Daily Prophet New Edition (GN/BN thread)

The old thread was really long -- so post your good and bad news on this thread instead!

GN/BN: I almost had a new puppy tonight! Here's the story:

I was getting stuff from my car, when all of a sudden I found a furry little head right under my hand. I thought for a second it was Sophie, but I knew I had shut her in the house. It was a cute little puppy -- brown with a black face, and big feet and muscular legs that made it obvious she was going to be a big dog when she grew up. She was very sweet -- I picked her up so she wouldn't run off, and waited on my front porch for a little while, figuring that her people would come by. After about ten minutes, I decided to take her inside. She and Sophie actually got along fairly well, though she did eat Sophie's food. My mind was racing with all of the steps for finding the dog's owner -- putting up signs around the neighborhood, an ad in the paper and on Craigslist, taking her to the vet to see if she was microchipped (she didn't have any tags, though she was wearing a collar). Pretty soon, though, I heard someone calling a dog outside, so I ran out and waved them down, and sure enough, it was the dog's owner looking for her. Apparently they had only had her for a day or two -- hopefully now they are wise to the fact that she likes to run off!

So, that's my adventure of the evening. I guess it's good news that the people came looking for the dog and I didn't have to go through a lot of effort trying to find her owners. She was a sweet dog, but I really don't need another dog just now, especially not one that will grow up to be enormous!

Its always bittersweet to find a dog's owner when you kinda sorta hope they won't show up. I have found several dogs I've wanted to keep but knew they had to belong to someone. The best time was meeting the lost owners and seeing three children in the back seat with faces plastered to the window and then the dog started whining with joy and as they spilled out of the car and surrounded the dog and there was much licking and hugging and kissing and dancing around... The mom and I both had tears in our eyes as we watched.

I'm slightly bothered by the fact that she didn't have an ID tag--they aren't that hard to get. I've seen machines that will print them instantly at places like Wal-Mart. Every dog should have a way home . . .

Edited to add:

GN: There is melting occurring outside.
BN: Heard something fall. Maybe it was a chunk of ice or snow from the roof? Or maybe it was another gutter falling off the house?

GN: Boyfriend will be back from Iraq in the next month!!
(actually less, but I can't give exact dates).

GN: I was able to reschedule my calc exam so that I can take it before I leave.

Even better GN: I get a 2 week spring break since I am leaving early :P

#2 foggi:
Aww! That's a cute story. I'm glad the puppy and owners could be reunited so quickly. Whenever we end up searching for pet owners, it takes at least a day to track them.

GN: My youngest sister's going to sing in a high school version of American Idle at her school on Wednesday. It's in the evening so she's excited our family can go see it.

#2 I think if they let kit run away they are not suitable pet owners. well that would be one of my arguments for keeping it.

BN: I have to fast on my birthday for a doctor appointment on Thursday. At least it amused the clinic staff. Check my age, check the date, "Oh, your birthday's tomorrow...um...Happy birthday?" The irony of it tickled me, so they didn't feel bad. When I got home, though, I definitely sulked. :p

GN: With modern medicine, whatever is ailing me can be found without waiting for MORE symptoms to manifest. I should be fine by Friday.

GN: I can conduct an experiment for myself; see how much I weigh alone, without food in my body. I've been curious, but not so curious I'd starve myself to check!

GN: Since I won't have much energy to do anything, I'll have a just-read day. That's a good way to spend a birthday, neh?

>8 justjukka: I definitely think you should use this as an excuse to have "make up" birthday celebrations for a week or so!

GN: Today is our annual Seuss-a-thon. Everything is going great so far. This is one of the days that I plan for the entire school. The mayor came this morning and read to our class/school over the intercom (my class was in the office listening to him). I've been around the school getting pictures and what not. My class will be bac soon and we will begin our read-a-thon section of the day, then more books and crafts!

>9 ejj1955: My friends and family are saying as much. I guess I'll have to indulge them, if I must. ;)

>10 kirbyowns: Very true! Dr. Seuss Day is a very important commemoration! :) My favorite story of his is The Sneetches, for the obvious reasons.

GN: The book I'm currently reading, A Discovery of Witches, is awesome! Last night I was wishing I could take today off to stay home and read...
BN: I partially got my wish when Rex's preschool called at 11am to inform me he was sick. I got in a solid hour's reading while he was napping, and am hoping that I'll find a few more snatches this afternoon while he plays independently.
GN: Thankfully Rex doesn't seem to be too sick. I'm wondering if he ate something that disagreed with him, as he's playing great and acting normal since I picked him up and isn't feverish. He also hasn't had any further upset stomach episodes (knock on wood!). Fingers are crossed...

GN: Jean Auel has finally wrapped up the Clan of the Cave Bear series with a book coming out in March: The Land of Painted Caves.

BN: The reviews on Amazon are not very favorable. They made me go from "I can't wait, I have to pre-order it" to "maybe I'll get it from the library if I remember." Oh, well, I liked the first three books a lot, the fourth one not at all, and the fifth one so-so. This sixth book sounds like the fifth one in many ways.

#13: I hadn't heard that. I was working in a bookstore when Shelters of Stone was announced and that's when I read the first four. (Liked the first, was ambivalent about the 2nd, loved the third, bored by the fourth, never got around to reading the fifth). I may have to pick them up again and try for it at the library.

news: still pregnant

GN: Hooray for a sunny, breezy day, perfect for drying freshly-washed sheets on the clothes-line!

GN; I rearranged my apartment to keep me busy while tom is away...again.
BN: I think I pulled a whole lot of muscles...who knew there were so many?
GN/BN: I am laid off this week so I am relaxing tonight and tomorrow.
GN: Tom gets back tomorrow and I will have him for at least all next week before he has to head away again.

ETA: I scored a copy of Harry, A History from a new Book Outlet for $2.00!!!!

GN: Rex is better
BN: My husband is now sick
N: Really, really, really hoping this skips over me!!!

BN: my washer broke
GN: the new one gets delivered tomorrow
GN: Jason gave me an iPod touch for my B-Day
BN: my computer won't install iTunes

#10: That sounds amazing, I wish I had had you as a teacher, kirby :D

#12, 18: Adding A discovery of witches to my wishlist, glad Rex is feeling better, and sorry your husband is now sick! Sending protection against germs your way, grk!

#17: Hope your muscles are better now, Bella, and that's great you get to spend time with Tom!

GN: It's Friday and a long weekend (we are celebrating carnival)
BN: Lots to do tomorrow!
GN: I am relaxing at home tonight.
BN: Some friends are going through a rough patch right now
GN: I took them out for sushi to make them feel better

Anyone else read the first news item on #19 differently? I thought something else that starts with a "w" broke!

LOL compski! And it would work so well with the second news item!

BN: It's going to be a dreary, rainy weekend.
GN: I am planning a Lord of the Rings movie marathon, with a nest of pillows and blankets in front of the TV and an assortment of snack foods.

#21: Yes! I had to read it 3 times to make sure it wasn't the other.
#23: Rainy and cold here too. It has been such a nice week. Too bad. I'm hoping next Saturday is nice weather. We're in school and we're planning several outside weather activities with the kids.

nope, still pregnant. water breaking would have been good news.

#13: I had to stop reading just short of finishing The Plains of Passage. The stories are decent enough, but I found it ridiculous how she keeps trying to seriously incorporate porn into the books. I'll just be interested to know if Ayla ever finds Dirk again. The first book of the series is the only one I really liked.

The sex scenes don't bother me that much. My curiosity about the final book would be to see what new things Ayla discovered/invented. To judge by the reviews, it might be art appreciation and monogamy; I was rather hoping for the wheel.

I also want to see Ayla reunited with Dirk and maybe her real family

Didn't her parents/family die in the earthquake/rockslide that left her alone to be adopted by the Neaderthals? Or are you thinking she might have an extended family still out there?

Something I read referred to Ayla's dream about a meeting between Durk and a son with Jondalar (though as yet she has a daughter with Jondalar, no son). Anyway, I think Auel said something like the dream was allegorical, not a prediction.

GN: Down another size.

I wasn't thinking of the dream sequence. I'm just a soft touch and would like to see her reunited with her son. :)

#30: Great news Kasongo! I'm still trying and still stuck. Minor setback when my back went out last week, but I keep trying!

#32 Where did it go? A disco possibly?

#33 -- Girls' Night Out with Bellatrix Lestrange, don't you remember?

GN: I fly out Monday! (and boyfriend should be there within the week). Deployment is almost over!

BN: I need to study for my calc 2 exam realllly bad.

BN: Time is lacking right now.

#33-34: LOL! Yes, my back goes out more than I do. :oP

I went to a party last weekend or maybe the weekend before... Anyway, I knew a good time must have been had by all because I had so many bruises the next day I gave up counting them. I think the biggest bruise came from the clothes lines which some bright spark (I still don't accept it was me) decided would be a good substitute for a pole (for pole dancing).

I think I'm going to suggest it was Bellatrix Lestrange who suggested we try pole dancing.

That must have been some party. :o)

Think some good thoughts for Mom. I guess, she just took her husband into the ER for a suspected heart attack. It's presenting as trouble breathing and vomiting bile, so let's hope it's the flu, eh.

#10 kirby:
I second Ron. Your students must love having you for a teacher. I think your projects with them are great.

#12/18 grwmk:
Thanks for the addition to my wishlist. ;) I hope your hubby's better soon. Stay well.

#17 Bella:
I'm glad Tom's back. Sorry for your pulled muscles.

#19 Rissa:
I hope iTunes can be installed. Great birthday gift!

#20 Ron:
That was nice of you.

#21 compski:
I had to reread that, too.

#39 MEM:
I hope Jim's okay and that it's just the flu! I'm sending good thoughts their way. Thanks for letting us know.

GN: It's officially the start of this new week. I think I'm going to love it. Two new book releases (by Fforde and Lepore), two new movies in theaters that I want to see (Jane Eyre and Red Riding Hood), and then meeting Fforde on Saturday!

>40 Kerian: Thanks, K, I didn't know about the new Jane Eyre until you mentioned it. As someone on IMDB mentioned, the trailer makes it look like a supernatural version of the story, but I think that's just to pump up the suspense.

They kept Jim for tests but It looks like he may be heading to drug rehab again

Polly, I'm so sorry. Hope it all works out.

#40, K: It was an awesome read, hope you enjoy!

#42, polly: Keeping you and Jim in my prayers.

GN: My boys are well, and it appears that I managed to not get sick myself.
BN: I'm exhausted from several days of playing nurse-mom-wife.
GN: It's spring break week, so work should be less stressful. There's also a conference I'm attending at our university at the end of the week where LT founder Tim will be giving a keynote!!!

>44 grkmwk: Very cool about the conference and Tim!

BN: It has been snowing for about eight hours. There's a lot of new snow out there.
BN: I'm about to put on my boots and go shovel some of it.
GN? I get to come back inside after that?

GN: I got another part-time job so I now have tow part-time jobs, totaling about 40 hours per week.
BN: I took the GRE today and did really bad. I got a 370 on the verbal and a 380 on the math, a combined 750, which won't get me into grad. school. I studied since December and I thought I'd do better than what I did.

>46 06nwingert:

I'm sorry about the GRE experience. Did you study test-taking tactics as well as the subject matter? Are you planning to take it again? And may I just say, wow, times have changed: getting the scores immediately is not the way it used to be!

#47: Yes I studied both. I'm planning to take it again, though I don't know when.

#41 ejj:
You're welcome. Probably so. I believe it's made by the BBC.

#42 polly:
I'll still be sending you both good thoughts.

#44 grmwk:
Thanks! ;) I'm sure I will. Congrats on staying healthy. Enjoy your spring break and be sure to tell us what you may about the conference. :)

#46 wingert:
Congratulations on your job! I'm really sorry about the GRE.

BN: Borders.com charged my account for a book twice.
GN: I talked to a representative who says the problem will correct itself in three business days.

I guess this is lucky considering the time I bought the Twilight dvd from them and was charged $200, huh? All the same, this is frustrating.

GN: I won!! okay, it was just a little round with another Curves owner who lied to me, and owes me $68. Today she finally admitted that she does owe me, and said she would write the check tonight and mail it tomorrow. Do I think I will ever see the check? No, but just happy that she knows I am right and I am on to her.
BN: The new operating system for my Curves is not behaving. And they don't know why. I figure the worst case is that I may have to add everyone again. But maybe not. We shall see.
BN:Mutombu is in Charlotte, NC. but should be home on Saturday, with a little stop to see the grandson.

BN: There's a flood watch in effect until Friday night. This is, in light of history, terrifying.
BN: No, I don't have flood insurance. Despite the horrors of 2006, we're still not "technically" in a flood zone. And I procrastinate, especially when it comes to spending money I don't have.

oh dear ejj, maybe you should start building a raft!

