Big ol' catch-up-on-300-posts meara:

Gud, I'm very glad you're okay. Your wife makes me angry. She reminds me of the boyfriend who nearly drove me to suicide with his gaslighting and blaming and shaming. When people would blame him I defended him because I really believed his BS that everything was my fault. I hope that soon you will be able to see that she is abusive and you don't deserve it.

Laura, those are lovely bowls. Things that carry good memories are precious.

Steph, glad for you and Tim for Tim's new job and better hours. 10 hours back per week is amazing.

meara, glad you are HOME! And thankful you have such helpful and caring friends! Which scooter are you getting? Does your insurance pay for it? And, can you just use a walker to get around the house at night? I found a walker easier to use than anything else. I hope you can work out a way to be comfortable getting around.

That said, I've got annoying super painful spots where my scar is (and maybe some hardware?) and so far nothing is fixing it—ice, painkiller, different positions...grr

Have you ever tried SalonPas Pain Relief patches? I use them a lot, just stick it on where the pain is and in about 20 minutes it really eases the pain. Sometimes I have four of them stuck to my ankle at once.

Most of the time when my back is achy, taking a walk makes it feel better. Which annoys me, because I'd rather have an excuse to lie down on a heating pad.

It's true. Walking hurts, but walking every day makes my ankle feel better than resting it forever. My doctor says, if there's a magic bullet, it's exercise. I tell you what, those months when I couldn't get around much, I lost a lot of muscle strength in my legs. Even just going up and down the stairs is hard now, which of course means I need to do that a lot more.

we are having a hard time moving our goods from our factories to our ports because we can't get containers to ship them in.

Nobody thinks about logistics until they can't get their thing and they don't understand why. shakes head sadly

I saw Hec in Humans of New York! So cool! HEY I KNOW THAT GUY

Which turned out to be amazing as all the seniors turned her rehab into their community project.

That is amazing.

Ankles are complicated!

snarl

curses

I would not be able to abide mice and cockroaches in the house. Horrible things carrying who knows what! I'd be ready to put my house up for sale and move to... I don't know, someplace that doesn't have mice and cockroaches. Antarctica?

It's a blessing you have your dad, KBee.

Sheryl, I'm glad you're okay! Car accidents are scary even when you don't get hurt.

This bullshit is going to drive me back to Samsung, isn't it?

Come back to Samsung, Jessica. It's warm and we have cookies.

The Crow quotes! I heart that one about loving forever. (Eternal life still under construction. If anyone has an in, hook me up.)

My family has cancelled our Thanksgiving this year by mutual decision, which is frankly a relief. Nieces are scattered across the globe, and Sister is going to her BF's family's house for dinner (even though she does not like them; there will be Stories). I'm driving to Roanoke for a "chosen family" dinner on Saturday. I've been invited to a friend's for T-day dinner if I'm feeling lonely, but I'll probably stay home and nap!

I've never seen The Crow, but loving the quotes.

Looks like my stressful news is public now. Lowe's is selling off their smart home business, which is what I do. Could ultimately be a good thing, but the uncertainty is difficult.

Uncertainty and change are both super stressful. I hope it ends up being for the best, and that you know soon. Obviously smart home stuff is a huge fast moving area, and having your level of expertise is very valuable.

Uncertainty is the worst. I hope it works out okay.

Eek, good luck Gud!

My ankle is hurting like crazy today, grr. And I have so much work to do but tomorrow is my last allowed day of part time. And I am worried my ankle is not healing or I messed it up when I accidentally stepped down on it over the weekend or my bones are secretly as fragile as matchsticks and the basket from my scooter seems to have been lost somewhere on this trip to my friends house and and and....ply last night I was spiraling out about (a) not wanting Wednesday night's hangout to be four couples and me the lame old spinster but (b) hating to say anything because then everyone is annoyed and thinks I'm making too big a deal and now I'm the BITTER lame old spinster. And asking for help is getting so old (and only a small part of that asking has created results) but I've still got six more weeks of this shit at least (and that's if next weeks appointment goes ok, see above re panic and now I'm back to where I started in this drama and typing this is avoiding work I should be doing and and and...)

Good luck, Gud. Not that you need more stress in your life.

Oh my, Gud. Hope that works out ok for you!

That is an epic meara, Zen! Well done!