Ask Autumn

Autumn, when is Maryland gonna get some rain?! (New Jersey and the entire DelMArVa peninsula, too, for that matter!)

This is a simple question for frugal Autumn: How are you?

he meant, Ms. Frugal Autumn... how MUCH are you? and how does he go about getting a discount.

OooooOOOH! See who knows what I mean! Miss Something-Or-Another Pasquina! So, how about that discount? Plus, does it come with any good salty pumpkin recipes?

THERE's a one track mind for ya!

'Tis the season, Autumn is here...so what do I ask?

Huh, I guess, that's a pretty cool question, John!

autumn, where's wer?

(Please, oh please answer this one for Wolfie!)

...and, does he still taste like Mafia? *grin*

I'm around

he's around. does that mean in place or in shape?

*Gasp* I'm delighted you are around. *HUGS!* *Fainting dead away*

The offer about the table dance still stands. Now, to find one with longer legs than I have...

Subliminal posts are the most challenging. Come back, Emily Bronte !!!

ROFLOL!!! I haven't been to Screwed in years and I find a tribute topic to yours truly? Art thou poking fun at my legendary tendencies towards minimalism, frugality, and voluntary simplicity? Not to mention baseball, apple pie and the American Way??? If I had known wer would actually come and visit this topic, I would've checked in years ago! (*sigh*)

We were finding a suitable way to honor someone who creates "TOFURKEY" on purpose! (I still can't believe that even though I love tofu!)

Yup *sigh* and *HUGS*

Ahem, actually I much prefer Unturkey to Tofurky. Much better texture and flavor. Neither goes over well with the extended family at holidays. *sigh*

What kind of sandwiches does it make? Unturkey? I learn something new every day. To me the best part of turkey is cold sandwiches forever after. I'm hungry!

Who makes "unturkey"? Is this Morningstar?

Nope, Now and Zen. Sorry, Marcia, leftovers are icky.

Fudge! Next you will tell me there is no crispy skin to peel off and eat in the kitchen! *sigh*

The skin is called yuba, and while it "crackles" off during slicing it's not the same as the real thing.

*sigh* The skin's the best part. Not good cold, either, I suppose, but you have a clear conscience when you celebrate a holiday. What are the giblets like for making gravy - or is that out of the question?

It comes with a tub of questionable-looking, gelatinous gravy that will insure no one overeats.

Yak! Hard to make soup or stock out of the bones, too, I'd guess. Sometimes we just cannot improve on Mother Nature no matter how lovely the name of ersatz turkey!

No one who truly loves turkey would be satisfied with this product! What are you all having for Easter?

I had a cold so I had soup (from a can - my house male is not great at making soup)

aww...when are you going to CA (am I remembering right that you planned to move there??)

Sooner than I thought we will be going there. Perhaps to southern Cal. Wolfie, are you listening? I will be within the same area as you are. Check out Northridge. Yes, I know - big earthquakes! Not my first choice, but I will fly east to visit my sister with perhaps a few "side" trips along the way. *grin* No, not moving there at the moment. Not moving anywhere though there is a distant possibility out there. I'd really like to be closer to my son, but he is so busy I might as well communicate with him by IM and email from here!

Are you going to be staying with your son when your in CA???? we really HAVE to try to get together!! :-)

He is midstate - this visit may entail a stay in Northridge with HM's brother and family. I'd really LOVE to get together with you!!! BTW, Wolfie, Julie is from your neck of the woods, too. She's our newest geoite and my "little sister." Does that make you an auntie or something?

no, a sister too! EsBee, are you a misplaced californian? (and i saw, marcia, you're little bit about a visit *giggle* wonder how i could swing it....)

i meant to type julie but your name came out EsBee--think i just read one of your posts somewhere and it was stuck in my doggie brain!

They're BOTH Californians... reluctantly, even as you are, Sweetie! Yup, you have a little sister, coz I have one, too! Guess John has one, also. I wonder if Julie had any idea...*grin*

You can use EsBee Wolf, Marcia gave me that nick name and i'm plenty fond of it.. :-) and i live in CA - East San Fran Bay. Marcia and i have been attempting to meet up whenever she's in state, but somehow it never seems to work out... :-(

My sister lives East of San Fran, well east of Oakland actually, in Alamo and Walnut Creek, they have two houses, one under construction.

