Thanks for the ~ma. MiL went home this evening with a new asprin-a-day regimen and minimal damage from her mild stroke.

This week I got my certificate and final transcript... and also the course I was auditing finished and I just now received final word that I'm not allowed to audit more in a year after graduation. So I guess I'm sorta kinda moving on to the world of job-seeking and then job-having, instead of clinging by my fingernails to the Fun That Is School Goddamit.

Anybody want to hire a Web Developer/Designer?

Some coping-ma for my sister-in-law M and her family would be much appreciated. Her youngest brother was diagnosed with terminal cancer (started in the lungs, then travelled to the liver and metasticised (sp?)), and is looking at about 9 months the outside. He's decided to forgoe any treatment, and is going to travel the world as much as he can while he's able (a brother of his has taken a leave at work to go with him). He's only 42 (2 years older than me), and I saw him over the 4th this summer and never would have known (as he didn't at the time). I love M and her family a whole lot, and this sucks beyond all telling.

Fuck fucking cancer.

And another holiday request for ~ma. My step-aunt (closer than my bio-aunt) blacked out on last week while driving her husband to the doctor (he lost his legs in Vietnam and has additional health issues besides).

Today's email:

Not a stroke. But so very serious that she is struggling with a 50-50 chance of survival even after Wednesday's 7 hour surgery. A cat-scan discovered three brain aneurysms and the EKG a damaged heart.

So many people depend on her, and she's really the molten core of the family. If karma means anything, she will be well cared for...and if being feisty and stubborn means anything, she'll survive. But still, buffista~ma? Please?

I have a cross-thread request of the vast hivemind.

I need recommendations for children's books geared toward helping youngsters (5 & 8) cope with questions about a) being adopted, b) having two mommies and c) an absent (possibly incarcerated) father.

This is well outside my area of expertise and I'd really like to point these good folks to the best materials.

Thanks so much for any insight.

Suggestions sent to my profile addy, or in Natter would be greatly appreciated.

I am knocked up!

Babyfras is due May 24th.

Thank you, NOT!Secret-Santa-Just-Because!

You are awesome!

I'm not sure I've ever asked for ~ma, but if people would like to send "concrete step forward" vibes towards me, I'll be having nerves numbed tomorrow around 9:30am board time, and the hope is that it will positively affect my extreme neck and shoulder pain.

Well, I know it's a little bit too late to suggest this for Christmas, but for those of you who don't know, I live in Jerusalem, Israel. I know this board has religious people on it, or people with religious families and friends.

So if any of you of any faith would like something from here (say, the Old City - I live close to it) for Christmas or any other occasion, it's really easy for me to get it and send it overseas. I'm even OK with rubbing objects against graves/approximated graves/holy locations, if that what turns you on. Profile addy is good, and happy holidays!