EWP group? [Archive] - Page 3 - The DIS Discussion Forums

helenabear

11-12-2001, 08:27 AM

Hi everyone... wow I like busy weekends. Somehow they seem to last longer when you do more in them ;) Yesterday my cousin invited me to a brass band concert he played at so I went there yesterday. I love that type of music mostly because I love the sound of brass more than any type of instrument.

I had a good time with the boys. They really are good and a lot of fun to be with. Luis was at work for part of the time but when he came home they did much better on the games because he could tell them how to work it better than I could. I have my one and only Sega game (Disney's Magical Racing Tour) so I really don't play much else. My friends were extremely grateful that I could watch them and I don't mind. I have to admit that they are slightly better behaved when their dad isn't around. He is a sweetheart but such an instigator, but only in silly ways :D I joke with their mom and say how hard it must be to take care of three children ;)

Wendy I am so glad to hear that you can share this with us. We are always here to listen when you need it and I hope they can treat it quickly and easily and painlessly as possible. I do hope the same good luck and fortune that went to my brother's father in law will come your way. A few months ago he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. They just found out late last week that his cancer is so slow growing and not very harmful to his body right now that they really doubt he would die of cancer and that he would probably sooner die of something else. So we were all glad to hear that news. I do hope that good news will come your way very quickly as well!

Angelina, it sounds like you had a wonderful weekend! The airshow sounds wonderful. How was your mom's birthday? Our house is moving along. There are still a few things in boxes that we aren't sure what we are going to do with. They are the non essentials of our possessions and we just haven't figured out where we want to store them yet like we did before. But we have to be able to get to them because once in a blue moon we use them. Otherwise we are moving along on the house :D

Rider, the tape was great! It reminds me a lot of the type we used to take although we didn't really ever do much on the rides. I still have to track down the tapes at my dad's house to see what we have. I am so sorry you had to waste your weekend on cable techs. They are horrible sometimes aren't they? We would love to see Monsters Inc. but don't know when we will be able to see it yet. It looks nice and silly and I like that kind of movie. Well I had better get back to work. I hope everyone enjoyed the remainder of their weekend!

Dan Murphy

11-12-2001, 08:36 AM

Wendy, just letting you know my best is with you and you will be remembered in my DIS prayers for healing and comfort. Do hope all goes well. :sunny:

helenabear

11-12-2001, 01:16 PM

Hello everyone!

Dan, how nice it is to see you come into this group to bring Wendy well wishes.

I hope everyone is doing good today. I have been listening the news all morning and I was just coming in to try to rid myself of stressful things. I do hope everyone is doing well and I hope no one was affected by the plane crash.

Take Care everyone!!!

IASW Rider

11-14-2001, 03:09 PM

Hi Everyone!

So sorry that I haven't stopped into the Suite in a few days. I've been very preoccupied - all kinds of political garbage at work - new "acting boss" (as we just lost our second manager in 6 months) - condescending, inexperienced, male chauvinist pig - offended my group and me in a meeting, last week - everyone's feeling pretty hopeless, and since I'm the senior person in the group, I'm trying to hold it together and keep everyone hanging on. UGH UGH UGH. I won't bore you with the details, but it's a pretty uncomfortable situation. My Unit has been through a lot, this year - our original Manger was let go, both of my original assistants quit, 3 more people moved on to other positions, and now our current boss (who had been out on medical leave for the past 3 months) told us today that she took a voluntary layoff package. The last thing we need is having this smarmy idiot (who is also young and inexperienced) as our "boss". Oh well - we'll see how this unfolds as time goes on.

Thanks for stopping in to offer your kind words to Wendy, Dan! :)

Elaine - I also like the sound of brass instruments! I love jazz-type music - my favorite band in the world is Chicago, and I think that it's mostly because I love their horn section and that great jazzy kind of sound! I know that you play other instruments besides guitar, but I can't recall what they are! I never had much luck taking music lessons. I took piano, violin, and recorder lessons, and lost patience with all of them. I was better off singing in choir, in high school, or taking dancing lessons (which I also did, for years!) I hope that everything is all right with your brother's father-in-law. I'm glad that you heard some positive news, recently.

Do you know that we're STILL waiting for the stupid cable company to come and install our new outlet???? It's been almost a month and (literally) 5 appointments, and they still haven't gotten it done! Once, the guy couldn't do it, twice, they sent the "wrong technicians", once they didn't send ENOUGH technicians, then last night, they cancelled what would have been our fifth appointment, due to "a glitch in the system". I am getting so sick of this! Frank and I are going to call their "customer advocacy" department, today, and complain. More than anything, I'm sick of waiting around for them to either not show up or send the "wrong" technicians, and I am sick of that room having furniture all out of place, in anticipation of the cable hook up. AND, on top of everything else, they shut off our converter boxes for no reason, and claim that they can't get them working again because there is a "trouble call" on my account! Yeah - the "trouble" is that they are a HORRIBLE cable company!!! I told Frank that I want to give up, all together, but he wants to try to reschedule the appointment one more time. He's obviously more optimistic than I am.

Anyway......hope that you're all having a nice day! I wonder what SG is doing, right now......!! I wish that we were there with her! Take care and speak to you all, soon! :)

angelina

11-15-2001, 10:58 PM

Hi, everyone. I just got everyone to bed, and thought I'd check in. When is SG expected back? I miss her upbeat posts, I'd love to meet her ( and the rest of you) one day. The past few days have been really hectic around here. My two year old dd and niece have really outdone themselves this week. They've uprooted bricks from around a tree flowerbed ( they were hunting, they said,) unloaded a stack of firewood, dismantled the playroom, stomped various crackers and cookies into the recently steam cleaned carpet, smeared peanut butter all over the computer desk and chair, and somehow got into the outside freezer and had a snack of frozen venison sausage. My husband doesn't get it--he says this stuff never happens when he's watching them. Of course, I try to explain that he's not doing OTHER things at the same time, like laundry, dishes, etc. I'm not complaining, mind you. I worked while my other two were this age, so I am so thankful that I am able to stay at home with my third and her cousin, which allows my sister to work part time, and spend afteroons at home with both of her girls. But, boy, can they get into some things! Last week, I glanced out the window just as my niece was sliding down the windshield of my car and my dd was climbing up the trunk! I finally put them in the car and ran a couple of errands until they settled down for their naps around lunchtime.

Well, I'm going to try to mop the kitchen floor before I get too still and fall asleep. Have a good evening, ya'll.

helenabear

11-16-2001, 07:11 AM

Hi everyone. I apologize if my words don't come out as good as they usually do as I am up early in the morning because I awoke to my precious cat sleeping on my knees (OUCH)! I am sorry I haven't had much time to post. I am getting the house ready for my family to come for Thanksgiving & Luis' dad was able to stop by to see the house as he was in Ohio for buisiness. So that was a nice surprise. I have also been really busy at work. I am taking care of someone else's load while they are on vacation this week and next. So that takes away some of my time.

Rider, I am so sorry you have to deal with that at work. I can relate as I work in a very techinical field and some men really think they are better than women when it comes to work. Some thought I was incompetant and it really got to me. All I can say is here is a great big {{{HUG}}} and I hope things improve at work.

Angelina, I know SG was booked to stay 12 days but she could afford to stay as long as 25 (or something like that) so I am not sure when she shall return. I assume soon though because I could not imagine her not at home for Thanksgiving with her family. She is a great person and no matter where she is I hope she is doing well. Of course the rest of you are wonderful too... I don't know what I would do without you guys sometimes to listen to and talk to :D I feel for you and your wonderful DD & niece's "gardening work". What fun it must be to have to look after that. This is a good time to ignore the DH and realize you are doing a great job and kids will get into things the moment your head is turned. Try not to over work yourself!

Well I will be glad to share the instruments I play. As I said I love brass. The full range of sounds you can get from a brass to me is unequaled by any other instrument. I started off playing piano when I was in kindergarten. Then in gradeschool I took up the flute. Around 8th grade I decided to try my hand at trumpet (my brother had one) but I didn't switch to brass until the end of 9th grade. I then played mellophone (marching French Horn or F Trumpet as some call it), then went right into French Horn from there. Along the way I still played trumpet and I picked up Euphonium/baritone, and a little trombone. In college I learned E flat Alto Horn (looks like a really little baritone... and baritones are baby tubas). And of course recently I am trying my hand at guitar. I of course also sing in a choir and Rider, I too recall having recorder lessons as well (didn't stick with that one). Along the way I tried oboe & basoon as well but wasn't as fond of those and with playing flute came piccolo (but I was on my way out of woodwinds by that time so I didn't stay on that long). Music is my release. By playing and singing my emotions are released and I can recreate what I am feeling in my soul. It is such a wonderful release and my DH is always impressed when I can willingly set down for an hour a day to practice. He is also a music person but he has always been a choir person and a percussionist. I am trying to teach him trumpet but he is getting discouraged.

Well I need to get ready for work now. I hope you all have a WONDERFUL day and a great weekend to follow. I might not be around much for the next week as my brother is in town and I have a bunch of things planned with family & friends. I will certainly try to pop in to say hi though :D

SlightlyGoofy

11-16-2001, 09:43 PM

Whew, I am one beat puppy but I had to drop in and say hey to my favorite people. We returned late last night and I have spent the day trying to play catch up and am just now getting around to checking some of the hundreds of emails that came in while I was gone. DD and family just left and I am so tired that I cannot see straight or think straight so I am afraid I will not have time nor energy to read the posts and give a report. Maybe tomorrow. After all tomorrow is another day. LOL Cannot wait to see what you all got up to and wait until you hear some of my adventures. Only one really bad thing and it was a dilly. (grin)

Slightly Goofy/Linda

IASW Rider

11-18-2001, 04:59 PM

WELCOME BACK, LINDA!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) :) :) :)

We missed you!

Hope that you had a fantastic trip!!!!! Can't wait to hear all about it!

Sorry that I haven't stopped into the Suite in a few days - work has just been emotionally and physically knocking me out. I'm so grateful that next weekend is a long one - I really need to catch up on some rest!

Wow Elaine - you play so many instruments - that's amazing! I'm sure that you are wonderful with all of them! It must be neat to learn to play so many! And I can understand what you mean about it being a good release and time for yourself and a spiritual experience. Do you and Luis sing in the same choir, as well? You will definitely have to entertain us in the Suite with your musical talents on a regular basis!

It sounds like you have your hands full with your DD and your DN, Angelina! But I'm sure that while they might get into "trouble" sometimes, it's still fun and very gratifying to be with them! And I'm sure that your sister appreciates it, as well! They must be so cute together! I'm sure that some days can be exhausting, but I'm sure that all the time you spend with them is very special to all of you!

Well, time for an afternoon nap, now. We went into NYC last night (for the first time since 9/11. Fortunately, we were nowhere near downtown - ie: "Ground Zero") for my best friend Gary's 35th birthday party, which I kind of co-hosted in his apartment. It was a lot of fun, but we didn't wind up getting home till very late, and I barely slept last night, so I think it's "nap time", now, so that I can survive the short week ahead!

Hope that you're all having a great weekend! :)

helenabear

11-18-2001, 08:41 PM

Hi all! Just checking in quickly after my very busy weekend. We had a lot of fun Saturday night with my brohter and their friends. We had fun making some pretty bad music at points and they didn't leave until around midnight. Then today I went to the baby shower for my friend. It was nice but way too long. Had her sister & mom planned it, it wouldn't have been so long with 6 games! It lasted 3 1/2 hours before I finally had to leave to go visit my dad. I did have a good time but after a while we did get a little tired of the games. We could tell because everyone except the planners were making comments about how many games we played. But my friend looked wonderful and I will have to get together with her before she leaves to go back to Mexico.

Linda so great to see you back! I can't wait to hear all about your trip. It was nice to be able to watch the EWP with you as well ;)

Rider, yes music is my release. Luis and I sing in the same chior together in church. He actually brought me to that church in college (we are both Catholic but I didn't go to that specific church at the time). I will do my best to entertain you all. But bear with me during my guitar playing. I have so much to learn on that one and at times I dont' think I sounds very good.

Well I hate to come and go so quickly, but I haven't been home much today. I hope all is well with everyone!!!

SlightlyGoofy

11-18-2001, 09:59 PM

Well ladies, it seems that you have survived just fine without me and that is as it should be. I surely missed you all though. I snuck over to the suite a couple of times to have a few moments alone on our trip.

Rider, are you alllowed to take photographs on IASW? If not, I goofed as I took a bunch including a picture of me by the sign with a 5 minute wait. We rode it a few times in your honor. I thought of you when I passed the wedding pavillion and pictured how you will look standing there in a very few months. We are so lucky to have such a talented Video Curator. A person who can decide months in advance where she is going to eat is beyond my ken. I admire that but as organized as I like to be that is beyond my abilities. LOL

Helenabear, such talent!! Hope I did not intrude too much the other night. Wish I could have listened in. I can barely play the radio let alone a musical instument of any kind. I think Dalton is going to be musical tho. Did you not see me slow down for you to hop in when we left? You would have been a most welcome addition, especially if you had offered to help with the driving. (grin)

Jstmee, I wish I lived close enough to be of some help to you. Having gone through a mild case of the big C myself and helping friends through theirs I know that the fear is sometimes worse than the disease. It a wonderous time we live in and there are so many things that are possible. You just need to be outgoing and stubborn about demanding the best of care. I hope you are the kind to allow your friends and family to do for you. As you know, it is so comforting to be able to help someone else and it is gracious to allow others to do so for you. I hope your DH will able to be home more.

WM Cathy C and even the famous Dan Murphy along with others have dropped in. I was questioned on my Chicago Mickey at Bomba's and was proud to tell of it being a present from Dan the Man. Thanks again!!!

I am going to try to post some trip reports later this week but I will tell you the low light of our trip. We went over to 1900 Park Fare to eat as we could not get ressies at O'Hana's. I checked with the front desk as to the time of the EWP. 9:15. We rushed through the meal and were standing on the beach at 9:00 pm. As my feet hit the sand I heard the music and was so thrilled until I realized that it was going away and not toward us. It seems it ran early that night. The next night I left Epcot in plenty of time to reach the Poly at 8:00 but did not have great hopes as it had rained all day long and sure enough - No Parade!!!!! I think I am still the only one on here who has never actually seen it. (SOB) Read that anyway you want. WINK?

I get so tickled listening to you all talk about your cats and even dogs. I am not an animal person but I am envious of the care and love that is lavished on those very lucky creatures. Here is a little something I found for you all.

[img]C:\My Documents\My Pictures\CatRealWaveAni.gif[\img]

Slightly Goofy/Linda

angelina

11-19-2001, 01:33 PM

SG, welcome back! We sure have missed hearing from you. I know how disappointed you are that you didn't get to see the EWP. I saw it several times during our last trip, just as I did the Spectromagic parade. We were never in the right place at the right time to see the afternoon parade in the MK, though. I hope the rest of your vacation was wonderful.

We decided not to attempt the after-Thanksgiving trip, as I have some relatives coming for the weekend, but rescheduled for the first week in Jan. My spirit is little sore and bruised after a emotionally draining weekend, lots of tension at our house, and even the thought of WDW doesn't pick me up like it used to, so the January trip may fall by the wayside. I can't tell you all how nice it is to come here and spend a little time with each of you, hear of your ups and downs, your good times and bad. Jstme, you are in my thoughts and prayers, too.

I took my kids to see Harry Potter Friday afternoon, and they enjoyed it quite a bit. Saturday morning, I took them on a History field trip across state to an Indian settlement and museum that my ds had studied in school last week. We really enjoyed seeing more fall colors than we get to see this far south. We still have lots of green leaves on our trees! Yesterday we went to a birthday party at a beautiful "farm" where the kids could fish in a stocked pond, ride horses, and us grownups gathered bags of pecans and visited with good company. (It was the time at home that was emotionally draining.)

Well, it's time to do another load of laundry while the babies sleep, then it will be time for the "big kids" to come home. Take care.

Angie/Angelina

SlightlyGoofy

11-19-2001, 02:19 PM

Angelina

What wonderful memories you are storing up for your children and yourself. All kids should be lucky enough to have such an interested parent who is able to do these things with them. I have interest but lack energy at some times. I am the 'lazy day' grandparent. Since the grands that I see often have a hectic and busy homelife it seems to work.

I was especially sad not to see the EWP since this last trip was probably just that a Last Trip. It is getting too difficult for me to take care of everything and watch over my DH. He is high maintance.

I sincerely hope that the tension in your home is from outside the home and not from anyone who lives under the roof. If you need to vent please feel free. It will make the rest of us feel less guilty when we need to let off steam ourselves. If you want to keep it to yourself that is fine also. Just like Outback restaurants _ No Rules, Just Right.

I took my oldest grandson to see "Harry Potter" last night. We went out to eat and then I took him to Wal Mart and allowed him to daydream about possible Christmas presents. It was late when I returned him to the church but I think he has as good a time as I did. I enjoyed the movie. We read the book last summer and that greatly added to the fun. It was amazing to see the scenes from our imagination played out on the big screen. I love the fact that Ms. Rowlings does not 'talk down' to kids. I love words and she uses loads of them and to great effect. I was also relieved to see that I had pronounced all the names and places corrrectly. I did not want to get embarrassed. LOL

Special thoughts to Jstmee today and always.

Slightly Goofy

angelina

11-19-2001, 02:59 PM

Hi, SG. My ds and I also read the book over the summer (that is, I read to him.) He's perfectly capable of reading it himself, but he liked to "hear" the book. My dd wasn't too interrested in it, although she liked the movie, and the baby was asleep by the time we read each night, but she sat through all but the last 20 minutes of the movie, so that's a good sign. I loved the way the movie stayed true to the book, and didn't change things the way a lot of movies do, which almost always leaves me disappointed in a movie if I've read the book first. HP was almost exactly like we imagined from reading the book.

Unfortunately, the tension is indeed from inside our house, not outside forces, and is the result, I think of years of buried anger from my dh's childhood. From time to time, it surfaces, and I think we're going through one of those times. It's not always bad, but sometimes, like now, the anger and tension build and things are pretty unpleasant for the rest of us. A lot of things have happened to make the last two years worse, but God still shows me "moments" from time to time to let me know there is still love in our family. Those "moments" keep me going, although it gets harder after each cycle. We are lucky in so many ways, and no family is perfect, so I try to count my blessings. Take care.

IASW Rider

11-19-2001, 07:34 PM

Hi Angelina,

Thanks so much for sharing with us. We're always here for you, if you need us! I can certainly understand about having a husband who has residual anger and frustration from childhood - my ex husband was very much like that. So I can certainly relate to living with that sort of tension. I know that it can be painful and difficult - especially since you have children who are also exposed to the tension - but it sounds like you are exremely understanding, patient, and thoughtful about the situation. As you said, the most important thing is that there is love in your family, and even though your DH might not express it all the time, I'm sure that he loves you and your children very much and maybe wishes that he could express that in a clearer way. Hang in there and please feel free to come into the Suite and "talk", when ever you feel like it! Sending big {{{{HUGS}}}} your way!

Oh, SG - I'm so sorry that you did not get to see the EWP! :( :( :( We all watched it in your honor on the night and time when you were scheduled to see it, and thought of you! I wish that I had known that some of the nighttime shows were "running" early, before you left. My friend who works at Fantasmic told me that they're only doing one show per night at 6:30 PM, now! Unfortunately, he didn't tell me that until after you'd gone, so I wouldn't have guessed that some of the other nighttime shows were showing earlier, too. It sounds like you had a wonderful trip, though! And so happy that you got to ride IASW! I'm honored that you thought of me! :) And thanks for thinking of us when you saw the wedding pavillion, too - I wish that we could get married there! But at least we'll see it on our honeymoon! :) Can't wait to hear more about your trip! You'll have to give us a "mini report" with each of your upcoming posts!

Jstmee - thinking of you, as always, and sending you PD and a big {{{{HUG}}}}!

Helenabear - that's so neat that you and Luis sing in the same choir! That's such a nice thing for you both to do together! Forgive me for not recalling the details offhand, but didn't the two of you meet in a "musical situation", too? And is your brother musically inclined, as well? I know what you mean about LOOOONG showers - they can be fun, but after awhile it's a little too much! I'm sure that your friend really appreciated your being there, though!

Wow - now I want to go see "Harry Potter", too! I have never read any of the books, but I know a little bit about them. We saw the full trailer for it when we went to see "Monsters, Inc." last weekend, and it looks really neat!

I "played hooky" from work, today (I know - bad girl!). I just couldn't emotionally deal with the thought of going in there, when I woke up today, what with all the turmoil that's going on, there. The thought of it stressed me out to the point that I decided to call in and take it easy (didn't feel too guilty, 'cause I think that that was the first time that I called in "sick" all year!). Had a nice relaxing day. Need to reserve energy for the next 2 days at work, followed by what I'm sure will be a stressful Thanksgiving at the folks' house (Frank is going down to his mother's for the holiday weekend).

Hope that you're all having a good night! Talk to you soon! :)

SlightlyGoofy

11-19-2001, 11:49 PM

Angelina, I am afraid that not too many of us make it through life without some sort of scars from our childhood. I wish that there was more education on how to be a good parent so some of the pain could be alleviated. Does your husband have any support from friends or other family members? Sometimes it is hard to reach those who are the most close to us and if you did not have a rough childhood it could be difficult to relate. One of my sisters once told me that she determined that she was not going to let the things that our father did ruin her life otherwise he would have 'won'. I like that attitude. I hope the storm passes quickly and forgets to find it's way back.

Rider and all, I was thinking of you on that night even though I did not get to see the EWP. I believe I was even more let down cause of me ruining the whole perfect senario than not actualy getting to see it. I had checked 2 different places and then again at the GF when we arrived for our PS and they all said 9:15 so it was not from lack of planning. It took about an hour and a half on buses to reach the GF and then over another 2 hours to get back to our resort so I had plenty of time to fume. Met a nice newlywed couple there tho. Seeing that they were staying at the most expensive property and dressed to the nines I was a bit shy to offer them my coupon toward a Pleasure Island trip but they seemed very glad to have it and I ended up giving them lots of advice on how they could extend their stay without spending more bucks. Wonder if they did that? They were from New York. One night on a bus ride back from the parks the whole bus was rivited by conversations between a couple of NY parties who were relating their 9/11 experiences. Tales of stores opening up and giving anything that was needed for free, swarms of volunteers coming in to help out, hopping on subways to nowhere just to get out of the area and without a ticket. One lady said that when she reached the subway she told of not having a ticket and the ticket person asked if she was from the TT area. When she answered in the affirmative the ticket taker asked for a hug and told her to go on her way. As I left the bus at my stop I could not help but tell them that they would never be able to regain their 'bad' reputation again. I exited to laughs and with memories that will never go away.

I will have to find out what church Helenabear and Luis sing at and sneak in on my next Columbus trip. I cannot carry a tune in a bucket and can barely play the radio so I am in awe of such talent. My mother could sing. She got down and dirty and she was good. "You Gotta Love Your Mama Every Night Or You Don't Love Mama At All". Life was never boring when I grew up. LOL

We got to see Spectormagic for real this trip. Last time we sat so far back that I could not really see anything. Did get wet and cold though. Illuminations by the rail at the Cantina after watching TOD with a huge plate of nachos and DH's margarita. Lots of good memories also.

Bad news on Brown Derby tho. They are no longer serving the big Cobb Sald for dinner. We ended up going to H&V instead. First time there and we enjoyed the food and the service. Stay away from the Trail's End Buffet. It used to be one of our favorites but it was totally awful on this trip. Only limp pizza and a chef who put bologna on white bread. Some leftovers in a pot that they called soup also. Drinks were extra just to add insult to injury.

I had to get a GAC this trip cause I got sick the day after we arrived. I only had to use it twice though. I was much more comfortable with the help since it did not involve me cutting in lline. Everyone was so very nice.

I ran into Wheelsie one afternoon. We were listening to the piano player just off Main Street. Not sure what happened there. She is much younger and although in a wheelchair much more mobile than I am so I guess she decided that we did not mesh. I felt a bit bad about it and tried to think if I might have done something to offend. I think she is a special young woman any who.

Rider, you did the company a service by taking the day off. When you go back you will be rested and ready to go at it again with a fresh perspective. Who knows what damage you might have caused by going in when you were in a blue funk. Heck, now I think of it they should pay you double time at least for being so thoughtful. (grin) Even a Cadillac does not operate on all cylinders all the time and they are machines not people. I hope you enjoyed the break.

I keep Jstmee close in my thoughts daily. I hope that her feelings about herself are not truly expressed by her choice of screen names. You can just tell what a special person she is by reading between the lines of all that she does for others. ************Pixie Dust and Shiny Stars to our dear friend.

Slightly Goofy

jstmee

11-20-2001, 01:04 AM

Thank you all............ for your kind words and pixie dust my way. Things are going good. Just a bit overwhelming. As you said SG, it's the thinking about the big C that is the scariest. I really thing I will need some surgery to remove the affected area. It's the waiting for this to happen that is the hardest. I am supposed to have a girl scout meeting tomorrow, but cancelled. lol, felt guilty about cancelling, but I need to take care of myself first.

About my screen name, it's one I've used in all areas of the internet for the past 6 years. It really is a way to say I am me being me. Not the just part. Because believe me, SG, I am outspoken and I usually get my way. heee, heee (GRIN) I am still researching physicians-specialists, and I even got an email back from one of them.....So now I have a dilema....

I have an appointment with Dana Farber Cancer Institute Friday, they aren't covered under my insurance plan as I previously thought. I have to pay the first $250 then they cover 70% afterward of everything.

The doctor that emailed me is under our plan and so I'd only have to pay $10.. If I need the surgery that would only cost a minimal amount as well. Geeze, typing this down makes me wonder if I should go with the Doc that is under my plan. Ummmm, I'll have to sleep on that. He is a surgery specialist of the type of Cancer I have, so I don't doubt his credentials. Anyway it's midnight and I am going to turn into an owl..

I have seen Harry Potter twice. I love it. Very true to the book, I only wish the other movies were ready and I must have the next book soon.

Thanks again for all of your support. SG sorry you didn't get to see the EWP, and everyone else, hello, hello.
Wendy

SlightlyGoofy

11-20-2001, 09:10 AM

Dear Jstmee/Wendy

Whew, glad to hear that I am worrying for nuthin' about your 'name'. See, I am the oldest of a large family and I was put in charge of them so I tend to go around like a mother hen clucking all the time. Very irritating but I just can't help myself. (smile)

I am glad that you cancelled your meeting. I am sure that everyone understands and would want you to do so. As far as the choice of doctor's go I would check on the credentials of both and make my decision that way. My DH always thinks that things that cost more are better but that is not necessarily so. If the more expensive one is higher rated it could be 'cheaper' in the long run. The anestesiologist (sp) is very important. Really almost more important than the doctor. Check ratings for the hospital as well as some have a very high rate of infection that can be very dangerous. You are so lucky to be in the computer age where you can check these things out. What is your DH saying?

BTW they have boxed sets of the Harry Potter books everywhere right now so you should treat yourself to a set to read while you are laid up.

Since you have convinced me that you are a 'broad' (in the best sense of the word) and are capable of fighting the dragon by yourself if need be I will spend some of my excess worry on Angelina and her family and scare some of those bad vibes away from her and hers this holiday season. Ever notice that things seem to get worse this time of year? I think it is from the high expectations that NO ONE can live up to. (Guilty myself)

I am going over to the Trip Reports Board and post a couple of days of our vacation. Hope I can remember everything. Senior moments you know. (raised eyebrows)

Have a great day gals and I am looking forward to an early evening in the suite. I think we all need a nice quiet night with friends to get us through.

Slightly Goofy

angelina

11-20-2001, 07:19 PM

Thanks, everyone, for your kind and caring thoughts. Even though I spent a lot of time "lurking" on this thread in the beginning, I feel like I know all of you, and we're all friends. Things are really rather quiet right now, because we're in the "not speaking" phase, which will begin to wear off in a couple of days (hopefully). It's really sad to live this way, especially when I think of the good times, and all the things we have in common. He spends a lot of time with our children, and is really involved with their sports and school. He takes them hunting and fishing, and we travel so well together. It's just the day to day that gets to us. I wasn't prepared for how isolating stay-at-home mommy-ing would be. I miss the comraderie (sp?) of the girls at the office.

Jstme, I worked for 10 years in a university/medical center office, and one of my docs specialized in colorectal surgery. I know how scary this must be for you, and my best advice for you is to arm yourself with INFORMATION. Read everything you can about your diagnosis. That's my 2nd best information--nothing beats the power of prayer!

SG, I look so forward to your words of wisdom, and upbeat attitude. Keep sending your happy thoughts my way.

Rider, what's the latest with your wedding plans? Or do you have everything planned? After the holidays, the time will pass so quickly, don't you think?

I've run on long enough. Hugs and kisses to everyone.

helenabear

11-20-2001, 07:30 PM

Oh my everyone you are putting me to shame right now with all these posts ;) I did get to read through all of them but of course I won't be able to reply to all that you say. It is kind of like missing out of a conversation in person and only hearing the recording of it :D It sounds like everyone seems busy during this time.

Angelina, I will keep you in my thoughts and send tons of PD your way. I hope things within the house settle down soon and you sound like a wonderful person to be so understanding of your DH's issues with his childhood. I hope that someday he can clense himself of these issues so they never come between him and anyone else again. It is hard to let go of things from childhoods sometimes and I will say it takes a special person to live with it (as you certainly are). And don't you worry about your companionship... you will always have us to keep you company and to talk to ;)

Jstmee, it sounds like you are in a tough situation. Is it possible to see both to see what they say and then just go with your gut instict about which one is better. I know when my mom had cancer it was hard to know if she got the "proper" or "best" care. But she seemed to like her doctors and they did all they could for her and let her have many choices. Sometimes the money you spend on things is really worth it, but at the same time sometimes it is not. SG gave some very good advice as well. I just hope it all goes well for you and any treatment you all decide on won't be very painful. Since I love sending pixie dust, I will send some more your way to help in your decision.

Rider, yes Luis and I met in a music class we had together in college. He was a trio player along with a friend of mine from my high school and through my friend we began to talk. Then of course one thing leads to another and we are found kissing by a port-a-john in Indy during the Indy 500 weekend :D He is unlike me though in his music playing. He has played drums all his life and piano and that is it. I guess I like the new challanges that learning a new instrument brings me. Really though as much as I like my brass music, I like to be able to sing and play together and I can do that much easier with guitar.

SG, I am so sorry you didn't get to see the EWP. Don't you worry, if you think this will be your last trip, I will just have to take you along with me another time. We can go in the off-season and take our grand time going through the park. Since I have been so many times I don't mind if I miss a ride or two as well. Actually I have a tendency to skip rides that are too long. No one ever said you had to go with your DH ;) I went in high school with basically only my friends (my family was there but I never saw them after the first day) and I had so much more fun. I guess that's why I like going with Luis. He acts more like my friends did and that makes it wonderful. Now don't think I don't love my family but it is a different feeling there with just Luis or my friends. They were much more laid back about things than my family in some respects... although they didn't understand why you didn't sleep in on vacations ;) I will look forward to your trip report.

Well all, I had better get to the kitchen as I am making Challah for Thanksgiving. I am making it today and then I will freeze it tonight and then thaw it out on Wednesday morning (and maybe warm it in the oven). I know Challah on Thanksgiving sounds odd but a bread for a fine dinner on the Sabbath sounds like it would work for Thanksgiving. I may also make flan tomorrow but I haven't decided. I will have brownies, that is for sure and my sister is making pumpkin pie so I don't know if I need to make the flan or not. What do you all think? Well I will see you all later. I hope you guys have a great evening!!!

angelina

11-20-2001, 07:41 PM

Hi, again. I just read an e-mail I thought I'd share with ya'll.

Thought for the day- Families are like fudge--mostly sweet, with a few nuts.

jstmee

11-20-2001, 09:47 PM

Angelina, I liked your added input. I laughed like heck. I began to think of all the nuts in my family and decided that I may be the nuttiest. In jest of course. I can relate to what you are going through. My DH and I moved back to his hometown. I think the main reason was for him to get to know his dad and make heads or tails out of it. I am glad we are here, but he definitely has issues with it. He does the silent treatment every now and again and every Saturday morning he's a yelling man (my DH), because he thinks everyone should be cleaning on Saturday. Of course, I wasn't brought up that way so I don't like to clean on Saturday and if he tells me what to do I'll do the opposite.

I hate the feeling of walking on egg shells. With my first husband, he got very difficult around the holidays. I think that happens a lot, much PD to you and prayers.

Thanks also for the advice on my medical stuff. I am keeping my plans with the first Doctor and I have a second appointment with the other Doctor that I will cancel if I like this group.

Elaine, sounds like you have a grand Thanksgiving coming up. I am having Thanksgiving dinner at my house, but I'll will try to scale down a bit cause of us going away. Your musical talents are awesome. I performed in plays in high school and college. I sang in the chorus mostly and I love to sing. I don't have any special voice but to me, I sing to the heavens.

Rider, good job on playing hooky, I hope you took full advantage of it. You probably needed it badly.

I have 2 children shipped off to one friend, my daughter at another friend and my little boy and the puppy to memere and pepere's, French for Grandma and Grandpa's house for the day after Thanksgiving when my DH and I make our trek to Boston. I can't wait to get down there and finally get things going. The waiting is the hardest part. heee, I won't be saying that after whatever procedure will take place. I am looking forward to the drive down with my DH we'll have some together time to have some discussions.

Maybe I'll start dreaming about WDW again......................visions of Tinkerbell flying across the sky...................
SG, we all need to gather around Angelina and give her a group {{{{hug}}}}...... and prayers to her family.

Rider

SlightlyGoofy

11-20-2001, 10:05 PM

Well ladies, I have posted 4 days of our trip so far on the Trip Boards. I thought it was better posted over there as I am a neat freak and would not want to clutter up our beautiful suite with reams of stuff. They ramble as do I but you can read them or not and the 'delete' key is a wonderful thing. Imagine life if you could have such useful appliances to deal with everyday situations and people?

Angelina, I have read that before and it is so true. Now if you all don't have any nutty relatives it just might be that YOU are the nut on your family tree. Myself, I am not only nuts but PROUD of it!!!

I am curious. Is your DH happy with you being a stay at home mom? Does he realize that is is hard work and not just a walk in the park? My DH insisted on me staying home as he was/is the jealous type (ridiculous) and very proud of the fact that I did not have to 'work'. Yeah, right. I remember the years with no adult contact and how lonely it was and given my choice I would have worked outside the home. I like people and like helping and doing useful things. I manuvered the best I could under my circumstances. I truly believe that no one person can be all things to anyone else and maybe you need some time to do something for yourself so you will not be so dependent upon your DH's mood? Just a thought. Not knowing enough has never stopped me from giving advice before. LOL All kidding aside, I tell my kids that I cannot help giving advice BUT I do not get mad if it is not taken so forgive me and just know that I give a hoot.

Helena, do you hear me knocking at your door? I have to have a piece or three of that Challah and will gladly wait for the flan to get done. Is there nothing you cannot do? I plug in a mean breadmaker. I am such a neat freak that I cannot stand putting my hands in dough and such and make my dough in the machine although I do take it out and shape it and bake it in the oven most of the time. I am tickled that you and Luis liplocked in my backyard. It is nice to have such memories for those moments that are not quite as perfect as will happen in any long term relationship. Bet you make beautiful music together though.

I think I am going to have a sick boy on my couch tomorrow. My little guy was barking up a storm and was not his usual self. It is easier for my DD to go to work with a sick kid when it is a grandma watching out for him rather than a daycare person, no matter how wonderful she is. My oldest grandson did so well in his play. He had a couple of speaking parts and since he is so shy it was great. I taped it all and will make copies for all the others who could not be there. Each child could only invite 3 people and if my SIL had not had a bus trip I could not have gone either. Great Grandma trumps us all, rightfully so.

Lots of paper work done today but not much more. Only one doorway has been completed as we speak. Maybe one more before I sleep? I will spending Thanksgiving Day cooking for Friday. Maybe some shopping on the weekend. I am getting savings bonds for my Fab Four as I cannot get them gifts. I want them to know that I thought of them in case I am not around when they get big enough to come a hunting. Have to check the closet upstairs to see what I have already bought too. Am I the only one who buys stuff and then forgets it?

What a wonderful idea going to DW with Helena. Don't think DH would go for it tho. He would not let me stay with my mother when she was dying so I don't quite see me getting to go off to have fun without him. You younger ladies beware. (grim grin)

I think a dip in the jacuzzi might brighten me up enough to get some more work done before I cave in. The stars are bright and I do believe I hear the sound of calliope type music coming around the bend. It had BETTER be coming and not going!!!!! (smile)

Slightly Goofy

angelina

11-21-2001, 11:43 AM

'Mornin, everyone. It's coldddd, here! (for us, anyway.) Are those ovens warming up? I got off easy this year, just dressing and maccaroni and cheese, my sister's doing the rest. I thought I'd use some of those pecans I shelled Sunday and Monday in some pralines to take to her house tomorrow.

SG, I'm not sure if he's happy or not. It's been 3 years now, the first spent in a fog or morning sickness, the second with a newborn who was high maintenance, and the third with a pair of toddlers who aren't content to sit and play with blocks. In a way, I think he's glad that I'm able to stay home with the kids, and the two oldest are in a good Catholic school making good grades. He never had to take them to day care and peel them off as they screamed "Mommy, Mommy" so he can't relate to that at all. On the flip side, the laundry's not done, dishes pile up in the sink, and things are wrecked most days when he gets home. He doesn't realize that I clean up the SAME stuff over and over. I know he thinks I sit home doing nothing while he slaves away. He also feels like when the weekend comes he should be able to come and go as he pleases, and sleep late, too, so he has the nerve to act injured if I ask (get it, ask) him to watch everyone so I can go out by myself for a while. Which I rarely do, because it's not worth coming home and hearing how unhappy everyone was while I was gone. However, this is what I signed up for when I quit my job and decided to stay home, so I can't gripe too loudly. Like being married and having kids, it sounds like a piece of cake until reality hits. A friend who used to work when her kids were young said it takes about a year to get a system going. I just don't know which year that will happen. TeeHee.

helenabear

11-22-2001, 08:03 PM

Hi everyone! Hope you all had a great Turkey Day! Ours started out hectic. The fridge downstairs was set to the highest setting so the turkey we bought was slightly frozen and we dind't find this out until this morning. So dinner was 30 minutes late but we ate at two.

SG, I am flattered that you imply I am able to do many things. Really making bread is so much easier with a 1/2 horsepower Kitchen Aid mixer. It does all the hard work for me and all I had to do was braid the bread. That was easy ;) It also did a wonderful job of the 10 pounds of potatoes we had for mashing. It surely made my life really easy. The familiy was well fed and that is all that really matters in the long run.

Well my family is all here and they are watching my grandmother's 90th B-day video so I had better get off the computer :D I hope you all have a great day!

jstmee

11-22-2001, 08:54 PM

Happy Thanksgiving to all! My turkey decided to make his appearance 45 minutes late also, everything else was ready except "Tom". But, that enabled me to wash some extra mixing bowls before the meal. We had a good time. It was just us and my in-laws. Helenabear, I cooked 10 lbs of potatoes just for the 4 kids.

Angelina. How many children do you have and what ages? I must have missed that somewhere? I have been both a stay at home mom and working mom and believe me it is much easier to work than stay home. At one time I had 4 children ages 4 and under. You will survive, how well, I can say, but you'll get through it, Tee hee hee.

Just today my mother in law brought a letter from her sister remarking about how in love my DH was with me when we first met and she even made the remark that I wasn't good at housekeeping maybe but I was good with the kids and a good wife to my DH. Two out of three isn't bad. You are right about picking up the same things over, and over and over and over and over again. my DC are 13, 13, almost 10 and 9 and it's still the same way. I get depressed about being a stay at home mom, then I think of the commitment I would have to make to be working and not be able to take time off for a childs play, or field trip and I have decided in the long run this is a much better way.

My DH would like the house kept up, but I am too strong willed to let this bother me too much. Last week I hired a woman to clean, the house was sooooo beautiful, but it only lasted for a day or two. With kids it doesn't take long.

Well, I am heading off to the jacuzzi, after all the cooking and dishes I need some R&R. I also have a sore neck from sleeping wrong so I might call Bo over to give me a good shoulder, neck message.

Goodnight all......

SlightlyGoofy

11-22-2001, 10:01 PM

You guys think you had trouble with your Tom turkeys. Mine woke up grouchier than usual (DH is named Tom LOL) and very upset that I had not managed to do all that I usually do for the holidays. ie I don't have any outside decorations up and I did not cook him a big meal today. I am still trying to get over vacation and I was sick and I am too busy to do it all especially with a 'retired' husband who takes the term much too seriously. Grrrrrrrrr!!! I am seriously considering sticking HIM on the top shelf of the refrigerator for awhile. (grin)

Jstmee, your mil sure tried to mess with you today. I am glad to see that you took it with good humor. My mil had women who called the house for a couple of years after we were married and she would not tell that he was married. I guess she was trying to hedge her bets. LOL She wasn't a bad woman she was just watching out for her son and I admired that. WTG on hiring someone to help with the cleaning. In business they teach that delegating is good and running a home is definitely as important. One thought though, might your kids chip in to do some of the housework for an increase in their allowances? Would be a win win for everyone and they would appreciate what you do a bit more. Just a thought. I could not get my kids to clean their rooms let alone the rest of the house myself. I learned to either walk quickly past their doors or close them so I could not see anything. Unless something live crawled out I ignored it. (smile) My DS turned out to be very neat and when he was a bachelor you would not have known it from his apartment. My DD keeps house enough to keep major illness away but she is not as fanatical as I am and I am glad. I would rather see her enjoy her family rather than kill herself cleaning. I have no problem with how others do or don't do stuff. I am only nuts in my own home. (Mostly) (silly grin)

I made 3 kinds of potatoes for tomorrow. One garlic potato, one Fufu (Bomba's sent me the recipe) and one plain old batch of white taters. Pumpkin and Lemon pies are done. Only have to do the ham and Indiana Beans tomorrow. Have the cheese platter to do tonight and I am going to make the Pumpkin/Cheese Soup early in the morning. Another Bomba's recipe. If anyone would like these or the Pecan Maui Maui (sp?) or Watermelon Rind Salad I have those also. They give you a request sheet at Bomba's and then they email you with the recipes. Neat.

Helenabear, I do not imply that you are multi talented. It is just a fact that you are. I have a huge mixer too but it is a pain to set up so I do not use it. My new kitchen has a corner cabinet that is accessible for me to reach all my other appliances though. I have to reorganized a couple of slide out trays and I might be able to accomodate the mixer. Have loads of Christmas cookies so I had better get cracking. Do you have a breadmaker? I love mine and use it all the time. My DH does not like store bought bread.

What a wonderful thing to be watching your grandma's 90th birthday video. I can just picture you all right now. Warms the cockles of my heart, whatever they are. :jester:

May you all have sweet dreams and get to stay in bed a bit longer in the morning as a reward for all the nice things you did today. I will have my day tomorrow. BTW, if I take out the top shelf of the fridge do you think I would have room to ahhhhhhh stuff the 'turkey"? LOL

Slightly Goofy

CathyCanada

11-22-2001, 11:04 PM

Hey there EWP friends!! Just popping in to catch up on everyone's goings on and hope that you all had a Happy Thanksgiving.
Read a few pages back and just wanted to send hugs to Wendy and Angelina. Heck let's have a group hug. I'm sorry for what you are both going through and hope things start looking brighter soon.

Elaine, nice to be so musical. I can't carry a tune in a wheelbarrow but I do love to sing. :)

Linda, welcome home! You are missed, as always. Does anyone else see Linda as the kind Aunt who is like the glue that binds us together? A sweet, kind soul you are.

I'm the crazy cousin who runs in, says hi, checks what is in the fridge and runs out. :)
Just wanted you all to know that I was thinking about you.
CC

SlightlyGoofy

11-23-2001, 09:20 AM

Crazy Cousin? Nah, WM Cathy C. I think of you as Auntie Mame. An important member of the family who is out and about having great adventures so she cannot be home all the time but when she is able to visit it is a cause for celebration and a time to catch up with what she has been up to. Speaking of which - what HAVE you been up to lately? Details, lots of details. Please?

