Hi gals.
Nic---I've never had PF, knock on wood, but it doesn't sound fun. Thankfully it sounds like you're in pretty early stages and can turn it around with awareness and the right shoes. Then tendonitis and the wart. And of course, the dog bite (so glad the is healing well and fading into the past, antibiotics and all--- that was a nasty one!) Anywho, know now active you like to be so very frustrating for you. IMO, let yourself be a little crabby over it all. I find I get tired of my crabby self when she has outlived her usefulness.
So cool how well T is doing! They really do grow up, although there are days you wonder if you have the only child that will not, your very own Peter Pan.
Jaz---I swear, no matter what the job---on staff or freelance---those first weeks/months of a new job/client are the worst. Trying to get the lay of the land and adjust to all the new rules. Ugh, the module thing would drive me cray cray, but we do what we must. And wowza, certification in ALL 50 states? That is a very big ask.
OTOH, once you finish jumping thru their initial hoops, you have done the hard stuff, adapted and, drumroll, are working from home! And you betcha I understand why you love it.
I had a really good gig for a very long time---working from home 75% of the time, then out and about doing production and styling for the other 25%. It was a great mix. But yeah, imo, no matter how it works, working from home is the best. Some don't like it, miss the "community/company" of the office. Luckily I was always able to find that in other ways and know you're the kind of person who can too. Oh my, so many snowy icy mornings I reveled in my cozy house, just coffee, computer and fuzzy socks=paycheck
Trig---You are on your way to your happy place, or already there, as I type. I m SO HAPPY FOR YOU. Know how much this will refresh you. Also glad you took your laptop and hope you do send some pix.
And OMG, the bird's nest in the dryer tube! Man, I love animals and nature et al, but I do like it when we all have our nice little part of the world without surprising each other too much
I'm sure I've mentioned the time I found a bat all curled up and sound asleep in the sleeve of my bathrobe. Yeah, like I said, you get your place, I get mine, little guy. Although I wasn't that calm about it at the time.
Lori---I love reading about your box dinners. I know a couple of pals who swear by them. Nice to just have it all there and ready to prepare and sounds like you have had several you really like. Seems the last ones you were ordering demanded more prep/cooking? Am I understanding correctly that these new ones are more like from the box right into the microwave?
Good to hear you're all vaccinated. Most people I know have NOT had a reaction to either shot, although a few have had a minor one to the second shot. But they say that's actually a good thing---showing your immunities are armed and ready to roll. Funny thing for me. Almost 2 weeks after my first shot, I had a day I felt crappy, aches and chills and I actually ran a temp of 101.7---highest I can remember having in I don't know how long. Then talked to a pal in my hometown, same thing happened to her. Delayed reaction to shot? Maybe, particularly in a winter when the flu was practically non-existent. Lasted 24 hours and then was gone. No reaction whatsoever to second shot, which I had over 2 weeks ago.
Hope your Sissy carries through and comes to stay with you soon. So nice for all of us to get out and about in a safe way. I think you said she's been vaccinated too? This makes for a less stressful visit, lots less worry.
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Really tough last month. In a couple of ways. I find as I get older that when the going gets rough, I get quieter. Not in a bad way, mostly. But in a way that allows me some spiritual space from all the business of living sometimes---time to just BE who I am at the moment, time for revery, time for grief. The luxury of stepping out of the hive and the buzz. This has allowed me some very concentrated work on our book, which I find just the right distraction, so that has been a silver lining.
And then after awhile, one misses the hive and the buzz.
Getting there. Last week/weekend we went out to dinner for our anniversary---first time inside a restaurant in well over a year---had hubby's cousin and wife over for a Saturday lunch, and then joined my brother and family for Easter. Saw my nephews for the first time in forever, met one new great nephew who came along in the middle of the THING.The day was beautiful, so we spent our time before and after dinner outside. It felt so...normal. Never thought "normal" could be so fun. Silver lining of the THING---increased appreciation for the little things, which in the end somehow always end up being the big things.
But OMG, I was so exhausted after those three outings in close proximity. I am very out of shape when it comes to socialization energy.
I have a funny story to tell y'all about hubby and weight, and I think I hear the canary singing. Change is going to happen with our woes. Now we just have to decide how. More on this when I know, but yeah, I can feel it coming around the bend.
Little Peckerheads! 
I was hoping we'd play Saturday before the rain comes in Sunday, but she has yard work she wants to get done. She is single and owns a home, so she has lots of things to take care of....I understand, but I'm still disappointed. 
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