Hi, happy Monday, everyone. At the moment, I’m dealing with some stress in my personal life that’s leaving me too emotionally and physically depleted to give the kind of thoughtful and compassionate advice you (hopefully) expect from me. Rather than half-ass it and exhaust myself further, I’m going to take a little time to take care of myself, take care of my family, and try to re-group a bit. It might be about a week — maybe less, maybe more. In the meantime, please peruse the forums, post your questions there for the wise and thoughtful DW community to answer, and look for any letters I might post from my in-box. Thanks for understanding, and I’ll be back in a few.
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LadyinPurpleNotRed October 19, 2015, 8:02 am
Take care of yourself and your family, Wendy!
rocketgirl October 19, 2015, 8:12 am
Take care of yourself and your family.
MissDre October 19, 2015, 8:24 am
Feel better soon Wendy!!
Raccoon eyes October 19, 2015, 8:24 am
Wendy, good for you for recognizing when you need a “time-out.” You have built an amazing community here, and I want you to be at your happiest and healthiest, as do all of us here. Thanks for all that you do!
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You and your family are in my thoughts.
keyblade October 19, 2015, 8:31 am
I’m wishing you and your family the best regards. I hope you are able to rest and regenerate through whatever stress you are facing.
Lianne October 19, 2015, 8:35 am
I hope everything is ok, Wendy. Sending lots of love your way…feel better soon!
Sara October 19, 2015, 8:42 am
It’s good to take care of yourself and yours.
anonymousse October 19, 2015, 8:43 am
I hope everything is okay. Sending good thoughts to you and your family.
Jane63 October 19, 2015, 8:46 am
Sending good thoughts and prayers your way. Stay strong! Take care.
honeybeenicki October 19, 2015, 8:59 am
Take as much time as you need to make sure you are happy and healthy and that your family is taken care of! We’ve got this under control! Sending lots of happy thoughts your way.
veritek33 October 19, 2015, 9:01 am
Take care! I’ve been taking mental health days here and there too. Hope you feel refreshed afterward and everything is okay/
SasLinna October 19, 2015, 9:01 am
Take care, Wendy. I hope things get better soon.
the_optimist October 19, 2015, 9:02 am
Sending some big hugs your way, Wendy <3. I've been having a weird time myself and have only really been lurking in recent months, but this is a comforting place just to come to, so thank you. Hope you're getting some much-needed rest.
MaterialsGirl October 19, 2015, 9:36 am
Thinking of you, Wendy! Hope you’re able to get out on your bike, or do something lovely for yourself. Take care and come back when you’re ready
karenwalker October 19, 2015, 9:40 am
Feel better!
Skyblossom October 19, 2015, 9:45 am
I hope everything works out. I’m glad that you know that you can take the time that you need. We all want the best for you and your family.
Firestar October 19, 2015, 9:46 am
Best wishes to you and yours!
PumpkinSpice October 19, 2015, 10:04 am
I totally understand. Take it easy and enjoy yourself. Even though it is cold here in NY, try to get some sunshine!
snoopy128 October 19, 2015, 10:06 am
Take care, Wendy and family. I’m glad you feel able to take the time off that you need
Diablo October 19, 2015, 10:07 am
Hey Wendy, naturally i am too cynical to believe in such nonsense, but i am sending positive thoughts and good vibes and possibly even tinny marimbas your way. Maybe it’s time for you to create a new feature called Dear Dear Wendy, in which YOU write to the DW community with your issues and we have a huge unhelpful online dispute about how to solve them, including some pollyanna love-conquers-all platitudes from me and a good dressing down from BGM (“Why do people even HAVE websites if they can’t take care of them!?”) Juuuuuust kidding! Take care o’ y’self and see you soon!
Stonegypsy October 19, 2015, 10:11 am
Take care of yourself, Wendy! I’m sure you know everyone here is wishing the best for you and your family.
Miss MJ October 19, 2015, 10:17 am
Feel better soon, Wendy!
Addie Pray October 19, 2015, 10:18 am
Take care of yourself, Wendy!
HmC October 19, 2015, 10:23 am
Take care of yourself Wendy! Caring for our mental health is just as important as our physical health, it’s one and the same really. Hope things are looking brighter soon.
CurlyQue October 19, 2015, 10:32 am
You’re amazing, and with or without personal issues, deserve a break. Hope all goes well for you and your family Wendy. 🙂
girltuesday October 19, 2015, 10:36 am
Wishing you well, Wendy!
Anonymous October 19, 2015, 10:52 am
I hope you feel better soon!
