12/09/06 Cruise Continued ~ Pirating Bananas DIS Geekorama Part 2 Part 7

[Jhalkias]

OK, speaking from the other side of the PTO fundraising thing. Noone likes to do these fundraisers. We all wish that they weren't necessary. However, the money has to come from somewhere. Our school is in the process of buying & installing new playground equipment. Two years ago we bought four pieces of equipment for the Kindergarten playground. The school board matched us 50/50. The total was 18000. We have 4 swings, a climbing piece, a balance beam, and a small climbing wall. That playground had nothing but mulch and a couple of plastic toys for two years. The 3rd-5th grade playground had four pieces installed last year with the same deal...14000. This year we are trying to get a climbing piece for the 1st-2nd grade playground. Now we are trying to find a different piece for 2000 less so that we will have the money to be able to use the 7500 grant that we just received. It has to be used on a new order before 11/14. We don't have the money to match it. The cheapest slide for the K playground is 13000.

In addition to these big purchases we bought calculators for the 3rd grade to take the EOGs last year, restocked the science lab, provide up to 100 per teacher reimbursement for classroom materials, fund children who can't pay for field trips or school supplies, bought security doors for the school with the special cards to open them for the teachers, etc. This year the refridgerator in the teacher's lounge has broken down. Now the classes can't have fresh snacks like milk, fruit, cheese, etc because there is no place to store them. That will be an expense that we didn't plan on.

Our schools would not have nearly as many opportunities for kids without all the hard work and money raised by our PTO's and other volunteers. They literally donate thousands of dollars for kids every year.

The school district holds a special volunteer luncheon every year to thank all of them, and our kids perform a program for them.

John1

 

[lbgraves]

I started reading posts and confess I gave up after about 30 pages. I'm hopelessly behind, but happy to jump in here!

Will email the "fearless leader" with our info!

Are we too late for any DIS group goodies? Are you doing buttons? Fish extenders? Wrist bands? (I love goodies!) I checked the Disney site for the lime green t-shirts, but alas, all gone. Guess I could spray paint the kiddos!

Hi there! Once you send my your family's info, you will be able to see all of our plans on the group website. There is a page listing what goodies everyone is bringing. There is alot a JPEG image for the back of the Tshirts so even if you don't have the DD.com ones that ran out for some reason you will fit in.

 

[tynkerbell]

we got in late also. I got the white t shirts for my family. They still had them last time I looked and they were cheap.

We're wearing the Navy Blue version of the shirts in the terminal because I want our embarkation photo with the blue since I think the green will clash with the background. But we'll be switching to the green for sailaway.

 

[Jhalkias]

My DS, the perfect one, told me the average miles on a treadmill are 75. If any of you have heard of ICON, Manufacturer of Nordictrack, HealthRider, Proform, Reebok, Weslo, Image, Weider, and JumpKing brands of exercise equipment, they are based where I live and they know just how strong they need to make equipment because they know how long the average person will actually use it. Sad huh.

Until I started walking the dog, I tried to do two miles each time, at least four times a week. I was doing pretty well. I do walk the dog two miles now, but it is not quite the same. Wonder how I check the mileage on mine?

John1

 

[tynkerbell]

I was on 2 before as well and missed them both!!!! I was too tired by Thursday!!!! I WILL be there this time...even if I have to leave DH in the room with the kids!

I'm worried that with late seating I'll be too full to enjoy the buffet but I would like to go and take pictures of all the desserts.

 

[Jhalkias]

I belong to a Gym. I even had a trainer for 1 year. To get healthy enough to have DD I lost 86 pounds and worked out 6 days a week, 2 times a week with a trainer. I was in such good shape... Now, not so good shape. So I still have the Gym membership, but it takes me 15 minutes to get there and 15 minutes back home, and I probably won't use it until I am fit enough for the weights again. that will be a while... I get what you mean about working out in front of people though. It is hard enough doing it without worrying what you look like while you are doing it..

I may be odd (or it just may be a guy thing - Amy is like you guys) but working out with other people there actually motivates me more - and no, I don't just mean the ones in the tight leotards . . .

I am no thing of beauty working out anymore either, but the best I have done with exercise and losing weight has been at the Y or the local club. My big problem is the time to go there -and, since I am a big sweater, showering. It is a big time commitment and a big chunk out of a day that is already too full . . . now if I could DIS while I exercised . . .

I can see it now - the DIS Gym.

John1

 

[brack]

Lisa looks like you get a new milestone tonight with 17,000 posts.

 

[MMcCarthy]

We're wearing the Navy Blue version of the shirts in the terminal because I want our embarkation photo with the blue since I think the green will clash with the background. But we'll be switching to the green for sailaway.

I even have DH convinced that we could all wear the same tshirt and not look out of place. I hope we still will fit in with the rest of you green guys--DH said absolutely no to the green.

 

[klineyqueen]

Thanks Lisa!!! I needed that!

 

[brack]

I can see it now - the DIS Gym.

