Time for a LynzM POSITIVE THINGS thread

[LynzM]

Tell me something positive that's happened in your life- today, this week, this month, this year, whenever! Whatever makes you :)

We got a call back from our realtor, and the seller signed the paperwork! Hopefully, we will be in our own space in a couple more months! I finally got my license transferred to the state I actually live in. And best of all, got to hang out with cool people for a while today, and watch my daughter have a blast chasing around a chicken! :rofl:

How 'bout you? Tell me something good in your life right now!

[fudge stripe cookays]

1. I have recently discovered loads of wonderful cousins!

I find them through obituaries while doing my genealogy research and call them (complete strangers, beforehand).

We meet, and share information, and find out that our parents and grandparents and aunts and uncles were searching for this information 30-50 years ago, trying to find all their cousins.

My great grandfather had 9 brothers and sisters, who spread ALL OVER the U.S and Canada, and I'm the first one to begin putting the ENTIRE tree together.

Meeting my new cousins is magic. I'm writing our family history AND trying to put together a family reunion in Beloit in 2007 for a family that has not been completely together since the early part of the century!

This week I had amazing success adding more limbs to the tree, and adding more fascinating stories to the history.

YAY!
FSC

[LynzM]

2. That's really cool!

It must be so neat to meet all these people and talk about all the shared history from everyone's separate perspectives, and think about meeting up with everyone in 2007! :bounce:

Love your sig graphic, btw :)

(edit for missing punctuation)

[RetroLounge]

3. I got to ride in the cab of a locomotive for 3 hours this week!

For me, closest thing to heaven!

RL

[LynzM]

4. Neat!

Where, and how did you get that privilege? Was it cool for the experience, or the scenery, or both?

[RetroLounge]

10. I rode in the cab of a shortline railroad in Wisconsin

I was asked by the GM of the Railroad if I would like to ride along on their workday. He called me out of the blue, given my number by another employee I've spoken to.

I also write for a Railroad Historical Society magazine, and he knew me partially from there, partially from my posts on other train-related forums.

Very cool for the experience, and the scenery is okay too, getting a view you don't normally see.

Here's a pic I took from the cab...



RL

[LynzM]

11. Spiffy!

It always amazes me to find out the stuff that DUers know and do... such a huge breadth of interest and knowledge. Glad you enjoyed your day!!

[RetroLounge]

13. Thanks! It was a blast!

:hi:

RL

[Evergreen Emerald]

5. I went to REI and replaced all my hiking gear

That was stolen from my garage earlier this year! It was great fun, and I am trying it out tomorrow.

[LynzM]

6. Wow....

Suckola on the stuff getting stolen. I've never had anything that important taken from me... but excellent that you got new, fun, replacement gear to try out! Where are you headed for your testing?

[Evergreen Emerald]

20. I am heading to Mt. Ellinor in the Olympics

Washington state. It is a steep hike, but the view is worth it.

[LynzM]

37. Nice!

I've never done any west-coast hiking (I'm a New Englander, natively), but I'd love to some day! Enjoy the views out there! How tall is Mt. Ellinor?

[Evergreen Emerald]

81. It was great fun.

Unfortunatly, as happens in WA, the summit was under cloud cover and hiding most of the view. But the alpines are nice. This particular trail has a chute (giant bolders) so it was a bit challenging. It is a 2.8 mile hike that rises 5499 ft. So, a nice day hike (and good for the buns).

[LynzM]

84. Bummer on the cloud, but...

Sounds like a really wonderful hike! That's a lot of rise over 1.4 miles! I did Mt. Washington a bunch of years ago, and there were parts like what you're describing with the scrambling up giant boulders. Fun stuff, that! :)

[Pale Blue Dot]

7. I have an incredible new girlfriend

She makes me feel completely happy all the time. I'm absolutely crazy about her. :loveya:

Also, I'm on vacation this week and I get to spend the whole time with my son. :bounce:

At this point, it doesn't feel like anything bad will ever happen again. :D

[LynzM]

8. Dude, I am so happy for you guys!

So very excellent that you make each other all :loveya: :bounce:

Sweet on the vacation time with your son, good for both of you, I am sure!!

*Finnfan's surfing on cloud 9.... * :)

[bigwillq]

9. My aunt finished her cancer treatments

Prognosis is good.

