August 7, 2004 Magic...who's going?

[eye R.N.]

I wonder if 7/22 is cheaper than thanksgiving week? The only thing I really want in an itenery is double CC. Come on 2006!

[sbennett]

Denise - check it out and see. we're doing double CC.

We can't wait ...would love to cruise in 2005 but I think we need a break for the pocket book, we can use just points for Hilton Head for next year. I hope my sister will join us there, she'll need a break after this battle she's facing.

HH sounds really good....Sandy do you remember if they have horseback riding? On the website they show people riding but they don't list it anywhere. Courtney would love to go, and I haven't rode a horse in 20+ years, my neighbors had a horse when I was growing up and we'd ride almost everyday.

:thewave: :thewave:

[wendym]

Amy - what a wonderful report card!!!
Shelley - we will keep your sister in our prayers. She would love Hilton head - everybody who has been thinks it is wonderful.
We are both very tempted by the double castaway cay cruises - either the July or Oct 2006 ones! I am not going to choose between friends!!
We had a wonderful two weeks in Orlando - Mum did parasailing at the Contemporary and I did the Segway tour at Epcot which I can really recommend. As for the Food and Wine Festival it was amazing!
Wendy

[sbennett]

Wendy:
Glad to hear you had a good time in Orlando and that Doreen got to go parasailing. What's the Segway tour is there a link for it somewhere? Sounds interesting if you get to ride on a segway!!!

My sister's decided to have a double mastectomy even though the biopsies on the right breast were negative. She doesn't want to take the chance of having to go thru this again. The doctors have told her that there is a risk of it occuring in the other breast at a future date. She's now just waiting for an surgery date since the surgeons have to figure out their schedules for the 6 hours removal and reconstructive surgery.

[sbennett]

Well I just got a call from my sister, her surgery has officially been scheduled for Wednesday, November 10th...time unknown until the day before the surgery.

She currently only wants her husband to go with her to the hospital because she knows that she won't be in good shape before the surgery emotionally. I have to respect her wishes, even though I want to be there for the two of them. She said I can come to the hospital later on since it's a 6 hour operation. My brother-in-law will be an absolute basket case, he's very much like Jay...emotional, caring guy...we're both very lucky!

Please keep her in your prayers, not only is the surgery scary, she's a severe asthmatic as well. She's going to beat this!!!!!!

[wendym]

Shelley, your sister and families are in our prayers.
As for the Segway http://allearsnet.com/btp/tours.htm#seg
explains it well - scroll down about half way down the page.
Wendy

[EPCOTgrl1]

My dates at disney were extened. I will still be leaving Jan 17 but i dont come home till aug 19!

[sbennett]

Congrats Chelsea....way to go!!
Enjoy yourself in whatever capacity they have you working

[musicalSaranader]

Chelsea that is SO awesome!!! You lemme know it goes, ok? Cuz I really want to do the college program eventually. :earsgirl:

Aha my 1500th post!

[EPCOTgrl1]

I will let you know how everything goes. Right now i am trying to figure out how i am going to get enought creidts to stay on the insurence. i hope that it will go much smoother after i figure all that out. but i dont think that it will....

[luv2boys]

Did they have this when I was in college, and why didn't I know about it?

[eye R.N.]

It looks like we can keep her on our insurance until the end of the calander year of her 19th birthday. Let's how long it take for her to read this on the board. Between school and work and her stage crew jobs i barely see Chelsea

[gometros]

Denise - I'm fairly certain that as long as Chelsea stays in college, she is covered until she is 26. SInce the WDW program is a college program and she gets credits for it, that should count as staying in college.

[EPCOTgrl1]

Look mom i am reading the board though i rather be sleeping right now!

I was thinking the same thing about the whole 26 thing. But i have to take classes to get the credits. meh! there are 2 classes that i would like to take down there so that is 6 credits and then i would need to take 2 on-line classes. doesnt sound to bad. i think. well we will see what happeneds. maybe disney has insurence that i can get!

[sbennett]

Hi all,
Couldn't get our email to work here at the motel in PA, so I have to send our regards this way. Happy Thanksgiving to you all, we came down to spend Thanksgiving Day with Corey at KidsPeace, to take him out for dinner etc. He has to be back by 8pm.

We got WONDERFUL

[sbennett]

We got WONDERFUL news today.....my sister's final Pathology report on the lymph nodes following her double mastectomy came back NEGATIVE. No signs of cancer....yeah!!!:Pinkbounc :Pinkbounc :Pinkbounc :Pinkbounc :Pinkbounc :Pinkbounc
:Pinkbounc We will be having a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!
She's sooo relieved, so am I. The surgeon doesn't even think she'll need chemotherapy at all. She wants her to see an oncologist for a consultation anyway, but thinks he'll just say it's not needed. She says there's a less than 1% chance of any recurrence. AMEN.....all those prayers worked!!!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving....don't eat too much turkey!!!

The Bennett Family
:wave2: :wave2: :wave2: :wave2:

[luv2boys]

Hey Shelley,

Congrats on your good news and have a great day with Corey. Give him our best.

I won't be able to taste my food because of a cold, but that won't stop me from eating.

Jesse is home from Dallas until Sunday - kids are thrilled and are piled in the bed with him right now watching the Macy's parade.

[wendym]

Hi all
Happy Thanksgiving from Mum and I! Shelley - what wonderful news - please say hi to Corey from us too.
Amy - hope you feel better soon.
I had a Happy Thanksgiving message up on my board today and even had Turkey in the Straw playing too - of course the pupils thought I was mad!
Wendy

[EPCOTgrl1]

If i was one of your stundents i would think that you were crazy too!

[gometros]

Shelley - saw your email, but didn't have a chance to respond, so I get to do it here. That's great news about your sister, so glad to hear things are looking up. Hope Corey is doing well.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

[jeanneg]

Belated Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. Things were very hectic around here the past few days. It was nice having everyone home but it's even nicer now that they're back. Having 6 adults in one house is a little too stressful when your home is on the market and always ready to be shown. Yesterday was particularly a fun day. First, my Durango was involved in an accident and had to be towed away. A few hours later Nikki's car broke down on the highway and hers had to be towed away. We had to rely on one auto to get 2 kids to the airport (at different times), one back to Chapel Hill and one back to Greensboro.....in addition to waiting nearly an hour for each of the tow trucks to arrive. Thank God, no one was injured but this was the last thing I needed right now. Oh, and Adam needs over $2,400 worth of dental work. I just keep telling myself that my luck is destined to change for the better and these are all annoying but relatively unimportant setbacks.
BTW, I think we all missed Sandy's BIG birthday earlier this month. Now he's a quasi-senior citizen just like myself! Happy Belated Birthday, Sandy.....I'm so sorry we missed the big day!

[gometros]

BTW, I think we all missed Sandy's BIG birthday earlier this month. Now he's a quasi-senior citizen just like myself! Happy Belated Birthday, Sandy.....I'm so sorry we missed the big day!

Ha ha. Thanks. I was just trying to fly under the radar. Yep, I'm an official AARP member now.

Talk about bad luck. Glad you're alright from the accident. Seth had trouble getting home Wedensday night, becuase his car died an hour outside of Ithaca. He had to get towed back to school and by the time he got back, he missed the last bus home. So, he had to catch a 4:15am (that's right, in the morning) bus home. It worked out though, since we were able to pick him up on the way to grandma and grandpa for Turkey.

[wendym]

But by now my students should know I am crazy!!

[sbennett]

Hi Jeanne,
Sorry to hear about the car problems, hope things have cleared up
I don't know why, but I wasn't getting notifications of the posts on this board so I didn't know anything about it until I figured I better check to see what was happening since I haven't heard from you in a while.
Hope the dentist accepts payments! Any bites on the house?

We saw Corey on Thanksgiving, there's really no change to the situation. His therapist says it's going to be a long haul. They can't make any breakthroughs in his case. Keep praying. He's attacked a teacher and most recently a fellow student when the kid accidently bumped into him. Luckily no one was injured severely. We stayed in a lovely hotel in Allentown near the airport - Residence Inn and had a beautiful 2 bedroom suite, we took Jay's mom along with us so she wouldn't be alone for Thanksgiving.

Trying to get some holiday decorating done ---without much success.

Happy Hanukkah Sandy and Judy and family.

Shelley

[wendym]

Happy Hanukkah Sandy and Judy and family. So sorry we missed the birthday!
Jeanne - things can only get better and the house will sell soon hopefully. Shelley - your are all always in our thoughts.
Wendy
xx

[sbennett]

Sandy when was your birthday?
Today is Jay's 49th birthday...the kids keep telling him he's older than dirt.

Happy belated birthday :bday: :thewave: :cake: :cheer2:

[gometros]

Sandy when was your birthday?
Today is Jay's 49th birthday...the kids keep telling him he's older than dirt.

Happy belated birthday :bday: :thewave: :cake: :cheer2:

It was two days after election day - November 4th.

And tell Jay Happy Birthday. Tell him it's last year before he joins the AARP crowd, so enjoy it :)

[jeanneg]

Happy belated birthday, Jay.......I've been so busy with "stuff" lately, I haven't been able to get to the boards. You're getting up there, kiddo........
Happy Hannukah, Sandy and family! Since my own kids were always invited to celebrate the holiday with their friends, I felt compelled to make latkes last night even though they weren't home! Back in NJ we always had a tree trimming party and my kids were encouraged to invite their non-Christian friends since they didn't get to partake in the experience in their own homes. It was always a great success!

[gometros]

One of my fondest memories growing up was when I lived in rosedale, my neighbor and friend was Italian. His parents were 1st generation. I used to go to their house and help set up the decorations and his mother would make lunch for us. And boy could that woman cook.

