Calling all Chicago DISers #3

[disneygal922]

Tigg, sounds like your pretty good at TSM. Mike slaughtered my score both times we went on. I bought the game for Wii so hopefully I'll be better by the time the honeymoon comes around!

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Tigg, sounds like your pretty good at TSM. Mike slaughtered my score both times we went on. I bought the game for Wii so hopefully I'll be better by the time the honeymoon comes around!

DG, study up with the Strategy guide for TSM (video posted on You Tube). It gives you a bunch of secrets to high scoring strategies. I just forgot them when I got there. Wish I'd studied them more or written them down.

 

[Bunchkin]

No school here today for the kids.
Later on this afternoon we're going to a Halloween scavenger hunt event being held at a near by restaurant that we go to often. All the businesses around them are joining in too. And then tomorrow there is a community Halloween event we might go to as well.



slo Hunter is dressing up as Luigi (from the Mario video games) and Lauren is just dressing up in a Halloween shirt and hat I think. She's feels like she's getting too old to dress up!
Katie and Stephanie sound like they're going to be cute!


irish dancer Sorry to hear what happened to your son at school. No one should have to go without lunch. Grrr!
I cannot believe they didn't call you right away to ask you what could be done to help him decide and eat.
Yesterday at lunch, someone accidentally spilled milk on my son's pants and I got a call about that....I cannot believe you didn't get a call about what was going on with your son. How frustrating for you...and him too! Hugs for you both!




Well, I have to go get my chili going in the crock pot.

Have a great weekend all!

 

[momto1]

Hi gang! Rain, rain, go away!

All the kiddo Halloween costumes sound cute. Jon is going to be a Homeless Man. He came up with the idea and since I didn't have to do anything, it was OK by me. He signed he will carry a sign that says "hungry...need candy".. At 13, there wont' be too many more years of trick or treating.

Tiggern - Love, love, love your pics. We really like TSM, too. I think I ususally get the high score but trus me, it isn't that high.

DG - Hope your back feels better soon.

ID - Keep us posted on what you decide to do about your ds and the lunch. I would be ticked, too! Give him an extra hug!

Have a safe and fun Halloween!
Lori

 

[irish dancer]

Hi guys!! TGIF!! Boy am I glad the clocks fall back this weekend, I HATE getting up in the dark.

DD12 has to a costume party/dance tonight. DD8 is having a sleep over at a neighbors house. DH and I will take DS9 to the carnival at his school later. Busy night!

DD12 is going as Alice in Wonderland (my costume from when I was a freshman in HS!), DS is Bobba Fett from Star Wars and DD8 is Silvermist (the blue fairy from the new Tinkerbell series). They can't wait for trick-or-treat.

Thanks for all the support on DSs lunch issue. Quite a different response than I got on the DISability board, most there felt the school/teacher didn't do anything wrong. After much thought I sent an email reply to DSs teacher and cc'd the principal. I explained that I understood he was being difficult but that I expect them to call me in future if this problem happens again although I doubt it will. They've never had a problem calling about other issues. Never heard from the principal, the teacher's reply basically restated that he refused the alternate lunches but would call if there was a problem again. Personally I think this was somewhat of a power struggle, DS can be inflexible and in his eyes he thinks he "won" this battle.

momto1 - I hear ya on the rain?! Sheesh, I asked DH if he could build an ark just in case.
*What a creative costume for DS!!

Bunchkin - sounds like you have a lot of fun things going on for Halloween - have a great time!!

Tiggerrn - we LOVE TSM too!! I was the first to make it to the FP machines on our June trip, it was very exciting and exhilarating.

disneygal - I hope your back is feeling better. I have a similar rib problem, thankfully my DBro is a chiropractor and he takes care of it for me!

Stitchfan - what a wild goose chase they sent you on! Glad you finally found DDs teacher!

slo - thought of you today as I put on my MNSSHP tee that you got for me last year! Doesn't it seem like much more than a year ago that we were in WDW?
*Cute costumes! The Rubik's Cube is such a cute idea. They had one on the Today show too!

Well, the timer from the pizza is beeping so time to eat! LOL, I know haute cuisine here tonight. Hope everyone has a great Friday evening!!

 

[KimRaye]

Day 3
in the race to TSM. ........

ABSOLUTELY LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS RIDE!!!! I BOUGHT THE WII GAME TOO, AND I CAN'T WAIT TO TRY IT AT HOME, BUT IT'S A CHRISTMAS GIFT.

