Morphy's Merry Manor

Not only did MrMorphy get approved for disability we got years of backpay as well!

We got the letter two days ago telling us he was approved. We thought (because we were told this) that it would take up to two months for SS to start paying us. I went into our bank website about an hour ago to make sure I didn't have to transfer money from our tiny savings (barely $100) to prevent bounced checks as we had only about $35 to last us until Saturday when my SS would hit.

I saw this huge (to us) five digit balance and figured our bank had made a mistake somewhere. I went into transactions to find out what the "mistake" was so I could call them to fix it. I screamed for MrMorphy to come look when I saw it was from Social Security.

We are beyond happy and into giddy. The three year fight is over!

Oh, that awesome news! And it's awesome to have you back threading!!

FANTASTIC NEWS.

You get some assistance finally and also we get the pleasure of seeing you posting back with us.

I am so happy. xx

WOOT!!! That's amazing news!!

*dances along with Kermit*

That's great news! Congrats!!

Thank goodness! *muppet flail*
What a relief! yayyyyyyy

Wonderful news Morphy!! And thrilled to see you threading as well. :D

>2 drneutron: >3 PaulCranswick: >4 scaifea: >5 ChelleBearss: >6 reconditereader: >7 jolerie:

Thanks, everyone! MrMorphy was thrilled to go to his parents today and surprise them with a check to pay them back for the loan they gave us for our truck two-ish years ago. I bet they thought this day would never come!

Yayyyy, Morphy! So happy for your good news, and to see you back here again!

Welcome back to the group! Good news!

So happy for you and Mr Morphy! And glad you are back with your own thread.

>9 _Zoe_: >10 thornton37814: >11 FAMeulstee: Thanks, all. I'm going to try to do better this year with posting. As much as I think I'm boring, I'll try to post every day or so.

I have a new guilty pleasure. And one I truly get embarrassed about. It's called Love Nikki Dress Up Queen. Yes, it's electronic paper dolls. *sigh* I'm 52 years old playing with paper dolls along with thousands of teenage girls. It's ridiculous. But I love it and it's sooooo addictive. And it's the first time I've ever spent money on micro-transactions, too.

It's just wrong on so many levels. And yet... it brings me such joy. Even MrMorphy helps me out now and then. For instance, if I can't decide (like today) between several hats, I'll call him over to help me make the final decision. And he doesn't mind and even enjoys it a little himself. (As long as I don't ask TOO often.) And sometimes there will be "outfits" just for him. Like one of my four "avatars" is a gothic outfit that he put together himself. I'll see if I can figure out how to post a pic here. It's on my iPad.

Happy New Thread. Glad to see you round the place.

So happy to hear your news! Awesome, awesome, awesome.

And great to see you posting again!

So ...... whatcha reading?

>12 Morphidae: Dude. Don't be embarrassed about something like that. It brings you joy, so do it and be joyous! Also, it sounds totally cool!

A thing that brings joy is immensely valuable!

Morphy! I am so happy to see you with a thread, and I am beyond thrilled that MrMorphy got approved for the disability!! That is so full of fabulous!

>15 scaifea: What she said!

Looking forward to seeing you around, my friend!

This is MrMorphy's "paper doll" from Love Nikki.

I'm very happy we didn't get as much snow as they were predicting. More for MrMorphy as he would have had to shovel it all from my ramp - can't get the snowblower on that! (Even if we had one. One of the neighbors usually snow blows the worst but there are still parts like behind his truck and the ramp he has to do.) We were supposed to get something like 6 to 10 inches and it's been more like 2 inches. There might be another 1 to 3 tonight.

>13 mahsdad: I appreciate the warm welcome back.

>14 streamsong: Still deciding what's next. Something from this list. Probably the Meyer for #10 as it's due back the soonest. Then probably the Fisher from #1 for a F2F group read.

