Hi All - I don't wanna wear out my welcome, but I need to ask for some more ~ma for my family.

My mom was supposed to be discharged today, so I took the kids to go pick her up. She was just returning from dialysis and had expected to get dressed and go home. As she was sitting on the edge of the bed, sorting out her street clothes, she went all shaky and then lost consciousness. It was scary as heck as we called for help. Anyway, long story short, her blood pressure dropped too low due to the dialysis and they kept her another night. We try again in the morning.

I called my father since I have not talked to him in over a week and found out that my uncle (his brother) passed away yesterday. It was the first time I have ever heard my father cry. My uncle had brain cancer and has had 4 rough years, so this was a definite case of it being both expected and sudden.

Both the kids and I are shaken, mom is doing better, and I hope my dad is coping.

I'll need some unexplained-ma for the next week or so. Call it week and a half. Just cause, and maybe one day I'll actually tell y'all why.

I have unlimited comps for todays 3pm and 7pm shows of My Old Lady at Apple Tree Theatre. If any Chicago area people would like to go, just call the box office and ask for comps courtesy of Gina Patterson.

One of my sister's best friendsneeds some ma. T has been one of the people that has always been there for my sister. T is not quite 40. She has breast cancer , stage 4. I like some right decsion makeing to go towards T. and some hair pats for my sister.

I'm in Kansas City from Wednesday Evening through Sunday (I think Sunday, not totally sure yet as UMKC still hasn't sent me my itinerary, go figure). It looks like I'll be busy each day from 8 AM to around 6 PM, but so far my evenings will be free. Last time I was out there the grad students made sure I was in a bar every night, but I'm sure that efforts can be combined and I can add any Buffistas that might be interested into one of those bar journeys. So, if anyone would like to hook up later this week email me at my profile address.

Shameless self-pimpage moment coming up.

The second book in my series, Famous Flower of Serving Men, is now available for very early pre-order at Amazon.

Going dark for the next two weeks (returning May 5th) while DH and I are in Korea visiting his parents.

While I'm gone, don't forget to fill out your Foamies nomination ballots and buy lots of 2004 F2F swag!

Just letting you all know I'll be dark until May 1st. Off to Alabama to lay around in the sun and misbehave as much as possible.

I'm not sure where to put this, so I'll put it here, and if it belongs elsewhere, my apologies:

Chandler, AZ Library celebrates Buffy festival: [link]

I would like to request some Buffista job-ma for about an hour starting in 20 minutes. I have a meeting with management to decide if they are going to make me a permanent employee or not. I wish knew the outcome was guaranteed, one way or the other, but I just can't be sure.

Also, I wish the giant butterflies in my stomach would fly some place that's else.

Edited: It's all good! I release -ma into the wilds.