EWP group?

[jstmee]

Happy Easter! and Rider, I'm not sure about dates and stuff for passover, but my regards to you also.

Helenabear I am imagining you singing your beautiful song for your vigil mass.

My DH and I just got back from Boston a few hours ago. I never realized how worried I was about the return of my cancer. But, whew, the Doctor did her examine and found nothing and I go back in three more months. I was so relieved I was a little weepy the following day. I now have a little something else going on. Had a mammogram, then an ultrasound and now they want to do a biopsy on something that they found. The good news is that my Doctor that I saw this week knows someone she is referring me to soooooo -- I feel confident that I am in good hands. This other Doctor is at the Gillette Cancer Center in Boston also. I am so blessed that I have insurance that will cover the majority of these visits.

Rider, I am so saddened about your news about your job. It is the trend these days to let go of the long term employees so that they can hire new ones at a fraction of the pay. I am willing to bet that this is what is happening with you. It is so scarey that the trend now a days is to restructure, layoff and rehire....or so it seems. I know so many people that this has happened to. My SIL, father and friends, even Luis.

helenabear, my prayers go out to you also...as SG said life has many turns and twists, hang in there and good things will come to pass.

Angelina I'm sure you are busy tonight waiting for the Easter Bunny to arrive. My DH was tired from our drive home and I think he has a stomach bug so he went to bed already, so I have to become the Easter Bunny tonight. I have to wait for the kids to put out their baskets, go to sleep, then I fill them and hide them and wait for the wee hours of the morning until they wake up and look for them.

Again, have a good Easter.

SG, I am so proud of you with your WW keep up the good work......no gain is good even if there's no loss... Hang in there.

Good night, Wendy

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Dear Jstmee, there are tears of joy here also. I am sure that they are being overly cautious because of your previous problem and that is exactly what we want them to do. I am doing the 'Happy Dance". I don't do it for great rates at DW and such but save it for occasions like this. You are so nice to drop by and give us the good news. We really appreciate it because I know you have had a long day and still have all the Easter bunny work to do as well. Anyone who calls women the weaker sex has never done the work that women do. LOL I bet Angelina is up doing the Bunny Hop as well. How well I remember the Christmas Eve's when I was the one who was up all night putting all the toys together.


I wish that I could be there in person to hear Helenabear singing. What a joyous way to celebrate this special day.

Dear Rider, I hope that this season is bringing you some comfort. I love the rituals that go with Passover and all. So family oriented and filled with such wonderous history and reminding us that we can overcome any trials with His help.

Happy Easter/Passover to all and best wishes for you all

Slightly Goofy

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Everyone!

Thank you all SOOOOO MUCH for your thoughtful and supportive words and posts! You are all so wonderful! (But that's nothing new!) I was finally able to catch up on all of your posts of the past week, and I really appreciate your advice and comments regarding my parents and the shower, and your sharing stories of your family with us, Wendy and Linda, and all of your kind words regarding my charming job situation, everyone! You are all such wonderful and special friends! I hope that you all had a great holiday weekend and a very happy Easter!

I'm hanging in there. Tough to be back at work, today. Had a nice talk with my boss, though (as I'd suspected, he had nothing to do with the decision to "can" me - in fact, he didn't even know that it was going to happen until Human Resources called him 5 minutes before they called me) and he was very supportive and encouraging. Best of all, he said that he would be extremely flexible with allowing me to leave early or come in late, if necessary, as I look for another job. I'm feeling a little better - but I'm still very angry. I just don't understand why they're letting me go, of all people, since my record is essentially spotless and I've been working my @#$% off for these people for the past 2 1/2 years. Also, since they're making my group into an IRA Technical Competency group, and I have 12 years of retirement plans experience with the firm and have worked in 2 other IRA technical positions in the past.....yet for whatever reason, they don't want me and would prefer some totally inexperienced people in their "technical competency" group. How can you have a "technical competency" group with no TECHNICAL COMPETENCY?????!!!!!!! I just don't get it. Oh well, enough of that.

