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Chat & Greetings 2005 Re: Chat & Greetings 2005 I love the smell of coffee, but I can't stand the taste. We've been having quite a bit of hot weather here too. We did get some rain yesterday, so that cooled things down a bit. Mr. Eponine and I decided to put heat blocking window film in our bedroom to try to cool it down a bit. My mother-in-law came over yesterday to help me hang it, and it was quite an experience. I hope everyone is having a great day! Eponine, I have some of that up in my bedroom windows and I think it makes a difference. At least that's what I'm hoping. It's hard to tell when the temperatures are so high. The AC doesn't seem to cool any part of the house really well except for right in front of it. Oh well, the hottest part of summer should be passing soon. Many people have asked what Grits are. I can't really describe them other than to say they are made of corn and are similar to cream of wheat. I guess most people eat them with salt and butter. I like them sweet. Anyway. I'm jealous of everyone at Accio. I hope they are having a great time. Solitaire - Jul 30, 2005 8:02 am (#2053 of 2963) I've been checking my email, as Elanor said she would write if she got near a computer. Since I have not heard from her, I am assuming they are just having way too much fun to bother with writing. I hope so, anyway! Just for the record, I love BOTH tea and coffee. One of my favorite summer drinks is Good Earth Sweet & Spicy ice tea. MMMMMmmm!!! I also love (any time of the year) a big, hot Starbucks Caramel Macchiato. It's my favorite coffee drink, although the only one I've had in the last 18 months or so was around Easter. Their prices were bad enough when I discovered them, and they are now past ridiculous for my budget. I have contented myself with learning to brew a pretty tasty cup on my own. Trader Joe's has much friendlier coffee prices than most places, and grinding my own beans means my coffee is always fresh and tasty! In fact, I'm on my way to get my hair cut. I think I may treat myself to a cup from Supreme Bean ... I have a gift certificate! **waving** See you later! Solitaire Sorry, no coffee or grits for me. And Dr. Pepper doesn't usually find my mouth either… So Kip posted that message in the posting guidelines this morning at 1:17 Forum Time? Would that be 4:17 AM his time? Sure hope he's got an alarm clock… Happy Saturday all! Saralinda Again - Jul 30, 2005 8:11 am (#2055 of 2963) I love coffee, but when I quit smoking I had to let go of coffee too. The minute I smell coffee, I want those stupid burning leaves in my other hand ... (sigh) Saralinda, that's a great accomplishment. Coffee and caffine aren't the greatest thing for our bodies (mostly why I drink decaf only) so good for you!! Solitaire, Carmel Macchiato is also my favorite drink. Of course, I get decaf. Next time you get one you should ask for it "upside down" that makes it so all the flavors get mixed up before you drink it so the sweet stuff isn't just in the last few sips:) Yummy. I Am Used Vlad - Jul 30, 2005 8:53 am (#2057 of 2963) I love coffee, but I'm thinking about either giving it up or switching to decaf. It gets old when your first thought every morning is "must get caffeine now." I go for plain black coffee; no exotic flavors or sweeteners for me. Finn, Kip is normally up about that time every day That is the time when he does a lot of the behind the scenes stuff on the Forum. Ludicrous Patents Office - Jul 30, 2005 9:33 am (#2059 of 2963) I love a nice hot vanilla chai in the morning. I can't make the leap to cold chai yet. Chai has replaced my coffee habit. That is pretty darn considerate of Kip to take care of things at that hour. I thought getting up at five was bad! LPO Kip Carter - Jul 30, 2005 10:04 am (#2060 of 2963) LPO, I generally wake up around 2 a.m. Forum time) every day regardless of when I go to sleep. I immediately see if there is anything pressing on the Forums, especially looking at messages from our Hosts and the World Crossing Support Forum. I then check my email and answer those that I can immediately, with the others handled whenever I am able. I then try to read as much as I can on the Forum before the new day kicks in at 3:00 a.m. my time (midnight Forum time), including moving as many new members from Read Only to Participant, sending each a reply email, and trying to answer questions or straighten problems out for those who have trouble following the "Joining" process. Shortly after three, I print out about twelve pages from the Forum that I use to compile my daily report of what has happened in the past twenty-four hours. Much of the stuff is not completed until 4 to 5 my time, especially lately with the release of Book Six and the huge increase in members. Along the way, I try to forecast a little ahead to see what possibly will be needed in the next couple of days. The main reason I have chosen this time of the morning to get things done is no telephone calls, very little traffic on the Forums, and it's quiet, cool, and I'm refreshed from a good night’s sleep (2 to 4 hours normally). After everything is completely for the Forums, I try to get some work done for my clients (those are the ones that pay the bills!) before I break for breakfast about 6 to 6:30. This is a typical day. Some days are a little more challenging and some are very easy. And yes, I enjoy doing it. I have been doing this now for soon to be three years and I have yet to grow tire of what happens. Our Hosts try to keep most of the thread work off of my shoulders by reading the threads plus editing or deleting posts, as necessary. I am very fortunate to have a great group of people with whom I work. And so that you and everyone else knows, every Hosts is aware of what actions the other Hosts are involved. We are consulting on a regular basis to keep things working smoothly. I hope this answers your concerns and thank you and the others who care about what we, as Hosts, do! I feel so good right now that I just gave every Hosts a 100 percent pay raise. Ludicrous Patents Office - Jul 30, 2005 10:30 am (#2061 of 2963) Kip, The most important thing I can say is Thank You! The Forum runs smoothly. It is a very welcoming place. The guidelines are clear and easy to follow. I think you did a wonderful job handling HBP. That was a solution that worked very well. The hours you and the Hosts put in are amazing. We have discussed what a rare opportunity this is. No generation will have the time to discuss the books like we have. Thank you for the opportunity to do so. LPO Stephanie M. - Jul 30, 2005 10:37 am (#2062 of 2963) I love Dr. Pepper too, but Diet Coke is my personal favorite. I don't care if it's Caffine free, I just love the taste of it. On a totally different note. I had the strangest dream last night. And I'm sure it was because I was reading this thread a couple of hours before I went to sleep. So in my dream I was riding a bike down a street (I have no idea why I was riding a bike, I haven't been on a bike in a very long time because I live in New York City and I don't have a country house.) and I passed a coffee shop and people were outside screaming, "I hate Coffee! Make us food instead of coffee! Give us corn on the cob!" And I thought that was really strange because if they didn't like coffee then why wouldn't they just go find a place that makes tea? And why would they ask for corn on the cob at a coffee shop? So I continued to go down the street and then I see Finn. And Finn comes running up to me and says, "Stephanie! Look at my new hair cut!!! Isn't it cool?!" And Finn had this frizzy blonde Afro. Finn, It looked horrible!!! Never grow an Afro! Your lucky you have strait hair! Other stuff happened in the dream, but this was the only part that really had to do with the Forum. Some of my other friends were in it too. One was trying to sell me stuff and the other was asking me to help her plan her pool party. Then I woke up at the end of the road. I had another dream that there were Over 7,000 posts in the Spoiler Thread. Then it led into the riding the bike down the road dream. Off to read the hundreds of posts in the Spoilers Thread! Maybe I should just press The Magic Button? Edit: Wow! Kip your amazing! Thank you and everyone else for what you guys have to do! I must say this is an amazing Forum and it runs very smoothly! I agree that the Forum has handled the HBP wonderfully! I do peek at the "old" threads from time to time ... but the new ones keep me pretty busy. About the coffee business ... Mandy (I think it was you), every sip of my Caramel Macchiato always tastes good, so perhaps they are "upside down." Alas, I did not get one today, after all. I got sidetracked. While I love coffee, I have only made it a few times since school was out. I've been sleeping later and getting started later. By the time I'm up and around, it's often too late; I'm not interested in coffee in the middle of a hot day. I love it in the morning or as evening dessert--although I limit myself to one mug per day. I don't worry too much about caffeine. I rarely drink cokes, as I prefer water or iced tea with lemon. MUCH more refreshing in 100+ degree weather. Solitaire Herm oh ninny - Jul 30, 2005 11:44 am (#2064 of 2963) I have already had my coffee for the day, but after reading all these posts I'm ready to run right back to Dunkin Donuts!!! I somehow can't picture anyone w/ a frizzy blonde afro, let alone Finn! lol I have only had Dr. Pepper once and that was because our waiter brought it to me by mistake. I don't remember what it tasted like. I usually go for a diet Pepsi w/ lemon. Some of you guys actually have bats in your back yards? That's soo cool! The only thing I ever find in my back yard is the occasional stray cat! Well, Catherine, my children expressed the wish to have a house with the tower for the bats and I have promised them that we will make it one day when we become rich. Actually, I like bats (mice as well), but there is a slight problem concerning dirt when you let them share a home with you. We have plenty of bats around here, so I don't dare imagine what would be our problems with mosquitos if we hadn't them. I'm not really able to start my day without a nice big cup of warm coffee mixed with the chocolate milk, but I can completely understand you, Catherine. I don't like to cook or make food that I don't like to eat. So, anybody who wants to eat something that I don't like, has to do it himself. Very interesting dream, Stephanie. Maybe you really spend too much time on the Forum? Herm oh ninny - Jul 30, 2005 2:58 pm (#2066 of 2963) Now Lina, can you really spend too much time on the forum? (family is now trying to pry the laptop out of my hands) Yay! I have officially caught up on all the posts!! VeronikaG - Jul 30, 2005 3:21 pm (#2067 of 2963) Hooray! And so is Harry! And Jo is...? Happy Birthday, Veronika! You were born the exact same day and year as Neville (or, in Norway, is it July 31 already, in which case you were born the same day as Harry… Jo is turning 40 tomorrow. (Oooooooooh… Fascinating dream, Steph. I just sure hope it doesn't come true. Those poor Dunkin' Donuts people… Hooray! We can almost post HBP stuff in the normal threads. Be prepared to get spoiled… Ludicrous Patents Office - Jul 30, 2005 4:08 pm (#2069 of 2963) Happy Birthday Veronika! A quarter of a century... LPO Gratulerer med dagen, Veronika!! Thank you for all good tips concerning corn on the cob - they will be devoured tomorrow (unfortunate delay, but, alas) I am one of those people who do not like tea or coffee (or wine or beer, for that matter), but hopelessly addicted to Diet Coke... and I can't WAIT to get my hand on some raspberry iced tea when I get to the states **practically drooling** I am planning on sending out a mass email to my US friends, with the headline 'The Norwegian Invasion that's gripping the Nation...' As far as grits is concerned, I got some - hm - at a Crackerbarrel down south a couple of times, and although the service and biscuits were impeccable, grits reminded me of sawdust mixed with a light gravy to almost a pudding state... CONGRATULATIONS to our Accio presenters, for doing a great job - I can't wait to get all the details and pictures!! And Soli - that sounded absolutely dreadful!! Although I must say I was most intrigued by the notion of frying eggs on the sidewalk - I am such a child... Kip - that is not a lot of sleep.... I don't know how you do it.... Have a splendid evening, all!! After all the corn on the cob talk, I had to get some to go with dinner. Everyone in the house had some...the guinea pigs had whole pieces (husk, silk and corn), the birds had just pieces of corn and the humans had steamed corn on the cob. The dogs were the only ones who didn't partake since corn cobs are dangerous for them. Grits - trust me when I say they are probably an acquired taste and truly, bland without much flavor. You can buy instant grits much like you can buy instant oatmeal. Personally, I can take or leave grits and usually leave them. Right now, my drink of choice is plain ole ice water. Loads and loads of ice and water. Gina R Snape - Jul 30, 2005 6:15 pm (#2072 of 2963) Greetings one and all! Mare informed me at dinner this evening that you heard the joyous news regarding Snape's trial. I am happy to report the defence used one of my arguments and got the second charge dropped. I can assure you that, in the event of a guilty charge, Severus would not have been dragged off to Azkaban. Nonetheless, the Snape household is overjoyed, and thanks for asking after me! I am, however, a little concerned about the rather Skeeter-ish reporting of said trial. I found it disconcertingly biased. :koffwrittenbytheprosecutionloserskoff: It's been great fun meeting Mare and Detail Seeker and Septentrion and Elanor and Steve Vander Ark, and I would post more but I am just about ready to pass out now. So, bye for now! Doris Crockford - Jul 30, 2005 6:59 pm (#2073 of 2963) Wow, Kip! That's a lot of work on not a lot of sleep! But you do an amazing job. Thanks so much for all the work you do! I'm at my cottage, and we always pick some up fresh from the roadside stands on the way up, so we've had corn last night and tonight. But they were kinda puny. Still good, though. I really don't like coffee, and I can either take or leave tea. I like Dr. Pepper, but I try not to have pop too much, and have milk instead. I also can't wait to hear how Accio went. I'm sure everyone enjoyed it, and Elanor's presentation went well, but I'm very curious about the result of the Snape trial. Edit: Yay! Good job Gina! After reading your defence, I knew you'd be able to persuade them! Happy birthday, Veronika! Hope your birthday is wonderful! And happy birthday to Neville, JKR, and Harry! (and if you're wondering how I can do all three- it's still the 30th where I am, but the 31st in England!) Saralinda Again - Jul 30, 2005 7:07 pm (#2074 of 2963) Where is Gina's defense posted? Solitaire - Jul 30, 2005 7:45 pm (#2075 of 2963) LOL Ponine! I find the "cooking on the sidewalk" thing intriguing, as well. I'm not a child ... but I do my best to think like a junior higher ... hehe! Sometimes I think that proverb--Growing old is mandatory; growing UP is optional!--was written for me! Happy Birthday, Veronika! I hope you are celebrating properly! I leave tomorrow for a week at the beach ... or should I say ON the beach! My cousin has graciously loaned me his vacation home--across the street from the beach--for the next seven days. I can't wait! Now, I only hope we do not get a heat wave there. If we do, I may cry! Anyway, I'll see you all in a week! Solitaire Gina's Snape Defense archivist’s note: The original link in this post did not archive. However, Gina’s defense can still be found at Occlumency, a Severus Snape archive, hosted by Sycophant Hex. Have a great vacation, Solitaire. (If you worked in our district, your school would start Monday!) Happy Birthday Veronika I Am Used Vlad - Jul 30, 2005 8:15 pm (#2077 of 2963) Happy Birthday, Veronika. Have fun, Solitaire. Oh my goodness, it's Charlie Chaplin Buster Keaton again. Have a great time, Solitaire. I've always longed for a week-long vacation like that. To those concerned, yes, the bunk beds do have railings. We even got one for the bottom bunk, as Maya sometimes rolls out of bed at night. Plus, in a few years when the baby needs a bed, we'll have a side rail for her. Trust me, I have been dreading the changing of sheets. I fear I will take on the chore much less often than is sanitary. At 32 weeks pregnant it was great fun climbing up there figuring out how to make a bed while in it! I can't drink caffeine due to my heart arrythmia, but I love herbal teas in winter. I've been off it so long if I accidently get some I get shakey hands and then a migraine. Mostly I drink water, milk, and occasionally lemonade in summer or a rare soda. Tatsed Dr. Pepper once. Nasty stuff. Grits? Never had them, I don't think. Tried biscuits and gravy once, but it was too heavy for me. Took the kids to Canobie Lake last night (amusement park.) Mostly Kiddie rides, as they are too small and my belly is too big for much else, though I did get to ride the teas cups. (Alas, I missed the roller coaster *sigh*) Had fun, but didn't get home until after 10pm, and the cotton candy had my 3 year old awake until 11pm! Let's see Finn, you'll leave college about 19 years after I completed graduate school. (Wow, it's already been 10 years? Amazing, because I'm not a day older!) Thanks to Kip and other hosts! Stephanie, hope your grandmother is okay. I've been down that road with relatives, too. Healing charms her way! Kathy Ludicrous Patents Office - Jul 30, 2005 9:08 pm (#2080 of 2963) Have a great time Solitaire. LPO Thanks for the well-wishes. It may make you feel a bit better to know that my last vacation was in 2003. I spent two weeks on the road, driving my friends from Florida and Australia to visit our other California chat buddies around the state. We started at LAX and went to Disneyland to meet several others. Then we went to Tijuana for a day, San Diego for a few days, back up to Central California for July 3rd-4th (who wants to be on the roads then?), on to Sacramento and San Francisco for several days to meet more friends and see the sights, and then back down to LAX to fly home. I met about 30 or more wonderful chat buddies, and it was an absolute ball. However, it was very exhausting, and we were in the midst of a record-breaking heat wave, not unlike the current one. Since then, I have been out of town exactly twice: two one-day field trips to Los Angeles. Both trips took approximately 3 hours down and 5 hours back ... and I endured both trapped in a school bus with about 60 7th grade girls. If our kids weren't wonderful, it would have been a nightmare! LOL Ah, the life of a junior high teacher is so glamorous and exciting! Solitaire The giant squid - Jul 31, 2005 1:09 am (#2082 of 2963) Stephanie, I hope you meant Caffiene Free Diet Coke...regular Diet Coke has no sugar, but just as much caffiene as the red can. Like the rest of you non-coffee drinkers, I do drink hot tea (even prefer it to iced tea, soemthing the folks in Georgia couldn't fathom...). I don't know why I prefer Dr. Pepper over other colas; all I can say is that it goes well with Twizzlers when playing D&D at 2 in the morning. Soli, here's hoping your vacation goes well. Next time, Vegas! --Mike CatherineHermiona - Jul 31, 2005 1:32 am (#2083 of 2963) I was on the beach yesterday and I was playing with my youngest sister in shallow because she is so afraid of water and she is going in water only there where she can stand. Then I took her only a bit over place where she can stand. Then she started to yelling at me to help her and I told her to swim to place where she can stand. She did it. Then, bit by bit, we were going more and more in water to place where I neither I can stand. First I helped her with my arms but after two, three times she wanted to try alone. She was so excited. I was so excited. We couldn't wait to tell mum (mum didn't go with us). I can't wait today when mum will go with us. She will be so surprised. Kate VeronikaG - Jul 31, 2005 6:12 am (#2084 of 2963) Thanx for the congratulations. I do indeed share Harry and Jo's birthday. When I discowered that I hoped it meant that I will become as talented awriter as Jo someday. Yay for Kate teaching her littlest sister to swim! Twizzlers, blech! Red Vines are the only real red licorice ropes. I don't like Dr. Pepper, never have but my kids loooove Dr. Thunder, the cheapo Wal-Mart version of Dr. Pepper. My 4 year old woke me up this morning by opening the garage door. I had replaced the battery in the remote that is in our truck and it was sitting on the kitchen table. He decided to open it. He didn't realize that since my bedroom is right next to the garage, I would hear it and come shooting out of bed to see who was opening the garage. When I asked him why he opened it, he gave me the deer in the headlights look "I don't know" Happy Birthday to Jo and Harry! Well done Kate on teaching your sister to swim! That's something I couldn't have done! Have a great holiday Solitaire! Happy birthdays to Veronika, Harry and JKR! On a side note, has anyone read what Terry Pratchett said about the HP books today? I was so annoyed I'm now considering not reading the book of his currently sitting on my desk. He sounded bitter... I was not impressed... Real liquorice is much better than red liquorice. Although I generally love anything sweet and sugary! Dr Pepper is nice, but I tend to avoid fizzy pop nowadays. Water is the only thing that quenches my thirst. Hmmm, a 4-year-old opening a garage door...sounds intelligent! Smart kids you got there Denise! Congrats, Kate! I tried with my cousin this summer and had a little bit of success, but sounds like you did very well! Yes, azi, I have been debating to read Terry Pratchett or not but after that… he sounds like the rudest person I will ever meet. "You'd think the witches, wizards, etc., would give her a clue?" Who does he think he is? Seriously! I think I am going to change my user name from fbv807 to Finn B.V. It is too confusing with everybody calling me fbv807. I know it might stop a little continuity but the spoiler period thankfully interrupted everything on the flow of the normal threads, so when we get back to the usual way of posting everything will start "anew." Saralinda Again - Jul 31, 2005 8:28 am (#2088 of 2963) fbv/Finn: I think I am going to change my user name from fbv807 to Finn B.V. Oh, maybe a day or so of people going, "Huh?" but folks here are remarkably flexible and have steep, steep learning curves. This is my second name too (World Crossing's fault, though) and to best of my knowledge, nobody has ever "lost" me. Kate: congrats on getting the sib into the water. With my son, he kicked up a fuss even at his baptism (Don't wash my hair!) so when we got to the Atlantic in 1981 I saw a week's worth of tears ahead of me. He wound up standing neck-deep in the ocean for six days, letting the waves crash over his head (he was 7) but I had nothing to do with it. When he doped out that the Titanic was out there somewhere, all he wanted to do was get as close as possible to it. He hasn't been afraid of water since. But I do wish I could have claimed the credit. You go, girl! This is my second name, I changed from Denise P. for awhile since we had Denise S. as well. Your avatar is usually a clue as to who you are...unless you are like me and change your avatar more often than the wind changes directions. We just took our big bird cage out for its monthly scrub down. This is where all toys, perches, dishes etc come out, get sprayed down and scrubbed clean. We do this weekly but not to the extent this is. It takes about an hour to do and then put the cage back together with new toys, perches rearranged. Piper, the bird, always looks a bit disgruntled when we do this but she gets used to it quickly. I will have to get a picture of her to put up, along with our other bird, Mist. Stephanie M. - Jul 31, 2005 10:16 am (#2090 of 2963) I remember when my sister attempted to teach me to swim! It was a HORRIBLE day! LOL. We got to the pool and my mom was watching from the side and my sister carried me into the pool and she said to me, "Stephanie, I'm going to put you in the water and hold your arms while you kick." So I said ok and she was holding my arms and I was kicking then she told me that she wasn't going to hold my arms and that I would swim to her. So I told her that I could swim to her, but she had to promise that she would make sure I get to her. So I started to swim to her but she just kept swimming away from me. And I was still swimming but I started crying and I looked at my mom and she was just watching by the pool side! Then I reached the wall and got out of the pool as fast as I can and I was SO mad at my sister. I told her that I would never let her teach me to swim again. So I taught myself and I was a very good swimmer ever since then. And I'm on my school's Swim Team! And for my cousins, my sister literally dropped them into the pool. And my cousin Sarah is also on the swim team along with my sister. So dropping people in pools so they are forced to swim is a very good idea. Thanks for the healing charms for my grandmother! I really appreciate it! Lupin is Lupin. Natch. Mmmm. I am sure the ensemble was made complete by plaid shorts?---Loopy Lupin Mr. Lupin is Lupin wore his ultra cool Eddie Bauer "Expedition Shorts". He does not own plaid shorts. However, he does have some boxers that might qualify. I've skimmed all the posts since I came back and congrats and commiserations to all who qualify. I don't think I realized Puck lives in my area. Canobie Lake! Have you been to the new Castaway Island? I've checked it out online and it looks pretty cool. Especially for the "still-acquiring-their-swimming-skills" set. For the record, and for anyone planning the umpteen-hour drive to Arcadia National Park: the water ranges somewhere between circulation-stopping to bone-numbing. My family was very relieved when I learned to swim. There were many things I was terrified of when I was a kid, (big dogs, big boys, ventilators, airing pipes - yes, really - , slugs) but not water. Never! When I was 4 (I think) we went to this place on the neighbouring island where there was sort of a small lagoon. The water was less than knee high on me, and I was only about 3 feet tall, but Mom was very careful that I didn't go out to where the water was getting dark, because there was an under water cliff there, suddenly going deep. My Mom and my aunt went for a swim out there, and I followed, supported by a floating aid. Mom told me to swim right back, but I wouldn't hear of it. Instead I asked Mom what would happen if I lifted both my arms above my head. She told me I'd fall right through the floating ring and sink. Very sure that Mom would rescue me if I did, I promptly lifted both arms. It got wet and dark, I thought Mom took an awfully long time to come and pull me up as I was sinking towards the bottom (10 feet under the surface), and then she pulled me up by my hair. I had gotten salt water in my nose, and that was a very unpleasant experience. With my nose running and me loudly demanding a towel, I was handed to my Dad, who put me under his arm like I was some sort of a bag, and carried back to the beach. I'd be pleased to say that this incident taught me respect for water.... except it didn't. A few weeks later, at another beach, Mom and another aunt went for a swim and I followed them. I followed them pretty far out too. Mom didn't like it. Not at all. I asked if she remembered that time I had slipped out of the floater ring. Off course she did. "Shall I do it again?" "Watch, Mommy!" I clearly remember how a blue shell at the bottom was coming closer and closer, and I thought it was a rather bad idea after all. Boy was I glad to see my mother come diving down after me. I didn't do that again, but I still wasn't afraid of water. Oh, I know some people who had very traumatic experiences by just being dropped in the pool!!! My sister for one. Someone, I don't remember who (a member of our church- not related) took her in the pool and just held her under. Told her she needed to know how it felt I think (I was very young). Needless to say she was terrified of the water for a long time. I started swim lessons as a baby, I think my mom said around 6 months- obviously I wasn't doing the backstroke- but I guess if you start with babies in the pool they aren't as afraid and all that when they grow older. It worked for me. I love the water. I did swim lessons until I was 8 I think. I was on swim team for a total of 1 week. It was too much work Denise that is a beautiul bird. When I was a child we had a cockatiel. His name was Peaches (from the orange circles) he would walk around the house and play with us kids. We had him for quite a while. Then one day a friend of the family opened the door and left it open for a while and he flew away. But he was a cool bird. And, I just wanted to take a moment and tell Kip that we are so appreciative of the time you put in here and I don't think any of us mind one bit if you take some time to sleep after your horrible storm computer crash incident! Ludicrous Patents Office - Jul 31, 2005 12:29 pm (#2094 of 2963) I grew up in rural area of Colorado. Swimming consisted of time in the River. When I went to college and took swimming for a PE credit it took a long time to get used to the water not moving. LPO Wow, almost everyone seems to like swimming! I personally hate it. I was forced to have 2 years of swimming lessons when I was 9/10 by my school and it took me one and a half years to be able to swim a length (25m) unaided. I was so bad that it ended up with me having one instructor to myself and the other 27 people in the class having the other! Then of course I got called all sorts of names because I was so bad and good at almost everything else. Now I have absolutely no confidence swimming and at the slightest wave in the water I panic. I don't leave the side of the pool, except in the shallow end, and last time I swam I freaked out in the middle of the shallow end until I realised my knees could touch the bottom of the pool! I prefer not to enter swimming pools, the smell of chlorine just fills me with dread... For all that I grew up on the coast in California, I sure as heck did not learn to swim in the ocean...too darn cold! I can't even remember learning to swim. I love to get into water and my kids seem to have inherited that gene from me. Mr. Denise, on the other hand, has a vivid memory of being tossed into a pool by a very poor instructor using the sink or swim method. Mr. Denise is one of those people who is most certainly a sinker. He *can* swim, he scuba dives but he is truly not comfortable in water, not even in our back yard pool. Our birds have clipped wings, to prevent them from flying off. They *can* fly, just not very high or far. Of course, we are very careful about making sure fans are off, doors are closed and toilets are closed before they come out. They come out quite a bit and just walk on the keyboard, sit on a shoulder or stay on their perch. Cockatiels can live up to 20 years so we figure that they will be around quite awhile still. I love to swim, but I don't get the opportunity to do it that often. Although, I've recently been informed by my in-laws that their neighbor has said we can swim in his pool anytime. Mr. Eponine is certain that he's told me this before, but he hasn't. I didn't learn to swim until I was about 12, but I'm a fairly decent swimmer now. I was a lifeguard for a while, but my certification has long since expired. So after all this talk of coffee, I discovered a thermos full of what I believe to be the world's only fermented coffee in my cabinet. Apparently, Mr. Eponine put away a travel thermos full of coffee, and I have no idea how long it had been there, but it did not smell very nice. I hope everyone is having a good day! I Am Used Vlad - Jul 31, 2005 1:34 pm (#2098 of 2963) Being a sinker is actually good if you scuba dive. Floaters have to wear extremely heavy weight belts. I'm not a big fan of the water, but I did take scuba lessons earlier this year. It was fun, but my ears always hurt after I did it. Finn, I'm glad you remembered the identity of my avatar and I enjoyed seeing Chaplin's named crossed out. Loopy Lupin, however, will not be amused. Veronika, ! I hope you had a wonderful day! Nice bird, Denise. Actually, I'm not really crazy about swimming, I like just being in the sea, jumping to it, diving and things like that. We had a really hard job helping our two younger girls to stop being afraid of water, especially Mihaela. She wouldn't go to the water deeper than to her knees. It is less then a year that she suddenly discovered that water is not going to bite her. Unlike Katarina. She was 2 and a half when we had a car accident and she broke her arm. She had it plastered(?) and she got an infection under the plaster, so we had to remove it every second day to cure the infection. But there was nothing that could stop her from going to the sea. She was so funny, always started to go to the sea with her arm in the air (well packed in nylon) and always ended with her arm deep in the sea. Amazing how her arm turned out so well. I had a nice swim today. Really felt like summer (it is not summer for me until the vacation starts). This reminded me my cousins from New Zealand. The came to visit us one summer and they commented how it felt like Christmas. Lupin is Lupin. Natch. Lina--so funny this post should be immediately following yours. My husband just read the following from the Sunday paper: A bear in Croatia apparently has learned to knock on doors as a way to trick people into letting him inside. The Loknar family in Gerovo reports they are now refusing to answer their door. Are there no peep-holes in Croatia? Loopy Lupin, however, will not be amused. –Vlad Hmm? I think I missed something. Back to the good old days of inside jokes? Very funny, Lupin is Lupin. Maybe that wasn't really Lina – that bear learned to type, too! Catherine - Jul 31, 2005 3:12 pm (#2102 of 2963) Hmm? I think I missed something. Back to the good old days of inside jokes?—Finn I think that Vlad is referring to the apparent disagreement between Vlad and Loopy about Buster Keaton vs. Charlie Chaplin. Kim, glad to see you are back! Solitaire - Jul 31, 2005 3:43 pm (#2103 of 2963) Yippeeee! I'm here! Guess what I found all set up in an armoire in the garage? **hint: I'm using it right now!** The weather is wonderful--overcast and cold! I am so excited I can hardly stand it. My friends do not get here until tomorrow, so I am playing with all of the toys ... big screen TV with surround-sound, 10,000 cable channels and every movie channel you can imagine, computer, etc. If only they'd left the keys to the Miata! I could go for a drive down PCH with the top down, my hair blowing in the fog! Ah, life is good! Has anyone heard how Elanor's alchemy presentation went? Solitaire Solitaire said : I could go for a drive down PCH with the top down, my hair blowing in the fog! - Are you sure you didn't mean fug Soli??? Enjoy the cooler weather - even though you have to fry your eggs in a more traditional manner, at least you can breathe properly, and maybe even wear a longsleeved tee without feeling sticky and hot!! The simple pleasures in life . Catherine - that is such an awesome, beautiful painting - where did Helen come from? mike miller - Jul 31, 2005 3:58 pm (#2105 of 2963) Happy Birthday Veronika! Mmmmm Coffee!!! I've really come to enjoy the wonders of coffee. I get come of mine from Gevalia (a mail order operation) offical perveyors to the Swedish Royal family. Outstanding varieties. I can't stand Starbucks however, over-raosted if you ask me. Denise - Without Question Red, Vines only! I had a wonderful time at the PA Gathering yesterday. Betty did her usual outstanding job!!! Mrs. Pince, we missed you (and Mr. Pince too!) In fact, Lindsey's father, myself and Mr. Pince could have passed the entire afternoon discussing some of our "mutual hobbies". Catherine - Jul 31, 2005 4:18 pm (#2106 of 2963) Catherine - that is such an awesome, beautiful painting - where did Helen come from?—Ponine I know that Helen's niece lived in Connecticut, although I believe that Helen resided in NY. Thanks, I think it's a beautiful painting, too! Happy Birthday to Veronika! I wonder if Lupin is Lupin got to go whale-watching?? The giant squid - Jul 31, 2005 4:43 pm (#2107 of 2963) Twizzlers, blech! Red Vines are the only real red licorice ropes.--Denise P. Yes, well...they don't have Red Vines in ND (at least, they didn't when I was in high school playing D&D at 2 in the morning...). I will grudgingly admit that Red Vines are easier to hang on to--they don't have that greasy feeling that Twizzlers do--but I still like the flavor of Twizzlers better. It's all a case of "what you knew first". As for Dr. Thunder, I drank that a lot when I worked for Wal-Mart (half the price of "branded" soft drinks, plus the employee discount...) but I prefer the taste of the original "Dr." See above for explanation. All this talk about changing names has me pondering something of the sort. Stay tuned for further developments... :cue ominous music: --Mike Lupin is Lupin. Natch. I wonder if Lupin is Lupin got to go whale-watching??---Catherine Lupin is Lupin did get to go whale-watching. And seal-watching. And porpoise-watching. And puffin-watching. And there was a bit of puke-watching as well. They don't call it The Vomit Comet for nothing. And there was a bit of puke-watching as well. Better a spectator than a participant. Veronika, stories like yours are a reason I have never taken my kids to the ocean, though less than an hour away. I prefer the lake at town beach. Life guards, and only 6 feet at the deepest point. Plus, I have the kids wear floaties that they can't get off without my help. My heart was pounding for your Mom just reading your post! Lupin, Castaway Island was fun, though we stayed only a little while. My little one liked splashing in the puddles, and Parker got brave enough to try a little water slide. Nice, because they have various sizes, and they just extend out wading pool deep, instead of plunging into a bigger pool, which my son would have not done. My Mom lives up that way, so we stayed over at Nana's, as we live a couple of hours south, on the MA/RI border. Off to bed. I have to clean the van tomorrow. 10 galleons to the person who guesses how many empty juice boxes I find! Kathy Don't change your name, squid/mike. It wouldn't be the seeing you post without the picture of Dumbl...er the giant quid. Happy Birthday, Veronika! I just got back from the gathering in Pennslyvania. I'm going to get my pictures developed tomorrow. I was one of the only people there with a real uses-film camera and felt hopelessly out of date. *sigh* Everyone had a great time. It was so much fun to sit at a table and discuss HP and not have a single eye-roller there! I don't do the coffee thing much either, Coke is my caffeine of choice. Although I will occasionally drink cappucino on cold days. I haven't been here much lately just in and out. I've been checking threads and posts, but not talking, not much to say. I discovered co-workers that were potties, so I've been discussing HBP with them. They all like it. We've been having fun talking about it in front of people that haven't read it yet, with out details or spoils of course. It drives them nuts. So nothing exciting happening here, not even any interesting zoo stories. It's been a slow summer at the zoo. Someone I worked with said we had a 70 yr. old grandma in the zoo today with a very short mini skirt that said HOT BABE across the butt, whose cheeks show when she walked. She was following an event coordinator around. Sorry but that's not something I want to picture a 70 year old wearing. Anyone else? Other than that nothing. Glad to hear the Penn forum was fun. well I'm going to try to go back to sleep. My husband came home from work at 12:30am and had to wake me up with his yapping and I couldn't get back to sleep so I came here to the forum. Goodnite all Lady Arabella - Prefect - Posts : 2285 Location : Silicon Valley, CA August Posts Ludicrous Patents Office - Aug 1, 2005 6:49 am (#2113 of 2963) LOL pottermom34. What a sight! Glad it is you not me who got to see it. Lupin is Lupin I'm glad you got to go. Living in a land locked area I've never seen whales, seals or porpoises. I did see a puffin in Scotland once. Sorry about the puke watching. I think puke smelling is a lot worse. Solitaire hope you find the keys! Have lots of fun. Puck I'm guessing 7. It is such a wonderful number... LPO Catherine - Aug 1, 2005 8:42 am (#2114 of 2963) Whew! I'm glad to see that Marie had a better time at the Gathering than Kim did whale-watching, or Pottermom did people-watching at the zoo! It will be fun to see you pictures, Marie, and I'm glad that you had a good time hanging out with folks who really care about Harry Potter and the Forum. All this talk about changing names has me pondering something of the sort. Stay tuned for further developments... :cue ominous music: --Mike Eeek! I would feel like something was missing if you changed your name. I'm beginning to feel the need for a cold compress.... **rushes Catherine a lukewarm compress** (Sorry, I had to use it myself first.) One should not mess with a good squid. ... that's not something I want to picture a 70 year old wearing. Anyone else? When I get to be 70, I plan on wearing a lot more of whatever I want to. I am sure I'll have earned my "crotchety" merit badge by them. The giant squid - Aug 1, 2005 9:25 am (#2116 of 2963) It's seems popular opinion is that I remain squidly for the time being. Far be it for me to distress my fellow Forumers. Well, I no longer work with a fellow Potty. He walked out on Saturday after an argument with the Senior Assistant. I used to call him The Lost Weasley due to his red hair, but he shall henceforth be known as Percy... --Mike Loopy Lupin - Aug 1, 2005 9:51 am (#2117 of 2963) Yes, Mike, I'm sorry you must remain the giant squid. Equilibrium of the universe and all that. If you change, next thing you know, I'll put up a Buster Keaton avatar and it'll be anarchy!!! Mike - was he the Assistant to the Assistant Manager? The giant squid - Aug 1, 2005 11:09 am (#2119 of 2963) haymoni: technically, yes. Regal recently organized their management scheme so that salaried managers are Assistant Managers and hourly managers are Associate Managers. So I suppose you could say that an Associate is assistant to the Assistant. But, Loopy...if you put up a Buster Keaton avatar, you and Vlad would cause a feedback loop that could cause total protonic reversal. No one wants that to happen. --Mike Only 3 juice boxes, as I actually removed a couple yesterday. Two Star Wars figures, a couple of rocks from my daughters "collection", a large amount of crumple leaves, and a bag of left over trail mix, only the raisins left. An assortment of other books and toys, plus all my gym stuff a few art projects my son brought home from camp. I think the official rule is no mini skirts after 35 (which gives me only 2 more days). However, perhaps after another 35 years you're welcome to start wearing them again? Usually with big hair and lots of '80's make-up. Ludicrous Patents Office - Aug 1, 2005 11:49 am (#2121 of 2963) Thank you Mike. The loss of the Giant Squid would be too distressing. I don't think I could handle it. Puck, 3 is a good number also. Happy early Birthday! Alas I'm too old for mini skirts. I turn 39 for the first time in 20 days. LPO *sadly throws out all her mini-skirts, as she's been 35 for almost seven months* I Am Used Vlad - Aug 1, 2005 1:12 pm (#2123 of 2963) Yes, Mike, I'm sorry you must remain the giant squid. Equilibrium of the universe and all that. If you change, next thing you know, I'll put up a Buster Keaton avatar and it'll be anarchy!!! Loopy That is my ultimate goal. Edit: I mean that my goal is for Loopy to have a Keaton avatar. Anarchy would just be a fringe benefit. Loopy Lupin - Aug 1, 2005 1:50 pm (#2124 of 2963) But what about the protonic reversal? We wouldn't want to unmake existence or anything? Would we? I Am Used Vlad - Aug 1, 2005 2:12 pm (#2125 of 2963) That would be going a bit far. I'd probably have to switch to Chaplin in order to save the universe. *shudders* Catherine - Aug 1, 2005 2:37 pm (#2126 of 2963) That would be going a bit far. I'd probably have to switch to Chaplin in order to save the universe. –Vlad You and Loopy--sacrificing yourselves for others...we owe you both so much! Back on the mini-skirt front, I must side with Marie and say that I am also *ahem* over 35 and do wear skirts and skorts that are above the knee. I also fully support Chemyst's notion of wearing whatever I like the older I get. In fact, I was shopping with my mother this past weekend, and I made the comment, "Oh, that top is sleeveless...perhaps I should find another one for that skirt." My mom said, "Trust me, when you are my age, you will wish you had just worn that top and not worried about it so much." So I did. T Brightwater - Aug 1, 2005 3:39 pm (#2127 of 2963) Hi all, I'm back! I hope everyone here has been well. I had a great time in Vermont, despite hot, humid weather. I read HBP the evening I got back, and then spent a couple days in shock, which no doubt accounts for some large-scale errors in my work last week; fortunately my boss had spent a couple of days in shock for the same reason, and didn't give me too hard a time. I was expecting owls bearing red envelopes... PS Skirts? Only for certain gigs, and then they're usually full length. Fashion and I get along only by ignoring each other. Catherine:- I am also *ahem* over 35 and do wear skirts and skorts.......[ You wear skorts!!?? Sko do I! protonic reversal? I would never like my protons reversed. Thank you, Loopy and I Am Used Vlad for sacrificing your avatars......selfless, selfless indeed! Catherine - Aug 1, 2005 4:05 pm (#2129 of 2963) Reply Sko do I!—Timrew[ Naturally! Hopefully, Vlad and Loopy will never have to sacrifice their avatars for the greater good. I must admit that, before I found this Forum, I never debated the relative merits of Keaton vs. Chaplin before. That, and the image of Tim wearing a skort, is one reason I'm glad I found the Forum. LOL Tim! "I would never like my protons reversed." and "You wear skorts!!??"! Well hey, guess I don't really wear skirts that often… Not something my type does, you know? So, I was playing in a tennis tournament today for my club, and I won two matches! The first one was fair; 6-4, 6-3. Then I found out I had to play another one after that! I had an hour's rest, then I played a kid from my club. I crushed him in the first set, 6-1, but he came back and won the second set 6-4. The third set was really tough; I won 7-5 though. I have to play again tomorrow, 10 AM. I will keep you posted as I am playing the #2 seed! Catherine:- That, and the image of Tim wearing a skort, is one reason I'm glad I found the Forum. There's nothing like a skort for promoting a good, cool breeze round your...............er, well, there's nothing like it! To wear or not wear mini skirts depends on the legs sticking out from underneath them. Age has nothing to do with it. If Tina Turner can still wear mini skirts . Having been 35 for almost 5 years now, I can safely say that I am very comfortable and do not raise a lot of eyebrows with my above-the-knee-skirts. Don't ask me about a belly shirt though!!! Ludicrous Patents Office - Aug 1, 2005 4:39 pm (#2133 of 2963) Is there some Scots blood in you Timrew? T I agree, ignore fashion and it will ignore you! I happily wear shorts but no skirts. Never owned a skort. LPO Hmmm...my thoughts on short skirts: I think they are okay as long as the only thing you can see beneath the skirt is legs. No tush hanging out or other such things. A good rule of thumb, I think, is that if you can bend over without anyone seeing your bum then you are good to go. Unfortunately most of the youth these days don't adhere by any of the above standards. Another hot day here in the valleys of LA. It's so draining. My air conditioner is gonna break I think...it's starting to make whining noises. Off to take a nap...er I mean...do laundry..right... Kwikspell - Aug 1, 2005 4:53 pm (#2135 of 2963) Just throwing in my two knuts on the skirt issue. I agree with Mandy's guidelines above and also agree that I rarely see people these days following those guidelines, and I work in corporate America. I turn thirty in two days (woohoo!), though I gave up on miniskirts years ago--not because of how I look, but the comfort factor. I think you should wear whatever you want as long as you're comfortable. Then again, I am a "sensible" Midwestern girl. Stephanie M. - Aug 1, 2005 5:16 pm (#2136 of 2963) LOL Tim! I'm not sure I own any skorts... except for a tennis skirt. And it wasn't even my tennis skirt! My sister had to buy a tennis skirt for when she was on the tennis team and she was playing in it on red clay (not a school match) and she slipped and fell and there was red clay all over it and we washed it and it never came out so we sent it to the dry cleaners. But when we came to pick it up we realized that they not only got rid of the stain they also shrunk the skirt! So my sister gave it to me and was a little big but now it fits. I'm not as much of a short skirt person as I am a shorts person but I really like any length skirts and I do wear mini skirts. I never usually wear short skirts at school because EVERYONE wears mini skirts and I usually don't want to look like the people who wear them... lol little (some what) rebellious me! I'm more of a nice shirt, that could be low cut, and jeans person so then I would look dressy-casual. LOL This conversation has really reminded me of the High School Swim Teams! (Our girl team and guy team. The middle school Team is Coed but we sometimes have Girls Only and Boys Only meets. But the High School has some meets together but is scored as separate teams.) So For Ivy League's the girls and boys had a Shave The Boy's Legs Party and the girls shaved all of the guys legs and they brought in mini skirts for the boys. The guys then put on mini skirts and flip flops and they walked around school all day showing off their legs! Plus, It's the middle of February!!! I remember coming to Swim Practice one day and the White Board said, "Be A Man! Shave Your Legs!" And it was soo funny! I can't wait until I'm on Varsity!!! The 35 isn't my rule, it's from "What Not to Wear". And I think they mean more of Mandy's thing -above the knee is fine, indecent exposure is not. Love the mental picture of the boys swim team in skirts with clean shaven legs. LOL. Managed to vacuum the van, so I can officially check that one off the "things to do before baby arrives list." Of course, I thought of two others to add, so I haven't gotten ahead any. Only 6 more weeks to go. Is that right? WOW! Congrats to Finn on the tennis win. Good luck tomorrow. Kathy I don't even own a mini skirt , but then I'm not much of a skirt person. I own one and It has more dust than wear wrinkles. But I'll be 35 in April so I'm not worried. I don't like to wear them. Maybe if I had the body for it but I don't. Oops posted same time as Puck. It's funny as long as pregnancy seems to be it seems to go fast until your due time then it seems to take forever I Am Used Vlad - Aug 1, 2005 6:41 pm (#2139 of 2963) Hopefully, Vlad and Loopy will never have to sacrifice their avatars for the greater good. I must admit that, before I found this Forum, I never debated the relative merits of Keaton vs. Chaplin before. I just like the fact that the people here know who they are. Normally, when I try to get people to watch Buster's movies, they look at me like I'm insane to suggest that they watch a movie from the '20s, although they all end up loving them. That, and the image of Tim wearing a skort, is one reason I'm glad I found the Forum. Perhaps he was wearing a skort when he dressed up as the Wife of Bath at the Chaucer book signing. Amilia Smith - Aug 1, 2005 7:59 pm (#2140 of 2963) When I am old, I shall wear purple with a red hat that doesn't go . Mills. Oh, I want to be a Red Hatter....but as I'm only 27 I have quite a time to wait. I know I can wear the pink and lavendar. But...well I think I should wait for a while Those ladies are the craziest funniest greatest women. I've seen them out at breakfast and at this tea house I went to for tea. So much fun. Perhaps he was wearing a skort when he dressed up as the Wife of Bath at the Chaucer book signing. - I Am Used Vlad LOL & ...ten points to your house for best one-liner. Madam Pince - Aug 1, 2005 9:06 pm (#2143 of 2963) I always thought a mini-skirt was something that was higher than mid-thigh. Just-above-the-knee is OK (except for people shaped like Hillary Clinton used to be...) We had a great family reunion weekend -- we spent Sunday picking blackberries and my arms look a lot like Harry's after Umbridge got through with him. Those thorns really grab you! We got about a gallon of berries, though, and are looking forward to warm berry cobbler with vanilla ice cream! We are sorry to have missed the Pennsylvania gathering! Looking forward to a full report and lots of pictures, from that and from Accio as well! Congratulations, Prof. Snape! Well, I know I had a lot more to post but my brain is so tired now. Nighty-night! Catherine - Aug 2, 2005 4:40 am (#2144 of 2963) The mention of the red hatters reminds me of a bumper sticker I saw yesterday: Uppity women unite and dance. Perhaps that invitation could be extended to anyone wearing a skort. mike miller - Aug 2, 2005 5:49 am (#2145 of 2963) Congrats Finn!! Good luck and well done. Just for the record, I've never worn a mini skirt or shaved my legs. I think there is nothing wrong with mini skirts; however, I do think there should be more stringent guidelines on the wearing of "spandex". I think that both sexes have examples of attire that has gone beyond the realm of reason. Madame Pince - I'm glad you enjoyed the reunion, you and Mr. Pince were missed. Count me in on the cobbler and ice cream! Stephanie M. - Aug 2, 2005 7:11 am (#2146 of 2963) I definitely won’t wear a skirt (or skort) above mid thigh!!! I always thought a mini skirt was anywhere above your knee. But I wouldn't wear something that short even if there are shorts under it! Good Luck this morning Finn!!! I hope you read this before you play! Yum - cobbler and vanilla ice cream! Off to read posts! Loopy Lupin - Aug 2, 2005 7:54 am (#2147 of 2963) Catherine:- I am also *ahem* over 35 and do wear skirts and skorts....... -- timrew Sko do I—timrew Well, I haven't worn a skirt in years, but when I did they were definitely just below the knee. I do have some class, ya know. Plus I always got the feeling that no one would appreciate me being so revealing. Ludicrous Patents Office - Aug 2, 2005 7:57 am (#2148 of 2963) Loopy Lupin your avatar is pretty revealing! LPO Skirts - bleugh! I hate them, absolutely refuse to wear them etc. etc. Bleugh, bleugh bleugh! My mother, on the other hand, used to wear miniskirts resembling belts at my age. Mind you, that was in the middle of miniskirt era... Good luck in tennis, Finn! Mind you, you've probably finished now... I love Loony Lupin's avatars, they're ace! Reminds me of many years of comedy... I have a job! Finally! It's just 7 weeks work until uni, and I'm going to be travelling a bit between places, but I will be staying away from home! A trial before uni as my mum puts it. The extra good news is I already know who is employing me and it's flexible so I can go home whenever I need to. Ok, I've just spent 20 mins writing this. Everyone have a great day! Had a wonderful "adventure" this morning! Took the kids on a hike on a near-by nature trail. It was just under a mile, over rocks and up and down little hills. Perfect with little ones. This place has several trails, all about that length. This was our first time on this one. Parker's favorite is the Chasm. It is narrow, between two large rock ledges, and requires negotiating boulders. Maya is too scared and I too pregnant to tackle that one. Now, off to tackle my bedroom. Need to make room for the cradle. (Plus my son says I shouldn't be allowed a treat after dinner until it's clean, since that's my rule with them.) Kathy Lady Arabella - Prefect - Posts : 2285 Location : Silicon Valley, CA Re: Chat & Greetings 2005 Loopy Lupin - Aug 2, 2005 1:15 pm (#2151 of 2963) I love Loony Lupin's avatars, they're ace! Reminds me of many years of comedy... azi Thanks! I've been thinking about running through the Simpsons cast again, kind of a comedy revue, as it were. By the way, maybe it is just me but I've been having a heck of a time logging onto the forum today. When I have those problems, I've always found that, for some reason, I can get in through the worldcrossing site itself. Usually, after a day or so, things revert back to normal. I didn't know where to put that little tip, but I hope that it is helpful Steve Newton - Aug 2, 2005 2:09 pm (#2152 of 2963) Edited Aug 2, 2005 3:39 pm Just as a heads up. September 19 is rapidly approaching. As you all know, that is National Talk Like a Pirate Day. http://talklikeapirateday.com/ Well, thanks for all your luck but I'm afraid I didn't come out victorious. Oh, well. I had never done this well before in this particular tournament, so I was very pleased to make it to the Round of 16. Congrats on the job, azi! Finn, congratulations on your tennis success. Even if you are not better than some elder fellows, it is still quite a success! Azi, I'm glad you got the job. Congratulations! Your mother reminds me my mother, though (I'm commenting the reasons why you didn't make to Accio or to London, I just thought it fits better in this thread). Whenever I wanted to go somewhere and she was afraid to let me go, she would say that we have no money for it. Until one time when she said that she has no money to let me go to the trip (to Taize), and then she took me to the store to buy me shoes. You must know that I'm not a typical woman, the shoes don't play important part in my life. Then I told her: "But Mum, I don't want the shoes, I want to go to Taize!" At that point thins changed. I wish to address the foul calumny that I wear skirts. I only wear skorts, as I have admitted. Skorts are wind-assisted, attractive, and water-repellent. They are the must-have 'thing-to-wear' for 2005................... mike miller - Aug 2, 2005 4:46 pm (#2156 of 2963) Tim - I'm afraid that we may be separated by a common language. In America, a "Skort" (usually worn by females) is a pair of shorts with a piece of fabric that wraps around the front, giving the illusion of being a "short skirt". I can't always tell when you're exercising your wit, so you may already know the American definition. I know it took me a couple of years to find out what a "Jumpers" was in the HP books. Finn - Congrats on a "Personal Best"!!! One of the disadvantages of living across the continent from my family is that I'm always the last to find out what's going on. My father was driven to the hospital by my 95 year old grand-father last Friday and I didn't find out until I left the PA Gathering Saturday afternoon. By Sunday afternoon, the doctors had determined that my father has Gall Stones and they caused an infection and high fever. All is well, he is having surgery today to remove the Gall Bladder and hopes to be home this evening. Incidentally, no one at the hospital believes that my grand-father is 95 years old (96 in December). He told them they could call is older sister to confirm his age! Off to the threads..... Mike, Cheers to your grandfather, and Quick healing to your Dad! My niece has surgery in the morning. She has kidney reflux (a valve swings backwards and allows urine back inside causing infections). She's not quite 2 years old, poor thing. Healing Charms her way, please! Finn, great job! Steve, is talk like a pirate day for real? My son will be thrilled! Have a great night! (or morning, afternoon, whatever time it is where you are.) Kathy Loopy Lupin - Aug 2, 2005 6:29 pm (#2158 of 2963) Steve, is talk like a pirate day for real? My son will be thrilled! – Puck Arrr. Indeed it is ye scurvy dog! **cough, cough** Sorry, I was overcome there for a moment. Many of us on the Forum observed the day last year. I'm looking forward to it again. Penny Lane. Yes, Talk Like Pirate Day is for real. The forum occasionally celebrates it as well. Oh, so I'm back from the gathering. It was wonderful, even if there were very few active Lexicon members there. It was still nice to be able to talk HP in person and put faces to names. Finally, I can stop picturing Steve Newton as a more human version of Dobby, and I can discern Mike Miller from Mike the Squid. Everyone should go to the next one. Stephanie M. - Aug 2, 2005 6:34 pm (#2160 of 2963) Kathy, I send to tons and tons of Healing Charms to your niece! Steve Newton - Aug 2, 2005 7:22 pm (#2161 of 2963) Aye, Matey, Talk Like a Pirate Day is for real. Avast! Penny you are tremendously kind. Ludicrous Patents Office - Aug 2, 2005 7:28 pm (#2162 of 2963) Mike and Puck, hope your relatives recover swiftly. Finn congratulations on doing so well in the tournament. Talk like a pirate day sounds fun. I'll have to do that at school. LPO Amilia Smith - Aug 2, 2005 7:46 pm (#2163 of 2963) In honor of Loopy's avatar, I have decided to dawn my kilt as well. Although the Bonnie Prince was wearing a kilt to begin with anyway . But aren't you proud of me for figuring out how to resize my picture? (Thanks Lina, I followed your directions over on the "How do you . ." thread.) Mills. Last year I made my kindergarteners celebrate Talk Like a Pirate Day. I got them all eyepatches at Party City. I've got the address for What's My Pirate Name? somewhere around here. I remember my name was Bloody Mary Kidd. Arrrrr! I think I disappointed everyone at the Gathering by not appearing as a cartoonish Harry Potter. The giant squid - Aug 3, 2005 2:13 am (#2165 of 2963) Incidentally, no one at the hospital believes that my grand-father is 95 years old (96 in December). He told them they could call is older sister to confirm his age!--Mike Miller Hmm...methinks there might be some wizard blood in your family, Mike! With Loopy and Vlad threatening to swap avatars if I ceased to be a squid, I'm now considering it again... So Marie, did you remember to take a picture of me to the Gathering? For the record, I don't really have 10 tentacles... National Talk Like a Pirate Day is coming up again already? Arr, seems like only yest'rday, it does... --Mike mike miller - Aug 3, 2005 5:32 am (#2166 of 2963) Thanks for the concern about my Dad's surgery. I got a call late last night, everything went well and he should be home later today. Squid Mike - Thankfully I get it from both sides, my maternal grandfather is 93 and doing fine. I can only hope the genetics run strong. Arr, well keelhaul me for a swab. I'll have to put Talk Like A Pirate day into my PDA (electronic calendar). Healing charms to everyone who needs them - Puck and her niece, Mike Miller's dad and anyone else! I thought skorts didn't really exist...and that Timrew really made the name up with his usual wit... Are you talking about the Taize in France, Lina? One of my friends is currently on pilgrimage there and she loves it! I think it's her 3rd year there this year. Apparently it's brilliant, although extremely hot at this time of year. If you're a vegetarian it's a good idea to take your own food too. Talk Like a Pirate Day... I think one of my friends was involved in starting that...or maybe they just advertised it around college. It's always fun to be a pirate! I thought skorts didn't really exist...and that Timrew really made the name up with his usual wit... –azi LOL! Me too! Apparently we were having a serious discussion! Healing charms to Kathy's niece and Mike's grandfather. Have a great day everyone! National Talk Like a Pirate Day is nearly upon us, mateys! (Gee, I better get up to speed with everybody else! Hello everybody! There were far too many posts on that thread and I hope you'll forgive me to have used the "magic" button. We had the most wonderful time in Accio and later in London with other forumers: there are now details and photos on the Accio thread if you want to know more about it! We thought a lot of you there and I'm sure you would have loved the convention and our trip in London as well! It was so great to meet "in real". I wish you a wonderful day and send healing and cheering charms to everyone needing them! **off finding the best place for putting the beautiful wand bought at Accio ** Ludicrous Patents Office - Aug 3, 2005 10:05 am (#2170 of 2963) Welcome back Elanor. I've enjoyed the posts on the Accio thread. Sounds like a wonderful time. LPO ps So where are you placing your wand? septentrion - is your niece OK? I don't know that I had ever heard of Mauritania until I read your post and then here it is all over the news. I hope things are OK! If my counting is correct, it would be Puck (I hope your niece is recovering well) and Kwikspell! I wish you a wonderful day! Yes, Azi, it should be the same Taize. I was there only once, but it was a memorable time. I plan to go there again, one day, with my whole family. I do remember being hungry, too, even though I'm not a vegetarian, so taking your own food is a good idea anyway. But it is still worth it. Everybody else, be fine! Oh, yes, I just remembered (age is doing it's work), Lupin is Lupin, I did a little research about that bear. It seems that meeting a bear in Gerovo is not such a rare situation, the people there should be used to it. They have more problems with bears lately because of the new road that is built recently and it seems that it is driving them crazy. Still, it is an interesting feeling that the paper in US used some news from Gerovo, Croatia to fill the pages. VeronikaG - Aug 3, 2005 1:33 pm (#2173 of 2963) Healing charm for Kathy's niece: Good Evans - Aug 3, 2005 1:51 pm (#2174 of 2963) well done Finn - good for you!!! (sorry just catching up on the posts!) well done Azi!!! healing and cheering charms to all that may need them. Elanor - where are you putting your wand (if that’s not too personal a question!) Mine is in a drawer - I received mine at a HP fair about four years ago, sadly it is not on display but is beautiful with lots of glitter ... naturally! Catherine - Aug 3, 2005 2:25 pm (#2175 of 2963) Welcome back to our Accio attendees! I'm checking in after celebrating Claire's 10th birthday today. We've had a lot of fun, and I haven't answered a single Humane Society call all day so that I don't get distracted. The book sale looms, and the stress is getting to lots of us. Fur was flying yesterday as a certain cat lady (whom I've nicknamed amongst my Humane Society Potter friends as "She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named") decided that I didn't have enough to do without her screaming at me about the pricing guidelines for children's books. Frankly, I doubt I will ever chair this sale again. I only agreed to it because two members of the fund-raising committee quit the Humane Society Board and no one else would do it. I can see why no one wants the job. Going through boxes of old books and finding a dead lizard at the bottom is icky. The bad thing is that is not the worst thing I encountered. Healing and Strengthening charms to all who need them; Congratulations to the many who deserve it; and Felix Felicis to anyone (like myself) who are desperate! If my counting is correct, it would be [Happy Birthday] Puck (I hope your niece is recovering well) and Kwikspell! –Lina Lina? Are you sure that's not boop in disguise? Happy Birthday also to Claire. Welcome back to all those from Accio and the Forum gathering! Sounds like you had a wonderful time. Thanks also for the photos – now I won't have to picture you looking like your avatars! Catherine - Aug 3, 2005 2:40 pm (#2177 of 2963) Thanks also for the photos – now I won't have to picture you looking like your avatars! –Finn I wish I looked as elegant as my current avatar or as cute as my previous Shih-tzu avatar. I've tried to download freeware from the web recommended by another host so that I can resize my digital photos so that I can post them as an avatar. But somehow the software is never compatible with my computer! :pouts: Catherine, if your book sale was just a bit closer, I think I'd have to go. I can never resist used books. I always feel like I'm giving them a home. Happy Birthday to Claire, too! Happy Birthday, Puck! My birthday is Monday, and I'm wondering why 27 seems so much older than 26. Mr. Eponine got a new job. He's not been happy with his schedule at all, and this new job always has weekends off. The only thing is, there's a lot of travel, and I'll be home alone a lot. But it will be much easier on him, so it's a good thing. I hope everyone is having a great day! Ludicrous Patents Office - Aug 3, 2005 4:03 pm (#2179 of 2963) Happy Birthday Puck and Claire! Eponine - - - it is that much closer 30. Hope Mr. Eponine likes his new job. LPO Eponine, I felt the same way about 27 earlier this summer. I don't know exactly. Maybe it's because it's "late twenties" now and that sounds more adult. Ick Amilia Smith - Aug 3, 2005 4:57 pm (#2181 of 2963) 27 was a bad birthday for me too. Speak of the devil . I mentioned Red Hatters the other day, and got a call this morning from my sister asking how to make fruit dip, which was her assignment for the annual Purple Party. Just for the record, this is my little sister, and neither of us is really old enough to be a Red Hatter, but I was living with my Grandmother when she and her sisters started having Purple Parties, so I was invited as an honorary member. I was the only grandchild there that first year, and they continued to invite me even after I was no longer living with my Grandparents. Since it was not fair to just invite me, now all the granddaughters are invited. Mills. Kwikspell - Aug 3, 2005 5:13 pm (#2182 of 2963) Healing Charms to Mike's dad and Puck's niece (and anyone else out there that needs them)! Thanks for the birthday greetings. I spent it looking for a new car, which would have been more pleasant if it wasn't over 90 degrees here in Chicago. The bad news is that I didn't find what I was looking for, but the good news is that I don't have a car payment for my 30th birthday. … which would have been more pleasant if it wasn't over 90 degrees here in Chicago… --Kwikspell You mean "which would have been more pleasant if it wasn't over 90° here in Chicago…" Good luck finding a car. My 13th birthday count is down to 4 days! **is excited** Finn, I have to say, it always stuns me when I realize that my oldest son at home is your age LOL I know your age but tend to forget it. He has friends who are your age and when I see them out in the pool goofing around, I just have a hard time picturing THEM posting here on the Forum in the manner that you do. Hope you have a happy birthday! Catherine - Aug 3, 2005 5:33 pm (#2185 of 2963) It was a cool 99 degrees, but with full humidity today, so naturally, it was awful. We are so getting ready for "Hurricane Season." It has been forecast by the weather dudes that this year will be very bad. I'm getting ready ahead of time, making sure that our cars are serviced, that our drainage issues are "solved," but I guess you can't get ready for what aren't prepared for.... EDIT: I commend Finn in general, his general happy nature as he posts very well-thought-out things, and wish him all the best... It was a cool 98;deg; --Catherine Of course, you mean ° Thank you so much Denise! I wish I did find the time to do normal stuff like goofing around in the pool… but this will do just fine! Edit: Thank you as well, Catherine! I notice that in your edit you also upped the temperature one degree and took out that faulty degree sign. Kwikspell - Aug 3, 2005 5:46 pm (#2187 of 2963) Of course you're a Leo, Finn. Could have seen that one coming a mile away... I know you're 12, but my brain has a hard time accepting it as you seem very mature. At least, more mature than most 12 year olds (myself included when I was your age). Humidity is high in Chicago as well, though we'd be very happy with the extreme rainfall one would expect from a hurricane (though not the destructive winds, please) as we're still in drought conditions. We haven't had a good week of rain since, oh, April. Officials have told people to stop watering lawns (because, man, they're gone) and just water trees as they may not make it. Ah, the joys of Mother Nature. Thanks for the birthday wishes, though you're a day early, it's actually tomorrow. Today was my last day as "mini skirt viable" according to the fashion gods. Alas, as I have none in my maternity collection, I opted for capris. My niece came through her surgery well. I'm sure the healing won't be fun. She felt fine going into the hospital, and now that they did stuff to "make her better" she's in pain. Hard enough for an adult to cope with, let alone a child who obviously doesn't understand. Other good news, baby has turned, so I no longer have to worry about her being breech, or needing a c-section. Early to bed, I think. Had a 7am teeth cleaning, so I've had a long day. Kathy I Am Used Vlad - Aug 3, 2005 6:14 pm (#2189 of 2963) It was 99 degrees (I hope this is the proper way of saying it, as I have no intention of editing my post) in my area, as well. I started running on Monday to train for a marathon I plan to run in later in the year, but today was just too hot. I also think Finn is wise beyond his years, but I might just think that because he bought into my half-baked idea about who the HBP was going to be. Thanks for the talk-like-a-pirate link, Steve. I need to bookmark this phrase – "Messdeck lawyer" - a know-it-all. That was a new one to me, but surely this forum will provide ample opportunity to put it to use. Mike M, that is a great story about your granddad. 'Glad to hear your dad is doing well. Birthday wishes to Puck with some extra wishes to spare for her niece, and "Yea!" for the baby turning. A general thanks to all who have shared your experiences on the Accio thread. If I tried to name names I'd leave someone out, but they were all read greedily. Catherine, I'm still processing this: but I guess you can't get ready for what aren't prepared for.... but, is your book sale indoors? With all those musty, lizard-infested, used books will you be needing anti-fug charms? All the talk of Finn's birthday has me thinking - Shouldn't Acceber (who also began posting when she was about 12) be getting home from camp soon? Last year she read over 1200 posts to catch up on this chat thread. I wonder if she has a clue as to how many HBP posts await... mike miller - Aug 3, 2005 7:05 pm (#2191 of 2963) Thanks to all for the Healing Charms. Dad's home and doing great. He has to take some meds before eating to help his digestive system get back to normal. Other than that, no heavy lifting for 4 to 6 weeks and he can play golf as soon as it doesn't hurt to swing the clubs! Catherine - Aug 3, 2005 7:24 pm (#2192 of 2963) Thank you as well, Catherine! I notice that in your edit you also upped the temperature one degree and took out that faulty degree sign. –Finn I knew you'd appreciate accuracy, Finn. I checked the thermometer one more time before I posted. Since then, a storm has lowered the temps a teensy bit. Chemyst, I need any charms you can send this way. Fug-ness is a problem, but I'm not a lizard kind of girl, nor do I appreciate encountering digestive artifacts of rodents. Just ready to have this thing over..... I have to say, those "Trapped in the Closet Under the Stairs" things MuggleNet has just posted and TLC posted ages ago are really funny. I had never heard the R. Kelly version (not being exactly a fan, if you know what I mean ) but it's funny how inaccurate they are too. How the singer (who is really funny – his voice is so high at times!) says "Her-moyne" for Hermione (which is actually what I used to say when I was 8 ). The thing that bugged me was that they said The Daily Prophet was the school newspaper. Still, it was very funny. Definitely check it out if you haven't already. It's funny to listen to the commentators laughing in the background. The giant squid - Aug 3, 2005 11:42 pm (#2194 of 2963) If my counting is correct, it would be [Happy Birthday] Puck (I hope your niece is recovering well) and Kwikspell! --Lina Lina? Are you sure that's not boop in disguise?—Finn That is exactly what I thought when I saw her post. What the heck...we've got enough kids (or kid-like adults) here to support more than one Forum Mom at a time! a big hug for Betty anyway --Mike CatherineHermiona - Aug 4, 2005 3:50 am (#2195 of 2963) Hello everyone!!!!! I am really excited!!!!!!!!!! Less than two days until Gardaland!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just can't wait. Only problem is that we are going in 3 am and we are back home after midnight. It is so sad. Everyone are having birthday during Summer and mine is in the middle of Winter. Day before New Year's Eve (30.12.) Anyway, Happy birthday!!!!!!! to everyone that are having birthday!!!!!!!! I am spending almost all of my time on computer on Internet or Sims 2 Body Shop. On Internet I am on Lexicon Forum or downloading Sims from www.thesims2.ea.com. I met one girl there that is Harry Potter fan too and I suggest her to come here and join us. Was that OK? And do you know how good Sims she is making. Her Dursleys are exactly the same as they supposed to look and she made Veela and Snape. Kate T Brightwater - Aug 4, 2005 5:45 am (#2196 of 2963) Kwikspell, in what part of Chicago do you live? I'm in Glenwood (southern edge of Cook County.) Catherine, there can never be too many cats - only too many dogs. Lupin is Lupin. Natch. Woof! Catherine - Aug 4, 2005 6:20 am (#2199 of 2963) Catherine, there can never be too many cats - only too many dogs—Ladybug No offense to your lovelies, Ladybug! I just have some very difficult personalities that I am juggling with this book sale, and the individual who is driving me the craziest happens to be someone who has 7 cats in her tiny dwelling. This is down from 19 cats at her previous residence. Her name starts with the letter "V" and we have taken to calling her "She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named." It's a bit catty, to be sure! Loopy Lupin - Aug 4, 2005 7:04 am (#2200 of 2963) Eponine, I felt the same way about 27 earlier this summer. I don't know exactly. Maybe it's because it's "late twenties" now and that sounds more adult. Ick -- Ydnam 96 Mmmm. Let's see. Well, if you look at it that way, you were in your "late twenties" already. Feel better? I agree with everyone's comments about our man Finn. One of my nephews turns 13 next month. Like Denise, I can't picture him posting on this forum with the same command of the language. I was curious, Finn, about the "Summer Play" deal on your homepage. Is that a family/neighborhood production? I believe I am on record as saying that 1 cat is too many. I do hear, however, that Catherine's house has been evaluated and would be a very roomy and spacious home for many, many kitties. Lady Arabella - Prefect - Posts : 2285 Location : Silicon Valley, CA Re: Chat & Greetings 2005 Ladybug220 - Aug 4, 2005 7:18 am (#2201 of 2963) Reply Edited by Aug 4, 2005 7:20 am No offense to your lovelies, Ladybug! I just have some very difficult personalities that I am juggling with this book sale, and the individual who is driving me the craziest happens to be someone who has 7 cats in her tiny dwelling. This is down from 19 cats at her previous residence. Her name starts with the letter "V" and we have taken to calling her "She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named." It's a bit catty, to be sure! Yes, it is a bit catty but sounds like she deserves it. Has the cat palace been designed yet? I like dogs too and hope to have a couple when I finally live in a house. I want a male and female so that I can call them Harry and Ginny. I believe I am on record as saying that 1 cat is too many. I do hear, however, that Catherine's house has been evaluated and would be a very roomy and spacious home for many, many kitties. Hehe, so how would Daisy react to the invasion? Snuffles - Aug 4, 2005 7:20 am (#2202 of 2963) Me thinks there will be a shower of dung-bombs heading your way very shortly Loopy!! I like cats just fine, as long as they belong to someone else. I much prefer dogs and other pets. My avatar shows our two 'tiels. It is nearly impossible to get a good shot of them without bleaching them out but you can see the difference in their color and size. Mist is darker but she is still young. You can't see it but Mist has large patches of white on her chest, back and wings..that is why she is pied. Piper is much lighter and right now, doesn't have much use for Mist. They are slowly being introduced on the perch..neutral ground. My vaccuum went on the fritz last night. I have to go get a new belt and see if that does the trick and if not, I will be comparing different models on the internet to see what new vaccuum I will be getting. Whee. Lupin is Lupin. Natch. As I have often said, I believe in cats for their purely decorative effect. I like to see one draped attractively across the warmest spot of the driveway, casting that "you're-not-really-going-to-make-me-move" look at me as I pull in. Denise, I'm wondering what footwear you'll be wearing as you shop for the new vacuum belt. Denise, are those your guinea pig homes in the background? Loopy Lupin, the way I see it is 20-23 early twenties, 24-26 mid twenties, 27-29 late twenties. But either way. 27 is just a wierd year... I've been busy, busy, busy. Beyond description really. We leave for our backpacking expedition on Monday so we are in high gear for prep and all that. I'll probably be gone from the forum till around the 19th. I may pop in for a few moments between now and Monday but after that it's technology free for two weeks. Have a great few weeks! Loopy Lupin - Aug 4, 2005 8:20 am (#2206 of 2963) Loopy Lupin, the way I see it is 20-23 early twenties, 24-26 mid twenties, 27-29 late twenties. But either way. 27 is just a wierd year... Ydnam96 Well, if you really want to look at it that way I guess. But, you are right, 27 is sort of weird. You are now too old to call your mistakes "youthful indiscretions," but still young enough to be terribly indiscreet. Yes, those are guinea pig cages in the background. As you look at the picture, you can see the corner of the cage with Regulus. The purple and green thing is stairs in Petunia and Luna's cage and to the right of Piper is the cage where Cinnamon and Spice is. I can see it because I know it is there but you can also see that Piper's cage door is open. Ydnam96 - make sure that there isn't a substitute available for your prescription. Sometimes there is a list of brand name drugs called a "formulary". Several different drug companies can be making the same medication and yours may not be on "THE LIST". Check with your doctor to see if you can be moved to another brand name that IS on the formulary or maybe there is a generic available. If the drug is brand new, however, you may be out of luck. If that's the case, call several drug stores in your area. You may find that one store is cheaper than the rest. And call each time you need to refill it to make sure that they still have the cheapest price. You can always arrange to have the cheaper store transfer the remaining refills. I would also explain to your doctor that $180/month does not fit into your budget and would he/she be willing to give you a few more samples. Next step: Canada! mike miller - Aug 4, 2005 8:45 am (#2209 of 2963) I'm on the "cat" side of the fence. They are much more self-reliant and require much less human resources to be happy. I know that's exactly what some people dislike about cats. I agree on our assessment of our young Mr. Finn. We have seen this before; and, it relates to the fact that Ms. Rowling's work appeals to a much more intelligent audience. On the age question, I firmly believe that everyone should be allowed one really big mistake attributed to their lack of experience, that cannot be held against them, prior to turning 30 years old. At least that's how I think about my first marriage. Loopy, I don't really get around to updating my web page that often, so unfortunately, it itself doesn't quite bring all the details that you'd need. Cupivac was the family play last year. My mother comes a from a very large family, and many of them live in the Buffalo, NY, area. My grandparents own a house there and on the Niagara River, just 13 miles from Niagara Falls. Every August we go up there (which reminds me… I will be leaving you guys on the 13th for 10 days… When I was little, I had a huge interest in acting and directing, so I said (in my cute lil' 8-year-old voice), "Why don't we do a play?" and that's what started the whole thing. We do two a year, as we see that side of the family once in the summer and once in the winter. This will be our tenth production as we failed to perform last winter. This year's is called "Shakespeare in Hollywood," and the script may be accessed here. I hope you guys enjoy reading it – my dad and I wrote it. I will create a page with pics all about it when we get home after it. It will be performed August 20th. Thanks again for all the compliments. I love my kitties! We have two, although one only bothers with my husband. (He had the cats for 4 years before I met him. One is still skittish of me, but the other has decided I'm more loveable than Mr. Puck) Denise, are there more kids or pets in your house? *grin* 27 -ah, so young. It may seem old now, but trust me, in a few years you'll back on it as your youth. I feel younger in my thirties than I did in my twenties. Perhaps because I am currently surrounded by action figures, dolls, and DVD's of cartoon format! Kathy Ludicrous Patents Office - Aug 4, 2005 9:07 am (#2212 of 2963) Happy Belated Birthday Kwikspell! Lots of August birthdays. Good month to be born in. We have two cats and no kids. Mr. Ludicrous would like a dog. I'm with Mike Miller, cats do not require as much care. It is cool and raining here. Boy does that feel nice. LPO Lupin is Lupin. Natch. Ydnam96, I ran into your prescription problem myself not too long ago. I don't know if your case is similar, but my insurance company allowed for my doctor to call and explain why only this medication worked for me and therefore should be covered. Sometimes, an insurance company has a list of other medications they want you to try first and you have to have the doctor explain why you don't need those and should proceed directly to the one he's prescribed. Good luck! For a short time, my extended family did a play every summer during our beach vacation. The most memorable involved the characters of John F. Kennedy, Rose Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe--- I'm sure yours will be stellar, Finn! I Am Used Vlad - Aug 4, 2005 11:05 am (#2214 of 2963) I'm definitely a dog person. I'm allergic to cats. Steve Newton - Aug 4, 2005 11:21 am (#2215 of 2963) I love cats but I can't breathe around them. Right now we have 2 turtles, a Mississippi Map, and a Yellow Bellied Cooter. We may get a dog sometime soon. Good Evans: "where are you putting your wand (if that’s not too personal!)" Is it? LOL! For now, I've put it on a shelf of my bookcase. It is in a beautiful maroon box, with "Witches' wand" and other inscriptions on it (peacock feather core...) that I find funny. I've put the little label that was inside near the box, I love the warning written on it: Warning - Magic wand, handle with care! Do not: 1) Turn people into frogs 2) Bring the dead back to life 3) Transform base metals into gold No risk with that one, I bought a wand not a Philosopher's Stone, they should know that! I'm happy you liked the pictures and our reports from Accio, we did think a lot of you there! I've tried to put a picture of all of us at Platform 9 and 3/4 but as I had to reduce it a lot I'm afraid you can't see the inscription on it, but I assure you it is there! Happy belated birthday Puck and Kwikspell! Count me in the cat lovers club, though I don't have any, but it is only a question of time! Catherine - Aug 4, 2005 11:30 am (#2217 of 2963) I believe I am on record as saying that 1 cat is too many. I do hear, however, that Catherine's house has been evaluated and would be a very roomy and spacious home for many, many kitties. --Loopy Lupin Indeed, "She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named" has pronounced my house "perfect for cats" and has speculated on how many cats my house would hold. As I am very allergic to cats, I have no plans to allow my home to the the Humane Society's "cat palace," although I do volunteer at PetsMart to help get the cats adopted. Also, "She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named" told me that my house would be cleaner if I got a whole bunch of cats because they would make sure that my bookshelves and corners would never have cobwebs. But, to answer Ladybug's query, there is a plan for the cat palace. We just lack funds to do it right this second, although I would love to get it underway before winter! We're working on some grant money and private donations to pay for the first part of construction. In all, I think we will have to raise about seventy-five thousand dollars to build the cat palace and update the current cat holding area to accommodate the puppies. That's a lot of money for us, so it's one reason I hope this book sale makes lots of money! Thanks for allowing me to vent. I'm a nervous wreck about this sale, and "She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named" has unfortunately decided that she's speaking to me again. I had to get my migraine medicine refilled! See you all around later. Loopy Lupin - Aug 4, 2005 11:41 am (#2218 of 2963) Also, "She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named" told me that my house would be cleaner if I got a whole bunch of cats because they would make sure that my bookshelves and corners would never have cobwebs. – Catherine She did not! ***reaches for the cold compress*** Next thing you know, she'll be telling you that cats would take care of your obvious varmit problem. Ladybug220 - Aug 4, 2005 11:55 am (#2219 of 2963) Reply Edited by Aug 4, 2005 11:59 am Also, "She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named" told me that my house would be cleaner if I got a whole bunch of cats because they would make sure that my bookshelves and corners would never have cobwebs. –Catherine I have to refute that as I own three cats and they are not dust mops. Also, one sheds more than the other 2 so I have make sure the vacuuming gets done so that my carpet doesn't change color. Not all of us cat ladies are insane - crazy yes - but not insane. edit: maybe I don't have enough cats to have dust mops. However, I think that 3 cats are enough in 1000 sq ft apartment. The giant squid - Aug 4, 2005 12:13 pm (#2220 of 2963) Put me down as "cat people". Granted, I'm allergic to both cats and dogs, so it's a moot point, but I prefer the independence of the feline personality. I guess I just have an aversion to slobber... --Mike Penny Lane. I'm a cat person. I don't like how dogs are so... dog like, I guess. I don't like the slobber (although my one cat does drool) and I like how cats can curl up in my lap and I don't get crushed under the weight - like my cousin and her burmese mountain dogs. If I had to have a dog, I'd get a toy poodle, a toy poodle/biscion mix, or a greyhound. My neighbors had a labradoodle, and I think it turned me off of large dogs forever, except for greyhounds. Catherine - Aug 4, 2005 2:03 pm (#2222 of 2963) I sure didn't mean to imply that folks who like cats are crazy. "She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named" is the only one who is a "crazy cat lady!" Of course, I am known as "the crazy shih-tzu lady," so there you go. Brella W - Aug 4, 2005 3:34 pm (#2223 of 2963) Reply Edited by Denise P. Aug 4, 2005 3:42 pm Hello all I am Brella...already posted on the who are you thread just wanted to say hi on here as well. Edit Please remember to use proper spelling. The word you has three letters in it, not one. Thanks! Denise P. Ok - My dog does not slobber or smell or shed or bark much and he sits quite comfortably in my lap...! Plus - if you swing him around on the floor by his ball on a rope when you play, he is an excellent dust-bunny exterminator.... I must admit (believe it or not) that I am a sucker for big dogs, and that I find cats less than desirable... I think it has much to do with the fact that they don't make sense to me... I am sure I could learn to love one, but I'd rather not have to... LOL - Penny - Do you mean BERNESE Mountain Dogs? Oh - I am so excited - they started a Buffy rerun - I never saw those before, and I am pretty excited - when I get back to the states, I am going to get all the Buffy seasons, and Angel, and Six Feet Under (and yes, I will be going to school, as well...) Say - Could anyone possibly think of how to best smoke out any fellow potties in a huge university setting in a discreet but thorough manner???? Amilia Smith - Aug 4, 2005 4:53 pm (#2225 of 2963) Hi, Brella! Welcome to the family. I'm a cat person myself. Although I do prefer that they live outside the house. Mills. Catherine - Aug 4, 2005 5:47 pm (#2226 of 2963) Edited Aug 4, 2005 6:48 pm Hi, Brella, and welcome. I had a nice thing happen when I went to get a big book donation tonight (my last one--woo hoo!). Turns out that the lady involved LOVES landscaping and gardening and do-it-yourself projects--and her yard shows it. I just happened to mention that the Humane Society needed someone to oversee its landscape face-lift with our name change this September, and she's is so excited to help. Her information has been forwarded to our volunteer coordinator, and I am sure that the spider arms loving arms of the Humane Society will draw her right in! Ah, I cannot deny the Humane Society its share of fresh meat, when it wanders so willingly into our midst.... EDIT: "edit: maybe I don't have enough cats to have dust mops. However, I think that 3 cats are enough in 1000 sq ft apartment. "—Ladybug I think you are a sane cat lady. Obviously, if a cat lover can refute this lady's statements, the whole thing speaks for itself... I must admit that I have really enjoyed the kitten antics when I've done the adoption thingy at PetsMart. I really have gotten some therapeutic belly laughs from watching them do amazing acrobatics and the "working it" thing when folks are trying to decide whether to take them home. Stephanie M. - Aug 4, 2005 6:56 pm (#2227 of 2963) Hello Everyone!!! I've had some trouble getting onto the Forum so I had to catch up on over 50 POSTS!! So Happy Birthday everyone!!! Best Wishes and Healing Charms to everyone!! And good luck to Everyone!!! Hey Finn, your still 12! I can still tease you for being younger than me... well, I've never teased anyone for being younger than me, but I had to say something to get the point across that I'm exactly... hold on let me do some math... 120 days older than you! And I also have an OLDER sister so I DEFINATLY won't make fun of anyone under ANY circumstance because I've had years of teasing from her! Well, Happy early birthday Finn! 13 has been fun so far, except that my birthday is a month before Finals... But yours is in the Summer, so you can have a pool party! (and goof off while doing so! ) Well, you kinda need a pool first but you can come over to my apartment because we have an outdoor pool on the roof of the building. But you need to be a member and there will be people from my building there including little kids and people doing laps, and you can't jump or dive... We better go somewhere else... *** Starts thinking of things Finn can do for fun on his birthday*** Off to read zillions of posts!!! EDit: My sister just came running into my room and was screaming in her "English accent", "I'm Reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire!!!" But since she isn't English it doesn't totally sound like what she wants, but she is really happy screaming "HARRY POTTER!!!" throughout the day. She has gotten really far in GOF and I think she really likes it! Kwikspell - Aug 4, 2005 6:59 pm (#2228 of 2963) T Brightwater, I live in the city in a neighborhood called Roscoe Village. I used to live in Lakeview, but the press of drunken depressed Cubs fans was too much to take after the 2003 season so we decided to move a little further west. If you're wearing comfortable shoes, you can still walk to Wrigley, though. Thanks for all of the birthday wishes. I love getting belated birthday cards, etc. Makes the day of celebration last longer! I'm a dog person, through and through. I grew up with cats, but turned allergic over college when I was cat-free. I'm amused by feline independence, but I love coming home to a wagging tail and happy kisses. Speaking of which, I had a rather amusing encounter with a feline this morning. While out walking my dog, Ruthie, we were followed by a very aggressive, very tiny kitten for almost an entire block--hissing the whole way and arching its back (trickery, trickery). Oh, and Ponine's right--a dog on a Booda bone does make a great floor duster. Penny Lane. Oh Ponine, I would think that your spelling is correct. Bernese? Mountain Dogs is what she has, and they are giant, and show dogs. I think one was in the Westminster show last year, but I'm not positive. I love Buffy/Angel. As if you didn't know that. I didn't mean to insult people by saying that I didn't like dogs because they drool. I'm just a cat person. Catherine - Aug 4, 2005 7:23 pm (#2230 of 2963) What's funny is that last year this time we had the cat/dog choosing sides discussion here on the Forum. Now that I deal with Humane Society issues, I see a lot of "dog" vs. "cat" people, but I hope that we can all decide that "it's all good." I see both sides getting "tunnel vision" and not seeing the big picture, nor working toward the bigger funding issues, of which there is a huge need everywhere. Our shelter is a good example--we have so many amazing volunteers, who do such good works, but small differences can take over. Usually, when someone investigates, we find that it didn't need to be such a huge problem, after all. I need everyone's "big moola" wishes for this book sale. Lupin is Lupin's advice about prescip meds was especially good, as I believe my migraine meds cost more than they should, although they are worth every penny. Cheers. Oh, as much as I love my kitties, I think dogs are great. I grew up with shepherds, huskies, plus some little mutts. I would like a little one, but my son's afraid of them (no traumatic incident, he just is), plus there is so much work involved, and I just don't need someone else who needs me to take care of them. So, we went on a family outing for my birthday. Took the kids to their first movie theater movie. "March of the Penguins" was quite good. Cute, real, but not so graphic. (It's a hard life, not all survive, but they show this in a sensitive way kids can handle.) Parker liked the baby penguins, Maya enjoyed the candy. (And to those concerned, we bought it at the concession stand, not smuggled in from home.) My niece is doing well, and may get to come home tomorrow. Thanks for the charms! Happy birthday fellow Leo'S! Harry is one of us, and Gryffindor is represented by a lion... Gallons of Galleons, Catherine! Kathy I probably shouldn't take Lexie to see "March of the Penquins" then. She can't even make it through "Babe" without breaking down. We had a bit of odd weather today. Well, odd only for Colorado I guess. It rained literally all day long. It is still raining. We're used to short spurts of rain, usually accompanied by vicious hail. The lovely part was that it was so cool, only 60 degrees. (Need to go practice that degree-symbol-thingy.) My curriculum materials started arriving today and now I'm getting antsy for school to start. Remind me in February how excited I was in August for school to begin. You'd have to put me down in the cat-lover catergory even though I'm allergic to them. I developed an allergy to cats when Samantha was nine and our other cat was five. I promised to get the girls a dog after Samantha was, er, gone and now Shayla bugs me daily. Sigh. Mrs. Sirius - Aug 4, 2005 10:39 pm (#2233 of 2963) I took my kids to see the "Penguins" last week. Anastasia (age 6) took one look at the screen and started crying "I hate this movie, I don't like it". She thought it was going to be cartoons. She kept this up for about 15 minutes crying whining (luckily we were in the back I got her to keep her voice down). But at one point they showed a particularly cute shot and she looked up at the screen and that was the end of it. She really tuned in and enjoyed it after that. The other 3 enjoyed it and did not complain at all (ages 9 and 6). So give a warning that it is not a cartoon movie before hand. Thanks for the welcomes on the topics of cats and dogs I am one of those odd people who loves them both but currently the only pet I (kinda) have is my sister’s pet dog Timmy he is an american eskimo. This is not him but this is what he looks like. Aren't they gorgeous? I adore him. But personally I want a big dog like a great dane or something. Brella Kerrie-Louise - Aug 5, 2005 12:18 am (#2235 of 2963) Whilst I am considered a cat person I also love big dogs. Having done a paper-round when I was much younger I loathe little yappy dogs. My grandad owns a Yorkshire Terrier and it's positively the most annoying thing ever created. It starts barking at you as soon as you enter the close where it lives! Well Timmy is actually a medium size dog and has a pretty deep bark. But I do understand about the yapping I don't much like the little itty bitty dogs either. Like I said I want a dog the size of a miniature pony you know what I mean? Brella mike miller - Aug 5, 2005 5:11 am (#2237 of 2963) Well we're having loads of fun at the Miller house. We came home from work yesterday to discover that our A/C has quit! Yesterday high temp here was 94 degrees F with high humidity making it feel like 104 degrees. We're expecting the same or even a little higher today. We have fans running all over the house, sleeping last night was less than ideal. The repair man is scheduled for this afternoon so it was a good thing I'll be home. I was already planning to work from home today as I need to pick up my daughter Lauren at camp today at 2pm. She's doing a summer camp program at our church where a theater company comes in and they put on a show (tonight at 7pm) with the kids in camp. Something new and different to break up the summer. As stated before, I'm a cat person (I've had 6 overall, 2 at the moment). If I were inclined to get a dog it would probably be in the "Sporting" variety. Madam Pince - Aug 5, 2005 6:04 am (#2238 of 2963) She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named told me that my house would be cleaner if I got a whole bunch of cats because they would make sure that my bookshelves and corners would never have cobwebs. Actually, that is perfectly true. You would not have cobwebs. However, you would have lots of shed cat hair which combines with dust to make alarmingly large fluffy dust bunnies. And, of course, there are the hairballs as well, which you invariably discover with your bare feet at 5:00am. That being said, I really did love my kitty before he passed away, for all the reasons mentioned -- easy to care for, could sit on your lap without smooshing you (well, he was about 15 pounds so he did smoosh a bit), and that purring noise is just so cool! I like dogs, too. A girl I worked with years ago had a Burmese/Bernese mountain dog, and while he was really so large that he caused practicality problems (transport, amount of food, sofa size, etc.) he was the sweetest dog I think I've ever seen. He would sidle up to you and sit on your feet while gazing adoringly up at you -- which of course forced you to pet him because you can't move with a 150-lb dog sitting on your feet, and heaven forbid he should decide to lean on you! He was a sweetheart. Mike, sorry to hear about your A/C problems! Yucky! Hope they fix it today before the weekend! And thanks for mentioning earlier about missing us at the PA gathering -- we missed you guys too! Wish we could've been there! I know Mr. Pince would've enjoyed talking "guy talk," and he's even beginning to be able to talk some Potter-verse! (I'm relenting and filling him in on some book details -- he loves the movies and the stories but won't read them.) I've missed out on a lot of Chat stuff lately -- let's see if I can catch up. Get-well wishes to Stephanie's grandma and Puck's niece and Mike Miller's grandpa, plus anyone else who needs them! Lina, I agree about the "I don't cook what I don't eat." This makes Mr. Pince very sad about liver-and-onions and brussels sprouts and turnips. We have this one restaurant we go to where he always orders the liver and I always order the oysters, because those are the two things the other person doesn't eat, so we never have them at home. Giant Squid Mike, Dr. Pepper rocks! I also agree with Herm-oh-ninny about Dunkin Donuts coffee -- it's the bestest! (Although I'm sure Eponine's thermos of fermented coffee was just lovely... ) Happy Birthday, Veronika, Puck, and Finn! And congrats to Puck on the baby re-alignment! You and Denise are both getting very close now -- we can't wait and I'm sure you can't either! Denise, don't you just hate it when you have to buy something boring like a vacuum or a water heater? Bleah. Even a stove or a refrigerator is more fun than that. Saralinda, is your quitting smoking a recent thing, or a long time ago? Either way, congratulations and great job! Kate, good job on teaching your little sister to swim! I wish you were here to help out Baby Pince. He is taking swimming lessons now, and is doing great. The only problem is that he is having so much fun that he just giggles the entire time he's in the pool, which means his mouth is open and he keeps swallowing water and getting all choked up. But he keeps going! In light of recent interviews, I refuse to read anything by Terry Pratchett or Robert McCrum. Phooey! (I'm sure that will make them run for cover.) And Kip, I must join in all who say "thanks" for all you do, and all the other hosts as well. You guys are amazing. (And on 2-4 hours' sleep? I know one other person who does that, but I just thought he was a space alien or something....) OK, well, everyone have a lovely weekend! ***crosses fingers for rain and cooler weather for those who need it!*** Lupin is Lupin. Natch. Better a spectator than a participant.---Chemyst I meant to respond to this earlier----Chemyst, as reported to me, one lucky person was both a spectator and a participant, as they were the recipient of someone's expectoration. Giant Squid Mike, Dr. Pepper rocks!