Weave - Your DD should be fine. DD16 has been down there several times with her Youth Group to work on the orphanages that are in desperate need of repair/paint. Additionally, I know a group of people that go down all the time to bring meds to some of the poorer communities. They all have had very rewarding experiences doing this.

Although I have not been to Mexico in about a couple of years, we used to go down at least 2 to 3 times a year without a problem. The only issue I ever had was more personal as the poverty is saddening. It is hard for me to see these children in their run down houses, hungry, starving animals, etc. I made it my goal that even though we were down there for fun, I would do something for these children every time I was there.

The last time I was there, further down in Mexico. We have a friend that has a house there and we stayed with him. There was a little neighbor boy that wanted to learn English. He had an English-Spanish dictionary with pictures. I spent some time with him teaching him the English words in the dictionary as well as taking him places with us and teaching him English words/terms while we were out. Before I left I got some paper and wrote him some simple stories in English. He loved it!

What I was saying is that I don't think I would want to live there based on the cartel issues. I can guarantee that your DD won't have any dealings with them nor any other drug issues. She will be fine. So many people go down there everyday and don't have any problems at all. I know many Americans that not only have houses down there but businesses as well. They too, have not had any problems.

good morning everyone :Wave-Hello:
well storms are past and now its hot and muggy outside ... :rain:
frank is still sleeping :Zzzz: so i am trying to be quiet so as not to wake him ....

sandy ... how are you and jim ... read you guys got wind and hail ... it was eerie here as the rain was hard but the tree branches were perfectly still ... add to that the thunder and lightening .... very very frightening :(

vonn ... i hope you get the green light today on your place by the lake ... living in limbo is not cool and stressful too ... :Good-Luck:

renee ... did you take pictures of the curious cat vs grumpy groundhog ... i bet that was a sight to see ... i hope you have a good time with olivia :Trapeze 2:

tk ... haven't you heard ... there is no mistake in painting just masterpieces in transistion :Painting::Painter: i am sure it will turn out great

to everyone else ... i hope all is well ... :grouphug:

Weave - I just sent you a PM. I truly am sorry to have caused you to worry as that was never my intent. Like I said, a place to visit is one thing but to live there is completely different.

Now, be proud of DD for the things that she will be doing there and all the experience she will gain. To do for others like what she will be doing will stay with her the rest of her life and keep her a compassionate and loving person. :hug:

Hey everyone! We survived the storms without much problem. A little hail, lots of rain and wind going in two directions. I don't think I have ever seen that before. I stood on my back porch and couldn't really feel the wind since it was hitting on both sides. It was like being in the eye of a storm. lol Freaky.

Nothing to do about much today. lol Maybe get some sheets washed. Oh my, we went to Walmart to get groceries yesterday and it cost a little over $400!!!! What's up with that?????????? :yikes:

Everyone have a great day and stay cool and safe.

me again ... well, I called the apartment complex ... it's a 'government' computer glich ... altho the keys are in my name - it's up to the HUD program to come up with the 'hard' numbers ...

yes, Weave - I did weigh the options concerning both :wink:... all I can say is - it's not in stone (like a headstone in a cemetery) ... so, if it doesn't work out by next year - I can find a better place, or maybe there's a cure - and I'd feel better to return to work and be able to build my lighthouse ... OR, the quilt corporation for the kids will really make a difference - and I would make enough via that to afford a better (bigger) apartment ...

right now - because of the income - my options are limited ... but, there's a reason for the time-warp happening ... and, I'm okay with it ...

thanks!!

Well we missed those storms in Central Illinois. I am glad I did not have to get back into my closet.:rolleyes: Not much is going on here today. It is hot and humid. I think we have a chance of storms this afternoon or evening. I am going to go to the pool with a friend later this afternoon.

