Ryan, so sorry for the loss of your brother 20 years ago. I will hope and pray for your remaining brother's safe return from Iraq.

Rant: My sister has the flu, but s/b fine in a few days.

BIG RANT: A colleague and friend has just learned she is in the advanced stages of breast cancer. She went to the doctor as soon as she knew something was wrong, but it was already too late. She begins chemo soon after the mastectomy. (sp?)

Rant: Sorry, can't come up w/a rave, too depressed about rant #2.

Rave: Sundowners new pup! I love dogs, and Great Danes are so cool, but so BIG!! Keep us posted!

Rant: Echoing buckeyemom about the predators stealing kids in Asia. I don't believe in the death penalty, but people like that sure could change my mind!

Rave: Finally getting away for our 20th this weekend! Yippee!!! Going to Lodge at Torrey Pines.

Rant: The weather; it feels like southern California is about to wash away!

I'm no fan of GWB, but to be fair - I believe a substantial portion of the cost of both political conventions is borne by the Federal Government. Don't know about the cost of the 2004 convention, but in 2000 I believe both political parties received something like $50 million for their conventions. Both pigs eat at the same trough.

I also believe that a substantial portion of the inauguration cost is financed through private donations. In 2001, the total Federal contribution to Bush's inauguration was something like $5mm (if I remember correctly.)

Rant: WAAAAAY too much business travel in the next 8 weeks!! Hopefully will try to manage a teeny bit of relaxation.

Rave: All are healthy in the family

Rant: It's cooooold outside -- but it could be colder!

Rave: Having dinner tonight with dear friends we haven't seen in about 2 months and then dinner tomorrow night with my best friend who's going to introduce us to her new boyfriend!

Our car was broken into in NYC one time, a long time ago..a little VW stationwagon. All we had in it were my baby daughters 8 track tapes of This Old Man etc songs. They took her tapes!!

Rave: did I say Winter in Florida?

Rave: 12 more weeks until I become "semi-retired".

Rave: Have all reservations made for 5 day trip to Toronto and Quebec City with my favorite travel buddy in April and 5 day trip a week later to New Orleans with DD, SIL, DS & his SO.

Rave: Grandkids - what wonderful little people!

Rave: The people coming to the aid of the victims of the tsunami - so much generosity!

Rant: The weather - once Christmas is over, the thrill of snow is gone -can't wait for spring.

P_M:
Think positive about your friend. Thirty years ago DW had a 40% chance of surviving five years after ovarian cancer surgery. We will be celebrating our 45th wedding anniversary this year.

Thank you, ronkala, and many congrats on your anniversary.

I'll try to be positive, but I just found out today so the shock hasn't worn off yet.

Rant: One sees the strangest people in Paris.

Rave: It remains a great city no matter what.

Uh Oh...Big RANT:
Its snowing in Vegas?! Not ideal. I'll have to drink more to stay warm....if thats possible.

Anj,
Snow in Vegas? PLEASE walk to the nearest craps table, get the dice and yell "BABY NEEDS A NEW PAIR OF SNOWSHOES" I'm telling you - that joke will leave them doubled over in laughter!

Rant: Very sore from Pilates! What a great workout, tho.

Rave: My Del Sol Beach Cruiser bike! I've been riding every day, it's beautiful and so much fun!

Rant: Left my bike out in the rain last night, I woke up in the middle of the night and remembered. DH ran and brought it in for me!

Rave: Lots of great snow up at the Summit. DH went boarding with a member of the ski team. Said the the guy was so good. He races in Switzerland but he was very gracious about slowing down to his speed.

Rant: Big storm coming through our way for the next couple of days. We have renters at our condo and I hope they don't lose power. The little village of Shaver Lake has been without power for awhile.

Rave: A very good Viatnamese dinner at Kim's last week with little DS and his girlfriend. Very fun night! We discussed her future plans, she will be graduating from HS in the Spring!

Rave: Starting to plan little DD's 16th BD party. I'm thinking a surprise party at Red Robin, then a sleepover and snowboarding the next day.

Rant: I think our peacocks are cold, they are all huddled at the door. I hope their feathers keep them warm through the storm!

Rave: Got free tickets to see Cirque Des Amis at Chukchansi Resort the end of the month!!

Rave: The Aviator with Leonardo DiCapprio was very good. A three hour movie that was great for New Year's Eve!

Rave: Lots of candles, two wood stoves going, movies and popcorn to get us through the storm tonight!

Rave: Starting to plan for our next Oregon Coast trip in March. DD will be in Mexico so we don't know who all will be coming with us this trip. Warm weather sounds so nice right now!

Happy Weekend! ***kim***

OO ... I will email you so you can write back


"one sees the strangest people in Paris"??
one needs to get out more LOL

Ha any ideas on what to get the BF for our 1 year anniversary? I mean, what do you get for the guy that has everything?? (Other than a hotel next to the casino!)

MissJanna, according to the anniversary gift guidelines (you know, the same people who made up birthstones and the like), the First Year traditional gift is paper. Considering you'll be next to the casino, how about some money? haha! Impersonal, I know, but my DH would have loved it!

Rave: New Year, new beginning.

Buy some novelty underwear, made of paper and let him tear it off ?

Sorry, hit send instead of preview!

As I was saying, you could be the present..paper stuff on you, a ribbon and a bottle of champagne waiting to share..it is a good surprise, something he would not expect

He's a guy - no matter how old guys are they like toys. If he doesn't already have an X-Box or PS 2, one of those. If he does, take advantage of the price decline in flat screen tvs and get one of those. (Don't worry right now about the flat screen HDTV as the cost for all the ancillary hardware is a bundle and it is still, IMHO, a few years before the prices on HDTV sets will really drop.)

quot;> Scarlett! (Not that I wouldn't do it...)

My Husband gave me a Cookbook for the #1 Paper Anniversary (which was not offensive since we like to cook together and collect cookbooks as a souvenir of our travel destinations).

Another Rave: Cooking Filet Mignon wrapped in bacon for dinner sometime this weekend & using my new Santoku knife Santa brought me for Christmas!

tpatricco,
If you don't have it already, I highly recommend the book Monet's Table.