A little health~ma for my grandfather who has been in SICU since last Wednesday after his gall bladder-ectomy. In the past few days he's gone from doing "very well for a 91 year-old man" to not doing so well - his pneumonia isn't clearing up and they may have to put him back on the ventilator.

I'm releasing much of the ~ma for my collaborator's girlfriend back out (and pushing it in Jessica's direction). She's still in the hospital, but off oxygen and walking around. She had surgery - they still don't know the full outcome of that. A little worrisome, but it is good to see her out of bed. And mad at me for the get well lolcat I sent to her.

My request for ~ma seems petty considering everything else going on, but what the heck. A little please-don't-call-me-in-for-jury-duty-until-at-least-Wednesday ~ma would be appreciated. Monday and Tuesday are the days that the potential new head of school will be visiting, and I really need to be here. I have to start checking in starting Sunday night, so I'm really nervous that I'm going to miss one of those two days. I know it might not sound like a big deal, but it really is to me. Thanks.

Matt and I would like y'all to send a bit of health ma~~~ our friend W's way. He had a heart attack on Saturday , but due to his nonstubbornness about the doctor, an aspirin and a n ambulance that arrived in 5 minutes - he looks like he has some damage, but all we be well. His wife J is going to need some extra patience. W and J have been married for 45 years - working together as well as being married. The are very good friends and people that mean a lot to us.

I'm happy to announce that my move back to Arkansas is DONE! I finished cleaning the old place last night and moved the last vanload of my stuff into the new loft this morning (well, sans my super-comfy sleep inducing couch, which won't fit through the entrance of the apartment.) Pictures will follow as soon as I can get a new sofa and unpack some boxes.

Dear people of Seattle-

Matt and I will be up there this weekend. We are arriving Friday afternoon and leaving Monday afternoon. We have things we want to do, but no definite plans and we would love to see whoever we can. ( matt keeps mentioning tiny short people). my profile email is good and is similar to mine - just use meh1963. I can put up cell phone #'s as needed

(x-posted with GWW)

This is not The Official Announcement, because that is waiting on signed contracts and whatnot. But my editor^* said I could go ahead and tell my family and friends, sooooooo ...

I have a book deal! HarperCollins is going to publish a Gothic Charm School book in 2009!

Like I said, this is not The Official Announcement, so don't tell complete strangers, alert the press, or anything, okay? But yes, zomg, book deal!

I just found out my mother has a detached retina in one eye in addition to cataracts, and will be seeing a specialist tomorrow to determine if surgery on that eye will be possible, or if they will merely focus on saving the other eye. As much ~ma for her as possible, please, and some for my SiL who has been running around taking care of her quite a bit the last few months.

Please, some calm ~ma and best outcome ~ma for between 11:30 and noon eastern time today. I'm counter-offering on my landlord's rent increase and doing my very best to keep 9 years of anger and righteous indignation out of my voice.

Thanks!

Latest news on my mother: She will be having laser surgery on her detached retina, which may restore some vision in that eye, next Friday. So continuing eye~ma and steady hands for the surgeon~ma through the coming week would be most appreciated. Thanks, everyone.