I thought Cary's response was both perfect for this LW & hilarious. Have a Christmas, really.

As for my 2 cents to the LW. No, you don't get to dictate how the money you send as a gift is spent. And as you've discovered, they're going to spend it however they want, anyway.

Pick out gifts for the boys. There is no such thing as the perfect gift, or the right gift. When my many nieces & nephews were young, I never asked them or their parents what they wanted. Part of the fun was giving them something that I thought a child might like, whether they knew it or not. They always looked forward (at least that's what they tell me now) to seeing what I would give them. Let the parents get the kids what they want, you give them what they didn't know they wanted. I always found science/museum stores a terrific source for gifts for kids. Beware, that this tends not to work as well once they become teenagers.

Is this Newt's version of being called by god to be president?

I offer my thanks to Sallie Tisdale for a beautiful and compassionate essay about family.

After all these years, it still amazes me to see how he butchers the English language. Apparently it's hard work just forming the sentences.

All this bickering is very wordy, and there's no need. When I was young, my grandpa would mutter "damned kids" and we kids would complain about the "old coots." Nothing changes.

I'm all for a pill for men. I also like the idea of less mess to deal with. I understand the concern about planning a couple hours in advance but some couples do this, after all isn't that what one does with Viagra?

Even with the issues/concerns about this pill, it is a positive step forward. Having more options for birth control is always a good thing.

If you chose to have her remain where she is, you can get help. Look for an elder care management agency in her area. They are usually owned & operated by people with degrees in nursing or social work who have specialized training in elder care. They can offer an array of services in looking after your mother that most likely will allow you some peace of mind. They will understand all the intricacies of what is available & the costs involved. Even if you don't go that route, it is a good place for a consultation on your options.

I'll just add this. Didn't they realize when they signed on to this job that it required a commute? Oh come on, with all the whining you'd think they were 16 years old on their first job & suddenly realizing that they have to show up on time.

What this Congress has been allowed to get away with regarding their work schedule (I won't even bother with the other stuff) is shameful.

What beautiful piece of writing. The

"conflict-free" diamond was an entré into a discussion of life and love.

P.S. I've never liked diamonds much at all, but I can muster up a good polite "it's lovely" for women showing me their engagement rings or other diamond encrusted paraphernalia.

I hope the Republican Reps can deal with a little nuance.

I completely understand the need for a Congress rep to have time in their home district to connect with citizens he/she represents. The concern over the amount of time the current Congress has actually been in session is really about what they've accomplished while in session...very little. If Congress can get work done from their home districts, that's great, but do the work!!!

These reps who say this sort of stuff (their families will suffer) aren't showing any sensitivity to the working stiffs of America whose familes suffer because of Mom &/or Dard work 2 or 3 jobs just to make ends meet. Nor do they show ANY sensitivity to the American service people stationed overseas and particularly in war zones.

It's very simple: get the work done and show some intelligent sensitivity to the people you represent. Whining isn't pretty or acceptable behavior.

No one forced them to take the job. In fact, most of them fought hard to get the job.

"...since you were outed by the Democratic presidential candidate."

This myth just annoys me. Mary was very out before the alluded to debate when John Kerry mentioned her. Dick Cheney himself had mentioned his "gay daughter" in campaigning long before Kerry mentioned her.

The Google is your friend.

I've never paid attention to this woman called Paris. When I read the headline "So Long, Paris", I quickly clicked on it thinking the article was about the city Paris, France.

I was disappointed & didn't read the story.

I don't know about "proper English manners" but it's considered ill mannered to sop anything in a "nice" restaurant. Obviously a rib joint requires sloppy eating, but that's not where this couple was eating.

Someone in the responses wrote a good description of sopping that involved cutting up toast & using a fork. I think that would have worked well.

The wife's response to her husband in the restaurant was impolite as well.

The purpose of manners is to make other people feel comfortable not to judge them.

"Tony Snow said Monday that the president will deliver a speech about Iraq once he's done with all his listening about Iraq, and that when he does it will "create a basis of support" for whatever the U.S. strategy for the war turns out to be."

Of course he's listening to more people these days. Simply because it takes longer to find someone who tells him what he wants to hear. They used to come a dime a dozen, but as even Rumsfeld has proven, it's not so easy anymore.

I'm prepared for just more of the same under a different slogan.