jorr, in MI they are going to build a sewerage plant to help all the waterways and help with farm irrigation too in my county and we are going to pay for that too- all on our own- so it's just the beginning. And it is necessary as well- because of farm fertilizers.

And I and many IL people will be out of here earlier or later, because people in retirement will and can't now afford to live in most places they have their whole lives.

And I myself don't even have public sewerage at my MI house. It's septic- closed tank. Looks like MI is going to protect its single resident house owners to some extent- but not anything like FL or the non-income tax states do.

More for the current and former payola and graft buddies to spread around and enjoy in Springfield and Chicago. One for the kids' insurance fund and two for me. Just like Bugs Bunny counting out his carrots to the hunter.

Buffalogirl- I too am getting so upset about our constant "news". One 14 year old girl this week was killed by a bullet while eating an orange for breakfast at her front window and waiting for her H.S. commute. This is NOT in the worst neighborhood either. It's not once in awhile, it's endless. We've got 2 or 3 more dead babies this week too- beat to death by their "fathers". We had a clown (really dressed with red wig, nose, makeup, costume, and fake POP gun) rob a bank on Wells downtown yesterday. He got caught, immediately. But the crime and violence is substantial and it is there, regardless of the perception that most people have that it isn't.
I don't know how our Policemen, Fire Dept. people, and other medical and social work people can put up with what they see.

Sorry, that is a rant. Hope they get a handle on the gangs before summer.

Rant: Reeve's death from lung CA.

Rant: Sent an email to NCI asking if, in light of BEIR VII, they planned to stop/stop funding the clinical trials using CT as a screening test for lung CA. No one from NIH/NCI bothered to respond.

Rant/Rave: SD's abortion ban/certainly sets up an interesting legislative v. judicial battle.
FD: I took the original Hippocratic oath, but...

Rave: My property taxes in SMdA, Gto. (for twice the house) are less than 5% of those in Dallas: "savings" on taxes, insurance, utilities, household help and maintenance pay all my local annual expenses except food and travel.

Rant: The US Port(s) mess. The US authorities have the security responsibility and it has been lacking.
As always, not if, but when will the first dirty Nuke be detonated in a US harbor?

Rave: The French government/Chirac (certainly not the press) may have seen a glimmer of the light.

Rave: World class local weather continues.

Sorry, the gremlins hijacked my post:

Rant: All the serious illnesses, personal and financial problems worldwide.

Feliz fin de semana.

M

Caph and OSB--well my eye doctor appt. showed that my eyesight was perfectly normal. So, he thinks the same as my gp...treat it right now as a migraine....It's so weird because when I think of a migraine I think of debilitating pain. This wasn't even close. It was actually one of the "better" headaches I've had (I get them a lot with my fibromyalgia). I've learned, though, that a migraine may not even include a headache. I've never experienced anything like it before so it had me worried. I'm glad to know it's nothing too serious.

On a side note--I think I hate going to the eye dr. more than going to the dentist. Trying to work on my computer with dilated eyes was no picnic!

ethel,
My former spouse had "classic migraine" with all manner of visual symptoms but never any pain.
M

Thoughts and prayers for for those in need. It amazes me how universal postive thoughts and prayers can be. Why can all the embattled factions get it?

Rave: the kids (high school and college) still want to vacation with us.

Rant: Trying to coordinate everyones schedules so we can vacation together. Thought we had good time for a summer beach trip and #2 son got offered great DJ job at a country club (the referral business is the drawing card). I'm keeping my fingers crossed his partner can handle it by himself or find another buddy to help out this one time.

Not too much of a rant after reading todays posts. Life is good.

Rave: #1 son is going to Israel on Birthright trip in June.

CONTINUING RANT: All the lives we're losing in Iraq,

WOW; how do you guys do it, responding to each poster individually. My short term memory won't allow that!.

Never the less, I do recall Divingaggie and P_M and want you to know I too am praying.

Ah, the memories : high school band (both myself and my kids), potty training (oldest son who is now 31 was my nemesis; knew what we wanted but chose his own time), the anticipation of pregnancy.

Rave: wedding this weekend of son's friend. Will be glad to see all the "kids" again.

Rant: 3mo till hurricaine season arrives: FPL and insurance companies want to raid our wallets. Meanwhile, try to get a reputable roofer/hurricaine shutter installer to even return your calls!

