EWP group?

[SlightlyGoofy]

Luna (you are sooo well named- in the best possibly way I can mean it) I am roaring with laughter and recognition of what it was like to be a mother. Please notice that I cleaned up the title in recognition of the Disney site that this is. LOL Have you ever wondered why us mom's always take all the blame for everything? Could it be because we are in charge of everything?? (grin) Glad to hear that you survived and even thrived and came home with your sense of humor intact and are willing to return someday. Bet your kids will be making plans for their next trip right along with you. My 7 year old told me he could not wait until 2006 when we are going to DW together. It must seem a lifetime to him while it is about a week away for me. If I drank a glass of wine the nap would occur before I finished the last sip. I am an extremely cheap drunk. Hic! If you post a report, and I hope you do, please send us a roadmap so that we can enjoy the long version of what ,I am sure, will be an extremely interesting report.

Lisa, sure glad to see your smiling face in here. Sounds as if your plate is full and overflowing. I would not worry about trying to keep up with this bunch, I know I can't but it sure is fun trying. We might not have a whole lot of quantity but the quality is wonderful! I heard from Helene and am sure she is having a wonderful Holiday Season in a most interesting place. I have enjoyed being there but think the decorations must be amazing this time of year.

Depply, how wonderful to have your dad at home. You should get a big old red bow and tie it on him as that is the best present you will get this year, or any year. Yep, I think George is as good a name as any myself. Having read and studied many religions and finding so many similarities, albeit using different terms, locations and names, I have come to think that striving to understand is a journey and we might be on different roads but as long as we are attempting to reach the same destionation it will be acceptable. That and depending on His sense of humor is my only hope of salvation. LOL Glad to hear that you have a heat wave going on there. It is below 0 here and I know it. I can only shovel a bit at a time as it is so cold and cold and asthma do not go well together. I have the front done and a path to the back so we can make it to the church tonight to see my Dalton perform, as King Herod. For some reason they thought he was well suited to the role as it called for a devious mind. LOL You would be so proud of him as he is teaching himself to write cursive and his handwriting is better than most adults already.

My brother called and asked if he and my nephew could come and spend Christmas with us. Part of me is very happy to have him but I am sure worried about how safe it is for him to drive here in his health. I am going to have to scramble to find some presents for my nephew and some food that my db will consider fit for consumption, he is extremely picky. I am thinking jumbo shrimp as it is expensive, easy to fix and impressive. BTW, what do you buy a 12 year old who loves to stick knives into walls? (he also requests many hugs from his old aunt whenever he sees her, poor child) I was not able to get everything done that I had wanted while Tom was gone as I have been sickly. Good news is that I am down about six pounds from last week. If only those pounds would not find their way back home but I have found that those that leave suddenly reappear even quicker and bring friends with them when they return. (sigh)

I have found several Disney rides/attractions that I have taped through the years and if I ever get the family stuff done I will try to make up a single disk with those things on it and will send one to anyone who would like. Warning, it might be a couple of months before this old broad gets it done.

Merry, Happy etc. SG/Linda

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Just got back from the church program. My oldest grandson was the prop manager and did a wonderful job. It takes a good support staff otherwise there could never be stars. Even when caught playing around with clothes pins on his ears and nose he carried himself with aplomb even when he managed to , somehow, break his finger. He was relieved to find that not only would he live but he would not have to make a midnight trip to the emergency room. Having a grandma who has borken every single finger, except for thumbs, playing volleyball, comes in handy. Broken ribs are the same way, not much they can do for them unless you are severely bent out of shape.

Dalton looked very much at home, although not too regal, upon his throne, in the role of King Herod. I did notice that he was careful to keep his face in the foreground. Grandma was taping the whole production. I was even able to get some close ups of my friend Mary's granddaughter so I can take them to the nursing home for her to see. He had a solo and remembered every single word and note.

I going to go watch "Desperate Housewives" I just love that show. Bet it is perhaps the most real of all the so called reality shows on tv. LOL

SG/Linda

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Everyone!

I watched "Desperate Housewives" last night too, Linda! Ya gotta love that show! We haven't had a good nighttime "soap opera" to watch, like that, in awhile! Congratulations on Austin's great work and Dalton's star performance in your church program! I'm sure that you were beaming with pride, and it's great that you captured the production on video, too! I hope that Austin's finger is feeling all right and that it heals quickly, too.

Welcome back, Lauralee! It sounds like you and your family had quite an eventful trip! But amidst all of the action, it sounds like you also had a great time and your DD's are already ready to go back! And now you're home just in time for the holidays, too! Can't wait to hear more about your vacation! Unfortunately, you came home to this FREEZING weather! UGH - it is frigid out there, today! At least the sun seems to have melted the ice that accumulated last night, though. Let's hope that the "real" snow stays away for awhile!

So, what PS's have you made so far, Colleen? You know that I'm the PS Queen, too - and we also plan our schedule around the PS's, in a way, to ensure that we get to dine in all of the places that we want to! It's so exciting that your trip is coming up so quickly that it's time for PS's, already! Our time will be coming soon, too - we will be on the Wonder in exactly 5 months from today! (Actually the last day of our cruise will be 5 months from tomorrow!) We like Columbia Harbor House, too - but my all-time favorite counter service restaurant in the MK, since my youth, has to be Pinocchio's Village Haus! (and of course you all know why!)

Glad to hear that your Dad is all set up at home and is recovering and in good spirits, Amanda! And glad to hear that hockey season is coming into full swing, too (I wonder if the NHL season will ever get off the ground, this year?)! Also, glad to hear about Johnny Depp's Golden Globe nomination!

Hi Elaine! OK, if you're not posting a formal "trip report", will you at least be posting some more of your pictures, somewhere, so that we can see? Or have you already? As always, we'd love to see them! That picture of you all on the Segways is so great!

Sorry that I haven't been around in awhile - will try to be better, this week! The birthday brunch that we had for my father yesterday went really well - I think that he had a very nice time visiting with my Aunt and cousin who came down from CT and NY, and with us, too! And the food came out great, thank God. For someone who has only purchased red meat a grand total of 3 times ever, I seem to be becoming quite adept at making large quantities of brisket! I also made 60 potato pancakes to add that "post - Chanukah spirit" to the meal! And of course I got my father a personal-sized birthday cake with a smiley face on it, too! We're taking him out to dinner tonight, as today is his actual birthday. But it was nice to have the family over and have a little holiday get-together, yesterday! This week should be pretty quiet (hopefully!) until we blast off for Frank's family's in South Jersey on Friday morning.

Hope that all is well with all of you! Have a great week and talk to you soon!

 

[lunabkat]

Hi all!

Rider, i was thinking that for the holidays maybe Ragoo could use a pair of bunny slippers? lol My guy has never done "that" but he does love to cuddle up on a soft blanket and "make muffins" with his claws and bury his nose in the fluff.

Our trip was a little hectic, but all in all we had lots of fun. By the second day i cancelled many restaurant ressies as we were just dragging the kids around from one to the other with out being able to stop and "ooo and ahhh". We kept the Princess Teapart ressies, it was very nice and the girls had a ball, and the Cindy Breakfast which they adored as well. The only other ressies we kept were the Candlelight procession with dinner at the Marakeesh (okay, but seriously not worth $40 per adult and 25$ per child, also the choir singing put them both out cold) and a ressie for Crystal Palace with Pooh and friends, even Piglet was there and they had an absolute ball dancing around the room with Tigger and Pooh, very nice.

The girls loved Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, they loved SeaWorld as well, i am glad we went.

Monday daddy went down to his sister's with my mil and was stuck there until late Tuesday afternoon because they rode down with mil's friend so i could have the car. Worked out fairly well tho after the experience with dd3 getting lost Monday i called my dear, dear cousin Joanne and she came with us on Tuesday to save mommy from a nervous breakdown (as this was not scheduled until at least Thursday). We had a great time, i lost no time at the park, and he owed me because i was so gracious about his not being back in the early AM as planned -- its good to be the queen!

The girls favorite part of Animal Kingdom was going thru the trails and seeing the animals, along with Killamanjaro Safari. Its Tough to Be a Bug? Yikes! They lost it when the tarantula started shooting quills into the audience via the 3d glasses and never got it back, we left that show so quick we stirred a breeze! It took dd5 being dragged into the birds of flight show by mom before she understood that all shows are NOT like Bug and that mommy would always tell her if the show was like Bug before she went in.

they loved the parades at MK and AK, some of their favorite parts were touching the characters during the parades. I think they enjoyed the meet and greets most of all and i have a zillion pictures to get developed - Wheeee! I love vacation pictures.

Well, will continue at a later date. I must say i was somewhat disappointed in the HIFS overall, and if i were paying the full rack rate instead of the $76 a nite rate i got, i would have been royally po'd. I think they should have left well enough alone, tho the staff were wonderful, especially Snapshot the clown who did absolutely loved face paintings in the lobby for free.

talk soon,

LL

 

[colleen costello]

Hi everyone. It sounds like everyone is home safe, from hospitals and amusement parks and dangerous swimming pools. Luna, don't forget that every parent has a "loser parent award" on their shelves too. Two summers ago Erin was climbing on the sculpture-things at Old Key West that surround the pool there. They look like sand castles and are covered by signs that say "no climbing." I was doing laundry and Scott had his eyes on Ian, who was near the water. Erin was behind him, convincing me of what I have always known -- parents need eyes in the back of their head! Anyhow, Erin slipped and whacked her head. A nice Mom saw it happen and convinced us the child did not lose consciousness but just had the wind knocked out of her. In any case, Erin slept a lot that evening and felt sick from the head knock. Neurotic me knows our pediatrician's number by heart, and bless them for answering on July 4th... They assured me that if all she did was sleep and barf, as opposed to being disoriented, we were good. Lesson learned! We still tease her about that climbing.

