April 17, 2004 -- anyone going with us?

[rae519]

We haven't done much this week. Daughters of two friends were in a car accident. One was my daughter's best friend (Katie -15) and the other was another friend's daughter (Ashley -16). Their deaths have overtaken the plans for this week and caused us some very hard times. It's like reliving our own daughter's death in 1994.

I blame these crazy driving games that kids play now-a-days - they think that they are able to do in a real car what they can do on the screen. Or maybe it's lack of good driving instruction from whomever is doing the teaching. I don't really know what the answer is and I feel like there has to be a reason.

In the past month, we have had 5 deaths in this town - one military related, two suicides (one was a 21 year old girl) and now these girls. Like a dark cloud has come over the town and isn't leaving anytime soon.

Keep the families in your prayers, thanks,
Rae

 

[dianthus]

Rae~ You, your DD, Katie & Ashley & their familes are in my thoughts and prayers. Perhaps you & their families can draw some comfort knowing your own DD will take good care of them upstairs. She'll show them "the ropes" & they are all surrounded by their friendship & love. It's always so especially tragic when young people pass on whatever the cause... Again, my heart goes out to you and your DD's friends families during this time of sorrow.

CT just passed new legislation that took effect Jan. 1 for young drivers. Driver's Ed is mandatory, not optional now, a permit needs to be held 6 mo. before a test can be scheduled. Once licensed, the 16 yr. old driver cannot drive with a passenger younger than 21 yrs old for the first 3 to 6 mo. (unsure of time period). The theory is that it will cut down on distractions to the inexperienced driver. There are other nightime driving restrictions too for them. I applaud these new laws, as hopefully it will save some young lives... Our community was besieged a few years ago as well with about 7 teen driving deaths in a 3 mo. span. It's just so sad...

I hope your week gets better... I have lost several family members & friends to illness and tragedy as well, so I know how those feelings well up inside when something likes this occurs. It gets better over time, but it never goes away.... I like to think that it's because the ones we love & lost live in our hearts now & their souls are with us eternally... " Every time a bell rings, an angel gets their wings" ~ Joseph - from It's A Wonderful Life"

Take care Rae!

~ Linda

 

[rae519]

Dear friends, we made it through yesterday and after a long sleep, I am starting to feel okay again. Thank you for your prayers for us and the families - our work starts now as we counsel them in accepting their grief and finding the way through it.

After the rain, there is always a rainbow - we just have to look hard enough for it,

Rae

 

[ehtpnt]

Rae--our thoughts and prayers are with you and the families of all you have lost. Rainbows are so very important as a beginning and an ending.

We are freezing here. One of the gas powered heating units for one of the day care centers stopped functioning this morning. So there was a scramble to move children around and into rooms that still had enough heat. The company that services the units came right out and checked it. Seems that they shut themselves off when the pressure falls. As it does when there is a large demand. And of course right now we are having a huge demand. I do think it is a bit funny that UGI (the gas company) headquarters if litterally right across the street from that center. Some how I don't think their heat is off. At least it is fixed now.

I am off to visit the ironing board. Can anyone hear it calling besides me??? Estelle

 

[dianthus]

BRRRRRR! Not getting any better around here, even though the thermometer says so... zero degrees right now, last night it was -7, god knows what the wind chill was... Connecticut Light & Power is talking about rolling brown outs if demand does not go down. Isn't that lovely.... Think warm thoughts! Castaway Cay- blue waters, warm sand & Konk Coolers!

It's only 90 days away now! Three months from today, we'll all be boarding the ship. COOL! ( I mean warm!)

We got our confirmation today. Deck 7 & early dining! We're going to tell my DD this weekend! She is going to be soooo excited! She just said the other day ( as we were freezing inside the car at the bus stop ) she really missed the ship and the warmth of the caribbean. I just smiled...

One of my new favorite things since this ice age has besieged us is Car seat electric butt warmers! Don't leave home without them!

Have a great & warm MLK holiday weekend!

~ Linda

 

[rae519]

I have been thinking of you all in this horrible bitter cold and hoping that you have been safe and warm. We haven't had it that bad this year at all, knock on wood - but woke to ice this AM.
Plan on staying inside and getting ready for the auction. We are having a private auction of our Tom Clark gnomes and Lladro statues - but still have to get things together, numbered and listed.

