Escape to Neverland - A new Tagliarchy adventure!!

[slo]

Hi PK!!! I hope all is well with you!!!





Not to much new with me
Business stinks, and I'm stressing about it all the time (literally losing sleep). I think the days of people going to specialty shops, at least in my area, are coming to an end. People are more interested in buying things at the big box stores, even if it means costing more money. These stores throw these 50% coupons out every week like nothing, but what most people don't realize, is their 50% off price is my everyday price with no coupon. I'm having a very frustrating time right now, and sometimes I just want to throw in the towel. Owning a business in these times is not rewarding at all

 

[geffric]

Morning..

SLO - times are tough.. is the whole shopping center having challenges too? I know with us that it isn't that we are going to a big box but we aren't spending at all except on what is really needed like food.

NCB - hope that he feels well enough to go maybe that will be a great incentive for him..

iBounce.. it has been a tough winter here.. makes one think about moving to be in a better weather place..

Hi CMOM - do you have any pictures or trippies to share?? Lauren have a great time??? I found that Spring break is very crowded much more so than summer since everybody is trying to pack the trip into the same small window of break..

Well today is cleaning and cooking. I have the first sedar here today. I did meals on wheels and then cleaned..and did the last minute grocery shopping..

 

[NC Belle]

Slo--- I hope that things get better for you soon.

 

[Danauk]

Morning everyone,

Slo I hope things pick up for you soon.

Yesterday I had a really nice day with my sil and BIL. We went to Gordon Ramsays restaurant at Claridges for lunch (very, very nice food!!), then walked through on of the big London parks to go to Harrods (we just looked round) then in the evening we went to the West End to see We Will Rock You which was great. Then we drove back home!

Today is a lot less exciting, we are waiting for a delivery from the DIY store, nothing exciting just a new roof panal for the garden room (one is leaking every time it rains!) and a big bag of sand which we need to pack out the new pond that we had delivered (our current pond has developed a leak!) So today we need to build a temporary structure to keep the fish in whilst we swap ponds and we have to drain the current pond. At least I'll be able to count how many fish we have, at the moment I don't know as they have been breading in there for years!!

 

[slo]

I was in front of the TV at 8:30pm last night
Why am I ? Because that NEVER happens.
We had the fastest, smoothest, evening in such a long time - it was weird!!!!
I came home from work, we ate, we went to the mall so the girls could see the Easter bunny, we were back home by 7pm, I got the girls ready for bed, and everyone was asleep by 8:30pm. It was so bizaare, and I loved it!!!!!


Thanks for the hugs everyone!!!!


geffric and RRBB - Happy Passover (do people say that?) I hope you have a great holiday!!!
*What all are you cooking?

geffric - The whole mall isn't full (never has been). In our mall we have me, my friend with her insurance agency, a sandwich shop, a fast food place, martini bar (very high end, and I always thought that would bring me customers), and a dentist is opening May 1st. The food places seem to be doing okay, and the martini bar is doing slow. There are always cars there, but the owners say they spend very little. They've told me that they had 3 ladies split a martini once, and they stayed there 1/2 the night, and that's all they bought. So even though there's a lot of cars there, that doesn't mean they are bringing in money - tough, tough times!!!!!

Belle -

Danauk - I"m glad you had a great day yesterday - it sounds lovely!!!
**Good luck with your project today - I hope everything goes as plannedYou'll have to let us know how many fish you have



Well, it's time for me to get this day started. I have to work until 7pm today, because I had to cut my employees hours to almost nothing - breaks my heart!!!! I just love this girl, and it killed me to tell her to start looking for a 2nd job, and I will do everything I can to help her. These times are really terrible!!!!

Have a good day!!!

 

[cheeringmom]

Hi all!

SLO so sorry about your slow business. It is terrible everywhere. And I agree, the food places seem to be doing well around here too. I guess food is not considered a luxary item!!!(did I spell that right? ugh I have a cold and can't think)

Yes, Happy Passover to all my Jewish friends. We are all celebrating a very special week in all of our faiths!!

