EWP group?

[SlightlyGoofy]

Seems as if most, if not all of us, have the same taste in tv shows. I like that Hit Me Baby One More Time too even though some of the songs are out of my era. It takes a lot of bravery for some to compete, with wrinkles and such and then on the dancing show for Evander to even show up is awesome. I don't have that kind of guts for sure. LOL

Just a couple of days until you and Colleen meet for the first time. No awkward moments there, you two are a matched set for enthusiasm and Disney knowledge. Maybe you can team up and whoop behind!!! I will be your cheerleader.

Lisa, whenever you get that Suite Meet in Hoosierland planned I volunteer to hostess the whole thing. Heck, I think I can even put everyone up. Pick a cool month though as my a/c does not work upstairs. Gotta conserve somewhere. There are 4 bedrooms and a bath upstairs, going to waste.

I have been offered a ushering job at the performance of "Menopause" on July 2nd. Sounds like a lot of fun and free to boot. This couple, the man graduated with Tom, and I have gotten to know each other thru the Internet. They just got back from Israel so I am looking forward to seeing some pictures also. Would you believe I recently got offered a Mystery Shop at a local casino. 2 nites at a Sheraton, 250 dollars to gamble with, all meals and even money for tips included. If I should luck out and win I get to keep everything over $250. How could I turn that one down?

My dear grandson has come up with a new name for me. The first time he called me "Hot Suff" I about fell down laughing. After some further thought I am encouraging him to come up with another name, more fitting. LOL


I will be keeping my fingers crossed that you get some of the great weather that we are experiencing so that you can enjoy your Father's Day celebration in the great outdoors. You guys have a lot to celebrate. Does your dad know how well you are doing in school?

I had better get some work done. I have to get up early and get in town early to do some shopping as tomorrow will be my only chance. My dear friend Dorthea is having severe breathing problems and her son is leaving for camp tomorrow and will be gone for a week. Her birthday is Thursday and after I take her to the hospital for tests myself and a friend are taking her out to eat so that means I will NOT get to take Dalton to the puppet show and see Becki and her delightful girls. I am only one woman and cannot do it all, no matter how much I would like to.

Love and Happy Father's Day to you all! SG

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Everyone!

Hi Linda! That's so neat that you will be ushering at "Menopause" - great way to see the show for free, too! And the Mystery Shop offer sounded great, too! Are you going to do it?

How is Dorothea feeling? I'm sure that you had a very nice Birthday celebration for her, and hopefully that made her feel better, in and of itself!

"Hot Stuff"? That sounds like a very appropriate name for you! In fact, I think that I heard Don Juan referring to you by just that nickname, when you were out of the Suite, the other day...........!

Sorry that this is so quick - I promise to write longer and more interesting (and frequent!) posts after my 2ce-a-week class ends, next week. It's coming down to the wire, with my final exam and a final paper due, right on top of each other. After next Thursday, I should have more time to post and visit the Boards!

Hope that all is well with all of you, and hope that you're all having a nice week!

 

[IASW Rider]

Have a great weekend, everyone! I promise that I will be back to post more often, after one of my summer classes ends, next week! In the mean time, I will certainly report in on Monday, after Colleen and her Mom and I get together! Can't wait! Guess where we are all meeting? At the Disney Store, of course! Hope that all is well with all of you!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

I am so sorry to have been away for a bit and so very glad to be back here. I had to call the squad for my friend last week and she was taken to the hospital so I have been there and then had to bring her home with me as her son and daughter were out of town. I had tried to tell her to let them know how she was feeling but as she said "It only hurts when I move". (sigh)

Is today the big day for Colleen and Rider to meet? I am going to imagine the scene in my head right now as I sip my beverage. I am in sore need of a beverage AND some good thoughts.

Slightly Goofy/Linda

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Linda!

I'm so sorry to hear about your friend - is that Dorothea? I hope that she is all right. I'm sure that she really appreciated your helping and caring for her, especially since her children were out of town. I hope that everything will be all right!

I spent a wonderful afternoon with Colleen and her Mom, today! We met at our favorite, local mall, here in NJ and had a great time talking, catching up in person, and sharing fun Disney stories from the present and from our childhoods! It was so great to meet Colleen in person - she is just as fantastic live as she is, here in the Suite!

