TerriDoodle

Oh good, Janie! Glad you like them! Now you need the matching necklace! Hope you and Suzie-Q have fun tomorrow! I know you will! Tracy, thanks for reminding me.... it seems like I remember that the B&B where we stayed did NOT require a deposit to hold the rooms...I need to go check that out and get a definite hold on the Blue House again! Or do ya'll want to just try and get a big house on the river somewhere? That could be cool, too. Keep in mind that the weather at the end of June will NOT be cool like it was in mid-May! We got crazy-lucky last time. We need to be REAL close to some water!!

first choice is SAT (San Antonio), second choice is IAH (Houston)

A hundred bucks for RAKING LEAVES??? Dang!! Can I send my son to you, Aunt Pammy?

Kat - you'll probably weigh 155 today after all that exercise you got yesterday!! Are you kidding?! So glad you had fun last night! Your life is just chuck full of NSV's lately!! :-D You go girl!!!

The only time I ever saw a psychologist was due to a relationship problem....and she was awesome. Really helped me work through what it is I wanted/needed out of life and I still hear her voice in my head. Frankly, I can relate to what mary jo said to Haydee... I think I understand where she is coming from because I had similar issues at the time. I dont think Mary Jo was making any snap judgements, but just based on her experience and the issues with Haydee and Juan, she knew that once Haydee really got her power back she may very well be ready to move on. It happened to me. It's all good, no matter how it turns out as long as you finally realize that you have the right to live the life you choose. That, indeed, may involve letting go of a long-term relationship.

Pamela -- Y'know, there might be a very good reason you are being put in the classes you are in....something that has nothing to do with math, science or social studies....but because some child(ren) need you and their angels are busy making the arrangements. I think we all know how influential teachers can be in our lives, they can be friends and even saviors. Perhaps you'll be the only teacher one of these kids has ever had that paid any real attention to them. Perhaps you are the one that finally ignites their desire to learn. And you may not ever be aware of the influence you've had!! The best teacher I ever had was a lady named Mrs. Quick. I am sure she's been dead for many years by now but I regret never having told her that the (English) education she crammed down our throats and the high expectations she had for us were exactly what we needed at the time. She was awesome and taught me so much. I never got to thank her, but I think about her very often. So,....be on the lookout for angels....they must be very busy this time of year.

Pamela -- posting this especially for you, and any other heathens who enjoy a glass or three of Sangria..... Classic Spanish Sangria This is an authentic version of the popular wine drink. You can add any fruit that you want, but I find that apples and pears absorb all the rum. This one is not diluted with carbonated beverages. I have much success with red Burgundy wine and white rum, though spiced rum is nice too. Servings: 6 (or one!?) Ingredients: 1 lemon 1 lime 1 orange 1 1/2 cups rum 1/2 cup white sugar 1 (750 milliliter) bottle dry red wine 1 cup orange juice Directions: 1. Have the fruit, rum, wine, and orange juice well chilled. Slice the lemon, lime and orange into thin rounds and place in a large glass pitcher. Pour in the rum and sugar. Chill in refrigerator for 2 hours to develop the flavors. 2. When ready to serve, crush the fruit lightly with a wooden spoon and stir in the wine and orange juice. Adjust sweetness to taste. Variations suggested by some reviewers: Add Sprite or Ginger Ale to make less strong (have this on hand just in case) Blackberry wine instead of red Use cheaper wine, not expensive Spiced rum instead of regular Cut rum in half Add cut up apples, kiwi, strawberries, and/or blueberries Soak fruit overnight in rum and sugar mixture

Wow, that's really interesting, Haydee! She sounds refreshingly honest. Where's her office and how much does she charge?? Vinegar, huh? 2 minutes, huh? Vinegar's pretty freakin' nasty!! I wonder if I could do it?!

Awww!!!! What a good teacher you were!! All this talk about kids going off to school has me all sentimental!! All the folks around my office are more my age...and many have kids going off to college now for their first year away from home!!! Now THAT will put a lump in your throat!!! I am so glad mine is staying at home this first year. I don't think I could take it!:tongue_smilie:

:musical_note:I love my Violets:musical_note: :tongue_smilie:Oh yes I do.... :biggrin: :musical_note:I love my Violets:musical_note: :musical_note:And I'll be true...:tt1: :musical_note:When I'm not with them:musical_note: :musical_note:I'm bluuuuuuue:musical_note: :musical_note:Oh, Violets I love you!:musical_note: :biggrin:

Pamela - Well he's referred to that space in between "the trigger" and "the eating" as what needs to be fixed...so I imagine he is going somewhere like, "It's okay to sit with your feelings for a while...journal, appropriately re-direct your response, re-claim your power, blah blah blah." LOL We'll see!? Better be damn revolutionary, that's all I gotta say!

