National Depression Screening Day

I heard on the news that today is National Depression Screening Day.

And with the economy crumbling around us, I'm thinking a lot of people will fall into the DEPRESSED category.

Depression is a serious thing. For so many years, it was just written off as a MIND OVER MATTER thing. More and more studies show that it has a physical foundation, which leads to the emotional/mental effects.

Even with all of the scientific data supporting the physical side of depression, many people still still brush it off as "moodiness", "laziness", etc.

I was diagnosed with clinical depression a few years ago. For a very long time, I went through life feeling like I had 100 lb lead weights tied to me...like I was in a huge pit and couldn't climb out. I would miss days of work, simply b/c I didn't have the energy to get out of bed. I'd go for 2-3 days without showering. And my apartment looked more like a public dump than a place of residence. Once I began treatment, I was like an entirely different person.

I spent years suffering in silence....in the lack of knowledge and understanding of what my body was doing to me. And now I'm going to have to spend the next few years repairing the damage.

Damage to my body: when I was depressed, I tried to fix those feelings with food. Lots of food. Fattening food! As a result, I am close to 200 lbs and it will take some time to get back down to my healthy weight.

Damage to my finances: All of that food? CHARGE CARDS!!!! I attempted to figure it out and I think I was spending close to $400/month (probably more) on take-out, fast-food, and junk food. Over a 3yr period, that adds up!

Damage to my reputation: At work, I am considered a slacker. Not because I can't do my job or don't do it well. It's b/c when the depression had me in its grip, I just DIDN'T CARE! I'd show up at 10:00 and leave at 3:00. I'd go nap in my car 2-3 times a day. I am working very hard to change people's perception of me, but unfortunately, it takes a long time for the positives to wipe out the negatives.

If you feel that you have symptoms of depression, call a local doctor or hospital to find out about a depression screening.

PREDICTION

I predict that the A-Hole will get back together with his whore of an ex by Christmas.

Love isn't blind....

IT'S F-ING RETARDED !!!!!

10 days and $200 to go!!!

TECHNICALLY, only $163 left!!!

I had a surprise donation from a family friend today. That donation put me over the $2000 mark....a hurdle that I had been trying to clear for over a month now!!!

THANKS GEORGE!!!

You know, 2 weeks ago, I was sure that I wouldn't be able to raise the money in time. That I'd have to make up the difference from my own savings account (which I would do, b/c there is NO WAY I'm sitting out!!!).

But I am continuously amazed at the generosity of the people in my life. One coworker, who faithfully buys my baked items each Friday, handed me a $50 bill a few weeks back. Another girl slipped me a $20. My grandmother, who I know is dealing with her own bills and a new mortgage payment, bought me a $30 duffel bag as well as gave me $20.

I have no doubts that I will be able to raise the remaining money needed for this year's walk. Hopefully I will even raise a little extra and be able to help my teammates reach their goal as well.

BROWNIES FOR BOOBIES!!!

I have been baking goodies at home and selling them at work to raise money for my Breast Cancer 3 Day Walk. And I've been pretty successful, with the exception of the few times that someone brought in other goodies (donuts, bagels) on my Bake Sale Days.

Last week, I was busy baking all week. And then on Thursday, I was warned that there would be bagels and such the next day. I was freaking out. I didn't want to throw the stuff away, but I just didn't think it would be fresh enough to sell on the following week.

Then I remembered that my hair dresser (Rosie) had asked me about bringing some items into the salon for her to sell in the break room. So I put in a panicked call to her and explained the situation. She told me to bring it on in.

And....

IT ALL SOLD!!! Not only did I sell out, but she told me that she had requests for me to bring in MORE items this week! So for the next few weeks, I'm on double duty in the kitchen. I should be able to make a good sized dent in the money I have left to raise!!!

I LOVE OCTOBER!!!

Actually, I just love the fall. Cooler temps, combined with the crisp autumn air and changing leaves, never fails to recharge my batteries.