Even better, put the whole house on a raft and maybe it will float to a more desirable location. :o)

ejj's ark we could call it, maybe books will start coming in twos

GN: Tomorrow starts spring break
BN: Spring break ends 3/15
GN: My creative writing class has helped me realize that I want to major in Literature, or English, blah blah blah.
GN: This class has also helped me start writing again, and I actually have good ideas to write about.
GN: I'm eating pineapple and Canadian bacon pizza.
BN: I get to have a cold during break.

GN: A college friend of mine is having a baby (found this out a while ago)
GN: Today they found out it's a girl.
BN: They also found out her heart is under developed and she'll have to spend her first few years of life (at least) having multiple surgeries. Those of you who pray, please do so. Those of you who don't, good thoughts are also welcome.

Oh Bib! That's so sad! You can bet she'll be in my prayers!

#57: Bib, I'll pray for your friend and her daughter.

GN: I got to meet and chat with Tim Spalding, LT founder, this afternoon! He's a really funny, nice guy. I'm looking forward to his keynote address tomorrow.
BN: Despite it being spring break and quieter around work, I didn't get as much done this week as hoped.

oh bib, that's so hard about your friend's baby. at least they found it ahead of time so the parents aren't finding out after the birth.

#55:That sounds like a very short spring break! Are you making up snow days?

#56: I'm sorry about your friend bib. I will keep the family in my thoughts and prayers.

#58: That is very neat grk! I'm glad you got to meet Tim!

More of an FYI: I talked to LG this morning (she was not happy with me) and made sure that she and Angus were aware of the Tsunami warning. I think K lives far enough inland that she should be okay.

#56 I'll definitely be sending good thoughts to your friend and her baby.

#58 Meeting Tim sounds very exciting!

Good News: The puppies are doing great :)
Bad News: I have a lot of homework this weekend and we're losing an hour. :/ (not that it really makes that much of a difference, but it's still a bummer)
Bad News: I've been watching the news since practically when I got home. It's crazy to see what's happened in Japan. And all of the worry in California.
Good News: There was a warning sent out 30 seconds before the earthquake, which I think is pretty amazing.

#51 ejj:
Stay safe.

#56 bib:
I'm sending those good thoughts their way!

#58 grwmk:
That's very cool! I hope to someday meet him.

#61 bib:
I always wonder how my side of the bay will do in a tsumani, the west bay acting as a shield. Of course, my cousin, his wife, and baby live there, too, so that makes it horrifying. ;(

BN: I have no television. This drives me insane when I want to watch the news.

GN: All of my friends and family along our coast are, of course, fine. I worried all last night and this morning.

GN: Apparently my company calls employees to leave pre-recorded tsunami warning messages. I thought that was pretty nice...although they seemed to miss me.

Best News: Meeting Jasper Fforde tomorrow! I'm so excited. My fingers are crossed with the tsunami warnings that he'll still be here for his tour. (Safety first to him, of course!) I'm antsy being on the SF coast then but as of this moment we are still going.

Just thought I would share...

My 8 year old was up late last night. She's reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. When I informed her it was after midnight, she said, "I'm sorry, I got carried away in my mind!"

>64 jugglingpaynes: That is so darned cute! and, of course, it's the best place to be carried away in.

GN: Flood warnings did not presage flood here--we didn't get as much rain as forecast and so it wasn't too bad, though I saw some local roads were flooded. Hugh sigh of relief.

GN: Feeling a bit better now I'm back on insulin, although:
BN: Blood glucose numbers still horrific.

GN: More sunlight in the evenings. This hasn't ever really seemed like good news to me before, since I like winter and snow (and hate "losing" that hour), but this year it does. And it also tricks Sophie into letting me sleep just a little bit later than usual. . . .

GN>I managed to get some flowers planted and even a couple tomato plants:)

polly, I am so jealous right now. I have at least another month before I can safely start planting. I did clean up a lot of winter debris this weekend. After the rain. I think we got ejj's rain.

>68 jugglingpaynes: You're welcome ;-)

#66: I also like the sun being up later. While I enjoy the winter, I'm not a big fan of it getting dark so early. However...

BN: Last night was my city's St. Patrick's Day Loop at the bars next door. I didn't get to sleep till the bars closed at 1 AM.
BN: Mandy accidentally texted me at 3 AM thinking I was someone else.
GN: I got an iPhone (yay for birthdays!) I'm very happy about it; perhaps I will actually bring my phone places with me now!

Who does Mandy know up at 3:00am? A vampire? Is Mandy........Oh My Gawd!

LOL! I really don't know who she was trying to get but I know it was about the time change. I actually managed to do pretty well with the spelling in my reply too, which is a minor miracle for that time of night!

News: I am now officially past the first of my due-dates (I have a second due-date of the 22nd from the 20 week ultrasound). I'm hoping Isaac decides to be born soon.

I always came ahead of my due dates, It would have made me crazy to go beyond! Stay Strong rissa!

BN: Work is *insane* this week and next.
BN: It doesn't help that my husband's public radio station starts it's spring pledge drive tomorrow, which means he'll be getting up at 4am and not getting home until 8pm this next week. In addition to that brutal schedule, he won't be around to see Rex much.
GN: It was cold today, so I got to wear my elf sweater!
GN: It's going to warm up considerably as the week progresses (45 today to 79 Friday!) and I will also get to wear a fun new skirt before the week is out!

#64: That's amazing! I'm glad she's enjoying it! JP!

#65: Hope you'll feel better soon, ejj

#73: I hope the baby arrives soon, rissa! and you get a well deserved rest or as much of a rest as you can get with a newborn ;)

BN: On Friday as I was leaving a friend's house, I found I had a flat tire. My friend said apparently some kids in here neighborhood are letting the air out from the tires as a prank...
GN: My friends helped change the tire.
GN/BN: I went to get the tire checked and they discovered that I needed to change the base of the suspension from the car...
GN: I had some savings and I was able to afford the part.
BN: I spend almost all of the savings.
GN: At least I will have my car in perfect working condition.
GN: I got my niece the Disney's movie Tangled original soundtrack and she loved it.
JN: I think my sister might actually kill me for getting her daughter a music cd she will want to repeat non-stop :P

Ron> But you'll be the bestest uncle ever!

71 & 72: I was at a birthday party that night, my friend Celina and I went out to get some horrible for you fries afterwards and to meet the hubby there, I was on my way home with hubby when I got a text from Celina "Oh, Jesus it's 3 am" I then hit reply typed in "Ahhhhhhhhhhhh" and hit send then got a text from bib. Somehow my phone thought that by reply I must have meant to bib and not the person that had just texted me. Sorry, sis! :(

BN: My youngest sister's aunt died in a car accident this morning. Of their children that are minors, she and her husband had eight adopted kids plus one of their own together. No word yet on if any kids were in the car. Please keep them in your thoughts.

My sister's doing okay. Today she's learned that it was this aunt and another of ours that introduced her dad and our mom together, though, which makes her more sad. Her aunt who died was the main person who took care of me and two other sisters when my youngest sister was born.

Oh K, your family has really been put through the wringer lately. My thoughts are with you all. Sending you love and strength.

#79 hugs for you and your sister, and sending good thoughts to the kids

BN: sinus infection and starting to develop bronchitis
GN: antibiotics.

#77: Remember to put that on my tombstone after my sister has killed me, polly :P

#79: Sending good thoughts to all your friends and family, K

#80: Hope you'll feel better soon, rissa

GN: The car's fixed.
BN: It needs some more work.
GN: It's not something that needs fixing right this moment which is good because I can't afford it now.

So very sorry, K. Holding you, your sister, and her aunt's family in my thoughts.

I'm so sorry K. Sending best wishes your family's way.

add me to the list K!

Little Theo has been very sick with some sort of virus, He could hardly breathe so They went to the ER and they gave him steroids and did a breathing treatment for two hours! Finally he started to improve. Poor little guy.

So sorry, K. Add me to the list as well!

BN: Hubby is in LA until APRIL :(
GN: Bib is coming to see me tomorrow!!!
GN: A couple college friends are coming next weekend to keep me company!
GN: the weekend after that HUBBY WILL BE HOME!!

#79 -- Sorry to hear it, K.

GN: Espy (my brother, for those of you who haven't "met" him; he hasn't been around here much lately) is now engaged to birky22! They have known each other since they were preschoolers, and she and her family are very nice -- we're all excited about this.

I saw the news on FB foggi! I'm so happy for Espy!

Thanks, everyone. Your thoughts are appreciated. We still don't know any more information. I'm hoping that the situation isn't worse than what I've heard so far.
#81 rissa: I hope you're better soon.

#82 Ron:
I'm glad your car's fixed somewhat.

#85 polly:
I'm sending healthy vibes to poor Theo.

#86 Mandy:
I'm glad you have company while your hubby's gone and hope you and Bib have a great day tomorrow.

#87 foggi:
How exciting! Please tell him congratulations for me. It sounds all the more sweet since they've known each other so long.

#79 K- hugs

#87- that's wonderful. congrats.

So happy to hear about Espy and Birky! Tell her she needs to spend some time here with all of us.

Hugs and healing vibes to all who need them.

GN: Had my first diabetes education class today. Heard these lovely words, "There are no forbidden foods." Smarta$$ that I am, I immediately said, "Just forbidden quantities, right?"

It's a start, anyway.

I'm glad for Espy!

I haven't read the latest news but wanted to share a link real quick. It's the possible new look of my class website (until next year when they change all the programs again).

crossing fingers link works
eta: grr... link didn't work...hold on

Why, oh why do they always move the Velveeta? They should have a GPS app called find suff in WalMart

because Kirby, moving things around provides opportunity to take advantage of other great deals you would have bypassed otherwise! that's Walmart always thinking of the consumer..........s money

Yes, but it has made me mad enough to not even get the item and leave the store. It's always the Velveeta!

news: still pregnant

Rissa I'm sorry but it will be soon!

Good news! We found a better apartment! The one we are in is terrible so we got out of our lease (amazing what threats of legal action will do) and our new apartment is closer to my job and has a POOL! yay! *streamers and confetti rain down*

Back from vacation, spent the week in Hot Springs Arkansas. Parents, 2 sisters, nephew and 1 b-i-l all together and had a great time. Made a visit to the mineral bathhouse (highly recommend), got a massage (ask for Alex!), a little shopping, some walking in the National Park, which was right across the street from the hotel, ate a lot of good food, and went to the First Ever 8th Annual World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade. Where John Corbett ("Northern Exposure" and "Sex in the City") was the Grand Marshall, and I got pictures of him, not 2 feet away from me! If I can figure it out, I will try to post the pics. Oh, also went to horse races, where one of my horses came in first, and another in 3rd, and I won $11. Knocked several things off the bucket list on this trip. I had never been to the track, nor had been to a SPD parade.

Visited HPB yesterday, while hubby and son went to the Mavericks Game, and got a big bag of books for about $20...they let me, no, encouraged me! to use my educator's card even for the trashy novels. Also got some books for the school library, and had supper w/ daughter and granddaughter.

Today is a lazy day, as I had most housework taken care of before we left; just laundry today. Lazily read a book, and now about to work on a quilt.

Only BN: I forgot to run the dishwasher before I left and it was pretty nasty.

All in all, a good spring break, and I'm ready for school on Monday. :)

Fun exl! You weren't too far from me. I love walking through Hot Springs. It's been a few years since I've been there.

polly: Yeah! *picks up confetti from floor and throws in the air again*

rissa: Soon!

foggi: That is great news! Congrats to Espy.

Mandy: I bet you're counting down the days.

#93 kirby:
The site looks good.

#99 polly:
Congrats on finding your new apartment!

An update on my sister's aunt: Thankfully at least none of the kids were in the car at the time of the accident. She had an anurism in her chest, made a wrong turn, and was then hit by a semi. Doctors think she was unconscious when she was hit.

BN: Sneezed while in a weird position this morning and seem to have thrown out my back.
BN: Had to come in to work because I have to go to a volunteer fair today where
BN: I'm pretty sure I will not be able to lie down.
GN: When that's over I'm going home where there is Vicodin, books and a comfy bed.

Sorry for the pain, Bib, hope it feels better soon.

BN: Woke up to find it snowed last night.
GN: I did see daffodil shoots coming up yesterday. Before it snowed.

#103 bib:
I'm so sorry about your back. I hope the day of working and volunteering is almost done for you so you may go home and rest shortly.

GN: I got my review at work yesterday! Mine are always good, but this one was great. I'm very happy about it.

GN ~ our new apaartment has free wifi in every apartment! its slow but who cares? Its included in the rent! The pool and hot tub are great!

GN: Had a great weekend!
BN: That makes it all the more depressing to get back to "normal" life.