[LynzM]

12. Glad to hear it.

Best wishes for good health to her! :hug:

[GOPisEvil]

14. I was offered a place to stay in Seattle next weekend!

I was really dreading having to shell out for a hotel AND the airfare, but a wonderful DUer came through. Another load off my mind! :bounce:

[LynzM]

15. Glad to hear it

Nice that it's one less thing on your mind :hug:

[GOPisEvil]

16. Yeah, as you can imagine, airfare wasn't cheap.

But, I have to be there to bid my friend farewell.

[LynzM]

17. I can only imagine...

I'm sorry that you have to take the trip, but glad you can manage it. I think it will be good for everyone who can to be there together. Hugs to you, and to everyone who knew and loved Andy :hug:

[GOPisEvil]

18. Thanks.

In an odd way, I'm really looking forward to this trip. Aside from the inherent sadness in the event, I think we'll end up laughing as much as we cry.

:hug:

[GalleryGod]

35. Splendid News, David !

:bounce: I thought I'd be reading...

"in a daring daylight robbery, a downtown Austin bank...":spray:

[khashka]

19. We were looking for family

My Grandad recently died and his Dad had abandoned him when he was only about three. All we knew about my greatgrandad was that he had moved to this town in Kentucky and started a new family. So my mom got online and tracked down everyone in that town with her family name and sent them letters.

They all called us. Turns out we are not related. We're white and they were all one extended Black family. But they were nice and we conversed with them a long time. A small thing, but just people who don't know each other extending the hand of friendship.

What got me though was the first guy we called back. An octegenarian Southern Baptist minister. His son answered the phone and my mother introduced herself and explained the letter. He called out "Hey, Dad, it's your Mystery Woman!" and the old man answered "Yeah, but which one?".


Khash.

[LynzM]

22. Thanks for the laugh, Khash!

"Which one?" :rofl:

That's neat that everyone was so friendly about calling you back, even if they weren't family, at least now they are people you know! :)

[SarahB]

21. I'm enjoying my new luva.

:D

Ok, boyfriend (that makes me feel like I'm 16 again though). Then again, so does he.

Have I mentioned that I love his enthusiasm? :loveya:

[LynzM]

23. YAY!!!

:bounce: Like I told him upthread, I'm so happy and excited for you guys!! :) I can only imagine how the two of you feel!

[SarahB]

72. Thanks.

You know some of the complexities I've been through, so it's all the better. It's nice when you find someone in the same place and with the same needs (and able to share and express all those needs). If you think the other is all cute and sexy too, even better. :D

I really didn't expect this now, but I'm enjoying it very much. He's a good man and we're on a frighteningly similar wavelength in so many ways. We've been affable and friendly here for quite awhile now, but I feel very lucky we decided to take this next step.

[LynzM]

76. That's really cool :)

I'm glad that you guys are able to be honest about where you both are and what you want and need from each other! Cute and sexy is a wonderful bonus :evilgrin:

What a wonderful surprise for things to turn out the way they did!

[gmoney]

26. Your new loofa?

Did you enjoy a nice falafel in the shower while you were at it? :)

Happy for you both, and green with envy

[SarahB]

70. I won't discuss our showering partnership on DU.

Other than the fact that Bill O'Reilly had no involvement. :P

[biscodawg]

24. the other night

I was looking through my cd collection, and noticed I had the vengaboys cd. Well that just tickled me because I love the song "We like to party." Nothing major but that did make me smile and happy :D

[LynzM]

25. Hi BD!

:hi: Yay for finding music that makes you smile! "We like to party. We like, we like to party!" (now where's a little dancing guy when I need one?)

[biscodawg]

29. Hey there

i look a little something like this when the song comes on (and no I don't dress up as mario) ;)

[LynzM]

30. First true LOL of the day!

That's a rockin' graphic, dude! :rofl:

[flvegan]

27. Hurricane Dennis spared us (Tampa)

but I'm feeling really upset for the folks that are getting pounded right now...

[LynzM]

31. I'm glad you're ok....

But worried for so many who will face so much this year, many of whom probably haven't recovered from last year, yet :(

[Misunderestimator]

48. You must be having some winds though....

That thing has some kick on the east side.

[flvegan]

52. We are getting some good gusts, but nothing too bad.

Enough to bring down some branches, but I'm not going to complain. I could be in Mobile...

[AussieDave]

28. My Mom & Dad finally sold their house

after six months - the house changed hands day before yesterday. It's a load off their minds and now they can enjoy their retirement.

Now if it were just a bit warmer (midwinter here).......

