Being kind and patient stretch many of us and take effort (generally). And for me, too, tidiness is a challenge.

I wish I could take credit for the idea. The Jack Black character in High Fidelity has a quick line about his band having a new name: KathleenTurnerOverdrive.

My mother (god bless her for this [if not for some other things she did that drove me nuts]) used to say to me, when I was hyper-focused on the As I earned or how well I did in school, something along the following lines: "school is easy for you, which is great, but it's not everything. Work on something that is…

good luck. It's apparent to me that SPD presents a lot of challenges for the kid and the parent.

Oh, start that gifted 11-year old out with Bleak House. There's nothing like an 800-page novel with interlocking narrative voices, focused on a broken court system and complicated wills and inheritances to make a child feel "special."

you've probably already consulted a doctor about the possibility of sensory processing disorder, but your description of your daughter's anxiety in response to movement reminded me of my friend's kid, who is anxious and easy to cry, worries about performance, etc. She has SPD.

Oh, I think we should start that smart 11-year old off with Bleak House. There's nothing like an 800-page novel with complicated, interlocking narrative voices and a focus on a broken legal system to remind that child that s/he is special.

I totally agree with you. No one needs to be told they are "special"; "loved" and "cherished," yes. But "special"? No.

I like the tumor-surgery story:) Like an exorcism with scalpels!

I am so sorry. don't have the right words to express how my heart hurts for you.

I'm hoping this is satire. If so, well done!

named for Mads Mikklesen?

we would all have better immune systems as adults if we were exposed to a little bit of chipmunk urine as kids (and cow poop, and goat snot, etc., etc.).

Did you not read the post above that said we are not allowed to talk about the frugality of our weddings or how strange it is to spend $20K-$30K on one day?

don't go getting all math-y on us:)

I almost never wear makeup. Too cheap and too lazy.

me, too.

I heart Wisconsin Death Trip—film and book—and you, too, for referencing it.

I love how gentle your explanation is. Maybe I just love you?

Yes. That's a way to get ignored as a customer.