I am still going to Florida in October. I need to for my mental health, both to be at the beach and sink my toes in the sand and feel the water at my feet and just be restored. But this will probably be the last time I can see my grandmother-she just turned 101. She's been vaccinated and my aunt she lives with and my dad. The plan is M and I will go down, take food to eat at rest stop (to eliminate eating in a restaurant), do Wal Mart grocery pick up for food, not eat out and just spend time with my dad, aunt, grandma, and the outdoors.

It's been noticeably cooler here so that should mean I can go back to taking walks on my days off, or at least walk to the library.

My Cymbalta was increased, that was a suggestion to try for the rejection sensitivity dysphoria. I think it's helped me overall but hard to tell since it's only been a week since I did that. I also think I'm dealing with pandemic fatigue.

My therapy goal for next appointment is to do 2 creative things but it has to be things I haven't done in the past several months.

Ugh, JenP, now that you know, ask him to get vaccinated?

An old childhood friend of Bob's committed suicide last week. He had a history of mental health issues but it sounds like his mental health declined precipitously recently as he dealt with the effects of the long COVID he contracted last year. So fucking sad and scary.

Oh, lisah, I'm so sorry. That is awful.

Yes, as meara said, having unvaxxed kids at home is a problem.

I was reading one of those "Is the pandemic already over? Will it be 5 more years? Experts disagree." articles, and I'm entirely over any one having even semi-official versions of this conversation and not spending half of it talking about kids under 12. This isn't aimed at the people here, as, yeah, that demographic isn't part of everyone's lives, but that article Teppy was talking about feels about right, and that's my entire life. Work is kids and home is a kid whose preschool keeps closing. I have very little patience for things reopening right now, with TPTB insisting that schools are safe while I have kids out constantly, a quarter of our cases are kids, and our hospitals are full.

It's a nightmare, Debet. I'm sorry.

How awful, lisah! I am also sad for you guys.

Timelies all!

Yeah, I hope that vaccines for the under-12 group will be available soon so Mr. S can get the shots. Not just for his health, but also so we can do more things as a family. There are 3 cons we have been regulars at that are happening in person this fall, but all are requiring proof of vaccination. WorldCon is following the same rules. We can't do any of them unless we got someone to watch Mr. S for the weekend, which is unlikely.

I'm so sorry, lisah, that's just awful.

I hope the med increase helps, askye.

And I don't think I said it in the box here, but no cancer -ma for Pix.

I talked to Mom today about her trip to Florida, she doesn't want to go but she needs to because my aunt is struggling with everything and there's lots of things that need to be done. Also my cousin's son is going to start counseling through a program with the county where the counselor comes to the school, that's one good thing. Bad thing is in 4 weeks of school he's missed 6 days.

Also Mom has to talk to him about rehoming all or some of the dogs, my aunt just can't take care of them and according to her they are all sick.

The worst news is that my cousin is in the hospital. The rehab place he is at hasn't been taking care of him and he was admitted with a severe kidney infection. The doctor said it was obvious his catheter wasn't taken care of like it should have been. The fact that he has a kidney infection from this means they really weren't monitoring him well. The hospital isn't on lock down like the rehab place is so the adults can go see him. Which is good. His fiancee is going to try and make sure he doesn't get sent back to that rehab facility but without insurance his options are limited.

Oh, askye, that's so rough.

Oof, what a tough situation for all of you!