Erin, I'm thinking Dorian's going to require some research, yes, what with all the other, erm... attractions?

Oh, Barb, I think it would really bad practice if you continued to wrote without proper research. I mean, that just not on. One MUST do one's research properly.

And a writer needs an assistant, correct? Why, without my qualifications and expertise, poor lil' ol' you would simply NOT know how to go about information gathering properly.

It's really not even an option to not do research.

(You bring the slutty heels, I'll bring the low-cut dresses. And a legal pad. You think we can write it off?! ;) )

You bring the slutty heels, I'll bring the low-cut dresses. And a legal pad. You think we can write it off?! ;)

Awesome.

Nora, I'm so sorry about your grandmother.

NOM! Between that and the Alchemist, maybe Tom and I will summer in the Waterbury/Burlington area this year...

The Alchemist's new cannery operation should be open some time this summer. Not only can you buy (to TAKE HOME for your own personal drunkenness) cans of Heady Topper (that's the only beer so far that they're canning), but they'll also have tours and they have a license to have events and such at the outdoor space that's part of the cannery. So, beer fests and such.

My brother is kicking so much ass. Also, my SiL, who works for Green Mountain Coffee, just got promoted to be a buyer. Vermont is being VERY good to them.

Condolences, Nora.

(You bring the slutty heels, I'll bring the low-cut dresses. And a legal pad. You think we can write it off?! ;) )

Totally.

WHAT THE HELL.

My uncle, who was in the hospital with the mini-stroke? Has lupus. So Dr. House was wrong.

I mean, he still had a mini-stroke; it's not a case of "No, that wasn't a TIA; it was lupus!" It's just in addition to the TIA, also lupus. But...that was unexpected.

I actually don't really know much about it, beyond the fact that it's an autoimmune disease. Guess it's time to hit up Dr. Google.

Excellent! I'm now Barb's official RA.

But I ain't bringing you coffee. Too much work -- I have standards!

But I ain't bringing you coffee. Too much work -- I have standards!

Bebe, it's NOLA-- we'll find some delicious little coffeehouse with pretty boys to bring us our libations.

Write off!

It can vary really widely, Steph. My husband's dad has lupus and he's lived with it for decades. After this last hospitalization it looks like he might have Parkinsons' too. Which would mean both of our dads have it. Which is weird.

I dragged the SO painfully to urgent care this morning. It's strep. So he took double the dosage of ibuprofen he'd been taking while I went to the pharmacy for the amoxocillin and Lortab. But when I got back he was fast asleep, so I'm letting him rest. I know the sooner we can get the antibiotics in him the better, but he'll probably only be able to take one this afternoon and one after he wakes in the morning anyway, so I figure I might as well let him sleep. He hasn't been able to sleep, eat, or drink for the past two days, so he needs the rest.

Anyway. At least we have the diagnosis, and now I want to disinfect every single thing in the house because I do not want strep.

It can vary really widely, Steph. My husband's dad has lupus and he's lived with it for decades.

I should have mentioned, too, that my vague knowledge of it includes knowing that's it's often (generally?) easy to treat/manage/live with for a very long time.

That, though, is the extent of my knowledge.

And it's a little worrying only because he's 75 and on the frail side of healthy. He went through a long course of radiation last year for prostate cancer, which is in remission, which is awesome. But it took somewhat of a toll on his health, so the TIA was worrying enough, and now I just worry that an autoimmune disorder *on top of* the radiation and TIA is going to be very overwhelming to his health.

I guess it's the cumulativeness of ALL of it that worries me.

Anyway. At least we have the diagnosis

Strep is kinda better than general bronchitis-y stuff, because at least you can throw antibiotics at it. Will he eat popsicles? Those are yummy AND make the throat feel better.