kopp---I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. I've faced BC, but OC is the really scary one. All women need to be on the lookout for this, yet the symptoms are so vague that is difficult.

I will be running in the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center "Shore Run" here in Seattle on Sunday. If you will tell me her first name, I will wear it as a good wish for her recovery. And if anyone wants to donate to the fine work of this world-class research center, check here:
http://www.fhcrc.org/about/ne/events/shorerun/

Rant---cancer. . .There is too much of it.

Rave---the doctors who treat us, and all the people who care.

Rave---ronkala's wife; 30+ years!!!

Another rave for everyone else who has survived or is facing this disease.

<b>RAVE</b> : the divorce papers finally came through!! I'm through with &quot;world's greatest schmuck&quot;! \:D/

rant: no &quot;Faina's Friday fun- useless recipes&quot; thread.

JAGIRL: LOL Congratulations!! :D

Hi CAPH, that's very good to hear! :-)

Hi Scarlett, please let cigalechanta my thoughts and prayers are with her and her DH.

A Friday Fun thread has yet to be posted...please Faina. ;-)

Rave: All the warmest and kindest people here on Fodor's.

Rant: The few (very few) uptight, mean and &quot;know it all people&quot; on Fodors. Why do the best people get banned and the real mean and ugly ones don't? One of life's mysteries I guess.

Rave: My SIL's house in Rome. The City of Rome has made an agreement with him and the other relatives that have residences on the property which is so much to their advantage we are all in shock, lol. Three years of worry is not over with. So everyone took a big breath and are now relaxed.

rave: Fodor's 2007 GRAND convention! :)) I personally just <i>cannot</i> wait! :)

Hope cig &amp; DH will be out of the darkness soon. Prayers for them &amp; family.

Oooops, somehow I couldn't post very often these last days and right now my thread got posted without my clicking the &quot;post the reply&quot;. What is that all about?

Anway, three years of worry is NOW over with! It is like a big Christmas present.

Rave: Having our starrsville back. Best wishes for your Atlanta GTG.

Rave: Those of you who have loved ones going through medical problems. Prayers to everyone and their loved ones..I truly hope that all health news turns out to be good news. And that is intended for all of you whether your loved one is a person or a little furry friend.

Rave: PM's grandparents wedding story. A very precious story.

Rave: Kopp's experience seeing a deer give birth..and the little fawn curled up for hours. What a beautiful experience.

Rave/Rant: Our dear Mimi, such a strong and loving and interesting woman. But now she and her dear husband are going through such a difficult time. I send my love and all of my good strong wishes to her. She certainly has been there for me when I have had problems. Hugs to you dear Mimi.

Rave: All of you parents that are taking such good care of your children and guiding them to be future wonderful citizens of the world, thank you.

Wishing all of you some joy this coming weekend.

Gomiki ~ thanks for the tips sweetie, keeping the money with you is especially a good tip! (I'lljust pretend it's my travel money, that is sure to keep it safe, ha!)

enzian ~ it was very touching what you said about wearing kopp's friend's name while you run, I teared up. That was very kind.

LoveItaly ~ That is great news about your SIL's home. And BTW, I couldn't agree more about your rant. Luckily most are sweethearts like YOU!

Rant: The serial &quot;gringa rapist&quot; may have struck again early this morning: the 5th time since December.

Rant: Unfortunate medical news this week.

Rave: Finalized trip plans to Argentina and Chile in Oct/Nov. Got sky miles business seats on Delta's partners which I found amazing as we have been trying to use those for years.

Rave: SO gets her new &quot;city car&quot; on Monday - a yellow Dodge (Hyundai) Atos.

Rave: WC Team Mexico is in the field of 16.

Rant/Rave: The local bipolar medical care/a retired US family practice doc has volunteered as an ombudsman for the gringo community and I have agreed to consult on medical imaging studies.

bluestar - great goal, but a ship of (13) fools. Hill had enough sense to avoid that silly vote.

