EWP group?

[IASW Rider]

Hey Everyone!

So sorry that I haven't been around to post in awhile! I should be around more often, now that the Jewish holidays are over and now that I'm settling into my "unemployed lady of leisure" schedule, a little better! I have been thinking of all of you, though, and reading your posts!

I hope that everything goes well with your upcoming doctor's appointment, Wendy. I will certainly be thinking of you! How are you feeling? And how is your DS feeling? I'm so sorry to hear about his injury! I am glad to hear that your DH may be able to continue on an independent contractor basis at work, though - that is definitely better than unemployment, and who knows? It could lead to another permanent position, when the market improves a bit, assuming that he would like to stay with his current company. I'm sure that it will all work out well. Most important, you all have eachother to support and care for one another, and I know that you and your family will get through these difficult times and be healthy and well! My prayers are with all of you!

How are you doing, down there, Angie? I hope that Isidore didn't affect you very badly - the footage that they are showing on the news looks very scary and serious! I hope that all is well with you and your family and that the storm did not damage your home or property! That's great that you put those WDW albums together - I love putting albums and scrapbooks together, like that! In fact, when ever we go to WDW (or any other vacation), I bring an album with me, or buy one when I'm there, and start working on filling it up with pictures and scrapbook "collages" and stuff, while we're still there! I hope that you'll be able to get back to WDW soon! Hey - maybe we can try to meet up again, in June!

Hi Elaine! How's everything going, up in your neck of the woods? Getting ready for your WDW trip? You must be counting down the days! Can't wait to hear all about it and to hear all about DIS CON!

Wow, Linda - you're my hero - over 7 pounds in one week??!! That is fantastic!! You'll have to tell me your "secret" - I am STILL on this @$%$&( ing plateau! I haven't lost anything in weeks - ARRGGHH! It's so frustrating! I'm trying all sorts of variations of my exercise and eating "plans", to try to shake up my metabolism, but I haven't had any luck. But I haven't gained anything - just stayed the same - so I guess that that's not awful. I bought myself a few new fall outfits to kind of cheer myself up - they're 3-4 sizes smaller than the ones that I was wearing at this time last year! I loved your comment about your hip bone - as soon as I read it, I started feeling around for mine, to see if I could find it! I didn't realize that there were tornadoes out your way. Thank God nothing more serious occurred in your area, and thank God you all and your home are all right! It must be so frightening! We don't really get hurricanes here (there was a small tornado a few miles away, a few years ago, though) - we just get Nor'Easters, which are often accompanied by snow (I'm sure that Wendy can relate!). We have had relatively quiet and "warm" weather the past few winters, though, so hopefully that will be the case this year, as well! How is your DD feeling? I'm sorry that you weren't able to make it to the movie. I want to see "My Big Fat Greek Wedding", too - you'll have to let us know how you liked it, when you see it! And the show that you mentioned - could it have been "Thoroughly Modern Millie"? If so, we're going to see it on November 2nd - I can't wait! Along with my more "practical" new clothes, I bought a new cocktail type dress to wear on that day, since we're going to the city to celebrate our 3 year "dating anniversary", as well as our 5 month wedding anniversary, and are going out to dinner after the show. The dress sort of looks like a 1920's flapper dress, with little fringes on the bottom, so I thought that it would be appropriate to wear to that show, and I couldn't resist buying it! Glad to hear that your sister's surgery went well and that she is recovering well - I'm sure that the pain will subside, soon.

Thank you all so much for all of your good thoughts and wishes and for thinking of me!

I'll tell ya, I could definitely get used to this not working but still getting paid thing! It's really wonderful, as I'm getting used to it! I have arranged for someone to come and renovate our deck next week - something that I have been too busy or lazy to arrange, and now we're finally having it done! I was also able to take my father to the hospital for a medical test, a few days ago. He had been a nervous wreck about it for months, and he is very relieved that it's over, now. The doctor removed a small polyp from his colon, but is almost certain that it is benign. Aside from that, everything went smoothly.