Here are some pictures that we took, today, if you'd like to see:

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/lisar...//pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/lisaruthb6/my_photos

Hope that all is well with all of you and hope that you're all having a nice week!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Dear Lisa, of course she is good people. Have you not noticed that every single person around the Suite is just plain folks, no pretense just Disney lovers all.

Great pictures. The mall looks fantastic. Is that the Disney store that I see there also?

Yes, it is Dorthea but she is home now. Had a doctor's appointment today but her son took her so I got the day off. I like being useful but that was a tad bit much for me. If something had happened to her on my watch I could not have beared it but I could not leave her to be alone, especially on her birthday. I guess my choice of nightgown and robe was a timely gift.

Will you be able to meet again? I am going to add the pictures to my Suite album. This is the first Meet photos that I am not in. I are jealous but just a tiny bit and another beverage will help heal the pain. LOL

SG/Linda

 

[colleen costello]

HI Girls! WOW! What fun Mom and I had today. My Mom (Carole) says she feels like she has known Lisa her whole life. We had such a nice visit. Scott is retrieving my pics now and we'll send them to Lisa, tonite via Email, and perhaps if there are any good ones she will add them to the slideshow. We laughed that one of our cameras just might make us look more beautiful!

We met at Bridgewater Commons Mall, my favorite spot in NJ as it has all the great stores. Boy I could have fun there after hitting the Hoosier Lottery... Anyhow, we spotted Lisa and descended on the nice Disney Store. They were having a great sale and we spent a good while there. I can't exactly resist $5 Mickey Tshirts and got them for all my family. They had giant Men's sweatshirts on sale and we got my Dad one that says "Grumpy" across the front. His birthday is later this week and it will be PERFECT! Lisa bought a few small items and resisted the plush characters and Mom got the kiddos some little toys. We also went to Williams Sonoma where Lisa picked up some "cedar planks" so Frank can cook salmon just like they do at Artist's Point at the Wilderness Lodge. Lisa, take some pics of THAT meal when it is done, for us to see!

Then we had lunch at the food court and the gabbing commenced. What fun! We talked about Disney trips past, present and future and about meeting Linda (and Tom!). Mom and I got to hear all about Frank's proposal to Lisa, and about their recent anniversary meal at Victoria and Albert's. It is so special to hear Disney stories from someone who loves it so much. Before we knew it, 5pm had arrived and it was time to head home.

Lisa brought me souvenirs from her recent "Spamalot" show and also some wonderful Disney pins, one from the Cruise line. I will treasure everything. The best thing is Lisa brought me a VCR tape of "Lisa and Frank do the Disney Cruise" and tomorrow Mom and I are going to watch it together. I know I will want to rush out and book a cruise!

Tonight I am resting up after hearing all about Scott's day -- at Chuck E Cheese. That's where he and his Mom spent the day with the kids. I think I got the better deal, huh?

Love to all!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Colleen, I know exactly what you mean. I recognized Lisa and Frank right off (speaking of which, did Frank not come too?) and it completely ruined the sneaky surprise I had intended when we met at the Poly. You are every bit as comfortable to talk to as well. I am fine, one on one, but I get lost with more.

Sounds as if you guys found some fantastic bargains. I am looking forward to adding some more pictures to my collection. Speaking of which, would anyone like a dvd with my collection of DW pics? I have a few hundred and most of them are pretty good, especially the ones I got from someone else. LOL

SG/Linda

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Everyone!

Soooo sorry that it's taken me so long to check in, again! After my great day with Colleen and her Mom, I had a very full week - a doctor's appointment and class (with final exam) on Tuesday, a brunch at my Dad's with our visiting out of town cousins and another class on Wednesday, another doctor's appointment and another class (with final presentation / debate and submission of final paper) yesterday, and manicure / pedicure and lunch with Dad, today! Whew! I'm glad that the week is over and am looking forward to doing a bit of relaxing, this weekend!

