I felt a great disturbance in the Force... as if millions of voices cried out in terror, and were suddenly silenced. I fear something terrible has happened.

Hope the adjustments help, David and JZ.

I've been thinking of doing this at our place! What were your thoughts? Anything you particularly liked or did not about the whole deal? Like, "Make sure to..." or something?

Re: outdoor karaoke: They had a big TV outside for us to read the lyrics off of, which was clutch -- just the laptop wouldn't have been big enough.

Do you all know that all of the karaoke tracks are on YouTube now? It's amazing!!

I felt a great disturbance in the Force... as if millions of voices cried out in terror, and were suddenly silenced. I fear something terrible has happened.

Hee.

I've been putting a hurting on my credit cards with all the stuff I'm buying lately--a lot of it for the trip, though some for regular life. Unfortunately for my wardrobe but fortunately for the credit cards, I will be returning quite a few things. (Got a pair of shoes that arrived today and are hideously uncomfortable, booooo. Hoping the pair coming Tuesday is v comfortable and doesn't need much breaking in??)

I felt a great disturbance in the Force... as if millions of voices cried out in terror, and were suddenly silenced. I fear something terrible has happened.

I cackled.

Sheryl, what is the facilities routine for Mr. S’s bedtime?

What's everyone doing this weekend?

I had my mom over for salmon burgers and a Swedenborgian theology-themed thriller/horror movie Friday night. (Jackson hopped up on the couch and let her brush his fur, so he's really losing his fear of her!) Then picked up a bunch of mulch and concrete edging stones at Lowe's Saturday, and placed the latter in the arrangement I want for my rock garden. Now to paint them and dig a trench to place them in.

My lawnmower broke a couple of weeks ago and my neighbors spooked me about code enforcement fines while waiting for the lawn service, so I went out early Sunday morning with a sharp edged metal ruler and used it as an improvised machete to cut down the tallest of the crabgrass and weeds. I would not recommend doing this without also improvising some sort of protective handle...

It was not an exciting weekend. I did some tech courses to keep up my skills, I mowed the yard, did some laundry, did some cleaning, did the cooking, went on a couple trike rides around the local lake, triked to the grocery store to do some shopping. Slipped while cleaning the bathroom and whacked my head on the edge of the sink. Even though I rationally know I have accepted a job offer, I still keep feeling depressed about being laid off and being unemployed. I can't tell my wife about that because that will just make her upset, but she is now angry at me because she says she's feeling disconnected from me. That's making me feel more down, which I can't tell her about so it's a downward spiral.

Be watchful for any concussion symptoms just in case, Gud! We don't want you to break!

Why not tell your wife about the job situation now that a solution is in the works? She's going to be angry at you no matter what, might as well make it about something real rather than letting her make up reasons to be upset, and talking about the layoff might get some things off your chest and make you feel better about it.

she is now angry at me because she says she's feeling disconnected from me

What if you tried being explicit?
"When I tell you how I am feeling, you express anger at me."
"When I try to connect with you, you express anger at me."

Is she even aware that you perceive her interactions with you as anger?
Is she even aware that she is making you feel bad?
Does she think that she is treating you normally?
Is she aware that you would like her to treat you differently?

It still seems to me that you two need an impartial third party to referee, arbitrate, and advise.

I can't respond with any better suggestions than Matt and dcp, so I'll send along some hugs too.

Getting things cleaned and packed and prepped for going north. Brendon is flying down early Friday morning to help me drive north. I am capable of doing it alone, but I do love a road trip with him. Our son is picking him up at 4AM to drive him to Albany! I told him to come up Thursday night and stay in Otter Lake because they should be able to see the Northern Lights. (and I am missing them!!!)