A well-balanced schedule then? Very sensible.

That's my feeling. Philanthropy by day, hedonism by night.

Laura, how scary! I have majorly skimmed, so I hope everything turns out well, and am glad you have a such a great support net of docs. Love you, sweetheart!

Seska, I am intrigued. I'm (dur) Erin Griggs on FB.

I've been cleaning and organizing for the last few days. My home office is On The List today; my on-line lcass starts next week.

People who have taken/taught on-line classes, any words of advice? Stuff that you really liked or disliked? Tech that helped/hindered?

Also...ION -- opinion: So I let my phone molder yesterday in the bottom of my bag of death. Didn't hear it ring or even think about it, frankly. This morning, I go to check it, and I have a message from M's (soon to be stepson) mom. Fine, whatev. I listen. Ok, guys, I am a hard-hearted bitch because I kinda snorted in disbelief. "I was hoping to rally the family troops, because my sister is sick, really sick, and I was hoping you guys could take her dinner. I left a message with D. also."

Mmm...k? M's mom is in PA, and I know her sis, slightly, socially. I am sorry that she is sick, but SHE HAS FRIENDS AND A HUSBAND. WTFF? I get wanting to maintain good relations between the mom and dad and steps and steps to be. But is this a little...beyond? (D and the sister get along fine, but are not close or anything.)

All good thoughts to lisah and Bob for the best possible outcomes with the least amount of unpleasantness possible.

And some relief and continued good thoughts to Bobby, Laura and the rest of the family.

Seska, I'm very glad your girl exists and wish her well in her endeavors--as I do you, of course.

Barb, sorry about the computer.

Continued good thoughts to Teppy.

In me-oriented news, I just had an amazing basic bacon, eggs, and toast brunch, with lemon curd for the toast. Nom. One savors one's pleasures in the moment; the next moment is a tossup.

Lisah, much love to you and Bob. How terrifying for you both. I am thinking about you and sending health~ma his way.

I just read about lisah and bob. Oh, so much -ma. That is scary as hell, and I am thinking really good thoughts for both of y'all now.

Aw, lisah-- so much ~ma for you and bob.

Epic, insent (as I can't find you on FB!)

Erin, added.

Very many thoughts and much ~ma to lisah and bob.

Much ~ma to Bob and lisah.

thank you all so much.

Oh shit, lisah, I'm very sorry. I immediately thought of Harvey Pekar's Our Cancer Year. I'm shooting sapphire bullets of pure love at his ill-bits.

Laura, that's so stressful. The not-knowing world of unclear diagnosis just sucks.

Erin, everything in the exciting world of quilt-work families is up for definition. That is, it is what people make of it. You might need to set aside your expectation for what an ex's role should be in your guy's life. It's not you and your husband with his son moving into the orbit occasionally. He's always going to have responsibilities with co-parenting that work best if you can extend yourself too. Or not. It's up to you, and you can certainly set boundaries.

I hope that doesn't sound critical. I just see you keep bouncing off some of those expectation and I don't think you want to only be in the role of Dad's New Girlfriend/Wife. I feel like maybe you see your (soon to be) stepson's mother as The Regrettable Mistake, or The Woman Who Hurt Your Man (and is totally unreasonable!). She's your stepson's mother and that's valuable to you.