Did you miss me? I missed YOU! I looked at my calendar recently and realized that I’ve been away from WordPress for just over a year. I needed a break, and I’m glad I took one. I’ve spent the past twelve months exploring, challenging, and recharging myself, and I’m excited to be back!
Not firm on format, yet – might be shorter posts, more pictures, less pictures, recipes, book reviews, or none of the above.
Let’s catch up!
This summer, I was officially (translation: “by a mental health professional”) diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (different than OCD) and ADHD. I began new medications over the summer, started new CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), recently completed a 10-week DBT (dialectical behavioral therapy) group, AND “There’s an app for that!” DBT, that is.
I’m still happily working at my “dream job”. Couldn’t ask for nicer colleagues or better hours. Love it.
Twins are doing great! – They moved up to the intermediate school in our school district, 5th grade last year – in sixth grade now, and loving it. Next year, middle school (OMG, really?!) Finally feeling like time flies, after wishing it would. It can slow down now, thank you.
Started running (and not just away) last winter – I’ve done a handful of 5K races with friends and one awesome mud run – Shadey’s Rugged Run. Just entered the random draw for Run Nike Women’s Series 2014 half-marathon in Washington, D.C. I may be NUTS, thinking I should do this, but I’m super excited – entrants to be notified the first week in December!
Celebrating my 15th wedding anniversary tomorrow, after a weekend getaway, to West Chester, PA. Cool college town, only an hour from home. Feeling lucky and loved.
That’s all for now – hope to see you at the Circus!
squirrel circus 
Ha ha! You’ve given me inspiration squirrel! I may sign up for this one or another myself. I’ve done a 10K.
You should! I find signing up for races is what keeps me running; training for my next event provides the motivation I need 🙂
Good job taking care of yourself. I’m looking forward to hearing more!
Thanks!
Welcome Back! My college roommate was from West Chester….
It’s SUCH a cool town — so many awesome restaurants!
Whooo hooo! Welcome back. I was just thinking of you the other day & poof, here you are. What do you think of that CBT? It’s an interesting thing being used for all sorts of things.
I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that the boys are growing, but 6th grade?
Awesome on the running. My daughter’s been doing 5K’s and just did her first half marathon a couple of weeks ago – quite a challenge for her but not anywhere near as big as what she’ll be doing next year. She was accepted on the MS Team to run the next Boston marathon and is really excited about doing it. I’m so touched that she’s doing it in my name (I was diagnosed when she was about 12 years old so it was a really tough time for her with all the ups & downs).
It’s so good to see you back. I’ve finally, yes finally renovated my kitchen which was a complete re-do from floors to ceiling. There’s isn’t an original thing in there & it is within days of being done. I should have all working appliances by Monday & will be back cooking homemade meals. Eating out & takeout have gotten very old!
Thanks!! Glad I’ve timed it right to arrive with your new appliances – we redid ours, appliances, not the kitchen, this summer with stainless steel. I love them, but they’e impossible to keep clean!
That’s so cool that your daughter is going to run for MS. I’d be interested if she had any tips for a first half?
I can’t figure out how to keep the streaks off the stainless. I feel like I’ve been living in a cave or something because I can’t figure out how to use these things! I think I’ve got the microwave drawer figured out for what I need and possibly the dishwasher but haven’t even gotten to the stove which has convection, regular oven and a dehydrator. The fridge is easy except I don’t know how to turn off the stupid open door beeper. I’ll have to ask my daughter about tips but I know that after her first 4K she vowed to never run a race again.
Yes! This is my first time with two ovens — no dehydrator, though. I think your fridge “beeper” might turn off if you tap the alarm icon on the front of the door? I’ve accidentally turned ours on before. I can’t get over the fact that appliances can supposedly “communicate with me through my cell phone – if they’re broken, that is.
What? You’re saying that if they break down you’ll get a phone call? Cripes, if they can do that then why don’t they just call the repairman themselves!
Thanks for the tip on that alarm – got it & now I’m happy with my fridge.
I just discovered that I’m going to have to buy new pots & pans. I’ve got an electric flat top stove & the safety feature is that if a pan’s not on the unit, it turns off. So I discovered that my noodles stopped boiling after a few minutes because the pan is warped & it doesn’t think there’s anything on the unit.
Congrats on the new pans — hope you got some pretty ones! I must tell you that I can ONLY cook with gas, so I haven’t had that problem yet. My favorite feature of my new stove is the Fast Boil setting on my biggest burner — gets pasta water going in, like 5 min flat.
welcome back 🙂 good to hear you and twins are doing great
Thanks!!!
nice to see you back!
Thank you! 🙂
I was super stoked to read this.
Glad to have you back. Now it won’t feel so creepy when I am stalking your GoodReads bookshelves.