---Madam Pince[ Oh, dear. I sense a Moxie debate just awaiting in the wings. mike miller - Aug 5, 2005 7:26 am (#2240 of 2963) Madam Pince - My Mom has the same problem with my Dad regarding reading the books. However, Dad is more than willing to "Listen" to the books. They play them on their long trips and most recently Dad listened to HBP while in the hospital. There's hope yet! The audio versions are a little harder to just "look something up" in when researching a theory or something. Loopy Lupin - Aug 5, 2005 8:54 am (#2241 of 2963) Oh, dear. I sense a Moxie debate just awaiting in the wings. -- Lupin is Lupin Ooh I love Moxie . My Jeep can go 7,000 miles between oil changes when I use that stuff. I Am Used Vlad - Aug 5, 2005 11:25 am (#2242 of 2963) Loopy, I have a Jeep, too. Thanks for the Moxie tip. VeronikaG - Aug 5, 2005 12:39 pm (#2243 of 2963) Happy belated birthday Kathy! Glad to hear the little girl is doing fine. Happy birthday Finn! Have fun being a teenager. I'm a cat person, but I put that down to cats being the only larger pet I've ever had. I had a mini rabbit and some hamsters when I was younger, but I didn't get the kind of contact with them as I do with my cats. Our neighbours comment on how very dog-like our cats are. They come straight home when called, and they hang around when anybody in the family is outside. Most people don't think it's possible to train cats to obedience. It is- it just takes an early start, patience and food. I'd love to have a dog, but sadly, I can't. I'm a student with no car, and my parents have always been pretty clear on the fact that their dog-owning experience before I was born was a one timer. My favourite breed is Border Collie. I can't explain why, I just have always liked them. Maybe it's the combination of them being smart, cute and lively. For some reason I like Siberian Huskies too. Strangely enough I find something cat-like about them, they are cute the same way a cat is. Unfortunately they are not very popular as family dogs in Norway. I have an impression that they are in the US though, as I often see them on American TV shows on pets. And I keep hearing and reading how they are very nice dogs. Yet in Norway people are often afraid of polar dogs after incidents where the larger types (Alaskan Malamute and Greenland Dog) have attacked children. Most people don't understand that Siberian Husky and Greenland Dog are very different breeds with very diferent tempers. Unfortunately I don't see a near future where I'll be able to take proper care of a dog the calibre of a BC or a SH, and when I can't have the kind of dog I really want, I'll rather not have a dog. My husband will only read non-fiction, but has watched the movies with me. My in-laws (who gave me the set of the first 4 four books years ago for Christmas, and thus got me hooked.) have been listening to the books on tape during the long journeys to visit us and the other grandchildren who live 1000 miles in the other direction. Alas, there new vehicle has only a CD player, so they relented and have bought themselves the books! Dad says he's enjoying them more than the tapes. It was 98 degrees outside last thermometer check. Hiding in the AC, as heat makes me sick nowadays. Mike, hope yours is fixed quickly! My kids had seen the promos, so they knew the movie wasn't a cartoon. They had been asking to see it. Parker's been afraid to go to the movies, thinking it would be too loud. Penguins are quiet, so he decided he was ready to go. Now, he's over that fear. Going to check the threads, then get to my house work. Kathy Kwikspell - Aug 5, 2005 1:05 pm (#2245 of 2963) Mike, I feel for you and your AC woes. Cooling Spells being sent your way! The heat finally broke in Chicago today, so we're back into the low 80s. A purring cat on your lap truly is bliss...as long as it isn't punctuated by loud sneezes. The cat we had when I was a little kid purred when she was about to swipe at you with her claws. I guess she liked the sneak-attack method. The great thing about liking Moxie (yes, actually drinking it) is that you don't have to share it with anyone! (Kind of like Sour Patch Kids or Hot Tamales when I go to the movies with friends.) The bad thing about liking Moxie is that I have to mail order it since it's not sold in the Midwest. Dr. Pepper is a close second. mike miller - Aug 5, 2005 1:10 pm (#2246 of 2963) It's after 4pm, the temp is around 95 degrees F with high humidity and I'm the next stop for the A/C technician! Ludicrous Patents Office - Aug 5, 2005 1:31 pm (#2247 of 2963) Yea Mike Miller. I hope the technician arrives soon. It is nice and cool in Colorado, like Marie E said. I'm enjoying it. LPO Madam Pince - Aug 5, 2005 4:08 pm (#2248 of 2963) I looked at our thermometer around noon and it was 103° in the sun. Then we had a bit of a thunderstorm, and now at 7:00pm the temperature is down to a balmy 83°. Twenty-degree drop, and it still feels like a big old humid oven. Hope the A/C man made it, Mike! The only reference I've ever heard of "Moxie" was in a Trixie Belden book which was probably written in the 1960's. I remember thinking at the time "What is the world is Moxie?" and I sort of figured from the context that it was some sort of soft drink that had become archaic or something. Do you mean to say it's still around? I've never seen it. Kwikspell - Aug 5, 2005 4:29 pm (#2249 of 2963) Moxie is the oldest continually produced soft drink in the U.S., though you can only find it in stores in the Northeast. It's known for having a strong flavor that my dad (who is not a fan) describes as a combination between motor oil and root beer. I think the flavor is just fine, it's the aftertaste that, er, takes some getting used to. The word "moxie" to describe someone who is spirited or courageous is derived from the soft drink (or so my Webster's claims). Ludicrous Patents Office - Aug 5, 2005 4:37 pm (#2250 of 2963) Thank you Kwikspell. I had no idea what Moxie was. Learn something new each day! LPO Lady Arabella - Prefect - Posts : 2285 Location : Silicon Valley, CA Re: Chat & Greetings 2005 Trixie Belden! I loved those books. Still do, as a matter of fact. Hello all, just escaping from my life for a second. I really hate uncertainty... not knowing if my life is going to be uprooted in the next month is killing me. Anyone in South Carolina? Anyway I mostly skimmed, I prefer animals I'm not allergic to and skirts long enough to cover my spider veins (insert blush thingy). I firmly believe that everyone should be allowed one really big mistake attributed to their lack of experience, that cannot be held against them, prior to turning 30 years old. At least that's how I think about my first marriage. -Mike Miller LOL so basicly I can write off my whole life to this point? I'll be so glad to be 30, seriously, I've been looking forward to it for years. Being a "20 something" puts a huge dent in one's credibility right off the bat. Hey Denise, when do I need to send the Labor Dust? Thora Thora, anytime after Wednesday would be fine with me. Hopefully I will get a date on Tuesday. Thanks for asking! Shhhh! Mr. Denise may be leaving Monday to come back for a few weeks but since it is still up in the air, we are not telling kiddies yet... Ludicrous Patents Office - Aug 5, 2005 4:56 pm (#2254 of 2963) Denise I hope Mr. Denise can make it. How on Earth do you manage the pets, the kiddies and us? I am impressed. LPO Happy Belated Birthday to: Puck, Kwikspell and Happy Birthday Finn!!!! I'm crossing my fingers for Mr. Denise to come home for a bit and for Baby P to make its arrival while Dad is around to help Mom. Mike Miller, I'll send some of our cool, rainy weather your way. It was a nice break for us. I got my pictures back from PA and will be posting them online sometime tonight. I'll share once they're ready. I don't know if it's because I just got back from two weeks off from work, but I'm absolutely exhausted tonight. I want to check the forum, but I'm afraid I'll wake up with a keyboard indentation on my face. I Am Used Vlad - Aug 5, 2005 6:57 pm (#2257 of 2963) Marie, I thought you were a teacher. Don't you have the whole summer off? Oh, I wish. I teach private kindergarten at a daycare center. During the summers I do summer day camp for the school age children. I wish I was in a financial position to take the summers off. Or get a job at one of my local school districts. *sigh* Penny Lane. I love Trixe Belden! Denise, lucky you, hope it works out! Marie, sorry you are so tired - here, have some coffee. And I can't wait for those pics. How awful do I look in yours? I Am Used Vlad - Aug 5, 2005 7:15 pm (#2260 of 2963) There always seems to be a lot more teachers than jobs. My niece graduated this year with an Elementary Education degree and is currently looking for a job. Everyone needs subs, but the full-time positions are hard to get. Amilia Smith - Aug 5, 2005 7:43 pm (#2261 of 2963) I've heard Vegas is a good place for teachers--they always need more, and they pay better than they do in Utah. Also loved Trixie Belden. My sister was a Nancy Drew girl, but I read Trixie. Thanks for explaining Moxie, Kwikspell. I was trying to figure out if it was a drink or an oil additive. Mills. Stephanie M. - Aug 5, 2005 7:48 pm (#2262 of 2963) Denise, I hope everything works out for you and your family! My sister is currently on page 461 of GOF! When she's done I'll attempt to get her to read OotP! I really don't know if she'll read it though... She says it's too long. But I will try. Ludicrous Patents Office - Aug 5, 2005 8:27 pm (#2263 of 2963) Marie come north. We have 13 new teachers in our building this year. Our district is struggling because so many baby boomers are retiring. Two years ago we had ten staff members retire. I had to sub three years before I got my job. We are opening up two new Middle Schools this year. LPO The only reference I've ever heard of "Moxie" was in a Trixie Belden book which was probably written in the 1960's. I remember thinking at the time "What is the world is Moxie?" and I sort of figured from the context that it was some sort of soft drink that had become archaic or something. Do you mean to say it's still around? I've never seen it. - Madam Pince I'm terribly sorry, Madam Pince, but you've been found out! But at least you are consistent. In this post from July 26, 2004 you also mentioned Trixie Belden. Moxie was nagging at the back of my mind and I was forced to do a search to make it stop! dizzy lizzy - Aug 5, 2005 11:34 pm (#2265 of 2963) Thanks for clearing up the "moxie" reference! Sort of completely got me confused there. I couldn't work out why people were drinking an oil additive! Denise, I hope your news is good and Mr Denise makes it home. My two weeks away have been good. My workload went really well and I had no problems this time and I enjoyed it. The training in Sydney was really good as well but very exhausting. I mentioned in the last post I had had car problems etc. Well the car problems got fixed up with a "gift" of cold hard cash to the relevant people . The foot is still playing up, but I now have a heavy duty Cortisone cream for the dermatitis. So now I am officially allergic to Elastoplast. I've got no idea what I'm going to do the next time I need to cover a wound or sore; but I'll worry about it when it happens. Just so you know bad luck comes in three's (or fours) I am now waiting for an eye infection to clear itself up with nasty eye drops. I honestly can't remember if anyone celebrated their birthday whilst I was away, so Happy Birthday to those who did have a Birthday! Lizzy Catherine - Aug 6, 2005 2:46 am (#2266 of 2963) Hello to everyone. On a quick chat note, wishing Mr. P and labor to visit Denise soon; wishing air-conditioning to Mike Miller; wishing better health and luck to Lizzy; wishing "Happy Birthdays" to all who celebrate this weekend. Mostly, I'm wishing this weekend were already over. I spent 4 hours loading books yesterday, and 7 hours unloading books at the mall. Two of my volunteers didn't show up yesterday, which left me nearly alone with "She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named," who then tried to pick another argument with me. The end came for me when same slammed a book down next to my hand, nearly hitting me, whilst yelling at me in the mall. It was amusing how quickly I switched into "teacher voice" and used the deadly stare. She was decidedly nicer after that. I don't know how many thousands of books we have, but the mall didn't give us the 10 tables we requested; we only got seven. So I hope that even though some books are in boxes, we can move them right along. I need a big "Galleon" charm, big time, so wish us luck. It should be a very crowded, busy day at the mall because today is a tax-amnesty day for North Carolina. Best to all, and have a good weekend. The giant squid - Aug 6, 2005 3:46 am (#2267 of 2963) I've heard Vegas is a good place for teachers—Mills Well, let me put it this way: Vegas is in need of teachers. Whether it's a "good place" for them or not I can neither confirm nor deny. I will say that the state of the kids being pumped out of the Nevada Public School System shows that they need all the help they can get... Still, knowing what Mr. E makes, it'd take a lot to get Marie's family to move out here. --Mike Happy belated birthday to Claire. I hope that "She-who-must-not-be-named" didn't ruin it completely. I can totally agree with you Catherine that cats and dogs are both good, but there is still one thing that I hate about cats: dogs just want to play with them and they chase them away. I'm always sad when I see a dog running happily towards the cat and the cat becoming furious. I just think it is not fair. Once, I was walking my dog and we met a really little kitty. I thought "If it doesn't get furious, I'll take it home." It was funny to see such a little spine arched, but not enough to take it home. Although, I have friends that have their life saved by the cat. They trained her to open the door and when their house set on fire, the cat opened the door and woke them up so they managed to evacuate the house on time. So, I don't really hate cats, I just don't like their attitude with the dogs. And, as you can imagine, I love dogs. I agree that the small dogs are too annoying, but I blame it to their masters who think that small dogs are not dangerous enough to be trained. The problem with the huge dogs is the amount of food needed. So I settle with the middle ones. But, since I take care only about pureblood mutts, I never know how big are they about to grow. We had a national holiday yesterday. It is called something like "Victory and Greatfulness day" - celebrating the end of all the war operations. It was the 10th anniversary this year and I have a hard time deciding if 10 years is a long or a short period, but it felt good to remember all the events that ended up well after all. Fingers crossed for you Denise (I won't even mention the reason)! Stephanie, be patient with your sister, don't push her too much or you might be sorry! Lizzy, it seems that you need some strong healing charms, so I send several of them your way! And at the end, I'm not sure if it is today or tomorrow, as well as I'm not sure if I will be able to post tomorrow, so , Finn! Oh, yes, I can thank all of you who were surprised with Finn, I would add Dumbledore, Stephanie and some other kids of the same age (as my daughter ). I started to think how American kids are much more mature than our kids, but now I see that those kids are just special anywhere and it makes me feel much better. Madam Pince - Aug 6, 2005 8:18 am (#2269 of 2963) ***is confused....*** Chemyst, what did I get caught out about? I thought I just said the same thing twice? Or did you mean I had heard about Moxie before when Leprechaun Jack asked what it was last year? I guess I wasn't clear -- what I meant to say was that I'd never actually seen, tasted, seen an ad, whatever, for Moxie other than that time in Trixie Belden, and I didn't know that it still existed. I wasn't counting Jack's question -- I vaguely remembered that we talked about it here once before, I think. Anyway, whatever, it sounds pretty yucky to me! I'll stick with Coke or Dr. Pepper! (or iced sweet tea, or Dunkin Donuts coffee, or lemonade, or Strawberry-Kiwi Tropicana Twister, or....) Edit: Too funny - I was reading over some of the other posts from Chemyst's link from over a year ago, and we were discussing cats vs. dogs then, too! My, we are cyclical, aren't we? Denise, I hope your potential good news becomes a reality! Woo-hoo! ***crosses fingers and does Catherine's daughter's twirl around and wish-wish-wish*** Catherine, what exactly is "She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named"'s problem? I don't understand why she is yelling all the time! Does she have anger issues? It reminds me of a local town council near us -- two of the members hate each other and one recently sent the other an e-mail saying that she'd blocked her computer from receiving the other's e-mails because she "has absolutely no interest in anything you have to say." Now this is a town council, where the members are supposed to work together regardless of whether they like each other or not. I couldn't help it -- I sent a letter to all of them reminding them that they represent the public and they need to listen to each other because they each represent constituents. I felt like a kindergarten teacher saying "Now play nice!" I mean really -- they are supposed to be grown-ups! Speaking of which, I agree with all the earlier observations that our younger Forum members are so pleasantly mature! It's great to see and gives us old geezers hope for the future! mike miller - Aug 6, 2005 8:37 am (#2270 of 2963) Well the A/C is back to normal. However, it was the classic story of he'll be there between 1pm and 4pm and didn't show up until 8pm. I called at 4pm and was told I was next on the list. I called at 6pm and was told there was a mistake in their dispatch office and the technician was sent to a different house. At least when he got here it was a quick, although not so painless, repair job. A bad capaciter (sp?), easily replaced; but, it was a $125 part. Normally, it would not have been a big deal but I had somewhere to be at 7pm. My daughter has been is a special summer camp at our church for the past week. A theater company leads the camp and the campers put on a show at the end of the week. At least I will be able to watch the video when they have them copied; although it does not compare to being there in person. I have never heard of a soft drink called Moxie but I have never been up in the Northeast either. We have our front walkway lined with crepe myrtle, which grows like nobody's business. Each year, Mr. Denise trims them back to stubs and you would swear they are dead but then they spring back to life and grow, grow, grow. They do look pretty but they get wild quickly. I just took 10 minutes and a pair of hand clippers to them...there are maybe 10 in front of the house, one on each side of the front steps. We can now use the walkway again without batting a branch full of pink flowers out of your face. It is amazing how much nicer it looks. Or I should say, how much nicer it will look after I get the leaf blower to get all the fallen flowers off the walk way. I had big plans today and all of them are fizzling by the wayside as I actually start to move. I did the walkway, did the dishes, switched around laundry, have water going in the pool but think the few other easy offs and ends are just gonna have to wait. I have not heard from Mr. Denise in about 48 hours so hopefully everything is still on track for his potential scheduled departure. Madam Pince - Aug 6, 2005 9:02 am (#2272 of 2963) Oh, Mike, what a shame you had to miss the show! Bummer. Well, at least you got the A/C fixed. Denise, that sounds like a very productive morning. Enjoy spending the rest of the afternoon drinking ice water and dabbling in the pool! I'm glad you posted that about crepe myrtles -- I've been meaning to ask Forumers if anyone knows about them. I've been thinking about putting some of the light purplish ones in our yard to go with the lilacs and hydrangeas, but I wasn't sure about the light requirements. Crepe myrtles prefer full sun, don't they? I saw a sign the other day advertising that now is the time of year to put them in. So sorry, Madam Pince. Big misunderstanding. When you most recently posted, "The only reference I've ever heard of 'Moxie'..." I mistakenly assumed that you meant you'd never heard of Moxie outside of the Trixie reference. Then I found when you'd discussed it a little over a year ago when Leprechaun Jack brought it up. Didn't old chat threads get mulched once upon a time? Mike, I hope they had a good videographer. It's a shame you had to miss the live performance. Added: Our crepe myrtles flank either side of the garage door. The side that gets full sun also seems to attract a LOT more bees, even though the flowering looks about the same. It may have nothing to do with the amount of sunlight. It might just be that it's also nearer the people-doorway and the little buzzers are out to get me. Madam Pince - Aug 6, 2005 9:15 am (#2274 of 2963) No problem, Chemyst! You're right, that was what I said! Silly you -- for thinking I meant what I said! I need a Pensieve.... I think Kip had once said something about "mulching" old chat threads, but it never happened. I guess it doesn't hurt anything to leave them there, and look at all the interesting things we can look up! Stephanie M. - Aug 6, 2005 9:38 am (#2275 of 2963) Congratulations Mike on getting the AC fixed! Denise, You've done soo much! And most of the things you've done this morning have been outside in the heat!!! Keep yourself hydrated and relax in a shadey spot by the pool, or even relax in it! Off to read a billion posts (Whenever I say I'm going to read them all I only wind up reading a couple of threads.) So today I'll actually read a lot of posts! Does anyone know the nearest commercial airport from Dover, DE? Just spoke to Mr. Denise and it looks like if his flight goes, it will eventually reach Dover...where he will then have to take a commercial plane. I am not familiar with the area so have no clue what airport(s) may be near by. Madam Pince - Aug 6, 2005 11:02 am (#2277 of 2963) I expect Baltimore, Denise. Dover is about an hour-plus from my house (East) and then BWI is about an hour away, West. There are some small-town airports which I doubt have much commercial service. Let me know if he needs a ride from Dover to BWI -- it's possible I could go get him. Steve Newton - Aug 6, 2005 1:29 pm (#2278 of 2963) There are two major airports within striking distance of Dover. Baltimore Washington Iternational and Philadelphia. I'm estimating an hour and a half to Philly. Probably a little longer to BWI. There is a small airport near Wilmington, about 3 miles from where I live. Here is their website: http://www.newcastleairportilg.com/ It is about 50 minutes from Dover. (I work in Dover so I have the time down pretty well.) 55 minutes if you dawdle. Catherine - Aug 6, 2005 5:29 pm (#2279 of 2963) Catherine, what exactly is "She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named"'s problem? I don't understand why she is yelling all the time! Does she have anger issues? Yes. Along with other issues. One volunteer who did bother to show up today said, "Working with her is a real challenge, isn't it?" BUT...we're done! YAY! Our one sale today beat both sales put together last year by $400. I'm quite tired and in need of a hot shower and sleep, but I am so happy to be done. Incidentally, I've declined the chairmanship of this sale again. Gina R Snape - Aug 6, 2005 5:30 pm (#2280 of 2963) Hi everyone. Just wanted to pop in and say I've made it home safely. I'm looking upon the threads with a combination of excitement and dread. So much to read...so little time. Madam Pince - Aug 6, 2005 5:30 pm (#2281 of 2963) OK, who ate all their dinner tonight? The berry cobbler is hot out of the oven! Edit: Welcome home, Gina! So glad you made it home safely! Hope you get all caught up on your rest! Madam P - elected officials are the absolute worst. I work for a local government. Between the politics and the fear of actually making a decision, I am surprised that anything gets accomplished. There is absolutely no sense of urgency. They could have 20 meetings on the same topic and still not come to an agreement. I don't think half of our employees would last a day in the private sector. I'm putting in just enough time to get a pension and then I am on my way back to THE REAL WORLD! I'd rather risk the uncertainty of the job market than spend the rest of my career in La La Land. Thanks for letting me vent, guys! I Am Used Vlad - Aug 6, 2005 6:14 pm (#2283 of 2963) haymoni, I also work for a government agency, and agree that many of the people, especially those in management, couldn't hold a real job. I, however, love job security and plan on spending my entire working life in La La Land. Hey everybody. I've sort of being straying away from the Chat thread lately, so sorry for being so behind on the posts. Cheering and Healing Charms to all who need it. Denise, I hope everything works out with You-Know-Who (and I don't mean Mr. Riddle ). Good luck to his safe return. Thanks for the birthday wishes, everyone, even though they don't happen until tomorrow… Today was my last day of being a non-teenager… it was very riveting. Today I had the wonderful sensation of creating a DVD. I finally got around to putting my piano recital onto my computer, and then onto a disc, and when you pop it into the machine, and you see the "Loading" icon, and then it plays with those cool Apple menus, you feel like you're in heaven. It was amazing – I used iDVD, and it was so easy, and just so rewarding! Now that I know I can do this, I just feel like I'm going to be doing it so often; it's so fun and easy! Ah Finn, easy for your generation, as people born in the last 20 years or so come with a technology gene. Denise, fingers and toes crossed. But please, stop making the rest of us lazy-types look bad! How soon is your baby expected? I know this month, but what's your date? I remember my Nana drinking Moxie, but I never tried it, as she always told me I wouldn't like it (and, as a picky child, I believed her.) One of my favorites is Dads rootbeer. Comes in a blue can, but it's a midwest thing. I only get in when visiting the in-laws out in Illinois. Earlier this summer I had my kids at a children's concert, a free event at a local town hall. So, this guy is in the middle of his show, surrounded by toddlers and preschoolers, and these people in suits come in. Seems they need to have a pre-meeting, before the big meeting that night, but forgot to book a room. They actually interrupted and made the guy stop mid-song and requested the children to sit quietly so they could have a quick 10 minute meeting in the hall! Catherine, glad the sale went well! Perhaps "She-who-shall-not-be-named" can return to the darkness from which she came now that it's over. Kathy Loopy Lupin - Aug 6, 2005 7:11 pm (#2286 of 2963) Happy birthday Finn. Good luck to Mr. Denise and Denise. Ludicrous Patents Office - Aug 6, 2005 7:21 pm (#2287 of 2963) Finn I'm sure you will get many hours of pleasure making your own DVD. I'm glad it is of your recital. Puck people of Finn's generation are natives to the digital world. The rest of us are immigrants. We are at an interesting time in public education. Teachers are no longer dispensers of knowledge. We are training students for futures we cannot imagine. Way to go Catherine! Good job. Let someone else experience all the fun next year. LPO Yes, it was very funny, my dad said to my mom, "I don't know how he does it. He sits down and uses this software like it's second nature, and I can't even… even… retrieve my voicemail messages." MOM: "…send an attachment." ME: "…text message somebody." (all at the same time) It was very funny. I don't know where I get the gene. Catherine, glad the book sale went well. I hope She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named can change her Not-To-Be-Named qualities so that we may name her. Stephanie M. - Aug 6, 2005 7:32 pm (#2289 of 2963) Loopy, I love your avatar! LOL MY SISTER FINISHED GOF! SHE WALKINED INTO MY ROOM TOOK OOTP OFF THE SHELF AND STARTED READING OOTP! ALL WHEN I WAS OUT OF THE APARTMENT! THIS WAS ON HER OWN FREE WILL!!! Edit: You should see my grandparents with technology! They don't even know how to call someone on their cell phones! I definitely don't get the technology gene from my dad's side. My mom is very good with computers along with my sister and me. My mom can fix comps., my sister can get programs started up and I can use all of the programs. It also helps that I get to use Photoshop Adobe for the school year book... My sister is also really good with pictures. And I can edit all of the pictures. So between the 3 girls of the house, we work very well with the computer and other electronics. Congratulations Steph! This is very good news. Please tell Alex I send my regards. My goodness, nearly forgot to mention as well that as my mom was neatening my bookshelf, and when I asked her to please put Harry in chronological order (and she nearly did it without looking at the year markers; only mixed up PoA and GoF). I asked, "So, think you're ever going to read them?" (with a very fierce accent on the "read them") and she said (to my utter surprised), "I've been thinking about it and I think I will pretty soon…" Now, I'm not so sure how soon "pretty soon" is but this is very good news! Puck, my official date is the 25th but my doctor won't let me go beyond 38 weeks...which is next Thursday. I am thinking late next week or as late as the 15th is when this baby will make an arrival. I am just beat right at the moment. I really need to find where I put the coming home outfit and the first picture outfit. I know it is in a huge box of clothing...just need to find it. As for making folks look bad LOL You have to remember, I do this in 10 minute sprints and then I sit back for a few hours resting up for the next sprint. We won't discuss the mountain of clean yet unfolded laundry on the spare bed and couch at the moment. Thanks for the airport info, I will pass it along to Mr. Denise. Madam Pince, thanks for your kind offer. Right now, we have no way of knowing an estimated time of arrival or if it will even arrive on time but I do appreciate it. Stephanie M. - Aug 6, 2005 7:43 pm (#2292 of 2963) Wow Finn, maybe we'll get the rest of the world to read Harry Potter, we're very good at getting people to read... But while my sister is reading I'm basically re-doing her room so I'm very tired and I never want to prime anything for the rest of my life. But I really can't wait for the blue paint to come so I can work with another color besides white. I have to sand and spackle some more first though... Herm oh ninny - Aug 6, 2005 8:36 pm (#2293 of 2963) Hello all! Well, I just returned from a weeks’ vacation in good old Wildwood with my family. We had soo much fun. My cousin and his wife came down and stayed at the hotel next to us. They have a 2 year old little girl whom I absolutely adore, so I was very excited. I spent all my time with her playing at the beach and in the pool. I also got extremely sunburned!! I have now turned a lovely shade of brown with peeling blotches all over my face I also re-read HBP while on vacation. I was out on the sun deck of our hotel when I finished it. There were about 20 other people out there and I had to excersise quite a bit of self-control to keep from sobbing in front of them! I have just finished reading the 253 posts that were in this thread, so please excuse the lateness of some of my responses Finn, the first post that I read was from you and I was like, hmm is this a new person or did he change his name? lol Once I read your post I recognized your writing style. I agree with everyone that you are very mature for your age. I know 18 year olds that can't write or speak as eloquently as you do! Oh, your new avatar is simply adorable! While I love both cats and dogs, I don't own any cats. I have 2 chihuahuas named Spike and Princess. Unlike bigger dogs, they don't drool. I have never in my life heard of Moxie. And from the description that some of you guys gave, I'm glad Both of my sisters have joined the Lexicon! (yay) Hopefully they will start posting soon. Well, I am off to attempt to catch up on the rest of the threads. I haven't looked at them yet and I am sooo afraid of what the numbers will be See ya all later. Ludicrous Patents Office - Aug 6, 2005 9:04 pm (#2294 of 2963) Steph I think your sister has the much better end of the deal. She gets to spend time with Harry while you do all the work. I'm glad she is getting on with it! Herm oh ninny I was too shocked to cry my first two reads of HBP. Now when I reread the end I sob like a baby. You exhibited remarkable control! I am proud to say a very dear friend of mine who is 83 is accepting a computer from Mr. Ludicrous and I. She wants to learn to surf the web and use email. I wonder if I'll be as open minded to whatever is new at age 83. I don't even own a cell phone. LPO Saralinda Again - Aug 6, 2005 9:24 pm (#2295 of 2963) People who embrace technology late in life simply awe me. My mother, at 82 -- it was like asking Harry to host a Death Eaters' Tea and Reception. I mean, she cringed like a vampire in the garlic aisle! I spoke on the phone the other week to a gentleman who is 91. I was supposed to ask for his email address, but I knew, of course, that he wouldn't have one. To my surprise, he immediately gave me one. I said I was impressed that he had email. He said, "Yes, thoroughly spoiled now, never even turn on the television any more. Send all the grands and the great-grands a letter at the same time, just pushing a button. Get my news on streaming video, too -- and I can play it back if I don't hear it the first time, y'know." I hope and pray that if I get to that age, I'm as flexible and adventurous! Mrs. Sirius - Aug 6, 2005 10:45 pm (#2296 of 2963) Hey Gina welcome back! Looking forward for your input on the threads. Denise, you just awe me! Trimming bushes at 30+ weeks of pregnancy. At that point in my pregnancies I don't know if my arms met. Today was my big painting day. I stamped yellow tulips with green stems and runner of leaves in my bathroom. Then I had the kips paint the play set. Each kids gets his/her own quart of paint in his/her choice of color and each board gets painted. This play set is "bright". I am afraid the neighbors might object. Luckily it can't be seen from anyone's house . They have come right to the front of our house. Welcome back Gina! I'm glad you came back home safely and I hope Madelyne came back safely too! Good luck with the jet lag! Technology... Those days, I so wish I had had a computer 11 years ago when I was typing my dissertation for my master's degree but, of course, I bought it the year after... So, as it will be published, I had to scan its nearly 200 pages one by one those last 2 days (I need to make a big Work document with it), "confunding" in the process the scan's software that recognises words with all the citations from 17th century documents. It is obviously not a big fan of the 17th century French, LOL! It was a long work but it is now done, yeah!!!!!!! Now, "all" I have to do is to re-read it again and edit it so to try to make a book from a study. Wish me luck! Denise, it is so great your husband can come back! **sending you all sorts of happy charms for the weeks to come** Finn, did I miss you birthday? I'm sorry if I did! Happy birthday, joyeux anniversaire then! The giant squid - Aug 7, 2005 12:37 am (#2298 of 2963) My, we are cyclical, aren't we?--Madame Pince I hope not, otherwise next August we'll be sitting here talking about Denise expecting #10! I'm pretty sure I forgot this, so Happy Birthday, Finn. It's refreshing to find such an eloquent and mature 13-year-old on the web (as opposed to the 30-somethings acting like a typical 13 year old...). Stephanie, I have to admit I boggled a bit seeing your comment about your grandparents having cell phones. When my grandparents passed away "portable phones" were ugly, bulky things that only Yuppies carried around... Then again, if my grandpa were alive now I have no doubt he'd be like the guy Saralinda dealt with; he'd have built his own cell phone just to see if he could. --Mike EDIT: So, Gina, did you manage to get a set of those HP airsickness bags? And if so, did you get one for me? MoonRider - Aug 7, 2005 1:42 am (#2299 of 2963) Excuse me..... Hi All! I couldn't get back to sleep-----LOOK-----T-SHIRTS!!!! (opens in new window) They're very, VERY cool-----no graphics, but EXCELLENT slogans!! These people are definintely Potterholics! They've got one there for "Choices"; and, one, MAYBE for Gina-----but, I'm thinking Gina'll say he knew what he was doing. hope all is well with you and yours! Take care, MoonRider Catherine - Aug 7, 2005 3:27 am (#2300 of 2963) I woke up in a panic this morning about the book sale--and then realized it's finished. Perhaps I can catch up on some threads now. Happy, happy day. Welcome back to Gina and Moonrider and I keep waiting for good news from Denise. Lady Arabella - Prefect - Posts : 2285 Location : Silicon Valley, CA Re: Chat & Greetings 2005 Gina R Snape - Aug 7, 2005 5:38 am (#2301 of 2963) Mike, alas there were NO HP sick bags. As for the t-shirts... I am planning to have one made that says on the front "I trust Severus Snape completely"... Albus Dumbledore. And on the BACK: Avada Kedavra ... Severus Snape :evil grin: Elanor, yes, Madelyn made it home fine. We were both tortured on our flights by restless children though. Can someone please explain to me why children under 2 do not get their own seats? I thought the poor mother behind me was going to die halfway through the flight holding onto her restless child who must've been weeks away from turning 2. He kept kicking my seat which was very annoying, but I think she must've had it far worse trying to contain him on her lap for 7 1/2 hours. septentrion - Aug 7, 2005 6:09 am (#2302 of 2963) LOL Gina, I was planning to have a tee-shirt with that sentence too, or with something like "Snape's woman through and through". Sorry to know you had such a trying flight. Happy belated birthdays, best wishes and hugs to everyone concerned ! Kwikspell - Aug 7, 2005 6:35 am (#2303 of 2963) Happy Birthday, Finn! Catherine, congrats on such a successful book sale. Denise, if ever there was an excuse to not trim back the bushes, I think you have one. The fact that you're not using it is just astounding. Well, we finally bought our car yesterday, though we don't have it in our possession yet as it's still being delivered to the Honda dealership. Should be here in the next week or so. Gina, kiddies under 2 can get their own seat....if the parent is willing to pay for it. Contrary to popular belief, a kiddie ticket is not significantly less than an adult one on airlines so most parents opt to make the child a lap child and hope for an empty seat. It is annoying to be constantly kicked during a flight. When we were flying from NYC to Saudi Arabia, I had to argue with the ticket person who had given my then 13 month old a lap child tag. Uhm no, we had a seat for him because I was expecting at the time and certainly didn't want to hold a squirming child for the entire flight. It took 10 minutes for her to finally get it right after arguing with us that he had to be a lap child and us stating he had a seat that had been paid for and by golly, we wanted it! It is very tough to travel with smaller children because they can't be reasoned with (sounds like a Terminator!) and create a fuss. It then is even worse when other passengers/airline people give you dirty looks and act like are deliberately not passing out the magical Be Quiet Pill you have stashed in your purse. I know I really enjoy a screaming 3 year old in my ear and pinch him on purpose so he does that for a few hours. Madam Pince - Aug 7, 2005 8:13 am (#2305 of 2963) Denise, hope all is coming together for Mr. P's flight. Steve is probably right, Philly is probably closer. But still, my offer stands. It's the least I could do, and never let it be said that I didn't do the least I could do. By the way, I can totally believe that you have a pile of unfolded laundry. What I can't believe is that you have such a thing as a spare bed in your house upon which to pile it. Hope your big day ends up being the 14th -- that was my Dad's birthday! And I'm so glad to hear from a veteran Mom what you said about people giving you dirty looks when a little one won't behave -- I was afraid it was just me and I was a terrible mom or something. It's like "I'm trying! Really honestly I am!" and then you cringe behind something. I've also had people give me really dirty looks for letting him run around in a relatively quiet and controlled manner where he's not really hurting anything, because I know that if I tried to make him sit totally still, the alternative would be a far-worse screaming fit which would likely result in significant spillage or breakage. Welcome back from vacation, Herm-oh-ninny! Catherine, congrats on finally wrapping up the book sale. You really earned a break. Your dream was so funny -- reminded me of my college roomie who woke up in a panic that she'd missed her Spanish exam, which she'd gotten up earlier that same morning and taken, and then returned to bed. Stress is definitely not good for the psyche. Technology and older people -- my Mom decided a couple years ago (I think she was about 78 at the time) that she wanted a computer. I was surprised, because she can't even work the VCR, but I was impressed that she was interested and proud of her. So she ordered one -- very fancy, all the bells and whistles, bought a big old cherry computer armoire in which to store it, took classes at the local high school. Never touches the thing. Says she's afraid she'll break it. Moonrider, I love the t-shirt site! They are too funny! But Gina, I love your t-shirt idea best of all! I'll bet you could do a brisk business with those on eBay! Stephanie M. - Aug 7, 2005 8:27 am (#2306 of 2963) Happy Birthday Finn!!!!! What time were you born? Welcome back everyone that came back from somewhere! Catherine - Aug 7, 2005 8:40 am (#2307 of 2963) It then is even worse when other passengers/airline people give you dirty looks and act like are deliberately not passing out the magical Be Quiet Pill you have stashed in your purse. –Denise That perfectly sums up my feelings. Claire flew often as an infant/toddler, and was generally excellent on the airplane (in her own seat that we paid for!) except one time. We were flying to California, got stranded in Dallas for hours and hours, endured more delays than you could ever think possible, and then sat on the plane for over an hour on the runway. Halfway through the flight, Claire began to fuss, then began to scream. I tried endlessly to comfort her and finally, the man in front of me unbuckled his seatbelt, towered over me, and yelled at me that if I didn't spank Claire, then he would. He also added the observation that I was the worst mother he had ever seen if I couldn't control my child better than that. At that moment, an elderly woman got out of her seat, marched up to the man, and said, "You can have my seat. That baby won't bother me. Don't listen to him, honey. He's acting way worse than your baby is and should be ashamed of himself." I don't know how it happened, but once the man exchanged seats with the kind-hearted older woman, Claire's fussing stopped and the flight went smoothly. Go figure. CatherineHermiona - Aug 7, 2005 8:51 am (#2308 of 2963) Hello, everyone!!!!! First, happy birthday to Finn!!!!!! About technology, my parents are pretty good with computers. My mum is the best in family as you should already know. My dad has his own company (but only he is employed) that is working almost only with computers but before he met my mum he didn't know too much about computers. Between sisters, I am the best, but my youngest sister is getting close to me. Veronika knows basic but she isn't even interested too much (she knows what she has to know). We were in Gardaland yesterday. We had great time there. We started our trip at 3 am and we were in Gardaland at 9 am when we found out that we won't be home around midnight. We are going home from Gardaland around midnight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was so happy but my sister and my aunt weren't so happy. They thought they will be too tired. I wanted to go to Blue Tornado and my aunt told me she will go with me during my sister is eating but right after first thrilling ride she changed her mind. I guess you will think same when I give you pictures of Blue Tornado with other pictures when my aunt develop the pictures. I only succeed to take her with me on Magic Mountain after what she was yelling: "KATE I'LL KILL YOU!!!!!!!!" You will realize why when you see pictures. Our first ride was wet ride but only I get wet because my sister and aunt weren't on edge of boat, they were inside. That's why they get wet on the other wet ride. That is is from me. Kate T Brightwater - Aug 7, 2005 9:09 am (#2309 of 2963) Happy (belated?) birthday to Finn, congratulations to Catherine (the Silencing Charm didn't work, huh?) and best of luck to Denise! Love the T-shirts! How about some variation on "Muggle-born and proud of it!" At 47 I'm not completely clueless about computers and the Internet but most of that part of my brain is taken up with Finale (I'm a freelance music engraver among other things). We flew to England with Shayla when she was 20 months and it was no bed of roses either. We had a direct flight from Denver to London, which we thought was a good idea. Now I think we should have deliberately put some stops in there to let her stretch her legs. We also flew at night, hoping she'd sleep. I think she slept about four hours. We had a women's choir from Ireland sitting behind us and for the last hour two of the ladies entertained her with songs and games. On the return flight there happened to be an extra seat by us and she did much better. I would recommend buying a ticket for an infant if you can afford it. Happy Birthday Finn! We have TiVo on my television, and it drives my Mom nuts. She hates babysitting overnight in fear the kids will ask her to watch something, and she has no idea how. Plus, Mr. Puck has it set up so you have to change imputs and turn on a different receiver to watch a tape or DVD. Funny, because we never have to tell teenage babysitters how to work any of it. They just seem to know. I hate it when I'm "that Mom", the one with the child having a screaming fit in the middle of the bookstore. Everyone watching, judging how you handle the situation. The worst was one day at one of those picture places, waiting for portraits of the kids. Parker, then about 3 years old, got upset with another child and BIT her, actually left a mark. I was so appalled! I mean, he had never done anything like that before, and suddenly he picks the child of a stranger, who was then giving me looks as if my child and I must both be completely evil. Perhaps it is pre-payment for all the times in the future we will embarrass them in front of their friends. Thanks for the T-shirt link! They're great. Think the hubby would be insulted if we went out and I wore "I'm good looking enough for the both of us"? LOL Kathy I have to say that I don't mind children and infants on airplanes and I have sympathy for those parents whose children fuss, scream, and cry during the flight. One flight however, my sympathy was for the father and infant as the mother was refusing to nurse the child. She wanted to wait until takeoff (which is understandable); however, the child was to the ear piercing screams because he was so hungry (I found this out by a comments made by the dad to the mom). Then she got angry at the pilots because we hadn't moved from the gate after it was announced that the tower people were not allowing the plane go anywhere yet. And once we got to the runway and she tried to let the child nurse, he was too upset and cried for half of the flight. I felt really sorry for that baby - he was not a happy camper. I don't know how it happened, but once the man exchanged seats with the kind-hearted older woman, Claire's fussing stopped and the flight went smoothly. –Catherine Claire really wanted a nice person in front of her and she just made sure that she had one. Madam Pince - Aug 7, 2005 10:13 am (#2313 of 2963) Perhaps it is pre-payment for all the times in the future we will embarrass them in front of their friends. –Puck Ooooo, what a comforting thought! We can look at them sideways and say "What, you don't remember that time you split open the entire bag of styrofoam packing peanuts in the UPS store?" Catherine, that is the best story I've heard in a long time. Yay for the nice little old lady! Gina, I totally understand your feeling, too, however. I flew to Hawaii once with a little one kicking the seatback the entire way, and it really was aggravating. Before I had Baby Pince, I was often less than patient, but now that I'm on the other end of it I'm a little more understanding. But it still doesn't make it any less annoying for the person who's trying to sleep or work or whatever. The big gripe, I guess, is people like Catherine's guy who just totally go out of control and blow it all out of proportion. Sure, maybe he had a bad day, but that wasn't Claire's fault. So on behalf of Moms of toddlers everywhere, "good on ya!" for not going all Voldemort-ish on the plane! I always liked that stand-up routine that Bill Cosby did about "little Jeffrey" who informed everyone on the plane (about twice a minute) that "I'm free years old!" And how at the conclusion of the flight, when they met the waiting Dad at the gate, the Mom walked up to him and punched him right in the nose. CatherineHermiona, it sounds like you had loads of fun at Gardaland! How odd that the grown-ups didn't like getting wet, and were worried that they'd be tired by midnight! Not that you'd be tired, mind, but that they would be! Stephanie M. - Aug 7, 2005 10:35 am (#2314 of 2963) For all of you people obsessed with Swimming on NBC they have some swimming competition. I'm not sure what this is for but I know it's not Nationals. I think it's only USA against Australia. YAY MICHAEL PHELPS! Edit: It's called Duel in the Pool and I think that it's only 2 countries against each other. Maybe next week there will be another 2 countries... Herm oh ninny - Aug 7, 2005 11:31 am (#2315 of 2963) Happy Birthday Finn! Gina- You can sign me up for one of those t-shirts too I am a manager at a movie theater and I often get stuck in the middle when customers complain about children making noise in the theaters. I always feel bad about asking the parents to take the child out into the lobby until it can quiet down. I'll tell ya, some people can get quite nasty! I mean, if you're going to see a movie like Madagascar or something, you should expect there to be lots of little children making all kinds of noises! Saralinda Again - Aug 7, 2005 11:39 am (#2316 of 2963) **happy dancing over the T-shirts** Happy birthday, welcome home, there was way too much for me to absorb in this thread, so just accept generic good wishes, all, for today. I get to flea-bathe the dog [don't everybody immediately chime in offering to do it, my mind's made up ] and waddle off to work. Dull day. Good Evans - Aug 7, 2005 12:12 pm (#2317 of 2963) Happy Brithday Finn - a teenager !!!!! And happy days to anyone that I missed, there were nearly 150 posts and I dipped out!!!! Wow, I almost never read the chat thread. So many posts! Happy Birthday to Finn and anyone else I've missed recently. Those T-shirts are cool, but I like Gina's idea too. So, if I've missed anything I should have said, I'm sorry and next time I'll read through all this a little more often! Lupin is Lupin. Natch. I mean, if you're going to see a movie like Madagascar or something, you should expect there to be lots of little children making all kinds of noises!---Herm oh ninny Absolutely. On the flip side, can theaters pass a policy that prohibits parental eejits from taking their 3 year olds to Saving Private Ryan? Happy Birthday Finn! Herm oh ninny - Aug 7, 2005 1:46 pm (#2320 of 2963) I know what you mean Lupin. Some theaters, like AMC, don't allow children under 2 into R rated movies. But, there is no law in place to enforce it. As long as a parent or guardian is w/ them, they can come. I tried to convince my boss to make it policy that children under 5 should be kept out of R rated movies, but he said no. I think he was afraid of losing money, which is all it comes down to in the end. I think it is absolutely ridiculous when I see parents bringing little children into movies like House of Wax or The Devil's Rejects!! When I hear a child screaming, the first thing I check my own children (even if they are not with me at the moment, just in case) and if I find out that none of them is the source of the sound, I thank God and just feel sympathy for the parent. When it comes to the computer gene, my experience tells me that it has to do with fear. Some people think that the computer is going to jump around their home with the loud noise or at least explode if they touch the wrong key. They usually don't like to learn anything new. Children do not have that kind of fear, they are in the learning process anyway, so they get comfortable with computers soon enough. Oh, I remember Katarina when she was 3 or 4, coming to me and saying: "Mum, the computer has gameovered me!" I went to see what happened and there was a message "Are you sure you want to delete these 23 items?" or something like that. I freeked out, but no damage was done. I met people 80 something working with computers much better than some people 20 something. It is all matter of attitude. Happy birthday to Yoghurt (just in case he decides to check this thread) and Finn (again). I hope you had a wonderful day! Ludicrous Patents Office - Aug 7, 2005 2:18 pm (#2322 of 2963) After reading these posts I have a lot more sympathy for parents! I'll try not to glare so much next time. Lina I agree fear plays a big role in dealing with technology. For a t-shirt I think I'll go with "nitwit oddment blubber and tweak". Gina yours is a great idea! LPO I bring newborns and babies into movies but Mr. Denise will be the first to tell you at the slightest peep, I am up and at the door with them. Most of the time, they are willing to sleep through a movie and once they are not, they no longer come in. Kierynn was close to a year old when she last went into a movie with us that was not a kid movie. I spent the last 45 minutes of it with her by the door as she had a little area to happily sit in and I could still see the movie and not bother anyone else (I was also watching for dirty looks being thrown my way) Once she had a place to roam a bit, she was quiet. She has been to kid movies, I think the last one was The Incredibles but people are more tolerant, usually, when it is a kid movie. I know I don't expect silence during cartoons and certainly not during the matinee showings. Once this baby is born, I will be in movies but again, more than a squeak and we are up and away. You know what I find more irritating than baby noise? Cell phones during movies and people who feel the need to talk on them during a movie. "I can't talk, I am in a movie. Yeah, we are seeing X. It is pretty good so far ::launches into summary of movie::: Let me call you back" Mine goes on silent so I can feel when a call comes in and if it is the babysitter, I walk out to answer it. Missed about 15 minutes of Hidalgo due to a babysitter call LOL Herm oh ninny - Aug 7, 2005 2:46 pm (#2324 of 2963) LOL Denise! I have actually thrown people out of the theater for talking on their phones during the movie (If I have to go in their more than once). P.S. You are very cosiderate! I wish more people were like you. I can't even count the number of times that I have gotten complaints of babies screaming/crying their little hearts out, and the parents don't even budge. They just keep on watching the movie. Glad you had a fun time, at Gardaland, Kate. Sounds exciting! Not belated, birthday; I was born at 10:18 this morning. We had a 120-second countdown. I'm just getting a few minutes away from the celebration, so I might have to push that magic "Mark as Read" button… Incidentally, I'm not going to be here tomorrow, but I'll be back Tuesday evening. Then on Saturday we are leaving for our family's (family = very large extended family) house in Canada for 10 days. By the way, T Brightwater: At 47 I'm not completely clueless about computers and the Internet but most of that part of my brain is taken up with Finale (I'm a freelance music engraver among other things). No kidding! My dad is a composer, as well as a composition and theory teacher at a school in Manhattan. I picked up that gene as well (yes, I hear you sigh ). If you're interested, I have a few pieces I'm working on right now… Oh, I almost forgot, for the gifts I've already opened, I got three Harry Potter themed stuff. One was Harry Potter Uno (), another was PA soundtrack, but I already own it, and my parents thought it was the 1st soundtrack (), so we're returning it and now I have FANTASTIC BEASTS AND QUIDDITCH THROUGH THE AGES! HURRAY! I had never had them before and now I do! Woohoo! Lastly, I got Harry Potter Scene It? but the bum thing was that the DVD was corrupt. So we had to exchange it for another one, but that one is disfunctional too! It's very distressing; I can't imagine both of them are messed up. I tried it both on my computer and the TV DVD player. Neither work. I think something is messed up in the random-ness of the questions; I'll call them tomorrow. So, a very exciting birthday, thanks again for the wishes. MoonRider - Aug 7, 2005 3:50 pm (#2326 of 2963) Finn BV - I don't think I've ever spoken with you before, but Happy Birthday-----sounds like you got some great lute, there!! I'm glad everyone enjoyed the T-shirt link! Gina: I like your T-shirt idea. Maybe those people would do it for you..... Gina R Snape - Aug 7, 2005 4:13 pm (#2327 of 2963) Well, does anyone know how CafePress works? I wonder if it would be a copyright infringement to make these t-shirts to sell. Of course, there is a place near my house that will make any t-shirt for personal use. I could get a price quote from them and make a few for people here on the Lex who wanted to buy one. Denise, you are definitely a rare breed when it comes to your children and being in public. I commend you. Stephanie M. - Aug 7, 2005 4:18 pm (#2328 of 2963) I was going to get Harry Potter Scene It for my cousin. Her Birthday is August 21 so maybe I'll still get it for her. Finn, I am exactly 120 days and 33 mins older than you. I was born 9:45 in the morning. I've had pretty good movie experiences. If a child is screaming then their parents would either take them out of the movie or will get them to be quiet soon after they start making noise. Cell phones bother me but I try to tune them out. Another thing that I hate is when the people sitting behind you put their feet up on the chair your sitting in and they can sometimes push the chair forwards, or kick it forwards. That just really bothers me. Happy Birthday Finn! I went to see a special 70mm version of Lawrence of Arabia when by son was two weeks old. He slept most of the time cuddled in a front-carrier. About two thirds in he woke up and blinked at me twice. It was easy enough to nurse him in that dark place with comfy seats, and he fell back asleep again shortly. As we were coming out of the theater, a yuppie-type stared at me and said, "You had a baby in there? I'd never have known!" That was probably true. They had the sound cranked up so high one could probably have marched a herd of trumpeting elephants through and you'd never have known it. The amazing thing was that he could sleep at all. We had Kleenex stuffed under his cap to cover his ears. Kate, I googled 'Gardaland' to get some pictures. http://www.clickmagique.com/Pics/Externals/Italy/Gardaland.shtml Wow! no wonder you had a great time! March of the Penguins last week was the first time we had our kids in the movie theater. Daddy remind them on the way in they needed to be quiet. Maya did get a bit wiggly near the end, but they were quiet. It was the middle-aged woman behind us who was talking loudly. Now, if my 3-year-old can remember to whisper.... We got our surround sound and DVD player when I was expecting my first. Now we rarely go out to movies, but wait until they come out on DVD and watch at home. We reserve movie trips for things like Star Wars that really need a big screen. (I'm hoping to make it out for "Goblet of Fire" but will have to see how things go with the new little one. A quick check of threads and off to bed. Humid weather is returning again, so it will be back to town beach tomorrow. Kathy Oh, we went to see March of the Penguins today. Fantastic. It was just a wonder that the penguins weren't completed scared out of their boots at being inches away from the cameras. During the credits, they showed a brief making of the movie. It was just incredible. I seriously can't imagine being a penguin. Kathy was March of the Penguins any good? Humid weather is returning to Pa as well. Pet Peeve of mine, going to get gas in the morning and paying 2.29, then going by the station later and see they lowered the price .05. You can't tell me the gas they had this morning is different from the gas they have in the afternoon. Or you get gas and find 2 hours later they have upped the price ten cents. Thanks for letting me vent. hugs Betty Catherine - Aug 7, 2005 7:24 pm (#2333 of 2963) I have been half giddy all day that I am DONE with this fundraiser that was shoved un-asked-for in my lap. As cliche as it sounds, I truly learned a lot, and have new respect for things I never considered before, so it's a good deal all around. That said, I was witness to some really INTERESTING conversations. For full details, consult MSN or email. I won't scare bore our members with stories about bamboo, lagomorph meat vs. bovine meat, or how many cats you can REALLY squeeze into 800 sq. feet of living space. Enough said. The sale is done, and I am done. I Am Used Vlad - Aug 7, 2005 7:36 pm (#2334 of 2963) Happy birthday, Finn. Catherine, I'm glad the fund raiser is behind you. Crying babies at the movies don't bother me so much. They have an excuse. The people talking on their cell phones, repeating the lines, or making wisecracks don't. Ahh, Finn, I saw it on my birthday, too! Yes, Boop, it was good. Kind of like one of those shows you see on a science/nature channel. Well done, realistic, but handled sensitively during the sad parts. Oh, CoS is on, and Riddle just got stabbed in the diary. It has a bit of a different feel watching it now that I know the truth about the diary and what it really was. kathy I feel the same way, boop. I don't understand how the prices can fluctuate so much in just a day, or even in a span of a few hours. I forgot to tell everyone that, while at Betty (boop)'s house, I got to see her birthday list. It was like seeing a Lexicon forum relic! I have most of my Gathering pictures (some are still in the camera) on a yahoo photo album. If you'd like to see them, email me (click on my name to get my address). Mrs. Sirius - Aug 7, 2005 10:31 pm (#2337 of 2963) Marie! I full of anticipation, ¿you are going to make us work to get these pictures? Yee gads!:-)) I'm sorry, Mar, but I never learned how to do links. Sad, but true. I tried looking at the "testing" thread, but it only showed people actually doing links. The giant squid - Aug 8, 2005 2:11 am (#2339 of 2963) Don't bother trying to link to a Yahoo Photos page anyway--the URL changes somehow every once in a while. I found this out when trying to link to my wedding pics a year ago... Catherine, that new avatar is...interesting. On the screaming baby topic: When on a plane, in a store, etc., I look for one thing--the parent's reaction. If they're actively trying to calm the kid down, I'll let it slide; it's when they stand there and act as if nothing's wrong that I get irritated. In a movie theater, like Denise said, once they start making noise, step outside. That goes for cell phones, too. Honestly, it sounds like I would enjoy having Denise as a regular customer at my theater (sadly, it's a bit of a drive...). Instead, we get people with the "Vegas mentality"--they expect to be waited on hand & foot and want to be comped for the slightest inconvenience (like, say, a 5-minute wait in concession during a rush). I spend a good portion of every shift resisting the urge to slap the stupid out of people... --Mike CatherineHermiona - Aug 8, 2005 3:29 am (#2340 of 2963) Hello everyone!!!!!! Chemyst, those pictures are great but in reality it looks even more exciting. Soon I'll put my own pictures and you will see more. My aunt just went to town to develop pictures. Kate Hey guys! Just wanted to pop in and say hi before I leave for the Wilderness in a few hours. There are 105 out there for 11 days. Any good thoughts and prayers would be appreciated for the APU "kids" up in the High Sierras! Denise, I truly hope that Mr. P gets to come home safely and is there for the birth of Baby P. (I'm so sad I'll probably miss the birth and I won't know the name/gender until after the 19th! Good wishes to all, I know I have missed birthdays and all sorts of things because I've been so busy lately. Have a wonderful two weeks. I'll be back around then. Catherine - Aug 8, 2005 5:04 am (#2342 of 2963) I spend a good portion of every shift resisting the urge to slap the stupid out of people... Mike Alas earwax, I know what you mean. My dealings with "the public" have certainly been more intense lately, and I have found myself having a shorter fuse about what I will take as "acceptable" behavior. For instance, we were at the Sonic restaurant last week, and our children were playing on the outdoor playground. Teenaged boys who weigh more than Mr. Catherine started marauding the gym and pushing much smaller children out of the way. The youth group director did nothing about this behavior, so I got the manager to come deal with it. I got white-hot glares from the boys, but at least the preschool set was safe. Last night, Mr. Catherine and I were eating out at a small, intimate restaurant and our dinner was interrupted by two separate families who allowed their screaming toddlers to play tag throughout the restaurant. One child wiped his sticky fingers on my chair while I was still sitting there. During one particularly rough and noisy session, I raised my eyebrow at the manager and nodded at the kids who were then wrestling on the floor. He took care of it, but one family got up in a huff and left. My question was, if the families let the kids do this in public, what do they allow them to do at home? Catherine, that new avatar is...interesting. --Squid Mike That is one word for it. Marie, links are done like so: Link Text That should get you to wherever you want to go. Obviously you don't have to make the link text blue and underlined; it will do that for you after you do the "a href." My question was, if the families let the kids do this in public, what do they allow them to do at home? --Catherine I always wonder a similar thing when a mother very publicly raises her voice against her child. For example, at a concert I was in two weeks ago, my friend, a boy of about 9, was standing next to me and whispered something about the performance. It was a little loud, so smiling (because I couldn't make out a word he was saying) I just put my finger to my lips. Unfortunately, his mother, in the row in front of us (we were standing at the back, so she was in the last row) saw me tell him to be quiet and she looked at him fiercely and pointed at the empty seat next to her, and mouthed the words, "Come here NOW!" It was very frightening to imagine what the child must get at home if this was a public display. As you can see, I have sort of shifted the topic from defending the parents to defending the children. Well everybody, I'm on a one-night trip up to Maine. My grandmother was here for 9 days and we're taking her back now. I'll be back tomorrow night, as I said. See you then! Lupin is Lupin. Natch. Catherine, that new avatar is...interesting.--the giant squid Isn't it? It reminds me of the scene in Invasion of the Body Snatchers (the version with Donald Sutherland not Kevin McCarthy (although for the record, the earlier version is every bit as creepy)) when there's an overlap in the plant takeover and the man's head is merged onto his dog's body. Ewwwwww. Soon I'll put my own pictures and you will see more. My aunt just went to town to develop pictures.---CatherineHermiona Maybe you could give Marie some tips? Well, our water heater went on Friday ("Mom, the carpet in the basement is really wet") and the weekend I was suppose to spend canoodling with my husband (kids were at my mother's) was spent ripping up carpet and reorganizing everything else (a task I had been postponing until the kids were back in school). On my pet peeve list, salesmen who call me at home, hours after I've already paid for something, to tell me they did the math wrong and they need to charge me an additional $35. I believe the better part of customer service calls for them to eat that and not to bother me with such a piddlin' sum in light of the business I've just given them. (Rant over) Put me down for Gardaland. Looks like a blast. EDIT: Cross posted with Finn. Everyone is going to Maine these days. Catherine - Aug 8, 2005 6:06 am (#2345 of 2963) As you can see, I have sort of shifted the topic from defending the parents to defending the children. –Finn Nicely done. I don't like to see parents act inappropriately, either. See, I knew Finn would come to my rescue! I'll heed my brother's advice, however, and make ya'll work for it. Maybe you could give Marie some tips? LOL. I meant that the film in the camera isn't used up yet, not that I just haven't taken it out yet. We might be going to Six Flags in Denver this Saturday so there's hope that the roll will be used up before the first day of school. We were eating out at TGIFridays once when I was pregnant with Shayla and there were these two horrible children running all around the restaurant. I made a solemn vow that night never to let my future children act like that. From the ages of 1 1/2 to 3 1/2 Shayla didn't even eat in restaurants without play areas because she couldn't handle it. She eats so little anyway that eating out isn't really a treat unless there's a tube slide and a ball pit. Lexie was always an angel at retaurants until just recently. She may find herself with a babysitter if she can't control herself. CatherineHermiona - Aug 8, 2005 7:09 am (#2347 of 2963) I don't know how to put pictures here, mum will show me so I can't give any tips. Kate Loopy Lupin - Aug 8, 2005 7:39 am (#2348 of 2963) You should see my grandparents with technology! They don't even know how to call someone on their cell phones!—Stephanie What I want to know is why my parents, both over 60, even have cell phones if they are never turned on? I have pointed out to them that the entire purpose is defeated, but I've been thorougly ignored. *ahem* I can't stand cellphones or babies in movies. Denise, as usual, is one-of-a-kind, because I have never seen a parent take a baby/toddler out of a theater at the slightest peep. No, I have to be treated to a minute or two of "Shhh, shhh, shh," followed by a typically unsuccessful attempt to slap a bottle in the precious darling's mouth. How would you feel if you were taken into a dark room with strangers only to see great, gigantic people walking and talking in front of you? Or, better yet, how would you like to wake up from a nice dream about pacifiers to find yourself in such a place? This is bound to be the movie experience for a great many little ones. Cellphones don't even rate a rant because it is beyond common sense. I must say that I love the little promos I see in movies now (or maybe it is just AMC) where you think you're watching a trailer for a pretty interesting looking movie and then a cell phone rings. "It's coming from the audience." I think it is an effective reminder to everyone to turn the darn things off. Of course, I have been in movies and forgotten to turn my phone off, but didn't even realize I had received a call until I walked out of the theater. The deafening soundtrack had drowned out my weak little Fur Elise ringtone. Stephanie M. - Aug 8, 2005 8:40 am (#2349 of 2963) What I want to know is why my parents, both over 60, even have cell phones if they are never turned on? I have pointed out to them that the entire purpose is defeated, but I've been thoroughly ignored.--Loopy Lupin My grandparents don't keep their cell phones on either, but they don't even know how to dial or send a call. So there is no point in even having a cell phone. My sister and I put all of their numbers onto their cell phone, and we taught them how to turn the phone on and off and how to put it on silent. But they still can't figure out how to turn their phones off, so they put it on silent instead but they don't know how to take it off of silent! So whenever we see them, which is very often (at least 2 times a week), we take their phones off of silent and we check their messages for them. LOL everyone about the noisy, ill-mannered kids! As a teacher, I too often see children who would do with a (gentle) kick in the pants and, usually, when my foot is starting to itch for doing so, I meet the parents and most of the time I understand better... They are lucky I have a bad ankle anyway... Maybe teachers should start giving detentions to parents? Fortunately, only a small part of the kids are like that and I agree, Finn, that parents who are too strict is not good either! Finally, being a parent is certainly the most difficult job ever! Guess what I did this morning? A cute DIGS T-shirt! I'm going by the seaside next week and I thought it would be appropriate. So, I just created a small logo with a drawing of a squid and the DIGS initials above it. I hope people will ask what that means! Have a great day everybody and happy vacations to the ones who are leaving for some days! And good luck with the heat too. Here, since I came back from the UK, we have the delicious feeling to be in September already, with only about 23 or 24°C (about 75°F) when it was 36°C (97°F) the week before. Let's hope it lasts! Lady Arabella - Prefect - Posts : 2285 Location : Silicon Valley, CA Re: Chat & Greetings 2005 CatherineHermiona - Aug 8, 2005 9:44 am (#2351 of 2963) First part of my photos from Gardaland you can see here. For the second part I have to wait until my aunt finishes the film she has in her camera now. Kate At some point all the "experts" (most of whom I swear have nannies to raise their own children) got all touchy feely about discipline. It was all about asking a child why they did something, and how they are feeling. I have a master in Child Development and worked with many people with this approach. As far as I'm concerned if a child is choking another child it doesn't matter WHY, it's simply unacceptable. I don't want to hear a reason. Of course, it goes for adults, as well. Once on an episode of Oprah the host asked this guess why she was treating her step daughter cruelly. Dr. Phil interjected saying, why was unimportant, she had no right to treat the child poorly, no matter the reason. It was right then that I decided the man had credibility! Save traveling to everyone! Kathy Lupin is Lupin. Natch. Kate--do all Croatians have such long legs or did you and your sister just luck into the long-leg gene pool? ***she asked wistfully, bemoaning her own leg to torso ratio*** Put me down as loving the reminders to turn off the cellphones. I always react with a quick, "Oh, gee" and rummage in my bag to find the darn thing and turn it off--although, like Loopy, my ring is so faint (no matter what I seem to do) that it would be drowned out by the super sonic speakers. Catherine, I loved your airplane story. Reminds me a bit of a story an old friend told me and I'll share it in honor of Denise. She was very pregnant with twins and she was backing her not-so-reliable car out of a parking space. After backing out, it stalled as she was putting it into drive. As she desperately attempted to restart it, a man in a pick-up truck laid on the horn to get her to move. He keep honking and she kept trying. Finally, she opened the door, heaved her considerable self out of the car, waddled over to the man and said, "Tell you what-- why don't you go try to start my car and I'll stay here and honk the horn?" I don't think he was quite expecting that. EDIT: Cross-posted with Denise. Hi, Denise! As far as I'm concerned if a child is choking another child it doesn't matter WHY, it's simply unacceptable. I don't want to hear a reason. That is a pet peeve (one of many) that I have, parents who explain everything to their child. While I agree, you should explain your actions but there are times when I say something, I want immediate action. I want the cartoon windmilling instant halt and I don't want to explain myself before they stop. Iain, STOP! He stops and looks at me. Then I can point out the car that he did not see that is coming down the road towards him. Iain, STOP! If you look to your left, there is a car.... SPLAT!! He didn't stop but continued on because he knew he still had time because I was explaining why he should stop. I remember watching a show years ago about a mother who was frustrated about her 3 year old putting a rocking horse on the dining room table to play on. The 3 year old just would not understand it was dangerous and kept doing it despite Mom telling her over and over and over why it was not a good idea. I remember shaking my head and thinking "The rocking horse would disappear if it happened after I explained why it could not be done" Madam Pince - Aug 8, 2005 11:43 am (#2355 of 2963) I think Giant Squid Mike has the right approach -- if the parent is actively trying to effect a change, then let it slide, but if the parent is out to lunch, then you're allowed to glare. I was standing in line at Best one time (they're long out of business now, but the way it worked was there was one looooooong counter, and about ten checkout registers along the counter, sort of like a bank or post office but without any dividers between each register.) A four-or-five-year-old started climbing up on the countertop in front of my register, while I was trying to use the counter to write my check. (In addition to taking up my space, this involved kicking me in the tummy at the same time.) The Dad was at the register next to me staring off into space. I looked at the kid and said "Excuse me, sweetie, but I need this space to write." The kid stuck his lip out at me and said "No! I need to sit here!" I looked at Dad, who was still staring off into space. "Noooooo, you don't need to sit there, you need to get down." "NO I DON'T!!!" Still no response from Dad. So I finally said "Do you think you could hold him for a second while I write my check?" Dad gave me a disgusted look and rolled his eyes and finally pulled the kid over onto his area of the counter. I felt bad for awhile, until I finally realized that I wasn't the one who should be feeling bad, here. I am afraid to go see "March of the Penguins." I saw some show recently on the Discovery channel or something and it distressed me so badly I don't think I could stand it if I saw something similar. In the show I watched, some creature (I've mentally blocked out what kind, it was so upsetting) "ganged up" on the parents of a baby penguin -- one of the "creatures" distracted the parents while the other "creature" attacked the little baby penguin. The penguin parents were trying so hard and were so obviously out-gunned -- it really bothered me to see it. And then they were all sad and did this mournful cry when they failed -- I tell you, I was a mess. I don't see how those nature-photographers do it. I would be unable to stand there filming it without running at them and shouting "Get away from him, you nasty old so-and-so!!!" ***Wants to ride the pirate-ship ride at Gardaland....*** ***Crosses fingers and hopes Denise is on her way to the airport**** Herm oh ninny - Aug 8, 2005 11:54 am (#2356 of 2963) Hey Giant Squid, you work at a movie theater too? Don't you just love it when people have been standing in line at the box office for about 20 minutes and then when they finally get to the front the say "oh wait, what are we seeing again", or they start fumbling around trying to find their money? My biggest pet peeve, however, is the people who just show up at random times and ask me "Don't you have a movie starting right now?" I always want to say "Yes sir, the 8:09 and 25 seconds movie is starting right now just for you!!" And I won't even start about the things I have caught people doing in the bathrooms Denise- I used to have a Cockatiel that looked just like your Cinnamon one. His name was Kyler and he was famous for stealing french fries off of people’s plates!! He passed away about 2 years ago Right now we have a pied one named Pikachu. He likes to whistle non-stop. it can get quite annoying EDIT: Also Denise, I hope Mr. P arrives safely and in time! Catherine - Aug 8, 2005 12:02 pm (#2357 of 2963) Crosses fingers and hopes Denise is on her way to the airport--Madame Pince I hope so, too. I wonder if Mr. P grew a mustache before he came home? (Don't worry, this isn't an "inside" joke; the last time Mr. P was away he grew a mustache and Denise didn't like the way it looked and posted a picture of him wearing a mustache as her avatar. That really amused us here on the chat thread!) Mr. Denise has not yet taken off due to a massive dust storm. Weather forecasters are hopeful that it will break in the next 3-4 hours and allow flights out though Mr. Denise may well have grown a mustache and/or beard but after being married to me for the past 21 years, he knows to shave it off prior to me seeing him Our cockatiels are girls so they are not as vocal as the males are. Our younger one, Mist, is more vocal and if it continues, she is going in for a blood test to be sure she is female before she moves in with Cinnamon (who we know is a female, she lays eggs) The giant squid - Aug 8, 2005 1:51 pm (#2359 of 2963) What I want to know is why my parents, both over 60, even have cell phones if they are never turned on? I have pointed out to them that the entire purpose is defeated, but I've been thorougly ignored. *ahem*--Loopy Lupin Wow, and I thought it was just my family... My dad just recently got a cell phone and let his home phone account lapse. This would be fine except the man's phone is never turned on. Even if I talk to him and say, "I'll call you back in an hour," one hour later that phone will be off. Old people... Herm oh ninny: yes, I am a manager at a movie theater here in Vegas. I agree with all of your points; they can be applied elsewhere, too. How many of us have been in line at the fast food place for 20 minutes, and when the guy in front of us gets to the register he still hasn't decided what he wants to eat? Most of the time I know what I want as soon as I get there, otherwise I wouldn't go to that particular establishment. That's what I like about In-N-Out Burger--they sell hamburgers (with or without cheese), fries, sodas & shakes. That's it. And people still can't figure it out in less than 15 minutes... Loopy, that cell phone trailer you saw is from AMC. Regal Cinemas is a little more direct--at the end of their digital preshow a screen comes up that says, "Please silence your cellphones now." Blunt, simple, to the point...and soundly ignored by a great number of people --Mike Loopy Lupin - Aug 8, 2005 2:00 pm (#2360 of 2963) Yeah, it occurred to me that I couldn't remember seeing the trailer in any other theater but the AMC in VA Beach. That "Last Samurai" type movie actually looks pretty darn good. Herm oh ninny - Aug 8, 2005 2:03 pm (#2361 of 2963) Loopy, have you seen the one about the boy who wants to be a champion cheerleader? My cousin was sooo disappointed that it wasn't a real movie! Snuffles - Aug 8, 2005 2:04 pm (#2362 of 2963) Hi all, haven't been on for a couple of days, so i've read as much as I can. Happy belated birthday Finn, and anyone else I have not said. Cheering charms to all that need them. On the children talk, I haven't dared take my daughter to the cinema yet, I just know she would never sit still. Anything longer than 15 minutes for her is a record so it's just not worth the risk!. I have bought her Dumbo on DVD and she has seen the beginning about 20 times but has never sat past the scene where Dumbo and the mouse drink the alcohol and fly!! I do sympathise with those who go out for a nice evening meal in a quiet restaurant which is ruined by parents who just let their children run riot while they seem oblivious. If you know your child will behave when taken out then I think there isn't any place really they shouldn't be allowed. Unfortunately, the quiet child that leaves your house has usually swopped places with the child from hell by the time you arrive at your destination! I was walking near work the other day when I heard a mother screaming at her toddler (can't have been more than 2 1/2 year old) to basically hurry up (wasn't the exact term but the language she used wouldn't be allowed on this forum!) she dragged the child by the arm and pulled her down the street, the poor child was lucky not to dislocate her shoulder. I was tempted to say something as she passed me but then decided she looked the type to knock me out cold onto the pavement! Some people just shouldn't have children! Has anyone heard from applepie recently? Hope all goes well Denise, good luck! Julie Ludicrous Patents Office - Aug 8, 2005 3:25 pm (#2363 of 2963) A big Thank You to the parents on this form who wait until their children are old enough to take places! Guess I never took the time to appreciate how many people are considerate enough to wait. We all see the ones who misbehave. I have complimented parents in public places when their children are very well behaved. As a teacher one thing I hate are kids who argue all the time. They think if they keep pressing the issue you will give in. Makes me wonder sometimes! LPO Madam Pince - Aug 8, 2005 4:10 pm (#2364 of 2963) Where do you think our future lawyers come from, LPO? Ludicrous Patents Office - Aug 8, 2005 4:33 pm (#2365 of 2963) Right you are Madam Pince! LPO Madam Pince - Aug 8, 2005 4:46 pm (#2366 of 2963) I just read this in the paper, and it soooo made my day... The 99-pound woman known as 'The Black Widow' on the competitive eating circuit downed 35 bratwursts in 10 minutes to win the first Johnsonville Brat-Eating World Championship in Sheboygan, WI, edging out her nearest competitor by half a brat. 'I don't know where she puts it -- I got sick just watching her,' a spectator observed. The previous bratwurst-eating record was 19 1/2 brats in 10 minutes. 'The Black Widow' is ranked second world-wide by the International Federation of Competitive Eating. There is such a Federation??? I'm picturing a 99-lb Aunt Marge here... Stephanie M. - Aug 8, 2005 5:50 pm (#2367 of 2963) Hey everyone! I just came back from the Home Depot with my family. We picked carpet colors and we bought paint and 3 light fixtures. I love Home Depot!!! It's my new favorite place! I'm so happy they opened one in New York City! We used to have to go to New Jersey, which is not too far but this new one you can walk to. And there is the small problem that we don't own a car because everyone in my family lives and works in the City and garages cost too much. So we take subways, buses, and taxies everywhere. But we probably walk more than anything else. Denise, I hope the weather/dust clear up so Mr. P can come home safely and without too much more delay! Off to eat dinner! We got back so late from Home Depot that it's almost 9:00 here. Edit: It's been made official that the GOF Movie has a PG-13 rating. I Am Used Vlad - Aug 8, 2005 6:08 pm (#2368 of 2963) Madam Pince, the world record holder for hot dog eating is a 135 pound man. How do the small eat so much? I don't follow Competitive Eating, but I have seen it while channel surfing. Loopy, if you think that fake trailer looks good, I can say with some confidence that you haven't seen Hero. Denise, I hope Mr. P arrives home both safely and clean-shaven. Why do contests that involve eating fast always feature some of the world’s most chokeable foods? Can you say common sense? My husband refers to stuff like that as Darwinism. Stephanie, age 13 and you love home Depot! How great. I love their Expo center, myself. We are talking about building a bigger house, now that our family is getting bigger. I can't wait to spend time roaming home improvement stores! Have a great Tuesday! Will be thinking of you Denise! Kathy Catherine - Aug 8, 2005 6:58 pm (#2370 of 2963) Why do contests that involve eating fast always feature some of the world’s most chokeable foods? Can you say common sense? My husband refers to stuff like that as Darwinism. Puck Thanks for my big giggle of the day. I have never understood eating sausage at a 100 m.p.h. either. Herm oh ninny - Aug 8, 2005 7:03 pm (#2371 of 2963) I always wondered who actually came up with these contests? Like, who sits around and goes "I have an idea, let’s see who can shove the most hot dogs in our mouths in an hour!" Stephanie M. - Aug 8, 2005 7:06 pm (#2372 of 2963) I was once eating dinner with my family and we went to a steak house and there were TV's all around us. And on the TV they had an eating contest, and there was this one guy who was very tiny and he was a Pro éclair eater. But what we didn't get was why the restaurant put on a food competition when it makes you feel sick when you’re not eating. But you have to eat your dinner while watching people stuff all kinds of food in their mouths. It's very disgusting. Home Depot is amazing, that's all I have to say! They have amazing service! They also have everything you could possibly want or need for your home. Herm oh ninny - Aug 8, 2005 7:09 pm (#2373 of 2963) LOL Stephanie! Are you angling for a job there.... or do you own any stock in Home Depot? HEHEHE I also love going to Home Depot, there are like 5 within 20 minutes of my house! Stephanie M. - Aug 8, 2005 9:03 pm (#2374 of 2963) I was going to say that I sound like a walking advertisement for Home Depot! I'll start to wear a lot more orange... G'night everybody! Amilia Smith - Aug 8, 2005 10:07 pm (#2375 of 2963) Kathy: Parker, then about 3 years old, got upset with another child and BIT her, actually left a mark. I was so appalled! If it makes you feel any better, Kathy, I was an infamous biter as a small child. And I grew up to be a sober, hard-working, Potter-reading adult. So all is not lost. The bit about it being the light-weights who win the Eating Contests made me think of my sister. She was such a skinny-minnie in high school that her teachers would pull her best friend aside and ask if she (my sister) was anorexic. Nothing could be farther than the truth. She could go out with teenage boys and eat them under the table. Goes to show it is not so much what, or how much, you eat, but high your metabolism is cranked up. Mills. Mrs. Sirius - Aug 8, 2005 10:10 pm (#2376 of 2963) Edited Aug 8, 2005 11:11 pm Oh Stephanie your excitement at a super store reminds me of my first time. I too grew up in NYC and went absolutely everywhere by train bus and cabs. When I went away to college I saw a mall for the first time. I was amazed (the Roosevelt Field Mall on Long Island), I had never even heard of such a thing. That just goes to show how old I am. Back then NY has Macy's and Gimbles, Saks, Bloomies, B'Altmans and TSS Store, Grants oh oh. We didn't need mall! Now that was shopping! I live in CT now and just happen to have been in Home Depot today too. I have told my husband to forget chocolates, silks, or flowers just give me a gift certificate to the hardware store. :goofygrin: Denise sending good thoughts to clear up that storm. You most certainly want him for the birth. Marie I understand. I did learn how to do links at one point from the "How do you" thread but I have to pull out my notes every time because I can't remember the codes. A sad day, farewell to of Ibrahim Ferrer. Thanks for songs. Shayla used to be a biter, too. When she was two, she would always bite the new kids in her daycare classroom. It was like some sort of initiation. She would knock them down and bite them on the back, very aggressive! It stopped when I quit to stay home, but I wonder how much longer she would have gone on. I was watching a hotdog eating contest this weekend and thought to myself "oh no, that's what Mr. E looks like when he eats a hotdog". I swear he can eat a hotdog in two bites. It's disgusting. Brella W - Aug 9, 2005 1:25 am (#2378 of 2963) Hey all now as for Home Depot I love it as well. I can't wait till I live in my own home so I can paint and put up blinds and all that fun stuff. As far as eating contests go I hate them they make me nauseous. But honestly I am more angry at that because I am not a size 4 people think I eat like that. good golly I would keel over if I ate like that. Of course this does come from the same minds who thought it was cool to have show about people eating live bugs! Brella The giant squid - Aug 9, 2005 2:07 am (#2379 of 2963) I'm not quite as fanatic about Home Depot as Stephanie but I have given them quite a bit of business over the last three years. It's amazing how "one small fix" can spawn into a four-figure repair budget... I swear, our house was built by the lowest bidder, with leftover scraps, by his drunken crew...the front door jamb was uneven, for Pete's sake! (The crosspiece on top didn't line up with the door, leaving a nice crack for our heat/AC to leak out.) --Mike Stephanie, it is interesting to read your "New York Culture" description of Home Depot. People walk to the one here too, but it is through five acres of parking lot. (That is not an exaggeration, but it does include the delivery/loading area.) Nearly every "car" in the lot is a pick-up truck. I've always loved hardware stores. But now, the Lowes is a half-mile closer, and they have no Saturday Interstate ramp back-ups, and only a four-acre parking lot to traverse, so its easier to pop in there. Herm oh ninny - Aug 9, 2005 7:18 am (#2381 of 2963) My cousin once bit my sister when she was little. She still has a little scar on the small of her back He grew up to be the sweetest, most good-hearted 16 year old you would ever want to meet... so don't worry! I woke up this morning with a furry rat in my bed! No, not a real rat, but one of my chihuahuas-Princess. I guess the air conditioner was too cold for her and she snuck into my bed and snuggled right up under the covers. I'll tell ya, that can be quite a shock to wake up too! She usually goes into my sister's bed. Denise - I hope that Mr. P arrived home safely and that you all had a nice little family reunion. By the way, your 6month old cockatiel is already laying eggs? She must really want to breed, eh? Stephanie M. - Aug 9, 2005 10:01 am (#2382 of 2963) Herm oh ninny, the girl in your avatar is soo adorable!! My housekeeper has a bird and she has had the bird for 9 years and it started laying eggs at 5 months and it still lays eggs. Her bird also likes to climb up to the highest part of the cage and lay the eggs and watch them fall and break. (What a wonderful mother!) Then my housekeeper has to clean the broken eggs up without the bird getting too protective over the broken eggs! No, the 2 mos old 'tiel is not laying eggs, the egg layer is 6 years old. She started laying eggs when she was about 4. We know for a fact she is female. The younger one, we THINK is female but she is being pretty vocal so I think I am going to get her DNA sexed to be sure before she moves in with the 6 year old. When Piper lays eggs, we just leave them alone until she cracks them or starts to ignore them. My little ghouls always want me to scramble them...seriously! Mr. Denise is not home yet but he is in route. When I last spoke to him, he expected to be in the US in another 9 hours from right now. Initially he was told DE, then FL and now it looks like he will land in VA. Whatever, any of those places can get him a flight here so probably tomorrow he will be home. Madam Pince - Aug 9, 2005 11:15 am (#2384 of 2963) ***Does a celebration dance for Denise and Mr. P!*** Stephanie M. - Aug 9, 2005 11:33 am (#2385 of 2963) YAY! Mr. P will be home soon! (I would love to see the picture of him with facial hair, Denise! I wasn't here last year to see that picture.) Edit: My sister is a little less than half way through OotP! My unofficial schedule for her is to read CoS then HBP. she refuses to read SS/PS so if she is willing to read SS then I'll have her read CoS then SS then HBP. Yeah, it is totally out of order but she already read SS when it first came out but she didn't get it so I'll make sure she reads CoS before HBP. Edit Again: I hope the last part made sense!!! VeronikaG - Aug 9, 2005 12:24 pm (#2386 of 2963) I'm trying to get my mother to read the books. She has said numerous times she will, but there are just so many other books she has to read first. Sigh. Madam Pince - Aug 9, 2005 12:30 pm (#2387 of 2963) I have a cousin who is abed for a few weeks recovering from surgery. I made the suggestion that she pass the time by reading HP. She said "Oh, I've read all of them, except I'll get the most recent one when my daughter's done." All I could think was: "What? And you've never gotten into discussing theories with me?" I've even asked her for HP Latin translations over the years because she's a Latin teacher, and she never once mentioned "Hey, I like reading those too!" I can't understand it. You will just have to face it Madam Pince, there are just some people in the world who, well, how can I put it.......have their priorities all mixed up!!! Yes, I lent the books to my neighbor, who liked them, but didn't read them avidly, or more than once. Our my in-laws with the books on tape. They would listen during a long trip (1000 miles) to visit grandchildren. They would wait and listen to the next part a few months later during the next trip. For longer books it would take several visits to finish a book. How could they wait so long to find out what was going to happen next? Parker was never really a big biter. That was the first time, really, which is why it shocked me so much. He bit his sister a couple of times after that, but it was a short lived phase. I never expected he would grow up to be Hannibal, I was just so embarrassed as this horrified woman look at me the way I looked at the mom who's child who threw a rock at my kid's head at the beach. Maya is here demanding snack. Will have to check the threads later. Catherine - Aug 9, 2005 2:36 pm (#2390 of 2963) So, feel free to skim ahead, but I thought I would share a story from the Humane Society Book Sale, now that I have recovered somewhat. Under the category of "You Can't Make This Stuff Up" is the story of the farmer who thought we were "Habitat for Humanity." When he realized that he'd just purchased a big box of hardback gardening books (for the bargain price of $5) from an animal shelter instead of a human charity, he became very angry and shoved the box back across the table at me and tried to snatch back the $5 bill. Just as an aside, he would have had to take that money back from my dead, cold body! Next, he said, "I'll tell you how to make an animal shelter. You plant bamboo--it grows thick and fast and the horses won't eat it. Inside, you put your ducks, geese, chickens, and rabbits. When you are hungry, you go into the shelter and get your food." My father-in-law's eyes bugged out at this point, but it got worse. Then the man said, "You can get more meat from a rabbit than a cow. Someone like you is probably dumb enough to pay to eat rabbit." I responded, "Sir, I promise you that I have never paid to eat rabbit." At which point his wife chimed in, "I eat rooster." I said, "I like chicken, too" and then they grabbed the box and walked away. Spooky.... And they wonder why I don't want to chair the sale next year! Can't wait for Mr P. to get home - it is like a Hallmark movie unfolding right in front of our internet eyes.... **gushing** Congratulations to all you birthday boys and girls (Finn, you are a teenager!!!) - I am stressing around so much these days, and seem to be too scatter-brained to keep up with anything... Catherine - your book sale surely sounds like a movie as well, but most definitely not a Hallmark one!! **giggles** I think it's admirable how you have followed through, despite bugs, she-who-must-not-be-named, and crazy farmers!! And I would love to hear some more stories, either on this thread, or email... Kate - I looked at the link someone put up from Gardaland, and WOW!! I have now officially made myself a promise to go there with my sister. We love amusement parks still, and had a blast at our tiny one, even if they only have one small loop, and a HORRIBLE wooden coaster.... I can't understand why any engineer would build such a crummy coaster?!?! There was not a single good, tummy-flopping slope, you basically only sat for four minutes, trying to keep your head attached to your neck, and hoping you did not squish the person next to you... Who needs to pay for a whiplash?? Hermy- My Mio sleeps in my bed, too... Actually, I think he thinks I sleep in his bed... I have two duvets (spelling?) in my bed, I use one, and he uses the other. If his is not shaped into a U, he will sit in the dark and cry, waiting for me to make his bed so that he can go to sleep... I promised myself that my next dog will not a) realize that his blanket is wrinkly and b) cry for someone to straighten it out before he jumps up to lay on it.... :blushing: Have a splendid day everyone!! Hugs Don't you just love it when people have been standing in line at the box office for about 20 minutes and then when they finally get to the front the say "oh wait, what are we seeing again" --Herm oh ninny Okay, perfect moment for me to share my story. It's short and sweet but really funny. So, about a year ago we were walking in by a movie theater, and there's this really long line around the block! So, I went up to one of the people waiting in line, interested in knowing what movie they all wanted to see. I said, "What are you waiting in line for?" The man said, "Er… ask my wife." So, I said to his wife, "Excuse me, what are you waiting in line for?" She said, "Tickets." The man just shrugged. Since then, I have always felt immensely sad for ticket booth people. Sorry, guys! Steph, where's the new Home Depot? I could go crazy in that store – I just want to buy everything!! I'm so glad GoF got a PG-13 rating! That's fantastic news! That'll get the screaming kids out of the theater in the first place, as well as the concerned parents! (I have told you my Concerned Parent at PoA Movie story, no? Okey dokey, story time again! When Buckbeak is being executed, you will recall John Williams has a great piece called "Saving Buckbeak" which is being played at the moment. The music is very suspenseful, HRH are teary-eyed, and the camera is zooming in on MacNair, who is slowly raising his axe. Then, just as the music comes to a halt, MacNair swings down the axe (into what somebody who hadn't read the books would think is Buckbeak) and the crows fly away. Then, this mother in the row in front of us says aloud to herself (but mainly for others to hear), "God, do they have to be so graphic?" I seriously sniggered at this one. I was reminded of Ron's hacking cough when Harry says he was born in July and not midwinter. I used that tactic. Well, I've got to Mark as Read. Just too many posts to catch up on in two days! Oh, also, Kate, those pictures of you at Gardaland are great! I love those rides where you are splashed by water, when you're not even on the ride! There is an amusement park called Rye Playland where I live, and a ride called the Playland Plunge has a car which takes you up a hill, and then down it, and you get splashed with water, but if you're standing on this bridge (which is right in front of the car's landing area) you will also get soaked! It is very similar to the ride in Little Big League, a baseball movie. LPO, you got yourself an avatar! Wishing a speedy trip to Mr. P! Edit: Catherine, looking forward to another eventful book sale next year! Make sure the sign does not say Habitat for Humanity, or at least make sure it has something about "will brake for rabbits." I myself am a vegetarian so I can definitely say I have never paid money to eat rabbits. Wish you could have done a little Levicorpus on the man when he said that you look dumb enough to pay for them. That would've thrown him for a spin! Belated Happy Birthday, Finn! About the bratwurst eating 99 lb woman.......exactly how many brats does it take to make one bratwurst? Should stop them causing a nuisance in the movies or at the diners, at least............. Catherine - Aug 9, 2005 3:45 pm (#2394 of 2963) Edit: Catherine, looking forward to another eventful book sale next year! Make sure the sign does not say Habitat for Humanity, or at least make sure it has something about "will brake for rabbits."—Finn I'm looking forward to someone having a great book sale next year. The sign clearly said "Humane Society" so the evil, sarcastic Catherine wanted to ask, "Honestly, don't you read?" Mr. Catherine now says to comments of the "crickets chirping variety, "I eat rooster." Scarily enough, the story I just told is not the scariest Book Sale story, just the scariest "fit for the Forum" story, and I realize that even so, the story wasn't in the best taste. Especially for those who do not, ala Bugs Bunny cartoons, enjoy "Hasenpfeffer." I did want folks to know that it's not all puppies and kitties and doe-eyed love. Stephanie M. - Aug 9, 2005 4:09 pm (#2395 of 2963) Finn, the new Home Depot is on 59th street and 3rd Avenue in NYC. There is an amusement park called Rye Playland where I live, and a ride called the Playland Plunge has a car which takes you up a hill, and then down it, and you get splashed with water, but if you're standing on this bridge (which is right in front of the car's landing area) you will also get soaked! --Finn I LOVE that ride!!! Story Time!!! I went to Rye Playland and I was wearing a swimsuit under my clothes and we were walking to that ride and the guy operating it said that I couldn't take my jeans off and switch into shorts to go onto the ride. (I'm not too sure why because the other people I was with were wearing shorts.) So I went on the ride wearing my tank top and jeans and got drenched then I had to walk over the bridge to get back to where we were meeting the other group of people we were with and I got even more soaked! and the thing was, he didn't even let me take my sneakers off! But It was sooo much fun!!! Ludicrous Patents Office - Aug 9, 2005 4:10 pm (#2396 of 2963) Denise I'm glad Mr. Denise is on his way! Catherine I hope you stop by next year’s book sale to savour the moment. I can't imagine eating that much that fast. It must really mess up the digestive process. I bet they are miserable for some time. Guess it is worth it. Finn, Liz inspired me with her lovely avatar. With all the chat about technology I decided I better learn how to put one up. Edinburgh Castle is one of my favorite places and it has special meaning to us fans! LPO Edited Aug 9, 2005 7:22 pm I've been to that castle! I did a student exchange during college and spent a term at Crew Alsager College (now a part of Manchester Metropolitan University.) At age 22 I managed to pass for a child (15 or under) and get in for reduced price. Not completely honest, I know, but I was a college student, and figured if I had to look like a kid, I might as well take advantage. My favorite city in England was Coventry. I just found it amazing how the modern buildings shared a home with ones from the 12th cenury, and how somehow none of it looked out of place. LOL Tim! I had tears streaming from my eyes as I read your post. It took several moments for me to compose myself and read on. I love roller coasters, and was sad to have to sit them out at our amusement park trip this summer. I did get to ride the Rocking Roller Coaster at Disney MGM studios last fall. It was fantastic! Have a great night! Kathy T Brightwater - Aug 9, 2005 7:44 pm (#2398 of 2963) Denise, hope the Mister arrives safely and without inconvenient diversions. Catherine, my commiserations - enjoy the prospect of not doing it next year! Finn, I sent you an e-mail. Great avatar, LPO! Kwikspell, have the Cubs hit last place yet? I can't bear to listen to the games or look at the standings anymore. I think someone's put a Confundus Charm on the whole team. Rumor has it we might get some rain tonight - any weather charms to encourage it would be appreciated. Timrew, are you thinking of setting up the Sweeeney Todd Daycare Center? Amilia Smith - Aug 9, 2005 8:05 pm (#2399 of 2963) Confession time: I have paid money to eat rabbit, and it was good. Elanor, if it wouldn't be too much trouble, could I get a copy of your Accio paper? I wanted to give you a bit of breathing time to catch up on sleep and laundry after your trip before I started bugging you, but it seems life is still rolling along for you, what with getting you Master's thesis ready for publication and all. So I'm asking anyway . If it's too much bother, feel free to ignore me. Edit: And while I am in the begging mood . Marie, could you send me your pictures from the Gathering? I'd get a kick out of seeing you all, pretending I was able to go . Mills. ***GASP*** (*choke and wheeze*) AMILIA! T Brightwater, I have sent you an email back. I realize now after reading your profile about T Brightwater as your user name, but… I was still convinced it was your name too! Edit: Oh my goodness, nearly forgot, did anybody read "Red and Rover" the comic strip on Monday? I cut it out. It's about… soapboxes!! Thought of you all. I will scan it and give you the link tomorrow (if I'm not too lazy… Lady Arabella - Prefect - Posts : 2285 Location : Silicon Valley, CA Re: Chat & Greetings 2005 Madam Pince - Aug 9, 2005 11:14 pm (#2401 of 2963) Don't feel bad, Amilia -- I have eaten rabbit that I didn't pay to eat, and squirrel too. And yes, it was good, although I wouldn't do it every day. I like the cute little fluffy things when they're romping around in the great outdoors, too, so I did feel a bit of a twinge while dining. But, Mom put it on the plate, so what was I to do? (She makes a very mean squirrel gravy, by the way.) The giant squid - Aug 9, 2005 11:14 pm (#2402 of 2963) Catherine, feel free to e-mail me with the really good stories... I solemnly swear not to be offended. Good Lord, what difference did it make if he was giving $5 to HFH or the Humane Society? It's guys like him that give farmers a bad name. Speaking of e-mailing things... Marie, where's my link to the Gathering pics? I know you have my e-mail address. Tim: I believe the ratio is 4 brats to a bratwurst. At least, I had the wurst time dealing with four brats once... Finn, I have only one statement about your movie theater stories: Welcome to my world. Now you know why I became a projectionist--I can always run upstairs to the booth when the customers get too stupid for me. --Mike Amilia, I've just sent you the paper with joy, thanks for wanting to read it! BTW, several persons asked me to send them the paper, I hope I forgot no-one but if I did, please tell me because I wouldn't have done it on purpose. I am very busy with the "edition" of the thesis. It is so weird to read something you wrote 11 years ago, there are a lot of things that I wouldn't write like that anymore. So, I "re-write" more of it than I thought I would! But I allow me lovely breaks, between chapters, that I spend... on the forum of course! LPO, I love your avatar too! I really want to go there sometime! Denise, I do hope Mr Denise will be at home soon. Have a great day/night everybody! **waving** Raising rabbit (and for some reason when raised for food they drop the "s" – I don't know why; they say ten head of beef too, instead of heads.) Anyway, raising rabbit was suggested to my daughter as a home business more profitable, less stressful, and a little more flexible in the hours than babysitting. In the end, she couldn't get past the cute & fluffy factor, but she did learn how to use pliers and build wire cages. Denise's last post to this thread indicated she expected Mr. Denise to be in the US in another 9 hours; it's been well over twice that long so I shall hope no news is good news. Catherine - Aug 10, 2005 6:20 am (#2405 of 2963) Denise's last post to this thread indicated she expected Mr. Denise to be in the US in another 9 hours; it's been well over twice that long so I shall hope no news is good news. –Chemyst I hope so, too. Turns out I need to go to Richmond to pick up my desk from my mom's house so I can get set up for my substitute 7th grade teaching job. I'll check in the Forum at Mom's house, assuming the computer works this time. I should be back on Friday. No news meant Denise went to sleep LOL Mr. Denise is currently in the air, his flight should be landing here in the next few hours. Someone from his work is going to pick him up since he has to go into work for a few things anyway before coming to the house. Once he calls from work, then I will go get him. This is great since I was not exactly looking forward to driving 100+ miles (roundtrip) with everyone in a van that the air conditioning is not working. We have to drive with the windows down, which creates a nice breeze but is noisy. Then everyone tries to shout so I can hear what they are saying while the other half tell them to pipe down because they want to hear the radio. Guess what Mr. Denise gets to do tomorrow or Friday! Can we say "Hello Car Dealer, we need the A/C fixed!" LOL On the baby front, assuming I have not yet had the child, my doctor has set an arrival date of the 17th. One more week!! Mr. Denise is also looking forward to reading HBP, it will give him something to do while he gets my A/C fixed. Loopy Lupin - Aug 10, 2005 7:05 am (#2407 of 2963) Good Luck Denise. I actually can understand what you mean about kids shouting over one another in the car. At times, I will have four (I know, I know, it's not the same) in my car at once on the way to the movies. When they start yelling over one another, I just turn up the radio. Congrats on the teaching gig Catherine! Way to stand in for someone!!! EDIT--- Oh, and I'll typically have four in the car on the way back from the movies too. Herm oh ninny - Aug 10, 2005 7:06 am (#2408 of 2963) Reply Edited by Denise P. Aug 10, 2005 7:17 am I'm so glad GOF got a PG-13 rating! That's fantastic news! That'll get the screaming kids out of the theater in the first place, as well as the concerned parents! - Finn Don't count on it Finn. I have parents bringing 4 year olds into slasher movies so I highly doubt that they will be wary of a PG-13 rating! By the way, I read your info and realized that we are destined to be Enemies! Yep, that's right..... I'm a YANKEES FAN!! LOL Mike- I wish I still had that luxury! I used to be able to do that, but, my boss hired an assistant projectionist and now I let him start the movies and I'm stuck dealing with the crowd Ponine - Don't feel bad, my dog Princess not only believes that she is a princess, but also thinks she is a human! If we are sitting outside, she refuses to sit on the floor and whines until someone picks her up. The best is one time, when I gave her a piece of steak as a treat, she refused to eat it until I cut it up into little pieces for her! So don't worry, us dog lovers are a rare breed Oh and since you said you like stories..... Edit I removed a story that is not truly suitable for the Forum. If Herm oh ninny has her email showing, you may email her for the story. Denise P. Timrew- I was in the process of swallowing a large gulp of coffee when I read your last post and I am currently cleaning up the mess!! Herm oh ninny - Aug 10, 2005 7:09 am (#2409 of 2963) Welcome to all the new Lexiconners!! Especially Zinovia..... my sister CatherineHermiona - Aug 10, 2005 8:51 am (#2410 of 2963) Welcome to all the new members!