Sean, if you bring laundry to our house, I'm happy to do a load for you. The joys of summer vacation--I actually HAVE time to do that kind of thing.

Good morning, board-people for whom it is morning! I'm sorry for those feeling down and stressed. I have an abundance of spoons at the moment and only wish I could share some of them. For the first time in years, I'm looking at a month that involves no official work or travel or Big Events, and I'm so ready for it.

I also think a lot of the extra spoon-having is the fact that I've become a runner. I've been running regularly since March, and I'm amazed at what it's done for my overall stress and anxiety. I've now run in two races (one 5K and one 10K), and I've enjoyed them so much that I've decided that will be a regular part of my routine. They keep me motivated. The 5Ks are easy at this point, which blows my mind. I've been training for a half marathon in San Diego next month, and although it scares the hell out of me, I'm very excited about it. My only downer at the moment is that I've suffered my first running injury; I did something to my knee on Saturday and ran in a lot of pain for yesterday's 10K. That combined with the horrible heat wave slowed me down a lot, which was a disappointment. Still, I finished. I've been babying it since then and am hopeful it will pass quickly.

Another thing that could have been stressful but has turned out to be lovely is that Drew's Northern Irish cousin (technically second cousin once removed) Chloe has come to stay with us through the end of September. She is 20 and studying sound and music technology at university (total coincidence--we'd never met this branch of Dalzells before last year), so she's interning with his company. She is a total delight. Mature, great sense of humor, and so helpful. We are having so much fun having her here. We traveled to Florida for a theme park orientation (best legitimate tax write off ever) for ten days and just got back--now she is starting the real work part of the job.

Honestly, she's like the little sister or niece I've never had. I adore her.

So anyway, I share all of this because often I know I'm guilty of only posting when I need the loving support of the Board's broad shoulders, and I thought it might be nice to share some good news as well.

Pix, that is wonderful to hear. I think I gained a spoon just reading that. Hope your injury heals soon and completely - take it easy and slow!! Knee injuries are no joke.

Thanks, smonster. Also hugs. It's been way too long since I've been able to give them to you in person.

Yes to the knee--I know what the mental requirement is like, but I don't think many knees benefit from you keeping going through pain. You want to get that shit cleared up ASAP as opposed to lingering with unpredictable flareups.

Signed,
Spent 18 Months On A Cane Or Meds Until The Right PT Came Along.

Pix, I'm glad to hear things are going so well for you. Quick healing was for you so that you can get back to running soon.

I hope your knee heals quickly Pix. The rest sounds lovely.

Tomorrow I see the podiatrist about my foot. I'm really hoping he has an idea what the problem is. All my google-fu points to a broken 5th metatarsal, but the x-rays show no break or calcium buildup from a healing break. Plus it has been weeks with no realy change in symptoms. Grrrrrrr. We are going up to a friend's cabin next weekend and I'd like to do more than just sit on the porch and read (though, really, that would be a good weekend too).

Pix, that was lovely to read. Yay for being in a good place!

smonster, I know that weird, sad, unsettled feeling too. Sending you a hug, just because.

Suzi, I hope your podiatrist can tell you what's going on.

From the personal notebooks of T.S. Eliot

Ha!

We're having tornado warnings right now. Do not want.

You guys, I am not doing well with this job thing. We should know this week what kind of time frame we're looking at (IIRC, the contracts should be signed today, and Big!Boss doesn't want to talk about a time frame for transitioning things over, etc., until the money is in the bank), but my best guess is 2-4 weeks, and probably closer to 2.

Anyway, what I'm not doing well with (and that is the understatement of the year) is what to do next. I am paralyzed with fear and indecision and WAY more fear. It's been 18 years since I've had to look for a job (and I'm also freaked out at the idea that by staying with one company for so long, it's going to look horrible on my resume, like I haven't grown or achieved or produced deliverables [whatever the FUCK those even are] or learned things), and I feel completely unprepared to do it.

(And, I should note, I am filled with not only pants-shitting* fear, but also a huge amount of shame at being a grown-ass adult who doesn't know how to do this job-search thing. HUGE.)

I am an editor at a business-casual company. I don't have any business suits or other interview-appropriate clothing. I don't even know if people in my field WEAR business suits when they interview.

I don't even know where to start LOOKING for a job, and I'm certain that I'm not qualified to do anything except Olympic-level freaking out right now. (Which doesn't pay well.)

I don't know what to do or where to start. And I'm embarrassed that I'm a grown-ass adult who has to say that. But I could really, really, really use some advice.

I wasn't really going to post this until Big!Boss gave us a timeline, but I'm so unbelievably stressed out (see below) that I can't keep it inside anymore. It's killing me.

*(Not quite pants-shitting fear, but truly, I am SO stressed that my IBS, which had already flared back up because of wedding planning, before the sale was even announced, is HORRIFIC. My entire GI tract, top to bottom, hurts like knives. I am so bloated that it's comical-looking, but extremely uncomfortable. But mostly pain. And horrific trips to the bathroom. Enough said about that. I know the answer is "Don't be so stressed" -- my lovely mother actually told me the other day to "get over it" -- but if I knew how to do that, then I'd have my next career, selling the secret to getting over massive stress.)

I think you should take several deep breaths. And then several more.

Try to clear your mind and start making a list of what you think you need to do next.

Post it here and we can help.

For example: among the things on a hypothetical list may be, list your current job responsibilities and what kinds of things you are good at

then: list things you might be able to do in the near future with some training and/or time

then: list things you might want to do if you had your druthers

4. update resumé

5. try to look broadly for the kinds of jobs that might interest you

then you can tackle the list in whichever order makes sense or that you have energy for.