I'm sorry that I mis-spelled your Mom's name in the photo albums, Colleen! Please apologize to her, on my behalf - I'm going to fix that, right away! And thanks so much for posting such a detailed, fun account of our adventures in the Bridgewater Mall! Yes - I was "strong" - after spending hundreds of dollars on WDW / DCL souvenirs in May, I had to MAKE MYSELF resist buying things for myself in the Disney Store (very hard, since as Colleen said, there were such fantastic bargains, that day)! But I did buy Frank 2 T-shirts, though (one of which he's been wearing to lounge around the house in the evenings, all week! )! And it will actually be I who will be attempting to make that Cedar Plank Atlantic Salmon from Artist Point - I need to "stretch" my culinary skills and become brave enough to cook fish that doesn't come frozen in Gorton's Fisherman boxes! Frank would probably do the better job........but I must try!

Actually, Frank had to work on Monday, so he was not able to join us, Linda. His Unit at work had to take away the "alternate work arrangement" that had allowed him to work 4 10.5 hour days per week (and have one day off every week) for the past few years, as 2 of the women in his unit are out on maternity leave, so everyone else needs to cover for them. Hopefully we will ALL be able to meet in WDW, at the same time, some day!

It's so funny that you mentioned "ruined surprises", Linda - because I had been planning to "assault" Linda and Tom with my video camera, when we first met them, too........but we all happened to get to the Poly early, and wound up running into one another before our assigned meeting time! I still say that that was fate, Linda! We were thinking along the same lines and even showed up in the same place at the same time - what are the chances of that happening?!! Guess what else was on that tape that I made for Colleen, Linda? All of the footage of our meeting at the Poly last year!

Anyway, I am thrilled to say that I have actually had the honor of meeting both of you ladies in person! And I really DO hope that some time, we will be able to get together, all of us - and we can ALL watch the EWP, together! And everyone else, here in the Suite, too! (HEY - where has everybody else been?!! Did we scare them away? I think that we need to send Don and Bo out after them, to bring them back to visit us! )

Thank you both for all of your kind and thoughtful words, as always! You are both such wonderful and special people, and I am very fortunate to know you both and to have such wonderful friends!

So, what are everyone's 4th of July weekend plans? We will be attending the (co-ed, informal) bridal shower of my friend, for whom I'll be serving as Matron of Honor in September, tomorrow. It should be fun - a big, outdoor BBQ in North Jersey. I'll get to see some old friends from college, whom I haven't seen in a long time (the bride and I and these friends were all in the same co-ed community service fraternity, at Rutgers). One of them had always dated women in college and later married a woman for a few years........and then left her to live out his "true life".........and will now be marrying his boyfriend of the past 6 years, this fall! I haven't seen him since he made his big "revelation" (although we have corresponded by e-mail), and I can't wait to meet his boyfriend! (I never liked his wife very much, to be honest! )

We'll be having a "low key" rest-of-the-weekend - just having dinner with my best friend from high school and her husband and son on Sunday night, and relaxing the rest of the time - we really need a few quiet days, after this hectic week!

Hey - guess what? I learned today that Frank and I have been honored by being invited to sit at one of the head tables at next weekend's North East DIS Meet! We are very excited - we'll be sitting with the organizer and his family, the guest speakers, and others who helped out with the planning and execution of the Meet - very nice!

So, what else has been new with you both? And your families? I hope that Dorothea is feeling better and has been comfortable and well at home, too, Linda.

I would love to see your Disney pictures, Linda - you always take such great photos!

Well, time to get some things done around here, now! Hope that all is well with all of you! Have a great weekend and take care.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Dear Lisa, you are forgiven. LOL Might I ask why you are having so many doctor's visits? Are you alright? You had better be!!! (scared?) (did not think so, sigh) I am glad to see that you have been pampering yourself a bit. With my life just finding time to clip my nails myself is a luxury.

Where else should the reigning Disney Trivia Queen sit but at the head table? Please make sure that your camera is up and ready for the meet -like I have to remind you of that. Yeah, right.

Ever notice that the best sales come out right after you have over extended yourself? I am carefully avoiding the Dell site as I do not want to see what they are offering now. Am a bit sorry I did not hold out for a bigger monitor though. Since this one has a tv tuner in it there is scant chance I will be changing any time soon. The old computer is now all cleaned up and reloaded for the boys to take home. Dalton has been teaching himself how to type for awhile and he is looking forward to being able to practice at home as well as here. We even found him a fantastic algebra baseball game to play.