Hey, your sis and i are practically neighbors! :-)

Don and Alice are living in the house in Walnut Creek and building the one in Alamo. They'll move in to it when it's finished.

I just bought my first home in Livermore (okay, its actually a condo -but it's mine! WoHoo), and i work in Pleasanton and San Ramon! If they're readers i can recommend a great bookshop in San Ramon.... ;-)

i'm down here in the South Bay area....marcia, you just have a whole family here in cali!

i was just in Fremont about an hour ago Wolf! :-) We could have met for lunch or something...

*laugh*

They took me to a great bookshop in Berkeley, Builders Books, have you been there? Nothing but books on construction, architecture, design and home improvement.

Nope, havent been to that one - Berkeley is fun though, isnt it? ...well on a small scale. Dont know if i could deal with it on a daily basis. :-) I work in a New & Used Book Shop on the weekends. It's right on the San Ramon/Danville border. -Alamo is right on the other side of Danville.

Yeah, I remember 20 years ago it was mostly walnut orchards and farmland. It's a bustling suburb now. My sister's new house has a gorgeous view of the mountain, what is it called, Mt. Diablo? Her husband, Don, is a builder who did 90% of the work himself on this 4,000 sf plus house.

I have to get there. That's all there is to it. My friend with the Cobra is from East Bay area. Imagine the possibilities!

Yup Mount Diablo. My son has mountain-biked that place in both directions. Talk about cardio-vascular workout!

Have you ridden BART?

Have you ridden BART? *laughing* unfortunately..... yes.

That kind of freaks me out...if an earthquake hit while you were underwater you wouldn't stand a chance. What a way to go!

It beats driving to downtown SF if you don't have a lot of running around to do, doesn't it?

Remember the Bay Bridge that dropped a whole section? I'm not all that fond of going over that bridge, either. But, going all the way around the Bay is quite a trip.

what's a BART???

Bay Area Rapid (*laughing hystically at THAT*) Transit i'd rather drive into San Fran than take Bart- unless you're by yourself its cheaper to pay the bridge fair and parking fees than to pay for BART. The most annoying thing about BART however,(imho) -well, aside from the scary people, is how infrequently the trains run.

My sister missed that section drop by about 15 minutes, I seem to remember something like that. What's the cost of a trip from Walnut Creek to SF?

*laugh*

not about your sister, terry, how scary for her! i've seen some scary looking folks just down the street from my house! and i'm afraid to take the metro or the city buses!

Terry !!! Things like that give me the shakes in the dark of night, My son had just been over it an hour before it dropped. How much does BART cost to ride, EsBee?

Hi all I wonder how long the Wellington Fault has to go before it ruptures, because it crosses two tunnels in the heart of Wellington City connecting roads. Rob

That is as bad as the tunnel and bridge they are building over faults in Greece. It seems to be a crap shoot if you get over alive or not. I like better odds than that, Rob. Of course, so does Wilson tunnel in Honolulu cross faults. It has caved in a few times in recent years.

i think i've only been through one real tunnel here (right through a mountain) but the rest are under other roads (but closed in on the sides). the bridge you guys are talking about in SF--isn't it a double one--is it the one where folks were trapped in the bottom?

Yes! Eest bound on the bottom and west bound on the top!

Will have to check on the current cost for BART from East Bay into the city, but am guessing round trip is about $7ish- (could be way off on that) Public Trans here is truely scary. What kills me (almost literally) is how often the evening news starts out with: "And there was another fatal accident on Muni today..."

*laughing* oops- (still getting the hang of the submit button vs. the back button...) *snicker*

lol, Esbee, join the crowd. When I want to go back 10 posts I have hit the sumbit button by mistake. Talk about embarrasing. One cannot delete stuff like that!

it's cold(ish) and windy here today - i wish i was in warm Hawaii with you Marcia....

It was gloriously sunny and summery again. It is kind of unreal because I keep thinking the whole world is like Hawaii. Weirder still, Rob is entering winter because he lives on the bottom side of the globe where people stick out like pins on a tennis ball - sticking straight down!

Going to be in the eighties here today, how's the weather in Autumn's neck of the woods?

my toes are cold. (should have perhaps worn socks today...)

How is Balimer, Autumn? Have you broken through the ice? I heard from Louisville and it is warm there - almost hot. Especially for this time of year!

