Buffalogirl, I'm so very sorry to hear of your loss and the tough times you are facing. ((f))

seasweetie, waiting is awful, but I'm sending positive vibes your way.

jorr, good job on the BG. ((y))

Ethel, happy birthday!!

mms, happy anniversary!!

CAPH, sorry to hear you have dental illness in you family. :-o Are you overcooking your food? :-)) OK, I wouldn't have said that if you weren't my pal, but seriously I hope everyone is free from pain ASAP. For dinner tomorrow, may I suggest mashed potatoes? ((a))

:-( Working an 11 hour day. I can't remember the last time I worked an 8 hour day.

:-) I'm glad to have a job, even if I don't get paid for overtime. However I do get comp time.

:-) :-) DH learend that he will get a VERY nice severance package, much more than we expected. And to top it off, they have a policy of giving an extra month's severance to anyone over 50. DH turned 50 in August. Ca-ching!! $-)

:-) DH's employer is bringing in recruiters from other companies and making every effort to help the displaced workers to find new jobs. I think he'll find something soon.

:-D Houston GTG tomorrow!!

Happy and safe weekend, all.

P_M: I love it when lemons become lemonade! I'm very happy for you. Have a great weekend.

Rant: My boss, for whom I've been working for 6+ years, refuses to write me a recommendation to a school. It's completely bowled me over and upset me and my stomach.

Rave: my family's just planned and paid for a trip to Hawaii around my birthday. It'll be our first time there!

Rant: Stupid bosses!

Rave: At least I'm employed!

I think in the end, I just need a vacation from it all.

Ethel: congrats on everything! :)

BuffaloGirl: My condolences on the loss of your mother, and the illness of your father. My heart goes out to you. I wish my brother would travel with me, but apparently I still have the childhood cooties, and am not suitable for travel with him.

My love and prayers to all who need it, like seasweetie and jetset1. Congrats to all who have wonderful news of babies and life. We need more of both in our lives.

It's been a long time since I've been here, but I thought I'd come back and at least dream of traveling while I plot a solo trip. Work's completely drained what's left of my once vibrant social life.

One more rave: I'm going to my office on the first Sept 11 since 2001. I hate walking into a massive memorial (I work mere blocks from WTC), but work is relentless and doesn't care about our feelings right now - just like that fateful day almost 5 years ago...

mcnyc~ your boss sounds like an oaf since I can't say *ss here..

I wish you luck and you are kind.. others here have been through much harder situations than me.. it's sad seeing our parents age though..

:)take care and safe weekend to you, J.

seasweetie, I missed your rant. I'm keeping good thoughts for you and sending you a BIG hug. Having recently gone through the waiting myself, I know how difficult it can be. We are here for you! :) ((f))

Rave: too many blessings to count

Rant: just not going to spend my energy there this week

Happy weekend Fodorites! Safe travels everyone.

There were so many wonderful postings here this week: the joy and agony of young drivers; teeth problems; roof climbing; new jobs; medical tests; aging parents; sadness with the loss of loved ones; adoptions; weddings and anniversaries; birthdays; family relations; GTGs; remembering 9/11; and of course travel.

We come from all over the world, most of us have never met, and yet we seem like such a close family. We openly share our own concerns and blessings, give comfort to those in need, and share joy with those having reason to celebrate.

Sending my best wishes to all, prayers to those in need, and hugs to all with good news! ((L)) ((L))

Rave: ditto what kopp said!

Rave: Just returned from a great but short trip to the Outer Banks. So much fresh seafood! You know it's fresh when you buy it off the boat!

A wonderful weekend to all.

I was thinking that the FFRR is similar to prayer requests.

It has been said that the psychological /physiological effects of positive group support have an overwhelming result in recovery and positive healing..

whether you choose to believe it or not doesn't matter, but maybe for some who feel that support, it is all good.

Anyway, keeping one's stress level down by venting has to be a good thing, and endorphins are activated with laughter.

Gee, this European roast coffee sure made me philosophical,lol. J ((C))

I posted yesterday on the "It's Friday Isn't It..." but wanted to say hello to all here. Ah..the trials of life.I send good wishes to everyone.

Rave: Way too busy day yesterday(a full practice is a good one) followed by a very fun visit with a colleague. She's advancing to Analytic Candidate at the Jungian Institute so one can "go anywhere" in any discussion and it's all grist for the mill. We've known each other since postgraduate days and continue to keep in touch.