Yep, I am the aunt who comes over to ask how you are doing and cleans the kitchen while doing so. I like neatening up others lives. It kills me when a friend has a problem that I cannot solve. Everyone in here is so kind and friendly especially to each other. Even on days that Jstmee does not post I am sure that each and every one of us is thinking of her and sending good vibrations her way.

I love to sing also Cathy C. Check the lane next to you for the fluffy lady with the fluffy hair who has her head reared back, mouth wide open, howling at the moon. I love to sing but having compassion for my fellow humans I confine it to singing while driving - alone. LOL Think Murphy Brown and you will get the full effect.

This is our Thanksgiving celebration day and I have everything but the Indiana Beans done and they have to be done nearer dinner time. Have some health problems so I cannot go like a house afire. I plan carefully and fix things ahead of time so I can keep on ticking. Not too sure how the Pumpkin Cheese Soup from Bomba's is going to come out. Just added the cheese and am to add the cream later. It is an awful large amount. Want me to bring some to the suite tonight? DH does NOT do leftovers. Could someone stop by Canada (not Cathy) and pick up some Pretzel Bread to go with?

Slightly Goofy/Linda

helenabear

11-23-2001, 12:02 PM

Hi everyone! I hope everyone is well today and not at all worn out from yesterday (or in SG's case I hope you are just fine tomorrow). We had a nice busy day and now I feel how I ran around yesterday. I don't see how some can do this and then run out first thing in the morning to do shopping. Then again I could be feeling more run down due the allergic reaction I seem to have to something at my dad's house. The moment I walked in yesterday I plugged up. And of course thanks to my angel Gwen, I was up way to early this morning... "But Mommy I just had to play with you" she said to me ;)

You know I truly believe music can save the soul. Whether you are a wonderful musician that others pay to hear and play with all your heart. Whether you sing with all you soul to a song on the radio or something along those lines or even if you just are listening to music and just let it soak in, I believe it has some truly remarkable almost healing like powers. I read somewhere a medical study showed that those who sing with their heart into their singing usually get less colds & other minor illnesses than others who don't. Now they didn't say you have to be good at it, so sing away everyone!!! (Okay I still think if you are too shy to sing just let your body soak in the music). After spending so much time on musical instruments & singing (thanks mom ;) ) I really do notice the difference between those who preform with compassion and those who don't. I dated a guy in high school whom had never had a girlfriend before. He was a wonderful musician technically but something still was missing. I told him one day to play this beautfiul ballad like he was playing it for me and the music sounded so different. His music teacher even told him he had noticed a difference in his playing & personality once he began to play with emotion so I completely believe that it can help relax and heal around when done correctly. I ramble about music too much sometimes because I guess I love it so. I did just learn to play the song "Hero" by Enrique Iglesias on the guitar, so feel free to stop by anytime to listen. I may not sound the best but it will come from my heart :D

Cathy you are no crazy cousin. You are like my cousin. She is always busy doing things for others but she does like to check in every once in a while to say hi to make sure everyone is doing just fine, but I wouldn't call her crazy at all. She is a wonderful person probably much like yourself in many ways. SG's description of you seems to be similar to my cousin, so two of us can't be way of now can we ;)

SG, I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration today. It isn't what day you celebrate but it is more of when the family will be together to celebrate it. And don't you wear yourself out like I did yesterday. My family was all willing to help at certain points but somehow it wasn't when I could have used them the most. My arms even hurt today from handling a 14 pound turkey so much ;) So be careful and take it easy. And once again you have made me blush. I thank you for your compliment about my multiple talents. I guess coming from a very competative family, I always think that what I do is not that great as there is always someone who can out do me. Not a very good way to think I know, but unfortunately that is what having a competative family does to you. You realize you aren't the smartest, prettiest or best at anything no matter how hard you try and you just live with it. That is one thing I have learned from my family though is not to try to expect to much of others and praise people when they do wonderful things. They could have made only okay gravy but if someone tried the best they could, then that gravy goes from being only okay to wonderful since their heart was in it. As for a bread machine, I do not have one. It would be nice to have one maybe so I don't have to sit at home and watch my bread while it is rising and the like but at the same time I like making bread and Luis doesn't complain about store bought bread for his sandwiches. But I think if someone got me one I would use it. My mixer is so big that it just stays out on the counter all the time. Between the turkey and moving my mixer yesterday my arms got a good work out ;)

Jstmee, that sounds like an awful thing to bring up to you, especially around a stressful day like Thanksgiving! But pick up on THE most important part, you DH was very much in love with you right from the start. The rest was to follow ;) I will tell you my mother stayed at home with us. Our house may not have been the neatest or cleanest but she loved us and took great care of us. And let me tell you the ablity to come home to someone every day after school more than made up for a slightly untidy home. The day she was not there after I came home from school even at age 16 really was a shock to me. So I am grateful to have had the opportunity to have my mom stay at home for us. It was always reassuing to know she was there, so don't get to down by anything anyone tells you. Staying at home is harder than it seems I think. Oh and angelina the same things I am saying to jstmee I think are perfect for you. I am sure it is hard when he doesn't understand what exactly you do all day. Sometimes I think people should switch for a day to see that the other's day may not be as easy as it looks. I truly think those who can afford to stay at home with the children do them a great justice as they don't (as you said angelina) have to peel children off of them crying for their mother or father. I am sure you will eventually get your groove soon & things will look up!

Well I have lazed around way to long today. I was going to head to the store a little later to pick up some non-essentials for around the house. Fortunately we don't have much left over from yesterday. 14 pounds of turkey feeds 9 adults nicely as did the 10 pounds of potatos. I do have a good portion of one challah left but I might feed some of it to the birds & squirrels to help move it out of the house. I am not too fond of left overs myself unless I plan for them and some of what was made are things I would really eat much of anyway. I hope everyone enjoys the coming weekend!!!

angelina

11-23-2001, 05:35 PM

Happy Day after Thanksgiving, everyone. I was feeling kinda lonely, I didn't get any e-mail updates, so I checked the site and had a lot to catch up on! I was up at 4am and entered the fray at Wal-Mart at 4:30 to get my ds a bike for his birthday in January. What a madhouse! I did get the bike, though. The sale started at 6am and I was on my way back home by 6:10.

I love hearing what everyone cooked for Thanksgiving dinner. I'm curious, didn't anyone fix sweet potatoes or dressing to go with your turkeys? The pumpkin and cheese soup sounds good, SG. Let us know how it turns out. We ate at my sister's yesterday, and I fixed some things for us this weekend, but we're frying our turkey tonight. I can taste it now.

Jstme, I have 3 children, Nicholas (almost 10), Meg (8), and Lauren (2 1/2). Thanks, everyone, for the group hugs and PD. Things are better, yesterday dh was in the back yard throwing balls for the two older ones,and the baby ran around picking up the ones they missed. Things are getting better, but still not back to normal. He took Meg with him to work today, and tomorrow they're going hunting.

I love the comment from your MIL, Jstme. I don't have inlaws in any way, shape or form, I got off lucky, I guess, but yours reminds me of Doris Roberts'character on Raymond. If nothing else, my husband and I laugh ourselves silly over that show. Reruns come on here at 10:30, and we usually don't miss it.

It's time to swap out a load of laundry and get the turkey ready for tonight. Take care, everyone.

Angelina

helenabear

11-23-2001, 05:47 PM

I'll pop in quickly and give a run down of what we had:

Turkey
Stuffing (mine)
Stuffing (my sisters, vegitarian)
Cranberries
Corn
Green Beans & Almonds
Challah
Corn Muffins
Mashed Potatoes
Two kinds of gravy (vegitarian and turkey gravy)
Brownies
Pumpkin Pie

We opted out of the sweet potatoes or yams this year as hardly a soul in my family likes them.

Angelina, I hope things continue to go forward and not backwards. I hope all is well with everyone else!

SlightlyGoofy

11-24-2001, 02:21 PM

Bye, Bye Miss American Pie, Drove the Chevy to the levy but the levy was dry. Yes, music does save the 'mortal soul' HB. I was tickled with your quote. Years ago a young friend of my son's was trying to impress me with his 'coolness' and was telling of his favorite song. Imagine his amazement when this old lady joined in!!! (grin) I put on some old Motown music and do my housework. Seems to go faster. Lucky thing we live in a huge old house that can withstand my bouncing around in time to the music. LOL BTW, HB. Is it possible for you to put a sound thing on your computer with some of your music?

Our menu was

Baked Ham with Honey Glaze
Pumpkin/Cheese Soup (from Bomba's) (not too good and made far too much)
Fufu (sweet potatoes and mashed pot with spices from Bomba's) (very good)
Garlic Potatoes
Plain Old Regular Mashed Potatoes
Indiana Beans (green beans, bacon, onions and small potatoes fried)
Cheese and Cracker Platter
Devilled Eggs
Homemade Bread and Butter
Pumpkin Pie and Lemon Merigue Pie

There were only 6 of us and my DH will not eat leftovers and I knew that my DD and family were probably still stuffed from their Thanksgiving meal the day before and they had others to go to also so I kept it simple. I just don't feel like cooking for days for a half hour meal and everyone rushing off and then another few hours of cleaning up. I would prefer to go down to the church and serve meals to the needy. It would leave a better taste in my mouth but my DH insists on having his holidays.

You know good healthy competition is not a bad thing IMHO. It spurs us on to bigger and better things. I am very competitive. Not a sore loser mind you but I enjoy playing games and winning when I can. Mondays and Thursdays are the highlight of my life at the present. Have not won any trivia games since I returned but I am rested up and rearing to go on Monday. I enjoy families that have so many interests and things to share. I would love to be a fly on the wall at one of your family gatherings.

Angelina, if you check your settings on your User CP I think you will find that you do not have the box checked to get a message when a new post is up. I think they disappear once in awhile cause I know I have had to go in and correct mine a couple of times. We would not want you to miss any of our deathless prose. LOL Did I understand to say that your daughter, Meg, will be going hunting tomorrow? What kind of hunting? My father provided many a meal from his hunting when I was growing up. He also trapped and hunted 'sang'. I am glad that things are getting back to 'normal'. I sometimes think that the holidays cause so much stress because of all the expectations of a 'picture perfect' time and it just does not happen that way and if it does it is a lucky circumstance and not a 'planned' event.

Speaking of toxic mother in law things I think the worse thing my mil ever did was call me and tell me that my husband was talking to some woman at the hospital when my fil was dying. We had been married many years at that time and while my DH is lazy as all get out and is not perfect he has never given me any cause to doubt his fidelity. My DH likes to talk and prefers to talk to women but not in a bad way. That was as close to mad as I ever got at her, not for MY sake but even if he HAD been doing something wrong she should not have ratted him out IMHO. I did not even tell him what she did until a couple of years ago. Did not think it was worth it all. When we first married my DH sold his property he had near his family and I had kind of thought it would be neat to live in the family compound. Have to admit he was right and I have been thankful for that fact. A bit of distance is good in most circumstances. My oldest grandson would love it if we would move out by him and his family but I would never do that. They live in the country about 5 miles from here and it is handy to have us in town. We live right behind their church and near the school so they can drop by anytime. I have several rules I have made for myself as a parent of grown kids and mil. One is that I do NOT drop by unless invited. I keep a pad of paper and if I think of something I want to say or ask I write it down so I can do several things in one call instead of calling several times. In short I try to act like I would have liked my in laws to have acted. I will tell the FIL drop the trou story another time. Interesting family I married into. (grin)

I am doing Christmas cards today. I have them all addressed. Next I sign, write the notes and put the little goodies into some of them. I bought some great bookmarks and small ornaments this year. Want to keep the mail down for the poor mailman, not to mention the cost of postage. Cookie doughs come next. Would be neat to make the cookies while the boys are here. Their mom used to be my cookie kid. She loved to make them and my DS loved to eat them.

Anyone up for a tour of the resort Christmas decorations tonight? I love the tree at Dixie Landings. They had it up when we were there but now that I am reading that they are closing the resort it might not be open. How very sad. Maybe somene else has some info on decorations I have not seen yet?

Slightly Goofy

C:\My Documents\Christmastree.gif

angelina

11-24-2001, 04:19 PM

Hi, everyone. SG, I'm sorry the pumpkin cheese soup didn't turn our like you wanted--it sounds so good. I would love a bowl of cheese soup from LeCellier, I got the recipe from the web site, but it is too hot and muggy today--bad weather is headed this way. We didn't fry our turkey last night, we went to my mom's instead, so we're frying it tonight instead. And, yes, Meg was supposed to go with her dad this morning, but she opted to spend last night with all of her cousins, which is just as well because of the weather. Oh, by the way, they hunt deer in the winter and fish for red snapper and other salt water fish the rest of the year. See, I told you my husband is really involved with them, something I'm very thankful for.

I very nearly did all of my Christmas shopping yesterday and this morning, although I need to return a couple of things for the kids that are too large. I've never been finished with my shopping before, it seems too good to be true. Just forgot to buy the wrapping paper. I'll go back out this evening to return things and pick up some paper while I'm out.

I would love to tour the resorts with you, SG. I heard about DxL and PO, but maybe it's just a vicious rumor. One of our best vacations was Easter at DxL, I can't believe they would close it for good, maybe just to renovate some things.

Angelina

SlightlyGoofy

11-24-2001, 06:54 PM

Dear Angelina

Ahhh, under that sweet exterior lies a vicious streak. Don't worry I will be your bodyguard. You will need it after everyone else hears that you have almost all your shopping done and are in the process of having them wrapped also. LOL I used to be more organized when I was a busier person. Funny thing but true. You probably have to wrap the stuff as you get it so the kids won't see it. I had a son who confessed later in life that he used to unwrap things and then re wrap them. I finally found a place to hide the present where no one would look to find them - - - in the cleaning supplies!! I am not kidding either. (grin)

There is a lot to be said for a man who is involved with his kids. My DH barely knows the kids names. I remember how upset our daughter got when she was a teenager and realized that he did not know how to spell her name. No better now, when they come over he goes to the bedroom to watch tv. He does like the 4 year old but gets frustrated if he does not do what he wants so that does not go well often. No, I never leave him alone with a child. IMHO the best present a parent can give a child is to love and respect the child's other parent.

The boards that I read seem to think that DL and PO were being closed cause of lack of business but there was one post that said that SOG was always overbooked and they might be going to make DL and PO military also. I miss PO. I was always willing to pay extra to stay there but I don't care for any of the other moderates. Can't think of one we have not stayed at so we did give them a chance. A friend who is even more of a Disney nut than I is headed that way today. She knows every nook and cranny better than anyone I know. Her mom is my very dear friend.

It is cool and rainy here, perfect soup weather. Eating leftovers today while I get my Christmas cards and shopping list all done up.

Have a great evening all and hope to see you all when the sun goes down for our resort tour.

Slightly Goofy

jstmee

11-24-2001, 07:00 PM

We are back from Boston.

Our Thanksgiving menu:
Turkey
Stuffing
Mashed Potatoes
Cranberries
Beets
Green Bean Casserole
Acorn Squash
Corn
Peas
Sweet Potatoes
Gravy
Apple and Pumpkin Pies

I usually have a couple of ethnic Polish dishes "my mama showed me how to cook" but didn't feel like it this year. The nice thing was though, on Thanksgiving day when I came upstairs my 13 year old son was cleaning all of my grandmothers china that was given to me. It used to be a tradition to use it for holidays, but I didn't want to be bothered so it was such a sweet gesture on his part to prepare it all. Got tears in my eyes.

Boston went well. I was floored by what they want to do though, denial is such bliss:cool: .
96 hours of Chemo followed by 5 1/2 weeks of Radiation ending with 96 hours of Chemo. He'll discuss with his colleagues this week to make sure this is the best path to take. He said that the disease I have is very persistent and that he'd like to take aggress action against it before it invades other parts of the body.....It's now just on the top layer. I think I've been in a daze since then, but we will get through this and carry on.

So glad to hear that every one is going good. SG I must have missed the recipe request area when we were at Bomba's.

Helenabear, I bought my daughter 10 an Acoustic Guitar for Christmas, we'll see how she does. I want her to have any oppurtunities she wants. I remember taking violin in 3rd grade and getting a D, so that was the end of that. I was so mortified with the grade I think that discouraged me. Singing brings peace to my soul. Definately

Angelina.......hope times are getting better. What type of bike did you buy for your son and what size, my 9 year old son needs a new bike also.

IASW hope you are having a nice weekend.

Bye for now, have a good remainder of the weekend.
Wendy

angelina

11-24-2001, 08:16 PM

Well, the oil is heating and the turkey is ready to go in the pot. I rented Christmas Vacation and Weekend at Bernie's to watch after dinner, we could use some laughs. SG, this Christmas present thing is really strange, I don't know how it happened. I just got out the plastic and went to town. I still don't have wrapping paper, the weather is getting bad here and I don't really want to brave it. The safest place to hide gifts is in the trunk of my car. There's a way to lock it from inside with a key and no one can get in. Anywhere else is fair game here. The things I ordered from the web are still in the boxes locked up in the storage room, and my husband's things are at my sister's.

Jstme, I can imagine that the past few weeks have been overwhelming for you. I'm praying that all goes well.

The bike I bought for my son is a 26" mountain bike, but I honestly can't remember if it is 12 or 18 gears. I'll let you know, though. He's pretty tall for almost 10, and the 24" fits perfectly, but I'm afraid he will outgrow it by summer, so I went ahead and got the larger bike. If he really doesn't like it, I will keep it for myself, it was too good a deal to pass up.

CathyCanada

11-24-2001, 08:34 PM

Every time I pop in here I just want to give you all a big ol' hug. Wendy hang in there, I know the going will be tough, but the tough get going, right? And Angelina you have almost FINISHED your shopping????? I am soooooooooo jealous!!! Christmas cards? I think I will be writing them on the 24th. Sigh.. I'll stop whining and remember what a great time I had in Sept./Oct. since Linda wanted an update.

Went to the AKL for 2 nts with my husband followed by the 7-night Disney cruise and there were 3 of my friends on the ship too so we had a blast. Came home for 8 days and then took my kids (Meg 17 & Patrick 12) and my Mom on the 4-night Disney cruise. Leaving on Wed. with Meg for a Mom/Daughter trip to WDW and the DIS convention. Meg flies home on Sat. and Sun morning I leave for ...yep you guessed it another Disney cruise! I am training some of our new agents on selling the cruise and what it entails.
So I will REALLY stop whining. I love reading about you ladies and loved your Thanksgiving dinner menus since we celebrate Thanksgiving in Oct. up here in Canada.

All the best to you all, stay well!
Cathy

SlightlyGoofy

11-24-2001, 08:49 PM

Dear Jstmee

What a sweet and loving child you have. It must have warmed the cockles of your heart. It always wonderful to see that you have managed to teach your children something. Gee, you didn't feel like cooking more than what you listed? I got tired just reading the menu. (grin)

I know that it seems insurmountable to do all that they want you to do but think of it as a mountain you must climb to see a beautiful sunrise. I am so very happy that you did not listen to the jerk who told you to wait. It is best to take a proactive course in making sure that they get it all. It sounds as if they have caught it in time and will be able to get it taken care of. One good thing (gotta have a good thing somewhere) is that after you get thru all of this and someone tells you that they are going to tear you a 'new one', you will be able to tell them that it has already been done. (goofy grin) OK, truth is that I am an ornery broad. :D

Our server at Bomba's is the one who told me about the recipe requests. I will be glad to send you whatever you want if I have it or I can send you the email addy of the lady who is in charge of sending the recipes. The Fufu will be repeated. It is a lighter fluffier version of mashed sweet potatoes. Cost me $4 to buy a bottle of corriander so you bet your sweet bippy I WILL make that again.

IMHO more evil has been done in giving grades in Art, Phys Ed, Music etc. I believe kids should be given free reign to try things without being criticized or graded when young. Feel the same way about writing and poetry. I can bounce out a poem on a moments notice and while I never did my children's homework when it came to poems they were both hopeless so I wrote them for them. Did not seem fair for them to be graded on something so subjective. I had a rule , one minute per grade. In the 3rd grade I wrote what I could think of in 3 minutes etc. I did not help with other writing because that would have prevented them from learning but poetry is something you either can or cannot do. My Ds was very small when young and wanted to play basketball. They would not let him play, he sat on the bench all the time. He got discouraged and stopped. Later he shot up to 6 ft. 5 and they came begging. It pleasured him no end to tell them "No".

When will you start treatment? How far is Boston from where you live? Has your DH arranged so he can be home more? Questions, I got questions. (grin)

Angelina, you must have come in the same time as I did. Was answering Jstmee and when I hit reply there you were. How pretty you look this evening. You did not have to dress up for our evening jaunt but it will sure dress the group up.

I find it interesting that people take nice healthy turkey meat and then fry it. Don't blame them a bit though as I love fried food better too. Save me an emu leg please?

Slightly Goofy

angelina

11-24-2001, 09:37 PM

SG, I am still laughing at what you said about healthy turkey. If you've ever had it fried, you'd understand why we do it. Once you pump it full of creole butter and coat it inside and out with cajun seasoning, then drop it in the peanut oil, you'll never want it baked again!!! It's not batter fried like chicken. Usually, it's so juicy we can't tell if it's done or not and drop it back in the fryer for another few minutes like we just did. We're all starving.

Once again, I checked all of the settings and I should get the updates but I didn't, so I'll just check it myself.

Yes, Cathy C, I was in a shopping frenzy this morning--I still don't know what happened! I AM almost finished, all but 2 presents for family and a couple of teacher gifts! And it's not even December yet!! Even my dad had to call me tonight to make sure he heard right. I'm always out there Dec. 24th getting last minute gifts, but not this year.
I WILL probably be wrapping, though.

I wish I did look pretty, tonight. I look like I've been in a fight--makeup smeared, hair hanging straight down--power shopping is hard work!

CathyCanada

11-24-2001, 09:50 PM

angelina, you are making me drool with that description!!! And just apply directly to my hips if you please!! :)

Good for you about the shopping, I really AM jealous! :)
CC

jstmee

11-24-2001, 10:05 PM

Wow everyone is on tonight, hi Web Master Cathy, SG and Angelina, hangin out tonight, in between cooking Angelina? lol

I am going to watch a Sci Fi movie with my DH now, Epoc something? he's into sci-fi. Goodnight Wendy

angelina

11-24-2001, 10:37 PM

Cathy C, I have it on the best authority that the hot oil does not make it more fattening, it seals in the juice of the turkey. Like I said, there's no flour to absorb the oil like fried chicken, just the turkey skin. Everyone knows turkey isn't fattening. LOL.

Goodnight, y'all, I'm taking a long, hot bubble bath with my new purchaes from Bathand Body Works, then turning in early. If you really want to pamper yourselves, go to the Philosophy.com site, search for bubble bath, and find something called Message in a Bottle. Extravagant, yes, but worth every penny, and it's a container the size and shape of a wine bottle, but filled with the most wonderful blue bubble bath ever. I'm hoping Santa leaves some in my stocking!

IASW Rider

11-24-2001, 11:28 PM

Hi Everyone! Belated Happy Thanksgiving! Sounds like you all had wonderful holidays.....and great food! I was getting hungry just reading about everyone's menus!

We actually ordered our food from a restaurant - I know, I know - that's "cheating"! I OFFERED to cook, but my father said that it didn't make sense to have me do all that work, so we just ordered our turkey in (I had fish, though - I had to be different!) DF has been at his mother's house (which is about 110 miles south of where we live, on the border of NJ and DE), so I've had a nice, quiet weekend to myself, and was able to catch up on some things around the house. It's funny - I lived alone for so long that I had almost forgotten what it was like to be alone in the house, since DF moved in. When he first left, I didn't know what to do with myself! But I've gotten some productive things done - wrote and addressed all of our holiday cards (which is good, since Chanukah falls early this year!), made some photo collages that I've been meaning to work on for awhile, got a little bit of shopping done, worked on our wedding address file for the person who's going to address them, and got to see my best girlfriend from college, whom I hadn't seen in months! I also had some time to think and "get my head together". Things have been so hectic and unsettling with the upheaval at work - I really needed some time to just think about my life and what I want from it, re-prioritize, etc. I guess being an only child, I'm generally used to being "in my own head", and really need time to just sit and think, sometimes. I used to keep diaries as a child (until my mother read them - NICE) and found that to be very helpful. I started again as an adult, after my divorce when I was living alone, and found that to be a great release. Just as you say that music is really good for the soul, Helenabear (and I agree with you! Listening to music is another fantastic release for me, and it also helps me think and put things in perspective), I also think that writing is good for the soul and a very great source of expression and thought. Anyway, I haven't been keeping up with writing down my thoughts, since DF moved in - maybe I'll break out a journal and do some writing, later.

The holiday was all right - my father is still recovering from the hernia surgery which he had at the end of last month. So, he's kinda depressed (he's always kinda depressed, being chained to the house with my mother 24 -7). And my mother was her usual self.....she's still the same physically, and she's sort of talking to me - in a "formal" way, like a stranger. She's warmer to DF when he's there than she is to me - I joke with DF that she likes him better than me! My parents have their own issues - I'm working hard (in therapy and personally) to stop taking them on myself and internalizing them and believing that my parents' bad health or emotional states are my fault, somehow. I just have to accept that that's the way they are and I can only control the way I feel about and react toward the way that that they act or things that they say (or don't say!) to me - I can't control them or the way that they feel. I cheered my father up a little bit, by showing him our wedding invitation. But even then, I feel like he has mixed feelings, 'cause while he is very happy for us and looking forward to the wedding, he knows in his heart (even though he denies it sometimes) that my mother won't be able to be there. I don't know if he feels worse about her physically not being there with him or what other people will think about her not being there (I can't imagine what "bad" things they could think - she can't sit up or walk by herself - there's no way that she could be there). And maybe he feels guilty in a way (as do I) because he knows that it would be a lot easier emotionally (as my mother has the tendency to say nasty things to people - namely, my friends) and physically (as he would have to help her do everything and not be able to enjoy himself, since he'd be too busy worrying about her) not to have her there. I feel badly about it, too - I would want her there if she was supportive of - and frankly NICE TO - me. But she probably won't be able to come. Oops - I digress. Anyway, it was just my parents, my uncle, and me on Thanksgiving (as it has been for most holidays - now DF is there, too, except on rare occasions) Honestly - I'm glad it's over. Holidays have been especially stressful since my mother got sick, and particularly since she's stopped talking to me or pseudo-stopped talking to me. And I'm tired of feeling "guilty" for being happy, when I'm around her, or seeing how uncomfortable my father is because of her behavior - walking on eggshells.

Anyway, enough of that stuff! The wedding plans are going very well - thanks for asking! Everything has been bought, reserved, arranged, and (somewhat!) paid for - the only things that we have left to do are buy wedding bands and Frank has to figure out and buy whatever he's going to wear. We even have the invitations in our possession, 6 months ahead of time! So I think that we're in pretty good shape. I do think that the time will pass quickly, after the holidays - or at least I hope that it will! I especially want winter and the cold weather to pass quickly - we haven't had too much of that yet - it was 63 degrees, here, today!

Jstmee - thank God you went to Boston and know exactly what your treatment will be, now. Even though I'm sure that it's unsettling and frightening, it sounds like you have a great outlook and a wonderful family to support you and help you through this (and, of course, you have us, too! :) ) I just know that everything will go wonderfully and you will be successfully recovering and able to put this behind you very soon after. Please hang in there and know that you're treating this very early, are taking care of it responsibly and in an educated fashion, and that everything will go well. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, as always!

Angelina - I'm very impressed with your shopping efforts! Usually, I am finished early as well (especially since Chanukah falls at a different time of the month every year, and sometimes it's early, so I have to be prepared!)! I'm sure that it feels good knowing that it's all done. And glad to hear that things are getting more comfortable at home, too. It's wonderful that your DH takes time to be with your children and plans activities with them. I'm sorry that you have to go through the rough times. As I've said, I can sort of relate because my ex-husband was similar - he would also bellow about housework, etc. and not give me credit for everything that I did for us - in and out of the house. And he also had the propesity to give the silent treatment or go through yelling fits, occasionally - also because of the way that he grew up. It sounds like you are on top of everything, though, and dealing with everything beautifully. As you and Jstmee and SG have said, I can imagine what a great deal of work it is and how busy you are, caring for your children. But it's the most important and gratifying "job" in the world and it sounds like you're all doing amazingly! And it also sounds like (even though you may not always feel this way) that you all have achieved a great balance in your lives, in terms of taking care of your children and grandchildren, your homes, your spouses, and yourselves! I agree with Helenabear - if one is able to stay home with her children, that's definitely the best (and most rewarding) thing to do. I also had the benefit of having my mother home when I got home from school (notwithstanding the way that she treats me now, or treated me sometimes then, I realize as an adult how lucky I was that my mother was there to pick me up from school or when I got home, etc.), and that was a very good thing. I hope that when I have children, I will be able to stay home with them - at least for awhile. It's interesting to hear you say that you miss working outside of the home - I fantasize about being a stay at home mom! Listening to your experiences gives me some new perspective on the topic. I guess that there are benefits to being a working mom and different benefits to being a stay at home mom! Regardless, you are both great moms and SG is a great mom and grandmom, and that's the most important thing!

Helenabear - you are definitely multi-talented! Please - braiding a challah is easy?? I would think that that would be the hardest part! It sounds like you are not only a talented musician (I can't believe that you began playing guitar so recently and you are already able to not only play a full song, but also sing simultaneously! And I'm sure that that's not the only song that you know how to play!) but also a great cook! I have never cooked a full turkey before (heck, until DF moved in, I never really cooked ANYTHING substantial before!) - that is a feat in and of itself! I have to hand it to all of you ladies for being able to do that - whether it came out of the oven on time or not!

Webmaster CC - thanks for dropping in! It's so wonderful that you have been able to go to WDW so often! I'm sure that you are working on many of these trips, but what a wonderful location in which to work! Or on the cruise ships! I'm sure that even while you're training, it's pleasant and happy just being aboard the ship or in the parks or resorts! You'll have to drop in and tell us all about DIS CON, too! I can't wait to hear about it! I'm sure that everyone will have a great time! I wish that we were all there, too - can't wait to see pictures!

SG - As soon as I finish this never-ending post, I will hop over to the Trip Reports Board and read your entries! Looking forward to hearing more details about your trip! Sounds like you and your family had a great holiday, too!

Hope that you're all having a great night! I will join you all on your tour of holiday decorations - just let me find my shoes! Then maybe a nice bubble bath in the Suite - sounds like a good idea, Angelina! Take care, thanks for listening, and talk to you soon! :)

helenabear

11-24-2001, 11:36 PM

Hi everyone... wow it seems everyone is busy doing Christmas shopping and I haven't gotten a thing for anyone for Christmas yet. It is going to be a tight Christmas for us and that makes me sad because I love giving things for Christmas. I just found out that my sister will be going to Kentucky with her boyfriend for Christmas. I don't know what to make of that. I don't mean she can't go there for Christmas but in my eyes that's a pretty big step to make... but maybe that's just me since both my brother and I didn't go away for Christmas until we were almost married (as in engaged and wedding was within a year or so). So we will have to see what comes of that. I guess I am not in a very talkative mood as I just came back from seeing my brother before he leaves tomorrow morning. He is such a fun guy and I miss him when he goes back to NJ. It also sucks that Luis has no vacation and even though I could go out for a visit without him, it isn't as likely that I would. But I think that if he doesn't get vacation soon, I will have to go without him once.

Jstmee, what brand name of a guitar did you get your daughter? I only ask because I have heard of a brand named "First Act" that is really bad and can begin to break in such a way that the guitar is a health hazard. I am not sure how they keep selling them and I just want to make sure that your DD doesn't get hurt.

Well like I said I am not too talkative right now so I hope all is well with everyone!

helenabear

11-25-2001, 02:34 PM

Rider, I noticed that your post slid in before mine last night. Actually braiding the breads were easy for me. I have hair down my back to my rear end and I braid it once or twice daily so actually seeing what I am braiding in front of me is so much easier ;)

I am in a better mood today but I hope that I will be able to see my brother soon. I don't have much else new so I am going to relax in the jacuzzi now. Have a great day everyone!

jstmee

11-25-2001, 03:10 PM

We are getting out all of our Christmas lights etc today. This is the first year I bought a fake tree. My kids are very upset by this, but with a new puppy in the house I didn't want her to drink the water from the tree or get into the real needles. Plus I hate cleaning the needles after Christmas. Oh geeze, DH just got back from the store so now we must go out and hang up the Christmas lights on the house. I bought BLUE lights last year----big clearance sale in Canada, for the entire house, garage and shed. I remember as a child a house that was all in blue and my parents thought it was soooooo tacky. I loved it! Well, since I am an adult now I figured, what the heck, I got my blue lights and that is what we'll do. I'll let you know how they turn out. I hope now that I'm an adult they don't look tacky to me. Plus, I like driving over to Canada and then looking over the river and seeing my house. This way I'll definately know that it is mine.

Well, better go do the light thing, have a good day. Meet you in the jacuzzi tonight.

angelina

11-25-2001, 04:43 PM

Jstme, it's funny you should mention decorating for Christmas--I've noticed a lot of people around my neighborhood are decorating earlier than usual this year. Some houses in my neighborhood were completely lit last week, and my neighbors are putting lights up now. My husband wants to get all of our things down from the attic this afternoon, too. I think everyone must feel the need to get into the spirit of things early this year. We may even go buy our tree this evening. My husband usually lets it soak in a bucket of water for a week or so, so we haven't had a problem with our trees drying out before Christmas Day.

There is a house near my mother's that completely outlines the outside of the house, doors, and windows with large, multi-colored lights. It always reminded me of a gingerbread house when I was a kid. The same family has lived in the house for over 30 years, only now the son and his wife and their children live there with the grandmother. It seems that it's not really Christmas until those lights go up. Every year we ride through a couple of neighborhoods in town that are known for their lights and decorations, and there is always a live nativity at a nearby church that we take the kids to. I think the traditions mean more to me than to the kids, though. Maybe one day they'll enjoy them as much as I do.

Helenabear, it's not like you to be down in the dumps. Maybe the jacuzzi will make you feel better. I hope you're feeling better soon.

IASW Rider

11-25-2001, 06:00 PM

Hey Helenabear! I have a great way for you to get over feeling homesick for your brother......COME TO NEW JERSEY!!!!! :) :) :) !!!!! OK.....thought it was worth a try, anyway! :(

I like houses lit with blue lights, Jstmee - I'm sure that your house will look great! I especially like the way that the blue lights look when they're reflecting off snow (though I hope that we don't get too much of that this year!)

I've also noticed people putting up decorations early, Angelina. Did you wind up getting your tree? I put up Chanukah decorations last night - I have a big electric menorah in the window (don't want to put one with real candles there and burn down the house!) and a string of pink and blue lights that are in the shape of dreidels. I won't light them up until the holiday begins on the 9th, though.

Hope that you're all having a nice weekend! Jacuzzi time! :)

helenabear

11-25-2001, 07:32 PM

Rider, you are too much! I am certainly going to try to go to NJ sometime soon. I have many family members on the East Coast and because I have been waiting for Luis to get vacation, I haven't been out. I could go without him but some of the people I want to visit haven't really had a chance to meet Luis so my point of going out there without him would be lost.

I am sure that I will feel better soon angelina. For some the whole holiday season is a wonderful joyous season and for me it is a little of both. December 15 marks the anniversary of my mother's death. It's been almost 8 years now and because I was 16 (almost 17) I probably am impacted by it differently than had I lost her after I had a family of my own. So I have a lot more down days in December than I do any other time of year. I usually pick up by the time my birthday hits in February after taking my final sad day on Jan 23 (her birthday). So I will try to keep my spirits up as much as possible.

Jstmee, what a strong person you are to go through all of that. I hope you have a wonderful and supportive family. And remember we are here for you. I continue to keep you in my thoughts and I hope that their agressive actions they want to take work well for you and they don't leave you too drained or ill feeling.

We are slowing beginning to put our decorations up. We just have been busy with family and friends in town so we will have them up probably by the end of next weekend latest. I always have fun doing this and my dad wants to help us put them up as well and I don't mind any help I get! Out of pure curiosity for those who do not believe in Jesus or that Jesus was the son of G-d, have you ever put up a Christmas tree or celebrated Christmas in the pure American non-denominational sense that some I know celebrate it as. I am just curious because I have several Muslim & Jewish friends who have Christmas trees & give gifts on Christmas from Santa because it is an "American tradition" in their eyes. So I guess I am curious if anyone celebrates Christmas in that sense here.

Well I had better decide what I want to eat for dinner and that means moving my precious babies off of my lap and feet ;) Have a great evening everyone!

jstmee

11-25-2001, 08:24 PM

Good evening all. My DS, 13, paid me $5.00 to type up a book report and a story he had written for school. Whew, a lot of typing. Our beautiful blue lights are up, but when my DH was microwaving something we blew a circuit and everyone blamed me and my darned "blue" lights. lol, we all got a chuckle.

So, now we can't microwave anything when the "blue" lights are on. Kmart special--blue light.

I didn't even cook tonight, made kids french fries and they dipped them in bbq sauce. They loved it. I have to do many loads of laundry though before the evening is out. My DH goes away again in the morning. I'm nervous that he won't be home when I need him during this medication time for me, but alas I'll take that as it comes.

Meet y'all in the jacuzzi........nighty, nighty

SlightlyGoofy

11-25-2001, 08:38 PM

Helenabear, I knew you were young but you are really young. My youngest child is 30. I guess I will just have to be the den mother of all you youngsters. And I will never stop talking to you either (no matter how much you beg!!!!) LOL Now around here we celebrate all kinds of things. I have a black BIL, a Korean SIL, a Jewish SIL and about everyone else you could name. I think it is the way to go IMHO. If we all intermarry one day we will all be the same nice shade of brown and we can get down to hating people for the right reason _ because they don't diet and they are still skinny? (evil grin) I would hate to only know people who believe exactly as I do and behave exactly as I do. I like variety in people and opinions.

I had just come home from buying my mother's Christmas present over 10 years ago when I got the call that she died. I was not ready and I was 40. I cannot imagine how hard it must be to lose a mother at such a young and difficult age. I am sorry it had to happen this time of the year also as it must be very bittersweet for you.

I just love blue and green Christmas lights. Our house is purple and gold. My DH's favorite color is purple. Go figure. I wind purple ribbons around the porch posts and hang icicles and all from the roof and lots of lights on all the shrubs. Don't think I am going to do any outside decorations this year. I cannot get up and down the basement stairs too well. I have decorated what I could inside but do not even have a tree and not sure that I will. Maybe my oldest grandson will get one for me from the basement. We have so many decorations that there is a whole room in the basement dedicated for that purpose. I bet all the people are putting up their decorations while the weather is good plus with all that has gone on this year we are all in need of some Christmas spirit 'right this very minute'.

Angelina, we have a live Nativity right behind our house every year. We are so well situated to be in the middle of things. We have even let them put the Nativity in front of our garage one year when they ran out of room.

Jstmee, do you shop a lot in Canada? The exchange rate is great and I bet you get some awesome bargains. When do you start your treatments?

Did you guys know that our WM Cathy C just posted her 4,000th ? post? WTG WM Cathy C.!!!

Rider listed so many things she was doing but did not mention that in between everything else she is doing she is making a tape for me. I cannot thank her enough. One of the many things I was grateful for this Thanksgiving was being lucky enough to meet all you great people. Everyone is so kind and thoughtful as well as interesting. May God bless each and everyone of you this holiday season and bring you peace and love.

C:\My Documents\bearsnuggle.gif

Your friend, SG/Linda

SlightlyGoofy

11-25-2001, 10:34 PM

Hi everyone!

Saw this and thought of you. Hope it works.

"PURR"-LITICAL CORRECTNESS: SAY IT NICELY, OR NOT AT ALL!
In the state of political correctness, we can apply it to the many
activities of our cats:

My cat does not barf hairballs, he is a floor/rug redecorator.

My cat does not break things, she helps gravity do its job.

My cat does not fear dogs, they are merely sprint practice tools.

My cat does not gobble, she eats with alacrity.

My cat does not scratch, he is a furniture/rug/skin ventilator.

My cat does not yowl, he is singing off-key.

My cat is not a "shedding machine", she is a hair relocation stylist.

My cat is not a "treat-seeking missile," she enjoys the proximity of
food.

My cat is not a bed hog, he is a mattress appreciator.

My cat is not a chatterbox, she is advising me on what to do next.

My cat is not a dope addict, she is catnip appreciative.

My cat is not a lap fungus, he is bed selective.

My cat is not a pest, she is attention deprived.

My cat is not a ruthless hunter, she is a wildlife control expert.

My cat is not evil, she is badness enhanced.

My cat is not fat, he is mass enhanced.

My cat is not hydrophobic, she has an inability to appreciate
moisture.

My cat is not lazy, he is motivationally challenged.

My cat is not underfoot, she is shepherding me to my next destination
(the food dish).

Well said, and no cat's feelings have been hurt!

C:\My Documents\My Pictures\CatRealWaveAni.gif

Your unfurry friend, SG/Linda

SlightlyGoofy

11-25-2001, 10:45 PM

I misstated. WM Cathy C. has posted 7,000 times not 4,000. And I thought I was verbose. Not only is she verbose but interesting also. With all those Disney trips she has a lot to say and tell.

WTG WM Cathy C.!!!

C:\My Documents\MKCastleMickeyWaving.gif

SG/Linda

angelina

11-26-2001, 12:03 AM

Hi, everyone. I have been wrapping all those presents I bought, and only have one or two more to do. It sure doesn't look like much, though. Then again, a lot of the things I bought are "Santa" presents, so they don't get wrapped, and I'm not putting my husband's under the tree. Every year he spoils the surprise by guessing his presents before they're opened. Yes, he even shakes and weighs them. I found a huge tool chest at Sears for him, and it's at my sister's house. Instead of wrapping the tool chest, I'm wrapping a picture of it in a little, tiny box. LOL. Same with his hunting boots. Or Maybe I'll wrap them separately. Years ago when we celebrated at my dad's, we would wrap ankle weights with gifts to throw off the recipient. Every year, someone got those weights, and it always fooled them. Especially ME.

The year my parents divorced, I was starting college and living with my dad. I was getting ready to go out with a friend when I got a call from my grandmother's neighbor that she hadn't talked to my grandmother all day. When I got to her apartment, I found her in her room. I guess she passed away in her sleep. It was on Dec 18, 20 years ago this year. I always felt so sad that she was alone when she died. I had her Christmas present wrapped in my closet. I don't remember what I did with it, but I remember what a sad Christmas that was for my father.

We didn't get our tree tonight, the kids just didn't cooperate, and I didn't want to go when everyone (almost) was angry and upset. We'll have to wait until everyone is happy at the same time.HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

CONGRATS, Cathy C! That's quite an impressive milestone.

CathyCanada

11-26-2001, 03:57 AM

jstmee - hang in there, hope all goes well while DH is away

Elaine - had hair down to my bottom back when I was young too, I miss it. Sat. I went and did something radical, cut it (to that messy look which is already too hard to do for me! LOL) and got blonde highlights! I have never had any blonde in my life, I 'll let you know if I have more fun! :)

SG - loved the cat verse and thanks for the congrats on the 7000 post milestone. I sure have a lot to say, don't I? ;)

angelina - was reading a few posts back and saw you watched "Weekend at Bernie's", one of my all time fave movies, still cracks me up! :)

Hope you all had fun in the jacuzzi, wish I could have joined you, maybe tomorrow night. :)
Cathy

IASW Rider

11-26-2001, 12:22 PM

Hi Everyone!

SG - tape is on the way! And I loved the "PURR-LITICAL CORRECTNESS"!