We had a crushing week of 90 degree temperatures--believe it or not, they closed the schools early a couple of days because the air conditioning is not set to switch over until May 1. Today it's a much more normal 65. LOL about the ice--we didn't even need gloves this winter, thanks to global warming. :-(

What a mess. Poor sunngy Greece got snowed under for the first time in recorded history (and they have a VERY LONG history) - from November clear through to now. Snow and ice. Ancient olive trees are dying, farmers are desperate, and now they have flooding. What on earth is causing such strange weather? Ours stays in the 70's and low 80's and is absolutely beautiful. New Zealand also had a wet cold summer. They're heading into winter so who knows what they will have for weather. Stay tuned!

Autumn what were you doing right before you logged in here?

Probably reading my email...how specific are you trying to get??

This is, after all, ask Autumn so, very specific. What's the most embarassing thing that's happened to you lately?

ooooh...let me think a sec. OK. Last weekend I went with a friend somewhere for the day. When we got back I went inside her house to use the bathroom real quick before I drove home. While I was in there, I could easily hear her and husband having a huge argument about how late she had stayed out, how worried he was, etc. I waited until I heard him go upstairs and slam a door, and then I sauntered out like nothing happened (although the look on her face said it all) and told her good-bye. I got in the car and just felt embarrassed for overhearing the argument and ashamed at having been a party to his anger (because I really respect him a lot) and her "getting in trouble" with him.

Isn't it better to know the truth?

This is when friendship really mean something, Autumn. Be there for her and watch her carefully for bruises. I'm NOT kidding. Yes, knowing the truth could save a life!

No, no, it was nothing like that. It was one of those things that goes on between married people that you'd be embarrassed to have your neighbors or friends overhear. I ran into her the next day at the library and didn't say anything about it. She brought it up (I guess she actually doesn't realize that I overheard) and said in the future she's just going to be more open-ended about when she's coming home or call during the evening. He's a major worrier and apparently had been crying and ready to call the police. He's the gentlest, most sensitive man I know and I wish I didn't know I was a party to hurting him.

It's good to hear that, Autumn. I guess we are still a little shell-chocked from the OJ travesty. I tend to take such things very seriously until I am certain I worry needlessly!

I know what you mean, Marcia, but in this case I'm talking about the most "functional" couple I know!

That's super! Often, selective deafness is the greatest kindness. Thanks for the reassurance and your friend's safety.

"selective deafness"--I like that!

that is a good one!

Autumn, what's the most fun you've ever had?

Hey, Autumn and anyone else who has eaten it, What is Feta cheese supposed to taste like? The stuff I got was very strong and more than desirably like eating the goat. Is this usual?

Incredibly salty and strong!! The most fun...that's tough because my definition of "fun" has definitely changed over the years. I would say that the constants always include friends or family, good food, and preferably booze.

I kept thinking it would taste like cottage cheese or cream cheese. *cough* It had definitly come from a goat and not all that long ago!! Pass the Mai Tai and Long Island Iced Tea and settle down for an "Autumn moment."

So, what sort of things are we supposed to be asking Autumn here?

Anything. Everything.

Oh Boy! *rubbing hands together* Hmm... my first question: what is your favorite flavor of tea? (will get to the harder questions later -i like to build up to these things) :-)

Green, thank you for asking. And yourself? (I assume I am allowed to ask questions as well, no?) These "Autumn moments" are sort of cross between senior moments and a slumber party, LOL! Next up is Truth or Dare!

*also rubbing hands and waiting for Truth or dare*

favorite tea: Breakfast Tea specifically -in this order: Scottish Breafast Tea, English BT and Irish BT. Oooo.... Truth or Dare! Cant wait! :-) who'se going first?

I suppose we will find out when the whip-wielding Mistress Autumn returns...

Ha-ha!! This is how it's going to work. We are going to play a drinking game called "I Never". Someone--I'll start--will make a statement of something they never did. All others must drink if it's something you have done. If not, you do NOT drink. OK, choose your poison and prepare to drink or not drink (of course, you will have to chime in and let us know whether or not you have to drink). Hopefully there will be some funny stories generated, and if not, then just out-and-out humiliation. Ready? "I NEVER slept with anyone on the first date."

no root beer for me...

no iced water for me...

no diet coke for me. (we're such a conservative lot)

so who's next?

You are Wolf! *grin*

(this conversation belong in the Unscrewed Conference...)

i forgot already how to play the game....hmmmmm.....

Autumn, you'd better start again....

