megan-- I am so sorry for your (and B's) loss. Much sympathy.

Suela-- also much sympathy to you. May your beast be cavorting with all the Buffista pets in a happy place

Corwood (gosh I have trouble not calling you by past board names)- That sounds like a horrible experience to follow a not so good visit. I hope the insurance company comes through and that future visits involve a less judgemental mom.

I am having guilt because I called (well emailed) in sick to work because a) I couldn't find my keys b) I couldn't find my phone c) I have nothing to wear and d) I actually feel like the missing keys gave me energy to do some cleaning/picking up in my hell-hole of an apartment. I did say I might come in later if I were feeling better-- I sort of implied but didn't state that the problem was stomach related.

Now I have found the phone and keys and am tying to decide whether to use my guilt from not working to clean, or to just head in.

Jeebus, Corwood. What an all-around nightmare. I'm glad they're all okay, sorry the visit was so rought, and sorry that the disaster's going to cause the aforementioned upswing in "live closer" demands.

What she said. Ugh!

Sophia -- when was the last time you had a day off work? That is the measure I use when I'm about to take a fake sick day, for guilt-amelioration purposes.

I had real sick days in the beginning of June for the cat thing. This seems like maybe I should go in...

I was ready to call in fake sick this morning, but decided to go in anyway. When I got here I found out that one of my coworkers would be late, and one of our computer systems died. If I hadn't come in, we would have been fucked.

Corwood, I'm glad they are ok and I'm sorry the visit was so unpleasent. Grandmazillas are profoundly irritating.

I've got to say, this convinces me further that the Atchafalaya bridge is a mini-version of hell. I HATE that bridge.

Friend used to have five personal days a year. Their boss allowed them to call in scared, silly, well, grumpy, etc. In fact, she encouraged it, and awarded bonus points for invention.

Corwood, how horrific. But speaking as one who was drawn back into family proximity after I thought I'd escaped it, I'd say stall as long as you can on moving closer. I do hope your FiL can help with the insurance claim, though. Aside from scaring them badly, it has to be a crippling feeling of helplessness for them.

Megan, much peace and ~ma for you and yours.

Corwood, that's such a kick in the pants for your family. It boggles my mind that someone who has insurance can have their car burst into flame and the insurance company say it's not covered. Such asshattery.

So Steph's gonna be in Cbus with Cashmere, and I'm going to be in NW Ohio. Sad now. Seekrit message to Cash: Any interest in trying to see 5 Children and It at the Drexel kids' shows?

I left my boss a note yesterday that I was going to be in at noon, but I think I may go in at the regular time anyway.

{{Corwood}} Yikes. I'm relieved to hear that the people are ok. What Cindy's mom said about insurance companies. Snerk.

My family didn't give me a hard time about the extended nursing but strangers gave me bad looks. This could be because my 2 year old looked 5. My mother was convinced we'd never get the boys out of our bed. The boys @@ over that one. What Beverly said about keeping your distance.

Tom Scola! It's going to be hot hot hot in NY this week. I say you should hop on a bus and come to the Adirondacks to chill. (I'm looking at you too msbelle) NYCistas should make a field trip to Casa Holt! All the comforts of a dilapidated summer cottage, but cool without A/C.

I had real sick days in the beginning of June for the cat thing. This seems like maybe I should go in...

Two months! A day off every two months is fine!

I am sad that I have to come to my office to cool off this week instead of the Adirondacks.

I am also sad that I was pretty late this morning and of course ran into the new boss on my way in the door.