On the bright side, my psycho kitty seems to be much calmer, happier, and less paranoid. On the negative, I think I need to find something like the Pawsense program, that I think was mentioned here earlier, for Linux.

Announcement: I've started going through all my boxes of photos to sort them and scan them.

Analysis: I need to lose weight.

So, I'll be dieting starting today - if I'm bitchier than normal, please to be forgiving me.

Gronk.

Last night's post was brought to you by I Drank Too Much Last Night, Partners & Inc.

Hec, the brain hating my heart thing was because I had some weird theory that I could only add cheese to my chicken sandwich if it were fried, not grilled.

eeeeee! will you come for the JZ BBQ next weekend

I have to work. Cries forever.

Maybe someone would be nice and switch with me. But I doubt it. Poop!

ETA: My landlord is showing the apartment again in half an hour. Do I have to leave? Because I'm packing books and drinking coffee and it's all rather pleasant.

Unless the landlord specifically requests that you leave I don't see why you can't continue to pack and drink coffee. Actually, when you are selling a house they say to brew a pot before you show the house because it makes the place smell good.

Are you naked? Landlords sometimes prefer not to show too much.

Are you naked? Landlords sometimes prefer not to show too much.

Well, that was lucky then. I'd just gotten up and gone through the whole pants/no pants debate when they called. I chose wisely.

(Teppy, I spent a lot of time in VT this past week and have many recs for places you will probably have no time to visit.)

Oooh -- lay them on me! I think we'll have chunks of downtime (i.e., 1-3 hours, which is not enough for me to drive down to Boston and play, dang it), and I'm going to need Planned Activities so as not to kill my dad for bugging me endlessly.

Where were you in VT?

Good morning, all.

t mememe

Hung out with bunch of folks last night including Rejecting!Crush!Girl. It was completely fine, we interacted normally, I really think awkwardness will be avoided. We shall remain good friends, especially (I think) since I'm going home for 3 weeks starting Monday, a good time to let any lingering awkwardness fade. Yay.

At the same time, woke up REALLY sad. Hurts more today than yesterday. I'm fairly certain a relationship would never have worked out, but it would've been so much fun to try it. Le sigh.

t /mememe

Lyra, I'm sorry your brother is being dumb. Sounds like a bad situation.

I want the Hello Kitty dress. I don't know why. I think I should just hang it on my wall as a conversation piece.

Monday is my dad's birthday. Normally I'd give him a book and/or the See's Little Pops I know he likes, but from what Mom told me of his condition, he could no longer appreciate either gift. So I'm thinking of sending flowers to both of them, something cheerful like daisies or sunflowers. Does that sound like a good idea?

There are so many practical details that I have no idea how to manage. Mostly I go about my everyday business and interests, though I've set aside some time each day to pray for my parents and generally spend time reflecting. But throughout I keep having thoughts like, "Bereavement fares--how do they work?" or, "Do I need to buy a new dress, or would that black sweater be respectful and appropriate with a nice skirt?" or, "Flower arrangements--do I go in with my brothers, or do we each send our own? If the latter, how do I know what's appropriate?" Stuff like that.

I think that sounds like a lovely idea for a birthday gift, Susan.

There are so many practical details that I have no idea how to manage. Mostly I go about my everyday business and interests, though I've set aside some time each day to pray for my parents and generally spend time reflecting. But throughout I keep having thoughts like, "Bereavement fares--how do they work?" or, "Do I need to buy a new dress, or would that black sweater be respectful and appropriate with a nice skirt?"

How does your family handle the ceremony surrounding death? Have you been to anything for other relatives, or close family friends? Will there be a wake, and a funeral, or memorial service, or something different? Do they usually do everything in the Funeral Parlor, or do they have a church service, as well?

Around here, I wear what I'd wear to church (although I try to stay away from anything too bright and peppy) for a funeral, and for my own Dad's funeral and wake, I did stick to black.

As for bereavement fares, each airline handles it differently. I know cousins who had to get a copy of their Dad's death certificate, so I don't know how many details you can iron out ahead of time. But, you could call whatever airline you'd typically take back home, and see what their requirements are, so that when it is time, you won't have to think; you can just refer to a checklist.

Where the flowers are concerned, this is something you can just discuss with your brothers now, or when it comes up in the conversation, or when you feel the time is right, or only once it is an issue--whatever feels most comfortable to you and them. Florists are used to coming up with big funeral arrangements on short notice. What you'll probably do is let your mother select her arrangement first. She may want something special, and then work around that. I know people who have gone in on arrangements with their siblings, and families who have each given their own arrangement. Sometimes, there is one arrangement from all the grandchildren. It depends on what you'd like to do, what your siblings would like to do, finances, and what your mom wants to do.