I couldn't take my awful mangled hair any longer, so I went and had it fixed at a decent hairdresser. I thought of going back to Great Clips and having them do it, but I was scared they'd make things even worse. So I went to a "real" hairdresser at the mall, and she did a good job. It's now the same length on both sides (always a plus), the very strange wispy bits at the back are gone (I think the original hairdresser lost her nerve by the time she got back there and just decided to call it quits) and my fringe (bangs to Americans) now no longer meanders across my forehead in a weird asymmetric zigzag. I wish I'd done this a week ago.

I'm on hold right now, with the endocrinologist's office. I'm glad we don't have dial-up. I called the insurance company yesterday, and they told me that Emily's growth hormone treatment has been approved. So that's good news. Now I need to chase up the endocrinologist's office, make sure they got the fax from the insurance people, and find out what the next step is. I'm hoping that the doctor went ahead and ordered the growth hormone when she said she would, otherwise it'll still be another six to eight weeks before Emily can actually start the treatment. It's funny, I used to be so scared to be proactive with these people - it felt so rude, to keep calling and demanding results - but it's the only way to push them into action. If it weren't for my daily calls to the insurance company, the endo's request for growth hormone would still be sitting in a "pending" file.

Okay. I've just left messages for the growth hormone nurses, the endo's assistant, and on the endo herself. Hopefully I'll hear back from someone tomorrow. I'm thinking we might need to hold off starting the injections till I get back from Cape Town anyway. Bobby is incredibly squeamish, I think he might faint if has to give Ems the shots. But I'm hoping we can get the orientation appointment set up before I go, at least.

Next thing is to do something about looking for a house. I found a home I liked last week, but it had just been sold ... I left our details with the realtor, as she said she had some similar homes on our books. I called her again a few days later, to remind her, and again she said that she had some suitable homes available - but, once again, she hasn't called me back. It's not worth chasing her up : either she hasn't got any good listings, or she isn't keen for new business. So I'd better find someone with a bit more enthusiasm.

Stephen's in a foul mood, I need to stop writing now and deal with him ... more on that later.