Why can't they make it easy on you and all be asshats?

JZ, this made me laugh out loud. Thanks so much!

and this:

I've still not quite recovered from the damage the whole nasty episode did to my work ethic.

is my greatest concern. I can't believe I'm letting this situation turn me into such a pisspot. I have holiday cookies to bake! And some of them might even be good!! And yet, all I'm focused on is bahhumbug, nobody deserves gifts when I feel so crappy! So completely not true.

This is me...snapping out of it. Or at least attempting.

Oh hell, Fay. I hope this at least leads to something new and fulfilling for you next year.

Not a useless whine, Beej. I hope it was cathartic.

Is philosophy's ultimate diet cinnamon buns scented gift set a bad idea for my SiL who is at best a functioning anorexic? Because it amuses me and she's not the brightest.

To clarify, she's not in need of an intervention really. She just fits into the Orange County a little too perfectly.

Birthday number slut!

I could also do Lush's Eat Drink And Be Merry Christmas set. But that almost feels backhanded.

Thanks Cass. It was helpful to just. get. it. out.

If the gift will give you a giggle and won't hurt her feelings? And it smells good? Why not.

I think "diet" set would be cute and not feeling hurty. I'll put something in the note about how she can indulge with these guilt-free after all of the holiday stress.

It was helpful to just. get. it. out.

Any advice on rates is appreciated too.

MG, they usually will give you rates up front. But you can always negotiate. College kids are poor and easy. You can always offer to feed them in addition to tutoring if you want to cut the cost. One kid DH tutored through high school math went from a "D" to a "B". Christopher was so proud of him--the kid was trying to retain his eligibility for sports.

Fay, that sucks all kinds of ass. Much-hope-things-work-out-for-you-ma!

My doc cleared me from bed rest today. He said I just need to take things VERY easy for the next few weeks. Am taking this sound advice. DH just put up our old, and very small Christmas treet which we will decorate later and so it's feeling more like Christmas around here.

If she'll think it's cute, I'd give her the diet cinnamon set. I, on the other hand, want the full fat lotion.

Beej, I'm sorry you're having such a rotten time. I'm glad venting helped.

DH just put up our old, and very small Christmas treet which we will decorate later and so it's feeling more like Christmas around here.

Christmas treet is my favorite typo of the season. I'm so glad you're cleared, Cashmere. I hope you take it way way way way easy, and that you don't need to.

Cashmere, I'm glad you've been cleared and that things look okey dokey. Take it easy. Let us know if there's anything we can do.

So, I paged my therapist two hours ago. She called me back really quickly and we talked for just a minute, because she was about to go back into session. She gave me some "homework" to do and e-mail her, then she was going to call me after that session...an hour ago. She still hasn't called. I'm going to page again at 8. But, I'm getting all worked up in the meantime.

Christmas treet is my favorite typo of the season

Hee. That's what I should call those easy-bake toll-house cut-out cheating cookies I got at the store last week in case I needed them.