A New HAPPY / UNhappy Thread . . .

The other one is taking forever to load . My unhappy : I just checked my Savings account register and discovered that the withdrawls total is higher than the deposits total for the last two years . SIGH ! Gotta get serious about my money !

Hugs to those in need and congrats to the happies, especially MissW, go get him, tiger! Keep on grinning!

Happy that I'm finally getting some stuff done under what has become a very tight deadline, but--

Unhappy that the DBCToD* may be taking up residence again in my office. It was a major accomplishment when it left earlier this year, and it was making itself useful in my craft room. *Sigh* We'll see . . .

* Dreaded Black Card Table of Death

Thanks for all the well wishes about daughter's impending engagement. To answer Jody's question, NO!! she doesn't know about it yet, and I have to keep it a secret from her for a MONTH!!!! Argh!! I'm not good at keeping secrets, it's going to be very hard. It's good she's very busy with work and only gets one day off a week, she'll think it odd I'm avoiding her, lol. It will be such a relief when he finally asks her! It's my youngest, she'll be 23 by the time he asks her.

>1 AquariusNat:. I sympathise, AquariusNat! I know that feeling well.

Woop-woops and high fives to all the smiley, happy people and their good news.

I've been in computer hell.

I lost internet connection and have gone through the wringer with backing up my system, reloading my system back to factory specs, dealing with idiots that can't speak English worth a damn and don't read the ticket before opening their mouths, when I went to restore from DVD backups, the discs were corrupted. Thankfully, I also have online backup, so now I'm restoring. It's been 7 or 8 hours and it's still restoring.

Just kill me now.

Okay, this is definitely in the rant mode: I have a very good friend who has two young dogs. She has to be away for work for a few days, and I offered to look after them. I finally got to meet them last week--they are a handful, I get that, but the energetic friendly rat terrier mix likes me, and I've been assured that the beagle mix will like me if I just give her food and let her sleep with me.

So, my friend is more or less insisting that her daughter should drive about an hour and a half home from school one night and one morning during these three days because the dogs are so spoiled/needy/demanding that she doesn't think I'll be able to handle it. Aside from how inconvenient that is for her daughter, what's the point of my being there, then?

And let me just say, if these (young) dogs are so difficult to care for, maybe it's time to think about some obedience training??

This is just crazy. I suggested bringing them to my house, but she says that one of them can't go anywhere by car without throwing up and when I said if they have to go out, I'd take them out on a leash, she laughed. I doubt either of them weighs 30 pounds, so are they really unwalkable? Nuts.

Thank you, as you were, and congrats to all with happy news. Mostly I'm pretty happy these days, this just got me and I wanted to unload. Thanks!

Yes, please, let your friend know her dogs will be happier and more fun if they are trained. I live with three dogs and they are a little spoiled but I am free to take vacations because I have made a point of making sure they like many of my friends and that they have routines which are easy to follow and that they are trained to at minimum sit, walk on a leash, wait in a sit before attacking their food dishes, and pee and poop outdoors (most of the time). Two are becoming "elderly" and have some issues nonetheless all can ride in a car, hang out in someone else's house, and get along just fine without my attention.

Point out to your friend that if she keeps along this path she will be a prisoner to her dogs. They will have trained her to never leave them alone, never have a vacation, and perhaps only have a few, selected friends.

Food for thought.

oh! my happy: almost ready to take off for a vacation. Will go to British Columbia for a week, and will include a LibraryThing Pacific Northwest Meet-Up in Victoria. Woo hoo! Two days left of Nanny work and then I am gone!

Hurray for the happys :) and ejj - introduce your friend to the dog whisperer and to training those silly little rats :)

#7 - My sister has datson (weiner dog) that hates going outside period . She and her husband have to pick the dog up and carry her to the back porch for potty times . So believe me , size does not matter . LOL !

My husband was fired today. He's been sick too much. I'm still not able to work full time. Right now, I'm sitting here in a fog of depression and despair.

Trying to be positive through that is pretty bloody hard.

(((((((((((Severn)))))))))))) I'm so sorry. I'm thinking of you and your husband, hoping that something good is right around the corner and sending you strength my dear.

((((Severn))))) - sorry to hear it. Holding thumbs things turn around soon.

((Severn)) , hopefully this will turn out to be a chance for your husband to try a job/career that he's always dreamt about doing .

I'm so sorry, Severn!

Severn: you and your husband are in my heart.

*hugs Severn* I'm so sorry to hear that! I hope things'll sort themselves soon and that loads of positive things come from this in the end!

Oh Severn, I'm so sorry.

I may be experiencing something similar this year, as I'm up for my pre-tenure review and I'm very nervous about whether I'll pass it or not. The Husband's still in grad school and there's no way we could live on just his stipend, especially with Charlie. Since I won't find out if I've passed or not until April (!), I have the whole academic year to stress about it.

Hugs to those who need them and well, hugs to the happy ones as well because, after all, hugs are always welcome!

Unhappy a bit today because it is the first day back to school. I really enjoy summer and spending time with my kids and relaxing but it is over once again. I also always realize when they go back to school how quickly time passes and how soon they will all be gone and living on their own. The two boys were just unhappy that they had to be up early but the girls are both scared. Hopefully, things will go well today and they will both feel a lot better about the whole thing tomorrow.

Severn! I've been going thru joblessness despair also! Just take it one day at a time and never give up.
((((hugs))))

Severn, I'm so sorry. Sending positive thought and hopes that things work out very soon.

Scaifea, I hope things work out with your review. Sending good thoughts...

Hope all went well at school for your children, bookaholicgirl.

I am hoping for a tide of good things to come the way of those above who need some encouragement and hope.

I am rather disappointed at the moment. I went to catalog a book which I was so pleased to find and finally own, The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey, and I was going to read it now. As I cataloged though, I realized it is missing the last 24 pages or so! Arggghhhh. So I can't read it now, nor do I own it. Guess it goes on my wishlist. Why would someone put a book in a library sale which was missing pages??? Bother.

Well the three who are home had GREAT first days at school. My oldest hasn't gotten home from cross country practice yet but I am sure his day went well too.

My 7th grader, who we were the most worried about, had an AMAZING day and made a few new friends and had lots to chat about when she got home, thank goodness. She likes all of her teachers and seems much calmer than she had been this time last week. Keeping my fingers crossed that things continue to go well because 7th grade girls can turn pretty quickly!

(((((Severn)))))

#23 Because it's missing the last 24 pages. It was no good for them, so they passed it along. (sarcasm)

Happy: FIL came through his second broken hip surgery well yesterday. He was sleeping soundly when I stopped by, so I didn't bother him. Also, SIL has taken MIL to her doctors, and has gotten about 6 meds eliminated from her routine. She's also looking at temporary nursing home placement for her until FIL's back on her feet.

DOUBLE HAPPY: 6-month follow-up mammogram today. Completely clear, although they called me back for a redo to "check a couple of spots." And they wonder why we panic when we're there.

Hurray for happy's :) and hugs/support for those with bumpier paths.

as for me ....happy yet nervous - tomorrow bright and painfully early starts the beginning of my clinicals for surgical sterilization (ie the people who clean the things that get used on ya in the OR and make sure they are sterile for ya) - Here's hoping it's a good experience!

Big hugs, Severn! I know how stressful it is to lose your job. I'll keep you in my thoughts.

Opened a letter today to discover that I won FIRST PRIZE ($5) for my broad beans and THIRD PRIZE ($2) for my purple prince tomatoes at the Edmonton Horticultural Society's Centennial Bench Show on August 29-30. I wasn't able to attend the show after the ribbons were presented so this is a lovely surprise!

#9
Nice, maggie!! Have fun! =)

#12
*huggggggsss Severn*

HAPPY: YAAAAAAYYYY!!! I went today to pick up a new package: my T-shirts from NeverWear have arrived!

Anansi Boys:


And American Gods:

(Details here.)

I had ordered this one instead of the American Gods one, but they didn't have it in my size:


So, to make up for that, they sent me a bunch of stickers with that same print:


;P

tardis! Good for you! Congrats!

I am holding my thumbs for those of you who need a big hit of good luck, or would like Dame Fortuna to smile at you and yours, and hope that reminding us all that "when a door slams shut, somewhere a window is opening" is not too polly-anna-ish. But I do believe, after my 64 years on this earth, that even the worst news can lead to better things in the future. It is important to remember to take things "one day at a time" and "never give up" as was suggested above. Very good cliches to live by.

I seem to be on schedule to go to the Pac NW meet-up in Victoria B.C. and am looking forward to the trip. Met with the dog sitters tonite and the dogs took to liking these two guys right a way! Big relief.

I am on my way....

>8 maggie1944: Thanks, Maggie, for the advice, it's definitely what I'll do when I've had a chance to put a little time between me and the weird incident. Having her daughter go up there this trip is all well and good, but her daughter is planning to move elsewhere after this year of school and eventually would like to be far, far away, I think. She wants an acting career, bless her heart, and although I think she's realistic about how hard that can be to attain, she wants to try. And is not afraid of scut work to make ends meet meanwhile.

Let me add my hugs to Severn and her husband. Bad health messes with your life in so many ways beyond the obvious. I hope he gets better both physically and career-wise.

And may blessings be upon us all. Life can be hard; at least we have each other!

Oh, and bad news, though hardly on the level of life-altering events others are experiencing: my FaceBook apps are not loading and I've spent a frustrating day clearing cookies and changing settings and other things that don't work. Boo.

Spent an hour with severe chills. I had a fleece, towel, sheet, and three layers of comforter and still couldn't stop shaking. Finally got up and Googled. Found out it meant I was getting a fever so to take ibuprofen. Sure enough, later I was feverish - I'm running 100 - 101. So headed off to urgent care. I think I have a UTI.

feel betterMorphy!

Hope you're perking up, Morphy!

Cool soothing hugs for you, Morphy.

Get well soon, Morphy!

Severn, I am so, so sorry to hear what you are going through. Hoping that amazing things start coming your way!

Delirium, those are great!

Morphy, I really hope that you get back to feeling better FAST!!

Happy - saw the specialist today. Fewer waiting rooms and trips away from home.
Unhappy- next year have to stop the medication and see if it has permanently cured my problem (if not I have to undergo what I think is a drastic method of control that I do not want to do and will probably leave me on a different form of medication for the rest of my life! My GP seemed to think that it was my choice and that if this drug did me good there was no reason that I would have to change!)

Edited to add- Sorry I am so peeved I didn't respond to other peoples happy/unhappy posts. (most unfair of me) So here goes (and sorry for any I might miss!)
Severn that is horrible - I hope life improves for you and your husband.
Scaifea - isn't uncertainty bad! I hope that they recognise the good job I am sure you are doing!
bookaholic- glad your kids had a better time at school than they expected- what a relief.
MrsLee- I hate when that happens (missing pages from second-hand books or the errors when they bind books incorrectly- so frustrating when you get to the missing section)
well done Tardis
and nice T-shirts Delirium
Have a great trip maggie
Computer problems are so frustrating ejj1955 - mine seems to freeze when I get annoyed -I am beginning to think that it will not let me type something I will regret:)
Morphy I hope you feel better soon.

Hugs to those who need them! (everyone needs hugs- sometimes!)

Hugs calm. I know it's tough sorting out medical problems.

My latest--no word on MIL today. Must be ok for now. FIL at hospital, didn't need restraints today, so he's not trying to escape again. He was asleep when we visited, so we didn't wake him.

Went for my rheumatologist for a checkup today. My left hip pain is not an RA flareup; it's bursitis. Oh goody, something new!

Happy: my niece says she and her husband are going to come kidnap me next week and take me to the new Mexican restaurant in Oneonta . . . very kind of them, as it's a 40-minute round trip to come get me and bring me home (car still unrepaired; yes, it has been a ridiculously long time).

There's pretty much no Mexican food around here, so it will be a treat--more so, of course, if it's actually good Mexican food.

Rita: I have bursitis in my right hip. They say it's from limping due to my left knee.

And the knee bone's connected to the hip bone - on the other side...

I'm extremely irritated right now. In fact, extremely doesn't even cover it. Apart from having to suffer through very loud noises ALL DAY coming from a construction site right next door to my apartment building (it's like that every day, though I mostly suffer through them, but today they were especially irritating), now it's a group of people who have apparently decided to start band practice at 8:00 in the evening. It's driving me insane. :/ Since it's September already and my country's national independence holidays are coming up in November, I have a very bad feeling that this will not be the first of those loud band practices. :(

I'm supposed to be WORKING right now, and I can't concentrate. ARGH!

I apologize for not replying to everyone's happies/unhappies. I just wanna go hide under the covers, very thick covers. I wish I had my very own hobbit hole to crawl into and hide from the world. *sigh* :(

It is so hard when walking is painful. I certainly hold you both in my mind's eye....seeing you both, walking, happily, and pain free, totally at ease....Hopefully the bursa in your hips will quiet themselves down. RitaFaye, glad it is not an RA flare. They are wicked.

Thanks, maggie dear. Have great fun in BC.

Delirium, dear girl - earphones. Seriously. Either attached to some good music, or to some white noise source. I love your wit and humor, and we can't have it compromised by noise demons.

Delerium, you have my sympathy. They were renovating the floor above mine at work a while back and the noise was horrendous. Sounded like the ceiling was going to cave in on us. And I've ranted before about the dreaded singing group that was meeting weekly at lunchtime in the boardroom next to my office (they stopped for the summer and haven't started again yet, thank Ghu). MerryMary is right - get some earphones and listen to music YOU like - that was the only thing that saved my sanity.

Hugs all round to everyone else.

Holding thumbs for everyone in need of thumb-holding and Severn in particular!

I am fine, caught by the beginnings of a comfortable seasonal depression - comfortable because it is so seasonal that it feels more worn and familiar than anything else. Of course, however, it is still depression. I am taking my medication though and have high hopes that I'll best it this year. Right now it is probably more akin to a mild cold than anything else. You go into bouts of sneezing every once in a while but apart from an easily ignored runny nose, you don't give the illness much thought.

Other than that, I am relatively content - I had an excellent duck confit tonight...

#46, 47
Thanks, dears. *hugs* I'm feeling a lot better now. I found a music station -- which is included in my cable TV plan and I didn't know about it! -- that plays piano music and nothing else. So I tuned that in while listening on my laptop to the radio news program I was working on (which is why I needed to concentrate, because translation work requires LOTS of focus, ergo silence :S) through my headphones(*). The piano music was very, very soothing, and it drowned out the pesky street noises enough that I could finally get my work done. Well, they *do* say that music calms the savage beast. ;)

(*)I invested a while ago in noise-cancelling headphones, but I've found out they don't cancel noise effectively, or at least not to the level I would want (meaning cancelling EVERYTHING!!!) Either my surroundings are VERY noisy, more than normal for the headphones to work properly, or I'm too sensitive, or both. Also, I cannot listen to music on them while working because, well, I have to listen to the radio show. Can't do both at the same time. :S That was what was driving me insane.

#34
Hope you're feeling better, Morph, and getting the care you need.

#40, 41
Holding thumbs for you, calm and Rita!

#48
Hope that it passes, amaranthic (I love your username), and that you get to feel that comfortably content often, if not better. :)

#41

I know the feeling of there being a NEW problem *sigh* Thankfully nothing too physical for me apart from the CFS, but in terms of life its like..........oh look........here comes something ELSE going wrong........

I'm not entirely sure how bursitis is different from arthritis, but you might consider looking for a good massage therapist. That's a major factor for me in controlling my pain issues.

Speaking of which, I am sore today! I am happy that I have a new job, and it's kind of fun. But yesterday I spent 3 hours working on one machine and it was very uncomfortable. I could either sit up close and give my arms and shoulders a break, or I could sit back and give my back a break. I'm going to ask if we could get a cushion that I can stick behind my back and see if that will help.

Also frustrated about my kids. My oldest is still giving me trouble, and my middle daughter had a dr. appt. yesterday. This time we saw a partner because her dr. is on maternity leave. This dr. was a lot less sympathetic. I got the feeling that she wants to tell people the blunt truth, but that's a little harsh for a 14 year old. She says S. needs to stop eating the junk and exercise. Well, who doesn't? But she wasn't very tactful about the way she said it. Afterward, my daughter and I talked over and agreed that her basic challenge - lose 10 pounds in 3 months - was something that WAS reasonable, and we can work on that.

#42 - there is a mexican restaurant in Oneonta now????? OH where is it :) Finally something besides Italian in that town :)

**note: I grew up less than a half-hour from there - always good to see something interesting go in.

ps - there are some fab houses tucked away in your neck of the woods

A little unhappy.... I've been waiting all day for someone to come back home so I could go to Starbucks and study, but they came back so late that there's no point in going out alone now. All my friends are already out and about, so I'm stuck here in my little living quarters without even my chat friends to lift the monotony. Life sucks sometimes.

My husband just gave me a USB hub - sounds exciting, right? But I'm absurdly pleased with it because it is a little scale model of a TARDIS and when you plug a USB key or other device into it, it makes the TARDIS dematerialization noise. So cute and silly and I love it :)

#54
Like this one?



Yay for you!!! :D

I've had that one in my wish list for months now...

ETA: Darn! I just noticed on the product page that it's no longer available. :/ I guess it'll remain in my wish list forever... :P

Exactly like that. The light on top flashes too. He ordered them from a company called Think Geek (www.thinkgeek.com). He got 3 - one for his office, one for mine, and one for our home office. They just arrived today.

#56 I want one!

#43 Well then, my left hip bursitis must be caused by my bad right knee!

Hugs to delirium and cmbohn, and anyone else who needs one.

