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.

There's no excuse for ignorance, people.

Well. There are people who don't believe in any spiritual force, have never believed, and aren't really interested in finding out what other people do believe. And why should they?

Mind you, that doesn't excuse acting like you know all about it when you really don't. That's never okay.

ION, Aimee? Whereabouts are you guys living? And is Joe home?

And just so I can totally take over the board, I shouldn't even be here today! I was totally promised we'd never have school if it was snowing. It snowed! We should not have school! And yet we do.

Pity me, for I am... you know, at work.