Yes, I'm serious. Alan is going to be out all morning so just let me know what you need. I also just received a "basic training" CD from Advantage as I will soon be an official trainer!

Bummer you had to work so late! I had a very difficult psychiatrist depo with lots of objections and comments that wore me out. It went from 1:00 to 4:45, which is a lot for me!!!

Tami, Unbelievable! I hope this is a rare occurrence - you being at work so late! We just had ice cream! Watching DIY shows, talking about all the home repair we need to do - and aren't going to do!

Yes, just to get your dix in should be plenty for the weekend. You need a break!

I just saw you got Eclipse. I love Eclipse. I"ve been on it since 1991, and I wouldn't want to use any other CAT software. It's the best!

You'll be amazed how much you can with Eclipse. I'm still learning things from other people on here, and I do a lot with Eclipse. My favorite thing is editing from the steno machine. You've got to do that once you get going. It's fun, fun, fun! It's great getting paid for something you love doing, anyway, isn't it? I know you love it, too. I can tell. :}

Those damned abs are the killer, aren't they? That's great that you've lost ten pounds!! I'm still at the thinking about it stage, but I'm at the point that I'm ready to do something about it. The icecream season is ending here, thankfully. Now, if I could just stay away from Mike & Ike, I'd be all set!

oops -- do

Good mail day indeed! I just got back from Orange County. I had my *,D, and Z widened, my at-home-shim job professionally tweaked, number bar brought down to match the stroke depth, machine cleaned, and my vowels raised. Thanks for reminding me to raise those. I can tell I am going to love the higher vowels. Can't help but think this position may be somewhat preventative for carpal tunnel.

I have my Eclipse loaded onto the new laptop; so I am coming along for the ride!

Tami II

How are you coming along with your Eclipse? I know you'll be soooooo happy with it. Let me know if I can ever help with any questions.

Okay so I'm a little late...but HAPPY BIRTHDAY TAMI!!!! I hope you had a great birthday.
So I was just lookin at that last comment and I forgot Clay told me you're on Eclipse. That's awesome!

Oh you are Chatty Cathy all right. But that is one of the many things I love about you.

Speaking of Cathy, do you remember Kathy Kerrigan? I wonder how she is doing. We exchange Christmas cards, but I have not seen her in quite awhile.

I love Kathy too. We were best buds. We were so chatty and would talk a million miles a minute after getting our of Mr. Fuller's class. Great story. That was quick thinking and good teamwork.

Hey, I want to officially invite you to the beach this Sunday. I know family can pull you in many different directions. Check your busy calendar and see if you have anything going on. We are planning on heading down after church gets out at 11:00.

glitter-graphics.com
Hope you're enjoying your Sunday and not worrying about Eclipse!

Tami, What a week and weekend! Your lucky family!!! And SUCH a fortunate husband to have you!!!

Yes, I did! haha. I took all the boys for a ride in my mom's VW with the top down:) Those hills are pretty fun!

I'm glad you guys had a good time together. Clay did tell me that's where you two got married. How cute:) I missed you guys though:(
I guess I'll just have to make another trip out there to see you, if Clay permits it;)

Wow, time is flying. 18, time to vote, eh. But you are still young and have more coming up the pike.

Yes, the beach was nice. We are heading there tomorrow with Surf Club from Calvary. I love being able to ditch school and go to the beach. No, but really, I enjoy being part of this great group of energetic youngins.

Also wanted to let you know Megan got engaged this weekend. They have plans for a spring wedding. Now I'm feelin old, sheesh!! A.J. is great and a wonderful addition and blessing to our clan.

Terry has jury duty this week at Southwest this week. Didn't have to show today, calling day by day. He may be in your neck of the woods before the week is out.

Keep me posted on what else is happening with ya. We'll get together one of these days, girlfirend!!

Hahahaha:)
Did Clay tell you I'm going to be in the golf tournament for CCRA on Friday? I told Clay he should join, but I don't think he's that into it. Maybe he'll play at Bear Creek with me someday:) Didn't you guys used to be members?