Helenabear - I really hope that you are able to make it to NJ some time soon, when Luis has vacation! Let me know when ever you do! :)

I am so sorry to hear that you lost loved ones so close to the holidays, Helenabear, Angelina, and SG. I'm sure that those were heartbreaking and difficult experiences in general, just made more trying because they occurred during the holiday season. And I can definitely understand how the holidays are bittersweet for you. Although this is a difficult time of the year for you, I know that you will find joy in sharing the holidays with the special people in your lives!

Jstmee - I know that it must be a bit frightening to go through what you're experiencing while DH has to go away, but you are a very strong person with a great attitude, and I'm sure that you'll be fine! And we're here if you need us, as always! Just watch out for that microwave! (hee hee!)

Angelina - that's so funny that you're going to wrap a picture of your DH's gifts instead of the gifts themselves, so that he won't be able to guess what they are - very ingenious!

Webmaster CC - Congratulations on your 7000th post! :) I also got my hair highlighted for the first time, recently. The highlights are brown, but since my hair is so naturally dark, they look blonde against it! I had it done for the first time about 6 months ago, and now I'm "addicted" - I've had them "touched up" 2ce since then! I'd never changed the color of my hair before that. Hope that you're finding that blondes have more fun!

Helenabear - my family has never put up a Christmas tree (or even a "Chanukah bush" - hee hee!) or celebrated Christmas as a secular holiday. I know that it has become commercialized / Americanized in this country, but it is an important religious holiday, and I feel that it should be recognized as such. My family is not very religious or observant (ie: we don't observe the Sabbath or keep kosher, etc.), but I did attend a Hebrew day school from kindgergarten through 8th grade (like a Catholic school - I had 1/2 day of secular subjects and 1/2 day of religious subjects - mostly taught in Hebrew!). The majority of the children in my school came from families that were far more observant than mine, but I am really grateful for the experience of attending that school and learning about all of the traditions, holidays, and beliefs of traditional Judaism. Chanukah has also become commercialized in this country. In reality, it is a very minor Jewish holiday (our most important holidays are those which fall in September / October - Rosh Hashana (the Jewish New Year) and Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement)). But because it falls so close to Christmas, people exchange gifts, put up decorations, send cards, etc. - that only happens in the U.S., by the way - in other countries, people just light candles on the Menorah each night and have traditional meals - no gift or card exchange, etc. Anyway, I digress........DF's family is Catholic, but they are not very observant - they celebrate Christmas, put up a tree and decorations, exchange gifts and listen to Christmas music, but they do not go to church - so I guess that they sort of celebrate Christmas as a "secular" holiday. In our house, we are not putting up a Christmas tree or decorations, partly because there is no way that one could have a Christmas tree AND 6 cats - it just wouldn't work (hee hee!)! And I'm sure that the cats would munch on, destroy, or play with any other sorts of decorations that we would put up. DF doesn't mind - he can enjoy the decorations at his mother's house, and he understands that I feel more strongly about my religion than he does about his, so we have Chanukah decorations up, instead. I enjoy going to DF's mother's house and seeing the tree and the decorations and exchanging gifts on Christmas morning, etc. And I enjoy Christmas music and the children's specials on TV (I bought DF entire sets of the Peanuts holiday specials as well as a set of the specials like "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" and "Rudolf", etc.). I enjoy the whole "cultural aspect" of Christmas and the theme of being together, peace and love, family and friends. But I just couldn't see celebrating it as a secular holiday, since there is so much religious meaning attached to Christmas, you know? Does that make any sense? :)

Well, time to get some work done, I guess. It's always so hard to get back into the swing of things at work, after a long weekend! Hmmm.....how can I procrastinate some more.....??!! :)

Have a great day - talk to you later! :)

helenabear

11-26-2001, 03:40 PM

Hi everyone! How is everyone doing today? I am doing okay considering I had to go back to work ;) I am just looking forward to time off at the end of the year that I have planned. I have a tendency to go all year long without real vacation and then by the end of the year I am so looking forward to my time off.

Rider, I had to laugh at the Chanukah Bush because one of my friends' family did that, and honestly she thought it was rediculous. I have many a friends who treat Christmas in the secular manner and it seems so different to me. I too have noticed how different Chanukah can be celebrated. My one friend who is a Russian Jew (she was born in the old Ukraine herself) only used Chanukah as a family holiday, kind of a family holiday more like Thanksgiving so to speak. They didn't go all out for it, but they had a huge celebration for the New Year so they put up some holiday lights that had more to do with snow than anything else. They had no trees up but some candles in the window and a few little things. I learned a lot more about Judism from her. She helped me become aware of how hard it was for her family to properly celebrate Rosh Hashana and Yom Kipper because some employers did not understand that they were THE important holidays for them and not Chanukah. And of course to me what you said about Chanukah & Christmas makes a lot of sense to me.

Cathy, I used to have SOOOO much fun with my hair a while ago. One summer my lighter brown natural highlights went BLONDE and I decided that redheads had more fun than blondes so for a long time, I was all the shades of red (natural and not) and orange (again not natural) I could get my hands on. It was fun and I did this only for the pure fun of it all. I did do it while I was in high school and I though that was the best time. Some say college is the time of your life, but I can't agree. It is much more serious and should be handled more professionally in my eyes and high school is the time to have fun. School work isn't near as complex as in college and I loved to have fun. So for me, high school was fun and I made sure others knew it. That's the good thing about hair, it is easily fixed and it never needs to be the same. So I say have all the fun you want and let me know if you have fun as a blonde! Now I am boring with my hair. It is just very long and natural in all senses, but then again I had my fun before and I love it long, but it is just too hard to dye long.

Angelina, I am so impressed with how much you have done with all your kids around! You are ahead of me and I am a childless person, save my cats ;) You know I had my mother's present when she died. They were two ornaments similar in style to some she previously had... and they were wrapped. So all three of the kids placed our wrapped presents in her casket. She was never really able to see what we all had picked. It was rather sad for us. I think the worst part was that my dad wanted the funeral as soon as possible and that would have meant it would have landed on my sister's 18th birthday. My dad was about to make the arragements for that day when I said to him that there was no way he was going to do that to my sister. He was arguing back to me when I said, "Over my dead body will you have the funeral on that day." We held it off until the following week and I was very glad that they did. Could you imagine that happening on your 18th birthday?

Jstmee, keep hanging in there. I am sure it will be rough to be alone while being medicated but remember there are many around you who will help when they can!

SG, yes I am a youngin' :o I am just glad that no one here holds it agains me ;)

Well I need to get back to work. I have a few things I need to get done today and I am such a slacker today ;)

IASW Rider

11-27-2001, 12:15 PM

Helenabear - you are hardly a "slacker"! I am the big slacker, here - I would much rather be here with all of you than do the piles of work that are on my desk, in front of me. I'm sure that your hair looks great, now! My hair also used to be really long. I would have kept it that way except that the longer it got, the thinner it got at the ends, and it didn't look very healthy, so I cut it to a little-past-shoulder length and it's been that way for the past few years. It would be great to have long and healthy hair like yours! This is actually the first time that I've ever done anything with the color of my hair - I wouldn't have even gotten the highlights.....if it wasn't for the fact that I was sick of seeing gray hairs sprouting up amidst my dark hair, here and there, and I wanted to "hide" them! It never occurred to me to change the color of my hair, but now that I have the highlights, I love them! I'm not one for big changes - would you believe that I don't even have pierced ears?! (I'm usually the only person that people know who doesn't. Then again, I also never learned to ride a bike, and I'm usually the only person who people know who can't ride a bike, either - hee hee!)

Yes, I always have to take Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur off from work as vacation days, since the stock exchange is open on those days and we don't have the days off. A lot of people think that Chanukah is our biggest holiday, but it isn't - the way that it's traditionally celebrated is just as your friend and her family do - sort of like Thanksgiving, as you said. Mind you, I am not complaining about the way that it's celebrated in this country......yes, I was one of those kids who got a gift on each of the 8 nights of Chanukah, each year! But not everybody does that, and I certainly don't get 8 gifts, now (hee hee!)! The traditional Chanukah food is....anything fried! Fried food is eaten to commemorate the miracle of one day's worth of oil burning for 8 days - particularly potato pancakes and doughnuts! I try not to eat too much fried stuff, and I bake my potato pancakes ("latkes") instead of frying them.....but they're still yummy! And then there's Chanukah "gelt" ("gelt" is the Yiddish word for money) - the chocolate coins wrapped in gold foil - that's what children use as prizes when they play with the dreidel (like a toy top). The 4 Hebrew letters which appear on each side of the dreidel stand for the Hebrew words which mean "a great miracle happened here". Just a little information for your amusement or if you're interested! :)

I had fun in high school, too, but all in all, I probably had more fun in college. I really enjoyed having all my friends right there, in college - it was easier to spend time with people and the schedule was more flexible. Plus, I liked making my own schedule and getting things done at my own pace. And I was involved in a lot of neat extra curricular activities in college, too, which were a lot of fun (I was in high school, as well, but I felt more confident venturing out and doing them and meeting people when I was a little older)! Ah, yes.....the carefree days of our youth.....! :)

Anyway, I will stop rambling, now. Hope that you're all having a nice day! Anyone up for the water parks, today? :)

jstmee

11-27-2001, 01:40 PM

A quick hello.

Angelina, I laughed like crazy. Our tradition is to get the tree and decorate it the day after Thanksgiving, ALWAYS. The kids NEVER cooperate, lol.....but when we got to the tree farm you can imagine all 4 kids wanting a different tree.

With all that is going on this year and having to be in Boston the day after Thanksgiving, I bought a fake tree. This is the most taboo thing that could have been done. But, alas, not a complaint after the first day, they decorated it all by themselves, it looks beautiful and I don't have to water it or worry about the pine needles at the end of Christmas.

I must attend to my little puppy now, I took a nap so she is napping also in her little home, so I'm sure she must need to go outside by now.

Adios, amigas.......until later, Maybe we can watch a movie in the suite tonight with popcorn.

angelina

11-28-2001, 10:40 AM

Hi, everyone. We got our tree last night, then went out for pizza and ice cream. It was a much better night for us than the one before. We had pictures taken after school of my kids, my sister's two dd's and my cousin's son. It's going to be a Christmas gift for my grandmother. My cousin and his wife life out of town and we only see them once or twice a year, so it will be a nice surprise for my grandmother.

It's really hard to get into the spirit when it's sunny and 75 degrees. I'm not even going to attempt to decorate the tree until this weekend when it gets cold. We're expecting some pretty heavy rain this afternoon, then it's supposed to cool down over the next few days. Maybe by then my new Christmas CD's will get here, and I can make hot spiced cider and light a fire while I decorate the tree.

Gotta go, the girls have mom's day out this morning and I have 4 HOURS OF FREEDOM!!!

helenabear

11-28-2001, 10:50 AM

Hi everyone! How are you all doing today? I have been spending way too much time playing a game called "Roller Coaster Tycoon" recently. It is horrible. I am almost neglecting some of my favorite TV shows because of this game ;) It started when my sister bought it and then she got it for my brother for his birthday or something like that and I tried not to buy it but I gave in at one point. And now even my guitar praciticing is slacking right now..

Life is nice and quiet for the moment. I just hope it stays that way for a while. I finally decided what I was going to get Luis for Christmas. He loves steaks, or anything BEEF. His idea of a salad is a steak with a little parsley, and he'll eat everything except the parsely. So when I got an e-mail about some deals on Omaha Steaks I ordered some for him. They are being sent to my dad's house so that I can hide them from Luis. Now it is just the rest of the family that I have to worry about.

Rider, I love to hear about everyone's traditions for their holidays. My friend also got one present every day for Chanukah, but they weren't that big. It's interesting because even though Luis and I are Catholic and share some similar holidays we do some of the similar things but we do have some different things. Like I celebrate St Nicks day. To me that would be the true Christmas type holiday for me. We got some things on that day and our stockings were always up. Luis never celebrated that one. He also celebrates Three Kings Day differently than we do. For us the 12 days of Christmas are the days between Christmas & Three Kings Day. For Luis Three Kings Day is where they get three presents representing what the Wisemen supposedly brought baby Jesus. So it is neat to hear what everyone else does.

Well I do need to get back to work now. I like the movie & popcorn idea. What would we all like to watch?

IASW Rider

11-28-2001, 11:05 AM

I'm up for something funny - and maybe something holiday oriented - so how about watching "A Christmas Story"?! (I've seen that movie so many times that I can recite the dialog by heart - I love that movie!)

Thanks so much for sharing your traditions, Helenabear! Do you know that I was not familiar with St. Nick's Day or Three Kings Day until recently? It's really interesting to hear about them and about how you celebrate them! And I like your idea about the Omaha steaks for Luis - I'm sure that he will be surprised and will really appreciate them!

Frank and I are "getting eachother" a DVD player for Chanukah / Christmas. We decided to do that instead of buying eachother individual gifts, but I already bought him the holiday special video collections, and he came back from Thanksgiving weekend with a whole set of designer makeup for me, so I guess our intention to "cut back" this year has already been blown!

I'm sure that your tree looks great, Jstmee! Frank's family always uses an artificial tree, and you would never even know that it's not real! I'm sure that your kids had fun decorating it, too! How are your puppy and cat getting along, now that the puppy has settled in more?

Wow - I'll take your sunny and 75 degree weather, Angelina! But I really can't complain - it's been around 65 and somewhat sunny here, for the past week - very unusual for NJ at this time of year - I'm still wearing my spring / fall clothes to work and I haven't really had to put on a winter coat yet! I'm sure that your grandmother will love the photographs of all of the children in your family - that's a very special gift and I'm sure that she will treasure it! Enjoy your free time!

In case anyone is wondering where SG is, unfortunately she hasn't been feeling well. Hopefully she will be back in the Suite, soon! Let's send her {{{HUGS}}} and get well wishes! Rest up and feel better, SG! Hope to see you back here, soon!

Have a great day, Everyone, and see ya for movie night, later! :)

jstmee

11-28-2001, 12:27 PM

OH NO Slighty Goofy not feeling good-------------PD coming right up, barrels of it. plus many much deserved {{{{hugs}}}}}. Hope you feel good soon SG.

I glad you suggested A Christmas Story, I need some laughs. I've been sleeping way too much lately. The kids go to school then I go back to bed, sometimes until noon.

The puppy and the cat as of two days ago are actually able to tolerate each other in the same room. To my surprise "Mittens" our cat, came right out into the living room to she could sit next to me and watch the "wild" dog play with her toys (the dogs toys), our little Jasmine-puppy, was twirling and growling and enjoying herself so much.

Well, MIL is coming over in half an hour so I better straighten out the kitchen at least. Also, we got snow last night about 2 inches, its warmed up some, so I don't think all of it will last, but usually by this time of year we have much more snow, so we've enjoyed the good weather.

Adios.......

helenabear

11-28-2001, 01:29 PM

Hi everyone! I just wanted to say I hope that SG is feeling better soon. I will send her tons of PD & a big {{{HUG}}} that she will be feeling better soon.

Jstmee, I also hope you are taking good care of yourself and I am sure your rest is very much deserved.

I will have to agree, Christmas Story sounds good to me too! Well back to work!!!

IASW Rider

11-28-2001, 02:32 PM

Hello! Will this day ever end?????? I'm so ready to go home and relax!

Glad to hear that you are taking time to rest, Jstmee! I think it's great that you are getting some extra hours of sleep - that's wonderful!

And glad to hear that the furry ones are getting along better - or are at least tolerating one another - too! I wish that I could say the same for my furry ones - we have at least one cat fight per day (usually my largest female cat and Frank's largest female cat), at least one cat (one of mine) getting bopped in the face by another cat (one of Frank's) every day, and at least one cat peeing somewhere that she shouldn't on purpose, to show her disgust with her roommates, every day, as well. It's exhausting trying to make peace and cleaning up the messes, but I keep hoping that with time, they will all settle down and at least tolerate one another. Everything always worked out when I added my second 2 cats to my home, so I don't see why eventually Frank's cats won't get along with mine. I just wish that it would happen already, though! I think that we are both going to call our vets and ask for advice - particularly about the purposeful peeing - and see if there's a way to stop it or discourage it.

How's everything going today, Helenabear?

Time to get back to work! See ya later! :)

angelina

11-28-2001, 04:41 PM

Here's another vote for "A Christmas Story," it's another favorite of ours, we watched it after Thanksgiving dinner at my sister's. My older children still love the "Home Alone" movies, too. And here's a request for some of that snow, please, Jstme, it's at least 80 degrees here.

I noticed that SG wasn't posting as much, but when I started to ask about her Sunday, she had popped in before I could post. I hope she's feeling better soon. It's quiet around, isn't it?

helenabear

11-28-2001, 06:00 PM

Hi everyone!!! I had a busy day at work, but honestly I'd rather be busy than not busy. They may have some final lay offs this week and I'd rather be so busy I don't have time to notice anything. I don't know if it will happen near me or not but of course I always hope for it not to happen. It can be so tough to watch sometimes.

I am just relaxing right now while dinner is cooking. I am making spaghetti tonight (no not home made, but I admit I always add to the sauces to make them more of my own) and that is my "no brainer" dinner. Things boil for a while then they are done ;)

My cats have been "cold" lately. They have been fluffing up and been all cuddly like the HEATED house is too cold for them ;) They really are precious and both were cuddling me in bed this morning. Really not much is going on and I am glad for that. Hey Angelina, could you send some of your warmth my way? I really think I need to do what a lot of Ohioans do, we "live" in Ohio and "vacation" in Florida. The joke is we know Florida better than some who live there and that in reality some of our time is split 50/50 between the two states. Well I will check back in later. I think Christmas Story is just the thing. A good story, but it makes some of us feel better about our Holiday gatherings ;) Have a great evening everyone!!!

IASW Rider

11-29-2001, 11:14 AM

Yes, Angelina - definitely send some of that 80 degree weather up our way! Today it's 56, windy, and rainy, here. Still, I can't complain - it's still much warmer than it usually is at this time of year.

I like those "no brainer" dinners, too, Helenabear! But you are obviously an accomplished cook and baker - my cooking falls into 3 categories: "things you can do with chicken", "things you can do with ground turkey", and "things you can do with pasta"! All very simple recipes that are easy and relatively quick to make after work. Then again, I really only started cooking 2 months ago, when Frank moved in, so I'm definitely still learning!

Maybe your kitties are getting ready for winter and "putting on" their winter coats! I think that my cats' fur has gotten thicker, as it tends to do around now. Or maybe your cats are just in cuddly moods! They sound very cute! Mine have been a bit stand-offish, lately - probably because of the daily "unrest" between them and Frank's cats. Maybe they'll come around and make peace between themselves for the holidays - we can only hope! :)

Glad that you liked my "A Christmas Story" idea - I can watch that movie over and over - in fact, I have! Sometimes they have a marathon on TBS, where they show it continuously for 24 hours - there have been times when I have just left it on and watched parts of it throughout the day, while doing other things! That film makes me laugh no matter how many times I've seen it! I have to admit, my sentimental holiday favorite is still "It's a Wonderful Life", though!

Slightly Goofy - if you're out there and reading this, hope that you're feeling much better and will be able to pop in and join us, soon! We miss you! :)

Have a great day, Everyone! :)

helenabear

11-29-2001, 02:04 PM

Hi everyone... I hope all is well you with you guys. Life is fine here. We had lay offs today at work. It was very much expected and compared to the worst one I saw just over a year ogo, today wasn't very bad at all. Out of three supervisors under my manager, only one was let go from the company and another was moved to a different group. That was much easier to take than the 20% reduction a year ago. Unless the company does badly in the next year, our jobs are secure for 12-18 months, so that is good for us. We are all very thankful and I am also very grateful that I can actually spend my 2 year anniversary here. It used to be that people wouldn't stick around that long on their own will, but now we seem to be sticking around much longer. Hey that must be what the pay increase did for us ;)

Well I can't hang around much longer but I just wanted to share what happened today. I hope everyone has a great day!!!

IASW Rider

11-29-2001, 03:52 PM

Hey Helenabear - I can relate - we have layoffs going on here, this week, too. Probably next week, too. First they offered "voluntary layoff" packages, where people who were considering career or lifestyle changes could volunteer to leave, but still get severence and benefits. Now that they have counted the number of people who opted to do that, the "involuntary layoffs" are happening. Fortunately, my group and I are "safe", since we're so understaffed as it is. But it is scary and difficult to watch people around us leaving or being told that they must go. UGH. I hope that the economic climate improves next year - this year has been awful. But thank God your job is safe, and I'm sure that it will be for a long time to come! I have "escaped" three large rounds of layoffs since I started with ML in 1988 - I hope that I will continue to be as "lucky" as I have been! :) Hang in there and have a nice afternoon!

helenabear

11-29-2001, 05:51 PM

It really is sad when lay offs are so common that you can say "I've been through x many lay offs since I have been here". They have been about every quarter at my job since September of last year. I hope to keep being so lucky but as long as I work hard I have a good chance of keeping my job. The fear of me losing my job is always there but I am not affected by them in the same way at all as I was the first time. It was almost like death then... but I guess now I have been exposed so much it just can't get to me the way it used to. Oh well. I have chior practice tonight so I may have a really big no brainer dinner (eating out) and those are THE best of them all!!!

SlightlyGoofy

11-30-2001, 06:00 PM

Puff, puff, puff. That is me trying to catch up to you all. Thank you all for the good wishes. It was just some regular ordinary bug I had. My DH claims I am the cheapest woman alive. I do tend to watch the pennies. We have 2 furnaces and I turn them down at night figuring I ain't gonna heat the whole room when we are cozy under the covers. I keep the temp at 68 or less during the day. The other day I woke up and did not feel quite right but I thought I was just slow to start. A bit later I started shivering and put on a jacket. After getting 2 blankets I turned the thermostats up to 75 and that still was not enough. Climbed into the bed and was still shivering. Finally checked my temp and it was about 102. Since I was not seeing too clearly I am not exactly sure. I am fine now. Was a bit scared though as I am going to have both of my boys living here next week. I are a good grandma, all healed and ready for my adventures. LOL

Loved the stories of your hair problems. I came of age during the beginnings of Miss Clairol and it was considered risque to dye your hair. Mom said I could do what I wanted when I was out from under her roof. First week on my own I went for it. My dark, curly hair was going to be blonde and straight as it was meant to be. It turned out orange and more like a brillo pad. LOL After a few more attempts I finally decided that God knew best. I had some success with streaking. Don't need to do that anymore, God took care of that also. (grin) I had sort of long hair one time and got a comb caught in it and cut it all off. Curly hair cannot get tooooo long.

Jstmee I am so glad to hear that you are taking care of yourself by doing things easier than in years past and getting some much needed sleep. I went to a fake tree years ago after I found myself using some rather un Christianlike language in trying to put up (by myself) the 8 foot live tree that my DH insisted on each year. Since we moved to the main floor I do not have room for the big trees I used to have and I have some small 4 foot ones in almost every room instead. One is purple and gold ( DH's), one has all the handmade ornaments that friends and family have given (lots of them are gone now and is always bittersweet to decorate), and of course one is all Disney. I have a few others but they are not themed. The best present you can give your kids is for you to take care of yourself. Have you started your treatments?

I love all the talk of the different holiday traditions. Even within the same religion there are so many ways to celebrate. I miss not having a lot of people here during the holidays. I am hoping that my brother and his family will come for Christmas Eve this year. Last year it was just us and our daughter and family. I like the Jewish religion. fried fopds are my favorite food group. (grin) Helena, I always thought that one of the tenants of the Jewish faith is immediate burial? Please educate me. BTW , don't forget to pick up a few pounds of potatoes to go with all that meat. Men have not elvolved too far from the Stone Age have they? LOL

Angelina, you are so cruel to keep all that great weather to yourself. Please share? Would it not be great if we COULD do that? When the utility companies figure out how to charge for it they might figure out a way. I love your idea about wrapping pictures of the presents. You are one sneaky lady. WTG!!!

Helenabear, I have a copy of A Christmas Story and a big screen tv. If someone brings the popcorn we can all meet here for a Christmas movie fest. My favorite is Miracle on 34th Street. I have found that I can add cut up Polish Sausage to sp sauce instead of meatballs on my lazy days. I also love my slow cooker. Got my DD a new one for Christmas. Got to have one where you can put the liner in the dishwasher though. Slow cooker in one corner and breadmaker in the other. Hog Heaven!!! BTW, you have not mentioned Luis' new job lately. How is he doing? My sisters are planning a girl's trip to NYC next year to see a Broadway show and I will have to come to Columbus to meet up with a couple of them. I 'might' get to meet you and Rider!!!!!! I am so excited.

Rider, how in the world can I ever thank you enough? I received the tape today. Have not had a chance to see it yet. Maybe after I pick up my little guy. I loved the card and the picture of you and your DF. What a great looking couple you are. I loved the striped guy in the middle too. You are just the nicest person to do that for someone you have never even met. Though I bet you never meet many strangers.

I have to go pick up my little fellow. I picked him up from preschool the other day and he was so proud. He had made me something and written "I love my grandma" on it. Would not trade it for the biggest diamond in the world.

Your friend, Slightly Goofy/Linda

helenabear

11-30-2001, 07:55 PM

SG, it's so good to see you! I hope you received my card and I am gald that you are feeling better. I really have to laugh at your mom's comment about dying your hair because my mom is how I started on mine. Since my light brown high lights were getting too light, in high school my mom gave me money and said go dye it. Red would be nice... and that is how it all started. I do wish I could help you out on the Jewish tradition about burrying, but being a Catholic I am not sure about that one. I am sure it goes down to the Catholics as we share a ton of rules & background as the Jewish faith does since we evolved right from the Jewish faith. I always thought we had burials almost immediately so that the body is preserved and looks right for the burial.

Well my dad just stopped by so I had better run. I will check back later! I hope all is well with everyone!

SlightlyGoofy

11-30-2001, 08:23 PM

Helenabear, I had my tongue over my eyeteeth and did not know what I was saying. Of course, I know you are Catholic. Maybe my fever has not gone away after all? Just had an unexpected guest. DD called and begged me to go pick up my little guy as she had to work late and get some stuff done before they leave. He just informed me that I cannot stop being a grandma. Didn't know I wanted to. LOL BTW, as a point of interest. I once took instruction from then Father O'Malia. I tried on a lot of churches for size in my youth. Not a big fan of organized religion nowadays. Of course, my being a member of any church would mean they could not be tooooo organized. Have been going to the church that some of my grands go to but they will not answer my question about whether women are allowed to preach there. I had the great honor and luck to have Dr. Norma Ramsey Jones as a minister when I was a kid. She pretty much ruined me for anybody else. I feel that as there are many roads to take in getting anywhere there are many paths to God. Of course, you do have to head in the right general direction at some point. The only thing I cannot abide is anyone who tells me that their way is the ONLY way. I run for the hills then. LOL

Yes, I got your card. I am sorry I forgot to mention it. Thank you for thinking of me. It sure made this old lady (53) feel good to see that you all missed my big mouth. (grin) I got a nice card from Rider also.

After Sunday I may not be able to get into here too much. Amazing how much care a retired hubby can take. Bet you thought I was going to say 2 grands didn't cha? They will help me care for their grandad, I hope.

Have you guys heard about the Haunted Mansion ride at DL? They redid it with the theme of Tim Curry's movie. Can't think of the name right now. Must be nice. We will have to take field trip and check that out next y ear. A bit of scuttlebutt that they MIGHT try it at DW next year also. Sounds great - Just thought of it Nightmare Before Halloween? Senility creeps up on you when you are not thinking children.

Better get a couple more presents wrapped. Have to get all the kids stuff wrapped before they move in so I will be able to surprise them.

PS, I love Amazon.com. I just ordered a slew of books for Christmas. Free shipping for the next few days. So easy to shop. I would burn up more gas hunting for things than it costs when there is shipping costs involved. I don't even have stock in the company . Shucks!!!

Have a great weekend everyone and I will see you when I can. Anyone for the TOD's tonight? I have railside seats at the Cantina with margaritas and nachos for all. We can visit until Illuminations and then catch our private bus back to the suite afterward.

Slightly Goofy

IASW Rider

11-30-2001, 09:05 PM

Hey Everyone!

Glad to see you back, SG! And glad that you're feeling better and will be fully recovered in time for your grandchildren to arrive! Also, glad that my little package arrived safely! Don't thank me for the tape yet....wait till you see it! I have a feeling that Helenabear is still dizzy from watching my not-always-steady camerawork (hee hee!)! Seriously - hope that you enjoy it! Think of us when you watch the EWP! :) I'm sure that you and your DH will have a wonderful time with the little ones when they come to stay!

I also love Amazon.com - I bought almost all of my holiday gifts through that site for the past few years. Not only do they have great books and music, but they also have major appliances - I bought DF a VCR and even a bread maker through Amazon! The free shipping is great, too - and they guarantee delivery before the holidays for awhile, as well. I cannot deal with going to malls or outlets at this time of year - too many people and not enough places to park! We're scaling back on the holiday gifts this year, in anticipation of our wedding, but there is still shopping to be done!

As for burials, yes - we also bury people whom we've lost as soon as possible - preferrably within 24 hours. We then have a seven day mourning period (called "sitting shiva" - "shiva" or "sheva" is the Hebrew word for 7 - as in 7 days) during which people come to visit the immediate family in their home, and there are always large spreads of food, as well. The idea is to help the mourning family through their grief. People don't talk about sad things - they talk about happy things and remember the lost one fondly.

I agree with you about layoffs, Helenabear - it's very sad that we have both witnessed so many of them. We are very lucky to still have our jobs in this depressed economy - hopefully things will get better in the first quarter of next year! How is Luis doing? Any interesting weekend plans?

Boy am I happy that this week is over! We have yet another round of waiting around for the cable people to come and install our new outlet tomorrow - UGH. At least it's better than being at work! Then we're going with my uncle to visit my aunt in Connecticut. My cousin (who is also an only child and with whom I'm very close) will be there with her 2 children, whom I refer to as my "niece" and "nephew", since I'm an only child and they're the closest I will ever have to a "real" niece and nephew! I am looking forward to seeing them all! Most of all, I am looking forward to relaxing after a hectic week, tonight!

Yes, I am definitely up for ToD and margaritas and snacks, this evening! Let's go!

Hope that all is well with all of you! Have a great weekend! :)

IASW Rider

11-30-2001, 09:09 PM

Oops - yes, SG - I heard about the DL HM being themed after "The Nightmare Before Christmas"! It sounds neat! It would be interesting to see it! But I hope that they don't change the WDW HM - it's always been my second favorite attraction, there, and I think it's perfect as it is! I loved the movie, though! :) OK - after our EPCOT extravaganza, let's come back to the Suite and watch "A Christmas Story", "Miracle on 34th Street", "It's a Wonderful Life", and then maybe "The Nightmare Before Christmas" for good measure! :)

helenabear

11-30-2001, 09:33 PM

Hi again everyone! My dad just left our house and I thought I'd come back to tell all of weekend plans. Luis is doing fine at his work. He is still looking and more jobs have come up recently so we hope for the best. Of course I am more glad than ever that Lay offs just ignored me this time ;)

I too am an Amazon.com lover. I have been shopping there for quite some time. I have a wish list there as well (so does the rest of my family). It really makes shopping easier for those who are far away. I haven't done my shopping yet, but I plan to do it rather soon.

That is very neat about the burials Rider. We try to do ours rather soon, but we have a tendency to have to wait a day or so because we have the wake. The wake for my mom's side of the family is rather a joyous event really. It is a time for family and friends to come around and instead of being somber, usually people are there with good stories to tell and we even joke and say that the wakes we have are more celebratory than some of the weddings we have (we aren't the huge alcohol & PARTY type group... we have dancing but not the funky chicken ;) ). Then the next day we have the funeral. After the funeral we usually do have the "reception" somewhere and then it will continue throughout the whole day and as long as it can. It is really a great thing to have... a whole support group is there for each other. I don't mind going as they aren't very depressing events at all.

I do hope you have the best of luck with your cable Rider. I will send tons of PD that they should actually come on time, fix what they need and most importantly GET EVERYTHING RIGHT :D

SG, I am so glad you got my card. I am also glad you were happy by all of our well wishes. We really miss you around here when you are gone! I too heard about the new HM at DL. I am not sure what to think of it. I really like what Tim Burton does, and "The Nightmare before Christmas" was very good... but I am such a traditionalist and as much as I like the movie a part of me just hopes they don't touch the HM at WDW ;)

As for my weekend plans. I hope to maybe meet with my friend from Cancun tomorrow. Tomorrow night I am going with Luis, my dad and my sister to a concert that the Columbus Symphony Orchestra puts on every year for the upcoming winter season. It should be fun and I love listening to the orchestra... I just hope they have a lot of horn parts (as they are my favorite).

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! Right now I am sort of watching "The Sound of Music" on Fox. I also hope that jstmee & angelina are doing just fine as are all of our fellow DIS'ers at the DIS CON. :D

SlightlyGoofy

11-30-2001, 11:15 PM

Yep, that is what I want - a wake or shiva. No sad songs for me and definitely no paying some funeral home a fortune so we can sit around a look at a box. I want a big old party and people can tell funny Linda stories. Should not be a shortage of those. LOL

I love live performances of any kind. Do not hear well so I can feel the music and that adds so much to the experience. Am going to get together with my sister from Columbus next year at a place called Bear Creek that is on the Ohio/IN line. It is a cheap getaway and a really great place to go and relax. It is very nice, clean and interesting as well. Not sure why more people do not know about it. We are renting a cabin with several bedrooms next year and our DD and family are going to join us there for the weekend. We took our oldest grandson there once when h e was little.

I like Amazon.com but don't know about buying anything other than books and music as I would rather see appliances in person. I am careful about ordering thru the mail cause if you don't like it you usually have to pay postage both ways and that can get costly. A certain company that has headquarters in Columbus, O is notorious for not being too good at their descriptions. I have hundreds of dollars of their stuff that was less than I wanted. It is almost bad enough to make me lose enough weight to be able to shop at a regular store. (lopsided grin)

Helenabear, ISAW Rider, Jstmee, WM Cathy C, Angelina Rainbows and Warm Woolen Mittens, These Are a Few of my Favorite Things~!!!!!!!!!

Rider, I think it was a temporary change to the Haunted Mansion. A little change is good , most of the time. As long as it is NOT making the castle into a giant birthday cake. (grin) I hope you enjoy playing with your 'niece' and 'nephew'. Children that you can play with and enjoy without the obligation of paying for food, clothing and shelter are the best!

My little guy went home with his Mom. Sent her off with one of my rolling suitcases. She will thank me when they are rolling through the airport at midnight.

I well remember the days of worrying about layoffs and such. My DH was just a few from the door one time when he had over 20 years in. Now we just worry about inflation and the decreasing interest rates on our investments and how to get the money out of our IRA without paying a lot of taxes. As Roseannadanna used to say "It's always something".

We had better get started on those movies if we want to be done by morning.

Slightly Goofy

jstmee

12-02-2001, 11:40 PM

Oh, such warm fuzzy feelings. The Sound of Music is one of my favorite things......., and of course the burials for us are like Helenabear......not warm fuzzies, but a chance to remember good things about the deceased.

SG I am so glad you are feeling better. It's awful having a fever. It must have been from cooking all of that Bomba's food. Wow, we had better get started, we have quite a selection of movies and ToD and everything else. It's so nice to be among such beautiful people.

I got layed off of a job-they actually eliminated my position 3 weeks before Christmas in 1989 when I was a divorced mom with twins that were one year........Thankfully I met Mister Wonderful and he saved me from doom. lol

My DH had to take 2 unpaid days for Thanksgiving and they have a mandatory unpaid time off for Christmas time. I guess it's better than a lay off, but it sure hurts the pocketbook.

I go back down to Boston on Thursday to meet a surgeon and have some biopsies on Friday.

I have to cut this short I need to spend some time with DH before he goes away for work again in the morning.

See ya at the movies. lol

SlightlyGoofy

12-03-2001, 10:37 AM

Dear Jstmee

We have something in common. I was a divorced mother of 2 when I met my DH. He proposed the first time we met. Took me 3 years to take him up on it though.

My DH and I were out to eat on Christmas Eve a few years back feeling a bit down as none of our kids were coming for Christmas. Got to talking to our waitress and found out that she had just been laid off from where my DH worked. It was the hit of our Christmas season to able to leave a VERY large tip. Would have enjoyed seeing her face but did not want to embarrass her. It would be fun to be really rich so you could go around and do things like that all the time. Money does not cure all problems but it does work in an awfully lot of cases and even in those where it cannot cure it sure can make it easier. IMHO

I have been up since 6, got the kids fed and dressed and desposted at their schools. Back and made the beds and neatened the house and orgainized lunch. Dalton wants a side of steak to go with his pork chop! LOL DH is still asleep and I am considering if I want to wake him up. Let sleeping dogs lie. If he is asleep I do not have to cook breakfast or clean up after him yet. (grin)

We are making Moravian Sugar Cookies tonight, the dough at least. Mr D. does not have school tomorrow so that will be our project. Our neighbor next door lost his mother and I would like to take him a plate of cookies. She was 94. On her last birthday she had just gotten out of the hospital and we bought her a birthday present she requested. A case of beer! Why is such behavior so cute in the elderly and so bad in the rest of us? (grin) I think after you have completed your obligations in raising your children you should be allowed to kick up your heels a bit. I am planning my future adventures today!!! I just hope to live long enough to embarrass my children. :jester:

I spent a bit yesterday looking at Rider's tape. Am wondering if she put a set of 3D glasses over the lens at the MuppetVision show. The very first thing on the tape was the EWP. Mr. D watched some it also and was proud of telling me what was going on. He has been running around singing "Santa Claus is Coming to Town". He is 4 and my little sweetheart. His 10 year old brother was sobbing last night. He siad he was missing his parents but I think he was worried about them flying. They are used to spending the night with me so it is not too strange for them but I am having to give them a bedtime which they are not used to. This should be better than WW as I don't have time to eat and am running around like a chicken with it's head chopped off.

I hope everyone is having an easy day and a bit of sunshine to get them through the day.

Hit "play" someone. I am ready to watch some movies. Have to leave at 11 though.

Slightly Goofy

IASW Rider

12-03-2001, 12:31 PM

Hello!

How are you all doing, today?

Thanks for your good wishes, Helenabear, but the cable people messed up yet again! We dot up at 7:00 AM on Saturday morning, in anticipation of our 8:00 AM appointment. At 9:15 AM, a gentleman showed up and said that the specialist who was supposed to come and handle our job had called out sick (is there only ONE person in the entire cable company who deals with special issues??!!) and so we have to reschedule YET AGAIN!!!! AAAAARRRRRGGGGHHHH!

Anyway, the rest of the weekend was nice! We had a nice time at my Aunt's, and it was so nice to see my cousin and her kids! Here are some pictures - here is my cousin (on the left) and me (on the right) and my "niece" Lauren and my "nephew" Jordan:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/iaswrider/LaurenJoanneLisaandJordan.jpg

And here are Lauren and Jordan (they're very cute!) :)

http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/iaswrider/LaurenandJordan.jpg

How was the concert that you attended, Helenabear? It sounds really nice! And did you get to see your friend from Cancun?

Jstmee - I can't believe that your DH has to take unpaid days for the holidays! :( It's good that he is able to have time off, though, and be able to spend more time with you and your family. It must be so rough with him travelling so often. But then again, it makes the time that you spend together all the more special! Lots of good luck with your tests on Friday. We'll send lots of PD and good wishes your way and will be thinking of you!

Glad that you were able to see some of my tape, SG! No, I didn't hold 3-D glasses in front of the camera during Muppetvision....though I probably should have - you can kind of go "cross eyed" watching the footage of a 3D movie without 3D glasses - some of it looks like you're seeing double! Still, I'm glad that I taped it - I just love that show! Since I'm petrified of Honey, I Shrunk the Audience and I sat curled in a fetal position during It's Tough To Be a Bug, Muppetvision is just my speed! :) I'm glad that you finally got to see the EWP in its entirety, too! :) Have fun with your little visitors, this week - it sounds like you are already having a lot of fun with them! I'm sure that they won't want to leave at the end of the week!

OK, now that we've gotten through all of those movies, how about a tour of the Osborne Lights, tonight? :)

Sorry that this is so short.....gotta get back to work! Have a nice day! :)
Have a great day, Everyone!

helenabear

12-03-2001, 07:46 PM

Hi everyone! Sorry I didn't get a chance to reply to you all this weekend. I did indeed get to see my friend from Cancun. She has really popped out in the short time I have seen her since her baby shower. I am so happy for her and I am sure she will be a good mother. She does such a great job with her dogs (not that it makes that much of a difference, but somehow it does) that I am sure she will be able to transfer it all over to her child. We went looking at some crafts. Unfortunately what I loved I couldn't afford and what I could afford I didn't like, but it was so good to finally see her without everyone else in her family around. She got to see our new house and how big the baby of our family has gotten since she was last here.

Later on a friend of mine who goes to Ohio State (friend of the family so she is a bit younger than us) came over to talk about her upcoming decisions. She is finally sort of in a relationship with someone and with that in mind she is trying to figure out where to go for grad school. I gave her the advice that she shouldn't pick just a location (which she was going to) but to pick a bunch of schools and then go from there. As for the guy, I told her what will happen will happen. And with her being his first girlfriend (eek, I feel old) I told her he probably won't be traditional at all ;)

Rider, I love your pictures. "Your" babies are sooo cute. What a proud "Aunt" you make. And I am so sorry to hear about your cable problems. Who is your cable provider?

You know, unless Luis gets a new job, he will be taking Christmas off as unpaid leave. He had to do the same for Thanksgiving as well :( Some companies really suck when it comes to vacations. Well I hate to run but my soup is ready. Who wants some Ramen noodles withe me?

IASW Rider

12-03-2001, 08:29 PM

Ramen noodles sound great to me, Helenabear! :)

That's so neat that you got to see your friends, this weekend! Does your friend from Cancun live in Cancun now, or is she from Mexico originally? I really enjoyed Cancun when I visited years ago - have you ever been there before? We went before it became a big vacation destination (early 80's), and it was really nice. We also visited the Mayan ruins in Chichen Itza and Tulum, which were beautiful and really interesting (it was also really "interesting" figuring out how to climb down from the pyramid, once I'd climbed up! Hee hee! :) ). When is she due? I'm sure that she is very excited! And you gave great advice to your friend from Ohio State, with regard to her grad school / boyfriend decisions. I'm sure that she will make a good choice, especially with your guidance!

Glad that you liked the photos that I posted - I'm a big picture freak, in case you couldn't tell, and I just love my digital camera and being able to upload pictures and see them right away! Besides, I like to be able to share experiences that I've had with others, and pictures are a great way to do that, when you're far away. When we were in WDW in June, we brought DF's lap top, and we uploaded pictures every night so that the folks at home could see them and sort of feel like they were there with us. My whole unit at work left a message on our voice mail at the Poly when they saw the photos from the night that DF proposed to me! :)

Our cable provider is RCN. Very strange, considering that every area surrounding us has a different cable provider. Maybe they're great with long distance or internet, or with cable in other places in the country......but not central New Jersey, that's for sure! Someone was supposed to call me back to make another appointment today......and of course no one did. DF and I will be calling the manager with whom we spoke 2 weeks ago, again, tomorrow. UGH.

OK - enough of that - noodles time! Hope that you're all having a nice evening! :)

SlightlyGoofy

12-04-2001, 06:57 PM

Hi all

In a rush but had to come by and let you know that I received a virus this morning "Bad Tran". I opened it and my virus detector did not pick it up. I think it is something new and I have not updated since vacation. It was simple to get rid of but I did not know about if for a few hours. If anyone receives an attachment from me please do not open it. I will neither be sending nor opening any until I make sure my system is clean. With the boys here it may take me a bit until I can do that.

I am most sorry and hope that no one has been infected through me. It sends itself out and I did not know.

Slightly Goofy and Really Upset

helenabear

12-04-2001, 07:06 PM

Good evening everyone! I hope all is well with everyone.

