Tag Archives: Recovery

It’s Been A Long Day

Posted on by Gertie

Good Evening, World!!! It has been a long day for various reasons. One of those reasons was due to work as well as some news myself and the team I work on regarding our boss. I love my job most of the time and today was a mixture of loving it and being frustrated but mostly loving it.

The news regarding my supervisor didn’t come of a surprise but was somewhat frustrating for me especially since he is a very sweet guy. My supervisor has been on leave or FMLA for most of the summer like last year. His leave was supposed to end tomorrow (Friday) with him returning this Monday. Apparently, he resigned today via email with his supervisor saying that tomorrow (Friday) will be his last day. My colleagues on my team and I are not surprised by this, but we all wish he would have informed us sooner. I’m truly hoping that he is doing okay as I worked with him at a previous employer. There is a lot of uncertainty on my end regarding who the new boss is going to be and will do my best not to worry about it till there is a new boss.

After work I went to go get my meds. I was going to do it yesterday (Wednesday) but didn’t feel like doing it. Some of my meds help with the symptoms of my mental health diagnosis’s. Taking meds for my mental health is just one part of my mental health recovery.

One of the other things that helps with my mental health recovery is reading. On the way home from work and picking up my meds, I went to a used bookstore and bought me a book. Technically it is three books in one by Orson Scott Card. The books are The Memory of Earth, The Call of Earth and The Ships of Earth. I am looking forward to reading all three books in one book.

I do not have anything else to discuss or share or to write about in this particular blog post except to say it is time to cuddle with my cat, Billie and read. I do want to thank you the reader 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 my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

Recovery Focused Ramblings

Posted on by Gertie

Good Evening, World!!! Just a fore warning that this post most likely will ramble on about various things that I plan on doing for fun to help me look forward to something just in case my mental health symptoms start acting up. Thankfully, I am doing quite well mental health wise.

Speaking of mental health, I have some fun things planned. The fun things that I am looking forward to and ultimately will help with my mental health especially if the symptoms of my mental health diagnosis’s start acting up. Something I have come to realize during my years of mental health recovery is that no matter how good or bad things get, having something to look forward is a very good thing to have one’s life.

The first fun thing that I will be doing to going to the University of Washington versus Eastern Washington University football game in September. In fact, I bought the ticket earlier this evening. I am going by myself just for the hell of it. I got me a pretty good seat on the forty-yard line. I am not much of a football fan, but attending the football game is something to do and look forward to.

The second fun thing I have planned is going to Sea-Meow Con. It is a cat convention, and I am finally able to attend this particular one as I had the money to buy the VIP tickets for me and my partner as well as have the time to attend. I am not one hundred percent sure who will being doing meet and greets this year, but I am looking to doing them. When I went to Seattle Pop Cat Convention in April, they didn’t have meet and greets like Sea-Meow Con has. Sea-Meow Con is going to be held the first weekend of November.

I do not have anything else to discuss or share or to write about in this particular blog post except to say it is time to cuddle with my cat. I do want to thank you the reader 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 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 through the Calm App
  • Morning walk
  • Volunteer at PAWS Cat City
  • Artwork (color and/or diamond art/painting)
  • Read

Monday

  • Mindfulness meditation through the Calm App
  • Morning walk
  • Work
  • Artwork (color and/or diamond art/painting)
  • Read

Tuesday

  • Mindfulness meditation through the Calm App
  • Morning walk
  • Work
  • Artwork (coloring and/or diamond art/painting)
  • Read

Wednesday

  • Mindfulness meditation through the Calm App
  • Morning walk
  • In person appointment with psychiatric nurse practitioner
  • In person appointment with therapist
  • Belated birthday lunch with partner
  • Telemedicine appointment with nutritionist
  • Artwork (coloring and/or diamond art/painting)
  • Read

Thursday

  • Mindfulness meditation through the Calm App
  • Morning walk
  • Work
  • Artwork (coloring and/or diamond art/painting)
  • Read

Friday

  • Mindfulness meditation through the Calm App
  • Morning walk
  • In person kidney stone doctor appointment for follow up for hospitalization a few weeks ago
  • Laundry
  • Artwork (coloring and/or diamond art/painting)
  • Read

Saturday

  • Mindfulness meditation through the Calm App
  • Morning walk
  • Artwork (coloring and/or diamond art/painting)
  • Read
  • Do as little as possible

Up Too Late Reading Due to C-PTSD

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! It just after two o’clock in the morning Seattle time and sleep is not happening at the moment. The reason why sleep is not happening at the moment is due to C-PTSD symptoms. Due to the severity of my C-PTSD symptoms I am reading a horror book. The current horror book I am reading is The Graceview Patient, by Caitlin Starling. So far, I am immensely enjoying the book.

