https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sometimes-it-just-gets-overwhelming Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 30 Apr 2026 06:58:25 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sometimes-it-just-gets-overwhelming/page/2#post-835455 Fri, 01 Feb 2013 02:18:21 +0000 Nadya 835455@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a great story! How wonderful that your neighbor suggested a win-win solution. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sometimes-it-just-gets-overwhelming/page/2#post-835140 Thu, 31 Jan 2013 22:14:10 +0000 Glory 835140@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh Shannon what a wonderful and heart warming story! Kudos to you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sometimes-it-just-gets-overwhelming/page/2#post-834571 Thu, 31 Jan 2013 16:12:13 +0000 cinnamon fern 834571@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love the implication that three hours of cleaning = three hours of electrician - that cleaning is skilled labor. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sometimes-it-just-gets-overwhelming/page/2#post-834164 Thu, 31 Jan 2013 04:05:29 +0000 Isabel 834164@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That is so great !! My fantasy , minimalist self ( wearing lots of accessories ) LOVES that story. How wonderful on so many levels. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sometimes-it-just-gets-overwhelming/page/2#post-833568 Wed, 30 Jan 2013 18:46:38 +0000 Vicki 833568@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Shannon, I adore you for your openness and honesty, and it IS your "glass half full" that is and always will pull you through. Yes, take each item/issue separately and handle them one at a time. That way the overwhelming nature of life slowly melts and disappears. Hugs to you and hope your MIL gets her new digs very soon so you can breathe easier. XO </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sometimes-it-just-gets-overwhelming/page/2#post-832989 Wed, 30 Jan 2013 09:08:11 +0000 ManidipaM 832989@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm so glad to get to the bottom of this thread, which I just got around to reading, at a time when at least one of your biggest problems has been so beautifully, heartwarmingly sorted, Shannon. You clearly really do bring out the best in people and circumstances by being the 'glass-half-full' girl!</p> <p>Really sorry to hear about the rest of the roller-coaster --- and had to agree with Rachy that it sounds like Break Down and Giggle Hysterically Week over there. (I can slightly relate---we're having a Break Down and Feel Zen-like quarter here ::waves at Isabel in MA::) </p> <p>Here's hoping that serendipity finds you some more electronic solutions, the office stops simmering by spring and MIL finds a place sooner rather than later for everyone's sanity and health. Most of all, hoping your son --- and touch wood that he's been fine! --- stays in the pink of health, as do you, in the meanwhile. Keep those endorphins and that pretty chin up! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sometimes-it-just-gets-overwhelming/page/2#post-832953 Wed, 30 Jan 2013 06:14:32 +0000 MsMary 832953@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Shannon, that's fantastic! Win-win!!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sometimes-it-just-gets-overwhelming/page/2#post-832903 Wed, 30 Jan 2013 04:48:09 +0000 lyn* 832903@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Aww, that brought a tear to my eye. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sometimes-it-just-gets-overwhelming/page/2#post-832887 Wed, 30 Jan 2013 04:28:58 +0000 catgirl 832887@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That is brilliant! I am doing a case pro bono for a disabled client and her brother on his own has been plowing our driveway (it's his business). I hadn't asked but he said it was the least they could do. Better than getting paid, in some ways! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sometimes-it-just-gets-overwhelming/page/2#post-832839 Wed, 30 Jan 2013 03:54:53 +0000 Suz 832839@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Brilliant!! And you got active recovery while you did it!!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sometimes-it-just-gets-overwhelming/page/2#post-832767 Wed, 30 Jan 2013 02:55:17 +0000 Raisin 832767@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a great solution to both problems! And you made a friend in the process! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sometimes-it-just-gets-overwhelming/page/2#post-832745 Wed, 30 Jan 2013 02:33:29 +0000 Anonymous 832745@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A perfect solution! Shannon, I think you bring out the best in people. