Update

     It's been awhile since I posted, other than a Nov. 11th tribute.  Mostly, I've been mired in apathy.  Oh, I've kept on reading blogs, but haven't commented or posted because it just seemed like too much trouble.
     I also needed to step back to get some perspective because I was getting a little too worked up about issues and controversies and other people's personal problems.  It was starting to seem more real than my real life and that's just not true.  It's an interesting, even fascinating little world we've created here, but the world outside my door is interesting, too.  It's also easier to sit in front of my computer and comment on blogs than it is to contact people and get out to meet them - especially for a true introvert like me.  I fight this battle all the time:  my need to keep in contact with friends and family  vs. my need for a lot of "alone" time.  
     And...... some real life stuff has been happening:  One friend lost her husband, another had surgery, another is moving away.  
     Our daughter learned she has gestational diabetes and is slowly discovering how to take control of her diet.  We had a wonderful visit with her and her husband one weekend for a massive baby shower!  Tomorrow we will spend Thanksgiving with them!
     Lash has been on a roller coaster concerning his next job.  First he was offered work for about 3 weeks in December and then that fell through.  Then he had about 10 days of work but it meant changing our holiday travel plans, then that fell through.  Now he has the certainty of 6 days of work starting this weekend (when we were supposed to be with family) which will be a welcome return to the job front after a summer of no work due to 3 hand surgeries.  Fortunately he's recovering very well and is very glad to be back on the job.  
     We've been doing some long-needed retirement planning including changing some investments and changing our health insurance plan.  That meant a lot of research into our spending habits, past, present and future - not fun!  And meeting with investment advisors, financial planners and insurance agents - also not very much fun - but necessary.
     In general everything is fine with us but we've had some worries about family members, friends and our own future which drew us into real life for a while.
     Spanking has been continuing.  In fact Lash asked me if I had posted already (he knew I was planning to)  and offered to give me something to post about!  He's waiting upstairs for me now!!  I'll let you know how it goes.
     Happy Thanksgiving to all my US friends and have a great weekend to everyone else!