vw, hon, I'm with the others: do what feels right to you, wrt the present thing. I mean, yeah, it's hellishly hypocritical of him to be all 'don't be so generous...er, except to my family!' But this isn't about him, it's about you - so if you want to give them the presents, because you dig them as people you happened to meet via CBD, that's cool. If otoh you would rather keep/sell/otherwise gift said presents, that is also cool. But don't feel obligated to worry about what he'd like you to do. Not that I think you are - once again I'm impressed with the way you're dealing with the situation.

Last day of school today, and my little buggers were adorability on a stick. Also, I made out like a BANDIT in the present stakes! I've got, I don't know, like ten pressies or something - and they're nice! (...not, alas, something one can neccesarily count on, when it comes to gifts from kids. I mean, it's always touching and flattering and whatever, but sometimes it's also '...and what the hell am I going to do with this gilt-edged ceramic clown figurine?' Whereas this year, so far, they all seem to be nice! Yay!) Also, I even got pressies from two kids I don't even teach this year!

Also, our performance of The Twelve Days of Bangkok Christmas (complete with hand-watercoloured illustrations) was hailed by all and sundry as the highlight of the assembly, so that was cool too.

In conclusion: my kids rock! As do I!

t /self-indulgence

Meanwhile - I hope Teppy's doing okay? I miss her pixels.

Yeah--where is she anyway??

maybe if we put our ~ma powers together, cross the beams so to speak, she'll feel our love and show her pixels again. ~Steph!~ma

Job~ma to you, Maria. It is scary to think about what will happen without an auto rescue package.

{{{Kristin & Zoe}}} I hope you get the best possible news.

All the ~ma in the world t those who need it, PK&ND&Z, VW, MFNL, ETC.

Some days it feels like the whole Buffista alphabet needs a little ~ma.

ETA: Not that I'm saying "Bring it on, universe!" But Buffistas have more than enough ~ma to deal with it if I did.

(((((Kristin, Drew, and Zoe))))) I haven't seen Zoe since she was a puppy, but I remember her being such a sweet dog. So much -ma that it's nothing.

(((Maria))) -ma for you and for everyone affected by the auto industry crisis.

Many, many hugs to Kristin, Drew, and Maria.

Job ~ma, Maria. I really believe those people on the hill know they have to do something and today's vote was something of a show for the people back home.

Kristin, dog ~ma for Zoe. May there be good news soon.

I believe that the Senate bill to bail out automakers not passing was hard cheese by a large percentage of Republicans (1) seeing an opportunity to try and stick it to Unions, (2) a chance to thumb their noses at Democrats, and (3) it makes them feel all manly.

That being said, having already stripped the environmental provisions, the Senate version was getting a little less with the teeth, anyway.

Brrr. I just went outside in the middle of the night to dig out a notch in the snow left by the road graders so that I could drag out the trash and recycle bins.

I started breathing hard, and couldn't figure it out. It felt cold as hell, sure, but I didn't expect what I found when I got in and looked at the weather page.

-2°F / -19°C

WTF? It was supposed to be only 18°F for a low today!

Some towns nearby are reporting -7°F / -22°C

This is January/February weather.

Normal for here would be around 30 for today. WTH?