4/29/06 Eastern Magic...We're Going!!!!!

[suziemva]

Belated Happy Birthday, you old fart! LOL! Just kidding!

Heat is bad but the humidity is worse! Doesn't help that I'm bigger than a house right now!

Only 69 more days until D-Day (delivery day)! Fall can't get here soon enough. I have nights I wake up so hot that I have to go downstairs to the basement just to cool down. Ugh!

Tori just had her 4th birthday on Saturday. Had about 54 people there and about half were kids! Tori is such a big girl now! We had a seafood boil (Steve, forgot to put the invite in the mail, buddy! Had some clams for you!) and pool party at our friend's house. Was about 98 that day and hot as hell! The pool felt soooooo good!

Hope everyone is fairing well in this nationwide heat wave! Wish we lived closer to the beach! I'm trying to beg Ed into taking a long weekend and going to the beach for some time off. Work is coming on strong. He's still in the works for this Republic of Congo contract, working part time for a friend doing consulting work, has two contracts in the works for training at moving companies in our area and another contract working with quality control (ISO) for one of the local hospitals! The ball keeps rolling and picking up speed! Whew! I've taken over all the administrative operations for the company which includes all the books for the current contracts and his company. It's actually fun and I love it! Especially love that I can do it on MY time!! And I get paid! Probably the smallest paycheck ever but, hey, I'm worth it!!!

Love, hugs, and kisses to everyone! (Trish, I just got your message! Sorry, I'll call you later tonight - going to take a nap now! I just don't sleep at night anymore and have to use naps to catch up during the day!)

 

[STEVEMED]

Suzie...Rhode Island has some great beaches.....come on up.

 

[castlegazer]

You know what's funny - the phone has not been ringing for Disney travel at all the last few days - hmmm, going to Florida when you're stuck in 100 degree heat seems to be a BIG turn off. I had a bunch of people call last night - but for months like Dceember and January. No one wants to go in August.

My poor baby has a fever from teething so she got banned from day care today - she and Daddy will be trying to stay cool at home today with or window ACs.
I got my first pay check from TA work! YEAH! Thank God I am doing this while doing something else and it's just for fun right now. It took about 4 weeks after my 1st clients traveled to get a commission check.

Hmm, I think something was mentioned earlier.....what could that have been...........

IT WAS THE WEEKENDS THAT DID ALL THE DAMAGE!!!!!!

 

[BLBCB]

This has probably been asked before, but how do you post pictures on here? Great pictures Suzie. Brings back memories and my back hurts just thinking about it!

Heat wave up here too. This house doesn't have any insulation in it so it gets really hot. Who would build a house in Canada without insulation!! We are trying to come up with the money to put siding on the outside, and will insulate at the same time. We do all the work ourselves so at least we don't have to pay someone else to do it. Our basement is new at least so it is nice and comfortable and we have been sleeping down there. The girls are back to sharing a room now because Mom & Dad need one of the beds down there! Ben's room is done now and he picked a paint colour called "glazed carrots", so you can just imagine how bright that room is. When it gets this hot, it kinda makes you wonder how the first settlers ever made it out here. Clearing land by hand, wild animals, and extremes in temperature from melting hot to freeze your skin in seconds cold. I know I wouldn't have made a good settler. Not far from Winnipeg is an actual fort that has been preserved all this time. They have costumed people who really get into the part. Great place to visit, I wouldn't have liked to live there though unless I was part of the Governor's family with all the servents (probably not even then). I'm complaining about not having insulation or AC! At the moment I would settle for a window that would open and give me a breeze. Who would build a house without windows that can open? All sealed units here. That's another expense that adds to the siding, we have to replace all the windows at the same time.

One of my sisters won a $14,000 African Safari for 2, but she "down-graded" it to a trip for 4 to Europe. Of course I had to plan a trip to Disneyland Paris into her itinerary! I sure wish it was me going there. Have any of you ever been there? I've heard it's great, but don't compare it to Disneyland or Walt Disney World. It is it's own park and has a certain European Flare. I guess that's only fair since you shouldn't compare Disneyland to WDW either. They are similar but really different.

