I totally agree. She's fast become someone I wish I could be more like. I also love how she steps in to take care of Michael at just the exact moment he needs her the most. Being the oldest of 7 and now having 3 of my own, I tend to be the mother hen also.
Although her control this last season has to be envied by even a saint. Heaven knows if my heart was breaking over Jim, just being around him and Karen would have brought me to tears A LOT!
^^ Me too JamesLover. Oh, and I would have also gained 30 pounds!
Last night I was trying to fall asleep and I had a sort of 'premonition' or plot device I came up with for the start of S4. Here it is and please let me know what you all think...
First TH will be Jim and Pam sitting together the day after The First Date and the camera crew will have just asked them how their date went (b/c as we all know they were there when he asked her out.) We won't hear them ask because of course we never do, but Jim will say something like.."How did our date go?" and then he will look at Pam and smile and she will look at him and smile too.
They will play it
really cool. Jim will say something like.."We went to Cugino's and had a great dinner.." and Pam will interject.."Yah, the egglplant is really good there.."
All the while, there will be flashbacks interspersed during the TH that are in Jim and Pam's heads..not what the cameras saw. They will be
really romantic...
Then, one of them say something like.."We've decided to take it real slow and be friends, but who knows what the future will bring." Then there will be a flashback of them busting into Pam's apartment
totally kissing and groping..it will cut out, but we will all know they ended up in her bedroom...
During the TH, they will be trying to maintain their composure and appear to be nothing more than good friends, but we will be able to tell that all they want to do is be alone together so they can go at it.
When they think the cameras aren't looking, they will Jim will grab Pam's hand discreetly and smile at her with a knowing look.
This is the set up for the season in that they will be 'hot & heavy' but trying to keep it a secret from not only their co-workers, but the cameras too.
The camera crew will try to catch stolen moments whenever possible. It will be like a game of 'cat & mouse'.

Phew! It felt good to get that out of my head and onto 'paper'! Thoughts anyone....?
*EDIT* I just realized, I think I've been reading too much fanfic!
I love it!! I am already picturing it in my head and hearing their voices!! Very well done!