<p>Not sure whether to put this here or in the bragging thread. I’m just feeling really blessed tonight. Putting the hectic finishing touches on our summer. Tomorrow night we’re off to orientation for D3, the last of the bunch. Happy about her school choice, and really excited for her. Proud of how she finished her senior year, the local scholarships she got, and all her volunteer work this summer! :). D2 starts get junior year, and she worked her tookus off this summer, and also landed two scholarships! We will squeeze in a last minute vacation, and move them into separate schools in the same weekend. Crazy, but so happy and so blessed! :)</p>
<p>cromette- so glad for you and your family- that was telling me something good!</p>
<p>Went to DH’s family reunion (dreading it because of old family drama). Had a great time, swam in the lake, hugged lots of little kids, ate far too much, and NOBODY said anything really ugly about my kids.</p>
<p>H retired after 45+ years at a job he loved! Folks took him out for lunches and dinner on his last night. Wveryone seems genuinely very find of and happy for him. </p>
<p>We had two watches needing replaced batteries and one that needed cleaning. We took it to our friend who was a jeweler and gemologist (but now works for the federal government on computers), and he helped replace the batteries and cleaned the inside of the crystal of the other watch, so now we have three lovely and operating watches. We took the friend and his wife and D to dinner and had a great time. :)</p>
<p>D got engaged last week.
My mom is recovering well from her recent surgery and D and I were able to visit her this weekend.</p>
<p>Great news! Retirement (hallelujah, I am so jealous), engagement, recovery, scholarships, and NO drama! This is definitely the place to go to when you only want to hear happy stories.</p>
<p>I witnessed what I think was a “personal best” performance by my D this weekend. And the best part was, she felt the same way. That is a rarity among perfectionists. She even posted on Facebook that it was one of the best experiences of her career thus far. That is really saying something.</p>
<p>Here in Ohio it’s a beautiful and rare cool summer day and I am about to stop working and go watch my D play LAX in it.</p>
<p>Our S1 (U.S. Navy) is coming home this weekend for the first time since being deployed to Bahrain last Thanksgiving. </p>
<p>DH is planning to retire May 31,2014. The countdown is on. </p>
<p>My 82 year old MIL exercises at home using her ancient VHS tape made in the 90’s.</p>
<p>Applause, packmom, I must follow you around.</p>
<p>The six yards of mulch put out last week make the hosta look soooo pretty. </p>
<p>The peach crisp I made last night was really good, and I am makng something yummy with rhubarb for tonight. </p>
<p>DD’s BF is visiting and it is really nice to hear the giggling and laughing from someone who is pretty quiet most of the time. And BF brought us pickled (huge) cucumbers…cannot wait to try them. </p>
<p>It is a wonderful life.</p>
<p>^^PackMom - I thought mine were good until I read yours… Blessings to your son and your family.</p>
<p>I went to see my 89 year old mom this weekend. She is still living independently, but has slowed down a bit. She lives 200 miles away, but I am still able to see her at least once a month. She is always so happy to see me. I took her to church Sunday morning and we were able to visit with an old neighbor there. He is 95 - and when I reminded him who I was he remembered my childhood nickname. He hugged me and had tears in his eyes. </p>
<p>Today I walked around the lake with my beautiful daughter. She is a very busy resident so every minute spent with her is precious. </p>
<p>rockymtnhigh - Thanks for starting this thread. It reminds me of the ‘gratitude journal’ I used to write in daily. I think I’ll start again.</p>
<p>H and I are going on our first vacation in over a year and a half (to MIL’s place at a SC beach), the first one since his acute illness last year. S is coming along, but D declined since she was going on a weekend trip with some friends. Yesterday D called and said she’d actually rather beach it with us so she’s coming too.</p>
<p>I can’t remember the last beach vacation when we were ALL TOGETHER. I can’t wait. We’re gonna do a whole bunch of nothing but relaxing.</p>
<p>So happy for those sharing here. Sounds like a lot of good things are happening in our lives. Today, just got confirmation that another exhibitor will be present at our event and have information and materials that will be of interest to those attending our event in September. This makes two or three new exhibitors for 2013, which should be interesting for those attending.</p>
<p>I also got a reasonable quote for a cloth tote bag (under $2 apiece) that we can give to all who attend (and all who donate to our organization), for them to store their materials and handouts. I think it will be very welcomed, especially as our state moves toward eliminating free plastic and paper bags at our stores.</p>
<p>My ods has taken off tonight on a trip to Europe.
Worried about him but excited for him!!!</p>
<p>This weekend we had a lovely lunch a local Chinese restaurant ($6/meal - we go there a lot). My fortune cookie was inspiring…</p>
<p>“You can only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”</p>
<p>colorado mom^ like that. I found out yesterday all is OK with D2 and school ( my imagination got the best of me for a while) and what I thought was an email saying we caused a problem (from the HOA) was actually just a FYI about a situation. Relieved to just go to work without worrying alot.
One day in grad school alot of people were laughing and smiling in the back of the class and an irritated teacher said ‘just stand up and tell the class what is so funny’ and one guy who was a navy pilot before grad school stood up and said ‘I was just saying I am glad to be here’ and sat down. The teacher really had no response to that. Sometimes I think the same thing.</p>
<p>Mine is little, but the kind of thing I think back on for a day or two and it makes me feel good. A guy at work watched me work with a challenging person, and said “hanaviolet, you’re a saint.” I can be pretty patient with people and their issues. It was so nice that he took a moment to compliment me.</p>
<p>I’m not a parent, but I just had to share this: a close friend of the family just gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. I cannot be more thrilled! :D</p>
<p>We’re caught up! We’re caught up! Our house payment is finally caught up! No more nasty-grams with forclosure threats in the mail! No more phone calls! Thank you God!</p>
<p>One of D’s best friends (who is getting married next June) just won a free wedding gown in a drawing she entered at a bridal show! She and D + bride’s mom are out looking at dresses.</p>