Happy birthday, Sparky!

For the record, I have never found Teppy to be tiresome about anything and her writing helped me admit the state I'm in. I suspect that I don't vent enough; I just sit alone in my black hole and gibber. Also, for some reason, I use a lot more semicolons.

Teppy, you're not tiresome. It just concerns me - and, I assume others - to hear that you're having such a hard time of it. We're here, we care, we want you to be happy. Do what you need to do to take care of yourself and, if it includes posting here, do it.

Happy Birthday, Sparky! And enjoy your pampering today. I hope it's all very wonderful and relaxing.

Did I say YAY TOM? I can't recall if I said it here. I *know* I said it last night out loud when I read about the job offer. Typing it? Not so sure.

Tep, I personally applaud you for being able to talk about the things that are big issues for you. Seriously. I usually can't talk about things with people until the issue is resolved and I'm on the other end of it. HOWEVER! That does not mean that I judge you in any way (or anyone else, for that matter) for talking about it here on the board. In fact, I wish sometimes that I could be more open when I'm dealing with mountains of crap. I think that Buffistas almost always have extremely helpful advice when the shit hits the fan.

As for my ounce of advice, stress hits us all in different ways and manifests in different ways throughout our lives. I've personally never been as far down the rabbit hole as you've been feeling lately, so I can't relate entirely, but I do know that sometimes it helps to just FEEL everything. It sucks and it wreaks havoc on you, but if the tears are there, cry them out. If the rage is there, beat the shit out of a punching bag (but not if you have to drive to a punching bag - just punch on your mattress or something). Pushing the emotions down causes issues later on. I fully and truly believe that.

And if, in the time that it's taken me to write, delete, re-write and finally post this, you've told us all to shut it and move on... then I'm sorry. Ignore all of the above. But I still adore you and I'm vibing for light at the end of this tunnel for you.

Happy Birthday, Sparky!!! Go have a salad and a slice of pizza!

Er, so if now that the nasty, cruel sore throat has eased up allows me to notice other symptoms that point to a sinus infection - amoxicillin will get the job done, right? I don't have to go back to the doctor?

ETA: Of course, I just read something that indicates antibiotics don't really help sinus infections all that much anyway.

Happy Birthday, Sparky!

Happy Birthday, Sparky!!!

Tep, I point at the words above, and hope you follow the advice. I'd ad to the pile, but alas, I'm too gronkified to tap out something as eloquent as the wise ones above.

MM, glad to hear your 2 car situation is so utopian. At this rate, you won't have anything to complain about. Will this cut into your creative abilities? Hope not. Wow, that kinda sounds like I'm hoping angst for you. Not the case.

Ima gonna shut up now. Damn snooze bar already disengaged. gotta go to work. 2 meetings today in the middle of tech rehearsals. Word is, they are using the F word (furlough). Gotta love these trying economic times.

Happy Birthday to Sparky! Add a cupcake to your salad and slice! Enjoy the well deserved pampering.

Teppy, we love you and want to be here for you however it helps. Spill away in thread and listen to or ignore the helpful suggestions, or take a break. Whatever helps you - you can even change your mind a dozen or so times a day! FWIW, although I haven't suffered panic attacks personally I do have loved ones that suffer from them and I find the discussion of coping techniques personally helpful.

Did I say YAY TOM? I can't recall if I said it here. I *know* I said it last night out loud when I read about the job offer. Typing it? Not so sure.

This is me, all the time! I jump in and read stuff and send ~ma and/or smile happily at the news, and then I can't remember later if I actually posted. Like all the time.

Steph, as someone who let things slip completely out of control while I sat back and pretended everything was okay, I'm discovering it's all about balance. Again. I think there's no need to go running, and we all know that this isn't forever. We love you and want to help.

Tep, lots of good advice here. I hope some of it helps. My only two cents is that I wish I was a tenth articulate as you, especially when under pressure. My technique was learned from the same book as Ginger and Nicole. If writing about it is what helps you make it through, please don't stop. If you honestly feel it's hurting, then do stop.

I don't think I added a Yay, Tom! to the congratulations yesterday. As I said, I'm in a particularly inarticulate hole right now. But I do wish everyone well and all the ~ma and Whoohoos they could want.