Well, it's over. She went into Hospice on Thursday, and I got the call already that she's gone. I am unbelievably thankful I got to say goodbye on Wednesday, and to hold her hand, and to tell her I love her.
I knew it would be quick, and I would almost certainly never see her alive again, but I wasn't quite prepared for it to be /this/ fast.
Thank you to everyone for the kindness and the thoughts/energy you spared. I am sure it helped ease her on her way.
So, back when I worked in retail, I was often the only one in my store (Posters, pictures, canvas reproductions, framing, etc etc). And I would often be alone there for HOURS. No way to take an actual break, etc.
But I did get to know the mall walkers. There was one little duo (sometimes trio). Charlie and Dave (and sometimes Dave's wife, when she was up to it.) They would wave hello and say good morning every day. I would sometimes be at the front of the store to make sure everything looked right, and they'd stop and chit chat a couple minutes. Just absolute SWEETHEART people.
Charlie, one day, was solo (Dave and his wife whose name I could swear was Flora, but...it's been a long time - were on vacation), was taking his time, because he told me he was going to do extra laps so he could have a 'fat man's lunch'. A guy kept walking back and forth in front of my store, and I was working at the counter, doing I don't remember what. Guy finally comes in, and is just.. browsing. Fine, happens all the time. We had a LOT of posters and pictures, etc.
He leaves when someone else comes in, and later comes back. At this point, we're reaching creep meter making the back of my neck itch. Charlie, gods love him, swings on in, casual as could be. "Hey, sweetheart, your aunt called about dinner tonight. Your mom and I didn't know if you'd be there, or if you were bringing Matt." Bliiiiiiink. Flash a bright smile. "Oh, sure, Dad. I'll pick up Matt after work, and we'll head over. Should I bring anything?"
He lingers another couple minutes, and looks at the dude dead-on. Dude made TRACKS. We proceed to cover our mouths to try and smother the laughter. THEN? He brought me take out from the place he went for 'Fat Man's Lunch' (Place gives very generous portions), so I can eat without worrying about closing the gate and all that crap, and my boss doesn't have a stroke.
Charlie also, a couple months later, found out it was my birthday, and waited for me to get out at 2, to ask me if he could take me for lunch. Yes. We went to the place he went for Fat Man's Lunch. It was delicious.
So many good mornings at that job involved Charlie and Dave.
So my lawyer called - the employer that fired me for sugar crashes got the filed suit. They want to settle. Here's hoping.
It finally happened. My background check came through. I CAN QUIT HELL.
WOOOHOO!
My aunt is being put under hospice care. I've been told to come say my goodbyes. She's the matriarch, the one who remembers all the birthdays of /everyone/ (and with my cousins' broods, that's a LOT), the one who always has the sage advice but will also tell you to put on your big kid pants and deal with it.
When my mother died, her house was home, while my father tried to handle everything. She was safety and logic and the stories of my dad when he was young, and what my mother was really like. She taught my sisters and I all kinds of weird things, and always made us dance the jitterbug at parties.
I guess I needed to blurt it all out. If y'all could spare a little kind energy - she's a great lady, a tough as hell woman, and one of my heroes. This hurts.
Miracles happen. I just got a conference call that tells me I'm going back to my actual job, effective immediately. The big boss said "We need you to be happy, because we like the work you've been doing, and we want you there when the office reopens."
The immense change in how I was feeling is mind blowing.
I just can't catch a break. My aunt in August, an old friend in September, and my grandmother passed away suddenly this evening.
She's my stepmonster's mother, but I've called her grandma since I was 7. She distanced herself the last couple years, especially since my father died, but I still care.
This will sound weird, but a couple hours after she passed, all of a sudden I could taste caramel corn. Like the taste was so thick in my mouth, I could have been eating it. But that was her thing. If I went to the mall where the caramel corn stand is, I had to bring her some. I'm choosing to decide that means she was saying goodbye.
When a player you loved RPing with pops back up into your MU life.
Well, I just got off an interview.
I should receive an offer letter before the end of the day.
Please gods, let this happen.
I SO WANT TO TELL MY BOSS OFF.
So, on a day when my current job is sucking eggs...
I have started receiving equipment from the job due to start next week. I didn't get a confirmation email, but I think sending me an expensive monitor might supersede that.
Guys, it's finally happened! I have been given a script for adderall. YAY! Let's hope it works, eh?
@faraday I feel you very well expressed a lot of my thoughts. If I had a bunch of people over to my house, and someone started cussing at me and insulting me... they wouldn't remain in my house very long. They'd get asked nicely to cut it out, and after that, they'd be shown the door.
I have taken part in the hog pit before. I am not saying I never said anything untoward about things. But I guess I always felt there was a line you do not cross, and I tried not to cross it. I was honestly surprised at some of the things people said, accused Gany and Derp of, etc. I get heat of the moment (I was very heated at times, but I had it politely suggested to me that I keep quiet, so I did), but some people just wouldn't quit.
I am glad Farfalla's ban was lifted. Which I know comes across strange, since it was my reporting her messaging me after I asked her to not, that got her banned. But as I previously stated, I didn't think it would result in a ban. I am by no means tossing Gany under the bus for doing as they did. Gany knows I was surprised at the action taken.
But you know what? I was also relieved. Relieved someone looked at the screenshots and believed me, supported me. I have come to know first hand, that in some circles, it doesn't matter if you have the proof. It matters who is involved.
I've been finding that while it is quieter here, currently? That I am seeing a lot more names pop up, some of which I have never or rarely seen. That it seems a.. I can't think of the word at the moment, but almost like a healthier mindset to the place.
I love Staff and players that understand why you just /can't/ right now, and not only don't hold it against you, but are supportive and kind.
So I've decided I'm calling the college on Monday, and ask for the best email for these screenshots. I'm mildly terrified, and will possibly be freaking out on Monday and need to vent. I know this is anger, but I just wanted to say thanks for the people encouraging me to do what needs to be done.
I love my boy, and couldn't ask for better. But if I had to get another dog, and could choose.. I would totally want a Pitsky 
When men brush off your frustration at getting proper medical care for ADHD, etc, as a woman.
"Pssht, that shit is over diagnosed."
Do they not know how hard it is for a woman to get taken seriously by a doctor?
Just got a call, doing a LOT of what I currently do, on a possibly better schedule, for more money per hour. AND they will send me equipment.
Dear gods, I hope.
Well, a thing happened today. I need to rename him (The name he has, while from a cool game, the character does things I don't want to chance lol) 
I couldn't /not/ bring him home, it turns out. Sure, he came right up to me and sat on my foot and his head on my knee like "hiiiii." But I just got this.. vibe, that he was not getting everything he needed. They told me he tore his collar and asked me to bring a new one. (Okay.) But yeah. They didn't really tell me much about his food preferences (I asked), what treats he likes (So far, everything), what sort of toys he likes (He didn't seem that interested in Petsmart). You can see he's on the skinny side, too. Like, when he crouches to do business, you can see like all the vertebrae. And they didn't ask me much in the way of anything, before asking if I wanted to take him (He was free.)
He's a big clumsy doofus, it turns out (like someone else I used to know). He has already figured out the queen sized bed is comfy, and if he whines at the door, he will be taken out.
This is my furry soulmate.
My dog expresses my feelings on this morning.