I think it's a very good letter, Kristin.

I also think you need to charge her when she fails to show/fails to give you adequate notice - and I have been that flake, and been charged for my flakiness, and thought at the time that it was fair enough. But I appreciate that it can be difficult to instigate this policy midway into your relationship. (Although it's what my singing teacher did to me, fwiw.)

Laura - yay! SO pleased that this is working out with your mum and dad!

it's the first time I've written a final by myself, and I'm all nervous that it's too long or too short for the time period, or that I've got a typo somewhere that'll mess up a question.

Hil, don't worry about it. If it's too long or too short, everyone has the same advantage or weakness. It just helps you for next time. Also, make sure that you are in the building during the final, so if there's a question or confusion, you can clear it up. You can always extend the test time by any time that you have to give explanations.

Ooh, Hil - I asked my colleague again about Botswana, and she reiterated that she'd go back tomorrow. However, she said that her husband worked at the University of Botswana, and that he found it rather frustrating. Whether that was because of his particular job or a reflection of what it's like to work there I don't know - if you're interested I could get his email addy, though.

Thanks, Fay. I'm not going to be applying anywhere for another few months, and I have no idea if that job will still be available then, but I'll keep that in mind.

I'm going to be in the classroom during the final. I'm pretty sure the questions are all OK -- most of them are similar in form to things they've seen before, and the ones that aren't are things that they ought to be able to figure out.

Oh it would be so nice to have a deep clean of the house, not done by me.

I went to visit a GF and drank wine and watched last week's Lost. It was relaxing. We planned a Saturday moms brunch since we expect to not be treated properly on Sunday. A few girls, quiche, mimosas, croissants, fruit, tomatoes and cheese skewers, umm other stuff. Kids and husbands banished. Just 6 of us. Imma liking the plan.

I'm trying to work out budget numbers for a huge project.

n * 25% @^ fee = hugeprojectbudget

right?

what?

t /fantasy bid

I *must* buy this for Em. [link]

I would have spent a lot more on clothes if I had girls. Aims, you could make that. Really, you can.

I'm trying to find stuff on craigslist. I need a lamp and a headboard. Why are headboards so difficult to find? I don't really care all that much what it looks like, as long as it keeps my pillows from falling on the floor, but it seems like almost no one is ever getting rid of one. Lamps are easier, I'm just cheap and don't want to pay much for one.

Deep clean of the house would be really nice. I'm working on slowly doing it myself, but it's taking forever.

My new bookshelf came today. Now I need to move a whole bunch of stuff to make room for it. Feh. Why aren't there magical furniture-movers? I need to move one of my old bookcases, which means taking out all the books, moving the case, and then putting the books back.

n * 25% @^ fee = hugeprojectbudget

Hey! No fair giving away my formula.