Holy crap it's been over a month since my last post! I'm so sorry. I have no excuse. I am completely excuse-free.

The semester has been rolling along nicely. I have a great screenwriting class, and the tutoring gig is okaaaayyy but I'm seeing far more of the Icky Ucky Slimy Underbelly of Academia than I really care to. Budgets got slashed this year (thank you Governor Paterson), numbers are up, and staff/faculty numbers go down. Awesome. Let's not overload a system that was already at the breaking point! Let's not require the support staff to do more with less for more students. That would be a damn shame if we did that. That would mean the students wouldn't get the support they need, and it would mean that good-meaning folk like myself would get burned out and quit before they can be laid off.

Oh yeah, that's a Happy Fun Ball of Fun, that one.

I digress...

The last month has also seen great strides in a couple of my writing projects, and also the beginnings of a proper job search in Beantown and environs. I'm getting a feel for what's out there, applying for things, and also trying at long last to listen to my intuition and my VOICES FROM THE GREAT BEYOND in case someone's trying to show me a really great job I should apply for.

In all seriousness, I'm not sure if I should continue down the path of academia (which isn't all that easy since I don't have a PhD and the MFA only seems to matter in art skool, but I don't have enough produced work to matter to art skools)...or...get me a 9-to-fiver that will bring in a 401k and a decent paycheck while I write the Great American Space:1999 novel and sell a screenplay or two.

We shall see what the Universe in all its perversity presents me with. For now, it's time to gear up for Halloween and the last derby bout of the season.

Let Autum begin its crisp march down the corridors of Winter's Palace of Frozen Feet and Runny Noses. It's about to get real up in here.

Because someone always has it worse.

I Need A New Fucking Job.

While I'm searching for careers/jobs in the Boston area, I come across all kinds of things, and this hilariously written account of some poor, disenchanted twenty-something in Chicago helps me realize I'm not the only one looking for change and less bullshit in her life.

Abundance

Trying to see what I can learn in the muck of this summer. Not having a job I thought I had, doing odd jobs to make ends meet hand to mouth, probably having to cancel the tiny trip to Massachusetts that Bizarro and I had planned for next month (I'm still holding out hope that somehow we can swing it, but it doesn't look good).

Being aware of the bounty in my life is the thing that strikes me here. I have a tendency to see the glass half empty and continuing to drain away. I don't see the good things all around me. I only see things I don't have, or want to have, or what other people have that I feel I deserve because they're no better than me.

And that usually turns into a self-flagellating episode where I go over every "bad" decision I've ever made, and I become despondent and helpless. It's a vicious cycle of negativity that I MUST break if I'm ever going to make my life a better place to live.

I've started an "abundance list" and I keep adding to it. I carry it around in my purse so it's there for me to visit when I start the "poor me" vibes begin to escalate.

I know everyone is having a hard time; these economic times suck for everyone. But I also know that I've been in this cycle of poverty consciousness pretty much from my early 20s, no matter what the economy was doing. This is what I need to remember: let the past go and only see the bounty that is in my life at present, as I make my way into the future.

The truth of the matter is that this poverty consciousness (as I call it) isn't just unique to me. I see others in my family, including my Mother, with some of the same patterns and traits. It's up to me to break this, for my Mom as well as myself and my husband.

So now I don't have a summer job because the course I was to teach has been canceled. I found this out after showing up for work this morning, teaching duds & makeup applied, syllabus in hand. The dean of instruction was mortified (it wasn't his fault, it was another program's policy that resulted in this debacle) and is at least offering me half pay of what I would have earned. This makes life a little easier but I still need a summer job and oh did I mention it's already June 15th?

I'm floored. I must have a curse or some kind of horrible karma from another lifetime or two. Why does this shit happen to me on such a regular basis? It seems I have to weather more shit storm damage than the average bear. One of these days I'm just going to say the hell with it and file for Section 8. Live off of disability the rest of my life.

Seriously. WHAT THE FUCKING HELL?

Get off my back!

I know it's been awhile and I have a bunch to catch up on.

