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.

Did you get better vibes off New Dentist, Steph?

Oh, HELL yes. The first visit -- when I went to him before the 4th of July for a second opinion -- he spent so much time with me actually *showing* me my x-rays and explaining what was going on, and I realized that Old!Dental Practice *never* showed me my x-rays or explained anything; they would just say "Okay, I'll prescribe you an antibiotic and you need to make an appointment with Dr. Root Canal." You know, without telling me what happened, or even the fact that I needed a root canal.

Anyway, YES. So much better.

Tep, get a water-pik...it feels better than flossing and has really improved my gums.I actually look forward to using it.

Really? I'm a moron about flossing my upper back teeth -- I seriously can't do it right. Maybe a water-pik would save my gums from a horrible decay-ridden death.

It might help...I get better numbers from just using mine a few days a week.(You put mouthwash in with the water, so it helps you rinse...some people use peroxide, but that seems intense to me.)

Aims, I'm at work and don't have the time to type out the story now, but I had a very similar experience when I was 7, trying to comfort my mother when I found her crying after I came home from school. She did her best to explain to me that sometimes events are just overwhelming, and that while comfort from others helps, sometimes it just takes time to get through it. She told me that as much as she wished my love could make everything better immediately and forever, we both had to just take it one step at a time.

As you can see, the memory has stuck with me. If this is not helpful to you, please feel free to ignore it. But I have great faith in your ability to find what works for both your lovely self and your equally lovely daughter.

It is totally helpful to me, Karl. I am , most of the time, my own worst enemy and am too hard on myself for not being the perfect [insert role here] at all times.

And it is so very helpful to have somewhere that I can go to and brain dump. I've been feeling pretty isolated lately and I am sure that Debetesse is tired of being my (almost) sole means of support (other than Joe). Some of that is my own fault - I've been turtle-ing because I don't have the spoons to deal with PEOPLE. But a lot of it is that most of our friends don't have kids and Emeline gets pretty bored hanging with the grown folk.

Anyway, that you all so much. I would say you have no idea how much it helps, but I have a feeling most of you do...

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.

Don't you DARE be fiscally irresponsible or I will kick your ass! I would love to have you here, but not at the cost of you strapping yourself financially, missy!

Tep, a good dentist is AWESOME. I am so glad you are much happier with this new one.

Aims, you are not a bad mom. In fact, something like that could be a good learning experience for Em. "Oh, honey, that was so nice of you to make this for me; you are a sweet girl and make me so happy! But wow...I think you're Hurricane Nice Em -- look at these coffee grounds? Do you think that part of making coffee/breakfast is cleaning up, too? Yeah, I think so too. What's the first thing you should do to start straightening this up? Oh, that? Yeah, you are SO SMART!"

And ION, I GOT THAT GIG for the MS editing forthe Emmy-winning writer-producer! Biggest gig evah! So psyched!

And ION, I GOT THAT GIG for the MS editing forthe Emmy-winning writer-producer! Biggest gig evah! So psyched!

Strix, RIGHT ON!!!