I tend to read horror books in the evening to help reduce the amount of C-PTSD related nightmares. Nightmares related to horror books I read are easier to cope with than nightmares related to C-PTSD. That is why I am currently reading a horror book, so when I do attempt to go to sleep it might not be so challenging to do so. Having C-PTSD sucks shit.

I do not have anything else to discuss or share or to write about in this particular blog post except to say it is time to cuddle with my cat, Billie and continue to read. I do want to thank you the reader 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 my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

Middle of the Night Ramblings

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! It is two forty-five in the morning on Wednesday, March 4th of 2026 and sadly I am not able to sleep. I’m pretty sure my PTSD and insomnia are conspiring against me to be sleepless in Seattle. Being sleepless in Seattle is nothing new to me and it majorly sucks. It sucks because I tend to be a cranky bucket the next day, but I am hoping it won’t affect me so much since I have so much to look forward to.

One of the things, I have to look forward to starts tomorrow (Thursday, March 5th) to Sunday (March 8th). That something is Emerald City Comic Con. It also happens that this weekend is my birthday weekend which makes Emerald City Comic Con that much more special for me. I have been looking forward to this since August of last year (2025). I can’t wait till tomorrow as it is the start of my birthday weekend.

Speaking of birthdays, I bought myself a birthday present. A birthday present that is going to be a weekend of fun here in Seattle and is in April of this year (2026) that involves cats. That birthday present is going to a cat convention known as Pop Cats. I have never been to a cat convention, and I love cats, so I thought it would be a great birthday present to myself especially since it is here in Seattle.

As I am informing you of the conventions, I am going be attending it reminds me of the communities I belong to and how important it is to continue to participate in those communities I am in. I’m part of the comic book community as I love comic books just like I am part of the cat community because I love cats as well as volunteer with cats. As someone who is in mental health recovery building community is huge. For me making sure that I belong to more than one community is key to my recovery. Hell, everyone belongs to multiple different communities.

I do not have anything else to discuss or share or to write about in this particular blog post except to say it is now time to cuddle with my cat, Billie. I do want to thank you the reader 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 my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

Looking Forward to the Weekend

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning and Happy Tuesday, World!!! I’m looking forward to another day at work. In fact, today is going be my Friday as I usually work Monday, Tuesday, and Thursdays but I am taking Thursday off to attend a four-day event. The four-day event I will be attending is here in Seattle will be Emerald City Comic Con. The best part of it all is that Emerald City Comic Con falls over my birthday weekend and am so excited about it. It is something I have been looking forward to since I bought me a four-day VIP pass back in August.

In fact, my therapist and I have been discussing in therapy how it is important to have something to look forward to especially when is something that you enjoy. I’m pretty sure when I see her tomorrow (Wednesday) for my appointment with that we will be discussing Emerald House Comic Con and how to make sure I enjoy myself without getting too anxious and/or overwhelmed. I wouldn’t be too surprised if my therapist and I discussed planning on something else to look forward to once Emerald City Comic Con is over with as when you struggle with a mental health diagnosis, it is always nice to have something to look forward even when things are going well. For me having something to look forward to whether or not I am doing well is a major part of my recovery. I’m just thrilled that I am doing well.

I do not have anything else to discuss or share or to write about in this particular blog post except to say it is now time to cuddle with my cat, Billie before getting ready for work. I do want to thank you the reader 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 my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

Lunch Time Ramblings

Posted on by Gertie

Good Afternoon, World!!! I really didn’t have anything to worry about regarding pay. Yes, my vacation time is gone as of this Thursday, and I had to use my personal holiday and most of my vacation time for missing last week due to health issues, at least I get to attend the first day of Emerald City Comic Con. I’m just relieved I get paid for last week and this Thursday and that everything worked out in my favor.

I’m also excited about tomorrow as I start co-facilitating a group. Specifically, I will be co-facilitating a CBTp group. I am not able to be the main facilitator due to the fact that I do have the degree or licensure to do so, and I am okay with that as I am able to bring the peer perspective to the clients I help. I will be co-facilitating with a colleague on my team as well as another colleague who works on a different team. I am really looking forward doing this group.

