I am mainly appalled at the burden that's ended up on this one grandchild. At this point, it's not really my family, except that she and I have actually become pretty good friends through this. I never really knew her before, because my cousin's wife (her grandmother) is such an unpleasant person that I avoided large family gatherings here. I don't feel as if I've done enough, except talk to her for hours on the phone, since I was about the only person she could vent to who knew all of the dramatis personae.

And in Annals of Cancer Does Not Make You a Better Person, yesterday said grandmother was screaming on the phone at her grandson about how no one was paying attention to her on the day after his father died.

The ginger thing is very weird, and saddening. My sister had all manner of crap in the playground. So much so that she was hoping she wouldn't have red-headed children. She has two. Who are as beautiful as she is! I get angry at people being anti-ginger, and tell them that it's nasty and to stop. Doesn't get taken too seriously, alas.

Thanks for the info on the redhead gene and pain, P.M. Marcontell. Pain research is really interesting. I respond very oddly to painkillers as a result of EDS. You learn how to be persistent with doctors.

Ginger, many thoughts for you and for your cousin's wife. [Edit: have realised that this grandchild is not your cousin's wife. Sorry - the relationship is a bit confusing. Wishing the grandchild well, at any rate.]

Hivemind question: If you are sending mail to a married couple who both have PhD's should it go to Dr. FirstName LastName and Dr. FirstName LastName on the envelope?

If they have the same last name, you can address it to "The Doctors LastName". If they have different last names, then you would address it to Dr. FirstName LastName and Dr. FirstName LastName.

I know it's confusing, Seska. I feel like I need a diagram and a pointer. My family tree is all warped by a cousin raised as a brother, fratricide, divorce, and people we don't speak to.

If I end up moving to KC, you heard it here first.

Selfishly, I am hoping for this!!

I got my hands on Barb's new book! I will be rewarding myself for doing a lot of housecleaning tomorrow by reading it!!!

My sleep schedule has worked around in its usually way to where I am getting to sleep at about 7 am, but I am being cheerful about it. I get meds refilled on Wed. and am using the quiet time to bake, do laundry, write and other productive things.

And I am hopeful (!) that I may have a job in a few weeks, so that will really help.

Things ain't great, but they ain't bad, either.

If they have the same last name, you can address it to "The Doctors LastName". If they have different last names, then you would address it to Dr. FirstName LastName and Dr. FirstName LastName.

Thanks, Vortex. She hyphenates, so I did them separately.

I'm done making labels for tonight. I'm still waiting for several people to get back to me. Tonight TCG's dad and stepmom are taking us out for dinner. The location is a surprise.

I feel like I need a diagram and a pointer. My family tree is all warped by a cousin raised as a brother, fratricide, divorce, and people we don't speak to.

I think that's not that uncommon. My family's fairly straightforward (apart from dozens of cousins on the Irish side!), but The Girl recently discovered an ancient family divorce at her great-grandmother's funeral, and has been learning about additional family members ever since. Random as you like. Family, eh?

Your family sounds fascinating, Ginger. My thoughts to your cousin, it does sound like she has borne an awful lot.

So we had family nail day. I went with the olive, of course, and I love it. Franny chose the 52, which is truly beautiful (purple with blue and green flecks), and Isaac went black on one hand, red on the other.

My eldest sister got the thick, wine-colored red hair along with abundant freckles and green eyes. The second eldest got the lighter, golden red with clear, pale skin and blue eyes. Dad was a carrot top with freckles and blue eyes.

My brown hair has definite red undertones but it's not enough!

I've got the white skin and freckles but my hair is brown. I think ginger's gorgeous and I wish I wish I were.