...Isabella does not really know the seriousness of the situation yet, because her mom has been in deep denial. All Isabella knows at this point is that her mom has Lymphoma (which is not the diagnosis at all). So I have not mentioned any of this to Matilda....

That is a difficult situation to be in, hard news to keep compartmented and private. Are there any preparations you can make discretely to help ease the pain that is going to hit both Isabella and Matilda when the blow lands?

Are there any preparations you can make discretely to help ease the pain that is going to hit both Isabella and Matilda when the blow lands?

Not really. Just from knowing Matilda's response when I waited a day after Jacqueline's diagnosis to tell her, I expect Isabella will feel blindsided and betrayed by the news.

It's not really fair to expect perfect transparency from the parent in these circumstances, but the kids will feel anger at how they receive the news, because there's no other place for their anger to go.

David it's such a horrible situation. I'm so sorry about Isabella's mom and everything they are going through.

I had my doctor's appointment and I my blood pressure was high. Way too high and I tried to brush it off again and then I checked it at work the past 2 days and I realized I'm in denial and Im putting myself at risk because of ... whatever reason. So I messaged my Dr and said that. The Dr thinks the Vyvanse could be a big reason but I haven't been able to take a reading when I'm not on it. I'm going to try remember/leave enough time tomorrow morning.

I know stress is probably playing a factor and there are things out of my control (M's cousin basically living with us now , his Mom being in denial about that happening) but I can try to work with my feelings and how I deal with it. And I can eat better. Luckily I have the exercise part of lowering blood pressure down.

It will be terrible no matter what, for sure.

I don't remember the specifics any more but my mother has said there were more kids in my grammar school class with dead parents than divorced parents, and that is so sad.

Restorative weekend is in full swing. I am about to bake my third loaf of bread, have taken the flannel sheets off my bed and done the dishes.

That's a lot to manage, askye, and good on you for actually contacting to doc about your BP.

David, unbelievably hard things to navigate on so many levels.

Restorative weekend sounds like such a a good idea, Jesse! I'm glad it's progressing well. And sounds delicious, I might add.

Guys, I actually put together and baked a lasagna last night. Like a real person who cooks actual food. I mean, basic, and more assembly than creative cooking, but... I didn't order out!

It's a milestone in a year when getting myself to do that basic thing -- make dinner -- has been a challenge, and I've wasted way too much money failing at that.

I'd like to start making a couple things on the weekend to have for the week. Maybe I'll call the lasagne the first thing like that... except we'll be done with it by the weekend. Still, it's a start.

I'd like to start making a couple things on the weekend to have for the week. Maybe I'll call the lasagne the first thing like that... except we'll bet done with it by the weekend. Still, it's a start.

Making a Sunday meal that you can eat during the week is a great strategy, and it can be fun if you have help in the kitchen (and a glass of wine).

I used to make a frittata every Sunday and have a slice for breakfast all during the week. Made my after run breakfast easy, and it was protein and vegetables with no carbs.

Lasagna is a perfect example of that kind of meal. You can make a pot of chili, or stew.

Traditionally people would make a meal that was designed to turn into leftover meals. Turkey on Sunday became Turkey Tetrazzini by Thursday, or soup or croquets or stir fry etc. You know the drill.

When I was cooking for four, I had a slate of meals I could adapt to the diets or preferences from JZ's vegetarian meals to Emmett's ravenous teen needs. Quesadilla night to the rescue!

Oh jeez, askye, hang in there.

What I like to do is make a pot of something and freeze most of it, vs eating it all week. So then later I have a variety of things to pull out of the freezer. Highlights this week included pumpkin chili and cacio e pepe orzo soup.

What I like to do is make a pot of something and freeze most of it, vs eating it all week. So then later I have a variety of things to pull out of the freezer. Highlights this week included pumpkin chili and cacio e pepe orzo soup.

The only way I can do this is to make myself something with meat in it; that way Tim won't yoink it out from under me for a lunch. (We do generally at least ask the other "Hey, can I eat the last of the shepherd's pie/chili/stir fry," but sometimes it just quietly disappears from the fridge.)

askye, that’s too much. I’m glad you’re working with your doctor to get your bp down. My pcp just upped my bp meds recently and it’s great now! Wish your doctor could prescribe your partner’s Mom not making your home life harder than it need to be.

My medical thing is that I’ve had some exertional chest pain so I got a referral to a cardiologist who ordered a couple of tests, but not a stress test. The echocardiogram and CT scan, plus bloodwork, don’t show any calcium buildup so Yay! But the CT scan shows an aortic anomaly (something I was born with). I’m scheduled for a colonoscopy (no symptoms just about 10 years since my last one) in a couple of months and the anesthesiologist wants me to get a stress test beforehand. Also, my bf the emergency room doctor really thinks I should get a stress test because of the anomaly. But the cardiologist won’t order one for me because he doesn’t think it’s necessary. Argh!! I’m like “is this situation the stress test?!!??”

Argh is right! The anesthesiologist can't order the stress test? I mean, I guess I see where that's outside their lane but if that's who thinks you need it, they should be able to make that happen.