There, there, ZenGum, you'll be fine. You're plenty sharp and we know it, despite your protestations to the contrary.

:comfort:

The Cellar Car made it just fine out to Pittsburgh and back, to meet with the folks about the work I'm doing for them. Last month it had the same rough engine and check engine light flashing that it had five months ago, but it healed itself, as it always does. This was a 500 mile excursion, over two days. It is currently pleased with its Sunoco 93 octane fuel.

You should know that the Cellar Car has helped me tremendously. I was going to take J's car out there, but her brakes developed a problem. Her car is not self-healing. So it was up to the Cellar Car to make the trip, which it did with zeal. The rolling hills (large hills or small mountains) and tunnels of the Pennsylvania Turnpike were a pleasing drive to both of us.

The CC with nanotech self-healing technologies is awesome but no '97 Frontier.

The incredible weather today and the fact that we are going to see The Atlantic Rhythm Section playing free at a local park this evening.

*envious*

I need a life. ;)

Sounds fun, Pico!

It was nice, we took our lawn chairs and set them in the grass in front of the park pavilion. They had a pretty good set up, it felt like a real concert. We heard "Spooky", "I'm Not Gonna Let It Bother Me Tonight", "I Am So Into You", and "Champagne Jam" before we left. Just missed "Imaginary Lover", which I would have liked to hear, but hubby has to work in the morning.

ETA: I cant believe I typed Atlantic in the previous post...:smack:

Sarge is ok :)

I'm with you there Dana :)

Today, I am happy because we are going back to the White Hart, which we went to about 3 weeks ago. On that occasion, we went with vouchers from my sister as a thank you for cat-sitting.

Unfortunately we had a pretty poor time. The company was good and we enjoyed ourselves, but the food and the service were substandard, so I completed an online feedback form. This week I got a letter of apology and an offer of a complimentary main course for all four of us with a drink each.

Wahay! So we're going again today.
Mum is in two minds, saying they will spit in our food and moaning, "Why couldn't they just give us vouchers?" Personally I'm delighted - my second meal out in a month. And I'm sure they were just teething problems and we'll have a better meal this time. And if we do I'll definitely leave feedback to say so.

Nom nom nom, just been checking the menu and am well-primed.

Oh and Yo! Sushi has opened in Milton Keynes. Mum and I are going to go for the Blue Plate Special in October half term. I've invited my niece and sister, but I doubt they'll come, or even respond. Still, with them or without them it's going to be a yearly ritual for Mum and I. It's our annual Fuck Cancer meal (a little later this year - Fuck Cancer Day is the anniversary of her surgery on 17 September - I will be making her a card!)

Am off to put on a little bit of sparkle in a few minutes. I may take my camera to impress you with our repast. I'm certainly taking a tupperware box in case of leftovers!

Made contact with the management of a favorite band, and they will donate an autographed something for us to auction to help restore the old movie/stage theatre in town. I love it when the great are good!

We had a pretty good meal, except:
I ordered the LARGE mixed grill (yes I took a lot home in my leftovers box!) but just got a mixed grill. The waiter was superb and came back with the missing items within 5 minutes.
The meat was all pretty dry on both Mixed Grills (Dad ordered the regular).
It took 45 minutes for us to get our meal (but then there was not a free table in the place when we sat down).

Given that it was free, I was very pleased with it.
I need to get back to them and tell them that the chap who looked like Jeff Brazier was superb.

Pic attached. Of my meal I mean.

Tonight I am happy because I made Mum happy.
Ste bought her a selection from Lush (handmade toiletry company) for her birthday on Sept 3rd and she cheekily opened it early because she couldn't resist the smell. She mistook the strawberry massage bar for a soap and was really disappointed when she tried to use it in the shower. So to appease her, I massaged her feet with it tonight. Now she LOVES having her feet "played with". Dad can do it in future - he doesn't mind it, he married the woman! But I'm happy because I turned a Fail into a Good Present and relaxed her at the same time. And indeed my hands still exude Sundae goodness.

There were other items of course, but the one she'd used didn't work as she expected and I could tell a cloud of disappointment now surrounded the whole present. She'll give the others more of a chance now.

