Tag Archives: Reading

Goals for 2024

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! I know I am posting this almost two weeks into the New Year of 2024 but I thought you would be interested in what my goals for this year are.

My goals are as follows:

~ Clean my apartment and keep it clean. (My apartment is a disaster area and gets the way it does due to the fact that I struggle with the upkeep of my apartment when my depression acts up.)

~ Get a job in the social service field, preferably as a peer specialist. (Yes, I know I am currently unemployed by choice to focus on my recovery however working will help once I am a little bit more stable on my feet.)

~ Continue volunteering at PAWS Cat City. (This is a no brainer as I really love volunteering with cats.)

~ Start and complete at least three workbooks regarding my recovery. (This is to not to take the place of attending therapy on the regular basis but to help with my recovery as well as help aid on what I need to work on in therapy.)

~ Read at least four books. (I really enjoy reading and want to do my best to incorporate reading on the regular basis and into my daily life.)

~ Learn about Tarot and practice it. (I just feel like this could help me with my everyday life as well as my recovery with mental health challenges.)

~ Continue practicing mindfulness on a daily basis. (This is to also help me with my everyday life as well as my recovery with mental health challenges.)

~ Continue morning walks. (Of course there are many benefits to walking and I really enjoy it.)

~ Continue regular sessions with my therapist. (Another no brainer especially since I want to continue to work on my recovery with mental health challenges.)

~ Continue regular appointments with my psychiatric nurse practitioner. (Again, another no brainer especially regarding my mental health recovery.)

~ Continue paying off credit cards. (Who doesn’t want to be debt free?)

~ Do one logic puzzle a week. (To help keep my brain active.)

~ Color two regular posters and one giant poster. (Creativity is always a good thing.)

So Far It’s Been A Productive Day

Posted on by Gertie

Good Afternoon, World!!! It is just after twelve noon, Seattle time and I feel like it has been a productive day so far. I am beyond grateful that I have done a great deal. In fact the day is barely half over and I still have a few more things to accomplish today.

I started off my day cleaning for about an hour which surprised the hell out of me as I normally clean about fifteen minutes at a time. I then worked on a workbook to finish up the first chapter which I am happy to announce that I did. I read a couple of chapters in a book followed by attending an online group. After the online group I worked on an art project I am doing for my therapist. The art project I am doing is that I am coloring a giant poster for my therapist as an appreciation gift for all of her help.

I do not have much else to write about in this particular blog post and have other things I would like to accomplish today. 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 continuing to write on my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

Structuring My Time

Posted on by Gertie

Hello, World!!! I haven’t been unemployed for a full week yet and I am wanting and needing more structure in my daily schedule despite me doing my best to structure my days. At this point in time I do not regret quitting my job as it was not the best fit for me for reasons I rather not disclose at the moment. I know ultimately leaving my job was the best decision for me.

Yes, I may not have the structure of work that I may need but I am doing the best I can to structure my days. As part of my daily schedule doing mindfulness meditations and walking will continue. I will also be doing workbooks as a part of my recovery. I will also be setting out some time daily to read as well as some art work. Specifically, I will be coloring a giant poster for my therapist. Of course, I will be attending therapy every other week. Let’s not forget, I get to spend more time with my cat, Billie.

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 through the Calm App
  • Morning Walk
  • Workbooks
  • Volunteer at PAWS Cat City
  • Dinner with friends
  • Read

Monday

  • Mindfulness Meditation practice through the Calm App
  • Morning Walk
  • Go to Emerald House (a mental health clubhouse)
  • Workbooks
  • Dinner with friends
  • Read

Tuesday

  • Mindfulness Meditation practice through the Calm App
  • Morning Walk
  • Go to Emerald House (a mental health clubhouse)
  • Workbooks
  • Read
  • Dinner with friends

Wednesday

  • Mindfulness Mediation practice through the Calm App
  • Morning Walk
  • Virtual Group
  • Workbooks
  • Read
  • Online 12 Step Meeting

Thursday

  • Mindfulness Meditation practice through the Calm App
  • Morning Walk
  • Virtual Group
  • Workbooks
  • Read
  • Attend a college women’s basketball game at the University of Washington with friends

Friday

  • Mindfulness Meditation practice through the Calm App
  • Morning Walk
  • Go to Emerald House (a mental health clubhouse)
  • Therapy (virtual session)
  • Workbooks
  • Read
  • Dinner with friends

Saturday

  • Mindfulness Meditation practice through the Calm App
  • Morning Walk
  • University District Farmers Market
  • Lunch with friends
  • Workbooks
  • Read
  • Clean apartment

Nightmares Suck Sh!t

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World. It is just after three o’clock in the morning, Seattle time and sadly, I am unable to sleep. I woke up to a nightmare. Nightmares suck sh!t and I wish I didn’t have to deal with them but sadly they are a major symptom of PTSD for me.

Since the nightmare was almost as horrific as the trauma I experienced as a child, I am pretty sure what I am going to do to get myself relaxed enough to hopefully get back to sleep. I think I will try to read first. I think I will start reading the book Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith. I have started this book a couple of times before but sadly never finished for various reasons.

If reading does not then, I will put on some music and do some artwork as I listen to the music. I am not sure what type of music I will listen to but I do know the type of artwork I will be doing. The type of artwork I will be doing is coloring. I enjoy coloring a great deal.

I do not have much more to discuss 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 for my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

An Early Morning Post Due to Waking up Too Early

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! At the start of writing this particular blog post it is 4:14 in the morning here in Seattle. I haven’t been getting much sleep due to the fact I most likely will be losing my job and having some insomnia over it. Some of the reasons I agree with while other reasons I don’t agree with due to the fact that I have not been able to use my reasonable accommodation request. I own up to the stuff that I haven’t need reasonable accommodation stuff but I just want to prove to my employer that I can do much better at my job if they allow me my reasonable accommodations.

Enough about work as I am trying to ge my mind off of work. by doing a number of things. First and foremost, I have been spending my time with my beloved cat, Billie. Having Billie by my side has been quite helpful. He is such an awesome and loving kitty. I am in awe of his unconditional love.

Besides my time with Billie, I have been doing my normal skill set to help myself through the challenging stuff the world throws at me such as artwork by coloring as well as reading. Let us not forrget about doing some mindfulness meditation practices. In fact I started to do log problems or logic puzzles. I find them quite fascinating Some are extremely challenging to .do but the satisfaction that comes with completing one is priceless. Plus I have a sense of pride when I am done with a logic problem or puzzle.

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

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!!!

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!!!