EWP group?

[TalkisCheap]

Hm I suppose I should have clerrified something...haha I was so excited, I forgot to be specify about getting my braces off. I only got the bottom ones off...I was supposed to get both sets off, but only the bottom teeth were ready. Sometimes I get a little ahead of myself...but the bottom teeth are perfect so now I'm just getting really impatient to get the top ones off on May 3rd when I shall rejoice more...and be happier...Haha!

The high jump is not the pole vault, nor seeing how high you can jump(if it was I would be last every time...I don't have much vertical height in my jump...), Rider. It is an event where there is a mat with a bar in front of it. The whole point is to jump over the bar without hitting it. I am alright at it...but I have a certain mental block which I am determinded to break this season, and finally jump 4'2. My mind thinks of how high it looks and I can't relax and do all the particulars such as arching my back enough, or kicking my legs at the end...My high jump coach gets so frustrated with me because I clear the bar by a lot, I just never whip my legs at the end and my heels are usually my downfall.

Well, as to my friends and who they think is hott...they sort of agree with me. I think Yannick Bisson, Rick Petes, Val Kilmer, Orlando Bloom, Andy Roddick, Tom Brady, and Johnny Depp are hot. My BEST friends mostly like Orlando Bloom and few others - One is totally in love with Orlando Bloom and Rick Peters(at least we have both in common), one only loves Ashton Kutcher, two like Ashton Kutcher and Orlando Bloom, and one likes Orlando Bloom and Keanu Reeves...my other good friends basically like Orlando Bloom and a few other ones...and only One of my friends thinks Johnny is hott...they're obviously blind...even if he is old, I don't think that keeps him from being hot.

Wow, everyone on this board has been to WDW so much. I totally love WDW, even though I just went for the first time in March. I'm going every year, though, now because my Dad is always going to have his high yield conference there. Yay! And then I'll go more when I'm older...because I won't deprive my children of the fun my parents wouldn't indulge me in. I'm not complaining or anything though...I just would have loved to go....

Ouch I just burned my mouth...evil pizza. I cannot wait for lent to be over. How I envy the people I see walking around with ice cream and eating cake and what not. Evil torturing people. Oh well, Easter is almost here...when I am going to eat a whole coconut cream pie myself...that sounds so good right now...but, since I can't have it till Sunday...maybe I'll go drink some water.


-Caroline :sunny:

[SlightlyGoofy]

Caroline, you just enjoy that whole pie while you can. One day, far in the future, you will have to worry about your weight. LOL

It is amazing who you like when you are young and who you like when you are older. Cute is good but these days I yearn for a guy who can whield a hammer and saw and cook dinner. LOL

Sorry you did not get your top braces off yet but I know it will not be long.

You are going in the right direction in correcting your problem with the high jump. Knowing where you are going wrong is always the first step. Do you have someone to tape your performance so that you can see exactly where you are going wrong? This is one case where kicking up your heels could be a good thing. (smile)

High Yield Conference? What kind of business is your dad in? I ask cause my sil got a free trip to DW and he is a farmer. We went down at the same time to take care of the boys while they did the conference thing. Maybe your parents will fall in love with the place with frequent visits. Some people do not 'get it' about frequent visits as all they think DW is are the parks and rides. So much to do and being able to go often and for several days changes your expectations and your enjoyment. I did not get to go until I was in my late 30's and was agog at the whole adventure. How many times have you gotten to go so far? What did you like the best?

I always felt comfortable at DW in letting my kids go off by themselves once in awhile and I am sure that they think they enjoyed that more than I did. They were wrong. LOL

Have a good night all!

SG/Linda

[helenabear]

Oh boy... lots of long posts here... more or less wanted to stop in and say I do not have much time at work this week nor at home to check in like I used to, so I will be reading but not typing as much ;)

Depply, both of my cats seem to hve hundreds of names as well. How Gwen went from that to Junie I have no idea :p And chocolate croissants are great!

Linda, I agree... the ability to go off and do things on my own seems to be a bonus for us. THat way I can not be resentful when he doesn't want to do what I really do, and it also helps me to be independent! Fortunately LUis is good with it too :) And congrats... I have heard of the OHio Merit Scholarship! That is great... I'd be proud of that one for many years to come as well!

Lisa, I do hope that all goes well for you with the having the Passover celebrated at your house. Glad all went well with the Seder meal as well!

Caroline, I am glad you get the bottom braces off!!! And it is too funny about who your friends like. I happen to think Orlando Bloom is very good looking. One of my friends here on the DIS even sent me a poster of him as Will Turner :teeth: And yep, I've been to WDW quite a bit, but I admit most of my trips have happened since I was an adult and paid for them myself. Well I went 6 times with my family and four on my own, but I'm only 27 and graduated college when I was 22 so I'm not doing so bad :teeth:

WEll I have some mesages to write elsewhere... hope all is well with everyone!

[angelina]

Well, it figures. Just when I sat down to catch up with all of you and get familiar with the new faces in the suite, trying to make heads or tails out of what's going on, I heard the sound of running feet and yelling. DS and dd#2 were playing chase throughout the living room/dining room/kitchen and throwing around the new 12 pack of TP when dd ran into the chair rail and split her eyebrow. When I got there, I thought I was going to have to take her to the ER, but it wasn't so bad. She's patched up, bandaged, clean, and in bed. Whew!

It looks like a lot has been going on, people coming in and out and lots of WDW plans being made. Some of our friends are going the first week of June, and I'm so jealous!

We've been busy with basketball--dd#1 was the high scorer on her team with 68 points, and we've since moved on to baseball and softball.

Tomorrow is my "free" day, so I have to run around doing Easter Bunny errands. We have spring break next week, but haven't made any plans. May go to New Orleans one day to visit the Audubon Zoo and Aquarium of the Americas. Depends on the weather.

Well, it's past my bedtime, so I'm checking out, but will "see" all of you later.

Angelina

[IASW Rider]

Hey Angie - great to see you! :) I'm just sorry to hear about your DD's accident - is she all right? Thank God it wasn't worse and you were able to treat her at home! I hope that she's not in any pain! And congratulations to your other DD on her outstanding basketball season! As for upcoming WDW plans........remember to look out for some prospective "kidnappers" who may show up at your door in just about a month.........! :) How has the weather been, down there? I'll bet that it is already warm and beautiful!

Our cats have a million names, too, Elaine and Depply! It's a very strange phenomenon - I don't know how that happens! The funny thing is that they answer to all of them, too! I also make up crazy little songs that I sing to each of them, too.........I know - I'm very strange! :)

Thanks for explaining the high jump, Caroline! It sounds really challenging - I would NEVER be able to clear that bar! I guess it's a matter of having really strong legs and also knowing exactly how and when to arch your back and position your torso and legs so that you make it over the bar and land properly? I'm sure that you do a great job! And May 3 is coming really soon - then you can REALLY celebrate getting ALL your braces off! I never had permanent braces - I had adjustable top and bottom retainers that I had to wear for a few years, though. I was very happy when I was able to stop wearing them, so I can relate! It's interesting hearing which celebrities you and your friends think are attractive........I just think it's funny when you refer to Johnny Depp as "old"! :) Hey - by that definition, Keanu Reeves and Val Kilmer are not exactly "young", either - all 3 of them are older than I am (and I am pretty "old", myself - hee hee! :) )!

Thanks so much for all of your thoughtful comments, Linda! They're all very sweet of you to say! Yeah, I suppose I have some sorts of accomplishments.........sort of! :) I guess I just sort of feel like I am "drifting", for now - I'm so used to having a more "defined purpose" that it's weird for me kind of being in a state of "flux" for these past 2 years. Anyway.............

We don't keep kosher or kosher for Passover - we just use our regular dishes and silverware! I did go to elementary school (religious school) with many people whose families do have 4 sets of dishes and silverware, though - one for everyday meat meals, one for everyday dairy meals, one for Passover meat meals, and one for Passover dairy meals. Their kitchens also had 2 sinks - one for meat dishes and one for dairy dishes. My family was never that observant. We have Seders every year at Passover, for example, but we don't go through every single one of the steps - we just sort of "hit the main points"......then eat everything in sight! :) And none of us actually do any real cooking during any of the holidays.....my family has traditionally always had the holiday meals catered, so our only challenge is getting everything heated up at the same time! :) We took a few pictures on Monday night, if you'd like to see: http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/lisaruthb6/album?.dir=/ce12

It sounds like you're getting a lot of projects taken care of, around your house, as always! That's so nice that your friend came over and installed that hand railing for you, too! And as I always say, I think it's so neat that you know how to and do take care of so many of your home improvement, repair, re-design, re-decoration projects on your own! You will have to give us lessons, some day! Maybe you can give us a crash course, over dinner.....IN EXACTLY 39 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) :) :)

I hope that your hernia hasn't been causing you very much pain or discomfort. I remember when my father had his hernia operation, a few years ago - he wasn't in pain to start with, but he was very aware of the hernia - he could feel it when he touched his abdomen. Fortunately, he recovered relatively quickly after the procedure and he was in and out of the hospital in one day, too. I hope that your procedures go just as quickly and smoothly.

Well, we managed to get everything cleaned up, all the dishes put away, and the house put back in order by 1:00 AM this morning (my father and uncle didn't wind up leaving until just before midnight last night). I'm glad that we got that all taken care of! Now..........I've vowed not to eat anything for the rest of the week.......so that I can be prepared for the upcoming Easter feast at Frank's mother's house on Sunday! :) Too much food in one week! :)

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

[TalkisCheap]

Haha Slightly Goofy, I suppose I wouldn't really enjoy the pie in that magnitude...I'm better off savoring one piece of the several desserts...and hey, they'll be leftovers...I'll eat...1/4 of the pie!

Yeah I guess the high jump is challenging, but I'm getting pretty good at it, seeing as this will be my 4th year doing it...It's basically getting up enough speed, nailing your landing position, and getting enough vertical height. Once your in the air, you have to really focus on arching your back and not forgetting to kick your heels. I love jumping anything below 3'6 because then it's like your floating and don't have to worry about anything, seeing as it's practically natural to just 'float' over the bar at that height. Though you can never let yourself go TOO much because, believe me..landing on that hard bar leaves scars across your back...I know! I have one on my upper back and one just above my waist...I guess you can never be 'perfect.'

Well, I guess my friend(Shawn...odd name for a girl, huh?!) is stuck on a younger Keanu....I don't think she really knows how old he is for real! Val Kilmer is the same age as my mom...and I know thats kinda old...but I still love him in Top Gun(hes young then..and really cute :teeth: ) and DEFINATLY in Tombstone...I cry at the end of that movie EVERY time...no matter if I watch it 100 days in a row, I'll still be bound to cry. It's so sweet. And he's so perfect as Doc...and he's hott even as a sweaty, drunk, 'skinny lungar' LoL! I love that scene with Ed Bailey...sorry I have the whole thing memorized...seeing as I saw it for the first time when I was 6...and now I can't get enough of it!

Days seem to go by so slow, but then, looking back...life seems to be going by so fast. Do you ever feel like your living in a dream and one day you'll wake up and be like 10 years younger? I feel like this all the time...and looking back, I can't believe in a few days it will be a whole MONTH since I returned from my first trip to WDW! Seeing as so many things have happened to me, and I'm only 13...I wonder how I'll ever have room for all the rest of my years of life!!

Oh, and could I please ask for some prayers for my uncle? It's been a few monthes since he had to have his thumb removed because of a cancerus wart...and tomorrow he's going back for a check up to make sure everything's all right, and he is cancer free. Our family is very nervous, but we pray he'll be fine!

Well, my brother just drove in the driveway and I haven't seen him in monthes(college) so I'm going to go and greet him! Hope everyone had a great day, and has a great night...and a great day tomorrow! Night!


-Caroline :sunny:

[angelina]

O.K., Talk, your last response was cracking me up. VAL KILMER IS NOT, I REPEAT, NOT, OLD. AND IF YOUR MOTHER IS THE SAME AGE, NEITHER IS SHE!!! I know it seems like it, but it's really not. Johnny Depp is our age, too, Have a little sympathy for the old and infirm, if you please!;)

[IASW Rider]

Yes, Angie - soon they will have to be carting us away to the nursing home, where we'll join the other "oldsters" like Val Kilmer and Keanu Reeves! :) I still have my crush on John Travolta......he turned 50 this year..........that's "really old", huh Caroline? :)

We will certainly keep your Uncle in our thoughts and prayers, Caroline, and hope that everything will be all right and that he can put his health issues behind him permanently.

If you think that time is passing quickly for you now.........wait until you get a little bit older! I know that it sounds really trite "wait 'til you get older" - but it's TRUE! When I was in elementary school and high school - and even college - time seemed to pass so slowly - the school years seemed so long. Now, whole years just fly by, and when I look back at certain events in my life, I have to think for a minute to remember what year they occurred in, because everything blends together a little bit! Now that I've been back in school, the same school year that seemed so long to me, years ago, is flying right by, too! It used to seem like it took forever to get from September to winter break........and this year it seemed like it only took a few weeks! But hey - I like your theory - I wouldn't mind waking up one day and being 10 years younger! Could we make it 15, though? :) But you know what's weird? The way that I think about things inside my head is exactly the same as it was when I was 12 or 13! OK - obviously I have more "life experience" now than I did then, and many things have happened to me since then, but the way that I view the world and think about things and people isn't much different now from the way that it was when I was in 7th or 8th grade! So that's another thing that you have to look forward to, Caroline - when you're "old" like me (hee hee!) you probably won't think too differently about things than the way that you think about them, now! :)

OK, time for Angie and me to grab our walkers and meet in the multi-purpose room of the nursing home - uh, I mean Suite - to watch some films with some really ancient actors in them........like Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise! :)

Have a great day, everyone! :)

[angelina]

Yeah, Lisa, I really liked ol' Brad when he was a sexy young thing. Back in my day, I was a big fan of Bobby Sherman and David Cassidy. A couple of REAL old fogies, LOL.

[helenabear]

Hi all... interesting day for me. I got an IM from a friend of mine asking me what I was doing Mother's Day weekend and since I never do anything, the next thing I know, I have a trip booked. Air for that weekend was only $136 r/t so there was no way I could pass it up. Booked three nights at DxL as well (I guess it is now Port Orleans Riverside) and will have about 3 days in the parks. Should be tons of fun and it is crazy that I plan trips so quickly :p The bad news is I think I will miss a few of you by a few days, but this was the only time I could go w/o missing too much work.

Angie, always great to see you!! So sorry to hear of your DD's trip to the ER though :( I hope you enjoy your free day and your spring break next week! THat should be a lot of fun!

Lisa, you are definitely not strange! I don't make up songs for my babies, but I do sing to them. They love it so I don't stop doing it :) Lovely pictures you had as well!!! Dinner looks like it was great!

Caroline, high jump sounds so neat to do. It must be an amazing feeling floating like that when you do! I will also keep your uncle inmy prayers. I do hope the cancer is gone!

LOL, Angie I do not think you are old!!! Val Kilmer is a good age... so is Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt & Antonio Banderas. Of course my "biggest crush" is my age (Orlando Bloom)

[TalkisCheap]

Ok, Ok Rider and Angelina! You must have know I wasn't implying he was old in general, just compared to me! You're both perfectly young, just not as young as me! And plus, you're only as old as you think you are...or something to that extent!! Hey, Val Kilmer is just... 'seasoned' NOT old. Just older than me. And I mean, he's hott...so what if he's old?! You're cool, so what if compared to me your old...!!

Thanks for the prayers for my Uncle! We were very relieved to hear that the test results came out fine, and the cancer seems to be gone. The doctor also said that while there is a possibility it comes back, it is not THAT likely, and they believe he'll be just fine, though it can happen, so he remains in our thoughts and prayers.

Wow, I can't believe Easter is almost here! Unlike most things, Lent seems to have flown by. The only thing, in my life, that seems to fly by are sports seasons, and vacations. My life in general seems to be moving at a snails pace, but track starts on Monday( :hyper: ) so then life will start flying, what with trying to get school done, cathing the bus up to the HS, practices, piano lessons, and meets, plus softball! Then it's summer, and life gets really hectic...I love being busy!!

Did it seem like Easter was really late this year? Next year, Easter is in March, so my birthday will be in Lent, which it rarely ever is. Speaking of Easter, though, my mom is yelling at me, demanding I come and tell her what I want in my Easter basket...I'd complain but I'll spare you the whining! Hope everyone has a great evening!


-Caroline :sunny:

[colleen costello]

Linda, the new Tumbleweed is right next to the Texas Roadhouse. Sorry my directions confused you; I am sort of "directionally challenged" myself. Kohl's and Cracker Barrel are across the highway from this area. Where does your BIL live? The College Mall is on the far east side; Ellettsville is west of Bloomington. Someday we can rendezvvous at the mall.

Can you share info about your job or is it all secret like the IRS or CIA? It sounds cool to me. I am desperately seeking part-time employment for next year that doesn't conflict with my kids' school schedules -- what is required and are they hiring? :) Seriously, can you share some info? I am going to take advantage of every contact I have -- it is NOT easy to find part-time work!

Hi to the rest of the suite!

Colleen

[SlightlyGoofy]

My little buddy is here. He just read a book about the history of the American Flag and is now composing some poetry. He likes rhymes. Made his favorite Taco Chicken for lunch and he is a happy camper. We are going to pick up his dad and brother this evening to meet Jackie in town for dinner. Just what I need, a meal out. The scales are being mean to me this week. I went to town to buy some new smaller slacks last night cause mine were getting baggy but I woke up two whole pounds heavier this morning. I think it is God's way of keeping me humble. LOL

Colleen, I was thinking of asking if you would be interested in doing a Tumbleweed shop since I am not really too interested in it as it only gives me $20. Hardly pays for the gas, let alone the time. You cannot make a living doing mystery shopping, at least around here, but I manage about one or two free meals a week and for us retired people that is good. Might I suggest that you try substitute teaching? With your education and interests it would be a good fit and you can pick and choose which assignments you want. My bil works pretty much full time, but it is his choice. I think they pay more than the standard $60 a day down in your area too. If you would like to do Texas Roadhouse and/or Tumbleweed shops please pm me with your email and reg addies. I will then submit them and you will hear from the company. They pay more for dinner shops. I do others that give me the meal and about ten dollars extra for submitting the report quickly. I think I will do the shop this Monday as I have a busy schedule this next few weeks. Have to find a shop that sells larger sizes so I can get a few new tops to go with my new pants. Am now a size 22 which is huge for the rest of you but I was a 56 at one time.

Caroline, what a wonderful Easter present to hear that your uncle is going to be alright. Is much better than something that can be wrapped with a bow. I have actually done the high jump a few times, in my younger days, but had a problem with a different area than my feet. LOL I was pretty good at the limbo also and since I have never been a skinny girl that was quite an accomplishment. I dreamed of Ricky Nelson in my youth. Don't you dare ask me what that is!!!! (grin) Next I know you kids will want to know who the Beatles were. (sigh)

Shucks, darn, Helenabear, what a shame that we will not be there at the same time. Glad you can make it at all though. I could never do quick trips like that anymore. I am slow. It was the National Merit Scholarships that I competed in. Not sure if Ohio had a special program but I was offered a full scholarship because I had the double whammy. I was dirt poor and pretty smart. My father was dead set against 'welfare' so he refused to sign the papers. I was the only one of my crowd who did not become a teacher. I can blame him for the first but I managed to foul up another scholarship later in life by getting married. (not Tom) That one was my fault. Guess that is why I am such a frustrated teacher to this day.

Rider, in my heart, I am no older than ever either. I think staying young in the heart while getting wiser in our brain is a good combo. Is the essense of what DIS people are for sure! Just wait until you reach my age. Seems like I just get the Christmas stuff put away and it is time to bring it back out. Just hit home, recently, that I might actually still be around long enough to be a great grandma. Never allowed myself to believe I could ever hope for that. Not in a hurry but sure would be wonderful.

Angie, you are a hoot, for an old lady!! I can get away with that since I am much older than you are. LOL I sincerely hope that dd's beautiful face was not damaged. Did you use super glue to fix it? Have heard that is what they do in the emergency room nowadays and charge you hundreds for it too. Have been waiting to let you know if we will be making it to Fairhope or not. Am waiting to find out if we get the night's that Tom wants at Windmill or not. Is not a place I would seriously consider living but it is free. Going to see a condo in Bloomington this next week. I like the idea of that kind of living. No outside work and minimal inside work. If I could retire, a bit, I would be a happier camper. I think. Not likely to sit down and do nothing forever but sure would be nice once in awhile.

Nothing but salad for me tonight. Trying to get off another five pounds by the time I meet Rider. If you add up all the pounds I have lost in the last two years it would be about 150 but since some of them have been lost, regained and lost again I am only about 90 pounds down.

SG/Linda

[colleen costello]

Linda, I have PM'd you to get the scoop! :)

Hello to everyone else!

[IASW Rider]

Elaine!!!!!!! I CANNOT BELIEVE that we are going to miss you at WDW, by just a few days! And I CANNOT BELIEVE that you'll be checking out of POR just before we check in! The "fates" are working against us, again - it's like when we just missed eachother, last year! Anyway, that's so fantastic that you have a trip coming up so soon! You'll have to give me your tips for the "kamikaze touring plan", since we will only be there for 3 days this year, too! :)

I loved David Cassidy, too, Angie - he was the "first great love of my life"! And I think I told you that I actually got to meet him, about 10 years ago! Now that I have my nifty scanner, maybe I'll scan the pictures in and e-mail them over to you, for your amusement, as soon as I get back home from our visit with my in-laws! How is your DD feeling?

So glad to hear that your Uncle got a good medical report, Caroline. And when is your Birthday? Did we just miss it? :( We will have to have a belated Suite celebration for you! :) Don't worry - I don't mind being my age........especially since I still think like a "younger" person, inside my head! It's funny - I've been getting back in touch with some of my old pals from high school, since our 20th reunion is coming up next month, and as I hear from them, it's like not a day has passed since we graduated in 1984! So when I talk or write to them, I feel like a teenager, too! :) It's so great that you're involved in so many different things, outside of school! And you'll have to tell us what you wound up getting in your Easter basket, too!

Hi Colleen! How are you doing, out there?

Hi Linda! That mystery shopping sounds really interesting! I never really knew what it entailed, before. It sounds neat! Don't you worry about those alleged 2 pounds - you know that they are probably just water and will fall right off, as I always say! When I got on the scale after our Passover seders, it indicated that I had gained 4 pounds (I wasn't surprised!). Well, that was just 2 days ago, and when I got on the scale this morning, they were gone! Now, we all know that it is physically impossible to really lose 4 pounds in 2 days........so as I'd suspected, it was all "bloat" from the unusually big meals that I ate during the holiday! And I'm sure that that's what your "2 pounds" are, too - they'll disappear before you know it! :) Congratulations on needing to buy smaller pants! That is wonderful! Concentrate on that and on the 90 pounds behind you - THOSE are the important things - all that you have accomplished! And I know that you will just keep accomplishing, as you have been doing! :)

Hi out there, Wendy, Depply, and FPGurl04! :)

Time to head down to my in-laws' for the next round of holiday feasts! :) Fortunately, I'm not really a big fan of ham, so I doubt that I will "overdo it" on Easter, the way that I did on Passover!

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday weekend! Talk to you soon! :)

[TalkisCheap]

Hey everyone!


Yes, the best Easter gift was my Uncle being fine, and we were all very thankful. He actually had the operation the day before Thanksgiving, and we had plenty to give thanks about the next day, when we learned that his surgery had all gone well. Now, at Easter, with his being cancer free, we'll have yet another blessing to rejoice about during our celebrations!

Rider, you didn't really miss my birthday, it was Valentines Day so quite a while ago, actually. Seems, I'm going broke with all the birthday presents I have been buying, and just looking ahead to the summer where I will have twice as many to buy, seeing as half of my family seems to have birthdays in June-July! April is also a fairly busy holiday month, my cousin's birthday was just on the 1st, and my best friend's is the 18th. My parents anniversery was also last night, and my Aunt's birthday is on the 14th, and we'll be having a party.

Oh, Slighty Goofy, I definatly know who the Beatles are! Own their best hits cd, as does two of my best friends...and we listen to them quite a lot!! I would rather listen to their music, over most of the songs that come out today! Though I do find myself somewhat 'in love' with Outkast's songs. Jessica Andrew's is probably my favorite artist right about now, even though her albums are somewhat old...but I don't really mind, I love her music, even if it is Country, and I said I would never like country!!

That is so wonderful that you lost those 90 pounds. It must not have been easy, and don't worry about having regained some! It must have felt great, having to buy smaller pants, and quite a difference in sizes! That is so great, for you to have such strong will power to be able to lose that much weight. I know that I have to try and start an exercising regiment now and continue it till I'm an adult, because I have no willpower and if I stop exercising and eat like I do now, I'll probably blow up like a balloon!

Well, my mom and dad just got home with our new car, so I'm going to go and check it out! Hope you all have a nice rest of your Saturday, and if I don't get back here before tomorrow, Happy Easter!!


-Caroline :sunny:

[FPgurl04]

HAPPY EASTER! boy you all are chatty...

so i have softball updates. we had our first games last week. we won our first game 10-4!!! i helped to make the second out of the game (a bunt. i was playing second. first baseman charges, i cover first, pitcher gets the ball, throws it, and the girl is out.) so i was very happy. then i got an RBI single. then i struck out. i also caught a line drive. that was about all i did first game. i also ran around and was called Kirby a lot. (lol slightlygoofy. i had never heard of a Kirby vacuum cleaner before. i seriously thought they were calling me that little pink nintendo character! :) ) the second game we lost. it was 3-2. i didn't do much except get hit by a pitch by one of my best friends from my travel team, tori. my travel coach (tori's dad) told me that next time she hits me i have to charge the mound. i kept bugging tori about it. it was so much fun. in the field i didn't get anything. bottom of the last inning, there's a runner on third, we're down by one, two outs, and i'm up to bat. (figures :rolleyes:). i was really nervous, but i hit the ball. but i was out. :( so we lost. poo. my next game is wednesday, but then i'm missing our game on sunday AND our team pictures because of confirmation. i asked my parents if i could go to Church in my softball uniform, get confirmed, then go to my game, but they said no. go firgure. :rolleyes: :teeth:

slightlygoofy, of COURSE i know who the beatles are!! i hate it when i tell people my favorite singer is bruce springsteen and they ask who he is. a bunch of people tell me johnny is "old and ugly" too. i mean COME ON!! at least some people like orlando bloom. some people in my class like chad michael murray and nick cannon and paul walker. sadly MY biggest crush is 27 years older than me. i do a have a crush on this boy in my class, but i don't think he knows i exist. oh well...

is anyone going to be in orlando from may 29-june 8???

have a wonderful holiday everyone!

[SlightlyGoofy]

LOL, Rider, you don't care for ham? I did not know you were supposed to. (smile) So the seven pounds that accumlated last night are not real either? (sigh) Real or not the pounds come off a lot slower than they come on. I ate a bit of ham in a salad for lunch today in an effort to not add more to my current situation. I am almost back to where I was at the first of the year. The inches stay gone though, except for my aching legs. Both my parents had heart disease so that is probably where this is all headed. Old age is the pits but it sure beats the alternative.

FPgurl, BTW, does that stand for Fast Pitch? I loved your idea of what to wear for your confirmation. Better yet, wear your confirmation dress for the baseball picture. LOL I like people with a sense of humor. LOL I will be leaving the Orlando area on the 29th of May.

Talk, while it might be a bit expensive and time consuming to have to buy presents for so very many relatives and such I think you are blessed to have such a close and loving family. My hubby and I both come from large families but there is not much togetherness involved. We had Easter dinner by ourselves. I baked bread for some friends who are sick and took them around and that was the extent of our socializing. My oldest grandson called me about a dozen times today though. (sweet granny smile) I was only funning you when I suggested that you might be too young to know who the Beatles are. BTW, I know who Outkast is too. Thank you for the kind words on my weight loss. Has been a hard journey, is harder the older you get. I have lost 40-50 pounds over and over again but this is the first time I have stuck to it and I don't care if it takes 5 years or the rest of my life, I am NOT giving up. What kind of new car did you get? Will you get the old one when you get your license?


Colleen, you saved my bacon as I could not get decent directions from Mapquest and had to go back and check your directions for Tumbleweed. We are going to eat lunch there tomorrow and look at some condos. Am thinking that might be a solution to our housing dilemma. A whole lot less upkeep for me to deal with for sure. Heard that there is a complex near the library. My dream. LOL Maybe we can meet on one of my upcoming trips? My nephew is coming in from Iraq tomorrow and I am taking him some homemade cookies as he loves them. Hoping he does not have to go back. He has been over there for over a year but since he speaks the language and is so useful I am thinking he will return.

I have found something that we all agree on besides the EWP - The Boss Rocks!!!!! Even I get a bit faint watching that blue collar feller sing and wiggle. I am just admiring his music. LOL

Slightly Goofy/Linda

[TalkisCheap]

La La La...today was an awesome day! I hope everyone enjoyed it as much as I did! But, I think I over-enjoyed the candy/desserts....but hey, I had to make up for the lost sweets that were given up in Lent!!!! Ugh, my mom is too good of a cook for anyones health...and running was probably NOT the best idea after such a meal...my stomach was none to pleased after the first couple miles...but we won't go into THAT!

Well, tomorrow is going to be a wonderful day! Well, the second part anyway...I have to get up early :( and go to piano lessons with my evil old man teacher who is so uncool...and then I have to take my history and spelling tests...But then, We have our first track practice, AND then softball practice after that...and we have our first game on Tuesday! It's pretty exciting!

Slighty Goofy - that's too bad you arn't that close to your families. My best friend is my cousin who lives about 9 hours away in Maryland. I am very thankful my parents, and my cousin's family took the time and effort to keep our families so close. I have been with my cousins every thanksgiving and christmas for every year of my life. A lot of my friends find it very amazing I'm so close to my family...I guess I was blessed with a very loving family. I am very close to my mom's family, but my dads family(besides my grandmother(my grandfather died when my parents were on their honeymoon) are not very close to us, and we see each other only twice a year and do not even call each other in between. I have 6 first cousins on my mom's side of the family, and another is coming June 1st, and I have none all of them since they were born, or I was born, and we are very close and keep in touch all year round.

My dad and mom are both getting new cars, but my mom's car wasn't in stock, but we are getting it sometime this week. They're both Honda's. My mom's is a CRV and my dads is an accord? I'm not quite sure the name, but I think that is it. As for me driving the cars, we already have a third car for andy and alex(my brother and sister). My mom's car was basically falling apart around us, so that one is gone now, and my dad's car was a BMW 5 series, and he wanted to sell that one to get as much money back for our new cars as he could. But, because of the space between me and my siblings, I won't drive the car they have, but we'll sell that one and get a new one when it comes time for me to drive in 2 years! I want a convertable...but they won't buy into that!!

I'm kind of excited about going to college, because if I get a full tuition scholarship to college, my dad will buy me a car!!! The car I want is either a BMW Z4, or a Mini Cooper. I love both of them..but by the time I'm in college, I bet there will be another car I want more!!

Well, I'm going to go drool over Yannick Bisson and Rick Peters(watch Sue Thomas) and then go to bed, so, goodnight!! Hope everyone has a nice day tomorrow, or nice days until I 'see' you next!!


-Caroline :sunny:

[helenabear]

Hi everyone... stopping in very very quickly

Linda, I am truly amazed at your weight loss... 90 pounds is nothing to sneeze at. And the sizes you've lost are wonderful!!!

Lisa, I am so very sorry we will miss each other. Just am not there very much at all. Really though for this trip, we are only focuing on Epcot and MK. The rest I don't care about as I spent enough time there in December. This is just kind of a get away and relax trip and soak in what we can!

Caroline, that is a great Easter gift there... I am so glad he is okay!

FPgurl04, congrats on your first win, sorry about the loss. Unfortunately will not be at WDW during those times. I am only going that short weekend in May. I don't have much time to take off right now.

Well I do need to dash, so I am very sorry about running in and out like this. Tomorrow I will have a concert to go to... Josh Groban so I look forward to that!

[FPgurl04]

omg! yay slightlygoofy, someone FINALLY figured out the FP stands for fast pitch!!!! yay! *biiiiiiiiiiig hug* :hug: lol. i believe i should wear my confirmation outfit for my softball picture. i should just like run around in it, get it a little dirty, then take the picture! it would be great. it would exhibit my grace and lady-like manner. :rolleyes: :teeth: and i love, love, LOVE bruce springsteen. growing up in jersey, i grew up listening to him. i think i only started listening to the "modern" music when i was 9 and people started talking about the "hip" radio station. (Z-100!) i have been to 7 bruce concerts. he's so great.

happy easter everyone. i'm so happy; no school tomorrow!!! yay. oh poo, i'm missing alias. oh well. ttyl!!! :wave2:

[FPgurl04]

btw, everyone can call me emily if you want!!! :teeth: :crazy:

[colleen costello]

Linda, glad my pitiful directions helped. I know Bloomington well (after almost 18 years!) so I can always offer help. Keep me posted on the condos. My friend's hubby is a builder/contractor and often has inside scoops on a lot of these projects. There are lots of nice condos going in downtown (where the main library is) although I believe the majority are marketed to students. Let me know after you visit and I will gather what info I can. Also, I would love to meet on one of your trips, as long as I am not committed that day to some event or another at school!


Hello to everyone else. It is cold and overcast today and I find myself dreaming of Orlando! :)

[TalkisCheap]

Hey Everyone!!!!!


Well, today was such an awesome day! First track practice, and it was so fun. I can't even go into how fun it was. But you wouldn't really get it...you would have to live my life, but, it was fun, and I can't wait for the next two monthes!

Well, I don't have much time because I'm off to softball in a couple minutes....long practice before our first game tomorrow night! Wish us luck...we kinda need it!!

Hope everyone is having a great day, 'cya' later!!



-Caroline :sunny:

[SlightlyGoofy]

Colleen, I surely could have used you yesterday. You have to understand that I can get lost just going around the block. Sad situation. LOL I sort of had an idea where Tumbleweed might be, general direction at least. Turned right where the White Castle used to be and headed out that way. When I saw Kohl's I thought I was home free and was boasting (wrong thing to do) to my dh. Stopped at Kohl's for a bit and then thought I would wander through the shopping center until I came upon Tumbleweed. After using a quarter of tank of gas (hyperbole) I finally spotted it - across the road and down in a gully! Went out at a light and after much discussion found out that I had went out on the wrong road. Went back into Kohl's center and looked again, got my bearings and went back out on the road. Wandered around and around and after my fourth try found the right road. The service was great, was pretty empty, but the food was nowhere as good as I had experienced at other outlets. I hate to write bad reports but feel if I do not tell the truth they cannot improve and would soon be out of business. Sure hope that place is easier for locals to find than it was for me. I sent in a reccomendation for you to be considered for that shop. They pay more for dinner. The condos were much more than we had expected, will not bore you with the details of how long it took me to find them. LOL Only one car garage, a bit run down and besides I am reminded about how bad the traffic is in Bloomington. Tom cannot drive it now and on a bad day neither could I. The condo idea is interesting though. I could be a lady of leisure. Maybe we could plan a get together after I return from Florida? I have another friend in Bloomington that I have to get together with soon also. See, I need a condo so that I can enjoy life instead of cleaning a house. (smile) Tom is retired and I deserve to at least semi retire. (grrrrr)

Emily, huh? Is one of my favorite names. One of my students is named Emily and she is a sweetheart. I have promised to get her up to speed in her reading this summer. LOL, I guessed right!! I are so proud of meself. I accidentally taped Alias and wish I could send it to you to watch. LOL I set my vcr each week for the few shows I like and live my life according to my schedule rather than that of TV Guide. How did your game go?

Caroline, you have wise parents in offering you a car if you get a full scholarship. Will save them megabucks also. I have a niece who is starting college soon and will be doing a work scholarship. She wants to be a forensic scientist. If she completes her college she will be the first in our family to ever do so. Was my dream for my kids but they refused. I had saved like crazy to be able to afford it and it nearly broke my heart when they were not interested. (Keeping the money for Dalton, he will use it) My daughter says that she does not need it as she has a good job but I still feel that she would have a better job and be paid more of what she is worth with the 'paper'. Is my opinion but I do not state it to her though. Whatever car you choose for your reward will be fine and when you complete your education and get the job of your dreams you will be able to afford any other car your little heart desires! Glad you got caught up with your chocolate requirements. Would not want you to suffer any more deprivation. I am in contact with all members of my family but so many of them do not talk to each other and it is very wearing on me to keep up with whom is mad at whom sometimes. Life is too short to be that petty IMHO.

Elaine, Josh Groban? You lucky gal. I love his voice. So many 'singers' of our day are so over dubbed that you cannot tell if they can really sing or not. I love people who can plant their feet on the stage and let loose. Gives me chills when I hear talent.

Lisa must still be reading that book I wrote to her today. LOL

Was gone all day yesterday, most of today and have the rest of week full as well. Had a small gain at TOPS today and am anxious to get it off, and more, next week. If only pounds would stay gone when you lose them. They are sort of like very smart puppies in that they wend their way back no matter how far from home they wander. (sigh)

SG/Linda

[FPgurl04]

it's snowing! IT'S SNOWING! why is it SNOWING?? it's softball season it's not supposed to be SNOWING!!

my game is tomorrow unless this SNOW keeps up! i have to go to Church for confirmation practice in my softball uniform. people seem to ask me sometimes if i play soccer when my uniform says "Sluggers." :rolleyes:

slightlygoofy, i'm sure your student is very smart. the brains come with the name you know! :teeth:

i have to go now...pork time....yum

[TalkisCheap]

It snows in Kentucky?? And I thought today was bad with all the rain...


Ok, so, I'm just going to vent here for a bit. You don't have to read this, I just need to write it and try to stop being frustrated. So, today was truely a BAD day. My game got cancelled, as did track practice...and I am in a very, VERY bad mood. I also can't babysit my adorable neighbor, and I have to miss my second game and probably the only track practice I'm going to have this week(due to rain) on Friday because I have to go to this evil Homeschool convention. I know that I have more games, and two monthes of track but next week is vacation(no practice, no softball) and then Wednesday is our first meet and with no practice, I'm going to do TERRIBLE! I'm going to have had 2 days of high jumping(maybe an hour combined) before our meet, and I don't even want to think of how bad I'm going to do. Then, softball will have a game Tuesday and we won't have much practice then either with no games, and a bunch of rained out practices too! So yeah, I'm in a b-a-d mood. Sorry about this post..I just needed to vent.

Anyway...Slighty Goofy - that's too bad your kids don't want to go to college. I often kid I should just get a job at Wal*Mart, but, I know that wouldn't be the best idea to support myself!! Also, I know what it is like having family members always being mad at each other. My grandmother is one of 15 children, 14 of which are still alive and they're always fighting and my grandmother is always 'updating' us and the list is too long to handle, and for my grandmothers last birthday, none of them were invited for fear of inviting fighting siblings and making the rest of us uncomfortable. Also, my great-grandmother is 95 and always fighting with my aunt and my other grandma. My aunt and other grandma have only been talking for less than a year, due to my aunts stroke and my great-grandmother taking a turn for the worst in her health.

Emily - Haha, people usually know my softball uni is for softball, but cross country and track have been questioned as many different sport uniforms, even though they say "Kennebunk Running"(same uni's for both sports) across the front in big blue letters with a winged shoe...someone asked me if I was a cheerleader....I was like....yep, just missing the pom-poms and mini skirt...and that fake smile...!!

Ok, well, I'm going to go eat ice cream...and mellow out(I love that word!!)


-Caroline princess:

[FPgurl04]

haha yes it snows in kentucky.