#104 -- Here -- you can enjoy these until the real ones arrive:

Thank you: I love daffodils so much.

there's a poem called "Daffodils" that my grandma won a recitation contest for back when such things were a comman form of entertainment. I remember her story because she always said she was dissappointed because she had memorized "Paul Revere's Ride" but someone else did it before her, in panic she turned to her teacher who told her to do "Daffodils" so she did but it was much shorter and not as exciting, but she won! I wish i could remember that poem, I must try to look it up

Daffodils are pretty much already gone here. Anticipating the arrival of the bluebonnets soon. It always makes me happy when they are blooming.

>109 pollysmith: It's Wordsworth, the one that begins "I wandered lonely as a cloud . . ." Lovely that she knew it on the spot!

My own poem for today:

Elsewhere, spring in bloom
But winter storm warning here
Will it ever end?

thanks ejj! I just looked it up and it brings back grandma's voice reciting it to me!

BN: Bib has a slipped disk. Mutombu took her to the doctor's and she had some physical therapy. She can't go to work for a few days. But hopefully the muscle relaxers and all well help out soon.

#114: Sending healing vibes bib's way, hope she'll recover soon

#113 Kasongo:
Likewise, I'm sending Bib healing vibes and wishing her well!

Healing prayers are winging her way!

Oh no! Poor bib. I hope she gets to feeling much better soon!

BN: Had some dental work done today. Have to go back tomorrow to finish up. I have been in lots of pain.

GN: Mom and I went up to school today to work for a few hours (it's Spring Break). I'm working on redoing part of my classroom library since all of our curriculum will change next year (due to Common Core). We sorted books that I had put away. Ended up finding about 200 books I hadn't entered into library thing.
GN: They are now entered.
BN: I'm a doofus that didn't get them entered and out on the shelves for the kiddos.
GN: They'll have a new set of books to go through when they get back!

#17 kirby:
Good luck tomorrow. I hope they're able to numb you well and that you get to be done with dentists for a while after this.

BN/GN: My boss made a simple math error on my review but I had it corrected today. It changes a couple of things for the better. My fingers are crossed I might have something better to say later.

GN: I survived this week! It was a bit brutal, what with pledge drive at my husband's public radio station, 7 hours of jury panel meetings for an undergrad award program, 2 half-day diversity and inclusion training workshops, and an annual faculty authors and artists dinner that I organized.
BN: The weekend only lasts two days, which means I have only a little time to recover before the next week starts, which includes flying to Philly on Tuesday for a conference through next Saturday.
GN: While brutal, this week reminded me how much I love where I work, what I do, and that I am very blessed by my life. Good perspective!

BN: Diana Wynne Jones died. I just read the Chrestomanci series a couple of months ago but haven't read Howl's Moving Castle yet. Will have to read it now.

#120 -- I saw that in another group. DWJ is one of my favorite authors; I am sad to know that she is gone. Thankful for all of the great books she wrote, though!

Just news: I have been spring cleaning today. The good news is that one bedroom and the bathroom are clean, and I've gone through my closet to clear out old stuff I don't wear anymore. The bad news is that there's still a lot to do.

Annoying News: sitting in the theatre, waiting for the movie to start. People way at the back are playing an annoying game on tHeir phone. Wish they would stop or at least turn it down.

#117 Dental work is never fun. I hope you feel better.

Good News: I made it through these past 11 weeks alive!
Great News: 2 weeks of spring break now! :D
Good News: Only 8 more weeks of school after we go back!
Bad News: Only 8 more weeks of school! :O
Bad News: The puppies are now big enough to jump on the couch...

BN~ dang it! I've lost my cell phone! and I can't call it cause it was turned off!

GN: People coming to look at my house today. I've been cleaning like a fiend. (Sophie, in particular, thinks that cleaning makes me fiendish.)

BN: Still a lot to do before it's as tidy as I'd like. I keep it clean-ish, enough that if a potential buyer comes along it's okay to show it, but these people seem more serious than any of the potential buyers that have come before, so I'm trying to get it as nice as possible. And I'm still not really optimistic about them wanting it once they see it -- I think they will want something bigger.

GN: At least I will have a nice clean house when all is said and done!

Wow, I've missed so much.

I promise I have read everyone's news, but as some of it is a while ago, and I don't want to rake up any pain that's easing, etc, I shall send my heartfelt sympathies where they are required, and my joyful congratulations where the news is happier. And of course, several chuckles along the way too. xxx

BN/GN: I've been taking care of my youngest sister while she's had the flu. She's finally feeling better again and no one else caught it. We were calling our Airborne 'polyjuice potion' as we prepared and drank it. ;)

>125 foggidawn: Good luck, Foggi; I also like the clean house after getting it ready to show, but would much rather be enjoying the clean house while mulling over an offer to buy it!

BN: Pain in my side that I thought might be a pulled muscle but that has not gotten better in two weeks or more. Hurts to lie down, hurts to bend over. Sitting or walking is mostly okay. Web research has failed to diagnose.
GN: At least I now have insurance and a doctor's appointment in a week or so.

I FORGOT TO MENTION....

GN: My elfster gift arrived!!! You may remember that the original drawing that katelism did for me got "lost" in the post, and all that arrived was the empty package. Well, she's very sweetly made me another one, and it arrived, along with the pencil sketch too. It's lovely: an ink drawing of Winnie the Pooh and his snowing poem. Perfect! :-)

I wish I could take a photo and upload it, but my camera and computer aren't speaking to each other at the moment. :-(

Yeah for elfster gifts! I'm so glad you got this one LadyN. I know you were both disappointed.

ejj: Hopefully you will feel better soon, and the doctor can tell you what's wrong.

K: I'm glad she's feeling better and I'm very happy the rest of you didn't get sick. That would be the pits.

foggi: Crossing my fingers and toes for you.

polly: I hope you find it soon! I know it's a pain to lose things, and it being off makes you want to "grrrr"

GN: All the dentist work is over with. I've never had anything done like that. Right before our trip I broke off part of a tooth and kept having to postpone my appointments because of snow and ice.
BN: I'm still in a lot of pain. I was really dizzy today at school, but managed to make it through the day.
GN: I broke in and took the pain medicine the Dr. gave me a couple of hours ago. I'm feeling okay now. Hopefully I can sleep before it wears off so I don't have to take another one. I hate taking medicine (but have been taking my antibiotics-go me!).

News: Saturday school again this week. Next week is state testing, so everyone is getting nervous. We'll also have auditors from the local college coming in next week to ask us questions about how our schools work together.
Nervous news: I have an extra meeting with them Tuesday evening since I'm the representative for our school. I hope I answer all their questions right.

Great News: Had my end-of-year evaluation today. Passed with flying colors. I wasn't expecting anything different since my formal evaluation this year was great. My principal called me back in during someone else's evaluation to ask me what technology I wanted. Here's crossing fingers that I can get what I asked for. If not, that's okay to. We've been trekking across the hall everyday to the Science Lab to use theirs.

GN: Bib is on the mend, still doing physical therapy, and it hurts to sit for a long time, but moving is much better on the whole.

GN: I got a serger on Saturday, but only got to play with it this afternoon because we had to go and play with Zachary on Sunday. The serger is a little scary, but I know I need to just jump into a project and have fun.

BN: The people who were supposed to come look at the house postponed their visit until tomorrow. That means that I have to keep the house in its pristine state until then!

#131 -- Have you had/used a serger before? I love them (I have my mom's old one), though they are a pain to thread! I just re-threaded mine the other day because I wanted it for a small sewing project, and it took me at least four or five tries before it was threaded properly and didn't un-thread itself when I tried to sew with it. But that nice clean edge it makes is worth the hassle!

small GN~ I found my cphone. It was in a pocket!

Yeah! At least you didn't wash it!

GN: Feeling good about both the phone interview I had today, and the people who came to look at the house. They're still thinking about it, and while I don't want to get my hopes up, I am feeling pretty positive about things today.

fingers crossed Foggi!

Foggi, I feel your pain and frustration about cleaning and then they don't come, and having to keep it clean. Ugh, hated that time.

This is my first serger, but I picked the brain of one of my Curves members about what I should look for, and her first advice was "get a self-threading one. Even so, it took me a little time yesterday when I tried to do it on my own. But I think after a few more times, it won't be so bad. But then if I don't use it frequently, I am sure the instruction book will be used.

GN: Mr Andrew cooked dinner tonight
Bn: The cat is missing

>138 MsDonna: I really hope you are not suggesting cause and effect, are you?!

#138: Oh My God! Fluffy! :P

#128 ejj:
I'm sorry you aren't feeling well and hope the day of your doctor appointment hurries here for you.

#129 LadyN:
I'm sure it looks beautiful. That was terrible of whoever stole the first one.

#130 kirby:
Thanks. Most definitely, yes. Congratulations on your evaluation!

#131 Kasongo:
I'm so glad she's feeling better!

#133 polly & #134 kirby:
My sisters always do that. I refuse to use pockets - it's much easier to never accidentally lose anything in that way.

#138 Donna:
I hope he's found soon! Also, that MrA didn't cook him. ;)

BN: It's spring, and therefore I'm working very little right now.
GN: After a week of overcast skies and rain we can see a blue sky and sun at last.

138 Did it taste like chicken

It did actually, and for some reason I kept on sneezing.

Gah! After a few weeks of little to no news on the job front, I now have three interviews scheduled within the next week. This is good news, but it makes me a little crazy.

Hey good luck foggi!

#138 Lol!

#144 Good luck with the interviews! And the house selling

Good News: 6 days of spring break are over but 10 days still remain
Bad News: Looks like summer today. The high was 93 degrees and yesterday it was 91.
Good News: It's supposed to cool down over the weekend.
Good News: Tomorrow I'm going to watch the movie I saw being filmed (one part) in Chicago. Source Code! :)

GN: HUBBY COMES HOME TODAY!!!!

BN: my good friends move across the country tomorrow :(

GN: Isaac was born March 24th at 11:42 pm. he was 8lbs 9oz (2 lbs heavier than Adara was at birth), 20 inches long.
GN: I got to have him at home, almost didn't because my midwives were attending other births
GN: we are both doing well.
GN: at 3 days old he had only lost 3 oz
News: waiting until my midwife is done attending another birth and comes to do our one week check to see how big he is now.

#144 foggi:
Good luck! :)

#146 Chelsea:
It's hot here, too, though not nearly so much as for you. Have fun tomorrow and enjoy the rest of your spring break.

#147 Mandy:
I'm glad your hubby's returning today. Sorry about your friends moving.

#148 rissa:
Congratulations again! I wish you both excellent health.

Just news: Today's the fourteen-year milestone since my back surgery.

GN: It's Saturday!
BN: That often makes for a quiet day on LibraryThing, as everyone is out doing fun stuff.

I'm not out doing stuff. I'm listening to a toddler screaming because she didn't sleep enough last night.

#151 -- That's definitely not fun!

GN: I had a wonderful time at a friend's house yesterday, we made cheesecake! I am so proud, it's my first time baking anything at all :P...
BN: I have some tests coming up...
GN: I have two more weeks of classes and a whole week of vacation (easter holidays)

GN: Saturday school is over with! Yeah! Only one more of those in June.
BN: Was outside playing with the boys a few minutes early for recess and of course found the only hole around. Twisted my ankle (which is fine) and tried to stop myself with my arm. Jarred my elbow pretty good. Nurse thinks I pulled some tendons. It hurts to write and pick things up...and to move.

Good News: I'm back after a self-imposed two week posting exile.
Bad News (for me): No one missed me.
Good News: I'm mostly over the depression that kept me away. I did not want to impose on anyone. It was partially caused by hormonal changes, partly because of feeling overwhelmed with responsibilities and part to do with eight year old attitude. At least two of those have improved. Hopefully the third will grow out of it.

I want to apologize for missing any announcements (Congrats Rissa!), birthdays (happy birthday Katelisim), and I hope anyone with problems is feeling better soon. I send you all {{{hugs}}} since I did miss reading all of your posts.

REALLY bad news: I finally cleaned out my car today, and found of all things, a petrified dead mouse!!!! The working theory is that a neigbor's cat killed it and placed it there. While vacuuming, we found a lot of what looked like cat hair. I drive a convertible, and often park it with the top down. Our garage is really just a carport with garage doors, so it has open access to the back yard, and we've seen cats in the garage on several occasions. Amazingly, I've smelled nothing while driving. I am totally grossed out, and more than a little embarrassed. I just bought some carpet cleaner, and my next chore is to take care of that. Aakk.

GN: had lunch today at a restaurant run by a religious group...they're not Mennonite, but similar. They make their own cheeses, grass-fed beef, homemade bread, pastries, and ice cream. The best apple pie I've ever had, including my own, and I make a pretty good apple pie...crunchy apples, with a brown sugar crumble oatmeal topping, and cream cheese throughout. Amazing!

>155 jugglingpaynes: Don't be silly, of course we missed you. And we are glad you are back and sorry that you were depressed. Giant warm {{{hugs}}}, JP.

