EWP group?

[SlightlyGoofy]

There are just the nicest people here in the Suite. Dear Colleen was nice enough to call and let me know that she had gotten home safely. I worry about such things. She knew that I would be up to my elbows in paint and such and not likely to be checking emails.

Lisa, Great Grandma is on the road to recovery. You are so nice to care. She is currently in rehab. She did not have a stroke, thank Heavens. I am glad to hear that Frank's grandma is on the mend as well. It seems that the longer you live the more resilent you are. I think the weak get thinned out early.

The dust was not very hidden. The rooms were dark and I just do not get up there to clean often. There are 4 rooms and a bath up there. I barely manage to keep the six rooms and 1.5 bath on the main floor in order most of the time. The Plantation blinds have really brightened things up a bunch. I am able to see all the flaws now. Not good. My helper is going to show up for a couple of hours tomorrow to take care of some small details that will bug me if not taken care of. Lots got done today. The amount I am paying for the help would have paid for at least one rooms carpet. I defy my dh, or anyone else, to say I did not work for a living all these years. I figure I saved thousands by doing it all myself.

The lasagna recipe was the pits. The flatbread just is not substantive enough to hold up with all the liquids. I have one recipe that uses cabbage and I might try that one next. As much as I have been working and as little as I have been eating and the scales are UP!!! I had severe leg cramps last night too. Is what I get for working side by side with a teenager. BTW, I am also working circles around him. LOL

It is an easy thing for me to reach out to Tom's ex. I have nothing to be jealous of. As he says "She is too old for me". (shaking head and laughing) I feel for anyone who loses a loved one and I like his ex a whole lot more than I like his daughter. She is a terror. I let them handle each other and stay out of it. Serves dh right too. ''

Could Frank deal with his sister without involving you? She HAS to love him forever so he would have less to lose. Just a thought. It would not work with my family but somehow I tend to think of yours as being far more normal than mine.

No more math classes? That is a huge reason to celebrate. Hooray!! What kind of field work will you be doing? Sounds like more fun than classes for sure. You are so close to being through with your courses. It takes a special person to change their course and stick to it. I am proud to know you.

I will send an email to Angie and see how she is doing. They did not have much damage from the storms but being out of work for several weeks can be rough on anyone.

Colleen, I hope you are in a drug induced coma and happily sleeping while your dh copes with the children for the second time today. He will respect you more tomorrow for shure.

Good night all, hope I survive tomorrow. Dalton is coming to spend the night and I need to save some energy for that. Austin has moved in, I think. He has been here the past two days between school and other activities and is requesting his own key. LOL

Slightly Goofy

 

[twinscandc]

Hello everyone....

Just posting a quick hello....I've been pretty busy after being off for a week. Mark planned a surprise trip for me and the girls to Gulf Shores, AL. A quick trip as kind of a last time for just the 4 of us! We left a few days after Christmas and came back just in time for the girls to go back to school. We enjoyed ourselves very much. We love the Gulf Shores area (almost, but not quite as much as our beloved WDW!). You can get a pretty good rate during this season for a nice condo on the beach. We stayed in a 2 bedroom 2 1/2 bath unit right on the beach for less $70 per night. The resort had an indoor pool and several outside pools, including hot tubs. Of course, it was too cold to swim outside, but we did get in the hot tub!! The weather was great, about 75 degrees each day. We did spend a lot of time walking on the beach...it's so relaxing!! Mark even surprised me with a massage at the spa. They had a "Mommy to be" massage that was the best!! But, or couse, all good things have to come to an end....

Linda, it sounds like your "winter cleaning" is getting done!! As much work as it is, it always feels so good once it's done..!! I can't wait to see it!! I know haven't been out your way lately!! Maybe one day next weekend the girls and I could come out!! Let me know if that works for you.

Rider, how are things with your family? I have a BIL (my DS husband) that I would rather never have to deal with. I put up with him because my sister loves him (I dont' see how...). Good luck with your SIL!!

Well, signing off for now....I've got to be at my doctor's office tomorrow at 7am to do a Glucoast (sp?) test. If I remember it from being pregnant with the girls...you have to drink this syrup stuff and then wait an hour for them to test your blood...not really looking forward to it!!

Everyone, have a great day!!

Becki aka "twinscandc"

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Becki, gee time is going so fast (for us, probably not you) until the new baby gets here. Do you know the sex yet? Have you had any more problems? Did you pass your glucose test?

I wish I had known that you were going to the Gulf Shores as one of our members lives near there and she would have been delighted to have met you. Her name is Angelina. What a nice surprise your hubby thought up for you all. Even a bargain price to boot. How did the girls like it? Bet he needed a break too. How is he doing now?

I would love to see you and your girls but the place is a mess and I have two birthday parties this weekend. Maybe next weekend? I come to Columbus on Tuesdays and Thursdays most of the time. I drive a disabled woman on Tuesdays but she having surgery and will be housebound for a couple of weeks. My number is in the book if you have lost it or send me an email and we will make a date. I have a lot of great Disney shows taped if you are interested.