Several happies today: MIL and FIL were both moved to rehab hospital/nursing home. The home even managed to get them in the same room. She'll stay there until he comes home, at least. If he doesn't recover 100%, he won't be able to take care of her.

And I took my son and his friend to the high school football game. I haven't been to one in years--a very deja vu experience. I had one complaint--shredded pork on a bun is not a BBQ sandwich. BBQ requires sauce or at least spices to be applied to the meat. What I got was a pulled pork sandwich.

>55 Delirium9:, 56 I so want one, too! It's very cute (now I have to go find out what a USB hub does . . . okay, now I know and I'm pretty sure I don't need one. Dang it all.).

>52 evedeve: I haven't been yet, but I'll report back after I've had the pleasure (I'm being positive here, it had better be good). I live about half an hour south of Oneonta and by comparison it's a restaurant mecca! though yes, it does lean heavily Italian.

Nice houses around here, yes; Oneonta and environs have some lovely Victorians. I'm happy with my more modest 1920's two-story: good layout, comfortable, not so big that heating it is a nightmare (though winter is).

Hugs and held thumbs to all those who need it.

Mine is a rather minor unhappy in the grand scheme of things, but it just affects my lifestyle so much...

MY LAPTOP IS DYING!!! A very slow and painful death too. It shuts itself down after about 10 minutes of use. It only seems to do it when I watch a DVD, play a computer game or stream video (side thought - maybe graphics card related??), but that sums up most of what I use my laptop for. I hadn't realised how reliant on it I was until it all started going wrong. Problem is, it still seems to work most of the time if I'm just typing up an essay, so I really can't justify replacing it until I'm full-time employed next year...

Looks like I'll be holding out til February... *sigh*

Severn, what awful news, please accept my long distance hug and my positive vibes!

hugs and good wishes for those who need them. I'm sorry I haven't been on line much, but we are all settled in our new house, the cats get along (most of the time) and I have even got the accounts up to date (ran out of excuses on a rainy chilly Saturday)

59 - Mine does that, too, but with a longer scale of time (about 1-2 hours). It has put me right off buying another Compaq ever. I can't really afford a new one either. Like so many other things - after I've finished my thesis.

#54 - I want one! I might be generous and give it to my husband but I'd like one for myself... even though I rarely need a usb hub. Hmmm... decisions!

I'm feeling very out of sorts today. A mix of hormonal craziness (menopause.. so named cos just mentioning it gives men pause before they say "Oh..") and I have a bad case of depression brought on by situational circumstances for the most part.
ANd today I realized I'm STOOOPID! I've been living a life that has brought me to where I am and I'm so miserable with it. (No, not a marital thing in case anyone's wondering). I should have made a lot of different choices and now I feel sick that I've wasted half my life living one way and perhaps made life harder for my kids too, when it was always the wrong way... and why did it take me 20+ years to work that out?
Okay. Sorry to spew it out here. Don't much like to and try not to do so, but have nowhere else and this becomes just a faceless-unconnectedtomylife sounding board. (SORRY!)

BritAnnia - Depression often accompanies menopause, and you seem to be getting a double whammy. Don't let it drag you down. You definitely aren't stupid. Life is full of choices, and often the path we didn't take looks better in hindsight. Maybe those "wrong" choices weren't so wrong after all.

I've found a great deal of help and comfort dealing with my depression in talking things out with a counselor. I really recommend counseling. I think it saved me.

59 & 61- Maybe you all have looked at this already, but before you give up hope it may just be an operating system download gone bad. I've had the same kind of trouble with both my laptops, and both times it was a corrupted update. Or, they might really just be dying. I just thought I'd give you another alternative!

mrgroo, I just saw your note up at the top of this thread. Thanks! ;)

An unhappy here - Hubby went running last night after work ( he is training for a half marathon) and rolled his ankle. He came home (luckily, he had just started running and was near his car) and I took him to the hospital. Well, it turns out he broke a bone in his foot. So, probably no race for him. And, he could miss up to 6 weeks of work which would be very bad for us financially. He would get about 2/3 of his regular pay but his job has a lot of OT which enables me to stay home. Things being what they are financially right now, we really don't have any type of cushion to cover a setback like this. I should be able to pay our bills with his pay but any extras, like uh food, will be very difficult.

And one minor unhappy connected to this is that we are traveling to Florida in 3 weeks for his son's wedding. We are staying for an extra day or so to enjoy the resort where the wedding is taking place but it looks like the rest of us will be enjoying the resort while he sits around.

#56
Ohhh ThinkGeek! I love that website, have bought several things from them. I didn't know they sold that hub, the first time I saw it months ago was at that other website I mentioned.

ETA:
Sorry, some of your replies weren't there when I posted this one.

Let's see. BritAnnia: MerryMary gives wonderful advice. Don't beat yourself over the head about things you cannot change. Especially since you can't turn back time. After all, there are no perfect choices. Some of the good ones we take are necessarily paired to bad ones and it's just a grabbag of decisions. And don't worry, we all vent here for the same reason: because it's easy and makes us feel better.

#57 Ohh such a relief for you that they're now both getting the medical care they deserve.

#59, 61 Ouch, my condolences. Dream, what's your laptop's brand? Will, Compaq are TERRIBLE computers. Also, Sony VAIOs (a friend got one in January and it's already dying!) and ACERs. Ugh. Mine's a DELL, barely eight months old, and *crosses fingers* hasn't behaved badly yet. But I trust the brand, that's why I bought it.

#65 Ouch, that sounds painful, both the actual broken bone (and I know how much THAT can hurt! Ow!) and your financial situation. Maybe you could find a way to cut back on any other extras? (food is not an extra!) Hang in there.

Hugs to those in need of same.

At risk of getting raspberries or worse from all the Ozzies, Kiwis and baseball fans out there, I'm delighted that the Boks won the Tri-Nations (rugby) this afternoon!

Thank you so so much everyone for your hugs and support. I'm still fighting that fog...depression is, as mentioned above, a killer. I've had it for several years and it's been particularly bad in the last few months. Stress and job loss and money worries...they just don't help.

Leif has applied for a bunch of jobs today - his last day at his job is tomorrow and then all next week will be more of the same - applying applying applying.

*hugs back and to all who need them and just because they're nice*

Good luck Severn and Leif with the job hunt.

Will, mine is a Compaq too! I suspect I will NOT be buying a Compaq next time. Though, to be fair, it did last for over 4 years without a single issue til now. Someone left me a message with a few suggestions so I'm going to try them out before I resort to the more expensive option of having someone qualified look at it. If I can hold out another 2 weeks, I'll take it with me to Melbourne and have my father look at it.

Also, hfglen, I would just like say I am going to ignore your last remark. As far as I'm concerned, the Tri-Nations didn't happen this year. It's bad enough that I have to deal with a smug South African here at home, let alone online too!

>66 Delirium9: Must speak up very softly in defense of Acer--I've had one for a little over three years, and while it's had a few quirks (screen just blanks out and I have to restart, then it runs the disk check "one of your drives needs to be checked for consistency", then works again), I've used it virtually all day, every day since I bought it.

I want to replace it soon because the hard drive is running out of space (it was "only" 80G), but for about $600 it's been a pretty decent laptop.

I also have an HP desktop--wonderful when it works, but when it doesn't, unfortunately one has to try to deal with HP service. Not helpful, IMHO.

Thankyou for the encouragement, MM and Delirium. I've been through a depressive period before and did not much enjoy counseling but I would consider it again in future if necessary. I'm in a "pull up your bootstraps and change then, dammit!" mode so we'll see where that gets me... sometimes it works and sometimes not.

Bit worried with all the laptop talk as my toy is a Compaq and my daughter's is an Acer. Both super super cheapies bought last year. Hoping they'll both last at least a couple of years longer!

Dragged my husband yarn shopping yesterday. I'm knitting his mother a throw blanket for Christmas and needed one more ball of yarn to complete it. Three craft stores in town, not one had the yarn/colour I needed so that was frustrating. But when we arrived home my very first online yarn order had been delivered so I am able to start some new projects. yay!
I'm also feeling deliciously spoiled because we stopped at Whole Foods and I discovered (and bought!) a load of gluten-free goodies. Ginger snaps, bread, chocolate cupcakes, oh my I can hardly contain my glee! *lol*

Cupcakes and *hugs* for anyone who wants them.

Trying to stay positive about in-laws. However, I've gotten one phone call from a friend and am expecting another one wanting to know what's being done and how am I handling the financials and they are really concerned about their care, etc., etc., etc., and no, we haven't found a Power of Attorney, so please stop asking. And it's not my fault they don't have one, so please stop telling me they need one. I did not create any of this mess, so stop expecting me to fix it.

Ummmm, one more time, I'M NOT A RELATIVE. Sorry, but their daughter is the one to talk to.

Vent over.

On a happier note, the guinea pigs are now housed together for the last hour. They aren't exactly being friends, but they aren't fighting either. So hoping they will get along.

#73

My guineapig has to live on his own as he has been bullied in every single group he has been with. However, he loves the company of humans and cats so he's never lonely. And he has the most incredible attitude.....I had never met a guineapig with so much gumption.

#74 Oh, ours have gumption alright. They were supposed to be brothers, but we found out (in time) that one brother was a girl. So I had the male neutered, and then we had to reintroduce them. The female was being nippy, but seems to have settled down.

I had a good day at work, so that's good! And my insurance decided (after the appeal) to cover more therapy visits for my daughter, and that's really good.

That is wonderful news! What a relief.

A crossed fingers happy: Hubby went to the doctor's today and was told that he didn't need to get a hard cast but should be fine with a walking cast. They gave it to him today and the doctor said that in a few days he should be able to put enough wait on his foot to walk around without his crutches. As long as he can do that, he will be able to go to work.

He will most likely not work too much overtime in order to make sure he rests his foot enough so that it heals, but his sister is giving us some money to help. She was paying for the rooms for our trip to Florida and said that if we cut back to two rooms instead of three, she would give us the amount she would have paid for the third room. Judging by the amount of money she is giving us, the rooms are REALLY expensive where we are going.

The doctor said that his break should heal in about 6 weeks or so but that he won't be able to run for about two or three months at least.

#76 Great news!

#78 Hoping he heals quickly!

Personally, I'm exhausted. I left work at 3:00 pm to take MIL to her doctor's checkup. I didn't get to my home until 6:30 pm. The dinner dishes are still waiting for me.

And the idiot male guinea pig apparently thinks he's still got something, because he keeps rumblestrutting at the female and ticking her off!

Just goes to show ya - sex is in the mind!

*hugz* to all that need or want them & happy dances with all the happy ppl...

I'm super happy coz its now been confirmed that I can go to Rainbow Serpent Festival next year :) I went with a big group of people last year which was good, but all of them except for one (who's now overseas) are a bit rowdy for me. I'm all for having fun, but to me Rainbow Serpent Festival should be a bit of a spiritual experience as well as a chance to let loose & dance & they kinda ruined that aspect for me last year, so I'd given up on the idea of going again next year coz its not the sort of place I could go on my own. Anyway, I was talking about it at work & a work friend said she might be interested in coming with me, so I sent her the info & she's definately keen :) Her hubby might come too (but she's promised me he will be the 3rd wheel, not me, lol), we've both booked some time off work before & after & we're thinking of hiring a 4WD so we can take lots of stuff (like a marquee & outdoor beanbag) & camp in comfort & style - I'm sooo excited now! Its in the last wknd of January, so will be just a few months after I move in & I'll be ready for a break by then I think :) Mum's allready agreed to look after my kittlings for me while I'm away (festival goes for 3 or 4 days) :) :) :) :)

I'm a little unhappy because it's spring and hayfever has started up. The cursed stuff is making my nose run constantly and my eyes itch. I'm glad I don't get it as badly as most. I only get it mildly. It's still an annoyance, of course.

I'm happy because there's a bookfair coming up in a fortnight. I hope I get a chance to get there before we have to drive down to my friend's wedding in Victoria.

I'm not happy and I'm not sure I want to go into details, because it makes me sound like such a pathetic loser. :-( Family.

I'm sorry, ejj. Don't you hate it when others make you feel badly for being upset?

On the petty note, I must say that I really, really, really hate it when I ask someone to watch a movie with me, and instead they take my iPod touch and play word games all night. Oh yes, and in the process run my battery down to the "dead" point, meaning that I have to leave my laptop on so I can charge the iPod before class tomorrow morning because we aren't allowed to have laptops in class but if I bring my touch I can check my emails and catch up on club business while the teacher is late AGAIN since this stupid school doesn't have enough parking so I never have time to check my email before class because I have to leave so freaking early just to have enough time to walk a mile across campus usually in the pouring rain.

Like I said, petty.

Breathe, Emma! That was one long sentence.

I do sympathize, of course.

Thanks for the sympathy MerryMary- that's what happens when English majors get riled up. :)

Just think, you guys don't actually have to hear me when I get in this mode. ;)

#76 - That's such great news.

At first glance, I thought Busifer was replying to #86.

#88 - LOLOLOL!!!

Msg 84 - sorry for your bothers but thank you for sharing a hilariously fun long sentence of whinging and whining; it gave me a good giggle.

Trust you all to make me laugh at my own rant. Thanks for making me smile! :)

Hugs to all those who need them, and I'm glad that things are turning a good corner for those of you who were going through bad times and are coming through them. Woop Woops and high fives for all the happies.

I'm happy to know the word 'Rumblestrutting' now. We have a guinea pig but nothing in our manual mentions that. I'm sure we had a fun words thread once before and rumblestrutting ought to be on it.

I think my guineapig may rumblestrut at Mouse the kitten. Or else Mouse is rumblestrutting at the guineapig..........

Happy: It's Charlie's 1st birthday today, and I'm so grateful and unbelievably lucky to have such a wonderful, happy, healthy, gorgeous little man in my life!

Slightly unhappy: So, I've spent the better part of today *trying* to make a birthday cake. Baked the first one (oh yeah, I said the *first* one, so you can guess at the horror I'm about to relate to you) and had the two halves (round 2-layer) cooling on wire racks on the kitchen island. I had them a little too close to the edge of the counter, and I admit that they did smell very tempting, a point that was not lost on Tuppence, our border collie. She took the chance given to her, and by the time I got to the kitchen in a panic at the clatter I heard, she was running out the other door licking her chops and the tragic remains of one half of the cake lay in ruins on the floor. I promptly sat down on the floor with it and had a good old-fashioned cry. Then I put my Big Girl Panties on and started making *another* cake. Well, then, once that one was cooled (safely away from thieving canine paws), there was the icing to attend to. Now, I've been reading Cake Decorating for Dummies over the past month in preparation for this day, and I was so excited about it and had a game plan for how I wanted it to look and everything. Only to discover that the icing 'gel' I had purchased *wasn't* coloring gel (much like food coloring liquid but apparently, so the Dummies book tells me, much easier to control), but was in fact ready-to-use icing. I didn't realize that, though, until I had tried squirting the whole frickin' tube into the carefully made-from-scratch icing I had slaved over (after the two cake-making sessions). SO, time to make more icing, and work with the colors of liquid food coloring I happened to have, which were not the colors I had so meticulously planned out the design for. Oh, and in the middle of this icing frenzy (none of my baking is ever tidy - the kitchen at this point was a crazy mess of variously colored splotches and smudges of icing and I'm pretty sure that every bowl I own had been used) my husband's grandparents call and *insist* that I drop everything and hold the phone up to Charlie's ear (who was a perfectly behaved little thing through this entire fiasco, bless him) so they could sing the slowest version of Happy Birthday I've ever heard. Serenity Now! Anyways, *finally* the cake is finished. It's not the masterpiece I envisioned (no surprise for any of my creative (mis)adventures), but it'll do, I suppose, and I'm sure Charlie will have just as much fun demolishing it as he would have otherwise.

#93 Yes, we find that word quite funny here. Rumblestrutting is the male's mating call/ritual/whatever. It's a deep, rumbling purr often accompanied by a hip-swaying walk. Kinda like a motorboat doing the hula. They may also make the noise as a dominance behavior.

Forgot add hugs for ejj and anyone who needs them.

#95 Happy Birthday Charlie!! And I'm so glad someone else has the same baking adventures I do.

And my unhappy for the day--found out last night that a middle-schooler at church was diagnosed with H1N1 yesterday--the swine flu has arrived. And she didn't feel sick until Sunday afternoon, so she was at church. I'm praying it doesn't spread to anyone else, and that she's better soon.

>95 scaifea: scaifea, please post a picture of Charlie with his cake. We would love to see them and be able to tell you how beautiful the both are.

Happy birthday to Charlie! And sorry about the flu, Rita. One of the girls on my high schooler's bus apparently said that her doctor was sure that she had H1N1, but he didn't want to test her, so she just had to go to school anyway!!!!

Happy Birthday to Charlie! I'd luv to see pics of him & the cake too :)

I'm happy coz I saw my kittlings last night :)

I'm annoyed coz we're having system issues @ work & the IT department are useless & it makes it hard to do my work...

Seems like everyone here in Canberra has had H1N1. I wouldn't worry too much about it. The experience here has shown that it's highly contagious, but it's not a very strong strain of flu. My housemate had it (we think....by the time she got it they stopped testing for it and just gave everyone Tamiflu prescriptions) and she was better in a couple of days. The only ones who've died of the flu so far are those who are always at risk from standard seasonal flu (ie the very elderly, the very sick etc)

Meanwhile, Happy Birthday Charlie!

And commiserations to RitaFaye's poor rumblestrutting guinea pig. I suppose he lives by the saying "If you've got it, flaunt it; and if you don't, pretend you do!"

Poor guinea pig!

LOL!

