The Gathering Place, A place to blether

Hello all!

I'm sorry I haven't been in here for awhile. It's the last couple of weeks before school starts for us, and the kids are panicking - trying to squeeze as much as possible into the time they have left. It's made for busy days of late! They start back on the 6th here, new schools for both as they advance upwards in grades. Thankfully, both are excited rather than nervous about the school changes. Looking forward to seeing friends who've been at camps and such all summer, too.

We have a small (tiny!) carnival in town for the weekend, right down on the beach, and I took the kids and friends there last night. It was a blast! They had so much fun! Rode several rides, daring each other (of course) to ride the scariest ones, had a great time trading jests with the clown in the dunking booth and even came reeeaalll close to dunking him(!), spent a good part of their money on games (favorite being the bowling ball roll), and generally enjoying being "seen". I'm glad for small pleasures like this one - that's what Summer's all about!

I hope you're all enjoying the end of your summer, too. I know it's been very hot and humid for too long in a good part of the country, and you're looking forward to cooler temps, but I'm always sad when Summer comes to a close. It's so short here! Enjoy it while you have it, as much as you can.

Everyone, take care of yourselves. Best of luck to all of you who have to visit the dentist. I hope things go easily for you!

Monarch, Annabelle - my thoughts and prayers are with you both for the safety and quick return of your husband and son. Please let them know how much they mean to all of us!

CR - I'm glad you're enjoying your re-enactment and group. How soon will we be able to see pictures??

Rindy - I'm glad you weren't troubled by the tornado and heavy weather recently. Do you normally see some tornados up there, or is this something unusual? I also wondered if you were close enough to feel any of the tremors near Yellowstone, and in that whole range running into Utah or Idaho? Just curious

I'm being "paged" again. Always something! Have fun everyone!!

Dreamer1

Hope this finds everyone well. Today was nice. Low 80's, partly cloudy, no wind. It sounds like everyone has been busy. Same here. Crazy at work and pouring cement paw prints in my spare time. Have sold 5 and have orders for 4 more. School just started and word is getting around. Gave my boss an 8 month notice on monday. I am not going to do another summer in that place. I have been sick most of the summer because of the heat. Not worth it. Gotta go. Rome is on. ( I like tv too) Hope everyone has a good week.

Hey all!

Just hopping in before I hit the sack.

I went for a walk tonight instead of riding my bicycle. I like to alternate between the two. I took my Walkman so I could listen to my favorite NPR program, Wait, Wait...Don't Tell Me! WBEZ, our local affiliate (they also produce the show) airs it twice-Saturdays at 10am and Sundays at 9pm. I listen to the Sunday night show because I'm usually not awake that early on Saturdays. Tonight was a nice night here in Chicago. Cool and nary a cloud in the sky.

Well, I got laid off from my job last week, but luckily they are giving me two weeks to find something else. I don't know what i'd do if I didn't have that pay check comming. So the plan is look for a job and if I don't find anything in three weeks (vacation pay) I'll file for unemployment and keep looking. I'm hoping to get a job as a police dispatcher, but we'll have to see if it's in the cards.

Other than that, things are the same.

Hey CC,

Hope you find something soon, got all 8 fingers, 2 thumbs and 10 toes crossed for you.
Keep us posted!

Thanks for the kind thoughts, and I will be sure to let you know how the job hunt goes. I'm hoping it doesn't take long...but we'll just have to see what lays in store for me.

Call and inquire about filing for unemployment right away. That process tends to grind slowly. They'll tell you if there's a waiting period.

Good luck! Hope there's something rewarding out there, or at least secure and bearable. If you can find something even as a second little part-time gig, involved with the field, and get hands-on experience it always helps

Good luck finding a new job CC.
Had a root canal done today. Not doing too bad now. No pain, just a yucky tate in my mouth.

Rain, rain, rain!!! We are getting Katrina's rain now. Hopefully no flooding.

Trying to stay dry in the heartland...

cheers

Chicago is not expecting to get any of Katrina's rain.

I wish the best for the people on the Gulf Coast. My prayers are with all of them and their loved ones.

CC, good luck on the job search!

I have been so upset seeing the news reports on the terrible damage brought on by the hurricane... I visited there many many years ago with my family, the year I turned 18 actually (had Pete Fountain present me with a celebratory glass of champagne from the stage in his club there - turns out we share the same birthday!) and have such fond memories of Jackson Square, the French Market, and those odd cemeteries with the tombs above ground...

Now I see 80% of the city is flooded and its heartbreaking - but what keeps coming to mind is, this was inevitable: the New Orleans founding fathers built their wonderful, complex, charming city below sea level. Maybe it seemed a good idea at the time, you know, but still look at the horrifying consequences now... all those people homeless, so much ruined...

Sad Siobhan

And on a delta, which is one giant floodplain.

Hi everyone- sorry I didn't make it in here yesterday was really busy.
My life is good right now. This is my favorite time of year so I like to get out..I know whats ahead- winter...

Dreamer- Thanks on the tornados. We do get them now and then but not usually dangerous.. Sounds like you have been very busy.. Take care--

Valpal- done any cleaning lately? LOL That seems like yesterday. I am sorry to hear you have been ill due to the heat. I hope you are feeling better with fall coming. Is it cooler now?

Way to go Mike! Your walking also- thats wonderful. I really need to start listening to NPR you always sound like you are listening to something good..keep up the great work Mike and enjoy your weather before winter..

CC- Oh, I am so sorry to hear of your lay off. I hope you get the dispatch job you are looking for. I have a lot of friend in dispatch and that is one heck of a stressful job...
You can always come up here and work in the oil.. keep me posted will you? It all will work out-take care..

I will be thinking about you all..have a good night.

Slainte

Yeah, I like NPR. Particularly the weekend shows like A Prairie Home Companion, Whad 'Ya Know?, Car Talk and Wait, Wait...Don't Tell Me!. The daily programs like Morning Edition and All Things Considered are good too. Tonight when I was out for my walk, I was listening to a live jazz performance they were having as kind of preview to the Chicago Jazz Festival coming up this weekend.

Oh, Rindy, that beautiful fall in the mountains. Enjoy it as long as it lasts!!

The last of the petticoat skirts of Katrina are blowing around in the sky now, just shreds. But so much of it!! What an immense system it was. The terrible heat and humidity of the last few days should go with it -- we should have had some cracking thunderstorms, but nothing . Hurricane's a terrible thing, but sometimes one of them can bring in the promise of fall.

Dreaming of crunchy leaves underfoot, and new apples.

Mike are you going up to the Jazz Festival? I think it would be great to have a choice- oh here I go again huh? I like to hear what you city folk do..its interesting even the resturaunts and what you eat...I know sounds wierd..let me know if you go.

Stoirmeil- ah, the crunching leave and apples!! I hope all is well now.. I hope you are getting some relief now..I really respect mother nature- and I think if they said leave I would be gone as of yesterday..wind scares me too..I think nice thoughts are in order for this evening- yep, crunching leaves and apples- don't think we have many apples around here but one can dream..

Have a good night....

Slainte