Root canal, but not until next Wednesday (2 days before I leave for vacation, woo). In the meantime, I have antibiotics and painkillers (the painkillers are shocking, because this dental office is loath to prescribe them).

I feel like a week is too long to wait, but the dentist didn't seem concerned, since I'm starting antibiotics today. And I can always call them if it gets worse.

Cramming in one more thing before vacation is now comical to the point of absurdity. And weeping.

random food question for ita ! - is something called manishwata one word or two?

Flashlights, firearms... what do I have scattered about the house in strategic locations? Screwdrivers. Scissors. Hair clips, lip balm, and reading glasses.

Not ita, but mannish water is what I've always seen/heard.

Yeah, brenda's got it right. It's soup of the goat--everything left over after you cooked the bits you actually wanted, you make soup with the rest.

Cass, I'm so, so sorry. So much love to you and your family.

Holding many of you in my thoughts, and in most recent particular, Cass and Steph and brother.

I'm mostly lurking due to caring for recovering mother, which is now beginning to ease up as she recovers more physical capabilities -- one cast came off two weeks ago and another last week, though that arm is still non weight-bearing. She's doing well, though. Starting tomorrow, she'll be spending morning to mid-afternoon on her own for the first time since Easter. I expect she's looking forward to the quiet of nobody checking in or reminding her about [insert exercises, to eat, to walk] for a few hours. I know I would be.

I'm still staying up at my sister's, but now I will start tapering off and rejoining my previous life. Contemplating going to Balto. Sat/Sun, but also thinking maybe I just need to spend the day a my home and... probably clean. I think it's a mess. I, too, enjoy the quiet.

But I have been lurking and reading and sending ~ma along.

Thanks Brenda and ita ! Someone said it an audio tape and the Internet has a lot of different ways to spell that particular word. Thought I'd ask experts.

I'm glad your mother is doing well, Jen. Gravity is a bitch.

Why does everyone I had to deal with in terms getting things like another transfusions have the IQ of a walnut? A stupid walnut at that. Why does everything require me to drive to the other side of Atlanta? Why does no one think in terms of "She's going to be here Wednesday, so maybe she can get her blood drawn before or after her appointment?" It's not like my whole life isn't scheduled in their computer system.

eta: And did I mention I have to get a notarized form from the doctor to skip jury duty this time around?

What a pain in the ass, Ginger. You don't need one tiny bit of extra stress right now. And thanks. (And you're on my permanent extra and continuous ~ma list).

Just tried to put together the shower chair. Even the three legs that I got height adjusted were hella harder than they should be for a piece of equipment that someone presumably physically challenged should have to deal with, but now the last one won't budge. Tool-free assembly my ass.