Fortunately, this will not affect our wedding plans - even if I stay all the way through till September (that's when the "new business model" becomes effective), I will have close to a year of paid severance, since I have been with the company for so long. So, we're OK financially, at least for the next year, whether I find a new job or not. Plus, most of the stuff for the wedding is paid for, already - we purposely tried to pay for as much as possible as soon as possible so that we don't get slammed with bills at the end!

Anyway, thanks so much for thinking of me, as all of you are thoughtful enough to always do! It was so nice to (FINALLY!) pop into the Suite and find all of your lovely sentiments and great comments, today!

Wendy - Thank God you got a good report from your doctor! That is wonderful news! And I'm sure that you will get just as good news as the result of this new batch of tests that you are taking. It's good that you are having them, for peace of mind, and I'm sure that the results will be good ones.

I'm sure that your solo went beautifully, Elaine - you'll have to tell us all about it!

I loved your story about your DD and your DN doing their arts and crafts project on your couch, Angie! That is so cute! Sounds like you are very busy, down there, as always!

Thanks so much for your note, Cathy - and for your faith in my wedding planning abilities!

And thanks again for everything, Linda!! How did your bunny cake come out? Congratulations on your latest WW accomplishment - and I'm sure that your Easter dress looked wonderful!

Thanks so much again for everything, everyone! Hope that you all had a fantastic holiday! Can't wait to hear about your various adventures with the Easter Bunny, if you did anything special with your children / grandchildren for the holiday, how your services were, etc. Take care and I'll talk to you all, soon!

 

[helenabear]

Hello everyone! I have been popping in here and there but never had the energy to sit down and chat... just listen I had a busy weekend. I did take Friday off and I was able to relax nicely on that day and not do much of anything On Saturday my friend who lives just outside of Chicago was in town and we met for lunch. Hannah and I spent a few hours together and it was nice. She told me I am more than welcome to viist her in Chicago anytime I want and any time I need a place to crash at, her place is always open for me. So hopefully sometime in the summer I will be able to make it out thaty way. With airfare so cheap from here to there it is really a toss up between driving and flying. If I decide on a firm date, I will decide then how I will really get there. No matter what, I do have to coordinate this trip with more than one person so I don't miss anyone along the way

Rider, so glad to see you in here again. I can imagine how hard it is going back to work day after day and having to deal with it all. I am glad to know that your boss still loves you. Sometimes it is that way. Luis' boss didn't want to lose him, but he had a college degree and made more than a good portion of the people who had been working there longer. He was one of the first to go It sounds like you have an excellent severence package and I am so happy this will not effect your wedding plans. I am also glad that your boss is so understanding in letting you take the time you need to find a new job. I still feel really bad for you and I wish I could help in some way. So here are some more {{HUGS}} to you and know that I am here if you need it.

Angelina, I really had to laugh at your story about Sumfin f'you. That is unbelievably precious. I am not sure I could have been mad at that one and I hope the memory will stay with you for many many years to come! That is great news that your DD will be receiving Communion this year. It is such a blessed event and so beautiful to watch. I hope your children are able to get well soon and be able to stay that way for the rest of this spring

Jstmee, I will keep you in my prayers. I am glad to hear about your positive check up and hope that nothing comes up from the biopsy they are planning to do. I even begin to know how youf feel, but you are in my thoughts always!

SG, if I do drive and decide to take a longer weekend out there and back I will definitely stop by and say hi to you. If not, sometime maybe I will take a day trip just so we can have lunch. Indy isn't that far away and easily doable in a day Of course I shouldn't say much right now because I am planning these trips in the back of my mind and don't have anything firm yet for anything Shame on me But I really do plan on trying to do these things soon and when Luis gets vacation, I plan to head out to NJ. I can justify visiting friends w/o Luis but family is a little rough to do without him. Also Linda, congrats on you 1.6#s That is wonderful. Definitely going in the right direction.