Families are pulling together here and our lives are starting back to normal (for us) - doing a lot of listening but able to handle it now that the shock of losing the girls is over.

Time is so precious and can be wasted so easily -

Michael woke up at 4AM and we just finished watching Pirates of the Caribbean - love that movie!!!

Hope you all wake to a beautiful and warmer morning than the past few days!

Rae

 

[ehtpnt]

Well its' a bit warmer now...30 instead of -2. Only 3 monthes from today. I am getting excited. I had a nightmare the other night that they wouldn't let me on the ship with my two new knees. I've been reading too many horror stories. Have to go back to romance and mysteries.
We were hoping for some Sun today to melt the blown snow, but although we had a bit it is now cloudy and they say we'll get some more snow tonight. Dh and I went to the store and got a few scattered groceries. Now I can go and put on my fleece lined slippers and go back to the ironing. Strangely the ironing board is in the warmest room in the house. Gee I wonder if that's why I do it so regularly in the winter? LOL

Hope everyone has a nice MLK holiday and that there is some slight warming trend. Estelle

 

[rae519]

Keep warm, Estelle!!!! There isn't that many Saturdays left until we cruise!

Rae

 

[ehtpnt]

Just 3 monthes from yesterday. I can not wait.
Be careful what you say about the weather. It has warmed up here a bit, but...it is only 28 to 36. And we are getting the famed wintery mix. Are we lucky or what? Sunday school was cancelled and we're not sure about church. I am staying home and being warm inside. The cats and the dog are snuggled in the family room. Dog in lounge chair, one cat along side the base board heater and the other cat...in my laundry basket!! Cat hair are us.
The third cat is in the basement. She prefers the heat lamp that Phil rigged up for them down there. Maybe if the cat hair were less I'd join her cause it (the light) is right over an old chair. But then again I'm larger than a cat and parts of me wouldn't be warm at all. Can't win for trying. Just have to continue ironing. That gets me the chance to be warm. If I can't have Castaway Cay I'll just stick with the ironing. Estelle

 

[rae519]

I'm predicting a New England/Philly Super Bowl!

Anyone else watching the snow in Foxboro?! Yeah, let it snow, baby! That's when my Pats do their best!!!

Oh yeah, Estelle - 3 months to lose weight, get taller and have a fatter wallet! Miracles do happen!!!!!

Sure can't wait to have that Mango Tango with my bowl of Shrimp - the only thing that would make it perfect would be to have Fidelio playing his Dueling Pianos at Offbeats - now that would be a real miracle!!! But I do have my videos - ahhh, memories!

Signing off to enjoy the game!
Go Pats!

Rae

 

[ehtpnt]

Well as usual the Eagles (I think that's the football team) lost at the post. The youngest DD said before she left for Ohio on Friday, " they're gonna loose just like the last time and the time before that." Knew she was probably right but you know Hope Springs Eternal.
Now I can go back to hoping the snow goes away soon, it won't... and the dogs next door get their electric fencing fixed. I hate having to check the yard before I let the Meta out. Meta is our doberman pincher. The two next door are border collies. I really would rather they didn't get into a dog fight in my back yard. I must be a really responsible dog owner. I never put her out in the yard alone. I am always either out there with her or standing in the doorway. Of course she isn't exactly fond of this weather. It's better than rain but not much. She doesn't have a fur coat, just hair, and she gets cold very quickly.

Enough about the dog. Besides as usual at this time of day the day care people need to use the computer. They are doing end of year statements. Glad they do that and I do laundry.

Estelle

 

[dianthus]

GO PATRIOTS! They do seem to step up in nasty weather don't they!

We told Taylor about the trip this weekend - she is sooo excited! She wants to go "knock off" hunting in St. Thomas. She wants a little Louie.... Maybe if the prices are right down there, maybe I can afford to get her a small authentic one at the Vuitton boutique for her birthday. I bought my big Speedy there about 20 yrs. ago for about the price the good knockoffs are going for now in the city.

I told her if she wants spending money, she better start giving me stuff to eBay. She just went thru the big growth spurt & none of her clothes fit her. I'll sell the "like new" ones on eBay and recycle, so to speak. Good used clothing sells very well, especially if it's Abercrombie, Limited Too, or Aeropostale.