[luv2boys]

Hey everyone,

It is that time again. Tuesday is MRI day. We go back to St. Jude all this week for tests and check-ups but Tuesday is the big day. Thoughts and prayers appreciated as usual.

[wendym]

You will most certainly be in our thoughts and prayers.
Wendy and Doreen
xx

[sbennett]

Nicholas and the family are in our prayers too.

[gometros]

You guys are in our prayers too.

[jeanneg]

Same here, Amy.....I trust all will go well for Nicholas.

[sbennett]

Has anyone heard how Nicholas made out with his MRI on Tuesday yet?
:grouphug:

[luv2boys]

GOD IS GOOD!!! The cyst that was discovered in June has started to shrink. Tumor size is the same. Going back on an every six month rotation for MRIs. Tumor+cyst size is down from 1.30 cm to 1.21 cm. Original tumor size 2x3. I Also got copies of the MRI to take to Fort Lauderdale for Keith Black, MD to review just for his thoughts on this type of tumor and things that are being researched and developed that may be used. Hopefully, they were never be needed.

Changed Ritalin to Concerta (same as Ritalin but longer lasting). Blood work done for endocrine but won't have the results for a while. Hearing and speech were great. Neurological exam was perfect.

Vision showed a slight decrease in right eye vision and damage to the optic nerve but still seeing 20/20 together.

I held up good all week until we went to his Christmas party at school and one of his past teachers (1st grade) started crying and that got everyone crying (current teachers, Nicholas, other parents, office staff - poor kids were looking at us like we were crazy)

I have a great picture of Nicholas from today with a magician who was brought in for the patients from the Airline Pilots Association. Email me and I'll send it to you.

Thanks for all the prayers. I am so glad to have found you guys and your great support. Judy and Sandy, thanks for the great email. We appreciate everything you do.

Love Amy

[gometros]

Isn't it great to get uplifitng news like that, especially this time of year? Glad to hear it, Amy.

[jeanneg]

Amy: what wonderful news to get....especially at this time of year! I hope the few remaining reports come back just as positive and everyone has a wonderful Christmas!

[sbennett]

Amy what fantastic news! God IS good, matter of fact he's GREAT!!
Congrats on the reports and that the cyst is shrinking and the tumor's the same size. Give Nicholas a big hug for us. :grouphug:

Shelley

[wendym]

Oh Amy what wonderful news!! Mum and I send our love to you all.
Wendy

[eye R.N.]

Glad for all the good news. Merry and Happy to everyone. We miss you!!!

[sbennett]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.
We're snowed in ....got 10 or more inches yesterday and last night. We were supposed to go and see Corey yesterday but due to the winter weather advisory we stayed home. We're going tomorrow instead after my sister and I go for genetics counseling/testing. Since our mom died of ovarian cancer and Judi has breast cancer there's a strong chance that we have the cancer gene in us. I also had a scare when I went to the doctor recently, she found a palpable nodule in my breast, I had a MRI done and an ultrasound and thank God, everything came out ok. I have to go for a followup in a couple of weeks, but right now I'm breathing a sigh of relief. I didn't say anything about it because I guess I was in a state of denial. Corey's not doing too good. Very depressed drawing very "dark" pictures of death etc. Stress, who has stress. The stress is affecting my vision again like it did a few years ago.
think they call it central serrous cordopathy. Last time it affected both my eyes and lasted 3 months or so, this time so far it's just my right eye. Very annoying to say the least since it very difficult to focus on things....any suggestions John?

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE BENNETTS

[eye R.N.]

No snow here and I hope it stays that way till we get Chelsea to Fla.

Wendy, Andy tried the scotch at Christmas dinner, I think you may have created a monster.

Taylor turns 16 today, time does seem to be flying.

[wendym]

Shelley - wish I could say the right things but cannot so please know we are praying for you all.
Denise - cannot imagine Andy as a monster - although his students may think otherwise!! Pleas wish Taylor a Happy Birthday for us.
To everybody - Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year! All the very best for 2005.
Wendy and Doreen

[wendym]

Happy 100th Birthday Peter Pan!
Just watched a programme about the 100th birthday and for some reason made me think of everybody - whether it was Tinkerbell or Johnny Depp I am not sure! Now as we are in 2005 I am firming up vacation plans. Wea re going to be in WDW from June 30th - July 16th and most of the time in a 2 bedroom timeshare so we would be delighted to have visitors!!! Then July 16th - July 23rd Disneyland and the 23rd - 30th DCL on the Mexican riveria.
Wishing everybody a very happy and healthy 2005
Wendy and Doreen
x

[jeanneg]

Happy New Year everyone! I did not get messages about the past few postings and so I didn't realize things were not going well for you again, Shelley. I will ask John about your vision problem, but unfortunately he is not home right now. It's about 74 degrees here and he's off playing golf! It just doesn't seem like January but better this than the other extreme.
Denise: Happy Birthday to Taylor......can't believe he's 16 already. When does Chelsea head down to WDW?
We're thinking about planning our 2005 vacation. As soon as I finish here, I plan to check the DVc site and see what the deal is with doing the Alaska cruise using points. It will only be the 2 of us, so i think we should be able to swing it. Our friends from NJ were interested in coming along with us and they were supposed to visit over the holidays so we could plan it but everyone up there got sick and they never made it. I think I'm just going to plan for ourselves and if they can make it, then great. I'm afraid if i wait too long it won't happen.
Wendy: your invitation is tempting......if we don't do Alaska, we just may find ourselves planning another WDW vacation.
Have a great 2005, everyone!

[luv2boys]

Shelley, or anyone else,

A friend of mine told me abouta song that she heard on a Christian radio station, KLove, that she wanted me to hear. I have heard the end but not the whole thing. Something like "Can you hear me" "He is not just anyone, he is my son". I don't know who sings it either.

Anyone know?

I also have not been getting notifications even though have checked to recieve them. :badpc:

Amy

[sbennett]

Amy,
I'll check into my sources here at church and see what I can find for you.
Shelley

[sbennett]

Amy....Great News I found the song...send me your email address to:
shelljay@optonline.net and I'll give you the info.

Shelley

[eye R.N.]

Not only does she get the assignment she wants (innoventions) but her two potential trainiers are good friends of hers.

The child just lives right :blush:

Shelly, how is Corey doing?

[sbennett]

Thanks Denise for asking.
Corey's had a set-back this weekend. He got extremely agitated at being reprimanded by a counselor for squirting cleaner in another kid's eyes and not being allowed to go to an afternoon swimming activity that he threw a chair at his bedroom window and then proceeded to punch out the window with his fist and then jump out the window and take off. After they caught him they took him to the ER where he got 7 stitches. He's like a volcano waiting to errupt....you just never know when it's going to happen. So they have him under close observation now.
STRESS....who has stress!!! And do we wonder why I'm having a recurrence of central serrous retinopathy???? This time it's only in my right eye but they want to do a MRI of my brain to make sure that's all that's going on. STRESS induced...supposedly nothing I can do about it...it'll go away on it's own. I hope so.

Glad Chelsea got the job she wanted. We won't be going to WDW until July 2006. Tight $ for this year so we're taking it easy.

Happy New Year to All!

[wendym]

Shelley
Our prayers are with you all :grouphug:
Denise - please pass on our congrats to Chelsea - we will see her in July!
Wendy
x

[gometros]

Happy New Year all.

Shelley - sorry about the set back. Our prayers are with you.

Denise - great news about Chelsea. I'm trying to convince Judy to go in the summer, so maybe we'll see her. However, things got tight for us to. Medco screwed me up before Christmas. First they told me I was extended, then the COO had a revelation the night before Christmas Eve and decided he wanted to cut the budget, so all extensions were rescinded. It wouldn't have been so bad, but I stopped looking when I was originally told about the extension.

In Canetti news, Elana's high school is doing Into The Woods this year and she got cast as the understudy to Cinderella. They do a Satuday matinee performance for the second cast, so she is very excited. Sara auditioned for and made the Towson Vocal Jazz group (think Manhattan Transfer). So, we're going to have a busy semester going frmo one performance to another. Btw, Sara performed this past December with SHirley Jones and Robert Goulet along with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. That was pretty cool.

[wendym]

Sandy - so sorry to hear about the extension - what a time to do it to you. Wish Elana luck for us and pass on our congrats to Sara too.
Wendy

[jeanneg]

Shelley...
John here. I noted that you have central serous choroidopathy/retinopathy. This is most commonly seen in men and infrequently in women. The more often it shows up, the more central vision can be compromised. Some retina guys laser, I prefer not to do that since it will not alter the recurrence rate. Try Acular drops: 1 drop in the affected eye every three hours. Around the clock for the first four or five days! This non-steroidal anti-unflammatory medication will help dry up the serous cavity before you lose any vision. Even though the disease is self limiting (6-8 weeks), it leaves a central scars that enlarges with every attack. Hope this helps.
John

[jeanneg]

oops....jeanne here now.....sorry for the public diagnosis......something isn't allowing me to automatically pm the way I used to in the past.

[sbennett]

Thank you very much John.
My eye guy told me similar things except he never mentioned the eye drops. I've also just been diagnosed as Diabetic!!! Ain't that just great....I've lost 25 pounds with Weight Watchers (Jay's lost 21), feel great no more back problems and whammo.....diabetes. Going to an endocrinologist on 1/25. Have MRI scheduled for 1/24 to make sure there's nothing else going on causing the vision problems. Some of it may be because of the diabetes. Really have to watch carbs even more now, not that I have a lot with the WW program to begin with.

Jeanne,
I've had problems with this new format too. Doesn't notify you of any responses and there's no place to PM anyone that I can see. How's the sale of the house coming along? Need to pick your brain for fun things to do or see in the Burlington (upper NC) area in August. We had thought of going to Hilton Head but decided to save $$ and just do things around that area before my niece's wedding on 08/20.