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm not youngest any more (maybe I wasn't even before). Kate Helen Potterfan - Aug 10, 2005 10:45 am (#2411 of 2963) Hello everyone, I've been absent from the forum since the 17th. My husband's grandfather died, so we went home to NC for a week; then I had to finish up my last week of summer teaching and re-pack to leave for a conference. I've just gotten back. It's sad that I missed out on some of the post-HBP excitement. I did get to pick up HBP at midnight on the 16th and read it all that night and the next morning before flying out on the 18th. Anyway, I've been at an academic conference all week called "Dickens Universe" at UC Santa Cruz. As you'll see by my new avatar, Miriam Margolyes (a.k.a. Professor Sprout) was there! She's quite a Dickens fan and is a regular at the conference. She performed an amazing one-woman show on Friday night. I didn't realize how many films she's been in! She is Flora Finching in the film version of Little Dorrit we watched at the conference. She's been in a lot of movies (see a list here) Many of the people at the conference had read HBP, so I did get to have a lot of great conversations about the book, but I missed my forum friends! Helen Condolences, Accio HBP. Hey to Zinovia! We are leaving for Dubrovnik tomorrow (four days) - waves to Brightwater This doesn't mean that I won't be on-line, I just don't know how much free time would it be. Madam Pince - Aug 10, 2005 12:17 pm (#2413 of 2963) Welcome back, Accio, and condolences on your family's loss. Welcome also to all the new Forum members! Hope everyone finds fun and interesting threads! Baby Pince has been sick the last two days -- high fever with no other symptoms whatsoever. He had this last month too. He doesn't really feel bad, just a bit lethargic, but the real bummer is that he has to stay home from school, which today meant he missed the pony ride and moon-bounce activity they had planned. And he's had to miss swim lessons, which also happened last month. So far I've paid for 4 weeks of lessons, and he's only gotten to attend 2 weeks, and they don't do refunds. Wah. A friend of mine from out of town came to visit today -- she was visiting relatives who are near me and so was able to come by. Yay! It's so great to get to visit with old friends! We used to do "Melrose Mondays" together -- we were young single chickies, and we'd alternate making dinner at each others' houses and watch "Melrose Place." Edit: Can't you just see Denise? "Hi honey! Welcome home! Here's your book --- now go and take my car to get the A/C fixed!" Herm oh ninny - Aug 10, 2005 1:13 pm (#2414 of 2963) Denise, I'm soo sorry! I was kind of wary of putting that story in.... I guess I should have trusted my instincts. I'll be more careful in the future. I hope Mr. P has finally arrived safely. Healing charms to Baby Pince! And, I don't know, maybe confundus charms to the swimming people to make them forget that they don't give refunds! Lina - Hope you have a fun trip! Accio HBP - Welcome back and my codoleneces to your family. T Brightwater - Aug 10, 2005 2:27 pm (#2415 of 2963) Accio HBP, my condolences, but it's good to hear from you again. Lina, that's gorgeous lace - how is it made? Have a great time in Dubrovnik! (waves back) Something tells me we aren't going to be seeing too much of Denise for a few days :-) Sending Silencing Charms your way, and a "Reparo!" for the A/C. Hope Baby Pince is feeling better. **Waves to all new members** Hello, and welcome!!! She makes a very mean squirrel gravy, by the way. - Madam Pince - I am sorry, but as a foreigner, I have to ask - uhm - not sure how to, though.... There is actually such a thing as squirrel gravy - true or false?? I had the wurst time dealing with four brats once... - Mike, I snorted my diet coke in cheer delight - beautiful statement, and I have felt your pain through and through... I feel sort of bad for asking like this, but; Elanor, I would love to get read a copy of your paper if I may; Gina, I would also love to read your Snape again, as I believe I have not seen it with any HBP revisions (I believe I remember you said you would (nitwit, blubber, oddment)tweak it); Hermy-oh-ninny I am begging you to email me the story that disappeared; Catherine, I too would love to hear more about your booksale; Marè, I too would love to see more pictures from the Accio trip; and Accio HBP, I would love to get your input on some classes and a laptop, when you have the time??? Obviously, I will take all of you to Three Broomstick for quite a few rounds on me... (My email is in my profile) Have a great day, everyone! Stephanie M. - Aug 10, 2005 4:27 pm (#2417 of 2963) Welcome back Accio and I'm truly sorry for the loss. Finn, your avatar really goes with the topic of Squirl gravy! My grandmother is getting her hysterectomy tomorrow and I'm going to Las Vegas tomorrow night and I'll be back Tuesday Morning. She will be out of surgery before we leave but if anything happens then we'll stay home. Or if something minor happens then my sister and I will go and meet our cousins (who just happened to be staying at out hotel the same time as we are and we didn't plan for this to happen.) while our parents stay home. But if everything goes on plan we're taking a Red Eye tomorrow night and getting to Las Vegas at 1 AM Western Time which is 4 AM Eastern. Then I'm taking a Red Eye back and I'll probably get in 5 AM Eastern Time. So I'll be really tired but I have to stay awake so I can get back to my regular sleep patterns. Dumbly-dorr - Aug 10, 2005 4:33 pm (#2418 of 2963) I don't know if it's been posted today, but JK Rowling wishes Ginney Weasly a happy birthday today. Ludicrous Patents Office - Aug 10, 2005 5:42 pm (#2419 of 2963) Stephanie I hope everything goes well with your Grandmother. Healing Charms and Stay Awake Charms! Madam Pince I hope Baby Pince has cooled down. Welcome back Accio, my condolences. I really like your avatar. Thank you for the information. I had no idea! Catherine I love seventh graders. You will have a lot of fun. Subbing is a good job if you are in a good school. I did it for three years. Really enjoyed it. Herm oh ninny please send the story my way. I am very curious! LPO Mr. Denise made it back in here safely this afternoon. All the kidlets were very happy to see Dad and have been pestering him nonstop. "Dad, look at this, Dad, come see this, Dad, Dad, Dad!" mike miller - Aug 10, 2005 6:20 pm (#2421 of 2963) Denise - I'm so glad to hear the Mr. Denise has made it home safely. Now , what were you saying about the A/C???? Denise glad Mr Denise made it home safe. I bet the kids were excited to see daddy. Ginny Weasley shares my birthday with me hugs boop TwinklingBlueEyes - Aug 10, 2005 6:44 pm (#2423 of 2963) HAPPY BIRTHDAY Boop! Stephanie M. - Aug 10, 2005 6:50 pm (#2424 of 2963) Mr. P is home!!! Heh, he has already said he plans to take it in tomorrow morning to get the A/C fixed. While the temps here are nothing like what he has been having, they are still pretty darn warm. I saw it at 103°F today..thank goodness the humidity was not that high. Having A/C again will be bliss. Happy Birthday Betty! If your browser reads wingdings, this is a flower for you: { Welcome home, Mr. Denise. I Am Used Vlad - Aug 10, 2005 7:28 pm (#2427 of 2963) Happy birthday, boop. Denise, I'm glad to hear that Mr. P made it home safely. T Brightwater - Aug 10, 2005 7:44 pm (#2428 of 2963) Happy Birthday Boop! (and Ginny!) Glad Mr. Denise made it home safely! Will he be around for the delivery? Yes, he will be here for the delivery and for a few weeks after. I actually had to rush a guinea pig to the vet today...well, not really rush as in break the speed limit thing but get her there fast. One of our piggies, when she got taken out to be played with, was making a noise. I assumed she was clacking her teeth, a sign of displeasure, but asked to see her. She was wheezing, you could hear a popping noise and then she sneezed! Upper respitory problems in piggies is not a good thing so off we went to the vet. Her cage mate, Spice, came along for moral support and also to be examined to be sure she was not coming down with the same thing. Cinnamon doesn't appear in distress, other than her noisy breathing, and the vet is not positive it is an infection or if she perhaps got a piece of hay up her nose causing the sound. In any event, we have her on an antibiotic now and a supplement to encourage the good bacteria in her system to continue to flourish. Spice got a clean bill of health but we will still watch her. Cinnamon is not happy about having a syringe of medication put in her mouth twice a day and if she could say something ugly to me, I am sure she would. I could tell she was feeling better this evening since she got up on top of her pigloo, was eating hay and I saw her drinking water as well. When I relayed this to Mr. Denise, he just shook his head. "It is a guinea pig, you took her to the vet?" Silly man, of course I did! I think I will wait a few days before I tell him I am taking the new cockatiel to have a blood test to determine gender Denise, so glad the Mr. is home. That's just wonderful news. Hope Guinea Pig P. improves steadily! The mother of all the birthdays is having her own! Happy Birthday (tomorrow) boop! Steph, I hope your grandmother's surgery runs smoothly. Have a fun time in Vegas (erm… rather, as much fun as one can have in Vegas ). I hope you do go. Herm oh ninny, please send me that story! Elanor, I too would love a copy of your Accio paper. Maybe this way I will finally understand you geniuses on the Alchemy thread… I went to a tennis awards banquet tonight. Our club is far superior to the other 10 or so there and we easily cleaned up. It's great to cheer on your friends while also getting up there to get an award yourself (I participated in Boys' 13 & Under Matchplay, and we won that age group). Very uplifting. Good night everyone! Amilia Smith - Aug 10, 2005 8:30 pm (#2431 of 2963) erm… rather, as much fun as one can have in Vegas You don't think Vegas is Fun? But it has dancing fountains! Congratulations to Denise on the timely arrival of Mr. P., and to Finn for the superior tennis club. Thank you so much, Elanor, for sending me your paper. How are you holding up, Thora? Any news yet as to whether or not you will have to move, and where to? Mills. Ludicrous Patents Office - Aug 10, 2005 8:39 pm (#2432 of 2963) Denise I'm glad Mr. Denise made it home safely and will be around for the arrival of the newest family member. Hope Cinnamon continues to do well. Finn congratulations on your award. A good way to enter the teen years! Happy Birthday Boop. Elanor, you are probably tired of hearing this but, would you send me your paper? I am interested in reading it. Thank you. LPO Herm oh ninny - Aug 10, 2005 9:26 pm (#2433 of 2963) Her cage mate, Spice, came along for moral support... -Denise P OK, I just had an image of Spice clutching Cinnamon's wee little paw and and uttering soothing words of encouragement! Happy Birthday Boop! Stephanie - I hope all goes well with your grandmother.(Sending out multiple healing charms) Try to have some fun on your trip...but no gambling Finn - Congrats on your award Saralinda Again - Aug 10, 2005 11:12 pm (#2434 of 2963) Sorry, nothing much to say, but I just updated my avatar (That's granddaughter #3, Lily) and I had to show her off. She is so cute Saralinda! And I love her name... Happy birthday Boop!!! Joyeux anniversaire! Ponine, Finn and LPO, I've just sent you the paper, thank you for wanting to read it. Finn, your worldcrossing address didn't work so I used the other one you mention in your profile. Congratulations BTW! I'd better start working again... I'm sure you can feel my enthusiasm (sort of ) from where you are... Yesterday afternoon, when I thought I deserved a break, I have made a calendar of the schoolyear to pin on the walls of my office at home and in my classroom too and I put some pictures from Accio on it. For the home calendar, I used pictures of all of us at the feast or in London and, for the classroom one, a picture of platform 9 and 3/4 for the first half of the year (seemed appropriate) and one of the façade of St Pancrace for the second half, promise of other holidays to come. I'm sure it will make the return to school easier to have those on the walls! OK, I know, back to work... The giant squid - Aug 11, 2005 1:17 am (#2436 of 2963) Timrew- I was in the process of swallowing a large gulp of coffee when I read your last post and I am currently cleaning up the mess!!--Hermy-oh-ninny Hermy, that's known here on the Forum as a "SPEW moment". I don't remember who originated the term (Catherine?) but Timrew has been responsible for the vast majority of them... Here's a huge {{{{{{hug}}}}}} for Betty on her Birthday (although technically it was over a few hours ago). Denise, I'm glad to hear Mr. P. made it home safely and in a timely fashion. I'm sure after where he's been, spending the day at the mechanic waiting for the A/C to get repaired is close to heaven. Hope your piglet is okay. --Mike Happy belated birthday Betty! Glad Mr. P. is home safe and well. Good luck with the impending new arrival. Well 'Lost' started last night in the UK. what a great programme. I saw the first 1 hour episode and recorded the 2nd one to watch tonight. Even hubby thought it was good, which surprised me, I was expecting eye rolling and tutting throughout the episode!! The British guy in the programme that said he was in a band, I have seen him off something before, but for the life of me I cannot think what and it's driving me crazy, can anyone help???? Please??? I heard it has been commissioned to have another series aired in the U. S so Yay!! Hope everyone has a great day. I know I will, I'm on my own in the office today, so that means more time looking through the forum without pretending that I'm actually working!! Julie Miss Malaprop - Aug 11, 2005 3:42 am (#2438 of 2963) Snuffles, before you go crazy - if you are talking about the character Charlie, he is played by Dominic Monaghan. I believe he appeared in a number of fantasy films which were quite popular a couple of years ago...he played a small, hairy-footed creature called Merry mike miller - Aug 11, 2005 5:45 am (#2439 of 2963) HAPPY BIRTHDAY BETTY!!!!!! Herm oh ninny - Aug 11, 2005 6:35 am (#2440 of 2963) Hey guys! Since we were talking about stuff like this last week, I have to mention what happened to me this morning. I was at Dunkin Donuts waiting in line to get my coffee. A lady in front of me had a little boy with her who was about 3, and who starting running around and climbing onto the tables. The mother immediately ran after him, scooped him up, and started talking to him to calm him down. He stared to yell and cry but the mom held him and tried her best to calm him. I got my coffee and went to get a straw. The mother was also there attempting to grab some napkins (the child was still fighting with her). All of a sudden this man, who had been standing behind us in line, said very loudly "I can't believe people bring their screaming brats in here!" Then he turned directly to the poor mother and said "Don't you have any place to leave him? Like nursery school?", and then he stomped off. I felt sooo sorry for the poor mother. She looked simply mortified. I gave her a smile and told her "Never mind him." , but I don't think it helped much. People can be soo rude sometimes Saralinda - She is simple precious! Mike - A SPEW moment!! I love it! LOL EDIT: Finn - I just saw your new avatar and read the caption.....and had my second SPEW moment!! Happy Birthday, Betty!!!!! Denise, I'm so glad Mr. P made it back safe and sound. I'm sending good thoughts for an uneventful delivery so you can enjoy his time back with the new little one. I've starting getting my classroom ready for the new school. For the first time in three years, I have an even number of girls and boys in my class. Previously the classes have always been very boy-heavy, which has it's good points and not-so-good. The bad thing about having lots of five year old girls is they tend to be very bossy. It's almost Friday!! Thanks Miss Malaprop. That's maybe where I have seen him. *takes deep breath* I'm not a huge fan of LOTR. There I've said it.... I have watched the first one but after 3 attempts!! things just kept interrupting me so I never really got into it, I should perhaps try again, surely 30+million people can't be wrong!! Catherine - Aug 11, 2005 7:21 am (#2443 of 2963) Happy Birthday to Betty! Welcome home Mr. Denise! Welcome back to Accio HbP and congratulations to Finn. Saralinda, the granddaughter is precious. Hope I didn't forget anyone--my dad is chomping on the bit to play on the computer. Have a good day, everyone. Loopy Lupin - Aug 11, 2005 8:58 am (#2444 of 2963) Happy Birthday Boop! Yay! for Denise, Finn, and Saralinda! Steve Newton - Aug 11, 2005 9:03 am (#2445 of 2963) Hey Boop. Have a great birthday! Penny Lane. Happy Birthday Betty!!! Ludicrous Patents Office - Aug 11, 2005 9:48 am (#2447 of 2963) Thanks for the paper Elanor. I am very impressed. Hope you are getting some work done... Snuffles have you read the book? It can be pretty ponderous. But I love it. LPO Edit: Saralinda what an adorable picture! Stephanie M. - Aug 11, 2005 10:20 am (#2448 of 2963) Saralinda, She is soo cute! And her name is very cool! Finn, Congratulations on the award. My dad would be proud of you for getting tennis awards at the age of 13! (He's now ranked #4 in the country for Men over 45 singles. He can't wait to turn 50 because then he'll be the youngest in the new age group! He's actually really looking forward to being 50! But sadly for him he has 2 years before then.) By the time you’re his age maybe you'll be even better than he is. My grandmother was supposed to start surgery at 9AM, but they had to prep her first so she went in at 10:10 AM. The surgery is 4-5 hours and she should be out around 2:30 PM. (All times are eastern time) Then we'll know around 3:00 if she is doing okay. My dad went to the hospital this morning and then he's going back to the hospital for visiting hours (around 5PM). Then we are off to Las Vegas, which is one my favorite destinations, Finn. We are staying at the Mandelay Bay which has tons of swimming pools (they have a Wave Pool, a Lazy River with a waterfall, and lots of other pools too.). My dad is the only one who can legally gamble so that means my sister and I have to wait a few more years. But the gambling age in the Bahamas is only 18, which means less than 7 months for my sister... She doesn't like playing cards or betting on sports that much though, so I don't see a gambling problem for her in the future. Off to eat lunch and read as many posts as I can before I leave! I might have to press The Magic Button. Herm oh ninny - Aug 11, 2005 11:16 am (#2449 of 2963) OK, someone sent this to me in an E-mail, and it totally reminded me of the dream that Stephanie had! The one where Finn had a huge blonde Afro! I didn't really know where to post this but since this is the "chat" and greeting thread I decided to try here. Well here goes. My family has had a tradition throughout the Harry Potter series that we always go to see the movie when it comes out at the theater. When the first movie came out my daughter (now eight) was very small and we left her with a sitter. She watched the second and 3rd film with us. By the 3rd film release we had another child not quite old enough for Potter, couldn't find a sitter so he and my hubby watched Shrek 2 instead. Now here's where the dilemma starts: the eight year old daughter loves all the movies, watching them over and over on DVD. I don't feel that she is old enough or mature enough for the 4th film. I told my hubby we would all have to wait until the DVD comes out for this one because no matter what else is playing at the theater the same night she won't be happy with it. Of course now all my teen age children are up in arms about the whole thing. Any suggestions? Lady Arabella - Prefect - Posts : 2285 Location : Silicon Valley, CA Re: Chat & Greetings 2005 septentrion - Aug 11, 2005 12:32 pm (#2451 of 2963) Happy birthday Betty ! Elanor, you have made quite a success, well deserved should I add. Snuffles, Lost is airing here since the beginning of July and I love it too. It's the only show which can currently tear me apart from my computer Herm oh ninny, that photo is hilarious. That man is literaly bushy-haired ! Stephanie M. - Aug 11, 2005 12:45 pm (#2452 of 2963) KayKay, maybe someone (not in your family) could go and see GOF. They will come back and tell you if they think your 8 year old is old enough to see the movie and then you can decide from there if you feel she is ready to see it. If not Then maybe your older children would see it together (keep part of the tradition) and then buy it when it comes on DVD and all of your family can watch it together, which would change the tradition a little bit but you would still be all together and your older children would be happy. Just my thoughts, you don't have to listen to me because I'm sure Super Mom, aka Denise P., has some really good advice. Yay! Blonde Afros! They are going to be the hottest look for all guys across the World!!! (Finn, I still think you look horrible with an Afro. Even if EVERYONE has an Afro, please don't follow the trend.) HAPPY BIRTHDAY BETTY!!!!!!!! I wish you MANY more. No news yet on my grandmother, so I guess no news is good news. She should be in recovery by now. Madam Pince - Aug 11, 2005 1:09 pm (#2453 of 2963) HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BETTY!!! May you enjoy your special day, and have many many many more!!! Get well wishes to Stephanie's grandma! Welcome home to Mr. Denise! So glad to hear the good news! Thanks for all the "well wishes" for Baby Pince. He is all better today -- fever gone as quickly and mysteriously as it appeared! So the guy in Dunkin' Donuts was standing in line? Clearly he hadn't had his caffeine yet for the day! No excuse -- what a jerk! I would've had to tell him off. What kind of comment is that anyway? It's not like Dunkin' Donut is a quiet, intimate, candlelit romantic restaurant or something! For goodness' sake -- our Dunkin' Donut is also a Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream Store two-in-one -- it's kid heaven! Yes, Ponine, there absolutely is such a thing as squirrel gravy, I kid you not. Actually, any kind of meat could make a gravy, really. I'll send you a recipe if you like! :evil grin: The giant squid - Aug 11, 2005 1:47 pm (#2454 of 2963) Then we are off to Las Vegas...--Stephanie M. Well, it's kinda rainy & gloomy here right now, so I don't know how much swimming you'll get in. Actually, it's typical desert "rainy" weather--there are clouds and it feels like it's going to rain for hours, then when it finally does it only lasts a minute & a half. There's always the free shows...though if you're staying at Mandalay Bay you've got a heck of a walk to get anywhere else. I would venture to guess the Dunkin Donuts Guy has other issues. No matter how fussy a child has been I've never gone off like that. Maybe an angry glare or two if, like I've said, the mother isn't doing anything about it. Since this mother clearly was, he should have just bought his coffee and left for his blissfully kid-free home (or whatever). --Mike Stephanie M. - Aug 11, 2005 2:17 pm (#2455 of 2963) There's always the free shows...though if you're staying at Mandelay Bay you've got a heck of a walk to get anywhere else. – Mike Thanks for the advice, but this will be my 8th or 9th time traveling there! And I agree, there is a ton of walking no matter where in Vegas you go. Espiecally since the Mandelay Bay is at the beginning of the Strip and the free shows are in the middle. We have probably seen all of the shows a hundred times but they never get old! And they even changed the pirate show at Treasure Island! LOL I'm soo happy to be going! I was once in a sand storm in Las Vegas and it rained (literally) for 1 or 2 minutes. It was very strange for us New Yorkers. My grandma is now in recovery and she is doing fine and they said that the cancer didn't spread. The doctor also said that everything looked good and that she should be feeling better in a few days and she'll probably leave the hospital in 6 or 7 days. But since she is looking so good they might let her leave earlier. Almost off to Vegas!! I just have to pack 2 more things that I just remembered. Then we are off! 2 more hours! …you don't have to listen to me because I'm sure Super Mom, aka Denise P., has some really good advice. –Steph Kaykay, you may also want to ask any members on this forum to review the aspects of the film that might be inappropriate for your 8-year-old, most particularly placing your question on the -- 4th movie: HP & the Goblet of Fire discussion (Part 2) thread. In addition, there are superb sites around the WWW that review movies, my favorite being Screen It!, which usually posts reviews about four to seven days after the release of the movie. I'm sure that if there's no luck there, one of us would definitely be able to rate it for you. Madam Pince, glad Baby Pince (aka Snape's…… brother?!) is feeling better. Thanks for the wishes on the awards, guys! Not that I did much… just one member of a huge club! Elanor, thanks for your paper. I look forward to reading it tonight and hopefully joining in the discussions on alchemy! Edit: Cross-posted with Steph. Glad your grandmother's surgery went quickly and smoothly! Have fun in Sin City. And Squid Mike, I didn't know you lived there! Man, you learn something new every day. kaykay1970 I don't feel that she is old enough or mature enough for the 4th film. Any suggestions? Yes, don't trust the ratings system. Go see it by yourself first, then you, who knows your daughter best, will know what to do. Finn, did you check the I.D. on that squirrel? This is a family friendly forum and I don't think one should flaunt underage drinking. T Brightwater - Aug 11, 2005 3:06 pm (#2458 of 2963) Gotta share this with you - the last time I bought beer at Trader Joe's, I got carded. I know I don't look my age (47) but there is no way on earth I look under 21. What do you think, is it company policy that everyone gets carded, grey hairs or not? Or was the dude behind the counter trying to be cute? (I got a good laugh out of it anyway!) My favorite response to the question "Can I see some ID?" was from a friend who at the time had just turned 40. He said, "I don't have my driver's license on me, but would you like to see a picture of my granddaughter?" Ludicrous Patents Office - Aug 11, 2005 3:15 pm (#2459 of 2963) I hope the squirrel isn't planning driving anywhere! Finn, how was Maine? Stephanie have a good trip. I'm glad your Grandmother is doing well. Kaykay1970 welcome to the forum! I have, sadly, anther screaming child story. Today at the public library a lady and four very young children were in the fiction section. The youngest, still in diapers, but very mobile, was screaming his head off and running around the stacks. The others were very good. They tried to calm the younger one down to no avail. The adult just kept reading the book she was looking at. She finally gathered them up with a few rough words and marched downstairs. Needless to say the fiction section was pretty empty. LPO Finn, did you check the I.D. on that squirrel? This is a family friendly forum and I don't think one should flaunt underage drinking. Yup. He didn't have his driver's license on him but he showed me a picture of his granddaughter. Good enough for me. LPO, Maine was fine for the 18 hours I was there! We left Monday at 9:30, thus arriving at 2:30, where I joined my aunt at a photoshoot she was doing (for Stonewall Kitchen – she was the artist input – you know, the one who styles where everything should go) and we got home at 7 I think. The next morning, in order for me not to miss another tennis lesson, we had to leave at 8:30 to make the five hour ride and arrive back at tennis at 1:30. So, not much to say, but… I love Maine. I love going up there, we always have a great time. Thank you for all the birthday wishes. I had a nice day. hugs boop Thanks all for the advice and the welcome. Kaykay, I would agree with the advice of the other members. Not all children react the same way to movies. My oldest saw Spiderman in the theater at barely five years old and didn't bat an eye. My six year old watched the Pokemon movie last night and cried. I'm taking my oldest to GoF (she'll be eight and a half) but definitely not the six year old. It's rainy and gloomy here, too. Bah! Happy belated birthday, Boop! Before we were married Mr. Puck and I actually got carded for dessert (it had a dash of liquer in it.) The almost didn't let me have any, because I had forgotten my license at home. At the time I was in my late twenties. Now, no one asks me. I actually complained, as the local grocery store has a sign that reads "We card anyone born after 1960", and yet they never ask me. I asked the clerk one day "Do I LOOK like I was born before then, because one here has once asked me!?" My boy was so proud of himself today. He worked up the nerve to jump off the diving board at his friends pool. He had been even too scared to jump in off the side before today, but after watching the other boys, he decided to go for it. So proud of himself, simply adorable. My niece was here today, as well. She is doing amazing, as her surgery was only a week ago. The biggest problem was keeping her off the monkey bars so she didn't pull her stitches. Denise, so glad the hubby made it home. Be sure to take lots of naps while you have back-up! You'll be needing your rest! And I can't believe you said it was 103 degrees, but not as bad as it had been. Man, I thought Massachusetts was hot this year! A quick thread check, then off to sleep! Kathy Thanks Marie, good point about not all kids responding the same. My 11 year old son was about the same age as the 8 year old when he read the book GoF. The movies have never frightened him either, but I remember the first time she saw the dementors she was about to squeeze my hand in two of course she was a bit younger then. It is very hard sometimes to please all 5 children because there is a 14 year age difference. Viola Intonada - Aug 11, 2005 7:24 pm (#2466 of 2963) Happy Belated Birthday, Boop!!!!!! Denise, glad to hear Mr. P is back safe and sound. Also hope that the Guinea Pigs keep improving. KayKay, my hubby and I always use the HP (or when the LotR movies were coming out) as an excuse for a date. I ended up seeing CoS three times in the theater. We went on vacation a couple of weeks ago. We had our next door neighbor's daughter watch our hermit crabs, Hermione and Tom Riddle. Well, Hermy died. I felt so bad for her. She was so traumatized they bought us a new hermit crab. (He is HUGE, so of course we had to name it Rubeus Hagrid, ruby for short). I paid her for watching the crabs and reimbursed her parents for the new crab. Only a week and a half until school starts. I am not looking forward to going back to the routine. The school year is always way to busy. Though I am looking forward to a quiet house. We had hermit crabs in my class while I was teaching. After several had died we asked the pet shop what we were doing wrong. Apparently they are very fussy creatures. If they need a new shell but don't find any of your spares exactly to their liking, they simply opt to die rather than move into an unsuitable house. (This is at least what we were told.) We stopped buying more hermit crabs. Kathy The giant squid - Aug 12, 2005 4:47 am (#2468 of 2963) My six year old watched the Pokemon movie last night and cried.--Marie E. She wasn't scared, she was horrified by how awful that movie was... Stephanie, it's good to hear your grandma came through surgery okay. As for Vegas, you've probably seen more shows than I have. As a resident I try to avoid The Strip as much as possible. Too many tourists... Of course, by the time you read this you'll have been there (here) and back again, but still... Finn: Good answer. --Mike When I was a junior in college, I got carded to see the movie "Platoon". When I was a senior in college, I got carded at a wedding. Both times, my so-called friends very, very loudly screamed, "ARE THEY CARDING YOU??!!" Most places have signs up that say they card everyone - not me! Maybe I should color my hair more often. Ungrateful Son will be 12 when GOF comes out. I'll take him, but Daughter who will be 5 will remain at home. She can watch the DVD and run out of the room when she gets scared. I was carded at the entrance of a bar when I visited San Francisco, which I found really weird (but nice too) since I was 27 at that time. Here, there are signs in shops and supermarkets saying that alcohol will not be sold to people under 18 but I don't think they ask for ID cards that often. Actually, I remember well when I was 16 or 17 and that I was going dancing, I used to drink cocktails there that the barman shouldn't have served me at all. And from what I remember of the weeks I spent in the UK when I was 16, barmen there were not very inquisitive either! I don't say it is a good thing (IMO, it is probably not a good one at all) but I think we don't have the same relationship with alcohol here. In France, (good) wine is considered to be a "dish" of choice and I started tasting wine, on special occasions like Christmas or my birthday, when I was about 14-15 I think. It is certainly why I wasn't shocked at all by all the alcohol references in the HBP! I'm leaving tomorrow for a week. I'm going to spend it on the Atlantic coast (near Fort Lupin again! It will be good to relax before the stress of the start of term comes back (school starts again for me on the 24th). I'm going to bring the laptop so to finish the editing work on the thesis but, unfortunately, I don't think I'll be able to connect it to the internet there. I'll miss you all! A big (((((((hug))))))) to everybody and a special one to Denise, I know I'll read some good news here when I'll be back! PS: thank you so much for the compliments about the paper, it means a lot to me! Loopy Lupin - Aug 12, 2005 5:42 am (#2471 of 2963) Finn, did you check the I.D. on that squirrel? This is a family friendly forum and I don't think one should flaunt underage drinking. Well, for better or worse, underage drinking is canon now, so CHEERS!!!! Madam Pince - Aug 12, 2005 6:04 am (#2472 of 2963) Puck, congrats to your little boy on jumping off the diving board! He must've been so cute! Yesterday was Baby Pince's last swimming class, and they had a little party at the end to celebrate. One little girl is swimming like a fish, and she jumped off the diving board at the end of the class (the instructor was there to help her if she needed it.) She went waaaaay down in the water, but came right up spluttering and grinning all over herself. I thought her Mom was going to have a heart attack, though. Well, my little guy (age 5) swims in the shallows on his own, but I do make him wear a floatie in the deep end, so he didn't gp that far under. I suspect he'd be physically able to swim without it, but has a tendency to get nervous and panic. I do intend to sign him up for lessons over the winter, so we don't have to start from scratch next summer. (I took them for baby lessons, but didn't like the ones once they were 3 and I wasn't in the pool with them.) Glad Baby Pince at least got to go to the last class and the party. It is a bummer to pay for something like that and have to miss so many. Between our Disney trip, a couple of upset stomaches, and an avalanche of snow days, months went without Parker getting in a full week of preschool. (and unlike public school, they don't make up the days at the end of the year.) Okay, off to clean the baby's room. Well, I'm hoping just to find a piece of the floor. I've got it full of all kinds of clothes, tubs, bouncy seats, etc.... Time to sort and organize. Kathy lol, giant squid! (movie credits roll...) pikachu: pika, pika? pika chuuuuuuuuuu (two hours later) Pikachu: pi...ka...pi...ka...pi (out of the audience) Snape: I don't care who I murdered! this is cruel and unusual! AVADA KEDAVRA! Pikachu: pi...kaaaaaa hack cough cough Ash: Pikachu? PIKACHU?! NOOOOOOO! (a few days later, not far off in an average home) Child: *flips through TV channels* wow... it's gone... Mom: What is it dear? Child: Mommy... I want to read a book Mom: Thank you Severus Snape! Thank you!!! Madam Pince - Aug 12, 2005 9:06 am (#2475 of 2963) LOL, Zinovia! Good idea! Puck, your due date is coming up soon, isn't it? Had an interesting conversation with Baby Pince in the car this morning. We went past the park, and he said he wanted to stop and play on the "monkey boards." I smiled and said, "Sweetie, I think they're called monkey bars, not monkey boards." “No, they're not! They're monkey boards! You don't eat them, Mama, you climb on them!” That goes in the category of "Hmmmm... I'd never thought of it that way, but now that you say it, I can see your point...." ***Will never again be able to eat cereal bars or candy bars without wondering if they come in monkey flavor...*** Saralinda Again - Aug 12, 2005 9:19 am (#2476 of 2963) Madam Pince, "monkey bars," oooh, how funny! Aren't children just the most amazing source of both wisdom and amusement? My son was recently talking to his eldest and he mentioned math, and stopped to ask, "Do you know what math is?" She nodded her head eagerly, so he asked her what math is. She crowed, "Math potatoes!" So you can imagine what we call them now. Helen Potterfan - Aug 12, 2005 9:58 am (#2477 of 2963) Hi everyone, Thank you for your condolences. Happy belated birthday Betty (Boop)! Ponine, I'll email you tonight with the advice you requested. CatherineHermiona - Aug 12, 2005 11:28 am (#2478 of 2963) Happy very belated birthday, Betty!!!!!!!!!!!! My mom proposed something interesting when Ponine told that she promised herself that she will go to Gardaland. My mom told that we should have European Forum Gathering in Gardaland. I thought maybe that is really good idea. We can go some weekend on October when you come masked because of Halloween. We get 4 euros lower price if we come as a group. Europeans, what do you think about that idea? We would have great time. You can look yourself on my post some 100 posts ago or on Chemyst's post some 150-200 posts ago. Kate I Am Used Vlad - Aug 12, 2005 1:37 pm (#2479 of 2963) Elanor, there is nothing strange about being carded at the age of 27 in the US. I'm 33, and almost always get carded when I order a drink. I actually got carded when I was buying cigars for a friend of mine earlier this year, which I thought was absurd. There's no way I could be that young. Perhaps it was the backward baseball cap. Just jumping in to wish a happy belated birthday, Betty! Catherine - Aug 12, 2005 1:46 pm (#2481 of 2963) Hello to everyone, I'm just sneaking a few moments on the parents' computer. I love to be carded. I always know that the waiter is doing it to increase the percentage of his tip, but flattery will get you everywhere! Monkey boards and "math potatoes"---SPEW! Kids are so naturally funny. Have a great weekend! Vlad: "I'm 33, and almost always get carded when I order a drink." Really? Wow, that is funny! I am 33 too (or at least I will be in less than a month now) and no-one here ever asked me for my ID card when I order a drink. I won't be surprised the next time! (Must be that we 33-years-olds don't look our age... ) I've just come back from the medieval show of tonight and it worked very well. I should already be in my bed since I have to get up in less than 4 hours now (we'll be leaving at 4 a.m. to try and avoid the heavy traffic) but I couldn't help but check the forum a last time before going. Obsessed, me? LOL about the children's funny remarks! Have a great weekend and week everybody! The giant squid - Aug 12, 2005 2:39 pm (#2483 of 2963) Thanks to my moustache and goatee (sorry, Denise ) I don't get carded often. If I were to shave, though, it's be a whole different story--I look like I'm Finn's age with a bare chin. Actually, I'm not bothered so much by age checks for alcohol. What I find amusing is that due to the content and possible misuses, spray paint and many automotive additives are age restricted here. I'll be buying some Carb Cleaner at Wal-Mart and the scanner will beep with a message "is customer 18? Bizarre, and sad that it's even necessary. --Mike Ludicrous Patents Office - Aug 12, 2005 4:16 pm (#2484 of 2963) Elanor have a great trip! So what do Monkey Bars taste like? I don't think even potatoes can make math any better. I am having my first bit of corn from my garden tonight! LPO Thank you again for the birthday wishes. hugs boop Madam Pince - Aug 12, 2005 5:52 pm (#2486 of 2963) So what do Monkey Bars taste like? –LPO I don't even want to know.... But I gotta get me some of those math potatoes! ***Waves to Betty!*** Giant Squid Mike, you sound like Mr. Pince. He has a moustache and goatee too, but barefaced he could pass for a kid almost. Which is pretty good considering he's 50. His senior class picture looks like he's in the eighth grade. Penny Lane. In regards to carding - I used to be a waitress, and we were informed that it was the law to card anyone who looks 27 or younger. I'm not sure if they meant the actual law in Michigan, or just company policy, but I've seen several signs at other places that say "If you look younger then 27, have your ID ready" or "We Card everyone 30 and younger". I guess it's because a lot of boys just grow facial hair when they are 17 and suddenly look about 24 and never get carded. Of course, I'd like to smack people who come to the door of my apartment and ask if my mommy and daddy are home. First of all - I live in a complex where you aren't supposed to randomly come over and try to sell me magazines. Second of all - I might live with my parents right now, but I have had my own apartment in the past. Even if I do look 16, there's no reason to ask for my "mommy and daddy". UGH! So embarrassing. Next time, I'm just going to tell him, I'm sure they are - they live at (insert random address here). Amilia Smith - Aug 12, 2005 6:06 pm (#2488 of 2963) LOL, Penny. My first attempt at college, I went to SUU in Cedar City, Utah, about 2-3 hours from Vegas. The cool thing to do for your 21 birthday was to drive down to Vegas and play the slot machines until one of the guards asked you for your ID. Mills. Madam Pince - Aug 12, 2005 6:08 pm (#2489 of 2963) Mills, I thought about you at dinner tonight. We had fresh pineapple (yummmm....) but surely not as fresh as what you can get! HAPPY BIRTHDAY for AUGUST 13th: SLEEPING BEAUTY, HAYMONI. Have a wonderful birthday. Everyone have a great weekend!!! WAVES Back to Madam Pince HUGS boop Hey, that sounds like a great dinner combo, monkey bars and math potatoes. My kids always wear “sunscream” when we go to the beach. Mike, I hope you don't need cold medicine anytime soon, since that also is now being kept under lock and key. It is annoying to hear you all getting carded at 33. I haven't been asked for an I.D. since I've had kids. I think after I lose my belly I'll go get a bottle of wine in my overalls and baseball hat and see what happens. Madame Pince, the babe is due to arrive in about 5 weeks. My mom took one look at the nursery and stated that she better not come early. Curious as to how old your "Baby" is? Kathy Happy birthday tomorrow Sleeping Beauty and Haymoni! Have a good one! Well, everybody I'm as exhausted as is possible as I spent 14 hours at NYU at a Choral Symposium, where my father was lecturing. I still have to pack and we have to leave tomorrow at 6:45. That's giving me about 7 hours. Just wanted to tell you this story… in the middle of the concert, just as the next group of performers were sitting down, a cell phone went off (), and the artists waited, and everybody turned to look at where the noise was coming from. The man quickly got up, as it rang a second time, and as he was exiting the (deadly quiet) theater, he picked up the phone and said, "Hello?" and walked out. It was so funny! Everybody laughed but I thought of you guys. So, as I said, I'm leaving tomorrow and I'll be back the 22nd. Elanor, I read your Accio paper during my free time (not that there was much) today. Now I think I can join in! I've got a couple questions but now I have the general idea! Incidentally, I have never been carded. Not that I have every attempted to purchase alcholic beverages. However, for some reason, I have the sneaky feeling I would be asked for ID if I did anytime soon. The giant squid - Aug 12, 2005 11:37 pm (#2493 of 2963) His senior class picture looks like he's in the eighth grade.--Madame Pince Don't get me started on my senior picture. Let's just say there are very few left in existence, and if I have my way they'll all be destroyed. Funny aside, though...does anyone here watch the NBC show Las Vegas? Josh Duhamel (Danny McCoy on the show) went to high school in Minot, ND. I have pictures to prove it. Finn, at least the guy got up. If it were a movie theater he probably would have sat there and chatted for a while..." Oh, hi. I'm at the movies. Huh? Yeah, it's pretty good. See, this guy--" at which point the crowd rises up and shoves the phone into a convenient orifice. Happy birthday, haymoni & Sleeping Beauty! --Mike Good Evans - Aug 13, 2005 5:55 am (#2494 of 2963) HO HO HO Finn (christmas already??) I have a lovely image of you trying to buy a drink in a bar (yes I am 18 / 21 whatever!!) - hmmmnnn just not going to happen without challenge is it - as you say anytime yet!!!! Have a nice holiday now wont you. Happy birthday Haymoni and Sleeping Beauty (Leila)and a big hello to all the new forumers that have posted on the greetings thread. Thanks for the intro's ... If you would like to add a few details to your homepage that would be wonderful - what house you are in etc etc, it gives us even more flavour about the newcomers... and dont be shy, post on this thread too and ramble about your lives. it brings the world that little bit closer. off to ramble in the threads now....... Happy Birthday Haymoni and Sleeping Beauty. All the talk about getting carded reminds me of a story when I was younger. I got carded for cigarettes. I was just old enough to buy them at 18 but didn't have my license with me. Then the clerk indicates my 17 year old husband and says "Your Daddy can buy them for you." Madam Pince - Aug 13, 2005 6:32 am (#2496 of 2963) Happy Birthday, haymoni and Sleeping Beauty! Hope you both have a wonderful day! Puck, we use "sunscream" in our house too. Must be a universal brand. To answer your question, Baby Pince is three. We had a discussion about this a while ago -- I think some feel I should change his name maybe. He was an official baby when I started on the Forum and thus named him. I've just kept it because it's familiar and shorter than Little Boy Pince, which sounds like a nursery rhyme. Should I go with LB Pince? Maybe we should have a contest -- Name the Offspring? Speaking of which, Denise has been ominously quiet for a day or so -- I know she's busy welcoming Mr. Denise home, but do you suppose the two of them are welcoming yet another? ***crosses fingers and sends good wishes*** Finn, have fun on your vacation! Mike, does the guy on "Vegas" look the same as he looked in high school? Mr. Pince's mother went to elementary school with Robert Duvall, and we saw (but unfortunately don't still have) a third-grade class picture with him in it. It was hysterical because he looked almost exactly like he looks today! He must've been very very blond, because in the picture it appeared that he was bald. There was absolutely no question it was Mr. Duvall. We made two copies of the picture and sent to him and asked him to sign one and return to us, but we never heard from him. We were kind of disappointed -- I would've thought he would've enjoyed seeing the picture, but oh well. Maybe the publicist never gave them to him. No such luck, Madam Pince! I am just crabby, tired and ready to have this baby so not really fit for human consumption at the moment. It looks like Baby P will be arriving on Wednesday unless something happens before then. As soon as the new addition is here, I will post the info. Madam Pince - Aug 13, 2005 6:58 am (#2498 of 2963) Awwwwww...sorry, Denise! ***sends cheering charms*** How's the A/C coming along? Good Evans - Aug 13, 2005 9:13 am (#2499 of 2963) cheering charms - and "ante natal move along" charms to Denise, hope it all goes well Julie XX Herm oh ninny - Aug 13, 2005 11:39 am (#2500 of 2963) Happy Birthday to haymoni and Sleeping Beauty! Finn - Just show them a picture of your grand kids! Madame Pince - How about Toddler Pince? Denise - I hope Baby P arrives soon and here come some Cheering and Comfort charms! I'm 26 and sometimes I get carded, but sometimes I don't. Hmm, does that mean that some people assume that I'm a lot older than 27? It is sooo hot and humid where I live today. I took my 2 dogs out for a walk and I swear that they almost passed out! I just looked at the thermometer in my back yard and it reads at 105 degrees!! I hope the rest of you are much cooler. Lady Arabella - Prefect - Posts : 2285 Location : Silicon Valley, CA Re: Chat & Greetings 2005 Stephanie M. - Aug 13, 2005 12:12 pm (#2501 of 2963) Hey Everyone! I'm in Las Vegas. I don't have too much time so this will be really quick. Finn, I really want to see the picture of your grandchildren! I actually think it's hotter in New York than here because in NY it's humid and it take a very long time to cool off while in Vegas, you are dying of heat but as soon as you walk inside your already feeling better! The Mandalay Bay is just how I remembered it! It smells the same too! (That is a story for another time.) This morning we found out that my grandmother has a blood clot and it traveled to her lungs. She is now on blood thinners and is feeling a tiny bit better than last night. But everyone in NY is freaked out and in a bit of a daise. I'm sure she'll be alright because the clot hasn't moved since it got to her lungs. Off to the MGM Grand! Thanks for the birthday wishes guys! It's the Big 4-0 today. I am going to kick back with a bottle of Asti Spumante and a box of chocolates! Whoo Hoo!! T Brightwater - Aug 13, 2005 4:00 pm (#2503 of 2963) Happy Birthday haymoni & Sleeping Beauty! Denise, best wishes for a safe and uncomplicated delivery. Stephanie, hope your grandmother continues to improve. Madam Pince, how about "Pince Minor" or "Pince Minimus"? (If his father is not a Pottie, does that make him a half-blood Pince?) The time before the last time I got carded, I was 27. The cashier was giving me a dubious look while she was dealing with the customer ahead of me, so I just pulled out my driver's license and handed it to her with the money. She laughed and said, "I guess you're used to this." Then she looked at the birthdate, looked at me, and said, "Honey, someday you'll be really glad of this." Frankly, at the time I couldn't blame her, but 20 years later??? Belated Birthday wishes, Boop! And Happy Birthday, haymoni and Sleeping Beauty! Also Denise, congrats on your hubby returning home safe! Nice to hear that he will be there for the delivery, too. I always get carded when I'm trying to buy beer. It must be because I have the secret of Eternal Youth........NOT!!! Mini-Pince? Lil MP? I do like the half-blood Pince, too, though... I want to wish Haymoni and Sleeping Beauty a HAPPY Birthday!! Also, healing charms, cheer charms and cooling charms to those in need. And an Accio to/for Denise, hoping for the swift, safe and joyful arrival of another member of the Denise Dream Team Happy Birthdays to haymoni, (enjoy your Asti Spumante and box of chocolates) and sleeping beauty, (with hopes that she will awake in time to read this.) On the Baby Pince Poll -- I vote that he retains the name 'Baby Pince' until he is old enough to be embarrassed by it or until he has a younger sibling to supplant him, whichever comes first. Or second choice, if it's not too à la Little House, (suppress theme music) Half-pint Pince. Saralinda Again - Aug 13, 2005 6:12 pm (#2507 of 2963) Half-blood Pince? Doesn't that make him a Snapelet? Half-Pint Pince! I've always loved Little House on the Prairie! It was the first book series I ever read. I did figure he was about 3, as it seems from the stories he's the same age as my girl. Funny, because she gets quite upset if I call her "baby" or even "little girl", as she insists she's big. Happy Birthdays! Wishing you a speedy arrival, Denise! Kathy T Brightwater - Aug 13, 2005 8:46 pm (#2509 of 2963) Or how about "The Little Pince"? The giant squid - Aug 14, 2005 1:54 am (#2510 of 2963) T Brightwater beat me to the "Half-Blood Pince" joke, so I'm out. Mike, does the guy on "Vegas" look the same as he looked in high school?--Madame Pince Strangely, yes. His hair used to be blonder and he's at least a foot taller, but the face is eerily the same. I'm guessing he's got a picture tucked away somewhere that's getting fat & bald as we speak... The Mandalay Bay is just how I remembered it! It smells the same too! (That is a story for another time.) --Stephanie M. In my experience, the smell is the least of Mandalay Bay's problems...but I'd still like to hear that story. And it's actually been relatively cool here in Vegas the last couple days--barely over 100 deg. --Mike Catherine - Aug 14, 2005 4:40 pm (#2511 of 2963) I'm back from Richmond, and have been trying to do all my "back to school" errands for both the kids and myself. I'm a nervous wreck, as tomorrow I go to the school to set up "my" classroom. This teaching gig will prove interesting. I turned down two offers from our local community college to teach remedial English as the pay was so low that, after gas and babysitters, I would be operating in the red. I think teaching gifted 7th graders, even if it's temporary, sounds like a fun challenge. The teacher supply store was da bomb. I could have spent way too much money in there--but I limited myself to the essentials. My mom had nearly had as much fun in there as I did buying early Christmas gifts for the kids. The science aisle had so many things that would fascinate Claire, and the art supply section had things that Hayley would covet very much. My grandmother's desk that I fetched from Richmond looks wonderful in its appointed place. I cleaned and polished it, and it has never looked better, even if I do say so meself! Mr. Catherine set up my internet connection for me in the new location, and I write this post from my "new" old desk. It's so wonderful to connect with the Forum while I sit at this desk that holds so many wonderful memories. Happy Belated Birthday to Haymoni and Sleeping Beauty. Hope you both enjoyed your day! I need some Felix Felicis potion. Madam Pince - Aug 14, 2005 6:52 pm (#2512 of 2963) Welcome back, Catherine! Sounds like a fun trip! Enjoy your grandmother's desk -- I agree that old family furniture really has lots of sentimental memories attached which make it so special. I would always rather have antique family furniture instead of a new piece. In fact, the only "new" furniture in our house is the sofa, loveseat, Lazy Boy chair, and the TV/stereo/computer stuff. Thanks for all the suggestions for a new name for Baby Pince! I shall mull them over... Everyone have a good evening! Catherine - Aug 14, 2005 7:24 pm (#2513 of 2963) I would always rather have antique family furniture instead of a new piece. --Madam Pince Me, too. The only other choice, besides buying a "new" desk, was to use an old desk that we "inherited" from Mr. Catherine's Granddad's beach place. Which means that when he sold it, a lot of funny beachy furniture from the 60s showed up on a moving truck. It is a "lovely" shade of tomato orange. My mother took pity on me, and allowed me to have her mother's desk now. A furniture store in town asked me "how bad" the "other choice" desk was, and all I said was, "This desk is Mmm Mmmm Good" (referring to the Campbell's Tomato Soup color, and an old ad that ran here in the States...). For some reason, they took pity on me. The giant squid - Aug 15, 2005 1:32 am (#2514 of 2963) Wow...23.5 hours and only 3 posts. That's some kind of record. Did JKR release book 7 & no one told me?? Not that I have anything poignant to add either, I just thought it was interesting... --Mike I was thinking that the chat was slow today, too. I had jumped on line earlier, but the storms wiped out my connection before I could post. I was sure there would be a ton of messages to slog through. Catherine, I'm sure you'll be wonderful for your new students. If they don't behave, you can threaten to put them in charge of next year's book sale! And enjoy your desk. Sounds lovely. Is there hope of a paint job for the other one? It's about 5am here. Couldn't sleep, so I figured I'd jump on line to check on Mr. Puck's flight. He's going to the other coast on business. He left at 11am for the airport, and his plane is just arrving now! He missed his connection since he first flight was delayed. Had to wait over 3 hours for the next one, which was then delayed another 3 hours. Thank goodness he doesn't have to give his presentation today. I took the kids to the beach to cheer them up about Daddy leaving, but we were chased out by the storms after an hour or so. My son and I did get to watch Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone", so there was a bit of sun in the day. Off to check the other threads. I notice no Denise here today. HMmmm. Kathy We had a rough weekend here. We bought a boxer for my 11 year old son for Christmas and in February found out he had dermadex (hereditary mange.) We did the treatments ($250 worth.) He did get better but it returned and we had no choice but to put him to sleep this Saturday. A friend of the family heard what had happened and actually had another friend that had to give away a female boxer named Sadie (she was chasing the neighbor’s calf.) We told her no thanks. But later on we did go meet her. She took right up with the children and they instantly fell in love with her. She is such a good natured dog. She looks just like the dog we had but their personalities are far from the same. We are already falling in love with her unique qualities. We have been calling her Sadie the cow dog. I know Sadie from Hank the Cow Dog was actually a collie but it just seems to fit knowing how much she loved her old neighbors cattle. Oh BTW if anybody out there read Eragon, the second book in the trilogy Eldest comes out on the 23rd. If you pre-order (there is a list of participating book stores at www.alagaesia.com)you can get a free cd of the author Christopher Paolini reading the first chapter. It is pretty cool so you might want to check it out. Kathy, no such luck... I am still here. Wednesday is the big day. Hopefully that evening either me or Mr. Denise can log on and post the news. Have laptop, will travel! Loopy Lupin - Aug 15, 2005 6:07 am (#2518 of 2963) I think teaching gifted 7th graders, even if it's temporary, sounds like a fun challenge.—Catherine This is me, marking these words. In the latest "Newsweek" or "Time" (I can't remember which), there is a long article on the glorious age of 13. Perhaps you should check it out so you can brush up on the experience. mike miller - Aug 15, 2005 8:46 am (#2519 of 2963) Happy Belated Birthday Haymoni and Sleeping Beauty! Sorry for being late but I've been hiding in a new computer game (Guild Wars for the curious) over the past week or so. Denise - Wishing you a quick, smooth and uneventful delivery, soon. Another weekend of brutal heat in the Mid-Alantic, thankfully the A/C has been repaired. We didn't even go the BBQ Festival on Friday evening as planned, too hot, we ate inside! Well, off to the threads... Ludicrous Patents Office - Aug 15, 2005 9:06 am (#2520 of 2963) Happy belated birthday to Haymoni and Sleeping Beauty. Catherine I long ago decided my school was my charity and where I volunteer for community service. You spend a lot of your own time and money teaching. Hope you have a lot of fun getting started! Denise you are in my thoughts. Hope all goes very well. Madame Pince, I think Baby Pince is good, no matter how old he becomes he will always be your baby. Half Blood Prince is pretty good though! LPO Madam Pince - Aug 15, 2005 10:13 am (#2521 of 2963) Edited Aug 15, 2005 10:45 am kaykay, sorry to hear about your boxer. But that's great news that you've found another one to love so quickly! Welcome, Sadie! Our dog has been aggravating me lately -- she loves to chew on the unopened pinecones that fall into our yard, (she has lots of other chew toys, so I don't know why this is) but the bad thing is that it makes her "urp" up the ingested woody bits eventually -- usually once she's come into the house on the (fairly) new rug. It's almost like having cat hairballs all over again... Mike, it was miserable this weekend, wasn't it? I entertained the idea of going to our local county fair to watch the greased pig contest, but I was deterred by the thought that a greased pig running around in this heat was likely to just start to fry into bacon right then and there in front of crowds of horrified kiddies. So we didn't go. I just got back from visiting the Washington National Zoo's live Panda-Cam showing the month-old baby panda. He's so cute now! Looks like a real panda instead of a hairless opossum. He was moving around and "chuckling" to his mama and everything -- I really hit it at a great time because they were active and visible. Much as I like "Half-Blood Pince," it doesn't really fit because although his Dad is not really a full-fledged Pottie, he does like the story and movies and knows most of what is going on. And I love Laura Ingalls Wilder's books, too, but "Half-Pint Pince" just doesn't feel quite right either. I think I will just switch to Little Pince. He frequently tells me "I'm not a baby, I'm a little boy," so that's good enough for me. John Bumbledore - Aug 15, 2005 10:19 am (#2522 of 2963) Edited Aug 15, 2005 11:17 am Well, I would NOT suggest "The child formerly known as baby Pince" unless you like his style of music. <)B^D= John Bumbledore P. S. [Cross posted with Madam Pince.] I think Little Pince is a fine choice. Much better than the above name which I just had to mention since it gave me such a chuckle. **Thanks azi** P. P. S. Denise P., you realize this leaves "The child formerly know as Baby P." completely available... LOL Happy belated birthdays to Betty, Haymoni and Sleeping Beauty! Hehe, J. Bumbledore... I wish I'd thought of that! Little Pince sounds cool, although I did like Baby Pince. Time is moving fast. I'm not sure where the days are going. Seems only yesterday was Left-Handers Day, but that was Saturday. Anyway, I thought the next few days were going to be slow as A-level results day creeps closer. Fortunately it's not and I'm sleeping ok, even if all my dreams involve me missing getting my results in some way or failing or doing well and then ending up at the wrong university...think I need to eat less cheese! I could rant about the critics who are already saying that A-levels are pointless and that they're easier than they were 20 years ago. Apparently the pass rate is once again higher than the previous year. I don't see how it can't be, given that we take AS-levels the year before A-levels, which makes up half our eventual grade. It wouldn't make sense if you failed the AS to take a subject to A-level, would it? (I'm currently trying to work out exactly how you fail A-level other than by not turning up to the exam...) Ok, rant about evil people dissing my achievements over. Everyone have a great day! Or evening, for us Europe fellows! Today is Ungrateful Son's birthday - he's 12. For those of you who don't know, he is "Ungrateful Son" because last year for his 11th birthday, he resisted all my attempts to throw him a full-blown Harry Potter blast. After all, it's not every day your young man turns 11. Instead, he wanted a sleepover and to play video games all night with his buddies. So I have called him "Ungrateful" ever since. As Madam Pince was looking for a new name for Baby Pince, I thought I should do the same. I'll come up with something. I'm sure now that he's 12, some other adjectives will come to mind! Have a great day all! Herm oh ninny - Aug 15, 2005 11:37 am (#2525 of 2963) Hopefully that evening either me or Mr. Denise can log on and post the news. Have laptop, will travel! - Denise P. LOL Denise! I can see it now.... Denise and Mr. P are walking into the hospital. Denise turns to the nearest nurse and says " I'm in labor! Can I please get a room with internet access?" Kaykay - Eragon is my 2nd favorite book series. Can you guess which is #1? I don't know where you live, but Christopher Paolini is going to be at the Barnes and Nobles in NY city doing a book signing for Eldest on the 23rd. I can't wait haymoni - he actually refused a Harry Potter party? In that case, how about Death Eater son? DE son for short Good Evans - Aug 15, 2005 11:39 am (#2526 of 2963) Haymoni oh lots of sympathy, imagine an 11 year old not wanting a HP party - he needs to get his priorities sorted!!!! how about - "he who is no longer ungrateful" ??? chuckle actually if he is anything like mine he won’t manage to shake the title for a few years yet, 16 and still "insufferable know it all" . Looking forward to day when he is no longer such!! ah no - I love him really ..... Ludicrous Patents Office - Aug 15, 2005 12:17 pm (#2527 of 2963) I love Eragon, I agree Herm oh ninny, it is my 2nd favorite series. This is an exciting book summer! Mr. Ludicrous read Eragon then read the author excerpt. He could not believe Christopher Paolini was 15 when he wrote it. Haymoni I'm glad it is Ungrateful Son, not Disowned Son! Good luck finding a new nick name. LOL Good Evans! LPO Thanks Madame Pince. I did not vote on the Baby Pince discussion wondering if newbies have voting rights but I like Little Pince. Herm oh ninny, unfortunately I can't make it to NY, it is a long way from Tennessee. So you go have fun for me. Anyway, my 16 year old daughter who started the Harry Potter craze at my house hasn't even picked up Eragon even though I have told her how great it is. he wants to be an author when she grows up so now she is going to read it in case she can win the "meet Christopher Paolini contest". She has 27 chapters of a book typed on my old pc that she started when she was 10. She just kinda left it hanging there while she has been writing Inuyasha fanfics instead. And I have been hanging in the balance waiting to read the ending. Hey maybe I should call her the Procrastinating Daughter!! Catherine - Aug 15, 2005 4:17 pm (#2529 of 2963) Just to weigh in on the Pince name issue, I like the idea of "Little Pince" because it reminds me of one of my favs, The Little Prince. I will miss Baby Pince, and would still like to use that term if the occasion arises. He'll always be "Baby Pince" to me, no matter how old he is! I have teased Denise P that she should name this baby something that aligns with the initials "HBP" but I think she is ignoring this suggestion... Loopy Lupin said, "This is me, marking these words."--about substitute teaching 7th grade. I was "warned" today about this class. "There are many 'Queen-Bee Wannabees' in this class." Good thing I bought myself some new shoes. Bring it on, I said, whilst checking my own tiara. On a more sober note, "my" classroom was the only dirty one in the building, and most of the standard equipment had been pillaged, including the overhead projector screen. They tried to tell me that I "wouldn't need it" but I quickly told them that I was sure that I did need it, and that I expected it by Wednesday or I would, despite the rules, beseech parents to remedy the lack. I also found out that the textbooks for the Social Studies "wouldn't be in until sometime in September," and that I would be expected to run off copies (from, at this point, a non-existent textbook) until then. I told the Assistant Head of School that I was relieved that I could focus on Lit aspect of the course, since they were clearly so unprepared. Then, if this was not quite enough, he asked me to sign on to chaperone a THREE day camping trip that they are now thinking the 7th grade needs to experience. I told my new boss, "You do know that I am a 'flush potty' kind of girl, don't you?" He had an almost Hagrid-like zeal for claustrophopic caves and the associated muck that goes with them. I mentioned, "I DO NOT SPELUNK!" He did admit that he had figured it out, sort of! Loopy, save me, you might have been right, after all.... LOL Catherine! You may not spelunk, but you got spunk. I'm sitting here laughing and being happy that they didn't hire a straight-out-of college newbie for that spot. Well, since I'm here at the chat thread, I may as well add that "Little Pince" does seem to be the best over-all choice. Especially after the "I'm not a baby, I'm a little boy," comment from Baby Pince. (had to get Baby in one more time.) Best of luck Catherine. I disliked Jr. High enough the first time to ever want to go back. Though, so kids in my neighborhood are that age and they are great. They play with my little ones, and are even training my son to be a "Jedi". So, the storms did something to my garage door opener. I pushed the button this morning, and it wouldn't open. It took me a few minutes, but I figured out how to unlock it and open it manually, so at least I could run my errands and go kick boxing. I borrowed a friends husband to check it out (my hubby currently 3000 miles away), and apparently it's fryed, so we need a new one. The only way to lock the garage door involves a ladder, so I'm parked outside for now. On the plus side, the heat has broken -for the moment. It's supposed to be dry and in the 70's all week. I actually turned off the A/C and opened windows. Ahhh, fresh air! Denise, Wednesday is a good day. I had both of my first two on the Wednesday before due date, shortly before 3pm. Waiting to see if #3 follows the same pattern. Sorry about the odg, Kaykay. Such a hard thing to have to do. Glad that Sadie is working out. Kathy Ludicrous Patents Office - Aug 15, 2005 8:31 pm (#2532 of 2963) Puck not many remember their Jr. High, Middle School days fondly! It is very amusing to work with children that age. LOL Catherine. Good luck. Teachers are scrounges. I have gone into classrooms many times to collect items that belong to the library: chairs, desks, DVD players, overheads. I hope you get everything. Have fun on the camping trip! KayKay nothing like a good contest to promote reading! hope Procrastinating Daughter finishes in time. LPO Madam Pince - Aug 15, 2005 10:42 pm (#2533 of 2963) Puck, let me get this straight. You are 8 months pregnant and you go kick-boxing???!!! Holy Moley! Good on ya! The giant squid - Aug 15, 2005 11:07 pm (#2534 of 2963) ***hands a big vial of Felix Felicis to Catherine*** Here, I think you're gonna need this... EDIT: Congrats, Lizzy! In just 4-6 weeks you'll be able to hear us cheering. dizzy lizzy - Aug 15, 2005 11:09 pm (#2535 of 2963) Hi everyone!!! I am finally back at home for a 3 week break before going back down to Sydney again for some more training. But I have some wonderful news to tell you all (it is wonderful to me anyway!) Some of you may remember my despair about 6-8 months ago at being told I would have to find approx $7000 Aussie dollars to pay for a new set of Hearing Aids?? Well my application to get a grant from the Government in order to purchase the hearing aids has been successful!!! **party time** I am so pleased and relieved that I will finally be able to get two new hearing aids (in about 4-6 weeks) to make my life and my job a lot easier for me. **goes off to party** (Thai take-way for tea tonight!) Lizzy mike miller - Aug 16, 2005 4:52 am (#2536 of 2963) Lizzy - That's great news! Wow, we seem to have quite a few expectant mothers among us right now. Boy those winters get mighty cold don't they. Loopy Lupin - Aug 16, 2005 5:29 am (#2537 of 2963) I have teased Denise P that she should name this baby something that aligns with the initials "HBP" but I think she is ignoring this suggestion... – Catherine Oooh. If it is a boy, she could name him "Harry Bellafonte P..." That would be so cool. Denise, I double dare you! If it is a girl...... I'm afraid I'm at a loss to think of a female name that begins with "h." Sorry. ***hands a big vial of Felix Felicis to Catherine*** Here, I think you're gonna need this... Mike the Squid Unless the FF potion comes with a tequila chaser, I'm afraid it already sounds like she's going to need more than that. Ludicrous Patents Office - Aug 16, 2005 6:04 am (#2538 of 2963) Congratulations Lizzy! Great news. Denise how about Hermione Bathilda P.? Hope all is well. LPO Oh, I'm glad to see you people. Our computer went kerplooey on Sunday and this is my first time back online. I couldn't get my email to work just yet (stupid Outlook!) but I had to come here. Lucky for me my mother's package arrived on Friday containing the Lego Hagrid's Hut and Hogwart's Castle or else I would have gone bonkers on Sunday. The castle is pretty cool. I have to keep shooing the girls away from it. I let them play with some of my other Lego sets and they almost lost Buckbeak..er.. Witherwings. It's been very cool, rainy, and foggy here the last four days. Either it's going to be a chilly fall or we're going to get a last minute blast of 90 temps. Glad to be back!! Stephanie M. - Aug 16, 2005 7:45 am (#2540 of 2963) Hey everyone I'm back from Sin City. First off, Happy Birthday to everyone that I missed! Sorry I didn't get to wish you a good trip Finn! So have a good rest of a trip! (I'll show you a picture of my child when I see you next! My sister and I got into a photo booth and we took a picture of both of us and then they morphed us together and we got a child. Her eyes are kinda of messed up because she has one of my eyes and one of my sister's eyes, but besides that she actually looks really good. I really need an avatar... oh well it doesn't matter I just wanted to show you guys!) The story about the smell of the Mandalay Bay was basically: We walked into a store that had scents (the store was in the Mandalay Bay)and it smells amazing in there. So we were smelling things and then we came across this one scent and we said to the cashier, "Wow, this smells really good, it kind of smells like the Beach Level." And the girl responded by saying something like, "Well, that is the scent that we put through all of the vents to help cover up the smell of cigarretts." So whenever we walk into the Mandalay Bay it smells like that scent. Then on this trip my dad kept saying, "When you walk into the Mandalay Bay it smells like your on vacation, but when you walk into New York, New York it smells like you in a subway." It was really funny, I think it was a moment where you just had to be there. Well, on a different note, my grandma's blood clot was really small and it totally dissolved so she was doing a lot better but she was a little congested. But she came home yesterday and I'm am off to visit her. My plane took off at 4:30 AM (Eastern Time) and arrived at 9:00 AM (eastern time) but we waited on the plane for 30 mins and we were supposed to arrive at 6:50 AM. So we were very delayed, but we met a lot of really nice people that we spent 2 hours with in the airport. Okay, I;m really tired I think I'm going to push The Magic Button. Aidan Rhys P. arrived at 1:53 am on August 16. He was 8 lbs 9 oz, 21.25" with a head full of hair. We are both doing great and we expect to be home tomorrow. Rhys just got the thumbs up from his pediatric check. I will post more once we are home. Stephanie M. - Aug 16, 2005 8:16 am (#2542 of 2963) OMG! Denise congratulations!!! I'm glad both of you are doing well! Congratulations to you both Denise! What a lovely name. I bet his brothers and sisters will spoil him rotten. Have a safe journey home tomorrow! Julie Congratulations Denise and Mr P! mike miller - Aug 16, 2005 8:44 am (#2545 of 2963) Congratulations Denise, Mr. P and the entire family!! Congratulations, Denise! Steve Newton - Aug 16, 2005 9:28 am (#2547 of 2963) Well done Denise! I trust that the new Mom is also doing well. T Brightwater - Aug 16, 2005 10:11 am (#2548 of 2963) Well done, Denise! We knew you had it in you! I'm going to blame it on timrew's bad influence...) Woo Hoo! I had to find a nice celebratory "It's a Boy" blue. Welcome Aidan. Congratulations Mr. Denise. Well done Mommy Denise! Loopy Lupin - Aug 16, 2005 10:19 am (#2550 of 2963) Aidan Rhys P. arrived at 1:53 am on August 16. He was 8 lbs 9 oz, 21.25" with a head full of hair. We are both doing great and we expect to be home tomorrow. Rhys just got the thumbs up from his pediatric check. I will post more once we are home. – Denise First, CONGRATS!!!!! Second, GOOD GRIEF WOMAN! Put the laptop away and get some sleep. Aren't you, like, at least a wee bit tired? (For those who don't know. The post time on the Forum is Pacific time. So, Denise basically had her son around 2:00 a.m. Eastern and then managed to fire off a note to all of us around 11:00 a.m. Eastern. Not as impressive as "8:12 a.m." to be sure, but still quite a herculean display of stamina.) Lady Arabella - Prefect - Posts : 2285 Location : Silicon Valley, CA Re: Chat & Greetings 2005 Helen Potterfan - Aug 16, 2005 10:35 am (#2551 of 2963) Congratulations Denise, Mr. Denise, and family. I love the name! Helen septentrion - Aug 16, 2005 10:39 am (#2552 of 2963) congratulations Denise ! Congratulations Denise and family!!! Herm oh ninny - Aug 16, 2005 11:09 am (#2554 of 2963) YAY Denise! Congrats on the new little bundle of joy I have always loved the name Aidan..... though I still think Harry Black would have been cute Lupin is Lupin. Natch. Congratulations Denise and Greg! Welcome Aidan. I love the name. (Denise, I'm glad you got the spelling you wanted. Wahoo, congratulations Denise! Great job, and of course he did come in his own time! Welcome to earth Aiden. Happy Birthday, boop, Sleeping Beauty, Finn and I know I have forgotten some one else... Ladybug220 - Aug 16, 2005 11:38 am (#2557 of 2963) Reply Edited by Aug 16, 2005 11:38 am Congrats Denise!! However, the male to female ratio is seriously skewed; of course, the blame lies with Mr Denise. Detail Seeker - Aug 16, 2005 11:45 am (#2558 of 2963) Welcome aboard, Aidan Rhys. May you always have the right answer to the questions of this world ! Congratulations, Denise ! May the recovery go well and Aidan be an easy baby! Madam Pince - Aug 16, 2005 12:12 pm (#2559 of 2963) Congratulations, Denise, Mr. Denise, and the whole family! Welcome and Happy Birthday, Aidan Rhys! What wonderful news! We're so happy for you! I know you guys are not going to believe this, but I dreamed last night that Denise had the baby! When I came on here to post that I dreamed that, it was so cool to read that it actually happened!!! My dream was soooo vivid -- I was visiting with Denise, and she said it was time to go to the hospital, and she hopped into the van and was going to drive herself. I was appalled and said I'd drive, but Mr. Denise was there and he laughed at me and said "Are you kidding? She always drives herself! I'll take the other kids in the other van." And I was all uptight, so I said "Well, I'll just ride in the van with her then, just in case." So we went to the hospital (Denise driving ) and we went in some back entrance and there was nobody there. We just went into the first room we found and I got Denise all settled in the bed and we were waiting for the doctor or Mr. Denise to come. Neither of them did, and I was getting all upset because I was torn between staying with Denise and going to look for somebody. Then Denise said "I think it's time, can you catch him?" and I freaked out and thankfully just then all the doctors and nurses and Mr. Denise all came in, and then Baby Aidan was born! I was actually in tears and smiling when I woke up because I had just seen this new life come into the world! I poked Mr. Pince and said "Guess what? Denise had the baby!" Is that the weirdest thing or what? It's just so cool that he's really truly actually here! Please tell us you didn't actually drive yourself to the hospital.... Herm oh ninny - Aug 16, 2005 12:25 pm (#2560 of 2963) Madam Pince, are you sure there isn't any seer blood in your family?? Congradulations Denise!! I Am Used Vlad - Aug 16, 2005 12:49 pm (#2562 of 2963) Congratulations, Denise. Are you going to stop now, or try for a soccer team? Stephanie M. - Aug 16, 2005 12:53 pm (#2563 of 2963) Whoa! Madam Pince, that is one vivid dream! It's so bizzare too! I can't believe you were having that dream when Denise was actually in labor! Congrats Denise & Mr. P and Baby A!!!! Helen Potterfan - Aug 16, 2005 1:51 pm (#2565 of 2963) Hello everyone, Since we've been discussing renaming, I thought it would be an apt time to change my screen name. I have heretofore been known as "Accio HBP", but since the spell has finally succeeded, my screen name no longer seems appropriate, so I am now "Helen Potterfan". I hope I'm not confusing anyone! CatherineHermiona - Aug 16, 2005 2:16 pm (#2566 of 2963) C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S Denise P.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WELCOME Aidan Rhys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love the name. We just came back from Cavtat and Dubrovnik after 12 hours of trip. We had so good time but I missed home and Forum regularly. I'm only sad that my aunt have to go back to Zagreb. But now I am starting to talk into my second aunt (she promised she will come this summer). So, nobody didn't look at my last post about Gardaland. OK, I'll pretend I'm disappointed and insulted. LOL, I'm just kidding. Kate Herm oh ninny - Aug 16, 2005 2:47 pm (#2567 of 2963) Catherine, I liked your Gardaland idea. But, since I live in NJ USA, I'm sort of left out Madam Pince - Aug 16, 2005 3:38 pm (#2568 of 2963) Well, Stephanie, actually I think I had the dream after the fact, if Aidan was born at 2am. I think I dreamed this right before I woke up, or probably around 7:30am. So, Sybill Trelawney I am not. Still, it was pretty neat. There was a lot more vivid detail -- I didn't post it all. In my dream there was a big hurricane coming, and it was called Hurricane Maureen, and we were joking that if the baby was a girl she'd have to be named Maureen. Now tell me where that came from??? CatherineHermiona, we didn't mean to ignore your Gardaland idea! But I'm like Herm-oh-ninny, it wouldn't be possible for me to travel that far. I did love your link to Gardaland, though, it looks like such a fun place! I forgot to mention earlier -- whoo-hoo to dizzy lizzy for the hearing aids! That's great news! Helen Potterfan, welcome! I thought you'd change your name to "Accio LBDI." Did you guys hear -- on another thread Saralinda's already figured out the name of Book 7. It's "Harry Potter and the Last Book, Darn It." Excellent, Saralinda!!! Ludicrous Patents Office - Aug 16, 2005 3:45 pm (#2569 of 2963) Congratulations Denise. I'm glad everything is fine. Your choice of a name is excellent! Madame Pince what an interesting dream. Glad there was no hurricane. I love the name of the last book! Thanks for posting it. Catherine welcome back. I have to save some money to make it to Gardaland. I think it would be worth it though! LPO Congratulations, Denise! But with regard to the HBP initials, I think you should have had twins, a boy and a girl. Then you could have called them Denise and Denephew............ Oi shouldna said tha'........... T Brightwater - Aug 16, 2005 4:07 pm (#2571 of 2963) Saralinda, I take my hat off to you - spiders notwithstanding! Edit: Confound it, Timrew, I had a mouthful of tea when I read that...where's the Mrs Skower's, I know it was here somewhere... Catherine - Aug 16, 2005 4:08 pm (#2572 of 2963) Well, congratulations are in order, it seems. Denise, you are the woman! I'm so pleased that Aiden Rhys has entered the world. Best wishes to Rhys, you and Mr. P., and to your other children. Hope you all get some sleep. As to the teaching front, it goes better today. The "real" teacher showed up, we hit it off famously, and she was very pleased about my efforts to procure the proper supplies for "our" class. It was so great that she liked how I set up the classroom (apparently, she had been almost in tears when she saw it last week, and liked what I did). She brought some much needed stuff for the classroom, and all in all, it was a good day. I appreciate that I have full reign over the class while I am there, and she appreciates that I am taking charge while I am there, and won't be calling her to ask, "Um, should I give a vocabulary test today or tomorrow?" the way she has heard some substitutes do. Loopy's "chaser" suggestion has merit, and I won't say more here. As the shrunken head said in PoA, "It's going to be a bumpy ride!" Congratulations Denise! I guess Aidan preferred Tuesday. Over 8 1/2 pounds, wow! Madame Pince, actually, I am now 9 months along. Kickboxing on Monday, and Step on Saturdays. Yoga in between. Exercise has really helped my back. (I didn't workout much with the first two and had horrible back pain.) So, I'm predicting my girl will arrive on the 7th, but if Madame Pince or any other seers out there have another vision I'd appreciate a heads up! Lizzy, great news on the hearing aides. How often do you need to replace those? Time to get the kids in bed. Maya just unrolled a whole thing of toilet paper. Kathy Catherine - Aug 16, 2005 4:57 pm (#2574 of 2963) Maya just unrolled a whole thing of toilet paper. –Puck Oh, dear. While I was in Richmond last week, one of our children apparently tried to flush a whole TOWEL down the toilet. Mr. Catherine acted fairly indignant that he had to "deal" with "this" kind of situation. The only saving grace is that, on the day the kids left for Richmond, I scrubbed the bathrooms down. Otherwise, I'm sure Mr. Catherine would have tried to blame either me or our wonderful babysitter, Miss Doughnut. (Her name is Dona, but Hayley as a 3 1/2 year old called her "Miss Doughnut," and the name has stuck, much to everyone's chagrin, though Dona is a good-natured soul who thinks it is quite funny.) Anyway, Mr. Catherine now realizes that staying at home with the kids is not all fun and games like he imagined it. He has also conceded that his idea that our child who has autism and fairly severe attention disorders might actually "need" the ADHD medicine while not in school. A few days at home alone seemed to concede that. All in all, a tiring but satisfying day. Kim, I miss you and I'm sorry I had to bug out last night. Jumps up and down and waves happily at Kim! TwinklingBlueEyes - Aug 16, 2005 5:07 pm (#2575 of 2963) Congratulations Denise! Aidan, what a lovely name! CONGRATULATIONS Denise and family. Welcome to the world Aidan!!!!, by the way Happy Birthday!!!! hugs boop Happy Birthday, Aidan Rhys!! I was at work today trying to guess a name that fit in with the others. Are you calling him Rhys, Denise? I know I get Shayla and Lexie's names mixed up while calling them so I can imagine trying to call out Iain and Aidan. Anyway (sorry, babbling, must stop) congratulations and well wishes for a babe who sleeps through the night. dizzy lizzy - Aug 16, 2005 5:55 pm (#2578 of 2963) Congratulations Denise!!! Lovely name and best wishes for you all. Another piece of great news this week! Lizzy Julie Aronson - Aug 16, 2005 7:04 pm (#2579 of 2963) Congrats on the new addition to the Family P.!!! Doris Crockford - Aug 16, 2005 7:11 pm (#2580 of 2963) Congratulations, Denise! Love the name Aidan! septentrion - Aug 16, 2005 11:40 pm (#2581 of 2963) I had a message from Elanor who is currently on vacation. She has a good time but misses her internet. She sends her best wishes to all of you, and especially to Denise. On a sadder note, I know some of you are interested in the Taizé community (I think it was Lina and Kate). I don't know if the news has reached your ears but its founder, frère Roger (would you say "brother Roger" in English ? ), has been killed yesterday while he was praying. He was 90 years old. The giant squid - Aug 17, 2005 12:18 am (#2582 of 2963) Loopy's "chaser" suggestion has merit, and I won't say more here.—Catherine In that case I'll be sure to spike the Felix Felicis with a little Appleton Rum (a magic potion in its own right!) Congratulations, Denise and welcome, Aidan Rhys! Other than having initials that spell ARP, I'm sure he'll get by just fine. --Mike Welcome to this world, Aidan!! (Velkommen!) Quick note, I am like a hamster spinning without a wheel, and on the verge of tears at the thought of leaving my dog... I will be flying out tomorrow, and arriving in the states tomorrow night. Boy am I wishing I passed my apparition exams right now... I will be jet lagged and stressed and bummed for a wee while, but as soon as my student loan finds it way to my sticky little hands, I will have a laptop and internet connection and be back If anyone has any good suggestions on a good laptop I would be extremely grateful. What I am looking for: - A comfortable keyboard - A great word processing program (I will write a LOT of papers on this puppy, and hope to use it for work later on as well - I need to store lots of music and lots of photos - With a DVD player so that I can hook it up to my tv - Burner CD/DVD - fast, big memory, good sound, and - that it can last a while only on batteries.... Take care, and oh - Kate - I really liked your idea, but as I am leaving for the states tomorrow, I really would hate to miss out on Gardaland this October.. so how about Gardaland October 2008??? Good Evans - Aug 17, 2005 4:54 am (#2584 of 2963) congratulations Denise and family, what good news. madam Pince, wooohoooo, what a dream, or shall we call you Sybill?? happy wednesday everyone. Julie Loopy Lupin - Aug 17, 2005 6:18 am (#2585 of 2963) He has also conceded that his idea that our child who has autism and fairly severe attention disorders might actually "need" the ADHD medicine while not in school. A few days at home alone seemed to concede that. – Catherine Funny how those sorts of things tend to sort themselves out. CatherineHermiona - Aug 17, 2005 6:43 am (#2586 of 2963) Yes, my mum told me you aren't staying, Ponine. Of course it can be October 2008. But I thought you are staying in USA (or there somewhere) for only around a year. Kate Hi all, Congratulations to Denise P on the safe arrival of your son Aidan Rhys, on the 16th August 2005. Hope that all family love their new brother & that Mr P loves his new son. Josephine My 16 year old says that I must recant the Procrastinating Daughter claim due to the fact that she is a very busy person(which is true). She takes all the honors classes that her high school offers. She is in the Beta Club,FCCLA,4-H Horse Group, Quiz Bowl Team and soccer team. Last year she was Sophomore class President and is already preparing her speech to run again this year. I am extremely proud of her. I only made that comment as a joke because I would sincerely love to hear the end of her beautiful book. Over Achieving Daughter would actually suit her much better. However I do seem to recall a little thing called summer vacation at which time I was constantly reminded how bored she was. Everytime I said that to my mom, she always had something for me to clean, so I was never, ever, ever bored! Edited Aug 17, 2005 9:44 am Haymoni We just discovered this summer that she has a condition in her knee, chondromalacia, that sometimes affects female athletes. When we run we only strengthen the muscles on the outside of our leg and not the inside. When males run they target all muscle groups. Anyway, as the muscles get stronger they tend to pull the knee cap that way. So she had to stay off of it as much as possible until the swelling and pain went away. This got her out of all her chores. Anyway the swelling is gone and she can once again wash the dishes(on weekends, too much homework through the week). She is still not allowed to do any exercises that target the outer muscles of the leg (running, walking up stairs and riding a bicycle are strictly off limmits.) She has to do an exercise that targets the inner muscles every day. Anyway the doc will check it again before soccer season starts in the spring and we'll see what happens. Goodness, Kay! What a summer! I hope all goes well for your daughter. I had a cousin whose calf muscles developed faster than the tissue that covered them. She was literally bursting at the seams. I don't know what it was called, but she was in high school when it first showed up. She had to have surgery to open this tissue lining so her muscles could grow! It's always something with us Forum Members, isn't it?! Stephanie M. - Aug 17, 2005 11:00 am (#2592 of 2963) Ponine, for what you said you needed in a computer I would definitely suggest the apple iBook. You get iPhoto with the computer and it works SO well. It comes with iMovie and iDVD and you can make power points and put it into iDVD and then make a DVD out of a power point. Then Word is very good for writing and it doesn't quit by itself very often. The key board it flat and easy to use. It has a pretty good sized square where you can move the (pointer arrow?) I don't know the name of it, but the square is used as a mouse and you have a pretty big rectangle under it where you can click what you want. An iBook has really good memory, but if you want a computer with more memory that also might be a little bit faster is an Apple Powerbook. I have an iBook G4, you might want to go to a computer place and ask them what new iBook models have come out since last Christmas. Oh, I almost forgot! You don't get virus's with Apple computers. When Finn gets back from his trip, I'm sure he'll tell you more. Edit: It's the Cursor! I can't believe I forgot that! *Smashes head into the wall* Haymoni that sounds horribly painful. I hope that your cousin’s surgery completely fixed her problem. My daughters problem isn't nearly so serious. The general idea is to strengthen the thigh muscles to match the large muscles in the hip to pull the knee cap back in place. She has very minor damage to the joint itself because the knee cap rubbed new grooves into it but that should all sort itself out once the knee cap has gone back into place. Anyway,I had to fix my last post once already and upon rereading I just noticed I spelled limit with two m's! I really need to work on my typing skills! Pigwidgeon - Aug 17, 2005 12:49 pm (#2594 of 2963) Denise, a belated congratulations! Lovely name, Aiden. I've been busy; got a small promotion with my company, and I'm starting school in the fall. So, come Aug. 29, I will REALLY be busy! I'm going for my Masters of Library and Information Science degree. The giant squid - Aug 17, 2005 12:52 pm (#2595 of 2963) Oh, I almost forgot! You don't get virus's with Apple computers.--Stephanie M. I don't know if I'd make a blanket statement like that... Granted, most computer viruses (and worms and whatever) are written to exploit security issues in Microsoft Windows, but that doesn't mean someone couldn't write one to screw with your Mac. It's just easier to mess with MS. I'm not a Mac guy or a laptop guy so I can't add much else for Ponine other than to agree that MS Word is probably the most useful word processing program you could get--if for no other reason that most schools use MS products so compatibility won't be an issue. I've been using Word for years and it's never not been able to do what I needed it to. *shrug* kaykay, your daughter's condition sounds nasty, but it seems you caught it early enough to keep it from being too bad. I just have this image of someone trying to walk with their kneecap on the side of their leg instead of the front... haymoni, my mom never let me be bored either. --Mike Helen Potterfan - Aug 17, 2005 12:56 pm (#2596 of 2963) Ponine, I have both an ibook G4 (Mac) and a PC laptop. I do love my Mac. You should definitely have Microsoft Word, but I use Excel and Powerpoint occasionally as well, so you could consider getting Microsoft Office, which has all 3. Since you're going to grad school, you can get an educational version that's cheaper. I also highly recommend getting a flash drive. Now that I have a flash drive, I don't even carry my laptop often. Flash drives are cheapest online (I recommend Buy.com). 512mb is a good size that will easily hold backup copies of all of your documents. If you don't know about these, send me an email and I'll tell you more. Stephanie M. - Aug 17, 2005 1:44 pm (#2597 of 2963) Oh, I almost forgot! You don't get virus's with Apple computers.--Stephanie M. I don't know if I'd make a blanket statement like that... Granted,most computer viruses (and worms and whatever) are written to exploit security issues in Microsoft Windows, but that doesn't mean someone couldn't write one to screw with your Mac. It's just easier to mess with MS. --Squid Mike Your right Mike. There is no guarantee that you won't get a virus with a Mac. I should have re-phrased what I said to: Oh, I almost forgot! You don't USUALLY get virus's with Apple Computers. It's more common with PC's. (I also like PCs too. But it's harder to make DVD's and things of that nature with a PC.) I also think you need to buy a DVD burner for a laptop. But a desktop comes with one. (Or at least an Emac comes with one..) Happy belated birthdays Haymony and Sleeping Beauty! Congratulations, Denise! Wish you a lot of joy with your family! I know what you mean, Ponine, about apparition, I wished that too, these days. We had a wonderful trip, saw so many beautiful places and met some great people, but 10 to 12 hours of driving... And this is with the new roads, fortunately they were built. I have already told Kate that you couldn't make to Gardaland this October, but October 2008?!!??!? Are you going to be in the States for so long? Are you sure you will come back to Europe for more than a visit after that? Anyhow, I wish you a safe and good trip and a wonderful time in the States! The good thing about our long trip was that we listened to the HP and the SS/PS. Another good thing is that after the last book (LBDI) gets published I will be able to look forward to the audio versions that get published much later here. And maybe I could start collecting them in other languages as well. Hmmm. Some of the interesting moments from the trip: ♦we saw a bar named 104 Dalmatians ♦we saw the auto camp "Kate" ♦we saw a grocery store named "Lina" ♦we met the horse named Lino and the horse named Sirius We plan to do a little web page about the trip, we will let you know when it will be ready Lizzy, I'm glad that you are getting your hearing aids, that's a great news! Did you get any snow? I saw a lot of snow in Australia on our TV and thought of our forum members immediately. Kaykay, I'm glad that your daughter is so successful. Someone could just imagine how successful she would be if she were not a procrastinator! Well, if she really were a procrastinator, she would most certainly feel very comfortable at this forum. I hope she gets better soon. It seems that there should be a warning: as soon as you see Timrew's avatar on this thread, make sure that your mouth is empty before you start reading! Catherine, I'm sure you will enjoy your new challenge. I wish you a great time with your students! Septentrion, your news about brother Roger are really sad and, I must say, quite difficult to understand. Yet, I'm sure that Taize will continue it's good work anyway and I'm looking forward to it. I'm sure I thought about many other things while reading this thread, but I don't remember now. mollis - Aug 17, 2005 5:01 pm (#2599 of 2963) Reply Edited by Aug 17, 2005 5:04 pm Well, I thought I should come out of exile to wish Denise a most heartfelt congratulations! Unfortunately, I can't stay long. Work is insane. I am trying to get a whole load of stuff done before leaving for a few measly days of vacation. Wish I had more time to chat with you all, but alas... Happy Birthday and Congrats to all that I missed. I think this was the first time (okay, maybe the second) in my three years here that I've had to hit that dreadful button for this thread. EDIT: Yeah, okay. The smilie for Denise may not be entirely appropriate, but hey, time to celebrate, right?!? Madam Pince - Aug 17, 2005 5:54 pm (#2600 of 2963) Oh, I don't know, mollis. I was told by my doctor that malt beverages are very helpful for moms who are not using bottle-feeding. (I had to edit that sentence three times to make it "friendly;" hope I succeeded!) I am bowing down in awe of you people who know so much about computers! So smart! Icky thought about the kneecap on the wrong side of the leg and the calf muscle bursting out of the skin. Glad they all got sorted out properly. I knew there was a good reason for not doing exercise! ***Hands aspirin to new Forum member Saracene, who surely must have a headache after reading all six HP books in a week! *** Welcome all new members! Lady Arabella - Prefect - Posts : 2285 Location : Silicon Valley, CA Re: Chat & Greetings 2005 Ludicrous Patents Office - Aug 17, 2005 8:55 pm (#2601 of 2963) Ponine, iBooks are good laptops. You can get Microsoft Office on Macs. It is the best program out there for writing. I find Appleworks difficult to deal with. Hope your trip to the US is uneventful. Pigwidgeon, great choice for a major! Good luck with cataloguing. Septentrion I do not know much about the Taize. I am sorry for your loss. Kaykay hope your daughter is doing better and finishes her book soon. LPO Lina, sounds like a great trip! Penny Lane. I would also recommend a iBook G4 with the bigger screen. I find that it's difficult to type papers on the 12 inch ones. I also would get Microsoft Office for Mac if you do plan on getting an iBook. I think it's actually cheaper to buy the office suit for mac then it is for windows as well, but don't quote me on that. Congrats to Denise and family. My mother has finally gotten to Goblet of Fire and she seems to be enjoying reading the HP books more. She keeps asking me things like "Does Draco ever get what he deserves?" and "Gosh, I hate the Snipe (sic) guy. Does he ever let up?" I'm keeping quiet. B]Madam Pince[/B] - Aug 18, 2005 7:28 am (#2603 of 2963) Denise, the baby's picture is adorable! What a precious! How do you pronounce his name? T Brightwater - Aug 18, 2005 10:00 am (#2604 of 2963) Anybody heard from GryffEndora or Phoenix song lately? Madam Pince - Aug 18, 2005 10:32 am (#2605 of 2963) They seem to have vacated the premises, T Brightwater. I haven't heard from either since HBP came out. Just a quick post, I will be back this afternoon though. Madam Pince, his name is pronounced Reese. Rhys is the traditional Welsh spelling while Reese/Reece is the anglicized version of the same name. As you can probably tell by some of my other kids (Iain and Kierynn specifically) that we like the lesser used spellings of names. Even his first name, Aidan, is more commonly seen as Aiden. And before anyone asks , we chose to call him by his middle name since Aidan and Iain are very similar sounding. We went with Aidan Rhys rather than Rhys Aidan since all our other kids have first names that end with the letter "n". septentrion - Aug 18, 2005 11:00 am (#2607 of 2963) Oh Denise, what a cutie you have ! Loopy Lupin - Aug 18, 2005 12:03 pm (#2608 of 2963) Awwwww! TwinklingBlueEyes - Aug 18, 2005 12:35 pm (#2609 of 2963) Denise, he's ADORABLE! Denise, he is gorgeous! Detail Seeker - Aug 18, 2005 2:01 pm (#2611 of 2963) Denise, good to see you back with a splendid new child. Ponine, whatever Computer you buy, try Open Office as a WordProcessor/Spreadsheet/Presentation programme/DataBase/Drawing Programm (available free on the net for Windows, Linux and Apple). It is as good or even better than MS Office (or even Corel Office, that I like best) and has extremely good Import- and Export filters to any other office package, so you can communicate with everybody. If needed, PDF-Export is integrated. Catherine - Aug 18, 2005 2:16 pm (#2612 of 2963) Edited Aug 18, 2005 2:48 pm Rhys is adorable, Denise. I'm popping in for a just a mo'. It's been four long days of teacher meetings, and if anyone mentions the words "stanine," "norm," "encourage," or "learner," I might be tempted to perform a hex! It would also be great if, after four days of requests, my printer and computer would be configured properly. Apparently, with the security controls, my computer will not do remote printing on the printers or copiers without the Administrative controls being set properly by our tech person. So I've been staying up pretty late here doing some visual work so that I can see what it looks like printed out. I'm enjoying the challenge, but I'm too tired to check threads. I hope everyone has enjoyed the week, and I will see you around soon, I hope. I know I'm not saying anything original here, but the baby is really adorable, Denise! Catherine, being nice to the tech person would make your life much easier, trust me! Maybe some chocolate... Dr Filibuster - Aug 18, 2005 3:05 pm (#2614 of 2963) Just seen beautiful baby Rhys on your avatar Denise and had to rush on here. CONGRATULATIONS DENISE Boy, am I behind with all the posts! It just goes to show, Denise. Not all new-born babies look like Winston Churchill. Little Rhys is a good looking guy! Miss Malaprop - Aug 18, 2005 3:54 pm (#2616 of 2963) Congratulations, Denise. What a cutie! "Tuesday's child is full of grace." Funny how Forum kids are always so cute! I’ll have to make sure I’m still around when I start a family, then I’ll be assured of beautiful children! Not all new-born babies look like Winston Churchill. I didn't look like Winston Churchill, Tim. I looked more like Voldemort! KayKay1970 - what is a 4-H Horse Group? I hear about a "4-H stone" in some song lyrics and I'm curious as to what it means. Miss Marlaprop 4-H is club we have here in the South that teaches children about different aspects of agriculture.4-Horse Group teaches children every aspect of caring for, raising and showing healthy horses. My daughter is mostly involved in the horse bowl (which test your knowledge of anything equine) and horse judging competitions (choosing the best horse based on its conformation). I'm clueless as to what 4-H stone means though. Denise. he is precious! Makes me anxious to hold my wee one! I didn't look like Churchill or LV. My family refers to my newborn appearance as "the Rat". (Said with affection, of course.) I once had trouble with my classroom printer. We called in the tech guy. Turned out the class rabbit had chewed through the cord connecting the two. Anyone read "Foxtrot" cartoon? It was an HP theme today. The kid thought he was an evil genius for looking at "unauthorized" footage of GoF on the net, in an attempt to spoil the ending for some girl. He didn't feel so smart when his brother mentioned that she had likely read the book! I was brave today. I had a cardiology appointment in Boston, and decided to take the kids to the Children's Museum since we were in town. Since it's never pleasant driving in the city and the museum is currently in the center of road construction, I decided to leave the car parked in the hospital garage and take the train. It was exciting on the way there, but they were exhausted coming home. Got to give my boy credit, he was a trooper. A few comments as we walked the last block or so on the way to the car, but great until then. (I had his sister in the stroller, but being the oldest, he had to walk.) Only hard part was Maya getting car sick just as I pulled into the garage. I stopped in the hospital gift shop and bought her a "big sister" shirt. Heck, I was going to get her one in a few weeks anyway! Madam Pince - Aug 18, 2005 5:27 pm (#2619 of 2963) Well, it's a good thing I didn't choose "Half-Blood Pince" for Baby Pince's new name. We were just watching SS movie, and I asked him what he thought of Professor Snape. He said "He's the bad guy." Silly child, have I taught him nothing???? On the other hand, if we do have seer blood in our family.... but no. I refuse to listen to that. La-la-la-la-la ***holding fingers in ears****La-la-la-la-la.... Stephanie M. - Aug 18, 2005 5:53 pm (#2620 of 2963) Denise! He's soo cute!!! He has hair too!!! (My sister had a Mohawk until she was 18 months.) I was born 6 weeks early so, as my sister said, I looked very yellow, vain-y, and tiny.(My skin was kinda translucent, so that's why I was yellow and my kidneys weren't working as well as a full term baby.) And since they didn't want to damage my eyes in an incubator, they put these huge sunglasses on me. I have a really old picture of it, but I have no idea where the picture is. I saw my grandmother today and she is walking, getting up, and sitting down a lot better than she was on Tuesday. She is doing better than anyone could have expected, so we're all very proud of her. Denise, what a handsome young man you have!!! Welcome all new members. Hope everyone has a great Friday, and great weekend!! hugs boop Amilia Smith - Aug 18, 2005 6:53 pm (#2622 of 2963) Congratulations, Denise. He is beautiful. Glad to hear your grandmother is doing better, Stephanie. Ponine: I don't know enough about laptops to add any advice, but I must put my two knuts in on the word processor debate. Word is EVIL!!! The one and only advantage it has is, like Squid Mike said, chances are, your school will use it, and converting your documents from another program to Word so you can hand them in electronically is a bit of a pain. Word formats your things for you. And won't let you change their formatting to what you want it to look like. This is especially a pain when doing outlines. WordPerfect, on the other hand . while it will format things for you, if you backspace, and let it know you don't want its formatting, it is smart enough to let you do it your way. And if you can't figure out why it is doing something you don't want it to do, it has the most wonderful feature: Reveal Codes. Reveal Codes shows you why it is doing something, and allows you to fix it. Anyrate, good luck and have a safe flight. Check with your school, they might have student discounts on computer software, etc. I moved into a smaller room Monday (yah!). Much more my size . and cheaper rent. Tuesday we had new student orientation. And I found out how I did in my Cataloging class . The + doesn't affect my GPA, but the bragging rights are pretty cool. Long weekend coming up. Tomorrow is Statehood Day here. So no work. But it's OK because my church is sponsoring a Singles Conference, so I will have stuff to do all weekend. Waterparks, carnivals, kareoke. Mills. May I jump in on 4-H? It is a bit of Americana. Around the 1860s, the Congress passed a College Land-Grant Act. States could get big chunks of land if they'd use it to build colleges, especially colleges that taught agriculture and the technology of the day, which, being during our Civil War, was mostly military in nature. Colleges before this time had stressed Latin and Rhetoric, but the government wanted to encourage more "practical" learning. Fast forward to the early 1900s. A loose network of clubs for rural youth began to develop. Around 1920?, Congress authorized the Cooperative Extension Service to be started at the land-grant colleges. It was supposed to get the most "modern" latest & up-to-date agricultural information out to the farmers– about fertilizer, pest control, irrigation, stuff like that. The Extension Services operating through state universities had federal funding and these rural boys & girls clubs were willing to accept "free" help and training. 