Flip-flops are usually the only sandals that don't give me blisters, but they need to have REALLY thick soles because I wear them out so fast.

Megan, my sympathies to you and your MIL.

Trudy, how about flowers and a really nice vase?

David, I got my hair cut too - it's shorter than usual!

Thanks for all the punctuation and ma. It's appreciated!

I also got my hair cut yesterday, to correct a bad cut I got on Tuesday. It's pretty short now! Ieeee....

{{Megan}} Peace and strength to you and yours.

I watched Lane on GG dye her hair purple...now I wanna do that. Joblessness and being economically disenfranchised should mean not having to dress like a citizen if I don't feel like it. People already look anyways, although Mom hates it when I talk about that. Like if I don't, I'm sitting in a tasteful fashion accessory. Whatever. I'm already not going to blend, maybe I should live in neon, you know?

tonight I get Perkins, juliana, a murder mystery play and booze - does that count? I'm sure there will be cabana boys basking around juliana and I can bask in her shadow.

errrr. I am going to have to be all tentatively on tonight, I'm afraid. (Juliana, I sent you an email earlier, but if it got to you too late, just let me know, and I will paypal you if I don't make it.)

Stoopid back, stoopid gravity, and stoopid me.

erika, I think you should get a custom wheelchair made with round tubing and painted in neon colors. Then, you could dye your hair to match (or in contrast; your hair, your choice) and get tattoos in random places that anyone can see. I say, if ya got it, flaunt it! Just because "it" is a wheelchair, doesn't mean you can't make a personal statement. I think there's been too much of an effort to "mainstream" many types of handicaps, as if by doing that the handicaps will just go away. They won't. So, make it a fashion statement, at least.

How do I just enjoy the time that T and the nephews are still here and not get all weepy about them leaving every few minutes?

No real advice, just {{{you}}}. It has to be hard since you and T have been friends for FOREVER and then some. I'm sorry a large chunk of your "family" is moving away, hon.

All kinds of ~ma to all that are dealing with this, Megan.

Poor, poor Perkins. We need to get you a plastic bubble to live in...

Keep reminding yourself -- Be Here Now. Enjoy the now--which is right there in front of you.

I am trying to do this. It's not working very well, but I am trying.

No real advice, just {{{you}}}. It has to be hard since you and T have been friends for FOREVER and then some. I'm sorry a large chunk of your "family" is moving away, hon.

Thanks. We are family in every way but blood. Tal and I have been best friends since we were six years old. There are so many traditions that get me through the year that I am going to miss. It just doesn't seem possible that she won't be there. My brain refuses to accept it.

David, I got my hair cut too - it's shorter than usual!

Damn. You know how much I love your hair already.

I also got my hair cut yesterday, to correct a bad cut I got on Tuesday. It's pretty short now! Ieeee....

I think we need to see pictures.