Wow, Leelane...are you kidding me?
RAVE:
There is a lot of celebration on the board today! (bamakelly-my daughter turns 10 months today...happy bday to your little onw. Time flies, does it not?)

RANT
There is also much suffering. Patrick I'm so sorry about your partner. What devastating diagnosis. Your mom's request for a sweater with pockets made me laugh out loud!

RAVE: My sister is 1 month into a 3 month adventure in Thailand and having the time of her life.

RANT: I haven't heard her sweet little voice in a month.

In a way, I see what leelane is driving at. I don't mean this thread to be a "can you top" this sort of thing. jor was so right last week when he asked that there be no comments on his personal "drama" and people respected that. I wasn't asking for sympathy here, and now wish I too had asked for "no comments" about my post, but I consider Fodor's my family and I share. Who's to say where we draw the line with mundane events in our lives and where we go into the really important stuff? That doesn't make any post any less dramatic or special than any other.

Oh how could I forget
HUGE RANT:
People who throw newborns out of moving vehicles. I just do not get it.

Meant no offense to anybody. My point is that once someone says their cousin died yesterday, if the next post is a rant about somebody's cat having too many hairballs, that person sounds insensitive. Maybe it is just me?

Rave: My daughter and I are taking the train to Chicago tomorrow for an overnight.

Rave: We'll see One Man Lord of the Rings. We're both huge LOTR nerds

Rave: Reneeinva-after Chucky Cheeseyears, your kids may not want to travel with you for a short while. But then they're back, more fun than ever

Rant: Can't get my mother to go to the doctors. I believe she may be facing an Alzheimers diagnosis. It's a tough one

Rave: I'll have fodors/traveltalk to keep me distracted.

Leelane: I see where you are coming from.
A while back someone posted a very serious rant...life and death, etc... and later I posted one about the weather in Vegas being crappy as we were headed there in 2 weeks. Someone followed admonitioning me (not specifically) for bitching about something as trivial as the weather when clearly there were more important issues abound. Ugh.
First, everyone should be able to rant/rave about whatever they want.
Second, no one's RR's should be judged!

Ani, did you see that baby? He's gorgeous! And, thank God, he's doing great. Amazing.

More Rant: So much interim bad news.

Another Rant: SO's missing car was not "borrowed" by her children. It was stolen from the circular drive in front of the house. Her super sensitive dog and I slept through everything. Probably gone to the parts bin by the time I contacted anyone.

M

Peace, and I'm sorry I jumped so high. I think it may be part of being uncomfortable about the hard things in life. But life continues and we get up from the keyboard and go make lunch. And post on the cat's hairballs. If I am going through a tough time, it is actually helpful to read the cat hairball posts, the stupid teeth posts, etc. Sometimes you get a chuckle or just get out of your situation for awhile.
So I think we should post away on the cat's hairballs. I would but I don't have a cat. I do have a Netherland dwarf bunny, but he tells me he has no rants or raves today, he's a happy little fella.

Patrick, try and get hold of the documentary "Complaints of a Dutiful Daughter".

It is a documentary about a daughter whos mother is battling Alzheimers and it is poignent, funny, sad, and shows another side of the disease that isn't so dark.

I think it won an Academy Award and know it won a bunch of other awards. The filmaker made the film with her life partner and I saw a wonderful interview with them on PBS.

One of the wonderful parts is where the mother went through a stage in her life when she thought she was still in college and thought her daughter was her roomate. The conversations were priceless.

My thoughts are with you Patrick.

Patrick,
You certainly have been dealing with more than your share of bad news lately. Hope you're able to cheap your chin up while making the best of awful situations. Let's hope these boards stay collegial and provide a distraction for you.

Rave: My daughter's 2nd birthday yesterday. As I was putting the candles on her cake she launched into a chorus of "happy birthday to me."

Rave: Very good meal at a much hyped NYC restaurant DavidBurke and Donatella on Wednesday night. Ed Koch was having dinner with Ari Fleischer, would have been interesting to join in the discussion.

Rant: No offense to the non-New Yorkers on this board but that place may close to crossing over from NY trendy to guidebook favorite. We love tourists in NYC. Just not when we're trying to get a table at a popular spot.

Rave: The camaraderie that exits on the FDNY. Several of the guys from my brother's firehouse have stopped by my parents house to see if they need anything while he's deployed in Iraq. A rep from the Officer's Union gave them his home number and said if they ever need anything or any help, someone would be by right away no matter how trivial. You really can't find a better group of people.

Oh, GoTravel, I saw this movie with the daugher appearing live, answering questions, it's chilling and encouraging at the same time! She explains "the stages" of her mom's disease progression, how to choose a proper care facility. Great movie!

KK: Thank you to your son and everthing he sacrificed for all of us.

Rave: Finally home from a whole bunch of business travel -- it feels soooo good to be back.

