ps : I forgot to say I am a nurse and work in a medical centre, which also doubles as a mini casualty dept.

Sitting, sweating (oh, that's right, women glow) beside the pool here on what's (affectionately??) known as the "Redneck Riviera" in the Florida panhandle, having long-ago given up on weeding -- it's a jungle down here in the summer -- watching the weather channel for the latest on Debbie, which we are all sure is heading right for us, and happily anticipating leaving for cool, placid central Europe in two weeks. Yay!

What fun reading! It seems no matterwhere we all are we all seem to have a garden to enjoy. Is there a strange link to gardening and computing? <BR>I'm in my home study listeneing at top volume to Kenny Loggins greatest hits and working on my itinerary for my upcoming trip to Germany. As you all know, the details are endless. My husband does not want to anything, except when the flight is leaving--he trust me that much!!!!! Looking forward to some more good reads-good night!

---- <BR> <BR>Sandi: <BR> <BR>We might be on the same place! (If so, shhhhhhhhh, don't reveal my "multi-tasking" while listening to on a conference call.) However since several of the biggies have a presence in Dallas, I could be from the competition. "As I See It", we're kindred spirits.

I'm sitting here in the family room, with my dog laying to my left, and the cat laying to my right. Just trying to feed my fodors addiction (after getting my Survivor show fix)- we live about one hour from Vancouver, B.C., it has been a beautifully warm day today ( and yes my garden does need weeding too).Dreaming about when I will see Venice again......hopefully not to long into the future.

I am writing you under the covers as I have hidden my laptop (don't tell or they will make me leave!). The room is very basic and I share it with Jamie, Cassandra, and my bed, more and more, with Josh. Our garden doesn't need weeding, as that's about all we do except sit around and talk about sex. Oh I look forward at least twice a day to reading about your travels to Europe--my world looks like an Ikea showroom with windows and cameras everywhere. And the people here are so boring! We could use some villains like Rich, that big $$$maker and FatNakedF--, as he puts it. I even miss Meta and Jordan, and that pissy-fit phony Karen. I'd even trade George for Rudy, now that he's available. At least he can cook. I can't imagine months more of this! Thank you Fodor's for making me travel vicariously. When I get out of here I'm heading straight for Rome (with a money pouch of course) and losing my virginity by the Trevi Fountain. Keep up the great work, and know that I am with you in spirit--but please don't tell the media!

Fun question--I work from home and my office is also my dressing room--we call it Olive's World. I have no window but a lovely little fountain, tv, computer, and three cats who are the best companions. I live in a hell-hole called Indiana but not for long.

I'm afraid I can't regale anyone with descriptions of my classy digs. I'm sitting in the computer nook of our family room in a small city halfway between Seattle and Portland. On the wall in front of me is a water damaged Matisse print and three guitars hanging securely on hooks. If one of the electric ones is down, you can bet there is quite a bit of noise in the house! Right now it's quiet and my English beagle is resting in the corner. I've learned a lot on this site and want to thank everyone for sharing.

Where I'm supposed to be: finishing dinner in Milan and going back to our room in the lovely Antica Locanda dei Mercanti, packing for our train trip tomorrow to Sorrento. <BR> <BR>Where I am: sitting at my computer in my study/sunroom in North Carolina, with cat sprawled across papers on my desk. It's sultry but not nearly as hot as NC can get in late August; thunderstorms due later tonight. Am I'm still cruising Fodors.com as if I were a legit traveller this year. <BR> <BR>MYH had to have surgery pronto to catch some cancer, so our trip-of-a-lifetime to Italy had to be canceled. We are very grateful they caught it all and I am very sorry he's had to go through all he's gone through, very bravely 98% of the time -- and we're obviously very wistful about our lost trip. We may try again in the future, but this was a special deal because his ticket and half of our accommodations were paid for; and for once we both were able to carve out the 2 weeks to do it right. <BR> <BR>Wasn't meant to be. Sigh.......

Make that MDH (not MYH -- don't know what that would be -- My Yardbird Husband?).

Sitting in my office (yea but i don't work anymore) ) in the Mtn's of <BR>western north carolina. thinking about <BR>a months trip to europe in october.

Cassandra- Just so we make another forum connection, my husband also had successful cancer surgery this year and we had to cancel a trip to Barcelona and Bilbao. But boy was it was worth it. My strong, strong advice: get a colonoscopy if you're around 50 as a preventative screening, so you can keep traveling the byways of Europe for years and years--it saved my husband's life!!

