Buffalogirl - ugh ugh ugh! I'm so sorry to hear that, and very angry too. I hope he gets the maximum punishment.

I had a lot of raves today but I guess its unseemly to talk about them after that news!

Good morning y'all!

Continued prayers to all who are suffering medically, emotionally, or physically. Sometimes it's hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but knowing others are in your corner hopefully gives a bit of comfort.

Statia - woo-hoo! I can only imagine the excitement your mom must be feeling right now. You and your sister are so sweet to take her on this lifetime trip to her beloved Rome. Arrivederchi!

moneygirl - oh, how I remember those T-ball years. So precious.

divingaggie - my condolences to you for the passing of your mother. What a blessing you have with your family by your side.

Ani - little girls singing songs in the back seat. So much better than that stuff on the radio!

Weather in Austin this week was unseasonably warm, in the 80s. Bulbs are blooming, grass is turning green, and the oak trees are getting their leaves. Spring has sprung.

Big Rave: Leaving Thursday for almost 4 weeks in Italy! Ciao, baby!

Rave--Turned 40 this week and only feel about 20

Rave--A friend from WA was here this week.

Rave--Back in Jan. DS won the Geo Bee for the middle school. Turns out he scored well enough on the written test after that to qualify for state! So he will now compete at the state level at the end of the mobth.

Rave/Rant--Snow here yesterday! That is the rave...the kids think it is a rant because school was not cancelled today so they have finals, lol!

Keeping thoughts with so many of you that are going through tough times.

Caph--Great news!!!

Rave: South Side Irish Parade this Sunday in Chicago. A lot of the students are going; last year there were 325,000 minimum in attendance and this year looks bigger and warmer. The rules in the newspapers were humorous- great laugh at the beginning of a Friday. Designated family side of street (Western Ave.) East, designated party side of street (Western Ave.) West. No pulling keggers on wagons allowed. Three of the kids who started the original in 1979 when there were 300 people total are leading this year.

Rant: Traffic will be terrible getting into my parents' street.

Rave: People on Fodors who support so warmly, like Tiff and so many others- too many to name. Isn't that wonderful!

Rave: An outlet and diversion during horrible times- too horrible to relate.

Rant: Most of you are younger than my kids- when did I get so old. And my poor father still working his tail off at 87 taking care of "old" and sick people once again. Life is so unfair, that there has to be something else or some other reason.

Rant: Sister is through with first big set of chemo series but now has to have 12 weeks of another series at 1 week intervals before another set of radiation starts.

Rave: She may have her hair starting back during this set because it doesn't have the harsher combinations in it that are the most toxic.

Rant: But it will cause her to feel like her "bones" hurt. Yes, that's how they describe it.

jorr, I can't even talk about property taxes and stay sane. My MI ones just went up 25% as well.

Oh, I'm sorry for the terrible news Go Travel, it's the kind that doesn't get erased in a lifetime. I know. Young is out of order.

Prayers continue for all.

rave: 30th birthday weekend was super great! so many different people from my life showed up at the party on saturday. it was really fun. lesson: at this stage in life, i'm finding it important to get family and friends together for any purpose! too much time goes by, and you need to create these times to have things to look forward too! (happy birthday to you divin...and warm and kind thoughts to your family at this time)

rave: lion king on broadway. i've seen alot of shows, even did theater in school and i was really in awe of this one. it was really impressive!

rave: saw my mom, brother, and his fiance this week for a very nice b-day dinner!

rave: best friend is going to new orleans with a youth group to help in the very much still needed relief!

klr...bon jovi! saw them 5 years ago and they still have it!

samschack...one if by land! i hope to not jinx your dinner, but it is truelly (and i'm a big, fat Foodie!) the most unforgettable and special meals i've ever had in my life. you'll know what i mean once you go. enjoy it.

gotravel...thinking of you and your family in this difficult time.

Jorr: Taxes, BOO! That's way to much!

Scarlett, Moneygirl, Ani and others enjoying the little ones and pets! Those are some of the really good things in life!
I can't wait for my grson or daughter due in Oct.!

divingaggie: I send my condolences for the passing of your mom...that has to be tough. I'm glad you have good family support (try to forgive the 'busy' cousin).

PM: Wishing you and yours peace and comfort in this trying time!

Ethel: 2.5# You Go Girl! Hope the eye thing turns out to be nothing serious. Do you think it may be related to your dieting?

Statia: Ciao! And have a wonderful trip! I'll be looking forward to your pictures/trip report!

