I'll pretend you said good morning to me, too, Ginger.

As for the spa..... make a day of it and do both! Ah heck.... throw in a pedi too. Congratulations!



Yes, it does get too hot and humid for some. I thrive in it. One thing you should note, though, is that the Florida heat doesn't get as bad as it does in some of the interior States. I find that whenever I go to NC (my husband's family lives there) that it's way too hot for me. My husband does too. I think it's because we're between the ocean and the gulf.... lots more breezes.

On a side note.... I met a lady down the street when I stopped to admire her garden. Turns out she has the same name as us.... and she's also from England! Funny.

Yes! Buffalo's winters are positively balmy. Or is that barmy? I Buffalo, Gillian..... I totally recommend living there.

Hmmmmm, let me think about it...

Nope, definitely going to NC.

At least the other Gillian is coming to visit me. I'll be serving some nice wine! Where I live now, outside Buffalo in the Village of Hamburg, is really quite lovely. Huge old houses, lots of mature trees and best of all, they have recently installed a number of roundabouts! Griff is in heaven!

When is the other Gillian coming? Perhaps I could fly up too and we could make a party of it?

Ummm.....Krikit.....dates, please.

Well, my original dates had me rolling through Buffalo on September 10th, but a series of events has that up in the air at the moment. Will try to confirm that asap but it's a bit like nailing jello to a tree right now. The good news is that I'll be in Ontario for a while so I can drive back to Buffalo anytime.

Gillian..... download the DING! program from Southwest Airlines and keep an eye out for the daily specials. Or... let me know what airport you would be flying out of and I can let you know when something pops up.

Will get back to you the moment I hear something!

As soon as Sept. 10th???? OMG!

*hurries home to finish unpacking & decorating*

If it's before Sep 30th I'll be flying out of Boston, if it's after I'll be flying out of Charlotte.

I'm looking at apartment complexes right now and I kind of like this one http://www.rent.com/rentals/north-carolina...mp;searchrank=4

Isn't Buffalo Detroit without all the glamor?

*runs away from Julez*


Ginger - I have that exact same first world problem. since my skin is currently in pretty good condition I'm going for a massage.

I think that complex looks really nice, Gillian! Make sure you get a 2 BR so I have somwhere to crash when I visit!

Don't listen to Robin! She's in the Hollywood fastlane and simply cannot appreciate all the simple pleasures that Buffalo has to offer!

Morning everyone. Feeling a bit blue these past couple of days -- combination of homesickness, the very recent passing of my beloved grandmother and the intense activity of the past 3 months finally catching up to me. All I want to do is sleep and lie on the couch reading trashy novels, but I have a new research paper to write. It's due in 3 weeks and I've not written a single word.

I'm also plagued by nightmares every night -- they seem to come in two varieties: anxiety about missing something (a plane, an exam) or that I'm living in/visiting a haunted house. Last night was a blast from the past; I dreamt about a monster in a movie I was terrified of when I was a child. (If you are squeamish about African fetish dolls do not click on the link!) Dream interpreters, I need you!!!

**hugs maven** Sorry you're having a rough time right now. Hopefully the random nonsense that goes on in this thread will help to cheer you up.

As for your freaky dream, no clue what that means.

*backs slowly away from the maven*

I can't help you with the dream Maven but I hope you feel better soon.

I just applied for a job in Charlotte!!

I'm trying to be quietly confident but I can't help thinking that the fact I have a Massachusetts address might put them off somewhat.

It was an online application and there was nowhere that I could tell them that I'm definitely moving there next month and I'm not wasting their time. I was hoping to be able to upload my resume and a cover letter but I couldn't. Oh well, I shall just have to wait and see what happens.

Wish me luck!

Ahhh, I jest - I am so jealous of your house but I am not jealous of the winters!

Oh, I know! I must say, my new house is fab! I love it even more than I thought I loved it! I can't wait til we have it all fixed up (years from now!)

But, yeah, the winters do really, really suck! With that said, I prefer snow over so many other weather issues - like hurricanes, tornadoes and floods. With snow, you either dig out, or just hunker down with a few bottles of wine. I can think of worse ways to pass the time!

I am sorry about your grandmother, maven

The missing the airplane dream is a common for me - I have similar variants where I miss important business meetings because of a delayed flight, or I arrive at my destination without my passport. I don't know exactly what it means - airplanes in dreams apparently mean change - maybe missing the plane means fear of missed opportunities.

I think exams in dreams (another I used to have regularly) represents fear of not meeting others expectations or fear of failure.

Just my cod-intrepretation though!

R-

I'm working in the NYC office today & the girl who sits here is from Detriot. I thought of you, she has a sticker that says: Pure Detroit.

BUFFALO RULES!




Never forget your roots.

Beef on Weck, Crystal Beach & Anchor Bar forever.

----


Sorry to hear about your grandma - Maven.

Dev, you brought a tear to my eye!

If Dev says its great here, then it must be! For all you doubters, the proof of the pudding is in the eating! Book your flights today!!

Well, it has given the world buffalo wings, which is hard to argue with.

Although we gave the world Motown, Magnum PI and Devil's Night

It does trump all, IMO.

I am working one block from old job here in NYC - boy is NYC full of memories for me. And ghosts.

PS: Lawsuits SUCK.

Hope you're back here soon.

Sunday. I filed over 2.5 years ago...

I guess it's good your job is letting you work from NYC - less vacation going to waste

I guess it's good afternoon now Krikit! Please forgive my awful rudeness yer majesty!