Does anyone else "eBay" in our group for fun/profit? I've been doing it for a couple of years now. I usually pay for one vacation a year & Christmas from the proceeds + wardrobe recycling for DD. It still never ceases to amaze me what I see selling on there...

~ Linda

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by dianthus
Does anyone else "eBay" in our group for fun/profit? I've been doing it for a couple of years now. I usually pay for one vacation a year & Christmas from the proceeds + wardrobe recycling for DD. It still never ceases to amaze me what I see selling on there...

~ Linda

We started about two weeks ago in order to get rid of a lot of books, language tape sets, etc, that we had accumulated over the years (our oldest is going on 24). We learned we didn't charge enough in postage to cover the cost of buying the mailers and media mail, so that was one lesson - otherwise, I am not looking to even break even with what I spent, considering that it was used, just a little extra cash for the trip rather than giving it all away.

I never thought of selling clothes. Good idea. Yes, there are a lot of strange thing being sold.

Well, 1/2 of my prediction about the Super Bowl came true. Got to gte back into the swing of homeschooling now once again that the funerals are over. Life does go on.

Rae

 

[dianthus]

Hi Everyone!

Well it's sunny and in the 20's here in CT. We're ready to break out the cruisewear & Beach Boys music, as we felt like popsicles the last few weeks. Doug keeps saying it's hard to believe a little over 2 months ago, we were sitting on the beach at CC...

Postage on eBay is the biggest obstacle to overcome, as you can lose money if you do not factor expenses into it. If you need any help with eBay, feel free to PM me. I use Priority Mail on everything but books, CDs as they provide the boxes. Using the USPS calculator online helps to get an idea of what it costs. I use a California zip code to calc. fixed expenses when shipping clothes, etc.. Here's the other thing I have found. The less you expect for something, the more you seem to get. My eBay objective is to get rid of the clutter. I have made a big dent, but it just seems like we have so much stuff still.... Kids toys, games, children's books, VHS tapes, dancewear and anything American Girl sells very well too. Rae, Equestrian wear sells well. I have sold Taylor's paddock boots, show jackets, jodphurs, helmets she's outgrown for surprisingly big bucks! So keep that in mind as Michael grows...

What does everyone do to get ready for their cruise? I put a large basket in the guest room at the 60 day mark & start putting items in it as I think of them- like passports, masks, snorkles, sunscreen, etc. It seems to help. We look at the clothes at the 30 day mark, so if anything is needed, we have time to shop. I usually pack 2 days before, as I hate everything to get wrinkled. I always bring along downy wrinkle releaser for the T shirts, etc & I use the jumbo zip locks for everything I pack... I have a travel first aid kit & toiletry kit packed on standby so I usually just need to replenish it. Does anyone have any good tricks they use?

~ Linda

 

[dianthus]

Hi again!

I am so excited. I just got Hyatt MCO for 4/16 - the night before the cruise on Priceline for $39! With tax it is $50! I had made a ressie there for the AAA rate of $169.52 with tax. That's a savings of $100+.

I just wanted to share in the event anyone else was planning on using the Hyatt the night before. I've never bid on Priceline before, as I'm always so afraid I won't get what I want. I decided to try & it worked out great!

Also, Rae there is a open thread about Fidelio's whereabouts if you haven't seen it.

~ Linda

 

[RobinMarie]

Hello everyone!

I finally made the air plane ressies after stressing for months. I was able to use Delta Skymiles for my ticket, and ended up paying 400 each for SO and dd. I'm trying to tell myself to average out the cost among three so it will hurt less.

In order to GET the fare, I booked a late flight Wednesday the 14th. I'm taking my daughter out of school for two days, but since she is in 1st grade i'm sure it will be fine. My daughter and I are going to the parks commando style on Thursday and a water park on Friday. Still undecided on accomodations but trying not to spend much before the cruise. I booked Budget car with a Walmart code for a great price (less than any hired transportation service)

We are watching the Disney cruise video pretty regularly. My daughter, Victoria, would like to know if she will be seeing the dolphins swimming next to the boat like on the video. (she hasn't noticed the dolphins are animated???)

We ebay off and on for extra money/recycling/decluttering. I enjoy getting my paypal account up there (pay off postage fees/ebay fees from it) and buying frivolous stuff with it. I'm not motivated enough to do it now, but have figured out the shipping pretty well.