Thanks for all the support on DSs lunch issue. Quite a different response than I got on the DISability board, most there felt the school/teacher didn't do anything wrong.

WHAT?! No child should EVER go without lunch! What about all those preachings we get as parents to feed our kids breakfast so kids start the day off right? Doesn't LUNCH help them get the afternoon off right?!?! I'm sorry, what happened was just WRONG! If kids at my DDs school run OUT of paid lunches - they are given up to 3 'free' lunches (if needed, until another lunch ticket is bought). It's only PBJ but it's SOMETHING! I wish you'd link that DISability thread here. Sorry again.

 

[KimRaye]

Kim Raye- I hear ya. The value of our house went down also, but yet they found it necessary to raise our property taxes. For our dinky house it is ridiculous. I heard about it in the news. From what I understand parts of Chicago are being hit more than the suburbs.

Got our bill today. Couldn't believe it only went up by $100!!!

For those in Cook County - usually the next tax bill, the 1st installment due the end of March, is 1/2 of last year's bill (this year's tax), BUT in 2010, the 1st installment will be 55% of last year's bill. If that makes any sense to you. Just want you to be prepared.

 

[slo]

Yesterday I got a coupon off Oprah's website for 50% off everything at Payless Shoe Source. So Kevin, the family, and I went there in the morning, and we got 9 pairs of shoes (1 for Kev, 2 for each girl, and 4 for me) for $108 - how awesome was that!!!!! So Kevin and I went back last night to get some misc items I saw for the girls, mainly Dora items for Katie (socks, tights, etc) that I wanted to get for Christmas stocking stuffers, and the place was jammed. So jammed, the windows were all fogged up Kevin instantly went in the L O N G line while I shopped, and about 45 mintues later we left I got everything I went there for, and I also got Stephanie some winter boots, and some black boots she wanted earlier, but her size wasn't there (we decided to get a wrong size, and even exchange it in a couple weeks for the right size). I'm so glad we went in the morning, or we, especially me, wouldn't have gotten we wanted, everything was so picked over last night. I still can't get over all the people

So now I'm wondering....
If I ask Oprah to put a coupon for my store on her website, if I'll get the same response




Stitchfans - Our pumpkin was Stephanie picked it up, but it soon was again.

DG - I hope the soreness goes away soon and doesn't ruin your weekend

TTTiiigernnn - I love the continued trip report with pictures

Bunchkin - How was the scavenger hunt - it sounds fun!!!!
**How is Lauren doing since her accident? I think about her often and wonder how she's feeling.
**Luigi sounds cute, and I'm sorry Lauren doesn't want to dress up Stephanie will probably be like that soon too

momto1 - Your sons costume sounds fun - I like it!!!!

ID - I'm shocked you didn't get support on the other board Well, you know we are always here for ya

Kim -





Well, I gotta go get ready for work
Have a great Halloween everyone!!!

 

[HERSEY]

ID I am really sorry you go had such a different response from the other board. I am really sorry. I realize all kids have their moments even ones with disablities, but no lunch. Is he allowed snacks in school? Maybe if food is his trigger maybe pack something you know he can eat in emergencies. Like when the school is not offering something he will eat at lunch. Those so called healthy lunches have always be a thorn in my side.

Slo Maybe you can have a framed picture of O in your window or a very small picture on your adds kind of subliminal .

Bunch Alex hasn't dressed up in years, mostly be his friends don't. I think Hunter makes a great Luigi.

This evening we are going by my neighbors for our annual halloween party. No I don't dress up. I may put on my MNSSH shirt on with long sleeves underneath. WOW what a difference a day makes.

 

[Stitchfans]

Morning everyone! Happy Halloween! Hope everyone has fun today. Sure hope DD's friends don't ditch her today for trick or treating. They have been known to do that to her. They make plans with her and then ditch her.

I am in such a great mood cause the sun is out!! No rain, and I see sunshine through my window!! What a great day!!!

 

[macraven]

it's cold, it's windy and a touch of winter is around the corner.


that should make some of you smile............

 

[macraven]

your backs are covered for the week, went to church this morning......

 

[macraven]

Please Note - All times listed are for the Eastern Time Zone. Adjust
accordingly.
---

On Monday November 2, 2009 from 2:00 AM to 3:00 AM on FLN - Fine
Living Network is

What You Get for the Money: Walt Disney World
A journey through Florida's Walt Disney World reveals the
various experiences, attractions, accommodations and other amenities
that families can enjoy during vacations in the Magic Kingdom, Epcot,
Animal Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios.