I got a notice from our wedding photographer today that our wedding album and portrait are ready - yea! I'll be going to pick those up, tomorrow.

Not too much to report, in general - just chores and errands and stuff!

But I wanted to check in and say "hi" and hope that all is well with all of you! We will have to have a "virtual EWP viewing", in our respective homes, when Linda and Elaine are in WDW, over the next few months!

In the mean time......who's up for midnight snacks at Captain Cook's with me?

Have a good night and I'll talk to you soon!

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Everyone!

Boy, you must all be out amongst the parks, because I haven't run into anyone, here in the Suite, in days! Oh well - time for a quick snack and then a trip over to Typhoon Lagoon to float around the lazy river, for awhile......

Speaking of which, I am so thrilled with this continued summer-like weather, we're having here, in the beginning of October! I wish that it never had to get colder.....it was in the 80's here, yesterday! But I think that it's supposed to drop into the 60's, by the beginning of next week.

How are you doing down there, Angie? I hope that you weren't horribly affected by Isidore and that Lili isn't posing too great a threat to your area, either. And how about out there, Linda - I hope that you haven't had any more tornadoes!

How are you feeling, Wendy? Have you had your appointment with your specialist, yet? And how is your DS doing? We're thinking of you and hope that everything will be all right!

How are your DD and DS(ister) doing, Linda? I hope that they are well!

Hi Elaine! How's everything going, out there? How are Luis and the kitties doing?

Everything is fine, here - not too much to report! Just had the deck power washed in anticipation of having it re-stained and re-sealed, over the weekend. I hope that the guy decides to show up again - it was like pulling teeth to get him to come here and do this much. I don't know how these independent contractors think that they can stay in business when they are so unreliable and so hard to get ahold of.

We're heading down to South Jersey to visit Frank's family, this weekend. We finally got our wedding album back from the photographer, last week, so we're going to bring it down to show them. It will be nice to have a change of scenery and to see Frank's relatives, down there!

I finally got around to starting to reorganize my closets and move some of the larger clothes out of them, and unearth some of my smaller clothes to move into them. I have a long way to go before the closets are fully "converted", but at least I'm making progress! In the mean time, I'm STILL stuck on this stupid plateau! ARRRGGHH! It's so frustrating. I think I'm going to give up getting on the scale, for awhile. Maybe the numbers will start changing if I'm not looking (".....a watched pot never boils...." I don't know if that applies, here!)!

Well, time to try to get a few things done, around here! Hope that all is well with all of you! Hope to hear from you soon! Have a nice day!

 

[angelina]

Hi, everyone, I just wanted to stop in and say "Hello." I've missed hearing from you and reading your posts, but my computer was hit by lightening weekend before last, then Isidore came through and the kids were out of school for 2 days, and I've been unable to get my "computer man" to come by and work on my modem. Today, we're breathing a hugh sigh of relief that Lili did not come this way, although our beaches are all but destroyed from Isidore and now this one, from high tides, pounding waves and storm surge. Even though Lili is going to LA, we still have a 4-6 foot storm surge, and the berm that was built two years ago was completely washed away last weekend. People have been working frantically to push the sand off the roads and back onto the beaches, but in a lot of places, they didn't make it and houses that were damaged last weekend are going to get much more damage today.

I read the last couple of posts, and it sounds like everyone is o.k.--way to go Linda! You are my hero.

Lisa, it sounds like you're hanging in there, too.

Wendy and Elaine, I hope you're all doing well.

TI'll check in as soon as I get my computer fixed. Take care.

Angie

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Angie!

So great to hear from you! Thank God you and your family are all right and that Lili doesn't seem to be headed directly for your area! I'm sorry to hear about your computer, though, and about the effects that Isidore had on your beaches, the flooding, etc. I hope that everything calms down, down there, soon, and that your shore area is able to be repaired and replenished. How is everything going, otherwise? How are the children doing, with the new school year? And your DH? How is your Grandmother doing?

