Hi again Carol, How gratifying to hear your report of how things are going for you and family. Speaking of family - I hope that yours became accustomed to your upgraded situation without too much distress. Interesting, isn't it, how people get used to seeing others (and themselves?) in sort of a rut, following a familiar path? Sometimes I wonder whether some of the partially/slightly negative attention that they pay to someone else's changing course may have some connection with their unhappiness with their present situation, possibly having some inner desire to do something similar, but being rather unwilling to give that desire house-room, whether from inertia (? - I thought that there was a more precise word, called son, but this is the best that we can think of at the moment), fear or whatever motive. I'm pleased that you're finding some success in the field that you've chosen to pursue, and hope that it proceeds apace. Son and I attended a networking project called "The Beehive" last year that's rather different and enables one to meet a number of folks who might be able to offer mutual support/business contact/development possibilities. I heard of it through an economic development council that I've been connected to in our area and took son to one of their initial local meetings. Actually, it was while I was taking son home from their first meeting that I attended that my car got smacked! They divide a number of people in a room into several groups of about 4 each. They pass out a business envelope to each participant, with a card inside. Each person becomes a "Queen Bee", writing some question relating to an idea that they'd like to develop their business around. For me, a financial planner, instead of writing, "Would you like to pay less income tax?" (which would focus on the hearer[s] only), they encourage me to write, "Do you know someone who would like to pay less income tax?" (asking the hearer to think whether they may know of someone in that situation, in addition to themselves). Another member of the small group becomes the "worker bee", and when the round begins, starts by asking the question in her/his own group. If someone knows of a person who might be interested, s/he gives her/his business card to the worker bee. The worker bee takes that Queen Bee's question around to each of the other groups in turn, asking the question. If someone there knows of someone that might be interested, they hand their business card to the worker bee and the worker bee departs, to visit another "hive". They get some hype and speed worked into the situation, each flying worker wondering whether they've been to this or that hive yet, and when a worker bee has finished in a hive and departed, the members of that hive put up their hands and shout, "Over here! Over here!" to attract another worker bee. When each worker bee has visited every hive, they all gather around the coordinator and each reads her/his question in turn, with the other worker bees handing over their own cards if they are interested in that question. Then each worker returns to his/her own hive and hands the question card with the group of cards that s/he gathered to the "Queen Bee" who wrote the question. They usually run four rounds, if there were four members in each "hive" - so everyone gets to be "Queen" once, and "worker" once. They usually run four rounds - which means that each person puts four questions of interest to each participant in the meeting that night. Each participant usually goes home with a fistful of pre-qualified cards in her/his sweaty little hand. The recipient of the cards then contacts the owner of each card received to ask for the contact. This avoids the pressure of the person contacted being put on the spot. I think that several friendships are developed that way, in additon to there being an ongoing live contact. If one of the other members who gave me his card and meets someone a while later who might be interested, s/he might give my name to that person, or tell me about the person's possible interest. Check them out at www.neworldcoaching.com. I've offered a "Christmas gift" to folks here on the "Finance" and "KT" forums, plus here for several years now, a gift that should save them hundreds, maybe thousands, in their lifetime, in addition to keeping former friendships warm. Write the names of everyone you've known since childhood, with contact info, then, over time, add items that relate to them - training, profession, interests, hobbies, vacation destinations, etc. When you want to know something - ask the folks on your database. As time goes along, if you develop some items of interest to several of them, you might begin a sort of newsletter to send to all or a portion. As people become familiar with what you're doing, they may contact you when they have a question, etc. If you can be helpful in such a situation, that guy owes you one, right? Isn't that rather shameful - offering the same (no direct cost) "Christmas gift" to the same people, over and over?! I guess if one's as frugal as I, there are some things about which it gets rather hard to shame them! Well - I didn't do it last Christmas, at least. I hope that some recent comers weren't left without another potential arrow in their quiver, because of it. Good wishes as you step forward into your future, Carol! ole joyful

Red, I am a 'newbie' on this thread. But not to reclaiming my mojo! I hope you feel welcomed and reclaim RED! ((((((GO! GO! RED MOJO!!!!!!))))) How do YOU feel about the weight you have gained? IS it compromising your health? Attempting to reclaim that healthy gal inside is only something you can do for YOU, and only when you are really ready. If this is a path you want to explore, then #1 is see your GP first, they will be a great guide as to how and what changes will reignite your RED MOJO! With pain problems walking can seem like a real chore- have you ever tried water based workouts- aerobics/ swimming? They may help as there is not the pressure and impact. Oh... and on the arm flab thing... don't talk to me about that!! Whaaaaaaaa! : ( Mine are like empty PJ bags, or wings or some such. NO amount of muscle will fix them (well maybe Arnold Swarz size arms... but not sure if that's a good look on a short lady! hee hee hee) As an ex nail biter and picker, I think it is definately a habit. Each time you catch yourself at your nails choose to stop, do something else to occupy your hands- I made a habit of painting nail strengthener each day. While I can grow may nails long (eg if I have an upcoming event) I choose to keep them a practical length-just past the tip of my finger. They annoy me less that length too. I think a great MOJO activation method is a new hairstyle and a set of clothes- you can get off that plane and see your mum feeling good about yourself. There is more to being a great person than what you weigh and how long your nails are. Oh and to your mum- if she comments on your weight, say 'It's amazing how genetics play such a part in your chance for weight gain' and smile sweetly :) Em

Oh Gosh Dotmom, I have just been catching up reading posts and I am so sorry to hear about your DIL's stroke! I am happy to hear your latest report. Please tell Dirt_yfingernails that I am thinking about her and wish her a speedy recovery. Hugs to your son too, he must have been so worried. Anne

Scroll down the page a little. It's titled Wednesday's report on Dir_ty Fingernails. Shirley