A lot of people in my life lately have been making major life changes or getting new jobs and need congratulations -- in roughly chronological order:

 Congrats to Jacquelyn and Mike on buying their first house! (This was ages ago and I never got around to replying to the email, sorry Jac.)

Congrats to my cousin Kari on her new job, which actually requires her social work degree.  I have immense amounts of respect for anyone who enters this very difficult, but important field.  Lots of luck to her.

Congrats to Kari's mom, my Aunt Mary, on her new job, which gives her the extra hours she wanted without having to relocate or even change where she parks in the morning.

Congrats to Michelle on her new job, which sounds ideal for her situation right now. (Yet another email I did not get around to replying to.) I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that I'll be able to congratulate you on your new apartment soon!

If I was more organized-- and less consumed by thesis-- I'd send cards, or at least e-cards, but I'm not.  But this is the least I can do to let you all know that I do know and care about what's going on in your lives.