Good morning!
An interesting 24 hours here. Both Don and I have been feeling stressed – about money issues for sure, but mostly about the state of our democracy and the world. Don tries very hard to avoid the news, but sometimes that is impossible.
Anyway, on Wednesday we ended up having a terrible argument that spiraled out of control very quickly. Eventually, I left the den and went to bed early. We weren’t talking to each other Wednesday evening and that continued into Thursday morning until we finally reconnected and talked everything through. We were acting out. The stress had become so intense that it had to be released and I guess that’s how we released it. We feel much better now.
I share this because I am absolutely sure that this kind of thing, whether it’s an argument, feeling edgy, acting out, feeling panicked or scared or angry is happening to the vast majority of us – both here in this country and throughout the world. Find ways to manage it and let it go. It isn’t good for us and feeling that amount of stress is giving them too much power.
I do believe it will all come to a head. And I do believe that nothing that seems to be happening in DC will ultimately have any power. They’ve gone too far and it will all come back on them. They’ll implode.
That’s how I see it. And I pray I am right.
That sense of the outcome doesn’t always help when we’re in the midst of this mess. But I’m trying to pray and hold to the light.
I filmed a couple more videos – this time the subject matter is my egg cup collection.
Vist YouTube and search for: claudiathechroniccollector
Vintage Egg Cup Collection, Part 1
I’ll post the second part tomorrow.
Hang in there, my dear friends.
Stay safe.
Happy Friday,
thanks for sharing that, claudia. glad (but not surprised) that you and don worked through it.
same here … too much sadness and stress. i’ve been quick to get upset and irritable … hard to be around, am sure … so i apologize, listen, try to take more time for myself and let out feelings in better ways …
… things are hard for so many, many people, too, but i know they will get better. right now would be good. :)
sending hugs to everyone who wants one and keeping everyone in my prayers.
kathy
Thank you, Kathy.
We will prevail.
Stay safe.
I think you are absolutely right about two things, Claudia. I think the stress is getting to all of us (possibly even those who thought supporting him was a good idea), and that it will implode on the nut cases in Washington. There is always, alway the pendulum, as there is always love, good sense, and beauty. I’m sorry you and Don got in a fight, but I’m also not surprised you figured out the cause and talked through it. I’m wishing you a beautiful, stress-free weekend.
Yes to the pendulum, Jenny!
Thank you for your kind words.
Stay safe.
Dear Claudia, yes, we give them too much power over our personal lives when we allow them to make us afraid… even just a little bit! It is the abuser’s control strategy…. well honed in the person of that Evil man. The only thing to do is not pay too much attention… that is what he thrives on. Faith that the end results will be “okay” if not “good”… is my mantra too. We don’t any of us know everything… and I am not one to “reach for God” as the answer, but reach I do! (I believe in a “Greater Power”…. just don’t give it a name….)
Thank you for sharing… it does help to know we are not alone. As I keep saying to my son who lives with me (autistic epileptic and memory problems) we are all in this together. What is done will have impacts… but they have a vested interest in “the system” too…. I believe as you do, that the cabal will come apart.
Thank you, be well, give love no matter what wherever you can…. it is the best medicine I know of! :):)
We use God, or Higher Power, or the Universe.
Love is always the answer, Betsy.
Thank you.
Stay safe.
Claudia, that was a brave share. My husband and I have had the same issue. We are frustrated and frightened right now. We want to go away for a couple weeks, but our future is being held hostage. The White House needs an exorcism. We decided to read our favorite two substack writers in the morning and have a 5 min discussion. Then 10 minutes of news in the afternoon and a 5 min discussion. For a few days, it has been warm enough for us to get out for hiking our beautiful mountain. We take a picnic and our books to stay out longer. It has helped tremendously to just be centered together in nature. My brain is cleared out for awhile. You two hang in there. Your lovely videos are a great distraction for you (and us). Deep breaths. I’m thinking of you.
