Wow, that's some effective -ma, gang! I now have a decently-paying freelance editing gig. Hurrah!

As I have mentioned on occasion, I've been training for the Atlanta Half-Marathon all summer, to benefit the Arthritis Foundation. I think it's been good for me, and I know it's a good cause.

You can find out more information at [link] There you can contribute online. You'll also find more information about arthritis and Joints in Motion. You can also contribute by sending me a check made out to the Arthritis Foundation. If you want to send a check, send an e-mail to my profile addy, and I'll send you my address.

I know there are people on the board dealing with fibromyalgia and arthritis, and research money is important. I have arthritis myself, my sister has fibromyalgia and my mother and several relatives have fairly severe arthritis.

I'd appreciate anything you can contribute, including just a hearty dose of completing-the-half-marathon~ma on Thanksgiving.

A reminder to Seattleistes and other folks local to the area:

The kickoff event for Famous Flower of Serving Men is at Barnes and Noble, University Village, Seattle, this Saturday evening at half past seven.

Be there!

Attention CAistas:

I just got this email notice from Paper Or Plastic 2004, an organization getting the word out about voting options in California. If you live in one of the counties listed below, electronic voting will be your default choice, but you still have the right to ask for and receive a paper ballot instead.

Take note if you live in one of these counties, and pass the word to anyone you know in any of them.

from paperorplastic2004.org:

Ten California counties will use electronic voting machines on November 2nd, but these systems don't provide a voter-verified audit trail and they cannot be used in a meaningful recount. That's why Secretary of State Kevin Shelley gave voters a choice: on election day, voters can choose to forego an electronic ballot and instead vote on paper. However, election officials in at least three counties are instructing poll workers to keep this choice secret.

We fought hard to give voters the option to cast ballots that can be verified, audited, and recounted, but these officials are trying to keep the public in the dark. Help us inform California voters that they have this "paper or plastic" choice on election day.

California counties that use e-voting machines (* indicates counties that are keeping choice a secret)

• Alameda
  *Santa Clara
  *Orange
  Napa
  San Bernardino
  Merced
  Plumas
  Shasta
  Tehama
  Riverside

Emergency blob~ma request.

I've had some spotting and pain today, and am seeing my doctor in an hour and a half. Needless to say, while they say it's probably nothing, I'm a little freaked.

My dog is at the vet right now...she has thrown up so much she is probably dehydrated and etc. Send her some thoughts and some generous and wise thoughts to her vet.

Phew!

We're good, I just a: have an easily dinged cervix (though one that's nice and closed and as it should be); and b: strained the HELL out of my ligaments last night while I was cleaning.

Strong heartbeat (and per my OB, it was moving around a lot, and is an active little critter), all looks okay. I'm going to go easy on myself today, so brunchistas, apologies in advance for the mess!

i'm not up to sifting through all the posts i've missed the past several days, but i wanted to thank all of you for the ~ma you sent to me. i truly believe that everyone played a part in how well i came through the surgery.

i'm still pretty sore and taking it very easy, but the pain i'm feeling now is hardly comparable to what i was feeling before. now i just hurt when i have to get up or cough or sneeze or things of that nature. before it was pretty much a constant pain. so yay for that.

anyway...i just wanted to make a quick post thanking all of you for thinking good thoughts. every little bit helps.

I will be dark for the next week. Joe and I are heading off on a cruise around the Caribbean before he leaves. I don't think it will be as exiciting as P-C's cruise. Instead of late nights and intrigue, we are planning to sit in the sun and perhaps snorkel. Regardless, we are just hoping to spend some time together (and we will miss the election hype that is sure to come!).