I did a lot of babysitting, too, starting at 10 as a "mother's helper," through post-college. I would totally babysit more now if more of my friends with babies were local.
Wesley: And how does your kind define love? Demon: Same as all bodies. Same as everywheres. Love is sacrifice.
'The Girl in Question'
Natter 67: Overriding Vetoes
Off-topic discussion. Wanna talk about corsets, nail polish, duct tape, or physics? This is the place. Detailed discussion of any current-season TV must be whitefonted.
Jesse - Feb 17, 2011 8:22:56 am PST #23435 of 30001
Sometimes I trip on how happy we could be.
§ ita § - Feb 17, 2011 8:24:11 am PST #23436 of 30001
Well not canonically, no, but this is transformative fiction.
My "babysitting" was all chaperoning. Has its own perks and downfalls.
Ginger - Feb 17, 2011 8:24:38 am PST #23437 of 30001
"It didn't taste good. It tasted soooo horrible. It tasted like....a vodka martini." - Matilda
I started sitting at about 12, including quite a few late Saturdays with the worst toddler in the world. Her parents paid double what anyone else did, and I was the only one who would babysit her. I was always exhausted afterward.
ChiKat - Feb 17, 2011 8:40:18 am PST #23438 of 30001
That man was going to shank me. Over an omelette. Two eggs and a slice of government cheese. Is that what my life is worth?
I started babysitting at 12, too. The scariest incident I had was when I was 14 or 15 and a 2 year old choked on a piece of hard candy. I knew how to give the Heimlich so I did and she was fine, but her lips turned blue really quickly! Once she was fine, I just held her and rocked back and forth and tried not to lose it in front of her.
Jessica - Feb 17, 2011 8:40:52 am PST #23439 of 30001
And then Ortus came and said "It's Ortin' time" and they all Orted off into the sunset
I was babysitting outside the home at 10 or 11, and watching my own sibs while my parents went out by 12 or 13.
lisah - Feb 17, 2011 8:52:21 am PST #23440 of 30001
Punishingly Intricate
Dear lord! We have to leave in about 40 minutes, at the latest, and two of the reports are not completed. STRESS BALL ARGH!
smonster - Feb 17, 2011 8:52:27 am PST #23441 of 30001
We won’t stop until everyone is gay.
Skimmy skimming to post this link to a fascinating article about the "Crying Indian" commercial. [link]
And I kind of like this one, that NC made a few years ago. [link]
Cashmere - Feb 17, 2011 9:04:32 am PST #23442 of 30001
Now tagless for your comfort.
I went to pick up the van at the dealership. They didn't even ask my name--they just handed me my keys when I walked in. They said they were expecting me--the tow truck driver told them to look for the lady with purple hair.
Then the service desk guy told me he actually said, "I've never seen someone that old with purple hair!" But the service desk guy said the tow truck driver was ridiculously young.
Ouch.
Kathy A - Feb 17, 2011 9:27:24 am PST #23443 of 30001
We're very stretchy. - Connie Neil
Woohoo, state Senators from Wisconsin!!
All 14 Democrats in the state Senate have left the Capitol building, thereby denying a quorum and preventing a vote on the Republican plan to cut salaries, health insurance, pensions and bargaining rights for state employees...
Update--Senate Democrats leave the state: State police are searching for the Democratic Senators, but local news says the Dems left the state. As such, Wisconsin state police no longer have jurisdiction. A standoff has begun.
Burrell - Feb 17, 2011 9:41:23 am PST #23444 of 30001
Why did Darth Vader cross the road? To get to the Dark Side!
I babysat the neighbor down the street starting when I was 10, but oh the irony for I wouldn't hire a 10 year old to babysit my kids. But if I had a 14 year old I'd let him/her watch a 3 year old sibling.
Also crazy news day in Wisconsin. I fear tho' it cannot last.