I think those little hairpieces are in vogue again, actually. I believe you can even find them at Wal-Mart, of all places, but I usually see them in kiosks at the local shopping mal. Lotsa people are "supplementing" their natural hair with those things, apparently (when they can't afford extentions & weaving)!

Drat, suction, I tried to read that interview from my office computer and the darn site is censored! Comes up as having "Gay or Lesbian or Bisexual Interest". Crikey. A little Nair on the balls ain't that frightening, is it? Heh.

Nooo, but the interview is on the gay.com site. Sorry 'bout that...

I figured, suctionprints. We're pretty locked down where I work. Can listen to very little music over the Net, because they locked out all mp3s, & the firewall doesn't allow a lot of direct streaming. Also, can't access personal emails like hotmail or earthlink. And even content determined to be "tasteless" is censored.

Does anybody else have that much corporate lockdown at work?

There are many times I click links posted on TWoP only to find the site has been blocked by my (giant corporate) employer. However, I was stunned to find out today that howardstern.com is not censored. I thought it had to be because it's a new website, but I was also stunned to find out that it's mostly a political website.

I'm also able to access Howard's website from work (not that I have a need to). That's a pretty funny discrepancy.

There's so much bureaucratic red tape in these places, but little logic or efficiency--they're like headless dinosaurs mired in muck! <snort> Ah, well... it's always good for laugh. As a consultant, I get to keep a bit of distance, but I frequently remind myself not to knock them too much: they pay my bills!

I had a client once who said to me, when I was complaining about the chaos & inefficiency, "Don't worry about it! That just means more job security for you!" I found his words to be true many times over, and they helped to diffuse a lot of potential work-related stress since then.

Hi everyone! I hope everyone is doing well. Aussie Girl, your story was very sad. Yogi Bear, your dinner party menu sounded absolutely yum! And how lucky you are to have a fire to light! Yes, it was pretty chilly on Saturday nite in NYC, wasn't it?

I don't think that my job does the Internet lockdown, but I avoid fun sites like this one during the day because I don't quite trust those folks. For all I know they do periodic checks of Internet history, department by department. Who knows just what those IT guys are assigned to check on a daily basis? For that reason alone -not because of any moral issues about surfing the web on my employer's time, because I could care less about that - I limit my web browsing primarily to mainly news sites. I access my Yahoo email so that I can send personal emails, since I don't use our Outlook for that either. That's why it takes me so long sometimes to catch up on what's happening here at TWoP.

Anyhoo. I'm glad it finally feels like summer in NY. Can't wait for our Peachy to grace our tv sets again on a regular basis. **sigh**

Yogi I made your coleslaw last night and it was just delicious. Mmm...mmmmmmm. Best I have ever tasted anywhere in the world! Mr Aussie is not a coleslaw lover by any means, so Littlest Aussie and I pigged out. But there is still a lot left, so guess what I'm having with my lunch today?

Surprised to hear that it is cold in NYC - don't you guys get horribly hot weather there at this time of year? Lots of novels I read say people have to leave the city and the stifling heat.

Only 5 or 6 weeks to go till Vanuatu, and thanks for the info on Regis and Kelly, Teena. I think we might get that here on cable TV, hopefully it will be up to date.

Edited to say hi to Heidihug.

I'm gonna try to watch a little of regis and kelly if i can..I'll be at work, and my vcr is acting up...figures. So you'll have to let me know how he looks. drop dead gorgeous i'm sure..I can't wait for survivor to start again. I wish they would do reruns of survivor in the off season. Either that or i have to start taping them so i can watch our peachy.
Oh well...a little over a month to go....sigh...

Trust me, the cool snap was a shock to us here as well. I had on a sweatshirt Saturday, and was completely comfortable. So yes, usually August is usually a hazy, hot, humid mess here. Go figure. I'm sure that, by the end of the week, we'll be crying about how unbearably hot it is. Aussie Girl, what's the climate generally in your neck of the woods? Are you guys starting your winter now?

