8/17/08 Captain Jack's Repossession Repo Cruise to PC thru TPC Part 17

[yargrnhoj]

Man, Tina I wish we could come. Just checked airfare I wish it wasn't a 5 hr. drive each way Sounds like alot of fun

Wish we could come too, but we just booked our airfare to Europe for Spring Break.

 

[captaincrash]

Yes, you better



Thanks Tom, you sure lifted my spirits. They were talking about depression though

Depression?

... as in mental and not financial or economic? That is rediculous! I look upon a state with more navigable waterways as a sportsmans' or aquatic enthusiasts' dream come true. And having a lot agriculture makes for beautiful and scenic vistas! I can't tell you how "blah" it is to me to drive around LA and see mile after mile of grey concrete city. Getting out of the city to see some greenery and farmland is SOOOOOooooo relaxing.

As for financial - if the cost of a home is $500,000 in California (it is) and the average income in California is $36,890 ... compared to the average home cost in Kentucky as say $100,000 (near normal example) with an average income of $28,317.... then do the math... the AVERAGE working couple in California make $17,000 ($17K/$56.6K = 0.30 IE 30%) more then the AVERAGE dual income couple in Kentucky.... but they have to spend FIVE TIMES MORE for a house! Uh-O... something does NOT add up here. That also translates into property taxes and property taxes of much higher cost.... further comlicating matters. AND whenever it comes time for repairs or maintenance for the house - often contractors and blue collar sorts get away with gouging the poor homeowner because it is scaled up and simply "the going rate".

Simply put ... it would be OK to live in Califnornia if the houses cost FIVE times more IF the incomes were close to FIVE times more. But it is NOT the case. Housing costs being FIVE times (500%) greater with incomes being only 30% greater means a far larger percentage of "AVERAGE" families having NO HOPE of ever owning a home. Well... that's not exactly the case - but it is fair to say it is far more challenging to get into home ownership out here. It usually means a lifetime of sacrifice to trade up from a fixer-upper condo in a scary neighborhood - to some day get a better more tolerable neighborhood/home. Or it means one must sacrifice and struggle for the very best starting jobs in order to get a slightly better starter home. OR... one must be very lucky to have a wealthy parent or relative who will GIVE the funds necessary to buy a better starter home with an affordable balance on the mortgage. OR... do so and so to bring about a creative approach to get a home. Our nanny for Julianna was given a $500,000 condo free and clear as a wedding gift from her in-laws. She married an unassuming Japanese boy she met in college - and was surprised with the wedding gift of a home from thier parents. Needless to say - that was a nice little wedding gift, eh?

Anyways... when so much of your otherwise "good" income in Califnornia goes just to housing, property taxes and home insurance - it makes it tough to have some scratch for other things... like food, socks and underwear. Not to mention a car, and professional wardrobe.... or to sail on the Magic ... or even to get away on a cheapie ship like the Costa Fortuna which we're taking off for tomorrow.

On the other hand (more dribble - see what happens when I skip the image hunts - thus avoiding monitor trouble).... if you can do well in California ... people in most other states complain of Califnornia refugees who invade thier neighborhoods and build McMansions ... often with money to spare. It's all relative in the grand scheme of things. Ya gotta make do with where you're at - and if ya have good skills, good luck, and stay out of trouble (law and IRS) then I do believe you can flourish anywhere in this fine country.

Depressed.... rubbish! It does not mater what they THINK depressed referred to. It really boils down to your attitude - and whether or not one is an optimist or a pessimist.... or a good natured sort as opposed to being a sour pus... IMO.

 

[Grandma x3]

Hi Gang,

TGIF & I hope everyone has a Wonderful Weekend!!!

Today is DH Paul's B'day - I've spent all afternoon preparing an elaborate Indian feast. Although, DGS Matt is having Mac & Cheese!!

