LoveItaly, I hope things work out for your friend.

Seetheworld, congratulations on your anniversary!

Ethel, congrats on your engageement, as well.

Rant: Montserrat erupted again this week and we've been choking on ash and sulphur.

Rant: Running the office single-handedly for three weeks now is kicking my butt. All the overtime is exhausting me.

Rave: My wonderful DH is really picking up the slack at home since I seem to live at the office lately.

Rant: Leaving for a week long business trip in Miami on Monday and hardly have anything preapred for it. Guess what I'll be doing all weekend?

Rant: Have a mile long personal errand and shopping list to try to fit in with 8 hours a day of business up there. Arrrghhh.

Rave: Our dear legendary Caribbean pilot friend, "Le Pipe," turns 80 years old on Sunday. Yes, I still fly with him and trust no pilot more.

Rave: NOLA seems to be coming back quicker than anyone expected.

Rant: One death attributed to Katrina is still one death too many.

Have a good weekened my Fodorite friends and to those of you with much worse rants than mine, keep your chins up. And, to those with better raves, congrats!

Rave: All in all life is very good.

Rant: Our school system is in serious trouble and the school committee is so dysfunctional that they cannot/ will not solve the problem. Instead of getting to work to fix what's wrong, they engage in recriminations, accusations and fingerpointing. They are talking about closing the schools for Dec, Jan and Feb to save on heating costs, cutting teachers salaries, layoffs. Our taxes are disportionately low for the type of communities that we live in yet town leadership refuses to ask for enough money to fund the schools properly. We are fed up. Now we have to decide between moving to a more stable school system or private school.

Rave: We have the means to make such a choice.

Eeva - My daughter has adjusted to middle school very well. She has lots of friends from all 3 towns as a result of camp, gymnastics,and church. She has join the math team and will be participating in the Strings program. Thank you for asking.

The hardest thing for her to adjust to is the underlying assumption of every teacher that the kids will (not may) screw up. So different from the positive attitude at the Page. Every notice that comes home is all about the consequences of screwing up. There is a very negative undertone to it all. I felt rebellious just reading the various rules that the teachers sent home - I can't image what a truly rebellious teenager would feel. I understand the need to explain the consequences of misbehavior but gee whiz - lighten up! Not every kid up there is a juvenile deliquent. How about a little positive reinforcement? (Sorry for the rant - I know I would be better off addressing the issue with the principal.)

My prayers go out for all Fodorites in need.

Have a great time, jorr! Several years ago, we just happened to visit Santa Fe when the rodeo was in town. We were lucky enough to sit next to a very friendly local couple who had a son who was participating (can't remember exactly what he did). They explained things, told us stories, just generally made it a fantastic experience. One of those wonderful, serendipitous things that happen on trips! And one of the reasons I'm just amazed at the guy mentioned on your other thread, jorr, who said something to the effect of "You spent all that money and all you have to show is those pictures"!

So glad you're so happy in Portland, Scarlett! I hope the feeling just grows and grows with each day you spend there. Also glad to hear you and mms had such a nice time together.

How rotten, LoveItaly! It's a real shame that it's the insurance companies who practice medicine in this country rather than the doctors.

Happy Anniversary, seetheworld! And have a great time at Family Weekend!

Yes, AHaugeto, you have every right to hold it against her! But it'll be interesting to see if she's right about the boy!

Congratulations again, ethel!

Continued good wishes your way, P_M

Rant/Rave: No real changes here since last Friday. My husband's at chemo now. Will leave in a few hours to make the 5 to 6 hour trek down to his family. I really wish he weren't making the trip. But I know he has to. He said there's really no point in our son and me going. And he can hit the road earlier without us.

On the positive side, work is getting a little less stressful as the 1st graders get used to eating at school! And they really are sweet and adorable. Most of them anyway!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Bennie, sorry to hear about the school problems. We have a few narrow minded people in our district that don't realize their property values are directly tied to the strength of our school system. Fortunately, they haven't overwhelmed the discussion.

Rave: My 4 year old son is showing power from both sides of the plate.

Rave: The Sportsguy column on ESPN.com

Rant: Meeting with 250 different clients in the next 10 days. I never realized how tiring talking for 8 hours straight can be.

Oh, a rodeo, how fun. I always wanted to learn how to lasso something.

PM your friend is becoming a citizen at the beginning of the Constitution Week holiday (a new one from Congress).

