EWP group?

[SlightlyGoofy]

Luna, thanks for the good thoughts. My other friends escaped all the devestation totally. The Villages is an awful big place. From what I read they are getting a lot of help and doing a lot of helping each other.

Colleen's parents are able to stay in their home and hopefully the insurance people will get them back to where they were soon.

Having lived in Tornado Alley for many years and having not seen one tornado in all those years I figure it is all what you are used to. I am too old to get used to anything new though.

It is so cold here that it is not funny. No snow, that is due tomorrow and it will be a few inches. If so, it will our first 'real' snow of the season but it is likely to be around for awhile.

Our Lisa is back among us and will be dropping in when she gets a chance to catch her breath.

How many days until your next trip Becki?

I am still waiting for spring rates for our next trip but I have our agenda set, in Jell-O, for December.

About time to go read with my little ones and I have new books!!! We love new books!!

Love, Linda Lou

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Everyone!

Hi Linda!

Welcome back, Lauralee - great to hear from you! Please keep us posted about your upcoming Fall WDW trip! Staying in a GV at OKW sounds wonderful!

Thank God Colleen's parents are all right and that their home did not suffer any more major damage than it did! The important thing is that they are well and that their home will soon be repaired and hopefully they will be able to put the experience of having to suffer the devastation of last week's tornado behind them - and continue to enjoy their lives in the beautiful Villages! Likewise, thank God Karen and her family are all right, Linda!

WE HAVE RETURNED from WDW!!!

We spent a wonderful week there, last week - at the beautiful Beach Club Villas (thank you Magic Pixie-Duster, once again! ) - belatedly celebrating my 40th Birthday! A little Pixie happened to mention to the check-in folks that we were celebrating my Birthday, so they presented me with a "Happy Birthday" pin that I wound up wearing all week! It was so neat to be greeted by CM's with "Happy Birthday, Lisa!" where ever we went! And I got some special, spontaneous (ie: unplanned by Frank - they were surprises to him, as well) surprises, too!

Mickey Mouse, himself, spontaneously presented me with a birthday cake at the Garden Grill in Epcot, Chip and Dale presented me with ANOTHER birthday cake and led the other nearby diners in singing "Happy Birthday" to me at the Cape May Cafe, and our server at the Kona Cafe presented me with some birthday Ko-Ko Puffs on a beautiful platter with the word "Congratulations" spelled out in chocolate syrup! Very Magical memories!!!

It was much cooler in Central Florida than we are used to (as we usually visit the World in May or June) - the first few days were in the upper 50's and low 60's and we didn't dress much differently than we do, here in NJ! It was very strange being amongst the palm trees while wearing sweatshirts, long pants, and winter coats! But it did warm up significantly by the end of the week and we did have one and a half shorts / bathing suits weather sorts of days! At least our MK day was one of them........so that we could ride Splash Mountain without catching pneumonia, afterwards!

We really loved getting to know the Beach / Yacht Club and Boardwalk resort areas, as we had never stayed in that part of the World before! The Beach / Yacht Club are really beautiful (we just wish that it had been warm enough to get into that fantastic Stormalong Bay! ) - we loved walking around the grounds........and sampling just about ALL of the great restaurants in both resorts! And we loved walking around Boardwalk, too - checking out some of the shops and having wonderful meals at the Flying Fish Cafe and Spoodles!

We visited each of the major theme parks, of course! We really enjoyed the new "Nemo" musical at the AK - it's adorable! And the new "Nemo" attraction at Epcot is cute, too. We didn't get to see the new "Monsters, Inc." attraction at the MK - we understand that it was down a lot, last week, due to pre-opening technical difficulties - I guess we'll have to wait 'til next time!

As we were celebrating my "milestone" birthday (as well as my 17th visit to WDW!), we were sure to "hit" all of my childhood favorites, many of which we hadn't visited in several years - like the Tiki Room and Country Bears..........and OF COURSE we rode IASW! We also got to check out the newly refurbished Pirates of the Caribbean, which was great as always!

We had fun spending time with our friends who live there and work(ed) at WDW, as always! They spent some time in Epcot with us, we had dinner with them 2ce, and we spent some time at their home, as well. Our friend who works for the "Lights! Motors! Action!" Stunt Show in the Studios recently accepted a position with Cirque du Soleil's "Mystere" in Las Vegas.........so I guess that we'll be planning some trips out there, soon, to visit them! He calls it "the ADULT Magic Kingdom"!

