Birthday cards from family. Sent a week early as I'm GOING TO ARRAN! (have I mentioned that?)

Lovely one from Mum, very glittery, and inside she told me to keep on glittering.
By which I assume she doesn't mean getting up people's noses and leaving bits of myself on the floor...

But the biggest nice, and surprise was a card from my niece. First ever.
AND she sent me a £5 Greggs card (money to spend in countrywide bakery chain, fine purveyor of pastry delights).
Mum must have had a hand in it, but she would never ask anyone to send me anything of monetary value, so the thought came from Abs.

Had a bit of a cry.
But a happy one.
Maybe one day I can re-establish relationships with my sister's children, even if I have to accept I'll never have a real sister.

I do send presents and cards to her family. Especially the kittens (twins). But I've never, ever expected anything in return. This card is a marvel to me. I'm taking it to Arran. Oh, did I say that this time next week I'll be in Arran on my birthday? It may not have been clear.

Anybody going to Arran? ;)

I'm pleased for you Sundae!

http://cellar.org/showthread.php?p=931853#post931853 :D

oh, and good results at work, but I'm knackered

#LoveWins

It's a great fucking day.

I had a lovely two days with my Godfather.
He stayed in the B&B I stayed in when I locked myself out of my flat last year. The owner remembered me, and thanked me for the kind review I wrote on Trip Advisor. Well, the sort of man who remembers a single overnight guest in that way is the sort of man who runs a B&B that gets what it deserves on Trip Advisor - Best Place to Stay in Otley.

Peter had a good time there and praised the breakfast most highly. And this is a man who likes his food (judging by the amount he eats anyway!) I'm surprised he only has a little pot belly to show for it, he should be the size of a barn - said in a loving way of course :thumb:

As well as being remembered in Otley AND meeting three people I know on the street (I never meet anyone I know!) I was recognised and thanked by a C of E Vicar in Leeds RC Cathedral. Peter's a priest, so we went there for his benefit really, but I do like churches. A few weeks back I helped him send an email from the library, pausing what I was listening to on the computer at the time. He thanked me again and I felt myself blush. But it was with a sense of pride; Peter would have seen the best of me over the last two days. Part of my community, remembered, polite and respectful (phew).

Oh and I dragged him to Pieminister. Well, he wanted a traditional meal with vegetables, served at a table and didn't want to eat in a pub. For my benefit. Although crikey knows what he thought I'd do - vault over the bar at Wetherspoons and start drinking directly from the taps if he excused himself to go to the Gents for a few minutes? Still - he was very impressed with his Chicken of Aragon pie (free range British chicken, smoked bacon & tarragon) and I spread the Gospel of Pieminister a little further, as well as gobbling up a Moodog pie myself ( British beef steak, smoked bacon & BrewDog 5am Saint).

And he was delighted with everything I showed him in Otley, even the minions. As a good Godfather should be.

Supreme court decision

Nailed it, freedom wins.

I'm pretty damn surprised by this court. It seems like they usually get things wrong.

Yeah, this caught me off guard.

After Kelo v. City of New London, they should be worried about their jobs.

A nice chap from the AC repair company I called came out and diagnosed the problem with our AC. It was the capacitor/start kit for the high side of the compressor. Unlike many typical central AC units ours is a 2 speed so when the demand for cool air is low the low side of the compressor runs and when the demand increases it shuts off that side and kicks on the high side. That's why it seemed to cool when it wasn't so hot outside and at night. He measured the microferad reading on the capacitor and it was way off from the specification. He thought it was an original part which makes me feel a bit better as the unit was installed just about 9 years ago and we have replaced the low side capacitor in 2013. The cost was $225, $175 for the part and $50 for the service call. This was a smaller AC company than the other ones we usually call on, the others charge $85 for the trip plus labor on site. He checked freon and other things and said it should be fine now. :thumb:

England's gift to the culinary world is their meat pies. Flaky pastry with great fillings! Oh and Spotted Dick! :D

What I find amusing is how all the GOP presidential candidates are all tripping over each other to complain about these unelected judges legislating from the bench. My own looney Senator Cruz plans to try to push an amendment to make them stand for re-election every 8 years.

You lucked out, congratulations. I installed central air in the early 90s, and every year I flip the switch and pray. So far it's worked. :fingerx:
Of course instead of being smart and trying it early, like everyone else I don't turn it on until it gets hot, then if something is amiss the A/C guys will be busy as hell.