Not too much to report, here in the Garden State! Just in the throes of dealing with the uncooperative deck guy. Now we're not going to Frank's mother's after all, this weekend, because deck guy cancelled on us for today and is supposedly coming tomorrow to finish his work. He'd better show up. UGH. But our staying up here means that we can take my uncle up on his offer to take us out to a new Turkish restaurant that we had all wanted to try, for dinner tomorrow night. That should be nice. We'll head down to Frank's family's next weekend, instead.

I'm planning to start trying some of the recipes in the cookbook that you sent to me, Linda. Now that I am finally getting settled in to my non-working schedule, I want to try to be a little more adventurous in the kitchen. So I'm going to buy some ingredients this weekend and start working on some of them next week. Hopefully I won't mess them up too badly!

So, Elaine and Linda - have you started making your PS's for your respective upcoming WDW trips?? Mine is 8 months away (8 months from this week, in fact!) and I have already begun to "map out" a schedule! I know, I'm a little crazy.......but what can I say? Planning a WDW trip is one of the most fun things that I can think to do, so might as well start early!

How's everything going up there, Wendy? Has your DH begun his consulting work, yet? And how are your children all doing, with the new school year? As I said, I hope that you and your DS are feeling well!

Have a nice weekend, everyone! Talk to you soon!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Whew! I think I am going to go sit out on the veranda and wait for you all to come in as I am just too darn old and tired to go out looking for you. I will be the large lump sitting in the jacuzzi with a cold glass of Crystal Light. (grin)

I am worn out from reading what you all are up to. Such a busy group we have.

Rider/Lisa, I was thinking about you a lot last weekend. My total expenditures for Hope Heritage Days was $5. $3 for a book for Dalton and $2 for an LP of Bruce Springsteen's Born in the USA album, appears to be unused. He has been making a lot of noise (good sounding too) lately. One thing I learned when I was in the 'business' albeit in a very small way, was that unique is what everyone is looking for and he surely meets that criteria and is a nice person to boot. I bet anything you turn your hand to comes out great and I imagine your cooking will be wonderful as well. Did I send you the recipes for "fluff"? Is a collection of great diet recipes using FF Cool Whip. I made a humongous bowl for HHD and there was not enough left Sunday afternoon for a fingerful. No one noticed that it was diet food. Let me know what kinds of foods you like most and I will see if I have altered recipes that will allow you to enjoy while trimming down, although I think you look perfect now. I understand your frustration in getting the deck work done. Whatever you do, do not pay much, if any in advance or you might never see him again. Next time try to get a deadline in writing and a possible penalty for lateness. Also, very important - - - do not stand behind the workers as the view is sure to 'crack' you up. Probably not as attractive as Bo and the boys. (smile) My system for organizing my closet is to use a different color hanger for each size range. Makes it a bit easier to sort out things. I am lucky enough to have several huge closets upstairs so it makes it a bit easier. I have a dress with fringe on the bottom as well but I bet yours was a hit. Wish I could see a picture. So lovely to think of you being young enough to celebrate monthly anniversaries. Been a long time since we did that. I used to fix fancy dinners and such but got tired of it over the years. Too much work, too little appreciation.

Angelina, I was telling my dh about your recent run ins with the weather and he wanted to know why people would choose to live in such an area. I told him it was cause most of the time you had beautiful views and access to the water. He is used to living in Tornado Alley and does not think it odd that we live here. We were very lucky to have avoided the latest one. Was one of the worst I have seen since I have lived here and many were devestated with property damage. There is a story of someone who used ear plugs to sleep during the day who woke up to the sky above her in her bedroom. Not sure I believe that one as I do believe you would notice the wind. People are pulling together and helping out. I imagine it is the same where you live. Hope the weather gets calmer before we head in your general direction in a few weeks.

