I have been sucked into Pinterest. I'd ask for help getting out...but...i really kinda like it. (i'm erin_obscure) there as well and not very good at finding people, for anyone who wants to find me and share crafty/DIY inspirations)

Shir, lots of coping~ma to your mom. I'm sorry that such a rotten thing is happening to her. And you, because you love her.

I'm sorry, Shir. I've been deaf in one ear for decades, and, aside for setting up stereos (I'd get a bi-aural friend to help) it really doesn't affect my life that much. Or perhaps my coping mechanisms are just that ingrained at this point. Anyway, I expect it'll take some getting use to.

I have to go back to bed soon, but I wanted to post this link: [link] I can just see Jilli carrying it.

Aidan has a field trip coming up. He gets a lot of "regular living" field trips. This one is to do his Christmas shopping, which is great, except for how I have to find gifts for him to buy at Target. I may be making this too hard. I want it to appeal to him and to the giftee, and be inexpensive. My headache from Thanksgiving seems to be gone this morning. I'm trying not to jinx it (or move my head too much).

Shir, ma to your mom, and to you.

Good morning, Deena! Nice to see you in this pre-dawn hour!

Deena! Happy headache-free times!

Shir, I'm really sorry to hear that your mom's hearing is getting worse. Like I think I told you, my dad lost most of his hearing suddenly in his thirties. It was traumatic but he still works - he owns several businesses. Adjusting is a lot of work, but there's technology and support that can help. Is there an Israeli hearing loss charity? The one here is called RNID (Royal National Society for Deaf People - although they help more people who have partial hearing loss). My dad (and stepmother) have had a lot of advice and support from them, and were directed to technology that has really helped. If there's something similar where you are, look them up. I hope the social workers can suggest things too.

I love church and I even quite like the people, but the next person there who comments on how I don't go so often anymore is going to get the full details of my new Pagan/druidic religious and spiritual practices as an explanation of why I am now too busy to be in church every week. Then I shall enjoy watching them back away slowly.

Thank you, all, very much.

As far as health issues are, we're lucky to be on the easy side of disability. It's just the sudden thing that's rough. Well, that, and seeing my mom having to cope with that.

She's home now, and we're starting consultations tomorrow. She tried to convince me not to come back home for this resettling. I responded with "nice try, coming from a woman who can't bend down without getting a mini-vertigo".

Hi Deena!

Oh, bonny. What Ginger said. Do only what you absolutely must. Wish I could help in some way.

Shir, I'm so sorry. I hope your mother adjusts to this transition and that the vertigo goes away soon.

So, the pub crawl was lots and lots of fun. We all made posterboard crowns (as you can see on fb), and there was trivia (right answer got a shot of whisky), and I got to check out some new bars, and people honked at us and hollered encouragingly from their porches, and there was arm-wrestling at one bar, and I drunk-texted StW and got him to quit working and come meet us out. And then he gave me a ride home (too drunk to drive) and stayed over. It may set me back a bit in terms of getting over him, but it was nice and fun and good to catch up. His work is so freaking insanely busy, I don't even know how he deals. He teaches and manages residents, sees patients, helps recruit new residents, and has to start looking for a new job very very soon.

erin, I'm on Pinterest by my real name, I log in with fb.