An update on the bitch I deal with at work: recently, she handled a major trial that we lost. After reviewing what happened, it was apparent that she glossed over several areas at the trial that needed more in-depth treatment. While it's tempting to revel in schadenfreude because I hate her so, I won't because most people who have ever tried a case have one fairly big loss under their belt, including yours truly. My hope is that she'll be humbled by this loss and take the opportunity to do some trial training. Somehow I doubt that either instance will happen anytime soon.

Someone started a Survivor Media thread saying that she saw her first Survivor commercial recently. Yaaay!! To anyone who catches Peachy on Regis and Kelly: please post the highlights in his thread for those of us who miss it. Pretty please? Because I am so needing my Peachy fix.

Anyone who has access to a television this morning, don't forget Peachy is on Regis and Kelly at 9AM. So close and yet so far.... Regis and Kelly work out at my health club. Maybe they will bring Peachy over... Maybe he will fall in love with me and invite me to his hut at Vanatu... OK, enough with the daydream. ;D

My mom had a foam head too, Tracey Bee. It's had to believe that we once thought such contrived hair styles were attractive. Of course, I lean way to far in the other direction. I leave the house almost every morning with my hair still wet. The people in my neighborhood frequently look at me agast.

I'm hoping to be reconnected to Time Warner and my internet service today. I'm looking forward to having e-mail again. Ugh. Those Time Warner's....

Speaking of Time Warner (the building though, not the company,) we should make a SMM on Thursday the 19th. Samina and I finish our cooking class at about 8 PM, so we will already be there. It's after the 16th, so Ricci can probably come. I asked a friend where he thought we should go in the area for drinks, and he suggested Therapy where all the drinks are named after different therapies like lobotomy. However, I am open to any suggestions. NYCers? What are your thoughts? Anyone around on the 19th?

I'm sorry, but this sounds absolutely hilarious to me, even knowing the context. Part of my brain is taking this sentence literally, and I'm seeing Mama Yogi and Mama Tracey walking around with those wig stands for noggins. Hee.

I might be able to join up on the 19th but not certain. Therapy is actually about 9 blocks from the TW Center (it's at 52 & 9th) and is a gay bar, if that's what you're in the mood for, but it is a great space.

Bwaahh! I *love* that! And an SMM on the 19th sounds great -- who can come?!

AlmondEyes, I take it you're an attorney? I'm not, but I do know what it's like leading up to & going through a trial, so I sympathize. I know how crappy it is when things go wrong in there, and how much preparation it takes so that you're ready to field what your adversary tosses your way in court. More power to you, AE -- it's not for the faint of heart! A few years back I had three of my own cases going at once, and handled them by myself for nearly two years. One actually went through a 2-week jury trial. God, the hours (days-weeks-months) I spent in the law library, and writing briefs, and waiting in court for various dockets to come up. What drama you contend with on a daily basis! Do you enjoy it? It sure gets the adrenalin going... But I much prefer my quieter life, now. I can get my dander up for a Gauntlet now & then, but I know I couldn't do it for a living.

Oh, suctionprints, you just gave me such a laugh!

My friend did tell me that Therapy is a gay bar. I probably should have mentioned that.... He also said it's very fun.

Another option? Molyvos serves excellent Greek food and wines in a nice full bar with a large window overlooking the street. 7th and 56th....

I'm so thrilled you may be able to make it, skagirl. I'm crossing all fingers and toes.

OOo, ooo, my mom had a foam head, too! *hee* I used to play with it and her assortment of wigs. She kept them attached to the foam head with these huge T-shaped straight pins, which always scared me *is that what she uses to keep them on HER head!?*. Turned out, no, of course not, but a child's imagination is a wonderful thing.

The weather this weekend is supposed to be partly cloudy with highs of 70-77. Not the typical August heat for the Midwest, but I'll take it. Better than today's chilly 62. Good road trippin' weather!

Oh, that would be great...<she says, wistfully>

I was looking at some photos of Greek island fare, recently, and jonesin' real bad!

The Foam Heads. It sounds like a band that suctionprints would listen to.

My mom had the T-shaped pins too, Heidihug. They were scary!

Molyvos is so good. I loved the Greek Isle photo, and I sent you an e-mail, samina.

