Just had a brief IM exchange with my middle sister. Oldest sister begins chemo this week. Her prognosis is poor. As sister and I both said, "And she's the one who's always been sure to take care of herself." It's the first case of cancer we know of in our family, other than some small skin cancers from Mother's habit of mowing the lawn in the midday sun without sun screen.

I'm in no position to do more than care.

Sorry to hear that, Connie.

That's not nothing, Connie. Sorry this is happening.

I'm sorry, Connie.

Now I want a grilled cheese sandwich. mmmmm.

Now I want a grilled cheese sandwich.

So do I. But not at midnight.

y'all! After the show, went out for drinks with friend who is in town running the Billy Crystal show "700 Sundays". I got cheddar cheese fries, because I was STILL craving cheese from this discussion! (ironically, neither of us actually got a "drink")

In my family, growing up, we rather literally called grilled cheese 'cheese on toast'. We did cook it under the grill, though. When I was 18 and went to America and was shown how to make it in a griddle, I was somewhat bemused. Now I have an awesome toasted-sandwich-maker that makes perfect toasted cheese sandwiches in about three minutes.

But not at midnight.

Best time for toasted cheese sandwiches!

So I'm about to fire my PCA - or at least tell her to disappear for a week while I reconsider her contract. If I do, I'll pay her two months in lieu of notice, which I think is exceptionally generous. I'm still nervous she might make a fuss, though. I was supposed to extend her contract after a trial period of a month and I didn't - just told her to consider it a continuing temporary contract until further notice, as my living situation was getting complicated. But she could still take me to court if she wanted to make a fuss. I don't think she'd win, but she could. Hmm. Employment stuff is a bit stressful.

Connie, I'm really sorry to hear about your sister. I hope the chemo has a positive effect.

Katerina, that man sounds plain evil. Taking a walker from an elderly person during an argument? Horrendous. Not to mention the crap he's putting you through! I'm good at writing angry letters, although my distance from the situation might preclude them having much effect :) But I'm up for a yard party with beer and porn! (We have management 'issues' in our building. The Girl and I have reached the point of taking them to court - case comes up in the next month or so. It's complete madness that building managers have this much power.)

Oh Connie. {{Connie}} I hope this will be the easiest chemo ever taken.

Katerina, I cannot believe your neighbor. There's got to be something that could be done. Mafia friends, dark magic, using his place to shoot porn, something. I'm sorry you have to deal with this.

omnis, sorry to hear you had to work anyhow.

It's a Saturday morning here, and I'm pretty much in love with life thanks to great music, a dog, and sleep. Now, of course, I have to get back and study. Hopefully I could get all of this done in about 3 hours. I think it's possible, and then getting back to my weekend of simple leisures. I'm so easy.

Oh, and the restaurant with a friend yesterday thingy was amazing. Food is good, not incredible, though, but the mere fact that they're a 24/7 non-kosher place in the middle of J-city and they're open and successful is (and I thought I live in an armed theocracy...). Definitely going back there for more.

Connie, I hope your sister's chemo is fully effective and brief.

In a different, whiny, mememe tangent, why can't I sleep past 7 am when I'm awake until 2 am the previous evening? Why?

Connie, much ~ma to your sister and your whole family.