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sometimes-it-just-gets-overwhelming/page/2#post-832680 Wed, 30 Jan 2013 01:43:29 +0000 Anonymous 832680@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That's so cool, Shannon! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sometimes-it-just-gets-overwhelming/page/2#post-832658 Wed, 30 Jan 2013 01:26:17 +0000 annagybe 832658@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Awesome! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sometimes-it-just-gets-overwhelming/page/2#post-832649 Wed, 30 Jan 2013 01:11:19 +0000 Anonymous 832649@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Just beautiful! I know it was just a bartering situation, but something about it is so heartwarming. I think it's what he said about his wife that's get me all *verklempt.* Thank you for sharing! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sometimes-it-just-gets-overwhelming/page/2#post-832633 Wed, 30 Jan 2013 01:02:02 +0000 bj1111 832633@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Brilliant solution! Neighbors being neighborly. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sometimes-it-just-gets-overwhelming/page/2#post-832598 Wed, 30 Jan 2013 00:35:49 +0000 Mochi 832598@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You bartered most excellently, Shannon! Brilliant!</p> <p>(The sad thing is, I would not be able to take on that offer...or if I did, it would probably take 10 hours for me to do the same job. You are a gem! And you helped out this helpless guy.) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sometimes-it-just-gets-overwhelming/page/2#post-832588 Wed, 30 Jan 2013 00:30:48 +0000 Transcona Shannon 832588@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you all so , so much for your lovely thoughts and offers of alcoholic beverages!</p> <p>We got our garage electricity repaired and you're never gonna believe how it happened. I have to share...I traded some housecleaning for our electrician. Yep - you heard me right.</p> <p>Our neighbour across the back lane from us is a licensed electrician with the City Department. Nice guy - we've been neighbours for years. His wife died suddenly last February and he has been struggling on his own (kids are grown and moved away to other provinces). While shovelling snow Sunday morning we got chatting and he said he'd noticed we were having to manually come out and lift up the garage door to get our car in and out and wasn't our opener working. So I told how none of the electricity in the garage was working and we needed to get someone out, etc. So he said he'd come and have a look - which he did - and it turned out to be a few issues. He said he could fix the problems for us and when I asked how much and that I wasn't sure we could do it all at once, he said he had a unique suggestion. </p> <p>He needed his house cleaned. Said he "cleaned like a man" and that he wasn't keeping up with it. He said he missed how clean and beautiful his home looked when his wife cleaned it. Would I be willing to trade some cleaning skills for his electrical skills? Absolutely I replied!</p> <p>So I came back into the house and got my cleaning bucket that holds all my cleaning agents, sponges and scrubbers, my mop and off I went. I spent the next three hours sweeping, washing floors, scrubbing his bathroom, wiping out the fridge and stove, washing all the kitchen countertops, making his bed, and generally tidying up. While I was doing that, he was rewiring the faulty part of the garage.</p> <p>When we were both done, we hugged in the back lane and came back to our respective homes. We were both extremely pleased and neither one of us was out a dime.</p> <p>You just never know do you? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sometimes-it-just-gets-overwhelming/page/2#post-832182 Tue, 29 Jan 2013 17:21:21 +0000 Jules 832182@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hang to dry is also a great &amp; environmentally friendly way to circulate more moisture in your house in the winter :)<br /> Sometimes I think the luckiest elders are also the most entitled. She can afford to act this way because she knows you won't kick her out on the street. Sigh. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sometimes-it-just-gets-overwhelming/page/2#post-831962 Tue, 29 Jan 2013 11:58:00 +0000 Inge 831962@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I always admire your positive attitude, Shannon, and of course we all need to vent and cry and share when life gets rough. And what a rough week (and months) you have had-((<br /> I'm glad to hear the vacuum problem has been solved. Hopefully the garage will be fixed soon as well.<br /> Now if only we could help you convince your MIL...