howdy everyone.
Nat- i have only one sibling (married with two kids), but my extended family (6 aunts, 6 uncles, 15 cousins who are mostly younger than me by a long shot, plus their kids) all live on farms near by my parents' place. so when my brother and family, and dh and i (we are all in colorado) come to visit, we usually get at least one day of everyone hanging out, playing cards (pitch), and being crazy -- at least 26 folks, but if everyone makes it, about 41. paris sounds much better than cleaning the fridge. what a trip! paris was my favorite city when i bummed my college loans away pretending to study in florence. sounds like you are doing the whole tour -- wow!

spring- the castle is a classic -- i also love the "it's the vibe" quote. it applies to so many situations. it may even take over my other favorite "it really ties the room together" quote from "the big lebowski". re your thoughts about the hospital sneaking up on you, ikwym, the mind isn't always a friend anymore. the past is painful and the future frightening, but the mind always likes to take trips there from the present without permission. hugs.

Mel- i hope you are feeling better and eating ice cream for the tonsilitis. any excuse to eat ice cream.

i'm thinking of taking a trip this weekend with dh to visit his sister, who just had a baby boy three weeks before Yeti was born. it is so painful to see dh and family fuss over him, and to feel my jealousy and not be able to kick the feeling to the curb. i guess it will be good for me, though, to spend time with dh and his family and my new nephew. dh wants me to come, as long as i don't go into a deep depression. i'm not sure i can promise that? but i want to be a part of the family and to deepen my relationship with dh. so i'll go and try to stave off the depression beasties. hugs to all. m