Deep Breath In . . . and Out

Zach gave me a little talking-to today. It seems my stress level has been unacceptably high.

He's absolutely right.

It's a really, really busy time at work for me right now, and between that and a few extenuating circumstances, I've been stressed and exhausted and, well, kind of cranky.

One of the extenuating circumstances is the long-lasting whiplash (aka "whiplast") I've had since we were rear-ended seven weeks ago. Being in pain is an enormous energy drain, and the injury really depleted my reserves.

Fortunately, I am feeling much better this week and am hoping that the last remnants of the injury will soon dissipate.

I'm also about to get a little psychological boost: I'll be heading to NY next week to spend some quality time with a few of the VIPs in my life. (Zach and I are hoping to be back later in the spring for a proper visit—this is more of a surgical strike.)

In the meantime, I'm trying to take the talking-to to heart. Right now, for instance, I am putting my feet up, switching the TV on, and turning my brain off for a while. . . .