Literally Doesn't Mean Literally Any More, Literally.

*BOOSH*

While you listen to the sound of my head exploding, check out this fantastic post by KQED.org

Great writing and of course Calvin and Hobbes make everything better!

I'm still doing great and taking positive steps forward, so thanks for all of your support.

 

Enough With The Bipolar Already!

This poor blog has been dead in the water for quite some time now.

In the last couple of years I have gone to rehab and gotten sober, (almost 21 months of sobriety so far) grown my pet blogs beyond what I hoped for, and then let my mental health problems drag me down into a big dark pit of hopelessness.

Mental illness has the ability overtake all reasonable thought and if you're in a vulnerable position, it will do just that. I've let mental illness hold me hostage for way too long now.

I want to find the sound of my own voice and stop letting the chatter in my head run the show. It's not the hearing-other-people's-voices kind of chatter, for me it's all self defeating chatter.

Here's an example of how this affects me in real life: a couple of days ago I decided to go change from pajamas into 'real clothes'. Actually trying to take pride in my appearance for once. Then I caught myself saying out loud, “It doesn't matter what shirt you pick, you’re a fat pig anyways.” I said those words, out loud, to myself without even thinking about it.

Hey bipolar voice...SHUT THE HELL UP!  I've listened to you long enough, now I'm going to start using my own voice again.

I want my life back. I want to stop hiding in the house. I want to find ways to express my emotions again. I want to look for the beauty in things. I want to feel like a positive force in the world again. I want to tell my brain that I am not a fat pig.

I am smart, I am funny, I am loving, but I am NOT bipolar type II disorder. It does not define me. Not if I don't let it.

This may be a lot a bloviating, with no follow through. This might be another false start, but at least it is that…a start.

I’m fairly sure that this poor little bloggy doesn't have very many readers anymore, but if you’re out there then I’m saying, “Hey, it’s me, Mimi and I’m still here!”

Now if you wouldn't mind, cross your fingers and join me in hoping that I can start to dig myself out of this hole.  Baby steps are fine, as long as I'm still moving forward.

 

Hiking Through Book Review

Hiking Through. "One man's journey to peace and freedom on the Appalachian Trail" is a great read!

It's the stories and narrative as told by Paul Stutzmen, a widower who decides to thru hike the 2,176 mile Appalchian Trail. He takes us on a geographical journey from Springer Mountain Georgia, through 14 states, to Mt. Kathadin in Maine.

Stutzmen opens up about his personal life, from his childhood through present, and introduces us to those he has met on his journey. He weaves together a tale that is part travel log, part history lesson, and part sermon.

The book, at 332 pages, is a quick read and is thoroughly enjoyable. Upon completion, one is left with a wider understanding of humans and our interpersonal realtionships with each other, with nature, and with God.

Available May 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

 

Have You Discovered PicMonkey?

I may be the last one to discover PicMonkey, but just in case you haven't stumbled upon it yet I thought I'd tell you about it.

I took this picture

and turned it into this picture.

PicMonkey is easy, free and fun to use.  The only drawback is sometimes it's so busy you can't use it!

 

Hello!

Hi guys,

Have ya missed me?  I've missed all of you!  I've had some health struggles this year, resulting in more time in the hospital, but I think I'm on the right path now.

Everybody here is doing well & I'm getting ready to take some pet blogging trips.  Next week I go to Topeka at the invitation of Hill's Science Diet.  I'll be touring thier facilities for a couple of days, like I did with Iams last year.

In June I go to BlogPaws, the pet blogging version of BlogHer.

All of my men are doing well, Chris is working hard, Jack is almost 16 and getting ready to get his license, John David turned 20 in March & Oskar is busy being adorable.

I've dedicated time this morining to coming around and catching up with all of my blogging friends. 

I'd like to say that Mimi's back, but it's hard to tell when the blogging muse will be with you & when you'll feel like you've got nothing to say, but I hope you all have a great Wednesday!

Project 365 - Week 8

I figure week 8 isn't too late to start back up with Project 365, so here I go!

Sunday, February 19 - Saturday, February 25

Sunday

Chris & I went to a local restaurant called The Woodhouse, for some great smoked, grilled meats.  My plate doesn't reflect how good the food actually was, but I had beef brisket, mac & cheese, green bean casserole & corn bread.  We finished the meal with deep fried Twinkies, which sounds good in theory, but actually made us a little sick to our stomach :(

Monday

Oskar with the hooked rug that I've been sporadically working on.  It will be really pretty if I ever actually finish it.

Tuesday

A quilt my mom made for me using scraps from some of my grandma's clothes (she passed in December) along with other fabrics.  Some of my favorite gifts are my quilts.

The button on the tag is from the blouse she was wearing when she entered the hospital for the last time.

Wednesday

Oskar's nemesis, the squirrel.

Thursday

This balloon was waiting for me when I got home from the hospital on 1/23.  A month later it's still doing great.  It's tethered to the HOPE sign that we found in the hospital gift shop.

Friday

My friend Joanne from The Tiniest Tiger blog makes these amazing hipster bags.  They're so great that she was asked to go to Hollywood this week to giveaway the bags at one of the Oscar week swag rooms.  She sent me one and it's filled with lots of great kitty stuff.  I'll be giving one away over at Pet Blogs United starting tomorrow.

Saturday

Yesterday I made myself an omelette with tomato, fresh basil & feta cheese.  It was really good!

To see who else is playing along with Project 365, drop by Sara's blog. 

Hopefully I'll be back sooner rather than later!  I've missed my blogging friends.

Rest In Peace Whitney

I was planning on posting tonight after my long absence (another hospital visit), but tonight I'm just going to post on the tragic news of Whitney Houstons passing.  She had an amazing voice and it seems she just couldn't shake her drug demons.

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I'll be back in a day or so :)