October 2017 Ups & Downs Support Group
 

I can't believe it's time to do this already, but here it is; the October 2017 Ups and Downs Support Group thread!

Please feel :welcome: to come by, both old and new members, and say hello!

Hope everyone is well! I'm feeling pretty run down today. I don't know why my energy is so low :( I'm supposed to be doing housework, but I've run out of steam.

I'm still a bit stressed about the mugging I saw on Friday, a bit edgy about my bag. I'm sure I'll settle down, but it's not fun right now.

kathleen it's so awful about Las Vegas, isn't it? I did think about your family when it happened, hoping you and no one you knew had been there. The singer must feel so shaken right now, I can't imagine how guilty you must feel after something like that.

I'm glad you're getting out walking again, and the weather is holding out for you!

I was on edge as in clutching my bag a bit tighter and worrying someone might take it, that's all.

The lady was unharmed, but really shaken. They struggled for a good few minutes. For some reason she didn't want to talk to police though, I don't know why.

I'm here. :)

I have been so busy. I really like my apartment. I'm getting odds and ends, soap, wash clothes, snacks to eat when I'm hungry. I haven't gone grocery shopping yet.

I did go clothes shopping yesterday. I did not get much, 3 shirts, and 1 pair of black jeans. I love my shirts, they are flowy and cute.

My car still needs cleaned out.

I bought a couch.

The cats seem to really like the apartment.

Ill do personals soon.

Lisa - so pleased you and the cats like your apartment! And that you have a couch sorted :) have you recovered from your epic drive yet? Have the cats recovered?

Coop, Looking back, it was a nightmare. I hated it. The cats seem to like the apartment. I do too. I am just glad to be here.

I am a little down today. My knee is hurting. I need to get out tomorrow. I watched football all day.

Well, just as I thought... I should have never said that things were better in my household. The $hit hit the fan again tonight. :( I am SO sick of this crap and all of the stress!!! :( I am afraid it is going to tear my family apart. :cry:

Kathleen,
You can't control other people. They make their own decisions. I know its hard but you need to let them make them and then just support them the best you can.

Mental health is a *****. Just do what you can do. Maybe in time, things will work themselves out. My therapist always says, "it is, what it is." I mean she always, always says this.

Kathleen, it is what it is.

Love to you.

Hello!! so much to comment on .


Oh my gosh Coop, you are an ANGEL and a HERO to try to intervene!!!! really!! so many people would have just driven by!! blessings to you! I am sorry you are feeling anxious about it, of course you would be. I hope also that the jerk confesses so you don't have to be involved in the court process. HUGS and RESPECT to you Coop!!!

Lisa - CONGRATS on being in your new home!! glad you were able to do a little clothes shopping. I hope so much that this place is good to you!

Kathleen, oh gosh honey I am SO sorry that things are not good in your family now, especially right after you were hesitant to say they were OK in fear of things getting bad again :( that sucks!! you have been through so much and oh gosh I wish you could be happy! I'm glad you said you have been able to get some more movement in, and I am RIGHT WITH YOU in holding onto every second of this :sunny: and absolutely dreading the inevitable that is coming.

and thanks to Coop for starting the October thread :)

I have been working alot of hours and fighting off getting a cold, it's like almost every night I feel that slight sore throat starting but by the next morning, after coffee and a hot shower, I feel better. The 'good job' ends this Sunday!! so I will try to get as much enjoyment as possible this week :)

My brother is in the hospital again. He is on State disability, due to lifelong (diagnosed at 10 years old as schizophrenic!! ) mental problems. My sister and I both live about equidistant from him, but I never see him because it is just too uncomfortable to be around him. I don't know how my sister can do it but she does take him out occasionally for lunch or dinner or outings.

He does have a caseworker that checks on him almost daily but my brother has stopped taking his medications and keeps going to the hospital. So a decision has been made that he has to go in a group living situation, it will be a nursing/rehab place. I had to meet wtih the hospital and the caseworker today, I am a selfish person that I did not like giving up 4 hours of my one day off and I am honest to admit that.

We finally got some rain today, after almost 3 weeks of no rain at all. I admit I am glad to not have to water all my plants for one day, it takes over an hour but I still love doing it.

