From experience, sj, don't try to rehash, make excuses for, or explain anything. If TCG is okay with his mom being in your family circle, start from zero, today, and go all new.

Believe me, it's hard at first, but it can be done. In our case it worked, we all became close, the kids had amazing grandparents. Good luck.

This situation might prove to be slightly more difficult, but we'll do what we can.

Well, whatever happens, you have the best group of people in the world to help you out with the details.

sj I don't have any advice about your MIL other than to say we're here for you.

So I had the best day at work today so far. No ear ache and except for having to completely reset an area and get behind in another I did okay. The day went by really fast and it was only the last 30 minutes I was ready to go home.

Partly it's the heat. I can feel my feet and legs swelling from the peripheral edema I get at times. The way to deal with it is don't walk or stand too much and don't sit down too much. When you do sit keep your feet elevated.

I also need to cut back on the salty foods and drink more water. I'm going to try and get some of those freezeable fake ice cubes. The water tastes bad so I drink bottled (I buy gallons and then use a water bottle) but I always forget to put the water back in the fridge. I'm hoping having the freezeable ice cubes will help keep the wawter cold which will make me want to drink more.

askye, I caved and bought one of those water bottles with the built-in filter (Britta, about $15 at Target) when I was visiting family in Tulare (California's central valley) which is locally FAMOUS for how gross its water is. The thing is near-miraculous. It made Tulare water not just acceptable, but tasty. I always bring it along for fairs or whatnot where I can't guarantee the quality of the water I'll have access to and it works great. Won't help for coldness, but still highly recommended.

OMG, kosability bloggers! YOU MUST CHILL! I'm sure Ben Bradlee, putting out the Washington Post during the Watergate era didn't flip out quite this much...personally, I think blogging is like crime, if it ain't fun, you better get a job. (Not to mention, yesterday's was an open thread about puns that I pulled out of my butt at the last second...mostly about cheese...how proprietary can I possibly feel about that?) I know what this is, honestly...it's what happens when a group of also-rans gets a team of their very own.They're determined to give everyone a say on everything whether you care or not.

I had dinner with Anne! She was kind enough to meet me at my hotel...which is currently hosting a dwarf convention. I have never seen so many little people (of all ages, and their families) in one place. Goodness. Though I did kind of love all the regular-size parents with their little-people children. Way to support and help them socialize, parents!

In other buffistas assistance needed: how do I word a request for someone to have a drink with me that will allow her an easy out? She made some very flirty comments on Facebook but I never see her in person. Even still I don't want things to be super awkward if she says no (which I'm pretty sure she will...I think the comments were an anomaly). I kinda want to be like "look, I'd love to buy you a drink but if you're not interested, quit leaving suggestive comments!"

"I know you've got to be pretty busy, but I'l love to take you for a relaxing drink. What time and place works for you? I hear ZYX bistro has a killer happy hour?"

I can feel my feet and legs swelling from the peripheral edema I get at times.

I get that too, from the BP meds. I haaate it. Also the pinprick hemorrhaging, which is supposedly harmless, but I don't like it.

The way to deal with it is don't walk or stand too much and don't sit down too much.

What's left?! Can't lie down all day. Frustrating.

Strix, that's pretty...forceful? I feel like someone would have to be all "um, yeah, uh, busy. Busy all the time. Yup". (In part this is because last time I saw her she was all "we should hang out" but I think meant it in that not-actually-meaning it way? But I want her to say no if she meant it in a friend way? Sigh). What I really need is a handy group event I can invite her to, but I don't have any (and have no idea when she'd be free even if I came up with one, since she works a weird schedule). But oh, the crushing...