Shelley

[eye R.N.]

The good news is you have started to lose the weight and that will have a positive effect on the blood sugar and the amount/kind of medicine you'll need. You be amazed how good you'll feel with the blood sugar under control.

Sandy, sorry to hear about the work situtation, but I know you'll find something, you are too talented to be idle long. Congrats to the girls, I'll have to keep an eye out for Towson Vocal Jazz Group. Sounds like a good date night for Andy and I

Leaving Saturday morning for the marathon drive to Orlando.

[wendym]

Shelley well done to you and John on the weight loss!
Denise good luck with the drive!
Wendy
x

[luv2boys]

Hey Shelley and others,

I too was diagnosed with diabetes out of the blue about 18 months ago now I guess. Didnt even have symptoms, or so I thought, until I got my blood sugar under control. Have lots more energy now and vision has improved. Go Tuesday to have my three month A1C. Last time it was 5.1, don't feel like it will be that good this time though after the holidays. We'll see.

I recieved the Mark Schultz CDs and WOW - they are great! They might get as much play as my david bailey CDs but I'll never tell david that. They are now on my MP3 player along with david's CD for my trip to see david and take the MRIs for review by Keith Black, M.D.

Nicholas has been in school now two weeks with the Concerta, and it is just not working as well as the Ritalin did. It has helped with energy more than Ritalin did but not with short term memory. We worked all week on when to use "an" versus "a" and underlining adjectives in a sentence. He failed the test miserably. It was like it was something he had never seen or heard before. If we go back to Ritalin, we will add an afternoon dose which will fix the problem of As in the morning and Fs in the afternoon. Clear cut sign he needs an afternoon dose but the doctor wanted to try Concerta first. We'll get it worked out eventually.

Hope everything is going great for everyone else. I too am only recieving notifications here and there.

[sbennett]

Amy
Good luck with the new meds...maybe it just takes time for them to build up their effectiveness. Was Nicholas on the sustained release Ritalin? Corey only had one pill to take in the morning before school that lasted 24 hours....of course it caused him to have tachycardia so that's why we had to stop it.
My A1C was 6.9...ugh. I have NO energy, somedays I could fall asleep at my computer with no problem. I find that if I eat carbs (which I onced loved, I was never a real sweets craver but give me bread or a potato and I was in heaven) it's much worse. There's no way I can ever have a bagel at home and drive to work in the morning...snooze city!! I want to get this regulated NOW, but the first appt I could get was the 25th....patience. Old age...ain't it a wonderful thing!!! Plus we're anxiously awaiting the results of my genetics testing to see if I have the cancer genes...one positive note...all three of our kids are adopted so if I do have it...at least I didn't pass it on.
Shelley

[luv2boys]

Nicholas is now on the sustained release 18 mg. I think it comes in a 36 mg dose that we could try. Talked to his teacher today and she can tell it is not working as well either.

[jeanneg]

Wow, hearing about all the health and job problems people are having makes our house selling blues seem not so bad.
Shelley: I'm with you about the carbs.......I think my most favorite food is any kind of potato! (Doreen is just rolling her eyes at that one!) I wish carbs didn't have to be so bad for us, but anyone who's diabetic or has the tendency to develope it knows all about avoiding them. I've been "watching" my carbs for about 5 years now and sometimes I just watch myself eat them! Right now I'm doing induction for South Beach so I can't have any for 2 weeks and it's been really hard. What I find works for me is that I try not to ever waste my carb allowance. In other words if it's something I really want I let myself have it, but I try very hard not to eat the ones that are calling out to me simply because they're there. Still, it's an ongoing struggle everyday.
Now, about fun things to do in Burlington..........DUH!.....I can't think of any. We drive through there whenever we visit Nikki and i know there are some outlet shops that we've never been to. I hear there's a very nice zoo in Ashboro which is not too far
away. Of course you can always come to Raleigh and visit us! What are the specific dates? We're probably taking vacation in August this year but it won't be until the very end.
Denise: good luck with the drive to/from Orlando. Is this the weekend you move Chelsea in or is she already down there?

[wendym]

I am very grateful that we are both healthy - we are both so lucky. I couldn't live without carbs but yes Mum hates potatoes although she will eat sweet potatoes!
OT my form class held cake and candy sales this week and we raised $2000 for the tsunami disaster appeal.
Wendy

[luv2boys]

We had to end up changing Nicholas' medicine again. Concerta was just not doing as well and then he started with the tachycardia. Scared him really bad. Going back to Ritalin and adding an afternoon dose. Could see the frustration and easily distraction come back that had gone away while on the Concerta.

Talk to you when I get back!

[EPCOTgrl1]

I AM HERE. i have my first day of work today!!! i am so excited!

[jeanneg]

Amy: sorry to hear the meds were not working as they should. I hope all goes well with the new ones. I know how frustrating the whole situation must be.

Chelsea: Good luck.......and have a blast!

[wendym]

Amy - hopefully this will work better. Chelsea enjoy the first day!!!
Wendy

[gometros]

Amy - I know how much changing drugs can affect someone. Best Nicholas stays with what he is comfortable with.

Chelsea - good luck and send some of that Disney Magic (and warmth) up this way).

[musicalSaranader]

Chelsea, have lots of fun and be sure to tell us all about your fun experiences!! (Especially those of us aspiring to do the program!)

[sbennett]

Please send some FL warmth this way....they're predicting a blizzard for this weekend here....possibly 1-2 feet of snow....ugh!!!! We may get 5 inches tonight. Eastern Long Island is supposed to get it the worst...we usually don't get so much but this year they all seem to be hitting us...we're about as far east as you can go..only 15 miles to the end! Don't know what they're calling for up by Sandy.

Hope the meds get straightened out Amy....been that route it's very frustrating to the patient and the family. I still have Nicholas on the prayer list at church.

Going to NC in April for my niece's shower. Courtney & I are carpooling with my sister and my brother's mother-in-law....should prove interesting.
They're also planning a surprise 50th Birthday party for my sister-in-law. Not sure if it's in the Burlington area where my niece lives or in the Edenton area where my brother & sister-in-law live.

Still waiting for my genetics testing results...should hear something by next week or so, then depending on results some major decisions will have to be made. Pray for negative results.

[luv2boys]

Hey everyone,

I'm back from Fort Lauderdale and despite the title of the conference, I had a great time. Left Thursday and my college roommate picked me up at the airport and had dinner together. Friday morning met with the creator and director and social worker of a worldwide support group that has been a lot of help to us and helped them get ready for the conference. Met a lot of people. Had two consults with doctors and both had the same opinion as St. Jude which made me feel better. Unfortunately, just like St. Jude, they know of no options right now other than radical surgery with significant deficits resulting if the tumor grows but they don't know about 1, 3, 5, 10 years from now. They both said to live day by day and don't look back and question any decisions I have made in the past. Got to see David perform three times, got to spend quite a bit of time with him. He even talked to Nicholas on the phone. (He is Nicholas' hero as he was the first adult Nicholas met with a brain tumor - he thought only kids had them and they did not live to be adults because he was only seeing kids at St. Jude :sad1: - you can go to his website and see why he is such an inspiration. 8 years surviving the deadliest brain tumor) Also, went to a semiar with a educational psychologist and she gave me her number to call her for help with a 504 plan I have on Feb. 10. Just starting to really need this, and she was a lot of help but our time was limited.

Two things I learned:
1) When I think I have learned it all, the more I realize I don't know anything.
2) My goal is to have the best possible outcome for Nicholas, and right now we have reached that goal.

I also told the director and creator of this support group that I had this phrase pop in my head one night in the middle of the night and thought that I would get Nicholas' school to help raise money for brain tumor support. It was "Nickels for Nicholas". They fell in love with it and are wanting to do it up big. So don't be surprised if you see that sometime soon. She wants Nicholas to be very actively involved and whatever he wants he will get (he has already requested t-shirts and tattoos). When I asked him about doing it, he said they we can turn this stupid thing (the tumor) into something good. I LOVE THAT BOY!!!!

Sorry so long, just wanted to update. Got home last night to a house you would not believe and transcription work that did not get done by anybody while I was gone and I'm trying to sorta "debreif." I had a great time, but it was very emotional.

[wendym]

Amy
That sounds a wonderful idea and so inspirational! Please keep us updated.
Shelley - keeping our fingers crossed for you.
Just booked an Easter cruise yesterday. It would have been Mum and Dad's 50th wedding anniversary then and I want to do something. P&O (sister line of Princess) had a great deal on Adonia - 7 night cruise of the Med for £569. Inside cabin of course but it looks lovely. It's an adult only ship so that will be differnet. Finding it really difficult to find info - nothing like the DIS boards! The message board they have is so slow and cruise critics have very little on it.
Of course how am I going to cope without all of you?!
Wendy

[eye R.N.]

Amy sounds like you had a great time and have the perfect attitude. The best outcome day by day is all any of us could ask for. Nicholas is amazing I hope he turns "this stupid thing " into something wonderful.

Shelley hope you didn't get slammed too hard with the snow. We got off easy here only one missed day of school. Sometimes I wonder, is it better to know what is in your gene pool? Of course knowing that dad is a diabetic has helped keep me on the straight and narrow for years now. Whatever the results I know you will be guided to do what is right for you.

Chelsea, you rock child, the package is on it's way. It has just about everything you asked for and some surprises.

Wendy, you and Mum will do fine on a cruise without us. Andy has asked me about three different times when you will be in flordia, so don't be suprised if you have us sleeping on your floor. We would sleep on Chelsea's but she is not allowed overnight visitors. Congrats on your students fund raising ability, they must be a special group.

