Thank you to everyone who has asked about me

[kwormann]

Hi guys.
I have received several emails from yall asking about me. Im still here...actually I have been reading everyday. However, I had to stop cooking for awhile. I let myself get so stressed over the past year that I had to go on antidepressants. I have been on them for about 9 weeks now and am feeling much more relaxed and positive, but I needed to cut out some of my activities, so meal planning and cooking was one of them. The moral of the story, no cooking, nothing to contribute to the board. I am still around and am looking to the Christmas break from school so I can give up teaching and add the cooking back for a few weeks.

Thanks to all who missed me! One of my feelings pre meds was not being very important and the fact that you noticed I was gone was a real boost:)

[Mamasue]

KIm....you are important....very important to us and we all miss you when you are not here. It is okay not to want to cook once in a while. That is a normal feeling. Please stop by just to say hello on some threads even though you have no intentions to cook. Just sneak in there and say "Hello Everyone" "I am here". Okay..... :)

((((((((Kim)))))))))))http://www.bluemountain.com/eng3gifs/karen/hugs/hugtwo2cp.gif

[SusieO]

Oh, Kim, of course you're important. You're actually a vital part of this board. I'm glad to hear you're feeling better and hope we continue to hear from you.

Thanks for letting us know you're ok. Take care of yourself!

[Tiger]

Kim- hang in there! This can be a hard time of year for people. Take care of yourself and you're already doing the best thing by realizing there is a problem and getting help. It can only get better now!

[SoCal]

Sorry you haven't been yourself. AMEN to what everyone else has said. I think it is great that you did something about the way you were feeling. Sounds like it was not a good place you were in but from your post it's good to hear that you are feeling more positive and relaxed. Take it one day at a time but most importantly, take care of yourself . Christmas vacation will be here before you know it! And hey, even if you are not cooking, please feel free to contribute or at least say Hi :) . I'll be thinking about you.

BTW, thanks for letting us know that you are OK (and you haven't forgotten about us!). I think we all wonder what happened to our fellow BBers when we don't 'see' them around for awhile.

[mb]

you definitely have to stop in to say hi once in a while, especially-since-your-computer-seems-to-be-fixed!!! i hope you continue to feel better!

marisa :)

[Jessica]

Kwormann-

I went on antidepressants earlier this year after a long illness. My doctor believes I had been depressed for many years, which may have contributed to the physical problems.

I have a new life now. I am the same person, but my general attitude and perception of the world have changed for the better. I started my own business, strengthened my marriage and made other adjustments that seemed impossible a year ago.

Don't let anyone discourage you. We take medications for physical illnesses all the time, but society still has stigmas against mental illness and depression.

Best of luck to you.

[Julia1Pin]

Kim -

I am always thrilled to read your posts and/or responses. You were definately missed. Take care of yourself, and I hope to read more from you soon.

[KValley]

Hi sweetie,

I have really really missed you lately. The BB hasn't been the same without your light shining on it. Take care of you- check your PM!

Besos, Julie

[sushibones]

Dear Kim,

Having suffered from depression myself, I know how difficult it is to overcoming those feelings of worthlessness, and go to be treated. I was fortunate to have friends who insisted that I go see a doctor, because I don't know if could have done it without them.

I always enjoy reading your posts, and feel a special connection since you live in Houston. I was born in Houston and most of my family still lives there. Just remember that the board is only partly about cooking, and very much about community and friends sharing, so we would definitely miss you if you weren't here. And the support of friends is just as important as medication in being able to overcome depression.

Hang in there and keep in touch. You will be in our hearts and prayers.

[jazzcat]

I'm glad you are taking care of "yourself". That is so important. I have to say I have been more of a "lurker" lately, rather than a contributer, due to my own tragedy in the last months. However, I did notice I did not see posts by you in the morning hours.

If you ever want to vent or share you can e-mail me or private message me anytime.

I myself have not felt like cooking too much lately and feel I don't have alot to contribute as far as cooking, but I'm a good listener/reader.

People on this BB have been so kind and caring to me. It's so much more than FOOD!

Beth

[HARRYET]

Kim,

I too was thinking that I hadn't seen you around lately! I thoroughly enjoy reading your posts and have missed you! Please continue to check in, even if it's just to say "hi" as everyone else has already stated.

Christmas vacation will be here before you know it, and you'll get some much deserved rest.

Keep smiling and know we are all thinking of you!

((((((((((HUG)))))))))))))))

Ann :)

[donleyk]

Kim,

Just about the time I was going to post asking about you I'd come across a thread you replied on so I figured you had been busy. It's great you took the step to see someone and I am glad you are feeling better. And please do continue to just pop in when you can. We just like hearing from you!

[lindrusso]

Hi Kim. I had been wondering where you were too, but I just assumed it was work keeping you busy. Guess I shouldn't assume!

Glad to hear that things are getting better. You were wise to cut back on stressors and concentrate on yourself.

Best wishes,
Alysha

[KathrynY]

Kim - So glad to hear you're feeling better! Good for you for getting the help you needed, and letting go of some of life's stresses. That's a tough thing to do.

Ditto to what everyone has said above about this board being about more than cooking - it's the community and friendship that keep us all coming back here. Even if you're not cooking, please check in now and again because you are missed!

[beckms]

kwormann--I've only been on this board since late summer, and I noticed from the beginning that you are a huge presence here. I hope you realize that you are indeed important!

Best wishes for happy holidays.

[funnybone]

Glad to hear you're doing well. :)

Even if you're not cooking, it doesn't mean we don't want to hear from you. You can still contibute. Confession time here - I don't cook all the time either, so it is okay not to. :)


mamasue, I love the graphic!!! Too cute!

