Zen, we need to go on a real vacation where there is no internet or cell service. Except direct Buffista access perhaps.

The problem is, when I'm not working, no one else is doing my job anymore. My boss seems to have not grasped the fact. I'm already dreading the mess I'll come back to in January.

Oh I understand, Zen. Tis a pipe dream.

Can I grumble about my boss for a minute? She sent an email to me and 3 other freelance editors today asking if we would like to take on additional editing in 2016 (essentially working out to anywhere between 15-30 more hours a month). And I replied "Absolutely -- thanks for thinking of me!"

She replied to me that she put my name in the cc field (rather than the To field) because she would like my work to progress a bit more before she starts sending me additional work.

How in the fuck was I supposed to divine that from the fact that my name was in the cc field rather than the To field? I mean, SERIOUSLY.

But I can't reply with that, of course, so I said that's a goal I have as well, and I was glad we were on the same page, and to keep in mind that if the workload is excessive for the other editors, she can always send me short little articles.

But seriously, now. I'm supposed to be a damn mind-reader? Sheesh.

If she wants your work to progress more why did she include you in that email at all?

It seems like that would be a different email that she should send to you.

Exactly! I guess she means I'm on my way to being ready for additional work but not quite yet, which would be nice to hear -- in a separate email, not an email that sounds like a blanket "Your work is great; want some more?"

Your boss has issues.

Teppy, that is messed up.

Somehow while my mother was walking ltc around the house she lost ltc's pacifier. Ltc does not like the pacifier we gave her instead and now will not sleep.

Your boss seems poorly suited for a communications role, Steph.

This happened at my previous job, too -- it's kind of hilarious how bad people who communicate for a living are at actually communicating.

I feel a bit like the but hy Scrooge. Backstory Christmas will be at my brothers house which is fine he has a tree...my dad will be staying there and if course E will be there. My brother's gf will be out of town with her mother.

Normally at holidays and any time the whole family is together Mom and I or just Mom take care of the food. My brother used to disappear and we'd wait or start without him but that's changed. As best as I can remember he's never cooked anything. I keep telling Mom it's not fair and he and Dad should take over.

My brother can cook. Dad can cook.

Mom's compromise offer thus year is a potluck type where we each make whatever we want. When I suggested maybe the guys could do the main course and we could handle sides she asked me why it's so important.

It used to bE about the disappearing thing...stressing over getting everything done and then someone would swan off and we'd wait.

Now it's more he's 40 some odd years old he cooks for his family he can make a holiday dinner of some kind.

Am I being unreasonable?