1. Read a book in which the last letter of the author's first name plus the last letter of the author's last name spells a word - The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher (er)
2. Read a book where the author's middle or maiden name is included on the cover - Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George (shared)
3. Rolling challenge: Read a book with a plural noun in the title, going up in alphabetical order - Years by LaVyrle Spencer
4. Pangram rolling challenge: "How vexingly quick daft zebras jump!" - Evicted by Matthew Desmond
5. Read a book where the title includes at least two different words beginning with the same letter - The Girl with all the Gifts by Carey, M. R.
6. Read a book where the author's first name is also the name of a city or village in your state, province or the like - Transmetropolitan by Warren Ellis (Warren, MN - there is also an Ellis, MN)
7. Read a book by a female author who has had at least 3 books published - The Refrigerator Monologues by Catherynne M. Valente
8. Read a book for a project - Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild (1001 Children's)
9. Read a book first published in the last 10 years (2008 or later) - The Boy on the Bridge by M. R. Carey (2017)
10. Read a book that isn't a "book" - Wires and Nerve: Gone Rogue: Vol. 2 by Marissa Meyer (graphic novel)
11. Read a book with something that grows from (or under) the ground in the title - Tallgrass by Sandra Dallas
12. Read a book whose title includes the word “lion” OR a book written by an author with the last name of “Lamb” - A Lion To Guard Us by Clyde Robert Bulla (shared)
13. Read a classic originally published in a language not your own - Death Note, Vol. 4: Love by Tsugumi Oba (Japanese)
14. Read a book with water on the cover - Penric's Mission by Lois McMaster Bujold
15. Read a book that starts with a fire - Under a Flaming Sky by Daniel James Brown (shared)
16. Read a book with a word related to air in the title - Air Awakens by Elise Kova
17. Read a book that features a cat - The Door into Summer by Robert Heinlein
18. Read a book celebrating the special women in your life - The Kitchen God's Wife by Amy Tan

>15 scaifea: >16 reconditereader: Well, it's not like I'm going to STOP playing. LOL.

>17 Crazymamie: I'm posting on MY thread better. Now I'm getting worse on other's threads. I can't win!

Oh, SO happy about the SS decision and FUNDS, Morphy! Yay!!!

Hi Morphy! Joe just told me about the Meyer GN Wires and Nerve. I'm waiting for a hold so I can try the first one.

>18 Morphidae: What's not to like?!

Do what makes you happy, Morphy - cause you being happy makes so many of us happy too. xx

I've seen advertisements for the game WHILE I'm playing another game. You are not alone. :D

Congratulations, Morphy! That's fantastic news!

MORPHY???!!!

Things have been a struggle, sorry. I'm currently in the hospital because my depression got so bad. I should be home tomorrow.

I was also very busy with home health care. I had a nurse 2x/week, a home health aide 2x/week, PT 2x/week, and OT 1/week. It will resume after I get home. Morphy was a busy girl. I've posted a little on Amber's thread.

Sorry to see that you are in hospital. Hope things improve for you. Hugs

After three years, I'm finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel and it's not an oncoming train. I'm feeling like myself again. Morphy just might be back! I feel like my mind's waking up after being in a thick fog. I'm assuming it's because of new meds or getting off old meds. Who knows. Sometimes I hate the pharmaceutical business.

Anyway, I've been struggling to read anything this month but I'm committed to reading Transmetropolitan: Lust for Life - Vol. 2 by Warren Ellis next. A loose goal of mine is to read more graphic novels, focusing on manga but any graphic novel will do. I'm also rereading the Death Note series and am up to Death Note Vol. 7. I'm second in line though for 7, 8, and 9 at the library so there will be a wait before I can continue.

After Transmetropolitan, I'll be reading Tempests and Slaughter by Tamora Pierce. It tells the back story of when Numair Salmalin was a young man at the Imperial University in Carthak. It should be interesting.

As far as movies go, we just finished Avengers: Civil War and in the next week, I hope we'll watch Doctor Strange. I'm really looking forward to it!

I just read Tempests and Slaughter a few weeks ago and enjoyed it, Morphy. Movie-wise, we finally saw Black Panther this week. Glad to hear things are looking better and sending mighty mojo to keep them that way!

So happy to hear that you're feeling better!

I've been meaning to read Tempests and Slaughter, but I feel like I first need to reread all the Alanna and Daine books. So I'll get there one day.

Glad to see you back! Dr Strange is probably my fave of the MCU movies to date, though I haven't seen Infinity War.

>29 ronincats: I'm glad to hear it. I've been heming and hawing over reading it because I've been afraid it wouldn't live up to the other Tortall books. We are many movies away from Black Panther as we are watching them in order but I'm really looking forward to seeing it when we get to that point! I've heard it is excellent.

