For Pumpkin, the halter and leash are one gigantic toy (this is the cat who will remove her collar to play with it) and thus the whole purpose is defeated. Unless the purpose was to watch her writhe and attack, which she can do without the harness on (she drags it all over the house.) Though I suppose I could probably keep her from bolting in random directions outdoors by dangling it....

Sorry, Consuela, about the craptastic, sleep-free night, and ~t, I hope the insomnia fairies bugger off tonight and let you sleep as well.

I've done a bit of groceries and tutored at the kids' school, but it feels like I haven't done anything yet. I think it'll take a bit before I adjust back into a summer schedule. oops.

Oh and billytea, that xkcd is wonderful! Must share it with the kids when they come home from school.

Sigh.

I called mom yesterday for mothers day and it was another conversation that was akin to having a three year old on the phone. She just has days when she is truly not there. I don't really know how often they are. I feel bad about not calling more often, but more often than not I get a minute or two on the phone that goes no where and honestly ends up just making me really sad.

There is also apparently some drama with caregivers and my sister. My sister wasn't there but the weekend caregiver tried to pull me into some of the gossip, or whatever you want to call it. I just don't have the spoons to deal with it. The thing is that means that I end up disengaging.

So yeah, it's the day after mother's day and I'm still upset about it.

You guys, I'm about to order food online.

Oh, we did that yesterday for Mother's Day--there's a restaurant in Oakland that just does mac-n-cheese, about ten variations, so we got four orders of that and a big salad, bought it right off the website. So awesome. And I have the leftovers for lunch.

She just has days when she is truly not there. I don't really know how often they are. I feel bad about not calling more often, but more often than not I get a minute or two on the phone that goes no where and honestly ends up just making me really sad.

ND, I'm sorry you are also going through this. Just remember that she's pretty much living in the moment, and so you can help cheer her up a little bit just by talking to her. The downside of course is that she won't remember having talked to you, and she may say things which upset you, but it really isn't about you anymore. She's probably constantly bewildered and upset.

Anyway, two of my brothers called my mother yesterday and got concerned about the confusion she exhibited, but frankly I'd prefer the confusion to the horrible vicious harridan we got between 3 and 6 AM this morning...

And now I'm off to fix my face and catch a bus to work. Hopefully I don't look too much like the walking dead, on four hours of sleep.

Jesse, since I know my browser craps out after one submission:

• role models: >[link]
• stole my wedding: >[link]
• slow news day: >[link]

This isn't for goodstuff, it's an amazing (but sad) NatGeo pic: [link]

I'm sorry, Noise, that's so hard.

Also sorry you are awake again so soon, 'Suela!

I just tried teh nast candy from a co-worker the row over, and for some reason I'd promised to return. So I did, told her menthol and melon didn't belong in the same candy, and that it was very exciting, thanks.

When I got back to my desk I yelled over at her that melon was supposed to be a slow-moving flavour, that's what was wrong with it.

Her new co-worker, who I'd walked past a number of times this morning, asked "Oh, is that the one who yells over all the time? I hadn't put a face to the yelling."

I guess the bit where I'm annoyed at the loud people who moved in to our left should go on the back burner.

Lunch. I should get that from somewhere. And why did I schedule an 8AM meeting for a day I'm going to be at the office???? No, moving that is more important than lunch. I can't possibly do that.

I didn't just move the meeting, I HALVED its length. I am invincible. And kinda hungry.

Anyway--does anyone read Surviving The World (.net)? I'm finding him amusing today: [link]

I just had the best thing happen! On my way to the vending machine, I said to my coworker, "I wish I had a cookie" -- and she handed me one! A little homemade chocolate chip! Just what I wanted! And would not have found in the vending machine.

Sweet.