Rant: The Supreme Court's decision to allow Eminent Domain. If a land developer wants to take your home to build condos, commercial parking lot, etc. all he has to do is show that it will provide jobs and increase the taxable property value. All American property owners now have a shadow hanging over them.

Rave: "30 Days" on FX, "The First 48", "Airline", and "Dog, The Bounty Hunter" on A&E, "Trading SPOUSES" on Fox. All are documentary/reality shows about Real people. The first episode of 30 Days was about a Christian man moving in with a Muslim family for a month. It was a total eye opener. Next week a straight Marine moves in with a gay couple in San Francisco for a month. Wednesday evenings. two thumbs.

Rant: The person who got nasty on this thread last week. Cut it out.

Rave: The Fourth of July extended weekend.

Hey, I made it to the #2 spot for the first time! I guess that's a rave, of sorts.
Rave: Today is a holiday here in Canada. I leave on Sunday morning for a lengthy house-hunting/vacation trip to Victoria, BC - and when we get home, there's one month left to work before actual, real retirement!
Rave: It's a beautiful day and the horrendous heat and humidity that have been plaguing us for the past week seem to have eased up.
Rant: I miss my sweetie, who left on Wednesday to spend a few days with his family before I get there this weekend.
Rave: I'll see him in 2 more days.
Have a great weekend, everybody!

Good Morning & Happy July 1!!

Rave: I woke up at 5 am, wide awake. The sun is actually shining here, after a week of torrential flooding rains.
Rant: I woke up at 5 am LOL
I am not responsible for anything I say today.
Rave: One month and we move to Portland.
Rave: 6 days and we fly to Portland to househunt.
Rave: My Portland friends who help out in so many ways!
Rave: Fodorville,some bad apples, but like any town, the good outweigh the bad

rave - my 2 sons are having a wonderful, wonderful time visiting their grandparents in North Dakota. Less than two weeks now until they come home!!

rant - I miss them, but I know they are having a wonderful time.

rave - DH and I are painting, rearranging rooms, getting rid of extra stuff. We are still in the fun phase - I hope it lasts another week!

rave - taking a break tomorrow and driving to the mountains for a quick wine tour! Going to three Virginia vineyards and then to Crozet Pizza for dinner before we come back home. Last went to Crozet Pizza 12 years ago on our honeymoon.

rave - glad someone other than me watches "Dog, The Bounty Hunter"!

Happy July 4th long weekend everyone!

Rave -- We leave in 4 days for Hawaii. Waikiki, volcanoes, Kauai...its all good.

Rant -- I'm not a big fan of flying and in order to get to Hawaii frpm the Boston area, it entails just a bit of flying.

Rave: July 4th weekend and we leave today for Gettysburg and Harper's Ferry.

Rave: Off work until Tuesday! Yea!

Rant: Last weeks thread being deleted..

Have a great holiday everyone and safe travels to all.

Rant: My mom fell and broke both bones in her left wrist!! She had surgery yesterday and now has a plate in her wrist. There is also nerve damage and she has little feeling in her hand.

Rave: Of course I wish the above had never happened, but the one silver lining to this cloud is that Mom broke her left wrist. Glad it wasn't the right, as she's right-handed.

Rave: Still sending out my resume, hoping for the best.

Rave: Had a long meeting w/the executive who decided to move our jobs to the city I don't like. He offered me a sweet deal to go there, so if nothing else comes along first, living there beats unemployment.

Rave: I just got a good job lead in Denver. Maybe we'll go out there some weekend and check out that city.

Rave: I'm feeling strangely optimistic about what the future holds.

Rant: This is a very sad morning for DH and I, as last night, our final act of love towards our wonderful yellow lab, Willie, was to put him down, after the ultrasound showed that the cancer had spread and the chemo wan't working. We are heartbroken and this house is so painfully empty without him.

Rave: We have 12 years of wonderful memories with this precious companion, and he will be in our hearts forever.

Rave: We are on the "prowl" for a new canine companion to love, have our sights set on one (from a canine rescue society) already - wish us luck!

Rant/Rave: Are off to the NJ shore for the weekend - we know that we need the R&R after our ordeal, but hoping our sadness doesn't interfere.

Scarlett - best of ,luck on your "Westward Ho!"

Eeva - as a fellow east coast Kauai-trekker - it's sooo worth it!

P_M - best wishes on your mom's speedy recovery and good luck on your job search - you've got a great attitude!

To all Fodorite pet owners: please give your pets a special hug and kiss in memory of our Willie.

Margot - I was in your position on April 15 with our 12 year old beagle, Lena. I am so very sorry for your loss.