It was an all-too-quick but very special vacation! And now we're turning our sights and plans to figuring out which shore excursions to reserve for our Mediterranean Disney cruise, this summer!

Hope that all has been well with all of you! Will try my best to keep up with the Suite, now that I'm back in school and the semester is getting underway! Please know that I am thinking of all of you!

Wishing you all a great weekend!

 

[lunabkat]

Hi All,

Trying to get 372 points for a grand villa in okw for 10/5-10/12 and leaving messages on the disboard but getting NOWHERE. Yikes. Right now I have a reservation with a travel agency but the price for points would be SO MUCH cheaper its insane.

Anyone have any helpful hints? The girls with be 8 and 6 this trip, my gosh, how time flies. But I am bound and determined to stay on site this time as it is a much different experience this way.

Hope all are well,

Love

LL

 

[colleen costello]

Luna, send me your Email and I will forward to you the name of a nice gentleman we rented points from two years ago. I am not sure he has points to rent right now, but it is worth a try. We rented from him when we were low on points one year.

Colleen

 

[lunabkat]

wow...do i hear...crickets?

 

[colleen costello]

Those were so cute I had to use them!

I just finished a big PTO extravaganza and I am BEAT -- promise to post soon.

 

[lunabkat]

Hi all

Thanks for your help Colleen, i am still on the hunt

Hope everyone is well, talk to you soon,

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Howdy there you Suite gals!!

I have not had but an hour or so sleep in the past couple of days so I am 'Goofier' than usual. Please forgive me.

This was to have been my weekend OFF. That means that Tom spends some quality time with his brothers while I catch up on my [COLOR="Red"]work[/COLOR]. Since I had to go in that direction anyway to drop Tom off I went by the dealership and wiled away a couple of hours with a nice young man, salesman that he was. We got within $500 (his figures) $250 (mine, although he did not know it) when I told him that I had an appointment. If you do not set time limits you will become eligbile for Medicare while they keep trekking back and forth checking with the 'manager'. I very nicely, and almost sincerely, thanked him for his time and attention and forlornly shook my head with the thought that maybe I could not 'afford' the 4th Toyota Camry of my life and might have to 'downgrade' to a Honda. He gave me his card and wrote $14,000 plus on the back as the very best he could do with my car as a trade in if I could see my way to finding that much money. By the time I got home he had left a message on my machine and I was in shock when he said that they were willing to take MY offer. I had not even offered my top bid. I always research carefully and know pretty much to the penny what the dealer cost is and being that it is a Toyota I am very charitable and offer them a whole $300 in profit. The deal that they are taking is just a few dollars over $100 in profit. Guess my hopes that February being a short month and with all the bad weather that we had been having might make them a tad bit more hungry paid off. I can buy a couple of tanks of gas with the money I saved. It is also $2,000 less than the other dealer wanted difference. I fought the salesman and I won!!

Carpeting is in, car is bought, new roof for the garage next and then, my favorite, a trip to Disney World. Sure hope they come out with free dining as I will need a break on the costs by the time I get through with all this stuff.

I temporarily lost my password to the DIS and that is partly why I have been gone for a bit. Just too much to do and I get awfully worn out very easily.

Luna, if they come out with the Free Dining again there is a chance that we might be at DW when you are. We booked in toward the end last time and stayed through the beginning of October. It was not much cooler though. I hope you get your points for the DVC. I want to try that some day myself. If that kind gentleman has any points avalable for mid May maybe??????

Lisa, I looked over your pictures again the other day. It was so wonderful to see you and then know exactly where you were when the pictures were taken. Swimsuit photos too!! It is a wonder that Frank will let you out of his sight.

Colleen, I sent you an email. I would meet you Monday if I could but I will have Tom with me and it gets too confusing. The poor man is like to die of nerves over this car thing and he wants the car and just goes and hides in the corner while I do the wheeling and dealing and it is also my job to gather up the money to pay for it. I cannot figure out what he has to be nervous about. I have to admit that I am nervous until all the papers are signed and I drive out with the new car myself.

Becki, I hope no more headaches have plagued you. If bad weather strikes you can always find a bed here rather than risk your life out on the roads. The upstairs looks like a hotel now. I do not charge though.

