Too funny, Faina - I am reading that same book right now!!

Raveear friend now in day treatment and feeling much better. Thank god for the "right" meds and time.

Rave: the first feel of Autumn in the air.

Rant: the sorrows that fall upon us all. I agree with Scarlett, folks who really deserve to be parents and would make wonderful ones should have the kids they so long for. And, here's to the humor in those facing great adversity,. May they continue to inspire(and delight) us.

Have a good weekend everyone. Enjoy the waning days of Summer.

To the teachers everywhere~really enjoy the waning days of Summer!

Another rave: I saw Christina Agular on one of the morning shows today. What a fatastic performer and voice.

I saw an hour long TV show about her a few months ago. She started winning local singing contests when she was in grade school and middle school. The other girls started bullying her because of her achivements so bad she had to change schools and her mother even moved to another town to stop the tormenting of her. Look at her now. Perhaps the top female singer in the world.

To all the bullies, they don't have a clue.

jorr, I don't think you should complain that you only have two nuts left.

Some that walk among us have only one nut.

Many who walk among us have no nuts.

I think you should give thanks for your two nuts.

Jorr: AAwwww NUTS!
Ani: Funny, that's not what my DH tells me!

STW: Hope you get a good report!

ethel: I agree, the car should last better than that! What is your recourse?
I remember my step-dad and DH having similar moments...loved it!

Rave: Finally got all our lodging reservations for next May's HI trip!

Rant: Why do I keep second guessing myself about another night at VNP vs Kona? I guess because I'm afraid DS (young adult and techno addicted) might be bored with the night life at VNP.

Rant: Will have to start a plan for airtravel there soon...ATL - Kona or HILO no longer exists (BOO- HISS! I love the shortest route!) So guess we'll have to go through HNL.

I'll probably wait until after the new year to finalize the Air travel since rates normally fall in Feb. (unless I find a great value prior to that). I'm also curious as to what effect on prices the recent chaos is going to have.

Will start fine tuning the itinerary ie. restaurants and activities. Want to pack in as much fun as I can, with small doses of restful lingering.

Rave: Heading for Perdido next week. Outlet shopping and beaches!

Rave: The Fodor's friends who've helped me thus far with my trip plans! I really do appreciate it! You have shown much
akahai and ahonui!
Mahalo!

Wow, I see that everyone is having a ball talking about jorr finding that his nuts were no longer on his tree. I'm glad to see that nobody is getting testy over this delicate issue.

Greetings sweet FFR&R'ers ~

Rave ~ Scarlett's post. My dear, you truly brought tears to my eyes as I read it. You brought my words more forward than I could at this point. I am stuck by sadness for those I care so deeply about, I fear it has rendered me a bit closed off. Thank you for your words, and most of all for being so grateful for the blessings you have, seeing someone so appreciative makes the pain a little less.

Rave ~ Even with multiple losses both personally and to those I love, I still believe in miracles. I don't know how I can, but I do. Wishing all those kind people out there many miracles and much hope for the future. Keep the faith.

Rave ~ Faina. Thank you for making us laugh. You truly have a gift and I appreciate you continually sharing it wih us both through your travels and your posts here.

Rave ~ We have a wedding ocming up - Ethel sweetie, you must be so excited.

Rave ~ brandie patching things up with her friend.

Rave ~ P_M levaing for Hawaii soon. I can't remember when, but I know it is coming up. Aloha baby, soak up that sun for me, k?????

STW ~ Wishing you patience and good thoughts during and after your biopsy.

jorr ~ Happy to see you are being very proactive with taking your blood sugars and whatnot - well done! p.s. I couldn't agree more about Christina Aguilar, love her.

Tess ~ welcome back, sweetie, you were missed.

May you all have a peaceful weekend and safe travels.

GoTravel, I am glad you also still have two nuts unlike so many unfortunate people.

Let's just hope our Jorr doesn't turn into a complete nut! Not even after driving through a car-wash!

Tiff, thank you for your nice comments.

Rant: That a baby hasn't found its way to two of the best parents on this earth - yet.

Rant: The games the mind can play when mysterious objects appear on one's body.

Rave: A doctor's sense of humor when agreeing that the mind is the worst enemy when one is scared - with the internet being a close runner up.

Rave: The immense relief when the problem is identified, is benign and is cut out.

Rave: The pain of the incision - FAR better than the pain of fear.

Rant: Fodorites who are having to deal with fear and the unknown.

Rave: Good friends, family and Happy Dogs!

Rave: Got the go-ahead to still go whitewater rafting. Ya think I can use the incision as an excuse not to paddle?

Rave: Fodorites who exchange ideas, banter with humor and provide support.

Happy weekend everyone!

Starrs: Did I miss something? I didn't know you had surgery? Hope you're joking about paddling with an unhealed incision!

Here's to a quick recovery!

All happened this week. Very minor - but scary because "something" popped up ugly and fast! Got it cut out today, and amazingly the Dr. gave the go-ahead to go rafting. I AM going to use it as an excuse to ride and not paddle

Pleasantries and best wishes to one and all!

Rave: Lunch hours on a Friday when your Bosses are 3 times zones away <hic>

Rave: Mini-GTG with a local FFF at 5:00 today.
The weather is poifect for outdoor consumption of good gab, grub and grog.

Speaking of nuts, here is a pic of me showing off my two nuts...Rated PG:

http://tinyurl.com/k3clr

Rave: Fodors friends who care for each other no matter what they're going through (even if you don't post here that often-like me)

Rave: Scarlett - you are a breath of fresh air with your "positive attitude"

MAJOR RAVE: My wonderful sister who at this moment is walking in the 3 Day Susan Kommen Breast Cancer Walk in MPLS/SP. She will walk 60 miles over the next three days and raised over $3500 herself. Including her "training" walks after this weekend she will have walked 800 miles!!!! I'm so proud of her!

Rant: Today is my last day babysitting two of my grandkids - they're back to school Sep 1.

Rave: Our Chicago trip with our granddaughter is just a week or so away now and she is sooooo excited about going.

Rave: Those wonderful teachers (including my DD) who care for our precious children/grandchildren during the school year - hope you all had a great relaxing summer and are ready to get back at it!

Wishing healing to those in need - remember Rough Seas make Good Captains!
Happy Weekend to all Pam

Why did I even bother to click on this URL if I knew what I'll be seeing

Kal, eat your heart out, I'm having a mini-GTG with a non-local FFF all day tomorrow! Wine country, here we come!

Been there...done that...got the purple teeth.

It's not my heart I'll be eating this weekend! ><

jorr, are you calling me nutty?

starrsville, glad your surgery turned out okay!

I can't believe little miss Faina drank that whole bottle either! It looks like a pretty big bottle! ...

>- & to all.

Rave: it's raining.

Rave: it's the weekend.

Rave: it was sunny all day.

Rave: family get together tomorrow

Rave: Christmas plans are coming together.

Rave: We're more than half way through the month of August and no hurricanes so far! Hopefully it stays this way until November 9th! [-o<[-o<

Enjoy your weekend y'all!

Kal--thanks for posting those pictures. It's so great to put faces to the names. Of course, I had to look at all of them Hope you didn't mind. Makes me want to visit SF very soon!