Also, I think my mother is trying to make-up for her own lack-of-dolls from when she was a girl with Em. Which I am totally ok with because the dang dolls are too spendy for me, yo.

Hmm, 4 AG beds is a lot of beds to house. That would be my only concern.

I say, tell her in those days, folks shared beds. And let the dolls double up. But what do I know, I'm just a guy who never had dolls.

this is my One True bite guard. No boil, no "fitting", just wash out of the box and stick in mouth. Small and light they don't obstruct breathing (or drinking water) and only once has one half slipped from btwn my back teeth and prompted a dream of chewing on something weird. Sure, I chew through them periodically (and sometimes the younger cat gets to it and noms on the delicious mintyness of something that's been regulary soaked in a post-toothpaste mouth) but that's ok because they aren't insanely expensive.

eta: and I love these for travel.

Iirc, Josefina lived at Golondrinas. I took Ellie there a few years ago and it was really cool. I think Josefina is beautiful but Elle doesn't really like dolls. Anyway,I agree with Burrell; 4 beds is a lot of space.

I don't know how to explain the exhaustion and general psychological ache of trying not to be overwhelmed by other people's default assumptions of what and how you are when you just want to be you

The first comparison that popped into mind might be the default assumptions associated in peoples minds of what you are if you are a woman. This exhaustion and psychological ache being much more profound in other cultures than our own, yet still existing here as well.

I don't know how to explain the exhaustion and general psychological ache of trying not to be overwhelmed by other people's default assumptions of what and how you are when you just want to be you

Wow. Well said, ita. Very evocative and clear. Thank you.

I don't know how to explain the exhaustion and general psychological ache of trying not to be overwhelmed by other people's default assumptions of what and how you are when you just want to be you

This.

but most other people are white/straight/sexual/cis/American/Christian/dominant and the disregard for your individuality is like an undertow that's pulling you out further and further from shore.

And with this one, it's not even just Christian people. I once had a rather bizarre conversation with an atheist, where he was insisting that I should celebrate Christmas. After questioning him about it a little bit, I figured out that his justification for why he can celebrate Christmas is "It's a totally secular holiday, not Christian at all, so if I celebrate it, I'm not doing anything remotely related to Christianity," and the fact that I didn't celebrate it specifically because of its connection to Christianity was screwing with his worldview.

skimming along, nodding my head. Just wanted to say, Clovis needs this: [link]