Tidbits
1. The Z*oloft seems to be working. That, or it’s a great placebo affect. I don’t feel like bursting into song or dancing a jig, but I haven’t cried in days. I’m taking Maddie to run some errands today and I don’t feel anxious about it all. I’m looking forward to seeing what other changes are in store for me as the medicine continues to help.
2. I bought and read four new books last week. The Glass Castle, Water For Elephants, The Almost Moon and The Darkest Evening of the Year. Here’s my review of each in a nutshell:
The Glass Castle: Don’t read it if you’re depressed. You might think that reading about someone who’s life is much worse off than your own might inspire you to stop moping around, but you’d be wrong. Instead, you’d get even more depressed over this woman’s horrific childhood.
Water For Elephants: Even if you have no interest in circuses or the depression era you will still like this book. You will be surprised and delighted by this fact.
The Almost Moon: Yet another bad choice for the depressed folks. I absolutely adored The Lovely Bones, and I missed Lucky, so I picked up this Sebold book in a hurry. I was both depressed and disappointed after reading this book. It’s morose and the ending is so crappy that I slammed the book down in a snit.
The Darkest Evening of the Year: I have been reading Koontz since I was in high school. This book is classic Koontz and left me neither depressed or snitty.
3. Our trip to Austin was canceled two weeks ago do to family illnesses, so we’re going this weekend. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone and showing off Maddie’s new walking skills.
4. Sadie, the new dog, is doing well. I’m discovering that she has no boundaries, though. She just noses her way into wherever she wants to be. She’s stubborn as a mule and afraid of thunderstorms. But sweet and calm. It makes me happy to know that she’s going to live out her remaining years safe, comfortable, and loved.
5. One of my good friend’s mother passed away this week. She battled pancreatic cancer for more than two years. I remember when my mom was dying, I wished for someone to talk to who knew what it felt like. I got to be that person for my friend, but I feel like I failed miserably. I had no idea what to say and I think everything I said probably upset her more than she was. It also brought back a lot of memories…. and not pleasant ones. Surprisingly, I didn’t dwell on it. I felt sad and missed my mom, and then moved on with life again. I’m sure these moments will happen for the rest of my life. I’m ok with that.
6. I really like my new haircut and I’m glad I had so much taken off. I don’t feel smothered by hair anymore. I guess I’m just not a long hair kind of girl. Also, I can put it into very cute little pigtails now…which I have to do when housecleaning. I hate my hair plastered to my sweaty face. Bleh.
Filed under: daily on February 12th, 2008
I got that Koontz book for my brother for Christmas. I’m sure I’ll read it in the near future.
Is Water for Elephants SAD, like in an ANIMAL ABUSE way? I can’t handle that shit. I am interested in that book though.
What really helped me about The Glass Castle was reading online more about the author and her life as an adult. She seems like a great, happy person and is not bitter about her childhood or parents at all. It made me look differently at the book than I did when I finished it.
Tessie - There is some animal abuse in the book, and normally I cannot handle that shit either. However, the way it’s written isn’t bad. The abuse sort of goes with the story and the characters. I’m not sure how to explain it. All I can say is that I didn’t get sick to my stomach over it. I was angry, but I was supposed to be. And everything turns out ok in the end, so that helped, too.
I liked the way the author wrote The Glass Castle. It didn’t feel “victimy” or “oh poor me” at all. However, it still depressed the shit out of me.
I’m so jealous–four books in one week! One book a month is an accomplishment for me. It is one of the things that slips in my work-life balance, but I really miss curling up with a good book more often.
Thanks for the review of Water for Elephants. My sister just loaned it to me and I’ve been wary about reading it (for the reason Tessie mentioned), but I think I’ll try to crack it open sometime this week.
I’m glad the Zoloft seems to be working!
I am glad to hear the Zoloft seems to be helping. Yay for taking good care of yourself!
I am sorry you’ve lost your mom. I am sure you were a wonderful source of comfort to your friend. I remember not appreciating some of the thoughtless comments folks said when my mother died of cancer.
I get paranoid that I’ll say something that will offend someone who is mourning, too. I feel like I should know better. But, ultimately, I think just being there for someone is a comfort in itself.
1. I’m happy the medication is working.
3. Oh, have fun. Showing off the new talents of the child is always great.
4. I’m sure she’ll come around. Our dog was pretty bad when we adopted him, but he’s so much better now. Not perfect, but better.
5. I’m sorry to hear that.
6. You make me want to run out and cut mine right now. The pigtails sound cute.
Oh, and this morning in the shower I thought of writing you to see how Sadie is adjusting (and you adjusting to her)! Glad the hear things are going well.
Glad the dog and you are working out okay. Also glad the Zoloft and you are working out okay! I am so curious about and fascinated by anti-depression meds. On the one hand it weirds me out a little (hope it’s okay to say that!) and on the other hand it seems so amazing- they can actually determine that something in your chemistry is currently unbalanced and just FIX it! It’s almost too good to be true or something, probably the way the polio vaccine seemed when it was first introduced! Keep letting us know how it’s working for you!
Ooooo. The Glass Castle. The silver lining for me was that it was a great illustration of how we can choose not to be victims of our backgrounds or circumstances. Anyway, glad to hear the Zoloft is doing its job. I think a lot of people misunderstand anti-depressants as happy pills, and for me it was a lot like just feeling balanced for once. And what a great feeling it is!!!