That sounds wonderful; do you mind sharing the recipe?

Ev, thanks for sharing your story

Excellent episode of Grey's Anatomy tonight, all around. Christina's speech to the panel and the storyline about the young man with the tumor had me in tears; the whole episode was fabulous

Severe storms...we're under a tornado warning until 9pm tonight Ed: all clear!

Dang! Who is that?!

How about... Christian Slater... Adam Levine... McSteamy...

I just tanked up; it was $56 and I already had slightly over 1/4 tank to begin with. It was $3.55 a gallon for regular. The Explorer's days are numbered for sure; I miss my old Corolla I am very strategic with my driving too. But we each have to drive 1/2 hour to work (our schedules are different so we can't ride together) and then take the kids to their activities (we do have carpools with other families). But if gas gets much higher, the activities' days may be numbered too. On weekends when I run errands, I plan where I have to go, and take a logical route (i.e. no backtracking, etc.). I no longer go to the gym on weekends either unless I can knock out a few errands while I'm there; since it's 1/2 hour away (but free membership).

Oh no; I'm not good with heights, lol! But we see them a lot where we live and in the nearby areas.

Exactly!

Very best wishes to you in your search. We've been there too; my husband went through a layoff a couple of years ago. I hope you will find an even better situation than you had before!

You've seen everyone I wish I could have seen

My list is a lot shorter than you guys' Unfortunately no Zeppelin or Robert/Jimmy on my list (yet). This starts in '78 or '79 with Boston: -Boston w/Sammy Hagar -The Pretenders (they were great!) -Molly Hatchett -The Cars (most blah concert I ever saw) -Foreigner w/Billy Squier (somewhere I have an awesome pic I took of Billy from front row; if I can find it I'll put it up) -Van Halen (Diver Down tour...Halloween night!! most fun concert ever!) -The Police (Synchronicity...we missed the opening act...REM, as we got lost ) -ACDC (Worst concert I ever saw. ) -Heart (Bad Animals tour...loved their older stuff) -The Kinks -The Romantics -The Bangles w/General Public (in a tiny club in Radford VA, lol. Walk like an Egyptian...) -UB40 -10,000 Maniacs -Peter Frampton (late 80s/early 90s in a club; front row!!) -The Dixie Chicks (goodbye Earl, lol) -Dave Matthews Band w/Neil Young (while 8.5 mos pregnant, ) -The Eagles -Maroon 5 w/The Hives & Sarah Bareilles (my older daughter's 1st concert!) I may have forgotten one or two others.

Did you ever see the movie "Steel Magnolias"? It's a mixture of strength, grace, manners, determination, will, ... You can't really explain it, and you probably wouldn't even notice it if you weren't looking for it, even if it were directed toward you; as it's very subtle. I'm only 1st generation southern, so I recognize it but can't "do" it. But of course not all southern women are like that either.

Yesterday we were out running errands all day and well into the evening. I heard Zeppelin/Firm songs 3 times while we were out; normally even catching one is a rarity. "Radioactive" at Kmart (lol), "Dancing Days" at the gym and "In the Evening" at the sporting goods shop.

Sorry Cactus, I didn't think about that and didn't mean to offend!

Hot air balloons fly nearby alot, esp. in the fall during the foliage peak. You can hear that "whoosh" when they go by and are flying low; it's sooo cool!

That was great! I also loved when Derek got into the elevator with all 3 of them (awkward...)

Those sound like fun plans everyone! Summer is almost here

Those are gorgeous!

I've got summer-itis We're going to the beach in June and will also take random other days off here and there for amusement parks etc. Our kids do swim team so we'll be at the pool every evening too. What are your summer plans?

It looks beautiful, but how do you get down (safely)?

Thanks; I was in 1st grade, lol.

My parents listened to the Kingston Trio, Nat King Cole, and lots of musical soundtracks (Man of La Mancha, the Sound of Music, etc.). Actually the music influence thing happened in reverse for us; my Mom (in her 70s) now has some Springsteen, DMB, Rod Stewart and other cds and likes a few Zeppelin songs too

Rome...sigh...I am jealous! It's 8:45 am Saturday morning here in VA. The pollen count is high; the azaleas are in full swing...

I want health and happiness for my family, friends (including all of you guys) and I. And a classic convertible VW Beetle (red)