Couch 185: The Labyrinth

Right I've had enough of other people for the time being. I'm in my bedroom on my own with a can of cider and my phone. Time to re-energise.

My day just got a lot better. H (who traditionally didn't get me anything for Christmas until last year) did really good this year!!! He got me a beautiful, sparkly moon and stars necklace. It is so me and I love it to pieces. I was so surprised. Will try to get a good pic.

Ended up waking up and opening gifts sent by parents/friends while enjoying Bailey's in my coffee (like LT says, the 5pm rule doesn't count on major holidays) and making my way through the Will and Grace Christmas episodes. Then I brought Chinese food to the hospital for the friend who brought me dinner when I was working on Thanksgiving (she's a psychiatrist and got stuck on 24h call).

Now heading out for a short hike, and then will have Christmas tea at a friend's who is hosting for folks who can't get home to their families.

Merry Happy, everyone!

I think you're too hard on yourself art. The only time i've worked 60 hours was at the pharmacy and in all honesty it was just very tiring more than anything.

I personally hated it when my old best friend used to tell me that a lot of people had it worse. Pain is relative- and i've cried over small stuff. I don't think you should just to hush up but i'd recommend the opposite. Posting here always helped me and i hope you continue to do so.

I'm sorry he cancelled at the last minute, i know you were looking forward to him coming over.

I love the 70s Charlie and the chocolate factory. I was watching Monsters Inc with my sister which just finished.

I think my therapist is taking his holiday break in El Salvador of all places. He called me just now and it showed up in my phone as his number but not under his name and the caller id part said "El Salvador". The time difference works out since he told me before leaving that he'd be two hours away. He was probably paying some exorbitant int'l rates to call me. I feel guilty now.

I spent some time with family and am now hiding from them (particularly my brother). Can't wait to go back home on Thursday.

Zuzu would be a cute puppy/kitten name

What's your favorite Christmas cookie?

I had an Aunt that used to make Peppernoots (I think it's Dutch? Not sure.) They were hard little things about the size of dice that tasted like black licorice (anise?) I haven't had them in many years and waiting to find out if my mom has the recipe. I used to love those things.

Like these? PFEFFERNUSSE (GERMAN PEPPER NUT COOKIES)
[url=https://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/pfeffernusse-german-pepper-nut-cookies-79103]
https://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe...-cookies-79103

I took myself away from the chaos and made another tree today. It's nice and relaxing. I did the bird's eye too big.

I like the bird's big eye anyway.

The ingredients sound close except ours weren't dusted w powdered sugar. Thanks though this will work if I don't find mine!

There are other recipes - but I thought the name might help you look for recipes

Much love to you, Jersey

I love the bird just like it is!! This is cool.

Best win of the day so far:
My eldest son's elderly parakeet died a couple weeks ago, and middle son's bird was lonely, so the brothers pooled their money to get him a new bird. They couldn't even wait until gift-opening time, so they brought it down while their brother was opening his stocking. His face...priceless.

The blankets I made were a huge hit.

And the cinnamon rolls were really good. Actually, they are orange-cardamom-cinnamon rolls, just a little bit of cardamom and cinnamon, and I made an orange-cardamom glaze. Regular cinnamon rolls are so sweet and rich and CINNAMON!, so the lighter filling and glaze is a big hit all around.

I got Youtuber and therapist Kati Morton's book for Christmas. I haven't read it yet but it looks good.

Can there ever be too much cinnamon?

I have however realized today why so many students seem unable to cope with college—kids’ toys are so ridiculously mentally demanding that they’re burnt out by the time they get to me.

Fuzzy - i love cardamom! I put cinnamon and cardamom on everything. Well, everything that you would put cinnamon on. Im not insane. LOL.

Call the Midwife tonight at 9pm!!

Whew, company is all gone. It was great to see everyone, but even better now that they are all gone. My social persona started wearing thin in a few spots. The leftovers are all put away, but the dishes will have to wait until tomorrow, because my back hurts and I am going to rest.

Merry Christmas couch!

I was...weirdly social at family gatherings this year, staying at both my in-laws' and my parents' after H and D left once D had her fill. What has happened to me??? Usually I'm the first wanting to run out the door! And H asked his sister how I did after he left, and she said it was the most social she's seen me in a long time. (I'd had maybe 3 beers over the course of 4-5 hours, but was certainly not drunk.) Could therapy be working???

I'm glad you felt more social/ perhaps comfortable? than usual. I gotta admit I'm a little uncomfortable with the idea of H asking his sister "how you did". Sounds a little infantalising. How do you feel you "did"? Seems a more important question.

People always talk about how I did at social gatherings too, drives me nuts.

FML will my car problems never end. I just rear ended again. This time they stopped they said they didnt see me they were lokking the other way and thought i had gone. This seriously having a huge effect on my driving confidence. Luckily it was my car this time not a borrowed car. I still feel guilty like i did something to cause the accident. **** my mother for always saying there are no accidents eve since i was 4 years old.