Love Italy, sorry about your friend. Really sorry about the insurance (sure, MBAs in an office somewhere know more about health care than the on-site professionals).

With all that has gone on in my family recently, we're actually doing more stuff together now. Mom and Dad invited me over for lunch this weekend. Dad is slowing down (and fast) so it won't be mountain biking or kayaking but it will be good to see them (and I do see them about once a week already). Mom's thinking we (me and Mom, Dad isn't interested) should go to Europe again.

Hugs to all who need them. Cheers to all your successes everyone.

RAVE: My 3-weeks with my granddaughter were beyond wonderful! Thanks for all your "Friday messages" wishing us fun, when I was too busy to stay at the computer long enough to type (I swear! )

RAVE: Have begun my fitness/diet program anew, only six (I know I promised five but I can live with six ... ) pounds above what I was in early June when I *broke* for the summer. Water aerobics & long walk this past Monday, weights Tuesday, water class on Wednesday, long walk Thursday ... and away we go!

RAVE: Going to N.C. State football game tomorrow!!! Friend and I debating if we want to strip certain clothing off and spray ourselves red and white, assuring you'll see us on TV, OR behave like the well-bred Southern belles that we are????

RAVE: Seetheworld's anniversary ... have a wonderful one!

RANT: My sweet, gentle, magnificent eldest brother has brain cancer, which spread from lungs (smokers, STOP!) and liver. He only has a few months left, when he should have had at least 20 more in his garden.

RAVE: Melissa ... bless you! What a difference you may make in this life!

Have a wonderful weekend, fellow Fodorites!

Rave: DD is visiting with her novio.

Rave: The Bull Ring (MX/SP rodeo) is visible from my patios and outdoor salas.

Rant: Bull fight outcomes and the Sanmiguelada next Saturday.

Rave: Portland was recently named as having the best "infrastructure" for the older elderly. Seattle was 2nd.

Happy Independence Day.

M

Rave: To all who sent me their prayers last week re: my biopsy for skin cancer. You really boosted my spirits. Thank you all so very much.

Rant: Unfortunately, biopsy was positive and I will need Mohs surgery. Bcs it's on my face and I do hyperthropic scarring, my biggest fear is that I will wind up looking like Frankenstein! Sugery scheduled for Nov. No hurry necessary.

Everyone, please use sunscreen all the time, not just at the beach and do not bake in the sun. A tan indicates damage to the skin. My problems are related to doing just that as a child so esp keep your kids protected.

Rave: It's only basal cell so it's not that serious and bcs I live near Boston, I have access to the best docs and hospitals in the world. Hubby of 37 yrs will love me no matter what. I am truly blessed.

Going to VT for a few days this week to calm down.

LoveItaly - My thoughts are with your friend. bonniebroad- So very sorry about your brother. Certainly hope the rest of his time is peaceful and loving. Congrats to Seetheworld, AHaugeto, Ethel and P_M.

Happy thoughts to all.

Jacqueline, so sorry to hear the biopsy was positive. But glad it's basal cell. Good luck with the surgery! And have a great, relaxing weekend away!

Bonnie, I'm so sorry about your brother. Sounds like the same thing my FIL has, except that, as far as we know, his isn't in his liver. It's so frightening and fast-moving. My FIL had had a chest x-ray in March and a brain CT scan in May. Neither showed anything. By late August, it was stage 4!

He's 79 and had smoked for over 60 years. He must have good genes to have escaped it as long as he did. I second your warning to the smokers in the crowd!

Rave: Just got an $88 airfare R/T boston to cleveland for christmas. How can airlines make money at these rates.

Rave: John Roberts. Can't be a better person for the courts.

Rant: John Newdow. He needs something more productive to occupy his time.

Rant: In laws in town for the weekend and it's going to rain.

rave: my dads surprise bday dinner went well last w'end. couldn't find the beatles "when i'm 64" song to go along with the big day... ;-)

rave: we saw a seal on the beach at fire island! very unusual, but rant: it might have been sick, it wasn't splashing about, or coming out of the water...

rave: looking forward to the ny/nj gtg in october!

rave: lunch with oldest and dearest friend in 1 hour!

jorr.. a rodeo! so cool!!

rant: none to speak of.

Rave: fodorites who care about each other, celebrate life together, and can see past the bad element here.

Rant: all our cyber-friends who are experiencing loss, illness, friends and family with hurts.

Rave: I think bonniebroad needs to change her screen name. Hmmm....bonnieslim? Way to go, Bonnie!

