Much love to you and yours, Sparky. I'm sorry for your loss.

Strix, overcoming addiction is a challenge I have never known. I am proud of you for the progress you have made. You deserve support and if you do not get it from someone you trusted, well, really, the fault is not inside you.

I'm so sorry, Sparky. Much love to you and yours.

Oh Strix, honey. You have made so much progress. I'm sorry a person you trusted, a person who was so close to you and that you considered part of your foundation, turned out to be a judgmental asshole. What your former friend said and did is not about you, it's about whatever is going on inside their head that they never told you about. IT IS NOT ABOUT YOU.

Again, you've made a lot of progress, and that's something to be fiercely proud of.

I am so deeply grateful to you all. I've spent the last two on the phone with my bluntly honest sister, who knows just how awful I was and who knows tve person in question and likes her, and she said tbe same things. And she has ZERO compunctions with telling me exactly when and how I fuck up. And I have hurt her and mom deeply in the past...but they told me that I *am* much better, and that what K did was indeed legitimately awful.

I am drained...but I feel so much better.

Thank you, so much.

ETA: Daddy has been admitted with pneumonia.

Many hugs, Strix. What everyone said, plus much love to your dad. I'm sorry it's such a rotten holiday for you, but grateful that you know you can always come here. (And that we can all always come here.)

Strix, we are glad you came here when you needed us. You have made enormous progress and can be proud of what you have achieved. As others have observed, that person obviously has some issues of her own, and I'm sorry she took them out on you.

H mended one of the neighbors' dining room chairs overnight and just took it back to her. We're due there at 3:00--she's an amazing cook and won't even allow help with cleanup, so we're being spoiled for the day. I miss sons and grandsons, but given the givens, we're in good company, and I'm grateful for that.

And I'm beyond grateful for us. Bless us all.

There were delays and frustration and tears on my part, but I did what I was unable to do for years which was to get over it and reach out to mac to get him out of his mood and also not snap or freak out my parents. I'm the one with all the plans and expectations and I can deal with somethings going off plan, but mac purposely drags his feet and refuses to hurry and it is so inconsiderate I just loose my mind. I have to talk with him about this before Christmas, it has to be different.

Hey, good for you for pushing through. What you're describing woukd definitely trigger some frustrated raaage in me, so kudos for dealing well.

Strix, I don't know what your friend's deal is but it certainly isn't about you.

msbelle, I hope you can skip the tears and most of the frustration next time.

My annual try-a-new-root-vegetable-soup-recipe experiment this year didn't turn out great. It's edible, but not something I'm interested in trying again. About a third of the liquid is cider, so it's pretty sweet overall and my veggie side dish (broccoli and carrots) was cooked with candied ginger so it was sweet, too. I may have some spinach with vinaigrette later while most of the country is eating pie. Otherwise, I've had a nice quiet day of catching up on some tv.

They are all gone now. Dinner was good except I completely forgot several dishes and they are still sitting in the fridge untouched. It wasn't like there wasn't enough to feed an army, but one was the cranberry and walnut relish which looked really awesome. Maybe that is what is for breakfast!

Sister stayed home with a migraine and BIL has major tooth issues, scheduled for 2 extractions Tuesday. But we had 10 and a good time was had by all. Broccoli Alfredo lasagna was awesome, and the curry coconut pumpkin soup was incredible. Soooo full.

Good to see #1 son. Hadn't seen him since I got home. He says he has a job lined up workingin an office about a mile from here so we should see him more. He had fun playing basketball with his 4 yo cousin.

Strictly, echoing what others said in that it sounds to me like your friend has her own issues and the horrible things she said about you are more about her than you. You should be very proud of the progress you made. As someone who just can't manage school no matter how many times I've tried and get sick just thinking about it, I totally understand about the work thing. All sorts of good thoughts to you and yours.