Dire Straights

Let's face it, things are becoming dire. 

During these desperate times its easy to fall into the black hole that is depression. The way I look at it we have a choice: fall into the black hole or step back and decide not to jump head first. How about we decide to take a deep breath and tap into all our strength and courage? Resiliency is needed, because we are all resilient and sometimes we surprise ourselves with what we are capable of. 

Me? The health and well being of my family is what keeps me going these days. That's what's important. So today, I'm going to tap into my resolve and enjoy the little things that make me happy. 

• FaceTime chats with my friends and family make me happy. 
• Group text messages with my entire extended family, sharing photos and checking in makes me happy. 
• Family dinners, enjoyed together makes me happy. 
• A cocktail after a stressful day makes me happy. Thank God for liquor.
• The 2 shamrock plants that sit on my counter top that I bought for St. Patty's Day make me happy.  
• A vigorous daily workout makes me happy. (but not while I am doing it)
• All of those hilarious videos of "Corona Compilations" that talented, bored people are putting out make me happy. 
• A hike in the woods and walking the dog make me happy.
• Netflix makes me happy. 
• The daily jokes my friend tells on Facebook makes me happy.
• People that are home-making masks for the first responders who so desperately need them, even though some vigilantly say they they are not safe? Ask the professionals who sometimes have no other choice, their efforts make me happy. 
• Even doing the laundry makes me happy and gives me a sense of purpose. 

We all need a sense of purpose. So hold on tight everyone! Stay home and stay healthy and pray for those who are the sickest and offer your support. It's all we can do. Be grateful if you are healthy and follow the guidelines to stay that way.

This too shall pass, God willing, and trust that the powers that be are trying to help us out of this mess the pandemic has created. 

It's a better choice than succumbing to dire straights.

January Doldrum

I hate January.

It's not even the tons of snow and dangerously freezing weather that we have been hit with lately. It's the time of the year when everything feels...stagnant. The holidays are over, its time to get back into the groove of things and its always a time for re-evaluation. And who really wants to do that? We always seem to be in a holding pattern in January; holding out for spring and waiting for the new year to begin or holding out for something more.

I read recently that Jan 6th is the most depressing day of the year. "Blue Monday", as it has been dubbed, is said to bring on terrible depression in some. With winter's dark and shortened days, the excitement of the holidays now come and gone and those additional pounds and bills piling up, it's easy to see why January is a least favorite month among people. In the beauty industry, it's the month to focus on Health and Wellness which goes along with the New Year and the New You philosophy. That's a positive way to look at things, but then there's the reality that says January sucks. Plain and simple.

A British Protein drink Maker claims that they analyzed over 2 million tweets over three years for negative language and concluded the Jan 6th date. Scientists do NOT agree.

“There is simply no science to support that statement,” says Dr. Gail Saltz, a psychiatrist and TODAY contributor. “The idea that you can cull negative words from tweets and then from that conclude that it is the most depressing day of the year sounds absurd from a science standpoint.”

Either way, I have concluded that January is the red headed step-child of the calendar year. With it's miserable weather and insincere "fresh new outlook" mentality, January can go pound sand for all I care. Bring on the ground hog, the Super Bowl, Valentines day and much more hopeful time of year because love cures all! Sorry January but you're time has come.

Just Like Donald Trump says, "January, you're fired."

Monday Morning

Ughhh. Monday...

If you ask me Sunday is the greatest day of the week.
But not yesterday. Sunday is my only day of the week to power down and re-charge my battery. But not yesterday.

Yesterday sucked.

Yesterday was right up there with one of the worst days of my life. Top five for sure.
What I learned:

• I'm not superwoman.
• I have to ask for help because I need it.
• I'm fooling no one but myself and I'm not even fooling myself, which means I suck at that too.

So here it is Monday and I'm completely depleted of any optimism or freshness. I'm stuck here in hell and I need to get out. I'm feeling like I'm waaay back at my opponent's 5 yard line and there is not a receiver in sight. Do I take the sack or do I take my ball and get off the field? Neither option is going to give me any relief. And the kicker? It's a gloomy, misty, cold Monday morning. Not even a dose of vitamin D to get me going. 

Why bother?

Anyone seen my mojo? Let it know I'm lobbing a Hail Mary to the end zone and I'm going to pray it gets caught. 

Dogger Depression

SEE BUDDY

Remember him? This is my beloved 8 year old Boxer Buddy. And do you remember that I just lost my baby girl dog, Jingle,who was 9 years old, no more than two weeks ago? We all took it hard, as she was a member of our family and it still stings. But Buddy? He is taking it the hardest.

I think Buddy is depressed. Is that possible?

Buddy and Jingle were like peas and carrots. They grew up together and shared everything. They even slept in the same crate together every night; with the door open, so I know it was their choice.

It wasn't a romantic love they shared, it was more like a brother-sister love and Buddy has been lost without her. It's so heartbreaking to see him lay around and sort of sulk. He still has Amos, the boss, and the Alpha of the group so he's not completely alone, but I never realized how tough the loss of one of the pack was going to be on Buddy. And Jingles, his favorite one.

What do I do? Do they have doggie shrinks? Does he need doggie Prozac or anti depressants or will this ride it's course out while he adjusts?I mean, we all have to adjust. The thing that worries me is that Amos is the old dog. We aren't quite sure how old Amos is, because he was a rescue dog, but I know his age is somewhere in the teens. He's in great shape, but I'm worried that when it's Amos' time how Buddy will handle it? As it is right now, he's requiring a lot more attention and we are more than happy to give it to him.

Today I'm in no position to get another dog. I've had three dogs for close to a decade and I've loved every minute of it. Would I do it again? Hell NO. Yet, the boys seem so lonely without her.

I just want to see the little spring creep back into Buddy's step. I somehow think Jingles would have wanted it that way.