OTOH, I really like having time to hang around the house and bake, and watch too much television, and understand internet memes, which none of my siblings do (except the software guy maybe). And it gives me time to support Dad, which is really more important than being ambitious or important or making money for shareholders.

I think the way we spend our days means a lot more than we realize. And it's worth it to enjoy most of them, when you can.

Congratulations, Kat!

And congratulations to you too, Suela, for making a decision you're comfortable with.

Sounds like a productive day, Suzi.

Good luck, Calli!

And way to go, Sarameg!

I think the way we spend our days means a lot more than we realize. And it's worth it to enjoy most of them, when you can.

I've been with my company for a zillion years and at times I think about looking for a different job where I could make more money. But then I think of all the institutional history I have with my current job, the reputation I have across the company, the flexibility both in where I work and the hours I work, and that I'm in a position with good growth potential. I know I'm lucky and why give that up. Yes, more money/prestige would be nice, but I'm not willing to give up what I have.

Exactly, Suzi. I've been where I am for 6+ years, and apparently I've learned more than I knew. Which is helpful.

OK, should I go make brownies? Or just watch last night's SHIELD? Or possibly both?

I'm excited for you, Kat! Congrats!

I've come around to the fact I no longer have ambitions to set the world afire or be someone who makes a Big Difference. I want to be ...pleasant. I want to cultivate a space where it's kindness. I've got my hood and a job I like and that engages me ( though my employer is doing its best to thwart that) and I can work in my house and take care of the people I love. My orbit is small, I want to exert my efforts there. I want pleasant, I want to share that. I hope it echoes.

And for the unveiling of nomoretape: [link]

Every time H makes an improvement around here, I tell him, "It looks like it's always been that way--like it's supposed to be that way."

Your wall looks like it's always been that way--like it's supposed to be that way, Sarameg.

Yay Kat! Your new school looks really cool.

Which reminds me, would love to talk to you some time (weekend maybe?) about Palms as I am so of two minds about the school, and of whether it's the right place for Franny. She's doing okay, I just... don't know.

Wow sarameg, that looks great!

Yeah, it looks..,boring. As it should! No more bubbly plaster flouresence and stains. And I'm hoping that by using the cement board, if there are future moisture issues in that wall (I'm really really cautious... and pessimistic) , it'll be easy refinishing. Just sanding and paint. No rebuilding the damn plaster where it pulled off the mortar on lathe.

Suzi, I'm so sorry for your loss.

Kat, that is great news!!

My job has been particularly demoralizing lately. I feel like we're doomed for failure (thanks, in part, to sarameg's employer!) and yesterday my team was told that, basically, the absentee business owner has "no faith" that we can do the job. ugh. It's stuff that has come up before, and I'd already been pretty depressed about my job and the project but I just lost it. And then was told by my bosses that I shouldn't "take it personally." I swear that was the closest I've ever come to straight up walking out of a job. But, I didn't. Instead I texted Bob and he encouraged me to set up a meeting with our head of HR (who is the wife of the owner). So I talked to her this morning which was good. She said when she told her husband that I'd asked for a meeting he said to do "whatever Lisa says" to make it better. I'm one of the remaining original employees (I was like hire number 9 and we've grown to over 300 people now) and she made it clear that they still really value me. I think at this point if I said "get me off this project now" they'd make that work for me. I'm not sure that that's what I want to do though. I've invested so much in the work; I'd really like to see it succeed (unless sara's employers, in league with our fed client, do actually doom us to failure).