Letting go of having children has been the one of the hardest things I've ever done. So much love and support to you, Maria.

TCG and I are putting off making a decision about fertility treatment until September, which was later than we originally planned, but everywhere I go lately I hear stories about multiples, and it really has me freaked out.

I just read about a book about widows who are younger and they all kind of said that. Both those things, really. I found out today that my step-cousin(?) Lauren's pregnant. Now, Lauren has given every sign of being a lovely young person, after a very depressed adolesscence, so it's not like "blah, that bitch has somebody and I have nobody! Boo!" I'm happy for her, but when I met her family? She was four. There is no denying that time is passing and I better go and do--whatever-the-hell it is that I'm supposed to do. Only I'm really not sure.

Thanks, sorella. I may hit you up offline at some point, if you don't mind.

Erika, which book?

Any time.

It's called (checks Kindle) The Saturday night Widows by Becky Aikman...it was a good book. A lot to offer about resiliency and stuff.(Also, Ms. Aikman and I have both been kicked out of support groups.)

That's what I thought. I have it, just haven't read the whole thing yet. Thanks!

Maria, I think you've done an amazing job of embracing life anew and facing down the hard parts.

Maria, I think you've done an amazing job of embracing life anew and facing down the hard parts.

So very much this. Maria, you have been kicking ass and making the tough decisions, you should be proud of yourself.

Maria, I think you've done an amazing job of embracing life anew and facing down the hard parts.

So very much this. Maria, you have been kicking ass and making the tough decisions, you should be proud of yourself.

What Burrell and sj said!

This has been the week of MANY THINGS, but for the first time I am feeling...accomplished! My last day of school was yesterday, and ND and I have been working our tails off to get the house re-roganized and cleaned for the arrival of his cousin (2nd cousin once removed, but who's counting?) Chloe to arrive from Ireland tomorrow night. She's 20 and studying sound as her undergrad focus, and she's coming out to spend 3.5 months interning with ND's company.

The bulk of the work we've been doing is converting our guest room into a functional long-term bedroom since she will be staying with us. Thank the good gods for IKEA. New dresser, bed frame, and bookshelf, ahoy. We love Chloe and are really excited about her arrival, but I admit to being a little apprehensive about the house-sharing. We haven't done it in a long time. But still! Exciting. And since I'm now on break, I'm looking forward to having time to grocery shop and cook and such. The fact that she has a cute Irish accent won't hurt, either.

In other news, for those who aren't on FB, I'm training for a half marathon in August. My longest run to date is only five miles, so I have a long way to go to reach 13.1. I'm making progress, though, and I'm finding that running can indeed be an incredible stress-reliever. I've also lost a little weight and gained a little muscle, which is nice. I started running at the beginning of March, and I'm trying to average at least 12-15 (preferably closer to 20) miles per week. For someone who absolutely hated running and swore up and down she could never do it for exercise, I've come a long way.

So there. News! I feel like I haven't had time to do more than skim and respond in ages.