Stress Sucks.

So... just because I have a teaching job, doesn't mean my pursuit of patience is done!

Case in point- yesterday, I had quite an anxiety attack. I've had them in the past, and I knew this was brewing and it just came to a head yesterday. The stress of moving/wanting to move all my crap out of my parent's garage/house/attic/other nooks and crannies, stress of moving teaching stuff that hasn't seen the light of day in 7+ years, stress of wanting to spend time with my brother and family AND try to move and get supplies (food!) that I need........ it all boiled over yesterday. I had a really hard time coming out of hyperventilation from crying and shaking, but I kept telling myself to breathe. My brother, his 2 kids, wife, and my mom went to the Vergennes Pool (I wanted to go, but had just gotten home... trying to unload some food/supplies...) so they left, my dad went to get something for his tractor, so I was alone. Probably a good thing, to just try to gather my thoughts and stuff. I did the dishes, packed my car to the gills, ate 3 or 4 ice pops, and headed to Bradford for the night. I talked to my dad before I left, and he said he understood.

Unloading the car didn't take as long as I thought it would. I live in "the penthouse" (aka the third floor) of an old American Legion building that was gutted and redone this year. Hardwood floors, big wood beams, dormer windows- wicked cool place. I of course don't have my mattress (or bed for that matter- it broke in Florida and I never got a replacement) so I slept on the floor in my sleeping bag, which was fine. I woke up this morning and wrote down all the things that I was worrying about- things I have to do for school, things I still need to move, things I need for the apartment, etc and made a schedule for the next week or so of when I'll be getting to this and that. I just needed to write it down and organize my thoughts. Yes, I have OCD tendencies. It's probably why I like post-it-notes and desk organizers and the like.

Anyways, I'm back in Orwell. I had some things I needed to do this morning and treated myself to lunch out on my way home. I took a rest in the sun (after doing some laundry). I worked on a school bulletin board lettering, and now I'm writing this blog. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, I have a training in Stowe for reading and writing, which will be good- something different and new to think about! Before that happens, I will be spending some quality time with my family tomorrow before I have to stuff my car to the gills again and head home (!) to Bradford. I will post pictures when my camera decides to work again (soon!). Until then, I will enjoy some calmness. Also known as SLEEP!