Did my volunteer work Saturday afternoon/evening with the local Fire Department's Harvest supper, I made 8 pies and 40 servings of cake.

I will try to check in more often!!

kathleen I'm so sorry things have kicked off at home again. I can only pay it's short lived, and the road smoothes out again soon. I understand you feel like you've jinxed it, but I'm sure it had no sway whatsoever.

Holly enjoy your last week in the good job! Fantastic that you prepared all that food for your local fire department! You're a star! I'm really sorry to hear about your brother :( such a difficult thing to have to deal with. I hope his moving to group living will give you some peace of mind. I don't blame you for not visiting too often, it sounds awful, but it is so hard to spare time for these things, especially when you work as hard as you do!

Lisa have you sorted any more furniture for you new place yet?

I am feeling a little less anxious following the mugging. I have to say, you might think it was brave to stop, but the mugging was in broad daylight - it was 8.40am (still rush hour) and there were a lot of people walking nearby on their way to school! It didn't feel right NOT to stop. I think the brazen-ness is what shook me, as you tend to feel like you should be safe during daylight, and on such a busy street.

We are getting a new bathroom installed this week - it's quite exciting :hyper: I've never had a new bathroom before! The floor was completely destroyed by a leaky pipe in April, and we had to rip the old bathroom out to replace the floorboards anyway. It doesn't cost much more to replace the furniture while we're at it.

Coop 8:00 in the morning is extremely brazen and shocking, and even on a busy street!! but you have a sweet soul and that is what made you try to help! I'm glad you are feeling a little less anxious about it :hug: Wow a new bathroom IS exciting! I've never had that either :D so I can share your joy :carrot: congrats!!

Yes it will be a relief to know my brother will be overseen by people. He is only 63. too young to pass away from stuff that can be controlled!

Hello to everyone else!!

Today was gorgeous :sunny: sunny, just a little warm (high 70's) Just right for me to mow the lawn as soon as i got home from work but it looks nice again :cool: I thank my lucky stars each day my beautiful flowers are still alive :flow1:

Kathleen,

I hope you are ok. Please don't take my last post to you as being unfeeling. I love you to pieces. I just hate that you are up and down, up and down.

I just wanted to share with you what my therapist shares with me. Acceptance of a situation seems to help me. Right now, I am kinda freaking out. I miss Jennifer. What did I just do???

Then I remember that I never saw her much anyway. I am just remembering that it is, what it is. I'm happy here, yes I miss her so much but I haven't died.

It is, what it is.

Miss you other,ladies, sooo much.

Hello all, I hope that your day is a good one. I haven't checked in here for several weeks. I have been busy with job searching, taking an online course, classes at the local MI center and my bff came to visit me for 2 weeks! :-) I weighed myself early in the month and I have lost 10 lbs. in 3 months. I am happy with that and I feel it is a big accomplishment. I take psych meds and I am in my 50's. So the weight comes off slow but it feels great to know I have lost 10 whole pounds.

While looking for a part time job I have been crocheting many things. I occasionally sell an item and I plan to donate a bunch of items to charities. I have a huge amount of yarn that I got on clearance. Crochet and other crafts help me to get into that chill mode.

Have a good week!

HW, congrats on the 10 pounds lost. Woooooooo!!

I'm running errands this morning, got my trusty co pilot with me.

I'm at the clothing store, going to get a few things. Not much though.

Still need a new drivers license.

There is just so much in this area. Just about anything you can think of, it has.

The cats really like the apartment, they play a lot. Even buggy man, he makes,the others cry. I have to tell him not so rough.

Much love to all.

Hydrawoman - congrats on the weight loss! It's so hard to lose weight on some medications, but it's all the more satisfying :)

I hope the charities like your crochet items :)

Lisa - so glad you and the cats are enjoying Washington! Who's the co pilot?

My thyroid test came back normal, which is good. I'm glad I don't have to battle with an under-active thyroid. It would have explained a lot of my issues, but I don't think my symptoms were severe enough. I'm back to the nutritionist next week to see where we go from here.

Our bathroom works are all done now, it looks really good. They said the floorboards were completely rotten, so I'm glad they've gone and we don't need to worry about the toilet falling through to the apartment below ours anymore :D

Hope everyone else is doing well! Hoping we hear something from Jessica soon too!

