You guys were so helpful last time I needed b-day gifts for a kid that I'm coming to you again. This time I need stuff for twin boys who are turning 1. I'm getting lots of great hand-me-down stuff from their mom (my cousin), so I'd like to get nice stuff for them. Thoughts?

I'm A FEMINIST -- but can you support me financially because I LOST MY JOB!

You'd support him if the situation were reversed. No shame in letting loved ones lend a hand in times of need.

Also, my cats bit my right thumb last night in a dog-inducd panic. Four wounds, and they HURT. My thumb is swollen, warm and seeping. I am keeping it clean, but It's very stiff and sore and I have to pack and move and type this weekend.

Injury to insult, baybees.

You all are full of good advice. And I'm just GRRRing right now -- I have my res updated and will certainly be working my butt off to find a job/bring in money any way I can and be useful.

It's just -- GUH.

Thoughts?

Glam, I'll give my usual recommendation of something like a zoo membership, or playspace, or museum. It's a gift that keeps on giving, and no one has to find space for it!

Oh, Erin, that sucks so badly. That whole hour and a half to turn yourself around really sounds like they were looking for an excuse to fire you, though. Perhaps Ms. Backstabber has a friend she's trying to get in there.

Anyway, good luck with the job hunt. I hope you find something significantly better, soon.

Glam, I like anything by Plan Toys. Eco-friendly and very well-made.

At 1, Dylan was really into sorting toys like this.

Strangely, said arguments rarely bring the men who are being called for reserve duty at least 6 weeks of the year (while most women don't give birth every year).

Here, the disability/sick leave debate is separate from the maternity leave debate. Maternity leave is generous, though. And I got a lot of leeway, when I was working, for disability-related stuff (mental health problems were included in that). I really don't think it's good enough when employers can't be bothered to realise that you keep a good employee by not creating the kind of environment that ultimately creates more illness.

A rainy-day arts and crafts book for kids, and a cache of art supplies in a storage container -- moldable non-toxic clay, pipe cleaners, finger paints, large sheets of paper, preprinted masks, etc.

Or cool books. Ask any librarian or Children's Dept. bookseller for recs for that age group -- they'll have more specific knowledge than I.

My thumb is swollen, warm and seeping.

Make sure you keep an eye on that. Cat bites can result in nasty infections, and it sounds like you might be headed that way.

{{Erin}}