We're all "nut cases" including out T's :-) 8 sessions! I went 9 years at a time and it took about 5 or 6 before I go to where I could "chill out and actually talk with her."

Keep going. Figure out the relative weight of things you need to say and start with an "easy" one. She'll probably respond "well" and you can move on from there up the ladder. Just start tomorrow's conversation with the idea that you're having a hard time talking about some things that concern you because you think they're stupid? Or, print out your initial post and "give it" to her. She probably won't discuss it unless you lead the way but she will read it and then you and she will know that she knows :-) That helps a little (for me at least).