amaclise:

Not a rave if you are buying...

:-( didn't get that when you said your neighborhood. Sorry!

peeky--invest in a box of latex gloves. They work really well for applying it evenly, and sparing your palms.

Rave: Mostly good news this week.
Happy Anniversary to all. My 39th would be at month's end, but ...

Rave: Scored a Luxury Link auction 5 day Christmas "vacation" at El Careyes on the Costalegre.

Rave: Finalizing the late Spring (there, not here) Argentina/Chile trip tonight (via DAL's partner a/l's). Spending our last 180K sky miles for same.

Rant: Mexico 0 Angola 0.

Rant: All serious health issues.

Feliz fin de semana.

M

Rant: The serious health issues facing our loved ones, friends, and Fodors friends. Saying prayers to cover those who need them.

Rave: The oldest son received his "first pick" on his next rotation.

Rave: The youngest son is doing well on his internship, but it really looks highly unlikely that he can go on vacation. I was hoping. As long as he's happy.

Rave: One more week of school.

Rant: The interviewing process. Highly stressful. Highly time consuming. Highly irritating when the panel dosen't have the courtesy to inform candidates of their status in a timely fashion.

Rave: Leaving for London is 3 1/2 weeks. :D

Rave: Happy Anniversary to *r* *n* cheryl and Happy Birthday GoTravel! ((f)) ((f)) And to all others who celebrate a special occasion! :)

Rave: Having come to terms with my father and being able to accept him for who he is. Happy Father's Day Dad. ((l))

May it be a peaceful weekend for each and every one of you!

rave- hurray! i'm going on a trip in a few weeks- broken shoulder, broken ankle and all- amazing how much cheerier i feel with the prospect of a trip to virginia- thanks to my daughter who will travel with me. and then a couple of weeks after that trip, my son is going with me to florida to visit my 93 year old mother. it will be great to get out of the house! thanks for very supportive children and husband.

Rave - the compassionate animal lovers on FFRR. My cat Toffee is gone tonight but I am grateful his last illness was very brief and they said he was not in pain. The end is so very hard but it is worth it for all the years of loving companionship. I still have one cat, Avery, also 16 who is so far knock on wood, pretty healthy. My thoughts are with others who are dealing with loved ones health challenges both human and pets...

First of all my very sincere love and hugs go out to our Fodorite who is having a serious health problem in her family. May she know how much love and good thoughts are sent her way.

Rave: All those that truly care about others.

Rant: People that live in a "it's all about ME world".

My all of you fathers have a beautiful day on Sunday. Fathers fall under all kind of descriptions, fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers, uncles etc. To any man who has cared about, loved and guided a young person in a fatherly way..I wish you a Happy Father's Day!!

Many prayers for our Fodorites in need, especially Scarlett's friend.

AMC, sorry to hear about the cat fight and your cat's illness. It's tough when they get old. :-(

Vicky, so sorry for your loss. Been there, done that, and it's really hard.

Free Starrsy!! **==

BG, when I read that weird font in your text, I thought you were disguising curse words. :-))

JAGIRL, sorry to hear your pups are sick, speedy recovery to them.

stw, my pal, I remember all to well how stressful the interviewing process can be. You were always there for me when I was going through that, and I'm here for you now. Just keep on pluggin' and the right job will come your way. ((Y)) I'm excited for you and your upcoming trip. :-)

OK, now for my weird week:

Rant: Blood draw gone awry!! b( I went in for a routine blood draw and the lady missed my vein!! Don't ask me how anyone could miss my vein, it's not like they are hard to find these days. :-[ Anyway, instead of pulling out the needle and re-poking me, she dug until she got the vein. It hurt so much I wanted to yodel out loud, but then she would have jumped back to the other side of the room, so instead I just cringed and made a face that looked something like this. :@

Rant: I now have an enormous purple bruise on my arm. :L

Rave: Purple is one of my best colors, so this giant bruise matches my favorite outfits. (this rave is a feeble attempt to make lemonade out of this lemon)

RECAP OF RECENT RANT: As you may recall, our neighborhood looney set his own house on fire. Nobody was hurt, the house wasn't badly damaged, and the looney was taken to the funny farm.

