Oh, a question for people who are better at the whole "unwritten social rules" stuff than I am. Each year, around the holidays, my landlord leaves a present for me. The first few years it was a gift box of cheese from the university creamery, but she's figured out that I'm vegan, and gave me a box of candy this year. When she gave me the cheese, I would bring it to my parents, and my mom said that, if she gave me something, then we should give her something, so we'd send something (my mom generally picked it out) from some website and sign the card from the family. This year, since I'm the one eating the candy, I figure I should be the one sending the present in return. What am I supposed to give her? Would baking cookies and wrapping them up nice with ribbon and stuff be OK, or should I buy something? If so, what should I buy?

I think homemade cookies are always a good idea, Hil.

I agree with Kate. I also have been known to get people a bottle of wine if I know they like it.

Or a plant?

Cookies are totally legit.

Cookies are festive and a common result of holiday kitchen excursions. IE, perfect.

OK, thanks. I'll send her a thank-you email, and then bake cookies next weekend, because I'll have some actual free time then.

Do you start the new job on Monday, Jesse?

This list of 917 people who are hotter than Benedict Cumberbatch is mean, inaccurate, and funny as hell. I lost my shit at #917.

This is my new favourite thing.

Well damn. First I almost had a full out asthma episode just walking across the parking lot in the freaking cold. Got that under control and got my car in to put on the winter tires. As I waited I talked to another gal who reminded me SO much of my mom. We had a great conversation and it make me miss my mom like crazy. Then I hit the grocery store and walking back to my car I slipped on the ice. Somehow I twisted my ankle in ways it should never go to keep from falling on my ass. I should have just taken that hit. Once I got home and could fall apart, I cried for 30 minutes.

We are supposed to go to the symphony tonight and I don't know if I have the spoons. I know I'll love the music and the conductor is amazing...but just walking/parking/the cold...I don't know.

Two One things: So, Grace got dropped from her Medicaid insurance in September but we weren't informed. At all. So we'll be losing nursing service until January when we can use 100 days from her regular insurance. Which this might mean that I lose my job since Grace will have nursing at school, but we'll have to take her to school and pick her up from school.

Speculation removed. Please to ignore.