We will be in Disney over easter, can only go so long without seeing the daughter. Besides, I know it is unbelievable but we never made it into a park this last trip. The best we could do was Fantasia golf (which was a hoot btw)

[sbennett]

Amy,
Any info you have on "Nickles for Nicholas" could you forward to us. Maybe our kids can get their classes at school or Sunday School to collect for him.
What type of tumor is it and where is it located?

Went to endocrinologist today...prescribed Glucophage and testing twice a day. Ordered additional tests as well....ugh!

Wendy...I envy you for your upcoming Easter Cruise...enjoy it!

Thanks Denise for your encouragment, say hi to Chelsea for us, hope she's enjoying her internship.

Shelley

[luv2boys]

Nicholas has a craniopharyngioma that is adhered to the hypothalamus which is why it cannot be removed. It is in the optic nerve, pituitary, hypothalamus region. Actually, he now has no pituitary stalk at all so he is on the hormone replacements because of that.


I've never seen this guy before. He's cute. :banana:

[wendym]

I love that smilie too!
Shelley I am sure the testing will become routine and we keep you in our prayers with the other tests. Amy, let me know details about the fundraising also.
Denise - no way would we let you sleep on the floor. I will have a 2 bed roomed timeshare for the 2 weeks (well I will once I get it booked!) Spending 2 nights at Pop from the 30th June and then check into Westgate Lakes from the 2nd July - 16th july. We would be delighted to see you all again - and that goes for all of you!
Wendy

[luv2boys]

"Nickels for Nicholas" is a GO!! Will let you know when some of the details are worked out :hyper:

[wendym]

How wonderful - I bet he is so excited!

[eye R.N.]

Go for the best testing meter you can find. The arm ones are much easier than the ones that require finger testing.

Yipee for Nickles for Nicholas :love: , let us know the details!

[gometros]

I love that smilie too!
Shelley I am sure the testing will become routine and we keep you in our prayers with the other tests. Amy, let me know details about the fundraising also.
Denise - no way would we let you sleep on the floor. I will have a 2 bed roomed timeshare for the 2 weeks (well I will once I get it booked!) Spending 2 nights at Pop from the 30th June and then check into Westgate Lakes from the 2nd July - 16th july. We would be delighted to see you all again - and that goes for all of you!
Wendy

Yay! Party with the MacGregors!

[wendym]

What fun we could have!! :rotfl2:

[luv2boys]

Wendy,

Do you have a graphic of the Scotland flag you can send me? Wanting to do something special for your help in helping us!. What about the exchange rate?

Hey everyone,

The plan is to try to raise enough money to cover Nicholas' school's gym floor. We are going to lay out 12x12 sheets of paper that can be "bought" for a $10 donation, so the more you buy the bigger space you will have. On each sheet, we will write your name, location, and a name of a person you want to honor if you want to include one. It is going to take 4,200 peices of paper. We need lots of help, so if you are wanting to participate by donating or by sponsoring a fundraiser in your town by asking friends,family, work associates, church or place of business to donate let me know. Email me for more information. See below or PM me.

To take yet another quote from david m. bailey: "anything you can imagine is something that you can make happen". I WANT THIS TO HAPPEN!!! :banana:

I really appreciate the fact that you guys are wanting to help. It means a whole lot to all of us. I told the founder of this company, and she was very impressed with all of you. I told her how great all you were and the fact that I had only met you once but they we have built this friendship among all of us. It's kind of like a support group among us.

[gometros]

Once I get back to work, you can count on the Canettis to help out.

[wendym]

Will be delighted to help! Looking for a flag as I type. The exchange rate at the moment is about $1.84 to £1 which is great for us but not for Americans visiting us!
Good luck
Wendy

[wendym]

http://images.encarta.msn.com/xrefmedia/sharemed/targets/illus/flg/T238115A.jpg
This is quite a good representation of the Scottish saltire
Wendy

[jeanneg]

Hi Amy,
I'd also like to help.......PM me with the info on where to send the donation.
BTW, is it just me or can we all not send an instant PM with the new format? It was so much easier the other way.

[sbennett]

Hi Jeanne,
You can still send a PM I think you click on the person's screen name and a menu opens up and says send PM to person or something. Why did they change it....it wasn't broken.
Shelley

Down 33.8 pounds!!!! Jay's down 26. something.

:cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: :banana: :banana: :banana:

[wendym]

What an amazing weight loss - well done to you both!!

[EPCOTgrl1]

I hope that the fundraising is going well! i would do it but out of an over $200 paycheck i only got like $80. and i need to go get food soon.

Well i think we train WAY to much here. The first 2 weeks was here i was training. and that is all. but i am done now!!!!!!! I am on the floor at innoventions. I run "The Great American Pizza Game" (the cheesest game on the farm) Yesterday by the time i left there were 30 shows done and i did 25 of them. Let me tell you that is alot of talking.

Mom i got the box and THANK YOU! YAY i have old bay again! i was going crazy. I am going to make something with oldbay on it for my roomies :)

[sbennett]

Hi everyone, it's Jay

Just an update. After all of Shelley's positive testing results she went to the DR yesterday for the second time in a few days and he told her that she has walking pneumonia. So she's laying low and resting. It doesn't rain but what it pours lately :umbrella: But we'll survive! The cruise in 2006 is ahead of us and we can't wait. :cheer2: You all stay well please!

[wendym]

Please tell Shelley we are asking for her.
Wendy

[eye R.N.]

Hold that umbrella high Jay. The sun will come out soon. :sunny: Let Shelley know we are thinking of her.

We want to help as well, let me know where to send the funds.

Chelsea, remember food first fun second :sad2 :sad:

Did I metion how much I miss you guys!!!!

[EPCOTgrl1]

Mom i we food shopping the other day so we have food again. Next time i dont have to buy the food :)

[eye R.N.]

Great you'll be able to pay your cel phone bill :rotfl:

[luv2boys]

Hey guys,

Everyone okay? We are on page 4!

We are changing the name of our fundraiser to Nicholas' Nickels as it sounds more empowering. Our kick off is March 21. I know that some of you are donating individually and we appreciate it greatly. If you would like information sheets, donations forms, etc. to take to work or have your own fundraiser through work or church let me know and I'll send it to you.

We are doing okay. Nicholas had a rough week last week. Monday I picked him up from school after he called and said he did not feel good and he looked so bad I took him across the street to the fire station and ambulance. The ambulance had just left but his blood pressure and pulse were okay. I always worry about an adrenal crisis. We called the pediatrician who wanted to see him anyway, so we went there. She then sent us to the hospital for blood work so that we would get the results quick instead of waiting a few days. She was worried about his sodium levels (complicated but he does not produce the hormone that tells your kidneys to hold fluid that you drink to feed your body so he has to take a replacement and it is not always exact. Sodium levels to high or too low can be fatal). All that came back normal and the doctor called St. Jude who wanted more blood work done. All of it came back fine. He was feeling better by the end of the day with really no explanation of what was going on. Friday afternoon after school he said he had a headache and was ready for some Tylenol. By 9:00 that night, he was in severe pain with no relief. The thing that scared me was that he was complaining about his neck and his back hurting which he complained about the night of the diagnosis as well and it was because all his spinal fluid was in his head from the tumor blocking it from going into his neck and spine. So back we went to the hosptial for an emergency CAT scan. There all night and finally got some relief with stronger medicine. The CAT scan was fine and they ruled it just a migraine. All seems well now except he just kind of blah. I told him he could do anything he wanted today and we went bowling. Do you know that Jared and Nicholas both beat me in the first game!! Second game though I found my groove and won...by very few points... but I won.

Be sure to check out Nicholas' new website. Please sign his guestbook as he looks every day to see if anyone has signed it. Hasn't had any in a little while.

[sbennett]

HI Amy,

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Send us any information you can on Nicholas' Nickels. I'll PM you with our address.

Shelley

[eye R.N.]

My "disneyed out" husband and son want to go down in July so they can spend time with you and Mum. Looks like our silver wedding anniversary will be in the Parks!!

[wendym]

That will be wonderful!!! Looking forward to seeing you all again. Has Andy gained his well deserved promotion yet?
Wendy

[eye R.N.]

Nope still slaving away as an assistant. He is looking at other school districts and they are looking at him. Can't wait to see you guys!

[wendym]

And we cannot wait either! We'll keep our fingers crossed for Andy.
Wendy
x

[luv2boys]

Today is Nicholas' 9th birthday!!! :bday:


:disrocks:

[sbennett]

:cool1: :cool1: :cheer2: :cheer2:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY NICHOLAS!

Hope you get some cool presents!!

:banana: :banana: :banana:

The Bennett Family :wave2:

[eye R.N.]

:jumping1:
Happy Birthday Nicholas :bday:
:thewave:

[jeanneg]

Happy (belated) Birthday, Nicholas!!!!! (I'd post balloons and little dancing men, but I honestly don't have a clue how to go about doing it!)

[EPCOTgrl1]

I am sorry that i am late but HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! :bday:

[gometros]

http://*******************************/images/infinityandbeyond/smileys/birthday.gif

Happy Birthday, Nicholas!

[musicalSaranader]

Yeah, what they said :) HAPPY BIRTHDAY NICHOLAS!

[gometros]

Hey guys, just thought I'd check in to give you some great news. I have a new job (and I don't mean another consulting gig). Since January I've been working on an opportunity with ADP. They have a new organization they are growing called Comprehesive Outsourcing Solutions that provides HR solutions to mid-size companies. They are based out of Atlanta, but I'll be working mostly at a client site (or at home when I'm not on the road). It's a great opportunity for me and hopefully we can get back to serious Disneying.

We never used our points from this year and don't plan to before my 12/1 use year. So we should have a lot of points saved to maybe use it in 2006 for something like, say, a cruise. And with Elana off to college a year from this fall, our dates become much more flexible.

