:bigear:

Vidalia's not too bad - there's still stuff to do over there. I was born in a smaller town near there and there ain't nothin' to do there, but we still amuse ourselves when we're visiting. I think you'll find it's more interesting that you think (and the onions will be fresh!).

:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:

Total wanderlust here, and I don't necessarily like it. All my life I've wanted to just be in one place and settle down. But after about 3 years I get antsy and end up moving again. I grew up military and think that's where it started. I've married a man not originally from the US so our lives are in a constant state of flux as we grapple with his country of origin, my country of origin, and the rest of the world. For us, just about nothing is off limits as far as geography! In the past 3 years we have lived in three different states and Turkey, and I know we're not done yet. Sigh....

Ramadan in Turkey is not too big a deal, though the times are a'changing. I've been there for the past two Ramadans and didn't have a problem eating or drinking in public. I was aware of the holiday, though, and tried to stay discreet - not tossing peanuts into the air to catch with my mouth, that sort of thing. Not everyone in Turkey fasts - I'd say most do not - but I try not to stick out like a complete foreigner. ;) The fun is after Iftar and sunset, when the feasts break out, the socializing begins, and everyone has a ball. Being that it's in August this year, the nights really will be a party since the days will be so hot. I remember my first visit there I nearly fell over at the sight of little ones (5-10 years old) out and playing on the playgrounds at 11pm. DH reminded me how hot it had been all day and that it was the first chance they'd probably had to play on the hot equipment. All the mommies were watching, the dads were talking - a normal day at the park - just at night!

At least they had a reason (friendship). When I was about 5 I got hold of my mother's good scissors and (according to her) "scalped" myself on both sides of my head. I remembering cutting and I remember hiding the hair and scissors under the couch thinking she wouldn't notice. Of course she did. And I had no reason, I just wanted to cut my hair. Over 30 years later, my hair still grows unevenly and I blame it on that incident. Trust me, y'all will snicker about this for YEARS. I do feel sorry for her in the Virginia heat and humidity, though. Maybe a combination of pony tails and hair clips?

We color with Color Wonder during takeoff and landing. We also sing a song we invented that is basically a chant that keeps DD amused and distracted during those events. I was starting to have trouble with the seat belts so I pointed out the lighted seatbelt sign and made a point of telling her that EVERYONE has to keep their seat belts on when this is lighted and if she doesn't they may make us get off the plane and we can't go visit grandma (or wherever we're going). She now knows to look for the light before unbuckling. You might also look into the CARES harness for your DS - I don't remember the maximum weight/height limits, but it could help keep him confined (it's a shoulder harness that is FAA approved and works with the plane's seatbelt. DD has one and we love it. I think you can rent them on Ebay if cost is an issue. Unfortunately I don't have pictures of DD behaving nicely on the plane, just ones of us walking about and playing! Sorry!!

My husband is Turkish and I lived in Izmir (Southwest of Turkey, 3rd largest city) for about a year and visit often. You can easily get the ferry to Greece from a number of points, the question is where in Greece do you want to go? it is relatively inexpensive to go to Lesvos from Foca, for example, but I don't know about going to mainland Greece (Athens). I will recommend Culture Shock: Turkey and Tales From the Expat Harem as unusual but useful books about Turkey. You can do it on the cheap. Buses are plentiful and everyone takes them, but I second the recommendation to take first class buses if you can and get the best seats you can afford. It does make a difference. I would also recommend against driving at night if you can at all avoid it - the drivers there are fearless and there are NO BARRIERS between you and the precipice just off to your right (including no shoulders!). The "Otoyol" or interstate/autobahn system is easier, but not as widespread as in the US. Keep spare change with you (1 lira and 50 kurus coins) for public toilets. It pays for their maintenance and they're cleaner than the free ones. Carry little packs of tissue for the potties as well - like many places in Europe, toilet paper is sometimes optional. Istanbul is ginormous and amazing. My husband's great aunt is a paid guide and showed us around one day and I still feel like I haven't seen any of the city hardly. Don't miss the Aya Sofia (aka Hagia Sophia) or the Blue Mosque (called Sultanahmet Camii in Turkish). Izmir (Smyrna in ancient times) is my home in Turkey and I love it. It's a very good base for seeing Ephesus (about 2 hours away) and other spots in the southwest corner of Turkey. Then you could go on down towards Fethiye and Antalya, then over to Gaziantep and from there to Syria. Fethiye is on the Mediterranean and a good place to see the Lycian archeological sites. Antalya is just classic Turkish beaches, and Gaziantep is steeped in history and has a fantastic museum with tons of mosaics, including the famous Gypsy Girl mosaic. Syria is about 60 miles from Gaziantep and it is easy to fly from Gaziantep to Syria from what I've been told. PM me if you want more. I don't want to blather on too much, though I probably already have.