101 - I ain't had nothin' yet. I don't know how, because lots of people I know have had flu-things (H1N1 or otherwise). I'm happy that I didn't get sick at all this winter.

Happy Birthday to Charlie. Looking forward to piccies.

Keep well, everybody. Wash your hands.

My counselor did a "brain map" for me this afternoon. Biofeedback, and monitoring of various brain waves. She needs to crunch the data and do the analysis, but at first blush she is pretty sure I did some damage with the two falls I had that resulted in black eyes. (The eyebrow lump, and the broken nose) Left frontal lobe, which does impact (pun intended) my depression. So we will have some decisions to make on how to put me right.

At least my worst fear didn't come true. I was afraid that "X-rays of my head would show nothing." (Groo will get that reference for sure.)

#105 - That's good, it's always terrible when you feel something is wrong but the test results shows nothing. I had the luck once to meet a doctor who at least told me it was obvious something was wrong, he just couldn't know what because current methods and tech wasn't good enough to catch it. That was after three years of MRI scans, x-rays, doctors, physiotherapists and different treatments. After that I gave up on getting a diagnose. Now I just live with the pain.

Unhappy: haven't managed to read much this year. Also, I caught a head cold, a very slight one, the last day in Greece. Nothing that would had meant anything hadn't it been for it getting real nasty on the flight home, with blocked sinuses and all. I don't do low air pressure very well even under normal circumstances, it's something with my low blood pressure and the oxygen levels in my blood. So now something that was nothing has escalated into something that might turn into full blown sinusitis, which I truly don't have the time to have right now. I didn't even have time to go to Greece, the report I'm writing DEPENDS on me being able to write it NOW.

Happy: despite above, over all life is good. Son is happy with school and he even brought his arithmetic book with him to Greece and we practised a while every day, by his very vocal demand. His teachers and the headmaster are also working with us to get extra resources and expertise to treat his speech impediment, and this is something we've been fighting for, futilely, for a very long time while he was at pre-school. I'm also happy that we're finally going somewhere with getting our landlord to care for the house. We've got some help from the Tenant's Organisation. There's a chance/risk that mould in a wall is causing some of my illnesses these past years, just to name one thing.

Given how much energy above have consumed maybe it's not such a surprise that I haven't got much reading time in ;-)

Busifer, the one thing that always helps to get the cold away and the nose free is ginger water. Just cut up some fresh ginger and cook it in water with brown sugar (or a can of coke instead) and drink it real hot. It is a bit spicy, but it blows the cold out of you.

J_ipsen, that ginger water sounds really good for blocked sinuses. Wow, I think I'll try it too.

Busifer, please feel better soon. My experience with chronic stuffy nose and sinuses gives me the experience to feel empathy with you. I usually try to stop all milk products when it gets bad and sometimes that is some help.

I am feeling pretty good today as the end of my vacation approaches. I've missed my dogs, so I am happy to be going home tomorrow.

#108 (maggie): The trick is to cook it long enough. The water must be really dark (If you are using coke instead, it is dark from the beginning of course)

{hugs} to all, especially those sick or in pain. At least virtual huugs aren't infectious!

Happy. I'm going to a gorgeous bit of Ireland (Doolin in Co. Claire) for a long weekend's caving (and drinking, and eating and listing to the music - and drinking some more probably).

Unhappy. I haven't fully packed yet - and I have to get up at 4:45 am tomorrow, to start travelling. That's not goin got be fun.

I'll try that ginger water. I have some other cures but none for ingesting (saline solution is rather good for clearing stuff out).

#110 - Sounds like a great weekend, Ireland have always been high on my list of places to go... except I've heard some stories that are fun afterwards but perhaps not when the actually happened. Like a friend of mine who went to Dublin for her wedding trip. It rained A LOT and suddenly the ceiling broke... apparently the roof was leaky and when enough water had gotten in the ceiling caved in. Right over their bed, lol.

>111 Busifer: Bur were they in bed when it happened?

#112 - As the story was told to me - yes, they was. It happened in the middle of the night ;-)

My cure for my stuffed sinuses was massage plus a day at work. We were bottling peppermint essential oil and WOW! That stuff is very strong. It made my nose run a little, my eyes water, and my hands were tingling from handling the bottles with my gloves on! But my headache disappeared. Plus I smelled all nice and minty when I got home from work.

Another potential happy: I had a friend tell me all about plasma donation. I guess it's not really a donation, because they pay you for it. But I'm going to go in tomorrow and get signed up.

This turned out to be the weirdest day of ups and downs.

Plus: I have a (temp) job! Yay!

Minus: I have to have $2000 worth of dental work. Faaabulous.

That ginger drink sounds good to drink even when I'm not stuffed up. I might have to give it a try for my allergy sinus stuffing. What sort of proportion should one be using?

Oh, you can do it as you like,.. the more the better, normally. You just have to cook it long enough to get all the healthy stuff from the root into the water.

We normally use about 5cm of chopped root for 0.5 liter of water

Ginger syrup (from The Joy of Ginger)
1 cup (250 ml) grated ginger
2 cups (500 ml) brown sugar
2 cups (500 ml) water

mix all ingredients in a saucepan and boil gently uncovered for 25-30 minutes. Add more water if necessary to prevent burning. When liquid has reduced by about 2/3rds, remove from heat and press through a sieve, squeezing as much juice and pulp into the liquid as possible. The syrup can be stored covered in the fridge for 2 or more weeks. I have stored it longer in the freezer.

It's fab as a topping on vanilla ice cream and can be used for many other things. A few tablespoons of ginger syrup added to a cup of warm milk makes a lovely ginger cream.

When not feeling well, I mix 4 tablespoons ginger syrup with 2 tablespoons lemon juice in a mug and then fill with hot water and drink.

Another happy today - book club! Yay! We read David Copperfield and I was happy to find that I really liked it. Next month we're doing Tom Sawyer, to go along with our town's Big Read.

#115 - Great news about the job.

#115 - Congrats on the job! The dental work... I feel for you.

I am feeling the joy: end of a nice vacation and now a lovely ferry ride back to the mainland, and then a quick drive down the freeway to home. I am excited to see my puppies. And then tomorrow I'll be back with my Nanny work...love those babies. Life is good.

Upon request, here's Charlie's birthday cake & the little man himself enjoying the first piece:

They are both adorable, scaifea!

I know it's tough when your creation doesn't match your original vision, but I think the cake looks just fine. And the birthday boy seems to be enjoying it!

The cake looks great, but it's that sweet boy I want to snatch up and hug! What a cute grin! He's going to be a heartbreaker.

He's grown so much! Very soon there will be no babies in your house - just a cute little man.

Unhappy because my car has just been written off after an accident 2 weeks ago that wasn't even my fault. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Happy because my grandma has said she'll give me the money for a new one, and a better one so I haven't got such high repair costs, and I don't need to pay it back as its part of beating the inheritance tax.

Beautiful boy! And your cake is a lovely 1st birthday cake. I am so impressed with your writing!

Lovely cake and one happy birthday boy!

>127 lunacat: I'm glad your grandma is coming through for you--being without a car is so inconvenient.

Thanks, everyone!

MrsLee: Great tip I picked up from the Dummies book - sketch the writing out on the cake with a toothpick before piping it.

Awww cute cake & super cute Charlie! He looks mighty pleased with the cake :)

I'm happy coz it took me less time to get to work than I expected today. I'm staying at my sisters house & had left myself an hour to get here coz I wasn't sure how long it would take - but it only took me 40mins :)

I'm happy coz its friday :)

I'm happy coz I'm getting along really well with my sisters cats :) Me & Marty have always gotten along, but even shy Dee was happy for me to give her pats last night :) & I have a new accessory - cat hair all over my jacket, lol :)

#123 The cake looks great, and Charlie is absolutely adorable!

Yuk Yuk Yuk!!!

So the drive to work was not too bad, but the drive home was horrid! 1hr 15mins & most of that in bumper to bumper traffic :( I'm gonna have to get me an audiobook or 2 to keep me sane on the drive over the next few weeks...

So, what are the odds for getting diagnosed with pneumonia twice in one year? Aw, come on, give me a break!

Sorry. Just had to scream a bit.

And to be honest, it isn't really pneumonia yet, this time. It would had been if I had put off going to the doctor a day or two, though, because it had gotten it's dirty grip on one lung already.

I'm happy I got there on time and I'm happy there's antibiotics out there that still works.
Also happy I have a diagnose. Now people at work know I'm not faking it.

I'm unhappy to get up so early. However, I am happy that I am having a mini Library Thing gathering after work today. I'm heading off to Boston to meet up with Darrow and his lovely wife before they fly back home. i think we are going to have a pint or two. Hmm..they come in pints?

#135 - They definitely do! Have one on me :D

I will Busifer. Have a good one!

#123 - The cake looks lovely and Charlie certainly seems pleased with it. I think you did a great job with it.

Pirate Speak on LT makes me happy :)

I be luvin' it, ARR!

Me too, makes me giggle :)

I'm happy because it's been a lovely morning with running, playing with my daughter, and finishing up a sermon. I'm unhappy because I have insane amounts of reading to do for class. Insane amounts. Somewhere around 500 pages between 4 classes. I will be so happy when May comes around. Graduation is coming soon!

Happy because I bought a new (to me) car. I pick it up tuesday evening. It looks pretty much like this:

handsome vehicle, congrats, lunacat!

Nice, I like the color. I'm not familiar with the logo. What car company makes that?

Happy for today, TLAP day: The ShAARRRRks (KZN provincial rugby team -- love the name for today!) have half their team back from New Zealand (sorry, dreamlikecheese, won't mention the day's OTHER sporting highlight), beat the Free State Cheetahs and are now top of the log.

#145 - It's a Citroën, a french car. Famous for their electronics and tech, but maybe not as common on the US side of the Atlantic as it's on this side.

I've known of the Citroen for many years. Has enjoyed a good reputation for use in so called third world countries, too.

I am unhappy that the Talk Like a Pirate version of LT has gone away. I thought it was fun. Is it already Monday somewhere on earth?

If you want to continue to have that pirate feeling, just sign to the pirate language site:

http://pir.librarything.com

:)

Nice car!

May the car give you much enjoyment. lunacat!

I'm unhappy because I'm feeling like an idiot. I'm stupid and nothing anyone says or does is ever going to change that.

I was happy because I had a wonderful time at the EFF today. I got to meet both Linda Ravenscroft and Josephine Wall. (And without all the "Stay in line for an autograph and no time for chatting" that I always hear about/saw when James Marsters was at the EFF last spring either! I must've spent about an hour chatting with Linda Ravenscroft about her artwork. It was lovely. Unfortunately, though, she didn't have any prints of the artwork a friend of mine adores (and which I would have snapped up for her if so). So instead I got her something else. All signed and personalised to her.

And my wall is richer by one painting. (Well, scanned copy printed on canvas, really, but... It's still pretty!) I didn't think I'd have room for it with the way my room is laid out, but I do! (Sort of. I had to get rid of two other paintings on the wall I put it on.)

There were also lemurs at the castle/park the fair was held at! I didn't think we'd get to see them, but there they were. I got funny looks for going "LEMURS! EEE!" though.

The weather was absolutely gorgeous too. We were really lucky. ^-^ I'd love it if they held a fair there again. You can get lost anywhere in the park. (We got lost on the midgetgolf track.)

And that made me feel a little better. ^-^

#151 - Shanra - no idea why you think you are an idiot but you're not. Concentrate on the happies and whatever it is that has caused the unhappy will sort itself out. But remember, not an idiot.

idiot=extreme mental retardation; ignorant; extremely stupid

I don't think it applies

I agree with Jody and Maggie! We know you well enough not to buy that.

Well, Friday night I went to a Girl Scout sleepover with my 2 daughters. We had a good time, visiting with friends, enjoying nature, playing in the game room (let me say that pool/billiards is NOT my strong point, but we had even more fun playing badly than I think we would have had playing well), stayed up late and slept on a mat.

I was pretty stiff and sore, since my back had been hurting and I'd just been to the chiropractor that day to get it adjusted.

Then Saturday I got woken up early by some mom who apparently couldn't stand to let the rest of us sleep past 7:30. Thanks a lot.

Played some more with my girls, came home, had dinner, took a pain pill and went to bed.

Got woken up after an hour to hear that my son had thrown up.

Cleaned him up, cleaned the sink, went back to sleep.

One hour later, repeated the whole thing.

One hour later, my oldest daughter had thrown up. Cleaned her up, had her rinse her mouth, went back to sleep.

An hour later, repeat. Found the anti-nausea pills we had from last bout with stomach flu. Administered 2 for my daughter, stumbled back to bed, and went back to sleep.

Stayed home all day to watch over my sick kids. So far, they are all better and no one else had broken out with any symptoms. Holding thumbs appreciated.

I'm happy because I had a wonderful lazy Sunday with my girlfriend. She was the organizer for an event at her community center all Saturday night, and she worked very hard running things. She even stayed to help with tear-down until 3AM. Extremely exhausted and burned-out, she came over to my place (4AM at this point) and I took care of her. I made her sit down and recline while I rubbed her feet and then massaged her neck. We then got into bed and slept until noon.

I then took us out to eat at Voula's (a Greek/classic American breakfast joint). We then walked off our lunch and picked up some fancy beers at Bottleworks (a fancy beer shop near me), and went to have a nice dinner at my parents' place.

I'm so happy with her, and us. She's a great gal. I tell her every day how much she means to me. I'm just bouncing with joy!

Thanks everyone. I'm feeling a bit better today. On top of that I seem to have acquired a cold. :/ But that's just annoying, not sorely depressing or life-threatening.

I'm thinking today I'll do some of the photo-sorting from Saturday's pictures. (I say some because I'm 'missing' the 2/3rds my friend took.)

Cmbohn, I hope everyone is feeling more like themselves again soon! I'd offer you a hug, but I might get cold-germ-thingies all over you... ^-~ So, I'm afraid I can only give you the sentiment.

Photo-sorting is done! There wasn't a whole lot to do as I'm Bad at taking pictures.

Writing the subsequent "Let everyone know what you've been doing in more detail" cheered me up enormously. (i'm having a brain fritz and want to put a 'further' in these, but no grammatically correct position feels like it means what I want it to mean.)

Here is the write-up (with pictures) if anyone's interested in a slightly more detailed - and all over the place - account of my weekend. ^-~ No obligation in looking, mind!

That done I feel energised enough to do a few other things that need doing too. ^-^

#157 Looks like a fun day Shanra. Some nice pictures too:)

Happy I had a day out this weekend. I went to Shrewsbury (setting for the Cadfael books!). Unhappily I failed to print out the google map before I left (computer problems!) and it took me ages to find the streets with the book shops I wanted to browse. Still managed to add to the collection though!

I did visit the Abbey. Interesting history, much battered about over the centuries and very little remains of the early Norman building. Much smaller than I remembered from an earlier visit (20 or so years ago) and they were serving coffee in one of the aisles which was a bit strange!

Thanks! It was a lovely day. Yours sounds like a lot of fun too. (But then... Bookstores and historic buildings, what more could you want? ^-~)

Hope everyone's feeling better by now, cmbohn. A good sleep can work wonders.

I'm very happy. We got back yesterday from a long weekend on Door County, Wisconsin--on an island, no less! The weather was perfect and we had a great time with friends.

*sigh* "I went to Shrewsbury" she says. Usually I just love living in California, but every now and then, when someone makes a statement like that, I really wish I lived in England, where such an event could happen so casually. :)

Mrs Lee- if only it was that casual. Actually getting out of the house is a big deal!

Personally I can image some pretty good reasons to got to northern California... I think maybe most of us live some place someone else would want to see/visit.

I could see a life of just travelling around, experiencing and seeing things and cultures new to me.

>163 Busifer: Oh, yes!

One of my many fantasies is to do the cruise around the world thing. One drawback is that the stops at various ports are pretty brief, but it would be a good way to get a taste of different places and then go back to those that particularly appeal (this is, naturally, contingent on that fantasy of unlimited funds!).

My brother has the idea of living for a couple of months at a time in various European cities--he's a lot closer to realizing this than I am to my dreams.

Happy because I picked up my car today, a day earlier than I expecting.

Slightly sad about the old one though, its a perfectly good car except for the cosmetic damage. I'm such an emotional soul, I get attached to things like cars *sigh*.

>163 Busifer: We need someone to fund a Green Dragon Travel Fund. Who's willing and able?

#164 - Even ignoring the money issue I'm too a long way from living my fantasy. The current topic at home is "I want a cottage, I'm tired of travelling", something which my husband never tires of saying.

#163 Given infinite funds, I don't think I'd go for a sea cruise. Rather fly between continents then go overland from one Green Dragon gathering / meeting-place to the next -- with some significant sights and bookshops as well of course, and regular container-loads of books being despatched home.

I'm happy because I did paid work yesterday, which means that I'll get paid real money for it (in about three weeks...).

I'm unhappy because the first thing that happened this morning was me finding the particularly smelly load that my housemate's cat had left for me in the bathroom. My housemate's away, so kittymonster's displaying her displeasure at me telling her to f off when she wakes up at two o'clock every bloody morning looking for human company. I gagged and dry-retched my way through cleaning it up and now have incense burning in there to appease the smell gods. I can handle watching blood and guts and discussing embarrassing surgery without a problem, but poo is something I just can't handle well.

I was going to be late for work because I'm going to get a haircut, but I think I'll be later still.