Better get back to work. Strange how WDW brought out a room-only discount for this fall. I thought the free dining plan packages were selling good, but obviously not if they are still trying to fill rooms. If I can't go to Disneyland Paris, maybe I could slip down to WDW for a few days! Or maybe get windows and insulation for my house. Decisions, decisions.

Have a great week everyone. Enjoy the weather while we can. Snow is only 2 months away!

Barb

 

[castlegazer]

Barb! How did she win that!!!!! Man, my sister says I have all the luck, but that tops everything I have ever won.

I have no idea what is going on with all the deals for August and September - but the last place on earth I want to be at in August is WDW - sorry diehard fans - but I just can't stand super heat and humidity. These last weeks have been killing me even up here.

I can't wait for the fall! I am soooo much a northern New England girl. My blood is meant for cold weather and skiing.

Hey, TT! I am torn between sailing in 2007 or simply changing it to 2008. If I decide to change it, I am with you on the April-May sailings. I currently have October 2007 booked.

 

[BLBCB]

Barb! How did she win that!!!!! Man, my sister says I have all the luck, but that tops everything I have ever won.

It was a promotion with a grocery chain across Canada. These are usually smaller family-owned stores in small towns across the country and they put on a promotion every year. You save UPC symbols from particular sponsors and attach them to your ballot. It's free to enter, you just have to remember to save those UPCs. This town has about 500 people in it and this is where 5 of the grand prizes over the last 10 years have gone to! This draw is right across Canada! People here have won a Harley motorcycle, an Avalanche (I think it was), SeaDoo with trailer, a van, and now this trip! Pays to shop local I guess.

Long winded answer to a short question! My Dad always says that I make a short story - long. I have a sign that says the name Barbara means "gifted conversationalist". So I guess it's his fault I'm like this since he picked my name.

Have a great one everybody!

Barb

 

[tiggersister2]

Hi Everyone. I haven't checked in for a long time and it's nice to see some of you still staying in touch with each other. I saw a message from Stevemed and realized - I never met him - he was a mystery before I left for the cruise and remains as one.

We had a nice trip to NC to visit my daughter and son in law. We drove to TN to Dollywood and it was cute but I kept making comparison statements to Disney and I think my son in law had enough - so I stopped .

Last week we had visits from kids and grandkids from Texas so now it's all quiet in the house again. We are planning a trip to Disneyworld in December (before all the crowds arrive) as I have never seen the Christmas decorations. I'm also considering quick trip with my husband soon just to get away and actually just relax at Disney without running around to all the parks. We'll see. I've never been there in August but it can't be worse than it is in Philly right now. I think the crowds are less than in June/July as many schools have started. I LOVE September - no crowds - it's so neat to get to an early opening at a park and literally have it be kind of empty.

Anyway, hope you are all doing well. We have plans to cruise end of April in 2007 on Western, but we are waiting to see what Disney cruise has planned for 2008 - we might change. I would love to go this year on the 10 or 11 Southern Caribbean, but I worry about a long trip during hurricane season. We did a 4 night last year for the Ebert and Roper Film Festival Cruise and I didn't like it as much as the 7 night. However, I think people who did the film festival weren't Disney folk - just film folk - so they weren't into the fun of it.

I can't believe summer is almost over - wow. TTYL Sandy

 

[suziemva]

Hey, Lisa! Just got the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival info in the mail. Saw that Gloria Gaynor will be doing the Eat to the Beat concert Oct 26-28....wonder if she'd pull you up on stage if you went!!!! LOL! I don't think I'll ever hear her name and not think of you....or Tom and The Time/The Bird...or Len and The Village People! hee-hee! I can NEVER see a speedo without thinking of Steve....

Ah, the memories......

 

[rubysmom]

Hello all! I have not forgotten you, I promise! I'm really still here, believe it or not.

Suzie--Tag you're it with the phone calls, sweetie! Congrats to you & Ed on the biz--WOW, nothing like big fabulous contracts to get things going on the right track. You two have worked hard (yes, you too) and you deserve it! BTW, it's no wonder you took the bull by the horns with this thread and our cruise--look at the parties you throw! C'mon guys, does she know how to organize a quality get-together or what!? (I realize it was a kids bday party, but 54 people? A seafood boil? and a swimming pool??--Can't wait for Tori and Amira's Graduation parties--I'm SOOOO there, even if I am almost 50 yo by that time! LOL)

Tom, darling, do the math...not a day over 29! And Happy Belated Birthday to you too! How did you celebrate the big 4-0? Just think, I spent my bday celebrating you and your kind-- watching Pirates II!

