{{{{-t}}}} I'm so very sorry.

Oh, -t, I'm so sorry. There are never any words that seem right at a time like this.

Do we know any lawyers who might be willing to send a nice threatening e-mail to a couple of websites for not very much money?

No doubt many of the Buffistae legal brains can write good threatening email. I did hear a rumor that Perkins was an out of work slacker at the moment.

-t, I am so sorry. {{{-t}}}

I'm putting in a vote for a name like Ella, Ellen, Eleanor, Elise, Elaine, Eliza, Elizabeth or Eloise, because I just think it gives the girl more options later on, if she wants to run for president or be a Supreme Court judge.

I'm a big, big fan of formal names on birth certificates for this very reason. I figure even if the kid never aspires to the halls of power, the formal name looks more dignified on college applications, resumes, etc.

How about Elena? It's high on my list of names I like but can't persuade DH to ever consider.

T, so sorry. My thoughts are with you.

DH and I both like the name Ellie for our baby. I think her birth certificate needs to say something more formal (although we would call her Ellie) but he thinks it's fine the way it is. I'm curious what you all think about the need for a person, particularly a woman, to have a "formal" name.

My full name is Kathy and I like it. Over the years, I've had people ask me what my "real" name is or even gone ahead and changed my name to Katherine or Kathleen because they figured Kathy just couldn't be the full thing. I must admit, it gets annoying, but at the same time, it's fun to watch people's faces when you correct them.

At the same time, I've had friends who have longer names but go by nicknames and they have to correct a lot of people to get to the name they prefer.

{{-t}} I hope hugs are enough for now, there's really nothing to say in this situation that can make it better. Just that, there will always be hugs when you need them and a cushy shoulder to cry on.

{{Deena}} I haven't caught up on yesterday's posts yet, but I can see from today's comments that Aidan has been diagnosed as autistic. My heartfelt wishes go out to you. I know that you are a remarkable woman and you will handle this with much grace and love.

ION, my feet are sore. Perkins and aurelia walked my fanny off (I wish) in downtown Chicago. In desperation, I was forced to buy a pair of Pumas to put my feet out of their misery. I am officially in love with a pair of shoes, now.

Oh, -t, I'm so sorry.

They smoked in your FAC, Teppy? Color me surprised, because while most of my non-Baptist Christian friends drink, I can't think of any offhand that smoke. Though a lot of the Baptists, at least the rural Alabama ones, smoke.

They smoked like chimneys and drank like Nick and Nora Charles. They were big on saying that *real* sin issues were character issues, like selfishiness, and uncontrolled anger, and selfishness, and selfishness, and oh, did I mention selfishness?

My mother quit smoking because she got bronchitis all the time.

My last roommate was a periodic smoker, and every single time she quit, she would get bronchitis within a week after.

Also, I knew a guy who was christened "Jimmie" who got quite touchy about the number of people who asked him about his "real" name.

My Dad's name -- on his birth certificate -- is Jack. Not John. For years I didn't even know that Jack was a nickname for John (and I still don't understand the derivation, but anyway), until the day that a classmate informed me that only hillbillies would christen their son with a nickname rather than a real name.

I really kind of hated where I grew up.

I've always gone by Ginger, which is a nickname. While it's sometimes a little annoying to keep saying "Call me Ginger," it can also be useful. If someone calls and asks for Virginia, the odds are I don't want to talk to them.