Well while we're dreaming up fantasies, can I just say I wish someone would hurry up & invent instant teleportation already! I'd luv to visit with you guys without the bother of travelling :)

I'm happy coz I'm really enjoying listening to Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere on my way to & from work, so the long bumper to bumper trip is something to look forward to now instead of something to dread :) I was only going to be listening to it on the way home coz I like the morning breakfast radio show, but I'm so into the story already (& his voice!) that I'm listening to it on the way to work as well now :)

I'm happy coz I love living with cats :) Its so nice to be curled up on the couch in front of the TV & have them climb on & curl up behind my knees purring away, & to get greeted in the morning with a sweet enquiring "mew?" as if they're saying "good morning, how'd you sleep?" :)

get greeted in the morning with a sweet enquiring "mew?" as if they're saying "good morning, how'd you sleep?"

I hate to tell you this, but they're really saying, "What's for breakfast?"

No, they're saying "Food. Now."

Had a busy day - doctor's appointment, oil change in van, and counseling session.

Happy-happies: blood pressure and blood sugar both excellent. AND since the last time I was at the doctor's office (admittedly several months) I've lost 20 pounds! Holy cow!

LOL - no I get the demanding "MEEEEEEEW" which means "Feed Us!!!" as well, but this morning got nice sweet greetings too, tho maybe they were still half asleep & warming up top the "FEED US!" mew :)

#172 Sounds like we'll have to order you only black coffee from now on, so that you continue to cast a shadow ;D

I think other pet owners will understand why there's been floods of tears in my household today. Our 5 year old crazy kelpie X died of snakebite today despite prompt treatment by our local vet. My husband has a chronic illness and has lost his other best mate so we're all feeling very low tonight.

I am so sorry for your and your family's loss. I know how much a pet can mean as companion and best friend and I know it hurts greatly to lose your friend. My deepest sympathies.

imager-((((hugs)))

imager - I am so sorry. Virtual hugs to you and MrImager.

Imager, I'm so sorry for your loss. What a sad way to lose a member of the family.

hugs, imager. Sorry for your loss.

I'm feeling... unsettled, I guess. Nothing earthshaking. I ordered new glasses on Sept. 5. Progressive lenses so they're expensive and they take longer to arrive, but I was disappointed to get a call a few days later that they'd be delayed because of some problem with the frame. They did say that they'd upgraded me to a better lens at no cost, so I let it ride. Then yesterday I got another call - they'd sent the glasses to the wrong place and they'd be delayed until around the end of the month. So I got fed up and told them I wanted my money back, and I went and got it, and then I walked up the mall to another optician and ordered another set of glasses, which should be ready in under a week. But now I'm having second thoughts about the frames I chose, and they're going to cost more than the original place (not that I'll go back there) and I'll have to live with them for at least 2 years so I want to make sure I'll be happy with them. I've left a message for the optician that I want to come in with someone for a second opinion, even though it will delay things a bit. Assuming it's not too late already, of course. Sigh. I hate buying glasses. My vision is so bad that it's really hard to get a good impression of what they look like, and even with the more expensive thinner lenses they're pretty thick so it limits what frames I can choose. Grumble, grumble...

#163 - "I think maybe most of us live some place someone else would want to see/visit"

You are absolutely correct!

MerryMary, good for you!

imager, I'm hoping the love your family shares for those departed and for each other will comfort you through these sad times. *hug*

I woke up this morning and came into the kitchen with a smile and my husband looked at me very warily and said, "What's wrong with you?" He is not a morning person, nor am I as a rule, but I was simply happy to be alive and with him this morning.

#168 - Definitely with you on this. No cruise ship for me. I'd go crazy.

#175 - Condolences. Virtual hugs.

>182 Busifer:

Well, it's theoretical for me, of course; I took a 7-day cruise and loved it, but I'm not sure how that would translate to 120 days or whatever! The ship was huge and there were tons of things to do, though: five pools, jacuzzis, a spa (had a massage, ahhhh), a gym, a casino, a library (!), and daily trivia games, bingo, informative talks, art auctions, etc. Several thousand passengers so plenty of people to meet.

I'm a bit down today- I have strep throat or some such similar infection. It's painful. I'm staying home from work and not seeing anyone to minimize the spread. It sucks being alone when you don't feel good.

I'm so sorry to hear this, Imager. It's hard to lose a pet.

I'm dealing with a migraine hangover today. I woke up with an impending migraine and took my meds. They deal with the headache, but I still feel like I'm recovering from the flu.

#183 - Luckily we all are different. This far I've had one single experience with the all inclusive kind of resort place I think of as a land bound cruise ship and I did not enjoy it. I want, no, I need, the path not walked, I want to see what's beyond that bend in the road, and the next, and down that road that crosses mine, and fumble with foreign coins when paying for something I pointed at behind the counter and to feel the pulse of the train station and the architecture and the 5 inch tadpoles hiding in the shadow beneath the bridge and the breathtaking colours of the red granite cliffs or the night whispers of the casuarina trees and walking home through a different city at night while inhaling the smells of wet asphalt...

*sighs*

Edited to add reference. Had to go away mid-posting and when I came back a lot of stuff had happened in-between.

Hope everyone who's sick/down will feel better soon.

MerryMary, huzzah! That sounds fantastic!

Imager... *huuugs* I can't add anything to what has already been said, I'm afraid, but... *hugs* I too know what it's like and your family is in my thoughts.

Mono, Jennie I hope you'll both feel better soon!

Tardis, I hope you'll find the glasses still great when you go in for that second opinion!

---

As for me... My muscles ache from moving tables and chairs out of the room/building I work in. It's a community centre and, well, we quiz kids most days of the week and need tables and... Tuesdays there's a dance group after us. They need the room! Heavy work! - Doubly so if you bear in mind some of the chairstacks are probably at least half my own weight and most of mine's not in muscles. My throat is itchy and it hurts to swallow and I have the hiccups.

But it was good to have a nice day at work, learn that yes I can walk there despite it being further away, and to have some Silly moments with my friends. ^-^ (Also, I am inching towards finishing one of the books I started! Woohoo!)

(((((imager))))) and loads of sympathy to you and Mr Imager

I'm unhappy because one of those flying things with all the legs is loose in my living room and I'm scared of it. Things that fly shouldn't have so many legs and they shouldn't be in my house. I need a frog.

Or a gecko.

Thanks everyone for your kind thoughts and hugs......much appreciated.

Tardis, I too have just recently ordered new glasses and sympathise with that feeling of "Did I make the right choice?". Here's hoping it turns out well for both of us.

Unhappy: It shouldn't be this cold so early in the year!
Happy: My boyfriend rocks!

Busifer: You are a poet. I know the feeling of seeing new places through your own eyes. I am a bit "scary" about the walking at night - but my daughter and I once went out on the beach at Clearwater at night for a little while just to listen to the waves and look at the moon. Might not have been the wisest idea, but it was magical.

This is probably why I travel alone on my train trips.

180 tardis

Next time you try on glasses, try taking a digital camera (phone, whatever) with you. Take pictures of yourself or have the person helping you take pictures of you with the frames you're considering. This is what I did the last time I got glasses. I also have very, very bad vision and it was incredible, the difference it made, even with crappy little cellphone pics.

>194 bluesalamanders:

That is simply brilliant.

I too have a really hard time picking out frames because I can't see well enough to see if the frames, without lenses, look good. Very irritating. Blue - your suggestion is brilliant. Thanks for being so smart. Don't you just love technology?

Back to the travel theme--I received a sample itinerary from a travel agency today. I'm hoping to go the United Kingdom with the kid next year. Not sure I'm using them, but it's a first step to a big dream!

Sometimes one just must have cheese:

mmmm, cheese :)

Took older son with me to the optician and he agrees that the glasses look good so that's ok. It's just they're quite different from my old ones. Anyway, decision made, time to move on. Next time I'll try your digital camera trick, blue - that's really very clever.

Happy because the continuing ed people called and told me I'm able to take the basic digital photography course in December which was my first choice, instead of having to wait until January. I was registered for January, but waitlisted for the earlier course.

Also happy because older son successfully submitted a claim on his work health care plan and got a nice big cheque back for his chiropractor appointments. Next step is teaching him how to do his own taxes.

I'm unhappy because my USB stick is dying. It corrupted some files I'm not happy about losing. I put them on there as a first back up. It's a good thing they're not essential. My other back-up will be updated post-haste.

I guess I'll be buying a new one this afternoon.

#193 - Thank you. I'm from a part of the world were it is quite safe to be outdoors at night, in the city or out, and that possibly makes me a bit reckless. But I have had some good experiences and have never been robbed, or attacked by wild animals. I have been pretty scared, at two times, but one wasn't really dangerous and the other... turned out OK. And from that I learned to pay more attention to which part of town was around the corner, if nothing else.

imager - I am so sorry for your loss. {{{{{hugs}}}

I am a bit on the unhappy side because my youngest brought home a cold from school and decided to share it with me. Hubby is still laid up with his foot so I can't really just lie in the bed until this goes away like I want to do. Of course, things have also revved up full force with back to school nights, doctor's appointments, cross country meets, etc. so I really couldn't do that anyway.

Also a bit unhappy because hubby doesn't seem to be getting back on his feet (or foot I guess) as the doctor said he would. According to the doc, he should be able to walk unaided by now but he hasn't been able to do so yet. He will be getting partial pay and his sister did gift us some money to help out so we aren't worrying too much about money right now. He is starting to get a bit frustrated about the whole thing.

Of course, I am also a bit happy because that means that he can stay home with me. It is nice to be able to spend so much time together even if it does just consist of both of us either on the couch or in our respective chairs watching TV or movies, reading, etc.

I'm happy because I remembered all my lines tonight in my play (no mean feat....they were in Japanese!) It's good thing that the first time I got all my lines right happened on opening night and not later! God knows what I would have done if I'd frozen up on stage (not that I usually find that to be a problem, attention-seeker that I am).

I'm also unhappy because this is likely to be the last time I do a Japanese play. I graduate at the end of the year and the group is university-based (not that I would be banned as such, but it starts to get a bit weird when you keep hanging around long after you've graduated). But that won't stop me going to see it next year! Our Kabuki (Japanese drama) group has been performing for over 30 years, and is apparently the longest running group outside Japan.

Nice to see that you will graduate after thirty years.

Virtual {huigs} to all those who need/want them. And get better soons to those ill.

Back from holiday and now at work. And achy and bruised - the usual results from caving - which doens't make work any easier. It was a great trip, saw some bits new to me, which is always good when you've been to the systems a few times before. And saw a cave eel about a foot long! completely oblivious to us, very exciting. Will write a trip report at some stage. The Guiness and the musicians and the food in the pubs were all up to their normal excellant standard, and are part of the reason we go there. Glad to be home though - being on holiday is hard work!

Would eagerly join big GD world travelling party. I'm not sure how I'd cope with a cruise ship, Busifer's road less travelled poetically fits just how I like to explore (but phrased much better).

I'm trying hard to have a positive mindset. My almost-pneumonia will not go away; I'm not getting worse but I'm not getting any better either, so I phoned the doctor today and has an appointment for tomorrow. The nurse told me that I should not do anything beyond reading and watching films. I decided I could just as well watch LoTR, because I'm not able to focus on anything much at the moment and that story I know quite well ;-)

I try to reconcile that tow facts that 1. I should not work, if I want to getter better anytime soon, and 2. My client has a deadline stipulated by government directive, which means it is not flexible, which means I HAVE to finish my report tomorrow. I will manage, I know that. But it's also my health in question...

206> Pneumonia can be very persistant, and your health is important so get as much rest as you can. As far as the report goes, can you work on it in 15 minute or half hour chunks, and then rest in between? That's what I did after my surgery last year. It doesn't always work because sometimes you have to get into the mind-set and stay there for longer to get the job done, but for some projects it is helpful.

Okay, well I'm happy because after 14 years of constant pain I had spinal surgery 3 weeks ago and I'm feeling great! Not quite back to turning summersaults yet but I think it's all gone well and so far there's a distinct improvement!

I'm a little sad, because I wish my mum could have been here to see it. She died back in March the night after we were able to tell her that the surgery was definitely going to go ahead at last and it felt almost as if she'd hung on for that bit of news. She'd have been so thrilled to know it seems to have done the trick and I'd have so loved to share the news with her. Hope it's okay to share it with you guys instead.

Congratulations, Booksloth! I hope your health continues to improve.

By all means, share things with us. That's what we're here for.

I'm glad the surgery went so well!

I'm unhappy that I didn't get to work today - no work available. It's nice to stay home, of course, but it's really nice to get paid.

Happy that Tuesday they come to install our new kitchen floor. I will try to take a picture so you can all admire! I hope it looks as good as I think it will. We're doing a wood laminate. I can't wait!

#209/10 Thank you both - now I feel even better!

#207 - This is a dilemma because it should only be a couple (OK, four, maybe) of hours' worth of work but I really need to do it in one chunk...

#209 Congratulations Booksloth!

Hugs Busifer--hope you feel better soon!

Unhappy-came home to find my son on the couch. He has a runny nose, a cough, and a fever. There's been 2 confirmed cases of swine flu at church, and he's asthmatic. So now I worry until he improves.

On the plus side, this means no robotics club tonight. (Normally I don't mind, but it's nasty rainy and I'd rather not go. Bad mommy.)

Good mommy, RitaFaye, as you take good care of the son.

My not exactly helpful approach has always been - if they don't have procedures in place to cope with sudden absences then whatever I 'had' to be doing isn't that important anyway.

Certain cavets apply of course, like not getting fired etc. But if a Doc's actually out and out told you "do not work" then the report just doesn't get done.

If it was the other way around would the company "be understanding"? in my experience they never do, no matter how nicely worded their policies are. Hence there's no requirement to give extra to them. I work solely because it pays me to enjoy all the non-work time I can get. Sometimes you can manage to enjoy work too. That's a bonus. But my non-work time is mine.

I'm unhappy that my alarm clock froze at midnight last night. I woke up with the sun in my eyes. I know that doesn't usually happen at the time I'm supposed to wake up. I rolled over and looked at the clock. Hmm... the sun doesn't shine at midnight here. Ever. Look at mobile phone. 9:08. {censored}! I left the house at 9:20, but I had to get things in town before work, and I skipped breakfast, so now I'm grumpy.

I'm kind of happy that I had a sleep in, even though I wasn't supposed to.

I think I'll buy myself a new alarm clock as soon as I can afford it.

I'm unhappy because I've spent the day throwing up and sleeping which means sleeping tonight just isn't going to happen.

I've had to under go a mental health screaning this week cause the Health Vistor feels that my mental state seems to be unstable.

To top things off there seems to have been someone who went to Social Services claming that Katie is uncared for, oh and Vincent is contastly ill. apparently the house is not fit for inhabatation. The social worker that did come around said the house was a bit cluttered but no worse than other places that he had seen. But could we please pick up.

Its just a bit much really.

Ah, Rune. I'm so sorry. Hang in there. Do what you must for your own health and that of your family.

oh, Rune, I am sorry this is happening to you. I imagine it is just one more stress in the middle of all the other stresses. It is such hard work to raise children. Hopefully the Social Services people will provide some service and not just judgments and more problems.

I agree with MerryMary, remember to do whatever it takes to stay healthy and happy.

edit to correct misspelling

Oh Rune! I'm with MerryMary & maggie1944 - do whatever you can to take care of you & yours!

I'm happy coz I got 2 tix to Rainbow Serpent Festival next year :):):):) I'm slightly unhappy that I missed out on 1st round tix which were $122 because of stupid security protocols on work PC, had to get mum to order for me coz I couldnt get into the site from work, so we got 2nd round tix which cost $145. I'm happy that we got the last of them, coz after the order processed mum checked back in the only ones they had available were 3rd round @ $165 each (& this is all within 2 hours of the 1st rounds becoming available! Its crazy how quick they have sold!!!!) I hope that Scott (the girl from work who's coming with me's husband) still wants to come even tho his tix are gonna be pricier than expected! (Only 2 tix allowed per order so we couldn't get all 3 at the same time)

I have suddenly become insanely busy. This is mostly a good thing - it's a combination of having a job and having various (mostly social) plans. But it means that I've had a grand total one free, at-home evening in almost a week. And it was not today (it was yesterday). And I am so tired that the idea of getting up off the couch and getting ready for bed is unappealing (the idea of being in bed is appealing; it's just the intermediate steps to get there that I'm not looking forward to).

Sigh. Time to get to it.

Also, regarding the pictures and eyeglasses thing - I can't take full credit. That idea was a joint effort between me and Trish, the lady who was helping me pick out glasses. She took the pictures for me and helped me decide what to get.

Congratulations Booksloth! I hope everything keeps improving!

My unhappy is that due a falling workload, I now only have 3 hours work per week (down from 13). Fortunately I managed to pick up an extra shift at my other job, but I'm still looking for ways to keep paying rent. I may need to bite the bullet and try claiming student welfare again. Fortunately I have full time work lined up for next year, so I know it's only temporary, but it's going to be hard to do Christmas this year. Plus, I blew all my savings on my trip to Vietnam so my savings safety net is slightly compromised. *sigh*

#215 - Normally that's my approach too, and I have other engagements at work that I have treated this way. I am good at my job because I care for the end result but in my experience whoever did not plan for people having to stay away from work for a while can sleep in the bed they made - it's not my fault.

But in some cases the deadline is there for serious, half a dozen government agencies located all over the country have planned to be at the seminar, and yes, it was badly planned, they should had brought me in earlier but they didn't, because they lacked the knowledge and experience to know what to ask for. And then I already had a vacation planned and paid for during the one week that the schedule could afford.

I could just skip this. But there is no backup, this is about me writing the concluding analysis based on my research on the subject, and a deadline that cannot be moved and that unfortunately are too close for comfort.

Life as a consultant. Sometimes it sucks.

*offers hug sentiment to Rune and Busifer and whoever else might need or want it*

Good - my 6-year-old daughter's going to be in a local magazine with Oliver from Hannah Montana on Sunday!

