I agree with Nora -- if the nanny's roommate has made a habit of coming over in the evenings with the nanny, then she (roommate) may be fond of Mal and (rightly so) find him to be a total cutiehead.

However, as Nora also said, you're the parent, and if it seems weird to you, then there's nothing wrong in dealing with it.

What Steph and Nora said.

Has anybody been watching Roller Derby on A&E? I haven't (no cable) but just saw a commercial, and dang, that's tempting...

ROLERGIRLS!!!!!!!!!!!! I love Sister Mary Jane. And Miss Conduct.

I HAVE!! And, I want to start my own team. I will be The Em-Press and have shiny pink satin panties with a crown on the ass. We will be something in French and wear pink and black French-maidy type uniforms.

I want to Roller Derby.

I'd never take pictures of a friend or acquaintances baby without having it at least implicitly clear before the shutter moved. Feeling good about the kid is one thing, but you can't just...you know...steal its soul without talking to Ma or Pa first.

Poor vw, hope it clears up quickly.

I am not all that bothered by it - lord knows that Mal doesn't have much in the way of family, so anybody who wants to join his tribe I'm all for. But it would never occur to me to take photos of someone else's baby unless I were good friends with them.

eta: And asked them. Maybe it is the soul-stealing thing.

I imagine it's...what's the word...she hasn't been here long, and doesn't speak anything but Tagalog, and doesn't have that many people here herself. And I like her, so gut instinct says it's okay. But the alligator brain is getting all mama-bear protective.

I'm sure I could fit another animal metaphor in there somewhere.

Katie B - thanks. I have never lived with anyone like that or had anyone with such serious addiction problems in my life, so I'm not sure how it "works". Her mom is usually more under control (and I use that term loosely), I mean, this is the first bad episode since C has been with us, while dad has had many.

Cindy - I have no interest in talking with the boyfriend. He has been abusive to both C and her mom on and off over the last 10 years. He is just as addicted as mom and I don't trust him a bit to use ANY measure of common sense. He is the main reason C can't live with her mom, more than her mom's problems.

We just kept telling C that as much as she loves her mom, she is not expected to keep her under control when things get bad.

that poor kid. and poor MG.

Also, AImee, I don't think I mentioned how very, very sorry I am about your great-grandmother's death. How lucky you and Em were to have her in your lives for as long as you did, that's a true gift, and I'm sure the loss is terrible.

Thanks, Nora.

And thanks everyone for the symapthies and the indignation on behalf.

The plans for the funeral are still up in the air, so I'm still unsure of when and if I am going. My mom and grandmother are telling me that to remember her at her 100th birthday party this summer, she was so happy and had such a grand time, and coming home isn't neccessary. Plus, if I'm still this sick and Em is still sick, both of us ona plane would be miserable. Which true, but I guess I feel like I should go.

But in funny-ness - talking to my grandmother last night I asked if she was going to take my grandfather. (His ashes are in her front closet.)

She thought about it for a minute and then laughed and laughed.

The plans for the funeral are still up in the air, so I'm still unsure of when and if I am going. My mom and grandmother are telling me that to remember her at her 100th birthday party this summer, she was so happy and had such a grand time, and coming home isn't neccessary. Plus, if I'm still this sick and Em is still sick, both of us ona plane would be miserable. Which true, but I guess I feel like I should go.

Well, you'll do what is best. You mother and grandmother do have some excellent points, IMO.

My two cents worth with the nanny and baby pictures: she told you about it and shared the pictures right away, so it seems to me there's nothing secretive or shameful in her enjoyment of the cuteness. I can well imagine myself whipping out my camera while babysitting, just for fun. I hope that the concept of parental protectiveness would occur to me, but I can't guarantee that would have thought it through like that.

I should be working on my resume. Don't wanna. I want to crouch here in my lair, eyeing the world with a jaundiced eye. Grrr, hiss! Nasty world!

ION: Hooray for DH and his tasty brain, for he has repaired the washing machine. Turned out there was a loose connection on the motherboard, and a bit of solder fixed 'er right up. So happy he didn't roll over and take the repairmain's advice that now was the time for a new appliance.

MG, C's virtual auntie over here says that nobody should say mean things to her, and those who do shall receive my virtual smiting, which amounts to wishing them an inconvenient attack of inappropriate itching.