(*sigh*) OK, now pay attention!! Remember, if you did it, you drink. If not, you don't. Last one to chime in comes up with the new "I never" statement. I never lied about my age.

still thirsty...

me too....

Marcia?

*whispering* Ooooo..... Marcia's afraid to answer... ;-)

*giggle*

Autumn, why did they name you Autumn?

*Glub* I never mention it if I can get away with it!

Is Autumn your real name??

Nope, just a nickname because--this is the beauty part--I was born in November. Autumn baby, Autumn girl, evolved into just plain Autumn. Aha, Marcia!! That means you must be next to tell us what you never did. Terry, why aren't you playing??? I command it!

I never got drunk on a date.

me either!

(*glub, glub*) Always!

lolol Autumn?! The luscious, auburn-haired lady of Spring?! *;)

Ahh, I have bid adieu to the auburn. Back to my ordinary golden brown. At least I haven't got any gray yet, thank God. Ever since I heard of the definitive link between hair color and bladder cancer, I am no fun. How about it, SB? Ever get drunk on a date??

Methinks EsBee is hiding behind that blush. Come out Come out wherever you are!

(My silvery sparkle is quite pretty when mixed with chestnut of the rest of my hair. Actually, my white is spectacular in sunlight. It really does sparkle. I refuse to dwell on what might get me. Something has to, but it has to be fast to catch me! I'm running as fast as I can for as long as I can!)

(Marcia)Methinks EsBee is hiding behind that blush. Come out Come out wherever you are! LOL - no, i was'nt hiding *grin* just having a computer-free weekend :-) and -nope. Never been drunk on a date. (Autumn) definitive link between hair color and bladder cancer *slightly hysterical gasp* Why didnt i know this? Why? Is it on the back of the box???? My poor hair. No more red, no more blond. Hello roots.... :-(

Odds are worse if you dye a darker color than a lighter one for some reason. The washes-out-in-X-shampoos type are fine as is henna. :-( I NEVER shave anything.

EsBee?! You are NOT really blond? What on earth color is your hair? I was planning to hunt for you as you look in the photos you sent me. *sigh* *Whew* about the bladder cancer. I don't want to dye to die. I shave LOTS of things but nothing unnatural on my corporeal being. My sister who dyed everything she could find died of a combo of uterine, breast and brain cancer. All for vanity's sake?! Horrible.

Was white blond (we're talking Casper here) until about 22 or so, when i suddenly started growing dark blonde hair. Was very bizzar. As i had long hair had to either cut it off or bleach the new growth. After a couple of years of bleaching decided -what the heck! i'll dye it red! Looked V. Irish :-) People stopped asking me if i was from Copenhagen and started asking me what part of Ireland i was from. Am back to blond again. look V. saxon wench -round face, pink cheeks, blond hair... *drinking diet coke* (literally *grin*) as shave whatever needs shaving. -Marcia, i'm so very sorry about your sister. *BIG HUG*

Thans Sweetie, but she sewed her own trouble by being the queen of my family and claiming to be the only child. Alas, she remained a spoiled child until fate caught up with her. Yea, I shave what needs shaving too. As for the blond stuff, my son was almost white blond then was a pretty bright golden blond with no trace of brown when he left here for California after college. Suddenly (to me it was sudden) it turned medium brown - more like the color of mine. I was amazed. It has to be the *cough* atmosphere in California that is doing it. Now he is getting some white amongst the brown. Eeeeek! Now how can I pretend to be his youthful mom if he is going to be doing that?!

*yuck* about the dying but that's the reason i won't get plastic surgery (ok, not all of the reason) but do i really want people to dig me up and find everything still there after a hundred years? poor cher! i shave too and i use the washes out in x shampoos and it's usually an auburn/chestnut color--to bring out the red in my dark brown hair. *ahem* so who's next??? EsBee????

-more importantly, do you really want people to dig you up???? *double yuck* okay - i have one that NOBODY else will be able to match.... :-) i've never had a cup of coffee.

*sipping my iced water daintily and realizing you know not what you are missing*

tried a sip once and nearly hurled. -otherwise could claim never had a sip of coffee. i cant even eat mocha ice cream. makes me nauseous. *shudder*

I never drank it until I was twice as old as you are and then only to keep HM company. It seems to grow on you in cold weather.

sipping on my root beer (i had a sip of coffee, EsBee, and nearly hurled and then i found general foods coffee mixes-those are yummy).

you and your acroynms.... HM? HeeMan??? :-) my "sip" was at age 8 -have been seriously addicted to tea & diet coke ever since. (caffeine is my friend)

House Male. Polite way to mention Hairy Chest Pounder in residence.

