EWP group?

[colleen costello]

Linda, I am so sorry for your daughter-in-law and hope all went as well as could be hoped regarding the funeral. What a sad shock for her! I also hope you have had a nice visit with your sister. When you are home safe you will have the fun of setting up your new computer, all the better to keep in touch with us here on the Suite.

Did you hear that the Bloomington performance of "Producers" has been cancelled? Not sure why but I saw something in the paper. I am disappointed but now more determined to drag Marla to "Mamma Mia." I am silly in that I hate to fork over money NOW for a show that isn't for months, yet that is how it works. Funny I never worry the same way when it is DISNEY I am shelling out the bucks for!

Can't wait for Becki to get back and tell her Mickey tales.

Love to all!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Hi Colleen, I am afraid that my dil has few if any emotions about anything other than herself and the death of her mom, who abused her, would not elicite any either. Is a very sad situation. Thank you for the kind words though. I had hoped that this might bring her back in contact with her grandma who raised her. Some good from any bad. No Producers!!! I am so disappointed. I thought that it was the same as in Indy and that you could not buy tickets until a month or so before a show. Thank you for the heads up. The good from this situation was that it was going to be hard to make ressies for DW around the show. Honestly, it is all I can do to just get through most days and going to a show in Bloomington would require me to rest for a few days before heading out on the road. See what you youngsters have to look forward too?

Spamalot for an anniversary? Sounds perfect to me. Leave it to you, Lisa, to come up with something special for any occasion. Let me know how you liked it. Monty Python is a favorite of mine. I am glad that you still have a bit of tan to remind you of those precious vacation days. Will you be doing a report for the boards?

My sister is doing well, for her. She was not nearly as bad from this operation as the last one but she was overdosing on her pain meds and washing them down with bottles of wine. I tend to be a bit of a teetotaller so maybe she is right when she told me that she was used to drinking so it would not hurt her but the info on the bottle said no alcohol and it could cause breathing problems. She uses a c pap (sp) so I sincerely doubt that it is doing her any good. She even had a friend give her more medicines. I failed to get that particular family curse. I am blessed.

Dalton is doing great at summer school. He started basketball camp today so I picked him up from there and we signed up for the summer reading program, like that is going to be a problem. LOL I actually find myself telling him that we have to walk up to the park or something cause he is reading tooooo much.

You are so wise to take the summer classes. It is worth the pain it will cause you but then you already know that. I remember some of the classes being a bit easier in the summer cause the teachers are a bit lassitudial then also. LOL

I have some of my stuff transferred to the new computer but it is slow going cause I am having to clean stuff up first. For some reason it did not dawn on me that I would need a tv cable connection even though I have a tv tuner on my new machine. LOL It is only about six feet from the other connection and even I should be able to do that. One of my odd jobs in my younger days was hooking up reverb systems in automobiles. Not a whole lot different.

I cannot wait for Becki to return the spin her tales. The girls were so excited.

SG/Linda

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Everyone!

Welcome back, Linda! So glad to hear that you are home and that you have begun to set up your new computer! And glad to hear that your sister is well - although I agree with you about being concerned with her taking all of that medication - along with the alcohol. I guess that all you could do was warn her about the drug interactions - she should really be careful, though - especially while she is healing and recovering. I'm sure that she appreciated your being there with and for her!

It sounds like Dalton is off to a good and fun and active summer! How is Austin doing? Does he have any special plans for the summer?

Hi Colleen! How is everything going, out there? Have you finished all of your projects at Erin's and Ian's schools? Getting ready for your upcoming trips?

I also can't wait to hear about Becki's vacation, when she and her family return! And then it's Colleen's turn to entertain and thrill us with stories and news from the Land of Magic! Me - I have a mere 352 days to go, until we return!

Today is the 4 year anniversary of the day on which Frank proposed to me at the Poly (and yesterday was our 3 year wedding anniversary)! It also happens to be Frank's 20 year anniversary at Merrill Lynch - a very festive day! My father and uncle are taking us out to dinner, tonight, and then we are going into NYC to see "Spamalot" tomorrow! I'm so thrilled that I was able to pull off yet another surprise for Frank! And it's so neat that we are seeing the show tomorrow, since the Tony Awards are on Sunday night (I have to admit that I kind of planned it that way, since I suspected - correctly - that "Spamalot" would be nominated for tons of awards!) and "Spamalot" is sure to win Best Musical!

