:lol: No shooting or stealing of the seam ripper allowed! The rule of thumb is to press the seams toward the darker color. That doesn't always work if you have intersecting seams where they both fall on the same side. However, pressing everything open isn't the answer either. If the thread breaks between those seams, then you see right through to the batting. The seam is stronger when the seams are pressed to one side.
Time for a break. Go get a cuppa and a snack to go with it and come back to it later. {{{hugs}}}