Well since several of you brought it up, the solo went well. Mass in general was beautiful and I very much enjoyed it! We sang a beautiful gospel sounding song called "Put on Christ" Luis loves that song as he can really "go to town" on his drumset I did wake up early that morning with a sore throat and was congested, but at first I didn't think much of it because with my sinuses always acting up, I figured it would go away on its own. By noon I wasn't feeling any better, so I cam to the CB to ask for a little help. I swear this place does wonders because by the time it came for us to leave, I didn't feel bad at all. I was told I did well on the solo by several and I am just glad to be able to share my voice when I can. I used to be much more shy about it, but over the years my choir director has helped me get over my fear some. Now I am still shy and cannot just sing for you on the spot, but maybe someday you all will be able to hear me

Sunday was fun, we went to our friends' for dinner. They are a lovely family of four (Doug, Margaret Mary, Anthony & Stephen) that we know from church. Also invited were four other friends from church as well. We had a great time and Luis was happy to be able to play basketball with the boys. He is a little sore today though I love hanging out with them and we spent 6+ hours with our friends.

Wow, I have really babbled, but then again that is what I get for keeping my mouth shut for a day or two! I hope you all had a great weekend and that you have a splendid evening

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Boy, this place is getting to be as hard to get into as Fort Knox. I came by and read the latest the other day and got a new message saying it would be right back and I waited but it 'lied'. LOL


Helanabear, if you get the time to stop by you will be most welcome but if not I will understand. When I go back to Ohio for a visit there is no way I can get around to everyone so I often do not tell anyone I am coming and hope that people will understand. I will get to see you in a few weeks, I hope. If you would feel comfortable about it my sister and bil say they would be willing to visit your church so we could hear your beautiful voice. Let me know what you think as I would not want to make you nervous or anything. I am so glad that your visit with your friend went well. The older the friend the more precious. All those shared experiences make a tight bond.

Rider, I am so relieved to hear that you have such a good severance package. I would not be surprised to find that you might actually enjoy a bit of time off work since it fits in with your wedding and all pretty well. I would not be surprised to hear that you get a much better job either. It seems awfully shortsighted of companies to lay off their more expensive employees since they are losing all that experience and training as well. Where my DH used to work they got rid of a lot of the old timers with the excuse that they did not have a college education and brought in fresh graduates that could not even change their own oil let alone lead a group in the building of diesel engines. I hear from a lot of friends that are teachers that they are caught in a Catch 22 situation in that they are required to further their education but they sometimes price themselves out a job because they want cheaper teachers. I am so impressed with you and Helenabear because you don't think of young people being so level headed about handling money and from things you have both said I can tell that you are like me in that you do not like to waste money or spend more than you have. It is such a freedom when you are not as dependent upon the economy.

Angelina, has Spring sprung there yet? I keep seeing ads on our local tv stations for Alabama and the Gulf Coast. I always think of you and Fairhope when I see them. I was telling my daughter about the area yesterday. Cookies gone?

Jstmee, have things calmed down around your home? I hope so, you deserve a break. All our best wishes are going out that you your latest tests come back negative.

I got tickets to "Cats" the other day. I have never bought through Ticketmaster before. Our $100 tickets became $120 thru their charges etc. Wish I had stock in that company.

I am sort of down tonight. On CNN they were showing Bethlehem and the destruction and chaos. There are people holed up in the Church of the Nativity while tanks and snipers are outside. I am surprised that the heavens are not raining over the entire world with the tears of angels at such a sight. Because people cannot share something special is being destroyed and trampled. As a mother I wish I could spank the lot of them. My heart goes out to all the people, Israeli's and Palistinines, who are merely trying to survive during these days.

Slightly Goofy

 

[helenabear]

Hi everyone! I was just popping in quickly to say hi to you all!

