:grouphug: So sorry you're having to do this, k. That family won't need a translator to understand your compassion. They may not be ready to process all you have to tell them today, but they will be grateful it was you that took care of their son. Thank you for your work. You're doing good stuff.

That IS amazing! I love win-win stories. You scored a new stroller, and stranger-lady was probably relieved to clear up some garage space without having to run a second ad.

:iagree: Absolutely bragworthy stuff going on in your family! Your kids are the kind I love for my kids to hang out with: They are showing wonderful strength of character when faced with challenges. (And what Mariann said. Cut yourself some slack. Your kids didn't get where they are without your guidance. I admire the job you're doing raising those babies.) PS Aren't grandchildren awesome? Enjoy!

:lol: And the sequels have already been released: The Beer Hunter A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Beer Finding Beer Not part of the series, but showing in the same theatre: A Beer Called Wanda

Okay, looks like the consensus is definitely contact via registered letter to the regional manager. I can locate that person's name and print out a letter this weekend. Thank you for the responses. You each had a little tidbit of info to contribute that will help me, including some key phrases for the letter and a bit of cheering on. I appreciate your help! And I agree, this could have been so much worse for me. It sure sounded like it was a pain for the other guy. I could tell he was frustrated. I just hope my bank's response is satisfactory. I'm too lazy to want to switch at this point.

I was contacted by snail-mail the other day by an individual who said they were given some of my bank account information by mistake, and asked if I had received theirs. (I know, my possible-upcoming-scam radar was going off, but stay with me here ;)) The letter to me contained both my correct account holder names and my account number, and the story was that the letter writer is the grandson of Mrs. SimilarAccountNumber, now deceased, and he was in charge of settling her estate. In his contacts with Granny's (and my online) bank, he had encountered a few errors on their part already, so when they mailed him my info instead of his Granny's, his own radar was blipping and he was wondering just how incompetent they were. So I googled all his contact info, and Grandson looks like a well-established small businessman, probably working solo. His business website contained an email address which I used to contact him. I gave out no new info he hadn't already given me (in case someone else opens his email). In fact, I didn't include the other account holder name, any phone numbers, account number, name of bank, etc. Just basically "my condolences on the death of Granny, I can assure you I've not received anything in her name, I haven't contacted the bank yet because I'd want more info to go on first, and would you mind sending me copies of anything you've received on me from my bank?" I got an email back today with a scan of my bank statement from a few months ago. :tongue_smilie: Yup, it has all the debit purchases and checks I write out, amounts and business names, along with the amounts of MrTea's automatic payroll deposits. Checking and savings accounts. Both account names, the numbers, our addresses. No SS#s, of course, just the usual, slightly detailed monthly statement I'd receive if I wasn't doing it all online. Grandson requested that if I decide to contact the bank, would I mind doing it by mail and forward copies to him/his lawyer of correspondence I receive back from them, especially if they blow me off like they have him. Soooo....if this place was local, I'd walk in and could find out who to talk to in person. As it is, I'm a few states away. Truth be told, I've been a satisfied customer for 20+ years, and while I can understand Grandson's frustration and lack of trust in the whole institution, I see it as more of some clown made a dumb mistake one day and I'd like someone to know so that more training takes place or whatever needs to happen to prevent another occurrence. Question: Should I be more concerned? I have my eye on my account, a paper trail (Grandson's original letter and our emails) has already been started, and I'm old and tired and don't want to be bothered much. I don't mind helping him out by sending copies of anything my bank sends me in the way of an explanation or apology (sounds like he's ready to take legal action to make sure he's getting all the correct info re: Granny). Another question: If I write to the bank, have you any idea what department to send it to? It's a big place, not national, but several local branches. And what do I include in a letter? Just "Hey clown, how come this dude just emailed me a copy of MY monthly statement??" (I'd work on the wording more. Maybe.) Thanks as always, Hive. I mean H.I.V.E.

Jovi is adorable. :) I'll add Robin to the list if you're still shopping.

:grouphug: Whew, that does not sound fun. Hugs from me, too. Take care.

:grouphug: That was lovely to read this morning. Thank you for sharing your memories.

Awww, congratulations! :grouphug:

I like how he snuck in, arranging the trip himself without notifying media. Classy, yes. I would think his visit might help a bit in the healing process, you know, just seeing him as a regular guy.

I love that you picked up on this and shared it! The independence and resilience that's built during camp makes it worth it here, also. Sounds like your children had a grand time, gophers and all!

