So this morning I dropped my kids off at school and wanted to run by the grocery store on the way home. Just as I was turning into the parking lot, I heard a small bang and my car jerked. I could tell something was wrong with the car and I pulled into an empty parking spot at the end of the lot. I had a flat tire and it looked like my tire had completely blown out. So what did I do? I changed the flat! All by myself, in a parking lot, wearing a dress that was not intended for manual labor. Twice I had guys stop and ask me if I needed help: a guy in a pickup truck and a trucker making a delivery. And both times I said no thank you. I had changed the flat and was home within about 25 minutes. Then I realized that the spare tire I had put on was a bit low on air (I think it was just because it had just been sitting in my trunk for years) so I got out the air compressor and filled it up. So I know it's silly, but I'm proud of myself for not freaking out, and being able to deal with the situation 100% on my own. I know the 2 guys who asked if they could help were surprised as heck when I said I was fine. So it also makes me feel good to know that I'm breaking their female stereotypes by being a woman who can change a flat tire. So now that I've boasted about my feat of accomplishment... what are you proud of? What have you done or accomplished recently that makes you proud of yourself?

Go, TJ! That's exactly how the Swan would have handled the situation!!! Hmmm...I'm proud that I negotiated with my brother (who is also my boss- and I use that term loosely) so that I could work from home this year- and it worked!! He is usually so cranky all of the time, I just knew he'd want me to trek all the way to the office every day- just to be there for 3 hours! I convinced him that it was a waste of time and gas, when I could just as easily get everything done from home. Believe me, he is NOT easy to persuade...so yeah, I feel accomplished (and relieved)!

Congratulations to you both!!! I am still standing, after the last few year and the fun and games. I'm still standing. (I haven't killed, maimed or disowned anyone, I have learnt some powerful lessons, I have not drunk myself into a coma, nor am I curled up in a corner moaning "Why me?", I still have a smile on my face and am a lot stronger for it)

Nice going TJ and Springie.

Way to go, TJ ... I'm one who always calls the Road Assistance company in such a case! :p Springie ... thumbs up for your taking a stand! That's such very good news! LW ... that's my girl! Speaking of still standing, albeit RL blows, and brothers, might we stand hand in hand?! I'm also grateful that, until now, and with all the recently increasing chores I'm facing, I'm still able to do the essential whilst still learning to prioritise instead of getting frustrated when not being able to do it all!

More power to all of you ladies. TJ, I had a flat this past January at work. I tried to change the tire but couldn't get the first bolt off. I was jumping up and down on the darn thing and the bolt wouldn't give. I gave up and called my husband. But others leaving offered assistance, so by the time hubby arrived, we had the tire changed. I thanks those who helped profusely, as by helping me, they were delaying getting home for the evening. There are still some very nice people out there and they should be proud of themselves.

LOL, Becky, I have the same problem! My Dad solved it for me way back when I had my first car and first flat tire and was still living with my parents. He gave me a piece of iron pipe. It slides onto the wrench and gives a longer handle so that it's easier to turn. Physics, right? The longer the lever, the less force required. That being said, I had to practically jump up and down on those bolts to get that first half turn. After that, it wasn't bad. Springie, congrats! I know how much it means to you to be able to work from home and be there for your kids. LW and Marie, I know that sometimes, when life is rough, it's a miracle just to be standing after it' all over, so you deserve to be proud as well! :huggles*

Well done, TJ! As someone who can't even drive (not won't, can't), I tip my hat off to you! Springie, I'm glad this will mean much less stress for you -- well-done for taking a stand! LW, Marie, this is perhaps the most important accomplishment -- to remain standing, isn't it? And my accomplishment? Just today, I played my first golf competition! Yes, I know I've been playing golf for a long time, but I'm not good, and in Belgium you need to pass MORE exams before you're allowed to play in the club competitions. So, I passed the exams in the summer, and today I played! Didn't do very well -- that was to be expected, as I still get very nervous when I play with other people, as opposed to going on the course alone -- but it wasn't a zero, as I got a few points!

Congratulations on your golf skills, Daniella. That is something I can't do, so it sounds impressive to me!

I'm looking forward to seeing you at next year's PGA championship, DT!

