Heh. Go Connie, use the bereavement leave. I used a day, even though I was not bereaved. Could've had three, but figured I should not abuse the karma.

And she'd probably die if she saw that, because ugh.

In that case, buy the gift you'd give her anyway, invent prior plans to get out of the shower, give her the gift privately. No sense in the mom-to-be suffering because her friend is a jerk.

And connie, take the full time. You never know what issues or emotions will get dredged up.

The funeral's going to be in Wyoming, because the arrangements for bringing her down to Utah were just too complicated for John, the Neil onsite. And I bet we'll have the funeral Mass, too, which I hope won't be too upsetting for the observant Mormons in the family. For those who don't know, it wasn't that long ago that Mormons were fairly public in their opinion that the Catholic Church was equivalent to the Great Whore of Babylon.

So I'm using the full bereavement time. Hubby has to be back in town on Friday morning for some pre-surgical tests. We're going up Wednesday, the funeral's Thursday, then we drive back. I like Hubby's sister and her daughter, so it won't be a bad trip. Plus it will be the first time I've been out-of-state in too many years (that's damned sad). So here's to you, Mom, you're at least getting me out of town.

Also, for the Catholics/knowledgeable about Catholic stuff, one of the things we found in Mom's stuff is an odd circle of metal with a small crucifix at the top and ten balls around the outside of the circle. I'm wondering if it's some sort of mini-rosary for convenient fiddling with.

Connie, that's exactly what it is -- like a mini-rosary one can use while driving, for instance. (That's how my mom used hers back in the day when she was uber-Catholic.)

t edit Like this, right? [link]

So, err.

I have a question for Bitches. It involves pony play. Specifically, when people get really into it (like, to the plug point and beyond): can you get different shoes to indicate that, say, Pony!You is a Clydesdale/Other Draft Horse?

The worst part is, this is to answer something that came up at work.

I feel smart!

edit: Exactly like that picture! Thank you, Teppalicious.

It involves pony play. Specifically, when people get really into it (like, to the plug point and beyond): can you get different shoes to indicate that, say, Pony!You is a Clydesdale/Other Draft Horse?

"Plug point" = tail? Anyway, I don't see why not, though something like that would probably be custom-made.

I just answered a question about Catholic paraphernalia, and then a pony play question.

There's something so deeply wrong about that.

And so wonderfully right.

A lot of pony gear is custom made so I expect you can get in Appaloosa print if you want.

Ben got his report card, today, all A, A-, and B grades. Score one for the good guys.

Go Ben!

I went over to Emmett's school early to alert them and talk to his teacher. Then I walked Emmett to aftercare and explained to him. He was just sad that he doesn't get to see A. Then I told the aftercare people.

Called EM and she was at home so I went over. We took a walk to a nearby bar, sat in the beergarden and had a couple. Talked a lot about her stuff, but also Emmett and Matilda and parenting and got her laughing and relaxed again. It was good.

P-Cow, you'll like this. Emmett and I were talking about the latest Avatar. We'd both already seen it once and were rewatching.

Me: "Did Iroh already yell at Zukko yet?"
Emmett: "He's going to yell at him again, but he's going to use more painful words. That's what makes it more emotional and is why the show is so good."