Probably not beep me worthy, but I skipped ahead because...I have my plane and hotel reservations for Budapest. I'm all excited and freaked! Any travel advice is welcome.

Also, and I've said this before, but I really want to thank all you SFistas who showed me that travel by myself to a city without people I know off the internets is something I can do.

It was the baby step I needed to take my dream trip.

Swoll is not the first dubious word I've heard on NPR. Last month I was listening to a show about computer networks and twice I heard the word "securitize".

Awww, I'm so excited for you Daisy.

I had a dream about you last night. And because my subconscious was in a good mood, you had short curly hair.

When we were at the Ren Faire yesterday, Emmett was poking around in one of the costume stalls and - for no particular reason - decided to be an old man. His best line (in his idea of a crotchety old voice):

"Mind your peepers and respect your shrunken elders!"

This weekend he has been both (a) incredibly charming and loving and fun with Matilda and; (b) completely obnoxious in a full of too much energy bouncing off the walls boy flopping greedy grabbing thoughtless way.

It's so wonderful to hear the pride and love in your voicetyping when you talk about Emmett and Matilda, Hec. Makes me warm and fuzzy. Also? Emmett is hysterical.

Daisy, wow! I'm very happy and excited for you. Turkey and the Greek Isles are my destinations for a dream trip, so maybe someday I'll join you!

I've never heard "swoll." Odd.

I would love to visit the Greek Isles! My hairdresser goes there often. If she comes across a really good package, I'll let you know.

I love ShrunkenOldMan!Emmett!

Ok. Off to deliver sympathy card to a friend. Check y'all later!

Oh, Stephanie, that's scary. Hang in there, and go to the ER if you feel that's best. You know best. Really.

Daisy, how fun! YAY!

"Mind your peepers and respect your shrunken elders!"

BWAH!

Kristin, how are you feeling?

I made Emmett turn off the TV and now he's reading The Great Brain while heaving great sighs that he's been cut off from the electronics.

Then I get to take him out of the house to do laundry and shopping and listen to him complain bitterly that he's not at home eating ice cream and watching The Simpsons.

To keep myself entertained I'll concoct a series of retroactive punishments for all his complaining and announce randomly, "Oh, and because you're being a total pill, you can't play on Nintendo for the rest of the day."

"What? When was that a rule?"

"I just made it up."

Then, of course, he'll let Matilda sleep on his chest for an hour and I'll have to give him ice cream and we'll watch The Simpsons.

Thanks everyone for the support - Ellie's fever hasn't gone any higher. I'll take her to her doctor tomorrow unless her fever goes higher. FOr now, we are eating animal crackers and drinking 7-Up.

"I just made it up."

You're so mean!

Ellie's fever hasn't gone any higher. I'll take her to her doctor tomorrow unless her fever goes higher. FOr now, we are eating animal crackers and drinking 7-Up.

Sounds good.

David! You need to come back to Chicago so we can go here: [link]