Dana I love going to Harrods. There was a tea shop right across the street that I would go and sit for hours and read and eat scones with clotted cream....ahhhh so wonderufl!

PK hey! I still have a hard time calling you by your new name.(rikku!!)

Belle, when is your FIL's trip again???Is he feeling well?

Sam graduates in three weeks and no sign of work whatsoever. She went on 9 interviews in DC and NYC and although they liked her, they were either not hiring at the moment or wanting her to take an unpaid internship. ummm we can't afford that. We have to get her medical insurance that is sure to drain the bank account. She may have to go back to school. She is not happy but times are tough all over.
and not sure what my son will do this summer. He has a bunch of things
that he is waiting to hear about. I am anxious to get my plans together and they all depend on him!

Off to take a bath and go to bed. I don't feel well. Hope I am better by Easter.

 

[Danauk]

Afternoon all,
I hope everyone is having a happy Easter, my bunnies are having a happy time at the moment as because we are on school holiday they get let out of their hutch all day so they have free run of the garden from when we get up to when we go to bed!!

Slo Sorry you have to work more, I wish you were near us as I have a few pictures that need framing!

CheeringmomAah, afternoon tea and Harrods!! One of my favourite things to do is have afternoon tea in the restaurant on the top floor of Harrods. Looking over the rooftops of London makes me think of Mary Poppins!! In June 3 of my assistants from work and I are going for afternoon tea at Harrods then we are going to see Wicked in the West End. I am really looking forward to that!!

Well we haven't got the pond drained yet, it has been raining off and on for the past 2 days here so we have been doing other jobs. But tomorrow we have decided that it needs doing so we are going to put on our waterproofs and do some gardening!!

This evening our best friends are coming around for dinner, we are having a lovely roast chicken dinner which should be yumm!!

 

[geffric]

Greetings..

I have been super busy .. yesterday was the Meals On wheels event for the seniors for easter .. I helped with the home deliveries and served at the special lunch.. it was great fun.. then onto PT and to my brithers for the second sedar..

Today i ran a few errands and then took Geoff to a friends house to help her identify systems such as N64 and SuperN and Xbox, Sega and sega genes.. if any of your kids want these plus some games she is partig with them at a very resonable price..

Then on to Costco and laundy.... now back until I pick up Eric from gf's..

 

[Danauk]

Good afternoon everyone, I'm just sopping by quickly whilst I am having a break from the garden work. This morning we drained our pond (I have 21 fish and 27 frogs, all had to be caught and transfered to the temporary pond!) now we have to take the old pond liner out and beging digging the extra soil out so the new rigid pond will fit in. Oh, and it is still raining on and off whilst we are doing this!
Well I guess I had better go and get on with it then, have a great day everyone.

 

[slo]

This is going to be a busy holiday weekend.

My MIL is being received into the church tonight, so this is going to be a busy weekend celebrating that. I need to work all day, and then we have church all night - we probably won't be home until 11pm. The tiring part about this, is that we have to wait until the girls are asleep to hide eggs and for me to make their baskets - this will be a long day

Tomorrow, I'm sure the girls will wake up up early, so they can get their goodies, and then we need to get ready for brunch. My inlaws are taking us all out for Easter brunch to celebrate my MIL being received into the church. Then we are going to their house after, and then going to my mom's house after that My mom asked me if we wanted to have dinner at her house, but it wouldn't be until 6:30/7:00pm, and I said "no thanks". I told her that by that time, I wanted to be home and in my PJ's to watch TV

So that's my weekend in a nutshell - it'll be quite active!!!



cheeringmom - I'm sorry you dont' feel well I hope you feel better by tomorrow
**I'm sorry to hear about your DD not being able to find work - this economy is just awful right now. When it comes to insurance, she may be able to go on Medicaid - look at your state government website to see if they have any information about providing insurance to those who don't have insurance.

