Dear nurse practitioner. We do NOT. Repeat NOT need to make small talk before using the words "everything's fine" when calling with test results. I will talk to you after, but did not at that moment care how sunny it was outside.

Thanks so much for the ~ma, returning it to base until I can get the jet-pack trade in scheduled.

No shit, Sox!

Ok, better now. Wood chipper shut up, that helped.

That was the first full blown panic attack I've had since I got sober. Which is actually great! Because I handled it like a boss! A shaking, crying, sweating BOSS.

Go team me!

Thank you for being part of my support system, y'all.

Congrats sarameg on being one step closer to closing the door on CSWTFE

And kudos Rebecca on being so prepared for your trip!

I am patting myself on the back for not quitting on life. It's not much, but that's as good as it gets right now.

We put a lot of value judgement on housekeeping and it honestly doesn't belong there. We live in a complex world. We are not 1950's housewives whose role is tied up in our ability to set a neat table. There is a lot of living going on, and if that means our houses get messy, then so be it.

Conceptually I agree with you, but I suspect that the messiness of my house is killing me and stressing my kids out. I might have embraced this philosophy a little too hard.

Good job, Strix!

Yes, and kudos Strix on vanquishing the demons

Yay everything being fine, sox!

I am chilling at my Airbnb while my friend goes and rents a bike--she got up and went to yoga this morning (we saw it last night while walking around) but I woke up with a migraine (not super surprising given the ridiculous travel length, but I was expecting one yesterday not today!). Finally feeling better, after more napping and basically bailing on the convo with the guy we hired to drive us around the next three days (which is sounding like it was an excellent plan, so far). But after lunch and yummy ice cream bars I bailed and she's going to go be active in the sun while I chill before dinner and then our star gazing tour tonight which I am super excited about!!! And tomorrow we start what we really came here for: the crazy landscapes and desert and photographs!

Dan got me the housecleaning Groupon because I was overwhelmed at where to start with the house. He had been awesome at pulling his fair share, but the house needed a deep clean, a fresh slate, and we were both overwhelmed.

One of the things that frustrates me most about anxiety is that it acts up when positive things are afoot.

Well, that's done. I've applied to my own damned job.

I've been there. I feel ya.

Hm. I guess there are worse letters to suddenly lose.

Ha! Things are looking up in Words With Friends games! jk

Glad you made it through, Strix. Also glad to hear you are sober.

That's wonderful news, Sox!

flea, I'd be side-eying them too. That's just a little too... too, ya know?

Woo hoo for finally posting your own job, sara!

I suspect that the messiness of my house is killing me and stressing my kids out. I might have embraced this philosophy a little too hard.

Every time I have visited you, I am struck by one thing: the awesomeness of your family. I don't see the messiness, but I definitely felt the love. Be kind to yourselves.

I am not taking Benadryl. I am not taking Benadryl. I am not taking Benedryl.

Nothing like losing yourself to a three hour nap in the middle of the day, yesterday, after taking Benedryl. Everything is blooming here--the cherries, the crabapples, the forsythia, I suspect the apples and almonds, too. It's gorgeous but, oh by ghot, ahh-choo! Serially ah-choo. Time to google non-drowsy antihistimines.

Glad you got through, Strix.

I'd bop her for you, Sox, but she did have good news. I think we can give her a pass for that, right?

I have a two-pound crystal sphere that would suffice for bowling over people, instead of bludgeoning. I'm short, so taking them out below the knees is better stategy for me than trying to reach up to bludgeon, even with an implement. Otherwise it would just be beating them with a coffee cup or the laptop, and in both cases, no.