Since you all drank, do i have to go again???

*drinking decaf espresso, which pleasure SB will never know* I was last, so I'll go...I never got arrested.

me neither- *looking longily at my diet coke*

me either *pushing the root beer away*

oh Marcia..... *rubbing hands together gleefully* :-D

Me?? You gotta be kidding. My thirst groweth.

*laughing*

OK, Marcia, what else have you never done?

I've never chewed tobacco

me either....

(somehow I expected this to go unclaimed)

i havent either...

I have never made an unladylike bodily function sound when on a date.

*laughing hysterically* Oh Marcia! *wipes eyes* -neither have i ...but, have you seen that commercial? *snicker*

*blame it on the dog* Yup!

(*gulping my water*) Not about the bodily sound, but about the snuff! Hey, you're only 16 years old and dating hillbillies in West Virginia once! Don't think I've ever made an unauthorized sound on a date...It's been so long!

me either!! (am i last?)

Think so - you get to go i believe...

um.....ok, i've never told my boss off

me neither -am not that brave (luckily - i currently have a wonderful boss) :-D

*sigh* I've always had too much class to tell them what I really think...

discrection, valor, etc. :-) (hopefully their guilty conscience ate away at them did the dirty work for you) ;-)

Me either. I believed in utmost power over me of people in authority. That fact that I exist indicates that some divine lightning bolt did not vaporize me on the spot for daring to do so. W Va? Oh yesh! Where? David was born there. I do know a bit about it.

Thought this might make Marcia smile: How to say "I love you" in several languages: English . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I Love You Spanish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Te Amo French . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Je T'aime German . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ich Liebe Dich Japanese . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ai Shite Imasu Italian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ti Amo Chinese . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wo Ai Ni Swedish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jag Alskar Alabama, Arkansas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Indiana, Tennessee, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana, Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky .......................................................... Nice ass. Get in the truck.

LOLOL Yes!!! Copying it to Don...

*ROTFLMAO* oh those are good 'uns!!!!!!!!!!

Autumn, what are some notable events for your summer so far?

Notable events: 1. trip to Iceland/Scotland/England/Norway 2. Harford County Farm Fair 3. weekend getaway with ya-ya sisterhood to Georgetown (tony neighborhood in DC) 4. weeklong seminar nearby re: Christian homeschooling 5. new cabinets/granite countertops/ceramic tile walls in kitchen 6. physical therapy 3x a week for degenerative discs and pinched nerve 7. day at the beach in Wildwood, NJ

Ouch on the 6th and amen to the 7th. The rest sounds a bother but look at what you will have for a long time to enjoy (including the Christian scjooling!) My last few weeks have been as eventful but not as pleasant as yours.

I command everyone to list their notable events for summer 2003!!

Sending my entire library to Louisville Visiting my son and daughter-in-law in California Moving to Louisville Living happily ever after *;)

WOW, what a great list!!!

It's the best one I have ever had. The BOLD entry happens tomorrow quickly followed by the last one. :) This is one very happy lady! I finally found the right man at the right time.

1. swimming 2. building the guest house 3. swimming 4. land a bunch of new web customers 5. swimming 6. some great parties with friends, mostly swim parties 7. swimming 8. going to First Thursday on South Congress in Austin 9. oh, and swimming

We've had great swimming weather here too, Terry, tho' not as hot as you've had it! What is "First Thursday"?