Bad- my car is making horrible squeaky sounds, which I hope are not front end related, and I have NO money to fix it.

And hi everybody, I'm new. I didn't see any kind of an introduction thread, so I thought I'd just jump in and start posting. Hope you don't mind!

Of course we dont' mind. Welcome to the pub.

I'm happy to not be contagious with Strep Throat anymore. Antibiotics are wonderful. Thank you, Science.

Not a happy or unhappy, but among other things I had a lung x-ray today, which makes me join the celebrations in honour of science.
:D

#209 - Yay! Booksloth, glad to see you are feeling well enough to get back on the laptop and that all still seems to be going well with your recovery.

#225 - Hi annie, welcome to the green dragon. Nice to meet a new member. Good luck with the car.

#227 - Glad you are feeling better hun.

I am happy because a relative with older children has given us a Hop and Pop seat for Joseph. For one whole hour he was happy to sit in in and bounce up and down while playing with the panel of toys and lights.

It meant a whole hour of doing things without interuption and a baby who was still happy at the end of it.

That seat is a miracle worker.

*waves at annie*

Jody, that seat sounds wonderful. Don't you love hand me downs?

I woke up this morning with another migraine. Fortunately, my meds did their job and I have an appointment with the accupuncturist for Saturday.

>225 anniebairre: Welcome, Annie! Pull up a seat, have a plate of cheese, and watch out for the roombas . . .

I'm happy that it's almost friday because that means that Saturday I get to sleep :)..And I'm unhappy because my Lupus is starting to act up :(

*Big hug to anyone out there feeling icky*

It's official--we've been swined. Doctor diagnosed him with H1N1, based on the nose swab and the fact there is no other flu going around now.

#232 Hugs. Autoimmune stuff stinks.

#214 Well, I ended up going alone to HIS robotics club. "It's the parents' meeting Mom! You HAVE to go!!!! You HAVE to be there!!!!" In other words, I had to go to find out how much this is gonna cost me. (There had better be some serious fundraising.)

#225 Hi Annie!

#225 Welcome Annie! Don't mind the nuttiness, that's just us. The roombas, on the other hand ... are something else again.

Sorry to hear about that, Rita. Thanks for the car wishes, Jody! My luck with cars is really of mythically bad proportions. C'est la vie.

Thanks everybody for the warm welcome! Roombas?

Don't ask, annie. They'll tell you. At length.

There are nicer things - like water buffalo and cheese and mojitos!

Not forgetting the pool! the bar the library- all sorts of wonderful places just avoid the .... (someone will tell you!)

I haven't been on this thread for a couple of days and so much has happened! Congratulations to all with wonderful news to share, warm hello to Annie *waves* and hugs and positive vibes for those with sad news to share.

I'm moving house tomorrow which is very exciting, but I may be offline for a couple of days until my broadband is sorted.

The pool, annie. The pool. Complete with luscious pool boys. Of course.

Did somebody call for a mojito?

I just saw a white-tailed eagle outside my kitchen window! Very happy, a truly majestic sight. I'll probably live off the energy until lunch :D

It's the first time ever I saw one except on TV but my bird book listing all birds native to Sweden confirmed the classification. It's our largest bird, 2,2 metre wingspan (over 7 feet).

The only thing that irks me is my husband is meticulous with putting things away where HE thinks they belong, which meant the camera was locked into a cabinet, and the key had been put away. No wonder he doesn't take many photos ;-)
Anyway, when I had the camera in my hand the eagle was out of sight.

Booksloth, great to see you back and best wishes for a speedy recovery to you and all the others here suffering with health related issues.

Wow, that mojito looks wonderful!!

Welcome to annie1378! I just took a quick look at your profile and noted you joined LT back in July, which sound like just about the right amountof time to have listed all your books. It's great that you now have time to join in the chat!

And thank you so much to Cheese, Jody and imager (and anyone else I've missed). Every 'congratulations' or 'best wishes' I get makes me feel even better. It's going to be a while before we can tell how much improvement there is but the main thing is that the op didn't make things any worse, which can often happen with spinal surgery. Most of my day right now is taken up with exercises and walking (I have to go a little further each day, which means that eventually I'll be circumnavigating the world, so I'll give you all a wave as I pass) but I'm gradually getting back to LT as well and it's good to be back. I've also been very naughty and bought a whole pile of books, mainly out of boredom, just when I'd planned to use the recovery period to whittle down Mount TBR. Oops.

Oddly enough, I've only just discovered this particular thread and it's really nice to hear other people's happy/unhappy stories. My heart goes out to all the 'unhappies'. i do hope everyone will check back in to let us know when their problems are solved. Love to everyone.

#241 Wow! That's amazing. Now I'll have to keep an eye open for the resident yellow-billed kite in our suburb.

Happy/anxious - I'm leaving to go to University tomorrow!!! My whole family is coming with me to get me settled into my accommodation -Sister roadtrip for the win! We've gotta pack all my stuff (which there is quite a lot of) in a renault clio and a ford Ka - See the difficulty yet? :P Hopefully we'll get everything into the cars or we'll have to strap some bits to the roof maybe. It's gonna be soo wierd to be living for big chunks of time away from home- once again I won't be around family and friends for my birthday on the 7th october (last year i was in france).

Unhappy; I may not be able to get my laptop connected to the uni network straight away so i could be MIA for a day or so. What will i do without LT and facebook? :O lol

Major Unhappy: I may have to stop coming on here as frequently as I do now if it will affect my work :( My dad's threatened to block the website on my laptop if i go on the internet when i should be working.

LadyV - free internet access at the local (town) library- upstairs; book in twenty minute sessions; it is possible (if no one else wants to use a terminal) to have longer access!

Good luck LadyV! I'm sure you'll love every second. Spare a thought for your poor mum and dad - I spent the whole journey back after taking my daughter to uni in floods of tears - but have a great time. I'm sure you'll soon be far too busy to bother about LT (and I don't mean only with work). Just drop in and say hi when you can. The next few years will be ones you will never forget and very probably will be some of the happiest of your life so make the most of it - I'm really excited for you!

Ah thanks for that Calm i shall keep that in mind although I reckon my parents would notice if i slunk off to the library on saturday while we're unpacking :P Hopefully I can get it sorted once i get there if I don't manage to configure my browser to let the network work beforehand.

Good luck LadyV! My fiance's brother is also heading off to uni this weekend. It's absolutely a wonderful experience and definitely don't let it pass you by because of the internet! A friend of mine didn't get hers for a month after move in and she said it was the best thing that had happened because with nothing to do, she made tons of friends. My advice is to take advantage of everything in the first few weeks. You never know who could end up your best friend.

Have a blast, LadyV! littlebookworm is right--we went on vacation last weekend with college friends. We all graduated over 30 years ago.

Very sad today- an older friend of mine (older in age, and I've know him for over 15 years) unexpectedly suffered a massive stroke Monday. Today the doctors have said that he will never recover brain function on his own. Now the family (whom I'm also close with) must decide what to do about life support.

It's been so fast, and I never got to tell him I loved him one last time.

#251 That's so very sad and I feel for you and your friend's family. Please believe, though, that actions really do speak louder than words and if you were a good friend to him he undoubtedly knew you loved him. There's never a right time to say all the things we want to say but love has a way of making itself known. Virtual hugs winging their way to you.

(((((MissWoodhouse)))))

Strength to you, and your friend's family.

hugs to you MissWoodhouse...and if it makes sense to you it is possible to go see him and tell him what you want to say. Who's to say, for sure, he would not hear you at some level. Nonetheless, you may feel more complete.

Thanks guys. I'm trying to remember that he knew I loved him- it's just hard to get my mind around right now. I'd go see him, but I know it would just hurt worse to have my last memory be of him in a coma. I'm praying for a miracle right now.

(((hugs)))
I'm sure he knew how much he was loved by you and others. Here's strength and a prayer, sent over to you....

vintage_books

I'm so sorry, MissWoodhouse. We went through the same thing with my father-in-law, and even the doctors encouraged us to sit and talk with him as much as we wanted, that it couldn't possibly hurt, and he may in fact have been able to hear us after all. My heart is with you.

Hugs, MissWoodhouse. I'll keep you and your friend in my thoughts.

I'm holding you in my heart, Emma.

Hugs and prayers MissWoodhouse.

*hugs for MissWoodhouse* I'll keep you and your friend's family in my thoughts.

*hugz for MissWoodhouse*

I know what you mean about not wanting to see him in a coma, when my best friend had his accident it took me 3 days to go see him coz I was so scared by what everyone had told me he looked like, took for his mum to call & tell me that he would want me there for me to get up the courage to go see him (& i got annother friend to drive me coz I knew I'd be in no state to drive home). We were lucky enough that Marky only lost the use of his legs as the doctors had told us they didnt think he'd wake up either - here's hoping they're wrong about your friend too!

& Busifer I'm jelous! Biggest birds I've ever seen (apart from in zoos) are probably ravens or tawny frogmouth owls, not sure which is bigger but either way not even close to as impressive as an eagle! I too wish you could have got to the camera in time, lets hope this is the first of many visits it makes to your area!

Oh & my happy for the day is that I visited my kittens this afternoon :)

Lots of hugs to MissWoodhouse and to her friend and his family. It's a terrible thing.

Miss Woodhouse, my thoughts are with you, your friend and his family.

Good luck with settling in at university, LadyV! You'll have a wonderful time.

Thank you all so much for your kind words and support. My friend passed on two hours ago with his family and close friends by his side and a CD playing of him singing a solo with his men's choir.

"...the life that I live is the song that I sing. Let it be real, each note that I play, every moment of every day..."

Deepest sympathy, Miss Woodhouse, for you and his family.

Oh Misswoodhouse! I dont know what to say except my thoughts are with you!

I sorrow with you.

sending you my warm *hugs* and sympathy, MissWoodhouse1816. The quote from the song is so appropriate.

I am so sorry for your loss MissWoodhouse.

Hugs and prayers MissWoodhouse. I'm sorry for your loss.

Forgot to add my happy: My son has been fever-free today. The swine flu is leaving!

My happy: a friend suggested I try acidophilus as a way to combat yeast problems. Wow! it works, it really works, it's like a miracle. Wish I'd known this sooner (like, years ago).

MissWoodhouse, I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your friend but grateful to know that he went so peacefully and surrounded by love. My thoughts are with you.

#123
Those are some seriously adorable pictures, scaifea!!!

#143
Nice car, lunacat! Congratulations!

#170
Ohh his voice is soooo dreamy, isn't it? :) I'm glad your commute is much more the better for it. I've never been much into audiobooks, but I've considered buying all of Neil's works in audio form just for the pleasure of having him read them to me! :D I also loved your description of your cats, it put a smile on my face.

#186
My sentiments exactly. Well, sort of -- without the specific descriptions. ;P I've never understood the appeal of pleasure cruises, or guided tours for that matter.

#251
I'm so sorry! :( But don't fret, I'm guessing he already knew you loved him. *big hugs* Booksloth said it better than me.

*sends a round of hugs to everyone plus encouragement for those who need it*

===

Ok, so I've been kind of absent for the last few days, for various medical reasons and work and stuff.

Long story still kinda long: I'd been having a constant headache for about a week, constant as in it never let up until I called my doctor and he prescribed some strong migraine meds.

But this wasn't the usual migraine headache that I get from time to time (especially when I neglect to drink my caffeine in the morning and get a whopper of a throbbing headache in the evening.) This was different.

Plus I got scared because I've been smelling smoke at random times for a couple of weeks. Sometimes it's cigarrette smoke, sometimes it's like someone was burning paper. And I know it could have a pretty logical explanation, but I've also read that smelling smoke could be a sign of neurological damage.

So I mentioned it to my doctor, and he ordered me a brain scan, because the smoke thing PLUS the headaches, well, he wants to rule that possibility out. I had the scan yesterday morning and tomorrow afternoon I'm getting the results.

And I'm terrified right now. :(

#265 - so sorry to hear that news MissWoodhouse, my thoughts are with you and your friends family.

#275 - lots of hugs Delirium, that does sound very scary, waiting for those results. I hope they come back with good news.

#265 - Hugs. Condolences.

#275 - I know THAT feeling... My happy/unhappy right now is much the same - lung x-rays showed nothing, now I'm waiting for the blood tests to tell something useful but not bad.
I don't know what would be worst. I'm starting my 3rd week of getting dizzy as soon as I try to do anything that requires some energy and focus and I want to be cured, NOW. If the tests shows nothing I don't know what to do. But on the other hand they could... I'm trying hard not to borrow trouble from the future but it's hard not to project some not so happy outcomes.

Holding my thumbs for your scans to come out all right.

Some sad and scary messages right now. MissWoodhouse, I'm so very sorry to hear your news. I do believe that this is probably preferable to the alternative of your poor friend hanging around for weeks or months and all the pain that goes with that for his family and friends but that is of little consolation to any of you right now. It's a lucky person who reaches the end of their life surrounded by so much love. My thoughts are very much with you all.

And Delerium, with you too. I've been where you are now on a few occasions and it is scary. All my scares turned out to be false alarms and I'm sure yours will too (going by the statistics, at least) but I know your mind won't be at rest until you know for sure. Very best wishes for a good result.

And Busifer too! I know exactly what you mean. You want to know what is wrong and that means a positive result to something along the way, but the things they test for are scary. Lots of things are treatable or curable so my fingers are firmly crossed that they come up with one of those for you. I haven't followed any other posts about your illness - and, let's face it, I'm not a doctor anyway! - but what you say about dizziness makes me wonder if they have tested you for Meniere's? Or middle ear problems? Like Delerium, you have a tough time ahead but I'm sure everyone here is hoping for a good outcome for you. Good luck!

(((((Delirium)))))

From this distance all I can do is wish you strength, and that the results are reassuring. But yes I'd be scared too.

#278 - I have done no tests that includes the ears, so... my answer is no, I think. I hadn't thought of the possibility, but I do have some minor problems with what could be tinnitus so I'll ask my doctor when he calls with the test results.

My dizziness is more that of a fever. I've had a virus on my balance nerve once, and that was a in a whole another league as dizziness goes. I walked around feeling drunk, so I didn't. I couldn't even focus on reading. But it never hurts asking.

I guess you could look on it as a cheap way of being drunk but that's probably not much help to you. It sounds horrible - good luck with those tests.

I am hoping all of my friends here who are experiencing these somewhat worrisome symptoms gain the information they need to become 100% healthy, happy, and comfortable as soon as possible. Not know what is going on is just as bad as being really sick, maybe even worse. So, I am holding my thumbs for you all.

My happy today is that I have a week off from being the Nanny and I can get caught up on household chores and hobbies but, truth be told, I will miss the money. But I'll focus on the good stuff! Free time, woo hoo!

edit for spelling correction

delerium and busifer - I hope your doctors soon find out what is going on and that it is minor and easily treated. It is so scary to not know what is going on and the waiting must be just terrible. I will be thinking of you both.

My unhappy is not anywhere near as unhappy as some of the other messages but I need to grouch about it.

Someone has given out my mobile telephone number to someone else who I didn't want to have it. I am now being harrassed on both the landline and the mobile and will now I have to have a very unpleasant conversation with more than one person to try to make this stop.

I might have to change my mobile number. I've had it three years and managed to keep it private and now I am really annoyed.

That is unbelievably rude and inconsiderate (and it wasn't me -honest!) I would go unlisted like a shot if I didn't share a phone (I'm talking landlines now) with a husband who thinks he should be constantly available to the rest of the world 24 hours a day. I, on the other hand, completely agree with Stephen Fry who considers a ringing phone to be no different from a spoilt child yelling "Speak to me now! Speak to me now!" until it gets its own way.

MissWoodhouse, my sympathy. It's always sad to lose a friend. Hugs to you and also to delerium and busifer. Hope they find something easy to fix (even if it is scary - I always think it's better to know and be able to do something about it).

At the moment I'm just in a general good mood. I got a reasonable amount of stuff done in the house and garden on the weekend and today is awards night for the Hort Society. I'm not getting an award, but it's always a treat to see the slideshow of winning gardens. Also, I found out today that our anal, perfectionist, obstructionist, NIMBY neighbours have bought property in another province and will be moving in a couple of years. On one hand this is bad because I quite like her and they do keep their property to a high standard and I'm sure their small house will be torn down and replaced with a stupidly huge one. On the other hand, he's cranky, they both hate all change in the neighbourhood and fight it to the point of irrationality - would be nice to have someone with a more positive, constructive view of life. And kids. Would be nice to have more small kids in the neighbourhood.

I'm VERY happy right now cos I've got my internet working!!!! I'm at Uni all settled into my snazzy seafront flat with 2 great housemates and one slightly off-kilter one (we didn't realise he'd been there since friday and was asleep all day saturday so when i stumbled upon him in the corridor at midnight i was somewhat concerned...) But now we actually know who he is it's ok- he's greek and his english isn't fantastic but not awful at least.
My minor unhappy is that i'm pretty shattered - it's really hard to get to sleep when people in the flats above and around are being rather noisy until 2am and when you have to be in a meeting on campus at 9am and you live 1 and half miles away at the bottom of a fairly steep hill then oversleeping is never very fun.

It's taken me ages to write this cos i ran out my room when i heard my housemate open her door and I've had a cup of tea in the meantime lol.

#285 - no I know it wasn't you. I have strong suspicions about who it was but I don't want to point fingers until I am sure. I hadn't heard the Stephen Fry quote before but he's right.

And I would be quite happy to keep my number unlisted too. With Joseph's night-time troubles I've had to go back to taking quick naps when he does in the day and I can guarentee that someone will call me every single time.

