almost off to bed. Watched Farscape - the crazy DNA scientist one. Show is getting more intense.

{{Cass}} I am so, so sorry.

Spoke to my sister. She's off maternity leave as of Monday, goes back to work. She cannot WAIT. She asks me, "why do I keep having babies that cry ALL THE TIME? I feel like God is angry at me." And, not in a joking way. In a real tired, aggravated way. (I've never heard her be so close to... I don't know, the edge.) And she feels so guilty about being so happy to get away from them for a few hours at a time. Sigh. I feel terrible for her. I wish she lived closer, so I could at least help her out more. I'm going to send her some ~ma that she has a good day with both her kids tomorrow, some sleep tonight and tomorrow night (the baby is up every 2 hours, maximum), and not be so harried by the time Monday comes along.

And maybe she finds out she misses them a little, just because I think she'll feel a bit better about her maternal instincts. And her kids in general.

Nora, there are days when I yearn for more than a few hours on my own. Babies drain you of every ounce of energy, thought and even self at times. I spent four hours away this afternoon, just running errands by myself and it felt really good to be just me for awhile. Of course, when I walked in the door and Owen smiled and laughed and crawled to me, my heart melted and I became that mommy-person again.

It all balances out. I hope your sister gets some rest (which, I'm sure, would bring her away from the edge a bit) this weekend. I'll pass some sanity-ma her way.

When I'm off visiting my sisters, I sometimes think it would be nice to have them closer to help out, but geography is what it is. I try not to dwell on that.

There were times I'd get called, "Jim, uh, Mike, I mean...Ellen!" when being called for dinner.

My grandmother did this all the time. I'd be standing right there and get "Brenda..Donna..Billy..oh shit, who are you..." (She knew full well who I was, but something inherent made her shout the name of everyone she'd ever met in her lifetime before she'd get to me.) My mom did it to me about a year ago, and I just pointed, mouth open with fiendish glee. She realized what she'd done, said "SHUT UP! I am NOT!" and walked away.

I cannot even say how amused I am that I have shippers.

Hee! Now, everytime I see a nice teacup I'll be all 'Aww, remember the episode time when Teacup Dude gave sj that teacup? That was awesome."

(((Cass))) May your bath be soothing and glittery.

Cass, take care of yourself. Today was traumatic, but it's a tough stretch for the next few months too.

JZ looks super cute now. She's played with her eye makeup, dyed her hair (it looks like cherry cola), and I just trimmed her bob last weekend so it's extra short and sassy. She put on the pretty vintage dress she bought last week and I took a few pictures. Emmett's busy vacuuming up pine needles (with the promise of pay for his labors, of course).

There were times I'd get called, "Jim, uh, Mike, I mean...Ellen!" when being called for dinner.

My grandmother did this all the time. I'd be standing right there and get "Brenda..Donna..Billy..oh shit, who are you..." (She knew full well who I was, but something inherent made her shout the name of everyone she'd ever met in her lifetime before she'd get to me.) My mom did it to me about a year ago, and I just pointed, mouth open with fiendish glee. She realized what she'd done, said "SHUT UP! I am NOT!" and walked away.

This is a genetic flaw in my family.

I started doing it myself recently. Scary when the list of names includes all the pets.

When are you posting these pictures, Hec? Sounds like a great look for JZ.

There were times I'd get called, "Jim, uh, Mike, I mean...Ellen!" when being called for dinner.

My grandmother used to do this chronologically. My aunt, my mother, my two older cousins, then me. She would stop when she got to the right name.

When are you posting these pictures, Hec? Sounds like a great look for JZ.

When we finish the roll, I suppose. But if you see Deb's TV makeover thingie you'll probably catch a glimpse of JZ there.

Jacqueline is reading a history of the French Quarter now, and has just encountered "the best riot ever!" I'll let her share the details (which will have special interest to Betsy), but will note it involved ballroom dancing.

But if you see Deb's TV makeover thingie you'll probably catch a glimpse of JZ there.

I have my DVR set to record it.

I have the DVR set, now I just need to remember to set my alarm, so I can be up and drinking coffee when it starts. I am so looking forward to this.