My summer classes are already in full swing - believe it or not, I have the MID-TERM for the class that I started last week, NEXT THURSDAY! That's how quickly they are moving along! Tons and tons of reading to do - I apologize in advance if I am not able to stop by very often, over the next month!

Anyway, hope that all is well with all of you and hope that you all have a great weekend!

 

[twinscandc]

Just wanted to post a quick note to tell all of you that we have returned from the Magic!! I will post a more detail account of our trip, but I've got a ton of unpacking to do, etc.

We had a wonderful time!! The Boardwalk Villas were beautiful and we had a nice view of the Luna Park pool. The girls loved the coaster slide. I think they wore it out!!

We ate, and ate, and ate!! My fav was Ohana's!! We were able to see Wishes and the EWP!!!! I thought the food was fantastic!!

I think the biggest highlight was that Mark (my DH) was able to set up for us to be the family to open Magic Kingdom!! We were supposed to do it on Monday, 5/30, but there was a mistake and another family was picked for that day. The girls (and myself) were in tears!! A very nice CM (a young man named Matt) told us the news and gave us some compensation for the mistake. He gave us a comp day (FREE!!) day in the park for that day, breakfast at CRT (FREE!!) and set it up for us to be the First Family on Wednesday. He was so nice - he felt so bad for the mistake and he handled beautifully. The funny thing was he was from Southern Indiana orginally and went to the same college as my DH!! Well, Wednesday came along and we got up very early to be there by 8am (that's 7am Indiana time!!). Well, Wednesday was raining, lightening, etc. We didn't even think about them not doing the "opening show" in the rain! They cancelled the show and we didn't get to do it!! Luckily Thursday was still open and we were able to do it then!! It was the best. We got in the park at 8am and then rode the old time fire truck to Toontown were we got on the Train with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Chip, Dale, Wendy, Alice, Peter Pan and Cruella!! We were able to visit with them for about 30 minutes before we headed for the front of the park. After the dancers got done, we were able to get off the train and stand with the characters and throw pixie dust in the air. The Mayor of Main Street announced our name and then we had a ton of pictures taken with the characters, etc. It was the most exciting thing I've ever done. I had tears in my eyes the entire time!!

So, needless to say, we had a absolutely wonderful time and we anticipate our return!!

I'll try to post more later, or if you have any questions, just let me know.

Linda, I'm so sorry to hear about your dil's mother. Did they go to the funeral? How is your sister doing now? My brother is a heavy drinker and has had 2 open heart surgerys. The last surgery was in 2003 and my mom and I went up to Grand Rapids to be with him before and after the surgery. (He is divorced, and lives by himself). When we walked into his apartment, the day before his major surgery, he was drinking a beer!! After the surgery his surgeon told us that he had told Randy to stop drinking b/f the surgery and that his heart was the most enlarged he had ever seen!! We had thought about sending him to rehab, but it has to be his decision!! So, I know what it's like to have alcohol be a part of your family!! Linda, I wish your sister well!!

Well, gotta go....it was nice to have easy free access to a washer and dryer, but the clothes don't unpack themselves!!

Twinscandc/Becki

 

[IASW Rider]

Welcome back, Becki! So glad to hear that you all had such a wonderful trip - can't wait to hear more about it! And I STILL have tears in my eyes and goosebumps, after just reading about your experience being the First Family to open the Magic Kingdom! That is so exciting!!!!!! I would love to see some pictures, if you happen to have any online! Please tell us more about your trip, once you're all settled in and unpacked! I'm sure that it was fantastic!!!!!

We had a wonderful anniversary weekend and a great day in NYC, yesterday! The weather was just perfect and we had a chance to do a lot of walking around, had a nice dinner in the City, etc. We also saw "Monty Python's Spamalot", which was just fantastic - it was hilarious and beautifully staged! And I got to meet David Hyde Pierce and Hank Azaria, up close and personal, for a few moments, too! Look for the show to win tons of Tony Awards tonight - it's definitely "the toast of Broadway", this year!

Hope that all is well with all of you and hope that you're all having a great weekend!

