Have a great trip Carlos!

Hi everyone,
I’m getting ready to go to my friends memorial service. I have to go solo bc my husband is at a mandatory hockey training today. If he wants to coach he has to attend this. The national governing body for youth hockey is strict about this.

I can feel my nerves percolating. Having an anxiety issue adds a layer of complexity to it, but like Courage and SG said, in recovery I’ve had practice riding out these uncomfortable feelings.

Sg - Mindfulness helps me when things aren’t quite right. Also, the serenity prayer reminds me that everything will be ok. Is there anything that you really enjoy that you can do to perk up - read, go to the movies, plan your garden, dig out old music, etc?

I foind out Friday from HR that I made it to the next round of interviews for the position. Nothing was scheduled by the end of the workday Friday, but I suspect it’ll be this week.

Carlos - I hope going to NE with NE is wonderful! She sounds very sweet and loving. You deserve it!

FBL -Whst will you do with your free time away from the card shows?

gilmer - I hope you’re doing well, my friend!!

Have a good day everyone.

I went to the wake. There were several people I don’t know and one other couple from back in the day.

Her mother was cold and flippant with me. “I haven’t seen you in a very long time.” She was also telling me how she is certain it was neurological disorder. Her mother’s admonishment has me a little twisted up, even though I know that it is unreasonable to expect anyone to truly “be there” though thick and thin with an addict in denial, a part of me felt guilty for any pain I may have caused her. I am so incredibly grateful for the recovery I have that allows me to keep moving forward.

Her sister was forthcoming about the illness, the addiction, the next steps for the children, and so on. It was a comfort to hear that the families are actively working through it.

I decided that in my friend’s memory, I am going to do 50 nice things (she was 50), random acts of kindness, and acts of patience, decency, grace, and goodness in her honor. Fifty is a lot. This is going to take a while. :)

You all are so nice. Thank you for the comforting words about my friend’s passing. I appreciate it.

Thank you too for all the positive vibes about the job. I’m still waiting - and wondering. Meanwhile the role I’m in now has a newer leader who I don’t trust yet. She’s made little effort to create rapport. I can see that my boss is tense, locked away in meetings. I know I’m not getting the recognition I need, so I am trying to find good ways to share what I’m doing. This is a bit of a stretch for me but I’ve got to look out for myself.

Fbl - My kids were up late on a school night celebrating the Sox win! In CT professional sports allegiances are so divided that we don’t get to revel in a win like the city where it happened. Only if UConn wins something.

Sg - How are you feeling? Between SAD and the changes to your schedule, I bet your internal clock is confused. I hope you’ve found some good ways to stay engaged.

The girl on my team who sits in front of me at work is extremely hard working and polite, She shared with me that she has generalized anxiety. I have seen an increase in her mood issues as the days have gotten shorter. I’ve felt responsible for some of her frustration recently, wondering if what I’m sharing with her about my strategy through the department politics is making her feel bad about the department, but you have helped me realize that it’s not always about me. (:)). It could be about the way the season affects her.

Today she told me she’s unmotivated and disengaged. She is top top talent and we will work through this together. It was an amazing opportunity to see myself mirrored to me! I have learned to look for flittle things in my day to enjoy to keep myself engaged. We both have to work on optimism, and I hope she will find it engaging to approach it together as colleagues.