DDA Chapter 24

[MinnieMouseMom]

So, I think we're about set for CA this month! I put our tickets on hold with American this morning. I want to double check a few more things, but the prices went down some so I grabbed the hold on them. I've also got ADRs for lunch at Blue Bayou and dinner at Goofy's Kitchen. We'll only do one, but Terra is still trying to decide which one she wants to do.

We'll arrive late on Friday the 19th and leave Wednesday the 24th. After looking at our plans for the week, we decided to do DL on Saturday instead of Monday. I know Sat will be more crowded, but I'm hoping not too much so. Going then let's us go on Terra's birthday and spend an extra day with our friends whom we used to stay with, but they moved too far out to keep doing that for the full trip. I figure that even though the crowds will be larger we get 8am-midnight park hours plus fireworks on Saturday instead of 10am-8pm hours and no fireworks on Monday. That's potentially an additional 6 hours to offset the crowds. Plus, we won't be riding a lot of the e-tickets stuff as Terra's still not ready for those. Now to just decide how important it is to hop to DCA. If a friend can sign us in, we'll be able to hop for free. If not, we'll use our Give-A-Day tickets and then decide whether to spend $50 to upgrade and hop. Well, when I type it like that, I'm thinking we're not hopping. That's a lot of money for just a few favorites. Of course, if I hear there are World of Color soft openings that weekend we may just do it anyway and chalk it up to my birthday present from my grandma.

Oooh, I need to get an ADR for BB.

The govt is closing through Monday morning. 26 hrs of double time! Cha-ching!

Woohoo!!

that'd be a lot of money Stay safe still!!

Bless my kitty.....she can't help it but her poo stinks and I can't run away from it.

What is on everyone's menu for Sunday?

I don't think we're doing anything on Sunday, probably won't watch. I'll catch up on the commercials on the net afterwards

 

[mommykds]

The govt is closing through Monday morning. 26 hrs of double time! Cha-ching!

 

[jtanddolly]

Matthew is looking at an off-campus apartment for next year. He forwarded the lease agreement for us to look at. What questions do I need to ask? Is there anyway to look around to see how safe this neighborhood is? It's only a few blocks off-campus, and he says it's in a nicer area. This is a big step for me. We were hoping that he would be in one of the campus apartments, but they won't allow co-ed living, and he has two girls as future roommates (all in their own bedrooms). He just hasn't found any guys that he wants to live with. The lease runs August 1 through mid-May, and it is much cheaper than the dorms.

1. Is it furnished?
2. Is it all inclusive? Meaning do you have to pay seperate water and electricity bills or is it included with the monthly rent...
3. What is the cost for cable? phone? internet?
4. What is the deposit and do you get it back or is it part of last months rent?
5. What is the deposit for phone/internet, cable, water/electricity (if it isn't inclusive)
6. If one of the roommates moves out who is responsible for covering their rent? This happened to me in college when my roommate decided to quit and I was stuck with the full rent because I was still living there. The complex didn't force her to pay.
7. Do they have free wifi so that you don't have to pay for internet connection? This is great to have because with free wifi and a cell phone...you can cut out the phone cost of a land line.
8. Is it within walking distance of campus and/or is there school provided transportation and/or public transportation? Even if your son has a car...if something happened to it could he get to class?
9. What kind of security does it have? Does it have security gates around the entire complex that you drive through with a special key/pass? What types of locks does the apartment have...deadbolt, bars for balcony door, etc.? Never get first floor apartments! They are typically the ones that get broken into especially ones with balcony doors. I always suggest living on the top floor. It is a little bit of a pain to get groceries up and down, but you don't have to listen to people stomp that live above you. You typically only have noise from neighbors on either side of you.
10. Does someone on staff live at the complex?
11. In case of emergency...i.e. pipe bursts, hot water heater leaks, etc. How easy is it to contact someone on management? Is there someone that answers the phones 24/7 or is there a seperate agency that answers the phones and they may contact a manager in an emergency.
12. Do they have a maintenance person on staff?


If I think of any more I will let you know. I have two boys in college...

You can contact the local and/or campus police to see if they have problems with that complex...lots of calls for parties, break-ins, etc. Typically the campus police can give you an idea of the better complexes to live in. Also, call some of the free apartment locators and see what feedback they can give you on that specific complex compared to others.

