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Heck, I understood that perfectly, Maw! And, thanks!:D

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Completely missed this announcement! Sorry.

I wish you a happy retirement, dear. I'll be joining you (in retirement) in a mere 12 years *sigh* :)

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That's okay! And, I'm thinking of it more as "quitting" to do other things. Things that may not bring in any money but that give me a great deal of pleasure. After more than 20 years taking care of other people's children for almost no pay ($12 an hour was the most I ever got), I think I can take the rest of my life doing things (like sewing, reading, watching movies AND sewing) that I will really enjoy! :D

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I hope you have fun not working, Priscilla.

I have hijacked Kibby's computer, for a few minutes, until she claims it back. I have been reading post, I just can't post. None of the keys on the right side of my comuter are working right. They all come up as numbers.

BYE until I can take over Kibby's computer again.

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I got made redundant 4 years ago and hate it. I'm still looking for more work (at 70). At present I teach swimming/life-saving/snorkelling a couple of hours as week.

I'm trying to get into Birmingham University to do a degree in history.

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P'ter - have you considered the Open University? They do need tutors/ lecturers from time to time...

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I am helping Kibby to make a list of all she has done, accomlished in the last 4 years so she can apply for scholarships and stuff. I also need to make up a transcript, which I have no idea how to do and a grade point average. I have never given her grades, she works on a project, assignment until she knows how to do it correctly. Then we move on.

At the best of times I am a BAD record keeper, after moving twice I have no idea where her school work is.

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Lanen: I'm trying to go as a student not a lecturer (better late than never).

I looked at the Open Uni history course and didn't like the syllabus. Basically the first year seems to be a lot of art history and criticism except for 'the importance of Cleopatra'.

Ideally I'd like to study at either Bristol or Southampton where you can do a degree in History AND Geography together, but I don't really want to be that far from my divorced daughter who still needs a lot of help with her offspring.

By the way; lovely to hear from you two again. How's the writing going? When is Hans going to update your website?

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Unless Kibby was Home Schooled (and I honestly don't remember right now) you don't make up the transcript, you get it sent from the high school to the colleges. A transcript is a list of her classes and their level of difficulty ( eg: basic vrs Regents vrs honors) and her grades for each. Also includes any clubs and other extra curricular activities she was involved in.

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Got a new computer today. Works fine, but for some reason I didn't manage to transfer my bookmarks...

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Spent FIVE HOURS grocery shopping this morning. We got our Federal check in, so it was time to stock up. Let's just say, as beat as I am right now, I am also pleased by the fact I won't need a major shop until fall!

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Wow! Do you buy in bulk things that are non-perishable? I could not imagine shopping like that, but it's just the two of us.

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AnnMarie, could you translate that for us this side of the pond, please? What is a Federal check? Thanks :)

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Maybe income tax refund check? The ladies at the grocery store checkout counters would miss me if I stayed away too long! :notme::lol:

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AnneMarie, Kibby is homeschooled that is the problem. I have not kept good records nor did I give out grades. Kibby worked until she got it all correct and understood the subject then moved on. She does need more math and spelling. Now I am trying to remember what she has done for the last 4 years.

Mom, Kibby and I will spend 4-5 hours shoping once a month mostly at Wal-Mart. Monthly shoping can get stressful. Mom and Kibby usually gets into an argument at least once.

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Federal Income Tax refund. Yeah, Priscilla. I buy some things in bulk. I filled the upright freezer with meat, veggies, ravioli, and butter. Get it while I can.

Mawra, did she take the SATs? That may help. In NY and Pa, the state sets the curriculum, and provides standard tests, so records are kept for college bound students.

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P'ter, Hans will update my website as soon as the lazy cow whose website it is sends him something to update it WITH. Mea culpa. I hope, soon, to post a wee fragment from the new book that won't find a home elsewhere (there are always these spare bits and pieces!). Still working on it.

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She did not take the SATs. She will be going to a 2 year college first, I am hoping othe colleges will look at what she does there instead of high school.

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OH I am looking forward to it!!!

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Ds#1 ran his first track meet and ran a mile in 5 min 23 sec. He may make it through his first year of school without being suspended. :bouncy: He'll have made it through a year of school without giving into his personal desire to escape the pressures of school.

Ds#2 is finally 5 ft tall.... yeah he grew a few inches... We still have specialist to see to determine if he is growing enough with out surgery but after two years of no growth it feels amazing to hear 5 ft.

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I'll probably be absent for a few days. Yesterday morning my dear mother-in-law died unexpectedly. Although suffering from a heart condition for much over 16 years (when she got a new heart valve thingy) and despite the fact she'd been in the hospital and released only last Tuesday, her death came as a surprise. She was 81 years old. She and my father-in-law where a very close couple, so he's pretty shook up. The cremation is coming Wednesday.
My wife is handling it pretty well. In a way we did saw it coming of course but somehow you just can't prepare for the fact. I'm more affected than I would have thought, she was a very kind person, always caring, always focused on your wishes and well being. A real mother.

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gecondoleerd Hans en natuurlijk ook je gezin. Het is altijd onverwacht, hoe duidelijk je van te voren ook weet dat het eraan zit te komen.

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I'm so sorry, Hans. You'll be in my thoughts, dear H.B.

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My condolences.

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Hans, my heart goes out to your wife and to you.

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@Hans: Sympathies to you and Marjon. Try to remember the good times.

@Lanen: there's a good girl. :D

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We have snow. Again. All the schools are closed and I have made a snow man. I hope it is my last one of the season because we are really ready for Spring. :brow:

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My condolences, Hans. As you say, no matter how much expected it's always a shock when you actually lose someone :group:

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:group: for Marjon and Hans at this sad time

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@ Hans, am sorry for your loss, :group:

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:group: Hans and Marjon

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I'm so sorry, Hans, and hope for comfort for all of you.

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Sorry to read about your loss, Hans :(

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My condolences for your loss and Marjon's. *hugs* dear friend.

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I'm so sorry, Hans and Marjon. It's always a shock to lose someone you love, no matter how prepared you are. Sincere sympathies to you both and to your families. :( :group:

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My sympathies Hans to you and your wife and family.

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I'm sorry to hear of your loss Hans :group:

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I gave a big box of Anne's books to my son's girlfriend - books I wasn't planning on re-reading. I told her to start with a favorite of mine, No One Noticed The Cat. She loved it. I still have a huge box to go to the used book store. I just don't have room, though of course I'm keeping my few signed books and a couple favorites.

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Out the door to the local thrift store to see if I can find any treasures. Then to a coffee shop that has nice muffins and get a couple for Jeff's breakfasts.

I have lost 5 pounds in about a month! So pleased! This quitting jobs is a good thing. :D My goal is 20 pounds by Christmas and while I certainly don't expect to do this well all the time, I am hoping the 20 is not unrealistic. Also, we are planning to go back to Disney next spring and after seeing me in last year's photos something MUST be done! :crazy:

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Hah, you were on the scale with the AMC books you gave away and again after... That would account for the weights loss!:D

Seriously: way to go Cilla. Hope losing the next 15 will be a breeze too! Although I fear it will not but I've every confidence in you! :good: