Day Off Line

I had intended to spend the day off line today. Every couple months I take a personal day to just relax and be by myself. Today is the day! However, since I have committed to NaBloPoMo, I did have to post today. So now I am going to go take myself a post-massage nap. See ya'll tomorrow!

Nine Years With Joe

Today is my husbands and my nine year anniversary (of being together, not married). And Monday is our three year wedding anniversary. As is typical with our conflicting schedules, we may not be seeing each today (I woke up briefly when he went to work...not sure that counts) of have much quality time Monday. Thankfully, my boss is super cool, and gave me off tomorrow for us to celebrate. We are doing a low key date this year. We are going to get massages and have dinner together, then probably watch movies.

I love my Joe. He is the best husband ever! I look forward to many many more years with him!

Working Black Friday

I was a little nervous when I found out I was working Black Friday. Thankfully, by the time I got to the mall at 9:30 their wasn't any craziness and I even got a good parking spot! Things did pick up as the afternoon progressed, though. And now, I am going to go rest. My body forgot what standing for eight hours felt like.

10 Things I Am Thankful For

1. My husband
2. My family
3. My friends
4. A warm place to live
5. Good food
6. Having a job (even if its only for the holidays)
7. Warm showers
8. Soft sweaters
9. My smart phone
10. DVR

The Weightloss Struggle Continues

Today I had to go to the store to get pants for tomorrow. If I didn't I was limited to jeans or a dress, none of my nice clothes fit. When I bought my pants I had to go up another size...or two. PLEASE encourage me hold me accountable. I shall begin working out next week (too many family parties and anniversaries this weekend).

Things I Would Like To Be Remembered For

As this blog is a journey about self discovery, I have made some progress as to who I want to be. This thought process lead to a list of things I want to be remembered for:

1. EVERYTHING is better homemade
2. a loyal friend
3. devoted wife
4. the importance of my volunteer work

Well, its not much, but its what I have thus far. I am assuming this list will continue to grow as the self discovery continues.

Election Time Again (NOT a political post)

I have a friend who is a news/political junkie like I am and recently we were talking about the first election we could remember. I remember being in first grade and being so scared that President Bush wasn't going to be reelected. I was scared that our country was going to have a new President. Even at age 7 I had anxiety about it! Now election-time is exciting to me. Going out to cast my vote and then sitting at home all night watching the returns to see if my guy or gal won! I'm already looking forward to next year's Presidential Election!

You Know You Have A Fiesta Problem When....

For those of you who don't know.....I am addicted to my fiestaware. Like, visit the third level of Macy's just to look at the newest color addicted. It makes me happy. All the colors make my kitchen a happy place, which is good, because I love cooking. Anyways, back to the dishes.

This is what my birthday presents from my family looked like:

My parents got me this individual casserole and rectangle baking dish (both in Paprika)

This is holding Blackberry Cobbler, which I am equally addicted to.

And my brother gave me money, which turned into this:

Ramekins in the five newest colors!

I am a happy girl!

International Survivors of Suicide Day

As many of you know, I have been volunteering for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention for several years now. In this time I have volunteered to work rest stops for two Overnight walks, I have walked one community walk two years ago, and have walked and help run a community walk this year. Today I volunteered for my first International Survivors of Suicide Day. I only did behind the scenes stuff, but I was grateful to be able to help. I hope to be able to help with this event again next year.

The Blog Post I Didn't Think I'd Ever Write

There were somethings I was planning on never talking about in this blog. The plan was to keep somethings private and not share with the world. Last night changed that.

Last night I was watching Private Practice. It was a two hour special that followed one of the doctors through her struggle with addiction. During the episode a debate between two doctors (neither the addict) occurred comparing and contrasting heart disease and addiction. Basically, they are both diseases, neither of which a person is responsible for contracting. (Note: there are things you can do to treat both these illnesses, and I encourage people to seek that treatment.) As the show continued, I realized how common and acceptable addiction has become. No one is looked down on for admitting they are an addict and have been clean for any amount of time. I have even seen strangers congratulate and encourage people upon learning they have become sober. As I sat in bed watching, it then occurred to me how far behind society is on mental illness.  Physical conditions (ie heart disease) are accepted without the blink of an eye. Addiction issues are becoming main stream and less taboo. Yet mental illness continues to have this huge black stigma cloud hanging over it. The reason? I believe its because people don't understand it. And why is that? Because people do not talk about it much, not the people suffering, the people treating the disorders or the media. The lack of understanding and accurate information on mental illness prevents people from seeking help, keeps people ashamed of their illness and does not provide the support that someone needs (however, if it was a more physical ailment they would have people lined up to help them in a heart beat). Naturally, the fix would be to make mental illness a less taboo topic. I quickly realized that if I wasn't willing to take a step in this direction, I certainly couldn't expect other to do the same. So....

My name is Meg, and I have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. It is not my fault, I did not bring it on myself, my brain chemicals and neurons just do not always work properly. With the proper treatment (which I have) I am able to live a normal and mostly symptom free life. I refuse to feel ashamed for something is not my fault. I am hoping my honesty will be a step forward in destigmatizing of mental illness. If you know anyone suffering from a mental illness I ask you to please not look at them any differently then you would if they had a physical illness. It is not their fault anymore then cancer would be.