>156 theretiredlibrarian: Not sure why you are embarrassed about the actions of a neighbor's cat, or is it that you didn't realize the mouse was there? Probably didn't smell much after it got petrified . . . I think the garage once found mice in the part of my car's engine that holds the air filter. Euww, but I didn't know, really.

Fantastic News: one of my friends just emailed me to say she was given a Nook and therefore has an extra and would I like one? Would I? Squeeeeeeeeee!!!!

#155 we missed you, but we figured the kids had eaten you. Also we went on a short holiday to a sunny resort where we sat by the pool with lots of drinks. They had terrible internet connections, but funny lizards.

I nearly got a new kitten (twice) but MrA faked an allergic reaction on the first occasion (face and eyes swelled up when I held kitty near him), and convinced me I would be killed on the second.

I'm thinking I'm going to have to do the tried and true - source new pet, bring it home, claim it followed me and that it will be killed if we hand it in to the RSPCA. Works every time.

JP I hope your depression is a bit better.

#157 and 159: Thank you. Feeling better, looking for laughter again. Always a good sign for me. :o)

MsD, there are days when I think they are trying to eat me. Then I realize it's a cat chewing on my hand.

Oh, and there is a type of cat that is less allergenic. I think it has less dander or something like that. I'll see if I can look up what the name is. For MrA's sake. ;o)

Oh jp we definitely missed you! I'm glad you are feeling better.

{{Hugs}} JP!, Glad to hear you are feeling better.

So my elbow is worse. I can't really use my right arm effectivlly. So I appologize for any typos for the next week in advance. I'm going to see a Dr. Tomorrow.

Oh I'm sorry Kirby! I hope the doc can help right away, did I miss something? How did you hurt your elbow?

BN: Was just doing some weed-eating in the back yard, and a snake came out to see what the commotion was!
GN: I researched types of snakes in the area, and it's definitely not one of the few poisonous species that live in this area. I didn't stop to take a close look at it, but it's probably a garter snake or something similar.
BN: Did I mention that there was a snake in my yard?!? I am not a fan.

LOL! Foggi I'm right there with ya! I can't stand snakes of any sort, If I'm around them without a nice glass barrier for any lenth of time I will go into screaming meemies. I don't know why Because I don't mind lizards, frogs or toads. Just snakes.

Argh.... I'd be moving.

#167 -- This is, and has been, my fondest hope for some months now . . . but not because of the snake. The snake is just an added incentive.

Olly: yesterday at school I took the boys out a few minutes early as atreat for haviing to come on Sat. We were playing basketball ith a 4 way goal and I found a hole. Twisted my ankle and try to catch myself with my hand. I know better than that.

One of my favorite snake memories (now, isn't that an oxymoronic phrase?) concerns the time a British friend was waiting for me in my front yard and saw a snake. I think it was the first one he'd ever seen in nature! (City boy.)

ejj he wasn't talking parseltongue with it was he?

Ah, snakes!! Mutombu helped kill a gaboon viper once. And we had spitting cobras, and puff adders, black and green mambos around (mambo means trouble in Swahili). I adopted the Zairois philosophy that you kill the snake first and then find out if it was poisonous later. I only saw the viper, and spitting cobras and puff adders.

172> shiverrrrr

>172 Kasongo: Yes, eeek!

I asked my Brit friend how big the snake was, trying to figure out if it was a garter snake or a black snake, the most likely; his answer was "big enough!"

>171 pollysmith: Alas, this was in the pre-parseltongue days, when Harry was no more than a gleam in JKR's eye.

Have I mentioned?

GN: A friend is sending me a Nook!!!!

ejj: Congrats!

snakes: shiver

GN: Nothing's broken.
BN: The x-rays hurt like the dickens. I actually cried.

GN/BN: The Dr. says the elbow is severely sprained and the tendons have been pulled. He sent a perscription for some cream and medicine to the pharmacy.
BN: It's still my dominant arm.
BN: I haven't slept for the last 2 nights because of the pain. Tylenol PM did not help. Finn tried to though.

Nervous News: I have a meeting at the local college in an hour. I am our school's representative on the collaboration committie, and they are being audited this week. The good part is that the interview is only 30 minutes long. The bad part is that I hope I don't answer a question wrong!

#153 Ron:
Congrats on baking for the first time. I baked my first cheese cake just months ago. Some LTers we know got me hooked on it.

#154 kirby:
Ouch. I hope you're feeling better soon.

#155 jp:
What do you mean no one missed you?! I had my nose stuck in books the whole while, but I was worried about you from your absence. I hope things improve. *Hugs*

#158 ejj:
That's so exciting! Congratulations! I'm glad you're getting one.

#165 foggi:
Scary! I'm not a fan, either. I've seen them at the park around the corner from my house. Most of it's a kind of fake woodsy foothill park, so you can imagine why snakes would like it. Unfortunately I love that park, too. ;(

BN: My work's dress code's been changed. It's been causing some frustration.

ETA:

I'm sorry, kirby! I've had x-rays that had me crying, too. Good luck at the meeting and I hope you may sleep better tonight.

Me too, I've had xrays that I was sure were causing more damage to the injury. Healing prayers heading your way!

I think it's how the technitions may move people around. Some aren't thinking about the pain people are in when moving them around for different x-ray shots. It would be nice if they were more gentle.

Mammograms. That's all I'm gonna say on that subject.

Thanks, Kirby and Kerian, I'm soooo psyched about the Nook. I was going to get myself a Kindle for Christmas but didn't have the funds, as per usual.

I must admit that I've never found mamograms to be all that bad....

Went to the Ear Nose and Throat doctor today. I have an outer ear bacterial infection. It's been going on for two weeks. I saw my regular doctor and she prescribed an antibiotic that didn't do anything so she sent me to the specialist. I am now on a stronger antibiotic and steroid. The bummer part is I have to sleep sitting up.

I usually see my doctor for asthma and bronchitis but I thought I should change it up a little.

Variety is good for you.

The way he was having me bend my arm was very painful. then he would come and move it up or to the side. Ugh...glad it's over.

Kasongo: Not fun! I know those are painful. I'm glad you went to a specialist. The plus side of sitting up: you can sleep in the recliner with the animals and no one can get on to you for it.

True, Kirby if I had a recliner and animals.

Talked to Bib today and she can't get back to work for two more weeks. Apparently her doctor was on vacation when Bib hurt her back and she saw the nurse practitioner instead who didn't know about back injuries. Bib is hoping she can do some work from home.

#175: Wohoo! A nook! that is awesome, ejj!

#176, #184: Hope your elbow heals soon, kirby.

#182, #185: Hope you'll feel better soon, Kasongo. And tell bib I'm sending healing vibes her way, and I'm hoping for a fast recovery.

GN: My little niece was born today at around 2 in the afternoon.
GN: My niece and my sister-in-law are both fine and recovering.
And there are no bad news for me right now, thank God!

#186 congrats Ron

Grumble, grumble - Dr ganged up on me today and made me have a flu shot. She had back up in the form of a medical student. I should have suspected something was up. Me: "Just don't let me see the needle".
Med student: "Are you allergic to...."
Me: "I could be, I have a lot of food & preservative allergies".
Doctor: "Just give her the shot before she gets away".

BN: my best friend's grandmother passed away last night from lung cancer
GN: DH-Pt. 1 DVD will be available next Friday, April 15. And we're less than 100 days until DH-Pt. 2 (It's at 99 as of today.)

A very uneven day here:

GN: My Nook arrived!! and I downloaded several free books. I am going to love having this, I can tell.

BN: Have extensive rewrite requests for an article I wrote. I'm upset because I think the editor is wrong in several cases but I don't think I have much choice except to rework the thing extensively, and it's not worth it for the money.

GN: This may sound mean-spirited, but there's a history that makes it all understandable . . . I saw a review of a book written by someone I dislike a lot that describes the prose as "below lackluster." That cheered me right up.

Bad News: Our homeschooling nature class was supposed to have a lesson on rock climbing today, but it was cancelled because of the wet weather. The park ranger said we will do it next week instead. Boo. Catbastet took a day off work today just so I could stay at the park and maybe try climbing with the kids. I usually have to leave in the middle of nature classes to take her to work. I doubt she will be able to take off two weeks in a row. Darn April showers. :o(

Good News: We are still going hiking. Our park ranger wants to show us some of the more mysterious places in the park, like Quarry Cave, Crusher Pit, and Stone Chamber.

I am feeling normal again. We saw Bib tonight she said her back is much better...her stomach was acting up! Silly tummy. We brought her ginger ale and applesauce. I hope she feels better tomorrow so we can all go to a little concert together.

Kasongo: Glad you and bib are doing better. Hope her stomach troubles don't amount to anything and she is all well soon.

Good News: We did manage to climb rocks, although not with the cool rock climbing gear. It did turn out to be a lovely day and we had a nice hike around the nature preserve.

BN: Mumble, mumble... my elbow is really hurting right now. I can't take anything for pain until morning.

GN/BN: Testing week is over for our school (YEAH!), however I am going to our 3rd-5th grade building across town next week to help test 4th graders. That means I will have a sub in the mornings. That part is not a big deal. Getting ready for a sub takes a few hours, and since I'll have the same sub all week it will make it a little more easier. However, I've been having nightmares about testing. Last night it was that someone came in and turned on all the computers while I had my group out for their bathroom break. I ended up losing my license over that. Another was that a student checked all the answers instead of filling in the bubbles. Another was that a student drew pictures all over the tests. Another was that I gave the wrong section of the test on the wrong day. I can't wait for this week to be over. They're not my kiddos, but I'm stressed out that something will go wrong. Serves me right for volunteering to help out.

GN: Finnegan is being a cuddlebug. It could have something to do with the Junior Mints I'm snacking on.

awww...it'll be okay Kirby!

I should have some good news soon -- can't post about it yet. . . . *mysterious grin*

Hello Everyone, I have missed you all terribly! I have read all of the posts I have missed but as there were over a hundred I am just giving out tons of hugs! And many many well wishes to everyone!

BN: Tom's job has had him out of state for 3 weeks out of last month, I have only gotten to see him on the weekends :(
GN: He loves his new job and he is very happy, therefore I am happy for him.
BN: Although we are happy I have been very lonesome and a bit depressed.
GN: I started working on thursday, so now I actually have something to fill my time.... I have read so much this month its crazy...err last month.

#186 Ron:
Congratulations to your sister!

#187 Donna:
My youngest sister's right with you, only she has to be held down tightly by several people if anyone approaches her with a needle. Even then she's kicking and screaming. We've always thought it ironic seeing as our mother's a phlebotomist.

#189 ejj:
Sorry about the editor. Happy reading on your Nook!

#193 Kirby:
Good luck!

#195 foggi:
Whatever it is, I'm happy for you! :)

#196 bella:
I'm sorry about Tom's work schedule. Come on LT more! We can post LOLCats or something.

BN: My back's getting pulled again. It's bad timing because today and tomorrow I have a lot of boxes to lift.

GN/BN: I got to see an incredibly funny play this weekend. Funny that it may be, it's sad for the community because it's the final play directed by a family that has lead our city's high school theater department for many years. They're moving to Colorado.

GN: Not everyone had liked it, I believe, but Frances Hardinge's Fly by Night is getting a sequel this year. It has two titles: Twilight Robbery (UK, etc?), and Fly Trap (US?).

BN: Allergies are something awful. Despite taking allergy medicine faithfully every day, and a prescription decongestant, and DayQuil, my nose is as red as Rudolph's and alternates from leaking like a sieve to being stopped up. Also very sore throat. I am in a hotel tonight, and will be at a library conference for the next 3 days. So not going to be fun if I'm sick. It may be time to change allergy meds again.

GN: Jamie Lee Curtis is the key note speaker tomorrow morning. Oh, and the conference added our hotel to the shuttle bus service, so we don't have to fight Austin morning traffic. Yea!

#198: I hope you feel better, exlib. My allergies haven't been too bad...yet. But then the season has barely begun here. *passes tissues* Have you tried some tea with lemon and honey for your throat?

GN: Last night I had dinner with on of our exchange students. She lived with us 20 years ago! I couldn't believe it was that long ago. I had a great time and was so glad she contacted me to let me know she'd be in NYC!!

GN: My debit card wouldn't work yesterday when I was trying to pay a certain online tax preparation service so I could file my taxes. When I called them, they gave me a code and basically gave me the service for nothing. Which was especially nice, because that meant:
GN: I could put a check in the mail to the IRS.

BN, sorta: Found out today that the reason my card didn't work wasn't, as suspected, problems with their site, but rather that my bank was bought by another one and in the transition, some customers (me) had their expiration dates entered incorrectly.

GN: Found out that most people (95 percent) who have limbs amputated because of diabetes are smokers. Which I am not!

BN: I think I have "man flu".
I'm pretty sure it is man flu because I can't stop complaining about it, saying "I'm sick, I'm sick, feel. my head is it hot, I'm sick" over and over.