[wendym]

Congratulations, Sandy - sounds a wonderful job! Cruising in 2006 sounds a great idea.
Well Mum and I are back to WDW a week on Thursday, school remains as hectic as ever. Away Thurs/Fri to a conference. Leave first thing saturday for an airforce cadet camp. Come back Tues night, school prize giving Wed and then fly down to Heathrow that night - I think I will sleep all the way to Orlando!!
Love to all
Wendy
x

[sbennett]

Sounds good Sandy...we're cruising July 23, 2006...double dip Castaway Cay!!!
Jay's currently job hunting as well....they cut back at the school and didn't give him tenure.....ugh!!! Had a very positive interview yesterday in Babylon...it's an hour and a half commute...but when you need a job these are the things we have to do. Other than that we're doing okay. Weight loss so far is 40.3 for Jay and 48 for me. Corey's the same, can't say any more about that...very hard to see him not making any progress and he'll be there a year in August. Heartbreaking to us, doesn't want anything to do with us now. Kristofer & Courtney are doing great they're excited they only have 3 half days of school left. Looking forward to going to Hilton Head in August after my niece's wedding in NC. Hoping to see Jeanne & John while we're in NC. They're not too far from where my niece is getting married.
Hope everyone is well.
Best regards,
Shelley

[sbennett]

Wrong date....July 22nd is the Magic double dip castaway cay date.

[gometros]

Wow, i'm impressed by the dual weight loss. I've had no luck yet.

Is the Great Neck area too far for Jay? I know the new Superintendant of the district and perhaps I could put in a word for him.

[gometros]

i was just looking at the 2006 cruise dates. The cruise to Costa Maya sounds nice. It also has a double-dip at CC. And 9/16 is value season. Only 400 points for us to book a veranda. I'm trying to talk Judy into it. The heeck with hurricane season :rotfl:

[musicalSaranader]

I've been trying to lose weight this summer, too. I've been going to the gym and everything, but I've only lost about two pounds so far (last time I checked...maybe I should check again, lol). Maybe I'll apply for a personal trainer to help me out a bit....

[musicalSaranader]

i was just looking at the 2006 cruise dates. The cruise to Costa Maya sounds nice. It also has a double-dip at CC. And 9/16 is value season. Only 400 points for us to book a veranda. I'm trying to talk Judy into it. The heeck with hurricane season :rotfl:

But remember, daddy...you're not going without us!!!

[sbennett]

Great Neck would probably add another 30 minutes, so a 2 hour commute...who knows, it doesn't hurt to try!!! He's dual certification with Elementary Ed. Pre-K through 6th grade and then also Music K-12. Voice was his major in college with a minor in low brass. So he can do either band or chorus but obviously prefers choral music.
Thanks....let us know who to contact if your friend knows of any openings.
Shelley

[gometros]

But remember, daddy...you're not going without us!!!

Wanna bet? :rotfl:

[jeanneg]

OCTOBER 14, 2006..........that's the date you want to book!!!!! It's another one of those double dips at CC AND all the kids will be back at school (sorry, Elana) so it will require fewer points and you and Judy will have so much more moolah to spend on just the 2 of you. Besides, the Cruistoberfest gang is really great and there are lots of them that choose the early dinner seating so that won't be an issue! I think it may also be a value rate since it's probably still considered hurricane season. Congrats on the new job!
Jay and Shelley: you guys are so amazing.......that's almost 100 pounds between the 2 of you.......congrats and keep up the good work!
Nice to hear from everyone again!

[gometros]

There's only one problem, as Judy pointed out to me. We can't do 9/16, since the day we get back is the first day of Rosh Hashana. Fot the same reason, we can't do 10/16, since that weekend is the end of Sukkos. And if I know that crowd, they took all the good rooms anyway. Now we're thinking of the 9/6. It may not be a double-dip, but we enjoyed the western last time (of course we had great fellow cruisers), so we wouldn't mind doing it again. We were actually looking at the 10-day, but I can't see spending that much. If we're going to do a 10-day, it would have to be off season.

[wendym]

Way to go Jay and Shelley - that is an amazing weight loss! I'll keep my fingers crossed for a new job for Jay. I'll keep praying for Corey. Tell Kritofer and Courtney that I cannot wait for the end of term too!
I'm aiming for the Oct 14th cruise too but awaiting school dates first.
Love to all
Wendy
x

[jeanneg]

Wendy:
If you and Mum decide to join us on the 10/14/06 cruise, I'll be so happy, I'll do my walk around Deck 4 naked!

[wendym]

And after seeing some of the threads in the cruise meet I believe you would be made to!!!
Wendy
x

[ashleydoc]

OCTOBER 14, 2006..........that's the date you want to book!!!!! It's another one of those double dips at CC AND all the kids will be back at school (sorry, Elana) so it will require fewer points and you and Judy will have so much more moolah to spend on just the 2 of you. Besides, the Cruistoberfest gang is really great and there are lots of them that choose the early dinner seating so that won't be an issue! I think it may also be a value rate since it's probably still considered hurricane season. Congrats on the new job!
Jay and Shelley: you guys are so amazing.......that's almost 100 pounds between the 2 of you.......congrats and keep up the good work!
Nice to hear from everyone again!

Remember us brits from the 2003 cruise.Anyway we are booked on the 14 October 2006 ,so for anyone going we have met before it would be nice to have a reunion.

Have just come back from the 14day repo cruise and some time at DL .That cruise was amazing,a very different atmosphere to the usual cruises,firstly very few kids,and secondly a great bunch of people of about 300 from the Disboards and a lot of our own events and new friends were made .It was like one long party with friends.The group was big enough even to get Disney to change its scheduling ,and show POC on pirates night.

Also due to no kids ,the Adults got two nights in the Oceaneers Club and the chance to make Flubber.

Ashley and Karen
London

[jeanneg]

Hi Ashley,
Yes, of course I remember you.......we shared a tour bus in Key West. What you really need to do is sign onto the Cruistoberfest thread and introduce yourself to everyone. We are a great big group of fun-loving cruisers. Our cruisemeister is a fellow European like yourself (from Frankfurt, Germany)) and he does an amazing job maintaining the list and sending out periodic newsletters, etc. It's still kinda early, but once the cruise gets closer we'll arrange all sorts of group activities. Several of our fellow cruisers were with you on the repo (Jenn&Peter, Bette&Kim, Ellen&Dave)....maybe you got a chance to meet them.
Sandy: When is Sukkos? Our cruise leaves the 14th, not the 16th......does that make a difference?

[ashleydoc]

Hi Ashley,
Yes, of course I remember you.......we shared a tour bus in Key West. What you really need to do is sign onto the Cruistoberfest thread and introduce yourself to everyone. We are a great big group of fun-loving cruisers. Our cruisemeister is a fellow European like yourself (from Frankfurt, Germany)) and he does an amazing job maintaining the list and sending out periodic newsletters, etc. It's still kinda early, but once the cruise gets closer we'll arrange all sorts of group activities. Several of our fellow cruisers were with you on the repo (Jenn&Peter, Bette&Kim, Ellen&Dave)....maybe you got a chance to meet them.
Sandy: When is Sukkos? Our cruise leaves the 14th, not the 16th......does that make a difference?

What a small world Jenn & Peter and Ellen and Dave were on our Table ,I didnt realise you knew them.

I will sign onto the thread.
Since that last cruise (and Key West) our son Gary has now completed 2 years at college ,how time flies.


Ashley

Ashley

[gometros]

Sandy: When is Sukkos? Our cruise leaves the 14th, not the 16th......does that make a difference?

I meant the 14th, not the 16th, as in we can't do 10/14. Sukkos is the 7th and 8th and Simchat Torah and Shemini Atzeret is the 14th and 15th

[gometros]

Just wanted you all to know that Judy's dad passed away on Saturday. She is doing okay and spoke beautifully at his funeral on Monday,

[eye R.N.]

Oh Sandy I am so sorry.

Please tell Judy our family is thinking of her and sending our love and support. I think Wendy may be offline, I'll tell her when I see her next friday.

[jeanneg]

Sandy,
I'm so very sorry....please pass along our condolences to Judy and the kids. It must be hard losing 2 grandparents so close together.
Jeanne

Denise:
great to hear from you again........where you been, girl?

[sbennett]

Our condolences to Judy and the family as well. I lost my father and my maternal grandmother 4 months apart then 8 years later lost my mother and my maternal grandfather 4 months apart.
Our prayers are with you all.

[eye R.N.]

Sandy,
Denise:
great to hear from you again........where you been, girl?


The short answer is. . . accreditation. Between rewriting all the policy manuals, reworking job descriptions and making sure all the i's are dotted and t's crossed it's been busy.

We are leaving friday morning for a long weekend at WDW to catch up with Doreen and Wendy, and visit Chelsea. (in that order!) Then, later in the year Hope and I are doing the repo cruise. Two whole weeks off work :cool1:

[jeanneg]

I am SO JEALOUS you are doing the repo........John and I really wanted to do that, but with him being a sole practitioner, it was totally out of the question....especially since you have to allow even more time to get to the west coast. We finally sold the house in April so we are rewarding ourselves with a mini-trip to WDW next month. It will just be the 2 of us so we're splurging and staying at a concierge room in the Poly. Trust me, that was the only thing that kept me motivated all during the entire time our house was on the market. Please say "hi" to Wendy and Doreen for us!

