I have a knee jerk reaction to turtle up too.  Its never been helpful for me, its sad and amusing that its such a heavy force to fight!

I will wear a shiny shirt if that helps while I flail around by the guardrail.  If I look like I am breakdancing, I've been into the margaritas, and please bring some cheese when you get here. 
Its a learning things babybean.  Every day every day.  It can be wearying, but man, on the other side?  having DONE the work?  its going to be glorious.

As always, you write something I need to hear! Thank you girlie...

Thanks for your steadfast encouraging sweet heart, my friend. 

*bigfatlove and neck squeezin*

 I love you and I am so glad you are back!  YEAH BrandiLynn is back!  You light up my life!

SOOO I hope you had a great trip!  Kauai is so beautiful, love the Napoli coast north shore!  God did great work there!

:( sad about your mother troubles.  Sometimes its so easy say mean things to the ones we love the most!  I know I have.... guilty.  Boundaries/guards keep us safe.   We need to be able to tell other people when their behavior (email) is hurting us.  We have a right to protect and defend ourselves.  To ask for courtesy is not wrong at all.  You are both adults and should treat each other with respect.  You know....

Hope you have  wonderful birthday and that time flies (but not while you are on a House marathon... no not then) and that your husfriend (I love that term and intend to steal it) will be back to you soon so you can see his handsome face once again.

I always miss my honey before he leaves too... but then he returns and within 24 hours has done something to irritate me (leaves clothes on the floor or beard trimmings in the sink) and then I wonder why I missed him so much... lol.  Love the man tho!

Glad you are back dear.... I am doing just great... sippin my protein as I write this.

Kim

Here we are near your pad on the north end!!




I am going to have a good ol time, I will borrow House seasons and maybe even Arrested Development Seasons from  some friends and laugh and laugh!!  Laughing is good for me, especially when its not laughing AT me so much.  :}  That's only amusing for so long.

Relationships, they are excellent training ground, no?  :} 

You are welcome to share husfriend! it really helps cuz it reminds you..he's your FRIEND!!

And you are on the same team!  Even when it feels like.. meh, not so much!  :}

I am glad you are doing so well, my love!  Sip and sip!!  I laughed cuz at the end of my work shift, my work computer got a zillion 5 viruses somehow!

My mama musta voudou dolled my computer!  :}  Ebil, she.  Not really, but it makes for a good possessed computer story. 

muwah girlie! 

 Dearest Brandilynn:

Yet another bookmark  to add to my collection! You amaze me and I am full of gratitude as always for the wisdom you so generously share! 

Huge Huggs and Squeezes Back!

I am working everyday at being proud on me...you are like the therapy I need between appointments!

Much Love, Elizabeth

You are a good Elizabegg and are generous with your kindness and encouragment!  I appreciate that!

You keep working every day every day!  One day it wont take any effort at all!  You just will catch yourself making a good decision and automatically thing, GOOD JOB, ME!!

And then you can do a little skippityskop dance and know, the good brainwash is taking hold!!

I am glad my soul vomit is helpful.  I know it has to be, even if nobody ever responded, cuz, I am a freak, but there's not much new under the sun, in the ways of freakiness.

And a lot of forums on the web are definitely living proof. :}

Muwah baby! 

PROUD.

ON.

YOUUU!!

ME!

I can relate to your post because I have always been a people pleaser person.  In theory, it sounds so easy to step back and focus on taking care of myself.  And not doing that helped to get me to this place to begin with!!!! 
It's not fun, but it is empowering to take my life back... and not worry so much about taking care of others issues.  I still have a long way to go, but it is just as important to get your head straight as it is to get your weight and health right.  Thanks for the post - it was an enlightening read

Thoughts on guardrails, for my girliegirl.  :}

It does sound easy and confounding when someone says "do this thing." 

And I think part of the reasons why my posts are generally, well, too long :} is that, my big question to folks (and therefore, I think maybe someone else's question) is "what does that conversation with you SOUND LIKE."

Cuz its fine for you to say to me, just think something else, but okay - where do I even start!?!

Thanks for sharing a part of your heart girlie, I appreciate it. 

And you are right, the taking back is definitely not fun, but man, is it ever worth it, ultimately.  Even with the awkward conversations, or well - lack thereof.  :}