Suzi, closing~ma for you.

Kristin, Grandma~ma for you.

~mas to Suzi and Kristin.

she followed me in here, climbed on the bed, and began looking over my shoulder again

My first thought was "is her mother a cat?". And yes, I understand very well why it's driving you crazy, and it should be. How about the "I love you and happy that you're here, but it seems like we have differences about what privacy is. I'm a grown up person, I have my own life, I don't bring you to work with me and it's very not OK for you be involved with the things in *my* life I don't want you to be involved with" approach?

I hear jet planes flying over my house. One after another.

On a Saturday.

They never fly on Saturdays. Mom thinks the Gaza operation began, I don't think so, at least until I'll hear reports on the radio.

Stupid Middle East. Don't you know that there are no wars during the winter?

Edit: it's on. Internet and radio reports IDF started bombing the Strip.

Oh no Shir. I'm so sorry.

On a cheerful note, my Mom was just as thrilled as I was by my secret santa gifts. She also pointed out you gave me a shawl, which is way more awesome than a scarf. It kept my head warm for the 40 degrees fahrenheit walk to my car tonight. Mom is probably the biggest fan of the buffistas who doesn't actually read the board. She's even asked me to ask the hivemind for advice on occasion.

"At least" the government is saying that they don't plan to bring in infantry into the Strip. I guess they have learned something.

I wouldn't be so worried if not for my mom. She's really concerned. It's usually the opposite.

Edit: Glad you and your mom love the gifts.

calm ~ma for you and your mom. I wish I could think of something comforting or helpful to say. I can think of a lot of lame & hollow shit but I keep deleting it.

IDF are saying the first wave ended, more to come. Palestinians reports on 8 casualties and dozens of wounded.

And thanks, Laga. I know it's very hard to say something that sounds "right" in those situations.

That's why my people developed arsenals of dark humor. But it's too soon for that now.

Edit: Hamas reports at least 40 casualties. Jihad (sp?) mumbles something about war. I'm heavy into Mark Lanegan and Wilco at the moment, with firm plans to bake some cookies for a friend's indie label night tonight, finish some volunteering work, read another chapter in my history book and ignore the radio reports that I can hear from time to time between songs from the other room. Escalation? What escalation?

Jesus Christ. Hamas now says it's over 120 casualties and 200 woundeds.

Please. Not another war. Not now.