Jody, can you turn the ringer off? I have land line phones that we can do that with, which is quite handy when my housemate needs to be in bed so she can get to class early and I have people who call me at midnight--the phone she has has a "night" setting so it doesn't ring.

My theory on the phone is that I pay for it, so it's for MY convenience, not the convenience of people who call me up. It also helps to be on the "no call" list so I don't get solicitations any longer. And, of course, I'm a complete convert to caller ID.

Best hopes and thumb-holding for all the medical concerns. Please be well, everyone!

*edited to add: my happy for today is that I got paid. Any little check is welcome!

Jody - Turn the phone off. It's O.K. to not be available 24/7, so long as you're there for Joseph.

Delirium, I really hope that isn't what the doctor thought it could be! I've been smelling smoke, cigarette mostly, for several years now. I don't as a rule have terrible headaches, but I notice the smoke smell mostly during allergies or the onset of a cold. I've always chalked it up to sinus issues. I can't drink coffee when it is occurring, because that makes is seem like I'm licking out an ashtray. It isn't pleasant at all!

Thanks so much all for the kind words. I'm starting to feel at peace with how everything happened, so the hugs and prayers must be helping.

JRE, I agree with what everyone has said. Turn off the phone, block the calls, screen your callers, and find an ignore button (currently my favourite button on my phone)!

LadyVi, I hope you have a blast at university. I'm glad to be halfway gone, but that's more my specific university, not the overall experience. And take it from me- invest in a good pair of noise blocking headphones and a portable music device NOW! You won't regret it.

Delirium and Buisfer, my thoughts and hopes for peace and good news are with you both. Keep us posted when you can.

I'm happy because I'm getting a free lunch today, as a celebration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. I'm not a huge supporter of the Chinese government, but I'll get some networking.

At University a professor told our class that as students we should never turn down free food even if we had to listen to a (boring) lecture in order to get it! I still practice that tho have been out of University for 20+ years-sometimes you even learn something interesting! 8^)

Hugs for Emma, Delirium, and Busifer.

My unhappy - I think everyone in my house - husband and all 3 kids - have the flu. The actual influenza kind, not the stomach bug. Lots of achy, exhausted, coughing, miserable folks around here. So far, I am tired, but mostly from putting up with sick (um, whiny?) people! And tomorrow they're coming in to replace our kitchen floor. I don't want to reschedule, as we've already moved the fridge into the living room and the house is a disaster! But I need to get these folks to the doctor too! I think I'll just call the dr. in the morning anyhow. My husband is not too sick to drive, and then I'll go fill any prescriptions while he's home with the installers.

I am already planning on a major stress reliever after this is over, but I have to get through it first!

*huggles all who need them* Delirium, Busifer, I hope you both get good news soon.

Jody, I'm sorry to hear about your phone troubles. :(

Cmbohn, may your family feel better soon.

Emma, sweetie, I'm glad to hear you're getting to be at peace and you and your friend's family and all are in my thoughts. *hugs*

My unhappy is that my aunt (by marriage) has been diagnosed with cancer. She's currently in hospital. And my uncle (by another marriage) has had... I'm not sure what, but I'm told he's on the mend now. Not a fun way to settle down to a cup of cocoa amongst the parental units.

My happy is that I'm now allowed to tutor someone one-on-one for my work alongside what I normally do. I've always loved the tutoring most, so... I'm also considering signing up for an online TEFL course. I think it'd be a good idea. ^-^ Still in the planning/discovering stages, though.

Hugs to MissWoodhouse, Busifer, and Delirum. I'll be thinking of you.

Hugs to everyone who needs them.

General icky tireds today, for both son and myself. He's back in school and we had the lovely annual this is what we're estimating your health insurance will cost next year meeting. Be prepared to have even less disposable income for the same pathetic coverage.

Two days ago this would had been an "unhappy" - the doctor called with my test results and apparently I'm unusually healthy; some of the tests were not only OK but stunning... But as I feel the trend has changed for something better and I'm on the mend that is fine - now I at least know there's no horrors lurking.

The theory now is the non-aggressive inflammation in my lower back steals energy from my immune system, so fighting that is next on the list.

In one sentence - I feel good!
Thanks for all the support. It isn't over yet, but it sure looks better. And I'm holding my thumbs...

Delirium, what about you? Got your results yet; do you feel better?

Congratulations, Busifer!

After a particularly nasty migraine let up, I kept walking around exclaiming about how good I felt. Hope you do the same.

That's great news Busifer!

I notice we've had a couple of people with migraines. Have you tried (or is there a US equivalent of Rizatriptan - aka Maxalt Melts)? I know it won't work for everyone but it's like a miracle for me 99.9% of the time (available on prescription only in the UK).

I have meds but don't like to take them because they're so expensive (about $20 US a pop). But putting off taking them reduces their effectiveness.

I find acupuncture to be very effective in preventing migraines, but it's not for everyone.

My white blood count is down to 11.7k! Normal is 3 to 11k and I was as high as 34k. Yay!

hi do you like the book diary of a wimpy kid.

Glad to hear you're getting better, Morphy!

Congratulations Busifer! And welcome back Morphy!!

I HAVE A DRIVEWAY!!!
*woohoo*
*happy dances*
It got laid yesterday which means I might actually be able to start moving in next week! Or the week after at the latest! They still haven’t done the final coat on the floors but the builder said he’ll call today & see if they can get it done this week, if they can then it'll dry over the wknd & I can start moving next week…
OMG sooo excited – can you tell??? :):):):)

Jody, about your cell phone troubles - add the number you don't want to answer as a contact (under the name of "idiot" or "ignore" perhaps?) and give it a personal ring tone of silent. Then you'll never hear it ring when that person calls.

I figured it out when I was getting calls on my cell at random times from someone I didn't know who would then hang up (so I couldn't tell them to shove it). Doesn't help with the landline, unfortunately.

307 - If you do that, make sure they don't ring you when they (or their best friends) can see your phone.

Wonderful news from Morphidae and Seanie! Congratulations to you both. Progress is a wonderful thing.

I am unhappy because I can't make my computer do all the things I think it is supposed to do like give me back documents that I've saved. Can't find a spread sheet I did for love nor money. I'll find it tomorrow I suppose. Time to take a good book and go to bed.

OK I got a bit ahead of myself there, maybe I mis-heard the builder or maybe he likes to string me along - grr... Anyhoo, next week wont happen, the builders wont give the keys to the vendor until their work is finished, landscaping & all, he said his contract with the vendor says they must be finished by 10/10, so that means hopefully I can start moving in that wknd & then be ready to get kittens & move myself & them in from 14/10... Still excited that I have a driveway tho...

14/10 is a great day. One of the best days of the year actually.

#306 That'll teach me not to skim. For a moment there I thought your post said "I got laid yesterday". And I could see why that would make you happy. Congrats on the drive, anyway.

Slight unhappy this morning: I'm pretty sure I've got "Fresher's Flu" had a sore throat and was sneezing a bit yesterday and now it's a full-blown snot fest - fabulous :(
Also was not too impressed by the fact that there was a fire drill for our residence at 7:30AM!!! luckily me and my flatmates were sensible and placed shoes and a hoodie where we could easily grab them before we ran outside, there were some silly buggers standing out on the promenade with shorts and bare feet.

Minor Happy: i don't have a headache from last night when i got more drunk than i've ever been before but it was pretty darn good fun so it's all good :)

Cripes i sound like *such* a student :P

Happy: My library is open again!!!!!!!!! They shut it down in December for repairs, and I've missed it so much. Love what they've done with the place too.

Little Unhappy: My grades in one class keep dropping every week despite the fact that I'm working harder and harder on it. The teacher also disagreed with ONE word that I used, which I find to be rather petty. I thought that a certain situation coerced someone into making a certain choice, and I said so with the caveat that the person did have the option of walking away. I just thought that coerced was a better word than manipulated, which implies passiveness on the part of the person being manipulated. Since the whole purpose was to talk about free will and moral responsibility, I really don't see the problem with using the word coerced. Humph.

A huge thanks to everyone for your concern, you're all so very kind. *hugs*

I still don't know about my test results. :S They weren't ready, and I have to wait until tomorrow to pick them up, because today all private and public offices are closed due to a former president passing away on Monday (may he rest in peace.) He was the first president to take office after the first officially democratic elections in 21 years of military dictatorship (1968-1989 -the year of Operation Just Cause, if anybody remembers that.) So he was very dear to all of us Panamanians, he fought fiercely for democracy.

Anyway, I've been feeling a bit better. Headaches are coming and going now, instead of being just there like a nasty beast. Also less intense. I'm still worried, but I'm trying not to think too much about those results. Whatever may come...

#298
I'm so glad, Busifer!!! No, I still haven't gotten my results (see above.) :S *crossing fingers*

#300
Thanks for the tip. I haven't heard about that drug. I'll ask my doc about it. He prescribed me a pill that contains ergotamine, which seems to be doing its job. Although I'd prefer something that would just get rid of these migraines forever. :(

#302
That's good to hear, Morphy!

#306
YAY!!!! WOOHOOO!!! *does happy dance for you* ;D

#312
Bwhahaha! I read the same thing. But the happy dance was for the driveway, I swear. ;P

I'm a little nervous and worried. I had some blood work done just for an annual checkup and one of the tests did not look good. I'm going back tomorrow for more tests and a more thorough physical. I'm hoping and praying that all will be okay.

Just as I was editing my post, yours appeared, Georgia. I will be holding you in my thoughts tomorrow. *hugs*

Hoping everyones test come out well!

GN> I got a job! Yay! Starts Monday!

LOL @ #312 & #315!

I'm a bit sad right now, just found out that a girl I work with killed herself last night :( We weren't close or anything, but she did like to talk cats with me & she seemed like such a bright & bubbly person & its kinda scary to find out that it was a front to hide whatever she was going through :( We dont know any details yet, not sure that I really want details, but there are alot of people at work today who were close to her that are having a very hard time. It brings up alot of questions, she worked in the customer support team looking after customers who were struggling either financially or otherwise, I cant imagine how her manager must be feeling right now, wondering if they missed something or if they dont have enough support processes in place for that kind of job. Tis a sad day :(

Oh, Seanie, that's terrible. I can only imagine what her family must be feeling.

Oh how sad! Hugs for you, your co-workers and her family and friends!

Ouch, that's really sad, Seanie. :( *hugs*

Hugs and prayers Seanie.

And you too GeorgiaDawn. I've had way too many of those follow-up tests this year.

Seanie, I know that situation is always difficult to deal with. Peace and strength to you! *many hugs*

GD, I hope that everything turns out to be just fine. Keeping you in my prayers!

Delirium, I'm still holding my thumbs for you over here.... :)

pollysmith, how exciting! What kind of a job?

Oh yes, I forgot this earlier:

YAY MORPHY!!!!!! Glad to hear the good news.

Oh, my job will be in the infant room of a nearby daycare, but I will also be moving around to other rooms for breaks and such!

Seanie... *huggles*

And you Georgia... *huggles*

And everyone else of course... *huggles*

To everyone with good news: Yay!

(This... has got to be one of the most pathetic posts ever in the history of the happy/unhappy thread, but there you go.

Yesterday I went to uni and managed to lose an entire hour. Without missing any stops or having any major delays or anything. Consequently, I was late and decided to just go on back home. That's a four hour train journey for no reason. Then there was a small group of (teenaged) guys in my compartment who would not shut up. You'd think when they're spitting at one another the teacher supervising them would say something, but noooo...

Sorry... Venting. It's not much in comparison to what everyone else posting lately has been going through, but...

No news on my aunt yet, as far as anyone's told me.)

#326: Then there was a small group of (teenaged) guys in my compartment who would not shut up. You'd think when they're spitting at one another the teacher supervising them would say something, but noooo...

There is one thing I suggested many, many times (but nobody is listening to me): Prophylactic sedation before they are allowed to enter any kind of transport vehicle (that includes 17 hours flights) where other passengers do not have a chance to escape.

*sigh* 27 and already on my way to become a first class curmudgeon...

Great curmudgeons are born, not made.

#327, it's not like I couldn't have moved to a different compartment, but it's the principle of the thing. Have some respect for your fellow-travellers. (Alas, would that aging cured all, but it doesn't.)

Unhappy and happy: tried to go to work yesterday but had to go home when the Fever Monster attacked. Started this morning too with a fever, so I called the doctor, in desperation.
This time I got tested for what wasn't tested for originally, and it turned out I have streptococci. Doctor thinks this is what has caused the fever so hopefully the antibiotics will work this time.

I hope you're back on your feet soon, Busifer.

Thanks. If this diagnosis is correct I expect to be. I really REALLY long to feel well, and to be able to go to work and stay there.

I can understand you are sick of being sick. I hope this is the answer.

Oh, Busifer... *huggles* I hope this is the answer and that you'll be feeling well again soon!

On a more positive note we had clear skies yesterday night and I managed to positively identify the star Capella.

Some might think it weird that a person like me, who loves the thought of going to space and all, is quite bad at what's visible in the sky (with the exception of the most common constellations) but I tried astronomy in my early teens and got very frustrated by the terminology - I had not enough foundation in physics to actually understand - and gave up totally on it.
Anyway, with the nifty iPhone app named Star Walk I'm about to change this ;-)

Got lots of visual pollution around here so not much is visible, though :(

But anyway, anyone who've read Tripoint understand why I think it cool that Capella is one of the most prominent stars of the north sky at night ;-)

Hee! That sounds fun! And it doesn't sound weird to me at all, if that helps. ^-^

Some good news of my own: my aunt's cancer isn't life threatening or anything. It'll be rough going even so, of course, but that's already a relief.

That must be such a relief!
Rough going is so much better than knowing it will be a fast race downhill.

I might have to get a fancy-schmancy phone just to get Star Walk. It sounds wonderful. I love star-gazing.

Shanra: So happy to hear your good news. I hope the months ahead go quickly, without too much down-time.

It is! As long as the rough going remains going upwards, I'm sure everyone'll manage.

Shanra--glad you hear your aunt's good news. Although rough going is pretty rough. Prayers.

gah! My mother-in-law, of whom I am very fond, was asking me the other day if I liked opera because she wanted someone to go to operas with her. I said no, but that I liked Gilbert and Sullivan. Ah, she said, they're doing Pirates of Penzance! Would you like to go to that? Phone me with the dates, I said, because if I'm available I'd love to go. So today she phones - she BOUGHT the tickets already, and the date is in February, the day before my mum's 80th birthday so I won't even be in town. MIL doesn't want to go herself because she only likes REAL opera, preferably in Italian (her native tongue), but she bought 2 tickets thinking my husband would like to go with me. Husband does not want to go. Younger son does not want to go. Older son might go, but doesn't want to go alone. Maybe he can find someone by February. Sigh. She's so kind and she really wants to give us treats, but I wish she'd checked first.

I'll go!

Finally decided that I am depressed. This is probably not a shocker to anyone here who's kept up with my situation at home (2 daughters both in treatment for depression, one who has been hospitalized twice in two years, FIL died this year, financial troubles, etc). Why it took me so long to figure it out, I'm sure I don't know! I found myself driving alone for an hour or so just because I didn't want to be at home and couldn't think of anywhere I *DID* want to be.

And this is silly, but I'm back on my diet and serious about it, and I think being hungry is making me depressed too. I have lost all the weight I gained this year, which is really good, but I'm crabbier than usual.

Honestly, I am a super-nice mom. At least, I try to be. I try to be understanding and bite my tongue when my kids are being mopey or sorry for themselves. I try to cheer them up, sit and listen to them for hours, do fun things with them, take them to the library or for a soda. And for the past 2 weeks I have been taking care of lots of sick people and haven't had any work until today.

I've decided I'm going to exercise every day and meditate and read my scriptures every day too. If that doesn't work, I'm going to have to decide to either go to the dr. or find another therapist. I think my depression is in reaction to the situation, not like my daughters' is, if that makes sense. But since the situation is not likely to change suddenly, I need to figure out a better way to cope. I was using food to cope, but since I'm on this diet, I can't do that anymore.

Phooey! Hugs for everyone, I think we ALL need them.

Hugs, my dear. It isn't easy.

Exercise will help. So will good eating, if you aren't too hard on yourself. Don't beat yourself up when you slip - just start again with each new day.

There's a verse from Lamentations that I love. (Paraphrased) The mercies of the Lord never cease; they are new every morning. (italics mine.)

Take a good look at your counseling situation. If your counselor isn't helping, maybe a change is in order. Mine saved my life, but not everyone is so lucky the first time.

Tardis, I'm sorry to hear your MiL didn't/doesn't check such dates with you before buying (expensive?) treats. :( Maybe, very maybe, this will teach her to ask before she buys? (Although, of course, there may have been so few tickets left she went "Aah! If I don't buy them now, they'll be gone!" or something.) Still, I hope you'll find a use for the tickets!

*hugs Cmbohn* I agree with Mary, if your current counseling situation isn't helping/working, it may be time to find something/one else.

You make perfect sense, me dear. I think anyone would be affected by what you're going through. Is there any way at all you can take a (short) vacation and leave your family to fend for themselves? That might help a little in the short term, give you some room to breathe in and focus on you for a bit. Doesn't have to be far away or expensive, as long as it can be all about you.

>342 cmbohn:

I think it's a failure of the English language that we have the same word to describe two different things that are only superficially similar: we use depression to describe both the (logical) reaction to bad things happening to us and for the clinical problem created by biochemical imbalances.

I once had a doctor offer me antidepressants when I said I was depressed about losing a job. No, I said, I should be depressed about this, but I'll get over it. But I'd never suggest that anyone with clinical depression will get over it with time or a change in circumstances--I don't think it works that way.

