So much, in so few days.

It all started months ago, but it came to a head on Friday.  I wouldn't say it was a nervous breakdown, but it was a breakdown.  So I made a very hard decision.  I looked up how to access mental health help through my insurance.  There's a lot of red tape to unwind, but once unwound I can get the help I need.

Saturday was the department end of the year party.  And we were appreciated!  Enough money that I am seriously thinking of realizing my dream of owning an iPhone!  I think I can do it.  I get a little money a month that would cover the data plan.  And with the Appreciation Money... it's totally do-able!

The weekend is now over, and I'm back at work.  I have a ton of phone calls to make, and red tape to unwind.

The Parties that Mark Changes of Life (caution: lots of bullet-ed ideas)

I read an interesting article, about baby and wedding showers, and where they fit in modern life.  Seriously, go read it.

It left me with many things to think about.

Bridal Showers:

• I had a few, and since I was young and just starting out in life, and therefor had NOTHING, it was appreciated.
• I'm not the fanciest of people, I didn't care about color schemes.  Dude, if you want to buy me towels, I don't care what color!  (I know, I'm like the anti-girly-girl in that respect).  The only registries they had at the time were at higher end stores, so we registered for some expensive stuff.  I wish we could have registered at Target.
• I don't understand the concept of a shower, where all sorts of expensive things are registered for, when people have been living together for years and years.  Y'all already have all you need!  
• Now, comes the uncomfortable truth.  Not everyone can, or wants to get married.  And in some marriages, there ins't a bride.  Yet, at times they need stuff!  What do we do then?  

Baby Showers

• Now, we all know that I have issues with attending baby showers.  Seriously, I love your kids.  Just not in large groups!
• That being said, I completely understand the necessity of baby showers!  Babies are expensive.
• I'm not sold on showers for each kid you have.. unless there is a LARGE gap of time in between, or you had the surprise girl (or boy) among the flock of boys (or girls).  (I had a neighbor with a 16 year age difference between kids.  Yeah, that shower was NECESSARY!)

Now, what about all the people that don't hit those two groups?  People have are leaving a marriage, and have nothing.  People just starting out.  People that have no clothes, because they worked their butts off and lost a ton of weight.

I think that it is so easy to get lost in work, and family and life that you lose yourself.  You cease to be special, or feel special.  This is why I love birthdays.  It's one day that you can feel special, without having a kid or getting married.  It's a day that people can say "thank you for being you.  We appreciate that you are here."  People need to hear that.

Now, I think that in life everyone needs a leg up.  Here are some ideas to help

• I was handed a box when I moved in.  It was kitchen things.  I think every community needs this box!  You add to it (a few plates here, a pan or so there)and pass it on to someone moving out on their own.  You take what you need, and add what you don't need.
• Clothing swaps.  Losing a bunch of weight means you need clothes that fit.  Why not get the ladies, or gents, together to swap sizes.  People what clothes they want, and get rid of what they don't.

Everyone needs help.  Everyone deserves to feel special.  

Show ReCap and a Book Review

First: Smash

• Ivy and Ellis are up to their old tricks, except now they are being mean together.  Ivy using Ellis to send Karen home so she can have the solo.  
• I think Rebecca Duvall is also using Karen, or at the very least, trying to get her out of the way.
• So we all see Karen and Dev's relationship crashing and burning?  Right?
• We also see the Movie Star crashing and burning... since she can't sing?  Right?

Second:  Glee!

• If Quinn's in Physical Therapy, maybe it means that there's a chance that she'll be able to walk again... someday.  There's always hope.
• And Quinn and Joe?  Nice!  Dreads usually don't do anything for me.  on him?  Makes me feel like a dirty old woman.
• Kurt.  it was cheating.  Well, not exactly, but close enough.  Blaine should have talked to Kurt earlier, and Kurt should have taken Blaine into consideration... but at least it's out in the open.
• This begs the question:  Who will the show have next year?

Third:  Book Review

Let's Pretend this Never Happened.  You loved the take of Beyonce the Metal Chicken?  Then get the book.  It's pee-your-pants funny.  Seriously.  I love her humor.  Now, I can't lend the book out, because it's on my Nook.  But trust me.  Read it.

Well I meant to buy work clothes...

I ended up buying stuff for the dog (food, a new harness, a toy and poop bags), bras, new coffee and hair dye.

I didn't find any clothes that I wanted.... At the time.. Though today's Target add has some sweaters I want, and there are black Capri pants at Wal-Mart....

The most meaningful thing that happened this weekend, involved me leaving the house. The Spousal Equivalent was out with his friend, so I was on my own. And I was invited to a party. *cue ominous music*. I haven't been to a party on my own since before we got together.

But I put on my big girl pants, got in my car and went. I was there until midnight. I think I earned a medal!

The other triumph? 7 loads of laundry. We still have 2 to go. I'll get that done over the week.

Not a bad Friday

I went out to buy a new iPad case and some work clothes and a toy for the dog.

I bought myself a bra, and no clothes. Though I might go back and get some Capri pants. I hate buying clothes for myself.

I went out with the SE and friends and had a lovely adult beverage.

The headache is finally gone, and I feel pretty good.

It's a story that I've heard before

An old friend of mine (in truth, the ex of one of my BFF's) had his wife leave him.

Oh, how I know that pain.  Except in my case I was the one inflicting it.  Hearing his story sent a fresh wave of guilt over what I had to do.  (And yes, I had to.  It may have been rough, but I believe we're both better for having the divorce).  I've posted cheery, hopefully helpful comments.

Then I looked a little closer at his Facebook.  "Born-Again Christian."  I have nothing against people of any faiths.  They just tend not to like me.  Why?  Because I study, and question and come at religion from a historical and sociological perspective.  I'm highly critical of taking the bible (which I believe is a VERY flawed document) word for word.  That tends to not endear me to the born-again peeps.

In the end, I hope that the little bits of insight that I have given help.

It's not often that I'm in a situation like this...

For the next few months I will have some extra money.  Not much, but some.  The long story short is: I paid off a credit card and my car.  My current forbearance on my student loan ends in August.  So I have some extra money.

I thought long and hard about what to do.  I bought a Roku box for my bedroom.  It wasn't expensive, and it's a first step to completely ditching cable.  (We eventually want to save up for a small computer to hook up to the TV, as well)

But in the end, I realized that I wear the same 7 or 8 outfits to work all the time.  I need new work clothes!  I work in a building that is over cooled in the summer, so my first order of business is shopping for cardigan sweaters.

I rarely buy clothes for myself.  I've got the money, and I've definitely got the need.  So why not?  This means there will be shopping this weekend!  Anyone want to join me?