Disney Wonder Sept 3-7, 2006 Part 4

[mom_of_2_princesses]

Latest from Hurricane TracK:

UPDATED: 10:55 PM EDT, August 27, 2006
WHAT A WEEK COMING UP- ERNESTO'S FATE STILL IN QUESTION

Once again, I will start off with more good news- Ernesto continues to weaken. This is mostly due to its interaction with the rugged terrain of Haiti and the Greater Antilles as a whole. A tropical cyclone cannot get trapped among mountainous islands without some serious negative impact on the circulation. So, we have seen Ernesto weaken all day long. But where do we go from here?

The latest info from the NHC tells us that Ernesto should not get too strong as it remains entangled with the land mass of Cuba over the next couple of days. However, if the center were to pass farther to the north and ride along the Florida Straits, then we could easily see a stronger hurricane than what is forecast. For right now though, it does not look as bad as this time last night. Of course, no one should take this lightly as we know all too well how hard it can be to forecast these things.

As far as the track goes, the NHC shows Ernesto moving towards Florida from the southeast and then northward in to SW Florida sometime on Wednesday. This portion of the forecast is critical in terms of surge for areas along the SW coast. It will be important for people to listen to what the local officials are saying in terms of evacuation orders as the week begins. Surge is nothing to mess around with- and we know this from our own research in this very area (Wilma- 2005). Once in to Florida, it looks like a great deal of the peninsula could have to deal with a similar situation as Charley except hopefully not nearly as severe. Everyone in the peninsula needs to be ready for what may be coming later this week. Then- it looks like North Carolina will be next in line for a direct hit from Ernesto. How strong it is and where the greatest impact would be is tough to say right now. Certainly people in SE North Carolina and the Outer Banks need to pay close attention to the future track of Ernesto. Be sure to visit the NWS website linked below and click on your region for in-depth info from your LOCAL weather office. There will be many new watches and warnings along with local statements posted over the coming days, use the link below to help with your LOCAL concerns. I will have more here tomorrow morning and should be hitting the road tomorrow for Florida to prepare for observing and reporting on the conditions as Ernesto closes in. Stay tuned!

 

[JLSE50]

SO--in God's timing, Mother will be here. Jan

Jan, Sunshine sounds fantastic. I hope to meet your mom one day.

It is fantastic!! I would love to take you over with whichever kids (or none) you decide. Once she's here and settled we will make plans to do that.

NEW ITEM OF NOTE!! The WONDERFUL GIRL (who is cruising with us and is practically engaged to DS#1) e-mailed my family.

Turns out she is now working for the company that runs the facility Mother will be in. I had tears running down my face reading what she said about how great it would be for Mother. Turns out the flack from siblings was because they feel guilty for putting Mother into a "home". I am not even sure they know they feel guilty, but now that a special friend pointed it out to me, I can see it clearly. (That smilie is there because of the spy glass). If they are cranky at me and demanding because they are rude, then I don't take it well, but if it is because they feel guilty I am fine and can reach out and help them cope. Help them see that there is nothing to feel guilty about. The place is a Taj Mahal

I am renewing that girl's contract before she is even married to my son.
Jan

 

[Piecey]

I saw that someone said I was a 'cute little thing with short hair' earlier....

I really don't look like my picture in my profile on a day to day basis! It's just a cute pic of me and my pup and the only one I have, even though he's cut off in it..

This is more me on a day-to-day basis (with two of my favorite boys!) ((Both of which happen to be my managers Shh...)

Michael's on my right side. Boy will NOT smile for a picture so I must deal with these goofy faces... sorry.
Pardon his (and my) attire... we had spent the night hanging out in my pool!

My hair is also a couple inches longer than my shoulders. I used to have realllly long hair but in a moment of craziness I chopped it ALL off. 15"... I wanted to cry for days.. Trying to get it back..

 

[JLSE50]

YAY!!

Sorry, I'm excited.

I just got the call that I got the job I interviewed for last week. I suspected as much but didn't want to get my hopes up, they kept telling me how nice I was and how put together I seemed to be and how amazed that I'd kept a job in fast food since high school...
They also talked to me about how, once I got my degree, if I was still working with them I would have an endless amount of opportunities open to me to go anywhere at all I wanted!