I have an entire house to deep clean, laundry to do, the taxes to get done as well as a few dozen other things. Thank heavens for nice bil's who went over and paid my deposit so I would not have to drive all that way with a potential ice storm coming in. I am so grateful that I told them to go out to eat on me and they could even have a drink. It is a family joke cause I am cheap and think that ice tea drunk at home for a penny a huge glass tastes much better than $2 glasses in restaurants. How do you think I dig up the bucks to pay for other things? You gotta suffer a bit to go to Disney and it is so worth it.

Love and grins, Linda

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Everyone!

As always, so sorry that I haven't been able to check in, in awhile!

Just caught up on everyone's most recent posts. How's it going with your quest to rent DVD points at OKW, Lauralee? If anyone can offer great DVC-related advice, it's Colleen! I'm sure that she gave you some good leads!

Hi Colleen! Congratulations on your great and successful PTO extravaganza! Come back soon and tell us all about it........and tell us how your preparations for your upcoming WDW trip are coming along, too!

Hi Linda! CONGRATULATIONS on your new car and on your great victory at the car dealership! That is wonderful! It pays to stick to your proverbial guns and to hold out for the best price on what you want! So glad that you were able to continue the CAMRY TRADITION! (You know that we have one, too! ) Hope that you enjoy it - along with your new carpeting and garage roof! How is everything else going, out there? How are Dalton and Austin? And how is Tom feeling?

I wish that I had some interesting news to report, but I don't! I won't bore you all with the mundane goings on of our daily lives - everything is fine and dandy - status quo - school is getting busy with mid-term right around the corner (where does the time go?).

While you Ladies are planning your upcoming WDW trips, we really need to start researching our shore excursions for our summer Disney cruise! DCL has had the (many, many!) shore excursion options for each Mediterranean port posted for quite some time........but it's so overwhelming to really look at and consider each that we haven't gotten around to doing that yet! I suggested to Frank that we take it day by day - each day for the next several days (or when ever we choose to start), look at just ONE port's shore excursion offerings and pick out which one we want to do, then continue with a port a day. At the end, we'll see what we have.........and how much the anticipated costs will be (!!) to make sure that our selections are feasible. We're going to try to pick the excursions that give us the most "bang for our bucks" in terms of allowing us to tour the areas, see the most sights, and take in as much as we can, given the fact that we'll only be in each port for one day.

Hi out there, Becki, Kirsten, Wendy, Angie, Elaine, Meryl, and Janet! Hope that all is well with all of you - stop by and visit us some time!

Hope that all is well with all of you Suite Ladies and hope that you're all enjoying the weekend! (We're looking forward to watching the Oscars, tonight! ) Talk to you all, soon!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Howdy Lisa!! Sure glad to hear that things are boring in your neck of the woods. Must be because my brother moved back to Ohio. Yep, our 4th Camry and this time I got the color I have always wanted, Desert Sand Mica, sort of a golden tan. I like classy things, sort of makes up for my lack thereof.

I have a sister who cruises quite often and she has told me that what she and her friends do is that they hire a cab driver for the time they are in port and share the costs. They get a better tour than usual and since he is one of the party and eats with them they can all share life experiences and such. Sounds like my kind of tour myself. Maybe something like that would work for you guys? Possibly you could hook up with other DIS folks over on the Cruise thread who could 'steer' you in the right direction as to which tours and such are worth it and which might not be?

Austin wants to take a family cruise for his graduation trip. I think it sounds like a good idea but his mom is not so sure. They have 4 years to argue about it though.

Dalton was kicked out of the Accelerated Reading program. The AR program gives each book a rating according to grade level and he has surpassed the 10th grade level and he is in the 4th grade.

Ain't Colleen a superstar? What would our schools do without involved parents like herself? I hope that the school is smart enough to appreciate her. I knew her kids are that smart and smarter.

Luna, I am crossing my fingers and eyes that you get the accomadations of your choice for your upcoming trip. If you do not know please know that sometimes when things do not work out exactly as we want something better shows up. I am the oldest one here and I know these things.

I have got some bookkeeping to do before I pick up the car tomorrow so I had best close for now. Hopefully there will be enough money left so that we can start planning our next trip. December is tooooo far off!