I know my friend from Cancun from Ohio actually. She and I were in school together since 6th grade (and friends since then) so when she moved down to Cancun, I lost touch with her. But we were both at our high school reunion and we got in touch again. I was very happy to see her and she seems very happy down in Cancun with her partner. I would love to meet Edmundo in person (her partner) and I hope someday to be able to visit them all in Cancun. I have never been there before but I am sure it is very pretty. Edmundo works in construction (owns his own business and still does a lot of the work) and so the two of them get to stay in homes they are working on if the timing is right. She has stayed in a lot of nice homes that way. They know which rental homes are good and which aren't so I am sure they could direct me in a good way ;)

Now as for my other friend I was talking about earlier, even though I tell her things does not mean she will actually follow them. She thinks that to be in a relationship, it has to be all or nothing. So she is having a real problem with this guy because nothing is "official" with them :rolleyes: ah the days of dating that I do not miss. I just couldn't imagine limiting myself to a certain city for gradschool (if I ever went). I guess what doesn't make sense to me is that she wants to go to California, and while she has some family there, they aren't her close family in Georgia or Virginia. And it isn't like she is limiting herself to this city because she likes it here (not that uncommon for undergrads to do). She just thinks one city is good for her. I guess I really don't believe her that much anyway since a year ago she was looking into Arizona. The wonderfulness of fickle friends.

Well today was one of those days that just didn't stop. Nothing seemed to go right (as in software at work makes things go wrong) and I had to try to figure out where some guy messed up a circuit he was working on. I was very frustrated by the end of the day. Also I guess I am getting annoyed with one of my co-workers. She acts a little like my sister and while I love my sister, I get tired of the "I always know what I am talking about attitude and I am always right". I don't know why I am complaining, but maybe it just is all pent up inside of me. She was talking today about a new store was and she was saying it was close to a movie theater, so I replied "Oh so it is right by I-270" she said "No, that is right by Route 161". Now she is right in that the new store is by 161 (I looked up the location later on), but I said "Dublin AMC is right by 270" She just looked at me and said "No, you are wrong." Now I know this sounds petty but I used to go there ALL the time and I knew the AMC was right by 270 so I found out I was right. It didn't bother me that I was right or wrong, but just her response is like my sister's in that if I am not in agreement with my sister, I am the one who is wrong and she won't dream of changing. Also, this person is doing a lot of the "I know what you are talking about even though I don't do what you do anymore". Again this is petty but I am getting annoyed when I go to talk to her about what I am doing, she acts like she knows what is going on. Granted we used to be in the same group and do the EXACT same stuff, but about 1 1/2 years ago, she switched to a different type of job and we do not do the same thing at all now and a lot of things have really changed over the year. I guess I just hate going to vent about an issue at work and she replies like she knows what is going on when I have to correct her three and four times saying that is not how it goes now so it doesn't even effect me. I know I really sound petty and I could give her the benefit of the doubt in that she doesn't realize how things have changed but that doesn't even seem to be the case anymore. It's like she even talks about things in a way that never happened before. Ack, I should stop because it isn't like me to vent so much about a petty little thing. Maybe it is only because she does the exact things that my sister does to bother me.

Well I am making pork chops tonight and rice to go with. Anyone care to join on that one? They are both done Puerto Rican style and they are nice and yummy. They are herbed & spiced up nicely so they have flavor without being hot or Mexican style (I am not fond of Mexican food at all). So I had better get back to them to make sure they are going just fine. I hope you guys have a wonderful evening!

IASW Rider

12-06-2001, 12:13 PM

Hi!

Sorry that it took me so long to write back, but I haven't been able to get on the Boards since Tuesday night! I think that many other people were having the same problem. I'm glad that we are able to get back on, now!

Don't worry about the virus, SG - was your computer all right? I'm sure that it was just associated with an attachment or two, and hopefully you won't have to worry about your system being infected!

I completely understand what you mean about your co-worker, Helenabear - that's not "petty" at all! When you have to spend the majority of your day with someone, as we do at work, then of course the constant "know-it-all" and "know-it-better-than-you" attitude can get a bit annoying! I've worked with similar people and it was all I could do to keep my mouth shut and not give them a piece of my mind, sometimes! But it sounds like you are very patient and fair with her. Just hang in there and try not to let it get to you!

Sorry that this is so short, but I'm at work and we have a meeting about some major reorganization that is going to be occurring within our division, now, so I have to run.

Will check in again, later - hope that all is well with all of you! :)

helenabear

12-06-2001, 07:36 PM

Hi everyone! I did write a post at lunch, but the servers ate it :( I hope everyone is doing well. I had a busy day at work and once again, I volunteered to stay after to get something done ASAP. I don't mind too much as that is overtime pay that I get ;)

I wish I could write more but since I came home late and everything, and I have choir practice tonight I had better go. You all are welcome to visit me while we are singing, but I can't say we are that good. Well I just wanted to drop in and say hi and that I was thinking of you all!!!

IASW Rider

12-07-2001, 02:18 PM

Hello!

Sorry - I didn't mean to end my last post so abruptly, but all kinds of things were going on at work, yesterday. We found out that our entire division is going to be completely restructured, next year. Fortunately, although my job will be changing, my job is safe, and I am pretty sure that I will be able to continue to do the sort of work that I'm doing, now. We had a huge meeting about it, yesterday, right before our COO held a press conference and issued a press release. It was very overwhelming to hear about, but I think that it will be very good, in the end.

Anyway.......as I was saying, I hope that you're not letting that woman at work get to you too much, Helenabear. I know how annoying and frustrating people like that can be, at work. Don't let her make you feel badly or make you angry! Some people just always have to be "right" or have the last word to make themselves feel "superior". Just try to ignore her when she gets like that!

Angelina - where did your post go?! I could swear that I saw a post from you here, this morning, when I checked the thread! Hope that your computer is all right!

Well, not too much going on here, except all of this reorganization at work. I'm looking forward to a quiet weekend with no cable people appointments! (hee hee!)

By the way, I don't know if there are any "All My Children" fans in the Suite, but in case there are, a bunch of photos of me with various people from the "AMC" cast are posted on the "AMC" thread on the Community Board, if you'd like to see! :)

Hope that you're all having a nice day! :)

helenabear

12-07-2001, 08:23 PM

Hi there everyone!!!

Rider, you weren't abrupt I totally understand how life is. You set down to do one thing and something comes up so that you have to run. I am glad you understand how I feel. I think it does bother me because she is so much like my sister. She says how tree hugging & dirt loving she is but she drives a Dodge (not known for being very ecologically friendly) and she prints off junk at work. Yet she complains when I wash my hands and let the water run while I reach for a paper towel to turn the sink off with (that's a freaky thing of me, I won't turn off water in public with my bare hand). I guess I am glad that she will be on vacation next week... which of course she had to gloat about :rolleyes: Okay I am done now about her.

I hope your job change will be good for you. Sometimes it is nice to do different tasks. My job has changed a lot over the two years I have worked where I work. It wasn't just that I found out more about my job, but they added what we did and finally we are now completely in control of what we do (well as much as we can be). I remember our last major reorganization was really devistating, but then again we had massive lay offs right before and we were already shaken up by that. I have been reorged since, but it seems to get easier as time goes on ;) Plus my job hasn't changed too much in the last year so that is good.

I don't have too much going on right now, but I can't remember if I told you guys that Luis' parents are coming for Christmas weekend or not. I tried looking back through the posts but I didn't see anything about it. So if I am repeating myself I am sorry. If I didn't tell you guys about it, please tell me and I will talk about it more!

Well my cats are calling for my attention so I had better go.

Angelina... I saw your post... where did you go?

SG, jstmee, CC & the rest I hope all is well with you! We miss you!

SlightlyGoofy

12-07-2001, 10:06 PM

Hope that the 3rd time is the charm. The last two posts were lost. The boys are at home with their parents. I was glad to see them come and glad to see them go. I am worn out. I have often wondered about women who decide to give birth after age 50. Maybe if they are rich enough to hire help they might be able to manage it but I don't think I could. Don't get me wrong the boys are pretty good kids but it is still very time consuming altho interesting to have kids full time. Am glad to be back to being just a grandma. LOL

Dear Rider, we are thrilled to hear from you whenever and for however long. A little bit of you is much better than none. I have downloaded a few virus programs and hope to get my computer all sorted out sometime soon. Have a very busy week next week. 4 Christmas parties and one is at my house. I belong to a club of ladies and the lady who was to have had the party got a chance to go see her grandson in a school play so I volunteered to take over. I may get the house clean but I fear it will be a quick trip to the Wal Mart Super Store for ready made food. The only thing I plan on cooking are the Moravian Sugar Cookies.

Helenabear, it sounds as if your coworker is a very insecure person. That is why she is so adamant about always being right cause she does not think much of herself. I refuse to touch the bathroom door handle myself. All those people who did not wash their hands touched it. Ugh!! I prefer fast food restaurants also since you can usually see the food preparation area. I refuse to eat food that people have handled with their hands. No deli for me unless they use gloves. I worked in too many restaurants when young and have seen what goes on. I am careful in my own kitchen and would only eat hot, well cooked food out.

I saw a message from Angelina also. Wonder what happened? Maybe the same thing that happened to my other posts?

Looking forward to a good night's sleep and storing up enough energy to get thru the next week. (smile)

System getting unstable again so I had better head and hope it improves tomorrow.

SG/Linda

IASW Rider

12-09-2001, 04:21 PM

Hello!

How are you all doing, today?

No, you hadn't mentioned that Luis's parents are coming for Christmas, Helenabear! Forgive me - I know that you told us this, but where do they live? Will they be staying with you? I'm sure that it will be nice for you both to have them there!

Glad that you had a nice week with your grandchildren, SG! I'm sure that it was hectic and exhausting, but fun! WOW - 4 Christmas parties in one week! I'm sure that they will be fun, though! And I'm sure that the one at your house will be great!

I also get freaked out by touching public bathroom faucets and door handles, Helenabear and SG - particularly now that many people have colds. I also hate when people at work who have colds hand me papers - I am constantly running to the restroom to wash my hands!

This was a nice, quiet weekend. I kind of feel guilty that DF was running around both today and yesterday (yesterday was cold and rainy.....after our sunny 72 degree weather only 3 days ago!) doing holiday shopping, while I stayed home. But this week really wiped me out - particularly after that big announcement about the reorganization of our division at work. Sounds very similar to what you experienced, Helenabear - right after all the layoffs, the big reorg is occurring. Anyway, I'm trying to get some things done around the house. After I'm done posting, I'll start making my "Happy Chanukah" calls to my family and friends, since the holiday starts tonight! Too lazy to make potato pancakes from scratch, tonight - I'm making frozen ones! Oh well - it's the thought that counts, anyway! Frank is out, now, in search of the DVD player which we are "giving eachother" for the holidays. I hope that he finds one, today. I already bought the first DVD that I want to watch on it - it's a filmed version of the very first Broadway show that I ever saw - "The Magic Show" with Doug Henning. The DVD is of a performance that was filmed in 1980 - I saw the show live in 1975. It has very special memories for me (especially since one of the ladies who was in the show invited me backstage to meet the entire cast - which was the moment that my love of theater really began) and I can't wait to see it again! Last night, we watched the videotape of "The Grinch" which I had given DF for Thanksgiving - it was cute! But now I don't remember the animated version well enough to compare, so maybe we'll watch that tonight, too (I gave that to DF as a Christmas present last year!)!

Anyway, hope that you're all having a nice weekend! Talk to you soon! :)

helenabear

12-09-2001, 05:46 PM

Hi everyone! I hope you all are having a great weekend! I am sitting here with Cleo sitting on my lap while I am typing. Either my lap is getting smaller or my cat is fluffing up because she just isn't fitting as good as she used to. Either way it doesn't matter, as I enjoy the warm fuzzy vibrations no matter how big or small.

Maybe I just thought I told you all about his family visiting because I probably typed it but it was eaten or lost in cyber space somewhere. Well yes, FINALLY Luis' parents are coming to visit. Actually his dad made it here while he was on business here in Ohio, but his mom and brother haven't been here since we were married over a year ago (they all live in the DC area in Alexandria VA). THey are all three coming out on Dec. 22 and leaving the afternoon of the 25th. I totally understand why they have to leave that day because his dad is already taking the 24th off (no pay I think) and he can't afford to do that another day (not necessarily for the money but for his job itself). So they will be staying with us (I was almost afraid that they were going to stay in a hotel). So now I am all worried about this because I am afraid his mother will judge me. It is a very long story but the Christmas before we got married, I was at his parents home visiting and during dinner Luis interrupted me. Now that is a little thing but all my life in my family, my family has interupted me and after all these years it really bothers me. Luis knows this so he knew why I was mad when I was. I had a paper napkin and I gently threw it on his lap to quietly let him know why I was upset with him. Well his mother hated it. So the next day she came up to me and told me basically that she thought that maybe we should get counceling before we got married and she was afraid that we would wind up in divorce because I would do something to make him mad or hurt him. She was also afraid that Luis' temper would fly and he would hurt me after I hurt him after a long time of it bottling up. I was devistated. She said this to me right before dinner and then forced me to come to eat even though I was not hungry at all. Now I have said before why Christmas is sad to me at points. Well this just put me over the top. I always hoped that whomever I would marry, I could have a realtionship with their mother since I don't have one and I had hoped at one day that my MIL would help me through the times when I might need a mother. To make a long story short, I now feel like I am being judged. Two years later I cannot forget what she said to me. Luis told me not to worry and that she likes me but I can't forget it. So you can say with that one day my dreams of having a good relationship with a MIL were shot. I wished that I had Luis and an ex boyfriend's mother. This one woman, Sheri, was just wonderful to me. She really was motherly yet a friend to me. She and I would go to lunch together and she never made it a secret that she was unhappy that her son ended it with me. So now I feel like I have two weeks to get the house perfect and have everything just right for her.

Now that I am done rambling... I just realized I have some laundry to do before work tomorrow. I hope all is well with everyone!

SlightlyGoofy

12-09-2001, 07:04 PM

Helenabear, I will be your surrogate mother until you feel more comfortable with your mil. I hope that the two of you can get to know each other a bit better during this visit. Please do not obsess about your house. Just be your sweet self and don't worry about the small things that do not matter. When she sees the "home" you have made for Luis and how happy he is she will appreciate you. A "home" is a feeling NOT a perfectly decorated or maintained residence. I had a good relationship with my mil. in part because even tho I did not agree with her, I respected her right to have her ideas. Now, don't get me wrong she did not tickle my fancy all the time and I probably did not tickle her all the time either. It was a good relationship but not the great one I would have liked. In order to have a great relationship IMHO you have to have an exchange of ideas without fear of rejection. My bil was stationed in Alexandria, Va. and we used to go visit him all the time. He lived in a very fancy condo with a view of the Lincoln Monument (?). It is wonderful that they are able and willing to come to Columbus to celebrate the holidays with you. Luis must be over the moon with excitement and wanting to show off the house and his wife. Have you had time to implement any of the redecorating ideas that you had told us about? I just love seeing what people do to their houses.

Rider, even over the internet I can feel the power of your personality. You make friends everywhere and get to meet the most interesting people and learn all kinds of great things. I would be too tongue tied to talk to anyone let alone a performer. I am better than I used to be though. I am looking forward to figuring out when we are coming to NYC and am so hoping to meet you and at least getting some advice on what shows to see. Other than going to Europe this is right at the top of my "To do before I croak list". I will feel comfortable with my baby sisters watching out for me. One sister goes often and knows her way around quite well.

We went to see the Grinch last year as it was one of Dalton's favorite books. I think he enjoyed the movie but even at age 3 he did say "The book was better", and I had to agree. I like special effects so I tried to enjoy that part of the movie. We want to go see Monsters. Inc. before it leaves the theaters. Will be interested in hearing what you think of the DVD player. I have such a collection of videos the thought of having to start all over again with a different format is scary. Have been thinking of waiting until the recordable DVD's get a bit cheaper and then copying my present collection over on DVD. Not sure if that is legal but sure should be since I paid for the videos. I could be a real tech addict if I let myself go as I just love gadgets.

Speaking of the little devil, I now have a 4 year old ensconsed on the end of the couch watching Disney (of course). His parents had a dinner at the church and so he decided to visit me instead. It was a fair trade as they took DH with them. Going to go make a few batches of cookies for my cookie exchange and parties.

Jstmee, we are looking forward to an update on how you are doing. Hope you are far too busy having fun and that is why you have not been by lately.

Angelina, hey girl! You are a slippery creature. Elusive and mysterious. Wonder where your post went?

I hope that Bo has the jacuzzi all heated up for later. I will n eed that and a cool one by the end of this evening.

Slightly Goofy

helenabear

12-09-2001, 09:10 PM

Hello again everyone!

SG, thank you for your kind words. It will be hard for me not to judge myself while his mother is here but I will surely try. Luis' mom works full time and so does his dad but his mom is still able to keep the house looking practically spotless and she cooks dinner for him. This is not the type of relationship I have with Luis, it is actually completely the opposite. We help each other a lot. I do a lot of the cooking but I like that. He helps with almost all the other chores around the house and he understands that it is hard for me to be able to come home, lift weights (I am odd, I love to lift and finally I have all my weights together so I can begin to lift again and get my arms strong again), cook dinner, practice my guitar, clean and then be able to relax by reading or watching TV. He only plays on his computer after work and he understands that the lifting and practicing guitar are a part of myself and I feel good when I am able to do them. It will be hard on the weekend they are here because that is when I almost NEVER cook and both of his parents expect to see me cook and not him. It is my weekend and I will keep it that way. Luis doesn't really cook but he makes pancakes better than I do ;) At least his dad and his brother really do like me and his brother is glad that I got Luis to come out of his shell and feel again. Before me, Luis would keep everything inside and it would fester and fester and then he would explode (his mother made reference to it when she 'spoke' to me two years ago). Fortunately Luis doesn't do that and even though we can "kick and scream" (not really but we have our stubborn fights here and there) at least he gets it out right away unlike before. I am happy to have his family here finally as I was beginning to think that his family didn't want to come visit because of me and the cats. Luis is very happy because he and I are proud of our house and he really wants to show off what we have accomplished together.

Rider, I too was very impressed with your ability to talk to those people. From all the pictures I have seen of you, you look like a very personable person (and you seem to be a great person here as well). I think I would be a nervous wreck around all those people. Good luck with your DVD purchase. We love our DVD. Luis got it for me last Christmas and I love watching all the movies I have on it. We still use the VCR, but the DVD is much nicer to use and great if you want to see a scene again :D

Well the Simpsons are on now and I hope you all have a great day! Angelina & Jstmee I hope all is well with you both as well!

angelina

12-10-2001, 11:56 PM

Hi, everyone. I've been trying to catch up. My computer was kidnapped and re-something'd to make it go faster and add more memory. All gibberish to me, I'm afraid. I'm just glad to have it back. I did make a quick post last week, then deleted it to rewrite it and add something, but before I could finish it, the girls got into something and I had to run. We had a dinner party Friday night for 5 couples, and I was busy decorating and cleaning house for over a week trying to get ready. I'm glad to say it was a tremendous success, except for the hangover that wouldn't go away. I am NOT a drinker, but the wine was sooo good, I had a glass or three. Now I've been reminded why I don't drink, not even a glass.

Helenabear, I have a couple of terrific dishes for breakfast that can be made ahead and put in the fridge, then cooked in the a.m. when needed, just serve with fresh fruit and coffee or juice. I'll be glad to send them to you if you're interrested. I love to cook, my grandmother let me help with her huge meals from the time I was old enough to stand in a chair and hold a spoon. One of my recipes if for Apple Stuffed french toast with pecans and warm vanilla sauce, and the other is for breakfast burritos with ham and cheese. Both are to die for and only a matter of assembling the ingredients, nothing hard at all. I got them from a bed and breakfast we stayed at in St. Petersberg, FL last year. That's my contribution to your situation, as I have no in-laws (or out-laws) and can't help with my opinion. Let SG lend her guidance in that.

Well, it's nice to hear from ya'll, and I'll check back in later.

Angie

SlightlyGoofy

12-11-2001, 08:53 AM

Howdy Angelina!

Would you consider posting those recipes here? They sound so very good. What did you serve at your dinner party? I would never dare to have a dinner party. My DH has limited social skills. If he is not the center of attention he gets very uncomfortable and he will wander off to another room and watch tv. Not much chance of changing him since he is 67 now. I love people and enjoy chatting. I am having my ladies group in tomorrow. I am having it in place of the person who supposed to. She got a chance to go see her grandson in a play so I have had little notice and being a bit under the weather I bought most of the food. My DD is picking up the quiches today. I have a get together today with my bestest friends. We get together each year and exchange presents and enjoy each others company. We almost lost the one lady this year so it is even more special.

I got the Moravian cookies done yesterday morning. I made 12 dozen and may have to make another batch as people keep sneaking them. My 4 yr old was grasping 3 in his hand as he left last night and this was after he had already eaten several. Even Mr. Finicky, his older brother, was seen dipping his hand in more than once. LOL I love to cook when people enjoy it.

I hope your hangover went away quickly. The last time I got drunk was at Disney World. Long and funny story. I don't drink cause I don't really like it and with all the meds I take it could be deadly anyway. (grin)

I am going to hang around here for a bit this morning. I got up and at 'em ealy this morning and have a bit of time to spare before my next chore. I have been practicing my shooting skills and think I will head over to Buzz Lightyear a bit later. Nothing more dangerous than a homemaker with good shooting skills. LOL

SG/Linda

helenabear

12-11-2001, 01:00 PM

Hi everyone!

Angelina, I agree with SG, you ought to post the recepies here. I am sure all of us would love to try them. I am really looking forward to seeing his family but I am not sure how I will be able to handle those days alone with them (while Luis is at work). Fortunately I think only one day will be like that. I think my dad will be home that day and hopefully that should help too. Of course I probably worry too much, but I guess I do not look foward to all the cleaning I am going to have to do in the next week and a half in order to have the house decent looking. My closet is a mess and I need to get some laundry done this weekend. That and I need to put away a lot of boxes in one of the bed rooms so that his brother has a place to sleep. Just little things I have to get done, so hopefully it won't be that bad. Tomorrow we pick up a headboard for our bed that Luis' parents will sleep in and I need to probably snag a lamp from my old bedroom and place that in the bedroom as well.

I guess I am just looking forward to my upcoming time off so I can finally have a day or two to myself to do what I want (not what I need to do). I was getting upset today because I was not chosen to go to a class to learn to teach a group coming up. I love to do that and I have done it many times before under my former supervisor (teach those that is) but I am afraid that opportunities will be passing me by. I know a petty little thing but I guess I wish I knew what I could do to get my name out there for others to see... and of course in a good way.

I hope all is well with everyone. I am busy at work so I had better get back to it :D I will check back later to make sure all is well and that SG hasn't had too many more cookies stolen ;)

angelina

12-11-2001, 01:02 PM

Good Morning, everyone. I have been cleaning up a little this morning. I had to put the girls down for an early nap,and, of course, one went right to sleep and the other (mine) is still awake an hour and a half later.

Yes, I will be more than happy to share my recipes. They are both delicious, and sure to make Helenabear's MIL sit up and take notice, if she's interrested. I have a delicious recipe for an apple dip that looks especially festive if you use both red and green apple slices and alternate them around the plate with the dip in the middle.

Friday night, we had a swiss cheese and bacon dip, baked gouda in puff pastry with crackers, lots of wine, green salad with the honey-lime salad dressing from O'hana, apple-herb grilled pork tenderloin, spinach madeleine (sp?) green beans, and consomme' rice, more wine, amaretto chocolate cake and apple raisin bread pudding with Jack Daniels sauce, more wine...
And, no, the hangover did not go away quickly. Today is Tuesday, and I couldn't drink a full cup of coffee. LOL.

Come to think of it, the baked gouda is a good, do-ahead dish HB could use when the in-laws come. You take one sheet of puff pastry, cut it in half, roll it our to a roughly 9" square, sprinkle with 1/4 c. chopped pecans, top with a 7 oz. round of gouda, 1/4 more c. pecans, then bring the corners up around the cheese and twist to seal. Repeat with another cheese, pecans, etc. At this point you can cover it with plastic wrap until you're ready, then bake it at 350* 20-25 min. til browned and serve with crackers. It was delicious. Looks good, too, but it's not hard to do at all. I'll look up those other recipes and post again.--Angie

IASW Rider

12-11-2001, 01:09 PM

Wow, Angelina - reading about your breakfast treats is making my mouth water! Especially since there was a TON of traffic on the way to work this morning, and my (usually 40 minute) commute took me 2 1/2 hours, and I never had breakfast! YUM! Those sound great! Then on top of that, SG tells us about her cookies.......YUM! I'd better get to the cafeteria and get something to eat.....SOON!

I'm sorry to hear about that incident with your MIL, Helenabear. I can understand how sad and frustrated that must have made you feel. Especially at this time of year, and especially during the holidays. But as always, I think that SG has great advice - don't worry about your house or entertaining your in-laws - just be yourself and enjoy their company and I'm sure that they will enjoy yours! And as SG said, when they see how happy you and Luis are together and the beautiful home you've made, and your great new house, I'm sure that the old "discomfort" will disappear all together. You know that you and Luis are happy together and have a good and strong marriage, and that's the most important thing. I'm sure that that happiness shines through when ever you're together, and I'm sure that it will make for a wonderful holiday for yourselves and for Luis's family!

Thanks so much for your kind words, SG and Helenabear! That is so sweet of you! I do like to meet people and make new friends and learn about other people's lives and experiences!

I wish that I had a scanner - then I would post all of my other "celebrity encounter" photos, here! (hee hee!) Almost all of the celebrities whom I've had occasion to meet have been extremely friendly and down to earth - not "intimidating" to talk to, at all!

You really might come out to NYC, SG???!!!! You'll have to let me know if you do - it would be so wonderful to meet you in person! I would definitely come into the city to meet you, if you came out! And I'd be happy to give you advice about good Broadway shows to see, too! Please let me know when your plans begin to become more specific! :)

We never did get our new DVD player set up, the other night - we found that we were missing a converter (necessary because my TV is over 10 years old - I can't believe how quickly things become outmoded, these days!). Frank bought it yesterday, so once we figure out how to fit the DVD player into our wall unit (it's too big! :( ) we will set it up and try it out! I was also hesitant to get one until they have recording ability, but we figured "why not?" Plus, we are keeping our VCR hooked up to that TV, as well, so we can still watch tapes (I also have a very large collection of video tapes, SG), and we can still record "All My Children", too! (hee hee!)

Well, I'm running behind, today, after my charming "extended commute" to work, so I'd better try to get a few things done.

Have a great day and talk to you soon! :)

IASW Rider

12-11-2001, 01:19 PM

Whoa - that is pretty wild - as soon as I posted, I saw your 2 new posts, Helenabear and Angelina! Glad that you're going to post your recipes, Angelina! And the things that you served at your dinner party sound amazing, too! Boy.....I REALLY had better have lunch, soon!

I know how those "several day lingering hangovers" can be, Angelina! Just try to eat plain things and rest a bit if you can, and I'm sure that you'll be feeling completely back to normal, soon!

I also have experienced similar things at work, Helenabear. I'm sorry to hear about that - I know how that can make you feel. Is there any way to talk to your current supervisor about this? Or express your interest in training and discuss your previous experience with teaching, to him or her? Or have you done that already? Do you think that your supervisor thinks that you're too advanced to attend the class that's being offered? Maybe you could meet with him or her and discuss this, or if you feel more comfortable doing so, sending an e-mail, perhaps.

Sorry - gotta run - talk to you later! :)

angelina

12-11-2001, 01:57 PM

Hi, everyone, I found the recipes. I just typed out the first one and LOST it! I hit the wrong key. Here goes again--

Caramel Apple french toast

4 lg granny smith apples 1 tsp cinnamon
sugar to taste 3/4 c. packed brown sugar
3 T. lt. corn syrup 3 T.butter
3/4 c. chopped walnuts or pecans 12 slices firm white bread
3 eggs, beaten 1 1/4 c.s skim milk
1 tsp. vanilla 1/4 tsp nutmeg

Peel, core, slice apples, place in medium skillet, pour 1/2 c. water over apples, simmer 4-5 min til softened, but not mushy. Drain apples, place in a bowl, and gently mix in cinnamon and a little sugar. Set aside. In the skillet, combine brown sugar, corn syrup and butter, cook and stir over med. heat until sugar melts and just begins to come to a slow boil. Pour into 13 x 9 " baking dish and sprinkle with nuts. Place 6 slices of bread on top of syrup, divide apples between bread slices and top with rest of the bread. Whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla and nutmeg, pour over apple sandwiches, cover and refrigerate overnight. In the a.m., preheat oven to 325*, bake uncovred for 40 minutes. Remove from oven, cover with serving platter and carefully invert. Cut each one in half diagonally and serve with vanilla sauce.
Vanilla sauce
1/2 c. sugar, 1 T. cornstarch, 2 T. butter, and 1 T vanilla. Mix sugar, cornstarch and 1 c. water in small saucepan, cook, stirring over med heat, until thick and bubbly, remove from heat and add butter and vanilla, stirring until butter melts.

Brunch Enchiladas

2 c. cubed cooked ham
1/2 c. chopped green onions
10 8-inch flour tortillas
2 c shredded cheddar, divided
1 T. all purpose flour
2 c. half and half or milk
6 eggs, beaten
1/2 tsp. salt, optional.

Combine ham and onions, place 1/3 c. down center of each tortilla, top with 2 T. cheese. Roll up and place seam side down in a greased 13x9x2" baking dish. In a bowl, combine flour, cream, eggs, and salt, until smooth. Pour over tortillas. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 min before baking. Cover and bake at 350* for 25 min, sprinkle w/ remaining cheese, bake 3 more minutes until cheese is melted, let stand for 10 min before serving. Especially pretty if you tie each one with a length of green onion before you serve it!

IASW Rider

12-11-2001, 03:14 PM

Thanks for taking the time to type those out for us, Angelina! I'm going to forward them to DF, who is the REAL gourmet chef in our house! :)

SlightlyGoofy

12-11-2001, 04:37 PM

Angelina, you are awesome. How you manage to turn out such great meals and keep an eye on young children at the same time is amazing. I guess I used to do somewhat the same when I was younger but I am awfully slow nowadays. I copied and pasted the recipes and plan to try them. I love to cook when I have an appreciative audience. I am curious about the madelines. I thought they were a kind of fancy cookie. Would not want to miss out on some kind of new food. I am not much of a breakfast person unless I eat it later in the day. I love ethnic foods.

Helenabear, I think that Rider is right in that your supervisor might think you are overqualified to teach the classes. If he/she knows that you enjoy it some minds might be changed unless you are too valuable to be spared for such duties. I have found that when people enjoy what they are doing they generally do an excellent job and that when people do something well they enjoy what they do. It is a very nice circle. Life is far too short to work at a job you hate IMHO. I will thinking of you on the days that your in laws are visiting. Just relax and enjoy. I have a feeling that this will be a wonderful visit and you will get to know and appreciate each other better. You all have one big thing in common, your love of Luis. They are the people who helped make him who he is and who you love and you are the woman who makes him happy so it is a win/win for all concerned. I cannot think of any relationship that has not had a rough moment or two and while it is unfortunate that your mil started out on the wrong foot you may find that after some time has passed and you know each other a bit better you will get closer. BTW, just because you do not do things the way your mil did does not mean that she might not approve. Things were different in our generation and some of us wish we could have done things the way you younger people do and silently and sometimes not silently applaud you. I did not raise my daughter to be a housekeeper as her only fullfillment. When I go to her home and it is a mess it does not bother me in the least. She has been working all day and I would not want her to come home and work several more hours. As long as the health department does not need to be called it is not a problem. Just because I made certain choices and do things a certain way does not mean that she needs to emulate me. I live my life and she is entitled to live hers.

Yes, Rider. The plan is that I will meet up with one of my sisters and we will fly to NYC and meet another sister or two or more and take the tour and go to a Broadway play. Maybe you could join us, then we would probably get front row seats and a backstage pass? LOL Just meeting you would be excitement enough. I am afraid I am a bit different in person though as I am mostly deaf and cannot hear much that goes on around me and miss a lot. I love the computer cause I can yak it up as much as I want and 'hear' what everyone else says. (grin) Speaking of scanners - I got mine at Office Max for $30 a couple of years ago and it works just fine for what I need so please don't be afraid of 'cheap' scanners. The way it was explained to me was that technology is moving so fast and things become obsolete so fast that if you are willing to buy something less than the newest gear you can get some really good bargains.

Had a wonderful lunch with my friends. One gave me a gift certificate to Loew's a local home improvement store. Does this woman know me or what? I will use it to get some more of the decorative tiles for my kitchen. I want to do the area over the stove and on the back of a cabinet. Plans, I got plans! If I could get a sturdy platform made so I could get the wallpapering done upstairs I would be a happy camper. I have occasional mobility problems and am scared to get up on a ladder and fall. The ceilings are just a bit taller than I can comfortably reach. I did it until a few years back but not now.

I have the table all set with my Christmas china and all. I am not a good morning person so I must do as much as possible the night before. I am expecting about 10 people. About the time I get cleaned up from the brunch/lunch it will be time for my gs to appear. Saturday I WILL finish the cards!!!! I am so behind in everything but I just keep getting the chance to spend time with these great people and just cannot pass up the opportunity.

Happy Chanukah! Would someone please educate me on something? I notice that you guys spell it with a C but I see it with H all the time. I have read the Old Testament many times so I am not totally clueless but just interested in this minute detail as an English major. From what I have read the observence is a low key, gentle one that embodies what the season should be about. I am not one to talk about commercialism as I am surrounded by flashing lights, tinsel and a collection of animations that would make Macy's proud. LOL

Better go dust another room. Probably be dusty again tomorrow but I want to know I tried.

Have to check out a new ISP also. Anyone reccomend EarthLink?

SG/Linda

angelina

12-11-2001, 04:57 PM

SG, I didn't have a recipe handy and wasn't sure of the spelling. Spinach Madeleine, or however it is spelled is a casserole of creamed spinach with Monterey jack and Jalapeno pepper cheese and bread crumbs on top. It's one of my favorites!

IASW Rider

12-12-2001, 11:02 AM

Angelina - you'll just have to stop talking about all of this wonderful food.....I just finished breakfast and I'm already hungry again after reading your last post! Hope that you are feeling better!

SG - It would be wonderful to meet you when you come to NYC! There are lots of good bus and boat tours of Manhattan - I'm sure that you will find a good one! They show you all of the sites either by "land" or by "water". Maybe you could take a ferry over to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, too, if those interest you! Some of the tours might even include lunch and show tickets. But we'll definitely talk about that more, when the time gets closer to your trip! I would suggest coming between April and October, when the weather will be the most comfortable for being outside. And I'm sure that you are just as wonderful in person as you are "in the Suite"! :)

Technically, "Chanukah" can be spelled either way - "Hanukkah" is fine, also. It's a Hebrew word, so either English spelling is sort of an attempt at a phoenetic spelling of the word. In Hebrew, it is pronounced more like "Chanukah" (the "ch" sound being sort of like the sound you make when you clear your throat! It's a sound that does not exist in English pronunciation). But since that's difficult for some people to say who are not familiar with Hebrew, many people pronounce it "Hanukkah". All this to say.....either is OK! And I don't know if there is an actual reference to "Chanukah" / "Hanukkah" in the Old Testament. The events on which the holiday is based are there, though! Just look for the passages about one day's worth of oil burning for eight days!

Ooops - my boss just came by - gotta run - sorry to end so abruptly! Have a great day, everyone! :)

helenabear

12-12-2001, 01:08 PM

Hi everyone! Sorry I didn't get to come back here last night. I had some grocery shopping I forgot about.

Angelina, those recepies sound very very yummy!!! I may have to try some of those for my DH before his family comes as he loves all those ingredients you listed for the recepies (okay he isn't picky so that helps).

I have to thank you all for your kind words. You did remind me of something. Maybe my supervisor thought I didn't need to go to the class since I have done some teaching/training before in other groups and this one as well. It never dawned on me that might be the case especially since I just held a small session this morning introducing an application we use here to some who have very little experience with it. I also found out that my supervisor wasn't the one who recommended people much anyway. She was just told by her supervisor that some people should attend so that they can help a new group that is coming in. My manager is nice but he also has his favorites that he has worked with time after time. He is great but he does rely on his favorite team more than others because he has worked with them the longest. It is kind of bad though because this team was re-organized into doing what I have been doing for almost two years now (it will be two years tomorrow that I have been at this job :) ) So the more I thought about it, the less upset I have become. My supervisor knows I am a big help to those around me and I have received many compliments about my willingness to help share the knowlege I have so I feel much better than I did yesterday... I am sure you all know what it is like to desperately need a vacation and things just get to you. I am just glad I have about 1 1/2 weeks off around Christmas :D

You know I have never been to NYC myself. I think the big city itself has never appealed to me but the only thing I would like to see someday is the Statue of Liberty. To me cities are cities and I always try to avoid them ;) Maybe some day I will make it out there if not just to visit the Statue of Liberty.

SG, it sounds like you would be a good mother/mil to have. Luis and I have talked about my feelings and he understands why it hurt me so much to hear it. Now I know I am not perfect and I know that Luis and I can and do have fights but that is our release. We don't say anything really mean but when tempers flair, they flair, but afterwards we are fine. I know my parents were like that too and they loved each other very much. They just made sure we knew that their voices raised didn't mean anything and if they were silent then we should worry ;) But some of the implications that she said really bothered me. I have told Luis that I don't hold a grudge but it will take me a while to warm up to her the way I wanted to. I do not know what it will take for me to believe that she isn't judging me, but I hope whatever it is will happen soon. Luis has told me that she loves me, and I said back to him that I am sure she does, but does she LIKE me. The only good thing is that we are planning to celebrate Christmas on the Sunday they are here so that takes out one meal. Then they will probably want to go out to dinner another night and my dad wants to take them out so three meals are gone ;) I know I shouldn't be a nervous wreck thinking about it, but I have one 8 hour time period that I will be all alone with them.

Otherwise life is good. My cats are just as cute as can be. It is getting colder out and they are really beginning to feel it to their bones. They need to be held, warmed & cuddled. They have a great way of just making me smile because they are so purely loving. No expectations of each other but we seem to get wonderful feelings from each other just by being near each other. Well I need to get a few things done here at work :( I hope you all are having a great day!

IASW Rider

12-12-2001, 01:38 PM

Hey Helenabear!

Did you know that even though New York likes to "claim" it.....the Statue of Liberty is actually in NEW JERSEY??!! Seriously! It's closer to NJ than it is to NY! Ask your brother - he'll tell you! So you don't actually have to visit NYC in order to visit the Statue - come and visit your brother (and me! :) ) in New Jersey! :)

Glad that you are feeling better about the situation with that class at work. See? I knew that it had to be something like the fact that you were too experienced or over-qualified to take that particular class! I'm sure that your supervisor appreciates you and knows how valuable you are to the organization! Just look at all of your many accomplishments! And congratulations on your 2 year anniversary, tomorrow!

I wish that my cats were getting more cuddly as the result of the colder weather! They want to be held and cuddled about the same amount as always......but there is still so much tension between Frank's cats and mine that they are always nervous and ready to run when they see one another! We're taking Frank's cats to the vet to have their "SoftPaws" (little plastic things on their claws to keep them from being so sharp) reapplied next weekend - maybe we'll ask the Vet for some suggestions, then. I just think that it will take a longer amount of time than we'd expected, for them to calm down and live completely peacefullly with eachother.

Speaking of things that take time, maybe your MIL just needs some more time to get used to Luis being married. Nothing personally dealing with you - just getting used to her son being married and living far away. Maybe some of the negativity that you felt coming from her in the past was really just her feeling scared and "threatened" about "losing" her son. I'll bet that this Christmas visit will be much more pleasant and comfortable than you think it will be! I know that you're anxious about it, but I'll bet that you will be pleasantly surprised in a few weeks!

Hope that you're all having a nice day! And we're thinking of you, Jstmee! :)

Talk to you all soon! :)

SlightlyGoofy

12-12-2001, 08:20 PM

Boy, there is a wealth of experience and so much good advice to be gained in here. Rider, you hit the nail on the head in explaining to Helenabear about her job situation. It seems to me that people who have an abundance of self esteem often do not have quite as much to offer as they think they do. Helenabear, in worrying you are showing what a wonderful human being you are. I am so glad to hear that your bosses recognize the jewel they have in you and you will have to listen to them and believe them a bit more. IMHO it does not hurt to let them know what you are interested in doing though. You may not always get what you want but I bet your chances will improve. Got to make a little noise now and then so people do not forget you. LOL

Angelina, anything covered with cheese is just fine with me! I am not a really fancy cook. I tend to stay with old comfort foods. I used to cook lots of ethnic dinners (all kinds) but now it is just us and being an older couple we need healthier foods so that rules out a lot of things. We had leftovers from lunch today as I did not feel up to cooking more today. It was not too bad though. The party went very well and we had a cookie exchange also so I am well stocked with a variety for any guests. A neighbor brought me an early present. It was a set of nice cups with Norman Rockwell pictures on them. As crowded as my shelves were I made some room.

Rider, I have been to NYC a few times in my youth and did the sightseeing stuff. I did not have money in those days so I did not get to see any shows however. My sister spent her 50th birthday there and I shocked her to pieces, not easy to do. I tracked down a friend of hers that was going with her and had her pick up the tab for the birthday meal and I reimbursed her. She got the best card and when the bill came gave it to my sister who read that the meal was on me!!! It floored her. Statue of Liberty in NJ? Next thing you know you will be telling me that the Yankees are in NJ also. (big old grin) We have another recruit for our NY adventure. My mother's best friend who lives in DE is coming in to meet us if she can. She is a hoot. Tiny lady that she is she is a bundle of energy AND she has a Disney connection. Her grandson, Bradley Pierce, was the voice of Chip in B& The Beast as well as several other movies you may have seen. His little sister just had a scene in "West Wing". Interesting family. We talked for over 2 hours last night. In person, not on the computer. I am trying to get her on WebTv at least.

Helenabear, you may well enjoy that day alone with your in laws the best of any. Just let his mom know that you do not intend on keeping Luis away from his family and you will be their heroine. Please don't wear yourself out worrying about things that may never happen. I read somewhere that over 90% of the things we worry about DO NOT happen so worrying is generally a waste of your time. Just go with the flow and don't look for trouble. In some ways you show your true self on the Internet more than in person and you come across as someone very much in love with your DH, interested in making a lovely home, very capable at work and very interesting. In person you cannot be otherwise and more.

I am taking the rest of the night off. Back to the library tomorrow and some gifts to deliver and my last shopping list to make so it will be a breeze compared to some I have had lately. I am going park hopping and hope to catch some the parades, fireworks etc. Anyone have some ideas for a late dinner?

Slightly Goofy

PS Can anyone use some Disney coupons I have? 10% off Food, Beverage or Merchandise at DD Westside or $5 off any Planet Hollywood coupons?

C:\My Documents\cat is a purrrrr.jpg

IASW Rider

12-14-2001, 12:06 PM

Hi!

Sorry that it's taken me so long to write back - I've just been preoccupied with work and holiday stuff! How are you all doing, today?

The Yankees in NJ, SG???? Bite your tongue - if we get a baseball team here, it will definitely have to be the greatest team in the world.....THE NY METS!!!!!!! :) :) :) Well, if you've already done all of the "regular" sightseeing in NYC, SG, then you'll just have to spend your time going to lots of shows! You can either get the tickets ahead of time, or you can stand in line (probably not your preference) at the Times Square ticket booth and get 1/2 price tickets the day(s) of the performance(s)! Here are some ideas:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/iaswrider/BroadwayinTimesSquare.jpg

http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/iaswrider/BroadwayTimesSquare.jpg

And of course, there's "Disney on Broadway!" :)

http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/iaswrider/DisneyonBroadway.jpg

Please let me know when you start thinking about dates for your trip!

Glad to hear that you've been enjoying your gatherings with friends and really spreading that holiday cheer! Thank you for your offer of the coupons, but I get similar ones with my Disney Club membership!

How are you doing, Helenabear? Hope that you're having a nice rest-of-the-week!