 

[colleen costello]

Becki, WOW! Who knew there was an opening show? Certainly not my family full of snoozer-losers, who consider it a success if we make it to a park by 10! I am mightily impressed. If promised the bit you got to do, my family might actually wake up at 6am! Can't wait to hear more about it.

Lisa, your pics with the stars are amazing. Ladies, I saw these photos and there is our Rider, right next to Hank Azaria and David Hyde Pierce. Nothing could beat it (excpet perhaps meeting them at the Polynesian?). I am half dreading my trip east (my crazy Mom is trying to force me to visit gobs of relatives) but am DEFINTIELY looking forward to meeting Lisa and Frank. We are planning to meet early and stay late -- on a night Lisa has no classes. I have gotten a serious permanent in my hair and am ready for the NJ wedding. I will fit right in with my big hair. Lisa tells me with enough Aqua I will be gorgeous throughout the evening.

Crazy Indiana weather never fails to amaze me, and here it goes again. All last week I told the kids it was too chilly to swim outdoors and here for the weekend a heat wave hit and today it is almost 90 degrees. It is very humid and feels nasty, coming on as suddenly as it did. It was a real reality check for my late-July/early-August Florida trip. This evening (while watching the Tony awards!) I plan to review our battle plan and perhaps tweak it a bit. After being outside today I think we need to plan on MORE swimming and NO PARKS BEFORE 7pm... Don't think we'll last otherwise. Thank goodness for those annual passes!

The big news on the DISBoards is the "value season free dining" deal. It appears that if you book any resort plus tickets thru Disney in the fall value season (late August and on) you get the dining plan free. This can be a great deal especially if you stay in a Value resort. Linda, this may get you to Mickey in the fall... I know you have annual pases, but supposedly you only have to buy a ticket for ONE DAY to make it a "package" worthy of the free dining plan. If you have an AP you don't even have to activate that 1-day ticket; you can save it for a rainy day. The meal plan is worth $35 per person per day, which is a lot of "freebie" for a room that costs perhaps $80. I am tempted to plan another trip... Wish the kids and Scott weren't so busy at school and work during Value Season! I LOVE hearing all about the WDW bargains... Gives me hope for lots more trips.

Love to all!

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Everyone!

Hi Colleen! Like I said, I'm sure that your hair looks wonderful - I can't wait to see it - and you - in just a few weeks!

I also heard about the special packages being offered during the fall. We received an e-mail offer regarding a week's stay at a Value Resort for 2 people, including the meal plan, for just a little over $400! Frank and I couldn't believe it! We would actually think about doing it, if it wasn't for the fact that that would mean that I would miss a week of classes. There are some amazing deals out there now, though!

Well, even though "Spamalot" didn't sweep the Tony's as many (including me!) predicted it would, it DID take home the night's biggest prize! The Awards don't really matter, in terms of our "Broadway viewing habits" - just like reading film reviews - we pick what we want to go see, regardless of how many awards it has won or what the reviewers say! That "Spelling Bee" show looks very cute, too!

Looking forward to hearing more about your trip, Becki, and more about your upcoming trip plans, Colleen (and Linda!)! Hope that you all had a great weekend!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Hello everyone, welcome home Becki

I am so sorry to be tardy in replying and am, in fact, not doing so even now.

I am so overwhelmed, overworked and overly tired that I must beg to be forgiven. Hopefully things will improve tomorrow afternoon and I will have time to read the posts and write some witty things (lol).

SG/Linda

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Well, I might not have everything cleaned back up, yet, but I need to take a few minutes in here resting up a bit before finishing. For the past two weeks I have been looking forward to Thursday and a bit of a rest. Dalton has gone shopping with his dad so I am getting an early respite. LOL

Lisa, I am so sorry to be late in sending anniversay congratulations to you and Frank. I kept thinking of you guys the night of the Tonys. Am I the only one who thought the first sentence from the guy who accepted for the top prize was a bit overconfident and arrogant? "Teleprompter"???? I had never heard of the Spelling Bee one and thought it was very funny also. Dalton would enjoy that one as he already has his eye on the National Spelling Bee. He watched it the other day. Austin is working at the ball diamonds as the groundskeeper this summer. He is already spending the money even though he does not get the check until the end of the season. He had better do a good job as his mom is in charge of writing the check. LOL He is also going to summer school. I hope it takes. He will be nearly 20 before he graduates as it is and I fear what might happen if he should falter again. I keep trying to encourage him to be a good worker as that can overcome education sometimes. I am grateful that there is a huge age difference between the boys as it would be so much harder on them both. Austin is good hearted and sweet as all get out though. Dalton is a sweetie as well. No strain for them to be around here for me. Dalton was watching a Disney show (what else??) the other day and the kids were telling who their hero was. He told me I was his. I told him that he was mine, so is Austin. I have great grandkids.

