Monthly Archives: October 2023

Mid-Week Update

Posted on by Gertie

Good Evening, World!!! It is Wednesday which means it is time for my mid-week update. It will be mainly about me discussing work and how my corrective action plan (CAP) meeting went at work this past Monday. In fact let’s discuss it now. My CAP meeting went better than I expected and a lot was discussed including accommodations that have not been happening despite informing both of the supervisors as well H.R. H.R is not happy about it being brought up by my CAP meeting in front of two union representatives. My union representatives were “livid” that despite all the emails to the supervisors and H.R nothing did nothing regarding making sure I was able to use my accommodations. So, now they have to completely redo my CAP and I will have another CAP meeting. If it is not done within two weeks I will not be receiving a CAP.

On that note I have been doing a great deal of mindfulness meditation practices through the Calm App. I feel like it has been helping a great deal with me dealing with stressful situations as well as everyday life. It helps me with both my anxiety and ADHD a great deal.

I have also been reading a great deal especially when going to and from work as I take public transportation. I also have been reading a lot due to the days getting shorter as well as the weather. The best part of reading at home is that I have my beloved cat, Billie, curled in my lap as I read. The book I am reading is Abraham Lincoln; Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith. I am really enjoying the book thus far. I really encourage you all to read it.

I do not have much more to update you on in this mid-week update blog post. I do want to thank you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you the reader, read my blog. If it was not for you the reader, reading my blog, I would not be writing my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

A Yucky Weather Type of Evening

Posted on by Gertie

Good Evening, World!!! It is a yucky weather type of evening here in Seattle which is not too unusual this time of year. I don’t like this weather at times as it doesn’t really help with my depression. As much as I am not a fan of this weather, I also like it for the fact it gives me an excuse to stay home with my cat, Billie.

Being home with my cat, Billie is awesome especially with the yucky weather. It also gives me an excuse to read as my cat, Billie, curls up on my lap and sleeps. The book I am reading is Abraham Lincoln; Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith. I am really enjoying the book. I am only on chapter four but I really like the book so far.

Another thing I think will help with my depression this evening is that I am doing crisis coverage till eight o’clock in the morning tomorrow (Wednesday). I think it will help as it helps me not focus on the shit that is going on in my own life. Yes, I focus on my shit but when I am working I both need to and want to focus on the people I help.

I do not have much more to write about in this particular blog. I do want to thank you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you the reader, reading my blog. If it was not for you the reader, reading my blog, I would not be writing my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

Just A Monday Morning Rambling Post

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! It is Monday morning here in Seattle and it is chilly. Not chilly in fact of winter chilly like snow but autumn chilly as possible rain. I don’t think it is supposed to rain today but I do know it is supposed to be cloudy and a little breezy.

Despite the chilly weather today, I am looking forward to working today for the most part. I get to spend most of the day outreaching clients today. The part I am not looking forward to is that I am receiving my corrective action plan (CAP) today at one o’clock which is an hour before I start which can be both good and bad. Good for the fact, I get it done early in my shift. Bad for the fact that, it possibly could make it challenging for me to do my job for the rest of the day but I will deal with it when it comes.

Since I don’t have to be into work till twelve noon today, I think I will spend most of the morning reading. Reading will help my anxiety with my CAP at work and keep me distracted. Plus, I really enjoy reading. Not only that, my cat, Billie tends to cuddle on my lap when I read. I am reading Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Gramhame-Smith. I am only on chapter two but so far it is good. Let’s see if it continues to hold my interest.

I do not have much more to write about in this particular blog post. I do want to thank you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you the reader, read my blog. If it was not for you the reader, reading my blog, I would not be writing my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

Weekly Plans

Posted on by Gertie

Sunday

  • Mindfulness Meditation practice
  • Work
  • Attend a 12 step meeting
  • Dinner with my grandpa and dad

Monday

  • Mindfulness Meditation practice
  • Breakfast with two good friends
  • Work

Tuesday

  • Mindfulness Meditation practice
  • Work
  • Dinner with my dad and grandpa

Wednesday

  • Mindfulness Meditation practice
  • Work
  • Attend an online twelve step meeting

Thursday

  • Mindfulness Meditation practice
  • Work
  • Step work with sponsor
  • Dinner with a friend

Friday

  • Mindfulness Meditation practice
  • Clean apartment
  • Appointment with psychiatric nurse practitioner
  • Volunteer at PAWS Cat City

Saturday

  • Mindfulness Meditation practice
  • Farmers Market with grandpa
  • Clean apartment
  • Attend an online twelve step meeting

A Relaxing Saturday

Posted on by Gertie

Good Evening, World!!! It has been a nice and relaxing Saturday for me. A Saturday that was surprisingly relaxing and I hope that it can happen again soon. I think one of the reasons why it was so relaxing is because I had therapy yesterday and needed to recharge my batteries today.