---

On Monday November 2, 2009 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Food Network is

Food Network Challenge - Disney Classics Cakes
Four of the country's best pastry chefs square off to make
cakes based on four of the most popular Disney films of all time:
Pinocchio, Mary Poppins, Sleeping Beauty, and Snow White. The
competitors' talent and skill will be put to the test, because if
their work isn't perfect, everyone will know. The winning pastry chef
wins ten thousand dollars and a gold medal.

---

On Thursday November 5, 2009 from 10:30 PM to 11:00 PM on DIY - Do it
Yourself is

Yard Crashers - Disney Epcot
Licensed Landscape Contractor Ahmed Hassan and 300
Horticulturists "Crash" Epcot® International Flower & Garden Festival
at Walt Disney World Resort. Howard and Julie Callendar and their two
teenage sons, Ian and Drake of Orangevale, Calif., work with Hassan to
crash their own corner of Walt Disney World and give viewers a taste
of how it is transformed into a 300-acre garden oasis, filled with
over 30 million blooms during the Epcot® International Flower & Garden
Festival.

This show will repeat
Friday November 6, 2009 from 1:30 AM to 2:00 AM

---

On Friday November 6, 2009 from 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM on Oxygen is

Roseanne - "We're Going to Disney World"
The family goes wild with plans to travel to Disney World when
Dan brings home his final paycheck from the garage.

This show will repeat
Friday November 6, 2009 from 5:30 PM to 6:00 PM on Oxygen
Sunday November 8, 2009 from 11:00 PM to 11:30 PM on TVLand

---

On Sunday November 8, 2009 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM on the Travel Channel is

Extreme Waterparks
Cameras explore some of the wildest and largest waterparks
around the country, including those that take the title as the largest
outdoor park and the largest indoor park; vacationers enjoy the sun at
Disney's Blizzard Beach in Florida.

---

On Sunday November 8, 2009 from 11:30 PM to 12:00 AM on TVLand is

Roseanne - "Disney World War II"
Fireworks and fanfare accompany the Conners on a whirlwind tour
of Disney World in Florida. Darlene: Sara Gilbert. Bev: Estelle
Parsons.
Dan: John Goodman. David: Johnny Galecki. Mark: Glenn Quinn. Roseanne:Roseanne.

 

[slo]

Fall break is over
I love it when the girls are on break!!!

Halloween was a ton of fun here
Trick-or-Treating with our friends/neighbors was a blast, and then our little party outside was great fun too. Kevin made chili, hot apple cider, and some bacon/pepper wraps (homemade), one neighbor brought hot dip and hot dogs, and the other neighbor brought more apple cider and dessert - everything was awesome!!!! I wish it was a little warmer, but that's okay, we still had fun anyway!!!

Yesterday was a beautiful fall day!!!!
The girls played outside all day, and Kevin and I were busy setting up the new display he built me. I'm having the store in a bridal fair Wednesday, and that's what he built the display for. It's going to be really kickbutt at this fair - I"m excited!!!!!


HERSEY - I like the "O" idea

Stitchfans - Did your DD's friends ditch her Saturday? I sure hope not. As soon as I read this it made me feel for her. You may have wrote this, and if so, I'm sorry - what did she dress up as???

Mac - Thanks for having our backs, because we skipped church this weekend



It's time for me to get Katie up for school, which won't be easy, because she was really really tired last night.

Oh....funny story......this morning at 5:45 am Stephanie's alarm clock is going off, and was for a long time, because I didn't hear it right away. So I realized I didn't change her clock So I rushed in there and Stephanie, half asleep, is looking at me and asking me, "What's wrong?! What's wrong?!" so I told her to go back to sleep, of which she did. I felt bad that I did that, but oh well, apparently she's not losing sleep over it, because she's sound asleep up there

Have a great day today!!!

 

[macraven]

Good Morning Chicagoland Homies.

Your favorite day of the week is here!

 

[Stitchfans]

Good morning everyone.

SLO- Thanks, no they didn't ditch her. They had to cut it short though cause one of the girl's dad became ill and had to be rushed to the hospital. Haven't heard yet what was wrong. DD dressed up as a Disney fan. She wore her pj bottoms that has Mickey all over them over her jeans, and her Mickey Mouse shirt. Then she put her ears hat on, and there ya go a Disney fan. Wow! Sounds like your Halloween was a blast. Ours was so boring. After DH dropped off DD at her friend's house the two of us sat and watched tv waiting for the TOT. We only got 6 of them. Seems like Halloween is fizzling away in our neck of the woods.