LoveItaly: I'm glad your gr-son was not so seriously ill!

Rave: Spring is here (more or less)!

Rave: Getting some spring cleaning done this week...we pressure washed the house Wed. and today we are refinishing the garage floor (starting anyway, it will take a few days).

Rant: Work pressure...we were told yesterday to cut OP visit time down from 1 hr. to 45 Min. per patient and to see two outpatients simultaneously....which is making a difficult situation moreso, considering the level of assistance many need and the huge amount of documentation required! I fear this will not be fair to the patients.

Rant: So many Fodorites that have had such a terrible week. My thoughts for PM, GoTravel, Ed, Divingaggie, klr, and JJ5.

Ani: My daughter just started singing, too. Isn't it adorable?

Rave: Planning a trip to Portland in June. I've got the hotel worked out thanks to some great advice from some helpful Fodorites. But I am overwhelmed trying to decide between restuarants!

Rave: My SIL and BIL are visiting from Philadelphia, and I get to meet my new baby girl twin nieces, Anna and Rachel, today. Aren't those lovely names?

Rant: Potty-training. Either the Husband and I don't know how to potty train or the Daughter just doesn't care to learn. I guess I hope she learns to change her own diapers by the time she enters kindegarten.

Thanks to all for your thoughts... Grandma is closing in on 90,but it doesn't make it any easier to let go. My thoughts are with everyone going through tough times as well.


Kureiff,don't give up hope!My Mom had us all potty training before 2,so when my daughter was closing in on 3 and still not fully trained,I was flustered. Once she caught on that pretty panties were more comfy than pullups it was a breeze from there.In my case,visits to the potty without her telling me she needed to go were a waste of time.She knew when she felt the need,and told me. "Chocolate coins" for poopy on the potty were also a big help. The week before she turned 3, her school declared her "officially trained" and lowered her rates...I remeber posting that on FFRR that week, and it was truly one of the proudest Mommy moments to date.
Two members at work looking for pullups in larger size last week discussing their 5 yr old girls not fully trained yet. Yikes! I guess the next step would be "Depends"?
Good luck, and keep your sense of humor through it all!

Thanks so much for all the good wishes!

LoveItaly, I'm so glad to hear it wasn't meningitus! You must have been so frightened! I'm really glad they have an immunization for it now. Though they don't seem to ever give it until the child goes off to college.

klr6773, my thoughts are with you and your family as you go through this struggle. So many difficult decisions to make. I wish you the peace of knowing that you're trying to do what's best for all concerned.

Scarlett, I know how excited you must be to have your son coming home. I hope you have a wonderful visit with him.

STW, the trip to Florida sounds wonderful. Heck, the get-away to Boston this Sunday sounds wonderful! I hope all of you have a great time. And good luck to your son and his girlfriend!

Birthday wishes to divingaggie, otto and MMS! MMS, how wonderful to hear you say you feel half your age! May that conintue to be the case the rest of your life!

Divingaggie, this just doesn't sound right, but I'm sure you'll know what I mean when I say that I'm so glad the funeral went well. It means so much. And I understand your delight that no one is going to the wedding!

ethel, I'm so sorry to hear that you had the scare with your vision. Hope you're able to get an answer very soon. And congrats on that weight loss! Makes you feel like it's all worthwhile, doesn't it?!

Statia, I hope you and the rest of your family have an absolutely fantastic trip! It's very uplifting and encouraging to know that you're making this trip with your mother after almost losing her. It gives me hope!

Bennnie, I sympathize with you on the night shift thing. My husband has worked odd (and long!) hours pretty much our entire marriage. And it does put a strain on things. My husband always especially hated all the activities he had to miss with the kids. But I've always felt that he way more than made up for it by spending really quality time with them whenever he could. I hope that it turns out to be a temporary situation for you. Or that you're able to quickly make the adjustments.

Buffalogirl, sounds like a wonderful trip! Enjoy!

Have a great belated honeymoon, Samschack!

GoTravel, you're still in my thoughts and prayers.

Huge Rave: Fodorites! Thanks so much to everyone who gave me such great advice and support on my cancel trip thread! You people are the best!

Rant/rave: We're still waiting on the referral. But I called the PCP's office a little while ago and was told that it is in the works. The place the oncologist wants him to go is out of network. So it had to be approved by the medical director (of the insurance company?). But the referral person seems to be optimistic that it will go through. Possibly today.

