Yikes, Hil. I hope relief is quick. Is it possible that there is a pharmacy close by that would deliver a walker? The hotel might know.

{{Maria}} Strength to you and yours. All the science facts in the world won't keep people from freaking out. Extra doses of calming~ma send to DH and his mother.

I am in the group of people that gets quiet when in turmoil. Super quiet, burying myself in work, out of touch with the world and myself. Blah. The past couple months or so I have been under huge business stress and huge offspring stress which means I have buried myself.

Being in Otter Lake for the summer has helped calm me somewhat, but still having a time of it. The short version is that I kicked firstborn son out the day I left for NY. It has only been 3 weeks, but it feels like 3 years. There is much more to the story but it comes down to him continuing to be 100% wrong repeatedly and me being 100% right, but I am totally not willing or able to deal with it anymore. At this point I have turned the situation into a workable arrangement where I send him a newsy email every day or so and he does the same. I am careful to absolutely offer no advice or criticism of his life. I sent a condolence when his favorite football player retired. I let him know how his grandparents are doing and how projects are going here in Otter Lake. It is tough to watch him driving steadily toward the cliff, but he is only going to learn his lessons on his own. Have I mentioned that being a parent sucks?

It is tough to watch him driving steadily toward the cliff, but he is only going to learn his lessons on his own.

Oh, Laura. This just sucks for everyone. I'm sorry.

Maria, I'm just glad that this place can help you in any small way. I hope you can accept the gift without worrying about your worthiness for it.

Still home with the bronchitis etc. Cleaning lady is here, which is slightly unsettling. First cleaning lady we've had down here, it was a Living Social deal. Maybe we can eventually get someone in a couple times a month.

Ick, feel better, Nora.

I would give up a bunch of things before the cleaning lady. I can deal with keeping up the day to day, but the floors and dusting would never happen. Only so many hours in the day. Of course since I am up north for summer there is no cleaning other than me and Bobby. We are ripping out ceilings and insulation and brick chimneys, etc., so added construction dust. Whee! I enjoy the projects, but it sure is dirty work.

Maria, what everyone else said. I would be upset if you didn't come here for support with all the stuff you have going on.

Hil, feel better and good luck getting through your day. I'm sorry that you're in so much pain.

{{{Laura}}} I'm sorry. I hope your son can get it together soon rather than later.

I have several phone calls that I really should make today that I really don't want to make.

Laura, I have watched people I love go through that driving off the cliff stage in their lives and it is so hard. I'm sorry this is so hard for all of you.

Thanks. I believe that he has the tools to make good decisions and do believe he will when he has learned his own lessons. It would be nice if we could learn from each others experiences, but we have to walk the path on our own. I am satisfied for now that we can communicate regularly on stuff that isn't sensitive. Sports, weather, we can talk about these things together so I get to know he is ok.

Hil, I hope your pain is manageable today and you get to everything that is important to you. Also, was that amazing bookstore in Columbus the Book Loft, in German Village?

Thanks, and yes.

Normally, I am Talky Pants, but a summer cold started last night, and I feel like hammered shit, so I'm just going to give a big-ass LOVE to Maria, Barb and Laura, and go clutch my box of Kleenex to my chest.

Just have to stay awake until D gets home, then I can crawl back in bed and die.

OK, I managed to get dressed, and I got the TENS wires bundled up so that they're not dangling. Next step, get to the garage to get my cane or crutches from the car, and then, get lunch. Then go to at least one panel session -- there are a few that I want to go to, but the first is the most important, so I'll do that one and then see how I'm feeling.

(((Hil)))

We're kinda like Hotel California, only not as creepy, and with less stellar guitar work.

But we have theremin solos!