Mac- Yeah, thanks I have been really bad about going to church. Been talking about going back and haven't. As a matter of fact I've been feeling really about cheating my youngest DD and not taking her. Oldest one went every Sunday when she was younger, I saw to that. No excuse, but I kind of lost interest after my mom passed away. Have to knock that off and get back.

Hey Hersey- long time no see or talk to. How was your party?

ID- don't know what to say. beats me.

Off to check on what else is going on here and then to read my email. Later. Have a great day everyone. Oh, and I guess I should hunt around to see about sending out some query letters to some literary agents. Really nervous about doing that. Hate the idea of being rejected.

 

[disneygal922]

Good Morning fellow Chicago-land homies! I had a pretty busy weekend! Saturday Mike and I ran some errands, picked up my engagement ring from the jewelers. I don't that I ever posted it here but I lost one of the little teeny tiny diamonds that is on the band of my ring. It was at the jeweler for about 2.5 weeks but I have it back and it's perfect again! They even buffed out some of the scratches for me and gave it an super cleaning! Then we tended to the kiddos coming for candy. Then we spent 5 hours printing out our 32 wedding invitations! Yesterday, Mike was the tenor soloist at a special All Saints Day service. It was pretty much an all music service where the choir did a bunch more peices that normal. It was beautiful! Afterwards we took his parents and my dad to see our top 2 condos. It was funny b/c going into it we knew we had liked them both ALOT but the one had been the second of approx. ten places we had seen and the other one was the last so it was hard remembering the first one. After seeing them one after the other we have made a decision and may be putting an offer in later today or tomorrow. Mike's calling the lady who's doing our mortgage and gonna talk with our realtor some more today! We are super excited! After that we put together all our invitations and all that needs to be done is the addresses!

Slo ~ that was such a great deal you got on all those shoes. Glad you had a nice halloween!

Tigg ~ thanks for the tips on TSM! I'll have to look into it!

Bunchkin ~ hope you had fun at the scavenger hunt!

momto1 ~ my back is ok. not awesome but not terrible!

id ~ hope DS is doing well after the lunch incident! Did you guys have fun at the carnival?

Kim ~ you could always claim that the TSM wii game is an EARLY Christmas gift!!

Hersey and Stitch ~ hope you had a wonderful halloween party!

Mac ~ thanks for the listings! I'm still waiting for them to replay the Disney Modern Marvels. I missed it a few weeks ago!

Everyone else ~ have a wonderful day!

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Morning all! Spent the morning sorting laundry and halloween candy!Way to much sugar here!'Fraid I'll be sitting on it later this winter.
Mac, thanks for the listings as always. Wish I got that FLN channel.
DG sounds like you had a productive weekend. Good luck with the condo buying.
Kim, if you very carefully take the wrap off TSM Wii, you can play while noone is home, get really good, and then wrap it back and put it back under the tree.
Slo, hope you are having a good day today.
Stitch, I did a costume for myself like that one year....kids wanted me to dress up-so I wore my ears!!!
Hersey, how was the Halloween party?
Bunchkin, love Hunter's ToT costume plan! I told the kids they should go as Mario and Luigi since that's all they do here! No go.
ID, Paint, Rose, momto1, and everyone else Lurking have a great day!! At least the sun is shining. I will be taking the dog for a nice lonnnnnnnnggggg walk this afternoon.

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Thursday, Day 4
We relaxed and sort of slept in today. No grand plans. Headed back to Epcot to try some more foods around the world and do some shopping. We were once again awakened by the early birds. Lots of joggers at this resort. Wonder if they're in Marathon training.
We headed out around 9:30 and were at the park by 10. No real bus wait once again, but at least we weren't chasing it today. Off to Soarin' for some Fastpasses. Absolutely no line for Living with the Land. So we did it for kicks. Line for Soarin' said 20 minutes so we figured we'd do that too. Third row middle section this time. DRAT!!! Still seeing feet. I figured I'd ask for 1st row middle when we returned to use our fastpasses.
Off to World Showcase. One of my friends and I have kids doing country projects at school. So we were on a mission to get some goods from their appropriate countries today. Figured we'd eat a bit as we went.
Went counterclockwise today. Something a little different.I had the salmon and the cheese soup from Canada, friends the pizza in Italy (said it was good), some Tuna thing (can't remember where from but my friend did not like it), then headed back for another Lobster roll.
Made our way over here