Coop - - Lisa's referring to her car, her Honda Pilot :) It's so great when you have a trusted car to get you places!!

Coop, I am glad your thyroid is normal. I hope you and the nutritionist can figure out where to proceed. Congrats on your bathroom being remodeled!! oh my what a relief to know the floors are solid :D

Are you suffering from the hurricane that is so far north??

Lisa I'm so glad the kitties are enjoying your new home. And Elvira? I hope you're not missing your daughter too much. With FB and computers and Skype and such, one can keep in touch right?

HydraWoman good to hear from you!! congrats on dropping 10!! :carrot:

Kathleen I hope things have calmed down in your household :(

My wonderful summer job is over :( Sunday was the last day. I worked, besides in the kitchen baking and helping prep, in the dining room also for 3 nights in a row. And yes, it finally caught up to me, working 6 days a week since May..I got the worst cold in the universe!! I lost my voice because my throat was so raw. I don't know how I continued to work but I pushed through. It felt like every joint and muscle was full of hot burning glass. I was almost crying when I was driving home yesterday. I went to bed and spent ALL DAY in bed today. This evening was the first time I felt strong enough to pick up my laptop! :eek: I just ate a huge supper and I think tomorow will be better :)

I have off until Saturday, when I go back to working full time for the RB. But ladies..listen to this..he has an interested buyer!! Someone might actually pay 1 million for that place (it's prime real estate besides the thriving business) I might have new bosses soon. OMG :D

Elvira is my co pilot. She goes everywhere I go, for now, until she gets used to the apartment.

I am so thankful your test came back ok.

Where is Jessica? I miss her too.

Way too many ladies missing. :(

Hey Holly,
Elvira is my co pilot, she goes everywhere with me.

I'm so sorry you are sick. I hate being ill. I don't handle it well.

Oh my gosh, I hope you can get rid of rb.

And booooo, that your fun job is over. :(

One more thing. I've been here 18 days and my favorite jeans fit better.

Yay lisa you've lost weight! Washington is working out well for you :)

Holly fingers crossed the RB sells & you get a new boss! I hope your cold shifts quickly!

We got off lightly with the hurricane, it caused havoc in Ireland, but we just had a lot of rain.

Coop - so glad you didn't get terrible wind from the hurricane.

Lisa - woohoo! on better - fitting jeans! :carrot: and duh to me for forgetting who your trusty co-pilot is.

YES today I feel so much better! Now I just feel like I have a cold, instead of being afraid I'd never get better.

It was pretty cold outside this morning, we had our first killing frost, it was 26 degrees, so I spent most of the morning cleaning up in the kitchen. It was a wreck! Now it looks so much better.

Was outside for a while and it is beautiful and sunny, I trimmed some potted flowers of the dead stuff, did a little raking.

Went to town to price snow tires, boy nothing is ever affordable anymore huh, but I can pay cash because of all the extra hours I worked this summer and stashed the dough :cool: Still, about $650 but those are for good Nokia studded tires, and that's the total price including mounting and tax. Gotta do it soon :snow4: boooo

Absolutely! I can snap them easier.

I truly believe just being In a happier situation helps.

I had to get new tires for my car, too. I hope they help this winter. Mine were $550 for 4 tires, approx.

Its ok. Elvira loves being my co pilot. She's a good girl.

I am so ****ing sore tonight. My joints are killing me. I havent been taking my ibuprofen like I need to. This chilly weather makes me hurt so bad. Its hard for me to walk.

I still have not made it to the local library, to join. Maybe tomorrow.

I got signed up for Washington Medicaid today. Now to find Drs.

Much love to you all.

Oh gosh, do take that ibuprofen! pain is sucky.

Way to go for getting signed up for your medical stuff!

Hope you make it to the library :cool:

I am still suffering from this cold. Coughing fits, tons of goop in me (sorry) But it is impossible for me to 'take it easy' when the weather has been so spectacular and i have these days off. I've been spending every minute outside, digging, transplanting (yesterday was dividing and transplanting rhubarb and peonies, hope I didn't kill them!) then at night Im exhausted. Oh well.

