Okay headed to the hospital. Is it a bad sign when the nurses just see you on the monitor and buzz you in without you having to say anything? Or when the valets recognize you on sight? Or when the other ward nurses, not where your kids are, stop you and ask about your kids?

I got that for a while in the Cardiac Care Unit, though the nurses would look at me and say, "Oh, no, he's back again?"

I think it is good to be known at the hospital - if you have to be there a lot it is easier if they know who you are.

I've only ever used complicated sewing machines. I have no intention of starting to sew my own clothes, but would like to have something fast and solid to do my own basic mending. Maybe put together a drawstring bag or too--strictly lazy people stuff. Is this a good buy? Good feature set, and good price?

I barely missed Betsy's birthday. Happy belated Birthday Betsy!

All I know is that Brother is a big brand for sewing machines.

However, I think this would be better....

Dammit, now I want that.

Also, it includes this for free! Which if there is a Cute Overload for sewing machines, must surely be featured on it.

So apparently I am waking up early on Monday mornings. 3 weeks in a row translates as a trend, not a happenstance, right? Doesn't apply to the rest of the week, though.

I went to complain about the lack of a/c. To my shock, they have an Actual Maintenance Manager now. Who was there at 8:15. And his office at least LOOKS organized, with whiteboards and ticket numbers and statuses. And he entered the request on a computer using the same call tracking software I use! Y'all, this is huge. Before, it was a dubious-looking notebook with pages ripped out. Time will tell, of course.

I get weirded out that the security guard on the back stretch of roadway that I maybe take once a week recognizes me. But he's not taking care of my kids.

Okay headed to the hospital. Is it a bad sign when the nurses just see you on the monitor and buzz you in without you having to say anything? Or when the valets recognize you on sight? Or when the other ward nurses, not where your kids are, stop you and ask about your kids?

I listened to a This American Life once that was about hospital politics. These sons had a dad who was sick and they were trying all these different strategies to get the hospital staff to see their dad as a person and not just another patient. I think if the staff knows you and so on, it can only translate into better care for the babies.

I'm with Stephanie on this -- not that NICU nurses would ever treat newborns worse but it never hurts to have them think positively of their charges' parents and prod their subconscious instincts to think a little more often about your babies. I'm sure chocolates and other treats for the adult care-providers wouldn't be out of line either.

signed, My Sister-in-Law Is an ICU Nurse