Hello friends!  I want you to know that I have not dropped off the face of the planet, nor have I checked out of life.  Since my last post we have had such adventures as to defy reality.  We’ve laughed, we’ve cried, we’ve dance for joy and sat many a late vigil.

If you are wondering about the title of this post, let me explain.  When I made my post about being Stressed Out and Grounded there was somewhat of an uproar.  People thought that I was being accusatory, rude and should not have posted what I did.  I am sorry that it was taken that way.  My intention was not to accuse anyone.  My intention was to talk about how that kind of extreme stress affects my dragons and the twins, as well as those around me.  That is the purpose of this blog.  To talk about my life as I struggle with Bip (the bipolar dragon), Pots (the post traumatic stress dragon) and the twins (Ann-xiety and pan-Nick).  There are many other people in this world that struggle with one or all of these challenges and I want them to know they are not alone.

I intentionally use no names and often leave out the worst of the things that happen because I don’t want the people who have been a part of the different situations to feel singled out or used.  People are people.  None of us are perfect.  We all make mistakes and bad choices.  The key to life is to understand how our actions affect those around us.  If we choose to act selfishly, people around us will be hurt.  If we do not accept that we are responsible, then the hurt often becomes anger.  If we try to pass the blame or lie about it the anger often becomes resentment.  This seems to have been what happened here.

There were hurt feelings because some felt this situation should not have been made public.  It was, however, already public because the affects were seen by so many.  Comments had been made by many inside the family as well as by others outside.  My social disappearance was noticed and remarked upon.  People wanted to know why I was not attending church, helping at school, and had canceled Daughter’s parties.  My church leader wanted to know why I had asked to be released from my responsibilities at church.  Was I okay?  The answer to that question was always the same.  No, I am not okay.  The stress in my life is currently out of control, but I am working to take care of that.  No mention of the situation at home or the actual cause of the stress.  If people pressed I would say that life was sometimes more interesting that I felt it should be.

I will return soon with the exciting adventures that have kept me preoccupied and the effects of a stress that is more within my control.