and turned--by now fan favorite--Drake Hogestyn's Roman Brady into John Black/Forrest Alamain (don't ask), and re-recast Wayne Northrop as Roman Brady. Again.

I was actually still watching when this all happened -- Drake Hogestyn was The Pawn, and then recovered his memories and realized he was Roman Brady, but then lo, those weren't actually his real memories, because he *wasn't* Roman, but Forrest Alamain (and his brother Lawrence, though a jerk quite often, was HOTT), and then wasn't he (John/Pawn/Roman/Forrest) also a priest?

In any case, when I stopped watching, Wayne Northrop was back as Roman, and poor Marlena was all conflicted and torn between Roman and John.

And (I watched Days for a LARGE part of my life) I *remember* Chris Kositchek -- and in that fictional incarnation didn't *he* also hook up with Marlena? the woman gets around, I tell you what -- so I find it very confusing that he's back as Roman Brady (and apparently not married to Marlena). And then my years of watching 90210 make me think of him exclusively as Dylan's dad.

Also -- is the actress who played Adrienne Whoever back in the day (she married HOTT Justin Kiriakis) back, but as Mimi's mother? Recycled actors confuse the hell out of me.

Shawn Douglas is a total cutehead, which makes me feel like a VERY dirty old woman. And Bo and Hope -- I'm going to say it -- are not aging well. Bo needs some sleep, and Hope needs about 15 more pounds to soften her features.

Apparently Alice Horton and Caroline Brady will never die, which is kind of comforting, and kind of creepy. And everyone still hates Sami Brady, so I feel like I never stopped watching.

I miss getting paid every other Friday because of the joy of the three paycheck month.

Wrod.

Much job ~ma to Sparky's DH and Hec. May your next jobs be soooooo much better than your old ones that you look back at these days and laugh.

Also, because I've been so swamped and away from b.org for a few days, welcome back vw. I'm so glad you didn't stay away (silly to even think of it!) and while I'm terribly sorry about all the health issues, if you had to have a seizure I'm glad it was in your doctor's office.

Also, Happy Birthday (belated) Mallory!!!!!

As for myself, I took the day off today because I was so exhausted with all the extra stress and work this week. I woke up this morning exhausted, aching from head to toe, with a sore throat and upset stomach. Apparently I sounded awful too, because my boss sounded impressed by my crackly throat when I called in. I went back to bed and slept 'til noon. I think that all my symptoms were stress related, because they were mostly gone after sleep.

Unfortunately, being home, I caught the evening news, where they said that according to the fire chief (or marshal or some such), the fire was apparently set on purpose and they have likely suspects in mind. This is so discouraging. I just hope and pray that it was someone trying to stay warm and the fire got out of hand, not someone with malicious intent.

pop tarts:

I can't believe I forgot to say, whoo and hoo bt! I'm so happy for you.

and

I'm sorry that Gershwin Girl didn't work out Gris, but much ~ma for your phone interview.

Well, I still refuse to call it "dating," or label it as anything, really, and "love" has only been used to express enthusiasm about flannel sheets, but -- I'm *very* smitten with The Boy, and he seems to be smitten back. SA got to see us together this weekend, so she can confirm or deny the reciprocal smitten-ness.

Here's an example of where the smitten-ness comes from. Those PVC gloves SA was wearing in the pictures really do belong to The Boy. And they got left at my place, so I sent The Boy an e-mail from "Lost and Found, PVC Division."

Part of his reply: "We here at the Ministry of Organized Clutter and Someday Useful Objects take Lost and Found very seriously."

Sweet geekiness is my kyrptonite.

Part of his reply: "We here at the Ministry of Organized Clutter and Someday Useful Objects take Lost and Found very seriously."

And there you have your new tagline.

You're smitten! You're beyond smitten. You're smut! That's all she smote, folks! Bitten by the smitten kitten! You're Walter Smitty! Teppy and Boy, smitting in a tree, K-I-S-I-G-I-T! Wait, that's not right...

I had a great day today. Mom had the day out of work, so we went to lunch and shopping. She bought me a new pair of shoes and a great black peasant skirt that we found on the bargain rack for $5. Then I went to have dinner with T and the nephews. Their parents are in Dallas at the moment, so the grandparents and T are watching them. The baby is so active, everyone looked exhausted. He is so cute even when he is being cranky and bratty.

Sometimes, I wish we got paid once a month. That way, I could pay everything for the month and know it was paid. You get behind one month and it takes everything just short of not eating to catch it back up.

In theory this works, but in practice nsm. At least not for me. Much finance~ma to you, Aimee.

Yay, billytea!!! I'm so happy for you. Also, I love the name Wallybee.

Hec, I am so sorry about your job. Tons of job~ma for a much better job where they treat you right.

Hec, I am sorry about all of the job evilness. If I hear of anything, I will let you know.

JZ, you have email at your gmail account.

Both Aimee and Jilli are evil. I've found 10 brazillion things I want on the Stop Staring web site, and it is ALL THEIR FAULT.

Stephanie, I got your package today. Thank you! The outfits are of teh cute!

Ya know, there's a hidden danger in watching Monty Python's "Scott of the Antarctic" skit not terribly long before bedtime. Which is to say, I just woke myself up from an extremely weird dream in which I was about to thaw out a frozen explorer, in the hopes that he'd be revived and we could find out more about his expedition. And then it got extremely silly.

And everyone still hates Sami Brady, so I feel like I never stopped watching.

Oh, I am SO glad to hear this. It would make my heart sad if they liked her. Some things need to not change.

I was flipping through the channels yesterday after I realized that our VCR is sad because we haven't used it for so long, and has apparently given up the ghost, so I was unable to watch I Love Lucy reruns. Anyway, I came across Days of Our Lives and almost flipped it on, for old times sake. But, I am bound and determined to get better, and I don't want to get hooked again, so I passed on by. Funny that it should then come up in the thread. That's the hivemind for you.

Aimee, I get paid once a month, and in theory, it works. I pay (or don't pay and make the phone calls letting them know they'll have to wait for next month, which always goes over well) everything, then live on whatever I have left. But, I always seem to find that last week KILLER. Like right now. I have -$11 until tomorrow. Makes it hard to pick up milk and cream.

Oh, and speaking of cutting down, I have to remember to call the phone company again. You know, I really hate these big corporations. They are evil. I've been seeing ads all over the place for a new unlimited phone package. It's EXACTLY the same package as we have, but with a new name (I know this, because I looked it up on their website). It's $20 cheaper a month. $20!!!!!!!! And do they automatically switch it for you? Nope. They hope you don't notice, as they continue to steal from you. Well, I'm smarter than that. They don't want to mess with me. So, today, I will call and pretend to be Emily (she hates making these phone calls) and switch packages and give them a little talking to about their evilosity.