I was 6 years old, glued to the television set in our living room, and surrounded by a bunch of neighbors that had been invited over to watch on our (apparently novel) 19" color TV. My mom loved any excuse for a party and had us all pretty pumped up about it. We were a little surprised when the pictures finally came in, though, and they were in black and white. I remember the neighbor ladies trying to get my parents to explain why our color TV wouldn't work right for the "moon pictures".

We all get Oral B toothbrushes, and whatever floss/picks/flossers and toothpaste our mouths call for. I had my granddaughter tagging along just to watch one day, and she was given all the same stuff. Love my thoughtful dentist's office. Jealous of the carnation recipient upthread. Puzzled by the treat coupons.

Gosh, yes! This has been on my mind a lot lately because of yet another weight gain (grr!) and just noticing the insane portion sizes all around me. Yes, the half-gallon ice cream was the norm when I was a child, and it lasted our family of 5 or 6 (depending on foster child in the house or not) two rounds of servings. Not two servings on the same day, either. I mean we each had a bowl of ice cream on a Saturday night, then we got the rest of the box out the next Saturday to finish it off. At vacation bible school as a child we finished inside stuff, then played outside running around playing kickball in the summer sun until we were hot and sweaty. At the end of the evening we'd all line up for our dixie-cup of koolaid and a single oreo-size cookie. Some of the biggest kids might ask for a second cookie. What are they serving nowadays? I'm guessing it's way more than what we had. Another memory: I remember seeing my first BK Whopper ordered by my older cousin. He kept telling me "Wait'll you see how BIG this thing is! I can barely hold it with two hands!" Sure enough, we were all astounded at how any restaurant expected one person to eat that monstrosity. And sure enough, my auntie wrapped up one half of cousin's Whopper to take home when he could not finish it all. And not because he was full of french fries or one of those giant sodas. Combos hadn't been dreamt of, I don't think. Anyway, lots of portion stories I could bore you with. We were not real poor, food was plentiful, we ate out regularly, and my parents were never stingy. People just did not require so much "sustenance" back then. Packages are smaller, yet our portions keep growing! It's insane. I'm just as guilty of overindulging as the next person. So need to fix that!

One might turn down the pizza lasagna if one were in the early stages of being stoned. Paranoia sets in first ("Duuude! I am so stoned! Where's my hands??!! I can't find my hands! Oh, there they are! Are my eyes blood shot? Don't let anybody see my eyes!") Munchies come later (with giggles). ("Heyyyy, man. Is this PIZZA? I am eating this PIZZA!") At least that's what I remember hearing about being stoned...:leaving:;) OP, sorry to just pop in to add nothing but my lame stupidity. Your situation today sounded stressful, and I hope it all turns out well for all of you. Good luck!

I've never been a bed maker. I've always gotten up early, had plenty of time to make a bed, but I walk off and leave it either unmade or stripped every single day. When I return at night is when I either straighten the used sheets or put on the clean ones. Hmm...come to think of it, I always treated the children's beds the same way. They walked off and left theirs unmade (or stripped, if I told them to bring their sheets out with them in the morning) and together we'd get their sheets and blankies in place before tucking them in at night. I wonder if my adult kids still do it the same way?? Well, that little question turned out to be interesting (to me!) :lol:

Wow, that's one beautiful plate of deliciousness. I am definitely making this one after my next shopping trip! Thank you for the recipe, Dawn.

That was a beautiful tribute to your husband, Joanne. Thank you for letting us hear about Adrien, and about your life together. Much peace and love to you today and always. :grouphug:

:grouphug:

I'm sorry. :grouphug:

General Board gets most of my time and nearly all of my posts, but I think I read nearly all posts made to the High School/College boards (there aren't nearly as many so it doesn't take as long). I rarely poke around any other areas.

I text and type with my toes. Not literally (they're too stubby and the keyboard's up too high ;)) but apparently my toes are making all the same motions as my fingers. I knew it always felt like that's what I was doing, but I never bothered to check until my daughter noticed one day while I was texting with my bare feet up. I was a bit mortified when she announced my "talent" to the rest of the family, but now I just think how cool it would be to have a little stubby keyboard for my feet so I could see what my wpm and error rate would be. I'm pretty sure I toe-type shorthand when I read, also. Please, somebody step up and say they also do this!

My name + my usual drink* (AmbitiousHousewife: great story!) *although I've learned that it's a popular exercise program in addition to being the name of a beverage

:grouphug: I'm sorry for your troubles, Joanne. I wish we all could carry part of your load for you right now. Take care of yourself, also, the best you can.