Awesome DT! It's good to have a Gatcha golf pro around! I can totally picture Nambu playing in his (rare) free time!

Aw thanks everyone - but I m only still a beginner - yes, in Belgium you have to pass exams to be a beginner. Still, the word "eagle" has taken on a different meaning since I started golf. And I love the idea of Nambu playing as well

That's something for which you should be very proud of yourself, DT! Remember ... great things are achieved starting with small paces, which mean a lot when accomplished with your own ability and heading to the next step! I'm certain we'll hear more about your golf achievements quite soon! The best of luck, dear!

Awesome that you were able to change that tire by yourself, TJ! I have a spare tire but no jack, nor a tire iron for that matter. I should probably remedy that! DaniellaT: Gatchamarie is right when she said "great things are achieved starting with small paces"...we all gotta start someplace right? The more you play the better you'll get. Good luck with your game!

I love watching golf on TV. Hope to see you there sometime, DT!

I think this is a great thread! Way to go, friends! My big accomplishment this summer was taking my three kids (ages 4, 8, 12) to New York City alone to visit some family friends. I had to get all of us out the door, drive for four hours, park at a train station in New Jersey I'd never been to before, buy tickets, take the 90 minute train into Penn Station, and take a cab to my friend's house. It was overwhelming and bewildering but I was very proud that I did it. The kids had a blast. I was quite stressed most of the time.

I understand your stress, Jublke! It's nerve-wracking doing something that you've never done before, particularly when it involves traveling in a place you've never been!

Julie, that's great!! I would be just as stressed out if I had to do all of that!

Julie ... I too can completely understand the stress that you were involved in but, at the same time, the sense of well accomplishment and satisfaction at the end! LOL ... I get stressed with the only idea of going out somewhere, alone, especially to new places, with my only two kids and with not that so long a distance, since our island is so tiny! Well done!

I've never changed a flat tire, persuaded my brother to change his mind, played golf, or traveled by ground as the sole navigator into New York City, so big congratulations from me!

Julie, you deserve a medal! Brave woman!

Julie, if I had to take three kids to NY, I'd probably be like this:

Sounds like you have had some very good accomplishments to be proud of. I can't think of "one" that I am proud of at the moment, but I am proud of the many things I have done to get to where I am in my teaching career. This year I am working in a pod classroom with a second teacher. So far we have made it through two weeks and are enjoying ourselves. My hope is that we can continue to enjoy ourselves and not get to a point where we are irritating each other.

good luck with that, CD! You deserve it!

That sounds like an accomplishment to me, CD! That's a big adjustment, and not only have you handled it, you are enjoying it!

CD, I hope you end up loving it! I enjoyed team teaching 99% of the time!

CD, that's wonderful! Being a good teacher is a major accomplishment!

Thank you guys. This is something I have wanted to do since I started teaching and discovered team teaching existed. I had never heard of it during my training. Of course it not only takes a principal who would allow it, and a school with a classroom that is big enough to do such a thing, but also two teachers who work well together. I know I am good at teaching the language component of the curriculum but have always been weaker with the Math and Science components. I have two teachers in my school who I could attempt to try doing this team teaching with- both of them stronger in the Science area. And rather than switching grades two years in a row my teaching partner and I decided to try working together this year.

Further to my previous message, CD, I'm so glad hear that you've been working things out in order to make what you like most doing as a career enjoyable and worthy! The best of wishes for the rest of the year and the others to come.

Thank you Marie, once I get myself settled into the year my hope is my muse will appear again and I will begin writing again. I hope things are well with you and your family. It has been a while since I have found time to reach out and email you.

Don't worry, CD! Same here ... I'd often tell myself to contact someone but, by the end of the day I end up postponing! Even though I can assure you that you pop into my mind many a time, especially when I don't see you around, hoping that you'd be alienated by good things other than negative ones! Seeing you here again with such a high morale is of great comfort! Many thanks for your kind wishes ... some things don't, or better, cannot be changed, but life teaches you how to cope, finding comfort in other things, such as family and friends found in places like this ... and, even work!

Originally posted by gatchamarie Many thanks for your kind wishes ... some things don't, or better, cannot be changed, but life teaches you how to cope, finding comfort in other things, such as family and friends found in places like this ... and, even work!

My sentiments exactly, Marie!