[wendym]

Hi all from WDW!!! Cannot wait to meet up with you Denise - keep missing Chelsea but when I am in one place long enough wil phone her - we were at the MK until 2am this morning - Mum was going to go back early but she was having too much fun being chatted up by the ride operators!!
The cruise this year is going to be strange without you all - Jeanne I so wish we we could ahve extended our stay to see you and John.
Speak to you all soon - away to see what havoc Mum has done - cannot leave her alone too long!!!
Wendy
PS Just seen Sandy's and Judy's sad news- please pass on our condolences

[jeanneg]

Hi guys,
I have something really exciting to post: One of Adam's music videos is featured (for a limited time only) on the Yahoo music site. You can view the video and then vote for the group which will help them get more national air time on the major video networks. Here is an excerpt from my son's email with the link to the site. Just click on the group "Mae" (one of the 4 featured bands). Hope you enjoy it and if you would please vote it would be greatly appreciated:
We have a big favor that we need as many people's help with as possible!

These past few months have been very busy for us, and our first of a series of new videos has just been released for Mae's
"Suspension".

We have a really killer opportunity for us that is happening with Yahoo.
Yahoo is one of the biggest site on the web and Acquastrada/Mae's music video for "Suspension" is currently featured on Yahoo!
Music's "Who's Next" Program. Essentially, each month, 4 artists are featured and fans get to vote on their favorite "new artist."
The winner gets a ton of promotion and sales skyrocket, along with airplay on the major networks. Check it out and take a minute to
vote for Mae:

http://music.yahoo.com/promotions/whosnext

Please send this link to everyone and anyone. Try to get people in your
office to vote for Mae. Get your Moms and Dads on board. Get your doctors, plumbers, lawn boys, and mail man on the team.

Thanks for all your help!

[sbennett]

Hi Jeanne & John,
we viewed the video....thought it was really good...and voted for Mae.
Hope to see you soon!
Shelley & Jay
:grouphug:

[jeanneg]

Thanks so very much. I'm glad you enjoyed the video and we greatly appreciate you voting.
John and I are headed to WDW for a 4-day vacation at the Poly.....it's our reward to ourselves for selling the house! Try to find out when you'll be free during your wedding visit so we can start to make plans. See you guys soon!

[wendym]

Vote cast - fingers crossed!! Hope you had a great weekend at the Poly. We were at disneyland for the real 50th - what a blast - all got free golden ears and cupcakes - and they limited entrance to 50000 we think so it didn't seem too busy. Arnie was there along with Eisner and Walt's daughter Diane. Got to sit next to the model for tinkerbell - will explain more when we get back but she is amazing for being 76. Oh and we did the Richard Petty speedway last week which was great but not fast enough!
Wendy

[jeanneg]

Wendy: Where are you right now? DisneyLAND or DisneyWORLD? I'm so confused! Thank-you so very much for voting......I didn't expect you to have internet while traveling, but I'm so glad you voted. Did you enjoy the video? When do you set sail?

[eye R.N.]

Hi Jeannie.

Please send me the link so I can vote.

Wendy miss you and Doreen terribly. I am so jelous you got to sit next to tink!!! please tell me you took picutres.

Have a wonderful cruise and be sure to tell me everything Hope and I need to do at disneyland.

[EPCOTgrl1]

Some weird people ATTACKED me yesterday at EMH... They are on this board too!

[eye R.N.]

Some weird people ATTACKED me yesterday at EMH... They are on this board too!


??????? Want to "splain that one Lucy?" and is emh plastics or the farm

[wendym]

Hi all
Just boarded the Magic - had to immediately log in to do some thank yous! Jeanne - we just left an amazing week at Disneyland - the video is excellent, Denise - of course I have some photos and will share them all when we get back. It was so great to see you all again. You and Hope will have an amazing time. Left mum sitting at Cove Cafe and she is being chatted up already by the Officers - should I rescue her?!!!
Love to all
Wendy and Doreen
xxx

[jeanneg]

Some weird people ATTACKED me yesterday at EMH... They are on this board too!

Denise: I think she must be referring to John and myself.....although I would hardly call it "attacking"! We were checking in to get our wristbands for Extra Magic Hour at Epcot and - lo and behold - there was Chelsea doing the checking in! We got very excited and surprised to see her since we (#1) thought her stint was over sometime in June and (#2) thought she worked at Innoventions. As for the being "weird".......don't know what that was all about! :laughing:

here's the link you requested:
http://music.yahoo.com/promotions/whosnext

To see the video, you have to click on Mae (one of the 4 bands featured). Choose "Suspension" (name of song) and it should begin playing. There will be a very quick car commercial that runs first, but after that the video will play. I hope you enjoy it, and please vote......all these guys are struggling artists and it will really help them get airtime. Thanks!

[gometros]

here's the link you requested:
http://music.yahoo.com/promotions/whosnext

To see the video, you have to click on Mae (one of the 4 bands featured). Choose "Suspension" (name of song) and it should begin playing. There will be a very quick car commercial that runs first, but after that the video will play. I hope you enjoy it, and please vote......all these guys are struggling artists and it will really help them get airtime. Thanks!

This is weird. I couldn't see the link and was going to reply as much. But hen I clicked on quote, the link is in the quoted message. I'll check it out today.

[jeanneg]

Thanks, Sandy!
Please check it out ASAP (and hopefully vote for Mae) because I'm not sure when the voting closes this month.
The video (along with another of Adam's) is currently running on MTV2 and Fuse Network. Both were featured on "Oven Fresh" last week which is the show that features brand new videos so viewers can vote on them. On Friday they feature the 5 top winners. Well, for some reason, I couldn't get on to the Fuse site so none of us were able to vote, but I TIVO'd the program while we were at WDW and both of his videos were voted as "keepers"! Rufio's "Out of Control" was voted #5 and the Mae's "Suspension" got #3!
John and I are both so proud of him.

[jeanneg]

Ooops, I forgot to clarify.......the Yahoo site (the link I provided) is a totally different competition with potentially alot more perks. Please vote!

[gometros]

Sorry, Jeanne, I blew it. It's not there anymore.

[jeanneg]

I just tried it and the link works and the voting is still on:
here's the link you requested:
http://music.yahoo.com/promotions/whosnext

When the page opens, look for the the 4 featured bands. Click on Mae and you will get the video. First you will have to view a 30-second car commercial, but after that it will play immediately. I hope that works!
Jeanne

[gometros]

Great video, Jeanne. Almost want to download th song. I've got to say the keyboard player looks more like the group's bouncer :)

I did get how to vote. I clicked the radio button next to Mae, but I didn't see a submit button. Sorry to be a pain.

[jeanneg]

Yeah, I almost missed it the first time also. On the opening page, you will see a small white dot just to the left of each of the four bands. When you click on the dot, it becomes filled and then just to the bottom left there is an orange box that says VOTE NOW. When you click on that, you will get confirmation that your vote went through.
I also love the music, but my son can't take any credit for that aspect. Funny, I just showed it to one of Jason's friends who said "I love the video, but the music is KILLING me!" Must be a generation gap! BTW, Jason is 20 today.....I'm no longer a parent to a teenager! :cheer2: :banana:
Thanks so voting.....and you are NOT a pain.......we truly appreciate any support we can get!

[jeanneg]

oops, the vote box is to the lower right!

[sbennett]

Happy Birthday to Jason...when do you hear about the video voting? :cool1:

[eye R.N.]

:rotfl2: Jeanne,

Too funny, glad to hear you got a chance to see Chelsea "the queen of overstatement" Hope you had a great time.

My vote is in let us know how it goes.

[wendym]

Hi all
Well we are slowly getting over our jet lag. We had a fabulous vacation and after all my reservations about the cruise we had a ball. Cast members were better than ever and we really enjoyed the ports. Of course we missed you all but we did enjoy our table mates, a newly married couple (she used to be Mickey Mouse!), a newly engaged couple who are getting married at Disneyland next October and a grandmother and 18 year old granddaughter. We didn't think we could top having dinner with Tinker Bell but we got to meet and hear Richard Shermann! He give two amazing performances.
We saw Felippe, our server from last year - he wondered where the rest of you were!
I am busy typing up a trip report and once I finish it I will post a link here.
Love to all
Wendy
PS We are rebooked on next year's Oktoberfest cruise - Oct 14th, the one with 2 stops at Castaway cay. We are sailing with Jeanne and John and a totally mad bunch so I think we should fit in!

[gometros]

PS We are rebooked on next year's Oktoberfest cruise - Oct 14th, the one with 2 stops at Castaway cay. We are sailing with Jeanne and John and a totally mad bunch so I think we should fit in!

Glad you had a great time, Wendy and Doreen.

Judy and I are planning are cruise vacationin 2006. We were looking at an 8-day Carnival Legend cruise out of NYC, but I just found out about the DCL 10-day for September 7, 2006. I'm inquiring into pricing now. Anyone want to change? :)

[jeanneg]

Sandy,
At the moment, we're sticking with the October sailing although a good number of our fellow Cruistoberfesters have already switched to the 11-day cruise. They are a great batch of people if that one works for you.

[gometros]

Sandy,
At the moment, we're sticking with the October sailing although a good number of our fellow Cruistoberfesters have already switched to the 11-day cruise. They are a great batch of people if that one works for you.

It'll have to be the 10-day for us, since the 11-day sails during Rosh Hashana.

[jeanneg]

I just found out that Adam's video on the Yahoo music site WON! A great big thank-you to all those who voted for Mae. This is a huge milestone for the band and production company (his NYU classmates) as well as for him. Now it will be featured for another whole month. I can't tell you how thrilled I am and it's all because of the support of wonderful people like you. THANKS A MILLION!

