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Liz, it sounds like you and DH have created and built a life you cheri**** even sounds like sometimes DH is grateful to find out he has a life that, before you, he didn't even know was possible. Your story is beautiful.

And Paula, you too have made a beautiful 2nd act. I feel your re entry pain. Hopefully the cold is going to shift a bit this week. Good to hear pet sitting went well, even if the house is a bit messy.

I am in a bit of a 2nd act too, although the main characters are the same. Saturday at our coffee shop I was struck by the thought that my 20 something self would think my life was pretty cool, and a lot of what I'm doing now is what I was longing for then. (Except the dance clubs, I no longer long for the chaos of a dance club). It's hard to know when you're 20 how wonderful life can be in your 50s, 60s, and I hope, 70s.

In the ongoing drama of what is going on at the VA, 39 job categories are now exempt from the hiring freeze, and social worker is one of them. The VA was authorized to again extend job offers that were rescinded Tuesday. DD was contacted, and her hiring process is active again. Hallelujah!!!! Whew!!! I will celebrate big time when it actually happens, but we're all feeling optimistic, and feeling optimistic feels great!

I need to get on my computer and start writing numerous reports. I slept until 8, returned some emails, and attended an online meeting, all from the comfort of my reading chair. It's a good Friday.

119.4 - official weight for the week

I hope Paula and her DH got home at a decent hour (and slept on the plane). What a long trek for them.

We had a great time at dinner and at the musical last night. The Italian restaurant is the best in town IMO. We ate inside because of the cold but we checked out their new outside bar afterwards and it was plenty warm with the outdoor heaters. Nice big bar one can eat at. Always good to know which places have bars we can go to for dinner without reservations. Stayed up late (midnight) talking and that was good too though DH seems very tired this morning.

We are supposed to work at the tennis tournament this afternoon and tomorrow morning but it will be freezing - super windy so the wind chill will make it feel like 40 this afternoon and 30 tomorrow morning . I am supposed to do merchandise sales but they haven't been able to set it up yet due to the winds. Maybe I will get a "bye" today? It is FINALLY supposed to warm up tomorrow afternoon and continue to get warmer and sunnier over next week. Thank goodness! DH said previously that if we hadn't met he might have sold his Florida home and moved to Cape Cod fulltime, living like a hermit. He has commented a few times this week that now he does not know how he could live year-round in the cold because he gets so antsy. He does not like filling time watching tv or reading (I could read anytime though I would hate being cold). I said he would have to take up something active indoors like bowling or the like. Glad we don't have to do that though.

I am going to gentle yoga for the first time in 2 years this morning. I can get into an okay downward dog but we shall see how much I can do. My surgeon had cleared me for doing it (really anything) at my last visit. In fact, he encouraged water aerobics and yoga for my shoulder. I haven't been to water aerobics in more than a week because it has been too cold. Hopefully by next week it will be running again.

Have a fierce Friday!

Greetings all

More sun but it is brisk. Works for me. I went to the gym and walked even though my legs hurt a lot this morning. Still do. Nothing seems to fix it. After that it was studio time and I did some glazing. Dealt with w-2 filings and such. Stopped at the grocery for deli items for dinner. DH took the dogs out for a walk. Ho hum, another day. I did get an email with a new lease for the gallery. Have not read it all but the rent appears to be what I wanted. Yay.

Yes Liz you were right to tell SIL's DS that she needed extra help. And kudos to whoever did the tennis tournament! I sure would have bagged it. Hoping the Florida winter is over soon.

DD yay on skipping training day. What's to train? Glad your DD can keep her job. Hoping the universe settles down (after major cosmic fart) and maybe hiring will go back to normal. The needs are still there and a piece of paper won't change that. One more semester and then it's rock and roll!!

Well time to go read the lease and make sure they did not try to sneak any bad stuff in. I would not put it past these people.

Forgot to get fresh hamburger for the dogs. So it's another evening of freezer exploration. Diane S

It's really good of you to help SIL's son understand his Mother's needs. I suspect most Moms will try to keep the real deal info from their kids, even their adult kids. Fashion show sounds like so much fun.

I'm home for a bit, then off to an endocrinologist appointment, then to work. I'm missing part of a grading day. Tomorrow is training and I am calling in sick, but I'll work here at home.

I can't believe all the pictures of snow in the south. Crazy! I just saw a clip of a snow covered deck on a cruise ship and someone commenting it is an unusual launch party. Hope they get someplace warm. We have friends in Panama City Beach and Savannah right now. We've been reading them that they are no doubt the most competent drivers in town right now.

It seems like a slim possibility, but staff is now asking what we should do if ICE comes for a student. Previously, schools were safe zones, but they no longer are. I don't know yet if there are extra protections for minors, but we definitely have 18 year old seniors in the building. I thought having to talk about active shooters was distressing enough.

DD was assured yesterday she can stay in her current position. Hallelujah. She will have to decide at some point if she is going to hang around hoping her job might become available this spring or move on. Since she is already a VA employee, it would be best to move within the VA, but what if the job never comes back? She definitely needs to pursue work that compensates her for her new skill set. But for now, she has an income and insurance. She is better off then a lot of people who had their job rescinded.

2nd semester starts Tuesday. Halfway there!!

I hope you make it back safely today and get sleep on the way. That's the downside of traveling so far. When we went to Hawaii we were able to take a 13 hour nonstop flight from Boston to Honolulu. I rarely sleep on flights so that was much easier for me to stand than our Tahiti flight which was like your flight home to WI.