My vacay in lovely Massachusetts was truly remarkable. I spent lots of QT with myself, family, friends, and the ocean. Had a magnificent stay at the Clarion Nantasket hotel for 2 nights on the beach, went to a longboard competition, hung out in a surf shop taking notes for my planned TV pilot, did some impromptu ghost hunting at a Revolutionary War bunker (and I think caught me an EVP, though so far only brother has been able to hear what I heard on the video clip). I also had lots of baby time with Erin and May, and played with Owen as much as I could. Got to hang out with PMP in Boston, saw Fenway Park, had drinks at the Bleacher Bar, ate lots of seafood, went to Plymouth on my last day, a very rainy day, with one of my recently former students, and got to hang with Rache at my beach hotel for a night.

Coming home - well. So. Reality setting in. A class to teach starting Monday - for which I am grateful, especially since apparently it WASN'T a done deal until yesterday. I got the call to teach and I was like "welll yeahhhh I've been planning on it." So anyway, it's all good.

Still no idea where I'm teaching this fall. I have started a preliminary job search in the Boston/South Shore area. I had two (count 'em) interviews while I was there, with little to no effort on my part. One was for an ESL teaching position with some possibility for long-term work, the other as a communications specialist for a company that does research and fund-raising for MS cures (among other things).

I really don't know where things are heading right now. Some serious thinking and decision making coming up in the coming months. I am feeling more disheartened than ever here in the City on the Edge of Forever (yeah, I didn't get that job at the community college after all). After 3.5 years of searching I've had maybe 4 interviews. A week in Mass. and I get 2 interviews without even really trying.

And truth is, no place has ever felt like home to me other than the South Shore. At the same time, change is scary. I've lived here longer than anyplace else in recent history. Despite how unhappy I often am with this area (weather, cold dark apartment, allergies, isolation, lack of career opportunity, lack of the ocean, etc.) it's in many ways easier to keep on in the same direction than to try a new one. God knows I've moved so often in my life. It would be nice to feel settled with a home base. I'm just not convinced that "here" is where my home base should be.

A little much to think about right now, I know. I'm still dealing with Mom's death and the giant hole it's left in my life. Perhaps that is why I feel so attracted to my family right now, especially the grand-babies. I missed my nephew's growing up and I really hate the thought of missing theirs.

For the time being I'm just trying to get myself geared up for the summer teaching job and will see how some of this other stuff lands. Getting myself back into a schedule will feel really good. The pool is open, so I will swim and go for walks and continue working on my fitness/weight loss plan. I am very bummed that I have no time or money for the windsurfing beginners clinic this weekend. Still I'm sure there'll be other opportunities, and I'm also thinking I want to try my hands at kayaking this summer. And of course Yoga. Making the most of where I am and what I have at my disposal for the summer. The rest will be dealt with in good time...

In the nick of time

Just when I thought things couldn't get any worse, they didn't!

I have a phone interview next week for the writing tutor job at the community college. It's nice to know they either didn't see or didn't care about the typo on my CV. It's also nice to know that someone saw my resume and thought, "she doesn't suck too much, let's give her a phone interview."

Digits crossed.

Writing Retreat - Day 6 and Epilogue

Yesterday was a fine day at the retreat colony. I did more reading than writing, which was perfect because I had set up a reading nook my first day but hadn't used it all week. I did some revisions on the sci fi; got about about a third of the way through that and want to finish by end of this week. I took my time cleaning up and packing. When Bizarro arrived around 7 to pick me up I'd seen the deer on their evening munchies and was ready to go home.

Today I eased back to life as a teacher and spent 5 hours in my office at school with my students' mid-term portfolios. I'm kinda pissed at a few of them for being such slackers. I'm going to have to go off like an atom bomb in Tuesday's classes. The Irish-Italian Banshee teacher will make an appearance.

Over all feeling pretty upbeat about stuff, despite all the potentially-scary limbo of my career. Maybe I'm getting used to it, or maybe there's something afoot for me and I know better than to freak out.

Congrats to B. for getting a job so soon after the other one tanked. I hope it goes well for you!

Special thanks to SMJ for reading my screenplay today (at work) and "getting it." It's always nice to know that what's in my head can work on the page!

PMP - we have some serious PMP-E time to catch up on when you return from HAH-VID.

New ways to procrastinate...

I am indeed finding new ways to procrastinate today. I have managed to get a few things done, including hauswerk and rearranging the sock drawer.

Trying to write this "statement of philosophy" for the job I'm applying for at the community college. It's not really a statement of philosophy, though. They want me to state what I believe to be the concept of a community college, and explain why I want to join their staff.

