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

[lulu201]

Definition of "friends": the people who will throw you a Friday party when you're too tired to do it yourself. Come on, people! Let's throw Doreen a Friday bash!

LET THE PARTY BEGIN! :thewave: :thewave: :thewave:

Love you, honey!
Erin

 

[Auntmeme]

Here's a Party for you Doreen with extra sunshine! That should make you feel a bit better
Stay strong and have faith - Here's to a fantastic FRIDAY!

Meme

 

[keenercam]

Did someone say there's a party here for Doreen? YIPPEE!!! Hey, Doreen! Put your money away! You worked too hard to earn it to be spending it on party supplies! We'll take care of that for you.
Let's see, first we'll invite all your friends to give you and , then we'll put on some party hats and then we will
We'll talk about some of our favorite things, like and and . And we will continue to share and prayers and .

Have a great Friday, sweetie!

 

[septbride2002]

So tonight we're gonna party likes it's 1999.

Ah, it is a good day when you can hear Prince in your head.

Morning Doe, thanks for the long talk yesterday - you were just what I needed to get my head out of my............ well ya know.

Have a good day today, enjoy your stretching - or......you could put in a Firm tape How does your daughter like those by the way?

My FIL is a Vet and don't worry about your puppy she will be fine. You would be amazed at how closely they monitor an animals breathing when they put them under. She will wake up well rested with fresh breath.

~Amanda

 

[toystoryduo]

Did someone say that there's a party going on??? Woohoo!

Dear Doreen,

I pray that God blesses you with His strength and peace today. The work day will be over soon and then it's time for the weekend: rest and relaxtion!

Now, for the next song on the list.... Surfin' Safari by the Beach Boys! I figured we could all use a little California today. Hmm .... this brings to mind the beach and cabana boys.

Take good care of you, Doe!

 

[DoeWDW]

Oh my WISH friends, you lift my spirits.

Thank you for the party!

The vet called and my pupper is out of surgery and doing well - a big sigh of relief for me.

I'm on my second bottle of water and am eating my lunch early because I'm starving. Guess I'd better think of an appropriate afternoon snack before the EVM starts calling my name.

EDIT: 1:45 PM
3. on my 3rd bottle of water
4. 35g + 28g of peanut M&Ms - the stress got to me but I'm counting the carbs and still trying to salvage the day. Total so far = 63g. Still plenty of carbs left for a decent dinner and some sf chocolate pudding if I need it.

EDIT: 10:30 PM
Wrap up for the day
1.
2.
3. drank at least 70 oz
4. no smilie for healthy eating - dinner was a cheesesteak sub, fries & a beer
5. 20 minutes of stretching and toning while watching "Whose Line Is It Anyway?"
6.

That makes 5 smilies today.
Total for the month = 17 smilies and $2 reward money.

 

[Strings]

Hi Doreen,

I'm glad to hear that your puppy is ok and home. You absolutely have the right to worry about your furbaby. No surgery or procedure is routine when it is your loved one having it.

It sounds like you enjoyed your dinner. YEA to the $2 reward money. You are doing awesome.

Have a great weekend.
Beth

 

[DoeWDW]

Yesterday I earned 5 smilies (chose to have an off plan dinner).
Total for the month = 17 smilies and $2 reward money.

DH & I talked at length about my work situation last night. I am going to write a letter this weekend to my boss and the 2 people above him. I am going to explain that my depression and the stress of the job are making it very difficult to do the projects that have been assigned to me. I will suggest the types of tasks that I can manage and what types of things I need some help with. I will email it to them on Monday. I am in training in another building Monday through Thursday so they can talk amongst themselves about how to help me. Hopefully on Friday we can all meet and work out a plan to help me continue to work without losing my sanity or worsening my health. I cannot continue to be so stressed out and depressed.

I have an appointment for my annual physical (about 3 yrs overdue) on July 7th. My depression is bad enough that I made another appointment just to talk about that on June 17th. I figure we'll try a med increase or change and I should be able to see a change by my physical.

The depression support group at church is just gearing up and I attended the second meeting last Thursday evening. We are a small group but it is a comfortable place to let my real feelings and fears show. We'll be meeting every week for the next 5 weeks to set up a foundation and then may meet less frequently. I feel such a kindred spirit with these people who share some of my quirky depression behaviors that most normal people do not understand. I was scared and nervous about going but so far it has been a very positive experience.