Well, it's a bona fide blizzard here in southern Indiana. Down Linda's way they are talking 12 or more inches, pretty rare in these parts. Of course my parents are landing in Indy in an hour. I tried to talk them into coming yesterday, but flexibility is not one of their strong suits. They had a long list of excuses about why they could not hurry and get on a plane last night. So now they will probably take longer getting from Indy to Bloomington than they did from PA to Indy... I am ready to strangle them as I was up all night for worrying. Tomorrow the fun will start again as my sister is due in at Indy airport at noon. Ugh!

Yesterday I received the best Xmas gift... A personal phone call from dear Rider. Unfortunately I was out when the call came in, gone to the grocery store to stock up as we'll be stuck in for 2 days while it snows. But Rider left me the most beautiful message, and it made smile. She talked about our "meet" this summer, and of course hearing a "New Jersey accent" made me homesick! Thanks, Lisa - you made my day!

The kids have already been out in the snow. They got cold pretty fast because they looked like two sausages in their snowpants, which Mom hoped to get a 2nd winter out of. Not going to happen! Ian said "Mom, these are giving me the WORST wedgie!" I honestly think their circulation was being cut off, so now they are inside, convalescing with some cocoa.

Hope everyone is safe and warm. Linda, hope you and Tom are hunkered down for the next day or so!

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Everyone!

Wow - I guess that's what happens when I don't turn on the news / weather channel for a day or so - I had no idea about your blizzard out there, Colleen and Linda! I hope that your parents are able to get in smoothly and safely today, and your sister, tomorrow! What an adventure - I'm sure that you will be happy when everyone is safely there under your roof, admiring your new home and all of your wonderful Christmas decorations (and your newly renovated powder room, too!)! I'll be that that family of reindeer are having a ball on your lawn, with all of the new snow! And glad that you got a kick out of my SEASON'S GREETINGS FROM THE NORTH EAST! We'll catch up again after the holidays, when things calm down - now you should just enjoy the time with your family and have a great holiday week!

And I hope that you and Tom and your family are hanging in there, with all that snow too, Linda! Be careful, and stay nice and cozy inside for as long as possible!

Our weather isn't too bad, here in Central NJ, right Lauralee? We had a few ridiculously cold and windy days, but they're predicting temperatures in the 50's until Christmas, when it's supposed to get colder again.

Slippers might not be a bad idea for Ragoo, Lauralee - he's already "done the deed" with a towel in the living room, this morning! *SIGH* - what can be done? Loved hearing all about your trip, and it's good to hear that you are focusing on the fun that you all had in the parks and at the character meals, rather than the "mishaps". As long as everyone was safe and unharmed, that's the important thing (I felt so badly reading your story about Erin's fall, too, Colleen! ). Just remember your DD's faces when they were dancing with Pooh and friends and meeting all the characters!

And I am so with your DD's, when it comes to It's Tough to be a Bug - I was sitting in an aisle seat the one time that we saw it, and I literally curled into a fetal position for most of the show (which I was able to do because I was sitting on an end) and was totally miserable! Strangely enough, the one effect that made me laugh is the one that freaks most people out the most - when the hard-shelled beetles and other critters exit the theater under everyone's behinds, at the very end! But I will never go back in there, myself! PhilharMagic and Muppetvision are much more my "speed" - to this day, I've never even been in Honey, I Shrunk the Audience!

Not too much to report from here! Just catching up on last minute holiday correspondence, calling old friends, etc., before we leave for my in-laws' on Friday. We took my father and uncle out to dinner for my father's birthday on Monday night and tonight are having dinner and a gift exchange with some of our old pals from Merrill Lynch.

Just wanted to stop by and wish you all a great holiday week! Will stop by again before we leave! Have a great day!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Yesterday I was out doing some last minute things after going to TOPS (5.5 pound loss - not good though as when I lose it that fast it usually comes back fast and brings friends with it) and did not even wear a coat as it was in the low 50;s. Today we have had close to or over a foot of snow and an additional one due overnight and tomorrow. We have food, heat and most importantly the Internet so we are fine. Thank you all for your worry and good wishes. It disturbs me to know that somewhere in this town are people who are not alright and I have so much to share. There should be some sort of a place where you could call if you needed help or had help to offer. I have 4 empty bedrooms upstairs and a bath. I feel quilty.

Had an early morning visitor. I was working upstairs when Tom told me that I had a small child wanting to see me. I expected a grand but was surprised by one of my kids from the Community Center who had brought me a present from the Center. Not necessary at all but what a delightful surprise.

