Welcome to FFR&R's Giovanna! (love that name BTW)

Rave: Anyone that runs 20 miles. Go GO GoTravel, that is awesome! I was training this summer but a month in England (and pubs every other night) made me throw in the towel. I quit at the 13 mile training week. sigh. You will be my inspiration!

Rave: The nice people on this board.

Rave: Ethel's wedding--you seems like such a sweet and good natured bride. I am sure that will show in all your beautiful pics.

Rave: kureiff's 30th birthday. I am only halfway through my 30s, but thus far it has been my favorite decade. Enjoy!!!!!

Rave: All the good news this week.

Yeah for ethel, enjoy it all and PV!


marigross ~ Often is the time when Fodorites know more about me than some near.
Sometimes you just gotta tell someone, and our fellow FFR&R'ers are among the most trustworthy of the lot!

kureiff ~ Thank you, and thank you everyone, such kind sentiments, I feel like it's my .
Happy 30th to you kureiff! This next decade will be a good one, I loved my thirties, everything is so clear!
It's a

bennnie ~ I couldn't remember if it was 2 or 3 years ago, thanks. I was wondering how you all felt about that Damon thing. I guess I feel a little better that the Sox weren't going to sign him, but man...

Nora ~ always a good reminder, thanks.

OSB is a new Auntie! Yes!

Welcome Giovanna ~ we're a crazy bunch but quite lovable.

Rave: This sunny New England fall day - jorr, the lady bugs missed me this year, but I've been there!
Adorable but annoying.

Rave: Got an email from my son today studying in India.He has chosen 1 of his 2 independent projects; rec'd permission from the powers that be to paint a mural on a blank wall that divides two areas; now he is working to get permission for the school children on either side of wall to work on it with him...art making a difference....and he rec'd word a local art ctr he contacted in the U.S. will fund project/photo exhibit when he returns (small funding but still good!)

Rant: I miss him, email and phone not readily available - letters take a long time but I love receiving letters again - becoming a lost art!

(He also tells of being in the midst of the Dasai festival and sacrificing chickens and goats to the pujas motehr goddess and I am not to worry, he'll explain in a letter ! What an experience.)

Rave: Family he lives and works with on their farm in between traveling has given him a name which translates to 'the healthy and skillful one" ...... proud momma loves that !

Rave: All the birthdays, weddings, engagements, new job news, - excellent.

Rant: hopeful prayers for elderly parents, baby arrivals, aching ankles...

Rant: BuffaloGirl, the elderly parent thing - been there with my mom, DH's mom, and now his Dad and Stepmom - patience - and you are so right - PLAN NOW.....for retirement/elderly living/etc -
things happen quickly.

Thought for the day:
"How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and strong- because someday you will have been all of these."

Go Go GoTravel: keep on runnin' !

Hope the week brings wonderful things for all !

Rant: hopeful prayers for elderly parents, baby arrivals, aching ankles...

That's what you get when you are rushing...it doesn't read right....hoping all works out with anyone with situations from / from ankles to elderly parents to waiting for babies, health issues, etc !

Seems that breast cancer is an epidemic here. 3 of my friends got over it. One more is not that lucky. After 2 surgeries and the whole package of chemo and what not the prognosis is not very good. Her son is still in school.

Rave: the kids are visiting this weekend.

Rave: next year at work they will switch from vacation and sick time separately to PTO = paid time off. I'm glad as I need very little sick time.

My younger son is in Chicago now That little brat didn't even bother to call

RAVE: I know when and where my next vacation will be! Doing a mad search of Amsterdam, The Netherland, Belgium, Benelux, you name it!

Got 2 tour books 2006 from the library. Printed 1,000 pages off Fodor's for "bedtime stories". Oh, boy!

Thanks to all for the good wishes!

Think of me at 8AM tomorrow morning and know that I've already been up and running for three hours! OMG!

Rant: Breast cancer ( Like FainaAgain,
have friends who are victims )

Rave: Did the Race for the Cure in Portland a couple of weeks ago with a
survivor- there were 46,000 participants, took us 30 min just to get to the start line but worth it to cross the finish line arm in arm with my friend who is an inspiration to all of us

sunburn1944---good for you! I've done the Portland RFTC with my (adult) kids; I like it much better than the Seattle one which I've done many times. Love the energy and enthusiasm in Portland. This year we chose to do a backpack together near Mt. Jefferson that weekend instead of the Race, but my thoughts were there with you and your friend the survivor.

GT, congrats on the new job you're starting in January! It sounds wonderful!

Best wishes to those celebrating engagements, weddings, and just good 'ole happy stuff!

Prayers to those who need them.

Rant: I resigned from my new job. Long story short, in three weeks I was verbally abused (as well as threatened) 3 times, with no end in sight. I felt my physical safety was in jeoporady. Fear sucks.

Rant: Being naive. Acts of kindness can certainly be punished. Children who suffer at the hand/mouth of irrational parents. Grim future for these kids and for the communities in which they live.

Rave: I have almost stopped shaking, although I sometimes still cry. I'm starting to sleep better. Having my husband hold me makes things look brighter.

Rant: Back to square one.

Rave: The youngest is coming home tomorrow and I'm gonna make lasagna for him! The marathon is soon and we are excited for our runner!

Rave: Going to a reunion tonight.

Have a happy and safe weekend, everyone.

STW, I am so sorry to hear that, but it sounds like you made the only decision you could. Your safety is most important. Give yourself a little breathing room (and maybe a bowl or two of chocolate ice cream) then dive back in. I am sure the right job is still waiting for you.

RAVE: 19 days until NYC!!

STW - I'm so sorry to hear about your job troubles. Here's to better times and a good prospective job market!

cmcfong - chocolate ice cream is my idea of comfort food too! >-

STW, I'm so glad you're able to start putting that awful experience behind you. Enjoy the reunion tonight and having your son home over the weekend!><

Thanks (as the tears form, once again). I just want the tears to stop. Guilt (I feel like I've abandoned some children) does not feel too good either.

My DH brought home a chocolate sundae for me last night.

Hugs and kind thoughts STW. I hope you have a nice weekend with your son.

STW ~ Just like angethereader's BIL, it is better to be away from negative forces such as those. I am happy you got out on your own accord, because what happened to her BIL could have happened to you, or worse.

This looney I used to work for always threw this cordless mouse from his computer when he got made at people. He only did it to me once and I put a stop to it. Once he pushed one of our assistants across the room. The mistake she made was getting up and pushing him back (he flew several feet, he was little). He was extremely verbally abusive to everyone in his path. I totally know what you mean about the shaking. This too shall pass. Trust me, you will be back to yourself soon. Just pamper and be kind to you, lots of hot baths. I am happy you no longer work in that scary type of environment.
Lots of lasagna will assist in this cause.


Prayers for your friends, Faina.

Tiff, that's the problem with this cordless world, no cords anymore to whip people like that with

Exactly escargot! He was a lunatic. I know what STW is talking about, I had trouble sleeping, actually broke out in a rash, dealing with insanity like that is such a burden.

STW, the only good result that come out of it is to completely distance yourself from the abuse. Please don't feel guilty when you did the RIGHT thing. You did the absolute right thing.
a cup of earl grey for you, love.

I am so sorry, STW, but you did the right thing. Relax, enjoy the weekend, and be proud of yourself for keeping yourself safe. Hugs going out to you!