I know you're right. It's just that I'm neurotic, and so the minute I read the notice, I started itching from head to toe. From what I've looked up on the web, you shouldn't use the stuff unless your kids are infected. Chris's hair is easy to check, because it's so short. Julia's hair? Not so much. She's got a bob, and it's really thick and layered. Also, she gets a little dandruff thing going on from time to time, and I have never seen a nit, and so I'm googling, then poring over her hair (and making her completely miserable). I *know* I'm just seeing her regular little hair debris, but am completely doubting myself, because that's my gift.

The good news is, rumor has it that the infection's happened with third graders. Julia and Chris are in first and second grades, and don't even have lunch and recess with the third graders.

One of the other mothers said it went around school at the end of last year, but I never got a notice. I saw the secretary in the parking lot on her way out, and she said that's because there was only one, that time, so I'm thinking this time, there are at least two.

Cindy, if you had a monkey, this would be no problem. IJS.

And if we were all monkeys, I wouldn't have to fix supper, either.

Well, if we were infected, which we're not, except that I have no confidence about stuff like this.

I'm much better at shitology.

Yeah, I think I'd be freaking myself out pretty good. Is that one? Is that?

Hopefully it's just those grungy third-graders.

Hey, anyone have any insight into becoming an actuary? Advice, et cetera?

except that I have no confidence about stuff like this

I know. I get the itch, too, every time I hear there's been a case, but I've been through it so many times. When I worked day camp and an afterschool program in the city we must have done checks at least a dozen times. And the boys have both brought home notices from school or day care before.

I won't tell you that Ben actually picked it up once, but it wasn't really that difficult to get rid of, and none of the rest of us got us. Still, I know it's a squick.

Hey, anyone have any insight into becoming an actuary? Advice, et cetera?

You need to be very good at math. Starting out with calculus and probability/statistics.

Cindy, if you had a monkey, this would be no problem. IJS.

Or a meerkat! And as an extra bonus, the meerkat would periodically perch upright on your kids' shoulders to scan the sky for predators, so you'd never ever have to worry about any of them being snatched by an owl or a hawk.

Admittedly this'd be a more useful protective measure if you and your family actually lived on the Serengeti, but still -- meerkats grooming your children! Effective delousing plus ded of teh cute!

t /not in the least helpful

I almost forgot!!!

JULIANA!!! I got my bib in the mail yesterday!! My very first race bib!!!

Would a fingermonkey work?

If so, don't tell Emmett.