It's the big event in Austin along South Congress AVenue every first Thursday of the month. http://www.firstthursday.info The First Thursday of each month, merchants of the historic, pedestrian-friendly South Congress Avenue keep their doors open until 10 pm (and later in some cases), playing host to an array of events and activities. The Merchants taking part: 2020 Apartments Funky Apartment Community AntiguaEclectic mix of treasures from around the world. Jewelry, Blown and stained glass by local artists. Antiques and folk art. aqua 20th century modern furnishings and home decor. featuring both new and vintage items! Austin Motel A Quaint, Quirky, Quiet, Convenient And Still Affordable Place to Stay And Enjoy Austin. Avenue Gallery Custom picture framing and gift store Bellagente Massage at Hairy Situations Massage salon in the back of the hair salon Hairy Situations Blackmail Doc's Motorworks Inc. Auto repair and sales of pre-owned vehicles GALLERY SOCO Art and Framing goodie two shoes shoes - clothing - middle eastern home decor Gueros Taco Bar is my favorite place to go out on Fridays. I was just there! Wonderful margueritas! Hot Rod HardWear Co. Retail outlet inside Southside Tattoo JO's Hot Coffee outdoor coffee shop with great people watchin', coffee sippin', and beer drinkin' on a big porch facing South Congress Kim Soo Martial Arts Traditional martial arts, contemporary self-defense for adults and children 6 and up. Lone Star Illusions A Unique, Eclectic Gift Store for Austin Hipsters Everywhere!!! Long's Vacuum Vacuums, Supplies, Fragrances, Pottery, Etc. Mi Casa Gallery New Bohemia Vintage Clothing, Housewares, Furniture and Funky Junk from All Eras NiaSpace Mind Body Fitness Off the Wall furniture - gifts - art - antiques - odd things - old and new Pieces of the Past >Architectural Antiques And Other Fun Stuff Pink Hair Salon + Gallery Prima Dora gifts and clothing Rue's Antiques, Inc. Service Menswear Street, Skate, Surf and Vintage Menswear Southside Tattoo Custom Tattoo art and Body Piercing Texas Folklife Resources gallery featuring folk arts of Texas The Great Outdoors A unique and funky garden center where you can stroll under ancient oaks. therapy clothing + fashion accessories + body care + homewares WET Salon and Studio Style Connoisseurs & Art Gallery White Crane Herbal Medicine Chinese Herbs, Teas, Asian Arts, Fengshui items, books Wizard of Austin Computer Training School Yard Dog Folk Art >Folk Art of the South Your Living Room furniture, modern, urban, classic, contempory

Sounds very hip and upscale--there must be a lot of money there! Shops like that would never make it here. Now, if you had a live bait store, you'd be in business...

I'm pretty sure there's a live bait store on S Congress. I remember passing by one a while back.

I have even seen vending machines that dispense the stuff. I swear, it looks just like a Coke machine except it's black with a big fish on it. Just insert your money and push the button for the type of bait you need.

Something I never knew about. Till now.

It's a big world out there, ain't it? :-)

I;'ll do my Johnny Carson imitation. "This I did not know."

I'm picturing you with your hands in your pockets, rocking back and forth on your heels...

my summer list was: WORK

Ugh! What's on your fall list?? Make it something good! We are going to France in November. I'm most looking forward to seeing the prehistoric cave art.

more work and maybe winter in the sandbox *yikes*

Ack! You might be going to Iraq?? I thought you were nearing retirement?!

they can send me until within a month of my papers--double yikes!!!

Oh, man! That is such a bummer. When will you know one way or the other?

won't know for sure until the end of March (am on the hook til then for this cycle of rotations)

Any chance you'll be reassigned (out of CA) before then?

am trying real hard--job i applied for has a report date of Feb (will know for sure this month).

YES! Keeping my fingers crossed for you...where is the job?

texas (san antonio) thanks!!!

Aw geez, you'll be able to have a "spring" IRL w/Terry and wer!

*laugh*

Wolfie, you are done with sand, I thought. Not fair!!! My list is to unpack more stuff and get the house in Hilo sold. I am happily where I belong. Oh, and to talk to Wolfie with fingers. FINALLY... *hugs*

Marcia, I am glad to hear that KY agrees with you! Any word from the ex, or did he go quietly into that good night?

Right, the ex factor.

hi MARCIA!!!!!!!! (not done with sand.....YET)

Autumn, what's hot? And what's not?

HOT: bands with nonsensical names, hybrid fruit, dissing cell phone owners, bowling shoes, mainstream porn acceptance, free trade coffee NOT: Ben & J-Lo, animal prints, personal responsibility, Calif. politics, Halloween, the economy

Halloween!

Yup, ever since 9/11 it hasn't been the same. Nobody really decorates anymore, and fewer kids go out trick or treating.

Leighton's parties never seem to diminish. They get bigger every year. But even they are touched by 9/11. This year's theme was injured people.

I don't get it. Like famous injured people throughout history?? Or just come in a wheelchair with your arm in a sling?

