I'm still here. Can't get to sleep -- my knees are killing me. I took some Advil, and I'm waiting for it to kick in.

Oh, that's frustrating. I'm sorry, Hil.

It sounds awesome, Fay, but anything that detailed is going to be expensive, and on the ankle (bone), possibly painful.

Hmm. The thing is, I wouldn't consider having a tatoo in any of my better padded places, because of them being - well. Better padded. Plus I like the idea of trompe l'oiel (which I can't spell), so...yeah. Hmm. Damn.

The expense thing is managable though, because I figure I could get a chain done initially, and then gradually add charms over time. (The flamey buddism symbol thing being the last thing I'd have done, before I leave Thailand - because feet are unclean & putting a holy symbol on the feet would be offensive to people here.)

I would also be very sure of the tattoo artist you go to, to make sure they understand how things should look.

It's a girl who's done the tats for the swimming instructor at school and for my colleague who teaches Year 1 (& is head of Key Stage 1). He's got 3 tats from her so far that I've seen, and they've been gorgeous, so I reckon she's probably okay. And I've brought a detailed watercolour sketch of it, to help with explaining. Made to measure with my ankle.

Gotta dash!

Where's my morning shift?

I didn't want to wake you, if you'd gone back to sleep. How are you doing, vw?

How are you doing, vw?

Ok. A little anxious, but ok. Waiting for my coffee to brew. How are you?

Okay, but I'm still waiting for this fluid to get out of my ear. I finished my second prescription, last night. Well, actually, I have 12 pills left. The doctor prescribed 28 pills (4 per day, for 7 days). The pharmacy put that on the label, and then put 40 pills in the bottle. I'm going to call my doctor this morning, and see if I should keep taking them, considering my ear hasn't cleared, yet.

I'm a little anxious, too. Scott's going to work, today. It's the first day he hasn't worked from home in over a week. Yesterday, though, was the first day I didn't take an Ativan, so I may feel better once everyone is gone. The anticipation sometimes is the worst part.

What are you going to do, today?

vw! Good morning! (this is a quick wave-n-hello, for I must depart for work, alas)

Cindy, I'm so sorry you're still not feeling well. That's so frustrating and anxiety-producing!

What are you going to do, today?

I'm going back to school today, so I need to do some work getting ready for that this morning, then I've got school in the afternoon. Then I have to pick up mom's car from the shop and get it back to her. It'll be a kind of busy day, but not as busy as yesterday. I also want to do some writing about the hospitalization and kind of try to process that. There's a lot of judgment in my head right now about having to be hospitalized. I mean, I know it was the right/best decision, but I'm still frustrated with myself.

Hi, Anne! Have a good day at work!

morning all!

It's starting to feel like spring outside ... which means we're due for another snowstorm/cold spell!

vw, glad to have you back - glad you're taking care of yourself. And think how happy Toto will be to see you.

Jilli, it is possible to trim your own hair - I did it a few times when I had long hair. I'd trim off a more or less equal amount from the ends, brush it out, check it out in the mirror (with my back to a wall-mounted mirror, using a hand mirror to check on the evenness), note where it was uneven, and then trim a little more. The trick seemed to be doing a little bit at a time. It also helped that with my hair that length it was wavy/frizzy and being even wasn't that much of an issue, so it might not work as well as you. Some things are better left to professionals.

meara, did you see that a new round of ANTM is starting tonight? looking forward to it.

And I'm thinking of getting a tattoo ... my first. Once I lose some more weight. Any recommendations for DC-area places?