<p>5.8% raise for Federal retirees plus the same for my social security.</p>
<p>ELLEBUD!!! Terrific news. And what a scare.</p>
<p>DS, who is overseas for the semester is still ridiculously and uncharacteristically smitten with his new-ish lady love, who reciprocates. Awwwwww. Remember how that feels?</p>
<p>mafool, I do remember. There’s a commercial airing now for a skin lotion or something that shows a boy and girl kissing after their first date and the announcer says something like “If only every kiss could be this special …” I love that ad and get all mushy thinking about my (various) first kisses!</p>
<p>S#1 is graduating 12/20, and landed an honest to goodness, grownup, FT job yesterday!</p>
<p>This thread is wonderful! Thank you all for sharing your good news!</p>
<p>I’m having a great day. Received an unexpected check for a hundred dollars. Made eighteen dollars today from used books. Going home to enjoy chili with cheddar cheese and sour cream dollop. And chocolate ice cream. Watch the squirrels eat peanuts off my windowsills. </p>
<p>On the other hand, I just found out one of my brothers is in the hospital. His twin in Utah emailed me. Rear-ended in car accident, recovering from surgery, broken ribs, pnuemonia. Plan to visit him tomorrow up there in Wisconsin. Please remember him in your prayers, guys. Thanks.</p>
<p>cottonwood513-I hope that turns out okay! Sending lots of good thoughts his way. </p>
<p>My good news: As of today, a horrible ex boyfriend who treated me terribly is out of my life for good. I’m still only a senior in high school, but this was just a bad, bad situation for anyone to be in, and I am so glad to be done with it!</p>
<p>Thanks and I’m very happy that guy is out of your life.</p>
<p>cottonwood, my best wishes to you and your family. Hopefully, your brother will recover soon.</p>
<p>I have lost some $ in the stock market, but I don’t need it to live, so I can wait & hope it recovers.</p>
<p>The important things in life are good- the dog is healthy & happy, the kids are all on track, healthy & busy, doing what they need to do, DH & I are good. We learned our tough lesson about not believing the media hype and living conservatively 20 years ago, so as long as an actual depression does not hit, we will be okay. We already cut out extras long ago for kids schooling, so it just feels like every one else is joining us now ;)</p>
<p>Money comes & Monday goes, it’s the other stuff that is important</p>
<p>As soon as the twins left for college I enrolled in an MBA program. I’m lucky because my employer pays part of it. I’m enjoying it, although it’s a lot of work. What really gives me pleasure is that me- in my early 50’s-still has all this energy for f/t work and school. And it sort of distracts me from worrying about the economy.</p>
<p>I got a job! After being unemployed since May (and being happy, but broke), I was offered a part-time job and it actually pays well! It was one of the great things that happens when you network- people always say you can get a great job just by knowing people and I’ve just finished week two of what’s a pretty good gig so far. Let’s hope it continues!</p>
<p>I love this thread! sabaray, great news; congrats!</p>
<p>My good news: three kids just showed up on my doorstep wanting my S to hang out with them. I’d never seen two of the kids before, but the other lives across the street, and has been very kind about reaching out to my isolated, socially awkward kid to include him in their fun. Some of his other friends are already over at his house, and these kids came to see if mine could join them. Yes, he surely can!</p>
<p>My ex just called to tell me he was on his way to pick S up; I told him to take his time, take his time – the kid is out being social. :-)</p>
<p>(Such a small thing to most, this, but such a huge thing for my kid!)</p>
<p>They reopened the newly remodeled National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian today. I can’t wait to go there. I’ll probably go during the four-day Thanksgiving break (alone, because I have no kids coming home for the holiday – but then, I prefer to go to museums alone).</p>
<p>Boy, am I a nerd.</p>
<p>I would be nerdin’ right along side you if I could be there, Marian.</p>
<p>owlice, that’s AWESOME! </p>
<p>I had some bittersweet news a few weeks ago- D had applied to Pitt (it’s a popular safety at her HS and she knows some students who go there, nice kids, I digress), was accepted, we went to visit…definitely wasn’t the right school for her. So…Monday, mail comes, full tuition scholarship, to Pitt. </p>
<p>Yep.</p>
<p>^^Marian: I sure do hope they still have the dollhouse. Otherwise I’m going to be mad–and the reopening will not be good news.</p>
<p>The good news is: My guy won the election. Our son is happy in college. And he’s coming home tomorrow. My elderly mother can go out for Thanksgiving this year (knock on wood). Work is plentiful, for some odd reason.</p>
<p>And I just don’t open my brokerage statements, because what can I do?</p>
<p>Owlice: WONDERFUL news. It’s the “small” things that matter so much. (And no, it’s not small…it’s magical.)</p>
<p>I too love this thread! Other things to be happy/grateful for: (and thank you to all who gave me good wishes. I really appreciate it as it has been a very long haul) </p>
<p>My son who has always worked in his chosen field, although feeling the economy, is on his own and happy.</p>
<p>My oldest daughter graduated, took the summer off and got a job in her field within two weeks of starting her job search. (Although I genuinely miss just hanging out with her without a schedule.)</p>
<p>My youngest starts college in January (spring admit)</p>
<p>Marian, if you’re down there on Friday, come have lunch with me at work! I’m downtown and have to work that day. Can’t go nerding with you, but can show you a great building after lunch that you’ll probably not get a tour of otherwise. 
</p>
<p>sabaray, yay for the offer anyway, and I’d bet it’s a harbinger of things to come, for schools she likes a whoooole lot better!!</p>
<p>ellebud, thanks and yay! for work, graduation, and the spring admit! That’s great!</p>
<p>geezermom, what are these “brokerage statements” you write of? Never heard of 'em!! :D</p>