Statia

Sending out a special birthday wish to Trish (aka tpatricco).

Great to hear the good news, CAPH.

OO, congrats on the grandbaby. You'd better send me a picture!

Scarlett, good luck on the big move. Update us when you get there.

jorr

Hey, that GTG in San Antonio sounded fun. I used to live in SA. The traffic on I-35 back to Austin must be awful. Too many parts were only four lanes for all that traffic from SA to Dallas.

buttercup

Rave: Celebrating our anniversary this weekend - more in love now than ever.

Rant: Wow, is it HOT and HUMID! Expecting it to get worse over the weekend.

Rave: Air conditioning!

Byrd

Good news from so many today!

CAPH, what a difference a few weeks makes--I'm so happy for your family, and the bright future you have.

Tiff, Bonnie, and all, thank you for the good wishes on our 50 year reunion!

We sound so old now, but we certainly don't act it. In fact, we had a hard time scheduling our get-together around all the exotic trips and plans everybody has.

OO, what fun is in store for you with that precious little grandson!

And Bonnie, you seem to have just the right plan for a successful diet. You should write a book.

Best wishes, everybody!

Byrd

Tiff

Hi OWJ ~ thank you, what a truly lovely thing to say.
(you were one of the ones I was thinking of when I typed "mommies-to-be" hee)

travelinwifey

Rave: Hubby jumped out of bed last night when there was terrible thunder and lightening! It was so cute. The first thunder we've experienced in years in Las Vegas. But alas, hardly any rain

Rant: I just found out there was a carjacking at gunpoint outside the entrance to our development 3 weeks ago. Thankfully, the police found the offender. But now I'm concerned.

Rant: The lastest London terrorist had the nerve to wear a New York sweatshirt when he tried to plant the explosive device.

Rave: As always, the British people><

Rant: Both fax machines broke in one day!

Rave: The gentleman at the repair shop was kind enough to fix one immediately so we'd have one for the weekend.

Rave: Guardian angelsO

mm

Rant: key database at work has been down for 12 hours. Lot's of work to make up.

Rave: I love Manny.

Rave: Chisox coming to Boston. 2 dozen family and friends of Paul Konerko will be at game. He was born in RI.

Rant: I will not be one of them.

Have a great weekend.

mm

otto

sorry if this is a dupe...trouble posting this today! ;-)

rave: had a nice time having drinks with my cousin this week. he gets married in 2 weeks!

rave: 3 weeks until long weekend in san diego for another wedding! =D>

rave: went to rice to riches downtown last weekend. they have 20 fresh rice pudding flavors daily!

rave: no big plans this w'end in new york. ;;-)

rant: saw a mouse in my apartment last night! maybe if i had my cat (and screename/namesake) he could take care of business.

rant: had no idea how hot it is in the subways of new york in the summer. #-o

Statia

Ok. I do have a rave. I just found out that Monday is a holiday here and I have the day off. Only in the islands would "The Day After Carnival" be an official holiday. Guess everybody has to have a day to recover from the two-week long drunken revelry.

LoveItaly

Rave: How so many Fodorites have problems of one kind or another and yet stay so upbeat and carry on with their lives without any signs of feeling sorry for themselves. You are my heros!

Rave: Waiting for the phone call that a new baby in the family has been born in Portland OR.

Rave: My grandson starts his fulltime well paying job this coming Monday and he is so excited.

Rave: Have not had to use the airconditioner since yesterday morning. That is so nice. The birds are in the trees chirping away, they are obviously happy that we have had a break in the triple diget heatspell.

Rave: Fodorite friends that have moved into their new houses or will be shortly.

Rave: Businesses that go way above what I would expect to give excellent service to their customers.

Rave: The courage of the Londoners. They are amazing IMO.

Rave: Stories about how are returning troops are given a lot of consideration. That is wonderful.

Rave: That I have no Rants.

Happy weekend to all of you with big cyberhugs.

tpatricco

Statia, thanks for the wishes!

OWJ, me and my kitties are sending healing wishes to yours!

Rant: Summer head cold for 2+ weeks now, just returned from the doctor as I now have an ear infection too.

Rave: Getting beautiful sunflowers in the office from a faraway but very dear friend.

