Okay, I'm really here because I want to share some little kid picspam [link]

And to ask for some we-really-need-some-orders-today ~ma. I mean, seriously, we need to movers to come next Monday but can't set that up without the orders. Which are supposed to be here 90 DAYS before a move. Now that Ellie's birthday is over, I have nothing to distract me from the "we need to move NOW!" stress.

Confusion is often a mask for anger, for people who are using manipulation as a mode of dealing with others. Of course she isn't going to attack you at this time, she is smart enough to get that that would cut her off. I strongly feel she is manipulating you with her confusion, Shir. And backing off to make it seem more acceptable to you. She wants your attention, and is needing explanations not because of lack of comprehension, but because if you are explaining to her, you are giving her attention and energy. This, of course, is likely on a subconscious level, so if you call her on it, she will not know what you are talking about. I strongly recommend you disengage from the discussion at this time. It is quicksand. It is not getting you more freedom from her, it is pulling you further and further into her pit of sticky mess.

Stephanie, I love that picture. Much smooth-move~ma for you. Heh, sounds like I've gifted you with Ex-Lax.

Well, in a way, that's what we need because we need those orders, um, produced for us.

Those pics are awesome!

Great pics, Stephanie. Ellie has become quite the stunning young girl! Calm~ma to you. I can't imagine how stressed you must be about not knowing where you're headed.

Ellie is gorgeous and I am so jealous of little girls who have long hair. I can't seem to get Em's to grow out - it gets so ratty and doing hair in the morning is just torture. She seems destined for a flapper-like bob until she is the one to take care of her hair.

Nice pics, Stephanie. sj is right, that little girl of yours is a beauty.

I am so jealous of little girls who have long hair.

I don't know. I was that little girl myself, so I do love it and kinda hoped for the long hair girl too, but Franny asked for a bob so we gave her one. And I have to say she was right, it suits her. She's bouncy and joyful and the hair is too. (Of course in a year from now when she has decided to grow it out into long locks I'll be saying that suits her to a tee.)

Franny story: I volunteer in her classroom on Mondays and was looking at the work displayed up on the walls. One wall had pictures the kids drew of themselves all grown up. Each kid wrote what they wanted to be. So charming! There was a fire fighter, a jockey, a mother. One kid wanted to be the guy who gives out prizes at Chuck E Cheese. Frances wrote: "When I am older I want to mace close." Took me a moment to realize she meant to say "make clothes." Somehow I can actually see Frances as a clothing designer.

Why am I still awake? And why am I reading about Chandra Levy? Now, in addition to everything else I've been worried about, I'm also scared to walk or bike on any trail that's not visible from the street, and convinced that, if I did disappear, the DC police department wouldn't have any clue how to find me.

Hil, if you're interested I know a really good self defense program in DC.