No. But it had a pussy on it.

Hopefully NOT from the Dolores Umbridge collection.

I lament the lack of ritual in our culture.

Transitions are important. Recognition of milestones helps to increase a sense of satisfaction and make sharp the line between success and incompletion.

Without ritual, everything becomes a big so-what? I think that is sad.

Lord God, the ruckus when my mother found out I was on the pill in college. I was home for Christmas break, she found a reason to go through my dresser drawers--apparently she was looking for a hammer. We will not discuss why she thought a hammer would be in my dresser--and she found the pill package. I got home from shopping that day to find her sitting tearfully in the kitchen wanting desperately to know where she'd gone wrong that I was having sex at my age. 20 years old, for the record.

It was the conversation that sealed the gap between us. She said she was tempted not to let me go back to college--that den of iniquity--but then she'd have to tell my father. I asked her if she'd rather I got pregnant. It went, if possible, downhill from there. Still, I was very proud of myself that I was never reduced to tears, while she got progressively more weepy.

Happy birthday, Deena!

Bev, I'm so glad to hear it was nothing.

Anne, I'm so glad Glenn is home. Continued health~ma headed his way.

d, I hope the doctors figure out what's going on with your father soon.

Congratulations to the Industries and welcome to the world Geneva! Your father is quite a good catcher.

Oof, I am so glad it's over and done with. I just finished my annual review, and I spent all morning fretting over it. Rationally, I knew it was going to be fine, because my boss and I communicate on a daily basis, but there's still a niggling worry that one of these days they'll figure out that I'm a fraud.

So my overall rating is "exceeds job requirements" and I got a raise. My favorite line from the whole thing? "M does not lack for words." Ya think?

Now I'm releasing all the ~ma you were sending me (without realising it) back into the wild.

Hey, Suzi, check your email.

Matilda will not get a plate, but she may possibly get cake. Because any occasion is reason enough for cake.

"M does not lack for words."

No shit, Sherlock.

Maria, you rock! In fact, you exceed! Exceedingly!

JZ, backflung. And YAY!

My tummy is all knotted cause once again I'm trying to talk with upper management about new job responsibilities. I made an appointment to talk with one of the regional managers on Monday and now I'm all nervous. Blarg.

No shit, Sherlock.

Snorfle. It's as constant as the sun rising in the east and setting in the west.

Thanks amych! I'm exceedlingly grateful it wasn't exceedingly painful.

edited to virtually send SuziQ the good vodka. That should untie your knots.

Glad it was nothing, Bev!