I feel like there's something DEEPLY, severely wrong with me that I don't want kids.

I'm nobody's model for mental health, but I've never been interested in having kids. I'm bewildered that anyone wants to do that in the same way I'm bewildered that anyone wants to ride roller coasters; I understand intellectually that people enjoy it, but wow, every part of it looks like torture.

I'd like to have a vaguely sane romantic relationship before I die, but I suspect that might require me to have some kind of fundamentally transformative experience that I wouldn't enjoy very much.

Hey, I call you for a bit of compassion now and again. You do alright.

On the mental health, you mean? I don't think empathy is the sticking point as much as basic socialization.

{{Maria}} I can't say anything more eloquent than what other Buffistas above have said, especially since I just woke up, but my heart is going out to you.

Stephanie, I'm so glad things have worked out for you!!

Allyson, I'm so glad about your car.

Blargh. 8:00 meeting. This means I have to get out of bed, right?

{{Maria}}

Allyson, I don't exactly know why you're afraid to have a child at 38, but I had K at 41 without any problems (I don't even have stretch marks, which is a miracle of good genes, not miracle creams). I went into it quite afraid from the stories society told me about my biological clock, but I had an OB with a average patient age of 37 at delivery and she put things in context for me.

My thanks to those of you that have tweeted/facebooked about the most recent Sassafras sighting - she actually walked into someone's house on Sunday, but the woman was so surprised she didn't get the doors closed. The DH was out with the tracker last night, and we'll pick it up again tonight to see if she goes right back to the American U. neighborhood where she's been before.

You are all extraordinary. What a marvellous thread to wake up to. Thank you.

After invoking the FPC, I would like to whine, "I'm sooo sick." My lungs are full of gunk and there are tiny jackhammers being operated in my sinuses. All the things I haven't gotten done loom much larger when I can't do them. And I absolutely, positively have to be well by Saturday to do my volunteer stuff at the book festival.

eta: Also, I have the attention span of a mayfly. Sass! Let the people help you!

Sassafras sighting - she actually walked into someone's house on Sunday, but the woman was so surprised she didn't get the doors closed.

I can't believe it was so close!

(I don't even have stretch marks, which is a miracle of good genes, not miracle creams).

I have opposite genes. I have never had children, and I am covered in stretch marks. I swear I have even gotten them from losing weight! Most of them are from when I went on AD''s and gained about 80 pounds in less than a year.

I have stretch marks from puberty (in the process of getting to a B cup? seriously?) but none from two 8+ pound babies. Bodies is weird.

Also, that Sassafrass is some rascal! Inside a house? Dang.

COME ON SASS!!!! Man, she's tricksy.

Love the FPC clause invocation.