*nice horseback ride mid-day
*new windshield wipers! No more squeaking!!!
*snuggles with my tabby cat
* getting excited for an upcoming beach trip
*long warm shower

Hello all,

Thanks so, so much for the kind words, encouragement, and compassion. It really has been cheering me up.
Some good news: My mil has pretty much agreed to no longer drive. She has a doctor's appointment on Tuesday, and the doctor is going to suggest decluttering and cutting down on responsibilities. The plan is to arrive at the topic of the dogs, make it a conversation, give my mil options. I am reminding myself that my mil isn't doing any of the things she's doing because she's mean or selfish (she really, really isn't; she's an amazing lady, and we all love her very much) but because her judgment is impaired. It's helping. I'm also trying to let go of some of the resentment towards my husband. He really is doing the best he can in a very, very challenging situation, and we need to be working together on this.

A joy dot for me lately has been that a local, small business soup delivery service has started up again. I picked up 2 pints of lentil-meatball soup this morning and have some broccoli-cheddar-chive soup as well. Great meals with some add ons. Tonight is going to be the lentil-meatball soup with a side veggie, either a salad or roasted delicata squash. I am going to eat the broccoli soup with my breakfast. When I'm stressed, upping the veggies is key to my sanity...

I will keep reporting as needed and perhaps join the friends and family list once I feel ready for it. Thanks again so much.

Verena