Colleen, that free dining program has me going also. If I should be lucky enough to get an offer like Lisa did I will pack my bags so fast (after the summer as I have Dalton). I am afraid of the huge weight gain though. I do believe that you HAVE to use that one day ticket though. I have read dozens of posts and that is the way I took it. Seems too good to be true and have a feeling that Disney will see the error of their ways and change some things the next go around. Room AND food for about $80 is just too good to last. I am reading posts about having trouble getting ressies for the sit down restaurants though and getting the snacks redeeemed seems to be a big hassle. Someone suggested a punch card and that sounded good to me. How about going to the parks early, coming back to swim and then going back in the evening?

Hey, how come you got to see the pictures of Hank Azaria and David Hyde Pierce getting to meet Frank and Lisa? I am sooo jealous.

Welcome home Becki!! I guess it does not hurt to have such beautiful daughters in getting chosen to open the park. Did I understand that you had to be there 3 different days at opening before you were finally able to accomplish the feat? Were you able to keep it a secret from the girls? Did ya get pictures?? Did you see the EWP and Wishes from O'Hana's or the beach? I will never be able to think of O'Hana's without thinking of Rider and hubby. Her enthusiasm is infectious.

Addiction is a terrible thing. I have seen many in its clutches and am always grateful that I escaped that particular hell. It is so hard to see people you love struggling and even worse when they do not. We had a lesson on the meth problem locally today and it was very scary. As you know we only have one neighbor since we are surrounded by churches but with all the rental homes in our town it seems to me to be something to be very scared about not to mention the fact that my grandsons are often alone on the farm. I plan to talk to my oldest again tonight and hope to warn him about a few things, I hope he listens. I have read of houses that explode so it pays to know what your neighbors might be up to. I have many elderly friends in town who are scared. I heard of groups of teens wandering the streets at 4:30 in the morning. I am so insulated by where I live but do not want anything to happen to others in town. I am hoping that this being a small town people being a bit snoopy will be a good thing.

Maybe if you had NOT washed those clothes they MIGHT have been better able to get out of the suitcase at least.

Well, I have chattered enough for now so I had better go get the next batch of dishes out of the dishwasher. Supper? Do we NEED supper? I don't but I bet I know someone who will.

Love ya all!! SG/Linda

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Colleen, seems I am wrong, yet again. Here is what I just read.

The CM I talked to confirmed it is still the same key to the magic style room key with everything on one key. However she did also say you could save it (she had to put me on hold for awhile to make sure) and use it latter or upgrade it to ANY ticket (I assume that an AP would be part of that). I had asked about someone else using it, she forgot to ask and I needed to get off the phone. I don't see why not, it is not like they ask for ID and check the name on the key (as far as I remember."

I am now wondering if I could not buy the one day tickets and then upgrade to a new AP when we arrived. A thought. Hey, every dollar saved is a dollar I can spend on Mickey bars. LOL

SG/Linda

 

[MeanLaureen]

Hey EWPers! We are looking to add a little challege between the group threads in the next round of WPASADI!

Do you guys think you have what it takes to have one of your members come out as the ULTIMATE DISer?

Click here for details!

Let us know what group thread you post on in your application!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Now I cannot speak for everyone but I can attest to the fact that there is massive talent in the Suite. Whether or not anyone has the time to devote to such a fantastic sounding contest is quite another matter.

MeanLaureen, thank you so much for the kind invitation.

Anyone want to defend our honor?

Slightly Goofy and Totally Worn Out

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Everyone!