I have some wonderful news. My friend Dorthea finally got her results back and the lump was benign. They are wanting her to come back in two months though so that has me wondering if they are just checking to see if whatever is growing fast or slow. She is in no shape for treatment of any kind. She is sleeping nearly 15 hours a day now and is finally acting her age. I am hoping she will have a good enough day tomorrow to come to our meeting.
The lady who was to have had it is not feeling well so I offered to take it over. I have the first floor dusted enough to allow for visitors IF they do not look too closely. I painted the one bedroom closet the other day and will be able to put stuff back in it later this week. I have all the woodwork to scrub and one room to restain. I am not going to strip it first as I just am not able. I have stain close enough in color to make it look better and the new owners can deal with making it perfect some day. I did all the first floor years ago and that will give them a head start over what I had. I am most looking forward to the new stairway carpeting as it will make the most impact. I left the wallpaper white at the top as it draws the eye up to the top of the staircase.

How are you all coping with the heat bills? Anyone else suffering from sticker shock? We have determined to be in bed by nine and watch tv from there so we can turn the furnaces down earlier. Every little bit helps and that will not be painful.

Keep warm and out of trouble!

Hugs (pat on belly for Becki) from SG/Linda

 

[colleen costello]

Hi everyone. Just saying hello. I wanted to catch up with everyone and send out a "Hi," also wanted to let everyone know that Lisa is MIA for a bit because Frank's sweet grandma passed away and they are down at her in-laws'. I feel sad because they were both very fond of her. Bless her heart, she lived to a ripe old age in her very own apartment, and that is what most of us wish for. In any case, Lisa is down in the Pine Barrens of NJ dealing not only with a funeral but in-laws to boot, so our thoughts should be with her!

On a happier note, I received a surprise package today that MADE MY DAY. Somehow Lisa got hold of a limited edition Disney pin, released January 8th, that celebrates the Electrical Water Pageant. It is just the coolest little thing, made extra special by the fact that is was a kind gift from a dear friend AND that I had no idea the thing even existed! It turns out that every month this year, one more pin in the HIDDEN DISNEY COLLECTION will be released, celebrating "overlooked" favorites in the World. Next month's pin features Lilo and Stitch in the Grand Ceremonial House of the Polynesian Resort, near the hidden Mickey in the floor as you walk in. I am DETERMINED to get that one, although I will have to get up awfully early as only 2500 of each are being released... Suffice it to say that the pin Lisa sent me will be one of those things I first run for, if I ever discover my house is on fire!

All is well in Indiana. The weather has been extremely mild and that has me in the mood for spring break. Ah, heck, what doesn't put me in the mood for Disney? Really, though, the warm air gets me thinking of March in Orlando! We head down March 8th, and are staying first at Port Orleans French Quarter, then at Old Key West, a fave of my whole family. We have reservations to see the Hoop Dee Doo, plus meals planned at Kona, Liberty Tree Tavern, Chef Mickey's and our favorite, BOMA. We also plan a quickie road-trip up to the Villages to see where Mom and Dad are moving. I also hope to try out Linda's most-recommended bargain dinner place, the famed Golden Corral. I find myself daydreaming a lot lately about castles, swimming pools and pina coladas (most without the rum, of course). It is amazing the mileage I get out of planning one of these excursions, especially when it is gray outside. On a sadder note, I have noticed a pattern where that weasel BinLaden seems to make horrible threats whenever I try to venture to my favorite, well-populated, tourist location. Since 9-11 I am leery of big cities and anywhere my anxious mind perceives as "a target," but my love of Mickey takes over. But when I have a trip coming up and Bin pops his head out, I can't help but get angry. I keep saying to pals that poor, dear Mr. Rogers is dead of cancer yet BinLaden seems healthy, at least enough to make speeches and threats. Never is there any justice in the world!

So that is all. Hoping all is well with everyone, especially Becki who must be tired from pregnancy plus Mommy-duties. Let us all think kind thoughts for Lisa and Frank, and here's wishing everyone some spring weather even thought it is January.

 

[twinscandc]

Hello to all...and thanks for all the warm pregnancy wishes!! I have also been enjoying this mild Indiana weather that we have been having! I found a really nice maternity coat at a local re-sell shop and I've not been able to wear it too much, which is okay with me! My glucose test did not turn out well....the doctor's office called me on Monday to tell me that my sugar was high and that I needed to take the 3 hour glucose test. I took it on Thursday morning (it was such a joy to sit in our hospital's basement lab for 4+ hours!!). I haven't heard the results yet for this past test, but I have an OB appt. on Monday, so I'm hoping they will have the results by then. I will also have an Ultrasound on Monday for them to check on the placenta. Several of my friends have had Gestational Diabetes and were able to control it with their diet. Anyway, I'm sure everything will turn out fine. I know the baby is fine because it feels like it's doing flips in there!!! We do not know the sex of the baby, I am wanting it to be a surprise!! Although Mark would really like to find out now, I think he will enjoy telling everyone on the birth day.