One of the things that I did today was go to the farmers market in my neighborhood. It is the same farmers market I go to every Saturday and enjoy going. As per usual I bought myself a yummy breakfast sandwich. I ran into an elderly couple who remembered me from a couple of weeks ago. We talked for a while and had a good conversation.

When I arrived back home from the farmers market I decided to attend an online twelve step meeting. A meeting which I was thrilled to attend. I enjoy attending this particular twelve step program as it focuses on what I can do and how I can help myself versus focusing on the person with the addiction.

Another thing I did was color. I am coloring a gigantic poster I bought from Stuff2Color.com. In fact Stuff2Color.com is located in the Pacific Northwest which is partly why I buy coloring stuff from them. Even though they are located in Oregon I consider them local. I attempt to buy local especially when it comes to being creative as well as food.

I do not have much more to write about in this particular blog post. I do want to thank you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you the reader, read my blog. If it was not for you the reader, reading my blog, I would not be writing my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

Weekly Check-In

Posted on by Gertie

Good Evening, World!!! It is Saturday evening here in Seattle and that means it is that time of the week where I give you my weekly check in. A check where I tell you what has happened for me during the past week. A week that doesn’t always as planned.

I started this week by attending an online twelve step meeting. A meeting that had a focus of step one and will continue to focus on step one for the next three to four weeks so folks can work on the step and not feel rushed doing it. I really connected with this group and let my sponsor know that. She will “attend” with me tomorrow as she has another sponsee that is doing step one plus my sponsor will be in attendance to support me.

Besides attending online twelve step meetings, I returned back to work. I am happy to be back to work despite having a corrective action plan (CAP) looming over my head. I also found out that I will be having my CAP meeting this Monday. I don’t think most of the CAP is fair but I will take responsibility for the parts that I know is fair like missing too many days even though I have medical reasons for missing too many days. As far as the adaptability part, I know I have issues with it however it is disability related and feel like I am in trouble due to my disability. I am also getting a CAP due to how my annual review went but that was done three and half months early which is why I am fighting the CAP. I don’t understand why I wasn’t informed sooner about what I need to work on.

I also had therapy this week. My therapist and I discussed many different things including work. We discussed coping skills around work as well as the mental health symptoms that I deal with on the daily basis. We talked about how attending twelve step meetings is “helpful” for me and my recovery. We also discussed how my symptoms are not as severe due to me doing daily mindfulness meditation practices at least twice daily. My therapist is awesome and I appreciate the fact that she not only points out what I need to work on but points out what I am doing well on.

I do not have much more to discuss in this particular blog post. I do want to thank you for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

Tired in Seattle

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! It is officially Saturday morning here in Seattle and I sadly did not sleep well once again. I did not sleep well last night due to the fact that my building fire alarm system decided to malfunction once again. Needless to say I am not the only one who is pissed off about this.

Since I was not able to sleep very well last night, I did what I could to control my emotions regarding the fire alarm malfunctioning. One of the things I did to help myself was do a couple of mindfulness meditation practices. Mindfulness meditation practice helps me realize what I need to do.

One of the things I did last night in between evacuating my apartment building multiple times was read. I am reading Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith. So far I am enjoying the book and I think it is worth reading so I recommend reading it.

Another thing I did last night was some arts and crafts. The type of art I did was color a gigantic poster I got from Stuff2Color.com. I really enjoy coloring. I also did some crafting by doing some cross stitching. I am hoping to finish a cross stitching project in time to give my mom a pillowcase for Christmas.

I do not have much more to write about in this particular blog post. I do want to thank you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you the reader, read my blog. If it was not for you the reader, reading my blog, I would not be writing my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

Fighting My Way Through A Depressive Moment

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! I am feeling very depressed at the moment. I really don’t like being depressed and I wish it would just go away. I know my depression will not go away especially this time of year when it usually gets worse due to the days getting shorter and the weather getting yuckier.

As depressed as I am, I am grateful that I am not suicidal. I am doing my various skills be to prevent myself from getting suicidal as being suicidal is no fund for anyone involved. One way I will help myself through this depressive moment is to do some artwork through coloring. I am coloring a couple of gigantic posters I bought from Stuff2Color.

Another way I am helping myself is reading while Billie, my cat, lays on my lap. I am in the middle of reading two different books. The one I am reading is Abraham Lincoln; Vampire Hunter, by Seth Grahame-Smith. So far I am enjoying the book. I love reading especially when my cat is on my lap.

I do not have much more to say in this particular blog post. I do want to thank you for reading my blog. If it was not for you the reader, reading my blog I would not be writing my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

Not Feeling Well Enough to Go to Work Today

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! I am not feeling well enough physically to go to work today and I feel like I am big let down with my team right now. I have been vomiting a lot during the night. It is something I think is mental health related but my doctor just wants to make sure. So I see later today and hope to update after my doctors appointment.

I will update you in another blog post about why my doctor and therapist have to say. Peace Out!!!