Thanks, Laura. My migraine is lingering so I took it easy at PT and the trainer did some gentle traction, which was really nice. Now I’m back at work and trying not to let it creep back from being bent over.

Migraine aside, I have never felt so calm and empowered and confident ever.

How was your weekend? How goes the reno?

The reno has been slow and painful and won't be done this summer, but the results are so beautiful. Very appropriate for the Adirondacks with knotty pine walls and ceilings. We used cherry on the stairs to give some variety. Working with the noise is a bit much, but I need to work on my big screen and I have to switch to laptop if I flee to my sister's place to escape. The best part is it is now insulated so I don't have to heat the forest anymore.

Migraine aside, I have never felt so calm and empowered and confident ever.

That's amazing. Establishing and enforcing those boundaries is so healthy, but damn it's exhausting having those kinds of conversations. Especially piled on top of each other. You've made impressive progress not just on yourself, but in those relationships.

. Very appropriate for the Adirondacks with knotty pine walls and ceilings. We used cherry on the stairs to give some variety.

That sounds so lovely. Like permanent summer camp, but more posh.

smonster, I am awestruck at your fortitude and... I don't even know the right words. I'm so glad you are feeling calm, empowered, and confident -- fucking hard-won.

damn it's exhausting having those kinds of conversations. Especially piled on top of each other.

Totally. I still feel nauseated and weak and headachey. I fully believe all my stomach stuff is at least partially due to emotional distress, and I’m hoping I will have fewer issues once I can settle.

That sounds like a hell of a Friday, smonster. A lot of hard work, mentally and emotionally. But it seems like the sort of thing that could pay off long-term.

Laura, the reno sounds lovely.

Thank you for checking in when you can, Shir

That sounds like some big stuff, smonster! Good for you! But also take care of yourself because it also sounds pretty hard.

Just to give you a glimpse of how organized things are here, home front command instructed to prepare shelters for 72 hours with food, water, money, chargers, emergency lights, medications, personal belongings, change of clothes, supplies for pets and babies, etc..

My heart sank and I quickly started to pack a larger go bag and trying to understand what do I do with the cat for 72 hours. 10 minutes later they sent another clarification that these are the general recommendations and this was not an official instruction. We are, indeed, in the stupidest timeline.

On the bright side, while packing I found the alcogel from 2020, and I'm referring to Hamas as a tough fitness instructor as I'm on a high floor and there are a lot of stairs down and then back up to my place.

On the very, very, very bleak side, they've started to identify the casualties in the kibbutzes who were nearly destroyed. 108 new dead to the count just from today, just from one kibbutz. I'm gutted. This was a massacre.

Oh Shir, I am so sorry that you and all those around you have to endure this madness.

I'm just heartbroken. Please know you have so many people across the ocean sending you and yours love. I wish there was something concrete to do.