and their job is to make sure the bills get paid and STFU.

Exactly!

So sorry for your stress, JZ. I hope it works out.

{{{JZ}}} It really sucks to have to worry about all this crap when you should be allowed simply to enjoy your new daughter.

All hail the power of Airborne and Cold-eeze! I started getting sick on Sunday. I did Airborne every three hours all day long. Monday I felt the same (no worse, no better). I did Cold-eeze every three hours all day long. Today? I feel like I do at the end of a cold (sniffly but no aches and pains)! I believe that I have bypassed the actual cold, people! IN YO FACE, GERMIES!

{{{JZ}}} I am so sorry you are having to deal with this bullshit. Best of luck for the best possible scenario.

{{{{{JZ}}}}}

I was wondering if your lovely family or a portion of thereof would like to have brunch at Zazie this weekend? Hmmmm?

ION, I spent 3 out of 4 hours last night on hold with Dell in between talking to 7 different groups and being disconnected twice. The plus side is that they will refund the money I spent for the privilege of speaking to them and are sending new OS discs free of charge. I guess prefacing an opening with "Yes, hello, I am not angry at you specifically but I am incredibly angry with the service I've received up until now" gets their attention.

{{JZ}} I'm sorry this is such a hassle. Child care is crazy expensive. I'm glad to hear the HR lady is trying to find some solutions for you. Vibing for more paid time off and a perfect child care solution.

I took the boys to work with me until they were 2 and too active. At that time I did a lot of service work and training. I'd show up at the office that needed my services and announce that I was nursing and ask if they minded. Not a single time did anyone object. I worked in banks, law offices, medical offices. They all took it in stride. Amazing how cooperative people are when their software don't work.

(plus, not eligible for a CA State program that's supposed to allow for an additional 6 weeks of disability -- except that I'm a state university employee and my uni has severe and severely fucked budget restrictions).

The Paid Family Leave or the Pregnancy Disability Act?

I hate to be all mememe when so many buffistas are dealing with far more pressing issues right now, but I am starting to freak out about something. Mainly, getting a job. I don't know how I am going to afford the holidays without one, and if I want something in retail this is the time to be applying. The thing is, I really don't. Last year was very difficult for me physically and I am not sure if I can do it again. The problems with not doing retail are: 1. There is very little money I can make and not frell with my benifits. 2. I am extremely unqualified for anything else. I figured I should ask for some advice from the spicy brains here rather than sitting here worrying about it.

JZ, insent.

sj, is the holiday money for presents? If that is the case, perhaps a re-evaluation of that might take care of the issue on the other side? Like, perhaps do crazy cookie baking- I know one person who does INSANE holiday cookie stuff- these cookies are so amazing... different kinds, etc... and you could package them relatively inexpensively and give them as gifts?

My personal thing is, I would hate to think of someone I care about suffering to get me a freaking Christmas present. I'm pretty anti-Christmas present. The whole obligation aspect of it, that is.

Take it with a grain of salt, I'm pretty stupid with the Occasion gift giving thing- I am pretty much not a fan, either giving or recieving. This is only one of many reasons of why I suck. For me, food, beverage, and time spent together trumps pretty much any other thing that someone could buy for me, and this is why I have trouble getting stuff for other people who aren't wired freaky like me.

sj, is the holiday money for presents? If that is the case, perhaps a re-evaluation of that might take care of the issue on the other side? Like, perhaps do crazy cookie baking- I know one person who does INSANE holiday cookie stuff- these cookies are so amazing... different kinds, etc... and you could package them relatively inexpensively and give them as gifts?

It's partly presents, partly because I want extra money to pay down debt and add to savings, and partly because I really feel like I need to be doing something right now. Teacup Guy and I made a plan for presents and I am cutting way back by making gift baskets, which I can do cheaply and still make them look pretty. I don't feel I can/want to cut out presents entirely. Giving gifts is important to me, which I know is kind of crazy.