Doreen's Fresh Start & Success Story! (Welcome Friends!)

[DoeWDW]

Pearlieq - nice to know I'm not alone in trying to keep the family from stealing all my healthy food. Guess everyone should start buying stock in Breyers yogurt because I'll need to buy 21 containers each week to have enough for my kids AND myself.

Tracy - thanks for the tune! Twist & Shout is so cheery! It's impossible not to smile and dance when it's on! Disney thoughts are always good!

Last night's play performance was wonderful! We had a great time talking to many friends and new acquaintances at the party afterward too. It's nice to have time to chat and connect with others. I don't do this nearly enough.

Today I slept in until 8 AM!!! How nice to wake up at a leisurely pace instead of hitting the alarm clock and jumping out of bed on a tight schedule to get out the door.

My plans today include a 2 - 3 mile walk in the sunshine, 2 loads of laundry (wash, dry, fold and PUT AWAY!), and writing a proposal for creating a web site for the child care center. If I get those 3 things finished, the day will be a huge success! My goals are all the same, so I won't list them. I haven't started on any of them yet.

Blessings to all on this glorious day!

EDIT: 10:15 AM
Just finished walking 3 miles with DS in the beautiful sunshine!! It took less than 45 minutes and we were strolling at a very comfortable pace, not pushing. I think I'll do just fine next weekend at Ocean City.

Now I'm off to find a large glass of ice water, take a shower and eat breakfast. I feel like I started my day on a very positive note!

EDIT: 12:45 PM
Pills taken. B = bowl of Total Raisin Bran. First load of laundry in the washer.

 

[lulu201]

Your attitude is just pouring over me, WISH-sis! I can feel your good all the way over here in Bucks County! I'm feeling that way, too--happy that it's Saturday, happy that the is out, and happy that we're going to be walking our walk together next weekend.

Let's seize the day--and the laundry!
Erin

 

[septbride2002]

Brian steals my yogurt all the time! LOL! I bought him all the junk food he likes, pretzels, chips, cheese dips - and what does he want? My grapes, bannanas, and apples. But he is so cute I just forget about it.

Nice job on the walk! I bet it felt good to get outside and stretch those legs! I love the first few weeks of spring when the sun is out and the weather is warmer after being cooped up all winter long.

~Amanda

 

[DoeWDW]

It's Monday.

I'm trying to put a positive spin on things but the truth is that I'm feeling down. Monday is here. This work week looks like a not-so-good one. My brain says to have a positive attitude but my stomach is tied in knots. This goes deeper than negative self-talk - it's more of a gut reaction. How can I fight that?

Thank goodness I only work 4 days this week. Friday I'm off - it's my travel day to Ocean City for the half marathon on Saturday. By Friday I'll NEED a day off. I'm so looking forward to a couple days spent with my dear friend Erin. It will help wash away all the stress of this work week.

Breakfast was from the EVM - a bottle of water and a pack of crackers. I just took my pills. Devotion this morning talked about giving, both in times of plenty and in times when you feel you don't have much to give, trusting God to provide. I have many thoughts on this but will sum it up this way - when I have more time than money, I'm apt to donate my time rather than dollars.

Today I'll do the best I can. I'm altering my goals.
1. Spend time in prayer at least 3 times today.
2. Walk at least one mile after work.

Those are my only two goals. I think they are the two things I can do to truly help myself today.

My scale is still stuck on 155. At least it isn't going up. I haven't been eating properly and exercising enough to expect it to go down. After the OC half, I'll try to work on this.

Onward into my day.

 

[lulu201]

Good morning, Doreen, and extra for your work day. It's hard to accept the physical "gut" feeling, but deep,deep inside you know that you can cope with the challenges that this day brings, even with that darn annoyingly tight "this is my body saying it's Monday" stomach. Don't be bluffed by the physical, WISH-sis--float on into your day. Mondays are darn hard.

I'm looking forward to our weekend together--this is going to be such an amazing adventure for me. Is there anything I should know? I'm going to bring a bottle of water when I walk and wear sunscreen. . .is there anything else? Are you going to eat in any special way this week? Will you wear two pairs of socks? I don't want to overthink this too much--I like just thinking of it as a "hike"--but I don't want to get caught unaware, either. You're the expert, so I'll trust whatever you say.

I think that even if something comes up with Nazareth on Sunday, we should spend the night on Saturday. DH, actually, was the one who talked me into it. He said, "Erin, you've never done this before and you don't know how your body will react. You may be wiped out. I don't think you should plan on driving home on Saturday." He makes a good point, so let's just figure on an early start on Sunday, OK?

Know that, like every day, you're in my prayers.

Take care,
Erin

 

[septbride2002]

A friend of mine taught me a little trick to help calm the anxiety that you are feeling. Close your eyes and take a deep breath, inhale and then exhale. Now think what is the BEST thing that could happen this week in regards to you work - make it reasonable. Now what is the WORSE thing that could happen this week - make it reasonable. Now realize that what will actually happen will be somewhere in between the best and worse. In a happy medium! It may not work for you, but it works really well for me - especially since I tend to focus on the negative part of the equation. Another tried and true method - make a list by priority, color code it, and work your way down one thing after another.

Try to focus on the positives in your life. You have great friends , your children are happy, healthy, and focused on their goals , you have a handsome and loving husband , and you are very important to a lot of people - especially those OUTSIDE of work.

I know you are going to do fine - I'm going to sit here and say a little prayer for you today and send you lots of

~Amanda

 

[toystoryduo]

Oh Doe,

I know all too well what that "stomach tied up in knots" feels like. I am sending some and for you today. Remember, the light at the end of this week's tunnel is an amazing trip with Erin!