Hugs to everyone!! Linda

 

[lunabkat]

Hi all

Weel, i found a guy with points but he wanted 14$ a point and that was a little too expensive for my dbil so we may just opt for the 2bdr at okw with my nephew staying in a nearby studio when he comes for just 4 days and use small world travel, who are sooooo helpful. I really would have liked the gv but I will take what i can get and try,try,try to sttttttretch the budget. So i sent a message to the nice man about the points so I wouldn't waste anymore of his time and, if my dbil ever makes THE decision, will try him again if the situation presents itself. I am TRYING not to go crazy here, afterall .

This time out its with my sister and her husband and three kids and their repective partners, and, of course, my girls . DH wants out of this shindig, as theme parks are not his kinda thing, i graciously give my blessing

I am also, just as a precaution,checking the room rates for us at Port Orleans, which would be a lot of fun too--but no kitchen

Mama needs a discount code! if anyone can find them its small world so I will just have to take my chances

Bruno (the boxer puppy) and Luna (the famous cat) are getting along pretty well, but boy, does that dog think he's funny. He like to snuff the cats ear when he walks by and startles him...the cat got Bruno the other day and his whole little head fits into Bruno's ear. It was too funny seeing the expression on the dogs face when the cat snuffed into his ear .

Talk to you all soon

helloooo Colleen, of course Linda and Lisa - hi to all those I have met briefly and not met yet, take care

LL to disney!

 

[IASW Rider]

Hey Everyone!

Hi Linda! CONGRATULATIONS once again on your new car.......and on picking it up today! I hope that it has a wonderful "homecoming" and that you and Tom enjoy it for many years to come! The color sounds very pretty, too - and very appropriate for a VERY CLASSY LADY, such as yourself!

Thank you for your suggestions regarding sort of "making our own tours" for the shore excursions, this summer - that's a good possibility........but because we've never been to these places (nor do we speak the native languages very well), we might be better off taking formal "tourist-designed tours"......who knows.........we'll see. Of course you're right - I SHOULD pop over to the Cruise Line Board and see what the folks are posting about there.......but I never have time to just browse the Boards any more.......I know I have to make the time to do so - I miss checking in on my favorite threads / Boards!

CONGRATULATIONS to Dalton about placing OUT OF the Accelerated Reading program - that is FANTASTIC!! I am not surprised, though - he seems to be quite the brilliant and motivated young man!

I'm sure that everything will wind up working out with your upcoming trip, Lauralee! It sounds like you have some good options - either staying in a 2BR at OKW or staying at Port Orleans (which is always great, we know!)! I'm sure that your travel agent will help you figure out which option works best for all of you - I'm sure that you'll all have a blast together!

Loved the story about your cat "getting back at" your dog by surprising him and snuffing in his ear - VERY cute! That just goes to show how intelligent cats are, as I always say!

Absolutely NOTHING to report, here! Just wanted to check in, say "hi" and wish you all a nice week! Talk to you soon!

 

[IASW Rider]

Hello!

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

Also, I wanted to wish Colleen and her family an early BON VOYAGE as they will be returning to THE LAND OF MAGIC (and the Villages! ) in just a few days! Yipee!!!!! We will be celebrating this grand occasion - along with Colleen's DS Ian's Birthday - with a party here in the Suite on the eve of her departure! Come one, come all!

Everything is fine, here - not too much to report! We are getting ready for my SIL's surprise 50th Birthday extravaganza, which will take place tomorrow night (Frank is baking her birthday cake from scratch, tonight!). Some friends of hers / ours are hosting it in their home in North Jersey, which features a really neat, huge separate bar room that opens out to their gorgeous, forest-like backyard and outdoor fireplace - very nice "venue"! And the hosts are also amateur gourmet chefs, so I'm sure that we will be treated to some culinary masterpieces! It's quite a festive bunch and I'm sure that the party will go well and be a lot of fun......we'll probably have to spend Sunday "recovering"!

No other news to report, here - I have my mid-term next week already, and then spring break the following one (which really won't be much of a "break" as I'll be spending it working on a project that is due the following week!).

We've finally started picking out our Mediterranean cruise shore excursions, day by day! We're getting there, slowly but surely - hopefully we'll have them all selected by the time that our final payment is due to DCL (which is when one can actually start making excursion reservations)! We were thrilled to read that DCL will be adding 2 new ships to their fleet in 2011 and 2012! We're already guessing what their names will be and where they will be based (I'll bet that one stays in California and "does" cruises to Mexico with DL add-on's!)!