Tomorrow might be as high as 32 degrees in Connecticut, it will feel like Disney weather to us after this freeze!

Happy planning!

 

[dianthus]

RobinMarie~

I was thinking about you today when I got an email from Orbitz on a Hartford air sale. I checked the dates- nothing is available until mid May, mid June at the good bdl-mco rates. They must know us CT folk need to get out of town in April after these ridiculous winters the past few years. I looked at JetBlue too- price was over 500 RT from JFK.

It sounds like you did great at $400 pp. I used skymiles too, as I was getting quoted $481-3 weeks ago for non stops, even with returning on Mon. the 26th. The airlines are so cruel to New Englanders after a long hard winter- don't ya think! We need a break...

Try priceline for a Lake Buena Vista resort to stay at before the cruise. Look on www.mousesavers.com for codes to use for Disney resorts for those dates you are staying. If you are a starwood member, you can use your points at The Dolphin/Swan @ Epcot. We stayed there last Nov. after our cruise & liked it very much. We stayed at the Swan. I think it's 10,000 pts. per night. Maybe others can offer some suggestions. Also, check the budget board. They are a very resourceful & creative bunch!

We've seen dolphins alongside the ship heading out to the gulfstream from Port Canaveral. On the Eastern we've seen flying fish too alongside the ship. Very cool!

Don't forget to bring any disney princess outfits Victoria may have to wear on the ship. The little ones look adorable in their outfits!There was a little girl about 5 or 6, dressed in a gold Belle gown on our last cruise & she was darling! We've never done Tea with Wendy, but it seems to be a very popular event for Moms/daughters in the younger set- Victoria's age. Tickets go very quickly, so you need to watch the navigators for ticket distribution time/place if you want to attend.

~ Linda

 

[ehtpnt]

All this discussion of selling on Ebay has sparked an interest in me. I am going to go over and see if I can figure out how selling works. Unfortunately I have buying down real well...LOL

As for the weather. I find I don't mind the cold too much. As long as it isn't snowing or any of the other really nasty things that tend to arrive this time of the year.

By the way I assume we all know that we are down to double digits. Just keep thinking soon the documents will arrive and then it'll be packing time. Yeah!!!

Talk to you later. Estelle

 

[Luv2Dream]

Hello everyone! Robin told me to come on over to the Cruise Meet board as I'll also be on the 4/17 cruise with DH and DD. She mentioned getting together for brunch? Am I too late to get in on the event? I'll have to keep checking back for more info on this cruise from this well-informed group. Lynn

 

[dianthus]

Greetings!

Hi Luv2dream! Welcome! I don't think any firm plans for brunch have been made, just discussed, so you have joined us at a good time. If you are a CAT 3 or above, let us know! Concierge level cabins can prebook Palo & that would make brunch planning/booking alot easier for the group. If you aren't that's OK too. We'll figure out the ressie rush as it get's closer... How old is your DD? Is this your first cruise, or are you a crusty ol' DCL sailor like some of us? Do you like shrimp? You'll find out why I ask...

I discovered another fellow 4/17 cruiser on the Hyatt MCO thread. Their DIS name is tinkattitude & I invited them to come on over & introduce themselves. ( They will be at the Hyatt 4/16 too)

Any young teens on this cruise besides Taylor? If you would like to exchange emails so they can get to know each other before hand, PM me. Our last April 2002 cruise, there was a group of about 10 kids that emailed before sailing & hung out the entire cruise. They still keep in touch. That's the great thing about cruising- the opportunity for the kids to meet others from different states/places.

Estelle ~ getting started as an eBay seller is not that tough. As long as you have an ID established & a digital camera, you are good to go. Read the selling tutorial, the selling forms are easy. Research your merchandise first to see what a good price is, determine postage based on weight of the box ( I prepack everything before listing) The first auction is very exciting! I think I refreshed My eBay selling page 100 times in the last hour on my first one! If you need help, just ask. Also, it's wise to set up a Paypal account for payments on eBay. That's the only payment method I accept. It's fun! and the extra money you make recycling the good stuff is great! As RobinMarie said, it's fun to see the balance grow..

Taylor must have taken me seriously about the spending money for the trip. She must have big plans, as she just cleaned out her closet and the outgrown Good stuff- eBay pile is huge! I've taught her how to do listings, so she has a great deal of work ahead of her!

Hope all is well!

~ Linda