Danauk - Good luck with finishing your pondI have the perfect place in my yard for one someday, and I look forward to the day I can get one - I would love that!!!!!

geffric - Did you have a nice Passover? I hope so!!!




Well, I gotta go get ready for work - I hope I have some business today
Have a good day today everyone!!!

 

[slo]

The girls had a fantastic Easter morning opening their baskets and finding Easter eggs
Now we need to go get ready for brunch
So, I'm sorry this is such a quick post.

I hope you all have a wonderful and blessed Easter today

 

[NC Belle]

We are having bbq roast beef (slow cooked), some veggies, and fresh pineapple for our dinner. We had Easter themed Krispy Kreme jelly doughnuts for our breakfast.


FIL is doing pretty good:

from the latest MIL's update/newsletter:
Despite the less-than-optimistic diagnosis, he continues to do well. He does tend to tire easily, but remains optimistic and is determined to live life to the fullest extent that his body will allow.
He is getting out and about as much as possible, and is able to drive when he feels up to it. He goes to Mass most Sundays and today at noon we went to St. Thomas More for Stations of the Cross.
Later this afternoon he even attacked a few of the insidious dandelions that have popped up in our back yard!
The hospice nurse continues to visit twice a week. The challenge at this point is pain management and adjusting the medication accordingly to keep him comfortable round the clock. Otherwise Andy’s heart, lungs, blood pressure and other vital signs are normal,

Slo--- congrats to your MIL's big step in the Church.

Danauk-- I can't imagine how hard it must had be doing that pond work and catching that many frogs.

Cheeringmom--- I can't believe that Sam's graduating from college...it does not seem that long ago when you told about her high school days/graduation. I had a hard time when I was applying for federal jobs back in 95 and 96 in the DC area because of a freeze. Sending her (and others) some much needed job/school pd!

 

[slo]

Well gang, it's the start of another week

Did you all have a nice Easter?
We did - it was nice!!!
The brunch we went to was lovely, and we ate way to much food.
Then we went back to my inlaws house, and had more food (dessert).
Then we visited my parents for awhile.
Then we came home and I was in my jammies by 7pm
It was a great day!!!


Belle - Thank you for my MIL's congrats Her parish, the one we attended Saturday night, is St. Thomas More, just like your inlaws parish. I was so surprised when I read that in your post.
**I'm so glad to read that your FIL is doing well - that is great news!!!!



Well, I'm off to take out the dog before it starts raining alot, and then I need to get ready for work. Have a great day today everyone!!

 

[ibouncetoo]

Morning Taglikins!

I had a good, quiet Easter.....I finally did my taxes! And am getting back a few hundred dollars more than expected. Of course, it will all go to Visa to pay for vacation but that's a good thing.

I'm dedicating the next three weeks to DIET AND EXERCISE. I figure I can handle short term goals much better. Early May I head off to Chicago, so I want to focus on just feeling and moving a bit better by then. Man, just getting off fried food and sugar will make a big difference, I know. So bring on the fruits and veggies!

.

 

[Danauk]

Hi everyone,
Well my 21 and 27 frogs are back into the main pond. We got the pond in, the waterfall back up and running and I have started to sort out the edging. This time I have gone for a more coastal look and put white cobbles around the edge (I need to go to the DIY store though to get some more bags to finish it off, then I'll take a picture.) Pete has been busy sorting out the garden lighting ready for the summer, the bunnies nibbled through the cables so we have had to put trunking all around the garden and re wire the whole lot (and we have a lot of lights in the garden, 12 low voltage lights on the fence, 7 rock lights to light up various garden features, 2 sets of tree lights, a set of lanterns over my swing seat and 2 reading lights above the swing seat - can you tell Pete likes garden lighting. Then we have 4 outdoor speakers for the music system.)

Tomorrow Pete has to go into work to do some exam revision with some students, I have 2 of my friends coming for lunch, one was my teaching assistant last year and the other is the assistant who I have had whilst my regular 2 have been off, we get on really well and I have asked to keep her after the holidays!

ibouncetoo Thats great about the extra tax return money.