Been think'n of ya!!! Trevor takes his written -- legal tomorrow, then English on Monday, then FRI-DAAY!!! The BIG day! Pray for him! Love ya...

Hi, Tami! Are you going to be glued to the computer/Eclipse this weekend??? Please tell me you won't be! Weekends should be for fun - I'm reminding myself of that!

Tami, I HUMBLY thank you for allowing me to be a part of your circle of friends. And there is something more to HUMBLY than just the word.

BTW, I see you are a member of the Chaffey College group. Did you attend court reporting school there? If you did, was Mr. Frank Miller teaching there when you attended? He was one of my instructors at Miller Community College (years ago) and prepped me for my CSR.

And if you need any help with 4.3.0.9, I'll do what I can to help you. I look forward to keeping in touch with you. Cynthia

So, that means that we write alike -- well, used to, anyway, since I'm no longer reporting. You know, I think I got that teacher's name wrong. I now believe it was Frank Fuller, and I believe I read where he passed away just a few years ago. At Miller, he taught the upper speed writing classes, 225 wpm and above, four-voice, and all of that, when you were really ready for the CSR. Thanx for the compliment about my HEART!! Cynthia

Tami, me again. I believe he also taught English classes as well. I do know that he taught for many years @ Chaffey! He was a pretty robust man, about 5'10", as I recall -- and a very good teacher/instructor. Cynthia

Hi, Tami. Okay, I was the last class to graduate from Miller Community College in 1976, got my CSR on the first try in 1977. Miller was located in L.A. on Olympic Blvd. midway between Alvarado and Vermont Ave. When I graduated, the owner (and developer of the Miller Theory), Herman Miller, was about 70 years old. He was very debonaire and had beautiful snow white hair ... I'm sorry, I got carried away.

I, too, wound up not writing 'exactly' the same, what with all the new technology that developed through the years. But it was absolutely very solid training. I became a CAT reporter in 1985, got my Realtime Certification in 1986, and so and so forth. One other little tidbit: I am pretty sure it was Herman Miller who started the first court reporting school in the L.A. area as opposed to Bryan.

Anyway, good to hear from you. Cynthia

Congratz on the 200 Members tami!
Magnum Steno Fan Club

HAHA I really enjoyed that story about "The Baffler." That was probably smart of you not to grab the putter;) I didn't play too well at Indian Wells. It was only my second time completing 18 holes. It was fun playing with new people though!
Well, maybe after you retire for a while we can go play:) I tried to ask Clay to play but I don't think he likes it.

Tami, I just found out yesterday that I am now an Eclipse authorized trainer! http://www.eclipsecat.com/?q=trainerlist_view_trainers

But free advice for you!!!

When you're ready!

No nagging from me!

Haven't been on this site in ages!! Thanks for the birthday wishes many moons ago. Jenny won't nag you but I will -- ARE YOU ON ECLIPSE YET???? Now you have another incentive -- your own personal trainer! I plan to abuse my privileges -- not that I don't already. She is my first go-to when I'm having trouble.

HI, Jenny, if you're eavesdropping. I'll get back over to your page momentarily!

Miss talking to you. No time for playing lately. I got two more sick kids at home with me today and trying to get out a couple expedites as well. Oh, these are the days I love being a working mom, lol!

Stay well, my friend!!!

Oh, so excited to hear about Clay. I'm taking it next month as well along with the RMR testimony. Have practiced very little, though, so my expectations are low. Hard to devote the time to my professional life when the personal life is always intruding. Some day when I'm old and gray I'll be the uber-reporter I keep aspiring to be. Right now that's all it is is a dream, lol!

Just saw your scopist/proofreader ad above. Do I qualify for your services??? I desperately need them!!!!!

Hey, Tami!!! So you heard.....;-) Anyhooo, I started to send you a post when I saw Mark's post on MSC, so I responded to that and got a wee bit sidetracked and forgot what my original task was!!! Kind of like i'm doin now. Story of my life.

