sea-nile: If you have an REI near you, they have a good variety of shoes (kid and adult) and their staff people have always been helpful when I have a question. I've had great luck with Keen sandals (Newport or Newport H2.) They have a sturdy sole that comes up to protect the toe area. They're great...

I love ball caps! Need that opening in back to pull all my hair through, which keeps the hair out of my way and the hat on my head. With other hats, I'm constantly fussing, but I love how they look on other people.

Excellent report! Thanks! I'm saving for future reference.

Cypressgirl: My husband once had a work colleague from Lubbock. He tried to teach us (lifelong Chicagoans) how to speak Texas. "We like our words. You gotta make 'em loooooooong. Like this: dawwwwwwwwwwg." Every time I think of Lubbock, which I admit is pretty rare, I think of us drinking ...

Genipgirl, I am green! Not with margarita, sadly, but with envy! What a great trip!

Jerseyboy, that website it hilarious! Plays nicely into my phobia of public restrooms. The "Golden Plungers" award page has some might fine looking loos.

cool! thanks pswlrw!

I tried checking STJ with Google Earth too. Google Earth is extremely cool, but is really "focused" on populated areas, pun intended.

Think how cool it would be to see a clear ariel view of your favorite villa or beach! Could be very handy for that whole villa-selection process.

mrsb wrote: I am trying to figure out how to dress up as a Jeep.

How many of the forum guys are going to make jokes about seeing your headlights?

If you go as pirates, you can not only honor the rowdy history of the islands, but also use rum as part of your costume!

Big Buffet fans here! Have been to several of his shows in Chicago and a few other cities. (Sadly, it's been a few years since our last JB concert. It's gotten crazy trying to get tickets!) Our daughter is named after a Jimmy Buffet song. NO, it's not "Why Don't We Get Drunk and Screw"!! I...

I'd pretty much rather have a root canal than go shopping for swimsuits... at least with root canal, you get drugs! That being said, I did take a quick peek last week at Nordstrom (didn't have time to try anything on) and noticed that all the cute suits were close to $200! For about 2 square inches ...

Jerseyboy wrote: Now you just need to make sure he has good music tastes too (e.g. U2, Bruce, Bob Marley). I won't even touch the subject of which sports teams to follow though. Big Jimmy Buffet fans here... daughter had no choice, being named after a Jimmy song (Delaney.) But they like rock, regga...

scramm - you are awesome! Way to raise the bar for the other guys!

OK ladies -- how many of you are going to show your significant other scramm's post? (Hang on while I copy this link into an email for hubby...)

Good luck with your training! Glad you're taking it seriously and building up endurance so that you can go the distance when it really counts.