#202 -- Hope you feel better soon!

BN: It's been a stressful week for me, and as a result, I haven't been posting much. I'm probably going to be pretty busy for the next few weeks, but I'll try to stop by as many times as possible.

GN: I should be able to be less cryptic about what's going on in a day or two.

#202: But...but...they forced you to have a flu shot!!!! I think if you get sick after you get a flu shot, you should be allowed to poke the person who gave you the injection. :oP

#203: Can't wait to hear your news foggi!

GN: Bib was able to work a half day today, and next week, too. Then her doctor will see how her back is doing. When she called me today she was happy to have been at work and her back was happy to be home and on the bed again.

GN: My ear got the all clear Thursday. The doctor was happy and surprised as to how fast it healed. Me, too!! Had a fever last Monday, but had nothing to do with the ear. Missed two days of work, and today I feel fully back to normal.

#202 Sounds like man flu to me.

#205 -- Glad to hear Bib's back is improving. Let her know that we miss her around here! Glad to hear that your ear is better, too.

Mary is having a girl! Another little girl! I'm so happy!

congrats MEM!

GN: Taxes are filed!
Really GN: both Jason and I are getting money back this year

#205: I'm glad you and Bib are doing better!

#207: Wow! I didn't even know she was having another. New house, new baby, that's the way it works with families. :o)

#208: Great news!

#202 Donna:
I hope you're better soon.

#205 Kasongo:
I'm glad you're both getting better.

#207 polly:
Congratulations on the expected new granddaughter and please let MEM know I wish congratulations to her, too.

BN: I'm having pinched nerve issues unusual to what's normal for me.
GN: I freaked out yesterday that it was affecting my eyesight, but I got a headache so we're hoping it was just migraine-ish. I'm going to start looking into seeing a chiropractor.

#210: Feel better, K. I've had blurred vision and auras before a migraine, so maybe that was the issue. I hope it doesn't have to do with your pinched nerves. {{hugs}}

Hey all.

Just news: My old flat mates have moved out, my new one has moved in and I'm not terribly happy in my job. Don't really know what to do about it.

Meh...

Mostly over the crud from last week; however, I have a nice set of cold sores and fever blisters on my mouth (about 6!, which is a record even for me!) Stupid allergies.

BN: I'm home sick.
GN: It seems to be nothing worse than a horrible cold, so I'm hoping rest and lots of liquids will allow me to bounce back quickly.

GN: I have a job! I start the second week of May! I don't want to post too many specific details online for all the world to see, but will be glad to share specifics by PM if you're curious. I feel as if a weight has been lifted -- I've been so stressed out over this all last week, and am so relieved to have it settled.

More GN: A friend of a friend is interested in renting my house, starting later this summer. This should work out really well, giving me time to get moved to my new location before she moves in.

There is no bad news. :-D

Yay foggi!!

good for you,Foggi!

Congratulations foggi!
Hope all who are sad or sick feel better soon!

#211 jp:
Thanks, jp. I'm not sure how an aura would look. It wasn't blurry, though. Maybe moving squiggly-like lines above, below, and to the side of one eye? Thanks for the hugs. *Hugs*

#212 LadyN:
Miss you! I'm sorry about your job.

#215 foggi:
Excellent news! I'm super happy for you!

#219: Yep. That's an aura.

#220 jp:
Wow. They're so strange. Thanks, jp! It's very good to know.

They are actually useful. If you know it means the migraine is coming, you can sometimes keep it from getting too bad. I only get them for about half of my bad headaches.

BN: I don't have a cold, but a bronchial infection.
GN: I now have antibiotics, and a relatively meeting-free day tomorrow, so if I need to stay home a third day to rest, I can do so without all the juggling that had to happen this morning.
GN: I picked up the DH1 DVD while getting my prescription filled and watched it this afternoon!

GN: I gave Sophie her summer haircut today. I'm still trying to get used to it -- she always looks like a different dog with her fur trimmed short! I also finished a small sewing project that I had been meaning to do for months.

BN: I didn't get any packing done today. This is perhaps not as dire as it sounds, considering that I need to be ready to move within a few weeks -- I packed away some things when I first put the house up for sale, and have been determinedly packing the rest of the stuff in the past week or so. However, I'm now to the point where the Packing Gnomes come into their own: all of the easy stuff is packed, and now I am left with the odds and ends that don't want to go neatly into boxes.

#222 jp:
Yes, they would be a good warning.

#223 grmwk:
I hope your medicine kicks in soon and that you'll soon be healthy again.

#224 foggi:
My grandparents' sheltie never looks the same with her summer hair cut, either. We always joke who took Maricella and replaced her with a fox. Good luck with your packing. I'd offer to help if I could.

GN: I won two contests and got two giftcards! I really thought I could only possibly win one. It was a surprise.

#215: Belated congratulations foggi! I'm really happy for you and your new job! And the possibility that your house will be rented!

#223: Hope you are feeling better, grk.

#225: Congratulations on the contests K!

BN: My car's front license plate was stolen in a shopping center parking lot yesterday night.
BN: I now have to do all the paperwork to get a new one. I went to the police department to file the missing license plate report and they told me I have to go back there on Tuesday at 6 AM...
GN: My car is intact and I am very grateful for that.
BN: I have to go back to routine tomorrow and I really don't want to.
GN: I studied everything I needed to study for this coming week.

GN: It's dead week.
BN: I need to study.
GN: It's almost summer.

GN: I felt better over the weekend, and had a lovely two days of visits with family and Easter celebrations.
BN: I had a major setback yesterday, spiking a fever and having achy joints.
BN: What I thought was just a setback from perhaps doing too much too soon over the weekend was in fact the start of a severe allergic reaction to the antibiotic I'd been taking. I called the doctor this morning as I woke with an itchy full body rash that developed overnight, and she clued me in that both the rash and yesterday's fever & aches were symptoms of a reaction...but I didn't talk to her until after I'd take this morning's dose, so I'm in for more unpleasantness today.
GN: Once the drug clears my system, I should start feeling better. And I now know I'm allergic to sulfa drugs.

#226 Ron:
Thanks. I hope whoever stole your license plate is caught!

#228 grmwk:
I hope it clears up soon and that you're soon feeling better. I'm allergic to some medicine, too.

GN: Once again an annual inspection proves our sycamore is healthy. People keep wanting to chop it down, never mind that it's protected by a tree law.

GN: I re-took the GRE today. I did much better, about 200 points better, than I did over a month ago!

BN: we are currently under the 2nd tornado warning of the day. The sirens were going off a while ago, but have stopped for now. The cat has been put in the bathroom, and pillows are in the hall closet....just in case. Right now we have electricity, but it was out earlier this evening.

And did I buy new flashlights? Even though we went thru this just a few weeks ago, and I had no lights???

I MUST remember to buy flashlights, AND a battery-operated radio. TOMORROW!

I have a candle, a lighter, cell phoneand my itty bitty book light if the lights go out again.

GN: I have secured an apartment in my new town! I will be moving there next week, after the maintenance crew finishes painting it and getting it ready for me. I am really excited about it, and am hoping that I will be inspired to finish my packing, now that I have a mental image of where I am going to end up.

I'm happy/excited for you, Foggi. This is such good news.

BN: It was raining in my kitchen last night. I hope it was just the open window upstairs, but it is not what a homeowner wants to see.

Where are you moving to Foggi?

Oh dear ejj what was it?

N: I went back to the doctor today, as my itchy rash worsened overnight.
GN: She's put me on three new medications to combat both the bronchial infection and the sulfa reaction.
BN: One of my new meds is a steroid, and while it should help me feel better, I don't like taking them. However, if I respond well to the oral steroid, I can avoid having a more powerful steroid shot.

#229:Thanks, K but I really doubt the police around here catches anyone :/

#230: Congrats wingert!

#231: Stay safe, exlib.

#232: Woohooo! I'm glad for you!

#235: I hope you'll feel better soon, grk. And hopefully you won't need to get a shot.

GN: I'm getting insurance for my car.
BN: It's kind of expensive.
GN: I will be able to pay it myself.
JN: Can't wait for this week to end!

Note to self: Stop trying to read fast.

Grk, I also hope you won't need to get shot!

Ron, did you get the license plate problem straightened out? At least you still have a car to insure!

Worrying news: My youngest has a rash. I'm not sure if it's from allergies, poison ivy or something else, but it seems to be spreading. No one else has it, so we think it probably isn't contagious, but it seems to be very itchy.

I spent 30-40 minutes sitting halfway in the hallway closet, with my cell phone and Kindle and a good supply of pillows. My husband, on the other hand, was out on the front porch watching, like an idiot, while the weatherman was telling us to "take cover". It mostly passed us by, but a tornado was spotted nearby, but it did not touch town. Another nearby town was hit badly by high winds, but no injuries I don't believe. It was all over by 10:00ish.

#237: Nope, I have to go with my dad because the car's under his name and he couldn't go with me this week, but we'll go next week for sure. Hope your kid feels better!

#238: Again, stay safe, exlib!

#238: I'm glad you're safe exlib. I am so afraid of winds, I can't imagine dealing with tornadoes so much.

#239: Thanks Ron. I have to bring her in tomorrow. The doctor said it sounded like an allergy, but she wants to take a look at it.

#230 wingert & 232 foggi:
Congratulations!

#233 ejj:
I've had that happen before. I hope it's just the window! It was in my case. Someone kept putting the sprinkler in the backyard too close to my window.

#235 grmwk & 237 jp:
May everyone's skin be better again soon.

#236 Ron:
I have little faith in police where I live, too. :( *hugs*

#238 exiledlibrarian:
Glad you're safe!

Thanks K. Looks like my daughter has a case of eczema topped with a nasty case of poison ivy. Since she appears to be very sensitive and it was spreading, I need to wash everything she was in contact with. Fun day ahead. :oP

Life is being randomly interesting today:

Neighbor called me at 6:30 a.m. (about an hour after I'd gone to sleep!) to obsess about the weather--tornado warnings and flash flood warnings, but no actual problems here. I went back to sleep, and now the sun is shining benignly.

Watching Oprah with Rob Lowe--things I didn't know: he's been married for 20 years and says he's still in love with his wife (you can see it when he looks at her); one of his teenage sons said they read the same books and have "like a nerdy little book club." He has written a book about his life and seems very articulate.

GN: I get to move in to my new apartment on Tuesday!

BN: Packing continues to be a real chore.

GN: I shredded a huge pile of old, unnecessary papers yesterday. I also mowed the yard. Both of these things gave me a sense of accomplishment that packing does not give me, because with the packing, I am at the point where it seems like I am just working and working and not getting anything done.

#244: Totally read "I moved the yard." and was thinking that was weird and kinda mean to whoever ends up buying the place!

GN: I'm slowly but surely getting better!
BN: I've decided I'm not well enough to go to an environmental retreat this weekend with my husband. It's being held at one of my favorite places in the mountains, and the weather is forecast to be amazing, but I need to stay home and rest. It's even more of a shame, as my husband is one of the organizers and if for no other reason, I wanted to go to support him!
GN: He's still going (not much choice, really), and my mom is still taking Rex for the weekend, so I'll get the house all to myself. I've not been here just me (and the dog) for longer than a couple of hours in such a long time I can't honestly remember!

congrats wingert! great improvement.

glad you found a place foggi

I'm very excited! I am the proud mama of a gray on gray striped kitten! He's male but fixed and very curious! I think I'll call him Merlin!

I love gray cats! Can't wait to see a picture! And great name. One of our cats is called Merlin and he's always been a lovable mush. :o)

GN: I finished the t-shirt quilt that I have been working on (or, more accurately, meaning to work on) for months now! I will try to remember to take pictures of it when it is out of the wash. I am pleased with how it turned out . . . and now I can pack away my sewing stuff, since I was waiting until I finished that blanket to pack it.

Went to my doctor today, and she took me off of Lipitor!! Hooray!!

#251 Congrats

GN: My most recent cat scan didn't show any signs of my cellular disorder. I'm not sure whether I should be celebrating yet as I haven't discussed the results with my doc, but I've decided until I do that it is good news.

GN: I might be babysitting my nephew's dog for a month. He's a great dane x English Mastiff. He's the world's biggest sook and cries if he can't see my nephew : O

BN: He's so big I can't actually control him on a lead, but he does listen to commands,

ETA: BN: I'm going through a bad bout of insomnia...

252: Donna

I am taking that as good news, too! Please keep up posted. What does Moo think of the big dog?

#252 Moo was ignoring him at first ie, would walk straight past him as though the dog was invisible. He is usually more concerned about my nephew being around due to their 'past' which involved nephew chasing Moo to cuddle him. Moo has now take to teasing the dog by flicking his tail around the dog's face : O

The real problem seems to be that the dog thinks Moo is growling at him when Moo "Moos", and then the dog seems to react as though he is being growled at. Until we are sure they are friends we will have to supervise very carefully.