I go back to the deli/cashier job TOMORROW. oH NO. :devil:

So it's been a good solid 4 months that I'm off the Wellbutrin. Totally med free for the first time in about 9 years? We'll see how I do in the dreaded winter. If I feel extra depressed I;m going to walk up to my doctor and kick him in the nuts. He pressed me to get off the meds.

thinking of you all!!! :hug:

Hello everyone! Well, once again, I am apologizing for being MIA for so long! :( Thank you for those of you who expressed concern for me in my absence. I guess I just have to accept the fact that my home life is going to be a roller coaster ride for awhile... or maybe forever. :( Things are just constantly up and down. Sorry to take you guys on the ride with me. I just need to vent sometimes. I have to put on a happy front to everyone else most of the time, and I am okay with that up to a point. I just don't want my extended family and family friends to look negatively at my son, so I don't like to share too much. He is going to school most days, so I am happy with that. He tells me to pray for him because he is still depressed, so that makes me sad. He is still going to DBT therapy, but his individual therapist confronted him recently and told him he thinks he is experiencing psychosis, which I don't believe he is... and it REALLY turned my son off... understandably. So now I don't think that therapy is going to be helpful after all... partly my son's fault for lack of commitment, too. It is all just frustrating. As I always say, I am just taking things one day at a time and trying to be there for him as best I can without enabling any negative behaviors. It is a delicate balance. And my hubby and 18-yr-old daughter get really upset with him, so I get caught in the middle of that... trying to put out those fires, too. I think I need to make an appointment with my own therapist for a refresher. I haven't been in several months. You ladies have been my therapy, so thank you! ;)

On a happy note, I am fitting into shirts in my closet and drawers that I haven't worn in awhile. :D I had lost some weight awhile ago, and the scale has stayed consistent for quite awhile now, but my clothes are still fitting better. Hey, I'll take it!!! :carrot: Workouts have still been sporadic, and I am frustrated with myself about that. I need to do much better. I think my saving grace has been not eating at night, only eating when physically hungry, and stopping eating when satisfied instead of stuffed. I've also been getting out to walk my pups some lately. Our Ohio fall weather has been gorgeous! :sunny: I don't want it to end!

Holly: Best of luck to you with your winter job! I'll be thinking of you as you go back to work with the r@t b@st@rd. :devil: What if he could see how we all talk about him on this site?!? :rofl: I hope he sells the business for your sake!!! :crossed: Please keep us posted. I hope everything works out with your brother. Sounds like an unfortunate situation. Hopefully the group living will work out well for him. I hope you are feeling much better by the time you read this! :hug:

Lisa: Thank you for your advice! You didn't hurt my feelings at all. My hubby always says, "It is what it is," too. It's just the truth. You can't change some things no matter how hard you try. Acceptance of that is often a key factor to letting go and moving forward. I'm working on it! So happy that you are getting settled in in Washington. I love the visual of Elvira as your copilot!!! :val1: And HOORAY for better-fitting jeans!!! :carrot: I think this new chapter in your life has good things in store for you, Lisa! :hug:

Coop: So happy and relieved that you weren't bothered too much by the hurricane. Your bathroom remodel sounds lovely. We really need to remodel our master bathroom. It needs it desperately. We just keep putting it off because it seems like a lot of trouble, but I know it would be so worth it in the long run. Hope you are enjoying it! That is great that your thyroid test came back normal. Glad you will be following up with your nutritionist. That should be a big help to you. What ever happened with the mugging situation? Did they ask for your help in court or anything? You are still my hero for stopping to help! :hug:

HydraWoman: Congratulations on losing 10 pounds in 3 months!!! :bravo: That is awesome, especially on psych meds (I know from experience)! :D

Jessica: If, by chance, you are reading along, PLEASE post and let us know that you are okay! We are worried sick about you!!! :( My thoughts and prayers are with you. :hug:

I am Soooo sore and stiff today. My knees and left elbow are almost causing me agony. I took some ibuprofen to help. I also have some Vicodin but am saving them for emergencies.

I am down today. I opened the patio door to get some fresh air in here. I haven't left the apartment much today, either. I need to. There are things here I need to do to help my mood. Fresh air and light, plus getting out of the apartment some.