P_M - my parents were married in 1940; both were college grads and Dad was an &quot;old&quot; USAAC CAPT in War II. Still miss them as I'm now the patriarch.

Rave: I correctly guessed the occupation of the &quot;owner&quot; of the Civil_SMA yahoogroups forum: she refused to allow me to sign as amoniotmd which has been my signature for many 100's of thousands of professional reports over my working lifetime (and many 10's of thousands of others).
Poll: 1) a former nun 2) a public school teacher 3) a government employee

Feliz fin de semana from our very special place.

M

Dear enzian, what a sweet person you are! Her name is Genie, and I know she will feel very touched that you will carry her name in your run. Cyberhugs to you!

LoveItaly - please give C. and hubby my best wishes for whatever illness or trouble they may be having. May they feel the warmth of friendship and caring thoughts of our hearts.

mikemo - I salute you for giving of your time. Even in retirement, you can make a big contribution. Thank you for helping those who need your services.

Best wishes to all.

Rave: Had a great visit with my daughter and grandkids and my surrogate daughter and grandkids in the mountains of Central Utah last week.

Rant/Rave: Leaving the cool weather in the mountains and returning home to 109 degree temps.

Rave. SIL is due back from Iraq after a 12 month deployment sometime this week.

Rant: Those who insist on posting poitical opinion on this forum. No matter what opinion anyone expresses, this is a divided country and half the people are going to disagree. And, THIS IS NOT THE PLACE!. Can't we just leave it at the door?

((8))<b><i>SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER!((8))</i></b>

During the past week, I have received some interesting &quot;gifts&quot; from the children that I work with....

Gift #1: A kid smashed my foot with the legs of a chair. =-O Why do children insist on balancing themselves on two legs of a chair?

Gift #2: Another child stepped on same foot shortly after I received Gift #1. :-O

Gift #3: Do you believe another kid did the same?! &gt;:O Hey! Stop doing that!!!

All this happened on the SAME day. :`(

Rant: I have a broken blood vessel the size of a dime.

Rave: It's not a broken bone as I originally thought.

Gift #4: Fever - 102. I don't know who gave it to me, but one of those rascals gave me some sort of crud. I can't remember the last time I needed to nap for five hours. :-&amp;

When I stop seeing double, I'll catch up on everyone's new. I hope everyone is well.

Hi Kopp, I passed on your thoughts per your request, I know they will be so appreciated.

Dwoodon, please, pass on my very serious &quot;thank you&quot; to your SIL for his service to our country. May he enjoy his time home and may he always be safe and out of harms way.

And dear seetheworld, why do kids, especially boys, always have to tilt chairs back onto two legs, sigh. No matter how many times you tell them not to..they still tilt them. And regarding the &quot;crud&quot; get well real quick!!

Bless your heart, seetheworld! Get well soon!! ((f))

Seen on the European Board:

Sad news from <font color="red">cigalechanta</font> by underhill...

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34824925

Had really hoped to go thru the day without any rants. It was not meant to be, lol!

Rant--DH's flight was delayed, so the whole mess means he won't get home til tomorrow. So we can't head out til then. I think he is more ticked than I am.

Rant--Imcompetance at the DMV today.

Rant--People who get testy and hang up on you.

Rave--Best friends to vent to after dealing with difficult people:)

mms
((t))((n))

:)) New emoticon! :))

mms, incomptenance at the DMV..I thought it was a requirement to work for the DMV. Do have a glass of wine, take a big breath and know that tomorrow will be better!! Big hugs!!

Thanks both of you:)

The DMV lady told me a form I needed did not exist. Sure enough, I went home, called the main number, and they are mailing me the form.

The testy lady that hung up on me...I sort of got even. Had to deal with her husband tonight...and I was nice. He was very defensive...but I just didn't say much. Took care of business and was pleasant, but that was it. I was so mad earlier, but now I just figure that she/they have to live with themselves...and this is a small town.