I was supposed to be in Elaine's area this next weekend but I think plans have been changed. They are having a school holiday here and rather than leave our little guy with a strange sitter I am keeping him for the week. My sister in Columbus had to go back to the hospital with complications but is back home now and feeling better. I can hear the frustration in her voice already. She says that she told the doctor in the recovery room that the operation did not work cause she was still fat. Sort of funny but I still hate the idea of her risking her health for something I do not think will work for her. She is a food addict like myself and the operation still requires diet and exercise. Hope Elaine and Luis are having a great weekend and enjoying this nice cool weather.

Jstmee, any news from your direction? Have been keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. Just seems like you have been having more than your share of worries and I am demanding that the fates should send some sunshine your way soon!!!

Have been making some plans. Kind of wishy washy on whether we are going or not. Have not bought our AP's as yet so I am not fully committed. Do have a few new clothing items bought and have dragged out the suitcases to air them out though. Only thing written in concrete is the first evening I am going to one of the EWP resorts and having dinner and seeing the parade so if it gets messed up I will still have 11 other tries. (grin)

The scales are still slow to move but I am seeing a bit of a downward turn this week, hope it continues until Tuesday. Had a pound gain last week in spite of not doing anything wrong. You don't always get what you deserve and often that is a very good thing. LOL

Anyone know how many bricks it takes to finish a house that is 30 feet wide, 20 feet deep and 4 stories high? I won trivia last night with this question. Figure you are devious enough to figure this one out.

SG/Linda

PS - almost forgot the best news. Our dd was told that she 'might' be able to attain 20/60 corrected vision in her bad eye with the surgery. Yesterday she achieved 20/40 and still has some time to go before she is fully healed. Thank God. I am a happy woman.

 

[jstmee]

Hi all......

We just got the green light on my DS that has the "duane's syndrome". He had his Doctor appt on Thurs. and the doc said all tests came back normal and that he doesn't like putting a label on a person, such as "duane's". He said that it's a cranial nerve palsy and he said to leave it at that. We don't have to see him for 8 months. Whew hoo. He's fine for now.

My other DS with the muscle leg injury is fine. The doc prescribed him pills and so I took him to a chiropractor. He rubbed essential fatty oils on his legs and did ultrasound and he was up in walking in 2 days. The other doc said it would take two weeks for him to heal.

We also had my visit to Boston for my cancer stuff and breast stuff. Good new there also. I don't have to see my cancer doc for 6 months now and the breast doc I don't have to see again.

The cardiologist is tomorrow. I'm hopeful of that visit also.

After hearing you all speak of Bruce Springsteen, it's just fitting that I say he did an impromptu visit to the Bunker Hill monument that same time I was in Boston. The president also drove by us in his motorcade while we where there. It was nice to show my DS's the city. Since my DS has his doctor appt. the day before mine, I took them and a friend of theirs with me to my appt. in Boston. We also went to the Museum of Science there. Just wish we had more time their.

So, Yes things are looking up.

An update of my DH's job situation. They didn't have him go independent. I guess the government doesn't look to highly on companies firing people then immediately "rehiring" them as independent. The the gracious company they are "ha ha", not really. They are paying him 12 hours a week....to stay onboard part-time.

On the good news, he had an interview with a school system around here and they are looking for a computer tech. person to do all their networking, updating, fixing, inventoring for a tech center, high school, middle school and elementary school. The pay stinks and it's only part-time, but for now, if he gets the position it's really what he's wanted to do, and it will allow him to keep the other part-time position for a llittle bit.

God is truly watching out for us. We still won't be able to pay the bills but there is a glimmer of hope upon the horizon.

SG----so awesome about your continued success. So exciting!!!!

Rider----wish I lived closer, we do our deck every year by ourselves, I consider ourselves pros by now. We could have be your contractor. lol Our deck is pretty big too, it wraps around half the back of the house and the side of the house.

helenabear---what no meets this months......You must be having withdrawals.

angelina---You've been in my thoughts and prayers these past few weeks with Isidore and Lili.. My kids are past their mid-term grades now heading for the end of the quarter. My older ones just had two weeks off for harvest break. Potato picking time up here. My DD joined another girlscout troop. Whoo hoo, she just had a sleepover and she loved it. It was too much for me this year.