4-H clubs grew into a nationwide organization from there. During most of its history, 4-H clubs provided a mix of social and educational activities for youth. After WWII, a lot of home economics (sewing & cooking) activities were added for girls. Today you can find some 4-H clubs in urban areas studying computers and such, but the one kaykay describes about raising horses is more typical. The four H's come from : I pledge My Head to clearer thinking, My Heart to greater loyalty, My Hands to larger service, and My Health to better living, For my club, my community, my country, and my world. ***steps down from soapbox*** 'Great news about your grandmother Stephanie. ...and my, I feel chatty tonight, so I'll tell you my "yellow baby" story. A bit of jaundice is fairly common in small babies. When my first son was born, the midwife suggested giving him a few minutes of sunlight on each side, no more than 15 minutes total on new-baby skin. Why does doing things like letting one's newborn sunbathe in the buff always attract the oldest and nosiest and most wrongly opinionated neighborhood busy-body? (It was early autumn, but the leaves had fallen enough she could see through the bushes.) If I ever write a story that needs a villainous joy-thief, the character will be patterned after that woman. I'm really trying to be happy for you, Mills, but an A+, a holiday, a water park, and a carnival... in Hawaii... (deep breath, exhales slowly) yeah, I'm happy for you. Ludicrous Patents Office - Aug 18, 2005 7:40 pm (#2624 of 2963) Beautiful baby Denise. Stephanie I'm glad your Grandmother is doing well. My friend is doing well on the email. It takes time though. Her family in Tulsa is so excited. We haven't started on using the web yet. I'm so proud of her. Mills I got a C in cataloguing. I'm glad our district has a full time cataloger. I am very nice to her. Catherine, teacher meetings, more fun than a person should have. I love "collegial" and "differentiate" We start on Monday. Some friends of mine kids are in 4-H. We bought a pig off them. My parents are bringing the meat over. I can't wait for the ham steaks! I turn 39 (for the first time) on Sunday. It will be nice to celebrate with my family LPO Congratulations for your new baby, Denise, he is gorgeous! How many children do you have now? I survived the first day of school, but only just barely. My new class of kindergarteners are unbelievably young. There are 13 students and four of them are still four! Granted they'll be turning 5 soon, but still. I have my work cut out for me. After school I drive the daycare bus and pick up some of the school age children. I went to my daughter's school and my youngest, Lexie, wasn't there. Shayla had permission to walk home with a friend so I thought maybe Lexie had tagged along. I called Mr. E. from the school office and had him drive over there. After confirming that Miss Lexie was safe, the school secretary said, "Take a deep breathe, Mom. She's alive and well." I responded with, "For now!". It was a very scary five minutes or so, not knowing where my little one was. When I was growing up, Daddy was in the Army. The last place we were stationed was Ft. Knox KY. Both of my parents families were here in TN. We came home for a visit and my grandfather had a litter of baby pigs. Well the little runt had a small rupture on his belly and my grandfather was going to kill him. We begged and pleaded and finally brought the pig on the 5 hour drive back to Knox in the back of the station wagon. Daddy taped his rupture and that healed nicely. We were living in a little trailor park right off post so we actually house trained this pig. We named him Wilbur. Yes Charlotte's Web was my favorite book. Well we finally got a place on post (no pigs allowed). We had to bring him back to TN to my uncles house where Daddy built him a pen. He and my uncle shared the cost of feed and when the time came poor Wilbur was killed and they split the meat. The moral of this story is NEVER name the livestock because it is hard to eat the bacon later. Julie Aronson - Aug 19, 2005 5:45 am (#2628 of 2963) Denise--GORGEOUS kid!!! Mills--I totally agree. I'm no Word fan, and Word Perfect is user-friendly, but actually allows you to think for yourself... Ponine--Based on my college experiences up to and including right now, it's much easier to get along with a Windows-based laptop than an Apple. However, I'm sure you'll be fine either way. My personal preference is Dell, because I like to customize it on line when I order, but I know other companies let you do that, too. QUESTIONS FOR LAWYERS--So, now that I've completed my first Orientation Workshop, I'm full of even more questions! Hornbooks, yes or no? Premade outlines, yes or no? (I think I'm leaning toward no on this on already) Study groups, yes or no? (I tend not to play well with others in this sort of situation...) I'm starting to freak a little, so any calming and rational (or any other kind) words of advice will be SO welcome! Loopy, I know I already didn't take your first advice and not go, so now that the reality of my decision is upon me, I need to make it work!!! All other well-wishes and etc wherever appropriate... Julie Mills, an A+, that's great! Marie, so scary those moments. Such a panicky feeling, even if it's just 20 seconds in a deptartment store. My oldest starts kindergarten on the 31st. In our town you have to be five by the end of August, or wait until the next year. I always disliked trying to phrase things "properly" for parents when teaching. "Your child forgot to use use his words and tried to express himself by using his hands." In other words, the kids punched someone in the stomach. I tell my kids' teachers not to sugarcoat, but give it to me straight up, as I have no dissillusions about my children being perfect. Have a great day! We're going to the zoo, then off to pick up Mr. Puck at the airport. I'm sure there will be a debate about which of us (him with 12 hour days at a conference, me 9 months pregnant taking care of the kids all week) had a more difficult week and deserves time off tomorrow! Kathy Marie E. I missed your post earlier. Guess I was typing mine at the time. I had an experience like that once. It was a horrible feeling. We had gone to visit my husband's uncle in the chemo ward about 4 hours from my home. He passed away while we still visiting various relatives. We had not brought any clothes suitable for a funeral. We went to a huge mall I was not in the least familiar with. My husband was a pall bearer and was trying on suits. I had 3 very small children (1 on my hip, holding another’s hand and the oldest walking ahead so I could see her.) I let go of my little boys hand for a second to look through a clothes rack, turned around and he was gone. Thankfully, "Big Bird" was at the mall that day and had given the kiddies a helium balloon. I saw a flash of his bright blue balloon over a nearby clothes rack and ran to him. Loopy Lupin - Aug 19, 2005 7:59 am (#2631 of 2963) QUESTIONS FOR LAWYERS--So, now that I've completed my first Orientation Workshop, I'm full of even more questions! Hornbooks, yes or no? Premade outlines, yes or no? (I think I'm leaning toward no on this on already) Study groups, yes or no? (I tend not to play well with others in this sort of situation...) – Julie Do not spend money on Hornbooks unless a Hornbook happens to be your textbook for the class. You will have enough to read without heaping on extra. The same goes for premade outlines. The person who made them could be insane or an idiot. I did my own outlining or at least knew the person whose notes/outline I was pilfering. I think you will probably find study groups helpful in that regard since the workload can be distributed. I say that because I had a roommate during lawschool who was also a law student. So, although I rarely was part of a large study group, I was always around someone in the same boat. I'm starting to freak a little, so any calming and rational (or any other kind) words of advice will be SO welcome! Loopy, I know I already didn't take your first advice and not go, so now that the reality of my decision is upon me, I need to make it work!!! Are you sure that the tuition is nonrefundable still? In my day, you could get at least a percentage back all the way through to about mid-semester. If you are dead set on this foolishness though, I can only tell you that the first year is just something you have to go through. Once it is done, you will have a better understanding of what work is actually necessary to do and what work can be ignored. For some reason, it just doesn't work to try to figure this out during the first year. Your textbooks and Black's Law Dictionary are the only books that are absolutely necessary. You probably have to work with the dreaded Blue Book, but take heart, in the real world it is absolutely and utterly useless. By the way, you can feel free to email me if you like with any further questions. A word of warning, I tend to delete a lot of messages by accident (stupid spam), so make sure the subject line says something like "DON'T DELETE ME" or "THIS IS JULIE FROM THE FORUM" so that you get my attention. Helen Potterfan - Aug 19, 2005 9:33 am (#2632 of 2963) Edited Aug 19, 2005 10:39 am Word formats your things for you. And won't let you change their formatting to what you want it to look like. This is especially a pain when doing outlines.--Amilia Smith Amilia (and anyone else annoyed by that know-it-all program , You can stop Word from automatically formatting things. Click "format" on the top toolbar, click "Autoformat", and when that window pops up, click "Options". You can uncheck anything you don't want Word to correct. Ponine, I hope all of this advice is not confusing. I recommended Word because, as others have said, Word will be what your college computers and most of your faculty and classmates will use. Using Word makes it easier to share documents. Feel free to email me if you have more questions! Denise, Rhys is gorgeous! Congratulations again! Stephanie M. - Aug 19, 2005 10:39 am (#2633 of 2963) My sister finished HBP last night! (No, she didn't read CoS I was so upset by this, but I think I can convince her to read it now.) She's so obsessed with Harry Potter! (Even though she said she wouldn't join the Forum. Gasp! How can you not want to join the Forum?!) She has read some theories though... And she told me this morning that she wanted a wand... Julie Aronson - Aug 19, 2005 12:52 pm (#2634 of 2963) Loopy, Thanks, man! What's the Blue Book? Don't be surprised if you get an e-mail or two as the semester progresses! By the way, I CAN get at least some money back pretty far into the term... Julie Aronson - Aug 19, 2005 1:35 pm (#2635 of 2963) Hey! I know someone was keeping track of Minesweeper scores, and I just got a new personal best for Expert level: 167! OK--I just had to take a moment, there... Julie Herm oh ninny - Aug 19, 2005 1:42 pm (#2636 of 2963) Denise - he is simply perfect! Ponine - I recommend a Dell laptop. I really do not like apple computers at all. My sister and I each have a Dell laptop and they are great. The INSPIRON models are really good for college students. Word is probably best. I had correll on my laptop at first and I had to convert anything that I wanted to send to my professors. WORD is much easier. Stephanie - I'm happy that your grandmother is doing well We are having a big party for my younger sister tomorrow because her name day was this week (It's a Greek thing. A name day is the birthday of the Saint that you were named after.) I have spent the last two days cleaning the house non-stop. I don't think my hands will ever stop smelling like Tilex tub cleaner At last, I am finished! My father bought a whole lamb and he's going to roast it on a spit (another Greek thing) I can't wait to party! Ladybug220 - Aug 19, 2005 2:43 pm (#2637 of 2963) Reply Edited by Aug 19, 2005 2:45 pm I have to throw in my 2 knuts about Word. Personally, I hate it; especially when, for no reason, it changes the formatting of a document. I use it only because of work and when I did papers in school. I like Corel WordPerfect much better and it is more intuitive for me. Macros are easier in WP too. Her my oh ninny - just pretend that you have a new perfume. And with the line about roasting the lamb on the spit, I thought of My Big Fat Greek Wedding! I love that movie and I hope that I don't offend anyone with the reference. The giant squid - Aug 19, 2005 3:24 pm (#2638 of 2963) Like Helen Potterfan said, you can get Word to stop Autoformatting. This feature is available in Word 2003 (the currently available version) and was probably stolen from inspired by the WordPerfect that Mills & Ladybug use. You guys probably used an earlier version. I know schools aren't the quickest to upgrade to new versions, what with having zero budget for such things. Ponine, I too hope we haven't confused you too much with all this. Suffice to say that either Microsoft Word or Corel WordPerfect would serve you well. Heck, if that's the toughest decision you have facing you this year you're doing better than I did! Marie, I'm glad you found Lexie okay, but I have to admit to a chuckle throughout your tale...my sister the bus driver. I can't help but picture Miss Crabtree from South Park. "Sit down and shut up!!" --Mike I am presently eating my way through a bag of salt & pepper potato chips. My neffy-poo had a bag of these & I was quite dubious about trying them, but they are quite good. I have to go out & buy something SpiderMan for the little boy next door. He'll be 4. I can see it now. All the lame stuff will be $5 and all the really cool stuff will be $100. I've got to go brush my teeth! Madam Pince - Aug 19, 2005 3:32 pm (#2640 of 2963) Have you tried the crab/Old Bay flavored chips, haymoni? I wasn't sure about those, but they're pretty fine! T Brightwater - Aug 19, 2005 4:23 pm (#2641 of 2963) OK, Herm oh ninny, I give up - can't find a female saint in the Menaion for this week, unless your sister's name is some form of Mary. Maria to be exact. Hey all - Voldy's going to be on the Tonight Show. Ralph Fiennes (is that right???) is going to be talking to Jay Leno about his "Gardener" movie. If Jay doesn't ask him about Voldy, I will never watch the show again. TwinklingBlueEyes - Aug 19, 2005 10:34 pm (#2644 of 2963) Hey everyone! I got big horse show tomorrow. Showing my horse and three others. Wish us luck! And clouds! Has been HOT! Temps 95 to 98 past week, but humidity 75 to 82 percent, giving heat indexes of 105 to 112 degrees. Have a great weekend all! Julie congratulations. From my husband, "the thing about law school is they want to intimidate you early to see if you can take it, or make you drop early". Don't let them get to you. You know that you can do it. Denise, Rhys is gorgeous and he seems to be big too. Big babies are much easier" congratulations and good luck. Marie, I know that nightmare. Before school started last year, I took my kids shopping for underwear and socks at K-Mart. I was digging through the rack trying to get the right size socks. I had one of the girls in the shopping cart, my sister, I thought had the other two girls and my son was right near me. Next time I looked up 2 of the girls were gone. I called for them. They didn't answer. Panic, I searched the aisle nearest. They were gone. I call the store associate, luckily they had a system in place, they announce their code over the loud speakers which sent associates to all the exists. Of course they asked "what do the look like" and what are they were they wearing. My mind couldn't out that kind of info luckily the identicals were separated so I said one looks just like this one and the other is very similar (the girls are triplets). We found them several aisles away. When I found them they was anger that instantly melted into tears of relief. I have so many stories of losing it at the store with the kids. OH, oh, oh! Hey all! Looks like I missed a bunch while I was off on my wilderness adventure! Happy birthday to all who had one! Denise, Rhys is beautiful. I'm so glad that Mr. P was able to be there for his arrival. I quickly *and I do mean quickly* skimmed the past 300 odd posts so I can't really add much to the conversation at this point. I did see that Lizzy got good news, so congrats on that! Yosemite was quite an adventure, after 11 days in the wilderness sleeping outside on the ground, not showering, pumping all our water from the stream, and cooking on a small gas cook burner I'm quite happy to be home and sleeping in my own bed with a roof over my head. (although it is pretty neat to be able to see the stars from your "bed" at night- just wish it wasn't so dang cold at night). I'm off to get some rest. Have a great weekend everyone!!! Good luck with your horses Blue Eyes. It is hot here too. We are under heat advisory until 7:00 tonight. My sis is having a pool party today so that may be a cool way to stay cool. Your trip sounds great Ydnam. My boys always want to go camping. The best we've done so far is "camping" on the Diamond Jaxx field with popcorn and a movie on the scoreboard. W e had a chance to go to a Magical Hogwarts camp last year but didn't get the info until it was all booked. Our boyscouts are not very organized and we have since dropped out of the scouts all together. Have you tried the crab/Old Bay flavored chips, haymoni? I wasn't sure about those, but they're pretty fine! I'm not Haymoni, but I've had those chips I was skeptical about them at first too but after trying them I couldn't stop. They were very addictive. I wish they sold them in Michigan. We're going camping Monday, going to the U.P. can't afford it but I have to get away. Told the hubby the bills can wait. We haven't done anything since memorial weekend. I have "cabin fever" so to speak. Been at the zoo all summer need to get out. So I haven't been here in a couple weeks. Happy birthday, and any other well wishes to all I've missed. I have to go to work now although it is raining and I'm sure I'll be called to not come in. Oh well I'll come back later if I don't go in. Michelle Julie Aronson - Aug 20, 2005 5:43 am (#2649 of 2963) Loopy, Never mind about the Blue Books. I realized last night what you meant, and yes, I will have to deal with them. Mrs. Sirius, Thanks for the encouragement! Julie HAPPY BIRTHDAY PENGAIN PATRONUS, hope you have a great day. Good luck with the horse show today. Julie you will be fine in law school. Lots of hard work, but you already know that. hugs boop Lady Arabella - Prefect - Posts : 2285 Location : Silicon Valley, CA Re: Chat & Greetings 2005 septentrion - Aug 20, 2005 8:02 am (#2651 of 2963) Happy birthday Penguin Patronus ! Pottermom, have you read the Eileen Prince thread by chance ? Your new avatar is related to a subject debated there (vultures) and I can't help but find the coincidence funny T Brightwater - Aug 20, 2005 8:12 am (#2652 of 2963) Happy Birthday, Penguin Patronus - wherever you are! Hello everyone!! I've gotten moved into my dorm and am getting settled in. While unpacking a few of the girls on my floor saw my stack of Harry Potter books and said they would be stopping back by later because they are huge fans and needed someone else to talk about them with. So, I'm pretty excited about that. Classes start Monday. It’s sort of strange having been in college for nearly 2 years now and am just now really in college. Anyway, hope things are going well for everyone. Hello everyone! I'm attempting to drag my children out to a yard sale I've heard about. They are resisting, silly girls. I love yard sales. My husband can't find some start up disk or something, so I'm stuck without Outlook, Adobe, most of our Microsoft applications...arg!! But I can come here, thank goodness. I have absolutely no way to type a letter on my computer. Isn't that odd? Hopefully he'll find what he's looking for today. It's so nice out today. It's a gorgeous 75 outside. Really must pry children out of toyroom... Madame Pince, if this is of any comfort to you, I have disagreements on Snape with my daughters as well. Stephanie, it is nice to see that your grandmother is getting better. Amilia, congratulations on your achievements! Happy birthday, Penguin Patronus! Hello to Mandy and Pottermom! Virgoddess, congratulations on your moving in your dorm! The giant squid - Aug 20, 2005 12:31 pm (#2656 of 2963) My husband can't find some start up disk or something, so I'm stuck without Outlook, Adobe, most of our Microsoft applications...arg!!--Marie E. Clearly he's been tinkering with things again... If it's not fixed by the time you girls get back from the yard sales, I say make him take you out for ice cream as an apology. --Mike Hello everybody, I'm back! And, first of all: congratulations Denise! I'm so happy for you. He is so cute! The holidays were great but I sure missed the forum! The Atlantic coast is always so relaxing: I walked a lot, read on the beach, ate too much, swam a bit (the water was a bit cold for my taste, about 18°C) and walked in the water: I'm sure it was good for my bad ankle - after all, if it's good for injured horses... I even managed to finish editing the thesis there! I had brought my laptop for that and worked at low tides, too bad I couldn't connect it to the internet, though I doubt I would have finished the work if I had been able to... But the journey back home was tiring (we spent almost 7 hours in the car), a lot of people will go back to work on Monday and the roads were congested, so I'd better go to bed early! But gosh, it is good to be here again! **belated birthday wishes to everyone who has celebrated a birthday this week!** Sea salt and vinegar chips are my favorite, though I haven't had any in a while. Must go buy some, now that you all have me thinking about them. Perhaps I should try the pepper ones as well... Mr. Puck is home from his business trip, and I once again have a functioning garage door, though it didn't come cheap. The old one had a lifetime warranty, but it didn't cover lightening/ power surge. The kids had fun at the zoo yesterday. Parker was excited about feeding the deer from his hand (much braver than a year ago when he freaked if they came near him.) Maya loved getting cotton candy. Looking forward to a quieter week. Not quite so much on our agenda. Nothing that involves walking malls, museums, zoo trails, or city blocks anyway. I must have gone miles last week. Enjoy the rest of your weekend! Kathy penguin patronus - Aug 20, 2005 4:11 pm (#2659 of 2963) HI everybody! Today is my birthday!! Anyways, thank you for giving me congrats! It's cool being 14. Anyways, I did have a HP experience on my b-day. My best friend and I both got a matching HP shirt with the: "Difficult times lie ahead, Harry" poster print on it. Then since we were at the movie theater, we found that poster and went and sat by it. It was really funny that we were matching with it. Anyways peace. Well, I had a rude awakening today. I bought clothes last night. The same size that I have been for the past 5 years and THEY DID NOT FIT!!! Needless to say, I will not be eating any more salt & pepper potato chips. I am really pretty careful - I would eat just 5 or 6 chips. I'd have a small slice of whatever. "Nothing in excess", you know?? I have been taking the stairs at work - 6 flights - twice daily. I have been doing 100 crunches every morning since mid-June. I added 10-15 pushups - the boy ones, not the girl ones - to work on my arms. I am thoroughly convinced that my butt, stomach & arms have actually gotten bigger! I have gone low carb today. I know - it won't keep it off for the long term, but I've got to jump start something. I can't spend all day at work on the stairs!!! Thanks for letting me vent. (Again!) Madam Pince - Aug 20, 2005 5:36 pm (#2661 of 2963) Happy Birthday, penguin patronus! Hope you have (had?) a wonderful day! Oh haymoni, clearly whatever brand of clothes you bought today are just mislabelled, or incorrectly sized, or whatever! TBE, hope you did well at the horse show, and Marie, hope you had good luck at the yard sale! Today my sister-in-law gave Little Pince a Rock-em-Sock-em-Robots that she got for $1 at a yard sale -- he is thrilled! Welcome back from vacations, everyone! And good luck to everyone getting settled in at school and ready to start up the new year! Actually Madam Pince, I wondered about that. All the clothes in my closet still fit, but the new clothes - a dress, a skirt and a pair of jeans, all different brands - are too small. It's a conspiracy! Madam Pince - Aug 20, 2005 6:32 pm (#2663 of 2963) Those dratted DEs -- they're everywhere! Well, if the old clothes fit, it must be the cut of the new ones. I remember going shopping for jeans, and needing different sizes for different cuts, although they were all the same brand. (Needless to say I went with the cut that required me to buy the smallest size. ) The current style is to have clothes more fitted, as opposed to the more relaxed fit that had been popular. this could account for the change. My best yard sale find is my son's scooter. It was $2, and is his favorite riding toy. Great, because it has 3 wheels, so it's more stable. Happy birthday to the Penguin! Sounds like you had a good day. I have a quilt to finish before this baby arrives, so off to the machine. Kathy Or maybe I've stretched out the old ones! CatherineHermiona - Aug 21, 2005 4:12 am (#2666 of 2963) Happy belated birthdays to everyone who had one and I didn't congratulated!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hope you had wonderful day. I'm happy because my aunt is coming here this Wednesday from Zagreb and she hasn't been here in our flat since we came here before three years. She has got laptop for less than a year and she has got PC for few months and she has computer only for playing games. She didn't know even how to turn computer on or anything on computer and it would be much more easy to her if she buy a computer first, but no, she wanted laptop. This was because of discussion about technology around a week ago. My dad has a souvenir from Dubrovnik which looks like Time Turner from HP movie PoA. it has a circle and in the middle a picture of Dubrovnik and you can rotate it exactly as Time Turner. Kate I wasn't able to convince Shayla that we should go to the yard sale, even though her friend who spent the night wanted to go. Silly girl! I even tried bribing her with ice cream, Cold Stone Creamery nonetheless! Alas, earwax. Lexie had a friend come over last night with the intention of spending the night, but an hour after she was dropped off she threw up! Poor thing. I called her mom and mom was here within 15 minutes. Her mother said she'd been begging to come since six o'clock that morning. We'll try it again some other time. We saw three ants near our front door this morning. Same little buggers that invaded a month ago. I sprayed them and then sprayed all the places they were getting in last time just in case. Bill's trying to sleep in (he has to work tonight) so I may take the girls to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. They haven't seen it yet and I'm feeling guilty. Lexie tends to be wiggly and annoying in movies so wish me luck! Loopy Lupin - Aug 21, 2005 10:55 am (#2668 of 2963) Never mind about the Blue Books. I realized last night what you meant, and yes, I will have to deal with them.—Julie Them? Sorry if I'm being thick, but I'm not talking about the blue exam booklets. I'm talking about a blue, spiral bound, book which contains all the rules for proper legal citation of sources. It is a very annoying, ill-conceived, and utterly maddening book. It is also quite useless in the real world. First year of law school, however, it is indispensable. I just got back from a weekend visiting nieces and nephews. The youngest of the crew (Liam, age 2) has just discovered the Harry Potter movies. (Yes, yes, "two" is perhaps a little young, but trust me, there is nothing in the movies scarier than what his 12 and 13 year-old brothers inflict upon him regularly.) Anyway, he was a "Thomas the Train" fanatic and, one day, noticed that the Harry movies have a train in them and was then hooked on, as he says, "Choo choo Hally." So, I got to see POA about 5 times this weekend. Even after God knows how many viewings (this has been going on for a couple of weeks), he's still quite enthusiastic. He yells when the movie title first lights up the screen and he hides behind the couch when the dementors come on the train. Julie Aronson - Aug 21, 2005 11:03 am (#2669 of 2963) Loopy, You must mean the ALWD Citation Manual (imagine underlining or italics). Yes, I have one, but it's white. You were not being thick. I thought I was, though... PS: Your nephew sounds like an extra-cool kid! Haymoni, I recommend the new Levi Strauss brand (as opposed to just Levi's) that Target is carrying. Aside from being dirt cheap, they are sized in a very flattering manner--I'm actually wearing a junior size for the first time in years! It's a beautiful day here in the Akron area, and I'm headed back out to enjoy it! Julie The giant squid - Aug 21, 2005 1:05 pm (#2670 of 2963) haymoni, it's a conspiracy between the diet fad people & the garment manufacturers. They're all trying to make you feel fat so you'll buy their pills/plan/surgery idea. Marie, good luck at the movies. Remember what we've all been saying--as long as you try to keep her quiet most folks should be OK with it. Besides, it's a "kid" film so people tend to have a higher tolerance for noise (except for that one cranky person...). --Mike Wow, people are having nice busy lives! Happy birthday Penguin Patronus! Belated birthday if it was yesterday, I never got the hang of time zones... All clothes companies are in conspiracies. As are magazines with these women who are bigger than you but claim to be size 10 while you are a size 12. Well, I got my A-level results on Thurs. Long time ago now, but I've been busy with uni stuff. I got AAAB, which is excellent. General studies let me down, 7 points from an A...if *only* I'd bothered to revise the subject in the first place... Yeah, when I realised how close I was to an A I got pretty annoyed at it ruining my perfect A run. I'm sure I'll survive...*deep breath* Have a groovy day everyone! Congratulations Azi! Dr Filibuster - Aug 21, 2005 2:34 pm (#2673 of 2963) CONGRATULATIONS AZI!!!!! You great big SWOT! Three As and a B is fantastic. Well done! I did wonder about your results, but didn't like to ask. I also wondered if it felt different reading HBP because now, for the first time, you're older than Harry. Hehe, thanks for the congrats! I am actually proud to be a swot! I was surprised though...tears and flapping everywhere. Hmmm, reading HBP being older than Harry... I think it made the story better in a way, because you saw all the 'shipping and alcohol drinking and thought, 'this is just like high school...' Except that the relationships in high school were much more messed up and there was no way everyone was so mature about alcohol! I suppose I could relate to normal 'muggleish' circumstances more since I had experienced them. Wasn't I older than Harry in book 5? I suppose I was more the same age...16 while he was 15...ah well. Catherine - Aug 21, 2005 3:30 pm (#2675 of 2963) I am actually proud to be a swot! –Azi Woo hoo! Congratulations on such good results. Perhaps, ala Hermione, we should start a group for SWOTS? I know that I am proud of my membership to Procrastinator's Anonymous, and would like to participate in the meetings someday. Maybe we could have a "SWOT team." I hope that Denise, Rhys, and the P family are getting some sleep these days, and that everyone is well on the Forum. I actually did not go to work today, as I spent yesterday there trying to get things done. It was lovely to spend time with my girls, bake some cookies, and have my puppies underfoot as I worked on lesson plans here at our home computer. Tomorrow, I have a meeting entitled, "You and Your Digital Environment" in the morning. In the afternoon, the meeting is called, "Classroom Management For New Teachers." I'm sure both of these meetings will prove fascinating and so informative that they will both overrun the allotted time by hours. My wishes for a good end to the weekend, and a great week ahead! Lina, which daughter is that in your new avatar? Marie, sorry you missed the sale, AND had to cleanup vomit. We've tried a few times to get Parker together with his good friend from school, but either one of my kids or someone on that end pops up with a fever each time. So, what's a swot, and what are A levels? (obviously exams, but what education level?) Congrats on a job well done, anyway! (I do know that A's and B's are excellent grades!) Kathy Azi, 3 As and a B is bloody good! Congratulations! Doris Crockford - Aug 21, 2005 5:45 pm (#2678 of 2963) Excellent job, azi! Plus, your B is one of the higher Bs. You should call it a B+ if anyone asks. Happy belated birthday penguin patronus! Sounds like you had a good day. I got back from a good weekend at my cottage. A friend came with me (only the second time that the scheduling has worked out so that I could bring a friend), but my other friend (and the twin sister of the friend I brought) had to work and unfortunately couldn't come. Well done, Azi! Kathy (Puck), I didn't have any cleaning to do as the little girl thoughtfully made it to the bathroom in time. Wasn't that nice of her? Lexie was wiggly at the movies and did get her shoes stuck in the seat as it folded up on her, but otherwise was fine. She still hasn't learned to whisper at movies. There weren't many people sitting near us and those who were by us also had small children. Shayla read the book last year in school so she was all "this happened in the book, that didn't happen...". Wait till she sees Goblet of Fire! Heehee. Herm oh ninny - Aug 21, 2005 9:51 pm (#2680 of 2963) Congratulations Azi! It sounds like all your hard work paid off! Happy belated Birthday to Patronus Penguin Marie - I have a feeling that during GOF you will be the one saying "hey, that's not right! I can't believe they changed that!!" LOL Well, my sister’s party was a great success! When I wasn't stuffing my face with lamb, I was playing with my cousin's 2 year old daughter. She is too cute for words! My aunt also pulled me aside to tell me that our bathroom looked immaculate and what did I use to clean the shower doors? LOL I guess the Tilex scented hands were worth it! T Brightwater - yeah, her name is Maria. dizzy lizzy - Aug 21, 2005 9:57 pm (#2681 of 2963) Congratulations Azi and Happy Birthday Patronus Penguin!! I'm having a week’s holiday this week. I had no workloads allocated to me this week and my mum has gone home now after coming to visit for 4 days. We had a good time and I enjoyed cooking up a storm while she was here, so a good time was had by all. So I'm not doing much except reading the posts and laughing at all the funny ones. My brain has switched off big time and even finding the "energy" to even think about writing this post is a bit much. Might be time to catch up on all my sleep and my spring cleaning. Hope everyone has a good week. Lizzy Catherine: "Tomorrow, I have a meeting entitled, "You and Your Digital Environment" in the morning. In the afternoon, the meeting is called, "Classroom Management For New Teachers." I'm sure both of these meetings will prove fascinating and so informative that they will both overrun the allotted time by hours. Is there really another sort of teachers' meetings? LOL! This is the kind of thing you have to have lived to fully understand and I bet those meetings are the same everywhere! In short, each time I have to attend one here, I am reminded of Binns's classes and I think that I would pay a fortune to hear about Goblins' revolts instead... The start of term is at hand here too. Those dreadful meetings will take place on Wednesday for me and kids come back to school on Thursday. It won't be an easy year: I'm going to have 24 kids in my class (that is if no new student registers those days...) and it is what we call a "double level" class (I don't know the English term for that). In fact, I will have 6 first grade children (they are in their 6th year) and 18 second grade children (who are or will be 7 in 2005). Wish me luck! I'm going to school this morning to start preparing the classroom and all the notebooks for the kids. Fortunately, I did a lot of this huge work in June, before the last schoolyear finished, and today I do appreciate I did it then! Lizzy, I hope your week of holidays will be great and that you will spend some wonderful time relaxing! Happy belated birthday Penguin Patronus! And congratulations Azi, this is really wonderful!!!! Have a great week everybody! The giant squid - Aug 22, 2005 1:16 am (#2683 of 2963) So, what's a swot, and what are A levels?—Puck I don't know about Swots, but from what I've learned here on the Forum A Levels are the muggle equivalent to NEWTs. I'm sure a Brit can explain in more detail... Marie, tell the girls that their uncle Mikey is proud of them for being so well behaved at the movies. And let Shayla know that she's gonna see a lot of those book vs. movie discrepancies. But use a word she understands in place of "discrepancy". --Mike Congratulations Azi. A swot (IMO) is someone who is always studying and gets excellent grades in all subjects. They know all the answers to every question asked, a bit like Hermione! Usually get called Swot from people who don't know their backside from their elbow!!! A-levels are like NEWTS, Mike. In the UK we can leave school after taking GCSE'S at 16 but if you want to stay on for further education you take A-Levels. Then of course you have the option of University. On another subject, an old work colleague of mine is joining the firm I work for, and I have told her that as an induction she has to start reading the HP books! She seems keen as she wants to know what all the hype is about!!! Hopefully we may have another Potterholic in the making and I will be able to introduce her to the forum and teach her how to look like she is working when really she is reading posts on the forum!! Hope everyone had a good weekend and has a good Monday! Off to read the posts, there are so many to catch up on! Julie T Brightwater - Aug 22, 2005 5:43 am (#2685 of 2963) Herm-oh-ninny, sounds like you had a great party, and happy belated name-day to your sister! Was there baklava? azi, well done! Thanks, Catherine and Elanor, for reminding me why I'm not a teacher - I'm allergic to meetings, even when I run them. (I do teach, but only privately and at workshops.) Should I send Cheering Charms, Strengthening Solution or a few Skiving Snackboxes? Accio Sirius - Aug 22, 2005 5:55 am (#2686 of 2963) Hello all, it's been a while and just thought I would drop back in and say hello. I'd wish Percy a Happy Birthday, but I'm still mad at the prat!! I've missed chatting with everybody, but any free time is spent going through the threads and catching up. Not that I'm complaining. It's so much fun. How's Denise? Did she have the baby? I haven't had much time to do anything. Our vacation was cut a day short because my 4 year old had a cough, which, long story short, put him in the hospital for 10 days all told (for something that really didn't have anything to do with his cough). We have lots of follow ups and all kinds of stuff to do at home, the least of which is fighting with insurance which has denied us a home health care nurse to change a shunt in his arm that is there to give him injections. They just categorically refuse it, because obviously the English major and the Political Science major parents are far more qualified to do this then say A NURSE! Sorry for the rant. Feeling a bit frustrated. Once again, Harry Potter saved the day, however. I read book six for a second time in the hospital since actually sleeping is never an option. Hope all is well with everyone else. I'll be in the threads or available by e-mail in case anyone is looking for me! Madam Pince - Aug 22, 2005 5:56 am (#2687 of 2963) Azi, congratulations on your test results! Great job! Loopy, your little Liam sounds so cute! That's about how Little Pince acts -- loves the train, not so fond of the dementors. He started watching "Sorceror's Stone" when he was two, I think. It was the only non-animated movie he would even glance at -- he was entranced by it for some reason. Meetings -- when I was a team leader back in the day when I used to work, our VPs would give us all this complicated stuff and ask us to go over it in meetings, and then they would wonder why we never seemed to get anything done. Duh -- it's because we had a two-hour meeting every day! Denise, hope little Rhys is settling in nicely at home and everyone is getting some sleep! Loopy Lupin - Aug 22, 2005 6:06 am (#2688 of 2963) It was the only non-animated movie he would even glance at -- he was entranced by it for some reason.--Madam Pince Liam likes the first two movies as well; he was just on a POA kick this weekend. It truly is strange to see him so interested in a non-animated flick although he did like Lemony Snickets . At any rate, after a month or so of nonstop Thomas the Train , the Potter collection is something the whole family can live with. And let Shayla know that she's gonna see a lot of those book vs. movie discrepancies. But use a word she understands in place of "discrepancy". I respectfully disagree. I believe one should go ahead and use the word "discrepancy". This is an excellent real-life use of the word and it's meaning will stick much better when framed in Charlie or Harry book vs. movie associations than if she had to memorize it from some Binns-esque list of vocabulary homework. And an impressive vocabulary will make becoming a swot much easier. :goofygrin: Congratulations Azi Isn't Thomas a tank engine, not an entire train? ((hugs)) to Accio Sirius for insurance company frustration TwinklingBlueEyes - Aug 22, 2005 8:45 am (#2690 of 2963) Thank you for all the well wishes at the horse show. I showed four horses, came home with one fourth place, three third places, one second place, six first places, and one Grand Reserve Championship! Then the fun began...heat index of 115 degrees, had one horse faint from the heat. He fell into our new pickup truck and knocked a BIG dent in it. Horse is fine, wish could say the same for truck. Ought to be interesting explaining that one to insurance company! Took my daughter and two grand-daughters, ages 2 and 3. Thank goodness I have TV and DVD player in my van! Then on the way home my horse trailer blew a tire! So, had to SQUEEZE my horse into trailer with the other three (that was fun, NOT). But all in all we had a good day! Wow! Thanks once again for the congrats! I didn't expect all that! I don't study all the time though - I spend a significant amount of my life on the forum. Well done, TwinklingBlueEyes! I assume you did great, even though I know nothing about horses or what the Grand Reserve National is. I know first place is great, however! I thought being a tank engine meant Thomas is an entire train but a smaller version. I loved that programme when I was younger, but today's modern versions aren't as good. It's like Sooty, the programmes get worse with age. Are we actually talking about 'Thomas the Tank Engine' though, or is there a separate programme called 'Thomas the Train'? That would be confusing... Everyone have a fun day! Madam Pince - Aug 22, 2005 9:28 am (#2692 of 2963) Edited Aug 22, 2005 10:02 am Isn't Thomas a tank engine, not an entire train? Yes, Thomas is a tank engine. Loopy must've been employing Occlumency against the television set. Little Pince will correct me if I say any of the characters wrong -- ie: sometimes I will call one of them an engine, and he says "No, Mommy, Bulgy is a bus!" or whatever. Anyway, there are Thomas' passenger cars Annie and Clarabel and lots of cargo cars etc. which Thomas The Tank Engine could pull, and then I guess he would be Thomas the Train. Can you tell I watch these things waaaaaay too much? And don't even get me started on "Jay-Jay the Jet Plane"..... But we don't allow things like Power Rangers yet (too much shooting and hitting -- I have a hard enough time explaining why it's OK for Harry to use a sword against the Basilisk but it is not OK for Little Pince to use his play broom as a sword against the family dog....) so Thomas and Jay-Jay are fine in my book for now.... Edit: Congratulations on the horse show ribbons, TBE! Sorry about the misfortunes, though... Hope the horse that fainted is doing OK! I can relate to the knowing way too much about children’s' programming. I have to watch Clifford the Big Red Dog over and over. This morning I was watching Blues Clues and the Babe was napping! I thought, “am I watching this!!” I do have to admit that when the older kids used to watch the Power Rangers (first season)I actually enjoyed it. T Brightwater - Aug 22, 2005 10:01 am (#2694 of 2963) Congratulations, TBE! I love those commercials for Noggin that show the parents singing the "Franklin" song in the elevator or the guy that's going to lose his job unless he can tell his boss which of the 3 shapes before him is an octagon. Madam Pince - Aug 22, 2005 10:21 am (#2696 of 2963) Tee-hee! And the lady with the pig on her head! We watch Noggin all the time. Mr. Pince has a crush on Laurie Berkner. Congratulations TBE! What classes did you show in? I always enjoy the performance classes the most because my children enjoy judging them the best. The giant squid - Aug 22, 2005 12:41 pm (#2698 of 2963) And an impressive vocabulary will make becoming a swot much easier.—Chemyst Oh, trust me, she's well on her way to "swothood". I was just trying to save my sister from the question "What's a discrepancy?" madame Pince, the violence should have nothing to do with it--you should ban Power Rangers because they're just bad TV! Horrible writing, crap effects (even with the miniscule budget they're probably working from)...heck, the new Burger King commercials with the chicken-themed rock band are more intellectually stimulating. --Mike TwinklingBlueEyes - Aug 22, 2005 12:45 pm (#2699 of 2963) Halter: Mares, Geldings (3rd, 4th, 1st, and Reserve Champ), Novice and Sr Walk Trot: (2 firsts), Novice Western Pleasure: (3rd), Sr Western Pleasure: (First), Child Lead In: (3 y.o grand-daughter won first on my horse), Western Horsemanship: First (judge told me it was the hightest point ride he'd ever scored! Pam did the Happy Dance!), Western Riding: 2nd, and Egg and Spoon: 3rd. I think I got them right :-) Those chicken-headed rock band commercials just creep me out! Lady Arabella - Prefect - Posts : 2285 Location : Silicon Valley, CA Re: Chat & Greetings 2005 The giant squid - Aug 22, 2005 1:06 pm (#2701 of 2963) The one with them trying to cross the road makes me chuckle, though. I was just trying to save my sister from the question "What's a discrepancy?" – Mike Aw, you are such a considerate brother that we are all a touch jealous of Marie. Perhaps I'm enough of an egotist that I enjoy explaining stuff too much to be annoyed by having to answer questions. Kids are pretty quick to assimilate new words, so unless I'm introducing something of critical importance for the first time, I usually don't dumb it down for them. Congratulations, TBE. Loopy Lupin - Aug 22, 2005 2:28 pm (#2703 of 2963) Anyway, there are Thomas' passenger cars Annie and Clarabel and lots of cargo cars etc. which Thomas The Tank Engine could pull, and then I guess he would be Thomas the Train. -- Madam Pince I am pleased to say I didn't actually notice the distinction. Either way, I wish the damn thing would derail. Stephanie M. - Aug 22, 2005 2:37 pm (#2704 of 2963) I skimmed through the last 30 something posts so: Congrats Azi!! Those are really good scores! Since I skimmed through posts. (Like I mean looked at only a few words in each post.) I saw the words Jay-Jay The Jet Plane and Franklin. So first off, Jay-Jay totally scared me! I used to cry when he came on! And Second, I love Franklin and I would still watch it if I knew what time it was on. (Or if I was actually awake when it is on... I'm a very late sleeper. I seriously think that I'm always on West Coast Time... ) Happy Birthday to Everyone!!! My condolences to everyone who needs it!! Good luck to everyone!!!! This has been a very busy weekend for me. Friday was my housekeeper's birthday. Yesterday was my twin cousins’ birthday. Today is my dad's birthday. Tomorrow would be my great-Grandmothers birthday, and on Wednesday it is one of my dad's best friend's birthdays. I haven't been around too much lately but I'll be fully back on Thursday. I'll pop in here and there every so often until then. Off to clean my room!!! T Brightwater - Aug 22, 2005 2:47 pm (#2705 of 2963) Chemyst, did you get the Sayers essay reference I sent you? Stephanie M. - Aug 22, 2005 6:17 pm (#2706 of 2963) I just got scared because Jay-Jay the Jet Plane could talk and move by itself so I thought other planes were alive... Now I can't stop thinking about that. Mr. Rodgers also made me cry. He made my sister cry too... Lupin is Lupin. Natch. Mr. Rodgers also made me cry. He made my sister cry too...---Stephanie M. Well, lovely man though he was, I always thought he was a little daft, picture-picture, indeed. However, as an adult I became fascinated with the factory tours. Once saw the one with the crayons being made--it was da bomb. And I'll defend to the death the superiority of Daniel the Tiger. It was the puppet with the long nose who lived by the Carousel that creeped me out. I avoided the weapon thing with my son as long as I could, but eventually he just started building his own weapons with legos, etc.... Marie, I heard that the new "Charlie" was truer to the book than the original. Was it? Parker has decided he is longer afraid of movie theaters, and wants to go see it. (We read the book this year.) If it stays around for a while I could send him with his Papa when he comes to visit in a month. Hard for me to take him, as I would have to leave Maya behind, as I just don't think she'd sit well through it. Oh, so a Swot is basically a geek or a nerd? Ahhh, I guess I was a bit of a Swot myself back in my school days then. Accio sorry to hear about your son. How scary, and only made worse by insurance. They can be frustrating, can't they? We changed companies several years in a row trying to find one that would actually let me see my doctors without a great hastle. Good luck! Kathy Ok, I've read through the 214 posts and… this what I have to say. (in chronological order ) And sorry for being so brief and uninteresting in what I say – I got to get through them! Herm on ninny and Steph – I'm afraid I don't have a pic of my grandkids on me – but will there kids do? Steph – so sorry to hear about your grandmother. Hope Vegas is turning out fun. Catherine – good luck at the new job! Glad the trip to Richmond was fun. Wow...23.5 hours and only 3 posts. That's some kind of record. Did JKR release book 7 & no one told me?? --Squid Mike LOL Mike. Some days are just slooooooooooow. Weighing in the Baby Pince issue… so he's growin' up! Pretty soon he'll be Ungrateful Pince (thanks to haymoni )… of course, I hope he doesn't turn out like that. You shall soon know on his 11th birthday… kaykay – sorry about your boxer, but I'm glad you've found a new one so quickly! Incidentally, I noticed today Eragon is being turned into a movie! Man, the original ideas are just booming in Hollywood now! I'm in labor! Can I please get a room with internet access? --Herm oh ninny No comment. I have teased Denise P that she should name this baby something that aligns with the initials "HBP" but I think she is ignoring this suggestion... –Catherine If only we had an infinite children to go around and name, just like that… had to get Baby in one more time. –Chemyst Was that an obscure reference to an old Britney Spears song? Lizzy, congrats on the hearing aid grant! I just did a conversion and that would be about 5272 USD! Wait… you didn't hear that. Steph, glad your grandmother's illness is overcome – have a good visit to her! YAY FOR AIDAN! CONGRATULATIONS TO DENISE AND MR. THAT IS JUST WONDERFUL! (and thanks to Chemyst for the color) Second, GOOD GRIEF WOMAN! –Loopy Have laptop, will travel. Helen, I love your avatar! Did Miriam give you any inside tips about what might be happening to Professor Sprout……? Kate, I, too, off in New York, USA, and at 13, would have a difficult time making it out to Gardaland, but I'll be there in spirit… I do hope it could work out! It sounds like such a great place! Denise and Denephew… It's just one SPEW moment after another with Tim, isn't it. BTW, may I please ask where we got the initials SPEW anyway? Ooh, Puck, I sense with my seer abilities…… a whole lot of congratulations at or around the 7th. Ponine – in the States now? Where, may I ask? Good luck (a belated one, of course) on the movie. And Finn is back from his trip so now he will tell you… GO WITH A MAC! Networking galore, if you need it. Yes, iLife is a nice addition and you'll be getting it with Tiger (the latest operating system – comes with a high-power search engine, see Apple.com). The 12-inch is really compact and handy and easy to carry it around; I bring it to my school every day. As Steph says, the keyboard is flat and not noisy like a Windows. And it's white… LOL. So, little to no viruses, yes, and anyone who's ever used a PC and then a Mac always tells me they can never believe they ever used a PC. So… the choice is clear. Relating to later posts, the DVD Burner doesn't come with only the iBook G4 12-inch (as I unfortunately found at the hard way – I'm using my dad's 14-inch to burn them). All other laptop models come equipped (but you should check anyway, just to be sure). I thought word was evil too, Amilia, because "everybody used it, and it was a Microsoft program, bla bla bla bla bla," but I had to switch for school and it's so useful now. I used to be an Appleworks person but there's no comparison. Sorry. On a different note… congrats on the A+! Bragging rights are far superior over GPA. Yay, Alex M. (Steph's sister) is (basically) caught up! Hurrah! Hope the party for your sister was fun, Herm oh ninny! Currently available Word? I have 2005… hmm… Happy belated birthday Penguin Patronus. All this talk of Blue Books makes me think of Finals. And then school. As much as I love it, I have three more weeks of vacation and I'm going to enjoy them thoroughly! Congrats, azi! We don't go by A-levels on this side of the pond, but it sounds good (from Dr. Filibuster's description )! I was once such a big Thomas the Tank Engine fan! I still read the books and watch the shows with my little cousin… makes me feel like a kid again… (**ducks the dungbombs**) TBE, Congrats! You started off with fourth place, and I thought for a second that was the highest place you got… I should know better! That's amazing! Wow! I'm done with all the posts! I can't believe I actually did that! This post is going to be enormous. So, I had a great vacation but I won't go into it now, since it took me 45 minutes to write this thing! I have to actually go off to talk about Harry! Couple things, though -- Elanor, I read your Accio paper on vacation and it was great. I really picked up a lot of the things I didn't understand and I hope to make it down there to the Alchemy thread tomorrow! Marie, this is sort of random but I thought of you… my cousin placed first in a figure skating competition in Colorado Springs, over the weekend of the 30th of July. And her last name is Potter… it just all clicked! I know you were at the Forum Gathering, but I have a picture of you picking up the local paper, and seeing the word "Potter" and saying, "Oh! I should go!" Well, good night all! ***is completely exhausted*** Sorry for the immensely long post! Stephanie M. - Aug 22, 2005 9:13 pm (#2710 of 2963) FINN YOUR BACK!!! WELCOME HOME! OKAY BIG NEWS (HENCE THE CAPITAL LETTERS) MY SISTER IS ABOUT TO FINISH CHAMBER OF SECRETS!!!!! THEN SHE MIGHT REREAD SS!!! If she does decide to join the Forum I want her to get a screen name like Alexandra M. or Alex M. (But people might think she is a boy...) But she can do whatever she wants. You know I was really looking forward to having someone live with me who can talk about Harry Potter whenever we want, but my sister has gone beyond total insane. I'm serious. I really think she is considering buying EVERYTHING Harry Potter. She was telling me that she wants a wand and a cauldron and The Sorting Hat and Potion ingredients... and so on. She rolled up a piece of paper and started screaming (while swishing and flicking) AGUAMENTI!!!! She is really getting on my nerves. I keep screaming at her to get out of my room (at 2 AM) and stop telling me what Harry Potter products I can buy. She printed out a list of every spell and now she is memorizing them. (My dad was screaming at her for memorizing spells instead of studying for the SATs because she is retaking them in October.) I really need to have like a weekend away from her... I'll go insane! But then I feel really guilty because she will be going to College in exactly 1 year. (It's move in week at the school she hopes to go to.) Okay sorry about the rant about my ANNOYING sister that I still, you know, KINDA love. LOL. Amilia Smith - Aug 23, 2005 12:11 am (#2711 of 2963) Congrats on your convert, Stephanie. Almost all of my family are Pottie, but I can't get any of them to join the forum either. Good luck there. On that note . my little brother's best friends made a OotP spoof trailer that got put up on Mugglenet's homepage. How cool is that? If you want to see it, you have to scroll down almost to the bottom of the news, as it was put up last Thursday. Thank you all for the congratulations on my Cataloging grade. I had a lovely weekend. It is kind of interesting trying to do the Bootscootin' Boogie in flip-flops. Thank you, Helen, for the tip about disabling Evil Word's auto formatting nonsense. As I do have to deal with it on the school computers, that advice will come in handy. I don't even want to admit how many months it took me to figure out how to disable the feature that made entire paragraphs jump down to the next page if I didn't wind them up fast enough. Why, oh why, oh why, was that even an option, let alone a default setting, I ask you? The world of word processing has gone to hell in a handbasket ever since WordPerfect so unwisely stopped giving the program to schools, and Evil Word took it up. Haymoni: I wouldn't worry too much about the new clothes not fitting. I fit into clothes that range over six sizes. It all depends on the cut or the brand. And this is why I never dare buy clothes off the internet . I have no idea what size to get without trying them on. Accio Sirius: I'm sending healing charms to your little boy, and Cruccios to the Evil Insurance Company. Why is it they have to give you the run around when your baby is sick enough to spend 10 days in the hospital? Classes start tomorrow (yay!). Which means that this week is officially Fall Semester, and the library stays open until 11, rather than closing at 9 like it did all summer (yay!). Mills. The giant squid - Aug 23, 2005 1:27 am (#2712 of 2963) Currently available Word? I have 2005… hmm…--Finn Durn it, they snuck a new one in on me! Oh, well, I'll have to wait until work upgrades & swipe theirs (just like I did last time ). Mills, I've never had paragraphs jump down a page...methinks someone messed with your settings while you weren't looking--Probably a WordPerfect rep. Stephanie, hopefully your sister will calm down a little after a while. After all, we were all a little giddy right after we "discovered" Harry Potter, right? If that doesn't work, just wave a piece of rolled-up paper at her & yell Silencio! until she gets the hint! --Mike Catherine - Aug 23, 2005 3:34 am (#2713 of 2963) Hi to everyone, It's been crazy busy here. I spent 12 hours at school yesterday, as our faculty meetings overran their allotted time slots by several hours, and I had to finish some basic preparations. Tonight is "Open House" and the "Welcome Back Picnic" so I have to make certain that I am ready. Actually, at one point in the middle school meeting, a new female faculty member whispered to her neighbor that she was going to have to be tranquilized if the meeting continued on much longer. I was so longing for a break at this time (we had hit the 2 hour mark long before) that I nearly burst out in laughter. This seques nicely into Finn's question "It's just one SPEW moment after another with Tim, isn't it. BTW, may I please ask where we got the initials SPEW anyway? Of course you may ask. I believe I may have started that one. Usually Timrew would make an amusing one-liner and the rest of us would, if we were drinking anything at the time, have accidentally spit out our drinks and soiled our monitor. Since "to spew" means to forcefully eject something, AND is an HP specific term (Hermione was annoyed at Ron for calling S.P.E.W. "spew"), it just seemed to fit. It also had the advantage of conciseness. Rather than write out "That was so funny that I spit out my drink...." a few people started just substituting SPEW, which is short for "Society for the Promotion of Extreme Witticisms." It was just a silly, affectionate thing. Welcome back to Accio Sirius, and I feel for insurance woes. Hang in there. I'll send general good wishes to all members! Welcome back, Finn. If I'd seen the newspaper article mentioning your cousin, I would have definitely had a HP moment. I don't know if Shayla is on her way to swothood (especially if last night's homework battle was any indication) but I can tell you that I never talk down to my kids. Or my kindergarten students, for that matter. I'm often telling my students that the toys on the playground are safer if "used for their original purposes". I also remember a three year old Lexie telling her daycare teacher that she hit a boy because she was "frustrated with his behavior". That one made me laugh for days. I'm a little frustrated myself these days. My kindergarten classes have been getting smaller as the years go on. My first class four years ago maxed out at 22 students. Right now I have only seven, though it's 11 total. I just thinking how great it is for those seven kids to get all that one-on-one attention. I think the main reason our classes have been getting smaller is the price of daycare these days. Our recent rate hike put the kindergarten class at $164 a week. Public school full-day kindergarten is only $265 a month. *sigh* T Brightwater - Aug 23, 2005 6:08 am (#2715 of 2963) Finn, welcome back! Twice, with two different providers, I've found myself suddenly without health insurance because of some office foul-up. Once, somebody had been applying payments to the wrong account; the second time it was a credit that got applied twice and was then misinterpreted as a missed payment...oy. And it takes them ages to get things like that sorted out. Arrrgh! Loopy Lupin - Aug 23, 2005 6:11 am (#2716 of 2963) If only we had an infinite children to go around and name, just like that…-- Finn Well, Denise is giving infinity a run for its money. Welcome back Finn. Hiya Catherine! Kim, I'm interested in factories too, but haven't been on any tours. However, if there's something on Discovery showing a machine spitting out candy bars or something, I'm glued. Can't say as I recall Jay Jay the Jet Plane. Mr. Rogers didn't scare so much as make me feel like I was at the dentist's office. Marie, I've just finished preparing the 200 notebooks for my now 25 students class (I heard yesterday I will have one more 1rst grade) so your post just made me dream, your students are lucky! Admittedly, the one level class alone would already make me dream... But this time, this is it! Teaching equipment, lessons' plans, everything is ready for the start of term! And I am ready to enjoy the last hours of holidays too. So, tonight I'm going to go to the cinema to see "The Island", the story sounds good and, icing on the cake, there is Ewan McGregor in it! Ah, Ewan... **sigh** Has anybody seen it? T Brightwater: "Should I send Cheering Charms, Strengthening Solution or a few Skiving Snackboxes?" LOL! The three of them should be good actually... I am currently practicing my "silencio" charms and my "à la McGonagall" glance (very efficient). Congratulations TBE!!! Finn, happy to see you came back from holidays! You brought the paper there? Wow, I'm impressed! And very happy you liked it too. Accio, I'm so sorry for your insurance problem! Good luck for your classes Amelia! Catherine, believe me, I do sympathize... Tomorrow it will be my turn, starting by a 3 hours long meeting so to organize the schoolyear, from the planning of use of the sports grounds and the computers' room to the number of pupils and other insurance and cafeteria problems... Good luck for your meetings! Was that an obscure reference to an old Britney Spears song? Old song? (gulp) Sonny boy, let me tell you the facts of life - Starting in the mid-80's, the only songs I was up on were Teensy-Weensy Spider and that tooth brushing song from Sesame Street, It's a Party Every Time We Brush. The only films I saw in those days were on TV; the crayon factory tours on Mr. Rogers or Thomas the Tank Engine with Ringo Starr. When I eventually got organized enough to regain control of my radio dial, I listened almost exclusively to talk radio. This has left me almost completely ignorant of any music produced in the past twenty years. So no, sorry, it was not an obscure reference and any similarity was coincidental. ...and welcome back. This afternoon, on a day when the heat index is forecast to top 100°, I shall be sweating out a 2-hour drive returning my daughter's un-air-conditioned car to her at college. She was home over the weekend, and since her car needed work, we switched so it could be tended to on Monday. 'The things we do for love... ' still, it's better than 'walking in the rain and the snow' (which is an old song reference.) ( And, T Brightwater, yes thank-you, I did get your email. Her being home was my excuse for not checking it earlier.) Madam Pince - Aug 23, 2005 6:49 am (#2719 of 2963) Accio Sirius, welcome back! Hope your little one is doing better now, and hope you get the insurance company all straightened out. Ack. Welcome home, Finn! Hope your trip was nice! Loopy, Jay-Jay is a relatively new phenomenon, I think. Well, I wouldn't exactly call him a phenomenon, I don't think he's as popular as Thomas or Sesame Street or whatever. (Chemyst, the Ringo Starr "Thomas" were the best, weren't they? Although actually, George Carlin is pretty good too. Alec Baldwin stinks.) I've seen the crayon-tour on Noggin as one of their in-between-the-shows things. It was pretty neat. Hey guys! Just wanted to pop in and say hello. I've been really busy lately. I haven't gotten much of a chance to play around on the internet. RA training has officially started and the college kiddies have started moving in (although official move in isn't till the 3 & 4 of Sept.). Fun times. I hope everyone is doing well! Old song? (gulp) –Chemyst Ah, but the phrasing was "old Britney Spears song." Not to say I'm a fan… only of the shirt that says, "Spear Britney." I saw the words "baby" and "one more time" and could resist… Well, I think I might be playing tennis for five hours today! Checking it out now… only three more weeks of summer vacation! You have three more weeks of summer vacation? I go back tomorrow! I haven't been reading this thread, my internet is having problems, never know when it might just turn off. So, charms and good wishes to those who need them, and even a couple free jinxes to use on anyone bugging you too much... Have a nice day! (Except for Finn, I hope it rains on your last three weeks of break!- [JK] ) Oh wait… I was counting and that was last week. I have two more. (I go back the 8th.) WHOOPS! Stephanie M. - Aug 23, 2005 8:17 am (#2724 of 2963) Yeah, 2 weeks and 2 days. *sigh* I'm getting a hair cut tomorrow. I figured that whenever I usually get a hair cut it looks kind of choppy for 2 or 3 days. Then it actually starts to look really good in 2 weeks. And since I'm going to school in 2 weeks I thought that getting a hair cut Tomorrow would be perfect. I think I'm going to get cut off 3 or 4 inches. Probably 3 because my hair dresser usually cuts way more than what you tell her to... My hair is so long though, so I'm not too sure. When I read Finn's Britney Spears post I just thought he was saying one of Britney's old songs. (that was her first album) I didn't think that that was considered an old song. And Whoa! Five hour tennis!? That's like the Varsity Swim Team's 3 hour strait swim practice! (Except your tennis is longer!) Ok I'm off to paint my sister's room. (We had plaster problems where they had to take out pipes in a wall and then re plaster and water proof everything because the AC was leaking.) Have a great day everyone! LOL Finn and Stephanie, worse things could happen to you on September 8th. I, for instance, will turn 33 on that day... **sigh** And I remember well how many times I got back to school on my birthday when I was a kid, as I loved school it was ok, but still! Good luck for tomorrow Emily! Ydnam, it is good to hear from you! I love your new avatar. It's tough to follow the brilliant child. I'm sure my younger brothers really had it rough. :goofygrin: Hah! Really though, Kay, I'm sure as you praise your son for the things that he is truly good at, he'll be fine. And your daughter will only be around for one more year after this. He'll come into his own. Alec Baldwin is the new conductor???? How did that happen??? My daughter has not been into Thomas at all, so obviously I've missed a lot. Lupin is Lupin. Natch. 'The things we do for love... ' still, it's better than 'walking in the rain and the snow' (which is an old song reference.)---Chemyst Well, you know Chemyst, a compromise would surely help the situation. Herm oh ninny - Aug 23, 2005 10:42 am (#2728 of 2963) Finn - Welcome home! Hmmmm.... a Red Sox fan and an Apple/Mac fan??? We must be destined to be enemies!! As a devout Eragon/ Inheritance Trilogy fan, I am happy Eragon the movie will be released in 2006. Stephanie - My younger sister was the original Potty of our house. She then got me to read the first book and I became hooked. For the first couple of months I drove her crazy, talking about Harry non-stop. Now however, I have calmed down and we are both equally insane! My college classes also start on the 8th... but I refuse to think about that yet I have never seen Jay Jay or Thomas. When I babysat a little boy a couple of years ago, I was strangely entranced by the Teletubbies When I was little I watched Sesame Street, Pinwheel's Playhouse, and some show on Nickelodeon about this guy who turned into a mannequin when you took his hat off. I can't remember the name though. There was also a puppet man with a large mustache on it. Eldest, the sequel to Eragon and the 2nd book of the Inheritance Trilogy, is out today. My sisters and I are going to the Barnes and Noble on east 17th street in Ny. Christopher Paolini is going to be there doing a book signing. I am sooo excited!! Well, off to read the threads! Soul Mate for Sirius - Aug 23, 2005 12:44 pm (#2729 of 2963) Hey guys! This is my first post in this thread. I've been around for about a month now, and I finally decided you all are just way too cool not to get to know you better. Finn and Stephanie, I WISH I were starting my college classes on Sept. 8!! I go to Ohio State and my classes don't start up again until the 26. All my friends that go to different colleges start around the same time you two do, and I'm not looking forward to spending almost an entire month at home with no one to hang out with. Where do you guys go to school? (Sorry if you guys have that posted somewhere on here, but I just don't have the time to read through almost 2800 posts!!) Welcome Soul Mate! Stephanie, I gues the old saying applyies here; "Be careful what you wish for!" Oh, and I got my daughter's hair trimmed today for the same reason as you. She starts school on the 8th as well. (Hoping I get to see her, as it's her first school day ever. It's so close to my due date I'm not sure if I'll busy having a baby.) Marie, where are you that kids pay for PUBLIC kindergarten? My son starts next week, and it's full day, and he even has a bus. (It used to be half day a few years ago, with the option of paying for the longer day, but they changed it at some point in the last few years.) My kids love the crayon factory on Noggin. Elanor, 33 is so young! You should be looking forward to it. Good luck to all you teachers! I remember that frantic week of cleaning, painting, and setting up my preschool room. Okay, my break is over. Off to clean the kitchen and run a vaccuum. Kathy Herm oh ninny - Aug 23, 2005 1:55 pm (#2731 of 2963) Yeah Steph and Finn, where do you guys go to college? Do you use the photo of your grandkids as your school id? Happy approaching birthday to Elanor (we'll wish it again when the big day comes ). Soul Mate, your college classes start the 26th… of September?? Wow! Steph and I actually are going into the eighth grade – I'll check with her if she doesn't mind saying what school we go to. Edit: We go to the Horace Mann School in the Riverdale section of New York. Stephanie M. - Aug 23, 2005 3:36 pm (#2733 of 2963) My sister is actually calming down now. She is starting to talk about theories and her own thoughts. And I think she is going to read SS after CoS. She now has some questions for me (answered in book 1 and 2 of course) and doesn't believe me that I'm correct... Edit: No I don’t mind, you can say what school we go to T Brightwater - Aug 23, 2005 3:38 pm (#2734 of 2963) Elanor, is the offer to send your Accio paper still open? I'd like to read it too. Welcome, Soul Mate! At least you aren't at the University of Chicago; I think they don't start until October. I don't see why running an operating program that doesn't crash, isn't virus-prone, and doesn't have to be reinstalled every time you turn around should be cause for resentment on anyone's part. ;-) And I'll admit I have a soft spot for the Red Sox, since I root for the other cursed team. Doesn't look like that one's going to be broken this year, though, alas earwax. Here in Massachusetts it's hard to support the Red Sox, especially when your son wants to play for them someday. Funny, because I was in a department store a few weeks ago and they had Red Sox shirts on sale. Parker had been wanting one, so I picked one up, but was shocked to see a rack of Yankees shirts beside it. I mean, I understood why there were so many left, but couldn't believe a Boston-based store would carry them in the first place. Brightwater, you must be a Cubs fan. I understand. My husband's family is from the Chicago area. Off for a quick thread check before getting to my quilt! Kathy T Brightwater - Aug 23, 2005 7:05 pm (#2736 of 2963) Brightwater, you must be a Cubs fan. – Puck You got it. I call them the Chudley Cannons of the National League. Welcome Back Finn, sounds like you have had a fun summer. Welcome all new forum members. Welcome back to college all students. I work until next Saturday. Penn State students return to school starting tomorrow. Classes start on Monday. Thursday thru Saturday I will be working 10 hours each day. with only 8 hours Sun thru next Friday. Everyone have a great Wednesday!!!! Where are Julie and Oxymandias? on spelling) Is Julie still off in the land of no internet??? Amilia Smith - Aug 23, 2005 7:29 pm (#2739 of 2963) some show on Nickelodeon about this guy who turned into a mannequin when you took his hat off. I can't remember the name though. There was also a puppet man with a large mustache on it. I think the show you are thinking of, Herm oh ninny, is Today's Special. The mannequin was Jeff; the puppet with the mustache was Sam, the night watchman; there was also Muffy the Mouse, who only spoke in rhyme; and Nina the only store employee other than Sam to know Jeff's secret . that he came to life every night after the store closed. Can you tell I loved this show? Mills. Amilia, I was totally talking about that show yesterday with my staff... I'm 27 and most of them are around 19 and none of them knew what I was talking about. I couldn't remember the name though! How weird. So I'm reading this great book called "The Gold of Exodus." It's quite captivating! I haven't finished, I'm about halfway through, but so far it's a good read and I would recommend it to people who like history or a good story of intrigue. Okay, off to bed. RA training has got me wiped out! Night all! The giant squid - Aug 24, 2005 12:18 am (#2741 of 2963) I've been around for about a month now, and I finally decided you all are just way too cool not to get to know you better.--Soul Mate for Sirius That's just because you're new here...soon enough you'll realize that beneath the cool facade we're really the uber-geeks you thought we were in the first place. Ah, summer break...it's over as of next Monday here in Vegas and I couldn't be happier. For some reason all the "gangsta" wannabes like to hang out in our lobby and it'll make my life easier when they're too busy ditching school to do so. T Brightwater: WinXP has never crashed for me. Win95 almost never crashed. I make no apologies for Win98. --Mike Just sent No-Longer-Ungrateful Son off to school - 6th grade - he's in the middle school now. I was given strict instructions to stay in the house and not come to the bus stop to take pictures - like I wanted to be outside at 6:55 am!!! Today is Daughter's kindergarten orientation. We go for 2 hours today - we're in the first half of the alphabet - the other half goes tomorrow - and on Friday is the big bus trip alone. Apparently she's letting me go to the bus stop with her!! I took these days off so I can get ready - I mean, get her ready. Herm oh ninny Hope you had a great time at your book signing last night, I drove an hour, picked up my book then drove the hour back home. Pretty uneventful! Well I'm off to start on chapter 3. Have a great time reading! Welcome, Soul Mate! How touching that you think we're cool! *gets a warm fuzzy feeling of coolness, then sees her collection of HP Legos and realizes that SquidMike is right about the uber-geekness* Kathy (Puck), only certain schools here in our district pay for full-day kindergarten. Half-day is still offered at all schools. The schools in the southern part of town (lower economic areas) get their full-day kindergarten for free, but you have to qualify for it. When Lexie was going into kindergarten I thought about demanding why we have to pay extra. Then I realized that it was cheaper than daycare and I couldn't really be fussed. I still am curious, of course. It couldn't be that they have to pay for extra materials, because it's the same as the half-day. Lexie's class did have a teacher, just for their class, who taught PE, Music, and Art. She does the same for another elementary school's full-day kindergarten. Hmmm. For the last two years my Brownie troop has been stuck at a about five or six members. We heard that one girl was leaving and another might be leaving and we were thinking about quitting the troop. Last night our elementary school had an open house and we got six responses from girls interested in joining! Even if just three of those girls end up joining it would be enough to make it worth it. We did the same thing last year and got nothing! I haven't read Eragorn yet, but I have a friend who's been pestering me to do so. I didn't realize Eldest was out this soon. Viola Intonada - Aug 24, 2005 6:27 am (#2745 of 2963) Marie, If I would have known you were short on Brownies, I would have sent you some of mine. For the past two years I have had 18 girls in my troop. So far, only 11 have reregistered for this year. (I'm looking forward to this year, hopefully I won't have a splitting headache after each meeting. Sorry I'm late, but CONGRATULATIONS DENISE AND MR. So what is the name of your baseball team and what is your mascot? My kids went back to school today. *Is doing happy tap dance* Now I have to get my house organized before I start back to work in 2 and 1/2 weeks. All my hobbies have taken over and I have to tame them back down. The most frustrating thing is that I haven't even had time to work on my hobbies for the past year!!! I bought some cabinets to hide everything in. This is one of those times I would love to be a witch and enchant things to hold more than they should, though right now my house is holding more than it should!! Even though I'm ready for my kids to be back in school, so they aren't bickering with each other, I'm not ready for the busy schedule. Have a great day everyone! Ah, summer break...it's over as of next Monday here in Vegas and I couldn't be happier. --Squid Mike Sorry, can't say I'm sharing your elation. Haymoni, your kids are already back in school? When does it end for summer break? I must say, I'm always shocked when under-college age children have to go back in August. I've always considered August a rest month, complete of all 31 days without school. Stephanie M. - Aug 24, 2005 7:56 am (#2747 of 2963) I always think August is a rest month too, but it's always so busy for me because it's everyone's birthday is in August. Then you start to think about going back to school. I don't have anything new to say. Oh, well. I'm so tired and I'm not sure why. I have to wake up... We have all our Brownies returning this year except one, that is 12 girls. I am not sure if we will get some more in or not. I do know that Kaitlyn has no more room left on the back of her vest for any patches and few spots left on the front for her Try Its. Viola, I don't know what the team name would be but I can think of many mascots but most would not be family friendly here Soul Mate for Sirius - Aug 24, 2005 8:30 am (#2749 of 2963) Mike-I'm sure you're not ALL geeks, at least not as much as me! Finn, I wish I never started school in August, but, I was never that lucky until now. When I was in middle school and high school, we always started the last week of August. I remember always thinking summer ended too soon, and now I'm on the other end of the spectrum, and I find that summer can't end soon enough, and mine won't end until September 26!! I have an internship this summer for a consulting firm that my father got for me, and it couldn't be more boring. I have no interest in consulting whatsoever, seeing as I want to be a high school history teacher. I'm counting down the days until classes start!! (I told you I was a geek Mike ) Geek quotient-wise, I'm married to someone who once attended an actual Star Trek convention. I'd say that puts us up there. Denise, what a good looking group you've got there! And did you say something about being a Brownie Leader? I guess I can see why -I mean you can't possibly be busy or anything. (I would think the laundry alone would keep you occupied.) He starts school on the 31st, but as a kid I always started after labor day. I'm Glad he starts early, because I really don't want to miss seeing him off on the bus, and if he started later I might. I'm sure I'll be in your shoes someday, Haymoni, as Parker will start junior high when this baby is heading off to kindergarten. It'll be the extreme of "Leave me alone" on one end and "Mommy can you ride with me?" on the other. Have a great day! Kathy Lady Arabella - Prefect - Posts : 2285 Location : Silicon Valley, CA Re: Chat & Greetings 2005 Naw, I am not the Brownie leader, I just help out when needed and am a registered adult and driver for the Troop. Now, for Cub Scouts, I am the Assistant Cubmaster, Webelo Den Leader, and District Roundtable Staff (I am the Breakout Wolf Leader and general "Hey, we need this done!" person) and for Boy Scouts, I am on two different Troop Committees (my two boys are in different troops at the moment). Laundry...ick.... it is the chore than never ends...it just goes on and on my friend... (Sorry, having a Lambchop flashback here) Loopy Lupin - Aug 24, 2005 9:40 am (#2752 of 2963) With Rhys in the picture that must be recently taken, Denise. I do note however that, even though big sis is apparently visiting, there appear to be no new hair-do's that I can see. I guess everyone now knows to run if they see her coming with a brush. Accio Sirius - Aug 24, 2005 9:41 am (#2753 of 2963) Reply Edited by Aug 24, 2005 9:43 am Denise, Belated congratulations. I love the picture. What did you name the little one? I'm still struggling to read the previous posts and catch up on threads, so sorry if you need to repeat stuff! I agreed to help with the Brownies this year and was trying to think up fun things to do. I don't think the girls did that much last year--it was really disorganized. I welcome any suggestions. I did come up with an idea in the hospital--The child life program always needs stuff, so I talked to them and they suggested making boredom buster boxes for kids. I just have to think of a way to involve earning a patch. Thanks everyone for the healing charms! They seem to be working. Our little guy seems to be feeling better and has been smiling much more lately! I'm still cursing the insurance company, which, while unable to help us with nursing, did find a mistake on a therapy billed and called to inform us that we will owe a lot in back payments! How helpful! It's a gorgeous day today. Our kids start school on the Sept. 6 and we still have a long list of things that we wanted to do for summer. We're combining the puppet show and lemonade stand for this weekend, and I'm pulling out the paints for the "Art in the backyard" extravaganza today. Hope everyone has a good one! Welcome Soul Mate for Sirius! Great name! Soul Mate for Sirius - Aug 24, 2005 10:50 am (#2754 of 2963) Thanks Accio Sirius! And thanks for all the warm welcomes from everyone else!! Since I tend to be on the forum while I'm at work, I normally find myself just sitting there waiting for people to respond to my posts, or for any new posts to pop up on the threads that I frequent the most and it's always fun to come back from lunch and find new posts! What kinds of patches do Brownies earn? "Back in MY day..." only the Girl Scouts earned them. If you tell us the patches, I'm sure we'd have a great time coming up with ideas. Had a great time at Kindergarten orientation. We have a new principal and she seems really great. I'm think my husband will actually want to come to the events this year after he sees her (if you know what I mean), instead of just being present! We went in to the room and there was a name tag with a small blue sticker for my daughter. We were to find the "center" - books, coloring or puzzles - that matched her color. Now I don't claim to be the most brilliant person, but I do know my colors and I'm telling you that I could not tell where we were supposed to be. I could see the books, I could see the puzzles and I could see the crayons. But I still wasn't sure where kids with tiny blue stickers were supposed to go. Finally, I saw one of the other moms (obviously she's in the gifted class) point to these 3 tiny blue stickers that were placed on a dark grey portion of the wall above the books. How was I supposed to see those??? Maybe I need to spend more time in Kindergarten. Then the principal took the parents to the library and told us about the rules. Oh, the new parents. They are so cute. While we were in the library, the kids got to play outside. I could hear my daughter yelling over all the other kids. Surprise. Then we rode a school bus. My daughter wanted to know why there weren't any seat belts in the school bus. I told her I didn't know. Seems pretty obvious that they are needed, except that the poor bus driver would spend all her time checking the seat belts. The bus driver did say that at a workshop she went to (made me feel good that bus drivers go to workshops), school systems are being encouraged to move all the kids to the front of the bus. It is safer there. So much for being a cool kid sitting in the back of the bus. Then I took her to lunch for chocolate milk and grilled cheese - like I couldn't have made that at home. My son comes home in an hour. Can't wait to hear about his first day. That is if he'll tell me anything! They have the daily announcements on the school's website, so I guess I can find things out there. Madam Pince - Aug 24, 2005 11:43 am (#2756 of 2963) Haymoni, what a lovely day! Sounds like fun! Little Pince is getting moved up to a different room in his daycare/pre-K -- new teacher and all. They are having "orientation" this week and just move for a few hours at a time and then go back to the old classroom. I think he could care less, because all the kids stay the same and move as a group. This was yesterday's post, which wouldn't go through because the Forum went all ishkabibble for some reason: Welcome to the Forum, Jenn! You'll be sure to have a lot of fun! Herm-oh-ninny, I know what you mean about the Teletubbies being ... uh... unnaturally entrancing. You could catch yourself actually paying attention to them if you weren't careful! (I liked the vacuum cleaner Nu-Nu, myself!) In the "olden days" back when I was a kid (yes, they had TV back then) my favorites were H.R. Pufenstuf, Land of the Lost (those slooooowwww Sleestaks!), and Almighty Isis (note uber-cool headpiece.) Apparently when I was really little, my Mom says I liked the Jackie Gleason Show. Must be an epidemic -- Little Pince got his hair cut yesterday too. Today he got photographed for the Ident-A-Kid program, where they give out ID cards just in case they are ever needed for emergency purposes (no, not for obtaining butterbeer purposes.) I really need to read the Eragon books, I suppose. I've been daunted by the size of them, but I guess if I can handle JKR, then they shouldn't be a problem. Just for fun, I stacked up all my HP books the other day to see approximately how big a single Harry Potter book would be -- wow, that's some body of writing the woman has put out there! Today I saw on Starz what must be among the Top Ten worst movies ever -- "The Village." I know I had been warned, but I just had to see for myself. More plot holes than a piece of swiss cheese. It's one of those movies that you should only see the trailer... it's better than the whole movie. Blah. Stephanie M. - Aug 24, 2005 12:04 pm (#2757 of 2963) Hey everyone. I'm back from my haircut. My hair looks VERY good. A lot better than I expected too. I think she cut off 6 inches instead of 3 though... Oh well It looks good. All this talk about school is making me think about all of the things I have to do or finish before school starts. I have to go shopping for clothes. Buy school books (I must do that right now because they most likely won't show up on time!!!) Finnish reading Emma by Jane Austen And so much more!!! AHHHH!!! Okay off to paint... Ah, school... I survived the day-before-start-of-term meetings and class preparations which is a good start (though my back doesn't seem to understand why, suddenly, I have something against it again...) Tomorrow, class starts. Everything is ready but it is always a bit stressful. I've seen "The Island" yesterday evening and I found it great, especially the first part of it that is impressive, very original too. The second part is a bit more cliché but Ewan McGregor saves the whole thing (as usual). He still is on top form since Episode 3! Which reminds me, Squid Mike, I have a question for you: have you heard of the Episode 3 DVD yet? I was wondering if you had heard about the deleted scenes that will feature (I hope) on the DVDs. I know the "petitions of the 2,000" scene has been filmed, it would be so great to finally see it! Do you know if there will be a "prequel trilogy" box available at once too? I was just thinking the other day that it was just what was missing on my DVD shelf... Talking about movies, there was the Peter Jackson's "KingKong"'s trailer bafore "The Island", which made me wondering if Jurassic Park was doing sales those days... After the jurassic-horntail of the GoF trailer, there is another Jurassic Park escapee in that trailer... Has a new fashion started? Puck, don't worry, in fact I'm very happy being 33 soon. Till now, I really prefer my 30s to my 20s, and I hope it will continue like this! But it is always a bit of a surprise for me to realise my new age, you know sort of saying to myself: "33? You sure? Already? wow, never saw that coming!" Have a good day everybody! T Brightwater, I've just sent you the paper! Madam Pince - Aug 24, 2005 12:26 pm (#2759 of 2963) But it is always a bit of a surprise to realise my new age, you know sort of saying to myself: "33? You sure? Already? wow, never saw that coming!" –Elanor I know what you mean! But just wait...it gets worse. Lupin is Lupin. Natch. Today I saw on Starz what must be among the Top Ten worst movies ever -- "The Village." I know I had been warned, but I just had to see for myself. More plot holes than a piece of swiss cheese. It's one of those movies that you should only see the trailer... it's better than the whole movie. Blah.---Madam Pince Some time ago I believe this was declared a The Village-free zone. Now, I know the movie wasn't perfect ***ducks rotten tomatoes*** but some of us found it entertaining (even if entertaining translates to soaking up the cuteness that is Joaquin Phoenix). Madam Pince, what's up with the new avatar? Is that supposed to be Isis? She looks like a cross between Wonder Woman and Shazam. Yes, Madam Pince, what is up with the new avatar? I suppose it could just be the server meltdown – when I got back on it changed it back to the credit card I had with the Dilbert commentary while I was on break. I forgot to tell you all – while I was on vacation, I was visiting with family in Canada, and each year we host a family/close friends golf tournament. A friend of ours is a comedian so he does stand-up, every year, and this year he started to tell a crack about a pirate. I immediately thought of National Talk Like a Pirate Day, which, I must let you know, am looking very much forward to participating in. Then, at the end of the joke, he said, "Thank you, and please don't forget that National Talk Like a Pirate Day is approaching fast! I'm afraid I don't know when it is, but it's some time in September or October." I couldn't believe it, and, being the Forum geek I am, I had to blurt out, "It's September 19th!" Everybody laughed like I was making a joke, but I told them I was sure. I still don't think they believed me… But I know that all of you will! (Yes, I posted this on the YKYAHPLFW… thread) Lupin is Lupin. Natch:- Is that supposed to be Isis?........... As the Soothsayer says in 'Carry On Cleo', "Isis, sweet Isis...... They're luvverly!" Oh, Dear me! You have to be British! Amilia Smith - Aug 24, 2005 8:49 pm (#2763 of 2963) Help! Calling all Apple users. Finn, can you hear me? In my Intro to Reference class today, the prof said we needed to be familiar with and competent in both Windows and Mac OS. As I have never used an Apple before (build-it-yourself PCs being so much cheaper), I decided to remedy this lack and move to the Apple side of the computer lab. And I can't figure out how to make the window full screen! It is stuck on only the left half of the monitor! I can make it smaller, so that it is only in the top left corner, but I can't make it bigger. Mills. Viola, I'm so sorry I didn't alert you to my Brownie deficiency sooner! Alas, it's too late now, I fear. I got another email while I was at work. I had to close tonight and even though I worked the same amount of hours I still feel more tired. Isn't that silly? I got to go into work later , which was nice. I was able to make two phone calls that I never can seem to remember to make on my lunch hour: dentist appointments for the girls and a refill on Shayla's ADD meds (very important!). Lovely picture of the family, Denise. Madam Pince - Aug 24, 2005 9:05 pm (#2765 of 2963) No server meltdown -- "Isis" was the aforementioned show I used to watch, starring Joanna Cameron, which ran from 1975-1978. She was a mild-mannered teacher by day, but upon donning the Horus amulet and saying "Oh Mighty Isis!" she was transformed into this lovely who could do things like control the wind and so forth to aid her in her crime-fighting activities. Had a great moral for kiddie viewers tied into each story, and she would do a little walk-on at the end of each show to explain the moral part. It started out as the "Shazam/Isis Hour" but she eventually got her own show. I used to raid my Mom's jewelry box to wear a necklace she had that was sort of like Isis' while I watched the show. Man, it was great stuff. I suspect she had no problem enticing the male pre-teen set to watch her show, either; you should've seen her skirt. The giant squid - Aug 25, 2005 12:48 am (#2766 of 2963) Ah, summer break...it's over as of next Monday here in Vegas and I couldn't be happier.--me Sorry, can't say I'm sharing your elation.—Finn Well, I'll see you in 20 years and see if you don't share my joy. Yes, I've become that guy who walks around muttering, "When I was your age..." Madame Pince, I remember Isis & Land of the Lost. I've been told that when I was very young (circa 3 yrs) I was utterly entranced by Speed Racer. Having seen it again recently I really have absolutely no idea why... I have a question for you: have you heard of the Episode 3 DVD yet? Do you know if there will be a "prequel trilogy" box available at once too?—Elanor Alas, I have no information on when Ep3 will hit shelves. I'm assuming it'll be available for Christmas, though, seeing as Lucas has founded his empire on merchandising the heck out of the property. I would assume a "prequel set" would be available too, along with the whole sextet a few months later (after everyone bought the other ones). --Mike My kids started school Aug. 8. This is what "makes" August a rest month for me! 11 year old son and 8 year old daughter are not constantly fighting since they are at school most of the day. I don't know how Denise keeps up with her baseball team's laundry, I only have a basketball team and it is tough. Amilia, if you are on OS X, there should be three buttons on the window, red, yellow, and green (on the LEFT side, of course ). Red will close it, yellow will minimize it (into the dock, the thing of applications on the bottom), and green will make it, although not necessarily full screen, bigger. If you click it again it will go back to the original size. If you really want it full screen (the reason I like Macs is because not the whole screen is taken up by a window, but, whatever…), you can drag the bottom right hand corner to make it whatever size you want. As I say, it is much easier to navigate if the windows are not huge, but maybe you need them big for special cataloging stuff… Man, you must yell loud, nobody's ever been able to reach New York from Hawaii before! Well, a break from tennis today… at least, playing tennis! I'm going to the US Open today. What's that, you say? The US Open doesn't start until Monday! Yes, but the Qualifying Rounds are today, and they're free. I'm going with my tennis club. We leave there at 10 EDT (7 Forum Time) and should arrive back around 4:30 (1:30 Forum Time). This event is always advertised as the chance to meet the next world stars, as even Roger Federer had to qualify four or five years ago. So, I'll talk to you all later! Have to head over there pretty soon! Steve Newton - Aug 25, 2005 5:53 am (#2769 of 2963) Here in sunny Delaware I've noticed some small flocks of birds getting ready for their annual trip south. Does this mean that it will be an early winter? Lupin is Lupin. Natch. Madam Pince, now that you've explained it I remember Isis--especially the "Oh Mighty Isis" part. Madame Pince, I remember Isis & Land of the Lost. I've been told that when I was very young (circa 3 yrs) I was utterly entranced by Speed Racer. Having seen it again recently I really have absolutely no idea why...---the giant squid Oh, Land of the Lost! My husband and I had a rather animated discussion about the Sleestaks recently. My brother adored Speed Racer while I was completely hooked on Kimba the White Lion. I can probably still work up a good cry should I watch the episode where his mother dies and the stars in the sky form a constellation of her likeness. Oh Kimba and Speed Racer were favorites of mine. Land of the Lost I always found irritating probably because I recognized the huge cheese factor before I even realized what it was LOL Kim, there is actually a Kimba site that features video of that scene with Kimba's mom. If you google Kimba the White Lion, you will find Kimba's Corner of the Web that is just full of all kinds of Kimba stuff. Lupin is Lupin. Natch. ***admits to already having one Kimba video*** Thanks Denise! I didn't know about this place. What I would have done for a Kimba's Corner when I was six! BTW, getting any sleep lately??? When I was young Daddy was stationed in Hawaii. My favorite show was Checkers and Pogo. I don't think that program was available in the Main States because I never saw it again. It was kinda like Captain Kangaroo on Guilligan's Island. Marshall, Will & Holly...on a routine expedition... Go, Speed Racer! Go, Speed Racer! Go, Speed Racer, Go-oh! HR Puff-in-Stuff...can't do a little 'cause you can't do enough Everybody that goes to Lidsville really flips their lid! Ok the tour down memory lane ends here. My son missed the bus this morning. I was upstairs - probably on The Forum - he was downstairs watching TV and finishing breakfast. I had told him to get his shoes on and get ready. I heard the door to the garage slam about 10 minutes later and I said, "Are you just getting your shoes on now!" and then we heard it...pulling away. We jumped in the car. I had to leave my daughter still in bed asleep and drive to the next development. It probably took all of 3 minutes at the rate I was driving, but all I could think of was my 5 year old waking up and not finding us there, but the thought of waking her up early was worse. Another year has started and I have retained my Slacker Mom title! Madam Pince - Aug 25, 2005 9:03 am (#2775 of 2963) Edited Aug 25, 2005 10:24 am Oh, I loved Captain Kangaroo too! I never watched Mr. Rogers, but Capt. Kangaroo and Mr. Green Jeans were the bestest! I loved when all the ping-pong balls would fall on Mr. Moose! I just looked up "Isis" on a classic TV website, and I got this quote which I had totally forgotten, but once I heard it I got such a thrill of memories! I soooo remember this now! “Oh my Queen,” said the royal wizard to Hatupsut, "with this amulet, you and your descendants will be endowed by the Goddess Isis with the powers over animals and elements. You will soar as the falcon soars...run with the speed of gazelles & command the elements of sky and earth!" Ooooo, so fun! ***wallows in sea of adolescent nostalgia*** Loopy Lupin - Aug 25, 2005 9:46 am (#2776 of 2963) Oooh, I loved Isis and Shazam. **wonders when Captain Marvel (Shazam's other name) will be made into a movie**** Now, without doing any Google searches (I'm looking right at you Denise ), who can remember what the acronym "Shazam" stands for? TwinklingBlueEyes - Aug 25, 2005 9:55 am (#2777 of 2963) Seems the family names were connected to Deities? Hard to remember what happened yesterday, let alone way back when... Lupin is Lupin. Natch. Now, without doing any Google searches (I'm looking right at you Denise ), who can remember what the acronym "Shazam" stands for?---Loopy Lupin I won't even attempt a guess (but as soon as I'm done here I'm going to go google it. ) But, didn't the Shazam kid drive around with some old guy in a mobile home? Madam Pince - Aug 25, 2005 10:37 am (#2779 of 2963) Whatever do you mean by "cheese factor," Denise? Surely you can recognize the high-quality costuming and special effects used on "Land of the Lost?" :goofygrin: septentrion - Aug 25, 2005 10:50 am (#2780 of 2963) Elanor, I know you can pre-order Star Wars ep 3 on amazon.co.uk for a release on Oct 30th. It will be available in France for Nov 18th (pre order available on fnac.com). Lupin is Lupin. Natch. Edited Aug 25, 2005 11:32 am I'll admit I found those Sleestaks terrifying (I was eight, for Pete's sake) but even back then I wondered why anyone should be frightened of something that moved at a pace only slightly faster than that of a sloth. As for the cheese factor, I recognize quality rubber suits when I see 'em. Soul Mate for Sirius - Aug 25, 2005 11:31 am (#2782 of 2963) Land of the Lost? I remember that show! I used to love it! I have to admit, I may have been too young when it was on the air to remember most of it, but I remember loving it. But, for the most part, I was a child of the Nickelodeon generation, back when Nick played good shows like Hey Dude and Salute Your Shorts. Speaking of, just the other day I got an email with a petition to "bring back Stick Stickly" and, of course, I had to sign it and email to all of my friends at once! Edited to correct my hopeless typing mistakes **walks off shaking head in disgrace** Herm oh ninny - Aug 25, 2005 11:40 am (#2783 of 2963) Wow! So many posts to read through! Puck - Don't be surprised! You can buy plenty of Red Sox stuff here in NY as well. I don't know why you would want to though Just kidding... to each his own and all that Amelia - Today's Special!! That's it! The fact that I couldn't remember the name has been driving me crazy! LOL Thanks! Kaykay - Are you enjoying Eldest as much as I am? The first 2 chapters alone already had me crying and yelling "I knew it!!" All this talk about old TV shows has made me very nostalgic! Some other all time favorites of mine were Fraggle Rock, Thunder Cats, Voltron, Jem and the Holograms (is that right?), Rainbow Bright, and the Raggedy Anne and Andy movie! Ahhhh memories! I just ordered The Worst Witch on DVD the other day. I was looking at the DVD section of Barnes & Noble .com and was sooo excited to see it there. Has anyone seen it? Another childhood movie has come back to me! LOL My sisters and I had a great time at the book signing, though we almost missed it! The signing started at 5:30. I picked my sisters up from work at 5:00 and drove straight to the Lincoln Tunnel. We were stuck in traffic at the tunnel for 1 and 1/2 hours!!! We got to the store at 7:00. I found a parking spot and we ran to the store. We started searching the floors (this B&N had 4 floors! ) and when we got to the 4th floor we saw that Christopher was still there and there were still about 100 people waiting in line. So, luckily, all 3 of us got to meet him and have our books signed. He was really nice too. It was definitely worth the traffic. The giant squid - Aug 25, 2005 11:40 am (#2784 of 2963) Now, without doing any Google searches (I'm looking right at you Denise ), who can remember what the acronym "Shazam" stands for?--Loopy Lupin Let's see... the wisdom of Solomon the strength of Hercules the stamina of Atlas the power of Zeus the invulnerability of Achilles the speed of Mercury I haven't heard anything about a Captain Marvel movie, but they are developing a Land of the Lost live-action feature. Be afraid. --Mike Herm oh Ninny Glad you had a good time at your book signing. The good thing about living in a small town in Tenessee is I am very rarely involved in a traffic jam. I am really enjoying the book. I feel like I have been reading FOREVER and I still have 21 chapters to go! Herm oh ninny - Aug 25, 2005 12:33 pm (#2786 of 2963) Kaykay - I don't know where you live in Tennessee, but Christopher will be in Nashville on September 8th doing a book signing. And you are soo lucky about the lack of traffic jams. It seems to me that no matter where I try to go in NJ or NY, I am forever stuck in traffic! Stephanie M. - Aug 25, 2005 12:53 pm (#2787 of 2963) But, for the most part, I was a child of the Nickelodeon generation, back when Nick played good shows like Hey Dude and Salute Your Shorts.