To quote: Costume Suggestions: Come as your favorite disaster scenario: In case of the rapture this costume will be unoccupied; the comet smushed me; aliens abducted me and this is why I have all this important aluminum foil around my head; my portfolio tanked and this is all the Goodwill store would let me have for free, and George Bush is taking us all to Armageddon anyway, so this is what I am going to be wearing. http://www.evite.com/pages/invite/viewInvite.jsp?inviteId=ZCSKZXQRZOWNWZYQTXJS has the rest of the gory details.

I like his ending--"Keep Austin Weird!" From the sound of it, that's going to be quite a party. It sounds terribly organized compared to the parties I attend.

It was very organized. A lot of fun. Leighton is legendary for his Austin parties.

Did you enjoy the bands?

yeah, they were great!

Did they play "Celebration"? LOL!

Someone mentioned Hm otherwise known as "Troll" who managed to knock himself unconscious by falling off the roof (don't ask) in Hilo. I wish it were all over!!! I will get nasty as soon as I have everything I want out of there and he will be the first to go. I am heartily tired of this. Thanks for asking. I tend to bury my head in the sand to forget about it.

I can totally sympathize, I'm dealing with the rentor from hell also.

What's his story, Terry?

Her. She's gone on a two year tear that she goes on every two years. Extremely paranoid and delusion, add a dash of mean. But haven't seen her for 3-4 days so it's chilled out. wer is out here working at the Spring today, doing some construction work on another website. All is quiet, calm and peaceful at least for now.

You don't need that! Why don't you just give her the boot? Sounds like you and wer are having a good time.

Yep. We are. And yep, boot is what we did. But eviction an take up to a couple of months.

Ah well, at least you've got the ball rolling. I suppose the "perfect tenant" is hard to find anywhere...

In the future, excruciating care will be taken in choosing tenant. Shawn would be our model tenant, Shawn the Viola player.

See, in my book anyone playing an instrument or who owns a dog would be out of the running.

Dog agreed. the music was ok. Considering he built out our entire top floor over a year and a half period. Too bad http://symphonysociety.com didn't take off.

I'mn dealing with cutting my losses in Hilo and wondering if a PTSD sufferer (major disability) makes a suitable mate...

Uh-oh, hope you're not second guessing your decision to leave HI for KY... Hang in there, the transition is bound to be difficult. Get your hands on everything you can read about PTSD, especially how to cope w/someone who lives with it. I bet there are a bunch of resources on this (perhaps all written by veterans' wives). (((Marcia)))

Louisville's a great place. I think you'll enjoy being there. I don't know about the PISD thing, but I'd start doing some heavy googling to find out.

Re response 221 Don't know if you've been, or if it will have the information you are looking for, but this looks like the best place to start researching on the web: National Center for PTSD http://www.ncptsd.org/

If that doesn't help, you might want to look around in here, when you've got the time. http://dmoz.org/Health/Mental_Health/Disorders/Anxiety/Post_Traumatic_Stress/

Thanks, all. Yes, I have done Google as has he. It is not easy, but knowing another who had "moods" has helped me immeasurably. We're doing ok, and knowing what to avoid is half the fight. Hugs are good, too. That mental health site is excellent. Thanks for suggesting it. Curious how not just war can do this. One's own family can be just as damaging. Fathers, especially,but I suspect there are mothers out there who can do it too. Louisville is lovely and has the kindest people. I feel very at home here. Hmmm.... has anyone besides me spent the night in Springfield, Tennessee?

I'm currently looking for what family memebers/friends can do to help and to avoid pushing the wrong buttons. There are many pitfalls, but I have been mostly lucky. He is also trying very hard. Fatigue is a danger. Separate and go to sleep!

Great, sounds like you're progressing well and turning in to a regular Louvillian.

Luavillian is what I am before becoming a Volunteer (orange and white are college colors??!!) for Tennessee. He's worth it.

*HUGS* Marcia, PTSD is hard to deal with. i think my father suffers from it many years after V-N. could be where my anxiety stems from. (and mothers can be the central force too). the thing to remember is that everyone reacts to things differently. anyone can suffer from PTSD even if the cause is something most folks find trivial or a "just get over it" type of thing. in other words, what affects me one way, may affect you an entirely different way. not sure if "avoiding" things helps (it doesn't with anxiety). but there are good meds out there to help while a person gets things sorted out in their own time. and groups are always a good thing.

Now if only he would stay away from things that make it worse. He seems unable to do that but I will keep encouraging. I guess I am doing the right things. He said I'd have huge gold medals on each shoulder if they were given for patience...