Thanks, Laura. I went to a restaurant on my way to my hairdresser's appointment to try to get a gift card for her because I hadn't seen her at Christmas. The door was locked, and I was about to leave when I saw three guys go in. So, I got out of my car and went in the restaurant. Waited for the people in front of me to order their take-out, only to be told that the guy at the register doesn't know how to do gc's. Got lost, was very late for my appointment. Stopped to get a falafel for a late lunch (which I've been trying to do for 4 days), only to find that the restaurant closes for three hours in the afternoon. Came home to find my new to me (refurbished) kindle fire had been delivered, and I opened it up to find a long crack in the glass. I don't like today.

Argh. I don't like it for you, although my version is quite good, for once.

Ugh, that is indeed a very unlikeable day.

The one sort of plus side for the day is that my doctor is calling in an antibiotic prescription for the uti I most definitely have despite the fact that the test results aren't in yet.

Laura. Darling. Sister. I have no advice at all to offer, but utter sympathy and support. There's nothing at all we can do, and it's so hard to just stand and watch the train wreck, and hope they wake up and decide whatever it is they need to do, and then do it. But good for you for keeping it out of your home.

Ginger told me once when we were traveling west together to some F2F or other, "They make underwear where we're going." Words to remember and live by.

sj, sorry about the day. Betters tomorrow.

erika, sorry about the state. It seems a lot of them are sliding in that direction. Fire in the streets, people, just you wait. Um. Did I say that out loud?

Bev! I didn't get to wish you a happy birthday (I remember you saying you don't visit Facebook, so I didn't wish you a happy birthday there, either), so Happy Happy Belated Birthday! It sounds like H. feted you splendidly.

As a frequent traveller, I do try to remind myself of the "they have stores there" idea. And therefore focus my attention/worry when packing on things that would be more expensive/difficult to replace. Forgetting my deodorant? Not going to cost much to replace, available in any drugstore and those are usually open late or 24 hours. Forgetting my makeup? Well I like Sephora anyway, or can try new drugstore stuff. Forgetting my laptop cord? $70 but available at Radio Shack. Forgetting my cellphone? Can't really do anything about it. Etc. (My mantra when leaving the house 99% of the time is "Keys? Wallet? Cellphone?")

A memory-mantra is a good thing to have.

Teppy, thank you. I do sneak onto FB every week or so, but just to check on geographically distant relatives who can't be arsed to email. And while there the other day, I noticed a bunch of well-wishes and left a blanket thank you. I have to say, I really love the low-key celebration thing. Plus, there are as-yet undiscovered presents to look out for, and to look forward to. "I think, the slightly more expensive stripey petunia plants, instead of the standard ones, for the front pots. For my birthday!"

Popping in to say hi. I've been reading and lurking but haven't had the time or spoons to really participate. But I am reading and nodding and sending ~ma.

(waves to smonster)