-- Soul Mate My sister and I loved Salute Your Shorts!! I don't remember Hey Dude, but my sister does. Other really good shows on Nick at that time were: Double Dare, Legends of the Hidden Temple, Secret World of Alex Mack, Doug, The original SNICK, (Global) GUTS, Shelby Woo, Figure it out, Clarissa Explains it All, Kaitlyn's Way (more recent), You Can't Do That ON Television!, What Would You Do?, Wild and Crazy Kids, Gullah Gullah Island (yay I loved that show!!) Ghostwriters (I think that was one of my favorite shows of all time!) There are many more shows but I don't remember them or they scared me (Are You Afraid Of The Dark?... Yes, that show was very scary.) I'll Google other Nick Shows. I really loved all of these shows. I really wish they were still on... Nick was so much better then... *sigh* Thank you so much for the news about Episode 3 Septentrion! It is really going to be an interesting DVD/movies Fall this year. Squid Mike: "I would assume a "prequel set" would be available too, along with the whole sextet a few months later (after everyone bought the other ones). This is exactly what I am afraid of too. **sigh** But it will be so beautiful put next to the original trilogy one that it will be "pointless to resist", isn't it? I have absolutely no clue about the shows you're talking about (except for Fraggle Rock!) but they sound fun! Actually, I may have seen some of them but as the names of most of the shows were completely changed for the French TV, it is difficult to know! For example, "Bewitched" (loved it when it was rerun when I was a kid) was called "Ma sorcière bien-aimée" ("My beloved witch") for the French TV... Soul Mate for Sirius - Aug 25, 2005 1:19 pm (#2789 of 2963) Stephanie- I loved all those shows too! A couple are past my time now (such as Kaitlin's Way) but I totally grew up watching most of those. You forgot one of my favorites though: Pete and Pete. I loved Are You Afraid of the Dark! It scared me to death, but I loved it! All That was good as well!! Here's a question for anyone: How do you change font and font color on here? I've figured out how to make bold and italic but I can't figure out the colors and fonts thing. Thanks guys!! Madam Pince - Aug 25, 2005 1:25 pm (#2790 of 2963) Soul Mate, there's a thread called "How Do You..." which explains how to do most anything like what you're investigating. Use the "Search" button within that discussion and you should find everything and more. Then there's a "Practice" thread where you can play around with your new-found skills! Elanor, "My Beloved Witch" is such a lovely title! Sounds better than "Bewitched." Was it the same show, with the same actors and everything (Elizabeth Montgomery and Dick York/Dick Sargent?) Madam Pince, yes it was the same show, except that the voices of the actors were dubbed. Which reminds me that I have recently read that the first season of the show was now available on DVD. I think I'm going to buy it one of those days, I always wanted to see the original version of it! B]Loopy Lupin[/B] - Aug 25, 2005 1:47 pm (#2792 of 2963) Thank you Squid Mike for remembering the SHAZAM attributes. I was beginning to question whether the level of geekdom around here had fallen dangerously low. Lupin is Lupin. Natch. Never any fear of that. Soul Mate for Sirius - Aug 25, 2005 2:00 pm (#2794 of 2963) Madame Pince- Thanks for the info! I'm headed over there now Stephanie M. - Aug 25, 2005 2:03 pm (#2795 of 2963) I don't remember Pete and Pete, but my sister LOVED that show. She told me it was about these two bothers both named Pete and the girl next door was (can't remember her name at the moment). Then an also good show that I don't remember if I posted was My Brother and Me. EDit: I'm Google-ing Pete and Pete right now. penguin patronus - Aug 25, 2005 2:17 pm (#2796 of 2963) Hey people. Thanks again for all of the birthday wishes! First, I forgot to say that I got braces August tenth and I got purple and green bands in honor of HBP. Second, I remember some of those old Nick shows, but I've been tooning into Cartoon Network more lately. There's only a few shows I like on Nick. CN just has the goods. You get to choose your brace bands? They generally shove silver on me, although sometimes I get green or blue. Only ever one colour. Fortunately I will be finished with my brace soon, which is about time because I've had it over two years! Most of my friends were finished with their braces in less than a year so I don't know why mine has taken so long. Ah well. I don't have Nick or Cartoon Network so I can't comment. I wasn't allowed to watch TV much when I was younger either. I feel deprived. Now, of course, I watch lots of kiddie shows to make up for it, including Balamory and Big Cook, Little Cook. Soul Mate for Sirius - Aug 25, 2005 2:30 pm (#2798 of 2963) Okay, I'm back now that I've finally learned how to change my font and color! (Thanks again for the pointer Madame Pince ) Stephanie, I don't remember My Brother and Me. What was it about? Well that's all for now seeing as it's 5:30pm here (EST) and it's time for me to venture back to my lonely hotel room for the night September 8th down in Nashville! I will have to look at his website to see when specifically and where he will be signing Eldest Darn it, it is a school night, not sure if I can get my sitter but I will try! I just started Eldest since I was reading 2 of the Cirque du Freak books by Darren Shan. There are 2 more in hardback here in the US that I have not read yet though. For all those with inner geeks as well as blatant geeks, you can actually get Land of the Lost on DVD and even more surprising, it lasted THREE seasons! We had an exercise in frustration today. We are getting a new vehicle so we mosied on down to the local dealer that we normally work with to get information on ordering it. We knew it would not be instock and that ordering and waiting would be required. Imagine our surprise when the salesman told us that they could not and would not order what we wanted, even though they CAN, and we would have to go find another dealer 'cause they were not interested. No problem, we certainly WILL go find another dealer that is willing to work with us. Neither Mr. Denise or I have *ever* had a car salesman tell us to go away, that they didn't want our business. So we have already looked at the sister dealership (think Dodge/Chrysler, GMC/Chevy kinda deal) who WILL order for us and did have something similar to what we want on the lot (12 passenger van) Tomorrow we are trekking 30 miles up into KY to see what the two dealers have on the lot there and if they will order if nothing is on the lot. Madam Pince - Aug 25, 2005 2:38 pm (#2800 of 2963) You must be kidding, Denise!!! I have never heard of such a thing! That is truly weird. I know it's end-of-model-year-clearance-time and all, but still, a sale is a sale. Strange.... Lady Arabella - Prefect - Posts : 2285 Location : Silicon Valley, CA Re: Chat & Greetings 2005 Hello!! A salesman turning down a family with 7 more potential drivers? What - an - idiot! I would buy a van at the other dealer and then send a letter to the owner of the first dealership with a photo of your lot with a cc: on the bottom to Detroit!!! (or wherever the headquarters are these days.) Went shopping for school supplies for the THIRD time tonight. This time it was book covers. Can't they tell the parents that are moving from the grade school to the middle school that we'll need to buy book covers!!! We received 1 list of school supplies in the mail, another list on Open House night and my son comes home today with the news about the book covers. Went to WalMart - nothing. Ended up at Staples. They had 2 bins full of them - 2 sizes! I think I'm done. Maybe. My daughter rides the bus tomorrow by herself for the first time. I'll be OK. I'll be OK. I'll be OK. penguin patronus - Aug 25, 2005 4:04 pm (#2802 of 2963) I read the first Cirque Du Freak. I liked it. I haven't gotten around to reading the other ones however... Really Azi? I get to choose whatever colors I want. I can even do rainbow. I suppose it's different where you are... Next time however, I'm doing light blue and dark blue for OOTP. (I also have to have mine for two years.) Anyways, has anyone played the HP scene it game? It's super fun. I got it for my birthday. I know some more stuff about GoF now. Like where we first see Harry. Teehee. Catherine - Aug 25, 2005 4:08 pm (#2803 of 2963) Hello to everyone (waves to Loopy Lupin who said, "I TOLD you so!" It's been a long day. My schedule has back-to-back TWO hour classes, so today, including "break duty" and "lunch duty," I was on my feet for 5 .5 hours. Remind me NOT to wear new shoes that look cute when I'm teaching. I should remember to be the lady in the comfy shoes.... Hayley and Claire went "back to school" today, and both really like their new teachers and their classes. We found out TODAY that Hayley does not have school tomorrow--something that was NOT on the county calendar, the school calendar or website, or in the paper. I think they could communicate more effectively and I encouraged them to do so! Mr. Catherine asked me what I was going to do about childcare. I encouraged him to use all his considerable brainpower to figure out this dilemma, as his schedule is way more flexible than mine. I can already tell, though, that some students this year will make everything worthwhile. They are awesome. Cheers. Arrgh, yes, penguin patronus, I got the HP Scene it? game for my birthday (Aug 7) too, but the DVD was malfunctional so they're sending us a new one… and it was supposed to come a week ago! By the way, when I get it, would you mind telling me where the GoF stuff is, or will it just come up in normal game play? Thanks… Denise! How horrible! You should drive by the auto place and honk the horn really loud and…… do some other stuff I shouldn't mention. I had a great time at the US Open today! I got to see, in addition to the Qualifiers, the real pros practicing! I saw Hewitt, Nadal, Federer, Agassi, Sharapova, Serena Williams, Robby Ginepri, Coria, Dominic Hrbaty, Tomas Berdych, Thomas Johannson, Ai Sugiyama, Younes El Anouyi (sp?), and many others! I got autographs from Coria, El Anouyi, Sugiyama, and Berdych. Sharapova was giving signatures but she got tired near the end and I was at the exit, so I didn't get one. All the other ones I missed because I wasn't in the stadium. I had a really fun time, and it was free! Next week, my family is going on Friday, so we'll see quite a few of the players since they haven't all been eliminated yet. Edit: Catherine, what's "break duty?" I've heard of recess, lunch, and CompLab, but… Break duty sounds extremely fun! Is it what it sounds like… a break? Anyway, glad the new position's working out fine. So, Catherine - back-to-back 2 hour classes - Double Potions & Double Herbology? Accio Sirius - Aug 25, 2005 4:41 pm (#2806 of 2963) Catherine, hope tomorrow is better in that I hope Mr. Catherine takes the hint. Speaking of males and kid duty, we were at the zoo today and we saw the male panda sleeping in his outside den. My daughter asked loudly why he was just lying there and wasn't helping the female panda with her new baby and everybody around us just started giggling. Haymoni--I thought I was the only one who remembered Lidsville--It's the cuckoo-kookiest! Do you by chance remember the Kids from C.A.P.E. Or the Bugaloos? And thank you Madame Pince for the picture of the Sleestak. I forgot how much my college freshman roommate looked like one. She had these huge glasses and never went to class and skulked around the dorm shunning sunlight. **Shivers at the memory*** Stephanie M. - Aug 25, 2005 4:44 pm (#2807 of 2963) Glad you had a really good time Finn! Too bad about Sharapova. (I LOVE her! I'm not sure why though... I like her tennis attire... and earrings! lol Plus she's a very good tennis player and she seems like a very nice person.) I don't really remember My Brother and Me but I just remember that I really liked it. All I remember about it was an African American family with an older brother (who was into Cheerleaders) and a little brother who had a teddy bear and he sang, "Fuzzy Wuzzy was a bear. Fuzzy Wuzzy had no hair. Fuzzy Wuzzy wasn't fuzzy was he?" That's all I remember LOL. Edit: Denise, that's horrible! He should get fired for not doing his job! This may date me, but I remember a show called "The Red-Hand Gang". They were a group of preteen kids who solved crimes. There was a red hand involved in there somehow. Hmmmm...must Google.... I'm almost anxious for this week to end, since next starts "real" school stuff. This week has been mostly doing cutesy art projects and reading books to the kids. Next week...the real world! I can think of one student of mine who's in for a big surprise. She's one of the younger ones and has "sitting still" issues. As in, I wish I could duct tape her to the floor when I'm doing circle time. But sadly my director would probably frown on me duct taping the children. Julie Aronson - Aug 25, 2005 4:53 pm (#2809 of 2963) Denise, Did you get the salesperson's name? If so, it will be really effective when you send his general manager a nasty letter and a photo of your family gathered around the new van you bought elsewhere. That is truly appalling behavior, but sadly, not that uncommon. Was anyone else a huge "Sigmund the Sea Monster" fan? I loved Sid and Marty Krofft Saturday Morning, but Siggy was my favorite! What about the "Banana Splits?" I have their theme song running through my head right now... I Am Used Vlad - Aug 25, 2005 5:38 pm (#2810 of 2963) Finn, I don't think anyone has asked this since you've returned, so I will. How did the performance of Shakespeare in Hollywood go? I disagree with its basic premise, and think that Shakespeare would fit in quite nicely in Hollywood as something of a cross between Oliver Stone and Albert Broccoli, but thought it was funny, nevertheless. penguin patronus - Aug 25, 2005 5:45 pm (#2811 of 2963) Finn, I haven't seen any scenes from the movie on there yet. What I did was pain-stakingly look through each of the cards and look for the keyword: "Goblet of fire". Took me forever, but i found out a few cool things. Oh yeah, I did see a few new pics, but that was all the new stuff so far... I know there are new scenes on there somewhere!! Hey, Vlad, thanks for asking. It was superb, probably the best yet! (This was our TENTH production!) It had a little extra oomph than what you saw on the paper, thanks to the great casting and locale… My uncle is an avid Shakespeare nut who runs a two-week Shakespeare camp in Vermont, hence went nicely as being cast as… Shakespeare himself. My cousin is getting married in October, so we had her and her fiancé as Hamlet and Juliet. Also, you may note a reference to a restaurant named "Ming-Tei," that would be the big Chinese place in Fort Erie (Ontario, Canada), a few miles from where my grandparents' house is. Might I also add that if you find a few factual errors, please note that those were subsequently corrected (hem hem Hamlet's-best-friend line hem hem). But, overall, it was a really great success! And that's interesting that you disagree – I can't say I ever thought of that as a possible look on it, only disagreeing with the brutal slaughter of his plays. Anyway, thanks again for asking and I'm glad you liked it! Maybe I'll put a movie of it up on the web site if I ever get around to updating it. (Which is probably not happening any time soon… Penguin Patronus, I'll take a look when we get the DVD in the mail… hopefully very soon. T Brightwater - Aug 25, 2005 7:59 pm (#2813 of 2963) Elanor, terrific paper!!!! Thanks! Thanks Herm oh Ninny I will certainly have to get the details. Surely my hubby won't get too upset if we have to drive 2 hours to a book signing we drove an hour to pick up the book. I just got finished reading it and all I can say is I want the last one already. Hey everyone!! Thanks for all the advice on the laptop - I will read through them as soon as I can, but right now I am scurrying around, trying to figure out where I am supposed to be when and why. Already tracked down at least one pottie, though!! Yey me!! As soon as my student loans make it across the pond (argh ) I will get a laptop, which will make it SO much easier to keep myself updated in here. I have missed you all! Again, thanks for the advice, I will have to read them more carefully and take notes, but right now I must attend to my British Fiction class.... Have a great one, everyone!!! Oh, and Finn, I am in North Dakota Amilia Smith - Aug 25, 2005 11:26 pm (#2816 of 2963) Thank you, thank you, thank you, Finn. The trick with the corner was what I needed . I was able to figure out the colored dots. I may keep asking you questions as they come up, though. Hope you don't mind. Welcome back, Ponine. Hope you get settled in quickly. And still being on the school computer labs myself, I hear you about trying to keep updated here. Just got back from my first Storytelling Class. I cannot tell you how excited I am about this class. The prof is a professional storyteller who has told at the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, and she is wonderful! It makes up for missing the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival this weekend. Mills. The giant squid - Aug 26, 2005 4:47 am (#2817 of 2963) Loopy: Lucky for you that I happen to be a comic book geek as well as a HP geek. I really did rattle that stuff off the top of my head... azi/penguin patronus: I feel old now...not only did I not get to choose the color of my braces bands, back when I had 'em there was only one color to choose from anyway--white. As for Nickelodeon, I remember watching "You Can't Do That On Television". Alanis Morrisette before she got all angry. Denise, that salesman either needs to sort out his priorities (I'm sure the vehicle you need doesn't come cheap, and thus would have a nice sized commission) or work on his people skills in explaining why he can't sell you what you want. Sometimes people confuse the heck out of me; even being one doesn't seem to help. --Mike Edited Aug 26, 2005 5:52 am Yes, I remember "The Bugaloos" - had a lunchbox & everything - note to self: Look for lunchbox at parents' house - could be worth something! I also remember "Sigmund & the Sea Monsters". "Jodie" from "Family Affair" was in it. The Banana Splits can be seen on Boomerang every once in a while. Edit: Just put my daughter on the bus to Kindergarten. It's her first day all alone. She let me take 1 picture of her standing on the steps of the bus and she disappeared! She didn't care what the bus driver's name was or anything. I am thankful that I have such an independent child, but I know from her brother that I will pay for it later! (Goes off muttering about ungrateful children & birthday parties...) Madam Pince - Aug 26, 2005 12:42 pm (#2819 of 2963) Poor haymoni! Well, as you say, it's probably better that she's independent rather than clingy. ***Remembers "The Bugaloos" too, and "Family Affair"!*** I read a poem in a magazine today and thought of all the kidlets going off to school: The school bus rumbles down the road, Collecting kids from their abode; But out of sight and out of hearing, Multitudes of moms are cheering. Herm oh ninny - Aug 26, 2005 2:22 pm (#2820 of 2963) Hey guys! My sisters and I are going to go watch The Brothers Grimm tonight and I am so excited. Kaykay and Denise - If you do get to go to the book signing, bring your old books with you too! Christopher was signing as many copies as people wanted. Some went up with like 6 books! If I had known this earlier, I would have brought my copy of Eragon w/ me to get signed as well Ohh well, maybe when the last book comes out. This year has to be my book year! I just found out that the next book in Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events is coming out in October!! First HBP, then Eldest, and now this! <---doing a happy jig! Penny Lane. I also recall watching Alanis on "You Can't Do that on Television." But I must say I'm surprised that not one of you has mentioned the all time classic 80's children's sitcom "Punky Brewster." BTW - she just had a baby last week. I know I'm late in saying this, but congratulations to Denise and anyone else who needs it. I've been very, very busy these past few weeks. I go back to school on September 1st, but unfortunately I'm not going to Hogwarts. :pouts: My 14 year old son really loves The Series of Unfortunate Events. He talked me into reading the first one but I didn't really enjoy it much. He claims that the others are much better, maybe I should try reading the second. He has like the first 10. Amilia Smith - Aug 26, 2005 4:49 pm (#2823 of 2963) Edited Aug 26, 2005 5:27 pm Punky has a baby??? My, she grew up when I wasn't looking. Last I remember, she and her friend were adding their ages together so that they would sound old enough to babysit and earn a little money. I must agree, Herm oh ninny, this has been a really good year for books. A new HP, a new Jasper Fforde, a new Connie Willis, and soon a new Outlander. I haven't yet read Eragon. My brother told me it was a LOTR rip-off, so I haven't bothered, even though he insists that it is a really good rip-off. But I am starting to feel left out. Besides, as I was just reading in one of my storytelling texts this morning, "Stories lean on stories, art on art. This familiarity with the treasure-house of ancient story is necessary for any true appreciation of today's literature." (Jane Yolen, Touch Magic, p. 15) On that note, I thought of you all as I was reading this text. Yolen is lamenting that children today are growing up without their myths, legends and fairytales. "Who is Lilith? King David? Pegasus? Anansi the Spider? Apollo? Or the six whose names originally formed the acronym SHAZAM in the "Captain Marvel" spell: Soloman, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles, Mercury?" (Yolen, p.14) And to think that before yesterday I didn't even know SHAZAM was an acronym. Thank you Loopy and Squid Mike. Mills. Edit: Finn, I am still playing around on the Mac side of the Lab. I just bumped the eject key on the corner of the number pad while reaching for the mouse, and the moniter stuck its tongue out at me! kay - I couldn't get into those books either. The events are VERY unfortunate. I kept asking my son if anything good ever happens to these kids. It is so depressing! It kind of scares me that my son enjoys these books. That a lot of kids enjoy these books! The giant squid - Aug 27, 2005 1:19 am (#2825 of 2963) Punky has a baby??? My, she grew up when I wasn't looking.—Mills She was on the last couple seasons of Sabrina (with Melissa Joan Hart) as Sabrina's college roommate. Compliments of your resident TV geek. Speaking of which, did any of you ever see a game show on Comedy Central called Beat The Geeks? They had four experts on various subjects (TV Geek, Movie Geek, Music Geek and a rotating special guest Geek) and the contestants would have to answer more (or more obscure) trivia questions than the geeks did. I liked the frst season, but then they dumbed it down a bit and replaced teh host with someone geekier looking...but, sadly, he didn't have the right presence for a game show host. I mention it only because a) I often out-geked the geeks and b) you know they would have had a Harry Potter geek on there that we all could have out-geeked! Eragon may be a LotR ripoff (I have read it yet), but then so is pretty much every "fantasy" story written since 1950. It's just a question of how much is ripped and how much is added/adapted/reimagined. Just think, in 20 years (or less!) people will be referring to books as "a Harry Potter rip off"! --Mike I'm not sure what my point was... Dame Peverell - Aug 27, 2005 2:26 am (#2826 of 2963) Pleased to meet you. I see there are plenty of LOTR fans here so I want to urge you all to read the Silmarillion which is even more beautiful and exciting. It is hard to read but so worth the effort. There is a story in it about a man named Beren (One Hand) who falls in love with an Elven Kings daughter Luthien (Tinuviel). It is from this love story/saga that the whole Silmarillion, LOTR and other books came into being. JRR Tolkien just kept building around it. It's an incredible romance/adventure I am sure you will love. T Brightwater - Aug 27, 2005 6:46 am (#2827 of 2963) Dame Peverell, it's great to meet someone else who enjoyed the Silmarillion! Actually, though, the first part of the cycle that Tolkien wrote was "The Fall of Gondolin." It's in the Book of Lost Tales, part 2 I think. Dame Peverell - Aug 27, 2005 8:34 am (#2828 of 2963) Quite correct - he did sketch out a version of the Fall of Gondolin first. I mixed up first with favorite. But the story of Beren and Luthien is still the central work. In brief, a Silmaril is a sort of shining, light filled jewel. They were made, before sun and moon, from the dews that fell from the two trees that lit the earth until Morgoth threw down the trees and defiled them. (Morgoth is worse than Sauron, who was his minion) In order to win Luthien, Beren is told he must steal a Slmaril from Morgoth's crown; a task as doomed to failure as Frodo's attempt to reach Mt. Doom. Luthien runs away from her father and follows him into danger. I also enjoyed Tolkien's biography which goes into his relationship with C.S. Lewis (Narnia) and explains why the Silmarillion ended up to be so, well.. choppy. He wrote it at different times in his life and re-wrote some sections over and over in different styles; as if from different points of view. I thought it was magical. TBE My sister is going to buy a horse. She says it is an Arabian. I haven't seen it so I can't say if it has a dished face or the proper neck line. She says she is white with red freckles all over her. I know that Arabians (although uncommon)can be white ,but freckles? Just wanted your expertise. I've read the Simarillion, but admit to skimming all the elven songs. (Ducks dungbombs) Punky was also on an episode of Friends as a girlfriend of Joey's who kept punching him. And, giantsquid, I remember "Beat the Geeks". I always rocked the movie and TV questions. TwinklingBlueEyes - Aug 27, 2005 10:53 am (#2831 of 2963) kaykay, that's called a flea-bitten gray and a very common color in Arabian horses. Ok thanks. Madam Pince - Aug 27, 2005 1:48 pm (#2833 of 2963) Edited Aug 27, 2005 3:02 pm Hope all our Florida/Louisiana-and-thereabouts Forum members are weathering Hurricane Katrina all right! Take care, Ag Hart! Hey! Where's Julia??? Shouldn't she be back from the Land-of-No-Internet by now??? We've been missing a few other regulars since the release of HBP. We've gotten a lot of newbies which is great, but where's the old folks??? Hello all, jumping ahead about 500 posts to let you know I'm alive. Our house is on the market, and looks pretty good thanks to the 15 hour days I've been putting in on it for the last few weeks. It doesn't help that my husband's boss is sending him out of town constantly either, so I'm doing most of it myself. Personally I think his boss is mad we are taking the transfer to SC so he's working my husband extra hard. The open house is tomorrow though so I really hope that my life will calm down a bit, hope being the operative word. So I guess I need to read up on my history of Charleston SC.... Thora Oh boy what a day! I've been helping my sisters set fence post all evening so they have a place to put their horses. I have blisters on my blisters on my hands and my arms are all skinned up. I know I will really pay for it in the morning when my arms are sore. The giant squid - Aug 27, 2005 8:06 pm (#2837 of 2963) Hurricane Katrina? Lina, what has your daughter gotten into now? (I know that it's "Katerina" not "Katrina", but the pun was too hard to resist. --Mike Hello all, jumping ahead about 500 posts to let you know I'm alive – Thora I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who hasn't been around. I've been trying to get in extra hours and we've had a few free days and after hours events at the zoo so when I've gotten home I just sit on my but and do nothing. Haven't felt much like being on line. Also, after all the wait for HBP and all the excitement I kind of needed a break from HP, although I think it's time to get "Pottered" up again since GOF is only 3 1/2 months away. I read the Silmarillion also. I agree it was difficult to read, kind of confusing to me anyway. I had to keep going back and re reading things and was afraid to stop reading for fear I'd lose the story, but it was good. You learn a lot about where our favorite LOTR characters come from. Happy Birthday, anniversary and back to school to those I've missed. I'm lucky my daughter doesn't start school till after Labor Day. Most seem to start before nowadays. I'm off to catch up on other threads or try to at least. Later "Potter Taters" Dame Peverell - Aug 27, 2005 8:38 pm (#2839 of 2963) I've posted a little about myself for you on my page now...ad nauseam. Every time you re-read the Silmarillion more pops out at you. You lose yourself in it and the "sons of so and so stuff" doesn't slow you down as much. On the first and even second read your brain gets tied up in knots of "which elves where" until the beauty of the stories themselves gets squashed. If you can, I'd like to suggest you read just the first few pages, the Song of Iluvatar, and put the book down, close your eyes, and just savor it. Back to Slughorn... Stephanie M. - Aug 27, 2005 8:45 pm (#2840 of 2963) Glad to see you back Thora. My sister had a pretty long day going to Penn (University Of Pennsylvania) and taking a tour with boring people but there were Harry Potter moments! I'll tell you guys the whole story tomorrow. Nighty Night! Thora, I've been to Charleston. It's so gorgeous! I lived near Savannah, GA before moving here to Colorado and once we drove to Charleston for an Eagles concert. We spent an extra day there sight-seeing. My brother whined constantly because he couldn't go. I got him a t-shirt, sheesh! The giant squid - Aug 28, 2005 2:37 am (#2842 of 2963) My brother whined constantly because he couldn't go. I got him a t-shirt, sheesh! Well, it might have helped had you mentioned the concert to me more than 3 days before it happened! I think I still have that t-shirt somewhere, though... --Mike Hello all! No big news to report. I was having contractions one night, but they got to 7 minutes apart then stopped. Then yesterday they got to 6 minutes then stopped. So, I've been off the threads in an attempts to finish off a few more pre-baby chores. (Her quilt is done, the high chair clean, and nursery ALMOST ready.) Now I have to get things ready for Parker's first day of school, in case I'm not here. (Though I can't handle the thought of missing it, even if it does mean standing outside in Katarina's remnants at 7:30 in the morning!) Denise, that story about your car, WOW! Perhaps the sales person doesn't like to get commissions? Well, I'm off for a nap. Woke up at 4 , by 5:30 gave up on sleep. Took me a while to read through the thread, stopping for breakfast and to feed my girl, who was up early and hungry after falling asleep before dinner last night. At least someone got a good 12 hours! Kathy I hope all our Forum members in Louisana and Mississippi are able to get out of Katrina's path safely. Kathy, before Rhys was born, I had those annoying contractions that didn't go anywhere for about 2 weeks. They would always stop right before I got into the van to go up to the hospital LOL When I had Kierynn, the same thing happened. Hope something gets going for you soon. Puck, I really hope you'll be at home for your son's first day at school! **sending you baby-don't-hurry charms** I've read the Silmarillion once but I don't think I appreciated it as it should be, the reason is certainly that I read the most of it when I had to stay lying down on a hospital bed, it certainly didn't help! I should start it again one of those days. I survived the first days of school without too much stress. I have a lot of students, for a mixed grades class with young children, but everything went well. I used the "à la McGonagall" glance a few times, making very clear who was in charge in class, and it was enough. I even managed to finish the editing of the thesis this weekend: I wanted to add a bibliography and some 17th century "potions recipes", some of them are so interesting to read! And I finally re-read a last time the Accio paper, finding typos again of course, and just sent it to the Accio staff. It is a wonderful feeling to know all that is done! I hope everyone on Katrina's path is safe and that the forumers who live there will tell us soon that everything is ok for them! Have a great day everybody! Edit: what a lovely picture Denise! Hey everybody, I was out yesterday at the Travers Stakes (big horse race) with my parents, up in Saratoga, NY. We both drove up and returned home yesterday, although it took up the whole day! Not any of us came out in a winning percentage but we each had some interesting bets and overall it was a fun time. I've got to go off and get rid of all those yellow new buttons either by reading a whole bunch of posts or pressing a button… I'll try not to be lazy… Puck!! Good luck with the whole birthing process! I hope you get to see your son's first day of school. My thoughts and prayers are with those in the path of Katrina. Do any of our forum members live in the areas of Europe where the flooding has taken place? If so, I hope that you are safe and that the damage is not too bad. The pictures looked very scary. Denise, Rhys looks adorable Yesterday I had a wonderful day at the beach with my staff. Oh, it was wonderful. We went to Dana Point, which is a beach I had not ever been to. It was quite nice. The water in the Pacific is much colder than the water in the Atlantic, but it was soooo hot yesterday that it felt okay after your feet and legs got used to the shock. Today is my last day of owning a annual pass to Disneyland. So I need to get out there and enjoy it one last time. But the thermometer has been hanging around 101, 102, 103 for the last few days and I'm not so sure that I want to be there with all those people in the extreeme heat. But I paid a lot for it, so I need to use it! Have a great Sunday everyone. I hope everyone in Hurricane Katrina's way gets to a safe place (it's supposed to go right through Abbycadabra's hometown). Puck, I remember those annoying "do-nothing" contracations. It's like the Boy Who Cried Labor. Heehee. When I finally did go into labor with Lexie, I didn't realize it for a couple of hours. Then it was like, whoops, now they're only a minute apart, maybe I should wake up Mr. E. That's honestly what happened. He was not happy. Especially when he found out that I had gotten up and showered before waking him up. I have back-to-back Brownie parent meetings today. Our council prefers that troops stay all one grade, so my daughters are in two different troops. I am a co-leader for both troops. Because I have tons of free time, you know. Madam Pince - Aug 28, 2005 11:11 am (#2849 of 2963) When I finally did go into labor with Lexie, I didn't realize it for a couple of hours. –Marie Thank goodness it wasn't just me -- I was afraid I was just incredibly dense or something! I thought mine were just indigestion pangs -- "Hmmm, there's a little twinge.." (fifteen minutes later) "Hmmm, there's a little twinge.." (ten minutes later) "Hmmm, didn't I feel this a few minutes ago, too? Maybe I should start paying attention..." (five minutes later) "Wow, I really thought you were supposed to be very clear on this and not scratching your head wondering if this is just a bit of undigested tuna fish sandwich?" It didn't help that when I called my doctor, he assured me that it was just indigestion, because "if you're in labor, you'll know it." Hmph. Not so. Anyway, good luck, Puck! Hope everything goes well! And Happy First Day of School to the other little one! Safe trips to all the kidlets starting school! (It's a good time for everyone to be extra careful and alert -- first-day-excitement and hanging out at bus stops and walking along roads require caution!) (/soapbox) Lol, Madam Pince. Not only was I not sure I was in labor, even though I'd done it once before, but completely missed the fact that my water had broken the night before. Boy, were they mad at the hospital! "Should have come right in, risking infection, yadda, yadda, yadda". I thought when your water broke it was like on tv, great gushes of water. Apparently, not so. I'll now finish talking about "birthin", to the relief of many I'm sure. I'm off to the mall to get Shayla's right ear re-pierced. They pierced it crooked the first time, so that the earring back hung down under her lobe. Lexie thinks she's getting her ears pierced, too. We'll see... Lady Arabella - Prefect - Posts : 2285 Location : Silicon Valley, CA Re: Chat & Greetings 2005 Madam Pince - Aug 28, 2005 11:34 am (#2851 of 2963) Well, that one was my big clue, Marie. When I called the doctor back with that update, it gave me great satisfaction to ask him "So, do you still think it's indigestion?" (I had called about three times to ask "Are you sure?") He said "Um...no. Better come in. And don't drive yourself." Thora and pottermom, welcome back! Thora, sounds like your house will get snapped up right away! Best wishes and hope the move to Charleston goes smoothly -- I've always wanted to visit there. We had planned a trip last year but it didn't work out. It seems beautiful. Denise, the new pic of Rhys is beautiful! What a sweetie. If anyone gets the chance to read today's comic "Mallard Fillmore," it's pretty funny and reminded me of some past Forum discussions. It's a long poem about the proper use of apostrophes, and it ends with someone telling him he's becoming a "grumpy old grammar crank," whereupon he wonders aloud if the teal-colored awareness ribbon has been taken or not.... Happy Sunday to everyone! TwinklingBlueEyes - Aug 28, 2005 2:30 pm (#2852 of 2963) Hey everyone. Hope all those who could get out of the way of this hurricane did. We are stuck here and it's coming straight to my front door. (At least as long as the front door stays there!) Good luck to all. Maybe I'll have a few hours to read posts. Got generator, but when cable goes out so does my internet. Take care and stay safe, TBE!! Marie, hope the re-piercing goes well. I had Kaitlyn and Kierynn's ears pierced as babies and they don't mess with them at all. I think it helped that both ears were done at the same time, one person on each ear. For all that I have given birth numerous time, I don't know nuthin' about birthing no babies! Stephanie M. - Aug 28, 2005 3:28 pm (#2854 of 2963) Hey everyone! It's been raining here a little bit but not too hard. Well I said I tell you all about the tour at Penn so here it is: It was very boring (we've been there many times so we basically knew everything) but they started to explain the dorm rooms in the Quad. So they were saying that all of the "common rooms" looked like the ones in Harry Potter. And they started to explain the Quad and they sounded exactly like the Gryffindor common room! So basically that was it, but I was thinking "I would like to go here if they have Harry Potter esk things! I would like to live a Harry Potter common room!" Off to watch the VMAs! Be careful TBE and everyone else. Pigwidgeon - Aug 28, 2005 6:59 pm (#2856 of 2963) Ditto, kaykay. Man, I just read about Katrina being a category four or five *shudder* To anyone in Louisiana and, well, anyone in the path of this monster, our thoughts are with you. On an unrelated note, wish me luck! School starts tomorrow, and I'm very excited! Good luck, Pigwidgeon! And safe wishes to all those in the path of Hurricane… Thingy. Kathy, let us know when things get rolling! We will be thinking of you… Ludicrous Patents Office - Aug 28, 2005 7:13 pm (#2858 of 2963) Hope everyone stays safe from Katrina. Puck my thoughts are with you! Sounds like you have everything ready to go. Elanor, will you publish your thesis? You must be so relieved to get the editing behind you. LPO TBE, our thoughts are with you! Post ASAP so we know you are Okay! (And your precious horses are, too.) I remember when I was expecting my first lying on the couch in the morning with a stomach ache, and finally realizing my water was starting to break. On the way to the hospital I realized that stomache ache was coming and going every 5 minutes or so, and the pains were 3 minutes apart by the time I got to my room. I had these pre pains for a week or so with my daughter, but now I need to hold off until after the bus comes on Wednesday. Went to dinner with some friends tonight, a last night out before the little one arrives. Cheesecake factory, yummy! And I FINALLY finished cleaning out the nursery today, so that's checked off the list. (Of course, the hallway is a mess, because that's where I stacked the boxes, etc... that I removed from the baby's room. Quick thread check before bed. Going on to midnight, yet I doubt I could sleep. Kathy TBE stay safe. Oh I do hope everyone had gotten out of Katherines's way, or at least found a good dry spot. I will keep everyone Louisiana in my best thoughts. Here in CT were have frequent loss of power, so I truly feel for everyone in Katerina's path. For all that I have given birth numerous time, I don't know nuthin' about birthing no babies! lol Denise, you don't need to know anything to have them, you just need to be there! Those contractions that you had for 2 weeks with Rhys, I had for 4 months with my first. They were so strong that I literally could not move my legs to walk until the contraction stopped. When the doctor caught one on monitor, he was surprised that I hadn't complained of pain. Marie I hope the re-piecing goes well. Two of my girls were fine with it. Anastasia, well she cried and was not happy. But she has now asked for earrings again after about a 2 year hiatus. This weekend was the agricultural fair in our town. You know, tractor pull, best tomato, the first selectman in a cow milking contest, kiddie rides. As NY city folks it's really surprising to us each year that were are so close to this, yet were oblivious to it growing up just 2 hours away. Oh, TBE that is really scary! I will be thinking of you and Phoenix Song in the hours to come, she must be on Katrina's path too. LPO, yes it will be published during Fall. It will be called: "L'hôtel-Dieu de Charlieu de 1678 à 1725 ou l'histoire d'une renaissance" (The hospital of Charlieu from 1678 to 1725 or the story of a rebirth), a very alchemical name now that I think about it, LOL! The publisher is a regional one and the number of copies will be small but it makes me happy just the same! I am indeed so relieved this work is done. I'm going to give the CD of the thesis to the publisher on Wednesday, I hope everything will be ok! I wish you all a great day (it is morning here!) or night, everyone take care! Audrey The giant squid - Aug 29, 2005 12:58 am (#2862 of 2963) He was not happy. Especially when he found out that I had gotten up and showered before waking him up.--Marie E. What, he expected you to spend who knows how many hours in a hospital bed surrounded by all sorts of strangers unshowered? Does he know you? And safe wishes to all those in the path of Hurricane… Thingy.--Finn BV LOL! Well said, and I add my well wishes to yours. --Mike Dame Peverell - Aug 29, 2005 3:04 am (#2863 of 2963) There, aren't I all pretty now with my nice, new picture? 'course it's not near so fine as the Giant Squids! Say, did you hear the one about DD as the Giant Squid vs. LV as the Whomping Willow? I'd like to see a picture of that... sorry, I'll just go back to Hags and Slugs now... My niece actually had her ears pierced at the pediatricians office. She's 7 and was thrilled to be allowed (still don't know how she talked my brother into it.) I feel so bad for these news people who actually head into the path of the storm to report back to the rest of us. And we are not nearly through hurricane season yet. Have a great day all! Off to fold laundry, then it's time for kickboxing. (Likely my last chance to go.) Kathy The re-piercing went fine, though she tried to pretend to cry a little for some attention. They did the two-gun approach the first time, but the girl who on left ear was obviously off. The hardest part I think was waiting for her to choose a pair of earrings. Her first choice was $42. After I was done laughing hysterically, I asked her make another choice. Miss Lexie wants to get her ears done this weekend. We'll see. I wanted to do it when they were babies, but Mr. E. said he wanted to wait until they asked for it. Puck, I cannot believe you are still kickboxing. Towards the end I could barely climb stairs. Denise, cute picture of Kaity and Rhys! I've been watching CNN's coverage of Katrina. I hope all of our Gulf Coast members are out of harm's way. I've been watching CNN. Katrina is really scary. I hope TBE and anybody else are safe. Madam Pince & Catherine - thank you for emailing me. Hope all is well with our Forum members in the path of the storm. Yep - I'm stayin' right here in Northeast Ohio. I'll take snow anyday! Stephanie M. - Aug 29, 2005 6:57 am (#2868 of 2963) I hope everyone in the path of the storm are doing okay! I only needed to have my ears pierced once even though I think they are both a little bit too low on my ear lobe. I got mine pierced with a plastic surgeon. (We knew the doctor because my aunt needed stitches in her head.) I had the gun but they had a really hard time of getting the earring off the gun after they pierced through my ear. And that part hurt the most but I didn't think it hurt at all. And my ears haven't been infected either. I'm off to the first day of the US Open! (Stay dry everyone!) We're supposed to be getting 65 mph winds here by 1:00. I'm not sure where Denise P. is but maybe her too. We had a warning not to drive a van or truck. My hubby drove the mini-van this morning. Hopefully the wind will be over by the time he gets off work. I am on the TN/KY border, our weather just flashed an alert to expect hurricane force winds by this evening and it is raining really hard at the moment. Come this afternoon, I plan to stay inside. Denise You are North of me. I'm in the southern part of West Tn. right between Memphis and Nashville. I'm off to the first day of the US Open! –Steph How many tickets to do you have? I thought you were going next week. Again, best wishes to all down South. Looks like the weather is headed up through Ohio/PA in a couple days as well, and then… Dame Peverell - Aug 29, 2005 7:29 am (#2873 of 2963) One day when I was 14 two of my friends dragged me along to another girls house where at least 10 girls were sitting around, squealing, with ice cubes held to their ears, hoping to freeze them enough so that it wouldn't hurt when they drove a big sewing needle through! No way would I be so foolish, to mar my body and risk infection! I was never so revolted in my life but after about three hours of this I couldn't drag my friends away and I couldn't stand these ninnies anymore so I put an ice cube on my ear for maybe 5 minutes, it hurt my head as I recall, and stuck the large sewing needle with cotton thread on it right through my earlobe. "See, it's not so hard" I said, and suddenly the other girls gained heart and went for it too. Unfortunately, my hands shook so bad it took 2 hours before I could do the other ear and it WAS hard. Two months I had mercurochromed ears with string loops in them! What an idiot! I had to re-do that second one too! Of course Mom and Dad went through the roof. Buy me earrings? NOT. Baby-sit for $ when I'm grounded? NOT. This was when pierced-ears first became the rage and I don't think they had or used the guns yet. Most girls' parents certainly wouldn't waste money on the doctor for it either. So that was why the girls took matters into their own hands, so to speak. Just sharing. Stephanie M. - Aug 29, 2005 7:55 am (#2874 of 2963) I'm off to the first day of the US Open! --Steph How many tickets to do you have? I thought you were going next week.—Finn LOL! I'm going with my cousins today! (They got the tickets) And I might being next week with my dad. It would be really cool to go everyday though... And Dame Peverell, all I have to say about that story is WOW! What happened to the other girl's ears? I had to wait until 4th grade to get my ears pierced. That would have been in 1976, if the bicentennial cover to my school's yearbook for that grade is correct. We went to a department store. There was a stool in the jewelry department and the clerk had some silver stud earrings with sharp points on the end of them. She shoved them through my earlobes - no ice, no numbing stuff - and then, my mother told her that the left one was lower - so she had to do it again! I can still feel my earlobes throbbing! I had 1 hole in each ear all through high school. When I got to college, I noticed I had all these really great earrings, but only 1 of some of them, so a girl down the hall pierced my left ear a second time. She had a gun of some sort and it really didn't hurt much. I thought I was being rather practical in not tossing all those orphaned earrings. Sophomore year - which would have been Fall of 1984 - those long dangling gold earings with the hook insert were in. I have a rather short neck and some of them were so long that they would actually touch my shoulder. So "wise fool" that I was, I figured if I added a 3th hole to my left ear, I would be able to wear the long earrings without the drag factor. Unfortunately, I came to this conclusion in a bar. My roomate had a "starter earring" - the stud with the pointy end. We figured we were drunk enough, so it shouldn't hurt too much. We must have been VERY drunk because we actually stuck the starter earring in some beer to sterilize it. (It seemed so logical at the time - there's alchohol in beer, after all!) My roommate proceeded to shove the earring through my ear, but as I already had 2 holes in that ear, she had to do it higher where it really hurt. She had the earring half-way through my earlobe and ran out of the restroom, saying that she didn't want to hurt me anymore. So I had to finish the job myself. Do I use my 2nd & 3rd holes anymore? Of course not! What a waste! Dame Peverell - Aug 29, 2005 8:36 am (#2876 of 2963) Most of them I never saw again so I can't say. We all had severe setbacks in our social lives from that point on. 2 of the girls I recall just let their ears close up. (Those were the 2 that dragged me along) Mine got infected and I found I was allergic to anything less than 14k and of course the first earrings I could scrape up money for were only 10. It was a long and horrible "live and learn" experience but I was determined, having gone through so much pain and grief and ridicule that at the very least I was going to end up with pierced ears! It ended up OK eventually and now I wear a nice pair of platinum stud diamond earrings that I never have to take off except to clean. I do not recommend any one to try it. Ice really doesn't help much. Herm oh ninny - Aug 29, 2005 10:22 am (#2877 of 2963) Hello all! I have to say, I love reading all the stories on this thread! It really brightens up my day : OK, now that I have said that: I hope that everyone in the Hurricane Thingy area is safe and well. Stephanie - One of my friends is also a starting freshman at Penn State. I wonder if she will meet your sister. She is a Harry fan as well Puck - I hope that Baby Puck decides to hang out in there just a little longer And I hope the first day of school goes well. I kept asking my son if anything good ever happens to these kids.- haymoni For the most part things do seem to get worse from them as the books go along. However, there are bright moments and there is a strong message about family and love throughout them. Hopefully by book 13 (the last one) the kids will get their happy ending. Dame Peverelle - That scene you described reminds me of the movie Grease when they try to pierce Sandy's ears. LOL My parents had my ears pierced when I was about 9 months old. They said that when I was about 2 I took them out and had to have them re-done because they closed. When I was 18 I got 2nd and 3rd holes done as well. It was a funny sight. Me sitting at the piercing booth at the mall, clutching at a Teddy bear that the lady gave me to hold while she did them LOL Eragon is very Lord of the Ringish. The author has said that he idolizes Tolkien and wrote Eragon in ispiration to LOTR. It is a great book. He also wrote it when he was 15!! OK, on the whole labor issue, you can be in labor and not realize it? That is amazing to me! The way they show it on tv, I thought that it would be impossible not to know it. Well off to the threads. Have a great day all Well, it is 1:00 and the weather is still calm here. Now we just have to wait and see what happens. CNN coverage is kind of confusing they say they expect Katrina to follow the Mississippi River. When they show the expected path on the map it is further east and a lot closer to where I am located. Herm Oh Ninny I have had 5 children, no epidurals and yes I always knew when I was in labor. Herm oh ninny - Aug 29, 2005 11:10 am (#2879 of 2963) Kaykay - 5 children and NO epidurals?? Soul Mate for Sirius - Aug 29, 2005 11:22 am (#2880 of 2963) Hey everyone. I was down in Jacksonville, NC this weekend and had no internet. Boy do I have a lot of catching up to do! This weekend was a really hard one. I went to NC to visit my best friend who is a Marine stationed at Camp Lejeune. He's going "overseas" (I refuse to let myself say where cause I'm so scared!!) and this was the last time I get to see him before he leaves. I'm so scared and so, spent much of the weekend dreading having to leave, and spent the whole of my travel time back to DC crying my eyes out! Talk about a baby! Anyway, I'm back in DC now for work, and I'm already counting down the days until school starts and I'll be back in Ohio! Yep - I'm stayin' right here in Northeast Ohio. I'll take snow anyday! -haymoni Are you anywhere near Cleveland? I'm from Northeast Ohio as well! Just west of Cleveland. Anyway, it's been fun reading everyone's posts from this weekend but now I'm off to catch up on the threads! And my thoughts are with everyone in Katrina's path! T Brightwater - Aug 29, 2005 11:30 am (#2881 of 2963) Oh, yeah, I remember that northeast Ohio weather - I went to Oberlin, back in the days when we had real winters :-) I'd still take that over hurricanes, though. Best wishes and Shield Charms to all in harm's way. Yes Herm Oh Ninny and the youngest was 16 hours labor. Soul Mate I doubt anyone would call you a baby for being upset about your friend. My Dad went to Vietnam 3 times. I was too young to remember the last time and wasn't born the first 2 but I know Mama must have had it rough. When my brother-in-law went to Desert Storm that was really scary. I am kind of upset. We were going to buy a house from my sister-in-law. She just called to say she has backed out. I can't really blame her. She lost her 19 year old son last year to a car wreck and she can't let go of the place. She calls and says I'm going to hate her because of it. I just told her nothing she could do would ever make me hate her. I said we will just have to start looking again. Glad she called when she did the banker was going to do an appraisal any day. Anyway, she and I just had a good cry over my nephew. It was a rough year 2004. My sister lost her 13 year old step-son in July. My daughter’s best friend on her soccer team died in a wreck in September. Then we buried the 19 year old on Halloween. Imagine what that does to a mother of 5. I have been totally paranoid since. T Brightwater - Aug 29, 2005 12:33 pm (#2883 of 2963) Very sorry to hear of your losses, kaykay. (and good luck on finding another house.) Madam Pince - Aug 29, 2005 12:46 pm (#2884 of 2963) I know what you mean, kaykay -- imagine what it does to a mother of only one! So sorry you had a rough morning -- sounds like you need some chocolate. We heard a bad story about a kid and a school bus on the first day of school (hence my earlier post) -- scary business being a parent. Hope you find a new house soon! Cheering Charms to Jenn, too -- we keep all the soldiers and their families in our prayers every night! Hope all goes well. Good luck to all in the hurricane's path! It's amazing how much water that thing has generated! Pigwidgeon, hope your first day of school went well! Dame Peverell: We all had severe setbacks in our social lives from that point on. Hmmmm... imagine that! Herm-oh-ninny: OK, on the whole labor issue, you can be in labor and not realize it? Definitely yes, but only in the earlier stages, I'd say -- technically still considered "labor" but not usually the stage they show on TV shows. Later stages... there wasn't too much doubt, unfortunately. But hey, as I told Mr. Pince, what a great career to be an anaesthesiologist -- not everybody gets cheers and standing ovations just for showing up for work! "Hello, I'm your anaesthesiologist." ***much rejoicing all around*** "Yippee! Huzzah! Where ya been? Welcome! Get the heck in here! I had the same experience as haymoni for ear piercing -- department store stool, some kind of staple-gun thingy, sharp pointed stud earring, no numbing, the whole bit. Mine didn't hurt at all, but one ear made a disconcerting "crunch" noise. Bleah... I guess the good thing about waiting until you're old enough to really really want it and ask for it is that you're probably more likely to suck it up and be brave. Edited Aug 29, 2005 1:41 pm You're absolutely right Madame Pince. I guess the reason I didn't simply say mother is because I had to deal with all the childrens' grief first and didn't get a chance to express my own grief. For months, my oldest daughter would stay in her room for hours and cry but we are all doing much better now. She has tremendous inner strength and that helped her overcome her grief in the end. Thanks T Brightwater. Soulmate for Sirius - I am near Kent. We are very nearly neighbors! Madam Pince - Aug 29, 2005 1:08 pm (#2887 of 2963) Oh, I see, kaykay! I was being self-centered and thinking about my own "mother's worries" and not about comforting the little ones! I guess that's because my little guy is still too young for me to have ever had to do that yet. Sigh.... not looking forward to that. Quite all right Madame Pince. When my Dad died in 2001 I was so absorbed with grief that I couldn't help my children as much as I would have liked. When they lost their cousins(knowing that pain myself) I tried to make up for it the best I could. Sorry about your losses Kaykay1970 I just saw shot of the hurricane on the news, GOOD LUCK to those in her path, you’re in my thoughts. On the labor issue, I was in labor 36 1/2 hours with my first one. I got sent home from the hospital and made it to my Dr. appointment the next day. I was awake for 24 hours. When I got to the Dr, he ask what I was doing there I said that's what I want to know. I went back to the hospital about 10 am and had Cassie at 6:33 pm. When I got to the hospital I said I'm not leaving without a baby. My second I was in pre-labor for a week. Went to the hospital and again got sent home. A week later, I went back I was in labor about 24hours. Went in the morning and had Sarah about the same time as Cassie. It didn't take long for Sarah to come out though, she was out before the Dr. had his scrubs on. I had my ears pierced for a while but it wasn't my thing I lost interest. To me it was just one more thing to have to do. Call me lazy. Has anyone here ever been to Mackinaw City? If so, are you familiar with the pizza place(Mama Mia's I think its called) in the shopping area by the boat docks? It had the Mackinaw Bridge Museum upstairs in it? Well my mom was just up ther and said it burned down. She said she saw smoke coming over the bridge and that was it. She said the weird thing is there was a bald eagle soaring over it. So much for history of the Mackinaw Bridge. Hopefully they'll be able to save some of the things. Boy, pardon the long windedness, I have to get ready to go to my daughters open house. They're having an ice cream social. Can't wait. I'm still hungry from supper. Anyway I'll catch you all later Michelle penguin patronus - Aug 29, 2005 2:48 pm (#2890 of 2963) Tonight I have to go to orientation for my new school. I'm a bit nervous, but I know I'll make it through. I just started reading The Thief Lord. Anyone read that book? So far it's good. I'm only on like chapter ten... Oh yeah, has anyone read Roverandom by J.R.R. Tolkien? That was kinda random...oh, well. Ludicrous Patents Office - Aug 29, 2005 3:56 pm (#2891 of 2963) Penguin patronus the Thief Lord is very good. It is my favorite of Cornelia Funkes's. I finished Eldest. It is good. I haven't read Roverandom by Tolkien. Good luck with your orientation. I got my ears pierced at age 12. One hole is lower because I jumped when the gun went off. That was enough for me. I don't have any extra ear piercings! Congratulations Elanor! Getting your thesis published is pretty impressive. Kaykay what a horrible experience to go through. I hope your daughter continues to do better. Good luck finding a house! LPO Accio Sirius - Aug 29, 2005 5:47 pm (#2892 of 2963) Reply Edited by Aug 29, 2005 5:49 pm T Brightwater, I had a very good friend who went to Oberlin and raved about it. She talked about her actor friend who went there--Chris Eigeman, who appeared on one season of The Gilmore Girls and in a couple of Whit Stillman films. Are you really an actor and a potty? I hope everyone in Katrina's wake made it through okay. It certainly looked awful, although I get tired of how thrilled all the newscasters seem. I told Mr. Accio Sirius that it actually seems like they aren't going to be happy until a news reporter actually gets blown away and impaled on a light post! As for pierced ears, my father was dead set against it, but was well worn down in his conviction by the time he got to me, the four and youngest of the girls. I got mine pierced the earliest in 9th grade, although before we went to the mall to have it done, he made a big production about it--said he'd do it himself and came down stairs with a nail and a bottle of whiskey. Funny guy! Now I have three holes in my left ear--one done ala haymoni in college, another mall-made. Denise--darling avatar--and equally darling baby. Congratulations. Love the name! What was the inspiration? Madam Pince - Aug 29, 2005 6:06 pm (#2893 of 2963) ...it actually seems like they aren't going to be happy until a news reporter actually gets blown away and impaled on a light post! I know!!! What is with that? Why do they insist on having some 90-lb. woman stand in the middle of a flooded street with trees bending at a right angle, endangering her life, just so they can give us perspective or something??? Geez! No news internship in the world is worth that! Have you guys heard the comedian Ron White discussing hurricanes? He was making fun of a 50-something-year-old man who was bragging about what good physical condition he was in, and he was planning to tie himself to a tree and "ride out" a hurricane just to prove he could physically withstand hurricane-force winds. Mr. White said "I hate to tell you, buddy, but when it comes to a hurricane, it's not that the wind is blowing.... it's what the wind is blowing. If you get hit by a flying Volvo, it's not going to matter how many sit-ups you did that morning!" T Brightwater - Aug 29, 2005 6:49 pm (#2894 of 2963) Accio Sirius, I'm not an actor, but I am a Pottie. :-) And I loved Oberlin, too - for one thing, it's where I discovered Renaissance music! I don't remember anyone named Chris Eigeman, but even if we happened to be there at the same time (I graduated in 1980) the place is big enough that one doesn't necessarily know everyone. When was your friend there? I had my ears pierced by a friend of my mother, and they never healed properly. I finally gave up. Twenty-plus years later they still haven't completely closed, just enough so that I can't actually wear earrings. Oh, well. If we could just distribute all that rain over places that need it (like the Chicago area)! Hope all you Forumers made it through okay. Accio Sirius - "ala haymoni" - a gun in the dorm or sanitized in a bar??? I don't understand these storm people either. If I lived on the ocean/gulf/lake, I'd have some of those metal pull-down barricades installed on all my windows & doors - like they have in the mall. You know - like metal garage doors. I wouldn't have the most attractive house, but its gotta beat putting up all that plywood everytime a tropical whatever comes by. Hope all is well with everyone. Have a good week. Thanks all. Well, other than a little rain and wind we haven't seen anything too serious yet. The weather man said 1:00 p.m., then 8:00 p.m. Now he is saying tomorrow, so the sky will probably open up about the time I get good and asleep tonight. Well, the slower it moves maybe the more it will dissapate before it arrives. I thought the same thing about the reporters, Madame Pince. T hey are out in 150 m.p.h. winds. I'm planning to run and hide in my sisters basement if the wind blows 75 m.p.h. Oh yeah, I think Ron White is hillarious! My husband has a tape The Blue Collar Comedy Tour. Ron White is the funniest comedian on the tape. penguin patronus - Aug 29, 2005 6:55 pm (#2897 of 2963) I just got back from orientation...not what I expected. I haven't met anyone yet and it was chaos...oh well. This is a bit random again, but has anyone heard of Fiona Apple? I really like her music and I found out a while ago that her new CD is coming out in October. If you want to listen to some of her new songs (I like O' Sailor) here's the site: http://www.fiona-apple.com/ All right. One more thing. Did any of you here about the Hubble discovering "the eye of Sauron"? It's really weird. It's like this newly formed solar system that looks like "Sauron's eye" from the movie. here's the link: http://www.poe-news.com/stories.php?poeurlid=49342 Lupin is Lupin. Natch. Wow! I just had one of those great parental moments. I've been reading The Chronicles of Narnia (warning, Book 5 spoiler ahead) to my two children over the summer. We just finished the fifth book, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. As we concluded the book I wasn't really paying as much attention to my children's reactions as I should have. It's late and I was ready to see them in bed. My daughter, who's six, was taking rather long getting into bed. When my son asked her what was wrong she mumbled something about Reepicheep. Turns out, she was terribly sad to see Reepicheep go beyond the End of the World into Aslan's country. And when I say sad, I mean tears, lots of 'em. The kid is crying for an imaginary two-foot tall talking mouse! How incredibly sweet. (And there I'd thought she hadn't been paying attention. Best of luck to those weathering out Katrina. School is already cancelled for tomorrow due to the effects of Katrina. What was the inspiration for naming the boy Rhys.. When we were expecting Kierynn, our boy name was Ewan Reese. I wanted Rhys then because of the traditional spelling over the more common anglicized spelling but Mr. Denise put down a firm NO (Let's not even go into how I really wanted to use Rory). This time around, when we knew we had a boy, we decided to go with Aidan over Ewan and we still wanted Reese as a middle name but I had an ace up my sleeve and decided to play it. "This is my last baby and I think I should be able to spell his name Rhys" I also upped my chances by ordering a personalized blanket with that spelling. Thus....we have Rhys My family originally comes from Wales so it is appropriate that we used the Welsh spelling. Madam Pince - Aug 29, 2005 7:20 pm (#2900 of 2963) Oh Denise, how very Slytherin of you! Lady Arabella - Prefect - Posts : 2285 Location : Silicon Valley, CA Re: Chat & Greetings 2005 Stephanie M. - Aug 29, 2005 7:45 pm (#2901 of 2963) I was 10 when I got my ears pierced. I asked my parents if I could get them pierced when I was around 8. My cousin got her's pierced when she was 8. She's 1 1/2 years older than me but she got her's pierced, and she got the flu and her mom took her earrings out to clean them but by the time she came back into her room my cousin was asleep and my aunt didn't want to wake her up and they closed up over night. So when they were 100% closed up she got her ears re-pierced. When she got them pierced again I was 8 and wanted mine done too. So I asked my mom if I could get them pierced and she said when I turned 16 (she originally wanted 18) and then I asked my dad and he said, "sure why not!" So I went back to my mom and told her that dad said I told get them pierced. (Hehe I was a sneaky child! ) And they came to a compromise and I got them pierced right after I turned 10 (2 years later) I got them pierced. So I went to the US Open today and I saw 2 really good matches. The Nadal match and the Venus match and I got SOOO burned!!! I am a pale, freckle-y red head (ish. I don't have really red hair. I have blonde and brown highlights.) And my sister said to me it's probably going to be pouring rain. You don't need sun screen! So I listened to her and didn't put on any sun screen and I'm in so much pain right now. Even my KNEES are really burnt! I think I should take a picture of myself and show you guys. I don't have an avatar though, so it might be a little hard. Some one told me to put vinegar on my burn because it will help the redness go away but I think if I put vinegar on myself my skin will totally come off! I'm so burnt that I can barely move!! I'm in so much pain! Any suggestions? Another way to get a hubby to agree to a name is to not make any firm decision until you are in labor. Much easier to get your way when he sees you in pain! My Mom didn't realize she was in labor with me until I was well on my way and she was in the very end stages of labor. I arrived in about 20 minutes. Mom also pierced her own ears with needle and string. I had a set done in grade school, the next set at age 15, and a third hole done in the left during a student exchange in England. I can tell you ears are nothing pain-wise compared to belly button. THAT hurts. So, anyone know where TBE lives? How close to the storm? (In an evacuation area, it seemed from yesterdays post.) Have a great night! Off to check threads! Kathy Mrs. Sirius - Aug 29, 2005 8:07 pm (#2903 of 2963) Stephanie, say a-l-o-e, aloe vera and cold compresses. Good luck. it actually seems like they aren't going to be happy until a news reporter actually gets blown away and impaled on a light post! I saw a clip earlier today of some reporter getting knocked over by the wind and rolling across an alley or a street. Is it wrong that I laughed hysterically at that? I didn't get my ears pierced until I was 18. The girl who did it had several piercings including ears, eyebrows, nose and tongue. She was not polite. I don't really wear earrings that much now just occasionally. I hope everyone is doing okay and anyone in the path of Katrina has survived the storm. Wow, so much to comment on. I've been so busy that I've just been lurking for a few days...but I have a short moment to sit and breathe so I thought I'd say hi. Let's see: on ears- I got my first set done in kindergarten or first grade. My mom didn't even have them then! But I quickly found out that I'm allergic to nickel. So only nickel free earrings for me. I remember that for a while in elementary school I either had to have plastic earrings or I would spent a while with strings in my ears. My second set I got in college. I think my Junior year, my sister was a freshman and we went together to the mall and both got second sets. It was fun. Then three years after college I got one in the cartlidge up on the top part of one of my ears. That hurt! (I want to get a small tattoo but I'm not sure I should if I think that the piercing in my cartlidge hurt...) I have never been pregnant so I can't say anything about giving birth, except that my mom was in labor with me for 36 hours and without any medication. That's dedication right there. Plus, the hospital was three hours from the house (my dad was stationed in White Sands New Mexico and the closest hosp. at the time was in Texas). I do hope that TBE is safe, and all the other forumers down in that area (and for all of you it's coming towards). Why is it that they places that do not need rain always get it in abundance and the places that do need it get none? We could use a good rain shower here in LA. Puck, I guess you haven't had the baby, so yay for he/she (?) to wait so you could see your son off on his first day of school. I hope everything goes well and quickly! It's been super hot here in Southern California for the last month it seems. I'm waiting for it to cool down some. I feel as if I live on the sun sometimes. This weekend is the weekend that all of our residents move into the halls and apartment areas on campus, so I'm really hoping it is not so hot. We have to work all day both days and for the students it's no fun to move in the heat. Anyway... I think that post was long enough. Night and good morning and good afternoon as it fits for you! Stephanie M. - Aug 29, 2005 9:56 pm (#2906 of 2963) OMG! I forgot to tell you all about this!! *smacks head into night stand* When I was at the US Open today I heard this cell phone go off (during a match!!! How rude?) but what I'm about to tell you is going to excuse the person's rudeness! HER RING TONE WAS HEDWIG'S THEME!!! It was soooo cool!!! I must get that ring tone! Except the ring was VERY low and I probably would never hear it. But the person was sitting very close to me that I heard it in the silence of the crowd! It was amazing! I still can't believe this has slipped my memory until now! Then later on I was sure I heard people scream at Nadal "AGUAMENTI!" but I'm pretty sure I was wrong. I was just thinking about HP at the time... *sigh* That was one good ring tone... Dame Peverell - Aug 29, 2005 10:00 pm (#2907 of 2963) T Brightwater - Are those Windflowers? Copy that “send the rain to Chicago” For those of you who don’t know, for the past few years an odd, wedge-shaped dry area has developed that points like an arrow to Chicago. It rains north and south, east and further west, and along the lake, but the western suburbs and farmland has been, like in a shadow, particularly this year. That combined with the West Nile Virus has made times really hard on the wildlife. Rain now would be too late for the corn and tomatoes but my Brassicas would love it. Penguin Patronus - I downloaded that image last week! Spooky. Denise P. - I really like the name Rhys. Kaitlyn too. I have an Aidan (grandchild) and while I liked the name when he was born it has become too common. Like Ryan. Or Sean. Great names but not when 30% of the class have it. Stephanie M. - Aloe Vera. Everyone, especially cooks, should keep a plant of it going on their windowsill as first aid for burns. On earrings - My holes would like to close up, in the back particularly. If I didn’t wear earrings for a few days I would have to re-pierce the back of the hole. Changing them everyday irritated them too. That’s how I came to getting a really good pair of fairly small ones I could keep in all the time. Also, the backs that are urn-shaped are the best because they stay clean, don’t come off as easily and won’t catch your hair all the time. So for your next birthday make a pitch for some quarter caret diamond stud earrings. Tell him, “When you wear Diamonds, why wear anything else?” I bet I’ve saved a small fortune in earrings, not to mention a bunch of infections, over the years by adopting that attitude so wholeheartedly and they look very nice. Sometimes I add flowers or leaves that go on the post right behind the stone. Best wishes to all. The giant squid - Aug 29, 2005 11:17 pm (#2908 of 2963) This is my last baby--Denise P. Of all the things you've ever said here, Denise, somehow I believe this one the least. Eponine, don't feel bad about waiting so long to pierce your ears. I didn't get mine done until I was 18 either. Well, okay, I only got the left ear pierced ('cause that was the "straight" ear ) but for some reason I haven't let it close up. This despite getting in trouble a couple times at work for it (or perhaps because of it--we find our rebellion where we can). I just wear a small gold hoop these days--the dangling eagle claw earring is gathering dust somewhere next to my Metallica concert T-shirt--and (almost) always remember to take it out when the District Manager comes by... --Mike dizzy lizzy - Aug 29, 2005 11:53 pm (#2909 of 2963) My Mum must have been a bit of a dragon then...my sister and I only got our ears pierced at the local Hairdressers when we were 15. And even then we had to prove we had the money to pay for the earrings, the piercing fee, the cleaning guck and enough money to buy antibiotics if the ear got infected. Like a lot of others on this forum; I got earrings only to find I suffered from allergy problems. I actually wear the brand of earrings used to pierce the ears 95% of the time, and change earrings around for good occasions. Mind you there are some days where I wonder if it might just be easier to take them out and forget I ever got the ears done... I've had a good holiday, I managed to snag a cheapish digital camera on special and I've been having fun taking some more photos of the puppy dogs. I think I'm going to have to do more editing of the photos to get them useable as avatars. Apart from that, I haven't done much at all except sleep in, cook, read and spend time outside with the dogs in the lovely, but unseasonal spring weather. Unfortunately the holiday ends today and I am back to work tomorrow. The day after is the day I go to the audiometrist to be fitted for my new hearing aids and I get them about 2 weeks later whilst I am in Sydney for yet more training. Have a wonderful day everyone and I hope those who ended up in Katrina's path are safe and well. Lizzy Hope everyone who is/was in the hurricanes path is ok. I got my ears pierced when I was about 8. Then I decided to get them done a second time when I was 14 (dad wasn't too happy) then a third time when I was 15! (dad, definitely not happy!), anyway, I am now.. well I'm older and the last two holes have closed up and I have just the one set! I did decide to get a tattoo at 18, and to this day my parents still don't know! What a coward! I got my belly button pierced 4 months ago and I agree, that DOES hurt alot more than my ears did, plus it didn't take up to a year for them to heal either!! Hope everyone had a safe and happy weekend! Puck, I hope your baby arrives soon! Julie Dame Peverell - Aug 30, 2005 12:48 am (#2911 of 2963) The hot news is R.A.B. IS REGULAS per the Lexicon. We had alot of wind and alot more rain last night. The storm traveled further east than they thought and wound up on the other side of us. I don't know if it caused any major damage in TN. So far the news has told of some traffic problems caused by heavy rain in Nashville and a few downed trees. They have flood warnings out for my area and tornado watches for East Tn. I hope all those that were in Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana are safe and dry. I can't believe I have been outside waiting for the school bus. Nashville stations usually air our school closings. They aired the very next county but said nothing about ours. I would have been watching Jackson news except my antennae blew off last night. We even have a phone number to call for school closing and it said nothing but time and temperature. I finally got worried the kids missed the bus and called my sis who did watch Jackson news and she says it is closed. Kaykay, I have driven my son to preschool and sat in the parking lot to find out school had been closed that day. (In my case it was on the news but I hadn't watched, as I never suspected an overnight dusting would lead to a cancelation.) Thanks for the well wishes. I'm thinking Wednesday evening or Thursday would be perfect. Our kindergarten visit went well, and I think it helped calm some of his nerves. He seemed relieved when he realized he already had 2 friends in the class. I got a little misty, as it really hit me for the first time that my "baby" is going to school. I try to think positive, and focus on the fact that there will be over 7 hours a day that he can't fight with his sister. Ahhh, the "sound of silence". Kathy I'm with you, Kathy. My husband just called & said that our daughter cried when she got on the bus this morning. This is her 3rd day. I called the school & let them know that she didn't start the morning off well. I'm sure she is fine, but poor Hubby! What a way to start the day! More on the piercing saga. When I came home on my first Christmas break, my neighborhood was having their Christmas walk. (Translation - everyone shows off how their homes are decorated!) Anyway, when the crew got to my parents' house, people were really making a point to talk to me and they were all looking at my face. At first, I thought it was just paranoia kicking in or that they were just interested in hearing how school went, but it was really starting to get weird. Finally, I pulled aside a neighbor that I trusted and I asked her why everyone was looking at me so strangely. She told me that my father had told everyone that I had gotten my nose pierced when I went to college! My nose is big enough, thank you very much. The day that I would add something to attract attention to it! My father thought the whole thing was SOOO funny! Now that I think about it, I should have trotted right back to school and had it done! Soul Mate for Sirius - Aug 30, 2005 8:00 am (#2915 of 2963) Okay, since we're all telling piercing stories, here's mine! I got my ears pierced when I was 6. I had just been told that I needed glasses and I was the first of anyone I knew to need them, so I was really upset. My mom took me to get my ears pierced to cheer me up. Boy was my dad mad! That was just the beginning. I got my second holes in my ears when I was 16. Again, a treat from my mother, and my dad went through to roof! He feels only girls should have their ears pierced, and only one hole per ear period! No exceptions. He didn't talk to me or my mom for the rest of the day! Then I went to college and on my 18th birthday I went and got my belly button pierced with my roommate! I honestly didn't think that hurt, but I looked down while the needle was still there and thought I was going to faint! Again, dad was livid and didn't talk to me for 2 weeks and took back the check he had sent me for my birthday! THEN, at the end of my freshman year at college my roommate and I decided we needed a bonding experience before summer came along, so we decided to get tattoos! Talk about pain! My dad's STILL mad about that one and that was a year and a half ago! And finally, this past spring break, I finally got my upper ear pierced (I've wanted that one since I first got my ear pierced!) After the belly botton and the tattoo, my dad wasn't TOO mad, he was just happy I didn't get anything on my face pierced or another tattoo! So, that is my long winded story of my piercing experiences! kaykay and Madame Pince, thanks for the happy thoughts and cheering charms! I've calmed down a bit since I've returned to DC and have been trying to think of happier things, like the beginning of Buckeye football season this weekend! Okay, so this is long enough, it's time for me to run along and check the threads!! P.S. I do hope I've got this whole HTML thing down right!! Sorry, no piercing stories. (Well, not that sorry!) Katrina's outermost bands swept through here. Lots of off-and-on showers. One blink of an electrical outage. 30 mph winds – it is simply amazing how flexible living wood can be. There were tornadoes both west and northeast of us; one hit a poultry farm where thousands of chicks & chickens suddenly found themselves "free range". And the ditzy reporter says they are stuffing the carcasses into a truck, while the video in the background clearly shows they were saving the live birds and putting them into transport cages pulled by a tractor. I guess the reporter was more concerned with how the hair & make-up looked on-camera than what was going on in the background. 'Probably assumed that the chickens were dead because they were being carried upside down by their feet - which is the most efficient way to handle them. They are not lapdogs, after all. Stephanie, no, not vinegar! And it is better if this remedy is done in the first few hours before the burn fully develops, but: use tea bags! Regular ordinary tea bags dampened and used as a compress. They contain tannins which act as an astringent; after which, follow up with aloe. we find our rebellion where we can - the squid You make it sound so totally believable. Stephanie M. - Aug 30, 2005 8:46 am (#2917 of 2963) I didn't try the vinegar. (I don't have the guts to do that.) But I put on this Banana Boat Sooth-A-Caine Aloe Vera Spray Gel with Lidocaine stuff that cools off and heals sunburns. My burn is less hot and my arms are a lot better than yesterday but my chest is bright red and my nose is blistering. My forehead and chin are less hot and a little bit less red but my upper cheeks and nose are horrible! Last night I kept waking up whenever I had to roll over because it would hurt so much to move. Now I'm starting to get itchy but I guess that means I'm starting to heal. I'll try the tea bags. That sounds safe unlike vinegar. I have this bath product that is this one HUGE tea bag and I think I'm going to try that. Maybe Aveeno after that. Stay dry and safe everyone!! Herm oh ninny - Aug 30, 2005 9:02 am (#2918 of 2963) Steph - While on vacation in the beginning of this month, my sisters and I got so sunburned that we could barely move! I am still peeling! A lovely bottle of bright green Aloe Vera was the only thing that helped. We kept applying it throughout the day because our skin was so burned that it kept absorbing it! Hope you feel better! I took the cutest picture of my dogs! I am using it as wallpaper on my cell phone. For those of you who are dog lovers, here it is The brown one is Spike and the white one is Princess. Well, off to the threads! Soul Mate for Sirius - Aug 30, 2005 12:12 pm (#2919 of 2963) Herm oh ninny- Your dogs are adorable!! And what cute names! Spike and Princess! I only read one of the Chronicles of Narnia books when I was young. It was The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe (that was like 5th grade). My daughter borrowed the first one from her school library The Magician's Nephew. She finished it this morning and gave it to me to read. It was a great quick read book. Now I have to hunt down all the rest and read the entire series. Chemyst your chicken story makes me think of two of my kids. They love to chase my Hubby's cousin's stray chickens and put them in the pen every time we visit him (for the life of me I don't know why). It is pretty hilarious to watch, though. I swear that man turns a few loose if he knows we're coming. I think he really gets a kick out of watching them. Stephanie M. - Aug 30, 2005 1:32 pm (#2921 of 2963) Herm Oh Ninny your dogs so adorable!!! The people in the apartment below us and above us are doing work on their apartments. They are re doing the walls and the floor and there is so much hammering. I'm seriously going to wind up in St. Mungos if the hammering and drilling don't stop! You know when you go to a dentist and they drill at your teeth, and if you hear a drill like the one at the dentist it hurts your mouth? Well, the drill from upstairs and downstairs sound like that dentist drill and my teeth are in sooo much pain! I even have a head ache from my mouth hurting so much! Maybe I'll go outside later. Madam Pince - Aug 30, 2005 1:36 pm (#2922 of 2963) Thoughts and prayers go out to anyone who was in the path of the hurricane -- wow, what devastation! Hope all our Forum members are OK. This morning Little Pince and I were discussing the movie "Chamber of Secrets" over our Corn Flakes. He asked about the stuff that Harry drank that "made the skin on his hands bubble." I said "Do you mean the Polyjuice Potion?" He said "Yeah, that! I don't like that kind of juice." "Why not?" "Because it has a crab in it." (Get it... essence of Crabbe?) I was cracking up! Madam Pince, that is adorable. I love it when they are so serious yet have you laughing with tears in your eyes. That reminds me of the other week, Olivia came into the kitchen and said to me and hubby that she had poo in her knickers. Hubby and I looked at each other and I said "no you haven't" she replied that she did and would I like to see. I said I would look in the toilet, so off we went. Minutes later hubby came into the bathroom because he heard me laughing. She did have poo in her knickers but it was a tiny pooh bear that she had got from Mcdonalds!!!!! I was laughing that much that I forgot to ask why it was there!! I guess that is just one of those stories I will be able to tell her when she gets older and in front of her friends!! T Brightwater - Aug 30, 2005 2:37 pm (#2924 of 2963) Dame Peverell, the flowers in my avatar are Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis), one of my favorite wildflowers. This summer in particular I'm glad I decided to go native in the garden - the prairie and savanna plants don't mind the drought nearly so much! Are you in the Chicago area too? Dame Peverell - Aug 30, 2005 4:59 pm (#2925 of 2963) T Brightwater - I am in DuPage County. I have more than a little too much native in my garden this year. I Googled Bloodroot and enjoyed its Herbology. And Rhizomes! Perfect. You don't have to dig them up and divide them the same as bulbs. Would you say that it's aggressive? I've been searching for a saddle for a niece in a wheelchair and all I found was a headache. I did find one on ebay but it neither looks safe or comfortable. T Brightwater - Aug 30, 2005 5:25 pm (#2927 of 2963) Aggressive? Not at all! The flowers only last for a few days in spring, (longer if the weather is cool) but the foliage is lovely too. It eventually dies back later in the summer. I'm in southern Cook County, near the Indiana border. Did you get to the Oak Park celebrations for HBP? I haven't really been posting on this thread a lot lately, and I wasn't keeping up a lot, so Cheering Charms and Felix Felicii (is that the plural?) all around… I played HP Scene It? last night with my parents and to say that I won would be putting it mildly. Dad knew John Williams, and Mom knew something about Chamber of Secrets… I think I'll have to invite Stephanie and some of my other HP friends over to play the game next time… But it is really fun, the questions are cool and the scenes on the DVD are fun. Dame Peverell, I hope you understand about my redirecting you to this thread on the Tell About Yourself thread. It's just that lots of people crowd up that thread when it should just be an introduction, so I wanted to let you know. My joyful ones had a fun joke the other day. We were playing outside and when it was time to come they ran ahead of me (as I am now at a slow waddle.) Well, the 5 year old ring leader thought of locking the front door. They were laughing at me out the window. Of course, by the time I got around back they had that locked as well, and were laughing at me from those windows. I used the key-code to get into the garage door, figuring they wouldn't think of locking the basement, but I guess my children are Ravenclaw material, as they got to that door also. Thankfully, they were kind enough to open the front door for me on my next trip around. So sad to hear your little one was in tears, Haymoni. Parker was quite elated today when he realized the big day is tomorrow. I'm sure he'll do fine, though I'll have a tricky morning. My baby is going to school! Kaykay, when TBE gets back you will perhaps be able to get some advice on a saddle. I would suggest finding a ranch that gives lessons to people of all abilities, as they might be able to tell you where to purchase one. Have a good night/day, whenever you're reading! Kathy Stephanie M. - Aug 30, 2005 7:45 pm (#2930 of 2963) Madam Pince and Snuffles! Those stories were adorable! And really funny! I think I'll have to invite Stephanie and some of my other HP friends over to play the game next time—Finn When can I come over? Wait did you invite me yet? Well, I can't wait to play HP Scene It? so I think I'll come over tomorrow. Except I don't have a car (let alone a license ) and I have no idea how to get to your house. Are you even free tomorrow? Well, if you're not going to be at your house you can give me a spare key and I'll just play by myself... but that might not be too much fun. And I still don't know how to get to your house... hmm And even if you were home we would need more people... Oh I also think I'm busy tomorrow. Oh well... maybe another time with lots of people. (Did I just have a conversation with myself? I think the drilling got to me...) Off to St. Mungos! Well, Steph, except for that, it sounds like it would be great for you to come over. Only I'm busy and you would get lost coming to my house and there's no transportation. I'll bring it to school and pop the DVD into my computer. Herm oh ninny - Aug 30, 2005 9:43 pm (#2932 of 2963) OK, Finn or Stephanie, My one sister highjacked the living room t.v. to play gamecube and the other one highjacked my t.v. to watch The Nanny on DVD. Due to their extreme rudeness I missed the end of the match.... so can you tell me, who won? Roddik or Muller??? I also missed the sports part of the news. I just have no luck tonight! ( I just know that one of you will know ) Stephanie M. - Aug 30, 2005 9:49 pm (#2933 of 2963) LOL! Can I walk to your house? How many miles away do you live? 15 miles? I think I should have been on cross country last school year... I like the idea of you bringing it to school more because a bunch of people will be there and I wouldn't have to walk 15 miles to get to your house. (It's probably less than 15 miles but I'll most likely get lost and wind up walking the extra distance. And by the time I get to your house I'll probably have to head back home...) Edit: Herm Oh Ninny I keep cross posting with you! So Roddick lost 7-6 7-6 7-6. It was an intense match. And as Finn told me it was Roddick's birthday and HE LOST! Soul Mate for Sirius - Aug 30, 2005 9:53 pm (#2934 of 2963) Augh! What a day! I spent the entire day combing the whole D.C. area looking for an Ohio State Jersey, or t-shirt, or hat, or something to no avail! The football season starts Saturday and I won't be back in Ohio until Friday night! I finally had to call my mom and beg and beg until she agreed to buy one for me and let me pay her back when i get home. She was not happy! Not that I can say I blame her, I wouldn't want someone calling me up all the time asking for favors! Anyway, I needed to vent, but now I'm off the check the threads!! Jenn, There is a mall in Northern VA, Potomac Mills, in Woodbridge just off of the 95, in Prince William County. It's a big mall and they have a sports store in one of the "neighborhoods" (it's a BIG mall) that sells jerseys and shirts and sweatshirts. My brother was able to get Michigan stuff last year for my father. I'm pretty sure they carry stuff from all the major Univ. & Colleges. If I remember correctly the store is back near the area where the lego store is (or used to be, it's been since last Christmas when I was back home since I've been.) You can look it up online, Potomac Mills in Google gets it. Hope that helps. Oh, the metro can get you as far south as Springfield, which isn't too far from Woodbridge, I think they have a bus from there to the mall if you don't have a car. Edit: my brother works right across the street from the mall, if you want I can ask him next time he has time to run over and see if the store has any OSU stuff. Just let me know septentrion - Aug 30, 2005 11:47 pm (#2936 of 2963) My thoughts and prayers for those who were on Katrina's path these days. Puck - the truth comes out! My daughter's teacher left me a voice mail to let me know that she was fine when she got to school, along with some other interesting news. Apparently my wonderful child had to spend some time in the Thinking Chair - in trouble on the 3rd day of school - I don't know where she gets it! Actually I know exactly where she gets it. Every conference my parents ever had with my teachers in grade school was the same: she's doing very well, but she talks too much. We went through this with my son as well, so the teachers shouldn't be the least bit surprised. I did speak with my daughter when I got home & I told her that I want her to tell me when she has had to sit in the Thinking Chair. Yes, Mommy. Right! Madam Pince - Aug 31, 2005 5:36 am (#2938 of 2963) That's funny, haymoni! Like mother, like daughter! My Mom likes to tell the story of going to visit in my second-grade class and seeing my name up on the blackboard with lots of marks beside it -- more than anyone else in the class. Mom was so proud, thinking that I was doing so well. Come to find out, the marks were put up there every time the kid did something wrong (talking in class, usually) and when you got 5 marks then you had to do some punishment. Mom was mortified. Actually, my second-grade teacher was an Umbridge, so I don't put too much stock in that story. Her punishments included drawing a little tiny circle on the blackboard and making you stand up there with your nose inside the circle, and if your nose came off the board you were punished more. But the worst one was that during recess outside, she would draw another circle in the dirt, about 2-feet in diameter, and you'd have to stand still in that circle all through recess. Now this one my Mom actually objected to, because it was COLD out there during the fall/winter months, and standing still for half an hour vs. running around playing just turned the kids blue. Ack. I still can't stand that woman. Madam Pince, this teacher was really an Umbridge! That is awful! I have second-gradee children in my class and I do write their names with marks besides it too but I would never do something like that! I only give 3 warnings: the first one is for free, the second means to stay 5 minutes sit down next to the teachers in the covered part of the playground during break to think a bit (I guess it is my "thinking chair", love the name Haymoni!) and, on the third warning (that generally comes after several "beware of the 3rd warning" warnings), the child has to write some parts of the "Rules of life" of the class at home (the parts he infringes). The best is that those "rules of life" are decided by the kids themselves at the beginning of the schoolyear. Together, we list what they can't, but also what they can (ask for help...), do in class. Afterwards, each student receives those rules and sign them, agreeing by doing so that if they don't respect them, they will have to copy them. The funniest is that they love listing those rules, I even have to stop them! Talk about sadistic teachers, he, he... ::evilgrin:: I am rather tolerant with children who talk too much and I usually stop at the second warning, except when it really prevents them from working, but I am inflexible with children who hurt or bully the others. I also have 4th grade students twice a week (I teach them English) and I make them do lines in English, usually something like "In class, I will behave as I know I should do". As it takes them a looooot of time to write in English, it works rather well... My thoughts and prayers go to all the people that were on Katrina's path, I do hope TBE and the other members who live there are ok and will be able to give some news soon. Dame Peverell - Aug 31, 2005 6:28 am (#2940 of 2963) Brightwater - Then you've had more rain than we have. All the grass was brown until last week so at least it looks better now. But the trees etc. are in bad shape. I didn't go to Oak Park. When GOF & OOTP came out I rushed down the first day to get a hardcover and CD's. Not anymore. JKR has made over 100 million dollars personally and I wish her well but I'm a little bugged by it. I had SS on tape. I just ordered my first copy of SS off the internet for $1 plus shipping. Now I am waiting for them to publish HBP in softcover before I buy the book. Now If JKR announced tomorrow she was going back to work almost full time I might have a change of heart. If she got #7 done before... well, sooner, I would probably buy another hardcover. I really do like the cd's and softcovers the best tho. Ack, Madam Pince, what an Umbridge! You sure she didn't have any funny looking quills…? Too funny, haymoni. "Apparently my wonderful child had to spend some time in the Thinking Chair - in trouble on the 3rd day of school - I don't know where she gets it!" Herm oh ninny, it was indeed a sad day yesterday. I'm sure you saw Muller come back from down 5-2 in the first set to take it in the tiebreak. Then Roddick had two set points in the second set and couldn't convert. I suppose I'll have to change my avatar now, no? Madam Pince - Aug 31, 2005 6:46 am (#2942 of 2963) No quills, but she used to walk around between our chairs and rap us on the head with her pencil if she thought we needed it. CatherineHermiona - Aug 31, 2005 6:51 am (#2943 of 2963) I'm so sorry because I didn't write nothing for so long. School is starting 5th September and we don't have books yet. We ordered it to come with mail but it didn't come yet. We had a great time last week when my aunt came here. We went to shopping for school and then my aunt went to buy digital camera so we went to the park after that so that aunt can take few photos. Then something happened. We already bought a ticket for bus last Saturday but then we found out that my mother's sister - aunt is going to Zagreb so my aunt from Zagreb decided to go to Zagreb with my second aunt so she was with us longer. Now, related to my aunt's trip to Zagreb. She spent two days there and when she started her drive here she came to highway at 8 p. m. That was pretty late but then, when she came she told us why. First, she started her trip from Jarun (lake in Zagreb) where she had to go only around 500 meters and she would come to entrance to highway but no. She went on the other side and came to Maksimir where she saw Dinamo's stadium and that is completely other side of Zagreb. She went back but again she went wrong way and she came to Samobor. That is not even Zagreb. Then she somehow found the way. Now she is thinking of getting herself a job of tourist guy. Her message would be: "I don't know where I'm taking you but you will definitely see a lot of things. Hope we won't go out of Zagreb.". We were on my cousin's 10th birthday and we had great time. First we were playing cards and then Tino (he was celebrating birthday) and Matko (his 17 years old brother) made a concert with guitars (acoustic for Tino and electric with loudspeaker). That was something amazing. I don't listen to that kind of music (Green Day, Metallica,... rock mostly) but now I decided I'll definitely start. That was awesome. If there is any way to show you that music but I don't have any tape or something like that. Kate Madam Pince - Aug 31, 2005 6:54 am (#2944 of 2963) That is a great story about your aunt's trip, Kate! I used to work for a travel company, and we would tell the bus drivers that if they got lost, they should cheerfully tell the passengers that there was no extra charge for the side trip! T Brightwater - Aug 31, 2005 7:07 am (#2945 of 2963) I like your aunt, Kate! Gina R Snape - Aug 31, 2005 7:22 am (#2946 of 2963) Hey, everyone. I've been so busy that I'm horribly behind on all my favourite threads!!! Waaaah. I had a Hermione dream last night that I was in class and I forgot to do the readings and neglected to hand in a paper! As you might tell, classes start next week for me. I have friends in Metairie who I've not heard from since Katrina and I'm so worried. I heard the whole town of Sidell was flattened. Has anyone heard from Abbycadabra? For those of you who may remember Phaseoulus, he was in NYC and we had dinner the other night. I made him drink from my slytherin cup. Anyway, need to try and catch up. Off to the threads... Soul Mate for Sirius - Aug 31, 2005 7:37 am (#2947 of 2963) Hey everyone! I'm slightly more cheerful today! Ydnam-Thanks so much for the help! I do have a car, so I'll have to drive over there today after work and check it out! My mom would be so happy if she doesn't have to go hunt one down at home for me (although I'm sure she could find an A.J. Hawk jersey, while out here I'll have to take what I can get!) So, it's really really windy here in D.C. today and it's cooled off quite a bit. I'm not sure if it's the very outskirts of Katrina or anything, but it's a nice change. Speaking of Katrina, my thoughts are with all those in her path! I'm so excited about football starting this weekend that it seems to be all I can think about. Last night, after not finding any OSU gear anywehre, I decided I needed to do something for my team, so I ran across the street to CVS and bought scarlet and gray nailpolish and painted my fingernails Buckeye colors! That's when I realized that I've become one of those obsessive fans that go all out for every game! (even when it's a pre-season, non-confrence game! ) I just can't wait to get back to school so I can be around more crazy, fanatical fans just like me! Everyone here in DC thinks I'm crazy and wants to know why I'm not buying Terps gear! Okay, that's enough out of me for now, I'm off to check the threads! I was in the utility room this morning putting clothes in the washing machine. My 2 year old totally started screaming bloody murder. Talk about scaring the fool out of me! I ran back to the living room and he and the dog were having a full fledged tug-of-war with his favorite Elmo. It was sooo funny. Stephanie M. - Aug 31, 2005 8:50 am (#2949 of 2963) Kaykay that's adorable! I hope everyone in the path of Katrina are doing well and staying safe AND DRY!!! Off to watch the US Open. Hi All - I am in Mobile and we got a bit of Katrina - it mainly hit about 65 miles to the west of us in Biloxi, Gulfport and New Orleans, but we lost power Monday morning and just got it back this morning. My family and I are all fine - our wish at the height of the storm was that we could pop in a Harry Potter movie to take our minds off the howling of the wind and the snapping of trees. If you are so inclined, please say a prayer for those to the west of Mobile who have literally lost everything, including their lives. They are finding many bodies and it is just terrible. I got power back this morning, but there are people who will not have it back for weeks and the temperature is about 94 degrees most days. It is miserably hot and some people do not have roofs over their heads or food, water or anywhere to go. It is so sad. Just wanted to say hello and it's great to be able to get back to the HP forum. I feel so fortunate - like I had a sip of Felix Felicis - and I am thankful for life and no damage to my home. Madam Pince - Aug 31, 2005 10:49 am (#2951 of 2963) Choices, how wonderful that you and yours were spared the brunt of the storm. It's so hard to watch the news reports and the pictures of all the devastation. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the victims, and hopes that things will get better soon. Question: Is anyone here a member of the SCA (The Society for Creative Anachronism)? I met with some members today on campus and am thinking of joining my local group, but I'm curious to know what kind of experiences others have had.... Madam Pince - Aug 31, 2005 11:39 am (#2953 of 2963) Michelle the librarian is, I think, Sarah... Soul Mate for Sirius - Aug 31, 2005 12:01 pm (#2954 of 2963) Choices- so happy to hear things are okay for you. My prayers are with everyone in New Orleans and the surrounding areas. So, I was reading my normal threads at work today, and the guy who sits at the desk next to mine leaned over to see what I was looking at and ended up reading everyone's posts over my shoulder for like 15 minutes. He's never read any of the HP books, but he found it fascinating that so many people were so into these books that they'd sit here and discuss theories and everything on-line. I just thought that was really cool! Gina R Snape - Aug 31, 2005 12:31 pm (#2955 of 2963) Michelle the Librarian is definitely in the SCA. Sarah, I have a friend from LJ who is an SCA member. If you want to email me privately I can give you his LJ address and you two can chat if you like. Penny Lane. ...