Thank you, thank you all of you for your kind words and thoughts while our family has been going through our difficult times. But, as I have always and will always believe, things happen for a reason good or bad, and good will prevail and we'll come out better for it.

Have a good evening all of you. I'd like to take in a nice relaxing show. Any suggestions.?

 

[IASW Rider]

Good morning!

How are you all doing, today?

Glad to hear that all is well with you, Linda! And that's wonderful news about your DD! I'm sorry to hear that your sister had some complications after her surgery. I hope that it works out for her - that surgery does sound very scary. I hope that she heals well and feels better, then makes the process work for her.

And so glad to hear all of the positive health news from your neck of the woods, Wendy! That's wonderful that you don't have to go back and see your cancer doctor for awhile, or your breast doctor at all! Lots of good luck with the cardiologist - I'm sure that all will go well! And that's great that there are no immediate concerns about your DS and that your other DS was able to walk and get around again so soon after his injury! I hope that your DD is enjoying Girl Scouts and I hope that your DH is able to get the job with the school system that he is interested in! That would work out really well, with his current job!

Yes, Bruce Springsteen has definitely been around, lately! I didn't see his most recent concert tour, but he seems to be all over the place! Saw him on "Saturday Night Live", over the weekend. I really need to get his new album - all the songs from it that I have heard are really nice. I still love "Born in the USA" best, though, Linda!

I'm going to try your salsa chicken recipe this week, and also the shrimp creole recipe that was in your cookbook. Will move on to some others, next week, but those are the first 2 that I am going to try. No, you didn't send me the "fluff" recipes - those must be neat! Please send them on over! I can use all the help I can get - in the kitchen, and otherwise! Talked to my therapist about my non-moving weight, this morning - I haven't changed a thing about the way that I'm eating or exercising, so there has to be some emotional component to my being "stuck". Am working on it.

That's so neat that you maintain your deck yourselves, Wendy! You are very brave - I would be too afraid of totally messing up if I tried on my own! Linda is also very brave - to do all that work in your house, like your tiling project of last year, etc.! The deck guy finished with everything over the weekend and it looks great. I'm just glad that it's done before winter! He wound up being more reliable towards the end - we might give him another chance and have him give us an estimate for our indoor painting, as well.

I hope that you are able to make it down to WDW in a few weeks, Linda! And I'm glad that you are planning to see the EWP early on in your stay! Although our cable company has been promising for months that our system would include new channels, we never had them until this weekend. One of our new channels is the Travel Channel. I turned it on for the first time last night, and lo and behold, there was a program about WDW on it! I quickly threw a tape into the VCR to tape it - it was great! I am so corny - I get all choked up seeing footage of WDW......even though I have a billion of my own tapes which I watch all the time!

I don't know if any of you are Disney Club members, but I have been reading on other threads that it will be closing next year. I am very disappointed! Well, at least we got the discount on our trip reservations before they take Disney Club away!

Great idea about the differently colored hangers for different clothing size ranges, Linda - I will have to try that! I don't have enough storage tubs in which to store all of the stuff that no longer fits, so I'm trying to separate clothes by closet, for now!

Hope that all is well with all of you! Have a nice day!

 

[helenabear]

Hi there everyone!

Linda, I do hope you can see the Osbourne lights while you are there, even if you have to add a day or two that would be wonderful as they look so beautiful from all the pictures I have seen! Congrats on your weight loss as well! That is just wonderful!

Lisa, don’t you get on yourself for your lack of weight loss. I think you look wonderful as it is right now so don’t stress too much about it. At least you’ve stayed the same and that is better than gaining I am glad that you are enjoying your time off the way you have been and so glad to hear that the polyp from your dad’s colon was benign. Enjoy planning that trip to WDW as well And yes, I had heard about the Disney Club. I will renew it for one more year this December and see what happens next. Since I do have my AP now though I will get decent discounts other ways.

Angie, so sorry to hear that your computer was hit by lightening! That’s got to be awful. I hope your computer is fixed soon. I am so glad to know that Lili didn’t come your way especially after all the damage that Isidore did.

