3. January 2, 2006

Good morning

Dr. Marvin's appointment is soon. Dr. Marvin is our long-term psychiatrist.

Our other time is quiet time and is well-established.

Sr. and V. (Vince) are already on our mind. The computer clock is 4AM, and we think V. should be getting up. He is my PC buddy. Vince is also a psychologist - counseling multiple end-stage renal patient.

Those thoughts usually run silent. Mostly, V spends a lot of time online as we do. We run in the same social circles for easy-going journalists and bloggers.

We like penning morning messages to the group. This morning we received a bounty of messages including a couple of snowflakes from Bon and Mal. We find the gift delightful!

Otherwise, we are on our own and getting things done to prepare for the week.

Weekend chapter reviews seem to have recorded themselves. As to reading, we calculate each 30 pages in our psych textbook will take about 45-minutes to read. We are working on our masters for Educational Psychology.

Today’s schoolwork will be finished by 9AM so we can get to work-work. Focus and recall are being hoped for in the process of completing schoolwork. The other is more predictable.

Broadly, we scan about 150 pages per week along with writing numerous papers. Housework is extra energy. The last assignment followed a readjusted pace of 50 minutes for reading-time, and 10 minutes for housework-time. So, in total, five hours’ time is estimated to cover weekly reading and tidying.

I live on my/our own. I/we are a Multiple.

As a passing thought, one of us must also write a message to our boss revealing to her, we would be coming in late. When we get to work, we must remind Sr. to glance at our comments – asking her to acknowledge we cared enough to notify her.

This is our first cognitive distortion. "She probably will not read our note on her own." I do not know ... she might, she might not. I will collect an answer (no distortion) if I ask her directly. Cognitive distortions, or "errors in thinking," are going to be important to the whole.

A cognitive distortion is a "...thought pattern that causes people to view reality in inaccurate -- usually negative -- ways. Most people experience cognitive distortions from time to time. Reinforced enough, they can increase anxiety, deepen depression, cause relationship difficulties, and lead to a host of other complications." (Healthline, 2005-2021).

Our inner group is giggling, as we watch a pretty kitty cross our desktop double screens. She wagged her tail as she passed, and people oohed and awed. The virtual pussycat likes her space beautified as well, for her we let go of unnecessary Chrome tabs. The cat is a tool we are utilizing so that some of us can be having fun, while others see to housework and schoolwork.

Real-life football is another mental trick. The challenge balances our inside minds interacting with an outside set of brains within our TV. Football teams are compared, listened to, and cheered including us chuckling at the Bear-banter. This is what makes us smile! Just the silliness of life.

Age or skills regression in a Multiple happens frequently. The personal shift changes are sometimes noticeable as "distractions."

So that when things occur like a craving, our automatic response might be to respond in a younger voice eagerly reaching for the sugar-free hot chocolate. Who doesn't enjoy that? We declare hot chocolate is safe. Sugar-free, right?

By taking care of the little things, our attention most often stays on the screen. This allows us to center for longer periods of time on our pride and joy -- which is creative journalism. Sometimes though, the distractions in general, can become weeks and months.

Time is the hardest thing to steady with Multiplicity. Hot chocolate-time is not schoolwork-time, and the changeover of attention (this time) is an easy peaceful transfer of the body. Just move into the kitchen and back. No one wants to fall out of balance for long. If you do not need to caress terrible feelings, then that is the correct path.

Our weight this week is 286.8 pounds (ca. 130 kg). This is 3.8 pounds (1.72 kg) less than the last time. Someone in the system is hastily fretting over our dysfunctional self-beliefs.

We challenge her distortional thinking. A weight loss score might have begun halfway through the previous day, instead of two equal mornings, but the decrease of numbers is still a victory.

Hey you! Both the weights AND the math are counting-in as real! I understand the confusion. We are seeing as you do, that consistent weigh-in time is of value too.

Thanks still for the loss of weight! Great team effort! "First-class work!" I exclaim.

Meanwhile, the clean clothes find closet and drawer space, and the bed is addressed. Two more 8-minute rounds of effort and the place will be thoroughly picked-up. Movement is good for us. By cleaning and picking up, we may live contentedly in the grandness of our own apartment, while getting much needed exercise.