See, now I imagine moms with heads made of a foam that's the consistency of shaving foam, or soapy foam. A foam head that's a little less substantial and prone to erosion, shall we say.
My mom had no extraneous heads of any kind, as far as I know. No wigs, either. Hell, not even any nail polish. She did put on lipstick every single day, however.

Ahhh, the Ubiquitous Tube of Lipstick..... my mother wore lipstick at all times, applying yet another layer after any meals or coffee. I remember when I became a teenager, my mother would say, "you look so pale, why don't you put on a nice bit of lipstick." heh.

Your mom must have "teased" her hair, Hildy, or did your mother have.... gulp... no hair "height"?!?

I don't wish to horrify you, but there was no hair height, Yogi,. She did set it for a time there in the 70s, but for the most part, it was just wash and wear. I think the big hair thing might have been less common in these parts. One good Nor'easter and the whole Leaning Tower of TeasedHair would come crashing down on one's shoulders.

I woke up this morning with a foam head, and it won't go away. <%#k!!>

I'm remembering now that my mom had a foam head on her dresser for years, and as a child I never once wondered what it was for. Ever. I just sort of bizarrely accepted it as a normal part of the landscape! And I can't remember her ever wearing a wig, because she had such pretty hair. For years she wore that cute 60s shag with the curly bits in front of each ear. Does anyone remember the pink hair-tape you could use to stick a curl to each cheek while they dried? The last time I went for a cut, that's the cut I asked for, but the stylist used a razor & just didn't get the job done authentically.

yogi, do you know a great place in the city for a good shag? <well, there's a pun for ya...>

Oh, hildy, what an image! Hah!

Leaning Tower of Hair! Oh, snerk.

Hildy, your Mom probably looked like something out of the LL Bean catalogue in a time when the rest of us were wearing the poly blend wrap dress and dancing to disco.

Hey, Samina, a good shag in the city don't come cheap! [Heh, I feel like Ausin Powers, oooh Baby!]

Yeah, I know... a couple/few hundred bucks? But man, I've tried everything out here in the hinterlands of NJ & can't seem to get a good cut. I've cut my own hair twice in the last year, that's how bad it is, and I've even scoped out all the Aveda salons. I must have bad hair karma.

I used to fly to Mpls for a good cut every year (well, also to visit friends & shop--I'm hardly a jetsetting sort!) because that is, like, a *dream* town for hair. But that's not on the agenda for this summer. Maybe at the SMM we can have a thorough discussion on "NYC hotspots for a Great Shag & a Fabulous Wax!" (kch!)

Waxing's a WHOLE other subject...

Wait till skagirl posts again, she has a fabulous stylist, apparently, and can give you all the details. I wouldn't mind getting a new hair person myself. Every so often I feel the need for a change, and I can feel the Hair Modification Urge starting to bubble up. Probably b/c I've just finished growing it out and am now bored.
My mom had her share of polyester dresses and such, and she did have some Jackie Kennedy-esque bouffant years. But I just don't remember a lot of hair product, and am desolated that she lacked a foam head. The fun I could have had with a wig! She never did the false eyelashes bit, either, nor did she apply giant superhighways of eyeliner. Just the lip stick.

Darned server ate my post!

The 19th sounds great! I'll keep checking for the final location. I'm all for the Greek food, too. If I can't be in Athens now, I'm happy with pretending somewhat! Midtown would be a good halfway point for those of us who travel downtown to go home, and you ladies who live uptown.

Samina, yes, I'm a lawyer. When trial time comes 'round, as you said, it can get really crazy. By the way, maybe you can bring some of your labels for us to see. Now, creating wine labels? Sounds extremely cool.

edited because, well, sentences should make sense.

Almond Eyes we are just finishing winter. What's the weather like here? Well for about month in June/July it's cold (down to about 3 degrees C), for about 4 months of the year it's perfect - nice and warm, and the rest of the year it's bloody hot, with the worst time of year being Christmas to February, when it gets pretty much unbearably hot and humid. That's also the time we get massive storms, cyclones and the like. We always have one of two Christmas days - either it's just too hot to live, or it's pouring with rain and very steamy. We try to have our family Christmas get togethers somewhere where there's a pool.