Anyway, hugs. I hope things get easier soon.

#345 - Excellent observations!

unhappy and rather angry here. My mother in law doesn't like me. I know this and have accepted it, and until now was able to deal with this fact.

But last weekend she told my partner that if she ever won the lotto that she would pay him to dump me! When he told me what she said I was a little more than upset and I told him so.
He didn;t seem to understand why.

Also apparently the social services being called is my fault and the house being so messy is my fault too!

(well it was messy its not anymore)

Someone (not you) needs to explain to your MIL it is not her business who her son is with and having a family of his own. And then someone else (not you) needs to explain to him that he is capable of keeping his mouth shut, too. He has no business carrying these tales to you. You do not deserve to be treated like a used car!

OK, that's just my opinion.

*hugs Rune*

That's about all I've got. I'm so sorry, hon, that's awful.

hugs, Rune. You don't deserve this. Mom needs to back off, and your man needs to treat you with respect.

Hugs, Rune.

What Maggie and MM said.

*huggles Rune* What Maggie and Mary said. You don't deserve being treated like that!

#347 I tried for years to get on with my MIL. Nothing I did worked. It's almost certainly not about you. Some women just believe there cannot be another woman on the planet good enough for their son. I hope you have family, or at least friends, of your own whom you can rely on for emotional support. There comes a time when you just have to give up. Let your husband visit her alone - you don't need to be somewhere you're not welcome - and cut her loose. And for your husband to tell you that story without realising how much it would hurt sounds a little as if he's rather enjoying being fought over. Tell him you are not interested in hearing any more of her nasty comments. Well done for explaining your feelings to him, now you also need to explain that you won't be visiting his mother any more and why. If there's anything she needs (and there will be, as she gets older, if not now) she's his responsibility, not yours. Once he begins to see her as a burden rather than a source of amusing bitchiness, he may well begin to understand why you have a problem with her. He married you - if it ever comes to a choice he will pick you (or, if he didn't, you'd be well rid of him) - she knows that and that's the bug up her butt.

Edited for typos

I believe Booksloth's comments are right on the mark. Please remember as a mom you must take good care of yourself so you can give your kids the care and love they deserve.

Happy thought: wouldn't it be great if one had infinite funds and could arrange a GD get-together here, at an Italian town with the wonderful(?) name of Bra?

Hugs for Rune. I am blessed to have a great MIL, but I have heard some stories! Hang in there. I think Booksloth is right. Let your partner deal with her. You don't deserve to put up with her stuff.

I have taken your advice here, and booked a hair appointment on Tuesday, which I'm planning on following with a massage. My husband has noticed that my mood is rather down, but I just can't bring myself to talk about it right now. Maybe when he's all well. Thanks to everyone for listening here.

Lots of hugs to Rune. I have a dreadful MiL who says many hurtful things, so I sympathise.

It's not that we can't be in the same room as each other but when we are I just don't have anything to say to her anymore, she's gone too far recently and caused too much pain and distress.

I think what Booksloth has suggested to you is perfectly right and acceptable.

Of course it's not your fault that someone called social services (was it her?) or that your house is messy. It's supposed to be messy, you have a young family.

We were very worried when our Health Vistor came out for the first time. I was only just really feeling able to get dressed every day again but the house was just a mess of washing and ironing and the never-ending bottles to wash, sterilise and make up again) and almost nothing else was getting done.

We thought she would take one look at the ironing pile and have Joseph straight into care but when we told her this she said nearly everyone's house was like that when the baby was new (and not so new) and that untidy doesn't mean dirty or unsafe. She said the baby was clean, changed and cared for and that was the main thing, the housework could wait until we were more settled.

I'm sure yours would have said the same thing to you but I am very sorry you've had so much to put up with and that your MiL is so awful and unhelpful.

I don't post here much, but I do read the posts. I want to send hugs and prayers for all who need them. Life is sometimes difficult and cruel; other times it is beautiful and miraculous This is a wonderful place to talk about things we may not feel comfortable sharing in person, whether those be good or not so good things. We are indeed blessed to have such a place.

#355 - LOL, I love the last photo there on that page. :)

Rune - My feelings are echoing those above. It's time for your partner to draw a line of behavior for his mother and to keep her to it. You are the mother of his children, he should not let you be abused by anyone.

Blessings come strangely sometimes.

I took some flowers out to Lee after church this morning. I have a great little bench out there by his grave and I was sitting there for a bit when I heard an unearthly noise over by the river. It was a vast number of geese. I thought, "That's cool," and didn't think of it again.

But then suddenly, I heard them again. Hundreds of them flew directly over me in dozens of formations. I swear it was like an Air Force fly-over. It was spectacular.

*hugs for those who need them*

I am sorry now to lower the tone to down-right fury and hellfire but I can't help it. I am LIVID right now because *one* solitary person is ruining my experience at university by being the most filthy and unhygienic person imaginable. I have three flatmates two of which are lovely and wonderful and I love them to bits but my third flatmate is driving me to murderous thoughts after one week of living with him.
Almost every day he has had a shower and left the bathroom floor soaking wet and either me or someone has had to clean it up before we can use the shower. He uses the toilet and doesn't flush it sometimes. He's been wearing the same clothes almost everytime we see him and he stinks to high hell. He hasn't got any of his own food (we're a self-catered flat and have to provide all cooking utensils and crockery as well) and has been eating Kebab shop food every night and putting the packaging in the recycling bin where it doesn't belong.
Tonight we found the bathroom a mess again and what's worse is that there was something on the floor that you never want to see outside of a toilet and he'd just left it there for someone else to tread in. What makes me so mad is that he makes no effort to clean it up and has no apologies for the rest of us who have to walk in and find it.
Tomorrow me and my flatmate are going to report him to the accommodation reception and see if we can get him at the very least thrown out of our flat cos we cannot live like this for a year. We think he's making himself ill with all the kebabs and if he leaves that mess in communal areas then we are all going to get sick and that is going to wreck our educations through missed work.
Am I overreacting to be ready to go after him with a big stick and beat some sense of hygiene into him? I am at my wits end because without him our flat would be perfect- we are on the seafront, I have awesome flatmates who are actually clean and I'm having a great time at Uni except for this ONE GUY!!! >:(
ARRRGHH!!!!!

No, you're not being unreasonable. The young man apparently has issues that you shouldn't have to deal with - and seriously are not equipped to deal with. He needs help, but you shouldn't have that responsibility. Your focus should be on your new life and your studies.

LadyViolet, I don't think you are over-reacting at all. I remember once living in a shared housing situation and having to share a bathroom with a guy who "dribbled" on the seat of the toilet. Eww. Your situation sounds even worse and this pig has some kind of problem--what was his mother thinking to let him go off to uni without better manners than that? I sincerely hope he's gone out of your orbit as soon as possible so you can get on with having a wonderful experience, as you should.

Rune, for what it's worth, my sister has spent more than 40 years married to a man with a bitchy mother. Even so, now she's elderly and sick and my sister has to do a lot for her, taking her to doctor's appointments and shopping for her and so on. But this woman has made it clear she'd like to move in with her son and my sister, and they BOTH say, hell no! Not happening.

The one thing you'll always have is that you're younger!

I'm grumpy coz I've got a coldsore :(

I'm excited & nervous coz its just 1 week til I start moving house!!!

Yea for Seanie!

Holy moly, LadyViolet, you are totally within normal bounds to put your foot down. Your university housing people must be told they must deal with this man. He sounds to me as if he was raised in a third world country where men are "waited" by their women; and where basic sanitation we in the "western world" have learned from our earliest years was not taught to him. These are not excuses. They might be explanations (I obviously am guessing). In any case, you and your flatmates should have no responsiblity for "educating" him; and should definitely not have to live with him. Good luck. Don't pay your rent, if you can get away with it.

361 LadyViolet

Maybe you should get him a copy of Other people can smell you.

LadyViolet, just adding me two cents to the clamour that you are not overreacting. (Well, okay, killing him might be a touch far, but ye gods that sounds awful!) I really hope you won't have to deal with that/him much longer!

Have you talked to the guy about it as a group yet? I'm guessing from your post that you've discussed it with him, and, as others have said, there are no excuses for that guy's behaviour. But... I also don't want to hear you come back from the housing people unable to consciously rebuff a potential "It's your problem, you need to learn to live together" with "We've tried, he won't listen and we cannot live like this". Haven't any doubt that the housing people here would tell you to bloody well sort it amongst yourselves. (But then I don't have many nice things to say about my experiences with the housing people here, so I may be biased.)

I do hope you'll be able to be rid of him soon, though! And that your housing people aren't like ours would be. *huggles* That'd have me searching for some place else ASAP, no doubt!

Over-reacting? How is it possible to over-react to that kind of horror? Anything up to and including chopping him into tiny little bits and scattering the pieces on his parents' kitchen floor (who have to take some responsibilty, I feel, for raising such a pig), would be entirely reasonable IMO. I suppose you should be grateful that at least he does shower, though one rather wonders why he bothers when he then covers himself with layers of filthy clothes. Of course you must report him. I do agree with Shanra that it would help your case if you could tell the authorities that you have spoken to him and had no response - is it possible he genuinely doesn't realise how disgusting his behaviour is? (I rather doubt that, it sounds as if he is completely unaware that his way of living affects other people.) Good luck with the housing people; if they don't take any notice this time be prepared to keep going back with photos. If it was a bit of untidiness we were talking about they would be perfectly justified to tell you to sort it out between yourselves, but shitting on the floor is not just untidy, it is vile and exposes you and your other flatmates to all kinds of germs and illneses and no-one should be expected to live in such conditions. Do let us know how you get on.

*hugs to all those dealing with difficult situations*

cm, the taking-care-of-yourself plans sound like a good idea. And don't forget exercise, even if it's just a walk around the block. When I was dealing with depression, I found regular exercise was absoulutely essential, especially when I didn't want to do it.

I feel for you all.
#361 When I was studying I shared a kitchen with 15 other people. I could be pretty disgusting, but nothing like your situation. I hope that you can get him trown (wrong spelling?) out.

I am happy, because I have had my cat for over a week now and she is still the easiest and sweetest cat I have ever met.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2675/3983323631_0e982374d3_m.jpg

#371

*thrown

Love your cat. What's her name?

There is a possibility that the slob roommate has some emotional issues. This sounds less like "innocent slob" and more like "person with deep anger issues." That's why I said that you and your other roommates should not have to deal with him - it's very possible he needs some serious help.

trisweather: What a sweet looking kitty. She just looks mellow and loving.

{{hugs}} to all who need them (sorry I'm a bit behind and haven't read all the posts, just the last 20)

More hopeful than happy/unhappy. Will have a blood test this morning and with luck it will be good so when I see the doctor tomorrow they will remove the picc line and I can finally stop taking IV antibiotics. Hold your thumbs for me!

Good luck, Morphy!

Yes good luck Morphy, hope it all goes well.

#361 - LadyViolet I will never complain about a few socks on the floor and wet towels on the bed again, so my husband will thank you and your stinky housemate.

I do think this goes beyond slobbishness and into dirty weirdo territory. If you and your housemates don't feel able to tackle him about it together (I assume they are as disgusted with him as you are) then I agree that talking to your housing office is a good idea.

The three of you should go there together and explain just how bad he is and how badly you are all affected.

If they act right away then that's great but if not then start keeping a log of what happens and when so you have some sort of proper record and keep pushing the housing office to act. I agree with whoever said to take photo's of the worst offences too.

I also wish you good luck Morphy.

My cat's name is Mitsu

Thanks to everyone for your comments it's good to know that I'm not alone in feeling disgusted by this guy.
The worrying part about it is that he's nearly 22 and has been to university before!
We haven't spoken to him about his behaviour yet as his english is not great and we weren't sure if he would actually understand what our problem was but my other guy flatmate is apparently going to have a word with him later as he saw him in the process of messing the bathroom up this morning (i.e. door open and mentally scarring display in full view) We took some pictures of last night's horror left in the shower room and if he does it again after we've spoken to him then we will go and report him.
Cripes i hope we get this resolved soon as it's adding stress to my nerves that i really don't need this week (birthday in two days- not dropping any hints or anything :P )

On the happy front though I had my first 3 lectures today and I'm pretty happy with my module choices it looks like i'll be studying some really interesting things and my Spanish language lecturer is awesome so i think those classes will be really fun.
I need to get some laundry done now as i've been putting it off all weekend

Unhappy because the meds I'm on are giving me side effects. Hopefully it'll pass soon, but it's incredibly annoying.

Nothing happy to report...

Hope it goes well, LadyV and happy birthday if I forget in 2 days' time.

Happy: I'm now a published photographer! An editor of a Japanese publishing company contacted me in August about using one of my photos in a youth science book. I gave him my consent. Here is the page that features my work:

Congratulations! It's a striking image.

#381 - Wow Monohex, that's an incredible picture all on it's own but it looks great on that page. Is there any way you could have that made into a poster to frame and show off somewhere in your house?

Holding thumbs for Morphy, and dancing the happy dance for Monohex.

Wishing neverbaby health and comfort soon, and rejoicing that LadyV likes her classes.

Makes note of LadyViolet's birthday and mentally decides not to find a chocolate messy cake.

Congrats monohex!

#370 trisweather - Mitsu is gorgeous! I love hearing/reading happy cat owner stories, makes me even more excited about bringing my kittens home in just over a week :)

LadyViolet - I hope that your dirty housemate can learn better habits or that you dont have to live with him for much longer...

Happier today than yesterday coz the coldsore medication seems to be working, I've just got a fat lip now rather than the 5 ugly, sore weepy blisters that I had when I went to bed last night. Annoyed that the medication costs so much ($27 for the 3 pills that are one dose!), but glad that I have access to it & that it works fairly well (it wont get rid of the problem entirely, but it will make it heal quicker).

Still nervous & excited about my move, less than a week to go! My couch & fridge are getting deliverred tomorrow, so I'm looking forward to going & seeing the progress on the house, how the driveway looks & the landscaping (so far), & seeing how my kitchen will look with the fridge in & sitting on my couch for the first time :) But silly as this may sound to some people, I think I'm even more excited bout my kittens! Cant wait to get them home with me so we can all hang out & get to know eachother better :)

*sigh* Japanese textbooks are always so much cuter than the ones we used at school. Plus, they explained that so simply even I understood it, despite limited Japanese or scientific knowledge. Probably didn't help that our textbooks at school were 25 years old.

My unhappy for the week is that I've lost a lot of shifts at work (as mentioned earlier) but I see no other job opportunities opening up. I'm kind of hamstrung in that I can only take on really part-time work and there's not a lot of that going around. I'm also too old (at 25!) and out of practice to get hospitality work these days and that seems to be all that's open. There are a lot of retail places advertising for Christmas casuals but those won't start till late November and I need money now, dammit! Really starting to wish I hadn't blown all my savings on 3 weeks in Vietnam (but it was totally worth it!)

Dreamlikecheese, you'll pull through this. I'm sure you will! *huggles* It still sucks, of course, and I wish for something you absolutely love to come along soon (very, very soon. Like now whilst you need it.).

LadyV, I'm glad to hear you've already started logging the disgust. It's nasty and awful, but sounds like something that needs to be done if you want to get things solved. *hugs* At least your classes are fun. That's always a good thing.

Morphy, good luck!

Tris, Mitsu is gorgeous! I'm glad to hear she has a loving home. ^-^

Seanie, Neverbaby - get well soon! *sends lots of healing vibes thataways*

Mono, congratulations! That's great news! ^-^ And the picture looks great.

Me, I'm neither particulary happy or unhappy. I'm looking forward to the Read-a-Thon on October the 24th. (Er, details here, if anyone is curious and doesn't know what I'm talking about/wants to join.) It'll be my first time officially participating. (Not that that says a whole lot.) But I'm looking forward to being an official participant (and prize donor/mini-challenge hoster)!

Erm, yes, I'm chewing off a lot in one go. ^-~ And after that it's time to start thinking seriously about NaNo! (And, uhm, my essay for class.) It'll be an exciting month. ^-^

#388 Sorry? That is . . . ? An excuse to read 24 hours a day and DO NOTHING ELSE? WhY haven't I discovered this before? At least, from now on, that's what I'm going to tell everyone I'm doing!

That pretty much sums it up, yes. I'm stupidly excited about the whole thing!

Also, my cat is happy. Well, one of them is. Mum managed to find him some more of the rubber balls he loves to play with. We thought they'd been pulled out of stores for good and hadn't any left. (Sadly, in our household these toys have a life expectancy of about a month.) So, happy to have a happy cat. ^-^

This is more of a me-centric happy/unhappy than my ranting about aforementioned flatmate (who incidentally nearly shocked me into fits by HOOVERING HIS ROOM OF HIS OWN ACCORD!! :O )

Happy: I'm racking up the post at the moment with family members sending birthday cards to the flat and my bf sent me a mysterious cylindrical packet (which i did *not* open i'm telling you I didn't! ;P ) and has earnt himself the title of world's sweetest and bestest bf ever!

Unhappy: my "fresher's flu" has turned into "barking cough plague of doom" so now i'm hacking and coughing away at top volume and probably worrying my fellow students in case they think i've got swine flu (i'm pretty sure i haven't although what are the symptoms so i can reassure people?). So far half a ton of tissues have bitten the dust and i've resorted to drinking cough medicine neat from the bottle (mainly cos i'm too lazy to find a teaspoon) god will it ever end??

#391 In seven days if you treat it; in a week if you don't. ;-)

Thanks, everybody!

