If I could request some serious health-ma for my Mom, I'd be greatful. She had some bad results from a mamogram, and the subsequent biopsy was positive for cancer.

At this point, she's getting the cancer removed surgically and seeing what happens after that. She's really good about keeping up on her health stuff, so this is probably caught early, but she's in her mid-80s so things are dicey no matter what the situation is. I have a feeling she's going to seriously consider not getting kemo if that's what it comes down to, just because she knows what an ordeal it can be from what other people have gone through. I mean, she seems unbelievably strong and healthy for her age, but I also know she may just not want to put up a big fight for a few more years at this point, and just will let things happen as they will.

Anyway, health-ma would be lovely.

Some of you know that I've been working on a Sooper Seekrit project for a while.

Our own Sean and MM are also working on it.

Well, we are now at a point where we need some folks to come and play and beta test this thing (It's web based and very interesting, at least I think so.)

I need 20 to 30 volunteers to read what we have, offer suggestions, post on the message boards, listen to some cool audio and all of that fun stuff.

If you are interested contact me at my profile address. I'll give you the link to the site from there.

Well heck, on top of my mom's health issues (kidney failure - working on organ donation, bad knee that is requiring her to use a cane), she got fired yesterday. She is so depressed. She is sure that no one will hire her in her current state of health.

I'd love to ask for job~ma, but I really think she needs the emotional~ma more right now.

Beginning tomorrow afternoon, I'll be dark as a result of going home to go on a Mexican cruise with the family. While I'll technically be back the night of 17th, I'll probably be gray until at least the weekend, since I'll be moving out of my apartment.

I'm all behind in most every thread, due to all the work travel (and actual *work*!) that I've been doing, but wanted to let the NYCistas know I'll be in their lovely city starting tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon--would anyone be up for dinner Sunday or Monday? I'll be staying and working in midtown, leaving Tuesday evening.

Email me at yahoo, mearagirl.

Or, call, if you've got my cell #.

Just wanted to drop in and say I'm (still) sorry about my board absenteeism. I'll likely be dark gray to black until September or even early October, but I'm checking my email still daily and am wishing happy thoughts to all.

I will see Californiaistas and Nilly party-goers in a couple of weeks!

Otherwise, be well and see you all soon(ish).

My mother wanted me to tell everyone thanks from her as well, and also that Buffistas are invited to Phoenix any time, especially in the winter. And if you don't, she might kick your asses. Unless you're ita. Because she says "I'm crazy...not Crazy."(We'd love to host you, ita, but we'll forgo the asskicking. We know you'll win.)

Surprisingly, I'll be all shades of dark in the coming 3 weeks.

Before I go, however, here is what the Buffista Calendar has to say about that time period:

• August 25 is Jessica & Fone Bone's wedding anniversary.

• August 29 is Jen's birthday.

• September 4 is Susan W & her DH's anniversary, but hopefully I'll be back by then to send good wishes on time.

I'm sure there are more "big days", they're just not on the calendar so my sieve-of-a-brain can't remember them. Both Burrell's Franny and flea's Eve have birthdays at the end of August, for example.

Anyway, I'm logging off. Next time I'll "see" you, I'll be actually seeing some of you!

And I'm grateful.

Heh. I get to follow Nilly's "going dark" announcement. There's no way I'ma gonna top that one. . . .

Anywhoo, I'm going completely black from this evening until Sunday night, and more likely Monday morning, for a much needed vacation with DF. Have fun and don't do anything I wouldn't do (which leaves it wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiddde open)!

Nilly, be safe and welcome to the U.S.! See you in a few weeks.

I have a "lets get to know you" interview with Robert Half, Inc., tomorrow afternoon.

They are basically a contract house to a number of big companies.

Please send any appropriate ~ma, especially stage-fright-ma and impressing-ma.