I'm not sure if there's a legal standard for labeling something "vanilla bean" but what it should mean is that the vanilla flavor comes from vanilla beans instead of synthetic vanillins.

What it means for this brand is that the ice cream is speckled with the actual beans.

The lawyer who handled Hubby's disability case called yesterday. When Hubby told me this, I was immediately worried, but apparently the lawyer thinks he can get Hubby more money. I said suspiciously, "How can he do that, and what's it going to cost us?"

Apparently, disability payouts are handled by several semi-private companies who dole out the money. If you have a lawyer who helped with the case, said lawyer gets a cut of the monthly payout. I did not know this, and it explains why said lawyers are willing to get a better deal. And it's more comforting to have a logical reason than to wonder why a lawyer is apparently being altruistic.

synthetic vanillins

This would be an excellent band name.

Sounds like DC is having a seriously screwed up commute this morning.

Happy birthday, Nora!

Then I told him the most likely reason for it was that they thought his mom was SUPER CUTE and he got all grossed out and chocked on his laughter.

Well, you are supercute.

Happy birthday, Nora! Why do I suspect that I forget every year that you share a birthday with my sister?

Because I'm like that.

There is a company mug and a company ID card holder at my desk. Goodbye contracting company ID card holder. Except? Still keeping my contractor ID card. It is ID card #007. No rush to give that up.

Fingers still hurt. But yesterday's nurse didn't seem to think I needed medical attention.

The fridge has been beeping intermittently like it's trying to back up since we moved in.

Maybe it's trying to say that you're a real fine woman and you need to back that azz up?

ita, sorry if my doctor comment last night was rude. It was a bitter amusement on your behalf, but I'm sure there's nothing funny at all about it to you.

Happy Birthday Nora!

ION, Casper just asked if I knew that Justin Bieber was gay. Just a lesson, for parents of younger kids, that once your kid is at loose on the world you have very little control over what they pick up. She did know what gay was (which I don't think we've ever discussed explicitly) and didn't seem to think it was anything more than a curiosity. But I don't think Bieber is gay, actually.

Perhaps Casper saw photos of someone she assumed to be Justin acting all couple-y with Chad Lowe?

Let's hope, right?

Yeah. While I realize that, for example, Palin helped Obama win by driving hordes of moderate voters away from McCain's ticket, I'd really prefer the option of lowered chances of Democrat victory against Republican opponents who aren't likely to regard Dr. Strangelove as a How-To instructional film.

Maybe it's trying to say that you're a real fine woman and you need to back that azz up?

That was a possibility I hadn't considered.

ita, I'm glad the nurse was a help. I love nurse help lines.