Things I’ve learned this week

1. I need to learn how to use a thermostat or I will freeze to death.

When I was growing up we weren’t allowed to touch the thermostat in our house. My Dad would loose his ever loving mind, if we did. Once I got married, my husband just took care of it and I never worried about it. And probably also because of the psychological scarring that occurred from my childhood. Now that I am a single mom, I need to figure the damn thing out. It doesn’t help that my sister’s house (where I currently live) has a fancy digital thermostat that apparently has a program and agenda all of its own and is trying to kill me through means of death by freezing. Or I will end up spending the winter huddled under my big fluffy down comforter, snuggling with my little heater dogs.

2. Getting a heavy breathing prank phone call at 1am is not fun.

Not that I ever thought this was a fun event, even before I was single, but it is definitely even less fun at this point. Unless of course, it was some hot guy on the other end of the line. Then again…no.

3. I am learning how to control my anxiety without Xanax.

After the above mentioned phone call, I had a bit of an anxiety attack. (Just a small one.) What the hell was I supposed to do? No big strong man around to comfort or protect me. I let it get to me for about a half hour, while I contemplated taking a Xanax, just so I could get to sleep again. And then, I thought, FUCK IT! I don’t need no stinking man. (A la Blazing Saddles – “We don’t need no stinking badges.”)

I put my big girl panties on and got over it and went back to sleep. I am more than capable of taking care of myself and my kids.

4. I am kicking this panic/anxiety disorders ass!

I have only had one panic attack and a handful of anxiety attacks this year. Over this past month, I have never felt so calm, centered and well, normal. My Xanax prescription will expire long before I ever take all the pills left in the bottle.

5. Some shit just doesn’t matter.

I used to stress and fret about too many things. I’m sure I always will, to a point. But, I’m finding it much easier to let it go…much sooner. I just don’t have time for it. I don’t want to make time for it. I have more important things to be doing. All in all, I have a brand new life ahead of me and it looks pretty damn amazing. I plan on enjoying the hell out of it!