I am now an employee of JP Morgan Chase Bank
BEST part?? Part-time employees earn PAID sick leave and vacation!!!!!!!! I'm soo glad I got this. It pays almost $2+ an hour more than BK and I won't smell like food when I leave.. (Of course the ultimate benefit to the pay raise would be that I have to work less and have more time for school )

Guess this means I won't be working with Alex for much longer.. sorry guys

CONGRATULATIONS!!
We had trouble with our bank not helping us when we were moving. We had two mortgages and no pay check for a couple weeks so I went to CHASE (then Bank One) and they solved the problem by accepting a check drawn on my credit card to open an account, give me a cashier's check on the spot for the full amount to take back to the bank to get the balance up enough to not be overdrawn when the automatic withdrawal happened. We do all our banking now with CHASE!! Good company. Glad you are on board!
Jan

 

[Piecey]

CONGRATULATIONS!!
We had trouble with our bank not helping us when we were moving. We had two mortgages and no pay check for a couple weeks so I went to CHASE (then Bank One) and they solved the problem by accepting a check drawn on my credit card to open an account, give me a cashier's check on the spot for the full amount to take back to the bank to get the balance up enough to not be overdrawn when the automatic withdrawal happened. We do all our banking now with CHASE!! Good company. Glad you are on board!
Jan

I already love them! Bank One was my bank for the past couple years and they switched to Chase and I definitely prefer them, even though I have to go to Ohio to make deposits (and now to work.)

Especially awesome.. I read my new hire handbook and (I'm not sure at which point I become eligible) but PART TIME employees are eligible for a $2500 a year tuition reimbursement for college... That'll MAJORALLY help me out.. This company has awesome, awesome benefits and I'm just part-time!

 

[JLSE50]

Yes! Absolutely! I would love to hear the details! Think of it this way--we all get to hear about the sad and horrible details of the real world all the time on the news, it's so nice and refreshing to hear good things! I for one am overjoyed to hear about when life is going well!

Dawn

ETA: I *did* love to hear the details! I'm so glad you found such a great place! I was very impressed to read that someone had given so much thought to taking care of these types of patients!

This is what Sarah sent my family:
Hi all-

So I know I'm not part of the family, but I wanted to throw my $0.02 in here.

First off, Hi. I can't wait until I can actually put faces with the names

Just so you all know, I'm not sure if Jan told you. When Jan told Tom-J on Monday where Gramma would be staying (Sunrise of Carmel), Tom found it very ironic that this was the company I started working with on that same day. I work for the "At Home" division of Sunrise (proving home care to Seniors who do not want to be in an assisted living situation). Just to let you know about the company as a whole, it is run by 2 very caring individuals; a husband and wife team who were unsatisfied in their 20's with senior care that was available. They sold their house in the 1980's, bought a dilapidated nursing home, renovated it with help from their church and lived in the home with their first 15 clients. They were responsible for all aspects (cooking, cleaning, bathing the clients, and all other care). So many seniors desired this care that they opened another home, hired some help, and the rest is history. They now have over 400 locations in the US, and have opened assisted living facilities in Canada, the UK, and Germany. I can tell you from the training & orientation I have received so far that this company feels it is their mission and ministry to provide care and dignity for Seniors. They require nothing less that the utmost caring individuals working with the seniors and the families. Most people think of the residents as their own mom/dad/grandmother/grandfather.

The residence that Gramma is going into is specifically for seniors with Alzheimer's. The program is called "Reminiscence" and it help the client to remember what they can, and encourages them to try to slow the devastation of Alzheimer's through memory strengthening and therapies (pet therapy, art therapy, recollection and cognitive exercises). I can't say enough about these communities. I actually encourage all of you to go to Sunrise's website (www.sunriseseniorliving.com) and check it out for yourself. You can see the outside of the Carmel community and understand more about the actual program.

As far as transferring Gramma, it should not be too difficult. They are in 34 states in the continental US, plus in Washington DC. Nearly every Sunrise building has a "reminiscence" neighborhood.

Hope everyone is well.

Sarah
See why I love her already???

 

[JLSE50]

My sister has been teasing me because I am like your husband, in that I would like to find some "authentic" Bahamian food also. She said there is no way she is missing Castaway Cay even if I am stuck in the bathroom of our cabin all that day. niiiiice sister!

So, does anybody who has already been to Nassau have any suggestions or recommendations on where you can get some authentic (yet not scary) Bahamian food?

Thanks!

Someone had a post on another thread with a picture that I thought I had saved on e-mail but I cannot find it. Some sort of little rolled up thing like an egg roll that they have at Nassau. He said it was great, but of course I cannot remember the name or where he got it--leaking brains are such a liability..............
jan

 

[JLSE50]

I'm so glad things are working out and you found a high quality home for your mother. That is fantastic news. Will be nice to not have to worry about that while on your cruise.

Now you guys can just enjoy yourselves

Thanks to everyone for all the good words!!

The Siblings are sharing Mother's care as they have in the past until the room opens up. Right now she is in a respite situation at an Alzheimer's center near where she lives as my brother is in Ohio visiting the lady he met on eharmony.com. He wants to move there to COURT her. Or did I already tell you that?