Linda, I will say the Chicago trip is very much in the making. I will NOT be driving however. I casually mentioned to my dad that I was thinking of going to Chicago to visit a few friends when he offered up some frequent flyer miles to me to use. So I will be flying in and out. I admit I am kind of relieved as driving that far for three days would be kind of a bear. But I will make it to visit you sometime in/near Indy. I swear the next Indy meet they have, I will be there As for your trip to Ohio, whatever works for you is fine. I am completely free that weekend and whatever you would like is fine with me. I am looking forward to it and can't believe it is only about a month away I will warn you now... I am bringing a camera. You can't expect two of us to meet with out pictures to share all

SG, it is sad to hear all that is going on in Bethlehem... very sad My heart goes out to all living there and anywhere else where conflict exists!

Well I hope you all are having a great day! I don't have much exciting to say except that I am glad that tomorrow is Friday I hope you all have a great day and a great weekend... and I also hope we won't be "locked" out again! Take Care everyone

 

[jstmee]

Happy Friday to you all. For me it means the onslaught of children bustling around the house the for weekend. My DH came home two days ago and has to spend the weekend away working. He came home for our final "regular" season bball games. Our team ended up in 1st place, now it's the play-offs. I believe the coaches of the other teams are a bit miffed at us because after all we (the coaches, of this team) are either a female (me) or thirteen years old (my twins), I think it was a bit unnerving for these macho male coaches. One is a town policeman and the other is a referee and the others "just plain old men", lol.

It has been a good experience overall. I have learned to put on the thick skin though. I don't like the conterversy though. When one wins a bball game the other coaches don't like it too much.

Well, DH walked in and I have to get off puter. He has work to do.

Hope everyone is well......Wendy

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Dear Jstmee

Hooray for you and your crew!!!! It takes patience and brains to coach, not big muscles so women are on an equal playing field in coaching IMHO. In fact we might be a bit ahead since we have many generations of training in how to get along with people and keep the peace. LOL

My sil who is not known for his patience or tact is a wonderful coach. He is calm, fair and the kids love him. If only he could carry that over to the rest of his life. I worry about him as he is very overweight and has trouble breathing already, at his young age.

If you should see a large lady in the bleachers screaming "Rah, rah, sis, boom , bah" at your next game it will be me, rooting you on!!!!

Helenabear, I posted a reply to your last posting and now see that it has disappeared. Urggggh! I am bringing a camera as well. (grin) I will wait until a bit closer to time to make definite plans for our visit. My sister is planning on having that weight loss surgery and might have it before May so I am not sure if she will be in any shape to get around. I tried to talk her out of the surgery but even though I am a prime example of it not working and being bad for you she is insistent. You would enjoy her and her hubby. They are hoots.

Angelina and Rider, good thoughts for a wonderful day to you all.

Slightly Goofy

 

[angelina]

Hi, everyone, I've really missed hearing from you. It's been impossible to get into the suite this week, so I spent time researching the DVC, dreaming of being there.

Lisa, it looks like we MIGHT make it to WDW in June, after all. Uncle Sam owes us a little money, and my dh got the time off from work, despite the changes going on now, so we (I) am keeping my fingers crossed really hard

We're on our way out the door to spend the weekend at the beach. It got colder here night before last, and it's a little cool today, but it will be o.k. Have a wonderful weekend, and I'll talk to everyone on Monday.

Angelina

 

[Dan Murphy]

Just stopping by to say hello.

Lisa, sorry to hear of your work situation and my best to you in the future, wedding, work and all.

Wendy, glad to hear your tests came out good and hope and pray the other ones do also.

Hoping everyone has a great weekend, don't forget to set your clocks (unless you are in one of those weird Indiana areas LOL) and change your smoke alarm batteries also.

Take care all.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Hi Angelina, what great news. I am so glad that you will probably get to be in the land of the Mouse soon. Wish I could be there too but the next best thing is that a couple of my friends can be. The idea of heading to the beach for the weekend is making my head spin as it is a bit cool here right now. I was outside doing yardwork in my barefeet one day last week and the next day it was snowing a bit. That is Indiana weather for you! It is as confusing as the Daylight Saving Time situation. (Dan, you are something else. ) It is only right that Slightly Goofy lives in one of the weird places in Indiana that is bound and determined to keep the same time all year long. LOL BTW, I change my smoke detector batteries each New Years Day. Works for us. New batteries are always on my Christmas shopping list along with cards and wrapping paper.