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

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Lisa, please tell Frank that I want to see a picture of his cake. Is there anything that man cannot do? Tell him that Dalton has asked me to teach him how to cook this summer. No regular stuff either but gourmet cooking. Quiche and Creme Brulee is first up. Gotta love a food that requires a blow torch.

You are getting down the wire with your schooling. Is it getting harder or easier? I hope the later. I wish we could all be there for your graduation. I would be the loud obnoxious one (there is always at least one) who screams like a banshee.

I wonder if Colleen's parents would like to adopt me? I am too old for a daughter but maybe one of them would like a new sister??

My friend, Karen, Dorthea's daughter was interested in the Disney trip to ALL the Disney parks and is considering it for next year. If I cannot do it myself at least I will get to live vicariously through them and you guys. I bet you have the best side trips planned. This is a once (or twice) in a lifetime trip and no time for skimping.

The new car handles better in wind than the old one. It was so windy here that I could not close my car door at one point. Scary. Not too many limbs down and better weather coming in this weekend. No trip to Ohio as we had thought as my brother was not able to get an apartment. Seems like it is a little matter of him pretty much NEVER paying any of his bills. It is hard to believe we were raised by the same parents. I had bought him a microwave and some other items for his apartment but they will have to be stored in hopes that he can find a place that will take him in, eventually. Families, gotta love them. Wonder why sometimes though. (just kidding, I think)

I took some pictures of my completed upstairs and plan to send them when I get time to download them. I have too many sick friends right this moment. I spent the morning with an old friend who no longer remembers me. It is really bad when someone forgets ME. I am hard to forget. That can be taken many, many ways.

Have a great weekend dear Suite Ladies and I will drop by when I get a bit more time and have something interesting to say.

Linda

 

[IASW Rider]

We, here in the Suite, wish you and your family a wonderfully fantastic, very special and MAGICAL WDW vacation!!!! Enjoy your Spring Break and please report in as soon as possible and tell us about all of your adventures! And a very special EWP Suite Birthday greeting to your son, Ian, too! We are all partying on his behalf! Wishing you and your family a sunny vacation filled with lots of pixie dust and fun!!!!

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Everyone!

So sorry that I haven't been in touch in a few days. We've had a bit of a rough week around here. We lost one of our cats on Tuesday - a 17 year old who'd been with my DH since 1989 - he was very attached to her. It was very sad, and her illness over the past few weeks was very difficult for both of us. But we knew it was "her time" and that she is at peace, now - free of discomfort. But that sad day actually wound up with a bittersweet ending.......as we returned to the vet's office, later that afternoon to pick up our cat carrier, we met a lady who had just come in with a stray cat that she'd been taking care of for months, to have it have shots, and to post a flyer asking if anyone would like to give it a home. The cat was just adorable - very calm and people-friendly........and according to the vet, totally healthy, too. So.........on the day that we so sadly lost one of our cats, we "gained" a new one - we took in the lady's stray, and now - just 2 days later - she is practically completely settled in and is truly "part of the family"! (And we named her......"Spoodles" (!!) after the restaurant at Boardwalk! ) It was an absolute miracle that we happened to be at the vet's office at the exact same time that this lady was just about to leave - it was truly "fate" - we really felt like God sent this lady and her cat to us to let us know that we "did right" by our cat who'd just lefts us. Or perhaps that it was a "sign" from our cat, herself, letting us know that she was "in a better place" and that she was "sending" us this new little kitty so that we wouldn't be so sad. What ever "it" was that was "at work" that day, we are very grateful and lucky!

And it couldn't have come at a better time - my DH, Frank, was totally devastated by the loss.........and his Birthday is today........when I knew how terminally sick our cat was, I almost thought of going to a shelter and surprising him with a new cat for his Birthday.........saving a cat in honor of the life of the one whom we knew we were sure to lose.........as it turned out, we wound up saving a stray, anyway! And Frank is able to "go into" his Birthday weekend with lightheartedness and hope, rather than sadness and grief (though of course he misses our lost cat), which is wonderful.

So, that's our "story" around here! Wouldn't you know that amidst all of this, I had my mid-term exam at school this week, too??!!

Now we are looking forward to celebrating Frank's Birthday this weekend and also attending a surprise 40th Birthday party for a friend of mine from college. Definitely a festive weekend.........that will involve a lot of EATING! Nothing wrong with THAT!