Lisa, I was heartbroken to have missed your phone call. Maybe I can call you if I do not have grands for a minute or two, not likely for a bit though. Dalton is intent on living here for the next couple of weeks and even wants to spend Friday night here even though I have explained that is the one night a year no child should want to be absent from home. LOL He is now working on putting his cursive letters together to form words and what words he has chosen. (shaking my head) You gonna buy bunny slippers for Ragoo? (smiling at the thought) The only part of A Bug's Life I like is the bugs under the butt also. The stinkbug thing is not good for my asthma. I cannot recall a single time of seeing the show that I have not heard kids losing their composure. The loud noises would bother Dalton as he is extremely sensitive to sound (think he has perfect pitch) and Austin would not like one tiny bit.

Colleen, my poor daughter is still suffering from 'bad momma' pangs from losing Austin at DW once. She had been so worried about losing the little guy that the older one got forgotten for a brief moment. Lucikily his phobic grandma had prepared him for what to do in such a case. He freaks easily. I bet you were scared to death. It is bad enough for such to happen close to home but while away it is much worse. I am glad that your dear ones head proved to be tough enough to withstand the fall. Must take after her mom?? (grin) Did your family get in safely? The part for my furnace did not make it from Indy this morning. I hope you are all enjoying your new abode this first Christmas and everyone is huddled together for warmth.

Luna, I do not care to be tied down with PS's either. If there is a place that I think I would like I call before leaving the room for the day and it usually works out but then we are usually there off season. I have found some unexpected surprises when things did not work out perfectly. We tried Kona cause we could not get into O'Hana's and the food was wonderful. I like Pinocchio's for a different reason that our dear Rider. We get the kids meal with hot dog, firies, small drink and fruit for $4 and load it up on the fixings bar and it is a pretty good meal, if you can find a seat. The scenery is not as good since IASW is down. I cannot wait to see what they did to it. I am so sorry to hear that your poor child was terrified on Bug. Seems that several of the shows/rides that you would think would be perfect for children are anything but child friendly. I am thrilled that you all enjoyed the Crystal Palace. It is always scary to reccomend something as everyone is so differenr in their tastes. Luckily I think like a child. LOL What I would not give for a bit of time alone or with a child at DW. It is so hard trying to keep an eye on my big child and it wears me plumb out sometimes.

I finally finished transferring all my 8mm to VHS and now have to start transferring it all to DVD-Ram. Two more transfers and it will be done. Very t ime consuming but I am enjoying seeing some old footage I had forgoten. Lots of my Fab Four. I am going to make a compilation of all that and send a copy to the other grandma. I think she would like it although I am sure it will bring some tears.

Good night and hoping that the snow melts quickly so that Colleen and I can enjoy Christmas and especially the day after Christmas sales!!!

SG/Linda

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Linda!

Glad to hear that you are hanging in there and are faring well in that huge snow storm! Who knew that such a thing could happen so early in the season??? (Though if I recall correctly, we had a big Nor'Easter here last year, several weeks before Christmas!) I hope that you and Colleen and your families are doing well and are safe and warm! I know that Colleen's parents were able to make it to her home safely, yesterday, and I hope that her sister is able to do the same, today, so that they can all be together and start celebrating the holiday as early as possible!

That's so nice that you have Dalton with you for the next few weeks! I think that that's wonderful! And it's so nice that that little one brought you a gift from the Community Center, as well! You are obviously quite the special lady to everyone there, so of course they would show their appreciation at this special time of year!

That's great that you've been making so much progress with your video-to-DVD transfers! I had all of my parents' super 8 movie footage transferred to video and set to music, many years ago. I'm thinking of having it all transferred to DVD now, too. My father doesn't have a DVD player (and wouldn't have the patience to figure out how to use one, either!), but we have one here, and it would be nice to have the footage "backed up" on more reliable media than just video!

Don't worry about calling me back - I just wanted to extend some holiday greetings from the North East! Of course you can call me any time, but no matter what, we will "see each other" here in the Suite!

All is well, here - just tying up some last minute things / packing before we leave for my in-laws' tomorrow morning. I probably won't be able to post again until after we get home on Sunday night. So.........

Here's wishing all of you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful and special Holiday Weekend! Will be thinking of you all!

Love,
Lisa

 

[lunabkat]

Hi all.

Happy Holidays to you. I just had the nicest note all written and dd3 hit a button and erased it all, the little stinker.

Well, the King of the Cats once more got into his loot pre-Christmas. I went downstairs and saw the wrapper on the floor and a soaked, abused Eek mouse (his favorite) on the floor behind the recliner - the brat. So i went and got him new stuff, sucker that i am. Last year he got into another kitty's present and unwrapped it.


My sister and her family are coming tommorrow for dinner and to drop off the girl's chrismas dresses. Apparently they took my nephew out for dinner in the city at some expensive steak place on Madison Ave. and they had a good time so he is coming for Christmas. Thank goodness, he is high maintenance but we love him

Christmas day we will be at my sister's house, i love that. Hope you all have a great holiday, Linda and Co. stay safe and warm. Linda, it sounds like you have wonderful grandchildre and "little friends", that's so very nice..