So what I wanted to ask you is if I could get your email, cuz I was going to send both you and Christine a more detailed update on how the test went since it seems when I send something here I am limited to characters used.

Of course, you can get the condensed version on MSC.

I have the RPR on Nov. 7th and the TX CSR on Jan. 9th. I wasn't nervous at the LA. test yesterday, but for some strange reason my hands started shaking as soon as they announced the 225 Q&A for five minutes. I fought for five minutes with my hands shaking uncontrollably and only had one small drop somewhere in the middle and fumbled at the very last question. I gave it everything I had and believe I still passed in spite of my hands. I was so prepared and just wanted to feel like I nailed it under ten errors. I told my cousin that when I asked God to give me the skills to pass the test, I forgot to ask him to make it easy... LOL. Test is over, and I'm now bumping up the intensity for the RPR. I feel confident that I'll be fine. Magnum Steno has really improved my writing beyond my wildest dreams. Having practiced giving 100% of my concentration as Mark suggests is what got me through the test even though I was shaking the whole time.

Wish me luck... one test down, two to go.

Corina

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT!!! I did not know how to check online. We will definitly start checking. Trevor is taking English tomorrow. He feels very comfortable.

Almost finished with Volume 1 of the details of Test day...Email to soon follow. Of course, Volume 2 will be details of MY TEST DAY!!!

Thanks again! xoxo ~A

One more thing. Being on vacation really sucks -- Oops. Being around my boys I sometimes pick up inappropriate lingo. How great Clay found out so that he could enjoy paradise. My girlfriend told me many years ago when she took the test, I think in November at the time, that she suffered all through the Christmas holiday. And at that time, it was a two-day test, not like it is now where you schedule the written at a testing center at your convenience.

Erase? Post? What post do you speak of?!? ;-) I know nu-ting...

Check your email, but do so with some time on your hands. Oh, and ignore the typos, it's late. Also, I think I said "dictation" room when I meant "transcription" room, while describing his setting up the night before.

Thanks, Tami! Well, I just took the English portion this morning, and I feel very good about it. I'm excited that I'm getting so close to becoming a working reporter!! My mom told me how to check early online if I passed, so I'll be sure to check that out. Thanks for the tip! :-)

btw, my mom and I are planning on going to the February test for my mom's CSR Exam in LA and thought it would be cool if you happened to make an appearance! :-P

Hi Tami ~ My CSR page is all whacky. I can't figure out how to get to the MSC. Everything is coming up on my page except for the groups I'm a member of. The little club "icons" are missing. Do you have any suggestions?

BTW ~ I saw your post to Trevor...and all I have to say is, "I RESEMBLE THAT REMARK!"

DM out...

Yeah! It's my page is back to normal...kinda like when I have car problems, take it to the mechanic and the darn 5,000 lb (or whatever a car weighs) decides to act normal. Spend several hundred dollars to find out it's okay, drive it off the lot and the next day acts up again! ;-)

glitter-graphics.com
Have a great spooky weekend!

Did you see the cute blinkie Lisa O posted for me on my page??? Soon you will be a Macro Maven - on Eclipse!!!

The paste below really made me think of you. A fun and cheery household!

Trevor's girlfriend, Persephone, IS a sweetie! The house is empty when she's not here. When they first started dating, I kept my distance because when my other son broke up with his girlfriend after 5+ years, it felt like my heart was ripped out. How crazy is that?!? We do so much as a family and I love to include their girlfriends. Both my boys have also been hurt because they have BIG HEARTS and are often taken advantage of. Can't tell you how many times I've had to bite my tongue!!! OUCH! And for me to keep silent is a feat in itself. :-D

Seriously...how are the rest of us supposed to have ANY self-esteem with women like you around?? I've taken the CRR twice now, and can't seem to get it. And listening to the practice CDs makes me feel even worse. But I was writing fabulous in my courtroom all day! Didn't have to shoot my judge one single dirty look!