>30 _Zoe_: I reread all the Tortall books late last year so I don't feel like I need to reread them again, thankfully.

>31 drneutron: Thank you! I'm not sure if I want to see Infinity War until #2 comes out because of, well, you know.

***

I got Transmetropolitan, Lust for Life finished. I was expecting something more like the first one where the comics told a serial story. Instead each comic was a separate story. That threw me off a bit but they were interesting. Ellis is someone I'll have to take in small doses though. I think I need something more light-hearted after this and Death Note. Any recommendations on super popular manga? Something light and funny, preferably?

I have the best home health care nurse. We nudge and wink about how we can't be friends now (but we will once she stops being my nurse.) She lives here in town and we adore each other. I didn't get along with my home health aide at first but after I asked about her family and fed her (a story for another time), she became much more friendly and lost the standoffishness (is that a word?)

I don't have that type of relationship with my OT and PT people, mostly because I see them a lot less often. But that's okay. They are friendly and helpful. I haven't seen them for a few weeks while I was in the hospital and then recouped from my deconditioning. It's something like 3 -5 days loss of conditioning for every day you are bed-bound. And I was in for a week. Basically, I lost everything I had gained. Bummer, but I've worked to regain what I can in the last couple of weeks and while not back where I was, at least I'm not back to where I started at with them! They are scheduled to call me tomorrow to start again.

My mom will be here in just over two weeks. Yikes! Counting down the days in both excitement - I haven't seen my mom in over ten years! I've missed her so much! And anxiety - my house is a mess! I'm a mess! My dog's a mess! Everything's a mess! What are we going to do for food? How are we going to entertain them for five days? Am I going to like her boyfriend in person? Boyfriend? My mom's going to be 72. Manfriend? Lover? What the heck do I call him? I know I like him in theory because I've never known my mom to be this happy but... in person? You know how it goes.

*flails like Kermit in a panic* Ahhhhh!

Glad to hear you're doing ok and sorry it's been a rough time. Perhaps mom's boyfriend is... a "special friend"? Ooh, ooh, a beau. That's it. And nevermind the mess!

I've really been into graphic novels the past few years. It's a great time to read them.

Morphy!! Big hugs, just because.

Also, yay for the Mom visit! I get being both excited and anxious, but I bet it will all go super smoothly and wonderfully. I also bet she won't care a fig about what's for dinner or need to be entertained - she's coming to be with YOU. All the rest is just details.

Also, yay for the Marvel movies! My favorites are the Guardians of the Galaxy movies, Ant-Man, Spider-Man, and any scene with Loki in it. Black Panther is, of course, also excellent and totally amazing, on so many level and for so many reasons.

>33 reconditereader: Oooh! I like beau. And he's pretty traditional, so they'll like it, too. What graphic novels do you recommend? Just three to five for now, please.

>34 scaifea: Amber! Big Norabear hugs right back.

Yeah, that's what she says, too. But all mothers say that and all daughters worry anyway. Don't we? (Okay, most, but you know what I mean.)

Mostly I prefer the origin stories so - Iron Man, Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger, Marvel's The Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy. Surprisingly, I wasn't all that impressed with Ant-Man though. It was good, just not a favorite. I'm hoping to add Doctor Strange, Spider-Man: Homecoming, and Black Panther to the mix. I love GofG the most so far.

Had OT today. We'll have two more visits, one week apart as I'm doing rather well independently. She was only going to do today's visit, but I do better when I have someone here for encouragement and accountability, so I finagled the additional visits.

Nurse visit yesterday was great as always. Not only is she warm and caring, she's also wise. She doesn't let me "wallow" and provides me with different ways of looking at things. I think she'd be a great therapist. But perhaps not. I think she has a hard time saying "no" to people. She's an amazing woman. She came here from the Philippines many years ago with her two small boys (now grown, the youngest is just finishing his senior year of college.)

She was escaping her abusive and powerful husband (rich, politically connected.) Since there is no divorce in the Philippines, until the plane was in the air, he could have grabbed her and the boys at any time. Scary stuff! She got here under a nursing program of some sort, got her license, and has been working hard ever since. She's even helping her boys pay off their student loans as she sees how her co-workers lives are affected in their 30s and 40s and they are still struggling to pay their loans.

