Ah, I'm glad I could be there. Aims did the hard work, I just witnessed and validated it.

We probably will, at some point. Along with the fact that neither of her grandfathers are biologically related to her and that she has a biological grandfather living in the state that has never met her. And that there is a nice, long line of mental illness that she's a part of.

Yeah, there's some shit in my family that Doesn't Get Talked About (like how some of my mom's family was not thrilled that she married a Jew, f'rintstance) and I think it's better to talk about it. Sometime after she realizes that parents are Just People with their own issues, maybe.

Everyone gets the magic blankets and a lap to lay down in so your hair can be smoothed while soothing coos are made in your general direction. The stuff you should have gotten as kids.

I got this as a kid sometimes and it still sounds AWESOME. I snuggled with Frankie extra much this morning.

No work again today. Plan is to work on a side project for a friend, go sell some books (not out of desperation, out of decluttering), do some other decluttering stuff, maybe an admin work thing or two, get something going in the slow cooker... and not get overwhelmed. That part is key.

Puppies

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Puppy number one looks just like my Dexter!!

A big part of my therapy time these days is talking about how much I still want my parents to forgive me for making them so angry at me.

Oh, hey. Self, that is a very sense-making way to frame it.

Everyone gets the magic blankets and a lap to lay down in so your hair can be smoothed while soothing coos are made in your general direction. The stuff you should have gotten as kids.

I need that so much right now. I got accidentally triggered this morning, and it's very hard to be all adult and responsible right now.

more puppies:

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kittehs:

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Capybara enjoying a spa day: [link]

Capybara road trip: [link]

Aims, what a gift it is that you and your parents have been able to work through this together and separately to have a healing/healed relationship.

Seeing my father change from a man who was ruled by his violent temper to one who was the kind of old(er) man that little kids flocked to was very healing. I wish more people could have that gift.

msbelle, I strongly believe that parents who are perfect or close to it do their children a disservice. If you never have to say "I messed up, I'm sorry," to him, how is he going to know how to do that himself?

Tom, I am so glad that you have a therapist who is working with you. I wish it were easier for you.

I strongly feel baby alpacas could improve morale as well.

Coconut oil in prepackaged low-sugar apple-cinnamon oatmeal is... not wonderful. Each bite starts out "Oh, heck yeah, this is what Teppy was talking about!" but ends with "Eh, weird, no." Which means that I'm going to have to try it again sometime in properly homemade oatmeal.

Have y'all seen the senior dog page on fb yet? the gf of the Human's of NY guy is doing it, trying to get senior dogs adopted. it's a joy. several success stories already.

Alpaca mom and baby: [link]

A fine selection of alpacas to peruse, including one halfway down the page sticking its tongue out: [link]

Here is my regular dog pushing post for Tom Scola

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These dogs would really like to take walks with you while you are taking photos and then snuggle with you at home. THEY TOLD ME SO!