Just a bit of winter depression, I think

So, it is the doldrums of winter. 

Doldrums - look it up.  

I don't need any optimistic "glass is half full" stuff. 

It is winter.

I went to Portland, Oregon last weekend to visit my oldest brother, his wife and only daughter, Char.

Well, Char was married Sept. of 2009, right while I was in the middle of a 

health crisis. 

My brother used to live here in SLC near me so we saw each other often. 

I saw Char grow up.  She was my child also, 

I thought.

I don't know why no one told me she got married.  

I hope it was because I was sick.

Sure, I got involved in life and sort of lost track of them since they moved to Portland but...

So when they told me she was expecting I was a wee bit shocked, 

anyway so they now have a new baby boy born end of this last October.

I don't want there to ever be any reason for my brother and his family to not be comfortable in having me in their life so when Char suggested I come up some weekend when the airplane fares were cheap and

meet her new hubby and baby

I took her up on it. 

My wonderful Aunt Lois says,

"the measure of a friendship is how far you will travel to see someone for 5 minutes."

I paid $250.00 for an overnight trip to see all my brother's family and it was wonderful.

I really hope to do it again, I had a wonderful time.

So what does this have to do with winter?

I'm trying to find ways to get through it without suffering so badly.

An unplanned trip was wonderful.  

But I came back to winter.

I feel the surgery spot in my sinus every time I take a deep breath through my nose,

My back hurts and now pain shoots down the back of my leg,

So, I bought a new goose down "sweater" from Patagonia.

That felt better.

My right shoulder is trying to seize up on me like my left shoulder did two summers ago, it hurts constantly but I must keep moving it or it will freeze up.

I play the piano and read instead of doing housework.

That feels better too.

My headache has been very bad this last week.  One 7th grade student asked me in class if I was 

all right because I had that "1000 yard stare" going on.

I showed a video in every class last Friday - that really helped

And, I sleep a whole lot more but

I can't get enough sleep at night because I wake up so often.

I just want to eat sweets and sit by an open oven door with the heat up to 400 degrees.

My right knee hurts, my skin is very dry and itchy. 

my feet hurt, especially where my bunion is coming back, 

I miss high heeled shoes.

I downloaded two new books onto my Nook, but I think I also need a new album from itunes - 

the NEW Bruce Springsteen will be out soon!  Will that help ??

I miss having a salad for dinner for a whole week and always losing 5 pounds.

Oh skip it, that is depressing even in summer!

It is the doldrums of winter, I can't stand it any longer.

Do not remind me that February is still to come and oh yeah, don't remind me that February is 

A DAY LONGER THIS YEAR!

it is so cold outside I hate to go out to play with the dog because I come back in and

have to put my hands in lukewarm water to get them back to a color other than white or blue.

I just want to sit in a chair without a blanket around my legs.

Did I mention I hate winter.

I just don't feel well in winter, it lasts too long. 

I think I'll go to bed.