Many happy returns of the day, amyparker!

Happy birthday to Amyparker!

Pix, I hope it’s something easily treatable. This is so hard on you, and him, and ND.

It has a positive impact on my life and psyche and ability to keep the place together during the in between weeks at a super fundamental level.

Literally the only thing I miss about my last roommate is that I paid her $45/month to do my half of the cleaning. I have got to find room for a cleaner in my budget.

Thanks for the good wishes. My fever hasn’t come back, so that’s good. I had that very American thought of “I should have gone in today” but then changing my sheets wore me out and I’ve lost my voice, so no.

I put on fake nails and finally watched John Wick 1 and folded some clothes. My friend’s husband dropped me off food, super yay on that. Trying to nibble away slowly at all the stuff that has me overwhelmed.

Tomorrow I plan to do some budget work. I have to get that sorted, because until then the safest thing to do is shut down spending entirely and I can only do that so long before I snap and impulse buy some shit. I am, at least, trying to steer my buying towards things that will truly improve my life, like custom arch supports and a posture bra.

Oh, and holiday cards. I still haven’t sent any. That’s on the list, too.

In Florida. Dad is doing okay so far after being admitted to the hospital and having a ton of tests. I've checked in on him (got to the hospital 5 minutes before visiting hours ended), picked up his car so I have wheels, and am now flopped with a glass of wine at Chez Laura (newly negative for Covid!) and DH, who are the best and most gracious hosts on short notice. I will know more when I talk to the doctor tomorrow morning during rounds.

I am reading everyone's posts and nodding and will meara once I have the spoons. Love this community.

Joining the chorus of encouragement for cleaning services. We started having a service come in every other week ~10 years ago when my back and shoulder issues were at their worst. I'm much better now, but we still love the service. It's just nice to have that reset twice a month or so, and when we do have extra energy for home-making type stuff, it can get focused toward decluttering, more involved than normal cooking, etc.

{{{Pix}}} I hope the tests provide the doctors all the information they need for a quick and good resolution.

Thanks everyone. This morning's visits with doctors resulted in a whole lot of non-answers. No kidney disease, which is good, but also no explanation beyond overall declining health. Everyone here wants him to go into assisted living, but AL won't take his dog, and he's beside himself with grief at that possibility. And, financially, it's not an easy choice since assisted living is so freaking expensive. Dad and I can take a mortgage out on his condo to pay for renovations at our house, but that's going to take a year to complete, and I'll have to figure out how to ensure he has care at home in the meantime. I think I have a plan for that, but it's complicated. I'm just...exhausted. And sad. And Dad is so confused this morning, and it's so hard to see.

Pix, that is hard.

When he forgets to eat, and forgets his meds, does he forget to feed and care for the dog too? On the one hand, that could be part of motivating him into assisted living. On the other hand, the reminders to better care for the dog might be effectively combined with reminders to better care for himself.

Easy to type, not so easy to make real. And probably not anything you haven't already thought of.

Oh, Pix, I’m so sorry you aren’t getting easier answers and that everything is so hard. Love to you and your dad.

I’m so glad Brendon and Laura are nearby and can take care of you, Pix.

Our cat Magellan had an embolism last night after we got back from Michigan and we had to euthanize him. We are heartbroken. It was so sudden. He was fine when we got home from our trip at around 6 but later I heard a yowl from the basement and he was collapsed there. We rushed him to the pet er and they said a clot had broken off and went to his legs and he was in a ton of pain. The only thing they could have done was treat him with heavy duty painkillers for weeks and it wasn’t going to help the underlying issue. I wish I could have taken him to his regular vet but I have to trust the emergency vet knew what he was doing and it was clear Magellan was in a ton of pain and couldn’t move his body so something catastrophic had happened.

Good thoughts your way as you continue to sort through this. It's just so hard emotionally, financially, and just time devoted to figuring it all out. Love to you all.

Oh, lisah, that is heartbreaking. I am so sorry.