Greetings Masters and Mistresses,
greetings slaves,

One had planned to write an awe-inspiring article on perception and obedience this month. Instead, one sits here realizing she is too tired to shower nevermind offer illuminating insights into perception and reality as it pertains to obedience. Nope. Just can’t be that smart this month. All one can do is add it to her ever lengthening "to do" lists and contemplate the more pertinent topic of stress.

Most of the time, there is only one weekly "to do" list for kessia. This past week, following the addition of a new puppy and a change in medical care came Master’s announcement that it is time to move again. Given that he is in the military and has been for some time, the announcement of an impending move was not surprising. The time frame for the move, however, was exactly half of what this slave had thought it was going to be and instead of apartment hunting, Master told this girl that he will be buying his first home. Each thing in and of itself is not a big deal but add them up: Puppy plus new doctor plus shortened planning time plus mortgage paperwork and research plus pregnant slave equals STRESS.

One wishes she could say that she handled the sudden onset pile of stressors with a sweet smile and a "Yes, Master". Sadly, one has to admit that, when in the hormone haze of pregnancy, one has a response more befitting a fishwife than of a docile slave. Master tolerated a tirade about exactly how stupid one felt his current duty station command is, was and always will be which bled into general household management issues, which mutatated into a basic financial freak out and concluded with an overview of the fears associated with househunting and moving so soon after giving birth. He managed to avoid smiling indulgently or beating a girl and merely listened patiently, nodding when it got quiet, until a girl remembered who she is and what her strengths are.

A pad of paper in hand, one tearfully wandered off to commence listmaking, her favorite way of handling stress. Break a big project down into smaller phases and it becomes much easier. One does this with the bills, housework, kid management and a host of other things, enabling her to handle a pretty big workload without going totally crazy, and while making it look easy (according to Master).

The usual weekly "to do" list has been supplanted by an ocean of lists, files and printouts washing over the dining room table. One has (so far) resisted the urge to provide an escape from the work by adding herself to the "things to sell" list, though by the end of this oddessey, Master may add a girl to the "things to give away" list. Oh, yes and one needs to go and thank her owner for allowing her so much responsibility, and for the trust he has in her ability to manage things.....and then cross that off her "things to remember to do" list.

One hopes her short letter on stress helps those who may be having one of ’those’ months and serves as a reminder that as much as you might think so, you aren’t alone in having less than perfect days.

Wishing all most well,

kessia{Sage}