Going back a bit, but Stephanie, I have recurring back problems (muscle spasm type stuff). A couple things that might help your SIL without risk to the baby. At least as far as I know -- I'm no expert on what creates risks to pregnant women and babies.

Lay down, feet propped up. I'm not sure how it helps, but it does.

Alternate heat and cold. It's a bit tough to combine the two because heating pads tell you not to lay on the pad.

I've found that massage often helps, but even I know a woman in such a late stage of pregnancy isn't supposed to lay on her stomach, so probably not a good idea for your SIL.

I've found that massage often helps, but even I know a woman in such a late stage of pregnancy isn't supposed to lay on her stomach, so probably not a good idea for your SIL.

There are plenty of spas that offer "gestational massage" where they kind of prop you up with pillows so you can lie face-down without putting any pressure on the bump. It is wonderful.

Gah. Massage. Need. Not pregnant, but NEED. The massage. Not the pregnant.

I am slightly freaking out. K-Bug turns 18 tomorrow. How the HECK did that happen? Hush. You know what I mean.

There are plenty of spas that offer "gestational massage" where they kind of prop you up with pillows so you can lie face-down without putting any pressure on the bump.

I stand corrected. As I said, I'm not the expert on pregnancy and childbirth. But it's nice to know that spas do address such matters.

Had to have a chat with the cleaners today, the one I keep swearing that I won't use again. But, it's right on the corner, so convenient.

I have a suit jacket that looks like suede, but it isn't. It's actually polyester. She tried to charge me $9. I said "whoa, $9" she said "special cleaning!" I said "no one else has ever charged me extra" Then she says "okay, $8" I said "no, it can be cleaned like a regular jacket" She wasn't happy, but I wasn't paying an extra $3.

K-Bug turns 18 tomorrow.

Wow! The passage of time, man, it's crazy.

The more I have to do, the less I want to do it all

Oh, that is so me. I had a friend in college who at one point around finals week said "I have so much to do that I might as well just not do any of it" and most everyone thought that that made no sense, but I knew just what he meant. The only way I can get past it is to pick one thing that will be the thing that I will work on accomplishing (some days that one thing is getting out of bed) and let the rest go. I can't always do it, but when I can, it helps.

Aw! Niecey is wearing a shirt that was mine when I was a kid (has my IRL name on back): [link]

Oh, neat! And what a cutie.

A million years ago my family went to Florida on vacation and it was unexpectedly cold so Mom bought a bright orange Dolphins sweatshirt for my brother to wear because it was the only warm thing readily available. He wore it for years, then I wore it for years, then my little sister wore it and it never wore out or got horribly stained or full of holes and now my sister's kids have it. I just love that kind of familial continuity.

K-Bug can't be 18. I declare it.

Vortex, that is ridiculous.

Sparky, I feel your pain on entitled students. I came to campus today for a tutoring appointment, and the kid didn't show up. Grrrrrrrr. Oh, well. I'm doing schoolwork.

Students are like this everywhere. They're so incredibly young sometimes.

This is why you should come over to the dark side. I get to look at people like that and say "so?".

At least until they make partner.