BECAUSE I NEED A FECKING JOB, YOU MORONS!

No, that's not what I said.

The funny thing is I've applied to a dozen jobs there since 2005 and have rewritten this goddamn statement every time.

No wonder I am procrastinating! At least the dishes are clean and I know where my socks are.

An actual post...

I've put up a lot of LOLs in the last couple weeks, so I figured it's time for a bona fide post.

This week was meh. Classes went well, though I am reminded that I have to be more on top of shit now that I have 2 sections of the advanced class as well as the 1 credit dropping at the community college. It's fine; I'm just getting used to the schedule and workload after what amounted to an extended winter break.

I have applied for 2 full time positions at area colleges; I remain cautiously optimistic about my chances. By this time all the HR departments in the area should know my name because I apply for everything (haven't gotten a single interview - well not entirely true but the interviews I had were for a summer program and a one-semester only gig). No interviews for the jobs with legs, I should say. Now with the community college experience under my belt, I'm hoping I will be more attractive to these places. Apparently only working at snooty private colleges and universities isn't good enough.

I'm gettin' my fix of Hawaiian ear snacks with Na Palapalai. Incidentally, Peege (my nephew) and I found our one main area of differing tastes re: Hawaiian music. I still laugh at the memory of his "contributions" to the tunes I played when he was here last month.

Its Hurts My Face

$1000 to whomever can name that quote (make me proud, B.).

My burn is much better than I'd expected it would be by this time. The dead skin is gone, but it's still pretty damned sore.

Tomorrow I have an interview to teach a screenwriting class at the Big School on the Hill. Good thing, too, since my section for next semester at the Other School on the Other Hill has been canceled. Same shit as last year. "Low enrollment." Registration had only been up for a week before they decided. I don't get these people.

I have some other irons in the fire. I've been through this so many times that I'm not even worried. The Universe always provides. And I always make it work. I just have to remember not to take any sour deals like I did in the summer when I accepted Out of Town University's offer against my better judgment, and lived to regret it all semester.

We're off to Cleveland next week for T'giving. I'm looking forward to it. It'll be good to see my in-laws and visit some of our favorite little spots. I will cook most of dinner, as last year, which is fine by me.

Tomorrow I'm taking mom to dinner. Knowing that she doesn't have cancer makes it a lot easier and happier to just hang out.

Only 3 vicaden left in the bottle!

The Week in Revue

It's been quite a week. I temped for four days, still getting over the hideous cold that knocked me on my ass last week. Managed to get both syllabi done for my two classes, and today went in for the 30 minute faculty meeting at Out of Town University. For the record - it takes me 1.5 hours ONE WAY (yes, that's right, 3 hours of driving for a 30 minute meeting and another hour and half to get the rest of my paperwork done)). This is a one semester deal for me, that's for damned sure.

I also helped to take care of Salty Miss Jill's animules over the weekend and early part of this week. I wouldn't mind having a kitty but I'd have to take allergy meds every day of my life and I'm not too keen on that idea. Thankfully I'm not allergic to dogs, so when we eventually have a house, one of my first priorities will be to bring home a fuffy (that was my childhood name for our dog, Duchess).

Yesterday PMP called on the spur of the moment, and we had our traditional Target-run and dinner at Wok Village outing. We were both tired, but it was great to see her after an entire summer of being PMP-less! I was supposed to go to Salty Miss Jill's place for a drink later, but she and her hubby were out with their out-of-country guests. Just as well - I got one of my syllabi done last night as I was watching Ghost Hunters (my new obsession).

I have the entire weekend to relax, catch up on personal stuff, and write. I am saving Monday for last minute school-related stuff, and I'll be going into the Local College to get my keys and say hello to people. I feel so comfortable there, and I'm left alone to do whatever I need to do. Granted, they still treat their adjuncts like shit, but I do love teaching the class.

Okay, we have a problem here. We have an infestation of what appear to be fruit flies. I say "appear" to be fruit flies because they look like fruit flies but they don't seem to be going for fruit. They like to hang out on the bathroom mirror and the kitchen sink, and the garbage. I have a feeling they've come from next door. Our apartment manager was talking about how the cig smoke we're always smelling can come through the giant holes around the pipes, and he took a look at them - sure enough there were gaping holes where the pipes came in, and smoke discoloration around those holes. So he's going to have the maintenence guys fill the holes with something or other made for such purposes. I'm hoping the fruit fly problem will go away soon thereafter. I remember we had this problem last summer, too. It's totally gross, especially when I come in the bathroom and they're on our tooth brushes. EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW.