I'll do it today at lunch! I"m always looking for a good excuse to get out of this HOLE!! 'in the mood'...LOL!! Did you find that you wanted to eat?? (See, I'm reading!) Haydee - I don't envy that chore of yours!! It took us months to go thru my mom's stuff, but then again she was downsizing from 1600 sq ft+ attic+ garage, to 500 sq feet with only one closet!! Now she's down to a bed and 1/2 of a closet! TracyinKS - Well, I guess that's about the best you can expect from Charles! At least he wasn't a raving lunatic about it! I'm so proud of you for sticking up for yourself and setting higher standards for your marriage. My ex-husband used to rage and call me all kinds of horrible names in front of my then-4 year old son. That's where I drew the line and he crossed it!

Tracy - There's an Academy right by my office... what size/style and I'll be happy to go look.

Tracy- So how'd it go on the phone with DH last night? Things settling down at all?

Janie - I'm reading Knitting Club, too......and I also find it a bit slow. Wondering how it made the bestseller list!? Sheri - Welcome!! And major congratulations to you on losing that 80#!! You are my hero today!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE your hair Tracy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love it!! Really!!! What a great move on your part!! Just wonderful! You did a great job styling it yourself this morning, too!

Would somebody please email the latest address list?....I don't have access to my old computer and the list is filed on it. :whatchutalkingabout

Pam, I started reading the book, but I'm only on about page 10....i've been busy making your jewelry! I'm glad to hear it's worth reading. Maybe I'll curl up with it tonight.

COULD YOU STAY HERE OR WHAT??? OMG! Vacation New Braunfels - Lil Ponderosa - Canyon Lake Texas (TX)

Tracy, so let me get this straight?! He threatens you with divorce, then you go to your sisters, then he begs you to come home?? OMG!!!! But the blocking you in thing at the daycare would scare the shit out of me! Been there done that!! Being caged in like that just sends me over the top....I get like a crazed baboon if someone backs me into a corner or blocks my exit in any way!! But hey, you're skinny now so who the hell cares about all that other stuff?! LOL!!! WOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

Last weekend in June works for me also. Ok, so there are two problems to consider regarding taking a cruise: 1) The vast majority of them sail from Florida....which would be a day-long trip for a few of you. 2) Yes, you can get cruises from Galveston or New Orleans, but there are only a few choices. Out of Galveston there are two around our dates: one is a 5 day ($659) and the other is a 7 day ($979). There is a 4 day out of New Orleans ($479) but it departs June 18. So in order to maximize our options, you have to depart from Florida...Orlando, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, etc. If we do that, then that adds a lot of travel time for some people. So if we move back to the 'middle' of the country again...that's where Texas lies! Which makes sense for all the same reasons it did in May. And again, in order for it to work for everyone, think of areas that are in the middle of the country and around MAJOR hubs. Is there anything we can get to through Chicago?? I'm clueless about the north. Judy? Any ideas? I'm open to anything at all.... I'm just throwing these thoughts out there.

(((TracyinKS)))) What the hell, girlfriend?? What is his freakin' problem??

Well, Kat...not everything in Colorado is 'off season' in the summer. Many places that aren't ski resorts consider the summer as peak season. So a ski resort is best for the summer....but then they are hours away from Denver and CO Springs. I checked on a few in Woodland Park but they are only rentable by the week. There is one that is doable and is way cool, Colorado Bed and Breakfast Inn Lodging Pikes Peak Cascade CO but is $850 a night for the whole lodge....probably close to $100/night/person. Beautiful place, check it out. I think a cruise is sounding better and better all the time. That way if DH's want to come there is stuff for them to do. I'll check on Galveston and New Orleans departures.

2nd half of June works for me the best. The kids and I take our annual vacation to the hill country to meet with other families the 1st weekend in June and we can't miss that. The only objection I have about Phoenix or Sedona is that spas are expensive, aren't they? I know when I went to one (once!) in Austin, the weekend ended up costing me like $600 and I only got a massage and an exfoliation. I just wasn't all that impressed. The UPside is that Phoenix is a pretty good travel hub. My hubby wouldn't come unless we did a cruise. Seems like we're all in agreement (?) that the best part of last years' trip was just sitting on the patio in our pajamas and gabbing....am I right? Although Gruene Hall was a hoot, too. So that's why I mentioned a lake house or beach house type activity....or LACK of activity...where we can get some serious patio time. I've traveled around Colorado quite a bit and the closest neat-o town to a 'hub' is Woodland Park....maybe 40 mins outside of Colorado Springs. Dang, I wish we could afford the Broadmoor...that place is incredible!!! When I win the lottery, I'll treat you all! Just for grins, can ya'll check to see what kind of travel nightmare it would be for each of you to get to Colorado Springs...say by 2:00?

Suzie - I, too, think it is your responsibility to tell his parents ....if for no other reason than so they can toss his room! (Did you say how old he is? I missed it if you did.) This is how the trouble with my son started and it turned out that the poor kid was self-medicating ...turns out he is bi-polar! I definitely think you need to tell his parents. If it were me I sure as heck would want to know! If they want to bury their heads in the sand and deny that it could be him that took the pills then at least you have done your job. Thanks for the card, Pammy!! You're such a doll. MMmmmmmuah!