Work-related rant ahoy! Why is it that my colleagues in India and China can N-E-V-E-R make it to a meeting on time? I have to make these calls in the evening, which? Pain in the ass, yo! The least you could do is arrive on time! And if you can't make the time I schedule? TELL ME!!!! I'd rather change it to a(n even) later time than sit on hold for 15-20 minutes (for a call that was originally scheduled for 30 minutes) getting more and more pissed off. OMG come on people!

It's been a loooong time since I saw any bowling in tiaras, you betcha. Maybe that time has come around again.

Laura, you are a fine advocate in a family dispute, and if anything ever comes up, I want you on my side. Getting the Grandma train derailed and the mom and little girl together is a wonderful thing. You done good--and may they and your brother all have a little peace, now. Also? Bobby did great as on site kid herder. He's obviously been training in your footsteps.

GC, I'm sorry about the rudeness and the late. Can you notify them the meeting is scheduled for 20 minutes ahead of the time you want to be in that meeting and then show up on your time? That would seem logical to me, but maybe I'm just being vindictive and non-cooperative.

I have no news. None. So, all the energy I'd spend on worry and angst for my own plight I now release to the Bitches, use it as you most want or need.

Teppy, I'm glad the gathering turned out more or less hug-free, and I hope both you and Tim had a good time. Good news on the teeth sitch, too. Though I'm beginning to wonder if one can have one's sinuses removed, like tonsils. Oy, the pain and pressure, and the nearly-inevitable annual infection. Which, if it isn't diagnosed and I live through it, never really happened and doesn't count, right?

There is leftover kielbasa and lentil stew for supper, and it's calling me.

There are always tiaras for those who want them.

sj, I remember the awesome feeling of having paid off a car. Congrats to you! And phooey on your cable company.

Steph, I'm glad your dental anxiety was just unfounded crazy for the most part.

Glamcookie, is this maybe just a cultural thing about time? I recognize it's frustrating as hell, but it may be that they actually don't regard time the same way. So if you shift it later... they'll just be late for that. Or they could be inconsiderate a-holes, who knows. But I am epically terrible with time, and am therefore grateful to now live in a culture where it's more permissible to be late.

Xpost with Bev. Hi Bev! Your stew sounds tasty! I'm thinking of making a lentil/sweet potato curry stew in the slow cooker tomorrow. It's good to bank some leftovers before the parade madness really kicks in (Wednesday night).

Mmmm, kielbasa.

One of my Tumblr tags is "pantry", because I love looking at stacks of dishes and ranks of plates, the colors and shapes and sizes, and we all know I'm weird, so just go with it, okay? And also, the different ways people arrange a pantry: some with food in carefully labeled uniform containers, some in bins with a podge of bags and boxes sorted into each bin, some with jars and cans just jammed anywhere there's room on the shelves. And of course, the butler's pantries, with the dishes and glassware. From Ikea shelving to vintage painted or polished cabinets, from clip-on lamps to tasteful hidden display lighting. I'm intrigued by pantries.

H makes a lot of soups, and we always stock up on canned veg and various beans when there are sales. My diet prohibits potatoes and tomatoes, and wheat, so we have pastas made of various other grains, plus millet, barley, buckwheat, and brown, basmati, and jasmine rice on hand all the time. We love having a pantry. I just go in there sometimes and bask.

I don't cook, much. But I eat really, really well. And I do praise like nobody's business.

I said I had no news, right?

And I understand that grandma loves the kid and thinks she is a better parent.

Love the kid all she might, she's not the legal guardian. Until and unless it goes to court, she's got nothing but anger.

But, ugh, what a thing to have to go through.

We are hoping that her internet research and discussions with people that will talk to her has convinced her that a custody pursuit would be fruitless. She has a very volatile nature and it would not shock me if in just a few days she was all sweetness and light and acted like it was her idea for the child to move in with her mother.

It's not really the emotionally healthiest thing but this would actually probably be for the best. Unless she really wants to sue for custody, smile and move on. If the only way she can do that is to pretend it was her idea, it still ends the same.

What a traumatic thing for everyone. Laura, you did awesome getting the legal facts and then getting things resolved. Much better for the girl.

Families are so stressful.

You should have no news more often! I enjoyed the glimpse into your pantry, madam.

So my brother stopped by to visit my mother and she was massively relieved. She was convinced he was going to be devastated and depressed and he was ok. (His MS drugs have bad depression side affects) He reported with shy pleasure that his former FIL called him to say he was on his side. Then my niece stopped by with her kids because my step-dad texted her that he was at their house. Then my sister told me that she talked to him on the phone and he was way more talkative than usual. I feel more hopeful for him than I have for some time.

What a lovely thing to hear after a really, really hard day, Laura.

I hope your very neccessary intervention continues to bear positive fruit, Laura.

I don't know how to spell nessessary.

I may have had a couple of cocktails.