#248 polly:
I likewise can't wait to see pictures. We have a grey cat who looks like a gray-stripes-on-grey tabby, but only in certain lighting.

#250 foggi:
That sounds really interesting. Can't wait to see it! I hope your move is going well.

#251 Kasongo & 252 Donna:
Congratulations.
Sorry for the insomnia, Donna. As for your nephew's dog, we have a cat who does the same thing when my mother's not home. Poor things.

BN/GN: My youngest sister was playing at a park where she shouldn't be and fell a decent distance. Her ribs have been swollen for a few days. Luckily the x-rays didn't show any breaks.

GN: I just discovered a frozen yogurt place around the corner that serves their yogurt, which is fat free, with fresh fruit. It's so good!

#248 Aw, congrats on getting the kitty! :)

#252 & 254 That is very good news!
And my cats love to tease our dogs. I think they've made a fun hobby out of it.

BN: With all the tornado warnings in the South my family was worried about friends we have in Arkansas.
BN: A couple of trees were knocked over, their gazebo crushed, and part of the fence was bent.
GN: That was the extent of the damage and no one was hurt.
Tragic News: My mom's cousin died on Monday. She was only 44 and dropped dead while walking to her kitchen. We don't know why, and her death is very unexpected and shocking. She was such a nice, caring, and smart person and will be missed.
BN: My life has been so stressful lately. :/
BN: I have the SATs tomorrow morning, an AP biology test on Monday morning, and an AP language arts test on Wednesday morning.
GN: On Thursday everything will be over and I'll be going on a CSF field trip to Cal State Fullerton and UC Irvine! No school! :D

GN: I am in my new place, and online again! I missed you guys these past few days! I am happy for everyone's good news, and sad for the bad news.

well, how do you like it?

I like it a lot so far -- still settling in, of course.

There's a lot of history there

Congrats on the new place foggi. When do you start the new job?

I start on Monday.

Bad news: My husband lost his job a few weeks ago.
Good news: He was contacted for a job in Silicon Valley a few days later, and it looks like he's gonna get it!
Bad news: I'll have to stay put for a few months to finish my degree.
Good news: I have plenty of friends and family here to keep me from being too sad.

GN: Isaac has gotten really smiley the last few days. he also has the occasional giggle-fits, which are way too cute.
GN: Adara filmed a short scene for a TV show today and did great. the quilt Lefty made her was also filmed.

Foggi: Good luck with the new job and new home!
Rozax: I'm glad he didn't have to be out of work for too long. You will be finished with your degree before you know it!
Rissa: Yay for baby smiles and TV shoots! Are we going to see any pictures?

Bad news: One of our cats had an inflamed ear from an ear infection. I took him in to the vet on Friday and he had to have surgery. He's fine, but I have to give him pills for a month and put ear drops in his ears every day for 20 days. I suspect I will not be his favorite person for much longer.

Good news: I was given breakfast in bed today.

Good news: Cat and I finished the gift for my mother before Mothers' Day!

#264: I haven't gotten any smiles on camera yet, but I do need to take some more pictures, I've been slacking on that lately.

#265 JP you're brave. Between the two of us, MrA and I were unable to dose Moo when he was last put on pills for his chronic breathing condition. He put up such a fight we were terrified that we were going to hasten his demise if we kept it up, so after much deliberation we made the decision to let nature take its course (that was at least 2 years ago).

I had relatively little trouble giving my dog pills when I had to--if I put his pill in a dab of cream cheese, or a bit of cheese or ham, he'd scarf it right up. On the other hand, most cats aren't nearly the chow hounds my boy was, and they most likely wouldn't fall for that.

cats are very hard to dose, even a gentle easygoing kitty can turn into a wildcat when you try to put something in his mouth that he doesn't want.

Day 3. Each day get a tiny bit harder. I'm guessing by Friday he'll have the jaw clenching strength of a pit bull.

GN: First day of work was great! I am worn out, of course, but other than that, all is well. Now I am going to go out and have dinner to celebrate.

#256 Chelsea:
Sorry about your mom's cousin. You know, my family likes to say we own CSF. Family name. ;) My aunt went there.

#257 foggi:
It was so much quieter without you! You were missed.

#263 Rozax:
Sorry to hear it. I hope the time speeds up for you.

#264 Rissa:
Aww!

#265 jp:
I'm glad you had a good Mother's Day. Which cat has the ear infection?

#271 foggi:
Congrats on your first day! I'm glad it went well.

BN: One of my closest friends isn't doing well. In the last week she's had to move, put her dog down, and now something's wrong with her mom that required surgery on Mother's Day.

BN/GN: My supervisor's leaving, I'm doubtful that I'm being considered for the position temporarily, but I'm going to be in charge of some of her responsibilities (some of my old ones) in between supervisors.

272 re 265: Hobgoblin has the ear infection. He seems to be doing better, doesn't mind the prednisone pills too much, but it is almost impossible to get 5 drops into each of his ears. And then he shakes, so I'm not sure how much stays in his ears.

GN: I'm finally feeling better post-infection and allergic reaction!
BN: My mom is having surgery tomorrow morning.
GN: It's two routine procedures taking place back-to-back, and after her pre-op appointment this morning, she's feeling positive.
BN: Her recovery requires that she not pick up Rex for several weeks (and quite possibly months), which is sad for both of them.
GN: All of this is happening locally, so I can easily be on hand for back-up for my dad if needed, although I don't have nearly as much PTO to burn after being so sick...

#273 jp:
Poor Hobby!

#274 grmwk:
Glad you're feeling better. Good luck to your mom tomorrow. I know how she feels about Rex. I wasn't allowed to pick up my youngest sister for six months after back surgery.

BN/GN: My sister's work got rid of all the cats that lived in their warehouse...to find two four-week-old kittens left behind. They've been checked by a vet and my sister might adopt them. I'm meeting them later today!

Lead story tonight on local news is the school district I work for, and it ain't good news. A school board member is in jail on sexual assault of a minor charges; we really haven't had a superintendent this year, just an interim superintendent; and the middle school has been deemed "unacceptable" by the state for the last 2 years. Ack.

GN: My mom's surgery went very well this morning, and she is recovering quite well so far!
BN: I got a call from Rex's preschool mid-afternoon letting me know he woke from nap with a 102.4 temp.
GN: Pediatrician said it was a virus and should clear in a few days.
BN: I'm out of work tomorrow with him, which makes this the 5th week in a row I've not worked a full week.
GN: The semester is over, so work is more relaxed. I also ended my evening on a high note, enjoying wine & chocolate and sharing lots of laughs with my book club tonight on one of our member's deck!!

GN: The hubby is being flown out for a job interview in California.
BN: I haven't told very many people ANYTHING about these arrangements yet.

well good luck to your hubby! Rozax

Hope Rex gets well as quick as he got sick,grkmwk.

Oh dear, Sounds like your School district really needs an overhaul. I feel bad for the kids

More bad news for our school district...a rain storm last night flooded the middle school and cafeteria. Like Gilda Radner used to say, "It's always something."

BN: My washer's lid switch finally died totally--can no longer make it work by poking it with a screwdriver.

BN: Have to go to the laundromat with about eight or ten boxes, bags, and assorted containers of clothing.

GN: At least it'll all be clean in a few hours, and I can read while the cleaning is happening.

BN: MrA just rang me to let me know he has had an auto accident and that our car is a write off.

GN: Luckily no one has been injured.

O I'm sorry MsD! I'm glad no one was hurt tho.

#281 -- I'll be going to a laundromat myself tomorrow, though with only a basket or two. My washer and dryer will come up with the rest of my furniture, and I eagerly await that day!

#282 -- Yikes! Sorry about your car, but glad to hear that nobody was hurt.

Grk: I hope everyone is feeling better soon!

Rozax: Good luck with your husband's interview.

Exlib: How terrible. I hope things work out at your school district.

#281: I'm sorry your washer died, but I want to tell you how amused I was about poking it with a screwdriver. I thought only family did that. I've kept my computer scanner working for years now by smacking it when it gets stuck. :o)

#282: Oh no, MsD! I'm sorry about the car.

#281: Sorry about your washer, ejj!

#282: Ohh, Sorry about your car, MsD, I'm glad no one was hurt in the accident.

I brought most of my stuff home to dry, given that a) I'd spent all my money on washing it; and b) the dryer works, after all, it's just the washer that doesn't.

GN: I know exactly what's wrong and have a pretty good idea what it will cost to fix it.

>282 MsDonna: So sorry about the car, MsD, but very happy to think that MrA is okay. The car is replaceable but he isn't!

282- Yikes! I'm glad MrA didn't get hurt. It's too bad the car is wrecked now, though.

BN: I am so behind after being so busy!

GN: Finals are finished! I have free time again!

Good News: My Tool School project with my third grade students went really well.
Bad News: It is hosted on Blogger that went down Thursday into Friday for over 12 hours.
Good News: It is back up now.
Bad News: Many of the comments for my students were lost.
Good News: They are working on restoring them.
Bad News: I am afraid they won't be back on time for the classes to see tomorrow and Tuesday.

Can you help me out? If you can, go to toolschoolces.blogspot.com/ and find a student that only has one comment. Please leave them a positive comment and let them know where you are from. If you don't have a Blogger account, just use the Anonymous choice. If you don't see the yellow "Your comment will be visible after approval" box, you may need to click Post Comment again.

If you already posted, don't feel that you need to again. It should show up at some point.

Thank you everyone!

#289: I posted a couple of comments for you. I lost some comments on my blog too. Didn't even notice till someone mentioned it on another blog. Did you use Blogger before? I don't seem to remember being able to use my account before.

Good News: The cake is finished.
Bad News: My mixer died for the cause.
Good News: My mother was able to bring over her mixer so I didn't have to finish making the cake by hand. Also since I have one more cake to bake at the end of this week.

#290 This is the first time I have used blogger for Tool School. I have been using it for my skiing and classroom blog, so I decided to use it for this.

Hello All!!! I've been AFK lately, but not AFS(creen). I've been reading, but not posting. If you remember I hurt my elbow quite severely about 6 weeks ago. It's doing better, but it's still not 100%. I need to go back to the doctor and see what's going on. I'm still in pain, which is a dulled sensation most of the time. Unless I try to straighten the elbow or twist something. Then it's a sharp stabbing pain. Twice I've squeezed something when several things twisted inside the arm and made a loud "pop".

Since I don't have time to respond to everyone (although I've read them all):
"Cheers" for all the GN;
{Hugs} for all the BN.

Good to hear from you, Kirby; hope the arm is better soon.

Happy Syttende Mai! Uff Da!

GN/BN: A friend of ours is leaving today for his new job in Seattle.

GN: Adara turns 2 today
BN: she's spending her birthday at home with a cold, as am I.

BN: Sophie and I are engaged in an epic battle of wills. She feels that moving to a new house negates all previously learned rules of house-training. Re-training a dog whilst settling in to a new job is not exactly my idea of a fun time.

I don't know. That makes sense in a dog kind of way. :o)
I'm sorry she's giving you a hard time. I'm sure it's just stress about the move. She probably just needs extra love and reassurance. And doggy treats.

GN/BN: Data got fixed yesterday.
BN/cutenews: my vet said "i need to ask you, how do I put this, (long pause) is Data a wus?" He apparently gave the vet techs and my vet such a guilt trip over harming him that one of the techs actually crawled into the crate with him and he "seemed to want to just crawl into my womb" of he has that entire office wrapped around his wagging tail and has since day one.
GN/BN: He is not good at walking with a cone on his head, but he keeps just cuddling with me, which is fine with me.
BN: on top of this it is raining and Pepper is freaking out.

Looks to be a fun day here.

Mandy, our cat Hobgoblin has been in the cone for twelve days now and he still runs into things. We've started calling him "The Plow." Data seems to be doing a good job of milking his surgery for all it's got. Don't fall for the guilt trip!!!

I guess this is a Good News (GN) and Bad News (BN) type of discussion. I have some.

GN: I'm almost done writing my first book.
BN: I still have to revise and edit it before trying to submit anywhere.

Congrats, Alishamb, and good luck. Also, welcome.

#302 - Thanks. I'm trying to have it finished, the writing, and editing/revising, before I go back to school in late August.

#282 Donna:
I'm glad MrA's alright!

#292 kirby:
Ouch! I hope you're healing quicker.

#296 rissa:
Happy second birthday to Adara!

#297 foggi:
My cats don't like change, either. :( Sorry for the trouble. Good luck.

#301 Alisha:
Congratulations on that achievement!

GN: My sister did adopt those two kittens from her work's warehouse. They're about seven weeks old and adorable. She needed them as much as they needed her so I'm really happy she has them.

BN/GN: A wasp followed me and Me,too (cat) into the house last Friday in all our crazy wind. Scary! I got it out before any humans or cats were stung.

