jorr

suzanne, Your closing date is on Jan. 13th and you are leaving for Australia for two weeks? I hope you realize that you will be going on vacation during the most critical financial time in your life! Any and All things can go wrong until your closing date.

I sold a home a few years ago and it was the most important time of my life that I was available to pick up the phone, sign documents, and make very important fast decisions.

I hope your agent has every possible phone and fax number he/she can find you at all times of every day. Just one day of not being available can kill a closing.

I'm just trying to help you.

buckeyemom

Rave-DD's school adopted a school in Biloxi that was devastated by Katrina and have been collecting books and raising money.

Rave-Decorating done, cookies are next.

Rant-Tess, I know what you mean by football fanatics going to the extreme. Some Penn State fans threw bottles of urine at the OSU Marching band. They should expel every one of them IMO.

Rave-Bowl decisions made this weekend. Hoping for Orange Bowl.

Have a great weekend everyone!

amwosu

buckeyemom- I'm hoping the Buckeyes end up in the Fiesta Bowl as I'll be in AZ over the holidays.

JJ5

jorr, I'm looking for one that does not need any land line or state based cell phone, but would make a battery powered call by cell. It's coming, I just know it.

My neighbor wants me to run a thin, thin wire over to his land line phone- but I don't want to put them out in that way. I would have to have a phone put in (year around- they won't do part year) and much $$$ just for the connection.

Throwing bodily fluids of any kind is potentially so dangerous, that it is considered attempted murder in some states. It could be a felony charge. Expelling isn't the worst that could happen to those students. And I thought the Sox/Cubs series got bad.

Good luck with the condo sale! It can get dicey, but fun is fun too. Ah, for those more light-hearted and optimistic days.

seetheworld

I have not had a chance to read everyone's posts yet (at the library waiting for a seminar to begin). So, I reserve the right to post back

Rave: I received my first job offer this week.

Rant: I had to turn it down. It was not the right fit for me.

Rave: I know my worth and value.

Rant: The ability to not look back and second guess myself - still working on this one. But if you have to look too hard to find the positives in an offer, it's just not right.

Rave: I'm thankful that I have a very supportive husband.

Rave: Attending my youngest son's musical concert this evening. I love, love, love to hear him play.

Rave: I will shout this one...ONE MORE WEEK UNTIL I AM FINISHED!!!!

Rant: I have a desk load of work to still complete.

Rave: I'm feeling more in the holiday spirit lately.

Hang in their FodorFriends!! Have a wonderful weekend

bamakelly

RAVE: Had a doctors appt today. Baby might be here earlier than we expected!

RANT: See above!

OSB: I am so sorry to hear about your son and DIL. I am surprised, also, as you seem like the best MIL EVER and also because she seemed like she got along so great with you and your family (which would seem enough to push her to want to work through this "phase" she's in). I know you love her dearly, and this must be terribly hard for you and your son. Thinking about you!

bennnie

Thanks to all for their thoughts about my friend's son. Its all just too sad for words. Please go home and hug your loved ones. They could be gone before you know it.

I do know that my friend eventually will be looking back fondly on all the trips she and her husband took with their son. I know it was some of the happiest times for them.

Bonniebroad - your brother sounds like a guy worth knowing. What a beautiful tribute he received.

ronkala

change previous rant from 2113 to 2123

LoveItaly

Rave: Jorr I am glad you found a drugstore where you can get your medicine at a big discount. What a relief that must be!! Which brings me to a

Rant: The cost of medical care, it is sickening, including making patients pay for photocopies of their medical records as klr is experiencing.

Rave: Statia's birthday present to her mother. She has worked so hard to make this trip perfect and it sure sounds like it will be.

Rant: Being in a legcast and dealing with crutches like BuffaloGirl is doing, not fun, especially with winter weather. Hope you can ditch those crutches soon.

Rant: Doctors without any bedside manners or just day to day commonsense like WagonWheels father's doctor. I hope your father surgery will take care of his medical problem and he has many years of a good and healthy life.