Today I'm still in my jammies at 11:45 AM. I'm doing laundry - no clean clothes left. I'll get dressed in 3 hours when everything is clean. I love jammie days!!

The plan:
1. Devotional - Today when so much of our food comes from stores and restaurants, we tend to forget where it comes from and the effort required to provide it. Saying a prayer before eating is an expression of gratitude to God. And our speaking the words can be a witness to others. (Upper Room online devotional).
2. Pills - meds & vitamins taken.
3. Water - 4 16oz Coronado Springs mugs full of refreshing water! I'm on mug #2 already.
4. Healthy eating - B = sausage egg cheese croissant (23g). There is no decent food in the house so a store trip is in order. DS is having his new GF over for pizza tonight so I'll have to carefully plan my meal so I don't pig out on pizza.
5. Exercise - a mile walk outside would be nice today.
6. Scale - 154 AFTER breakfast and 16oz of water.

I'm happy about my progress so far this month. I'm starting to feel a bit lighter and less bloated. Now if I can get a handle on my depression, I just know I'll be unstoppable!

 

[lulu201]

Sending you a PM, dear WISH-sis.

Erin

 

[DoeWDW]

Recap for yesterday:
1. Devotions
2. Pills
3. Water - not quite enough
4. Healthy eating - threw caution to the wind at dinner because I didn't make it to the store and had no healthy alternatives at home.
5. Exercise - none.
6. Scale

Total for yesterday = 3 smilies.
Total for the month = 20 smilies & $2 reward money.

I really want to do better today.
1. Devotions - Many of us would rather be leaders than followers -- but Jesus called only for followers. We may be preoccupied with wanting some personal benefit or influence, but Christ asks us to take up the cross daily and follow him. (Upper Room online devotional)
2. Pills - meds & vitamin taken. I've been off the Claritin for quite a few days and have very little in the way of allergy symptoms. Looks like it truly was tree pollen bothering me and now that it's gone, I'm doing great!
3. Water - on my 2nd of 4 16oz mugs.
4. Healthy eating - B = sausage egg cheese croissant (23g). Planning menus & going to the store are one of the very next things on my to-do list for today.
5. Exercise - walk a mile outside in the beautiful
6. Scale - 155

I've made meeting these daily goals the top thing on my to-do list today, before I do anything else. Hence, I'm off to take a quick stroll in the sunshine and plan my meals.

 

[lulu201]

Just wanted you to know I'm thinking about you today and sending some , , and a your way.

Love,
Erin

 

[septbride2002]

I hope you are feeling strong and ready to face the day today. I'm sure your menu planning yesterday helped!

~Amanda

 

[DoeWDW]

Recap for yesterday - 4 smilies, everything but water & healthy eating.
Total for the month = 24 smilies and $2 reward money.

I'm in training this week, Monday through Thursday.

Be back later.

EDIT: 12:30 PM
1. Devotions - Dear Lord, give us the desire and ability to help others. But give us also wisdom to know when to let others help us. Lead us to accept the kindness of others in your name. Amen. (Upper Room online devotional). Boy this is a tough area for me! I am so quick to help others and I genuinely enjoy serving others, but I am so reluctant to ask for or accept help. I'm working on it though.
2. Pills - taken
3. Water - on my 3rd of 4 16oz mugs.
4. Healthy eating - B = yogurt & cashews (30g). I never did make it to the store. I'm just not that hungry, although I know I must eat something.
5. Exercise - walk a mile in the sunshine. I'm walking between buildings for my training so this will just naturally occur today.
6. Scale - 154

So I've already earned 4 of the 6 smilies today. I just have to drink the rest of my water and eat healthy and I'll have another $1 in my reward money and be a third of the way to my first smilie goal of 90.

I had a talk with my boss about my work situation and he is going to talk to the people up the chain of command. It is stressful for me to admit that I need help (see prayer in devotions above) but it will be worse if I don't ask for help. Honestly, my physical and mental symptoms are just getting worse and it is already impacting my job performance. In addition I'm starting to crash more often which means taking more sick days off. I feel better and more nervous all at the same time, wondering what will happen from here on out.