Welcome, MeanLaureen! And thanks so much for your kind (and exciting!) invitation! I'll tell ya - I would volunteer to represent our Suite in a second......if everyone trusted me to do so.......and if it wasn't for the fact that I am engaged in 2 very challenging (and very accelerated!) graduate school summer classes, right now! If this was any other time, and I had a bit more time to truly devote to this venture, I would certainly volunteer, because it sounds fantastic and like a lot of fun! But unfortunately, I don't have the time to thoroughly participate and truly defend the honor of our wonderful group, at this time! Perhaps I might be able to participate in the next round, should you happen to have one? (And should my Suite Mates allow me to represent them!) Thanks again for the great invitation!

So sorry that I haven't been in touch in a bit, Ladies - just returned from a whole weekend at my in-laws', and I'm still catching up on things around the house and assignments for the upcoming week (I have a presentation, representing a group of 5 of my classmates and myself, on Tuesday night - UGH. But I'm trying to seek out and take as many public speaking opportunites as I can. As uncomfortable as they can be for me, I know that the experience will only benefit me in the future (and I've gotten pretty "rusty" since my ML public speaking days!), so I'm trying to volunteer for as much stuff as I can!). Will be in touch with a "real post" as soon as I can! Hope that all is well with all of you and hope that you all had a great weekend!

 

[kaylajr]

MeanLaureen, thank you so much for the kind invitation.

Anyone want to defend our honor?

HI everyone
I am cohosting WPASADI 2 with MeanLaureen

hope some of you sign up

just an FYI it can be one of you or several of you

the more the merrier

it is alot of fun
I know cause i played part one and actually WON!!!

so come on and join us

 

[IASW Rider]

I wish that I could, Kaylajr! If this was August (and my classes were over), I would definitely volunteer, 'cause it sounds like a lot of fun! But I know that I wouldn't have time to do a good job, right now! Maybe one of my intrepid Suite Mates would be interested in participating, now? Catch me on the next round, though!

Glad to hear that all is well with the boys, Linda! And I loved that video of Austin performing at church! That's neat that he is working at the ball diamonds - will he be playing at all, too? And I loved Dalton's saying that you are his hero - that is so sweet!

I also thought that the "Spelling Bee" musical looked cute - I always like to see the numbers from those "underdog" shows that are nominated - last year, the "underdog", "Avenue Q", actually won Best Musical and we saw it and it was fantastic! So maybe we will go and see the "Spelling Bee" show, too - it might wind up being the surprise hit of the season!

Well, back to the books for now! Hope that all is well with all of you! Have a great day!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

kaylajr, this sounds like something right up my alley however between taking care of my grandkids, tutoring at the Community Center and driving my older friends (am doing it all today) I have little time for going to the bathroom let alone a game. I have my doubts as to whether I will survive my life let alone your game.

Who better than our resident Disney expert, Rider, to compete for us but knowing how very busy she is I would not want to put even more stress upon her at this time.

Colleen, is so talented but has a houseful of children all summer long and Becki is so busy with her family AND saving the world being our resident Mary Poppins that it would not do to ask either of them.

If only one of our youngsters would drop by because they would surely take on this task and take on all comers, extinquishing their fires, one by one.

Lisa, TY for the compliments on my grands. No, Austin is not interested in sports and was delighted when his younger brother became a superstar as it let him bow out. He is a fantastic manager and such though. Would not do to have all superstars and no backup anyway.

I am always rooting for the underdogs in every category. I wish I had more time to keep up with current events. Have spent the morning explaining Aristotle, Plato and other ancients to Dalton. We explored how the world is mapped and the different theories that have been disproved and validated through the centuries. This child is destined to be some sort of scientist.

Sounds as if you had a delightful weekend and are now busy trying to catch up with your everyday life. I hope you do not have too much to deal with. The good thing about a/c going down is that it does not require much inside cleaning as some repairs do. Is it working well and quietly? I hope that you take MeanLaureen and kaylajr up on their challenge the next go around. That is something I would love to see. Maybe if they have a round the first of the year I will join you, not that I think I could match wits with you, but I do so enjoy competition.

SG/Linda

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Unless I am mistaken there will be yet another Suite Meet tomorrow as Becki and her twins and I and my Dalton are going to meet at a local park to see a magic act. I have made Dalton promise not to tell if he figures out how the tricks are done. He has mastered a couple of sleight of hand things that amaze me and I know how they are done! LOL

Not too much longer until Rider and Colleen meet. The amount of energy in that room would aleiviate the world energy crisis. LOL

Looking forward to seeing you Becki!