I'm so glad that this week is almost over! Tedious week at work. Looking forward to finishing up my Chanukah shopping tonight so that I can wrap the gifts for my family, to give to them on Sunday. Speaking of gifts, we got a great package from my Fantasmic friend and his partner, yesterday! It was filled with WDW holiday goodies - I was really surprised and happy! Every time I receive an envelope or package with an Orlando postmark, I get excited! :) And speaking of things with Orlando postmarks, I don't know if I told you that I ordered the 100 YOM CD and Official Park Soundtrack from WDW mail order and received them recently. They're great (the Official Park Album is essentially the same one as the 2000 / 2001 album, but I don't care - I love having as much parks music as possible in my collection! :) )

Hope that you're having a nice day, Angelina! And we're thinking of you, Jstmee! And hello out there, Webmaster CC and Bashful64!

Have a great weekend, everyone! :)

helenabear

12-14-2001, 04:28 PM

Hi everyone. It is towards the end of my work day and I am just plain tired of working, so I am taking a break ;) All is well here and I plan on going to a party after work with my co-workers so that should be fun. I am just ready to get out of here and enjoy my weekend. I have one more week here before I take 1 1/2 weeks vacation :D I still have three days I am not using but that is okay. I won't get them back or anything but really 20 days vacation is more than enough (we do use these 20 days for sick & personal days as well, but I really don't use most of them).

Rider, thank you for posting those pictures. I love to see them. Definitely when I come to Jersey that I will stop by and say hi and maybe I will even go see the Statue of Liberty. I had no idea it was closer to NJ. Those NY'ers try and take them all ;) I was just glad you are not a Yankees fan. I am more than bored with them and I was thrilled to see the Diamondbacks beat them. Okay I wanted the Yankees to beat the Braves but that is because my team was beat by them!

I think I just got the best compliment today in a PM. Someone asked me if I wrote the quote I have myself under my signature or got if off of somewhere. I will admit the one about the stars & focusing on what is amazing was written by myself and I love that someone else likes it as much as I do. It was one of those things I was writing to a friend of mine before she got married. She was so worried about her reception that she started to lose sight of the important things so I wrote that to her in an e-mail and I have used it as my signature ever since in my e-mails. That along with the being young once quote. I just love that one. I can't remember where I first read it but it is so true for me... and I don't mean it in a negative way... more of being a child forever in my heart. It is a quote I have carried with me for years and my whole family knows it. But boy was I surprised that someone liked the other part of my signature.

I hope all is well with everyone and I should really get back to work even though I am not in the mood to do anything! I hope everyone has a WONDERFUL weekend!

jstmee

12-14-2001, 09:45 PM

I'm here, hello rider, SG, helenabear, Angelina and everyone else. I've missed you all. I went to Boston, last Thursday met with the Doctor, went to dinner at the Salty Dog in Fanuiel Hall on a beautiful 75 degree evening, then the next morning went under the knife. The Doctor removed the lesion "aka tumor" and the pathology report came back that they got all the cancer. So, I am now cancer free and only need to see the Doctor every three months for one year, and see what happens......WOW how something can turn your world around. I'm sore from the surgery, but recuperating well.

helenabear, i've been married 11 years this summer and I've learned that I live my life the way I do and my MIL lives hers. I love her and she loves me, we get on each others nerves, but we let bygones, be bygones and I have good days and bad days with her. But, all in all, I remember that she comes from a completely different family that I do and I can't expect her to be what I want her to be and likewise she can't expect me to be what she wants me to be.

My sons are at a rock a thon tonight, in rocking chairs for 5 hours straight, 65 kids, brought TV's, nintendos, DVD's, etc. you should see it, it a riot. The most fancy rocking chairs you've ever seen. Today, is the first day I've really been out of the house. I'm pretty tired.

Angelina, your southern cooking sounds sooooo good, especially the cajun turkey.....sounds like you do a lot with pecans also.....when we lived in South Carolina we had a few pecan trees on our property and a chestnut tree. I really miss south carolina.

gotta go, have been sitting too long reading all of your posts, I'll come back soon.

Happy Holidays. Wendy

SlightlyGoofy

12-14-2001, 09:56 PM

Rider, it is an easy choice on which show(s) I want to see. I wanna see 'em all!!! Your pictures are wonderful, almost as good as being there. I just love live entertainment. I think some it has to do with my hearing loss as I can feel music in person. I love old movies, especially the musicals. I will let you know the dates as soon as my sisters decide. It will be a bit hard for me as I will have to find my way to the airport. My DH does not drive much and I am not city driving material. I will find a way, never fear!!! Which shows have you seen or are there so many that you cannot list them all? I would love to see Lion King and The Producers. My sister has several travel agent friends and knows how to get the best bargains on everything so tickets and such should not be much of a problem. Can you tell us what you got in your Disney package? I just love surprises. I had to go shopping for Chanukah also as my brother and his family are coming for the holidays and his wife is Jewish. I don't think she goes to synagoge (please pardon my awful spelling) but I know that they try to teach their son about both cultures. My brother was missing for over 18 years so it is very special to have him and his family here. Our family name is very strange and when he was missing we were sure that the family name would die out but when he turned up he had a very special son. He is very much like our father and it causes me to cringe and sometimes to even cry when he is around but I am so very glad to know that he is alive. I will be thinking of you this weekend and picturing you and your family enjoying your celebration.

BTW, I really thought that Yankee Stadium WAS in NJ. I think that was a trivia question. For awhile Louisville Sluggers were made in IN. Just a trivial person I guess. LOL

Helenabear, you should at least get paid for the days you don't take. Where my DH worked he was allowed to bank so many days a year. The last year he worked he took a day off a week because he had so many days banked. I do not care for sports so I don't root for any teams except once in awhile when I am forced to see a game and then I always root for the underdog just on general principle. I like your signature as well but I always assumed that it was a quote. I am impressed with your writing abilities. How are your holiday plans going? I am trying to figure out my Christmas Eve menu. That is our big celebration.

Jstmee, our thoughts and prayers are with you and our hopes are that you are weathering your treatment well and are able to enjoy some of the holiday season. May the New Year bring you better health and much happiness.

WM Cathy C. are you off on another of your adventures? Angelina, yoo hoo, ready for an adventure? This would a wonderful evening to take in the Christmas Processional. It is an awesome sight and warms the cockles of your heart. What better way to end an evening at Disney?

SG/Linda

SlightlyGoofy

12-14-2001, 10:03 PM

Oh my, Jstmee. How in the world did I miss you? I thought I had checked every nook and cranny of the suite but we must have missed each other somehow. I am so happy to hear from you and I cannot think of anything I wanted more for a Christmas present than what you have related. Cancer free!! Hallelujah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I applaud your view of your mil. That is the way we should be with everyone. If we only associate with people who agree with us in every way we cannot grow as people and plus we would be very lonely. I am sure that your mil appreciates the jewel she has in you. Is she close enough to help out with the kids and such and give you some rest this year?

Have a good night and {{{{{GBF Hugs}}}}}

SG/Linda

helenabear

12-15-2001, 09:53 AM

Jstmee, I am so happy for you. I just stopped in to catch up on the news between my cleaning frenzy this weekend (In laws are here next Sat. and since MIL is allergic to cats I am going to vacuum like crazy today so I won't have to do it so hard next week... just a nice run over) and I read your post. What a wonderful present to give yourself and your family!!!! I hope the next year proves to show nothing in your doctor's visits! I hope you recooperate very well! I will check back later everyone after I finish some more cleaning. I have a small bedroom full of stuff that my BIL will have to sleep in... and a bed full of bears that I don't know where the heck I will put as they look so nice on his bed :eek: I'll be sure to figure out something though :D

angelina

12-15-2001, 10:37 AM

Jstme, how wonderful to hear from you. Congratulations on your great news, just in time for the holidays. I know you must be so relieved. I have been thinking about you and hoping things were going well.

Where in South Carolina did you live? I have a cousin who lives in Simpsonville. We visited several years ago when his son was Christened, and drove up to Asheville, (sp?) to see the Biltmore Estate. It is beautiful up there, but I did NOT enjoy driving in the mountains! I wouldn't say I have a fear of heights, it's a fear of FALLING from heights that gets me. At any rate, we enjoyed the trip, and it's always nice to see new places. There is a tremendous difference between Mobile, where I live, and Birmingham, about 4 hrs north. As I think of it, pecan trees are as plentiful as oak trees. When you drive "over the bay" you see more pecan trees than anything. We have lots of pecan processing plants all around here. And if anyone wants to see something really fun, we have Mardi Gras, too. We had it first, ha ha. It's similar to New Orleans, but a lot different, too, and much safer. One of the CM's I spoke with at the Disney Club is trying to make plans to come here in February for it. My sister and I laugh about the four seasons--Spring, Summer, Holiday, and Mardi Gras. It's funny to hear people make plans after Christmas, because you always hear "Is that during Mardi Gras" as they check their calenders.

Yes, SG, I'm ready for some fun. When we were thinking about going to WDW after Thanksgiving, we had planned to see the Lights and the CP at Epcot. I think the Lights will still be up if we go in January, they are scheduled to be open thru the 6th, so maybe we will be able to see them.

I have to leave to pick up my daughter, who spent the night with my grandmother. Take care, everyone. I'll check back later.

Angie

helenabear

12-15-2001, 10:55 AM

I too am in for some fun (boy I should really stop finding excuses for not doing the house work ;) ) I think today would be a marvelous day to go waltzing around looking at the Christmas lights. I have seen pictures and they are so beautiful!!!

BTW congrats angelina on becoming a Vet!!!

angelina

12-15-2001, 11:10 AM

I wouldn't have noticed if you hadn't, Helenabear.

Dan Murphy

12-15-2001, 11:12 AM

Elaine misses nothing, angelina, LOL. :D

helenabear

12-15-2001, 11:55 AM

A keen eye and quick fingers never misses a post to be made about congratulating someone ;) Okay really I just don't want to have to organize that bedroom of mine before Luis' brother has to sleep in it so I am finding any excuse possible not to clean :D And in all actuality I have been waiting for a week to catch that 75th post... but then your computer went down on us, so I just waited patiently for you to come back :D

IASW Rider

12-15-2001, 09:39 PM

That is such wonderful news, Jstmee! So glad that you are recuperating well and that your procedure is over! Thank God everything turned out well! Wishing you continued good health and happiness for the new year!

Very observant of you, Helenabear! Congratulations, Angelina! Alabama sounds so interesting and pretty - hopefully I will be able to visit your state some day!

Helenabear - it sounds like you definitely need a break from all of your cleaning and preparing for your company! I say that we take SG up on her offer of some WDW holiday fun!

I also love the old movie musicals, SG! I love musicals in general! In fact, most of the shows that I have seen are all musicals. Of the ones that are currently playing on Broadway, I have seen "Phantom of the Opera" (2ce), "Les Miserables", "Chicago" ( 3 times!), "Rent" (also 3 times!), "The Rocky Horror Show", "Cabaret", and "The Producers". I would love to see the new production of "42nd Street" , and a friend of mine from college is taking us to see "Mamma Mia" next month. I've seen a ton more, which are no longer playing. I wish that I could pick an all-time favorite, but there are so many! I hope that they revive "Dreamgirls" and "A Chorus Line", soon - I loved those shows! My Fantasmic friend sent us some 100 Years of Magic souvenirs as well as some beautiful collector's mugs featuring Brave Little Tailor Mickey (I think that each year they come out with a new edition with a different picture of Mickey on it). It was very nice - I can't wait to see him when we go back down to WDW in June! Especially since he promised a special Fantasmic tour!

Well, time to get back to wrapping gifts for my family for our little get together, tomorrow. Hope that you're all having a great weekend! Talk to you soon! :)

helenabear

12-15-2001, 10:08 PM

That is one thing that being near to New York would be nice for. I have only seen Broadway shows that travel here. I have seen "Phantom" (I cried at the end... and I even know the music) "Cats" and "Jesus Christ Superstar". I have also seen what my high school did as productions but I don't think that counts ;)

I surely did not get enough done today. We still have the majority of the smaller bedroom to go through. I did get the closet there cleaned out and I did find a lamp that I needed to get for the other bedroom. I guess I spent too much time here :o Maybe I'll blame those who were sending me PMs today ;) So I am ready for some holiday fun, especially after going to THREE different stores looking for something that Luis' brother wants for his birthday and still couldn't find it :( Oh well. My babies are asking for attention so I had better give them some loving! I hope you all have a great weekend!

angelina

12-16-2001, 12:40 AM

Rider, how nice it must be to live close to so much wonderful entertainment! I was in NY many years ago at Easter time, and was able to see Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with David Cassidy. It was very good, (was that an Andrew Lloyd Webber production?) but I remember seeing the billboards for so many other shows I would have loved to see. Last year, I took my daughter to see Phantom in Birmingham. Even at 7, she GOT IT! She cried at the end, too. Tomorrow I'm taking my two oldest to see Cats, along with my sister and her daughter. We try to see most of the "big" shows when they are here. I would love to see Phantom again, though. I think it's my favorite.

Tonight we gave my mom her Christmas present. I know it's early, but my sister isn't sure of her plans for Christmas Day. We all chipped in and bought her a new dryer. Her old one had been on the blink for months. She was so surprised, she cried. Then we took her to see a couple of neighborhoods that really decorate for the holidays.

Rider, anytime you're ready, let me know. A lot of people I know would NOT say Alabama is either interresting or very pretty, but I've lived here all my life, and I can't imagine living anywhere else. The city itself is celebrating it's 300th birthday in 2002, so there are a lot of things planned for that. Mobile is Alabama's 1st city. We're on Mobile Bay, and the Eastern shore is one of the best kept secrets around. We're also less than an hour from the Gulf of Mexico, so we have lots of fresh seafood, too. Yes, I know this sounds hokey. Seafood and pecans, woowoo.

OK, I'm off to clean up the kitchen--what a mess! I did a lot of baking today, and my kids were soooo wired from all the sugar they ate tasting things. Thank goodness they're finally asleep!

IASW Rider

12-17-2001, 11:45 AM

I also love "Phantom", Helenabear and Angelina - I cried through it both times - the music is so beautiful! And yes, Angelina, "Joseph" is also an Andrew Lloyd Webber production - I enjoy those Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals! Speaking of which, how did you all enjoy "Cats"? I saw that a few years ago, too! I also saw David Cassidy on Broadway (he was the first person I ever had a crush on, way back in "The Partridge Family" years!) - in "Blood Brothers", with his brother Shaun! Got to meet them both, too! :)

Hey - seafood and pecans sound good to me! And that's so neat that you live so close to the water! I'm sure that it is really nice down there! And since Mobile is having a special celebration, soon, it sounds like this will be a great time to visit!

And that's so nice that your mother was so touched by your gift! I'm sure that she really appreciated your all getting the dryer for her!

Wow, Helenabear - you need to give yourself a break from cleaning and shopping and preparing for your company! Give yourself a chance to catch your breath and enjoy the holiday season! :)

We went to my parents' yesterday, for the last night of Chanukah, and we all exchanged gifts. I was very happy - my parents and my uncle all seemed to really like the gifts that we got them and everyone (including my mother, amazingly enough!) was in a good mood! It was a pleasant day and evening.

Well, time to stop procrastinating and get to work, here! Have a nice day, everyone! :)

helenabear

12-17-2001, 01:23 PM

Hi there everyone! I hope you all are having a less busy day than I am here at work :D

I will have to say, I swear Andrew Lloyd Webber seems to do no wrong in my book! I love almost all the music I have heard of his. I really did like Cats a lot! It was a lot of fun and I had great seats for that.

I will admit right now I am very annoyed with a program we have here at work and when I am annoyed I am not to talkative so excuse me if I don't ramble on as I usually do! I probably shouldn't be here when I am so annoyed because then I have a tendency to be more negative in the long run :(

Angelina, it sounds like you had a very nice time wiht your family. That sounds like a wonderful gift to give and I am glad she liked it so much. And you too Rider, it sounds like you had a good day with your family for the last day of Chanukah. I am still dreading the in-laws coming. Luis doesn't understand that no matter how much he claims that I don't have to do anything special for his family, he doesn't understand that I don't eat a full breakfast lunch & dinner the way his family does and I don't even begin to know how to deal with having to cook three meals a day when I only really eat two. I also keep things organized in my Palm and Luis' mother thought I was nuts when I had a list of questions to ask them listed on my Palm Pilot (like any foods they can't eat, do they drink coffee in the morning... we don't so I have to find my old coffee maker if they wanted it, what time are they coming and leaving...) and she thought I was getting stressed over that!!! If she only knew what I worry about with them coming. I know you guys have told me to be myself and she will like me for me, but I have been me in the past and I really don't think she does like the real me. And that makes me really sad. I know I can be a pain and I KNOW I have a temper that will flair at times so I am not perfect but I get this nagging feeling that there is something about me that she just can't get over and I don't know what it is. Sometimes I fear that it is because I am not Puerto Rican. At any rate she has picked at me and the last time she picked at me it was around Christmas and I already told Luis that I am not in the mood to be picked on this year. I don't want to be instructed on how to do things or to improve myself. Anyone who knows me knows that around this time of year I can't hack it. Tell me at another time, but not around this time of year. See what I mean, when I am frustrated, I get negative... so I will stop now. I just hope the 25th comes quickly and it isn't as bad as I fear it will be.

I hope you all have a great day and I am now ready to tackle the database again and hopefully this time when I input my info, it won't lose it!!!

angelina

12-17-2001, 06:47 PM

Helenabear, having never had to deal with inlaws, I can only rely on tales my sister has told me, so she is constantly telling me what to do and what not to do when my son ( the only boy out of all our children) grows up and gets married. I try to imagine what kind of MIL I will be, and my sister thinks I'm going to be awful, and I can't imagine liking anyone my son could bring home, so I sit here laughing at your comment that you think there must be something your MIL doesn't like about you. Yeah, you married her son! Sometimes that's all there is to it. Besides, of course you have to do something special, just as you would for anyone who visits your home. I'd be worried if you didn't feel like you had to make things as comfortable for your guests as you could. You know, this might be the get together where you and your MIL enjoy yourselves. Just plaster a big smile on your face, do your best, and let the rest roll right off your back. I have every confidence that you will be fine. It will be over in no time, and who knows, you might enjoy it.

helenabear

12-17-2001, 10:21 PM

Thank you angelina for your kind and thoughtful words. I am sure it won't be as bad as I fear, but somehow I got the terrible pessimistic streak in me! I will try to be positive and hopefully it will be rather pleasant. Well I'm off to bed. My cat kept me up last night (I had to try to convince her that my head was NOT her pillow :rolleyes: ) Night all :D

IASW Rider

12-18-2001, 01:27 PM

Yes, Helenabear - Angelina is absolutely right - this just might be the time when you and your MIL really hit it off and relax and enjoy one another's company! I know how stressful it is to prepare for guests - especially overnight guests whom you really want to impress! But I'm sure that you're doing a great job, that your house looks wonderful, that you will have all of the appropriate foods and drinks and other things to make Luis's family comfortable, and that everything will go much more smoothly than you imagine! I know that it must be especially stressful and emotional for you, particularly at this time of year. But it sounds like you have everything under control. And if - hopefully it won't happen, but - your MIL says something that irks or upsets you, try the best you can to let it roll off. As Angelina said, her "prickliness" might just be because you married her son - nothing more! Don't worry about anything! Now, as for your cat sleeping on your head......!

We keep our bedroom door closed at night (my bedroom is the only place in which the cats are not allowed - I have some knick-knacks and stuff that I don't want them near, in there), so none of my cats have the opportunity to sleep on my head or face......but it would be interesting to see what that's like!

Hope that your database update was successful, too! I have to run, now - speaking of work. We have an afternoon-long "team building workshop" for our group from 1:00 - 5:00.....I guess they think that we need that after all of our boss and staffing changes over the past 6 months! It will be a nice break and change of pace, anyway!

Hope that you're all having a nice day! :)

SlightlyGoofy

12-18-2001, 03:00 PM

I have been missing out. I was wondering what was going on as I had not received notice of any new postings. Darn it, I am so far out of touch I don't think I can remember everything I read and who all said what. Please pardon me as I am the oldest and am getting near to senility. LOL

I have seen Jospeh also and really enjoyed it. It was supposed to have Donnie Osmond and I was a bit put off as there was a last minue replacement. It was the guy who won all the contests on Star Search. Afterward I could not imagine anyone better in the role. I am a bit cheap and the tickets were pricey but when we left we had a happy, awed look in our eyes and we still talk about how wonderful it was. I have the tapes of Joseph and Cats but it is not the same, even on a large screen tv.

Helenabear, maybe things will go well during the holidays. If not, possibly you might consider writing or calling your mil to get your feelings out in the open. It is easier for me to write to people than to talk face to face as I get too emotional. By writing you also get the chance to sleep on it and edit if needed. It also gives the other person a chance to think about what was said before replying. Since your main worry is that she does not like you rather than criticizing her she may open her heart to you and you will discover that there is just a misunderstanding. I cannot imagine not being touched by someone who wants you to like them. It is such an honor and blessing.

Angelina, I have been through Alabama many times and think it is a perfectly nice place. We enjoyed the Space Museum the most. There is something special about every spot on Earth it is just a matter of what a person is looking for IMHO. We have been to the Biltmore many times and have a wonderful place to eat while there. It is the Park Grove Inn up on a hill. It is am attracation all it's own and the dining room looks out over the hills and the food is nice also. We celebrated out 25th anniversary there. Congrats on your 75th post!!!

Jstmee, I hope your recovery is a quick and easy one. It is like childbirth, you have the hard part over and the sense of relief and happiness must be awesome. What better present could your family get this year or any other. I have several friends who are veterans of the cancer wars and they are going strong many years after the fact. (myself included)

Rider, you would naturally have good seats for any show would you not? You must be like my sister. She can make the best friends and is able to do so many things that others only dream of. I am letting her make all the plans. It will be so nice to sit back and let someone else take charge. I get tired of being the 'boss'.

ILast of cards and presents went out today. I am puttering around doing a few last minute things as this is my only full day home without company before the 24th (our big celebration). I have the menu all figured out and just have to shop for a couple of things. I have been receiving packages from Amazon.com all week. Lots of books for me and the school library. The town library was offered the money but the main library would not allow them to take it so I took my offer back after a year of waiting and bought books from the requested list at the grade school library.

I need to go take a nap. David Cassidy was my DAUGHTER'S heart throb. I feel so old. (sob) Now, if you wanna talk about Ricky Nelson, I am the gal for you!!!

The sun is shining nicely on the Magic Kingdom today. Crowds are low and no lines. Heigh Ho, Heigh Ho, it is off for fun we go!!!

Slightly Goofy

jstmee

12-18-2001, 11:44 PM

Ah, yes, David Cassidy.....he's was a heart throb to me also.

helenabear, i can understand your worries. And you know something, your MIL might have a little dislike for you because you are not Puerto Rican like you said. I'm sure she's not doing it intentionally, but she is the mother to your son and sometimes things are hard for mothers. I know my MIL like me immediatly because I was Catholic, she didn't even know ME. and I remember her not really liking my BIL's first wife because she was not a Catholic.

You mentioned that she is allergic to cats. I was thinking as a goodwill gesture, you can keep the room that they are sleeping in closed off before they arrive and spray some fabreeze or something like that to have it cat allergy free. You can even mention it to her when she arrives that you did that in hopes of getting in her good graces. I really hope things go well, and if there are any tiffs, try to wait and thing about anything before reacting, sometimes it's just not worth.....I speak from experience, I have put my foot in my mouth MANY times over the years with my inlaws and the SIL's and BIL's, my DH is one of 8 children.

Angelina, Your area sounds like the next vacation spot for us! Mardi Gras, safer.......pecan groves, and the Gulf close by !!!!! Here we come! I've also been to the Biltmore House and love that area. I lived in Rock Hill, SC, it's right on the NC border, close to Charlotte, NC.

SG, I am so proud of you getting books for the school library, they always need books.

IASW Rider, I used to live in Binghamton,NY as a child and the Poconos as a teen and went to New York for a few shows, I think A Chorus Line is one of my favorites. I was even in some musicals in college, always in the chorus and small little parts, lol, like in "A Pajama Game" my part was to scream in the Hernandos Hideway part. I really loved performing, the whole excitement of it. My DD and I were in the mall on Sunday and a dance school had their annual recital we both watched the entire thing and enjoyed every bit of it, and we didn't know a soul in any of the performances. What was the brand of Guitar you had mentioned a while before about being defective. I forgot what you said.

and about housekeeping....I hired a woman to come in and clean and she was here for 5 hours, and what a blessing that was....she cleaned the ceiling lamps, laundry, floors, toilets, and yes, she even does windows. She dusted stuff that I would never dust, just because I'm not a big detail person, nor do I have the time, the trophy shelves in my boys rooms are dusted and cleaned. This was definately my Christmas present.....

goodnight to all..Wendy

helenabear

12-19-2001, 08:40 AM

Hello everyone! I hope all is well with you!

I think it is such a shame that some people judge others before they really get to know them. My mom, being the strict Catholic she was didn't want me to marry anyone who was not Catholic. Maybe because of that I became more open to other religions and don't really care what you believe in as long as you can stand by your convictions. She was also a fair amount more prejudiced against people than I am (and I really don't think I am that prejudiced against people) and she didn't want me to hang out with someone because of her sexual preferences. Maybe that helped me to see how silly prejudices can be. Because I was friends with these people and didn't see what the issue was with their "differences" that my mom did. I am actually rather surprised I married someone who is Catholic because after I went to public schools I didn't find myself dating anyone who was Catholic. Besides little grade school crushes or dates here and there, Luis is the only Catholic I ever seriously dated. But jstmee, I can totally understand how your MIL felt, as I said my mother didn't want any of us to marry someone who wasn't Catholic. She even told me she would have a real hard time with any of us dating someone who was not even Christian :rolleyes: When writing it down it sounds very silly to me.

You know jstmee, when we talked to Luis' family on Sunday and I asked how allergic people were to cats and his mom said really only her, that moment I went and closed the bedroom door for her. I had just vacuumed the day before so I figured that would help keep some of the hair out. I will vacuum again right before they come (all over the house and in that room especially) and we are going to put our Ionic Breeze in their room for them to help as well. You are right about one thing though, I doubt if the reason why she doesn't like me is because I am not Puerto Rican is an intentional thought. I normally wouldn't even want to think that of someone, but she always refers to "our country" as Puerto Rico even though she has been living in the US about half of her life now. There are just the little things I pick up on that make me think this. But I don't want to think about that too much now as things can't get better by me worrying about them (but I will admit I am darn good at worry about the stupid things of life).

I just found out yesterday that a cousin of mine & his oldest daughter are planning on coming to the Columbus area next week :D I haven't seen him since Luis and I got married and I haven't seen his oldest daughter in years!!! My cousin was in town for our grandmother's 90th birthday and he wound up buying an antique grandfather clock. He was going to wait for a face for his clock (no it didn't have one) but it has been almost 6 months so he is coming to pick it up now. When I found out, I e-mailed him and offered up our house since it will be freshly cleaned from Luis' parents it wouldn't be a trouble at all to get it ready for him and his daughter. He took me up on his offer and said he'd love to stay with us for a few nights. So I am excited about that. His girls have grown up so much over the last years and it is amazing to see them now.

Jstmee, can you send your housekeeper my way? It would keep Luis from having to clean today ;) Seriously I am so glad to hear you hired one. You need a good break now and then! I always told myself if I had a maid, I would not be silly and clean the house before s/he came. I would let them clean it up, after all what would be the point of having one then anyway? To dust off little things here and there :p

Well I really should get back to work. I will remember all the good advice you all gave me these last few days and I will try my best to have a great time with them!!! I hope you all have a wonderful day :D

SlightlyGoofy

12-19-2001, 08:44 PM

I grew up with a father who pretty much hated everyone, especially if they were 'different". I was lucky enough to have an intelligent mother who let us know, without lectures, that was wrong. I tend to think that everyone is prejudiced about something whether they admit it or not. IMHO you have to recognize your prejudices before you can change them. That is what I love about the Internet. You get to know people before you get influenced by looks, sex, color, religion, voice, clothing or social status. It is the ideas that people have and how they conduct themselves that matters, not the outward appearances.

I have tried to be good to my dil in spite of fears, that I believe most anyone would have had. She called out of the blue after years while in the middle of a divorce and having 2 boys. She had broken my son's heart many years ago and I sort of figured she was looking for someone to pick up the pieces but was so hoping that it would work out as my son loved her so much. With 3 days notice I arranged a wedding and reception and we even paid for the honeymoon. I kept the boys while they were away and always took care of the kids when I was well enough to do so. It just tears me up to see such nice young women who want their mil's to love them and they feel rejected while some mil's bust their you know whats and get rejected. It is probably easier on a marriage if both people come from similar backgrounds and values and such but you cannot help you fall in love with and once your child has made their choice it is up the the family to help the marriage succeed not tear it apart. I have also seen that when couples are different from each other they can bring out the best in each other. Love is a funny thing, you either got it or not and love can make almost any couple last.

Gee, do you think putting up a tree with ornaments with pictures of all my grands put me in this mood? Yep, sorry. I will stop whining.

Helenabear, if your mil is really allergic it is quite brave of her to come and spend time at your house. Even if you clean the bedroom all up she will still have some problems. It is nice of her to do that. I am sure that she will appreciate the effort you are making to make her comfortable. What great timing for your cousin and family to come while you already have the house all fixed up. I hope you will allow them to take you out to eat one evening so you can have a bit of a break between sets of company tho.

Jstmee, what a great present to give youself. A housekeeper gives you the gift of time to spend on more important things. My brother who is coming for the holidays was missing for over 18 years and we found him in the Poconos. Tobyhanna to be exact. He now lives in Cincy.

I am getting an early Christmas present. One of my dil's is coming and picking up my DH to spend a couple of days with his brothers. It will give me a chance to catch my breath (literally) and get a few things done before Monday. It is hard to clean when someone else is going around messing up right behind you. I think I have a case of pneumonia also and need some time with my nebulizer so I will be able to avoid the doctor or hospital. This is not a good time for either. LOL

Have to check the gift closet and see if I can come up with a couple of gifts for bil's I was not expecting to see. Life in the fast lane, that's me!!

Slightly Goofy

jstmee

12-20-2001, 07:46 AM

Just a quick little note. I'm in between sewing some holes in my sons favorite shirt that he wants to wear to school today, helping another son with his homework, combing my daughters hair and just loving the little one. Life is beautiful if we just let it be!

Have a wonderful day everyone. What shall we do tonight. I'd like to see some light parades.

wendy

helenabear

12-20-2001, 08:33 AM

Hi everyone! I hope you all had a good day yesterday (jstmee, it sounds like you were having a beautiful day yesterday) and I hope you all have a good day today. My week feels so LOOOOONG. Probably because I know that next week I am not coming in and I won't return to work until Jan. 3rd :D I always try to save up my vacation to allow most of that time, if not all of it off. If I felt like it, I would be gone two full weeks. But I guess I also have a few issues with that because even though my back up on my orders is beyond compitant (she is wonderful actually) I just like having my hand in my orders and projects and I don't like to bog others down with my work. But I don't feel so bad about this time because she was gone for two full weeks in November and I took over her orders then. So we don't take adavantage of each other but I am so glad to know that she is there for me when I am out.

SG, I love the internet for the exact reasons you stated. I love getting to know people for how they feel & what they say and I really don't care how they look or what they believe spiritually. So through the internet we don't even have a chance to do that. Sure we see pictures of people now and then but after time it doesn't matter because we have come to like or dislike the person for who they are on the inside. I know everyone judges for whatever reasons (I know I do and as SG said, I try to recognize them so I can try to be fair but sometimes it is hard) and now I have noticed it isn't always as cut and dry as "I don't want to talk to them because they are of x race" or "I can't be friends with them because they believe x" sometimes it is little factors that we judge others on (accents, style of clothes, even where they live) and those are the ones that can be just as bad. And sometimes those are the hardest to come face to face with. Like I grew up in a nicer neighborhood. It was a wealthier neighborhood and some people there were downright rich & snobby. Because of these few snobs and the stereotyped home of the area were "known" to many, I was classified as a snob. Granted I wasn't poor but we weren't rich either. But people assumed I had a ton of money and that I was snobby. Even at my work someone heard of where I lived and currently live and she said something to the effect of all the snobs who live there and she was constantly making cracks about my wealth status. I guess the only good thing that has come out of me living where I do is that big homes don't impress me anymore. They don't phase me because I have been in million dollar homes and that isn't what impresses me. It is the people inside who do or don't. I know many people who are millionaires or close to it who are the kindest, sweetest people in the world and then I know some poorer people who are the snobbiest people I have come across. So it never pays to judge someone based on their home.

Now that I have rambled and rambled on about that. I have stronger feeling about prejudices than some. My dad's side of the family is very prejudiced to the point that if you weren't one certain way, you were a foreigner and not welcome. I lived incredibly close (physically) to some of my dad's family and they didn't care to get to know us because of who my dad married. I don't even know most of my dad's side. That stung when you realized your grandparents really didn't like you because of your mother. They lived less than 5 miles away and we saw them maybe 6 times a year. That hurt us a lot and it really affects how you look at people when you are the target of the hate.

Anyway I should stop now ;) I have a lot of stupid work to try to get done today so I had better get started. I hope you all are having a great day, and I promise not to ramble so.

IASW Rider

12-20-2001, 11:04 AM

Hi All!

How are you doing, today? Sorry that I wasn't in touch yesterday - I have the weirdest sore throat ever and have not been feeling too great! It's weird because it's only on the left side, and it doesn't feel like it's all in my "throat", but rather in my neck, as well! It must be a swollen gland. But wouldn't they both get swollen at the same time? And what made it swell to start with? And why one side and not the other?? Very weird! I just hope that this isn't the beginning of a cold.......I don't want to be sick for our 110 mile trek to DF's parents' house next week! :)

Pneumonia, SG????!!!! Do you really think that you have it? If so, PLEASE SLOW DOWN! I know that you have a lot to do before Monday night, but DON'T PUSH IT! I've had pneumonia once before and bronchitis many times before, and I know how they tend to linger and hang on. I hope that you're feeling better, soon! Hopefully, you'll be able to have a bit of rest while DH is away! Actually, I rarely ever get great theater seats! We sat in the very last row of the balcony for "The Lion King" (waaaaaay up high! I said to DF "well, at least we're in the theater!") and we sat up in the balcony for the past few other shows that we've seen, as well. I almost prefer sitting up in the mezzanine or balcony, 'cause you get a better "panoramic" view of the stage that way! We sat in the FRONT ROW for "Saturday Night Fever", and although it was neat to be so close, we couldn't see the entire stage.

Glad to hear that all is well, Jstmee! We also have a housekeeper - in fact, she was there when I left for work, today - it's wonderful to have someone to help out! DF and I get home from work so late that it really helps to have someone give us a hand, a few times a month. It's funny though - just like Helenabear said, we DO clean before she comes, so that she won't think that we're total slobs! Actually, we make sure that the cats didn't make any messes before she comes - we really need to take care of those - if there are any - ourselves! I spent almost every summer of my youth in the Poconos! I went to and worked at summer camps in Marshalls Creek (near Stroudsburg) and Dingman's Ferry (near Milford)- whereabouts did you live, when you lived up there? I love it up in the mountains - very pretty! I wish that I had been more brave and tried out for more plays in high school and college - I'm sure that you had a lot of fun performing in them! I also love dance school recitals - brings back the memories of all the years of dancing lessons (ballet, tap, jazz) that I took as a child and adolescent! That's so neat that you watched the recital - I would have done the same thing!

Sounds like you have everything under control, over there, Helenabear! When is your company arriving? I enjoyed your thoughts and your conversation with SG about the unfairness of the way that some people judge others with very little information or based on stereotypes, and how meeting people on line kind of disspells those things and allows you to see people for who they really are - not based on "vital statistics". I have some experiences to add, as well....but unfortunately I'm at work, so I can't write for too much longer! :( Anyway, we'll continue later!

Hope that you're all having a nice day and that your holiday plans are coming along nicely! Take care and I'll talk to you soon! :)

helenabear

12-20-2001, 12:20 PM

I just read your post Rider and I missed what SG said about Pneumonia (teach me to read early in the morning) SG, please take care of yourself. We don't want you ill!!!! I hope you get all the rest you need to be your normal self and not have pneumonia.

I all here who aren't feeling well feel better soon. Sending PD out everywhere so no one get sick for the Holiday travelings and gatherings!

IASW Rider

12-20-2001, 12:59 PM

Thank you! It feels like I have a golf ball stuck in the right side of my throat / neck - UGH. Hope that it goes away, soon! Thank you for your good wishes, Helenabear, and hope that you're having a nice day and getting ready for your vacation! :)

angelina

12-21-2001, 11:09 AM

Good morning, everyone. I have a house full of children today, and I still have some baking to do and a dress to make for my daughter, so I am going to have my hands full. We are all fighting a cold and sore throats, too. I know this weekend is going to be very busy for everyone, and I wanted to take a moment to wish all of you a Merry Christmas. I have enjoyed getting to know everyone here, and look forward to reading your posts every day. In a way I feel like we've all become fast friends over the past few months, and I have to tell you how much it meant to have your kind words and PD when things were down around here. Many blessings to all of you.

Angelina

SlightlyGoofy

12-22-2001, 05:44 PM

OMG, I did not mean to scare anyone. I get pneumonia on a regular basis. I have my very own nebulizer so I can care for myself at home. It is not a big deal as long as I get on it right away. Just makes it much harder for me to get around and get things done.

We have a housekeeper too. ME!!! I did not get much of a break as my DH showed up early and with a brother in tow. Seems I provide better service than their other brother. LOL I managed to get a meal together but had to get up extra early today to bake the cookies and such I was planning on doing last night.

My poor DD and family are all down sick. What a terrible time to not feel like eating!! Hope I did not pick up those germs as I had been taking care of the small boy when he came down with the crud.

Rider, I sure hope you have not caught any bugs from this direction. I am praying that you are feeling much better today. I cannot believe that you do not get the best seats in the house on every occasion. Do they not know who they are dealing with? My sister would always get the best seats. Mom always said that Donna was charmed. She gambles and wins!!! Not me, the only thing I ever won was a case of whiskey and I don't drink. LOL I have been to Stroudsburg. My fondest memory of the Poconos involved a cheesecake factory. Mind you I did not eat any but I have not been able to look at another cheesecake without comparing it to what I had seen there. It is amazing how small the world is and it is getting smaller every day. Bet we have all been to many of the same places. I spent an hour on a site this morning that my bil sent me. He is retired military and is eligible for a special discounted rate on some really great places. You pay about $225 a week for a suite or condo in all kinds of places. Myrtle Beach was one of the places that interested me. I even knew one of the places that was available. Looks like a great way to stretch our retirement vacation dollars and since we would be staying in one place it would not be too hard on me. Our NY trip is getting complicated as one sister refuses to fly. Amazingly it is the one who lives in Columbus, O and is a former MP. She was stationed overseas and flew often. I will have to wait and see how it comes out. She wants to take the train but it would take a day and a half and have several stops.

Helenabear, sending much PD your way and hoping that your visitors are enjoying all the hard work you have gone through to ensure their comfort. Cannot wait to hear how it all went. Christmas is just so much better with family and friends around.

I used to be a reverse snob. I was terrified to skinny beautiful women and was sure that they would not like me. After a life altering experience I found it was my problem not them and I now have a wide variety of friends chosen for their hearts and worth and not their girth or lack thereof. LOL I can understand how it must have hurt to be thought a snob. I bet you were shy. Shy people are often considered snobbish. I like to quote Ricky Nelson "You can't please everyone so just please yourself". The best you can be is polite to everyone and you will occasionally find a friend among the crowds. Some are short term, some are long term but they all come along for a reason and sometimes just for a season. I used to regret the people who passed through and were gone from my life but I have come to realize that I would not have missed knowing these people even if they did leave a void when they moved or became interested in other things that lured them away. Had a weird thing happen to me recently. We attended an open house, just looking. The older lady that was having the open house was quite a talker and even tho there were many people looking she became attached to us and followed us out to the car and we had a hard time leaving. She was very interesting. Yesterday I opened some Christmas cards and one was unfamiliar. When I opened it I found it was from this lady. How in the world did she find out our names and address? Don't know whether to be flattered or frightened. (smile)

Angelina, things are going well at your house now? I hope so, it adds so much to the celebratory nature of the season. In the middle of the holidays you have the time, not to mention the talent, to make a dress for your daughter. I am in awe.

Jstmee, just stated a simple truth that says it all "Life is beautiful if we just let it be! " What more can be said?

Happy Holidays all you wonderful ladies!!!! Your Slightly Goofy friend, Linda

C:\My Documents\Snowman robbery.jpg

IASW Rider

12-23-2001, 03:18 AM

Hi Everyone!

I just wanted to thank you all for the wonderful correspondence of the past 9 or so months! It's wonderful hearing from all of you every day and learning about you all and your lives and the special people in them. Thank you for being my friends and for sharing yourselves with me. Thanks for all of the great laughs, stories, advice, comments, and information! I really do hope that we can all meet in person some day!

Wishing you all and your families a wonderful, special and very merry Christmas!

Love,
Lisa / IASW Rider :)

SlightlyGoofy

12-23-2001, 09:06 AM

Ahhhhhhhh Gawrsh!!!!! Huk Huk Huk. Thanks so much. We feel the same about you!!!

C:\My Documents\Santa with flying deer.gif

SG/Linda

helenabear

12-24-2001, 08:54 PM

:blushing:

Aw you guys are too much!!!! I feel the same about you guys! It is great to have you all here to talk to and enjoy listening to.

Just wanted to pop in to say I'm here, I'm still alive and surviving ;) I will let you all know how it went tomorrow. I am also having my cousins visiting Friday so I have a few days before they come. So I have to rush. I hope you all are enjoying this holiday time :D

SlightlyGoofy

12-25-2001, 12:45 PM

MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL!!!

Please pardon the imperfect greetings above but I am not as talented as some of you on the computer. I spent almost 20 minutes getting it this far. LOL

As I am sitting at the computer while watching the VMC Parade I was thinking of you all and wondering how many are joining me this morning. It is so special to see the places that we recently visited. As much as I enjoy seeing these things in person there is something wonderful about sitting in your own living room watching the big screen and not fighting the crowds.

We had a lovely evening yesterday. My brother and his family arrived in the afternoon and a couple of hours later my DD and her family joined us. I believe everyone was thrilled and happy with the gift choices. It was the first time in 35 years that my brother and I had been together for the holidays. As I had spent a fair amount of those years believing he was dead it was especially poignant. Just as the tape on the video camera was running out Dalton decided to honor us with a rendition of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town". After my brother and his family departed in order to get home in time for Santa we rested and watched a video until it was time to leave for church. The church is just behind our house so we got into our finery and stepped outside to be greeted with a light dusting of snow (our first of the season). What a delightful gift. Mr. D. was all wide eyed and excited. He told me it looked liek we were inside one of my snowballs. Our DD and family were the ones chosen to light the unity candles at the beginning of the ceremony. They made it through it and then the little one curled up on his Mom's lap and fell asleep (how much more could you expect from a 4 year old?) and the 10 year old leaned against my well padded form.

I wish you all the glories and wonder of the season. May the day be all you would want it to be, filled with love, friends and most of all time to enjoy them all.

Your friend, SG/Linda

C:\My Documents\Jolly Santa.gif

Dan Murphy

12-25-2001, 12:58 PM

Just dropping in on another one of the great little groups we have here on the CB, the EWP group, to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and the best of the season. :sunny:

Dan

CathyCanada

12-25-2001, 01:04 PM

Just had to pop in to wish some of the sweetest DISers a very Merry Christmas!!!!
Cathy

SlightlyGoofy

12-25-2001, 03:55 PM

Dear WM Cathy C and Dan the Man

We are so honored. Having you guys drop by, especially today, is an honor and a treet. Even better than C:\My Documents\Jolly Santa.gif.

Was watching the parade this morning and do not know how they did not pick you guys and y our families to lead the parade. Maybe next year?

C:\My Documents\snowballfight.gif
Perhaps they were afraid you would fight over who would get to ride in the front?

