You people... I am overwhelmed. I have lost all the words, and I really mean ALL THE WORDS. It's OK, because there are none that can adequately express just how grateful I am for your kindness and generosity. Truly, I didn't much get beyond flapping hands and slight blubbering. (Ask sarameg; I think I stunned her with the lack of verbosity.) The rosary is gorgeous, and it happens to be my favorite physical manifestation of organized prayer. I will treasure it always, because it is a symbol of how much people can care.

I've been on the side of the givers before, and the feeling is awesome. Being a recipient of the Buffista largesse is completely overwhelming and so very humbling. I can never thank you all enough, and I certainly can never repay you, so I will just try to pay it forward. I thank god every day that I stumbled upon this place in 2004. You have been my sounding board and my sanity during some very trying times in my life. I love the people in the box.

Damn, how can I follow Maria?

But...can I have some job-ma? I'm being considered for a freelance book copyeditor position I want very, very badly, and I think I have a fighting chance at.

I sent in my samples tonight on which the decision would be made, and I would greatly appreciate some "hire Erin" energy.

I'm on tenterhooks.

Thanks!

Erin, maybe I can help. I can release the job~ma that I've been hoarding for two or so years.

I've accepted a job as an assistant counsel the General Counsel's office at The Hartford insurance in Hartford, CT. It will be a huge change, but worth it, I think.

FAQWife & I are at the baby hospital. Birth-ma, if you please!

Release the Ma! Aaron Wolf Bernhardt born at 7:54pm EDT, 6 lbs., 18.5". Baby & mom are all doing well. Photos to come!

Some -MA ready to pass on from here, too: contract extended thru Feb 1st. Not as momentous as a Buffista baby or a big job move, but happy-making given this economy.

Can I dip into the ~ma well for DH's family and his grandmother? She's 93 and just went into the hospital for what looks like some invasive bladder cancer and a heart attack. I'm glad he got to see her this summer, but I know from her saying so a while back that this is not how she wanted things to go.

With a tip o' the cap to DavidS who noted that my offspring shares initials with a certain 70s Scottish funk band, I have created the requisite baby photo blog. [link]

Please. Bartleby is going in for surgery tomorrow and I am in rough shape. It should be fine, but he is just everything and, well...I'm frightened.

The stuff he is having done has caused him tremendous pain in the past, which just breaks my heart. It will also exacerbate an on-going health thing that, recently, we've been managing pretty well.

Also, to say that I can't afford this would be insulting the concept of affordability. If the bill comes in on the lowest of sides, I can squeeze it on our healthcare credit card. Anything beyond that will be something to be managed.

One great thing is that friends are dropping us off and picking us up, which is a gift beyond measure.

Please, ease of procedure, least possible pain, competent surgeons and conservative pricing ~ma, if you have any to spare.

Also, if someone could drop sleeping powder on me, that would be awesome, as we are heading out at Ohmagod o'clock.

Heading home from my uncle's funeral, my flight was turned back from Ketchikan due to high winds. I have to say that at that point, that was the outcome I was praying for, as "high winds" seemed a gross understatement to me at the time. I've been unable to book another flight until evening, so while I pan on being busy throughout the morning (my pillow and I have an appointment), should any Seattlistas have time in the afternoon, it would be great to connect. My cell and email are in my profile.