Am I right in that she doesn't have a legal right to make us leave our apartment for a showing?

yes. And you should make it clear that there will be NO time when less than 24 hours notice is acceptable.

perhaps a response along the lines of "I thought that I had been clear that we will ALWAYS need 24 hours notice before you show the apartment, no exceptions ever. I can't accomodate your request to leave the apartment for the 11 showing tomorrow" (and follow it up with a letter)

Is it just ingrained in Boston-Area landlords that they pull this shit?

How dumb is your landlady? If I had a property I was renting, but wanted to sell, I would be as accomodating as possible to my renters so that I could ensure rent money would be coming in until I got an offer to buy. As it is, you guys are trying to get out ASAP, so now the place could be vacant (and I'm hearing that houses are staying on the market longer these days) while she's still looking for a buyer. Dumb.

I don't know about brandy, but I got whiskey on my pacifier when I was little.

I can't. She's one of those people that will make life hell at school if you piss her off. I'm just sitting here fuming.

then you need to take this up with your department head. It is unacceptable for her to "assign" you a class that you have already declined to cover.

Thanks, Vortex. I wish I had the nerve to stand up for myself like that, but the truth is I don't. She intimidates the hell out of me. I told her if she wants to show it tomorrow, I will not be leaving the apartment. I'm going to try to book a few apartment appointments for the weekend now, because I just can't deal with this bullshit anymore.

Dear crap assed administrative assistant,

Did you not notice the last part of your title. It means you are there to assist. If Kristin needs that period, take her at her word, and figure out a way to make it work. Yeah, it's going to be a little harder than just ordering people to do stuff, but it's kinda what you're there for. Don't be a dick and do your job. You're making us look bad.

No love,
Queen and most beloved of AAs

P.S. Seriously, don't be a dick to the people you're there to help.

How dumb is your landlady? If I had a property I was renting, but wanted to sell, I would be as accomodating as possible to my renters so that I could ensure rent money would be coming in until I got an offer to buy. As it is, you guys are trying to get out ASAP, so now the place could be vacant (and I'm hearing that houses are staying on the market longer these days) while she's still looking for a buyer. Dumb.

She's really dumb. She keeps bitching to us about how she is losing $500 a month on this place, but she is going to be even crankier when she is losing $1500 a month on this place, because it's not worth even the remainder of what is left on her mortage. Idiot.

(Perhaps the Buffista babies were sharing their insomnia--I had yet another night of it last night. A few more of these and I'm going to have to spork someone for real.)

They must have been, because the insomnia fairy visited me, too.

thank you WindSparrow! no, not stargate.

Our pediatrician swore we wouldn't need any sort of Benadryl when we flew - the first time we sort of believed him. The next big trip went like this: scene: crowded, sweat-smelling greasy US aircraft. opening: toddler plays with toes during takeoff. middle-aged professor who'd switched out of our row faster than anything finds he's sitting next to a screaming five year old. Sweet toddler discovers airplane window blinds. Up. Down. Up. Wipes face with hand. DH: did she just wipe her nose? Sox: maybe? Iris, do you have a cold? I think she's getting a cold. Or allergies. It could be allergies. Toddler: NO! {up. down.} Sox: doesn't she sound congested to you?? DH: very. we should probably give her a little something before it gets worse...

five minutes later - airplane nirvana. Super bad mommy.

sj, I'm sorry your landlady insists on being a PITA. When she arrives with the person tomorrow you should open the door with, "I'm so glad you're here because now I can show you the leak I've been telling you about!"

May you find a lovely place to live this weekend, because I'm sure your landlady won't mind if you give her less than 30 days notice since she's not at all concerned about what the law says.