What a tragedy! Yesterday, during the day while browsing GW, I turned the TV off. When my dh came home he asked if I heard anything about a bombing in Boston. I turned on the Tv. What I saw reminded me of 911. Another horror! Monsters killing innocents. The image keeps playing over and over in my mind. I feel terrrible for all in Boston, but the little 8-yr-old boy who died troubles me the most. His father said, right before the first bomb went off, his son hugged him. How sad is that? I hope and PRAY the bomber/s are caught. This may sound cruel, but criminals are getting away with slaps on the wrists. Murderers! Whomever did this should be tortured. Sorry, my words are graphic but everyday there are murders. It's time the government changes laws. I called Mike immediately after the news reported cell phones weren't working..All I got was a fast busy signal, which meant he was either receiving several calls at once, or cells were out. Thank God everyone here is safe, at home, with your families. Give your loved ones hugs. Tell them you love them. Laura, your friends and family are in my prayers. Toni

I just got a Smartphone last year. I was against them for a long time. And if I didn't have a houseful of active kids, I could live without one. However, it has really been useful (though not necessary) to have. I have four kids who have multiple activities and sports all over the place. I keep my calendar on it which dh can access from his phone or the internet so that makes scheduling things very easy - we can both check the calendar before scheduling things (although I must admit, I prefer my paper calendar and still use one in addition to my online calendar). Because I'm constantly out and about driving from one activity to the next and am often away from home and my computer for hours at a time, being able to read my email has saved me at times (canceled at the last minute practices, directions to a field, etc). I can set reminders on it so if I'm out and want to remind myself of something to do when I get home, my phone will actually tell me as I'm turning down my street that I have to do x, y or z and will continue to remind me until I check the box. I'm not one who desires or wants to be "connected" at all times. I don't answer my phone in public, I don't text or look at my phone when I"m in the company of others and I don't want people to be able to reach me whenever they want (I don't give my cell phone out to anyone unless they need it for logistical reasons). I only use my phone when I'm sitting idle somewhere (like waiting to pick my kids up from school or at a sports practice). I was torn last year about getting a smartphone b/c I didn't want to be one of "those" people, but in the end, realized it would be very helpful to me b/c of my schedule and my kids' schedules. That said, it isn't a necessity and I wouldn't recommend getting one if you don't really have a reason for one as it is costly!

According to Tamara, my only option is to remove my cookies and restart and see if that fixes my problem. It's the "see if" that makes me pause. I also don't understand why my cookies would be the problem when others here are having the same auto log-out problem each time they leave GW and our problems seemingly began at the same time. I pointed out to Tamara that we are using different browsers and systems but she didn't address that in her response to me - at least it doesn't seem that she did. Instead she wrote, "Nearly all websites will set cookies when users login. You may not like them, but they do serve a purpose -- part of which is that you don't need to re-login each visit. Sometimes they get stuck, sometimes your browser does not reset them as necessary. While browsers are generic in nature, they become very personalized based on your use and what might work for one, may not work for another." Could it be that our different browsers became personalized at the same time? Blast those computer gremlins! I knew they were up to no good and now it seems that they've banded together to cause more havoc! ;-) Oh, she also said that the Vibrant Opt-out problems that occurred in the beginning have been fixed and I shouldn't worry about losing this option. I'd have more confidence in that if someone hadn't just posted that the opt-out feature stopped working for them and they're getting the mean greenies again. Has anyone tried to remove cookies and start again? Any luck?

I say prayers for everyone in that situation whenever I am reminded of them. Like I said, I was only at the blood center and the families and friends all touched my life. It was scary at times, especially when he had a fungal infection that was not responding to antibiotics. His flesh was coming off and they didn't know what it was until the culture came back. Once they got the right stuff treating it, everything turned around. That was the infection that delayed his transplant, but as I said, he is nearly ready to return home now and was able to drive out for the day on Thanksgiving. It was great. I wish I could be there in person so you could see and feel the hope. I'll send all I can by angel wings.