Some places allow you to take a "mental health" day.

xposty: oh yeah. When my Mom starts talking about what will happen after they're gone I stick my fingers in my ears and shout, "LA LA LA LA LA!"

I have to share a few things from my weekend at my uncle's (and aunt's) house. First, I found out that my aunt's niece, who's been staying at their house while getting her masters at Ohio University but is home until the fall semester, is a huuuge ME fan (she had left her dvds in the bedroom I stayed in, and they included the full sets of both Angel and Buffy, and the room had two Serenity posters and many other Firefly-related items around). I'm going to send my aunt a little introduction to b.org and the link so she can send it on to her niece--I hope she'll stop by and check us out!

Second, I had what was one of the top three meals I've had in my entire life at a tiny little restaurant (indoors doesn't seat more than 35 people) in a tiny little former coal company town near Athens, OH. It was simple food exquisitely made--lamb chops with a cherry sauce, carrots and rice on the side, and the best dessert I've ever had, a berry tart with a crust similar in taste and texture to shortbread, berries layered on the bottom, and a custard with yogurty consistency that was just bliss to eat.

Finally, getting to see my aunt and uncle was wonderful, as usual. My dad's younger (and only) brother was always the "cool uncle" when I was a kid, and both he and his wife are still as fun, interesting, and in love as they were when they married 36 years ago. My aunt is coming out to Chicago for a conference in June, and I'm hoping she'll have time for us to get together one night.

Also?

Happy Anniversary to us, Sean! - 11 years ago today we met.

Also, they gave me a little clay pad with his pawprints on it. I'm baking it right now (to make it solid).

OK, I'm leaking.

Honestly? I'd call in, if I needed to. When MK was sick (man, I'm getting repetitive) I was a mess and didn't get a helluva lot done. However, sometimes being at work, where I have a strict rule about crying, was what I needed. It depends on you, really.

My place of work is totally informal. I mean, I could take a day off if I really had to, I'm just wondering if it's a common thing, so I can respond if they make fun of me or, um... think I'm making up some reason to not come to work. Um... not sure I'm thinking too clearly on this....

Also, they gave me a little clay pad with his pawprints on it. I'm baking it right now (to make it solid).

Oh, how wonderfully sweet. My sister lost her Latte recently, and she didn't have anything like that.

ETA: Seriously, tommy, if you think you'll have a hard time dealing with work issues tomorrow, take the day off. I'm sure they'll understand.

If you do want the day off tell them you need a personal day.

If you don't feel like being specific say you have a family situation that needs to be addressed.

I did want to say before midnight rolls around--Happy Birthday, Sean!!

Play it by ear, tommy! Especially if you're having trouble sleeping and would be a wreck anyway, or if going off to someplace nice (a "happy place") would help console. Just sitting alone in your cat-less home might not be so good.

I'm so very sorry!

((((tommyrot)))) Do what you need to do to take care of yourself. And anyone who makes fun of you for it deserves a swat with the karma klub.

(ETAdd: The more I read that, the more it seems to wishing something more serious than I had in mind. "Swat" is more like spilling something that really stains a brand new white shirt.)