Grrr. Stupid Flickr refuses to upload the porn.

ION, Nicole, I just wanted to say that the silicone baking dish you sent me is now being used at least 3-4 times per week.

Teppy - I don't know if dalmatians are as susceptible to this as beagles, but it sounds like what Ollie went through...a slipped disc.

If so, there's good news: it's easily treatable. We had to keep Ollie somewhat isolated so he wouldn't jump on stuff and exacerbate it, but some rest and fairly cheap steroids prescribed by the vet, and he's just fine now. Back to jumping, frolicing, and his usual energetic idiocy.

MM, thanks. I googled slipped discs in dogs, and the symptoms certainly sound the same. We're hoping to get her to the vet tomorrow. She's doing the same today -- can stand a little, can walk a little, but her back legs keep sliding out from under her if she stands for too long on a non-carpeted surface. So now she's mostly sacked out on her bed, and doesn't want to eat or drink.

D: I like to EAT because I think that's fun!

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In the main entrance. I could, and sometime am, to stare at them for very long minutes.

So. So. Pretty.

Chocolate marshmallows are in the pan and hopefully will set up properly by tomorrow. I really should buy a candy thermometer for situations like this. (i.e., situations where I'm cleaning the kitchen and notice that I have somehow wound up with *three* boxes of cocoa powder and think to myself "I should make chocolate marshmallows to use some of this up." You really never know when the mood will strike!)

Congrats, Seska!

Lucy's issues seem to have resolved themselves, at least for now. She's curled up next to me on the couch. I need to get my butt in gear and get dressed so I can go to the store. I think my list may be a little overambitious, considering I'm going to be carrying them home on potentially icy streets.

Very cool, Shir. I'm glad it's useful for you. I absolutely love the silicone baking stuff that I have so far.

I'm glad Lucy's feeling better, smonster.

Chocolate marshmallows are in the pan

YUM! Want.

Somehow my packing for a work trip has motivated DH to organize all of his paperwork. Hmm.

Congrats to the confirmed Seska! Say a prayer for us, we finally bought my son his first car yesterday.

I don't know if his Facebook pictures are viewable be other people, but his pictures are here: [link] It is a 1995 Grand Marquis with an absurd stereo system, 17" tv, huge rims, etc. I convinced my husband that the only thing that should matter to us was that it was safe and mechanically sound, and it is. Most everything in it has been replaced or refurbished. Most adults kinda shake their heads, but he and his friends think it is awesome.

{{Buffista pets}} My back door neighbor dog wears boots to help him stand up. They rock.

Hi Cricket! Jump in, we don't bite. Um. Well, jump in anyway. It was great to meet/see you at the PixDesigns reception, and you and B did an awesome job organizing and arranging and reminiscing and being all around heroes.

I am dogless, and it's so weird. Charlie's had them since Thursday and will be bringing them over later today. And then he is going to get lessons on his new netbook thingie, and iTunes, and his new(ish) iPod. I am dragging him knuckles first into this century. But now that he has a car with an actual stereo, he will enjoy having an iPod.

Teppy, it does sound like a slipped disc and I hope you're able to get her to be still and quiet enough for natural healing. Sorry you're going through this; it is SO awful when pets and kiddos get sick.

sweet ride, Laura!

Congrats, Seska! And {{Buffista pets and pet-owners}}

Heh. My mom called, and we chatted normally, and it was going great—she wasn't even bitter and sarcastic about the fact that she called me instead of the other way around—and then she said, "So have you cooled down?"

Ha ha ha ha. "What do you mean, cooled down? I'm fine." YOU'RE THE CRAZY ONE, LADY.

"About keeping the necklace in your wallet if you're not going to wear it."

"I haven't even picked it up," I said, "and I'm not going to make a special trip to pick it up."

"You have to," she said.

"I don't have to," I said, "and I said we're not talking about this anymore, so can we not talk about it anymore, please?"

So of course she asked me how it was going with the potential future wife, and I said I hadn't had the "time or the interest" to respond, and I continued to be evasive until she said she would talk to me later and hung up normally. Which was a step up!

I was going to call her today and was dreading it, but at least it's over with now. Until the next one.