Linda, we will have to plan for for a time to meet real soon!! It turns out this weekend wouldn't have worked out for us. Caitlyn has been sick with a bad cold. Nothing real serious, but just enough to make her miserable!! She took a 3 hour nap today, which is totally NOT like her at all!! Usually she is "jumping" from the moment she gets up to the time she goes to bed!! I hoping the rest did her well and she is back to normal tomorrow. Also, how about your boys basketball team!! How exciting to be #1 in the state!!

I'm so sorry for Lisa's loss. I will keep her and her family in my prayers.

Colleen!! What a neat pin!! I would love to see it. In fact, I think I'm going to do a search on ebay right now to see if I can find one!! For it to represent the EWP just makes it so special!!

Well, off to bed I go!! Mark is now working 2nd shift and he just got in, so I also want to spend a few minutes with him. Have a great day everyone!!

Take Care!!

Becki (twinscandc)

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Everyone!

Hi Linda, Becki, and Colleen!

Just a quick note, here, since I am swamped with school work (I hope to catch up, soon, so that I can make a "proper post"). I just wanted to thank you all, so much, for your kind thoughts and your caring words - they really mean a lot to us! Thanks so much for thinking of us - we are hanging in there.

Hope that all went well with your most recent test, Becki - I'm sure that everything will turn out fine. Thank God your Baby is fine, and that's the important thing! As you said, sugar levels can certainly be controlled with diet, etc., and I'm sure that you will have nothing to worry about! Hope that Caitlyn is feeling much better, too! And hope that you are continuing to feel and be well!

Hope that all is well out there with you, Linda, and hope that all the work on your home has been completed - I'm sure that it looks great! That is also wonderful news about Dorothea - hope that she continues to feel much better, as well!

So glad that you are enjoying the pin, Colleen! And thank you for your kind words, as always! Just 41 more days until your trip............they will pass in no time at all!

Hope that all is well with all of you! Please don't think that I'm not thinking of all of you, if I don't have a chance to post as often as I would like to! I will try to be back with a "better" post as soon as I can! In the mean time, have a great week and take care.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Wow, I really missed out on a gathering of the Suite did I not? I am afraid that I was suffering from a bout of 'something' over the weekend and into the first of the week. Only good news is that I lost a bunch of pounds but each glass of water brings a bit of it back. I was even bedridden for one day and I pretty much never do that. I am fine now. When I went to get my newspaper Tuesday morning I was greeted by a humongous get well card from my readers. I think they missed me Monday cause they attacked me on Wednesday. I think I might just move in over there.

Lisa, how are you and Frank? I can imagine it was an incredibly emotional weekend. Did the sil from heck behave herself or take upon herself to add to the drama and garner the attention to which she was NOT entitled? It is a testament to that venerable lady the words that Frank used to describe her. Did he get to spend a lot of time with her growing up? Dorthea continues to be a bit better but now another dear friend has been diagnosed with liver and lung cancer. She has always been so vital and looks decades younger than her 80 years so it has been a shock. She has taught line dancing for all these years and is a member of my TOPS club. I talked to another friend today who is halfway into her 30 radiation treatments. I am not sure if I am a jinx or just know an awful lot of people who have such awful luck. You all might want to keep your distance. Are you not finding it any easier this semester? I had thought that your montrous math classes had disappeared.

Becki, I once bought a brand new coat and snow shoes and it was the warmest winter ever. Seems like a good investment as a coat is a whole bunch cheaper than the current heat bills. Brrrrr!! Poor Caitlyn. I hope she is all better now. It is too awful to be sick on a weekend. We are going to Brown County Saturday so we will not be home this weekend. You are right that we have to get together but finding a time when we are both free is problematic. Maybe we could plan a visit to the Commons playground and see if Colleen and her children would like to meet us? The kids can run around like mad and we can sit at Subway and chat. Just an idea. My house is a dust bowl right now. I have lots done but there is much more to be done. I finished off the closet today and mopped and mopped the wood floors. I am going to leave them bare as they look pretty nice. If you need any recipes to see you t hrough just let me know what you are hungry for as I have files of substitutes for most any craving. How is Mark's back? Is he on second shift full time or do they rotate? Tom worked second shift almost all his years at Cummins and he and the kids barely saw each other. It was a good thing though. Sad, but true. Yep, we are #1!!!! Austin is the seventh/eighth grade boys team manager and he calls me after each game to give me a report. I cannot sit still that long. Dalton has his last game Saturday morning. I am so proud of the school board in Columbus for not censoring the kids. I am against censorship, even of things that I do not agree with.

