It’s only week 2 and my mental health is already so much better I’m baking again, cooking again, enjoying video games. I don’t need a nap at 5 pm to sleep off the stress I’m sleeping better overall I didn’t realize just HOW BAD it was, and I’m so grateful that I’m on the other side of it now

The two most glitter filled days of the year: - The day we put up Christmas decorations - And the day we take them down Cooovered in tree flocking and glitter, but as glitter is never REALLY gone - it’ll be a lingering joy in the house of the months of festive spirit.

Had to cancel NYE plans, emailed the venue we had prepaid a reservation for just to let them know to use our table even though it was too last minute for a refund. 0 expectation - just the FYI They decided to refund anyway and sent the sweetest reply Absolutely a way to keep customers coming back!

In happier news: Started a new farm in Stardew and I’m NOT letting myself use any of my spreadsheets Trying to be as chill as possible this playthrough.. Or in other words: min/max from memory only 🤣

Just a reminder: If you go to a group event sick, and swear “I’m not contagious” while you cough and sneeze **You are an asshole** From one gathering, 5 people now have the flu, mine progressed to pneumonia. I’m miserable, and I’m pissed this is because one person was fucking selfish.

Valid reasons to log into work phone/computer at Midnight on a Sunday: To check out your SPIFFY NEW JOB TITLE EFFECTIVE TODAY!! I am officially a Senior Product Manager!!!

Doctor: Omg everything is *terrible* in there wtf is going on?! Apparently: ✨Pneumonia✨ Not unexpected. Has happened every flu or Covid infection I’ve had in the past decade. I have two heavy antibiotics now. Should be road to recovery in no time!

Christmas is over so fast, days off together where we get to eat good food and just exist together shouldn't be so rare

Cancelled plans this weekend due to sickness Kind of relieved tbh. I’ll miss the family I won’t get to see - but wont miss the foot of snow predicted that would have been STRESSFUL to deal with Now I have 4 extra days of downtime to remember how to be calm and take care of myself before new job

The flu continues! BACK to the doctor tomorrow because it is definitely at a minimum a respiratory infection now, but based on breathing I am worried I have (yet again) progressed to pneumonia I even tried to avoid it and went to the dr on day 0 this time! But here we are….

As a human that is allergic to dextromethorphan, I am surprised there are not more DM free cough and cold medicines - especially because it reacts with ALOT of other medications - including SSRI’s, SNRI’s, MAOI’s which a ton of people rely on Related: I have the flu and I ran out of my cold meds

I cooked a giant Christmas feast for family shindig this weekend Everything came out at the same time, timed perfectly The turkey and beef roast were ABSOLUTELY INSANE I also asked for help cleaning when my executive function ran out instead of being mad at everyone ⭐️I’m REALLY proud of myself⭐️

It’s the time of year when your bougie grocery store has the most fkd-up novelty cheeses imaginable. Goat cheese with gingerbread in it. Pesto gouda. Mango Wensleydale. Cheese law means nothing out there this week.

The hardest part about leaving a product is watching someone else steer suddenly and being like WTF ARE YOU DOING?! Annnd you just smile and not say shit because it isn’t your fight anymore. Time to let others drive and set the course, even if they have a completely INSANE destination in mind.

Official Christmas tree count 2025: 12!!!! TWELVE!! One of my favorites to put up is my Mario themed tree. This year I got a new tree collar that seemed more on theme and a new SuperStar topper and I am obsessed! (The WoW wall art is year round 🤓)

Multiple people rushed to deplane because they were sick. I didn’t even make it to baggage claim before I joined in Definitely something in the food on board. Actually almost fainted at TSA and needed an escort through security and the airport. I just want to be home already. (And not puking)

Worked half the week from Cardiff, second half from London Today I took time to do ✨Tourism✨ before I head back to the States!

Officially at 6 trees and counting… Total still projected at 11 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

Some days you just wake up and feel prepared to challenge the entire world to a duel. And by “entire world” I mean my ADHD executive dysfunction populated to do list annnd work emails But I got it done, crushed it all, and now to recover hours that I overworked with therapy then a hair appt 🩵👨‍🎤🎨

I got the job/promotion that I applied for! Officially accepted the offer. Annnnnnd got to see some true colors on my current team by the bitterness and vitriol from the people who will “always support me” Byeeeeeeee!!

THE LOCAL COYOTES ARE BACK!! Awwwoooooooo!! And saw about 100 crows flying overhead today and just playing in the wind My heart is so delighted

Is it too late for me to take up falconry and just spend all day every day with gorgeous giant birds who could rip my face off? That sounds kinda wonderful

My office officially has 3 Christmas trees in it - with a 4th visible through the French doors in the hallway. I am not a reasonable person. 🌟🎄🎄🎄🎄🌟

I had many drinks I ate really good churros Then I tried to climb a tree walking back from the bar This has been an amazing Saturday night

I am anticipating “official” good news related to career things this week Honestly, I’m a bundle of nerves in the “oh shit is this happening?!” way - but I also REALLY want to give the person who set me up for this opportunity the biggest fucking hug and thank you.

