Thanks Ann... and all of you .... The dog and I have become best friends! I know that i want to get out. I know that I want people around me, but it is hard to reach out and connect sometimes. It still feels very strange to do something for me and not feel like I should feel bad about it or like I am going to "pay for it" somehow.
I guess the repeat experience of nothing negative happening and feeling good will reinforce that it's ok. Wow... sometimes it amazes me how messed up I let myself become.