Last night watched Heathers with Pamela and a couple of cosmopolitans. Words cannot explain how fun that was. Then Bring It On which was fun as well. But Heathers is just classic. I hadn't seen the movie in yonks and now I think I ought to own it.

And their guest room? Really quite comfy. And a good pillow and duvet on the bed. Drunky well-sleeped Cass, there was.

Timelies, all. I'm afraid I skipped-&-skimmed, but I caught enough to say {{{Bev}}} and congratulations to Teacup guy!

Thank you all for your kind thoughts, both here and back channel. I'm back at work today, after spending 8/4-8/10 with my family. Luckily, my sister was able to come down from Michigan in time for Mom to have her whole family with her at the end. My friends and coworkers have been incredibly supportive. Amyth and some other friends drove over from the Triangle (~75 miles) to be there for me at the viewing, a third of my officemates showed up at the funeral, and I've been overwhelmed with cards and kindness.

Next Friday I'll be going up to Michigan with my dad. Mom asked for her ashes to be interred in her family's plot, so I'll be seeing Saginaw for the first time in over 20 years. Well, a small part of it, anyway.

I'm glad you're taken care of, Calli.

In other news, shit. I just found out a friend of mine tested positive for HPV. She doesn't yet know whether she has cervical cancer.

She's 25.

My condolences to you and your whole family, on the loss of your mother. I wish you peace and strength. I'm glad your whole family was able to be there, and love your mother on her way.

Polter, I tested positive for HPV several years ago, and the result for me was just more frequent Pap smears until I stopped testing positive. HPV can go away. Your friend probably gets to have a camera shoved up places non-kinky people generally don't like to have one shoved, but it could well turn out fine in the end.

The percentage of sexually active women who've tested positive for HPV at some point is ridiculous. It's like 80%.

HPV can go away.

It can? Yay!!

It can? Yay!!

There are a whole lot of public service announcements running about HPV on TV. An Internet search will probably give you all the worst case scenarios, but there is good news.

I've seen the ads about the vaccine.

I tested positive 20 years ago or so. They froze my cervix which was no biggee. No issue after that. I think it is one of those things that if caught on a YEARLY checkup is quite treatable. When you neglect to get checked for decades on end (I'm looking at you MIL) then little issues become big issues.

{{Calli}} Good to see you back dear. I'm glad that your mother was surrounded by love and that you have had loving support. I'm so sorry for your loss.