As Good As It Gets?

Quick Post: my emotional high didn't even last until the middle of the week:  with the additional costs of this "normal" apartment, I'm steadily losing money every month, and it looks like I will totally out of cash in about 8 months, and that is not counting in summer daycare costs, which will eat up at least 4 months of buffer cash.  Plus all my stockings and shoes now have holes (no exaggeration), and my two good bras snapped their underwire in two consecutive weeks, and the rest of my clothes are years old (no exaggeration, some are decades old), and not doing much better.  then one of the boys is spending hours each evening with the wasband doing his homework, and I don't understand why.  Between going to shul, swimming, and carpool (because the wasband got to keep the minivan, while I had to BUY myself a new tiny hatchback) he has them at least 25% of MY WEEKS!  And I going crazy and crying to the kids how sad it all is and how pathetic is my lot.  and I said I would never burden my kids with my worries, and now they are both on edge every time they need to buy anything.  And pushing the divorce along, which is more necessary than ever, but will make everything so hard in the short run - and then my oldest son will hate me even more... too much.

And I borrowed As Good As It Gets from the library (never saw it before).  Fantastic movie: weakest plot ever, and who cares, as the plot is just a vehicle to play with some really wonderfully entertaining acting, even from the dog. (although Hunt's attempt at a Brooklyn accent was so poorly directed, and kept going in and out and was mostly a distraction, and the "model" and his cronies were awful start to finish) and to deliver some great lines. 

The two strongest lines for me (which anyone could guess), were Melvin's encapsulations of two faces of depression: the envy of "Not everyone has horrible stories...You're pissed that they had good stories, pretty stories, and noodle salad;" and the complete hopelessness of "Maybe this is as good as it gets."

And here's a kicker I think I was relieved that the ending didn't do much for me - Carol shouldn't end up with Melvin, this is not a beautiful, romantic outcome.  And if she did end up with a perfect guy I would hate it, because it would make me feel even more hopeless and envious...
 
Hey, go to my Etsy store ThousandAndOneBeads , and tell all your friends - I need the money!  Credit card acceptability coming soon!

Finally had the vacation I have been looking forward to for so long.  It was very short - just one weekend, but wonderfully rejuvenating.  We completely missed the botanical spectacle I specifically came to see, but it didn't matter, it was gorgeous, the kids frolicked, and we all enjoyed the day.

It was a special day for the little guy, so I made this cake to bring.  I know this cake kinda looks like nothing in particular, but it is actually a fantastic replica of Po's original comic book hero.  

And here's a nice little topper - I apparently cleaned the whole kitchen in some half asleep crazed rambling Thursday night.  I don't remember this at all!  But the kitchen was clean when we came home, although the rest of the house was an explosion of laundry.  Maybe it was elves...

ThousandAndOneBeads 
Etsy Store

It's OPEN!  If you like my bracelets, please browse and share!  New listings to come soon, as well as credit card acceptance (at the moment, I can only take check or money order).
Also, if you commented previously, remind me to give you your discount.

Letter of recomendation

I want to tell you of the wonder of my enjoyable Passover.  But first I MUST write this rec-letter for my fabuloso volunteer in the lab.  Only the second person that I truly enjoyed supervising.  My previous posts on the subject were about how I despaired of ever being an adequate supervisor.

I have written few (maybe two) letters of recommendation before.  Is it profuse enough???  I couldn't stop gushing, as I was gushing all the time he was in the lab.

Dear Interested Party,

I am pleased to write to you on behalf of *Shimon Levy*, who worked as a reaserch volunteer in our medical research laboratory these past six months.  In the time Shimon was here, he proved himself to be intelligent, eager, and hard working. He was a genuine asset to the lab in a manner that is quite exceptional in an undergraduate volunteer.

We assigned Shimon to a continuing project of our laboratory, using established molecular biology protocols, to derive and sub-clone our gene of interest. From the beginning, Shimon showed a great understanding of subject and procedure, and asked intelligent and insightful questions when he approached something unfamiliar.  Yet he was also readily receptive to constructive criticism, and clearly interested in learning from the experience of co-workers and superiors. Equally important, he worked carefully, using good laboratory technique which yielded excellent results.

As his time in the lab progressed, Shimon took greater responsibility for the project.  He was able to work with a minimum of over-site, and independently research and design subsequent procedures, to overcome obstacles and further the project. He continued to show clear understanding of the project along with proficiency at problem-solving.  Shimon did not let sort-term set-backs discourage him, as we have seen happen in other volunteers assigned to this project. Rather, he shown great determination in sticking with the assignment until he was able to find a way around the impasse.

It seems superfluous to add that Shimon fulfilled all expected behavior in a volunteer: He was reliable and always showed up for work and put in all his hours, unless he had previously requested the infrequent day off.  He worked well with the other members of the lab, and was always willing to help with other projects. He completed routine assigned task in a timely and efficient manner.

These qualities of aptitude, persistence and thoughtfulness, together with his bright, genial manner and good work ethic, make Shimon a pleasure to work with, and a great benefit to any program. 

Thank you for consideration.

Sincerely,
Sweet Perfusion

Man, if I can only get more volunteers like this, I'll be the best manager ever!