Yes Mike, reality is somewhat sad. I am just receiving bills for my recent ER visit -- obscene.

On a lighter note...

Rave: Received a package of brochures from my S&BIL for London and Portugal. They thoughtfully sent the recent Time Out magazine and circled all important transportation information for us.

Additional Rave: My dear MIL gave us a sack of Euros and Pounds. Yippie!

Angelina just phoned me and said she is so happy with the new baby - she wanted me to tell you all that she reads about you stubbing your toes, visiting cousins and hiccuping - she says she is hurt by the snubbing she gets on this forum.

Scarlett- my brother is 2.5 years older, but has severe mental and emotional problems that have made it really hard for us to forge any kind of relationship aside from animosity. However, during this time home (my first extended stay since I was 17) we have been taking baby steps. So, I got invited out and since the group consists of really tolerant and kind people, I thought it would be a good test run. It was! And it was hilarious when he looked at me, looked to the bar, and then back to me and said "so, sis. Whatcha drinkin'"

STW: What thoughtful and generous family! Lucky YOU!

A doctor can't afford property taxes and cost of living in DALLAS?!?!? Something is very strange with that picture.

Lots of Mexicans make a go of it in Dallas - and a doctor retires and moves to Mexico because DALLAS is too expensive?

Yesterday I burped.

Bless you, peeky.

Rave - Peeky, for always makings us laugh!

Scarlett- yes the bike accident was in Oregon- right outside of Eugene.
The logging truck passed them within an arms length causing one of the bikers to fall- she clipped the fender of the bike in front of her and fell under the truck -
she was an amazing person with several masters degrees and a tri athelete as well.

I'm certainly glad Peeky didn't have a gas problem yesterday.

Gotravel,
are you there? I posted some info about an organization made up of 16 year old and under enlistees on the veterans thread. Your dad might be interested in it.

Hi ronkala! I did see the information and forwarded the information to my stepsister to give to my dad.

I'm not sure if he is involved but I'll find out this evening and get back to you!

Thank you so much for the info!

s'ville,
As I have mentioned previously, I live here on my savings alone in property taxes (my $9,000 a year + SO's $10.K in D vs. $400. here), utilities, household help, gardeners, pool, etc.
Way better life style, several orders of magnitude better weather, and great fresh food and restaurants for a fraction of those in D.
M (SMdA, Gto.)

jmathers,
I have not been in gov't service since I resigned in 1978. I learned quite a lot while there.
My private practice career was great, but my obligations as the managing partner of a 23 person group in a 775 bed hospital, managing general partner of many limited partnerships involving nearly 800 physicians (until Pete Stark forced us out in '92), practicing physician taking the same night/w/e call, and working the same 14 hour days without any additional compensation and/or time off was not healthy: many prospective new rads thought our work ethic suicidal.
Fortunately, I was never sued (nor named) and was an expert witness in many "malpractice" events.
M (MD; NBME; ABIM; ABNM; ABR)

mikemo, you really don't have to defend yourself. After years and years of being in the trenches, there's no need for explanation. It tends to look easy when you are on the outside of the trench.