Time for me to get back to class. to all. I've been terrible about getting around to journals - one more thing that has fallen victim to my stress and depression. Please know that you are all in my heart and in my prayers on a daily basis, even when I can't make it around to journals.

 

[joelyfaithsmommy]

Don't remember if I've told you or not, but I think it everytime I read your journal I LOVE THE SMILEY SYSTEM YOU HAVE GOING...I think it's AWESOME! (and so are you!)

hugs for a great, super and sunshine cheery day!

Jen

 

[calena]

Good for you to make the appointment for the physical. My dad suffered from depression and is now on medication and he is much better. It turns out there is a history of it in his side of the family - mom and grandfather - so that is something I am keenly aware of. I know being active helps fight that too, so good for you to be looking at your health issues in all of this. I am glad your church has a depression support group. That is wonderful. I often think we need to have both medical science and our faith to help us heal, but often we overlook one or the other. You are an encouragement to me with your devotions and I too like the smilie system.
Have a great day

 

[septbride2002]

You mean it isn't part of our job to Journal? Dang! Remember journaling is a bonus and no one will be mad if you slack in responding for a few days.

~Amanda

 

[DoeWDW]

Recap for today:
1.
2.
3. a cautious - I'm working on my last of the 4 mugs & its 9:30 PM. I'm not going to bed until I finish this mug!
4. 30g + a pack of crackers in the afternoon (22g) + 4 mini chocolates (28g) + bowl of cheerios (31g) + a banana (24g) = 135g. No smilie but at least I journaled it all & counted the carbs. I wasn't too far off the mark. I still haven't made it to the store so I did the best with what I had.
5.
6.

Total for today = 5 smilies
Total for the month = 29 smilies & $2 reward money.

Today was stressful and I spent the evening sleeping. The store trip will have to wait until tomorrow.

 

[DoeWDW]

I'm hanging in there! I've got 29 smilies & $2 reward money. It's a good start to the month! Today I had to wear a belt with my pants for the first time in months - a good sign.

Today is another day of training.
1. Devotions - God, the artisan, can craft beauty from tragedy. God can use heartaches and broken dreams. Out of our difficulties can flow comfort and healing for others. If we ask God to work through our pain and we continue to focus on God, God gives us "beauty instead of ashes." As we tell about our experiences, God will help us to be a source of encouragement to others. (Upper Room online devotional) This is one of the ideas that helps me keep going when the depression is at its worst. God can use these experiences in my life to help me relate to others who may not know that they can rely on Him to carry them through difficulties.
2. Pills - meds & vitamin taken.
3. Water - on the first of 4 16oz mugs.
4. Healthy eating - B = sausage egg cheese croissant (23g), L will be yogurt & cashews (31g), D will be a Subway lc wrap (11g) or something else low-carb if I get to the store.
5. Exercise - I'll walk a mile or do 20 minutes of stretching and toning.
6. Scale - 153

My stress symptoms are at an all time high. I'm holding onto hope, though, that things will improve at work soon. Thank goodness my family is so loving and supportive. Also thanks to my WISH friends who encourage me so much on a day to day basis.

 

[TigerCheer2009]

Hi Doe! Sorry I haven't been around lately, but judging from the emails I received letting me know somebody replied to your journal, I think I should be here for you in this stressful time. It was very good of you to ask for help. I know it's like admitting defeat, but it sounds like you need some hugs, pixie dust, sunshine and a BREAK! I've got plenty of them (hugs, PD and sunnies) but I'm sure the break fairy won't mind if you turn in a couple smilies for a break.

 

[lulu201]

for this day, sweetie. You can do this day, just do it step by step. And in the midst of all this stress, you'll do some healthy things for yourself, too. Won't that be good? Still, the feelings of stress can be so darn uncomfortable. Ride the wave, girl. Ride the wave.

There is a strong inner core that you've got, Doreen, solidified by faith and power. You may be blown around by emotional and physical symptoms of stress, but you KNOW you will hold up and keep walking ahead. ~mental picture now of us on top of the bridge ~

Lots of love to you, WISH-sis,
Erin