'supporting each other through really tough times'

FairyPrincessk

Thanks all! You're right, of course fuddle. I should think positively that we planned for this expense and have made cutbacks elsewhere instead of ignoring it.

That does help Mrs LW. I have made some notes. I will have to do some meals and drinks:eek: out--but not all of them and it will really make me feel better if I can manage the costs when I'm not trying to rub elbows--a feat I find difficult at the best of times. The other good news is that I have already met the people I'm going there to meet, if you will, and some of them have seen my work elsewhere and like it, this is more about reminding them of it and showing off an update on where I am now.

I can be all doom and gloom sometimes, always nice to have people around to put it in perspective. Thanks.

Just got a load of washing on the line and popped in another--some of it is stuff like sofa blankets that don't get done all the time, thought I'd make the most of the sunshine while it is here.

Back to the writing now. You're morning sounds more productive than most of my weekends, Mrs LW!

Hmm..mince inspiration..I'll see what ideas stew while I'm writing.

[Deleted User]

Hi FUDDLE if I'm the woman on a mission it was to get it all done before it got too hot to do it at all, nothing motivates me as well as that!!! I always thought that 40 upwards in terms of age would be better than 0 to 40, and I wasn't wrong. I think things like appearance and clothes do still matter, just not as much and not as immediately, I've been more comfortable in my own skin since hitting 40 and the older I get, the more contented I am to be me on my own terms, I guess I'm lucky as I know people who still in thier 60s dash into the pharmacy to get every new wrinkle flattener that is advertised and dress up to the 9s just to put out the dustbin, I've always been a little mystified about what the problem is with growing older? looking older is what Mother Nature intends for all of us or it wouldn't work that way would it? trying to remain perpetually youthful is about as effective as Knut trying to stop the tide isn't it?
Cheers Lyn xxx.

PRINCESSX87

Morning all.

Soo tired today, OH & I was up most of the night because yet again the Neighbour's decided to have a rave of some sort started at 4am this morning. This time they was screaming, Shouting, Turning up the music.!

OH has been working longer shifts than normal this week, Nearly 16 hour days, so as you can picture he wasn't a happy bunny this morning!:mad:

Anyways, Its bright and sunny here which makes a change managed to do 2 loads of washing, Inc bedding and getting it out on the line.

POOKY: Mince, Why not do taco's? I done this the other night, I had plain (Not a fan of hot spicy foods) OH had it gut burning hot.
Maybe add some salad with it?

[Deleted User]

POOKY what kind of mince is it? i.e what type of meat and what cuisine do you fancy today? I have my mince cookbook beside me and can throw ideas at you if it helps. Lyn xxx.

Mrs_Chip

Morning Peeps

Just popped in to say Pooky - chilli - we always have this in the freezer ready for a quick meal. In the summer out favourite way to have it is on nachos - I get a bag of value nachos and spread them on a plate. I blob spoonfuls of the heated chilly mix all over, and then let my imagination (and contents of fridge) go wild - anything I have got hanging about goes on, like chopped fresh toms, red onion, ham, chorizo, avocado, tomato salsa, sour cream or yoghurt, fresh red chilli adds an extra kick. Top the lot with a good sprinkle of grated cheese and bung under the grill for a minute or so until it is melted.

We eat with fingers and lots of napkins, the mix of cooked/raw/hot/cold/crunchy/soft all on one plate is delicious!

[Deleted User]

I've just looked up the words to a 60s song that I remembered and the words are so prophetic and applicable for life today, it's called Everyone's Gone to the Moon by Jonathan King and worth reading the lyrics.

fuddle

Oh MrsChip, that sounds lovely.

Stumbled across a blog that is right up my street. Thought I'd share - creative, colourful, nature, homelife http://www.talesfromahappyhouse.com/

nuatha

FairyPrincessk wrote: »

Must admit to feeling very down today. I applied and was accepted to present a paper at a conference next Autumn. This should be exciting and about getting my work out there, but it isnt. The conference is in Sweden--not the furthest or most expensive I've done, but I'm not eligible for any funding this time, whereas I have been in the past.
... I haven't even started on looking for a hotel and flights for it. It is so frustrating because I'm at the last stages of my course and it is important for me to do these things--to meet people, present my work and hopefully find a way to get some of my work published. Most of my colleagues are in the same position with little money to fund it but lots of pressure to participate if we want jobs and connections. At my annual reviews I always get pushed to do more of these, but a shrug of the shoulders when I ask how I should pay for it.

FPK, quick reply as I should be in the kitchen. Its worth contacting the host university and asking if there is any possible assistance with accommodation - when I used to play in academia we often ended up arranging for some of the attendees to stay with students, staff and other local attendees. It can really help build bridges that you don't get when staying in hotels.
The other thing which is worth checking because its often overlooked are local grant making trusts and charities. Check your main library for a Funding Guide, in the North East there are/were a huge number of small funding bodies, many of whom rarely manage to spend their annual target due to lack of suitable applicants. Some may only serve people from a particular town or village, others for a specific purpose - education often being one of these. Can understand you being down, its a lot of pressure and a 10% surcharge and early demand don't help.
Good luck with it.

savingqueen

fuddle wrote: »

spit it out pooky :rotfl:

Morning, I await the rest but bet you're going to say thunder

Hey fuddle, I know you didn't mean it and I can take a joke along with the best of em..... but ya know not everyone can "spit it out".

If you have difficulties with verbal communication, like me for example as a person who stammers, sometimes you just can't get your words out... and then it ain't funny, it's embarrassing, frustrating and if someone on the other end of the conversation laughs... it's humiliating.

I'm not having a go at you personally... honest but more at the world, hardly a week goes by when someone doesn't say something similar. Only Monday on a new course, I did my spiel about me having a stammer (as I feel more comfortable disclosing and want to put everyone else at ease too) and minutes later someone cracked a joke about stuttering (because they couldn't spell a word) and nobody noticed 'cept me.

Hope you don't mind me saying this, please don't get upset fuddle as I think you're fine and dandy. Just using your post as an example as I think you will get where I'm coming from as a fellow sensitive soul and I'm a one-woman mission to talk about one of the few taboo subjects left in our society.

sq

7_week_wonder

FairyPrincessk wrote: »

Must admit to feeling very down today. I applied and was accepted to present a paper at a conference next Autumn. This should be exciting and about getting my work out there, but it isnt. The conference is in Sweden--not the furthest or most expensive I've done, but I'm not eligible for any funding this time, whereas I have been in the past.

You've probably thought of this already but: are there any other travel grants from your University? We have some small ones tucked away that are quite hard to find but will certainly help towards the cost of travel etc. Are there any "Societies" you could join? For instance if the conference is partly sponsored by the "Institute of Molecular Chemists" (I made that one up - I have no idea what field you are in) then there is sometimes an offer to become a student member of the institute which gets you a discount on the conference fees. And usually, the discount is worth more than the year's membership fees. Any chance of getting a discount by applying to be a helper at the conference (e.g. running around with microphone for audience questions in some of the conference sessions?) Sorry if you've already thought of those, but I know what it's like! Good luck