Rant/rave: Still sitting tight on Ireland. The oncologist hasn't called back. To tell you the truth, I'm not even sure anymore what *I* really want to do. Much less what my husband really wants to do! But talking to American did take some of the pressure off. And I think I have gained somewhat of a sense of calm about the whole thing. Somehow in the next two weeks it *will* get resolved!

Yesterday I got so caught up in my thread about the trip that I didn't get around to eating anything before I had to leave for work. Torture when you're working in a lunchroom! So I'm getting off the computer right now and going to the kitchen!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

P_M, I just realized that I somehow missed you. I had you on my list but I swear I'm losing it! Anyway, I just wanted to say that I'm glad you're feeling calmer this week. I hope things stay that way for you. Sending you a big hug!

Hi kopp ~ I am so excited for you, and can't imagine how wonderful FOUR weeks would be! You will have a glorious time. Arrivederci!

Scarlett ~ I am happy your son will be home for a visit soon. It means a lot to a son/daughter to know that a parent is so longing to see them. My Dad went all out when he knew I was coming home, he loved it. Mom cooked for days preparing. It will mean the world to him. You're a good Mom.

klr ~ I am sorry sweetie about your Grandma. On a happy note, a big welcome to your new puppy. He will be tons of smiles to your faces, especially when you need them the most!

bennnie ~ Wasn't that good? I got into it so much more than I thought I would. Fun to see that side of fashion. I was a huge Chloe and Daniel fan, so I was happy they made it to the final two! Have you checked out Chloe's website for Lot 8? Beautiful pieces!

Thanks JJ5 for your kind words.

Welcome from Sophie to all the new puppies. ((&))

Happy Bath Day to Pup from Sophie (mine is next Thursday but wish they could have gotten me in sooner!)

Rave: thank goodness I live in Florida. Jorr, last year my property VALUE went up over 34.6% but my property taxes went up less than 1%, thanks to our resident property tax protection.

I know, I know, I said I was getting off! But I just read the ones that posted while I was writing.

Kureiff, don't sweat the potty training. It's just not worth it. They'll do it when they're ready. And to try to do it before they're ready is just a huge worthless battle! Mine were both "old" when they were trained. My daughter was three and a half, my son slightly younger. And I assure you it had not the slightest impact on the rest of their lives! They've both gone on to be good kids, good students, etc.!! So just relax. Your daughter will let you know when she's ready.

Happy Friday!

I won't recognize everyone individually, but please know you're all in my thoughts and prayers.

Rave: It's Friday and it's 70 degrees in NJ! I'm so tired of winter!

Rave: American Heart Association fund raiser I organized for my networking group raised over $500 yesterday! I'm proud! Ladies, Love Your Heart!

Rave: Finally a weekend with no plans! (only because somebody cancelled on us!). I'm hoping to have some time to work on surprise "while you were out" type woodworking project for DH. It must be done & ready for installation in two weeks when he's away on a trip. I've got lots of sanding and staining to do.

Enjoy the weekend everyone! Trish

klr - "chocolate coins for poopy on the potty" - LOL!

Tiff, FFR&R started about three years ago when registration of a screen name was required to post. I started it because there seemed to be a lot of people who wanted to post things to get if off their chest and Friday was the last work day, and freaky fit in with it.

The first year was like the wild west. The rants got "personal" toward each other and it got shut down several times. It is very different now. There are a lot more family situation posts and much less rants about things that get under your skin...like I want to strangle my boss, and My neighbor is a total Nazi!

Personally I would like to read a few more of the things that really get under your skin, but it's up to all of us as to what we what to say or discuss. Now lots of family and personal matters get discussed here and lots of great advice is given.

JJ5, That 34.6% tax increase would have been close to a 100% increase if a $54 million construction bond referendum would have been approved last November. People living in a small community can not afford and increase of over $15,000 per family for a new unnessary building.

Hi Jorr ~ Thanks for your reply. Very interesting isn't it how the thread has evolved. I was always curious as to it's origin so thanks for answering!

Rave: It's 70+ degrees out... the crazy weather just doesn't stop!

Rant/Rave: Tons of construction going on at my house this week and next. I think there's even sawdust in the refrigerator at this point.

Rant/Rave: Parents arriving next weekend for 2.5 weeks -- too bad they'll have to share the house with all the workmen!

RAVE!!

Went to HS band concert last evening.
Granddaughter had two English Horn solos.(The only solos) Her playing was breathtaking. We weren't the only ones who thought so. :-B