sj, I think Owen was 5 and in kindergarten when another kid called him an idiot. Still makes me made.

Laura, I am hoping you son changes his tune when he becomes a parent himself. It's easy to criticize parenting. After all, we are perfect parents before we have kids.

My boss just started watching Buffy. Do I still get a toaster?

I'm going to be going to NJ in a few weeks, and my house is a mess, and I'm getting anxiety attacks about, well, everything. Can't leave and leave the house looking like this, and I keep trying to clean, but even when I feel like I've done a ton of work, nothing looks any better.

Also getting worried about how I'm going to be able to get my work done while I'm there. My mother and I have very different ideas of what "Please don't distract me if I go into my room and close the door so that I can get work done" looks like.

I'm sorry to hear about so many entitled adult kids living rent free being so persnickety about having to do some dishes. I'm sure I myself would take on that chore to demonstrate my fervent gratitude about having a roof over my head when times are hard. That GF sounds like a terrible person. Not including your host in your dinner plans? Cray cray.

I am going to get $100 for something I've wanted to get rid of for years! My parents bought us an antique merry go round horse, which was valued at not much since it's been cobbled together from non matching parts and is only a back row kind of horse. Still it was super cool to play with, but we got tired having it take up so much space. It's been in storage in Dad's garage for umpteen years. The guy is handy and wants to build a sturdy stand so grandkids can play. I'm very glad my circus horse will get the chance to make someone happy again.

Plus, a hundred bucks apiece! Wooot!

I get a daily newsletter from WBEZ and it often includes some lighter fare. Friday's had a question about Halloween costumes and one response was, "Our 3-year-old announced he wanted to be tomato paste for Halloween."

I am sorry for all of the bullshit, Buffistas, for it seems there's plenty. Also, stares at Laura's son and at kids who are mean to ltc.

Hil, best of luck with negotiating reasonable WFH conditions. It is difficult.

One more week until election day. Oh how I wish hiding under the bed was an option.

I'm sorry everything is so overwhelming, Hil. Is there a possible young neighbor/relative/friend who might be able to help you with the house? I know Zenkitty and Sophia found help that way. Yeah, another discussion with your mother about having to work may at least help in the short run.

Yep, you get a toaster Cash!

Katerina, nice both to get the $ and to think of a new generation of kiddos enjoying the horse.

Hil - you absolutely can leave your house messy. It is ok to do that. Get yourself together, get what you need, take a break.

I get a daily newsletter from WBEZ and it often includes some lighter fare. Friday's had a question about Halloween costumes and one response was, "Our 3-year-old announced he wanted to be tomato paste for Halloween."

I love little kids. There's a funny picture around the internet of a kid about that age who insisted on going as pants for Halloween. (You know, you can criticize google for a lot of things, but it took me one second to find this! [link] )

I'm very glad my circus horse will get the chance to make someone happy again.

That is very cool.

Agreed. Dishes and taking out the kitchen trash are all that matters.

Waiting for the director of the school to call me back to discuss the horrible thing a boy said to ltc yesterday.