Re: what to do with all that spare time

January 19, 2009

Having been diagnosed for almost a year now I am quickly coming to the

conclusion that the real battle with RA is treating your medical condition while

keep a healthy mental outlook. I was subject to depression before being

diagnosed, at the time I wasn't aware I was just acquiring skills to deal with

something really to be depressed about! But you are absolutely right, you can't

just sit around thinking about your condition or it will quickly consume your

entire life. I never wanted to be that person either. I am also amazed how just

little steps in the right direction can improve you outlook. In my cause I

bought the rights to take care of , , , and Ringo. Four twelve

cent goldfish I surely saved from the jaws of death. I also decided to post

here, rather than just sand bagging, whether it's support, sharing knowledge,

asking a question, or just lifting someone's spirits with a joke it's all steps

in the right direction for all of us. One thing leads to another and

before you know it you're signing up online to earn a degree, which is of value

to all of whether you actually use it or not. In my cause I'll probably start

selling cartoons again professionally. But the point is, I think, to move in

right direction, even if it's just small steps.

Stan

Seattle, cloudy and foggy.

-------------- Original message --------------

From: " sweetpeamoss " <sweetpeamoss@...>

Just a thought since I have been fighting the depression battle for a

while now. I can certainly relate to wanting your life back and being

frustrated about what you can't do. See the more time you have to sit

the more time you have to think about all the things you want to do. I

can actually see myself doing them but when i try my body just laughs

and says you want to do what? It is all about pacing yourself. I am

in the process of painting the inside of my house now it may take me a

lot longer than someone else since i only work about 30 minutes before

i need a break and i set small goals for each day but it does help me

feel like i accomplished something and since i quit smoking i have a

lot more free time (who would have thunk it). Another thing I have

done is go to college online. That really keeps me busy and granted I

may never use my degree like someone else it does keep me sane and

keeps my mind stimulated so I guess it is well worth the cost since it

is something i can do and do well at which is rare in my life.

January 19, 2009

Stan, I also believe that a good mental attitude is important, if we

can manage it. Your sense of humor should take you far.

I do genealogy, and that keeps my mind more than occupied. I also like

to travel and then scrapbook the trips. I am also doing scrapbooks for

my grandchildren. I have a friend that I get together with to do it,

and that helps.

At present, I also have a new computer to deal with. Everything is so

different from my old one, so I have a steep learning curve. I have

managed to get my email addresses to work, after a support person in

India managed to get them all messed up, LOL. I hope that I'm making

new pathways in my brain by dealing with it.

What kind of cartoons did you sell professionally?

Sue

On Jan 19, 2009, at 4:35 PM, stanpfister@... wrote:

> Having been diagnosed for almost a year now I am quickly coming to

> the conclusion that the real battle with RA is treating your medical

> condition while keep a healthy mental outlook. I was subject to

> depression before being diagnosed, at the time I wasn't aware I was

> just acquiring skills to deal with something really to be depressed

> about! But you are absolutely right, you can't just sit around

> thinking about your condition or it will quickly consume your entire

> life. I never wanted to be that person either. I am also amazed how

> just little steps in the right direction can improve you outlook. In

> my cause I bought the rights to take care of , , , and

> Ringo. Four twelve cent goldfish I surely saved from the jaws of

> death. I also decided to post here, rather than just sand bagging,

> whether it's support, sharing knowledge, asking a question, or just

> lifting someone's spirits with a joke it's all steps in the right

> direction for all of us. One thing leads to another and

> before you know it you're signing up online to earn a degree, which

> is of value to all of whether you actually use it or not. In my

> cause I'll probably start selling cartoons again professionally. But

> the point is, I think, to move in right direction, even if it's just

> small steps.

January 19, 2009

Funny you should mention it 'cause I just got a new computer too, but probably

not the learning curve since I am kinda into it. I have sold to independent

newspapers, a few magazines and King Features Syndicate. I do single panel stuff

similar to Larson and the Far side, 'cause my " genius " just can't be

limited! But more likely someone intelligent didn't meet a deadline and they had

space to fill!

I think what you said about " if we can manage " is very important to this topic

because there are times when we simply cannot manage it. And, we're not talking

about those times. In those times, and I have been there, about the only thing I

can do is mentally put it on a shelf for later, until the pain or episode runs

its course. And there are many here who have responsibilities which simply

cannot be avoided, work, children, and family so I count my blessings that I am

at a point in my life where I can adjust my needs to accommodate my condition.

In that situation I find it difficult to imagine how I would handle RA and raise

a child. I've raised three children and it isn't all that easy even in good

health. I thought you made a good point.

Stan

Seattle, Cloudy.

-------------- Original message --------------

From: marysue <marysue@...>