I know, sweetie... :grouphug: Love you...

The worst bout of depression I ever had occurred when I decided to take the winter off from having my kids in activities. We would go to work and school and then just come home, day after day after day and before I knew it, I was so down and out that my kids were scared. Never again. I get depressed every winter, when the days get short so I changed all my lighting in my house. I also make sure that my life stays relatively busy so I don't get mired down in nothingness and start to feel bad. Lastly, I talked with my kids and told them to not be afraid to tell me if they see me getting back the way I was and they have truly stepped up to the plate in that area. It's a battle I think I will have to fight every year but I am working hard to make sure that I come out the winner each and every time.

Tiki.

And I love the both of you. :grouphug:

It is, in a strange way, very comforting to be in a familiar place/mood, even if it isn't good.

I hate to say anything, because I am afraid it is hiding around the corner, but depression has not shown up yet this winter. It normally shows up around November until February. Then again in July & August. So not just a winter thing for me. So far, nothing more then maybe a day. Nothing that really sticks in my head.

Hello to you all ~ I'm kind of new, used to be Lamorgan a few years ago but forgot all my info and so I changed my identity as well. That's kind of fun, anyway. Have 20 pounds to lose, again [sigh], so here we go again. I'm going to join WW online, I self-motivate pretty well. Came down with a killer cold a week ago and think that has jump-started my diet. I have no appetite, and really feel not hungry at all... Quite strange for me. At Yule husband gave me new jeans, which didn't fit even though they were my size... That motivated me to cut out sweets completely, and rethink what I've been eating, and how much. I knew I'd gained back some weight from my 30 pound loss a few years ago, but I'd gained back 20 pounds of it. So I'm back!
Lois

Welcome back Morrganna!

Yep, nothing like something you used to be able to fit into giving you a wake up call! :D
That happened to me to after whining about what I could not wear to the staff Christmas party this year.....I rejoined WW on January 3....:lol:

OH MY GOSH, Lois!! I really missed you... you were one of my favourites! Welcome back, hon!! :wave:

Tiki, you are one smart woman. :yes: When you're a mom, it's all about the kids, isn't it? That's why there's no way I'll even attempt another try at (temporarily... I know this is life-time thing for me) going off my meds until my kids are grown.
I'm really surprised that we don't hear of more women killing their children. :( Mothers are supposed to be strong and capable and loving at all times, otherwise we're seen as failures. And God forbid that we should cry out for help. :rolleyes:
Kudos to you, Tiki, for communicating your fears and weaknesses to your children. You're a wonderful Mom. :grouphug:

Squeak, I'm so glad that the depression hasn't reared its ugly head to you yet. And I hope it passes you by this year. Remember that we're ALWAYS here for you, okay? We're like invisible Goddesses... always at hand, just for each other. :grouphug:
I love you, too, sweetie.

Mauvais, missy... how are YOU feeling? :grouphug: Weather getting you down? The other day, Ruth said she wasn't leaving her house unless it caught on fire, and I immediately thought, "What a good idea! A fire!" :rofl:

Ellis,

Your mind works in mysterious ways! Fire is a good idea? Thanks for the compliment though. You are right, we are supposed to be strong so even when we do ask for help, it is often hard to get people to take us seriously. I told the "guy" about that really bad year and he totally didn't believe it. That actually bothered me cause it made me wonder how he would react if I ever needed help again.


On a different note, we got 12 inches of snow Saturday - 12 INCHES - DS got out there and shoveled ours and then also shoveled a neighbors for $11. He actually only negotiated $5 but she felt sorry for him and tipped him $6. He was wore out the rest of the day. DD didn't go out the door. She was too busy getting ready to go to the Daddy Daughter dance. She looked so pretty and is getting to be such a lady. If I wasn't so busy doing her hair,nails, clothes, I probably would have cried a bit.

Tiki.

Tiki, a couple of days ago, it was -41F here. Hence the fire. :lol:
If only it would snow (NOT 12 inches, though!) and warm up!!

Tiki-It IS a lifelong struggle. I just KNOW that I don't ever want to get as bad as my worst again. TOTALLY understand what you are saying! I live in Royal Oak, and we got 12 inches too....DH and I shoveled Saturday morning. The kids usually help a lot more than they did this time.

Ellis- :grouphug: Love you too sweetie!! I'm with you; maybe I'll try going without meds once the kids are grown (and after menopause...I think my hormones SIGNIFICANTLY contribute.)

Squeak- Love YOU too!! :grouphug: Maybe you'll luck out this year, and NOT have it. February is always bad for DS14, so I'm watching him too. How much snow did YOU get? My sis (Rhode Island) is completely snowed in!!!