[/IMG]
got a wonderful book on Germany for my friend's daughter to do her project and picked one up for my DS. He is always wondering about his heritage. I picked up a new "pickle" ornament for our tree. Ours broke last year and I couldn't find a nice sized replacement for it here. We were hoping to catch the candy lady in Japan, but she didn't have any times scheduled until later. We headed to China-lots of suits here today. Turns out they were having a grand opening for some new showcase in the China Pavilion. Painting and such. We were trying to kill some time, so we decided to check out the China movie. I don't think I'd ever seen this one before. It was nice. Then we headed around to Norway...Maelstrom.Had to do it. My one friend had never been on this. We had fun pulling her leg about "getting wet" here. Absolutely no line. Better get that fastpass.Do not stay for the film!!!!
A drizzle began as we headed to Mexico. We'll head it and check out the 3 Cabellaros. This ride is still cheesey! As we head out, we notice the ponchos coming off. Rain stopped. On we go! Getting a little hungry for lunch and I needed to go to England for DS project. How about.....

[/IMG]
Fish and Chips were great. We had a nice table overlooking the lake. Then we headed into the country to get some photos and see about finding a good book. No luck. Most of what is here is Beatles parafanalia, soccer goods and food. No great kids books. I did stop in the toy shop for my picture with Tigger and Pooh. Those photos are on photopass, though, so I can't share yet. Stopped to shop in the IG shop.
Time for using our Fastpass. We stopped in Mousegears and did a little shopping and then headed on over to the Land. I didn't even need to ask the CMs. We finally got 1st row middle for our final ride on Soarin'! Unfortunately for my one friend, she had a lady to her left that was determined to whoop and holler and stick her arms and legs out like she was flying.Sort of ruined the experience for her.
We were getting a little tired and had some time before our dinner at LeCellier tonight, so we decided to head back to the resort for a rest. Well, some rested. I explored. I was interested to see where our original room assignment would have put us. Suffice it to say, it would've been a lonnnnggg walk to the food court, and our water view would've been a quiet pool in the back woods of Alligator Bayou. I am very glad I asked to change.
I got a little lost back in there for a while. Found the fishin' hole-closed for the day. Finally found my way back around and took a few more photos

[/IMG]

[/IMG]
Then figured I'd better head back. I didn't have my cell phone, so I had no idea how long I'd been wandering. I love to do that-just wander the resort. When I returned, roomies were waiting on me and it was time to head out to dinner. I was really hoping I'd made a good choice for this one. I read so much good press here about this place. So I was expecting a wonderful feast.
We had a most wonderful waiter! Brendan was great. He shared his thoughts on the food. (I'd already inspected the menu and knew what I wanted). I really wanted the fillet, but they kill it there with mushrooms. I don't do fungus! So I went with the New York Strip. Friends had the Prime Rib and New York Strip as well. Brendan brought us out some wonderful bread sticks and a cup of cheese soup for dippin'. I loved the pretzel breadsticks!! We had a lovely salad and by the time the entrees came, I was pretty full. But I ate that beloved steak and my scalloped potatoes!! We also had the best drinks. I had a Pina Colada. Friends had the strawberry dacquiries. Then Brendan suprised me with this lovely little dessert treat!

[/IMG]
Le Cellier was every bit as good as I'd read! It was a wonderful way to end our evening.
We headed out to watch Illuminations. We, unfortunately, did not have enough time to get around to a good viewing location. It was pretty crowded already around the lake, so we pulled up as good a spot as we could muster. The globe was back!! I missed that last year. We headed back to the resort for a nice dip in the hot tub. I stopped into the Rooster Lounge and caught a bit of Bob's (the piano guy) act. He is amazing! Catch him on youtube. He can really rock the piano!After a nice dip, we headed off to our room to pack a bit and get some sleep. Nothing on the agenda for the morning-just a play it by ear.

 

[disneygal922]

GRRRR... so our Realtor called the listing agent on the place we like to tell her we were very interested and about to make an offer. She told him she just received another contract a couple days ago and hasn't had time to change the MLS to Contingent yet. So now we can't put an offer on the place. Bob (the realtor) was pretty annoyed with her b/c we were there just YESTERDAY!!!! He had to call her to set up the appointment. Why didn't she tell him then???? So now we are back to square one. We are very bummed. This was the one place that mike, myself and all our parents really liked!!! grrrrrrrr....