Colleen, you really must start warning our State Department when you are about to travel so that they can put us on full alert. Would be ever so much cheaper than whatever they are doing now and probably a lot more effective. LOL I love both the resorts you will be staying at. They are so lovely and OKW is such a family friendly place. Do your kids participate in the activities there? Do you borrow the bikes and go riding? If I ever take my grands back I want to stay there. We ate at Sassagoula at POR twice on our recent trip. I loved the beignets and the sandwiches (cannot think of the name right now). I have not made any definite plans as to when we go back as I am waiting to see what the new "hot' deal that Mary is talking about is. As you and Becki know all my photo albums and Disney stuff is right by my front door so I am prepared to save my 'valuables' should it become necessary.

My dd flew off to Florida this morning on a business trip. She went to Clearwater and has to fly back very late tomorrow night. No time for fun. I have a sister who lives just a couple of blocks from where she will be but dd will be working too hard to even fit in a small visit. She has to be up bright and early the day after she gets back to weigh in at her church diet club. She had lost nearly 11 pounds at last count. She wants to lose 75 and is making great progress. I am proud of her but since I am her mom I cannot say that for fear that she would stop. Ornery. Wonder where she got that from? Moi? Nah!!

Have a great weekend gals and hopefully when I next check in at least three of our group will have plans to get together soon. (hint)

Love, hugs and smiles, SG/Linda

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Everyone!

Hi Linda!

So sorry to hear that you weren't feeling well, over the weekend! Hope that you are feeling much better, now!

And I'm glad to hear that Dorothea is continuing to feel a bit better, but so sorry to hear about your other friend! It's so frightening to hear news like that - I hope that she will be all right.

Congratulations to Austin and Dalton on their successful sports seasons! That is great news! And congratulations to your DD for losing so much weight so quickly - that is also wonderful news!

We are fine, here - sort of "getting back to normal" after weeks of "hectic-ness". We spent a nice, relaxing weekend at home, for the first time since before the holidays! We caught up on some errands and chores, and also got to see both "Brokeback Mountain" and "Walk the Line", both of which were wonderful films!

Frank is hanging in there - thanks so much for thinking of him. He actually didn't spend very much time with his grandmother, growing up, as she lived in California for most of his childhood. He was actually much closer with his great aunts, who sort of were "surrogate grandmothers" to him, as they lived in NJ. But Frank became much closer with his grandmother, when she moved back to NJ in his adulthood, so this all has been very difficult for him. But he's hanging in there! He and his sister (who did NOT "behave herself", when we were down there - she said something obnoxious and rude to me within the first hour that we were there......but that's nothing new........I tried to "let it go" a bit, because I knew how upset she was about her grandmother.......but I refuse to let her get away with pushing me around or bullying me, in general, any longer.....) will be returning to their home town, this weekend, to help their mother finish cleaning out their grandmother's apartment, move the heavy furniture, etc. I will be staying here, taking care of the cats, and plowing through my never-ending barage of homework!

Yes, I am finished with all of the heavy-duty math that I will have to take in my MPH program, but the classes that I am taking this semester are definitely going to keep me busy - particularly around March and April, when it seems that all 7 of the projects (for all classes, combined) are due around the same time! So I apologize in advance if my posts become even less frequent, as the weeks progress - things are going to pick up very quickly, and I will be juggling lots of assignments at once! But the classes themselves are very interesting - probably the most interesting that I have taken, thus far - so I don't "mind" the work! Tons and tons of reading, between the classes, too - way more than any other semester, thus far! But I'm "keeping afloat" - for now, at least!

Anyway, just wanted to pop in and say "hello" to you all, to take a break from school stuff. I'd better get back to it now, though! Hope that all is well with all of you, and hope that you're all having a nice week! Take care.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Dear Lisa

I cannot imagine how anyone could be mean or rude to you. You are the personification of kindness and thoughtfulness. It would be sort of like kicking a puppy. Not to be considered. It is mean to Frank as well. I would gladly sit on your sil and reduce her to a mere spot on the couch if given half a chance.

I am afraid that Dorthea has relapsed again. She is more worn out and went to bed at seven last night. Since she has always been a night owl it is a bit scary. She has an infected leg as well. Her son is doing all he can for her and is allowing her the freedom to live out her last days at her own pace. He is a wonderful fellow and goes against his basic nature in doing all that he does and he does it with love. I am glad for her. I wish everyone was accorded such a life.

The minister at my dd's church has resigned. I am relieved. It was more of a gut feeling than anything but he scared me. I hope good things come from this.

I am so happy to hear that your future assignments are something that interests you. I bet you will complete them and add a bit of your special touches to each and every one of them.

I ate out and had a slice of cake. Is the perfect diet as the cake made me sick and I could not eat anything else. LOL Sugar does not agree with me. I seldom eat any and have to be reminded why from time to time. Have to admit that the carrot cake was ALMOST worth it though. Becki, watch out for the Golden Corral dessert bar. Since they have lowered their rates to $5 including a beverage Tom and I eat there often. It is only costly when you get a waitress as we had tonight who has fallen on hard times. Been there, done that and I am grateful that I am no longer there so I love to help others who are still mired in such turmoil.