Notes, mcheryl, notes! All forms of my memory are shot at this point. On second thought, make that my mind in general!

Rave: We've got the referral! Turns out the oncologist wants a combination p.e.t/CT scan. Apparently those aren't done often which made getting the referral more complicated. But we have it and my husband is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday. So at least we're moving forward!

kureiff: Your potty training comment made me laugh out loud! We (read-I) are not quite ready to get into it full force but look at it this way...they have to learn sometime, right? I mean, you dont see many teenagers wearing pullups

kopp: Italy...4 weeks...HEAVEN.

And how could I forget to rave about SOPRANOS starting? Woohoo!!

CAPH--that is such great news. I am so happy for you and your husband!

Ani, Otto, mms--Happy Birthday!

Thank you to everyone who has prayed for me and the family. And again, I keep praying for all of you who are experiencing tough times.

Caph--Yes, the funeral and everything went very well. And I know how funny your question sounded, but I totally understood. On a side note, you seem to be such a loving and caring person. I really hope and pray for wisdom, graces, and continued faith for you and your husband.

Ethel--good news. I'm glad that it isn't what you had feared.

Kureiff--don't sweat it! She will do it when she's ready. With my son, we actually did the Dr.Phil thing--during our summer vacation, we had him run around naked for a day or two, and somehow that worked. He realized that he had to go to the potty or else he would make a mess on the floor. After that, we had no more messes.

Cheryl--I used to try to remember everything, too, but I just started taking notes like Caph said. So much easier!

Have a great weekend!!!!!!!!!!

Rave: The people on this board who face challenges I have never known and do so with grace and courage. I don't know how some of you do it, I think I would be curled up in a corner somewhere. I wish each of you well.

Rant: Now that the city of San Antonio has annexed and over developed the north side of town, and traffic is a nightmare, the solution to alleviate congestion is one toll road after another. Wouldn't be surprised to wake up one day and find a toll booth at the end of the driveway. Fortunately for us we should be outta here before any of this nonsense is implemented.

Rant: It's 90 degrees outside, summer is here--boo, hisssssss.

Rant: Broke my heart to learn of Dana Reeves passing.

Rave: Chloe won Project Runway!

with a 3 and 4 yo, i've been through potty training hell so feel for those of you going through it.

my advice....don't use pull-ups. they are working against you rather than for you. they don't teach the kids what is like to be wet. with both kids, i went straight from diapers to underwear. my oldest took 4 hours to "get it". my youngest took 6 long days. i rolled up the carpets and covered the wood floors with plastic. and, with both, once it clicked, that was it, accident free.

good luck!

Rave-March Madness! I just love watching basketball...

Rave-Shopping for sping clothes this weekend.

Rant-Can't think of any, life is pretty darn good IMHO.

Have a great weekend everyone!

RAVE: DEACS BEAT THE PACK!!!!!

LoveItaly, I hope your grandson is feeling better soon. What a scary experience.

Happy Birthday to all who are celebrating!

As I walked through the halls this morning, I thought I was going to toss my cookies! Glad I was able to make it through the day, as I received some great professional news. I hope this feeling passes before our trip tomorrow morning.

JJ5, did you ever get a chance to play Scrabble with your friend? Hope so. Continued good thoughts for your sister's recovery.

Bonnie, any news yet on the move? Thinking of you.

Sending good thoughts to all who are dealing with difficult times and the loss of a loved one.

Rave: The great people on this board!

CAPH52,
PET-CT is the current oncology imaging gold standard and approval should be nearly automatic.
I think we'll see dynamic MRI replace much of current NM and CT in the not too distant future.
Best wishes.
M

Can't believe you remembered that, seetheworld. Yes, I did and she is getting a heart valve replaced next Wednesday. Now I'll have three different hospice or hospitals. I've got to write a dark drama story out of this someday. I'm starting to understand MASH type humor.

Well, possibly we need to see the depths to understand the heights that will be in our eventual "home".

I think I'm going to start St. Patrick's Day and St. Joseph's Day early this year.

"Well, possibly we need to see the depths to understand the heights that will be in our eventual "home"." I would agree with that.

"I think I'm going to start St. Patrick's Day and St. Joseph's Day early this year."

LOL, I wouldn't blame you one bit. Take care of yourself...