1 Hooray to the cavalry:-) May they nevr be frightened by bats or pox or builders. Or PMS. Lily

2 I'm so glad your parents are there to help!

3 Hope you enjoy having your parents with you..an couple of extra pairs of hands are worth their weight in gold, hey! Hope Nick is feeling better soon and Nora doesn't feel too poorly when (if?) the pox hits her.

4 So glad you have some relief in to help out. Breathe, relax, find some wine and piece of cheese! ;-)

5 Oh dear. I'm glad you have help now, because christ almighty, otherwise you might lose your damn mind and we don't want that. Fuckin' pox...

6 Grandma! Woo hoo!!!!

7 Hooray for the reinforcements! And especially, YAY for no new pox on the poor little man!

8 Hooray for the cavalry! And hooray for no new spots on Nick! Here's hoping Nora got them and was just pock-less for hers... you need a time of less stress SOON.

9 I had the chicken pox when I was twelve. (The week I got better was the week when the vaccine became available in my area for the first time ever.) Typically they are worse as you get older, so I feel Nick's pain. I had them everywhere. I even had them in my throat and that made it hard to eat and swallow (and terribly painful). I hope it all gets better soon.

10 I got this email, it made me smile, and it sounds like you could use a funny today... Excerpts from a Dog's Diary: 6:00 am - At last! I go pee! My favorite thing! 8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing! 9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing! 9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing! 10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing! 12:00 pm - Lunch! My favorite thing! 1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing! 3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing! 5:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing! 6:00 pm - They're home! My favorite thing! 7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing! 8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing! 11:00 pm Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing! Excerpts from a Cat's Diary: Day 983 of my captivity: My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am. Bastards! There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage. Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow but at the top of the stairs. I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.

11 I send you calm thoughts, chocolate, good wine and lots and lots of cheese. Im rooting for you and your sanity!

12 EEEKS! Never a dull moment with you, H! Between the bats and the pox it seems like you have your hands full...I hope everything improves soon. Much love to you! -Watson