Hey Wendy! So glad to hear that all the tests for your DS came back normal. I do hope your other DS will heal up quickly as well. And wow, good news with your cancer and breast issues! I am so glad to hear that things are finally looking up. You all certainly deserve good things coming your way! No, I did not go to a meet in September, however I went to one on Saturday with meet pictures here! And I will be going on Friday to Chicago and having dinner with a group on Friday and then the official meet on Saturday. So I made up for it this month Nothing next month (so far) but December will be DIS Con

Since a few asked about my trip planning. I don’t have much to do. This will be a relaxed trip. There will be a ton of mini-meets around so I will be watching for them. I have PS for Candlelight Processional and at Chef Mickeys before I go to MVMCP. Otherwise I will be taking it easy and going with the flow. I don’t do too much planning for trips but I enjoy dreaming about it all. Really the only thing I have left now will be packing. I have my room, air, tickets, tour & all the PS made that I need. So I am just counting down now I hope you all have a great evening!

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Elaine!

Great to hear from you! Glad to hear that you've planned as much of your trip as you're planning to plan! How long will you actually be down there? I didn't realize that one needs PS's for the Candlelight Processional. Where do you view it from? I've never seen it before - is it around the WS lagoon? I've never been to MVMCP, either - you will have to tell us about it!

Did you get official notification from the Disney Club, about it closing, yet? I haven't - the only way that I even know that it's closing is from reading the posts on these Boards! I will renew in December, too......assuming that they ever formally inform me that they're closing! They're not stopping publication of the magazine, too, are they? I would really miss my Disney Magazine, if they did that!

So, how is everything going, out there? How are Luis and the kitties? And the rest of your family?

Not too much to report, here, today - it should be a nice, quiet day.....*SIGH*.......I love these days where I really have nothing "big" to do!

Have a nice day, everyone!

 

[helenabear]

Hi Lisa I figured while I had time I’d get to a bunch of your questions. I am also glad that most of my trip is out of the way… the rest is just kind of “dreaming” what I’d like to do. I like to go with the flow and this seems good for now. I’ve never seen CP before. The PS for it are just to make sure I have a seat. They have a reserved area which basically has no wait to it and then they have the line for those who didn’t get dinner and they get to wait around and see if/where they get to sit. It’s very much like the PS for Fantasmic from what I understand. I do believe it is being shown at the American Gardens Theater in WS. I will tell you all what MVMCP is like when I get back. I will be gone (as my sig suggests) 8 days so I will have a long time to just wander around and relax… something I am very much looking forward to!

Nope, I have not received official notification of the DC being cancelled. I figure I won’t see anything from them for quite some time. I have seen articles from Orlando newspapers online though. I doubt they’ll discontinue the magazine as it is separate from the DC.

Everything is going good here. The kitties are big and beautiful and Luis is now officially working for his company (no longer contracting). So we are very happy about that I don’t have much to report here either but I hope all you are doing well

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Wow, I have a lot of catching up to do. I did not receive any notifications that anyone had been in the Suite lately. I am so sorry, I should have checked in but have been running around like a chicken with my head chopped off. LOL

Ha!!!! Got cha!!! I have been to the CP. Am most surprised to be one of the only ones who has as you are all so well travelled. Tom and I went 2 Christmas' ago. Robert Ulrich was the speaker. We bought tickets as I was not able to stand in line and was most dismayed to find a huge line when we went to sit down. They did not let us go in and sit down but we had to wait in line for over an hour until we could sit down for the program. If we had not had tickets we would not have gotten seats as it was sold out. I have the lanyards and pins from the event (were included in the package). Yes, it is at the American Pavillion stage. Have to say that the program was totally awesome and I still have fond memories (lines or not) of it. We have seen the Osbourne LIghts at least 3 times that I can remember. Is one of Tom's favorite things but I have not enjoyed them so much because of the huge crowds and such. If we went a bit later when there were not so many people it might be a bit more fun IMHO. If they have a soft opening or AP showing that would nessitate only a couple of more days I might try it. My sister is coming over on the 16th and we usually go over to Jelly Rolls that night. If it were not for all the smoke I would love it there. We call it "Howling at the Moon". Speaks volumes about our singing voices.