Over the last couple of weeks I've seen people going into the house to clean up and do repairs. We were hoping the family was getting the house ready to put on the market, as the looney wouldn't come back.

Rant: The other night I was walking my dog and guess who I saw in the looney's yard?? You got it, it was the looney himself!! :-O He came over to say hi to me and of course I was friendly as I don't want to get on a looney's bad side. But here's the funny part--when he reached down to pet my dog, she growled and backed away. This is very out-of-character for my dog as she usually loves everyone she meets. But my dog is smart, and she knows a looney when she sees one. :-)) I hope he's on meds now to help him.

Rave: My rants are really not bad, but as I said, it's been a weird week.

Happy weekend, all!!

P_M - that house that burned was on your street? OMG, I didn't know. I remember reading about it in the paper and thinking, what a looney!

Oh P_M, you poor thing! I have tiny veins so I understand your pain! I hope you are okay! Kopp read about your looney in the paper?? Hope he's feeling better and stays away from the matches!

STW - we live in the same town.

Oh how could I forget this. A major rave. Honoring my Dad on Father's Day. He's the best Dad I could ever have. Loving, respectful, kind, and always there for me. I was raised a working farm boy and my Dad was my boss. The best boss I have ever had. He has never let me down.

Ra Ra for Father's Day and fathers everywhere.

P_M Yikes!!! I had a looney that lived on a street we lived on..not fun! And animals do sense who are not good people don't they? I am sorry that you have that creep near you, doesn't life throw turmoil at us from time to time.

Jorr, it is wonderful to hear a son rave about his father. I imagine he is just as proud of you!!

Comment: The US board seems to get more bans than the others. What's up with that????

RAVE: All of the wonderful people who were there for me/us last week when our pup was put to sleep:(. Thank you!!!!!
Rave: School is out and DH and I have been at a golf tournament function tonight and then off to vacation.

I wish everyone a safe, happy and healthy week!!
Karen

Rave: It is friday and I can go out for coffee tomorrow morning and do some much needed reading.

Rant: It is somewhat hot and sticky today....I feel totally ucky.

Rave: I am going on another trip waaaay sooner than I even imagined and to a place not once on my to see list---but all my friends are raving about it.

Rant: Pms...sorry, to be so blunt. Also, Father's Day...it is a good day for sure, but it always makes me sad because my father and the father figure relative in my life are gone. So it is alot like mother's day.....I can't feel happy about those days because they make me remember what I miss. :(

Vicky & iw: I am so sorry about the loss of your kitty and pup. We love them so much and it's so hard to let them go.

rncheryl: congrats on 37!! And yes, I too thought it was mcheryl.

Saraho: good for you! I hope you have a wonderful time.

Caph and ronkala: thank you.

Rant: Coming home late to two messages to call the DR. You have my WORK numbers and have done this before. Now I wait till Monday. Bummer.

Rave: Lobster w/butter, steamers w/butter, artichokes/w garlic butter.
Hey it's my birthday eve and I had good cholesterol till tonite :)

Rave: My sister...

Rave continued: my sister who helped turn us back into 12-14 year olds tonite via IM and is just the best. (Insert rose). :)

Dear ilovetotravel, I truly understand how you feel about Father's Day as I miss my father so much plus my grandfathers, my godfather and a special uncle.

But may I make a suggestion. Take Father's Day and spend a little time thinking about what the wonderful memories they gave you. I am sure the special men in your life would not want you to spend the entire day being unhappy..they would want you to be happy..isn't that what they always wanted for you? I know that is what my daughters father would want for her. Nothing makes a father or father figure happier then to see their loved one content and happy. Best regards to you.

LoveItaly---Thank you for your kind words. I try my best to just get thru the day and not think about the topic much if possible. I am going to try and have a chilled weekend if possible.