C:\My Documents\Xmasdrummer.gif
No, you guys would not want to get 'drummed' out of Disney World so I am sure you would settle the argument in a Mickey friendly way!!!

Your friend and fellow Dis Nut, SG/Linda

C:\My Documents\My Pictures\TomLindaEpcot2001.jpg

jstmee

12-25-2001, 10:26 PM

A very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all

It is Christmas evening and the kids are downstairs playing ping pong on the table they got from Santa. My youngest, 9, wrote a delightful letter to Santa asking him to leave a bell from his sleigh. Santa wrote back and said he couldn't leave a bell but jingled as he left the house. My youngest also left his music headphones for Santa to listen to-along with another note.

My DD's guitar is already broken.:( she put it on a couch and DH put a blanket on top of it and DS jumped onto the blanket to sit down and you guessed it. Crack. I will try to return it tomorrow. Wish me luck. We tuned it and she evening learned to strum to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

All of my children were talking about WDW........they want to go back to MGM, Epcot and the water parks and spend more time at each. Not for awhile though DH is taking away my financial responsibilities for a while. lol, he thinks he can do a better job. He's been saying that for 11 years now, so we'll see......

IASW Rider, thank you for the kind words. I actually had tears in my eyes reading everyone's posts today. You are special friends that I enjoy spending time with.

We had freezing rain last night, Christmas Eve, and my DD was in the Christmas Choir at church. As I was leaving the house to get to the car I took a tumble, it looked terribly funny and I'm okay, but I believe I sprained my thumb....It makes it hard for me to play the ping pong tournament the kids have going an. It will be my turn again soon. I only lost by 2 points last game I played.

My DD did a great job in the Choir at church we had our meals with the inlaws at my house both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, I'm tired, but the days went without a hitch. As I told my DH, I did my "duties", cooking cleaning etc. with neary a complaint and because of that and not paying attention to negative things. I had a beautiful day and I think everyone else did too.

My parents called. They live on a sailboat in the winter, they are crossing through the middle of Florida now, it was nice to hear from them.

SG, I lived at Camelback Townhouses as a kid and was a ski instructor at Camelback. My parents moved to Blakeslee after I went to college. Was your brother station at Tobyhanna Army Depot. I knew a few kids that there parents were stationed there. They went to the same school as I did.

Helenabear, I hope all is going well with your visitors.

Thanks for dropping by Cathy Canada and Dan the Man, enjoyed seeing you.

Have a good evening. Wendy

SlightlyGoofy

12-25-2001, 10:54 PM

Dear Jstmee/Wendy

So wonderful of you to take the time out to say hi to us. It sounds as if you are having a wonderful day, broken guitar aside. It sounds as if your home resounds with music. I am picturing your tumble and how in the world you sprained your thumb. Did you land on it and do a wheelie? I should not kid about your fall but since you seemed to have escaped with only a minor injury I just had to do it. LOL

My brother is 45 and was a grown man when he ended up in Tobyhanna. He left Ohio when he was a teenager and we did not know where he was for over 18 1/2 years. I had given him up for dead when a younger sister decided to look for him. We older siblings told her that it was impossible as we had already tried. With the internet all things are possible. Through a string of coincidences we found not only him but the fact that he was married and had a son. Our family name is very strange and unusual so we had figured it would die out so there were so many things to be grateful for.

A ski bunny huh? That might be some sort of insult and I don't mean it that way. I cannot walk in snow let alone slide gracefully over it. You sure are a bunch of interesting young people. Your parents live on a boat in the winter? Where do they live the rest of the year?

My DH would never take away any of responsibilities let alone the finanacial ones. He does not like to worry about anything so he leaves it all to me. I am better at the money than he is anyway. Maybe he is just trying to spare you some of your chores while you recuperate. It would be good for him to see what you have to deal with anyway and then he will appreciate the job you do.

SG/Linda

preshi

12-26-2001, 02:46 AM

just changing this from 666 to 667 :)

SlightlyGoofy

12-26-2001, 10:46 AM

Hi there Preshi

You are so thoughtful. We appreciate it. Please sit down and enjoy the view. We love to meet new guests. There is plenty of room in our suite for more Disney fans. Please introduce yourself and I will get Bo or Don to get you a beverage of your choice and we will learn a bit more about the world through your eyes.

Slightly Goofy

jstmee

12-26-2001, 01:40 PM

The day after Christmas and all through the house all the creatures were stirring even the grouch. I lie in my bed and try not to hear the clatter of ping pongs, rattling off the wall. There is no sound of guitar strums, oh my oh how sad, but Regis and Kelly are chatting away. The hubby is cleaning and yelling and screaming, but as he does this he is whistling away. My throat is all scratchy oh well what a shame.....

heee heeee, I don't know how this all came about.

Hope all is well for everyone, I'm still in my jammies, I'd really like to go back to bed, but I should do a little cleaning at least.

SG, I laughed about your joke on my tumble, it was quite hilarious.....My daughter and I laughed all the way to church....

Preshi, come on in and sit awhile, we have a nice jacuzzi here to soak tired muscles. Ah, that's what I shall do for my thumb it is definately still sore.

IASW Rider and Helenabear, I'm sure you are all busy.

Bye for now, the grinch, my DH, is a bit miffed I think, cause he is cleaning and I'm not. Oh well, life will continue.

....and SG, NO DH is taking over finances because he thinks I spend too much and he thinks we should have more money in the bank. I don't believe he has a clue about the cost of living.

Adios for now.

SlightlyGoofy

12-26-2001, 07:32 PM

Dear Jstmee

Yep, I know all about hubbies with no clue. Mine has hardly ever been to the grocery store in all the years we have been married and he is in shock over the prices. Seems the only prices he remembers is the cost of things back when he bagged groceries over 50 some years ago!!! Also he is very sheltered due to the fact that I was a coupon queen and got our groceries for free for many years as well as paying for our meals out, movies, furniture and many other things including a trip to the Bahamas. Mine is grouchy but he does not clean or whistle so it could be worse. I am attempting to teach him to put the microwave plate cover back in when he makes his cup of tea. Considering that it has taken me 6 months to teach him how to zap a cup of water for a minute (we have a minute button) instead of running the water at the faucet I am not sure that I will live long enough to get him trained in this one chore let alone domesticated enough to live with. LOL

On a serious note for a minute - not sure if this will work or not but since my DH is a spendaholic and I am not I came up with an idea for our retirement budget that is working out very well. I put a sum of money in the budget for each of us called 'personal spending'. Anything that we want to buy that is not a normal expense comes out of this money. That way he cannot complain about what I spend on the grandkids and I don't worry about what he spends on lottery tickets etc. It has worked out very well. He quit smoking after doing so for over 50 years and I believe the fact that he did not want to spend so much out of his spending money was the direct cause. I do not believe that the 'non working ha ha" spouse should have to beg for every penny. This provides a set amount that each person can count of having and has greatly reduced the arguing over how money is spent in our home. I have saved enough out of mine the last 2 years to treat myself to a brand new computer as soon as I figure out what I want.

Laughter is good for what ails you and I am glad that you were able to laugh off the pain on your way to church.

Got to go cook dinner, had Mr. D here today. He is so proud of his Leap Pad. He can spell up a storm. Once he hears a spelling he does not forget it. Sweet boy, I love him to pieces.

Slightly Goofy

IASW Rider

12-27-2001, 12:31 PM

Hi Everyone!

How are you all doing? Sounds like you all had very nice holidays! Hope that you're hanging in there, too, Helenabear! We're thinking of you!

How are you and your family feeling now, SG? And how is your thumb feeling, Jstmee? And how are you and your family feeling, Angelina?

I really enjoyed hearing about what you all did on Christmas! It's neat - it's like we can sort of "virtually celebrate" with one another, across the country!

Sorry that this can't be too long - as usual, I'm writing from work (UGH.). First day back after 2 days off, preceded by a half day and a weekend. It's tough to be back. I sort of have to "ease into it".

We went down to Frank's mother's house in South Jersey on Monday afternoon and returned last night. Would you believe that while we were gone, there was a power outage, so the tape that I had set up to tape the VMCP didn't tape! :( I was so disappointed - I was really looking forward to watching it with DF when we got home last night! :( In addition, my "All My Children" tape didn't tape, either, so we missed an episode (believe it or not, DF watches my soap with me every night) :( . Oh well. Maybe I'll get to see the VMCP on TV next year!

We had a nice visit with Frank's family, and it was nice to be with a bunch of people and share their holiday (my family is so small that we rarely have big family gatherings). It was fun participating in all of the Christmas traditions that I have seen so many times on TV and at friends' houses, but did not grow up with - like opening gifts by the tree on Christmas morning, having family and friends over on Christmas Eve, etc. Frank's family is very kind and welcoming to me. The only unpleasant incident was when Frank's narrow-minded, trashy step brother (with whom he is not close - Frank's mother married his step father when he was already and adult, so he didn't grow up with his step father's children) commented that if he needed additional batteries for his kids' toys, he could go to (referring to K-Mart) "Jew Mart - the only place that's open on Christmas, except those places owned by the dot-heads".......charming. Of course, as when I've been faced with similar ignorant comments in the past, I stood there stunned and speechless (of course now I'm kicking myself for not having said something). Fortunately, Frank's sister took matters into her own hands and told him off when I wasn't around. UGH. It's so weird that that step brother is such a bigoted jerk, 'cause Frank's other step brother is a very nice, polite, kind person. Anyway, aside from that lovely comment, it was a nice few days at Frank's mother's house, and I enjoyed seeing him and his family enjoying the holiday!

Here is a picture of us with Frank's Great Aunt:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/iaswrider/LisaFrankandAuntBetty.jpg

Anyway, sorry that I can't write more, now - will write more later (and not all about me!), when I can sneak in another break!

And belated thanks for stopping by, Dan and Cathy! :)

Hope that all is well with all of you! Have a nice day! :)

helenabear

12-27-2001, 06:31 PM

Hi there everyone! All is well here and I finally got a "day off" on my vacation. Luis' family left on Tuesday and then yesterday I went and visited my Grandmother & Aunt, so I have been busy lately.

The visit with Luis' family was okay. It honestly would have been better had Luis' brother stayed home. I am not trying to be as harsh as that just sounded, but both Luis and I were about to strangle his brother by the end of the stay. His mom was actually very sweet to me and very unlike how she has acted in the past. I am not sure what brought about the change that Luis and I saw, but we won't question it and we are just happy :D Luis' brother on the other hand, started giving home improvement advice (he has never owned a home or been able to fix things at his apartments) the moment he walked in the house. It hurt our feelings because we love our home and it felt like he didn't like it. He even went as far as buying Luis "Home Improvements for Dummies" right in front of me the day before Christmas. Luis was rather insulted by it but didn't say a thing. I am sure he was trying to be helpful but it drove us nuts. Also on the 24th I went to the mall with Luis' family while Luis was at work and his brother felt the need to tell me exactly what type of tools Luis needs to have. He showed me a tool set where Luis had about 80% of the tools in the set but supposedly Luis still needed the full set according to his brother. He had a good way of telling us we were wrong about everything and he knew it all because he had done the "research". I could only take so much of it and I was thrilled when we came home. Other than that we had a good time. Luis' mother wouldn't stay out of the kitchen while I made Christmas dinner and I was mad when four others were in the kitchen telling me to check on the different parts of dinner (the bread, veggies, ham... etc) while I was trying to fix the last part of the dinner so I said rather loudly and not to nicely "There are too many people in this kitchen, get out!!!" Fortunately they got the hint ;) and only showed up when I asked for their help. So that was the worst part of making dinner and I would rather have people wanting to help me than not at all. His family had a good time over all and I would look forward to having them come again. Luis said he was going to have a talk with his mom about his brother though. He has nicely suggested to his brother to stop doing some of what he does, but his brother doesn't seem to take a hint. So Luis hopes his mom can get through to his brother so that we aren't annoyed and ready to kill him the next time he visits.

It was so nice to hear about everyone's vacations with their families and I am sorry I didn't get to check in until now. My computer didn't like some software that was loaded so the last day or so I have been trying to clean it up so it is in working order :D So I was very happy to come back and hear the good (and the bad) of all the Christmas'. Well I will check back later, I have a tiny tiny cold or allergy reaction (I can't always tell which and I think it might just be an allergic reaction since I have been in so many different homes in such a short time and I probably have come across something my nose doesn't like) so I need to take some meds to help with the sinus pressure. Take Care everyone!!!

CathyCanada

12-28-2001, 12:44 AM

just checking in again and letting you know that I am keeping up with all of you, just don't take the time to post as much and I am sorry for that. This is such a nice peaceful spot on the board and I love visiting with you all! :)

We had a lovely Christmas. I cooked dinner for my parents and Jim's mother and brother and everything was terrific! I haven't done Christmas dinner for 6 years because I can't cook a turkey!! I have always thawed them in the fridge for 2 days (12-14 lbs) and they are still not cooked even with the 1/2 per lb thing. Anyway, got a fresh turkey this year and all went well, even with the MIL here......whew!!!!!! :)

Glad yours went well too Elaine and sorry about your knucklehead BIL, some people are clueless!:rolleyes:

Linda, I love your Personal Spending money idea, good for you!

Angelina, enjoy your trip, watch your spending and try not to worry, just feel the Magic!

Wendy, hope your throat is feeling better, gargle with salt water and take zinc!

Rider, sorry the step brother is such an intolerant ****. One thing I cannot stand are rascists. Nice to know that Frank's sister set him straight! I usually check abc.com to catch up on AMC.

Did I tell you ladies that they were taping MVMCP when I was at the DIS Convention? We saw one of the MK parade segments and Mandy Moore's ending, my DD Meg had to buy a disposable camera to take a picture of her. :) I also had the pleasure of meeting our own bashful64 aka Shannon at the Convention and then on the training cruise I was on! What a sweet lady, with adorable kids!

Well I have rambled on enough. Just wanted to pop in and wish you all a very happy, healthy and peaceful New Year!
Hugs to my "bestest friends"!! :D
Cathy

IASW Rider

12-28-2001, 11:59 AM

Hey!

So glad to hear that everything went well, Helenabear! I knew that it would! So glad to hear that your MIL was "on good behavior" and that you seemed to get along very well - I knew that that would happen! I'm sorry to hear about your BIL though - maybe he's a little jealous of your new home? Or maybe he just wanted attention by (pretending to?) know about home improvement stuff? Or maybe because he was jealous of your new home and your and Luis's successes, he wanted to try to feel "superior" to make himself feel better, by making unasked for suggestions? Regardless, hopefully his mother will be able to get through to him. Maybe he honestly thought that he was trying to be helpful. Maybe it was his way of saying that he wanted to be involved more in yours and Luis's lives. But it sounds like all in all, everything went well, which is wonderful! I'm sure that you're both happy to have your house back to yourselves, now! How did the kitties hold up with all of the guests and all of the activity?

Great to hear from you again, Webmaster CC! And glad to hear that you had a nice holiday, too! I'm sure that your turkey came out wonderfully! I've never cooked a whole turkey before in my life - maybe some day I will get brave and do so! That's so neat that you saw some of the VMCP being taped! I've read other threads where people have mentioned seeing parts of it taped, earlier this month, too. That must have been really nice to see! I just wish that my tape had taped, so that I could have seen it this year! I like when they used to show it at night (sometimes) - they would show the MSEP version of VMCP, which was really cool! And that's so great that you met Bashful in person - we miss her, around here!

Hope that you're all having a nice day, and hope that all is well with you, SG, Angelina, and Jstmee!

Talk to you all, soon! :)

angelina

12-28-2001, 12:46 PM

CathyC is fast. I posted last night, then thought about what I had written and thought it was too whiney and depressing, so I came back and deleted it. I guess she caught it. I was up late cleaning, and when I'm tired, I get depressed and worry a lot, and get panicky. Which is where I was last night, trying not to think too much while I cleaned up.

We've decided to go to WDW next week after we get together on New Year's day for my Grandmother's birthday. My dh said if he's going to lose his job or get transferred, it's going to happen whether or not we go. This is a real low budget trip, but I still feel guilty about it. The kids ended up with more spending money between them than I have in my checking account right now, LOL. They have a longer holiday this year, and don't have to go back to school until the 7th, so we're taking advantage of it. Not to mention $49 rooms at Movies. So we'll go, and I'll hope for the best.

I create a lot of problems for myself by procrastinating, and not paying bills when I get them because I'm always afraid I'll run short later on. My resolution is to keep a running balance in my checkbook, and staying on top of bills instead of waiting to the last minute. I can't tell you how afraid I've become of my mailbox, and it's not because of anthrax. I have to psych myself up just to get the mail, and I dread seeing the mailman come around the corner. Hopefully this year I will correct the problem, and save myself some stress. It's all about management.

I have to take my dd to a party. Have a great day

Angelina

IASW Rider

12-28-2001, 02:10 PM

Hi Angelina!

I'm sure that your post was neither "whiny" or "depressing"! And even if you were venting a little bit, you never have to worry about that around here - that's what we're here for! We're here to listen when you're happy or sad or in any other mood! :)

Just as Cathy said - enjoy your vacation!!!! Don't worry about anything!!! You will all have such a wonderful time that you won't have time to worry about "stuff"! Just go and enjoy and have a wonderful time! I'm sure that you and your DH are very responsible people and do a great job with your finances. (and don't worry - we all dread the mail and the bills - UGH). You need to treat yourself for all of the hard work that you do, every day, and as a nice break after the craziness of the holiday season. Don't feel "guilty"! So have a fantastic vacation and be sure to take lots of pictures to show us and come back and tell us everything! And don't forget to ride IASW! :)

helenabear

12-28-2001, 02:45 PM

Hi everyone! I am just popping in before my cousins come and visit today for a few days!

We honestly have no idea what is wrong with Luis' brother sometimes. Luis warned me that he was a bit off and that he would probably treat me the way he does. He also warned me that he was a pathological lier and I have noticed that too. One thing I didn't say before is that he complained that my cats were waking him up in the morning and my cats were with me and didn't make a noise until I got up. I wake up to all my babies' noises (a mom think, like my mom would wake up to a small cough I would make) and they were particularly good with the company there. He claimed one night Cleo woke him up at 4:00 am and I was awake at that time and Cleo was on my lap so who knows. He just has a constant drive to be the best and make excuses for when he isn't number one. Why he is that way we don't know. It could be jealousy or it could be that he is just a knucklehead ;) but either way we don't know. So hopefully his mom can talk to him so that he won't drive away his own brother (which he has before).

Angelina, don't you worry about what you post. We all have our ups and downs and here is a great place to get all the good and the bad out! I felt a little whiny and pessimistic before Luis' family but everyone here has great advice to give & good sympathy too! I am sure you will have a great time on your vacation and if you ever need to vent, please do so!

Well I do need to finish taking out the trash before my cousins come so I will probably check in (but not say much) here and there until Sunday! Have a great weekend everyone!!!

jstmee

12-28-2001, 07:17 PM

Just saying hi. Rider the picture of you is so nice. I'll have to figure out how to post a picture one of these days.

Hi to everyone else as well, helenabear so glad you had a good time with your in-laws, sorry about you BIL.......

My thumb is doing much better, I've gotten a little cold which I will take the advice of zinc, the cold is no longer in my throat, it's in my lungs......It always does that head cold one day and straight to the lungs the next.

Angelina have a lot of fun at WDW. I could relate sooooo well about the mailbox.

SG, my FIL doesn't do the microwave thing for his tea either.

Take care, my DS wants a game of ping pong, the older boys are at a basketball game with DH and my DD is spending the night at a friends.

IASW Rider

12-31-2001, 01:14 PM

Hi All!

Sorry that I haven't had a chance to check in for a few days, but between our busiest season of the year at work and holiday stuff, I haven't really had a chance to sit down at the computer for very long! Will write more, soon, but in the mean time.....

Just wanted to wish you all and your families a wonderful, happy, and healthy new year, and all the best! Here's looking forward to another great year in the EWP Suite!

Take care and Enjoy! Happy 2002! :)

helenabear

12-31-2001, 04:13 PM

Hi everyone! I too was just checking in to wish everyone a happy & healthy New Year. I am finally taking much time off and doing nothing except watching TV. I turn my computer on, but I just don't seem to want to get out of my lounger chair I have in front of my TV ;) Hopefully I will have relaxed enough today in order to sit down and chat later. Have a wonderful & safe evening :D

SlightlyGoofy

01-01-2002, 11:28 PM

Good Evening all!

I am in a rush but just wanted to stop by and post something I found. I hope it brings a smile to you like it did to me.

The difference between Christmas and Chaunuka

1. Christmas is one day, same day every year. December 25. Jews love Dec.
25th. It's another paid day off work. We go to movies and out for Chinese
food, and Israeli dancing. Chanuka is 8 days. It starts the evening of the
24th of Kislev, whenever that falls. No one is ever sure. Jews never know
until a non Jewish friend asks when Chanuka starts, forcing us to consult a
calendar so we don't look like idiots. We all have the same calendar,
provided free with a donation from either the World Jewish Congress, the
kosher butcher, or the local Sinai Memorial Chapel (especially in Florida).

2. Christmas is a major holiday. Chanuka is a minor holiday with the same
theme as most Jewish holidays. They tried to kill us, we survived, let's
eat!

3. Christians get wonderful presents such as jewelry, perfume, stereos...
Jews get practical presents such as underwear, socks, or a the collected
works of the Rambam which looks impressive on the bookshelf.

4. There is only one way to spell Christmas. No one can decide how to spell
Chanuka, Chanukah, Chanukka, Channukah, Hanukah, Hannuka

5. Christmas is a time of great pressure for husbands and boyfriends. Their
partners expect special gifts. Jewish men are relieved of that burden. No
one expects a diamond ring on Chanuka.

6. Christmas brings enormous electric bills. Candles are used for Chanuka.
Not only are we spared enormous electric bills, but we get to feel good
about not contributing to the energy crisis.

8. Christmas carols are beautiful. Silent Night, Come o Ye
Faithful.....Chanuka songs are about dreidels made from clay or having a
party and dancing the horah. Of course, we are secretly pleased that many of
the beautiful carols were composed and written by our tribal brethren. And
don't Barbara Streisand and Neil Diamond sing them beautifully?

9. A home preparing for Christmas smells wonderful. The sweet smell of
cookies and cakes baking. Happy people are gathered around in festive moods.
A home preparing for Chanuka smells of oil, potatoes and onions. The home,
as always, is full of loud people all talking at once.

10. Women have fun baking Christmas cookies. Women burn their eyes and cut
their hands grating patotoes and onions for latkes on Chanuka. Another
reminder of our suffering through the ages.

11. Parents deliver to their children during Christmas. Jewish parents have
no qualms about with holding a gift any of the eight nights.

12. The players in the Christmas story have easy to pronounce names such as
Mary, Joseph and Jesus. The players in the Chanuka story are Antiochus,
Judah Maccabee, and Matta whatever. No one can spell it or pronounce it. On the plus side, we can tell our friends anything and they believe we are
wonderfully versed in our history.

13. Many Christians believe in the virgin birth. Jews think, Joseph, bubela.
Snap out of it. Your woman is pregnant, you didn't sleep with her, and now
you want to blame god. Here's the number of my shrink.

14. In recent years, Christmas has become more and more commercialized. The same holds true for Chanuka, even though it is a minor holiday. It makes
sense. How could we market a major holiday such as Yom Kipppur? Forget about celebrating. Think observing. Come to synogogue, starve yourself for 27 hours, become one with your dehydrated soul, beat your chest, confess your sins, a guaranteed good time for you and your family. Tickets a mere $200 per person. Better stick with Chanuka.

I scanned all the messages I have missed and so much is going on and most of it good news. I am so glad that everyone has had a pretty good Christmas.Chanukah.

My little guy had to go to the emergency room as he fell and cut his butt on a broken glass so I have been doing the grandma thing and watching over him. It entails a pure love as only a parent or grandparent would do what is required to keep that area clean and sanitary. LOL

I will do my best to come in tomorrow and post something. I have the oldest grand for the day and as he has not read one word in the last 2 weeks it is up to me to make up for the deficeit. Wish me luck. I will need it.

Granny SG signing off for the night

IASW Rider

01-02-2002, 11:01 AM

Happy 2002, Everyone!

Hope that you all had a very nice New Year's Eve / Day! Ours was nice - pretty quiet. We went to a party at the home of some friends of DF's and his sister's on New Year's Eve. We didn't know a lot of the people there, but that was all right. One of the friends who hosted the party is in a band called Mid Life Crisis ('cause that's what the members are - basically a bunch of men having mid life crises and pretending that they are rock stars!), and the band played in the basement of their house. That was fun until the lead singer kept trying to get me to sing with him, following me around with the microphone and putting it in my face when I least expected it! Now, if I had a voice like Helenabear's, I would have sung, but I didn't want to scare anyone with my own singing voice! Believe it or not, we spent a good part of the party playing dreidel with a 9 year old girl - a daughter of one of the other guests - at the kitchen table! She found a dreidel somewhere in the host's house, wanted to learn how to play, so we taught her! Very funny! Anyway, it was a pleasant evening, and I was really excited to see the coverage of the new year being "rung in" in WDW, on Dick Clark's new year show! We just spent yesterday relaxing by the fire and watching "The Honeymooners" marathon on TV, and some movies, too.

The differences between Christmas and Chanukah piece is very cute, SG! I'm going to cut and paste it into an e-mail and send it to DF - he'll get a kick out of that! I hope that your grandson is feeling better! I'm sorry to hear that he fell! I hope that he'll be fully recovered soon!

Hope that you are recuperating after hosting your guests, Helenabear, and that you have had some time to yourself to relax and enjoy! Don't worry about your BIL - I'm sure that your MIL will talk some sense into him!

Hope that you are feeling better, Jstmee! The same thing happens to me - it seems that every time I get a "regular" cold, it moves down to my chest soon after and turns into bronchitis - UGH. I can relate! Are you taking antibiotics, now? That always "knocks it out" of me! I hope that you are feeling better!

Angelina - Bon Voyage! I'm not sure exactly on which day of this week you'll be leaving - but have a wonderful trip and enjoy! And take lots of pictures to show us, too! Have a fun and safe trip, and think of us when you watch the EWP! And hope that your Grandmother had a happy birthday!

Hope that all is well with you, Webmaster CC!

Have a great day, Everyone! :)

helenabear

01-02-2002, 03:28 PM

Howdy everyone!!! I just wanted to pop in and say hi to see if all were doing good. I am still a little busy trying to clean up after New Years (not that we did much of anything but our sink is messy from cooking) and we just got a Game Cube. I guess that is what happens when silly computer geeks need yet another game system ;) So of course we spent two hours playing on it already and I need to get some laundry done before I go back to work tomorrow :( Once that starts up I am sure I will have more time to be here again. Well back to work!

IASW Rider

01-02-2002, 05:17 PM

Hi! Hope that you had a great vacation, Helenabear! You're so lucky that you're not at work, today - I am still sitting here at my desk - UGH. Wonder if the boss would notice if I snuck out 45 minutes early????? No, I'll at least wait till 4:30 to make my escape! Enjoy your new Game Cube, too! :)

SlightlyGoofy

01-02-2002, 07:07 PM

Boy, I am so glad the holidays are over. I stress myself out trying to make everything 'perfect'. I am always disappointed. You would figure I would learn.

I think I hear Rider sneaking in the back door. Her boss must have closed his/her eyes for a minute. WTG Rider!!! The boys just put out a fresh buffet so help yourself to a plate (or two) and sit down for a visit before we head out to see what is shaking in the Kingdom. Me thinks you need a bit of sustinence since from the looks of your picture you have been doing that pre wedding starving thing. You sure all looked happy though. It is always a good sign in a husband to find one that loves his older female relatives. I love the name of that band. A sense of humor wins me over any old time!!! I know someone who named their farm "Pasture Prime". I had to read it a couple of times before I 'got it'. Next time someone follows you around trying to make you sing you tell them that is what THEY were paid to do and you are NOT going to do their job!! (grin) I would have been in the kitchen playing the the kid also. I am just an overgrown one myself. I spent part of the day teaching my oldest grandson how to play Blackjack and I think I created a monster. It is a sneaky way to teach him how to count better but he loved it and now wants to learn how to play poker. OMG He arrived here with blood running down his back. Somehow he had managed to drop a toy tractor on his head. I believe they need to move closer to the hospital. The other boy is doing fine and is able to sit on his behind now. He gets the stitches out on the 9th. BTW, it seems to me that your bil is just plain ignorant rather than racist. On the other hand it seems that one does go with the other. I hope enough people told him off so that he realized his ignorance. More people need to speak up in these kind of situations so others will either realize that they are wrong or at least they are not as cute as they think they are. Too many times people are too polite and just keep quiet and the offending person either remains stupid or thinks others agree with them.

Lucky Angelina, to be in out idea of heaven. Hope she avoids the bad weather coming back though as the weather report did not look good in GA and NC. Maybe the trip will put everyone in a better frame of mind. As far as being whiny goes, this is a group of friends and is a safe place to let it all hang out. If you let the pressure build up you explode and we do not want that to happen. Cannot wait for her trip report. Hope it is better than mine as I quit after 2 days of reports. I still have my notes but am ashamed to post now. Now relevant anyway.

Helenabear, just treat your bil like you would one of your cats. When he behaves praise him and when he acts up just for the attention ignore him. Oops! Bet you would NEVER treat one of your babies that way. I would do that with the bil though. People who act that way often just want the attention. It is much easier to get attention for acting badly than doing something constructive. Is he handy? If so, maybe putting him to work would work? LOL I love looking at people's houses myself and can always think of things I would love to do and see things they did that I would like to try so maybe he was just boorish and not trying to be impolite. As I sit here I have a whole shelf of how to fix books next to me. I love them. I have saved many a dollar by using them through the years. Sometimes all you need is a bit of courage and instruction. I need lots of both.

Jstmee, trust me gargling with apple cider vinegar is great for a sore throat. I have an older friend who kept telling me that and I humored her by agreeing and one time she showed up at my door with a bottle and forced me to try it right then and there. It really worked! I hope you are beyond needed that now though.

Our New Year's Eve was very quiet. I put in my Christmas copy of Blazing Saddles and laughed my ummmmm off. If you have never seen it I highly reccomend it. It is by Mel Brooks and is about a subject we talk about often - tolerance and racism. I remember the first time I saw it. I could not believe that they could make a movie with so many forbidden topics in it. I did not fix a fancy meal. I figured out years ago that the holidays were for me too. I had spent years working my fingers to bone fixing fancy meals and fixing the house up for anniversaries and such and I did not get to enjoy them. I have most of the Christmas stuff put away and the house is in sore need of cleaning so that will come next. I always do my spring cleaning after the holidays when I have more time. I do not drive in bad weather so I am home a lot in the winter. Going to visit the bil's Friday though. They are a hoot. They could be considered very offensive as they think money is God and there is only one way to live and women are dumb but since I know all those things are not true I just sit and let them carry on. The thing is they learned these attitudes from their mother not their father. She did not like women at all unless they did the 'woman thing' by staying home and cooking, cleaning and having babies. Did I mention that these guys are either in very bad marriages or single? LOL In their own way t hey mean well though and if we needed anything they would be right here to help out (on their terms tho).

I had better go cook some dinner. I have some leftover shrimp and I have a noodle mix and I think the two will go nicely with my homemade bread and some fruit. The bad thing about being the cook is that you have to do it everyday, the good thing is that you can cook whatever you feel like. Feeling awfully sassy tonight. OK, so I am that way most of the time.

Maybe WM Cathy C and Dan the Man would like to join us for a after closing park tour. There is something so special about walking down the center of Main Street when everyone else has gone. It has a surreal quality.

Slightly Goofy

helenabear

01-02-2002, 10:35 PM

I just popped in to hear the gossip and I had to laugh. So if I should ignore my BIL when he is trying to get our attention then when do I talk to him ;)

Okay I need some sleep now... too much time has been spent playing the GameCube... dang Blockbuster for renting video games!

SlightlyGoofy

01-03-2002, 10:07 AM

Dear Helenabear

I would suggest ignoring only when he is behaving in a bad way. If he behaves badly ALL the time why would you WANT to talk to him? LOL The problem is that he might be glad if you stop talking so he can do ALL the talking. I will have to give this matter some more thought. (grin) It is ever so much easier to solve other people's problems than my own.

Big day today. Have to go shopping for a new slow cooker as my old one (I loved it) died over the holidays.

Is everyone sleeping in this morning? I hope so. You all deserve a break today!

Slightly Goofy

helenabear

01-03-2002, 12:22 PM

Hi everyone! Wow I am finally back at work after being off since the afternoon of the 21st. I certainly did not sleep in this morning although I think my mind did and may still be sound asleep in bed with my cats ;) We spent too much time playing the Game Cube yesterday and even missed some of the FOX shows I usually love to watch. I was even playing football games (I usually hate them and don't do very good with them) and I wound up beating Luis... okay so I didn't but I did happen to throw both games and when he figured it out the second time he and I quit playing ;) I guess we are just kids at heart and love new little toys. Thank goodness for Blockbuster though as I cannot fathom spending $50 on a game we aren't sure we will like so I can rent them at Blockbuster & not have to worry about the $5 spent if I don't like it. So far though I like all the games I have tried to play on the GameCube.

SG, best of luck looking for the new slow cooker. Hopefully you will find some good deals and not have to worry about the crowds. It was nice out yesterday for shopping. Hardly a soul and there are some nicely stocked stores out now! I admit I also had to laugh at your suggestion for the BIL situation. I guess I can just be glad that he lives in VA and I am in OH ;) You are right though, he might enjoy being able to talk to much if we were quiet or just always agreed with him and maybe next time I will be make sure my cats wake him up so he can see how obnoxious they really can be when they want to wake you up... Gwen is such a loudmouth (which of course I wouldn't trade her for the world) :D

I am busy trying to catch up on work and keep things updated in my mind although once it decides to get out of bed I will be much better ;) I just hope all is well with everyone and especially those down in the south are doing okay with all the bad weather that was just dumped there. It sounds like they have more snow down there now than we usually get in the winter :rolleyes: Take Care everyone!

IASW Rider

01-03-2002, 04:11 PM

Hello!

How is everyone doing, today?

I'm here at work, also (you caught me sneaking in, SG!) - totally not in the mood to be here. I've spent a good part of the day doing "bad" things - cruising the Boards and answering my personal e-mail. I feel like I've fallen behind, after the holidays......fallen behind with my correspondence, that is (notice how I don't mention whether or not I've fallen behind at work?? Hee hee!)! So I really want to catch up and get back to "normal". I can definitely relate to your mind still being home asleep with your cats, Helenabear - I think that my mind is at my house, doing the same thing! I just haven't been able to "get going", these past few days at work. Oh well - almost time for another weekend! :)

That's so funny that you were watching "Blazing Saddles", SG - we were watching "The Producers" on New Year's Day and also recently watched our video copies of "High Anxiety" and "Young Frankenstein"! As you can tell, we are big Mel Brooks fans! I think that my all-time favorite of his movies is "History of the World, Part I". I wish that he would make a "Part II"! Frank loves "Spaceballs". "Young Frankenstein" is probably the all-around best, though. I can watch those movies over and over again!

How are your grandchildren feeling? I hope that they are both feeling better! Boy - it's very scary that they were both hurt around the same times! I hope that they are all right!

Ah, you noticed my "malnutrition"(hee hee!).........yeah, I have been trying to drop a few pounds. So far, I've lost 33, but I'm not driving myself crazy with it or putting too much pressure on myself. I doubt that I'll be wasting away any time soon! Just want to be healthier and look OK.

Yes, I also like the fact that DF is close with his grandmother and great aunts (and other relatives) - it's very nice. I don't think that I appreciated my grandparents enough when they were here, so it's nice that DF is close with his and that they all like me very much.

Well, time to go "back to the drawing board", here. Hope that all is well with all of you! Talk to you soon! :)

SlightlyGoofy

01-03-2002, 07:35 PM

Yep, we all are victims of the post holiday lag. It is a real problem and we should all take a medical day for it. I cooked lunch today and then went on my futile shopping trip. I picked up some burgers for DH to have for dinner and I am laying on the couch catching up on some reading. It is important stuff - how the change "ISP's and which one to choose - the best computer to buy right now-and which is better cable tv or satellite tv. Someone has to read this material and make the decisions. Qualifies as work in my book, so what if I happen to enjoy it? LOL

Rider, you are as pretty outside as inside with or without the 33 pounds. I admire the effort though as I have been through that battle plenty in my life. Just, please do not carry it too far. There is such a thing as being too thin, maybe not too rich , but too thin! Would not want you to get sick or worse yet, make that pretty face look haggard.

Do you guys like Monty Python also? I love English comedies. The best new movie I have seen in a long time was "The Full Monty". I bought the tape I liked it so much. What tv shows do you younger gals like to watch? I like Ally McBeal (not as much as I used to), Law & Order, 60 Minutes and such. I prefer reading to watching tv and often do both at the same time. Santa brought me the Disney Monopoly set so that takes up some of my time. Not much on video games or computer games though. I love playing trivia and such on line though. I like sort of quirky type stuff and am a bit ornery and as long as it is funny it is ok with me.

You are one smart cookie Helenabear. Renting and trying out things before you buy is a good idea. Another idea would be to get a group of friends together and each buy a game and swap them around. I read about a neighborhood that went together and each family bought a certain piece of expensive lawn maintance equipment and they shared them around rather than each family having to buy it all. Would be great if that would work in the 'real world'. Probably wouldn't most places. Our next door neighbor does so much for us that when he said something about wanting a lawn edger we went out and bought him one and he keeps our yard trimmed. Works for me!!!

No slow cooker today. I went to Wally World so I could get the wallet picture of my grands copied and the clerk was very rude and informed me I could not do it as my picture was copyrighted. There were no markings on it that I could find and I have copied such pictures before. If it is wrong then I did something bad cause I snuck down to Target and put my picture in where no one could see it and made the copies. I made one for myself and one for the other grandma. I know she will appreciate at least getting to see the kids. Hope my dil does not find out or she will not send any pictures to anyone that would be kind enough to pass them on to me again. The kids look so pretty. My DIL keeps the kids nice and neat looking all the time. Maybe I can scan it one of these days and you can see what a great bunch my 'Fab Four' are. The latest news is that after letting the 5 year old go to preschool for a couple of months she has withdrawn him. I know this sounds terribly witchy but I fear it is true - she let him go long enough so he could see what he would be missing. I have heard her threaten him that if he did not do something she wanted that she would not 'let' him go to school the next day. She told her sister that the boy was 'too dumb' and she refuses to even home school him. He is the sweetest child and just wants to be held and loved all the time. I always called him my "Pooh bear". I bought them each a $100 savings bond and wrote a letter to each. I will do the same for their birthdays and such from now on and maybe someday they will know how much their grandmas loved them. Big news on the other grandma - she has a live in boyfriend. She is in her late 60's and he is 40 something. I say WTG granny!!!! She raised her kids and most of her grandkids and then cared for a sick husband for many years so she deserves some fun IMHO. Hope I have not related this before. Us old ones get senile and tend to repeat ourselves. (grin)

I do not remember where Angelina lives but I am hoping that this bad weather is not causing her any problems. Nothing worse than planning a vacation only to have it ruined by the weather. Such a helpless feeling. Have been hearing about long delays at the airports.

My dreams of Broadway are on hold again. One of my sisters is refusing to fly (only viable alternative) and the other does not want to go without her husband and cannot afford a NYC trip for 2 so they are all talking about meeting in Indianapolis (yawn). Granted it will be very easy to me to get there (30 minutes) but I have been there done that and my FL sister is used to a higher level of excitement than this trip will entail. It will be nice to be together. Us older siblings like to get together when we can. I am afraid that the younger ones are very much different and not in a good way. They are all on welfare of some sort and could not afford to go anyway. I used to pay their way but now that we are retired and my source of extra income is gone I cannot do so anymore. I think 5 of us siblings will be in on this trip since another lives in Cincy and that is not far away either. The ones who come in early can stay here to cut down on their expenses also. I have 4 bedrooms and a bath upstairs and the house is so big that it is private. Will take me a month to get ready and a month to clean up afterward but it is worth it.

Jstmee, I hope you are resting well and getting stronger everyday. Kind thoughts and prayers are wafting your way from your EWP friends.

Slightly Goofy

A little something to make you smile (I hope)

1. Politically correct terms for cat owners
---------------------------------
- My cat does not barf hairballs, he is a floor/rug
redecorator.

- My cat does not break things, she helps gravity do its job.

- My cat does not fear dogs, they are merely sprint
practice tools.

- My cat does not gobble, she eats with alacrity.

- My cat does not scratch, he is a furniture/rug/skin
ventilator.

- My cat does not yowl, he is singing off-key.

- My cat is not a "shedding machine", she is a hair
relocation stylist.

- My cat is not a "treat-seeking missile", she enjoys
the proximity of food.

helenabear

01-03-2002, 09:50 PM

Hi everyone, just popping in while Luis is playing with his new toy ;) I hope all is well with everyone. I just have to say one thing, these two day work weeks are killers!!! :D

I happen to love English shows in general. The BBC allows for a much better sense of humor to be shown on TV ;) Seriously I really love watching Monty Python, Who's Line is it Anyway, Faulty Towers, Mr. Bean & the like. Oddly enough I grew up in a strict household on what was allowable (Murphy Brown was not allowed because she was an unwed mom) but I could watch Monty Python & the like :rolleyes: Other than that I usually stick to the FOX line up. That 70's show is a real big hit in my house. We just love Red. Others we watch are Boston Public, The Simpsons & sometimes Ally McBeal (although she does conflict with wrestling for Luis).

Obviously I am into computers & gaming. I grew up on it as I had "state of the art" games growing up as a kid. No we didn't have a Commador 64 as we had something older than that... called the Oddesey. It was crappy graphics but heck, it was fun! I came from an older generation of computers where it took talent to get the Frogger game on tape to load into your Atari 400. So I guess that is where I get my love of computers from.

I wish I had more friends with the GameCube but the problem is that it is just too new for my friends to have gotten it yet and so we are stuck renting. That's okay because it isn't too expensive and we would probably hate sharing the games with friends as I have never seen it work out... as you said SG, only in a perfect world.

Well I meant to chat more but my eyes are tired. I guess I am not so used to looking at my monitor all day long anymore. But I am sure in no time will I get it back. I hope you get your slow cooker soon SG! Rider, I meant to comment earlier but no matter what you look beautiful and your personality is so beautiful and that makes you even more beautiful. And I agree with SG, there is such a thing as too skinny (definitely not too rich but yes too skinny).

Angelina, jstmee, CC & all the others. I hope all is well with you and no matter what the weather is that you are all safe & healthy.

Yes yes, I know I said I was going to head out but I wanted to share a bit of gossip. I believe I told you that my sister was going to Kentucky for Christmas with her boyfriend. Well I had to be the nosey sister and find out what is up with her and her boyfriend. So the short of it is that I was right. As soon as a ring can be bought, we will be planning the last wedding. Not too bad and my dad will be happy as my sister will finally move out ;) Seriously I am happy because she has invested a lot of time in this relationship & we like him a lot. Again I hope you all have a great evening!

