oh stress, why do you keep me awake? It only makes you loom more! Please release my pysche so I can slither off to sleep land, so I can wake at a reasonable hour, and get the growing to-do list done.

I've been away for a couple of days (more on that in a moment), but the conversation about divorce and kids really got to me. I've seen mixed research on what's best for the kids. I would posit that this is an issue in which it's very difficult to control for other factors. There's obviously going to be a huge difference between a divorce in which the parents behave like -- well, parents; and a divorce where one just disappears, or they turn the kids into pawns, or take the stresses out on them. Big difference whether child support payments are made promptly and adequately or not. And so on. It's got to be so hard to disentangle it all to provide useful guidance as to whether this particular couple should stay together or not.

All I can say right now is that the idea of not being part of Ryan's life horrifies me.

On this note, last night Ryan had his first night away from home since he left the hospital. We all headed up to the Dandenongs for a couple of days. Now, the weather was a problem - we're in Melbourne's worst November heat wave since at least 1925. But we did get a couple of days surrounded by kookaburras, rosellas and native plants. (The rhododendron garden was beautiful, just the right time of year for it. Walking its entire length looking for my family - who camped out at the entrance five minutes after I got there - was less enjoyable.)

Anyway, we learned a few lessons, not least being that if Ryan wakes up in the middle of the night in a strange place, it upsets him. Poor little noodle. (Poor parents too.) But he'll go to sleep happily enough in the portable cot. (Second lesson: portable cots are still bloody heavy.) Wallybee's parents learned that when trying to turn the fan on in your cottage, it's a bad idea to turn on the electric blanket instead. And I learned that our hatchback is not big enough for four adults, one baby, a suitcase, a pram, a portable cot and some carry bags. Just as well the Dandenongs are only half an hour from our house, as it involved two trips each way. This was a pretty forgiving way to get a trial run for heading to Canberra over Christmas.

Ryan's now happily ensconced in his own cot, snoozing away and being generally adorable. I have some photos from the trip, which I'll put up when I get a chance.

Spike's Bitches 45: We band of buggered

Delighted to see the universe finally giving Hil a bit of a break!

Aww, looking forward to the pictures, bt.

Hey GC, how are you feeling? You and DW looked absolutely radiant in the shower pics.

Why did I still get up at 6am when there is no school today? Oh well, off to the office with me.

Crazy that this thread expired so quickly. I've been fond of brochure as a quote for a few thread changes, so that one gets my vote this time.

I'm ready for this thread name to die, because it ALWAYS earworms me with the New Pornographers' "The Laws Have Changed." Which is a fine song, but anything gets old fast when it's a constant earworm.

The other professor endorsed my paper!

Hil, that is excellent!

The other professor endorsed my paper!

I'm very glad to hear that. It's about time you caught a break with all this.

Great news, Hil! Professors who don't answer my emails are on my List of People to Kill When I Finally Snap.

I like "brochure" for the new thread name. Or "buggered". I'm always fond of buggered.

Right at thread's end is probably the wrong time to ask food advice, but, let's say I stupidly left delivery chicken fried rice on the counter all night. Can I nuke it and eat it, or is it a Box o' Botulism now?

Tally-ho pip pip, all!

Yay, for Hil's paper getting endorsed! I know that has been a huge pain in the behind for you.

ETA:

Right at thread's end is probably the wrong time to ask food advice, but, let's say I stupidly left delivery chicken fried rice on the counter all night. Can I nuke it and eat it, or is it a Box o' Botulism now?

The safe answer is to toss it. In your shoes, I'd probably feel safe to heat it on the stove till very hot and simmering it for several minutes, adding some water to keep it from turning into a crisp, and plenty of cayenne which is a fantastic way to ward off many forms of food poisoning.

that's great news Hil!

Much ~ma to your sister Connie.

We finally got a strep diagnosis and meds for hkfan, much better and less horror now.

I have a hivemind question for later ... still gathering the words.

Cash I hope you're feeling a little better?

eta: saves something for tomorrow.