You forgot that Bo has departed and took Don with him as well. Are you sure that you remembered to hire new staff? I would do so but my taste in men is less than stellar and I might end up with US waiting on THEM.

Matron? You?? You are far too young. I am happy for your friend. I have always hated the fact that people have to pretend to be other than who they are. Makes for a whole lot of unhappy people and life is far too darned short for such. Please give them my congratulations and many good wishes for a happy life together. IMO I would rather have the romance of a Sigfried and Roy rather than the many marriages of an Elizabeth Taylor. Since I am stuck firmly in hetrosexuality I will have to muddle through the best as I can. (grin) Was not a choice, I was born that way. (sigh)

Your idea of a low key weekend and mine are a whole lot different. I go out and work in the yard for about 30 minutes and then come in and collapse for an hour. I have had enough excitement this weekend. My bil was in a bad accident. Long story, short -he got the top of his head bashed in. They had to fly in a surgeon and he put in 4 metal plates. No brain damage, thankfully. Tests will be done soon to see if other damage has been done. Hopefully none. I am sure glad that my hubby comes from a long line of hard headed men.

Dorthea was most pleased when I told her that you had asked about her. She is sleeping more and more. She has rallied before so I just enjoy whatever time I have with her.

Love, SG/Linda (who is all alone in the Suite tonight and looking for some company) Guess I will go look at Janet2K's video once more and get over it.

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Everyone!

Happy 4th of July Weekend to you all!

Hi Linda! I'm sorry that you were alone in the Suite, last night! But I'm glad that you mentioned that Janet has apparently finally been able to post some video (I know that she'd had some difficulties posting the fireworks video) - I will have to check it out! I've fallen behind in keeping up with her Vow Renewal Planning Thread - I will have to catch up - I love reading her installments - it's like a soap opera - very addictive!

So Bo and Don are gone for good?? I thought that they would certainly return after their world tour! I guess that they have left us to go and seek fame and fortune, elsewhere. Their loss! We will get together and begin interviewing new candidates, immediately! We will surely find some worthy replacements who are capable of..........entertaining us..........as well or better than our original Suite Men did!

We will definitely bring a camera to the DIS Meet, next weekend! I'm in the process of finishing up this year's installment of "What / Where Am I, in WDW?" - maybe I will post some of my clues, after I'm done, if you would all like to try some of them.......they may be too easy if I post the clues, though (as opposed to slowly reading them out loud and your guessing them before I get to the next clue) - I'll just have to call you each and "test" you over the phone, that's all!

I'm fine, thanks for asking, Linda. The doctor's appointments are all routine, annual check-up's of various sorts that just happened to all fall around the same time. Now that I'm finished with one of my classes, I have to make my bi-annual dentist appointment and annual check-up appointments for 3 of our cats, too!

The shower was a lot of fun, yesterday - the weather was absolutely perfect - low 80's, sunny, no humidity - and our friends were very happy! I got to do my first "Matron of Honor duties" by presenting the couple of honor with each of their gifts to open, and taking care of the ones that they already opened, afterwards. It was much nicer than a "traditional shower", in our opinion - first of all, because men were invited, so the entire family could be there. Also, because it was a relaxed, informal barbecue, as opposed to a formal affair in a catering hall. It was a great way for the bride and groom's family to meet for the first time and get to know each other, too! It was a lot of fun.

And it was nice to see my other college friend and to meet his boyfriend, at the shower, too. As it turns out, they are getting "married" (in NJ, where it's not "legal", but they are having a formal commitment ceremony, performed by a minister) in December and are going all out - they're having a huge reception for over 100 people, a photographer and videographer, all the trimmings, etc. And they are hoping to eventually adopt children, too! I think that's very nice - and the boyfriend seems like a very nice person, too! Best of all, my friend's parents are going to be there and are supporting him. Back when he married the woman, over 10 years ago, I know that his parents gave him a very hard time because she was Jewish (and he was raised Catholic). It's nice to see that his parents have come around to the extent that they are supporting his choices and the new addition to their family!

So sorry to hear about your BIL, Linda! Thank God he is all right and that his injuries weren't worse (although the ones that he suffered sound pretty bad) - that must have been so frightening! I hope that he is all right and that he continues to recover well!

And so glad to hear that Dorothea is feeling better and is doing well, too!

