Thank you all! Ryan decided that he should bring his medal to school for show and tell. Alas; before they got to it, his medal went missing. He's devastated. (It's quite the emotional roller coaster when you're six.) We're hoping it'll turn up, but I don't know.

Yay Ryan for the medal and ugh that it's missing. I hope it can be found.

My short term disability claim is still in limbo because of fax issues again with my former meds manager. I left a message for the analyst and if he calls back I'll give the fax if not I'll call hartford.

Today I am being lazy. I am going to take a shower find some clean clothes...I need to do laundry...and then get a library card, go to Best Buy and open a bank acciunt. But mostly drive my new car.

Oh, good grandparent news, bt. And yay for Ryan's medal, but I know he's sad it's missing. I hope it turns up.

Yay new car, askye! And sudden influx of seven-year-old will shake any life up.

I'm glad you got a break, sj, and family got to bond with ltc.

There are times when I'm glad I don't have a lot of family to deal with. On the other hand, today is StE's birthday, so my family is one member fewer than I'd wish it to be.

Big hugs, Beverly. I know it is always there, but on the big memory days it is more on the surface.

For the most part I am grateful for the family being close. It can be a bit tricky in election years though.

Thinking of you today, Beverly.

{{{Beverly}}} Keeping you in my thoughts today.

I have both the close relatives and the not close relatives. I'm very grateful for the small Thanksgiving gathering, and then getting to see the rest of the step-family after for dessert. My niece, I, who is 3 now really liked the baby until her mom was holding her, and then she freaked out and became hysterical. Her mom is not allowed to hold another baby, although she quickly volunteered that she didn't care if daddy held ltc.

Also, my step-cousin's wife is pregnant again after two miscarriages. She's understandably very nervous, but seems to be far enough along and had enough tests that things are looking good so far. So, hopefully next year there will be another little girl in the family!

Lots of warmth and strength, Beverly. I can remember if you are a hugger or not, but virtual hugs are short and sweet.

Beverly, I'm envisioning wrapping you up in the warmest, coziest everything that feels good to you. You are in my heart today (and most other days too, fyi).

Thanks, y'all. Hugs are definitely de rigeur, giving and accepting. Again, Laura with the wise. All of us have lost people and the absence is always there. But there are marker days when it's especially keen.

The neighbors are already all over Christmas, and I'm in don'wanna mode. It doesn't help that H grew up with no visible signs of Christmas till Christmas Eve, whereupon, magical tree, decorations, presents, candles in the windows and wreath on the door. All of which stayed up till Old Christmas, which I think on the Gregorian calendar is Jan. 16th or something. He strenuously fought moving up the timeline, so our neighborhood has always thought we are the laziest people alive, both coming and going, where Christmas is concerned.

I'll get candles in the windows, the wreath and the house flag out tomorrow, add holly to the half-basket of ivy by the back door, maybe tie a bow on the lamp post. But indoors will wait awhile.

Lots of hugs, Bev.

Warm thoughts for your step-cousin, sj.