Not only does it give you stuff to work with when the chips are down, but it reminds each person that they WANT to move through fights productively and that neither really wants to be hurt or do the hurting.

The nicest thing Wallybee ever said to me, which was quite recently, was "I know you'd never hurt me. You'd rather hurt yourself than hurt me." I'm not at all convinced it's true, but I'm thoroughly convinced that she is awesome. (Seriously, she's amazingly good at conflict resolution - solution focused, self-aware, both assertive and respectful, she leaves me for dead.)

The nicest thing Wallybee ever said to me, which was quite recently, was "I know you'd never hurt me. You'd rather hurt yourself than hurt me." I'm not at all convinced it's true, but I'm thoroughly convinced that she is awesome. (Seriously, she's amazingly good at conflict resolution - solution focused, self-aware, both assertive and respectful, she leaves me for dead.)

That's beautiful. The fact that you could say that you are not at all convinced just makes you more awesome, too. How fortunate you both are.

I just totally crossed the streams. I posted a link to Hyperbole and a Half's Alot to the kinky Website.

I would tell you don't, but it is too late Steph

Oh, no, it was totally relevant. Someone had posted a truly epic rant about bad spelling/grammar on the internet, and I realized that this was the moment to propagate the Alot.

(Seriously. You get people who think they are so badass, who write things like "I do NOT submit to anyone -- I am a True Dominate!"

Sweet Christ, it makes my eyes bleed. You are NOT a verb, asshat.)

Thanks for all the hairpats, y'all. Really.

ChiKat - I am so sorry about the RIF. WIll you finish out the school year or are you done right now?

My contract is good till the beg of August and I will finish out the year. The RIFs are for next school year.

Today, we had P-T conferences in the morning. I spent the time wisely by updating my resumes.

You know, everyone is a perfect parent before they have kids.

Yay! This means I'm perfect at something!! Whee!!!

Yay! This means I'm perfect at something!! Whee!!!

Hey! Me too! Also, I'm the perfect wife!

In all seriousness, Jessica, I just quoted you to a friend of mine who was fretting that she might be a bad parent because most days she just tried to get through the day without screwing up too much. (In reality, she's an awesome parent, as is her husband.)

The best piece of wisdom I got after my daughter was born came from my sister: "It's okay to be relieved when the baby goes to sleep."

I'm thrilled when G naps, and I'm just the sitter.

Naps are the best!

The best piece of wisdom I got after my daughter was born came from my sister: "It's okay to be relieved when the baby goes to sleep."

This made me chuckle.

I had a brief chat with an older dad in the park this evening whose attitude as basically that parenting is not for sissies and is better suited to the young. BUT he said he never thought he could have this much fun while being this tired.

The being tired part seemed to surprise him and he chalked that up to being 'old.' I wonder though, most really young parents talk about being overtired too.

In related news, I got to see the parents of the tantrum girl again today. It was such a joy to give them confirmation that there really isn't any pathology here. (confirmed by a couple of colleagues) We started working on some specific techniques for giving directions and avoiding the death by a thousand choices.

It seems to be going pretty well and they are mightily relieved. I'm so glad they sought help!

I'm sorry, ChiKat. That just sucks.

And bt, really, eight years, wow. I'm so happy for your life now.

This. As in wow, 8 years, time flies. And also gratitude for the joy we get to share with you.

Happy to report we have my mom at home now. Discharged today with all kinds of meds and equipment. I hope we are able to get her active at home. There will be visiting physical therapists and nurses. No doubt she will get better sleep.

I made a quick run to my house last night and slept in my bed for the first time in a week. DH has been taking the opportunity to bond with the boys in a different way. Instead of the usual competitive relationship they have he has put on the nurturing hat in my absence. That and they have enjoyed watching March Madness at a much louder volume than is allowed when mom is at home.

We'll see how the first day home goes with mom then I may head back since there are more helper options here than there are in the hospital.