That’s a great idea, Verna. You and your husband have a plan and it will keep you stress-free.
Thank you.
Stay safe.
My son says the same thing. He thinks things will implode. Hard to sit by, wait and watch. I try not to watch the news any more than necessary. Thank you for calm voices. I read that republicans that do speak out should be thanked for doing so. I’m going to try to do that.
Janet Hashley
Yes. He’s threatening the Republicans and their families, of course. So when they do speak out, we should definitely thank them.
Stay save, Janet.
I understand the stress. I have a very low tolerance these days myself, and noticed that I am short-tempered as well. I am glad you resolved things between you….one of the benefits of a long marriage…you know how. It is best to find a way to relieve the stress….it sure would help if I had some weeds to pull!
I still have faith in the American people…and right will win out. You cannot repress us for long, for we rebel. It’s in our American nature…at least I hope it’s still there . And, I believe you are right….they will implode…I fully believe that.
Always a pleasure to see your egg cups. Enjoy your day!! ;)
Grass to mow, weeds to pull, we need better weather so we can get outside,
Thanks so much, Donnamae.
Stay safe.
Claudia, I completely agree about the political stress. Yes, I think too that an implosion is coming. As stressful as it is there’s nothing I can do about it all…just to deal with my own feelings. On line there’s been talk of different boycotts…such as an economic boycott today. I only bring it up because it’s one very small thing that I can do to make me feel that I’ve got some control in this matter. It’s a fraction of a drop in a bucket, but that’s still something…a teeny bit of empowerment. I’m glad you and Don worked through your disagreement. At least your egg cup tour was a bright spot! Take care.
We are boycotting today, Barrie. No spending. There are a few more boycotts coming up, as well.
Thanks so much.
Stay safe.
I pray you’re right, too. And I think you are. Hang in there, everyone.
Yes! A good message for everyone, Di.
Thank you.
Stay safe.
I’d have said I’m an incurable optimist before 2025, but I’m struggling. Watching our country being systematically dismantled is sad. They learned a lot from their first attempt. The toxicity is insidious.
I love the women…Jasmine, Alexandria, Elizabeth, Katie, Heather, Amy…who advocate bravely for us.
Feel free to delete if you think this isn’t appropriate to recommend, Claudia, but if you need a boost of positivity, I just discovered @lisayay1966 on both Tiktok and YouTube who’s a positive light in our darkness. I learned to be proactive not reactive waaay back as a preschool teacher–who would guess that skill would come in handy some forty years later (uh, toddler time in D.C.).
Stay strong and persist
Oh yes, I’m familiar with her. Thanks for mentioning her, Roxie.
Stay safe.
You are right about the stress! I feel so tired lately and I think it is the anxiety taking its toll. I celebrate every bit of good news and hope you are right about them imploding since they have gone too far.
Thanks!
Ellen
Self-care, Ellen. Please take care of yourself. Don was saying last week that he felt tired all the time. No wonder!
Stay safe.
Trying to get the things done in my personal life and then having to worry about the US and the world at large does take an immense amount of energy. Trying to stay positive is draining but staying numb is worse. I find the best thing to do for me is surround yourself with people, activities, and things you cherish. They will last longer than whatever stupidity is going on in D.C.
Yes, indeed, Wendy. Thank you.
Stay safe.
Oh,Claudia! I am feeling the anxiety each day and finding myself on the verge of tears so often. I have been reading poetry and listening to music and limiting my news listening to early morning and late afternoon NPR.I’ve cancelled newspapers and read selectively online and I am worried all the time. Sending peace and love to you,Don and all who read your wonderful blog xo
Annette, you’ve made some wise choices. I figure that anything we absolutely have to know about this mess, we’ll know. Let the rest fall by the wayside.
Stay safe!
Thank you, Claudia, for sharing how you and Don are dealing with the stress. I often have a headache and feel irritable just getting out of bed! No, this is not good for any of us.
It sure isn’t, Judy.
Hang in there.
Stat safe.
