I'm glad to hear the update, Ginger. I've been thinking about you a lot.

sj, I would totally drive an hour for a good sandwich. But that's my southwest mindset talking, so I am maybe not the best judge. Right now, my SO is driving five and a half hours to go be the commencement speaker for two of our former students, and I am staying home, where I will drive an hour an a half to attend another student's graduation.

Anyway, I'm bummed that I'm not going with him, but it's for a good reason, even if this student's invite came last minute.

But it means I do have two bonus days with the SO out of the house, so I am going to do some flylady style crisis cleaning. Necessary because I haven't been doing the flylady style regular cleaning. But I think it's a good opportunity as we approach the end of the school year to try to get things in order for summer. I have paperwork to do as well, of course, but if I can get the house and office in order, I think I can finagle the paperwork over the next few weeks.

Will you guys keep me on task?

I mean, not right now, because obvs I need some morning internet time with my coffee and eggs. But in, like, half an hour and thereafter?

Ginger, thinking of you. And always glad to see your pixels.

OK, time to prepare for a day of NOLA drinking and debauchery.

(OK, that post seemed callous and strange. I was typing on the phone and maybe have a wee hangover.)

Seriously, though, I do wish we were closer and I do think of you all the time. I hope things get easier for you- and I second Burrell's suggestion of maybe seeing if your pain medication can be adjusted to give you some relief. I'm grateful that you felt OK to share what's going on with you. Thank you.

thank you for checking in Ginger!

two thumbs up for drunkenness and a mild thumbs down for hangovers.

Sounds like the Vortex bday went smashed...I mean, smashingly!

My house is mostly clean, thanks to ER cleaning because of houseguests, but I hope to get a little more done, especially OUTSIDE DISASTER ACK next week and weekend.

One thing I learned reading submissions for a disability magazine is that some people don't give a shit about being boring. They think their struggle is inherently interesting.

That's a good point, erika, I might use that as a starting point for something I want to write.

One thing I learned reading submissions for a disability magazine is that some people don't give a shit about being boring.

I do not like being boring or being bored.

They're cutting and chipping trees across the street. It's like being in a giant blender.

Aw, Ginger. That's so shitty. Adding wood chippers to that is just mean.

Is driving an hour just to get a sandwich and then drive home an hour crazy or is that just my RI mindset?

I once drove to Buffalo to get wings. So I can say with authority, yes, crazy.

I'm planning to drive up to Valdosta, GA on my day off tomorrow to visit a friend and check out a theme park I've never been to. It's about 3.5 hours each way.

Ok - the mental health bureacracy is crazy making and stupid and should be easier to assist people who need the effing help without making it so impossible tha tit feels like the only option is checking oneself into the hospital for three days.

Part of it is U of M's fault. They built this huge mental health compound and every shrink in the area is affiliated with it. OR they are in private practice and don't take insurance and charge $250/hour. And at this point, they are scheduling 14-16 weeks out.

My health insurance is no help - every number they give me reaches people that are not taking new patients or have similar scheduling issues as U of M.

I can get into the shrink at my university, but the health office that schedules the apoointments is closed until Monday.

I'm also hoping that my mom will be able to pull some strings with her shrink and get me in to him sooner rather than later given he knows her history and will take her word for it on mine to a degree enough that I can get in quickly.

So damned frustrated. It took WEEKS of saving spoons to get me to the point that I could call - despite pushing from my therapist. It shouldn't be this hard.

{{{Aims}}} I hate how frustrating the whole process is. I've been there sitting on the floor crying on the phone just trying to get through to someone who can help. It really shouldn't be like that.