On my way out the door this morning, I opened my cell phone bill: $134!!! Apparently they quit taking my monthly bill out of my checking account about three months ago (I'm surprised I haven't been shut off yet). Of course, my record-keeping hasn't been as good as of late, so I didn't notice. I just assumed they were taking it out.

Someone's going to get a lashing when I get the energy to call them (probably next week, when I'll have the money to pay the damn thing).

Hola chicas and chicos.

I am sad. Some of our best friends lost their baby. Full-term; he either died during labor/delivery or shortly after being born. I don't know, I haven't asked. We thought the email was going to be the birth announcement, with the attached photo of the baby. And, well, there was an attached photo but it was a bereavement announcement.

On a related note, out of about 50 bereavement arrangements at FTD.com, about 40 are red, white, and blue. About 30 have prominent crosses (there's some overlap with the RWB ones), which are not acceptable in this case.

How terrible!

Oh, no, Raq. I can't even imagine what would bring much comfort in that case.

Oh, Raq! My heart breaks for them. I can't even imagine.

Send roses. Plain yellow roses.

Oh man, that's awful. So sorry Raq.

I'm so sorry, Raq.

It is really raining hard here. On the plus side, I am at home and will not be going back to work until Monday, plus we have all our Thanksgiving shopping done. On the minus side, I feel like I'm coming down with a cold.

Oh, Raq, I'm so very sorry for your friends. That is heartbreaking.

eta: Also, if it helps any, this florist has a lot of beautiful flower and plant arrangements, almost entirely free of gratuitous patriotism or blaring religiosity.

I'm sorry, Raq. The Friendship section of FTD.com has some nice things, including a yellow rose bouquet.

Yellow roses are good for everything.