We've had a busy week since Thanksgiving - saw a Duck's hockey game last Friday. I flew up to S.F. last Sat. to attend my foster grandson's wedding & flew back that evening! Then, Sun. we all went to DL - Matt got to have his pic w/Santa (no - Santa was not in shorts!!) And, we got to ride w/the "pilot" on the monorail - who gave Matt an official badge as an Official Honorary Citizen of Disneyland. Matt was soooo excited.

DH has been here in SoCa since Thanksgiving and we've been busy. Matt loves having his "Papa" here.

to all in need. And Get Well soon to all who are ailing.

Got to run - finishing up w/dinner and cleaning up the kitchen. And it's time for a glass of wine!!

 

[allshookup]

Happy Birthday Paul (DH Grandma x3)!!!

 

[allshookup]

Depressed.... rubbish! It does not mater what they THINK depressed referred to. It really boils down to your attitude - and whether or not one is an optimist or a pessimist.... or a good natured sort as opposed to being a sour pus... IMO.

That's me lately...a real sour puss! Is it summer yet??? ​

 

[captaincrash]

HEY PAUL!

​

 

[minnieandmickey]

Hey everyone,
I was just checking Verizon for rate to rent a international phone for the cruise. It looks like I won't have to do that, and the Disney Magic is listed as one of the ships you can call from (which wasn't there a couple of months ago) roaming charge is 2.49 a minute, Aruba is 1.29 per min, if I am reading it right, I am assuming there is a fee for having an international setup on the phone but haven't figured that one out yet.

 

[Verandah Man]

Our high school football team might have had a heartbreaking loss last Saturday, but I was just checking the online football forum and found out that our team won the South Jersey Group 2 State Championship by the score of 31-17!!! I'm feeling much better this evening!!!

 

[allshookup]

To those of you who like cake & wine or wine with your cake here is some Cake Wine!

 

[allshookup]

For Roger:

Armenian Nutmeg Cake

 

[cruisin'Mike]

Ok the past couple of days we have been putting up our xmas decorations.. let me know what you think

I've been instructed to ask you if you got your angel at a candle store called Wicks N Sticks? It looks just like ours, that Linda got when she worked there many years ago. She loves it, but it doesn't fit on the top of our new tree, so she stays in the box now.

 

[cruisin'Mike]

Hi Gang,

TGIF & I hope everyone has a Wonderful Weekend!!!

Today is DH Paul's B'day - I've spent all afternoon preparing an elaborate Indian feast. Although, DGS Matt is having Mac & Cheese!!

We've had a busy week since Thanksgiving - saw a Duck's hockey game last Friday. I flew up to S.F. last Sat. to attend my foster grandson's wedding & flew back that evening! Then, Sun. we all went to DL - Matt got to have his pic w/Santa (no - Santa was not in shorts!!) And, we got to ride w/the "pilot" on the monorail - who gave Matt an official badge as an Official Honorary Citizen of Disneyland. Matt was soooo excited.

DH has been here in SoCa since Thanksgiving and we've been busy. Matt loves having his "Papa" here.

to all in need. And Get Well soon to all who are ailing.

Got to run - finishing up w/dinner and cleaning up the kitchen. And it's time for a glass of wine!!

Sounds like a great time!!!

And

Happy Birthday Paul!

 

[AndyR]

Just came across the new Pirate movie to be released Jan 11th 2008

http://veggiepirates.com/home.html

Andy

 

[micmse2003]

I finished decorating last weekend but did not download til now. Yes I really love the mouse. The Clock factory has Mickey, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto come out of their houses and sing 11 different Christmas Carols in their voices. Pluto just howls in tune. The snow globes are from J c Penneys. giveaways on Black Friday for the last 7 years. I made the centerpiece for my kitchen table. I have over 400 Disney only ornaments on my tree except for one my DGD made. My little tree in the family room has all mickey too.

 

[micmse2003]

Weary OR wary? Or both?

A little of both I think.

