Hi Bonnie, short answer = no I'm so sorry but I don't remember everyone's name which is why they were referred to in the photo as "friends" ;-) From L to R: OO, sundowner, ?, Seamus, ?, ?, Marilyn.

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Trish, Leann, Lil Leeann, Seamus Did I forget anyone?? Happy Bday to you too

Rant: I'm an idiot. After painting some furniture, I put turpentine in a plastic cup to clean the paintbrush...My garage floor is black...Turpentine dissolved the cup. Yuck!

Rave: It wasn't our hardwood floors

One more rave: My husband surprised me and got us tickets to see Bruce Springsteen tomorrow night....AMAZING seats!

Raves, raves, raves... This week has been wonderful. After 21 months of challenges and turmoil and chaos and just not knowing what's going to come next, it feels like everything that "has been happening for a reason" is paying off and completing the process and the good times are back again.

I know that sounds like gobbedly-gook, but I'll spare you the details. But, this week has been a fabulous week.

It also sounds like a pretty good week all around in Fodorville. Congrats to everyone for their good news.

Bonnie, thanks for the Rio Grande punch recipe. I think I'll give that a try. If anyone knows how to make a great white sangria, send that my way too!

Happy Friday everyone!

Rant: Omigod, Jorr and Bonniebroad, those would be my two rants for the week as well! Alcoholism IS a monster and it's scary to see the monsters it creates. The lying is also a shocker, especially in this day and age when it's pretty clear that people can't get away with lying. Why not just tell the truth? And why do they expect me to believe them? And why do they keep doing it?

Rave: The Pride of America is in! Everyone is raving about the cruise ship.

OWJ...congrats on the tickets...my college roomie and her DH and her former child boss and her DH are all going to the concert!

If you run into Camille and Larry...say hello!!!!!!!!

Truly a happy Friday for me!!

Lawyer called today to tell me my condo is out of attorney review,and the buyer really wants to nail down a closing before Labor Day.
Also got word today after over a month of guessing that I will be transferred to Beaverton,OR area location for work as soon as I'm ready to go.Strings were pulled for me from above and I'm truly greatful! Can't wait!

Well woohoo klr woohoo!!!!!! best wishes to all you guys out there~

Hello again, everyone. I had very a busy day at work. I found a little time to pop into the board and make my useless contributions to the 3 word stories, but I don't like to be rushed when reading the R&R's. So I'm just now getting back to this thread.

OO: Last night at the GTG I almost had to put on my sunglasses since you and your DH were glowing so brightly over the new grandbaby!! It was a great pleasure to see such joy in your faces. I saw the baby pics, quite adorable. My grandparents played a major role in my life. I just can't imagine how different my life would have been without them. Grandbabies are special, but so are grandparents. Your grandbaby is so lucky to have you.

Also, thanks for the offer to stay over, that was very kind and generous. If only I had known about the traffic going home, I would have taken your kind offer. But once again, it was well worth the drive to meet so many nice and fun people.

Bonniebroad and Cassandra: I can so relate to having loved ones with diseases such as addiction and anorexia. Both of these have occurred in my family. It is sad that these illnesses are so misunderstood, and that makes it even harder. My best wishes to you and your families.

OWJ: glad the cat is better, I hope she continues her recovery. She is one lucky kitty to have you to look after her. I'm jealous of your concert tix!!

AHaugeto: what a great story about the airport in Shannon.

CAPH52: YIPPEE!! I am so happy for all of your news.

Gardyloo: Bon Voyage

Tiff: OWJ is right, you brighten any thread where you appear.

Thanks to eveyone for your good wishes in my job search. Things are looking up.

Happy wishes to all.

OO: Our Spot was barely 1/2 an inch when my son won him at the elementary school "fun fair" 15 years ago. He is now a whopping 5 inches long -- I think a record for an domesticated goldfish, LOL!

OWJ: Stop inhaling the turpentine, LOL! You are having too many accidents

Oh OWJ - that is a BIG OOOOOPS!!! And OWJ2 said "what"? Hugs to you both.

seetheworld, I'm impressed that you can keep a goldfish for so long. 15 years must be some sort of a world record lifespan for a fish won at a fun fair. I always liked my goldfish, but I never dared to get too attached to them.

LoveItaly, were your ears burning last night? Many kind words were said about you at the yesterday's GTG.

Hey girls, about these goldfishies ... I brought my DGD's teeny, tiny Nemo & Mimi home to live in Raleigh for awhile because DGD was traveling this summer. It's been about three months, and I swear they're getting bigger .... I know zero about goldfish, and I wondered if they grew bigger as they got older??? I guess they do, from what you're saying ...

Happy birthday, ElendilPickle! Have a really fun day!

Thank you, P_M and MelissaHl, for your kind thoughts. This dear man is telling his wife, on the day that he comes out of de-tox (way too soon!) that he hopes she has liquor at home. The whole family is beside themselves ...

Thanks for the nice words, buckeyemom! Hope you are having a really good summer...

Well, off to the Carolina mountains in the morning .... always a lovely destination! If you haven't seen them, come to visit us sometime!

PM, what???? No dear one, my ears were not burning but I sure thought of all of you and wished I could have been there. I don't know what could have been said (probably all lies, LOL) but tomorrow I am going to look at all the photos and enjoy them as I so enjoy the photos of the GTG's.

BTW I too was wondering what seetheworld's secret is with goldfish. We never were able to keep any longer than about two years. The last two that died were "Sammy" and Frankie", named by our daughter. I thought that Johnny and Frankie would have made more sense. Take care.

LOL, I think the darn fish is bionic!!!

Before Spot, we flushed plenty...I don't know what makes this fellow tick. He must love being in my youngest son's smelly room

Bonnieboard
Thanks for your support.

Thanks for the kind birthday wishes, everyone!

OO, yes, 19 hours of labor is one heck of a way to spend your birthday. I'm not sure what I'd have to do to top that, and I don't think I want to find out!

OWJ, Lil Lee Ann (LOL) is 5'10" and towers over me. She's a beautiful young woman and I love her dearly.

Lee Ann

Now, now SeetheWorld! Me sipping turpentine? Hehehe. No, I'm just new to this Martha Stewart stuff and make stupid mistakes. At least I get to update my repertoire of stories Actually, right after my garage painting incident, I broke out the Margaritas and made myself feel better.

LoveItaly--OWJ2 handled it better than I expected but now wants to paint the garage w/garage floor and make it look like a showroom or the floor of one of those silly monster garage type shows! I can just tell you, my painting career is ending before that. What is it about a man and his garage (or basement)? I'd be happy with some shelves so we can get his tools put away and get his car in there!

Please excuse my poor editing!

Lee Ann, Happy Birthday to you and your daughter!

Missed your post Bonnie. I think if Spot were in a larger tank, he would be much bigger than 5 inches. His growth has slowed down over the last couple of years, he really spends most of his day resting on the bottom of the tank. And Spot has also visited Grandma and Grandpa numerous times while we traveled. My husband would have a fit if I hired a house sitter for him, LOL! Have a great trip in the mountains

OWJ, you are in Atlanta, an hour behind me, posting at 3am I expect typos! Martha Stewart of painting?!? Stay out of trouble

OWJ...the stained concrete look is so "in"! Aren't you the clever one though!