 

[jtanddolly]

What is on everyone's menu for Sunday?

Does anybody have a good, creamy fruit dip recipe?

QUOTE]

1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1 tablespoon sour cream

This is meant for 12 large fresh strawberries so you will probably have to double or triple the recipe to make it into dip. It is REALLY good!
Combine cream cheese, powdered sugar and sour cream and beat until fluffy.

OR
1 (8 ounce) package of cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup frozen whipped topping, thawed
1/2 cup marshmellow creme

Beat cream cheese until fluffly
Fold in whip topping and marshmellow creme until well mixed.
Serve immediately or store in refrigerator

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

1. Is it furnished?
2. Is it all inclusive? Meaning do you have to pay seperate water and electricity bills or is it included with the monthly rent...
3. What is the cost for cable? phone? internet?
4. What is the deposit and do you get it back or is it part of last months rent?
5. What is the deposit for phone/internet, cable, water/electricity (if it isn't inclusive)
6. If one of the roommates moves out who is responsible for covering their rent? This happened to me in college when my roommate decided to quit and I was stuck with the full rent because I was still living there. The complex didn't force her to pay.
7. Do they have free wifi so that you don't have to pay for internet connection? This is great to have because with free wifi and a cell phone...you can cut out the phone cost of a land line.
8. Is it within walking distance of campus and/or is there school provided transportation and/or public transportation? Even if your son has a car...if something happened to it could he get to class?
9. What kind of security does it have? Does it have security gates around the entire complex that you drive through with a special key/pass? What types of locks does the apartment have...deadbolt, bars for balcony door, etc.? Never get first floor apartments! They are typically the ones that get broken into especially ones with balcony doors. I always suggest living on the top floor. It is a little bit of a pain to get groceries up and down, but you don't have to listen to people stomp that live above you. You typically only have noise from neighbors on either side of you.
10. Does someone on staff live at the complex?
11. In case of emergency...i.e. pipe bursts, hot water heater leaks, etc. How easy is it to contact someone on management? Is there someone that answers the phones 24/7 or is there a seperate agency that answers the phones and they may contact a manager in an emergency.
12. Do they have a maintenance person on staff?


If I think of any more I will let you know. I have two boys in college...

You can contact the local and/or campus police to see if they have problems with that complex...lots of calls for parties, break-ins, etc. Typically the campus police can give you an idea of the better complexes to live in. Also, call some of the free apartment locators and see what feedback they can give you on that specific complex compared to others.

Beth,
I can tell you ALL of our utilities are separate. We do pay the water bill along with the rent, but it comes as an individual bill each month. We also have curbside trash pick-up that is extra each month, but since there is NO DUMPSTER you really don't have a choice in the trash pick-up.

We can choose out own cable, phone and internet. I am sure our apt. staff have no idea how much any of that costs.

In the same vein as what to do if somebody breaks the lease, find out how the kids need to pay rent and what will happen if the check bounces. My roommate and I were allowed to submit separate checks for rent, but when HER check bounced it still went on MY rental history.

If there is an intrusion alarm it may require a landline phone - ours does. Also, we found that we can't "buzz" people in the gate with our cell phones - it simply does NOT work. So we still have a landline.

None of our leasing people live on property, but we have 24 hour maintenance. There is also a police officer in the building next to us.

Ask about parking - if it is assigned, how many spots per apt. etc.

 

[tmfranlk]

What is on everyone's menu for Sunday?

Does anybody have a good, creamy fruit dip recipe?

I had a phone call this morning so I got my human contact...between that one and having to call my grandparents to give both girls rides to school as they both overslept their alarms. It's hard to explain to people my break, surgery and the pain....it's not a common pain.

I'm not sure what we're doing Sunday. Chris has to study for a big exam so I know Kristi and the kids will be here, but I don't know if we'll do anything special food-wise. I am thinking of doing a recipe from the biggest loser thread - 3-4 chicken breasts and a bottle of Frank's hot sauce in the crockpot on low for 12 hours. Shred and cook a little longer. Serve on crackers. Yummy hot wing taste without the fried.

