When we got our Bozley neutered, we made the mistake of removing his cone of shame too early. He licked himself raw.
There is a tendency when we are going through stuff to allow our pain to become all consuming through isolation.
Proverbs 17:17 says; “A friend loves at all times, but a brother/sister (friend) is born for a time of adversity.”
Nobody has to do life alone. Let your friends see behind the curtain.
How can you tell the difference between a friend and a sister/friend (not sister wife)?
Friendship is a huge part of the surviving depression equation. Please allow others into your journey. You won’t regret it. Vulnerability is beautiful. Friendship is beautiful.
It is true winter in my city. I know this because: a) my face hurts b) I am wearing socks (hate) c) abs of steel are required to walk down the street while navigating ice ridges and grooves.
With true winter in my city also comes a new year.
My #1 objective in 2018 is to strengthen my core. I intend to achieve this by:
One of my loves has left this world and I am very sad. I want to celebrate my sweet Buttercup because she was the best. Loving her was worth it. 
The English language has been hijacked! “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.” (Inigo Montoya – the Princess Bride)
What if the simple meaning of the ‘#metoo’ hashtag movement stretched beyond denouncing sexual harassment &/or assault? There are a lot of hurts in this crazy world of ours. What if ‘me too’ meant ‘I also’.
‘I also feel alone in a crowd.’
‘I also wake up at 4 a.m. fueled by anxiety.’
‘I also feel misunderstood.’
‘I also am afraid of spiders.’
`I also feel deeply sad sometimes.`
`I also want to auction off my children to the first bidder.`
`I also feel `less than`.`
`I also hate onions.`
`I also feel like I`m doing it wrong.`
`I also think putting on jeans fresh out of the dryer should count as my workout for the day.`
#metoo #ialso — you are not alone.
What are some of your #ialso struggles?
Have you ever noticed that guys of a certain age or life stage are often fully surrendered to the inevitable ‘Dad bod’?
I think the attitude is an enviable one. There is an ease to the ‘Dad bod.’ There is a quiet confidence.
May we all settle into the ‘Dad bod’ mentality a little more today.
P.S. Also, crack (plumber’s) kills.
Here is a list of a few things I have said to actual humans recently:
At a soap store: “Would you like to pick one of those up today?” Me: “I don’t think so, it makes me think of boogers.”
” I just accidentally gave myself a super wedgie.” *said to a new acquaintance*
*to cashier at grocery store* “do you ever judge your customers for their purchases?”
“This place smells like armpits,… old person armpits.”
*to waitress* “did you know your seats make rude sounds? *wiggles bottom around vigorously to demonstrate.*
“this song makes me want to stab myself in the ear.”
re: kombucha “what does it taste like?” Me: “like death and vinegar …. but it is good for you…”
“My name is Sam,…. Starbucks Sam.”
Salesperson at clothing retailer “what do you think of this color?” Me: “I think it is a cross between vomit and baby poo so I guess I will pass, thanks.”
“Do I have something in my teeth? *smiles a toothy grin at a stranger*
“So, I just discovered that I put my underwear on backwards… again…”
*shoe squeak* “You have got to hear this!” *sachets across the floor*
We have clearly established that I may or may not lie about my name sometimes. The funniest was the time that my hubby and I went to a boat show and the salesperson was trying to establish a rapport through repeated use of my non-name. Sufficed to say, we didn’t buy a boat.
Someone asked me recently, ‘what do you do?’ and I was able to say without even an inkling of self-doubt or insecurity that “I take care of my home and family.” This is HUGE! There is no longer an inner compulsion to justify my existence with an itemized, alphabetized list of my accomplishments, degree, or pedigree. Progress. Growth. Peace.
1)I have had diarrhea for over 300 consecutive days (you’re welcome … feel free to stop reading now….)
2)I have worn my bathing suit bottom as underwear 3 times
3) I lit our food on fire 6 times
4) I slipped in dog drool daily
5) I peed myself 4 x (that is another story….)
6) I lied to 75 Starbucks Baristas about my name
7) I cleaned up cat vomit 6 times
8) I shared 150 memes with friends
9) I danced interpretively weekly in my kitchen
10) I messed up on radio song lyrics 2x / daily
11) I cancelled ‘date night’ with my husband every second week because ‘I had already taken off my bra’
12) I have 10% new grey hairs
13) I pocketed dozens of barely used Kleenexes to ‘save for later’
14) I shared daily ‘random thoughts with Jerral’ with friends and strangers alike
15) I have had 7 giggle fits ( NOT ENOUGH!!!)
16) I binge watched all seasons of ‘The Office’ over a 2 month period
17) I swam through a pool coated with caterpillars once (never again!)
18) I killed 6 plants
19) I swallowed 2 flies
20) I had 4 temper tantrums
I would love to hear some of your fun facts from 2017
I have learned the key to keeping a plant alive….
Trauma.
I have two hybrid hibiscus plants that have moved inside for the duration of the winter.
The one that my son accidentally backed into with our van and subsequently had to be transplanted is amazing! Each new bloom is like ‘pew! pew! pew!’ every second day.
The other one however, it is shy. Now that it has moved inside, it is very, very hesitant. Little by little, with a little coaxing I am confident that it will not only survive, but thrive.
These plants are not dissimilar from my life. HE makes beautiful things.
projectlipstickismysuperpower 