Dear So and So

[Becky]

Dear Laptop-

First, your battery life went to he!! in a handbasket, and now the battery won't charge at all I sincerely hope that the new battery that I just ordered fixes the problem....it really wasn't money that I had planned on spending!

Love,
Grouchy

[Blueberry]

Thank you Tulip, Mimi, Roxy & Owlie - I'm feeling better about my decisions, and do plan to stick to my guns

[NbyNW]

Dearest wet puppydog,

I love you very much, but please let me eat my dinner in peace.

Love,
That person who takes care of you when your "fun parent" is away.

[ultraviolet]

Dear half-siblings,

Honestly? No, the amount of money my parents seem to spend on travel and entertainment does not concern me. It shouldn't concern you, either. It's none of our business.

They've told you on numerous occasions that their burial arrangements have already been handled, so no one need be concerned about that. Their house is paid for in full, they have no out-of-pocket medical expenses because dad spent 30+ years of his life serving in the military, they only make big purchases with cash, the two credit cards they have are paid in full every month, and they spent their entire working lives together planning and saving for their retirement so they have a pretty decent handle on their finances.

In case you need a reminder, dad is 82 years old now and he has cancer...on top of plenty of other issues. He also loves to travel and gather new experiences, so that's what my mother is trying to make sure he gets to do in the time between all of his medical appointments, tests and scans.

If this is how they want to spend their money, shut up and let them have at it.

Somehow, I think your concern is less about their financial well-being and more about how much you think you'll be getting after dad passes. Buttheads.

Annoyed,
/me

[Crankin]

+1 Blueberry.
I am a firm believer in setting firm boundaries or even excluding relatives who are toxic. I have some friends who think I am incredibly mean and uncaring, but, I need to be around people who are positive and mentally healthy, not manipulative and needy.

[Biciclista]

To whom it may concern
It really was crazy to let our Italian friends stay with us for almost 2 months! Screaming baby, backed up sink, no peace and quiet, oh my, the quiet. DH took them to the airport tomorrow and I walked around the house in a daze - it seemed so empty. We're really going to miss them. It was an opportunity of a lifetime and now it's over.
When opportunity knocks, say yes and don't look back. I'm glad we did.

[mudmucker]

Dear Health Care Gods:

Thank you for letting me find myself in a situation where I have excellent health care benefits, and an employer who offers a choice for these benefits. After $750, I pay nothing. And even up to 2 years ago, I didn't even have that deductible. This is the summer of the second oncologist, the first, still my pal for another 3.5 years. Over the last 2 months with at least 24 blood draws, an MRI, a couple of ultrasounds, and as of 2 days ago a core axillary lymph node biopsy with 5 samples, they are looking for a possible new cancer. I've looked online at the new claims I no longer have to pay. Wow - I certainly have gotten my money's worth out of all the years of premiums I've paid. It's funny, after going through the first cancer, biopsies, waiting for results, visits to the cancer wing simply feel like going to my primary for strep throat or something. Get it done, then on my way an off to work like any other day. It's that routine. I do not fret, I'm not anxious, I have fun, I sleep at night, and I enjoy my vacation. Fate will play it's way into your life in one way or another. Just live with optimism

Speaking of which, I hope RaleighDon is doing ok.
And Marni seems to be on her way.....