This means a great deal to me. As much as if not more than Knitting (for those that know how knitting and I am).

I used to Self Injure and have recovered. It's not easy. Approximately 2 million people in the United States self injure annually. It recognizes no barrier. In other words, It's not limited to any one group of people.

Globally those that know about Self Injury Awareness Day recognize it on March 1. The thing is no national governments officially recognize it. As far as I know only the states of New Mexico and Connecticut recognize it.

Public awareness is one way to shed light on this growing problem. In an effort to reduce the stigma and help reduce some of the myths. It can also help those who self injure along with their family and friends get and/or find treatment. Such treatments can be: individual and/or group therapy, medications, or support groups, just to name a few. That is what we want in getting National recognition with this day.

If you want to help would you please sign the petition here.

Thank You so much. Like I said it means a lot to me. My friends and I are the ones behind this petition.

If you have questions you can comment here or email me at: CTSelfInjuryAwarenessProject at gmail dot com

Allergies...Ugh!

I don't know what is in bloom. Whatever it is though....Please go away! My allergies are off the wall. So much that my nose hurts on the inside! I feel like death warmed over. I can't go 5 minutes without using a tissue.

Apparently I don't look so hot either. People today have even been asking me if I'm ok because I don't look like I do.

I'm not sick, just miserable with allergies. Someone get rid of whatever is blooming....PLEASE!!!

New Favorite Artist

I have a new favorite artist. His name is Josh woodward. You have got to check out his site. It's www.joshwoodward.com. He's great.

Click here to create your own painting.

Confused

I'm so confused and lost. I mentioned in a previous post about my being at a crossroads in my mental health. I'm changing providers, and it's a big change for me. Well, I took the next step today.

I had my intake appointment at my new provider. It felt so weird. I know it's the right move and it's the right time. It just feels so strange. It's like I'm leaving home. Actually it was easier to move out into my own place. I'm just so nervous about it.

The lady that did my intake was really great though. I'll be seeing her next Monday to finish it up. I also know I'm going to a good place. It has a good reputation.

Sigh...I always knew this time would come. It's here and I just have to get through it. I will too. One thing mindfully. That's what I have to keep in mind.

Well, this time next month I'll have been discharged from the Local Mental Health Authority (LMHA) most likely. My therapist is starting the paperwork today or tomorrow. It's a bitersweet happening. I'll still have a prescriber for my meds and a therapist. I'll aso still have my RH case manager.

Still though. SMHA (the LMHA) is the place that has had me the longest. THey've been where I've gotten my DBT group, meds, and therapy. Without them I don't know where I'd be right now. Six years ago I started a downward spiral with my mental health. They're the ones that caught me and kept me from falling through the cracks.

THat's why it's so bittersweet for me to be leaving. It means I'm doing well. I don't need that intensive of a level of care. Honestly haven't needed that level for a while. They've been holding on to me though. It's hard though because it means I'm leaving those that know me best. They know my warning signs for a crisis as well as if not better than me. I'm going to have to break new providers in. Once I leave it also means I can't have my therapist again. That's all going to be tough. That's life though.

Guess I'm going to have to figure out how to deal. This will definitley put my skill to the test.

Going on a Playdate and I have no kids

Ok so how does one go on a playdate when they have no kids. Simple. THe other 2 moms are knitters and you don't mind being around the kids.

Let me backup. I have no car. One of my knitting friends is on vacation and the other is a SAHM. My friend on vacation put the idea of a playdate out there earlier this week. I agred to the idea. Last night I had an email talking about getting together today. I was up for it. So my friend that was on vacation picked me up on the way to our other friend's house and we all got together. The kids had a playdate while we got to knit. Life is good.

Even better is that my friend Kristy got to move on to the next round of Jukebox Hero. YAY Kristy!!!!

So Cool

This is So Cool

http://thekidnappedcanopener.blogspot.com/

I think it's a wonderful Idea

Med update and friend

It's been just over a week since my meds were adjusted. So far things have been going great. My depression has lifted. I'm not manic either. Being bipolar I'm always nervous when we increase either or both of my antidepressants. More than once have I gone from depressed to manic from a slight increase in my meds. Thankfully I don't think that is going to happen this time around.

My case manager has returned from vacation. I was supposed to get a couple things done last week. When I saw her today I told her that I dodn't get them done and why (depression). She completely understood. Hey it's not often that this happens with me now. I handled everything I needed to and kept out of trouble. That's good. If it were a couple years ago... let's not think about it.

On the other hand, one of my friends ended up in the hospital. She got out today thankfully. I went up to see her yesterday though. It was funny though. Since I had been on the unit at one time, there was a question as to wether or not i could visit. It's been 4 years people. Yes I can. Your limit is 1 year minimum. I lived up to my nickname of "Trouble" though. They wouldn't let my friend have chocolate. Visitors can't bring food (even if prepackaged and unsealed) from the outside in.

Now, I had been a frequent flier there so I know the routine. There are some things that you don't forget in 4 years. So I brought my friend books (allowed). They didn't know though that I had a chocolate bar in my bra. While my friend and I visited I snuck the chocolate out of my bra (even was able to block the camera with my bag) and into my coat. I then left my coat with her. A bunch of the staff that was on yesterday knew me so we got to chat too. They forgot all about the coat apparently and she was able to enjoy the chocolate. That's how my friend and I lived up to our nicknames of "Trouble and Double Trouble". Ok I understand the unit's logic, but sometimes it goes too far and you just have to bend the rules.

So I'm doing better, back to my usual mischief making self. My friend is doing the same.

Bat Season Continues

Yep, I has yet another creature this morning. I woke up around 2 this morning to go to the bathroom. Walking through the kitchen, I saw something fly by. I thought it was a moth. I should have known better. Went to the bathroom then went back to bed.

I was in bed for just a few seconds and heard a flapping noise. I lay there saying to my self "It can't be...It just can't be." Once I heard it again I looked and saw something fly by and turned on the light. Yep, I had a bat. Cliona who was on the fool of my bed decided to give chase.

They went into the hall. THe bat came back and I shut the door. Succeeding in shutting the bat and I in my room. Cliona ran into the door and Meowed like crazy to get in. Rememnbering my landlord telling me to open my windows (screens) in this event the last time I crawled out of bed and did just that. Then crawled across my room for a towel, then back near the window. I then spent 30 min cowering while my little guest flew around my room. Finally it went out the window.

I don't want any more this summer.