Freaky Friday explains it

RANT: our cottage was hit by a tornado and trashed

RAVE: Sister in law friends and children are all unharmed

RANT: two year worth of work has to be completely redone as we did the construction ourselves

RAVE: Insurance!

Megan (the girl who will try never again to complain about the cost of insurance!)

Rant: Forgot today's better anecdote: SO's barbarian DIL was ill for the second time in 4 days this AM, but managed to consume a 5000 cal breakfast which she barfed in the car just E of Guanajauto (in a farmacia parking lot).

Rant: Ravings for more compensation for government employees in the health care industry when everyone wants "free" first dollar health insurance coverage: "value what you pay for and pay for what you value".
M

Hi mikemo, a 5000 cal breakfast???? Good grief.

And reading your post I think you need a vacation. Good heavens! Can you go to the seaside and just get a few peaceful days of sun and sand.

I hope next week goes better. Salute!

I had a 7 course breakfast one time on vacation....A McMuffin and a 6er of Kona Brew Co. Fire Rock Pale Ale.

M'mo...what kinda wine goes with a fritatta?

P_M and AHaugeto, thanks for your kind words.

I finally realized Saturday night that I needed to take a couple of days and just rest, so I stayed home Sunday from church and didn't go anywhere until Monday night - watched DVDs, slept in, and relaxed. Physically I feel good and am almost back to normal. I'm still a little up and down emotionally, but that's to be expected and I'm doing pretty well overall.

Rave: My youngest turned 10 Wednesday. He's almost as tall as his 17yo sister and is a fun, sweet boy. I took him to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for his birthday - what a hoot!

Rave: 17yo got her provisional driver's license Tuesday. New Mexico drivers, watch out... Actually, she is a good driver, really!

Have a great weekend, y'all!

Lee Ann

Rant: Midwestern tornadoes!! I've just arrived home to turn on the news and hear about this. I am so sorry for spartangirl's loss, but very glad nobody is hurt.

Rave: Thanks to everyone for your continued support and kind words during my job search. Hugs to all of you. ><

Rave: AHagueto, thanks for the idea for the shrimp. I've passed this on to all interested parties, and this plan will be put in motion the day we all leave. I promise never to reveal the source of this idea.....

Kal,
That's the equal of an Irish 7 course meal: a boiled potato and a six pack.
M

Oh how I miss Fodor's!

Rant: Hungover after a late night at a conference in Baton Rouge. Ugh.

Rave: It's Friday & I am HOME. Been going, going, going too much lately.

RAVE: 1st trip to Europe now only 12 days away!!!

Rant: Haven't had time to search Fodor's and other sources nearly as much as I'd planned! That's the plan for this weekend.

OWJ: I just read about Shayna. So sorry to hear about your loss. Cat & I have been thinking about her but I haven't had time to check in. I hope the new little one brings you joy! Hurry and find a name. Cat became Cat after many a name change because nothing seemed to fit her personality! "Cat" seems to suit her just fine.

Meesthare: I hope your kitty pulls through. Cat had it about 6 years ago and regained every pound... and then some.

Now to just convince myself to not read all the "fun" posts and do my research!!

Hello again, my Fodorite friends!!

STW--Happy and HEALTHY birthday! Are you going to see the Mets or the Yankees?

P-M--you've gotten some scary advice but it might just work. Shrimp in the lightswitches...ewwww!

Ethel, Elizabeth R, and Meesthare--wishing your kitties many more years of hairballs, catnip, window sills and litter boxes for you to take care of

I2--You'll knock 'em dead those shoes. Dance til your pretty feet hurt and then some! And all the others going to weddings--have a blast!

PamSF--John Doe?! Hehehe (Anyone else w/suggestions for a great name for gray tabby male kitty??)

MMS--Don't they know what a worrier you are--tell those doctors to just give your kid a clean bill of health and set your mind at rest!!

Florida1--Boo Hoo. Was hoping to meet you at the Atlanta GTG in Sept. Maybe next time!

LI--I'm thinking about your friends...the one w/the health problems and the inconsiderate ones too, that busy one who's never around when the phone rings!

I know I'm forgetting someone and apologize. Wishing everyone sunshine and smiles and a great weekend!