Rave: Air Conditioning! How would we survive without it?

Rave: Spending the day tomorrow at friends lake house for good food & relaxation. Not being home means a break from home improvement projects!

Rave: Fodors GTG's - Fun times & Great people. Next NJ/NY GTG is October 22nd.

Happy Weekend Fodorites! Trish

seetheworld

Rave: Just had a lovely lunch with my DH -- it seems Canada was quite hot also.

Congratulations OO! That's a big baby boy

Byrd: What were you thinking girl?!? I can picture your patio in my mind ~ lovely. Have a wonderful reunion!!

Kureiff: I hope you DH's knee surgery goes well!

Thanks for posting the GTG pictures! It's fun putting faces to names Looks like you all had a wonderful time!

Bonnie, yes I love to garden! I am particularly fond of my water garden. Your son and GD live in China? Wow, and here I am sobbing over my son moving to the next state over, lol. I know that I am lucky -- he could have very easily ended up much, much further away. You must be so very excited for your granddaughters visit. Enjoy your summer meals, September is just around the corner, girl!

CAPH: I am so happy to hear such positive news. Have a wonderful trip!

I hope all the kitties and doggies are well! I have learned from this board that cats are a delicate species ((&)) All we have is Spot, our very old goldfish (who is swimming sideways) -- while he can't give hugs, he is our miracle fish, he has survived for 15 years after a run of 15 cent "burials at sea". I think we will all miss the hum of his tank when his time comes.

Stay cool, folks

Meesthare

OO, welcome to grandparent-land!! It's a wonderful place to be.
Scarlett, congratulations on a successful house-hunt and best wishes for a great trip across the country. We will be doing our big move in less than 2 months, with 2 cats who probably won't enjoy the experience nearly as much as Pup!
Cheers to everyone with good health news - these are good things to hear.

elizabeth_reed

Rant: haven't posted here for several weeks
Rave: I keep reading if I've posted or not

Rave: beautiful weather
Rant: have been battling a small cold for 2.5 weeks. (enough already!)

Rave: I love sports
Rave: seeing Jose Maria Olazabal play well in the Brit Open (sexy dude!) -- but what was with those ugly brown pants?

Safe travels to you, Scarlett!

ElendilPickle

Congratulations on new babies, newly mobile babies, grandbabies, etc.! Happy birthday to Trish, too.

Rave: I will turn 45 Sunday.

Rant: So why does my face still break out? My youthful attitude, perhaps?

Rave: My oldest dd turns 21 Sunday. Talk about an interesting way to spend your birthday - but what a great gift when labor was done!

Rave: the new Harry Potter book is really, really good.

Rave: my fil is remarrying next Saturday in Santa Fe.

Rant: I have to clean house because my bil "the wonder boy" will be staying with us a couple of nights.

Rave: aforementioned bil lives on Maui so I should be nice to him Actually, we get along well most of the time.

Rave: oldest dd is making a quick trip home for the wedding. We haven't seen her since April.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

Lee Ann

bonniebroad

Seetheworld, my son, DIL and GD are visiting in China, don't live there, thank heavens! They will be there three weeks, then back to USA, and DGD will stay with me for awhile. I am QUITE *a-twitter*, buying new bathing suits and sundresses and beach towels for her to take on our beach trip! When she's here, we will shop for school, go to Build-A-Bear to build a horse, have our glamour portrait done together, and this is the year that I'm teaching her to make REAL bread! Then there's the cookie baking, swimming every day, going to Imax to see "Charlie & The Chocolate Factory"... you get the idea!

OO, how utterly wonderful about your new grandson!!! You will have so much fun you can barely stand it, I promise!

tpatricco & Seamus, Happy Birthday! Many, many more!

Tess, I'm sure you'll lose those few pounds again, and be back on track ... WW is a great program! We all slip 'n slide a little losing this weight ... I sure have. It's never been just a straight road! That Sonic can do some damage, can't it? Their hot dogs, I LOVE, along with those cherry limeades! Yum! Good luck with your program...

cd, congratulations on your weight-loss so far! You're doing great, and it's just one week at a time. One day, you look at the calendar, it's been lots of weeks, and you've lost a lot of weight.

