Hopefully, it really is good news for your step-mom. I'll keep sending prayers and good energy for all of you.

That's scary about the hot water heater. Eeek! Thank goodness you found it before there was a fire.

I was telling Patrick and some friends that occasionally I take cold showers anyway just so that if I was ever in a Turkish prison the cold shower would at least not be so bad. Apparently, that's weird.

Naaaaah! Not weird at all! ;P