He gets back to NY Sept 5 and then they may take a trip to Alabama so she will stay with my sister until the room is available here. My sister would like to bring Mother here so she can see the place. FINE WITH ME--it will help my sister feel better about it all.

BUT

Bottom line--I wanted her near me and I think I am the one best able to deal with these end stage Alzheimer's situations, so I WIN
Jan

 

[JLSE50]

Right on DAWN!! Convenience, comfort and safety in one stretchy package!

Good morning all. It is 8:15 as I write.

We will be taking our little camper up near Lake Michigan for a picnic at an Environmental Learning Center (read "camp for city kids to learn about the environment") of which DH was on the Board of directors for years before we moved. We'll see the eye MD up that we like (he has followed DH since before his laser vision surgery and is keeping a close eye on recent developments since DH is one of th 5% who did not get to be glasses-free after surgery.) Camping overnight--somewhere--then home sometime Sunday. Only bad thing is I cannot get internet while we drive so cannot DIS with you.

If anyone particularly cares about details of the SUPERB Alzheimer's facility I found for Mother please let me know if I should post or PM about it. If you are all OK with the fact that I found IT and I am great with the whole concept and reality, then that is good too.

Lisa--how big is that condo?????

Someone wanted a smilie for drinking water--how about this one?

Jan

Oooh I like that smilie! Have a great time on your trip... although at the rate I am taking to get caught up, it is likely that you have probably already been there and are back

This was posted 8-19-06 page 695, post 10412 and look when it is that I am reading and replying!!
We had a nice time. Thanks.
Spent some time Sunday at a Dairy--the big business kind. They have a tour. Audioanimatronic cows!! 4-D movie!! We watched to calves being born. Rode the bus around to see the barns. They use sand for the bedding as it is cleaner and does not harbor bacteria as straw does. Animal waste and sand are spread on the fields to fertilize the corn for silage for the next year. Liquids are treated at a treatment facility--it is amazing. They are incredibly environmentally conscious
Tae Ja--it would be a great outing for the kids--about an hour and a half north on Rt 65--Exit 220--Fair Oaks Farm http://www.fofarms.com
Jan

PS: I think I win the prize for being behind.

 

[timbo1]

This is what Sarah sent my family:
Hi all-

So I know I'm not part of the family, but I wanted to throw my $0.02 in here.

First off, Hi. I can't wait until I can actually put faces with the names

Just so you all know, I'm not sure if Jan told you. When Jan told Tom-J on Monday where Gramma would be staying (Sunrise of Carmel), Tom found it very ironic that this was the company I started working with on that same day. I work for the "At Home" division of Sunrise (proving home care to Seniors who do not want to be in an assisted living situation). Just to let you know about the company as a whole, it is run by 2 very caring individuals; a husband and wife team who were unsatisfied in their 20's with senior care that was available. They sold their house in the 1980's, bought a dilapidated nursing home, renovated it with help from their church and lived in the home with their first 15 clients. They were responsible for all aspects (cooking, cleaning, bathing the clients, and all other care). So many seniors desired this care that they opened another home, hired some help, and the rest is history. They now have over 400 locations in the US, and have opened assisted living facilities in Canada, the UK, and Germany. I can tell you from the training & orientation I have received so far that this company feels it is their mission and ministry to provide care and dignity for Seniors. They require nothing less that the utmost caring individuals working with the seniors and the families. Most people think of the residents as their own mom/dad/grandmother/grandfather.

The residence that Gramma is going into is specifically for seniors with Alzheimer's. The program is called "Reminiscence" and it help the client to remember what they can, and encourages them to try to slow the devastation of Alzheimer's through memory strengthening and therapies (pet therapy, art therapy, recollection and cognitive exercises). I can't say enough about these communities. I actually encourage all of you to go to Sunrise's website and check it out for yourself. You can see the outside of the Carmel community and understand more about the actual program.

As far as transferring Gramma, it should not be too difficult. They are in 34 states in the continental US, plus in Washington DC. Nearly every Sunrise building has a "reminiscence" neighborhood.

Hope everyone is well.

Sarah
See why I love her already???

That is great! After reading the letter I realized what company you are going with. We have Sunrise in our community and they are great. I taught a water arthritis class at the pool. They would bring the people that lived there over to get some exercise. Everyone would just rave about them. My Nana had a brain tumor and we tried to get her in there but unfortunately her disease took her before we could get her in. I have heard all the doctors around here speak very highly of it. We live in the Valencia, CA area if you want to see it on the Sunrise Website. This was much needed in our community and a welcome sight. I am sorry I had to take out the URL or Disney would not let me quote you. They said I don't have enough post.

 

[JLSE50]

Sunrise at Carmel sounds like a lovely place. What a blessing to be able to find a place that is so nice and relatively close to where you live. It seems like you made a great choice!