BN: My least-liked relatives are coming over in a couple of days. Their visits always go badly and are prolonged so I'm dreading it.

Exciting/funny news: When I got my ER book, Meowmorphosis, in the mail yesterday, it arrived with a poster for the book. It amused me greatly.

GN: My youngest sister is turning sixteen early next week.

#304 - Thanks for the congratulations. My goal is to finish at least the writing portion this summer before I got back to school.

I hope your sister has fun with those kittens...I have a pair of 7 week old kittens myself and they can be a handful sometimes. They are coming up on their 8 week mark, so they start their vaccinations... :)

Congrats, on getting the ER book in the mail. I haven't gotten any ARC's from this site yet, but I got two others from a different website in which I need to finish reading and write reviews for. Happy Birthday to the sister. Good Luck with the relatives.

#305 Alisha:
You're welcome. I only wish I'd written so much! Good luck with your goal and on getting ER books. The ER books are fun to receive and read, and of course writing's quite rewardable. Thanks! We've all taken care of quite a few kittens so we're really familiar with it, but I appreciate the shot reminder. Fingers are crossed for the relatives. They're arriving in the morning.

Gn: other than kittens aww

I stole MrA's cat Moo. He has decided that I am now the preferred person in our home - well on weekdays anyway.

MrA is very jealous p~ I forgot how nice it is to have a kitty to love :O

my kitten, Merlin, immeadiately abandens daddy when mommy comes home!

That sounds our cat, and kittens. Isis, Raphael, and Simon, are always seeking out daddy when he comes home. LOL. I'm convinced they only love me because I feed them...lol (I know that's not true) :)

308: My grandparents' dog is kinda like that, but she alternates. If mommy has been home all day, she'll abandon her for daddy, and vice versa. There's no rhyme or reason to my cats' behavior with me and my husband. They just want attention.

GN: My husband got the job for which he's spent weeks interviewing.
GN/BN: He starts next week.
BN: It's on the other side of the country and I can't join him until September.
GN: We definitely need the money, so we can finally pay off medical and veterinary bills.
BN: He'll still be all the way across the frakkin' country. :p

#310 - Wow, sounds like a lot of GN/BN for you. I hope everything works out for you guys.

Thank you. I'm sure it will. It's just a lot to take in at once.

sometimes I wish my kids would abandon mommy for daddy when he comes home.

We're in the hallway again! Two frighten dogs and three people. We've got our tornado kits ready. Looks like wwe'll be here till 2am

Hope you are staying safe kirby.

#315: Stay safe, kirby. My thoughts are with you guys.

be safe kirby, after a lifetime of covering in hallways and basements in Ohio, I breathe a sigh of relief that tornados are rare here, not unheard of, but rare.

#318 -- Hurricanes, on the other hand . . . ;-)

Hope the storms passed you by, Kirby!

We're safe! We spent a good deal of the night in the hallway, as the sirens kept going off. Normally the alert will last 10 minutes or so. One time it was going off for about 30 minutes. Don't know if someone just forgot to turn it off or what. No tornadoes in our town this time (we had 2 Sunday). However lot's of wind damage. Trees and power lines are down all across town. There are still 4 people missing from Sunday's storms. No where near the amount in Joplin, which is just an hour from us.

Glad to hear you're safe Kirby. It looks devastating over there.

#320 - So glad you're safe, @kirbyowns! This seems an especially brutal storm season across the Midwest and South this year...

GN: We're going to see "Monty Python's Spamalot" musical tonight!!
BN: I probably will miss several jokes, as I've only seen "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" once, but I'm not too worried...

Enjoy the show, grk, my husband and I enjoyed it! I think if you know enough Monty Python, you'll know what is going on!

My first delivery of sock yarn from the US arrived today. I think I'm in love. Now I have to learn how to make socks or send the yarn to someone who does hint, hint... I'll post pics later.

So you get sock yarn from the US, try to knit socks, and if you can't you send it back to the US to one of the sock knitters who knits them up and sends them back to you.

...

Those would be well traveled socks!

Those socks would have more stamps on their passport than me. Actually, those socks already are a step ahead by just having a passport!

So... (Warning: the following is a little graphic due to injuries/death. Please don't read if you are squeamish)
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BN: They found the car and 3 bodies inside. One adult and 2 small children (these were distant cousins). The other adult is still missing. Sunday night they put a distress call through to 911, but was cut off. They were able to get a ping off the car to get a general location. The next phone call was to her husband with frantic yells for help and that the car was taking on water. The bridge that they think they went off of is a low water bridge. With all the rain the creeks and rivers are up. They found the car a mile away from where they think it went off.

We also have some pretty severe injuries throughout our towns (our town is split into two by the state border). Losses of many homes, but no other loss of life.

And now for my...
GN! I'm officially a new auntie again! Micah Christopher joined his siblings Sunday night. It took a while for him to get here. In fact, my SIL thought she would be 100 and still pregnant. ;) He was born on my grandmother's birthday, who passed away a few years ago. I was hoping for him to be born on my birthday, but he decided he wasn't ready yet. Another month and I get to go meet him.

So sad for the casualties. I'm glad that you at least had some good news to temper the blow. We've been watching all the tornadoes on the news. I can't imagine how scary it must be.

BN: I gotta bring my kitty back to the vet asap. I was supposed to bring him back for a two-week checkup several weeks ago, but we couldn't afford it. We tried him on regular food after he finished his prescribed stuff because we have two cats, but that obviously didn't work out. :(

I left a message with the vet clinic, so I'm hoping they'll call me at some ungodly hour to get my baby in.

BN: We had tornado warnings here (upstate NY) tonight. I don't think I've ever seen that happen before this year. Ma Nature is really teed off about something, isn't she?

GN: Finally got my new router today. Okay, it didn't really take that long (less than a week), but it's been tough without it. Once you go wireless, baby . . .

BN: I'm feeling frustrated by the fact that my meds have changed, my blood glucose numbers have climbed again, I feel crappy, and between that and the router problem, I've been extremely unproductive. Bills piling up. Yeah, same old thing, different day.

BN: i have bad writer's block and don't know why.

GN: Today is my birthday!

Happy Birthday, Alishamb!

Happy birthday!

Have you tried the various tricks to get around writer's block? write a scene out of order, just one that you already have in mind. Write a thorough bio and backstory for one character to help get his/her goals and motivations clear. Introduce some natural disaster to mess with your characters' plans. Kill one of them off to see what happens in the wake of that.

#331 - Thanks!

#332 - Thanks! I will try the natural disaster idea, I didn't think of that.

#332 - ejj, does this work when writing technical reports for work? Say, writing about patrons' use of ebooks during a hurricane?! Or knocking off the pesky prof who insists that students may not use "internet sources" on their research papers?!? If so, these strategies could really help me in the future :o)

GN: My husband is learning how to be a weekend on-air host as part of a potential job realignment later this summer.
BN: This means he'll work the next five Saturdays from 7am-12noon.
GN: He won't be working all day on Saturday or all weekend (at least not regularly), and it'll give me some nice dedicated time with Rex!

>334 grkmwk: Maybe, give it a try! I did once respond to a query from my boss's boss about how things were going with an email saying that the deck chairs on the Titanic were sliding into the ocean and the band was playing "Nearer My God to Thee." But my boss was bipolar and I was really stressed out then . . .

>Wait a minute, any Internet sources? I mean, if a student cites a book from Google book, is that unacceptable even if the same book in hard copy would be okay? I realize this is a rhetorical question, as the professor probably doesn't know about Google books and thinks everything online is like Wikipedia.

#335 - Well, trying to define "internet sources" is one of the biggest challenges, as students automatically assume it means any resource in electronic form, while our interpretation - and what we believe to be the prof's original intent - means no websites, Wikipedia, etc. Beyond knocking out Google Books, a strict interpretation would extend to full-text journal articles retrieved from databases. Since most of our journal collections are now electronic, most recent research publications would be excluded.

As we see such restrictions when students come to us with assignments, we try to get the liaison librarian to talk to the prof (usually after the fact, of course) to clarify if she or he truly means no electronic resource or just no unvetted resource. Often the prof just hasn't updated the syllabus, and is surprised to learn that students interpret the restriction so narrowly. However, we have a couple of hold outs...

Kirby, I'm very glad you and your family are okay. Congratulations to your brother and sister-in-law on the new baby!

BN/GN: My best friend / supervisor is quitting her job. I'm super sad about it. At the same time I'm also happy for her that she has great opportunities lined up with a new job. Now I have to plan her cake, etc, in some way that won't make her cry - or me. ; /

GN: I just discovered a used book store in town! I saw a billboard for it today, and went looking for it. It just opened in January, so the selection is still small, but it's very nice. Not as big as a Half Price Books, but nicer than the only other used book store in town, which is very junky and hard to find what you're looking for. Only bought one book, as (very patient but non-reading) husband was with me. But I'll go back with my TBR list and w/o hubby.

I want to visit a used bookstore I've noticed to beachside Daytona Beach. Its called Abaxas Books, how harry Potter-ish can you get!

BN: The air conditioner in my new apartment is not able to handle temperatures above 85 Fahrenheit. I am sitting here sweating, contemplating buying a window unit for my bedroom so I will be able to sleep this summer. Being hot and sweaty makes me grumpy.

#337: I'm sorry your friend is leaving your workplace, K!

#338: Yay for used book store! I'm a little bit jelous exlib!

#340: That sucks, foggi. Hope you'll find a solution soon!

BN: One of my best friend's father died yesterday night of a heart attack. He was a great guy and we used to discuss books, I will truly miss him.
JN: My friend is doing ok, as well as one can be in that situation. But her mom is really affected by this.
JN: I will try to go and be with my friend as many times as I can these days.

sorry about your friend, Ron, my sympathy to his family.

So sorry, Ron. You and your friend are in my thoughts.

I'm sorry Ron. My condolences to you and your friend's family.

Sorry to hear this, Ron. Losing a parent is hard.

#340 foggi:
A fan, at the least. Good luck.

#341 Ron:
Thanks. I'm so sorry about your best friend's father, Ron! You're being a great friend to your best friend right now by being there for her. I'm sorry for your loss. My father didn't die of it, but he's had a heart attack, too. Sometimes they can come without much warning. I'm sorry. *Hugs*

GN> I now have life and health insurance! It feels good to know I'm covered

#341 I'm very sorry about your friend's dad, Ron.

Sad Story: Yesterday one of my best friends (Leah) wasn't at school. It's not all unusual for her to skip first period or sometimes not come at all, but we had finals - math and language arts. We had just been talking on Monday about how we had to study for math so we could hopefully get B's and about how much of our biology projects we still needed to do. Anyway, by 2nd period when she still hadn't shown up and didn't respond to texts, my friend and I started to worry. A little after I got home I got a call from that same friend saying that Leah was in the hospital. Unfortunately, I couldn't go see her because of my biology project.

What happened was that on Monday, Leah's older sister (17) was driving her and their 3 younger brothers. They were getting on the freeway when another car crashed into them at a 90 degree angle. Their car flipped several times and fell 70 ft off the freeway. Her sister is okay, but she was crying all yesterday and this morning. Two of the brothers (12 & 13) are also mostly okay except one has a fractured wrist. My friend (16) has a broken nose, stitches, major bruises, and her face is so swollen that she can't open her eyes. A couple friends went to visit her yesterday but she only talked for a few minutes before she passed out. She'll probably be in the hospital for a couple weeks. She won't be able to make it to her sister's high school graduation or her brother's 8th grade promotion. But I'm so glad she's alive! It's crazy to think that if she wasn't wearing a seatbelt, she'd probably be dead right now...

The youngest brother (10) is at a children's hospital with a bruised spleen. One of my friends said it was critical.

Please keep her family in your thoughts or prayers.

oh that's awful CB! You bet I will!

#347 polly:
Congratulations on your insurance.

#348 Chelsea:
Wishing your friend the best!

#348: Wishing a fast recovery for your friend, Chelsea.

And thanks to all of you guys, I went today and my friend is doing ok.

#348: Oh my goodness. Sending lots of healing energy and prayers to your friend and her family. How frightening.

#341 - Sending my prayers your way.

#347 - Congratulations on getting insurance.

#348 - Sending some Get well soon to your friend and her family. I hope their healing process is a a quick one.

My BN I still have writer's block from mother-in-law distractions..oi vey
My GN Got 2 more ARC's coming in the mail. Plus I feel well-rested today so I'm putting in ear plugs and forcing myself out of this writer's block rut today.

353: Ah, in-law distractions. That'll do it. Was she staying over? Honestly, I can't write if there is any guest in our house, but especially if a *particular* guest is in our house...

#354 you mean like ghosts and demons?

#355: and poltergeists

354: Unfortunately I live with my in-laws, both my husband and I are in college. They are helping us by letting us live with them rent-free but at times I can't stay it. I can't get any writing done. I could tell her not to bother me but she would forget 5 minutes later and come ask me a question. Sigh.

