I have a giant effing headache. I went to bed very late last night this morning, about 2:00 or so, and was up by 8:00. Gronk.

Animal control is usually part of the local police department. They're on call 24/7, 365. I'd try there first. The dog's safety is the first issue. And lessons in care and feeding might sink in faster coming from someone who can give them a ticket for a violation, rather than a nice neighbor.

David, things have changed A LOT. Enjoy the experience together with JZ. DH wasn't exactly excited about our class but he sucked it up and took it and was engaged in spite of having "better" things to do. Which, really, there isn't anything "better to do" when it comes to preparing for this event.

We dithered a bit and went back out and they'd taken the pup inside. So mr. flea emailed Animal Control to ask their advice and specifically if someone could come by and have a friendly word with them about the proper care of dogs. I think the Frat Boys have their hearts in the right place, they're just young and irresponsible and inexperienced. Aside from the dog's safety, though, it's a chocolate lab, and those are big and rambunctious and they should do some training work. Of course, they adopted it from the shelter. I though shelters were draconian in assessing the pets' homes these days!

I'd offer them a flyer from Petsmart or somewhere else that offers puppy training. They're going to need it. Poor puppy.

I don't know - maybe birth has changed in the ten years since Emmett was born.

In terms of hospital births, if you're lucky, it has. A lot of things that were SOP a decade ago are no longer SOP, because, shock shock, they found out that, oops, actually said thing didn't really help.

Also, pumpkin, after a decade, I think a refresher course is in order.

Hell, I was the one giving birth, it was only a year and a half ago, and if I were doing it again, damn skippy I'd take a refresher.

Yes, this. I didn't bother between Ben and Julia, because it was only going to be 2 years and 10 months between their births. I was so sorry. I then didn't bother between Julia and Chris, because it was only going to be 17 months between their births. Again? Sorry.

In terms of hospital births, if you're lucky, it has. A lot of things that were SOP a decade ago are no longer SOP, because, shock shock, they found out that, oops, actually said thing didn't really help.

Word. My class was pretty progressive for a 1996 hospital-run course. Giving birth in the same hospital that ran the course was completely different. The course was all, "Stay on your feet as long as possible." The L&D nurse was all, "No you can't get up, not even to go to the bathroom."

Hell, I was the one giving birth, it was only a year and a half ago, and if I were doing it again, damn skippy I'd take a refresher.

Things changed at the same hospital with the same doctor and the same parents between the time I had Owen and the time I had Olivia. I was blasé enough to think "been there, done that" that I didn't take the refresher with Olivia and I was shocked to see how much stuff changes in just two years.

interesting read as I am up and getting ready to go to church.

msbelle, I went to church, Sunday School, confirmation, etc. until I headed off to college. It's a wonderful Congregational Protestant church with a compassionate and tolerant minister and a true desire to help the world. My struggle with my own beliefs resulted mainly from the fact that I didn't want to leave the church but had realized that I didn't believe in the basic Christian ideology. I still send them money every year since I know what incredible good they are doing in the local, state, national, and even international community (they have partnerships and active exchanges across the world), and both my mother and grandmother attend services every week. My mom has been in the choir for as long as I can remember.

I say all of this to clarify that I have great respect for those institutions and people who are truly compassionate and truly doing good in the world. I'm sorry if my comment offended you because I am an ardent supporter of the freedom to believe and to worship and was not trying to imply that anyone involved in organized religion is in any way "bad" or "lesser."

I do think, though, that many of the world's bloodiest wars and genocides have stemmed from various whackaloon interpretations of some organized religion or other. My comment came from protectiveness, really--a desire for people like my mom to be able to call herself a Christian without instantly being associated with the religious right or fundamentalists or the Crusades.

Well, protectiveness and an unquenchable compulsion to play with words. But I'm a Buffista. That just kinda comes with the territory.

I said it was interesting, not offensive. and it wasn't directed at anyone in particular.

ION, 13 and 7.

ION, my interview outfit just came together perfectly. That never happens!