The cipro is making me a little nauseated. I just read that the FDA put a black box warning on cipro, levaquin, avelox, and other similar antibiotics on July 8th. They may cause tendon ruptures especially if you are over 60 or on steriod medications.

sandy ... you should try grocery shopping at a sams club ... its great ... sure it is larger packages but thats cause your buying in bulk ... which means you are buying less overall ... plus the basics ... milk, egg, cheese, all is cheaper than walmart ... also do you have an aldies near you ... they have great prices too

every month, yikes !!

celebrate?

naw, we were too gosh-darn tuckered OUT !!

maybe Sunday, we'll do a combo-celebration-party.

our first anniversary (married 7-7-7), our Residency (7-9) and my birthday (7-13) .

I found some VEDDY nice bottles of wine (an E & J French Colombard, wowzers! we hardly ever see such stuff in the jungle!) at the fancy shop for the embassy personnel in the Capitol...

I'm gonna add LOADS of fresh tropical fruit (papaya, mango, mamey, pitaya, manzana, etc.) and a bottle of Sprite, and VOILA! we'll have homemade wine coolers...

and hubby is baking brownies... mmmmmmmmmm... I can SMELL them cooking !!

:grouphug::hug::grouphug:

next up, we want to become citizens, that'll take another 5 years... but first, we're gonna rest up.

:D

I just had the shock of my life a couple of hours ago. I got a nifty little e-mail from Classmates.com to tell me there were new happenings in my class. So, I bop on over there to see what is up because our 20 year reunion is this year and I see a post regarding the murder of my high school sweetheart. So, that is how I found out he was dead.

He was one of only two men I ever truly loved - I'm married to the other one!

I'm shocked, mad, horrified, but most of all so sad. He was a dear, sweet person and didn't deserve to be shot and left to die.

We stayed friends, but fell out of touch after college. I always thought I would see him again someday. I guess I have to wait a lot longer than I thought I would to see him....

Oh Holly I'm so sorry. http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...linky/hug3.gif

Oh Holly, so very sorry. What a horrible way to find this out. Hugs.

Deb, we just had an Aldi's built by us, right next to Walmart. Jim and I needed some things in Walmart and didn't feel like hitting Aldi's after. BIG MISTAKE. Next time, Aldi's all the way! lol

Debbie, I used to live in Lisle! I am only about 45 minutes from ya! Do you know where Lake Holiday is? We should all plan a get together. I know DM lives west of me, Wiz is north, Frank is north, you are east. We could all meet at my place and fish, bbq, swim, whatever. :D

Sandy,
Sounds like a great idea...don't know where Lake Holiday is, but witha gps in the hybrid, I'm sure I can find ya!! I'll bring the fruit salad!! Just say when!::Excited:

BBQ? Swimming? FISHING?

Hey, I'm just south west of you all (by, I don't a 1,000+ miles). I can bring some homemade salsa.

Debbie, I am in Somonauk, next to Sandwich, near Plano and about 40 minutes south of Dekalb. Mapquest it and look at the lake. I am on the left of it. :D

sandy ... we'll bring the brats and hamburger meat .. just say when ... i am all for us all getting together

Holly, big hugs to you. :hug: Sorry to hear about the loss.

got the call ... I get to move in on Monday - 11am ...

well, it's a step in the right direction ... just have to get the schooling stuff figured out for homework by sunday - but, almost there!

P.S. .. hey - get this ... I'm just going to TRY ... I applied for a full-time job over in Minneapolis at Cargill for Regional Accountant ...

if I'm going to stress like I have without an income - might as well do it WITH an income ... LOL

OK, now I am confused. lol Vonn, you applied for a full time job in another state? What if you have to sign a lease on the new place. Also, if you start working again wont that affect your application for SSDI? I don't know about that since Jim went from working and straight to SSDI. My mom's income based apartment didn't have a lease either so I was curious if the one your going to does.

