Some of you are struggling with incredibly stressful situations. You are warm, nurturing, courageous individuals trying to fight the good fight, sometimes with no back up at all. The people you should be able to count on to support and care for you don't always do it. So, like so many tasks in your lives, this job won't get done if you don't do it yourself. And so many of us were brought up to think that caring for ourselves should be the last thing on our to-do list (after thatching the lawn and cleaning the attic exhaust fans). But you, dear friends, are the rock on which your family is anchored. Without your strength and stamina, the whole kit and caboodle will fall apart! It's your DUTY as a partner, parent, and stepparent to provide for your physical and emotional well-being (there, see, nothing to feel guilty about

So what do you do to take care of YOU? (Other than coming to STalk, naturally.)

I read horror & mystery novels, listen to groove/lounge music on Spotify, and cook. I LOVE to cook. I especially love baking, and weekends usually find me making at least one cake. I am convinced that a piece of cake ALWAYS helps. Maybe 2, if it's a tough situation (or the cake's really good.)

This weekend I'm making a Neapolitan cake for a co-worker's son's bday. I'm thinking strawberry cream cheese icing this time, instead of buttercream. And I ALWAYS make plenty of icing, because DH & I like to eat it on graham crackers.

I'm also hoping to give myself a home spa day - deep condition the hair, facial, mani-pedi. I'm going to soak in the tub with Elmore Leonard's latest on my Kindle, Stephane' Pompougnac on the player, and a big glass of Chardonnay. DH is on nights and SS's at work til 6. It's not raining, so the pomeranians are out in the yard. Dinner's in the crock pot and laundry's almost done, so it's Buffalo Time! I am claiming this time for the good of my family! (Screw the lawn and the attic fans!)

How about you?