What was his name before? Poor SIL - what a horrid story.

Hi everyone! I just caught up on 200+ posts. Frisco is asleep, Ellie is playing games on her computer, and Joe is at a work-thing. My brother and family were supposed to arrive tonight but there was some kind of small explosion with smoke and insulation on their plane so they had to make an emergency landing a few minutes after take-off. They are all fine and my brother negotiated first class seats down here and back so it's all good.

So, uh, yo. 'Sup?

Hi Steph. It's been a busy week for us. Wallybee's parents left on Tuesday. It's been good having them around. Wallybee's missing them, of course. We went to my office Christmas party last night. Traffic was demented, we were an hour late, but the restaurant was so slow with dinner that it didn't really matter. I'm generally antisocial enough to dislike the Christmas parties, but this time around I was seated with the rest of my team, so it went better. Work's been busy this week, changes in my reporting structure mean I'm trying to get more active say in some things, but I'm getting some results. Oh, and we had another ultrasound (it's a boy! Wallybee is not yet convinced, she thought it'd be a girl).

I'm sorry your back's causing you trouble again. I hope it resolves itself soon.

Have you checked out a platypus lately?

They're fair game for a comedy skit, but they're actually extremely well adapted to their environment. (My favourite touch is the electroreceptors in their extremely sensitive bill. Echidnas have ém too, they need to keep their nose snotty and wet to get the benefit.) There's a semi-aqatic marsupial in South America (the yapok) with an airtight pouch, but there's not a one in Australia, because the platypus is already outperforming in that niche.

I consider them the ultimate DIS-proof (is that a word?) of "Intelligent Design." Intelligent, my ass.

Check. Backs, evidence against ID. Asses, evidence for.

Yikes, Stephanie. I'm glad everyone is fine.

{{{Kristin, ND, and Zoe}}} So much ~ma.

Good thing: I went to my cousin's today and hung out with her twin baby boys (8 weeks old). They are so cute! I took a picture of them all cocooned and in their carseats. Will upload from phone and show you the cuteness!

ETA: Photographic evidence of twin cuteness! [link]

Stephanie -- it's Evan. Which I think we'll still call him, although Mom is thinking of calling him Van.

Twin cuteness, indeed. Just adorable, and both asleep at the same time. Yes, that is a precious thing too. Something about car seats. When mine were bitty I wanted to create a fake car that vibrated with windows and car seats to trick mine into sleeping.

I don't know what mistake would lead to this effect, but whenever a big rainfall is on the way, my brother's IRELAND tattoo actually *raises up* slightly, like a topographical map.

Holy crap, Tep - how awesome is that? It's like a superpower! ...I mean, grsnted, it's not the kind of superpower that would get you into a big crimefighting gang with your own cape, but still - impressively weird.

Kristin & Drew - wishing you and Zoe all the good vibes I can. I'm so sorry this has happened. Strength-ma to you guys.

And ditto Maria - sorry about the asshats.

On a mememe note, I have now opened my various Christmas pressies from the kids (or rather, their parents, really) - and I'm really touched, and indeed rather humbled. Must be a good teacher! Must merit this generosity!

Well?? What'd ya get? Share the joy! I think the crew could use some.

Blech. I suck at this whole being religious thing. Tonight, I wanted to go to synagogue, but late this afternoon was the only time my advisor could meet with me, so I thought about it and realized that I really needed to meet with him, so I could skip tonight's services and go Saturday morning. Well, advisor didn't meet with me, so that was a bunch of wasted time. And now, I just had to take Flexeril, because I know I won't be able to get to sleep without it, but it'll also knock me out until really late tomorrow morning.

I know that I can get to synagogue if I make it a priority. I'm just not so good at that right now.

I got:

• a beautiful box with six lovely hand-decorated Christmas cookies (2 gingerbread men, 2 frosted shortbread trees, 2 frosted shortbread santas);

• a box of 'Tiramisu Chocolates' (actually almonds coated in white chocolatey stuff);

• a pencil decorated with candy corn (this is the only obvious 'chosen by the kid' present I got, and it's from a little boy I taught

• a big silk gift box containing a gorgeous array of candles, incense, ceramic incense holders etc;

• another box of swiss chocolates;

• a gorgeous (and huge) dark wine-red pashmina shot through with gold thread;

• a gorgeous silk pashmina woven in various shades of vivid green with a pattern of flowers and leaves and butterflies;

• a lovely gift-box of aromatherapy bath/shower products;

• two boxes of Belgian chocolates (carefully hand-wrapped by the child in question, and decorated with a gorgeous artsy 3-fold Christmas Tree gift tag that I didn't initially realise she'd hand-crafted - VERY professional artsy crafty looking, 2 of the tree tags decorated with little 'baubles' made from hole-punching coloured card, and one with strips of 'tinsel' cut carefully from paper doilies. Bless bless bless);

• a cute little pretend chocolate cake thing - it's actually a little face flannel (and I could do with a new one!) but it's packaged like a little chocolate cake, complete with pretend cherry and pretend sliver of decorative chocolate - v. adorable!

• a startlingly large gift voucher for a swanky department store;

• a partridge in a pear tree.

...okay, no, I was lying with the last one.

Right. This morning's mission: secure Daniel a place to stay whilst I'm in the UK.