SG/Linda

 

[colleen costello]

Hi girls. Linda, you have said in a nice way that when Lisa and I get together our mouths will not stop... Truer words rarely spoken! I am really looking forward to meeting with her. We are getting together at Bridgewater Commons Mall, a fave of mine and close to where Lisa lives. They have wonderful stores -- even if just for window-shopping -- and we are going to hit the Disney Store and then have lunch. My Mom is coming too. Alas I have lived in Indiana too long to safely drive the NJ highways anymore. I fear that I am like an old lion who has lived in a zoo or preserve too long -- the killer instinct you need to survive the east coast roads has left me!

Today my daughter turned 11. We had our friends come by for dinner and the kids ran amok and we adults had fun, too. Hard to believe that my baby is approaching her teen years. I clearly remember her first birthday. Through the haze of too little sleep (the child always wanted to nurse all night!) I felt so proud that I had SURVIVED! Here she is a big girl of 11. It's sad and happy all at once, like so many things are with children. She got as a gift a pink IPod Mini, an amazing little contraption not much bigger than a pack of gum, that can store and play (with amazing clarity) around 1,000 songs. As I told Rider in an Email, I couldn't have imagined such a wonderful toy when I was in high school. Time flies, and so does technology. I secretly want one of the things myself, to play my "old lady" songs plus my favorites from Radio Disney!

A week from tomorrow we head east on the big wedding road trip. I am anxious about packing as I can't afford to forget any of our "dress up" clothes. Luckily my good friend Linda told me to make a master list for roadtrips and keep it on my computer. This time the list will need to be tweaked as I am traveling east, not south. But overall, that list will come in handy. I will definitely have a camera handy when Lisa and I meet so I can post pictures -- or better yet, make her do it -- afterward!

Back to "Dancing with the Stars." It is a fun diversion and a rarity in that it is appropriate for the whole family... Becki and Linda, enjoy the show tomorrow.

Love to all!

PS: A little bird told me that our Lisa scored a 96 (!) on her recent exam. WOW!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Now, Colleen, you know me well enough to know that if I had meant that you and Lisa would be gabbing a mile a minute I would have said so. Is so true, but since it will be intelligent and interesting conversation it is a good thing. LOL You guys do not have much longer to wait. We want a full report when you return. Be aware that our Lisa is the reigning Queen of Disney trivia. I expect her to keep her crown but I bet you could share it with her if you accept the challenge. Now, Becki, with her myarid Disney details might give you both a run for your money though. I am betting her THRONE is even Disney decorated. (smile)

Would you believe I was watching "Dancing with the Stars" also last night? It is a cute show. I am rooting for the guy with the white hair but that one guy was awesome last night. I fear that I know no one except for Trista and the boxer. He is younger and dark haired and did a fast dance to a tune I cannot remember now. The judges did not like him but I thought he rocked! It was a swing number and he slid on his knees and the whole bit. I cannot dance a lick but well remember, one time a very long time ago, when a young feller asked me (young myself then) to dance and insisted that I COULD dance. It was like being on a thrill ride at DW in that he was so good that I was just swept away and did truly dance. Was memorable.

I am glad to hear that my master list is working for you. I figure I spend about as much time making lists as doing stuff so by making master lists I cut down on my work.

It is not that you are 'tamed' by living in the Midwest but you have adapted to a more normal pace of life and no longer feel compelled to live the 'fast' life of the city dwellers. I hope you survive the bright lights after being in the boondocks for so long. LOL

After Dalton got over his fear of all things female he made friends with our dear Becki's adorable, intelligent and thoughtful daughters. We all met for the magic show. It was pretty good and seemed to tickle the kids fancies. I ended up with a couple of extra kids on the table in front of me and beside me. Let's face it, I am a kid magnet. LOL I just love the fact that some jobs are family friendly and Becki was able to share that experience with her daughters and I bet they loved it as well. Their grandma and I stayed afterward and let the kids blow off some steam before we took them home. I had a couple of chores to run and one of them was to go by Office Max and pick up a couple of cases of cases for my new business. Dalton found a computer program he had been wanting and since grandma just happened to have a coupon that required that I spend a few dollars more to use Dalton got his fondest wish. Unfortunately when his poor mom picked him up she accidentally dropped it and cut his face. Not sure which one was hurting more. I gave them each a hug and sent them home. Since Mr. D is plotting to spend the entire weekend here I thought I needed a bit of a rest.

