Sending lots of breast-waffle~ma your way, Cash. I'm 4-5 months from my first and not much looking forward to it (except that I suck at BSE -- my tissues are very lumpy and dense and a nice detailed scan powered by SCIENCE! will be a vast improvement over the current system of fingertips and forgetfulness).

Big Maria hugs! And our car isn't not reliable anymore; it never was reliable. My Big Life Goals have dwindled from Great American Novel and Writing Staff/Recurring Character on America's Favorite Tee-Vee Show to Scrape Together Enough To Buy A Used Toyota When The Chrysler Finally Kicks It.

Hec can use all the good wishes you've got for his knees, though, with Little League season coming up and all.

And in return, I send better hockey/everything else in life balance~ma to your DH.

Hugs on Maria - just because.

Heh, JZ. I'm still shooting for Great American Novel, but in the short term I'll settle for the new owner of our house not jacking up the rent, our 10 and 12-year-old cars holding together a few years longer, neither of our jobs being de-funded in state budget cuts, etc. And, if we're really, really lucky, that inheritance we're waiting to hear about will still be there.

I've had a couple of tit-mashes, and I should go get another one.

ION, I just opened up my Yahoo mail and found an email from Sharon, my oldest sister. She said she'd found an old address of mine and thought she'd test it. Part of me is thrilled to pieces at hearing from her, part of me is sunk in dread at dealing with the subtle angst that comes from dealing with my blood family. There have been other attempts at contact before, and it's always my emails/letters that are eventually not responded to. Maybe things have changed, maybe the passing of time has made Sharon think she should make contact with half of her siblings. Family dramas are boring and grating, and I don't want to have them. But it would be nice to be told I've been missed.

I love the Bitches. You are good for the soul. I'll gladly take those hugs, smooches and nibbles today.

All I have to say is it's a good thing I love hockey. The time commitment can be trying.

Edit: Hugs for GC. I don't think I told you how very amazed I am at your strength and caring, not only over the last few weeks, but since your FIL's illness was diagnosed. She's lucky to have you.

Did you have a good birthday, connie?

Don't worry Cash, I was dreading the mammo but it really wasn't that bad. More awkward that owie.

I am now on board the Disney Wonder. Now the crazy work begins. I'm onboard until the 24th. This sounds more exciting than it really is.

Did you have a good birthday, connie?

I did! Went out to lunch with friends, wandered some computer stores for bits, had coffee at Barnes & Noble--then watched the worst snow storm of the year close down major highways across the northern part of the state with 10-foot-drifts of blowing snow as schools were letting out and rush hour was beginning. There were people stranded at their offices and in schools all across the area.

I only got a couple of inches of snow in my driveway. I was selfishly smug.

This morning there was snow on my car, and I was seriously doubting pitchers and catchers could be reporting today.

You're not allowed to do divorce math on Valentine's Day, right? Because my DH was at home all day, and yet whined when I asked him to take Mal for his Dr's appt. So I had to leave work (which I missed entirely yesterday) and spend all afternoon at the doctor's and radiologist's.

I would feel worse for myself for being a single parent with a whiny roommate, except it turns out Mal has pneumonia. So now I feel bad for him.

Ugh, I'm sorry about R's asshattedness, Raq.

Poor Mal. I hope he feels better soon. Let me know if there's anything I can do, no matter how small.