The older son is a pilot and the younger is in broadcasting. The one in broadcasting has been offered some amazing internships with major broadcasters whose names slipped my mind at the moment but are biggies like CNN and ABC. He'll be moving to Chicago or New York in the next month or two. Even with the other son being a pilot she's always had one of her "boys" around and she's pretty nervous about being alone.

She sounds like a cool person!

Graphic novels: hard to pick just a few. I tend to read all-ages. An all-ages standalone that's wonderful is Nimona by Noelle Stevenson. I also enjoyed Ladycastle by Delilah S. Dawson (and her other ones too).

You can never go wrong with Lumberjanes! Volume 1 is called Beware the Kitten Holy. Also fantastic is The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl. Volume 1 is called Squirrel Power.

Medium-darker but still mostly YA are This One Summer and Blankets, both of which are pretty famous. They have some trigger warnings.

If you want really dark, Monstress volume 1 by Marjorie M. Liu is amazing.

Gotta stop before I write a huge wall of text!

Hiya, Morphy! Glad to see you back here and starting to feel like your old self.
Enjoy your visit with your mom and her manfriend!

>35 Morphidae: I think Tomm and I love Ant-Man so much because we're both big fans of Paul Rudd, and he's very Paul Rudd-y in that one. I think you'll love Spider-Man, too. Dr. Strange isn't my favorite (too serious, or something, despite having Cumberbatch in it (I love him)). Black Panther you'll absolutely love.

>37 reconditereader: Okay, Nimona is certainly going on Mount TBR Soon. Not only because it sounds fun but because I need a book from a villain's point of view for a challenge and I wasn't looking forward to finding one. This one looks perfect.

Lumberjanes and Monstress are also going on Mount TBR

>38 ChelleBearss: Beau, manfriend, SO... I'll settle on something shortly.

>39 scaifea: Whereas I haven't watched much of Paul Rudd and am not very impressed by him. I did think he was fun in Civil War though. "Oh, you're going to have to take this to the shop." Poor Stark. :D

***

Eeek! Mom will be here in less than a week! But the maids have been in (and back to get what they missed the first time - they didn't pass Morphy's white glove test.) Before they came I spent a frantic few days with MrMorphy's help decluttering the "room from hell," i.e. my crafting area. I had two tables a foot deep or more in papers plus a two drawer file cabinet STUFFED with papers. I cut it down to one drawer and put about 1/4 of what was on the tables into a plastic bin to be filed later. The tables are all cleared off. Yay!

Now I have to nudge MrMorphy into getting the lawn mowed, the laundry done, the new blinds hung, the new outside chair cushions placed (after cleaning the chairs), raking the gravel where the outside chairs and new outside table will be placed by Thursday while keeping caught up with the dishes. Meanwhile, I have my aide, PT, OT, and my church friend showing up Mon - Wed at various times. Whew!

Oh! That reminds me that I have to find my split pea soup recipe so we can make it on Wednesday for Thursday's dinner. Ahhhhhh!

Ahhh....Morphy! I just caught on to the fact that you have a thread again, and I'm delighted that you do. It's good to see you posting, fluttering about. Ain't nuthin' like Mom coming to get the premises in shape, eh? I hope you have a very fine visit, and that you like her gentleman.

Great work! Decluttering is something that I feel like takes *forever* but it feels so nice when it's done.

I'm sure the chores will be fine and you'll enjoy a break to read Nimona. That reminds me, I should re-read it...

Has anyone tried the app Forest?

Hi Morphy, I just found your thread too.

>1 Morphidae: Big (if belated) congratulations!

Enjoy your mum’s visit. My parents usually manage to come by at least once a year and spoil us all rotten, but there’s still always a bit of stress getting ready for them.

Morphy is back!!! I just found your thread because you posted on mine (Thank you!). Sorry you were back in hospital, but glad you are out. Hurray for the SS windfall! Yay!! Hope your house cleaning went well and I am glad you found my gift card to you--it's like gifting you twice since you never spent it the first time! LOL How was your mom's visit and what did you think of her beau? Big hugs. : )

Stopping by to wish you a very happy birthday, Morphy! Is your mom still there? Sounds like you all are having a great time.

Is it your birthday? Happy birthday, Morphy! Hope you have a great day.