*wonders what SCA does* and what exactly anachronism means. Please, please, please pray or whatever for the people in New Orleans. They are saying it could be months before they are even able to start rebuilding. RE: Piercings - I know this is an older discussion, but I just wanted to weigh in. My ears are double pierced and I've had several other piercings. A few years ago I removed them all, for several reasons. I rarely even wear earrings anymore, they make my ears itch. I don't really like seeing pierced ears on baby's either. Oh, and anyone who is thinking about getting their ears pierced - spend the extra money and get it done somewhere other than those mall stores. You would not believe how many germs stay on the gun, and how much damage the gun can do to your tissue. If you want more information, feel free to email me or catch me in chat or AIM. I'm always happy to try and talk someone out of using that gun thing. I go back to school tommorrow! Yay me! Kip Carter - Aug 31, 2005 1:42 pm (#2957 of 2963) Penny Lane., you can read more about SCA at the following link, The Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. . My daughter and son-in-law were really involved with SCA while at Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. My wife and I have been to a few functions. It was great fun! PennsicWar. Org is hosted by the Kingdom of Æthelmearc at Coopers' Lake Campground, one hour north of Pittsburgh, each year in August. This is a huge event annually. T Brightwater - Aug 31, 2005 1:42 pm (#2958 of 2963) I used to be in the SCA and still have fond memories of it. That's where I met my husband! Penny Lane. Thanks Kip. While I don't think SCA sounds like anything I would ever do, it sounds like a lot of fun. My props to people who can actually do that stuff. Edited Aug 31, 2005 4:47 pm I had to stay off the forum most the day because I've been waiting for a call (stupid dial-up). DSL is not available in my little town. You can't even use a cell phone without an external antennae. Anyway this story was so heartwarming I couldn't wait to share it. I watched the Nashville news. Apparently there was a news story about some families that evacuated from Louisiana and they wound up in Nashville. Anyway the manager of the Cracker Barrel saw them on t.v. He contacted the t.v. station. He invited the families to his business, fed them all a large pancake breakfast, gave all the children toys and a large care package for the parents. The families have already seen their town on the news and know that all they own is gone. They have all decided to relocate here because of the kindness the man has shown them. So then the man helped them to find a place to live and helped one man find a job as a mechanic. Lupin is Lupin. Natch. Does anyone know if Twinkling Blue Eyes came out of the storm and its aftereffects safely? I am actually scared looking at the devastation on TV. I've never seen anything like this except for the tsunami (2004) and I don't know why, maybe it is all the standing water, but this just seems worse. I don't have any relatives in that part of the country. I would like to think that if I did, I would have called them here to Ohio. A co-worker has a cousin & an uncle there. The cousin's company moved operations to Houston & relocated the family there. They have nothing but what they drove out with, but at least he has a job. The uncle left with his wife and drove as far north as they could, but they know that their beautiful home in Mississippi is gone. I'm watching the children - the babies - I just can't imagine having to tell my daughter that there is nothing. We are so blessed and so spoiled. Between our soldiers fighting and this hurricane NOBODY should be complaining about anything! Darn Voldemort! Kip Carter - Aug 31, 2005 6:08 pm (#2963 of 2963) I have closed out this thread. I will leave it here for an undetermined amount of time to give those who could possibly be interested in what has happened since this thread was created. Just think 2,963 posts in 87 days. This thread was begun June 6, 2005. You guys are definitely a chatty group. I hope everyone enjoyed having this thread available. The new thread is -- Chat and Greeting Thread for Members. Have fun and enjoy the Forums! Last edited by Lady Arabella on Fri Feb 12, 2016 4:08 pm; edited 1 time in total Lady Arabella - Prefect - Posts : 2285 Location : Silicon Valley, CA September Posts Chat & Greetings 8 Kip Carter - Aug 31, 2005 7:07 pm Reply Edited Jan 29, 2006 12:40 pm This thread is established for each of you so inclined to chat on the main discussion threads. With this thread, I hope that all chat-type posts will no longer disrupt the other threads. This is the eighth thread provided for chat-type posts since September 25, 2003. The first Chat and Greeting Thread (25 Sep 03 to 26 Feb 04) had 2752 messages before it was closed out February 26, 2004. The second Chat and Greeting Thread (25 Feb 04 to 15 Jun 04) had 2912 messages before it was closed out June 15, 2004. The third Chat and Greeting Thread (15 Jun 04 to 2 Sep 04) had 2954 when closed out September 2, 2004. The fourth Chat and Greeting Thread (2 Sep 04 to 30 Nov 04) had 2977 when closed out November 30, 2004. The fifth Chat and Greeting Thread (1 Dec 04 to 14 Mar 05) had 2956 when closed down March 14, 2005. The sixth Chat and Greeting Thread (15 Mar 05 to 6 Jun 05) had 2981 when closed down June 6, 2005. The seventh Chat and Greeting Thread (6 Jun 05 to 31 Aug 05) had 2967 when closed down August 31, 2005. Eventually the seventh thread will join the first six threads in the folder =+=+= Archived Threads: Since Reorganization =+=+=! Finn BV - Aug 31, 2005 6:24 pm (#1 of 2980) Woohoo!! First post!! Just think 2,963 posts in 87 days. This thread was begun June 6, 2005. You guys are definitely a chatty group. --Kip, last Chat thread I am once again sending out my best wishes to all those affected. Choices, so glad to hear you're okay. TBE, I hope you come back around soon! Serena Williams noted that she would be donating $100 for each ace she hits for the rest of the year, while John McEnroe is donating a whopping $25,000 to the relief fund. I tell ya, if I had this money, I would be giving it! I think that's great what they are doing. Off to catch up on the threads! Dame Peverell - Aug 31, 2005 6:45 pm (#2 of 2980) I would like to call attention to the fact that the Lexicon has been revised once again concerning "R.A.B. is Regulas" ...drat. My heart goes out to the thousands of homeless "Katrina" people but I seriously hope they won't rebuild most of what was lost. The place is a bowl with its bottom below sea level. The seas will be rising more and more from now on... More people will die by the hundreds or thousands in a future storm surge if they do. Stephanie M. - Aug 31, 2005 7:25 pm (#3 of 2980) It's amazing what all of the tennis players are doing!!! Keep hitting those aces Serena! I've had a really good day! I was talking to my old science teacher (Finn and I are trying to get her to join the Forum) for 2 hours! Then I met my mom at her office and we went jean shopping. So we were in the line to pay for our jeans and once we got to the cashier she said to me, "Oh, I have jeans over here that will fit you very nicely." And I said okay. And she took them out and said Here I'll give you them for 10 dollars. So I said ok let me try them on. So I tried them on and they fit me perfectly except they are a little long. And I looked at the tag and it said that the original price was $80. So I came back and said I think I want them. So the lady said, "You know what? I'll give them for you for $8.50." So we bought them and I got a pair of $80 jeans for $8.50. I also bought 5 other pairs of jeans so I think I'm set for the year. And since I haven't grown and my other jeans are in some what good condition I have all of my old ones! Then I got my choice of dinner. I wanted Japanese and my sister wanted pizza. And now I'm watching Nadal play tennis in his capris! Oh, and I was listening to Pottercast and Mugglecast earlier. I wish everyone as much luck as I have been having! Stay clear of Katrina!! I hope everyone is doing alright. Choices, glad to hear from you! Now, if only TBE could check in (though if people will be without power, I guess it may be awhile.) Thoughts are with all who are out there. First day of school went well. He was more excited than nervous. I got a bit misty, but managed to hold back the tears. The only problem was the bus ride -it took them over an hour to get to school! I heard from the bigger kids, however, that my boy sat patiently (adverb!). I hope they work out the glitches soon, as it seems ridiculous for him to spend 2 hours a day on the bus when we live only 15 minutes from the school. I also spent 2 hours at the doctor. Baby had this really funky heart rhythm going on, so they decided to put me on a monitor for awhile. All is well, as her beat went back to a normal pattern (we all have these odd beats from time to time). My other daughter -who had come along with me- was an angel this whole time. Now, a final question for teachers; If my son just started school, why do I have so much homework? We were sent home with things to fill out and a parent-child project (which took about 2 hours) on orientation, and I was late starting dinner for all the forms sent home today. Kathy Chemyst - Aug 31, 2005 8:19 pm (#5 of 2980) Does anyone know if Twinkling Blue Eyes came out of the storm and its aftereffects safely? – Kim Sorry, no. I'm hoping that since she'd have to take her horse trailer & animals that she'd have left extra-early. ~ applepie and Phoenix Song (Barbie of the wedding cake) were also from Louisiana. I guess that would make Bridezilla from there too. They once talked on the chat thread about what city they were from, and the results of my search are: # Jun 8, 2005 Phoenix song wrote - applepie: What city do you live in? We received tons of rain recently, too, but thankfully most of it has drained by now. But I hear that down in the Crescent City that they're still suffering with some flooding problems. I live on the Northshore. I'm assuming that you may live on the West Bank, but wanted to know for sure. # Jun 8, 2005 applepie wrote - Barbie, I do live on the Westbank, but I work about two minutes from the Crescent City Connection, # Jun 8, 2005 Phoenix song wrote - I'm in Pearl River, just a stone's throw from the Mississippi/Louisiana border. # Dec 7, 2004 TBE wrote - I really need a stop-rain charm here! My poor horse is tired of standing in a nice dry stall looking out the window watching it rain. I looked up the maps of those locations and they are all in hard-hit areas. I had an inner urge to email Phoenix Song last week when Katrina was still two days off-shore, but I didn't and I've been regretting it ever since. She was home schooling last year and I know of a group that is collecting money to help replace curriculum materials for those who lost them in the hurricane. If anyone knows of homeschooling families who need assistance, you can email me. Choices, it is so great to hear you're safe! Chemyst, I'm afraid TBE stayed there, as she said (post #2852): "We are stuck here and it's coming straight to my front door". I so hope she is ok and will be able to give some news soon! But I have heard of Round Pink Spider, before Katrina arrived, who told me Phoenix Song would evacuate if needed, so I hope she and her family are safe. Take care everybody! You're in my thoughts and prayers. Snuffles - Sep 1, 2005 12:31 am (#7 of 2980) Nothing much to say this morning, just that I am glad you are safe and well Choices and I hope TBE and any other forum members who were in Katrina's path are ok too and we hear from them soon. Julie Puck since you are so close to your due date, having contractions and all that, a funky heartbeat is nothing to be too concerned with. Maybe you'll have some good news for all of us soon. I had all that paperwork on the first day of school X4. Here I am trying to fill it all out and here comes someone else adding to the pile and trying to tell me all about his or her day. Choices so glad you are ok. Hopefully we will hear from the others soon. I currently trying to find news from the rest of the world. I had on the 2 hour morning news program, and the hurricane coverage is excellent, but they are neglecting everything else out there. A thousand people were trampled to death in the Middle East yesterday, yet the news program hasn't mentioned a thing past our own borders. I find that a bit frustrating. (Not to make light of the horrible situation in the south, as I, too, keep coming here to see if TBE has been able to post. It's just that I think I should hear about any big events that occur elsewhere.) Kathy I just realized that Denise P. hasn't posted since the storm came through TN. I haven't seen any severe damage on the Nashville news. There are alot of downed trees so maybe she doesn't have electricity. Has she perhaps posted on other threads? Snuffles - Sep 1, 2005 6:58 am (#11 of 2980) kaykay1970, I haven't seen any posts from Denise P. With a new baby she may just have alot on at the moment. Lets hope everyone posts soon. Has anyone heard from applepie recently? I'm sure she lives in that area but hasn't posted for ages. You're are probably right, Snuffles. I googled the area that I suspect is pretty close to where she lives and there are still school closings up there. If all her children are home she does have her hands full. She did post that school had been cancelled for her children on Tuesday I think (well, I think she posted Monday night about Tuesday). They very well may be without power or she could just be very busy as you all said before. Denise being who she is, I'm sure things are fine! She's probably with her kids and their scout troops gathering money or donations, at least I hope so! No word from TBE? Soul Mate for Sirius - Sep 1, 2005 7:48 am (#14 of 2980) Still no news from TBE? My prayers go out to her and everyone else down south who’s suffering from this storm. Hopefully we'll here from everyone soon. I posted the other day that a co-worker of mine had been reading some of the threads over my shoulder at work and found our discussions fascinating. Yesterday, on my lunch break I was re-re-re-reading CoS and yet again I found him glancing curiously over my shoulder. It is so cute. He's the kind of guy that reminds me of my father, he's all business all the time, serious, doesn't ever do anything he wouldn't at work (like get on Harry Potter chat forums ) and here he is, trying to read Harry Potter over my shoulder. I just thought it was adorable. To me, it was like my dad trying to read it and it made me laugh so hard. That's all from me for now. I'm off to check the threads!! -Jenn haymoni - Sep 1, 2005 8:06 am (#15 of 2980) Soul Mate - I think you know what to get him for Christmas this year! Wow. It is no wonder we fill this thread up so fast. The chat room is deserted. Soul Mate for Sirius - Sep 1, 2005 10:32 am (#17 of 2980) haymoni- I think I do!! kaykay- How do I get into the chat room? I would be in there a lot if I knew how to!! -Jenn There is an icon to click on right above the list of permanent threads that simply says chat. You have to have java. I had to download it because I have windows xp. CatherineHermiona - Sep 1, 2005 11:36 am (#19 of 2980) I was in the chat thread exactly an hour after you. There was little chance you will be still there but I hoped. Then I tried to return you without any success. Never matter. I'm trying to be there as much as I can but I am pretty busy and I don't see anyone posting on thread Chat Room - Who Is There Now. My thoughts and prays are with everyone there in hurricane area. Hope they are going to be all right. Kate Steve Newton - Sep 1, 2005 11:40 am (#20 of 2980) I just got back from sunny Wildwood, NJ with its one third of a mile wide beach. On a theme which may resonate with some I discovered that Cape May County has a Shun Pike. :goofygrin: Didn't get a chance to drop in on Stan though. Denise P. - Sep 1, 2005 11:55 am (#21 of 2980) I am here, we are fine, no damage but thanks for the concern I check daily even if I don't comment. Tuesday my hard drive reformatted itself and I lost everything on my computer so I have been trying to find lost files elsewhere, lost programs etc. There is no way to get back my pictures so remember to always back up! T Brightwater - Sep 1, 2005 12:38 pm (#22 of 2980) I'm getting worried about Twinkling Blue Eyes. Has anyone heard from her at all? Soul Mate for Sirius - Sep 1, 2005 12:53 pm (#23 of 2980) kaykay- Thanks! I'll have to check it out. Denise- Good to know everyone's fine!! I'm so excited right now. I just found out that my last day of this awful internship is next Thursday! A week from today! AND, I have an extra long weekend this weekend. Not only do I have Monday off (Labor day! Gotta love it!!) but I have tomorrow off too! So, I have a 4 day weekend, Football season starts, and my birthday is on Sunday. I can't wait for this weekend! Okay, I'm sure none of you really care, but I wanted to get that out because I'm too excited not to tell someone ! Anyway, I'm outta here to go back to my threads! -Jenn I'm glad you're ok Denise. I can't help but worry about TBE either, but she probably won't be able to get to a pc for awhile so we should all just keep her in our thought until then. No problem Soul Mate. The giant squid: Hurricane Katrina? Lina, what has your daughter gotten into now? Now I understand where does the question "Mum, what did you write about me on the Forum?" come from. Anyway, I saw some reports on tv, they look really nasty and it hurts even more to know that some members like TBE, Barbie and Applepie are in that area. (If I hadn't joined the Forum, I'd know nothing about that but I guess it is too late now.) I just hope we find out soon that they are safe. I'm glad to read that at least Choices and Denise are. Kathy, I'm glad that your baby did let you available for the first day of school and now I wish you a happy and painless delivery. You asked me about my avatar, so I changed the info in my second line. I didn't even realize for how long I was absent from here. It seems I was quite busy. We had a great time discovering the mountains near our town. We went even to Gerovo ( to Lupin is Lupin), and we had a drink there, but we didn't meet any bear. We met a tick though, but it wasn't so bad. It was the first tick ever I pooled out of a human. I had to defy one of my biggest fears today. The house in Fuzine that I have mentioned already few times, we weren't using it for around 10 years. Then 2 years ago, we decided that we should enjoy the mountains again and started coming here (we are in Fuzine right now) again. The living part of the house was not so difficult to arrange for living again. But this year I decided that we should continue coming in the more cold seasons as well and something should be arranged for the heating. So I went to the basement. And in all these years, the basement started to look like the Aragog's residence. So I had to fight the spiders and especially their webs to come to the wood needed for heating. I'd rather deal with bats anytime. Some prayers for those affected with Katrina again. The giant squid - Sep 1, 2005 2:33 pm (#26 of 2980) In a vain attempt to lighten the mood somewhat, I actually had a productive talk with my DSL provider yesterday. They sent me a flier in the mail about how after 12 months my introductory rate was about to end (never mind that I've been with them for 2 years and the intro rate went away after 17 months ) offering upgrades at low prices "with qualifying features". So I called them. After talking to the guy for about 15 minutes (very helpful...much better than most call centers I've had to deal with) I was finally able to convince him that I was more interested in lowering my rate than raising my connection speed--he had offered me two packages that, while upping my connection drastically would have cost me almost twice what I'm paying now. He finally twigged to the fact that there's a reason I don't have a lot of extras on my account. In the end he upgraded my connection speed from 512k to 1.5M for $5 less per month. Bottom line: as of next Tuesday (the "effective date") I'll be able to annoy y'all almost three times as fast as I do now. --Mike Edit: Sorry for the confusion, Lina. Sounds like you had a 12GP moment, for sure! Catherine - Sep 1, 2005 3:04 pm (#27 of 2980) Hello, everyone, I've been checking in but have been unable to comment. Teaching middle school Humanities (Social Studies and English) has absorbed every minute of free time in the last week. (Topics covered have been as diverse as the Bill of Rights, the snowcaps of Mt. Kilimanjaro, the history of the Pledge of Allegiance, and comma splices. So much to talk about, so little time...) I'm happy to see that so many members have been able to check in and let us know how they are doing. I've been reading the news with a sinking heart, and have tried to remember to appreciate all that we have. There was a sort of hysteria at our school today, as most of our gas stations in our area have run out of gas, and the few that were open had lines down the street. I just happened to have to go to the grocery store, and there were no carts left. Thank goodness I only needed to pick up something we forgot for dinner tonight. I hope everyone is safe and well, and I miss the luxury of checking into the Forum during the day. Take care, and to our US members, I hope that everyone enjoys an excellent Labor Day weekend. Finn BV - Sep 1, 2005 3:26 pm (#28 of 2980) Sure hope Ron didn't visit your basement, Lina! T Brightwater, let's just hope TBE is without power. I'm sure she'll check back in a couple of days, whenever it's restored. Ha, Mike, I get to annoy everybody the fastest, with Optimum Online!! Woohoo! The fastest internet (and it's not just a tagline, it really is. super fast)! Well, I'm going to the US Open tomorrow, but the schedule for who's playing doesn't come out until 5PM Forum Time (8 Eastern). I'll update you guys. Look for me on TV! dizzy lizzy - Sep 1, 2005 4:58 pm (#29 of 2980) I've been having a pretty relaxing week. I went to my audiologist yesterday to be assessed for the most appropriate hearing aids to match my hearing loss (moderate to severe loss now bordering on severe). I was so pleased when he said that the "free" Hearing aids now have directional microphones on them. What this means is instead of having to hear everything a normal microphone picks up and amplifies; I can use a mini computer program (inside the aid) to select and use the directional microphones as I need them. I also am entitled to 5 years’ worth of service. This means for a fee of AUD$33.00 per year I get free batteries, moulds, tubing repairs (or replacement if it is bad enough). I spend AUS$70-80 a year on batteries, about double that on new moulds and tubing, so overjoyed with the deal. I can't get DSL/ADSL or broadband where I live so I'm on a slow dial up connection. Our phone lines are not the best and I would drop out about 3 time a week. I have friends who drop out 3 times a day, so I consider myself lucky. I have a prepaid home phone line, prepaid mobile phone and prepaid Internet access. I love not getting bills for talking and chatting on the phone Hope all is well with everyone. I'm pleased to hear you are OK Choices and good wishes to Puck on your impending arrival of the bub. Lizzy Finn BV - Sep 1, 2005 6:53 pm (#30 of 2980) Lizzy, glad the hearing aid deal is going to work out. So I found out who we're going to be seeing tomorrow. We have special box seats to Armstrong Stadium, so we've got Hewitt and Nadia Petrova. The Bryan brothers are playing Doubles in the Grandstand at the same time, and the Grandstand is literally right next to Armstrong (about 100 yards ). I'll fill you in with all the details… Marie E. - Sep 1, 2005 6:54 pm (#31 of 2980) I've been incredibly busy this week. I feel like I could fall asleep right here on the keyboard! We got a call today at our daycare center from a woman who's stationed at one of our local Air Force bases. Her sister is among the missing down in Louisiana and she's going down there this weekend to pick up the sister's twins from her mother's house (the twin's grandma, in case that isn't clear). She was asking what she needed to do to get them enrolled at our center. My boss called up our corporate office to see if there's some sort of super-discount we can offer her. Poor woman, losing a sister and gaining twin two year olds! I heard that we shouldn't expect communications with the storm-hit areas for another week or more. It's hard waiting though, isn't it? It's not like we can call the Red Cross for information. "Yes, her name is Barbie, but she goes by Phoenix Song. No, she's a not a relative. No, I can't give a description. I've never met her." We'll have to muster our wits and be patient. Ludicrous Patents Office - Sep 1, 2005 7:34 pm (#32 of 2980) Marie I hope the twins mother is found safe and alive. I am glad the twins have a home to go to. My thoughts are with the people whose lives were destroyed by Katrina. Have a good time Finn! Sounds like you have great seats. Puck, when you are doing your homework take satisfaction in knowing that the teacher who assigns it has to read yours and however many other students are in the class! Catherine what a job! Our school started last week. It already seems like we have been going forever! It has been a long week. Only one more day to go. LPO I just hope those who haven't been able to get in touch with us can at least get a hold of their families. I had a personal heartbreak of sorts this morning. My precious 5-year-old boy told me before he was even out of bed that in regards to kissing him good-bye at the bus stop that I "don't need to do that anymore." Understand, family, friends, babysitters, no one is ever allowed to leave our home until Parker has hugged them, he insists. So, for him to suddenly say this shocked me. I knew it would come someday, but after only 1 day of school? I did make a deal that I could kiss him before we left the house for the bus stop, then I went to my room and cried. (I didn't want him to see me, as I don't want him to feel bad about growing up.) I made it through the first day of school with only misty eyes, but today packed a punch! I wanted baby to come today. She didn't cooperate. Perhaps there's something to this "labor" day weekend business. Thanks for all the well wishes! Kathy S.E. Jones - Sep 1, 2005 8:00 pm (#34 of 2980) Thanks for the responses about SCA everyone, when I get more time, I'll have to sit down and email those mentioned and see what they have to say. It does sound like they all had fun with the SCA, so maybe I should give joining some serious thought. I've always loved learning about medieval Europe and my family and I have always gone to Renaissance faires.... As to Katrina news, has anyone seen this Alivan's promotion mentioned on TLC? They say 100% of the profit goes to hurricane relief, so I'm thinking of buying one. Herm oh ninny - Sep 1, 2005 8:06 pm (#35 of 2980) Perhaps there's something to this "labor" day weekend business. - Puck Wow Puck, you just made me think of Labor Day in a whole new light! Seriously though, I hope that baby Puck decides to cooperate and come out into the world in a timely manner. (I also hope that you realize it when you go into labor!!) LOL My prayers go out to all who were the hurricane's path. Choices and Denise, I am happy to hear that you and your families are all well. Finn - You should bring a nice big sign to the match that says "I'm a Potty!" (Actually, you might get in trouble with that one!) Lina - That is like my worst nightmare come true. I am petrified of spiders. The past couple of months they have invaded my backyard. They are huge and come out only at night. (If anyone has played Ocarina of Time, they remind me of skultallas) They build these giant webs and just hang in the middle of them. Twice this week, when coming home from the theater at like midnight, I almost walked face first into them. The first night, my father happened to be sitting out at our picnic table. After I danced around screaming "Daddy KILL IT!!!!", my father came over and squashed it. The second time I was alone. The little beast was blocking the way to my back door and I swear that it was laughing at me. So, I did what any mature 26 year old would do. I grabbed a shovel that was leaning against our garage and beat the little sucker into submission!!! I then marched into our house and told my entire family that I am convinced that we have a colony of Acromantulas breeding in our back yard. Finn BV - Sep 1, 2005 8:15 pm (#36 of 2980) Marie, best wishes to the prospective client. I hope her sister is found alive and well. Perhaps there's something to this "labor" day weekend business. –Puck We'll be thinking of you!! LOL, Herm oh ninny, "what any mature 26 year old would do"… You should bring a nice big sign to the match that says "I'm a Potty!" Oh, dear. But where would I stash it when I have to use the facilities? I sure couldn't bring it in with me… I know, I'll bring four of my friends and paint a P on my chest and an OTTY on theirs… Then you'll know it's me. No really, look for me on TV, we have potential camera-spotting seats! T Brightwater - Sep 1, 2005 8:19 pm (#37 of 2980) OK, I have to speak up for my fellow weavers. What's so bad about spiders? I assume these aren't tarantulas or other venomous ones. I'm one of those people who rescues them from the bathtub, and I appreciate the job they do. Besides, their webs are so cool, especially early in the morning with the dew on them. (This doesn't mean I'd want to encounter one that was as big as a car, mind you.) Herm oh ninny - Sep 1, 2005 8:33 pm (#38 of 2980) I know, I'll bring four of my friends and paint a P on my chest and an OTTY on theirs… Then you'll know it's me - Finn LOL now there's an idea! Make sure to set your TV to tape the show. Then you can save it if you do get shown. T Brightwater - I am now petrified at the idea that I might find a spider in my tub! No more showers for me LOL Has anyone read the Movies in 15 Minutes spoof of POA? My sister e-mailed it to me yesterday and I thought it was hysterical. If anyone wants to read it e-mail me and I'll send it to you. It has some language in it so I don't want to post the link here. Mrs. Sirius - Sep 1, 2005 8:46 pm (#39 of 2980) T Bright you may want to read a book called Sophie's Masterpiece. Everytime I read it to my kids I just want to cry. (I am not normally a fan of spiders.) Oh dear word Marie, I wish you guys the best with this woman and her twins. Stephanie M. - Sep 1, 2005 9:18 pm (#40 of 2980) Finn, it sounds like you'll have a lot of fun with a 'P' on your chest. It's really cool that you have a box. Who else is in the Box with you? My dad used to be part of World Team Tennis so he still gets invited to join that box. On the 6th he will be in the box but I'm not sure who is going with him because he is away right now. Have a really good time Finn! I'll look for you!!! I am very much like Ron. I am terrified of Spiders. I don't mind any other bugs just as long at they are not in my house. If there is a bee outside I wouldn't care but if it was in my house I would freak out. Even if the bee was right next to me I wouldn't care but if it was somewhere in my Apt. then I would totally freak out. Stay safe everyone!!! Nighty Night!!! Hi, being far, far away from the Katrina area it took me quite a while to realize what has really happened. The papers here are much about rising oil prices and that it happened due to changing climate which is Americas own and only fault (this is report, not my opinion). And my husband and me are quite busy making our ruin of a house a home. So it wasn't before I made the effort to turn on the TV two nights ago and saw the pictures that the dimension of the destruction and what it means for so many, many people dawned on me. Shame on me. It took me another night’s sleep to be able to find some words, so this is the first thing I do this morning. I know they come late, but here come some more prayers for anybody who's affected by this catastrophe. And some more for anybody who would be able to help, that they find the energy and courage or what ever it takes them to do it. I'm excited! I get to be on the committee here at the University for our response to the needs of the Red Cross for the hurricane disaster. I'm so excited because I really don't have the money to donate, but this is a way I can help anyway. I'm also so happy that our University is being so proactive and helpful about it. We are going to be a major training and staging area for all of the volunteers leaving from the LA area! I know it sounds weird to be excited about it, but I just keep getting so sad looking at it all and being able to DO something is great. Prayers for TBE!!!!! Amilia Smith - Sep 1, 2005 11:18 pm (#43 of 2980) Totally off topic: I got to look at a copy of Dr. Johnson's Dictionary at work today, and "aardvark" really isn't in it!!! I am also praying for those who have been affected by Katrina. Remind me where you live, Kage. Edit: Never mind. I went and found you on the Introduction thread. Mills. Herm oh ninny, oh I HATE those spiders you were meeting these days. If that is a comfort for you, I heard that they most often move in pairs, so there is a good chance that you got rid of them. They are the kind I'm still able to kill. It takes concentration and a good shovel or a machine gun or anything like that. There is only that jumping kind that totally freaks me out because I never know where will they jump. Fortunately, "my" spiders were simple domestic spiders, they do not scare me too much. It was just removing all these webs and expecting some monster to start crawling towards me over the broomstick any time. *shudders* There was this programme about brain and the fears that are learned. They have put 100$ in a box full of snakes. If I had the opportunity to pull out that money, I would have pulled out a snake and played with it because I would be sure that for the purposes of the program the snakes inside would be harmless. But if they had put 1 million dollars in a box full of spiders, I would have never touched it. Well, that's me, maybe even worse than Ron. I understand what you mean, Mandy. I feel so helpless. I wish I had big hands to rescue all the people before anything happened. I heard a story about Cubans throwing tons of olive oil to the sea once, to avoid the hurricane and succeeded in it. I don't know how much it is true, but it sounds logical and as much less waste. Good Evans - Sep 2, 2005 1:26 am (#45 of 2980) I haven't posted on the chat thread for a few weeks, but I have been reading!! I am concerned that we have a few forum friends unaccounted for in the hurricane area. My wishes to all of them that it is a loss of electricity and nothing worse. Prayers that they post to let us know they are ok as soon as possible (but of course putting our minds at rest is not quite the most important thing if the house is gone!!- let’s just hope it is not as bad as that for any of them). with regards Spiders Lina and Herm Oh Ninny, there was a news item the other day that a lady trying to kill spiders sprayed them with hair spray, and when that didn’t work she tried setting light to them... you guessed it, she managed to set fire to the house!!! madness... anyhow my lovely little brother (6ft 2) is getting married tomorrow so we are flying up to Scotland for the wedding. We are staying the week as we have a work conference for a couple of days and I am playing golf in a "non combative" competition in between. Should be a laugh, straight isn't my problem but distance most definitely is. If I can drive more than 100 yards I am doing well!!!! Protego charms to everyone for a safe week, speak to you all next weekend! Julie x The giant squid - Sep 2, 2005 3:37 am (#46 of 2980) Totally off topic--Amilia Smith Oh, come on...as if we've got a topic here! Ludicrous Patents Office - Sep 2, 2005 4:52 am (#47 of 2980) I have to agree with T on the spider issue. I think they are fascinating. I am a gardener and they provide excellent bug control. Mr. Ludicrous hates them. When I find one in the house I sneak it outside before he can murder it. The Weather channel showed the lights before the hurricane and after. It is amazing the area of darkness. Nature is the most powerful force on the planet. No matter what we think of ourselves. LPO Ydnam96 I know what you mean about being excited to do something. My daughter brought home a note yesterday from school. A Baptist Church in Jackson, TN has taken in many who have evacuated from Mississippi. My daughters class is taking up donations of necessary items (toothpaste, blankets, etc.) Puck Of course this is your weekend! It is too obvious. On the spiders issue-My sister is terrified of spiders. When we were still children there was a great big fuzzy looking spider on the porch. She stomped it, turns out that it wasn't large or fuzzy. It was toting at least a hundred little baby spiders on it's back. So the babies ran in every direction, including up her leg. It was hilarious watching her do her little dance and screaming to the top of her lungs. Finn BV - Sep 2, 2005 6:21 am (#49 of 2980) I'd be excited too, Mandy. Have fun! Totally off topic: I got to look at a copy of Dr. Johnson's Dictionary at work today, and "aardvark" really isn't in it!!! –Mills Thank you!! I've always wanted to know! Herm oh ninny, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkhaban in 15 minutes (even though it takes more than twice that to read) is hysterical. I was nearly kicked out of the computer lab for laughing so hard. ("Some Really Long Bridge on the School Grounds That Didn't Exist Before This Movie" and Except that you have J.K. Rowling's eyes. and GROOVY NEW DUMBLEDORE: Many thanks to the Richard Harris Memorial Toad Choir for that lovely performance. Too funny! We're leaving in less than an hour! Oh, I'll be wearing a hot orange shirt that says US Open on it, so hopefully it will stand out. Oh yeah, Good Evans, have a good time in Scotland! Stephanie M. - Sep 2, 2005 6:24 am (#50 of 2980) I'll be looking for the shirt! All I have to say is wow! You guys are too funny!!! Mandy have fun!!! Lady Arabella - Prefect - Posts : 2285 Location : Silicon Valley, CA Re: Chat & Greetings 2005 Lina, if you take on the snakes, I'll handle the spiders! We can split the cash! I had never seen much other than Daddy long legs growing up, but my backyard here has some beautiful ones. Yellow with black, gray with red, etc.... I like the ones in my garden, as they get rid of the other bugs. Kathy Edited Sep 2, 2005 8:38 am Dame Peverell- After it took you so long to get into the chat room, your name stayed on the board after you left. Ah-the irony. EDIT CatherineHermione-I did a search of Nikola Tesla and found quite a few results. Try using alta vista instead of google. www.wikipedia.org Had a very lengthy article about him. When you told me that he invented AC, I was thinking air conditioning(not alternating current.) He is credited with inventing many things including RADAR and MRI. It is sad that the history books have been so unkind to him and that someone that gave the world so much received so little in return. T Brightwater - Sep 2, 2005 8:39 am (#53 of 2980) I like spiders and snakes, and I love bats! They're so much fun to watch and they eat more mosquitoes than purple martins. But I guess everybody has to have some irrational fear, and mine is ants. I know they have their place in the ecosystem too, but something about them, especially in large quantities, gives me the creeps. Once when I was on a hike in England I saw a mass of ants a couple yards wide - not marching or anything, just crawling around in a fairly limited space. You could hear them. I'm shuddering just from writing it! Doris Crockford - Sep 2, 2005 8:53 am (#54 of 2980) I agree with you, T Brightwater. When you have lots of ants together, they're WAY creepier than spiders. But big spiders and all centipedes freak me out more. Once I saw a huge spider in the bathroom downstairs, so I refused to go into that bathroom for about 5 years. But I'm over that now, and there are only small spiders in there which I feel bad about killing. Finn, I'll try to look for you on TV today, but I have to finish packing for university, so I won't get a chance to look too hard. But the bright orange shirt should help. Well, I'll say goodbye for a few days now. I have to pack my computer to take with me to university, so I won't get the chance to get back on until Sunday, when I'm in my dorm room. I hope all the Forumers hit by Katrina have the chance to peek in by the time I get back online. I feel kinda silly worrying about people I've never met, but I really hope they all came through it without too much loss. Choices - Sep 2, 2005 9:54 am (#55 of 2980) Thanks to everyone for your thoughts (and prayers - please keep them coming) for the people of this area. I feel incredibly guilty sitting here in my cool house with plenty of food and water when within 200 miles to the west people are dying for lack of water, food and medication. Help is coming, but for many it is not coming fast enough. Gulfport/Biloxi (where I grew up) is just 65 miles to the west and over 100 people are dead there......in New Orleans it is over 1000 and the toll is rising daily. Anyone can help by making a donation to the American Red Cross or similar organization. President Bush landed here in Mobile just a couple of hours ago to go by helicopter for a tour of the area. He said it looked like the coast had been hit with the worst kind of weapon imaginable. I agree - Mother Nature definitely packs a punch when she gets stirred up. New Orleans has become a battle ground - looting, rape and beatings are rampant and military help is needed to restore order. It is hard to believe that something like this is happening in America. People have lost everything and are desperate. Disasters bring out the best in some people and the worst in others. Please keep this area in your thoughts and help the Red Cross, etc. help the poor unfortunate people devastated by Katrina. haymoni - Sep 2, 2005 10:19 am (#56 of 2980) I hear folks in the area are opening their homes to evacuees - people with spare rooms in Texas and Georgia are offering folks a place to stay for $1.00. Yes, disaster brings out the best & the worst. Madame Pomfrey - Sep 2, 2005 12:06 pm (#57 of 2980) Has anyone heard from Phoenix song? I am worried about her because she lives in Louisiana. I hope she and her family are well. Choices - Sep 2, 2005 5:32 pm (#58 of 2980) I hope all our Louisiana/Mississippi friends are safe. It may take a while to get their power back on - it could be weeks. Until then we will just have to hope for the best. haymoni - Sep 2, 2005 5:39 pm (#59 of 2980) I don't know why somebody doesn't just "Accio" some generators!!! What are these Muggles thinking??? Madame Pomfrey - Sep 2, 2005 6:11 pm (#60 of 2980) Choices, I just read that you are from Alabama. I'm glad to see you are safe. I have a cousin in Ms. Her house is messed up a bit but she and her family are safe. My prayers to all who have suffered. It just seems to me the country could have been better prepared to act more quickly to get people help. I remember last year during hurricane season they said how devastating a hit to New Orleans would be, yet a year later seemed ill prepared to deal with the aftermath. You'd think they would have worked out a plan, but instead seem to be winging it. T Brightwater, have you read "One Hundred Years of Solitude"? I ask because it has an ant scene that is well....gross and creepy. I could see one developing a bit of a phobia after reading it. Off to check the threads! kathy T Brightwater - Sep 2, 2005 6:41 pm (#62 of 2980) No, haven't read that one, Puck. Thanks for the warning! Finn BV - Sep 2, 2005 7:05 pm (#63 of 2980) …something about them [ants], especially in large quantities, gives me the creeps. I think we have ants living on our porch table. I have had to throw a muffin and a full bowl of goldfish out due to the invasion. My dad has developed intriguing methods of using bowls and napkins for our "Ant Protection Plan." So, I got back from the US Open about half an hour ago. We arrived at 11 and didn't leave until 6:45! It was amazing! Then we went out to dinner. I got to see the most famous female athlete from India, Sonia Mirza, who won her match in straight sets over Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli. I also saw Lleyton Hewitt, Jose Acasuso, Mike and Bob Bryan (US doubles team – they're brothers – they won), Nadia Petrova (highest ranked player, at #9, to have never won a tournament), Laura Granville (put up a good fight but was no match for Petrova), Andy Murray (new Scottish sensation, at 18 or 19 ys old), Ai Sugiyama, and Kim Clijsters! I've got lots of pictures – 142, I think – so I'll hopefully have them by tomorrow. Our digital is in the shop, so Mom borrowed her firm's camera for the day, so they'll have to upload them there, but expect some dazzling avatars. We had seats in row P but then we went down to the box seats to get some autographs, and two nice women gave us their box as they were leaving, so we had some great seats for the last match. I don't think I made it on TV though. Whatever… Thankfully, we didn't receive any of Katrina's weather at the Open today. It was great. Thoughts and prayers to everyone down south. Stephanie M. - Sep 2, 2005 7:58 pm (#64 of 2980) They only said who won the Clijsters match and they showed about 20 seconds of it. I was looking for you all day but didn't see you. I did see a kid who had your forehead and was wearing an orange shirt but the kid was also wearing an orange hat and had very dark brown hair. But the only resemblance you had to him was the forehead. So I was 110% sure it wasn't you. (Unless you have an evil twin brother that I don't know about...) I think you would have definitely gotten on tv if you had POTTY on your chest, or at least the P. It was really nice of the people who gave you their box. That PoA Spoof was soo funny!!!! Groovy Dumbledore and Remus constantly giving chocolate to Harry!!! Today there was a power outage and people were stuck on the Tram. (That is suspended on wires over water that goes to Roosevelt Island and Manhattan.) There were around 60 people going to Roosevelt Island and about 20 people coming into Manhattan. But I think everything turned out fine. I'm not sure how long they were stuck though. We can see the trams through out windows but we couldn't actually see the Trams stuck in the air. And we had our power so I'm sure it wasn't a huge power outage. Hope everyone in the path of Katrina is doing well!!! Off to watch the rest of Federer's match. Dame Peverell - Sep 2, 2005 8:11 pm (#65 of 2980) What I hate are slugs. Ants you can step on but stepping on a slug is just too gross. Don't even think about picking one up with your hand. A spider you can usually swat or get him to move but a slug where you don't want him: ugh ! If you have to pick one up it better be on a spoon because he'll just roll right off a stick. Slugs come out at night and hide in the day. They eat my seedlings and flowers and destroy my produce. I MUST KILL SLUGS. The good news is: All you have to do is set out fresh saucers of beer repeatedly and they slide right in and drown themselves. I don't mind having a few slugs now since I learned that Lightning Bugs have to lay their eggs on them. Anybody need the sure-fire cure for Earwig infestations, just ask. Ludicrous Patents Office - Sep 2, 2005 8:24 pm (#66 of 2980) I agree Dame Peverell, slugs are a bother. Though in dry Colorado I don't have to worry about them very often. We finally had a class in the library today. We have a new automated system that has taken some time to get up and running. I am very pleased with our new sixth grade class. Many Harry Potter fans. All my HBP, OoP and most of my GoF were checked out. One girl checked out the whole series except HBP. She has it at home. LPO Dame Peverell - Sep 2, 2005 8:40 pm (#67 of 2980) LPO- You might know this. As a child I loved a book about a boy who, among other things, helped out in a donut shop one night when the donut machine went berserk and wouldn't stop making donuts. I think in the same book there was a man and woman who both collected string until the balls were as big as a car. One day they had a contest and rolled their balls until all the thread was gone. The woman won because she wore a knitted dress over a cotton one. She hooked the yarn onto the thread and, as the event continued, it read first: her lovely red dress, then a bit later, her lovely red dress with the white border, then her red sweater with a white skirt and so on. Does this ring any bells? I think it won the Caldecott(?) award. For some reason, reading Harry Potter has always brought this book to mind. T Brightwater - Sep 2, 2005 8:57 pm (#68 of 2980) I remember that! And a lady lost her diamond bracelet in the donut machine, so they got people to eat them by offering a reward to the one who found the bracelet. There were two men courting the same woman, and she finally agreed to marry the one who had the bigger ball of string, but she insisted on competing too, and she won by the stratagem you described, so that she didn't have to decide. Her name was Miss Terwilliger. (why, why, why do I have this stuff stuck in my head and can't remember important things about work??) And there was another story with a sort of jingle that got stuck in your head that the only way you could get rid of it was to tell it to someone else... Seems to me the title was a kid's name, and his first name was Homer, but blessed if I can remember the rest of it. (It wasn't Simpson, despite the donut incident...) Eponine - Sep 2, 2005 8:59 pm (#69 of 2980) I read that book too! It was Homer Price by Robert McCloskey. ETA: Dame, your post was driving me crazy. I remembered the book, and I knew the title was the boy's name. I could see the cover of the book, but I couldn't remember what it was called. Thanks for the first name T Brightwater! Here is the cover art. Dame Peverell - Sep 2, 2005 9:01 pm (#70 of 2980) Oh, you are a sharp bunch. Hugs and kisses to you all. I have wanted that memory back for a long time... T Brightwater - Sep 2, 2005 9:29 pm (#71 of 2980) Thank you, Eponine - now I can sleep! Chemyst - Sep 2, 2005 9:37 pm (#72 of 2980) Edited Sep 2, 2005 10:11 pm Homer Price also had a skunk named Aroma. **wonders if it could have been friends with Blossom the possum** It just seems to me the country could have been better prepared to act more quickly to get people help. – Puck I am growing more and more disgruntled at the network news coverage of Katrina. I was reading some of the websites of the relief agencies. They did act quickly but their trucks were stopped at staging areas. Here is a quote: "The National Guard still has the hardest hit areas sealed off in all three states. Trucks are waiting along with other relief groups to be able to move into the disaster-ravaged regions." Some trucks were in the staging area for two days. It makes me wonder about the local officials if supplies are waiting at their doorstep for two days and they don't/can't get them. Edit: I should add for those not familiar with the US, even though it is called "National" Guard, it is actually the governor of the state who has power to deploy them. Dame Peverell - Sep 2, 2005 10:13 pm (#73 of 2980) That's HOMER PRICE by ROBERT McCLOSKEY A wonderfully funny children’s book, (it must be if we can remember it decades later) most especially for those not quite ready for the life and death realism of Harry Potter. Herm oh ninny - Sep 2, 2005 10:42 pm (#74 of 2980) Herm oh ninny, Harry Potter in 15 minutes (even though it takes more than twice that to read) is hysterical. I was nearly kicked out of the computer lab for laughing so hard - Finn I know what you mean! I almost dropped my lap to off my lap Lina - If these spiders do move in pairs, then they must have a waiting list to move into my backyard. Another one made itself a nice giant web on our clothes line tonight! I was not pleased to see it! Dame - You drown your slugs in beer??? (<--Picturing a bunch of drunken slugs! OK guys! Maybe you can help me too. I have been trying to find a book that I read when I was in elementary school. I have been looking for it for months but I can't remember the name. It is about a young girl who has a younger sister who is perfect. The older sister decides to take ballet lessons and the rest of her family laughs at her. There is also a scene where she buys sneezing powder and gives it to her sister, and she gets sick. I think the title may have ballet in it. Any one remember it, or am delusional? Dame Peverell - Sep 2, 2005 10:57 pm (#75 of 2980) Dame - You drown your slugs in beer??? (<--Picturing a bunch of drunken slugs! it improves their singing voices.....they also can't resist it....the whole thing is rather profound Dame Peverell: "it improves their singing voices" LOL! I have actually no problem either with slugs or ants, and I really like the small bats that live in the medieval abbey, just across the street. I love to see them fly when night is falling. I have more problems with spiders, though I'm really making some progress with them (that is, as long as they only are long legs thingies and not big black ones). I can't touch them but I manage to make them climb on my shovel for dust and throw them outside. I pay the rent, not them, honestly! The only bugs that really makes me freak out are all the kind of centipedes. Yuk! To see all those legs moving that fast is creepy. I used to work as a guide in a Cistercian abbey, during holidays when I was a student, and the tourists’ reception was in the 15th century church tower, which is a huge tower built next to the church. The place was beautiful but, far too often for my taste, we happened to see a huge centipede running from under paintings or pieces of furniture we were moving, despite all the bugs repellent we were using. Creepy. **shuddering at the memory of it** It has been a very long week at school and I'm really happy weekend has come at last! The kids of my class are great but, as they are numerous, and from two different grades, the start of term is not that easy. I can't be with them all at the same time and they have to learn quickly to listen and ask questions when I'm with their group and to work on their own when I'm with the other one. A real challenge when you're 6 or 7! It also supposes that everything has to be very well organised and prepared for the teacher, so not to lose some precious time. And some people still think teaching is a restful job! I know we have to be patient before TBE, Phoenix Song and Applepie can be able to give some news but it is not easy. The reports on the disaster are so worrisome. My thoughts and prayers go to them all. Dame Peverell - Sep 3, 2005 12:29 am (#77 of 2980) picture: "rub-a-dub-dub...we slugs in a tub" (I also use the beer because they must be very happy when they die.) I had the opportunity to be the Administrator of a Montessori Head Start Program for a few years when I was younger. It amazed me the way the Directress (teacher) could control so many poorly-parented young children with confidence and ease. She was like a glue that held them all together in good behavior and happiness. And quiet! It was a very large class and she had one assistant and occasional volunteers but it was her presence that filled the room and brought order to chaos. I could not handle the parents one fifth as well. I will never forget how much it impressed me. haymoni - Sep 3, 2005 4:33 am (#78 of 2980) The only thing that bothers me is that we knew this hurricane was coming. We know the potential for destruction. Why wasn't the National Guard in place? Why weren't there barges with supplies in place on the Mississippi? Why wasn't FEMA ready & waiting in the northern parts of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama? Why were all those school buses sitting there? The regular drivers could have done their school routes 2 days before the hurricane hit to at least get the kids out to the schools where they could be bussed out in an orderly fashion. Whose brilliant idea was it to tell folks to go to the Superdome where there was the possibility of no power? If all these newsreporters can get in, why can't anyone else? This isn't the tsunami, where there was maybe 1 person trying to warn everyone. We knew this hurricane was coming. If you don't have a car a regular day, you aren't going to have a car on Hurricane Day. If you don't have money for food/clothing/decent shelter on a regular day, you aren't going to have it on Hurricane Day. I don't think that having troops in Iraq is an issue - some folks are saying that those soldiers could be used here at home. There are plenty of private citizens eager to help. Let them in. I'm not trying to be political. I'm no good at that - I waffle too much. I just have questions. Yes, Haymoni, it was reported that some didn't get out because they couldn't afford the $40 tank of gas to leave (which would now run about $60). My husband’s cousin is in the national guard and is being deployed to Louisiana, but her unit has yet to get there. The lead new reporter was talking last night about how he saw supplies air lifted into a make-shift landing zone in the middle East, and wondered why it couldn't have been done in this situation. As for slugs, yes gross. In years I bother with my garden I use beer to keep them off my tomatoes as well. My brother, however, used to go on slug hunts at night when we were kids. He'd go into the backyard with a salt shaker and watch them shrivel up as he sprinkled them. Boys! Kathy Catherine - Sep 3, 2005 6:29 am (#80 of 2980) Homer Price also had a skunk named Aroma. **wonders if it could have been friends with Blossom the possum** --Chemyst I thought Aroma the skunk lived near Denise! It's so wonderful to have a quiet Saturday morning. I have a lot of work to do this "Labor Day" weekend, but it was pure bliss to be able to sleep until 7 a.m. I hope that everyone is as well as they can be, given the gas crunch and weather-induced tragedies. Our governor here in N.C. called for a sort of state of emergency regarding gasoline and non-essential travel. Most of my students and friends who planned to visit the beach or go out of state to visit family members have decided to have a quiet weekend at home instead. Perhaps I should have given my students loads of homework over the weekend...bwa ha ha ha ha ha! I already had a parental complaint that I did not assign homework over the holiday. Pull---eeeze. Normally, I would assign homework over the weekend, but this is a family holiday, and it's only the third week of school. There are plenty of other weekends to ruin. Off to check the mountain of threads that I have not read this week...take care, everyone. Well it's Move In Weekend here at the University. I'll be super busy all weekend. Puck, good luck this weekend!! Blessings to all in the South and to all those with family there. Denise P. - Sep 3, 2005 6:40 am (#82 of 2980) Let's be very careful in discussing the aftermath of the hurricane and the response of various agencies in dealing with it and getting aid to the victims of Katrina. No one wants to see a political discussion erupt here and then see Kip's font admonishing us I am hoping that TBE, applepie and any other Forum member in the area are suffering merely a lack of power that is preventing them from checking in. I imagine that the Forum is also low on the list of places to check in with. I love how Forum members can pool resources to remember titles of books and things of that nature. Here is one for you: A boy named Loren lives with his grandmother and is considered a geek...he may have diabetes or something too. He befriends a more cool girl at school and they discover both of them like the LotR books. I believe there is an empty house involved in the plot, the kids hang out there and I am pretty sure Loren dies at the end of the book. I probably read this when I was about 11, I know the author's name ends after the letter P since I can see in my mind where on the library shelf it was located (it was a U shaped section and it on the leg of the U near the end) but for the life of me, I can't recall the title. I remember it being good (based on my 11 year old opinion) and I think I checked it out numerous times to read. Elanor - Sep 3, 2005 8:51 am (#83 of 2980) I have wonderful news! Phoenix Song and Applepie are ok! Round Pink Spider just e-mailed me to tell me that Barb called her and she was fine! She had evacuated to Houston with her family where, by a stroke of sheer luck, she met Applepie (who had also evacuated there) at a Wal-Mart! She had never met her before and she had only seen a picture of her once but they recognised each other in that very large store. Amazing, isn't it? RPS also tells me that she was going to attempt to get back into Louisiana to see if they still have a house and, she hopes, rescue her dogs she had to leave there. I'm so happy and relieved to know they are safe! Stephanie M. - Sep 3, 2005 8:57 am (#84 of 2980) They are safe!! That is weird how they recognized each other in a Wal-Mart! Finn BV - Sep 3, 2005 9:02 am (#85 of 2980) That's amazing, Elanor. Six degrees of separation, I say. Or, as we like to do here, 6° of separation. Choices - Sep 3, 2005 9:37 am (#86 of 2980) It's wonderful to hear good news that people we care about are safe. Thanks for letting us know. That is amazing that they would recognize each other in Wal-Mart of all places. Madame Pomfrey - Sep 3, 2005 9:37 am (#87 of 2980) Thank you for the info Elanor. That is wonderful news! I am so happy for them. Hopefully we will hear from TBE and Gryfindora soon. Marie E. - Sep 3, 2005 9:49 am (#88 of 2980) I just found out that Abbycadabra is ok. She and her family evacuated to an aunt's house in Baton Rouge. Her father drove to their house the other day and it's fine. Missing a few roof shingles and a tree smushed part of their fence, but that's all. She had limited internet access so she wanted the news to be passed on. She'll be back as soon as she can with some Abbyfetti! Good news about applepie and Phoenix Song. What are the odds that they would meet up in a Houston Walmart? Here's a book I remember from my youth: A boy is a foster child, goes to live with a family in the Oregon or Washington woodlands, and ends up seeing Bigfoot. I had the book when I was around 10 or 11 years old, so the early, early 80's. CatherineHermiona - Sep 3, 2005 10:02 am (#89 of 2980) Great news about Barbie, applepie and Abbycadabra. Thanks for the info Marie E. and Elanor. Kate T Brightwater - Sep 3, 2005 10:20 am (#90 of 2980) I thought GryffEndora lived in Minnesota. Delighted to hear Phoenix song and applepie are okay! Continued prayers for TBE and all others affected. Eponine - Sep 3, 2005 10:47 am (#91 of 2980) I'm so glad to hear that Phoneix Song, Abbycadabra, and applepie are safe. I hope we'll hear from TBE soon. I am so glad that Abbycadabra, Phoenix Song and Applepie are safe! That is incredible news in the midst of such tragedy. Kip Carter - Sep 3, 2005 11:28 am (#93 of 2980) Just got off the phone with one of the original members of this Forum, W J, who lives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Wendy is now a grandmother. Her daughter gave birth to a son the same day (August 16th) as our Denise P.'s new son, Rhys. Wendy has not been able to be active on the Forum for a long time because of professional responsibilities and computer problems. W J is now back home after power has been restored; however her community college still does not have power. She did say that there has been no looting in the Baton Rouge area, unlike what some news reports have stated. She lives close to the LSU campus and we talked about LSU wanting to have their next game at Tiger Stadium, which is within shouting distance from W J's home. She said that there are mixed emotions about the game with some feeling that the game would be a good morale booster where others feel that the LSU campus does not need to divert their resources to football being the campus is a staging area for many of the people who have been evacuated from the troubled areas. She said that one of the biggest problems facing the education system in Louisiana now is relocating the students and teachers to schools, which are able to function. She was very happy to hear about all of the good things on the Forum. We talked for about 25 minutes and she sends everyone her best. Enough said right now. Catherine - Sep 3, 2005 11:45 am (#94 of 2980) What great news to hear about our members' safety. It put a smile on my face to know that so many members of our Forum family are safe. Good news about applepie and Phoenix Song. What are the odds that they would meet up in a Houston Walmart? That's an amazing coincidence--that they would both be there and would recognize one another! That reminds me of a story my dad tells about his service in Vietnam. During his officer training stateside, he became best friends with a man named Charlie. My mother and Charlie's wife roomed together and taught school together, and became as close as sisters. Charlie and his wife, Ann, became my godparents after I was born. When Charlie and my dad went to Vietnam, they were not stationed together and had lost contact with one another for a bit. Imagine Dad's surprise when he went to Hong Kong on leave, walked down a street teeming with people, and saw his best friend walking toward him! Charlie told this story from his own perspective at Mr. Catherine's and my wedding rehearsal dinner, and I must say, there was not a dry eye in the house. Snuffles - Sep 3, 2005 12:57 pm (#95 of 2980) I am really pleased that Abbycadabra, Phoenix song and applepie are o.k. Lets hope we hear from Gryffendora and TBE soon. Denise P. - Sep 3, 2005 1:34 pm (#96 of 2980) Great news about WJ, applepie and everyone else who has checked in from the areas that were hit by Katrina. Hopefully those we have not heard from yet will be able to check in soon with someone. haymoni - Sep 3, 2005 1:38 pm (#97 of 2980) Great story, Catherine! I am so so so glad to hear that so many of our Forum friends are OK. Just got finished mowing the lawn, weeding the front yard & cleaning the house - well, for now anyway! Why is it that Labor Day weekend causes so much labor??? Finn BV - Sep 3, 2005 2:18 pm (#98 of 2980) This is excellent news. So glad to hear about everyone! What a story Catherine. Sorry your work's been keeping you away from the Forum! Amilia Smith - Sep 3, 2005 3:52 pm (#99 of 2980) Why is it that Labor Day weekend causes so much labor??? I have always wondered that. Opposed Labor Day on that principle alone. Who's great idea was it to have a holiday to celebrate those who work by making them work harder? I had to remember this sentiment when I rode my bike all the way down town to the State Public Library today only to discover that it was closed for the weekend (I thought it would only be closed Monday . silly me). I reminded myself very firmly that that is one of the main reasons I quit my chicken frying job and went to Library school: so that holidays and weekends mean Days Off, not Days to Work Harder. Finn, in reference to my aardvark remark: Thank you!! I've always wanted to know! OK, I guess I should have prefaced that . In one of my all time favorite sitcoms, Black Adder, Balderick accidentally burns Dr. Johnson's Dictionary. Black Adder must rewrite the Dictionary over night so that Dr. Johnson (Robbie Coltraine, incidentally) does not kill him for destroying his magnum opus. The trouble is, he gets stuck on Aardvark. He is up all night trying to think of how to define aardvark. And now you all know why I was tickled to learn that "aardvark" really isn't in Dr. Johnson's Dictionary. On the bug front: I saw a cockroach crawling across my floor last night. Really freaked me out. I suppose it is all relative; one of my coworkers is from Japan, and he was saying that the roaches here are so small, and slow too . but that is not what I am thinking when I see them. These things are huge! Two inches long! Much too big to squash. Very reassuring to start to hear from our no longer missing forumers. Unfortunately I am not recognizing any of the books you all are looking for, so I'm no help. ***this does not bode well for my career as a librarian*** There was a new Connie Willis book that came out on the 23rd. So I went down to Borders last week to buy it. They did not have it. So I went to Amazon. I just got an email saying it would be delayed, and I would not get my book until the middle/end of October. :-( I suppose I should not be too put out, as the only reasons I can think of for it being delayed are very good reasons . but dang it! I was looking forward to that book! Mills. I Am Used Vlad - Sep 3, 2005 5:41 pm (#100 of 2980) I'm glad that many of our forum members from the south have been able to check in, and hope those who have not do so soon. Catherine, I can't help but wonder if your father's friend was the same Charlie that Forrest Gump was looking for in Vietnam. Finn, why don't you change your avatar to Federer. If you can make him lose his next match, I will believe that you are jinxing the players. Lady Arabella - Prefect - Posts : 2285 Location : Silicon Valley, CA Re: Chat & Greetings 2005 Stephanie M. - Sep 3, 2005 6:20 pm (#101 of 2980) Yay! Everyone is doing OKAY!!!! Finn, maybe you are jinxing the players! Roddick lost... Nadal lost... Maybe Kim is next! That would be really weird if this keeps happening. I really like Federer!! I wanted Nadal to win though... Who was it that had that link to the PoA spoof? I'd love for you to e-mail it to me, so I, too, can fall off my chair laughing. Glad to hear that so many forum friends are okay, and how the world is a bit smaller than it sometimes seems. That's for explaining the aardvark thing. It's been ages since I've seen Black Adder. Sorry, I do not recognize any of those books either, though I may have to check out Homer Prince my next library visit. Night all! Kathy Lupin is Lupin. Natch. Finn, maybe you are jinxing the players! Roddick lost... Nadal lost... Maybe Kim is next! That would be really weird if this keeps happening.---Stephanie M. Next for what? ***didn't realize she was standing in line for anything*** Catherine - Sep 3, 2005 7:37 pm (#104 of 2980) Catherine, I can't help but wonder if your father's friend was the same Charlie that Forrest Gump was looking for in Vietnam. --I Am Used Vlad I don't think so, but you are welcome to assume so, if it completes your mythos. My godfather is "Uncle Charlie" and, if my parents met the same fate as Lily and James, despite any irony, my godfather would be Uncle Charlie/ aka Sirius right now. pottermom34 - Sep 3, 2005 8:07 pm (#105 of 2980) I was just wondering about our southern forumers glad to see they're all ok. Unfortunately I can't afford to financially help any of the organizations helping but I can at least pray for them and think about them, If any of them start collecting clothes I'll donate thought I have lots of kid clothes I can part with. On the Labor Day thing, I don't mind working it I get time and a half. My husband gets the day off and I can work without paying a babysitter that day. Speaking of Labor Day anyone doing anything exciting? I'm like I said working. Hopefully we'll be busy but with gas so high we may not. Well off to check other threads and try to play catch up again. What can I say I'm a slacker. haymoni - Sep 3, 2005 8:21 pm (#106 of 2980) Yes - post that link to the POA spoof. I can't get to any of the links when I'm at work - the Dementors have everything blocked - so I have to wait until I get home and then I forget! Dame Peverell - Sep 3, 2005 9:01 pm (#107 of 2980) Twinkling Blue Eyes is still missing- with her horse. This was her last post: TwinklingBlueEyes - Aug 28, 2005 2:30 pm (#2852 of 2963) "Character is doing the right thing when nobody is looking" Hey everyone. Hope all those who could get out of the way of this hurricane did. We are stuck here and it's coming straight to my front door. (At least as long as the front door stays there!) Good luck to all. Maybe I'll have a few hours to read posts. Got generator, but when cable goes out so does my internet. We can't post the link to the POA spoof here, it's way too inappropriate. I had it bookmarked on my last computer. Maybe someone else can email it to you, haymoni. My friend Melissa and I are going to collect a bunch of kids’ clothes. A lot of Lexie's are practically new since she's very picky about her clothes and only wears a select few. Maybe TBE rode the horse to safety. *tries not to worry* Dame Peverell - Sep 3, 2005 9:26 pm (#109 of 2980) Marie E. Not to rain on anyone's parade but I have read in several places that when disasters like this occur the system gets choked with old clothes and other cast-offs that the victims can't even use. Heck, with any luck they aren't even there anymore. It would be a far greater thing to do if you could turn it into a big garage sale and send the money to an organization who is helping those poor people find housing and jobs. And other articles write that money never gets where it is supposed to be going to because it gets stuck halfway through or because the president of the charity company has a salary that rivals a moviestar.... Some say this, some say that, I think the best thing you can do is what you think helps best, and whatever you have in your power to do. Some of it will help some-one at some point! Sending lots of good thoughts to TBE and her horse... Chemyst - Sep 4, 2005 6:30 am (#111 of 2980) There are charity watchdog groups that do financial ratings on charities. Any search engine will provide lots of choices. The industry "rule of thumb" is that 60% going to the need and 40% spent on administration & fundraising is a 'good' rating, but if you look, you can find organizations that do much better. Many of the higher rated ones are religious based, so I won't offer links. Glad to see that some of our members are ok! Hopefully the others will be well also. The giant squid - Sep 4, 2005 8:45 am (#113 of 2980) haymoni: I'm glad to know I'm not the only one feeling a little scepticism in the face of all this. That said, I'm glad our fellow Forumers are coming out OK. Still thinking good thoughts for TBE, GryffEndora and anyone else who may have been caught by the storm. Finn: As long as you don't put Agassi as your avatar we'll be okay. My wife's been cranky enough this last week as it is... --Mike Doris Crockford - Sep 4, 2005 8:49 am (#114 of 2980) Well, I'm settled at university, and I'm glad to see a bunch of Forumers have managed to check in. Hope the rest get to soon, as well. I got to bring all my stuff up to my room yesterday, so I'm already packed, and people are still arriving. I'm going to go and wander around and meet people, maybe help people bring their stuff in. Yes, it is so great we have heard some reassuring news from the forumers in Louisiana. I so hope we will hear of TBE soon! I was under the impression that GryffEndora was living in Minnesota but I may be wrong, I do hope she is ok anyway! Yesterday evening, I finally convinced a friend of mine to see the CoS movie I lent him ages ago (he thought it was just a sequel). We were supposed to watch a movie at his (he has a huge screen and a "videoprojector" thingy that is great). I had a plan: I brought one of my specialities: the "Lorraine quiche" and a bottle of rosé from Provence... Unanswerable! I'm not a very good cook but I assure you, nobody can resist my quiche! And we watched CoS... Mischief managed... Next time I want to see PoA on a big screen, I'll try and make my other speciality: crawfishes in a curry and cream sauce, served inside hot small "brioches"... **evilgrin** Have a great Sunday everybody! Thank you everyone for the info about the members we were worrying about. It is a relief to know that they are at least safe. I just hope we will get (good) news about TBE and her horses soon. And thank you about news on W J too, Kip. I was wondering about her because I don't see her posting and I keep using her post for making the smiles Puck: Lina, if you take on the snakes, I'll handle the spiders! We can split the cash! Agreed. No news yet? And I can understand the need to kill slugs, but they don't scare me to death! So, the vacation is over. This was one of the best summers I can remember. We have discovered some great places that are not even fare away from our home. Tomorrow the school begins. And I'm going back to work. The books arrived. By HP express. What did you think of? HP stays for the Croatian posts. But when I saw the yellow wan with the "HP express" on it for the first time, I thought "What is this doing on the wan, shouldn't HP express use the owls?" I really thought that. Well wishes to everybody! I only recently started posting on the HPL forum, and have never before posted on this thread, but I just wanted to say that I am so touched to see how so many of you have bonded with one another and are genuinely concerned for one another's well being. It's very impressive and a testament to the caliber of people in this on-line community. To those of you who are worried about TBE and other members you may not have heard from for a while, stay positive. It's very likely that they are safe, but perhaps can't access the Internet. Or maybe they just have so many other things to deal with right now that they haven't thought or had time to post on the forum. Just keep sending good thoughts and prayers their way. Herm oh ninny - Sep 4, 2005 1:18 pm (#118 of 2980) Puck and Haymoni - I have the link to the POA spoof. As Marie said, it contains some inappropriate language so I don't want to post the link. Send me an e-mail and I'll send you the link. (I tried to send them to you guys but both of your e-mails are listed as private) Finn - Your avatar backfired.... Dent just lost Lina - If the spiders in my back yard looked like those, they would be more than welcome to stay! Amelia - The only things that scare me more than spiders are roaches!! *shudders* I can't even go near a dead one!! Your friend is right! When we went to Greece for vacation, I saw a giant (I swear it was like 4 or 5 inches!!) roach sitting on our outside wall. I grabbed a bottle of windex (my method for attacking bugs in the house) and started towards the monster! My father then said "I wouldn't do that if I were you. They can fly!" Flying giant roaches??? *still shuddering at the thought* Ladybug220 - Sep 4, 2005 2:00 pm (#119 of 2980) Reply Edited by Sep 4, 2005 2:01 pm Actually Kelly, there are flying roaches here in the states too, but they appear to be more prevalent in the south. And, they get to be 3-4 inches as well. What makes it worse is that my cats see those as live toys and like chase them around my apartment. Yuck! As for the spiders, if they are small or the ones like Lina's avatar, then I don't mind them. But when they are 4-5 inches in diameter and have hairy legs, then they must die - after I scream, of course. Since I don't have a husband or boyfriend, then I am the one that has to kill them and I end up doing a lot of little screams and dances while trying to get the job done. What's worse is there was one that was on the ceiling above my bed. I think that I killed and flushed it, but I didn't sleep in my bed for 3 days. Finn BV - Sep 4, 2005 2:31 pm (#120 of 2980) And now you all know why I was tickled to learn that "aardvark" really isn't in Dr. Johnson's Dictionary. –Mills Ah, gotcha. I must say, it was a lot funnier without the preface. Finn, why don't you change your avatar to Federer. If you can make him lose his next match, I will believe that you are jinxing the players. –Vlad Well, I changed it to Hewitt but he ousted Dent () in a long five-setter. Taylor saved 3 match points but lost it on the fourth. Still, I don't know why I didn't think of Federer before! Then that would leave room for an all-American final! Next for what? –Kim Vlad was referring to Kim Clijsters of tennis, my former avatar. Great avatar, Lina! Herm oh ninny, you can always send the PoA spoof to puck@worldcrossing.com or haymoni@worldcrossing.com. Everybody's username is their email address @worldcrossing.com. So, we've been giving a makeover to our kitchen. Completely unrecognizable now. It's really looking amazing. I've sorta been away from the forum today for that reason. Herm oh ninny:- Flying giant roaches??? I can imagine being carried off by one, to its nest......... Best wishes to all who were affected by the Hurricane. It's times like this that I give thanks I live in a city where the worst you can expect is a good soaking. I hope all our members in the Hurricane area are okay......... Stephanie M. - Sep 4, 2005 2:48 pm (#122 of 2980) Okay here is a long story about a spider: I was staying with my cousins at their country house, in Connecticut, last summer (it was actually exactly one year ago today) and one of my cousins was at a school program so I stayed in her room while she was there. And before I went to sleep I noticed that there was a spider on the ceiling. So I took a chair and "smushed" the spider and I threw it in the little garbage can in her room.(I was soo scared when I was up on that chair!) So I went to sleep that night. But the next night, right after we came back from dinner, guess what I saw on the ceiling over the bed? The little black, very hairy spider! It was the same one too!!! Because I looked in the trash can and looked at the tissue and there was NO SPIDER in it!!! Then I turned around and the next thing I saw was the spider drop from the ceiling, on it's web, and I screamed so loudly that my other cousin (who isn't afraid of spiders) came running in and attempted to kill it for me. But it kept moving because it was floating in mid air so we decided to go look for bug spray but of course they didn't have any. So we found a can of Lysol and we kept spraying it and then it FLEW to the wall and then we finally smushed it and flushed it down the toilet. But that had to have been the scariest spider experience I've ever been in. Also the time where I found a spider in my history binder and the time where I was half way through my shower when I realized that the entire time I was there was a huge spider on the wall. Oh and the time our Christmas tree was infested with little flying bugs and had more than a few spiders. But there is one amazing story that I will tell another time about my other cousins (the ones from Buffalo Finn) and a pregnant spider. Those stories were also up there in the scariness factor. Tonight's CBS movie is Along Came A SPIDER I just felt that I had to mention that. I hope everyone's Labor Day weekend is going well!!! Edit: Because I can't spell and type and my grammar is horrible! Well, at least I knew what I did wrong! (School in less than 1 week so I can learn how to spell!!!) Your stories about spiders remind me of my story with a scorpion. I was with my friend on vacation and we saw a scorpion on a ceiling. I never found out if it was a good thing or a bad thing that the scorpion was yellow. We decided to kill it, but the ceiling was very high, it was a difficult task and the scorpion fell on the floor. When we tried to find it and finish the killing, it disappeared. It was not easy to fall asleep after that, but we eventually did and obviously survived. I know that scorpions are dangerous as well as snakes but I don't get paralyzed when I see them. Sometimes I think that I would be less afraid of spiders if I'd let one of them bite me. Then I might become aware that it is not a big deal. Herm oh Ninny, could you send me that link to, pretty pretty please? Thank goodness for the good news on our Southern forumers and prayers for the ones we have yet to hear from! My scariest spider story was definitely the time I was sitting around one night reading ghost stories (I love scary books and cheesy horror movies) and a big spider came running up through the middle of my book! I slammed the book shut and ran for the hills! Chemyst - Sep 4, 2005 4:47 pm (#125 of 2980) Lina, I love the avatar! They look like they could be used on boggarts. ***drums fingers weighing if I want to jump in to comment on Kim's comment*** .............yeah, I think I will. Next for what? Vlad was referring to Kim Clijsters of tennis, my former avatar. –Finn Kim has a wonderfully droll and understated sense of humor. I'm about 110% sure she knew the imposter-Kim was a tennis player. Edit to add: Thanks so much for the update RPS! Round Pink Spider - Sep 4, 2005 4:48 pm (#126 of 2980) Gee, all this talk about spiders makes me feel right at home... I have some information for you about Barb (Phoenix Song) and GryffEndora. GryffEndora lives near Minneapolis, and I'm in correspondence with her, so I can tell you personally that she's fine. I was in daily phone contact with Barb from before the hurricane until last Wednesday, then she called me again today. She evacuated to Houston Sunday morning. It was a very bad trip. She said it took 11 1/2 hours instead of 5 1/2, and her mother's air conditioner broke partway through the trip. The heat index was something like 115 degrees, so it was apparently pretty horrible. She and her family stayed in a hotel in Houston until about Wednesday. I think that Elanor let you know that she saw Rebecca (Applepie) while she was there. Then on Wednesday they headed back to Louisiana, to see if they could reach their house, take pictures for insurance, rescue their pets, and see if their family members were still alive. She called me less than an hour ago. The signal was very poor and I could barely hear her, but I think I got the gist of the information. Her house is more or less intact. She lost part of her roof, but her house could be repaired. All her family members are alive, and her pets are OK. Her mother's house across the street is probably a total loss -- the roof is gone, and it sounded like there was other damage. Her husband's parents' house is totally gone, just missing except for the front. She says it looks like a war zone. She commented to me that she knows where TBE lives, and TBE's house would be under about 20 feet of water. But she's quite certain that TBE would have evacuated. Steve Newton - Sep 4, 2005 5:09 pm (#127 of 2980) Good to hear from you RPS. I am glad for the update on our missing persons. Their experience is so far from anything that I have known that I cannot imagine what it would be like. I live less than a mile from the Delaware River and can't imagine its waters making it to my house. Denise P. - Sep 4, 2005 5:44 pm (#128 of 2980) Yikes, I hope TBE made it out and is safely sheltered somewhere!! Choices - Sep 4, 2005 5:53 pm (#129 of 2980) I have to relate my spider story - we have what is called garden spiders or banana spiders. They are yellow and black and huge - probably four or five inches long (legs) with a body that is about an inch and a half long. We have two that have built webs outside our windows and they are wonderful in that they eat flies and mosquitos. Of course, they are named Aragog 1 and Aragog 2 and we have the best time watching them. Other than being huge and scary looking, they are harmless. Finn BV - Sep 4, 2005 6:10 pm (#130 of 2980) Kim has a wonderfully droll and understated sense of humor. –Chemyst I will keep an eye out. Thanks for the update RPS. I'm sure TBE will be around soon, it's just that getting to a computer is not her top priority at the moment, I'm sure. My prayers. Round Pink Spider - Sep 4, 2005 6:12 pm (#131 of 2980) Choices, where do you live? Because I am NEVER going there. Choices - Sep 4, 2005 6:18 pm (#132 of 2980) Mobile, Alabama LOL Stephanie M. - Sep 4, 2005 6:33 pm (#133 of 2980) Thanks for the news RPS! I'm sure TBE would have evacuated. I think I totally missed something about Kim. Well, I haven't heard her tell a joke or anything... Yeah, I definitely missed something. The last thing I remember was I was saying that she will lose because Finn had her as his avatar, therefore jinxing her. Federer is playing now!!! Finn don't jinx him! He did win the first set though... *Mutters off saying something about Kim having a sense of humor.* Lupin is Lupin. Natch. Chemyst, you're making me . Choices, where do you live? Because I am NEVER going there.---Round Pink Spider This is why I live in New England, where it gets sufficiently cold every winter to keep all the bugs to a reasonable size. We have yellow and black garden spiders as well--but I've only seen them get to be about an inch and a half, two tops. Denise, has anything arrived in the mail lately? EDIT: *Mutters off saying something about Kim having a sense of humor.*---Stephanie M. Hey! I heard that! Round Pink Spider - Sep 4, 2005 7:15 pm (#135 of 2980) I'm with you, Kim. Here in MN, the biggest I've ever seen were about 2", and that's wa-a-a-ay big enough for me (despite my nickname). I'm not particularly afraid of spiders and snakes, but I don't care for cuddling up with them, either. (Or scorpions... or alligators...) Ridiculously cold temperatures do have their uses. Stephanie M. - Sep 4, 2005 7:36 pm (#136 of 2980) I'm soo confused!! LOL. Wait! I get it now!!! Wow! I can't believe I was still thinking Kim Clijsters!!! *smacks head into really hard object and falls over but gets back up because the pizza is here* Federer won!!! Yay! Finn, your avatars might not be jinxes after all!!! Yes, Lina, still here, still no news. I can tell you despite a few old wives tales, neither Mexican food nor ginger did the trick. So, now I'm once again no longer hoping for labor, but wanting to delay it for a few days, as my girl has her first day of preschool on Thursday. I thought it was funny that "MASH" was on the TV this afternoon, and my daughter after a quick glimpse at the Radar charter asked if it was Harry Potter! Virgoddess, love the avatar. I have a photo of my hubby and myself in a similar pose taken on our honeymoon. I love Disney! Time to sleep! Kathy Ludicrous Patents Office - Sep 4, 2005 9:49 pm (#138 of 2980) Denise and Marie I'm sorry I'm not familiar with either book you mentioned. I'll keep an eye out for them. I'm glad so many Forum members are OK. Verity welcome to the chat thread! You are right people here are very caring. Her oh ninny please send me the PoA spoof link. LPO Snuffles - Sep 5, 2005 12:52 am (#139 of 2980) Herm oh ninny, will you send me the spoof PoA too? In the UK last night, they showed Jaws (AGAIN!!) as it is the films 30th anniversary. I am probably the only person not to know this, but the music was composed by John Williams! I really didn't know I hope that TBE is ok and is able to make contact soon. Puck. Don't know if it really works, but a spoon of castor oil is supposed to help induce labour! (if you manage to keep it down long enough!!) Hope everyone had a good weekend. Julie The giant squid - Sep 5, 2005 12:53 am (#140 of 2980) Here's hoping "Labor Day" turns out to have a double meaning for Puck after all... Pleasant labor day to everyone who celebrates. We celebrate it here on a totally different date. Thank you very much, RPS, on your detailed (as much as it was possible) report. It is nice to see you around. I keep hoping that TBE managed to get with her horses somewhere safe. Puck, my first daughter came into world 10 days too late. I was lucky with the other two not to know the day they were supposed to come, so I didn't have to worry. Chemyst, my boggart would most certainly be the spider. I'll just have to keep in mind the way to get rid of him in the case I meet one. Have a pleasant week everyone! CatherineHermiona - Sep 5, 2005 7:17 am (#142 of 2980) Finn - Have you seen any Croatian players on US open (Ivan Ljubièiæ, Mario Anèiæ, Ivo Karloviæ)? They are good and I hope that one day they will be good as Goran Ivaniševiæ. Today was the first day of school and it was pretty good. We get two new students. Melanie came from Germany and finally there is someone as tall as I am. Patrik is from some other school in Rijeka. Only one thing wasn't good. We were making a new plan of sitting and I am sitting with the worst boy in our class. I would so like if I could sit with Melanie because she sits alone. Tomorrow we have Two new subjects which we get in seventh grade (Physics, Chemistry). This is the last day without homework. Happy Labor Day to all who are celebrating!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Kate Denise P. - Sep 5, 2005 7:27 am (#143 of 2980) Oh, the castor oil idea is not a good one, for many reasons. I know women that have done it and the results are not pretty. I thought we would have a fairly relaxing day. A friend just called. She is a Red Cross worker and has been called down to a local shelter to help deal with Hurricane victims that are arriving. Her sitter had agreed last night to watch her kids but then called this morning to say she decided to go shopping in Nashville instead. @@ How rude!! Had my friend been told this last night, she could have arranged another sitter. I can't believe the first one (and an adult, no less!) gave her 15 minutes notice that she was not going to take the kids after all. So I am taking her two younger kids for the day while she goes down to work. TN has something like 15,000 hurricane victims here and I think my town is getting at least 1000 of them. I am off to go clean guinea pig cages...whee! Oh, Kim....yes...didn't you get my email? I will send it again since obviously you didn't. Gotta love technology! What's 2 more, hey Denise? It's so nice of you, especially with a new baby in the house. Going shopping? Yes, great excuse. That's way more important than helping those who have lost everything. I've heard the castor oil thing, and didn't try it, as I too have heard it can have nasty side effects. Actually, I am now anxious to not go into labor, as I would not be home from the hospital to see Maya off for her first day of school, which is Thursday. (Baby likely has the same heart condition as myself and my boy, so we will need to stay longer than usual to get her stabilized on meds.) My first two were both born the Wednesday before their due dates, just before 3 pm. That would mean this Wednesday afternoon if the pattern sticks. I'm hoping not, as it would be so sad not to be there for my other girl. (Of course, I would have a better excuse than shopping.) Snuffles - Sep 5, 2005 8:14 am (#145 of 2980) Forget I mentioned the castor oil thing then!! I had it mentioned to me when I was overdue, but I declined to try it, not because I had heard of any side effects, it was just the thought! **shudder**. I had a craving for hot curries near the end so I kept telling hubby that was the way to induce labour, so he kept getting me them. Hee hee I was so crabby by the end he was willing to try absolutely anything! Puck. Hope you are still at home when Maya goes for her first day at school. Denise, is there such a thing as a relaxing day in your house? Julie I was at Barnes and Noble last night and I noticed they have a display of pirate books under the heading Talk Like A Pirate Day September 19th. Who knew it had gotten that popular? I am going to buy my kindergarteners eye patches to wear on that day. Fun, fun. Gina R Snape - Sep 5, 2005 10:14 am (#147 of 2980) Ladybug220, your Firenze bears a striking resemblance to my Nymphadora! Of course, she too loves to make a toy out of any moving insect. But I encourage this, as I'd have to catch and kill it myself. This way she does it for me and then I can just flush it down the toilet! I'm at work today and still trying to catch up. It's so lovely outside and nobody else is here because of the holiday and I just want to go back to bed or maybe lay in the sun awhile! T Brightwater - Sep 5, 2005 12:03 pm (#148 of 2980) Herm oh ninny, I'd like that link too, please. Thanks in advance. RPS, tell GryffEndora we miss her. Dr Filibuster - Sep 5, 2005 1:53 pm (#149 of 2980) RPS, thanks for the update. I wondered why Barb's journey was so awful after her mom's hair conditioner failed (the words "priorities" and "needs to sort out" sprang to mind). Now I just reckon I need an eye test. Like the rest of the world, I've been watching news on the aftermath of Katrina with mounting horror. All your reports are appreciated. Even with all the pictures on tv it's difficult to imagine what it's like. The Red Cross have provided invaluable relief, the marines are in at last, but what I want to know is...when will the Extreme Makeover (house) team turn up? **Toddles off for a butterbeer, thinking about TBE and wishing her well** Catherine - Sep 5, 2005 3:14 pm (#150 of 2980) Thanks for the updates on our members, RPS. I join everyone in hoping that TBE has evacuated safely. I spent most of today at work making copies. It was lovely to have the copy machine to myself, and to be able to connect with the school's server and update some records. I can't wait for my chatty class to come tomorrow morning and realize that I've rearranged the seating chart. Bwahahaha... I think we shall investigate vector-born diseases in Africa tomorrow. That sounds more interesting than reading Chapter 3 about "Climate and Vegetation." I'm bringing in food samples (No, Kim, I did NOT cook anything myself! ) so that they can try some cassava (tapioca pudding), dates, and cocoa beans (form of Hershey kisses), all of which are grown there. So, mosquitoes, malaria, and chocolate. Sounds like an interesting combo. So while we won't be talking about big spiders or flying cockroaches, we will be looking at the Tsetse fly...that's not a bug someone has mentioned so far! The sleeping sickness reminded me of the Draught of Living Death, which proves that everything comes back to Harry Potter or the Forum in the end. *waves to Kim and Loopy Lupin; it's been an age!* Lady Arabella - Prefect - Posts : 2285 Location : Silicon Valley, CA Re: Chat & Greetings 2005 TwinklingBlueEyes - Sep 5, 2005 3:27 pm (#151 of 2980) ...toddles and wobbles back into the chat thread... Thank you all for the well wishes! We stayed, are all ok. Been a rough week...but I can do nothing but hurt for those on the Gulf Coast. We were in the outer western eyewall sections, winds sustained at 142 MPH. This almost 100 year old house stood well, shook and shuddered occassionally, lost a lot of shingles, but stood like a trooper. Told the hubby once, wake me when we set down in Oz. My horses are fine, wet, a tad wind-blown, but fine. Family is all safe and fed, though my daughter and 8 month old grandson lost all, house, car, everything: but saved their lives! Thank you again, all the thoughts and prayers stood us well. Pam and Family ...toddles off in a daze still!... Edit: My poor trees didn't do as well, lost the top out of one 100 year old cedar tree in front of the house. Hurricane Andrew got the top out of it's sibling sapling. 150+ year old oaks did the watusi, but stood! Got one on each side of house. Denise P. - Sep 5, 2005 3:33 pm (#152 of 2980) I am so glad to see that you and yours are doing well and came through intact. Many were very worried about you, very pleased to see you check in!! Winky Woo - Sep 5, 2005 3:44 pm (#153 of 2980) Just checking the forum before I went to bed to see if there was any news of you TBE! I'm so relieved to know that you are ok! I know I don't post on this thread usually, thank you for letting us all know that you (and the horses) are safe, you have been in so many people thoughts and prayers. Andie Lavandula - Sep 5, 2005 3:45 pm (#154 of 2980) TBE, I'm new to the forum just this weekend, but I have been reading for several months and have sent loads of prayers your way!! I even looked up your city on the map and told my husband about how everyone was hoping the best for you and your family. We'll keep praying for your daughter and the rest of the Gulf Coast. Lavandula, aka Cathy Round Pink Spider - Sep 5, 2005 3:59 pm (#155 of 2980) TBE, I'm very glad you've made it back online! Barb was under the impression that your house would be underwater where it was located, so I guess she might be mistaken about where you live. I'm glad you, your house, trees, and horses made it through! Barb still has no electricity where she is, and no way of getting online, so I'm acting as her voice on the Forum. She called me again today, and I was able to hear her a little better. Her house lost a bit of the roof, she's lost some siding, and she has some water damage in the house. She's also lost some very large trees, but fortunately they didn't hit her house. Most of her family has been nowhere near as fortunate, sadly. TBE, I'll let Barb know the good news. Finn BV - Sep 5, 2005 3:59 pm (#156 of 2980) TBE, I'm so glad to see you back!! And your house stood? Wow, the damage to you sounds minimal compared to some of the stories I've seen. Glad you're okay! Kate, I have seen all three of the Croatians you mentioned – there was much talk when they beat the US in the Davis Cup this year – however, I think they've all lost by now! But they're all making headlines – especially Karlovic, who is 6'10"! God, he's enormous. I saw him play once, you think you're about the size of a house-elf. And how about James Blake! I'm rooting for him all the way! TwinklingBlueEyes - Sep 5, 2005 4:51 pm (#157 of 2980) Finn, we were lucky. The shingles and siding on the north side of my house are all but gone, but after this week’s war zone, those are not a bother. Denise? "I imagine that the Forum is also low on the list of places to check in with." I still can't believe checking in with our "family" is a top priority! We not even going to mention the relentless pull of an HP obsession! ...toddles off pondering live without checking to the Lex forum...still can't wrap my brain around that one, LOL... Hurray for the good news! So glad that you and your family are okay Pam! I'm sending some extra strengthening charms to your daughter, sounds like she needs them. Stephanie M. - Sep 5, 2005 5:01 pm (#159 of 2980) You're alright!!! At least your family is safe!! I hope everyone else is doing OK. I saw him play once, you think you're about the size of a house-elf.—Finn Finn, I think I'll look like a Cornish Pixie compared to him!! You're at least 6 inches taller than me!!! (OMG that's half a foot! I never realized that!) I just started to realize that school starts for me on Thursday, and I feel like I still have a ton of things do before then! I think I'll go crazy! (I kinda wish school starts so I can get over the whole "I must do all of this before school starts" thing. But I'll just have to do as much as I can before then.) I can't wait until I get to see all of my friends though!!! Stay safe everyone!! I hope all of you had a great Labor Day! TBE! yay, I'm so glad you are okay! I went to the Red Cross meeting. It's so overwhelming. The chapter that is in our area, the San Gabriel Valley Chapter, has made an agreement with our Univ. to use us as a training and mobilization center. We will be providing space for them to train and get teams ready to go out to the affected areas. The statistics are crazy, but depressing so I won't share them. Thousands of people will be coming through in the next 6 months for training and being sent out to help. He said that this is the largest disaster that the Red Cross has ever been involved in on US soil! (For anyone in the LA area, if you are interested in going to help for 9 or 21 days you can contact Azusa Pacific University, ask for the Office of Student Life and mention you are interested in going to help the Red Cross, or the San Gabriel Valley Red Cross. They pay ALL expenses for the trip and training. They need thousands of people.) Our first big training weekend is the 17th and 18th. I'm happy we can help. So today was the first "official" day of the academic work year for me. Even though our students don't start school till Weds. We had to be at work in meetings and such all day. Guess it really is "Labor Day" So Puck, anything yet? Sending happy thoughts I'm gonna go take a nap. Prayers for all in the south. Eponine - Sep 5, 2005 5:08 pm (#161 of 2980) TBE, I'm so relieved to hear you're safe. We've all been worried about you! I'm glad your house and your horses are okay too. TBE, from someone who doesn't know you at all - but you must be okay or you wouldn't be on this forum, I'm glad that you're all right! Not being used to that kind of weather in the UK, I cannot begin to imagine what you've been through; but I'm so happy that you and all your family are safe. Live long and prosper! Chemyst - Sep 5, 2005 6:13 pm (#163 of 2980) Wow, it was great to see you toddle back onto my monitor TBE! And to hear that your family, daughter, grandson, & horses also weathered the storm. You described the house and trees, what about the barn? Denise, your town is getting a thousand victims? I've been assuming you are somewhere near Fort Campbell, and aren't most of the towns around there pretty small? We have about 200 known evacuees in our county. There are more, but those staying with family & friends don't show up on the list. Our county has also sent about 20 male deputies to Louisiana for a week. They were sworn in and given the authority to perform police duties. The female deputies stayed behind to check gas stations for price-gouging infractions. ( OK, that may be a bit simplistic, but not totally inaccurate.) Tsetse fly trivia for Catherine: The only place where fossil remains of tsetse flies have been found outside Africa is at the Florissant Fossil Beds in Colorado. (I doubt Marie will add that tour to her forum gathering next summer, but the best explanation of how the fossils got there just might be, "It's magic!") Mandy, is the training for a Red Cross team as short as a single weekend? And do you know what kind of things the training covers? Puck, in my experience, the third kid is nothing like the first two, so there is hope she'll break the Wednesday's Child pattern. Denise P. - Sep 5, 2005 6:42 pm (#164 of 2980) Chemyst, my friend who is with the Red Cross processed 400 families today, I believe we already had several hundred in the shelter here and there are an unknown number of victims who are staying with family. The local Red Cross is expecting more to arrive still. I can see the lights from Ft Campbell if I stood on my roof Even though I live in TN, I am on the border (less than a mile from it) and actually, the majority of Ft Campbell is in TN as well...the post office is on the KY side though. Odd facts: a KY marriage license can be used at any chapel on Ft Campbell but a TN one can only be used on the TN side. All babies born on Ft Campbell have TN birth certificates since the hospital is on the TN side. Clarksville, the town outside of Ft Campbell, is one of the largest in TN. I believe we are the 5th largest in the state and have a population of close to or just over 120,000. But yes, for the most part, most of the towns around Ft Campbell are small and no one has ever heard of them (ever hear of Possum Trot, KY? I'm not sure how many evacuees we have here, but I know there are a few families so far. One family got a ride with some friends who have family here. This is a family of four who lost everything. One of our radio stations, 99.9 FM, has a DJ on a balcony of a bar called Bourbon Street and he's going to broadcast from there until he gets $99,900 in donations. He's at around $55,000 right now. Anyway, this family calls in and says that the first thing they need is a car so they can begin to look for jobs, housing, etc. A car dealership calls up and says "we've got a car for you". I was listening to the radio when the family showed up to collect the car. It was very hard to drive while crying, let me tell you! TBE, it's great to hear from you! I'm glad that you and your family (and horses) made through alive and well. Edit: Possum Trot! I think certain towns are doomed to be small just by their names. My home state of North Dakota has some doozies. TBE, we were so worried! What a relief. I'm actually amazed you got your internet connection back already, but very glad you did. Best to your daughter and her boy. I hope they rode out the storm at your house! Well, Labor Day wasn't. Hopefully I can get through a couple more days. Chemyst, hoping your right about #3 breaking the mold. Goodnight to all! Kathy dizzy lizzy - Sep 5, 2005 7:35 pm (#167 of 2980) Oh wow! That is good news TBE. I am so pleased to hear you are safe and sound and the Horsies are OK. Lizzy TBE I'm so glad that you and your family made it through the storm! Ludicrous Patents Office - Sep 5, 2005 8:55 pm (#169 of 2980) TBE I raise a glass of Butterbeer to you! I am glad you, your family and horses are safe and well. I hope your family gets the help they need to get back on their feet. Our school is starting a fundraiser for the hurricane survivors. One million people displaced. It boggles the mind. Puck I hope the baby is good and arrives after Wednesday. Denise wonderful avatar! LPO Dame Peverell - Sep 5, 2005 9:11 pm (#170 of 2980) TBE ~ Little tears fell when I read you made it through the storm OK. We were all really very worried about you and your family and having you back safe is bigger than good news, it's warming to our hearts. Do you know yet what the affects will be on your jobs and schools etc.? The training for people who are non-professionals can actually be done in one day. If you are a nurse or psychiatrist/counselor they have one or two more sessions they want you to do, but it is possible that the training can still be in one day. They are telling our students, faculty, staff, and community members here that the trips are 9 days (two travel days, 7 working) the training should only be one day. Our chapter leader said he had people processed and trained Friday and on the plane by the afternoon! So I think they are doing things as quickly as possible. If you are interested just call the local Red Cross, I'm sure they are all in desperate need of workers. Even if it is just to help answer phone calls that they are getting. I'm so happy and relieved to hear that you and your horses are safe! We've been so worried! **starting to dance in her office even if it is not 7 am yet** Have a great night/day everybody! Mrs. Sirius - Sep 5, 2005 10:11 pm (#173 of 2980) TBE, really happy to know you made it through, I will keep your daughter and her family in my good thoughts. From way up here where I live, anything I can do to help, seems so inadequate to the need. Glad that you made it. During the Christmas holidays, I celebrate the traditional "3 Kings Day". In certain countries the 3 Kings deliver gifts on January 6. My six year old daughter asked my husband where the Three Stooges were (he let them see a video). When he told her they were dead, she looked surprised and asked "but who brings the gifts on 3 stooges day"? I guess I need to do more reinforcement of that holiday tradition. Tomorrow is finally the first day of school. I was supposed to have re-organized my house over the summer since I start work on the same day. Unfortunately it didn't work. I have bags upon bags of clothes that I am getting rid of, and more bags than I imagined of new clothes. (our entire town participates in hand-me-downs, everything is in piles of to pass down to the next family, new to my kids, and to give to the "Planet Aid" donation box) The house is mess. Heaven help us get through our first morning of school. I have a paper due in a few hours, but could not help myself - I had to read on to make sure everyone was safe. I am so relieved and happy to hear that you are all safe. On a personal note I must add that I am also extremely glad to hear that your animals made it! I feel so powerless here, I putz around in North Dakota, worrying about insignificant things such as papers when so many people are struggling and have lost everything - isn't there anything we can do? I feel so useless... Catherine - are you aware of any action the Humane Society might consider taking? Hugs from Ponine Snuffles - Sep 6, 2005 12:15 am (#175 of 2980) Glad to see you back on the forum and that you are ok. After seeing the pictures and hearing the stories, everyone was very worried. Is this everyone now? are all our forum members accounted for? Julie The giant squid - Sep 6, 2005 1:58 am (#176 of 2980) This almost 100 year old house stood well—TBE They built 'em well in the old days, didn't they? I'm glad you & your family came through okay. As for weird town names... Marie, do you remember Hopulikit, GA? (pronounced "hope you like it") I think the whole town consisted of a post office, a convenience store and three houses at a highway crossroads. I feel so powerless here, I putz around in North Dakota—Ponine That's a feeling you'll have to get used to, I'm afraid...although very rarely Fargo actually has something worth doing. --Mike T Brightwater - Sep 6, 2005 5:50 am (#177 of 2980) Thank God! Glad to hear you're okay. Soul Mate for Sirius - Sep 6, 2005 7:49 am (#178 of 2980) So glad to hear you're alright!! Okay, I got on the forum this morning for the first time since Thursday and wow!! You guys had a busy weekend. There are almost too many posts for me to get through! But, my weekend was well worth not being anywhere near a computer. Friday I flew back to Cleveland from DC and then left right away to drive down to Columbus to pick up my football tickets. Spent Friday night down there, slept on a hard wood floor, and was awoken at 630am by my friends to start tail-gating!! Needless to say, it was worth the lack of sleep, the Bucks wiped the floor with Miami Ohio and now I'm already getting pumped for the big game this weekend against Texas!!! Sunday I went to the Cleveland Air Show and that was really cool. Then my friends took me to the movies for my birthday, and then I spent Monday shopping with my mom for my birthday. Anyway, it was great reading everyone's posts from this weekend, and I'm so glad we're learning our friends in the South are okay. For now I'm off to check the threads! -Jenn Stephanie M. - Sep 6, 2005 8:10 am (#179 of 2980) Happy Belated Birthday Soul Mate!! I wish you many more! I'm glad everyone is doing alright. Soul Mate for Sirius - Sep 6, 2005 8:11 am (#180 of 2980) Thanks Stephanie!! -Jenn Choices - Sep 6, 2005 9:25 am (#181 of 2980) TBE - so glad to see you back!!!!! {{{hugs}}} Things are getting back to normal here in Mobile. My church is taking in some homeless folks from the hard hit areas and we are going to have two or three cruise ships anchored here to house people - about 7 thousand. Many of our schools were damaged and won't start back until the 12th of Sept. or later. Some lucky ones that were not damaged have started back already and we have many new children who came here from Miss. and Louisiana to go to school. It is still difficult to get gas - long lines and waits of two or three hours sometimes to fill up. That is getting better though each day. Grocery stores are open, but it is hard to get meat, dairy or frozen foods - shelves are just about empty. Everything else is OK though. Every house has a huge pile of tree limbs in front. Don't know when trash pickup will begin, but garbage pickup started back today. All but about 6000 in this area have electricity back on. Things are looking up. Glad to hear your town is managing to get up on its feet, Choices. Any progress that this point must seem wonderful. I saw the president of Tulane University on the news. He said damage to the school is minimal, but reopening really depends on how long it takes for public services (water, sewer, electric) to get up and running again. Made me realize that even if the buildings in an area aren't badly damaged the loss of services can really impact the ability to get on with things. Massachusetts has an airbase that has schools, etc... set up to take in families, and they should start arriving today. Mrs. Sirius, I get you on the clothes thing. For about a month the nursery was packed with boxes full of kids old clothes for me to sort through what I keep for baby, what I give away. Plus, my sister-in-law gave me a couple of huge bins full of clothes for my girls, so I needed to sort through that as well. (No way to keep it all, as her kids have so many clothes I couldn't possibly fit all of them into the dresser.) Maternity clothes are going ASAP. I finally got it all done, but it was no small feat. (Of course, the baby boy clothes are in boxes stacked in the basement, just in case our daughter surprises us and turns out to be a son. Once she's confirmed a girl, it all goes.) Wandering off to the kitchen to make lunch. So quiet here with just Maya and me. Blissfully so. Kathy Stephanie M. - Sep 6, 2005 11:08 am (#183 of 2980) I saw the president of Tulane University on the news. He said damage to the school is minimal, but reopening really depends on how long it takes for public services (water, sewer, electric) to get up and running again.—Puck One of my sister's friends was going to go to Tulane and they said that they would probably start school next semester because they can't really start school in the middle of a semester. Then they would offer more classes over next summer to make up for the missed time. OR they would offer some classes this semester and they would make those classes extra long so they can make up for all of the time out of school. I hope that made some sense. I feel like I didn't explain it very well. I know you want to have your baby after Thursday but I have heard that if you eat a spoonful of salt before you go to bed then it can help induce labor. I doubt it works, but it sounds safer than other methods. Dr Filibuster - Sep 6, 2005 12:37 pm (#184 of 2980) Urgh! Eat a spoonful of salt. Choices, wow your city seems to be recovering quickly. One question though, what's the difference between garbage and trash? TBE; one of Fred and George's impromptu parties is required to celebrate your safe and sound Forum return. I'll bring the fireworks. I suppose you're low on butterbeer stocks as well? T Brightwater - Sep 6, 2005 12:59 pm (#185 of 2980) I think this occasion calls for oak-matured mead, if not Ogden's Old Firewhiskey. Soul Mate for Sirius - Sep 6, 2005 1:07 pm (#186 of 2980) Cheers T Brightwater! I think Ogden's Old Firewhiskey is most definitely required for this occasion! -Jenn Snuffles - Sep 6, 2005 1:14 pm (#187 of 2980) I'll have a glass of oak-matured mead, as long as it isn't from Slughorn's stash! Cheers everybody! Stephanie M. - Sep 6, 2005 1:37 pm (#188 of 2980) Well, since I'm only 13 I think I'll have some butterbeer. (Or pumpkin juice.) Cheers to everyone! Pam, thank you for letting us know that you are safe! I'm glad that you, your family and the horses are safe. Sorry about your daughter's house and everything else she lost. I wish to all of you affected by Katrina to have your lives back to normal as soon as possible. I'm happy for all of you who have the opportunity to help. It is indeed a great feeling - to be able to do something to make the tragedy less painful. Catherine, I thought you were the English teacher, not a Geography teacher. Where did I turn wrong? I had a moment of panic today. I went to walk my dog and the staircase was smelling badly of gas. It seemed necessary to find out where was this gas coming from, and it seemed that half of the people in the building were not at home as well. I already had pictures of explosions and suffocated people in my mind. But fortunately, we found the source of leaking gas, it was settled and nobody was hurt. Better for these things to happen in the summer than in the winter. My daughter (Veronika) seems to be quite satisfied with the new school. It is a relief for me. The interesting thing is that her main teacher (classmaster?) in the old school was the English teacher, and her main teacher in the new school is the English teacher, and Katarina's main teacher is another English teacher as well. (Just keep in mind that English is the foreign language here) Catherine - Sep 6, 2005 3:21 pm (#190 of 2980) Lina, you are correct that I am quite untrained in Geography and Social Studies. I teach 7th grade Humanities, which at our school is "English and Social Studies." The course starts with Africa, so hence my sudden desperate immersion interest in non-Western literature and history. We are preparing to start the young adult novel Journey to Jo'burg by Beverly Naidoo and will also do a series of African fables and myths. I am always struck by how similar they are across cultures. Fortunately, my students have read Greek myths, so they have a basis for context and comparison. The students have a morbid fascination with the disease aspect, and some awe at the scope of the problem of TB, malaria, and other diseases in Africa, so we may be investigating them more tomorrow. I got some groans today when I instituted an "African Country Current Events" oral report on Fridays, but once the students started reading the African news, they got hooked. One particularly "clowning" type of student is dressing up as a CIA operative and giving us a top-secret report. I expect to be highly amused. Meanwhile, I still don't have the highly touted Social Studies textbook. We have 33 students in the 7th grade, and they only bought 16 CDs, and are unable to copy them. So I am still "running off copies" of our textbook. I realized that, as of today, my time in this classroom is 1/3 over. It seems strange to think that I have to turn them over to their "real" teacher in just a few weeks.... Tsetse fly trivia for Catherine: The only place where fossil remains of tsetse flies have been found outside Africa is at the Florissant Fossil Beds in Colorado.