[colleen costello]

Linda, your post made me laugh! It IS tricky that you can SEE those shops on the other side of the highway from Kohl's but can't easily get to them! My parents stay at the Fairfield Inn every Xmas -- so the kids can swim! -- and it was tricky for them too. It will be even crazier if this highway #69 goes through -- there will be no acess off what is now #37 and I am not sure HOW I would ever get to Bloomington! The traffic in town is crazy. Might I suggest you and Tom consider "outskirts" a bit? I feel like Ellettsville is just perfect. Scott only commutes 8 miles to IU but it's a different world out her, very peaceful. If you found a condo "outside" of the center of town a bit, you would have close access for all the fun of IU, etc, but not "live" amidst all the chaos that can occur when 40,000 students are nearby. Some of the condos that are "out" a bit are even on the bus route! I am sure your bro-in-law would back me up on this. Of course I want to get together, we can even drive all around (I'll drive!) and look at condos if you like! :)

Hello to all!

Colleen

[IASW Rider]

Hey Everyone!

Hope that you all had happy Holidays! :)

Sorry that it took me so long to get back here - we were away for the weekend (at my in-laws') and as soon as we got back, I had to study for my killer nutrition exam (which I had at 8:00 AM yesterday morning). I also had a full day of classes which lasted into the evening, yesterday. But I'm back, now!

How was the Josh Groban concert, Elaine? I'm sure that he was fantastic! I almost got tickets to his show, for Frank for his birthday, since he was in NYC at Radio City, around that time. But then I saw that Bette Midler was also going to be here, that weekend, so I couldn't resist! Hopefully, we'll get to see Josh the next time he comes around!

I also like Outkast and of course THE BOSS, Caroline and Emily! :) And we recently got tickets to see another of my all-time favorite performers, in July - Prince! The great thing is that this will (supposedly, anyway) be the last time that he is planning to perform his "classics" (from the "1999" / "Purple Rain" era) live in concert! I think that he is just a musical genius.

Sorry to hear that your game and practice were cancelled the other day, Caroline. And I hope that the snow didn't interfere with your game, Emily (see that? You should have stayed in NJ - we just had rain, here! :) ). Wishing you both lots of good luck with your respective softball (and track!) seasons! I'm sure that you will both have lots of great recaps to post here, over the next few months!

32 more days, Linda! And yes, I'm sticking with my original "analysis" those "pounds" aren't real.....I'm telling you, one morning, you're going to get on the scale, and they will have mysteriously disappeared, and you will believe me! :) Even with the miniscule amount of ham that I ate on Sunday (and the fact that I was somehow able to contain myself around my mother-in-law's homemade macaroni and potato salads!) I wound up "putting on" about 3 pounds, somehow..........but I know that they will be gone by the end of the week, because one can't really gain 3 pounds in one day......therefore, they are also "fake pounds" (ie: water)! I know that you think I'm crazy, but I've gotten myself all "depressed" about gaining a few pounds so many times in the past.........just to have them disappear within a few days because they weren't "real" to begin with! :)

I'm dreaming of Orlando, too, Colleen! Uh, the city and WDW, that is.........not Orlando Bloom! :) (Not that there's anything wrong with Orlando Bloom, mind you...........I was happy seeing John Travolta on Jay Leno, the other night! :) )

Sorry that this is a quick one, but I have a HUGE nutrition project that I promised myself that I would complete, today. I have to analyze my diet for a period of 3 days and determine whether I'm getting enough, too little, or too much of all of the essential macro and micro nutrients.........I'm almost afraid to look and find out! :) Anyway, this is the last "big thing" that I have before finals - yesterday's exam was the last of my mid-term hourlies, and I've already completed the "big paper" that I needed to do for another class, so now I'm hoping to sail through this project, then coast into finals, which start in 2 weeks! Then I'll give myself a little break.........then start studying for the GRE when we get back from WDW. That should be fun.........I got my Kaplan books and study tools in the mail, yesterday - and almost had a heart attack when I saw the examples of the different types of math that are on the exam.......it looked like a foreign language to me! Depply - I'll be ready for that tutoring, any time that you're available to help me! :)

Have a great day, Everyone! :)

[SlightlyGoofy]

I was up and out early today. Had to drive some dear friends to our meeting in a town up the road. The hostess is the mostest and she had a table full of food that no one could deny. I did pretty well but it was awfully hard. Wish my friends were bad cooks. LOL Hurried back to town to visit my friend in the nursing home and she was at the doctor's. Rushed back to get to the school to tutor and no one was there. Sometimes they are running late in getting back from the playground but I waited and waited and no one showed up. They forgot I was coming. Is the only bad part of volunteering is that when something is free it has little preceived value. I came home and weeded a couple of my gardens to release some of my frustration. I channel anger by working. LOL Hope the kids do not think I forgot them.

Rider, you have my sympathies on trying to get back in the saddle with math. I had a hard enough time the first time around and my mind was more flexible. If I were you I would get a good computer program that would walk me through each and every step without you having to feel so frustrated. I am sure will do much better than I could as you are a numbers and word person. The days until we meet are getting shorter. Did I tell you that we are going to come in a day earlier so we will not be so rushed that first day? How come the fake pounds take so darned long to get back off? LOL

Colleen, I have a different situation than most normal people. Tom is much older and has many problems already in driving and such and I am an agoraphobic/panophobic who dearly longs for enclosed spaces within walking distance. I would be no better off in Ellettsville than I am here. I do not drive much in the winter and am scared to death of how I would get Tom back and forth to doctors and such when the time comes. Guess I need to think how I would get there for myself also. My bil's are all woman haters so that is a problem as well. None of them are too good for marriages. I am falling in love with the idea of a condo though. Wish they had such in Columbus. The only ones I know of are new and have major sewer backup problems.

A friend of mine sold her home for a bunch the other day. She had put it up for $520K even tho t he realtor told her she could not get that much with only having two baths. Her next door neighbor came over to talk to her and she told him that she was thinking of backing out of putting it up for sale cause she really wanted $550K and she did not want to pay the $33K or so for fees. He told her he did not have time to quibble and would pay $583K right then and there!! Goes to show that if you don't need it or want to sell it you will make it big. (grin) She is a sweet lady so I am glad for her.

Are you super busy in the summer and we should plan a get together before I go to Florida or in the fall? It would not be really hard for me to either come to Bloomington or meet you in Gnaw Bone (stop laughing you city people). I know I do NOT want to go out where I was the other day. LOL

FBgurl, do you think it is too late for me to change my name to Emily? I could use more brains. LOL Did you guys get hail yesterday? We did. Was not too big or last too long but was different anyway.


Talk, knowledge is power. There are many kinds of education and I do not believe that everyone is college material. I see some who are knee deep in college loans that are working in areas that do not require a college education. People who are handy are in great demand as well and can make a good living if they are able to handle the money well. So many repair people make big bucks but are not good at running a business. Is only sad if someone has a craving to do something and cannot because of a lack of education though. My step daughter who is almost my age is getting her GED and I am thrilled. She has never worked a regular job because of her lack of paper and attitude. I hope the attitude improves too. I want her to do well. You can learn from books or people. You can even learn from others mistakes. Much easier than making all those darned mistakes yourself IMHO.

Early to bed, am going to Cincinnati tomorrow with some friends. For an agoraphobic I do pretty darned well sometimes. LOL I do not have to do anything but get in the back seat. I am not in charge. I love it!!!

SG/Linda

[Dan Murphy]

How are the folks doing here in the EWP group? Hope all is well. :wave2:

[SlightlyGoofy]

Much better for having a visit from Dan, the man! Glad to see you in here We suffer from lack of male influence around here. Have you noticed the influx of delightful youthful people with fantastic ideas? We oldsters have to keep on our toes nowadays.

Any visits planned in the near future? Rider and I are going to be there in a few weeks.

SG/Linda

[TalkisCheap]

Well, I officially am very sick of my sister. I somehow got stuck with baking cookies for her and I don't even get to eat any. Well, the dough is chilling and only another couple hours till I get to go to bed. Like i'm not exhausted as it is, and I didn't practice piano for enough time which is too bad because my teacher saddled me with 4 different pieces to learn in 8 days. Plus, I'm working extra on this research report I have due soon, and I'm still trying to fit in those 2-3 miles each day(when I don't have track) along with doing Pilates with my sister and softball practices/games every day(though they, as well as track, have been cancelled the last couple days)Sorry to vent so much here...but I guess I'm a little aggrivated.

Wow, Dan stopped in! Hey Dan, you check out my 'bouncine' words? Haha, I'm too stupid to look in the FAQ...that coulda saved me some time....LOL!

I'm so envious of so many of my friends. I'm stuck here(I know I just got back...but) while most of them are making their way to WDW! What fun for me to sit and watch the rain fall.

Well, there goes the timer...I'm off to make 4 dozen or so cookies. Hope everyone has a good night...and a good day tomorrow!!


-Caroline princess:

[SlightlyGoofy]

Talk, just a quick post before I head off for the day. I had to smile a bit at your post. Siblings can be quite a pain, I am the oldest of 8. The hard part is that you love them no matter what and have to deal with them and hopefully they will do the same for you, sometime.

If all I had to do for my siblings was bake cookies I would be a happy camper. I have dealt with so many problems through the years, multiple divorces, drug and alcohol problems, not being able to hold a job, running away from home and on and on. It continues to this day. Every single one of them has lived with me at one time or another and that was exhausting, fruitful with some though. I have one sister who I fear is trying to commit suicide right now. It is difficult to listen to her and not be able to get her to see things properly. She is my current most pressing family problem. Wish there was a cookie I could bake her. (smile)

I hope that you find the time to do something special for yourself today. Take a bit of a breather. Be proud of yourself for being a great sister too, just in case your sister forgets to tell you thank you. We all too often take those we love for granted but never doubt that she loves you right back.

SG/Linda

[helenabear]

Good morning all quick check in here. I've been busy at work and at home and haven't been on near the way I used to. I have been reading but not been able to take the time to reply.

We've been working on getting DVC. At this point in our lives with the number of times I go alone this is the most economical way for us to do it. I ran a bunch of numbers with my dad and he agrees that this a good investment. So as long as the loan goes through we are doing this :)

All this music talk... I listen to honestly everything but country. I don't know why but I cannot get into it really. There are a few that are okay but as a whole I can't get into it. Not one type I like more than others really though.

Colleen, I find myself dreaming of Orlando often myself :teeth:

Linda, I was lucky enough to see Josh Groban on Monday and he was just awesome!! Such a great talent! I went to four concerts recently and I was very impresses with the singing ability of all of them! That's what usually gets me most... pure talent!

Emily, so sorry you had snow to deal with... the last snow we had was on the 4th!

Caroline, sounds like you've had a heck of a time lately. I hope things slow down for you soon and that you are able to go to the practices. I know in HS sometimes I lived for all the practice time I could get. I say you just sneak one cookie ;) THey'll never know :p

Lisa, that would ahve been a tough one for me to choose from as well... Bette or Josh. But I think Josh would have won only because his tickets went on sale last November and were sold out very quickly. So I would ahve picked him probably long before Bette :laughing: Good luck with your nutrition work! ANd have fun going to see Prince! He will be playing here tomorrow I guess.

Wow, Linda, what a wonderful deal your friend got on the house!! Truly amazing!!

:wave2: Hi Dan!!

Well I should dash... I hope all is well with everyone :)

[IASW Rider]

Hey Everyone!

Just wanted to stop in very quickly to wish you all a great weekend! I did read everyone's most recent posts - will write back at greater length tomorrow morning.

Just wanted to say "hi" to you all, and...................

ONE MONTH TO GO, LINDA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) :) :) :)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have a great night, All! :)

[FPgurl04]

hey!!! the only girl my age hom eon a friday night....baaah...that is so NOT beans of coolness!!

of course slightlygoofy, we emilies could use someone cool like you to have our name!!! and i'm sure you don't need anymore brains, you just want the cool name!! lol, but i'd be glad to lend it to you for a little while. i'll go around by slightlygoofy (although i should probably be FULLYgoofy!) or linda. i bet if i went into school and didn't answer to the name emily i'd get in trouble though. what do you think? :rolleyes: anyway, no i don't think we had hail. just snow. now today it is 80 degrees, we're in shorts and tee-shirts and have the AC on. what is UP with the weather?? i think it purposely tries to confuse me with my little brain capacity...

omg! great news! on the topic of loans and college and stuff i just thought of this! because i got one of the high scores on my high school placement test, i got a scholarship!!! i was so excited!! :teeth:

softball news: no we were not cancelled due to snow. at confirmation practice our pastor asked if i played field hockey or soccer...i said softball. (and was frustrated mind you. our team name is SLUGGERS! how hard is it to figure out?? lol) anyway, we ended up winning 12-6, but i didn't do very well. due to some misjudgement and pure clutzieness i missed a fly ball. i also hit twice but never got on base because i'm slooooow. oh well...."i got bat on ball, that's all that matters!"

IASW Rider, yay another BOSS fan and fellow Jersey Girl! you're so lucky you didn't have snow! but is it 80 degrees up there? i think you all will have to deal with a lot of softball news over the course of the season (mine is longer because of travel ball). have fun at the prince concert! i really hope bruce tours again. after his concerts (especially on closing nights) he says "see you down the road" or something like that, which i hope means he will tour again or something. i would go see him no matter how old he is---besides, he'll never be too old for booty-shaking!! lol!

hey carebear, how DO you get the bouncing words? although i'm sure it would save me time to look on the FAQ too....



oh well! i'm outie!

[Dan Murphy]

Only mostly planned trip right now is my 'normal' one in early December. Sure would like one in the interim. ::MickeyMo ::MinnieMo

Keep on your toes with those youngsters here, some sharp ones they are. :hyper:

[FPgurl04]

sharp as a spoon!

[SlightlyGoofy]

Dan, is so very true that we have a bright bunch here. Gives me much hope for the future if this is representative of the generation to come. I am in awe of all the youngsters on here. I am by far the senior so they are ALL youngsters to me.

I had thought you went to DW or DL a whole lot more often but if you can only go one time a year you sure picked the best time. Just something about walking around in 90 degree weather, flowers blooming and Christmas decorations everywhere and when the 'snow' falls on Main Street it becomes a bit surreal. LOL

FPgurl, you just 'feel' like you are the only girl home on Friday night. Is not so bad. You could be out with a bunch of jerks having a terrible time or something. You are just picky about who you spend time with or have succumbed the common problem of the boys your age not being smart enough to appreciate your many attributes. I often give thanks that the boys in my school did not find me appealing. Was the best thing that ever could have happened to me. I have seen how they turned out. Ugh!! I have found that the super stars in school peak often peak early. Is better to be at your best for the majority of your life rather than four years of it. If I can see how awesome you are in just reading your posts you will see the day when you will be glad of a night home alone, just for the peace and quiet. LOL How wonderful, a scholarship!! See, I am not the only one with faith in you!!! (doing a happy dance for one smart young lady)

Helenabear, DVC? Wonderful for you both. You will greatly enjoy it through the years. If I were younger I would be sorely tempted myself. I bet you have figured out how to get the most days out of your points too. Do you know which resort will be your 'home"? Glad you enjoyed the concert but then I think you enjoy most everything.

Rider, only a month to go? Hope I get everything done in time. Was going to work in the yard today but was sick most of the night. Old age is NOT for sissies.

My step daughter who is almost my age called today to announce that she just took the test and passed it for her GED. I am thrilled. Better late than never. I sincerely hope that this is the first step in a better life for her.

SG/Linda

[IASW Rider]

Hey Everyone!

Hope that you are feeling better, Linda! :( And congratulations to your step-daughter - that is wonderful news! :) Less than a month, now - just 29 more days! :) Will respond to your e-mail a little bit later!

Congratulations on your scholarship, Emily! That is fantastic news, too! :) And I'm sure that Bruce will tour again, soon - he usually does those "surprise shows" at the last minute, at the very least! And sometimes, if we go see someone else perform at the PNC Bank (formerly Garden State) Arts Center, Bruce will just randomly show up and jam with whomever the performer is! :) I'm sure that he will be back up there, too! Congratulations on your softball win, too! I'm sure that this is just the beginning of a great season for you!

That's so neat that you and your family will soon be DVC members, Elaine! It is sooooooo tempting - we've had the video and information about DVC for months..........but are too afraid to really LOOK at any of it, for fear of "losing control" and just going for it, without thinking it through enough! Maybe some day..........But I know exactly what you mean about how it makes more sense to become a member of DVC than to keep traveling to WDW as frequently as you do, without it. We've discussed that rationale when thinking about joining, as well. Had we done it 5 years ago, all of those trips would have been essentially "paid for" with our DVC membership, by now! Thoughts for the future! :) I'm sure that that Josh Groban concert was just fabulous. He is amazing. I'll never forget the first time I heard him sing - on an episode of "Ally McBeal", several years ago - and thinking "who IS that man?????". He just has an extraordinary voice. I'm glad that he seems to be touring regularly, now - maybe we'll have another chance to see him.

Hi Dan! Thanks so much for stopping in to the Suite to visit with us! Always wonderful to "see" you! :)

Hope that you are no longer aggravated, Caroline! :( It sounds like you have so much going on - just take one thing at a time, and I'm sure that they will all turn out well - don't let them all overwhelm you! And I hope that you were able to "steal" a few of those cookies that you were baking for / with your sister, too!

I agree with Dan - we sure do have some sharp, intelligent, great people, here in the Suite! :)

How are you doing out there, Angie, Wendy, Colleen, and Depply?

Well, time for me to tackle a bit more of the INFAMOUS NUTRITION PROJECT, now. I finished just about all of it, the other day..........but for some reason, my total numbers of calories and macro / micronutrients consumed per each day analyzed came out differently than the totals when I analyzed each food consumed on each day separately...........so I'm going to have to run all of the calculations again - FUN!

Oh well - it's finally a beautiful day, here in Central NJ - 70 degrees and sunny - all of the flowers are blooming and the grass is really green, as the result of all of the rain that we had last week - I hope to get out there and enjoy some of the day, too!

Have a great weekend, Everyone! :)

[TalkisCheap]

Hey everyone!

Well, I'm finally home, and exhausted after two days of waking WAY too early, answering many a questions to prospective home-schoolers, and having a blast with an awesome girl I met at the conference, I'm home!

If you didn't get all that, I left at 4 Friday morning to make it to Bethel, Maine for a homeschoolers convention. My mom was a spokesperson for Calvert, the curriculum we use, and I helped when people came to our table and answered questions about how I liked it. Then this really nice girl came to our table with her mom and we became friends and hung out all of friday and saturday till we left about 4 to come home. For something I didn't want to go to, I had a fun time...though I might have enjoyed track practice that I missed, only for the reason I really need to practice!!

Just got done reading all your posts while I was away so here's my little imput -

I know I did sound a tad selfish about my whole baking incident, but I do so much more than my brother and sister combined(ok my brother is at college...so he doesn't count). Usually, my sister just takes advantage of me being so nice, and doing anything she asks...and usually doesn't thank me.

Emily - that's so awesome about your scholarship! And I laughed really hard about your "Sharp as a spoon" comment! I hope you did look on FAQ on the Tech board cause I don't really get it...so I couldn't explain it...I just copyed what they put!!

Well, I'm FREEEEZING and so I'm going to get a blanket or something...and then have some dinner. Have a great evening everyone!!


-Caroline princess:

[SlightlyGoofy]

I think I am rested up from the past week. It was a killer and I did not really do all that much. Old age stinks. LOL

Caroline, I am so very interested in homeschooling from a students perspective. I am not against such but am worried about my Fab Four (grandkids) as I fear their mom does so for the wrong reasons. Is a scary situation. I know that I can teach a student far more in an hour than they can learn all day long in a group sometimes. Different kids learn differently. It is amazing how teaching one subject can lead to another and another and it is so much easier to learn when it is put into perspective. Have you ever gone to 'regular' school? I can tell that you have had well rounded and loving education. Is it your mom or dad, or both, that have been your primary teacher(s)? FYI siblings will continue to be a pain forever, if you are lucky enough to have them still be around. I am the oldest of 8 and I know, golly do I know!! LOL The very bestest of friends and relatives always take you for granted. Maybe you need to be a little less available so that she will notice all that you do for her? Hope you were able to get warmed up.

Lisa, I wish I could help you with your problem but unfortunately I could add the same numbers one hundred times and come up with one hundred and one answers. I was once put in an accounting department, in error, and almost suffered a mental breakdown. I am sure you will figure it out. Take a break and go back with fresh eyes and mind. Works for me, usually. I have been thinking of you all day. Worked in the yard and kept telling myself that my reward would be meeting you in DW. I am compulsive and need to have everything 'perfect' before we leave. I even change the sheets the day we leave so I have a fresh bed waiting when I get home. I are one sick puppy. LOL I had forgotten about Josh being on Ally McBeal. Sure had a lot of good music on that show. I miss it although the later shows were not nearly as good as the first ones. I enjoy quirky shows (Northern Exposure etc.).

Just saw where Bette Midler lost a bunch of weight on the South Beach diet. I had a hamburger patty on a bed of greens with Walden Farms (0 calorie/sugar/carb) dressing. Never thought I would see the day when veggies would take the place of bread in my life. LOL

See you all later. I am headed over to the Grand Floridian and see if I can check out the fireworks. A friend of mine says you can even see Tink fly from there. That I gotta see!!

SG/Linda

[IASW Rider]

Oooh - I hope that we really DO get to see Wishes, in 28 days (!!!!) from the Poly beach / dock, Linda! :) Don't know if we'll be able to see Tinkerbelle fly from there (my eyesight isn't THAT sharp!), but I'll bet that we will be able to see a good deal of the show! :)

I also do things like change the sheets on the bed, get all the laundry done, and other such things before we leave on vacation! It's nice to come home and not have to worry about things like those (especially because we usually come home to cat food and litter spilled all over the floor by our crazy kitties, who tend to "rebel" when we are gone for a week, and leave us with lots of messes to clean, upon our return! My Dad tries to keep up with them, but I think that they somehow know exactly when we're going to come home and make sure to spill things all over the place after my father's last visit with them and just in time for our arrival)!

I also saw the piece about how Bette Midler and President Clinton lost a lot of weight on the South Beach Diet (maybe it was in People Magazine?)! We had a guest lecturer - and expert on Obesity - in my Nutrition and Health class on Friday. He said that the South Beach Diet, Atkins, and The Zone are, in reality, the SAME DIETS, because they all instruct one to essentially EAT LESS FOOD! What a simple concept! He was illustrating that all of these popular diets really just "boil down to" reducing caloric intake, by different means, and that's why people have success on each of them! I still say that each person should just "do" whatever s/he has been successful with in the past and whatever s/he feels comfortable with! I also replace bread, pasta, and rice with vegetables almost all the time..........I've had lots of "bread cravings" this week, though - just limited them to slices of reduced calorie wheat bread, though!

I figured out where I went wrong with the math for my project.........silly me - I was trying to list the percentages of my total energy intake that are comprised of protein, fat, and carbohydrates...........but I kept dividing the total in grams by the total number of calories...........I had forgotten to convert grams to calories! Once I did that, the numbers came out slightly more accurately..........only instead of adding up to 100%, they've somehow added up to 106%! Oh well - that's closer than the original numbers that I was coming up with!

Glad to hear that you had a great time at the Conference, Caroline! I'm also very interested to hear about your experieces with home schooling - it's really neat to learn about - I never knew anyone who is / was home schooled before. I didn't realize that there were conferences, such as the one that you and your Mom attended, either. I think that that's wonderful.

And I don't think that you sounded "selfish" at all - you were just a little frustrated and "venting" at the time - that doesn't make you "selfish"! We all get aggravated from time to time - that's one of the great things about this Suite - it's a place to come to just talk to friends, share special experiences or events, or even "blow off steam" when we need to!

Hope that you're all having a nice weekend! It's a little below 80 degrees, beautiful, and sunny here, today! Hope that you're all experiencing some nice, spring weather! Talk to you soon! :)

[helenabear]

Hi everyone! Been busy again lately. I was up in Cleveland yesterday for a bridal shower, we are redoing the wiring in the kitchen so we are busy with that too.

Emily, congratulations on your scholarship!!! That is wonderful news!!!! Congrats on your win as well. I am sure with time, you will do so much better! And I'm impressed, I stink at hitting a baseball with a bat :p

:wave2: Hi Dan! Always nice to see you!

Linda, as long as everything goes well, we will have OKW as our new home. We have done a lot of number crunching and this looks perfect for us.

Lisa, I do think that with your travel habits DVC might work for you too... but if you don't think you'll be going back every year it might not work out. It is a good way to stay at a Deluxe though and save money. And yes, Josh Groban was on Ally McBeal singing "To where you are" Beautiful song!

Caroline, I hear you on the sibling thing. I get a bit "used" by my siblings as well. Venting is needed now and then. And like Linda, I am interested to know your feelings on homeschooling. A friend of mine has an Aunt who homeschools and sadly, for some of the wrong reasons. Sadly, one of her children has social issues because she was never pushed into doing any activities to help her socialize. For the most part though, I think parents do great and the kids do well :)

Glad you figured out your nutrition math, Lisa! And I do agree, a lot of the diets just reduce calorie intake! So you have to do what works for you :)

[SlightlyGoofy]

We went to Columbus to see the short film festival. A lot of drek but a few good things. They need to eliminate a lot of things before next years event IMHO. It ran two hours over the alloted 3 hours. Was interesting though. We are spending the evening watching home improvement shows. Just watched the Home Free show where people can win having their mortgages paid off. Believe me, having no mortgage makes all the difference in the world and it is easily attainable by paying a very little bit extra a month. For every hundred or so you are paying only a few dollars is actually going toward the principal usually. The earlier you start the more you save. Since you repay about $3 for every $1 you borrow you can save really big bucks. (I am on my soap box again, just knock me off gals) LOL

Helenabear, if money were no object OKW would be my favorite resort as well, I think. Is not that we cannot afford to spend a few nights there just has never happened. I read a thread recently that said that the DVC is great for those who stay at the better places but not so much for us cheapskates that stay at the AS. If it were just buying the points I woud be on it like a dog on a bone but I are scared of those maintance fees. I am thinking of trying Pop Century in November. If we ever go to Disney and do not plan to go to the parks I would really go for one of the upscale resorts. I bet you could have a great time just lounging around the area. We are only in the room long enough to bathe and sleep when we go to the parks though. Congratulations on your purchase. I am sure that it will be perfect for you both.

I am not against homeschooling, even though my dil might tell somebody that. There are plenty of kids slipping through the cracks and suffering severe abuse of many kinds in the public school system too. My mantra is that people often do bad things for good reasons and good things for bad reasons so it is all in the intent IMHO.

Rider, my friend said that she could not exactly see Tink but she could see the light desending and since she knew what it was she could "see" her. Househunters HGTV, had an episode on buying homes in the Garden State. I got sticker shock though. Think I had better stick in the cheap part of the country and just visit you all rich folks. LOL

Glad you got your math sort of figured out. Gets confusing. When I do my taxes I leave them for about a week and then go over them again to make sure that I did them right.

I saw Bette the other day and she looked great. She was telling about the SBD. My take on 'diets' is that they never succeed unless they fit the person's lifestyle. If I am a meat eater and am craving it I might eat a salad instead, soup instead, fruit instead and THEN give in and eat the meat while if I had just eaten what I was craving to begin with it would have been far less expensive, caloriewise. Making better choices within a category is useful as well. (soapbox again, sigh)

I will be dedicating tomorrow to you as well. I am going to scrub and seal my side steps and repot some flowers in fake clay pots to brighten up the area. Since they tore down the house next door it has given a whole new perspective to our house. I might even get the veggie garden all dug up too, if energy permits. I could get so much more done if I did not have to stop to cook meals and such. (whining)

Good night to everyone and keep dreaming those Disney dreams!

SG/Linda

[TalkisCheap]

Hello everyone!

Vacation, and especially the weather, has been heaven down here! Been into the 70's these past two days!! Very pleasent...though it is rumored to be moving through and more cold air shall come our way...oh well! I love Maine...and wouldn't enjoy living anywhere else!!

About homeschooling - what exactly would you like to know about it? I saw a few questions and so I thought I would at least answer those. I went to a Private, Catholic school for kindergarden and first grade. My older brother, sister, and myself were taken out when the new principle and new priest at the adjoing church basically called my parents liars and made the last few months of school there miserable for us. So, this is my 6th year being homeschooled.

My mom stays home and teaches me while my dad works(I believe someone a while back asked what he did and I never did reply...) at Fairchild Semi-conductor as the 'Director of Investor Relations'(Ah, yes, wasn't it when I mentioned the reason we went to Florida was for his conference? And someone asked what he did to have a 'High Yield' conference).

I was always angry when people made comments about homeschooled kids not being 'normal' and always took offense to it. My brother, sister, several friends, my three cousins, and me have all been homeschooled. Going to the convention, though, I sort of understood what some people were talking about. They weren't so much NOT normal..just different. A few parents I talked to said their children were afraid to go into Public Schools or be around non-homeschooled kids. I LIVE at my middle school and only have a few homeschooled friends. I thought that was a little odd, and it seemed the reasons most parents there homeschooled was really more to shelter their kids, than educate them better. A family that goes to my church is homeschooling their daughter for just that reason. They own no computer or tv and do not subsribe to a newspaper. Their daughter really does not go many places besides to close friends houses and church events. I really feel sorry for her because they cannot shelter her forever.

Well, it's dinnertime(supposedly) and I'm starving anyway! Have a nice evening, everyone!!


-Caroline princess:

[SlightlyGoofy]

Caroline, you are a very good advocate for homeschooling. It is all in the intentions IMHO. I truly do understand parents not wanting their kids exposed to some of the dreck of society but have seen how the sheltered fare when faced with the cold reality of real life. It sounds to me as if you have the best of all worlds in that you have access to the world and can learn at your own pace. Many kids would not be capable of doing as you have done though. It is so darned hard to know what to do to make thing perfect for your children. Sounds as if your parents should be given much praise also. About how many hours a day, on average, do you spend studying and what courses are you curently involved with? Do you chose your courses? You live at your middle school? I am dense, do not understand. So much to learn and so few years left. LOL

I have been asked to keep my Dalton for the whole summer. It will mean giving up so very much but I really feel that he deserves the time and opportunities I can give him. The town library is right behind my house so there will be no shortage of books to read and he has a very extensive social life. His dad will keep him a day or maybe two a week so it might not be so very bad. I only worry because my sil does not let me know his plans and I have had to sit at home for the day expecting a grandkid and then they do not show up. Would not mind if he would just let me know. Will help them out as they just bought a new vehicle and will save big bucks over paying daycare. When judged the heart wins over the head though.

24 days left until we leave for Florida! Time is flying by. I went on a shopping spree today, budget be darned (edited for young ears). LOL I found so many things that had been on my list for so long. I bought a beautiful garden sculpture of a boy and girl, sitting on a bench, reading. How could I resist? Bought a lime green shirt too. (grin)

Hope the storms go away soon and that none of you are affected. Good night, sweet dreams

SG/Linda

[helenabear]

I don't think I could have said it better myself, Linda! I have to agree wit hwhat you said. I was a bit curious, Caroline, as the only kid I knew who talked about homeschooling hated it... but I do think that his mother did it solely out of sheltering more than anything else. You sound like you have a perfect school life there... better than some public school kids ;) I do have a question though, a friend of mine out in CA is doing a co-op/homeschool due to lack of numbers in registration (she is way out in no man's land) do you stick to a "regular" school schedule as in try to do classes at certain times for so many days a year? Or are you more flexible and go "all year"? Just curious... acutally I know many schools that are trying the 'year round' thing so I guess that might be more of a regional type of question than nything else (if I hadn't lost you there)

I admit, Linda, DVC is definitely not for everyone. It all depends on your vacation habits. For you, it wouldn't work (I believe). I am just looking at the rise in hotel costs and it is getting to be outrageous. The attendence is up and I would imagine these AP rates that are so easy to get now will be a thing of the past. I also admit that the value resorts they have now do not appeal to me. Not for "ammenities" or "size" but for pure atmosphere. I do spend enough time back at my room to notice wehre I am. Honestly I would rather stay at a Comfort Inn with blah theming vs All Stars. IF they had a blah looking value, I would try it, but just me, I cannot get into the large icons. Obviously that is why Disney has what they have... what I love, others may dislike! But this is the only way I will be able to afford to take my family (sister included) for years to come. That's when it can be a big saver... I would save $1800 alone on a 2 bedroom in the first year for one week. I'd even come out ahead if I got 45% off on a room with AP. So it is worth it :)

Sounds like you had a good time shopping today too. I can't believe you will be there so shortly! I also hpoe you get Dalton for the summer... I am sure it would be perfect!!!

[FPgurl04]

thanks for all of the support and congratulations! i feel loved! :teeth:

i am very rpoud because i have figured out how to use my dell dj (the dell ipod)!!! i'm so excited.

urgh, have to go now. sorry for such a short drop in...

[IASW Rider]

Hey everyone!

How are you all doing, today?

I want to hear more about your curriculum, too, Caroline! I echo Linda's and Elaine's questions - what classes are you taking, now? Do you go to school all year round, or just during the "traditional school year"? Are the sports teams that you're involved with associated with your local public or private school, or are they sponsored by your town or community? As your teacher, does your Mom need to submit your grades to a governing body, of some sort, so that you have a "transcript" somewhere that "proves" that you've been home schooled (ie: to send to colleges eventually, etc.)? Or does your Mom create a transcript for you based on official home schooling guidelines?

Congratulations on learning how to use your new dell "ipod", Emily! Those are so neat!

That's wonderful that Dalton will be staying with you all summer, Linda! I'm sure that you will both keep eachother very busy and have a lot of fun! In the mean time, it sounds like you are keeping busy on your own, what with your continued home projects! And sounds like a great shopping spree, too! I agree with you about the "giving in to your initial craving" theory - to just go ahead and HAVE whatever it is you're craving, rather than having something else........then just going back to have the original item, a few hundred calories later! I think that we've all "fallen prey" to that at one point or another!

Whose bridal shower did you attend, Elaine - is that your friend's, who's getting married soon? OKW sounds great - it's so exciting that you're going to be an owner, soon! When will you be able to begin taking advantage of your ownership (ie: will you be able to use your points right away, or will you have to wait a few months)? I still kick myself for not having joined sooner - especially after staying at the Poly for each of the past 5 years - not to mention staying at POR this year! I agree with you - WDW has something for everyone's style and budget. We also spend enough time in our room and around our resort to want certain ammenities that the value resorts may not have. We only take one "real" vacation per year, and when we go, we hope to have a bit of "luxury" for the money that we are spending! Some friends of ours who've always stayed at moderate resorts recently returned from WDW after having stayed in a value resort for the first time. While they said that their little daughter loved the atmosphere (and that it was a great place for people with small children), they said that they were very disappointed with their room and missed some of the things that they took for granted in moderate resort rooms (like the Mickey Mouse toiletries, a coffee maker in the room, etc.). Frank and I are so "spoiled" that we're wondering how we will "survive" at a resort without monorail access, for the first time, this year! :) Can't wait to hear your "review" of POR, after you return! I'm sure that it's really nice - I know that Linda's said that she likes the restaurant there, and others have said that the rooms and grounds are really nice, too.

I'm in a nostalgic mood, this week, because I remember that I was in WDW exactly 26 years ago, this week! It was the last trip that my mother and I took there, together, and I remember it like it was yesterday! Of course, the MK was the only park, back in those days, and we spent every day there! I can't even count how many times we must have ridden IASW and how many times we watched the EWP, that week! :)

My concession to getting ready for our upcoming trip was buying a few new outfits (one of which I can wear to my 20th high school reunion, which is coming up in 2 weeks!) - not too "dressy" but not too "casual" - even appropriate for wearing in the parks - and buying some new underwear, too! :) Frank still needs to buy a sports jacket before we go, because apparently, 2 of the restaurants on the Wonder require that men wear them to dinner. 24 more days - yea!!!!!!!!!! :) Continental called us a few days ago to inform us that both of our flights will be leaving earlier than originally scheduled. So we will be touching down in the "promised land" - Orlando, that is - before 10:00 AM on the 16th! That will give us a full day to relax and situate ourselves before our "date" with Linda and Tom! :) Maybe we will be able to sneak in some park time that day, after all...........!

Hope that all is well with all of you and hope that you're all having a great week! :)

[colleen costello]

HI everyone. I need lots of good wishes! There is a great big house for sale on our beautiful street and we are getting ready to make an offer on it. It's bigger and more expensive than any upgrade we planned on, but we are going to GO FOR IT! I am lucky I don't live in NJ anymore; back there the place would cost too much! We love our street and don't want to move away so this is a wonderful opportunity. I am learning fast, however, that the real estate world is STRESSFUL! I am in contact with a local realtor and hope he can appraise my place FAST so I can make a reasonable offer on house #2. Then I have to face the music and CLEAN. I am a busy Mom with 2 kids and 2 cats and my house is hardly "ready to show." This weekend I will farm the kids out to trusted pals and Scott and I will have to have at it... We have to figure out how to make the place look "uncluttered..." The fact that it IS so cluttered is why we want to move!!!

So pray realty prayers for me. If all goes well we can make an offer and I will move from 1632 Limestone Drive to 1832 Limestone Drive. Linda, you'll have to come see it if we get it. It's a bigger house than I ever hoped for... and am hoping it all works out. I am trying to be calm but that's not in my nature... I may take up drinking... (ha!)

Talk to you all soon!

[helenabear]

Emily so glad that you figured out the Dell DJ thing! Music is a great thing to have with you at all times!

Lisa, that bridal shower was for my friend Dawn, the one I am reading at the wedding for. Acutally she is the only one I know getting married right now :teeth: I do hear you on the "spoiling" thing. Mine really isn't as much as lack of a sit down or Mickey soaps, as much as it is the over all feel of a resort. That's why I do fine with a moderate because the theming is great!!! The rest doesn't matter so much. And I find the bus system wonderful no matter where I stay. I do think if you look into DVC that you should try resale. I do have someone I am working with who is great!!! So if you are ever interested let me know and I'll pass on her info to you. And I will do my best to give you a review of POR before you leave :)

Colleen, wishing you all the very best with the house. I hope you get it!!!!

Well I should go... dinner is almost ready and I need to get paking for Chicago :)

[TalkisCheap]

Good luck with your house Colleen!! Hope all goes well! I know my Uncle and Aunt are having a bit of trouble selling their house...and they have had plenty of stress, especially with their terrible real estate agent!!

As for the homeschooling - I don't literally live there, I just meant I spend soo much time there(there every weekday afternoon, and sometimes on weekends) that it is like living there!

The way we homeschool is that we buy a complete school year(books, paper, supplies..everything) from Calvert School in Baltimore. Calvert has a real, priavte, day school as well as the homeschooling options. The supplies/ books etc. we are sent are all the books used by the day school. There are 160 days of lessons. But, every 20 lessons(days of school) I take a test in every subject(Math, Spelling, Reading, Grammar, Science, History, Art History, Geography and I write several compositions)(I also have art but there is no test) and these tests are sent in to a real teacher in Baltimore who corrects and grades all of my papers and sends them back. This way, I have grades to present when I apply to high schools and colleges. The textbooks also come with a Lesson Manual which tells us exactly what we should do each day to finish each book by the end of the year.

I have to complete every book and pass every test to able to recieve a certificate stating I completed the whole school year. Then(I'm not sure if this is in every state, or just in some such as Maine) at the end of the school year, my mom sends all of my tests and compositions to somewhere(sorry, not quite sure how it works)and they go over my papers and make sure I was educated well enough to go on to my next year of schooling.