I hope you keep us posted when she finally gets to move in. I know this sounds horrible, but I hope your wait on the list isn't too long.

Thanks Theresa.
The Sales Director said that rooms open up for a lot of reasons. Sometimes family move and want to take their loved one with them to a facility that is closer. We have very shallow roots in Indianapolis--only here because of DH's job--so if he gets a job offer that he wants to take, we are out of here. We would have SUNRISE and SARAH help us find a similar place in our new location for Mother.

So, maybe a room will open for her because someone is moving.

But, when I consider how upset she is because she knows she is losing herself--says she is going crazy.
And, think about it, so much of who we are and what we do is based on our memories............
And, if we really believe that Heaven is a better place.........
And have made that faith commitment.............
maybe that is a good kind of move too.
Jan

 

[JLSE50]

I wonder how many times around would equal a marathon?

Did anyone figure this out? Four passes on deck four is a mile according to the sign that is near lifeboat 4 (I think that's where the sign is).
So, how many miles is a marathon--HOLLY????
Jan

 

[mom_of_2_princesses]

OK I was so confused why I could not use a URL. On hubby's account again without realizing. Sorry!

 

[mom_of_2_princesses]

This is what Sarah sent my family:
Hi all-

So I know I'm not part of the family, but I wanted to throw my $0.02 in here.

First off, Hi. I can't wait until I can actually put faces with the names

Just so you all know, I'm not sure if Jan told you. When Jan told Tom-J on Monday where Gramma would be staying (Sunrise of Carmel), Tom found it very ironic that this was the company I started working with on that same day. I work for the "At Home" division of Sunrise (proving home care to Seniors who do not want to be in an assisted living situation). Just to let you know about the company as a whole, it is run by 2 very caring individuals; a husband and wife team who were unsatisfied in their 20's with senior care that was available. They sold their house in the 1980's, bought a dilapidated nursing home, renovated it with help from their church and lived in the home with their first 15 clients. They were responsible for all aspects (cooking, cleaning, bathing the clients, and all other care). So many seniors desired this care that they opened another home, hired some help, and the rest is history. They now have over 400 locations in the US, and have opened assisted living facilities in Canada, the UK, and Germany. I can tell you from the training & orientation I have received so far that this company feels it is their mission and ministry to provide care and dignity for Seniors. They require nothing less that the utmost caring individuals working with the seniors and the families. Most people think of the residents as their own mom/dad/grandmother/grandfather.

The residence that Gramma is going into is specifically for seniors with Alzheimer's. The program is called "Reminiscence" and it help the client to remember what they can, and encourages them to try to slow the devastation of Alzheimer's through memory strengthening and therapies (pet therapy, art therapy, recollection and cognitive exercises). I can't say enough about these communities. I actually encourage all of you to go to Sunrise's website (www.sunriseseniorliving.com) and check it out for yourself. You can see the outside of the Carmel community and understand more about the actual program.

As far as transferring Gramma, it should not be too difficult. They are in 34 states in the continental US, plus in Washington DC. Nearly every Sunrise building has a "reminiscence" neighborhood.

Hope everyone is well.

Sarah
See why I love her already???

Refer to my post under Timbo!!

 

[JLSE50]

post 10490 on page 700 posted 8-19-06 said:

There have been so many things I've wanted to respond to on the last 30 pages but I was afraid then I"d never catch up I do have to say to Jan though that I am so glad she found someplace for her Mom to be happy and safe

Thank you Suzanne!!
It is 1:50 am here. And I am actually going to quit. Maybe I will get caught up before the cruise, but I have got to get some sleep. (Is there a sleeping smilie?)

Jan

 

[Piecey]

Im going to bed. Work then class. Night everyone.

 

[ReallyFunMom]

http://weather.sun-sentinel.com/tropical/tracking/at200605_5day.html

 

[LCTsMom]

http://weather.sun-sentinel.com/tropical/tracking/at200605_5day.html

I am anxious to see what the 11:00 a.m. update brings. We are anticipating that most of Florida will be under a hurricane watch. I am guessng that our schools will be closed Wednesday and possibly Thursday. I hope Ernesto stays weakened and doesn't build up too much steam when it hits the warm water. They don't know if it will hit Florida as a Catagory 1, 2 or possibly 3. Sheez!

 

[LCTsMom]

Oh yes... GOOD MORNING EVERYONE! Here's hoping for lots of and NO HURRICANES!

 

[ReallyFunMom]

I have a new respect for what a Cat 1 can do. Wilma was a Cat 1 by the time it hit the east coast of FL. Drat. I'd rather be packing than putting up hurricane shutters and sweating what we may lose in the frig and freezer...... oh well, we've been through this before.