So I'm hoping that my headphones with music and bigger headphone over top will suffice to keep her and the background noise out. I REALLY want to get this first book finished this summer. If this doesn't work then I don't know what I will do.

ETA: My headphones with bigger headphones works, let's see for how long, though. lol.

#355 and 356: I would never call my sister-in-law any of those words!

#347: Could be worse. You could have kids that stare over your shoulder as you write. I always find that kills any progress for me!

#353/7 Alisha:
Good luck. I hope it allows you to get a decent amount of writing done. I have trouble writing because of family distracting me, too. If it's not evening or night, it's mission impossible.

GN: I've been offered my old job position back for a limited time. I'm hoping later in the summer I may have better news.

More GN: I finally learned how to load music on my 'smartphone.' It has an mp3 player. However, for some reason all songs want to be saved as ringtones, even though that's not what they are. But, at least they're on it!

I don't think anyone here uses Metro PCS since it's probably mainly on the west coast. But if I'm wrong, any help on this would be appreciated! :)

We have metro PCS here in Florida, its what nearly everyone uses

GN: It's my day off!
BN: I have a huge list of not-fun things to do today.
GN: If I get a lot of them done, I will reward myself by going to see a movie this afternoon.

#359: Thanks Kerian. I hope I get some writing done as well. I got a good start yesterday with 882 words written. And I totally know what you mean about writing at night. I think I might have to start doing that soon. My writing/study room is actually a loft area and with a TV down below doesn't help... :(

GN: My Mother-in-law is staying with us for a few days, and we're throwing her a Birthday Party on Saturday.

BN: My Mother-in-law is staying with us for a few days...it has been a few hours and she is already driving me CRAZY!!

We also have her husband, her sister and her sister's husband staying with us. I really don't mind I love them all. But My Mother-in-law is the Queen of passive aggressive comments and making me feel like an inadequate wife to her only son. Fortunately, her sister is one of my favorite people in that family and is really good and making me feel like an amazing person.

:Sigh: I think I might need the rants thread...

You are an amazing person!! Ask Bib!

#360 polly:
Wow! They've really expanded. When they were new I was lucky if I had service at my aunt's, two hours away from home. ;)

#362 Alisha:
The tv wouldn't help! In my house all the noise from the kitchen carries well everywhere else. Since it's one of only two main rooms with the other main room being the room between the kitchen and my own, I've given up writing during the day.

#363 Mandy:
I'm glad you have your MIL's sister there, too. Hang in there!

#365 - Yeah I think I'm going to have to write at night as well. Though hubby doesn't really like that idea, because he feels that I would sleep all day long...but I figure even if it's a few hours a night and not all night I'm fine. I would just like to get my first book written. But we shall see.

GN: Tomorrow's the last day of school! Tomorrow's the last day of school!! TOMORROW'S THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!

BN: I have recess duty tomorrow and it will be up to 100 degrees. :(

GN: TOMORROW'S THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!

BN: I have to be finished packing up my room by Tuesday. That really only gives me Monday to work. I'm exhausted!

GN: TOMORROW'S THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!

GN: I just put together a shelving unit for my bathroom. Until now, it had only the very small cabinet under the sink for storage -- no shelves or drawers. I am much happier when I have places to put things.

This is going to be a bit of a whine, all about troubles mostly financial--but the domino effect or whatever is killing me now:

--website where I do most of my freelance work was wonky for several days, so that there weren't any articles to edit listed in my work queue at all, with the result that I made less money than I was hoping/needed desperately as usual;
--the company pays by PayPal, and I somehow managed to lose my PayPal debit card earlier this week. I rarely lose things and I looked everywhere for this, even in the garbage (with gloves on!). Called everywhere I was, no luck;
--Without the debit card, couldn't pay bills or buy groceries--have to send the money from PayPal to bank account (3-4 business days) and wait for a new debit card (7-10 business days);
--went to bank account to find that my balance was negative--I thought I made a payment a week or so ago, didn't see it a couple of days later, so made it, and found that both went through. So, negative balance of one payment plus the bank's fee for it.

I've been struggling financially for what seems like forever, and I'm so sick of it I could scream. I've come to the conclusion that, little as I want to, I need to get a "real" job, mainly because I really, really need health insurance. I've got it now, but only because my income has dropped so much from being sick, and if I make more money, I'll lose the health insurance. And if I don't make more money, I'll never get out of the hole. Catch-22.

End whine.

GN: There's a Miami Vice marathon on the Centric network--what incredibly great music that series had.

Hollybeee had her second baby (Benjamin Nathaniel) this morning. Kasongo and Mutombu are on their way to meet him while Mandy and I are excited to meet him soon!

Oh, that's good news by the way.

Congratulations to Hollybeee. Hope her and the baby are doing well.

BN: I have a pounding headache and I've been sleeping off/on all day so I didn't get any writing done today.

GN: I finished reading two the of books that I've been reading and will have the reviews posted soon. Also I will have my mini tripod this week so I can start my YouTube blogs on book reviews, writing, a bookshelf tour, etc. :)

Congrats Auntie Bib

Congratulations to your whole family, Bib!

GN: We met Benjamin Nathaniel today. Big brother Zachary's face was priceless when he first saw Ben. What joy!

It has been a long night and day. Hollybee and Ben are great!! They are so happy that Ben had no complications. (Zach didn't think he needed to breathe when he was born and was in the NICU for 9 days.) It was fun holding Ben.

Bib, Mandy, Kasongo, Mutombu, and especially Hollybeee,
Congratulations! :)

#371 Alisha:
Your YouTube videos sound interesting! I hope you're feeling better tomorrow.

BN: Pulled my back again.
GN: No lifting boxes for me this week - it's all training.

#375 - Thanks! I hope to at least get one of my videos up this week. I do feel better today actually still have a slight headache but I found out I'm going through caffeine withdrawals (I haven't had soda for like 2 days). I'm sorry to hear you pulled your back out again, hope you feel better soon.

I found out that my back hurts due to scoliosis and arthritis

Thanks everyone.

#370 Congrats on the new addition to your family! :)

#377 I'm sorry about the diagnosis for your poor back.

GN: My friend's younger brother is now out of the hospital. His injuries were not as serious as first thought.
GN: School's out for summer! :D
GN: I had a fun time at my friend's graduation party on Saturday. Our former band director came after the party with his new baby girl and we all got to hold her. She's adorable! :) He said it was a "babysitter audition". I think we'd all love to take care of her.
BN: I have band rehearsal every Thursday...definitely not looking forward to that.
GN: I have more time to read!

BN:My sister 's boyfriend beat her.
GN:They got a protective order and is going to press charges for assault and battery
BN:My sister has dismissed it all like a dummy.

I'm at my wits end with that girl. She won't listen to anyone. :(

#379 -- That's terrible! So sorry to hear it.

BN: I am so out of shape. I did about half of a "beginner" workout this evening, and now my legs are all wobbly. It's discouraging.

{{{hugs}}} to all who need them. Careful {{{hugs}}} for those who are aching.
And please don't feel discouraged, Foggi. Just keep doing. You'll get better. We all backslide, it's part of life. The fact that you are working out again is what is important. Focus on the fact that you just had such a good workout, your legs are wobbly! Next time they will be a little bit stronger, and before you know it you will be doing a full workout! Just have some patience with yourself. :o)

#380 - Thanks. She's okay but has some cuts and bruises..

ejj: hugs

bib: Congrats! Tell Holly we're thinking of her and her new addition.

K: Hope you get better soon. That is not fun.

polly: Has the doctor given you anything to help?

CB: Yeah for school being out!

Alisha: That's horrible!

foggi: I know how it is. One of my problems is that when I'm doing really good at exercising I get sick or hurt (sprains seem to like me).

Well....
GN: School's out! School's out!!! SCHOOL'S OUT!!! Our last day of school was Saturday. Out of my 24 boys, only 18 came. We had a fun day playing math games outside, and having a picnic.

N: Since I'm a teacher, school is not really out. I just don't have students. Yesterday was packing up the room for cleaning. We had to be out by today. That was hard work. I'm exhausted. Today was a meeting at the local college because I'm on the advisory committee between them and our district. I'm done for the week with school. Yeah!
Next week I've got a very boring training to go to on Monday, and then 3 days of tech training in Hot Springs. I'm excited about that trip. Anyway, this trend continues throughout summer.

GN: 3 weeks until I get to go see my brother and his family (and new nephew!).

N: When I get back I have 3 days to set up my room for summer school.

#383 - Yeah I know, but there's nothing I can do. I've tried everything thing I could think of to talk here into leaving that guy, but now she will have to figure it out on her own I guess.

Sounds like you will be a busy little bee with the trip, and cleaning up and then setting up the classrooms and everything for summer school and wow that sounds like a lot to do. Hope you have a safe trip.

#376 Alisha:
You're welcome! Better have that caffeine! Thanks. It's a regular occurrence, though it's feeling better.

#377 polly:
I'm so sorry. My scoliosis is hereditary, but let me know if you have any questions I might be able to answer for you. I hope it's an 'S' curve versus a 'C' - they're sometimes less painful.

#379 Alisha:
I very sorry about your sister and somewhat know how you're feeling. One of my sisters was likewise beat by a boyfriend. She wouldn't even allow any medical records of it, though has finally left him. I wish your sister much strength!

#380 foggi:
Jp's right. I want to add, too, that just the tasks one has to do at work with remaining on their feet for a long time, lifting things, etc can be a workout in itself. If today's one of your few days off consider if your body was in recovery mode, and, if today you worked before your workout, consider that some of the things you did at work may have affected your workout. *Hugs*

#383 kirby:
Thanks. Now it's my feet that hurt. ;/ Congratulations on another school year ended! I hope the time flies until your trip to see your brother's family and new nephew.

Its a slight C curve K, which may be why I have always had such a tendency to slump. She gave me Cmybalta for a month, If it helps I'm just gonna have to suck it up and pay the price for it cause I would pay anything to be rid of back pain!

#385 - Thanks Kerian on both posts. I hope she has the strength to leave him alone soon for her own safety. Only time will tell though.

I pray for your sister, I have been in an abusive relationships and I empathise with her. The hope that he will change, even the thought that she deserved it, thinking that if she could just (______________) it will be okay. I hope she finds the strength to leave him. If not I pray that she will be safe.

#388 - Thanks! I heard he has had trouble with the law and not just once. My sister is a smart girl but I guess she fell into the wrong crowd. I just pray that she gets out alive.

Bib, Mandy, Kasongo, Mutombu, and Hollybeee, congrats! I always think of what Mammy says in Gone with the Wind: "The happiest days are when babies come."

{{{Hugs}}} to all those in pain.

GN: I appear to have narrowly averted fiscal disaster again. Not quite sure how. But my new debit card is on its way. And I have a special work assignment that should help.

GN: Will see lots of family this weekend, given the memorial service followed by a wedding agenda. It will be good.

#390 -- Glad to hear it!

GN: I have created a NEW THREAD for good/bad news, as this one is getting too long.

I DID IT! I just finished Harry Potter and "The Deathly Hallows"!! I'm now done with the Harry Potter series! The was SO bitter sweet for me!! I won't say anything about it as not to spoil anything for those who might not have read it yet. I can't wait for the last movie to come out next month on July 15th! It's going to be so good! I have to say that I'm in a state of grieving now, grieving that I don't get to experience anymore years at Hogwarts, grieving that I don't get to here about the characters in the book that I feel so close to now. Rowling grips you with her righting so well that you feel like you are a part of that world. You fill like you just lived through 7 years at Hogwarts yourself, and you grow to appreciate it in several ways just as Harry Potter and He Who Must Not Be Named did........... haha, Lord Voldemort. What a good read though!! That book has closed, that chapter has ended, I'm done exploring and experiencing there. Now it's on to a new series!

ummm... Does anyone know if JK Rowling will continue writing in the future about this world of Harry Potter???

1) Harry Potter and "The Sorcerer's Stone" - finished

2) Harry Potter and "The Chamber of Secrets" - finished

3) Harry Potter and "The Prisoner of Azkaban" - finished

4) Harry Potter and "The Goblet of Fire" - finished

5) Harry Potter and "The Order Of The Phoenix" - finished

6) Harry Potter and "The Half Blood Prince" - finished

7) Harry Potter and "The Deathly Hallows" - finished!!!!

8) The Eye of The World by Robert Jordan - Currently Reading

9) Homeland by R. A. Salvatore - Currently Reading

>392 Gryphor: Congrats on finishing the series! Don't worry . . . in a while you can go back and read them all again!

I would have said that it's unlikely that Rowling will write more books about Harry, but you never know. Apparently she just launched a website called "Pottermore" and no-one really knows what it's about. But she's supposed to announce *something* on June 23rd, so we don't have too long to wait.