Oooh, you are fast, I just added something to my previous post. Sorry about the not-happy nasal passages. You have my sympathy. I speak as someone whose uncoated Sudafed tablet didn't go all the way down this morning.... bleurgh.

I'm sorry for your discomfort, Spidra but that's got to be a one-in-a-million shot. I wish you'd gotten it on camera.

I wish I had, too! Definitely weirdamundo!

In other news, I'm having one of those learning experiences on another forum right now. I suffer from depression and have for years. It's taken me many years and much therapy to be aware of some of my own depressive tics. Nothing makes you aware of what you do as much as seeing someone else do the same thing and getting increasingly annoyed by them. I keep trying not to spiral off into how annoying I'm finding this person's behavior at the moment.

I'm trying to remind myself that (a) it's pretty typical depressive behavior and (b) being aware of how annoying it makes me feel as a recipient/observer should remind me to be more aware of myself when in the depths of depression so that I don't drive people away with that behavior at the very moment that I'm reaching out for help and sympathy.

This kind of stuff has been a really great learning experience for me over the years. It shows me instead of just tells me.

The gluten-free brownies I made for my co-workers (one has celiac) were so good that they were all eaten up.

Do you have a recipe that you're willing to share, Jessica? I'm always after good GF recipes - and those sound like good brownies!

Spidra, the fact that your mother has chronic conditions makes the situation sound even more difficult. My sister doesn't talk about it much, but she has severe Crohn's, and she has a tendency to judge me on what she does and what I don't do. She's starting to get better about it, because I'm trying to be consistently clear about things. But that's hard work. And I don't live with her, so it's not a major problem. I hope your mother gets a bit better about things.

So I have three interview-able candidates for my PA post, unless more turn up today, being the last day before applications close. It's not a lot (although they all look like they have potential). Here's hoping the perfect PA is going to appear in my inbox today.

I hope you get the PA you want, Seska.

And now, for my next trick, I shall attempt to go to bed and to sleep.

Congrats, Aims.

PA~ma, Seska.

My mom always says she ought to have a cooking show because people might get a kick out of her wrecking stuff, Aims.

Your mom is so awesome, erika.

then smoke came out of my nose!

I'm sorry, Spidra, but that story is making me giggle uncontrollably.

ETA: Also, I kinda want to start an internet rumor about vitamins causing smoke to come out people's noses, so that I can then report it to the Mythbusters, for the purpose of watching Adam blow vitamin dust out his nose.

Oh, you totally should.

You know, we haven't heard from bonny in a while... anyone checked in on her lately? I'll give her a call a little later.

smonster, did you get her 9/24 email? If not, I can forward (it was a mass mailing to clients, but discussed her recent illness).

No, I did not. I would love to see it.