Well, believe it or not, Frank just got up (he deserves to sleep this late, after a busy week at work and our long day at the shower, yesterday! ), so it's time for me to go and re-heat the coffee that I made a few hours ago!

Hope that all is well with all of you and hope that you are all enjoying the holiday weekend! Talk to you soon!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Lisa, seems as if, even with the brief and only meeting, that Tom has rubbed off on Frank. LOL Even I think that sleeping in occasionally is good. I used to do that about once every couple of months but nowadays I am down to a couple of times a year. If I do not get up early and get things done nothing gets done after Tom wakes up or Dalton gets here. I am a single minded person. Complciated boggles my poor brain.

Janet sent her video to me directly. It is a great scene of the beach. I could forward it if you are interested. I made you a DVD last night but it is not terribly good. I did not get the video on the movies. Will have to try again. Practice makes perfect. If anyone else wants a copy of my Disney videos and pictures I will gladly send them one as it is much easier to make copies.

Bo is gone forever. He has a great career ahead of him and we must wish him well. He did mention that he would pop in occasionally, on special occasions, to give us a private concert though. I met someone last night who wanted to apply for our opening. His name is Constantine and although he is not nearly as talented as Bo, he smiles pretty and can whomp up the best food you have ever wrapped your lips around.

If you want to test me make it on a Thursday night. I am suffering terrible withdrawals pangs from the loss of my weekly trivia game. I was the last Grand Poohbah but that is small consolation. I feel terribly evil for missing the game when the man who ran it is even missed more. No one else like him will ever come along. Very generous with his time and talent and kept everyone, including me, in line.

I am glad to hear that you are just doing routine maintenance instead of suffering from any kind of physical breakdowns.

I like showers with mixed company. Sounds like it went a whole lot better than a recent shower here. They had it down the road and the families got into a fight and the groom ended up stabbing his future bil. What a mess! Redneck country around here. I have a wedding to go to next week at the church behind my house. It is for one of the kids I had in 4-H years ago. Her brother is also my son's best friend. They wore a path between the streets when they were growing up.

Parents usually start out by wanting 'perfection' for their children but somewhere along the way we learn to accept 'reasonably happy' no matter what that entails and it sounds as if your friend has surpassed that expectation.

(soapbox here) I have to smile at those who do not want gay marriage to taint the 'normal' marriages. Heck, if you can meet someone in a bar and run off to Las Vegas and get married, sometimes more than once or twice in a lifetime just how 'special' is it? Marriage is what each couple makes it and for some it is nothing while for others it is everything. Gay people have the right to make as many mistakes as the rest of us. (grin) Hey, if they can get a middle aged, Midwest housewife in their corner can the rest of the world be far behind?

I always told my kids that I would accept any marriage they made as long as it was within their 'race' ------ the HUMAN race!!!!!!

Both patients are doing well as per reports of this morning. My sil says that her patient is raring to go back to work and she is worried about keeping him quiet. Boy, the brothers sure are different. Wonder if we took the both of them and shook them up in a bag if we could come up with 2 perfect guys? Is a thought.

The old computer went home with the boys today. I hope that Dalton is allowed to use it. It is going in Austin's room and he does not use a computer much at all. I am glad to get the extra room back in the LR.

I am about to fill up the truck bed with what I have pulled from the flower beds. They are faster than I am.

Happy 4th of July to everyone, wherever you are!!!!

SG/Linda

 

[lunabkat]

Hi all,

Just checking in after reading lots of posts. You all are always so busy, its exhausting!

Recap of last few weeks:

Yard being worked on (drainage problem)
Truck has finally died, this after 3 mechanics, 2000$ in parts and service, not to mention the 2 months of rental cars.
Fencing to start, when finished, get dog or two.
House to be painted, windows replaced, doors replaced
Surprise root canal, says it all doesn't it?
Bathroom- yikes, still in the "undone" stage, meaning no facilities, thanks dh.
I have small "big cell" tumor in foot, also called cyst, which i prefer, need operation in next two weeks, will be out of work for at least 2 weeks, doctor prefers 5 - yeah right, who pays the bills then?
Went camping with friends, yikes, at least one day too long...just moms and the girls, fun but glad to be home, i prefer hotel vacations thankyou.
And someone please tell me how a cat can be put on a low calorie diet for a year and gain two pounds?

