Susan, this may fall into the dumb question category, but would it be doable to take Annabel to the same nurse practitioner? Or is pediatrics such a specialized specialization that it wouldn't accomplish anything?

You know, I could ask. I need to call my NP anyway (because it's looking probable that I have fibroids, sigh, and I need to find out if it's true and how they might impact my being able to have another child sometime before I'm 40), and I can ask her if she does pedes. I know the MD in her practice does, but I don't like her quite as much.

"Dear" Cow-irker:

So glad you enjoyed your vacation. And I do understand the temptation to extend it. HOWEVER. The idea behind scheduling a vacation is that the rest of us will know when you'll be in so we can plan our own work accordingly. Since you extended your time out of the office for two days, this has meant some problems for me and, I assume, other people in the office.

And, yes, I understand that you have a lot of work piled up; things that were supposed to be done on the first two days you were scheduled to be back are probably somewhat more than you can handle in one day. And I can understand that you're still in vacation mode. HOWEVER. Since you came in late and I do have some pressing projects, do you think you could cut your usual two-hour lunch break a little short and handle the request that I needed yesterday?

no love,

me

While it's not the fries or guacamole I was dreaming of earlier, my lunch of extra sharp cheddar on everything crackers and veggies dipped in peanut butter is teh YUM!

And I finished it off with a chocolate-covered Jo Jo (TJ's version of an Oreo). Mmmmm.

congrats on the job MM!

I did the spacing out thing growing up and it still happens to me sometimes as an adult. Usually I can snap out of it right away. Once in a blue moon I have to go with it for a few moments and let my eyes come back into focus on their own.

Next time I make guac I am definitely trying shallots instead of onions and/or garlic. I am a freak who adds tequila, too.

Congrats on the job, MM!

In defense of too-mashed guac, Tito's Tacos (corner of Sepulveda and Washington Blvd in Los Angeles) has amazing guac. That they can pour from a pitcher. It's more like guacamole sauce.

Of course, the high amounts of crack in it probably help.

Is refusing to potty train a sign of autism? Or just bull-headedness? Mal's adamant refusal to consider using the toilet is getting ridiculous.

Raq, I had the EXACT same problem with O prior to my weekend. I went away for three days and DH ended up getting him dialed in on the last, great hurdle of the process. Owen, will, however, periodically refuse to wash his hands. Then there is the mom-blocking-the-door-until-the-hands-washed-crying-screaming fit.

My house has seen a procession of repair men today. Roto Rooter Dude fished out a wad of squished up cardboard out of the master bath toilet. Heating/Cooling Dude found the problem with the A/C--a tripped circuit breaker. D'OH! It only cost $85 for something we could have found ourselves.

Still waiting on a call back from computer repair and lawn care guy.

periodically refuse to wash his hands. Then there is the mom-blocking-the-door-until-the-hands-washed-crying-screaming fit.

laughs and laughs and cries and cries.

we have the wipey wars in our house, on top of the hand wringing washing.

eta - turns out my neighbor is using the 'sink-the-cheerio' game to get her son interested. Probably not for your kiddos Cashmere - or is that what they've been doing....

Nope, Sox, our last hurdle was of the sitting kind. He had totally nailed standing to pee, staying dry all night, the underpants issue, everything except sitting to drop a deuce. He'd scream and fight and hold it in for three days, until we plied him with fruit juice and apple sauce. DH made him a star chart and now he gets a star for every successful completion.

So what I'm saving in buying diapers/pullups, I'm now spending on the Roto Rooter.

I love how the universe evens things out.

'sink-the-cheerio'

heh. I dated a guy in high school who had little battleships in his downstairs toilet. It was a little odd since the youngest boy in the house was 15.