With as pricy as this place is I think after a massage I'd have just enough left for my little toenail to get pedicured. After checking out the prices it better be a darn good back rub or facial.

I wasn't sure where to post this, but I thought it might be useful info for someone (I'll try and shoehorn it into a sig later).

I applied for my SSN on the 1st of Aug, having landed in the US late afternoon, on the 24th July. The bloke at the SSN office said I wasn't on the system yet, but he'd file it through as soon as I was. It just arrived this afternoon, 12th Aug.

Not a bad turn around, hopefully that's of use to someone!


Stu

I know! I might be back Friday if we end on Thursday. FINGERS CROSSED it's good.

I'm on the 13th floor at corporate HQ of you-know-where I didn't think anyone had this floor in buildings? Yikes.

100 calorie Chips Ahoy taste like paper.

yesterday someone got stuck in one of our elevators and was screaming.

Even though I'm sure it was scary it was still pretty funny.

Back and legal!! And sooo much to catch up on... here goes!!!


Oh goody - we should be able to dig out a spare outlet for you Our place isn't the coolest in the world even with both air con units running and as for music... I might have to move some music to Jeremy's laptop and plug some speakers into that as my puter generates far too much heat...

As for boozes, I am more of a red or rose drinker but whatever is good


Debz - I find that a lot of man-handling my cat worked wonders - picking her up a lot but letting her have her independence when she needs it means that sometimes I get a swat but other times I get lots of cuddles like this morning - she wasn't even grumpy with me for leaving her at the vet for four nights while we went away!!!

We also have every intention of making it to NE at some point - once we get some money together (worked out our budget this morning at last - it's not pretty as our outgoings are more than what Jeremy makes... ) and devise an appropriate plan of action, we'll be there - you can be sure of it!


Oh I know what you mean - I like building furniture at first but it wears thin real quick I remember the same elation from getting enough hangers for all my clothes - getting the last pile off the living room floor and into the closet was such an achievement! Now I have to work on Jeremy's - I prefer to hang clothes rather than fold them into drawers


Congratulations! We did too although it wasn't our "real" wedding - just the legal BS. We went out shopping after then went out in the evening with our wedding planners and watched the lightning storms behind the red mountains of Sedona - it was beautiful


Oh hun - I completely sympathise!!! Ok so I don't have Jeremy going on about it and I LOVE Palm Springs... but yeah - it is so hot that it is all I can do to even leave the bedroom where the air con is on - we can't afford to run both units all the time so we are saving it for the housewarming!!!


Have been in the same mood - been really homesick and it kind of creeps up on me - I don't know why I feel bad (aside from the obvious) but I'll start picking fights with Jeremy or feeling really low and I don't know how to make it go away Have also been feeling anxious and having crazy dreams about tornadoes and my cat dying


Good luck Gillian!! I really hope you get it - that would be a great start to your new life!!


Almost as bad as USCIS...

Oh - and anyone seen Pointy? I have a letter for her husband here

Aly, you are scaring me with the heat warnings! I've half a mind to go stay in a motel.

disappointed yet?

Maven - seriously, if you can afford it and especially if you can share with someone so it costs even less, then I would recommend it!! Not that you aren't welcome here at all, but I can't say I would be all too enamoured with the living room floor in this heat!! Of course, if I were the perfect host I would offer you my bed but...

Oh - if anyone is interested in earthquake info about the Statewide Cali drill:

http://www.shakeout.org/

Ok my eyes hurt from reading LOL. so much going on. Here things are trying to remain calm. Kris is still waiting on his EAD (going nuts is an understatement) no RFE's yet for the AOS. My son comes home from his dad's next friday and i can't wait. He's been miserable all summer.

Oh and I get to join some author friends to do a book signing in Sept!

only in that you keep posting in this thread.

you have an issue with that?

Now, now children

Woo! Going to Vegas on Friday night with Bruce!!!

we might be going to Vegas this weekend or maybe next (overdue brithday present for himself)


where you staying?

Hope you have a wonderful time maven!

Dawn.

Don't know yet... taking recommendations. I've never been there before (well, I changed planes at the airport once, but that doesn't count). It's very spur of the moment. Bruce called a friend of ours back in CT to see how she's doing, and lo and behold she is in Vegas this weekend. So we're hopping in the car and driving out there to say hello.

Robin -- let me know if you and the hubster are going as well.



Thanks Dawn!

Recommendations depend on budget!

If you want to splurge my favorites are The Hotel at Mandalay Bay and the Venetian


The Tropicana is cheap and cheerful! (though don't expect fancy for less than $100 on the strip)

If you are driving I'd plan on leaving before noon on Friday to avoid traffic hell.

If we go we would probably do a Sat morning-Monday deal - I will let you know!

I'm thinking up to $150/night. What's the Golden Nugget like?

I have not stayed there (I have had pretty tasty $6 steak there however) but it is in the downtown Fremont Street area, not the strip.

Fremont Street is cheaper than the strip - it's fun to visit, but I prefer to stay on the strip.

We're not dead set on being on the Strip, if it brings us more flash with less cash.

W00t! Only been to Vegas once and we stayed just far enough away to walk as we never have any money... oh for the days when we can even consider staying on the strip!!!

Sounds like you're going to have fun!!!

I'm a bit sad - the patio table and chairs we saw in World Market are gone - I'm online now trying to find them again and I *think* I might have them but I am not entirely sure... s&h is horrendous but they are on sale so

Julez -