Coopers post surgery check went well - Vet said it healed perfectly! He did not let them remove the stitches - but they’re the dissolving ones so the strings will fall out soon on their own and wasn’t worth stressing the boy Tonight: WE SLEEP WITHOUT THE CONE!!!

🎉🥳COOPER’S BIOPSY RESULTS SHOWED IT WAS NON-CANCEROUS!!!!🐕🩵 Oh my gosh so relieved. His bloodwork is still a little wonky but we’ll recheck in a few weeks. But what an amazing relief to hear the tumor was benign!!!!!

How is this (work) year almost over? • Thanksgiving PTO • A week in Cardiff on Business • Last two weeks of the year PTO Basically 4 weeks left to my work year… wtffffffff

Snooooooooooooowwww!!!!!! ❄️☃️❄️

Updates: cooper is recovering SO WELL. Proud of him for trusting me to clean his wound and being THE BEST BOY overall. Additionally: panel interview went well on Friday (I think). I did my best and am confident in that, if it’s not enough then oh well. Should find out within a week or two.

Cooper had a VERY long day. He’s home and has meds to help his pain. He’s being a brave boy. The incision is gnarly looking and I’m very worried about keeping it clean - but one day at a time. Keeping all paws and fingers crossed the biopsy is good news.

Is it really still waking up *randomly* if it’s always at 3 am? I feel like at some point you just concede it’s your neurospicy hormonal stress sitch commandeering your brain in a bold “I AM THE CAPTAIN NOW” move that demands 3 am is a routine part of your cycle now.

Started the morning at the vet. Thought it was just a gland issue, but turns out he has a ‘very concerning’ mass on his rear that the vet wants to surgically remove and send out for biopsy tomorrow. So worried for my boy 🥺 I just want him to feel better and be healthy.

Just a “short informal chat” on Friday with a member of the team I recently applied for 😅🫠 Realistically, I’m a product manager. Just put me in a room of people and I got it, that’s kinda my job.. But mannnnn I still def get the “WHAT IF I AM SUDDENLY AN AWFUL HUMAN” nerves for (not) interviews

My Hardcore character is Level 56, almost 57 and came within inches of dying today. Seriously went through grief and despair while sitting there stunned and getting clobbered by a mob. Healer got unstunned and a heal off at the last possible GCD. Holy shit, I’M NOT TIRED ANYMORE

Saw a new massage therapist who spent about 40 minutes untying the knot in my shoulder She was amazingly talented - but she talked the ENTIRE session and mannnn I don’t know that I can face that regularly. I just wanna zone out and vibe, not exhausting small talk …But my shoulder feels GREAT!!

Home safely, Cooper is also back home and is in full Velcro-Husky protocol He seriously cannot stop whimpering he’s too excited and overstimulated I think he is trying to invent a way to have zoomies WHILE half of his body still always makes contact with me I don’t think sleep’s gonna happen 🤣

Pumpkin spice espresso martini at the hotel bar we are staying at They. Are. DELICIOUS.

Two(ish) days off work and a good nights sleep in the middle of nowhere and I no longer look like death Is this what relaxing does?!

And the 8 hour drive begins! Gonna do medieval shit with some medieval friends in a part of the country with barely any cell service. Best down time I could ask for right now.

I got the BEST night of sleep ever last night. I don’t know what sorcery I did to achieve it, but I feel fucking incredible today.

The worst part about submitting applications is the waiting.. and the OH MY GOD PLEASE TELL ME THEY LIKE ME

My 12’ skeleton has a defective part They aren’t in stock anywhere to exchange. Manufacturer wants to charge me almost as much as the whole skeleton for the piece I need. I’m so disappointed. Might try skeleton surgery in a desperate hope for my skele dreams to come truez

These are going to be a VERY interesting next few weeks. But it culminates in a trip to upstate NY, and all the interim stress should lead to amazing career stuff. So - hectic and chaotic and stressful, but not **bad** Also bday week and my Etsy orders arrive this week too. Which yaaaaaay!

A neighbor reached out and sincerely wanted to get to know me and start a friendship. We went for a walk around our neighborhood for an hour and chatted a bunch, it was lovely. I genuinely appreciated someone bluntly being like “DO YOU WANT TO BE FRIENDS” as if we were in primary school.

In three weeks, getting to see some friends I have not seen in years, in some cases over 6 years. Prioritized **myself** over work and told my anxiety to shut it to make this trip happen. Bonus: New England in October? 🍁L E A F S🍁 Let’s gooooooo!!!!

Me: been sick/vomitting all night and half the day Also me: I wonder if I can eat Pizza…. I’m not very bright sometimes.

As part of my “fight burnout” strategy I’ve made it a point to not talk about anything negative related to work outside of work (except to my therapist) Good vibes only when I’m off the clock One week(ish) in and it’s already helping me sleep better and feel less stressed overall

I unapologetically took a mental health day today. I still felt guilty though, because America has (incorrectly) taught me that’s an unworthy reason of PTO - but no actual apologies were made! And I didn’t even cheat check my work messages even once! Woooo advocating for myself! Wooooooooo