Well, since you asked.....

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

Okay. I don’t usually do this kind of thread, but I’ve been asked what’s wrong or what’s bothering me, so here it is. Feel free to ignore this thread, and go on about your merry way.

I’ve just been feeling super stressed out lately. A lot is happening in my life right now, and I’m starting to feel like I’m just reeling from one blow to another, without even much time to breathe in between. This is NOT a pity party, I HATE those. Just going to state the facts, as simply as I can, so those who have noticed I haven’t been my usual cheery self of late will know why.

Hubby is gone, has been gone since January, will be gone now <except for a brief visit home early next year sometime> til the end of January, 2002. :frowning: Job, money, lots of reasons. We’ve talked about it, it’s the best thing long term for our family. SUCKS right now. I can’t sleep well at all in that big, lonely bed. And, don’t even mention the lack of sex. Sigh

I just found my brother on Sept. 2nd, complete with wonderful family, after hunting for over 12 years. The downside is he’s been out of work now for almost 5 months, they’re losing the land and the mobile home to foreclosure, I’ve almost broken my own budget trying to at least see they get food and gas. He does have a job. BUT. It’s in Michigan, and he leaves this Sunday for a 3 month project in Ohio. Leaving behind a family who’s about to be kicked out on the street. <won’t happen, they’ll be coming here. somehow I’ll find room for them all> They’ll be moving up to Michigan next week. IF they sell the land in time. IF they then get enough money to make the move <company won’t pay any relocation fees>. IF they somehow get packed up in time. My brother will be back down to drive the U-Haul up there, but they’re only giving him enough time to drive, basically. And, truthfully <long story, won’t go into here> I’m more than a little afraid he’ll disappear on me again.

My son just went off to college for the first time, and he’s having some adjustments to make, and I’m concerned about him. My daughter is going through a rough patch right now, being compared to her older, almost perfect brother at school, and she’s stressing out.

You already know about my SIL in Houston, and her situation. It’s not only not gotten better, it’s gotten worse in some ways. My MIL is so stressed out, I’m expecting a call anytime telling me SHE’s had a stroke now. And, my BIL isn’t handling any of it well either, so none of their three kids are.

Another SIL in Wisconsin <my other brother’s wife> is dealing with her dad probably dying, maybe, they’re not sure now. And, she’s barely hanging in there herself.

I have not been as frugal with our money as I should have been, and, I’ve allowed myself to be talked into ‘loaning out’ too much to relatives, and I may never see any of it back, which would be okay, but some of the big bills didn’t get paid this month, and I’ll have to play catch up now.

And, on top of all of that, I have some health concerns of my own. <No, can’t tell you, haven’t told anyone yet> And, something happened earlier this year that hurt me very deeply and I’m working my way through the pain. Yet, it’s a pain I have no choice but to deal with on my own, sharing would only cause more pain for too many others too dear to me. I’d like to think I’m not that selfish.
So, there you have it, as briefly as I could make it. I’ll be fine. VB was telling me just today that I’m a much stronger person than I give myself credit for. Whatever. All I know is I feel like I’m hanging by a thread, and that thread’s unraveling on me. I know I have all of you on here, and that means a very great deal to me. Whatever strength I have at the moment is because of several of you who have emailed me and sent me hugs and funny stories. Still, I’d give an awful lot to be hugged IRL for a bit. I’m a huggy person <like no one’s noticed that!> and the lack of physical touch is probably hurting me as much as anything else right now. My darling daughter hugs me a lot, true. Still, that’s an unfair burden on her to expect as many hugs as I could use right now.

Okay, grumble’s over. Carry on. Thanks for reading this far.

2

No pity, at least out loud. Instead I’ll be proud I know you. Proud of how well you’re toughing this out. Must be in the Texas water.

And if it helps, purplebear))> (I pinched your butt)

3

{{{{purplebear}}}}

I’ve always wanted to do that :slight_smile:

4

Purplebear, my thoughts and prayers to the big one upstairs go out to you.

5

Drop, my dear. Thank you very much for your kind words.

:eek: Oooh! And the pinch! :stuck_out_tongue:

{{{{{{dropzone}}}}}<with a quick pat on his tush>

Xizor, by all means, hug me any time you want to! I love hugs!

