Oh, Daniel, how hard. Yeah, screw the boss. You have a priority right now and it is not them. Lots of ~ma for her and for you.

Oh dear, lots of ~ma and warm thoughts to both you and Andi, DCJ.

All the good thoughts in the world for Andi, and for you too, Daniel. Please keep us informed--as much as you can.

What Vortex and Liese said, smonster. The thing you need to get across is that the boss or the supervisor has the power in the situation, and lashing out only alienates the person with power, and ends employment on the spot. It isn't being a wuss to acknowledge power.

Bonnie, it's so good to hear Nikki is adapting well, and her daughter is indeed a gem.

Ginger, I'm so sorry to hear Tammy's load isn't lightening. Many good wishes for her and hopes for improvement in the way things are going.

And to end on an up note, Welcome Baby Girl! Aeryn, your family has been waiting with such eager anticipation to welcome you! Your parents have had plenty of practice on your older brother, and you'll have Dylan to show you the ropes as you get older. This is going to be a fun ride, and we're all glad you're here!

Much ~ma to Andi.

I'm sorry, Laura.

smonster, the ideas above sound good to me. I haven't really been in a position of authority over anyone except for a few semesters of teaching, so I don't have much to add.

DCJ, continued ~ma in truckloads and boatloads to WindSparrow, and please let us know more when you can, and what we can do. I'm beaming ~ma like a Care Bear Stare in her direction.

Thank you so, so much everyone. I think that part of her problem is that she lets her frustration build and gets more and more passive aggressive until she explodes. So I'm going to start by trying to unearth what those were yesterday and then address them one by one. I do need to come to terms with the fact that she just may not take it well, or be able to hear what I have to say. I have this tendency to think that if I say things just right, I'll get the result I want. It's a sneaky old conviction that I've been battling for years.

Huge amounts of ~ma for Andi.

If you say "Okay?" at the end of a statement, it suggests that there is an option, and there isn't here.

Ending sentences with "ok?" was one of the hardest things to unlearn as a parent, but it really does make a huge difference! Just not offering that invitation to argue changes the whole tone of the conversation.

~ma headed Andi-wards.

Much ~ma going to Andi & Daniel.

In unrelated news, I'm am ridiculously pleased with my new sweater. I ordered one for my sister for Christmas and liked it so much that I got another one in a different color for myself in the post-Christmas sales. It came yesterday, and I'm wearing it today. Blue and a different blue and a black that just pops against the previous blues. Plus comfy and tunic length, so I think it's reasonably flattering. I feel like one of the women from the UK Coupling. "Pleased pleased pleased. Pleased."

I think we need a picture, Calli. My sister is a big blue fan, although I don't think I have ever seen her in a sweater. Where did you get it?

Continuing to send positive thoughts and love in the direction of Andi and Daniel.