Rant: Bennie's friend loss of her son, that is such a tragedy. I don't know how parents even deal with that trauma.

Rave: Bonniebroads sharing the beautiful memorial for her dear brother. He obviously will live on through all the love and memories he left. Take good care Bonnniebroad.

Rant: OSB, I am so sorry about your daughter-in-law and son. What a shock that must be. May the angels give you all the strength to get through this very trying and difficult time. Divorce effect so many more than just the couple, it effects all their loved ones.

Rave: JJ5, your parents celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary. That is so special! May they have many more to celebrate.

Rave: Seetheworld's positive outlook on life. Best wishes to you that you find the job that will bring you joy!

Rave: Bamakelly's little bundle of joy will be here soon. Take good care of yourself..best wishes to you.

I hope everyone has a beautiful weekend.

cd

Bonnie
So sorry about your brother, may you find peace and comfort in your love for him.

Bennie
Also, so sorry to hear of your friends son. Their pain must be great.

OSB
Our son went thru divorce that she, not he, wanted. I understand the hurt that surrounds all that. Hugs to you as you support him emotionally.

jorr

ronkala, 2123 is 2123 too many. We all need to think about what we have gotten ourselves into and how we are going to get out of it before we sacrifice more American soldiers' lives.

If our president can't figure out how, and refuses to get our soldiers out of Iraq we need to Tell him how to get our soldiers out of his Iraq war. He is only one man and most Americans do not agree with him. Every American needs to stand up and debate this war without fear.

PrettyLake

Never posted on FFRR before but have a HUGE rave tonight!!! My son got engaged to his beautiful, wonderful, sweet girlfriend of 3 1/2 years as the sun set over the Gulf of Mexico this evening. I feel so honored he included me in his planning--helping him find an awesome ring, "borrowing" my friends' gorgeous new condo, the menu (smoked tenderloin, caesar salad, twice baked potatoes, cheesecake [ah, to be young and able to handle all that cholesterol], champagne (Moet Chandon), wine (Meritage), 2 dozen long-stemmed red roses...

He totally surprised her! She thought they were going to a Christmas Party. He took the day off from work to schlepp everything over to the beach this afternoon, covered plates and trays with foil to appear guest had brought food and left the place looking like everyone had kicked off their shoes and headed down to catch the sunset.

Both families are thrilled. My husband and I are celebrating our 34th anniversary this month and her parents have been married 33 years so we have great hope they will be as happy as we have been.

Happy Holidays everyone.

P_M

wagonwheel, I'm hoping and praying your dad will be OK. It's amazing what doctors can do these days.

bennie: geez, what awful news!! So sorry to hear that, I can only imagine what your friends have gone through.

bonniebroad: Thanks for sharing your story with us. I'm still thinking of you.

OSB: When I was 22 years old I got divorced. I thought it was the end of the world. It was very hard on my in-laws too because I loved them like parents. But all of you will get through this, I promise.

Suzanne, I loved Australia, and I especially loved NZ. Have a great trip!!

seetheworld, my pal: as you were telling me a few months ago, the right job will come along for you. I did not accept the first offer that came my way for the same reasons you didn't. Maybe that's what I like about you. You remind me of....well....ME!!

JJ5--congrats to your mom and dad on 60 years. My late grandparents were married 59 years. But on their final anniversary together, they both were slightly senile and they thought it was their 60th anniversary. At that point we knew it was probably the last, as Grandmother was quite ill, so nobody told them it was only #59. Although it wasn't real, we were glad to see them enjoy a "60th Anniversary."

Rave: I started my new job this week. So far it is going really well. But,

Rant: The office is very busy and I have no privacy. This means I cannot post to the board as much as I used to. However,

Rave: I'm thankful to have a job. Those months of being on layoff notice we so stressful. There are only 6 people left at my former office. I've heard that my former office has turned into a snake pit, as everyone is getting really stressed out for not having a new job yet. Glad I got out when I did.

Rant: DH was laid off the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. But,

Rave: He is getting a severance package. Also, he had an interview this week and another is scheduled for Monday. I'm confident he will have a job soon.