Rave: This visit was followed by a spontaneous visit from SIL and niece and nephew. We all got Thai Take Out and then the kids and I sat on the couch together and watched "Millions". Dear nephew leaves for UC Davis in a few weeks but still can be tickled or engaged in a pushing match to see who can get the best part of the couch. Dear niece and I had a pretty moving discussion abut 9/11 and how proud she was her dad was a fireman. She reached over and held my hand while we were watching the movie.(She's almost 15!!).

Rave: a weekend off! We have dinner plans this pm and NOTHING else on the calendar. I have some gardening to do and the nip of Fall in the air makes this a great time to be out in it.

Rave: fracture healed and 2 hours of acupuncture this week helped deal with pain and stiffness.

Rave: 11 days until Montreal and Quebec City

I wish I could listen to the Mozart's Requiem at the local church on Monday. I'll be working at the hospital which is probably a fitting tribute to those who died. We'll be flying our "Pace" flag as well.

Have a peaceful weekend everyone.

Pam, the handholding is heartwarming. What a nice moment for you. I've been hankering for a return trip to Quebec so I'll be interested in your trip report.

and jetset1~stress hormones are found in tears.

Suki~it was quite heartwarming.

Let's all love the one we're with!

Rave: my one last half-hearted try to my boss has finally garnered a recommendation!!! I've only been asking for over 6 weeks.

Rant: I'm now paranoid and afraid of what's in the recommendation...

But on the bright side, I can send in my application and be shunned by that school for life! :-D

jetset1: my coworker's mother suffered through Alzheimers, and I can't imagine a worse fate than not remembering your loved ones' names or faces. My heart goes out to you and your family.

yes PamSF, quite true.. that's why I have so little,lol. I cry even at commercials anymore.. between the excercise and the crying, I may be on to something;)

mcnyc~ CONGRATULATIONS! I'm sure it's a weight off your shoulders and you deserve it..take care, J.

Well I have a new rant!

My dear friend who came from Italy when she and I were 14 years old just told me they are selling their house and moving out of state. She is like the sister I never had. This is the house that her grandparents who of course were from Italy built. She has lived in it all of her life since she first arrived in the SF/Bay Area.

So she will no longer be here and I will no longer be able to spend time in her house where her nonna taught me to cook and iron etc. and where 100's of meals have been enjoyed around a beautiful old Italian table. So many beautiful,fun and precious memories.

But I am happy for her as she will now be living in the same area as her married sons and grandchildren.

But I am SO tired of changes in life I say as I stamp my foot!

My prayers are with all of you facing difficult times, especially BuffaloGirl. My mom died almost 10 years ago.

Rave: the New Mexico State Fair started yesterday!

Rant: I missed the deadlines and DS didn't get to enter the Lego competition.

Rave: We'll still have a good time there.

Rave: Aforementioned DS will get his cast off next week - should improve his baseball playing. :-)

Rave: DD is enjoying her first full semester of community college.

Lee Ann

Oh, LoveItaly, that's so sad. I know you're going to miss your friend very much. My heart goes out to you.

But how lucky you are to have a such a close friend of so many years. And all those lovely memories!

But there's just no question about it, change sucks big time! Who was it who said, "The only constant in life is change"? Or something similar.

Hi there CAPH, yes it is true. But this change came as a big shock! Well I guess a lot of changes do actually. And she will be so happy being with her lovely family. But it is even hard for her, she is going to have a lot of adjusting to do. And cleaning out a house that has had the same family throughout the generations living in it since the 1930's. What a job that is going to be CAPH and quite emotional I am sure.

Is your husband alright now? And did you get your cracked tooth taken care of? I have been thinking of you. Hope is well. Hugs!

And hugs back to you, LoveItaly!

I certainly don't envy your friend the job of moving! I know how difficult it is to move even after 10 years or so in the same place. But after all those years and all those people...Wow!

My husband did get his tooth pulled yesterday and seems to be doing fine, all things considered. I'm going to the dentist Monday afternoon. The tooth itself doesn't hurt, but the jagged edges are killing my tongue. My dentist told me to use an emory board to smooth it out. Surprisingly, it did help. But by then my tongue was so sore that it's going to take awhile to heal. Always something! But thanks for asking!