Yay for having your daughter back home, Gud. May you all go forward along a positive and loving path.

Also Gud, I have Cog on my laptop here in the mountains where in theory I will have more time to read. At this point the spare time is still elusive.

The timing for this northern visit was perfection. The leaves are in full show off mode. The air is brisk and renewing. Also, 1500 miles away from family drama.

{{Gud}} I think it is really sweet of you to donate a copy of Cog to the hospital. Some kids will enjoy it, that's the important thing. And I'm glad to hear Em is coming home. I hope you all have a chance to heal.

Good luck with the appeal, Typo Boy, and continued recovery~ma.

I have discovered a surprise downside to autopaying bills. Walter's vet bill was a significant expense in my budget, and I ended up writing them a check, so I was frantically balancing my checkbook (reconciling my eStatement, more like) and transferring money between accounts trying to make sure that check wouldn't bounce. One credit card website told me I had a minimum payment of $0, so I just ignored that one. Unfortunately, it was one of those cases where the receiving bank was processing the payment and so had adjusted the minimum payment down, but the payment didn't show in my checking account yet, so all my figures were off by that payment and the check bounced. I feel like such an irresponsible idiot, and so bad for the vet practice - they are all so nice and here I am not paying them. So embarrassing.

Anyway, I think I can still unfuck my finances, but I had to get that off my chest somewhere.

Gud, is there anything the rest of us can crowd source for you and your family?

Wishing wellness seems so lame compared to the reality you are dealing with.

Laura, same for you. Can we DO anything that would be of help?

Typo, do you need anything?

The facility I was in a couple of years ago tried to make me participate in a sing-a-long of Hey Jude.

I called Kristen immediately to get me out of there. Electroshock was better.

That could have been effective treatment for me, violent anger at being pressured to sing might have counteracted the depression to some extent.

So I walked down to the BBQ fest for some ribs and got called over by an old friend who was stumping for the Libertarian candidate, who also happened to be the hot guy I was in the process of ogling: [link]

Pictures don't really do him justice, he's almost Brian Sims-hot. I have too many disagreements over issues to vote Libertarian, but if he's ever on a modeling show or in a wet T-shirt contest he has my vote.

The facility I was in a couple of years ago tried to make me participate in a sing-a-long of Hey Jude.

The facility I was in, way back when, was big into group activities. I have hated enforced group activities since kindergarten. It was even worse than the 6am wake-ups. They didn't make us sing together, though. That's just cruel.

I feel like such an irresponsible idiot, and so bad for the vet practice - they are all so nice and here I am not paying them.

You are not an irresponsible idiot! And you are paying them. Just not this minute.

That plus depression reminds me of the time I couldn't pay my therapist for months. Some I didn't have money, some I couldn't get it together to write and mail a check. Ugh.

Anyway, I'm watching Frontline's The Choice, and painting my nails OPI's Madam President. Too on the nose?

and painting my nails OPI's Madam President. Too on the nose?

Just the right amount.

I'm feeling bad: I'm bailing on a friend I said I would meet at the local Octoberfest. But I'm kind of broke and I already ran and went to dog class today, and I have a ton of housekeeping like things to do before I go to the theater tonight. Happily, she's not alone, so I am trying not to feel too guilty.

The first place I was in had lots of rules and some of the other patients ended up bullying me. There was a queen bee.

The hospital I was in last year was much better. Food was ok and there group activities but you could opt out. The only problem was sharing a room with someone on 24 observation.