starchild

Sounds good, I'll pick it up soon

Aww Tami, that stinks!! You have a great attitude and you are certainly entitled to stress because it is crunch time. And you're right, you'll be on the beach chillin with Tom soon and none of this will matter. But...if we can help with the odds and ends you know we will. You mentioned you still need to get some music? I have something like 3000 audio files in my playlist so maybe I have a song you need. Also, I Limewire like it's nobody's business so if you tell me the titles you need I can get them and send them to you. You have my email or just PM me if you can use a hand

Oh Lauren that's just awful. I'm so sorry for the stress you two are going through. My girlfriend is a broker and lots of people got laid off from her company in the past 6 months. She still has a job because of seniority, but that's only good as long as the company is open. With a $5000 mortgage she is freaking out about what could happen if she loses her job and can't find a comparable one. Her savings can only take her so far and she won't profit from selling either. I hope a miracle happens for you guys, hang in there )

Safe travels! We're all really excited about this one, enjoy!!

Quote: Originally Posted by LALA 5. anything else you can think of? I would love it if you could package it in a mason jar and sell it with a little spoon attached. Totally unpractical but fun! That would be fun, and probably get me to buy it because of the spoon...lol

Quote: Originally Posted by Morgan I hate the yellow ones the most too. There should be a song called "look at me, I drive a hummer" that they can blast as they drive around. LOL...I bet it would sell like hotcakes! Quote: Originally Posted by Christine Jamy you know your fine Govenator used to drive around town in his huge hummer (when I was in Santa Monica). I wonder if he is cutting back since the state has to cut back? Don't get me started on Arnold. What's next, Steven Segal for Secretary of State? Dolph Lundgren for Treasurer? LOL It's really unbelievable! I never saw him cruising around but I believe you. I doubt he is cutting back but one can hope!

Quote: Originally Posted by AnnR whenever i see a guy (well, it's usually a guy) driving around in a Hummer, especially in the burbs or something, i want to ask him if he has a small penis! i mean, really, WHY? LMAO!! Totally. There are no uncharted hills or rocky river beds to cross over here, this is Los Angeles - things are paved and relatively flat. Feel inadequate much? Lame-asses! Morgan I particularly hate the yellow ones...where we just moved from 2 people in my building had them, complete with the requisite blaring "look at me - that sound is coming from this Hummer" music. Bleh!

Quote: Originally Posted by DougsGirl Oh, our little Frankenstein (L)and Chica Mia would just melt I'm gonna try it. HA!! Your dogs and their names are the cutest!! Alyssa I was thinking about Mabel when I posted this. Here's to our doggies and the rub-downs they deserve )

This was funny so I have to share... This is how our cards were worded. The red is what a guy friend of ours filled in: M___??______________ ____1___Number to attend Arriving in Puerto Vallarta on____a plane_______ Name of Hotel____the nude place________________ _____No______Regrets Even without his name (he didn't know that the M was for Mr./Mrs. X) we knew it was him. He insisted on staying at a resort in PV with nude suntanning because he thought it would be cool. Nobody stayed there but him...haha

I agree Morgan (and you crack me up by the way!). I think nice cars/stuff are fine if it's for you and within your means, like you said, but so many people here do it for the status and that's icky

I bet she doesn't miss us...LMAO!! Can't wait for pics too

Alright!!!! I know you will have the best wedding you could have. We're all green with envy that you're there...haha Enjoy!!

Quote: Originally Posted by Morgan I watched the oprah episode that started this topic. I am so glad she is collaborating with Suze & I thought the advice was great. I love what she said to the lady about the possessions not defining you & cars not being an extension of who you are. I think tough times are a good time to evaluate what matters & see the importance of building up an emergency fund. I didn't see it but they need to make that mandatory viewing for people in L.A.! There are a lot of wealthy people here, but also so many that aren't but are defined by material things. To see them driving down the street in their Hummers, Mercedes, etc. you would think they are doing well but follow them home and you'd be surprised...lol Bless her heart, I have a friend who put $20k down on a $85k Mercedes because she is one of those people...the car is sick but she is constantly falling behind on bills because she doesn't feel right without the pricey shoes, purses, etc. To see her on the street you would think she was quite well-off. I call it caviar taste with peanut butter money....lol

Yep, it's "less drowsy". No non-drowsy as far as I know, but there are things like those anti-sea-sickness bracelets you can buy at Walgreens that don't involve drugs or drowsiness. I've never tried one but am interested in how they work. BTW my MOH took 3 less-drowsy ones and was falling asleep on the boat and slept for 2 hours when we got there...so make sure your guests don't overmedicate...hehe

