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.

I have been exceptionally productive this morning.

I have a message in to the recommended speech therapist for Aidan.
I have an appt. for all of us to tour Aidan's new pre-school.
I harangued the rebate people into giving me my denied rebate on my monitor.
I made an appt. for myself with a new therapist.
I am in the process of rescheduling Aidan's vision therapy--our Jennifer had to cancel the last visit because she had pink eye.

I think there's something else...oh, yeah, I need to do some paying work.

t- I'm so terribly sorry. This is too horrible to contemplate much less live through.

Susan- My prayers for your Father and everyone else.

Deena- Quite the rollercoaster this little one has you on! Yes Universe! We GET IT. She's a GOOD MOTHER -- now let her have some breezy fun with it for a bit, K?

Stephanie- Duh. Galadriel.

No, Trudy. Clearly, Elessar.

Arwen's last name is Undomiel.

((-t and Deena)) what everyone else has said...much comfort and strength to you.

And prayers for Susan and her family.

Oh, -t, how awful. I'm so sorry.

I would name a kid Fredrick and call him "Frodo".

I would.

{{{-t}}} I am so sorry love. It happened to friends of our right around the time Emeline was born. Baby developed a clot in the cord. Much love and thoughts, sweetpea.