[Jewel]

Kim...you don't have to cook to be MY friend, and I'm sure all others feel the same way! ;) Come back!!! :D:D:D You're in my thoughts.

[ebobbitt]

Kim, it's so good to hear that you're doing better and are still around. And it doesn't matter that you're not cooking right now--you can still be the "voice of experience".

[Zinnia]

Although I haven't talked to many people here lately or posted very much (except for the last few days), I DO visit this BB every couple of days and lurk often- (as time permits)..
You have been missed by many, and me too Kim;)...We are here if you wanna cook, need a recipe, or if you just want to talk;).
I am glad you are feeling better, and took a breathe-er..You feeling good, and taking care of you, is whats important!
It's the #1 thing to take care of, but can be SO hard to do-I know!! It's great to hear from you, take care, and we will be here 24/7 for ya!
Sincerely, :) Zinnia

[BarbaraL]

Glad to hear you're feeling better! Please feel free to be a "lurker" or just fire off a post to say hello! I was laid off from my job in June . . . you'd think I'd use the free time to try all those recipes I didn't have time for before, but I was so upset, I didn't do anything! Now, I have a great new job, but it's a big change and alot to learn, so I'm still not cooking! Actually, I'm cooking, but cooking the old tried and true, not trying anything new. I know I'll get back there eventually . . .
The important thing is to take care of yourself! This BB and the whole CL thing is to help us take care of ourselves, not to be another stress. Cook if you want, don't cook if you want -- be healthy, be happy. We love you whether you're cooking or not!

[LaraW]

Originally posted by kwormann

no cooking, nothing to contribute to the board. [/B]


Kim, just wanted to say that even if you aren't doing any cooking, I still think you have a lot to contribute to the board. I noticed that you were gone, and wondered where you were. I am glad to hear that you are feeling better!

I think I can speak for everyone when I say that you have the support of everone here. That's what we are here for!

Your Christmas break will be here soon, and then you will get some much deserved rest.

(((((HUG))))

Lara

[Wendy w]

Hi Kim,

I wish to echo all of the sentiments expressed in this thread. You are a very important part of this board and as Beth so eloquently said, this board is not just about food.

By the way, I had been depressed off and on for years -depression runs rampantly in my family. For the last 6 years, I have been taking Zoloft and it has made a tremendous difference in my life despite the minor side effects. Every so often I think about going off of it and then remember how I was and then decide against it. If it works, what the hay. I hope that the medication will help you too.

As fanatical as I am about cooking, there are times - especially in December when cooking is more of a chore than a pleasure. I have a good hint for you: Trader Joe's( or whatever equivalent that you may have in Texas), Costco and Whole Foods market.;)

Hang in there and take care. Teaching the little ones can be stressful - my sister teaches 1st grade too. You will be in my thoughts. I'm looking forward to the Christmas break too even though I only have a week.

[mightyh]

I've been wondering where you've been lately, Kim!

Keep doing what you need to do to get to feeling like yourself again! We'll be here eager to welcome your posts back...

Missed you...

[schuh]

I, too, just wanted to say "hang in there." I had depression brought on as a side affect of a medication once and it was unlike anything I had experienced. I hope you get the right medications to make you feel like yourself again. Sounds like you're on the right track.

[ElinorC]

As so many people on the board have stated so much more elegantly "Been there and done that!" Please take care of yourself and know that it will get better. Will watch for your 'come back' or just an occasional message.
Elinor

[kwormann]

Thank you for the sweet sentiments! It is nice to feel like posting again, even tho Im not cooking much.

As a funny side note, DH was very worried when I was so down about my job and was also very worried when I wasnt sleeping, but when he found out I hadn't posted on the board in such a long time, he went into a PANIC and INSISTED I tell the doctor! Then when I was writing this post, he said, "Are you posting again? Good!" I need to record this for the next time he talks about my adiction to the board:D

Thanks for being my friends! I will post even without cooking much.

Love and hugs to you all!

[Meg O'C]

Glad to hear you are feeling better! Take care of yourself! I haven't cooked in ages either - job demands are out of control, work being done at home, actually living with my in-laws for the past week since our floors were getting refinished (God help me!) but there is always something fun to chime in on on the Other Stuff board . . . holiday music, Christmas trees, all kinds of other stuff! I was very happy to see you are back!

[maizeyoats]

Kim,
Just wanted to let you know that I am also thinking of you. Happy you are doing well and looking forward to vacation time and spending a little more time on the BB.

[GayeC]

Kim -- Needless to say, you are one of the key people in this community. You were definitely missed and we are glad to have you back. Continue to take great care of yourself.

Your husband's response to your absence from the board was wonderful!

Gaye

[Beth]

Kim, you know about the project that threatend to take over my life for a while. I haven't been cooking much for the last couple of months either. Haven't been posting a lot, but I still try to stop by now and then to find out what "normal" people do :D and to play normal for a few minutes. I've noticed more of my few posts go on the other stuff board than over here. Stop by and keep me and anyone else in a food rut company-- gotta get a kid to Kindergarten -- hang in there and see you very soon!

[vbak]

Good to "hear" your voice Kim. Wondered what happened to you. two and a half weeks til vacation! Just hang in there. I understand those problems. Vicky

[luv2cook]

Look, Kim, I disappear for 3 weeks to a month and no one bats an eyelash! check you out, girlfriend:D see you Saturday!

[kwormann]

Originally posted by luv2cook
Look, Kim, I disappear for 3 weeks to a month and no one bats an eyelash! check you out, girlfriend:D see you Saturday!

My darlin friend Denyce, I ALWAYS notice;) Cant wait til SAT!