seetheworld, sorry to hear your son was robbed due to a moron. Hold that thought, because I am about to post a thread about an unlocked door.

I'll try to keep the big guy out of trouble, but I can't make any promises.... :-d

beachbum, Actually governmental agencies Do return my phone calls. County Extension Agent, County Highway Dept. County Engineer, County Shoreline Mgmt. Dept., Sheriff's office, my state representative, County Recorder's office, School Board President, and Township Chairman. They have all returned calls the same day.

I wish private contractors were this responsive. They really are non-responsive. One electrical contractor I called to ask about installing ceiling fans and he called back Five months later and told me he was following up on my call!

Rant: The rain! but then again it reminds me of an English winter, which is preferable to a New England winter :-)

Rave: our sump pump hasn’t kicked in yet even though we’ve had 10”+ in the last week.

Rant: Why is our Mortgage Company charging us $700 a month for flood cover? Our insurance company is supposed to be dealing with this but after many phone calls it’s still not sorted out? Think we’ll have to change Insurance Companies!

Rave: Have done a major cleanout of the house and everything is spick-and-span.

Rant: DS has to have glasses, he had a test last year at school and they were supposed to contact us to get him tested. They didn’t, and it wasn’t until I took him for his Drivers Permit that I discovered that he needed glasses.

Rave: he only needs them for distance and driving.

Rave: The weather is supposed to improve on Sunday :-D

Thanks so much to everyone for their good wishes!

Tiff, Happy Anniversary! They always say the first year is the hardest. If you can make it through that and the 2nd and still say something so sweet about him, you're off to a very good start!

When are you taking your trip to Israel, Faina? Sounds great!

Paula, I'm so sorry to hear about your ex. And how wonderful of you to help. I know he's the father of your children and that you're doing it for them. But it's still a wonderful thing to do for an ex. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Happy Birthday, starrsville! I'm so glad you feel your negativity has decreased enough to post again! And that you have so much support in your life. Boy, do I know what you mean about those roller coasters!

When I thanked you earlier Jocelyn, I forgot to wish you a Happy Birthday!

ethel, so sorry you're still feeling down. Wishing you nothing but raves (that you don't have to work to come up with!) next Friday!

Good luck with that 20 miles, GoTravel!
How long 'til the marathon?

Your fair menu sounds fantastic, Bonnie! Especially the fries and corn!

Praying for the rain to end for all of you having flooding problems or worried that you will have flooding problems.

stw, I'm so sorry to hear about what happened to your son. Makes *me* want to strangle the moron! If, God forbid, it happens again, I certainly *would* call his mother! Thank goodness they didn't get your son's laptop. And that you have insurance!

Starrsville, did I miss your birthday?!? Happy Birthday to YOU! :D

Hey there Caph...my son has been robbed twice (he's only a sophmore for pete's sake). I'm getting him a single next year!

My apologies, starrsville. A very Happy Birthday to you!! I am jealous that you are in Savannah. I've always wanted to go there.

Someday....

Rave: Congratulations Tiff on your anniversary. Your right, attitude is everything. My husband and I are approaching our 36th and I still wouldn't spend my time with anyone but him.

stw, Hampshire has a lot of singles. In fact, 80% of their freshman housing is singles. So my daughter has been in one both years. I think there's a lot to be said for it! Obviously, you avoid the situation your son has. And I think it's much easier for only girls or only boys who've never had to share a room at home.

There's so much socialization in the lounge on their section of the dorm floor that I don't think they miss out on anything by not having a roommate.

Eeva - I read that comment. Its ridiculous. Only once have I encountered a less than satisfactory teacher and fortunately she left. I can't speak for the middle school teachers yet because I haven't met them but certainly the Page School has an abundance of good teachers.

So many Raves: CAPH'S husbands good medical report. I join everyone else dear CAPH in celebrating this wonderful news! ((F))

Happy Birthday wishes to Starsville and Jocelyn and all other Fodorites that are celebrating birthdays this coming week. May all of your birthdays be filled with joy and may your coming year be a good one. ((^))

Congratulations dear Faina for planning a trip to Isreal. That will be a trip that you will remember for a lifetime.

My very best wishes to you dear Tiff and your husband for a beautiful Second Wedding Anniversary Celebration this weekend. ((L))

Wishing everyone a beautiful weekend, may all weather conditions for those in the northeast get better. May everyone hear nothing but good news for the next month. May everyone be surrounded by those that love them.

Thanks, LoveItaly!

I forgot to mention that today was also my husband's birthday. Those test results were undoubtedly the best birthday gift he's ever gotten!

Oh dear CAPH, your husband must be celebrating his birthday today with such joy as you all are. A true birthday present from heaven!!! A very special birthday wish to your husband, may he have many decades more!
Blessing to all of you dear one.

Happy birthday Starrsville, my b-day buddy! :D

If I could remember how to bold on fodors, I would---CAPH!!!! Yay!! What a unbelievable bday gift for your husband. I am beyond thrilled to hear the good news.

