Monday

First of all, I wanted to thank all the nice folks who commented on my last post about being the evil stepmother in our family equation. Getting a fresh perspective on it all helps. And while I wouldn't say that I'm really "over it," I'm trying to deal and move on. Besides, I think everyone needs a pity party now and again. That was mine. Onward and upward.

I have to admit, completely separate from our family situation, I've been wrestling with some pretty ugly depression lately. I'm not sure, but maybe it's the cold weather (we have snow.... AGAIN.)

See?

I hate to admit how much the cold, grey days affect me. Or maybe I'm not taking good care of myself? Sometimes, I forget that I have needs, too. Oh hell. I don't know. Either way, I'm feeling stuck in neutral. Can't. Get. Going.

So, what do I do when I'm depressed and need to pull myself up by the bootstraps? I craft. I take pictures. I cook a new recipe I've never tried before. I do something... anything... that is just a little different than what I did the day before. That will be the order of the day. Different. Break the cycle of doing nothing because I just don't feel like it.

This morning, I was drinking my cup o' Joe (he's my not-so-secret boyfriend), sitting with Ella as she ate breakfast. She was stacking her Fruit Loops*. The blue ones ONLY. How cute is this?

She makes me smile. I guess I shall keep her.

* Yes, I feed my kids sugar cereal. I know that in many circles, that is a HUGE mommy no-no. But, at the moment, I'm picking my battles, and Fruit Loops isn't one of them. So, yeah. Hand over my Mother of the Year award. Please and thank you.