It certainly sounds like the stranger made a GIANT LEAP in thinking she knew enough about what was going on to comment. That ain't right.

I am working from home again today. I don't really feel terrible and I'm sure I'm not contagious, but...well, it just seemed easier. And I've got a dr's appt for Monday, where I expect to get a referral to an allergist and figure out wtf that reaction was all about. I cannot figure out what the trigger could have been, and it makes me nervous that I don't know what to avoid. I am pre-emptively taking Benadryl but I'm not gonna just take Benadryl every day for the rest of my life, just in case. Probably.

Did I tell you guys that my nephew was in Paris over winter break? His girlfriend's father is French and recently moved back there (not to Paris, but France) and they borrowed an apartment or something and invited him to visit for a couple of weeks. He was super impressed with the food (even McDonald's tastes good, reportedly) and the Eiffel Tower. And the smallness of the rooms. Jesse climbing all those stairs reminded me.

After the stranger's interaction with her, I became much more sympathetic toward the mother. I wonder how often people treat her like she isn't there.

If it's anything like my mom & grandma, a lot. It doesn't help that my grandma is tetchy and vocal, but - yeah. (Long story, but they're starting to explore hospice, and I really just wish they'd been able to move closer so I could help Mom.)

Wow, 7th floor walk-up is nuts--I'm not sure id leave the house at all, but definitely would only want to come and go once a day. I can't imagine!

Wasn't Our Trudy in a 5th floor walkup with her dog at one point?

I think that I would blame the stranger and neither the mother and daughter. Stranger had no reason to comment and really shouldn't have.

7th floor walk-up sounds like a bad idea.

It sound like the stranger was looking for a way to congratulate herself.

The orb is out and there is actual warmth coming from it! I'm still wearing my snow boots though because they allow me to tromp through the deep and plentiful puddles like a little kid.

My work team is about to move from the 1st to the 4th floor and I'm stoked about having the opportunity to get more flights of stairs walked in my day. Fitbit tracks stairs!

It sound like the stranger was looking for a way to congratulate herself.

I don't know. I have empathy for all involved. When my mom was on her downhill slide I would have given anything to talk with someone in the same situation. But there is no good way to do that. If that was the stranger's goal, she approached it badly. But I understand the impulse.

It's one of those days when my brain just won't work. I've written this copy seventeen different ways, and it still doesn't sound right.

Maybe chocolate will help.

I'm still wearing my snow boots though because they allow me to tromp through the deep and plentiful puddles like a little kid.

Love!

Maybe chocolate will help.

I feel certain that it will. You'd better check empirically.