Rider, it sounds like we may both be at the gathering in the summer, can i bring the girls or is it just for adults? The do love a good party. Hope Ragoo gets his bunnies for Christmas (Channakah?). I would love to get together sometime, perhaps meet Ragoo with the girls, or maybe you would care for an audience with the KOTC?

The weather here hasn't been to bad, but i am waiting for the other shoe to drop so to speak.

Well, i am done with most my wrapping but must clean for company tomorrow, will check back.

Helenabear, Colleen , Linda, Lisa and co. have a great holiday, talk soon,

LL

 

[lunabkat]

PS: i just want to add that this new board is a great bit PITA for posting, later.
LL

 

[helenabear]

Hi all! It's been a while since I have had a chance to come in here. I admit, I don't really have the time to post much either. My brother came to town last Friday, so I have been spending a lot of time with my familiy. Tomorrow we have a busy day with a bunch of church/choir stuff, and hten will spend most of the weekend with my family.

I just had to come in and wish you all a Merry Christmas!!!!

and no, no pictures are posted yet. I hope to go through them next week

 

[IASW Rider]

Just a quickie!

Sure, we can definitely make a plan to get together, Lauralee - it will be easy since we are both right here in scenic Somerset County! And of course I would love an audience with the KOTC! Will have to look into investing in those slippers for THE BIG RAGOO! Also, yes - the North East DIS Meet in Allentown (in July) is for families - children are most definitely welcome, and there will be lots more there for your DD's to meet and play with!

Hope that you are having a great visit with your brother, Elaine! Is your choir doing a special Christmas concert at your church? I'm sure that you're all performing at / participating in holiday services, too. I'm sure that you'll all sound wonderful!

Hope that you're all snug and cozy inside, looking out at a beautiful white Christmas, Linda and Colleen!

Hi out there, Angie, Wendy, Amanda, Caroline, and Emily!

Once again, wishing you all a very special and great Holiday Weekend! Will be in touch on Monday! Enjoy!

Love,
Lisa

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

This is the first white Christmas in quite awhile but I still think the year that it started sprinkling snow, in beautiful crystals, as we were walking to church and it just dusted the grass and trees while leaving the streets and sidewalks clean was my favorite. LOL Is just as well that we do not want to go anywhere since we could not, if we wanted. There are ten foot piles in front of our garage. My oldest grandson says he is going to ask his dad to dig us out when he does the church lot. Sadly he would not think of doing it on his own. I just heard that the snow plow came down their road and so they will be able to come tonight. I am delighted. My brother will not be able to come, the weather is too bad but something else happened. Maybe he will come sometime next week.

Rider, you and Luna are going to meet? How wonderful. I do believe that each of us(older members) have met at least one other member. I have met you, Heleabear and Colleen!! I am hinting to Angie that I will be there next fall. LOL I know you are having a fun time with your family this weekend. I just love that sort of stuff. I have to behave so much differently than my true self when my dd is around that it sort of ruins the fun.

Colleen, glad to hear that you family made it safe and 'sound'. LOL Hey, no one's family is normal. If they are, chances are, you are the one who is off and I have met you and are a nice sort of off beat normal. LOL

Elaine, don't sweat the small stuff. We are glad that you were able to drop by at all. Have a wonderful visit with your brother and after the holidays, when we get a chance to breath a bit we can all catch up.

Justme, FPGurl, Depply, I am thinking of you all and hoping that you are having a wonderful time and enjoying a brief respite from your studies. Depply, special thoughts to you and hoping that your dad and brother are doing welll.

Luna, you are thinking about attending the Allentown meet? I am more heartbroken that I probably will not attend. There is always a small chance but it does not look like it now. I would love to meet your kiddos, as well as yourself. I can tell you are a wonderful mom, love that sense of humor. Hold onto it, when they reach the teen years it will be all you have to hold onto. LOL

I have some more cooking to do and the floors so I had better run. Austin has called hourly to check on what I am fixing. LOL

SG/Linda

 

[TalkisCheap]

Hi everyone!! Sorry I haven't caught up or posted in a while...one day seems to run into another and before I know it whole weeks are over!!! I've been pretty good, my basketball team is 3-4 and I think we're finally starting to get it, after going 1-3 in our first 4 games. I've been getting quite a bit of playing time, especially now that our starting center cannot play because she's failing science, and I'm now the starting center!

Besides basketball, all of the holiday bustle and packing, has made the days fly by. I hope you all of been well, I'll make sure to catch up when I get home from Maryland. We're leaving tomorrow for my grandparents and a party at my mom's extended family. Spending the night in Mass. and then driving the next day to my cousin's house in Maryland till thursday or friday! So, I hope you all have a Wonderful Christmas!!!


Caroline

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Howdy folks! We are still snowbound but it is not a problem. We have plenty of everything and no impelling reason to venture out anyway. LOL

Would you believe I found a posting by Luna in my spam blocker program? How dare they!! I did not find any of my other missing DIS stuff in there though.