{{{{{{xizor}}}}}}

Lord Davidson, thank you very much. All prayers gratefully received. He is my strength, indeed.

{{{{{{Lord Davidson}}}}}}
<blows the handsome men a kiss!>

6

I already gave ya some hugs in the other thread, so no more for you, missy! Just kidding. {{purplebear}} If I weren’t in Massachusetts, I’d run over there and give you some IRL hugs, but it’s a little too far. Hang in there sweetie, and I’ll say a prayer for you and your family.

7

Hang in there, purplebear! You’ve been hit with a lot of changes lately; some happy, some not. But even happy ones require output of energy, adaptation, whatever.

You feel stressed because you have been stressed! I’m just so glad you’re here to vent and let us know how much the collective folks think of you and wish you well.

Doncha hate it when cliches turn out to be true? Life won’t throw more at ya without the strength to meet it, if you can recognize the boundless goodwill and love that sometimes come in strange forms. Like the old chestnut goes, “musta done something right that’s coming back”.

Well, you’ve been a fine, great-hearted friend to folks here, so maybe it’s that love flowing back to you in generous measure.

{{{{purplebear}}}}

Veb

8

OH purplebear! I am so sorry your feeling down!! You have been such a tremendous support for so many people here. You have NO idea, even if you think you do! YOU purplebear are one of the good ones, a true blessed soul, and I refuse to think that bad things will continue for you for long. If you ever need ANYTHING you KNOW the people on this board that you have touched would do ANYTHING for you!! You lend your shoulder to the masses of this board and we are willing to lend back.

You have made countless people here feel better when they were at their lowest and I for one want to thank you for that! You know who you can trust on this board, talk to them and express what your feeling if your not already. It can take away a lot of weight from your shoulders and let you think clearly. I myself don’t do this well, don’t fall into that rut. It doesn’t help.

And this is NO pity! You’ll get none of that from me. These are “just the facts ma’am.”

((((((purplebear)))))) You’re troubles are in my prayers.

9

WOW. Geobabe, Veb, Whammo, you humble me. Thank you is so inadequate for what I’m feeling.

{{{{{{Geobabe}}}}}}
{{{{{{Veb}}}}}}
{{{{{{Whammo}}}}}}

<too choked up for words, fighting back tears of happiness and gratitude, purplebear walks off to go hug her daughter again>

10

purplebear:

Sounds like you’re carrying a lot of people there. Don’t forget to look out for your own needs too. It’s okay to say “no” to the requests of family and friends, especially given how far you’ve apparently been spent down financially, emotionally, and healthwise.

You have my respect, purplebear. Not pity, but respect. You sound like a genuine fighter, and I really respect that. Just be sure to look out for yourself every bit as much as you look out for those around you.

11

Oh hon…why didn’t you TELL me, you silly! mock glare You know you can always come to me, hon…I may not be on AIM as much anymore because of work, but I always check email about 6 times a day. You email me, you hear???

{{{{{{{{{Karyn}}}}}}}}}}}}

12

JTR thank you, very much. Good point, I do, or I won’t be much help to anyone around me if I don’t. In that vein I’ve started taking vitamins, have been shutting my puter off in the evenings, or walking away and ignoring it for a while, I bought a lot of fresh fruit and veggies to munch on, and I’m trying some Melatonin to help me sleep better. And, trying to take a walk every day around the neighborhood at least.
Now, if I could just shut my brain off at bedtime…:stuck_out_tongue:
Thank you so much, Falcon. I know, I know. You’re here for me, and I haven’t meant to ignore that. Just don’t like moaning and groaning about my concerns when you have plenty of your own right now.
{{{{{{JTR}}}}}}
{{{{{{Falcon}}}}}}