Happy Bday to Mr. CAPH, Starrsville and Joclyn((^))

To GoT's new pup ((&))

To Tiff and Mr. Tiff's anniversary OWJ2 and I celebrate anniv. #2 in about 6mo. To wonderful, happy things this year, sweetie!!((L))

Rant/Rave: We have friends coming over today to watch the FL v LSU game and I am messing around on fodors instead of straightening up and baking choc. chip brownies.

Rant: My husband's boss, our friend, is getting a divorce. It's not that we didn't see this coming for a long time but it's so sad. They have 3 awesome girls. On top of it, this guy has to have surgery next week. He is not having a good year!

Rant: I want to diet but can't seem to get my mouth to shut. Bonnie, any advice?

Rave: My husband loves me unconditionally and never makes me feel fat.

Rave: In fact he tells me I'm beautiful, even when I don't feel that way.

Rave: One more cheer for CAPH's news!!!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone. Stay dry.

Oh, and STW...I know this guy named Joey in NJ who may be able to help your son w/his moronic roommate. :d

CAPH
What wonderful news! I know it is a great day for the two of you! What a Birthday present, the best ever.

Happy belated Birthday to Starrsville and Joclyn, hope your special day was fun.

Dear heavens starrsville, I am so sorry, Happy Birthday to you too! And there you are in one of my FAVORITE cities ~ Savannah! My DH and I loved that city so very much. I don't know how I didn't see your post the first time through. ((^))

OWJ ~ Thank you doll, and yes indeed here's to wonderful, happy things this year, sweetie!! Happy things indeed! >:D<

Thanks again to all that wished such wonderful wishes to my fella and I. I love hearing how long everyone else has been married, and all the good thoughts. It makes me smile and kinda sentimental all at the same time. I am 38, Mr. Tiff is 47. When your true love finds you at this point in life you know that you'll never hit that 60 years of marriage, although I am holding on to the hopes on 50, hee! Mr. Tiff would be 95, it could happen, my sweet Nana lived to 92, and still cleaned her own house! I just so appreciate every day I have with him, I guess that is what you learn as the years go on, cherishing everything that really matters.

Ok, I'm going now before some troll flames me for being the sentimental fool that I am, HEHEHEHE, Ahhhhhhhhh, heck with that, I am proud to be a little fool! Hee, it better than being a lil #-o !

p.s. Wanted to share I am surprising Mr. Tiff with primo Paul McCartney tickets as his anniversary gift and I wanted to thank you OWJ, for your tips on the concert particulars, it helped me greatly in my seat selection. I know he will be very surprised, I think he thinks he's getting Tivo, HA!

And by the way OWJ ~ Of course Mr. OWJ never makes you feel _____. (I loathe that word). I am certain he sees what I saw when I viewed the GTG pix. Your beautiful smile and sparkling eyes that lit up the room! ((K)) May we always feel that lovely with our sweeties!

CAPH52, I ((d)) to your husband's good news!!! I am SO HAPPY (as in turning- cartwheels) for both of you!!! :-d

((g)) Happy birthday, Starrsville! Many, many more ...

My State Fair menu turned out like this: Pork BBQ sandwich, Al's Fries, Roast Corn, Deep Fried Dill pickles (not too greasy, and excellent with the Ranch, Jocelyn!. (And my friend's Caramel birthday cake when we got home!) Ncgrrl, my friend tried the NC State milk shake, thought it was good, says she still prefers the ice cream. My DH had his usual HUGE ice cream cone! :-)

OWJ, I can't give you diet advice at the moment. The pounds I "allowed" myself to gain this summer are still hanging so I'm working on re-losing those. :'( Not easy, as we've had big family stresses/crisis (AND state fairs and football games) but I WILL!!! Will keep you posted ...

Enjoy the rest of the weekend, all!

Seetheworld,

There are a few restaurants here in Tulsa that do the fried pickles. I resisted at first, but DH talked me into it. They're similar in texture to fried zucchini, but with that sour tang! Yum! They're best when they're fried whole, or cut lenthwise. I had some once that were the chips and it was way too much batter and too little pickle. Ah, the joys of fine cuisine, eh? LOL

Bonnie, the fair food sounds awesome. I'm a sucker for the roasted corn. But, no funnel cakes? Take your time with the weight loss; you've had a lot on your mind lately.

Tiff, I never said Happy Anniversary! Wishing you many years of continued happiness. ((L))

Thanks so much for the good wishes, guys!

OWJ and Bonnie, I feel your pain! About a year ago I managed to get down 12 pounds (nowhere near what I need to lose, but a start!). I then went on to regain pretty much all of it over the Holidays. I've never been able to get back to that 12 lb. down mark since. I lost maybe seven or eight of it last spring. Right now I'm scared to death to get on the scale. I suspect I've regained every bit plus some! Geez, it's so frustrating!