Something wonderful today.

[Melissa]

I finally finished building my karaoke system tonight.  This is something I started about 2 years ago and had put on hold because of transition.  It's a computer system hooked up to my TV and stereo system, it has wireless microphones, and play karaoke CDs (I have 300+).  The TV displays the graphical output from the CDs and it is working good.  It's also hooked up to the internet.
[NOTE TO SELF: Remember to hookup the playstation 2 to the internet]

The things I've had to do to get it up and running include:
Replacing 5 capacitors on a fried motherboard (previous system).
Replacing a CD drive due to the old one not reading discs.
Replacing the power supply due to it not powering up.
Adding a soundcard due to the onboard one going out.
Buying the Software to run it all.

The system has ended up being a professional quality setup.  The next plan would be to get an IR port and with some free software, add the capability to work with a remote control.  Not bad considering I've only spent around $80 so far on it.

Yeah I know, I can be such a geek girl sometimes. 

[cindianna_jones]

Hey geek girl!  Me me me me me too!  I just finished setting up a home theater pc for our entertainment center.  I have a lifetime of music and videos that needed a place to live.  So I built up this 2.3 TB system to store it all.  I bought a nice amp and replaced my woofer and set up the surround speakers (that I've been procrastinating on for 5 years!)

Well anyway, I got it all working for hubby's arrival last night.  He came in after being away at work all week.  And he loves it!  I don't know how many hundred CD's we've purchased over they years but they're all on there and fairly easy to get to.  I put all of our pictures on disk so when the music plays, so does a slide show of our history. What fun!

He keeps pressuring me to get an HD set to replace our old projection bigscreen.  I'm still not sure I want to go there yet.

Cindi

[Melissa]

Well, I got the company I bought the software from to refund half the cost since I owned a previous version of the software albeit it was in my old name.

Cool Cindi.  That's funny that we hooked them up on the same night.  I think I only have something like a 40GB drive in the PC.

  I was trying to build this system with as little money as possible to justify making it instead of just buying a karaoke machine.Another feature mine had is I had put a DVD-ROM drive in, so I don't need to hook up a DVD player either.  Plus I think you can buy karaoke on DVD, so it would work with that too.  The setup works so well and is expandable and configurable enough, that it is justified for that reason only.  I forgot about the purchase price for the wireless mics, cables and the replacement capacitors, which is now offset by the refund on the software.  Grand total spent: about $113.  So it was still more cost effective to go the route I went.

[tinkerbell]

My parents and I went out today.  Dad's been feeling so much better lately, so we opted to go to the city and shop.  We had a wonderful time, shopped too much, I think.  Additionally, we had our own kind of early mother's day celebration.  It had been a very long time since I hadn't gone out with my parents, and I am very happy that we did.  I feel so calm today.

tink

[rhonda13000]

Mom loves me. 

She reaffirmed it yesterday, before I began to work on the fallen tree in her front yard. She had misunderstood my tears when I basically cried on her shoulder, the last time that I was over there. She had thought that my tears were born of regret of what I have done transitionally, but not at all.

I told her no, what I was crying about was her declaration and affirmation to me, that no matter what, I was her child and that no matter what, she loved me and that I was always............................ ...oh boy....welcome in her house.

I had just lost it, when she said that to me.

"All that I want for you, is for you to be happy."

This is the first year in which I actually started to cry when I was selecting a Mother's Day card for her.

[tears, swallowing hard.... ]

"A Mother's Love" indeed."   

[cindianna_jones]

I was feeling a little down today..... My own biological children never consider me on Mother's day.  It is a wish I've secretly held for these many years that they would.  Shoot... even Father's day or my birthday would be nice!  And then my thoughts turned to my "step son".  He's my husband's biological son but he is "my boy" too.

He came to live with us for several years while he attended high school.  I came to love that kid as my own and I make sure to go see him as often as my own.  It too is difficult because he lives in Phoenix and the other kids live in the Salt Lake City area.