I pray Doreen that the Lord would take that anxiety that you are feeling and replace it with His perfect peace and His love. Doe, you are a child of the most high God! Hold your head up high and know that with God all things are possible! He will help you through this week!

Take good care of you sweetie!

 

[DoeWDW]

Thank you all.

Erin, the promise of our weekend away is truly helping me to keep going today. Also thanks for the reminder that the physical feelings do not have to dictate my emotions. I'll be over to your journal to answer your questions about this weekend.

Amanda, I like you idea of thinking of the best and worst and then figuring on reality being somewhere in the middle. I also will be holding tight to your reminder that work is NOT everything. It is a PART of my life and I should not forget to count the many blessings outside of work to help me put it in perspective. Truly words of wisdom.

Tracy, thanks for reminding me that I am a beloved child of God. I only need to ask HIm and He will gladly help me shoulder any burdens.

WISH is a powerful and inspirational place for me. How did I get through life before WISH? I'm not sure but I don't want to give up WISH and find out.

I've made it through the morning. I have definitely abused food, but I'm drinking lots and lots of water. I took a nap over lunch. I didn't get much work accomplished this morning but I've picked out a good task for the afternoon and will focus on it. I can feel God and my WISH friends supporting me. I'm off to build a data model!

 

[pettyone]

WISH is a powerful and inspirational place for me. How did I get through life before WISH? I'm not sure but I don't want to give up WISH and find out.

Hey-we're all glad that you're here!! As you find inspiration on the WISH board, others look in here, in your journal for the same!!

 

[Blueeyes101817]

Hey-we're all glad that you're here!! As you find inspiration on the WISH board, others look in here, in your journal for the same!!

Exactly!!!!! whenever i am down, i tend to come read your journal!

 

[sarahsmom73]

Keep holding on to Friday Doe!!! You can do this!!! Keep looking forward and keep your chin up! We're here for you!

 

[lulu201]

Oh, man--a data model??!!! You're good, Doreen. . .yeah, you're good! I don't even know what a data model is!

Thanks for all the details in my journal. Your experience helps me to feel more confident about all of this. I'll be there at the station at 11:00 a.m. to meet you on Friday. In the meantime, remember that the still, small voice inside of you--the one that knows you can persevere in the midst of the stress--is sure and strong. And remember: we're one day closer to Friday!

to you, Doreen--
Erin

 

[DoeWDW]

I survived yesterday. Dinner last night was NOT low-carb, but I ate lots of veggies.....on my pizza! I also took a nice walk with DH after dinner.

Today I awoke with the familiar knot in my stomach AND some tightness in my chest. For those who might be alarmed by this, I've had it checked out by my doc and had an EKG? ECG? - one of those tests denoted by letters . He assures me that I'm fine unless it gets much worse when I exert myself.

The stress is due to a couple meetings at work. Today I have to go to a project meeting and let them know that I haven't touched my assignments on their project due to another project taking precedent. I should have let them know sooner - my fault.

This evening DH and I will attend the child care center board meeting, while DS auditions for the musical. I worked with him last night on his song and he's doing a good job. Keep your fingers crossed that he gets into the chorus.

Also tonight I'll start packing for my weekend trip! The weather is supposed to be beautiful, according to the Weather Channel.

Today - no goals, just survival. I'll do the best I can.

 

[septbride2002]

Have a great day Doreen - I'll be thinking about you!

~Amanda

 

[pearlieq]

Hang in there today!

Sending for you and DS. Hope all goes well!

 

[DoeWDW]

11:45 AM Update

The tough meeting is over. Apparently all the other areas of the project team are behind too. They are pushing all due dates back one month. Big sigh of relief!!!!!

Now I have to prep for a tough meeting tomorrow morning. I'm going to figure it, too, will have a happy ending. Then there's another one tomorrow afternoon and I'll be optimistic there too. The knot in my stomach is uncoiling a bit......aaaahhhhhh.

 

[lulu201]

I'm sharing your relief!

Erin

 

[DoeWDW]

Can you tell I'm happy???

I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. I had a 7:30 AM meeting with our new CIO. I wasn't sure if I was being called in for good or bad reasons. She assured me that everyone, even up to the highest levels, knows I'm overtasked and they are all very pleased with how well I've handled things. She also assured me that the "big boss" would not call me on the carpet for missing a key deadline in the meeting later today. According to her, the "big boss" thinks I "walk on water". Neither of us knows how she got that opinion but the CIO says to enjoy it.

The good news is they are hiring 2 temporary consultants and they are creating 2 new staff positions and posting them within the next 2 weeks. It sounds like the cavalry is on the way and I won't be a "one man show" for very much longer. I am relieved! They are looking for people who are experienced in data administration (what I do) who can help me set up the area and mentor me in how things work in the real world.

I'm so happy I could cry! Does that make sense? I feel such relief! It's like all the tensions and worries and stress have been acting like a dam and now the dam has broken. Hopefully this means I can get a better handle on work stress and move on to a new focus on food and exercise after the Ocean City half marathon. Until next Monday, I'm going to kick back and relax.....oh, and walk 13.1 miles on Saturday.

I still have lots of tasks to do at work, but the pressure behind them is off. I'm going to sail through my day and I suspect I'll be much more productive than I've been in a long time.

and to all!

 

[lulu201]

Oooh, I love this! MORE joy to share! Two more days and we'll be celebrating in OC!

Erin

 

[septbride2002]

Yea!!!! I'm so happy for you Doe! That is awesome!

~Amanda