tigra

I've had 2 Nokia phones- NEVER again! They suck!

Oh, I totally see your point. I know at least one person who went on the Jerry Springer show with a cousin and friend and BS'd. I saw the clip and it was funny as hell! "Reality TV" is completely manipulated by the producers. The footage is edited so we see what they want us to see, and when they are assembling the "cast", they go out of their way to find at least one person who will create friction. Didn't it all start with Puck on the Real World? Still, I think the women on Outback Jack really are just as vain, self centered and ignorant as they appear. And even though its frivolous and manipulated- as is pretty much most television- I thought it was funny as hell, and I'm sure I'll tune in next week. Its definitely more entertaining than "The Bachelor", but that's not saying too much!

I honestly think most of those women on the show really are that self centered and stupid! The producers went out of their way to find women like that and mislead them about the show!

I hope you're kidding because you just made me laugh out loud!

Cuteless and Base813- Two of the most useful things I had while recovering from my broken ankle were 1) a water proof cast cover and 2) a handicap shower stool (and of course my waterpik hand held shower massage.) Those items made my showering experience much safer and easier! I hope you are both well on the road to recovery!

I just got a new one- one of those over the shoulder ergnomic types. Its made by Columbia Sportswear and holds my purse, the book I'm reading, lunch and a pair of shoes if I want to wear "sensible shoes" while I walk. (Mostly I wear sensible shoes all day anyway!) Plus, it has a front "pouch" with pockets to keep my keys, train pass, walkman, etc. I don't know if this back pack will hold files, just because of the shape, but I can load it up and its still comfortable. (Ever see these little kids with their giant back packs and wonder how it is they don't fall over from the weight?)

I agree- he's a hottie! I thought the show was hysterical and I've been waiting for them to do something like that- you know- sort of a cross between The Bachelor and Survivor? (Maybe a little Joe Schmo tossed in since the joke seems to be on all those stupid self centered "girly girls"??)

Yup, what he said........ Adding to what Michele said, it seems to me that most HELOCs will lend up to 90% combined LTV but the higher the combined LTV, the higher the rate. Some will lend up to 100% but its going to cost more. Mortgage rates are still decent but probably a full percentage point higher than they were last year, so think about that if you are considering a cash out refi of the entire mortgage instead of an equity loan.

Even if you provide an "official" appraisal, most lenders will use their own appraisers for a number of reasons. Also, with home equity loans, since the cost involved which is often absorbed by the lender, some lenders won't do a full appraisal. They might do something they call a "desktop" appraisal or recertify your old one. The main purpose is to make sure your home hasn't LOST value, and that won't help you since you are looking to pull more equity out. It is possible to contest the appraised value, but you would have to provide comparable closed sales using their guideleines and prove to them that your comps are superior to the ones they used. That's not easy. Good luck, keep shopping around and just be careful.

I already have one, but mine jumps a square and sings Jingle Bells!

What do you mean by appraisal? Did you have an outside appraisal done by a licensed appraiser or are you basing that on what similar homes in your area are selling for? The "appraisal" or appraised value a realtor will come up with is going to be very different from what a lender will use. Any lender is going to be far more conservative. When they look for an appraised value, what they are really thinking is how much can we get for this home if our borrower defaults and we need to foreclose and sell in a hurry? I bought last year myself, and I can tell you there is a HUGE range in my area for what similar homes are being listed for and selling for, just as their was when I purchased as well. I think I paid a fair price for my home, and it actually appraised out (by my lender) for a little more than what I paid. The day I closed, we passed a similar house on the same block listed for 30K more. The biggest difference between the 2 homes is that MY deal closed- my seller had 3 offers to choose from within 3 days of listing the property- while this other house stayed on the market for several more months and did not sell. Anyway, if you shop around, you *might* find a lender who will give you a loan based on a higher appraised value, BUT it might not be the most reputable lender or the most favorable terms, so be careful and make sure you read and fully understand the terms of your loan before you sign! (That holds true for any home equity loan. I do real estate closings for a living and some of the things I've seen over the years would shock you!)

If you're close, then yes, stay close and keep trying. If you are hopelessly low and have no chance of getting in, get away, far far away. That's what I've always been taught.

The last time I heard of someone playing the "I Hope My Canopy Opens First Game" the lower jumper died and the other one spent several months in the hospital. Lets be careful out there guys! I do agree that the low man has the right of way, but he also has an obligation to track. In the above instance, the lower jumper should not have been in that airspace and the higher jumper had limited room to maneuver so he did the best he could. Regardless of the size or type of the skydive, if something goes wrong and you aren't going to get in, you need to get the hell away from it!

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That's at least as good as the movie version with Jack Nicholson!!

There's also an FAQ section and glossary of terms. I got a lot of info from there about my ankle- stuff my doctor did not tell me.

Me personally, no. But I don't think its such an uncommon procedure. There's a website for people with broken legs (beware- there are LOTS of whiners) who share stories and info. A friend turned me onto it when I brok my ankle last year and I've found the site pretty helpful over all. (whiners aside) its mybrokenleg.com You might search their forum for bone graft info. Lots of luck to you and I sorry your bone isn't healing so well! maura

I assume you've been to the doctor and tried all kinds of things, but I'll ask anyway..... Have you tried Flonase? That stuff works wonders for me! Singulair? Also worked quite well. I feel you pain, honest I do.......

I didn't think Eyes of the Dragon was THAT bad! My least favorite of all his books was Gerald's Game. I had a hard time getting through it, and I didn't throw it away, but I would never pick it up and re-read it!

Yup, I picked up my copy yesterday at Walden Books, and I did not need to pre-order it! I've got a 4 hour flight to California on Friday and now I've got something to keep me occupied on the flight!

Deuce, You are always stylish!

Thanks everyone! I'm a belly flyer and I'll bring my RW suit with me. Left my helmet and gloves in my locker at the dz, but I'm sure they will loan or rent.

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I'm going to the LA area for a long weekend, and while I don't plan on bringing my gear to skydive, I was considering the wind tunnel in Perris. Can anyone tell me what I should bring to fly in the tunnel? My own jumpsuit? I didn't think to grab my helmet when I left the dz Sunday, so that's out...........

Sunny, I fly on my belly- is that OK? I'm sort of a menace in any other position! maura