See above for Vinegar question...balsamic or red wine What do you look for in a salad dressing? NOT sweet, unless it's fruit salad I like a saltier dressing. I wouldn't like to see sugar/honey/etc. in my dressing. Healthy is better but if it has to be less healthy to have some good cheese in it then I'll take it How important is packaging? Less is more IMO. How much do you usually pay for a gourmet type salad dressing? Honestly...I tend to individually dress my salads wth a few simple ingredients. What is store-bought dressing, like $3? Not sure if I know what makes a gourmet dressing...but if I noticed a regular sized bottle of dressing was more than $6 or so I probably wouldn't buy it unless I had tasted it before...or someone whose palate I trusted swore it was delicious. anything else you can think of? Good luck and have fun

Gosh me either! And it's not like I'm rolling in dough but you just get what you need and don't notice if it's a few dollars more or less. Now if my favorite beer goes up to $40 a case I'll flip out!

Quote: Originally Posted by AnnR That's EXACTLY how I am too ... I honestly have no idea what gas prices are these days, nor do I really care! I mean, I'm not going to stop driving, and to drive I need gas ... so off I go. People will ask me what prices are around us, and I honestly have no idea! Yep. It's funny when we were with some people from Louisiana a few weeks ago they were asking what gas is out here, and I was like "Hmm..maybe $3?" and DH said "It's $3.70!". I felt kind of stupid for not knowing but I guess when it starts to be an extra $5 a gallon or something I'll notice. I'm with you Ann.

I'm kind of with Jason, we don't really feel it in our lives like people in some areas - so far. DH and I work for companies that have progressively been doing better than ever financially over the past few years so we are lucky when there are so many industries going down. We live really simply and have no major expenses (no kids, no mortgages, no car payments, etc.) so perhaps that's why we aren't feeling so crunched right now. (and like Jason we are still able to travel and that's what we care about). As for gas, this may sound silly, but I really don't look at the prices because I need gas whether I like the price or not and if I'm paying $5 more to fill up tomorrow so be it. I can't pump my own crude out of my backyard so what am I gonna do? LOL I feel really bad for people in places like Michigan, Ohio, etc. where they are being hit extra hard. I have friends from there whose families are having one hell of a tough time these days.

I'm ready to go too

A villa would be fabulous! Here are some rental sites: ..VRBO® is Vacation Rentals by Owner® Vacation Homes Rentals by Owner Vacation Rentals Home - Find Rentals Property Catalog Vacation Rentals From Vamoose - Search 200,000 Free Listings Vacation Rentals, Vacation rentals by owner, Vacation Home Rentals, Great Rentals

That pool is to die for!!!!!!!!! I honeymooned at a RIU and was pleased, hopefully you love this one too. Congrats on choosing

Mine is a total lap dog and will sit still as long as she is being rubbed...haha

I found this home massage for my little dog Honey. It's really easy to do and she loves it! Home Massage for Dogs: Tips for Helping Your Dog Relax A gentle home massage can give your dog comfort as well as aiding the nervous system and increasing circulation. You can vary your home massage in a number of ways, but deep massage on dogs requires knowledge of anatomy and should be performed only by a trained and certified practitioner but there's no reason you can't give your pet a light, relaxing rubdown right at home. Have your dog lie on a soft, firm surface such as a rug, although very small dogs can be done sitting or crouching on your lap. Start with several soft, slow strokes from head to tail. When your dog begins to relax, scratch gently behind the ears, moving to the cheeks, under the chin, over the nose, between the eyes and over the head. Rub each ear several times between your thumb and forefinger, working from base to tip. Using three fingers, move slowly over the neck, shoulders, and chest in small, circular patterns, gently pinching folds of any loose skin in these areas. Lightly squeeze down the length of each foreleg, then place three fingers on each side of the leg and softly rub opposite directions several times. If your dog is comfortable with having his feet handled, use your thumb and forefinger and give each foot a couple of soft squeezes. This is a good time to look out for any burrs, ticks, or skin abnormalities. Use common sense in avoiding wounds, lumps, rashes or any sore spots. The second phase of the massage can include placing your thumb and index finger on each side of the spine and 'walking' them toward the base of the tail, and then the outside of each thigh. You may also squeeze the length of the tail and move down the rear legs in the same way as on the front legs, if your dog doesn't protest. If at any point, your dog resists, respect his wish and move to the last area or technique he enjoyed. Finish up with several soft, slow strokes from head to tail. Remember, deep massage should be done only by a trained and certified practitioner so it's very important to always keep your home massage light and gentle. When you finish, your dog will most likely be snoozing peacefully and you may be surprised to find your own tensions melted away as well.

You have such beautiful curls I love it down, but if it will be too hot up is definitely cute.