[sbennett]

That's great news Jeanne!
We're getting packed for our trip...we leave here Tuesday around noon...should be down in NC on Thursday...we have a stop over in Fairfax to drop off Jay's mom at her sister's house...then brief stop in WV to see our friend who's on the Kidney Transplant list due to Polycystic Kidney Disease. Jay was his student teacher in college. I think I still have your cellphone # from last summer..but if you'd PM it to me that would be great....would love to get together with you guys.
Shelley :grouphug:

[wendym]

Jeanne - we are both absolutely delighted for Adam - he deserves it.
Shelley and Jay - have a great trip.
Sandy - whatever sailing you decide on you will ahve a great time.
And do you realise that is exactly a year ago that some of us where on the Magic - where has the time gone to?
Wendy

[gometros]

J
And do you realise that is exactly a year ago that some of us where on the Magic - where has the time gone to?
Wendy

<sniff> <sniff>

Jeanne - great news and I'm sure it wasn't just us. Itw as a great video and he deserved it.

Shelley - where you guys headed to? If you're going to be passing through Atlanta, give me a call.

[jeanneg]

<sniff> <sniff>

Shelley - where you guys headed to? If you're going to be passing through Atlanta, give me a call.


????? Sandy, did you move????????

BTW, we were in Atlanta last week!

[sbennett]

Hi Sandy,
We're headed to a family wedding in Burlington NC then on to Disney's Hilton Head resort from 8/22-8/27. Had points we had to use!
We've never been to Hilton Head...hopefully no hurricanes decide to come and see Hilton Head while we're there...ugh!
Our pastor and his wife will be there while we're there so we hope to meet up with them for dinner one night...they're great people...I love working with him and she's just soooo funny.

We're going to try to see Jeanne & John in NC while we're there. They aren't too far away from my niece. It'll be good to see them... I miss everyone...wish we could all get together again...but it looks like everyone's on a different schedule now. We have to go by the school calendar for the moment so Octoberfest cruise is out...that's why we're going July 22 2006..double dip at Castaway....can't wait.

[gometros]

????? Sandy, did you move????????

BTW, we were in Atlanta last week!

No way! I didn't move, would I make a change like that without telling you guys? My comany headquarters is in Alpharetta, so I spend a lot of time down there when I'm not working out of my home office.

[gometros]

Jeanne - you're not the only one with a talented child :) Elana is in the ensemble for a local youth (High School and College) theater presentation of Sweeney Todd. I know Jay and Shelley will appreciate how difficult a musical this is to pull off. Here's the article that appeared in our local paper today:

http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050812/LIFESTYLE01/508120358/1031

[jeanneg]

Wow, that's impressive! You are justifably proud! Will you attend all three performances? Please tell Elana to "break a leg" for us! I saw Sweeny Todd on Bway about 20 years ago and it was VERY scarey!

[gometros]

Wow, that's impressive! You are justifably proud! Will you attend all three performances? Please tell Elana to "break a leg" for us! I saw Sweeny Todd on Bway about 20 years ago and it was VERY scarey!

We were only going to attend last night's, but decided to get tickets for Sunday as well. And I have a 7:00 pick up for my flight down to Atlanta, which means I'm going to be very tired. We didn't get home until 11:30 last night.

[wendym]

Please pass on our best to Elana as well - I love Sweeny Todd! Great write up.
Wendy

[sbennett]

congrats to Elana
We want to share a picture of who we spent our afternoon with

Don't know how to do this though....

Help please :confused:

[jeanneg]

I want to see.....I want to see!!!!!!

[gometros]

I want to see.....I want to see!!!!!!

Me too, because I couldn't see it in the email you sent.

[wendym]

I want to see too!
Wendy

[sbennett]

Don't know how to post the picture.....help

[wendym]

Never done it and don't know how clear these instructions are but post 2 on this thread could help
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=4886029#post4886029
Wendy

[sbennett]

I'll let Jay try to figure it out....looks "greek" to me. Plus I'm swamped here at work with Vacation Bible School and us leaving tomorrow at noon for NC.


CAN"T WAIT FOR VACATION !! :cheer2: :Pinkbounc :Pinkbounc :Pinkbounc

[wendym]

Pretty much what I thought! Have a great time!!
Wendy
xxx

[eye R.N.]

Congrats to Elena and Adam, and the proud parents.

Hope and I are off to CA on wednesday. We'll take lots of picutres and post them them when we get back.

It must be the week for NC. Taylor is down there this week with a school friend and loving it.

[jeanneg]

Denise:
Have a wonderful time on the repo and please take lots of photos! We can't wait to get our Magic back home where she belongs! Enjoy DL......I can't remember if this is your first time or if you went on a conference there recently.

[wendym]

Have a wonderful time, Denise and Hope. Will be watching the Magic as much as I can - will just give a few lessons on the flora and fauna of the Panama Canal!
Wendy

[gometros]

Have a great time Hope and Denise, as if you need any urging.

[gometros]

Question for those of you who cruised last year. Judy and I just booked the Carnival Legend for next year. We're going with close friends of ours (I may have mentioned them before - their youngest daughter is Elana's virtual twin since they were born the same day) It goes to San Juan, St. Thomas and Tortola. Since you had expereince with the first two, I had a few questions. I don't recall what times youwere in each port, but I suspect our times will be different. We'r ein San Juan from 3pm until midnight and St. Thomas from 7:00am until 6:00pm. I'm not as concerned with St.Thomas, but do yo uhave any ideas on what to do in San Juan at night?

[jeanneg]

If El Morro is open late enough to give you enough time to visit, I would do that. It's the fort you always see pictured in PR promos. We walked to it because we had plenty of time and we were basically ambling with some friends of ours that live in PR, but it is a quite a distance and I would probably recommend taking a taxi if you're pressed for time. It's a self-guided tour and probably requires at least 90 minutes to do it justice. It's a great spot for photos though. You can also do the Bacardi rum distillery tour, but again you will need to check the hours. And finally, there's a very nice hotel (I think it's the Wyndham, or something like that) that is just a block or two from where the ship docks and they have a casino. The payouts were pretty bad since they are the only casino in that area. If you are going to be there during the evening hours I would take a taxi to the Condado area (still part of San Juan) and visit the casinos on the strip there. Since there is more competition, the payouts will probably be better.

[luv2boys]

I don't have anything to add about San Juan. Went there 20 years ago after high school on a Carnival cruise. I do remember the fort. It's really interesting.

However, if you have any questions about St. Thomas ask away and I'll ask Jesse since he has basicaly lived there for the last two years.

[gometros]

However, if you have any questions about St. Thomas ask away and I'll ask Jesse since he has basicaly lived there for the last two years.

Life must be tough :)

[wendym]

Mum and I did the rainforest tour - El Yunke(sp?) - and loved that. however with arriving later I would recommend El Morro too. We thoroughly enjoyed our day there.
If you haven't been to St John, from St Thomas, I can also recommend that.
Wendy

[gometros]

When we went in 2001 we took the St. John's tour. We'll probably fo back to St. Johns again. I've heard a lot of good things about Secret Harbor. When we were there last, we couldn't do Trunk Bay because the urf was so rough.

[luv2boys]

They boys and I spent 10 days there right before school started back and we went to several of the different beaches. We went to St. John and Trunk Bay and I was kind of disappointed by the underwater snorkel tour. The snorkeling was very good; however we found the snorkeling at Coki Beach by Coral World to be much better. Magen's Bay we went to day after day for a week as it turned out to be our favorite being the most beautiful and able to snorkel in shallow water for the boys. You really did not even need a mask. There were a lot of fish. Here's a quote from Nicholas (imagine coming from him through his snorkel) - "I just saw an angel fish bigger than my head!!" Another favorite thing about Magen's Bay was that they had a snack place that had a lot of choices of food (pizza, hamburgers, salads, sandwiches, ice cream, chicken) and it was good and cheap. All four of us could eat for $20.00 whereas on St. John one of us could not eat for less than $25.00.

[wendym]

Amy
Mum and I loved Magen's Bay too - wonderful memories being there last year with Denise and Andy. We did St John's in 2001 (I think!) on our own and did the SNUBA - I think Trunk Bay just fit our image of the Caribbean.
Wendy

[wendym]

Just to let you know that our own Denise (eye R.N.) is famous - she has reports up on DEbs All ears site
http://allearsnet.com/cruise/cruise_repo1.htm!
Her and Hope are having a great time - Roy Disney is onboard as is our old friend Tom McAlpin - remember him Shelley!
They go through the Panama Canal tomorrow.
Wendy

[gometros]

Amy - thought you'd like to know that I was probably not too far from you on Monday morning and last week on Tuesday morning and Friday night. I'm in Wichita for a few weeks and fly in through Memphis. Of course, I'm only in Memphis for all of an hour :)

[sbennett]

refresh my memory....Tom Mcalpin....don't recall
We had a great visit (albeit very short ..dinner & coffee chat afterwards) with Jeanne & John in August while we were at my niece's wedding in Burlington NC. We loved it there...who knows may move there!

Shelley

[luv2boys]

No Sandy, not far at all. Let me know when you fly back through. I can meet you at the airport if you want. Of course, you'll have to go back through security but at Memphis, you can usually walk right through or just have to wait a very short time. Would love to see you!

[wendym]

Shelley - we were in the elevator together with what we thought was one of the actors from the Hercules stage show. He had on a Golden Mickeys polo shirt. So we asked what part he played and he laughed and said he was part of DCL management - he definitely didn't say he was the President! Just one of the daft things I remember.

[luv2boys]

I started a new website for Nicholas. The last one had "issues" and had to be deleted. Check it out!

[sbennett]

To all of you who are lucky enough not to live in the Northeast...have you seen the ark yet? We have had 6 straight days of rain....last calculations was over 8 1/2 inches!!! I know Sandy's gotten a lot too. Saw the news report showing Suffern School's football field under water. Thank goodness most of our rain drains into the ocean or thru the sandy soil, we don't have rivers to worry about but the local ponds have gone way out of their borders. As a matter of fact in the Village of East Hampton, we have "Town Pond" as you enter the village and right next to it is a cemetary dating back to the 1600's, well....some of those people might think they've been buried at sea, the water's up a good 8-10 inches on some of the headstones.
It's supposed to stop raining tomorrow sometime...sure hope so!
:umbrella: :umbrella: :umbrella: :umbrella: :umbrella: :umbrella:

[wendym]

Will start a reverse rain dance for you all!! Seriously though I hope that everybody comes out of this ok and that it stops soon.
Wendy

[luv2boys]

Nicholas got home from the hospital today. I have updated his caringbridge page.

