Is this too wordy?

Not at all. Very succinct and sensemaking :)

Shir, your sister rocks.

I think I may have hit onto something potentially brilliant with respect to consequences of actions.

Nate came home and told me about his in-school detention and gave me the letter to the parents immediately, no hiding, no nothing. We had The Talk about how when I asked him about it yesterday, it seemed he wasn't completely forthcoming. I asked him, "Did you think you might be getting in trouble at school?" and he replied, "Yeah, I kind of did." To which I replied, "Dude, don't you think that maybe it might have been a good idea to tell me this? Because if I'd had NO idea this was coming, imagine how mad I might have been."

He thought about it and said, "Yeah, that would've been bad."

And we talked again about roughhousing and keeping hands off, etc., etc. and talked about what his consequence at home should be (no games tonight or tomorrow, Sunday is a "Wait and see" scenario, then I said, "Okay, if you get in trouble again at school, this is what we're going to do-- you're going to have to choose five of your video games to sell."

Of course, opportunist that he is, he asked, "Can I keep the money?"

"Nope. We're going to donate the money to charity."

"Oh." Pauses to think a second. "Can I choose the charity then?"

"Sure."

"If I get in trouble at school again and have to sell games, then I want the money to go to animal rescue."

I'm actually a little weepy here.

That's beautiful Barb. What a perfect scenario. Great parenting by you and good humaning by Nate.

I agree. Good parenting. I'd say YOU should choose the games. His 5 favorites. Ones that require LIVE or whatever. Since he can't play well with others. Plus, those games will fetch the most money for the animal shelter.

3 hours till the meeting. I'm feeling the need to send a note to the new Artistic Director, who clearly is very saddened by this ordeal. Trying to come up with something nice. Like, pressure is what makes diamonds. While they are being made, it is hot, and hard. But in the end, you come out with something that can be cut and sculpted into a prized treasure. We are in the formation period right now. Hopefully in a season or so we can be at the cutting phase. And in a few seasons we will be a fine theater gem. But it just sounds cheesey. Doubt it would be reassuring.

::loves Barb::

You're raising a good one there, babe.

Oh, too sweet, Barb! They asked me at work if I would be ok with a pet therapy group coming in for the kids during school time, and I was all "Hell, yeah!"

Tep, you talk all you want. B.org has gotten me through some pretty fucking awful times, personally, past and recently. I think that's true for lots. So talk if you need to, don't, if that's what you need.

Also, yay, Tom! Not having a job is scary, and segue to...

Karl, good to see you! But BOO on the circumstances.

Ginger, what hair color are you looking for? You say you've been getting colored -- full color? highlights?

Personally, I like Feria. It's permanent and I like the reds. If you just want root touch ups, the Clairol root touch up kit is pretty easy.

Advice to first-time dyer? Read instruction carefully. Take off all jewelery, including rings. Apply a 360 degree layer of something to the hairline -- I've used body oil, lotion, I've even used olive or veg oil if I was in a pinch. That way, you can swab it off with warm water and soap after you apply the dye and won't have colored ears or back of the neck.

Color you hair in the bathroom. Wear crappy clothes -- something you can take off without pulling it over your dye head.

Don't use nice towels. TAke up the bathroom rug. Wipe any spills up immeditely, on body or bathroom.

Hmmm. That's what I got right now.

Apply a 360 degree layer of something to the hairline

vaseline works well. Stays put and stops drips.

Wipe any spills up immeditely, on body or bathroom.

This. I have a washcloth that is specifically for when I color my hair. Before I start coloring, I dampen it with a mix of shampoo and water so that I can wipe up drips or spills quickly and easily.

Thanks guys-- I like when I have these rare inspired moments because it's something that's got set parameters and again, direct consequences.

omnis, I figure letting him choose gives him SOME agency. This time. Plus it gives me leeway-- if he screws up yet again, then I get to choose or the number of games goes up. No need allowing the hammer to completely fall this time.