Lisa, so you racked up yet another fantastic grade!!! Not surprising and IF you are somehow worrying about the mere 3% that you did not ace, quit it!! Right now!! I mean it!!! Want me to come over there and snap you out of it??? (scared yet??) Maybe we should all be saving up for a big trip East for when you make the validictory address. Heck, you could fill the whole auditorium with everyone that is rooting for you. Any news about the job offer you received? I bet you could make a deal for whatever you want, if not right this minute, eventually. So close to home also. Is good to not have to spend so much time going to and from work IMO.

OK, party on the roof tonight in Lisa's honor. Since she was the one to interview the new fellers that we were forced to hire to replace Bo, who ungratefully took the rest of the crew as his backup singers, I will allow her to introduce them to you all. I met one, in the kitchen, today and just you wait until you see what he has prepared for tonight's feast. I do believe he has done extensive research on this thread as he has somehow figured out what each and everyone of us cannot resist at DW. How in the heck he came up with a homemade version of the Mickey Bar for me is a mystery. OK, I never claimed to be a gormand but those MB are the best of the best as far as I am concerned. Hey, they have milk and the chocolate comes from a tree so it must be a fruit, sounds nutitious to me. (Lisa, do NOT tell me differently) Leave me to my illusions. Please?

I had better go get some work done. I got an invitation to go see Menopause up in Indy for free and cannot wait!!

Love, SG/Linda

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Everyone!

You are all way too kind, as always! Especially since I have been such a slug and have not had a chance to stop in and say "hi" in so long! Thanks so much for thinking of me, for planning that great celebration last night, and for all of your thoughtful words, as always!

And of course I am counting the days until Colleen and I (and her Mom!) finally meet in person! I can't wait!!!! I know that we are going to have a great afternoon together - I just fear that the time will pass much too quickly, as all great things (like WDW trips!) tend to do! We wish that you could join us too, Linda - one of these years, I am going to come out to Indiana, so that the 3 of us (and Becki! And maybe Elaine!) can all get together!

That's so nice that you and Becki and your little gentleman and ladies all got together! It sounds like you all had a fun time at the magic show and with one another!

I watched "Dancing with the Stars" last week, but missed it this week (I decided to try "Hit Me Baby, One More Time", the show where "one hit wonder" bands and performers of the 1980's compete against one another. Of course, I wound up missing half of that show, too, 'cause my friend Gary called and gabbed to me on the phone through the rest of it). Normally, I wouldn't be able to see either show, but I happened to get out of my classes early, the past 2 Thursday nights. Anyway, I don't know how the couples did, last night, but I think that they were way too harsh with the woman from "General Hospital", last week - they totally berated her, for no reason, in my opinion! I love John - ugh - I can't remember his last name - the gentleman with the white hair who used to be on "Seinfeld" - I thought that he and his partner did a great job with the "quick-step" last week - very graceful! And it was neat watching Evander Holyfield - hey! He's trying! He's just a BIG MAN, so I'm sure that it's hard for him to be very light on his feet!

Belated Happy Birthday to Erin!!!!!! I hope that she had a wonderful day and will have a wonderful celebration and slumber party, this weekend! And hope that she is enjoying her new I-Pod Mini, too!

Does everyone have big plans for Father's Day and / or for the weekend? We're going to see our local minor league pro baseball team, the Somerset Patriots, play tonight, along with some old ML pals. We have a friend's party to attend in North Jersey, tomorrow night, and then we're having my father and uncle over for a BBQ on Sunday. I did all of the food shopping for it, today and got some really neat salads to serve on the side (along with steak - for my father - the meat freak - and chicken for the rest of us!). I just hope that the weather stays nice and that it doesn't rain, so that we can sit outside!

Thanks so much again for thinking of me and for all of your kindness and friendship! Wishing you all a great weekend! Love ya!