[wendym]

Thank goodness he is home - please give him our love.
Wendy and Doreen
x

[luv2boys]

Today is Nicholas' five year anniversary. :cool1: You can check out his website to read and see pictures about our celebration trip to see david bailey (and Mark Schultz).

Shelley- Thank you so much again for finding out who wrote the song He's My Son. We found out he was in St. Louis the same weekend as david so we had to go. We got to meet him and talk to him about that song. There is a picture of him also on the webpage.

[wendym]

What a wondeful day for you all - all our love
Wendy and Doreen
xx

[gometros]

Is anybody thinking about going on the DVC member cruise next year? Judy and I are going to go for it, which will make two cruises in a a little more than a month.

[jeanneg]

Hi Sandy,
Great to hear from you. Although I'd love to do the DVC cruise It's way too close to our Cruistoberfest sailing, which we are SO looking forward to. (We even managed to convince Wendy and Doreen to join us!) I know it interferes with your holy days, but please keep us in mind for future sailings. As much as I love my children, going without the kids is a whole different experience.
Love to Judy,
Jeanne

[wendym]

Two problems with the DVC cruise - too close to the Cruistober sailing AND I would have to buy into DVC! Afraid the bank manager wouldn't agree to that - or the school!
Enjoy both cruises Sandy and Judy
Wendy

[gometros]

Wendy - for some reason, I thought you were DVC. I knew Shelley, Jeanne and Denise were.

Jeanne - we love sailing without the kids, but we're in a lot of trouble with Elana now. We're going on two cruises in Fall 2006. The Carnival cruise in early September and now the DVC Member cruise. She thinks that we're eager to get her out of the house, so we can do things w/o them. Well, yeah, we want our lives back :rotfl:

[wendym]

Sandy - I wish I had bought into DVC but didn't. And good for you wanting your lives back!!!

[eye R.N.]

If this sways you Andy and I will be on cruisetoberfest as well. (at least I have it booked) Trying to convince some friends to join us.

[jeanneg]

Denise:
You need to sign on to the Cruistoberfest thread and give Viking (our fabulous cruisemeister) all your info. It's a truly fabulous bunch of people over there!

[luv2boys]

Just wanting to brag on my boys!!! Jared got straight As for the second time, and Nicholas had all Bs and one C in math (that is like straight As for him)!!! :teacher:

Nicholas goes back to St. Jude on Monday the 23rd and Tuesday the 24th. I'll update his webpage with the results Tuesday evening. I leave that Thursday to go to a brain tumor conference in Tampa and to see our friend david bailey. We'd appreciate prayers for this MRI on Monday.

[sbennett]

Congrats to the boys for their great grades....and our prayers are with you for the upcoming MRI.

You guys are making us all jealous with your upcoming octoberfest cruise!
We just canceled the one we had booked for July due to finances....need that money to pay our real estate taxes.....ugh!!! Still plan on using our DVC points to do Old Key West then Vero Beach in July though....kids are fine with it, I was soooo looking forward to the massages in the spa though...oh well ....another time.

Hi to y'all!!! :hug:

[gometros]

Congrats on the good grades, Amy. We all know who they get their smarts from :)

I'm not that jealous about the Octoberfest. As much as we'd like to be with you all, with two cruises to look forward to, This months can't go by fast enough.

If ever you needed to appreciate your DVC points, here's an eye opener for you. My sister is going down to WDW next week with my nephew and his two children. My brother-in-law would have gone with them, but his dad passed away last week. So now between my kids and their cousins, they've each lost two grandfathers in the past year and a half. ANyway, they are staying at OKW, in a two bedroom for cash. It's costing them $500 a night!

[jeanneg]

Hi Sandy and Amy: great to hear from you both! Congrats on the boys getting such good grades! And of course we'll keep Nicholas in our prayers!

Don't know if I ever it mentioned it here, but Shelley, Jay and the kids have been in NC twice recently and both times we able to get together. It was so great!

Denise: Are you still on Cruisetoberfest? I haven't seen you post in ages!

We have ressies for OKW 8/12 thru 8/19 and are very much looking forward to it. We have not been there since Thanksgiving of '02 as we have been using our points for cruising (DCL and Holland America to Alaska). Not sure how many of the kids will be able to make it but hopefully most will.

[gometros]

We have ressies for OKW 8/12 thru 8/19 and are very much looking forward to it. We have not been there since Thanksgiving of '02 as we have been using our points for cruising (DCL and Holland America to Alaska). Not sure how many of the kids will be able to make it but hopefully most will.

The kids have been complaining that we haven't been to WDW since the cruise in 2003 and are not happy that we (well, THEY) aren't going this year. So I promised them that we will go May/June 2007. Since Elana will be in college, Sara will be graduating and Seth will be working, we can go before the summer busy season and heat set in. Judy and I will spend a day in WDW before the DVC member cruise and go back for two days after we disembark. I want to stay ta the Beach Club Villas, since we love the Beach Club and haven't stayed there since 1993.

[wendym]

Amy - that is great news and we will be praying for good results for the MRI too.
Shelley and Jay - when will you be at Old Key West? We are going to be in Orlando mid July for 2 weeks.
My little brag - I got the promotion I wanted - was offered it at the start of the year. No pay rise (I get that with the course I am doing) but I get the title and status! And "my" rugby boys I teach have won through to a major final in Scotland - life is good at the moment! :cool1:
Doreen sends her love to you all.
Wendy

[gometros]

Wendy - that's great news. Now you'll be able to afford more trips to WDW!

[wendym]

Sandy
You won't believe this but I don't actually get a payrise - was already on the salary due to the course I do but I get more status and a title so that means more - daft I know!
Wendy

[luv2boys]

I have updated Nicholas' website regarding our visit to St. Jude this week.

[gometros]

Hey all. Just wanted to say hi and after four long years, we are finally going to get our 7-day cruise in (I know, we did go on the DVC member cruise two years ago, but this is the cruise that makes up for missing you all in 2004). In a little over 5 weeks from now, we leave on an Eastern Caribbean cruise. So excited. I've met some people on the cruise thread, but nobody will replace the likes of you all.

[wendym]

Sandy - I don't believe it but we will miss each other by a week - mum and I are on the Oct 18th cruise. Cannot believe the special friends we have made through these boards. Mum and I talk of you all often.
Give our love to Judy and have a magical cruise.
Wendy and Doreen

[MinnieMart]

hi to all! have a great time. we went on the 4 day double dip castaway cay june 22nd. it was very nice but boy do we miss the 7 day magic cruise. our dd laura is studying abroad in florence italy!! this semester and we will go early oct to visit!! well school starts tommorrw and i just put an 8x10 of mickey and our family ,from the cruise, on my desk for the kids to all look at when they come and go thru the nurses office! thanks for keeping in touch. lisa

[jeanneg]

Hi Sandy!
I hope you, Judy and all the kids are doing well. We are complete empty nesters now. The 2 oldest are in NYC, Jen is in MI and Jason in TN. We are expecting to report some happy news shortly!

John and I just got back from the 15-day PC crossing yesterday. It was a blast, but after being away from home for 17 days I am totally swamped with work and household stuff right now.

We continue to meet some really great people on all our sailings but I must admit those early DISboard days when we sailed together were very, very special.

Have a wonderful time on your cruise and keep me posted as to what's going on with all of you.

[gometros]

Hi Sandy!
I hope you, Judy and all the kids are doing well. We are complete empty nesters now. The 2 oldest are in NYC, Jen is in MI and Jason in TN. We are expecting to report some happy news shortly!

John and I just got back from the 15-day PC crossing yesterday. It was a blast, but after being away from home for 17 days I am totally swamped with work and household stuff right now.

We continue to meet some really great people on all our sailings but I must admit those early DISboard days when we sailed together were very, very special.

Have a wonderful time on your cruise and keep me posted as to what's going on with all of you.

I watched you guys go through the Canal. Didn't see you on deck though :rotfl2:

You didn't happen to run into friends of mine - Mellissa Naughton and her husband? They live in Jax. I know, I know. Big ship, but she is a DISer (Miss Jasmine).

Where in NYC are the two older ones? I've been working in NYC for a year now - on the west side. We're almost empty nesters. Seth is living in Westchester and Elana is at American University. Only Sara is still home, but looking to escape from us real soon :lmao:

[jeanneg]

Nikki is in the Village right off St Marks Place. Adam is is Brooklyn, but not sure which neighborhood as he keeps moving around from place to place.

Is there a link that shows our ship crossing? I haven'y checked the other threads yet. I didn't meet your friend but I think she was on my fish extender list........ along with close to 140 other families!

[sbennett]

Oh boy am I jealous!!! Have a cocktail for us. Our travel plans for this year involved going to see Corey in Texas before he deployed to Iraq (27 hour drive from home) and before that going to see him in Oklahoma when he graduated basic training. Hopefully next year for our 20th wedding anniversary we can get away and do a "Magical" cruise!:surfweb:

[jeanneg]

Wow, it's like a little mini-reunion right here! Sending love to all!

[gometros]

Is there a link that shows our ship crossing? I haven'y checked the other threads yet. I didn't meet your friend but I think she was on my fish extender list........ along with close to 140 other families!

Sure is. The canal has view cams at each lock: http://www.pancanal.com/eng/photo/camera-java.html

I have a picture I saved from the Miraflores links that I'll post when I can upload it somewhere to post here.