I must take issue with snidely's item #2 re automatic Windows updates. A few years back there was a real problem with some HP computers that had AMD processors. This may have been the update for SP3, but my memory can't say for sure. The machines went into an endless reboot loop. My desktop was one of the affected ones, as was my friend's. There was finally a "fix" issued by HP which we were able to employ. My HP laptop, also with an AMD processor, although a different one, was not affected at all. I have also had minor problems with some of the .Net updates, so I always install those separately from other updates. Just my experiences, so one does learn from those not to just blithely set automatic updates. Obviously snidely is not a mother, or he would know that 13 year olds can be very sensitive and sometimes overly dramatic. This has nothing to do with good parenting, so he would best keep remarks about such to himself. I am a great grandmother as well as a former school teacher (12, 13, 14 year olds), so I have seen it all.

As I understand it, this thing(I learned from the fire dept. today its called a waterman or water watch or something like that) is hooked up to a garden hose and piped through the wall into the crock to start a siphoning action when it gets to a certain level if the pump hasn't come on. If I knew any more I wouldn't have had this problem in the first place. And speaking of free water from outside, we got plenty of that today too, because I guess my DD had turned the "water whatever" lever to off. I had an appt. to meet an appraiser there today at noon, so I got there an hour early to get something out of the basement. Was met by water above my ankles in a basement we've always called the bowling alley. Boxes etc. were floating around for goodness sake! The fire dept. came to pump us out, discovered the "water whatever" had been turned off, and also the float on the pump had broken off (probably why the WW had been running) and was also floating. I'm sick to death of water. A little advice: Never depend on a doctor to check your sump pump. DD is an OB-GYN, and although her dad crassly calls her a plumber, she failed big time on this one. Luckily, though, she had bagged up 30 bags of clothes for pickup by charity tomorrow or I'd be hauling heavy soppy clothes out of the basement forever as well as all the other stuff. Hope y'all had a better day. Sandy

We may need to change the the nickname of forum members to TKO&TGO!! A mouthful but I think it's kinda true here! Claire- your pup looks a bit like my girl, Bailey. Sydney and friend are sure cuddly cute together! Must see Annakin! And love the name! Name choosing for a pup in a family takes on a life of it's own doesnt it? We took Cooper and Bailey for a swim on Sunday in a local lake. They love to retrieve balls from the water. It is their fav thing to do. as well as ours - we are going first thing on the 4th too. Pirula-We have found that not all goldens take to water- not like labs. We started early, after they bonded. A slow gentle approach with a small hard sided kiddy pool( Petsmart has them ) with a bit of water,add more gradually,never force them, is a good way to introduce them to water, we found. What fun! Our first golden,Cody, a rescue, would not go near the water and we wanted to make sure that these guys love the water. Of course, now our next house MUST have a pond with a bit of land or a lake house. Dreaming of it anyway. Happy 4th! Sue

I have tears running down my face. I'm sorry for your losses. I have no words, so I think this will be a good place to put the Story of Rainbow Bridge. I'm sure most of you have read it, but it's worth repeating. ............................................................ Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.... Author unknown...