Her mother didn't think she was doing anything wrong

how is this not wrong? Boundaries, people!

Oh, and SA, I'm sorry for all the stress with your family. I hope they can give you a little bit of space.

SA, no advice other to point upward and say what they said. Best of luck to you handling the situation.

Stephanie, yes, I did, and now you can see that I am approximately the world's worst correspondent. You've been on my "write her an email" list for a couple of weeks now. Though I suppose I could lay the blame at your own feet, since the email you sent me just makes me all misty and teary every time I read it, and then I have to go blow my nose and wipe my eyes, and usually on my way back to the computer I get distracted by Matilda fussing or I trip over a pile of unfolded laundry. If you were only a boring and emotionally unengaging writer, I'd have written back ages ago!

Seriously, the baby shirts are meltingly cute, and funky, and artsy, and I can't wait for her to grow into them. Thank you!

M was so afraid of needing her mother's financial help in case of an emergency, that she relinquished some of her independence in exchange for her mother's continued promises of assistance.

That's a well-worn fear of my own.

JZ, there might be something coming from another different country too. ::waggles eyebrows::

If you were only a boring and emotionally unengaging writer, I'd have written back ages ago!

Thanks! And don't worry about not getting back to me. Seriously. New moms have a genuine excuse for anything.

ION, it looks like the FBI has cleared me, I"m not a threat and I start work on Nov 13th. Now I just have to finalize daycare stuff.

That's a well-worn fear of my own.

Yep, my mother used money like a club. Still does. Fortunately, I am financially independent from them now. It's a great motivator to get your shit together, to know that you don't have to ask your parents for money.

it looks like the FBI has cleared me

It was weirdly satisfying to pass my background check when I did customer support for the Postal Service. Though that satisfaction was countered wtih "dammit, now they have my fingerprints on file."

By the time I finish reading, I have no time to post. Feeble attempt to catch up follows:

The discussion concerning that low down dirty scoundrel Nic amuses me greatly. I kicked that bastard to the curb 20 years ago. He seduced me a couple times during the past decade, but I’m confident at this point that he no longer holds any magnetism for me at all.

Huh. I just got a raise. A helluva big raise.

Yay for the recognition of Raq’s worth.

I’m looking forward to reading the update from vw from her Harvard visit. Go vw!

Good luck on the promotion Daisy!

Good luck with the interview Brenda!

{{SA}} Sorry about the unwanted mom advice. You’ll both get past this point in your relationship. Just practice, yes mother, yes mother, you are so right mother. Then continue to live your life. And what Cashmere said.

I am completely fiscally irresponsible. My sister now pays my bills for me. I’m sure she has heart failure as she enters all the charges. She is remarkably restrained in not yelling at me.

I gave in and turned the heat on this morning. So far it isn't helping.