I am getting the house cleaned today come hell or high water. Don't have many at home days lately. Might have a small visitor this evening. Dalton tried his level best to come home with me this morning. It was so hard to say no, but I did it. Hope his parents appreciate it. (grin)

Have a great weekend all!

SG

 

[IASW Rider]

Hello!

Dan - thank you so much for stopping in and for your kind words - it's so nice of you to say them! Every little bit of encouragement really means a lot to me - I've been kind of down in the dumps, lately. I am so lucky to have wondeful friends, here!

I hope to see you at WDW in June, Angie!

Congratulations on your bball team's first place finish, Wendy! That is fantastic news! You'll have to keep us posted about the playoffs! When do they begin?

And Linda and Elaine - you had BETTER both bring cameras when you get together - we want to see lots of pictures of the 2 of you!!!! I'm sure that you will have a great time!

Talk to you all soon!

 

[jstmee]

....Another quick post. My kids are hungry! DH has taken off for work again and I'm alone with the kiddos, boo hoo. There may be an opportunity for me though for work. Our town just fired the Recreation Director for our Rec. Dept. and I've been thinking of applying for it. It would serve two purposes. This positions has been open 2 times and I have thought about applying both times. This will be the third time and it may be meant for me this time. hee hee.

If I decide to go for it my DH would be more able to accept a lower paying position close to home and stay here with us. Also, all of us are active with the Rec. Dept. so I would still be able to be with the kids "on the job" so to speak. This position is mainly for the administrative part, payroll, rules and regulations, child labor laws, grant writing etc. and I worked in Human Resources for years and did payroll and administrative stuff, so I figure with my althetic stuff also, ski instructor, life guard, coach I might have a pretty good chance at it.

The last two people they hired were not from the area and it's hard to keep someone in this remote area for long.

SG, can't wait to have you cheering us on at the championships. They are next Weds. and Thurs. night.

Rider, we missed each other in the suite my seconds I believe.

Angelina, the beach oh my! Sounds glorious, we keep having snow storms here. It's about 30 today.

gotta go............kids yelling for food

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Dearest Jstmee

It sounds as if you have landed in "Hog Heaven". I cannot imagine that you would not be a top contender for this job, if not the lead. It would give you all that you wish for, more time with your DH, watching your children grow up under your watchful eyes and a bit more money to spend at DW!!! Sounds as if you are in line for a bit of good news to balance out some of the negative you have had recently. About time, if I do say so myself!!!

I am sure that all your Suite Sisters will be sending lots of PD your way in hopes that your dreams come true. Sounds as if it would be a blessing for your Recreations Department also.

WTG!!!!!

SG/Linda

 

[helenabear]

Good evening everyone! My this has been a busy busy suite recently. Good to know you guys have had the time to pop in so much.

Jstmee, first of all, congratulations on the 1st place in baseball! That must be a wonderful feeling for you and your twins to have helped bring the team to where they are now. I wish you the best of luck at the play offs! I am sure your team will do just great! Also I am sending you tons of PD, good wishes and the like for the upcoming position as Rec. Director. I certainly hope you get it! It would be wonderful for you and your family if you could get that job so your DH could take a different job that would keep him closer to home. Please let us know how it goes!

Angelina, it would be absolutely wonderful for you if you could make it in June. It would be so neat to see two others from this suite to meet up soon. We'll have to get a photo album started of our little meetings with each other as soon as we get the pictures back. By the end of June we should have some great pictures to share with all I hope you are having a wonderful time at the beach this weekend and that the weather wasn't too cold for you all there.

