tigra

Insurance companies can be a real bitch to deal with, but it beats the alternative. I know mine put me through a lot of grief after I broke my ankle. But that's a whole other issue!

You also have to keep in mind all the follow up care. Prescriptions, visits to the orthopedic surgeon, x rays, new casts, physical therapy, and what happens next year when you want all that metal OUT. All of that is so important to your recovery, and without insurance (or a lot of money) your options are limited. I don't even know the final tab on my ankle, but I'm sure it was close to $50,000.00. Thankfully, my insurance covered all but a few "co-pays". maura

First, it isn't necessarily about wanting to see how you "measure up" against the other person. Sure, some women are like that, but not all of us. Sometimes you just want to know a little more about your "so's" last big relationship, or maybe you've heard enough about it that you just want to know what that person looks like. Its only human to be curious! I've been both the "current" and the "ex" in similar situations. (oddly enough with the same guy- he really means the "we can still be friends" thing!

Of course your wife wants to get a look at your ex! That has nothing to do with trust, insecurity, jealousy or how solid your relationship is. At this point, its just plain old curiosity, so try not to read too much more into it! Don't you wonder a bit about your wife's exes?? Oh, and in answer to your second question.... YES! maura

What are you, the thread police?? I guess I can see your point, since the title of the thread mentions a fatality everyone will click on it to see what happened. I know I did, and that's a little disturbing. But all in all, if someone wants to recycle an old thread, what's the harm?

I didn't get pied for 100 or 500. I did buy beer though!

Dave, If you like Tom Clancy, you would probably like Robert Ludlum. The Bourne Identity, Bourne Conspiracy, and the Bourne Supremacy are all good. Also, The Matarese Circle, and its "sequal" are really good. Also, try Stephen King's It or The Stand. Those will both keep you busy for a while. The Stand is the classic battle between good and evil. Its really long but holds you and keeps you interested from start to finish. And of course, The Talisman and Black House have already been mentioned. Do yourself a favor and read the Talisman first. You will enjoy Black House that much more. I love the Dark Tower series, but I think that will drive you nuts til he finishes it! Just be warned if you pick up The Gunslinger..... maura (I never knew there were so many of us book geeks here.....)

Hey, I'm a cat person, you know, "Tigra", I can't help but try and take the kitty's side! But, you redeemed yourself by getting the cat out of the tree and giving her a meal!

What a cutie!

Poor kitty ended up in the wrong back yard! But at least Kayla only wanted to play! Did you really let your dog torment her for a whole hour??? Not bad doggy, bad Cornholio!!! Shame on you! (oh yeah, I laughed at the pics too, but.....

Thank you, Jessica! I feel sooooo much better now!

There are actually some vague references in Black House, and (even more vague) Hearts in Atlantis as well. (The whole parallel universe thing??) Guess I need to get out more too! maura

Nothing against the man, he's had a amazing career and he's certainly entertained the masses. I'll be enjoying his novels for many years to come. Everyone has to slow down sometime, and he certainly has earned a rest and a retirement! But he hooked me with The Gunslinger oh so many years ago. Each followup draws me even further in, and he is nowhere near a conclusion Lord of the Rings is on my agenda as well....... maura

You are soooo right! Yet another reason I stay away from tequila!

What about having pretty much his whole collection??? Just trying to see where I stack up on the geek scale! Dave, like you, the last Harry Potter book just left me wanting more. I'm more into the books than my nieces and nephews, and I only started reading them to see what all the fuss was about! I'm not happy about waiting til next May for the next one. I might need to reread the whole series AGAIN between now and then! maura

I'm not surprised. I honestly don't think he's written anything new since his accident. Just like the character in one of his books, he's pulling out stuff he wrote years ago, dusting it off, touching it up and handing it to his publisher as new material. (Black House doesn't count since he "co-wrote" that with Peter Staub!) Do we need to start giving out "SkyGeek" numbers?? Or has that been done already?? maura

Dave, whatever you do, do NOT start Stephen King's "Dark Tower" series. That will drive you ape shit! I don't think that will ever reach its conclusion, and its YEARS between installments. Plus, I don't think Stephen King has written much new material since his accident a few years back that almost killed him. I may never know if Roland and his new gang of gunslingers ever reach the dark tower! Gawd, I'm such a geek!! maura

Thanks! Someone gave me one a few years ago when I broke my ankle. The person who gave it to me got it when she broke her leg, given to her from someone else..... When it was time, I also passed the bear on to another jumper in need. I like the tradition, and right now I have a friend laid up with a broker femur who could maybe use some cheering up.... I'll try calling there! maura

I've got a couple of photos on my desk. A 44 way from 2 years ago, a 20 way from last year, and a 20 way from this year. All are good conversation pieces. Once people realize that I am in the pictures, the responses vary from "you're crazy!" to "that's so cool, I've always wanted to try that!" Hey Lisa, You said you have a stuffed bear with a parachute?? Do you know anyone who sells those? maura

Finally, I understand. Thanks! bobby sue ttk #27

Yup, My guilty pleasure as well. I can't wait for the next book! maura

I tuck the toggle ends into the keepers while I'm in the landing area before I gather up my canopy and walk in to the hangar. I set the brakes when I lay my canopy down, unless I'm late for the debrief and the organizer is giving me dirty looks! Even though I usually have a packer, I like to do this myself. (also, unstow/uncollapse the slider and cock the pilot chute which I know the packer will do again, but its habit....)

Carrie, There really is a little more to it than trust. That works great in theory, but every situation and relationship is different. Some people show trust and respect for each other in different ways. Freebird, There is nothing wrong with your husband suggesting a life insurance policy, especially since if I am not mistaken, you have a little girl. Have you tried talking to him about the other issues though?? You probably should have addressed the money issues before you got married, but if its causing problems now then you need to deal with it. I just think talking to him might accomplish more than getting advice on the internet from a bunch of people who don't really know either one of you. Just my thoughts!

Deuce, I think you misunderstood me. I'm not saying anything about "majority shareholders"- just the opposite. A lot more goes into a relationship than money, but money and money problems can break one up pretty quick. So, you have to "play fair", have realistic expectations, be grown ups, work together and respect each other. Its a 2 way street. But this is one of the challenges that we face in relationships these days. No one said marriage was easy! Face it, we have an expensive hobby, and it is important to keep our "fun money" separate from our living expenses, plus remember not to spend the rent money on jumps!

Just because our parents may have done it.... Anyway, times have changed. In my parent's generation, a lot more women were housewives and stay at home moms, and the men liked it that way. Now, as women, we are expected to pay our own way, and there is a whole new generation of under- employed men being supported by their wives and girlfriends. I think the best way to handle the finances is to agree what your share of the household expenses is every month, and put that in a joint account (or hand it over to the designated bill payer), but keep the rest separate. He shouldn't feel obligated to pay for your jumps and you shouldn't have to buy an expensive wedding gift for his 2nd cousin. Think of it as one less thing to fight about. If one of you is bringing home significantly more than the other, just decide what is fair for the other person to put in every month, stick with it and play fair. Like, if you're the one bringing in more money, don't hold it over the other person or make them feel bad about it. And if you are the one making less, don't spend every cent you have on yourself and expect the other person to be OK with it. (Unless you married a millionaire) just my thoughts..... bobby sue, ttk #27