I’ve developed a congestion cough. Horrible when I first wake up and then short bouts randomly. Boo, do not like. I’m going to take a hot shower with non-vicks vapory stuff in it and then go to the pharmacy and get halls and a humidifier (I had nose bleeds last week).

Sorry for the stress Matt. Hope you can turn your brain off today.

You’re welcome, msbelle? (Also, sorry!)

Sorry about your stress, Laura. It feels like we're all overdue for some quiet, boring times.

Also sorry to hear you're dealing with congestion, msbelle. May you soon be free of both phlegm and Mucinex's disgusting ads to get rid of it.

Today seems a vast improvement stress wise. Up at a reasonable hour on a Sunday morning for a heathen layabout, already got my grocery shopping for the week done and put away in my cupboards, bought refill scratch pads for my cats, and fed the whole household.

I'm having my mom over this evening to watch the Golden Globes, so I need to sweep several rooms and do a bit of tidying up. The thought of it isn't making me want to curl up under a blanket, so I'll take that as a win.

Oh, I forgot about the Globes. I could use some fashion distraction.

Hello again, friends! I've mostly been lurking and not posting for a while. I could blame work stress, perimenopause, brain weasels -- take your pick!

For about two years now, I've been putting serious consideration into quitting my job, as things have been slowly sliding into resentment and misery. I've been doing a lot of prep over that time and had just started working with a financial advisor when my work org sent out a notification at the end of September about a voluntary severance program. These had been offered in different organizations at my company and I'd had my eye out, as with my 17.5 years of service I'd qualify for about 8 months of severance pay. And I was like, how fortuitous that I could get paid to leave when it's something I desperately want to do anyway!

So I went for it. This will be my last week before my separation date where I enter into the great unknown. Other than recovering from burnout and spending more time on creative shit, I don't have any immediate plans other than to go to the Art of Manga exhibit before it closes.

I still owe David a drink. But hopefully we can make that happen now that I'll have a lot more free time.

Congratulations, shrift, that is fantastic news!

Congrats shrift, that sounds nice (and holy wow, 17.5 years??)

I had a busy day yesterday but today all I did was read fanfic, do laundry, and now watch the golden globes.

Congratulations, Shrift!!!

I still owe David a drink. But hopefully we can make that happen now that I'll have a lot more free time.

Congratulations! I'm happy to collect when you're a free range chicken.

voluntary severance

Congratulations, but a caution...when I left my last job, the transition to COBRA was not smooth, and took longer than I expected, almost six weeks. Guard yourself against anything similar.