Rider... here is another great big {{{HUG}}} for you!!! I hope things look up for you soon! How are the wedding plans going? Any good pictures of you in your dress that you'd love to share with us yet? I am getting excited for you and it'll be here before you know it! Don't you worry I will definitley be bringing my digital camera when I meet up with Linda so we will have pictures to post THAT DAY

SG, we will definitely work on our plans as the time gets closer. I have free run for that weekend and if you need me to come to you, I can certainly do it easily! You are so lucky... you don't have to lose an hour today I know it is technically tomorrow but I do set my clocks ahead before I go to sleep so I don't get messed up in the morning.

Dan, so good of you to stop in... you should stop by more often

Well not too much is going on today. I went out again looking for dresses. Maybe next weekend I will try going to the East side to the JC Penney outlet store. I do have a few dresses that are in the $130 range that I do like, but I don't like spending $130 on a dress. I saw today a lot of girls looking for Prom dresses today and I saw the most beautiful scene of a mother and her daughter shopping together. The daughter came out of the dressing room in her dress and looked beautiful. The mom was just beaming with pride and joy... she looked like she was about to tear up. It was very beautiful and very moving to watch.

So I can't say I didn't tell you (I forget things easily once in a while), I will be in Chicago from June 7-9. I am leaving in the morning on the 7th and will be able to spend a lot of time with many different people there. My friend Hannah, whom I am staying with, is being so good about letting me take time away from her to visit others who live in Chicago... good friends are hard to find and I am glad our friendship is on the mend.

Wow, again I have babbled a lot! I hope you all are having a splendid weekend

 

[angelina]

Hi, everyone, we got back from the beach a little while ago, and we're all worn out. The kids played hard in the sun today, they even managed to get in the water and were pulled behind the boat on an inner tub. We're all happily tired and sunburned. It was pretty cool Friday night, but we tried to fish a little from the pier, until we gave up. We had a lot of fun, though, with a big crowd of fun people. I hope we get to do it more often this year.

SG, did the house get cleaned this weekend? I will have to work on mine tomorrow, and wash all of the dirty laundry from this weekend, but 2 of my 3 are sick again, so I think we will end up in the doctor's office tomorrow morning.

Jstme, congrats on your bball team's wonderful finish. You must have a lot of fun with all of your kids! The rec dept. job sounds like a lot of fun, too. Have you made a decision, yet?

Helenabear, any luck with the dress?

Dan, thanks for stopping by to visit again--it's always a pleasure to "see" you!

I'm off to feed the masses and put them to bed! See you all tomorrow.

Angelina

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Good morning everyone!

I hope a bright and sunny morning woke you. Yes, Angelina, I had the house cleaned BEFORE the weekend but a small visitor necessitated the need for a bit more work yesterday. LOL I do not have the trampling hoards that you do though. Trust me, someday, you will have a clean house and a lot of quiet and you will miss these days. Enjoy today and whatever it brings and forget yesterday,it is gone and tomorrow is but a dream. (smile) How wonderful your weekend sounds. Doing things as a family is very important as well as a lot of fun. I hope the kiddos get to feeling better soon.


Helenabear, please wave as you pass over on your way to Chicago. You will have a blast, but then I believe you have a blast wherever you are. (grin)

Jstmee, are you still basking in the glow of your recent win? You deserve it.

Rider, how are you coping in the office? I imagine it is a hard situation but you know that the Phoenix rises from the ashes and so shall you.

I think I will go to WW this morning instead of Thursday because I have to take some older friends to a "Spring Fling" that night. The scales look hopeful this morning in spite of it having only been a couple of days instead of a week. I kept getting the advice to eat 'more' to lose and I did it this last week and it seems to be a strange truth. I had been living on veggie soup and salads but I ate near the low end of my points allowance instead of several points below. Have only been losing a bit over a pound a week the last couple of weeks and have been very discouraged. If I have managed 3 pounds it will be a milestone for me as it will be the least I have weighed in about 10 years. I will think light thoughts as I step onto the scales and hope for the best. LOL

Going to the library when I return from town and then back for a small break before my big boy gets here. Already have stuffed peppers made for tonight's supper so I think I am ready for the day. I am in awe of you youngsters who work outside the home and accomplish all your household duties as well as those of you will tiny people to watch over also. Makes me tired to remember those days.


