I just reconnected with an old college boyfriend - the one that was always my lifelong crush and long shot fantasy - and it’s amazing and I don’t think there’s a level on the happiness scale that adequately describes where I’m at.
I’m 66, he’s 70 and until 4 days ago I hadn’t seen him in 43 years.
Wow, that would put a smile on anyone’s face! You might have to change your username.
Love!
I think it’s magical.
Putting the “hedon” in both Hedonia and Hedonism!
You kids be safe!
That is utterly awesome. I’m super excited for you both!!
OTOH … I am busy divorcing from the same situation. 40 years ago she was my dream. I married that dream and the nightmare kicked in not long after.
I will caution you to focus on who they now are, not who they once were. That can be hard to tell apart at first.
I wish you every success and happiness. You deserve nothing less.
Fascinating, and congrats. How did that reconnection happen?
A study of Scottish women was recently released (January) and it showed none, no, zero, nada instances of cervical cancer in a single subject who received the HPV vaccine when they were 12 or 13 years of age.
Had IEP meeting with my son’s teacher and speech therapist today. They said he had an amazing year. The plan is to keep him in ECSE next year and then…? We talked about options, including the school’s options for gifted kids. It felt like a really robust conversation about all of his needs, not just the limitations. They can see he’s at least fourth or fifth grade level math and want to get him in a place where he can work on advancing those skills.
The best thing they said is that they think he will probably be mainstreamed in kindergarten, maybe being pulled out of the classroom for a short time to work on speech and whatever else. They are looking into whether they can use that time to work on advanced math. Another option may be Montessori kindergarten, but the key here is that we have options and the IEP team is really taking the time to figure out what will work best for him.
The speech therapist says eventually he probably won’t need an IEP, just a 504 plan.
Hard to think of better news.
That’s great. So pleased for you all!
j
Some time ago, I lost two important tools. One of them was one of my favorites. The other one was something that I used quite frequently. Well, I knew I didn’t drop them in the junkyard, having last used them around the house. I figured they would turn up eventually.
Eventually was a couple days ago! Hurray!
My daughter and son-in-law were in the area, so we met at an Indian restaurant for dinner. They are both vegetarians, and we love Indian cuisine. The place is BYOB, so I picked up a wine I knew my daughter liked.
I was pouring wine and my daughter said none for her. This was a bit of a surprise. We made eye contact and she had a huge smile on her face. I freaked out, but my gf had no idea what had just happened.
My daughter isn’t pregnant, but they are actively working on changing that. 
Awww, that’s adorable.
(Premature) congrats there, GrandDad!!
Thanks! They are the absolute best when it comes to childcare.
57yo, went to get my physical, and Every. Single. One. of my labs/blood work came back in normal ranges. Doctor said it was the first time in 3 months that she’s seen a completely healthy screen.
Property taxes here are killers as property values have gone through the roof. I appealed to the county tax assessor to lower the assessed value of my house. I had to submit documentation as to why it was too high. They just notified me that they agree to lower it by $41,000. That’ll save me $430 a year in taxes at the current tax rate.
First of all, JohnT, we all needed this thread so a sincere thank-you for OP’ing it.
Good news? In a month that’s been a blizzard of awfulness, a few beautiful moments:
I may be getting a call today offering me steady work until at least next June. Cautious optimism. I’m a freelancer, have been for 44 years. Moments like this are like hen’s teeth.
My daughter and her very very very excellent husband are expecting their first child- a FemBot™, and we’re mighty excited.
My wife has committed more and more of her time and respectable mental prowess to a nationwide campaign encouraging one and all to make sure they are properly registered to vote. I’m more and more involved. Why do I list this? Because it’s a genuine calling for her and that is a good news thing. AND, because in the country I reside in ( The US ), protecting your right to vote is a biggie. This is a totally non-partisan group. No agenda. No names. No politics. The sole goal: VOTE.
And on a very micro scale, I made my first successful smashburgers on the griddle on the stovetop last night. It felt great to NOT overcook and wreck ground meat. Damn. Tasty. AND the buns were toasted !!! 
They’re putting a statue of Johnny Cash in the US Capitol!
Here’s a really silly thing which made me smile and hopefully will do the same for you. A couple of days ago I must have forgotten to lock my phone - just slid it into a pocket live. Later, when I took it out again, it had created what I assume one would call a Butt-message in a WhatsApp chat (you know, like a Butt-call but text). But the thing was, it was a great (if very short) message: Bcupmonx. I was so pleased with it that I sent the message anyway (with an explanation). If nothing else, it’s a GREAT band name.
I have no idea how this was possible. But then I have no idea how it’s possible to make a butt-call either.
j
As you’ve learned, it’s as easy as putting your phone in your pocket while the screen and buttons are still live. Random bumps on random spots produce random results. Including starting my banking app that I don’t leave logged in for several good reasons, butt-tapping among them.
BCUPMONX would be an awesome addition to the “Custom license plates seen in the wild” thread.
But first we’d need to get it on a license plate someplace, and I don’t know of a US jurisdiction that has 8-character plates. You of course being in the UK may have other options plus perhaps access to the various EU jurisdictions. So maybe that’ll be easy for you.
So you’re trying to avoid writing a check that your ass can cash.