</p> <p>I am thinking of you, Shannon, and we are always here for you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sometimes-it-just-gets-overwhelming/page/2#post-831637 Tue, 29 Jan 2013 01:23:37 +0000 Lyn D. 831637@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>All these positive thoughts will SURELY do some good Shannon!<br /> What do they say, that a problem shared is a problem halved? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sometimes-it-just-gets-overwhelming/page/2#post-831298 Mon, 28 Jan 2013 20:57:48 +0000 rachylou 831298@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mm, Shannon. I think your week has gone beyond the break down and cry stage. I think we're talking break down and laugh, here. Drink more wine. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sometimes-it-just-gets-overwhelming/page/2#post-831166 Mon, 28 Jan 2013 18:57:07 +0000 catgirl 831166@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Late here but sending you a hug, Shannon. Your MIL is sending me between anger and pity.... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sometimes-it-just-gets-overwhelming/page/2#post-831019 Mon, 28 Jan 2013 16:24:08 +0000 Diana 831019@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Big hugs, Shannon. The situation with your MIL sounds really tough, I don't know how you deal with it. I don't really think there are any easy solutions if she's not willing to change but I do agree with the suggestion above to look into getting a HEPA filter or similar for your son's sake. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sometimes-it-just-gets-overwhelming/page/2#post-830878 Mon, 28 Jan 2013 14:03:20 +0000 Glory 830878@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sorry to hear about the MIL issues. Hopefully the 18 month wait will be shorter - will a squeaky wheel help with that? Sending positive thoughts your way! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sometimes-it-just-gets-overwhelming/page/2#post-830337 Sun, 27 Jan 2013 17:12:19 +0000 Isabel 830337@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow...though I am not suppose to giggle, I did...because I loved how you took solace in standing upright and drinking. You are my kinda gal.</p> <p>I am sorry about all that ....and it IS "all that". I do want to strongly urge you and your husband to try to do something about the smoking, it is a health issue for you and your husband and son. Could she try a cessation program ? Do you have a fan in the bathroom ? Could she smoke there with the fan on ? Or in the kitchen by a stove fan ?</p> <p>The past couple of days I have been reading Zen Habits. And all I could think of was, " YEAH, but YOU don't have elderly parents and a disabled sister and kids and your wife does all the cleaning...easy to be ZEN at that point. " I was cranky. Imagine ? Getting pissy with a ZEN master ? LOL ! Life is overwhelming sometimes. Period.</p> <p>We LOVE you Shannon !!!!!!!!!!!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sometimes-it-just-gets-overwhelming/page/2#post-830314 Sun, 27 Jan 2013 16:31:46 +0000 MNsara 830314@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>more {{{hugs}}}</p> <p>Life can be SO hard sometimes, and you ARE a glass-half-full girl. It just doesn't feel like it right now. . .</p> <p>I'm sorry to hear your MIL is back to her old ways That 18-month wait is probably just an estimate? It might be sooner (I figure they can only project their 'turnover' rate)?</p> <p>Good that you got the vacuum taken care of. One thing down.</p> <p>We went through a spell a few years ago. No people problems, but everything in the house seemed to be breaking down simultaneously: garage door, water heater, dishwasher, doors, lawn mower, light switches. One day he said he was afraid to call me from work to hear what the latest problem was, and he dreaded pulling into the driveway knowing he'd spend the evening working on *something* </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sometimes-it-just-gets-overwhelming/page/2#post-830290 Sun, 27 Jan 2013 15:53:40 +0000 Jamie 830290@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hugs...hugs...hugs.... So much good advice from everyone here. Just know that we are here and try to take care of yourself through all of this. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sometimes-it-just-gets-overwhelming/page/2#post-830071 Sun, 27 Jan 2013 04:26:46 +0000 Debbie 830071@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Shannon-big hugs to you. This is a lot to handle. You are a the glass is half full kind of girl. Don't let her change that. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sometimes-it-just-gets-overwhelming/page/2#post-829901 Sun, 27 Jan 2013 00:22:17 +0000 MsMary 829901@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Big hugs, Shannon! </p>