Tons of calm~ma and spoons~ma to all who need them, with an extra dose of don't kill your mother-in-law ~ma to Dana.

I spent the last hour or so trying to find the spats store I found on Portobello Road when I was in the UK. They're great for covering up my leg braces when I'm dressed up. I had no idea they were also called gaiters, and when I figured that out I finally found an online store that sells the ones from the Portobello shop. Anyway, after all the time it took me to find them, I thought I would share the link here in case anyone else was interested.

sj, those are really cute!

You know how you're not supposed to text and drive? I just saw someone having an ASL video chat while driving. Holding the phone in one hand, signing with the other, so NO hands on the wheel.

I've been pretty productive today, which I am proud of. I am especially proud of talking (texting) Joe with some things that I need him to do that will help me be not quite so broken.

But Em broke my heart this morning and I am feeling a bit weepy. I love my girl. I adore her and can't imagine anything without her. But she can be a handful. Lately, all she wants to do is take care of me. She has such good intentions but all of her endeavors make such a freaking mess and, being 7, she leaves it, which gets me all flustered and pissy. Coffee grounds on the floor, water on the floor, dried oatmeal in two rooms.

So this morning I told her I appreciated it but she made such a mess that it kind of makes me mad and she started crying and said that she is just trying to make me happy, which evaporated the mad and made me sad because making me happy IS NOT HER JOB. She's 7. Her job is to play and do what I tell her. Not to take care of her totally broken mommy.

There are a few of us in Natter and Bitches who talk about being the adult children of mentally ill parents and having the same bahaviors and coping skills as adult children of alcoholics. I hate thinking that could be Em in 20 years. And it depresses the shit out of me.

And UGH! Self-involved brain dump.

I think wanting to make you happy is a sign you're not raising a self-involved brat, but someone who loves her Mommy and wants to do nice things for her, like you do for the people you love.

There are a few of us in Natter and Bitches who talk about being the adult children of mentally ill parents and having the same bahaviors and coping skills as adult children of alcoholics. I hate thinking that could be Em in 20 years.

Aw, hon. I feel the same way. Ben has been saddled with Sara too many times when I can't get out of bed, and Sara has seen me cry so often, I don't think it even fazes her anymore.

But as long as there's love, and you can talk about it with them, you'll be good. The love is the most important thing, I think.

I could be wrong, but I think many of those parents were not aware of their issues and/or not working on them in a constructive way. That ain't you.

It isn't your job to be happy all the time, either.

Strix, re: your birthday, I will commune with the budgeting gods this weekend, but I'm pretty sure my inner Suze Orman will say "Are you KIDDING ME, girlfriend? You. Are so. DENIED." I really need a mini-vacation, too, and that would be perfect. Hmm. There must be a way.

Another workday cut short due to weather. Yay for nap, boo might not make 40 hrs this week.

I am sitting on a plastic trunk with those little self clasping thingies, hoping that my weight will squish the pillows inside so the latch thingies stay latched. Seems like a perfect time to whip out the iPad and say, Oy! Moving sucks. And boy is my place dusty!

Aw, Aims. All parents have problems and all kids have problems and all families are dysfunctional in some way because they're just a bunch of humans doing the best they can. You are ahead of the game for being aware of potential issues and not pretending at all costs that everything is fine.

I'm sorry you are having such a hard time.

Tep, get a water-pik...it feels better than flossing and has really improved my gums.I actually look forward to using it. sj, I'll keep an eye out. Lisah, it's all in the game.