Chatterbox Thread-Cmon in and Jabber! Everyone is Welcome!

[disneegrl4eva]

wow they ARE alive lol....how is everybody??? now that Im updated with whats going on with everybody and their crazy life lol....Im very excited...Bernice knows but I just have to tell all of you that Tiff got accepted today to Long Beach University in the fall...it was her second choice initially but over the months it has changed to her first choice...she applied to 4 schools...1st choice was UC Berkeley(will know if they accepted her on Friday) 2nd choice Long Beach..3rd Choice UCSD (wasnt accepted because due to CA crappy budget, they are only taking local students next year) and 4th Fresno State which she was accepted to but she didnt really want...however, she said that even if berkeley accepts her she wants to go to long beach...she went down to moreno valley last week for spring break and her and my aunt went to LBU to check it out and she fell in love with it...so we are estatic that she will be a so cal girl in a few months...she's been working to save up so she will have money for a deposit and first month rent when she goes...

Does your state have the same laws?? Here they can't even take the permit test without proof of classes $350 later.. urgh! If we home schooled, we can teach him ourselves. Or sign up for a lower cost online school but you are required to show proof that you are a registered home school...

I feel it is unfair for low income families.

Hmm: pay this bill, buy groceries, or shell out a couple hundred for the teenager to drive.. uhhhh, guess what- you're waiting until 18 (or pay it yourself- go get a job!)

I hear you Bernice...I am so thankful that when Tiff was going through that, I had a the money to be able to do that...

I get it! We felt the same about moving to California, it was a grand adventure for the family. I think you have the right idea to do it now when the kids are younger. It was too much for our boys to handle as teenagers.
I have no regrets for the move and the year. It was something we needed to do at the time.

Eloy and I toy with the idea of moving again (just us), after Noah graduates. Not sure we can afford southern California .. maybe further north? We have Seattle among the possibilities as well, dialysis care is pretty awesome there. And it fits who we are..

something that bugged us in Moreno Valley is the lack of book stores, libraries, this sense that education and learning was not important, mass transit was sneered upon... we didn't "fit".

gah Bernice...I wouldnt EVEN recommend coming back to CA, northern/southern/central none of it...we are so screwed up because of the state budget that its making things so hard for alot of people who live here...and I agree with you about MV...I personally dont like it very much...its ok to visit but I wouldnt want to live there...its really boring!!

It takes a special person to be able to handle our weather. We love it... But most people can't handle it.

ah and I am one of those people...I like being where it NEVER snows...30º to me is like below 0 to you lol

 

[sameyeyam]

Alison & Staley- sorry to hear that you experienced rude CM's on your trips. That really sux I know that no matter where you go, there is a chance you will encounter an employee who is grouchy or just rude mannered.

I've talked to some very nice CM's at DL and some have been so excited for me when I found Buzz vinylmations. I found 5 total! It's so weird! lol. They are really nice but the one that look crabby or something, I tend to stay away from.

I kind of wondered if the CM problem at WDW was due to the economy. I noticed that there were not nearly as many people there on spring break as there have been in the past. Maybe some of the CM's got laid off and they are in the process of training new ones. There were a lot of CM's that seemed very inexperienced this time as well.

It wasn't the cm's for me.. Just a lack of over all magic. Still had fun, but I think I just wasn't in the Disney frame of mind.

I thought that was you Alison! we should get together soon... Maybe we need to figure another lady date.

Yes, we definitely need another lady date. I've really been wanting to go to the Factory Outlet stores in Centralia. Do you think we could meet there? Can F. deal with watching the kids all day with no transportation? Or do you have some good factory stores near you? The ones in Centralia always seem to have good prices, plus I noticed they now have a Nike factory store.

awesomeness! I actually had an entire page and a half to read!
Nice to see the chatting begin again.

Portland is on my list too, but this is totally "blue sky" thinking at this point. Something to research and tuck away for further consideration. Gotta get my kidlets to grow some wings first!

Argh! Our landlord waited an extra week to send an update for next year's lease. We've been scratchin our heads and wondering "why hasn't he sent it??"
Letter came today, raising another $15. Which I guess isn't bad, but there are places nearby that are $50 less and have better amenities (dishwasher!!!!!!) . Or if we went further back into the city, even less $.

Played with our budget numbers, thought about school options/transportation to school for Noah (we have open enrollment in MN, we would need to drive him if out of district) and I just can't see us moving in the next two months..

But next summer, it's time to jump. Balcony, dishwasher, somewhere to sit outside on a nice day, closer to downtown....oh please!!

When I mentioned to DH that you were considering Seattle he was surprised. He said "don't they know that Seattle's public transportation sucks?".lol. I don't think it's that bad, but compared to Portland that has awesome public transportation (bus system that covers 4 counties, 3 light rail lines and a 4th coming in a few years), Portland is definitely a plus.

