This should probably be two separate posts

It was inevitable that I would come to a dip in this rollercoaster ride that is therapy. Unraveling the causes of depression is an interesting thing. Once the process finally got started, I have been eager, optimistic, and generally in a good mood. Then this week came along. I can’t fully articulate what happened or why I feel different. I just need to acknowledge that it’s all part of the process and the journey will continue. It’s a bump, a dip, a turn, a corkscrew, a whatever… but it’s definitely not a backwards step.

So for this week I’ve been a little quiet at work. In the morning I’ve pulled on stretchy knit dresses that don’t require ironing. I’ve worn my hair à la mode Stands With a Fist. I’ve continued to eat my healthy foods even though my favorite comfort foods of pizza and birthday cake seemed more appealing. And I’ve continued to walk in the evening because exercise helps counteract the physical symptoms of depression.

However, I haven’t started the hand sewing on Mr. A’s quilt yet. My camera is sitting on the desk collecting dust (I really should put it back in my camera bag). The new book I bought sits unread. And my blog ideas seem lackluster.

But this is a completely normal experience for someone in treatment. My mood is following the natural cycle of what I was told to expect and things are looking up as the week comes to a close. Today my parents and the boys came to my work to take me out for lunch. It was a welcomed break from the everyday and I did manage to chow down a slice (ok, two) of really good pepperoni pizza. Tomorrow night my Sweetie and I have plans to go out for dinner AND a movie aka Date Night. Have I ever told you how much I love Date Night? Well, I do.

Now the week is winding down and the up & down feeling of the rollercoaster is subsiding. I feel more like I’m floating on the ocean and I’m moving with the ebb and flow of the tide. This week has been bumpy but it will end well. There’s one more workday to focus on then an evening out with my Sweetie. Then the weekend to reset and recharge for the next step in this process.

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Oh, and I got a new Coach purse.



No, I didn’t buy the purse to make myself feel better. I bought the purse because it was a really, really good deal and I’ve always wanted a purse in some shade of blue. The fact that I’m happy to carry it is a bonus. You should know that the purse was aggressively priced for a reason. I bought the purse at the outlet store so it was already marked down from retail. Then it was marked an additional 50% off because I was told it was a return. The purse hadn’t been used so I decided to get it. Plus I had a coupon for another 10% off. At home, I unwrapped the tissue paper, found a gift receipt from Christmas in one of the pockets, pulled the paper from inside the purse, and was greeted with smell of cigarette smoke. Ugh. With the tight packing of the paper inside the purse and the overall scent of leather in the store I didn't notice anything was amiss.

My questions was… Do I return the purse or pray that the odor goes away? My husband’s question probably was phrased something like, Why are you crying over a Smurf-colored purse the size of a garage? I took action by placing a box of baking soda and a couple of sneaker balls in the purse for a few days. Then I hit the fabric lining with a shot of Febreeze. I’m pleased to report that my purse no longer reeks. Crisis and additional tears were averted.