Yeah, someone please post about Peachy in the Regis and Kelly thread. I'm still trying to see if we'll get it here. Has anyone posted that he's on the show in the Peachy thread? Teena?

Yogi - Peachy and a Vanuatu hut - that's my dream!!! Heh.

Foam heads? You guys are so funny. Leaning Tower of Hair!!! That sounds like a good title for a book! I don't remember my mum doing the Marge Simpson hair thing - but I do remember newspaper photographers always wanting to take pictures of her for magazines etc. She is Sri Lankan, and used to always, but always wear a beautiful, colourful sari. This was the late 60's, and she was so exotic looking that many Aussies here had never seen anything like her. She hardly ever wears the saris now, and apparently my two sisters and I will be inheriting them. I have worn them sometimes to fancy dress parties, but they are quite a thing to put on in the first place. Somehow I just don't feel as much at ease as mum did in them.

Oh man do I know of big hair, of course I come from the state of big hair where about 70% of people still have it, my mom kinda being one of them, she's gone down a little bit, she never had full on helmet hair just really tall bangs.
Oh I got shoes yesterday, they aren't mary janes, but they are kick-ass! If any of y'all seen Daria, it remindes me of her friend Jane's shoes, massive heels I'm telling you my calves are going to be hurting me today, cause yesterday of course I was over at a friends house with the skirt and the shoes on and he has stairs! and FYI I can squeeze with out too much problems into a size 12 :)

I must have a photo of this, my dear Elfin One! Just the look - a Catholic schoolgirl in size 12 high heels. Oh my, you are going to be such a thing!!

I had forgotten that Texas was still an official Big Hair State - much like Jersey, as all the Stephanie Plum fans well know. Is it true that big hair makes you look smaller? Or is that just a myth?

I'm so pleased that you can make it, Almond Eyes! Greek food may be just the thing as we could be celebrating the Olympics whilst SMMing! I think that sounds like fun. Plus, the food there is excellent. I always go with one of my Greek friends, so I feel comfortable that Samina will find it good too.

I love saris, Aussie Girl. I even own a few that I bought in the section of Queens where all the Indian stores are, but I never learned how to put one on. One day I will. I would wear saris all the time. I think they are a beautiful and elegant way for a woman to dress.

I've always felt the same way! They are so feminine & beautiful, and I love the colors! In fact, I've adored all things Indian my whole life: food, culture, spiritual perspectives, music, all kinds of yoga. I listen to ragas a lot while I work, and my library's full of Indian literature. I'd love to go, one day. Has anyone here been?

AussieGirl, I've heard that Sri Lankan food is the hottest on the planet, even more than hard-core Thai. Is that true???

I used to lived in Jersey City, where there's a strong Indian population, and was so fortunate to befriend some retired older sisters who'd come from northern India a few years before. They were charming & very interesting--one had been a physician & another a science teacher-- and I used to go there on my lunch breaks, when they'd spread out an enormous feast just for me (they'd still at the table with me & watch me eat) and then they'd tell me how to cook everything! I was in total culinary bliss! I can still cook curries from scratch, without recipes, and it's a skill I absolutely cherish, especially during the winter months when I do a lot of cooking. They even taught me once how to roll chapatis, but I never tried that on my own. I'm sure I'd end up with pasty patties the shape of Texas. (I don't have patience with fiddly cooking. But for them, they would say mantras while they rolled.)

Speaking of Texas: woody, I am absolutely tickled by this costume you're putting together, and hope you do intend to share some pix with us when the time comes!

Hey! Good God, we talk about yummy food here. Reminder to self: eat before reading.
Woodlock, I'm thirding the nomination for pictures! I have to see this!
Anybody know of a really really cheap flight to New York? I really want to go! Must.. meet.. must go...