Margot, I am so sad for you!! I have walked in your shoes, and I know this it a tough day. Your new dog will not take the place of Willie, but he or she will bring some joy back into your hearts. There will be healing in time.

As soon as I get home, I will give my Misty an extra and kiss hug on behalf of your Willie. And here's a hug for you. ><

reneeinva - thanks for your kind thoughts - our last dog was a beagle (Spices), whom we were fortunate to have for 16 great years!

P_M - those hugs to Misty and me will be felt and appreciated more than words can say - thanks so much.

Rave, I think: We go camping today! First time and severe storms are in the forcast After that, the weather should be beautiful. YIKES...I hear the *Survivor* theme running through my head

Rave: The outstanding people on Fodors who share their knowledge so others can have a great time! THANKS SO VERY MUCH FOR THE CAMPING ADVICE!

Rave: Being with my family

P_M: I'm so sorry to hear about your mom - I wish her a speedy recovery Continued good luck on your job search -- I have a good feeling

Eeva: Have a wonderful trip! BTW, I completely understand how you feel.

I'm sorry Margot about you dog. I remember when my mom had to put down her dog, it was so sad. Hugs to you.

Scarlett: Wishing you house hunting success. How come when I say that, I hear the "ding dong" from House Hunters? Maybe you should contact the show

Rant: ED (see first rant) Unbelieveable!

Safe travels, everyone!

Happy 4th of July!

Margott55, my heart goes out to you and your family. Willie lived a very special life filled with love and caring everyday. Any being that gets a chance to walk this earth and is fortunate enough to live within a family that loves them is blessed! Willie would'nt have wanted his life to turn out any other way. Now, chin up! A new friend is waiting to love you!

mini-rant: My unwillingness (read laziness) to proofread and edit my typing -- sorry

Happy Canada Day and Happy 4th of July!

Rave--Had a great weekend with friends that came down from Seattle last weekend. We ended up staying in downtown and making a real night of it! Stayed at the 5th Avenue Suites again and then tried way too many drinks at Henry's.

Rave--Playing tourist in our town this week. DS is at a football camp in downtown, so we are enjoying things like the zoo each day.

Rave--We will go hiking this weekend. Not sure where yet.

Rave--No rants

P_M--Hope your mother has a speedy recovery and sending you best wishes on the job search.

Margot--I know what a rough time that is for both of you. I hope the weekend is healing for you.

Seetheworld--LOL, Survivor!

RAVE, RAVE, RAVE! We've been in a rental house for over a year, holding out for a home to go on the market in the neighborhood we love. Yesterday a house went up for sale, 17 people viewed it at an "invitation only open house" and we got the contract! We'll move in a couple of months to our "dream home" -- we are so thrilled.

RANT: DH has to work (as usual) all weekend long.

HAPPY FRIDAY and HAPPY 4th EVERYONE!

Rant: Having week-long battle with the mechanical/electrical world. Had to replace keyboard yesterday; today the computer won't even power up! Am working on DH's back-up laptop, but of course, I didn't make a floppydisk copy of the paper I was frantically trying to finish by the weekend (have a paper rough draft of the first 1/2, that's all). I know my local computer-fixer people will want to keep it over the holiday weekend and into next week. I'm, as they say, skwewed.

Rant: Having to put down a beloved pet. We went through it with 2 dogs -- one basset after 14 wonderful years, one mix after a harrowing 18 months with intractable seizures. Neither way was better.

Rave: Can't think of any for the moment; maybe when I've had breakfast and if I get a break about the computer. I'll piggy-back on the raves above (jor, following what's going on in Spain?).

Ah margot I feel your pain. We lost our beloved 14 year old collie 18 months ago, and I'm still not over it. Take solance in the fact that you gave Willie a wonderful life.

Rave: Not much to do this weekend, which is nice for a change, after several weekends of weddings, BBQs, birthdays, etc etc. Quality time for DH and me.

Rant: The supreme court decision to allow Eminent Domain. Frightening!!

Guilty pleasure: Dancing with the Stars. So cheesy, I love it.

Rant: Still don't have solid vacation plans. Ugh

Happy Fourth to all!

Rant: Only a little one (2, actually)...the recent rain/cloud cover has kept me out of the pool, so tan is not what I'd hoped prior to our trip.

Have to work Saturaday...that's the 2nd.

Rave: 1) A recent job change means I ONLY have to work Sat. and NOT Sun. as well!!!
2) The best of ALL: We leave for our trip to Maui/Oahu next week!!!

8-) Belle