John1

 

[lbgraves]

I think that is a TON of stuff......not to mention - they HIRED ME ON THE SPOT! They are changing mgmt - and boy the old mgmt knew me!! - anyway this lady was up from Miami resetting it looked like and she got to talking to me and hired me, I mean got my info and everything. I am supposed to go fill out paperwork on Sunday. 30% off and she also said free WDW passes. and the 30% off is good at the Children's Place as well. Now the pay needs to be discussed ASAP....$6.75 WHAT? as a PT cashier at Home Depot I was making $11.50! I would love LOVE to do it. Don't know what DH will say??!!


ok Grey's is on.

Great haul at DS but are you really going to be working there? Did you stop at HD? I missed that somewhere back in the posts. 30% discount is fantastic!!!

 

[tynkerbell]

I may be odd (or it just may be a guy thing - Amy is like you guys) but working out with other people there actually motivates me more - and no, I don't just mean the ones in the tight leotards . . .

I am no thing of beauty working out anymore either, but the best I have done with exercise and losing weight has been at the Y or the local club. My big problem is the time to go there -and, since I am a big sweater, showering. It is a big time commitment and a big chunk out of a day that is already too full . . . now if I could DIS while I exercised . . .

I can see it now - the DIS Gym.

John1

DH doesn't mind the gym either. The only problem is that the one near us is usually really packed and he doesn't like waiting for machines or feeling rushed because others are waiting.

 

[goofyforlife]

you know a regular gym thing would be a great idea on the ship.
Kristina - do you know what other type of classes there are besides spinning? maybe just a morning treadmill/stationary bike/weights meet would be fun.

elaine

There is a sample schedule on the castawayclub.com site

Weights type meet would be ok.....

 

[MMcCarthy]

Until I started walking the dog, I tried to do two miles each time, at least four times a week. I was doing pretty well. I do walk the dog two miles now, but it is not quite the same. Wonder how I check the mileage on mine?

John1

we were watching our local news and they have a dog pedometer. vetenarians are supposedly giving them away for free. they are recommending that dogs do 10,00 steps each day also. my dogs steps would be serirously smaller than mine. they are minature poodles. we used to take them for walks but after the last time my dogs were attacked by a neighbors dog. we had it happen three times by three different dogs. both my dogs are fixed--we really can't figure out why the dogs seem to come out of the woodwork.

 

[becka]

Hey Brenda - nice to see ya! Wonder what I gotta do to get DH to draw a bath for me! If I asked, he'd probably say "give me a pen and paper"

 

[kimerinc]

I have been obsessed crazy (more than usual) in trying to get this booked. This start-our-own-business thing wasn't supposed to happen 'til maybe next year. But everything is falling into place for a MUCH earlier start up.....which is great for DH, but it shot our August '07 med repo out of the water.

Not knowing if I would ever see a vacation again before our boys are out on their own and grown, I figured we'd better put that repo deposit to good use....and fast! Fortunately, DH agreed and here we are.....no doubt paying top $$ for the privilege, but happy to be doing so all the same!!

We live in Maryland.....halfway between D.C. and Baltimore. I'm a recovering type-A workaholic/now stay-at-home Mom. We've been on 4 DCL cruises....always on the Magic except for one 3-nighter on the Wonder this past March.

Another confession -- I've been more of a lurker on the DIS. When we sailed on the Panama Canal repo, I sooooooo regretted not getting involved, posting, being part of the DIS fun. So, I guess that makes me a recovering lurker, too!

Thanks for the welcomes -- looking forward to getting to know you F-A-S-T!!

Hi and WELCOME WELCOME!!!

I am bringing or shipping customized lime green wristbands with our cruise info. You can get all the info on these from our empress...

 

[becka]

ummm...would you guys believe that I only JUST NOW saw the red box that says "Page xxx of xxx" - and all this time, I've wondered how many pages I have left to read before I get to the end!!! (I think I need help!! LOL)

Don't tell anyone....I never noticed it either.

 

[Jhalkias]

Oh I am not afraid of the gym. I am afraid of me in the gym. I tend to be a little "all or nothing" about this kind of thing and I actually think I might hurt myself. I figure if I can get my back and stupid rotater cuff shoulder a little stronger I will be less likely to rip my rotater cuff again. My problem has always been moderation. I eat to much, I play to hard, I always think I can do more and there will never be consequences. That's pretty stupid huh.

No, not stupid, a lot of us are like that. I used to come up from our basement (where I have the treadmill) looking like I had just run through a rain storm - and I could wring the sweat out of my shirt. Amy would look at me with concern and horror.

I have a doctor who was trying to advise me on easy exercises to lose weight, he said that it is stuff he liked to do because he did not like to sweat. I looked at HIM like he was crazy. How do you know if you are doing anything unless you feel the pain? It is a great feeling for me when I push myself as hard as I can - at least until the next morning. You can just ask Amy about the stupid things I have done to myself when I have done things like this (like tackle football with guys half my age at Thanksgiving).

John1

 

[klineyqueen]

I am no thing of beauty working out anymore either,


John1

For some reason...that just tickled my funny bone!

 

[becka]

do you guys also get tired of reading all my catch up posts?????
sometimes I just don't reply because I'm afraid it's annoying - but today I guess I'm feeling chatty! LOL

If I got tired of yours then what would that say about me?