Those are all really good ideas. I like the flower idea for sentiment, and the chores rota for practicality.

Are you sure you didn't check the "Installment Plan" box?

I...may have. My right hand has turned out to be an Evil Hand, so it may have been up to surreptitious mayhem. And my left arm is a cyborg arm, so I am anticipating all-out hand war any day now.

Many hugs for you, Cass.

Basically, all I have to do when he dies is call a number, and they come get him. It's a little unnerving, but I appreciate the efficiency on their part and the altruism on his part.

This was my MiL's plan, she donated her body to science. I have mixed feelings about it after all this time, but it's what she wanted.

Aims, I am so, so sorry for Z and her family. Also for you and Em, because they're your friends.

I'll echo what everyone else said about immediate vs. long-term help. I was overwhelmed at the beginning, but then it fell off like a brick. Arguably, when I needed it more. Don't forget about them after the immediate shock and a few months have passed. I was so grateful to the core group (including everyone here) that kept doing stuff--large and small--long after the funeral was over and everyone else faded back into their own lives.

And we've got his remains back now.

Rob was cremated. I absolutely could not deal with having the cremains in the house. Freaked me the fuck out. I think it would have even been this way if I hadn't been the one to find him. His parents have him, and honestly that's probably the way he wanted it. It's not going to bring him back, but I have a few things to remember him by, and the good memories. I try not to dwell on the bad stuff as much as possible because it just keeps me from moving forward.

In a case of 'be careful of what you ask for', I am now the precinct captain for the upcoming special election.

If I'm gonna do it, I'm glad to begin with a much smaller event than the presidential.

More than anything, I'm proud that the Board of Elections did the right thing by getting rid of a bad employee.

We'll see if I can do better!

Aims, I'm so sorry to hear about Z's loss. It's wonderful that you're going to have the scouts do something for them.

I think I have a uti now. So I get to go to the lab and then wait 2 days for the results to get treatment.

I think I have a uti now.

I started to suspect I have a UTI last week. But then I got my tooth implant Friday, and the dentist prescribed (yet more) antibiotics after the procedure. So I figured that even if I do have a UTI, either (1) the dental antibiotic might cure it, or (2) I don't want to take 2 antibiotics at a time, so I'm going to have to wait until the dental antibiotics are finished to see the doctor about the UTI.

I also have a cold and a migraine today. I expect to spontaneously burst into flames any time now.

my grandmother's cremains are interred (?) in a place on the east coast. my other grandmother's cremains are buried in the midwest.

When I go, I want to be burned up and my ashes distributed in the Pacific Ocean. maybe in a little boat.

Poor, Teppy. Definitely have the uti checked when you are finished with this round of antibiotics, certain ones won't do much for a uti. I also had a splitting headache last night when H called to remind me I was babysitting, but luckily I was able to beat it back with advil and copious amounts of caffeine. Also luckily, G went easy on me and did what he was told, including going to bed when I told him to.

One thing I know is that an ounce of specific help is worth a pound of "let me know if you need anything." Aims, you could call and say, "I know you're going to be busy, so why don't I pick up Z and she can play with Em," "Can I go to the grocery store for you?" or "Can I pick someone up at the airport?" Maybe it would help Z if the Scouts could attend the funeral or visitation as a troop and perhaps help direct people. I know it's always helped me to have a function.

I was 8 when my mother's father died, and our neighbor, a brisk, practical German immigrant, called my mother and said she didn't need to have both my sister and I to deal with and that I should stay with her instead of going to Nashville. When my mother said something about cancelling my birthday party, Hannah said, "Nonsense. We'll have the birthday party at my house." She made me blueberry buckle for my birthday breakfast and had the party. Their son, rather graciously for a 15-year-old, played cards with me.

Darjeeling tea:

TCG thinks his interview went well yesterday. Hopefully he hears back soon.