The universe needs to cut everyone a break, please

[alee_grrl]

I just got some very bad news. I'm coping as well as one can. I have my heart sisters with me, but wanted to let my friends here now what was going on in case I'm not online much in the near future.



My uncle called me today. My father is in the hospital, and the diagnosis is not good. He apparently has stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He is currently in North Dakota as that is where he was (he job required a lot of travel) when he went into the ER for what he thought was gallstones. He and my uncle are hopeful (and apparently the Doctor's aren't saying absolutely not) that they will be able to drive my dad back to Spokane, WA, where they are planning on working with the same agency that helped in my grandmother's last months. I will be talking to folks at work and trying to set up a leave of absence, and then traveling to either Spokane or Bismark (depending on whether they can actually move my father or not). The prediction is 3 months, but to be honest that is optimistic.

I was already talking to my employer about changing positions and lessening my hours because I have not been happy in this position since I started back in March, and I am finally admitting to myself that I may not be able to work full time for a while yet. I'm not quite sure about how this will play out at work. I do know that I am eligible for FMLA at the very least, which will cover me for 12 weeks. The rest will work itself out.

Recommendations for fluff are welcome.

Comments

[jjhunter]

Oh love. Want to find a time we can talk sometime this week, or v-chat over a meal or something? My schedule's a bit ridiculous at the moment, but I can rearrange stuff around if we schedule in advance.

Much love, and remote hugs. Off the top of my head for recs, SailorPtah's Existence is the Most Exciting Thing of All is not so much fluff as heart's richness and action mixed with grace. (Also, the worldbuilding!) It's a Welcome to Night Vale - His Dark Materials fusion, and you might be able to enjoy regardless of whether you knew either canon (but if you know one, oh wonder, and if you know both, holy zonkers wow).

[alee_grrl]

If we can it would be lovely to chat at some point this week.

Thank you for the rec. I haven't made it through all of Nightvale's episodes, but am familiar with the show. I am also familiar with His Dark Materials. A fusion of the two would be interesting.

[jelazakazone]

Well, crap. <3 <3 Just sending lots of love.

Also, I will be free for lunch Wed-Fri and Monday, if you are up for it, want some company. Kids are going out of town for a week! Let me know if I can do something, anything. <3

[alee_grrl]

Thank you. I may take you up on that. I will be working out logistics for taking time of work tomorrow morning. Not sure about anything after that, but lunch later in the week might be nice.

[jelazakazone]

Ok. It can be totally spur of the moment too, as I am hermiting myself away when the kids are gone (for the most part):D Take care of yourself and if you are not up for lunch, I completely understand.

[alee_grrl]

Thanks.

[raze]

:( Oh, no. I am so very, very sorry; my heart just sank when I saw the cut warnings on this post. I know I don't live nearby, but if there is ANYTHING I can do to help you in any way - even if you just want to talk to someone - please let me know. You are your family will be in my thoughts.

[alee_grrl]

Thank you. Right now I am in "try to distract self a little" mode.

[zirconium]

What awful news. I will be thinking of you and your family, and wishing you strength and ease and help with what needs doing.

[alee_grrl]

Thank you.

[sulien]

Good Gods. I just don't have the words. Huge virtual hugs and every positive vibe I can scrape together are going to you and your Dad.

Here is a collection of several links for some pretty awesome fluff, mostly crossovers. These are the stories that I go and re-read when the universe is being evil and I hope they give you at least a little respite while you're reading. The last one is not 'fluff' at all, but it is an excellently plotted and characterized series of stories set in an alternate universe of Buffy the Vampire Slayer that is huge and can keep you reading for quite a while, even if you read fast.

"The Reality Theory Convergence", a BtVS/Big Bang Theory crossover

"Darcy Lewis, Vampire Slayer" In which Darcy Lewis, Dr Jane Foster's assistant, is a potential slayer who is activated by Willow's spell. This series is a crossover with "Thor" and "The Avengers" and is pretty much pure fluff and one great ride.

"Hello, My Name Is..." Oz goes on a job interview at the SGC.

"Curiosity..." Methos gets into a lot more than he bargained for. Highlander/Stargate

"No Duuuun-dun Duuuuun-Dun In This Dimension, Ever!" What happens when Buffy accidentally gets teleported just off shore from Amity Island. Complete and utter crack!fic.

"To See is to Disbelieve" What happened when John Sheppard decided to drive through Los Angeles on his way to Cheyenne Mountain, and what happened much later. Stargate/Angel crossover

"Overwhelming Coolness" SG-1 isn't always, so cool, calm and collected... Another complete crack!fic that should come with a warning against eating or drinking while reading.

"The True Story of When They Went A-Wandering" Stargate: Atlantis fluff fic with lots of laughs.

"The Husband of Sha'uri" SG-1/Mummy crossover.

"Kirkendorf's Tribe" Stargate Atlantis team goes on a mission and hilarity ensues. No food/drink while reading warning.

"The Zen of Dancing" How Samantha Carter dances. Pure fluff and a great read. The sequel, "Come Dance With Me" is also awesome. Canon SG-1 Sam/Jack, rated G.

"A Different Future" is a series of AU stories of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, post season 4, that centers on Cordelia. This isn't fluff by any means, but it definitely has humorous moments, as well as some badness (on a par with series canon). It also manages to correct a lot of the horrible things that happend in series canon while actually turning Cordelia into a really likeable character. This series of stories is a crossover with NCIS, JAG, Stargate and quite a few other things, but the crossovers are all made in such a way as to blend completely seamlessly and make sense; and the characters are even all in voice. Story 2 and 3 (which are actually the first two, 1 is a prequel) are completely self-contained and complete, the rest are linked and more of one long story starting at story 4. Story 7, "Key to the Stars", takes some of the characters to another galaxy entirely, where the author does some of the best world-building I have ever seen anywhere, including that of award winning published authors. If you decide to read this, start with story 2, "Making the Quota", then work forward from there. Story 1 takes place between season 3 and season 4 of Buffy (and season 1 of Angel) and can be read completely separately, but is not finished. Since you're an avid reader, this might take you a week to 10 days to read on its own.

[alee_grrl]

Thank you. I love crossovers and fluff so thank you for those recs. Several are ones I know I'd enjoy re-reading.

[lynnoconnacht]

Oh, hun. *good thoughts, so many good thoughts* <3

[alee_grrl]

Thank you.

[shanaqui]

I'm sorry.

Fluff-wise, can't remember anything about fandoms and pairings, but this is snuggly Steve/Bucky? Here.

[alee_grrl]

Snuggly Steve/Bucky is perfect. Thank you.

[calissa]

Oh, I am so sorry. *hugs* Wishing you much love and many cups of tea.

Also, have some fluff.

[alee_grrl]

Thank you. *hugs back* There have been many, many cups of hot drinks laden (coffee and tea both).

Those goslings are far too cute. I love the little spherical fluff ball in that first photo.

[calissa]

I am very glad to hear you're looking after yourself.

I quite enjoy that blog. There are some amazing bird photographs.