It is never too late to start saving hosta tags because there will always be more to collect. My garden is an outlet for me to relax even though it can be a lot of hard work. As long as you get enjoyment from it, that is all that matters. My hostas give me the calming effect as well. That is as long as they are thriving. When you see one go downhill or getting shredded by slugs or another critter it can get a little frustrating. You get to see something new everyday if you look close enough. A little walk through the garden can come with a feeling of satistfaction and pride no matter how large or small a garden is. I move hosta at any time of the year if it isn't happy or if I just want to do something different. I just moved one over about 12" last week because it needed a little more room to grow. It was new last fall. I took the opportunity to divide it into multiple plants while I had it out of the ground. A young Paul's Glory that had three plants. I put one back in the new position and potted the other two up. One to give my sister who never knows their names and one for trading. There is a thread on moving large fully leafed out hostas while having the leaves tied up. I do pretty much the same thing when moving minis. You will find me out in the garden tying up little bity hostas with twine for a week until they can hold themselves up on their own. My great big monster hands holding and tying up little hostas while being as careful as possible not to break any leaf stems. Only another gardener will understand why you get so much from your garden. Friends and family don't quite get it unless they are bitten by the hosta bug.

I COMPLETELY understand, not only the stress, but the limitations of not being able to afford what a lot of people do to pamper themselves. I know the suggestion may be made mostly in jest, but having a glass of wine or drink only makes me more tired, but no more relaxed. In our old house to relax for a minute, I'd go in my room (often the cleanest, most organized room in an otherwise busy and well-used house), to close my eyes or read for a few moments...before the kids realized I was gone and came to join me...Although, then we all laid around for a bit and talked, which was good, too. But, when we were building, I had no bedroom, no private escape, since DH and 2 of our 8 kids slept on the living room floor of the old single wide mobile home we lived in the last 2 yrs. Even if I was a 'bath person,' I wouldn't have dared to soak in that ancient, stained and damaged tub. I couldn't sew, and cooking or baking in that little, dingy kitchen was not fun. I think that's why I became addicted to this forum. It was an escape. I could think about other people's projects, either enjoying the lovely accomplishments or helping with plans. It was a way to channel the energies that were not helping with progress on our house to someone else. I also learned a lot from this and the cooking forum, and added to my dreams of what I could do in our new kitchen. Other ways I've coped: *Maybe I'm a nerd, but I like to play Scrabble and no one in the house will play with me...So the kids got me the computer version, and it is my 'luxury' to play a few games against the computer challenger. I escape from my life and challenge my brain, when it's numb from other aggravations. *Make a manageable list of little things that have needed doing, and get them done (organize your desk or closet, tend to waiting paperwork, clear out some clutter, make calls you've been needing to, etc.). It is a good feeling to know you have actually accomplished something and made progress in some aspect of your life...That your day meant something, and those little things are no longer nagging at you. It really helps if it is something that will stay done, at least for a while...Not like cleaning the bathroom or doing laundry that will need doing again by tomorrow. Can you get the taxes done so that is out of your hair and the weight is off your shoulders? *Cuddling with my youngest to hold him through a nap, read a book or 6, or watch one of his movies is always a nice break. *It's hard to find time, or force myself out, but doing anything outside in the fresh air seems to help...Read, walk, garden, play catch with the kids. *We had the mocha frappe' powder mix from Costco, and enjoyed a mocha smoothie at a certain time everyday. It was pitiful, but we lived for that break and treat sometimes, and it was nice to know it was coming. Best wishes. We understand.

Oh what a fun site. Thanks so much.

My Dad is not the one drinking alcohol. And I rarely drink it. I was joking. Although the mixture of the fat and sugar from the butter pecan and the alcohol did give me quite the unhealthy buzz. That was two weeks ago, I haven't eaten ice cream or drank alcohol since. As I mentioned in my original post, I'm really not a big drinker. My Dad is 89 years old and I can't tell or explain to him one single thing. In fact, if I even try he will do the exact opposite just to try and prove me wrong. Surely you know the type . . . As for "brain dumping" some people do find conversations with others or journaling a helpful stress reliever. I have a friend who wrote, sang and did "performance art" to help her heal from the sudden death of her younger brother from an unknown (at the time) rare heart condition. She lost her new husband to brain cancer a couple of months ago and is now finding great support in a widow's group . . . Lots of great suggestions here. Edited to add for Jill that I feel your pain. My Dad often is mad at me for something he is projecting on to me. He's convinced I've done something even when presented with blatant proof that I haven't, or convinced I'm thinking something when it is not even remotely on my mind. Paranoia is part of an anxiety disorder. My favorite is his obsession with time. I'm either too early or too late, but it's always one of them.