Jars and I had a tiny London F2F! That was very nice. Except I had to leave early and go home with migraine (bleugh). But, was lovely to meet her!

No, not about that part they have that moves on its own free will.

*snerk*

And I agree with Laga, Shir (not about walking around naked). He probably just wants to hang out beyond the end of the university year. If he does want more than that, is it a problem?

Much ~ma for talking to your employers about the trip, DJ!

I have had some pretty unreasonable employers, and I can't imagine any of them saying more than "be sure your projects are taken care of" in the face of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Why did my neighbor wrap my rosebush and the bush next to it in duct tape? I have been lax in cutting back the stuff that hangs over his driveway in this heat, but duct tape? Why?

Jars and I had a tiny London F2F! That was very nice.

Yes! Very nice!

And I came home to find that the tax office has FINALLY sent us the money we're owed from 2007.

looks at watch

Three years. Not bad.

Three years. Not bad.

I hope you weren't holding your breath.

I hope you weren't holding your breath.

No, but my tagline is oddly fitting, I think

Gah. My dad called and asked, just to confirm for bureaucracy's sake, that I was not interested in the latest potential future wife. "No," I confirmed. Just no to her? "No to her, no to everyone."

"That's not right. We have to talk. You're at work, so we won't talk now, but we have to talk, because that's not right."

Even this short conversation has destroyed my mood. I don't want to talk. I have this fantasy of telling them that I am trying to salvage my relationship with them by removing the issue that keeps driving us apart, but I don't think I can do it, and I don't think they'll understand anyway. And I am trying to figure out where in my schedule this week I can fit in a Traumatic Conversation.

And I am trying to figure out where in my schedule this week I can fit in a Traumatic Conversation.

Why do you have to fit in this conversation? You've said your piece. You are not obligated to have this conversation *again*, let alone rearrange your life to have it.

I am trying to salvage my relationship with them by removing the issue that keeps driving us apart

This seems like a very reasonable thing to say, but all you owe them is "no".

Don't have the talk. he can't change your mind, you can' change his - a waste of time.

I hope you are eventually able to work this out with your parents, P-C. I'm so sorry for the stress it causes.

Sean, I am THRILLED to see that you are having so much fun on your AC tour of Italy. Yay!

In more happy news (and DAMN, don't you think we're due??), I just found out two very exciting things.

1. We've been paying off IRS back taxes this past year, and it's been a bit of an uphill battle. It looks like our amazing accountant took some additional info we gave him before we left on this trip and reduced what we actually owe by a HUGE amount. Not positive yet, but wow, it's looking good. If this ends up being true, we can finally get them paid off and start working on our normal debt, which has been a huge monkey on my back this past year.

2. We've been approved by the local German Shepherd Rescue to adopt a new puppy!!!! I'm going to be visiting two foster families next weekend to meet the candidates. If you want to see the potential pups, follow this link and scroll down (past the initial cute puppy pictures) to click on the pictures and meet Letty, Misty, Posey, and Nika! EEEEEE!