Because I only have to complete roughly 185 days of school all together, I only work from when regular schools around us go back(beginning of Spetember) till mid May(I have 18 lessons plus the days for tests left). I usually start school aroun 8:30 and work till whenever we finish we depends. If we have something to do the next day say a dentist appointment, then we work longer to make up for the work we won't do the next day. Usually I end around 1:45 because I have to get ready for track practice but even when I don't have sports we only really work till around 2 unless we need to make up work. I also have a long winter break lasting from Thanksgiving till New Years. We take it because with all the holidays and commotion that come with them, we wouldn't get much school done anyway so we figured we might as well not worry about how little school we finish, and just take a longer break. It really does make the holidays much less stressful for my mom.

For my 8th grade year, I am looking into taking Spanish so I can have some base for when I go to high school. I wanted to take German, but since I won't be able to take it again till College, it seemed a waste to learn now. My parents did say I could take some courses when I am a senior at one of the colleges around here before I go, since I want to minor in German and spend some time there during my college years.

The sports I play are for all different things. I run cross country and track for my middle school, and I made the basketball team this past winter for our middle school as well. I play softball through our little league which is seperate from the middle school and parks and rec. I play tennis also through a seperate league that offers lessons/matches all year round, though I do it only in the fall and winter monthes. During the summer, through our parks and rec, I do several basketball camps, a seperate tennis league/lessons, and a competitive track league. I also do a basketball camp through my sister and maybe my high school about 45 minutes away. This year 2 of my friends are even going to do it with me!! I also ski in the winter with my family, though for the last couple of years I have taken lessons and gone on trips skiing through our parks and rec programs as well.

Well, it's dinnertime and I must go. Hope everyone is well, and has a wonderful evening!!

-Caroline princess:

[SlightlyGoofy]

Colleen, how wonderful. I am hoping you get your dream house. It will be as much trouble to move from one house to the other even though they are close by. Takes as much effort to pack either way but will be a bit easier as you will not have a long commute. I will take you up on that invitation one of these days. Your husband being knowledgeable about real estate matters probably knows to watch out for agents who will tell you that your house is worth much more to get your listing. You could end up making an offer on the new house anticipating a larger price on your house. Make an offer contingent on selling your place at a certain price to cover your bases. Will make him/her work a lot harder since they will be getting two commissions. LOL Rent a storage place, ask a neighbor if you can store things in their garage or even store extra stuff in your own garage. Prospective buyers will accept a crowded garage more than a house. Ever notice that the model homes have small scale light colored furnishings in order to trick you into thinking the house is larger than it is? Ever watch HGTV and the shows that fix houses up on the cheap to sell? Interesting and informative. Many buyers are so blind that they cannot see past a bit of wall color. I have found I can buy a house cheaper just because of ugly wallpaper. LOL I look at the 'bones'. Keeping my fingers crossed for you and yours to be able to spread out in all that space soon.

Caroline, what a wonderful educational life you have. I repeat that you are due much credit for being the type of student who can accomplish this. Is why you seem so much more mature than your age as well. I think my little guy would do well in such an environment too. The public school lets you join in their athletic programs? I have heard of such and greatly applaud it. I like the idea of school vouchers. I think you would see a great change in schools if such were to happen. It is unfair that your parents must pay to support public schools while paying the full burden of your materials and such. I know of the Calvert program. I did not realize that they graded your work. I like the idea. Do you have to appear somewhere to take your tests or do you take them at home? When I took the Mensa test I was allowed to take the preliminary at home but had to do a supervised test to qualify for membership. I have a friend who is teaching college courses over the Internet. Several of her tudents are serving in Iraq. One had his laptop go down due to sand and his commanding officer offered his equipment so the fellow could turn in his homework. I love technology. I see a day when students will be doing much of their learning on the computer. Computers do not have personality quirks and do not become irritated or bored and the students will each be able towork at their own speed. As it is now they have to work at the median speed which is hard on the top and bottom of the class. What I see is a lack of confidence in many cases and if they are working on their own they do not have to fear so much peer pressure. Competition is good also, but a bit later in the educational process IMHO.

Elaine. I totally agree with you about the theming at the AS. I hate the bright colors at Music. I do not stay at Movies cause I do not want to take a room away from a small child who would appreciate it there more than I do. My favorite resort is Port Orleans. I used to enjoy the suites way back when. They are SOG now. No themeing but comfortable and quiet. The Poly is a bit hectic for me and the Contemporary is worn looking. I have looked at several resorts but found another one I really like except OKW. Resales are cheaper than buying new? Would mean that they are not holding their value though. I worry about the fees going way up when the units reach a certain age when the major parts start to go. Did your loan go through? How many points did you buy? Snoopy, aren't I? Do not answer if you do not want to.


FPgurl, of course you figured out how to use your new equipment. Your young brain does not have to overcome the fear that old brains do. LOL May you have music with you always. Ever listen to any 'old' stuff?

Lisa, I am glad to hear that you will be getting in earlier. I got the extra day cause I did not want a repeat of the debacle of last year when you and Elaine missed each other by such a small amount of time. Thank you so much for the pictures. I had to buy a few items as well but did not go too overboard. I hate the idea of spending big bucks on clothes that I will only be able to wear for a short period of time. I am now at the stage when I change sizes every ten pounds or so. It took about 50 pounds for me to have to downsize at first.

DD took Austin to the specialist in Indy yesterday and they learned that the surgery is too high risk and the outcome not likely to be effective so nothing can be done. They gave him some tools to help him to be able to read his schoolwork a bit better. He will only be able to get a daytime driver's license and that is only if his sight does not get worse with age. Luckily we live in a small town and allowance can be made so he will be able to drive farm equipment and such.

I went to see my friend at the nursing home and she is torn up. Medicare found out about her son and dil taking control of her assets and then putting her in the nursing home and they are going after the money. Checks were written and signed fraudulently also. I have known the son since he was small and I am ashamed and heartbroken. All the mom could keep saying to the lawyer was that she would not testify as she is afraid she is going to lose her son and never see her grandkids again. The legal person told her that he is an adult and made his choices. Heartbreaking, there but for the will of God go I. I would not be foolish enough to trust that much though. Have seen too much in my many years. I would be so ashamed to act in such a way. My father was abusive and yet I went to see him and took care to see that he had what he needed before he died. Repaying evil with evil is not a way to go IMHO.

SG/Linda

[FPgurl04]

:wave2: softball game cancelled tonight. :( i have to play 2 games on sunday, practice saturday, and have another game on monday.

sry for the 2nd short post. west wing is on!!!

[SlightlyGoofy]

Fast Pitch, I am watching "West Wing" as well. You have good taste in tv shows. LOL We will watch it together. BTW, I forgot to tell you that you ARE loved!

SG/Linda

[colleen costello]

Linda, I already have scoped out a local storage unit. A teacher at our school has a realty hubby who owns/rents these. They are standing by with one for me. Meanwhile the local realtor is due soon. Boy, did we clean last night! Of course our "deal" will depend on selling this house for a good price. Otherwise I am staying put. The house I am in now is really wonderful. We did a good job picking the floorplan and furnishing in "neutrals." Nice big rooms, juts not enough of them! All weekend I hear fights between kids and Dad about what to do in the "great room" -- he wants music and they want tv/Nintendo; Erin wants Animal channel and Ian wants Cartoon Network -- enough already! The new house has a living area AND a den! :)

I will keep you all posted. This is very stressful and I kind of want to dig a hole and stick my head in the sand... Of course then my large heinie will be poking up... Is there NO good solution??? :)

[IASW Rider]

Hey Everyone!

Lots of good luck with your prospective home sale and purchase, Colleen! That's so wonderful that you found such a great house........literally down the street from where you are, now! Even though I'm sure that this is a hectic time for you, it sounds like you and Scott are going about everything in a very logical and organized manner - I have a feeling that you will be pleasantly surprised when you learn what your current house might sell for, and when you see the interest that your home generates, once it's on the market!

Thanks for describing your school life, Caroline! That is so neat! As I said, I never knew anyone who was home schooled before, so it's really interesting to hear about how it "works", how you're graded, what your Mom's responsibilities are, how many hours a day you're in class, how you participate in sports and other activities, etc. Will you continue to be home schooled through high school? Or will you be attending a private high school?

Lots of good luck with those upcoming games, Emily!

Thanks for the advice, Elaine! I'm curious to hear the answers to the questions that Linda asked you about DVC, too (if you don't mind!)! We're also "into" the theming of the various resorts. And it's nice when the one in which you're staying has a sit down restaurant or 2. We love staying near the MK for many reasons (the first of which being........that we're NEAR THE MK, of course! :) ), among them that there are so many nice places to have dinner around there, between the Poly, the GF, the Contemporary, and the WL. Not too long of a "commute"! And, as I said, we are totally spoiled by the monorail, as well! Then again, we've never stayed in any other area of the "world" - it will be interesting to see how "the other side of town" compares to the one with which we are most familiar!

Even though it's a little "inconvenient" to have to keep buying new clothes so often..........it's fantastic that your clothing size changes so frequently and so easily, now, Linda! I know what you're saying about not buying too much at once - I only own 1 pair of jeans, because I grew out of the last few pair that I bought so quickly! The rest of the time, I've just been wearing leggings to school, because one can wear them at any size! My size hasn't changed significantly, this year - all in all, I've only lost about 7 pounds since last spring. So this is the first year in the past 3 that I won't have to buy all new shorts for WDW. But that's OK - the ones from last year are a bit baggy, anyway! :)

I'm sorry again to hear about the assessment of Austin's eye sight. But as I said, he - and your family - are very resourceful, and I'm sure that he will have all of the help and encouragement that he needs to be very successful! And I'm glad to hear that he will be able to (continue to?) operate farm equipment, as well - I was thinking of that when you mentioned the driver's license issue. It's great that he has some tools to make his school work easier and more comfortable to work with, too.

I'm sorry to hear about your friend in the nursing home and her son and DIL's actions. That is very sad - and I'm sure very disappointing, too. It's terrible when we hear about things like those happening.

On a happier note, if I may......... 23 more days! :)

Time to get some school stuff done! It will be hard to concentrate, though - it's sunny and beautiful outside, today, and they're predicting temperatures in the high 70's by this afternoon! Maybe I'll start working on my tan, so that I won't be so pasty and pale when I see you, Linda! :)

Have a great day, Everyone! :)

[TalkisCheap]

Hello!

Oh, it is so beautiful outside!! I am so angry that this week with no sports has been so wonderful weather wise, and I've not been able to take full appreciation for it! But, this week has flown by, and I can't wait for Monday!! Though I am worried about Wednesday.

Wow, we got new smilies! I guess I never noticed!! I usually stick with the ones that are visible, except for a couple I have memorized how to write. They must be continually adding more, because each time I look there are new ones! I am kind of obsessed with smilies, so I'm in my glory!! The one with the fro - :cool3: - is my favorite!!

I still find it a little amusing you enjoy hearing about homeschooling. I guess to me, since I do it every day, it has become boring. To answer your question SG, at the beginning of the school year they send the 8 sets of tests with all the books so I can take them at my house when I am ready after studying.

Also, I definatly will not be homeschooled for high school. I enjoy it, but I really don't want to miss out on things like prom and the other special things my brother and sister enjoy(ed). Also, I think my mom would be worried she wouldn't be able to teach me the higher level subjects. Also, my brothers girlfriend is a senior now, and was homeschooled through high school, and it is apparent how behind she is compared to other seniors in school. It is also hard for her because her family is large, and they live on a tight income, so as far as college goes, she has had to have several jobs to save money for her education, making it harder to find time for schoolwork. In Portland, there are two private schools and I will attend one of the two. My sister goes to one, which is an all girls school. My brother graduated from the other which in the last 5 years has become co-ed. I will most likely go to my brothers old school, because although my sister really enjoys the expierience of an all girls school, the academics are not quite so good compared to the other.

Well, I feel like a slug, not taking advantage of the wonderful weather, so I think I'll go play some basketball! Hope you all have a wonderful day!!


-Caroline princess:

[depplyinluv]

<EMBED SRC=http://www.tripletsandus.com/disney/midi/bonjour.mid AUTOSTART=true WIDTH=144 HEIGHT=60 LOOP=1>


hello ladies! sorry i havent been around lately....but im going to read through again and reply to stuff....


:)

[IASW Rider]

Hey Depply! It's always great to see you! :)

Hey Caroline! I love smileys, too, even though I don't take full advantage of them, here on the DIS. I have a HUGE collection of smiley face memorabilia - everything from stuffed animals to ceramic figurines, clocks, jewelry, clothing, kitchenware, etc. I'm a big-time smiley person! :) Why are you worried about Wednesday? Don't worry! :) I definitely recall your discussing your plans to apply to high school (I remember that process myself - applying to a private high school, placement tests, etc.). I'm sure that it will be a great experience for you, especially since you said that your siblings had good experiences with them. It definitely sounds like you are receiving a wonderful, strong, and solid foundation through your Mom's instruction and through home schooling, and I'm sure that you will have no problem adjusting to high school, doing beautifully, and ultimately sailing through your college applications and admissions! :)

All is well, here! We had a lot of fun, yesterday - we went to 2 annual events that are held concurrently on 2 of the Rutgers campuses - my alma mater (Douglass College) and my current school (Cook College). The events are the NJ Folk Festival (a big crafts fair, outdoor food booths, music, etc.) and Ag Field Day (a state fair-like environment with farm animal display competitions, tours of forests and gardens, plant, flower, and vegetable sales, agricultural demonstrations, etc.) It was an absolutely gorgeous day, here, and it was wonderful to spend the day walking around campus. I was even able to show Frank some places - like the Cook College Farm - that he had never visited before! And of course we visited with all of the farm animals, there - we got to see newborn baby pigs and I spent a long time petting cows the same way that I pet my cats (ie: scratching them under the chin, etc.) - they loved it so much that they stuck their heads out of their "pen" and kissed me! :) They are so adorable! And I got to hug some sheep, too! My father and uncle were able to join us for awhile, until they were too tired to walk any more. We all walked up to the plant sales together and we all bought our spring flowers and plants and helped my father and uncle carry theirs back to my uncle's house (which is conveniently in walking distance of the Cook and Douglass campuses). It was a nice way to sort of "kick off spring" and spend a whole day outside. We even got a bit of sun on our faces, too! Unfortunately, today it's 56 degrees and rainy, here..........UGH...........guess we can't count on the beautiful weather every day.........yet! :)

3 weeks from today, Linda! :)

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

[FPgurl04]

:wave: hullo everyone!

the weather in kentucky has been horrid lately. it rains constantly. i was supposed to have 2 games (one regularly scheduled, one a make-up due to rain) and a practice but all 3 were cancelled because of poor field conditions because of the (guess what) rain! :( i actually wanted to play.

so how is everyone? lucky depplyinluv is in disney. all we hear about here is derby. i mean it's understandable considering it's like the only exciting thing that ever happens here. there's only a few more weeks until graduation and i think only 10 more math classes left! huzzah! i really odn't like math. we have a practice test for our final exit exam from algebra 1 and i could barely remember how to do some of!! i'm so doomed. but i'm very excited for our class trip to washington d.c. which is coming in a couple weeks.

caroline--i didn't know there are new smilies!!! i'm so strange!! i think i have to check them out now.:rockband: :space: :thewave: ahhh!!! those are so cool!! i was wondering where oddball27 was getting all of them!!! lol!!! that's so cool!!!

have a great week!!!

[IASW Rider]

Hey Emily!

Great smilies - very impressive! :) Sorry to hear about the yucky weather, out there. Hopefully those fields will dry out, soon, so that you can make up your games and practices and get on with your season! That's great that your class is going to D.C., soon! You've been there before, haven't you? I love that city - so much to see and do, there! And it's really pretty there at this time of year - not too hot yet, as it is, over the summer! Don't worry about your algebra (I should talk - I have to re-learn it this summer for the GRE.......and I am totally petrified of it........) - I'm sure that you know it a lot better than you are giving yourself credit for! You'll do wonderfully!

I didn't realize that Depply is in WDW, right now! Belated Bon Voyage, Depply! Hope that you are having a fantastic time! Can't wait to hear about your trip, when you return! And hope that you had a great time in the Windy City, Elaine! :)

Hey out there, Linda, Angie, Colleen, Wendy, and Caroline! I guess that no one has been receiving their e-mail notifications of posts, lately - I haven't received them in a few days.

Things are quiet out here, in the Garden State. Just sitting around and getting all nervous and anxious about my 20 year high school reunion, which is coming up this Saturday!

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

[SlightlyGoofy]

Wow, all of your posts and great music as well. LOL I had a hard time trying to figure out where it were coming from at first. WTG Emily!! Hang in there with your math studies. Unless you persue a vocation that requires such knowledge you will have scant reason to have to retain it later in life. God bless calculators!!


Rider, I never really paid much attention to Rudgers before and now it is everywhere. Not great news sometimes though. Hope all the controversy has been quelled and intelligence has prevailed. Sad to hear that Billy Joel (another Jerseyite?) broke his hand. Sure do hope it will not cause any problems with his music as I have always enjoyed it so much. Hard to believe it is only about three weeks until vacation. Getting harried around here. I bought a few new pieces of clothing so that I will be beeeUtifull!! Wish I could find some comfortable sandals but as my feet are about as wide as long it is not likely. I had to smile about your day in the country as I live with it every day. Sounds like you guys had a wonderful time though.

Caroline, I am glad you like fros as I just about have one. Naturally curly and very thick hair. I have to get it cut once a month at least and even then it tends to get a bit wild from time to time. LOL I know it is hard on your friend but sometimes having to work for something makes it more appreciated. I could always tell the students that were supported by their parents from the ones who were working their way through. The later studied a whole lot harder most of the time.

Colleen, hope that your housing plans are falling in the proper order. I have a feeling that this is meant to be.

About time to play trivia and I need some brain exercise. Have to keep up with my boys who both made the honor roll this term. I are so very proud of them both. Big rewards are in order. I believe in bribery. LOL

SG/Linda

[TalkisCheap]

Hey everyone!!

I'm so envious of Depply....My parents are mean and say we won't go back to the world until the same time next year for another one of my dads conferences....unless I can convince them otherwise!!!

Well, today it rained...more! The story of my life it seems...at least it's not snowing!! Track was cancelled and with rain in sight for tomorrow, I fear my first softball game I'll be able to play in will be cancelled as well!! And, of course, with rain comes more cancelled track practices....

I am worried for Wednesday because it is our first track meet and I haven't practiced the high jump for just about a year!! And with today's practice and maybe tomorrows being cancelled as well, I might not even get to practice before the meet! But, my mom has been telling me that it isn't like my competition will be any better, they've had just as many rain days as us!!

Hope all is well for everyone!! I think I'm going to go to bed, I'm rather tired! Have a good day tomorrow, everyone!!


-Caroline princess:

[SlightlyGoofy]

Caroline, I just bet that your mean old parents would love to be back at DW soon also. LOL I have the advantage of you in that I have been a parent and a child. Is a big pain being a grown up and doing those responsible things like paying the mortgage and such. Have pity upon their poor little heads. (grin)

Never fear about the high jump. Some things are so hard to learn or so important to us that no matter how long we go without practicing the discipline it comes right back. There was a period of time when I did not have access to a typewriter (look one up in a museum somewhere in case you do not know what one is LOL) and was amazed when, after about ten years, I was able to sit down and take it right back up again. Who knows, you might have grown mentally in ways that will help the physical do even better than before. Fly girl fly!!

SG/Linda

[IASW Rider]

Look - up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's Caroline, leaping over the Suite and winning the gold! Don't worry, Caroline - you are going to do an amazing job, tomorrow! Your event is probably like riding a bike (not that I would know about that, since I never learned how to ride a bike, but......! :) ) - it will all come back to you as soon as you try it! You're obviously in shape and well trained from all of your other sporting endeavors - even though that's not specifically the high jump, I'm sure that you will get right back into it as soon as the Meet starts! And even if you have to wait awhile to get back to WDW, that's OK - the anticipation and excitement of "counting down" and planning the trip is half the fun, as I always say! I'm almost "sad" in a way that our next trip is coming up so soon........because I don't want it to fly by or go too quickly, once the departure date finally gets here!

Speaking of which....................LESS THAN 3 MORE WEEKS, LINDA!!!!!!!! :) :) :) WOO HOO!!!

Oh, come on - you don't need new clothes to make you "beeeUtiful" - you always are, silly! :) I can't believe that we will be dining in 'Ohana and seeing the EWP together in just 19 days! Yea!!!!!!!!!!!! :) :) :) I can't believe it's finally coming so soon!

How did you do in Trivia? CONGRATULATIONS to your little men on their Honor Roll standings - that is fantastic!!! :)

I knew that you would be amused by my fascination with the farm animals! You should have seen Frank, when I made him take all these pictures of me with them ( http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/lisaruthb6/lst?.dir=/726c&.view=t ) - he was like "seen one sheep, seen 'em all......." since he is from such a rural, farm country, himself! Needless to say, I have SEEN cows and sheep, etc. many times before.........but it's just so neat to get "up close and personal" with them! Maybe I can come to your daughter and SIL's farm and kiss their cows and hug their sheep, some time? :)

Yes, Rutgers has been in the news a lot lately, unfortunately. I guess you are most recently referring to the anti-semitic cartoon on the cover of one of the campus newspapers, in relation to Holocaust Remeberence Week? That newspaper is disgusting, in general. They keep trying to "push the envelope" and "protect themselves" by claiming "First Amendment", every time they are criticized. I think that they have finally pushed it too far, though, and that this issue is going to be seriously addressed. That paper is always filled with derrogatory racial and sexual remarks, under the "guise" of "personal ads". It is just deplorable and I hope that this incident makes the school shut the paper down all together, once and for all. That paper was always "controversial" - even when I was in school there, years ago. But it was never insulting, prejudiced, or offensive - just political. I should point out that the paper in question is not the official Rutgers University daily newspaper - it is the weekly publication of one of the colleges at Rutgers, specifically Livingston College. And the stuff that's in that rag is in no way indicative of the general outlooks, beliefs, or feelings of every student who attends that college. I did not even see the cartoon in question - they yanked all of the extra copies off of the campus "newsstands" almost as soon as they put them out. And I'm sure that you've heard about the many incidents of physical and sexual assault that have occurred this year. Most of them occurred on the outskirts of campus, in the city of New Brunswick, near where many students live off campus - I don't think that any of them happened on campus or in the dorms. It is very scary, but it could happen in any city (unfortunately). Students need to be careful, if they're walking around a city late at night, specifically if they're walking alone. And they should know to lock their doors, too. Mind you, it's horrible that people SHOULD even have to be cautious and be aware of things like those, but there are some sick, scary people out there, so people need to be careful. I feel perfectly safe on campus during the day - and even when I'm there for my night classes. I felt safe living there years ago, too. Then again, my classes now (and where I lived, years ago) are all the way across town from where the muggings, assaults, and rapes have taken place. Anyway, I'm sorry that Rutgers hasn't been getting very much good "publicity" lately, because it really is a great school with great academics and beautiful campuses!

Speaking of which, I just found out today that this is the last week of classes! I don't know why I had convinced myself that I had one more week of classes before finals, but I don't! So after my 2 classes on Friday, I'm "done" until finals in 2 weeks! Amazing. Time really flies.

Well, time to get some reading done! Hope that all is well with all of you! Have a great day! :)

[TalkisCheap]

Hey Everyone!!


Thanks for the encouragement about high jumping. We did have practice today, but we share a track with the high school(at the high school) and they wouldn't let us practice, so I'm going to have to go "cold turkey" (as my coach put it)tomorrow. But, It doesn't really matter, it's only the first meet and I know I won't jump my highest...I'll let you know how that, and my 400 and 1600 turn out :D .

I don't know about those parents of mine. They say they didn't like Disney because of the crowds...you'd think they had never been anywhere crowded before....oh wait, we live in Maine, we haven't ;) .

Well, nothing new here, just excitedness over our first meet. Oh, I almost forgot we won our softball game 8-2 :teeth: . I got a double, but thats about the only exciting thing. Well, wishing all of you a great night, and a great day tomorrow :sunny: !!!


-Caroline princess:

[helenabear]

Very very quick check in here. Been busy... work is busy but hopefully will slow down. I went to Chicago and wnted to get pics loaded but hopefully now tomorrow. I think that ight be more likely.

I really hoped to do a full catch up here, but I don't have the time :( DVC is moving along though... I just have to pass Disney's Right of Refusal and then we'll be owners :eek:

Well I have an exchange I am starting that I need to get names out for so I had really better go... I will check in and do know I lurk and think of you often!

[IASW Rider]

Love that picture, Caroline! When was it taken? Congratulations on your softball win - I'm sure that it's just one of many that you will have, this season! And lots of good luck with your Meet, today! We'll think of you sailing high above the competition!

That's so great that your DVC purchase / investment / membership is moving along so quickly, Elaine! That is so exciting! By the time that you go down there in a few weeks, you will probably be an official owner! :) How was Chicago? Please let us know if and when you have your pictures posted so that we can see!

Nothing to report from here - just checking in to say "hi"! :) Hope that all is well with all of you! Have a great day! :)

[SlightlyGoofy]

Hi there Rider, not sure if it is 16 or 17 days until we leave. Lots of yardwork done today. I get it all perfect, leave for two weeks and come back to more weeds than I had in the beginning. LOL This is the first year I have allowed Austin to have the job of mowing and checking the house. I am very nervous over it as I trust him but his parents are so busy and overwhelmed that they might not get him over to do the job. Dalton wrote me a note at the after school program today. Says "I love grandma and she loves me". I am easily charmed. Found out that he is writing a story about me for school. Sure hope I get to read it. I am overwhelmed by small kindnesses as they are most unexpected. Have loads of wonderful and caring friends but those nearest and dearest have been a bit forgetful. LOL Colleges are unique communities as you have so many young people away from home for the first time and trying their wings. IMHO that rag that calls itself a paper did a good service. I bet it made lots of people sit up and take notice and determine to stand up against prejudice. I am against censorship. Just my take on things. There are loads of things that disgust me, certain magazines, for instance, but I would never want them artificially put out of business. I want to have those sick thoughts and ideas out in the open where we can keep an eye on them. Hope I have not offended, just my opinion, for what it is worth. Always willing to listen to other points of view, is how I learn.

Caroline, which of those lovely young ladies is you? I can tell that you are sisters, is that your brother? LOL on the Derby. I lived in Lou a vull myself, once upon a time, but have never been to the Derby. Never even been to a horserace but plan on doing it one day just to add to my list of things I have tried. Remember to think light and positive thoughts as you go sailing through the air. A great president once said that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself and that is so true. Fear will weigh you down. I love your sense of humor - never seen crowds? We live in Maine so they haven't. I roared. IMHO there is something for everyone at DW but some people do not look beyond the obvious charms. I feel for those who go on limited time and are too rushed to stop and smell the roses along the way. My sil does not care to ever go back and I keep telling him that with me as a tour guide I could change his mind. The next time we go we will just ship him over to Universal and have a great time on our own. LOL

Helenabear, right of refusal? How in the world could they even consider not accepting you, their biggest and bestest fan? Lurk all you want and come by whenever you get a chance. You are an important part of this thread and a place in the Jacuzzi awaits you whenever you can drop by. We love you!!

Getting down to the last preparations now. I make an index card for each park with lists of attractions, shows and restaurants. Do not make PS's as I have no idea what I am going to be hungry for on any given day an hour in advance let alone weeks or months like some do. LOL I ended up eating at Bomba's last year while I was not hungry and was miserable. I only ate about three bites of food and the waitress was worried about me. Had a wonderful seat with a great view and it was wasted on me. Have vowed that I will not make a ressie until a couple of hours before from now on. Funny thing is that I have so many new things to try this time that will not fit into the 12 days we have planned. Good news is that we are going back in October. LOL

SG/Linda

[TalkisCheap]

Hi Everyone!!

Well, today was off to a bumpy start, but it turned out to be a really great day, and a wonderful time at my meet. I placed first out of 3 in the high jump with my personal best 4 feet, and according the the wonderful Sir Walker(one of my coaches) I cleared 4'2 but that was my 13th jump and I was getting tired so I let my feet fall and they knocked over the bar. It was awesome knowing I beat my personal best, and that was without a bit of practice for about a year....I can only go up, right?!

My 400 was by far my best event. I placed first out of 7 girls with my second best time of 1:20(I'm aiming for a 1:10 by the end of a season, if not better). All three of my coaches said that I can definatly take at least 5 seconds on next meet because I seemed tense and nervous the first 200 meters which slowed me down considerably.

My 1600 was not so good. I hate lunch at 12 and had a pretty subsatanial amount of food. I got to the meet around 2:45. We were supposed to start field and running events at 3:30. We didn't start till an hour later. After my 400, I was famished but I have a weak stomach when I run and I dared not eat anything except a few grapes. The 200 and 800 seemed to take forever and I didn't start my 1600 until seven o'clock, seven hours after I had eaten anything filling. Needless to say, I had nothing to run on and had a bad time, and didn't feel too good, but I still managed to place second out of three, coming in just behind my best friend.

I'm glad you like my picture, I do too! It was taken on Easter when my brother was home from college but my camera equipment broke and I didn't get it loaded and re-sized until a couple of days ago. I'm the one in the blue dress in the middle. My brother is on the left and my sister on the right.

Well, I think I'm going to fall alseep...it has been a very long day! I felt so bad for my coach(and friend) who still had to drive almost an hour back to his apartment after our bus got home around eight. He was sitting in front of me on the bus and said "Caroline, you have to talk, I don't care what about but you have to keep me awake, I still have a good hour on the road after this and I think I'm going to fall asleep!" And it was also freezing out, and he wasn't even doing anything to keep him warm like the rest of us!! Well, have a good night everyone, and I good day tomorrow!!!


-Caroline princess:

[FPgurl04]

i'm sure you did wonderfully today carebear!! i'm a horrible runner! and congrats on your double and your win in softball!!

slightlygoofy--HUZZAH for calculators!! we have high tech ones that we use everything for (writing notes too because it has the alphabet! but shh!! :tongue: ) so we're always on them. i am definitely not going into a career in math. all i need to know is how to count to 44 really (3 outs, 3 strikes, 4 balls, 4 bases, 4 is my number, and 44 is my other number, 12 people on a team, 9 positions....) and who needs to know how to graph an equation of a line in everyday life??? is anyone ever going to come up to me on the street and ask me how to simplify a rational expression???? i didn't think so.

rider--i have never been to D.C. before. i'm very excited though!! it's going to be so much fun!! ::yes:: algebra is so annoying (as you saw before... :teeth: )

only a few more days of school left!! huzzah!!! and we kentuckians have off on friday for Oaks. we don't have off for Good Friday, but we have off for Oaks. what's up with that? oh well. i guess it's a native-kentucky thing. i'm still a jersey girl who, today, was (for the millionth time) questioned about my pronunciation of the word "drawer." :rolleyes: oi.

well i must be off!! so many threads, so little time!! :)

[colleen costello]

HI all ... just checking in. I am one step closer to my new house -- tonite the neighbor family accepted our offer to purchase. Now if I can just sell my place, we're set! How I am supposed to go to Disney in the middle of all this, I don't know. But if a kidney stone surgery can't keep me from WDW, a home-for-sale sure won't! Luckily I can pack in my sleep for WDW!

I'll keep you all posted. Hope everyone is well.

Why am I hearing Disney music? A Beauty and the Beast song ("Must be more than this Provincial Life") is playing. Where's it coming from?

[SlightlyGoofy]

Colleen, such wonderful news. I am sure that you will be able to sell your house. If all else fails make sure to mention that you will still be in the neighborhood, that should make the buyer happier. LOL The music comes to us courtesy of our young friend, Caroline. I must sit down and add some things to my posts one of these days.

FPGurl, you are a hoot and a half. Only need to count to 44! LOL Actually you will need algebra and such a few times in your life but will proably not notice it. When confronted with some sort of measuring problem we can usually figure out the right answer without really knowing exactly what we are doing but it is algebra never the less. LOL We learn what we need to learn. I have long forgotten the terms for what I do but do it I do. (grin) I was an English whiz but they have changed so many of the terms and such that I am afraid of what I will be able to do when my grands get in the higher classes. (will sort of be like the Wizard of Oz as they will be able to see behind the curtain and see me as a mere mortal while I have them fooled right now) LOL Washington is so interesting but there are many parts that will appall you. Stay in groups and be careful. If you see the John Bull in the Smithsonian you might be interested in knowing that my great great grandfather was the engineer. Watching them make our money is a hoot also. The Wall is an emotional thing for those of us who lived through the Vietnam Wall and in today's climate even more thought provoking. What, might I ask, is Oaks?


Caroline, not one bit surprised at how well you did. I hope that the loving wishes of all your Suite friends carried you a bit higher but feel that it was truly the result of your hard work and effort alone. Wish I could have seen it myself. I do not care too much for sports but sure do support people I care about and love to watch them in action.

Off to bed for this old lady. Have to rest up for my upcoming vacation. (Good nite Lisa)

SG/Linda

[colleen costello]

Linda, your posts always make me smile. Your lovely personality always shines through in your wonderful words. I really look forward to meeting you someday soon. Perhaps you can visit me in my new home as I unpack my 1000th box? :)

I can't wait to hear all about the visit to WDW that some of you are soon taking. You will all have to report back. In the middle of all the current "realty stress" I am enduring, I raise my spirits by reminding myself that in just over a month, I will be sipping a pina colada on the Polynesian Beach. Its hard to stay gloomy with thoughts like that!

Happy Thursday, everyone! :)

[TalkisCheap]

Hi Ladies!!


SG, all of your kind words and encouragement definatly helped me yesterday, I always enjoy encouragement!!

I'm afraid this is very quick because I'm off to track practice in a few minutes, and then quickely to my softball game!! Even though I am in a bit of pain, my dad thinks I might have pulled a muscle in my stomach?! It definatly is painful, whatever happened!

I'll check in later about my game!! Have a great afternoon!!


-Caroline princess:

[SlightlyGoofy]

Caroline, I am so sorry to hear that you are in pain. Hopefully you will take it easy until you find out what happened. Would not want you to be hurt worse. I am only slightly joking when I comment that I have often wondered where you itty bitty people keep all your innards. I have seen entrails and know how big our bodily organs are and some people are so tiny I cannot see how they hold it all in. Ever seen one of those cans that you open and all those 'snakes' pop out? Being a large lady I have room for lots of innards and room to spare. LOL You are the sort of person who gathers encouragement. I am in awe of how very grown up and mature you are. If your parents ever lose their minds and want to lend you out I wanna be first in line. LOL As much as I love my boys I have a shortage of girls in my life. I borrow one from time to time though. (smile)

Colleen, I would be going bonkers being in the midst of buying a new home and getting ready for vacation. The suitcases were brought down today so that I can start organizing. The hardest bag to pack is the one with the tolietries in it. I always forget something or else overpack a bunch on unnecessary things. Heck, I will come for a visit along about the fifth box and help unload. I work slow but steady. LOL When we get back and you are not so rushed we will plan a get together this summer.

Slightly Goofy/Linda

[FPgurl04]

i will come and keep you company SG!!! :teeth: i'm sure you wouldn't mind a little :hyper: craziness :crazy: once and a while!! :teeth: hoot and a half! that's an awesome saying!! thanks for all of the support. i'm sure algebra will be useful some time in my life and i will sit back and say, "gee, i remember when SG from the DIS told me not to give up on algebra because it WILL be of some use." and i will thank you for not letting me stop counting at 44. i also LOVE english. and literature. i love to read and write. i've currently become hooked on writing poems after having to write 7 for english class. at the moment i am working on a persuasive essay for english. my topic (pending) is "Should the government provide more funding for financial aid and scholarship programs?" i am taking a "yes" stance. i don't know if i will be able to find enough information to support my stance though. i'm still looking!! i'm very excited to go to Washington. we are going to the Smithsonian, but only to the History Museum and the Air and Sapce Museum. because we're only there for 3 days, we have a tightly packed schedule. it will be fun though!!

carebear--good luck at softball!! did you do too many sit ups? my abs always hurt after doing too many and i can barely bend over sometimes!! i'm sure you'll still do wonderfully!!

i have to go continue working on my persuasive essay!! :wave2:

[SlightlyGoofy]

FPgurl, you would have to go some to be crazy enough for me to notice. LOL I would love to go to DW with you any old time but I fear I would be spending a lot of time sitting and waiting while you were going on all those wild rides that I would fear to try. LOL

I have some thoughts on your essay. Just my opinions for whatever they are worth. I do not believe that throwing money at something cures all however I fully believe that anybody that can maintain at least a B average in high school should be assured the opportunity to get a higher education, be it college or vocational school. It is an investment in our future. If we do not have a well trained and trainable work force we will soon find ourselves losing jobs to third world countries (think India) that are sacrificing today for the future. As far as people who say that they do not have children in school and should not have to pay for public schools, baloney!!! The children of today are the ones who will be paying my Social Security and I owe them. Georgia is the only state that has used lottery money in the way that it was intended. Any student in that state that maintains a high grade average is guaranteed a free state college education. Businesses should be willing to participate in funding education as it will benefit them greatly. The schools need to have some accountablility though to assure that the funds are being used to the greatest benefit. I have given this subject some thought but these are just the opinions that I have come up with. I am interested in hearing your point of view as a student. As big as I am on education I do not believe that college is for everyone. We need tradespeople as much as we need the professions.

Here is a little more help 45-46-47-48-49-50 (grin)

SG/Linda

[FPgurl04]

SG-i hope you're still on!!!! please be on please be on!!! i need to talk about my new idea. i've decided to write about the inequity in women's and men's sports. any suggestions?? if you do, they are sure to be good just based on your ideas for my last idea. thanks so much for your help!!! :teeth: i wish i could make it up to you!! and if we did go to DW together, i would make you come on the crazy rides!! :crazy: (nothing spinny though. i hate spinny things)

thanks for helping my counting. i'll try to memorize those numbers!!! :teeth: :crazy:

[TalkisCheap]

Hello!

Well, that was a rather quick game...and loss on our part :( . We played the best team in our league...they've been the best for as long as anyone can remember, as well as my town's rival. The final score was 7-3...not too bad. I got a single and stole base, walked, and struck out. I caught a pop-up and fielded some random ground outs...nothign major, especially since I wasn't at 100%.

I am not quite sure how I did anything to my stomach, but it has something to do with the 1600 I ran last night. I think. It hasn't stopped hurting since after my race last night, and after about the first 800, it wasn't feeling too good, but my dad thinks I'm just sore. I hope, and there is no real 'damage' done!!

I find it rather amusing you find me so mature!! Haha, I would love to keep you company SG! But, you would have to have a high tolerance for noise and occasionaly some negative complaining!! As well as endless chatter, I have a problem with talking way too much!! People have become so acustomed to me always talking about something or other, yesterday I wasn't really in a very talkative mood and I was asked many times "Are you all right?!"

Well, it's almost dinner time so I'll be on my way :teeth: . Have a wonderful evening!!


-Caroline princess:

[FPgurl04]

i have decided to take my stance for my essay on Whether Title IX is fair or not. some people say that it's unfair to cut funding for male sports in order to fund female sports. they say that male sports bring in more revenue. my stance is that Title IX is fair. both groups deserve equal opportunities in sports and the basis for college sports should be the STUDENT athlete, not the money-making athlete. i am going to research what school sports were like BEFORE Title IX and what Title IX did to enhance women's sports. what do you think???? :teeth:

carebear--good job! 7-3 isn't bad for the best team in the league. i'm sure you were great--especially being hurt. i think u deserve some ice cream to soothe your belly!!

[SlightlyGoofy]

Caroline, you are quite mature for your age. It could be me though as I seem to have a minority opinion that 'children' should be heard as well as seen. Was talking to my oldest grandson tonight about the fact that I think that students deserve to have a voice on the school board. Granted, adults, have to be in charge but never knew listening to anothers ideas to be a bad thing. Sounds as if you did pretty well considering you were playing against a superior team. You learn more from playing with better competition than from inferior. Keep an eye on your stomach pain and make sure to tell someone if it continues to hurt or gets worse.