However, if you look into Portland you would have to decide whether you wanted to live in Oregon or Washington. We have a couple of hospitals on the WA side, but the "big, big" hospitals are up on Pill Hill in Portland (VA, Shriners, Oregon Health Sciences University, Dornbecher Children's Hospital). In many cases insurance in SW Washington covers you going to the Oregon hospitals. But obviously that is something you would need to check into with E's kidney issues.

So - of course I forgot to multi quote - but it sounds like everyone needs a big it is great though to see you guys here!!!

I still haven't adjusted to my work schedule (6 days/week at 5am ) and it will probably be over by the time I am adjusted to it (it is a 10 week training program, then anything goes)

It is also that time of year for sports!!! Alecia who we pretty much forced to tryout for softball realized that she is AMAZING and wants to practice about 3 hours a night . She was probably one of the top 10 girls at tryouts and a pretty amazing little ball player.

Alec, well, is still Alec. But he is having fun with baseball, and is showing an amazing grasp of the game....just needs some more practice with the skills.

Other then that - planning a WDW trip in October - should be super fun!!! I have been once - I was 10 - it was July - and we were there for a dance performance.....this adventure should be much better

Yah for Alecia!!! If she enjoys it, I highly encourage her to stick with it. Lots of college baseball scholarships are available.

Don't wear yourself out too much working all those days.

wow they ARE alive lol....how is everybody??? now that Im updated with whats going on with everybody and their crazy life lol....Im very excited...Bernice knows but I just have to tell all of you that Tiff got accepted today to Long Beach University in the fall...it was her second choice initially but over the months it has changed to her first choice...she applied to 4 schools...1st choice was UC Berkeley(will know if they accepted her on Friday) 2nd choice Long Beach..3rd Choice UCSD (wasnt accepted because due to CA crappy budget, they are only taking local students next year) and 4th Fresno State which she was accepted to but she didnt really want...however, she said that even if berkeley accepts her she wants to go to long beach...she went down to moreno valley last week for spring break and her and my aunt went to LBU to check it out and she fell in love with it...so we are estatic that she will be a so cal girl in a few months...she's been working to save up so she will have money for a deposit and first month rent when she goes...






I hear you Bernice...I am so thankful that when Tiff was going through that, I had a the money to be able to do that...



gah Bernice...I wouldnt EVEN recommend coming back to CA, northern/southern/central none of it...we are so screwed up because of the state budget that its making things so hard for alot of people who live here...and I agree with you about MV...I personally dont like it very much...its ok to visit but I wouldnt want to live there...its really boring!!



ah and I am one of those people...I like being where it NEVER snows...30º to me is like below 0 to you lol

Great News for Tiffany!!!

Chelsie has settled in nicely for her first year at college. Actually she has finals this week and then is done for the year. I'm so glad we did the Running Start program and she took those college classes in high school. She became a Sophomore after her first semester and will be a junior in the middle of next year. It saved us so much money!!

She has a decision to make this summer. Whether she wants to continue on to get her bachelor's degree in Exercise Sport Science or whether she wants to get a Pre-Physical Therapy degree. Either degree can lead her into Physical Therapy, so it's a tough call. The PT degree will require her to take more science classes. She's debating on whether or not to get her doctorate in Physical Therapy. It would require an additional 3 years of schooling beyond her bachelor's degree. But when you factor in that she will most likely get her bachelor's in 2-1/2 years instead of 4 years, it is a little easier to swallow. Ahhh...to be young and have life's decisions ahead of you!

Right now, she's checking into whether she can take classes at our local community college this summer. Concordia University has a formal relationship with them and are good about transferring classes. All 15 that she took during high school transferred. But unfortunately she is running out of 100 & 200 level classes to take, so not sure if she can take anything.

 

[disneegrl4eva]

It would require an additional 3 years of schooling beyond her bachelor's degree. But when you factor in that she will most likely get her bachelor's in 2-1/2 years instead of 4 years, it is a little easier to swallow. Ahhh...to be young and have life's decisions ahead of you!

yeah I know all about that one....Tiff will be in her jr. year come fall and she does one year of accelerated studies and then following year is her year of field work...then she gets her bachelors but THEN she goes on and does an accelerated 18 month program for her masters...shes trying to decide now whether she should double major in Psych or minor in it...Im thinking minoring but its her decision so...we have been looking at off campus housing and will be planning a weekend trip down there within the next few weeks...we want to wrap that part of it up soon...if we wait too long she wont have as many prospects...she has definitely decided she is "too old" for on campus housing and she doesnt want to "share" a room with someone and live with 4 people...been there done that...when she was in San Francisco and she is concerned that they will be a bunch of partyers so we are looking into people that own and live in their houses who are renting rooms...we have found 3 good prospects so far and 2 of them have contacted Tiffany so *fingers crossed*

 

[staley7580]

We have been doing the college talking here too. I am pretty sure Julie is wanting to stay with us after she graduates.. Which is totally fine. She just thinks that there are better opportunies here then in Germany. Which I agree. We have settled on not moving until after she graduates and she keeps talking about wanting to come with us. I am happy that she likes it with us enough to want to come with us when we go. She wants to get into photography, and the idea of living in Alaska with all the wildlife and beautiful scenery is really exciting for here.

