Looks like my little T-day dinner has grown a few people more. So, made a dash to Target to get another set of plates. I've kept a set of 4 for a very long time, as incentive to do dishes sooner. Since moving here, this dishwasher is a little bigger, so it seems I'm always doing half loads. So, been wanting to get another set of 4, and this helped bump it up on priority. While at Target, saw cute cheese board with cuts outs for crackers and two knives. Got it home, opened it up, and it was split down the center. Ugg. Now gotta return it.

(I will not get stressed or nervous about hosting a party. I will not get stressed or nervous about hosting a party. I will not get stressed or nervous about hosting a party.)

Another siren in Jeursalem when I'm not there, but my family is.

These were few long minutes before my sister and dad finally answered the phone. Everyone's alright, rockets hit the West Bank (again), no damage reported there.

Ryan continues to be a cutie pie!

He is! What I especially enjoy in this latest set is how much more expressive he's become. Check out this appraising look: [link] It shows in the way he holds himself too, such as here: [link] or here: [link] (There's also this shot: [link] It's always been pretty easy to get a smile out of him, but here it's not directed at the camera, or indeed at anyone else; it's just him enjoying his own self-directed, imaginative play.)

On that note, and noting that he sees himself much more as an agent engaging with the world, his use of props is pretty cool. My sister's husband is a music teacher, and we took this pic at their house: [link] He's also such a little Aussie: [link] His favourite song of the moment is "Santa Koala", set to the tune of Waltzing Matilda.

I think this is his best shot: [link] My favourite, though, might be this effort at product placement: [link]

Many, many good thoughts and vibes for Grace sailing through her procedure and peace of mind for her legions of fans.

Speaking of peace...May negotiations go quickly, and for the good of all, to ease tensions and stop the violence in Shir's world.

Poor Cagney was super sick yesterday and it was all my fault.

He gets neckbones a couple of times a week. I must pay attention to make sure he doesn't eat too much and that he chews efficiently. I lost the plot and he swallowed many sharp bits and one much too large bit.

He was miserable. Threw up 7 times...mostly on the carpet, natch.

His vet was very helpful on the phone, did not overreact and helped me to feel calmer than I would normally while nature took it's course.

He's good today. Phew.

Oh, poor Cagney, poor bonny, and poor carpet. Hope all are recovering.

I've been mostly silent lately, but, Shir, I've been thinking of you and your family and all your friends who have been called up and everyone, everyone. My brain keeps bouncing back to the sorrowful and lovely astonishment that it was exactly as this war was gathering strength in its descent on all your heads that Nilly found out she's having a girl (and that, humans being humans, there are probably thousands of Nillys all over Israel) -- that even in the midst of the awfulness life, and hope, and possibility, just keep pushing back.

Even so, I wish to God it was different, or more, or less, or just not. You're in my thoughts and prayers because there's fuck-all else I can do from way over here, and it's not enough but it's better than nothing at all.

What JZ beautifully said.

lots of successful surgery~ma to Grace and ~peace and safety to Shir and Nilly.

OK, JZ just gave me allergies. {{}} back.

Surgery~ma to Grace, ~ma to Cagney and bonny.

And the saga of the Abilify continues. I called my doctor's office to get an update on their end. Nurse says they approved the refill and I should have had it by now. But that's she'll call the pharmacy again and to call the pharmacy in an hour.

So I call Rite Aid to find out what's going on. They've partially filled it and she didn't know why.

I just got a call back - they partially filled it because they didn't have enough they'll have the rest of it tomorrow. I may have a copay for this, she doesn't know until I get the rest filled tomorrow.

I'm going to pick the healthy option and walk over there (it's down the hill at the end of the block and across the street).

With those who wish for an end to violence in Shir's world. Also wish an end to violence in the world of the millions at risk in Gaza, many of whom also may have found out they a have a new baby girl that may or may not be born other bombing, but will definitely be born in a state of siege. I wish peace those in Israel who now face rocket fire. I wish peace in Gaza, a nation subject to deliberate malnutrition, a nation without minimal access to clean water and sanitation, a nation without adequate medical care (including pre-natal care) a nation subject to constant drones buzzing overhead, where if you are not being bombed, you may be at a moments notice. And this is not the current war. This is what passes for peace in Gaza. So I wish not a restoration of that peace, but real peace for both the people of Israel and Gaza, a peace in which nobody on either side faces rockets, or drone or bombs. A peace in which nobody is deliberately deprived of food, or water, or sanitation or medical care or housing or the basic right to engage in economic activity.