I need to organize my desk and prepare my space for the coming onslaught of the semester. Once that's done, I think I'll kick back with a book and pretend the world doesn't exist. I've been trying to read "The Bastard of Istanbul" by Elif Shafak for weeks but I'm having a hard time getting into it. It's too bad, because I had high hopes for it. I'd heard an interview with the author on NPR and requested the book for my birthday, which Bizarro was so kind to indulge. English is not the author's first langauge, and it does feel awkward in parts. But that's not even the real problem. The problem is she goes on and on about shit that doesn't matter to the characters or the story and I have little patience for that. I call it the "Anne Rice Syndrome." Spend four pages describing the wall paper, meanwhile the character is perched in a chair somewhere and you have no idea what's going on. I'm gonna try to give this book another pass and if I'm still not moved to give a crap, I'll shelve it and find something else for the weekend.

Workin' 9 to 5

I've been temping this week at a social services clinic type place. The people I'm working for/with are really nice, but I am reminded why I never could hack the 9-5 lifestyle in the past: boredom, secretary spread, and tedium.

For the last two days, this has been my workload: for 3.5 hours in the morning I alphabetize a humungous pile of paperwork that's been neglected for weeks. For 4 hours in the afternoon, I separate an even more humungous pile into two piles - daily logs and group logs.

I'm also answering the phone and greeting clients, which at least breaks up the monotony.

I've done all this grunt work with a nasty cold. Only this morning (Friday) am I starting to feel half-way human with normal hearing.

Today I might have some different duties - I know one thing they have planned for me is even MORE tedious - taking those piles of separated logs and then breaking them down by counselor.

I have to seriously re-think this plan to throw away my teaching career and become a 9-5 lackey. It's one thing to do this for a few days to make some money, it's another thing to know that it's what I'd have to look forward to every day for the next x amount of years. I'm afraid I'd hurl myself off a bridge if that was my life every day.

There may be some possibility of a promotion for Bizarro at work, and if that happens, I may have a reprieve from the 9-5 life and be able to continue teaching and building up a free lance writing clientele. Fingers crossed - it's not even an official possibility as yet, so we're waiting to see what unfurls.

In the meantime, I have to suck up life as an Auton for the next four days (today and Mon-Wed of next week). At some point this weekend I have to create my ESL syllabus for the semester.

It's Rainin' Jobs...Halleluja!

I am pretty damned psyched. I wrote a query letter to the local arts community center, proposing a class in screenwriting or documentary production. The programming director just called me and we have a meeting set up for Wednesday morning! This could do it for me - if they pay enough, I could maybe get by without driving to the Unviersity That's An Hour Away, which would suit me fine.

Also, I got an email from an international student who needs some editing done, so more free lancing for my doco coffers.

Thanks to the 'Verse!

Werkin for a livin'

It's official - I will be teaching one section of screenwriting at the College on the Hill. I'm very pleased, and extremely curious as to what the situation is there that they need me. I'm nosy like that.

I'm very hopeful that I can also get a class at the Out of Town University this fall, which will put my income back to where it was last year (a little more than that, actually, as Out of Town University pays a bit better).

I have submitted a proposal to the Korean recruitment company and am now awaiting their reply. I have also managed to raise some funds from generous donors on this side of the Pacific. Family and friends, so far. I must have done something right in a past life, or must be a damn good salesperson, for my friends and fam to be so generous! Thank you to them - not that any of them read this blog - but they will be credited in the final credits.

News on the job front

I had my interview with the Out of Town University ESL program, and it went exceedingly well. I really like what I saw of their program and the culture there, focused on students instead of inter-departmental politics. I also resonated with the language the director used to describe how teachers are encouraged to employ their own teaching styles and syllabi, rather than a prescribed curriculum. She said that if they need an additional Advanced Comp section in Fall, which is likely but of course not set in stone until the enrollment numbers come in, she would like me to teach. So there you have it. The only drag on this situation is the drive, which runs about an hour, maybe hour fifteen, one way. I don't mind so much now, but in the dead of Upstate NY winter, it will undoubtedly suck. But it's not like I didn't used to live in Rochester under five feet of snow for six months once before. I can handle the driving and the snow, esp. since I would only be there two days a week.

