One more rave: Friends are joining us on our summer vacation. But we won't be so joined that it will be a problem if you know what I mean.

Rave--Celebrating my birthday this weekend.

Rant--Need to celebrate early as dh has to travel for work next week.

Rave--Found a great new doctor this week.

Rave--Kitty had a tooth extracted and recovered just fine. I will admit that she was pretty entertaining when she was still doped up though.

Rant--People on the boards going through hard times/sickness. Hope all of you and your families get better fast.

Rave--Our summer family reunion plans are finally all in place.

Rant:
More than ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED of our troops have been killed in Iraq. Sadly, travelinwifey, you are correct, people just ignore it. Just as they ignore the fact that no WMD were found.

Raves:
six weeks to Baton rouge.
four months to Glacier NP and Canadian Rockies.

RANT: So sorry, Buckeyemom, for the medical problems your brother is having, and that you're having e-mail problems with some creep. Shouldn't happen! You are so right about good health and family!

RAVE: Still glowing over my week just spent with my granddaughter (even though the two pounds I gained back are still hanging on. :-( ) But that's okay........ the pounds will go away, and the joy in my heart from the visit won't! :-)

RAVE: Going to see "The Aviator" with DH today. Tomorrow night, a good friend is coming for our annual cold-weather watching of "Fargo." Usually we wait until it snows, but don't think any real snow is in the picture this winter for Raleigh! Dinner will be filet mignon wrapped in bacon, wild rice, glazed carrots, snow peas and water chestnuts........... Creme Brulees with fresh mango for dessert! My friend will make her Watermelon Martinis to start us off...... :-d

RAVE: ACC basketball. Carolina WILL beat Duke in their HUGE game this coming week! ;;)

RAVE: Made reservations at the Wilmington Hilton Riverside for the Azalea Festival in April. First time we've gone; get to eat at Elijah's!

RAVE: Made reservations to visit Asheville for 4th of July weekend. It's one of my favorite places! :-)

RAVE: bennnie getting in shape! Kudos to you!

Happy birthday, mms, and many more! ((f))

Happy weekend, everybody!

One more rave: For all those NYC residents who found the The Gates in Central Park an inconvenience, initial estimates are that it added $8mm in sales tax revenue and $280mm in total spending. May not have been art, but definately helps pay the light bills.

Rave:
The Sun is shining, everything is blooming,Florida is so beautiful!
Rave:
I will be in Paris Monday. I will see my son for the first time in a year on Monday.
Rave:
Fodor Friends
Rave:
Friend's husband has suddenly become unwell, had test that came back with good results.One down, hope not too many tests to go. Wishing for perfect outcome!
No Rant:
Enough Good stuff cancels out all the Bad stuff

Happy Friday! This week flew by for me!

Rave: Week #2 of my "find your 18 year old abs challenge" with great friend who motivates me to stick to my fitness goals. I'm doing great so far!
((*)) Now I just gotta beat him!((*))
Will weight & measure tomorrow to check my progress.

Rant: People in power positions who don't want to do any work themselves, and block others (like me) from making a change for the better! I don't get it! ((?))

Rant: Starting to feel burnt out at work. I need a vacation now, but have to wait 'til June! :((

Rave: Our East Coast "ambassador" Budman ((b))is out in CA for the Barrel tastings this weekend & will meet some of our West Coast Fodor-friends!

Have a great weekend everyone! ((#)) Trish

Scarlett, have a fabulous, fabulous time in Paris with your son! I know you will be soooooooooo happy to see him! :-)

Rave: It's a gorgeous day, rain has passed through and supposed to get up to near 70...spring is here, I think

Rant: even tho spring training is starting, we'll miss Sammy, Moises, Kyle, Mark, and whoever else I've forgotten. Go Cubs!

Rant: Buckeyemom, so sorry about your brother! And also so sorry about your harrassment. There seems to be so many mean people.

Rant: Have had the flu all week and will try and go to work today for a few hours, although that bed is looking awfully good.

EMD: It will get better.

Rave: The sun is shining.

alot to rave about!

rave: mms...i'll be 29 on monday!!
i'm having an "i'm not 30 yet!" party this w'end! ((^))

rave: i won't rave about my "new" job yet, but i will rave that i have an interview on wednesday for a newly created, higher paying job in my company. then, my next step will be moving into new york. :-"

rave: dinner at favorite place tonight w/my man. =D>

rave: paris (for work) and budapest (for leisure) is on for april!! ((R))

whoo-hoo!
:D

Scarlett--Have a great trip! I know the highlight will be just spending time with DS.

Rant: 4 of our local Royal Canadian Mounted Police here in Alberta were ambushed and murdered yesterday. All Canadians are mourning this terrible, unprecedented loss to our police force.

Rave: All of the brave people who defend our nations, keep our streets safe and help those who cannot help themselves.

Atilla, that's so horrible. Sorry to hear about that. I'll add that to my rant which includes coming out of yoga class yesterday to find someone had smashed into my car and left! So much for the peacefully feeling! Rave: 2 days until Vegas, baby! And the weather looks great!

atila - What a tragedy! My heart goes out to the RCMP's and their families.

Rant - Just got an e-mail from my best friend today. Her nephew who had been operated on earlier this week for extensive injuries he received in Iraq, passed away last night. Let's bring our men and women back soon!

....If that happens, Al Queda controls the mid-east and the oil resources. Not the best outcome. Thank our troops any chance we get for protect all of us.

Thank you swalter and bennnie. No matter where you are from, we all know the pain of losing brave people who do such an important, sometimes thankless job.

Sorry about your friend's nephew trivbeck. God speed.

buckeyemom: I hope your brother gets well soon, and I hope the harassment stops! I am sure that is the last thing you need right now.

Rant: Contesting a charge on my visa card with complete documentation attached to the letter and getting a form letter response asking for complete details about the contested charge.
Rave: Meeting Judyrem for lunch, discussing our interest in travel, planning for the SoFL GTG in Pompano tomorrow and finding (on Judy's recommendation) Croissant Time on Hwy 1 in FLL--a great bakery/French food place that I will return to often.

Rave: Just got confirmation that our round-the-world air tickets are issued and waiting for us to pick them up in Istanbul next month. Hats off to British Airways' nice IST people.

Rant: Now I have to pay for the b*ggers.