Hobbies better than therapy, better than drugs.

As I've struggled with stress related mental and physical health problems over the last several years, I've been told repeatedly and known at least intellectually that there was more to life than work. The problem was I didn't know what else to do with myself. I liked to read and walk and watch television but was not passionate about anything (here antidepressants may have been responsible, lifesaving though they often are). I'd look around and see other people engaged in activities they loved, kayaking, playing music, making stained glass, cooking, and I didn't know what I was interested in, so I'd escape into books, or tv, or endless hours on the internet.

Several months ago, disillusioned with our world, our culture, etc., I googled something to the effect of "living in another era" and became introduced to the world of vintage collecting, dressing, decorating, even living as if in another decade.

Well, this has become a hobby of mine. Perhaps I spend a little too much time on the internet trolling ebay for bargains in vintage clothing and accessories or looking at vintage decor, but at least it's done with some sort of focus.

Unfortunately, I can't indulge the new hobby too much since most of my spare time now has to go toward getting my house on the market. But once we find a new place, I can start figuring out how to decorate it in vintage style.

But the new hobby together with the task of getting the house ready have given me something to do other than to obsess about work and to actually begin to enjoy it for a change. Because of some side effects that I found most intolerable--the inability to make ideas come out of my mouth in an intelligible fashion--I've cut back significantly on my dosage, and so far I'm doing ok with it. I'm getting better at articulating ideas--the inability to do so is incredibly frustrating to this holder of a Masters in English language and literature.

I've also entered a fitness challenge that will not only challenge me physically, but will challenge my social anxieties--I will be on television with the other participants and be in other promotional materials. So I guess as my life outside of work expands, the hyper focus and anxiety related to work, diminishes. I hope anyway.

Only a couple days left in the giveaway!

Don't forget to enter to win a vintage dress. Follow my blog and leave a comment telling me you're following. Post to Facebook about the giveaway and leave another comment for another chance to win. Tweat this giveaway, and so on. One name will be picked on August 31 and the winner announced. Good luck!

Fannie

What I Did on My Summer Vacation.

I had great intentions to get a lot done on my staycation. It was the first full week of vacation time I think I've taken from my job in the five years I've been there. So I wanted to make the best use of my time.

I spent the first two days doing absolutely nothing and thoroughly enjoying the delicious fact that I was on vacation. On Monday I visited the university where my husband teaches and where I got my Masters. More unstructured time to read and surf the internet in the library and student union and drink a latte in the Starbuck's on campus.

Tuesday, I was going to get serious and work on cleaning and packing for our imminent move (once we get the house on the market and actually sell it). But I also had a headache and our air conditioning is not what you'd call efficient. The only places it is actually the temperature the thermostats say it is is the rooms where the units are. There are lots of in between spots--like the kitchen--where it is warmer. So any activity produces profuse sweating. The heat and the headache were making me nauseus. So I cooled down and took a nap and went into town with my husband when he went to teach at a local music store. We share a car and I thought I'd run some errands or work on our budget on my laptop.

Well, those plans were foiled when I realized I'd left my wallet at home--no money, debit card or books-a-million card to get me on the wireless, and my husband and I decided we'd run the errands together when he got off because he wanted to go to the store where I needed to run the errands. So I spent about an hour and a half reading antique and art magazines. Damn the bad luck! However, I did work on the budget when we got home that evening.

Yesterday was a bit more productive. I managed to load and run the dishwasher, get a couple loads of laundry on, mop up the kitchen floor and work in the bedroom for a couple of hours. I also paid some bills and faxed some paperwork to our mortgage company. So got some necessary tasks done before I was overcome by a nap around 5 p.m.

So today, here I am on my last day of vacation. I should stay home and work around the house but will probably go back to the university with my husband and read a novel I've started on my vacation. Tomorrow the weekend starts. Maybe I'll get something done in the next two days before I go back to work on Monday.

Giveaway deadline extended

I've decided to extend the dress giveaway until the end of August. Same rules apply, see previous post. Leave a comment, share on twitter or Facebook for chances to win vintage 1950's dress with fabric covered matching belt!

Giveaway!

Well, as I pack in anticipation of putting the house on the market, I question whether it's a good idea to pack and probably store a couple of the vintage pieces that don't fit me. So I think I'll offer one of them as a giveaway.

I bought this dress on ebay. It's a little too small for me, and I typically wear a size 12 or 14 (U.S.). This seems to me to be handmade. It was touted as 1950's on ebay. I figure it's 40's or 50's. It has a matching fabric covered belt. This dress is in quite good shape. It has a side zipper. A couple of the buttons are faded and it may have a stain or two, but barely visible with the print. Perfect summer dress.

Leave me a comment for a chance to win. Leave another comment to tell me you've shared the giveaway on Twitter for another chance. Mention it on your blog--leave a comment. Share on Facebook--Become a follower--you get the idea. I will pick a winner on August 15.

One caveat. I can only ship within the U.S.

Best of luck!

Fannie