Goodness knows what she'll make of mine - I bought seedlings from eBay and potted them up and now have them in a big pot ready for her bday - to provide winter colour for months. It's not exactly an immediate present though... Still, I'm making her a cake on Thursday (birthday Friday) and she doesn't know I have writing-icing, so am hoping to wow her with a personalised cakie. Good or bad I WILL take a picture!

I am tooting my own horn here because this last three months have been lacking in any kind of personal feel good moments. I have been so wrapped up in classes and my mother that I haven't spent much time even imagining my own life and who I am within my own skin.

So I received the nicest compliment today. While waiting in a clinic's lobby for my mom, I had an hour chat with an elderly gentleman and his wife. He was fit as a fiddle, spry and sharp. At one point, He asked me,"Why are you single?, You have a wonderful personality," wow One up for the introverts.:D He also called me feisty, or thought that I could be. I am not sure what he meant by that. :blush: I was sure I was a broken down old mare/back mule.

Bojangles for breakfast....it's the simple things :)

I'M GOING BACK INTO EDUCATION!
Yay me :)

Okay, it's only one day a week from 09.30-14.00, but it's for a qualification in learning support, so it's very relevant. In fact you can only do the course if you have a school placement. Luckily my voluntary work counts.

It's a real commitment as it runs for 26 weeks, but if I find work in that time I will have to cross that bridge when I come to it. Frankly if I get paid work as a teaching assistant and have to give up the course I'll still be delighted anyway, to be back in work and doing the job I love. I get my fees waived because I am out of work - it would be £570 otherwise (gasp!) I might even qualify for help with course materials.

How amazing is that? Course starts 16 September. Woohoo!
Of course this is only if the course gets enough attendees... this could all be cancelled if not :(

That's a hefty sum for tuition (US $1,500).

Is this "recognised qualification" a requirement ?
Does it lead to a higher pay for those on the faculty ?

I don't think the US has anything like this, especially for "volunteers".
All I have heard of is parent-participation as something expected, or even required, for each child in some classrooms, but certainly no formal training of such length.

It's not a requirement, but it shows commitment to the position and is a way of putting you ahead of the competition (which is stiff). Unsurprisingly, schools value the importance of education and look favourably on people who are undertaking it independently. It would allow me to sell myself as someone looking on this as a career, not someone using this as a stop-gap because I have children at school.

I probably would get a slightly higher rate on starting with this or an NVQ (very similar)but not as much as 2-3 years experience would give me. Unfortunately experience is one of those Catch 22 situations - it's easier to get a job once you have it, but until you have a job you can't gain it. The volunteer route is an accepted one for TAs but this adds another string to my bow.

CACHE - like NVQ - is intended as a workplace qualification. Some employers send their staff on these courses (it's called day release) in order to round out their experience and as a basis for further study should they wish to. The next step would be to become an HLTA - Higher Level Teaching Assistant - and they can earn up to £20k in this area which is higher than any job I've had in the last 10 years and would be doing something I love enough at present to do for free.

And for me it's an extra morning out of the house and something to occupy me further.

Best of luck Sundae.

----------------------------------------------


I went to the used bookstore. With trades I bought two books for $5.75, about 2.50 off each book. I did this after buying an $8 book from a grocery store that was silly, and about third grade level.

This one bookstore in particular has a great selection of books. I am happy I went.

She loved it but today has ended badly. Not for her & me, but between her & Dad. Sigh. Might post about it later if I still feel the need to get it off my chest.

Anyway - cakie has been much admired.

gorgeous cake!!!!

WTG SG!

Clearly, she's *still* loved by you!

NICE CAKE!



Today, I purchased 3 pairs of 'transition' pants at Goodwill for $21. They are 38 inch waist. I will be giving them my 42 inch waist pants at some point in the near future.

That made me pretty happy.

Outstanding! That's really gotta feel good.

Good work by you SG!

Love that cake. It looks delicious

Got in to work today to find that a car crash had knocked out power. We waited around for an hour and a half then were told to go home for the day. It was a lovely day, the first sunny day after 2 to 3 inches of rain over the weekend, so I went hiking in the hills among flooded creeks. Life is good.