Well Yogi, Samina, saris are a bit fiddly to put on, but my mum can put one on in literally seconds. Takes me a bit longer. As for Sri Lankan food being the hottest, I would have to disagree. I think Indian food is waaaayyy too hot, and IMO it takes away from the taste of the food. SL curries are a lot milder, and tastier. I used to make a lot of curries, but don't anymore, as Mr Aussie doesn't really like them. He spent a lot of time in India and got sick of eating them all the time. I've only ever spent a few days in India, and a few weeks in SL as an adult, but I was born in SL and lived there till I was nearly 5, and remember quite a bit about it.

PiP if I knew of a cheap flight to NY, I'd be there myself!

I like a mild curry very, very much, but I have no idea how to make one. My best dishes tend to be variations on the Southern cuisine I grew up eating and French food that I learned to make while living in France. Luckily, I have other foods available to me very easily.

Unfortunately, PiP and Aussie Girl, NYC might be hard to get into by plane were you to find a cheap ticket. It appears that we are feeling the effects of not one, but two hurricanes on the east coast. Yesterday, we had a huge thunderstorm that broke the record for rainfall in a day by twice as much as the previous record!! It was quite a storm. Because I'm on the 55th Floor, I had quite the view. I actually considered moving..... away..... from the window a few times. Very alarming.

I hope everyone remains dry today!

So here is my question: my friend insists on bringing her 8 month old everywhere. Now I understand this because believe me, Little Yogi never had many babysitters at all, but I didn't take him to nice restaurants at night. I think it's very inappropriate to take a child, and especially an 8 month old, to a very good French restaurant in NYC at 7 PM. I have no problem with lunch. I have no problem with restaurants that are more family oriented. But I think that when people in mid-town go out in the evenings, they do not really want to have a baby with all it's paraphenelia and noise at the next table. In my memory, I have never seen a baby or child in a nice French restaurant in NYC. But my friend is insistent. Any thoughts?

I have finally decided to take her to a restaurant in a hotel (hotels are always more accomodating of children) where they know us very well and have great affection for us. Take advantage of years of good will, so to speak!

Speaking from a total wealth of experience as the mother of 14 small children (ok, trying to do psychobabble while still a child myself) is it more separation anxiety or is she in the mindset that "Expose the child to everything!"? Because if it's the former, that's easily resolved by telling her she needs a night of just girls and deserves a two hour meal not watching over a baby. If it's the latter, then she's going to get a lot of looks and embarassment by the other patrons, and NYC eaters, in my experience, have no problem taking that sort of issue up, especially at dinner.

I've always wanted to make curry but have been afraid. My sophomore roommate would always tons of Indian food from home and I was always cooking Pad Thai or Italian or just chicken, so our room (which actually had a kitchen door, thank goodness) always stank of food. Too many smells in a small space. Really, fun for a night, but not fun for an entire year.

And it's surprisingly cool today -- I guess pre-next storms and I need to run over to Magnolia for cupcakes because it's StupidHead's 30th birthday. I even bought her a card! (no boss people around, so I'm doing the best I can!). Also, my exboyfriend is popping in town and staying with us tonight. Gulp. Should be amusing - I don't think I've seen him since January 2001, but we still talk a fair amount.

What the hell is wrong with babysitters? I babysat from the time I was 12 straight through high school. I even sat for a couple of professor's kids in college. I'm hearing more and more about people who don't use babysitters at all. I definitely think it's inappropriate to bring a baby or young child to dinner in a nice restaurant. Generally people who make their baby the center of their entire universe 24/7 are raising children who grow up to think they are the center of the universe, so they're not doing the rest of us any favors.

I'm in the same boat. But my friend made me some dishes out of Madhur Jaffrey's "Quick Indian Cooking" that were out of the world, and took minutes. So I've bought the book and made at least three dishes out of it. I very highly recommend it, especially since a lot of recipes use canned tomatoes and storebought curry powder or garam masala so that saves some steps. Also, curries use a lot of your whole sweet spices, so if you bought some whole cloves or cinnamon sticks for the mulled wine you make twice a year, you have another use for them.

yogi, if you want a quality, adult visit, the baby should stay home. But it sounds like you've come up with a fine solution.