Have a great day people!

SG/Linda

 

[IASW Rider]

Hey Everyone!

Lots of good luck and PD to you, SG - I'm sure that you will be happily surprised at your next WW meeting, and will have the great accomplishment of weighing the least you have in 10 years! That is very exciting! You'll have to treat yourself to something special to celebrate! We'll have the GENTLEMEN OF THE SUITE prepare some special gifts for you, and we'll be sure to alert the EWP drivers, so that they can do a special show for you! And that's so funny that you made stuffed peppers for dinner last night - I did, too!

And lots of good luck at PD to you, Jstmee - you HAVE TO apply for that job! I'm sure that you would do wonderfully and you would really enjoy it, as well! You'll have to let us know how it goes! I'm sure that you would do a great job with it!

That's so neat that you are able to go to the beach at this time of year, Angelina! I'm sure that it was a lot of fun for you all! It was over 70 degrees for the first or second time, this spring, today - it was nice to wear short sleeves to work! Not quite beach weather yet, here, though! Hopefully soon!

That's so great that you are going out to Chicago, Helenabear - I love that city! I'm sure that you will have a nice time with your friend! And I loved that story you told about seeing the mother and daughter shopping for her prom dress, too! Thanks so much for the big {HUG} - sending one back to you!

I actually do have a recent picture of me in my wedding dress - I had my first fitting on Saturday. I hadn't tried on my dress since I bought it in August, and when I did, it wouldn't stay up by itself - I had to hold it up, it was so big! The manager of the seamstresses told me that there was no way that she could alter it down to my current size, then brought me an identical dress in a different size that she thought would fit me.....which was 4 sizes smaller than my original dress......and it fit! Yipee!! So they let me exchange the dress (and the original bra that I'd bought to go with it) for the smaller versions. I absolutely cannot believe it (that was the best news that I've had in weeks!). I didn't realize that I looked any different than I did a few months ago, until I looked at a picture that of myself in the wedding dress the day that I bought it in August, next to a picture of myself in the smaller version of the same dress, taken on Saturday. I have the pictures hidden in a private album so that Frank can't stumble across them, but maybe I'll either e-mail them over or make them public long enough for you to see them, then hide them again so that Frank can't find them!

Everything else has been........weird. While on the one hand, the wedding stuff is really rolling along and Frank and I are having a lot of fun, this job thing is really getting to me and putting a damper on my happiness, no matter how hard I try to push it out of my mind. At the end of last week, my boss told me that not only was everyone else in my immediate work group asked to stay in the group, but the equivalent of my current position is still open, and they're looking for a candidate to fill it. In other words, they just don't want ME for the job, even though I'm the most qualified for it of those who were already chosen for the group, and I'm DOING THE JOB, NOW!! I took that as such an insult and an incredible slap in the face - that they already told me that they are not offering me a position.....yet the position that I wanted (and that I'm essentially doing right now) is still open. Now I'm taking all of this personally. They never liked the manager who hired me, and subsequently fired her last year. They probably still associate me with her, even though neither of us ever did anything wrong (except be women who aren't afraid to challenge the knowledge of higher up male managers, I guess), so now they want me "out". Anyway, I've been beating myself up (and probably driving Frank crazy) ever since. I alternate between being totally livid and being totally depressed. So I'm sorry that I haven't stopped in, in awhile. Between not wanting to whine to all of you and continually getting the "server busy" message when I've tried to get in, I haven't been able to stop by the Suite in a few days.

Anyway.......enough of that. I'm trying to find a new job within the company. Not having much luck yet, but hopefully soon.