Our web site is now live! Syntimates is now a legit busness, just took us over a year. Up and Running.. now we see if its worth all the hassle :)

good luck, jaydaan! It's a fine looking site!

the person that crashed into your building may have a divergent opinion. Not busting stones, Gum, it's just... This is an interesting example of the balance life strikes..... one person's calamity is another person's afternoon lark.

Is this it?

I think so xob - very nice site, indeed.

Yes, I did not link it, but yes that is our site. :)

Looks great, but I saw a video of women trying the walk in that leopard, non tie, G-string thingy... It kept falling off.


Hmmm... that's a good thing, nevermind. :D

School has begun. Un-freakin believable.

All the happinesses here are making me happy, but especially SG's and Classicman's.

i took all of the 42 inch waist pants out of my closet and piled them up for the trip to good will.

There's not a lot in my life right now that does make me happy, but losing this weight does. I have been wallowing in self pity, fear and disbelief for 2 months straight. I'm taking a deep breath and looking at something positive here on my bedroom floor. there they are. going away forever. the Fat Pants. buh bye.

aaaand.... my fat ass just cracked a toilet seat.

I hear ya, God. Still a long way to go. I know it.

Your butt's broken...

Bruce, those C-strings are for more curvy women I am told. They stay on the girls I have sold them to, in fact one lady has bought 5 pair. No lines, no dis-comfort, keeps the shape, easily washed, blah blah blah :)

They might stay better under clothing, they ladies I saw were not clothed.;)

My girls just left for school, but first had to dance to this:
Two in high school.. old I am.

I only lost Max for five minutes in the shopping centre (mall) today, but it was the longest five minutes of my life. I'm happy I found him watching the escallators going up and down.

Weird - I found a little boy alone and crying in a store last night. Took me a good 5 minutes to find an employee. Right as I walked up to him I noticed a woman walking and looking around frantically. I asked the boy to yell to his mom. They ran toward each other and hugged tightly. It was just like a movie.

Ali - big *whew* moment! Thank goodness he is back.

Lumberjim - thanks for those two posts, that really made me smile then laugh.

Yep, it didn't take me long to become a blithering mess.

My Dad who's liver cancer spread to his left kidney....had his kidney removed this week and is finally out of intensive care...little steps.

congrats to DadsNuts - I couldn't resist writing that -

Was offered a job yesterday to work ski patrol in Utah. Will be moving out there Nov. 1st.

Congrats - Where? Park City by chance?

Yeah actually, The Canyons ski resort just up the road from Park City.

Good times ahead dude, very good times indeed. I used to go there every year. Go to Arapaho basin and check out the backside - Zuma something I think its called - Crazzzy double blacks!

This guy... my new hero.

Cellar GTG?

I'm on the way - as is Kerosene.

Well if anyone is in the area this winter let me know

Just wait till they break a leg, and you can evacuate 'em. :haha:

Went to a new dentist on Friday.
First time in two years and prior to that my last visit was 10 years ago.
Twice in 12 years, OOPS!

But my new dentist said, and I quote, "You have lovely teeth"!
So at 38 I still have never had a single dental procedure, aside from a couple of cleans (I have a slightly crooked tooth at the front and tend to get a bit of tartar buildup).

All X-Rayed and cleaned and sorted.
Go back in six months, but she says I'll probably go back to yearly appointments after that.

My Mum asked about the colour of my teeth when I was about ten.
They assured her that it was simply my natural colour, and I was lucky because it actually meant I had good strong teeth.

While I'm unemployed, dntal care is free, once I start work it will only be £16.50 anyway. Unless I need something done of course.
But I am relying on my off-white teeth to see me through :D

The weather is letting up and nighttime temps are heading into the 60's. Time to fire up my GlobalWarmingOutdoorFireplace. Glad to contribute.

If you're getting more pleasure from thinking you're upsetting someone than you're getting from the fire itself, it is time to seek psychiatric help.

We''l see how my happiness trajectory flies today. The family units are out for a few hours this am and I am going to begin sniper duty hoping to bag that woodchuck. 50% of my garden is gone.

It will be good to make vegetables safe for democracy once again.

Not sure what you think you are trying to make a statement about, but ok. :thumb:

If you haven't figured it out yet, I am not really concerned what other people think about anything I say. But you go dude! Rock on!:p: