Yes, there's a reason the title is plural...

...and I'm here.

Thanks to LCS for keeping this kickin'--I've been reading, sometimes, folks, but have had no time for posting. It's been near-insanity (or what passes for that in our mostly mellow, relatively stress-free lives) here in the middle east. As LCS noted a few posts ago, there are quite a few bees buzzin' in this ol' family tree:

1. First, and most seriously, our mom has cancer. Yes, that c word that fills all hearts with dread. It's nearly impossible to imagine this happening to her. Really, I thought? (In fact, my first words were, "you're joking." Duh. What a clever reaction to have.) But seriously...our full-of-energy, ready-to-go, laugh-and-drink-some-more-coffee mother? It hardly seems possible. Or at least, it hardly did several weeks ago. We've been through the incredulous stage and are now in some adjusted stage of reality...I'm glad LCS is close enough to our parents to go see her more. I can't wait to be closer so we can too. Yes, it's "manageable" cancer...for what that's worth. Just another reminder for me that any of my tiny little life events are manageable too.

2. Our house sold, which is very excellent, and it sold quickly, which is also very excellent but brought the commensurate panic. We are packing, packing, packing...and somehow we'll fit it all into one of these Go Minis. It'll be delivered Saturday (and that day, of course, I also have a 5-hour portfolio assessment to both help coordinate and participate in; we have a birthday party of a good friend as well). The storage vessel then sails forth on Wednesday; we clean on Thursday and close on Friday! Then, having packed perfectly, we'll head off to live with some very good friends here for a month or so. Also thrown in that time is a trip to the Left Coast and to New Mountain State--did I mention that dear husband has not yet seen our New Fair City? :)

3. My sister-in-law is approaching the end of her pregnancy. She lives a long, long, looooong ways away, and I feel pulled in that direction as well. I won't go into details here, but her last pregnancy was very, very difficult and filled with heartache...and we were here, and they were there. I want to be there and can't.

#s 1, 2, and 3 then converge next Friday: it's the date of our mom's surgery; it's our closing date; and it's the due date of my SIL. For #2, may I not forget to always add my middle initial when I sign my name 5000 times. For # 1 and 3, may health and peace result.