Also, would I reveal myself as having been raised by wolves if I came in here to trumpet the fact that STARS just received a 4-star review from RT Book Reviews magazine?

"He who tooteth not his own horn, the same shall not be tooted." - Damon Runyon

Also, yay!

Barb, that rocks!

My picspam isn't Mal, it's the holy visitation we've experienced, a la Jesus on a tortilla. [link]

Fantastic quote, Barb!! I want to read it!

yay Barb!

So far I have gone to the grocery store, filled the dishwasher, gather all the 300 pieces of stuff it took to paint the room last week Washed the kitchen floor ( it will take 2 more washes ) , and the entrence hall and the bathroom and the music room floor. I think I need a quick nap before I hit the second half of the list

Congrats on the quote, Barb!

Great going on the chores, beth.

Well, we're now in that part of the year when I have to start using a lightbox. And trying to turn my hours around to wake up slightly before dawn so I can get every minute of light possible. Anyone else in that boat with me?

Okay, can I just tell y'all how proud I am of Abby?

She just came home from school and told me that one of her best friends had told her something and she sort of wanted to tell me, but had been sworn to utter secrecy. I asked her if it was anything dangerous or illegal-- she said no. I asked if she wanted to tell me and she said yeah, she really wanted to get it off her chest. One of her best friends came out to her today and Abby basically said, "Oh, okay. Cool," and moved on with the conversation.

Abby wanted to tell me, mostly because she tells me most anything. I asked her if she felt weird about it and she said, "No, other than I don't get how M can be gay and still have the hots for Inuyasha," which cracked me up, because really, only an adolescent girl, right?

I've got a really cool kid, y'all.

I've got a really cool kid, y'all.

Yes, you do. And, I suspect her mama and daddy had something to do with that.

Oh, Steph, fer the love of Pete! May this be it, for a good long while.

Huzzah, Barb! Can't wait to read it.

Oh crap, I just realized I missed a baby shower this weekend. Totally forgot. And I forgot to go to DBT today. Must implement new reminder system, now that I'm not in front of a computer all day.

Okay, hivemind, I need the teachers this time: I've got six 20-22 yo, who are not very mature - think high schoolers. Four boys, two girls. They have a pronounced tendency to hold side conversations while I am talking, despite repeated reminders of varying assertiveness not to do so. Any advice?I am trying to compliment them on what they do right, to catch them being good. Do I just stop talking and wait? If it gets really bad, add that time to their day?

smonster, what's the context? Are these volunteers or paid employees?

Any advice?I am trying to compliment them on what they do right, to catch them being good. Do I just stop talking and wait? If it gets really bad, add that time to their day?

I would just stop talking and wait. If it gets to be too much, let them know that they will not get paid/ you will add on time to the day in 5 minute increments.

I have to do that with my volunteers all of the time. I'll stop and say "is there a question?" when I see side conversations.