If I am imposing by asking please accept my apology.

sounds good sandy

Holly I am very sorry for what happened and how you found out, sorry

vonn congrats about time you got a final answer

debbie D did the storm roll through you without any wind??? the sky was total freaky looking and we had no wind before the storm or during or after it the tree tops were barely even moving, weird storm last night

holly, that's so unbearably sad.

my heart goes out to you.

I sure hope they caught the %&*%$ who did it.

***

they caught the criminals in Belize who murdered Donna and Mike Hill, thankfully:

http://www.reporter.bz/index.php?opt...=2885&Itemid=2

sickening, they were just kids, 15 and 17.

but 'm glad they're in jail, and now we hope they're convicted and sent away FOREVER.

We're about to get hit with another storm out here. Time to batten down the hatches. The radar looks like it's a doozy. Be back in a bit.

vonn, glad you got an answer and a move in date. hope it goes smoothly

kay, it's sadder when it's kids doing it. glad you guys can sleep better now tho.

~~~~~~~

Just sitting here counting down my hubby's return from his business trip. Hope he likes what I did to our master bath. Moved things around and organized better. :)

Hope everyone has had a good day. :)

Holly, I just was to let you know that I am also sorry. That was a horrible way to find out.

Vonn, You have really confused me now.

Just got back from the pool and I am hearing the thunder. Looks like we are going to get another bad strom also. It is time for me to turn this computer off. Hope I do not have to get back in my closet.:rolleyes:

We're fine. The storm passed right by and we only got a few sprinkles. Whew!

Hugss all,
been humid all day...so Sarah has had a crappy...walk into walls, balance issues, numb tingling so painfully sooo very sick of the crap..especially without a name for it all....oh maybe it is all in my head..syndrome...hahahahahahaa

trying to keep laughing to keep the tears at bay!! Hubby and I use laughter often, to help us with my sxs and such....he is sooo very sweet, he felt so bad today when he left for work...knowing I felt so crappy....he is one greatttt hubby...I love him...

ok sorry I didnt get to read all yet, and personals..but I love ya all..hope everyone surviving the storms...and hugsss to you all...hugsss,sarah:(

Holly - I am sorry to hear about your friend and even more sorry about the way you heard. That must have been quite a shock and so devastating for you as well as his family. Saying some prayers for you all.:hug:

Vonn - You're moving in to the one by the lake right? Either way I am glad you got a answer today. You must feel relieved that it is finally settled.

Sandy, Barb, Frank/Deb, Fin and all you midwesterners - Be careful! What crazy weather you all are having.

Kay - I am glad they caught those kids. It is very sad when the suspects turn out to be young kids like that. I do hope that you have been sleeping better since they caught them.

Fin - Aw, your DH will love it. I'm counting with you . . .ten, nine, eight . . .:p:hug:

Barb - Every time you mention the closet I have to laugh a little. I know your purpose is different and not funny, but one of my sisters loved to read all the time. That was basically all she did growing up. She was also a night owl and while everyone was sleeping she would sit in the closet and read! lol My parents caught her a few times and they were not thrilled as she should have been sleeping.

Sandy - Glad it just passed you by. PHEW! is right.

Sarah - I was typing my post while you did yours. Sorry. You poor thing. I do hope you start feeling better soon. Laughter is good medicine but I also know that some times this carp causes too much pain making laughter hard (like the MS hug). You DH sounds so wonderful and loving. You are very blessed.

Sandy, my dear - no apologies necessary ... I just have this antsy feeling that I want to get OUT and DO something, I like my time alone - and now a much much better place to live! oh ... about a lease?? I would suppose so .. but then she said something that when the SSDI starts - then they'll redo the amount ..

thanks, Frank ... I'll be busy next week .. but the new hi-speed internet will also be installed that day!

me too, thanks - Jenn .. the move will be fine - just have to set up the change of address ... will have a POBox too ... to have for the quilt corp anyways!

sorry about that Barb - I have a tendency to run off way into left field just to be comical ... keeps me from taking anything serious ...

and once one gets into the system - might as well STAY in the system, right??

Yes, Tricia - this is the lakefront ... view .. I'm glad too - still numb until the actual event will take place on Monday ... but, glad - very glad ...

So sorry Holly. Nobody deserves to die like that. I lost a family member to murder almost one year ago. ...Sue:hug:

sorry sarah you feel like this, hopefully it shall pass quickly


Vonn Vonnn Vonn, congrats on the apt. i must concere with sandy why work. you will lose ssi and in time probably become exhausted from working and possible lose that job. SSI allows a small amount of cash to be earned while receiving ssi. why not a small part time one or two days a week in town nearby, and save money on gas. now if the job thingy is cause you are going stir crazy, why not volunteer time at local library or local hospital this way you dont mess up ssi and you get out and are able to do something productive in the community, please do not be offended by the forwarness of this, I just hate to see ya get behind the 8 ball again. :hug:

As I sit here wondering why I still can't get SSI................

hurting like hell again today of course at 8 am it was already 90 with 100% humidity...i'm sensing a trend here!

Sorry to hear about your ex sweetheart Snoozie, I was just dreaming last night about a boy I went with in jr High and broke up with because I said he was a geek...and then I just saw his pic on Classmates and dang he's smokin hot now! LOL and I bet he remembers me calling him that!

Hope you feel better soon Renee. I just hate that your hurting so bad and wish i could do something.

Von, thanks!

Today we are just hanging by the house. Nothing much to do with the heat, although today is cooler than past days. It's the humidity. Did you guys hear those storms last night? WOW! I could have sworn the rain was coming down in my attic it was so loud!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Oh oh, Frank and Trish. You have to buy Wii Internet. I was on here last night and it was so very cool. Everything is tv screen size. It was only 500 points to buy and it connects to your internet if you have a ethernet or wireless. We were having a blast looking at it and making folders for our favs. lol

NaeNae - 90 degrees and 100% humidity would do me in as well. I do hope that you start feeling better soon. I'd say come here and dry out but we've been in the upper 80's and humid as well (67% yesterday - we are in our monsoon season so it is a bit more humid right now). BTW - Upper 80's is NOT normal for us at this time of year - upper 90's and low 100's is the norm.