I am so in limbo around here, can't something be done and finished around here? (Excepting the truck, because its done alright.) Can you say anxiety attack...someone give me something...I'm not picky, ( i need to center, deep breathing, close eyes...)maybe a glass of wine and 8 solid hours of sleep, Chai tea, decaf anything?

On the up side, my friend has quit drinking and is doing much, much better, which is a blessing, i've gotten a small raise, the root canal is over and school is out for the summer (tho if that's a plus or a minus depends upon the day, eh?).

Glad to hear everyone is doing well, sorry about Dorothea, Linda, I hope she feels better soon.

Linda and Colleen, I live literally 5 mins. from the Bridgewater Mall, I wonder if we have seen each other there... perhaps in the Disney Store?

Take care all, talk soon,


Lauralee

 

[MonorailDude]

Hi. Sorry to interupt. But don't for get to vote for me!

 

[colleen costello]

Hi all! First off, who is this cute young man and what is he running for? Is there a "DIS King" and we never knew it?

Luna, your post made me laugh as life is so crazy... Stuff sure likes to happen all at once, doesn't it? I haev had many root canals and the only real pain is when they hand you the huge bill...I thought of you during my trip to NJ. We went to a wedding and I was extra careful to be polite around the staff at the reception because I have seen through your eyes how some wedding guests are viewed as real stinkers. The wedding was lovely and boy those people work hard to see that you have a good time... It was at a place called "Cliffdale" in Moonachie; I am sure the layout is similar to your place. There was a nice room where we had cocktails and food (enough for twice the people attending, it seemed) then there was a big bar room, then the banquet room where we had dinner, dessert and dancing. What fun! Everything was lovely and my children, who had never been to a wedding, were mightily impressed.

Right after the wedding Mom and I road-tripped to meet Rider at Bridgewater Commons Mall. That was so much fun. We talked serious Mickey. Lisa brought me some wonderful souvenirs which I am currently figuring out how to properly display. That mall is great, too. If I lived there I would need 3 jobs because who can resist Disney Store, Williams Sonoma and Macy's all under one roof?

Our time home was nice with various relatives showing up in succession. Scott's family was on good behavior, and I got to miss one visit with them while I hung out with Lisa -an extra perk of the trip! We drove back to Indiana on Saturday which was clear, sunny and free of construction workers -- a perfect trip if we had been going SOUTH (my favorite direction!)

All is well back at home. House is still here and kitties did fine in our absence. We spent July 4th with friends and of course all I can think of is "I am going to Disney World in 3 weeks!" I sat down with a calendar and made our travel plans for 2006. We will be at Old Key West in March and then back to Orlando mid-July. I am always hoping for a windfall and after July 4th the Deluxes go into Value Season. If I have won the lottery by then I can splurge on the Poly.

Ian is at YMCA day camp all this week so I am down to one kid. Feel like a real queen as no one is yelling "shut up" or bellowing for me to break up fights. Dear hubby went back to work this morning but I assured him the next 14 workdays will fly and then we roadtrip again! We were able to book 1 night at Vero Beach (Disney has a DVC resort there) during our trip and we are all looking forward to seeing that ocean (although not dipping in it with all the shark attacks lately!)

Off to Target... Again, with only one child I can accomplish a lot this week!

Love to all.

 

[jstmee]

Hi everyone at my favorite resting place, i've been trieng to find you all. It's been awhile. Over a year. Since my last WDW trip. I went back to school for Nursing and that has kept me sooooo busy.

The awful new is that my son, Kenny, 16, one of my twins, died on 6/3/05 a sudden death. I attached two sites so you can read about it.

http://www.bangornews.com/news/templates/?a=114831

http://www.bangornews.com/news/templates/?a=114700&z=175


I needed to stop in here for some comfort and relaxation.

On a good note we are going to WDW in Sept.

I'll read some posts and come join you all later.

I'll be back.

Wendy

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

I am so delighted to see so many in the Suite but I just cannot find the words to say much more right now. Wendy, dear Wendy, you special and loving lady. I am so sorry for your loss (and ours) but I am comforted by the knowledge that your son was blessed to have had a loving family and a fantastic life while we were lucky enough to have had him among us.

