sj, don't feel bad about being an early shopper -- I have about half (or more) of my Christmas shopping done. I get too stressed if I don't start early.

I normally start on Columbus Day weekend, but this year nsm. So shopping tonight with mom, Saturday craft fair with mom and one of my favorite aunts, and Sunday shopping with TCG's stepmother. Still trying to figure out how to stretch the money.

I like craft fairs for gift stuff. I can never get it together to get to one, though, it seems.

We need The Daily Adventures of Fay and Ray, I think.

Emmett's Mom determined that Emmett was sick and so has deposited him at our house today. Without his shoes. Inconvenient. Also, he does not have a fever and is not throwing up and his shinbone is not jutting through his shinskin at an acute angle, nor is currently engulfed in flame. So. I would've taken Sniffles, the Not Particularly Sick Boy to school anyway. And I would've included the shoes.

Also, we don't have the car back until tomorrow. Which means tomorrow we get to make the extra long public transit commute to the East Bay for the second time this week. This is trickier without shoes. (Yes, I'm going down to Haight Street to pick up some sneakers on sale and EM will pay me back for them.)

Gloomcookie, I am thoroughly miffed on GF's behalf, but recommend that she file for unemployment and take a month off with some spa days in between.

I read Fay's post while still only half awake this morning and didn't realize she was talking about stuffed animals until the very end and thought she was slightly insane. Still highly entertaining and she really should write children's books.

Robin, This month I'm finally meeting the feminist book club you pointed me to...hope they are fun. Wish I had not given my Backlash away, thinking "Huh...what are the odds I'll look at this again?" because it is the book. d'oh. And not exactly the debauchery I hope for but the journey of a thousand miles, blah, blah.

No shoes? How does that happen? I mean, the boy is old enough to put on his own shoes, or realize he is missing such.

she really should write children's books

Seconded!

Whoot! My Old Navy order shipped.

Also? I'm a bad mommy. I bought Em a couple of t-shirts and a pair of jeans at ON a couple of weekends ago. I totally want to return them and buy stuff for me.

GC, does your girlfriend have her job until February (or whenever they're closing down the division)? If so, will she get the raise, for the wages she earns in the meantime? t desperately looking for less irony

This thread title really couldn't be more appropriate to my mood right now. Except I don't blame everyone else--I just blame germs as a whole. Stoopid germs.

I've taken three different kinds of meds and homeopathetic remedies throughout this morning, and although I'm less congested, the fever won't break. It's really difficult to grade with a fever.

Weep. Crawl. Blame.