Asking someone for one of those seats would probably require explaining why, and that could take a while and they wouldn't necessarily believe me.

Before I used mobility aids, I had to learn to get confident. I used to ask for seats. I carried a card from the HMSA that I'd flash for people if they looked incredulous, and I also wear a medic alert. So I wasn't totally invisible. But getting a cane helped immensely.

I have no idea how to walk with one, and it would kind of feel like I was faking. Plus, it would be another thing to have to carry and throw off my balance.

They actually improve your balance most of the time. It just takes some practice. And it's not faking - you're in pain. I recommend folding canes e.g. [link] . I have several of those - they're fab. And you can put them away in a bag when you don't need to carry them. (Can't really use them anymore except in the house, but I still love them!)

Kristin, really sorry to hear about the honeymoon situation. I hope you can find somewhere decent for that first night.

Congrats on the beautiful house, Barb! It's just gorgeous.

Congratulations on the house, Barb! It looks lovely, and I envy you your westward move. (So many nifty people joining so many other nifty people out there.)

Hil, I hope the clove oil works. If not, maybe that orajel stuff? I've seen ads for it, but I haven't tried it.

I am SO COMING to the housewarming party. Seattle is close!

Absofreakinlutely, you are, dammit!

Thanks for the good wishes, everyone. I'm so giddy I'm practically feeling hung over this morning. And the mild sense of panic is of course, beginning to set in, at the thought of all we have to do.

But it'll get done and we'll get moved and it'll be FABULOUS.

BTW, Seattle-istas, it's in Kenmore. Well away from the Hellmouth.

(Come to think of it, I need to find an online address change announcement site-- any suggestions?)

Hil, would you be comfortable saying "I have an ankle injury, may I sit down?" That might save you from having to explain too much in detail.

(Note that I am a ginormous hypocrite in offering this advice because I have never been able to work up the courage to say "I'm in my first trimester and might throw up on you, may I sit down?" So far attempting to look weak and nauseaus has not resulted in any spontaneous seat offers.)

Barb! Yay house!!!

Kristin, you have every right to be upset about the ferwonked honeymoon plans - you did everything right and were enourmously patient, and Disney still fucked it up? Yeah, I'd be pissed.

Barb - an obnoxious insent.

t makes innocent face.

So far attempting to look weak and nauseaus has not resulted in any spontaneous seat offers.)

NYC is tough!

ION, now having eaten some precious Woodhouse Chocolates from St. Helena in Napa Valley, I can safely say that the Heart of Darkness (all dark chocolate), Fiori di Sicilia (marzipan and milk chocolate ganache), Thai Ginger, and Honey Chocolates are of the yum.

Barb - an obnoxious insent.

Not obnoxious, silly. I'm in the midst of list-making and a mild freakout, but I'll get to it in a little bit, k? *MWAH*

::is jealous of Nora's chocolate::

Not obnoxious, silly. I'm in the midst of list-making and a mild freakout, but I'll get to it in a little bit, k? *MWAH*

Anytime you have a moment. **MWAH**

is jealous of Nora's chocolate

Well, soon you'll be in the same time zone as the store! Congrats! Also, they deliver.

Hey, is this the first step in your move west-ward or has Lewis gotten a job out there yet? We are trying to work out logistics for moving west-ward, ourselves. Since we are likely renting when we get there, my thinking is 1) Tom gets job 2) sell house 3) move 4) I get job. I wonder if it might make more sense to reverse the first 2 though... however, both are fairly far out of our control regarding actually happening.

We are trying to work out logistics for moving west-ward, ourselves.

OOOH. SF area, right?