Hey Everyone!
So glad to hear that Austin is feeling at least a little better, Linda! I can imagine how frightening and upsetting it's been for all of you, with his not feeling well. And I'm sure that your DD and SIL truly appreciate the special care that you've been giving him! I just know that he will be feeling all better in no time, and that he'll be ready and rearing to go, for Christmas!
How did that fudge come out? YUM! I'm sure that it was wonderful!
You just let me know if I can help with your pictures, in any way! And thanks for the advice about my velcro-like dry skin on my hands - will have to try some of your suggestions. I am so bad - there are bottles of lotion all over the house (Frank is very conscientious about lotioning his hands every time he washes them), but I always seem to be too lazy to use any of them! I know that I should put some on before I go to sleep every night......
Great to hear from you, Angie! I am going to go and check out your circus link as soon as I am done posting - that sounds like such a neat experience for the children! I can't believe that those weren't your cookies that we were smelling! Well, maybe it was just the THOUGHT of your delicious cookies baking that evoked our images of them coming out of the oven and smelling wonderfully!

And you'd better watch out, if Linda comes to visit you en route to WDW in May..........she just might "kidnap you" and bring you along to Florida with her, so that we can all watch the EWP together!
How are you doing, out there, Depply and Elaine? Can't wait to hear about your trip, Elaine!
Well, I was all but offered the position at the Hospital, that I'd mentioned. I say "all but" because when I found out the time commitment required, I realized that there is no way that I could accept such a responsibility. The job requires full 8-hour shifts EVERY weekend (both days) and EVERY holiday. And the pay is miniscule. It would be different if I was a 20 year old college student.......but I'm a 36 year old adult with a husband, a mortgage, and other responsibilities. Unfortunately, such a schedule would most likely be the case in any hospital. The least senior people are apparently always required to work the least desirable shifts - and there is no choice in the matter. I was very disappointed.
But the meeting was valuable because the Registered Dietician with whom I met gave me a lot of very useful, practical, and honest information about the field, her work, etc. It really made me think about whether "going the RD route" would be right for me, in the long run........and I now realize that I don't think it is. That doesn't mean that I'm planning to give up hopes of working in the field of Nutrition - I just don't think that I'm going to pursue eventually becoming an RD or doing hospital work. I'm going to use winter break to figure out a more definitive "path" / alternative. Perhaps I'd change my course of education and work towards a Master's in Social Work or Psychology, instead, while still taking some undergraduate Nutrition classes. I don't know - I have a lot of thinking to do! So even though the interview did not result in my actually getting a job, at least I believe that they WOULD HAVE hired me, had I been amenable to the hours required, and the experience was very thought-provoking and eye-opening, as well.
I'm trying not to focus on / obsess about "THE FUTURE" until after my exams are over. I have 3 finals this coming week and one the following week. When they are finished, I will devote my time to figuring out "where to go from here". I wish that things would just settle down in my life, already - too many changes, too many "traumas" - I just want a few nice, "boring", calm months, already! My brain needs a rest (mostly from worrying!) and I'm still sleeping only 4 or so hours per night.
At least my father seems to be doing even a little bit better than when last I reported. Some of his neighbors invited him to share Sabbath dinner with them, last night, and he went and had a wonderful time. I think it's good that he get out and be with people other than just my uncle, Frank, and me. And it was so kind of the neighbors (whom my father barely knows) to invite him and make him feel so welcome. He's also attended 2 different Bereavement Group meetings, which is a big step for him.
Tonight Frank and I went to my best friend Gary's niece's Naming ceremony at his family's synagogue. A Naming ceremony is something similar to a Christening or a Bris, that is done for Jewish baby girls. As part of the regular Sabbath service, the baby is blessed by the Rabbi and then her Hebrew name is formally announced. Then the parents of the child explain the significance of the name and who the child is named for (we're only allowed to name children after deceased loved ones - we are not permitted to name children after loved ones who are still with us). It was a really beautiful ceremony - neither Frank nor I had ever been to one before. And the baby is just so adorable! The funny thing is that while we were there, tonight, Gary wasn't! Believe it or not, Gary is in Los Angeles, where he is performing on stage at a benefit concert being given by all of his favorite pop performers of the 1980's (thanks to winning an online auction)!
Hope that all is well with all of you, and hope that you're all having a great weekend!