FP, I am so sorry I was not there when you needed. You are a person after my own heart, lots of ideas. LOL My biggest talent and worst fault is that I never have just one opinion on anything. On your current subject, I feel for the male athletes that are losing out on scholarships because of the transfer of funds to equal things out between the boys and the girls. That being said, no one seemed to care much about girls not having the same opportunities as boys in years gone by. I understand that the schools often earn a large amount of money on sports through support and alumni contributions and can ill afford to lose any money in today's economy. I dislike athletes being offered scholarships to play and earn money for the school while not being given the education that they are risking their bodies and young lives for. Too many drop out or even graduate without having any useable skills whatsoever. Not sure how anyone can deal with all the practices and such required for sports and keep up with their classload anyway. I used to be a sports snob and look down on athletes but have gotten smarter in my old age. Learning how to get along with others, the discipline required and learning a lifetime of healthy living is well worth it. Looking forward to hearing your perspective on this subject as well. Since you are actively involved I am sure that you will give me much to think about.

SG/Linda

[FPgurl04]

SG--i just want to let you know it's so much fun here. i can express my views and receive critism and be treated like an adult. thanks so much you all!!!!
anyway, i agree with you about athletic scholarships being based SOLELY on athletic talent. (here's a story. when my cousin wen tot apply or whatever for UK my uncle said there were 2 boards to write on--one up high and one normal. if you could write on the high one, you automatically got in. dunno if it's true, but it gets the point across.) with that said, i believe athletic scholarships are important. i think that student athletes need to get good grades (they may even consider raising the required grade up from a C) in order to keep playing. i sort of (like you) have so many different opinions on certain subject matters. i think that if you are talented and capable of participating in a sport, you should go for and participate BUT you should be able to maintain good grades and stay organized. i agree--so many student athletes drop out and things. if i had to choose whether to go to a college for a sport or for academics, i'd choose the latter. sports skills can fade or become useless after college. at the same time, you should be well-rounded. i think participation in SOME sort of extra-curricular is important. it builds character, friendships, discipline, and improves health. so, in conclusion, i'm going to attempt to tie this all together. i believe academics are a priority to sports and althetic scholarships should be based on more than just athletic talent because athletics are certainly not the end-all and be-all. however, i think participation in sports or at least being active in some way is a definite necessity. i'm thinking of posting my essay on hre just for opinions and things. i'll do it in a separate post because this one is very long. i hope i've contributed in some way to this discussion. if anyone ever needs an opinion, i'm here too!! :teeth:

[FPgurl04]

my essay:

Walking through A.P. Sawyer Park where Lyndon Recreational softball and baseball are played, one can observe the difference in the softball and baseball fields. There is the obvious distinction between the two kinds of fields based upon rules of each game, but there is another difference. The grass in the outfields of the baseball fields is neatly and precisely mowed with few traces of weeds, while the outfields of the softball fields are less tidily mowed and scattered with weeds. This may not seem like a huge matter but to some, including myself, it is. It is a simple but clear portrayal of the inequity of male and female sports. In order to end gender discrimination in colleges, the United States Supreme Court issued an act in 1972 known as Title IX. The major issue Title IX addressed was college sports. In order to obey Title IX and give women equal opportunities in college athletics, men’s sports’ funding has had to be cut in order to establish women’s sports. Opponents of Title IX say this is unfair because men’s sports earn more revenue than women’s sports. I believe, as a proponent for Title IX, the act is completely fair. I believe women and men deserve equal opportunities in athletics, regardless of the amount of money the sports raise.
Allowing women equal opportunities in sports can result in more prospects for women in society and can improve women’s health. Women exhibiting their strength, talent, and attitude on a playing field or in a gymnasium can rescind the belief that women are the “weaker gender.” The stereotypical principle that men are more interested in sports is a myth. In 1972 before Title IX was passed, 8% of women participated in high school sports. Since then that number has escalated to over 40%. The cause for the low number of participation before Title IX was the lack of opportunity to partake in sports, not the lack of interest. (“Efforts to reach gender equity should be augmented and follow the current Office for Civil Rights guidelines and interpretations,” 1995, p. 1). In regard to women’s health, playing sports increases not only physical health but mental health. “Women make up about 80% of the people who suffer osteoporosis. One out of two women over the age of 60 has osteoporosis, and never had the chance to become physically fit. Partaking in physical activity at least 4 hours a week reduces the risk of breast cancer by nearly 50%. High school girls who participate in sports are 80% less likely to have unwanted pregnancies, 92% less likely to do drugs, and 3 times more likely to graduate with higher levels of self-confidence and self-esteem.” (“Efforts to reach gender equity should be augmented and follow the current Office for Civil Rights guidelines and interpretations,” 1995, p. 1). Under Title IX, women received many more opportunities to participate in sports. Athletics can improve women’s health, reduce the amount of discrimination in society, create lasting relationships and friendships, and offer feelings of accomplishment for women everywhere.
In order to comply with the terms of Title IX, funding for men’s college sports has had to be cut to create women’s sports. Title IX bases gender equity in sports on equivalence in the quality and amount of equipment, supplies, practices, competitions, travel accommodations and necessities, coaches, locker rooms, facilities, training facilities, medical treatments, and other services. Title IX also says that schools must supply the necessary funding to make the quality of men’s and women’s sports equal. This does not mean that the amount spent on men’s sports must equal the amount spent on women’s, but it does mean that both must be equivalent in quality. Title IX requires that women’s athletic interests must be met and that women should have the chance to participate in a variety of different sports. This does not, however, mean that the number of men’s and women’s sports have to be equal. (“Promoting Gender Equity in Middle and Secondary School Sports Programs,” 2004, p. 1). Many anti-Title IX arguers say that the establishment of women’s sports has been at the expense of men’s sports. This belief is untrue. For example, in 1994 the spectatorship of football (the college sport that brings in the most revenue) increased by 2 million. Even the spending and participation for men’s and women’s sports are unequal. “NCAA participation is roughly 36% female and 64% male. Also, for every new dollar for females in [the NCAA] Division 1-A, there are 3 new dollars for men.” (“Efforts to reach gender equity should be augmented and follow the current Office for Civil Rights guidelines and interpretations,” 1995, p. 1). The best men’s basketball and football coaches receive up to double or triple the salary of college presidents, and the assistant coaches receive more than some of the colleges’ best teachers. On the other hand, many women’s sports teams have only volunteer graduates as assistant coaches. (Fakehany, 2004, p.1). Title IX proponents strongly disagree with those who say that college sports should be based on the revenue sports bring in. Title IX is important because before it women had little or no opportunities in sports. It was before Title IX that one group had sports at the expense of the other group, not after. “Colleges should provide opportunity in proportion to the student population and to provide opportunity for one group at the expensive of another is wrong. A lot of anti-Title IX argument is based on revenue that men’s sports bring into schools. The paradigm of college sports should be the student athlete and not the revenue-enhancing athlete.”
Title IX is extremely important to women everywhere. It has given women more rights and recognition, not only in sports but in academics, too. However, there are still gender discrimination practices in sports, which inhibit the development of women’s sports. Those who argue against Title IX say that sports should be based on revenue and not interest. This is like saying you cannot do something you enjoy if you do not make money from it. Is that fair? Women should have the right to play sports whether or not the sport makes money. Title IX is completely fair. It gives women opportunity to play sports, which in turn improves mental and physical health, feelings of purpose, and more opportunities in things besides sports.


need opinions!! if i'm going to become an author, i need criticism!!! :wave2: have a good derby day tomorrow everyone!

[TalkisCheap]

Hello!


I agree with Emily, it is fun here, and you can express your thoughts and be treated like an adult. I hate when I post and someone makes a comment about "my youth" or what not.... you're all the greatest!!

About my stomach, it still hurts, but not as much today. My neighbor is a docter and he thinks it was just a minor muscle pull that should work itself out, but to take some pain killers if nessecary. I'm just glad it was nothing major!! Especially because I am running in a 5K tomorrow with my 'posse' as everyone at track refers to my group of friends. I am a little anxious for it to be over, and a little nervous as to how I will feel!

Well, that being said, I think I should be getting up to bed, it is getting rather late seeing as I have to get up rather early for my race tomorrow. Have a great weekend ladies!!


-Caroline princess:

[colleen costello]

Hey girls, I sold my house in 2 days! The neighbors accepted our offer on their house and we got an offer on ours after 3 showings. I am thrilled. It turns out that our buyer is my doctor! She is a single Mom and our house is perfect for her and her little son. She took great care of me during hte ugly kidney stone incident. I am very excited about all this. Looks like we'll move mid June. I am trying to decide what to do about our trip to Florida. It goes against my grain to cancel a Mickey trip but it might be too crazy. Any ideas?

[TalkisCheap]

That is so wonderful Colleen, about your house! I hope you don't have to cancel you vacation, a tradgedy that would be!!


Hope everyone else is well! I ran my 3.2 miles in 28.43 which is not quite as good as I was hoping for, but it wasn't too too bad.

Well, I have to do a little baking for the Kentucky Derby party I am going to later, have to help out my friend who is on cruches :( . Have a great rest of your weekend!


-Caroline princess:

[helenabear]

Wow, Emily, you have some great thoughts there. I wouldn't quite feel right commenting on it since I am truly not familar with everything surrounding it all. But I am truly impressed with how you think and put things together.

Caroline, I am sorry that you are still hurting a little. I hope it is only a small muscle pull and that it will go away soon. Sorry about the loss as well. Oh and there is nothing wrong with being chatty... I am very much so for the most part, and it allows me to get to know people much better, once I get over my initial shyness.

Colleen, congratulations on your house buying/selling!!!! I wouldn't necessarily cancel your trip unless it falls right when closing/moving would be. Are you doing all the packing yourself? Hiring a mover? THat all might go into what I would think of doing.

Well we do have our loan closed for DVC and now we are just waiting on hearing about ROFR (right of first refusal, Disney can say that the deal is too sweet and buy the contract back themselves) and then it will be a done deal.

[colleen costello]

Helenabear, your DVC deal sounds great! I will pray you pass ROFR and get under Mickey's radar! Please tell me where your points are (actually I will re-read some posts and I bet it says right here somewhere!) We own at Beach Club but typically go to Old Key West and Wilderness Lodge, our favorites. Have never had trouble getting into either. Someday you must also go to Hilton Head -- it's WONDERFUL. It's a little piece of Disney magic right in the middle of Hilton Head Island. We went last summer and had so much fun. I would go every summer but there are never enough points :(

Inspections on both houses are set for this week. I assume I would know if anything major was wrong with my home, but who can tell? I will sweat and fret until I hear. Really I won't relax until the day I move! I have lots of friends praying for me and that can't hurt!

We are planning to go to WDW. If I had sense I would stay home and pack but I think we'll go anyhow! We tentatively close on May 28 th and our departure was set for May 30th. If I stay 8 nights (knocked off 1 at the Poly and 1 at the Lodge) I can get back touy Indiana just as the neighbors vacate my new home. Then i have a week to move all my stuff before my doc moves in here. YIKES! :) A motto I try to live by is "never skip a Disney trip if you don't really have to!"

I'll keep you all posted.

[SlightlyGoofy]

What a conglomeration of beauty and brains in the Suite. Other than being a bit younger than the rest of us FPGurl, Depply and Talk, you all fit in just fine. I have been on some threads where there has been immature behavior (hopefully not mine) and believe you me, age does not discriminate when it comes to being out of line. LOL Does not hurt that you have Rider and Helenabear, Colleen, Angelina and others with youthful and thoughtful attitudes.

Helenabear, I have never let lack of knowledge stand in the way of having an opinion. LOL Just smart enough to know that I just might be wrong, from time to time. I always stand to be corrected. When I think of some of my attitudes and how they have changed through the years I am amazed at how elastic my mind can be. Not that I am flightly and change attitudes easily or on a whim but am not stuck in the mud on most any topic. LOL I hope that your deal is sweet enough for you but less than attractive to Disney. I have friends who had a house built outside of Disney just as a second home. They go back and forth a lot and spend winters down there now that they are retired. There is a chance that they will be at DW when we are as they are interested in the Flower Power concerts.

Colleen, I am in awe of your organizational powers. I am sure that your hubby will be of some use also and that is always helpful but it is still a daunting task to plan the vacation and go back home to face all that packing and moving. Maybe you can persuade the kids to help pack some things up before you leave as a bribe for getting to go to DW. LOL Dalton crawled up on the pool table and put himself in my open suitcase, closed the lid and asked me to take him with me. I would love to do that, if only I could.

Talk, are you making any chess pie? Tom is watching the Derby right now. I saw where there was a girl jockey running and she is only 18. I am rooting for her, don't care about what horse she is riding. Girl Power!!!! Hoping that your tummy ache abates and you will be able to run with your posse and have a great time!

FPGurl, you are a good writer. Having had a bit of experience in that area I can say that with some cachet. You brought out some points that I had not thought of. In my day we had a man coach who decided to start a chapter of the GAA (Girl's Athletic Assoc.) in our town. Our female home ec teacher went to the school board and actually got them to agree that sports would be bad for us and might impact on our abilities to give birth later in life. I thought that was ridiculous even in those unenlightened days. Heck, I had to wear short and sleeveless blouses cause my muscles were so big from carrying milk containers and bales of hay.
Just curious as to you (and the other student's) ideas on gender seperate schools. I have mixed feelings. Think that seperation leads to less distractions and better grades for the girls but think that learning to get along with each other is an important life skill. It is amazing that men and women can live together at all for how little they understand each other IMHO.

Rider must be getting a lot of last minute things done. I understand. I am in the same boat and do not have nearly as much to do.

See you all later. Looking forward to late entry and late exits to the parks while I am there. Some things are better done in the added magic of darkness.

SG/Linda

[helenabear]

Colleen, we are hoping to get a 210 contract at OKW. Should be perfect for the amount I/we go to WDW. I am now at about day 12 of this and hopefully it won't take them all 30 days to decide. I do have hopes of going to HH someday. My dad really perked up at that idea :teeth: I hope that all goes well with the inspections and all. I pray all goes well for you in general with it. I probably would still go to WDW as well... it might be a good way to relax after the stress of closing and all.

Linda, I do understand what you were saying. I just don't know anything about that specific Title for the athletics and if I get time to read up on it, I might have a real opinion. In general I think all should be treated 100% equal, but I have no idea how that fits into all that. I do hope though that you will be able to see your friend while you are down in Florida. My dream is to move there someday I think :)

[SlightlyGoofy]

Elaine, I just were goofing around and kidding about myself and my opinions. My mom always said that intelligent people were not afraid to say they did not know and you were being intelligent while I was being Slightly Goofy. I read so darned much that I know a tiny bit about almost everything.

My dream would to move there also. I would love to be the silly lady at the front of MGM or one of those ladies who go into the rooms and read small children to sleep. Bet some of them could write a book about some of their experiences though so maybe not. LOL I would be lovely to be a CM and make somebody's day the way they have often made mine.

Speaking of DW, I just got an email from my friend who is over housekeeping at the AS's. I do not hear from her often so it was such a wonderful surprise. She sent pictures of her recent vacation. I had just copied her info down in my agenda. I am going to take flowers to her on this trip. She embodies all that Disney is and truly loves her work. I met her years ago when she was a mousekeeper and gave her a motherly lecture about going into rooms with strangers. I hope she remembered it.

Keeping my fingers crossed that you get your dream.

SG/Linda

[FPgurl04]

SG--this place is AWESOME!! i love it here!! woo!! :teeth: :cheer2:
thank you for the compliment! i LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to write. i am writing 2 stories at the moment and am pretty hooked on poetry. i just don't understand how people can believe sports are BAD for girls!!! do they want us to be out of shape couch potatoes??? ugh. on you question about gender separate schools: i am going to an all-girl high school. i think the idea is great. i agree that it causes less distraction. we don't have to worry about how we look all the time because there are no boys and we don't have to worry about impressing them either. i think the environment and the atmosphere is more relaxed and calm at gender separate schools. i honestly don't think women and men will ever completely understand one another. i mean, honestly, do we really understand ourselves? completely? i certainly don't. i really don't understand other people either. so i love the idea of gender-separate schools.


helenabear--thanks for the compliment!!

colleen--congrats on your house!! :cheer2:

i would love to get one of those summer jobs or college internships at disney!!! i think that would be fun!!!

gotta run! :wave2:

[colleen costello]

HelenaBear, DVC is a wonderful thing and you will love it. Points stretch far at OKW and it is probably my MOST favorite DVC, although it is hard to pick! Keep us posted.

Well, I decided this morning to cancel the June WDW trip. It about killed me, but I realized the stress of packing, traveling, then coming home to MOVE immediately was too much. Told hubby he'd have to check me into stress care (psych) at Bloomington Hospital and then I coldn't help move boxes! It goes against my grain to CANCEL a Mickey trip -- especially one the employer would help finance -- but it's just not the right time. I will cancel the DVC reservatiopn tomorrow, so I don't lose my precious points. I will leave the Poly reservations for now. If the house deal falls through, my heart will break and WDW will be just what I need. Scott has his birthday on July 26th and he agreed to go to WDW that week, instead -- so I didn't really cancel, I just postponed! :) That hurts a lot less and I can hopefully go down with a clear head, all this moving nonsense behind me!

Gotta get to work on planning our school carnival -- I am running the darn thing and May 21st will be here all too soon!

xoxo

[TalkisCheap]

That's to bad you had to cancel your trip, Colleen, but you probably would not have enjoyed the trip with everything going on, anyway. It is wonderful you could postpone it, though!!

I, too, love to write poetry. I write poetry all the time I even submitted some to a poetry contest and got honerable mention. I'm in the process of writing a story for a contest, I hope I finish in time for the deadline...I'm in kind of a funk!!

I also love the idea of a same gender high school. That is why I so badly want to go to McAuley, but, Cheverus has better academics even though I would lose the all girl environment my sister loves, and I am sure I would enjoy as well.

Wow, everyone I know is getting hurt! I have my stomach muscle pull, my friend Meg twisted her knee doing the long jump, and now my friend Jess broke her arm playing softball!

Well, it's almost time for dinner. Hope you all had a relaxing and wonderful weekend.


-Caroline princess:

[FPgurl04]

that's so great carebear!! poetry is fun. my dad actually liked some of the poetry i wrote for class. i was brave and handed in some of the stuff i'd previously written. i'm so embarrassed to share some of my poetry. i usually write it when i'm not in a very good mood so some of it is dreary and bleak. i'm writing two stories. depplyinluv is helping me with one of them! anyway, i have to go! mom needs the comp!

[jstmee]

hi everyone I have to be quick cause my DD is breathing down my neck, l loved the article about woman and sports, my DD who is in 6th grade plays middle school softball, soccer and basketball, she is on the student council for grades 6,7,8, is a high honor student a girl scout and a member of the youth ministry for our Church, lol she just read this and said, "I'm a busy person". Oh, I forgot, she plays in the band, clarinet and is a flag bearer for the High School Marching Band. WOW talking about tooting her horn!! lol.

Now, about sports and academics, my twin boys, sophmores are on the varsity baseball and basketball teams and they are also on the high honors and will be in AP classes next year. and for the past three years have coached a 4th 5th 6th grade Rec League b'ball and baseball team. I think this also promotes healthy living and hopefully non drug and alcohol use.

Okay, I'm the proud mama.

Now, on to important matters.....Got back from WDW on 4/2, I know didn't report back to you, I've been dreadfully busy. It was an awesome trip. Went to Epcot. My neice Amanda is in the College Internship program, she works in the Land and helps out at the Junior Chef with the little kiddos. She loves it. She likes it so much down there, she's going to transfer down to Florida and continue schooling down there.

It was such a nice trip by myself. I strolled along the boardwalk, ate at Bongos, visited Animal Kingdom Lodge, etc, etc.....ah just reminiscing makes me want to go back.

Also, I've lost 42lbs since December and of all things I got a tattoo of a butterfly on my left ankle while I was down there, my neice and I went together, that was my gift to me....can you believe it???!!!! me 42 my neice 19, she got a 4leaf clover-(she already had one on her lower back) she I wasn't corrupting her.
We also went to Islands of Adventure and rode every ride there was and went to Margaritaville.

I see there are more people to the room, I guess I'm an "old" drop in at this point but it's so warm and comfy here. Glad to see everyone here.

One more thing I went to an all female college and loved it as far as studies went. But as far as friendships with both genders go, I sort of missed the boat on that one.

Bye for now, Wendy

[FPgurl04]

hi there :wave: jstmee, i don't believe we've met. i'm FPGurl04 but u can call me emily. thank you for the compliment on my article. :teeth: your children seem very involved and intelligent; you should be proud. i'm glad you had a good time in disney and universal. i agree, one of the bad parts about going is having to come home. and then reminiscing about what a great time you had and wanting to go back. but still....

well i'm gonna run, alias is on in 10 minutes!

[SlightlyGoofy]

It is so wonderful see such a diverse group in the Suite. Old and new friends, both very special to my heart.

Jstmee, congratulations on the weight loss! Might I inquire as to how you accomplished it? I fight hard to keep off what I have lost and have not lost much more in the past year. A tattoo? Why not, go for it. Sounds as if your niece might have corrupted you. If I were you I would spend more time with her. LOL Rider and I are headed down to DW in a bit over a week ourselves. I think we should all retire to DW and be CM's together. Sounds like a plan.

Emily, poetry is meant to reflect your mood, whether happy or sad. Just go with the flow. Is a great way to get your emotions out in a safe way also. I always wanted to write like Ogden Nash (look him up and have a ball) but wrote dark and broody things myself. It just flowed when I was writing well. Have not written a poem for awhile. Last one I wrote was for Dalton and he still loves to hear me read it to him. LOL

Caroline, sounds as if your posse should have its meetings at the emergency room. Being young sounds sort of dangerous to me. LOL It is interesting that you find same gender schools to be better, for you. What an interesting and thought provoking statement in that how can you expect men and women to understand each other when it is so darned hard to understand ourselves. Truth is that until we understand ourselves nothing else much works anyway. Who and what we want at 16 is seldom what we want at 36 or older. I always told my kids to figure out who they were and what they wanted before picking a mate and to be totally selfish in picking cause if you are not happy you sure ain't gonna make anyone else happy. JMO

Colleen, I think you made the right decision in postponing your vacation. It would have dampened your fun with all that moving hanging over your heads. This way you will have DW as a treat AFTER you get the work done and best of all you will be there on my birthday. LOL

Elaine, sounds like you have picked a wondeful plan for your DVC. Hope you hear in the positive soon. It is so quiet and peaceful over in that area. We like Olivia's and go there for breakfast when Tom has to have his grease. LOL

SG/Linda

[TalkisCheap]

Hello jstmee, I like Emily, do not think we've met. I'm Talkischeap(of course) but you may, by all means, call me Caroline.

Well, I only dropped in before I am off to bed to wish everyone a good night, and a good day tomorrow. Alas, May 3rd has come(I doubt anyone remembers, so I shall tell you) that tomorrow is indeed the day I have been waiting for these past 2 years! My top braces come off!! Tis' very exciting to me, and I cannot wait. I hope it does not rain, I would like to show off my teeth at track and softball, but rainy weather seems to plauge Maine at this time of year, and tomorrow is no exception!

I wonder, though, if what I want now is not what I will want later. I want to live in Germany, and I doubt that desire will change as I grow older. It has been a dream of mine, and one I hope to fulfill. Though, I think my stance of not getting married(unless to Andre 3000 or Orlando Bloom) and having children, will most likely change when I get older and meet my 'prince charming!'

Well, already my mom is yelling at me to be off to bed, so again, goodnight ladies!


-Caroline :wave2:

[colleen costello]

Linda, I will celebrate your birthday in style as I can't go for MY birthday. On November 9th I will turn 40 and I had high hopes of reaching midlife on Main Street. Unfortunately it is a bad time for Scott at work, as well as the kids and school. So I guess I will celebrate for you this July, and in November I will just have to be gloomy here in Indiana! :) I have lots of good friends here and will probably have a big pitch-in party. Everyone can fit in the new house! :)

Hope everyone had a good weekend.

xoxo

[colleen costello]

Caroline, your plans may change but that is OK. I didn't plan on getting married young (or at all!) but I met my husband young. We went to high school together (one vote, I supposed, for the co-ed kind of school). We were friends and began dating in college. We moved to Indiana and lived together for over a year as we planned our wedding. My parents were not thrilled but I wasn't ready to be "Mrs. Somebody." As it turned out, I never was, and my name stayed Colleen Costello. Somehow the thought of changing names really upset me. Hubby isn't the type to fuss over such things; if he was I wouldn't have married him! But I did wind up married at the age of 23.

We were busy finishing up graduate school and didn't even THINK about kids for a lot of years. One day I sort of realized that I had graduated and we'd gotten a nice home. I had a great marriage and a great life in general. But I realized, very seriously, that if "I had a month to live" the only thing I would regret was no children. That's how I knew it was time. I read lots of books (I never do anything without reading first) and went to see the doc. Started taking some vitamins and "trying" and in no time flat I was pregnant. What a thrill! I almost couldn't believe it. I wanted a daughter very badly and when I found out that Erin was a little girl I was so thrilled. When she was born I was just a few months shy of 30, and I feel that was perfect. I was a real grownup by then and had lots of things sorted out already. Hard to believe my little daughter is about to turn 10, and now I have a wonderful son as well. I am blessed.

I guess you can't expect in your teen years to know WHAT you'll want in 10 or 20 years. What fun would that be? You'll still be yourself, but age-appropriate things -- like becoming a parent or maybe NOT becoming a parent -- will be more apparent when the time is right. You'll know when it's time. Thank goodness we live in an age when choices are available to women.

[FPgurl04]

just figured, since we;re on the talk of the future i'll express my goals and aspirations (most are mixed and some a little weird, but hey i'm a strange girl!! :teeth: )
*graduate high school
*go to a good college (right now i want to go to Iowa for writing or UCLA or Arizona for softball)
*play lots of softball and be on the olympic team (or at least be the best i can be)
*fall in love and get married (i'm one of those hopeless romantic types. i love romantic comedies. meg ryan and tom hanks....yeah there's your emily trivia for the day)
*travel lots and visit a bunch of places
*make my career in cinematography or writing. i would like to write novels or screenplays. journalism would be cool too.
*be successful and don't be a nobody!! i really wanna do something for the world you know? (don't laugh, i know it's corny but i dont want to die nameless! i don't want to be known for who i marry! i want to succeed and help people or do something to help people. i want to write or do something in hollywood because i want to give to others what i love about movies and reading you know? ok go ahead laugh you heads off. i know you want to)
*(alright here's the crazy stuff) get a tatoo. nothing big or gaudy something real little in a place no one can see it.
*bungy (sp?) jump
*ride top thrill dragster (tallest fastest coaster in the world) again

hmm... i wonder what else. i forget now. oh well. short term memory loss!! well i'd better run. i've bored everyone to death i'm sure!

[FPgurl04]

oh yeah and meet johnny depp and sean penn!!!!! and orlando bloom and tom delonge and derek jeter and alex rodriguez and jennie finch and lisa fernandez and kat osterman and brad pitt and...........a bunch of other famous people! lol!! :teeth: :crazy:

[TalkisCheap]

Well, Emily has told me I have to post MY goals as well, but I was going to do so anyway!!

-Make the 8th grade basketball team next year...yes, it is my main goal...I want it more than anything(right now)
-Go to Cheverus High School and make varsity basketball sophmore(and JV Freshman) year, as well as run cross country and track and not be insainly bad!
-Go to Villanova University and major in either archaeology, or something in business, or anything to get me into the F.B.I with a minor(possible double major) in German
-Study abroad in Germany for a year at least
-Make the track or cross country teams at 'Nova, and play on the Ultimate Frisbee intermual team(Ultimate Frisbee is THE BEST!)
-Get an apartment(yes, It is important to me) and work either as an archaeologist, or in the F.B.I
-Meet the most wonderful and amazing man, fall madly in love(I'm another Emily)get married, and adopt 2 little girls from China
-Live a wonderful life
-Run in marathons
-Go to the Olympics for running, and win
-Be famous as a wonderful runner
-Retire in Maine and teach my grandkids to run and play softball, basketball, and Ultimate Frisbee

yep, that is my life... :teeth:

[TalkisCheap]

wait I must also meet famous people too!

Gabe Kapler, Pedro Martinez, Curt Shilling, Orlando Bloom, Johnny Depp, Val Kilmer, The top world runner..whoever it is then!!, ANDRE 3000!!!! Snoop Dogg...and other people, I dunno who!!!


Oh my gosh! Emily! You rode Top Thrill Dragster? I went to Cedar Point like 3 monthes before it opened! I went on Millenium Force and some others, and I really wanna go back!!

[FPgurl04]

that's so awesome carebear! i'm not quite as planned out and i am pretty spontaneous but my main goals are to fall in love (like the movies :lovestruc ) and be successful and not die a nobody! i also want children. 2 preferably. and grandkids to tell stories to.....

ok growing up WAY too fast!!!!! :crazy2:

[SlightlyGoofy]

FP, might I just suggest a small correction in your list of what you want to accomplish? I think you should be someone that everyone else wants to know. You are already there with me. It is my contention that the reason so few women, compared with men, have accomplished world shaking things, is because they have spent their lives taking care of others. Not necessarily a bad thing because these mundane chores have to be done so that others can achieve but is a bad thing if that is what you want to do. When household help is a paid item like a utility bill, it will get the respect it deserves? (maybe) I am enabler.

Colleen, I love your story and admire your strength of character. Sounds as if you got the happy ever after down pat. No silly Cinderella waiting for your prince charming here. You took charge and did the picking instead of waiting to be picked. Yeah!!! I will be thinking of you on my birthday and be thrilled knowing that you will be living it up in the land of the Mouse. It is the big 70 for my hubby this year but I am too darned tired to throw another big bash. I have always done so but it just takes me too long to do things anymore. The last time I almost (literally) had to go the emergency room.

Talk, can you chew gum now that your top braces are off or do you have to wait for the bottom ones too? How does it feel? I have a niece in Germany and if you ever make it over there I bet she would give you a guided tour. She is a sweetheart.

Since everyone is posting their dreams for when they grow up I will add mine. I want the same things I wanted when I was young , a loving family, enough stuff and no more, laughter and lots of books. LOL

SG/Linda

[TalkisCheap]

:teeth: Well, I broke the rules and chewed gum even before my braces came off :eek: I know! But, I already got my bottom ones off in April...so, It is very exciting!

My teeth look so white!!

It would be awesome to have a tour from you niece...if I ever make it, I hope we could do something like that!

Well, I really SHOULD be getting to bed... ;)


-Caroline!

[helenabear]

WOah, lots of posts here... I'll check in quickly before I go to bed ;)

Linda, I do love you when you are silly and serious. Your thoughts on giving your opinion are great!!! I do hope your dream to move south will come true though!

Emily, I agree, this is a wonderful place to come!!!!

Thanks Colleen! I have noticed how far I can get the points to stretch there and it is beautiful (but it is hard to decide which resort is the best). Sorry you had to postpone, but at least it wasn't a true cancelation of yoru trip!

Caroline, I hope you and your friends heal up quickly!!! My brother went to an all boys shcool and I went co-ed. Each is great for their own reasons... but I will admit for me I prefered co-ed. I seemed to make friends with males easier at that time. My brother though preferred his for the same reason ;)

Wendy, so good to see you!!!!! I am glad you ad an awesome trip!!! Congrats on the weightloss as well!!!! And very cool on your tattoo. I think that is cool... I got my first one last november and then wound up with a navel peircing in late Feb in honor of losing some weight (and at this point I am now up to 20 pounds since early Feb). Enjoy your butterfly :)

Oh and Caroline, plans do change as we grow older... and I am always "changing" my mind... actually I think of it more of growing than anything else. Just do what you like best and I knwo you'll be happy :)

Emily, sounds like you have a great list there!! I hoep you get to do it!!! Top Thrill is a cool coaster but I doubt I'll wait in line for it at the moment ;)

Caroline, sounds like a great life for you too!!! Good luck trying to get it all!!

Well it is time for me to head off soon... have a great day everyone :)

[FPgurl04]

good point SG!!!!! i want to study abroad. not germany though! italy!!! with my fellow italians!! or england. that would be fun. or france. with johnny!! (and the history stuff too....:rolleyes: :teeth: ) i really want to tour europe for a summer someday.....whistfully dreaming....

[SlightlyGoofy]

So much dreaming going on around here. Dreams are good but goals are better. The difference IMHO is in the doing things that get you closer to your dreams. I have not seen any dreams in here that are not something that can be accomplished. Looking forward to seeing the steps you all take to get there and do not let anyone stop you, most of of all yourselves. Happen to life do NOT let life happen to you!!

Helenabear, I am impressed. Thought you were perfect the time I met you but as usual, you have surpassed yourself. Twenty pounds on you is an amazing amount. I could trim my nails and lose five. (sigh) Might I ask what your tattoo is? Tom hs a tattoo, a Marine Corp bulldog. Beats the heck out of the "love" "hate" ones that so many of our generation sported. (sigh) Body 'art' I understand, mutilation is quite another thing. Boy you caught me out. I do tend to cover pain with humor. Once thought about jumping in the river but got to laughing so hard I did not. Sure glad I are not young and so dumb anymore. LOL

Talk, sure you broke the rules. What was I thinking? LOL How do you like your unadorned teeth? Bet you are constanting checking them out. It is an investment that your parents made in you that you will long appreciate. A smile is an awesome weapon.

Have to go weigh in this morning and the scales went up overnight. Very frustrating. After all the walking and work I did yesterday I surely do deserve better. Not sure if I am up or down from last week though. Have load 40 pound bags of rocks today. Should be good for an ounce or so. My daughters church is having a mother daughter banquet tonight and I have been invited. Much better than the year I was asked to babysit while she took someone else. (muffled scream) Sure glad that love is a gift and not something than be earned or I would be childless. (grin)

Hope it is warmer where you all are than it is here. I had to turn the furnaces back on which meant going around and opening up all the vents. Will have a heat wave tomorrow. The cold is my fault as I put the snow shovel away the other day. I am a responsible person, if something happens it is my fault. LOL

SG/Linda

[SlightlyGoofy]

Someone just sent this to me and I thought you all might enjoy a bit of truth and humor. LOL

Women are like apples on trees. The best ones are at the top of the
tree. Most men don't want to reach for the good ones because they are
afraid of falling and getting hurt. Instead, they just get the rotten apples from the ground that aren't as good, but easy....... So the apples at the top think something is wrong with them, when in reality, they're amazing. They just have to wait for the right man to come along, the one who's brave enough to climb all the way to the top of the tree.

And... Men are like a fine wine. They start out as grapes, and it's up
to women to stomp the crap out of them until they turn into something
acceptable to have dinner with.


SG/Linda

[colleen costello]

Can a geezer about to turn the big 4-0 give you young ladies one small piece of advice? You all want to "make your mark" and not "die a nobody." This makes sense to me. Just remember that your definition of "somebody" might change a bit as you grow older. I am the ultimate "nobody." I am not famous in the least. I am not gorgeous or thin, nor am I a great athlete. Right now I don't even have a paying job. But in ways that matter to me, I am a real "somebody." I have a great family. I am a committed daughter, Mom, wife. I have wonderful friends on whom I can count. My neighbors are all heartsick that I am moving (even if only a few doors down). People at school count on me, and I try hard not to let anyone there down. I volunteer many, many hours each week. If asked, I don;t think I could identify a SINGE person I consider an enemy -- not one! I genuinely believe I am a good person, making good choices every day. I teach my children that if WE don't "take the high road" in life, nobody will! These things matter to me, and they make me "a somebody." And if I fell off the earth tomorrow, a lot of people's lives would be less for my passing. I think that makes me " a somebody."

I guess I am just pointing out that one of the great things about getting older is that you realize new definitions of success. :)

[FPgurl04]

:rotfl: SG!! that was great!!! here's a saying to ponder considering you ladies might actually get it. some people in my school didn't get it. "Insanity is hereditary; we get it from our kids." :teeth:

colleen--you are not a geezer!!!! johnny and brad pitt are older than you!!! anyway, that's such an awesome definition. i think you're definitely a somebody!! when i say a somebody i mean someone to make a mark on the world. and a GOOD mark mind you. i want to be known for contibuting something good to the world--being able to help, be a role model, and give back to the world. "Life is a gift. not a pair of socks-something you walk on. not a coach bag-something you wear for a season and forget. it is a hug-a gift you might not realize is very important at the moment, but after a while you realize it is. then you want to give back for the precious thing you received." i wrote that last year in religion class. we had to write our perception of life and that was mine. corny, lame. oh well. :o

anyway, speaking of contributions i've had this (hopefully) wicked idea!! i need opinions. this is just an overview of the idea. i haven't worked out all of the details, but my best friend (bloomie43--some of you might know her) and i are working it out. here was my idea for something fun to do toward the end of the summer to wrap up the season before school again. and plus we're ALWAYS complaining about how boring it is around here. it is also a way to contribute to charity. so here's my idea: a battle of the bands/end of the summer charity concert. i was thinking we could get a bunch of local bands to compete, have judges, have some sponsors (music stores or radio stations), prizes from the sponsors, and maybe a famous or at least semi-famous band to play at the end! we have a friend whose mom is a massage-therapist and she does a bunch of famous bands when they come into town so we were hoping she could hook us up with someone through her "connections." she also suggested that if we go to one of the music stores around here, they can provide some of the bands!! i was figuring that we would charge to enter a band and charge for admission for anyone who wants to come. all proceeds would go to a charity (haven't decided which one yet). oh and we could advertise on the radio and through friends and things. but i don't know. anyway, that was just a brief overview. we have more detail but are still working things out. what does everyone think?? i wanted more opinions than just my friends before i talked to my parents about it!!!!

sorry if this post is completely gramatically incorrect, i don't really feel like reading it ALL over again. :wave2:

[TalkisCheap]

Hello!

Eh, I'm not so sure I could ever live through getting a tatoo. I'm a wimp, and not big on pain! I'm happy with my pierced ears...Maybe a stick-on tatoo I can steal from my daughters Cracker Jacks? :teeth:

I'll never be a great runner. I'll maybe TRAVEL to the Olympics, but I'm not quite as talented as I dream I am! My theory is I don't necessarily need to be someone famous to be 'somebody.' To my husband, I hope I am his 'somebody', I know he(well, my family) will be the 'someones' I care about more than anything. And, being in the olympics would be weird. I always say I would want to marry a celebrity, such as Tom Brady. But what kind of life would that be? Monthes out of the year I'll see my husband(and my children's father) on the tv more than in person. I would much rather perfer a regular, maybe boring at times life. I think being a wife and mother would be rather exciting, though. Especially with frequent trips to WDW ;) :teeth: !

SG, that is hilarious!! I hope I'm one of those higher apples ;) :D ! I have been looking at my teeth a wicked lot. And smiling constantly! Many people have commented on how nice my smile was. It reminded me of all the compliments I got on my eyes when I finally got contacts....Though, I don't know where they got the nice eye compliments...my eyes are black - I'm serious!!

Well, I have some stuff to do before I get all ready for bed early....I definatly want to do better in my meet tomorrow! I hope everyone has a good night, and a good Wednesday!(I'll pray it doesn't rain Emily! Don't break any mirrors sounding like a cow :p ;) )


-Caroline!