Lois-HI!! Welcome back!! Sorry about the REASON you are back though!!! I'm in the same boat, except that I didn't lose the 30 pounds to begin with!! Hey!! Thin or heavy you can always come and chat!!!

Mauvais-Good for you for getting back into it. I'm still making excuses!!! I pity you Ottawa women, YIKES it is cold!!! Almost makes me feel okay about all the snow we have!!!

It's been horribly cold here too, and we got at least 12 inches on Sat. Some more today, but not too much. Snow is more fun when the temps aren't so frigid.

Thank you for the welcome!

Ellis - I am doing okay, thanks for asking. I could feel the SAD working on me during the 1st week of January but I have forced myself to open up all the curtains and let the light into the house, put some bellydance music and gypsy kings on (always makes me feel good and dance around the house) and have been working on home organization projects to keep me busy.

I also forced myself out on this past freezing and snowy Saturday night to go to a club that was hosting a bellydance show. I went with two friends and we watched the performers then spent the rest of the evening dancing up a storm to arabic dance music with the rest of the attendees. We even wore our hipscarves just for fun! It was a blast. Afterwards we went for a nightcap at a martini bar - you should have seen peoples faces when they saw our scarves - :lol:

I had not been in the mood to go out that night but I was glad that I did! :D

I've struggled with depression as well. I also find that when I start to slip into it I feel like I'm in a very familiar and safe place. It is almost as if nothing can hurt me because I'm already numb. I've also been teaching myself to seek help when I get into that state. I don't use medication, but I think it does help some people. I think if I ever couldn't recover from a bout I would get medicated, but so far I've been able to pull myself out of it every time. The end of last year had me worried though, and I'm being very careful right now. Anyway, thanks for sharing y'all. I really appreciate the open feeling in this forum.

In other news I lost 3# since Friday! Just goes to show what amping up fiber and water can do for me! :lol:

Mauv,

That sounds like such a FUN night! I am also glad you went. And I am sure the people at the bar were ALSO glad you were there.

Tiki

Back again!
Darn computer crashed on me last week and have not been able to get it working again until last night. I was not impressed at all. Three weeks today NO SMOKES! I will be getting weighed this morning, so I will check in with you later to give info on that, if this beast of a computer allows me too. I am sure it is not a good story though! Oh well! I will get back on track eventually.
Virginia

congratulations on 3 weeks of not smoking! :cheers:

Great job on the no smokes!!!

My fridge and freezer (bought new in 2000) died on me yesterday so I spent all evening cooking up food, packing it in big plastic tubs and hauling it to my sun porch. Luckily the thing is still under warranty but its gonna take them until Monday to get out and check on it. We better NOT get a thaw out here in Michigan before then. I am relying on good old Mother Nature to take care of my food for me.

Tiki.

Back up to 245.5, but telling you so on a new computer. Finally got a new computer today. It is so nice to have something that works so well.
Tiki, sorry to hear about your fridge. Hopefully they can fix it for yo.
Virginia

Aghhh! Tiki fridge AND freezer!!!! :yikes: Keeping my fingers crossed that the weather stays cold for you....wish I could send you some of our -30 weather :lol:

Well this weekend is going to be terrible exciting :p ....I am still working on home organization projects but at least it will occupy my time and stop me from boredom eating :D

Thanks for the crossed fingers. I didn't realize just how cold my sunporch was until I got home yesterday and my kool-aid was FROZEN.

I have a Friday night chick chat session planned with my girlfriends tonight and then visiting a girlfriend I haven't seen in months tomorrow followed by a date with "the guy" tomorrow night. So of course, I am grinnning BIG TIME just thinking about my weekend.

Tiki.

Sounds like a fun weekend...also sounds like things are going pretty good with "the guy" ;)

Tiki, how was your date? Fabulous, I'm sure. ;)
Good luck with the fridge... what a crock! :mad:

Virginia, when you went missing for a few days, we all figured you'd cheated, and were afraid to show your face. :lol: Good going, girl!!

Hannah, congratulations on the 3 pounds, hon! :hat:

Mauvais, have you talked to your doctor about your SAD? A friend of mine is going for light therapy at Elizabeth Bruyere. I think she has to go for six weeks... 5 days a week. She has to stand naked in a booth for a set amount of time. It's not long... they gradually increase the amount of time you're exposed to the light. This was her first week, and the exposure time is 40 seconds for her, so she's in and out very quickly.

More renovations for us this weekend, as well as a social engagement.
It's warmed up a little... DH may force me to go skating on the canal tomorrow...

Hi ladies!

School started! School started! *does a little dance*

I was reading all your posts and realizing how lucky I am to be living in Sun Diego. Yes, our days are shorter, just like yours but I can spend so much time outside because there isn't any inclimate weather. Last weekend, we took the dogs to the park and I said to the Cute Boyfriend, "Gosh, I'm sure glad winter is over with." he looked at me like I was insane and reminded me that it was only January. So if any of you want to move out here (hint hint)!

