{{{{smonster}}}}

That is a lot to deal with all at once. I'm sorry you and Frankie are both having a tough time of it.

bonny! {{hug}}

Liese, that's exactly how I feel about any family gathering. I want to see them, I care about them... I just wish I could do the entire "family time" thing in about six hours max, and then be home again. Holidays are emotionally exhausting even when I'm not really doing much.

DCJ, I'm personally excited by your tale of mortgage refinance success at your credit union, because I've been thinking of doing this myself. I switched my car loan over to my new CU, and thereby lowered the rate from 15.9% to 3.99% (!?!), lowered the payment by almost $150/month, and have a shorter loan term I had before. If they can give me a deal like that on my mortgage, hoo boy.

Actually I should probably fess up that I'm not looking forward to the trip at all.

I so get this. I've felt it more than once. Too many people, being really aware of how far away I am from family when people are sick, creepy politics, missing out on the kids' lives - all of it. And it's hard. But the trips really do tend to turn out much better than I fear. Though part of that is that I claw my way into having a little personal space. I hope you end up having a good trip, Liese.

smonster, I hope Frankie (and you) feel better soon. Pet ills are hard.

bonny, I hope Bartleby is recovering nicely and you are okay.

Glad your dad is doing better, omnis.

We're doing okay, Steph. (and everyone, HEY!)

Bartleby has great energy and is behaving pretty normally, despite looking like he's been ravaged by wolves. He's hopped up on Tramidol and Rimadyl, so his pain is being managed pretty well.

He's got a drain in his thigh, which is supposed to be removed Monday. I'm being hyper-vigilant on the cleanliness front...without compromising his sutures, of course.

His wounds are just now starting to bother him, so his cone-free days are coming to a middle.

The dreaded incontinence hasn't been all that bad. On closer observation, it's become obvious that the surgeon didn't take 'a portion' of his sphincter, but pretty much half of it, so the fact that he's doing this well is pretty awesome. I'm committed to carrying baby wipes for the rest of his life. We'll adapt.

As for me, Tuesday was the worst day I've endured in the last 20 years...for reals. I cannot remember being that out of emotional control. It's hard to describe what happened but I'm pretty clear on the why.

Thankfully, Sparky and my OTBF were able to help me keep my head from exploding. Wednesday and Thursday were given up to exhaustion but I'm doing okay today.

I've got an intricate and quite full care-giving calendar with procedures and/or ministrations every two hours or so. In a weird way, it's helping. I've 'coped' with this problem for so long that having something to actually DO in response to it is kind of healing.

I'm really, truly looking forward to looking back, after a month or so, and knowing that we are on the other side of it. We may not ever be 100% again, but we'll be just fine.

I have to give big, BIG ups to Dr. Griffin. He may not be the most diplomatic dude ever, but he has mad skills and, without question, saved my little guy's life.

So. Yeah. I'm tired, but okay.

bonny, it sounds like an exhausting week, but things sound stressful but doable, and better.

I am cooking half of T-day dinner for my sister, mom, dad and Dan. The fam will be here from 10:30-2, because S had to work that night. The smallest bone-in ham I could find was 9 lbs. And it's my fam. so while I will clean and decorate, I don't have to all MiL crazy (not for her; for me, mostly.)

We will have leftovers, and invite what friends are in town that night and free of evening fam obligations to bring leftover and booze, and come hang out in sweats and PJ pants, drink, eat and chat/play games/Wii.

Made of win.

But we won't put ALL the leftovers out...

Yeah, you're right, Cass. I will enjoy it. I know I rob myself of some pleasure by cycling through this every time. Like camp this past year. I managed to make fear eat up half the summer, which turned out to be really fun. And I do value the family time, so I should just make the most of it. Plus, road trip in awesome new car! Ok, thanks.

Glad you and the dog are both doing better, bonny.

I know I rob myself of some pleasure by cycling through this every time.

Feel free to laugh at me when I am doing the same thing in a couple of weeks. And for Christmas.

Honestly, carving the tiniest spot of "me time" does make a world of difference. It gives me the time to at least get enough recharge to make it through the next day.

I will mock with aplomb, should it prove helpful. But yes, I will allow myself that time.

Bonus of mom coming to visit - I looked at the dying fire and thought, mmmm warm. Then I saw the sliding glass door and thought, hmmmm, I should clean that.

Hi bonny! That routine sounds totally overwhelming, sending you endurance~ma. Bartleby is so lucky to have you.

Yay for the renewing power of sleep! Frankie and I have been to the park already, and we're about to go for play time at the local doggie spa. It's a lovely day. I'm waiting for a call from the vet. I've got a shit ton to do, but I'll just keep plugging away at it.