—Chemyst Now, how cool is that?! Finn BV - Sep 6, 2005 3:30 pm (#191 of 2980) While TBE toddles off for a butterbeer, I hope she gets one for me as well. I'll take that in celebration. Lina, for "main teacher" we would probably say "homeroom teacher" – this is the teacher who you go to parent conferences with, no? Steph and I go back to school Thursday…… the suspense is killing me! I have the greatest homeroom teacher (speaking of homeroom teachers ) and I can't wait!! (The only thing is, I'll lose time on the forum. But I bring my laptop to school every day and often do work on it… maybe I'll sneak in a trip to WX… Jenn, belated happy birthday. And do you mind my asking why you always sign your posts "-Jenn "? Don't make yourself out to be completely stumped! Madam Pince - Sep 6, 2005 3:42 pm (#192 of 2980) I'm just back onto the Forum after a brief Labor Day getaway to the mountains -- we visited family and attended our hometown County Agricultural Fair. Little Pince had such a great time riding all the carnival rides, and I have to say that you haven't lived until you've seen a bunch of kids run a hog through an obstacle course! I am so glad to hear that our Forum members in the hurricane-ravaged areas are safe! What a terrible tragedy that was -- it makes the heart ache to see so many who have lost everything. I feel so humble and grateful for the things we have everyday which we so often take for granted. Here we let ourselves worry about silly little mundane things like the next-door neighbors who let water stagnate in their little plastic pool which breeds mosquitoes, and there are people in the storm-struck areas who are surrounded by a lot more than a pool-full of water, and that water is full of lots worse than mosquitoes. Thoughts and prayers for all those affected by the storm, and also to those who are there working to try to help bring back some order from all the chaos. It must truly be a logistical nightmare to try to organize. Cheering and Drying Charms to all! Those Forum members who are otherwise in contact with Forumers who haven't or aren't able to post here, do please let them know how we were thinking of them and missing them and wishing them well! A friend of ours is a firefighter who has been deployed down to the hurricane area to help, and his 7-year-old daughter took her own initiative and did all the work to open a lemonade and cupcake stand to "earn money to send to the Red Cross to help all the kids who lost their moms and dads." What a sweet girl! Jenn, belated Happy Birthday! Sounds like you had a terrific day! On the creature front -- I'm rather with Elanor on the "number of legs" thing. Something about multiple legs wriggling fast is just plain old icky. Well, actually I think it's a two-fold thing for me -- overall size, and number of legs. Basically, if it's got more than four legs and is larger than, say, a tennis ball, I want absolutely nothing to do with it! (Sometimes even four legs; crocodiles and Komodo dragons spring to mind.) That said, I did see the most lovely black-and-yellow garden spider this weekend at my aunt's house, and I just admired the craftsmanship of his web and left him alone. The webs really are amazing. We got back late from a long day of driving home last night, and so decided to stop and get Chinese food rather than try to cook at home. K-Mart is right next door to the Chinese food place, so we whiled away ten minutes in there while the food was being prepared. We made the probably-typical-parent-of-only-one-kid mistake of purchasing a Halloween costume while Little Pince was right there and could see it -- he has wanted to go as Buzz Lightyear for ages. So anyway, all day today he has not taken the costume off except in, er, dire need, and also at mealtimes (because "space rangers don't want to spill on their suits.") Apparently he plans to wear it continually from now until he outgrows it. I just hope it holds together until Halloween. I am not optimistic, since it is made out of the cheapest materials imaginable. Very ironic after all the flooding with the hurricane, but we have had a drought of about two weeks duration. Only three of my outdoor plants made it through our absence over Labor Day, and the grass is now a lovely beige which "crisps" when you walk on it. Oh well, it was almost time to dump out the potted annuals anyway, they were starting to get that "August-sad" look about them. Bring on the mums! Puck, skip the castor oil and try some turtle-sundae ice cream (it worked for one of my best friends.) And, hey, if it doesn't work, well, it was turtle-sundae ice cream at any rate, so how bad can that be?! I'll try to think about you right before my bedtime so maybe I'll have a dream (it worked for Denise, didn't it!?) Choices - Sep 6, 2005 5:48 pm (#193 of 2980) LOL Garbage = Household (Kitchen scraps, etc.) Trash = Limbs, bags of leaves, old appliances, mattresses, etc. I have actually seen a Tsetse fly fossil from the Florissant Fossil Beds! Sorry, got excited about nothing apparently. We had a park ranger from the Fossil Beds come to our daycare this summer and show the kids how to hunt for fossils. They got to hammer away at real rocks. It was pretty cool. We had a very Septemberish type of day here, middle sixties and rain off and on. I remember buying costumes early two years ago and Lexie wearing hers constantly. It was this odd Pegasus/unicorn thing. Shayla's was an angel that year and I asked her if she was being ironic. This year she wants to be a mad scientist. *evil laughter* Ludicrous Patents Office - Sep 6, 2005 7:46 pm (#195 of 2980) Choices I'm glad some things are getting back on track in your city. Catherine check out the new National Geographic. It is devoted to Africa. Do you have access to a networked computer lab? You can supplement your "textbooks" with some very good websites on Africa. The BBC website has a good section on current events in Africa. The CIA World Factbook can give you country stats. Good choice on the book Journey to Jo'burg. There are some wonderful African folk tales. LPO Birthday Wishes for Sept.7th: HAPPY BIRTHDAY MRS.SIRIUS!!!! Have a great day!! I haven't been around for a while. Everyone have a nice day!!! It's still an hour early here, but happy birthday Mrs. Sirius! A spoonful of salt...think I'll skip it. Once I get through Maya's big day I won't be so anxious. It's just the waiting game that is so hard. Just another 34 hours then I'm good to go. Well, not turtle, but I have been enjoying some great new ice cream; Ben and Jerry's Dublin mudslide. Irish cream with choclate cookies and coffee fudge ripple. Soooo yummy! Kathy Amilia Smith - Sep 6, 2005 9:37 pm (#198 of 2980) Lina's Daddy-Long-Legs avatar got me to thinking . As a kid growing up, I was told that the Daddy-Long-Legs was the most poisonous spider in the world. However, as its mouth is too small to actually bite you, it is safe. I believed this until I grew up and went to college where I took a course on Plants and Animals of the Desert for my Life Science credit. The prof told us that this was not true . and I was not the only one shocked and surprised to learn this. Apparently it is just a Great Basin myth, folklore, "urban" legend, if you will, and no one outside of the Great Basin states has heard that Daddy-Long-Legs are poisonous, but we desert rats who grew up there know it for fact, and pass the knowledge on to our friends and younger siblings. And on the spider theme . have fun with Anansi, Catherine. Mills. Mrs. Sirius - Sep 6, 2005 9:56 pm (#199 of 2980) Ohhhh boop! Thank you, you are so thoughtful. I was trying to get away with saying nothing. One of the triplets has decided that she should announce my age to everyone she meets. The little -*tyke*- although I have refused to tell her my age for the last 2 years, she remembers and can do the math *ugh%*$#&$ On the spiders and urban myths, I have heard that on average a person eats 8 spiders in their sleep in their life time. Myth? Snuffles - Sep 6, 2005 10:46 pm (#200 of 2980) Happy Birthday Mrs. Sirius, have a great day. Julie Lady Arabella - Prefect - Posts : 2285 Location : Silicon Valley, CA Re: Chat & Greetings 2005 The giant squid - Sep 6, 2005 11:56 pm (#201 of 2980) Just keep in mind that English is the foreign language here—Lina That doesn't seem too surprising to me, Lina. Having tried (and, mostly, failed) to learn a foreign language, I know that to do so requires learning to think differently. Of course, the percentage of Europeans who learn and use a foreign language is probably a lot higher than that of Americans (we tend to assume everyone either knows our language or should learn it immediately), but is still takes some effort. Someone willing to put forth that much effort to not only learn the language but learn it well enough to teach others is definitely put together enough to run things. Or something. This year [Shayla] wants to be a mad scientist.--Marie E. Every year, she becomes more & more like me... Happy birthday, Mrs. Sirius, and a big ol' Forum-sized hug for Boop! --Mike dizzy lizzy - Sep 7, 2005 12:40 am (#202 of 2980) I've been having such a nice long quiet week. I am finally making some progress on the great big pile of paperwork on my coffee table - it is now all over the lounge room floor!! Alas earwax...all that work on sorting the papers has given me a headache - so I came on the net to get away from it all. Mind you I have to tidy it all up - my tax papers are all hidden in there and I really need to get them to the accountant in order to file my tax return! Belated birthday greetings to Jenn and Happy birthday to Mrs Sirius! Lizzy Catherine, thank you for the explanation. Your classes sound quite interesting. Your story about diseases reminds me a time, some years ago, when Kate started to have headaches and didn't want to go to school. I had to find out why. It turned out that they had learned about first aid and handling injuries at school that day, what to do and what not to do. And her comment was: "It would be O.K. if the teacher would just count what can happen and what to do, but then other students start telling how they broke their leg and things like that..." And this came from the girl who already had her arm broken and her chin stitched. I admit I didn't expect that. Thank you Finn, for your explanation, too. I'll have to write it down somewhere. I should write down somewhere the difference between Garbage and Trash, too. Maybe I should have my English notebook so many years after school. That's not a bad idea. And yes, Soul mate for Sirius, happy birthday! Happy birthday Mrs. Sirius, as well! I wish you a great day! Mike, your remark about Foreign language teachers is interesting. I assumed that most of the people here have English as their first language, the language of the Forum is English, so if someone reads the name of their first language they might assume it is just the first language. I'm pretty sure I would feel that way. And by the difference between the first language and the foreign language I meant that the first one is held 5 hours a week, while the second one is held 2 hours a week. I hope this didn't sound too complicated. But I like your view on the foreign language teachers. The truth is that Kate changed 4 different homeroom teachers () in last two years and they were all wonderful persons. I considered it a luck, but you might be right. Chemyst - Sep 7, 2005 5:45 am (#204 of 2980) ...you haven't lived until you've seen a bunch of kids run a hog through an obstacle course! Madam Pince, you are making me homesick. That is the best spectator sport of all time. All the spider talk sent me to snopes.com I did a search on "spider" and found 70 matches, so if any of you ever have too much time on your hands... but they did cover both Amilia's myth (which is indeed false,) and one similar to swallowing spiders in one's sleep; only without the sleeping part, there was this – Claim: The average person swallows eight spiders per year. – False. In a 1993 PC Professional article, columnist Lisa Holst wrote about the ubiquitous lists of "facts" that were circulating via e-mail and how readily they were accepted as truthful by gullible recipients. To demonstrate her point, Holst offered her own made-up list of equally ridiculous "facts," among which was the statistic cited above about the average person's swallowing eight spiders per year, which she took from a collection of common misbeliefs printed in a 1954 book on insect folklore. In a delicious irony, Holst's propagation of this false "fact" has spurred it into becoming one of the most widely-circulated bits of misinformation to be found on the Internet. This year she wants to be a mad scientist. The secret to this costume will be finding a proper pair of glasses frames. The last time my son went trick-or-treating, I'd thought he'd be too big to want to go out. (It turns out I underestimated the lure of free candy.) So we had to put together a costume with about five minutes notice. I had an ancient lab coat in the back of my closet; he was tall enough for it to fit him - more or less. But it was the glasses frames that really cinched the mad scientist look. It was one of his best costumes ever, no money, very little effort, why can't all life be so easy? Happy Birthday Mrs. Sirius. CatherineHermiona - Sep 7, 2005 6:01 am (#205 of 2980) Happy belated birthday Jenn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Funny. Both of you have Sirius in your name. Glad to hear you are OK. Kate Eponine - Sep 7, 2005 6:18 am (#206 of 2980) Amilia, I've heard that Daddy-Long-Legs are poisonous too, and I grew up in Tennessee. My husband grew up in North Carolina, and he 'knew' it too. Happy Birthday to all who are celebrating! My husband starts his new job today. He's going to be traveling a lot, so I'm going to be home alone quite a bit. I don't mind being alone during the day, but nights are going to be a bit more difficult. I hope everyone is having a great day! Finn BV - Sep 7, 2005 6:36 am (#207 of 2980) Happy Birthday, Mrs. Sirius! Good luck to Mr. Eponine on the new job! Wow, an update to the Muncher's schedule. I don't believe I've seen one of those yet. I better start posting! Have a good day everyone. Stephanie M. - Sep 7, 2005 7:23 am (#208 of 2980) On the spiders and urban myths, I have heard that on average a person eats 8 spiders in their sleep in there life time. Myth?--Mrs. Sirius I have heard that too!! But I think it was that the average person eats 8 spiders in their sleep in their life time. Instead of on average... . Happy Birthday Mrs. Sirius!!!! I hope you have many more wonderful years!!! Happy belated birthday Jenn! Happy birthday Mrs Sirius! Eating spiders while sleeping... What a creepy thought! **keeping my fingers crossed that it is only folklore** Have a great day everybody! Soul Mate for Sirius - Sep 7, 2005 8:17 am (#210 of 2980) HAPPY BIRTHDAY MRS. SIRIUS!! (great name by the way! Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes! Finn- I sign my posts "-Jenn " just because I like that smiley! I think it's cute. I never really thought about it making me look "completely stumped"! So this week is my last week at my internship, and I couldn't be happier! My dad got me this job with a company he works with, and I hate it. I really want to be a high school history teacher when I'm done school, but apparently my dad thinks working in the "business world" is a better career goal and has been trying to "convert" me for some time now. I have spent the entire summer away from my friends and family, traveling every week to either New Jersey or Washington DC. It sounds like a lot of fun, but it's not. I have spent more time in airports this summer than anywhere else!! But anyway, all this internship has succeeded in doing is making me absolutely positive that I want to be a teacher. My dad's a little bummed, but such is life. He's already trying to line up another internship for me next summer, but I told him to back off and that I'm going back to waitressing next summer. I'd rather spend 18 hours straight on my feet in a restaraunt then working in an office all summer!!! But, on a happier note, I go back to OSU in a week and a half! I can't wait to see my roommate again and all my friends. And, as nerdy as this sounds, I can't wait for classes to start again either. I love school. (although, this is probably why I want to teach so badly, and thus is not so much a bad thing as it is a "good career skill" ) My brother (I'd call him "Little Soul Mate" or something since he's younger than me, but seeing as he's 6'3" the term little just doesn't seem appropriate to describe him!) is a senior in high school this year and is starting to think about where he wants to go to college. I really want him to come to OSU, because I know he'd love it (and because I can keep an eye on him I can be a little overprotective!) but he's now informed my mother and I that he's thinking he wants to apply to West Point!!! On one hand, this is something he should've started working on a long time ago, because to get into West Point you need amazing grades, lots of extra activities, a letter from a Congressman, and amazing test scores. The only thing on that list my brother has are the grades, and that won't be enough. So, my mom has decided there's no way he'll actually go to West Point, so there's no need to worry. What worries me is that he wanted to apply at all! I have tons of friends serving in our military right now, and I totally respect anyone's decision to join, but this is my baby brother we're talking about! I don't think I could handle that! So yeah, I'll be keeping my fingers crossed until he's safely enrolled in a nice 4-year university somewhere in the Mid-West or Pennsylvania!! Okay, that's all from me for now. This post is much much longer then my usual posts and it's time for me to run along and check the threads! -Jenn (That was a one time change just for Finn ) Edited Sep 7, 2005 10:09 am Soul Mate My daughter has been receiving brochures from West Point inviting her to send an application. These invitations are based on her high scores on standardised tests. So there may be hope for your brother. I can't blame you for not wanting him to go there though. My daughter is not the slightest bit interested at all(thank goodness). Soul Mate for Sirius - Sep 7, 2005 9:45 am (#212 of 2980) kaykay- My brother has been getting those letters as well due to his good grades. I got them as well my junior and senior year of high school. While I feel he has the grades (and possibly the test scores) to get into West Point, it's the letter from a Congressman and the "extras" I feel he's lacking. And as much as I don't want him to go, I wouldn't be being honest if I didn't say that I would admire his courage and gain a whole new level of respect for him if he did! I myself joined the Army ROTC while I was a freshman at Seton Hall and was all set to serve after I graduated. In fact, the only reason I didn't continue with ROTC when I transferred to Ohio State was because I didn't have enough faith in my abilities as an officer. If I had continued, when I graduated I would be a 2nd Lt. in the army, and would be taking other people's lives into my hands. While I loved every second of my time in ROTC, I could not willingly take other's lives into my hands when I didn't have 100% faith in my abilities to lead them. It just didn't seem fair of me. -Jenn T Brightwater - Sep 7, 2005 10:21 am (#213 of 2980) Jenn, I totally agree with you about office jobs. The only reason I survived the one I had was that my boss decided I was good enough that she could put up with my idea of office dress (corduroy trousers and comfortable shoes.) My feeling was, if I was the only one willing to clean the photocopier periodically, I wasn't going to wear anything I wouldn't clean the photocopier in, and I wouldn't be able to work if I had to worry about twisting my ankle with every step I took. What really drove me nuts, though, was the attitude of the salesmen, who thought the whole thing was for their personal amusement and profit. Despite my boss (the comptroller) reminding them periodically that the company had to take more in on a job than it paid out, the salesmen were too busy making "deals" that eventually led to one of the best heating, ventilating and cooling contractors in the Chicago area going out of business. The ones who got screwed were the people who actually did the work, and some of the smaller vendors to whom the company owed a lot of money when it went under. Grrrrr. And every time I hear about something like Enron, it just makes my blood boil all over again. Madam Pince - Sep 7, 2005 10:44 am (#214 of 2980) Man, I really hope the urban legend about swallowing spiders in your sleep is truly just a legend! Eeeeyuckkkk! Daddy-Long-Legs -- as kids, we were told that they are gentle and perfectly harmless, but that they taste like peppermint. Now first of all, I thought that was really stupid, because who in their right mind is going to taste one to find out??? And why??? Second of all, their tiny little bodies are too small to taste probably anyway. And third of all, I don't believe it regardless. (And I am not about to try to find out for sure.) Chemyst, I'm glad I could remind you of home with the "hog obstacle course." It really was hysterical. That piggy was getting pretty fed up by the end of the whole ordeal -- the squeals had a definite tone of "Leave me ALONE!" to them. Puck, your ice cream sounds yummmmmy! Ice cream is my big weakness. I am not much of a "snacker" in general, but my dad used to make me some variation of an ice cream treat almost every night, so even now ice cream is as much of a staple at our house as bread, eggs, and milk. Happy Birthday Mrs. Sirius!!! Have a wonderful day!!! ***waves at Boop*** Soul Mate for Sirius - Sep 7, 2005 11:15 am (#215 of 2980) Madme Pince- I don't know who told you that Daddy-long-legs taste like peppermint, but I wouldn't try and find out!! DLL are the most posionous spiders in the world. The only reason they don't hurt humans is because their teeth aren't sharp enough or long enough to puncture our skin, but I would imagine eating one would unleash their posion in you and could be harmful! Just thought I'd let everyone know before someone goes and tries it. -Jenn Hihi Soul mate for Sirius. That urban legend went down the drain a few posts a go Amilia Smith, "-- Chat and Greeting Thread for Members" #198, 6 Sep 2005 9:37 pm See? you don't have to be afraid of the long legs anymore! Soul Mate for Sirius - Sep 7, 2005 12:08 pm (#217 of 2980) Thanks Mare! Serves me right for not reading through all the new posts before I post! On the other hand, I'm from the Mid-West and we heard the same urban legend about them, so Amelia, you guys in the Great Basin weren't the only ones who were fooled! -Jenn Winky Woo - Sep 7, 2005 12:20 pm (#218 of 2980) Has anyone seen Ricky Gervais in his stage show Animals? He claims it was Gods idea of a joke...making it the most poisonous creature known to man then taking its fangs away! I must admit that I hadn't heard of that until he used it in his routine so may be the Great Basin Myths are spreading...as far as the UK! Happy birthday to everyone I've missed! Thank goodness TBE is OK! Are we all accounted for now??? Have a much better week than last week everyone! Go Bucks!!! Soul Mate for Sirius - Sep 7, 2005 1:00 pm (#220 of 2980) Yay haymoni!! Go Bucks!! Okay, I'm done now, back to the threads for me! -Jenn Jenn, it seems to me that the internship that your father arranged for you was a good thing. Now you really know what you want and you can stand for yourself and your dad can not tell you that you don't know what are you refusing. I find it good. I'd just expect that a person who think that her father is making a mistake wouldn't act the same way with her brother. I had an interesting situation today at work but I've decided not to retell it here because it would turn out too long (it includes law students because I work on a Law faculty but I am not a lawyer). One of the conclusions of it would be that the most important is to choose the career that you love to do. In that case, everything is much easier and more fun. I wish you the career you will enjoy the most, but the same thing I wish to your brother. As you would say, "Such is life". Eight spiders swallowed in a lifetime is too much for me. I decide not to believe it. Soul Mate for Sirius - Sep 7, 2005 1:52 pm (#222 of 2980) Lina- You're right, it is a good thing in a way. But I still can't wait for it to be over! As to the comment about my brother, I never really thought about it as doing the same thing that my father's doing to me! You're right! But, on the other hand, I don't think OSU or ANY college would necessarily be better than the Army. It's more that I'm selfish and don't want to have to worry about him. I would be super happy for him if he did join, but worried sick!! But yes, such is life! -Jenn The giant squid - Sep 7, 2005 1:57 pm (#223 of 2980) While I loved every second of my time in ROTC, I could not willingly take other's lives into my hands when I didn't have 100% faith in my abilities to lead them. It just didn't seem fair of me.--Soul Mate for Sirius Jenn, I commend you for having the self-realization and courage to make this decision. I have a great respect for those who willingly join our armed forces, and hope that all of them took the time to assess themselves like you did. Sadly, most of them are in it for the money, the chicks & the opportunities to travel. --Mike Soul Mate for Sirius - Sep 7, 2005 2:03 pm (#224 of 2980) Sadly, most of them are in it for the money, the chicks & the opportunities to travel. – Mike LOL Mike! While on some level you're totally right, I pity those who join for those reasons. While they do get to travel the world, the money and chicks aren't what they're cracked up to be. Unless you're an officer, the money isn't really that great at all, especially when you think of what you're giving up to earn that money. And the girls who hang around military bases aren't what I'd call girlfriend material! (Now, before I offend anyone, let me make this clear!! I in no way mean that every single girl who lives around military bases is "not girlfriend" material!! I'm just saying that I've visited a lot of friends at a lot of bases around the world, and at every single base, there's always some "military groupies" who hang around the base giving us girls a bad name!) On the flip side, thank you Mike for kind words. That decision was one of the hardest I've ever made. -Jenn Chemyst - Sep 7, 2005 2:45 pm (#225 of 2980) Sadly, most of them are in it for the money, the chicks & the opportunities to travel. - Mike 'So glad you added that wink – and that I've been reading your posts long enough to be able to put that comment into perspective. If you were a newbie here, I'd probably think you were nuts. My baby came home really bummed out. She lost her class election. Somebody started a rumor that she was planning a Japanese prom if she should win. Of course she was actually planning to do a class vote on prom themes. She is very into the Japanese culture so the lie was easily enough believed. Also a little girl was going down the hall saying vote for the other girl because she goes to Church of Christ and my child goes to Baptist. Anyway I'd like to think that it was this child that started the lie instead of the girl that ran against her, seeing as how I think alot of the other girl and believe she is above that kind of thing. Herm oh ninny - Sep 7, 2005 2:50 pm (#227 of 2980) Hey Guys! First off, Welcome Back TBE! I'm soo glad to hear that you are well. OK, I sent the POA link to everyone who e-mailed me. But, when I came to the lex, this thread had 192 posts Many of you asked me for the link and I couldn't remember who I had already e-mailed, so, If I sent you two e-mails I apologize! I had also heard that people swallow 8 spiders in a year. Due to this, and my irrational fear of spiders, I have always made sure that I keep my mouth closed when I go to sleep. This past year I started getting head aches and waking up with a sore jaw. When I went to the dentist, he told me that I clench my jaw when I sleep and, because of this, I had ground down my teeth so that they were becoming flat!! Darn spiders!! Did anyone watch the US open last night? The Sharapova and Petrova (sp?) match was amazing. (Though at one point Sharapova shrieked so loudly that Princess (my chihuahua) actually jumped up from her bed! Catherine - Sep 7, 2005 2:58 pm (#228 of 2980) Catherine check out the new National Geographic. It is devoted to Africa. Do you have access to a networked computer lab? You can supplement your "textbooks" with some very good websites on Africa. The BBC website has a good section on current events in Africa. The CIA World Factbook can give you country stats. Good choice on the book Journey to Jo'burg. There are some wonderful African folk tales. –LPO LPO, you read my mind. In fact, I have given my students the CIA World Factbook as a link, as well as the BBC and the National Geographic site. The current events project, due at the end of each week until I leave, does force the kids, despite their objections, to learn about a country that they may not even have heard of before. One student corrected my assumption that a country had been colonized by the French (instead, it was Belgium) and another told me about the astounding national debt of another country. On the other hand, today was not a total success. One student went home and told his parents that I "made" him eat a date, and that he got sick and can't come to my class anymore. I assured the parents and administrators that no one was forced to eat anything in my class. Sigh. I also had an hour-long faculty meeting today, of which 90% comprised how to put pictures for the yearbook into an online dropbox and how to share music through iTunes. It was so awful, it should be made into a movie. The only useful information I received at this meeting is that they are installing water fountains on the playgrounds (yay) and how buses probably won't be available for field trips (boo hiss). Sigh. Hope everyone is well. T Brightwater - Sep 7, 2005 3:40 pm (#229 of 2980) Herm oh ninny, I was laughing so hard over that PoA spoof that my cats took off in terror. THANKS!!!! Happy belated birthday Jenn, and Happy birthday Mrs Sirius! And anyone else I've missed! You know, I've been wondering why I'm putting on weight. And now I realise it's all those spiders I've been eating in my sleep! I mean, if you tape up your mouth do they crawl in through your nose, or what? Catherine - Sep 7, 2005 5:00 pm (#231 of 2980) And now I realise it's all those spiders I've been eating in my sleep! I mean, if you tape up your mouth do they crawl in through your nose, or what? –Timrew I would've thought you'd LOST weight, what with the Atkins Diet of pure spider protein... I am winking because I do not want anyone to think that I think that Tim needs an Atkins Diet. Nor do I think that Chemyst or The Giant Squid need lessons on irony, sarcasm, or winking. Lavandula - Sep 7, 2005 6:48 pm (#232 of 2980) I love how Forum members can pool resources to remember titles of books and things of that nature. Here is one for you: A boy named Loren lives with his grandmother and is considered a geek... Denise P. Denise P.,Could the title of the book you were thinking about last week be Bridge to Teribithia by Katherine Patterson? I've read it and your description sounds quite similar, although I can't recall the characters' names as you did. Birthday Wishes For Sept. 8th: JULIA, ELANOR, and ANBIGIN, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, wishes for a wonderful day!!!!! Finn BV - Sep 7, 2005 7:46 pm (#234 of 2980) Happy Birthday Julia, Elanor, and Anbigin! I start school tomorrow! Isn't this exciting?? No, seriously, I love school, especially because I have a great homeroom teacher, but it just means less time on the forum. Oh, well. I'll sneak in some time. **remembers "Thank you to the Richard Harris Memorial Toad Choir for that lovely performance" and giggles** Y'all. Are such. Freaks. Amilia Smith - Sep 7, 2005 7:56 pm (#235 of 2980) LOL. My prof assured us that she had never heard the Daddy-Long-Legs-are-poisonous myth before she moved to Utah, and that she had traced it as far as the surrounding states, but no further. Therefore, either: A) I have misremembered what it was she actually said . (highly likely) B) She was mistaken . or C) Our fame has quickly outspread our borders . Mills. Ludicrous Patents Office - Sep 7, 2005 8:06 pm (#236 of 2980) Catherine I thought my staff meetings were bad. We get professionally developed to death. Sounds like your students are learning things, even if it is don't eat dates. Finn I am amazed every day by the resourcefulness of people your age. I know you will find time for the forum. However I am jealous you are just starting school and I've been going for a couple weeks. I'm glad you have a great homeroom teacher. Thank you Herm Oh Ninny! What a laugh. Happy Birthday to those celebrating. LPO Denise P. - Sep 7, 2005 8:19 pm (#237 of 2980) I grew up in CA and heard the Daddy Long Legs tale too. Mr. Denise grew up in MI and said that they have some of the most deadly toxin but its fangs are too short to get through human skin. Of course, I had to google this information to see if it was true (Hush, Loopy!) Daddy Long Legs Snopes also has the information but apparently, we all heard the same false information and now there are hoardes of children (and adults) who are irrationally afraid of daddy long legs and suffer deep trauma from it. Bridge to Teribithia is not the book I am looking for but thanks for thinking it could be. I will find the book someday! Stephanie M. - Sep 7, 2005 8:30 pm (#238 of 2980) I love school too! But I don't particularly like my homeroom teacher. She is, um, kinda spacey... I guess. NOT like Trelawney though!! And my sister who looks a lot like me has her for her Environmental Science class. I have her for Homeroom and science. So I'm positive she will confuse us because there are a ton of other people who mix us up. Well, since I'm talking about school now... I have read 17 books this summer and 6 of the are Harry Potter books!! I just thought that I should mention that. Have a good night everyone!! Shannon aka Brammwell - Sep 7, 2005 8:59 pm (#239 of 2980) Happy big 20th birthday to Julia who turns 20 September 8th; welcome to the adult set Julia and good luck this year at University of Connecticut. Also all my wishes and prayers to those who were in the path and are now dealing with the aftermath from Katrina. Gosh, I was sure that story about Daddy-Long-Legs spiders being poisonous was true. Guess I need to stop telling it to my kindergarteners, eh? Happy Birthday to Mrs. Sirius, Julia, Anabigin, Elanor, and anyone else I forgot. Mrs. Sirius, isn't it funny how children's memories only work when you don't want them to? Mrs. Sirius - Sep 7, 2005 10:06 pm (#241 of 2980) Jenn, we seem to be quite alike, the shared name, the birthday, the office thing, the reservation about decisions for the life of others. (you do sound more mature than I was at that age). I must say though that "Soul Mate for Sirius" sounds perfect for the character, wish I had thought of that. Happy Birthday Julia!!! Elanor and Anbigin!! A new job for Mr. Eponine, good luck. lol Tim Edit: oh yes Marie, kids are spontaneous and neat. Anastasia lost a tooth 2 days ago. That night she didn't put the tooth for the tooth fairy because she wanted to show it on the first days of school. She said she'd give it to the fairy last night, so I diligently put money under her pillow. This morning she told her siblings that she got money from the tooth fairy even though she changed he mind and didn't put her tooth in. Kids are neat! The giant squid - Sep 7, 2005 11:16 pm (#242 of 2980) Yes, Soul Mate & Chemyst, my tongue was firmly planted in cheek. I do forget sometimes that y'all can't hear me smirking... My dad was in the Air Force for 20 years & both of my brothers-in-law have been honorably discharged from same (what was that you said about "girlfriend material"? Just because I don't have the temperament for the military (not to mention the haircut) doesn't mean I have anything against our soldiers. Tim, I would think you'd have to swallow some rather large spiders to gain much weight. Do you live near the Forbidden Forest? Perhaps the acromantulas are trying an infiltration strategy--take over from the "inside". --Mike EDIT: Forgot to offer my birthday wishes to the lucky ladies! mazel Tov to Julia, and "Yub yub!" to Elanor. Eeeeeeeew Mike - Mental images of Alien and Acromantula combos are the last things I need before bedtime!!! ***thinking of her happy place*** septentrion - Sep 7, 2005 11:27 pm (#244 of 2980) Happy birthday Elanor and Julia ! Enjoy your day, even if it's a work day ! Big hugs ! dizzy lizzy - Sep 8, 2005 2:24 am (#245 of 2980) Happy Birthday Elanor and Julia!! I hope you both enjoy your day Lizzy Happy birthday to all for whom it applies! Just 3 more hours until Maya is at school! I just may make it! Yeah! Mr. Puck is working from home for now, so he can be here to drive me to the hospital, another relief. If we swallow peppermint spiders when we sleep, why aren't we all waking up with fresher breath? Kathy Stephanie M. - Sep 8, 2005 4:14 am (#247 of 2980) Happy birthday everyone!!! Off to school! Snuffles - Sep 8, 2005 4:27 am (#248 of 2980) Happy birthday to all celebrating! Puck. Glad you will be able to cry at the school gates!! Good luck back at school Stephanie M and Finn! Chewing spiders in your sleep! Eurghh! Happy Thursday everyone! Julie Happy birthday Elanor, Julia and Anbigin ! Soul mate, please, don't think that I don't understand your concern. I understand that it is sometimes difficult to accept the choices of the person we care about, but we have to let them grow. So, you will be welcome to remind me about my "philosophy" when I will be worried about the choices my daughters will make. Catherine: One student went home and told his parents that I "made" him eat a date, and that he got sick and can't come to my class anymore. I don't see where is the problem? You didn't make him to eat spiders! Especially not those Daddy-longlegs that are extremely poisonous when eat. Wow, Stephanie, congratulations on your reading score! TwinklingBlueEyes - Sep 8, 2005 5:13 am (#250 of 2980) Happy Birthday Elanor and Julia!!! Lady Arabella - Prefect - Posts : 2285 Location : Silicon Valley, CA Re: Chat & Greetings 2005 Dame Peverell - Sep 8, 2005 5:37 am (#251 of 2980) Good morning everybody - Here's a bit of an eye-opener to go with your morning coffee: "Talking Bacteria, and How to Shut Them Up" Bacteria are more gregarious than previously thought. Not only do they routinely engage in small talk among themselves, but research is showing that many are also multilingual and can communicate with members of other species. For the rest of the article see: LiveScience.com CatherineHermiona - Sep 8, 2005 6:03 am (#252 of 2980) Good luck at your first day at school Finn and Stephanie M. Finn, believe me, your enthusiasm about school won't be too long. Don't you think that I wasn't happy because of school and today I can't wait Saturday. We are having 6 school hours almost every day. Kate T Brightwater - Sep 8, 2005 6:20 am (#253 of 2980) Happy Birthday Elanor and Julia! Soul Mate for Sirius - Sep 8, 2005 8:29 am (#254 of 2980) Happy Birthday Elanor and Julia (and anyone I may have missed over the last few days!!) Good luck at school Finn and Stephanie (and Finn, I think it's great you like school so much, that means there's someone out there who's just as crazy as me!! Mike-I didn't misunderstand your comment at all and knew you were kidding. I just find it funny because, joking though you may have been, for some guys in the military, your comment holds true!! Lina-I didn't take what you said the wrong way. You were right, and I know it. And don't worry, I'll be right here to remind you to "practice what you preach" when you start worrying about your daughters decisions. Mrs. Sirius- Sounds like we DO have a lot in common! I'm happy to hear you like my name, although I must confess that the only reason I picked "Soul Mate for Sirius" is because I had been hanging around the forum for awhile before I finally joined, and I saw that "Mrs. Sirius" was already taken (by you of course!) So, I like your's just as much! And please, don't let the mature exterior fool you! I can be just as immature as the next 20 year old, (and quite often am! ) but I've also seen a lot in my short 20 years that has made me grow up quicker than most. (I guess in that regard, I'm kinda like Harry ) So today's finally my last day of work and normally I would be really excited, but I got some really bad news last night. I talked to my boyfriend (he's back home in Cleveland) and found out that a good friend of his died in a motorcycle accident 2 days ago. So, I'll be driving home tomorrow (it's a 10 hour drive) to go to the viewing and funeral with him. I've never seen him this upset. His friend's fiancée was on the motorcycle as well and she's currently in critical condition at the hospital. Not only will she not be able to attend the funeral or viewing, but they're not sure she'll make it at all. It amazes me how upset this news has made me. I mean, hearing about anybody's death is upsetting, but I have never met these two people, yet I feel like I've lost someone I was close to. I'm just praying his fiancée makes a full recovery!! Sorry to darken to mood this morning, but I was still upset about it and needed to "vent". That's all from me for now, I'm off to check the threads! -Jenn Thank you so much for your birthday wishes everybody! It really makes that day special! As I spent 10 hours of it working at school, I thought, on my way back home, that I deserved a treat and I bought myself a piece of delicious cake (a coconut-vanilla-pineapple one) that I just ate reading your posts! It was a bit small for putting 33 candles on it but it was delightful. I'll celebrate it more on Saturday (with some friends) and Sunday (with my family) but you truly make me feel it is my birthday today. ("Yub yub!" indeed!) Happy birthday too Julia!!!!!! May your 20th birthday be a wonderful day! Good luck for school Finn and Stephanie! Have a great day everybody! Thanks again! Audrey Happy birthday Elanor and Julia!!! **Insert groovy birthday smiley things here** Argh, I haven't had access to the Internet since Saturday - I'm going insane! Plus there's a lot of posts to catch up on...me thinks Mark as Read will be a nice feature today! So I'm working hard in my job, (yes, I'm at work now, but I'm just waiting for my lift home, like) it's nice and varied from the mundaneness that is archiving (with nice music on and the fun of organising it's actually quite good!) to taking the old people out on trips to Liverpool and stuff. Currently I'm acting receptionist, which is fine until I have to answer the phone. I hate phones - I switch off completely and miss everything everyone says. Then I'm like, 'Pardon?' 'Can you repeat that please?' 'Could you hold for a minute while I find my superior?' So yeah, I like my job, but need more Harry Potter Internetness. One thing about living where I'm living - I get the mick taken out of my because of my accent. I don't see what's wrong with it - it's the Lancashire way of saying 'butty' instead of 'sandwich' I don't understand! Some people stand up for me though and say my accent isn't that bad because at least they can tell what I'm saying! Everyone have a groovyily good day! The Giant Squid:- Perhaps the acromantulas are trying an infiltration strategy--take over from the "inside". Mike, if I ever encountered an Acromantula in my bedroom or (shudder!), in the bath, I sincerely believe I'd have an immediate heart attack. My arachnophobia is equal to Ron's, although I'd never kill one! Mind, you'd need a bloody big jam-jar to trap an Acromantula! Okay, first off, I am thrilled to hear the all of our missing friends have checked and are doing okay. I wish you all the best during this difficult recovery time. Here's some drinks on me! Puck- I hope you made it until today to see your little girl off to preschool. Hopefully the next one will join us all soon! "Mind, you'd need a bloody big jam-jar to trap an Acromantula!"-Tim You always crack me up Tim! It's almost worth pushing aside this mountain of work to hear that one. A special gift for all you arachnaphobes: A hearty Happy Birthday to all who are celebrating one. Best wishes for a wonderful next year. Well, I think thats the highlites. My life is still crazy hectic with work and no sign of it getting better anytime soon. But I did want to take a moment to share some great news with you all. I had my sonogram a couple of weeks ago and found out that I'm having a little girl! The sono was amazing! We got to see her yawn and sucking her hand. It was just the most incredible thing I'd ever seen. The miracle of life is an amazing thing! I miss you all tons. Hopefully I'll have time to read an actual topic thread some day soon, but until then, pretend I'm contributing brilliant ideas as you race along solving all the mysteries! Madam Pince - Sep 8, 2005 11:41 am (#259 of 2980) Yay and congratulations on the sonogram news, Mollis! A sweet little girl! How wonderful! When is the big day? Happy Birthday, Elanor! Your birthday cake sounds delicious! Hope you had a great day! And hope Julia has a great birthday too! And Anbigin also, although I have to confess I don't remember exactly who that is... (age does take a toll, ya' know...) but Happy Birthday anyway! I made arrangements today for a babysitter for Little Pince on the GoF premier weekend. Nothing like planning ahead... Peppermint spiders -- oh Puck! Nine months along and still cheery enough to make jokes! You're great! Feeling quite cheery, as I made it to see Maya off. No tears, Julie, as I was just so happy to be there! She had a fun morning and I'm sure she'll be loving school as much as Finn! (Hoping he and Stephanie also had a great day.) Madame Pince, isn't the movie opening in November? Way to plan for the important events! Congratulations Mollis! Isn't technology amazing, that you can actually see the baby sucking it's thumb (and aren't babies amazing for doing so well before they are born?) This is your first child, correct? Well, I should get something going for dinner. Perhaps run to the farm stand for some fresh corn. (Incidently, my Mum-in-Law has a trick of adding sugar to the water to enhance the sweetness. I remember an old discussion about how to cook corn, thought I'd throw that out there.) Kathy Madam Pince - Sep 8, 2005 2:05 pm (#261 of 2980) Another trick is to put milk into the water when you're cooking the corn, too, Kathy. My sister-in-law does that. Actually, I don't notice much difference if the corn is good to begin with, so to me it was just a waste of milk, but whatever.... Edit: Ack! This is what I get for being happy that I got a T-shirt in the mail today which I'd ordered with a HP theme on it -- just walked back into the bedroom and discovered that Little Pince has been into my jewelry box, and he broke my Time-Turner necklace! Boo-hoo! I'm so bummed -- that was just about my favorite piece of jewelry! It's not repairable, either -- he snapped off the little tiny piece that holds the hour-glass thingy in the middle and lets you spin it around. Wahhhh... It's a good thing he's cute... How great to hear from you, Mollis! I was just thinking of you these days. Something about the love for the green color, than about having a baby and drinking the water from the Forum... Started to wonder if everything is O.K. I'm glad that it is and looking forward for a new girl coming to world. I wish you all the best. You better watch out, Jenn. Did you know that Mrs. Sirius had triplets something like 6 years ago? Would you like your similarities to go that far? I'm sorry about your boyfriend's friend and sending some strengthening charms your way, his way and the friend's fiancée's way. Madam Pince, your place is most certainly not in the Procrastinators Anonymous. Dame Peverell - Sep 8, 2005 2:29 pm (#263 of 2980) I always cook corn right in the husk anymore. Barbecue, oven or microwave. Just remove one or two dirty outer "leaves" rinse and go. The silk is easy to remove once cooked and the corn tastes better. The ear itself should not be showing. Denise P. - Sep 8, 2005 2:33 pm (#264 of 2980) it's a good thing he's cute... Heh, Madam Pince... I have been heard on more than one occasion tell the kids who reside here the same thing. "It is a good thing you are cute and that I love you!" Yes, even my “strike a pose!” boy has been told this already (probably about 3 am one morning when he wanted to stay awake while *I* wanted to sleep) Mollis, how nifty...a wee girly! (Or course, a wee laddie is nifty too) Keep tags on things...just in case. I was told on more than one occasion that I was having a girl and now HE is about to turn 10. We actually have it on tape when he was born and the doctor announced "It's a boy!" ..you can hear my stunned voice Boy?! It's a boy??!! Glad we had a boy name...just in case. Abracapocus - Sep 8, 2005 2:37 pm (#265 of 2980) I have never posted on this thread, but I read it quite often. Hope y'all don't mind if I butt right in. I could sleep in a bathtub full of snakes but I don't care to touch spiders - regular or peppermint... eeeesh! I thought of you guys the other night while watching Animal Planet's Buggin' With Ruud. He was showing a Peppermint Stick Insect that looks much like a dead leaf until a preditor gets too close then it sprays irritating fluid that smells like... peppermint. (Hmmm... that was more interesting before I posted it.) I have heard of the sugar in corn trick, but milk? Is it also supposed to sweeten the corn? Catherine - Sep 8, 2005 2:40 pm (#266 of 2980) Heh, Madam Pince... I have been heard on more than one occasion tell the kids who reside here the same thing. "It is a good thing you are cute and that I love you!" –Denise :snort: At our break time today, a conversation took place among the middle-school teachers. There had been announcements about possible clubs, one of which was a cooking club. One of the "old-timers" said, "I'm all for it. When do I get to bake the kids?" Then a student walked by, and another teacher said to her, "Good thing you guys are cute." She pranced away, feeling pleased by the comment, while we all giggled to ourselves. As per the "Hansel and Gretel" fairy-tale, I offered to lay the bread crumb trail.... EDIT: Feel free to jump in, Abracapocus! Good to see you here. TwinklingBlueEyes - Sep 8, 2005 2:54 pm (#267 of 2980) When do I get to bake the kids? What I want to know is when are they DONE? You guys are too cute! Yes, Puck, this is my first. And I'm due on Jan. 7th, Madame Pince. And Denise, I have heard that they can be wrong. They actually printed me a pretty close up picture of the little girl parts. If I end up with a little boy out of this deal, I'm going to feel very sorry for him! Mmmm...sweet corn. Might have to be on the lookout on the way home. Hugs to Mollis! A little girl, I'm so very very happy for you!!! (Well off course I would have been very very happy for you if it would have been a boy as well... I'm just very very happy for you!) When is the planned arrival date? Buggin' With Ruud Thats a real tv program??? I'm so going to tease my brother with that! (His name is Ruud...) :Sending random good news charms to Puck: Congratulations, Mollis, on your scan, and the fact that you're expecting a little girl.........or boy..........or gloy. Or maybe all three - one of each! Only kidding! Congratulations! pottermom34 - Sep 8, 2005 6:05 pm (#271 of 2980) Call me slow or a little behind here but GLAD TO SEE YOU'RE OK TBE! Glad to hear your town is getting on and doing better Choices! Speaking of long gas lines, what are some of the gas prices in those hurricane areas? Thanks for the clear up on the Daddy long legs Denise, oh cute baby too. I never heard of them being poisonous either, but I did know there were two different types. I'm glad they aren't because we have them all over here, especially at the zoo. I had one crawling on me today but I flicked it off and said "no hitchhikers". Also on the spider subject, there's nothing worse than having one appear in the car while driving. I was driving when I heard a blood curtling scream. A spider crawled out from the top of my windshield right in front of my 5 year old. I slammed on the brakes and when I went to swat at it, it was gone. Then it came out of hiding in front of me while driving. I never jumped so high. Never did get it, but I haven't seen it since(couple weeks ago). Ok here's another zoo tale, just a quick one. So I'm up at the camels and we have 4 dromedary (one hump), and this girl (had to be between 17 & 20) comes out of nowhere looks right at the camels and asked "how many humps do they have?" We were nice when we answered. Then she said (after telling what they were) Where are the dromedarys, where are the camels?" She acted very strange like someone under an imperius or something. We just shook our heads and chuckled. Congrats to all the new babies that have come and are coming. I have to go my hubby is home from a game. Glad all is well with all. Finn BV - Sep 8, 2005 6:10 pm (#272 of 2980) We'll be thinking of you, Kathy! I know the date's bound to be around the corner… Glad to hear of the good news, mollis! A girl… well, that was my other guess. Stephanie M. - Sep 8, 2005 6:32 pm (#273 of 2980) I'm sorry about your boyfriend's friend and his girlfriend. I hope she has a smooth recovery!!! Congratulations Mollis! A girl!!! It also would have been fine if you had a boy too but... I know so many people having boys that I thought it was a good change. (Well, my cousin is having a girl but that's basically it.) School was really good today! We had an assembly and Homeroom during the first 2 periods of the day so I missed those two classes so I only had one class today. Tomorrow I will have all of my classes but 2 of them. And the classes that I don't have tomorrow are classes that I also didn't have today, so I will have had all of my classes on Monday! (Sorry about the wording! It's kind of hard to follow!) Edit: I pressed a button on my keyboard (A delete button that I never realized was there before so I decided to press it and it erased everything I just posted... and other things too like all of my saved E-mail's... such a bummer ) and it deleted a couple of my latest posts. So now I'm reposting. (The things were probably deleted because I had my saved mail out and I was on this thread and I pressed delete twice because I didn't think it did anything so I just have to check my other posts are still there.) I hope I remembered everything! I thought it was longer before... what am I forgetting? Edit Edit: Yay! This is the only post that was deleted! And I really didn't delete my e-mails after all!! Dame Peverell - Sep 8, 2005 6:37 pm (#274 of 2980) How annoying. I know just how you feel. And no "undo" option when you really need it. Stephanie M. - Sep 8, 2005 6:46 pm (#275 of 2980) That's like when you are writing an E-mail and you accidently pressed 'Send' when you were in the middle of writing it or if you decided not to send it to them! But you can 'Unsend' the E-mail if the person you sent the E-mail to has the the same E-mail service as you. (Well, at least for AOL.) Denise P. - Sep 8, 2005 6:46 pm (#276 of 2980) You know, this evening at dinner, I made a smart comment to one of the kids about being cautious of Daddy Long Legs. The comment really was directed at Mr. Denise and not the kids but you can imagine the giggling that Mr. Denise and I had to stifle when 4 voices started to bombard us with the Myth of the Daddy Long Legs. We heard about the fangs being too short, the most toxic spider (one child explained the DDL is actually a beatle) and a new one to me...the spitting of venom at an unsuspecting person! I asked where they got the information and they could not decide if they saw it on Animal Planet or Mythbusters. We just giggled to ourselves and let it go. Soul Mate for Sirius - Sep 8, 2005 7:34 pm (#277 of 2980) Hey all! I'm finally home in Cleveland where I belong. What a drive. I ended up leaving tonight since I got off of work early instead of tomorrow like I'd originally planned. About half way to Ohio I decided that leaving early was a bad idea because I was exhausted, but at least this way I get to spend time with my boyfriend before the viewing tomorrow. Speaking of the viewing, thanks to everyone who's sent their thoughts (and strengthening charms!) I passed them all on to "the future Mr. Soul Mate" and he was so grateful. Stephanie glad to hear your first week of school is going so well! (And Finn to!!) mollis-Congrats on the baby girl, that's awesome! Lina- I don't think I'd mind all that much having triplets in common with Mrs. Sirius, just so long as they don't come for a couple more years!! But then again, maybe that's just my youth talking and I won't feel that way by the time its time for them to come!! Well, it's getting late here, and I had a long drive, so now it's time for a quick check on the threads and then bed!! -Jenn One of my students did the cutest thing today. He was walking around the room pretending to talk to someone on a cell phone. I asked him to do something for me and he said into his invisible phone, "What? Oh, Ms. Marie was talking to me. I couldn't hear what you said." Like I interrupted his imaginary conversation. I bet Tim isn't near any acromantulas, but when I was living in England I saw some pretty big spiders. There was one that got into our house that was as big as my hand. I admit to screaming like a girl over that one. Happy Birthday's to Elanor and Julia!!! Jenn, I'm sorry for your loss, I hope that the fianc”e heals quickly. Mollis, I want to join all those who have congratulated you on your little girl!!! I hope that you enjoy buying all sorts of pretty little dresses and such for her Puck! You made it! I hope that the first day of school went smoothly and that now you can enjoy the birth of your newest family member. Madame Pince, that's a huge bummer about your necklace. One of the many reasons I am not planning on having children (I have very little patience). Welcome Abracapocus!! Hope you enjoy the crazy conversations we have here! On the topic of spiders, I had NEVER heard any of the rumors about Daddy Long Legs. My parents have always told me they were totally harmless. I've had a fear of spiders for a long time, they are the only ones that don't completely freak me out. Things have been sooo busy lately. I'm up to my earlobes in work. I NEED a vacation...but alas, I have no money so if I took vacation days I would just have to stay at home (which since I live at my job wouldn't be much of a vacation). Oh well... Looking forward to the weekend. (oh, and I finally got my HBP book back from the person I loaned it too and got to do my third read. I'm so happy) Night all! Good Luck Puck! Mrs. Sirius - Sep 8, 2005 9:51 pm (#280 of 2980) Congratulations, Mollis, on your scan, and the fact that you're expecting a little girl.........or boy..........or gloy. Or maybe all three - one of each! Only kidding! Congratulations! Tim, don't even joke about the triplets thing! I can vouch for the fact that triplets can just happen! Oh, when they grow up, the cute things they say! To all those expecting, have your doctor double check that you are not having double whoaahhhhh!!!! evil grin:: CatherineHermiona - Sep 9, 2005 4:26 am (#281 of 2980) Congratulations mollis, that are such a great news. A girl......well, I hope you won't be as my mum. We are having such a great homeroom teacher. I hope she will be till 8th grade. Well I hoped for every of my 4 homeroom teachers. Kate Abracapocus - Sep 9, 2005 4:50 am (#282 of 2980) That is great news, Mollis! Glad to hear everyone is getting adjusted to the school year again. I always enjoyed first day back... new clothes, new books, seeing friends I hadn't seen all summer. I am off to help my brother getting his new apartment ready. My brother is 45 and disadvantaged. He has never lived on his own, but I found him a basement apartment in a carriage house on the property of a Special Education teacher which will be just perfect with his special circumstances. He is so excited! The place has been unoccupied for two years and it is full of dust and insects... including about a bazillion Daddy Long Legs!! Wishing everyone a great day!! Steve Newton - Sep 9, 2005 5:38 am (#283 of 2980) You think you're going strong But you're really in a fix, 'cause there's something terribly wrong About turning 56. Sigh. Madam Pince - Sep 9, 2005 6:09 am (#284 of 2980) Does that mean it's your birthday, Steve? If so, Happy Birthday! Have a wonderful day!!!! (Don't worry, dirt is really much older than that....) Jenn, glad you had a safe trip home. I was sorry to hear about your boyfriend's friend -- please convey my sympathy and hope the young lady recovers quickly. I know that this is a difficult time. Marie, too funny about the imaginary phone conversation! Tee-hee! Abracapocus, I don't know why my sister-in-law uses milk when cooking corn. To me, sweet corn is sweet enough just as it is, if you get good corn. I didn't ask her why she does it, and I didn't notice any difference in taste. I think it may be just because her mom did it. Which reminds me of a funny story -- young bride tells her husband that you have to cut the end off the ham before you roast it. "Why?" asks the hubby. "Because my Mom always did; I'll ask her." When she asks Mom, she says "Because your Grandma always did her hams that way." So she goes to ask Grandma, who says "Well, your Great-Grandma always cut the ends off her hams, so I did too." She goes to ask Great-Grandma, who gives her a funny look and says "Well, I did it because my roasting pan wasn't big enough." Well, Little Pince just may get off the hook. I managed (through some miracle) to find the little tiny piece of the necklace that he had snapped off -- it is about the size of a gnat and it was in the carpet, but I found it by using the flashlight. Now if only Mr. Pince can fix it, we'll be all set! ***crosses fingers*** pottermom34 - Sep 9, 2005 6:39 am (#285 of 2980) Happy Birthday Steve Newton. Cute ham story Madam Pince, good luck with the necklace. Good Evans - Sep 9, 2005 6:51 am (#286 of 2980) Happy Birthday Steve 56 is nothing - just look at the age the great Albus reached and he wasn't finished off by age anyway!!! have a great day Julie Dame Peverell - Sep 9, 2005 6:58 am (#287 of 2980) I'd love to have a big party in Godric’s Hollow today and I hope you all will come. There will be singing and dancing and Cherry sodas with ice and umbrellas for everyone! It’s because I think we did it, yes… we did it; come and see! Happy birthday Steve Newton! 56 isn't that old. If you feel down just dye your hair bright red or something equally as rebellious. Hope your necklace gets fixed, Madam Pince! It's horrible when nice things break. Hope your brother likes his new apartment Abracapocus. Congrats Mollis! I'm sitting in work eating freshly picked tomatoes. Yummy! They're nice and small and do not have the usual taste destroying chemicals on them. Which is good! However, the weather is not so nice. Everyone have a great day! Steve Newton - Sep 9, 2005 8:16 am (#289 of 2980) azi, my hair was mostly white by my early 40s. I like it. Thanks for the birthday greetings. Fair enough! I wouldn't mind white hair when I'm older, it's just grey hair I don't like! White hair looks nice. I suggested hair colour rebellion because someone I know, who is 58, has bright red hair with black tips and it looks ace! Steve! Happy Birthday!! Finn BV - Sep 9, 2005 9:28 am (#292 of 2980) Jenn, I'm so sorry to hear about your friends. Strengthening charms to the girl. Happy Birthday Steve! Good luck with the necklace, Madam Pince. Steph and I are at school now… lunch hour… in the comp lab. I'm really bored being away from the forum! Soul Mate for Sirius - Sep 9, 2005 9:35 am (#293 of 2980) Happy Birthday Steve!!! Oh this weekend is going to be so hectic. "future Mr. Soul Mate" and I went to the viewing this morning, and he is now out to lunch with his friends. I'm at his brother's house in Columbus for a bit, then I have to drive 2 1/2 hours back to Cleveland to pick up his youngest brother and then drive 2 1/2 hours back to Columbus with him so that he can be there for the big game on Saturday and to be there for future Mr. Soul Mate. Now don't get me wrong, I totally don't mind doing this for my boyfriend, but it's going to be really really hectic. Tomorrow's the actual funeral in the morning, and then I'm sure future Mr. Soul Mate will want to be with all his friends who will be there, and I won't want to impose, so it'll be back to his brother's house to help the boys get the house ready for the party they're throwing tomorrow, go shopping, and then get ready for the game. Then there's the game itself! There is nothing more fun and at the same time exhausting as a Big Ten football game, especially when we're playing the No. 2 team in college football! Then after the game I get to play hostess at this party. Then I get to wake up Sunday morning and clean the house for the boys and then drive little brother home while future Mr. Sirius gets together with his friends again, then drive back to Columbus to get him and bring him home so that he and I can finally go have a nice quiet dinner just the two of us!!! So, seeing as I have such a crazy weekend, I'm off the check the threads before I drive back up to Cleveland. Have a great weekend everyone!! -Jenn T Brightwater - Sep 9, 2005 9:46 am (#294 of 2980) Congratulations, mollis! Hope everything goes well. Happy Birthday Steve! Wow, there's somebody here older than me! :-) My increasing number of "changed" hairs are coming in a nice silvery white, fortunately. Just in case I don't get online tomorrow, for those who celebrate name-days, Sept. 10 is the feast of St. Nymphodora and her sisters, so an early Happy Name-Day to Tonks! Dame Peverell, is this a party for Steve or is there some other occasion? Jenn, I hope you make the guys help out with the cleaning! If he's the "future Mrs. Soulmate" better to train him early. Trust me, I did laundry for Mr. Puck before we were married as I thought it would be nice as he was letting me use the washer at his apartment (mine didn't have one.) He hasn't washed clothes since. Oh, and I hope you hold up well through the funeral and your boyfriend is handling things as well as can be expected. Madame Pince, "Necklace Reparum!" And it better be a girl, as the tags are off, the clothes washed, and the quilt I made has lots of pink! Plus, we never discussed boy names. Of course, at this point it seems like the little one is content to stay put! Happy birthday, Steve! Men can so get away with white hair and pull off that "distinguished" thing. My 3 year old is asking about lunch. Suppose I should go feed her. Kathy Steve Newton - Sep 9, 2005 10:24 am (#296 of 2980) Brightwater says "Wow, there's somebody here older than me!" Thanks for the support. Puck I'm not sure that the distinguished thing works for me. CatherineHermiona - Sep 9, 2005 11:10 am (#297 of 2980) Happy birthday, Steve Newton!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Happy Birthday, Steve! I hope you have a wonderful day. I thought you all might get a kick out of this. It's an article about a school in Chattanooga (yay for hometowns!) that is making their principal read HBP on the roof of the school. Happy birthday Steve!!!! I should have known you were a Virgo too! And don't worry about white hair: I had my first one when I was 14, got used to rude people I don't know telling me "wow, you have so much white hair!" when I was about 25 and now I rather like it like that. I dyed it when my brother got married in July because my Mom insisted but I don't mind letting them natural. Actually, I love to be born at that time of the year, don't you? Early September here is a lovely season, with decent temperatures again (about 25°C, 77°F) and a mild, often sunny but somehow muffled weather that foreshadows Fall. It is the season of my favourite flowers (asters) and of all the good things Fall is bringing: muscat grape, fresh apples... Well, each birth date has its advantages of course but I really like September and I think it helps getting a year older, doesn't it? BTW, welcome J M L (another September 8th birthday to add to your wonderful list Boop!). Congratulations Molly, these are some great news! Madam Pince, so sorry to hear about your necklace! Maybe a jeweller could fix it, have you tried asking one about it? Have a great day everybody! Steve Newton - Sep 9, 2005 11:32 am (#300 of 2980) Elanor, I also got my first white hair at 14. Right on top in the middle slightly right of center. (I know, too much information.) I love fall, except for the turning into winter part. And the World Series is right around the corner.[/color] Lady Arabella - Prefect - Posts : 2285 Location : Silicon Valley, CA Re: Chat & Greetings 2005 Just got my new LEGO catalog in the mail and on the front cover was the new GOF legos. There is a complete graveyard scene. It has voldy ,harry, a death eater and Wormtail. The death eater's head turns to reveal his secret identity which is Lucius. I could tell that by the long blonde hair. Anyway its a 546 piece set and it's only 29.99 which isn't bad. They also had the triwizard things but the graveyard was cooler. It would make a great Halloween decoration. You can probably find it at lego.com. It is awesome looking!! TwinklingBlueEyes - Sep 9, 2005 1:07 pm (#302 of 2980) Happy Birthday Steve! ...toddles off to raise a toast: May you have many more!... (toasts and birthdays too!) T Brightwater - Sep 9, 2005 1:12 pm (#303 of 2980) You're welcome, Steve. World Series? You mean there's still baseball in October? Ah well, one of the local teams might get there. Unlike many Cubs fans, I don't hate the White Sox. Steve Newton - Sep 9, 2005 1:17 pm (#304 of 2980) I've been a Sox fan for a long time. I actually think that they look very vulnerable this year. Their hitting is poor (smart ball is pretty dumb). Their pitching was great in the first half. So so the second half. The Cubs, well, when you spend the past 20 years making stupid moves what do you expect. Someone, wish I remember who, once declared that the essence of Cubness was mediocrity under pressure. Happy Birthday, Steve! How does it feel to be 56? I need to know, because that's how old I'm going to be in about two weeks........ Steve: "Elanor, I also got my first white hair at 14. Right on top in the middle slightly right of center. LOL Steve! I don't remember where mine was because it didn't live long enough to tell the tale to the ones who came after... In fact, it made my Mom completely freak out then because she realised she had passed that on me (mind you, the probability was high since her hair was completely white when she was about 30) so she pulled it off as soon as she saw it! Fortunately for me she never did that again! Tim, when exactly is your birthday? **thinking it is time to start stocking butterbeers** Steve Newton - Sep 9, 2005 1:28 pm (#307 of 2980) Well, except for the weakening eyesight and the arthritis its great. Did that sarcasm carry through? Catherine - Sep 9, 2005 2:01 pm (#308 of 2980) Did that sarcasm carry through? --Steve Newton Loud and clear. Happy Birthday! I just have to have a Forum moment and share this, even though she will kill me. A certain member took the time to make color copies of a wonderful book containing African myths and mailed it to me. I got it today, and it was like having a birthday. It's moments like this that make me SO glad that I found the Forum, and have had the chance to make friends here. :waves in gratitude to "You-know-Who": I've never been so glad to see Friday come in my life. What a week. :waves to Friday Wayne...: Mollis, I'm delighted with your news, and congratulations. Best wishes to all, and I hope everyone enjoys a good weekend. Herm oh ninny - Sep 9, 2005 3:02 pm (#309 of 2980) Happy Birthday Steve! The first time I heard about Daddy Long Legs was in the movie Goonies. I had no idea what they were at the time and, now that I do know, I hope to never meet one! LOL Well, my classes officially started yesterday and I had my first one last night. 2 hours and 40 minutes of Climatology! Oohh, my head still hurts! LOL OK, I have to run now. My sisters and I are going to the Macaroni Grill for dinner! Yummy!! Steve Newton:- Well, except for the weakening eyesight and the arthritis its great. Ouch! Who said that? Don't tell me, Steve......those are just the good points! Elanor:- Tim, when exactly is your birthday? **thinking it is time to start stocking butterbeers** It's the 24th of this month, Elanor; but I have other things to think about. On the 18th, my son gets married, and I have to wear a suit............all day! Harrowing, or what?! Amilia Smith - Sep 9, 2005 3:45 pm (#311 of 2980) At least you don't have to wear heels all day. Mills. Edit: Woopee!!! I just got an email from Amazon saying that they shipped my order today. So I won't have to wait as long for my new Connie Willis book as they originally said I would (mid to late October) after all! Amilia Smith:- At least you don't have to wear heels all day. I never mentioned my choice of footwear, Amilia......... Stephanie M. - Sep 9, 2005 4:44 pm (#313 of 2980) Hi everyone! I'm back from school. Happy Birthday Steve!!! I wish you many, many more! I went to my cousins house after school and then we went to a Sports bar and saw the Sharapova vs. Clijsters match. I was very upset that Sharapova lost... (Finn!!! It was your avatar!!!) but it will be ok. (And you also had Nadal as your avatar!!! Off to dinner... will be back later. Tim, congratulations to your son. I'm hoping you realize that a leisure suit does not count! (Picturing one with platform shoes, which aren't exactly heels.) Well, at least the weather is bound to be comfy. I had to be dressed up at a wedding in June, and it was 90 plus and humid. Mr. Puck actually wore a jacket and tie, though I told him to skip the jacket if he wanted. Quiet day. I had been running around like crazy for weeks trying to catch up with housework and projects. I've managed to catch up, and now I'm finding things to do while waiting for baby. Today I made brownies. Didn't put me into labor, but it was a yummy distraction. And the kids actually ate all their dinner with the promise of the dessert. Kathy Lupin is Lupin. Natch. I got it today...—Catherine Today? Today?! I put that in the postal distribution center this weekend (a special trip, mind you) and payed for priority mail. It should have been there by Wednesday. Two to three day average, my ***. I'm glad you liked them Catherine. I hope they prove useful. Thanks for the kind words. Speaking of getting things in the mail, I got a note today from a Forum member who happens to have the tiniest handwriting I've ever seen. I guess with nine kids in the house space is at a premium. Finn BV - Sep 9, 2005 5:49 pm (#316 of 2980) I've been a Sox fan for a long time. –Steve Please, there are other Sox fans in the house. Safe time in Cleveland, Jenn. Yup, I guess I jinxed Sharapova. Next is Agassi, because I'd love to see him do stuff but Ginepri needs something to boost his career. FB and QA finally arrived today! I had never splurged for them, but for my birthday my parents bought me one of the HP soundtracks, which I already own, so I got some credit, and we bought FB and QA! So… I'll be diving into those tonight. Chemyst - Sep 9, 2005 5:55 pm (#317 of 2980) Happy Birthday Steve. I did the math and it is 448! (at eight spider-swallows per year) Lupin is Lupin. Natch. I did the math...—Chemyst Of course you did. Denise P. - Sep 9, 2005 6:11 pm (#319 of 2980) Reply Heh, if you thought that was tiny handwriting, you should have seen what it looked like in high school! I thought it looked fairly normal... Oh wait, it is because you didn't have on your bifocals, right? Yes, I admit it! I sent Kim the note with the tiny handwriting! Madam Pince - Sep 9, 2005 6:13 pm (#320 of 2980) Reply So it was you??? I thought it was the other Forum member with nine kids.... Steve Newton - Sep 9, 2005 6:18 pm (#321 of 2980) Reply Chemyst, what a comforting thought. Many thanks for all of the well wishes. dizzy lizzy - Sep 9, 2005 6:42 pm (#322 of 2980) Reply Happy Birthday Steve! * **staggers away from the computer laughing at the funny things you guys have said lately*** I got my first white hairs about 2 months ago. I still laugh like crazy every time I see them in the mirror and I turn 35 in early 2006. I've had so many medical problems that I find it hilarious that I have ended up going gray early compared to the rest of my family. I'm desperately hoping they will eventually make me look like the distinguished and eccentric Lizzy I look destined to be . I go to Sydney next week (on Monday morning and it is Sat. Morning right now...11.40am to be exact!) for more training and to pick up my new Hearing Aids. I am getting excited and pretty nervous over the new Hearing Aids. Have a wonderful weekend everyone! Lizzy Marie E. - Sep 9, 2005 7:14 pm (#323 of 2980) Reply Happy Birthday, Steve! Since ya'll have mentioned baseball and the World Series, I will relate one of my favorite stories about Mr E. He was living in Georgia when we were engaged. My Atlanta Braves were in the World Series (this was 1991) and I told him not to call me the next night because it was game 7 of a tied series. He thought I was kidding and called in the nineth inning!! I actually said "Call me in an hour" and hung up on him. I still don't understand how I married one of the only men around who doesn't like to watch sports. *sigh* I don't have any gray hair yet (knocks on computer desk) but my mother said she didn't have any until she was 40. I guess I have a four and half year reprieve. She also said it was no coincidence that the year she turned 40 I turned 13. I'm all a-dither about the GoF Legos. I don't know if I can wait until Christmas or not. Round Pink Spider - Sep 9, 2005 7:28 pm (#324 of 2980) Happy Birthday, Steve! Marie, I started getting gray hair shortly before I turned 40, also. That must have been the year my son David entered adolescence... I'm here with a Barb (Phoenix Song) update. She now has electricity. The insurance people still haven't come by, and she's not sure that she can wait to start fixing the roof until they come. She said that she spends most of her day trying to obtain the necessities. But now, at least she has light, and water for washing (they have a well). Her husband got an eye infection, and she said he had some nasty swelling with it. They got it cleaned out, but she's been calling him "Mad-Eye." It was good to hear her laugh over the phone today, a real laugh for the first time since the hurricane. Denise P. - Sep 9, 2005 7:32 pm (#325 of 2980) Early grey hair runs in my family so I have had grey in my hair since my mid teens. If I didn't color my hair to have red in it, it would probably be mostly white by now. Actually, it has not been colored in ages so there is a load of white. I don't care really but since I like to have a bit of red, it gets colored. Mike, I don't know if you are still searching for it but there are a few of the original Lego Hagrid's Hut on eBay. One has no bids, ends tomorrow and the price/shipping ($10/6.50 right now) seems reasonable too. I saw a nifty Lego Star Wars pen so was seeing if they made Lego HP pens. Drat...but I am watching a Yoda and a Darth Vadar pen T Brightwater - Sep 9, 2005 8:50 pm (#326 of 2980) RPS, thanks for keeping us posted. Give Barb our best. Ludicrous Patents Office - Sep 9, 2005 9:09 pm (#327 of 2980) Happy Birthday Steve! I don't have any gray, just highlights! One of my students at school today insisted he read excerpts of book seven on the web. I tried to explain unless it comes from Ms. Rowling it is false. He said Draco disguised himself as Harry and was kissing Cho! I think he must have found a Fanfic site. LPO Herm oh ninny - Sep 9, 2005 10:08 pm (#328 of 2980) Hey guys. Well, the Macaroni Grill was great. I am so stuffed! LOL I got my first gray hair when I was 15 and, now that I am 26, I have to dye my hair because I have so much gray! After dinner my sisters and I went to the mall to buy birthday presents for our cousin (also my best friend). I decided to buy her her perfume (since it's been a while since getting her one). I couldn't decide which perfume to get her because I hate the perfumes that she wears! And, she hates the one that I wear! So what did I do? I wandered through the perfume section of Macy's and smelled all the different perfumes. When I found one that I really hated, I bought it for her! LOL Today was a great sports day for me! Clijsters beat Sharapova and the Yankees beat the Red Sox!! ... wanders off to find a celebratory fire whiskey!! Mrs. Sirius - Sep 9, 2005 10:29 pm (#329 of 2980) Well, except for the weakening eyesight and the arthritis its great. Did that sarcasm carry through? Ohhh ho ho,sarcasm? I still have a few years before I catch up with you, but here I sit with my pharmacy reading glasses and I have just decided that it is one gray hair too many, I am calling Miss Clairol! (They started out as 3 red hairs at my temples when I was 13) Happy birthday! Yeah to the Yankees!!(I'm a fair weather fan) Edit: Yes Ydnam, I heard it is 8 spiders in a life time. Well, I've had a few of what I like to call "silver" hairs since I think around 23...so...don't know what that means for me. I've stopped dying my hair. I just don't care any more. Um, I thought the 8 spider thing was in a life-time, not a year. That almost made me sick. Bleh. The giant squid - Sep 10, 2005 12:25 am (#331 of 2980) Steve: Happy Birthday! Finn: I warned you about using Andre... If he loses now I'm rescinding my invite to screen GoF with me. Steph, you're still invited. Denise, thanks for the heads-up. I'll scoot over there now & try my luck. EDIT: The one you mentioned has no bids because it's an incomplete set. With three complete sets up for bids at the same time, I can see why it's not selling. I did bid for one of the others that's done in 4 days, and if I get sniped on that one I'll bid for the one that's up in 5 days If I lose 'em both, it's not meant to be. Marie, I always liked to point out that Mom didn't have any gray hair until after our sister (aka She Who Fell Asleep During PoA) was born, so it's clearly all her fault. You should be fine until your third is born. --Mike Steve Newton! Interesting poem. I wish you to feel quite strong for next 56 years! CatherineHermiona: Congratulations mollis, that are such a great news. A girl......well, I hope you won't be as my mum. I just HOPE that you were thinking about having all daughters and not something like as awful as my mum. How good to read that your brother is going to live on his own, Abracapocus! I have a friend who is disadvantaged and I know that a possibility to be independent means a great deal to him. Those are a great news! Thanks for the update, RPS. It's nice to see that the living is going on. We go to a friends' wedding today. I haven't yet decided what to wear. Nice weekend to everybody! Madam Pince - Sep 10, 2005 6:23 am (#333 of 2980) Good morning, all! (Or good evening, depending on where you are...) RPS, I'm so glad to hear that Barbie (Phoenix Song) is doing better! Yay for electricity! Have they had their well water tested to be sure it's not contaminated? I hope everything works out OK with her roof and insurance and all. It's good to see that things are improving a bit for folks, but there's just such a long way to go -- that is such a huge job facing everyone there. I got my September issue of "Southern Living" yesterday and it had a whole section on New Orleans restaurants, and it almost made you cry to read it. Of course, the articles were done and printed long before the hurricane, so they couldn't know what awaited all those lovely restaurants. I read a quote online from the owner of a place that had recently been voted the city's best restaurant, and he said bleakly that they no longer have a city to be best of. Our friend the fireman who was deployed down there (he went to Mississippi) just returned, and he was truly devastated -- he said it was almost unimaginable how bad it was. We're still sending out thoughts and prayers to everyone affected. I just heard from Julia, and she asked me to convey her thanks to everyone for all the birthday wishes, and to let you know that she had a great birthday! What is the deal with those first few white hairs, anyway? They stand straight up, practically jumping up and down and waving their arms and saying "Here I am! Look at me!!" I think I had my first one in my mid-20's, which I thought was really unfair because there is something very wrong about having gray hair and zits at the same time. One should only have to bear so many crosses. Anyway, Gray Hair didn't start to have enough "friends" join it until about my mid-30's to necessitate coloring. I really hate it, though. It never turns out like my natural color used to be, and every six weeks you start to get this silver "sheen" right at the part and have to do it all over again. It's like haymoni's clothing sizes -- it's a conspiracy! Little Pince is covered with mosquito bites which he got at school because I guess they forgot to put his bug spray on before they went out for recess. So he wakes up a couple times a night because he's itching so, even despite Benadryl. I feel so sorry for the little guy! He just recently moved up to the next class, so they go outside for recess a little later in the day than his old class used to, and I think the mosquitoes are more active then. All the talk about sweet corn convinced me to pick some up from the farm stand last evening and we had it for dinner -- yummy! No sugar, no milk, just plain old corn. It was good. This morning I think we will have the cinnamon raisin bread that Mr. Pince picked up at the Amish market yesterday -- it is heavenly! Then this afternoon I have to do something with all the apples we picked off our trees when we went to the mountains last weekend. The trees were absolutely loaded, and we've got tons to deal with. I think I'll mostly make applesauce, and maybe a pie. Have a good weekend, everyone! I just pop in to say hello and wish you all a great weekend! Here, it is my town's annual September festival this weekend (there is a picture of the little "king and queen" who preside the fete in my avatar). It is a very old tradition, from the Middle-Ages, and it is really cute. I will also celebrate my birthday with my family, so it should be great! RPS, thanks for the information about Phoenix Song, I'm really happy she starts laughing again! Tim, congratulations on your son's wedding! But you can count on us to celebrate September 24th as it should be too! Ludicrous Patents Office - Sep 10, 2005 8:13 am (#335 of 2980) Elanor love the avatar! Madame Pince your magazine is now a historical document. How sad. I have a difficult time grasping the enormity of it. I can only watch so much of it. My thoughts are with the people who are trying to rebuild their lives and are grieving for lost loved ones, lost homes and lost livelihoods. I went to a beverage establishment last night with a group of teachers and we all agreed to go see GoF together. I am also going with a group of retired teachers also. It is fun. I have to explain all the finer points to them. This forum has my undying gratitude for making me look so smart! Thank you everyone. LPO Denise, I know I've seen a Lego HP pen somewhere. I was going to try to find it on the Lego website, but it is not working today. Oh, I found one on eBay for you. Eleanor, I love your new avatar as well. Oh, thanks! I searched briefly last night and didn't see it so I appreciate you posting that for me. I had a Geico lizard pen that I really like, need to get a refill for it. I am a pen nut and find offbeat ones to have since that way, I can immediately see if a kid swipes it from me. Stationary/Office Supply stores are like a candy store for me. Speaking of candy, I saw a new batch of Bertie Botts Every Flavored Beans at both Wal-Mart and Toys R Us. They have a few new flavors, like bacon and rotten egg...how yummy (NOT)! Catherine - Sep 10, 2005 11:12 am (#338 of 2980) LOL, Denise. My students showed me the new Bertie Botts during our outdoor break last Wednesday. They were pretty gleeful about offering me the rotten egg one, but I declined. Even though I will not be their teacher in November, they are begging for a 7th grade trip to see GoF. I told them that I would act as a chaperone if someone else organized it. We are having fall-ish weather today, and it's wonderful. It was great to get some yard work done without feeling like I was going to pass out in the heat. Off to enjoy the day...hope everyone else is, also. Dame Peverell - Sep 10, 2005 11:46 am (#339 of 2980) I have never had any Bertie Botts. Do they really taste like all those things or are they just regular candy flavors? Stephanie M. - Sep 10, 2005 11:51 am (#340 of 2980) Edited Sep 10, 2005 12:48 pm Agassi just lost the 4th set and he is now playing in the 5th set. We'll just have to see... Edit: Well, Agassi won! (Finn, maybe Mike will still invite you to see POA.) They really do have those nasty flavors as well as regular ones. Most bags of the Bertie Botts come with a visual flavor guide to help you identify the various beans. Amilia Smith - Sep 10, 2005 3:37 pm (#342 of 2980) Here's a book I remember from my youth: A boy is a foster child, goes to live with a family in the Oregon or Washington woodlands, and ends up seeing Bigfoot. I had the book when I was around 10 or 11 years old, so the early, early 80's. Marie: Might that book be . Boy who saw Bigfoot, The by Marian T. Place Author: Place, Marian T. (Marian Templeton), 1910- A ten-year-old boy, placed once again with new foster parent, becomes involved in a search for Bigfoot. Dodd, Mead, copyright 1979, 96 p. I have just come across a wonderful database, NoveList. Among other things, you can search for a book by describing a plot. Check out your local libraries and see if they have access to it. Very cool. Have not had any luck finding your book, though, Denise. Mills. …and the price/shipping ($10/6.50 right now)… --Denise (a number of posts ago) Sorry, but when I read this (I've just gotten back from a six hours at a Bar Mitzvah, so I'm pretty tired) I saw, out of context, a few numbers and the words "price/shipping" and suddenly figured… you now have to subscribe to 'ship?? Just goes to show I am … **zzzzzz** Okey dokey, so… Mike, Andre's in the final. And I don't think you can blame my avatar if he loses to Federer, because that just… always happens against Roger. All this talk about white hairs… I must truthfully admit my blond hair is accented by white sideburns… Elanor, great new avatar! Spoken like a true new librarian-to-be, Mills! So, my day was basically school supply shopping and the Bar Mitzvah. Yes, it's that season again. We had most of them last year, and this year all the late bloomers have their Mitzvahs. (ie those people born in May or later; the parties only last through November or so though) I am staring at all the new posts and it is too much to handle. Ah, the duties of school life. So, Kim Clijsters took the US Open! I'm so happy for her! Poor Mary Pierce… two dismal finals this year! Better luck next year… At least they were very friendly at the ceremony. ***goes off to bed after pressing mark as read button… too many posts… not enough time…*** Edit: Oh yes, I finally splurged and ordered FB and QA and they arrived in the mail yesterday! I am so excited! I read all of QA yesterday and am about to start on FB… now I see the "Irma" of Pince. So many things I was missing out on… Stephanie M. - Sep 10, 2005 7:44 pm (#344 of 2980) All this talk about white hairs... I must truthfully admit my blond hair is accented by white sideburns... –Finn Well of course you have white sideburns! You have pictures of your grand kids to show people who card you that you are over 21! I'm also really happy that Kim Clijsters won! She has been playing SOO well recently! I want Federer to win because he is so good and he is in his prime while Agassi has already won so many tournaments! I love Agassi though and I would be so proud of him if he won. But I still want Federer to win! (Well, I wanted Nadal to win because he is so excited and energetic to play but he lost...) *Off to see if I have any gray hairs!! I am 13 you know... it seriously could happen any minute! Edit: Cross posted with Finn's Edit. Cool! Tell me all about it! I think I'll borrow my cousin's copy of each book. Amilia, you rock!! It must be that book; how many books about foster children who see Bigfoot can there be? A copyright of 1979 also sounds right. I would have been nine years old then. Finn is making me feel guilty for not following tennis better. She-Who-Fell-Asleep-During-POA loves tennis and keeps up with all the standings. I'm more of a NFL fan (Go Broncos!). I do remember when Mary Pierce still played for the US. She plays for France now, doesn't she? The bacon flavored Bertie Botts beans are truly hideous tasting. It's like eating a mouthful of bacon grease. I tried one because I like bacon and thought it would similar. I didn't even dare try rotten egg. OH, I'm sorry Mary Pierce didn't win! I like her very much. Yes, she is playing for France. I've read recently that she has 3 passports: French and American (her mother is French, her father American) and Canadian because she was born in Canada! I'm happy you like my avatar! The traditional ceremonies will take place this morning. I don't know if I can put a link to my town's site in English (nothing fishy about it, I promise!) so I
