Stephanie, when we had our feral litter, some of my research indicated that the mother may be difficult for you to spot, but may still be actively caring for her kittens nonetheless. Did they appear to be in distress, or were they relatively healthy? I agree with sarameg's comments above.

I managed not to flip out like a mammal. I was pretty close, though. I might have flipped out like an invertebrate.

Turns out I was mostly sublimating my last minute worries about the build into every single thing in my life, of which, the band stuff was foremost. And then we hadn't been able to get most of our locations definitively scheduled yet.

So today we a) met with the director of one program and worked out a shared vision, if not an actual date, b) presented to the students at another program and worked out both dates and class breakdowns, c) bought a fabulous pair of comfy and more formal looking black slacks with pinstripes, and most importantly d) heard back officially from the bank that we are funded, and therefore e) called our builder to give the greenlight.

Then we went out and had a celebratory dinner at a totally fantastic new upscale pizza joint (for downscale prices). And now I'm home and actually off work, so I can get some housework done and just relax, too.

Haven't seen the movie, Theo, but I kinda get it. I think.

Yay you!

I really do admire yous who grab for your opportunities. Mine have recently ended up falling to me and I quail at grabbing them even as I slap at my head for that.

eta: Liese, congrats! I can't wait to see the progress.

sara, I'm stoked on your behalf about the new job!

Because I had an awesome day at the beach today, it's an all good news meara:

That's awesome about Gonzales. I kind of love getting my news here.

Yay for your raise, Sophia!!

Yay for back to school, Theo!!

Yay for your reading, paperdol!!

Yay for your new job, sarameg!!

I am sunburned, but happy. And have plans to go back in a couple of weeks. Phew! It's pathetic that I never got to the beach this summer until just now.

Yeah, lots of awesome news today. Yay for Theo & her new superawesome skilled self-to-be. Yay for sara and the new job.

Y'all are sweet. I feel guilty bogarting any congrats cause it happened a week and a bit ago.

Yay on the school going, Theodosia!

Sarameg, I hope the new job is great and that you start feeling comfortable with it right away, despite the change thing.

yaY Theo! and congrates to sarameg!

and whoo hoo for getting things settled Liese!

and I forgot to say yay for Sophia, too.

Jesse covers my "Yay!"s but to reiterate...

Sophia, the raise is long overdue.

Theo, wonderful news! I know you'll enjoy this year.

paperdol, don't you watch What Not To Wear? Slap on one of those fitted blouse thingies with the over the waist parts, create the hourglass illusion and you're home free. Also, let Robin take you shopping. And have drinks before and afterwards.

sarameg, congratulations!

I agree that Vick is a low-life piece of shit for murdering dogs and the whole cruel, vicious mess. But my hope is that the is remorse is genuine--that he's actually sorry for what he's done. NOT just sorry for getting caught.

Here's how I feel about Michael Vick: he's a bad human being and I don't give a fuck about his "redemption" or remorse. He's a sociopath, and that's not something you recover from. Unfortunately, the worst thing that can happen to him is that he is forced out of football and forced to live as a millionaire with a circle of validating sycophants and golf buddies for the rest of his life. (see: O.J. Simpson)