How lovely that Frank was able to get to know his grandma as an adult. Are his aunts still alive? I am the oldest member of my family, either side. It is a scary thought.

Dalton made the all A honor roll this time. He was delighted that I had the newspaper report on my china cabinet and wanted to know what I had done with his previous report. He was mollified when he learned that it was going in a special folder of Dalton Accomplishements. He has his eyes on the prize.

Take care and we will keep your seat warm at the Suite. Drop by when you can and we will treasure it all the more. We are proud of our college student and would love to be there on the day that you finally graduate. Failing that we will have to plan a get together - where else??

Love, Linda Lou/SG

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Everyone!

Just wanted to stop by and wish you all a great weekend!

Not too much to report, from the Garden State! Our weather is still unseasonably warm (50's and even 60's!) which is fine and dandy with me! I hope that we make it through the rest of the winter with this spring-like weather..........and then go directly into summer! I can't wait for summer and the beach, baseball season, etc...........It's come to the time of year where I just start getting really impatient for the balmier temperatures to come!

We are continuing our annual "quest" to see as many of the films that have received Oscar nominations, today - we've already seen "Brokeback Mountain", "Walk the Line", and "Match Point" - we're going to "knock" "Good Night and Good Luck" off of our "list", today!

Then we're going to spend SuperBowl Sunday with some friends, tomorrow (my usual gang of former ML pals - some of whom still work there and some of whom left, years ago), which should be fun!

The only other news to report is that I'm now helping my father plan a gala 80th birthday party for my uncle, this July. It's nice that my father has a new project to concentrate on, now that most of the work is done, in my uncle's apartment. And I know that my uncle will have a good time having all of his favorite relatives and friends around, at his party. And my father enjoys planning things, too (so do I, for that matter - I really miss planning our wedding, so any excuse to select menu items and pick out other such amenities is fun for me, too!), so it's good!

Congratulations to Dalton on that great report, Linda! I'm not surprised at all - I'm sure that he and Austin will continue to excel in every regard!

Hope that the new minister at your DD's church will be more reasonable / less "frightening"! It sounds like it was definitely time for a change, there!

So sorry to hear about Dorothea - but thank God her son is there to help her, care for her, and be with her. I hope that she is at least feeling a bit better and that her leg gets better, too.

Thanks for your words of support and kindness - every family has "difficult" relatives, I know - we just have to deal with them as best as we can, that's all!

Time to hit the books again, for a bit, so that I can allow myself to enjoy the movie, later!

Have a great weekend, Everyone!

 

[IASW Rider]

Wishing our Helenabear a wonderful and special Birthday! Hopefully she'll pop by the Suite so that we can surprise her with a big party!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

I wanna be Uncle Frank. You know Uncle Frank, the older relative that everyone has long ago given up on making him behave in an acceptable manner. When he does his thing people just go "Oh, that is just Frank". When he gets old enough they add "Isn't he cute". LOL Yep, everyone has difficult relatives. I have not decided if it is better to BE the difficult relative or have to put up with them though. The good thing is that since the upcoming party is for your side of the family said sil might not be invited. What a wonderful present for an 80th birthday than a remodeling of his abode. Looking to the future is always a good thing and may he live long enough to need another remodeling on his 100th! Mazel Tov!! (is that right??)

Lisa you had best hunker down and get prepared. We have had 60 degree days as well but it started snowing yesterday and we are in a deep freeze now. It really is not all that bad except that we had gotten spoiled rotten with the spring like conditions. More snow is due the end of the week and it might not be the pretty icing type we have now. If I were the queen of the world I would decree that the only snows we would ever have would be the kind that lightly dusts the trees and grass, leaving the sidewalks and streets pristine and non slippery. OK, the ski areas could have massive amounts but that is all.

Please give a review of the movies as I hope to go see some of them myself. They just got "Good Night and Good Luck" here this week. I have read much about those days so that is most interesting to me. Fits the times too IMO.

Of course, my grandkids are exceptional. ALL grandchildren are. It is sort of like Lake Wobegone. I did not get to have Dalton overnight this week. Not sure why but both of us were disappointed. School will be closed a couple of days soon so we will catch up then.

Happy Birthday dear Elaine. I do hope you drop by and catch us up on all you have been up to. I am sure it has been an interesting year for you and Luis. Did you ever get that arbor put up around your door? I still 'see' it in my imagination and wonder how many of the planned improvements you have accomplished so far. It is so much harder once you have moved in to get things done. Hope you did not get hit hard by the promised snow storms or at least it is all off the roads by the time you guys have to go to work tomorrow.

Becki, I will be in town Tuesday and probably not again next week as it is promising to snow the end of the week. How are you feeling? Are the girls getting excited? Maybe we can get together at some of the park programs again this year. I am planning on taking Dalton to do some IUPUI courses. I will drop him off and then go away until time to pick him up as he is now a BIG boy.