~~~~

Nothing much happening here today. I need to rest up as we are having a family get together this afternoon (swimming and BBQ at my parents). I need the energy to play with my little nephews and nieces. They are such an active crew. LOL

Hope you all have a great and relaxing Saturday.

Do you need the Wii console to do this? I don't have that yet but am saving up for it. I give DD16 $20 each month to put away for the Wii console. It may take us a year to get it but . . .lol. If I get some of these paintings done and sold, maybe we can get it sooner. I'm hoping.

Oh, duh? I've been working with my niece who will graduate with her marketing degree in December. She is helping me start a small business for my artwork. Yahoo! She has been a huge help.

Hi everyone! :) Looks like we're in for a couple of storms today. Just saw the radar and a wall of rain is heading our way.

Hubby made it home in one piece. Glad the nutty professor is home.

Plan on running around a little later on, with him driving of course - LOL. Then we're going to hope the race isn't rained out tonight so we can watch it.

Hope everyone has a good day. :grouphug:

~~~~~~~~

Renee and Sarah, I hope you both feel better soon. :hug:

TK, That is so cool about your artwork and making it a business. Nothing like working at something you enjoy so much. :)

Had storms last night and this morning. More severe ones heading this way this afternoon and evening. The sun keeps coming in and out and it is really humid. Then it gets dark. Guess I am staying home today and reading. I just realized that classes start in 6 weeks. I need to start preparing my courses. I have been thinking about them.:rolleyes:

Renee -- Hope you are feeling better soon. This humidity is a real pain in the bootie (my niece's word)

Tricia -- That is cool that your niece is helping you to market your artwork.

Hi to everyone else and I hope your are having a good Saturday.