Thanks! Headed back to Dallas in an hour or so. We are going to try to return the dog on our way.

When I get back in the next day or so I'll have to write up our adventures.

Happy Anniversary, DJ & Jon!

Stay safe ~ma to Fay.

Work ~ma to msbelle.

::huggles Dunkin' Donuts close::

Word. I guess this makes me a bad (former) Southerner, but I cannot abide Krispy Kreme. I suspect it's because I grew up in Miami, AKA the Sixth Borough, and my first doughnuts were of the Dunkin' Donuts variety.

However, as a good Cuban girl, gimme a guava and cheese pastelito ANY day over a doughnut (preferably with a nice, hot café con leche. You want cracktastic...

I just don't like donuts. Give me a bagel any day.

I only like malasadas.

Well that went as well as could be expected, I think. As long as my boss is agreeable (and I will speak with him tomorrow), I can reduce my hours to 25/week and still receive benefits. My pay would be either be switched to hourly or reduced to reflect the reduction in hours. I can arrange with my boss how work is divided between the office and home. By my calculations, I should be able to work minimum 23.75 hours/week in the office and should be able to put in a minimum of 5/week at home. I do not see him fighting this, but it will have to hold until tomorrow to address with him.

Happy anniversary, DJ & Jon!!

Barb, my mom and dad gave us an espresso machine for our wedding, and it makes me so damn happy that I can make myself a strong cafe con leche every morning.

In college, my three best gf's lived above a mom n'pop donut shop, and many was the night we would end the festivities with warm, just-out-of-the-oven donuts at 5 a.m.

When I lived in London, I would have to walk to class right by a fancy patisserie, and you could smell their pain au chocolates baking a few blocks away. It was AWFUL, because I was hideously broke, and couldn't afford them. And the window display -- GOD. These little gem-like tarts and puffs and eclairs that were just gorgeous.

There was, however, a wee Indian store 1/2 a block down the way, and they sold humbler creme filled donuts, which were a revelation to my American tongue, as they used MUCH less sugar, and the creme was so fresh and rich (and possibly not made with, you know, LARD.) They also sold two samosas for 50p, which I lived on, along with fried potatoes with creme fraiche, pretty much that whole semester.

I lived in London for 4 months in 93 (room and tuition paid, but nothing else) on $750. And I smoked. I didn't eat much and mostly got any drinks through low-cut tops. I had fun, but I lost 25 pounds that semester, between all the walking and not eating.

Just got back from the dentist. Had to have two fillings replaced, and two new cavities filled. Went pretty well, although my plan to nap during the procedures fell through, as the drilling was too loud.

Msbelle, that is GOOD. I am glad that they are willing to work with you.

Oh, I'm glad, msbelle.

Happy Anniversary, Daisy Jane and Jon!

Glad it worked out, msbelle. Hope your boss is amenable.