Robin | Farewell Stranger

Life’s Lessons: A To-Do About Lists

July 29, 2011 by Farewell Stranger ·

I would say TGIF but it actually doesn’t make a huge amount of difference to me these days what day it is. Still, I’m sort of glad it’s Friday, because I’ve learned some stuff.

My to-do list might have been ambitious this week.
That might be the reason you’ve had to suffer through so many not-really-a-post posts this week. And jokes about gorilla nostrils.
Sorry about that.
There are good reasons though!
I am now off my anti-anxiety med. (Ha! Take that, mean psychiatrist. I can so do it.)
That process has involved some side effects though. Things I’m not fond of.
Like headaches. Right behind the eyes. Pretty much all the time.
And sweats. For three nights in a row I woke up in what can only be described as a slip ‘n’ slide. (That might be TMI. Too late…)
Remind me not to use body butter the next time I’m trying to get off medication.
The nights are fine now but I’m hot ALL THE TIME.
I don’t like being hot.
I don’t like being jittery either.
But I don’t care (as long as I don’t stay this way forever) because I’m not sedated all the time anymore. Whee!
Another good reason is that I’ve been working on some stuff for Band Back Together.
And I’m also a contributor to something that will be making its big debut very soon. Very, very excited about this one.
Plus I still have a kid and, whaddya know, I kind of like spending time with him (and the husband) when I’m not feeling crazy.
So yeah, I had to let something go and I chose this dear blog of mine this week. Because I’m selfless like that.
Speaking of selfless, I may have spent some time reminding people to vote for me for this. So, um, please vote for me. Until August 3rd.

So that’s why I haven’t been doing my normal writing here, though I do have a couple of posts in my head that I want to write. Maybe this weekend. Then next week I’m going to BlogHer ’11 (wahoo!) and planning to participate in the #SummerBlogSocial.

How am I going to manage when I go back to work?! (Oh…my boss reads this blog. Just kidding, RB!)

Happy weekend, all.

Filed Under: Randomness · Tagged With: blogging, lists, living life, meds

The T-shirt Winner Is…

July 28, 2011 by Farewell Stranger ·

The lucky winner of the Band Back Together t-shirt, chosen by random.org, is comment #23 from Roxanne!

Roxanne gets her choice of t-shirt to show that she’s With The Band.

If you haven’t visited Band Back Together lately, we’ve got a super easy way for you to support those sharing their stories. You don’t have to comment – just fling some glitter at them. So go on – click. Give out some glitter and get some good karma in return.

And thanks to all those who entered and retweeted and all that good stuff. The Band appreciates your support.

Filed Under: Better world · Tagged With: community, spreading the love, we're not alone

Making It Happen – I’m a Speaker Finalist For Bloggy Boot Camp!

July 27, 2011 by Farewell Stranger ·

Last week I tortured myself making a video for something I really want. It paid off! I’m a finalist for a speaker spot at a SITS Bloggy Boot Camp.

I’m DYING of excitement. (You can see my video submission below.)

I really want to do this – not so much to talk about postpartum depression (though that would obviously be part of my story) but to talk to other bloggers about how blogging, to me, is so much more than words on a page. It’s about sharing what is unique to you – whatever that is, and each one of us has something – and using that to give others something. A laugh. Support. A new idea. A bit of hope. A connection to someone they’d otherwise not have met. And how doing that makes their life, and yours in return, something more.

I know I’d be a good speaker (and I promise not to tell the gorilla joke). Help me get there? Visit the site and vote for me (which you can do once per day – please, please – until Aug. 3).

Did I mention I will love you forever if you do?

Filed Under: Happy things · Tagged With: blogging, Life list, living life

I Held Her Hand

July 26, 2011 by Farewell Stranger ·

I’ve only met her a handful of times, but she is someone I know.

I hadn’t seen her in over two years, but I remember her face from when we were both new mothers.

We met at a baby group and chatted a few times. We were Facebook friends for a while, until I trimmed my friends list when I was going through my own struggle and felt vulnerable.

Other friends had kept in touch and told me the news.

She has Stage 3 breast cancer.

She is a single mom.

My son is one day older than her daughter.

I friended her again and asked what I could do to help.

Today I drove her to her appointment with the surgeon for a follow-up and her pathology results. I asked her how she was doing and listened as she told me about things no one should have to deal with all at the same time, especially a beautiful person who is a single parent to a little girl.

I can’t fix this one. I can’t say “I know” because I don’t. I can’t say “I’ve been there and you are not the only one who feels that way and I know it will be all right” because I haven’t and I don’t.

All I can do is something she couldn’t do herself.

I took her to her appointment.

I went into the room with her when the doctor told her what they’d discovered.

I held her hand.

***

She’s going into this battle armed with knowledge and strength, and I do have faith that she will be all right, but anything you’ve got is warmly welcomed – prayers, good thoughts, cancer-killing vibes, whatever. Send it out to her, will you?

Filed Under: Better world · Tagged With: hope, perspective, spreading the love