Diversionary tactics

- Allow oneself to be completely and shamelessly sucked into the reality show "Rock of Love" with Bret Michaels. Nothing boosts self-esteem better than watching a flock of bimbos fawning over an almost "has been" rocker.

- Also allow oneself to be sucked into a "Top Chef" marathon on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

- Cleaning frenzies are a wonderful distraction.

- Buy a variety of fresh-cut flowers at the grocery and make a cheery bouquet.

- Immerse oneself in online games of Scrabble.

- Avoid celebrity gossip outlets, as one will certainly trip over news that another Hollywood starlet is unexpectedly expecting.

- Indulge in a glass of wine to soothe the inner beast. Two glasses dulls the pain in one's heart pretty nicely.

- Pull out an abandoned crochet project and spend many hours refreshing oneself with the stitch, only to throw everything down in a heap, utter a few expletives, and search out another project to keep oneself occupied.

- Make homemade baked ziti at 9 o'clock in the evening. It's very liberating and yummy and comforting, and not at all neurotic.

- Chocolate.

Recipe for survival

A Mother's Day Alternative
Ingredients:
1 Hooter's buffalo shrimp platter
1 Hooter's buffalo wings platter with bleu cheese
1 Hooter's curly fries platter
1 glass of Coke Classic to wash it all down

Dessert:
Peanut Butter Cup milkshake made with chocolate ice cream from Steak 'n Shake

I realize that this seems like an unconventional Mother's Day meal, but I was searching for a place that wouldn't be crowded and I guess moms don't usually choose Hooter's. Yay, me!

And, the milkshake helped to band-aid me back together a bit after a rough day.