Rave: Sleep

Rave: More sleep this weekend

Rave: Eating a home cooked meal and not room service

Rave: It's cold but it really is beautiful out... or is it just that I'm SOO happy to be back?!? sorry... said that already...

Rave: Going away next weekend... for pleasure!!

Rave: No rants for once!!! :D>

Oh, Ryan, thank you to your brother as well. May he remain safe.

Michelle,
Thanks.

Have you been traveling and working to the point where you're pulling out the back of the closet outfit? When I worked in investment banking, you could always tell when someone hadn't been to the dry-cleaners in a bit and they were down to their last clean shirt - usually something that was a few years out of style. Mine was a red striped one.

Rave: We're the proud owners of 30 baby chicks! They are so cute, my son is raising them and they're adorable! ((l))

Rave: In Good Company was a very good movie! ((y)) This weekend it's The Wedding Date! ((l))

Rave: The kids are having a great time on the Oregon Coast, they said the weather was gorgeous, they're now off to Portland for a few days to stay at the Riverplace Hotel, lucky ones! ((l))

Rave: DD started her rigorous swim training this week, tired but she's getting in excellent condition for the upcoming swim season!

Rave: More snow up in the mountains, we're going boarding tomorrow and the condo is ours for the weekend! ((l))

Rave: Planning a wedding for early fall is so much fun! Wedding dress is purchased, church is reserved, reception is set, now for the details, details, details! Looking for a place to host the rehearsal dinner, I've narrowed it down to two places, of course we have to check them out ourselves first! Brunch is planned for both of our families to all meet and get to know one another! ((l))

Rave: Going away up to Bass Lake for Valentine's Day weekend, staying in a spa suite with a nice steak and lobster dinner. Bought DH a really big teddy bear with truffles! All the kids get See's candy and cards, I ((l)) picking out their stuff! DD got a pale pink frame for her formal picture, it has chiffon roses on it and it will look beautiful in her room! :D

Rave: It's Valentine's Day weekend, lots of ((l)) and ((f)) to everyone and happy travels to all! ***kim*** ((l)) ((l)) ((l)) ((l))

Hi leelane911, re: the rantin' and the raven', I don't see it that way but appreciate what you had to say. Everything is relative.

Patrick, I am very sorry to read about your partner and wish both of you peace and strength as you move forward.

Jor--it's about time! ;-)

Haha, Ryan. Ah the joys of hotel dry cleaning, black suits, Hermes scarves and Thomas Pink locations everywhere. Also, I unfortunatly don't pack light when I travel even though I'm lugging a handbag, briefcase and laptop. I'm usually prepared. One of my favorite "jaunts" recently was waiting to board my flight in Phoenix and having my office call me and tell me that I HAD to get to London and they had booked me on the 8:15 flight that evening out of Newark, into which I was arriving thankfully. Thank god I was prepared albeit a little rumpled when I arrived...

Rant: renneinva, I'm with you on the laundry. I have two fashionista daughters who like to try on everything they own and then call it dirty. DH just returned from a work trip yesterday with a suitcase full of it.

Rave: DH is back from his trip - I'm glad to have him, (and even his laundry) home.

Rave: He leaves again Monday - no romantic Valentine's day for me.

Rant: We're trying to decide where to go this summer. Always a fun conversation to have. I'm thankful we're able to travel.

Patrick, I'm sorry to hear about your troubles.

Patrick, I am very, very sorry to hear what you, your partner and your mother are going through. I too recommend "Complaints of a Dutiful Daughter"--a great film.

I hope the NYCFoodSnob provides you with more amusement than consternation. : ) By the way, your advice and suggestions on the Europe board are greatly appreciated.

Rave: Chaperoning at the Valentine's Day dance for the "special" teenagers at the Oakland Family Resource Center.

Rant: what happened to the great weather in SF?

Good hopes and best wishes to everyone here. I enjoy reading everyone's story's and what's going on in your lives, sad or happy! I apologize if I'm not friendly and express my condolences or give kudos to specific people. I have a feeling that's what leelane911 is getting at...so with that said...

Rave: My BF asked me if I'd say yes if he asked me to marry him. He's moving in by the end of the month with his 3 kids and we're breaking the news to them tonight, hopefully it will means smiles for all 5 of them! I smell an engagement ring on Valentines Day :-)

Rant: 1 bathroom and 4 bedrooms just aren't enough!

Rave: Room to expand!

Rave: Future step-daughter's birthday and we're all going out to dinner tonight to celebrate - then surprise her with a set of drums she's been dying to have!

Happy Valentine's Weekend to all!

Rave: I am moving soon
Rant: I have to PACK before I move

Rave: My local art store has a 50% off sale on canvases tomorrow and I am going to stock up
Rant: I will actually have to paint on all those canvases ! (actually not a rant of course :-)

Patrick!!!!