Frank and I went wine tasting in Western NJ with my friend from college, Barbara, on Sunday. That was a lot of fun and something different to do! It still amazes me that wine grapes actually grow in NJ! We took a tour of one of the vineyards that we visited, and bought lots of great wines from each of the wineries. One of the vineyards bottles their wine under the brand name "Down the Shore" ("down the shore" is how we NJ people express where we're going when we go to the beach - we say we're "going down the shore". Why, I don't know, but that's a NJ colloquialism for you!), and have varieties called things like "Beach Blanket Blanc", "Sunburn Blush", and "Weekend White" - I thought that that was cute!

Anyway, time to head home, now (notice how I don't care if I post on the Boards during work hours, now? ). Hope that all is well with all of you! Take care, lots of {{{HUGS}}} to you all, and I'll talk to you soon!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Dear Rider

How very 'nice' your boss was for telling you such things. He (?) might be trying to discourage you from poking around and finding another job within the company. In my experience it is only the weak who are afraid of differing opinions. A good manager/boss would welcome different points of view in order to keep an even keel. Office politics are beyond my ken. Just keep on keepin' on and don't hang your head for anyone.

What a wonderful surprise, 4 sizes smaller? That is a lot at your size. What nice people at the place where you bought your dress. I am so happy t hey were able to accomodate your decreased size. Bet they have a lot of that happening, in both directions. The librarian,where I volunteer, is also a dressmaker and she showed me a dress that she had done over for someone who was a couple of sizes bigger on the wedding day. She about took the whole thing apart and cut down the back and hid the zipper that would not zip with a piece of the train. Such talent.

I laughed at your wine comments as we just had a winery open up down the road from us. It is flat land here and as different as what I would think wine country would be as anything. If they can have a winery in this tiny corner of the world they surely can do it in your part of the country.

I met a woman from NJ at WW last week. I told her I knew someone very special from there. (grin)

Bet your stuffed peppers were different from mine. I put a lot of veggies into a little bit of ground sirloin with some salsa and bake it in the pepper halves and then top it with some FF cheese at the last minute. I was hungry for Philly cheesesteaks the other night and took a low fat hot dog bun (1 pt) with a minute steak slice (2.5 pts) and green peppers and onions. It was sooooo good. Dieters are among the most invent ive people in the world IMHO. (LOL)

You are much on my mind nowadays and each and every day I send special prayers and thoughts your way in hopes that each day gets a bit better and happier.

SG/Linda

 

[IASW Rider]

Wow - your description of your recipes is making me hungry, SG!!!! Those stuffed peppers sound really good! What kinds of vegetables do you mix in with the meat? Do you make it with any "sauce"? I make mine in the crock pot or in a large pot with Campbell's tomato soup as the "sauce"! I use ground turkey or ground chicken as the filling and mix it with rice. And I only use red, yellow, or orange peppers, since the green ones upset Frank's tummy! I will have to try your recipe, though - that sounds really good!

Thanks, as always for your support and for saying those wonderful things. I actually think that my boss thought that he was doing me a favor by telling me that stuff - so that I would hear it from him instead of as "gossip" around the office, or whatever. He's trying to be diplomatic, I think, and he's doing a pretty good job of it. But I know that he's no saint, either. I just don't care any more. I just sit here at my desk, numb, for 8 hours. Then I go home. I'm absolutely not straining myself in terms of work. What gets done gets done, and what doesn't? Oh well. They can have the people whom they think are worthy of keeping on do the work, if they don't like the pace at which I do it. SO THERE! OK, enough of that depressing talk.

Yes, I was pretty amazed with the whole wedding gown experience, too! I thought that they were very nice, as well, and the seamstresses definitely seemed to know what they were doing. I'm going back for the second fitting next Wednesday. I took that day off from work because the woman who does my hair is going to do a "trial" of my hair with the veil, the night before, plus I'll have more time to get to the dress store that day and lug the dress over there with me. I had my shoes dyed (ivory) to match the dress, and they should be ready that day, as well.

That's so neat that a winery just opened up near you! Maybe they can produce wine grapes in all different parts of the country - I never would have thought that - I guess you learn something new every day!

And that's neat that you met someone from NJ at WW - you're always welcome out here in the Garden State!

Hope that you're all having a nice day! Talk to you soon!