Speaking of taxes, I only worked about 2/3rds of the year last year (took an unpaid leave of absence) so my gross income was 2/3rds what is usually is. I think I fall into such a low tax bracket I'm going to be eligible for GST rebates this year! That's about $80 every three months. PLUS a huge fat tax return, as I paid taxes based on my larger income, not my real income for the year. Woo hoo! I'll have to wait and see based on the numbers though. Can't wait!
LOL - this isn't good news, but funny. There are a bunch of construction-worker dudes outside of my office now running a forklift. They have music BLASTING - the song on now is "Tiny Dancer" by Elton John. ROFL!
Eddy Wrote:I was at the grocery store and just happened to glance in the right place at the right time and found something awesome. Bagged skillet dinners. This is awesome! Shrimp alfredo with broccoli and cheese and it's skillet prep. Even I can do this. So so good! It's not just shrimp and pasta and cheese and broccoli; it also involves fire! *grunts like Tim Allen in Home Improvement*
I love those things. They sell them at Aldi's. We have them when we're particularly rushed for time.
I got to fly in the cockpit of an Airbus yesterday! So much fun. I have been in cockpits before but this is the first time that I have ever sat up front as they took off.
To make life even better... we are now having fun on a mini-vacation and getting ready to return home. Wheeee!
I had a lot of stress in the last weeks because of a part of my job. So I decided to go to a a spa for a back treatment. It was very relaxing and it really helped. I'll probably go back next month for something else.
I e-mailed DH's childfree cousin Kathleen about how I hated the office politics at my work, and the coworkers being so entrenched in their jobs. this is part of her reply I thought you CF people would like:
"Listen--the grumbling is good -- cuz it's causing a rumbling in you that's
pointing you TO you ... and to what you're really yearning for. so listen to
the grumbling sister, and DON'T settle, and remember: we are sooooooo lucky to
not have kids, for - with that choice - WE (!!!) get to be the "kids" whose
welfare and happiness we look after and guard -- we get to take OUR lives on
adventurous courses... put ourSELVES through schooling (of ALL kinds)...
lovingly look after our own sweet Spirits...
and take ourselves out for ice cream !!
so CHEERS -- here's to US, and to the grumble that causes the rumble
x0xx love, kathleen"
We booked a short trip to warmer weather-4 days away from all this snow will be wonderful!
I'm home!
My cat still loves me, and given a choice he still prefers my lap. Last time I came home for a couple days he would sit in my friend's lap and get me to pet him, so at that time he technically didn't have to choose between us. This time we weren't sitting next to each other and he hopped onto my lap every time. It's a small thing but I am loving the cat cuddles.
Oh, and I made my boss give me a 'welcome home' hug which I find quite funny as he's not the type and you could see the look of resignation on his face. I know, not everyone likes to be hugged, but I did ask him first. I also promised to never tell anyone at work so that his reputation would remain intact
My crotchety difficult neighbour of the last ten years cleared out most of my driveway with his gas snowthrower this morning.
Wecome home Ziggy! Cassia, that's awesome.
I am back from Tucson, AZ and hoping for a three day stretch of super-productive-ness at work because one of my internet friends is coming to visit on Saturday (prompting a bunch of social activities) and my sweetie gets here (maybe to stay) next Tuesday night.
I'm going to see Leonard Cohen live in concert right here in San Diego in April!!! OMG! He never tours, and this is probably the last chance to see him in concert since he's in his 70s now. The only other time I saw him was in 1993 (the last time he toured), in Atlanta, and I had to make a 240 mile round trip to see him! Now he's going to be right here SD, I don't even have to drive up to LA to see him! When I was making my purchase with Ticketmaster I nearly threw up with excitement. Too bad DH won't be here, he's be stuck in Florida until June. I'm still so happy I can't see straight.
I found out that Obama's stimulus package means I get an extra 25 bucks a week on unemployment. This may not seem like much but every little bit helps. It's nice to see that the people get something instead of fatcat CEOs.
Okay, sorry this is a little late, but I wasn't a member here yet when it happened. And I didn't notice this thread until just now!
I defended my disseretation in November, and the PhD itself was awarded in December.
Did you know they start calling you "Doctor" the minute you defend? So you get that part way ahead of the ceremony.
I assume they get good news in heaven. I want Mom to be proud.
Eslbee -- YAY! What's your field?
Congratulations eslbee!
My good news is cheesy. A cool front came through last night and right now it's in the 50's, perfectly clear and sunny and a beautiful day. I'm going to get through some homework and walk the dogs
My 'absolutely fabulous' is more generalized.
After almost three years of absolutely consuming negative problems from several angles, I now have the time and energy to be pursuing positive interests.
I always have dozens of things I want to pursue, both short and long-term, but now I am actually at lose ends enough to be *able to choose*.
It feels weird.
Pursuits:
(short-term) yoga, cycling, step aerobics, repairing and improving my home and detailed serious study of massage
(Long-term) being healthier and more capable of activity, exploring starting as a bodywork practitioner, better income, being happier about my home
Thanks everyone! My field is rhetoric and composition, which for the most past means I teach verious kinds of writing, except creative, which is another branch. My favorite are the basic classes. I just enjoy that level of writing development, and watching them blossom, and find out they CAN do it. It's fun! I mean, if you have to work!
We are having a lovely cold snap here, too. I think BJ may make chili for dinner.
That's awesome eslbee. I have this urge to learn how to write but don't think I'll have the opportunity in the near future.
My coworker got her Ph.D in something similar and works as a writer, but I believe she is a poet. She still won't let people call her "Doctor."
Congrats again!
Since I posted this morning I got a 100 on my test
kirby Wrote:That's awesome eslbee. I have this urge to learn how to write but don't think I'll have the opportunity in the near future.
My coworker got her Ph.D in something similar and works as a writer, but I believe she is a poet. She still won't let people call her "Doctor."
Congrats again!
Since I posted this morning I got a 100 on my test
100?? Good job!
I use my title professionally, and in public when people don't know me. Women don't get enough respect, so I make sure to get it for all of us.
I've been accepted as a bi-weekly contributor for Bitch Buzz. I feel so incredibly stoked about this; I feel like a real writer, not just some random blogger. Wooo!