Onward and upward!

What day is it?

Don't worry, I'm not going start posting catz instead of actual blog entries.

All day today I've thought it's Friday, then I say "no silly, It's Thursday" but then I remember it IS Friday.

Missing time? Damned aliens, anyway.

This morning I heard from my recruiter again, and he's taken me up on my offer to be more involved with finding a summer camp to teach at. I sent him a few things I found here and there. Oh- got my passport yesterday. VERY swanky. Very patriotic with watermark images of bald eagles, totem poles, Mt. Rushmore, etc. You can tell the photo was taken in winter; my face is chubbier. I remember the day I had them taken. I was sick and feeling very wobbly.

I've also decided I need to be more entrepreneurial about finding a job here at home. I'm sending a query letter to the local community arts group to see if I can teach some classes in screenwriting and/or docu production. I've done it before at places like Boston Film/Video Foundation and Columbus Filmmakers' Consortium. I'll prolly send it off tomorrow.

It's hot as hell today. 93 degrees last I checked. Three days ago we were running around in sweaters and wellingtons for all the bastard cold rain.

I'm still waiting for Schadenfreude's (Mr. Club's Universe) "Friday is Conspiracy Day" post. Where is it? Wait, it IS Friday, right?

Git 'er done!

A lot of movement yesterday - found out my passport is on its way to me, heard from my recruiter in Korea (they're still looking for a good summer camp job), hung out with PMP and got caught up with her, finally watched "Say Anything" while sober.

I think a friend of mine tried showing me that movie like 15 years ago but I'd drunk too much whiskey and didn't remember much of anything. Pretty sad, I know.

Completely forgot to watch On The Lot this week. I'm busy with my own stuff, plus I pretty much ignore the TV in summer. Except for the Doctor Who Bizarro downloads (only a few episodes left this series), and when that's over, Torchwood starts up again (another British sci fi, a spin-off of the new Doctor Who).

We have this MVP membership at Hollywood video, so I'm going to grab an armful of movies this weekend and get caught up on some of the newer flicks I've missed out on.

The only summer film I'm interested in seeing is Waitress, and if I can ever get down to Fall Creek, I'd love to see Hot Fuzz. Maybe Bizarro and I can go on a date this weekend to see that.

OH - other good news is that I have an interview for an adjunct ESL position at a neighboring city's university. It's a bit of a hike, but if I would only be doing it 2-3 times a week, it wouldn't be so bad.

I also received an official rejection email yesterday for one of the full-time teaching positions I'd applied for, but it wasn't a surprise. I'm still hoping that writing department might be interested in hiring me as an adjunct (they did call me last year wanting to hire me but I already had a full plate).

Still some irons in the fire, so no worries.

Gotta get my day going here.

The Butterfly Effect

On Friday, as I was walking to my afternoon class, I saw a butterfly flittering by. I thought to myself "Spring is finally, REALLY hear." It's been in the 70s and sunny here all weekend. Glorious! Of course I've spent most of it inside because I seem to have been stricken with some weird virus - sinus headache that would split a melon, and an upset stomach. Feeling better today than yesterday, when I awoke at 5 a.m. and thought my head was going to pop off my neck with the pain behind my eyes.

Sure it's the stress of looking for a job, plus the rapid change of weather (snowstorm on Monday, 65 degrees on Friday). Plus I got some bad news from Momazoo about her car. Bad enough that she's without a computer now, and it seems her 1990 Hyundai is done for. It still runs but it needs more work than the car is worth at this point. She's been preparing herself for this eventuality, and is ready to use the buses in Elmira, but I'm not as prepared. I know the ilk that ride the buses in Elmira and I'm not too keen on my almost-80-year-old mom riding around. But she's tough, and I need to not worry so much. But I am painfully aware that we need to look into her eventual move to Ithaca. Whereas right now she's capable of the bus, who knows how long that situation will sustain itself. In the meantime, Bizarro and I are trying to find a way to buy her a replacement computer, a used one.