Colleen and her family have completed the first "leg" of their journey to Florida - they are relaxing and spending the night in Georgia, before making the next "installment" of their trip, and will ultimately wind up at the Villages tomorrow! Colleen says that the weather reports look good.........hopefully they'll be swimming in the sun in no time!

Hi Linda!

So glad to hear that you are enjoying and getting used to your new car! And glad to hear that it's been handling well, especially in this crazy windy weather that we've all been having, up here!

Loved seeing the pictures of the renovations and work that you've been doing in your home! Your efforts have definitely paid off - the rooms and hallway / stairway look wonderful!

So sorry to hear about your friends who aren't well. I'm sure that your spending time with them and being with them really means a lot to them. And I hope that they get stronger and feel better. I'm sure that your presence inspires all of them!

And OF COURSE you are unforgettable! Who could forget such a special and wonderful person and friend?

Please keep us posted about Karen's Disney park tour vacation plans! That is so exciting - just like that article that we all read last year - it would be AMAZING to see ALL of the Disney parks - especially in the course of one vacation!

I DID take pictures of Frank's cake and will send them to you, if you'd like to see! It came out wonderfully (although Frank was critical of his work, as always! But he's just being silly!)! I will also send you pictures of the other Birthday cake that one of my SIL's friends made for her party.........it's a "litter box cake".........designed to look like a litter box.........served in a rectangular pan and served with.........a kitty litter scooper! I know that this may sound very gross, but it was actually adorable and delicious! The "effect" was accomplished by the fact that the cake is comprised of broken up cookies.......and melted chocolate........to look like.......you know! But it was really very good and my SIL got a big kick out of it (as she has 5 cats, as well!)!

School is "easier" for the moment, as I'm only taking one class this semester......but I am also preparing to draft a proposal for my Fieldwork and "apply" for it........so some time within the next few weeks, I will probably have to "disappear" from the Suite again, as I pour on the effort to get that all done before the end of April.......and then I will "graduate" in May! I wish that you could be here for my graduation, too! But we will all celebrate together in the Suite, at the very least! I appreciate your kind thoughts, as always!

OK, Suite Ladies - insomniac me should probably get some sleep so that I can be up before Frank goes to work to wish him a Happy Birthday!

Hope that all is well with all of you! Wishing you all a great weekend! Talk to you soon!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

I have not been getting any emails about new posts in any of my DIS threads. I try to check out them manually once a day but sometimes it does NOT get done.

Lisa, I just love how things have turned out for you and Frank. It is a testament to your love for Tasha that you were blessed with such an unexpected and fortuitious new addition to your family. Lucky Spoodles! Not a replacement but another chapter in your lives.

That chocolate cake looked fantastic and it made me glad, for the first time, that I do not live nearer. I love chocolate and think that people who do not must be aliens. I love the mind that could think up AND execute a Cat Litter Cake. I will have to show that one to Dalton, my little cat lover.

Colleen should be at The Villages today and looking forward to new adventures at DW. It should be interesting to see what she has gotten her skinny self up to. For those of you who do not know, Colleen has gotten into ONEderland where her first number of her weight is a 1!!!! It is a dream that many share and few accomplish.

Becki, never did show up. I am hoping that means that her client did not need services. I am always happy when a child is NOT hurting in some way. I was looking forward to showing her the rooms in person though. Maybe another time??

The new car is doing well. Everyone seems to think it is prettier than the last model. It is wasted on me as a car is just transportation to me and if it reliable and paid for I am a happy gal.

I have shocking news to report. While I was out shoveling up rocks that had gotten scattered over the church sidewalk during the recent snow storms my husband picked up some leaves off the back porch. Hey, I take what I can get. This deserves a note on my calendar. I have attempted to explain that doing small chores around here count as exercise AND keeps me from being so darned tired that I cannot do anything fun. Maybe 35 years of nagging has paid off????

I have made all the preparations for Dalton's first cooking lesson. Managed to cut my hand shredding the swiss cheese though. I have had worse happen though. He loves the idea that cooking is Chemistry. BTW, did I tell you all that the American Legion announced the winner of the Flag Test? Did any of you have any doubts that Dalton would come out on the top of the list? One other boy tied him and it came down to the essay. It was reported that Dalton's essay was more verbose and detailed than the other boy who, horrors, only wrote ONE line. Must be in his genes.

We will be going to Ohio next weekend for a few days. It is a family matter and I will bore you all with the details, at least on this lengthy post. Family, gotta love 'em. Sometimes hard to remember why though.

