Liketolearn.. You were correct..what goes around, comes around. I just had a long talk with my lawyer and he informed me why the homeowners are so intent on trying to coerce me into continuing to work on their house. As I already knew, building permits have a cutoff clause which states that if there is no progress on the project for a specified period of time the permits are cancelled. When the original project came to a halt I as the plumber and the masons and framers all attempted to collect for the work that we had done to date. Having failed to collect any monies for over a year we then filed mechanics leins against the property, not that a mechanics lein usually nets us anything but in this case it seems to be working in our favor. It seems that the county will not issue any further permits until the existing mechanics leins are satisfied however, if the homeowner can coerce the lein holders into continuing on the project the leins would automatically be waved on the grounds that we have negotiated an extension on the original contract. If we, the lein holders do not re-enter into an agreement with the homeowner they are left with no option but to pay us in full plus interest computed at the prime rate for all work previously performed plus they have to pay all attorneys fee's and court costs associated with the project before they can obtain permits to continue their house. It looks like I may collect monies that I had long since written off so even though my vacation will be delayed a bit in the end it should work out okay for me.

(((((((((SWEET PEA! and Suzanne))))))))))) Hope you're feeling better! NHSuzanne~ Let us know what is going on upon your return! (((((((((PETE))))))))))))))))) Besh, I am thrilled to hear of Pete's progress. Late last week, I signed up to be a bone marrow donor. I was tested last year for Brandon, so I got right on the registry, starting in August. I had a couple of things pierced last August and so I have to wait a year before donating - that's the rule if you've had piercings or tattoos. But, anyway, at least I'm good to go when I get back. I have to call my brother today and am wondering what to say, but I know I'll think of something. This is the first Father's Day without Brandon and I can't imagine the pain. But, you know, having Pete reports makes me feel SO good, knowing that medicine IS moving forward and is successful in many cases. Yay for the docs and researchers! Raeanne~ Soooooooooooo.....Did your herb garden fetch a worthy price at the auction? You didn't buy it, did you? lol! I know you were thinking about it! I have to do the rest of the laudry before I leave on Wednesday. And I won't be 'connected' until the 1st or 2nd of July, but then, I'll be back! My landscaping is FINALLY completed. I was mowing and potting plants yesterday to complete the look! Maybe I'll shoot a couple pics for Marci's book! I love it! I'm staining the new deck today. It's quite a LARGE job, but we finally have the weather for it! I'm cycling sprinklers, trying to get everything programmed for the housesitter! Gret! Nice to hear from you, sis! How's summer for you and your SO and the kids? DeeMarie! I love hearing of your success on WW! I weighed in yesterday and was up .8 - it's okay tho' - not as bad as I thought, with the stress of moving and all! lol! I am eating a lot of fruit (especially berries) instead of the bad stuff! OH! And I agree with you on the leashed dogs---my huge pet peeve - pun intended - is those retractable leashes, where people can just reel their dog out to po*op on a lawn and then reel them back in and keep on walking....don't get me started or I'll kill this thread with the heat! MagicKitty! I love that name! Hope you are on track and counting your days. When you rack up a full legal week, buy a huge buncha flowers for yourself and put them by your bathroom sink. Each morning, you can feel and SEE the rewards of treating your body to a healthy diet! I'm happy you're here with us! Marci~ That graduation sounds wild! Cake! I would dive right in!!!!! I went to my 13 yr old's 8th grade bridging and there was so much whooping and hollering that they finally made an announcment that you could clap ONCE for each child. Worked out wonderfully from then on- one large group clap and on to the next! FAST and we were outta there. I'm not into awards ceremonies, even if it involves my kid----is that bad? I like the private, family celebrations better! But the kids love all the hullaballoo, so I go along! Oh, BTW, how do you like Pilates? My sister started and raves about how flexible she's getting! QOD: Neighbors. All good except one...and she lives next door. But it's a sunny day here today, so I'm not gonna talk about her! The rest stop on the street and talk, we all have a summer BBQ together, and help each other out. I like it here, but I'm ready to move. I love starting over in a new house and new place! I should join the circus really. DH is in the rental up north. It's great, except for there's a goose in a kennel out back. The landlord says she will get it out of there soon---I won't hold my breath. I may be a goose keeper this summer; DH says it's pretty sloppy, but doesn't smell. I had never heard of animals coming with a rental before, but since I've been telling people about it, I have heard of dogs, cats, and birds coming with a rental. It's only 3 moths, so I had to figure out how much of a big deal this is and if I wanted to steam about it. After the initial marinate and disbelief, I decided to let it slide. I've changed enough diapers; I can clean a goose cage, I guess! -lol! MADDIE! CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW JOB! I am so happy you'll be doing something you have dreamed about and love! Your karma has to be very good for this to happen! I was just tickled when you announced the news of being able to work at an auction house. As far as the unemployment goes, if you can, at all, live without it, do. That place carries such a cloud of doom for you, maybe it's better to release it. However, if you feel the wrongs of your boss should be brought out an faced, then do it with conviction and support. With a life as a previous employer, I can tell you that many unemployment requests are contested as it costs the business money in the long run. So it's probably nothing personal, just a course of business. Keep us posted about your new job! I couldn't do it---too much cool stuff to buy for myself! Hi Patti! Hi Amy! Hi Joanne! Hi KYSusie! Hi Jen! HI JOHN! Hi Zig! and Hi to all you other bunnies out there! Well, that's my book for now. Have a great week! START NOW!