IASW Rider

01-04-2002, 11:29 AM

Thank you very much, ladies - you are too kind, as always! Not to worry - I don't think that I could be "too thin" if I TRIED (hee hee!)! Really, I'm not trying too hard to lose weight. I'm just exercising in the mornings before work and trying not to eat so much bread, cheese, or pasta, that's all. A lot of it has to do with the fact that I am eating better and on a more regular schedule than before Frank moved in with me. Before Frank moved in, I would sometimes forget to eat dinner till like 10:00 PM, and then have a heavy meal. I was eating at very irregular times and not always the greatest food. Now that Frank is with me, we eat and relatively normal times, and now that I'm "really cooking" (as opposed to defrosting and microwaving!), I can cook things that are better for me. So I really haven't put a tremendous amount of effort into it, and I am definitely NOT starving myself (I have done that in the past, too, SG - UGH. I will never do that again. In fact, one of the billions of magnets on my refridgerator says "I refuse to ever starve myself again"!). But I do feel better - I was (and probably still am) definitely at an unhealthy weight for my height (5'2"), and I don't want to risk getting Type II Diabetes, like my mother has. Plus, I smoke cigarettes, so being overweight, almost 35 (in 12 days!), and a smoker is a pretty dangerous combination! Anyway, I'm feeling good and that's the important thing. If I look OK, that's good too! Thanks! :)

Congratulations on your sister's engagement, Helenabear! That is great news! :)

I also remember those archaic video games - I had Coleco Vision (sort of like Pong, but even older than that!) and I remember thinking that it was the coolest thing in the world. It's amazing to think how far technology has come since the mid 70's - who would ever think that we could have games with the sorts of advanced graphics available today??? Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of patience for playing those games.....mostly because I'm not very good at them and always lose (hee hee!)! Frank's sister, on the other hand, is a master of all sorts of video / computer games and can sit for (literally) hours mesmerized by them! I wish that I had the talent for them, but I stink at them! That Game Cube sounds really neat, though! And it is very smart of you to rent the games and try them out before making a "permanent investment" in them!

That Disney Monopoly Game is another story, SG - I have seen it advertised and it looks really neat! There is also a CD-ROM Disney trivia game which I've seen advertised, and I've thought about getting it. I am also a trivia buff. I participate on the Disney parks trivia thread on the Theme Parks Board, "play" Disney parks trivia with my Fantasmic friend via e-mail, and used to e-mail 70's and 80's music / pop culture trivia questions to my friends at work every morning and ran a "contest" for them! I have a good memory for lots of trivial facts, I guess (hee hee!)! :)

As for TV shows, I used to be addicted to "Ally McBeal", as well (do you know that Calista Flockhart and I graduated from Rutgers in the same year?? :) ), but I haven't liked it as much over the past few seasons as in the beginning. I really enjoyed the first few seasons - the storylines seemed more "realistic" than in more recent years. I liked the way that they showed Ally's "struggle" with being single, while all of her friends (and ex-boyfriend) were getting married or having babies, because the show started right around the time that I got divorced, and some of the story lines made me feel better about my feelings and what was happening in my life. I could really relate to the whole "dancing baby" thing. But more recently, I think that they've taken it a bit too far. I still watch occasionally, though. And I'll definitely watch when Mariah Carey and John Bon Jovi (native New Jerseyan!) guest star! Aside from that, I enjoy watching "Friends", "Frasier", and "Will and Grace", as well as my "teeny bopper shows" - "Dawson's Creek" and "Felicity" (believe it or not, I really miss "Beverly Hills 90210"!) I also watch "All My Children" every night, needless to say, as I videotape it every day (Frank watches too - he's "hooked" also!)! And I love watching the NY Mets games during baseball season! Can't wait for the Olympics next month - I love to watch the figure skating! I like Monty Python films, also, but I haven't seen them enough to be able to quote dialog from them, like Frank and his sister do! Or like I can with Mel Brooks movies! I enjoy watching some British TV comedies, too - "Absolutely Fabulous", "Are You Being Served", "Keeping Up Appearances", etc. My father and uncle are really into the British comedies, and my father's all time favorite show is actually a British nighttime "soap opera" called "Eastenders". In a way, I'm glad that the PBS station on my cable system doesn't carry that show, or else I would get hooked on another "soap"! My dad also really loves the British mystery TV shows, like "Inspector Morse" and "Prime Suspect".

That's so nice of you to make a copy of the photo of your grandchildren for their other grandmother, SG! You are a very kind and thoughtful grandmother! And that's so neat that she has a new boyfriend in her life, too! I am sorry to hear about your DIL's possibly pulling the 5 year old out of preschool - that is very sad. I hope that it doesn't come to that. What could be accomplished by her doing that? UGH.

And I'm sorry to hear that you may not be able to make it out to NYC! :( Maybe you'll all still be able to come out, even if not at the time that you originally planned! I hope so! :) Regardless, I'm sure that you will all have a wonderful time together, wherever you choose to meet or visit!

Speaking of Broadway, my best friend from college is going to take us to see Elton John and Tim Rice's "Aida" - the third play in the "Disney on Broadway Trilogy" - in a few weeks. Originally, she was going to take us to see "Mamma Mia", the new Abba musical, as a belated engagement gift, but it's sold out through May! So, we're going to see "Aida", which is fine with me because I wanted to see that show, too!

Anyway, hope that all is well with you both and with all of you out there, Jstmee, Angelina, Webmaster CC, Bashful, and everyone else! Have a great day! :)

helenabear

01-07-2002, 10:21 AM

Hi everyone!!! I tried to get in here earlier but the boards were down & slow for me all weekend long :(

Rider, it sounds like you have a very good attitude about your weight and I am like you, I don't think I could get to skinny even if I tried ;) But you are looking wonderful and no matter what your smile is absolutely wonderful! I wish my smile were so big and bright but since it is not, I will smile away with my eyes as I usually do. I was very slightly upset this weekend though with my body but it is honestly nothing I can do about. Even though my sister isn't officially engaged yet, I decided to go looking to see what style of dress I liked on me. My sister always told me that I would be a bridesmaid (and has even told me recently) and I know she wants her bridesmaids in black dresses of their choice (which ironically was the complete opposite of what I did, same dress different colors). So I went looking at black dresses and my disappointment was when I put on some dresses, my chest wouldn't fit :( The only reason why I am disappointed is that I don't want to have to spend a ton on alterations just because my chest doesn't fit! The rest of the dress woudl fit wonderfully but once we tried to zip it up past my bra, nothing! I did find some dresses where the fabric was a little more giving (as the others were off by about 1/2 inch) and I could fit into those and some looked fabulous but some dresses I just love the style of I won't get now because I am a cheap person and if I don't have to get something altered, I won't. I will sooner put on my four inch platform heels before I get a dress altered too ;) Being not even 5'1" brings me to do this a lot!

We rented another video game yesterday as well as the movie Rush Hour 2. That one was so funny. Jackie Chan & Chris Tucker work wonderfully together and you almost forget that you are watching some sort of martial arts! I really hope they come out with a Rush Hour 3 because this one was just too funny!!! I am happy that the holidays are over because my shows are now finally on w/o having to see re-runs of them. So hopefully I will really enjoy my FOX programming tonight!

I love my Disney Monopoly. It is just cute and since we didn't have monopoly at all we decided to get my favorite version of it. We seem to like our game boards a lot and have fun playing them when we can. And I would love to get a Disney Trivia game if only to learn more useless trivia about Disney ;) So I guess I am fairly well rounded when it comes to types of games I like. I even do those roll playing games as long as I am not expected to stay up all night to play.

Well I should sneak on back to work now. Our database was down for a while but now I think it is up so I had better get working... oh I should have taken a "sick day" today. We have snow on the ground and it is just pretty here. The grass is finally all covered!!! Take Care everyone!!!

IASW Rider

01-07-2002, 11:27 AM

Hi Helenabear!

You know, I had the same problems with the Boards over the weekend. First, you couldn't use the "search" feature (which is how I always find our thread, if it isn't listed on my "user cp"). Then, I couldn't even find the Community Board menu in order to find our thread! Also, I barely received any e-mail notices of thread updates, last week (but I think that everyone was also having that problem). I hope that everything is up and running, again - I don't know what I would do without my DIS Boards! :)

Thank you so much for your kind words, as always - you are too nice! :) And you have a wonderful smile - what are you talking about??!! I'm sure that all of those dresses looked great on you, too! And hey - nothing wrong with your chest not happening to fit into some of the dresses......many would say that that's a GOOD thing! :) You'll have to keep us posted and let us know when you find one that you like and what it looks like!

I really have to get that Disney Monopoly game! Every time I see it in TDS catalog, I think "hmmmm........".....but then I tell myself that I need to save money (this coming from someone who spent over $200 in TDS catalog last month - UGH - I can't help it - I can't resist, sometimes!)! One of these years, I will buy it! Among other things (like a Mickey head muffin pan for Frank and a Mickey waffle maker to give Frank for Valentine's Day), I got a DVD of 4 original "Disneyland" TV shows from the 50's. I love watching them on the Disney Channel, and I think it's so neat that they are out on DVD. I haven't received it yet, but I'm sure that it will be interesting!

I have not seen either of the "Rush Hour" movies - maybe I should rent them!

Well, time to get back to work, as well (UGH). We have no snow on the ground, here, but it's been a slushy mess all morning - wet snow and rain falling. At least it's not ice! I still can't believe that a little over a month ago, it was 70 degrees outside!

Have a great day, Everyone, and thanks again, Helenabear and SG! :)

helenabear

01-07-2002, 11:50 AM

Grrr... our databases are STILL down!!! I haven't been able to do anything for work since 9:00 AM this morning. They keep saying to us that we will be able to get back in about 20 minutes but 90 minutes later..... Anyway I shouldn't complain but it makes the morning go so slowly and then I will have to rush to get some things done this afternoon. What a wonderful welcome back on a Monday ;)

Rider, thank you for your kind words as well! You know I was thinking the same thing you said when I couldn't zip up the dress over my chest. It does limit some of the styles that I like since I hope I really don't have to get things altered (or hopefully I can find a place that does it cheaply). I really don't mind having to get a bigger size at all, and I know in the bridal world a size 10 can range from a size 8 to a size 14 so especially there a size is so arbitrary. I was really just hoping to find a really good dress that I thought my sister would approve of so when the time comes she will say "yes" to the dress I have found. I also want to be able to wear the dress again and I think that is more important than anything else to me. Most of what I seem to like are spaghetti strap tops with a shawl or sheer sleeves and an A-line or sheath style skirt. Something nice and classic is what I always go for. Of course I am hoping that by starting early, I will be able to have something found before I am even asked to find it. And I do hope that she will like whatever I pick. She is very finicky about her clothing & what she finds nice, so some of the dresses I found, I know she would not approve of. But hey if I ever had the need to buy a formal dress for $170 I know what I would get ;)

I completely understand what it is like to go into TDS and spend loads of money!!! We have a tendency to do that but I know for a while that will have to stop. Most of the money spending things we wanted we now have or are too expensive for me to buy now. We are going to try to be good for a while and hopefully begin to save up for important things like our furniture and any upcoming trips. There are a few things I would love to get (like the muffin pans & the waffle maker) but with an upcoming birthday I will promise not to spend any money on things like that until spring.

Well I should at least pretend like I am working even though still nothing can get done here. Most people are completely annoyed now and since lunch time is coming up soon I am sure some will leave early, and hopefully by the time we return it will be up and running again!

angelina

01-07-2002, 01:36 PM

Hi, everyone. We got back last night around 8:00, and I'm checkine e-mails and making phone calls this morning. I disconnected my answering machind before we left, so I didn't have any of those annoying messages waiting. Now, if I can just muster up enough courage to open the mail...

We had a nice trip, but we had an unexpected cold spell--freeze warnings thursday and friday nights!! It rained Wednesday when we were at EPCOT, and Thursday by noon it was getting really cold. I used my jacket to cover the baby up in the stroller, but by 2:30, my husband decided to go back to the room and get more clothes for everyone. We drank a lot of hot chocolate, and WDW sold a LOT of $40 sweatshirts and hats and gloves!!! Saturday was absolutely perfect, and we ended up at the AK Lodge to connect to a DD shuttle and stayed for dinner!! Now I understand why everyone loves it! Boma was WONDERFUL!! I would love to eat there again, and the animals were right at the back of the lobby when we got there. I took lots of video of the hotel and the Christmas decorations to show my sister, and she reminded me that I poo-poo'd the idea of staying at the WL (it's not my style, I don't care for the rustic stuff.) I think it would be very neat to stay at the AKL. And the smell--the food, not the animals,LOL. Yummy!

Well, I just got off the phone with my dh, and his company did make the decision to close his office in April, which is one of the reasons I didn't want to go to WDW. I don't know where that will leave him, although they decided to keep his unit open, and it may work out that he is one of the few who will keep their jobs. Please, please, pray that that happens, and send lots of PD our way. I'm worried sick, I've always lived here and my whole family lives within a mile or two of us. I thought we were at a place in our lives where we were settled, our home is the right size, in a good neighborhood, around the corner from my mom, less than a mile from my sister, and we converted and joined the Catholic church where the kids go to school. My grandmother, aunt, and cousin all live just a couple of miles away. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we come through this shake up ok, but the next 6 months are going to be stressful.

Rider, I can sympathize with the diet thing. Last year, in February, I joined a gym, and started cycling. Three or four days a week. Uphill, both ways. I did it for 6 months, I dragged all 5 kids to the gym every morning all summer long in 100 degree heat with no A/C in my car. I didn't lose ONE POUND!!! I quit after the Sept. 11 attack and haven't gained or lost ONE POUND! It's stuck to me like concrete. Today, I went back on the low/no fat thing, I lost about 15# when my ds was 7 months old, but back then, that was enough. Now, I could stand to lose 40# or so. I'm not expecting miracles, though.

Gotta run, I'll check back later. Keep the PD coming my way, please.

Angelina

IASW Rider

01-07-2002, 01:58 PM

Hey Angelina!

Welcome back! So glad to hear that you had a nice trip -we were thinking of you! I definitely have to go and try Boma's in June, now - you've all given it such great reviews! I can't believe that it was so cold, down there - I really didn't think that it ever got that cold! But I guess in a way, it's better than when it's totally hot and humid, walking through the parks! Anyway, it sounds like you all had a great time!

I'm sorry to hear about your DH's office. UGH. I guess it's the sign of the times - I know so many people who are in similar situations. Lots and lots of PD and good wishes to you and your family! And you never know - your DH might just be one of the people who is asked to stay on! Or maybe he will find an even better and more satisfying position in the interim! I'm sure that you will be able to stay where you are living, now, and remain in the community where you and your family have built such a nice life (that's so nice that your family lives close by!). Hang in there, and feel free to come here and vent if ever you need to!

I'm sure that you look great, Angelina! And even if you're not going to the gym (I don't even belong to one - I exercise at home with free weights and aerobics videotapes), sometimes when you're NOT paying attention, all of a sudden THAT'S when you lose weight! I'm sure that you don't need to lose anything, though! I "hit" the 35 pound mark, this week - the pounds seem to be falling off in pairs. I'm not complaining!

Helenabear - the dresses that you saw sound really nice! I'm sure that your sister will like one of the styles that you chose! I also think it's important to be able to wear the dress again - I don't think that I've ever worn any of the dresses I wore as a bridesmaid, after each particular wedding! I'm sure that you will pick something great!

Sorry that you're stuck being delayed at work. I hate when that happens, too - then you have to rush around and do an entire day's work when the system comes back up - UGH - very frustrating! Hope that you're hanging in there! :)

angelina

01-07-2002, 02:23 PM

Rider, every pound counts. I think the stress of being a SAHM, along with the financial crises I create for myself have caused me to gain about 25 #'s in the 3 years since I decided to stay at home. I spent so much time and energy avoiding bills and putting out the fires I start by doing that, i.e not opening my mail, or paying bills as they come, that I began to live in constant fear and dread, always having to borrow from Peter to pay Paul, so to speak. I started reading and listening to tapes by Suze Orman in September, right around the time of the attacks, and made a conscious effort to stay on top of things, and am more aware of what I'm doing and why, and it is my New Year's resolution to keep a balance in my checkbook at all times, and pay my bills as they come, instead of holding back. I sat down a while ago and opened the mail that came while we were away, and no horrors were waiting, so I feel better now, and can go on with my day. As ridiculous as all of this sounds, it is a real problem for me. I am an ostrich. However, I decided not to live the rest of my life in dread, and am trying to take the bull by the horns. It will be so nice to be free from that awful feeling, and to be in control for once. Looking back, I realize that I have been this way for almost 20 years, since I got my first checkbook. That is a longstanding habit to break. I sincerely hope that this works out better than the gym thing did, LOL.

IASW Rider

01-07-2002, 02:54 PM

You will work everything out, I'm sure! It sounds like you have a great plan and that you're really organized and on top of things! And maybe the worst part about your past situation was the actual fear, itself - maybe once the fear and hesitation are gone, everything will fall into place and you won't feel as anxious or stressed! It sounds like you're on your way to completely ridding yourself of the fear and worry, and I'll bet that in time, you won't feel hesitant about the arrival of the mail at all! Just keep doing what you're doing!

I put on between 50 - 70 lbs. after my divorce, 5 years ago......and I'm only 5'2".......and I wasn't exactly Jennifer Aniston to begin with! I try not to think about the numbers too much - I just want to feel healthier and look better (and I like when my clothes become too loose and big!). It sounds like you lead a very active life - I'll bet that it would be really easy for you to lose weight, if you wanted to, staying at home! As I said, I don't do any "real" exercise outside my home......and you are so active when taking care of your children and home......so that's like a workout in and of itself!

Just don't put too much pressure on yourself about anything - be it your financial organization / responsibilities, weight, etc. - like I said, I find that I am most successful with things when I am not thinking about them or putting too much pressure on myself or focus on them. Think about happy things - like your wonderful trip to WDW with your family - and smile! :)

helenabear

01-07-2002, 03:34 PM

Hi everyone... we are still not up and working... they claim they are up but we are still getting errors out the wazoo. So I decided to go and see you guys and see how you all are doing.

Angelina, have faith. Try not to worry, I know it is hard, but what good will it do? Just try to save up money in the mean time and I am sure it will all work out. I hope that your DH will get to keep his job or hopefully transferred to a job close by so you all don't have to move! I hope your trip helped relax you even for a moment and when you start to worry, close your eyes and envision the best part of your trip and hold that feeling inside of yourself... easier said than done but always try it. Also I hear excersizing is a good way to relieve stress as well ;)

I really think you both have the key point to weight. It is about feel comfortable and as healthy as possible! Some people have more to overcome to stay and feel healthy but if you can feel as good as you can then you are doing it right! I just want to feel as good as possible as well and I want my arm strength back. I used to be stronger than most guys I know, and I didn't need to ask for help when it comes to moving large objects. Now I do and if I can I want to get back to the way I was before. That is my goal and if I get smaller along with it so be it. If not then that is fine too. It is neat to hear about other's weight gain because I know I am not the only one who knows how it happened. For me I had to take meds and I know that made me gain weight which in turn helped hurt my ablitity to be active which here I am now, not as strong as I used to be. But that can hopefully be fixed so I can feel more confidant than I do now.

I swear I am about to kill someone because I keep checking our systems and I still can't get in and I really NEED to!!!! I leave at four and I do not plan on staying late because our idiots can fix anything here. So I think I am going to restart my computer to see if that helps. I hope you all have a wonderful day!!!

SlightlyGoofy

01-07-2002, 03:54 PM

Good afternoon ladies

You know nobody is perfect and we all have 'things' we have to work on so we should not beat ourselves up over our trials and tribulations. I am 5'8 and if I lost 150 pounds I would still be larger than I should be. I gained 100 pounds the first few years of my marriage and I were not skinny then either. I went from living in the city to living out in the middle of no where and did not know how to drive or anything. I went to the grocery store once every 2 weeks and that was my only view of the outside world. I could not even get books to read. I was miserable. It took me 6 years to convince my DH I HAD to move to town. I am very good with money however. Just don't ask to look at the inside of my oven. I am awful at that also. LOL

I use the Money program to control our spending since we retired. It is harder to plan your spending when you do not get all your money in regular spurts IMHO. I sit down the first of the year and figure out about how much money we will have coming in (on the low side) and then allot certain sums for each spending category (on the high side). With the program you can check with a click how you are doing in any category and see if you money to spend or should cut back. I plan for emergencies in the budget also, very necessary. At the end of the year we have money left over as we might not use all the funds designated for medical, car repairs etc. and then we can either keep it in savings or spend some of it on a special Christmas present or trip. There is such a freedom when you do not owe anything. It took us 3 years of severe cutting back to get totally out of debt. Even to this day I consider carefully if we really need or want something before I buy. Shopping yardsales satisfies my need to shop quite nicely and most of those things can be used for a period of time and then resold at another yardsale for close to the same amount I paid and sometimes even more! Different things work for different people. Angelina, you have already made the most important first step in acknowledging you have the problem. You are on the way to success. BTW, I like Susie Ormands financial tips. She is very down to earth and her stuff works for real people as opposed to those millionaires that are often written for.

I will saying extra prayers for you and your family as I would hate to see you have to uproot from such a wonderful situation as you have. I am glad that you had a wonderful, although a bit chilly, time at DW. Those memories will stand you in good stead if you should have to cut back severely. Bomba's was our favorite restaurant this last time. Only possible complaint was how loud it was but then most of the restuarants at DW are that way. Did you request any recipes? I have the url to send if you would like it.

Rider, WTG!!!! 35 pounds!! What is your goal to lose? I am going back to WW next spring. It is so expensive but it is the only thing that works for me. Having to get on the scale each week is the only thing that puts the fear of God into me. I will never be skinny but even losing a bit can make a big difference in things. Consider an overflowing glass. The extra couple of ounces is what causes the problems. Jennifer Anniston is not ugly by any means but I think you are much prettier IMHO. Since I am dark haired also I am partial to brunettes. LOL

Helenabear, the dresses sound wonderful and what a great idea to choose black since it will most likely be able to be worn over and over again. I have some of the same problem as you do with the top area. Have you ever seen the minimizer bras? They might help to get into the dress of your dreams without scrunching you too much. You could also get a lower cut dress and let your 'cup overflow". (grin) Of course the bride might not be so happy at you stealing all the attention.

I read where the 'search' function was down cause it was too overloaded and was not expected to be back up for a week or two.

My DH does not play boardgames so I do not get to play mine often. I have several computer trivia and quiz games that I play when I get a chance..

I got all the shelves of the fiction books at the library all straightened up today. Feels good to accomplish something. It won't last long as the kids really throw things around. It is so scary to see some of these children. There is one 5th grade girl who comes in dressed like a tacky Britteny Spears (and that takes some doing). She seems kind of sweet and in need of attention (the right kind). One girl was taking out "Anna Karienna" My kind of gal. I am enjoying this so much. I am seeing a slight attitude change in my DH also as he seems to miss me and be a bit nicer when I get home.

Wonder if Angelina is going to post a trip report. Hope she does better at it than I did. (grin)

My oldest grandson is due any minute so I had beter log off and unlock the door so he can get in here for me to abuse him with more education.

Slightly Goofy

helenabear

01-07-2002, 04:18 PM

We are still unable to get into our databases the way we need to. We can only "read" and not "write" and of course what do I need to do? WRITE of course :rolleyes: Oh well my day is almost over and I think I am giving up on getting nearly anything done today!!!

The only nice thing at work is I got a chance to chat with co-workers that I haven't had a chance to talk with recently. Other than that, not much else has been going on. I keep looking at the pictures of the dresses but I am not sure what I can do. I was thinking maybe I could try to lift weights so my pec muscles get bigger and hopefully that would make my chest smaller (like the body builders) but with my luck I will just get bigger ;) I have tried the minimizer bras and I was actually wearing one when I went trying on the dresses. I will have to hunt up on of my best ones and see if it helps any more at all. Sometimes different bra shapes can make my chest shaped differently and would fit better. I really am such a cheap skate though and I could just suck it up and get the larger size & fork out the money to get the waist, hips & anywhere else needed taken in. I was just hoping not to have to do that. But the only good news is that I was told the wedding will probably take place in 2003 (around May would be my guess) so maybe the chest fairies will come and take some of my 34 DD chest and give it to some deserving A cup gal ;) I am glad I am looking now though as my sister is very particular. For instance, she doesn't like buttons going down the back and I am not sure how particular she will be with dresses in her own wedding and whatever she wants, I will comply. A part of me keeps hoping she will change to silver as I have a great silver dress that I could wear ;) As soon as I find the style that I think is best on me I will post a picture. Then I will definitely let you guys know what I pick. Acutally I can see myself going with a digital camera & taking pictures of me all dressed up and getting your opinions of what I should wear. In all reality I am glad she is picking such a classic color. I think dark colors produce a beautiful wedding & they are very wearable again and black NEVER goes out of style! One of my friends thinks it is odd to have black in a wedding because supposedly it is a bad sign. I always laugh that one off because most of the time the men are seen in black so I guess all marriages are doomed from the beginning if that were the case ;)

I can't wait to go back to WDW as I would love to check out AKL. Bomba sounds wonderful and I would love to eat there. I am hoping for a late 2003 to 2005 trip so in a few years hopefully I will be lucky enough to get to eat there. Of course I am sure that we will have a few more things to choose from then too ;) Well I really see no point in trying to go back to work, but I think I will try yet again. I will see you all this evening!

angelina

01-07-2002, 04:36 PM

No, SG, I don't think I'll post a trip report this time, but I'll be happy to share with all of you. I do have a couple of complaints, though. This is the 3rd time in 4 yrs we've been to WDW, and all 3 times I've had to wrangle with them over my bill. This time they overcharged $212 on our room, and charged $16 for a stroller instead of $8. Last trip, in the summer, we were charged twice for a dinner at Tony's.

I didn't ask for any recipes from Boma, I can't even remember the names of the things I ate, and they didn't have a copy of the menu that i could bring home. I loved the fou-fou, though, and the seafood chowder/soup with mussels, shrimp, fish and scallops. It was all so good, though. Especially the desserts. Didn't you love they way it was presented? I did request the recipe for the caesar dressing at LeCellier, though. They said they would e-mail it to me.

We have a money program on our computer, too, and I tried to use it a couple of years ago, but got too depressed, so I quit, LOL. I have a friend who was an accounting major, and every January she does a budget for the year, down to their grocery alotment, takes annual salary, divides by 52, the whole nine yards. My jaws dropped when I heard that. I can't even manage to balance my checkbook! You are very lucky to be so good with money.

helenabear

01-07-2002, 09:08 PM

Hello everyone!!!

Angelina, I am so sorry that you have been over charged everytime you have been in the last four years. I do hope that they remedy the situation for you quickly. That is the one good thing about the billing though, you can see exactly what you are being charged for and can check over everything before you leave. Fortunately so far we haven't had a problem with being overcharged. I can only imagine how it would be if you just saw your grand total and had no idea where it all came from!!!

I too once tried a money program and hated seeing how little money I actually had. Hopefully soon we will get back into a groove of things so I can keep track of the money a little better. But I intentionally didn't watch it while we were buying some Christmas presents. I will check out our financial situation come about February when I won't be so depressed. Don't get me wrong, I didn't go blindly into spending and I had an idea of how much was spent but I just didn't want to see it in writing so to speak ;)

Our database systems finally came up at about 3:30 today so I did not get too much done at work today. It was nice at first to be able to "goof off" but we felt the stress of it all by the end of the day. But I have already decided that I will not let that make me stay late tomorrow as I am enjoying my evenings at home with just me and Luis. I loved having all my family over but something about being together is nice.

Well my FOX shows are on now so I will see you all later. Anyone have any good ideas for lunch? All this talk about Bomba makes me want to go to a nice place for lunch!

helenabear

01-08-2002, 07:40 PM

Hi there everyone, just popping in to say hi to you all and I hope all is well with everyone! Really not much has happened here, but I had to share a cute story about my baby. It is rather silly but it just warmed my heart this morning. I woke up and my shoulder hurt. I looked and there was my baby sleeping on me :D It was absolutely adorable! She laid on top of me for an hour and I couldn't bear to kick her off since she is such an angel and she hardly cuddles up near me. So we just laid in bed and I pet her the whole time. She finally let me go back to sleep at about 5 ish (an hour before I have to get up in the morning). But it was just so precious I had to share :D

helenabear

01-17-2002, 01:26 PM

Hi everyone! Here we are a few posts shorter but most importantly, we are here :D I missed not being able to see you all these past few days. So how is life with everyone? Life is fine here and I have so many little stories I will have to catch up on later ;)

SlightlyGoofy

01-17-2002, 05:04 PM

Whew!!! I was getting worried. Was having cold chills for the lack of your warm smiles. Headaches from withdrawal and the shakes in fear that we would never get together again. I feel all better now.

Do you suppose they closed the DIS down on purpose so we would miss them and be properly grateful for the forum they give us? If so - - - - - - TY< TY< TY< Oh Great One in charge of the DIS. We are properly humbled and will promise to be humbly grateful to your all seeing, all knowing presence. (bowing and scraping all the way backward in awe at your great power).

My house has never been cleaner though. I spent the day taking apart the library shelves in the LR and there is not a speck of dust on the shelves or anything that resides there. The blinding cleanliness is causing me to see other spots that need some attention also. I had better take off my glasses and wait until the feeling passes. LOL

I have asked the fellers to come up with a splendid repast for this evening so we can sit around and tell of our adventures these past few days. Hope everyone can join us this evening. There will be a double length display of fireworks followed by the EWP in front of the suite this evening to make up for the panic we have endured since the board went down.

Slightly Goofy/Linda

IASW Rider

01-17-2002, 05:27 PM

WE'RE BACK!!!!!!!!!!!! :) :) :)!!!!! YEA!!!!!! :) :) :)

I was also getting worried - this is the longest that the Boards have been down since I joined! Thank God they're back - I really missed them, and more important, I really missed all of YOU! How are you all doing? Hope that you've all been having a nice week!

I return to you slightly older, as I hit the "big 3-5" yesterday! :) (or should I not be smiling? Now it seems that every time I turn on the TV, I am inundated by a barrage of commercials that have warnings including "....women over 35 should do this or shouldn't do that......" UGH!) I had a very nice birthday! At midnight Tuesday night / Wednesday morning, Frank surprised me with a bottle of champagne (he said that it was a gift from our cats!). Then, we woke up to the doorbell ringing, yesterday morning - with a beautiful basket of flowers and balloons from Frank! We just had a quiet day at home - cooking, watching movies, sitting by the fire - that's exactly what I wanted to do! I wish that we could have more quiet days like that!

I'm actually off from work until next Tuesday - a nice little vacation - I feel so much more relaxed when I'm not there!

Can't wait until the "RETURN OF THE BOARDS CELEBRATION" in the Suite, this evening! We definitely deserve it - I was going into withdrawal without the Boards, these past few days! I'm with SG - THANK YOU, OH GREAT MASTER OF THE DIS for bringing back our Boards and our friends!

Hope that all is well with all of you! Talk to you soon! :)

SlightlyGoofy

01-17-2002, 05:44 PM

Just dropping in for a minute to let you all know about something I just found. www.disneystore.com is haing a sale, up to 75% off all kinds of things. Saw some great clothes for you gals.

Rider, trust me life gets better after 30 and 35 is even better. IMHO you don't know who you are until you get a bit older and have some experiences. Until you know who you are you cannot judge what or who you need to make yourself happy. If you ain't happy you aren't gonna make anyone else happy. Congratulations again and it sounds as if Frank is a bright man and he knows what you want. Wonderful, Can't wait to hear about your 25th anniversary celebration. (grin)

SG/Linda

IASW Rider

01-17-2002, 05:57 PM

Thanks very much, SG! That is very kind of you (as always!)! And I agree with you - I feel like I know myself much better and know what I want much more now than I did 5 or 10 years ago! It's a good age!

And thanks for the link, too! I promised myself to calm down with my TDS shopping......but sometimes, you just have to treat yourself! I will have to take a look at those sales! :)

SlightlyGoofy

01-17-2002, 06:21 PM

I was scanning the boards when they came back up and found a thread that reminded me of Rider. A man told of his proposal at DW. He told his girlfriend that he wanted to look closely at the murals in the castle. After pointing out several details he stopped in front of where the prince is kneeling in from of Cinderella. He then dropped to his knees and proposed. He mentioned that the people in the area were respectful of what was going on and when he was done and they were embracing and older lady called out"Is that a yes?" What wonderful memories.

I have to finish cleaning the floor so I can move the furniture back before I fix dinner. See you all later and am looking forward to hearing how you all coped.

SG/Linda

IASW Rider

01-18-2002, 03:39 PM

Oooh - I love hearing stories like that, SG! I am subscribed to a thread on the Weddings Board where people tell about their WDW proposal experiences and often men come on to the thread looking for advice about how and where to propose to their girlfriends at WDW! I get all choked up reading those stories! Heck, I get choked up when I see couples getting engaged on TV sitcoms, and that's not even real! In fact, when I am done catching up on the Boards, I am going to watch one of my new favorite shows, "A Wedding Story" on The Learning Channel. I happened across it one day, several months ago, when I was off from work (as it is only on during the day), and now I try not to miss it when I am lucky enough to be home on a week day. (I also like "A Baby Story", which usually is on just before it!) Thanks for posting that story, SG! I also love hearing about the creative ways that men think to propose at WDW - there are so many neat places in which to do it! I am happy that Frank proposed to me at the Poly - it's sort of like "home away from home" to us! Plus, it was the perfect way to end our first day back at WDW! I probably already showed you this, but here is Frank, about 2 seconds after he proposed to me (no pictures of me from that night - I was too dazed to be photographed!)

http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/iaswrider/Surprise.jpg

Hope that you're all having a nice day! :)

IASW Rider

01-20-2002, 12:33 PM

Hey Everyone!

Just wanted to say that I hope that you're all having a nice weekend!

We had a great time in NYC yesterday (even though it started snowing while we were there - we had about 5 inches on the ground when we woke up, this morning!)! "Aida" was wonderful! The music and dancing sort of reminded me of the music and dancing in "The Lion King" Broadway show. It was really beautiful. And it was nice to see my friend, too - we all went out to brunch before the show. Unfortunately, we couldn't spend too much time in the city after the show, 'cause we wanted to get home as quickly as possible and make sure that the trains weren't delayed because of the weather.

Frank is getting ready to go out and shovel, now, so maybe I should help him.

Hope that you're all having a nice day! :)

SlightlyGoofy

01-20-2002, 12:47 PM

I was not able to get the picture of Frank yesterday but he came through just fine today. He may be a little shy? I had thought he had proposed at the restaurant from some other pictures you had posted. (The one with YOU kneeling). What a shame you did not get a picture of the both of you. Do you have a timer on y our camera?

Rider sent me pictures of her excursion to NYC yesterday. Not quite as good as being there but very sweet and thoughtful, just the sort of thing she does. It makes my dreams easier to dream when I have such details to work from.

Dalton and I had a good evening yesterday and snuggled up for a good night's sleep. I hated to wake him up this morning. I got up extra early and had blueberry pancakes for everyone before church. Dalotn loves the color blue and loves blue food. I am running out of ideas for more blue food. Can anyone out there come up with some new ideas?

Helenabear, Angelina, Jstmee, everyone? We miss you all!!

SG/Linda

jstmee

01-20-2002, 08:01 PM

I'm here, really I am. I must have posted just before the crash, bash, boom, because I was here, and come to find out I'm not. THEN I couldn't find you all, I was running all around DIS board black holes and couldn't find the "lights" EWP lights that is. Whew, so glad to be back. I have been preoccupied with "losing some tonnage", heee heee. I really want to be a healthier me this year.

My four kids and myself have also been extremely sick. My little one and I still aren't over it. He missed at least 7 days of school so far and the rest all lost 3-5 days each. It was a fever, bronchial thingy, all viral so antibiotics didn't do a thing...I'm still fighting with the cough, if I had a dungeon in the house I'd sleep there, because I'm keeping everyone up at night, especially MYSELF! I'm so tired, I even asked my DH if he stilled loved me. Must be delusions.

A tragedy happened in our little town. My boys friend and his father got botulism. They are in a hospital 3 hours from here, hooked up to ventilators and they are paralyzed for now. They cannot even open their eyelids. The boy is 13 years old and he was thin to begin with, he's also over six feet tall, so he has a loooong way to go. The docs they flew up from NY said that it could take months to years to recuperate. It's soo sad.

Oh, how I've missed you all, I will definately be in the suite to catch up with everyone tonight.

Helenabear, your cat sounds so cute sleeping next to you. My cat doesn't cuddle too much either.

Rider, how wonderful you got to see Aida.....yes, I'm turning green with envy, lol....

SG, stop cleaning, you are putting us all to shame. Take a break, put your feet up, relax a little.

Angelina, how is your granmother doing? That is so difficult. We went through a lot with our grandmother, grandfather and my Great Aunt.....The last time I saw my grandfather he was in an assisted living center and I offered to have them come live with my family...Well, that never happened, he died shortly thereafter, and when I told my husband of my offer, he said no anyway. But, the sparkle in my grandfather's eyes at the offer was worth a million bucks, even if it didn't happen. I know that's not the same experience you are going through, but hearing about your grandmother brings back memories of mine. They are both gone now. My Aunt is still ticking away and she'll be in here home until her last breath. We have a visiting nurse come in and meals on wheels, etc.

My brothers wedding is PA in June and I'd like to look better than I am. Also, if I reach my goal weight my DH promised me a cruise. heee, little does he know it will be a Disney cruise and include the entire family.

Ta Ta for now. Meet ya in the jacuzzi. Wendy

angelina

01-20-2002, 09:25 PM

Jstme, how scary that must be. My littlest girl (the 2 year old) has some sort of blisters popping up on and around her left eye. At first, I thought she may have bumped her eye, but it's in the crease of her upper eyelid. As far as I know, she didn't do anything to injure it, but by Friday, it had begun to form a blister-like sore. Yesterday morning when she woke up, both her upper and lower eyelids were swollen and purplish, and I took her to the doctor . He thought it may be a stye, but later in the afternoon a second one had formed around her lower lash line, and this afternoon, four more small red spots popped up around the same eye, but nowhere else. She's had the chicken pox vaccine, and I don't think styes come in clusters, so I'm at a loss. My sister took her 3 year old to the dr.'s today about a cough, and found out she has bronchialitis (is that different from bronchitis?) and since she was exposed to RSV he's treating it as such. She was wheezing today, and he said it may be more than two days before she shows any signs of improvement.

My grandmother is ok, thanks for asking. I made copes of the check written to the people (she let THEM write the check out, can you believe that?) and a copy of the work order and took it to the police station to the detective I spoke with earlier in the week. He still strongly suggested that we have an plumbing inspector come out to check, but the "other side of the family" talked her out of it. I already made a deposit to her account to cover the cost of the stop- check order that failed, so she's only out $200.00. The detective did run the driver's license number the woman wrote on the back of the check, and she was in their data base, so that meant she had a record of some sort, but nothing to indicate she had done that in the past. At least, as it stands, if they do come back, the police will know where to start looking, and I'm comfortable leaving it at that. I was very ugly the other day, though, and hung up on my uncle when he called to harangue me some more about the subject. No one has called me since, and the detective said that my shortened Christmas card list would be worth it if it protected my grandmother. Enough said.

I actually booked Coronado springs for 6 nights in June, but cancelled because it went through the Travel Company, and their cancellation policy is not as lenient as CRO. I would love to go back, but we'll see. After all, I'm being greedy to want to go back for the 3rd time this year, even though we're getting the hang of the $500 Disney Vacation.

I decided to give up all diet drinks and things sweetened with aspartame and haven't had any since Jan 6. As addicted as I am to diet Coke, I thought it would be hard, but I feel so much better! I am also glad to report that my checkbook is still balanced! Now, I just have to get back to the gym. I love to walk, but I can't push my two babies (at least 60# combined) around the neighborhood anymore.

My niece is spending the night with us tonight, so I have to go bathe them now. Goodbye.

Angie

helenabear

01-21-2002, 06:51 PM

Hi everyone! I tried to get into here earlier today but they were so busy "cleaning up" I couldn't get in :( and I am sorry I didn't get a chance to come in this weekend. I was on a mission. I hate buying shoes but my pair that I wear constantly to work were so old I was wearing a hole in them. So I was on a mission to find a nice pair of cheap, simple shoes... easier said than done ;) So two days and $20 later I found a nice pair at Target. They were even real leather :D

angelina, I think you have done a good job with your grandmother so far. It is really tough. That was mean of your uncle to harrass you about the subject though. What is funny is that in my family, the children don't really know what to make of my grandmother. There are times to worry and then there are times you shouldn't and they don't seem to know which is when. The grandkids on the other hand seem to know how to handle her much better. We know when a hug boulder of salt should be taken and when to take her seriously. I too have cut soda of sorts out of my life... at least I try. I know caffeine is not good for me so I try to cut out caffinated sodas & chocolate (I don't drink coffee so that isn't a problem). I feel so much better and water is so much cheaper ;) Also if you want to go to Coronado Springs I'd be more than happy to join you;) It was a great resort!

Jstmee, that is so scary what happened to your boy's friend. Botulism is basically unheard of now and I had no idea it could be so harmful to a body. I will always be sure to check my cans before I eat them, especially now!!! I did happen to see your post before the crash and just as I was about to say hi to you then... gone... We were getting a little worried about you since we hadn't seen you in a while!

SG & Rider, as always it is great to hear your stories. I am sorry I haven't had much time this weekend to drop in and say hi. My sister and her boyfriend went shopping for rings this weekend. She has a diamond from her boyfriend's mother's first marriage and they are getting it set in platinum with sapphire accent stones. They are also getting the wedding bands made for a tune of $2500... I kept adding all the figures in my head and I came out saying "That's a trip to WDW!!!" Luis just smiled when I said that to him. They aren't officially engaged yet because she doesn't have the ring, but they are already going to book the place they want to get married at this week if they can. I won't even begin to try to understand them.

Well dinner is almost ready but I had to stop by to say hi. I hope all is well with everyone!

SlightlyGoofy

01-21-2002, 08:46 PM

Hail, hail, the gang is almost all here!!! I love it. I am taking a break from cleaning. This is just my annual spring cleaning time. I am too busy putting in gardens and doing outside maintance in the spring to do any cleaning.

Helenabear, sure wish I could buy a pair of $20 shoes. I bet they look great too. I would pay a $100 or more for another pair of my favorite shoes. I bought them on sale and did not wear them for about a year cause they did not look so very comfortable. They are so great that it is almost as good as going barefoot, almost. I never wear shoes unless I absolutely must. It is the hillbilly in me. LOL It sounds as if your sister and her boyfriend are not as grounded as you and Luis but things may work out well anyway. I like the idea of using his mom's old diamond but it sure is expensive. My first wedding ring was a $2 one that was picked up at Stuckey cause DH forgot to get a ring. He did buy a new car and a house tho so it was not bad at all. I am not a diamond type person. My next ring was a $13 simple gold band (long time ago) and on our 29th DH insisted I get a diamond ring. I bought a $200 closenne (sp?) with tiny diamond chips. I do a lot of manual labor and do not want to be worrying about losing anything precious. I would rather have power tools than diamonds. (I know I am odd)

Angelina, I love what the detective told you. Those poor people see so much bad all the time that they truly know what is important and what is not. I bet the other side of the family does not do half of what you do for her and they are just feeling guilty and maybe a big jealous cause your grandma loves you bunches, as she should. It does sound good that the girl gave a real driver's license number on the check (or did she have to to get it cashed?) Just be extra vigilant as those kind of people love to brag about the things they get away with and if they brag to the wrong person your grandma may have more visitors and they might no be so benign. I am proud of you giving up sodas. It must be hard though. I rarely drink soda, maybe a couple of times a year and then not more than a sip or two but I am addicted to iced tea. WTG on the checkbook balancing. It is a very hard to do when you have such a large and young family. Life seems to know when you have an extra dollar or two put away. Please be careful about the styes. That is how my DD's eyes started out. It seems as if it was caused by a Herpes virus, NOT the one kind of Herpes but the cold sore type. It is very easy to get infected. This was only discovered a couple of years ago, they did not know what caused it when she was little. I was told she was allergic to something in the air. I will be home all day Wednesday near the phone waiting to hear about how her operation went. Please give details on your $500 Disney vacation. I am cheap but have never accomplished that one! I bow to the queen of cheap- - - -.