I do not have anything else to discuss or share or to write about in this particular blog post except to say it is now time to go get my lunch and eat it. I do want to thank you the reader 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 my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

Brief Health Update

Posted on by Gertie

Good Afternoon, World!!! I just wanted to give you brief health update. Nothing major but just wanted to update you the reader about my health. Overall, my health is good. On that note, I ended up needing to get a stint put in from my left kidney to my bladder due “one extremely oversized kidney stone” that was blocking everything in the left kidney. Due to the blockage, I ended up with a kidney infection. The doctor informed me that procedure to put in the stint went well but took longer than expected due to scarring I have due severe childhood trauma. I did inform the medical team of the scaring, but they “didn’t realize the severity of it” which I guess, I kind of understand. I got the stint last Monday (February 23rd) and it is still causing a lot of physical discomfort.

Also, my C-PTSD symptoms have increased due to the stint being placed and being told “the scarring was more severe than the team realized.” I don’t know why it put me in a tailspin, but it did. I have been taking care of my mental health as I don’t want to end up suicidal or have self-harm urges. My mental health recovery means the world to me especially since it is requirement for my job and job description.

Speaking of jobs. I had to miss work last week because for the procedure. I missed last Monday and Tuesday because I was in the hospital due to the procedure. I missed last Thursday due to recuperating from the surgery both physically and mental health wise. I only work twenty hours a week which means I work three days a week which are Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. I work two six-hour days and one eight hour day. I love my job so very much and sadly will most likely have to use some vacation time for what I missed but I’m okay with that.

I do not have anything else to discuss or share or to write about in this particular blog post except to say it is now time to cuddle with my cat, Billie. I do want to thank you the reader 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 my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

2026 New Year’s Goals

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning and Happy New Year’s World!!! I know it has been New Years for three days now and I apologize for not posting sooner. Hell, I haven’t posted in a while. As always, I have goals to work on in the New Year that tend to change throughout the year. Some are the same as last year due to not completing the goals or just wanting to continue improving myself. I don’t do resolutions as I tend to not accomplish them which is why I do goals as I am more likely to accomplish and achieve them.

My 2026 goals are as follows:

  • Clean apartment and keep it clean
  • Continue mental health treatment
  • Continue seeing my primary care provider on the regular basis
  • Continue working at my current job
  • Continue volunteering at Cat City and Alley Cat Project (ACP)
  • Attend weekly 12 step meetings
  • Do at least two recovery related workbooks
  • Learn about tarot cards
  • Learn about Buddhism
  • Do self-paced Bible Study
  • Read at least four books
  • Do at least three diamond art/painting
  • Color at least two giant coloring posters
  • Do daily meditation

I do not have anything else to discuss or share or to write about in this particular blog post. I want to wish you the reader of my blog a Happy New Year. I do want to thank you the reader 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 my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

A Friday Morning Brief Life Update

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning and Happy Friday, World!!! It is a yucky rainy day here in Seattle. It’s even yucky for Seattle standards. As much as I am not liking this yucky weather, I do my best to keep in mind that today’s weather has me appreciate summer weather even more than I did when I lived in California.

As far as my new job goes, I am still loving it. It’s hard to believe that I have been at my new job for almost eight months. The team I am on is absolutely amazing. I am beyond grateful to be on such a great team with awesome people. I also love the fact that I get to help people with their recovery.

Now on to next update in my life. This past summer when I was talking to with my therapist in therapy, the topic of Autism got brought up due to what a doctor told me when I was in the emergency room. My therapist agreed with doctor that there is the possibility of autism and appreciated the fact that the doctor explained to me the meds they were giving was going to be a small dose as people with autism and ADHD tend to be super sensitive to certain meds. I appreciated that. Anyway, my therapist suggested that I read the book “Unmasking Autism” by Devon Price. I bought the book when she suggested it, and I am just now starting to read it. Anyway, fast forward to this past Wednesday, I saw my therapist for therapy, and I finally asked her for the first time (months after the first conversation) if she thought I am autistic and why. She said that she does think I’m autistic for various reasons such as my communication style and other things she mentioned such as the subtle stimming I do that nobody really notices as it is “not the typical stimming.” I appreciate my therapist being honest with me and allowing me to bring it up in my own time as she doesn’t like to bring up possible autism to folks due to how most people react. I personally wish she would have just told me but I’m glad she allowed me the space to bring it up in my own time. As far as testing goes, it is still several conversations to be had if I want to get tested. My therapist is happy that bought and reading the book she suggested which is “Unmasking Autism” by Devon Price. She is encouraging me to read it slowly with intention to learn.

I do not have anything else to discuss or share or to write about in this particular blog post except to say it is now time to cuddle with my cat, Billie. I do want to thank you the reader 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 my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!