(MMS--Any word from Scarlett? I want to know how Pup has enjoyed his fine dining experiences

Hey friends, thanks for the kind wishes. I'm fine - tired but fine. I have been put in my place by my wonderful MD (he is a true RAVE). I promise to be good now

OWJ: The Mets! Yeah, I know - my husband, born and raised in the Bronx turned out to be a Mets fan - go figure! My sons are die-hard Mets fans and are still waiting for another miracle Tough day at the office, OWJ? You do good (tough) work

Rave: Sister to be induced Monday,so here HE comes!!

Rave: Another prospective buyer for the condo, but I'm not holding up my plans anymore! Leaving as planned on 9/5 Just FED EX me the net check, thanks!

Rave: All my furniture is sold off and being loaded into a truck tomorrow and delivered to my friends.It's win-win for all of us...just have to deal with a few weeks of living with Mom and Dad...again!

A Happy Weekend to All...

Going off topic to suit my own selfish needs.

BR neworleanslady? Any place you recommend to eat for lunch? BR is pretty light on chowhound. People claim there's no place. No place? Get a grip I can eat well in Greensburg, Indiana.

How about the Lava Room?

Thanks!

AHaugeto, That is the best trick I have ever heard of!!!!!!!!! Wow, would that stink.

LoveItaly, Duration is a new type of paint from Sherwin Williams which has a gaurentee to last forever or your money back. It costs $44 per gallon (in MN). Most of the cost of painting is in the labor so I think it is worth it even though I spent over $800 on paint.

mms, my thoughts and prayers are with you. I hope you get a definitive answer SOON so you can put this nightmare behind you once and for all.

Hi jorr, thank you so much for the info on the paint you used. Maybe it worked out better that I didn't get the house painted last year. I sure appreciate all your good help. Now I have to get busy and find a reliable painter, sigh!

And mms, you know you are in my thoughts and prayers...you, your dear son and all of your family. I send you a big hug and many good wishes.

Wishing everyone a relaxing Sunday.

I just have to post another rave - to all the kind and encouraging Fodorites who have reassured me about Worf Cat's sickness. He is doing well, at least for now. He's still in the vet hospital and likely won't be home for a few more days, but his doctor says he's tolerating his tube-feedings nicely and not running into any unexpected complications. Apparently one of the expected complications is that his phosphorus level dropped, and this often happens in the first phase of treatment. If it isn't corrected, the cat can become severely anemic and can die. Because Worf is still on an IV, they corrected it right away and he's OK.

We are just so grateful to everybody for understanding how a kitty's illness can be devastating - we know Worf is "just a cat" but he's a family member and we love him very much.

Glad to hear Mr. Worf is on the mend! Big kitty kisses from Bueller (AKA the Pishy) and Allie Cat

Ok, so it is Monday and not Friday, lol!

LeeAnn--So glad to hear that you are doing ok, all things considered. The emotional part is the hard part, but time does help. Still thinking of you!

OWJ--Scarlett called while we were away this weekend, so I need to call her back today.

OWJ, Caph, LoveItaly--Thank you so much You are all so sweet. The good news is that we went backpacking this weekend and DS blazed the trail once again, so nothing is slowing him down! I can't help but to think that that is good news. Still...the waiting is not fun.

Meetshare--Glad that Worf Cat is doing ok! Yes, pets are definitely family members.

Hi mms - yes it's Monday, but who cares!?!? Say hi to Scarlett from us

Sounds like your son is one tough kid, lol. Just thought I would pass on a comment (for what it is worth) my son's doctor made to him regarding his lymph node that will not recede. He said that sometimes, these nodes develop scar tissue so they will never change - he could have it surgically removed (but my son doesn't want to do that).

I'm sorry that you have to do this waiting - it's not easy to do. I hope you can put this to rest very, very soon. Have a great week, mms

STW--That is what our doctor said also. He said sometimes kids get sick, the nodes enlarge, and just for whatever reasons, do not go back down. The hard part is that we have moved so much due to the military, that we have never been with one doctor for very long. So we have no idea how long they have been enlarged. For all we know it could be from when he was 2 years old. Kind of frustrating, but nothing we can do about it. Thanks for the words though