I wish we had a reserve of support money somewhere and a good chunk of folk could take some unpaid time off of work committments, just to free up that space and stress.

Oh, so much this. I have to remind myself that no matter the strength of the urge, I can't just magically appear an ocean away and help, I don't know, mop a wet floor or hold a baby or help with a kid or make a place more guests-worthy. But I really do wish I could.

I am a mean and rude person, not his real mom, a bad mom, and in general really really bad.

No, you're not! But he's really checking out his boundaries at every possible place, isn't he? Wow. Poor you guys. I hope the rest of the day is nicer to all of you.

Cashmere, that goes to you, as well, of course.

Thanks, Nilly. At least I have a spare eye and mine hasn't learned my emotional buttons yet--just the physical ones.

Yep. It's Ricardo Montalban.

"I have done far worse than kill you, Dora...I've hurt you. And I wish to go on hurting you. I shall leave you as you left me, as you left Boots: marooned for all eternity in the center of a dead planet, buried alive. Buried alive."

"KHHHAAAAAANNNNNN!!!" "KHHHHAAAAAAANNNN!!!" "BAAAACCKKPPAAAACCKKK!!!"

Ugh, ita. I'm sure the nurses have worse patients than you. I hope someone that crosses your path today has a brilliant new idea to bring you some relief. I'll bet you still look cute in your pretty jammies.

NYCistas! Stay high and dry. 5 hours north of you it is sunny and 68F. It did rain last night, but only 1/2 inch.

The fire whistle went off at 7:30 this morning so I went next door to mom's to see what was happening with coffee in hand. Saw another neighbor out and about in his bathrobe. Being a city girl the whole fire/rescue system here is interesting and different. Twas a neighbor that I knew that had issues and got a ride to the hospital, an hour away.

Montalban does great voice. They always look like they are having fun doing the voices for these things. No such thing as over the top.

For everyone's info - I am a mean and rude person, not his real mom, a bad mom, and in general really really bad.

Join the club. Oh yeah, you did!

Happy Birthdays, Katerina and Ms. H!

ita, is there any way you can reschedule any of the meetings? Or at least participate from home? Because if anyone needs an easy day today, you do.

Thanks for the thoughts for Teddy. I'm hoping the car's A/C will keep the heat down. And that traffic isn't too bad as I head outbound on I-66 after his appointment. And that XM's 50s on 5 (his favorite radio station, we think) is working (playing what we think is his favorite song -- the Shirelles' "Dedicated to the One I Love" -- would be a nice extra).

I'm just waiting to get the same message from D when I forbid him to do something like climb on the roof or tell him he can't have chocolate for lunch.

FTR - mac's comments don't get me upset. I actually love that he has learned the word rude despite using it to mean "not giving me what I want" - never fear, I know I am an ok mom. Last night I was " a little cute mom and his best mom ever".

Thanks all the same.

The moms in my neighborhood compete for the meanest mom award. I think I should give my mom an extra hug today. The job does have sucky moments, lots of them.

the Shirelles' "Dedicated to the One I Love" -- would be a nice extra

It is a new ~ma request, but you got it.

In non-stormpocalypse news, I would like to be 8 weeks old again, please. I just spent 10 minutes entertaining Dylan by turning a lamp on and off. He was fascinated.