Anyway, thanks for the well wishes. Maybe I should ask what you feed your son...think that helps??

Oh, and will we just get re-directed to this new site, or how is that going to work. I just found this site...now you're going to make me change?? Did I tell you I'm taking the CRR in 4 days, have 3,000 pages pending, and just got a request for a civil trial I did last year? (aaaaarrrrrrggggghhhhh)!

By the way, I'm all for starting up a "Tami" club. Do we get to drink? :)

No kidding! Clay hinted to me something about you maybe joining again. I need to take some time off and come visit you guys! Who would have thought court reporting would be so time-consuming;)

I'll talk to Clay & find a day when we're all not too busy so I can come hang out:) I'm sure we'll have TONS to catch up on.

Miss You, too, YoMomma!!

Hi Tami! Thank you so much for the colon help with times. And your comment too. I think I saw somewhere that you qualify for the 280 speed range now??? WOW. You're my Court Reporting "Idol" !! LOL

*sigh* *sniff* *sniff*

How do you know just the right thing to make a girl feel better?? Thank you so much for the kind words. I refuse to let this get me down. The reality is I have waayyy too much on my plate, but it's not going to change for several more years. I just gotta keep plugging away and hope for the best. All I can do I what I can do, you know, and try not to let it overwhelm me. I rarely succeed with that, the not being overwhelmed, that is!

I've put it behind me. Only looking ahead. 2010 is my year, lol!!

Ahhh, yes. The CRR...well, let me just say that after the test on Saturday, I took a break from being a court reporter for a couple of days. Didn't look at my machine and didn't even break out my laptop. Thus, the being offline for so long.

I must say this. This the third time I've taken this test. The first time I was in a lot of physical pain at the time. I was having undiagnosed back issues (apparently doctors haven't gotten our job descriptions yet. Since our job is sedentary and I'm on the thin side, why the heck would I have any back, neck or shoulder problems??) and some serious neck and shoulder pain. Much better now.

The second time I took it, it was very easy...so easy I looked at my laptop and saw that I had mis-stroked and...tripped. After that I was so angry at myself I just wanted it to be over. I felt fairly confident even then. I'm a clean writer, but a biiiigggg dropper.

On Saturday, I've been so busy trying to implement so many briefs and styles to shortcut my writing, that I now have too much hesitation. I need to get my speed back up. The most positive thing I can say about this test is that I felt I did as well as the last one, and this one was much more difficult. So even though I'm sure I didn't pass, I feel that there has been progress. And for now, that's good enough.

Thanks so much for the words of encouragement. Fortunately I am surrounded by some great staff reporters here at my courthouse. There was lots of cheering going on beforehand, and then as many 'atta boys afterwards.

Now I am going to check out Mark's site and learn some new techniques. I'm just not sure I can do all words in a single stroke. I stack enough as it is. :)

By the way, how did your son feel about the test? I'd be curious to know his thoughts on the subject as well.

Thanks! Just two more weeks until I find out if I passed the machine portion AND become a licensed reporter!!!! Woohoo!! :-)

LOL!!! Thanks for the number, Tami. It's funny how you mentioned that. I keep going to that site every day and searching for my name hoping a "MCCUTCHEN, TREVOR" will appear! haha.

I see you are missing Monti. This is where he is: http://www.courtreporterconnect.com/home.php

Covering all my bases again! And Cutting and Pasting, 'cuz my hands are sore from texting!

CSR IN THE HOUSE!!! My son PASSED! Trevor, I'm so proud of you! I LOVE YOU!!!! Mama loves you, Mama loves you!!! And, if they get his # online today, he already has a job on Monday!!! YOU ROCK...AND YEAH -- I'M A DORK. ;-) BUT A PROUD ONE I AM

Tami -- So do I officially get the award for 2009? And, Christine for 20010?!?

Thanks, Tami! You're so nice keeping me up to date on the numbers! haha Well, I transferred and I just commented back to you! I'm a C.S.R.!! YAHHHH!