RAVE: Went to Animal Kingdom yesterday to take photos for some future paintings...then Mom and I hopped to Epcot for a wonderful sashimi dinner @ Japan...got some great gifts in the Japan store and some socks I have wanted that have the split toes :-)

RAVE: The exercise was great and I feel really good today.

OWJ, I'm so sorry. Sending big hugs to you and your DH.

Rant: While working my a.. off Sunday evening @the hospital, my wallet was picked in the staff locker room. The thief took 3 ATM cards w/VISA logo,A VISA and Nordstrom card. Thank god for Citibank who got suspicious and stopped action on the card within two hours of it being taken. It takes all day to deal with this stuff. I now await the fallout and have fraud warnings on all credit bureau computers. It does strike fear in one's heart to get that initial call about fraud. At first, I felt immensely sorry for myself and angry that this happened at work. The alarming thing is it has to be someone who works there. Access to this locker room is with ID badge only.

Rave: By day 2 it all got put back into perspective. I lost some credit cards and about $200. The parents of the child I was so busy attending to will probably lose their daughter.

Rave: Passover seder with family this Sunday. Our 13 yo niece wants to come early and help prepare the meal. So it will be.

Rave: my dearly beloved friends who have offered me great love and support during a particularly challenging "life hurdle".

OWJ~my sympathies.

Rave: Just got back from the start of Stage 4 (Dalton to Dahlonega) of the Tour De Georgia...Lance's gf wasn't with him..we have a local boy, Saul Raisin, in the race.

Rant: Didn't get there in time to get close enough for the autographs and photo sessions.

Here's big cyber hugs to all who need them.

Rave: The end of a long, overly busy week!

Rant: Weather not cooperating with my hopes for some top-down motoring.

OWJ: Sorry to hear about your loss. Don't lose hope! My sis went through two herself before it happened-- and now has four kids (the last two completely a surprise).

mms: Keep engaged in the battle! And stay well-informed and proactive.

Rave: My sis' latest recurrence is back under control, and all scans are showing NO tumors. And her doctors noted she's actually 100% healthy-- with elevated blood markers that COULD be caused by an inflamed kidney stent.

Rant: She's back on weekly chemo to be on the safe side.

Rave: The chemo doesn't wipe her out so her life goes on as normal (see above: four kids)!!

Rant: Intolerance of any stripe. One's ability to impose one's personal prejudices SHOULD end at one's nose-- but it doesn't. Why can't people let others live in peace if they're not harming others?

Rave: HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

Happy Friday!

OWJ - Hugs to you! Will keep you in my thoughts. ((U))

Rave: It's been a beautiful weather week in NJ! Flowers & bushes have grown amazing amounts in a few short days! Of course it's going to rain and be cool all weekend...but that's ok.

Rave: Our "lower level" as cd likes to call it is looking fab! New carpet looks amazing, pretty runner on brick steps, & our beautiful antique pool table is ready for action as of last night. Major progress!

Rave: Lots of Fodorites coming to the May 21 GTG! 29 days and counting... If you're a NJ/NY/CT local, please consider coming! It's going to be a great time with lots of fun people! I can't wait! ((*))

Ryan, Are you all moved yet? Have been thinking of you & your family. :)

Rave: NO RANTS!

Looking forward to a relaxing & fun weekend! Have a great one! ((#)) Trish

Rave: The White SOX 12-4 start, and this time the wheels aren't going to fall off the cart in July either with Ozzie in the driver's seat.

Rave: That the human spirit is so strong that it can actually strengthen with sickness, disappointment, and exposure to terrible adversity/ hatred. See the strength evident in the above posters' who have their share.

Rant: (A little one)That tomorrow when my grandson makes his First Communtion the beautiful suit isn't going to stay that way long with 40 degree thunderstorms. It's pouring here today, and the plant life and "baby" crops really need it- but it could have waited until after the weekend. A couple of Fodorites coming to the city today too are going to get a cold/wet greeting. Our onions, radish, broccoli are all up already.

BIG Rave: While looking for something entirely different for a friend, I came across an entire case of A Mano Primetivo from Puglia district in Italy 2002 in a very small new wine shop. I have been looking for it for over a year. Bought the entire thing. We will open some tomorrow. EXCELLENT!

I have been to several Passover Sedars and I wish I were invited to one this year. Wonderful and full of peace! Instead I have a Communion and a Bridal Shower.

Have a good weekend whether it's off somewhere exciting or happily at home.