I have to correct a couple of things from my last post. I have met FOUR of our members, surely I must count Janet2K as she was so instumental in establishing the Suite.

How could I leave Talk out of my holiday thoughts? Please forgive me it is Old Timers Disease. You are always in my heart even if you do slip my mind occasionally. (smile) Hooray for you and your basketballl team. While I am sorry to hear of the girl who cannot play because of her grades I am glad that you are being rewarded for your all around talents. I also applaud the school system for knowing that academics are more important than sports.

You all might be happy to hear that our Angie had a white Christmas, just a dusting but for them it is somewhat of a miracle. We are going to have 50 degree temps later in the week but it is going to take more than a day or two of such to melt those ten foot drifts in our alley. My sil has been out plowing for friends and neighbors. Guess I am neither. (sigh)

I had a most delightful fever yesterday, not so much that I was miserable but enough that I could allow myself to lay in bed and read and snooze. Was well needed and deserved, if I do say so myself. Thank heavens for CBAD boxed mixes as that is what dh got for dinner.

SG/Linda

 

[colleen costello]

Hi girls! Hope everyone had a nice holiday. My family all arrived safely and after seeing the reports on the news about the Christmas airline chaos, I now realize how lucky we were. They usually come a bit early to avoid such disasters, and I heard that many travelers were without their luggage for the whole holiday weekend. I count us blessed that everyone in the group was able to wear clean underwear for the holiday!

We opened presents early Saturday then I helped my sister make the turkey. I felt like an apprentice to a master chef. She is very persnickety and cooks a lot for the people in her neighborhood. Alaska has a lot of people with no relatives anywhere nearby, and Lori's neighborhood is no exception. So she and her neighbors have a nice relationship. Louis, a retired dentist, walks Lori's dog while she is at work each day. He also cleans her gutters. In return he gets a lot of good meals. His daughter lives in "the lower 48" as the Alaskans call the rest of us. Since 9/11 they are terrified to fly and he rarely sees the grandkids. How sad! At least Lori is making him turkeys and such to help on the holidays. There are also some divorced ladies in the neighborhood, so they get together regularly. I am glad they had to do without Lori THIS time, as it was so nice to have her here. She is cooking for the neighbors instead on New Year's Day. The meal was wonderful and I learned a lot. May even try it myself someday! Weight Watchers was not mentioned at all. Let's just say I will return with my head hung low. Luckily I don't have to go until Saturday January 8, as they are closed for New Year's. By then I may have done some damage control.

The snow is very pretty and the kids were thrilled with a "white Christmas." By the end of this week the temps here will be near 60 degrees. Typical Indiana... You can never really put ANY jacket "away" as you might need them all. My sister left yesterday and the weather was fine. She is home safe in Anchorage. Mom and Dad stay 'til Thursday. I think Scott and I will paint another room today as we have babysitters!

I got the BEST Christmas/anniversary gift. December 26 was 17 years, and I guess this is the best present in all 17. Ah, the power of repeated hinting... I got a gold Mickey head bracelet. It is the easily the niftiest thing I own. It's a ton of little Mickey heads in a chain, like a tennis bracelet. The heads and ears are zirconia and it is very shiny. I absolutely LOVE it and plan to wear it daily. Scott is on the good list for while now! I kept leaving the Disney store catalog out to the right page, and the man's brain actually engaged. We usually don't get each other much of a gift because by the 25th we are broke from shopping for the kids. This year Scott said "Oh who cares?" and I am so pleased.

Hope everyone had nice times with family and friends. I keep hearing about snow out NJ way now, so perhaps our Jersey girls are snowed in? I won't worry about Rider being trapped in the Pine Barrens with Frank's family... Frank's stepdad is a hunter and will keep them fed, even if it is with meat Lisa would NEVER eat!

Love to all.

 

[lunabkat]

Hi all

Hope everyone had a great holiday. we had a lot of fun and alot of running around. Roberts family cam eover for dinner tonite and right at the end dd3 started puking, poor baby. She is still throwing up a little bit after a one hour nap on the recliner so i am letting her watch tv till she sleeps again and then maybe even leave her there for the nite and sleep on the couch myself. The last time i tried moving a sleeping child with a bellyache i got earped all over me and the rug - live and learn i say.

Luna got a ton of nip toys and is a very happy, full, sleeping kitty at the moment. The girls got a lot of stuff including vanitities from my nephew Aaron and $50 each from nana, which we spent yesterday at TRU. We got a great deal on a barbie kareoke machine cd player with two mics - whoohoo! Life is good.

A gentleman down the street has a dog he is giving up for adoption in a couple of weeks, i think she is about 8 mos. old. I have put the question to Robert on "trying" her out, he said that there is no "trying" with me, that once we have the dog, it will be forever, sometimes he knows me so well. I feel that our pets are part of the family and treat them as such, getting rid of an animal is not an option to me, you have to work it out. Its a commitment. Her name is Madison and she is house broken and spayed. His son's wife would beat her because she peed in the house and she is afraid of women but came right up to me when she had escaped this guy the other day. He said he was surprised she came to me, she is very cute and sweet and liked the girls, also came from a homw with two kitties that she got along with so that is also a great "selling" point. I would really like to adopt her, Robert and i will talk later.