Friction finds herself among us in the belief, that floor-washing is impossible. Too much “up-time.” We could ask Richard to help.

We love our home. I cannot say enough how pleasant and friendly she normally is. By use of a timer, chores became game pieces of so-many "minute increments" and "time-outs."

A flight of fancy is a windward fantasy of closeness between us and others, such as recounting Richard and the Chicago Bears, or even Dr. Marvin.

The sounds of broadcasters in their booth are soothing in deep real-time male voices on a lonely Sunday afternoon, especially when externals are not literally here, and V is off listening to opera.

Our V-voice chimes in current weekend and early morning time. "It is OK," we hear. “V-strokes,” do not make out loud sounds. He appears on our screen in printed words. Everything is as it should be for the many of us, which makes life appear solid and trustworthy

We would soon be reporting to a pleased V. about time spent on the treadmill. Due to our back problems, we estimate walk time to be only minutes from start-to-finish. He enjoys pushing us forward, as do most of the others.

A fair amount of V. and me, is in and out time when one or the other of us are actively onscreen. His adaptation as a side-line coach – makes him especially keen on schoolwork, exercise, and caring for our actual kitties, Missy and Chief.

Excellent guessing might bring you to grant we live close to Chicago, and we are telling you straight-up, V. lives close to Philly. Richard and Dr. Marvin are cautiously accepting of our day-to-day closeness with V. "He is by all good intentions - safe." "YAY!" we agreed. Plus "V. the Wonderful," is a writer too. He writes poetry AND Vampire novels! Wow! I’ve got a GREAT life!

Gabreaelsaid...

Thanks for all the hard work on DA. I look forward to working with you on it into the new year.

Gabreael

Anonymous said...

have a fun day no frowny faces allowed :)

Deb

Bon & Mal Mottsaid...

We are pleased that you enjoyed the snowflakes, Ayn. You may randomly receive one every now and then, when we are too lazy to do anything but play with snowflakes. Hehe.

Love,

Bon & Mal

Ann Mariesaid...

LOLOL - you two are too funny! You have recalled old memories of how much I loved the snow growing up in Minnesota. When we were little, we had snow pants, boots, scarves, mittens, and hat. After school we had plenty of neighborhood kids, but my favorite memory was at dusk when all others had gone in. I would just lay out in the snow looking up at the sky or make snow pies that I would feast on. I thought for sure, I would never go hungry. Just love the snow! Thanks for this memory!!!

Our love,

Ann Mariesaid...

Deb, ok, ok ... no frowny faces today ... that be less than a good "brownie!"

And, Gabreael, we are looking forward too, as well as watching how your new fitness place works out!

Our best love,

TJsaid...

Oh, and A happy New Year to you...I am excited about this year. I am really going to make it one of my best.

I do not normally get so excited...I think it follows in steps with having new goals.

Love

Christina K Brownsaid...

howdy sweetie.... glad you had a good day yesterday and hope school is good today!!!

V said...

Workin` Out!!

WooHOO!

Tamarasaid...

Hey, hey...it is school time again! Woo-hoo!

Keep the smiley faces beaming!

Hugs and love,

TJsaid...

U R Missing?

I keep looking for U.

Bedazzzled1said...

Who is Harry, and why is he frowning? Slap that boy and make him smile! : grin:

Gabreaelsaid...

OK, Ayn. It is a New Year. Let us get "Jiggy" with it.

Gabreael

Tamarasaid...

Ayn's missing! Help, help, we must go find her.

AYN, AYN, COME OUT COME OUT FROM WHEREVER YOU ARE!

Hey sweetie, where are you? I have read this same post for days now. It is time for a new one my dear.

Type, type, type...

Love and hugs,

Tammy Brierlysaid...

You go girl! No frowns today just happy snowflake dreams.

Tamarasaid...

Hummm, V has not posted, Ayn has not posted. Should I be worried?

Ann Mariesaid...

Oh no T. We've both posted maybe you need to refresh your screen! Hehehehe. We will write an email this morning!

xoxoxo