[helenabear]

LOL, Linda, I spoke to soon... I stepped on teh scale and a few of those have creeped back... I float around 15-20 gone at the moment and I really hope to have a few more gone before the wedding and my DL trip :)
My tattoo though, is a red rose (in honor of my mom) with a hidden Mickey in the center. And funny you used the word "body mutilation" because to some it is... I mean really to some getting tattoos and peircings and all that is a way to change their body... for me it is truly art. I have 10 piercings in my ear (want 11) and my navel pierced. Every time I look at those or my tattoo in teh mirror, I smile because *I* feel good looking at them. They make me feel better. So you are very right... for some it is mutilation, and for others it is art :)

Oh and I truly love what you just posted about the apples and wine :teeth:

Colleen, first off, you are not old at all. And secondly, to me you are a somebody and your neighbors, family and friends prove it :hug:

Emily, that is a great idea!!!! I wish you and your "cohort" all the best with that idea!! Great way to raise money, I think!

Caroline, truly the tattoo was a heck of a lot painless than I would have imagined. I am not saying to go run out and try it, but really I can think of many things so much more painful. And good way of looking at life. But I have to say one thing... I am a wife but not a mother and I still make it to WDW a fair amount :teeth: It's all what you want to do... you can make things happen that you would never dream could!

Well i have some reading to do... trying to find where I had those amazing directions from MCO to WDW :eek:

[IASW Rider]

Hey Everyone!

Soooooo sorry that I haven't been around, lately - just cramming for my exams and getting ready to blast off to WDW in 2 weeks!

I was just catching up on everyone's posts from the past few days - wow - I really missed a lot, around here! But so many great things to celebrate...........I don't even know where to begin!

First of all, welcome back Wendy! Great to hear from you! You sound wonderful and really happy! And so glad that you had a wonderful trip and that all is well with your family! Congratulations on that great weight loss and on your tatoo - I'm sure that you look fantastic!

Congratulations on getting your braces off, Caroline! It's obvious from your picture that you have a beautiful smile, and I'm sure that it's just all the brighter, now! Hope that that muscle pull from the end of last week is long gone.

I loved "listening" to you and Emily discuss your goals, aspirations, hopes and dreams! You are both so ambitious, energetic, realistic, practical, and intelligent that I can't imagine either of your not accomplishing every single one of them! (Even the celebrity meetings - I must add "resourceful" to that list........you'll find a way! :) ) As for being able to come here and discuss your thoughts freely without concern for your age, you have come to the right place! :) The only time I even consider either of your ages, or Depply's, is when I read your eloquent, thoughtful, interesting, and fun posts and think to myself "wow - I wish that I had been that clever, insightful, humorous, driven, and successful when I was that age(s)"! Seriously! :) I love hearing about your experiences, what you're doing now, and what you all hope to do in the future, too!

I think that your fundraising idea is amazing, Emily! Ooops - I mean "wicked good"! :) See - there's a good example - I don't think that I would have the time, patience, energy, or ambition to be able to put something of that scale together NOW, muchless when I was your age! I never would have been able to think of something so original and feasible and be able to make it work, but it sounds like you have all of the bases covered (if you'll excuse the pun, Fast Pitch! :) )! Please keep us posted and let us know how your plans progress - it would be fantastic if you could get that together for the end of the summer! And I enjoyed reading your essay, as well - beautifully composed!

Congratulations on the purchase of your new home and the sale of your current home, Colleen! Great news! It sounds like everything worked out even better than you'd imagined! And even though your WDW trip will be postponed, it will just give you more time to enjoy and settle in to your new home........and to look forward to your upcoming trip! :) Also, I absolutely loved what you said about being a "somebody" and how one's sense of success changes with time - I really need to hear things like those, now, since I beat myself up so often about having changed my life's "direction" so many times over the past year - I'm not used to being on "uneven footing" or not being able to define my hopes and dreams and aspirations as clearly as so many of you did, a few days ago. So what you said - though you were describing yourself and your own experiences and feelings - was really meaningful to me.

Bon Voyage, Elaine! Have a wonderful trip to WDW and enjoy! We'll be thinking of you! And congratulations on YOUR great weight loss - another "skinny Minnie" (again, if you'll excuse the pun!) around here! With all of the athletes and people losing weight around here, we might just have to put together our own "EWP Suite Fitness Show"..........then we'll all become big celebrities, ourselves, and that's how we'll all make our millions..............what was that I was saying about not being as realistic or practical as Caroline and Emily?? :) Hey - it could happen, I suppose! :) But anyway, I digress.......(can you tell that I'm delirious from studying too much??) I think that's so neat that your tatoo honors your Mother........and that there is a hidden Mickey in it, as well! That is a wonderful tribute and expression of yourself! And congratulations on DVC, too!

11 MORE DAYS, LINDA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) :) :) :) Soon we'll be counting down in the single digits! :) I loved your post about the apples and the wine, too! How was the Mother-Daughter banquet with your DD? And how is everyone else doing? The scales went up for me overnight, too - just a few pounds - but I'd like to believe that they are just those "phantom pounds" that we were discussing - the type that are prone to "fall off" with water weight loss, in a day or 2. Sometimes if I eat something that is very fiber-dense for dinner the night before, the scales will go up.........but I know that they're not "real pounds", either. And since I happened to have a lot of beans last night, I'd like to blame the rise on them - not "real pounds"! :) All this to say, a million dollars says that your scale is right back where it should be, by now! How is your packing coming along? I'm going to hold off on starting to pack until my exams are over, in the middle of next week. In the mean time, we've been getting things organized, trying to "firm up our schedule" in terms of what we're doing on each day and when we're meeting up with our CM friends, etc. I can't believe that we'll be there and we'll be seeing you in just a little over a week! :)

Aside from studying, I survived my 20 year high school reunion on Saturday and Saturday night! I was a bit anxious about it, since I'd initially envisioned everyone asking "so, what do you do?" and my saying "I'm unemployed" and then their asking "so, how many children do you have", and my saying "none"..........and getting all these weird looks from them, like "what a loser!".....you get the idea! But then I started thinking more clearly, and acknowledged that I'm doing what I want to do and living my life the way that I want to live it - maybe for the first time ever - even if it's not necessarily completely "conventional". That's why what Colleen said really "hit home" with me - both the "being a somebody" part and the discussion of one's decision to have children or not. Anyway, in addition to being a little nervous about how my classmates would react to my "lack-of-career/child-free status", I was also a little apprehensive because I had worked at my high school for a short period of time in the mid-90's, and was let go for seemingly no reason - I just think that my boss didn't like me. And I knew that I would have to face him for the first time since then, at the reunion. But...........everything wound up working out wonderfully! My classmates were great, and in fact were intrigued by what I guess they perceived as my "carefree / free spirit status", rather than judging me because I don't have a career or children. In fact, I learned that a lot of them had either recently changed careers or were in the process of making a change. And they were all very complimentary of my appearance, which I appreciated! And I thought I handled the meeting with my old boss very well, too (that was a big accomplishment for me)! So all in all, I realized that I had had all that anxiety for nothing, and had a great time! And I also made some interesting "sociological observations":

1. Men gossip way more than women do...........especially when there is alcohol involved.

2. Women "miraculously" turn blonde......... immediately after hitting age 35.

3. The legal profession seems to have turned uninspiring - there are lots of lawyers out there who work in just about any field but Law.

4. High school teachers have long memories.

5. Women age much more gracefully and beautifully than do men!

Hi out there, Angie and Depply! :)

Hope that all is well with all of you! Have a great day! Will try to check in again as soon as I can! :)

[depplyinluv]

:bounce:

I'm Baaaaaack! :)

hello ladies! ( and the occasional dan)
i got back from WDW sunday but ive been trying to fix this darn computer for a few days...stupid technology....
anyways...im in the process of posting a trip report so hold on to your hats!
Rider- (and linda) 2 weeks? lucky duck! make sure to wear sunscreen and when you go on splash mountain, wave to all the cameras! o and dont eat at fultons crab house....where are you flying into? where are you staying?

actually i think id have to miss out on that fitness show as i gained 6 pounds over vacation!:earseek: gee must have been those 20 mickey ice creams that i ate....
just had my fahrenheit 451 test today....very interesting book..
Linda- love the apples and wine comparison...so true! ... i think that tatoos are fine if they pay a tribute to something and they have an extremely deep meaning because marking up your skin is a serious thing...eek i think it would hurt wayy to much !


emily if youd like ill print it out and send you my correctinos....havent read it yet but i will since im sending you a package tomorrow anyways!
:hyper:

dreams? o gosh ive plenty! theyre also goals too, just very very very far off goals

*design a great roller coaster
*be in 3 movies
*direct something
*write a screenplay
*travel all of europe
*travel africa and develop an aids/hiv awareness/ ccharity
*study abroad in england
*go to antarctica
*go to new zealand
*make the varsity softball team
*become an fbi agent
*meet johnny depp
*make high honors all year


*~*~congrats to those who lost weight, bought new things, etc~*~*



*

[helenabear]

Quick little check in here but I had to share my joy... we passed the Right of First Refusal today!!! So by the middle of this month we will be closed on our DVC!!!! THis was so easy to do and I am thrilled!!!

Had to say though, welcome back depply!!!!

[depplyinluv]

thanks helenabear....and welcome to the "family" ...the DVC family, that is!

My mom got DVC last year and this time we stayed at the boardwalk villas.... hope you like being a member and owning a piece of the "magic" lol:)

[TalkisCheap]

Well, quick check in right now, because it's 10 o'clock and I still have a million things to do before bed!


First of all, Welcome back Depply! Hope you had a wonderful time...how I wish I was back there and not in the 40 degree Maine!

Glad your reunion went well Rider! Also, I'm so jealous of you and SG's trip! Take me, Take me!!(Depply so meanly refused ;) )

Emily, your battle of the bands idea is so great! Sounds like a great funraiser...and definatly a good thing to do during the summer which seems interminable(at least to me!)!

Happily, my stomach muscle pull healed fast and I only get an occasional pain when stretch my stomach too hard. But, as always, I have a new injury! Long jumping for 'fun'(well..I was bored at the meet!) and when I landed(beauty of a jump though ;) ) my whole foot turned over...and I still had a mile and a 4x100 relay to run :eek: ! I toughed it out with comments from my very compassionate coaches such as "Suck it Up Homeschool!" and "Pain is all in your head!" So, I ran, beat my best friend, took 24 seconds off my mile time, and our relay placed second by .3 seconds! But, I finished my races hobbiling and my ankle/fat is now purpilish/red(part from the cold of ice and part from the swelling)...but I'll live. My dad just thinks I turned it...JUST ;) !!

As for the other aspects of my meet, I got second in the 400 but I shaved 1.44 seconds off bringing my time down to a 1:19.1(I'm aiming for at least a 1:12 by the end of the season) and I had a breakdown in the high jump...we won't get into that! But, I did pretty well, I was overall very pleased with my running achievments!

Oh, and, my friends and I continue to fall apart as my friend broke her hand yesterday punching someone.. :rolleyes: wow...!!

Well, I hope the rest of you had a wonderful day! My brother is coming home from college Friday. I can't believe his freshman year is done...I can't believe I have seven days of my 7th grade left... :eek: :( I'm feeling very melancholy thinking of it!

Well, goodnight ladies!

-Caroline

[SlightlyGoofy]

So much going on that my head is spinning!

Helenabear, I was not one bit worried about you being refused but I know you are glad to have that hurdle over and done with and one step closer to being 'home'. I am going to interested in hearing your experiences. I will think of you when we eat at Olivia's this trip and hope to have breakfast with you and Luis on one of your upcoming trips.


Caroline, you are probably better off with the parents you have than me. I am a hoverer and think each splinter a thing that demands immediate attention. LOL I have a feeling that you if disagree with your coaches that you would stand your ground, you know when you are too hurt to go on. (I hope) If you think time is going fast now just wait until you are my age and the decades are flying by. wzzzzzz, there goes another one! Congrats on shaving the seconds off your score. I admire your tenacity. Are your eyes black or just your contacts? Yes, being a mother is exciting, sometimes more than I would wish for though. Hardest thing I had to deal with was kids who would just stare at me. Would have rather had them standing toe to toe and screaming. Just try to guess what such people want or need. I tried.

Depply, I always thought that sitting on one of those balconies overlooking the Boardwalk would be fun. I love Jellyrolls, if they just did not have so much smoke in there. My sister comes over and we head over there and sing Jimmy Buffet songs. LOL Interesting reading material. Around here they have a hard time getting kids to read Cat in the Hat, in senior year. (sigh) Never, ever put anyone's name on your body IMHO. Glad to have you back. Are you going to post a report? We are driving, no flying for my dh. I have friends in New Zealand so if you ever get there let me know. They are coming over here in September and I am going to meet them in person. He is a retired NJ policeman and they met on the Internet. Wonderful couple and they play trivia.

Rider, I was nervous to read your posting as it had been so long that I was afraid something had come up and you were not coming to DW as planned. The intelligent part of me knew that you were, like me, just getting stuff done. You are doing more interesting stuff but stuff is stuff. LOL Planted my veggie garden today. I went to a mother daughter banquet at the church last night. Dalton begged to stay at our house (just behind the church) and I agreed after getting assurances from Tom and Dalton that they would both behave. I came home to blazing lights all over the house and was a bit scared. Found the fellows playing Scrabble in the kitchen. It was a heart warming scene as Granddad does not do kids. Got a bit closer to read the words and was amazed at Dalton's spelling abilities and came across a few words that were not quite what I expected. Dalton was quick to point out that Granddad had written those. When Tom picked up a "F" I held my breath. (shaking my head) Don't say I did not warn you. LOL

FP, I understand your insanity phrase exactly and do believe it is true and handed down through the generations. Did you know that if your parents did not have any children you probably will not either? (grin) I used to have a poster over my desk when I was raising my children. Forget it exactly but it said "Teenagers, if you are tired of your parents unreasonable demands, move out, get a job and earn your own living while you still know everything" Also had one that said "I have been beaten, burned, hit, broken, etc. etc. etc. I just stick around to see what is going to happen next". It helps to have a sense of humor around here. Seems that the more people love each other the more capable they are of hurting each other. Have never found the 'off' button so I keep hanging in there.

Sil woke me up this morning and requested that I take Dalton to his ball practice, not a biggie since I just took him after I got done tutoring at his school but then I had to pick up his older brother, btw, could I keep them until time for church? The boys begged to be allowed to stay here while their parents went to church and got permission to do so. Had to whomp up a meal that would suit all concerned and extracted a promise from the boys that they would be even more perfect than usual since Grandma was worn out. Guess I made a believer out of them since one kept telling me "You know I love you, grandma?" Rotten kids. LOL

Colleen must be out hunting for boxes and Jstmee is busy admiring your sleek new bod in the mirror. (smile)

I know I am forgetting to congratulate someone on something but my mind is worn out and my body beat my mind many hours ago. Such an awesome amount of talent in here that my head is spinning.

SG/Linda

[IASW Rider]

Hey Everyone!

Just wanted to check in and wish you all a very Happy Mother's Day and a great weekend!

Fear not, Linda - there is nothing that could keep me away from WDW - especially after this crazy, roller-coaster-like year - I really NEED to be there soon! Speaking of which..............9 MORE DAYS!!!!!!!!!!! THAT'S SINGLE DIGITS!!!!!!!!! :)

Hope that you're having a wonderful time there right now, Elaine! And congratulations again on DVC! :)

Welcome back, Depply! Great to hear from you! :) Glad to hear that you had a great trip! I can't wait to be up there, on top of Splash Mountain, myself! (I NEVER thought that I would hear myself saying that!) :) As for where we are staying, we will be spending 4 days at Port Orleans Riverside (where Elaine is right now), followed by 3 days aboard the Disney Wonder! Can't wait!

Sounds like you did an amazing job at your Meet, Caroline - congratulations! :) How is your ankle feeling? I hope that it's all healed by now! Wow - almost through with 7th grade.........forgive me for getting all sentimental, again, but I remember 7th grade like it was yesterday! Like I've said, I really still think inside my head, the exact same way that I did when I was IN 7th grade - I remember the way that I felt so vividly because in many respects, I think about and view the world exactly the same way, now! And I'm still close with several of my friends whom I've known since kindergarten, so it's not hard to recall all kinds of things from when we were in 7th and 8th grades! Anyway, lots of good luck with the rest of the school year - you'll do wonderfully! You too, Depply and Emily!

How are you doing, out there, Colleen, Angie, Wendy, and Emily? Hope that all is well! :)

Not too much to report from the Garden State - had my first final exam yesterday, and I think that I nailed it..........but it was the easiest of my 3. My hardest is coming up at 8:00 AM Monday morning. I'm bringing my books and notes to my in-laws' so that I can study there, this weekend, while we're visiting for Mother's Day. I have no choice - it's a cummulative exam and it will be HARD! Can't wait until my last exam is over on Wednesday..........then I can concentrate 100% on getting ready for WDW! :)

Hope that you're all having a great day! Will check in again as soon as I can! :)

[SlightlyGoofy]

4 days until we pull out of our driveway and head south. I get further and further behind everyday. Got everything on my list done today except for washing the car. Am tempted to wait until we get to Florida and pay to have someone wash it. It just gets buggy on the way down anyway. I am a perfectionist however as I age I get less and less capable. Hopefully senility will kick in soon and I will not be able to remember what I am doing wrong????

My Dalton turned 7 today. He came by to show me a book he wrote. It is his second book. Hope he dedicates one to me someday, sure to be a best seller. LOL They are having a party at his house tomorrow night. Will be hard on me as I am scared to death of animals and the heat and dust does not do my asthma much good but I am taking my inhalers and hoping for the best. Have prednisone as a back up. LOL


Rider, it is the secret to your charm that you have not forgotten your childhood and even have managed to hold on to parts of it. I was not one bit worried about your class reunion. The few highly popular kids mostly peak in HS while the rest of us go on to bloom and grow and are the ones that invoke the most admiration at class reunions. Where do you have to go when you are the prettiest, most popular, best sport star etc etc???? I feel for the poor dears. Honestly, I do!!


Emily, somehow I managed to forget to comment on your fundraising ideas. They were truly awesome. In my youth I worked for a non profit and know a bit about such. You put together a winning combination in that it was low overhead and you should be able to attract entertainment and headliners that will bring many to participate. A win win for everyone as the stars will be able to promote themselves while giving their fans an opportunity to greet and meet. What a wonderful idea and will do so much for others as well. I are proud of ye.

Have to go write a report for a shop I did this afternoon. I love it when I can write glowing reports. Have to write a report on some new snack crackers as well but they not only tasted badly but they had little fiber or anything worthwhile to make the taste worth the effort. Going from being a mother and no one wanting my opinion to having people pay for such is an amazing thing. LOL

SG/Linda

[colleen costello]

Linda, as always your posts make me smile. I will pray you sail through the "hazardous" birthday party. YES... wait to wash the car! Ours is always filthy by the time we hit Kentucky! Clean the inside where you'll be spending 16 hours and drive through a wash when you hit Ocala or Orlando. :) And remember, if you forget something, they sell it there. I keep reminding myself of this as I frantically pack. With a Winn Dixie and a Walgreens withing minutes, I am OK. Have a great trip.

I added two nights at the Carribean Beach Resort for our July trip. If I am moved and settled, WDW will be a real "reward." Two nights at Carribean and 6 at the Wilderness Lodge will be a treat. SOMEDAY I will get to the Polynesian! I forgot where you are staying, Linda, and I also want to hear all about everything when you all return.

We are off to a birthday bash ourselves. Our friend Gary is turning 50, and Tisha, his wife (a youngster of 34) is having a blowout for him at a local park. Should be lots of fun. People are viewing our house while we are out. My original buyer chickened out. We had a very fussy inspector in here who ripped my little house apart and scared her off. Our realtor says nothing to worry about, we just need a buyer who can clean gutters and seal cracks and watch for termites (we live in the woods). Hopefully someone else will come along soon. I am trying not to fret but it's hard. It's hard to get hopes up and have them dashed... As I said, if it all works out, a July visit to Mickey will be wonderful.

Have a great weekend everyone!

[colleen costello]

Rider, I just read YOUR post -- WOW! Riverside and a cruise sounds marvelous! We want to do the cruise but can't bear to part with all those points just yet. We've only had DVC for 2 years and are still busy trying out all the DVC resorts. I have told the kids we can plan on cruising in the next few years. They have seen the videos and keep asking about "the Disney Boat!" Please share all the glorious details with us landlubbers once you are back.

Have a great time!

[TalkisCheap]

Hello Ladies!

Well, just a quick check in to read the posts. I just got home for the first time in about 2 days, and have some things to do.

My brother got home today...laughed and said I looked like I grew another 2 feet since last time he saw him :rolleyes: I wish! Also, he didn't even notice I got my braces off, but his girlfriend did! I was quite amazed...but, not THAT many people have noticed. I thought it would be more noticable, but, apparently it is only to me!

Mother's Day is tomorrow, Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers! I just got home from shopping for presents...I have settled for my mom doesn't need anything, and therefor I am taking her out to lunch just the two of us on Tuesday, the day I don't have track practice. So, I thought that would be a fun little way to spend the day, just us two! Then, I got my grandma a little cat trinket, and my other grandmother and godmother told me not to buy anything, and so I am sending them cards.

I also couldn't help but buy myself something when we were out...a bad habit I have, wanting everything I see, and always giving into my wants!! I bought the cutest Orlando Bloom poster....I know, I know, But, I walked by and saw it and I said to myself, "I have to have that!" So, I gave in, but, it's rather large and only cost $6! I was surprised at the low price! I also bought a cd with a gift card I had. They didn't have the OutKast cd single I wanted, so, I got the Coldplay single I wanted. I love to shop, but I really shouldn't! I spend so much money, and on things I really don't NEED, but, I have no will power :rolleyes: .

Well, I have to go, have a great weekend/Mother's Day! Talk to you all later,

-Caroline princess:

[FPgurl04]

Happy Mother's Day!!!! :teeth: i get to spend the majority of my day at the field. i have a double-header, and i was supposed to have practice after that but we couldn't get the field. also, just to let you all know, i won't be here from wednesday to friday because of our trip to washington!!!!!!!!!! yay!!!!! :hyper:

anyhow, i really don't have much time because i have to be getting ready, but i'm glad you all liked my idea for the fundraiser. i have realized, while planning, it's going to be A LOT of work. i want to finish organizing before i present the idea to my parents. i hope they'll let me do it!!! if not (since this summer may be a bit busy) i can try for next summer!!!

have a wonderful mother's day everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[IASW Rider]

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, EVERYONE! :)

Just a quick note to say "hi" - then back to cramming!

One more week, Linda!!!!!! :) :) :) Actually, I'm glad that you posted the date on which you and Tom will be blasting off, because I want to be in touch with you before then to wish you a safe trip and make our "FINAL CONFIRMATION"! Will PM you with my cell phone number, too, just in case of mix-up's, time changes, or anything else that might come up........which hopefully nothing will! :) Belated Happy Birthday to Dalton! :) How was his party? Do large animals (like farm animals) bother you, or just small, domestic ones like cats or dogs? I'm sure that you made it through wonderfully and that the party was very special and fun!

I'm sorry to hear about the glitch in your home sale, Colleen. But you're right not to worry - your first prospective buyer came along so quickly that I'll bet that you'll have a bunch of new ones lined up outside your door, in the midst of a bidding war, before you know it! :) I hope that your friend's party went well! And your July vacation plans sound great! If we're ever lucky enough to become DVC members, we fantasize about having the Wilderness Lodge as our "home" location! :) I'm sure that you'll all make it out to DCL sometime very soon, too! This vacation package is actually working out to be more "economical" than our previous annual week at the Poly has always been! We will miss staying at the Poly this year, but we will be visiting it on our first night there! :)

Lots of good luck with your double header, today, Emily! And have a fantastic time in our Nation's Capitol, if we don't hear from you before then!

Don't worry about buying things for yourself, Caroline - you need to treat yourself to something special, just because you want it, every now and again! The fact that you DON'T do it all the time makes an occasional "treat" like a poster or CD more meaningful........or at least that's what I try to convince myself of, when I treat myself to a new CD, DVD, or book! :) Seriously, though - enjoy them, guilt free! Glad that your brother made it home safely and hope that you're all having a great visit, together!

Back to the books! Have a great day, Everyone! :)

[SlightlyGoofy]

I am bummed. I missed a call from Rider. If I am just sitting around doing nothing nobody calls or comes by but just let me stick my head under the water to 'wash' a bit of grey hair away and the world comes a'calling.

FP Gurl, there is much controversy here because some schools have what they call "Senior Projects" and they do project such as your fundraiser and such. I am in favor of them. Sure, some students use it as a way to try to get away with doing little or nothing but many others come up with some quite interesting and useful things. Is life IMHO. We had one young man who came up with some very valid opinions on how to cut the school budget and still provide a quality education. Much better than the current administration or school board has been able to do IMHO.

Talk, guys don't notice details the way girls do. It is amazing that he noticed you grew but that is probably because you are getting as tall as he is. LOL Your mom does not need anything cause she has you. The best present is time and you are giving it to her. All moms love that. Your poster does not seem like that big of an expenditure for the pleasure it will give you. You are good for worrying about it though.

Colleen, I am sorry that you have had a tiny glitch in your plans but am sure that it will all come right and probably be better in the end. Good for you adding a few extra days. I just realized what doing so has done to our budget so there will be some serious figuring when we return but I am not going to worry about it until we get back. LOL I am pretty darned good with money, if I do say so myself, so I am not too worried. Want to make sure to have enough for the other trips that are coming up though. Have added a day to our NC trip as well.

Rider, I will answer your email shortly. Have been working like crazy and this will probably be my last post until we get back. Tomorrow will be my last day to complete many things as Tuesday we will be gone most of the day. I am worn out already. LOL

SG/Linda

[SlightlyGoofy]

Lisa, I have sent a message to each and every email addy I have for you and they are coming back.

I told you that God willing and the crick don't rise we will see you on 16th at 6:30 at O"Hana's. Will be coming over from MK that day. Am I right in that you made ressies for four? If not, let me know so I can make some for ourselves as well.

In a rush and anxious to see you in person soon (5 days and a bit).

SG/Linda

[IASW Rider]

Hey Everyone!

Just wanted to pop in and say "hello"! I've been responding to Linda's posts "off line", as we've been making our plans to get together in WDW, this weekend! :) I think that this is the second time ever that there has been a live "EWP Suite Meet" since our Suite has been in existence! The first was a meeting between Linda and Elaine, about 2 years ago, I think! Angie and I and Elaine and I just missed eachother at WDW on 2 separate occasions. :( Hopefully we can ALL meet in person - preferably at WDW (:))- some time very soon! Hope that you're all having a great day! :) And Bon Voyage again, Linda and Tom! :) (and welcome back, Elaine! :) )

[colleen costello]

Wish I could be there. Rememebr all the details so you can share with us when you get back. There is nothing like time at WDW -- enjoy!

Colleen

[IASW Rider]

You will be there very soon, too, Colleen! :) Have you and your family started your new countdown, yet? How is everything going? Are prospective buyers lined up outside the door to your home, as we speak? I hope so! :)

Just wanted to check in and say "hi", again, before I start studying for exam #3. My Nutrition and Health exam almost killed me, yesterday morning........8:00 AM is too early to be thinking about the chemical processes that underlie digestion and absorption! I don't think that I did such a great job.........left there feeling pretty discouraged.........but then miraculously ran into one of my other professors who all but told me that he gave me an "A" in his class........so that made me feel more hopeful! :) One more test to go (tomorrow) and then I can allow myself to get overwhelmed with excitement about our trip! :)

Hope that all is well with all of you! Have a great day and talk to you soon! :)

[colleen costello]

Rider, Lots of folks are looking, no buyers yet. I am working myself into quite a state. If we don't sell quickly I will lose the new house, and I have so much invested emotionally. There is nothing I can do but wait, and I am terrible at anything requiring patience... Actually, if I know the outcome I AM patient, but "not knowing" is hard on me. I am really in a funk. Can't even get excited about the two possible WDW trips as I don't know if I will really get to go!

Sorry for whining... but it helps! :)

Glad the exams went well. I remember the days of stressing over such results. I wasn't good at that kind of waiting, either. I guess it's kind of a miracle I survived grad school, with it so stressful. Hnag in there!

[helenabear]

Quick check in here... back from WDW... had a wonderful time!!!! Going over to my dad's soon to see my sister, BIL and dad for a short while.

Colleen I had to wish you good luck with the house!!

Lisa, I LOVED Port Orleans!!! I am sure you will as well! We stayed at the Mansions and I 100% recommend them!!!!

Well I need to upload a ton of pictures, I'll check in later :)

[colleen costello]

Come back SOON and tell us all the juicy details!!!

[IASW Rider]

Hi Colleen!

I know that it must be difficult, waiting for a new offer to be made on your home, but if it's at all possible, don't worry! Look how quickly you received an offer, the first time! There's no reason to believe that you won't have new bidders in no time at all! I know that the waiting is hard.........but don't despair - I'll bet that when you least expect it, the buyers of your dreams will come along! :)

Welcome back, Elaine! Glad to hear that you had a great trip and that you enjoyed POR! Thanks for the recommendation! Have you uploaded some or all of your pictures to another thread? If so, please send along the link so that we can see!

Well, one more exam, this afternoon, and then I can finally allow myself to get "fully psyched" for our trip! :)

Hope that all is well with all of you! Have a great day, Everyone! :)

[helenabear]

At work so I can't say too mcuh... never enough time ;)

I did get there on Friday afternoon just about on time. Got the rental car (a bright yellow Dodge Neon) and Beth and I headed to POR. We didn't get lost once ;) and we dropped our stuff and headed to MK. Stopped to get a hotdog at Casey's and then wandered around MK for a while. We got a ton done there so we headed off to Epcot. Got on SE and then watched Illuminations.

Saturday we met up with another DISer and after a late start, we toured around MK. THey wanted lunch at Pop Century so we bussed on over there. Truthfully the location of this resort isn't good at all. It is cute but the bus ride felt like it took forever. I much prefer being closer to a park than the sports complex. After that we went to DtD and shopped a little. Took the boat ride over to POR relaxed and headed back to MK. Ended the night with Wishes and a quick ride on Jungle Cruise (always recommend going on it at night).

Sunday we went to Epcot again. We were to meet up with the same family at 10 am. We made it to the area about 5 minutes late and then after a few minutes headed over to Test Track. When we got back, they had just arrived. Made it on some rides like MS, Living Seas, and a then lunch... so then the family left and we toured around teh World Showcase. We met up with another family just after dinner, went on SE, watched Illuminations, Maelstrom, and El Rio Del Tiempo. It was time for us to go since we were getting up early to leave. We did that extra hours after the park closed and I SO much prefer this than the morning!

So there's the trip in short... really did love POR... the location is great (not too far from anywhere) and my 946 pictures are only on my computer.... I need to decide where to put them and which to put up :p

Good luck on the exam Lisa!

[IASW Rider]

Wow - it sounds like you had an action-packed few days, there, Elaine! :) One thing that stands out, to me, in your post is how you casually said ".......Made it on some rides like MS, Living Seas, and a then lunch.."..........YOU WERE ACTUALLY ABLE TO EAT LUNCH AFTER GOING ON M:S???!!!! From what I've read about that attraction, some people are lucky if they can WALK after getting off of it! You are very brave! :) Then again, you inspired me (after 2 years of trying) to finally go on Splash Mountain, last year, so THIS year I'm going to try to work up the courage to finally try Test Track! I remember your saying that it's essentially like riding in a convertible, so I will try to keep that in mind! :)

Yeah, Pop Century DOES seem like it's pretty far out of the way. But it's neat that you were able to get over there and see it! And I'm glad to hear that POR is pretty conveniently located to everything - I keep having nightmares about spending half our time on buses, trying to get from place to place!

Wow - 946 pictures! And I thought that I was a big picture-taker! That is great! :) You'll have to let us know once you've made your decisions and have posted your selections!

Well, I'm officially finished with school for the semester, now! I think that I aced my last exam, yesterday, and the professor volunteered to write one of my grad school recommendations, too! She also told me that one of her friends is a dean at that school, so that should be helpful! :) I already know for a fact that I got an "A" in one of my classes, and I suspect that I will have an "A" in the one for which I took the exam yesterday, too. There's just that "wild card" Nutrition class...........somehow I don't think that I will get an "A" in it........I'd be happy with a "B" of some sort! :)

Anyway, now I can finally allow myself to relax...........and start packing! :) Will check in again, before we blast off! Have a great day, Everyone! :)

[colleen costello]

Elaine, glad you had a great trip. I LOVE POR -- it's one of my all-time favorite resorts. So pretty and green... Can't wait to see the "cream of the crop" of your pics.

Rider, good work on the exams. Glad they are over! Also I encourage you to go on TestTrack. I am the ORIGINAL wimp - I don't ride ANYTHING. I am afraid of heights and chicken out of things I fear may overwhelm me. I even get a little nervous in Peter Pan because it is high up! But I LOVE Test Track. It's crazy and fun and when you get going on that round track, with your hair blowing and you can see Epcot below you -- it's just exhilarating, not scary. Just as I get thinking "Boy this is really fast," it ends. Please try it- if i can do it, ANYBODY can! :)

xoxo

[TalkisCheap]

Hello Ladies!

Haven't been around in quite a while! Hope everyone is well!

Congrats, Rider! When do you leave?(Sorry if you said it somewhere..I'm a little behind the 8-ball) When did SG leave? I'm very envious, but sure you will have a great time!!

I'm currently sick, and not at my tip-top, although I did well at my track meet yesterday. I took 4 more seconds off my 400 time, won the high jump, our relay took second, and my mile was 13 seconds faster.

Well, I am being called in to get some things done before dinner! Hopefully I'll be able to check in more once I finish school tomorrow! Have a great evening!


-Caroline :Pinkbounc

[helenabear]

LOL, Lisa, MS is not bad at all!!!! Really it just causes me a small headache from the pressure. So I had no trouble at all eating shortly after. Actually I was absolutely starving when I went on the ride and extremely hungry after I had to go on the Living Seas ride :p

Oh trust me, if you can do Splash (which I told ya ;)) you can do Test track no trouble!!! It is a bit bumpy at some parts but nothing to be scared of at all. I really love the feeling of the wind blowing in my hair as we go around the turn. It is so nice!!!! And you will love POR... very quiet and relaxing like the Polynesian!! If you can take a boat ride to/from DtD. It is a beautiful ride!

Colleen, I am glad that you enjoy Test Track too! I also agree, it is very exhilerating but not scary!

Caroline, I am so sorry that you are feeling well, but congratulations on those times!!

Well I have some "work" to do on my computer so I had better get it before it is too late!

[depplyinluv]

Rider: honestly, M:S isn't that bad....although you probably shouldn't take it from someone who has yet to ride a "thrilling" roller coaster....:) however my mom (who seems like you in the sense that is afraid of some rides) went on and was a tad queezy, but not too bad.... she has yet to go one SM...lol

I have a few recommendations for dining: cape may buffet at THe Yacht Club is great...crystal palace buffet is awesome (magic kingdom)..and don't forget to get a dole whip!
the garden grill in epcot is cool because it spins slowly and it has good food...captain jack's in downtown disney is great too...i don't recommend Fulton's crab house (DD) and the liberty tavern (mk)




test track is fun
... Great job on the exams!!!!!! im dreading final exams...lol

Have fun in WDW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D I know you and Linda will have a fabulous time

helenabear- sounds like you had a blast!!!!
have you stayed in any other resorts besides POR?

colleen- do you ride "its a small world" and haunted mansion at least? :p

[IASW Rider]

Hey Everyone!

OK - you've "sold" me - I WILL try Test Track, this year! I came very close to doing so, last year..........but the FastPasses literally ran out, the second that we were first in line for them, and we didn't have enough time to wait on the regular line. I guess I just get intimidated by the "VRRRRRRRRRRRRMMMMM" noises that can be heard from below, while passing by, and seeing the cars tilted sideways on the track (although sideways motion never bothered me on rides like BTM)! OK - I will be brave and try it! I remembed kicking myself for not having ridden Splash Mountain sooner, after I did so last year! Thanks for all of your encouragement!

And thanks for your dining recommendations, too, Depply! I've been to the Crystal Palace (love that buffet and all of the characters!), and the Garden Grill and Liberty Tree Tavern (but not in about 13 years!). There are so many neat restaurants to try, down there, that it's so hard to figure out which ones we'll have time to "hit" on each trip! This year, we're going to our favorites at the Poly, the Kona Cafe and 'Ohana, the Brown Derby at the Studios, and trying Jiko at the AKL for the first time. We might visit a restaurant in the World Showcase, too (we love all of them, there, but we especially love Akershus in Norway and Marrakesh in Morroco)!

Hope that you are feeling better soon, Caroline! But it sounds like you did another amazing job at your recent Meet, regardless! Congratulations! Linda left for WDW on Tuesday - in fact, she and Tom should be "pulling in" to the World some time today, if I'm not mistaken! :) I know that she will be in the MK tomorrow and the next day, and then we'll see her on Sunday night! :) We're leaving at 5:00 AM on Sunday morning! :)

Colleen, Caroline, and Depply (and Emily!) - as Elaine, Linda, Angie, and Wendy know, every year I set up a little photo album page and upload our WDW pictures in "real time", uploading each day's pictures every night, so that people can see them (if they'd like to) while we're still down there. (That came in very handy on the trip on which Frank proposed to me - I took pictures of him, seconds after he proposed, and uploaded them.........and the next day there were all these congratulatory messages from our friends and work colleagues on our hotel room voice mail, because they had seen the pictures! :) ) I set up another page, this year, so here is the link:

http://photos.yahoo.com/lisaandfrankdisney2004

The page is empty, now, but hopefully it will start filling up with pictures on Sunday night or Monday morning! I will do my best to get our pictures uploaded each night (and definitely have all of the WDW pictures uploaded by the time that we leave for the Wonder on Thursday morning, because we won't have internet access on the ship!) So, if you'd like to see some great photos of Linda - and hopefully some somewhat decent pictures of me (!) - please check that link on Monday morning! :) We'll be at the Disney-MGM Studios on Monday and maybe Epcot Monday night, at Epcot on Tuesday, and at the MK on Wednesday, so hopefully the pictures will be arriving onto that page in that order! And the DCL pictures will be up there after we return, a week from Sunday. Putting our pictures into albums in "real time" also allows me to clear our digital camera's memory, so that we can take more pictures the next day (I don't think that my camera is sophisticated enough to use replaceable photo cards on which to store pictures in the interim). I will also try my best to post from down there!

Will check in again before we leave! We'll be thinking of you all, down there! Have a great day and thanks again for all of your advice / encouragement! :)

[helenabear]

You have some great pics there for food!!! One fo my all time favorites now is Marrakesh at Morroco! Cape May is a good buffet and so is CP! Love them both!!!

I've stayed at a bunch of other places before. In order... Campgounds, the now defunct Villas at the DI, the Polynesian, CBR, Hotel Royal Plaza (DtD), CSR, the Polynesian again, Swan, OKW, Swan & POR. So those are my teeny 11 trips I have made. Only the Swan and Polynesian have been repeat performances for me ;) I will probably have many repeats at OKW though.

Oh and Lisa, I am not sure if you knew this or not, but IASW is under rehab currently. I wantd to forewarn you. I wasn't supposed to close down until the end of the month/beginning of next but it was down when I was there.

and btw, about the side way motion... really it is just the car banking a little like you do on the highway. Not a true sideways motion at all... just get on and enjoy!!! :)

[colleen costello]

WOW! It's almost like we get to GO to WDW with you, Frank and Linda!

By the way, Linda's travel time couldn't be better. Here in southern Indiana (and also Kentucky and Ohio and even Jersey, for our other suitemates) the CICADAS are emerging! This morning there were two on our mailbox, plus the shell of one, which looks like a big, gross bug in and of itself! This is a great time to flee to FLORIDA! The kids and I are horrified that our airspace will soon be full of fat, horny bugs... EEEEEw!