Check out www.clinicaltrials.gov for info on current clinical trials for Alzheimers. There are lots of interesting things going on, and the only way we as a society can advance the science and work towards an actual cure is if people participate in these trials. Just something to think about for future generations....(and maybe help yourselves now too.)

Can I have your son's life, Scarlett? Just kidding. I love my own... but wouldn't mind a little India and Paris thrown in. :-)

Raves: 8th anniversary coming up. The best 8 years of my life.
Great weather for flying over the city yesterday with a favourite relative and best husband in the world.

Kimamom: Aw, chicks - what a nice harbinger of spring. Reminds me of the time when I was a kid and one of our bantam hens disappeared. Many days later she paraded out with a batch of chicks. It was Easter Sunday.

Ani: The baby being thrown from the car turned out to be a fabricated story, thank goodness. Let's hope he finds a good loving family.

LOL April, <b>I</b> want my sons life!

Happy Birthday wishes to KK ((L)) Bighugs to that boy :D and babyboykelly ((^))

Patrick, I am so sorry to hear the news. We have been through something similar, it is not easy, holding on to all the good memories helps. Talk to the Alzheimers Assoc people, get lots of advice from the experts. And feel free to talk to all of your friends!

Iregeo, I second that!! LOL
TravelerGina, you are gonna LOVE Montreal :)

Before I post my rant and rave -- to leelane911: I think you and all of us can just go ahead and imagine that if your FFR&amp;R isn't full of heavy stuff, there's an implicit &quot;Rave: I'm not having to deal with heavy stuff this week; Rant: some of the rest of you are&quot; post -- we can all assume you posted that, and we can all imagine we've posted that if we don't have heavy stuff.

This is a community, as we all know, and that's part of being able to post and read every week -- this is sort of our collective blog. It's all part of the pattern.

That said:

Rant: Patrick, you're having a heavy week. I almost did, but ---

Rave: the mammogram call-back was nuthin' -- 36 hrs. of panic, esp. since I'm watching 2 very close cousins deal with the least and the worst this awful disease can do.

Rant: about those cousins, but ALSO it's cold again.

Rave: Valentine's is coming and there seem to be some nice plans in the air.

Rant: the pluber didn't come yesterday, or this morning, or this afternoon. Says it'll be Monday. Fortunately, we have Alternatives.

Rave: have Italy plane, train, and hotel stuff pretty well nailed down, can now start collecting useful ideas re: sights, restaurants, etc. :-D

Pluber = plumber, of course. (PREVIEW, Cass, preview!)

Sam, how exciting!

Patrick, keep your chin up. It must be awfully hard to deal with so many issues at once.

Cassandra, great news on your test!

Patrick
I pray for God's Blessings of peace to you, your partner, and your Mom.

Rave: Having a special dinner with sister and BIL and my twin nephews this evening. They are visiting from the UK. A surprise for all of us :)

Rave: My youngest son will be joining us this evening :D The oldest will come home from Boston next week to see them before they head back home (that means I get to see him too!). Both boys have missed their Auntie, Uncle and cousins very much.

Hang in there Patrick ((f))

Best birthday wishes to both young and old!

Way to go Bonnie!

Scarlett, you must be beside yourself with excitement just anticipating seeing your son in a few short weeks!

Have a fabulous weekend, everyone ((l))

Last Rant: The horrors of biology.
M (MD, etc.)

Sam-5 kids is that a rant or a rave??LOL just kidding. Congratulations and I wish you motherly wisdom and marital bliss!
Patrick I am sorry about your partner..
Cassandra: glad your mammogram is normal. I have heard of so many people having breast cancer lately. I turned 40 and it seems I suddenly know more people my age developing this disease. Best wishes and prayers to your cousins.
Rave: it's friday.
Rant: runny nose for me and the kids have basketball at 8pm...uggh.

Rant: Week 18 on the 6 to 8 week swimming pool construction.

Rave: Going to New Orleans in the morning for 4 fabulous nights. It's been over a year since our last trip, and I am soooo looking forward to being there again! :D

Rant: I'm in Bangkok and I was sick in my hotel room all day on Friday. Ugh

Rave: It is now Saturday morning here and I feel 100% better and am ready to shop til I drop today.

Final Rave: The DPD found SO's car in the drive way of a burnt out house - intact, but with nothing left in the trunk and glove box.
M
Really FF here.

Rant: Larry La Prise who wrote &quot;The Hokey Pokey&quot; died this week at 93. His family has been having a very difficult time. They tried to place him in the coffin left foot first and it's been a struggle ever since!

A good weekend and a Happy Valentines Day to all!

Rant: This site's new color layout. BLECH.

PamSF, I have tears on my face, I am laughing so hard.
&quot;that's what it's all about&quot;

Patrick - I'm so sorry to hear about what you're going through. Please know you're being thought of fondly by this member of your &quot;Fodors family&quot; - we may be strangers in one sense but I think many of us have become friends in another.