I have a typo that puts Crash's PLAM TREE to shame. The receptionist at my office (who reports to me) sent me an email that said we were out of "bowels" in the kitchen. At least I hope it was a typo!! Crash don't even try to come up with a graphic for that one. Or you most certainly will be edited.

I will not try either.

Man, Roger I sure have done a lot of chatting on here.

Congrats Paula!!!!!! Someone who talks more than me.

I have yet to be "in" a Hurricane. They chase me, I chase them, but we have yet to catch each other.....

Thanks for the reassurance!!!

Edited to add............Even though this is open to everyone and anyone on this thread............It would have to be the first 47 people that PM that they are going.

So what do you think?


I also wan't to mention that Chuck & I don't want the liabilty issues for having Acohol so I hope that's o.k with everyone. There will be however plenty of food other things to drink and lot's of fun. Not to mention good company.

Sounds great!!!! I am glad and so is DH that Chuck is going on trip.

Work? What's that?

I don't think you will ever know!!!!

I just love to quote myself. Changed the number to 45. I got my first PM without even posting the pics. of the clubhouse.

Now you have a second pm!!!

Which airport could i fly into?

That would be great!!!

Yea, and it will be moving into our area Saturday night into Sunday morning, then our temps are supposed to go up on Sunday and change all to rain.

I am going to Wisconsin in a blizzard tomorrow!!! The good news is I hope I get stuck at the Jelly Belly Factory we are going to visit.

Psssst. Tina, there are only 50 States.

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut
Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana...

I wish I had my law degree!!!!

Some reports say Monday.

Sign me up for another great cruise if it is a different itinerary.

Tina, Tina, Tina - You really didn't think you were going to get GOOD winter weather in CHICAGO?!?!? Did you?

I'm bummed about this storm because we have our concert Saturday evening. We are singing Handel's Judas Maccabeaus and its not like oratorio music ever fills the theater - bad weather is going to make for a very small audience. Also, my MIL is supposed to be driving up from Park Forest to babysit DS8 and I'm not sure that will happen if there is freezing rain and sleet!

I won't make it to chat this week either - we have a rehearsal tonight from 7pm-10pm and I will collapse after that since 3 hours of standing and singing is exhausting!

Pamela (pdarrah)

We missed you on chat tonight.

Man, Tina I wish we could come. Just checked airfare I wish it wasn't a 5 hr. drive each way Sounds like alot of fun

We are worth the 5 hour drive.

 

[GoofyontheHiSeas]

For Roger:

Armenian Nutmeg Cake

Thank you so much Diane.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I finished decorating last weekend but did not download til now. Yes I really love the mouse. The Clock factory has Mickey, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto come out of their houses and sing 11 different Christmas Carols in their voices. Pluto just howls in tune. The snow globes are from J c Penneys. giveaways on Black Friday for the last 7 years. I made the centerpiece for my kitchen table. I have over 400 Disney only ornaments on my tree except for one my DGD made. My little tree in the family room has all mickey too.

These and all pictures very nice.

 

[Verandah Man]

Cheryl, your pics and decorations are.............. thanks for sharing them!!!

 

[Verandah Man]

You know what I've discovered over the past couple of years..............it was much easier being a teenager, then it is, being the parent of a teenager...............

I hope I have the stamina to make through until our DD makes it to adulthood........


For those of you who have gone through this, God Bless You, for those yet to experience it, God Be With You!!!

 

[LITTLEKID58]

I've been instructed to ask you if you got your angel at a candle store called Wicks N Sticks? It looks just like ours, that Linda got when she worked there many years ago. She loves it, but it doesn't fit on the top of our new tree, so she stays in the box now.

Hi Mike

No we bought this angel in New York at Sams which is now Costco.. many years ago... .. My husband has to finagel (I know spelling) with it to get it right to sit on the tree... Last week I wanted to change it to a Mickey that we saw at DTD and my husband said no way.. lol...