Thanks for letting us know, Tom. Definitely have all my kick-cancer's-ass vibes going amyth's way.

ION, my godamn fucking father. I swear to god. He is also an alcoholic, who's been sober for 15(?) years. And he hasn't actually relapsed, which, good for him. I mean that sincerely. But I knew, I fucking KNEW, that when he talked to my brother he would start going on about how, well, *he's* been able to be sober for 15 years without "slipping," so why can't my brother?

I even TOLD Dad last night to NOT say that to my brother. And what did he do? Yup. He totally went off on my brother about how he's been able to stay sober, so why can't my brother do it? Mother FUCKER. He thinks not relapsing gives him the moral high ground, but I have to say, treating your children like shit because you're a fucking unrestrained narcissist is WAY worse than a relapse.

The good thing is that my brother flat-out told him "You need to stop telling me how you're better than me, because right now it's NOT helping me in my recovery." And it got Dad to shut his fucking mouth, which legitimately stuns me.

I think I need to not talk to my dad for a while. That narcissistic motherfucker.

Apparently my brother's conversation with my mom went shockingly well, so he's batting .500 in Post-Relapse Conversations With Our Nightmare Parents.

He sounds really, really tired. Poor noodle. I think he's on the right track now, though.

And I am going to cope with my feelings by spending a LOT of money at the hair salon so my dirty blonde hair is beachy blonde again.

And also, the Elvis Costello concert is tomorrow night, which we're going to with Hil and flea/Mr. flea, so that should be great. I've never seen him live and I am so damn excited.

Ugh, Teppy. Continued ~ma for your brother. Yay, concert!

Tom, thanks for the update!

Why do I always sit down with my lunch but no napkin? t sigh Thank you faithful t-shirt. You have served me well.

Tep, I'm so glad your brother has you, and the both of you have each other when it comes to your parents.

I heartily endorse the spend money on stuff that makes you feel better method of coping (without going into debt, of course). Honestly? I'd pay good money just for the scalp massage that comes with a cut and color. Massage therapist scalp massages aren't the same for me.

Woo hoo for concerts! Live music is restorative.

Thank you for the update, Tom.

Steph, maybe your brother can focus anger at your dad into his recovery in an "I'll show him!" sort of way? Worked for me in pulling my 7th grade Social Studies grade up to an A at the last minute to spite a teacher I despised.

I have managed to eat a healthish breakfast and lunch, put soup in the crock pot for dinner, and both dropped off and picked up ltc from school on time today. This is an accomplishment after the last couple of months of slothitude.

Way to go, sj!

In an attempt to try to alleviate some of the pain of needing to decide what to eat for the next nmeal over and over and over, I made myself a chart of 17 proteins and 16 starches and rotate through the combinations in a systematic fashion. Sometimes this means I eat lamb and oatmeal for breakfast, and macaroni and peanut butter for lunch. You know what? Both quite tasty.

Good idea, -t! I haven't felt worth the effort much and TCG has mostly been handling dinner. However i did take down a meatloaf and a roast from the freezer. So hopefully I can handle dinners this week.

I have a cold. Generally I make dinner, but I am telling the family that someone needs to bring me home sushi. Medical necessity for wasabi to clear my sinuses.

Also, I am a big baby because I never get sick. I chalk it up to lack of experience. I have managed to work today, and swam 50 laps in the pool because I don't want to skip exercise. That is seriously all that I am doing today. Oh, and I did laundry. Dude, I have clearly done way more than required.

Teppy, and the rest of you with defective parents, I am so sorry. You deserved better. Honestly, I feel I hit the parental jackpot and it just breaks my heart when I hear tales of parents who Just Don't Get It. I'm not even close to a perfect parent, but I really hope I don't hurt my kids, and I hope they tell me if I do.