Jstmee, you poor girl. Everyone is sick including you and you have to take care of it all. Life is not fair. You must have been in a weakened condition to ask your DH if he still loved you. I have been married enough times and for a long enough to time to offer this advice. Never ask them if they love you, make them wonder if you still love them. (grin) It is amazing the things that are romantic after you have been married many years. Picking up your own dirly underwear from the bathroom floor ranks right up there with a moonlight gondola ride after about 20 years. Our dentures sharing the same cup is something I am saving for our 50th when I will be too old to care anymore!!! (grin) See what you all have to look forward to? No mass exodus to the divorce courts pleeeese? Jstmee/Wendy, how is your health doing now? Are you still taking treatments? I am a bit curious, did you DH step up to the plate when asked The Question and hit a homerun or did he bunt? Hum, he is going to take you on a cruise when you reach your target weight? And what does he have to do to get to go with you? Little old troublemaker, that is me. :smooth:

Going shopping tomorrow to get some goodies for my boys while they live with grandma for a day or a few. The 4 year old has requested to have me steal him from daycare one day. He had better be in a better mood than he was this evening or I will take him over and let them deal with it. I love him to pieces but when he does not get enough sleep he is a grizzly. The big boy made the honor roll this term. His name was in the paper and he wasa so proud. His reading has improved and I am hoping to have him up to grade level by the end of this next summer.

I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow morning and will get some good drugs to get me through this next week. I already feel better. I would cancel but then I would relapse. Works that way doesn't it?

I took out my pictures from Broadway to look at again today. I cannot believe that Rider took the time to do such a thing. Frank is one lucky guy. If she does that for someone she has never met, outside the suite, what in the world does she do for the man she loves? I mean that in the nicest possible way.:)

Jucuzzi for me also tonight but would love to go over to Kona's and try the Koko Puffs. You all have to go with me cause I can only eat a bite or two and need someone else to take up the slack. Any takers?

Slightly Goofy

IASW Rider

01-21-2002, 09:25 PM

Hey Everyone!

I'll join you at the Kona Cafe, SG - that's one of my all-time favorite restaurants in all of WDW! Great food - great service! If any of you are ever physically there, ask for a waiter named Kevin - he's a real person, but he's exactly like any of our gentlemen in the Suite! Frank and I met him when we were there in 2000 and saw him again last year. Very nice guy and an excellent waiter - very service oriented! And he has great stories to tell about his experience moving to Florida and working for WDW. He even let me cry on his shoulder (literally) on our last day there, last year - he understands, because he always felt that way on his last days of vacation at WDW and then finally "snapped" and decided to move there from NY!

Thanks so much for your kind words, SG! I'm sending you a few more NY pictures in the "regular mail" and will take better ones the next time I'm there! Nope - Frank proposed to me right in our hotel room, after our long and perfect first day at the Poly, last year! That's why we're requesting the exact same room for our honeymoon! That's so nice that the boys are coming to stay with you again! And congratulations on your older grandson's making the honor roll! And I'm sure that the little guy will be in a much better mood when you see him next! Blue food??? Hmmm......aside from artificially colored stuff (YUCK) blueberries are the only things that I can think of! Eggplant is kinda purple.......as is rhubarb......as are grapes.....but I can't think of any other blue foods! Blueberries are great, though!

Hope that you and your family are feeling much better, Jstmee! That's horrible, when the whole family gets sick at once. Especially those things that just hang on.....and on......and on....I hope that you're all feeling completely back to normal, soon! That's an awful story about your son's friend and his father. Very scary and upsetting. I hope that they are recuperating well. And I'm sure that you look wonderful and are very healthy! Cruise or no cruise (though that Disney Cruise is supposed to be a lot of fun, from what I hear!), I'm sure that you'll do a great job!

How are your daughter and niece feeling, Angelina? I hope that everything is all right - that must be very frightening. Maybe it is some sort of virus? Or allergic reaction? Maybe the doctor will have a more definitive diagnosis, if you take her back, and he sees how the sores have progressed. Or hopefully, they will just go away by themselves. I hope that she (and your niece) is feeling much better, soon! And ditto everything that Helenabear and SG said - you are doing a wonderful job looking out for your Grandmother! I'm glad to hear that that matter has basically been settled and that the proper authorities have been notified. And you did the absolute right thing by standing by your convictions with your Uncle. I'm sure that she appreciates all that you have done and are doing for her! That's amazing that you gave up caffeine and aspartame! That is a great accomplishment! I am so addicted to Diet Coke that I don't know if I could ever do that! It's great that you can feel the difference, though - that's inspiring to me! But Diet Coke is one of my (few?!) "bad habits", and I don't know if I'm ready to give it up!

And that's great that you are also cutting down on caffeine, Helenabear! I'll tell you, I wish that I could do it, but I just can't right now! I'm not a big coffee person, though I do enjoy a cup on the weekends (and I will never give up Kona coffee at the Poly!), but that soda is just too "meaningful" to me! (hee hee!) Thanks for keeping us posted about your sister's wedding plans! It sounds like she and her fiance are definitely organized and know what they want and are getting things underway! Forgive me if I forgot, but have they officially set a date? You reminded me that I really should buy some new shoes for work, too. I always wear inexpensive flats with rubber soles in the car (I call them "parking lot shoes", 'cause I don't want to scratch up my heels by walking from my car to my office in them, so I wear flats!), but they are so comfortable that I often don't take them off and just wear my "parking lot shoes" all day! I'm just not a "shoe person". Like SG, I really prefer to go barefoot whenever I can (though DF has trained me to wear slippers - pretty much the same as going barefoot, anyway!), and I'm not a big shoe shopper. Oh well - I guess I'll buy some new work shoes, one of these years!

Speaking of which, I have to go back to work for the first time in a week, tomorrow. *SIGH* - having this time off has been so nice and peaceful and relaxing! I wish that I didn't have to go back. 20 mile trek in rush hour traffic.......long boring days.......UGH. Oh well, I guess that it's those days that make us appreciate "vacations" all the more! Speaking of which, it occurred to me tonight that the next time that we'll have that many days off in a row will be before and after our wedding - yipee! 132 more days till our wedding......and just 133 till WDW! :) Come on down in June, Angelina - maybe we'll see you there!

OK - I'll stop rambling, now. Have a great night, Everyone! :)

helenabear

01-21-2002, 09:31 PM

Popping in very quickly.... my DH is now on the DIS... so if you see 'coqui' that is my DH Luis :D

Rider, they are trying for the 10th of May... I guess I forgot to tell you all that but that is what she wants. They are fairly organized and I am happy for that. I am just afraid she will be tired of planning very soon (she already is hating it).

Well I will have to go now, but I wanted to say I will be back for Kona Cafe! Great place :D

IASW Rider

01-21-2002, 11:02 PM

WOW - May 10th! That's coming up, soon! Tell your sister to "pace herself" and not let herself get too stressed out making plans! She should be enjoying this time and the process of planning her wedding! I know that each little detail can be like a chore, sometimes, but if she takes it easy, hopefully she will enjoy making the plans and doing the research! I'm sure that it will be beautiful!

That's so neat that Luis is on The DIS, now! We'll have to look out for him! Frank just lurks. I keep trying to get him to post, but I think that he prefers just reading!

Have a good night! :)

angelina

01-22-2002, 12:40 AM

I said I gave up nutra sweet/aspartame--not caffeine!! I just switched to sweet-n-low. That would be too much. My mom has been after me for years to give it up, and I didn't listen to her until she met a neurosurgeon who really put the fear into her (and me) and I decided to do a search on the subject. As it turns out, I'd rather do without, thank you. One of the side effects is extreme irritability. That's where I can tell such a difference. I just drink a regular coke from time to time, but I've tried to stay away from those, too. We make a gallon of tea every day or so, and I have coffee in the morning, but the difference in how I feel is incredible. When I worked, I'd have a pot of coffee every a.m. by 10:00. I've quit smoking, and now given up my diet coke, but caffeine? Maybe one day.

My poor baby looks so pitiful. She has 7 blisters on one eye, and two more on the bridge of her nose. I've never seen anything like it. I took her back to the doctor this morning, (still haven't seen our regular pediatrician, yet.) This time, we got a culture of the sores, and she dyed her eye to make sure the cornea wasn't affected (it isn't.) I think she actually has impetigo, but i've never seen it in the eye before. My other two would get it from mosquito bites, but it's been years since then. I've been researching it in my baby books and on the net. The culture will be back in a couple of days, but she's on antibiotics, and everything I've read said it should begin to heal within 2 days of beginning treatment.

Helenabear, the last two pair of shoes I bought came from Target, too. The last is a pair of black penny loafers that were on sale for $15. It's impossible for me to go anywhere with the babies, and certainly not shopping. I'm usually in Target once a week.

That reminds me, the baby is potty trained! I think I've bought my last package of diapers. Now that I've said that, my eyes are welling up with tears. What a sad thought. I waited all my life to have kids, and I've seen my last baby days. There's nothing sweeter than a brand new baby. Sniff, sniff....

Last night was a long one. I spent it in a twin bed with the baby, who tossed and turned and kicked all night while I tried to turn from one side to the other as my arms fell asleep. Hopefully she'll sleep through the night. Good night, everyone.

helenabear

01-22-2002, 08:30 AM

Hi everyone!

I forgot to clarify, it will be May 2003 not this year. I couldn't imagine planning the type of wedding she wants in less than 6 months! So she has a long way to go on it and she will really need to pace herself since she has such a long way to go. I fear that if she hates planning this now it will only get worse as time goes on for her. If she can get the wedding site, reception & dress out of the way we will be in good shape. It isn't too hard to find a photographer around here and I guess she wants fresh flowers for her wedding, but that is doable as well. I just hope she doesn't pick something that will make me congested (which is why I had silk flowers) :D

Yes Luis is here. He already made about 6 or so posts last night. He is such a cutie, but now I guess I have to be careful about what I say now ;)

Angelina, you poor baby!!! I hope they figure out what she has soon! That must be awful for her but I am very glad to know they are checking her eye for any possible damage. I just hope it goes away soon! I do think it is wonderful that you are working hard to get healthier by eliminating bad things. We can't eliminate everything bad we put in our bodies but it is great to try to limit some of them. I have heard bad things about aspartame and I stopped drinking diet drinks because of it as well. I still drink caffeine here and there mind you but all the tea I drink now is herbal & my chocolate intake and caffinated soda is way down from what it used to be. Only recently have I drank more caffinated sodas than I should. One of my doctors was a heart specialist and he warned me about caffiene. When I found out why most pets shouldn't have chocolate is because the caffeine in the chocolate can cause a heart attack for them it really made me think. I think in moderation caffeine is fine and I doubt I will be able to completely cut it out of my life for good.

I hate buying dress/casual shoes. I don't know why but I do and I can't figure out why some shoes that look identical can be so different in price. I am sure there is a quality difference but when I can find my black penny loafers at Target for so cheap I guess I just have to get them. Actually this was the first timeI couldn't find black penny loafers, so I had to get a similarly styled pair of shoes. All the shoes I see now that I wear for work have these monsterous heels & are really thick and clunky. They just feel funny to me and I like simple and understated shoes. Now running shoes & Tevas are a whole other story for me. I am willing to take a long time searching for the "perfect pair" and then spending on average $75 for them... if I could have it my way though, I wouldn't have to wear anything but those, but since I work in a nicer environment and I love to wear jeans I don't wear running shoes much and my Tevas are only good for about 1/2 of the year :(

Well i should be getting back to work now. I hope you all have a wonderful day!

SlightlyGoofy

01-22-2002, 09:10 AM

My DH used to be a shoe salesman in his youth and he has always said that people make a mistake in buying expensive shoes for dress and cheap shoes for regular wear. Since most people only wear dress shoes for a short time and work shoes the majority of the time it makes sense to wear the better shoes when they will do the most good. It makes sense to me. I used to wear cheap shoes when I was younger but my habit of going barefoot has caught up with me. Your feet spread when you do not keep them contained and now my feet are extra wide and it is difficult to find shoes. You always pay for your bad habits. LOL

I am in awe of you guys and your wedding plans and such. My DH proposed the first time he met me and while I said 'No" for 3 years when I finally got worn down we just went and got married. I think your way is the best. If a relationship can handle the stress of all those plans it is more likely to survive and if it doesn't you will have saved great expense and emotional trauma. You learn so much about each other during the process. I would not have been upset if my children had lived with someone before they got married (one did) under certain circumstances. Would not want them changing partners every few months and it should be a committed relationship and all possible precauctions against having children until after marriage (the one who did the pre marriage living also had a child on the way at the rushed wedding).

Dear Helenabear, you do not have anyt hing to worry about with Luis. You have never said anything negative about him at all. In fact I think we are beginning to think he must be some kind of saint as you have told us of his many attributes. Do you guys have to share a computer or do you have dueling ones? I have a sister and bil who email each other from seperate rooms. (grin)

It looks as if everyone is off to a healthier New Year. I can't wait to see what benefits all of this will bring you wonderful people.

Angelina, I feel so badly for your baby. It is so hard for them to understand when they hurt. How loving of you to sleep with her and make her as comfortable as she could be while making yourself totally miserable. It is amazing how much space a tiny child can take up in a bed. I have had a grandchild push me out of our king sized bed. I used to sit on the floor next to my daughter's bed to keep the nightmares away when she was little. Potty trained, how wonderful for both of you!! That is one thing I do not miss about my grands. Frankly, I enjoy kids more when they get older and I can talk to them and teach them things. We have so many great conversations. It is amazing how their little minds work. I learn as much from them as they do from me, probably more in fact.

Rider, I will check my snail mail and look forward to the pictures. I will keep them in my photo album for when I need an incentive to get to Broadway (one day). I have not forgotten the videos but am having trouble with my recording vcr and think I may need to replace it. I am going shopping today and will look around and see if they have anything. I cannot get a GE even tho that is my favorite cause the remotes get messed up with two of the same brand.

I am headed off to the doctor's office now. It is the "Creeping Crud" again and since I made the appointment I have improved vastly. Figures. I need to find some new lamps for the living room today also. I just finished an extensive cleaning of the room and got rid of a piece of furniture and a whole box of other things. For pack rats such as we are this is a big accomplishment. We plan to be moved within the next 2 years and I need to gradually weed out things to make the move easier. They are restructuring the property taxes here and I want to see what is going on in that area also we are still considering going to FL for a few months this fall to check out the situation there. We are considering 3-4 locations.

See you all later, I am going to need a nice rest tonight to get ready for the next couple of weeks ahead of me.

Your friend, SG

IASW Rider

01-22-2002, 02:48 PM

Hi Everyone!

I hope that your daughter is feeling better much soon, Angelina! I'm sure that the antibiotics will help very quickly - they always seem to work pretty fast! But I'm sure that it's painful for you to see her in so much discomfort. I hope that this medicine works and that the blisters and sores go away very soon! And congratulations on her potty training! That is a big accomplishment and milestone! I'm sure that you are very proud of her! Wow - quitting smoking AND giving up Diet Coke??? I'm sorry to say that those are the 2 things that "sustain me" - I don't know how I would be able to give up either! Talk about big accomplishments! I'm afraid to find out about the dangers of nutrasweet / aspartame - UGH. Although I always did prefer saccharine to aspartame and was sorry when they switched the formulas of the different diet sodas, years ago. I only use Sweet-n-Low in my coffee, when I have it. Well, those are some great accomplishments for you and your family!

I'm sorry that I misunderstood and thought that your sister's wedding was going to be this year, Helenabear. Well, that's good - she'll have more time to research and to enjoy making the plans with her fiance, too! I wish that there was a Target close to where I live. They only recently opened a few in Central Jersey - I will have to check them out!

That makes perfect sense, SG, about having cheaper shoes for work and more expensive shoes for "play". I'm embarrassed to say how cheap my work shoes - the pumps that I'm wearing, now (I'm making a concerted effort to change out of my "parking lot shoes" in the morning, now - hee hee!) - cost. But my sneakers, which I wear outside of work, were more expensive. Don't worry about the video - you have so many other projects going on, right now, and more important things to do! If you have a chance, that would be great, but please don't go out of your way! How did everything go at the doctor, today? Do you know what your "creeping crud" is? I'm sure that it will go away, soon!

Wish that I could say that I was becoming healthier by giving up some of my "bad habits", as many of you are, this year, but I'll wait to get rid of some more excess poundage before I try to conquer anything else! 38 pounds down, now. Hopefully a few more to fall off in the future! Will quit smoking one of these years. I saw how difficult it was for my mother, many years ago......and she was a 3-pack-a-day smoker who quit "cold turkey"! At least now there are patches and medications and support groups to help people quit, which there weren't 20 years ago when my mother quit. I'll get brave enough, eventually. Maybe Frank and I can try to quit together, when we try to have a baby, in the future.

Anyway, time to get back to work (why does it have to be so hard to come back to work after being off for a few days????? Can't wait to get out of here! But then I'm having my highlights touched up, after work - a 3 hour process - it's going to be a long day!). Hope that you're all having a nice day! :)

helenabear

01-22-2002, 07:52 PM

I admit the shoes I bought yesterday were for work... I spend more money on my comfy shoes I only wear in the evenings and weekends... but when I was younger and could wear the comfy shoes all the time because I didn't have to look so "nice" all the time. Ah the days of wearing T-shirt and jeans/shorts all the time ;)

Well my sister is out with her fiance tonight designing the wedding rings. I hope they get exactly what they want! Oops I shouldn't call him her fiance until the ring is on her finger :D I can't wait to see what they get and I am just glad that she is so happy about planning this wedding! I am sure a lot of it is that she is happy to be loved by someone who wasn't "forced" to like the rest of our family.

Well I promise to behave when it comes to Luis. Granted he is no saint and he does things to get me mad, but I am pretty lucky when it comes to him. He takes good care of his three girls, especially since two have hairballs in the middle of the night and shed on him :D He said someday he might stop in to say hi... Now for saints, it sounds like Rider's man is a saint... shoveling snow and all the great things he has gotten to for you not to mention a wonderful proposal :D

Angelina, I forgot to congratulate you on your baby being potty trained. That is not an easy thing. I baby sat for a family for many many years and I helped potty train the youngest and he was so stubborn about it but we finally got it done!!! It felt so good!

Rider, I will tell you one thing about myself... I did a stupid thing when I was in high school, I picked up a cigarette and smoked it. From that point on I did stupid things like start again after quitting for a while. Finally in college a friend that I met there came up to me and made me quit... cold turkey. He was a big help and after him I never did it again. The funny thing is shortly after then the smell of cigarette smoke made me ill and now I am effectively allergic to cigarette smoke as I get completely congested and get a sore throat. So that was a great reason to never start up again. So there is my little story about that. But I do think it is wonderful that you have lost weight. For me losing weight is harder than quitting smoking but that is just me.

Well the timer just went off for my dinner so I must fly. I hope you all have a wonderful evening!!!

SlightlyGoofy

01-23-2002, 09:24 AM

I am in awe of you guys and your search for perfection. It is hard to give up bad habits and even harder IMHO to pick up good habits. I applaud you all in your search for perfection. Now, IF I had any faults I would join you but the only fault I can think of it the fact that I am far tooooo humble!!!! (big old silly grin) Yeah, right. I am going to try to lose some weight, again. Not even going to try to get 'normal' just a bit lighter and go with that. Rider is my inspiration. Losing 30 some pounds when she was not big to begin with is an awesome achievement. I knew very well the "Battle of the Bulge".

The thing about the shoes is that people pay so much for fancy shoes that they wear for just a few hours a week or a year and so little for the ones that they practically live in when those are the ones that need to be the best so the poor feet will not suffer.

I would love to hear Angelina's potty training story. Want to see if it lives up to my Ave Maira one. It makes a child so much more portable when they are trained and they are so proud of themselves when it is accomplished. I bet she is strutting around the house like a super hero.

Helenabear, I am afraid that I had the wrong impression of your sister's wedding plans also. I thought she was in a bit of a rush. I am so glad to hear that they are taking their time and I hope they enjoy this time of planning. It will give them so much to remember when daily life gets them down.

Jstmee, I am so glad to hear that you are motivating just fine and made it through the holidays without too much strain. Bet you enjoyed taking the tree down and not finding pine needles all over the place for the next 6 months!

I may not be on the boards for a few days, according to what my daughter needs. I am spending the day cooking and putting things in disposable pans so they won't have to cook much. First thing on the list is a Red Velvet Cake. I keep busy when I am nervous, works for me.

Have a great day all and maybe I can stop by this evening after I get the boys to sleep.

Slightly Goofy

IASW Rider

01-23-2002, 11:28 AM

Hi Everyone!

SG - forgive me for not remembering the exact date - is this the week that your daughter is having her surgery? Or is it next week? I hope that everything goes well - I'm sure that it will.

Helenabear - thanks for sharing your story with me! I am surprised that you ever smoked, considering you're a singer! (I have a friend who is a professional singer, whom I hadn't seen in many years. The first time I saw her, after maybe 10 years, the first thing she said to me was "you smoke, don't you?" She said that she could tell because my voice is so much deeper now than it was in high school, and that that's usually a result of cigarette smoking - I'd never known that, before!) And that was very nice of your friend to encourage you to quit and help you, like that! It's interesting that you say that you are allergic to smoke, now, and that the smell makes you sick - most of the people I know who have quit say that they love the smell of the smoke - my mother would say to me "blow the smoke in this direction" so that she could smell it! I hope that when I quit, the smell will make me nauseous, so that I won't want to pick it up, again (maybe that will happen if I quit and get pregnant at the same time!)! I actually smoked a cigarette for the first time in summer camp, when I was 12. A girl friend of mine and I stole one from our counselor, went across the lake, smoked it, then swallowed like an entire tube of toothpaste afterwards, so that no one would know! We thought we were soooo "cool". I didn't really smoke in high school.....but I became a "real smoker" (ie: buying my own cigarettes and smoking them regularly, instead of borrowing one from someone else every now and again) in college, and haven't stopped since. I know that it's a yucky and horrible habit - I WILL get rid of it, one of these years. Frank smokes, also, but not as much as I do. He doesn't even bring his cigarettes to work with him - he only smokes at night, at home. I'll tell you, it's interesting being a smoker at WDW, these days. Frank and I ALWAYS abide by the "only smoke in the restricted smoking area" rules in the parks, but many people don't (maybe they don't know about the smoking areas). I just don't like when non-smokers walk by the designated smoking areas and give smokers dirty looks - like, where are we supposed to go, if not the designated areas??!! Anyway, I digress.....thanks for sharing your story! I hope that Luis does decide to pop in here and say "hello", some time - it would be nice to "meet" him! And thanks for your kind words about Frank - that is very nice of you! Yes, he is a wonderful guy! I wish that I could get him to register on the DIS and drop in and visit us here, too! Your sister and her fiance are designing their own rings? That's really neat! You'll have to tell us about them, when you see the designs! Frank and I are going to have very plain rings. I just want a plain platinum band, to match my engagement ring. Plus, in traditional Jewish ceremonies, you can't use a wedding ring with stones in it (that's because the ring that the groom gives the bride is supposed to represent "something of value" that he is giving her. The thought is that stones in a ring could be fake and "deceptive", and the groom is not supposed to deceive the bride in any way, so plain metal rings are traditionally used. Some people use a plain gold or silver ring for the ceremony, but have a band with diamonds or other stones in it that they wear every day. I would want to always wear the actual ring that was used in my wedding ceremony!). Even though our ceremony is not going to be completely traditional or religious, we're still going with the plain bands. But I'm curious to hear what your sister and her fiance create! Your family is so artistic that I'm sure they'll be beautiful!

SG - Perfection????!!!! Please! As I sit here at my desk at work (procrastinating, YET AGAIN!), I am glugging down my second Diet Coke of the day (yes, that's what I drink first thing in the morning, instead of coffee!), and if I was writing this from home, I would probably be smoking, simultaneously! Thanks, as always, for your sweet and supportive words! I really did need to drop a few (thousand - hee hee!) pounds. Not just because I wanted to look "better", but because I am so afraid of eventually developing Type II diabetes, like my mother has. Seeing the mess that my mother has gotten herself into by not taking care of herself really scares me. I know that I would never allow myself to become sick or not take care of myself, like that, but at the same time my weight wasn't healthy and it was time to do something about it. Plus, I noticed other things - like when I wore my heels at work, my toes would hurt because my weight was putting pressure on the balls of my feet and toes when I wore higher heels. When we were on the planes, going to and from WDW in June, I noticed how little space there was between me and the armrests. I would bump into things 'cause I didn't realized that I was large enough to bump into them when passing by. Stupid stuff like that. Anyway, I am no skinny-minnie by any stretch of the imagination - I have a long way to go before I will deem myself at a "good / healthy" weight. But in the mean time, at least I'm saving money on new clothes - I have clothes in my closets in (literally) 6 different sizes! So as I'm growing out of a bunch of my clothes, I can go back to others that I haven't been able to wear in awhile - I'm wearing a blazer, today, that I haven't been able to wear in 2 years! Thanks again for saying such nice things, though!

OK - enough rambling! Hope that you're all having a nice day! Talk to you soon! :)

angelina

01-23-2002, 11:36 AM

SG, I don't have much of a potty training story. My son used his potty the first time I put him on it at 21 mos, but was 3 1/2 before he was "trained." My oldest daughter just decided to use the potty and was self trained by 2 1/2, and almost immediately able to go through the night. I bought a package of pull ups for night time an didn't use the whole package. My baby is 2 1/2 and I just put her in panties several months ago and told her to use the potty. If she had an accident, she took off the wet clothes and got dry ones. It's only been in the past few weeks that she's been consistently telling me when she had to go and only in the last week that we've left the house for any length of time without a diaper. Sunday, we were in the Strasburg Children store looking for a 1st Communion dress, and had to leave 3 times so she could go potty, which she announced loud and clear to one and all. I have learned by now that panties are the way to go, I think Pull-Ups just delay the process, except at night. No one wants to be wet, and even though accidents happen and aren't pleasant, ( I just throw away poopie panties. Ugh!) I think kids train faster that way. It's like having a pet in the house, though.

SG, I think I missed something in an earlier post. I thought you were not feeling well, but why are you cooking for your daughter?

Thanks for all of the get well wishes. We still don't have a diagnosis, but I think they blisters are healing, even though they still look bad. She is really throwing some horrendous temper tantrums, but that may just be because she's a 2 yr old. Yesterday, I had to run to the bank and she was close to falling asleep. All the while screaming at the top of her lungs, she climbed out of her carseat and began hitting me in the back of the head. Thank goodness than bank is only a block away. That tantrum lasted at least 20 minutes, and when we got home, she refused to get out of the car. She curled up in her blanket and went to sleep on the back seat. An hour later, I had to pick up the big kids, and she slept through that and an hour of them playing basketball behind the car. This morning, she got mad and when I put her in her room, she promptly emptied 3 drawers of freshly washed and folded clothes, and raked two more stacks that were waiting to be put away off the dresser. Kids---Aren't they cute?

angelina

01-23-2002, 11:48 AM

Rider, you and I were posting at the same time. I would LOVE a Diet Coke right about now, I just found my husband's stash in the outside fridge. I'm trying to drink lots of water instead, and iced tea. WTG on your diet. I lost the 5 pounds I had put on over the holidays, but no more. This afternoon we're going to the market to buy some fruit and veggies--I'm looking forward to some fruit salad tonight.

IASW Rider

01-23-2002, 11:57 AM

Hi Angelina!

You're much better off without the Diet Coke! I am in awe of your discipline! I am a total and complete addict! In fact, I am opening up another can, as I write! (I bring a bunch to work in a little mini-cooler that I keep under my desk)

So glad to hear that your daughter's blisters are healing! I'm sure that that antibiotic will take care of everything! Sorry to hear that she was a little grumpy / tantrummy, though. Maybe it is just her age - many of my friends who have children have told me stories about the "terrible twos"! She's just testing her independence now, and testing her limits with you. I'm sure that this phase will pass, soon! It sounds like you have had very successful and relatively easy potty training experiences! You'll have to give me advice, when the time comes! You must be so proud of your daughter!

Time to get back to work! Have a nice day! :)

helenabear

01-23-2002, 01:17 PM

I don’t think I am looking for perfection. I do not believe in perfection actually. There is no such thing as “the perfect body” or “the perfect person” and it is useless to try to achieve perfection. I think I am looking to be like I was during a point in my life where I was happy with myself and my goal is to get back where I was when I was happy about myself. I guess you could say that is perfection in a sense and if you think of it in that sense, then yes I am looking for perfection then. The way I was then was good. I drank little caffeine, I didn’t smoke, I was overweight but I was happy and **felt** healthy. That is where I want to be. I was so confident about myself that I could wear a swimsuit and not feel the need to cover myself up. If a guy I was dating had the nerve to say I was fat then I said “Screw you!!!” because I felt fine. So yes, I want to work out and I want to do this so I feel good about myself. I went on medication, changed some of my ways and that is when it all changed. So I am going to try to change back and be where I was back then. Perfection? No! Happy? 100%!!!

Rider, you are correct in that smoking can make your voice lower. It has happened to one of my friends who was an alto and now she is a tenor… no joke! Fortunately for me though, while I did smoke I did train my voice enough to make sure I kept my high range (something all sopranos need to do no matter what) so I didn’t lose my range… although I need to get back to doing that to make sure my range does stay.

I will tell you all about my sisters rings as soon as I hear from her about them. I know it can take up to two months to get done what they are planning to get done. I had my ring custom made for me only because I couldn’t find the setting I wanted. I wanted a thicker ordinary band with the stone set in the middle. Oddly enough I couldn’t find that and they only had thin (1mm or 1.5 mm bands) bands to set a stone in. So we took a milligrain band identical to what we were going to get for my wedding band and had a mounting added to it for the stone. That was very inexpensive to do and the most expensive part was buying the band itself. So there are many ways to do customize rings but I think they are going for the full blown wax molds and everything.

Rider, I did hear of that Jewish tradition. I have seen it many times on TV (I’ve watched “A Wedding Story” many times myself) and I have also seen them do it on a different finger sometimes. I think that is a great tradition and I am so glad you don’t want to do it with two rings (one for ceremony and then take it off and put on your “real one”). I think that if you want a diamond band you can always stack rings together ;)

Angelina, glad to hear that your daughter's blisters are healing more. My parents actually agree with you. They think these Pull-ups will just delay most of the training process. Glad to know you are finally done with that stage :D

Well all, today is a busy day at work for me so I had better run. Take Care!

IASW Rider

01-23-2002, 01:41 PM

Hi Again!

Boy, am I being "bad", today. Just can't seem to concentrate on work. Much more interested in the Boards! (I will justify this by saying that I am making up for the time lost when the Boards were down, over the past 2 weeks - hee hee!)

Well, I think that you look great, now, Helenabear! I think that it's more important to just feel good and feel that your life is balanced, than necessarily look a certain way - I think that that feeling good just comes through the way you look, and then you "look good", too! Like you said, Helenabear, I think that feeling good and being happy with yourself are the most important things!

Wow - from an alto to a tenor???? Weirdly enough, I sang both first soprano AND alto, when I was in chorus, years ago (go figure!). I wonder if I could even still hit first soprano notes, now - I haven't tried in at least 8 years! My speaking voice doesn't sound like it could ever hit soprano notes! You're smart for always keeping your voice "in shape" and well trained - I'm sure that you sound great!

Yes, you're right about the other finger in traditional Jewish wedding ceremonies. In traditional Jewish wedding ceremonies, the groom puts the ring on the bride's right index finger, because that's the finger that's supposed to have a direct line or vein to the heart (the bride later puts the ring on her left ring finger). I don't know if we are going to do that - I guess we'll have to find the rings, first - one of the few things that we still have to do, in terms of plans. I got to watch a few episodes of "A Wedding Story" when I was home, last week - I'm so corny - I get choked up watching every single one! I also watched that "In Style Celebrity Weddings" special, last night. Must be nice to be able to afford some of those grand affairs! I'll be happy with my intimate wedding - I don't need tablecloths made of fresh flowers or personal fireworks displays! (hee hee!)

Hope that you're having a nice afternoon! :)

IASW Rider

01-25-2002, 12:01 PM

Hello!

I guess that everyone has been busy! Just wanted to stop in and wish you all a very nice weekend! Not too much to report from the Garden State, here! Just happy that the week is almost over. Frank and I are going to our photographer, tomorrow, and are having our engagement pictures taken (7 months later......oh well - better late than never!). Aside from that, I think that we're just relaxing, this weekend. Hope that all is well with all of you! :)

helenabear

01-25-2002, 12:20 PM

Hi everyone! I have been trying to get in the last few days but the server has been so slow for me I have had to give up here an there :(

Rider, thank you for your kind words. Luis happens to agree with you thinking that I look good now. Maybe it isn't how I look so much as how I feel but when I lift weights I feel better... more energetic so that might have much more to do with it than looks. And when I lift, I have a tendency to shrink some parts of me so that is just a result of doing something that makes me feel good.

Yes yes, from tenor to alto. She has been smoking for years. She isn't quite 40 yet, but she looks like she could be almost 50. Her voice is very deep and she sings tenor better than some of the guys ;) You know for the longest time I sang both soprano & alto. My choir director loved to put me on Soprano II whenever he needed it and those are funky parts! But I have always enjoyed singing and secretly deep down inside I wish while I am driving around that somone will "discover me" ;)

Well something I wanted to tell you all about was that I asked my sister why she wanted me as a bridesmaid. I only asked her because everything I offered to help her with, she shot me down. She began to hurt my feelings and I asked her why she wanted me there if I had nothing to offer. She told me she wants my help but she wants to plan the wedding herself. I told her I understood that, and I was just offering and didn't expect her to pick everything I liked. Well we understand each other and that is good! Of course yesterday when I was dying to tell you all I couldn't and I was much more emotional about it ;)

Well my management (way up high management in another state) took away our casual dress Fridays, and there is talk that they want a more professional look than what most wear to work. I guess that is fine because I wear a more professional look than some but if they tell me I must wear a blouse every day I will kill them. That and I can't afford to go buy a new wardrobe for work. I do agree that some push what I call business casual but to make us go business would really make me mad. I won't worry about it for now but I might have to start looking for new shirts just in case :(

Other than that not much is going on here. I hope all is well with everyone!!!

SlightlyGoofy

01-25-2002, 02:41 PM

You sure can learn a bunch by hanging around here. I had seen the ceremony of breaking the glass but did not know anything about the ring tradition. My sister in law is Jewish but I don't think she is terribly observant and does not even go to synagogue that I know of. I have a sister in law from Korea also and I would love to know more about the cultural differences but my one sister in law does not seem to know much more than I do about the Jewish religion and the other sister in law has such a thick accent and my hearing is so bad that we have a communication problem. I, personally, like the plain wedding ring. I have never had an engagement ring (this marriage) but I don't really want one so that is just me. I enjoy hearing about what other people think about different things. Diversity is a great thing. The world would be more chaotic than it is now if everyone thought the same and wanted the same thing IMHO.

My daugher's surgery went well but she is in a lot of pain. I took some food over and stayed with her last night until her hubby returned from a trip. She is not the type to complain so I am worried a bit. I have not heard from her today. I would like to think that she is out driving around enjoying feeling better but I am farily sure that she is not feeling well and is not answering the phone. Would be less worried if I knew she would call for help. Her hubby is a farmer so he is in and out all day so I am sure he will keep an eye on her. My 4 yr old grandson asked if I was going to spend the night at his house last night. He was so excited to see me there as it does not happen much. I have a rule for myself that I only go if I am invited and since the only time we are inviited is for a family birthday and they did not have any last year (that we knew about) we were not invited. Yes, it bothers me but I don't say anything about it. Sil has family all living out that way and they get together a lot and it is just my husband and me so we get sort of forgotten in the rush. Back to the subject, I told my Dgs that "Yes, I was going to spend the night, in HIS bed AND I was gonna push him out just like he does me when he spends the night!" The evil child giggled at the thought.

Helenabear, you done good in coming out in the open and talking to your sister. I am sure that you both feel much better and now that you both understand each other the wedding plans should go full steam ahead. You are so wise. I did have to smile at your one sentence about work dress - having to wear a blouse. To me a blouse is a frilly sort of silly looking thing and I just cannot imagine you in ruffles and flower prints. I am sure it will work out, it is just as you say that some people carry it too far and they have to make rules for everyone to take care of those thoughtless few. Since you enjoy singing so very much you should look around for ways to express your talent. Go for auditions for local bands, check out the community theater. Go for it girl!!!

Rider, I have been working on my vcr set up and will see what I can accomplish. The new vcr's do not have a front display and it makes it difficult to see if the channel and such on the recording vcr are right. I am sure the pictures will be lovely and I bet we will be lucky enough to get to be among the first to see them in the suite. I do regret that we have not even a snapshot of the day we got married. I am big on photo albums and keeping keepsakes but it was a chaotic time and had far too many things to do to take care of the small important details.

Angelina, you are so right about the Pull Ups. They are an idea that sounds great but do not work out well, at least for potty training. My daughter being a career woman was having trouble training her youngest. I volunteered to take on the duty if given 2 full days with him. She dropped him off one morning and I had the potty chair in the LR. My DH had gotten a fancy chimming clock when he retired and so every hour when it chimmed he was to drop trou and sit on the pot. The following day after work my Dd picked up a perfectly trained child who did not have hardly any accidents. The only worry is that since the tune of the clock is Ave Maria I fear that if he should marry a Catholic girl he may find it necessary to leave church services on a regular basis to find the facilities!! LOL

Yes, reaching for perfection is an impossible job but I do think it is a worthwhile goal to be constantly trying to improve. I don't know that I always succeed at that but it is something I try to do. Physical perfection is not an accomplishable goal as it is different for each person. Be healthy, be happy and share the joy!!!

Would you all believe it is in the 50's in Indiana? Winters are always a surprise here. We will enjoy it until winter comes back with a vengence. (grin)

Slightly Goofy

IASW Rider

01-25-2002, 05:37 PM

Hi All!

Just wanted to check in again, quickly, before I left work!

I agree, Helenabear - it's good that you spoke with your sister and sort of "cleared the air". Now you know what she expects of you and you know what to expect from her. I'm sure that she wants you to be involved with her wedding plans and that she values your opinions and thoughts. But maybe they're just trying to be "independent", now, and do everything on their own without assistance. You never know - she just might be coming to you for advice or help within the next few months! I'm sure that she appreciates your interest and your being there for her! We supposedly have casual dress at work, EVERY DAY.....then why, pray tell, am I sitting here wearing a blazer and a skirt and heels (......and yes, a BLOUSE! Hee hee!)??!! Because I have sort of the "reverse situation", Helenabear - most of my work clothes were more "formal", when they changed over to "business casual". And since I also refuse to buy a new wardrobe for work....I just continued to wear my more "formal" work clothes. That's OK - I don't really mind! Plus, today I'm wearing a few more things that I haven't been able to fit into in a few years, so I feel like I'm wearing new clothes, again!

I'm sorry to hear that your daughter is in pain, SG. I hope that she will let you know if she needs help. It's so good that you were there for her yesterday and last night - I'm sure that she and her DH appreciate that. I enjoyed your potty training story! And just the thought of that poor man, if he happens to get married in a Catholic Church and hear "Ave Maria" - I was laughing out loud! It's in the 50's here, today, too - and I think that it may actually hit 60 or so, over the weekend! I wish that this really was the beginning of spring, but I suspect that our weather will be back down in the 30's by next week. :(

Anyway, once again, have a great weekend, Everyone! :)

helenabear

01-28-2002, 08:26 AM

Hi there everyone! Again I have been having trouble getting here due to server problems so this was the first time I was able to get in since Friday :(

SG, I must be a horrible person but I had no idea your daughter was going to have surgery. I just keep telling myself that hopefully you said it in a post that was lost during the crash. If not, I will just have to ask what it was for and I hope nothing serious! Sorry to hear she is in pain but it is good to know someone like you takes good care of her & her kids :D I do agree, diversity is a great thing. Our family is becoming rather diverse thanks to my siblings. My grandparents were beginning to wonder about us at first (why couldn't we marry nice Germans like most of them are) and that maybe my dad marrying a "foreigner" messed us up. After a while they got used to it and didn't question anything we did and not even a bad look came our way. Well it is funny because my sister will be marrying a Jones. My dad told his mom that and she said, "Now how do you spell that?" mostly because we have a very old Spanish name on my end and my brother married into an Indian family (his wife wasn't even born in the US) so they were expecting a weird spelling or something... well my Dad spelled it out for her and she just smiled. It was rather cute. So we enjoy our diversity and I think it makes the world a better place :D Of course we tease my sister saying she is the rebel marrying a Jones ;)

To sing in a band... that would require two things I don't have. The time to practice & play in the clubs, and the ablitity to sing in a smoke filled club... so in the mean time I will daydream and think how wonderful it would be to sing with Enrique Iglesias or someone like that ;)

I wouldn't mind stepping up my wardrobe for work as I do have a lot of knit sweaters that are considered business look now, and I guess I am closer to business than business casual... at least the "modern business" for ladies with the dark dress slacks, dark heeled loafers & my knit sweater shirts, but if they ask me to do anything more I will be in trouble as I do not own the clothing needed. That is my only reason for complaining about it. My problem with blouses is that they never seem to fit me right. Being short, the arms always too long and if I go to the petites, then the torso doesn't always hit quite right or are too short to tuck in. So that is why I like my sweaters & dressier knits as the are more giving & comforming to me :D I do own a few skirts but none are buisness like (with the exception of maybe one) and my black heels are dead, although I am trying to look for another simple pair of heels.

I am glad I spoke with my sister. She was hurting a lot of feelings and didn't even realize it. She wound up hurting my brother's feelings because she didn't even tell him. Now granted she doesn't have a ring and her DF didn't even officially ask (as he wants to officially ask with a ring... an old fashioned kind of guy) but she is planning already so that she can get the places she wants. So she is slowly learning etiquette on when and who to tell. Now in my case, my dad spilled the beans. Luis asked me to marry him then when I, of course said yes, he refused to put the ring on my finger for more than a minute to make sure it fit without getting my dad's permission. So we had my dad's permission & my dad spilled the beans before I had a chance to tell. My dad assumed my sister had told my brother about it, but she hadn't, so I am really sad about that for him. I talked to him yesterday and his point was that if her DF's Dungen and Dragon's buddies can know, he should have known.

Well I hope that I can see you all again very soon! I hope everyone had a great weekend!

SlightlyGoofy

01-28-2002, 10:20 AM

Helenabear, you are NOT a horrible person. It makes me feel better as a matter of fact cause I get all upset because I get things mixed up sometimes myself. It is easier for me now that I have gotten to know you all better but for a time I had to keep a file card to tell who was who. I am not a bit better in persn. Have a funny memory. It remembers somethings and not others and I have no control over it. (sigh)

My DD had a cornea transplant. It is a simple procedure,low risk but she is hurting and being the obsessive person she is she is raring to get back to work even though she cannot see much as yet. She is getting better each day and has a follow up appt this Thursday. I am more worried about her follow up appointments and her taking her medicine. She is totally blind in the one eye and has only driven an interstate a few times in her life and then just up to the next town and she is planning on driving herself to her appointments way up on the other side of Indy and will have to change lanes, get on and off different ramps and all this on one of the most busy and dangerous interstates in the state. She has to take medicine every 6 hours and has to take anti rejection medicine for the next year and she does not have a history to doing so well at that. Yes, ladies, I hate to tell you but you NEVER stop worrying about your kids. I know it is very irriatating when you are the child but when you become mothers you will understand. (some of you already do) I have an 82 year old friend and she worries about her 60 some year old kids so I know this to be true. You may become numb after time with some who are continually getting into trouble but you still worry. (grin)

I love the 'Jones" story. That is so funny!!!

Rider, you are something else. Thank you so much. I received your letter the other day and have been showing the postcards to everyone. My sil wanted to steal one of the twin tower ones but I beat him off with a big stick. LOL I collect postcards and will send you a couple of my favorite ones. I warn you I am a bit weird. I was on a tour one time and was poking around a card shop looking at antique risque cards once. My DH was shocked that I would do so in a public place but I retorted "Hey no one knows me here". After getting back on the bus I glanced down and noticed my name tag with home town prominently displayed. LOL

I have to be off on my days chores now. I will work in the library until school ends so Austin can ride home with me. He enjoys that. Since I did not make it last Wednesday I am sure they are in sore need of me today. Tomorrow I have a real tough chore. I am a secret shopper and HAVE to go eat at a nice restaurant and get paid for it. Rough life.

I hope your work loads are light today and you get some time to dream Disney dreams.

Slightly Goofy