Damn, damn, damn! I hate that everyone seems to be going through such difficult times right now.

Calli, love and strength and ~ma to you and your dad and your whole family.

Beth, much ~ma also to your friend's family and to you and DH.

Askye, continued ~ma for your grandmother and family and you.

Ginger, much doggy~ma to Mr. Peabody and sanity~ma to you as you try to keep him calm.

Okay, Universe, that's ENOUGH. This is a NEW YEAR. NO MORE OF THIS 2008 BULLSHIT!

I'm watching the Puppy Bowl. It's helping a bit in calming the anxiety.

So much ~ma for your dad, Calli.

Also hoping for good news for your grandmother, askye.

I"m sorry to hear that, Beth.

We also got news tonight that one of DW's family members died yesterday from a heart attack. She just got out of rehab for alcohol (and has struggled with alcohol and drugs since her teens). She was in her early 50s and has a college-aged son.

I'm so sorry to hear that, GC. Much peace~ma to your DW's family.

{{Calli}} {{beth & Matt}} {{askye}} {{Ginger}} {{GC & DW}}

{{My Bitches}}

{{Calli}} {{beth & Matt}} {{askye}} {{Ginger}} {{GC & DW}}

{{My Bitches}}

What the pretty pregnant lady said.

I've been up since like 3:30 a.m. I want a Monday do-over.

This year is not getting off to a good start, is it?

Calli, much ~ma to you and your dad.

Askye, continued healing~ma to your grandmother.

Beth, please pass my condolences on to Matt.

Peace~ma to GC's DW's family.

Ginger, best of luck with Mr. Peabody. My mom had to go through a similar "keeping quiet" thing with the terrier mix she adopted last year (he came with a full supply of heartworms). Want me to ask her how she dealt?

Want me to ask her how she dealt?

Yes, please. I can keep him on a leash, but I can't keep him from getting excited.

I'm glad you had such an excellent birthday.

{{Calli}} {{beth & Matt}} {{askye}} {{Ginger}} {{GC & DW}}

Goodness, yes. gives Universe the stinkeye

I hate that everyone seems to be going through such difficult times right now.

My new thinking (since end of 2007) is that basically there are times that life actively sucks out loud and times in between where it sucks slightly less. This pessimistic attitude has actually worked out pretty well for me, because I'm so grateful when the sucking eases up temporarily, and really get to notice and enjoy it before life gets back to sucking, which is pretty much business as usual. And I've gotten better at appreciating the smaller moments of love and calm while weathering the storm.

"Life is pain, princess. Anyone telling you otherwise is selling you something."

Huh. Until I wrote it down, I didn't realize how extensive my "life sucks" philosophy is.

And, um, I hope it doesn't seem weird to say after that that Calli, you and your dad and your family are in my thoughts. I hope so much that the day brings better news for you.