I'll look for the pics starting Monday.

xoxo

[IASW Rider]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!

IASW IS DOWN FOR REHAB???????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Picture me throwing myself off the top of a tall building.) :( :( :(

In all of my 14 trips to WDW (you will have me "beat" very soon, though, Elaine-the-Proud-DVC-Owner! :) ) IASW has NEVER been down for rehab! Maybe I can use my great powers of coercion to get them to open it back up, in anticipation of our arrival????? My Fantasmic friend will be working with WDI on the show lighting installation for the new Stitch attraction in the MK next week........maybe he can somehow sneak us in to IASW...............wishful thinking, anyway! :) Thanks for warning me........I would have collapsed on the pavement in front of the attraction had I done my traditional run-down-Main-Street, followed by the annual IASW-dash........just to find a "closed for rehab" sign! Darn - that's always the first attraction that we ride every year, too! Oh well - PhilharMagic is right across the way, so maybe we'll hit that one first, before proceeding to our traditional second and third stops, the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean! (Seriously - I've ridden those attractions in that exact order on every trip that I've made to WDW! And I was hoping to do so again this year.........as kind of a tribute to my mother........but we'll try it a new way........or maybe we'll "shake things up" and go directly to Splash Mountain! :) )

And if it's not bad enough that IASW is down...............the cicadas are arriving, too??????????? I knew that they were on their way, Colleen, but I haven't seen any yet........I will have to keep my eyes open for them...........I hope that none of them decide to come and visit us in our house.........although if they dare to do so, they will have 5 "ferocious" felines (who like to capture and eat bugs!) to contend with! :)

Talk to you all, soon! :)

[colleen costello]

Rider, I am so dopey... I never knew what "IASW" stood for... Now I do! Don't worry, it'll be open for business before you know it. I think they will really fix it up nice as it will be closed for many months. Personally, I loved it as a kid but now it gets me a little brain-dead. Last summer when we rode, I used my cell phone to dial my sister in Alaska and left the song on her machine to torture her... She griped that it was "in her head" after that and wouldn't leave! :)

The cicadas should not be too bad in NJ. You should see some but hopefully not zillions. An online article I read today mentioned "around Indiana" as the heart of the brood. I have also heard Cincinnatti pinpointed as the cicada capital of 2004. YUK! The funny thing is, when we moved here to Indiana it was the year they were here. I remember how NOISY they were, but I was a grad student, and very busy, and didn't pay them much mind. Now I fear them because I have two bug-phobic kids. The next few weeks are NOT going to be pretty! :)

Still not sure if we can do the June Poly trip we planned... With the house for sale we just don't know. I am going to leave it til the last minute to cancel... 6 days out so I don't lose my deposit. I hate to miss a WDW trip but I worry about potential buyers running through my house (and maybe letting my cats out) while I am gone. As much as I hate to admit it, it's probably just not a good time to travel.

Looking forward to suitemate's pics of THEIR trip!

[IASW Rider]

Hi Colleen!

I definitely understand what you mean about not feeling comfortable having your home "open to the public" and fear your cats getting out, if you do go away while your house is being shown. I would feel the same way. BUT...........there are still several weeks left until June.........and you might just be getting some good news / offers before then! :) So I think that you're absolutely right not to act too quickly and to wait to cancel (which hopefully you won't have to do) until the last minute, without losing your deposit. You never know what might happen, over the next few weeks - I wouldn't discount your trip all together, at this point.........! :)

I'm sorry that you're right in the heart of the "cicada-fest"! :( Maybe they'll get bored of being here in the US and will "swarm" out to sea, or something! :) I feel sort of badly for them........they live their whole lives underground, emerge once every seventeen years, reproduce (at least they get to do SOMETHING interesting while they're out in the open!).........and then die! Doesn't sound like a very fulfilling life, to me........:)

IASW has been my favorite ride, ever since I was a child, and I'm not embarrassed to admit that! :) I have ridden it more times than I can count (.......and have subjected countless people to riding it with me, over and over!). The song never bothered me, either. Something about that ride just gives me a good feeling! I'm just sorry that we will miss it, this time around. I wonder what they're going to do with it? The rehab list states that the entrance scene / facade are going to be updated (maybe to make it look more like DL's version?) and that the inside will be brighter and more colorful, or something like that.........I think that it's plenty bright and colorful, already! I just hope that they don't update it so much that it loses its 1964-65 World's Fair-inspired charm, and Mary Blair's and Mark Davis's distinctive styling touches.

Anyway, this may be the last opportunity that I have to post before we leave, but as I said, I will try my best to post from down there, and will try my best to get our pictures up, into those albums as quickly as possible. I hope that you all have a wonderful week! We'll be thinking of you all while we're down there! Talk to you all, soon!

Love,
Lisa :)

P.S. As of this morning, all of my final course grades for this semester were posted on the Rutgers Registrar's website.......and I got straight A's for the first time in my life! :) :) :) Yipee!!!!!!! :)

[TalkisCheap]

Hello!


Just checking in, though it's been a while! I'm officially done school, and quite proud of the work I did to finish on Friday before all the stuff I had to do, and now I can finally look forward to the summer!

Starting next week, I'm finally going to start work on re-doing my bedroom! I'm quite excited, and can't wait to see how it all turns out! It's going to be a bit of work though, since I'm repainting my walls, my furniture, and my dad has to make me new wall mounted shelves, and a small bookshelf thingy...and I'm being recruted to paint :eek: and I wanted it to come out good...!!!

Yay! I'm very excited to see the pictures!! You must be excited, Rider, leaving tomorrow and everything!!

Well, have a great time! I can't wait to check out the pictures, and I'll be around later!!

-Caroline :Pinkbounc

[FPgurl04]

hey everyone!!! :wave:

i haven't read anything so i don't really know what's going on :eek: since i just returned from washington for my eighth grade trip!!! it was really hot and my feet are killing me but i had a blast!!! we were often rushed in places so i didn't get to see everything i wanted to (especially in the museums) but it was still great!!! :teeth:

i only have 2 days of school left and then an awards brunch on wednesday and graduation on thursday!!! and in 2 weeks i'll be in orlando!!!!! huzzah!!! :teeth: :hyper:

i hope everyone who is in disney right now (im pretty sure there are people there...:confused: ) is having fun!!!!!

:wave2:

[IASW Rider]

Hey Everyone!

GREETINGS FROM WALT DISNEY WORLD! :)

And guess what???? Linda and I watched the EWP together, tonight! :) We and our DH's had a wonderful dinner at 'Ohana, too, and a great evening! Here are some pictures:

http://photos.yahoo.com/lisaandfrankdisney2004

As I said, will try to upload more as each day goes on, but I can't guarantee that I will be able to do so, every night.

Hope that all is well with all of you! Have a magical week! :)

[FPgurl04]

bumping up the page becuase the chatty ladies aren't around!!!! i miss you all and wish i could be in disney with you all!!!! only 11 more days until i leave!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hope you all are having a blast!!!!! oh and only 3 more days until graduation!!!

[helenabear]

Hi all... quick check in! No pics yet ;)

Lisa, I love all the pics! Looks like a great time so far! So glad you two were able to meet up and watch EWP together. I hope you are enjoying POR!!!
Congrats on teh grades too!!!

Caroline, yay for school being out!!!!!

Emily, enjoy your graduation!!!!

Oh Colleen, we are lucky right now... no cidadas so far (knock on wood)

Good night all!

[colleen costello]

WOW! Those pics made my day. I woke up today in a real funk (realty-and- "not sure if we can travel to WDW"-induced) and those pics MADE MY DAY! You guys look GREAT! Linda, I can't believe you got Tom into a Hawaiian shirt... My Dad has a red surfer-Mickey one he bought at Epcot, and he always wears it to the Poly dinners, but old fogey Scott, at FORTY, refuses! I just showed him the pic of you guys at Ohana and said "Look -- Tom is around SEVENTY and HE has a fun shirt on!!!"

I am so glad you guys are down there having fun, and Linda, I am so proud of you traveling because I know it is a challenge for you. Hope you are all having a ball... Can't wait to hear about it!

[TalkisCheap]

The pictures are GREAT!!! Looks like you had a great time...gee just think, 2 monthes to the day I was there....that means only 10 monthes to go :rolleyes:

Well, it's raining here, and I have a meet...so i'm going to do my anti-rain dance!! Have a great day everyone!!


-Caroline :sunny:

[IASW Rider]

Hey Ladies!

Thanks so much for all of your kind messages! Glad that you're enjoying our photos - just uploaded today's Epcot installment, as well as tonight's AKL batch!

And I have to thank you all for your great words or encouragement because..........I WENT ON TEST TRACK, TODAY!!!!!!!! YAHOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! :) Although I'll always be loyal to IASW.........you may now refer to me as "Test Track Rider", as well! :) Thanks, everyone! :) We had a blast! :)

MK tomorrow! Time for HM, PoC, and Splash Mountain! :) We're having an amazing time! Thanks for thinking of us! Will try to post again before we leave for DCL on Thursday morning, but in case I can't, have a great rest-of-the-week and talk to you all when we get back! Take care.

Love ya!
Lisa :)

[TalkisCheap]

:wave2:



I LOVE all the pictures! It's almost like I'm there again!! Glad you went on Test Track! And glad you enjoyed it!! I loved that ride!!

The meet yesterday went well, got 1st, and 3 2nds...not too bad. Well, I really don't have a lot of time, I'm in the middle of re-doing my whole room and my mom is yelling at me to help her move my furniture...I think maybe I'll take some before pictures so I can compare them to the after product!! Well, have a great day and a great rest of your vacation Rider!!


:D Caroline

[helenabear]

Very very quick check in. Work is keeping me very busy. Got home and our DVC closing papers were here so I wired the money and dropped the signed docs off at the UPS drop box.

Colleen, I think you inspired me to bring my hawaiian shirt the next time I go to WDW and the Poly. I never did wear a fun shirt like that before there :teeth:

Caroline, I hope those 10 months pass quickly for you... you'll be at WDW before you know it!! And congrats on teh meet!

Lisa, what did I tell ya... Test Track is easy and fun isn't it? Soon you'll be hitting all the "big" rides :p Really I am very glad you are having fun!!!

Gotta fly... good night all!

[IASW Rider]

Hey Everyone!

Thanks again for all of your great messages! We had a fantastic time in WDW and will be setting sail on the Wonder, tomorrow! :) Sorry that there aren't very many MK photos - I took a bunch on my "regular film" camera, and since we spent most of the day with our friends Mike and Danny, there are a few more MK photos in the album with their names on it. Also, I've taken so many MK photos in the past that there is very little that I haven't photographed! :)

Will give Linda and Tom a call tomorrow, before we leave, to see how their week has been going and to wish them a great rest-of-their-trip! Will send all of your wishes their way, as well!

Will catch up on all of your posts when we get home, and will have DCL pictures posted early next week..........if you're all not sick of looking at our pictures, already! :)

Congratulations on your Graduation, Emily! :)
Congratulations on your DVC membership, Elaine! :)
Congratulations on your Meet performance, Caroline! :)
Congratulations on that great buyer who is sure to be walking in your door very soon (if s/he hasn't already), Colleen! :)

How are you doing out there, Angie, Wendy, and Depply?

Anyway, hope that all is well with all of you! Talk to you early next week! :) Take care.

[colleen costello]

Have a WONDER-ful time on the WONDER!!!! We miss you!

[FPgurl04]

graduation rocked last night! we had our ceremony at church and then we went to a fancy shmancy boat club and had a dance party! it was fun. and i actually looked pretty good (despite the poofy GREEN gown we had to wear during the ceremony and the cut i had on my face from my stylist ripping off skin when i got my lip waxed! but my mom is brilliant and helped me cover it really well!!!) overall it was fun!! and i didn't cry! i'd only been in that school for a year and i wasn't exactly cool. well, i wasn't cool at all. but i had friends so that's good! :D

it looks like you all are having a great time in disney!!!!!!!! only 8 more days until we leave for orlando!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[IASW Rider]

Hey Everyone!

Greetings from.............New Jersey. :( We just returned home, yesterday afternoon and we're in that "Re-entry Period", now, so it hasn't quite "hit" us yet that we are no longer "in the Disney Domain"..........I'm sure that it will hit us with a resounding "thud" by this evening (I KNOW that you all know what I'm talking about! :) )!

Thanks so much again for all of your kind posts and thoughts! We had a great vacation! We really enjoyed staying at Port Orleans Riverside - it was really pretty, there, and very convenient to all of the parks! We stayed in the Alligator Bayou section, in a lodge that was very close to the main building. It was very quiet and serene and very comfortable! We had a chance to walk over to Magnolia Bend and to the French Quarter, as well, neither of which we had ever visited before - they were very nice!

Despite my disappointment about IASW being closed, we did lots of new things (for us!) - saw PhilharMagic (very cute!), FINALLY got to play "Millionaire" (though neither of us had fast enough fingers to get into the Hot Seat, despite Linda's very helpful tutelage on the previous evening.......but we did a pretty respectable job, I must say!), FINALLY got to see "Voyage of the Little Mermaid", and of course braved Test Track for the first time (I will post the photo in our Epcot album, today)! As for Mission: Space...........Frank immediately got a FastPass for it, as soon as we entered Epcot........but when he saw the model of the ride "vehicle" outside the attraction, he became very uncomfortable and felt that he might become very claustrophobic in such a narrow space. So he chose not to do it, this time around. Our CM friend Mike (Frank's "Thrill-Ride-Riding-Partner") was not able to join us on our Epcot day, and Frank said that had he been there, Mike would have been able to badger him into going on it! But that's OK - we did some other old favorites in Future World, instead - Journey Into Your Imagination, Spaceship Earth, The Living Seas, etc. (I can't believe that the whole Wonders of Life Pavilion is down for rehab indefinitely! First they take away Food Rocks, then that! I hope that they still have the life sciences represented in Future World, SOMEWHERE, when they're through with all of their remodeling!)

We also ate in some restaurants that we had never tried before. Jiko at the Animal Kingdom Lodge is just fantastic! The food was wonderful and the atmosphere was great - very much like the California Grill, one of our traditional favorites (we always try to have at least one "fancy night out", when we're there!). The entire AKL is amazing - we had never been there before! We also went to one of the restaurants in the Japan Pavilion in World Showcase, for the first time, and to Boatwright's at our hotel, which was very nice. We also did some old favorites - 'Ohana (with Linda and Tom!) and the Kona Cafe at the Poly, the Brown Derby at the Studios, and Liberty Tree Tavern in the MK.

We spent lots of time with our friends Mike and Danny, on property and off. Mike had taken off from Fantasmic during the time that we were there, but at the last minute was recruited by WDI to do the show lighting installation for the new Stitch attraction in the MK. So we saw him in the evenings and after he finished his half days of work, in the parks, and hung out with Danny (who is on disability leave from his job at the Contemporary) in the mean time. We also spent an evening at their new house in Davenport - it was neat to see what their new commute looks like and how close they are, geographically, to different parts of the WDW property. They're so lucky - they have actual palm trees growing in their yard........*SIGH* :)

We also got to spend some time with our Princess Pal, who is the daughter of a wonderful fellow DIS'er! :)

The Cruise was fantastic - we would definitely recommend it! I don't know how you all feel about vacationing on a ship, but it was a really nice "extension" of WDW and something new and different for us! (Plus, the land and sea packages can be done very affordably........well, "affordably" by WDW standards, that is!) I'm sure that you all would enjoy it! The ship was just gorgeous and had every ammenity imaginable, as I'm sure you would guess! The service was fantastic and the whole transportation back and forth from WDW and the airport as well as the customs / immigration processes were done unbelievably smoothly with absolutely no inconvenience to the guests - classic Disney organization! The restaurants and shows were wonderful and we had fun on Nassau and Castaway Cay, too! And - just like they advertise - there are tons of programs for children, for teens, and for adults, separate areas of the ship for each, etc., which was really neat. We met many parents whose children loved the children's programs so much that they preferred to stay with those activities than spend the evenings with their parents - just like all the TV commercials and Travel Channel specials indicate! And there was lots of "magic" aboard, as well - from the time that we arrived on board (and a Crew member announced through a microphone "THE DISNEY WONDER WELCOMES ABOARD THE ROSSELLO FAMILY!" - and the attending crew members all applauded!) to the time when the ship pulled out of Port Canaveral and the Captain blasted the ship's horn (which plays the first seven notes of "When You Wish Upon a Star"!) and the Fab Five were dancing with the guests, to a live band, on the top deck, to the time when we left the ship yesterday morning and the Captain and all of his Officers were there to personally say "goodbye" to everyone - many magical moments! :)

Most of our pictures are up at: http://photos.yahoo.com/lisaandfrankdisney2004 , if you'd like to see. I still need to scan in the WDW photos that I took with my "regular film camera". And since I took most of our cruise pictures with regular film, it will take me awhile to scan and upload them, as well. There are a few in the DCL album now (I'm in the process of uploading as I write!), but many more to add! They should all be there by the end of the week!

Linda and Tom are still down there - we left a message for them on their hotel voice mail before we left for DCL. I hope that they are having a wonderful time! :)

And hope that you all had a great week, as well! :)

CONGRATULATIONS on your graduation, Emily! :) That is fantastic! And so glad that you had a great time (I'm sure that you looked wonderful, too! AND very cool! :))! Please post pictures, if you can - we'd love to see them! And have a great time, counting down to WDW! :)

I think that I am going to combat the "Post-WDW-Blues"..........by popping over to the Dreams Unlimited site and requesting some quotes for next year............! :)

Have a great day, Everyone! :)

[colleen costello]

WOW! Thanks so much for sharing. The next best thing to a WDW trip is hearing about a pal's WDW trip! Thanks for all the great details. I will look at your pics this evening. So glad you got to connect with Linda and Tom. Does Bridgewater Commons Mall have a Disney store? You may need to go there to help "re-entry" go smoothly... When our mall here in Bloomington still had a Disney store, this always helped me adjust to reality. The CM's there would always be happy to "talk Mickey!" Again, thanks for sharing with us!

I am busy packing. Nothing is happening with my house right now, and I have a wonderful neighbor who has agreed to take care of the place so I can go to Florida even when my home is for sale. We leave Sunday the 30th for THE POLYNESIAN! I am so excited about that -- almost can't believe it. We'll have 4 or 5 nights there then 4 or 5 at either a DVC resort (if I can secure last-minute reservations) or Riverside (my backup plan!) We love Riverside but I am hoping a DVC room comes through because of the little refrigerator. Either will be great -- Lisa, I also LOVE the Alligator Bayou section.The whole place is so beautiful. Did you get to try the banana French Toast at Boatwright's? YUM!

I will post once we are home around June 11th. Love to everyone else!

Colleen

[IASW Rider]

Hi Colleen!

Thanks so much for your kind words! And so glad to hear that you all will be able to go to WDW next week! That is wonderful - you must be so excited!!!!! I knew that it would wind up working out for you! :) And don't worry - I'm sure that everything will work out with the sale of your home - just go away, relax, enjoy your vacation, and when you get back, the offers are sure to be pouring in! :) It's so great that you have such a nice and trusted neighbor, who will watch your home and cats for you! You are going to have an amazing time! It's so great that you'll be staying at the Poly AND at either a DVC resort OR Riverside! :) :) :) Say "hi" to our "homes away from home" for us! We miss them already!

Bridgewater Commons does still have a Disney Store! Maybe I should go over there to help "reacclimate" myself! I actually just tried to request a DCL quote from the Dreams Unlimited website for next year, but their system is overloaded with requests, so I have to try back again later. We're already dreaming of repeating the POR / DCL experience during the same week of 2005! (I'm not exactly sure how we're going to swing that, since hopefully I'll be paying graduate school tuition at the same time, at that point........but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it! I think that my sense of reality is still clouded with pixie dust! :) ) Having a reservation for next year would make me feel so much less melancholy - even if it's an entire year away, looking forward to the trip helps keep me going! :) Maybe we'll go crazy and break down and try looking into DVC again, while we're at it.............! :)

Anyway, hope to hear from you again before you blast off for the Land of Magic, Colleen! But in the event that you don't have time to post, wishing you and your family a wonderful, magical vacation! :)

Hope that all is well with all of you, Elaine, Angie, Wendy, Depply, Caroline, and Emily! And hope that you're still having a great time at WDW, Linda! Have a great day, Everyone! :)

[colleen costello]

I always say that the best way to get over the end of one trip is to start planning the next... I have already booked March 2005 at Beach Club Villas and looking forward to that will help me when I have to leave WDW in a few weeks... This trip is special because I am staying at the Polynesian, an all-time favorite.

This weekend I had a reality check and through out some undies that won't fit me unless I get a chronic wasting disease. My reward? At the bottom of the undie drawer was an old soap from "The Polynesian Village Resort!" That soap is from the 1980's! It is wrapped in a funky green with Tikis all over it! I guess I saved it from when we stayed there and somehow it moved to Indiana with me... It made my husband laugh that it was buried in there... In any case, it has been too long since I stayed at the Poly! I will post pics once we are home :)

Hope all is well with everyone in the suite. When's Linda due back?

xoxo

[helenabear]

Welcome back Lisa!!!! So glad to see you made it back safely. I hope you adjusting quite well. I will have to check out your pictures soon. I am so glad you enjoyed the cruise... while I am still not sure cruising is for me, I have heard that DCL is a very good one.

Emily so glad that all went well for you as well. I bet you are so excited for your trip!!!

Colleen how neat that you were able to find that soap!!! I sometimes wish we had something like thaf from our first trips in the 80s.

Not much exciting here. My brother will be in town this weekend and I will be happy to see him then :)

[IASW Rider]

Hey Everyone!

That's so neat that you found that soap, Colleen! I have some "antiques" like that, as well - a pad from The Golf Resort, a book of matches with the old Contemporary logo on it, and tons of things with the original WDW logo (like the one that appears at the beginning of SpectroMagic, with the world that is a Mickey head!) on them! And don't worry about those undies - they probably just shrunk in the laundry and would fit you otherwise! You're going to have such a wonderful time at the Poly! We were just having breakfast at the Kona Cafe (our all-time favorite!) a week ago, today! :) Have you decided where you're going to stay for the second half of your trip, yet? I believe that Linda will be coming home early next week. I know that she had all sorts of things planned for this week, and that her sister was coming to visit her in Florida, too!

Hi Elaine! That's so nice that your brother is coming out to visit you! Now..........when will YOU be coming to visit HIM in NJ???? :) :) :) I kept thinking of you every time we passed OKW, last week! Have you decided when you'll be staying there for the first time? (I know that I should check the countdown(s) in your signature, but I forgot to do that before I started posting!)

We just got our quote for WDW / DCL for the same week in May in 2005! It's so tempting.........I think that we're going to do it..........but I'm still thinking about giving DVC a call, for the heck of it, too...........I know that we shouldn't even "go there" until I'm finished with school and start working again, but........Oh well, either way, we'll get back to WDW next year some way!

I wish that I had something interesting to report, but things are pretty quiet around here. My head is still "in" WDW and on the ship, anyway! I've been organizing pictures and souvenirs and backing up the video footage that we took last week (I still have my old fashioned video camera from 1997 that takes actual little tapes, instead of a digital one). Speaking of which, time to start scanning our remaining DCL pictures so that I can upload them!

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

[helenabear]

Hi there Lisa! I totally understand about your head being "in" WDW and on the ship!! I have no idea when I will visit Pete in NJ. He comes here more since we all are here. I wanted to see him sometime this year but so far our schedules haven't matched up. There is a new airline to Newark that might be very cheap so if we can work out a fall trip we might. But I admit it will be only for 2 days since I am acutally running out of vacation days.

Next trip hasn't been set in stone yet. We offiically closed on DVC yesterday but I am not sure if I should try to call today to see if we are in the system yet. I need to get a DL trip worked out, and I will also try to get my usual december trip in. So if I get in the system soon, I will try my best to get a countdown up for December.

My true advice with your travel plans are to look into DVC now. You can finance things so you won't have to do a huge lump sum at once, but if you are looking at going every year, this will be a saver in the long run. I truly wish I had looked into this about 2 months before I did myself :teeth: You can go back up to those deluxe places and really make it affordable. I even have a neat spreadsheet that showed me what was good or not with this purchase. So before I'd plan another trip, I'd start looking :) Although making ressies like that is a ton of fun, and as you said, no matter what you're going back :teeth:

Work is boring at the moment so I have nothing interesting to say here :p

[IASW Rider]

Hey - I think that what you said was very interesting, Elaine! :) May I ask - will you be able to use DVC for your upcoming DL trip, even though you had made those arrangements before you were officially a member? Congratulations on officially being a member, now! :) I know that we should more seriously reserch DVC and that it would really save us a lot of money in the long run. It's just so scary to think about making that sort of commitment while I'm not working and while I'll (hopefully!) have graduate school tuition looming in the distance. That's why we were thinking of just doing "regular" trips until after I graduate and get a job and then make the commitment once I have paychecks coming in, again. It's just so overwhelming to think about. On the other hand, it would be great to know that everything is "taken care of" when we plan a vacation, if we were to become DVC members. I don't know! I just want to be back there as soon as possible! :)

Where will you be staying when you go to DL? I assume that you're going to visit DCA, too? I can't wait to hear your impressions of the attractions that appear in both the East and the West coast Disney parks! Are you planning to visit any other attractions in the area, or are you just sticking with the Disney parks? Do you have any upcoming DIS meets? We do! We'll be going to our first one in 2 weeks - maybe that will help with my "Re-entry Period", especially since a lot of the people who will be there were in WDW and on DCL last week too, so they're probably experiencing "the Blues" now, also!

[helenabear]

Even though we only closed yesterday, Lisa, we are in the system but just waiting on the points to be officially transfered over to us. So as soon as the points show up, I am going to call and make a ressie or two and then I'll let you know how it all goes. I think at this point the only reason why I may not be able to make a ressie is because we are close to our travel date and it might be blocked out. But I am sitll going to give it a shot and others have hinted that they were able to make ressies on short notice to WDW & DL as well. We will be canceling the other reservation though once this one gets made.

I'll be all "nosey" here and ask how you manage to pay for your trips? Do you set aside so much a month or do you have another means for them? It could be that you will just be changing your way of thinking for what you are saving for, but not the amount at all. The more I look the more I wish I had done this a year ago. The prices only go up for the points so I am kicking myself as I have heard the price increase over the year or so. Not to put pressure but that is my only regret honestly so far.

As for DL itself, we will be there about 4.5 days total. So we will be at DL and DCA only. I am pathetic but I want to see as much as I can in that time and nothing else in LA really interests me. I've seen some but only DL makes me want to go back and see it.

Have fun at your upcoming meet!!! I may have one to go to this weekend but with my brother in town it is up in the air if I am going to go or not. My next meet iwll be at DL and nothing before then (super busy though so that's not bad)

[IASW Rider]

Hi Elaine!

Well, I did it...........I could contain myself no longer...........IN AN UNPRECEDENTED 4-DAYS-AFTER-DISEMBARKING-THE-DISNEY-WONDER, WE HAVE ARRANGED FOR "LISA AND FRANK'S DISNEY LAND-AND-SEA-ADVENTURE, THE 2005 EDITION"! :) :) :) :) This is getting pretty "bad"..........I couldn't even wait a week after returning home to re-book! :)

You are not "pathetic" at all! Please - how many times have we been to WDW.......and never had a desire to leave the property! :) There are so many things to do and see and experience in the Disney parks that there IS no reason to see anything else, as I always say! :) So I certainly understand your not planning to do anything else in the L.A. area, while you're at DL and DCA! :) We left the property once this year, so that our friends could show us their new home.........and that was "traumatizing" - like "OH NO! YOU'RE TAKING US OFF THE DISNEY PROPERTY, INTO 'CIVILIAN TERRITORY'! WE'RE ON VACATION - WE DON'T WANT TO SEE THE 'REAL WORLD'!" :) Fortunately, their house is only 10 minutes away from WDW, and it's filled with Disney stuff, so it wasn't too overwhelming for us. :)

You know, I have no idea how we pay for our Disney vacations........in fact, I have no idea how we pay for ANYTHING, since I haven't been working for the past year and a half! :) We just always manage to make it work out, somehow! Seriously, we pay the deposit up-front, and then pay the balance in a lump sum, 60 days prior to leaving. We just sort of forecast that we will need that specific amount of money by that time, and make sure that we have it by then. We constantly save, in general, all year long and try to spend money on just what we need (well, lately we have allowed ourselves a few "frivolous things", but.....we have to do that, every once in awhile! :) ). So we've always been sure to have the balance amount available by the due date.

I would just be nervous about taking on another "mandatory monthly payment", if we were to join DVC and I didn't have a regular income coming in. I know that it would be beneficial for us in the long run (like I said, I am also kicking myself for not having joined a few years ago, when the points were less expensive and when I DID have a regular income coming in!), but in the "short run", maybe these bursts of individual vacations are more appropriate. I'm almost afraid to call DVC, because I know that they will very successfully be able to convince me otherwise, and then I will lose whatever resolve I have left and say "YES! YES! SHOW ME WHERE TO SIGN!" :) Every time I "caught" Frank watching the information about it on the closed circuit TV stations at POR and on the Wonder, I said "OH NO! IT'S THE DVC CHANNEL! TURN IT OFF! IT'S PERMEATING MY BRAIN!" Because everything that the people in those "infomercials" say is TRUE, and it's so hard to resist not running over to join immediately when we watch them! We have had the video and brochures for a year, now........and won't let ourselves watch or read them, because we know that we won't be able to contain ourselves if we do! :) Who knows......maybe I will wind up getting a part time job while applying to grad school........maybe we can still look into it and even possibly be able to apply some of it to our vacation for next year.......we'll have to think about it! :)

It would be wonderful if you were able to apply some of your new points to your upcoming DL / DCA vacation! But even if not, you know that they are out there to use any time in the future!

Have you met any of the people whom you will be with at the DL Meet in person, before? Or will you all be meeting in person for the first time in California? It must be so much fun to be at a Meet when at an actual Disney park (which I know you've done in WDW, too)! Aside from missing you and Angie by minutes at WDW, I met the 2 DIS pals whom I've been lucky enough to meet in person at WDW, which was very special! (Linda this year and Aprille from the "AMC" thread, last year). I wore my DIS button every day of our trip this year, and while many people asked me what the DIS was (one man even took down the URL and said that he was going to start posting on the Boards as soon as he got home!), we only ran into 2 actual DIS'ers, and that was towards the end of our cruise!

Well, time to do the food shopping. UGH - that's one of the worst things about the "Re-entry Period": having to start doing those mundane, everyday things that make you realize that you are truly no longer on vacation! Oh well..........just 352 days to go 'til next time! :) Have a great day, Elaine! :)

Have a great day, Everyone! :)

[TalkisCheap]

Hello!


Haven't been around in a while! Glad to see you back, Rider!! Sounds like you had a wonderful time!


Colleen, have a great trip when you go. When are you leaving? As she already left? If you have already, HAVE great REST of your trip!!


Emily, you must be leaving soon, I hope you won't forget to swing up to Maine and pick me up! Just a short detour!! I'm so envious!! I'm excited thinking about my March 2005 vacation!! What fun! I just wish I knew the dates...I least I know I'll be at the Yacht Club again! I loved it there!


When is SG coming home? They drove both ways, right? That's what my grandparents do when they go to Florida. They don't go to WDW, just to Florida for 2 monthes to 'relax'....(more like party with 20 of their closest friends :rolleyes: ;) :teeth: )


Speaking of grandparents, though, they should be arriving any time now and I need to do some last minute cleaning before they arrive and I leave for my meet! Our last regular season meet of the year, next Wednesday is the championships!! I'm excited and nervous....and I can't wait to see how I do!!


Well, have a great afternoon everyone! I'll check in again when I have some time!!

[IASW Rider]

Hi Caroline! :)

Great to hear from you! And have a wonderful time with your Grandparents! Lots of good luck with your Meet today and with the Championships next week, too - you'll do an amazing job, no doubt! You'll have to let us know how they go! :)

I believe that Colleen is leaving for WDW this weekend. Hopefully she'll be able to check in with us again before she goes, but just in case she has a chance to read this but not to write back: BON VOYAGE, COLLEEN!!!!! :) :) :) Wishing you and your family a wonderful, magical vacation! (And please think of Frank and me when you're at the Poly next week - June 2nd is our wedding anniversary and June 3rd is the 3 year "anniversary" of the night on which Frank proposed to me there! :) ) Have a fantastic trip!!!!!

I think that Linda will be returning home some time this week, and she and Tom did drive both ways. I can't wait to hear about the rest of her vacation and all of their adventures! :)

Wish that I had something interesting to report, but I'm still basically just floating around, remembering our vacation.........and getting psyched for next year's! For some reason, it just makes me feel so much better knowing that we have reservations for next year........even if the trip is still a year away! So I can definitely relate to your being excited about your March '05 trip, Caroline! It doesn't matter how "far away" the date is - just the fact that we know we're going is great! In the mean time, we can hear all about Linda's trip, then Colleen's and Emily's, then Elaine's DL trip.........! :)

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

[helenabear]

Caroline, enjoy your time with your grandparents and I wish you all the luck with your meet!!!!! I am sure you will do great!!!

Okay Lisa, cancel any ressies you have right now and call DVC to buy ;) If you are just trying to resist, then I am sure that you will be perfect for it. If you already have the info, just do it :p Now that I've done that... truly the thing that is helping us is that we bought through resale... that allowed us to do a home equity loan at a really low rate with flexible payments. I know what you mean about not wanting a "manditory" payment, but in reality I think you must do something similar. No matter though, I know you will have a wonderful time going to WDW!!!! This was just my good way of securing future trips. So are you going through DU this time?? I used them once and they were great!!

You asked before about DL and booking there. I can tell you that it was so easy! I called today to check on my points and they were there so I booked. They had availability for most things 60 days out and that is very hopeful for me with the future. I also booked my WDW December trip and got what I asked for. So for DL I will be staying at the Grand Californian for 4 nights and OKW for 7 nights in December. All very happily taken care of :)

I will not be meeting anyone new so far at DL. I might meet a couple of locals but we will see. I will be meeting Nancy's daughter for the first time, but I have met Nancy twice and Beth and Dave are old friend now :) Beth and I have made four trips to WDW at the same time. I have done my last two May trips with Beth and we were at WDW in December at the same time. So I know them quite well :) I am very glad though that you were able to meet up with a few on your trip! It's always fun to me to do that!

Well I should probably head to bed soon... Luis has to be up at 7 am tomorrow.

[TalkisCheap]

:wave2: Good morning!!



Well, the meet was OKAY. It started out a beautiful day - sunny, no clouds, 60's. By the time we got to the meet, totally overcast, foggy, 50's(dropped down to low 40's). It was horrible! It was so cold, and so many people didn't bring pants or a jacket, they had our sleevless jersey and shorts on!(the weatherman predicted mid-70's!!) But, I did alright.

High Jump was bad, but I still got 2nd. I got first in the 400(1:15...my personal best is 1:13 but it was cold, so my coaches were proud)then, my coach said to not run the 1500 so I could save myself for the relay, so I ran the 800 for the first time in 2 years and won(3:11, not sure how the compares since I haven't run it before). Then our relay was the high point. I got the baton and there were two girls maybe 25m ahead of me. I passed them both, had a good handoff and we won!! Our first meet where we won! We're quite excited for the championships!!

I was orignally envious, because one of my coaches missed the meet and was at the Red Sox game, but, it was FREEZING out, and we lost 15-2. Now I feel horrible for my coach having to pay all that money and having to sit through that!!! Oh well, I hope the game I get to this summer is better!!

Well, because my grandparents are here, we're going to there favorite place today, L.L. Bean! So, I need to go get ready. Have a great trip, Colleen, if I don't check in before you leave! Emily, when are you leaving? Have a great trip too!!


Bye!

[colleen costello]

Hi girls! Boy this suite has a lot of action in the last day.. Nice to hear from everyone. YES, I am still here, packing madly. Tomorrow we will get the minivan ready, pack DVD's for the kids, that kind of stuff. Dear hubby always wants to pack his stuff last minute and typically forgets something important like bathing suit or eyeglasses, so I will be nagging the poor man furiously. We leave Sunday morning. Now "morning" for my 3 immediate family members is about 10 or 11am, but so be it. We are going just south of Atlanta Sunday night and Monday we will meet my Mom at the POLYNESIAN!!! We are all so excited. I have been to WDW just 2 months ago, but no matter -- I am ALWAYS ready to go! Haven't stayed at the P0ly since around 1980.

Of course people are looking at my house in the midst of all this... We have a 2nd showing tomorrow, at 10am which for my group might as well be 3am! I told the kids we could go to McDonald's for breakfast, and Ian said "You mean they have breakfast food in the morning?" I had to laugh. We always get such late starts that he had no CLUE there is breakfast there! :) So these folks will look again tomorrow. I hope the suitcases scare them into making an offer FAST, because as much as I want my house to sell, I really don't want to be conducting "business" while on vacation. It's precious time and I am very protective of it! I understand 100% "not wanting to leave property" while down there. Two summers ago we left to go to Cocoa Beach and it was nasty -- crowded and yukky -- and we vowed to enjoy WDW's "fake" beaches from that time forward. Who needs the "real" ocean???

I will check in tomorrow before leaving and of course will post as soon as I am home. I will be thinking of you all and taking lots of photos which I can hopefully post once back.

xoxo

[SlightlyGoofy]

Hello dear friends

We got back a couple of hours ago. I drove 500 miles today and am less than at my best. Sorry. I will read the posts, hopefully, tomorrow and respond better.

A few small comments though. The highlight of the trip was meeting our dear Lisa and her Frank. Lisa is exactly as I had expected. A bit smaller though. It was something that I will long treasure and never forget. Hopefully it was the first meeting of many.

Finally made it to the hot seat again after making second over and over again. Made the top ten most every time I played and made it to first one time on the last question of the last game of the day. I am the competitive type and love the game without getting frustrated. I lost out on my shirt as I gave it up to go for the cruise and messed up on the next question but was much less nervous than last time.

My sister came over on Saturday and the next morning she called another sister on her cell phone to discover that her 3 year old grandson had drowned. My heart is breaking over that one and I am planning a short trip to visit her. A family friend was killed in a car accident while we were gone also. I do not know how I could stand it if something happened to one of my granchildren. Dalton is here now and wanting to read to me. Too tired but not going to miss the chance anyway.

I have missed you all and am looking forward to catching up tomorrow.

Love/SG/Linda

[IASW Rider]

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

So glad to hear that you and Tom arrived home safely and that you had a nice rest of your trip! The Hot Seat again??!! That is fantastic! We tried - we really did - to follow your sage advice.......but I guess that our fingers just weren't fast enough!
:( But I have no doubt that you did a great job, up there! And the fact that you were constantly in the Top 10 or 2nd is wonderful! As Frank said, you are very wise! :)

I'm just so sorry to hear about your great nephew. That is such sad and horrible news, and it must have been so difficult for you and your sister to find out, while calling another sister from vacation. How is your sister (the grandmother of your great nephew) holding up?

It's so neat that Dalton was over at your house within hours of your return home! He just couldn't wait to read to Grandma! :) And I'm sure that Austin did a fine job of watching out for your home while you were away, and that they both missed you and Tom! I loved seeing pictures of them and of your DD and SIL, and of course the Fab Four!

