DS received a $500 award a few days ago from some energy company for his science fair project which was last year. It was completely out of the blue.
kid heard a “NO” for an interview for a summer internship last week. But this week tide has turned and he had 7 yeses. That “No” made him really appreciate the YESes.
My dad threw himself a 90th birthday party on Sunday – cocktails & dinner for 50 at a local club in his hometown where he still lives. People traveled from all over, and it was a blast. He and his friends have been socializing like that for 65 years. They have slowed down a little, but it was raucous and entertaining in the best possible way.
It is September 28. We are sitting on a patio of a local restaurant overlooking the lake… no heater, no coats. Last wonderful weather day of the year. 
^Literally – I just looked at the weather report for Seattle tomorrow! 
John Williams was guest conductor for the Seattle Symphony and asks the audience to welcome Stephen Spielberg. The audience thinks it’s a joke and laughs. Then Stephen Spielberg walks on stage to everyone’s surprise, even the orchestra members.
https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/classical-music/watch-steven-spielberg-surprises-the-audience-at-seattle-symphony-concert-with-john-williams/
Sitting on the patio of our community club earlier this evening overlooking the golf course… no raging heat, no sweaty armpits. First wonderful weather day of the year.
Depends on where you live, @BunsenBurner. 
Me, too, BB. Sept 28 is now yesterday, here on the east coast. But D2 and I were “sitting on a patio of a local restaurant overlooking” the water. Glorious weather and views. Sweet company.
The dinner with our new friend couple was lots of fun. The waitress recognized us as D’s mom and dad, saying she paddled with D and thatvwe still look the same as over a decade ago.
We walked a lot in Waikiki with the couple and then went to a newly built shopping mall. While there, we noticed a lot of folks getting bags as they left a restaurant/party. We decided to ask what the party was for–it was a reception for best docs in HI.
My friend asked if her two relatives were on the list–they were. My relative was also on the list and shortly thereafter left the restaurant and. Saw and chatted with us and our new friends.
Getting to see our new baby grandchild again in a few weeks!
And yesterday someone did a “pay it forward” for me. Don’t know if it was intentional, but I drove up to the ATM to make a deposit, and when I finished I noticed that there was a $20bill hanging out of the cash w/d dispenser. No idea if that was left purposely or accidentally, but there were no other cars around to ask, so… thank you ATM fairy
After 9 years, I changed jobs about 6 weeks ago. Same company, different department. I now work regular hours, no late nights, no Saturdays. I no longer wake up in the middle of the night worried about work. I don’t have to plan time off around month end close. So much happier…
D1 took me out to dinner tonight and she told the waiter that we were not in a hurry.
Wawa had free coffee today. It was a nice treat.
Last year, on free coffee day, my kids were sick so I couldn’t get there. But the manager of our local store gave me a free coffee the next day. I really appreciated the kindness. I hope he’s doing well.
DS unexpectedly was given 2 tickets to the Museum of African American History and is taking me!
S17 has moved on to the second stage of bone marrow donation by going for further blood testing. He sent me a copy of an email with a friend, both of whose parents are doctors, in which he expressed his hope that he will be able to donate. His friend said bone pain is awful and S17 responded that dying is probably worse and he could stand a little bit of pain to help someone else - a total stranger! S17is struggling a bit in one of his classes and may drop it, but in my book, he’s A+. My hope is that if he donates, it will be over the winter break so he has time to recuperate, but we will deal with it when and if it comes up because the ill person takes priority.
As to coffee day - apparently, the card for Dunkin isn’t good enough, you need the app and I don’t do apps. If I was more upset, I’d write to corporate about this, but H made me delicious coffee at home before work instead.
D2 (June college grad) was offered the job she really wanted yesterday. Good salary and benefits, young growing company. She is over the moon. H and I will have both girls “off the payroll.”
After applying for 20+ jobs, getting 5 interviews, 1 call back…D1 got her first, non-internship, salaried post-college job! She said she is “freaking out”, as in, so, so happy.
D2 started her first real post college job today!
My brother’s risky surgery went well. His heart is functioning well. So far, no complications. His friends and family and medical team are so happy. I’m in awe of how many people are rooting for him. So much love.
I made my flight home, in spite of the huge monster lines that moved at a snail’s pace behind like te of folks having to rebook flights between SFO and southern CA. So happy to be home after encouraging visits from our docs in the Bay Area.
We also enjoyed Yosemite and visiting with family (including D) and attending American Association of Respiratory Care Conference in Indianapolis. We even got to see the n at museum in the middle of the Indy 500 racetrack.