Thanks for the florist tips, folks! I just didn't want to screw it up and have flowers not show up.

Because I'm 99% sure I'm not going to the funeral. For reasons that are extremely long to sum up, but include the fact that it's going to be raining (possibly hard, as a remnant of the tropical storm [hurricane?] in the South right now) and it's a 50-minute drive ONE WAY in *good weather* (so god only knows what it will be like in the pouring rain), and I just...can't.

I asked myself, if the situation were reversed and it were my dad who had passed away (which will be the case someday [unless there's a family secret he hasn't told me, HIGHLANDER DAD]), and a cousin (or anyone, really) didn't come to the funeral, I would assume they had a good reason and really wouldn't give it another thought. Now, I can't control anyone's responses, and my dad might get pissed at me for not going, but I can't control that either.

And it's not because it's my birthday; that's just unfortunate timing. It's entirely because I just can't do it. I genuinely think the outcome, in terms of my mental health, would be very very bad. And I care more about my mental health than I do about my family members (including my dad) being pissed at me.

But I sure am glad I have therapy tomorrow.

That sounds like a well-thought out and right decision, Steph. I am glad you care more about your mental health than other people's opinions.

I think you are making the right decision, Teppy.

I'm also really happy about living in the future, because I just did both of the following things online:

1. Had an e-visit with my doctor's office for a sinus infection (it's a really thorough online questionnaire, with places for free-text responses), so I should have antibiotics by this evening; and

2. Ordered pizza for dinner to pick up after I take the kitten to his first vet appointment. (My favorite pizza place offers a gluten-free crust, but only at certain locations, so I can't get it delivered. However, one of the locations is 2 minutes from the vet, so any vet appointment is an opportunity to get gluten-free pizza for carryout AW YEAH.)

Didn't have to talk to a single human being. Boom.

Steph, yes. I am so proud of you for making a well-thought out decision based on your mental health. I know it's all very sad and sober, but I'm bouncing just a tiny bit on the inside because I feel like this is important progress for you and critical self-care.

ION, just had a tornado warning. Helper and I sat under the stairs until the all-clear. Half a tree already fell in the back yard, looks like it was rotten or had insects at the bottom The other half looks like if it goes, it will hit the neighbor's garage.

Yikes, smonster! Be careful.

ION, just had a tornado warning.

All the NOLA weather needs to start acting right. That's scary!

Steph, many props for taking care of yourself!

Everybody in the path of the storm, take care and be safe!

Is there any place left that's safe and also cool? I'm moving there if there is.

I left a note for the neighbor. There was no one home.

It's really not that bad, just heavy rain and steady wind.

Okay, I just ordered flowers for the funeral, also online. If I didn't have to take the kitten to the vet, I wouldn't have to talk to a human other than Tim today.