I'm sorry about the bad family news, Pix.

I’m sorry about your aunts, Pix.

I'm so sorry, Pix.

One of my cousins drove up the east coast and visited a bunch of family, including the only surviving member of my father's siblings. The cousin recorded an interview with our uncle about family history and shared it on the cousins' Signal chat. So kind!

Just had a lovely hike in the woods with the family and lots of dogs. It's a gorgeous day in the Bay, sunny and warm. Really lovely. I sat outside on my adirondack chair for the first time since last fall!

Now I'm cooking up some rice to eat with roasted veggies for dinner.

I'm so sorry about your aunts, Pix.

We're flying down to Oklahoma on Wednesday for a five-day visit for a memorial to my MIL, who died suddenly in November, and for Dylan to wrap up various matters of estate business as her executor. This will be my first flight since the pandemic (though we road-tripped to Glacier NP in 2021 and I drove to a writers conference in Canada last fall). My last flight was also to OK, when we spent Thanksgiving with Dylan's family.

Thanks Pix, and hugs right back to you. Those are some rough family situations on your end.

What about a lighter-than-cobalt blue?

I don't think so for this house, Beverly. The cottage I was interested in buying last year had a blue door that looked good with its light gray stone exterior, but I've not liked the blue doors I've seen on brick homes (though I think they could be nice with gray or white brick).

I'm sorry for the rough news on your aunts, Pix. It's good that your dad and his sister had the visit last year. I know it will be very hard on him, but I understand their decision to let that be their last memory.

Hi everyone! I am back from Bali. You know what I don't want to do? My job.

Matt my sympathies for having a mom who is a terrible patient. I understand that.

I'm sorry about your aunts Pix.

I went up and spent the night with mom and Easter with her. Got to do a zoom call with some of her siblings(they do this every Sunday and have since the pandemic).

Also heard Mom on a call with Aunt W (her difficult sister) who sounded good and was NICE and grateful to mom. My cousins son needed a new phone and Mom arranged that and it was sent to my aunt. Then Mom arranged for my cousin's son's half sister to take him to get it and so they all got to visit. My aunt was going on and on about how good he looked and sounded. The foster situation is really good for him.

M and I are headed to FL on Sat. I messed up my vacation request and didn't ask for Friday off as well and didn't realize it until it was too late.

Mom is coming down Wed and getting Penny who will spend our time away with her. So hopefully things will be relatively calm for the next few weeks

Pix, I'm so sorry about your aunts. Glad you're recovering well from the surgery, though.

The Great Easter Hunt For 300 Eggs actually went well and was only moderately chaotic, and only 2 kids climbed trees to get eggs (I was *not* the one who decided that hiding eggs in a tree was a good idea). We found out that Oldest Niece is expecting baby #2, which is great news. We also found out that Youngest Niece, who is almost finished with med school, got engaged the night before, so that's very exciting. Her fiance is Indian, so we are all hyped up for a massive colorful wedding. And our nephew who had top surgery earlier this year is so utterly at ease and comfortable in his own skin for probably the first time ever, and that makes me so happy I could cry.

What a lovely filled with great family updates Easter, Teppy!

Excellent holiday update for your family too, askye!

This past weekend was make up for being awful about phone calls for my MIL. She loves to talk on the phone and honestly I ignore 9/10 of her calls. She always leaves a message, which is always, Hi this is Mom, call me back. So Saturday I made her a quiche, brought it over, had lunch with her, and left her the leftovers. Then Sunday I brought Easter dinner of a lamb roast, asparagus, and matzo ball soup. And of course, left her the leftovers. So I am back to being good DIL. Actually, she is understanding of my phone ick and I do try and call her from the car on the way to or from the dog park from time to time. I love talking to her, but F2F, please!