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Pogledaj cijelu verziju : Mama dugo nije vozila... PROBLEM !? Polozila sam sa 18 godina i od tada, znaci 10 godina, nisam vozila. Razlog- strah. Prije mjesec dana vozim sa instruktorom ( 1h-80kn), odvozila sam 16h, i kaze da mi vrlo lijepo ide. Nakon 10.sata mislio je da mi vise nije potrebno, ali ja sam si uzela za svaki slucaj jos 10. Mene je i dalje uzasno strah. Kruzni tok, prestrojavanje, parkiranje.....ja se doslovno gusim za volanom i nisam niti malo sigurna u sebe. Smatram da takva osoba ne bi trebala sjedati za volan jer je opasna i za sebe i druge. Svi kazu da sa vremenom kako sto vise vozis, strah nestane....meni to izgleda ne moguce.I zasto ovo pisem? Voljela bih cuti vase misljenje.Moje je da nismo svi za Sve. Ako sam zaista antitalent za voznju onda bolje da se mamim tog posla. Izmedju Marani i instruktora, izabrala sam instruktora zbog manje cijene, ali mi kaze mm da ako mi nece ici, onda mozemo probati sa Marani skolom, bar nekih 10 sati. Cure, mene je zaista strah! Kako da razlucim je li to samo mentalna blokada ili sam zaista nesposobna? BusyBee Ako doista zelis voziti, a pozitvino je sto ne zelis bilo kakva sjedati za volan, onda se ispalti razmisliti i o Maranijima. Osobno, nemam iskustva s njima, ali uputit cu ovamo jednu nasu forumasicu koja je pobijedila strah i nelagodu upravo zahvaljujuci njihovom programu. Lutonjica ovako, ja sam položila s 18 i odmah vozila (u manjem mjestu). uvijek me bilo pomalo strah i nikad se nisam potpuno oslobodila. a ići do zagreba i voziti po zagrebu mi je bila noćna mora (rotori, prestrojavanja, sve te kužim). kad sam 2002. ostala trudna, prestala sam voziti. i nisam vozila 4 godine. MM me nagovarao, ali moj strah je bio svaki dan sve veci. a nije mi pomagala ni cinjenica sto sada zivim u centru zagreba i ne mogu izbjeci prestrojavanja, guzve i zahebana parkiranja. ovo sad ne zvuci tako, ali to je bila prava ankioznost, panika, strah, ma uzas (inace, bio je vec topik o strahu od voznje auta, začudila bi se tko se sve boji voziti :lol: ) e, ali onda sam opet bila trudna i jedva hodala. a zarin vrtić na vrh brda. a zara me svaki dan ispituje zašto druge mame voze djecu u i iz vrtića, jedino mi idemo pješke... i sjela ja opet za volan. i sad sam si super sa svojim osjećajem slobode: da mogu kad hoću i gdje hoću bez da o ikome i ičemu ovisim. a to mi treba, pogotovo s dvoje djece :D mislim da ti samo treba pravi poticaj ;) Lutonjica evo topika: strah od voznje (http://www.roda.hr/rodaphpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=26913&highlight=strah+auto) ja polozila u trudnoci, u zagrebu, polozila iz prve sa minimalnim brojem sati, hvalio me instruktor sve super. vec sam bila usla u osmi mjesec trudnoce kad sam polozila i do porodjaja sam odlucila da necu vozit nego kad rodim. i nikad nisam sjela za volan od onda :predaja: takva me panika ulovi pri samoj pomisli da mi se noge odrezu. a od kad smo preselili najblizi ducan mi je kilometar od kuce. kad marko krene u vrtic tri kilometra, pedijatar u zagrebu 18 kilometara, prva ljekarna sest km. a ja ne mogu i ne mogu. uvijek se moram sa mm dogovarat i namjestat kad cemo gdje ici, to mora biti onda kad mm nema posla, kad marko ne spava i sl. svaki odlazak od kuce planiramo kao vojnu akciju. mogu slobodno reci da mi je brak u krizi od toga. a ovaj osjecaj slobode o kojem govori lutonjica....samo ga se sa nostalgijom sjecam iz vremena dok sam sve obavljala tramvajem :cry: Roko_mama Ja sam ispit položila sa 20 godina, nisam vozila, pa sam nakon 5 godina uzela instruktora i vozila s njim 10-ak sati, i onda opet nisam vozila jer mi tata nije mogao dat svoj auto. Onda sam se udala, ostala odmah u drugom stanju, rodila i nakon što je Roko navršio 6 mjeseci, odlučila sam da je stvarno glupo da ja moram za svaku sitnicu koju trebam obavit budit MM-a koji je došao iz noćne a meni auto stoji na dvorištu i čvrsto sam odlučila da ću počet vozit. Također napominjem da sam se užasno bojala voziti, imala sam grozan strah, bila sam suvozač u dvije dosta ružne saobraćajke i bilo mi se dosta teško odlučit počet vozit, čak je i instruktor rekao da se jako osjeti moj strah. MM i ja smo jednu nedjelju poslije ručka otišli na poligon (Roko je spavao, čuvala ga je baka) i tamo smo bili cca sat vremena, i tak par puta, dok on nije procijenio da mogu na cestu. U početku smo birali vrijeme kad baš nije bilo gužvi, a poslije polako sam sama ja birala kad sam željela vozit. Prvih cca mjesec dana nisam vozila Roka u autu dok se nisam oslobodila, a sad vozim bez problema kud god treba i tu svoju slobodu ne bi mjenjala za ništa. Najbitnije ti je da ti u glavi prelomiš svoj strah i kreneš, a ako ipak shvatiš da to nikako nije za tebe, nemoj forsirat. Ako možeš svakako probaj i sa Maranijem, ja nemam s njima iskustva, ali zašto ne probat. tanja_b Vidjela sam tekst o Maranima na portalu i zainteresirao me, ali mi je interes splasnuo kad sam vidjela cijenu na linku :/ Vozački sam polagala 6 puta i jedva ga položila. Nijedan ispit u životu nije me tako mučio kao vozački. Malo sam vozila, onda ostala trudna i prestala, ponovo sam počela voziti kad je trebalo Andreja voziti teti čuvalici i dan-danas vozim svaki dan. ALI: vozim samo na relaciji kuća-teta čuvalica (i izbjegavam voziti na drugim relacijama, iako centar grada i prometnu regulaciju u njemu imam u malom prstu - teoretski, naravno :mrgreen: ), a parkiranje mi je najgora noćna mora od koje doslovce gubim živce (sve ostalo sam nekako savladala). Kako je situacija s parkiranjem u Zagrebu svakim danom sve gora (jer ima sve više auta), ne mogu se nadati čudesnom rješenju ovog problema. Problem je vjerojatno u mojoj glavi. Pitanje za iskusnije: mislite li da bi nekakvi dodatni satovi bili od kakve koristi u ovom slučaju? Ili bi to bilo još jedno bacanje novca (kad se samo sjetim svih onih dodatnih sati za sva ona padanja na vozačkom, dođe mi da vrištim... srećom, pa je dosta vremena prošlo). ja vozim od 18. i kroz taj period skoro pa konstantna, ali isto se sjećam početka kada sam izašla iz auto škole, strah od prestrojavanja i svega navedenoga, ali da istina je s vremenom se sve to svlada fino polako, krenite tipa nedjeljom kada promet nije tako gust kao radnim danom i hop, hop začas ćete šajbati po gradu ko velike, a zbilja taj osjećaj slobode mnogo znači. ja recimo živim na brdu i ako ne želim busom do grada moram sjesti u auto, a da ne vozim bila bi stalno doma i kolica gurala uzbrdo - nizbrdo Ja sam položila od prve, i poslije godinama nisam vozila. Kad sam ostala trudna, onda mi je nekako potreba da autom mogu dijete u slučaju hude sile odvesti do najbliže bolnice prevladala strah i nelagodu od vožnje. MM i ja smo uvečer (oko 8 h, kad više nema tako puno prometa, a još nema pijanih vozača i luđaka koji namjerno idu kroz crveno) sjedali u auto i vozili prvo po kvartu, pa onda malo dalje... Prva moja samostalna vožnja bila je do jednog šoping centra do kojeg su ceste ok i uvijek ima mjesta za parkirati (taj mi je i danas omiljeni), a kad sam konačno došla doma sva sam se tresla od uzbuđenja. Ne znam kako bih da ne vozim, MM bi morao uzimati slobodne dane ili moljakati izlaz s posla za svaki specijalistički pregled za koji te naravno naručuju prije podne (a imali smo ih dosta), a ovako sam ja ili bila još na porodiljnom ili ja uzimala izlaz (kod mene je na poslu više child friendly atmosfera, a on ima stvarno grdu šeficu). Ali... ja ne volim voziti. Možda zato što isključivo vozim po gradu, vožnja mi je noćna mora. Prestrojavanje... ako mogu potrefiti traku koja će me dovesti cilju uz što manje prestrojavanja, nje se držim ko pijan plota koliko god sporija bila od drugih. Preticanje... za to mi treba razlog najmanje tipa 'auto ispred mene se uopće ne miče'. Ako mi netko potrubi jer sam prespora, sva se smetem i treba mi par minuta da me prođe panika i da mogu dalje voziti po automatizmu. Parkiranje... uh, uspijem se nekako uparkirati, ali rijetko iz prve (pa mi onda naravno počnu trubiti, pa se spetljam, pa tek onda ne ide) i sva budem u jednoj vodi. Kod mene nije u pitanju praksa, jer prakse sad imam, ali nikako da mi vožnja postane nešto prirodno, da mi 'uđe u krv'. Možda zato jer od početka nisam imala dobru pripremu, nešto tipa tata mi pokaže što je što, pa mi malo da da upalim auto, malo šaltam brzine, palim žmigavce... nego sam prvi put sjela na vozačko sjedalo kad sam došla instruktoru (šovinistu ženomrscu) u auto i sad ja odjednom moram vozit. Panika 100%, podrške 0%. I od tad je meni auto nešto s čime se ja borim. tanja_b Kod mene nije u pitanju praksa, jer prakse sad imam, ali nikako da mi vožnja postane nešto prirodno, da mi 'uđe u krv'. Možda zato jer od početka nisam imala dobru pripremu, nešto tipa tata mi pokaže što je što, pa mi malo da da upalim auto, malo šaltam brzine, palim žmigavce... nego sam prvi put sjela na vozačko sjedalo kad sam došla instruktoru (šovinistu ženomrscu) u auto i sad ja odjednom moram vozit. Panika 100%, podrške 0%. I od tad je meni auto nešto s čime se ja borim. Audrey, kužimo se ;) ali ipak mislim da nije stvar u pripremi prije autoškole. Nisam je ni ja imala, ali nisam imala ni instruktora ženomrsca - naprotiv, onaj drugi instruktor (jer promijenila sam autoškolu u tijeku događanja) bio je pun razumijevanja i izvrstan psiholog (iako je na prvi pogled odavao dojam nemarnog balavca) i samo njemu mogu zahvaliti što sam ipak položila taj vozački. Ja sam položila vozački s nepunih 18. Nakon ispita uopće nisam vozila 13 godina. Kad se u meni stvorila kritična masa nemoći, ljutnje i inata, uzela sam privatno instruktora i svaki dan 1 sat po centru do Borongaja i Maksimira, pa Savska i najkritičniji dijelovi. Prvih 10 sati bili su katastrofa. Instruktor je samo klimao glavom. Ali nisam se dala. Vozila sam 40 sati: 20 u njegovom i 20 u svojem autu. Najviše me je sputavao strah od ostalih sudionika u prometu. Nakon 40 sati rekao mi je da nema smisla da sjedi sa mnom u autu i da moram konačno krenuti sama ako mislim uopće voziti, a vožnja mi u tom trenutku nije bila baš najbajnija - o parkiranju da i ne govorim. Krenula sam sama. Doma psihičke pripreme, meditacija. Počela sam s krugovima oko kvarta jedne subote popodne i to polako ko da sam prvi put u autu. Mislim da sam sedam dana radila samo po tri kruga oko zgrade. Kad sam prvi put proširila putanju, morala sam se tri dana psihički odmarati zbog toga. :oops: Dva mjeseca sam se tako mic po mic kretala po kvartu. Okrznula stup i ogrebla o drvo jedanput. :saint: To je bilo prije godinu dana. A sada obožavam voziti. Nisam savršena, daleko od toga, ali kao i u svemu - samopouzdanje je pola posla. smile, ne brini. Ak sam ja uspjela, onda stvarno svatko može - nije da sam mjerna jedinica za spretnost. Pauzirala skoro pet godina, a i prije dok sam vozila, totalna fobija mi je bilo voziti centrom Zagreba. I dogodilo mi se da sam promijenila posao i ured mi je u strogom centru. Da vidiš kak provoziš, kak sam savladaš parking, naučiš smjerove, počneš actually gledat znakove... Nema više straha, a auto je još čitav! Sad bez ikakve frke uvalim Fabića u sjedalicu, sami se vozimo i sad mi je smiješno kak sam se bojala voziti dijete. sunce i svi ostali, hvala Vam! Ja nemam motivacije ni poticaja. Zelim uzivat dok vozim, a ne da mi se znoje ruke. Meni je ZET super. Ko torba se vozim bez straha. Mogu vozit do obliznjeg sc, ali ne i natrag jer sam se previse psihicki umorila. Lutonjice, hvala na linku, pogledat cu. Nis, jos cu odvozit ta 4h koja sam platila, pa cemo vidjeti. :heart: Zelim uzivat dok vozim, a ne da mi se znoje ruke. svima su se u početku znojile ruke, to jednostavno ide tako, a polako s vremenom postane gušt, da ne kažem koliko sam bila uvjerena da ja NIKADA, ali NIKADA se neću uspjeti uparkirati bočno, a sada ko od šale iz prve Ja potpisujem sve vaše strahove, a puno sam u povoljnijem položaju od vas. Naime, živim u gradiću bez ijednog semafora, a kružni tok ima samo jednu traku... Do posla pješačim 15-20 minuta, a najviše se psujem kišnom nedjeljom u 5.30 ujutro - auto je parkiran ispred kuće, a ja se močim :smajlić koji se lupa batom po glavi: MM mora svaki dan ranije odlaziti s posla da bi otišao po dijete u jaslice i zbog toga dobiva 1000 kn manju plaću tj. nema priliku zaraditi na prekovremenim satima. A do jaslica imam 5 km vožnje izvan grada po lijepoj cesti. Pedijatar nam je udaljen 35 km!!!!!!!! (MM opet mora odlazit ranije s posla) Položila sam vozački prije 7 godina - sve iz prve, bez greške. Instruktor i ispitivač su rekli da sam talentirana za vožnju :lol: :cry: Nikada nisam vozila. Ali moram počet!!!!!!!! Uzet ću 10 dodatnih sati i krenut. JEDNOSTAVNO MORAM!!!! I meni je taj strah jakooo poznat. Sam je došao, totalno nepozvan :mrgreen: i dugo nisam vozila zbog toga. Ovdje je bitno napomenuti da ukoliko znate voziti a strah vas je, iz mojeg iskustva, škola vožnje ne pomaže previše, jer nije preoblem u neznanju već u strahu! Ja sam se spremala kod psihologa da vidim a zašto me je strah, i onda su sasvim slučajno uletili dečki iz Maranija. Baš na prepad su me ulovili, otišla sam (tada sam bila trudna s Timijem), odradila trening, a prije toga jedan individualni dio. I sad vozim :D TSV Marani i RODA (http://www.roda.hr/tekstovi.php?TekstID=4&Tekst2ID=&Show=1886) Moja priča je malo drugačija jer ne vozim sad već pune tri godine, a razlog - užasni strah. Iako mi je jedan od najdražih dana u životu dan kada sam dobila vozačku i obožavam se voziti, ovaj strah me pere već dosta dugo. Odluka da sjednem ponovo za volan je već dugo prisutna, no nikako da se to i dogodi. Mislila sam zatražiti pomoć psihologa ili nešto slično no onda sam upoznala ekipu iz TSV Marani. Mario mi je pomogao da oslobodim veliki dio svojih strahova, prošli smo kroz njihov trening "Vi i Vaš auto", gdje je program u potpunosti prilagođen vozaču, ovaj put meni. U ugodnoj atmosferi dosta smo pričali o vožnji, mojim strahovima, prometu i sl. gdje sam nakon nekog vremena jedva dočekala sjesti u auto i zaista po prvi puta bez straha vozila. Osjećaj je bio predobar. Ja nisam mogla vjerovati da vozim!! Nakon treninga sigurne vožnje mislim da se maknuo i zadnji dio mojih strahova jer što su nam tamo pokazali i dali zaista će jako utjecati na moj način vožnje i otkloniti taj nesretni strah koji me prati. A ja ću biti sretna vozačica, te definitivno sigurnija. I zato - veliko hvala ekipi iz Maranija. ...e ja npr. vozim već 13 godina,svaki dan i nije me niakd strah..osim..... :( .....u zadnje vrijeme kad se susretnem s nekim kamionom odmah se sjetim naših kumova i žmarci me prođu.......tužno,ali istinito. Položila sam sve isprve, imala sam odličnog instruktora. Inače živim u manjem mjestu, donedavno smo imali samo 1 semafor. Najbolji savjet mi je dao tata - samo vozi!!! Normalno da kad odvezeš tih 30 sati (bar je tako bilo prije 10 god) da ne znaš voziti i da imaš 0% iskustva. Prvo se voziš sporednim cestama i dobro znanim rutama. Kad se sjetim prve vožnje u Zg, ajmee ... a i danas me prilikom parkiranja oblije znoj jer su svi tak živčani ak to ne napraviš u doslovce 3 sec. I mene isto kao i Leeloo nakon svake teške nesreće, pogotovo ovako kobne bude sve više i više strah. Ne sumnjam toliko u vlastite sposobnosti koliko me strah drugih na cesti, npr. svima dobro znanih nabrijanih ljudi koji valjda ispred sebe ne mogu vidjeti nikoga pa rade pi******* na cesti, voze se ko luđaci, pretječu, turiraju na semaforima, itd. I naravno, onda od policije ni p. E jesam ga razvezala! Cure, samo hrabro i polako, šaljem vam puno ~~~~~~~~~~~ da se oslobodite straha od vožnje. Uvjerena sam da je neka hića da biste to napravile super bez razmišljanja :) Položila sam sve isprve, imala sam odličnog instruktora. Inače živim u manjem mjestu, donedavno smo imali samo 1 semafor. Najbolji savjet mi je dao tata - samo vozi!!! Normalno da kad odvezeš tih 30 sati (bar je tako bilo prije 10 god) da ne znaš voziti i da imaš 0% iskustva. Prvo se voziš sporednim cestama i dobro znanim rutama. Kad se sjetim prve vožnje u Zg, ajmee ... a i danas me prilikom parkiranja oblije znoj jer su svi tak živčani ak to ne napraviš u doslovce 3 sec. I mene isto kao i Leeloo nakon svake teške nesreće, pogotovo ovako kobne bude sve više i više strah. Ne sumnjam toliko u vlastite sposobnosti koliko me strah drugih na cesti, npr. svima dobro znanih nabrijanih ljudi koji valjda ispred sebe ne mogu vidjeti nikoga pa rade pi******* na cesti, voze se ko luđaci, pretječu, turiraju na semaforima, itd. I naravno, onda od policije ni p. E jesam ga razvezala! Cure, samo hrabro i polako, šaljem vam puno ~~~~~~~~~~~ da se oslobodite straha od vožnje. Uvjerena sam da je neka hića da biste to napravile super bez razmišljanja :) mamuška meni je nekoliko članova obitelji poginulo u različitim nesrećama, tak da ja ne vozim već 2 godine, otkad sam položila :( strah me sudara, strah me da me netko ne bubne sa strane, od iza, kad pomislim da mi počnu trubit jer nisam reagirala u roku od 3 sekunde mislim da bi se rasplakala i izašla iz auta :tele: prestrojavanje i kružni tok ne postoje u mom svemiru. tekst s portala me oduševio jer ipak ima nade za mene, znam da imam blokadu u glavi koju MORAM riješiti. al ne znam koji je program za mene - Vi i vaš auto, trening 1 na 1, kondicijski trening??? mislim da mi odgovara najviše Vi i vaš auto, al piše da se trening provodi u mom autu, pa KAK ĆU JA DOĆ DO TAM???????? S AUTOM???? NEMA ŠANSE!!! morat će me muž dovest, pa on nek se vraća s tram!!! ili još gora paranoja- INSTRUKTOR NEMA SVOJU KOČNICU DA MOŽE REAGIRATI, PA UBIT ĆU NEDUŽNOG ČOVJEKA, SEBE I NEROĐENO DIJETE!!! sva odgovornost je na meni???? katastrofa! :unsure: martinaP Ja sam od onih koje nisu ni htjele ići na vozaćki, nisam uopće imala želju voziti (niti se volim voziti). Ali bilo mi je jasno da je to danas nužno. Položila sam vozački iz prve, u Zagrebu, sa onih minimalnih 30 sati vožnje, i vozila sam nakon toga dosta po Zg (uvijek s MM-om u autu), i vozila sam solidno. Onda smo imali jednu bedastu prometnu nesreću, ne svojom krivnjom, tipična glupa zagrebačka nesreća. MM je vozio, ja sam bila na suvozačkom mjestu. Valjda sam tad postala svjesna koliko kretena ima na cesti, i koliko je lako stradati ne svojom krivnjom. Nakon toga, 2 godine nisam vozila :( . U međuvremenu smo preselili u Vž, i nisam vozila dok nisam ostala trudna. Polako sam počela voziti, s MM-om u autu, i šokiralo me koliko malo zabroaviš (istina je ono da kad jednom naučiš voziti, vrlo malo ti treba da obnoviš znanje). Tek nedavno sam počela sama voziti, bez MM-a u autu, za sad vozim samo na poznatim relacijama, gdje znam da ima parkinga. I ide mi skroz dobro, još me malo muči bočno parkiranje, ali i to ću svladati. mamuška, pa dogovoriš se da oni dođu do tebe. hajde, samo polako :love: mamuška Nika, :love: evo, ako ja sjednem za volan i počnem vozit sve u 16, onda mogu svi!!! javim se s rezultatima, kad god to bilo... tanja_b Ja sam od onih koje nisu ni htjele ići na vozaćki, nisam uopće imala želju voziti (niti se volim voziti). Ali bilo mi je jasno da je to danas nužno. Tako sam i ja, samo meni nije bilo dovoljno 30 sati, nego triput više :mrgreen: Kad bolje razmislim, nije mene strah vožnje. Strah me: -da neću naći mjesto za parkiranje, pa ću izgubiti vrijeme vrteći se po uličicama, izgubiti živce i napraviti neku štetu na autu, i još će mi netko trubiti; -da neću na vrijeme reagirati i da ću izazvati nesreću (ovo mi se još nikad nije desilo, ali uvijek stigne) -da će naletjeti na mene crni BMW-džip ili crni audi i pomesti me na mjestu i još će se derati na mene da kako to vozim (meni je stvarno zlo kad vidim te crne terence po gradskim ulicama, izgledaju kao pogrebna kola a najčešće i voze kao luđaci) Kad bih mogla voziti tako da osim mene i još 2-3 mala auta na cesti više nema nikoga, bila bih vrhunska, samouvjerena vozačica :mrgreen: tanja_b ja potpuno isto tako. sad sam proucila malo ovaj marani, mislim da cu na to. nije jeftino ali mislim da bi mm dao tri put toliko da ne cuje moje, "hm, morali bi u knjiznicu, trznicu, do rode, moram si ic kupit cipele...kad si slobodan?" mamuška tanja_b ja potpuno isto tako. sad sam proucila malo ovaj marani, mislim da cu na to. nije jeftino ali mislim da bi mm dao tri put toliko da ne cuje moje, "hm, morali bi u knjiznicu, trznicu, do rode, moram si ic kupit cipele...kad si slobodan?" baš tako. Ja naprosto obožavam automobile, a užasno me bilo strah voziti. Onda sam vidila kako se drugi komodaju s autom, i nakon par godina, krenula. Vozila sam mali auto i bilo je lakše nego sad kad imamo stvarno veliki odnosno duuugi auto. Nakon poroda, godinu dana se nisam usudila s bebom voziti (sama da). Tek sad kad ga mogu vidjeti što radi, vozamo se okolo. Smile, evo ti moj prijedlog i što je mene oslobodilo: odaberi jednu poznatu rutu, odredi točne ulice i semafore kuda ćeš ići od mjesta A do mjesta B (nemoj da bude predaleko za početak, ali nemoj ni da bude kvart) i vozi tu rutu svaki dan, mjesec dana. Nakon toga odredi drugu i tako dalje. Vidjet ćeš kako ćeš polako steći samopouzdanje za volanom za par mjeseci. Ovako ti je možda sve previše zbrkano i gužvovito i buni te. Probaj, isplati se. Položila sam vozački sa 18, iz prve. Dakle, imam vozačku već 7 godina. Nakon toga sam tu i tamo malo vozila sa MM (tada MD), al nikad sama. Jednom sam vozila sama i nije mi baš bilo svejedno. Nisam se nikad ispraksirala jer mi, kao, nije trebalo. Veći dio godine sam bila u zg-u dok sam studirala, kad bi došla doma uglavnom sam vozila skuter ili me vozio dečko i tako prošlo vrijeme... A stalno me MM nagovara da počnem vozit (a on je stvarno strpljiv kao instruktor!), a ja sve sutra pa sutra. A morat ću brzo... Al nekako mislim da nisam neki vozački talent! Meni su stvarno ove naše prometne trake preuske! :mrgreen: A da vam ne pričam da ovdje nema ni semafora ni kružnih tokova ni prestrojavanja pa bi trebalo bit lako....hm... Ruby, tako cu i uciniti. Zivim blizu jarunskog placa, pa ce mi prva ruta biti Mladost bazen. Blizu, ali opet kad si sam u autu i 1km mi izgleda too much. Jednostavno mi je ici i do Metroa, po Ljubljanskoj samo ravno, par skretanja, i sparkanje ravno tj ukoso. Mm je jedan od onih koji poludi na spore vozace, i pozivcani ako se ne sparkiraju u 3sec, tako da ja vec godinama slusam njegove komentare- daj kaj se vuces, mici se sa ceste ak ne znas voziti, gle, sparkirao je auto ko da mu je iz dupeta ispao ( oprostite na izrazu ), tako da je uz strah moj problem da sam smetalo na cesti. Sa instruktorom vozim po ogranicenju.Sta to znaci? Ljubljanska 60km, Savska 50, Horvacanska 40, i ja te granice ne prelazim. Jako se borim sa tim ogranicenjima, jer kad vidite da na Horvacanskoj prelete svi kraj vas 80, onda si mislim da me psuju i zivcane( jer me svi preticu i ostanem u najvecoj spici sama na cesti). Cijelo vrijeme mi instruktor govori da se ne zamaram time, i onda sama skuzim da ti koji su me preletili, nasli smo se svi na semaforu, jer su se svi oni tamo nagurali, a ja sam lijepo laganini dosla i vec se pali zeleno i ne moram cak ni stati .....jel kuzite o cem pricam? Nisam ni znala da ima toliko vas koje se boje.....i koliko god da citam o vama i je i nije mi lakse, jer znam da nisam sama, a opet, svatko misli za sebe da je njegov strah najveci.....ne znam, dajte mi vi molim vas svoje blagoslove, pa cu nadam se uz veliki trud uspjeti. Nisam bas neki borac u zivotu i lako odustajem. Najradje bih htjela da se jedno jutro probudim sa ljubavlju prema voznji i autima, i sva ova "nocna mora" nestane. Ma samo daj, pa svi smo se mi u početku bojali i bili nesigurni. Kad potpuno izgubiš strah, postaješ malo neoprezniji. Zato je bolje da se malkice bojiš jer više paziš. Ali svakako se trebaš oslobodit paničnog straha. A ovi što jure kraj tebe- :coffee: , ovo je pravi smajlić. Sretno i kreni! Ovaj gost sam ja, ali se nisam prijavila :oops: . hvala svima na otvaranju ove korisne teme... vrlo je lijepo i ugodno procitati da ipak netko cijeni naš rad.Hvala! Ne zaboravite da prolaskom kondicijske vožnje sudjelujete u potpori udruge Rode sa 10% uplaćenog iznosa. Sve osobe koje imaju bilo kakve upite u vezi izbora programa ili tome slično molim da nazovu na broj telefona 01/6555-147 ili 091/325-4834 (Bojan) I ja imam sutra dogovor sa instruktorom! :D :D Bravo ja!!! martinaP Čestitam, cure, samo naprijed :D . Ovo sa Maranijima je stvarno super! Super! U stvari je super znati da nas vozackih kukavica ima vise,da nismo usamljene i nesposobne sjesti za volan. A koje sam strahove prozivljavala, sanjala kako mi se tramvaj priblizava, a ja ni makac..ma uzas. Lutonjica evo da vam još jednom dam podršku! :love: ja sam trenutno u fazi da sama vozim svoje curke u autu i da se osjećam dobro s tim! čak sam jednom morala stati i podojiti margitu, ali nije bilo ni frke ni panike. ja sam krenula i vozim svaki drugi dan sa maranijem. preporucila bih svakome. vec sad se osjecam sigurnije...cak sam i produzila vozacku koja mi je bila istekla :mrgreen: apricot lu, :klap: (a koliko će to tek Rodi značiti) 8) Odvozila sam 20 sati i uzasno mi je i dalje u autu. Nemam ideju na koji nacin bi mi marani pomogao...... :( smile, dođi u subotu na boćarski bit će tamo pa možeš iz prve ruke sve pitati. Lu, bravo :D moras nam napisati izvjestaj Bravo zenske! Ma, vozicu i ja, ne mogu stalno misliti crne misli i plasiti se. Inace, poslije porodjaja se plasim svega i svacega, postala sam potpuna kukavica. Osim voznje, moja potpuna blokada je potpisivanje dokumenata, a mjenica mi podstice apsolutno kocenje svih misica sake, srce mi ubrzano kuca, dlanovi se znoje, kao kreten. Jako sam ljuta na sebe i ne znam cemu i odakle sve te fobije! Ne postoji nikakva sankcija koju bih mogla dobiti ukoliko u necemu pogrijesim, ali pritisak da necu izdrzati i taj najobicniji napor i odgovornost mi je uzasan. Znam da nema razloga, ali to je tu i kad krene potpisivanje, ja sam van sebe. A to mi je posao. Mozda bi mi odgovaralo vracanje na odgovornost majke i kucanice, nista papiri, nista mjenice... Samo Andrej i ja, pa tek sam pocela raditi nakon bolovanja. Joooj! A poslije takvog dana sa potpisivanjem ugovora, potrebno mi je vrijeme za smirenje. I kako onda sjesti i voziti??! nažalost današnji tempo života i individualni problemi utječu na sve sfere života i na sve sudionike pogotovo u prometu. Slažem se s Vama da je sve to naporono :( i stresno i upravo zato i tome služe kondicioni treninzi vožnje gdje ne samo da vas učimo kako najsigurnije i najbolje voziti i učestvati u prometu već INDIVIDUALNIM radom s instruktorom/moderatorom :love: posebno na psihološko socijalnim aspektima vožnje i prometa opčenito. možda zvuči komplicirano ali nije, stanje duha, trenutne koncentracije i percepcije na utjecaj vanjskih elemenata ima veliku ulogu ALI JE NA NAMA KAKO I NA KOJI NAČIN REAGIRAMO :shock: ILI NE :) ! Evo ja danas odvozila blok sat sa instruktorom iz Maranija i možda je još rano, ali imam jako dobar feeling. U toku vožnje postavljam sva moguća glupa pitanja u vezi vožnje i prometa, i mislim da ću se uskoro početi snalaziti. Samo sam nakon ta 2 sata umorna kao da sam trčala maraton... :lol: smile, odi pa probaj. koštat će te novaca, ali vrijedi. pa ako stvarno nisi za vožnju (u što sumnjam) barem znaš da si sve probala. kad postanem pravi vozac napisat cu izvjestaj 8) sutra opet imam dupli sat. sta se straha tice mislim da tesko da je netko gori od mene. pola sata prije nego imam voznju pocnu mi se hladiti ruke. u auto ulazim sa grcevima :roll: . kad sam procitala Lut da je neki dan zaustavila auto da podoji marge meni je bilo :shock: ne da ne mogu ni zamisliti da vozim dijete nego da mi dijete zaplace a ja sama s njim u autu pala bi u nesvjest od hiperventilacije. ali malo po malo...vjerujem da cu uspjet. malo se opustim tek nakon sto odvozim sat vremena. drugi sat sam malo bolje. ali to je znak da cu nakon puno sati biti ok :) Vozim već punih trinaest godina,bez problema. Volim voziti-male aute,jeep,sad imamo karavan a ovo sam ljeto vozila i kombi. :mrgreen: Ipak,kad sam počela voziti djecu,primjetila sam da vozim puno sporije i opreznije. Vozim već punih trinaest godina,bez problema. Volim voziti-male aute,jeep,sad imamo karavan a ovo sam ljeto vozila i kombi. :mrgreen: Ipak,kad sam počela voziti djecu,primjetila sam da vozim puno sporije i opreznije. i ja.-ma,meni je zapravo vožnja užitak..-obaveznu imam zalihu CDova i to onih laganini pjesama tipa Luky ili Oliver..za razliku od MM koji stalno pušta kako ih ja zovem-kreštavce i full glasno,posve suprotno od mene... medoribica Joj i ja spadam (spadala sam :mrgreen: ) u strašljivice.... Položila sam iz prve, ali uvijek je bio nekakav grč i buuuh....i nisam tako vozila nekih 5-6 godina. Onda sam kod tatinog prijatelja-instruktora odlučila odvoziti još nekih dodatnih satova i vozila sam možda mjesec,dva dok kod jednog skretanja nisam zakočila i s velikom brzinom skrenula i taman tamo neki kamion.... i ode lijevi prednji blatobran.... Mislila sam da više nikad, ali nikad neću sjesti za volan. Kad sam dobila posao u Poreču, a nema puno autobusnih veza iz Rovinja, u suzama sam, u pratnji MM, vozila prvi put na posao. I drugi put, treći put i svaki put sve lakše.... Evo i sad nisam vozila godinu i pol (bolovanje+trudnoća+porodiljni), i bez problema krenula sam u pon.na posao, ali puunnoo opreznijeeee......... :P Lutonjica kad postanem pravi vozac napisat cu izvjestaj 8) sutra opet imam dupli sat. sta se straha tice mislim da tesko da je netko gori od mene. pola sata prije nego imam voznju pocnu mi se hladiti ruke. u auto ulazim sa grcevima :roll: . kad sam procitala Lut da je neki dan zaustavila auto da podoji marge meni je bilo :shock: ne da ne mogu ni zamisliti da vozim dijete nego da mi dijete zaplace a ja sama s njim u autu pala bi u nesvjest od hiperventilacije. ali malo po malo...vjerujem da cu uspjet. malo se opustim tek nakon sto odvozim sat vremena. drugi sat sam malo bolje. ali to je znak da cu nakon puno sati biti ok :) Lu, meni je zapravo pomoglo kad sam shvatila koliko toga u prometu mogu sama kontrolirati. znači, ako beba zaplače, znam da mogu stati na prvo moguće mjesto i podojiti ju, ili što već treba. i sve je ok. ili, jučer sam npr. fulala traku u centru grada za vrijeme najveće gužve. prije bi oko toga napravila silnu paniku, frku, ukočila bih se, ono, kaj sad, u krivoj sam traci, aaaaaa!!! sad shvaćam da imam opcije i da nemam zašto paničariti. odlučila sam ostati u toj krivoj traci, napravila mali krug i vratila se na pravi put. mogla sam se i preguravati u pravu traku, ali nisam (još) taj tip. važno je da sam znala da imam opcije i da je sve cool. mislim, ja znam da ovo uhodanim vozačima zvuči logično i kao glupost, ali meni su trebale godine da shvatim ovako nešto. Lutonjice, baš si dobro to opisala! Najgore je raditi frku tamo gdje je nema, i misliti si da je tragedija što ne pokušavaš nešto što bi iskusniji vozač napravio. Još da ti i trube, avaj... Ja sa instruktorom iz Maranija vozim po svim mogućim cestama, srećom nije me strah (to je nestalo ekspresno), i komentiramo zajedno moju vožnju, što radim, što bih ili ne bih trebala, kako držim volan, šaltam brzine, itd. Samo sam nakon te vožnje totalno iscrpljena. Jučer sam poslije vožnje prešla cestu na crveno, a danas sam skoro bankomatu rekla hvala kad mi je izbacio lovu :lol: . Kao Kelly Bundy. Mogu naučiti nešto novo pod uvjetom da zaboravim nešto staro, pa da se napravi mjesta... :lol: mamuška Joe :lol: :love: Lutonjice, ovo si taaako točno opisala! Ja još uvijek težim tom famoznom kliku u glavi... Evo, cure, danas sam vas čitala; i potaknule ste me da nakon 3 godine ponovo sjednem za volan. Uhvatila sam MM da ide sa mnom i odvozila oko 45 minuta! Totalno sam ponosna na sebe, auto mi se nije nijednom ugasio... samo sad mi se već dva sata noge tresu. :mrgreen: Lutonjica asimon :D ja sam danas naišla na jedan drugi problem: obje cure su mi zaspale u autu, zara tako duboko da nije bila sposobna hodati od parkinga do stana. a ne mogu nositi i nju i margitu. a MM dolazi doma za sat vremena. i ništa, vozikala sam se po gradu tih sat vremena :mrgreen: Uh, danas nije bilo baš tako dobro :( Opet sam išla s MM i prvih 45 minuta je bilo dobro... a onda mi se na jednom semaforu ugasilo auto, a ja doživjela totalni blackout. Nemam pojma što trebam napraviti, ne znam komande, šumi mi u ušima... mrzim taj osjećaj gubitka kontrole! I nekako smo upalili i krenuli, nemam pojma kako sam prošla kroz slijedeće križanje, nisam skoro vidjela da je crveno! ( :evil: tako sam ljuta na sebe što se ne mogu skulirati i reći: pa što ako se ugasilo, upali i idemo dalje... uh, najrađe bih se kao onaj smajlić toljagom po glavi...) Ako ja uspijem ovo prevladati, onda stvarno svatko može voziti... :/ He, sutra ću opet...ipak sam ja tvrdoglavi bik...držite mi fige! Lu, meni je zapravo pomoglo kad sam shvatila koliko toga u prometu mogu sama kontrolirati. e pa to je to!! a ja sam stalno mislila da je voziti auto kao da si u video igrici pa sve nesto leti oko tebe a tebi najbolje zabit glavu dole da nista ne vidis i ne cujes. a nemas pojma koliko meni treba auto. danas smo tri puta bili u zagrebu, sve je nesto meni trebalo ic, i svaki put me mm mora vozit. zivimo 20 km od zagreba sa 1 autobusom dnevno, a taj vozi iz susjednog sela :lol: Uh, danas nije bilo baš tako dobro :( Opet sam išla s MM i prvih 45 minuta je bilo dobro... a onda mi se na jednom semaforu ugasilo auto, a ja doživjela totalni blackout. Nemam pojma što trebam napraviti, ne znam komande, šumi mi u ušima... mrzim taj osjećaj gubitka kontrole! I nekako smo upalili i krenuli, nemam pojma kako sam prošla kroz slijedeće križanje, nisam skoro vidjela da je crveno! ( :evil: tako sam ljuta na sebe što se ne mogu skulirati i reći: pa što ako se ugasilo, upali i idemo dalje... uh, najrađe bih se kao onaj smajlić toljagom po glavi...) Ako ja uspijem ovo prevladati, onda stvarno svatko može voziti... :/ He, sutra ću opet...ipak sam ja tvrdoglavi bik...držite mi fige! ..to s gašenjem auta-i meni se u početku stalno dešavalo..-mislim da je stvar u baratanju s kvačilom,jel'da?..hmm..-savjet iskusne vozačice he he..-moraš ga polako otpuštati kad kočiš a ne naglo,auto se onda zaguši.Meni npr. kad imam neke cipele debelog đona tipa škarpone se to i dan danas dešava jer ne osjećam dobro papučicu gasa...... :mrgreen: :love: sretno! :heart: Joj asimon, pa to ti je jako rano da počneš očajavati. Treba malo više od jednog sata. Nemoj se mučiti. Daj si vremena! :love: samaritanka Mislim da je jako važno za svakog nevozača da analizira sebe, ali i okolicu i ljude s kojim živi ili je u tom vozačkom svijetu živjela. Strahovi i rastu ako smo dosta toga lošeg vidjeli ili ako imamo same Šumahere oko sebe koji svoju virtuoznost lagano podvlače u svakodnevnom životu. Skloni smo i tome da vlastitom strahu damo takve razmjere da nas on dokraja onesposobi. Zagreb je inače vrlo loše rješio vrlo značajne prometne punktove, tako loše da ti je glava u torbi, to znači i kod dobrog i kod lošeg vozača, a mogu primjetiti da su ulasci u gradove Rijeku i Split prilično nejasni i na momente opasni. Mnogi izbjegavaju te punktove koliko mogu, a ako ne mogu, dobro razmisle kako će tu prepreku bezbolno prijeći. Zagrebu je također teško riješiti te probleme jer bi morao porušiti pola okolnih građevina da bi riješio problem kako treba. Zagreb također računa da se vremenom ljudi naviknu... Međutim to ne pomaže onome u strahu jer taj misli da se to samo njemu događa. Međutim u svemu pomaže i uvijek je pomagalo "biti spor" i to je ono čega sam se ja držala, sve dok se prirodno vremenom ne ubrzate... Problem su i "dobronamjerni" savjetnici koji veličaju sami sebe ili nemaju živaca. Otkrijte ih u svojoj neposrednoj blizini i nemojte se voziti s njima. Bolje to radite sami. Za opuštanje za volanom preporučujem autoputeve, za grad preporučujem "sporost" i ovo što Ruby kaže smišljene rute. Za parkiranje parkiranje prema naprijed sve dok se ne uvježba kako treba prema nazad tamo gdje tim pokušajima ne zaustavljamo pola gradskog prometa. Zdenka2 Za prave početnike ja bih savjetovala da se voze sami. Odite na neke nezahtjevne ceste s malo prometa. Naučit ćete baratati komandama bez stalnog ubacivanja i savjetovanja sa strane. Bit ćete opušteniji i bolje ćete voziti. Prvo treba ovladati autom, a onda se može ići u složenije prometne situacije. tanja_b Međutim u svemu pomaže i uvijek je pomagalo "biti spor" i to je ono čega sam se ja držala, sve dok se prirodno vremenom ne ubrzate... Ovo sam skužila na vrijeme i stvarno funkcionira, samo što još uvijek nisam došla do ubrzanja :mrgreen: Za prave početnike ja bih savjetovala da se voze sami. Odite na neke nezahtjevne ceste s malo prometa. Naučit ćete baratati komandama bez stalnog ubacivanja i savjetovanja sa strane. Bit ćete opušteniji i bolje ćete voziti. Prvo treba ovladati autom, a onda se može ići u složenije prometne situacije. Meni se čini da je bolje uzeti instruktora tj. čovjeka koji sve zna o autima i vožnji a nemaš s njim osobni odnos. Ti voziš a on te upozorava na greške. Ne možeš sam skužiti gdje griješiš a aspekata vožnje ima bezbroj. cure drage, hvala vam na podršci! :love: Ma ne očajavam ja, znam da je još prerano za to, ja sam ustvari ponosna na sebe što sam se uopće ponovo odvažila sjesti za volan. Ali opet mi se javlja taj stari problem "gubitka kontrole" koji me ustvari živcira. to s gašenjem auta-i meni se u početku stalno dešavalo..-mislim da je stvar u baratanju s kvačilom,jel'da?..hmm..-savjet iskusne vozačice he he..-moraš ga polako otpuštati kad kočiš a ne naglo,auto se onda zaguši.Meni npr. kad imam neke cipele debelog đona tipa škarpone se to i dan danas dešava jer ne osjećam dobro papučicu gasa.... :* Hvala na dobrim savjetima! znam, znam sve te fore sa kuplungom, ali meni se obično problem dogodi u nekom križanju kad treba napraviti više radnji odjednom, i kad koncentracija treba biti najveća... tad, da bih sve što brže napravila počnem griješiti. I da, znam nije poanta da sve to što brže napravim, nego da vozim sigurno i prema svojim mogućnostima, ali u tim trenucima imam osjećaj da gubim kontrolu. Taj me problem prati od početka vozačke karijere, i zbog njega nikad zaista nisam "provozila". A i tu foru sa cipelama znam i mislim da je jako važno da se vozi u ugodnim i mekim cipelama u kojima se može osjetiti jačina pritiska. Jedno ljeto sam probala voziti u japankama...ajme užas! Međutim u svemu pomaže i uvijek je pomagalo "biti spor" i to je ono čega sam se ja držala, sve dok se prirodno vremenom ne ubrzate... spora sam ja, ali onda mi se događaju situacije da mi se frajer nalijepi i jedva čeka trenutak da me pretekne, a kad još počnu trubiti, :evil: U biti to me najviše smeta i dekoncentrira. A ovo je mali grad sa previše auta i stalno i svugdje se događaju takve situacije. Problem su i "dobronamjerni" savjetnici koji veličaju sami sebe ili nemaju živaca. Otkrijte ih u svojoj neposrednoj blizini i nemojte se voziti s njima. Bolje to radite sami. Zasad nema šanse da bih sjela u auto s ikim osim MM i ili instruktorom vožnje, baš zbog tih komentara, pa bili oni i totalno dobronamjerni. A MM stvarno ima sa mnom puno strpljenja i lijepo i pažljivo objašnjava. S njim sam naučila masu više nego u autoškoli. A u autoškolski auto ne bih željela iz još jednog razloga: ako mi instruktor ispravi pogrešnu radnju na duplim komandama, nema učenja ni pomaka, a pogotovo ne razbijanja ove moje "blokade". A ja moram naučiti da mi "ne bude bitno" 8) , nego da bez obzira na sve idem dalje... mislim da meni treba psiholog a ne instruktor vožnje Sama još ne usudim, ali, znam da je to dobro, jer sam prije sa starim autom to znala napraviti i stvarno se činilo lakše. Kad odvozim još koji sat, opet ću probati i sama. Evo drage moje, danas show program na vožnji. Pri kraju drugog sata, ja na aveniji Dubrovnik kod Inine zgrade propustim bus, iza mene stane još jedan auto a treći se zabije u njega i eto ti lijepo lančanog nabijanja u guzicu... tako da smo trebali čekati policiju, uviđaj, i tako to... i dok moj instruktor ne popravi auto, ništa od vožnje... nadam se da će to biti uskoro, taman sam počela guštati 8) Evo drage moje, danas show program na vožnji. Pri kraju drugog sata, ja na aveniji Dubrovnik kod Inine zgrade propustim bus, iza mene stane još jedan auto a treći se zabije u njega i eto ti lijepo lančanog nabijanja u guzicu... tako da smo trebali čekati policiju, uviđaj, i tako to... i dok moj instruktor ne popravi auto, ništa od vožnje... nadam se da će to biti uskoro, taman sam počela guštati 8) cula sam za tvoju zgodu. i meni je odgodjena voznja. kad me instruktor zvao velim mu ja " a jadan onaj koji je vozio, da sam bila ja ne bi vise sjela za volan" :lol: uzas sad vidis koliko toga ovisi o drugima na cesti. Ma ne damo se mi stara samo tako 8) Kad smo se slupali, prvo sam malo uhvatila dah (ipak je to šok), onda smo utvrdili da nisam kriva (što mi je užasno bitno) i da nitko nije ozlijeđen, i nakon toga smo lijepo sat i pol čekali uviđaj policije, tako da sam kasnila Nikoli u bolnicu (a posjete su samo od 2 do 6), i to mi je bilo najgore. Srećom moja sestra je bila slobodna pa je otišla kod njega da ne bude sam dok ja ne dođem. Ali nije me obeshrabrilo za daljnju vožnju. To će ipak malo pričekati dok se ne popravi auto. TeinaMama Ja sam prvu "saobračajku" imala kad je Tea imala 4 mjeseca. Nije bilo strašno i dogodilo se taaaak bezveze da je to za ne vjerovati. Ja i moj susjed preko puta smo u isto vrijeme izlazili na rikverc iz dvorišta i lupili se nasred ceste. Bio je dosta jaki udarac jer smo se oboje malo požirili da izađemo što prije van. Cesta je jako prometna i imamo sreće da još netko nije naletio na nas. Otada se uvijek okrećem u dvorištu i idem van prema naprijed. Tei nije bilo ništa, osim što se uplašila. Eto, ja sam to napisala tak da se vidi da nesmijete biti lijeni dijete sigurno i pravilno smjestiti u autosjedalici čak i kad idete tri kuće dalje s autom. Hvala Bogu da postoji ova tema... Ja sam mislila da sam jedina. Kad vidim tko sve vozi auto, a ja se ne usudim, slabo mi dođe. I sad je situacija ovakva, mužić me vozi svuda. Kupili smo novi auto, veliki, za bebu i sve njegove stvari. A meni ispred zgrade stoji stari auto koji je sad moj. I ako ga vozim mogu sa šefom ići svuda, na kupanje, u shopping, u šetnje. Skupila sam svu hrabrost i odlučila provoziti. Rodila sam veliko dijete, završila fax, brinem se za kuću, govorim 3 jezika, a da ne mogu voziti. Koji je to bullshit. I meni treba psiholog, a ne instruktor. Ipak sam odlučila probati s instruktorom, jučer odvozila prvi sat i nije loše. Spora sam kao puž, ali sam se zaklela sama sebi da neću dozvoliti strahu da me spriječi voziti. Moj bauk su uzbrdice (a Rijeka je cijela jedna uzbrdica). I noćas sam sanjala da vozim sestru, sina i sebe, i da smo se srušili niz nizbrdicu gdje su bili ogromni valovi (tsunami), i poginuli, samo zato što ja nisam znala krenuti na uzbrdici!!! Probudila sam se u šoku taman prije, jelte pogibelji, u snu. I zato, cure, svima sretno, možemo mi to. Sjetite se svakakvih budala koje voze, a mi da ne možemo... Bravo Candy, that's the spirit! Go Candy go! :dancingfever: možemo mi to! (a i ja sam neku noć sanjala tsunami...kakve li to veze ima s vožnjom?) a i sve ostale cure, samo naprijed! svima :* Evo cure, suborke moje, našla sam dobar site o sigurnoj vožnji (http://www.sigurno-voziti.net/index.htm) ima dosta pitanja i odgovora i mogućih situacija, sve ono što mislimo da je mudrost s kojom su se neki rodili. Evo cure, suborke moje, našla sam dobar site o sigurnoj vožnji (http://www.sigurno-voziti.net/index.htm) ima dosta pitanja i odgovora i mogućih situacija, sve ono što mislimo da je mudrost s kojom su se neki rodili. ajmo cure, jeste vidjele link? ima odličnih textova i odgovora na raznorazna pitanja, pa podižem! btw, smile8, instruktori iz maranija čekaju tvoj poziv :) tanja_b Joe, link je odličan :D Hvala! Joe, kontaktirala sam Gosp.Bojana prije nekih mjesec dana, guzva im je i cekam slobodno mjesto da se ubacim. Drz' fige......uglavnom, ako krenem, dobijati ce te izvjestaje svako malo o mojim (ne)postignucima......hmmmmmmm, vec me sad strah od same pomisli :roll: . Pozdrav svima! Ja također imam strah od vožnje i kako vrijeme prolazi a ja nevozim sve me više strah. Problem je što previše o tome razmišljam a kad treba voziti odgađam. Žao mi je da me uvijek neko negdje vozi i to mi ide na živce. Sto je najgore od svega još sam i paničar ali neću odustati pa cure nemojte ni vi. Mi to možemo samo treba voziti...bitna je jaka želja Pozdrav, javim se kad počnem voziti sanjadoris Pozdrav svima! Ja također imam strah od vožnje i kako vrijeme prolazi a ja nevozim sve me više strah. Problem je što previše o tome razmišljam a kad treba voziti odgađam. Žao mi je da me uvijek neko negdje vozi i to mi ide na živce. Sto je najgore od svega još sam i paničar ali neću odustati pa cure nemojte ni vi. Mi to možemo samo treba voziti...bitna je jaka želja Pozdrav, javim se kad počnem voziti Lijepo se javi u Marani, i polako, mic po mic tvoje neznanje i nesigurnost će blijediti. Ništa ne ide preko noći, ali strah od vožnje nije uopće neuobičajena stvar pa se instruktori znaju s time nositi. Good luck! (ja inače danas vozila po auto cesti, sva sam se preznojila... 8) ) mamuška joe :D Hvala Joe U Osijeku ih nema. Očigledno su u Osijeku sami super vozači pa za tim nema potrebe.... Pa raspitaj se, Marani je iz Varaždina, možda u Osijeku ima neka autoškola koja također nudi nešto slično. Ili običan instruktor sa psihološkim pristupom. Pocela sam voziti sa instruktorom. Svaki dan vozimo.Jos za sada nemam nikakvih dojmova. Evo ja sam danas vozila 120 na autocesti, preticala, uključivala se i all that jazz, i nisam se preznojila!!! smile8, daj si vremena. Možeš ti to. mamuška Joe koja si ti 8) !!!!!! :D odlično ja još uvijek nemam m...a :roll: Loryblue dok se nisam odlučila naučit vozit i krenit u školu bojala sam se vožnje ko vraga. nakon prvog sata vožnje u auto školi strah je ko rukom nestao. danas obožavam vozit, šta brže i jače auto meni draže i ugodnije vozit. :mrgreen: jedina panika mi je bila nakon sudara (nisam ga ja izazvala) kako sjest ponovo u auto. ali kad je sve prošlo i policija odradila posao, fino sam skupila hrabrosti, upalila svoje vozilo i prvo se otišla okupat na more. da nisam odma sila za volan ko zna bi li opet vozila. ja bez auta ne znam dobro funkcionirat. i cilu trudnoću sam, sa drobom do zuba i pretjeranim viškom kila stalno vozila. Lutonjica Evo ja sam danas vozila 120 na autocesti, preticala, uključivala se i all that jazz, i nisam se preznojila!!! smile8, daj si vremena. Možeš ti to. whoooh bejbe genijalno!!!! Ideeeeeeeees Joe!!!! Juuuuuuuupiiiiiiiiii. Bravo curo! Ja odustala prosli tjedan nakon 5.sata. Islo mi je sasvim ok, bila sam dosta zadovoljna sa sobom, ali pojavili se neki problemi, davno nerijeseni, pa eto odlucih jos pocekati, ne znam koliko,ah. :oops: Dva puta sam pročitala ovu temu...... malo sam se sad okuražila. Naime, i ja sam jedna od onih koji su položili davnih dana, ali zbog nekakvog bedastog straha nisam vozila. Tj. jesam ali vrlo, vrlo rijetko. A sada su mi se neke stvari zakomplicirale, i nema mi druge nego polako sjedati za volan. Ovih par neradnih dana iskoristit ćemo za obnovu znanja. MM je obećao da ćemo polako početi s vožnjom po velikom parkiralištu a onda laganini na cestu. čega se ja zapravo bojim nije mi baš posve jasno ?! :/ Pretpostavljam, da me je najviše strah onih kamikaza koji jure ko muhe bez glave. Na svoje ponašanje i reakcije mogu utjecati, ali na druge sudionike u prometu ne mogu i to je ono što me zapravo najviše plaši. Moram to nekako pregrmiti.... moram.... moram..... Zeera, zaista vrijedi ono pravilo- sto vise vozis manje se bojis, i na kraju postanes vozac, cool za volanom, koji uziva voziti. Vidjet ces, prekrasno je voziti. sretno :heart: Hvala smile8. :* , valjda će s vremenom postati lakše. Ja sam jučer nakon pauze od tri mjeseca opet sjela u auto, sa stavom, odlučna sam i naučit ću voziti tako dobro da me neće biti strah što je žabica sa mnom. I odvozila sat i pol dok me noga nije zabolila od stiskanja spojke. Sutra opet imam blok sat sa instruktorom, a nakon toga prelazimo u MOJ auto. Zadovoljna sam s vožnjom, puno vježbe i za koji tjedan ćemo šef i ja u život. Kako vi cure? Skužajte, to sam bila ja. ja s mojom voznjom (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuyFR0hM1jA) nikad nisam imala problema :mrgreen: ja s mojom voznjom (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuyFR0hM1jA) nikad nisam imala problema :mrgreen: Ovo mi je kao da netko na podforumu o djeci nespavačima priča o tome kako njegovo dijete spava cijelu noć. Ali, ajde, 8) . Ja nikako da ozbiljnije prodrajvam jer mi je auto na moru :mrgreen: a planirala sam. Kad se auto vrati krećem. Ja nikako da ozbiljnije prodrajvam jer mi je auto na moru :mrgreen: a planirala sam. Kad se auto vrati krećem. Kad? Datum molim. :mrgreen: Nadam se danas popodne ili sutra ujutro. Naime s autom se vraća i moja princeza. Ja sam danas sjela u auto nakon 4 god- prestala vozit kad sam prvi put ostala trudna, pa drugi put... Danas me MM natjerao. Djeca su me zbunjeno gledal zašto sjedim gdje tata inače sjedi... Nitko se već duže vrijeme ne javlja. Svi voze pa nemaju vremena? JA vozim. Jedna ja kojoj je vožnja trauma živa. Polako, pomalo ali skoro svaki dan. I sinčića vozim i zasad nam ok ide. Javite se, cure. :love: Lutonjica ja i dalje vozim, sve 5 :mrgreen: Položila sam vozački prije 9,5 godina i tek nedavno počela voziti. Morala sam. MM je promijenio posao i ja idem po Tina u vrtić inače bi tamo bio do 18 h. Živimo na brdu i nemam baš lak put(cesta je uska i zavojita), ali nekako ide. Prošla sam skupa s MM jednom put od vrtića do doma i od tada svaki dan vozim. Mm odveze T. i ostavi auto pred vrtićem. I sad nakon mjesec dana mi titraju leptirići kad pomislim da moram voziti, ali jako sma zadovoljna i sretna što sam konačno provozila. Ja i dalje ne vozim :lol: . Ja vozim jednom mjesečno pa još lagano imam tremu. Pretpostavljam da će prestati kad počnem češće voziti. Ne dam se ja tako lako 8) Vishnja Bas ste me pronasle s temom... Kad neko sa punih 38 resi da nauci voznju, to bas i ne ide tako lako... Odvozala sam polovinu, napredujem mravljim korakom. Desi se da vozim sasvim dobro, ali se dogadja da pravim i grozne greske. U principu, svidja mi se osecaj dok sam za volanom, ali se osecam tako bespomocno kad izgubim kontrolu i instruktor preuzme komande. Ipak, verujem da nisam izgubljen slucaj, samo mi treba jos puuuuno vezbe... mogli bismo osnovati virtualnu grupu potpore :love: znam kako ti je, ne daj se Ines :mrgreen: mogli bismo osnovati virtualnu grupu potpore :love: O, da. :love: Evo ja na primjer :mrgreen: trebam danas voziti do NSB od centra. Javnim prijevozom mi nema smisla kad već imam auto. A da me veseli, baš i ne. Ustvari nemam pojma kako da steknem vozačku praksu i da konačno počnem opušteno i bez treme voziti kad živim u centru i em mi je sve na pješačkoj udaljenosti, em je u centru tlaka tražiti parking. Lastane, što da radim? :saint: tanja_b Ustvari nemam pojma kako da steknem vozačku praksu i da konačno počnem opušteno i bez treme voziti kad živim u centru i em mi je sve na pješačkoj udaljenosti, em je u centru tlaka tražiti parking. Lastane, što da radim? :saint: Isti problem. Protekle 2 godine vozila sam svaki dan Andreja teti čuvalici i natrag. Mislila sam da ću time steći kakvu-takvu praksu (naročito gurajući se kroz trešnjevačke čepove), ali ma kakvi! Jedva sam dočekala da krene u vrtić koji nam je pred nosom. I tako sad opet ne vozim :oops: I MM sad rjeđe vozi, jer više uopće ne idemo autom na posao. Gužve su takve da nam je elegantnije ići tramvajem (odnosno, MM ide biciklom). U stvari, nije mi tolika tlaka sama vožnja, nego parkiranje... užas živi! A s parkirnim mjestima je u gradu (i dalje od centra) sve gore i gore. i ja bih podršku :love: Joe, motiviraj se nekom relacijom gdje ima više smisla ići autom... ja pravu motivaciju nikako da nađem jer vrtić i špeceraj obavlja MM, pored radnog mjesta mi je koma za parkirati, u centar mi je lakše vlakom, plac i CC1 su mi dovoljno blizu za ići pješice itd itd... jedino veći šoping, pa Jarun i poneki izlet su mi stvarno problematični bez auta, pa mislim ipak nešto poduzeti za vrijeme praznika (bit ću par dana na GO) a baš sam se uvijek čudila tko su ti koji se zaborave logirati :oops: Bog cure, samo se javljam kao podrška svima koji se spremaju u nove "okršaje" s vožnjom. :love: Vishnja, hrabro naprijed! Ništa se nemoj "izmotavati" na godine! Meni je uzor moja svekrva koja je u 56 odlučila da je vrijeme da ona napokon počne voziti i položila vozački. Žena već dvije godine vozi stalno i bez ikakvih problema! :heart: A ja ne vozim, spremam se ponovo....svaki dan.... Asimon, draga, hvala na podrsci :heart: . :D za svekrvu, svaka joj cast! Sutra ponovo vozim i drmaju me dvojni osecaji- radujem se jer mi se svidja osecaj za volanom, a strepim jer mi se cini da instruktor vec polako gubi strpljenje, a moje se greske ponavljaju. Cini mi se da se tu nazire novi problem - tihi podsmeh koji se javlja kada pogresim i koji , znam, ne bi trebalo da me dotice, ali mi ipak smeta. Izgleda da cu se morati postaviti malo ostrije, pa mozda i razmisliti o promeni instruktora (mada je ovaj tehnicki savrsen), jer mi se bas ne dopada atmosfera u autu gde ja ispadam totalni kreten posle svakog loseg poteza... juhuu, to sam ja, Vishnja! Višnja, ja sam sa svojim instruktorom odvozila nekih 7 sati unutar kojih sam dobila toliko potrebnog samopouzdanja i znanja. Radi se o mladom dečku s puno strpljenja koji mi je rekao najbolju stvar: Svaki drugi čovjek na cesti vozi gore od tebe. Ti ne voziš opasno, što je najgore što možeš napraviti? Da ti se ugasi auto? Pa što, ponovno ga upališ i kreneš dalje. I stalno si to ponavljam. Cure, i ja izbjegavam voziti sama po novim turama, parking je srednja žalost, ali namjerno se tjeram voziti. I svakom novom vožnjom se osjećam sve bolje (iako još ne posve ugodno). :love: :love: :love: Vishnja Da, samopouzdanje je mozda i kljucna stvar u voznji, svesna sam toga. Ono je danas kod mene na prilicno visokim granama jer sam vozila dosta dobro. Brzina i automatizam su ono sto mi najvise nedostaje, a to se, znam, stice vezbom. Dakle, voziti, voziti i samo voziti... sajbermama Ja mogu voziti samo kad netko sjedi odozada s malim, sama ga ne vozim, bojim se jer se dere i pokusava izaci iz sjedalice pa mi paranoja Drage cure , moj najveci strah je bila voznja.Zasto?Mojbart je poginuo u prometnoj a s voj 21.rodjendan ,ni kriv , ni duzan pijani tatin sin ga pokupio. Trebalo mi je sest godina da sjednem za volan i svaki dan sam sve bolja i bolja .Vozim vec 2 odine malo me strah ovih LAautoputeva koji imaju sest traka a svi jure ko ludi ali moram i idem dalje.Imam jos problem sto se N dere u autu i dere pustim mu Arsena ili Gibu to ga smiruje a i mene . Svima vama koje se bojite zelim da se oslobodite ali jedino ako vozite strah ce nestati i lijepo je biti i u tom pogledu neovisan ides kad hoces i gdje hoces zato cure samo hrabro i polako :heart: Drage cure , moj najveci strah je bila voznja.Zasto?Mojbart je poginuo u prometnoj a s voj 21.rodjendan ,ni kriv , ni duzan pijani tatin sin ga pokupio. Trebalo mi je sest godina da sjednem za volan i svaki dan sam sve bolja i bolja .Vozim vec 2 odine malo me strah ovih LAautoputeva koji imaju sest traka a svi jure ko ludi ali moram i idem dalje.Imam jos problem sto se N dere u autu i dere pustim mu Arsena ili Gibu to ga smiruje a i mene . Svima vama koje se bojite zelim da se oslobodite ali jedino ako vozite strah ce nestati i lijepo je biti i u tom pogledu neovisan ides kad hoces i gdje hoces zato cure samo hrabro i polako :heart: Vishnja Da "podignem" temu iz pepela lepom vescu... Polozila sam vozacki i trudim se da vozim sto cesce... Pocetna nesigurnost u skretanju, parkiranju, prestrojavanju polako se gubi - voznjom. Nadam se da cu za nekih desetak dana doci do faze kada cu moci svoje princezice posaditi pozadi u AS i krenuti u skolu, vrtic, na posao... Odavno cekam taj trenutak. asantova@htnet-dsl ajme,kako sam se samo našla u ovim nezgodnim pričama o vožnji,strahu,natezanju s mužem,kompliciranju najbanalnijih stvari. Ovako,vozačka dugo 10 godina,rodila 1. dijete ne vozim,drugo dijete milion komplikacija i bolesti,odlasci specijalistima-plan i strategija kad je mm slobodan,ili uzimanje slobodnog dana.Fizikalna terapija 2 puta tjedno do zauvijek,naravno dopodne,auto u dvorištu,a ja i dalje,unatoč svim mogućim kompliokacijama,molim vozača za moj auto! Dokle tako ne znam-ali kada ću ja samajavascript:emoticon(':cry:') sjesti u auto...hm... ne vjerujem uskoro.POMAGAJTEjavascript:emoticon(':cry:') Moram, moram, MORAM SE POHVALITI!!!!! Vozila sam do Istre i natrag (bez djece doduše), preživjela, i dakle savladala svoj najveći strah!!! :D Baš sam ponosna na sebe :love: Vishnja Moram, moram, MORAM SE POHVALITI!!!!! Vozila sam do Istre i natrag (bez djece doduše), preživjela, i dakle savladala svoj najveći strah!!! :D Baš sam ponosna na sebe :love: Bravo, Joe! I ja sam vec prekaljeni vozac- vozim skoro svaki dan, sve se cesce odlucujem da podjem putanjama kojima pre nisam. Osecaj je odlican, kao da imam krila pa svuda stizem! Jos pustim i finu muzikicu, pa nekad i glasno pevam (sva sreca pa me niko ne cuje ;-) Evo i mene! Ja sam polagala prije braka (dakle 10 godina), ali me instruktor tražio da uplatim još sati iz vožnje, pa ja rekla - neću baš, ja mislim da vozim dobro, ali mi on nije htio poslati komisiju. Tak sam ostala bez vozačke sve do prije tri-četiri godine, kad sam sve obnovila i dobila i tu titulu MLADI VOZAČ (hehe, sa 30!). Vozila - samo sa svadbi kad je muž imal preveč supera u svom rezervoaru! I onda su zaredale vanškolske aktivnosti - tae-kwondo, muzička, roditeljski, pa prošle godine pripreme za pričest..I tak jedne nedjelje kad sam jurila sa klincem u crkvu, uzela ključeva i odvezla se ko Niki Lauda (doduše, sa cukanjem i kočenjem), sparkirala na mjestu gdje oko mene nije bilo nikoga i stigla na vrijeme! Ajme, što su mi se noge tresle! A kak me koljeno boljelo - sve od ukočenosti i straha! I što sada radim? Vozim se javnim prijevozom, ali čim uhvatim priliku, sjednem na mjesto vozača, imam svoj ključ, upalim auto i čekam muža da sjedne pored mene! Ispočetka me samo značajno znao pogledati, a sad mu je to normalno. Jedino još kinka zna reći: A neeću da mama vozi, hoću da bude pored mene!, dok klinac odmah kaže: Pusti mamu, i ona mora vježbati voziti! Cure, samo hrabro! ja vec polako prelazim u veterane - zahvaljujuci MM :love: ! moja prica : kako sam polozila i kako sam pobijedila strah od autoputa odlagala sam upis u autoskolu jer jedno dijete malo,pa drugo se tek rodilo,pa trazila tisucu izgovora...dok MM jedan dan onako usputno uz kavu mi priopci da me upisao u autoskolu. ja ostala :shock: ,al krenula i polozila bez problema. dobila vozacku '98. al da mi se vozilo bas i nije,a kad god zovem MM da me odveze nekud odgovori mi- imas dozvolu pa vozi! i pocela sam pomalo,lokalne voznje od par km,skokni do trgovine,skokni do mame... gradska voznja ok,al autoput ni blizu!!! ljeto '04. krecemo na godisnji,do odredista skoro 2000km,a skoro 1800km - autoput! dva vozaca u autu,al MM vozi sam- ja se ne priblizavam volanu! pokusava me nagovoriti,te bole ga oci,te ledja...ja gluha ko top. stanemo na odmoriste,popijemo kavu,zapalimo po jednu,i on mi da kljuceve i kaze-ako ces vozit vozi,ili nazad ili naprijed,ja dalje ne mogu! :roll: jesam li imala izbora? sjela sam za volan,noge su mi se tresle i polako...izasla na autoput. nakon deset minuta ukocenosti osjecala sam se sve opustenije,a neki glas je u meni ponavljao "ja vozim,na autoputu...vozim!!! i bila sam ponosna sama na sebe. od tada vozim bez obzira jeli poljski put ili autoput,uzivam u voznji i drago mi je kad se prilikom putovanja mozemo mijenjati za volanom. nitko se ne umori,brze stignemo i sve pet. zato cure samo naprijed . uostalom dokazano je da su zene bolji vozaci od muskaraca :D NatasaM... prijavljujem se u drustvo (ne)vozacica: polozila prije 1 godina, imala prometnu... pocela sam s muzem polako 1 put tjedno voziti po malo prometnom putu, za sada mi je maximum 30km/h, nadam se da cu uskoro izaci i na pravu cestu Konačno jedna tema gdje mogu istresti dušu pošteno :) položila sam prije 9 godina i nikad posslije toga sjela za volan.Muž me vozi kud god treba, prvo ujutro mene na posao, malog u vrtić a onda ide on na posao... katastrofa.Ne mogu pobijediti taj strah ali moram se pohvaliti da sam jučer prvi put sjela za volan, doduše po makadamskom putu ne po cesti, i vozila na na nagovor muža! strašno me strah, ništa više ne znam, auto mi se gasi, ne mogu izjednačit kuplung i gas... ma koma... a o šaltanju da ni ne govorim... ali uglavnom kako bilo, vozila sam i to je napredak! DODUŠE samo prva,druga,kreni,stani... ali i to je početak. Dobila sam volju ali strah je ogroman i ne znam kako da ga se oslobodim... ne mogu se zamislit na cesti s drugim autima ispred sebe... užas... ne mogu procijeniti ni širinu vozila, bojim se da ne odem u grabu ili na suprotnu traku... Ima li uopće nade za mene.... Uz to mi je vozačka zbog nošenja naočala istekla prije 3 god a s obzirom da nisam vozila nisam je ni mjenjala... hoću li platit kaznu kakvu kad je budem mijenjala? mislim , nisam uopće vozila s tom vozačkom, nikad... Vidim da svi hvalite Marani školu,meni je predaleko jer nisam u zg. Iva potpuno te razumem! Ja sam polozila pre 3 god i nakon toga nikada nisam sela da vozim. Nisam imala svoj auto, a nisam imala hrabrosti da vozim tudji. Onda smo pre godinu i po kupili auto. Prvo sam bila trudna, pa je beba bila mala, pa je bila zima...Tek ovog leta sam prvi put sela sa muzem da vozim. Veruj mi da nisam umela ni da pokrenem auto dok mi on nije objasnio kako. Onda smo resili da je najbolje da uzmem dodatne casove. Tih 10-ak casova mi je puno znacilo. Prvo uci te profesionalac, koji ima razradjen metod kako da te nauci. Drugo u autu imate duple komande, pa ako ti nesto i pogresis, tu je on da odreaguje. To mi je ulivalo sigurnost. Da se razumemo, nisam preko noci postala neki sjajni vozac. Sada smem da vozim samo ako pored mene sedi neko iskusniji. Ali polako, prevazici cu i to. Samo budi uporna i vezbaj sto cesce i sve ce to samo doci na mesto. Ja u svakom slucaju preporucujem i strucnu pomoc, a mm je izracunao da nam je jeftinije da platimo casove nego da on placa novi menjac, kvacilo itd... :oops: (samo da napoenem da nista od toga nisam unistila ni na instruktorovim kolima :angel: ) krojachica Evo da kažem i ja svoje iskustvo, možda ohrabrim druge. Moj vozački staž ima velike rupe tj. prekide (nisam imala svoj auto, imala bebu, pa drugu) s time da sam ja u trudnoćama baš inteznivno vozila jer mi je inače bilo zlo. Uglavnom zadnji prekid je trajao oko 3 godine, u kojem sam periodu možda par puta vozila i to van grada i po autoputu. Vožnja po gradu i to još s djecom mi je bila prevelika strava u koju se nikako nisam upuštala. Blokada. I eto odlučila ja uzeti nekoliko sati dodatne vožnje sa instruktorom i onda mi on kaže jedan koristan savjet: sjedni ti u auto navećer, kad u gradu nema puno prometa i u miru prođi sve one ceste kojima ćeš se kretati. I tako se ja par puta vozila sama, kad bi stavila djecu spavat, a MM bio doma. Čak mi se i svidjelo da mogu i obaviti neki kasniji šoping ako ih stavim spavat malo ranije. Što je najvažnije oslobodila sam se straha od vožnje djece jer znam da uvijek kad je nešto u prometu napeto mogu usporiti, pristati dok se stvar ne raščisti. Kako mi forum šteka, slučajno sam naletila na ovu temu. Kod mene je situacija upravo suprotna. Ja UŽIVAM VOZITI aute. Voziti po gradu, voziti po autocesti, voziti baš svuda. Jedva sam bila dočekala osamnaesti rođendan da dobijem vozačku i od tada vozim i vozim godinama. I sebe i djecu. Meni nije ništa sjesti u auto i ići službeno u Veneciju ( iz Ri) pa tako par puta tjedno. Užitak u vožnji talijanskim autocestama mi je nenadoknadiv. Još kad dobijem "pravi" auto!! Vrrruuummmm. Nikad ne pretjerujem u brzini. Silno sam pažljiv vozač, ali da volim malo brže, volim. Ali nikad nisam platila kaznu ni u Hr ni u inozemstvu. I nikad nisam imala sudar. Jednom sam posklizala na ledu (na cesti uz more, gdje ga nije bilo za očekivati), ali samo sam imala manju štetu na svom autu. A prešla sam stotine tisuća km, jer sam par godina vozila honorarno vrlo razne aute. Da vam se pohvalim da sam lani u jednom danu išla na dubrovački aerodrom i nazad u Rijeku ( autom, ne avionom), stigla i jesti i piti kavu, vozeći i uz more i autocestom. To je oko 1100-1200 km. Kad osjetim volan, ja sam u svom elementu. Kad sam tužna-vozim, kad sam sretna-vozim. Kad je muž u autu- ne vozim, vozi on. Za mene je vožnja solo aktivnost. :mrgreen: Kad su djeca, brzina je manja, muzika tiša. Ali užitak-isti. a ja spadam u nevozače s vozačkom.a imam je 16 godina. isuse! nisam ni znala da je toliko prošlo. imamo samo jedno auto koje MD vozi jer daleko radi pa i nemam neku priliku. (koji dobar izgovor) Prije jedno par godina sam uzela 7-8 sati počela voziti, pa je došla zima, pa je MD ima saobraćajnu pa smo kupili novi auto pa je mene bila frka da ću ga negdi rasbiti. Pa sam ostala trudna i bilo me strah, pa se rodila Mo pa nisam htjela s njom u auto.rf Proške godine je Md sta nasred magistrale i reka vozi. Nakon 20 km ja sam bilA umorna ko da sam dva dana kopala. I bilo bi mi puno lakše vikendom se negdi zaletiti ili kad se on vrati s posla, ali strah me rotora koji ispred kuće i ovih brzih cesta tipa držićeva i avenija dubrovnik sa osamsto traka i prestrojavanjem. Meni dovoljna brzina 60km/h. Morat ću i ja polako po kvartu. ali vidim da nisam sama. Odma mi je lakše MamBa04 I ja se vec jako dugo mucim sa strahom od voznje. Znam za skolu Marani vec neko vrijeme al nikako krenuti. Nika ti spominjes instruktora Marija. Jesi li bila zadovoljna nacinom na koji te ucio vozioti? Da li danas vozis? Jel znas da li jos uvijek postoje? evo ja i dalje vozim samo po novom zagrebu :) Ali vozim svaki dan, naučila sam se prestrojavati, parkiranje mi je malo bolje. Još da se u grad zaputim, gdje će bi biti kraj. Ja bih mogla biti "doula" za učiti voziti one koje imaju vozačku i strah.:mrgreen: Ja sam u prometnoj prije 11 god. izgubila oko. Bila sam suvozač, a vozač je skrivio nesreću. Nakon toga sam došla u Zagreb i upisala se na vozački, baš za inat... Položila sam 2003. i od tada nisam sjela za volan. Vuče me želja da vozim, očajnički bih htjela, ali se toliko bojim da neznam kako se toga riješiti... I ja se vec jako dugo mucim sa strahom od voznje. Znam za skolu Marani vec neko vrijeme al nikako krenuti. Nika ti spominjes instruktora Marija. Jesi li bila zadovoljna nacinom na koji te ucio vozioti? Da li danas vozis? Jel znas da li jos uvijek postoje? Marani ne postoji već nekoliko godina. Ja bih mogla biti "doula" za učiti voziti one koje imaju vozačku i strah.:mrgreen: Jel ti usput skoknut do karlovca na doularenje?:mrgreen: kokolet drage moje...vi ste barem položile. ja polažem već tri godine, mislim sve sam odvozila, i pala radi neke gluposti. onda je došlo lito, pa nakon toga ispiti na faksu, pa sam onda napravila ogromnu pauzu, toliko da sam morala ponovno napravit liječnički. onda sam opet počela uzela 15 sati, platila sve i dva sata prije prijave ispita dobila sam posao na otoku, pa sam ostavila to kad se vratim. u međuvremenu sam ostala trudna i sad sam evo i rodila drugo i još nisam položila.sramota. strah me i bacila sam puste novce na sate vožnje, a auto mi tako triba, jer zapravo nisam tip osobe koja voli ovisiti o nekome, pa čak ni o mužu. nadam se ću uskoro odlučiti i to rješiti:( trampolina Ja duuugo nisam vozila, par godina sigurno. Onog trena kad mi je voda došla do grla provozila sam bez ikakvog problema, na ture od 200km dnevno. Sad sam zmaj, rutina čini čuda :-) mala-vila ja volim voziti, ali mi je orjentacija u prostoru UŽAS ŽIVI! uvijek se izgubim, moram na pamet nauciti rute da s ene bi gubila, u mojoj glavi šteka to povezivanje, jednostavno nemam kliker za orjentaciju u prostoru. ono sto mene fascinira je to sto mene to uopce ne obashrabruje u voznji- izgubim se, ok, okrenem se i probam ponovno, ponekad i vise puta za redom i uopče mi nije bed (osim vremenski jer kasnim). recite da to nije ludost?! Nije ludost, zašto. Svatko je drugačiji, glavno da stigneš. Meni je to malo neshvatljivo, jer ja uvijek znam gdje sam, kao da mi je GPS ugrađen. mala-vila blago tebi i svima takvima, ja imam pravi hendikep sto se orjentacije tice, ali to mi je vise smijesno nego se zivciram- i mojoj okolini Ja sam u prometnoj prije 11 god. izgubila oko. Bila sam suvozač, a vozač je skrivio nesreću. Nakon toga sam došla u Zagreb i upisala se na vozački, baš za inat... Položila sam 2003. i od tada nisam sjela za volan. Vuče me želja da vozim, očajnički bih htjela, ali se toliko bojim da neznam kako se toga riješiti... možda najbolje da kreneš samo s jednom rutom. tako sam ja sad počela. Kuća, vrtić i nazad doma. Znam curu koja je uzela sate i 10ak sati vozila jednu te istu rutu - vrtić, posao, vrtić, kući. tu stekneš neku sigurnost pa je onda dalje puno lakše. Mene je isto bila frka na početku (nakon 17 godina ja sam nedavno prvi put sama sjela u auto), ali više bi me držalo prije nego uđem u auto. JEdnom kad uđem i vežem se, krećem svojom rutom i to me umiri. Skoro mjesec dana je MD sjedio do mene dok sam ja vozila do vrtića i onda nazad do naselja. Tu bi ga iskrcala da ide na posao, a ja bi sama napravila još 400 metara po naselju. Po dijete sam u vrtić išla busom. Moj brat je umra od smija kad sam mu ja oposala svoju prvu samostalnu vožnju s djetetom -od Kajzerice do Velesajma. Nema ni 500 metara, a ja sam imala sve moguće scenarije u glavi. Ispalo je dobro jer ulaz s naše strane nije radio pa sam ja "hrabro" produžila okolo do sljedećeg. Dobro je poznavati rutu kojom ćeš ići, bar u početku. Kad znaš gdje se prestrojiti i slično, možeš više paziti na druge vozače. Samo hrabro Peterlin ja volim voziti, ali mi je orjentacija u prostoru UŽAS ŽIVI! uvijek se izgubim, moram na pamet nauciti rute da s ene bi gubila, u mojoj glavi šteka to povezivanje, jednostavno nemam kliker za orjentaciju u prostoru. ono sto mene fascinira je to sto mene to uopce ne obashrabruje u voznji- izgubim se, ok, okrenem se i probam ponovno, ponekad i vise puta za redom i uopče mi nije bed (osim vremenski jer kasnim). recite da to nije ludost?! Bez brige, ima nas još s tak traljavom orijentacijom... Ja uvijek moram dobro paziti ako sam u nepoznatom gradu (i tada obično mm vozi, a ja gledam i pamtim) ali po poznatom terenu nema nikakvih problema. I dobro zapamtim sve trikove, pa mi je jednom kolegica rekla da vozim "ko taksist" jer sam prošla nekom neobičnom rutom štajaznam prema aerodromu. Naravno, nisam se sama sjetila, nekoliko godina vozio me na takva mjesta šefov službeni vozač, pa sam zapamtila. Ali čak i u rodnom gradu nedajbog da me ostaviš u nekom novom naselju, izgubila bih se garant. Tak mi je od djetinjstva. Čak se i moja djeca puno bolje orijentiraju, naročito stariji (mlađi je sličniji meni, ali opet bolji). Ipak, to me nikada nije spriječilo da putujem i sama i s drugima. Karta u džep i udri... Eh, da, što se vožnje tiče - kome treba malo sigurnosti nakon dulje pauze, može se u autoškoli upisati dodatne sate vožnje. Ja sam to svojevremeno namjeravala, ali sam odustala i uzdala se u svoje snage (i u svoju kumu koja je išla sa mnom i držala mi strah, he he he...) Bez brige, ima nas još s tak traljavom orijentacijom... A ja tek. A što je najgore, ja budem čvrsto uvjerena da znam kuda treba ići i onda se, naravno, pokaže da je krivi put. Jako sam se bojala vožnje ispočetka. Jednom kad sam morala ići po nećak (u istom gradu), prethodnu noć sam svu sanjala kako vozim. Danas ni ne znam da vozim. Samo ne bih vozila po centru Zagreba ako ne moram. Položila sam prije 12 god. I rekla sam, il ću vozit il neću. Mislim da nema ništa od povremene vožnje. I nakon tih silnih godina, kupili mi MENI auto. Mjesec dana sam vozila s mm i onda sama. Isprva sam imala tremu, i sad mi nije svejedno kad imam nepoznatu rutu, ali sam hrabra, i upućujem se svugdje odlučna da to savladam. Vozim 5 mjeseci. Da ne pričam kad sam pošla vozit sama da se nisam znala kak treba sparkati. Ali iskustvo čini čuda. Samo hrabro cure, i vozite što više, svaki dan, različite rute. Moram reći da je moja curka bila jaaaaako ponosna da i njena mama vozi :heart: Peterlin Moram reći da je moja curka bila jaaaaako ponosna da i njena mama vozi :heart: Ovo je najbolja motivacija! Osim toga, jako puno znači kad se nikome ne moraš moliti... Alkemicarka Cure samo hrabro! Položila sam prije 8 godina. Miš ima 4 godine, a nisam bila vozila od prije trudnoće. Ovo ljeto nas je zadesila tragedija, moj muž je iznenada preminuo. 2 dana poslije sprovoda sam krenula voziti auto za koji nikad nisam sjela za volan. Sa svekrom sam odvozila cca 15-tak sati. Ne usudim se baš svugdje, posebno ako neki dio ne poznam ni pješke, ali malo po malo. Vrtić nam je pod nosom, ali do posla, dućana, svekra i svekrve. Srce mi naraste kad mi miš kaže kad se parkiram u podzemnu u CC1: Mama jako sam ponosan na tebe, super si parkirala. kokolet evo i ja sam napravila korak protiv straha. nakon šta sam pročitala postove i iskustva, zvala sam instruktora i u ponediljak krećem, nadam se ovaj put da ću odvozit ravno do dozvole. Bodulica Bravo za sve cure koje su se odvažile i krenule voziti:klap: Ja sam jedna od onih koje taj vozački nije pretjerano zanimao jer živim u relativno malom gradu, a i mm me bez pogovora vozika svukuda, ali se nekako mislim da bi mi ta dozvola ipak olakšala neke svakodnevne situacije. Stoga me zanima ima li uopće smisla otići polagati nekome tko nije baš nešto motorički spretan? Naime, smotana sam, a s druge strane prilično oprezna i nesklona rizicima. Da li ima koja od vas da se prepoznaje u mojim riječima, a da se ipak odvažila na vožnju? Evo, 40 mi je u g*zici, ali me ovo pitanje kopka već duže vrijeme. S druge strane imam preko nekoliko prijateljica čije vozačke godinama stoje u nekakvim ladicama, a nije to baš mala lova da je dam za komad papira koji mi kasnije neće biti od nekakve koristi. Zato, smotane i oprezne...dajte koju riječ ohrabrenja:mrgreen: Bodulica E da, zaboravila sam dodati da mi je i orijentacija u prostoru katastrofalna:-( Kad mm parkira u one podzemne garaže, a meni naknadno zatreba nešto iz auta trebate samo vidjeti koliko se vrtim okolo dok ne pronađem auto.:mrgreen: Može li se i to popraviti ili da prestanem razmišljati o vožnji? Ne bih te htjela obeshrabriti, ali ako sama misliš da ti ne bi išlo, možda da ipak poslušaš samu sebe. Ili da probaš negdje gdje nema saobraćaja, ne na cesti nego u nekom dvorištu, uz muža, kako ti ide osjećaj prostora, znaš li koliko i kada okrenuti volan. Orijentacija nije tako bitna, kupiš GPS i on te vodi. Važniji su refleksi, kako reagiraš u neočekivanim situacijama koje su u gradskom prometu česte. Vozački ispit je oko tisuću eura ako se otprve položi. ( to je oko 350 vožnji Cameo taxijem:mrgreen:) Mene vožnja veseli i zato vozim. Mislim da svatko tko želi voziti to i može. Uz dužan oprez i poštivanje pravila. I da dodam, uskoro ćeš imati još dva vozača u obitelji pa će te imati tko voziti kamo god želiš. A mladi jedva dočekaju da voze mamu jer im je to prilika da sjednu za volan. Vlastito iskusto. Bravo za sve cure koje su se odvažile i krenule voziti:klap: Ja sam jedna od onih koje taj vozački nije pretjerano zanimao jer živim u relativno malom gradu, a i mm me bez pogovora vozika svukuda, ali se nekako mislim da bi mi ta dozvola ipak olakšala neke svakodnevne situacije. Stoga me zanima ima li uopće smisla otići polagati nekome tko nije baš nešto motorički spretan? Naime, smotana sam, a s druge strane prilično oprezna i nesklona rizicima. Da li ima koja od vas da se prepoznaje u mojim riječima, a da se ipak odvažila na vožnju? Evo, 40 mi je u g*zici, ali me ovo pitanje kopka već duže vrijeme. S druge strane imam preko nekoliko prijateljica čije vozačke godinama stoje u nekakvim ladicama, a nije to baš mala lova da je dam za komad papira koji mi kasnije neće biti od nekakve koristi. Zato, smotane i oprezne...dajte koju riječ ohrabrenja:mrgreen: evo me. orijentacija u prostoru katastrofa, koordinacija katastrofa, strah od vožnje golem i pregolem (s laganim napadajima panike). odgađala sam autoškolu 10 godina. proljetos me MM upisao i samo rekao jedan dan: U ponedjeljak ti počinje tečaj u autoškoli. teoriju sam položila otprve, a na obuci iz vožnje sam bila katastrofalna. fulavala ulice u koje sam trebala skrenuti, ulazila u krivi smjer i tako. svašta je bilo. a sve zbog straha najviše. iako su mi skoro otprve išle stvari koje su većini problem, parkiranje i kretanje pod ručnom. vožnju sam položila iz trećeg pokušaja, tek onda kad sam se suočila s tim strahom koji me kočio i krenula ga rješavati. vožnja se odmah popravila kad sam se naučila nositi sa strahom. sad vozim skoro svakodnevno i ne mogu vjerovati da sam radila toliku frku oko vožnje. tako da toplo preporučam svima koji se dvoume da barem probaju. u cijelom tom procesu meni se poboljšala koncentracija i snalaženje u prostoru, a i samopouzdanje mi je poraslo. trampolina tako da toplo preporučam svima koji se dvoume da barem probaju. u cijelom tom procesu meni se poboljšala koncentracija i snalaženje u prostoru, a i samopouzdanje mi je poraslo. Moje preporuke, također. Mogle bi se iznenaditi koliko koliko vam stvari idu od ruke bolje nego što mislite. A i dobro se suočiti sa strahovima. U dijelu straha, potpisujem laumi. Imam dobru sposobnost orijentacije, ali strah je bio strašan. I ne mogu reći da je nestao, ali je pod kontrolom - tj. ne sprječava me da vozim. Sad mi je teže ići javnim prijevozom nego suočiti se sa strahom. ni moj strah nije nestao, ali je pod kontrolom. i to mi je jako velika stvar - ako sam naučila kontrolirati ovaj strah, mislim da je malo toga što sad ne mogu. i treba čim više voziti, praksa stvarno čini čuda. apricot Stoga me zanima ima li uopće smisla otići polagati nekome tko nije baš nešto motorički spretan? Naime, smotana sam, a s druge strane prilično oprezna i nesklona rizicima. kao da opisuješ jednu od mojih najboljih prijateljica. i, iskreno, ni ja je nikada nisam vidjela za volanom. katastrofa. ali, nakon što su djeca porasla i trebalo ih je razvažati od nemila do nedraga... odvažila se i položila iz prve. ima tome možda 4-5 godina. kupila si polovni autić i sada vozi i na more i u šoping u inozemstvo... prava vozačica. a prvih dana je vrištala kad se trebalo prestrojiti. vožnja je praksa i rutina. kao plivanje, vožnja bicikla... ma i hodanje, u krajnjem slučaju. možeš ti to! apricot E da, zaboravila sam dodati da mi je i orijentacija u prostoru katastrofalna:-( Kad mm parkira u one podzemne garaže, a meni naknadno zatreba nešto iz auta trebate samo vidjeti koliko se vrtim okolo dok ne pronađem auto.:mrgreen: Može li se i to popraviti ili da prestanem razmišljati o vožnji? ovo nisam bila pročitala, ali točno kao da opisuješ moju R. samo ti daj. pa ako vidiš da ne ide... ha, probala si. (i ona je imala četrdesetak kad je položila, nisu godine prepreka) Bodulica E baš ste me ohrabrile.:klap: Sad samo trebam skupiti lovu i krenuti u avanturu. Ako ikad provozim biti ćete obaviještene:mrgreen: kokolet i mene je strah, u glavi se vidim kako dobro vozim, i kad sam sa MM u autu, pratim snimam ulice, raskrižja, semafore, i vidim se kako ja sidim za volanom. međutim, znam da moram još jednom otrest ispit dok ne položim. meni kao da uvik fali onaj jedan sat da budem u potpunosti spremna. tako je i na faksu bilo sa ispitima. uvik je falija jedan dan da sve naučim vještičica Sjela za volan ljetos, nakon više od 10 godina posjedovanja vozačke dozvole. Odvezla nekoliko časova sa instruktorom, čisto sigurnosti radi. Potrpala djecu u sjedalice i krenula. Drugačije nije moglo. Sila Boga ne moli... Sad se svakodnevno vozim na posao bez problema. Jedino se još uvijek parkiram "naglavačke", ponekad u rikverc, ako ima dovoljno prostora. Bočno još ne ide kako valja, al' navježbaću ja i to :) Alkemicarka vještičica ja sam se već uspjela i izgrebati na uskom parkiralištu. Srećom imam ful kasko. Sad idem samo gdje je široko i pregledno, pa makar rastegnem noge do odredišta. Riječanka Samo da podržim "hrabre" žene za volanom. Položila sam relativno kasno (sa 26 g), onda kada sam si to sama mogla platiti, usprkos strašnom strahu koji sam cijeli život imala od vožnje. Smatrala sam to "nužnim zlom". Ipak, puno godina nisam vozila jer sam do posla imala doslovno 4 minute hoda, pa nekako nisam ni imala stvarne (česte) potrebe za vožnjom. Kada smo se sa dvoje djece preselili u najljepši dio Rijeke i do posla sam trebala mijenjati dva autobusa i to vrlo nelogično i loše povezane linije (promjena smjera), počela sam razmišljati o aktivaciji tog blaga zvanog vozačka dozvola. Poklopilo se i to da je moja prijateljica prodavala automobil koji je bio u odličnom stanju (prošao smiješno malu kilometražu), i ono najbitnije - AUTOMATIK. Vidim da sam odužila, a u biti sam htjela svim neodllučnim vozačicama predložiti da se pokušaju u vožnju uključiti na ovaj, puno lakši način. Mnogo je lakše koncentrirati se na prometna pravila i vožnju neopterećen razmišljanjima o promjeni brzine, strahom od toga da će se auto ugasiti i sl. Meni sada, kad je strah od vožnje pod kontrolom, kad se smatram sasvim solidnom vozačicom, predstoji "prebacivanje" na veći automobil (za koji dan stiže nam treća srećica i trebam automobil u koji stanu tri AS) i privikavanje na mjenjač, ali to ne smatram velikim problemom, samo malom nadogradnjom. Da mi je prije par godina netko rekao da ću uživati u vožnji, rekla bih da je lud, ali eto, moram priznati, vožnja na posao, nakon što ostanem sama u automobilu i odvrnem Hladno pivo, vrlo mi je drag dio dana. zadarmamica položila prije 2mj. i STRAH STRAH STRAH. vozim dok je muž samnom u autu.pa smo sinu kupili ovih dana AS,danas je montirali u auto.pa cu se sama kao usudit voziti sa malim ,kad se okrenem vidit cu malog...,ali strah. potrošeno priko 1000E.pala ispit vožnje prvi put.tresla sam se,panika...užas. rekla sam instruktoru da mi je bilo lakše drip podniti.:-) zadarmamica, preporučam ti da voziš kad muž NIJE u autu. Počni sa sporednim ulicama, ili idi izvan grada. SAMA, sama svoj gazda za volanom. Stavi neku muziku koju voliš i cool8-). Svojim tempom, svojom brzinom. Ti to znaš, samo treba praksa. A ako ti je muž suvozač nećeš biti "cool". Ja svojega vozim jedino ako je u gipsu i to prva dva-tri dana.:-) Vožnja je korisna, praktična, a možda s vremenom otkriješ da je i lijepa. Pogotovo kad ti dijete da kompliment kako mama dobro vozi. Strah će nestati kako budeš sigurnija u sebe. Ne bi ti dozvolili da prođeš na vozačkom da ne znaš držati pravac, da ne znaš odrediti udaljenosti i da misle da si opasnost na cesti. Ne trebaš bočno parkirati, ne trebaš preticati, ne trebaš pokazivati snagu auta. Ako ti netko i zatrubi, baš te briga. Nitko se nije naučen rodio. Dok ne uhvatiš praksu, lagano sa gasom i nemoj paničariti. I, važno, NEMOJ se u vožnji okretati da vidiš bebu. Kupite zrcalo s kojim se vidi. Sad ću naći link, nešto ovakvo: http://www.google.hr/imgres?q=retrovizor+za+bebe&hl=hr&client=firefox-a&hs=zZE&sa=X&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=s&biw=1024&bih=630&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=ZCy4clI0Ypzt9M:&imgrefurl=http://www.njuskalo.hr/oprema-bebe-ostalo/retrovizor-bebe-oglas-2374809&docid=kQEv7YeqvDOEdM&imgurl=http://www.njuskalo.hr/image-w450/oprema-bebe-ostalo/retrovizor-bebe-slika-5691953.jpg&w=450&h=382&ei=EE0TT6DVOMWBtQaxme2NAQ&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=608&sig=106433425615386550450&page=1&tbnh=141&tbnw=177&start=0&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0&tx=98&ty=61 apricot za početak se vozi bez djeteta i bez muzike koncentriraj se na auto i sebe. istražuj mogućnosti stroja koji imaš u rukama i svoje reflekse, periferni vid... sve ono što će ti biti potrebno voziti sigurno znaš, ne bi te pustili da ne znaš ostalo je iskustvo i rutina zadarmamica hvala na savjetu. muci me strah i nelagoda da cu dignit zivce nekom ako sporije krenem sa semafora.ili kad se ubacivam. probat cu navecer sama sisti u auto. i problem je što nevozim opušteno,nego stalno mislim kako cu prominit brzinu.tribala bi to ležerno,a ja mislim o tome.:) muž mi ima strpljenja za mene, ali nemože shvatit da me strah kad on vozi dugo godina.a moje sve frendice položile prije par godina a ja nisam tila.tako da sam sad prošla i skuplje od njih. Naravno da ćeš dignuti nekom živac kad sporije kreneš. Pa što! Koliko sekundi to traje? I taj netko je drugima dizao živac kad je učio voziti. A i za mijenjat brzinu ćeš naučiti, auti mogu podnijeti prilično visoke i niske okretaje, malo će se mučiti, malo bučiti, slušaj zvuk motora dok muž vozi i gledaj kad on promijeni brzinu. Tako da ti taj zvuk uđe u uho. Onako brrrrrr-pa u veću brzinu... I naravno da beba neće biti s tobom dok učiš. To se valjda podrazumijeva.:-) toliko mi je lakše kad sam pročitala koliko nas ima. ja sam položila prije 13 godina,a ne znam jesam li tu brojku sveukupno odvozila nakon toga. naravno,nije mi bila sila voziti, pa nisam imala auto,pa ne znam ni ja šta..isprike,isprike...uglavnom,počela sam voziti prošle godine i sve je bilo dobro dok prvi put nisam zabrljala.onda opet odustala,pa htjela opet krenut,pa ostala trudna i evo me sad.baš sam :evil: na svoj kukavičluk,jer sad vidim koliko bi si olakšala stvari s bebicom.ovak ne mogu mrdnut,a i non stop ovisim o drugima.uglavnom,ne razumijem zašto me toliko strah i ne vjerujem da ja to mogu,baš blokada u glavi.a imam osjećaj da ako ikad ponovo provozim,to će mi biti ono ispit zrelosti i samostalnosti.eto,samo sam se htjela malo izjadati,jer znam da nema tu puno filozofije,nego jednostavno sjesti za volan i voziti i voziti...practice makes perfect! apricot i problem je što nevozim opušteno,nego stalno mislim kako cu prominit brzinu.tribala bi to ležerno,a ja mislim o tome.:) to ti je isto kada ljudi uče plesati, pa u početku broje 1-2,3; 1-2,3 ili slow-sloww-quick, quick-slow-slow... onda otplešu deset puta i nema više brojanja ne zato što su tako odlučili nego zato što su se izverzirali prvo vozi tamo gdje si sigurnija, pa se sve više uključuj u gradski promet i, ne beri brigu ako ti tko trubi... neka te preskoči ako mu se žuri (iako, ja bih stavila onu "L" naljepnicu) koliko god je oprez u vožnji krajnje opreman, dobro dođe i malo opuštenosti. ja sam uspjela već dva puta zagrebati auto. Naš parking je u nazovi ulici širine jednog vozila s parkinzima sa strane i ako se neko loše parkira moraš ga jako pažljivo zaobilaziti da ne lupis ogradu s druge strane. tako sam prvo već 3-4 dan vožnje lagano obojala retrovizor o ogradu, a drugi put sam opi*dila guzicom dok sam se vraćala u rikverc jer je neka budala stala tolika da uopće ne mogu proći. Dok sam pazila na auto s druge strane, izgrebala sam se o stup javne rasvjete (sreća samo plastiku) MD nije ništa ludovao, a to nećemo još popravljat jer po njegovim ću se ja još tu i tamo izgrebati pa ćemo to u nekon trenutku srediti odjednom. Mene sve skupa to nije obeshrabrilo nego i dalje vozikam. jedino sam sad pažljivija. Vishnja evo, devojke, da i ja javim postojeće stanje... nakon perioda gotovo svakodnevne vožnje, ponovo trudnoća, porođaj, bebica...uglavnom, skoro dve godine nevoženja. i opet velika nesigurnost. odlučih da to presečem i prošlog meseca nazovem svog starog instruktora i odvozam sa njim dva puta u njegovom i jednom u mom autu. sad vozim sasvim pristojno, ali strah još uvek postoji, pogotovo kad svo troje dece stavim u auto. e, ali sutra će mi biti vatreno krštenje - mm nije tu, a ja vozim i vraćam devojčice sa treninga (na dva kraja grada), vozim malca kod babe, pa devojke u grad, ponovo kod babe i kući. a tek popodne - dete na rođendan u nekakvu rođendaonicu na rubu grada, gde nikad nisam bila. no, rešila sam da ne bacam pare na taxi, već da zagrizem junački. u glavi držim sve putanje, gledaću da budem što smirenija i - teraj! drž'te mi palčeve... vještičica Samo naprijed Vishnja! Vishnja hvala, veštičuljak! pa, evo izveštaja: samo jutarnje razvoženje po treninzima je odradio mužić, posle sam preuzela ja. i bilo je - odlično! jeste da su mi pred svekrvinom kućom nervozni vozači trubili dok sam se uglavljivala u usko mesto za parking, ali nisam se potresla, ama nimalo!-) . čitav dan sam vozila svud unaokolo, a čak i rođendaonica na nn lokaciji je "potrefljena" iz prve. jaaako sam zadovoljna, polako se ponovo "zbližavam" sa autićem , osećam mu gas, brzine, gabarite...to je to! devojke, samo hrabro, praksa čuda čini! zadarmamica i ja imam dobre vijesti. ostavila malog mužu, a ja i svekrva išle gledat neke stvari po centrima. vozala sam po cilom gradu.opustila se.baš sam došla doma zadovoljna. Tooooo! Vožnja je gušt, samo treba malo prakse. pohvale hrabrima!!! je je, treba samo zagristi točnije pregristi i krenuti.ja još nisam, ali čitajući vaše postove,lagano se ohrabrujem.znam da mi nema druge nego samo krenuti i nadvladati taj strah. Ja vozim odavno. Prije je to bilo sa više gušta i volje, a sada samo ako moram. Baš nedavno sam se morala parkirati vodoravno uz ivičnjak, naravno između dva auta i uspjela sam od prve. Znam žene koje imaju položen ispit, ali ne voze. Ne iz straha, nego jednostavno iz nesigurnosti. Takva je bila i moja mama. Hm... kako će mi doći u Zg? Ohrabrila sam je uspješno, pa tako kažem i vama- probajte, vozite polako i oprezno. Ako igdje zapne, lijepo stanite, ubacite auto u ler i potegnite ručnu, upalite sva 4, skoncentrirajte se, pa onda nastavite dalje. Ovim sistemom bi mogla otići gdje god zatreba, a vozila sam po Sloveniji, Austriji, Njemačkoj, Mađarskoj... Mene je često promet znao uvući u nervozu, posebno u Zg. Stvarao mi se je pritisak iznad glave da se glatko moram ubaciti sa sporedne ceste na glavnu i to još u drugu traku, jer ako to ne učinim svirka drugih auta me je izbacivala iz takta. Sada ne, ja vozim oprezno i polako, ne jurim kao bez glave, a kome se žuri, ah... pa ima lijevu žmigu, neka me zaobiđe. I to je tak. Žene, samo naprijed!!!! zadarmamica tribali ste me vidit jucer.sva sritna i ponosna na sebe. sa frendicom i malim išla po gradu,kava,kupnja.posli sama sa malim po muža u teretanu.sve je super bilo.oslobodila sam se. posli sam mužu dosađivala sa svojim pricama,kako sam što napravila :lol: Tako je, rena7. Ja ću vjerojatno biti ona koja će zatrubiti ako ne krenete brzo ili se loše prestrojite, ali briga vas. Ionako trubim više radi sebe nego vas. Jednom ćete i vi trubiti drugima i govoriti: ma, tko je ovoj dao volan u ruke, zaboravljajući da smo svi morali najprije naučiti da bi znali. Tuuu-tuuuu.... Nena-Jabuka Evo malo ohrabrenja za one koje se još uvijek boje, strah je zajednički većini žena (zašto onim bezglavi mmuškarcima nije, Boga pitaj:mrgreen:), jednako i onima s "talentom" i onima "pogubljenima". Sebe bih svrstala u ovu prvu skupinu, orijentacija u prostoru savršena, uvijek sam mužu navigacija kad on vozi, refleksi, opažanje, sve pet, MM me učio i hrabrio jer mi je super išlo s njim po poljskom putu, ali kad sam krenula u auto -školu, strava, strah, strah, blokada, užas i jeza. Uzimala sam dodatne sate jer se nikako nisam mogla odlučiti izaći na ispit. Na polaganje sam izašla nakon dva apaurina i jednog pelinkovca:mrgreen: (ne preporučujem nikome) jer su mi se prije toga ruke toliko tresle da nisam mogla držati volan. Nakon što sam položila, svaki moj odlazak negdje sastojao se od pažljivog crtanja rute puta po Zagrebu večer prije, plana gdje ću parkirati, plana za nepredviđene situacije, treme dan prije, par sati prije ulaska u auto,grozota... Tješilo me i što su moje dvije prijateljice (isto nemaju dvije lijeve noge, ali trta ogromna) radile slične ludosti, jednoj je muž morao svaki dan isparkiravati i dočekivati ju isto tako kad se vraća s posla da parkir auto, jedna je vozila isključivo samo jednu rutu mjesecima, a drugdje išla busom, i tako.... Znala sam da je jedini lijek samo česta i stalna vožnja (najbolje kad vas pritisne nevolja pa muž ne može voziti), ne znam uopće kad mi se dogodilo da mi je to postalo toliko nešto bezveze, odlazak na more, vozikanje posvuda, neprimjetno je nestao taj strah, ali znam da mu je trebalo dugo, dugo, mislila sam da nikad neće prestati. apricot mene ovaj topik samo ubija u pojam kad skužim da ovdje ima žena koje su mlađe od moje vozačke dozvole :-O Ali, zamisli koje ti iskustvo i znanje imaš! (tako se ja tješim)8-) Položila sam vozački nakon faksa. Čini mi se da sam tada bila zrela i spremna za vožnju - prihvatila sam je kao nešto sasvim normalno i naravno, potrebno/korisno. Jednostavno rečeno, obožavam voziti. Nije važna duljina puta, samo da upalim i krenem, jupiiiii. Nisam imala puze, tj. razdoblja da nisam uopće vozila. Vozila sam i u poodmakloj trudnoći, pa me ginić upozorio i prestrašio s pričama svojih vještačenja nastradalih trudnica u prometu. A ja :-o i do termina rođenja bebača taksirao me MM.;-) Za svladavanje straha, najbolje je voziti, voziti, voziti. Naravno, nek' s vama u autu budu osobe koje vas podržavaju, a ne paničari ili akademici (oni koji sve znaju, stalno pametuju kako niste napravili ovo ili ono, da ste trebali prije krenuti, bla, bla). Eh, kad putujem u Zg, najčešće se fino izmotam iz rotora i parkiram na Velesajmu, a dalje vozi tramvaj ili autocipelići.:mrgreen: Inače, kad vozim po centru, moram pohvaliti Zg vozače i vozačice, jer me propuštaju u paralelnu traku ili vide da sam usredotočena na znakove i imaju razumijevanja. Najbolje je kad me netko pita, pa kako ćeš voziti tamo, ne poznaješ grad i sl., zar te nije strah? Moj odgovor je jednostavno, prva-druga-treća ... Želim svim vozačicama da osjete fluid lakoće i slobode u vožnji!:-) Da sam se rodila u nekim prijašnjim stoljećima vjerojatno bih jahala konje, upravljala kočijom ... Evo još jedne teme za mene! imam problemčić. Imam jednu rođakinju, ima 28 godima nema vozačku dozvolu niti je ikad vozila. Kaže da joj tata jednom dao kad je bila tinejdžerka da upali auto pa je počela da vrišti. sada želi da polaže a boji se da će baciti novac, tj da neće moći da nauči ni da položi. Njem muž ima neki dugački karavan, kaže da je glomazan za nju. Ja imam manji auto, taman za početnika. Pitala me da joj malo pokažem kad otopli da vidi je li vožnja uopšte za nju. Ja nešto nisam za to. nije da se bojim da će nešto pokvariti već da ću je ja pogrešno naučiti pa je još zbuniti. Nešto slično se i meni desilo. Kažem joj da uzme nekoliko časova pa da proba. Šta da radim? Nije problem, mogla bih naći i mjesta i vremena. tehniku ju sigurno ne možeš pogrešno naučiti,ionako se svaki auto malo razlikuje po načinu upravljanja e sad prometna pravila,tu se svi jako razlikujemo u tumačenju iliti poštivanju istih mislim da je lijepo od tebe da joj želiš pomoći,a ako još ima takav strah,bilo bi super da bude s nekim kome vjeruje i ima strpljenja s njom.par puta s tobom po nekom parkingu ili pustoj ulici joj sigurno neće štetiti znaš kako je,ak krene u autoškolu i namjeri se još na kakvog suludog instruktora...toliko o vozačkoj karijeri To ona i hoće, da malo razbije strah. I ja sam bila naletila na neku budalu od instruktora, svu me istrzao. Kad sam morala na poslu preuzeti auto uzela sam par časova kod susjeda. On je bio super. I ovoj ženi sam ga preporučila. Ići ćemo prije toga na neki prazan parking ili kad bude baš suvo po dvorištu. Ona ga ima dosta. Hvala na savjetu:-) svaka čast na dobroj volji, no ja svoj auto nikad ne bih dala nekome tko nema ni sata vozačke škole,ni po parkingu. nikad ne znaš što u panici može počet izvoditi,a ti nemaš duple komande,možeš jedino povući ručnu i dobro se izvrtiti. preporuka za dobrog instrukora je prava stvar. zadarmamica ja sam se skroz opustila.da se malo pohvalim. :) sin i ja skitamo bez ikakvog problema.on voli biti u AS. seven of nine Svaka cast svim mamama koje su svladale strah! Ja sam odustala od auta, ako mi opet nekad u zivotu dode, vozit cu. Ako ne, opet dobro, necu se forsirati. Ne znam sto mi je, ali jednostavno se bojim. A bila sam dobar vozac prije trudnoce. i ja kažem svaka čast,ja još uvijek papak :scared: a proporcionalno tome još i ljuta na sebe,jer sam papak i zašto jednostavno ne krenem,nisam si jasna mirjana i ja kažem svaka čast,ja još uvijek papak :scared: a proporcionalno tome još i ljuta na sebe,jer sam papak i zašto jednostavno ne krenem,nisam si jasna šta je to sa ženama i vožnjom :psiholog: ???? a koliko bi si samo olakšala život... Pa, kreni!!!! Neš ti mudrosti! Ako znaš vladati mužem :mrgreen:i djetetom, moći ćeš i autom. Cure, natjerat će vas sila, odnosno kad vam to postane presudno važno iz bilo kojeg razloga. I ja sam bila tu na ovom popisu, a sad će već peta godina da vozim skoro svakodnevno. Ne volim voziti, ali vozim. Sve je u glavi. Pa, kreni!!!! Neš ti mudrosti! Ako znaš vladati mužem :mrgreen:i djetetom, moći ćeš i autom. :lol: veli meni MM neki dan,da šta ja "glumim" ustručavanje a šta on sve vidi da se kotrlja po cesti sve ja to znam u glavi,samo mi nije jasno zašto ne sjedam i ne krenem beilana ja obožavam vozit, i obožavam se vozit, položila sam s 18, vozačku imam 7 g, a vozim od 15g. učio me tata vozit kombi-rekao-kad to naučiš vozit sve češ znat. parkiram ga napred, narikverc, bočno, kak poželim. uvijek vozim bez ikakvih dokumenata, ja sam ta koja trubim, vičem, mašem rukama :lol: jednom sam se vračala s bratovim autom iz zg, vozila sam na obilaznici 220!!! obožavam brzinu, glasnu muziku, konje, baš sam u tome ko divljak, oduvijek mi je želja bila bit vozač kamiona, al mama mi to nikad nije dala, šteta Riječanka voziti bez ikakvih dokumenata, voziti 220 po obilaznici i nije nešto za hvaliti se. oprosti, ali ne vidim kako tvojim postom pomažeš onima koje bi željele voziti sebe i svoju djecu, sigurno i u skladu s propisima i osloboditi se straha od takvih "super vozača" kakvim sebe prikazuješ. možda sam te krivo shvatila, ali nadam se da te neću sresti na cesti dok uživaš u vožnji kakvu opisuješ. beilana draga riječanka, a s kim se ti svađaš? ja ne razumijem vozače poput tebe koji vozi mic po mic, ti ne razumiješ ovakve kao ja, a pošto ne voze samo takvi spori cestama lijepe naše, dobro ja da cure znaju da ima divljaka i kao što sam ja. ja ne napadam tebe kaj se voziš 30 u drugoj, nemoj ni ti mene, molim lijepo, svako vozi kak želi Zato treba znati gdje se i kad može voziti...psss-obožavam brzu vožnju, ali samo kad sam sama u autu i kad znam da smijem. A više od dva desetljeća bez sudara i stotine tisuća km u kotačima daju mi kredibilitet. Sve treba radit sa "zrncem soli", a ako već ne radiš tako, onda treba pisati sa tim zrncem... I ne trebaš biti divljak ako voziš brzo. Imam dobar auto i mogu s njim ono što na bih sa slabijim, zato i pretičem na svakom mjestu, trubim kad ne kreću na zeleno, mrzim kampere ispred mene, ali-uvijek neki ali, treba znati kad i kako. Brzo i sigurno, to je moj moto. A ako neka brza bijela sjena projuri pretičući vas i trubeći dok milite uz more :lol:, možda sam to ja, no samo ako je AS odzada prazna... draga riječanka, a s kim se ti svađaš? ja ne razumijem vozače poput tebe koji vozi mic po mic, ti ne razumiješ ovakve kao ja, a pošto ne voze samo takvi spori cestama lijepe naše, dobro ja da cure znaju da ima divljaka i kao što sam ja. ja ne napadam tebe kaj se voziš 30 u drugoj, nemoj ni ti mene, molim lijepo, svako vozi kak želi ona s 30 u drugoj vjerojatno ne krši ograničenja (pretpostavljam da se ne bozi tako po autoputu), a ti ih sa 220 sigurno kršiš Peterlin Zato treba znati gdje se i kad može voziti...psss-obožavam brzu vožnju, ali samo kad sam sama u autu i kad znam da smijem. A više od dva desetljeća bez sudara i stotine tisuća km u kotačima daju mi kredibilitet. Sve treba radit sa "zrncem soli", a ako već ne radiš tako, onda treba pisati sa tim zrncem... I ne trebaš biti divljak ako voziš brzo. Imam dobar auto i mogu s njim ono što na bih sa slabijim, zato i pretičem na svakom mjestu, trubim kad ne kreću na zeleno, mrzim kampere ispred mene, ali-uvijek neki ali, treba znati kad i kako. Brzo i sigurno, to je moj moto. A ako neka brza bijela sjena projuri pretičući vas i trubeći dok milite uz more :lol:, možda sam to ja, no samo ako je AS odzada prazna... Slično je i kod mene - ja isto volim brzo kad mogu I KAD SMIJEM, ali djeca su me na brzinu prizemljila i primirila. Na tragu toga ne bih se složila s beilanom da svatko vozi kako želi. Neodgovornom vožnjom ugrožavamo i sebe i druge.Svatko nek vozi kako želi dok je to u granicama propisa. I zato volim vidjeti policiju po cesti. Ali da se vratimo na topic - sjećam se ja jako dobro kako mi je bilo teško sjesti za volan nakon duge pauze (+prometne u kojoj sam nadrapala, a nisam bila kriva). Nije mi bilo lako. Moja kuma je išla sa mnom i tjerala me da vozim dok se nisam oslobodila straha, a trebalo mi je i nešto vremena... Trebalo mi je puno dulje da se oslobodim straha voziti BILO KOJI auto (a na poslu te ponekad snađu takve situacije). I danas se sjećam kako me svojevremeno ekipa kolega gledala s prozora kako isprobavam novi veliki pick-up ispred firme :mrgreen:. Stajali su na ogradi i cerili se, a ja tražila gdje su svjetla, gdje je rikverc i slično. Pa nije to nikakva sramota. Bolje na parkiralištu nego nasred ceste tražiti gdje se uključuju brisači i slično. Gaće su mi se tresle, ali sam otišla. Meni cesta nije neki problem, ali zato komande u nepoznatom autu dok ih ne savladam... ufff... beilana ona s 30 u drugoj vjerojatno ne krši ograničenja (pretpostavljam da se ne bozi tako po autoputu), a ti ih sa 220 sigurno kršiš krši ona itekako, na kojoj god cesti da toliko vozi a ja sa svojih 220 na obilaznici ne smetam baš nikome, kao ni na normalnoj cesti( tu se ne vozim toliko), dok ona sa 30 itekako smeta podrazumijeva se da uz brzinu uvijek ide velik oprez, to bez daljnjeg, kak god se vozili, opreza uvijek treba biti beti znaći, danas kad pičim na more gledam bijelu strijelu, to si onda ti, ak nema as, i ak ti u srebrnoj strijeli blicam stani uz put u prvu birtiju na kavu :-P Riječanka ja ne razumijem odakle tebi ideja da ja vozim 30? mislim da od 30 do 220 ima popriličan raspon mogućih brzina ili? ja sigurno nikome ne smetam na cesti osim onima koji misle da je po zaobilaznici normalno voziti 220, ali imaš potpuno pravo, nema smisla raspravljati s nekim poput tebe. svi mi znamo da ima divljaka koji tako voze, nažalost i puno previše, ali za hvaliti se time na temi gdje se neke formašice žele ohrabriti za vožnju, zaista je neobično. no, ima nas svakakvih, naravno, ali moram te ispraviti - NE vozi svako kako želi, odnosno ne smije svatko voziti kako želi, jer ako nisi pri polaganju vozačkog bila upoznata s time, postoje i neki propisi o vožnji. dorotea24 ja obožavam vozit, i obožavam se vozit, položila sam s 18, vozačku imam 7 g, a vozim od 15g. učio me tata vozit kombi-rekao-kad to naučiš vozit sve češ znat. parkiram ga napred, narikverc, bočno, kak poželim. uvijek vozim bez ikakvih dokumenata, ja sam ta koja trubim, vičem, mašem rukama :lol: jednom sam se vračala s bratovim autom iz zg, vozila sam na obilaznici 220!!! obožavam brzinu, glasnu muziku, konje, baš sam u tome ko divljak, oduvijek mi je želja bila bit vozač kamiona, al mama mi to nikad nije dala, šteta pametna žena! Pa ne postoje ograničenja tek toliko, jer su imali viška znakova pa eto da nešto napišu... Ne smatram se babcem koja vozi 30 na sat ali držim se ograničenja, ako i "potegnem" to je 10-20 km/h više od dozvoljenog i to nikad nije u naselju. Sigurnost prije svega, moje djece, mene a i svih ostalih na cesti. Danas sam bila kod mehaničara, sad da ne duljim priču, kad je popravio kotač rekao je nek isprobam auto i naganjam ga na 100. Ja u čudu, usred naselja smo, di ću na 100?? A on onako odmahne rukom i kao šta će se tako strašno dogodit za tih par sto metara...:-o A ja dvoje djece sa sobom imam... :evil: I nisam, fino sam se otpeljala do brze ceste i tamo isprobala auto... Evo da se pohvalim da sam i ja počela voziti nakon 10 god. Naime položila sam vozački prije 10 god, malo vozila tada tatina automobili, jednom čak i zapela za neki betonski stupić, onda se udala. MM imao novi auto, pa di ćeš ti vozit novi auto, ja ću te odvesti di treba.... i da ne duljim (a zapravo ruku na srce nisam ni bila baš previše zagrijana za vožnju) prestala voziti. S vremenemo, naravno, kako to već bude, MMu dosadilo mene svuda vozit, on svoje obaveze, ja svoje, klinci, posao, svakodnevne svađe oko toga što me mora vozit negdje, moljakanje, usklađivanje i ja popi.... i uzela privatnog instruktora 5 sati, i krenula vozit. Prva samostalna vožnja je protekla tako da su mi se doslovce noge tresle na papučicama :lol: a sad kako vrijeme prolazi sve sam sigurnija u sebe i to kako što da napravim. U početku sam bila kao pravi štreber, sve kao u knjizi. I neznam sada kako bi mogla bez auta, a da ne spominjem to da se MM i ja puno, puno manje svađamo od kad vozim. Pratila sam ovu temu prije i bilo mi je malo lakše kad sam vidjela da nisam jedina koja se boji sjesti za volan pa evo da je malo podignem. Ima li kakvih novosti, kako ide vožnja vama koje ste tu pisale. Položila sam prije 7,5 godina i onda 4,5 godine nisam vozila. Odlučila da mi je dosta da ovisim o drugima pa kupila auto da počnem napokon voziti i odvozila par sati s instruktorom. Ubrzo nakon toga ostala trudna i kad sam rodila nema šanse da bi sjela za volan. Opet prošle godine taman odvozim par puta prije nego što sam opet zatrudnila. Opet odvozala s instruktorom par sati. Rodila, i opet sve isto. Ne usudim se za volan, pogotovo ne s djecom u autu. Zapravo nikad nisam sjela u auto sama, uvijek je netko bio samnom dok sam vozila. I tako sam ljuta na sebe, jer sam stalno doma tj. u kvartu i čekam da me drugi voze umjesto da sjednem u auto i odem negdje s klincima ili sama. A zapravo stalno zamišljam kako vozim uz neku dobru muziku :rock: i uživam. Samo nikako da krenem...:gaah: Ali možda ima nade za mene. Neki dan sam išla malo sjedit u autu, pa si mislim, hajde da ga upalim, pa bezveze da stojim tako idem odvoziti par krugova po parkingu. Pa mi bilo glupo kružiti i otišla se malo voziti. Bila sat vremena, otišla u dućan. Bila sam cijelo vrijeme ovako :scared: ali i ponosna kaj sam napokon sama odvozila barem malo. Sad se nadam da neće proći mjeseci do sljedećeg pokušaja. Sumskovoce pa kako nisam ovaj topic prije vidjela :-o I ja sam pacijent te vrste. Položila s 18. Nisam vozila do 25. S 25 me MM natjerao da uzmem par sati i počela sam vozit. Išlo mi je supač. Ali kola su bila iz '89. - tako da nije bilo problema ako okačim o nešto ili odem u rikverc do tvrdog :mrgreen: I onda trudnoća s 29. Vozila sam dok mi trbuh nije toliko naraso da nisam stizala do pedala. I onda smo kupili novi auto. I katastrofa. Imamo ga godinu dana, dvaput sam ga preparkirala iz nužde. I sad me strah, pa khm...svega. Strah me da ću ga ogrebat, oštetit...tralalalala Strah me vozit djecu jer su još uvijek u smjeru obrnutom od smjera vožnje, pa ih ne vidim šta rade. Nisam sigurna je li me strah vozit - mislim da nije. A ne znam ni gdje su komande, gdje se povisuje sic, gdje se narihtaju retrovizori...pa katastrofa. I odgađam taj početak i pravdam se da nemam vremena investirat sat-dva u upoznavanje auta i svega toga, jer to vrijeme radije uložim u igru i druženje s djecom... ambrosia tek sad sam otkrila ovaj topic - čini mi se da smo sve više manje u istoj situaciji (polagali vožnju s 18. i onda 10 - tak godina ni pipnuli auto - meni je tata eventualno dozvoljavao da operem auto - ali voziti - nikako, a onda kad sam se udala jednostavno mi je bilo ugodno da me netko vozika) - zanima me da li ste se oslobodile straha kad ste se napokon dokopali volana? ambrosia Ja mislim da treba jednostavno biti uporan u vožnji i tada se stiče rutina! S rutinom postajemo više posvećeni zbivanjima izvan auta (prometu), a ne zbivanjima unutar auta (gdje je koja papučica, u kojoj smo brzini i sl.) i onda nas lagano strah može napustiti... ambrosia Zato treba znati gdje se i kad može voziti...psss-obožavam brzu vožnju, ali samo kad sam sama u autu i kad znam da smijem. A više od dva desetljeća bez sudara i stotine tisuća km u kotačima daju mi kredibilitet. Na ovo se definitivno moram osvrnuti jer me svrbe prsti - znam da je to već odavno napisano i da su mnogi već odgovarali na ovo - ali jednostavno moram. NITKO NEMA KREDIBILITET U PROMETU!!! Moj muž je imao "kredibilitet" vozača više od 20 godina bez sudara ili najmanje ogrebotine na parkingu, stotine tisuća kilometara u kotačima, 10-tke promjenjenih automobila - a onda jednog lijepog dana smo se okretali ko na "rangeru" desetak puta na autocesti - čudom smo preživjeli!!! Zato nitko od nas si ne smije zamišljati da imamo neki "kredit" negdje...svaki kredit dolazi na naplatu...a u prometu je najčešći problematični faktor - ljudski!!! ambrosia, kredibilitet da znam gdje se i kad može voziti. Ne kredibilitet u prometu. Tu najviše ovisimo o nesavjesnim vozačima. Manje o sebi. Zato i nema kredita u prometu. Zato i treba voziti misleći da će drugi napraviti glupost kakva ti je nezamisliva, ali da ćeš moći izbjeći tu glupost, zahvaljujući iskustvu, hladnokrvnosti i dobrom autu. A zar ne misliš da ste živi i zdravi izašli iz onog sudara baš zato što je tvoj muž imao iskustvo, nije se uspaničio, nije okrenuo volan u ogradu...? ambrosia ambrosia, kredibilitet da znam gdje se i kad može voziti. Ne kredibilitet u prometu. Tu najviše ovisimo o nesavjesnim vozačima. Manje o sebi. Zato i nema kredita u prometu. Zato i treba voziti misleći da će drugi napraviti glupost kakva ti je nezamisliva, ali da ćeš moći izbjeći tu glupost, zahvaljujući iskustvu, hladnokrvnosti i dobrom autu. Zato i mislim da se ne treba igrati s "vatrom" ili "sudbinom" kako hoćeš! Ja sam tada shvatila (iako sam vozač poput tebe - oštra, brza...) da nije sve u našim rukama (znala sam to i prije) - ali kad se samo vrtiš i apsolutno van kontrola si i ti i auto - ne možeš ništa - samo se nadati da ćeš ostati živ... ambrosia A zar ne misliš da ste živi i zdravi izašli iz onog sudara baš zato što je tvoj muž imao iskustvo, nije se uspaničio, nije okrenuo volan u ogradu...? ISKUSTVO je neophodno i puno pomaže -ali ono se stječe vremenom - a ne brzinom... Pa naravno da vremenom. A ja vozim i vozim duuugo, od 18.rođendana. Kakvom brzinom, nigdje to nisam napisala, ne stječe se iskustvo brzinom. Da me poznaš, nikad ne bi sumnjala u način na koji ja vozim. Bez brige, neću nikoga ugroziti. Ali, da je lijepo voziti brzo kad znaš i možeš, e baš je! Naročito volim talijanske autoceste...:-) ambrosia Da se vratimo temi - ovdje pretpostavljam je osnovna misao bila - ŽENE TREBATE SE PRIMITI VOLANA!!!! Unatoč strahovima, bolovima u želucu:sick::zbunj::psiholog: ili drugim autosugestivnim tegobama odolijeti svemu i može se uspjeti i VOZITI. Muževima obično nije problem vozikati nas dok smo mladi i zaljubljeni - ali s vremenom, s povećanim brojem obaveza i svim mogućim razlozima - usklađivanje rasporeda oko vožnje postaje noćna mora...pa da svaki put kad želite otići u shoping ili kod prijateljice ili na Rodinu rasprodaju - da ga morate moliti ili žicati nekog poznatog da vas poveze?! Ajmo žene voziti i dokazati da možemo to i da nismo obične perikače za volanom... bembola ISKUSTVO je neophodno i puno pomaže -ali ono se stječe vremenom - a ne brzinom... slazem se! i ne volim kad neko kaze;pa iskusan je vozac toliko i toliko godina bez sudara...svakom se moze dogodit! Kad se opustis sve je puno lakse...ni ja nisam htjela vozit maloga bas zbog toga sta mi je u suprotnom smjeru-al krenula sam i sad sam monogo opustenija ajme teme za mene... i ja sam nevozač s vozačkom.položila 04., i nikad ne vozila.moji nisu imali auta,plan je bio da ja kupim,al sve se nekud oteglo...i evo mene 8 god. kasnije.u međuvremenu se udala,mm me vozi ko torbicu svud.ja mu uporno javčem kak me živcira to kaj sve moram planirati prema njegovom poslu,nemrem zubaru bez njega,k mojima,sestri..dok mu nisam dodijala i samo me posjeo u auto,odvezao do hak-ovog poligona i tu je krenulo.prvo pol vure štrebanja koja je koja papučica,di je koje svijetlo.krenula sam pomalo ali sigurno.i nakon valjda sto raznih krugova fakat sam se osječala ko da sam štihala,ssve me je bolilo!i tak par nedjelja,sve bilo ok.al uvijek sam se morala prvo prisjetiti di je je koja papučica i to.pa me jednu nedjelju odvezao na ind. zonu,kao tam nema prometa,da malo vozim po cesti.i išla ja,sva ponosna..sve dok nije naišo prvi auto.koma,panika,kaj sad.prestigne me,srce mi je htelo skočiti.vozim dalje,kad eto ti šlepera.o bože,us... sam se skoro!zanijemim od straha,neznam kaj moram raditi,oču da me prestigne,da ode,on me čeka jer nezna kaj radim.a ja stojim uz bankinu i čekam da ode:roll: i odustala ja. užasavam se vožnje u prometu,među ljudima. par put sam se posvadila s mm oko te teme,pokušava mi dati do znanja da moram počet vozit,da nemrem tolko ovisit o njemu,kaj dok dođe dijete pa vrtić,pa doktoru,nebude uvijek on mogao. sve ja to znam. i jako bi htjela voziti.al neznam kaj da radim,smrznem se ko grlica.a naajgore od svega me brine - kaj si bude on(ili oni,drugi vozači) sad mislil!kaj stojim,i kaj sam spora,pa mi bude trubel(aaaaaaa).i treba mi vremena,da skužim di sam.ono,preveč mi informacija dojde odjednom,ja bi najradije stala na raskrižju il de već,i krenula prvo proučavati okolinu.na kakvoj sam cesti,tko ima prednost,pogledat znakove,propustit sve(to obavezno:mrgreen:) da imam mira krenut dalje.nekak mi je prepuno toga svega odjednom za obaviti.i ja se divim svima vama koje vozite ko da vodu pijete. probala sam voziti frend. auta,slična situacija.veli ona,pa tebi to super ide kaj pričaš da nemreš.i onda dođemo do ceste(prometnije) i nastane kaos. plus kaj me strah da ne skrham nam auto,pa je mm nervozan dok počnem paničariti,pa ja upijem tu nervozu,ajme... mislim da jedino što mogu je platit par sati s instruktorom,da dobim malo samopouzdanja,ipak i on ima kočnicu da nas spasi ak zatreba.jer ovak,no way. Inda_os žužy, to tvoje ponašanje u prometu nije ništa neobično. Mislim da se otprilike tako svi osjećaju na početku. Kad se sjetim svojih prvih vožnji na posao... ajme meni, koji je to stres bio... Ali iskustvom sve to dođe na svoje. Možda da probaš prvih nekoliko puta voziti po istoj poznatoj ruti, pa onda kad se malo opustiš da proširiš tu vožnju na nekoliko različitih ruta. Kasnije kad ne budeš morala razmišljati o tehnikalijama tipa prebacivanja brzina bit će lakše pratiti prometnu situaciju. Svakako ne odustaj svi smo prošli to što ti sada prolaziš. joj evo i mene opet i opet ne vozim,damn it! u međuvremenu sam vozila 1x i bolje da nisam,grozno i tak... čekam da krenem radit i da si platim par sati,jer ću se tako valjda natjerati kontinuirano voziti. je li itko od vas uzimao te tzv.satove kondicione vožnje?i koliko su cijene satova trenutno? da,isto mene zanima ako je tko na friško uzimao satove vožnje. ja inače jako volim bicikl,i super sam na njemu,sve obavim za tili čas(7 god. sam se vozila 20 km dnevno na posao i doma).al znam da nebudem uvijek sve mogla s biciklom obavljati.probala sam proči pažljivije te neke rute prvo biciklom,snimit križanja,prednost prolaska i to..al u autu se skamenim. znam da jedino praksom mogu se riješavat straha,al to bu potrajalo. da,isto mene zanima ako je tko na friško uzimao satove vožnje. ja inače jako volim bicikl,i super sam na njemu,sve obavim za tili čas(7 god. sam se vozila 20 km dnevno na posao i doma).al znam da nebudem uvijek sve mogla s biciklom obavljati.probala sam proči pažljivije te neke rute prvo biciklom,snimit križanja,prednost prolaska i to..al u autu se skamenim. znam da jedino praksom mogu se riješavat straha,al to bu potrajalo. tak i ja bicfreak,uživala sam ići na posao s njim,a sad smo se preselili i stvarno sam predaleko od grada da bi mi bic bio dovoljan (i to ne toliko dužina rute koliko ceste na njoj) znam i ja da jednostavno trebam krenut,a ne filozofirat,ali se eto ne mogu natjerati :cupakosu: možda dobro staro plaćanje odradi svoje,ak krenem ovak na satove a ja auto vozim bez problema, svakodnevno, ali na bicikl ne bi sjela, nema šanse. to mi je baš spooky... onako ja jadna na biciklu u prometnoj vrevi, nikad ne znaš što se može dogoditi... je,isto si i ja mislim..možda kontaktirat bivšeg instruktora,ako mi se nebude smijal nakon tolko god.:lol: ambrosia a ja auto vozim bez problema, svakodnevno, ali na bicikl ne bi sjela, nema šanse. to mi je baš spooky... onako ja jadna na biciklu u prometnoj vrevi, nikad ne znaš što se može dogoditi... PA baš tako - ja gledam ekipu na biciklima kako su hrabri i špuraju svuda - a u autu si više zaštićen (nego na biciklu), - zračni jastuci, pojasevi,...a na biciklu imaš samo kacigu Cure ja mislim da se jednostavno morate natjerati da krenete - baš ovako kako kaže Inda_os - prvo po jednoj poznatoj ruti - dok ne ispalite na mozak, a onda polako povećavati djelokrug vožnje ;-) JA predlažem da jednostavno počnete dan po dan - i da nam se javljate npr. ovdje na topic - kako je prošlo! Bit će i glavobolja i svega - ali trening je taj koji će vam pomoći - bio on kondicioni uz instruktora ili nađite nekog STRPLJIVOG vozača - ne mora to biti lošija polovica - neki prijatelj/ prijateljica ili tko god - samo da je strpljiv Ima i onih naljepnica vozač početnik - pa će ljudi shvatiti ako petljate sa strane.... sve se da riješiti Vjerujte mi - sad sam super vozačica - kažu da vozim ko muško :storma: (ne znam da li da to shvatim kao kompliment) - a kad sam počela voziti nakon 10 godina nevoženja - čak sam i povraćala i imala druge trbušne probleme, glavobolje i slično prije nego bi sjela u auto... držite se - POLIJEĆEMO trampolina Cure, meni je dugo vremena pomagalo raditi plan puta - u glavi sam imala točno razrađena sva križanja, prednosti i prestrojavanja, pa čak i parkiranja. I da ponovim što je puno njih prije mene reklo, bitna je samo kontinuiranost u vožnji. trampolina Bit će i glavobolja i svega - ali trening je taj koji će vam pomoći - bio on kondicioni uz instruktora ili nađite nekog STRPLJIVOG vozača - ne mora to biti lošija polovica - neki prijatelj/ prijateljica ili tko god - samo da je strpljiv A vidiš, meni je tek pomoglo kad sam ostala sama samcata u autu. Uz suputnika bi uvijek odbijala preuzeti potpunu odgovornost. A vidiš, meni je tek pomoglo kad sam ostala sama samcata u autu. Uz suputnika bi uvijek odbijala preuzeti potpunu odgovornost. ja sam počela voziti odmah nakon položenog vozačkog (tek sa 25), ali slažem se s ovim - tek kad sam ostala sama u autu sam se opustila. sa suvozačem sam uvijek imala tremu. Evo i moje iskustvo s prekidom vožnje: vozila sam godinama i onda nisam sjela za volan 5 godina u komadu (cijeli porodiljni). Nije mi pasao auto koji smo nabavili, bilo me strah voziti djecu... I onda sam se vratila na posao, preuzela službeni auto, sjela za volan i nastavila voziti kao da nikad nisam ni prestala :) Sve nam je to u glavi. Muž me nije mogao nagovoriti, ali poslodavac je :) Kao što sam pisala prije, ja sam od onih koja nikad nije zaista provozila nakon položenog ispita, 15-ak godina držala vozačku za ukras i onda se konačno odlučila riješiti taj problem. Meni se čini da je ključna odluka. Većini nas koje nismo vozile problem je strah i to većinom strah od prometa (više neko strah od samog auta i komandi, barem se meni tako čini). Mogu vas drugi nagovarati koliko žele, ali dok same ne donesete tu odluku, teško da će doći do rezultata. A odluka može biti potreba, sila ili jednostavno iznenadna volja da se taj "hendikep" prevlada. Kod mene je bilo od svega po malo, ali je prevladalo to što više nisam mogla gledati auto na parkiralištu (muž je u to vrijeme vozio službeni) dok ja gubim po 45 minuta do posla i natrag, teglim stvari s posla i na posao, klinca i njegove stvari u vrtić i iz vrtića, stvari iz dućana... Uzela sam puno dodatnih sati s instruktorom (jako mi je važno bilo da je to bila strpljiva osoba i posebno to što je imao iskustva baš s takvima kao ja) i vozila s njim, prvo na njegovom pa na svojem autu sve dok se nisam osjećala spremnom voziti posve sama. I kod mene su to najprije bile unaprijed isplanirane rute, ali je i to bio ogroman napredak. Odjednom mi je do posla trebalo 15 min, a leđa su mi odahnula. Na to da ustrajem voziti poslije je utjecala baš činjenica da mi se popravila kvaliteta života - da ne moram liječniku s djetetom po kiši i pješice, da ne moram ovisiti o drugima kad mi se ide do trgovačkog centra ili u kazalište. Jedno vuče drugo. Bilo mi je često muka, imala sam grčeve u želucu prije vožnje (zapravo jako dugo), svakako je bilo, ali nisam si dala da odustanem, a posebno se nisam htjela vratiti u tramvaj. Tako da je glavna blokada u glavi. Za njezino razbijanje nekome treba strpljiv suputnik, netko se bolje snalazi sam - to svatko mora vidjeti za sebe što mu najbolje odgovara. No važno je početi malim koracima i ustrajati. Ako sam mogla ja, možete i sve vi, sasvim sigurno. U međuvremenu nisam zavoljela vožnju, ali sam ju prihvatila kao nužnu i kao veliku pomoć (iako ima i nedostataka, ali o tome drugi put). I sad vozim svakodnevno. Dapače, sad muž ide na posao javnim prijevozom 8-). ambrosia evo kako Freja kaže - obično nas nužda natjera - ali trebamo i podršku okoline u toj odluci... joj Freja,baš mi je drago pročitati tvoj post,pošto je i moja vozačka ukras u novčaniku već 14 godina... i super mi je sve cure koje ste se javile da se može prevladati to i nakon toliko godina pauze.mislim za ohrabrenje je baš dobrodošlo. btw,malo tehnikalija.Freja koliko si sati cca uzela?i sjećaš li se okvirno cijene sata? A vidiš, meni je tek pomoglo kad sam ostala sama samcata u autu. Uz suputnika bi uvijek odbijala preuzeti potpunu odgovornost. a za ovo i ja mislim da je bolje,jer je nekako manji pressing ai osloniš se na sebe i amen.još samo da je doći do faze da sam u stanju sjesti sama za volan...gdje bi mi bio kraj 8-) a za ovo i ja mislim da je bolje,jer je nekako manji pressing ai osloniš se na sebe i amen.još samo da je doći do faze da sam u stanju sjesti sama za volan...gdje bi mi bio kraj 8-) potpis :škartoc: ajme koja sam ja kukavica na tom planu..a inače sam dosta kuražna,flegma iz maj midl nejm. Ja sam dodatne satove uzimala prije otprilike 5 godina dok je još postojao centar za sigurnu vožnju "Marani". Mislim da je sat, s računom i pdv-om, bio 60 kn. Mislim da sam odvozila oko 40 sati, dakle još jednom program auto-škole. S tim da sam oko 15. sata prešla na svoj auto, a nakon 25 počela voziti lagano i s drugima u autu, osim s instruktorom. S instruktorom sam vozila još neko vrijeme povremeno i nakon što sam se počela sama voziti svaki dan na posao. Nek vas ne uplaši broj sati - to je jako individualno. Nisam se htjela žuriti i bila sam stvarno u velikom strahu od vožnje. Već prvi sat sam išla na cestu, da ne mislite da sam prvih 10 vozila po poligonu. Vozila sam stvarno posvuda i svako doba i to iskustvo + odličan i strpljiv instruktor su bili presudni za uspjeh. Potpora okoline je dakako poželjna. Uz mene su stvarno bili svi, a u isto vrijeme je isti proces prolazila i moja sestra, nešto kasnije i jedna prijateljica tako da smo si bile uzajamna podrška. I eto, sad sam vozačica, a stvarno sam mislila da nikad neću prebroditi taj strah :) Vozim i sama, i s drugima, vozim djecu. Doduše još uvijek volim kad točno znam rutu, ali to je najmanji problem. ambrosia Ja sam odvozila umjesto s instruktorom s mužem - što je bilo puno jeftinije...tada je imao strpljenja - a u konačnici smo moj put do posla odvozili svaki u jednom autu - on se vozio iza mene - jer sam se ja bojala da ću baš kad ostanem sama nadrapati, da će mi puknuti guma i šta ja znam šta sve ne...kada sam prošla SAMA cijeli put - shvatila sam koliko je moj strah iracionalan - a da kad sam sama u autu mogu pjevati, slušati radio i slično - a da nikome ne smetam... ambrosia Eh da - ono što će možda nekome biti važno meni je sada vrijeme vožnje postalo vrijeme relaksacije - unatoč gužvi i prometu (putujem preko sat vremena do posla). U toku dana nemam vremena za sebe i svoje misli - a za vrijeme vožnje uspjevam odvrtiti sve važne planove u glavi...a nitko mi ne smeta... Držite se cure - možete sve voziti i MORATE to savladati - ako ste već dobile vozačku - onda nemojte da vam istekne - a da ju ne upotrijebite roman972 Vozačku dozvolu stekla sam kao studentica, godinu-dvije sam vozila očev auto, a zatim desetak godina uopće nisam vozila jer nisam imala šta. Kad sam se udala i kupili smo auto, vozio je sve MM i meni je to savršeno odgovaralo - dok on zbog posla nije počeo biti po više dana i tjedana na putu. Prvo dijete, prvi put bolesno, ja sama, bez ikakvog iskustva i pomoći. Zimsko doba, ružno vrijeme. Ja u panici, zovem doktoricu, ona mi daje upute za snižavanje temperature i na kraju, ako ništa ne uspije, da dođem s djetetom.:-( Auto dolje pred kućom, uzmem ja ključ, dijete na kratko zaspalo, siđem da vidim znam li ja uopće upaliti motor. Znala sam. Isprobam žmigavce, brisače, šaltanje, sve ok. Zagasim motor, odem gore, zamotam dijete, utrpam ga u sjedalicu, odvezem do ambulante. Vrijeme grozno, vjetar puše, susnježica, mrak, vidljivost loša. Dijagnoza teški bronhitis, injekcije antibiotika 10 dana. Nakon 8 dana kad se MM vratio ja sam već probila led s vožnjom - do ambulante, pa do dućana, pa do tržnice, pa do mame (e, tu je već bilo par semafora!), malo po malo, sve dalje. Kad sam se vratila na posao vozila sam svaki dan i nije mi više bio problem. (Na zadnji porođaj odvezla sam se sama do rodilišta, MM je morao doći tramvajem po auto).:yes: Kad moram ići "u nepoznato", nastojim prethodno na karti pronaći točno put, u mislima unaprijed biram traku u koju se moram svrstati da poslije mogu skrenuti kud trebam, općenito, pripremiti se za vožnju. I u vožnji treba biti usmjeren na vožnju i praćenje prometa, to nije vrijeme za rješavanje bilokakvih problema. roman972, slažem se s tobom da se treba usredotočiti na vožnju, ali kad se voziš 10 km/sat pola sata ili duže, bome dok čekaš u koloni i jedva se mičeš, imaš vremena razmišljati o koječemu. Mislim da je na to mislila ambrosia. roman972 roman972, slažem se s tobom da se treba usredotočiti na vožnju, ali kad se voziš 10 km/sat pola sata ili duže, bome dok čekaš u koloni i jedva se mičeš, imaš vremena razmišljati o koječemu. Mislim da je na to mislila ambrosia. To da, i ja se slažem s tobom. A ja sam mislila na "pravu" vožnju.:-) ambrosia roman972, slažem se s tobom da se treba usredotočiti na vožnju, ali kad se voziš 10 km/sat pola sata ili duže, bome dok čekaš u koloni i jedva se mičeš, imaš vremena razmišljati o koječemu. Mislim da je na to mislila ambrosia. Hvala na pojašnjenju - upravo ovo što kaže Freja - ja moj put od 25 kilometara prelazim u vremenu od preko jednog sata - o brzini vam neću govoriti - jer ako ovo preračunate - dođe vam da plačete - zato i imam vremena u autu za SEBE i razmišljanja o koječemu... Bez brige, možete razmišljati o koječemu i kad vozite 150 km/h, sat vremena od Venecije do Trsta, i paziti na promet i preticati more kamiona. Pogotovo ako vozite jako često, pa vam je poznat svaki znak na cesti. tanja_b I eto, sad sam vozačica, a stvarno sam mislila da nikad neću prebroditi taj strah :) Vozim i sama, i s drugima, vozim djecu. Doduše još uvijek volim kad točno znam rutu, ali to je najmanji problem. Vidim ovu temu, i svoje stare postove na njoj :mrgreen: Uglavnom, i ja sad vozim. Nakon višegodišnje pauze i izbjegavanja volana, natjerala sam se sjesti u auto kad sam shvatila da mi dijete malo-pomalo raste, da će ga trebati voziti na aktivnosti, i da ga tata neće uvijek moći voziti, a javni prijevoz nam neće uvijek biti opcija. Naročito mi je to postalo jasno kad je krenuo u glazbeni vrtić i počeo pokazivati interes za velike instrumente. Pa mi je sinulo: pa neće valjda on mali u tramvaj s fagotom/saksofonom/violončelom/nečim-još-većim :mrgreen: I tako ga vozim. Jer s violončelom stvarno ne bi mogao u tramvaj, i neće moći još neko vrijeme. U međuvremenu sam se malo opustila, pa vozim i drugdje po gradu, kao i Freji, lakše mi je ako znam točnu rutu, i nastojim se unaprijed pripremiti (kuda ću voziti, gdje se prestrojiti, gdje se uparkirati), ali sve to mi postaje sve manji problem. Ali jednog straha se još nisam uspjela riješiti, a to je strah od brzine :-( Nelagodno se osjećam i kao suvozač dok se vozimo autocestom, a da bih sama vozila brzinom od 100+ km/h, nema šanse. Užasno se bojim prometnih nesreća, ne jednom sam se trznula kad je MM samo malo jače dodao gas, i tako... srećom, pa ne moram rutinski voziti na međugradskim relacijama. A za zagrebačke gužve mi sasvim odgovara spora vožnja - još uvijek je brže od tramvaja. vBulletin® v4.2.3, Copyright ©2000-2018, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.