Lola, you are so right! My husband (age 51) had a colonoscopy two months ago and they found (and took out) lots of polyps. He was so shocked. Now he is eating like a saint and has lost 25 pounds, which in turn has led me to lose 8. So, when we return to Europe next May, we can really tromp those cobblestones with nimble aplomb!

Well, this posting took an unexpected turn, but Lola, since you began the posting, I think you're entitled... and I want you to know that nothing on this forum is as important as the advice you just gave. I was found to have colon cancer after a "routine" screening colonoscopy. I was in England to spend a month only five weeks after the subsequent surgery and it was the best medicine I could have had. However, I am grateful every day to have missed the earlier trip I'd planned to go in and have that test done, even in the absence of symptoms or family history. Fifty? Just do it.

I am here in lovely Austin Texas where it's been so hot and dry even our perennial gardens have long withered, but at least the crepe myrtles withstand and flourish. I work at home (as many readers do I gather) and I'm escaping for a while to learn more about Paris where I hope to go early next spring.

Love the responses! <BR> <BR>I'm at work, staring at a desk full of work and realizing that I need my daily "fix" of Fodors! I'm in the Loop - the Chicago Loop that is. My window looks out over a parking garage and the "El" tracks at the intersection of the Green and Brown lines, Lake Street and Wells. If I push my nose up against the glass (or just walk down to the end of the floor) I can gaze at the Merchandise Mart and the always green Chicago River. I work for a mutual fund tracking company and I love my job! It allows me time to visit with my Fodors friends any time I can squeeze it in between meetings! I too have a overgrown perennial garden at home that is in desperate need of weeding, but I just can't seem to find the time. Hard to do when you get home from work at 8:00 most nights. Anybody else from Chicago reading? Lets hear from it!

Sitting at the computer of course in my home in Durham, North Carolina, surrounded by photo negatives that I have been scanning onto the travel photography Web site that I am creating. On one wall, over top of shelves of collectibles from Europe is a framed poster of Napoleon picked up at the giftshop near his tomb. Other book cases are loaded with histories, classic novels, travel guides, photo books,a small collection of military medals, and a few GI Joes (I hate militarism, but I have always been interested in military history). On another wall are small pictures of Robert E. Lee and Ulysses Grant. My daughter's swing is in the middle of the floor. Nearby is a framed poster of an impressionist version of Notre-Dame and the Quais along the Left Bank. On my desk sits a small light table for viewing slides. I am going to spend a few minutes on the Web site before going to bed.

This is so incredible--I feel as though I've made 100 new friends over the past few days reading this thread! <BR>I live in N.J. (ugh), but fortunately have a lovely home and 15 acres of unspoiled beauty only 1 1/2 hours away in upstate NY. Right now, I'm in my study patiently waiting and counting the minutes until my husband returns from Colorado(business trip). Hopefully, the weather will remain as it is now(70 degrees and sunny)for the weekend, so that we may get away to our bliss in the mountains.Great weekend to all!

What a great thread, Lola. I'm at home, Oak Creek, Wisconsin, in a room with no name, which is in dire need of organizing. It contains the computer desk, overstuffed book cases the contents of which are now piling on the floor, floor to ceiling family pictures and kid’s art projects (they are all on their own now, love the empty nest syndrome), a large wall hanging from our wedding lots of years ago, travel memorabilia (my husband traveled the world on active duty Air Force, which, he claims, is his reason for not enjoying travel now) and the "never used dreaded" tread mill. My home is in dire need of cleaning but alas I have better things to do. Ah, the wisdom of the years. One of my cats is plopped in my lap while the other cat is walking around on the keyboard, in front of the monitor, etc. and the latest edition is talking up a storm so the food dishes must need refilling. I'm listening to a CD by Lunasa probably because I just returned from Ireland and miss being there. Also, am feeling blue because one of my dear friends was just admitted into hospice home care. Have the Ireland map with our route highlighted, photos, etc. ready to go into the albums. I can't see my back yard garden (which was beat up badly from a few storms this year) from here which is why I should probably move the computer into the sunroom. Which reminds me I better get out to the back 40 and take a look at the vegetable garden. I still haven't figured out how to grow just enough for two people! My husband takes bags full of produce to work. I'm still in my pj's so I should get off the computer and get moving. I must do something constructive today like reading the brochure I picked up on pilgrimages to Israel. I am extremely fortunate I was given the opportunity to retire earlier than I expected and am enjoying every second of my new found freedom!

Debbie, why do you say ugh! for New Jersey? NJ is a beautiful state with much to offer.