Colleen, have you gotten your Mickey bathroom all fixed up yet? Pictures, please? Seeing it all in place is a whole lot different from seeing the items themselves. I like those colors as they are our school colors. Tourney time soon and we are first in the state in spite of having lost our last game of the season. Shades of the Colts.

Hugs and warm weather to you all, Linda /SG

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Everyone!

Just wanted to wish you all a great weekend!

Well, you're absolutely right, Linda - it's now FREEZING, here in the North East, as well, and we're expecting a big blizzard, this weekend - 6 - 12 inches by Sunday! In a way, I'm sort of "glad" that it's happening this weekend, if it has to happen at all. I had planned to be inside, working on 2 papers and a presentation, this weekend, anyway. So the weather just gives me further incentive to stay inside and work! Also, Frank had originally planned to go down to his Mom's to help out with more cleaning out of his grandmother's apartment, and now he's not going, because of the weather...........so we can be snowed in together and watch the Olympic Opening Ceremonies, tonight!

Thanks so much for all of your thoughtful words! I know that my uncle is already excited about his birthday party, and it's still 5 months away! But my father has already made all of the arrangements with the restaurant - right down to the menu, etc. - and he's already starting to let relatives know to save the date in July, so other people are starting to get excited about it, too! It's nice to have something like that to look forward to!

In the mean time, I was very touched this week to receive a wedding invitation from a woman who was once a sleep-away camper of mine when I was a camp counselor, back in 1984 (she was 8 years old, at the time, and I was 17!). We've stayed in touch, intermittently, throughout the years, and she has always invited me to all of the "big occasions" in her life - her Sweet 16, High School and College graduations, etc. So I was very touched to receive her wedding invitation! But.............she lives in WASHINGTON STATE and the wedding is LESS THAN 2 MONTHS AWAY! Needless to say, we'd had no idea that we would be invited to a wedding so far away, so now we're scrambling around trying to figure out if we can swing this trip, "logistically" and financially, on such short notice! Of course it would be interesting to see a state that neither Frank nor I have visited before, and of course it would be great to be there to celebrate with my friend and her family. But it's an awfully LOOOOONG trip to make for just a few days, and the town where her wedding will be is sort of "off the beaten path", so we would be doing at least an hour's driving AFTER the 6 hour flight out there..........and I would have to go to class less than 24 hours after returning at the end of the weekend.........so we'll see!

We really enjoyed "Good Night and Good Luck" and thought that it was very well acted and presented - very interesting subject matter, too, of course! Of the nominees that we've seen so far, "Brokeback Mountain" is probably the best film, but we enjoyed "Walk the Line" the best and thought that the performances in it were outstanding (ie: Oscar worthy), as well! Our next "mission" is to rent "Crash" and "Cinderella Man", to check out some more nominees!

Well, time to get my hair done, now............not in the mood............don't have patience for the 3-hour-highlighting-extravaganza, today.........but at least I'll be able to get some reading done for school, while I have the foils all over my head!

On a Disney note, we applied for our Passports, this morning! (Which are now required for Caribbean travel - birth certificates were OK, in the past.) So we'll be all ready to sail away on the Wonder, soon!

Hope that all is well with all of you! Take care and have a great weekend!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Dear Rider, it seems that you have gotten double what you expected. Hopefully it will warm up and melt away soon. I will be thinking of you this evening and hoping that you either stay home and off the roads or get there and back safely. As they used to say on Hill Street Blues - Be careful out there!! I quite understand your old camp buddy keeping in touch with you over all these years. I hope you guys will find a way to be able to attend the wedding although I can imagine it is hard to fit in all the invitations you get to things. If you ever get an invitation out this way I will air out a bedroom for you. You have seen them all so just take your choice. I was not as impressed with Walk the Line but it could be because I have been ardent fans of their for decades and have had the pleasure of meeting them and attending many of their shows. I have even been to their home and museum. Good Night and Good Luck came and went so fast that I did not get a chance to see it. The new grocery on the square is getting ready to put in a video department so I may have to wait until then. It is funny you were talking about camp as Austin called last night and said that he is considering being a counselor at a camp in NY year after this. He would be away from home for nine weeks. Since he cannot be at home alone for more than five minutes without calling me or someone it should be interesting to see if it comes about. He has a cell phone with many minutes though.

Becki's husband wrote a compelling letter to a local radio station and scored a FREE furnace for her mom who was in sore need of one. Good sil's are hard to find. I am so happy for her especially since I have met her.

Colleen is busy finding a home for all her MM decorations. I am sure she will not have a problem finding places to put all her purchases but fear that her hubby will be busy building on to their already spacious home so that she will have room for more Mouse decor.

Cleaning closets is a satisfying chore. I am moving things from one closet to another and that is not nearly as much fun though. I can finally get into the den and have the 3 bedrooms in pretty good shape. Just details to do now. I have entire room in the basement where I keep extra household items so I will have to go down there and do some 'shopping'.

Hugs, Linda/SG

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Everyone!

Hi Linda!

