ita, so sorry to hear you're in the hospital. I hope you have gotten some pain relief now.

My nephews just left. They're so big and so cute! An hour with them isn't nearly enough, but I'm very grateful to have had it.

ita - the system deserves some serious smiting.

typo - welcome back and thank you for the mental vacation to Bali!

laura & meara - is it possible that the pendulum is headed back towards research and away from marketing? I don't know, but I'm asking. Either way, that lunch scheme sounds so incredibly over the top it isn't funny. What is the return on 'free lunch, all the time'?

Cashmere - I couldn't say so at the time, but I really appreciated your comments - it was good to hear I wasn't shouting at the rain (this time).

vw - sounds like you handled it really well.

ok, so from the land of "you know your child's a buffista if...": We went to Target last week for something Very Important (can't remember what now) and sproglet snagged on the Hello Kitty! display. "Hello Kitty!" she didn't-quite yell, holding her arms out and demonstrating the ability to bend space and time towards her.

We distracted her by saying (yes, it was exactly the time we were discussing this on the board) that maybe Santa would bring one Hello Kitty thing. Immediately, she said: "Toaster! I want the Hello Kitty toaster.... and the clock!" Which was kind of strange, but we thought we'd let it ride. And that she would maybe think of other kitchenware she wanted instead.

No such luck. All the way home: "and we will get the Hello Kitty! Toaster and I will put two slices of bread in it and they will be toast and I will give you toast from the Hello Kitty! toaster and then we can have breakfast and it will be good.. mumble mumble." (she fell asleep then).

Three days later: "is that Santa? (in a magazine) He's going to bring me my Hello Kitty! toaster. and I will put two slices of bread in it and they will be toast and I will give you toast from the Hello Kitty! toaster !"

Then last night, while watching an illicit Max and Ruby xmas special on Demand - "that's santa! He's leaving presents! He's going to bring me my Hello Kitty! toaster."

This morning, she and DH wrote a letter to santa, so that he would know what to order from Target bring.

This has saga written all over it. or at least series.

laura & meara - is it possible that the pendulum is headed back towards research and away from marketing?

It looked like this was going to be the case for a while there, but lately it seems worse than ever. Not in the industry, so just personal observation from spending lots of time in doctor's offices.

Hello Kitty snags another fan! Welcome to the pink, glittery club, Sox!Sprog!

I'm at the library and have two papers to work on. I am totally not in the mood. Ick.

I don't really know--the companies I've worked for have been tiny, and usually don't have much if anything on the market!! Not that I really interact with any of the sales people at all. So I'm only vaguely aware of what goes on with all that. But I know there are a lot of new rules (from the medical associations? Def. from some of the big universities/hospitals) about doctors and residents and interns not being allowed to accept things. But I think at private practices, that may not apply? Not sure.

He's going to bring me my Hello Kitty! toaster. and I will put two slices of bread in it and they will be toast and I will give you toast from the Hello Kitty! toaster !"

I'm so melted. I should get my grumpy teen boys Hello Kitty toasters. That'll teach them.

We compromised on the tree thing this year. I sat the 3 of them down this morning and said, "frankly the last few years the whole putting up the tree, decorating, cleaning up needles, watering, taking down the tree, cleaning up the mess, thing has been a one woman job and I ain't gonna take it anymore." Said no tree, or some other deal. We ended up agreeing to get a much smaller tree, like 3-4 feet that can go on a table top in front of the front window and empty promises for more help for mom. We'll see.

Gris--Our friend Tracy wrote that play! So glad you liked it. He's so talented and also a unique and charming guy.

nateunafoseutaorecudaz,t.dpawtfutsncfa!!!!!!!!

That is awesome.

I would not be surprised if he wins the Pulitzer for it. In fact, I would be surprised if he doesn't, assuming it's eligible. Which I think it is. First performed 2007, American writer, about certain elements of the American experience... yep. Right?

"He's going to bring me my Hello Kitty! toaster. and I will put two slices of bread in it and they will be toast and I will give you toast from the Hello Kitty! toaster!"

Y'all are trying to kill me with the cute.

Y'all are trying to kill me with the cute.

come on over Ginger - we'll make you toast and you'll feel better. with lots of exclamation points.