:iagree:

I have a cat who is unfazed by spray bottles. Just glares at you and resumes whatever undesired activity he was up to. So we resorted to lemon juice, lemon peels, etc. Cats HATE citrus. Rub the screen with it, leave peels around the door, AND spray it with a water pistol/super soaker. And look at a metal screen for your door. Good luck!

:drool5: Sigh.... I simply cannot buy more books, but these sound cool. Look them up on Ebay, AbeBooks, or Google the title and see if you can find what they're going for in general. that should give you and idea of how to price them. And if there's a one or two "duds" in the bunch, bundle those with a desirable book and make it a deal ("two for one"). Just my 2 cents.

You are a brave woman! Sorry, no advice to the OP, just had to congratulate the fortitude of a woman who owns not one, but two Anatolians and keeps them inside!

I had mono as a college student (at the end of a semester as well). My spleen was so enlarged I could not sit up straight in a car and my parents had to come get me and bring me home. Raging fever, enlarged lymph nodes, extreme exhaustion, and enlarged spleen were my symptoms. They kept testing my blood all summer. I was still sick when fall semester came 'round and was forced, under doctor's orders, to take a reduced course load because I was still recovering, though no longer contagious. It took me another three months to feel human again. I will never make fun of someone with Mono ever. It can be the nastiest thing!

:iagree: I was expecting something more along the lines of a potty accident involving the book. Tick with blood - gross, but not the grossest I could imagine....

I've seen Merrill's at DSW, but I can't remember if I've seen TEVA there. I've seen all sorts of walking sandals there though - you might find a good one if you have a good DSW near you.

Y'all have both described my brother, now an adult with 5 kids of his own. Let me tell you that there is hope! And the Feingold diet helped him enormously. Back in the day there was no such thing as ADHD, but we believe that is what he had/has. He still uses caffeine to calm down. Get them to use their powers for good. Good luck!! And major, major hugs!:grouphug::grouphug:

You should have seen their faces. They were confused, surprised, and delighted all at once. All the cashiers gathered to see the strange species known as "Wanttopayforbooks". It took three of them to review the receipt and see that yes, indeed, we hadn't been charged for three books - the most expensive ones. And they gave us two coupons as a thank you, one of which we promptly used in a frenzy of book buying. I swear we need a 12 step program for books.

Well, Cat2 had a ball with the moth that flew out of DH's shirt this afternoon. I guess maybe it's not such a good idea to leave it out after all. Sigh....

No worries! I took it exactly how you intended it, not badly at all. It was late for all of us and I was in the same mood when I read it. I'm on my way to the store now to pay for the books. (It's been one heck of a day and on top of everything, the a/c is out and we're in Texas.) Can't wait to see what reaction I get!! :tongue_smilie:

Left it out and it was all there in the morning. Thanks, everyone!

Oh, I'm going to go back and pay, don't worry. I've made it an issue with DD from early on that you have to buy things before you can have them - so much so that she wants her produce twist tie scanned if she's holding an extra at checkout time. I just was so surprised that the clerk essentially told me "lucky break, wink, wink" that I wondered if I really was weird for wanting to pay.

See if it's a positional thing. DD would cry if she was on her back, but would sleep on her side. I know, no stomach, but the pedi ok'd the side if I had a sleep positioner that kept her from going onto her stomach. You might also see if a slight incline helps - if it does, it could be reflux. Or your little one is just really touchy-feely. DD still needs to have a foot or hand or something touching me to fall asleep.

I am line-drying our laundry while out dryer is on "vacation" (the repairman comes Monday). DH says it's ok to leave it out overnight, that his family did it all the time growing up. My mama always said never leave it out, but I can't remember why and it's bugging me. We have a full load on the lines right now because I forgot about it and it's too dark out there to retrieve it now (there are no lights in the far reaches of the yard where the clothesline is). Anyone know why I can't leave it out or reassure me that it's ok?

Me too!!

I am just wondering.... Yesterday I went to Half Price Books for the first time. When the checkout clerk said the amount it seemed wrong, but DD was having a very rare public meltdown so I honestly just wanted to pay and get out of there. Tonight I happened across the receipt and was looking at it and noticed that I wasn't charged for three books - my total should have been more than double what I paid. I mentioned it to DH who agreed I need to go pay for the books. I called the store to ask what to do and the clerk told me I was very lucky and didn't need to come in. I told him I needed to pay for these books. He was stunned. Honestly, what would you do? Call it lucky or go back and pay? I guess I'm asking if DH and I are really that weird that even the salesclerk at the store thinks we don't need to pay for the books.