Lisa, do you want me to pm you with my # for us to get together, that would be fun, you know they make kitty slippers too, would that be too much like the cat equivalent of a blow up doll? With whiskers or without i wonder. Speaking of kitties, I am sorry but i cannot remember if it was Helenabear or Colleen that was looking at beds, how did that turn out, are your babies happy? Linda, forget the chestnuts roasting over an open fire and break out the blackberry brandy, brrrr! I can still remember going out to Mill Creek when i was an, ahem, young adult, (certainly of proper drinking age for you youngsters out there) and drinking bbb in a snow storm, warm and toasty next to the bonfire. Its still nice to sip upon occassion, especially with a nasty cough/cold and you are not mixing meds with alcohol (who knew?)

The girls want more snow so they can build a snowman, go daddy! Luna and i prefer to view the snow from afar when possible, tho i do admit to enjoying the first solid snow of the season emmensly (? i have tried this word seven different ways and still it does not look right). I think it is so sad when it starts to look dirty and slushy.

I can't wait till the meet in allentown, it would be so great if we all could make it, Linda i will not count you out until i get there and you aren't, i have a rather perverse addiction to hoping things turn out the way i want - everyone needs a hobby.

what do you think it would be like to live in Celebration, Fl. I didn't go to the town but it sounds like something out of the Music Man or something. I wonder if the people are true small town type or is it a stepford wives kind of thing, you know, creepy and unreal. Oh well, maybe nextime.

I wonder when dd5 will start puking, i hope not at all. Oh well, gotta work tomorrow nite and new years eve, unless the girls are in misery and then i will of course stay home. I wouldn't feel right not being here when they are sick like that, they always want mom when they don;t feel well and especially when sick to the stomache. Maybe dd5 won't get it at all, i hope, i hope, i hope.

Talk soon,
LL

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Everyone!

So sorry that I haven't been in touch in so long! Between being away, over the weekend, and coming home to immediately start setting up our beautiful new computer, downloading and transferring files, etc., it's been a pretty busy few days!

So glad to hear that you all had nice Holidays, though! I was certainly thinking of all of you!

How are you feeling, Linda? I hope that you have had a chance to rest and relax and that you are feeling completely better, by now! And I hope that most of that yucky snow has melted, near your home and Colleen's by now, too! How did your young gentlemen enjoy the holiday? And your dashing and mature gentleman? And YOU?? I hope that you all had a wonderful and special weekend!

Speaking of wonderful and special - that was such a thoughtful gift that your DH gave you for your anniversary and for Christmas, Colleen! That is absolutely perfect! As I'd said, I have seen photos of that bracelet before, and it is just beautiful! And I'm so sorry that I didn't remember your exact anniversary date - I DID remember your special wedding story, but I couldn't recall if you and Scott were married just before or just after the Holiday! Anyway, I hope that you both had a wonderful day and I hope that your DD and DS and a fantastic Christmas, too! And hope that the rest of your visit with your parents was great and fun and that your sister had a safe trip home! And like I said, I almost fell off my chair laughing after reading the last paragraph of your last post! It's true - Frank's step-father probably WOULD HAVE gotten out there and "foraged" for some wild turkeys in the back yard, or something, had we gotten snowed in in the Pine Barrens! Fortunately though, we only got an inch or 2 of snow, earlier in the week, and most of it is gone by now. In fact, they are predicting a pretty warm New Year's Eve / Day - in the 50's both days, and they're predicting that it will be about 48 degrees at midnight on Friday night in Times Square, which is pretty warm for that occasion! Anyway, thanks so much for thinking of us (and I will e-mail back as soon as I can. too! )!

Great to hear from you, Caroline! And hope that you and your family had a wonderful holiday, a great trip, and lots of fun visiting your relatives! It sounds like quite a whirlwind trip, with lots of people and places to see! Lots of good luck with your basketball season, too! And even though it wasn't under "ideal circumstances", congratulations on your appointment as your team's starting center! I hope that the original team member does well in science, but so glad to hear that you've been chosen to play such an important position! And - great athlete that you are - there is no doubt that you are doing an amazing job, too!

I like the idea of those kittie slippers, Lauralee! I'm sure that Ragoo would find them to be quite a nice change from his current "girlfriend": a towel that we use (when no company is around) to protect our large arm chair from fur! He just pulls it off the chair and has his way with it........then I put it back........then I find it in the middle of the living room a few hours later.......then I put it back.........then I find it on the dining room floor..... Yes - certainly PM me and hopefully we can make a plan to get together before I start school in the middle of January! (Even if we can't find a convenient time for both of us before then, we can always try for later - by then, I will know better what my school / homework schedule will wind up being like!)! It would be wonderful to meet you and I hope that you and your family are able to make it to the North East DIS Meet in Allentown, this summer, too! I hope that your DD is feeling much better, now, too! It's so sad to be sick around the holidays - I hope that whatever it is passes by quickly and that she is back to herself before you know it!