You make so much sense, Elaine.......keep talking like that and you will have me on the phone with DVC, immediately! :) That is amazing that you were able to secure both your DL and winter OKW trips so soon! You must feel really happy and good that they are taken care of and that you know that you have them to look forward to! You and Colleen have to keep sharing your DVC experiences in the Suite........they will "rub off on me" the way that "THE DVC CHANNEL" permeates my brain when I listen to it over and over again.........and maybe I will finally be "pushed over the edge" and join! :)

We did go through Dreams Unlimited for next year's vacation. They did such a great job with this year's that there was no way that we couldn't! I almost felt badly, because I didn't "let" our Agent do her full job - I made all of the PS's myself and didn't need a formal itinerary. But I didn't want her to waste her time or energy when we enjoy taking care of those aspects of the planning, ourselves. She offered lots of great tips and suggestions, particularly about the cruise, since we'd never taken a DCL vacation before. And I really like how they look out for any discount opportunities that may come along between reservation time and vacation time!

It sounds like your meet went very well, Caroline! :) You won those 2 events - one of which you hadn't even "done" in 2 years! And second place in the high jump is extremely respectable! Most people wish that they could accomplish that! Just wait until your Championships next week - you will blow them all away! How was LL Bean? Did you all buy anything there? I got Frank a bunch of summer clothes for our trip at LL Bean (by mail, that is!) - it must be so neat to be able to GO there! It's sort of on the "cold side" here, too. Even though it's in the mid-70's during the day, it's been going down to the 50's at night, over the past few days.

BON VOYAGE, Colleen! :) :) :) It sounds like you and your family are all geared up to hit the road! And even though you've been having people come and look at the house so close to your leaving time, that is a good thing! Hopefully you'll have lots of offers awaiting you, upon your return! In the mean time, try not to think about it - just let the pixie dust have its way with you all, relax, and enjoy the wonderful sights, sounds, and smells of the Poly (the tropical flowers are at their peaks, now, and smell just wonderful, there!) and all of the fun of WDW! :) We'll be thinking of you and can't wait to hear all about your vacation and see all of your photos, upon your return! :)

All is well, here in the Garden State. Today is a nice sunny day. I'm supposed to go swimming, today, with my best friend from high school and her husband and son, at their swim club. Since I don't think it's supposed to rise much above 75 degrees today, I don't know how much swimming we'll do, but it will be nice to spend some time with them anyway! Frank will be spending the day helping his sister build a rock garden in her backyard. Then we'll "reconvene" and have dinner with the friends I'm seeing today, tonight. Aside from that, we should have a very quiet Memorial Day weekend, which will be nice!

We spent yesterday helping my father buy a new car. He is extremely attached to his current car (and I mean EXTREMELY ATTACHED - it's 18 years old! :) It's a 1986 Lincoln Towncar.), so it was very difficult to make him see that it's definitely time for him to get something new and more safe and reliable. But we finally convinced him, and he drove off the lot yesterday with a beautiful new 2004 Grand Marquis (which is the same car that I drive and have always driven). We know that he is going to enjoy it, and that it will be good for him "psychologically", too - something new for him.

Hope that all is well with all of you and hope that you all have a great holiday weekend! :)

[colleen costello]

Linda, I am so glad you are home safely. I know how tired we are when we get home from day #2 of driving and I can only imagine how hard it was to hear about your family news. I will pray for your family. I love to swim and so do my kids, but kids around water SCARES me. Ian has just finished a round of swim lessons and will have more this summer and that makes me feel better, like at least he has a chance if he finds himself suddenly in some deep water... So sorry for your sad news. If you will be outside tomorrow I will wave to you as we drive through Colombus. Losers as we are, it won't be til 11am or so! :)

I will have pictures to share whe I return as I so enjoyed the pics of our Indiana and NJ pals enjoying WDW. I am excited as ever to be going, never a feeling of "been there done that." I am going to finish packing today and then we'll be off! I will "see" you all once we are back...

Colleen

[TalkisCheap]

SG, so glad to see you made it home! I'm so sorry about the boy drowning(not sure how exactly he's related to you). It's horrible losing someone that young. A friend of our family's son(4 years old) was hit by a car and killed a few days ago at her older sister's high school graduation party. Losing anyone is horrible, but just a child who had their whole life ahead of them, is just so much worse. I'm also sorry to hear about your family friend's death, as well. Prayers for you and your family(and friends)!


I hope to do well in my meet on Wednesday! I'm really quite nervous! Everyone is assuring me I'll do fine, and I know I will, but that doesn't make it any less nerve racking!


Well, it's finally sunny here, but only in the 60's. This weekend(including Monday) is supposed to be nice, I hope so! Sunday my dad, my mom, me, and my brother are all running in a 5K road race. Then on Monday we're going in the morning to see one of my best friends in the parade a few miles from me...I hope it's nice for that, too!


L.L. Bean was good. I didn't get anything, well, none of us really did. My grandma went looking for something specifically to buy, but they were sold out so she is ordering it from the catalog. So, we looked around there and then went to a few other stores in Freeport. It actually wasn't very crowded, which we were really surprised of. It was a pleasant surprise, none the less!!


Well, we're walking down to the beach to enjoy the nice weather. Have a wonderful day, and a wonderful rest of your weekend! If I don't get back, have a wonderful trip Colleen!

[helenabear]

Caroline, congrats on the meet!!! Sounds like you and your team did great!!!! I am sure you will do wonderfully on Weds for your meet!!!! Sorr that you couldn't find what you wanted at LL Bean though.

Colleen, I do hope you have an absolutely wonderful trip!! Hopefully you will have an offer or two by the time you get back!!!

Lina, I am so glad you made it back safely and had a wonderful trip!!!! I am so sorry for the losses that occured while you were gone :( My prayers are with you all :hug:

LOL, Lisa, I really wouldn't want to talk you into something you aren't sure of, especially with a big purchase like that. Just read over everything and obviously if you have questions about the process both myself and Colleen know a bit about it ;) I know very little about purchasing directly from Disney but my resale process went so smoothly! If I were to buy more points, I would do it through that means again in a heart beat! I too was happy about getting my reservations for DL and WDW so easily and quickly. I was able to choose exactly what I wanted as well. Member Services makes it very easy to make a ressie. I suggest hanging around the DVC board as that helped me even when I wasn't posting.

Dreams Unlimited did and excellent job for us the one time I used them. I haven't gone back mostly because I rarely make any PSs and the rates I always had were from teh Swan online. But they are good with suggestions and all that.

[SlightlyGoofy]

I just lost my posting. Argh!! Will try to remember some of the great prose I posted. LOL

Lisa, you have to seriously consider Elaine's advice. While it does not make sense for our circumstances it surely does for you guys unless you think there is a chance that you will fall out of love with DW and I sincerely doubt that. Room rates will increase and by buying in you will be able to better afford your good taste. I talked to many owners while we were there and they were very gung ho on the whole subject. We attended the DVC/DIS get together at The Land. I loved the black dress you wore at Jiko's. Showed off your great figure and even had a bit of sparkle about it, just like your personality. LOL So Frank thought I was wise? Sure there was not a hypen and another word attached? LOL Got your postcard today. It was wonderful but you should have been having fun instead of taking the time. If I had been more selfish I would have taken more of your time but I am not. Hopefully we will meet again one day. The boys enjoyed some of the Rutgers stuff I shared with them. I had not noticed the tiny photo frame. Might you send me a small picture of yourself to put in it? Will keep it on my desk with my NJ magnet.

Colleen, I am most pleased that you are getting to go on your trip. A second look is always a good sign. Would love to have met you at Mickey D's tomorrow but am booked to the hilt. Please consider eating at O"Hana's. It was awesome. I will dream about the shrimp until we return in October. The other small restaurant was great when we tried it also. So much food, so little time. (sigh) Tom would dress much stranger than an Hawaiian shirt so that was not a big deal. I got it for him when we went to The Villages last year. Have a hard time explaining to him that he should wear it outside his slacks. He wants to wear his regular shirts that way. He does everything the opposite of what you should. Took him to eat at the Rainforest and he was eating everything with his hands but complained that he did not have silverware for his sandwich at the food court. Go figure. LOL

Caroline, I am sure that the meet will be great. You do so well at all you attempt you cannot fail. I thought of you as one of the contestants at the Millionaire was a twelve year old college sophmore. She failed at a fairly easy question though and I understood it as she was so very smart that she could see layers that regular people could not. Luckily, I am not that smart. LOL

Elaine, I put your name down for our tour of Saratoga Springs. Doubt that they will send you anything really good since we did not buy but thought you might get something of worth. We had wanted to tour it anyway and they gave us lunch vouchers, which we did not expect. An ice cream party was included. Might be something for Colleen and her family to check out. Only takes about an hour and a half and you get a lot of good info and background also. I met a bunch of DISers and told many of them of your meets in Columbus. They were impressed I knew you and Rider. I am a shamless name dropper. LOL

FP, hope you are having fun and would love to see a picture of you in that dress. I always wanted a girly daughter. Was very frustrating that I could afford to give my daughter what I did not have and she preferred (prefers) ratty sweats and such. She used to get so darned mad at me when I would throw away any that had holes (I always bought a new set in the same color as reparation). She has preppy sons. LOL

Still have more laundry to do as I packed enough for the whole two weeks. Do not like spending vacation time doing laundry.

See you all later, I sure did miss you all.

SG/Linda

[colleen costello]

Linda, it sounds like you got "most of your prose" back after all. I am so glad you had a good trip. 'Ohana is a favorite of ours. But as you said "so many restaurants, so little time" so this time we will not visit. My Dad ate so many of those shrimp on our first trip that he was up all night with killer heartburn, or as we in NJ call it "ojeda" (ochida?). I honestly thought those shrimp killed him, then my Mom reassured me, he had just overindulged. 'Ohana is a fun place! And as we are staying at the Poly, Scott actually let me pack his "tropical" shirt! :)

I also say to Elaine if there is any way you can afford it, go for DVC. It is so wonderful. We stay in much nicer places than we ever could afford. It was the best gift my parents could have given our family. We "got sucked in" at the DVC desk at the Wilderness Lodge. We were interested in the tour anyhow, and they picked us up and gave us the "free lunch" vouchers. We had a great meal at Beaches and Cream at the Beach Club, and my Dad is fond of saying that the "free" lunch cost him a fortune (as he DID buy DVC). He keeps saying he is going back for another tour and another "freebie" because the DVC is in my name (nursing home phobia, remember?) so they have no record of him as a buyer! It really is wonderful that we all go down together every year, and stay in a room big enough that we are still speaking at check-out! I have already booked Spring Break 2005 at Beach Club Villas, and my Mom is so excited as she has not yet stayed there. I am thinking Wilderness Lodge for 2006! :) You can also, of course, use any "extra" points for cruising...

So tomorrow morning I shove off. We'll wave as we drive though Columbus area, Linda, and I will think of all of you and get lots of good pictures. I called the Poly to nag today, worrying after a good room location because of Mom (who needs to be close to the main building due to limited mobility). We also asked for ground floor because it's hard for her to navigate the scooter on the elevators, and non-smoking, of course. I called to verify that ALL these were listed, and the woman who helped me was so sweet. She looked up our reservation and said "Oh, you'll be just fine" so I am assuming they put me in the building I requested, right by the pool, close to the lobby for Mom. Now I can relax a bit on the trip down! :) It's a long drive and I have all those hours for my obsessive-compulsive personality to overtake me... Thank goodness I got a great book (DaVinci Code) for Mother's Day. That should keep me going!

I will check in once we are back. Love to all!

[colleen costello]

PS, TalkisCheap, you are SOOOO lucky to be close to LLBean. I have heard the main store is gorgeous. Mom and Dad visited on the way back from one of their fall Bar Harbor trips, and LOVED it... I would LOVE to go someday. Maybe they'll open one in Orlando?

You'll like it better when you are a middle-aged lady like me! :)

[SlightlyGoofy]

Indiana is being hit by a series of storms and tornadoes today. More on the way. Reports of one landing near where Colleen lives. We all need to send pixie dust her way in hopes that all is well with her and her home.

I am supposed to go to a graduation party for a young lady I used to take care of this evening and am waiting to see what is headed our way.

Colleen, I hope you are enjoying the DiVinci Code. It is on my list of books I want to read. I used to read a book a day until Tom retired and put a stop to pretty much everything. (not kidding) Hooray for you winning the tropical shirt war. Where would you wear one other than Florida or the like? The good thing about wearing a distinctive shirt at DW is that it is easier to keep track of each other that way. Tom and I made a pair at EPCOT in our lime green shirts and met many fellow DISers along the way. Each and every one wonderful people. figures. LOL Hope you get the room of your dreams. Makes a big difference in a trip IMHO.

SG/Linda

[IASW Rider]

Bon Voyage again, Colleen! We'll be thinking of you and can't wait to hear all about your Disney adventures, upon your return! :)

Thanks for the DVC advice, Colleen, Linda, and Elaine! I mentioned many of your collective ideas to Frank, today. We can discuss it.........even though we've already made our 2005 reservation, I guess it's possible that if we join DVC in the interim, we may be able to use points "towards" it, instead........still just nervous about the obligatory additional monthly payment while I don't have a steady income, though.......we'll see!

You are way too kind, Linda! Thanks again for all of your thoughtful words! And YOU'RE the one who looks great!!!! AND the one who looks tiny! I recognized your smile, a mile away, but you're even slimmer in person than you appear in the recent photos that you'd sent us, prior to our trip! And you looked great in those photos! :)

Speaking of "photos", some hard copies are on their way to you, right now. I imagine that if you haven't received them yet, they should be "rolling in" on Tuesday. There are some of us, in there, that were taken far enough away such that they would probably fit in the little frame! Sorry about the messy "wrapping" - I remembered to bring the tissue paper, but not the scissors........so I had to sort of "improvise"! :)

My "figure" is just an optical illusion, accomplished by "strategic dressing and presentation" - glad that I "fooled" you! (hee hee!)

Yes - Frank immediately said that you are very wise, and of course when I told him about your making it into the Hot Seat again, he immediately said "I'm not surprised!" :)

Yes, those shrimp at 'Ohana are something else! They are my favorites, there, though everything is great! I'm really not much of a beef or pork eater, but they prepare them so wonderfully and tenderly at 'Ohana that I always have them, there! The turkey is great, too, but the shrimp are outstanding! :) Glad that you enjoyed it there! I just felt badly if the end of dinner seemed a little rushed, but of course we needed to have our historic EWP viewing together.........and that silly EWP decided to show up early, on us! I somehow think that it did its "repeat performance" after Wishes, especially for us and in honor of all of the Women of the EWP Suite! :) (Seriously, everyone - that DID happen - Linda, Tom, Frank, and I got out to the Poly pool area in what we thought would be plenty of time to see the EWP........but it had already started by the time we got there, and the first "half" of the Pageant was out for rehab, so that made it even shorter! We thought that we had missed our chance to really see the EWP in person together..........then Wishes started..........and when it was over, the "mini-EWP" started all over again, right in front of the Poly! :) I really think that it somehow "knew" that we were there and gave us a special repeat performance! Of course, Frank very kindly documented the whole thing on video........will get that copy out to you next week, Linda! :) )

I didn't realize that you came from a whole family of runners, Caroline! It's so neat that you will all be participating in that race, together! Do you all regularly train and run together? Do any of your family members also practice other track sorts of events (like high jump, for example) like you do? How old were you when you first started running? How was the beach? The beach up there is so pretty! :)

Well, time to start getting ready - my father and uncle are taking us out to dinner at a new French restaurant in New Brunswick (where Rutgers is), in honor of our anniversary, tonight. And we will be "chauferred" in my father's brand new car, which he's really enjoying!

Hope that all is well with all of you and hope that you're all enjoying the weekend! Talk to you soon! :)

[IASW Rider]

Hey "Slim"! :)

How did you sneak in there without my seeing you?? :)

And how did you run into so many DIS'ers, with your lime green shirts?? I'm so jealous! We got lots of comments and questions about our DIS buttons, but weren't approached by any actual DIS'ers (with the exceptions of yourselves, of course!) until the end of our cruise!

Hope that you're settling back in, at home, and hope that all is well! :)

[helenabear]

Hi all... trying to do a quick check in here... had lots of time with my family so I was a bit busy.

Linda, I hope you enjoyed your tour at Saratoga Springs. I have some friends staying there in October and I will visit in December. I admit I am already planning out next years trips. I really enjoy going in May so I will have to try that again :) LOL, nothing wrong wiht dropping names here and there... I do it all the time when I am meeting DISers :)

Colleen, I hope you have a wonderful time down at WDW!!! So neat that you are planning so far out. I admit I won't be planning a WDW trip for next year until January when I book my December trip. If I go in May, it will be a last minute trip and my friends with DVC has never had a problem doing May 1 month out at OKW. I'll have to borrow points for May so I want to make sure I can go... if not I'll have to upgrade to a 2 bedroom at OKW :p

Oh and I hope our Indiana friends did okay with those storms... they were pretty nasty here as well!!!

Lisa, you are very right, you can use your points later on for the trip if you buy between now and then. That's exactly what I did with DL! Your story about 'Ohana and EWP sure made me smile. I am so glad you were able to do that all

Well I should go and get ready for bed. Have a wonderful day everyone!

[IASW Rider]

ELAINE!!!!!!!!!!!

If you go to WDW again in May of next year..........maybe we will finally get to meet YOU in person, since we will be there again in May of next year, too! :) That would be so neat! :) Anyone else planning a WDW trip for May of 2005, by chance????????? :) (Hey - I KNOW that it's 11 months away.........but it's never too early to plan an EWP Suite Meet, as I always say! :) Hee hee! :) )

Hope that all is well with all of you! And thinking of you all, in the Mid-West and hoping that you are all hanging in there with the storms and tornado threats, as well.

Have a great night, Everyone! :)

[helenabear]

Lisa, what dates are you looking at for WDW? I must admit I prefer to go earlier in the month to avoid heat/crowds :o But let me know when you are thinking and I will keep it in mind for next year when I plan :)

[IASW Rider]

Hi Elaine!

I know exactly what you mean about the heat - it's so weird how within the course of just a few weeks, it can become unbearably hot, down there! I hope that Colleen and her family are faring all right (although truth be told, even when it's ridiculously hot and humid down there, we always have a great time anyway and just "work through the heat", because we're so happy to be at WDW! So hopefully Colleen and her family are so ensconsed in the beautiful, tropical Polynesian flowers that they don't even notice the temperature!)!

The weather was perfect when we were there, 2 weeks ago (as I'm sure that it was when you were there, the week before!) - mid-80's temperatures, tons of sun, barely a drop of rain. But when we were there during the first week of last year (and the subsequent 2 years), it rained at least once almost every day and the average daytime temperature was in the low 90's!

All this to say, we will be there next year during the same week that we were, this year - May 15 - 18 (then DCL May 19 - 22). It would be wonderful to see you, there, but please don't go out of your way to change your plans or plan "around" us! We hope that it will work out that we happen to be there at the same time, but please don't do anything differently than you normally would or change around what you had hoped to plan!

Today is our wedding anniversary! :) It's so strange being here in NJ, since usually we are in WDW right now! When Frank asked where I wanted to go out to dinner, tonight, I said (of course!) " 'Ohana", since that's where we would usually be, tonight! And tomorrow is the 3-year anniversary of Frank's proposal to me at the Poly........ *SIGH*........time really flies by!

Anyway, hope that all is well with you, Elaine, and with all of you other Suite Ladies, as well! Have a great day, Everyone! :)

[SlightlyGoofy]

Happy Anniversary Frank and Lisa!

While I am sure that you and Frank will end up somewhere wonderful I am so sorry that I cannot whisk you both back to O'Hana's tonight. You guys always come up with such great ideas. I admire your youth and enthusiasm. In my youth we celebrated our anniversary by me fixing a fancy meal but I have fallen down on the job the last few years, old age, you know. LOL I got your package today. I have not even had my pictures taken in let alone developed yet. Thank you for the pictures and souveniers of the cruise. It is hard to get a lot done with a seven year old. He does not care for shopping etc. The kids at the program loved the Potato Head accessories I got them. I have your Rutgers key chain on mine so I carry a bit of you with me each day. Might keep me in line a bit. LOL As far as you dressing thin, I had my arm around your waist and that was NOT an illusion, you silly girl. (grin) We usually go to Disney every other year or so but if you, Helenabear and who knows who else are coming we may have to change plans. We were thinking of renting a place at The Villages for a month or so and that is not far away from DW at any rate.

Colleen, I hope you got off before the storm hit and your home is safe and sound and missed the storms on the way down. We sure feel lucky in getting home before it all hit. It might have cooled things off a bit for you at least. Sending pixie dust in that your house is sold when you return, that you and yours have many magical moments and have a safe return home.

Just got home from taking Tom to Indpls for a colonscopy. Cancer runs in his family and he has had polyps before so it is a necessary evil. He liked this facility much better and is doing great. I took him to a new BBQ place afterward and he ate a steak and a rack of ribs along with several side dishes. I forgot to kid Lisa with the fact that we had to stop off at Downtown Disney after we ate at O'Hana's so Tom could get a snack to hold him until morning. (smile) It will take a couple of weeks for the results to come back but we are optomistic since he has no symptoms of anything being wrong.

Helenabear, Saratoga Springs is lovely and such beautiful views and a great location, not too far from the Suite I believe. When you wander around with a goofy smile and a lime green shirt you just plain attract lots of attention so I always meet a lot of great people.

Jackie and her family are taking Money lessons at the church tonight and for the next few weeks. Ironic that I used to give similar lessons to the local schools when she was still at home. Never did get my kids to listen to much I ever said but am grateful they are learning now, better late than never. I think Dalton will be banging on the door afterward as he likes to spend the night here (air conditioning) so that he can sleep in the next morning. Smart kid.

Gotta go get some work done so I will slowly bow out of the Suite muttering -nitrogen, over and over again. (is the answer to the question I missed on the Millionaire show) (grrrrr)

SG/Linda

[IASW Rider]

Hi Linda!

Great to hear from you! Glad to hear that you're settling back in, at home, and that you weren't terribly affected by those recent storms!

Thank God everything went well with Tom's colonoscopy. It's very good that he went - I know that that's a very important test, even though it might not be the most pleasant thing in the world! And it's good that he had it, even though he has no symptoms - better safe than sorry! I went with my father, when he had his first one, 2 years ago. Thank God everything was all right there, too - he wound up having a polyp removed, but everything was all right. It's important to keep up with those sorts of things (as I remind myself, after having my first mammogram, last year!). And it's great that Tom was comfortable enough to enjoy a nice, big meal afterwards! Too bad that we're not all at 'Ohana eating those shrimp, right now.......! :)

Darn that "nitrogen"! :mad: Do you recall what the actual Millionaire question was? Don't worry - that Hot Seat will be ready for your return in the Fall.........and you will definitely make it all the way to the Cruise, this time! :)

Glad that our little package arrived - we wanted to let you know that we were thinking of you, continuing to enjoy your time at WDW, while we were on the cruise! :) Chicago Mickey has settled in nicely, here in NJ (he is displayed in our room, next to Tokyo Disney Sea Mickey, whom a friend brought back from a business trip, for us! He's also next to Bride and Groom Mickey and Minnie and across the room from Sorcerer Mickey, who lives on our bed!)! Believe it or not, I am STILL in the process of getting us all reorganized, but when we're finally fully settled in, I can't wait to take the time to explore and really enjoy the WDW Explorer! :) I don't want to look at it until I have some significant time to enjoy it and not rush through!

Our anniversary was very nice, thanks! Frank was at work, but he sent me a gorgeous batch of 2 dozen red and white roses (I've never received that many roses before!) in a beautiful vase. We had dinner at our favorite little Italian restaurant (the owner knew that it was our anniversary the second that we made our reservation!) and then came home and watched our wedding video! We'll continue celebrating tomorrow, as we're going "down the shore" for the day (too bad that Colleen isn't here - she knows exactly where we're going - to Point Pleasant!), and then again next weekend, when we're going into NYC and seeing "Wicked" (which is my pick for the Best Musical Tony Award!) on Broadway! We haven't been to a Broadway show in almost a year, since we've been trying to be somewhat "frugal" while I'm in school (yeah, right! :) ), so we're really looking forward to it - that was one of my gifts to Frank.

How are Dalton and Austin doing, Linda? Have they finished with school for the summer, yet? What sorts of things will Jackie be learning in the Money class - does it deal with different ways to manage one's money well? Or different ways to save and / or invest for the future?

Anyway, hope that all is well with all of you and hope that you're all having a great day! :)

[helenabear]

Wow, the boards have been slow for me so it's been hard to get in here!!!

Lisa, I will keep those dates in mind. I am not sure I'd go over Mother's Day weekend again but those dates might be okay for me as well. Of course I won't know until about March/April next year what I will be doing. Last year we planning going the weekend after Memorial Day and this year we did it earlier. Not sure we have any "set plans" ;)

I am so glad to hear you had a good anniversary :)

Linda, I am very happy to hear that you take Tom in for those tests. Better to be safe than sorry with that! I am glad all went well too. So glad you liked Saratoga Springs. Some day I do plan to stay there (not sure when though). I can envision you there smiling with your green shirt on :teeth:

You are right, it is better to learn about Money some day than never at all. Some kids do listen though ;) I have some habits that my dad instilled in me to this day :)

[SlightlyGoofy]

Elaine, I do my best to take good care of Tom but it is not easy. It scares me to death that I have to make all the decisions about everything and I sweat bullets when I do. I did a lot of research as to where to take him for the test. It sure was not going to be locally since there is such a high rate of infections. I am glad that he seems happy with my choice. It is tough being the ruler of the universe unless you are a tyrant. I may rant but do try to be a benevolent dictator. (smile)

I give classes in the local high schools on how to budget and shop wisely. Is something I was never taught, not that we had any money when I was growing up. I think it helps to be taught by someone who has been a have not rather than someone with no common life skills. I just wish I had learned more and sooner. Money is a tool, not a passion with me. I have had a sick child in my arms and not had any money so I give it some respect.

Lisa, the questions I miss are forever rolling in my head. LOL I just finished playing on line trivia. I was in second place with only; 4 points at the end of the first half with the first place winner at 8 pts so I let it all hang out and went for it. You lose points if you make a mistake so it is not a wise strategy. Somehow I pulled it off and won the game. School was out here the last week of May but I am conducting Granny School with a pupil of one now. Doubt anyone else would be up for the challenge as at one point Dalton decided that in order to improve his brain power he needed to remove his pants and let his Spiderman underwear air out. It worked LOL. He has already amassed 150 points toward his Summer Reading Club total of 600 points and has only been here for two days. I also pay him a quarter a book read so he will have a handsome sum to go shopping with before he returns to school I figure if it costs me a $100 or so it is a good investment. He used the word "ain't" at the bank today and I told him that I was taking him directly to McD's for a job application if I ever heard that word again. (grin) You just do NOT mess with an English Lit major.

What a wonderful anniversary! You and Frank are such a great couple and so in tune with each other. Please tell Frank that I have noticed that the smartest people are the quietest and since he was the most quiet he can infer what he wants from my statement. (grin) I have heard my sister talk about Wicked so I know that it is a great show. I say you should celebrate as long as you can. Life is too short to do otherwise.

Have another session of Granny school tomorrow and Dalton has a ball game, Austin will be spending the night and then Dalton has another game on Saturday. Jackie will not be able to come to the game so I will have to cheer extra hard. Austin is working at the ball field, cleaning, setting up and scoring. He is getting rich,. He made $40 off me by mowing my lawn. Only takes about 10-15 minutes as we have little grass and many gardens and we were only gone two weeks. He mowed it 4 times. Always hunting for a loophole. Next time I will stipulate only once a week. LOL

No tornadoes in the area today. First day in quite awhile. Hope they have calmed down in your areas as well. Tom says he saw that there were tornadoes in NJ the other day. Scary out there. Take care.

SG/Linda

[IASW Rider]

Hey Everyone!

We went to our very first DIS Meet yesterday and had a fantastic time! :) We met some really great people, and it was so much fun! And it was so neat to hear people tossing around terms like "PM" and having everyone know what they meant! :) It was a really well-planned event - our host, Fred ("Majestic") had given us a homework assignment - to come up with several "What am I?" things or locations in WDW and provide clues for them, so that everyone could guess and win prizes. I was the first one up there, providing my clues to everyone..........the first "thing" that I had everyone guess was the EWP! And when someone got it right, I put in a "plug" for our Suite, saying that we had a 3-year-long EWP thread going, here on the Community Board, and that everyone was welcome to drop in and visit us! :) Fred also had a gentleman come and speak to everyone about the history and "art" of pin trading, and he had the author of a recently released WDW trivia book come and have a trivia contest (.......guess who one of the big winners was......ME! :) ). He also had a representative of Dreams Unlimited speak for a bit about the services that they offer. There was great food, amazing prizes and souvenir favors, lots of WD Travel Co. information about WDW and DCL, theme park music playing in the background, and best of all - great company! Wish that you all could have been there! If you'd like to see some photos, a whole bunch of people posted links on the NJ DIS Meet thread. Here are 2 of them (you can see me "in action" in the trivia contest!)":

http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/lisaandfrankdisney2004/album?.dir=/5b3d&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/lisaandfrankdisney2004

http://community.webshots.com/album/149751690zWxxkU

Aside from that, we had a really nice time at the shore on Friday. It was nice to spend some time on the Boardwalk, looking at the ocean........and pretending that we were still on Castaway Cay (which - strangely enough - was not that difficult, since they somehow have actual, live palm trees growing on the beach in Point Pleasant! :) )!

Please keep me posted about your prospective May '05 travel plans, as the months progress, Elaine! :) It must be so neat to be able to plan trips so far in advance. We sat with some DVC members at the Meet, yesterday, and they also made a very convincing case for joining..........! :)

It sounds like Granny School is in full swing, Linda! And it sounds like Dalton is doing a fantastic job, as always (loved the story about his needing to air out his Spiderman undies.......hey, whatever works, right? :) )! You have such accomplished and motivated grandsons! And I think it's so neat that you have set up such a great and effective "system" of making learning fun, providing fun and appropriate "incentives", etc. It's no wonder that you are such a great teacher! And you should share some of your financial wisdom with us - perhaps you could give us all a bit of a "correspondence course" so that we can all benefit from your expertise in money management! Not to mention your expertise in the area of trivia!

No tornadoes in our area, now - just cold, rainy weather - yuck! But thanks for thinking of us, though! Fortunately, the temperatures should be returning to the more seasonable 80's, tomorrow.

Ooh - another thing that I learned at the Meet is that there is another thread out here, on the Community Board, where there are a bunch of people who are constantly on a never-ending "virtual vacation"! We were sitting with one of the posters, yesterday, and I told her about our Suite. Maybe I should "visit" them on their current "tour" and invite them to stop in and "visit" us, if their "travels" take them to the general vicinity of WDW! Here is the link to their thread - it's very cute!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=556241

Hey out there, Colleen (hope that you're having a great time!), Angie, Caroline, Emily (I believe you're in WDW, too - hope that you're having a great time!), Depply, and Wendy! :)

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

[edcrbnsoul]

Hello all from the homeless Dis'ers, IASW Rider was kind enough to extend an invite and I thought I would come in and say Hi.
We are in Barbados right now, sailing towards FLA and plan to crash for a week or so in WDW. I think we should be there by friday or maybe early next week( we stop at islands we that look inviting along the way) I thought it would be a good chance to do a little cross threading, you could come over and party with us and we could come by and watch the EWP and party with you guys.
:wave:
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=556241&perpage=15&pagenumber=1

[SlightlyGoofy]

Howdy there Homeless People. For homeless people you sort of live high on the hog don't cha? LOL Nary a shopping cart to be seen. You are most welcome and I hope that your comrades in arms will come over to see us while visiting DW. I went over to see how you all were doing and it sure looked like a lot of fun. I will have to wander that way from time to time and see what you are getting up to and might even come up with an idea or two myself. I went over to Mexico and picked up a supply of layered margaritas and some French pastries for a light snack before we head into the parks for a late night of revelling. Edcrbnsoul, it most wonderful to meet you and hope to get to know you even better.

Rider, what a wonderful meet! Were there any familiar names there? I loved the pictures. Noticed that black was a major theme color, you fit right in there. LOL The food looked so good and I was surely glad that I had a good meal in my belly or I might have been tempted to cheat, a bunch. I hope that the NJ people I met in the park are reading about the palm trees. They looked at me like I was nuts when I told them about the pictures you had sent me of such. Did I tell you I ran into some people with Rutgers t shirts at Perkin's? For a tiny state you all sure do get around. (grin) Was that Frank at the podium in the one picture? Why were you all alone on side while the others were together? I am not at all surprised that you won the trivia contest. I bet you would do well at most types but most especially Disney. Did Frank play also?

Since we are planning on being somewhere in the area in May of next year it should be possible for us to at least drive over for a day or two if we can get a meet going. Might not be able to join you in the parks as our passes run out the first part of November and we had not planned on buying more for a year. We do have a day or two left on some old passes though.

It is easy teaching children when you have not fully grown up yourself. LOL I figure that there are many ways to learn and I will try each and every one until it clicks. My house is a treasure trove of educational materials. Schools come here and borrow my things! All children are special. It is sort of like opening Christmas presents, you just never know what you are going to get and it is so interesting watching them unwrap ( I mean that in a non Michael Jackson way).

Austin just popped in from church and has asked to spend the night. His dad will pick him up tomorrow when he drops Dalton off at basketball camp (I won that fight LOL) and then I will pick him up afterward for Granny School. I am going to be a bad grandma tomorrow night as I have the quarterly trivia championship game. I seldom miss a game so maybe he will forgive me. It will be a shock as I seldom say no though. I am afraid that I used my brain power up the other night at a regular game as I came from behind to win that round. LOL

I think I saw where Helenabear has a virtual group somewhere. Wonder if it is the Homeless Group? Sounds like something she would get up to. (smile) I would love to see the two of you get together. So much energy in one spot!!!!

Hope Colleen and her crew are having a great time and have a safe trip home. I miss her and am looking forward to meeting her soon.

SG/Linda

[helenabear]

Hi everyone! It's been a while since I could pop in. I had my friend, Dawn's bachelorette party on Saturday. We went out for dinner and to a comedy club then had a "slumber party" back at her house. It was a lot of fun but made for a long day!

Lisa, glad you had a good time at your meet and congrats on the trivia contest! I must admit I was impressed with the set up of your meet with the banquet hall, food, speakers and all that!!! Most of ours are at a mall or person's home and no where near as "fancy" and organized :p

I will certainly keep you posted on my May trip (if any) I have to think on it a little and really usually won't plan until about a month or two out. I have two totally different styles of planning for trips. My December trip is always very well thought out while my May trips never seem to be :p Disneyland has been truly "in the works" since last fall though. So I vary with my ways of doing it all. I had to laugh at your comment about talking with other DVCers! I will say as convincing as we like to be, we also are more realistic with it too, so we won't push when we know it won't work for someone.

Thanks for that invite to the group!!! I know I saw the thread when it first stared, but since I wasn't "homeless" I stopped in, said hi to you all. I do post regularly with several other threads and I am "in charge" of the Ya Yas on the DIS. We just recently moved to a Pirates ship :teeth:

Linda, I truly smiled when I read all you had to say about teaching children. I am sure though, there are other reasons why you do so well at it!!!! Good luck to you at your Trivia quarterly championship! I am sure you will do great!

I should head back to work... best wishes to you all!!

[castlegazer]

Looks like we will be able to meet up for some chatting and some visiting next week when we dock in Port Canaveral. Thanks for inviting us to your suite. We will definately stop in and say Hi!

[suzannen]

Another Homeless Diser saying thanks for your gracious invite. We'll definitely stop by and say "Hey" when we dock. We're a friendly group and love to socialize.

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

Hi everyone. I met Lisa at the NJ DIS MEET on saturday and she invited us homeless disers to stop by. Nice to meet all of you . I have asked my homeless friends to be on their best behavior, so please feel free to hop on board. We are now docked in lovely ST Lucia and are planning some nice excursions. See you there.

[IASW Rider]

Hey Everyone!

Welcome, Edcrbnsoul, Castlegazer, Suzannen, and Momtomootoo! :) It's so nice of you all to stop by........uh, I mean "send postcards from your cruise"! :) Looking forward to your visit when you ship docks in Port Canveral! We'll definitely get the Suite ready for you and have our attendants prepare some extra rooms for you all, in case you'd like to spend part of your stay at WDW with us. We have unlimited park hopper passes to share, so you won't have to worry about admission to the parks, and we have specially arranged viewings of various fireworks shows and other special events, as well! You're welcome to join us any time! :) And thank you for inviting us to stop by on your vacation, Momtomootoo! I will jump on our private EWP Suite helicopter and come by, via your ship's heliport to say "hello", in a minute! :)

How was your friend's bachelorette party, Elaine? Her wedding must be coming up soon! That will be fun! :) Now kindly explain to me.........exactly who are you "Ya Ya's", how did you originate (I know that you've been around for awhile), and what are you doing on a Pirate ship??? (Is THAT where you've been when you're not in residence in the Suite??!!) :) And will you all be traveling via your Pirate ship to DL? :)

Hi Linda! Lots of good luck with your Trivia Quarterly Championship! There's no doubt who will win - we'll have Don and Bo and the rest start planning your victory party, right now! You'll do an amazing job - maybe we should start referring to you as "Ms. Hot Seat"! :)

Your house sounds so wonderful - with so many interesting things to see and learn about, inside! It's so neat that schools borrow materials from you for their students - maybe you should formally merge with one of them and have a formal school - or at least an after school program or library - right in your own home! :) On the other hand, that might interfere with Granny School, so never mind........! :(

Yes, the DIS Meet was beautifully planned and executed. Our host, "Majestic" and his family really put a lot of time and effort into putting it together, and they did a wonderful job! I don't know how I wound up standing by myself in that trivia contest - it was the closest place to my table and I was too nervous to move around a lot when the "moderator" asked that everyone stand side by side - I just stayed glued to the floor where I was! I haven't done any "public speaking" in a long time, so standing at a lectern with a microphone was a little unnerving for me, when I presented my own trivia "What Am I?" clues! Frank didn't play - he's not the WDW trivia freak that I am - he just watched in amusement! :) Momtomootoo (Laura) is one of the great people whom we met, on Saturday - along with her adorable children! :)

Hope that all is well with all of you, out there, and hope that you're all having a nice day! Colleen and Emily should be returning soon, hopefully bearing fun trip reports and photos! Ah yes.........just 341 days to go! :)

[IASW Rider]

P.S. Linda - the NJ people whom you met in the parks should certainly believe that the Jersey shore palm trees are real........here they are again, just a few days ago!

http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/lisaruthb6/album?.dir=/4671&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/lisaruthb6/my_photos

Ah, yes............spending a lovely afternoon under the swaying Jersey palms.......... :)

It IS very strange - I have no idea how they survive there, all winter long........but they were definitely there to greet us, last Friday! :) Well, it's not quite Castaway Cay, but it will have to do.........for the next 341 days! :)

[helenabear]

Hello everyone!!! Welcome to all the new faces!!!! Do stop in at any time!! We love meeting new people :)

Lisa, a Ya Ya is just another "group" out there. We got the name based off the book/movie about friends who were so close they were like sisters. Well, that's what we are (although no where near as snotty as in the book). I "head up" the group now and I've been with them from Day 1 :) We like to go to new "homes" now and then and we voted and Pirate Ship won. I believe we have had resorts, castles, ships, islands, towns, casinos, mansions, beach cottages... all that for our previous homes so we just go where we like. And yes I go there often. The "style" is different... shorter posts and more frequent check ins. I am able to go there daily since it takes less time to read the short posts :)

Your meet really sounds wonderful! I am so glad you had a great experience at your first meet :)

[FPgurl04]

I'M BAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

stay tuned. more details coming soon!

