So Aimee's post had me thinking, "People, this is what a Shabbat goy is for," but, not really intending to post that, I went off and googled it instead. Which is when I ran across this justification for warming oneself (on a Sabbath) at a fire kindled by a Gentile:

The reason seems to me this as we say, elsewhere [Talmud, Sabbath] that we reckon circumcision as an illness and can therefore do things otherwise forbidden on a Sabbath for a circumcised child] so every one is considered ill from the effects of cold: though they may not be really ill, yet they suffer from it

and it struck me, this is totally math. I mean, yeah, law in general is pretty mathy, but this! Finding an isomorphism between being cold and circumcision! Masterful.

[Momentary spouse rant]

Joe is, on most counts a FAB husband and terrific father. But I STG. If once we ever went out of town with him remembering to do the few things that are designated "his", I'd keel over and die from shock.

Haircut and drycleaning. That was it for this. Haircut and drycleaning.

t shakes in mild frustration

Is it completely goofy to just go buy the exact same skirt and return it when we get back???

Happy Birthday, Cashmere!

I can do a spouse rant too.

After folding up and putting away six baskets of laundry, I get "Oh, I see you put away the laundry for once." Okay, I do put away laundry, maybe not as much as she does, but I do. Also, when she does something I normally do I never say "Oh, I see you went to the grocery store for once, or you gave the kids a bath for once, or you took out the garbage for once."

Then there was the mowing incident where she is say I "stuck her with the kids" for a few hours on a Saturday afternoon. I was mowing our overgrown lawn and fixing the lawnmower after a blade got bent. I was not just living it up. Treating chores like hobbies is something that really gets to me.

Happy Birthday Cashmere!

And the dictionary say "goy" is offensive. Is it "cracker" offensive, or N-word offensive?

I'd say cracker.

Aimee, is his hair cut at least?

Happy birthday, Cashmere!

I think your use of goy is OK, dear.

Morning, All.

lots of -ma to the Ma's

A little late, but {{{{{-t}}}}}

Happy Birthday to Cashmere!!!

Aimee, did he at least get the haircut?

You'd love my view then -- up on the 29th floor, we're exactly face-to-face with the top.

So cool. Showing a friend my pics on my return from NYC last year, we broke into simultaneous "...Shine like the top of the Chrysler Building!" - neither of us had realized that the other was an "Annie" Geek.

And perhaps Emileigh would like to hang out with my nieces Ashleigh and Hayleigh.

Happy happy birthday to two delicious, funny and charming Buffistas--Matt and Cash. Together, they fight crime!

Happy Birthday Cashmere!

Cindy, I totally figured out the best ever part-time job for you. This AM's New York Times has an article about the complexity of medical billing paperwork and how patients are already sick and even well people can't figure it out. One of their people hired a consultant to manage the bills and figure out what she actually owed and make sure there were no weird extra charges. You should totally get into this market - you have a background in medical billing, right? And you've got great customer-relations skills.

Steph, where did you get Ray? A link would be great. There's so much out there if you google.