There are tears running down my face and I am speechless. Not something that often occurs. I will write more later when I have a chance to get my mind wrapped around your news.

May God bless you and keep you during this time.

Please, Colleen and Lauralee forgive me.

SG/Linda/Mom/Grandma/Friend

 

[colleen costello]

Wendy, my sympathy is with you. Of course you will have the prayers of everyone in the Suite. How nice that our silly gabbing can be a comfort for you! It sounds in the articles like your son was a special human being. I am hoping and praying that your family can get to a point where the memories bring more smiles than tears!

Love and Best Wishes...

 

[lunabkat]

Hi all

Wendy, i am so sorry for your loss. My daughter, Shannon, was killed 9 years ago at age twelve and i know how devastating a sudden death is. I wish i could write something to really help you but all what i can offer is that, although time does not make you forget, i found that, as time went by, I was slowly able to ( a tiny bit at a time) lift the gigantic boulder that fell on me that day and although i carry it with me every day, time has allowed me to gradually build my strength so that rather than crushing me beneath it, i am able to once again stand up and am able hold it on my shoulders as I carry it with me. So, although i think of her and miss her every day I guess i have become "accustomed" to missing her and it has integrated itself into my daily life. My one suggestion, and i give it wholeheartedly, it to contact a chapter of Compassionalte Friends, if you have not already. It was a tremendous help to me and the people were wonderful and supporting. I know it isn't everybody's cup of tea, but some of us find it very helpful. Compassionate friends also has chapters for grieving siblings. try to make sure your son has an outlet for his grief and doesn't feel like he has to put on a "happy face" for everyone else so they feel better. For some kids it is better to try and go back to "normal life" as soon as they feel like it so they can keep busy through the "numb" stage and to have things to look forward to in the days ahead (i.e. camping trip, baseball game, practices, etc.) This also is important for you and others in your family. Even if it is only a weekly lunch out with a couple of close friends, it helps you to move through the days, weeks, months, etc.

Above all, please remember that people grieve in different ways and there is no one right way to grieve. Allow yourselves your differences and respect how each of you reacts.

If I can be of any help, please feel free to contact me, if you would like my phone number I would be happy to talk with you if you want, just pm me and let me know if I can be of any help. My thoughts, love and prayers are with you all,

With great empathy,

Lauralee

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Dear Wendy, no one could have said it better than our Lauralee. It is unfortunate that you two should share such a bond but it is good that you have someone to talk to that knows what to say. You have been on my mind all day long. My grandson, Dalton, sends his sympathies as well. He read the news reports and was taken with the fact that your son was both an athlete and a scholar. Rare and so special. When and if you are able we would love to hear stories about him.

Lauralee, some answers to your questions - your cat is obviously related to me. -no facilities and no transportation to get to any? Yikes, that would make me more than stressed. Been there, done that.- I am a room service gal myself, no camping for me, even the FW trailers scare me. =cyst sounds better to me too but the doctor can charge more for a 'tumor"- May all of your customers chip in and give you enough tips to help you through your 'off' time. BIG BUMMER that you were not able to meet Colleen and Lisa at the Mall. There is no way that you would not recognize Lisa if you ever ran into her. She is so pretty and unique. Colleen lives far enough away that you are not likely to run into her but one never knows when her sweet smile might show up for another wedding.

Colleen, one kid is a delight!! Amazing how nice a kid can be when they are getting undivided attention and a bit of spoiling. I was tickled cause my dear little one went and brought me a cough drop yesterday. I am used to waiting on others so when I get a bit back I am so happy. Rare things are easily noticeable. If I won the lottery I would stay at OKW. I am seriously considering renting points there some visit. Was it you who has a contact with points to rent or Becki? When you get to my age you are easily confused. I cannot believe you made it through the state without seeing any construction workers but I guess the state cannot afford holiday time right now. I love traveling on weekends for that reason.

I heard from my niece who lives right outside London and she and her family are safe but they are not sure about friends and neighbors as yet. My heart bleeds for my second favorite country.

I have a major doctor's appointment tomorrow. If I have to be hospitalized it would make 5 family members in at the same time. I am crossing my fingers and eyes and hoping for a horse rather than a zebra. I like things I can spell. Oh, did I tell you guys that my hair grew back? Small but significant.

SG/Linda