I finally signed up to SDMB! Toot!
And my supervisor in the job I’ve had for 2 months told me I have improved the lives of the people I am working with. That gave me the warm fuzzies.
And my knowledge of how to change a car tyre was tested yesterday - I passed.
Eight years ago today, at 4:07 in the afternoon, I held my newborn daughter for the first time.
Today, at 4:07, I’ll be at the Mall of America, taking that girl, her little brother and 4 other little girls to Build-a-Bear!!!
She’s worth it!
Eli
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I’ve been hoping to run into you, TS, to let you know I got the first two Babymouse books for my niece for her birthday last week. She loooooves them. So there’s another adoring review from a 9 year old. 
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I just found out that my Branch is the only one making more money this year than last. So I’m the man right now.
Oh, and to justify my presence in this thread:
I got another story published. That makes three. The total money earned from my “professional” creative writing is about two days’ pay from my “real” job, but I’m still pretty proud of it.
Absolutely. That’s awesome.
I have lost 32 lbs in 6 months.
I need to lose quite a bit more than that but 32 lbs is a huge step in the right direction!
I submitted my master’s thesis in July, three months early which felt like a huge victory to me. Then my adviser accepted my first draft. I was blown away.
So I graduated early with a master of science in industrial/organizational psychology.
Well, I haven’t really accomplished much of anything lately, but my kids are doing great, so I’ll bask in some of their reflected glory as so much of my efforts these past couple of decades have gone towards helping them get to a good jumping off point.
Eldest, college senior, is home for the holidays. Seems happier than she has been the past couple years having ditched a loser BF. 4.0 GPA through 3 semesters, and taking advantage of several opportunities to gain teaching and leadership experience that will help her towards her desired career as a HS band director.
Middle, HS senior, was accepted into all 3 engineering programs he applied to, and now just needs to decide.
Youngest, scored 98th % on PSAT and is in top 4% of her class, so she should have options when she decides what she wants to do where. Latest she’s been saying U of Wisconsin for bio-premed, which I can’t object to.
So I’ll gladly just keep showing up to work and bringing home a paycheck to allow the rest of my family to excel.
I’m very caught up with work and going to take a couple of days off here. Looking forward to a nice evening/weekend with the family - putting up the tree, and just spending time together - followed by more time with extended family on X-mas eve and day.
On the personal front, I think my wife is really going to enjoy what I got her for x-mas this year.
I lead a pretty boring life, but life is good.
I have been taking my little old (23!) arab to monthly clinics with a dressage judge and last Sunday she said that when she first met him 5 or 6 months ago she never thought his canter would be good enough for flying changes. But he does changes reliably now to both sides and he was totally focused and trying his heart out for the whole 45 minutes while we drilled canter half-pass.
Everyone always compliments him on how smart he is and on what great personality and willingness he has and how lucky I am to have him. I always give him 100% of the credit. But when I got him he was a nervous spaz who didn’t know anything about dressage. So I just keep it a secret that it was my training and hard work that built up his confidence and athleticism and concentration, which makes him the superstar he is today.
I received confirmation a couple days ago that as of Jan 1, I will be Director of Business and Finanace with several departments lanquishing under my iron fist. Pretty cool, especially since I have no degree in Business or Finance, only a hell of a lot of experience and the fawning letters of recommendation written by former employers. And I’m a cheap date, which is a big plus in the non-profit world.
Montauk Point, Long Island.
Thanks for the kind words.
After some months of worry, I am happy to report that as of yesterday, I do not have cancer.
Definitely good news! w00t! (Must take all possible opportunities to use the Word of the Year.)
After doing my holiday gift-wrapping, I reorganized the overstuffed coat closet where I keep coats & jackets, a space heater, some luggage, and all wrapping, packing and mailing materials.
This may not sound like much of an accomplishment, but you don’t know what that closet used to look like. Put it this way: not only can I close the door with ease, but I can open it again without stuff tumbling out.
No joke! That’s why I went to a pro. The photos I was taking were just – bleh. Lifeless.
Bravo! (Brava?!?) I’ve been dicking around with Weight Watchers since July and wish I had your stick-to-itiveness.
fishbicyle – what a great holiday gift THAT must be!
postcards, Jodi, samm – I am always in awe of people who do things I don’t have clue how to do. (I probably should have included **The Scrivener **in that group!)
Not anything I’ve done recently, but I do have to point to my performances on youtube
…
as soon as I think of something I’ll get back to you.
Ken - REALLY glad to hear that. Have a healthy holiday.
WordMan/Scott (I find it hard to deal with usernames with topics like this - I’m too old school…)