That sucks, Teppy. I think what happens is that specialists these days live in their own little bunkers and never think of anything but treating the condition they specialize in. I think my oncologist is pretty decent about what he does, but if you're problem isn't cancer, he is Dr. Clueless.

Exactly, Sean! Could they have waited, even until after MLK day? I think they actually send out mailers every month or so. I lose track. I'm fairly sure the teachers don't pass them all on to us.

They still offer good books too, but to the kids, the good books look a bit like spinach in a Godiva catalogue, amidst all the Care Bears, Hello Kitty, Barbie, and Cartoon based stuff. She's only in first grade. She is just starting to read, so I suppose I should let her read whatever she wants. I actually do, mostly. We have a lot of Barbie books (thanks to her father's clever placement right around her little pinkie) we've gotten at the grocery store, or whatever.

Right now, she wants less than a dollar from me, but there's something in me making me say no. I think it's the principle of the thing. She had a birthday on 11/25. Christmas just passed. Sometimes, I feel like I need to say "no" or "spend your own money" just for the lesson. Then I waffle, and think "What's the harm? She wants books, not crack." I dunno.

A dollar's not so bad, but this does actually sound like a decent time to have a "spend your own money" conversation.

Well, that's what I initially said, and gave Christmas, her birthday, the book mobile, and having to buy a new car as reasons why I thought she should spend her own money. I want to give her the buck she wants, but I kind of feel like the lesson will be lost. I ended up telling her that we'd talk about it later. I said if we talked about it now, my answer would be no.

My daughter really liked the A to Z mysteries series. She's read all of them I think. They looked like pretty good books. Right now she's into The Pony Pals and I've seen her reading a Little House on the Prairie book.

Holy Batfuck, Tep - that's bizarre and wrong to the umpteenth degree. I'm sorry.

Though, I can't help imagining your grandad Tycho Brahe style.

Steph, that is indeed some deep dysfunction. Sorry it got piled on you the way it did. I feel badly for your grandpa--it must be confusing and frightening to be in pain, in the hospital with that kind of major surgery and not realize what's going on. Recovery-ma for him.

If he's senile, does Caretaker Aunt already have power of attorney for him? Can't they move the house into a trust now? Hopefully, he won't have to stay in the nursing home--just until he recovers. I know it's a possibility that he might end up needing to stay there considering his age and health, but they should be taking the necessary steps to deal with the legal and financial issues now rather than freaking out over what they didn't do.

Cindy, it makes me sad that Scholastic has gone downhill. I remember them very fondly. I think my parents were pretty adamant about spending any amount so soon after Christmas. I think the smallest gesture is a good lesson about self control and financial management, even at Miss J's age.

Sean! I have no address for you. I'm not saying I'll mail you anything, just that I finally sniffed and erased the old apartment from my address book, so I need something to replace it.

Hi Em!

Address deleted.

Steph, I feel for you, really, but this sentence made me laugh out loud. You are very funny when you are righteously pissed off.

Absomalutely. I reckon that for the rest of the day you get a pass on listening to anyone else's crap. Just tell them, "Did you lose a frikkin' NOSE? Then I don't want to hear about it!" Ok, Big!Boss gets a pass on that. Other than that, today they have no place in your ear.