Ethan, babysitters are getting harder and harder to come by - the mall pays more and you don't have to change diapers. Still, it's getting to the point where I'm thinking about hiring myself out! Be some nice extra money...

iMissEthan I started at 11, including sitting a kid who was only 2 years younger than me because he & the Spawn of Satan siblings he had exhausted every other babysitter in the city. It taught me very good lessons like responsibility, organization and to thank my parents for being an only child, and by 13, I had built up quite the reputation & standing jobs. It was a very important and I think a very good experience - I can't imagine NOT sitting.

I babysat from a very, very young age. In fact, there are photos of me changing diapers for my little baby sister when I was six years old, and I know I was left with children from that time on. Generally speaking, if there is a baby, I am taking care of it.

I did not have many babysitters for my son because my son was born with many physical problems that became long term issues, babysitters were generally not a good option for me. Even my own family would not take care of him for many years, so I took care of him almost exclusively. I did have help in the house, because eventually it all became too much to handle alone. Now that those problems are resolved and he is thirteen, my family is happy to have him, but there were some very long and arduous years in there. That being said, I would sometimes leave him with a very experienced and/or mature babysitter if I was very nearby and it was a fairly short period of time, like several hours. My babysitters tended to have at least a Master's degree or many, many years experience.

So I offered my friend the opportunity to leave her child with the woman who takes care of my son. She has been with us for the last seven years in the afternoons and the rare evenings we go out. My friend and her husband both know this woman. But my friend said no. Why? She thinks her daughter is so well behaved, she should be welcome everywhere. First, I tried not to be a little insulted that she wouldn't leave her daughter with the woman I have left my son with for seven years. Second, let me tell you, darling as her daughter is, she is an infant who vocalizes strongly when she is hungry, happy or dirty. She is not so well behaved that she would not disturb the other diners. What eight month old is at 8 PM? I'm glad to hear that you all don't think I am crazy when I insisted we find an alternative to the hip new French restaurant in Mid-town. It made me a little nuts. I'm still a bit frustrated.

I have that Madhur Jaffrey's book, suctionprints! One of my good friends gave it to me for Christmas, but I have never used it. I will have to drag it out. I would love to have a great recipe for dahl. Mmmm..

Oh goodie! The potential for stories here is HUGE. I can't wait.

So it's a good thing I have leftover Indian food in my fridge, as you all are making me hungry! I looove Indian food, even though I'm sure I mix the wrong condiments in with the wrong dishes, but I don't care, b/c it's all good.

Re: bringing an 8-month old to a very nice restaurant. Sounds like your friend has First Time Mom Syndrome, yogi. Give her a big dose of Callous Mommie Pills (I make them by the gross) so that she can develop a sense of perspective, and you can have a nice evening with Just Her. Goodness.
Speaking as somebody who pays good money for a babysitter ($10 bucks an hour around here, people) so that I can have a night out at a nice place without my kids, I'd be hella pissed to see a baby carrier at the table next door. I don't care if that baby is the Emily Post of infant manners, I don't want to see one when I'm on adult time. I'm waiting till my kids are old enough to behave very well at dinner before I take them to a posh place.

That woman is blinded by the love she has for her child. I hope you're able to lift the scales from her eyes, yogi.

I completely understand the reluctance of leaving a child with physical problems that became long term issues with a sitter, especially a generic teen from the neighborhood.

However, I don't completely buy this:
My former roommate was a wannabe actress, part-time nanny/waitress. She babysat for a friend of her regular nanny gig and a couple of times when she was busy, I did it. It was weird because I was probably the same age as the parents, but you know what? It was a sweet deal. I got paid $10 an hour, ate their food, watched their digital cable and got cab fare home. I understand some NYC folks pay even more than $10/hour, so it definitely pays more than mall work. The best part is that when they returned at around 10:45, I met some friends out for drinks and the whole evening was on Hudson's parents!

You know what, I don't think it's about that. Some of her behavior with her child has been so strange, that I actually had a terrible nightmare two nights ago where I rescued her child from a horrible hospital ward and an evil doctor and took the child home where I wrapped her up and fed her. When my friend and her husband finally tracked me and the child down, they were not upset at all. They just said that they would swing round and pick her up after they finished their vacation. Oh my God. The stress. What a horrible dream!

