Steph, I have no job seeking advice except listen to the Buffistas.

The hivemind is strong and gives good advice!

Note to self: Teppy is changing her name to Job.

Perhaps that will help her get one!

Steph, my sister in change-related freak-outs, if only someone knew a remedy! Hang on, don't gnaw your arm off, you will be okay. (I just typed "you will be polka" and I can't even blame autocorrect. I need coffee or something.)

I want to be polka!

It would be good habit (which means I don't and won't) to update your resume every time you hear someone else has to for every reason. Every time you add something significant, etc. It should be a living document.

I haven't looked at mine since I got my last job, but I keep meaning to. Maybe this time.

Steph, if you can stay employed for 18 years, you're some kind of unicorn. Wear your horn proudly, and shit rainbows over every HR department. You will shortly have the best resume. Your back is got.

Steph, if you'll be using any current managers or coworkers as references, be sure to get non-work-based contact info for them. I know it sounds obvious, but it's easy for that sort of thing to fall through the cracks.

I went to the doctor today for a follow up with my swelling feet.

So it could be a side effect of Risperdal because about 3% of the people who take it get peripheral edema. It could be thyroid related, especially since I have been really bad about taking the thyroid medicine. Which is really bad since I made such a fuss about those appointments. Or it could be something else.

It is probably not heat related. Because I've lived in Florid and never had a reaction like this to heat before, not even earlier this year when it was 90 degrees for a couple of days!

I had lab work done. They should get the results back tomorrow, if it's serious I'll hear about it. If it's not then Wednesday I see my shrink, he's getting the lab results too and I'll tell him the whole long story. If he decides to take me off the medicine (which is my hope b/c I've had blurry vision and increased anxiety) then I go off the diuretic and see if the swelling goes away. If he keeps me on it or the swelling continues I have a follow up appointment with my regular GP on the 18th.

My anxiety is a little better,in that I'm not freaking out that there's something seriously wrong with me (other than the normal stuff) I'm still anxious about things but it's not sending me to the ER.

Steph, I have heard from those in the know that the most impressive stage manager's resume in the book of resumes at actor's equity in New York simply says "Production Stage Manager on Broadway for Thirty Years."

Your one job for eighteen years says basically the same thing.

All day I've been freaking out because I sent an email meant for my assistant to my Editor in Chief. Nothing bad, just joking because he called me "the best editor ever" at the same time he misspelled my name. I felt awful. An hour ago he emailed me joking that he'd just been testing to see if I was really paying attention. I apologized, and he replied that it was a "perfectly normal email." And now I feel like an idiot for freaking out so bad. But I never sent an email to the wrong person before! I need a drink.

Other have said it better but i'll say it again: 18 years experience at the same job is GOLDEN. That's miraculous in our generation and proves that you are a trustworthy and utterly capable employee. Not to mention wise beyond explanation but that's more difficult to fit onto a resume. Make a resume and a few cover letter drafts with Strix and start sending them out to anything that looks even vaguely possible. Start putting out feeler to anyone you know who works for a company you might want to work for, get the 'networking' thing working for you. I suppose it would be odd to put on wedding invited that job offers are a welcome gift option? Maybe Jilli can figure out a way to word that which would make Miss Manners proud.

When I was job hunting a few years ago I was astonished at how impressed HR people were with my (very simple) resume and covers letters. Having a working understanding of the English language is a valuable job skill anywhere. (Of course now I'm working in a job where we essentially use coded text speak but hey, we get places via all kindsa weird paths.)

Pix, such a lovely update. I had been seeing the photos of your houseguest and wondering all kinds of things given most of the Dalzell relative stories. Glad to hear this is an great one!

ION, coconut oil is apparently a rather good personal lubricant option. I never would have thought of that.

I use it on my skin because I sit so much...Dr. Oz intended it as a tip for chapped lips, but Mom figured skin is skin. It seems to help.