there have been so few messages lately. Tell us what you're up to, even if you're just drying your nails!

-- Anonymous, November 25, 2001

Answers

I have been cleaning, cleaning, cleaning. Clearing out years of accumulated junk in preparation for moving early next year. Also just had our extended family Christmas at my house today so will now have to start cleaning all over again.

-- Anonymous, November 25, 2001

I've been trying to find a job. My unemployment runs out SOON. I'll have to temp, and that makes me nervous. Will there be enough temp opportunities? Will they pay equal to or more than unemployment?

I worry so much about the future.

This is going to be a very bleak Christmas.

-- Anonymous, November 25, 2001

I'm trying to clear out my cellar to set up a small shop to do woodworking. I've been putting it off for about 5 years, so the clutter is massive. Progress has been slow and steady, and I procrastinate and think too much. I am forced to move forward on this since I have a new disassembled table saw in my kitchen. If the truth be told, I am enjoying myself a lot.

On the work front, I have been involved in the planning and execution of a multi-year medical supply contract. This will be my job for the next 2 years, at least. This is not as much fun as clearing out my cellar to do woodworking. It's challenging and lucrative, so I suppose I should be grateful. The people I work with are great.

Sometimes I think I could do life as a loner. All I really need is food, clothing, shelter, and a pet or two. Oh, how the weekends fly!

-- Anonymous, November 25, 2001

I'm sitting at work, avoiding doing my "self-evaluation". This little chore has precipitated suicidal impulses the last 3 years I have done it. This year I have a new boss, again, who just gave me a pep-talk. I think he will actually be fair and recognize my work. Rather than extremely verbally abuse me (which is what happens if your boss tries to use you to embezzle the company, which you won't do. Then you go to HR for help and find out too late he is screwing her). If it didn't involve me, the pathology would be hysterical. At least, I love the work and the boss I have now. Some day I'll become independantly wealthy.

In the meantime, it is a busy time for my quintet. We have a lot of places to play. Lots to see and do this time of year. Christmas will come too fast now.

-- Anonymous, November 27, 2001

I'm checking my forum while I eat lunch at my desk, at my temp job, which I'm happy to have. I've been busy trying to make my apartment look like barren-yet-paper-filled. I've been preparing for my incredibly imminent divorce. I've been helping my kids with their homework, reading them James and the Giant Peach, and trying to spend as much quality time with them as I can. I've been hanging out with my family and squeezing in grown-up-fun hours with my friends when I can. I'm going to get my new glasses tonight and I'm all excited about that.

I hope y'all's Christmasses aren't bleak and don't suck.

-- Anonymous, November 28, 2001

LESS barren-yet-paper-filled, I mean. gah.

-- Anonymous, November 28, 2001

I'm trying to think of what I can make people for Christmas, because I don't have any money. Also, I'm working on applications for graduate school and on putting together the portfolio of poems that will have to go out with those applications. I'm applying to U Florida, U Maryland, George Mason, NYU, U Oregon, U Iowa, and U Indiana. Maybe also Arizona State (but I'm not sure about that one). Surely if I apply to 7 or 8 programs I'll get in to one? Everyone else seems very confident about my chances. Personally, I'm terrified. On the bright side, I just finished taking the GRE, so I don't have to worry about that anymore.

-- Anonymous, November 29, 2001

I'm preparing to write my one final exam and my last paper. And then I'm graduating. So it's going to be a very merry Christmas for me because honestly, with all of the pregnancies and tiny little children around here, I thought I'd never get through school. And now I very very nearly have (done in a week) and I'm so thrilled.

I think about you lots, Gwen, and I'm so glad you keep up your journal and your list because it's great to have even a partial sense of how you're making out.

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2001

S: I'm glad you're glad. And congratulations! Dude, that's so, so cool. What a good gift to yourself.

Eva: Maybe you could send out personalized poems. I would be really pleased and flattered if someone gave me my own poem for xmas. I can see that it wouldn't work with certain types of people, though.

I'm going to look through the old xmas topics and bump anything I find to help you...

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2001

Gwen, thanks. I've been scrolling thru keyword searches on Webcrawler trying to find some cute stuff to make, but mostly I get "Reindeer Clothespin Ornaments!!!" And hey, I like a good reindeer clothespin ornament as well as the next person, but I just don't think my in-laws will understand if that's what we ship them for Christmas.

-- Anonymous, December 01, 2001

Where've I been? Uh, my boyfriend kicked me out, so now I'm living with my dad, looking for a job.

Hey Gwen, I like your new glasses. They look great.

-- Anonymous, December 02, 2001

Thanks. Dude, that freaking sucks. I was wondering what in god's name had happened to you.

Temp for xmas! Temp for xmas!

Seriously -- good luck. I hope you find a job very soon and that Holden realizes the hard-core error of his ways, whether you want to take him back or not.

-- Anonymous, December 02, 2001

I am at work after the "holiday party," kinda bored, kinda ready to go home for the weekend. I've been getting ready for my daughter's first real Xmas and am so excited to have stockings to fill, a tree to decorate, stuff to put up. It's the first time in years I've really been in the holiday spirit. It must be the energy little kids give off that make you remember how great things can be. Happy Season!!

PS--Gwen, those glasses rule. I'm jealous.

-- Anonymous, December 07, 2001

I have been cleaning out the house, painting, cleaning carpets, and giving away crap, uh, my valuable possesions, in an effort to ready my house for market so I can finally MOVE to Heidelberg (yes, the one in Germany) and I can have a marriage again (the hubby is already there at his new job). The hard parts done, the house is listed, and all I have to do now is keep the place spotless for showings, clean out the garage, closets, under the sinks, cabinets, bookcases, etc. etc. etc. Then try to find a job. I think I need a nap.

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2002