Beverly, have you looked at Lush's various vegan moisturizers? They wouldn't have lanolin.

Trudy, I can't get past the front door of Lush--I have a paroxysm of sneezing and my ability to smell shuts down. I'd order online, but I would like to smell what I'm buying before I pay those prices. Not that their products aren't worth every penny, but besides, making my own is fun!

The small amount of alcohol in the extracts apparently acts as a preservative, because one batch of scrub I made more than a year ago is still perfectly fresh--the bits that are left in the corners of the jar, that is.

Katie Bee: I'm completely appalled. I don't even understand these people. Please, post your reply letter here so we can join in your scathing mockery.

{{Beverly}} Feel better, chica!

DO NOT. You've just extended the happy feeling your best friend gets from having people say Happy Birthday for a week! GO YOU!

Well, this is my friend who has been feeling lonely and abandoned and having a really tough year, and everyone else also forgot her birthday and I didn't even remember it to call and leave a message or a dumb email card or anything. I really screwed up big time.

Katie Bee, your employers are surprisingly asshatted, both on the stated purpose of the bonus and in asking for it back. What idjits.

"You don't have to be a weatherman to know which way the wind blows."

I like it.

In mememe work news, there is no new work news. And we had an hour long meeting today to establish this fact. But being laid off at the end of the month would qualify as "news" so I'm calling this good. Next month--who knows?

I really screwed up big time.

Then you just have to tell her this, Nora, before you tell her what makes her your best friend that you might not otherwise say (or something just as sincere) but that she probably would like to hear at any time before offering your belated birthday wishes. It will be okay, although imperfect.

Good news, it is, Calli!

I did, and we're going to see her tomorrow night, and we'll just have to get through it.

I just feel like I totally validated her fears about me getting married and moving away - that I'd forget all about her. 'Cause... I did. her birthday was the 12th. A day or two window, that's one thing. Over a week without that lightbulb going on... that's another.

I just feel like I totally validated her fears about me getting married and moving away - that I'd forget all about her.

It is an awful feeling to think (or know) that you've let down a friend. But, you forgot -- you didn't remember and decide that you didn't have time to acknowledge her birthday because spending time with Tom and new friends was more important. You didn't reject her, you made a mistake. {{{Nora}}} If your friend is half as wonderful as you are, I'm sure she'll forgive you.

Thanks, Sparky.

Remember the last time he had short hair and was clean shaven he played for the A's and had the worst year of his career

So he's like Sampson?

Beverly, I'm sorry to hear about all those sensitivities. That must be a PITA. I'll let you know if I hear of any good safe moisturizers.

Nora, as someone who's been on the lonely forgotten side, yeah, it hurts, but honesty and sincerity in making it up to her makes it all better. People forget things so don't beat yourself up.