Rant: the California wine grapes.

Rave: rodeos!

Big Rave: Last weekend I worked a 12 hour shift at a Red Cross shelter with 1000 evacuees. I was overwhelmed by how all those volunteers worked SO hard for so long, with never a complaint or harsh word. Most of the evacuees were so grateful and appreciative. It was such an honor to take a small part in something so wonderful; and it goes on and on each day. If you are near a shelter, I suggest taking a day to help out, and it just may renew your faith in mankind when you see how people can pull together so beautifully.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Huge Rave: Atlanta GTG is tomorrow. Looking forward to a few hours with good friends and good food...

Congratulation Seetheworld! And you, too, Ethel!

Thoughts for your family Caph. And for you Jacqueline. I hope your surgery goes well. Thoughts for your friend LoveItaly.

Melissa: that's so cool!

AHaugerto: One of my pregnant friends was recently told, "Oh, you're starting to get that pregnant, puffy face!" I think you can hold all similar comments against your MIL!

Rave: Going to Univ of MT football game with friends tomorrow. Go Griz!

Rave: Will be meeting my sister (a freshman at Univ of MT) at the game.

Rant: Husband has another knee surgery on Monday.

Rave: Daughter learning to sing and dance and is trying to jump. She can't quite get herself off the ground. Must be the chubby tummy!

Rave: It's Friday. Husband and I get to go to a wine tasting tonight.

Have a great weekend!

Greetings to all my FFR&F'ers ~

Rant ~ Managed health care, I am so sorry, our dearest LoveItaly. To have a friend that has been a part of your life since age 14 is such a gift, and then seeing that someone you love so dearly suffer is beyond sadness. Please know how very much we are all here for you. You are in my heart always, as are the caregivers nurturing her daily.

Rave ~ Ethel, big congrats again on your engagement. Love each other well. Spoil one another every chance you get. Be patient. Laugh. Laugh. Laugh.

Rave ~ Happy Anniversary STW !

Huge Rave ~ MelissaHI, how wonderfully generous of you, what a dear gift you will be giving to someone.

Minor (very minor indeed) Rant ~ Insomnia. What IS the deal, does this affect anyone other then me. And the funny thing is it's always around a full moon, I am beginning to think my mother didn’t tell me something, lol, possible vampire ancestry in my past, LOL.

Rave ~ That truly my only rant is that I missed out on sleep last night between the hours of 2 and 5am. How blessed.

Rave ~ Thank you Jorr for bringing back a memory. As a child my parents used to take me to ride those little ponies, not exactly the rodeo, it sure did bring up that pleasant and loving reverie. I loved it so. Many thanks!

Rave ~ Have a super time at the Atlanta GTG tomorrow folks!

Caph ~ You and your family are always in my thoughts. Sending strength! xo

Happy smiles for all, Tiff

New to Fodors but want to say how sad I am to read about BonnieBroad's brother. Your love for him came through.

Rave: Melissa for putting herself out for folks needing marrow transplants.

Lonesome

Rave: My son started high school last week and he's doing very well. He's happy and has a lot of friends...new and old!

Rant: My friend's husband up and walked out on her last week. He has disappeared to Ohio and avoiding being served papers. She found out that he's been living a double life for three years. As usual, he's the last person in the world you'd expect to do such a thing. Isn't life wierd?

Rave: She has good friends like me to help her through it!

Rant: No vacations planned for the near future.

Rave: Fall is getting closer and closer. I've seen a few red leaves in my yard.

Rant: That means winter is close behind.

Rave: It's FRIDAY! Have a great weekend everyone.

Rave: Have a date to see "40 Year Old Virgin" tonight with DH. Picking up a bottle of bubbly to celebrate 6 months of wedded bliss

Rave: I count my blessings every day that I have a healthy family, a job and a place to call home. I wish the same for every person in every country. Be safe, be happy, be healthy, be free

Go N.E. Patriots!

Jacqueline, I am so sorry to hear your sad news, I didn't see you post before I posted mine. We're here for you, sweetie. And don't worry, you will not look like F. it is amazing what they can do now.

Also, bonniebroad, I was so sorry to read about your brother. Very sad news. Sending you both strength. Big hugs.

Oh, bonnie, bless your heart, I am so sorry to hear your sad news. We never know how long we or our loved ones will be here, so we have to treasure all the moments we have with each other.
Big big loving hugs to you and your family.