Happy happy birthday!!

How are things in the Morphy-verse? Good, I hope.

>41 laytonwoman3rd: We had a fabulous visit and I adore her gentleman friend. He loves her dearly and treats her like the treasure she is. So, of course, I love him!

>44 humouress: It was a delightfully and surprisingly stress-free visit. If you knew my mom, you'd know how astonishing this was. She's probably a) growing older and wiser, i.e. more mellow and b) being influenced by how happy she is with her beau. I've never known her in all my *mumblefiftymumblesomething* years to be this happy.

>45 Berly: See replies above!

>46 ronincats: Thank you for my birthday wish! Yes, she was still there on the 18th, my birthday. It was fabulous.

>47 humouress: >48 Berly: Thank you!

>49 humouress: Yes, good. I'll update more later. I'm finding that I'm missing having people to talk about books with.

>50 Morphidae: Good news! 'Cause if Mom ain't happy, ain't NOBODY happy.

>51 laytonwoman3rd: Hah! Tell that to my 9 year old. He thinks the universe revolves around him.

Hooray and wonderfulness

>51 laytonwoman3rd: Mom was *really* happy (and so was I) because I was able to get her birthday presents after years of nothing. One was a funny gift - a journal that said Be Calm and Play Canasta (inside I put some funny stickers I created from memes about Canasta) - and one was a serious gift - a charm from Pandora.

>52 humouress: Don't all children think that way? :D

>53 reconditereader: Thanks!

***

So, as I said, I've found that I've been missing talking to people about books. It didn't matter much in 2017 because all I did was re-reads (and often re-re-reads or re-re-re-reads or, well, you get the gist.) And the first part of 2018, I didn't much feel like talking about anything.

But now?

I want to complain about how the Death Note books were better before L died. What happened? Near doesn't have a tenth of the charisma. I don't even want to talk about Mello, the over-the-top angsty child-villain. I think the author made a huge mistake.

I want to talk about how I enjoyed Evicted but it was slow going since I couldn't get into the "flow" because I *must*read*the*footnotes.*

I FINALLY finished We! I don't know if anyone remembers but I've been trying to get that read FOREVER and I started four or five times before completing it.

I want to talk about how I FINALLY got MrMorphy to read a book with me, Leviathan Wakes. Well, not so much WITH me as we started at the same time. SOMEBODY finished it in one day before I got to chapter four because I had other things to do. Harumph. He said it was pretty good, gave it a 7/10, and said it reminded him of Blood Music by Greg Bear.

I want to talk about the final Iron Druid book, Scourged. I didn't like the last couple of books in the series (I didn't like Atticus' choices) so wasn't holding out a lot of hope for the finale. But I ended up liking it as much as the first few books. MrMorphy didn't like the head hopping so didn't enjoy it as much as I did. He got confused because Hearne didn't make it obvious in the text whose head you were in. He didn't notice that the chapter graphic changed to match the character (hound for Atticus, bear for Owen, and horse (or deer - can't remember) for Granuaile.

I think I'll stop there for now!

I can't wait to read Scourged! One day I'll probably read Leviathan Wakes, too. How did you convince him to read with you?

Hi, Morphy! I'm just finding your thread now and, boy, did I miss a ton! So excited for you that social security finally came through, and for your mom's visit. I'm going through the Marvel universe too, and will be watching the second Guardians of the Galaxy movie soon. The first is one of my favorites too.

Hope you have a great week!

>54 Morphidae: I know. Most frustrating. I hope it doesn't take too long before he realises it revolves around me.

I haven't disappeared again. I'm so sick. I can barely do anything.

>56 bell7: Thanks for stopping by! We still haven't gotten to Doctor Strange yet. I'm getting pretty frustrated.

>57 humouress: Hey, you need to realize it revolves around me.

Sorry to hear you are so sick, Morphy. Sending get-well-quick vibes!

ETA I was okay with Scourged and thought it ended up the series okay, even though I also don't particularly like the multiple viewpoint structure.

I hope you feel much better soon!

>58 Morphidae: Ha ha. Don't be silly. ;0)

Hoping you feel better soon.

>58 Morphidae: Oh, nuts. Healing vibes coming your way: ~~~~~~~~~~~~

>58 Morphidae: Sickness be gone!! Feel better soon.