Dear Wendy October 19, 2015, 11:06 am
Thanks so much, everyone — I really appreciate all the positive thoughts and prayers and well-wishes. I was already feeling like I needed a mental break because of a few minor-to-not-so-minor stresses adding up, and then we were hit with some fairly devastating news (we — Drew and I and the kids — are ok), and so I am doing what I can to take care of myself so I have the energy to give all the support I’m able to. While Jackson is at school and Joanie is with our sitter who just returned from vacation (thank God), I went for a 3-mile jog, caught up on laundry and grocery shopping, organized the kids’ closet, and met with a woman to discuss some strategies to help with one of the more minor issues I was stressing about. I already feel better. Now, to plan and cook some healthy meals for the week. And maybe a power nap since I got about two hours of sleep last night. Again, thank you for all your positive thoughts. I do think they help.
MaterialsGirl October 19, 2015, 11:17 am
Great update, LW 🙂 Keep that going!
Bubbles October 19, 2015, 11:27 am
Thanks for the update Wendy! Take care of yourself. Think of us as somewhat responsible teenagers and we’ll peruse the forums, which will keep us busy and you just need to check on us every once in a while during the week. No worries 🙂
othy October 19, 2015, 11:49 am
I’m glad things are looking up a bit for you. It’s amazing what a difference little bit of downtime can make. Wishing you the best in dealing with the devastating news.
Moneypenny October 19, 2015, 12:05 pm
Best wishes Wendy! I hope things work out ok for you and that everything that is going on can be resolved and settled.
TheLadyE October 19, 2015, 12:58 pm
Take care of yourself & your family, Wendy – wishing peace and resolution your way.
megustalaplaya October 19, 2015, 1:51 pm
Wendy, I am so glad you are taking time for yourself, and glad that you and your immediate family are fine. I hope all the issues you are facing can be resolved sooner rather than later. Hugs!
Regina Chapman October 19, 2015, 2:12 pm
Take all the time and space you need. Wishing you and your family health and happiness!!
Sabrisa October 19, 2015, 2:52 pm
Best wishes and I hope you feel the rest you need 🙂
Hannanas October 19, 2015, 3:22 pm
Sending good vibes your way, Wendy! Take care!
Anonymous October 19, 2015, 4:29 pm
Have a nice break Wendy, hope to see you back soon full of beans.
Red_Lady October 19, 2015, 5:27 pm
Good for you, Wendy!! I hope things start looking up for you and your family.
jottino October 19, 2015, 8:02 pm
Thinking of you & yours Wendy! Hope the break gives you a little peace & clarity to help you deal with whatever comes your way.
Dear Wendy October 19, 2015, 8:32 pm
Thanks, again, everyone for the thoughts and well-wishes. After a sudden turn for the worse, my FIL is being moved to hospice care tomorrow. I know Drew and our entire family welcome positive thoughts and prayers as we prepare to say good-bye.
Classic October 19, 2015, 8:39 pm
Dear Wendy, we are all here with you, sending love and positive and kind and loving thoughts and strength to you and all of your wonderful family.
d2 October 20, 2015, 5:54 am
Wishing you and your family strength during this difficult time.
Jane63 October 20, 2015, 7:14 am
So sorry. Wishing you strength and peace.
Lianne October 20, 2015, 9:08 am
Oh Wendy, I am so so sorry. I can only imagine what a difficult time this is for you all. Sending love and positive thoughts your way xoxo…
jilliebean October 20, 2015, 8:16 am
So sorry you are all going through this. Sending yet more hugs your way. You have a huge “family” out there!
Diablo October 20, 2015, 9:26 am
Keep each other strong, Wendy. I know you are a strong and courageous person, and you can lend your strength to Drew and his family right now. Honour the joy they bring you. You are in my thoughts.
keyblade October 20, 2015, 9:31 am
I echo Diablo’s statement. I’m wishing you the best possible, Wendy. I’m so sorry for your family’s impending loss of your beloved father in-law.
stickelet October 20, 2015, 3:00 pm
Thinking of you and your family Wendy! So sorry to hear this news.
LisforLeslie October 21, 2015, 2:16 pm
Take care of yourself and your family. I’m sorry about your FIL – allow yourself to start the grieving process in whatever way and whatever timeline feels right for you. Losing a parent can be difficult and heartbreaking.
Bluejay October 21, 2015, 2:39 pm
Sorry for the sad news. Thoughts and prayers are coming your way.
laurahope October 23, 2015, 10:30 am
So sorry to hear this. I”m sending prayers.
CiCi October 23, 2015, 1:04 pm
Wendy – Just wanted to wish you peaceful thoughts from North Dakota. Thinking about you.