[LynzM]

32. Yay! That's great news!

House buying and selling is such a stress, I can only imagine what it's like when you're waiting on that to retire... Yay for them!! :bounce: Here's hoping the summer comes quickly for you :)

[AussieDave]

36. Thanks LynzM - winter's not bad here

I just prefer summer. And you're right about house buying & selling being stressful - finding a good realtor makes all the difference. Hope you enjoy the new abode.

[In_The_Wind]

33. I'm making some great friends here at DU

:hug:


I'm planning a meet-up in Woodstock ... you should bring your family for a visit.

[LynzM]

34. Friends are definitely a positive thing!

Let me know when the meet-up is happening, and we will try to be there! :)

[In_The_Wind]

39. here ya go

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=3587590

I'll send you a reminder as the weekend draws near:)

[LynzM]

42. Cool, thanks!

We have an invite to Virginia for one of the weekends in October... I will have to check which one! Fingers crossed that we can do both!

[Heidi]

38. Good stuff.

- The Four Immeasureables. (Love, Compassion, Sympathetic Joy and Equanimity.)

- My SO / husband / friend / soulmate.

- The Wiley and Excellent Boy Cat Named Ginger, snuggling my feat while I'm drinking my first cup of coffee.

- Levi's 501s.

- Telephone calls in the middle of my night from friends/family in the US.

- Handwritten letters.

- The DU night shift.

- Laughing until I cry.

- Music, good films, fountain pens.

- Barefootin'.

- Corona with lime.

- Tiger lilies.

[LynzM]

40. That's an *excellent* list!

Are you a permanent expat, or a temporary one? I'm always curious... we spent 9 months living in Germany, and I miss Europe a lot! Where in Switzerland are you?

Yay for wily and excellent cats, definitely :)

[Heidi]

49. Permanent

as in I'll likely live the rest of my life here. I love the people, especially in this southern, Italian-speaking part of Switzerland. Oddly enough, though I've lived here several years, I've never been to Germany, but I've business in Hannover in September so . . . finally.

I forgot something on my list, though: this little corner of our garden.

[LynzM]

50. Dude!

That is a sweet little garden you've got going on there! Wow! :)

I've never been to Hannover. We lived just outside Stuttgart and did much of our travelling locally on the weekends, with excursions to a bunch of other countries. We did make it to Basel, Switzerland, for Tuba Christmas. Neat little city! Enjoy your trip to Germany!

[Heidi]

51. Another garden view.

Thanks for the nice words, Lynz. My husband is the master gardener in the family, though, and Ginger keeps everything "watered." :rofl:



Our little Buddha, the Wiley and Excellent (Boy) Cat Named Ginger


Our kois: Madonna, Bob Dylan, Shamu, Winky, Pflotch, Trotsky and Jumpy.

[LynzM]

53. Oh neato!

Nice of Ginger to help with the upkeep! ;)

I love the names of the kois... would love to hear all the stories behind those!

[gmoney]

41. Heidi is good to have around

I'd hate to call her a "thing" but she's a wonderously wise woman who really has her head on straight, and is ready to help those of us who don't.

Plus, she's fantastically talented and sweet as a fine Swiss chocolate.

DU is lucky that she deems to hang out here!

(She's not the only one of course...but she posted, so she gets her props. We're lucky for LynzM and so many others!)

[Heidi]

47. Right backatcha, my friend.

There are lots of pure-hearted people here; I feel blessed to be in such good company. :hug:gmoney:hug:

[GOPisEvil]

55. I want Heidi to adopt me.

:hi:

[LynzM]

56. That'd be sweet, huh?

A nice little house in Switzerland with a cool mom, to boot :)

[GOPisEvil]

57. I'm even housebroken!

:bounce:

[Heidi]

63. Oh, housebroken is easy here.

We don't have carpet, and nobody's ever interested in peeing on terra cotta stone floors. :shrug:

[Heidi]

62. Yikes!

You're already my bud, but you don't want me for a mother! I'd be all over you for leaving cat hair all over the Buddha on the altar. ;)

Consider yerself my friend. I'd be a crappy mom.

[GOPisEvil]

64. OK, I'm happy with my mom anyway.

I just think it would be great living in Europe. :)

[Heidi]

65. And I think, under different circumstances . . .

it would be great livin' in Texas.

I'm happy with my mom, too. You and I are blessed, aren't we? :hug:

[GOPisEvil]

66. Well, I was born in Europe, and held a Greek passport until I was 8.

With the way things are going, sometimes I think about heading back to Europe. I haven't been there since we left when I was 4.

