My employers shouldn't have my prescription information! But if research confirms the timing on purging, it might not be an issue. I can get the test done Monday or Tuesday, but that pushes the Thursday date a bit...

I got almost all of my Christmas shopping done today, just need to find out little things Mom & Dad would like (their major present is a lamp), buy my cousin a gift card, and find something Beatles-themed for about $10 to complete the Dirty Santa family gift.

Here you go, Matt: [link]

Thanks! Unfortunately a Yellow Submarine mug was a part of the gift I'd already bought (plus a 1967-1979 CD collection). But I just found a lunch pail that fits the bill.

I got almost all of my Christmas shopping done today

I just did a bunch! I need to write down what I have left to do so I can finish it off, but first I'm to cuddle up to the TV with a beer.

Good luck, ita!

We have our company holiday party in January because December is too busy. This year we're scaling back to hearty appetizers, wine, beer, and coffee at our showroom rather than a sit down dinner + cocktails at a hotel. Operations does lunch and a movie one afternoon in December. That's pretty nice - even if you aren't into the movie, you aren't in the office and you can, like, nap. Wait, is that a department? I don't have a handle on our organizational structure. And our department is doing a potluck and gift exchange on the 19th. I may have already opted out of the gift exchange, although I might want to opt back in since we nailed down the rules. Or not, I find shopping for gifts onerous. We have asked our Director to see if he can get approval to have the dress code temporarily include (work appropriate) pajamas for 12/26, because, really, not a lot of work will get done that day, we are all pretty sure.

ION: 11 hours is a long day of work, especially on one's feet. My drawer came up only thirty-three cents over even though the register kept refusing to open when I needed to give people change, so I feel pretty good about that. And I think I have managed to buy all the timers and microwave pressure cookers that I'm giving to family this year, now I just have to wrap and mail.

Fingers crossed, ita!

I have to post about this because I have to process this. I got a text from K that two friends of ours had their twin daughters yesterday at 28 weeks. The message came while I was in class about to start teaching and it made me cry. The girls are in the NICU (obviously) and our friends are pretty far from home - like the Kaiser they are at is near K's work about an hour from their house. I'm going to send a bunch of gift cards for places to eat near the hospital and I offered to do their laundry because they are planning on staying at a hotel near the hospital if they can't get into a Ronald McDonald house.

I knew she was on bedrest, but I hadn't realized she had been hospitalized in a high risk unit for the past 3 weeks. And now a NICU stay.

Unsurprising that'd hit home hard. It's good you know what they'll immediately need. I'm sorry for the emotional flashbacks, it just is. Somewhere around here I have a pebble carved with 'hope' that I used to hang onto when N&G were in the scary phase and I'd be talking to you. It's noteable I don't know where it is anymore. I've transfered it.

I have this guilty nugget too that is the companion to all of the envy I feel when people carry twins to close to full term or when my friends have easy pregnancies.

I'm always so surprised when I know someone who manages to carry twins to term (or close to--one of my friends posted tonight she's at 36 weeks. And she's 4'10 and huuuuuge). And then I just wonder how anyone has ever done triplets, much less higher numbers. My god.

I can see how it would be totally triggering for you, Kat. But you are great for knowing how to help them and being able/willing. Go you.