I thought at TIRR-Challenge I’d get my little brain-glitches fixed, but little brain-glitches don’t just get fixed.  Rewiring takes time, and in some instances it doesn’t happen at all, or not the way we expect. 

So while the rewiring project is going on in my head, I need to find a new way of operating. 

• New way #1:  I won’t shop and browse.  That sends home fluffy-headed.  I like browsing at the grocery store most, although there I call it "foraging."  I sniff the peaches, search for the brightest greens, scan sale signs to check if avocados are cheap this week.  No browsing, now, unless I’m prepared for any fluff-headed consequences.
• New way #2:  Chores over chitchat.  My favorite part of running errands is the chitchat.  But too much chitchat and I wind up erring while errand-ing (and feeling flaky or frustrated with myself), or I find myself exhausted after just a trip to the post office.  No chitchat, now, unless, like #1, I’m prepared for any fluff-headed consequences.
• New way #3:  Work/career is no longer a priority.  I’m need to be content getting C&D fed and napped (and me, too!), because right now, that’s about as much as I can handle.  Work stuff . . . I can deal with later.  Much later.  (Just remind me in case I forget, will you?)
• New way #4:  Take breaks, breathe deeply, relax.  This is hardest, but I’m trying.  I realized today that I’ve been anxious or experiencing some level of stress since the the AVM bled and led to my stroke.  Uncomfortable environments, trouble sleeping somehow became the norm.  I found myself holding my breath while driving down the highway (um, no wonder I get dizzy?), getting goggly-eyed at the grocery and gritting my teeth during dinner.  While it’s important my brain learns to process those experiences easily again, I need to respect my brain, that I don’t really understand, and let it rest.  Frequently, and deeply.

This will work.

Edited for completion Dec 2007.  I’m better at #1-#3, but still need to work hard at #4.