In case it is frozen, I want to say something that I feel is important. I was banned a couple of weeks ago for being blunt to a poster giving crackpot advice regarding not taking medication for depression or mental illness. One poster on that thread didn't need to hear the continued nonsense - nor did anyone else.

Since I posted the smell the roses thread, it appears that the tragic death was not an accident after all. That makes it even more tragic IMHO. Comments like the one that offended me just continues the stigma. It is quite possible there is one less soul on this earth this week because someone was unwilling to reach out and ask for help.

Whether r b or others like it or not, this forum DOES provide a support network of sorts - at the same time posters (and editors) glean great travel advice and opinions.

By the way, the smell the roses thread appears to be gone too - even though care was taken to keep travel related comments.

This post may do me in for good. I hope not, because I have a couple of upcoming trips I'm excited about and look forward to planning.

I have made friends on this board - some I have met in person & some I haven't (yet). I have given and received travel advice. I have learned a lot about traveling - and life.

I hope FainaAgain comes back soon. I really didn't read jetset's posts, because they weren't my cup of tea. Isn't that the grand thing about all this?

Happy Friday and weekend and safe travels to Fodorites.

Rant: Faina and jetset gone.

Rant: I feel yuck.

Rave; My marathon training officially begins tomorrow.

Rave; Backfat on me.

Bleech.

OK, I think I'm caught up:

Welcome home, OWJ, sounds like you had a blast!! **==

stw, I get travel jitters too, but please try to relax, you will be fine, I promise. :-)

Tiffy, happy birthday!! 39 is still a pup. :-) That 3 word story was fun, thanks for starting that.

lcuy and amwsou, sorry for the losses of such young people.

ethel, best wishes for your dad.

kopp, a big bon voyage for your trip next week!!

kureiff, I feel terrible for your sister, but maybe someday she will look back on this as a blessing. In the meantime, I will send prayers her way.

Happy weekend to all.

Thanks P_M. And the Big Island is incredible -- so much to see and do! My husband and I spent 6 days there and didn't come close to seeing everything we wanted to see. It's beautiful!

Tiff = ((&))

Hey, it's true, P_M said so!

jetset was having company from South Africa so said she wouldn't be here. hopefully that's true
rave: Pirates of the Caribbean today!! YO HO YO HO A Pirates Life for me...
rant: still raining, but that's ok, i'll be in the movie theater

jetset's screen name has been removed from the board

maybe she didn't want her company from SA to know she was a Fodoraholic. :)

Rant: bannings. So silly. I actually could see Jetset, although she was harmless and I found her to be amusing..but I would think a warning would be sufficient, but I'm really shocked at Fiana. Stunned is a better word.

Rave: a short work week.

Rave: it's cooled off to the low 90's this week. It's been really hot for quite awhile now so a welcome relief although I'd be happier if it was 80.

Rave: Friday Rants and Raves.

Have a great weekend all. If you're going somewhere, safe travels, if you're staying home try to relax a bit..I find it's hard to be home and not be doing chores..so in reference to the Smell the Roses thread...smell the roses.

starr-what do you mean jetsets name has been removed from the board? how do you find that out? i type her name in search and all her posts come out, curious.

Rave--Friends from AZ came to visit us this week. They are originally from OR, so they were happy to be back and enjoyed the cooler weather. Then we all headed over to the coast for a few days. Our favorite hotel in Cannon Beach was better than ever...gotta love those Cabana boys, lol!

Rant--Neither DH's could join us.

Rave/Rant--DS flies to grandparents in CA tomorrow for a week. He will have a blast, but we will miss him.

Rave--Survivors;)

amwosu--Oh those poor families!

m, click on the screen name in one of those posts you are pulling up.

got it, thanks starr. works for jetset, but not jetset1

starrsville - What's your e-mail addy? I have it at home, but am at work.

Mimi and Jerry update - I mailed last week's thread "Sad News from Cigalechanta" to Jerry and Mimi. Jerry is recovering from his hernia surgery and the doctor's have decided he is well enough to schedule the other surgery for Thursday. They appreciate everyone's kind wishes and the encouragement from the many cancer survivors on Fodor's.

Hi kybourbon,
Still enjoying the PAMA.
starrsvillega at yahoo.
Hugs and kisses to mimi and hubby.

Rave: Democracy at work in Mexico's elections.

Rant: The MX Federal election commission will probably have to recount as Obregon is planning an Al Gore.

Rave: Calderon.

Rant: Stronger peso and higher cost of living for gringos.

Rave: The serial rapist was caught and confirmed via DNA, fingerprints and foto ID.

Rant: He was arrested at El Mirador about 50 meters from my tunnel driveway entrance.

Rave: After the two prior losses, DIL has passed the 1st Tri!

Rave: DIL has yet another kudo on Oprah with some of her recipies.
www.oprah.com annie wayte

Feliz fin de semana.

M

Rave: sharing the bounty of my state with visiting family and seeing it through their eyes 8-)

Rave: one of my cousins is a twelve year survivor of ovarian cancer ((l))

Rave: friends who helped with taxi service for younger son's soccer game practice ((g))

Rave: the invention of dramamine! =p~

Rave: discovering a birder's paradise and wanting to tell Pat2003 and BayouGal for their future travels up this way :-d

Rant: missing the fun and frivolity of everyone here, but I have fresh material(and I'll warn you ahead of time so you can run for cover.

Rave: My robin family is still here. The babies all have feathers now and look like they are about to start practicing to escape. I will miss them, but I loved seeing their little family begin and grow the past two weeks. ((D)) Jetset

Rant: Started physical therapy for a "frozen" shoulder. According to the PT "it's common in women btwn 35-50 yrs old"- like that makes me feel any better!! I turn 40 at the end of Aug.-ugh! He gave me exercises to do while on my trip to Paris and when will I have time to do those? I'm sure drinking French wine will make me feel much better than those painful exercises!

Rave: I leave Sun. bright and early for my trip! I'm just about packed so I just need Sun. to get here :)

Rave: I will see a former student of mine while in Paris who is traveling Europe as a HS grad. gift. I'm looking forward to that.

Rant: attending a funeral this afternoon for my teaching partner whose FIL died tragically on the 4th

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!!

five out of six ain't bad for the emoticons huh? Thought it would be good to practice..

dramamine :-O

jetset, you're back! I bet your absence is an interesting story!