<p>i’m checking in, too! hope you’re having a better day. i totally understand how you feel. so many people offer me helpful suggestions, and i know i should be happier than i am, but it’s hard every day to keep yourself “cheerful”</p>
<p>hope all is well…</p>
<p>Cheer up … at least you didn’t have to spend 5 hours tonight trying to help your high school senior understand calculus. Let’s see … his teacher is not really a teacher … her problems are totally out in left field (how DOES she expect them to do that when they only learned this - and the lessons are all online due to the magic of technology, so I KNOW what they are learning) … I worked all day … my commute is a killer … and I haven’t had a calc class in 30 years. Did I mention that I wasn’t very good at it 30 years ago?!</p>
<p>To top it all off, my H informed me that he is having a hernia operation December 3rd (to beat the terrible health care package we get starting January 1).</p>
<p>There, did that help? :)</p>
<p>You sound like you may have a magnesium deficiency.</p>
<p>[Symptoms</a> of Magnesium Deficiency](<a href=“http://ezinearticles.com/?Symptoms-of-Magnesium-Deficiency&id=1940742]Symptoms”>http://ezinearticles.com/?Symptoms-of-Magnesium-Deficiency&id=1940742)</p>
<p>Also are you taking vitamin D3?</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.vrp.com/articles.aspx?ProdID=2130[/url]”>http://www.vrp.com/articles.aspx?ProdID=2130</a></p>
<p>Has EK checked in on this thread or others?</p>
<p>No, I have not seen EK’s posts since Sunday. The weather here in the PNW has been rather depressing in the past few days. I was at Costco the other day and seriously thought about purchasing one of those mood therapy lights.</p>
<p>Im back kinda- since I took my laptop apart so I could replace the keyboard and it is having issues.</p>
<p>Things are not going well- but my H promises that today he will call my dr. I just want to be able to get through Thanksgiving without the girls knowing anything is the matter, they are not very sympathetic because I have struggled with depression off and on while they were growing up, and I am sure it wasn’t fun.</p>
<p>Welcome back!
Did you try the lightbulb? I’m curious because I have a touch of SAD as well. We lived in Michigan for 3 years (many years ago) and I thought I was loosing my mind due to the many overcast, gray, winter days. I find it helpful during the dark times to have something to plan & look forward to even if it is just a mini-vacation.
p.s. love your clever CC name (perhaps you should spend a few hours watching Wiz of OZ!)</p>
<p>EK, relieved to hear from you. My EK phone home thread was generating lots of lurkers and some posters who were thinking about you.</p>
<p>EK- very happy to read your post. Welcome back. Glad to read you will have your daughters around for Thanksgiving.</p>
<p>EK, just stumbled on this thread. I am glad <em>we</em> are hearing from you.</p>
<p>Have you ever heard Sadaris read some of his stories? I crack myself us just remembering his impression on Billy Holiday singing the Oscar Meyer Wiener song! </p>
<p>But laughter doesn’t work all the time, does it? I am so glad you are fighting this monster. Inertia is powerful, too. Please, please get the help YOU need. Ask someone to make you do it, if necessary. If the naturopathic isn’t cutting it, get thee to the big guns. </p>
<p>Sounds like you have been through this before, so you “know” that you can come out on the other side. </p>
<p>Puppies. Ice cream. Love. Strength.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Now THERE is a mantra worth living for. =)</p>
<h2>An ek update - which I thought tHat all of you who have been rooting for me, would be glad to hear.</h2>
<p>My h got me started by making a few phone calls I couldn’t make- and today met with a cognitive behavioral therapist at my school who spent two hours with me crafting a plan and is also going to meet with me next week. He was just what I needed very clear and structured. I also met with my naturopath who is going to help me get nutritional support whether or not I go on the medications that the pysch is thinking about. + I am going to see the Psychiatrist sometime this week ( I thought he was going out of town but maybe I am performing an important community service by giving him a reason to go to his office 
The girls are both here but I hadn’t been able to think about a holiday dinner , however I can manage one of their favorite dinners I used to make when they were younger and we have already had our poultry cause younger D wanted Ezells for dinner. I bought that plus a sweet potato pie</p>
<p>How good to hear from you EK! To your improving health!</p>
<p>EK, a plan is always a good thing…AND glad to hear you have your holiday community service completed 
Glad to see your sense of humor is intact…that is a great thing.</p>
<p>Great to hear that you’ve got a plan. Behavioral therapy is supposed to be a very effective option for many folks. Lots of us are rooting for you (and have been there, too). Have a wonderful Thanksgiving - hope you’ll be feeling better soon!</p>
<p>Wonderful news that you’ve taken the first steps and have a plan. Best wishes for continuing brighter days.</p>
<p>Thanks for sharing your update EK !</p>
<p>EK, you did another “community sevice” by checking in today! I know many of us are very happy to hear from you about the postive steps you are taking.</p>
<p>Puppies, ice cream, sweet potato pie, love, strength!</p>
<p>Thanks for the update, EK…but hey, maybe EK would prefer a KITTEN to a puppy? (Nothing against puppies, but had to give equal time.)</p>
<p>Hey emerald, I have a feeling I live very close to you…you could be my neighbor, and it has been really depressing out here lately—so gray, so rainy. That really doesn’t help depression.</p>
<p>I could have written your initial post. I’m thinking the best idea is to dim the lights next to the mirror, and start up running. Not only are we all aging, but getting fat! If you need a running partner, let me know. I need some motivation!! The caffeine is no longer working.</p>