Thanks Shari... I am keeping my mind set that things will get to a point where I can be a LOT more independent. And I have been and continue to explore options if I'm not able to get back to a level of complete independence. I've even put myself on the waiting list for section 8 housing. It's a FIVE YEAR WAIT! So I guess you could say I'm planning ahead... just in case. Hehe

I will be having a talk with my sister very soon. My mom is going to drive home from college with her this weekend. I'd rather do it in person since its not far off. My sister has been undergoing a major metamorphosis of her own the last few months and even weeks. She's had a rough year emotionally with everything going on in my family and not being physically present. And as the younger sister by four years she's used to me being there for her more than the other way around. Things will be ok with us. I'm really not worried about it at this point. In fact, I'm an extremely proud sister right now... seeing how much growing up she's done in the last few weeks... getting comfortable in her own skin for the first time in her life. So yeah...
I had two friends I hadn't seen since we were all 13 come over this past weekend. It was a really... no I'm for once at a loss for words to describe how good it felt. I wrote a poem about it last night. Maybe I'll post it later.
Kathylee - Thanks for the bottled water tip. I will definitely check it out. And of course run it by my doctors since I'm on nearly 30 meds and on a special diet.
Take care!
-Lauren