Please give Frank a nice hug from me? Thank you so much for sending the pictures. You are so much busier than me and so much more thoughtful. Sleeping takes up too much of my time nowadays. Getting old, fast.

Back to work for me. Love, Linda

 

[lunabkat]

Hi all,

Well, as of now i have a tentative hold on a 3 bdrm at the Mariott Grande Vista for 355 a night. With a full kitchen and laundry. This may be the best we can do. As we are planning to spend two days in Sea World this might be okay, tho I would still love to stay on property if possible...we will see. Brittany really wants to do the dolphin swim at Discovery Code and I would love to do it with her and Tara, its very expensive tho...I believe it would be an extra special memory however so I think it will be a go.

Hope all of you are well, Lisa I am so sorry about your kitty, its so sad when they go. I know Spoodles will bring you lots of laughter, they are so funny. We had "little" company last week and one of the girls would poke luna on the head or the ear every time she went by, just a touch, not mean - and the face he made was too funny . I know he was thinking, man this kid better not be staying! He was very patient with her, such a good boy.

congrats on the new car Linda, I am glad you got exactly what you wanted!

Take care all, talk soon,

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Lauralee, it sounds as if you are making some awfully great plans as well as potential memories. I have found that the things that our kids remember are often NOT the things that we carefully planned for them to remember but the small things that we, as parents, do not remember.

Do you take pictures and such on your trips? We would love to see them if you do. I could post my email addy to you on a PM and then forward the link to the others.

My Dalton would love to swim with Dolphins. He did well on his cooking lesson although he thought that the Creme Brulee was too sweet. We are making Pineapple Upside Down cake this week (Spring Break) and going to see that movie "Bridge to T???". I can drop Tom off at bowling, go a short way to the movie and then be back in time to pick Tom up from bowling and then out to eat. My life is extremely limited right now so it is awesome how that is going to work out, timewise.

With the news of the Free Dining 'probably' coming soon we have decided to go then. I think that you can book 14 days at a time now so that means we COULD book in for 28 days and only have to buy 4 tickets. Ummm, something to think about, for sure.

The car has finished its break in period with our recent trip and I am liking it more than the last car and I loved that one!!

Lisa, you have been in my thoughts and prayers this past week and even on my trip. I can imagine how hard all of this has been you both. I know it is the price of love but it does not make it a bit easier. Hopefully Spoodles has you both well trained by now and it is making it a bit easier. How is 'he?" getting along with his roommates? Has there been a change in leadership in the household?

Dalton has started a new book. I hesitated as I told him I thought it was too old for him. The book is "A Tale of Two Cities". When he looked at me, smiled and said "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times" I rethought my decision.

I saw Becki the other day when she dropped by. Skinny!!! Looking good and so happy to boot. I am hoping she will have good news for us soon. They are next up to travel to our favorite place.

Colleen should be back and resting up now. It is a testament to DW that we are able to go so often and never be bored.

DD is due to come by and pick up her boy and then I have bunches of work to do from being gone. Tuesdays are hectic and Mr. D will be back for the night. Wednesday is baseball camp again, Thursday, bowling and movies and then Friday baking. I am looking forward to the weekend so I can collapse. It is a much better world than the one I visited over the weekend. You know it is a difficult family when you ask the bank for small bills to take with you.

Hugs, Linda Lou Who

 

[lunabkat]

Hi all

Well, week two of a mysterious fever that goes and returns for Brittany, altho today she was tested (3rd time in 2 wks) for strep and it turned up positive, the doctor says its probably the third thing she's caught in 2 wks. That school is an absolute breeding ground for bacteria and virus this past month, its horrible. They were both home most of the week last week with the fever but this week tara (knock on wood) is so far so good. I am really leaning toward having Brittany stay home all week since she can't go back tomorrow because of fever today and I am unwilling to send her back "in" and expose her further to the stomache flu thats circling the school, her system has just been battered this past two weeks. If Tara's fever comes back, she's out till after spring break as well, I can't keep putting them back into the soup. Hopefully the break will give these nasties time to die out before the kids come back , i hope...

well, we are decided on the Marriot Grande Vista...a vacation home...or biting the bullet for okw...my family is the very fountain of decision, yikes! They are going to drive me crazy, I told them to pick, i can make a case for any of the three and be happy with it, just...PICK!

Hope all is well with all of you, talk soon and take care,

LL