Sorry to see you are sick. Hope you recover quickly!

Morphy? Hope things are looking up.

Hey there! Hope you are making progress and we will see you back here soonish! Miss you. : )

*waving*

Hello, everyone! I'll acknowledge posts later. For now I need to vent.

I've spent the last hour scouring the Internet for a quick, easy biography to read by the end of the month. Did you know it is IMPOSSIBLE to find a list of JUST biographies? There are a ton of autobiographies and memoirs mixed in. Some don't have any biographies AT ALL on the list. Does no one know what a biography is? You know, a book written about a person by a DIFFERENT person?

Ugh, I also need a quick book to read that has foil on the cover. I have Song of Achilles but I doubt that it's quick.

>68 Morphidae: That is completely frustrating! Especially that some would...not have a biography at all? Yikes...

For the foil on the cover book you could read a Caldecott or Newbery medal winner---they have the little gold foil seals on them after they win.

I do actually think Song of Achilles is quick! I'm a super slow reader but I finished it in two days because it's so good.

>69 Morphidae: Were you foiled again or did you find an appropriate cover? ; )

> 1 I am so happy that Mr. Morphy was approved for disability and that you received back pay!

Hi Morphy!

(>73 Berly: Oh, Kim!)

>75 humouress: Glad someone got it!! LOL

Hi Morphy!

>73 Berly: >76 Berly: Very punny!

*****

I think many of you remember me talking about my sister-in law's battle with lymphoma over the years. I'm sad to report that she is losing that battle and slipped into unconsciousness this morning. We expect that she will pass tonight or sometime soon. She's in her mid-40's and leaves behind two college-aged children (one freshman and one sophomore) along with my brother.

:(

>77 Morphidae: So sorry, Morphy, sending comforting thoughts to all involved.

>77 Morphidae: Oh I'm sorry to hear that, Morphy. Thinking of you & your family.

I'm sorry, Morphy. Your sister-in-law's long illness and early passing go in the category of "shouldn't happen". Wishing you all peace and strength.

So sorry to hear this, Morphy. Love and prayers to you and Mr. Morphy and all his family.

So sorry your family is going through this.

>78 FAMeulstee: >79 bell7: >80 laytonwoman3rd: >81 ronincats: >82 ChelleBearss: Thanks, everyone. She's fought the good battle for 13.5 years. Three or four times over the years we thought we were going to lose her but she was so determined to get her kids through high school that she made it through every time. My niece started college this fall. It's like she reached her goal and gave herself permission to stop fighting, to rest.

So sorry about your sister-in-law. What incredible strength to push through it for more than a decade and see her youngest into college.

She's rallied a bit. Enough for the family to be able to say their goodbyes. Which is a good thing, I guess? From what I heard, her health failed a lot quicker than they expected and some things were left undone/unsaid because they thought they had a bit more time (weeks instead of days.)

So sorry. Will be praying for you and your family.

Sorry to hear that Morphy. Wishing her and all your family the best.

Sending strength to your family in this tough time.

Big hugs, friend.

When it rains it pours. Our dog, Maia, who has been dealing with COPD the last few years, has been doing very poorly. She's been coughing a lot and fainted yesterday. That was very scary.

The emergency hospital is 45+ minutes away and I don't want to put her through that stress if I don't have to. (More stress = more coughing.) So we are keeping an eagle eye on her and will bring her to the vet first thing tomorrow morning.

This maybe or may not be the end, but it's close and I'm so sad. I've been in tears several times. She's been with us for twelve years, ever since she was a little puppy.

Morphy, I am so very sorry. Keeping you and Ken and Maia in our thoughts and prayers. Hugs to you, my friend.

I'm so sorry to hear about your sister-in law and on top of it your beloved dog Maia. (((Hugs)))

Morphy--I am sorry things are so tough right now. Sending lots of hugs.

>91 Crazymamie: >92 figsfromthistle: >93 Berly: Thanks. MrMorphy will be bringing her to the vet shortly to see what's going on. She's doing a little better this morning.

I hope whatever is wrong with Maia is something easily fixed. Pleased to hear that she is doing better and hope that she continues to improve.