Well, we are finally thawing out, here in the North East! It's about 47 degrees, today, and much of the snow is turning to slush. It's amazing how quickly those huge piles of snow that we created by shoveling, over the weekend, have diminished already (I'm not complaining)! The next few days are supposed to be relatively warm, so hopefully the majority of it will be gone by the weekend.

I didn't realize that you had actually met the Cash's, Linda! Was that during the period when you were working in media, or did you have another "personal connection"? That's so neat! Did you feel that "Walk the Line" represented the Cash's well, at all?

I know what you mean about cleaning out closets..........though I am more likely to be one to move things from one closet to another, since it's so hard for me to part with anything!

That's neat that Austin is thinking about being a camp counselor, over the summer! And it's funny to think about people at camp with cell phones - of course they didn't exist when I was a camper / counselor in the 70's and 80's - we had to use pay phones, and even THAT was a rare "priviledge"! I can't even imagine what camp must be like, now, with kids having cell phones - they probably have restrictions about how often they may be used to call home or call friends, etc. (for campers, anyway - counselors probably have more freedom to use them). I loved my years at camp - both attending it and working there - those were great summers and I still have many friends from those days, to this day!

We are not going to be able to make it out to Washington for my former camper's wedding, unfortunately. There's just no way that we could plan such a trip in such a short amount of time, and it's a pretty expensive endeavor, considering the length of the trip. Plus, we would have to "navigate" through a state with which we are totally unfamiliar........and the actual wedding location is 1.5 hours outside of Seattle (where we would have to fly in to)........it just seems like a lot of time, energy, and money for such a short trip. Of course we would love to go, but it's just "too much" for us, right now. Especially since (unbeknownst to Frank) we will be away, the weekend before, for a little getaway at an Inn in PA, celebrating Frank's birthday. And 2 weeks before that, we will be away (in another part of NJ - nowhere "exotic") for another wedding. And then of course, we have our BIG VACATION in May, and the DIS Meet in PA in July.........so we definitely have other getaways to look forward to - ones that we have more time to plan and budget for. Then of course, there will be my 45th birthday gift to Frank - a trip anywhere he wants to go, either domestically or internationally! I'm not going to tell him until we are at the Inn in PA - I'll tell him that that weekend is the first part of his birthday gift, then make him wait until that weekend to tell him about the second part!

Anyway, hopefully we WILL have occasion to come out your way, some time! I am determined to get to Indiana so that the 4 of us can have a little mini Suite Meet!

That is wonderful news about Becki's husband "winning" a free furnace for her Mom - that is so nice! Hope that all is well with Becki and her family and the baby, of course, as well!

And I know that Colleen's new Mickey-themed rooms look amazing - she is so talented and artistic! I think that she definitely missed her calling and should have been a designer of some sort!

Speaking of people with creative, design talent, Colleen is not the only one with beautiful "new" rooms to be proud of! YOU have some great looking rooms there, too, Linda!

THAT'S IT! I'VE GOT IT! Linda and Colleen should go into business together, designing rooms, color schemes, fabrics, carpets, paint colors, themed amenitites, exteriors, etc.! There - I have now decided new careers for both of you! I know that you both would be very successful with such an endeavor, especially after the work that you both have put into your own homes!

Hope that all is well with you, out there, Angie (and hope that Steve is recovering and feeling well!), Wendy, Elaine, and anyone else who happens to pop by!

Well, as always, back to the books for me! Just dropping by to say "hello"! Hope that you're all having a great week!

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Everyone!

Just stopping by to say "hi" and to wish you all a nice week! Hope that everyone enjoyed the long, holiday weekend!

We celebrated Valentine's Day a few days late, on Friday night (since I had class, last Tuesday night), and went out to dinner at our favorite restaurant, where the food and atmosphere are always wonderful and the owner treats us really well! It was a nice evening! Then we went to a party at the home of some friends of ours on Saturday night, which was fun, and spent some time with some old pals of Frank's from high school and college on Sunday night. It was "back to the grind" for me, yesterday, as I had class, even though it was a holiday - GRRRRR!

Hope that all is well with all of you! Talk to you soon!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Howdy there dear friends

I hope to be able to make a proper post this evening but thought I would drop by for a minute or two before I start my day. Dorthea is in the hospital, another dear friend has cancer and is failing fast and then yesterday Austin got sick at school and his dad was in Indianapolis and his mom was way down in Southern Indiana so I had to take him to the doctor and take care of him. He might have strep throat and his ear was aching something fierce.

If I have even one bit of energy left when I get home tonight I will come back by. Please have the fellers fill the Jacuzzi and have a cold virgin drink waiting for me. I will need it badly. Heck if this day does not go better you can leave the virgin part out.

A new job for me? I would welcome a job just as a way to get some rest.

Hugs, SG/Linda

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Everyone!

Hi Linda!

So sorry to hear that you were having a rough time, the other day. I hope that Austin is feeling better and that Dorothea and your other friend are doing all right and feeling as well as they can, and that they have some hopeful and positive news.