All is well, here! We had a nice holiday weekend with Frank's family, and my father really enjoyed himself, too! I'm glad that he was able to come down with us (.........and so was Frank's 91 year old grandmother, whom we insist has a little crush on him! )! Amongst other things, Frank, my father, my in-laws, and my sister-in-law gave me a wonderful new digital camera! So watch out - I will be taking even MORE pictures to bore you all with, in the near future!

Now we are looking forward to New Year's Eve, and spending the evening with some friends of Frank's in the hills of North Jersey, who have a beautiful rustic home with an outdoor fireplace, an entire "bar room" overlooking their forested back yard, and who are amazing cooks and entertainers. They're having a small, intimate dinner party sort of gathering, which we much prefer to loud parties with tons of people, so it should be fun!

Anyway, hope that all is well with all of you! Will be in touch again soon! Thinking of you all! Have a great week, and will check in again before 2005!

 

[IASW Rider]

P.S. Lauralee - I have some friends who work at WDW and live not far from Celebration. They say that the people who live IN Celebration are really neurotic.......because tourists are constantly "touring" their neighborhoods and literally peeking in their windows, amazed that "actual people" really live in those houses! My friends also say that they couldn't imagine why anyone would want to live there, since it's surrounded by major highways and the homes tend not to offer much land / space or privacy. But that's just their opinion! So maybe it's actually the OPPOSITE of Stepford........with a bunch of paranoid, neurotic residents scurrying around and hiding from the tourists, in their houses!

 

[colleen costello]

Luna, sorry about your little one. What's a holiday without one kid barfing, huh? Luckily it passes quickly. It was me who was after the kitty bed but I ran out of steam and my two will have to trust that they have an "I O U" for one of these. I get some great ideas each year that don't come to fruition as the funding always dries up before the 25th. We are headed to Sam's and Walmart today and I will begin the kitty bed quest. Sam's has had nice doggie beds in the past for reasonable prices and I know my cats would not know the difference.

Your neighbor dog sounds like a real find. You know his personality, he likes you all, and he will be humble as he is a rescue. We got our cats from our vet, where one of her techs does kitty rescues. She was able to assure us they were calm, lovable and desperate for a family. Have never regretted getting them. I would have more, but mean old Daddy is the voice of reason around here and says 2 cats and 2 kids is enough!

I hate to miss the Allentown DIS meet as that is "my neighborhood." I grew up shopping in Allentown and many of my high school teachers commuted from there. As I will be in Orlando at that time, however, I won't fret too much. I will count on the members of the Suite who DO attend to keep me posted.

On our Spring Break trip in 2003 we had a great waitress at Whispering Canyon Inn who had relocated from PA and lived in Celebration. She loved it. Nice neighbors, good school (although her kids were nearing college age) and great access to Mickey. Her hubby worked from home so relocating from Philly area was easy. We were so intrigued we went over to visit. Mixed feelings. The houses were GORGEOUS -- the models were beautiful and very sumptuously decorated. The streets were cozy and the little "downtown" area was heaven -- cute little shops, a lake, a park, and the lovely Celebration Hotel. What was weird to us was how close the houses were, even the very expensive ones, and also the prices were almost unbelievable. Where I live you get a 1-acre lot in a nice development for between $30,000 and $40,000, and that is high for Indiana. The Celebration homes were on lots that probably fit 8 homes on an acre. The yards were so tiny they could be brick- paved. There was a section that had bigger lots, but those houses were over $500,000 and still weren't very big. The largest homes were called "The estates" or something like that, and they started at a million!

It occurred to us that if you were moving from an area where property values were high and homes cost a fortune -- Manhattan, Connecticut, parts of NJ -- you could buy a very lovely home in Celebration. We'd have to win the lottery to live there! There were also some nice looking condos, and some apartments. The look of the areas was very "planned" and reminded me of "The Truman Show" film where Jim Carrey doesn't realize his life is on TV. There were no clothes lines, no cars parked in driveways, not even any tacky swing sets or Little Tikes stuff in yards. There are a LOT of rules, which some accept happily and others would hate. It would be cool in some ways to live there yet I suspect it is NOT for everyone. People have told me that Orlando has other lovely gated communities for much less money because Mickey doesn't own them! I looked up Celebration on the internet and read some fascinating articles on these types of communities and the attempt to create "Utopia." One person's dream town is another person's nightmae, where they can literally cart your dog off if it barks too much. Scott and I had lots of fun giggling over that: imagine explainign to the kids that Mickey had come in the night and taken Fido!

Well, back to cleaning. My parents left this morning and my house looks like a hurricane hit it. I have people coming over tomorrow night so I'd better get to it!

xoxo

So that's my 2 cents!