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.

That's totally understandable, sj. Allow yourself to mope and cry at home and when you're out with them, enjoy it for what it is and promise yourself that you can cry again, should you need to, when you get home. Hopefully that'll keep the sad away while you're with them.

There are so many traditions that get me through the year that I am going to miss.

Dave's gonna have to step up to the plate... Although I'm sure he'll do a wonderful job of that.

ma to megan and Mikey

sj - don't worry - you'll laught at lot and a little teary isn't bad - this is your forever friend and she knows you...

perkins, I winced when I saw your post, but just didn't say anythign. too bad there is no way to capture those reactions.

IOn, there are long scratches down the sid eof my car . thery weren't there yesterday am. not deep , but still... . I think a bicycle did it. It kins of makes sense I think a car would have done more damage. But - horray for polomer side panels. Shouldn't be much to buff them out.

That's totally understandable, sj. Allow yourself to mope and cry at home and when you're out with them, enjoy it for what it is and promise yourself that you can cry again, should you need to, when you get home. Hopefully that'll keep the sad away while you're with them.

I can't afford to mope and cry as much as I have been. There is packing and moving to do.

Dave's gonna have to step up to the plate... Although I'm sure he'll do a wonderful job of that.

Dave is wonderful, and I am so grateful I have him right now, but going to craft shows, Target runs, and going to coffee shops to gossip are not his thing.

Perkins - it's cool. I haven't had a chance to purchase the tickets yet anyway. I hope you can make it.

David, you were one of the first to see my new haircut!

{{{{sj}}}}

Can we propose erika's chair to "Pimp My Ride"?

((((Perkins)))) ((((sj)))) ((((Megan and family))))

Trudes, I wish I had a good idea for a gift for you, but I lost my brain somewhere in the Colorado River. The wind was really strong.

t waves weakly