>393 hfglen: *snerk* ;)

Rather good happy from a bad unhappy- tonight after another flood was found in the bathroom after the FFH (flatmate from hell) had a shower and a rather disturbing mass was left unflushed in the toilet my fellow flatmates composed a letter of complaint and as we went downstairs to post it by the reception we happened upon a night porter who we are going to be having a nice chat with in 15mins or so- YAY!! Hopefully we can finally get this debacle sorted out and have the FFH booted out or at the very least given a very severe dressing down (and some deodourant cos frankly the smell is toxic to those with noses)

Unhappy - we may have to tidy up the bathroom *yet* again >:(

#395 - my uncle always used to say if someone leaves a mess in a communal room gather it up and put it on their bed for them to clear. I don't think this type of mess was what he had in mind but as a last resort/evil form of revenge it might just serve FFH right.

I hope you get it sorted out before you have to resort to that though.

I'm happy coz I saw my house today & I'm so excited by how good it looks :) & Seeing my fridge & couch in there makes it more real & exciting :)

I'm happy coz I love living with my sisters cats, they are both gorgeous & have such diferrent personalities. Dee is a real sweety, she hasn't done anything naughty since I've been here at all, she's very quiet & very independant - doesn't like you to pick her up which is a bummer, but will come & sit on your lap for snuggles when it suits her :) Marty is adorable 90% of the time, but when he's naughty he's a monster! I've had to wrap the bottom 2 shelves of my sister's bookshelf in foil, coz he decided to start ripping the covers off books & shredding them! I nearly died when I saw him doing it & I've ordered a replacement copy of the book he did the most damage to (hopefully he was just objecting to his mum not being home for so long & she'll be able to take the foil off the shelf when she gets back). But when he's being sweet he is really sweet, he loves to be picked up & snuggled & is very affectionate, like before I was sitting here uploading my pics from today & talking to my mum on the phone, he climbed up on my shoulders & started licking the hand that was holding the phone, then leaning down & nozing the mouthpiece like he was talking to mum too & right now he's sitting on my lap headbutting my hand coz he wants more attention :)

I cant wait to get to know my kittens better :)

Happy because I've found ebooks! It means that i get more for less!

Happy because I received a promotion, with a higher salary and no more night shift! New challenges to meet. I do however, have to deal with disgruntled guests and employees, but, what are a few of those compared to living with three teenagers for several years now. ;)

Perfect training ground, Mrs. Lee!

*waits for MrsLee to send a disgruntled guest to their room and ground them*

LOL!

Small unhappy, but one that pisses me off majorly.

Once upon a time, I could pick up my undelivered post from the post office. It's a five minute walk or so and also on my way from the train station.

For reasons unknown - the post office is still in use and all - I have to pick up my mail from a supermarket thrice as far away as the post office.

And I don't know who to complain to because I think it's ****ing ridiculous. It's always come to the post office before, except for a few times where we seem to have had a different postman from this one. I like my post office. I trust my post office. I have always had to go to my post office. AND NOW THEY CHANGED IT FOR NO REASON AND TURNED GETTING MY UNDELIVERED PACKAGES INTO A HASSLE!

*grumps* Not even hopping bunnies make this morning right.

#403 - How about these guys, can they help make it right?



Seriously though, that is a pain. Why would they take post from the post office to a supermarket anyway?

#403, you know what's bad? Just from your description of your annoyance I knew you'd have to be in Holland.... Luckily our post office is the main one in town, and already in another shop, so they'll keep that, but near my work they've closed the main one, and then opened 3 (!) in shops in the same street!

And to your #388, sometimes I wish I was still single, and could get away with doing this for 24 hours and eating take out and not being social in general. Alas, we celebrate my bf's birthday on that day, so I'll doubt he'll let me lock myself in the bedroom with a pile of books and my computer when the house is filled with hungry guests...

#403/405 - Could just as well had been Sweden. Thankfully the shop (really, what we in Sweden call a "kiok", meaning a hole in the wall peddling candies, tobacco and magazines) is just 300 metres beyond the original and now defunct post office, so still quite close. But anyway...
The postal service in Sweden is nowadays a logistics company only, just like DHL or UPS, and the sign at the "kiosk" entrance only means that delivery service has a drop off/pick up point there.

I don't post much right now, I'm on my fourth week of dizziness and fever and don't feel like repeating myself... First a cold that developed into pneumonia, then bronchitis and now what seems to be influenza. Latest set of tests checked for swine flue and leukaemia, among other things. As I haven't yet got a call about the results I guess they have turned out negative (a good thing, even if it feels like a contradiction to common sense) - the doctor said he'd call me when he had all the results, the last of which he should have by tomorrow. He'd only call earlier if the blood tests turned up something that needed immediate action... so I'm willing my phone not to ring.

my unhappy - I was diagnosed with carpal tunnel earlier this year. At the time I told my GP that my whole arm is affected not just the wrist - main pain in elbow and shoulder so he sent me to a specialist who arranged an MRI scan. So far so good - until yesterday when I go to my MRI and get my neck scanned - no mention of the arm and the person doing the scan tells me that maybe they are ruling out other possibilities. Ruling out other possibilities! after waiting months to see the specialist and then another wait for a scan!! Now I have to wait for another appointment to see the specialist (2 weeks) in order to find out why I did not have a scan of the parts that hurt and do not work!

Why don't people listen when you tell them you have a problem- or explain that the tests you think you are being booked in for are not what you expect.

#403/405/406 And there was me assuming it had to be the UK. They closed our local PO last year (despite our complaints and protest march) and moved the business into an already crowded supermarket. It's a crap supermarket at the best of times with tiny aisles and little space to manoeuvre but with daily PO queues now added (especially on pension day) it is pretty much impossible. Local businesses have lost a very handy and much-used PO and an area with a very high concentration of elderly people now has nowhere for them to pick up their pensions/stamps etc without having to catch a bus or walk a very hilly couple of miles - impossible for most of them. Naturally, this being the UK, no extra parking has been provided for the extra custom the supermarket has gained. Sorry to turn the thread into a complaint about what we fondly call 'this bloody government' - I'm not sure it's any consolation to know you have the same problems in the Netherlands and Sweden.

I feel for you. But I've had the same kind of symptoms, and I got a neck MRI too (and a neck x-ray, while they were at it), so possibly this is normal procedure? The physiotherapist I went to as part of getting rid of the symptoms told me most shoulder/elbow pain stems from the neck region.
Just like my lower left back injury results in pain in my left calf and foot...?

I don't see a problem with the post office here, but that is probably because I am used to them being in a tobacco/magazine/card shop. There is no parking nearby, but it is in the city centre, so there is no parking anyway. The only thing is that there are often so many packages that they overflow into the store, and that the post office hours are not the same as the store hours...

Now, I can complain about our postal delivery woman. She has delivered mail crumpled, bent, half way out of my mail box (a package that just didn't fit), left it on the front steps, leaves "you weren't home" notes when we were home...

#409 Seriously, Busifer, that is perfectly likely. I've been a back pain sufferer all my life and now work as a volunteer for a charity that helps and advises other sufferers and what you have been told is very plausible indeed. It could even be (and I wouldn't dream of trying to diagnose your condition) that all the problems spring from your lower back pain as that is where the whole structure begins and where - if one thing goes wrong - it can have a domino effect right the way up. I'm one of the lucky ones - I just had surgery to correct the main, lower back, problem and, so far (touch wood) it has worked well and I seem to have got rid of all my upper back, neck and shoulder pain and regular migraines. I don't know anything about your symptoms or condition but you do have my sincere sympathy and I would just say, keep going and keep nagging those health professionals. I went for 14 years with no diagnosis and with my GP (at the time) making it very clear he thought I had 'a bit of backache'. It is only since a change of GP and insisting on further tests that my many structural problems were diagnosed and treatment offered. In the meantime, it was an osteopath who kept me more or less mobile and stopped me believing I was going mad or imagining the whole thing. What works for one person wil not necessarily work for another but osteopathy is a path you maight wish to try in case it helps you too. Good luck - I hope effective treatment is just around the corner for you.

Busifer I hope you get good news on your tests. Thanks for taking the time answering my minor rant when you are going through so much yourself.

Booksloth I know what you mean and I am glad that your problems have been resolved. I think I am more surprised by the fact that they didn't actually look at the part where I feel the pain. I can understand that it might be related to another part of the body but it really feels like nobody is listening when this sort of thing happens.

#412 explanation is everything. I know when I have had scans and tests done to diagnose or confirm a problem, it always helped me when a doctor or nurse tells me what they are doing and why. Makes me a lot less anxious too. Otherwise I might just knock out the nurse when they are drawing blood ;)

I'm happy because I got free cheese (1kg of Edam). Now, what to do with it? Eat it of course, but how?

...by putting it in your mouth? ;-)

You got free cheese?!? *jealous*

My unhappy is a work unhappy. We recieved two government grants to purchase books, which means weeding. Well I ended up with a few bins of books that were either weeded or donated and we didn't have room for. I informed the teachers that the books were free to a good home, and any that didn't get used were going to be donated, or recycled.. Evidently there are a whole lot of angry people because I'm "wasteing books" and some of them had donated those books.. I'm replacing somone that had been at this school for 5 years, and she was the one who did the weeding, and all, I just passed along the message and evidently I'm the bad guy..

Sorry for the rant..I'm actually pretty upset about the whole thing. I wish that if people had an issue or concern they would actually talk to me..

#417 It's always unfair to be blamed for someone else's actions. Point out to the people who are upset because you're giving away 'their' books that that's exactly what they did with them too. If they feel so proprietorial about them still they could always have them back. And we at LT know you're not the bad guy here, anyway. Stuff 'em.

It is an unfortunate fact that people do "shoot the messenger" all too often. I guess one way to think about it is to remember than in 6 months you probably won't even remember this silliness.

>399 MrsLee: Congratulations, MrsLee! More money and working days sound terrific.

#415, 414 This of course begs the response:

The same way you eat an elephant -- one mouthful at a time! ;-)

@412- calm, that is so frustrating! Although, some of my arm problems unexpectedly originated in my neck and it took a long time before anyone thought to x-ray it and see what was going on. It's pretty amazing just how randomly connected the parts of your body are. Maybe it's a blessing in disguise?

On another side note, most of my friends have surgury recommended for carpal tunnel. Mine, however, is mangaged quite well by physical therapy stretches and my chiropractor. Just another alternative to keep in mind. Hope everything gets figured out soon!

#412/422 I so understand that frustration. The medical profession still fails to understand that acknowledging a person's pain and fears can be as important as any amount of drugs.

And just as I was starting to hope things might be improving (because of the dramatic results so far of my own op, only 4 weeks ago) I went back to see (and thank) my consultant this afternoon, only to discover that when he retires in a very short while, the hospital will cease performing the very op that has helped me so much, because they don't want the expense of replacing this brilliant man. So, the struggle goes on and that's my 'happy' - that I just got discharged and returned all my gadgets to OC; and my 'unhappy' that I now have to start writing stroppy letters to the hospital to try and ensure the small 'miracle' I have benefitted from remains available to others in the future.

And then 'they' have the nerve to complain about all the money in pain killers and time off work that is spent in this country, yet fail to offer hope of a genuine permanent improvement. Grrrrrr.

Edited for typos

Happy here!! My supervisor approved my vacation for next summer, so I can start making real plans!!

Another note on the carpal tunnel/RSI front: I've spent the past week mousing with my left hand even though I am very right-handed, but I thought I'd give it a try to relieve pain in my shoulder, side, and breast. Yup, it's as I suspected--all related to mousing too much . . .

A relief in other ways, too, as I was beginning to wonder if there was something else wrong.

I got a call last night from my daughter. My grand-daughter is sick and neither of them have any sick days available at the moment. Well, you know me. I love to drive, and there aren't very many people on the interstate late at night.

I got here (Daughter's house) around 1 am. Today, we took Hannah to the doctor - she has H1N1 - otherwise known as swine flu. Apparently it's a fairly mild case. Now if we can just keep the grandson healthy. Actually he was almost too healthy today. I'm worn out!

On The Other Hand: my beloved Nebraska Cornhuskers looked like crap for 3 quarters tonight. Then, apparently, they looked around, noticed it was 4th quarter, said to themselves, "Football? Wait a sec. I remember that game. May we could - oh, I don't know - SCORE a little?" And they ended up winning by 12 or 13 or something. Honestly. It's like your kids. You don't know whether to hug them or shoot them.

My unhappy, yesterday at around 10:30 or so I had to call an ambulance for my dearest friend Sarah. She over dosed on what i think is a pain killer.
She arrived at hospital at 11pm where i had to wait and explain what had happend to her mom and step dad. When i left the hospital at 3am this morning she still hadn't come round and they couldn't tell us anymore than that what she had taken messed with your heart.

I don't understand why she did this, she seemed so positive, if a bit stressed.
I also feel bad that I didn't pick up on things sooner.
You see when i saw her in town she was headed to the store and she said to me "I can't stop, I've gotta get energy drinks so i can sit at CBA and pop pills til someone listens to me."

It didn't click that she ment anything by it. I feel horrible!

CBA-should have been Citizen Advice Bureau

#427/8 Private message on your profile page.

Rune, I'm so sorry. I can't tell you how many times I've laughed off comments like that. I mean, we all say stuff like that when we are kidding around, so how is one to know? I hope she will come out of this and get the help she needs. *hug*

Good news! She's come through, although doctors are surprised that she's alive. But she is, and she's very sorry and distraught and angry.

She's upset that I told her mom and upset that I've told our friends. But I feel like our friends had the right to know what was going on and by telling people they would go and see her. Then she couldn't help but know that she is loved and greatly needed in so many people's lives.

That is the most wonderful news and thank you so much for passing it on so quickly. You did the right thing, of course, by telling the people who care about her. I do hope she can now get the help she needs. The fact that she is surrounded with so much love can only be a help.

I'm so glad, Rune. Don't beat yourself for "missing" something. Pat yourself on the back for being there in the bad times and surrounding her with love.

*huggles Rune* I'm so glad to find your good news so soon after your previous post! I agree with everyone that you did the right thing. I'm not surprised your friend is angry with you, but she'll understand with time (and the help she needs) just what you've done for her.

In my experience, people who get really mad at me are the ones who know I love them, and they feel safe with expressing how they really feel. It helps me to remember that being angry frequently is a cover for fear, maybe fear that I am not going to "be there" for the person. Rune, I hope your friend will get some very good assistance in understanding why she felt the need to try this and that she can find more effective means to get her needs met. I am sure she will love you all the more for having been there for her.

(((((Rune))))) and strength to your friend

What hfglen said.

thanks everyone! I can't tell you how much this means that everyone is telling me i did the right thing. It helps lots

Not exactly happy or unhappy - just a bit desperate. Our neighbours have now got their Xmas lights up - AND LIT! (And yes, I have just posted this on another thread, but that didn't help.)

very very unhappy and angry.

This morning my health vistor came over. Now this wouldn't normally be that bad but on tuesday night we had a party for our friend matt who is leaving southampton to go back to his parents place. Which means for the forseable future we will not have him about.

so needless to say my front room and kitchen were a mess. And there were lots of things on the floor. but everyone who came to the party and crashed here said that they would help clean up today.

well she got here before we were up to cleaning. And she said she was really not pleased by the state of the place and felt that it was unsafe and not a healthy place for children!!!!

she also had another rant about the cats, and then proceeded to tell me that I shouldn't have my new house rabbit either!!!

And when i told her that i got the letter stating that Social services no longer felt the need to be involved, she was like well I don't feel that way. I told them not to close the case until they had talked to me!

I was totally gutted. It really hurt and offended me the way she talked to me. I also have a feeling that she's going to go back to social services and we'll have them back around again!

I feel like making my house into a petting zoo, just to give this woman a nervous break down!!!

The problem with health visitors is that they are human and therefore fallible. It sounds to me as if you have got one who is both obsessive and, dare I say, a bit of a bully. I don't know the answer to your problem (wish I did). Would it be possible to get some letters from friends and relatives who will make it clear that you are a perfectly good parent and that everyone is entitled to a party now and then? I don't know whether that would help? In the bigger picture, there is nothing healthier for a child than to be surounded by animals. In having pets you are giving your kids (sorry, I don't know how many you have - kids, that is, not pets) a perfect grounding in caring for other creatures. I'm assuming you teach your children basic hygeine (again, I don't know their ages), ensure that the are not in any danger of being attacked by any of your animals (psycho-rabbit?) and don't actually let the animals poop all over the place? Of course you don't. It sounds as if your helath visitor comes from a very sterile background.

It must be terribly hard when you feel you are being targeted like this, but do try to remember that it really is better if social services are over- rather than under-vigilant. Their job is an impossible one (and it's a job I wouldn't do for anything in the world). If they miss the smallest sign and harm does come to a child (and I don't mean to imply for a single second that that would be one of your children) they will be blamed. For the sake of ALL children everywhere it is better they upset a few perfectly good parents than let a single 'at risk' child slip through the net, though how you cope with being one of those upset parents, I really don't know. In the long-term they are still on the side of your child - they just don't seem to be able to see that you aren't the enemy here. I would feel just as angry as you do in your situation, I'm sure, but you are all on the same side really. Good luck.

Just to say that your Health visitor sounds awful; if social services have already been involved and have no worries she should leave it be. I think that half the allergies that are around these days are caused by an attitude that children should be brought up in a sterile bubble.

It is much better to be brought up with love and compassion; pets, fun and laughter than in a perfectly clean home.

By the way there is a new happy/unhappy thread

http://www.librarything.com/topic/75069

#442 Just wanted to say 'hear, hear!' to everything calm just said! And thanks for the link. I just spent ages trying to find the new thread - I knew it was around somewhere - but couldn't track it down.