Slo Sounds like you had a nice Easter. Did you enjoy the service for your MIL?

NC Belle It's great that your FIL is doing well at the moment.

Well I'm off to do a little more WDW planning. Not for me this time, but for my best friends, they told us on Friday that they were going in 2 weeks time. I didn't feel as bad then telling them that we had booked a trip for August ourselves. We are still planning on the Christmas/New Year trip with them next year though. I am looking forward to that too as we are going to go to the new Harry Potter part of Universal which will have opened by then.

 

[NC Belle]

Slo--- my in-laws are active in several Catholic churches. They usually go to the church nearby them on most weekends to see their youngest granddaughter sing in choir. My FIL misses singing in the various choirs that he was real active until this past fall.

Danauk-- love that new timer of yours...we may be down at WDW in August or maybe October. We are thinking long weekends this year because of FIL and the budget. I have an AP that expires in mid-October so that helps in the decisions.

 

[NC Belle]

Morning Taglikins!

I had a good, quiet Easter.....I finally did my taxes! And am getting back a few hundred dollars more than expected. Of course, it will all go to Visa to pay for vacation but that's a good thing.

I'm dedicating the next three weeks to DIET AND EXERCISE. I figure I can handle short term goals much better. Early May I head off to Chicago, so I want to focus on just feeling and moving a bit better by then. Man, just getting off fried food and sugar will make a big difference, I know. So bring on the fruits and veggies!

.

NC Beast and I are trying to do better in our diet and exercises. NC Beast's parents gave him an incentive goal ($25 if he loses 25, $75 if he loses 75 lbs.). He was a good son and told them that he is doing it for his health and not for cash. They are hoping for him to do Weight Watchers (MIL does this program off and on plus she goes to a gym). I need to start getting serious on the menus and knowing the correct portion sizes.

 

[Danauk]

Good morning everyone,

NC Belle Pete and I will be in WDW from 16th - 24th August, it is our anniversary whilst we are there as well, so another anniversary spent at Disney! We too are trying to diet and do more excercise. I am following weight watchers too as I know it works. I really need to be more active though, but I just don't feel like it at the end of a day of work!!

This morning I am busy doing housework as my friends will be over for lunch in an hour. I guess I had better get on really!!

Have a great day everyone.

 

[slo]

I'm getting really bored of these cold days - when is Spring coming
My Magnolia bush has flowers on it, so I guess that is a good sign that warmer weather is around the corner



ibouncetoo - Good luck with your new diet and exercise goalsI'm sure you'll do great!!!

Danauk - You've been working really hard on your time off I can hardly wait to see the pictures of your new pond
**Yes, the Mass was lovely - thank you for asking!!!
**I hope you have a nice lunch with your friends

Belle - Good luck to you and the Beast with your weight loss goals tooI need to start watching again, because all the Easter treats are starting to really catch up with me




I've just eating my Easter poppyseed coffeecake (I feel like I'm getting fatter by the second with all the crap I've been eating lately), and now I must get Steph out of bed. It was nice having her on break Friday and Monday

Have a good day today!!!

 

[ibouncetoo]

Good morning everyone,

NC Belle Pete and I will be in WDW from 16th - 24th August, it is our anniversary whilst we are there as well, so another anniversary spent at Disney! We too are trying to diet and do more excercise. I am following weight watchers too as I know it works. I really need to be more active though, but I just don't feel like it at the end of a day of work!!

.

Oh man....I'm just going to miss you by about two weeks!



SOUTHWEST AIRLINES HAS OPENED BOOKING FOR SEPTEMBER.

Stumbled out of bed at 6AM to check....and there they were! Got a non-stop arriving FRIDAY 9/4 at 5:20PM and fly out Sat 9/19 at 2:10PM (one-stop on the way home) Phoenix-Orlando $305. I'm very happy with that price!