From the Psychoneurotic Institute for the Very, VERY Nervous

For some reason I'm having a meltdown today, and my brain won't listen to reason.

In the moment I even worry about being worried, but at the same time am not worried about the anxiety long term.

Here are the things I'm worrying about:
Being worried.
Not getting my room clean before I go to MI for my grandma's birthday.
Accidentally forgetting all sorts of things--to make my bed
Not completing tasks before I go.
Being late, even though the flight isn't for another 5 hours.
Having over-felted my new mittens, hat, and neckwarmer.
Whether I'm going to have troubles checking luggage.
Whether I'll bother checking luggage.
Whether if I take anti-anxiety medicine I'll fall asleep and miss the plane.
That I won't be able to eat because of the timing of the flight.
ARGH!!!!

Even doing the things I'm afraid I won't get done isn't helping.

It's insane and very out of the ordinary. I suppose this is what meds are for, though, right?

Even so, I think I'll meditate first. But what if it doesn't work and I fall asleep and miss my plane?

(I'm halfway making fun of myself with this post, but the feelings are indeed all real. Ugh)

$2.99

I really love my local thrift store. All of this, for less than what one single remnant usually goes for.

All me, all the time.

If it's not about Bubba these days, it's about me, I guess! This photo is circa 1990-1991ish. I'm so silly!

Ahead of the fashion curve

I went to Georgia last weekend, did I mention? I can't remember. Anyway, I got dinner with some friends, who took pictures. And then they did this to the photo:

I played the bugle!

Me. In the news.

Fun day yesterday!

BTW, the Durham Herald Sun (First link) is annoyingly registration only. So here are the relevant bits, as an excerpt:

At the park

About 100 people and a few dogs from the Old West Durham and Watts-Hillandale neighborhoods gathered at Oval Park for a parade after watching the inaugural proceedings on TV.

With snow on the ground and flakes still falling, chants of "Obama" and "Yes we did" rose from those assembled as they took a couple of laps around the park, led by American and North Carolina flags and a cardboard cutout of Obama.

"I was glued to the TV," said STEW, who was playing a bugle along to the "Yes we did" cheer. "I was lucky enough to have a snow day. I expected to be at work. It was a lucky gift."


(Ahem, they misquoted me. I said it was a "simple" gift."

Photo: Chris Seward, News and Observer.

I got a simple gift today.

'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free,
'Tis the gift to come down where you ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.
When true simplicity is gain'd,
To bow and to bend we shan't be asham'd,
To turn, turn will be our delight,
Till by turning, turning we come round right.

Simple gifts

We've come 'round right, y'all.

SNOW!

There's maybe an inch of snow on the ground. I don't want to go to work. Do you think I can call in with a bad hair day?



UPDATE: SNOW DAY!!!!!!!

If you can't beat 'em...

He tried his best to cover his ears, but...

Bad. Boy.

I cleaned my room this weekend, and the floor is now mostly visible. The Bubster has been loving being able to come in as he wishes. Before he didn't dare, lest he slip on my undies or trip on my shoes. Which he did, from time to time.

But NOW!! OH my, he's in love with my room. He slept on the floor beside my bed last night, and I was guilty the whole time--like he currently liked me better or something. I thought that might be because yesterday I spent an unusual amount of time with the boy. Took him out for coffee, picked up his poop, consoled him when the flickering power had driven his tail between his legs and his tongue into hyper pant mode.

So yeah, Bubba loves me.

When I came home from work a while ago, I wondered if he'd be on the blanket next to my bed still. He wasn't in Roommate's room on his doggie bed. He wasn't on the couch, which is his second favorite place to be. Next to my bed, right?

He wasn't.

He was ON MY BED BAD BOY BUBBA BAD BAD BAD BAD!!

(I don't care, but Roommate does. I thought it was cute.)

BAD BUBBA!

Oh my aching...

Which of these things do you think benefits profusely from the heating pad I'm using?

1) My right arm
2) My shoulder
3) My neck
4) My back

Answer: You're right!

I've been having some weird muscle pain recently, which is unrelated to any sort of overexertion. Unfortunately.

Fortunately, I have the aforementioned heating pad. The cord is currently hanging out of my brown velour v-neck (I was inspired). I've positioned it for maximum relief, wedged over my shoulder, upper back, and upper arm. Under the v-neck, but above the t-shirt. Wouldn't want to get burned, you know. When I'm near a plug, it's connected.

How old am I, again?

What you missed.

Happy New Year!

The Wusses were way better than I could even have hoped. I'll never miss them again, I think.


The setlist:

• Lady (The Little River Band)
• Things We Do For Love (10cc)
• Jackie Blue (Ozark Mountain Daredevils)
• I'd Really Love to See You Tonight (England Dan and John Ford Coley)
• You Are The Woman (Firefall)
• Sister Golden Hair (America)
• Lonesome Loser (TLRB)
• Brandy (Looking Glass)
• Love Will Find A Way (Pablo Cruise)
• Reminiscing (TLRB)
• Auld Lang Syne (Robbie Burns)
• Baby Come Back (Player)
• Ride Like the Wind (Christopher Cross)
• Ride Captain Ride (Blues Image)

Do yourself a favor and make a mix tape of this. And then make me one!

Holy Matrimony

If you get a chance, order the steak frites at the Federal.

Flat Iron steak (rare or at least medium rare) sliced into manageable chunks of deliciousness.
Upscale poutine -- Home cut fries with chunks of mushroom brie on top and then smothered in gravy.

I didn't order this meal. That makes me very sad. I'm sure it also made my dining partner sad, as I ended up barely restraining myself from hogging his meal. I might have to go to the Federal today or tomorrow to experience the goodness.

Oh, Happy New Year. I woke up ravenous, can you tell?