Roxie:

I know there's stuff that we can take (like Quinine???), maybe for leg cramps. At least it used to be on the market. Don't think they sell it anymore at my supermarket. But it was always good for leg cramps.

I would just massage the area and hope the spasm works itself out.

Stress makes our bodies do crazy things. Our muscles tense up, and everything gets affected. Believe me, I learned this last week.

So what are we supposed to do when we are under stress?

Well, 10 years ago, I would have just vegetated in front of my tv with a bag of chips, a big glass of diet soda, two ding dongs and hostess cupcakes, ( I kid you not). Nothing is better (or worse) for your brain than putting all that crap in your body. I remember just feeling numb after I ate all that junk. And believe me, I ate all that junk. And I had diabetes at the time, so it's not like this happened before I became a diabetic.

It's just that I used food as a coping mechanism. Well, I can't use that anymore now can I??? So I just go out and buy myself some little things. Or I laugh at Alan when he tells me funny stories. And you know Alan and his funny stories!!!!!!

We have to make room for laughter in our lives, especially when things are not going well.

I know exactly what you are going through because I went through that many times when I was in the work force. Over twenty years ago, I was chosen out of all the employees to go to IBM computer school. No one in that workplace spoke to me for 2 whole years. Do you know what its like to go to work every day and be in the lunchroom cafeteria and people clear out when you sit down to eat??? They did that to me. All of the other secretaries ....UNTIL they all got computers. That's when they all called me and said "Melody, what does the F10 key do??, or Melody, how do I make the printer do this??" You'd be surprised how, when people need you, they change their attitude!!!

Oh, and I was fired 30 years ago (I had left a job of 10 years to switch to this one). I was very qualified but the boss had other things on his mind at the time. Didn't know that then, I was very, how shall I put this, un-sophisticated for a woman of 30 years old. I looked much younger.

The day he told me he was planning to go away on a 3 day business trip and would I accompany him, I just looked at him and said "I beg your pardon" and he said "no, seriously, you aren't in a relationship are you??" I said again "I beg your pardon". (That's how clueless I was). He then said "My wife and I have an open relationship".

Well, there went my cluelessness, (and my innocent thinking). I caught on immediately. I believe I looked him right in the face and said "I don't do those things".

Two days later, I was called in and I was told "you are not working out".

I sued for sexual harrassment and I got a settlement. Not a lot but HEY, I GOT SOMETHING, and the stupid boss GOT NOTHING!!!! Hah!!

Actually, soon after, I met and married Alan and the day I had my son, was the day the settlement arrived. Now that WAS good timing.

So you hang in there. It can only get better.

Tell your mind "Melody went through this and she survived", and so will you!!

Melody