Print available at Lindsey Letters

I'm still here.  I'm just not feeling great.  And haven't had much to say.  I don't know why, but I've been feeling down lately.  I don't want to use the word "depressed" because depression is a serious illness.  And having people close to me who have suffered with depression... I don't use the word lightly.  Besides that I've never been diagnosed with depression.  So... I'm not saying "I'm depressed".  I'm just down right now and feeling sad for no reason... or maybe it's a million reasons?  So I'm still here.  Just trying to figure out a way to pick myself up out of this funk.  

I know in some cases, people with trich suffer from depression or anxiety.  Maybe that's me.  And maybe that person is you.  So while I'm on this subject... I want to share a book with you: "Not Alone, Stories Of Living With Depression."  Each chapter of this book is written by someone who has experienced depression in their lives.  The book is broken up into several categories: Awareness, Acceptance, Recovery, and Post-Depression Reflections.  My sister is one of the contributing authors; her story can be found in chapter 22, The Game of Life. 

Here's a peak at my sister's story:

Life didn't magically become better.  The life I knew was filled with instant gratification, fulfilling my emotions, wants, and desires.  I was in unfamiliar territory.  Could I really do this?  Just few days after I was discharged from rehab, I was staying at a hotel.  It was getting late and I couldn't sleep.  My mind was racing which was an all too familiar scenario.  Grabbing my new pack of Parliament Lights, I ran out of my room.  What I really wanted to do was run from my own thoughts.  I lit up a cigarette and broke down in tears.  Sitting on the cold sidewalk, I didn't even notice the other patrons passing me by.  Eventually I realized a man was knelt beside me.  "Are you okay," he said.  Hyperventilating I replied, "I'm fine."  He was not convinced.  As quickly as he stopped, he was gone.  His question pulled me out of that moment.  I looked down at a now half-empty pack of cigarettes, and I covered my face with my hands.  And I just whispered, "God, I need you."  I began to say it under my breath over and over and over.  The simple four-word prayer of "God, I need you," has become the simplest prayer I say everyday since that cold November night.

I don't know what's up with my emotions and feeling right now.  I don't know why I've feeling this way.  But I do know that my sister's prayer is mine too... God, I need you! 

One of my trich friends just celebrated one year of being pull free!  

How cool is that?!

Congratulations, Heather!

(cupcake pic by CakeChooser)

Thinking Putty

This is more than silly putty... this is thinking putty.  And it's awesome!  Crazy Aaron's Putty World has the coolest putty you will ever find (You can check them on on their facebook page too: here).

Color: Super Illusions Super Lava
I bought some a long time ago (like probably 8+ years ago and unfortunately I've lost it since then).  Once people saw my putty, they wanted their own.  My husband got one and took it to work, my sister got one and it was always in her purse (as well as bouncy balls and Smarties), and a bunch of friends ended up ordering their own tins of putty too!  They all loved it!  It's a great way to keep your hands busy!  And it's not that tiny container of putty that you used to copy the comic strips with... the tin comes with 1/5lb of putty.  It's adult sized putty :)

Color: Super Illusions Super Oil Slick
And it comes in cool colors too.  They even have magnetic, heat sensitive and glow in the dark.  So if you're looking for something to keep your hands busy- you have to check out Crazy Aaron's Putty (you can order online and it's also sold in some stores too).  

Color: Super Illusions Super Scarab

*All pictures are from Crazy Aaron's Putty World

Just passing this along from TLC...

10% off coupon for store.trich.org: use discount code TLC4U, code applies to books, fiddles like tangles and silly putty, dvds, spinner rings and other jewelry!

  

You can help Josie get to Mrs. America

TLC shared this yesterday:

"As the reigning Mrs. North Carolina and TLC Awareness Ambassador, Josie Sanctis has been working full-tilt to help our community. In just a few short months, she has: 

--Raised thousands of dollars for TLC

--Produced an inspiring PSA video - daring to reveal her before-and-after make-up sequences

--Founded an active and growing support group in Charlotte, NC 

--Educated state school officials about BFRBs 

--Inspired thousands of young women through her appearances on TV, radio and at TLC's National Conference

We believe Josie can win Mrs. America and bring nationwide attention to hair pulling and skin picking disorders. Please help her get there by sponsoring her journey."

And any money donated over the goal will go to TLC- pretty cool!  So if you'd like to help out, click here or click on the widget on the right. 

Good luck, Josie!