[Iowa Granny]

Good Morning Toby. I love to read about your walks.

Hectic pace here today. As I sort thru the piles I will think of my friends off having fun today. Enjoy your time together, folks.

I have a long meeting this afternoon, so I'd better prepare for my trip to Boston NOW, or I'll be flinging unmatched things into a suitcase at 5:00 am tomorrow.

[Iowa Granny]

I scanned thru the latest Talbot's catalog this morning, looking for a dress with a waistline, sleeves and an open neck. I didn't find it. Why do they always show the models in the size 6 version of these outfits?

[nicollo]

G'mornin', Ladies. While we last conversed Sunday night, my Freepin' glee at getting the lights back was interrupted by a boom outside and that horrid, dying sound of the computer's hard drive stopping. All dark again. I managed to crawl out of my desk and find a flashlight, no harm done, but my neighbor smashed her face against a rail looking for one. She's okay, but shook up and real, real impatient with the outage for the rest of the time.

So Pepco gave us two hours of Edison and took it back. Most cruel. As of last night, all had power in our area except ten houses on my block. The Lord was kind, and a lone crew found its way to us around 8pm last night. We celebrated with pizza and a movie. If winning the last-to-get-power lotto is the worst we have for now, I'll take it, even if it meant 5 am back breaking bailing water from the garage during the rainstorm the other night. We're gonna buy a marine battery to run the sump pump.

Now I have so much work -- missed a crucial week for my book launch. Gonna crunch out letters and emails today.

Chong, I was writing a freepmail to you when the transformer blew. I won't hold it against you.