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!