As usual, I wish a happy and safe weekend to all!!

P_M

I left out an important rave. My sister is feeling much better after her procedure last week, and is back at work.

Statia

PM, that is great news. Glad you are enjoying your new job, but so sorry to hear about your DH's job.

PrettyLake, congrats on your son's engagement! You must be thrilled.

Bennie, so sorry to hear about your son's friend. That must be devastating.

Bonnie, I hope you are slowly recovering from the loss of your brother.

OSB, divorce is tough under any circumstances. I am sure your son has a wonderful support system with your family.

Bamakelly, are you ready? Keep us updated on the impending arrival.

You have a wonderful weekend, too, LoveItaly.

seetheworld, congrats on the job offer. I'm sure you have many more headed your way.

Once again...have a great weekend, everyone.

P_M

Hi, Statia. Thanks for your good thoughts. I'm sorry, I failed to mention that DH's layoff was not a surprise. Last June DH and I went on vacation to the UK. Upon returning home, I learned that I was on layoff notice. Then about 4 days later DH came home with the news that he was on layoff notice. What's strange is that we don't work in the same place, or even in the same industry!! It was just a weird, weird coincidence. Anyway, the interview he had this week went very well, so maybe I'll have some good news to report next week. Let's hope....

Statia

That had to be quite devastating, PM. However, I'm of the belief that everything happens for a reason, and I'm sure you will both know why very soon. You'll both look back and say, "Aha! Life is better now and THAT'S why things went the way they did."

P_M

You're so right, Statia, it was devastating. When this first happened, I couldn't believe the turn of events that took place while we were vacationing. It was like a bad dream. We were so depressed, we felt like life had dealt us a one-two punch. But now I have a new job that I really like, so maybe this was God's way of telling me to change careers. And a good change is on the horizon for DH as well. He's feeling pretty glum right now for not working this week, but I have faith that things will go his way soon. In the meantime he did get a nice severance package, and I'm convinced he'll be working agian long before it runs out.

jorr

Bonnie, I hope that someone will be able to replant your brother's garden next spring. It might be a way to hold onto his gardening and memories. Perhaps there may not be a way to replant His garden but planting a few vegetables in a small garden of your own would be a tribute that he would like.

Maybe you have some potatoes from his garden which you could keep in a cool dark room and plant next spring to keep his crop growing.

Best wishes.

CaliNurse

Rave: Seeing Faina's entry. How super to meet someone in person who's been only a name on the computer screen, and have her be even funnier and wittier in person than on-line. Thank you, thank you, dear Faina. It's mutual. To many more shared raves.

Rant for OSB's situation. I'm so sorry!! Whenever my son and his wife--who I love very much--have those inevitable difficult times, the D word is my biggest fear. So heartbreaking. NO words of wisdom, but I hope your DIL realizes, before it's too late, that marriage is worth the work it takes. I know you are hurting for your son's hurt.

Rave: Jorr, for always starting this thread, and for keeping us organized--discount meds, potential real estate closing probs, etc. Thank you!!

Rave: to great children everyhwere, exemplified by Statia's trip for her mother Rome, via First Class! Your Mom's lucky, but no doubt this is a gift of love for the love she's given you your whole life.

Rave: sadnesses and tragedies for friends and families. So painful.

Rave: Bonniebroad, for story of her brother, which shows us life on this earth is a gift which we can feel again through beautiful memories.
BB, thanks too for the funny story of your granddaughter. LOL!! My MIL, a special salt of the earth, wise woman who died recently, noted in simple but so true words, "Children are natural comedians."

PrettyLake--congratulations!!!!! So much happiness surrounding the kids, and both families!!!!

P_M Great about your sister doing well now./

JJ5--re: your telephone wires story reminds me of the good ol' days of orange juice cans and string, strung across drveways into windows between adjoining houses. Do kids still do that--or is it too low tech to be fun nowadays? I hope not!!

L'chaim! Happy weekend, all.