Wow, I've missed a lot of Morphy thread! I don't think I knew you had one. I hope Maia is ok! And I'm sorry about your sister-in-law. I know how much her illness stressed you. I hope your own mental health is holding up through this messy time! And that you had the opportunity to vote, of course. Every vote against the anti-Christ is a vote well voted.

>95 calm: No, it can't be fixed. She's getting "comfort care" now. She has congestive heart failure and COPD. But her Lasix was increased to make it easier for her to breathe. She's not back to her "pre-faint" self, but she is better.

>96 The_Hibernator: Both MrMorphy and I voted about ten days ago via absentee ballot - against the "anti-Christ" and all his minions. LOL. Now we can but hope that those votes can bring our country back in the direction of acceptance, generosity, kindness, and diplomacy.

I'm sorry that Maia's failing. Love her up as much as you can while you can. *Hugs*

Wishing Maia all the best. Sorry to hear she's not doing well.

>97 Morphidae: I just find it funny calling him the anti-Christ since there are people out there who honestly believe that Obama is the anti-Christ. Like, the literal anti-Christ. lol

>98 laytonwoman3rd: That's what we're doing! Just lovin' on her.

>99 humouress: Thanks.

>100 The_Hibernator: Yeah, I'm not a believer in the whole anti-Christ thing but I do find it amusing.

Maia had another fainting spell this morning and isn't recovering as well. She's wobbly when she walks and refused her pills. She's never refused her pills since we've changed to giving them to her in a bit of peanut butter. I have a call into the vet.

:(

So sorry to hear about Maia, Morphy :(

I am so sorry that you are dealing with the grief of losing your sister in law, and now your beloved pet who needs vet care. Sometimes it is almost too much to handle when things seem to come in twos or threes. I care, and hope all will be well.

Morphy, I am so sorry to hear about Maia. My love to you and Mr. Morphy.

RIP

Maia aka "Maia Moo" aka "Little Girl"

September 3, 2006 - November 10, 2018











(Please no comments about the "Rainbow Bridge" - thank you.)

I don't know how to deal with this pain. I've never dealt with this type of grief. We've lost dogs before but this one is hitting me really hard. I've never lost anyone close to me, so this is a totally new experience and I'm feeling bewildered. I'm crying so much. Every little thought of her makes me break out into gut wrenching sobs. How long does this last? It's horrible. My heart and chest HURT.

Morphy, the loss of a pet is a grief like non other. We lost our Sheltie Simon 7 years ago. I still miss him, but the intensity isn't as powerful. I'm thinking of you.

I'm so sorry, Morphy. Some you never do "get over" but eventually you'll be able to contemplate letting another furry love in your life again. I know the kind of pain you're going through and it's awful. Hang in there. It takes as long as it takes to be able to breathe again, and I wish our society had more support for this.

(We still cry about a few of our beloved pets years later, but the pain is less intense.)

Morphy, I am so very sorry. Please know that we are thinking of you and keeping you in our prayers. We lost our Bailey 16 months ago today, and we are still having a hard time dealing with it. I agree with Linda that you never stop missing them, but it does get less intense as you move forward. For us, getting to the one year mark helped because then we had been through each holiday, each birthday, each season without him. I still tear up some times, but it no longer feels like such a huge hole in my heart - now I can look back at all of our memories with him and be so very thankful for the time we had together without completely breaking down. I have lost two other dogs in my lifetime, but Bailey was the one that hit me the hardest - he had such a big heart and so much spirit. We had a special bond, and that is a powerful thing.

Sending you hugs from all of us here at the Pecan Paradisio.

I'm so sorry for your loss. It's always hard to lose your family pet ( I recently lost my cat). Sending a big hug your way!

Hi Morphy - I just found your thread and now feel very sad for you on your loss. Some pets are extra special and their loss is a huge wrench.

So sorry to hear that Morphy.

I told MrMorphy to get rid of everything right after she passed. Thankfully he didn't because today I had him pull out her "blankie" and I've kept it close. It makes me feel like a toddler but it's been a comfort to me. I found myself getting angry today about how it "wasn't fair" - which is silly I know but I guess it's a natural part of grieving.

I'm so sorry Morphy, Maia was with you for a long time and of course it hurts. Take care of yourself and Mr Morphy. {{{hugs}}}

Sorry to read about Maia. Losing a pet family member is always difficult.