This weekend I got up bright and early each day to walk. On Saturday, I spent the ENTIRE DAY in Philadelphia. In the morning I walked along Kelly Drive, which led me to an unexpected (and pleasant) surprise....the annual Dragon Boat Festival. It's a Chinese tradition but everyone is free to put their oar in the water. I took in a few races. It was very interesting.

After I finished up my first 10 miles, I decided to take a break along the Ben Franklin Parkway. There was an Obama rally going on. While I'm not overly political, I do think he's a better candidate than McCain. And Bruce Springsteen was putting on a free show. Which means that I would have been there no matter who the benefit was for.....even if it meant wearing a sticker saying "I LOVE GEORGE W !!" (thankfully, it DIDN'T....I didn't have to be a hypocrite for the entertainment).

After the show, I put in another 5 miles.

Sunday was nothing interesting....walking 10 miles and doing some last minute shopping for my walk.

SAX APPEAL!!!

This is a bit belated, b/c I've been busy.

My sister is an amazingly talented artist. And yes, I am a bit prejudiced. But obviously others feel a bit the same way because whenever she enters anything into a competition...SHE WINS!!!

This year she entered an acrylic painting (the photo above) of a saxophone into a local art show. It got her a first place in the category as well as a BEST IN SHOW. This is a repeat performance of last year when she got BEST IN SHOW for another painting she did.

MI HERMANA IS MUY AWESOME!!!!

THINGS THAT IRRITATE THE CRAP OUT OF ME!!!

WARNING...this post is full of anger, ranting, and swearing!!!!

It's PMS FROM HELL week, so I figured that I'd make a list of things that would irritate me normally but this week, make me want to rip people's heads off and shove them up their asses!!!!





-- People who don't knock before jiggling the door handle on a public restroom. Also, people who are using the restroom but don't yell out when I give a courtesy knock before trying the handle.





-- People who, at a 4 way intersection, either go when it's not their turn (which I guess is kind of an obvious one). ALSO....people at the same intersection who tell you to go when it's actually THEIR turn (which is probably less obvious....but no less irritating to me).





-- People who order the most expensive thing on the menu at a group lunch. Then divide the check up by the total number of people there. And then act like I'M the one being unreasonable when I refuse to pay $15 for my $4 lunch special.





-- People who blare their horns at you as you are sitting in the exit of a parking lot.....even though you are not moving forward or blocking lanes, therefore not causing any potential traffic accidents. And, of course, they are always on their cell phones. Meaning that they didn't see me sitting there the entire time b/c they were focused on their call rather than the road, so when they finally DID see me, their reaction was "what the fuck is she doing?!?!?!" even though I hadn't moved in at least 2 min. If you're going to talk on the phone while driving, at least take the responsibility for your own stupidity!!!





-- People who borrow money for sodas, snacks from the vending machine, or lunch on a regular basis......yet the ONE TIME you do it, they make fun of you....for the next 2-3 months.





-- People who routinely check out EBAY and Craig's List while at work, but make fun of you for checking your personal email during your lunch break.





-- People who move to the US from another country, open a business, and can't speak a word of English. No, I'm not a total bigotted bitch. The US is basically a land of immigrants. I am all for people coming here and having a better life than they could have had in their motherland. I don't care about people continuing to embrace their culture once they are here. I don't even care if they don't choose to learn English (after all, it's their own neck on the line if they need help but don't know how to ask for it). But if you are going to open a business where you deal with customers.....shouldn't you be able to at least communicate with them? As a consumer, do I not have the right to HAVE YOU UNDERSTAND ME?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!





-- People who move here from another country and then CONTINUOUSLY BITCH ABOUT THE UNITED STATES!!! If you hate it so much, then GO THE FUCK BACK HOME!!!!



-- People who constantly interrupt me. This is ironic , since I am notorious for doing it myself. But, to give myself credit, I realize it's annoying and am trying to cut back on doing it (and I apologize when I catch myself doing it).