I have a butt-load of grading to do and I have to study my Korean for tomorrow morning's lesson. Of course with the VT tragedy, last week had a pall over it. Instead of having my Korean lesson last Thursday, I went with my Korean tutor to the memorial service that was held at the university. Turns out she's going home to Korea in 3 weeks, so I feel the pressure to make the most of out my lessons. She's such a wonderful teacher - I am going to miss our lessons. But hopefully I'll be able to meet up with her in Seoul this summer.

I am going to Seoul this summer, and I've decided I can't wait on the university job any longer. I am counting on my recruiter to find me a good EFL summer camp to teach for and he is also going to help me get the documentary made. I'm hoping they can help out with some of the logistics such as renting equipment. In other words, bankrolling the production costs. I am doing a promo for them to use on their website, so I'm hoping that will encourage them to support me in that way.

With the decision made to teach EFL, I'm organizing the rest of the summer now. It's a relief in one way, but in another it makes it more real and therefore more scary. In the meantime, I am also conducting a job search for fall. My fingers and toes are crossed for the writing instructor gig I've applied for at my current college. They are looking for full-time and part-time faculty, so with my current connections and my background, I'm hopeful that I'll get an interview and an offer.

I want to take the time to thank my hubby for being so patient and supportive of my crazy dream to get this film made in Korea this summer. A lot of spouses would have demanded that I take any old job to make ends meet. Bizarro is truly first class, and one of a kind.

On My Toes

Life is keeping me on my toes, as they say. Recap of the week thus far:

1. Last weekend spend some QT with my friend The White Witch. Had a great time with her at her house in the middle of nowhere, NY.
2. Came home Sunday night and crashed from lack of sleep.
3. Woke up Monday morning to an email from my Chair saying that they have canceled one of my sections for next semester. (This in effect halves my salary.)
4. Promptly after picking up this email, the internet went out and I spent an hour on the phone with three people at the internet provider place to figure out what the hell was going on. Finally did get it straightened out (DNS error).
5. Proceeded to freak out as soon as the internet crisis was over. Had enough presence of mind to go into damage-control mode and immediately started casting the net for any last-minute adjunct/instructor/lecturer jobs for Spring semester.
6. Came up dry for next semester but did find a full-time tenure track position for next year at a local 2-year school which is actually quite reputable among NYS 2-year schools.
7. Got an email at 9:00 at night from someone I'd emailed earlier in the day. I met her while I was on the Big Red campus last year and we'd hit it off. They are looking for an instructor to teach one section of developmental writing in the Spring. I immediately emailed the director of that program and offered my services. Apparently, they'd been trying to contact me last week.
8. Didn't hear from said director until Wed. They'd prefer to fill the position with someone who already has an appointment at the university. I heard back from my friend who filled in the gaps in his email to say that he'd offered the position to someone already on campus, but he was waiting to hear back from that person. If they turn it down, it's mine.

So I'm waiting.

On Monday I was in shock and panic. Tuesday and a good part of Wednesday I was raging against the machine. Then after speaking with another part-timer like myself and my mentor there at the college, I realized that there was nothing to take personally. It was most likely a monetary decision, and adjuncts routinely get the short end of the stick in situations like these. The "low enrollment" which was the official reason didn't really hold any water, and we all know that. If they'd kept the section open, more students would have added between now and the spring, even if it wasn't full to capacity.

What I came to realize yesterday afternoon is that I should be thankful that this happened when and how it did, for it has forced me to evaluate whether I want to continue a life of "academic temping" which is what life as an adjunct is really like. No benefits, no stability, no respect. Yes, it's great to fill in the gaps and make some money, but do I want to make a career out of it? Not really.

I'll do what I gotta to pay the bills, but I also have to look for a more permanent arrangement. There are benefits to working part time, as long as the work is steady. I enjoy having time to write and do other projects, but at the same time, it would be nice not to have to worry about whether I can make student loan payments in 6 months.

I have introduced myself as an ESL tutor on an international student listserv here, and already I've had a couple bites. I'm learning quickly to stick up for my rates and my standards, however. All good learning experiences!

Tomorrow night we're having a few people over for a holiday potluck. I'm glad, esp. since the week got off to a very rocky start. It'll be good to have the comfort and joy of good friends.

Thanks to JEB out in Boston for her words of wisdom. Extra special hugs and thanks to Bizarro for being a tremendous support and font of love and TLC this week!