Anyone tried self-hypnisis for changing their responses to stress and pain stimulation?

I've used some of the Silva Method stuff for stress and found it useful. With the extreme behavioral challenges occurring at the same time as extreme staff turnover at one of the houses I work at, it was definitely part of me not losing my mind and/or quitting (as well as part of why I got that award thingy in August). I have found it useful enough that if I were experiencing chronic pain I would at least try using it as part of the pain management.

All I know is that I'm making pie.

That sounds like a good weekend.

That's a pretty good article on depression, ita !

I'm pretty much done with feeling shame about having depression; through therapy and research, I'm understand and internalizing (finally) that that's on a par with being ashamed about having any other physical ailment. This doesn't let me off the hook for many of my behaviors; depression isn't a get out of jail free card, but I get that it there are things that I can control, AND things I cannot. Working to control some of the things some of the time is a process. I just can't spend energy on trying to deal with her issues when I am constantly fighting a battle with my own brain. And I feel remarkably OK about it.

This weekend, I'm going to a friend's bday gathering tonight, another friend's kid's birthday party tomorrow, clean some of the things, cook some zucchini bread, and work on some things I've been too depressed and anxious to work on (see what I did there?!)

Yay on the good news, Burrell!

Much signing.

This. So much this. My wrist now gets tired if I write by hand for more than a minute or two (can't imagine taking the kind of notes I used to for school), so I expect my wrist is going to be massively aching come the end of the signing.

This weekend will be spent hoping that Tropical Storm Karen doesn't veer over us and knock out the power.

Edit: And celebrating 9 years of marriage with Tom!

And drinking a lot of German beer.

Oh, I forgot -- movies tomorrow night.

I'm getting on a plane in a few hours. And I will spend the weekend in southern Wisconsin, far away from the news and my rage at Congress. Maybe I'll even do some writing, which would be nice. There will be big dogs (one stupid and one smart), and apple trees, and a prairie to walk across, and maybe some apple brandy to sample.

And if I get bored, I have the pilot to Masters of Sex on my laptop.

An early Happy Anniversary, Nora and Tom!

This weekend, I am performing, working, probably not going to a cast party, decorating the house in preparation for next weekend's Spooky Tiara Bitches' Brunch, and figuring out what I'm going to cook for M for Canadian Thanksgiving (we're so busy that I have to start prep a week and a half in advance). Also, maybe going to Hardly Strictly Bluegrass. If I don't go to HSB, I will attempt Key Lime Pie for the first time.

(If I'm honest, I'll probably get the first 2 done and then imitate a sloth for the rest of my free time.)

Family friend posted another urban legend this morning, this one attributed to Bill Cosby with things like

I'm tired of being told that Islam is a "Religion of Peace," when every day I can read dozens of stories of Muslim men killing their sisters, wives and daughters for their family "honor".

I gave up and unfriended her.