VW -- I scrolled back twice and I am blind. What happened last night?

JZ -- my experience with babies is that once they get squirmy, rails and belts don't do a damned bit of good. One hand on the baby at all times.

(read, spoken to a live human being instead of leaving a voicemail message).

This is the part that really just gets to me. You cannot leave a message at 8am and then expect access into the apartment at 8:30am. It's just not reasonable or appropriate.

Emily narrowly missed being walked in on in bed, for which, if it were me, I would call the police over. She had only been up for 10 minutes when the landlord's husband came by, and she hadn't even thought to check voice mail yet.

That's what's got my panties in such a twist today. But, I have calmed down a bit, and when she calls back I'm going to tell her such, then use this as a way to negotiate only paying half of a month's rent in August (since we're all going to be out by the end of the first week anyway). I'll tell her it will really be the best for all of us...keeping stress levels down, etc. And that way they can get in to paint and take care of anything else they want to before the new tenants move in. I'm going to paint the picture as "this is best for everyone." Hope it works. Or else, I'll start yelling again and threaten to file a complaint with the city and a restraining order so they cannot enter the apartment until September 1.

I've been "cooperative" and flexible, and really, I think I've under-reacted to their behavior over the last month. So, now I'm over-reacting. Oh, well.

VW -- I scrolled back twice and I am blind. What happened last night?

It was this morning. Landlord's husband arrived at 9:10am to take a screen out of Emily's room. Landlord called and left a voice mail to let us know this was happening at 8am. Not only is that inappropriate professional behavior, but it's against the law. So, my panties are in a twist.

Betsy seems to be speaking for me everywhere. I did have a changing table for Owen (and am now using it for Olivia) but it the changing surface is flat (no rail) so I use the curved changing pad and keep one hand on squirmy child at all times.

I also got Owen a long, low dresser which I put another changing pad on to change him (when I do not have to chase him down and fight with him to change his diaper on the floor).

These situations worked best for me because of my back issues but anything that works for you is what is best and the rest of the unasked for advice or dire warnings of damage to your baby be damned.

Cashmere is me. Also, even with notice, I don't feel the need to make my apartment perfectly clean for landlords. As long as I am not doing major damage to the place, they shouldn't care about my clutter.

There is currently elephant butt on the elephant cam.

t edit No, now the elephant cam keeps switching between locations. The elephant cam operator must have had too much caffeine.

So Tomorrow I have an interview for a job. Not sure I am interested. The biggest advantage is that I might be closer to home. The reason I am interviewing is because I keep hopeing that someday someone will have a full time position for me. but this is part time - at slightly less money than I am makeing now, and I would have to go through the proveing myself stage. not so sure I wanna.

Ugh. Fuck Medicare and Medicare Part D (prescriptions). They're making it VERY difficult for me to get my new medication for my asthma.

vw, I'm not sure if tenant law says anything about how much notice they have to give in MA. You may have discussed that here and I've done a brain fart. Most of the places I've lived they've had to give 24 hours notice and if they can't contact you by phone, then they have to leave a message on your door stating when they are going to be there and for what reason. If MA has the same rules, stick it to them, baybee! It's gone on long enough. Madison has a tenant resource center to help with those kind of problems, does your area have anything like that?

I'm not sure you can say more thenI'm sorry we argued, but it is my job now to make decsions about X.

Yeah, that's about the gist of it. Just, I'm an avoidant weenie, so I'm picking my time.

Actually, in this case , Sail - it might be better to wait. Your friend probbably does know is going on - just has to go throught an adjustment time.