I feel like it's all just Too Much and it manifests itself as general mental/social paralysis with all attendant failings in normal social niceties and behavior.

Oooh! I know this one!

Tom leaving for Milwaukee

Matt will be there for a week and half starting the 21st.

a friend is moving into our spare room for an indeterminate amount of time.

That is very hard. and it is very generous of you to do such a thing. just lay down some ground rules - like it has to be quiet after x because you have school , etc and things will work out.

a friend is moving into our spare room for an indeterminate amount of time.

From one who has been in your friend's position, blessings on your head.

The driveway discussion is amping my stressometer and I don't even have a car!

The landlord, who runs the liquor store on the first floor is tremendously conflict averse (which really sucks for a guy who routinely pisses people off). As a result, neighbors, who don't pay my enormous rent feel entitled to park whenever they like...and then get on my case if I park a rental car or my fela parks there. It. Makes. Me. Mental.

Recently, someone parked behind my rental car. I finally called the cops. The perpetrator got a $300 ticket. I worked hard to care.

That is very hard. and it is very generous of you to do such a thing.

It seemed like such a better idea in theory, months ago, than in reality, now. However, it may still be an OK thing once I/we adjust to the Holy Crap! There's Someone In Our Space That Isn't Us! Factor.

I sighed, though, because it looks like her first priority is to get a car, and I was hoping the first priority would be getting a place of her own.

Oooh! I know this one!

TomW frets that his social phobias have rubbed off on me, but really, I have similar anxieties that I never realized exisited due to the Magic of Alcohol WRT social scenarios. Now that that's much less prevelant, the anxieties have center stage.

Glad I got the neighborhood party out of the way last weekend.

From one who has been in your friend's position, blessings on your head.

Both Tom and I have also been there, which is one of the reasons we wanted to do this. It's just the anxiety about sharing space that's got me freaking. I think once the dust settles it will be OK.

Okay, my 17 month old is really wicked cute

That's well beyond the pale of cute. Unless cute is a word we're using to describe Hedy Lamarr these days.

I'm thinking: baby modeling agency = college fund.

I'm thinking: baby modeling agency = college fund.

Seriously. My exact thought.

because it looks like her first priority is to get a car

A car may facilitate the place thing, though, broadening her horizons. We've got a friend in our spare room, and she's hardly ever home, so it works.

Good morning!

Nora, I'm sorry you are feeling so overwhelmed by life in general. It's a suck ass thing. Maybe this will make you feel better.

I was reading the Natter thread from 9/11 the other day, and Tom was posting and one of his posts said something, "I love the Buffistas. Name, name, name, name and Nora." I thought, "Awww! So very cute! And now they're married!!"