>114 Morphidae: Oh, no...Morphy...nothing about grieving for a dear sweet furry love is silly. Not one thing. There is no other love like what you shared with Maia, and it will take a while to find out how to keep it in your heart without her.

>115 calm: >116 thornton37814: >117 laytonwoman3rd: Thanks for your support and caring.

Warning: The rest of this post is very emotional and painful. I'm sorry if this bothers you but I've never experienced anything like this. I need to get it out and share it with someone.

I haven't cried today but I think it's because I'm totally wrung out after yesterday. MrMorphy picked up Maia's cremains yesterday. I was going to get an urn but I liked the carved wooden box that came with the basic package the best.

I couldn't handle dealing with the box right away so he took it into his "man cave." A few hours later I asked what else came with it as there were supposed to be grief materials with it. Going through the bag, which also included things like flower seeds and a card for a donation made in Maia's name, was a card with her paw print and some of her fur. I just lost it. It was like the first hour and losing her all over again.

I pet her fur, curled my body around the cremains box, rocked and sobbed my heart out. My chest physically hurt. It felt like my heart was breaking in two.

And -now- I'm crying. God, this hurts so much. What do you do with this much pain? How do people survive this?

I don't know how we survive, but we do. We do. You will.

Oh, Morphy! I am so sorry you have lost your Maia. It is better to grieve the way you are and not try to hold it in. Sending you lots of hugs.

Survive - one day at a time and even as it gets easier there are times when all those emotions come flooding back. Just be kind to yourself and accept that things hurt, it is part of being humane and caring. {{{Hugs}}}

I don't know how to survive it except one minute at a time. And remembering what a good and happy life our pets had with us, so much better than they would have had in the shelter, and all the love we gave them.

Sending you hugs if you want them.

>119 laytonwoman3rd: It's not so bad today. I'm still crying every day but it's because I'm sad rather than heartbroken. I guess that's improvement.

>120 Berly: Oh, I'm not even trying to hold it in. As I said to MrMorphy, when I'm depressed, I can "fake" being happy or at least neutral. There is no faking possible right now.

When I get upset, it all bursts out. No control at all. As the shrinks would say, I'm "emotionally labile."

>121 calm: Heh. I'm soooooo humane right now.

>122 reconditereader: We're trying to remember some good things. Like how she liked tummy rubs and ear skritches. How she would toss her head and spin in a circle when excited. How she would bark and growlf at the silliest things - putting my laptop down, the click of the Parmesan container closing, the rustle of a garbage bag, putting a pot on the oven. Bedtime kisses. Behind-the-ear licks. The "I have to go potty" stare. Side strokes. Back wiggles. Digging at the carpet to "bury" her chew bone. My reading buddy...

I always want hugs.

*some more hugs*

Hi Morphy! I hope things are going a little better for you today. Wish we could get together soon, but it looks like it won't happen till after the new year, at this point. At the very least. When I finish my partial hospital program, it's possible they'll put me in a 12 week intensive outpatient program, which will take up a lot of my time.

Morphy, have you been over to the Bad Joke thread in the Green Dragon (which I believe you started)?

On the other hand, it might make you feel worse; they are pretty awful.

>124 reconditereader: Thank you. I need one. Today is hard for some reason.

>125 The_Hibernator: I understand. Baby hormones can do the craziest thing. As soon as you are up for it, I'd love to see you.

>126 humouress: I stopped following that thread long ago. Too incredibly painful. LOL!

***

If any 75ers or LTers feel so inclined, a fundraiser for my SIL (brother's wife), April, was created in lieu of flowers. The donations will go to One Love Animal Rescue in Savannah and Lymphoma and Leukemia Society (50%/50%.)

https://www.gofundme.com/celebrating-april-hames

Thank you for sharing that with us. Let's hear it for November being almost over! Whew, it's been a tough one.

*hugs*

Happy holidays Morphy!

Happy Holidays!

Hope you have a wonderful Christmas!

Merry Christmas to you and yours! Looking forward to a very bookish 2019

Thinking of you, Morphy. I know this holiday may be difficult, but I hope you can find some peace, and a bit of light.

Happy holidays, dear Morphy. xx

Seasons Greetings from Singapore! Wishing you and your family joy, peace, good fortune and good health now and in the coming year.

Happy New Year's Eve!!