13

Karyn,

I was/am dog tired tonight. I went to bed early, but haven’t been able to doze off. I wandered out here to waste time on the 'puter, and I find this. That’s why I couldn’t sleep! You have been the compassionate beating heart of these boards for quite some time. In uncountable instances, both for me and everyone else, your compassion has enlightened our lives like a beacon of hope, shining from afar with love and encouragement. Well, missy, it’s payback time! I am sure I speak for all but a small number of trolls when I say we are all here for you. If you need to rant, rage, cry, moan or just find support, call on us, anytime. Were we to ignore the needs of someone who has given so much of themselves so freely, I doubt many of us could so much as glance in a mirror without dying of shame. Just let us know what you need and we’ll do it. Want company? we’ll all move to Texas, making your town ( San Antonio? Damn, I forgot) the smartest place on the face of the earth. Need money? With this bunch a collection would generate a good $1.25, maybe even $1.50! Feeling hemmed in? I’ll gladly pack my apartment in a box( I live in a Looney Tunes suitcase kind of apartment) and ship it FedEx so you can have the extra space. Want the shirt off my back? Actually, you don’t, I’ve been sweating pretty much all day.
Seriously, I want you to know that you can count on me for anything I can provide, and a few things I can’t, provided they’re misdemenors. There are few posters who are reguarded with, AFIK, universal high reguard, and you top that list. You have my number ( actually, it’s changed, I’ll email the new one). Call me if you need anything or if you just wanna talk.
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Purplebear}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

14

You are one of my favorite people on this board, purplebear (Gee, that’s news ;)) and I’m sorry you’re having such a tough time right now.

I’ll be another one praying for you and your family, and hoping things get better for you somehow – and that at the very least, everything stops happening at once!

{{{purplebear}}}

(Yes, more hugs!)

Brida

15

weirddave, thank you so much. I really needed that chuckle too! :slight_smile: Yes, it’s San Antonio. You’re so very sweet, and always kind to me. It means a lot coming from you, especially with all that’s going on in your own life right now. I’ll look for your email, and I’ll call you if I need anything, I promise.

And, thanks, but I won’t be needing your shirt just yet. :wink:
Catrandom, thank you so much. All prayers are certainly appreciated, as are your very sweet words to me. I always enjoy you and your posts as well.

{{{{{{Dave}}}}}}
{{{{{{Brida}}}}}}

16

{{{{{{purplebear}}}}}}

I wish I could do more than that for you.

17

Hi, purplebear. Just little-ole-newbie-me checking in with hugs {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{purplebear}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} and good thoughts. :smiley:

This is probably sort of inane, but I wanted to let you know that reading your smashing posts was one of the reasons I registered at SDMB. I love love love reading your posts. See, you’re having an effect on people you don’t even know! (Granted, that effect is that I put off my homework and studying, but still. :))

Not that you haven’t been told already, but I’d like to remind you that you’re wonderful, amazing, witty, beautiful, intelligent, compassionate, and generally (as they say here in Boston) wicked good. :smiley: Hooray for purplebear!

With love and prayers,
Jessica

18

Poor PB!

{{{{{purplebear}}}}}

I know I’ve needed a hug now and then. I’m glad to provide one (bear hug) for someone else who needs one.

~~Baloo

19

PB,

You probably know that I am dealing with my own issues at the moment so my words will not reflect quite what I am feeling in my heart.

Everyone here has said pretty much what I would have said, so, no need to attempt to repeat it. 'Sides, my brain is half-functioning.

{{{{{{{purplebear}}}}}}}

It will get better, as they say, it has to!

< I couldn’t pass attempting to post in this thread for pb’s sake, we love you hun >
< techchick scatters back to the black hole left in her heart >

20

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{purplebear}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

I am so sorry that I didn’t see this thread before now. I am kicking myself for not checking in sooner.

I know you don’t live anywhere close to me but if there is anything I can do–ANYTHING–please let me know. I am completely serious–anything in my power, I would do for you.

You are one of the sweetest people I know–online or IRL. It breaks my heart that you are having to go through so much! :frowning: (If we ever needed a crying smilie, this would be the time!)

You know that so many of us here consider you to be like family and we are all here for you so feel free to talk to us–use us as sounding boards/punching bags/shoulders to lean on.

I am sending all the positive energy I can muster your way. I know you don’t believe in my religion but if you don’t mind, I would like to do a protection spell on your behalf. (If it bothers you, just let me know and I won’t do it.) It just really hurts me that someone as wonderful and special as you can be hurting as much as you are and there is nothing I can do to help.

Please–no matter what happens–please do not stop posting here. We would not know what to do if we couldn’t keep in touch with you in some way. Please stay strong and remember, we are here for you and we love you!
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{purplebear}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}