Ani, Rio Grande Punch is: 3 cups of tequila, 3 cups of water, 2 cups of orange liquer, 1 cup of fresh lime juice, two 12-oz. cans frozen limeade concentrate - thawed .. Mix all together, chill and serve over ice. They'll make you smile, for sure!

dcespedes, thanks for sharing the photos! Can you tell us who the good-lookers are in the second one?

CAPH52, wonderful news about your hubby! I am so pleased that things are going well ...

OWJ, cd, Cassandra, bennnie, OO, dcespedes, Tess, Tiff, CAPH52 ... you are all so nice, and I appreciate your support with my fitness program more than I can say! The most wonderful thing is how I FEEL!!! I can't believe the way I'm strutting around in this hot summer weather, both in Florida and here in Raleigh. I just didn't realize how heavy that extra 45 pounds FELT... You're the best ...

OWJ, IAMQ, Cassandra, dcespedes, Tiff, and CAPH52, your kind words regarding the alcoholism of my loved one were much needed. This whole thing has really unnerved me. You hear about it, but until it's sitting two feet from you and you can't do a thing about it, you can't comprehend what a monster alcoholism is!

Happy Anniversary to your and your DH, buttercup! Many more ...

Again, happy weekend ... make it a great one!

buckeyemom

No rants/no raves this week!

jorr-I saw a show on tv where they actually ate grubs. Yuk!

Congats OO.
Ani-Seems like yesterday my little one was walking..
Caph-Great news.
Bonnie-Continued success!
Tiff-Couldn't agree with you more. Don't sweat the small stuff.
Go-Have fun at the concert.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Tiff

Happy Birthday, Trish!

Happy Birthday, Seamus!

\/

simpsonc510

Rant: No rain in the cornbelt!
Rant: 100 degree temps next couple of days in the cornbelt!

Rave: I have a nice warm feeling inside. I helped my BIL and his wife plan a first trip to HNL. I surprised them by giving them 60k of my FF miles so they are flying first class!! They are both very excited.. and I am excited for them!
Carol

OO

Thanks everyone for those nice thoughts. We are sure in 7th heaven. We were told this would be a thrill...had no idea just how much! Bonnie...I see first hand the fun you are having and with added energy!

Ani...I too remember when your little one was born...last week wasn't it? LOL Unbelievable that she's already beginning to walk.

CAPH52...what fabulous news. I am so happy for you all. It's been rough but there is a light at the end of the tunnel for sure.

Happy Birthday Trish and Ellendilpickle! What a birthday you had 21 years ago. Can't top that, can you! And Happy Anniversary Buttercup.

Meetshare...our cat was the best traveler in the car when we made our move from Tampa. Good luck to you and Scarlett with your new beginnings.

Seetheworld...my DH had a group in his hotel last week, some from Montreal and some Toronto. He apologized for our heat and they told him it was nothing here...it'd been worse in Canada! Hope Spot will be OK...very much a part of your family after all these years! How big is he she??

Statia...Day after Carnival is a justifiable holiday! Certainly Day After Mardi Gras was (in our books anyway when we were 20 somethings living in New Orleans for the first time!) Hope we can have a GTG with you here one of these days...in fact, you might be the impetus for another!

jor, come to the next one! I-35 has several areas where they are doing night construction and it's slow going even in the day, worse at night.

Kureiff...hope the knee surgery is as easy as my DH's but your DHs sounds more urgent. Mine walked out of recovery carrying his crutches after arthroscopic surgery on a torn meniscus. He figured it was easier walking then trying to use the crutches. He was back running in a couple of months. Good luck to yours...may his go even half as well and his recovery be as fast!!

mikemo...hope your "stuff" is dry! Was it in containers? By the way...don't know how familiar you are with Plano Presbyterian, but we have nothing but raves for them! What a group.

Happy vacations to those about to embark...Tess, CAPH...with teens too. Those were a couple of our best ones and now many years later the "kids" still talk about them, happily. There are rewards at the end for sure when you hear their "do you remember..." LOL We sure do!

It's so nice to see those who have been missing back posting. We've really missed you. I was on vacation during the upheaval and was dismayed to come back to find you missing. Welcome back and hopefully the others still gone will be back before much longer!