[Heidi]

68. Do it!

Visit your birthplace. I did that just before I came to Europe. It was very freeing to visit the place where I was born, and where I hadn't been since I was adopted at 6 years of age. It was a really freeing experience, in a lot of ways.

[GOPisEvil]

69. Alas...fundage is an issue.

So is time away from work, blah, blah, blah...I'd like to take about 30 days and just wander around.

I know...excuses, excuses...

[seemunkee]

43. I'm smokin'

a big pork shoulder and brewing a nut brown beer.
Beautiful morning out today and the family is still asleep

[LynzM]

44. Sweet!

Sounds like you're going to have a very tasty afternoon, and many more, with the beer :)

I love some early-morning time outside, when I can get myself out of bed to enjoy it!

[samplegirl]

45. My cat was very sick

and made it...back to his loveable self.

[LynzM]

46. Yay!

Glad to hear it! :bounce:

[Heidi]

67. Oh, samplegirl . . .

I'm sorry your boy was sick, but happy for you that he's back to good health. We went through a similar situation with The Wiley and Excellent Boy Cat Named Ginger three weeks ago . . . magnesium/phosphorous crystal in his urethra, peeing blood. Scared the crap out of me. So I'm counting my blessings, because he's one of the world's best felines, truly.

:hug:

[samplegirl]

75. Thank you

He really gave me a scare first time I have ever seen him that sick.
When he hides.............hes sick really sick. Two days at the vet
400.00 and lots of medicine but I'm thankful it was'nt something worse.

[Heidi]

85. What a really beautiful boy!

He's just gorgeous. Is he as soft as he looks?

[swag]

54. Good morning, LynzM

Chamber Music Northwest's summer series has been great. I saw the Brandenburgs a week ago, and last night my wife and I went to see Paul Neubauer's viola recital (with Vladimir Feltsman accompanying on piano, and I should really put an exclamation point here, but I'm sort of averse to them).

Here's a pic of Neubauer and Feltsman from a concert last year (that'd David Shifrin on clarinet).



Anyway, the music was beautiful and quite moving last night (particularly Shostokovich's extended meditation on death (Op. 147)), and it is always so great to see these magnificent players perform.

After the concert, my wife and I zoomed across the river for some tasty crepes and wine at Le Happy, a dark little joint with a bit of a post-psycho-punk attitude, friendly service, and great stuff. Our server remembered us with a smile and chatted us up nicely.

Now it's Sunday, the wife and the old cat still snoring on the bed, and I'm about to go get the newspapers and another cup of coffee.

May good things come to you and yours.

[LynzM]

58. Color me jealous!

Wowza! I'll leave further exclamation points out for your enjoyment ;)

Shostokovich... sweet. That sounds like such a wonderful evening and beginning to your day. Enjoy it!!

[Heidi]

59. Life is good, isn't it, swag?

Your post reminded me of the summer morning that I drove across Nebraska with a dear friend to watch a performance of "Bryant" (about the life of William Jennings Bryant) in Lincoln, then spending the night under 100 percent cotton sheets with the windows open in the huge old farmhouse of a friend. The coffee was absolutely excellent that morning.

Thanks for reminding me.

[swag]

60. Lordy, that all sounds too dreamy.

Very nice images, Heidi.

Happy Sunday, sister.

[Heidi]

61. Thanks, swag.

There's a Leonard Cohen lyric, ". . . forget your perfect offering. There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in." I'd be lost without those little recurring imperfect-but-beautiful experiences.

Happy Sunday to you, too, bro.

[scarlet_owl]

71. I'm going to be a foster mom. Hopefully by the end of this year.

[LynzM]

77. Neato!

That's really excellent of you! :)

[48pan]

73. I got my 1948 Panhead to start on the first kick today!

With over 30 bikers standing around, it started right up. Amazing!

[Capn Sunshine]

74. awesome, and one kick

those who have never had a Harley that old have no idea of the specialness of that moment.

Oh, and good vibes like this belong on the top of the list :hi:

[LynzM]

78. Nice!

I'll have to go look that up, as I don't have any idea about it *blush* Cool on not being embarrassed, though!

[48pan]

79. Here ya go!

[LynzM]

80. Thanks!

Sweet bike! Can I get mine in purple? ;)

Some year, I may actually get a bike and a bike license... good memories of riding around in the summer on the back of my dad's little Yamaha 850 :)

[progmom]

82. How about I show you instead

Taken a few hours ago:

[LynzM]

83. Awwww!

What an absolute cutie-pie! Kiddos with ice cream are so darn cute :)