First, ~mas to those who need it, and happy belated, sj.

And hi, y'all. Missed you too. smiles.

As said in Natter, that casual sneak in is kinnda what I'm trying to do. I mostly lurked ~40% Natter and ~80% of Bitches the past two weeks and didn't post until this very week, but I think it's an improvement from barely lurking here at all. I also have too much things going on right now, to the point where I don't even know where and how to start posting about my life here again. I'll just say for context's sake that things were though and rough and meh most of the past 18 months. Lots of health issues for me and folks around me. Some deaths, some lives, people, etc.. The past two months were extra hard, so much that in the past three weeks a lot of people told me that I looked bad and overstressed. Which I guess I am, because I didn't let these 18 months sink in and kept being the little engine that could, and now I'm working on trying to be less stressed and be more the little engine that said fuck it, I can't handle it all.

I'm not telling all of this for hairpats and ~mas, I'm just giving you context. Stress and instincts that worked in the past are pushing, and I try to tell them to go the fuck off. So one of the things I do is trying to get back here, because it's nice here and it's not something stressful and you're all nice to me and to each other. And I need more of this in my life.

However, I'll say that: I did the math and finance, and it seems very likely that I'll have to money to come to the U.S. on June 2014 (and maybe even stretch it out to July, too) for that OMG Much Needed And Postponed Vacation. I'm pretty sure I'll have the money for that. It's just the question of my parents' health and crossing fingers that nothing crisisy will occur that will require me to use the money for something else.

So not everything is bad, and there's this, which is good news and gives me something to look forward to (other than finishing my MLIS in 6 months).

Awww, Shir, that does sound like it's been a heavy load.

Sometimes when we're dealing with something difficult we don't notice the long term drain it makes on us until we're on an empty tank.

I'm glad to see you back on the board, and excited for your trip to the US of A! (knock wood)

Shir I hope things slack off for you and you are able to come to the USA! That would be great.

Shir, I think that I speak for most (if not all) of the Buffistas when I say that you won't have to worry about hotel reservations when you come to the US. ;)

Well, as long as she stays in cities with Buffistas.

:: brushes dust off Shir from tacklehug::

(((Shir))) ... Cuz it sounds like you could use a great big hug.

Shir, I think that I speak for most (if not all) of the Buffistas when I say that you won't have to worry about hotel reservations when you come to the US. ;)

And here comes the allergies. Thank you. I love you people.

Cuz it sounds like you could use a great big hug.

Oh, love. Still got that basement for me, yeah?

Shir! So sorry it's been such a rough year, but so happy to see you here! I will cry and cry if I miss your trip to the US. It's looking like ND and I will be visiting family in Ireland the second half of June in 2014, and then (if grants align) I will be taking a three-week literature seminar in Oxford. I'm so excited for the possibility but would be so bummed to miss you. Not that it's about me at all! If we are in town when you are, though, our guest room is yours. So long as you don't mind cats and dogs.

Pix, I love cats and dogs, and since it's my vacation and I get to plan it however I want since I'm going solo, I'll make sure I won't miss you and ND. Just remind me again the dates of your vacation in March 2014, OK?

because it's nice here and it's not something stressful and you're all nice to me and to each other. And I need more of this in my life.

So much this! Guest room available in Florida too. Or alternate plan of visiting elsewhere when you are here. My chances of being in your neighborhood any time soon are pretty slim, so I certainly hope to get a chance to meet you next year here, somewhere.