Matthew is looking at an off-campus apartment for next year. He forwarded the lease agreement for us to look at. What questions do I need to ask? Is there anyway to look around to see how safe this neighborhood is? It's only a few blocks off-campus, and he says it's in a nicer area. This is a big step for me. We were hoping that he would be in one of the campus apartments, but they won't allow co-ed living, and he has two girls as future roommates (all in their own bedrooms). He just hasn't found any guys that he wants to live with. The lease runs August 1 through mid-May, and it is much cheaper than the dorms.

That's always a tough one. I would say it is definitely an easier way to go and a cost saving one. I had a friend that lived just east of campus off of Comstock and it was a good location. Most places east and north (if I'm looking at the map and remembering back 10 years well enough, seemed nicer and like decent places to live). Dotty covered the questions to ask pretty well, I think.

Also, there are a lot of people selling furniture at the end of the school year and some again at the end of the summer as they are moving out and leaving the area. Tell him to keep an eye on Craigslits and posted around campus for the opportunity to get furniture at a good price.

 

[tinknme]

What is on everyone's menu for Sunday?

Does anybody have a good, creamy fruit dip recipe?

QUOTE]

1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1 tablespoon sour cream

This is meant for 12 large fresh strawberries so you will probably have to double or triple the recipe to make it into dip. It is REALLY good!
Combine cream cheese, powdered sugar and sour cream and beat until fluffy.

OR
1 (8 ounce) package of cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup frozen whipped topping, thawed
1/2 cup marshmellow creme

Beat cream cheese until fluffly
Fold in whip topping and marshmellow creme until well mixed.
Serve immediately or store in refrigerator

These sound good, thanks for sharing!

 

[babytrees]

What is on everyone's menu for Sunday?

Does anybody have a good, creamy fruit dip recipe?

QUOTE]

1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1 tablespoon sour cream

This is meant for 12 large fresh strawberries so you will probably have to double or triple the recipe to make it into dip. It is REALLY good!
Combine cream cheese, powdered sugar and sour cream and beat until fluffy.

OR
1 (8 ounce) package of cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup frozen whipped topping, thawed
1/2 cup marshmellow creme

Beat cream cheese until fluffly
Fold in whip topping and marshmellow creme until well mixed.
Serve immediately or store in refrigerator

YUMMY!!! Thanks!!

 

[lovesdumbo]

Hope everyone getting the snow stays safe!

Tammi-will you be buying a snow blower with your overtime pay?



Tia-got your PM. I have to look on my laptop to see if I can figure it out. I was hoping that the photopass performance would be better on my Mac as it is wired to the internet rather than wireless. Have I mentioned how much I hate photopass? There are borders that I want to use that are only showing up sporadically. They aren't there so I choose something else and then after I save the photo with that border the one I want shows up. I really wish they would just sell some software that would let me put the borders on my photos at home. We had 269 photos taken. I've got about 120 more to add borders to. Now that I've paid for it I stick to it but I really don't think I'll be doing it again.

 

[tmfranlk]

Tia-got your PM. I have to look on my laptop to see if I can figure it out. I was hoping that the photopass performance would be better on my Mac as it is wired to the internet rather than wireless. Have I mentioned how much I hate photopass? There are borders that I want to use that are only showing up sporadically. They aren't there so I choose something else and then after I save the photo with that border the one I want shows up. I really wish they would just sell some software that would let me put the borders on my photos at home. We had 269 photos taken. I've got about 120 more to add borders to. Now that I've paid for it I stick to it but I really don't think I'll be doing it again.

Thanks, Bernadette! I tried emailing them and got a response that just talked about calling if I needed additional help. I think that meant they don't understand what I'm talking about. I think we're done with Photopass too. With the higher cost and the great difficulty of the site, it's just not worth it anymore.

 

[PNO4TE]

Hope everyone getting the snow stays safe!

Tammi-will you be buying a snow blower with your overtime pay?

That was just plain mean!!

