but when she's staring at a solid colored couch cushion, I can't help but thinking she must be seeing something I'm not.

Whereas I always watched those sorts of moments and thought, wow, funny how fascinating even the couch cushions can be when everything is shiny and new. And I don't mean that in a snarky way. I was so in love with watching my kids discover every tiny bit of their world.

I was so in love with watching my kids discover every tiny bit of their world.

Yes, this is fun. I love watching her with TCG. I could stare at the two of them bonding all day long.

The troubleshooting technique of "I don't know if this will work, but the theory is sound, and nothing should get damaged, so let's try it" comes through again. I go into my weekend with a nice feeling of smug competence.

That's always a good feeling Connie. I haven't gotten any further than the old standby of "have you tried turning it off and turning it back on again?"

I talked to my therapist. It was productive and a little scary and a little sad. Because in a couple months she'll be my ex therapist.

Then I talked to Mom who is going to talk to Dad (I could talk to him but I'm kind of talked out by all of this). I'm moving to North Carolina in late November but before Thanksgiving. Possibly. Or early December.

for some reason I thought Mom had a finished basement but it's not, it's partially finished (don't knwo what that means) but she does have 3 bedrooms. She has one, Evander has one, and I'll have one. Although maybe I'll see if I can set up my computer in the basement (maybe not???). This is what I wanted thinking about moving to NC, I wanted to go back with a job and finding an apartment and I just can't do that right now.

I hate being 42 and having my life so...what it is.

But my therapist is going to network with some therapists in the area that do her type of therapy (IFS) and get me names. When I see the case worker again I'm redefining my goal and seeing if the insurance navigator can help navigate me toward insurance in NC.

I relaly hope Mom's cat and Penny get along.

I really hope this works out well for you, askye. I think it's a good decision. I was worried about you spending a cold, New England winter isolated.

Askye, I would say that we should start a club, but neither of us want to be in it. Next week, I have my most onerous task of the year, Crip Division. Meeting with my fabulous social worker to decide how many hours I get next year(I mean, I even think I would like him, in a no-closet-can-hold-him sort of way, except I have learned the hard way that even having a "nice" or "good" one may not preclude budget or bureaucratic misery.) So he gets a color-coordinated sideeye until he signs off on everything.Ugh...would so rather just have a root canal again...at least they don't expect you act pleased and I could gag when I felt like it.

Good luck with the move, askye.

Well, I wrote to the AARP Bulletin and expressed my anger at the article. Pointed out that since they followed the one about people overdosing on prescription medications with one on the dangers of OTC painkillers that it sounded almost like they were advocating people living in pain. Which, with their audience being people 50 and over, means a lot of them in constant pain. I believe I used the words "how dare you" in there ...

On the other hand, something to make you smile.

Thank you, Toddson, for both of those.