Shir, I too am sick about this. You and Nilly and your families and, hell, the whole Middle East are in my thoughts.

vw, I know it's hard, but it's for the best. Being friends with an ex is hard in the best of circumstances, and I agree that it sounds like he has a lot of growing up to do.

Nora, so much -ma for you and your family. It's all just too much, dammit.

Suzi, I'm thrilled for you! I know this will take a huge weight off your shoulders.

Raq, also thrilled to hear your good news.

As far as my grandmother goes, we're in a bit of a holding pattern right now. The symptom is troubling but can't really be looked into until Monday without the ER, which Mom is trying to avoid putting Gram through, so unless things get a lot worse, it may be some time before we know if it's nothing or if it's something serious. She's 95 and has lived a good, long life, but obviously we're hopeful she has more time.

Maybe you could be friends, sometime. But, like me and my first breakup, you tried to get there too fast.(Plural you)

Barb, you should have a cabana boy give you a massage, and a mojito or some chocolate. You deserve it.

Thanks, Andi. I will admit to having delved into the tiny stash of Godiva. At this point, I'll be happy for a Cabana Boy to deliver pizza. Although the massage wouldn't go unappreciated.

Pix, I've been thinking of you and your grandmother and sending lots of it's nothing ~ma.

Hopefully it all resolves itself with a minimum of further stress on all of you guys. Please give my best to your mom as well and hugs all around.

Oh yes! Barb, I meant to send my congrats to you on having survived your mother's visit. Kudos, sister.

Thanks for the ~ma. The latest is that he did not have a stroke or heart attack- it appears to be a massive respiratory infection. They are treating it and he's on a respirator. We'll see how it goes for the next 24 hours. The news for now isn't as bad as it could be but he's definitely not out of the woods. He still hasn't regained consciousness.

I really, really fucking hate the fucking holidays. Like, a lot.

{{{Nora & Family}}} {{{Shir & Family}}} + {{{The Middle East}}} {{{Pix Grandma & Family}}}

Words have gone. What is left is brackets.

That is good news Raq! Excellent work Barb!

FLUMP. Tired now.

What Sox said. Honestly, I don't know where to begin. Peace on earth and goodwill to all.

Also, and on a considerably more shallow note, I have to say that the Blackpool clip has done nothing to stop me from having pervy and slashy thoughts about David Tennant. Between that and the cross dressing clip...yeah. Dear me.

It's okay, Fay. I'm pretty sure Tennant was made for us to have pervy thoughts about.

That Blackpool clip made me download the entire series. I'm on ep 4 of 6.