Yikes, Jilli. Birthday surgery just isn't fun. But yes, lack of cramps is a wonderful thing.

We are back from the pediatrician. They looked at Ellie and saw nothing wrong. I think they had no idea what was causing the problem, but they weren't worried.

Whew.

And good luck, Jilli.

Stephanie, a baby and a cat aren't in the same league, so it had not occurred to me to connect Ellie's problem with my Harvey's. But I have hauled him in to the veterinarian's office any number of times with similar complaints. It always freaks me out, but his doctors never seem terribly worried about it. Usually they chalk it up to "garbage gut" - the natural consequences of a cat thinking he must at least try to eat anything he can fit in his mouth. In his case, it disappears when I feed him canned buy-it-only-at-the-clinic prescription food. I believe his trigger is processed corn and wheat starches. How does this relate to Ellie? Well, here is me chiming in on the side of those who have been suggesting it is a solid food thing. I'm thinking the likeliest explanation is that something or some group of things that Ellie has been eating does not agree with her system.

She's ok. And she is so lucky to have you for a mom.

Guys, i did a dumb thing. I took myself off one of my antidepressant cocktail drugs. I know, I know, I know, it's stupid. But one of the things I'm taking for depression is hormones (BCP), and I'm worried about the long-term effect.

Well, I don't know about the long-term effect, but after 2 days off I want to cry. Jeez.

I hate being this dependent on drugs, but I am. No more futzing around. Take the prescription and be glad it works.

Oh, Betsy. I've done similar things. Don't beat yourself up. I hope that they kick back in quickly!

Well, I don't know about the long-term effect, but after 2 days off I want to cry. Jeez.

Ugh, I went through something very similar recently. I won't be making that mistake again. How I survived a year or so without while I was unemployed/uninsured I'll never know.

My office has just forgotten my birthday for the second year in a row.

This would not be a big deal except that my department is known for finding excuses to have cake/cupcakes/pie/etc, and generally everyone at least gets a freaking card.

One of my co-workers' birthdays is later in the week, and today, we all chipped in to get her a very nice gift and a cake. It was probably stupid of me to assume that everyone was also chipping in to get me something, but...see above, re: excuses to celebrate. (And I know they knew about it, because (1) it was on the office birthday calendar, and (2) I mentioned it a few times on Friday in a "What are you doing this weekend?"/"Oh, well my birthday's on Saturday" blah blahcakes kind of way. Last year, I'd just started, and nobody had any idea.)

Anyway. I'm kind of upset right now. I really don't want to be here.

I could have at least gotten a goddamned card.

Ugh, Betsy, I'm sorry. Here's hoping they start working again fast.

Oh, Betsy. I'm sorry you're feeling wretched.

Jessica! That is very, very lame. Are you going to say anything at all to your boss? I think you should, if you can manage it in a light-hearted, humorously self-deprecating way.

So, since you & Betsy are feeling low, I give you a distracting link of shiny! Reproduction Victorian gown & top hat in black satin and black/copper skull brocade. Ooooh. Look at the pretty.

(Edited to make the clicky-link work.)