I don't think there are any out let malls here.. I know up in North Bend there is one, and one in Marysville.. But thats pretty far away. Frelan can totally watch the kids with no car.. Heck, he won't take them out without me anyways!

 

[funnygarcia]

Justin is all set for next year, doing his generals of course for the MN transfer curriculum. He won't know until late summer his result on upcoming AP Calculus test, so his schedule will likely change.

He is still waffling on his final plans but leaning more towards Biomedical Technology, which to me sounds much better in terms of finding work when he is done! We have lots of medical technology firms in the area (Medtronic, global headquarters is here) itching for people with degrees.

Ha, if you want outlet mall shopping.. we have bunches here! 3 major ones and a bunch of other smaller store specific ones. Though I find that besides the Reebok outlet.. the deals are not super fantastic. But you know me, I can smell out a deal just about anywhere so I am not your typical outlet shopper! I can find name branded clothing at ridiculously low prices at our local thrift stores and at Macy's, perhaps we are a bit over saturated in retail offerings here.

 

[funnygarcia]

Please help them win! You can vote once a day. THANKS!

Done!

 

[MotoXPrincess99]

Done!

Thank you!

I guess the main big winner will be choosen by Disney but the couple with the most votes gets $1000 toward a dress.

 

[funnygarcia]

oh how NOT fun.. hubby got a letter from SS because he got a bigger check in March and it was considered "substantial gainful". Meaning they feel he shouldn't have got a benefit check because he was earning money.

He tried to talk to someone at district HR to write up something.. their reply was OH so helpful.. "check your email".. gee thanks!
Hours later spent slogging thru his hundreds of emails, got proof of one part of the extra money and a sketchier proof of the bigger chunk. Not sure if SS is going to accept the explanation on that big chunk.

It was extra money he earned from LAST school year, the contract was not signed for two years in a row and finally an agreement was reached. Retroactive payment appeared this year. This is income earned from credits and professional development in 2009/2010 school year (when he wasn't on disability).

Not to mention the letter is confusing as heck .. they say he earned the money in February. But the pay stub that was larger had pay date in MARCH. (though I guess technically it was "earned" in February if you look at just the pay periods).

Anyway, it makes my head hurt! Hopefully we have what is needed!

Next year will be SO much easier with no worries of oddball salary and contract payments. He plans to sub, straight forward - work one day , get paid X on this date. Pick and choose the day, work one day instead of an hour here and there.

 

[staley7580]

Yuck. That does not sound fun. Hopefully it gets worked out.

 

[MotoXPrincess99]

So are we gonna get this thread going again...

 

[Alex2kMommy]

Well, hello there!

When I first started back on the DIS I didn't see a hyena thread, and thought somebody mentioned you all are on FB now. (I haven't ventured into FB to create a profile yet. Long story.)

So how nice to see this one pop up!

I'm off to pick up the boys from school, then we have dental appts. and an event at the school tonight; UFF, somewhere we'll need to grab dinner in between...

So NICE to see you ladies again!

 

[MotoXPrincess99]

Well, hello there!

When I first started back on the DIS I didn't see a hyena thread, and thought somebody mentioned you all are on FB now. (I haven't ventured into FB to create a profile yet. Long story.)

So how nice to see this one pop up!

I'm off to pick up the boys from school, then we have dental appts. and an event at the school tonight; UFF, somewhere we'll need to grab dinner in between...

So NICE to see you ladies again!

Nobody has actually posted here since May. Yep, I hear they are all on Facebook now...I don't have one but maybe I'll make one with an alias just to be able to keep up with everyone.

 

[staley7580]

I am all over the place!! Except twitter. Im old, and i dont understand it. LOL!

 

[sameyeyam]

IT'S ALIVE.....OUR THREAD IS COMING ALIVE!

 

[funnygarcia]

hmm, gotta shake off those dust covers and scare away the spiders.

 

[funnygarcia]

I am all over the place!! Except twitter. Im old, and i dont understand it. LOL!

Twitter is for really old people .. it's facebook "lite" and I don't get it either. I made an account but never look at it. I've got weird people that I don't know "following" me - isn't there laws against that?

 

[sameyeyam]

I've never even been on Twitter. Back when I was a kid, nobody wanted to be a Twit. Twitter just sounds like an old Twit.

 

[funnygarcia]

And if we play with the vowels we get........aaaaaaaaaa...........never mind

 

[sameyeyam]

Twitter is for really old people .. it's facebook "lite" and I don't get it either. I made an account but never look at it. I've got weird people that I don't know "following" me - isn't there laws against that?

You mean like when we follow each other around on the Dis threads?

 

[sameyeyam]

And if we play with the vowels we get........aaaaaaaaaa...........never mind

Put those down! How many times have I told you not to play around with vowels....who know's what you'll catch.