My hubby and I did communication classes because, surprise!, being married is different than living together. They helped a lot.

Ugh. S and I have already hit some rough spots just living together, and we're not even married yet. We've talked about getting some counseling, but her insurance won't cover couples counseling (until we're married), and we can't afford anything else.

Which is actually the source of much of the rough stuff at the moment -- we're both very poor.

I'm willing to bet there's a number of place you could get counseling for free or based on income, Sean. They may be religious organizations, but they often offer secular counseling for those kinds of things.

Hmm.... Good advice, Sail. I'll keep that in mind.

Didn't mean to make you say "ugh", Sean. There are lots of places besides private counselors that offer fine group workshops. The Kaiser one here came highly recommended, and wasn't very expensive, even for non-members.

No, it's okay, Sparky. I'm just having a bit of an ugh day.

Here in Seattle there's an organization run by the Presbyterian synod here that offers counseling on a sliding scale. While many of their psychologists and counselors are Christians, they're not a "Christian" organization per se, and they're all licensed counselors and psychologists. Sliding scale will charge you a price in relation to your income.

I'm willing to guess there's a similar sliding scale counseling group where you are, run by a religious or secular non-profit. You could try calling your health department and ask if they can point you in the right direction.

ARG!! Still. At. Work.

(You may go back to your regularly scheduled program.)

Almost ten is an unreasonable hour to be at work. Go home, ChiKat.

I've skipped and skimmed.

My pron name is Smokey Princess. Damn.

Sail, did you say that you have an all-over itch with no other symptoms and no specific cause? I had that. Zyrtec was the only thing that stopped it. My dermatologist also warned me against using those dryer sheets that stop static cling. Apparently they leave a residue that some people are allergic to.

Steph, I have friends who swear by Airborne. Vitamin C and zinc have been shown to shorten the duration of colds; echinacea has not so far been proven to do squat. And, congrats on the gym and the healthy dinner! You are now my rolemodel.

So many pretty clothes! I need more. Perhaps this time I'll buy them in sizes that actually fit me.

Happy Anniversary, Nora & Tom!

~ma to everyone who needs it! Too many Buffistas having sad times, lately.

I have one picture of us at the wedding this past weekend. I look like a basketball in a black dress.

The boy crashed out on the chair tonight.