The jacuzzi is always filled and ready to go, and our "boys" will have any sorts of beverages ready for you, that you'd like - just say the word!

Hope that you've had a chance to rest and relax, a bit, and hope that everyone is doing well and that everything is OK!

Absolutely nothing of interest to report from the Garden State - literally just studying and watching the end of the Olympics, this weekend - no news!

Just wanted to check in and wish you all a nice weekend! Take care and talk to you soon.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Whew! Lisa, thank you so very much for passing on my needs to the fellers. I am currently soaking up the bubbly waters and Florida sunshine as I fit in a small visit to our Suite. I have come to realize that sitting still is more wearing than physical activity.

Dorthea is not in any pain, thanks to morphine, but it is not looking good for any recovery. Since I am not in charge of life and death I just pray for whatever is the best for her. She would hate going to a nursing home and is no longer likely to be able to be alone and even a loving son, as she has, could not provide that care.

I figured you guys would know I was at the hospital when I did not show up for my promised meeting. I sit and hold her hand. I am not sure if it does anything for her but it does for me. My hubby complained a bit about my not being her but when I told him that if I did such for a friend I might be likely to do the same, or more, for a husband it shut him up a bit. I think he was depressed over the bag of cheeseburgers I brought him home late last night. To him they are a snack and not a meal.

I am not sure how Austin is but I am hoping he survives the weekend. Dalton and Austin stayed up until 2 am watching movies at home after Austin missing two days of school for illness and then they had to get up at 5 to be at the church. I picked Dalton up after school on Friday and he fell asleep by 5 pm. (shaking head but doing my best to keep my big mouth shut).

Lisa, do you find it easier to study with the tv or other background 'noise"? Did Bode finally win something? I feel so sorry for those who take it all so seriously and work so hard only to have some misfortune at the last minute. When they had the Olympics in Salt Lake City I had friends who had front row seats in their front yard to many of the events. Must have been fantastic!!

I am going to grab a few hours of sleep in case I get called back. I hung around today until Dorthea's daughter showed up.

Love and Hugs, your worn out friend SG/Linda

 

[colleen costello]

Hi girls. Just checking in to say hello. Linda, I will pray that all your loved ones are feeling better. I know you have worried about Dorothea's health for a long time. She is lucky to have kind family and friends around her now; that is really all anyone could want. Hang in there!

We are beginning to pack in this house. Oh, who am I kidding? I ALONE am beginning to pack! I have begun collecting things, my first step on a trip to the Mouse Mecca. We leave Thursday 3/9 and so now I am in "pre-pack" mode. I am gathering batteries, change (pressed penny machines), and all sort of survival supplies like Tide and sunscreen and zipper bags. Everything that can be pre-packed helps save time later, because packing for 4 is no easy task. Scott actually forgot a most important thing a few years back -- his change of contact lenses! Given that he couldn't see the state of Florida without them, and I panic when people are driving 85 mph around me, we'd have been in a fine mess if the pair in his eyes pooped out. Another time he forgot his glasses, which come in handy should said contacts malfunction. Yikes! Given this track record, he has been officially excused from all packing duty. This is probably what he wanted anyway, but in our house a division of labor seems to work. I do all the packing, he does all the driving. When we get home, he lugs all the stuff into the house and from there I take over washing and reassambling our lives. If I didn't love Mickey so dearly I might throw up my hands and declare these trips "simply not worth the effort." Of course I doubt I will ever speak those words, but I do often think it would just be a lot easier if I lived in Florida!

My parents' home is still for sale. It has been on the market for all of 6 weeks but it might as well be 6 years to hear my Mom talk. Every day my Dad calls and complains about how "antsy" my Mom is. Later on my Mom calls and complains about how cranky my Dad is. They are a real couple of coconuts (appropriate as they are moving to Florida) and they are just so excited, they want to move YESTERDAY. It is hard for them to be patient yet they are not willing to commit to the new home in the Villages until their PA home sells... So time is passing, and every day I hope for their sake that someone comes in and loves their house. It is lovely and very roomy and clean -- just the two of them live there -- so I have no doubt this will happen. I just pray it is sooner than later so the two of them don't drive me crazy too!

We will be at Port Orleans for 2 nights then we move into a nice 2-bedroom suite at Old Key West. I scored a great rate for the Port Orleans room -- about $110, I think -- and by going there 2 nights, I saved enough points to go back to Beach Club in July. Port Orleans is very nice, all fresh and new after reopening a year or so ago. The kids love the pool and I love that the place is small. My family usually lucks into the room farthest out -- it just seems to be our fate -- and in this little resort, even the farthest room is only a few minutes from the pool. There is comfort in knowing they can't put me in the next county.

That is all. Nothing much shaking around here other than daydreaming about parks and pools and wonderful dinners with dancing mice, dogs and chipmunks. And it is never to early to try to get the perfect Xmas card for 2006!

Love to all,
Colleen