The truth is she just insists that having a child should not change her life at all. She just thinks the baby should adjust to her schedule, food habits, activities etc. I really believe it's as unreasonable to expect an eight month old to behave well in a nice restaurant at night as it is to expect the people around you to like it. Babies cry, get fussy, whatever, it's fine. But I'm so with you, Hildy. If I was paying $10 an hour for a sitter and the people at the table next to me showed up with a loaded stroller and started baby talking, I would be very peeved.

Oh...my...yogi. That is...astounding. And ...naive. And incredibly ego-centric. Your friend may be a real sweetie except for this blind spot, but that type of mindset is, just...wow. I gave up 9 years of my career life to stay at home and nurture and care for my kids until they were of school age. Many people cannot do that, but most parents make huge changes in their lives, career-wise, and social life-wise, after their kids are born. Kids are not like, a pet, or a new purse. They DO change your life in every single way. I am going to just...wow... go back to work.

Well, that's just me reporting the situation from the Minneapolis suburbs. I agree, it's a pretty sweet deal. I'd totally do it again if anyone asked me. But teens seem to want a lot of hours, a store discount and their weekend evenings free, so they choose the mall. Or so the Star-Tribune tells me...

Yeah, yogi, your friend is going to have to wake up, or she's going to have a lonely little child. Still, it's not healthy to completely put your life on hold. We have friends who just won't go out and won't leave their kids with a babysitter, even though all our friends try to throw family-friendly parties and offer to watch the kids. That's the opposite extreme. I think there's a balance that can be had.

Given the horrible job market for teens in the last few years (a lot of college grads & laid off people took those jobs at Borders, grocery stores and department stores), I could see an upswing soon. Eventually some of these parents are not going to indulge the kids with every new gizmo & gadget & fashion item and make them earn some cash the old fashioned way {rants the girl who has regularly worked in some capacity since 13 (or tried to)}

Re: working, all of my friends either babysat or worked at Burger King. Or both. I babysat the kids who lived down the road from us and also at the church nusery. And, yogi, I can't believe your friend! Of course a child is going to change your life! Agreeing with heidihug, she is so naive.

I would love to add a fun and helpfull advice in this area but as i neither have young kids, (my animals are 11 :)), and I've never been to a fancy resturant, (sadley enough, fancy is like Chilies are applebees that sort of thing here), so all I can say is that yesterday, I bought some black stockings, panties with some cherries on it and a baby doll t-shirt with legolas on it, haha.

But babe, when are you going to get your Halloween stuff?

Skachicka you rule sweety, but no seriously, the baby doll thing isnt for halloween, and wow its nice and snug, but I can't wait for it!

I want a baby doll t-shirt with Legolas on it too, my Elfin friend! You are the best shopper!

I also have to agree with my wise friend, Heidi regarding the way children change your life. But I love my friend very very much. We've been through so much together, and that needs to be honored. I pray that I will continue to have patience, though, as sometimes she scares the hell out of me. I may haul off and smack her upside the head the next time she gives the baby a huge crust of bread and says, "well, if she chokes, it will be a learning experience." Ugh.

I'm off to visit some SMMers in Minneapolis tomorrow morning! It promises to be a great time. And one week from today, Greek food with the SMMers in NYC. It's a good week! Wish we could all be together at once, but I'm so glad we get to visit here.

Have fun, Yogi! Tell the folks Hey there from us!

Well I think you've hit on the best solution Yogi, taking your friend and the baby to a hotel. Family friendly is it. I am in agreement with what everyone has said here, some places are just not okay for children. I once received a wedding invitation with the bride to be apologising profusely for not including my son in the celebrations, thinking I'd be offended, but even if he had been invited, I wouldn't have taken him.

We had much the same problem as you did Yogi in the early years. Our son had such strange behaviour that we only had a couple of trusted baby sitters we could call on (my friend mentioned upthread being one of them). My family were good with him, but we lived interstate from them, so we just did not go out much. And if we did, we only went places that were family friendly.

I'll try to find my recipe for dahl for you, if I can't, I'll be ringing mum....

Have a good time, all you SMM'ers - wish I could be there!