & coffee stuff in the kitchen? If so, go snag two teabags (black tea, pref. w/o any citrus oils), the scamper back to the bathroom. Moisten the teabags under cold water, squeeze them so they're just damp, and then put them on your closed eyelids while you hide in a stall for five minutes. This will make your eyes less puffy & red, and help lessen the need for concealer. (Tho' I bet you don't look anywere NEAR as bad as you think.)

I'm sorry you're having a rough day, Erin. Remind yourself that there's a light at the end of the tunnel - you have a job in the fall! An excellent job! Getting to there may not be easy, but you will get there.

Erin, do you have any family you could borrow $500, or $1000 from? I almost never suggest this to adults, because I think you feel better when you get out of the hole and don't owe any of your hard earned cash to anyone else. But sometimes, you need 10 fingers to start climbing. I hate to see you going without your medication and dammit girl, if you spiral down too low, the journey back is slower to start.

Erin, insent.

All of my friends are with their boyfriends or finances or husbands. My last single GF is in love and I am extremely bitter. Not wishing her ill, not wishing me married...but still. It's like the extra long nail in my coffin of Bitter McHate.

But as long as I can revel in area rugs, it's not all bad. I think I'll just go home, make super garlicky spaghetti and breathe on the cats. I should make a virtue out of not being able to buy smokes -- ok. And my friend gave me some bubble bath and lotion from B&BW for a thank-you gift, but it's chocolate-scented. I don't like fake-chocolate scent, so I think I will scrub out my tub and then go trade it in for something yummy and spend a good part of the night in the tub. I have a Burroughs reader my friennd's husband lent me. I will skulk and sulk and possibly have a good cry and then get up and try to push through till Friday.

Thanks, all. I am such a freaky bitchface.

I like the first rug, Aimee.

Okay, so the guy sitting in for my boss while boss is out recovering from surgery *will* be here in the office after all. At least, he is today.

Man, I need to motivate myself to actually do work while I'm at work or quit.

Erin, it's a rough situation, and you're stressing out about it. I don't think that's sniveling--just venting. I've been in that place--doing temp work while the bills mount--and I know it's scary. But it is also, as advertised, temporary--for you as well as for the employers. You'll get to meet loads of people, some of whom will eventually be able to help you to the sort of job you really want. Or you'll have some income until you find a good, permanent job on your own. Either way, you'll get there.

Erin - here's hoping that today was the worst day. I know there is a lot to do to get there, but you are really close to a place where you'll be complaining about money problems- but it will be because you have to chose between the big size or the little size. hang in there

Erin, that sounds like a good plan. Take care.

I like the first rug best.