A friend sent this to me and it really sums up what we are dealing with right now:

 

[bethbuchall]

1. Is it furnished?
2. Is it all inclusive? Meaning do you have to pay seperate water and electricity bills or is it included with the monthly rent...
3. What is the cost for cable? phone? internet?
4. What is the deposit and do you get it back or is it part of last months rent?
5. What is the deposit for phone/internet, cable, water/electricity (if it isn't inclusive)
6. If one of the roommates moves out who is responsible for covering their rent? This happened to me in college when my roommate decided to quit and I was stuck with the full rent because I was still living there. The complex didn't force her to pay.
7. Do they have free wifi so that you don't have to pay for internet connection? This is great to have because with free wifi and a cell phone...you can cut out the phone cost of a land line.
8. Is it within walking distance of campus and/or is there school provided transportation and/or public transportation? Even if your son has a car...if something happened to it could he get to class?
9. What kind of security does it have? Does it have security gates around the entire complex that you drive through with a special key/pass? What types of locks does the apartment have...deadbolt, bars for balcony door, etc.? Never get first floor apartments! They are typically the ones that get broken into especially ones with balcony doors. I always suggest living on the top floor. It is a little bit of a pain to get groceries up and down, but you don't have to listen to people stomp that live above you. You typically only have noise from neighbors on either side of you.
10. Does someone on staff live at the complex?
11. In case of emergency...i.e. pipe bursts, hot water heater leaks, etc. How easy is it to contact someone on management? Is there someone that answers the phones 24/7 or is there a seperate agency that answers the phones and they may contact a manager in an emergency.
12. Do they have a maintenance person on staff?


If I think of any more I will let you know. I have two boys in college...

You can contact the local and/or campus police to see if they have problems with that complex...lots of calls for parties, break-ins, etc. Typically the campus police can give you an idea of the better complexes to live in. Also, call some of the free apartment locators and see what feedback they can give you on that specific complex compared to others.

Thanks for the great list of questions. Most of those we've already gone over. I like the idea of contacting campus security.

 

[tinker1bell]

That was just plain mean!!

A friend sent this to me and it really sums up what we are dealing with right now:

I can attest that we did our part. Hal brought a good supply of liquor!!

 

[my3princes]

What is on everyone's menu for Sunday?

Does anybody have a good, creamy fruit dip recipe?

I had a phone call this morning so I got my human contact...between that one and having to call my grandparents to give both girls rides to school as they both overslept their alarms. It's hard to explain to people my break, surgery and the pain....it's not a common pain.

MARSHMALLOW FRUIT DIP

1 sm. jar marshmallow creme
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese
Orange juice

Mix together marshmallow creme and cream cheese. Add orange juice enough to make like a dip.

This is my favorite fruit dip

 

[tinknme]

That was just plain mean!!

A friend sent this to me and it really sums up what we are dealing with right now:

To funny

 

[my3princes]

Wow, what a crazy busy day. I worked at school this morning, then took Nick to the doctors. His pediatrician ran an eeg and some blood pressure tests which were completely normal. He thinks that Nick has a common teen diagnosis of syncope. It commonly occurs during periods of growth and during puberty. Nick has it usually during a quick change of position and apparently blood doesn't flow to the brain as quickly as it should. He suggested that he sit with his head between his legs before he stands up. We will obviously continue to watch him, but he is confident that it isn't serious (like I haven't heard that one before ) I think I've become a bit synical in the last few months when it comes to doctor's diagnosis.

After his appt we went and picked up some hand made chocolates for my Dad for his birthday today. Then we rushed home and I quickly ate and headed off to work at the restaurant. I made it with seconds to spare Thankfully it wasn't too busy so I was able to get out in time to hit my Dad's birthday party (just family). We came home and I had an email from a potential girls lacrosse coach and I finally have some computer time though the kids keep interrupting.

 

[tinknme]

MARSHMALLOW FRUIT DIP

1 sm. jar marshmallow creme
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese
Orange juice

Mix together marshmallow creme and cream cheese. Add orange juice enough to make like a dip.

This is my favorite fruit dip

Yum, thanks!

 

[Blueeyes101817]

the snow here has started..im interested to see how much we actually end up getting!

 

[my3princes]

The kids got their report cards today. Nick made honor roll, but got 2 B's and a B- He really needs to step it up for the rest of the year. Hunter missed 17 days of school and got straight A's. Not even an A- in the bunch Colby's grades were not bad, but he needs to improve his behavior and focus.

 

[tinknme]

Good morning