But.... I should know better than to give up on Jay.  My "own" kids, you know the good and righteous don't remember or consider... but Jay does.  He's having a tough time financially and can't get a long distance call through most of the time.  So he sent me an email wishing me a happy Mother's day this past hour.

Now, I am crying.  I am such a blubber puss.

Cindi

[cindianna_jones]

Hidrix, it means everything to me!  Thank you so much.

Cindi

[HelenW]

I was given the name of a Human Resources contact person who will "work with" me on transition.  It looks like I'm gonna get to keep my job!!!!!!!!!

whew!

And Friday, I'm gonna see a lawyer to help with my name change and it won't cost me a thing!

(jumping and dancing too much to give out hugs & smiles)
helen

[Christo]

Hidrix, it means everything to me!  Thank you so much.

Cindi

your welcome cindi

today I got my car back.  Im dancin I dont gotta take the bus no more.

[Kate]

The President of my company just walked into my office, fresh back from vacation. Instant panic, as he rarely has a need to see me directly.

"Omg that's it, he had time to ponder this, and... it's over for me now," my fears say.

He walked up to my desk, put his hands it, leaned forward with an expression of, "OK, how do I say this?"

"That's it, I've had it," I'm thinking.

He smiled, and said, "Good morning... KATE. I'd been wondering when it'd be time, and I heard J. call you Kate yesterday, so I figured... it's TIME. Kate."

Wow. I mean... wow, what an incredible relief!!! He is SUCH a nice man... one of the most honourable, fair and respectable people I've ever met, so this just means the *world* to me.

~Kate~

[Lucy]

Great storey Kate, congratulations

[Suzy]

Cool, Kate!

Wish there were more bosses like yours.

Kristi

[Jillieann Rose]

Oh oh, I'm a little late on this report. Hope I don't get in trouble.
But Saturday I dressed as me, Jillieann and went to the mall. It was the first time in awhile and had a great day out. But here is the best part a young women, a story clerk, who I have talked to many times as Jillieann this last year jumped over the clothing racks to get to me saying Hi "Jillieann". She acted like I was a long lost friend. Oh wow that made me feel good. I almost hugged her but wasn't sure if it was appropriate. We just sort of click like close friends when we get together.
I'm still high from Saturday.

Jillieann

[Maebh]

A few days ago I met an old friend from years ago. She is going to a hard time in work so I offered her a Totem Pole Session where she coul get in touch with her Totem Animals and Spiritual Guides for support. While talking I did mention my TGism and she was very interested. When she phoned me to confirm tonight I aked her if she would like to meet Maebh. She said she would so when she arrived I was in femme. We had dinner together with my girlfriend. Then as Maebh I guided her on her journey. After the session she said that I looked so well and natural that she was amazed how relaxed she was. We arranged an other dinner and session for next week and she asked me to be Maebh for it again.

LLL&R

Maebh

[Kate]

a story clerk, who I have talked to many times as Jillieann this last year jumped over the clothing racks to get to me saying Hi "Jillieann".

Isn't it great when people are happy to see YOU? The REAL you?

That's so wonderful Jilleann!

~Kate~

[cindianna_jones]

YAY Kate, Jillieanne, and Maebh!  Good stuff to be sure.  My good day was rather mundane by comparison.

BUT... for the first time in a month, I was able to get away and just get out of my little valley here.  I drove into the "big city" (which is barely warrants a Walmart) to do some shopping.  No, I didn't get to go clothes shopping... just groceries and a toilet seat of all things.  But it was so nice just to get out for a nice drive and to see people doing normal things! 

Cindi

[Suzy]

Wow, Jillieann, a GG friend.  What a great experience.  I bow to your greatness.....you are the queen of the mall!


Kristi

[Lucy]

Just had to tell you all cus im so excited, I have just had the offer of a referal to at GIC. So counsilling hasnt been a waist of time at all. See you on the other side....

Love you all

LUCY

[BeverlyAnn]

I made 3 Key Lime pies.  Yum. (And the whole house smells like freshly squeezed key limes)

[debbiej]

My wife told me I could shave. Sorry Hidrix, it all went down the sink.

Now I look like the dork that I really am. lol.

Debbie