Our DD has been a  PT for 16 years and she says there is always a need for more.  She gets 1 or2 students a year to train during their clinicals.  I think that there are so many of us "baby boomers" getting older and needing therapy, and I think doctors are more likely to prescribe therapy  than they did in years past.  DD is still working on student loan!!  Undergrad wasn't a problem with her scholarships ad grants but grad school sure was a bite.  She lucked out and only needed her masters.  The year after she started, it was changed to needing their doctorate to get certified.  That would certainly add to the student loan debt.  Is she working through a hospital or private clinic?

Do you guys remember the bright/black swaps so long ago? I found those blocks and decided it's time to put them together. I'm quite frustrated because they were supposed to be 4.5". I remember spending so much time trimming mine, making them perfect before I sent them. I've found them anywhere from 4.25" to 5.25". This is crap! :( Warning to anyone else who hasn't done them yet. It's a load of work. :( 

That sounds like a fun challenge.  I would just stagger them, place them randomly, and use coping strips where needed.  Sounds like fun.  

Either coping strips, or just frame them. And then trim to the same size!

that’s how Cathy did her heart blocks….

her new job is a private clinic, pediatric only.  She also has been working PRN for a rehab hospital group that is nationwide, so she's already set up to do weekend work there to pick up extra $$.  She goal was 3 to 5 years to pay off loan.  I told her that was probably too agressive, maybe shoot for 10 and if it goes faster then great.  She had thought about PT but the requirement for doctorate was part of what dissuaded her.  There is talk about making OT a DR as well, but for now it's only masters.

Happy Birthday Kim!  I hope you have a wonderful birthday!!!

I went to a local retreat last week.  It was fun.  But it sure did make me miss my friends from VOS!  I've got to figure out a way to go to the retreat this year.  I was telling them about you guys, talking about how long we had been doing it, how much we have shared over the years.  The friends who have died, the struggles we've shared.  It old a few stories - yes the one about Dee breaking the door within a couple of hours of arriving.  Carolyn's Princess Crown. Judy vomiting in the grass between us during the group photo. About Chris's stash, about completing Denise's UFO's.  Gosh, really made me want to hug all of you guys.  Hope you all are doing well.  

I really like the ladies I am making friends with at our monthly meetings, but it's not the same as the AZ group.  I don't know them well enough yet to say certain things.  However, I am getting a few hints here and there that with the proper prompting, that could be possible.  LOL  

They are trying to put together a retreat about 60 miles south of here (Sonora, TX - a nice enough place) for 3-4 days right around the Labor Day weekend.  They seem to be having a hard time signing up enough of us to meet the minimum the retreat center requires.  What a difference between that situation and the days when VOS had a long waiting list!  I might consider going, but I'm saving my money for my cruise in November.  Maybe next year, when I know them a little better.    

we had the same problem.  the one last fall they had to cancel due to lack of interest.  This one they did finally fill it up but I know the organizer was frustrated, commented she wasn't going to be in charge of retreats any more.

And I don't know what came over me, but I volunteered for the "Christmas party committee" for December's meeting.  NOT the Chair - who was the first to answer the call for volunteers.  haha  But I will help her and there are 3 others who volunteered after me.  Shouldn't be too difficult.  A few decorations, everybody brings food, and we have our regular meeting, with show & tell, etc.  All we need is a few fun games.  Last year we did the Left-Right-Center game, but they played for small stakes - just 4.5 inch squares instead of FQs - and I don't think we did the money version.  They are not as wild as the VOS players.  And it takes much longer to play, because there are about 30 people playing instead of about 12 like VOS usually has playing at one time.  I'm going to see if they'll go for the money version.  LOL