I got a email today saying I now have insurance and can make Drs appointments. I'll start that on Monday. I am soooooo incredibly thankful. This is a huge huge weight off my shoulders.

Kathleen, bless you and your family.

Coop, I hope you are well.

Miss Holly, have you heard anything more about RB selling?

Monica, miss your posts so much.

Bless you all you ladies. Please post. I miss you all.

I am also taking better care of myself. I take a long bath every single day and wash my clothes every day too.

In the past, this was hard for me to do. Now, its important to me.

Have a great night.

Lisa, that is great!! I'm so glad there is something that now do-able for you, that previously wasn't. Progress!! I hope you aren't down still. Yes, getting outside is helpful even when it is hard to do at first. Maybe take Elvira for a walk? what is your new neighborhood like?

That is great news about having insurance now and being able to make doctor appointments!

I hope you aren't in pain and stiff anymore either :hug:

much love to YOU Lisa!! :hug:

Kathleen oh my gosh I'm so sad and sorry that your home life is so unsettled now :( you poor thing!! :hug: we are HERE for you whenever you need to vent or just tell us what is going on ... or not. we love you!!

The circumstances with your son would be so heart wrenching for a mother!! :( and so frustrating that as a mother it is something that you can't make better.

and yet you are so kind that you take the time to ask such detailed and caring messages to all of us :) :hug:

we love you and are pulling for you, Kathleen!!

I am much better each day, getting over that awful cold. Still stuffed up, still blowing my nose and getting rid of crud, but overall almost normal.

We are still having nicer-than-average weather for our region, I still have a few flower planters going strong, colorful pansies, petunias, and nasturtiums, they make me so happy :) I know they will be goners in a few weeks but I am holding onto them as long as possible.

Haven't heard anything else about the possible sale of the store. Just have to wait and see. My co-workers are SO happy to have me back :p they even ask "aren't you happy to be back here". God! I must be able to disguise my true feelings very well, that they don't know how much I dislike it there!!

I weighed myself last night and am at 148, that's my lowest for a couple years. I celebrated by eating handfuls of chocolate chips!! what is wrong with me :?: the sugar/chocolate monster was roaring inside me. I need to get rid of that container of chocolate chips, don't I :devil:

hello to Coop, Monica, HydraWoman!

I have so many freakin things to tell you all.

Saw my new Dr today, she's fantastic. She listens to me. She freakin listens to me.

She heard some wheezing in the upper lobes of my lungs. I have asthma and now have an inhaler.

I'll post more on my visit later. I have lots more to tell you all.

I'll post personals later.

Lisa - what a wonderful thing to have your new doctor listen to you!!! :hug: :carrot:

looking forward to the other stuff you are gonna tell us :)

My bad news - my brother passed away this afternoon :( I got the phone call at work, while I was behind the register, cashing people out!! how sucky is that :( No one to relieve me, there was a line of people and I had to talk to the social worker while running the register.

I meet with the funeral director tomrrow.

Holly I'm so sorry for your loss :( what an awful time to find out with so many people around :( sending lots of :hug:

Sorry all, I didn't have much time for personals earlier, but couldn't read Holly's news and dash off again.

Holly, I really hope you're holding up ok - I know you mentioned not long ago about your difficult relationship with your brother, but I've no doubt it still hurts and must have been a shock. He didn't sound ill from your description, and sometimes it floors you harder that way. Take care of yourself :hug:

Lisa I am really glad to hear how great your doctor is! It's so amazing to find someone who cares and has time to listen to you! Washington sounds like it's working out great for you :) I'm so glad the move has been a positive one so far!

kathleen I'm really sorry about your son's issues. I'm hearing things third hand, but it sounds like his therapist has upset him with her comments about psychosis. From your description, it really didn't seem that extreme - my mum had great insight into "kids" of his age, as she was a college lecturer and spent a lot of time helping students in his shoes - it sounds like he's free-falling and struggling to find a direction. I wish she was around so I could ask her how to help get through it for you :(

I haven't hear anymore since the mugging, but I don't think I will for a while. If it goes to court, it will probably be March at least! I'm sure I'll let you know if it does get to that, I'll be nervous as anything!

Holly,

I am so so sorry about your brother!!!!! :(