Has anyone seen this animation on the health care debate: [link]

(safe for work, no nudity or bad words or anything like that)

I hate that your mom takes her grief out on you, Vortex. My MiL was much the same to my husband - the good news is, six years later she's much more reasonable. Lots of ~ma to get through this weekend.

the good news is, six years later she's much more reasonable

I have to wait six years? *sigh*

I feel a little better now. I really just had to get that off of my chest. Bro really talked me down by pointing out 1 - her mother treated her like shit, so she's passing it down 2- some of this drama is gender related and 3 - she is having a hard time getting used to the idea that she is not someone's number 1 priority, and every time I don't do what she wants, she is reminded of that. Bro gets excused because he's married.

I don't suppose a quick elopement will help the situation for you then, huh? How about a mock-wedding?

Oh, Vortex. It's so hard to cope with someone when you can never, ever "prove" you love them to their satisfaction. Because you're a better person than she is, you can't come back with the truth, which is that she's acting like she doesn't love you, because all that's important to her is how she feels. I'll be thinking about you.

In me news, a fairly large branch just broke off a tree in the front yard and ended up balanced on another branch right over the power drop to the house. I tried to see if I could get the branch to fall a different way, but I kept having a vision of its falling on the line and then the line falling on me. I think it could be done safely with another person, but I'd have to call someone and it's supposed rain off and on all weekend. There's been so much rain that everything's slippery. I tried the power company, which of course told me that it wasn't their responsibility unless it fell on the line. I told the customer service rep that as long as gravity is working, it's going to fall on the line, but apparently they'd rather wait until it's an emergency. She kept saying, "But you understand that it's not the power company's responsibility."

I don't suppose a quick elopement will help the situation for you then, huh? How about a mock-wedding?

Or maybe quick get a dozen cats and become a cat-lady?

So much ~ma to you, Vortex. Also {{{Vortex}}}

Aww, Vortex. I'm sorry. Much Mom-ma and getting through the date ma.

Amby hammock! No mattress = no flat head.

Heh. Lillian was in an Amby for 7 months, and still wound up somewhat flat-headed (just a little, and it resolved itself).

{{{Vortex}}}

safe power ~ma, Ginger. Have you thought about calling the non-emergency police line? They might be more concerned about public safety than the power company.

My brother's family was never really in danger. The fire south of them is 70% contained. 6 homes received minor damage and at this point the fire department is saying they're "mopping up" smaller fires. I understand Trump golf course got singed. Continuing stay safe ~ma for the people near La Canada Flintridge, their fire is only 60% contained.

Yeah, Vortex, much ~ma to you. It's really a hard thing you're going through right now. Good on you for slogging it out, and definitely take Hec's advice to give yourself the time and space you need for your own grief, regardless of what your mom needs. You will be much better able to deal with your mom that way.

Ginger, if you're willing to spend the dosh, there are tree companies who are paid professionals at dealing with stuff like this. I don't want you getting hurt!

I have no idea about babies and flat heads. All I could do in response to this bit of the conversation was rub the back of my own head. It didn't give me any additional information.