CG--Thanks for the tip! I emailed them (him/her?) with a specific request for that 1998 Epcot map. Got one from another DISer that wasnt the holiday season, but it's filling the spot nicely for now. Three cheers for the DIS!! I'm also SOOO jealous of your 3-night coming up next month. I've always thought it would be not enough time, but really you get 3 sleeps onboard and without kids..sounds like an excellent idea to me. And I vote that you just bump your 2007 to the first week of May 2008 with the rest of us! It wouldnt be the same without you!

Julie--I was so sorry to hear that you cancelled your trip. The replacement does sound like fun though. We just did a camping trip at Baker Lake and I was reminded how much I love the outdoors. So how is Jessica doing? I truly hope she's doing better!!

Steve--a shy guy? I have to censor your pics in a separate folder from the cruise pics so they don't come up on my screensaver!!

Lisa--Your puppy sounds adorable! Two friends have recently gotten new puppies and even though they chew everything, I just loooove the way they wobble around on their floppy unstable puppy feet. One family brought their new little springer spaniel on our group camping trip this past weekend--soooo cute!! I think to post pics (for Barb too!) your pics have to have a URL which means they have to be stored online somehow. Is that right, CG? I'd love to see a picture of Meadow, Lisa, if you can post one.

Barb--You always have such fun news! What a trip your sister won! Isnt there some way you can finagle a preview trip and tagalong with her?? Congrats on the parade float--we would all really love to see it--can you put it on your website and then use the url? As for the hot temps, I didn't know it could get up to 113 up there in the Great White North? Seriously, though is that a record? Glad you survived.

Sandy--Nice to hear from you again. Disney Magic May 2008 is the place to be--make sure to include it in all your fun travel plans!! You'll love the Christmas decorations at WDW...especially the snow! They do everything up so beautifully. ...don't feel bad about SteveMed...he's still quite an enigma even to those of us who were lucky enough to meet him!!

Ah, Suzie, the memories ...and this thread will kick into high gear again once we get some dates for 2008. (I should talk--where have I been for the last month??)

So I'm still working towards my weight loss goal--this is the extended plan, apparently! But I'm looking forward to my next foot race...the 15k. It's along the waterfront which means beautiful views--I can't wait! I'm doing an all-day scrapbook crop that same day after I finish the race. I'm sure that'll be productive. I'll probably fall asleep facedown in my adhesives and stamp pads.

Those of you who met my son on the trip...OMG he is huge!! We discovered he grew 3 inches between Jan and July. Everyday I look at him and can't believe he's not even 13 yet--sheesh!

Time for bed, I guess...never a quick hello from Rubysmom, eh?

PS Ok, seriously now, this is getting a bit scary--where oh where have our Roses gone?? The twilight zone??

 

[Lisa D]

It's great to hear from you again! I've got to buckle down and figure out how to post pix of the puppy. She's really cute but not at 3:00 am which is why I haven't checked in often since we got her. It's almost like having a baby all over again - which is why I so often think of Suzie when I'm up with Meadow! We'll soon be up together!

Suzie , how did you make it through the heat wave? I will surprise you with a phone call one of these days. Between the kids home ( and all their phone calls) , and the dog (I'm like a prisoner in my kitchen with the tile floor until she's housebroken) and work (I think half our staff took the summer off), the past few months have gone by so fast! And Gloria Gaynor was just in our area Tuesday night for a local music festival called (appropriately enough) Musikfest. It is a great event that goes on every August if anyone (hint hint) is ever in our area. We didn't see Gloria (I'm still not ready to hear that song again) but Phil and I did see Train (as in "Drops of Jupiter") on Monday night and they were awesome!

Sandy, thanks for checking in with us! As everyone says, as soon as those 2008 dates come out things will get lively again.

Nite everyone.

Lisa

 

[suziemva]

Lisa, sounds like a fun concert! I really do like Train but haven't heard anything from them lately. Their CD is good for workout tunes, I've found!

