My inner survivor is working overtime. I know how disappointed I'm sometimes when I visit somebody's blog and there's no new entry for a while. So I'll tell honestly, I'll need to take a month off blogging. I'll still check comments daily and try to bloghop sometimes, and will check my e-mails. I'm not dead yet. And hopefully I'll be back in a month, maybe earlier.

Thanks to everybody who'd been there for me. Lis, Bailey, Jerry, Marty, Claire, April, Cole, Rene, Kelly, many others. You mean the world to me. May life bring you joy, love, and wonder.

And my traditional question. What do you do to help your inner survivor, well, survive?

I think we all need to take time off from blogging. I've been doing a lot myself. I mainly just don't have anything to say. As to how I help my inner survivor, I have a recipe:
1 part vodka
1 part green apple liquer
a dash Rose's lime juice
Shake with lots of ice then strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Repeat often.

I haven't been blogging either--same reason as Rene--just don't have much to say. Inner survivor--hmmm--I guess writing is that for me--that and sitting in front of the TV and watching something that keeps my mind off my troubles. Olga, if you need to vent, e-mail me. I'm always here to listen to a good friend. Big hugs!

Hmm, for me nothing beats chocolate and a good old Cary Grant movie. Or Rock Hudson. :)
I'll miss reading your blogs, but hope the time off recharges you *hugs*

Rene, lol on the recipe! I'd try that, but I'm afraid my inner survivor would need way too much vodka and my liver wouldn't agree. Thanks for the tip!

Jerri, thank you so much for the offer, sweetie! I might take you up on that. Hmm, TV works for me sometimes, especially a light-hearted comedy.

Lis, thankie! I try chocolate sometimes, but if I got as much chocolate therapy as I need, I wouldn't be able to enter any doors. Honestly!

Hugs, Olga. I do just what you're doing--back away for a while. I see if there are some things I could elminate that would help with the stress, and if there are, lop them off. Enjoy your time and let me know if I can be of help :)

I hope the time out gives you a chance to recuperate!

Marty, thanks for the offer! As for the things that cause stress, those are the ones I have to live with!

Claire, thanks! You've always been incredible.

Hugs sweetie. I hope this time off provides all you need. Me? A funny movie, chocolate, alcohol - all work for me.

Bailey, thanks for the hugs! I tried all those, but I need something more. So far, what had been helping is talking to people.

I take time for ME. Sometimes you just have to give yourself permission to take the time you need for you. Sounds like you're doing that and it'll amaze you what it does for you!! Hugs and know we'll all be here waiting when you feel recuperated!:)

April, thanks so much for understanding! And a thanks a bunch for encouraging words!

Hi Olga! Oh I know what you mean on the checking out the blogs and so forth. I've hooked up with the google reader and LOVE IT! Its been awesome, the best program I've used so far. :)

And as for my inner stuff... it seems to vary but the truth is, quiet time. Alone time maybe mixed in with some exercise and healthy eating. It probably sounds trite but I always am surprise(though shouldn't be) at how good and refreshed I feel after taking the time to do all those things. I feel ready to tackle anything the world sends my way. You'd think I'd remember to include those rituals on a daily basis then. :P :) Take care of your self!
Cole

*hugs* Olga. I've been there. Taking some time to step back and re-prioritize really helped me a lot. I gave myself permission to not blog and not obsess about my favorite forums and just relax. The result? I'm back, and much stronger. And I've even managed to submit an ms since then!

So take some time. Meet a friend for drinks if you drink (that always helps me). And know that even if I don't stop by as frequently as I used to, I'm here for you.

Cole, thank you so much! I hope I'll feel refreshed, too.

Olga-Hi! Just wanted to see how you were doing. We've all been commenting on eharlequin about how many of y'all left. It's sad really.

Anywho, just wanted to say buck up, chicky. I hope everything gets better for you soon. Every now & then the "real" world just likes to kick your butt and that sucks.

I hear ya! Lately I've been in the same mood and I have stayed away from blogging for two weeks. Yeah, I know, I quit the blog-diet today. But I'm going back to it tomorrow. :P

Lynn, thank you so much for the kind words! And thank you for being there for me. I'll be back - I know that; I just don't know when... Hopefully, soon.

Hi, Bridget! It was great to "see" you here. I'd love to visit eHarlequin as often as I used to - you're an awesome group. Maybe some day... Great avatar, btw!

Tempest, hi! I try to stick to blog-diet, though it never works with Internet-diet. To live without Internet is worse than to live without chocolate!

Lots of hugs for the lovely, thoughtful, Olga. Have a good rest, and come back to us when you're ready.

Hope you've had a lovely Thanksgiving, Olga.

Just popping by to say hi and give you a cyber (((hug))). I'm thinking about you.

Alex, that was so sweet of you to tell that! Thank you so much for the nice words!