{{{Sean and S}}} I'll be keeping the two of you in my thoughts. I wish I lived close by so I could bring meals or help out in some other way. Although, is there anything I could do from a distance that might help.

English needs an equivalent word to the Hebrew "apikoros." It means someone who's studied the law and rejected it, as opposed to someone who isn't religious just because they've never learned what it means.

I agree. I was wondering if "apostate" fits the bill, but I think it carries some other implications about prior belief that don't quite fit what Hil is getting at.

~ma to Sean and S. Much, much ~ma. I wish there was something I could do. Stupid Atlantic Ocean.

I was three hours late to work this morning, which is nice. Last night was our work Christmas party, but we left at a sensible time. Then we had to get up at six this morning as DH is flying back to the States today. I went back to bed after he left but forgot to reset the alarm and disn't wake up until half nine. I R STUPID. Of course, because the Christmas party was last night, half the staff aren't in today anyway.

whines

I just found a flight to LA at the end of January for $96.00.

Waaaah!

I would like to nominate the past couple of weeks as "Sucktastic Weeks of the Year." Who's with me?

Oh HELL yes. This past 3 weeks can SUCK. IT.

Sean, I'm so sorry S is back in the hospital. I'm on the wrong coast and hate the telephone, but if there's anything I can do, let me know!

My office's Christmas party is tonight, but I'm skipping it. First, I'm exhausted, and second, there's no way I can leave D with a babysitter tonight after schlepping him halfway across the country and back the past 4 days. Poor little noodle needs to get back on his eat/nap/sleep schedule!

I really appreciated reading everyone's thoughts on death and funerals, btw. It was oddly comforting, so thank you. I never discussed with Grampa what sort of post-death rituals he wanted, but he wound up having a viewing (not Jewish custom) and then was cremated (waaaaaaaaaaay not Jewish custom!). The viewing was startling because there was no casket ('cause, cremation), and he was just laid out on a table with a sheet over him. It was hard to see, but I appreciated the chance to say goodbye, which I didn't really get to do in the hospital. I was also please to see that he was laid to rest in cutoff jeans and a flannel shirt. My grandmother said, "You didn't think I'd put him in a suit, did you?" So wherever he is now, he's dressed for sailing.

OH good Lord. We just got a text from some people we work with. They're still out drinking. That's... twenty hours and counting.

*sniff* Jess, I'm glad you got to say goodbye and it sounds like he went out like he would have wanted to.

What Aimee said.

Aimee - friend of a friend has a black Great Dane who is less than two - guess what is favorite toy is?

Answer: Giant Scooby Do toy!

Isn't that cute?

My grandmother said, "You didn't think I'd put him in a suit, did you?" So wherever he is now, he's dressed for sailing.

Raises a glass for Jessica's grandfather.

And coincidentally today's Daily Puppy is a black Great Dane cross.

Having only the word "atheist" to describe both of those people makes for circular discussions.

Oh, yeah. And, actually, it happens in Christianity circles too. It’s like blind faith or something… Some people seem to believe that once they’ve given faith in God that that’s enough, and they never do much more beyond that. It is crazy-making.

And through this study, I have also come away with a healthy respect and admiration of many religions, religious people, and some tenets of faith, even if I do not share that faith.

And back atcha. Actually, I’ve been thinking that if I leave my current church, I may do some serious theological study so I can try to figure out where I really stand and why churches keep messing up around me.

The Golden Compass

This is also on my reading list. I want to read it before I see the movie. There’s so much hoopla about all this right now in some of my circles, and I want to see what *I* think.

WindSparrow, that behavior is really bizarre!

I just found a flight to LA at the end of January for $96.00.

Holy cow! That’s insanely cheap!

My grandmother said, "You didn't think I'd put him in a suit, did you?" So wherever he is now, he's dressed for sailing.

Oh, wow. I love that. That’s perfect. And more thoughts to you and your whole family, Jessica.