Not "Elaine!" or "Stella!" Picturing some nice woman getting out of her car or somewhere to say "I'm sorry. I just had a fight with my boyfriend too." Cause, the Wally thing.

But her name isn't Elaine or Stella. Ok, it's not Wally either, but consider this point: shut up, you.

Skipping over 400 messages. I have been at Teacup Guy's for a couple of days and he needed to use his computer, so I haven't been able to keep up.

How is everyone? ~ma and hugs to all who need them.

Minor freak out: I am meeting Teacup Guy's brother and sister-in-law tomorrow for the first time. Is it possible for me to become an interesting person before then? Also, they are moving, so I picked up a couple of coloring books to occupy the kids during the move. Any other good ideas of things to keep a 3 year old and a 5 year old busy on a move?

Cereal:

Wally report! Alas, it's a little sad-making. AS is unhappy in her job, andindeed in her corner of the industry. She currently works for a life insurer, but she started in general insurance and that's where she really wants to be. Problem is, Melbourne doesn't have much of a general insurance industry. Career-wise, she needs to be in Sydney. This is NSM where I am, and we're not really at a point where moving interstate is such a good idea. I may need to spend tonight standing outside her apartment and shouting "WALLY!! WAAALLLLLYYYYYY!!!"

I'm sorry to hear this, bt.

Deena, two e-mails insent to you.

Saute ground beef with onions; add tomatoes, macaroni, and seasonings; cover and cook until done.

My family's version is called "tallarina." It was one of the recipes I sent in. Looks like everyone knows it already, and the list of variations will be longer than the recipe itself. Too funny.

Sorry, mate, too many movies. It's a real disorder. Hope you guys figure out something. Or should I say "you lot" right?

Minor freak out: I am meeting Teacup Guy's brother and sister-in-law tomorrow for the first time. Is it possible for me to become an interesting person before then?

What become? You're already there.

Coloring books are an awesome idea. They might also like blank doodling pads and a couple of packets of stickers. Also little plastic dinosaurs, if they're just big enough for the 3yo not to choke on. At that age, you can rarely go wrong with dinosaurs.

At that age, you can rarely go wrong with dinosaurs.

Ooooh, brilliant idea.

What become? You're already there.

Thanks. Part of the worry is because when I said to Dave, "Did you mention I am handicapped?" his response was "why?". Now don't get me wrong, I love him for this, because it truly doesn't matter to him, but it could be awkward.

sj, I can't imagine anyone not finding you smart and entertaining. Meeting relatives is always a little scary. Meeting my relatives is really scary, but that's a different problem.

Thanks, Ginger.

Good lord, Brenda--tell your sister to get to a Swedish doctor stat--if nothing else, having an infection for a month doesn't sound good!!

I am mildly disconcerted that today's kids are so much cooler than I was

Hee. I agree, but I suspect there were a lot of kids cooler than me even when I was that age, sadly.

But I'm also pretty sur the reason he was single was that his first wife, who was 90 years old had died.

Freaky deaky Mennonites indeed, Aimee...

I just went to a free lunch that local caterers put on to pimp their food

GUH. This sounds SO good.

And the American School seems lovely. Honestly, the people are so much better organised and more welcoming than Evil Former Boss

YAY Fay!!

if I can find an alternative to the $129-a-night hotel in Alexandria, VA for my ex's wedding, and

Stay with me!

I'm very NOT looking forward to when my company moves farther out of the city in January, and my commute goes up--the time will be about the same, but the mileage and gas will be higher, I think.

You guys are not going to believe how amazing this cookbook is going to be. I was just looking over some of the new graphics and wow. Just wow.

Whoot! VW, did you guys get my cookie recipes?

Rice in a Tube A La Sean, and Other College Boy Anti-Starvation Tactics

Bwhwaha! That would be awesome!

Juliana, are you ALLOWED to live in Minnesota and not like hot dish?

Is that strange, to be happy that one has no meatspace friends?

I'm amused by all the Buffistas who are shunning the meatspace. Me, I'd go CRAZY without having people to hang out with--the fact that I live alone means that teh internets only partially fills my craving for being around people.

Iron Chef White Trash party, theme ingredient cream of mushroom soup or maybe velveeta

Considering I know there's a recipe for Velveeta Fudge, this could be a many-course meal!

Good luck meeting the relatives, sj!