With two big personalities, Trump and Elon, I have been wondering how long they can work together. It will be interesting.
I still stand by my statement that everything will be fine in the long run. If they actually are cleaning up the finances, I’m glad. It takes time and research to figure out who needs funding and who’s abusing the tax payers dollars. Cuts are happening fast so you wonder. I sure understand why I was taught to have a rainy day fund and to be self supporting. I’m sure there will be casualties which is hard on the heart. Prayers to everyone!
They are not trying to clean up the finances. They want to privatize everything and steal money from the government and the tax payers.
The abuse of tax payer dollars lies with Trump and Musk, grifters both.
It’s all very hard to even figure out what the heck is going on!! Prayers to everyone struggling!!
Thanks for your thoughts!
xo
Oh, dear, and it only got worse this afternoon. Trump and Vance are big bullies. Putin has something over Trump, something big. Things will implode, as you say. Glad you and Don are friends again. Enjoy your weekend. Be good to each other. Hugs, Elaine
He was recruited as an asset in 1987. He’s been bankrolled by them for years. He’s done money laundering. The list is endless.
Stay safe, Elaine.
Claudia, I don’t know how often you read other bloggers but you might look at Jeanie’s post on The Marmalade Gypsy. She’s a kindred spirit.
BTW, I’m jealous of your McCoy collection. Think Spring!
Jeanie is a reader of this blog, Liz. She comments often.
Thank you.
Stay safe!
I live in the DC area and work for a government contractor. The amount of stress is so much to deal with on a daily basis. Yes, I pray that all of this will implode on them very soon.
I do, too, Julie. Sending positive energy your way.
Stay safe.
Today was a tragic day for our country. We should all be embarrassed by our President and Vice President. God help our United States of America. No wonder we are all stressed.
It’s simply disgusting. On every level.
Thanks, Deb.
Stay safe.
Claudia….I am up at three am….couldnt sleep. It is early Sat. morning. Husband and I had a fight or should I say….I started and it spiraled into one of those where I was giving him the silent treatment. It was about yet another stress caused by uncertainty of how we should be living our lives. I feel even more anxiety than I did over covid. Well….I got out of bed and washed the kitchen floor , took all paintings off walls and started a purge. I was just about to climb back upstairs but when I was washing the mop I accidentally hit my kitchen lights and all went out. Another problem to solve….for my already irritated husband. I am worried for my family….for my grandchildren for this country. I am having a pity party now. I am wound up tight and ready to scream. I feel so ashamed to have this abomination for president.
Maria
Maria, I understand. I didn’t sleep well last night. I cannot fathom how evil these men are.
Hang in there.
Stay safe.
I was out of it yesterday so catching up today. I think we’re all wrapped a little tightly these days. I know I am, emotions near the surface, not a lot of physical stamina to compensate for it. Sometimes we just have to go to our corners. (It’s convenient that Rick and I are in separate houses two blocks apart!). Carville is of the “implosion” theory and he may be right (events with Zelinsky certainly looked terrible for the US) but he’s taking us all down with him. We may survive but I wonder if it will be in my lifetime.
I hope so.
Stay safe, Jeanie.
Thank you for your honest sharing about recent tension at home. Glad you both figured out the cause. I also appreciate all the comments.
There was tension between my husband and I today. I read your blog, then I sat Hank down and read the comments to him after I summarized your blog post. Tension strain was broke and we both acknowledged we are stressed by the evil, immoral a.. holes in the White House and the dismantling of our democracy. Luckily we view current events the same—I am grateful for our common ground. I have friends whose spouses think differently and there is more tension in those households.
We get our news from NPR and PBS and Tom Hartmann’s daily post BUT we limit our news intake. We try to eat healthy, exercise and enjoy our hobbies including walks with our 18 month old dog. Self care is crucial but we don’t ignore the current events. Stay strong and support each other.
Thank you, Ann.
I’m glad that post was helpful for you and your husband.
Yes, take care of yourselves, and stay safe.