I am still exhausted from working the polls yesterday -- a long day, lots of talking, lots of people!

People are exhausting.

True fact. Especially the one guy who insisted that he had already rejected his party affiliation, when the city had no record of that, and insisted on getting a republican ballot, when they had him down as a democrat.

All the candidates I liked won, albeit for a primary. I just hope this is a harbinger for November.

Alas, I am extrapolating from results in The People's Republic of Massachusetts.

My parents volunteered with Kiwanis to be pollworkers many times and they always found the days long and tiring and always with some kind of weirdness whether from voters or from the official apparatus. Thanks for doing that, Jesse!

Just before I woke up I was dreaming that I was, for reasons that are now unclear outside of dreamland, beating on a leather upholstered chair with my fists but that was too tiring and I was despairing of being so weak and tired that I couldn't beat up furniture when my alarm went off so that really set the tone for the day

Both DH and I have signed up to be poll workers, but we haven't heard back. I'm hoping they are getting organized.

I keep hearing from this friend or that about 'back-to-school' infections. And this is at the university level. I dread to think about what happens when all the schools here open mid-September. My friend is superintendent of schools up here and he is all out depressed. So much responsibility, and really no control. He is really hoping that lots of parents elect to keep the kids home. His fear and panic over the possibility of losing one of his kids or teachers is overwhelming.

I just got an email about my application to work the polls! It said I should receive a packet in the mail by the end of September.

My goals for the week include making a plan for Casper to work towards a drivers license and getting mr. flea a dermatologist appointment. But the driving school has no classes on the schedule and the dermatologist is not answering the phone. :(

Wow, Maria, that's a lot and it sucks! I am sorry you're going through this. And I'm giving your pancreas the stink eye for not waiting until your back problems were sorted. I hope you're able to get your blood sugar stabilized quickly and that that helps you feel better.

Regarding Teppy's suggestion to see a registered dietician (RD) if possible, this helped us a lot with my son's Crohn's Disease. We felt less overwhelmed by the prospect of a 19-year-old looking at lifetime disease management. Even though I was fairly nutrition literate, it helped this grown-ass adult too, because I was a Crohn's newbie.

ETA: Should I call my insurance and say "hey I hit a guy's motorcycle but I don't know who he is and I didn't take any photos and I don't know whether he'll contact you"?? (He said he'd get it checked out and call me)

Meara, yes, call your insurance. Ask them if you should file an accident report with the police, to get your version of events on the record.

Cass, I am so sorry.

The worst if that I only want to talk to her. She'd probably say to let most of it go, mourn and little and move on. But I need to hear it from her because I don't believe it myself.

As a mom, I know this is what she wants: for you not to feel guilty about stuff. You were far more important to your mom than any of her things. I hope your head gets there, even if it takes your heart longer.

The Markey Kennedy race was odd to watch from afar, possibly stranger for the constituents.

What was odd for this one was all the outside interest. Swing state voters must feel like this all the time.

Laura: My aunt hasn't answered (she does not live on the computer because she is retired and has a newish boyfriend, good for her!) but my cousin says try Dunton's Doghouse or the East Boothbay General Store. I'll keep trying to raise my Auntie.

Maria, I'm glad you have a diagnosis, and a path -- it may not be an easy path, but we will walk it with you if you'll let us.

Cass, I'm so sorry. That's not fair at all.

Maria, I've been diabetic for many years, including while pregnant, and I know most of the ins and outs of diet, medication, and exercise. My profile is good, and you can hit me up whenever -- there are so many ways to make it easier to stick to the diet, and please know that NO FOOD is off limits. You can make room for pasta, or even a donut. You just have to make some trades. There are easy visual ways to eye portions, too -- 3 oz of meat is generally a deck of cards, like that.

I'm sorry you're going through this, though -- it's not a fun thing to deal with. But! Your sugars the next day sound right in range, so this might not be too complicated to get under control.

Did they tell you what your A1C was? That's the measure of average blood sugar over three months. And that is frankly going to mean a lot more than one reading of 300 on a day you were in pain (sugar goes up in response to illness, and also to exercise, which is fun to manage). Anyway, sorry to ramble. Love you.