:teeth:

[IASW Rider]

Welcome back, Emily!!!!!!!!! :) :) :)

When you have a chance, please stop in and tell us all the details! What did you do? Where did you go? Where did you stay? Tell us all! :)

I was wondering if the Ya Ya's originated as the result of the book or the film, Elaine! I think that that's really neat! :) Hey - it's always nice to have lots of fun, virtual "homes" to visit, both here in the Suite and out there on your Ya Ya adventures! The cool thing is that you all really WILL be traveling together, within a matter of months! :)

That's why I'm determined - even if it takes a few years - for us all to somehow meet in WDW at the same time! I know that I say this every year, but I just have a feeling that it's going to happen, some day! :)

Not too much to report from the Garden State, tonight - just wanted to say "hi everyone"! :) Have a great night! :)

[edcrbnsoul]

Hello EWP group, the homeless Dis'ers have made it to FL we are in Key West right now. We should be in WDW by Monday, we will be starting a new thread when we get there, so look for "The Homeless Dis'ers invade Disney World"

[SlightlyGoofy]

edcrbnsoul, I will thinking of you and the group watching the sun go down tonight. Hope that you do not wake up with hangovers tomorrow though. Watch out for those six toed cats. Key West is on my short list of places to visit in person one day. Invade away, we welcome your visit and hope it is a long and fun filled one.

Helenabear, snooty? Nah, never. LOL Tom and I will drive over for at least the day if you and Rider are going to have a meet in May. We had already planned to be in Florida anyway. Now if we can get Angelina and Colleen and some others on board? I watched Ya Ya at the movies with three of my sisters on our last Indy reunion. It was a blast but my sisters are such a hoot that they made the movie pale in comparison. LOL

Rider, I sent you a big post and nothing new has happened since. LOL Have to go pick up Dalton in a bit so this is a short post.


Emily, welcome home. Will you post a report and if so, please let us know. There is such a wide array of things to do at DW and each trip is different for each person. I would love to hear what youngsters find most appealing there.

Slightly Goofy/Linda

[castlegazer]

Originally posted by SlightlyGoofy
edcrbnsoul, I will thinking of you and the group watching the sun go down tonight. Hope that you do not wake up with hangovers tomorrow though.

ed has a nasty one today - go over to our ship and blow the ship's airhorn for him - he'll love it! ::yes::

[helenabear]

Emily, welcome back!! I can't wait to hear all the details :teeth:

Lisa, it is kind of neat that the term came from the book/movie. I just started reading the book though and I am glad I am not like those characters. They are very uppity types. I've traveled with many in this group before and they are wonderf to travel with. We have so much fun together :)

Next stop is WDW??? Oh I can hardly wait to go back :teeth:

Linda, I didn't mean that the people who are on the thread are snooty, but the characters in the book sure are!!! Not my cup of tea at all really. I was shocked, but I guess the movie they were portrayed slightly differently.

I will definitely keep you posted though on when/if I go to WDW next May :)

Oh what a day at work... I sure do not want to be here, but oh well :p

[colleen costello]

Hello ladies! I am safely back from a wonderful trip to WDW. Thought of you all many times. We had dinner at Bob Evans last night in Columbus Indiana and of course I loved being in Linda's turf... It's nice to be home but I miss Mickey already!

We had a great trip. The Polynesian was wonderful. I half expected it to be a bit of a letdown after all my plotting and planning and daydreaming. WRONG! It was wonderful and then some. The grounds are so beautiful and the whole area just blows me away. They were great in assigning our room. We were in Raratonga, literally steps away from the lobby. We had adjoining rooms with my Mom, ground floor. She rented a scooter and this made everything accessible for her. We would leave our room and in less than a minute be right in the lobby. Another minute and we could jump right into the Volcano pool. It was GREAT! It was extremely hot and this actually worked out well. It forced us to RELAX -- no way we were doing the parks in 97-degree heat. We swam every day and I drank MANY pina coladas (some evn had alcohol)! I got my Mom hooked on them. Ian drank many strawberry smoothies. The kids went down the volcano slide about a million times. We'd have breakfast at Kona Cafe (yum) then visit a resort or hang out, swim all afternoon, and have dinner somewhere nice after Scott got back from the conference at the Marriott. Even THAT worked out OK -- the Marriott was all of 10 minutes away so staying at the Poly didn't cause him any grief. He even admitted the Poly was "nicer than he expected." Raratonga has just been renovated and re-opened just weeks ago. The rooms were spotless and fresh and very roomy. If I could just win the lottery I would stay here every time! :)

My Dad flew down to surprise my Mom for the last two nights. He showed up at the pool and my Mom about died. The bartender gave us fluffy drinks and took our picture. It was great. We had dinner his first night at Ohana and the next at Boma. Both were great as always. Saturday morning my parents left for the airport and we checked into Old Key West.

OKW is NEVER a letdown. We had a 1-bedroom unit and the room was perfect. We were near the Turtle Pond Pool and bus stop. We hung out and swam and I did all my accumulated laundry! :) It's a joy to have a washer/dryer in the room! We visited the parks every morning and would go back in the evening. We did MGM, Epcot and the MK. Had dinner at the Crystal Palace and got great pics of the kids with the Pooh gang. Also had lunch in the castle at Ian's request. That was great -- the food and service were wonderful. Had a wonderful last night meal at Kona Cafe, Erin's favorite. The we let the kids take one last dip in the volcano pool, and as we were leaving, we could see the firworks over the beach. :) After we checked out on Wednesday, we had lunch at the Wilderness Lodge, fed the ducks, and I drank one last pina colada! Overall, a great time. Despite the heat and a LOT of raging evening thunderstorms, we managed to see lots and squeeze in tons of fun. It was crowded but not unusually so, and the only evidence we had that it was supposed to be super-crowded for "Gay Days" was a lot of really nice-looking, well-dressed men traveling in groups! :)

Reality sucks. My house hasn't sold and I am trying to unpack and clean FAST because people are looking today at 3:30. Yikes! We are going to take the kids and see "Harry Potter." Mom said to wait til we got home and that would be a treat after the "letdown" of returning home. Good idea! Erin turns 10 on Tuesday and is having her birthday party at the local putt putt golf range. The kids are excited about that. We had a good drive home and talked a lot about all we did. Ian, bless his heart, talked to me about going back and said "Mom, who would EVER want to leave Disney World?" I am training him right! :) He lost a tooth while we were down there, which I thought was really special. The tooth fairy left him $5 DISNEY dollars!

I thought of you all repeatedly. Hope all is well with everyone in the suite. I am already looking forward to our March 2005 at Beach Club Villas -- the only way to cope with coming home is to plan the NEXT trip!

[TalkisCheap]

:wave2: Hello! My computer has finally been fixed(by me, the 13 year old girl, and not by the 2 guys who fix computers for a living and couldn't do it....)! I've missed all of you, but it doesn't appear any of you have missed me!


Emily and Colleen, glad you're back safe and sound!


Well, the championship meet as well as the track season is over and done with. 2 of my 3 events were squeezed into the few hours of sunshine last wednesday. I placed 2nd in the 400, and 4th in the HJ and my relay was cancelled due to lightning/rain. Oh well. It was a good end to the best season! I'll miss it terribly!


Well, I hope everyone is well...I'll check in later! Have a great weekend!

[SlightlyGoofy]

Talk, you certainly were missed. I just figured you had wandered off from us 'old folks" and were busy with other activities somewhere. What great stats for the year. That will set the bar awfully high for next year but we will worry about that later. LOL Now that your race has run, for the year at least, we might be lucky enough to see you more often. I have been keeping busy and beyond with my seven year old grandson. I am homeschooling him for the summer. Not sure which of us is learning the most though. LOL

Colleen, as tired as I was I might have bestirred myself to go to Bob Evans to see you last night. Sounds as if you had a perfect time and what great locations for rooms. I am sure that made it more wonderful for your mom and your family as well. What a great surprise to have your dad come in. Did you know he was coming? I agree with your grandson about wanting to live at DW. You guys were smart to stay in the room during the heat. It was awfully hot while we were there too but you had it worse. We used to go to the parks early , leave in the afternoon and go back in the evening but there were longer hours then. Please do not tell Dalton about the tooth fairy leaving $5 as he only got $1 for his. If he had not lost it while we were gone he might have gotten a bit more, for the first tooth. LOL

Helenabear, I read the book before I watched the movie so I understood. LOL If you ever saw "Fried Green Tomatoes" you should check out The Whistle Stop Cafe book written by Fannie Flagg. Is awesome and so funny. She was a stand up comdeian in my youth. She writes great red neck humor. I hope that your day went quicker and you are home with a cold one and your feet propped up and enjoying yourself and looking forward to the weekend.

Castlegazer, I sincerely hope that the alcohol was real but any hangover is virtual for poor Ed. The last time I got blotto was at DW. Long sad story. Does not take much to make we weak in the knees. LOL I will tiptoe when I go over to your home as I am a kind hearted sort.

Slightly Goofy/Linda

[colleen costello]

I must tell you all about my Dad! I DID know he was coming, but only because he blabbed to my hubby who CAN'T FOOL ME! We went to Chef Mickey's on Tueday June 1st and we were having a ball. My Mom got sad my Dad was home working so I called him from my little cell phone. We passed the phone around and when he spoke to Scott, I could tell something was up. Scott is a quiet sort but can't put anything by me -- he has this twitchy lip that kind of starts up when he is trying to fool me! So after the dinner I cornered him and realized Dad was coming. I called home and told him he best fess up so we could be available for his arrival. Thursday afternoon he showed up at the Volcano pool! Mom had NO clue. He took a cheap nonstop flight down and changed into his Hawaiian shirt and bathing suit in the lobby bathroom. Suddenly he was THERE! I thought my Mom would die from shock. Then she started crying. It was really cool. He was with us Thursday night for dinner at Boma then again Friday night for dinner at Ohana. VERY special to be all together. They flew home together on Saturday. :)

Talk, I am so impressed with your running. I am an old lady of 40 and couldn't run like you even if Michael Jackson was horny and chasing me! Good for you!

xoxo

[IASW Rider]

WELCOME, "HOMELESS DIS'ERS"! :) Thanks for alerting us to the fact that your ship has landed on the Florida coast! We will be ready for you, upon your arrival in Orlando! Just let us know when you dock in Port Canaveral and we will send our EWP Suite Motorcoach over to pick you all up and deliver you to your various resorts!

WELCOME BACK, COLLEEN! :) So glad to hear that your trip was wonderful - I knew that it would be! Loved hearing about the Poly, our "home away from home"! And I got all choked up reading about your father's special surprise! That is so nice! :) Please let us know if / when you might have some photos online that we could see! And tell us more about your trip, when you have a chance! :) We had lots of pina coladas at WDW, too (...........then lots of margaritas on the Wonder.......! :) )! :)

Great to see you, Caroline! Congratulations on the very successful completion of your Track season! And that is so cool that YOU were able to fix your computer when the professionals could not - that is fantastic! :)

Hi Elaine and Linda! How are you both doing? Forgive me if I'm remembering incorrectly, but isn't your friend's wedding tomorrow, Elaine? If so, have a wonderful time! Got your e-mail (thanks!) and will respond back as soon as I can, Linda! I have a bit of a headache, tonight (allergies - yuck), and I want to be full of energy when we go to NYC to see "Wicked" tomorrow, so I might get off the computer now and rest my eyes. Will write back, over the weekend!

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

[helenabear]

Very very quick check in!

Colleen, I am so glad you had a wonderful trip!!! I love the Polynesian... it just is a very relaxing place to be. Glad you had a good stay at OKW again! So cool your dad could come down for a few days as well!

Awww Caroline, you were definitely missed! I admit right now I can't keep track of who is on vacation and who isn't though and for some reason I thought you might have been as well :o Congrats on your meet... you did great (before you were rained out, which kind of stinks)

Linda, I admit I never did finish the Ya Ya book so I am not sure if it got any better. I will have to check out the Whistle Stop because I loved Fried Green Tomatos!! Excellent movie!

Lisa, the wedding isn't until the last weekend of the month. She has her dad in town this weekend and then enxt her BIL to be is getting married. So she is busy between now and then. I get time off though. I hope your head feels better soon... allergies are bad here as well.

Have a good day all!

[TalkisCheap]

Thank you for all the congratulations. I really was very pleased with my performances all year...I fear you'll be bored with more of my track meet results every thursday, until the end of August when the whole State of Maine USTFA(or maybe it's USTA) track meet is...I'm quite excited! If I ever bore you with my talk of running, just tell me...I'm just a little obsessed!!(and there never is anything else to tell you!)


Colleen, that story was great! It's wonderful he was able to come down!


:teeth: I wish I HAD gone on vacation! I'm here till July it seems. Then I'll get to travel a little, and enjoy some warmer places!


Haha, I figured you had missed me(or well, more I hoped!)but you just didn't say it. Ah well, I'm just glad to be back!


Well, I'm going for a walk down to the candy store with my neighbor to take advantage of this beautiful day! Talk to you soon, I hope!


<3 Caroline

[SlightlyGoofy]

While there have been tornadoes and storms all around us we have only had lightening and no rain. Thankfully we did get a spate of rain today which not only means that I did not have to get out and water everything but since I could not work in the yard, as planned, I was finally able to tackle a mess in the bedroom. I cleaned out the dresser and organized everything and put away the pile of stuff I had been hiding behind something. I feel like I have accomplished something even though no one else will notice. LOL

Caroline, it is never boring when people are talking about things they are passionate about. While I may not know as much about sports as you do or you know a thing about the love of a grandma for her grandkids we can both recognize enthusiasm and a zest for life that makes us smile and enjoy each others experiences. (smile) It is how we grow and learn since life is too darned short for us to savor everything personally. What a wonderful memory you brought to mind when you spoke of walking to the candy store. When I was young I used to run over the hill and down to the store to partake of such delights myself. I did not huff and puff after the running nor did I add weight after imbibing the sweets. Ah, for the good old days. Enjoy!! I have fixed my own computer after experts have failed also and I think the reason is that we have more to lose without a working computer and many of the so called experts only bill themselves that way without credentials. I saw an ad in Florida where someone was charging $50 for coming in and updating Windows, defragging and some other basic housekeeping items. Too tell the truth many repairmen charge for simple repairs that anyone, with a bit of courage, could do perfectly well themselves. Is a fact of life.

Helenabear, I hope you enjoy The Whistle Stop Cafe as much as I did. If you find it difficult to find time to read might I suggest that you just read a chapter a day or so or even keep the book in the bathroom or bedroom, wherever you find it easier to catch a few minutes to yourself. It is very relaxing.

Rider, boo, hiss on the allergies. I hope you are feeling better so that you can enjoy your night out on the town. I am sure you would manage to do so in any case but I wish for it to be easier for you to do. Ahh, you forgot that the Homeless have been provided a temporary shelter in the Suite for the length of their stay. Such a entertaining, imaganitive and fun loving bunch they are!! I am looking forward to the adventures we will share and will undoubtedly regret their departure. I may have to visit them often to get over my grief. I hope that I am the low maintance friend that I think I am and as such do not mind one tiny bit that you postpone your response to my recent email. I would not it any other way.

Colleen, I am so touched to hear of your dad's surprise and your mom's delight. It is the greatest gift a couple can give their kids, their love for each other. I wish everyone could have such a relationship. I laughed when I read how you could tell when your hubby was keeping a secret. A few weeks after Tom and I married he came in and started to say something. I looked at him and told him that whatever he was getting to say was a lie. He was dumbfounded and made the comment that I must be a witch or something but did not deny the charge. His mouth makes a perfect line when he is telling a falsehood. I fear that your nightmare of Michael Jackson chasing you would never come true unless you happened to have one of your sons with you in which case you would run even if your lungs collapsed with the effort.

I am appalled to find that my bright grandson, with perfect grades, cannot do basic math facts. No one had told me, not sure anyone knew or cared. I have made a game out of it and he is catching up quickly. He will able to do the whole set of addition and subtraction in under five minutes a set in the next couple of weeks. Only had a bit of trouble convincing him that it was something he needed for his life dreams. I explained that he would need to do these to watch over the vast fortune that he hopes to amass. LOL Put that way he accepted the inevitable and is even enjoying the journey. He has completed his 600 points for the summer reading program. Now it is reading for fun. My Austin had to be at the church until after 11 last night and was to be back up at 5 this morning. He will be coming over here to hide for a bit soon. He needs the rest.

I am praying for dry for the flooded areas, gentle rain for those who do not want to have to water and clear skies for those on vacations.

Slightly Goofy/Linda

[colleen costello]

Can someone (Rider?) tell me the easiest way to get photos to DIS pals? I so enjoyed the recent ones from Orlando... SO nice to put smiling faces with names. Scott is trying to get some on a webpage that we get with our internet account. I guess he is posting some of my pics there, then I can give you guys the address so you can look if you like. Is that the best way?

How do folks manage to include a photo every time they post? How do they do these mystical feats? Scott is 100% geek so I know he'll be able to do it; I just want to make it easy for my friends to access the photos (like Rider's!). I have such cute ones of the kids pointing out "Hidden Mickey's!" There is even oen of me with the kids that passes my "Oh I look way too fat" test! :)

xoxo

[SlightlyGoofy]

Colleen, I am sorry I cannot help you. I know how to do some basic things but do not even bother to do that. I am old and slow. LOL

I will be looking forward to seeing pictures from your trip. As luck would have it I was just watching some old videos that included pictures from Austin's first trip to DW. Since we had a stroller I was able to lug a camcorder around and have many scenes including several parades but seeing his sweet little face as I remember him as a baby was precious. My camcorder has not worked for a bit but after viewing these tapes I am bound and determined to go out and buy another, devil take the cost. Some things are beyond value. I even have Dalton's first steps on video as I taped him each and every day of his first year and was able to capture it.

Back to work for me. Has been raining so I am working indoors and getting an awful lot accomplished. Hope you are unpacked and enjoying a bit of well deserved rest. Hope the showing went well. Bodes well that you have had so many lookers.

SG/Linda

[colleen costello]

Ladies, I nagged Scott and he did my photos for me! I think you can see them here -- let me know!


http://home.insightbb.com/~colleencostello

[SlightlyGoofy]

Colleen, what great pictures. For a man who is not all that into Disney it looked like your hubby was doing pretty well for himself. LOL You looked just as I had imagined you too. Great looking kids and sure were good to pose for so many pictures. LOL They were in some of my favorite spots and a couple I did not even know existed. Had to laugh when I saw them with Goofy in front of Magic Kingdom. That used to be our favorite place to sit to watch the parades until they did away with the rockers and got the tall floats.

I absolutely loved your mom and dad just from their photos. Your dad for his choice in clothing, any man who dresses like that just plain has to be a great guy and a lot of fun to be around - your mom for letting him be who he is and having the greatest smiles for her grandkids. I hope to have a family like that in my next lifetime. (smile)

I saved them so that I can take them out to look at on a cold winters day. Will give me hope that spring will return. LOL

Slightly Goofy/Linda

[helenabear]

Caroline, where will you be traveling to in July? I am lucky and have no really far travel plans until the end of July as well. No, you do not bore me with your running at all! I used to run until about HS. I got more into all aspects of music and I could have done both, but it would have been a lot more difficult to do it all. Music wound up taking up a lot of my time by the end, but I still have an intereset in hearing about it :)

Linda, I usually do find time to read. I rarely turn on the TV so if I am not on my computer I am probably reading. I did just read a total fluff book (well almost done) last night. It is called the Devil Wears Prada. Simple read but I can't decide if I truly like th book or not. I totally forgot to look for Whistle Stop Cafe yesterday. Maybe I'll look next time I go to Half Price books.

Colleen, it looks like Scott helped you to find a great way to get your pictures up!! I loved looking at all of them. You have such a beautiful family! You also made me long to go back to WDW :teeth:

Well I should finish up this book I have... only a few chapters left but I think I know how it will end. I hop you all have having a great day!

[IASW Rider]

LOVE YOUR PICTURES, COLLEEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) :) :)

Thanks so much for sharing them with us! And so sorry that I didn't have a chance to check in to the Suite until now, so I only just read your post asking for advice about how to post them. :( Sorry about that! :( But it seems that you have found an even better way to upload and share them than I could have suggested, anyway! :) You all look wonderful! And so happy and relaxed! Your children are just ADORABLE! And so are your parents! They look like they were really enjoying themselves! And Scott looks great, and you look FANTASTIC! What's with this ".....way too fat" stuff??!! You look amazing! And you look so familiar to me.........maybe our paths have crossed while strolling the Point Pleasant Boardwalk, on some long ago occasion! :) (We were just there last weekend, by the way. I posted the link to some photos, a page or 2 ago on this thread, if you'd like to see!) Thanks so much for sending your pictures - I'm going to send the link to Frank's e-mail address so that he can see them the next time he's online, too! :)

The way to have a photo appear every time you post is to add the url link to the picture to your signature, using the "Edit Profile" option under "User CP". I used to know how to do it........I'm not sure that I still remember.........maybe I'll try one of my own, a little later today, and if it works I'll send you the "instructions"! I may actually already have them saved somewhere.......

Now, where is Emily with her pictures????????? :)

You never "bore" us with news of your running / track "career", Caroline! Keep the good news coming! :)

Hey - nothing wrong with reading "fluff", Elaine - I've been catching up on a bunch of "fluff" reading that I was saving for after my exams, myself! It's summer, now - the best time to read "fluff" books! They're fun! :) I just finished reading "In Her Shoes" and "Slightly Settled" - I'm definitely a "chick lit junkie" when I have time to do pleasure reading!

Just wrote you back, Linda, but I will reiterate here that I'm sure that Dalton's math skills will far surpass those of his classmates by the time that school starts up again in September, especially with your guidance and encouragement! :) And also that we have been thinking of you, Tom, and your family (and Colleen and Elaine and your families) and hoping that those tornadoes stay far away from your homes!

Glad that the "Homeless DIS'ers" are on their way up the coast and will be visiting with us shortly!

We had a fun day in NYC yesterday. The weather was beautiful - very sunny, breezy, and not too hot. We went to see "Wicked" on Broadway, which was outstanding, and then we had dinner at a nice, outdoor Italian restaurant close to the theater. Next weekend, we're going to a "Disney-historically-significant place"..........I won't tell you what it is.........hopefully I'll have some good pictures to share with you all! :)

I can't believe that we've been back from WDW for 3 weeks.........it seems more like 3 years..........but as Colleen said, looking forward to our next trip - even if it's 11 months away - keeps me going! :) Also, seeing pictures from everyone's trips helps a lot, and so does hearing from our friends who work down there! We just got some great news from our friend who works at Fantasmic - he was just appointed Show Control / Special Effects Crew Chief of the new Motor Stunt Show at the Studios! So things are moving along and are underway in terms of the preparations to open that show. That's something neat for us all to look forward to, for our 2005 WDW trips! Not to mention the new Stitch attraction in the MK (if I am brave enough to experience it!), Soarin' (if I am brave enough to ride it!), and of course, the re-vamped IASW! :)

Anyway, I'd better go - my allergies are worse than ever, today (I had these exact same symptoms on the last day of our cruise) - one of my eyes is all swollen and itchy and teary, so I am writing this with just one eye open! ".......yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.........."! :) (Where's Depply? :) ) I wish I knew what brought on that sort of reaction - it happens to me every so often, over the spring, summer, and fall.

Anyway, hope that you're all having a great weekend! :)

[SlightlyGoofy]

Lisa, have you even considered keeping a diary of what you eat, weather and other significant things to figure out what triggers your allergies? Have you ever had the skin tests? They have never worked for me but seem to for others. Sounds like a wonderful evening. I am a tiny bit jealous but more happy that you and Frank are able to do such things. I have been playing Millionaire on the computer to practice up for October and I finally made it to the million dollars the other day. Dalton said that he wished it were real money. LOL Yes, he will be caught up, I have no doubt, if I can keep him enough days this summer. He is a quick learner. His parents do not have time to do this one on one. A bit sad IMHO. Not that they are bad but they have different priorities. Poor Austin was so worn out yesterday from having to be at the church until after 11 at night and then back at 5 that he wanted to come over and veg but he had to go to his mom's SS class party. Maybe I am a heathen but it seems like the church takes up so much time that there is no time for family. Would be different if the family was together at church but they are separated when they enter the doors the majority of the time. My brain is being wracked trying to think of what Disney venue you have in mind. You are just full of surprises. LOL

Elaine, I have read the Devil Wears Prada as well. I read a wide range of things. I could not afford to buy my books even at Half Price Books cause I read several a week most of the time. I impressed that you find the time to read with all that you do. I find it relaxing. I used to read before I went to sleep but I am so tired when I crawl in nowadays that I drop the book so I have given it up. Today I working in the yard and I do so much work, read a chapter and repeat. Works for me.

Colleen, if Lisa says you look familiar she is probably right in that your paths have crossed somewhere cause she is heavily into details and would remember. Is not out of the realm of reality since you both go so often. Are you up for a May 2005 meet?

Talk, Depply and FP, hoping that you are all enjoying your summer and look forward to hearing what you are all up to. Keeps us old fogies young ya know???

SG/Linda

[colleen costello]

Glad you are back with us, Lisa. You are SO right -- reading friends' trip reports and seeing pictures of other vacations keeps us all going until we go back to WDW ourselves. I have a pal who arrived at WDW today, and I am just thrilled that she is down there. She has a lot of health problems -- she had a kidney transplant two summers ago -- and she is a HUGE Disney fan. Having Marla get to go to Orlando is as good as me going myself. Money is tight, for reasons I will never make sense of. It is a miracle she got a kidney and she is doing well BUT after 2 years, our genius government cuts these organ recipients off. She has had Medicare for the 2 years since the surgery, but on the 2nd anniversary, she will lose it. The anti-rejection meds she must take for the rest of her life cost over $1400 per month! How could ANY normal middle-class family absorb that? It seems tragic to me that we jeapordize the gift of the precious organ... Marla says a lot of recipients cut back on the meds due to costs, and then risk the organ failing! This makes me so mad I can hardly think of it without crying. For now, though, Marla is at Port Orleans with her wonderful hubby and 4-year old daughter and I am thrilled for her. She had her 40th birthday in April, and I splurged a bit and called WDW and added an extra night for them. Marla was so surprised when I told her! The little bit of money I spent has given me more smiles than I can say. Knowing they will have one extra day "on me" has been so wonderful. She is my special friend and I am so glad for her opportunity to be at WDW. I know you all understand. Because we feel so fanatical about the place, we understand how wonderful it is for a friend to ge to be there. I just can't wait for her to get back and share all her photos and memories with me!

We have to leave this afternoon because more folks are coming through the house. Thank goodness I got a break from this nonsense when I went to WDW -- having your house for sale sucks! It is almost impossible for me to keep it as tidy as I would like. If I mop the kitchen floor one more time I will SCREAM! Hopefully one of these lookers is going to have a pocketful of cash and LOVE this place... We'll see!

Lisa, if we get to come East this summer you BET I will be at Pt. Pleasant! Jenkinson's has ride bracelets on Tuesdays and we always take the kids. I haven't had real pizza since LAST summer! :)

Linda, any advice would be welcome since I START WEIGHT WATCHERS tomorrow! Gosh, reality sucks! :)

[colleen costello]

Lisa, it occurs to me that we sure could have met in some lifetime event. On day when we all meet at WDW, you and I can bore the rest of the ladies by trying to figure out who we have in common. My cousin Kelly Burke lives in the Somerset area. She is a realtor now. Maybe I have passed you while heading to her home!

It's also funny to me that Linda and I might have crossed paths in the past. Her home is close enough to mine, and she shops in my mall occasionally and I have certainly visited the outlet mall in her Columbus, Indiana area. It strikes me as funny that we might have chatted in a line or at a restaurant -- I speak to everyone I meet; it drives hubby and kids nuts. The kids will say "Who was that?" and I just say "a new friend!" :)

xoxo

[IASW Rider]

Hey Everyone!

Congratulations on hitting the $1 million mark in Millionaire, Linda! :) I have no doubt that Ms. Hot Seat will prevail, once more, come October! :)

I think I need to check out this Half Price Books that you're all talking about! I usually shop via Amazon - they tend to have pretty good deals. I used to work directly across the street from a Barnes and Noble and would spend my lunch hours there.........very dangerous.........I left the place, several times a month......close to $100 poorer each time! :) It was like an addiction - I would come home with armloads of books and Frank would be like "she's at it, again!"

You'll have to let me know if you plan to come East this summer, Colleen! I will come and meet you in Point Pleasant! We were just at Jenkinson's, last week (then again, what ISN'T "Jenkinson's" on that boardwalk?!)! We went to the aquarium for the first time, which was really neat. The seals and penguins in there are so adorable!

That is such a wonderful thing that you did for your friend and her family! :) I'm sure that they truly appreciate your gesture of thoughtfulness! I hope that they are having a fantastic time on their vacation! I felt so badly when I read about her coverage - that is so awful - I hope that everything winds up working out, somehow. Thank God she is healthy and doing well - that's the most important thing. Hopefully, she will find some sort of alternative before the second anniversary of her coverage. In the mean time, it was so kind of you to provide her and her family with some extra pixie dust and magic! :)

Lots of good luck with Weight Watchers! I'm sure that you will do beautifully! Just like your fellow Indiana resident, "Slim Goofy", over there! :)

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

[colleen costello]

Rider, thanks for your support and if we are coming home, you bet I will let you know. It would be fun to meet you at the beach. If not this summer, then next!

What's this about October? Who is going again? Can we all post our next trip plans... I have lost track. I am going next in March for Spring Break with my parents. We hope to get 2 nights at the Poly (if I can get a good rate) then have 6 nights DVC at either Beach Club or Wilderness Lodge. I can't wait! I hope to go summer 2005 too, if I can scrounge some points... Small World might be opened (I forgot the dates) and Stitch will definitely be. We want to have dinner at Park Faire at the Grand Floridian and the kids want to eat again at Cindy's in the castle.

Who else has plans?

[IASW Rider]

The Traveling DIS'ers have arrived!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread...threadid=587782

They are currently touring the MK and seem to be making plans for the evening. As we don't want to monopolize their first night at WDW, I invited them to the Suite for a nightcap and a special, private performance of the EWP, when they have finished seeing Wishes, dining at Pleasure Island, and seeing "La Nouba"! :)

[edcrbnsoul]

Sounds great we would love a viewing of EWP

http://www.allisha.com/Wild/whale.JPG

[castlegazer]

Holy cow, I had to come on over here to find out what we were up to. Apparently I have ditched the group and need to find them all again - you are right they can really move through a park - it must just be because we want to hit the, um, ahem, entertainment outside of MK - the imbibing kind that is.

[TalkisCheap]

:wave2: Welcome Homeless DIS'sers!!



Summer track starts tonight, and despite some early rain showers, the sun is out here and it's looking beautiful for running!


I'm so excited for summer. Only 3 days of school left for all my friends!! We're planning on going to see a movie(probably Stepford Wives) to celebrate summer REALLY being here! If only it would warm up here...!!!


My room is all painted, and it looks GREAT! I love it! At first I thought it would be a little dark, but now all together, it looks wonderful! It will also lighten up after we paint my dressers white and get the yellow curtains up. I'm so excited to see it all complete!


Well, I guess I'm off to change for practice!! Have a great night if I don't stop in later!


<3 TIC

[castlegazer]

Hey guys, come on ou of your suite tonight and join us for an exclsuive party over at the HOB! We are being picked up right now in a limo following an old time cop car with two nuns driving. Then we are celebrating some really big news - you have to come on over to see what the news is!

[TalkisCheap]

:cheer2: :cheer2: Congrats castlegazer!!!!!!!




:teeth: I'm really off to track practice now!! :wave2: Cya later!!




<3 TIC

[FPgurl04]

hi everyone!! don't have much time because the pizza is coming soon!! but i DID see the EWP in disney because we stayed in the villas at the wilderness lodge. i'm not making a trip report because (a)i'll bore people to death and (b)i don't remember exactly what we did. all i can say is it was one of the, best if not the best, vacation i've ever had!!!!

gtg pizza;s here!!!!

[helenabear]

Hi all!!! It feels like summer is here!! I like this feeling!!

Lisa, I am so sorry your allergies are that bad. Do you take anything for them?

Linda, most of the time I get things for more than half price at that store... the book I picked up was actually 75% off. I usually borrow from friends, get the quarter ones or go to the library though. I had jsut started the book elsewhere and wanted to read it right then. I do enjoy reading a lot though. I admit I read several books over and over again too. I like doing that :)

Colleen, that is so sad about your friend. I don't know how anyone could afford that! I know that I don't even pay that/month for our house! So sweet of you to give them the extra night though. I know what you mean about how it makes you feel.

As for my upcoming trips... just the ones in my sig. I don't have quite enough vacation to go again (or time or money). DL was my "splurge" this year and I usually can only get to WDW twice a year. How I am managing 2 WDW and a DL trip I am not sure yet. I'd love to go in Oct again, but if I do, it will probably wind up being an anniversary trip next year with Luis :)

Oh how cool!!! Thanks for the EWP pic :teeth:

Caroline, good luck with your final days of school! I must have missed it, what color did you paint your room? Oh and I must say, I love that sig pic you have in there!! Very cheery!!

Castlegazer... just saw the news there... thanks for the invite on over :)

Emily, I am so glad you got to see the EWP at WDW! Can't wait to hear about the rest of the trip!

[FPgurl04]

well basically, we were in universal for 3 days. we did the attractions that we wanted (some more than once) and relaxed and hung out by the pool. when we were in disney, for the first time EVER we did not go to the parks every day!! if we went to the parks, it wasn't for more than 2 or 3 hours. we did the attractions we wanted, shopped, etc. we hung out, went to downtown disney, got to see and do more than we've ever seen or done (mini golfing, chef mickeys, etc.), and we just basically relaxed. it felt good--like a real vacation from things considering we usually go constantly when we're on vacation. it felt really good and was just a TON of fun! (look, i rhymed!) i think that, plus a lot of gyrardelli's, sums it up. oh, and if you've never been to the whispering canyon in the WL, go. go now. and eat the all-you-can-eat thing. it's SOOOO good. we ate there at about midnight and it was soooo good. very yummy. and Wishes, the new fireworks show at MK, is really good too. it actually brought tears to my eyes--which is not exactly a difficult thing considering i'm a softy--but it was really good. anyway, i think that's about it.

sorry, i haven't read anything on here lately....so how is everyone? what's new?

[helenabear]

Sounds like an aboslutely wonderful trip there, Emily!!! Some day I do hope to go to Universal. I rented a car with the hope that I make it there this December... we'll see though.

Where did you stay when you were there? I admit that I love just relaxing like that. I do hang out at the parks a bit more than you did, but I also don't rush all around all over the place... it feels great to do that and come back feeling so relaxed!

Not much new here... just going through life, getting ready for my friend's wedding and a trip not too far off after that :hyper:

[SlightlyGoofy]

Just so much going on around here. Sure is nice to see all the new and familiar faces around the Suite. My favorite thing is to sit around and talk to friends and make new ones. I love exchanging ideas and life stories. I am grinning from ear to ear tonight!

FP, I am too old (scared) to really enjoy Universal but it sure sounds like it suited you to a tee. Did you eat anywhere over there? I have always wanted to check out City Walk but not willing to pay a fee to eat there as I have been told. I liked the Whispering Canyon pretty well. We often take a bus over to a resort instead of eating in the parks. A vacation has to be a change from your regular life and from the sound of yours you needed to take a few days easy. Good for you and may the memories hold you until you can return again.

Heleanabear, do you live far from a library? If so, do you sell your books at a yardsale when you are done? I may make a trip over to buy some. LOL For me to buy a new book I have to get rid of an old one and you would not believe how many bookcases I have in this house. LOL Just finished the Di Vinci Code and it was awesome. I cannot contemplate the sort of intelligent and devious mind that could think up something like that. It even involved Walt Disney in the plot. It was very believeable and intelligent. Had much to say about organized religion that I believe not that I believe the premise of the book (wholly). I reccomend it though.

Castlegazer, you have my attention. I love your style and cannot wait to see what you all up to. I always tell my grandkids that imagination is the best toy and you guys are toymakers supreme!

Talk, there is nothing better than a freshly decorated room. Did you do a "Clean Sweep" first and clear out all the debris of your past life to make room for your future? Did you do the work yourself? Have a good run, cooler weather is always better to run in IMHO.

edcrbnsoul, with Rider here you have the perfect guide for the EWP. She is a Disney trivia champion and knows everything about everything, in detail and with verve!! I am headed your way to see what you and the nuns are up to. Girls gone wild??

SG/Linda

[TalkisCheap]

:wave2: Good evening!!



Hey Emily! That's the first I've heard of your vacation. It sounds like a lot of fun! I loved Universal when I went. Did you do IOA and Studios?? I went to IOA the first day we were there(we bought the tickets)and then the last day we were there, my dad's company gave a party where the rented out Studios, and so we got to go for free! They didn't have ALL the rides open, but I loved the ones they did have open! I went on MIB 3 times! I loved that ride! At IOA, the Hulk coaster was great, but I LOVED Spiderman! IT was so cool, and it seemed real!!


Track practice was good. I'm so mad. I need to vent so, WARNING! THE REST OF THIS PARAGRAPH IS A VENT! Now that it is clearly marked - I've been running in the same track program every summer since I was 9. There year I was 11 and going into 6th grade, a guy and his daughter, his girlfriend and her daughter joined my track program. Mr. Lablanc(the guy) and Diane(his girlfriend{fiance now}) helped at the practices, both being big runners. I never really became really friendly with either of their daughters, but I knew them and talked to them at practice. Well, Mr. Lablanc is only a police officer so he doesn't make a TON of money but they're not like poverty striken. Well, the next year, summer track comes around and both of their daughters arn't doing it. I asked a good friend of the daughter, and she told me that Mr. Lablanc didn't have enough money to pay to do the program and decided to make his own team for his daughter, Diane's daughter, and Garnet(an insainly good runner, set state records and was 8th or so in the country in the mile, but his dad is a local politician and doesn't have a lot of money either.) Well, I didn't really think about that, and just accepted it and didn't care. Well, today I find out that he's been coming to our school track meets(both daughters are on it) and scoping out the kids. He asked all of the good runners to be on HIS team and not do the one with the town. Now, you have to know this guy. Everything to him is winning. When Garnet went to nationals in running and did so well,Mr. Lablanc was in EVERY picture with him and mentioned in the article alot in suchj contexts as 'and his coach who helped him become who he is' etc. This was totally untrue. Garnet was a great runner before he ever met him. Now he has been recruting all the good people(it really annoyed me in my best friends case, her sister was asked to do it, but she wasn't and her mom didn't want to drive to 2 separate practices and stuff). So, I'm really mad at him because he has like split our town down the middle, a lot of kids are mad at each other because they were going to run together until Mr. Lablanc recruted some kdis and not the rest. Also, I think he has something against my family because, okay, I'm going to sound a little stuck up, but, I was definatly one of the best runners on my team and he didn't ask me. He asked a whole bunch of kids 20 times worse than me to be on the team but not me. I don't really care because I would have turned him down because I hate how he is taking the fun out of track by being totally focused on winning, but it's the principal of the thing. I know I sound a little snooty like, "I can't believe he didn't ask me, I'm so good" and I know I sound like this, but in the case it's a little true. Okay, I'm done, it came out longer than I expected...oops!


Anyway, my room was painted a light blue. It looks really nice. I did go through all of my stuff and a lot of stuff is not going back in to the new room. I had way too much stuff, so it needed a good cleaning. Anyway, I can't wait to see everything together in the room. Tomorrow I'm painting my dressers and my head board white so I'll let you know how it comes out!! I should get going though, my mom is popping in one of my favorite movies and I'm going to go watch some of it before bed. Have a great day tomorrow, and thanks for the much needed vent!!


<3 TIC

[edcrbnsoul]

Thanks EWP group for that excellent welcome party and the good news from one our group made the night even more special, in case you didnt see castlegazer is expecting her second little Disney fan.