Updates in the Neighborhood

Good Monday Morning!
It's Performance Review Time  for us here at Connecting Now.  Let's see how we've  done.

From Sneezeless in Seattle with the whistling nose:
It's a miracle. The whistling has stopped! After reading the pathetic advice I snorted in disbelief and wa-la! The whistle was gone. So, while the advice was less than stellar, it did the trick. On the other hand, with the whistling gone I can now hear the squish, squish of my thighs rubbing together when I walk. Another coNUNdrum!


From Weary Writer who had lost her writing joy:
First, thank everyone for their wonderful words of wisdom. They helped me put things in perspective. You know what my problem is? It's not the "technical" writing per se....it's that I have never learned to say "NO". I've never put the brakes on what people ask of me. I do need to keep my hands in the pot somewhat because if nothing else it gives me the financial means to make that FW conference each year and the excuse to go! (When I heard the 2011 conference was a go, I knew I couldn't give it up entirely...) BUT, like your wonderful readers suggested, limit what I do and don't let it take over my life. I'm going to redo my blog (it's really, REALLY rusty!) and I'm going to organize and plan out my day so that I have time for stuff I want to do. In fact, I actually got out and worked in my yard the other day - the first time in months! :)

From Fan Girl who had a mad crush on Illya--The Man from U.N.C.L.E:
Thanks for making me feel normal. I've decided to enjoy the crush as long as it lasts. I'm resigned to my fate (insert laughter at the seriousness of that statement). Here's a you-tube of a song that I get stuck in my head very easily (it pretty much sums up the fan-girl feelings).  Love Ya Illya!  Thanks again for everything!

From Prisoner whose husband wasn't providing for his family.
Everyone's advice was perfect and at the time, probably what I needed to do. Although I didn't walk away for even a short time, I did pull back and decide I was not going to be a victim, even in my own mind. It's not wrong to require excellence. It's not wrong to insist on family participation in the care of this home.

I did visit my brother.  After seeing the conditions there, I wish I could be kind about ants crawling about in the kitchen sink, but . . . anyway, I got some perspective while there.

Hubby's health has gone from bad to worse. Sometimes I wonder if he will be here in a year. He is supposed to be talking to lawyers about his qualifications for disability, seeing a doctor, and looking for work that he can do from a sitting position. My pastor is on his tail each step of the way; as he puts it, "Holding his feet to the fire." This is not just for him to get work, but for him to improve his health so that the children and I don't have to have a funeral.

His attitude toward me is good. The house is getting better. He has fixed the fridge (door hanging up), the dishwasher (would try to fall out whenever loading or unloading), he has been making calls and looking for work, almost had something the other day, but once they found out he used a cane, they told him they couldn't use him.

This morning he talked to the lawyer. They are opening a case for us re: SSI. They believe hubby has a case with his health. Hopefully things will begin turning around soon.

There has been a bright spot in our lives. Our daughter has begun a relationship with a wonderful man. . I told her today, it's almost like a gift from God. Everything else is stressful, why not bring something along that is really good and exciting and . . . well, you know.

Oh, I forgot to mention. Hubby has taken on the responsibility of teaching school to the boys while I get my school work and other writing assignments done. :)

I'll keep you all posted. Thank you for all the prayers.

On daughter who needed a new direction in life:
We're still looking into several of the leads the Readers provided.  Where one door has closed, another has opened.  Will let you know as soon as we have something concrete.  Thank you so much for your support and prayers.

From Wife of Rufus who had never once received a compliment from her husband.  This one gets me "right there":(

Basically, nothing has changed. That's totally on me, because I can't expect Rufus to change if he doesn't know what I wish would change. But I can't bring myself to tell him what I'm longing for, because he'd feel so bad about it. He'd be kicking himself for months that he'd been doing it wrong for 35 years. I can't do that to him.

I know that when he says "New haircut?" he honestly thinks that he's just given me a compliment.

I know that it's quite possible that he doesn't find this gray-haired, chubby old grandmother pretty, and that's his diplomatic way of acknowledging that he's observed the new blouse or the haircut, and that's as far as Mr. Scrupulous Honesty can go.

I know that he's a sweet, sweet man who has brought far more into the marriage than I have, so I should just count my blessings and move on. And that's what I'm trying to do.

I know that I should stop crying right now.


From Frustrated Student with the Professor who needed a Semi-Colonoscopy:
My dear, dear Professor Semicolon, it is with great emotion that I must write to you. Our time has come to an end, and I must say: While my friends were engaging in challenging stories related to their inner man, I was challenged weekly by your insistence that my punctuation was inadequate. I might agree. But sir, I do hope we will meet again - perhaps as students of punctuation together. ~~Regards, Me.

Maddie's Kitchen Update:
The dishes are done, everybody!
Of course the cupcake dishes have since given way to new dishes, but all in all, there is order once again.

I must say *some* of you - you know who you are - were not particularly kind in your refusal to help me clean up. I'd like to remind you that you are pretty much always being tested here at Connecting Now for sincerity and devotion.

On that note, there was one reader among you whom I had never before had the pleasure of 'meeting," whose comment was not only sweet, but also wise. She was the only one who found a legitimate reason for me to avoid having to clean my own mess, AND she went above and beyond the call of duty in my Adorable Ratings, giving me a 16.

Catrina Bradley, you have hereby been fast tracked to Stainless Steel Membership! Congratulations!

And THAT'S the way the cookie (or cupcake) crumbles here at Connecting Now!

We've not t heard a word from Maddie's friend who's being held in Scotland at knifepoint.

Conclusion:  I don't know if you all are coming to the same conclusion that Maddie and I have come to, but the reality is that hardly anyone takes our advice. And you know what? We're okay with that. Keep sending in your letters, and we'll keep coming up with something you can ignore.  There's always the off chance that we'll inadvertently be helpful, or perhaps one of our Readers will provide an answer that like Baby Bear's Bed will be just right.

The lines are always open for you.  We sincerely thank you for your comments and letters and overall involvement with the likes of us.


And Maddie--who refuses to get an artsy siggy.