Dealing with people on the craxy end of the conservative spectrum is super annoying, especially when you're trapped in a living space with them. I hope this and your back problems don't ruin your beach trip, Steph.

Elaborate fantasies are a valid coping mechanism.

So, I went to the park for free fish and took Frankie, where he made lots of new friends, as usual. One little boy insisted on walking him and then he started telling everyone "This is my dog." And fairly randomly, either "he bites" or "he doesn't bite." I was about to go home, but it turns out he was at the park by himself (four. years. old.) I asked him if it was okay at home and he shook his head and looked like he was about to cry. And so we stayed a while longer, until it started getting really stormy, and I asked him if I could walk him home.

Uggh. Simultaneously adorable and heartbreaking. Maybe it's just too noisy at home? It sounds like he lives with several relatives. But he said no one knew where he was. Oy.

And now it is thundering and storming to beat the band. Damn.

A new friend from OKC came over (she played hooky from work today) and helped me touch up the finish on a couple of furniture pieces. I can see how that would be obsessive and rewarding.

Trudy, yeah, this. "Well, we thought about it, but he wants to go strapless...I think it's tacky. Y'all get the deciding vote!"

Today's not so fun discovery -- driving while my sinuses and ears are stuffed up makes me carsick.

holy crap, smonster! four?!?

Four. Can't tie his shoes, but he's in a park alone a block from his house. Four front teeth capped. Cute as heck. He asked if he could come to my house, which is what started the whole discussion.

Oh smonster, that is just heartbreaking.

Steph, if you are that upset by your father-in-law I think you should ask Tim to talk to his father privately and stand up for you. Or do it yourself. I think it can be done in a way that's not angry just honest. "X topic of conversation makes us uncomfortable. Could you please stop talking about it?" No need to explain or elaborate. It doesn't need to be a fight.

And next year take separate vacations!

I had to tell my brother and sister-in-law to please, please not bicker because they were making my vacation unpleasant. (On Topsail Island, actually!) It was uncomfortable but it mostly worked and I felt better about having said something rather than just tolerating when I was trying to relax.

I am pretty sure my upstairs neighbor rang our doorbell as she was coming in just to annoy us. We don't even both to answer the doorbells that go off past 9 anymore because they are always for upstairs. It's a good thing we're going to the beach this weekend or I would need to request an alibi.

dear lord, sj. are they twelve?