StressBrush

I know it sounds weird, but I keep a toothbrush at work for days like today. When the place it going crazy and the phones won't stop ringing three at a time and coworkers are not being thoughtful, or helpful, or polite, and the majority of them flat out aren't here...
I keep a toothbrush and a travel size tube of toothpaste in a case in the back of my drawer. And I pull out my little case, grab my can of clorox wipes, and walk into the bathroom. (I share a bathroom with a bunch of males at work, so it is generally yucky. I start by wiping down the sink, and any other area I may touch with the clorox wipes.) I pull out the brush and the paste, I wet the brush, apply the paste and go to town on my teeth... because there are just so many things that I can't deal with when my teeth are sticky and my mouth is warm. Blehck. So I scrub scrub scrub all the goo off my teeth and use that time to take a few deep breaths to calm my nerves. Then I rinse, re-case my supplies, and wash my hands... all while trying to touch as few surfaces as possible in the bathroom. I walk back to my desk, and use the hand sanitizer.
I am now cool calm and collected and ready to deal with whatever they throw at me next. It's a good 2-minute re-group to get me through harried days. Yup... I brush my teeth at work. gross, huh?

*Key

So my birthday is next month, and just in case you were pondering what you should get me... THIS would be a splendid little trinket to surprise me with. ;)

FUNK

Ever have the kind of week where everything just kind of falls apart? Everything you do and say seems to get messed up, mis-construed, or mis-communicated. Suddenly people are freaking out, angry, or chewing on you about something that is not your fault, or something that is definitely a mis-interpretation of your intentions...
So you are defeated, discouraged, and frustrated and retreat to the people and activities that usually help you rest, refuel, and re-energize... but you don't have your best to give to those activities or people so suddenly those things are not working out for you as well, and those people are frustrated at you for not being better at relationships, and you are frustrated for not being better at anything you do... and you feel completely and totally ineffective and therefore unnecessary...
And because all your defenses are down emotionally and spiritually, the physical world decides to go ahead and rub salt in your proverbial wounds with some kind of ridiculous, though not life threatening illness, such as a pounding, nausea-inducing headache, or a mouth full of canker sores that just make it uncomfortable to eat, drink, talk, kiss, sing, or think about doing any of the above mentioned tasks that may or may not be essential to your existence...
And all this just sucks you further into the spiraling vortex black-hole of a nasty yucky FUNK.
Ever have a week like that? Thats the week I am having.
To my knowledge... the only known cure for such a week is pancakes, but I havn't the time or energy to make my own de-funk-ing cakes right now. So I might just be screwed.

UPDATE: I tore a hole in one of my favorite shirts today. sigh.

Time Out.

I unintentionally missed church this morning... but honestly I think the extra sleep and hour or two of quiet stillness in my home have done more for my spirit than anything else could right now. When did my life get so busy? Even when I am not at work, meetings, rehearsal, or church I still have so many things that must be accomplished that my head and my feet never stop. Or if they do, I feel guilty for my lack of activity. But when did activity become mandatory for every second of my waking hours? I don't know.
I do know that I need to slow down. I need space to think, breathe, and pray. I need some time to ask tough questions right now, and figure out the answers. There has been no time for asking questions or learning truth as I have over-filled my life. And not with bad things... with 'good' things... like spending time with friends/family, working, and using my talents... doing things I enjoy... but doing so much that my head and heart are overwhelmed.
So I am sitting in my quiet house this morning, not even the dogs are here making noise. And the quiet is a wonderful sound. Sitting and doing nothing and refusing to think of things that need to be done is welcome rest for my soul. I am quietly reviewing my life--the past week, past months, etc. and thinking about the things that brought me joy, and the times when I kinda blew it. And I am working my brain around how to handle some new situations and changing relationships in my life. I am trying to remember how to be loving or even just how to be 'nice' to some really frustrating people... instead of just trying to ignore it because 'I don't have time.' What a horrible horrible thing to say.
In just a little bit I will get up and do some laundry and wash some dishes then gather up my things and head out the door for another performance. But I will leave my home refreshed and energized, for a change, and ready to share that energy with many people I will meet today. I am quite grateful for my quiet time out today.

Public Service Announcement

Show Expectations For Uninformed Husbands:
If your Wife is in a show, it is expected that you should attend at least one of her performances. Several, if you want to earn brownie points.
Also, as a token of your love, affection, and the phenomenal job she has done, it is expected that you send/bring flowers to her for at least one of her performances. If you don't know where to start: An arrangement in a vase delivered to her dressing room on opening night, or an arm bouquet personally delivered after the show on closing night are both stellar options. ***It is important to note that the flowers should be presented to her at the performance venue, when friends and adoring fans are still present... flowers waiting at home do not have nearly the same effect to make your special lady feel even more special and celebrated as she deserves to be for her hard work.***
Be sure to include a note telling her you love her, you are proud of her, she did a fantastic job (or if delivered pre-show... "Break a leg" not "good luck").
Hope this helps shed some light on the situation! Feel free to share and distribute this info as you see fit.
***Please don't think I am a greedy and/or presumptuous person for saying such things... I have quickly discovered in my own marriage that it is better to state your expectations clearly for your significant other than to just HOPE they know what you expect... usually the latter method ends in disappointment and frustration for both parties. Just a thought!***