Thank you, everyone who wrote. I didn't mean to hijack the thread. A brief update; Went up last week to visit - they live too far to commute everyday to the hospital, so they're staying at a nearby hotel during the week while they get treatment. From our place, it's about a 2 hour drive one way; not just a jump in the car and dash over kind of thing. Once we were there, they asked what day of the week they could "put you guys down for" to come up and spend all day with them every week because they "shouldn't be alone". (they were hinting around about one of us staying the night as well) I have no doubt that's true, but we declined. Because the spouse is busy, the son is busy, and the daughter is estranged, the barely 18 yo Grandson is staying with them full time, five days a week at the hotel, and going home with them on the weekend to help with (meaning: takeover doing) chores. They also told me their Granddaughter (raised by the other side of the family) offered to spend at least one day and night a week with them, but they refused because they don't approve of the father of Granddaughter's beautiful, happy baby, who they don't want brought around. IOW, they're still just as selfish and judgmental and manipulative as ever. *That's* what I meant about God knowing my heart; if I spent much time with them, I would not be able to keep my humble opinion to myself. (The back story on this is just unreal.) Like a bull in the streets of Pamplona, you either get away or get run over. So, we haven't made plans for any particular day this week; my second oldest daughter is going in for a C section tomorrow in OKC, and if all goes well for them I'll try to stop by for a quick visit after everything is settled.

I am 42 and have been miserable for the better part of the last 9 years. I used to think it was my job making me so unhappy so I left it for a lower paying job which I hated even more! I worked there for a year and a half and finally got fired which is what I thought I really wanted because I had lost all desire to work. It didn't help that my new boss constantly made me feel as though I could do nothing right.This was not the person I knew to be myself. I used to be out going professional and ambitious but I had lost all of my will to work any longer. During the first 6 months while I'm on unemployment I cried most days and didn't want to leave the house. I told myself I was trying to figure out what I really wanted in life and did so by reading books and scouring the internet for information on different careers. Eventually, I found out what's really going on with me was my hormones were making me insane. I never felt so alone in my entire life. My mother didn't offer much in the way of support because while she had a tough time with menopause, it was of a different kind. She had hot flashes and the night sweats and the crying all the time but my symptoms have been different than her. I'm not yet in menopause I guess, but perimenopause? I'm obsessed about my symptoms and spend all of my free time, at work, scouring the internet for information on how to help myself because I do not trust doctors. The last time I saw my gyno she was removing the IUD that she had inserted 3 months prior that escalated all of my symptoms. Since having the IUD I have had cystic acne the makes me want to wear a bag over my head. Speaking of bags, I also have had chronic sinus issues for 9 years that no prescription has helped and this leaves me with a bag under my right eye that no expensive eye cream can help. I have spent thousands of dollars on credit seeing 2 other doctors who tested my hormones and determined I was low on progesterone and vitamin D of all things, I live in the sunshine state! Have taken compounded, natural progesterone and felt better long enough to find a new job. Then my dog of 13 years died, followed ny my stepfather of 37 years dying. During the last several months of taking care of my stepfather I stopped taking care of myself and find myself back to feeling hopeless. I feel like no one understands what I am going through or wants to be around me. Going to see the same gyno today and plan to discuss whether or not she can help me. I need to feel better NOW. I am so miserable, I can't stand myself!