My classes this semester are soooo much fun. A lot of work but fun. I'm reading Jane Eyre for the first time (i have to do it in a week!) and I have a class on Human Sexuality - I wonder if they've figured out I'm a pro yet ;) I have a Creative Writing class and a class on publishing. But best of all, I made a big gap between classes to spend time at the college gym. It's been very good for me.

I miss you guys.

Goddess,

That sounds like a GREAT schedule. And I am JEALOUS about the weather.

Ellis, I have never heard about standing naked in a lighting tube. I have seen the special lighting that you can buy to have in your house that you are supposed to sit near for an hour a day, but not the tube.

Mauv, I hope your weekend goes as wel this weekend as the belly dancing and bar visit did last weekend. And on the bright side of things, I have already noticed that the days are getting longer, so we are definitely on the UPSWING, right???

Tiki.

ellis - why do you have to be naked :?:

Tiki- I did have a good weekend of doing nothing but sitting reading and drinkinf tea on Saturday. Today we are taking my dad out for his birthday lunch at a seafood restaurant (hope it doesn't turn into the See food binge for me :rofl: )

Tiki-Sorry about your fridge and freezer! Looks like the temps here won't let you down at least!!! Sounds like the cute guy is working out... glad to hear it!!

Virginia-HI!!!

Mauv-You have to be naked so that the attendants can have a little fun...(OOPS!!)

Ellis-HI!!! Wish you could help me with renovations. Last time DH tried any plumbing work we ended up having to bring a plumber in at time and a half!!! (He IS sexy though, so I'll forgive him...)

Jessica-YAY! good to see you happy and warm!!

We actually went out for dinner and a movie with another couple last night! NO KIDS!! First time we have done that since before the kids were born! (We are usually too broke!!) We had a wonderful time!! Won't be able to do it again for a while though. Things are easier since DH got that full time position, but there are a lot of things that we put off that we REALLY need to fix now. Just bought new tires ($$$) and we need to get a plumber in. The garbage disposal is jammed, and the basement toilet hasn't worked right for 4 years!!! (THAT is just the beginning of the list!!) It was still worth it to get out and have some fun though!!

I don't know why you have to be naked, but it's in a hospital, so I assume they know what they're doing. :lol3:
Why DO we live in the Great White North, Jessica? :?: I'll discuss it with my psychiatrist next week. :rofl: (Lois? Any ideas? ;) )
Your classes sound great!! I'm envious!

Tiki, how was the date? Are you still smiling? ;)
I hope your fridge is being fixed right NOW!!

Mauvais, I hope your Dad had a good birthday! Where did you go?
Have you ever been to Flippers?

Den, which movie did you see? DH and I have a date to see The Woodsman.

Must run... I have a couple of court dates to attend... hope everyone is well! :wave:

Nope! Never been to Flippers....is it good? We went to Joey's - I think it is my dad's favorite place.....When I asked him where he wanted to go his eyes lit up like a Christmas tree and he said "Joey's" with a huge grin on his face! :lol:

I ate my fish but not the fries that went with it. :D

Oh, that's so sweet!
I've never been to Joey's, but mom takes the kids there all the time, and they LOVE it!
Flippers is good... it's upstairs in the Glebe over Vonn's. (wait... is it still Vonn's?)
Good going with the fries, girl! :hat:

Good job on skiping the fries Mauv. HOpe your dad's day was GREAT!!

Dentrassi - I know how you feel about the laundry list of home repairs. Sometimes just looking at mines makes me wanna scream and beg for a landlord.

The fridge is now working - Took the guy 10 minutes to fix it but he still charged me the full hour of service. Nothing worse than getting screwed without KY or an orgasm.

On a good note, the date went well. We had a good time. He kept throwing popcorn down my blouse and when I asked him why, he said it was because he liked me. Go figure.

Tiki.

Just a quick fly by but I had to post - Tiki that was great. :lol: :rofl: :lol3:

Tiki-HAHAHAHAHAHA!! The popcorn thing sounds like something my DH would have done when we were dating!! Glad to hear the fridge is fixed!!

Squeak-COME AND PLAY!!!! I MISS YOU!!!

Mauvais-Glad you had fun! Congratulations on skipping the fries. That is just about my favorite food, I don't think I could have done it.

Ellis-Million Dollar Baby. It was good. Cried my eyes out. I am SUCH a cry baby!!!

I miss you too Den!!!! I will come back to play soon I promise. Just crazy busy. Logged into work from home as I speak (type). :p

Tiki - too cute! :lol: