Ah, thanks for the peroxide tip. I am all about prevention. If I feel the slightest twinge of anything I drown myself in fluids and VitC.

I'm sorry about the potential buyer, Suzi. Things have to loosen up in real estate soon. Craziness.

{{bonny}} I hope she recognizes her folly and then remembers that you are a compassionate and forgiving person.

Bonny, I'm sorry about your client.

Suzi, I hope you find a buyer very soon.

Ooh, bonny, I'd totally forgotten about the peroxide trick. Probably tried to block it out since my mother used to do it to me when I was a kid and I HATED it. It's probably completely different as an adult when you're choosing to do it.

Although I'll at least start with Jilli's suggestion of Q-tips. *g*

I'm also sorry to hear about your clients-- poor woman to be that completely insecure. I can relate since as a young woman I had a horrible, horrible tendency towards jealousy (probably part inherent, part learned behavior from my mom) coupled with a horrible temper and I know how incredibly hard that is to overcome. And the feelings of shame and embarrassment after you get to a saner place. The worst part of that kind of behavior is that so often it can lead straight into self-fulfilling prophecies, thereby only perpetuating the emotions.

It's a tough, tough cycle to break.

I have friend who breed dogs and they've got this noisemaker (from Radio Shack) that makes sounds like police car sirens or fire alarms - and they use that as part of puppy socializing. (One of their dogs LOVED the noisemaker so much that they had to hide it when it wasn't in use. Dogs are funny.)

I have my cats' crates out where they can (supposedly) use them and my theory was that that my most nervous cat would get used to them and be less freaked out about being crated. HA!

He NEVER gets in the crate. Meanwhile, my other kitty sleeps in the crates regularly. She knows that Ivan will not attack her while she is safe in a crate.

It's very quiet here this morning. I'm trying to decide if I want to be social tonight and go to a poetry reading or stay bundled up at home. It is so freaking cold.

I think the exterminator wants to ask me out. He's cute but I don't think we have much in common.

I think the exterminator wants to ask me out. He's cute but I don't think we have much in common.

You both disapprove of bugs in your house? That's a lifestyle committment right there!

He's the exterminator at work so if I did go out with him and it was all weird I'd have to see him again (at most) twice a month. He seems like a very sweet guy, earnest even. And it's not like I've had great luck with my type... I might be talking myself into it. I do have two weeks to ponder.

He's the exterminator at work so if I did go out with him and it was all weird I'd have to see him again (at most) twice a month

Humm. Tough one.

All in all, I'm in favor of people I like to date, and experiment with dating (though not with cockroaches). Esp. if they are cute, sweet and earnest.

Then again, I wouldn't take my advice about anything that has to do with dating.

Sorry, I'm empty tonight.

And because I didn't say it before - bonny, this situation is shitty. I hope you'll get an apology, and her (and her husband) coming back. You don't deserve this, and I hope things will calm down.

Now, would someone please do my uni paper for me? It's making me want to kill myself.

oh yes the Bonny situation... I was wondering if you could write them an email explaining that we all suffer setbacks sometimes and that you will welcome them back whenever they're ready.