Trish, was great talking with you. Let me know how goes the car situation! Poor baby!

Barb!!! Sorry I haven't emailed lately. Lots going on here - least of all I've got another sinus infection with a cold chaser on it's rear end. How is Len doing? Is his surgery scheduled or did you guys put it off?

Tom, hope all is going well with you, the Queen and the Princesses. Drop a line would ya'?

Steve, same goes with you! I know you can't be THAT busy!

Tori got a letter from her new teacher the other day. I couldn't believe she has a school supply list! For Preschool!!! Geez, and I was looking at those poor suckers, I mean parents, doing the back to school shopping the other day, thinking "Glad it's not me!" .....should have know it would come back to bite me in the butt! The only good thing is that this teacher sounds really great and the school is so much better (and closer!) than her other one! We found out that only 1 student from her class re-enrolled for this coming year! NO ONE was happy with the teacher situation! Can't believe school starts in like a month! Where did the summer go?

Well, gonna try to get back to sleep....hard when you can't breathe but where there's a will, there's a way!

CU L8R!!

 

[Belle and Rella's Dad]

Here it is 100 days from the day we were forced to walk the plank, do you want to know what was going on with this post back then just click on page 79 to see what was going on, and yes we are on page 300 now.

We are less than 100 days until our Turkey Day vacation at Disney, we will be at the beach club for 11 nights, it is actually funny that I have our vacations planned all the way through 2009 right now, maybe I have a problem any thoughts out there????? It won't be long and the rates will be out for 2008, last I heard it will sometime in mid September, and right now I think we are up to 7 cabins to be booked.

Suzie hang in there babe not much longer, I hope you and Ed are doing great.

Shyla, if you ever need help booking anything let me know, between SteveMed and I, we have plenty of vacation planning experience.

Well better get back to work, but I do still check this pretty much every day.

Talk to you all soon.

Tom

 

[suziemva]

We went to the fair this past Saturday. It was a really nice day!

Tori won a Chicken Little stuffed animal and carried it in her freebie backpack the rest of the time! Pretty funny since the thing is so huge!

And then Ed got the wild hair to ride the mechanical bull. He almost lasted the 8 seconds but got thrown off around 7 seconds. Bummer....

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! This week the weather is supposed to only be in the high 80's low 90's! WOOHOO!! We might actually be able to go outside and do something for a change!

Tom, great to see I'm not the only anal organizer in the group! All the way to 2009! WOW!

We're actually thinking of doing our last BB(Before Baby) trip Labor Day weekend to PA. Taking some friends to Ed's hometown and going to the amusement park there. Fun and only $2 for the whole day at the park and the waterpark, too! WOW! Gonna hit Penn State while we're there. When I was pg with Tori I have a pic of Ed and I sitting on the Nittany Lion statue there. It will be just about the same time that I am in this pg too! Cute for the photo album!

Hope everyone has a great day. Drop a line, people!

 

[STEVEMED]

Just wanted to pop in and say hi to everyone.We leave for Disney in the morning and can't wait.

When 2008 rates come out be sure to let everyone know Tommy Boy.


Talk to everyone soon....

 

[Belle and Rella's Dad]

What is going on, haven't heard from Shyla in quite a while. Bumping it back up.

Tom

 

[castlegazer]

I've been called out!

I'm here with you all. I am swamped with the codes!

Man, I used to think code watching for just myself was nuts - now it's on an enormous scale and it's hard! People just don't get the urgency of calling you back immediately! These rooms are moving NOW!

I hope you all saw this yesterday, it came out at 2 am:

Magic Your Way Disney Package discount for everyone to take advantage of has been released for travel from 10/1/06 thru 12/23/06:

• Booking Code: ZBG - Magic Your Way
  • ZBH - Magic Your Way Plus Dining
    
  
  

Booking dates: Now thru 9/30/06

 

[suziemva]

Um, Trish. Don't you have something you want to say......?

 

[BLBCB]

Suzie,

You've really got us curious. Come on Trish, what's up?

 

[suziemva]

We talked on the phone the other day and she was supposed to post something and hasn't yet!

Trish, oh Trish, where are you?!

 

[suziemva]

BTW, Shyla, news sounds good for you and your new biz! How goes everything? Hope all is good and still fun....