Rant: awful things happening to good people. Hugs to everybody who can use one.
Rant: raccoons apparently in our attic. Running around making a great racket. We need to sell the house in a couple of months, and resident raccoons are not a selling point.
Rave: The wildlife control guy came and said they had apparently tried to get in, but didn't. No holes in the roof - we must have just heard them through the ceiling. He didn't even charge us any money for the house call.
Rant: However, there seems to be a mouse somewhere.
Rave: The cats have appointed themselves wildlife control experts and are on the job.
Have a great weekend, everyone! :)

sfamylou-when I was in high school I was a server at a large family's seder dinner. What a cool learning experience it was. Your friends are missing out!

No serious rants this week just a prayer for my sister who's having "minor" surgery this morning.

I'd like to include in my prayer all my Fodor's friends who are having difficult days.

OWJ- a special prayer for you. May this weekend with family and friends be a solace for you and your husband.

Have a great weekend...

Rave: Greetings to all!My first time posting in ages. Very busy with a new interesting job which leaves me little time to do more than just peep in every now and then.

Rave/Rant:Its a lovely sunny day here in the British Virgin Islands but we sure could use some rain. Haven't had any to speak about since Jan/early Feb.

OWJ sorry about your news. My sister-in-law to be suffered two recently but remains hopeful that all will be well. Keep the faith! Thoughts and prayers to MMS for her son. Hope it all works out for the better.

Rave: Brother getting married in June. Should be a fun wedding.His fiance (soon to be SIL I mentioned earlier) is very sweet.

Rave: Upcoming trip to Chicago for hubby and me in June for the Rotary centennial convention! They are expecting over 80,000 Rotarians from all over to descend on Chicago for the occassion. Can't wait! Long live Rotary!

Rave:Family that are healthy and happy - such a blessing!

Happy weekend to all.

:-?
All things considered, isn't life STILL one big rave?

Rave:
-Hospice angels and dignity in death.
I can only pray to go out with as much humor and class. :'(

-Weekend SF trip and it may rain. Ooooh la laaaa!

-Found the "Hangover Helpers" portion of SF's "Citysearch.com". Dbl ooooh la laaaa.

-Only 216 days until the next Yountville GTG.

-Only 250 unitl it's back to extensive research and a fact finding mission on Kauai.

Everyone who has a dark could over their house right now, hang in there! ((Y))

And here's to Passover.
The Passover threads are making me so hungry!

Rant: Our dear OWJ, my heart breaks for you once again. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Rave: I went on a business trip Wednesday and because some executives were going on that same trip, I got to fly with them on a private jet!! What a thrill, it was my first time on a private jet. It was so much fun, I have decided I simply must have my own private jet.

Rant: I can't afford a private jet until I win the lotto. In the meantime I will continue flying coach on those darn commercial airlines. :-(

Happy Passover to OWJ and all of our Jewish posters.

mms: Your son is in my thoughts. Know your Fodor friends are here to lean on.

Ryan: Thinking of you and your family!

P_M: So you liked flying in that 6-seater, huh!

sfamylou: Are you having macroons? If so, I'll be there!

seetheworld, yes I liked it very much. I had been told it was a 6 seater, but when I got on the plane, I counted 8 seats. I found out later it was recently refurbished. And it was well-stocked with soft drinks and munchies.

Ryan, I also hope all is well with you.

happy Friday.
Rave - I got to spend the week with my family. I have been traveling o lot with new job. I loved Newport, RI.

Rant - Husband back in the middle east on business. One of my inlaws was just diagniosed with cancer- awful word, I just hate to even type it.

Hugs to all out there who are going through their own personal hard times.

OWJ - I am so very sorry for your loss.

hey fodorites!

rave: it's friday. anything i do with my man this w'end is o.k with me. ;;)

rave: some shopping to do! going forward with moving into the apartment, and getting some last minute odds and ends. nervous, but in a good way. ((Y))

rave: saw some dear friends this week. :->

owj...anything is possible. my thoughts are with you.

:D

To MMS: I know how sad my husband and I feel about our babies and can't imagine how much more difficult things must be for you guys. I will keep you all close in my thoughts and prayers that this turns out to be a minor bump in the road for you and your son.

To my Fodors friends--THANKS a million trillion times.

Rant- They are forecasting snow for our area tonite and tomorrow! :-(

Rave- My daughter called today and told me she got tickets to see the President when he is in the Netherlands on Mothers Day, and I will be there and going! She made my day! :-)