Helenabear, you are fast becoming a Disney meet queen. I can see the enthusiasm in your eyes at meeting old friends from the boards and how much they must enjoy meeting you and Luis. You guys are just about the sweetest young couple I know. Glad to hear that Luis is being appreciated at his new job. Not surprised though.

Rider, just sent you the fluff recipes. Please try the Green Fluff first, it is the best. Tom likes the Pumpkin one. Is nice to have a bit of a dessert from time to time. I finally got my weight problem figured out. Turns out that I was eating too little fat. In my effort to lose this weight (3.5 pounds this week 71.5 total) I went too far on the low fat and developed some serious and painful stomach problems. I started eating a slice of real bread with some butter on it once a day and that seems to have done the trick. Lots of veggies and very little meat and lots of walking and I have been doing pretty steady, slow, but steady. Saw my lung doctor today and he was most pleased with my progress but has told me that I need to continue taking one of my medicines even though I am feeling much better. Lots better than the 7 I was taking though. Now don't be getting too domestic, trust me it gets boring and people start to take it for granted. Have found that the more you do the more you are expected to do. If you don't do much you get a lot of praise for the little that you do. Not fair, but true.

Jstmee, anytime that doctors do not need to see you for several months, a year or not ever again that is good news. I am glad that things are looking up at least a tiny bit for you. I hope that your dh finds a perfect new part time job where they appreciate him and he is happier and can leave the former company behind totally. Serves them right IMHO. Having had recent computer problems I can relate to your frustration. I hope that you did not suffer from too much lost data. It is a good thing that they have diagnosed your son so you will know what to do for him and what to look for. Very frustrating to know something is wrong and not be able to do anything about it or know what you are facing.

Anglelina, what weather you have been having. I hope that you did not get much damage (maybe a limb or two at most). Not sure which is worse, tornadoes with little or no warning or hurricanes where you have plenty of warning but are limited in what you can do about it. Guess the devil you know is always better.

You all might want to get onto the Travel Channel web site and check out the programming as they have been having a lot of Disney shows lately. Tom and I watched one on the Animal Kingdom park the other day and it was better than one of the walking tours. All kinds of inside information and no sore feet (not to mention no $100 fees).

Wish I lived a bit closer to you all as I do the painting around here and would gladly work for any of you. I had to fix the toliet the other day. I have an electrician coming in to install a couple of ceiling fans and at $75 an hour I have put the fans together and have the materials laying next to where they go so they will not waste any time. The electrician was one of the kids who grew up here in this house. He has to hire someone to drive him around as he went crazy when his mom died and did something to lose his driving license. I might make him a plate of cookies to remind him that we are friends so he might go easy on me. I cannot get up and down ladders anymore safely otherwise I could install the fans myself. Old age is NOT fun!

Going to have my Dalton all week next week since the daycare lady is taking a vacation in Florida. We have melons to pick and books to read. Gonna have a blast!

SG/Linda

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Everyone!

So sorry that I haven't been around for a few days! Unfortunately, I can't write a long post now, 'cause I'm at my in laws', but I just wanted to stop in and wish you all a nice weekend! Will write a "real" post when we get back to Central Jersey! Take care and hope tha all is well with all of you!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

The past week or so I have been counting my blessings that I do not have anyone in the Washington area to be affected by the sniper killings but constantly think of those who are under fire and pray daily that the sniper is caught and stopped soon. My imagination cannot conceive of all of the horrors they must be living through at this time. Just want you all to know that we are thinking of you and wish we could bring you all to the Suite to wait out this senseless tragedy.

Hello, Rider, Helenabear, Angelina, Jstmee. Hoping that you are all in the midst of a wonderful weekend. Is very cold here and I am getting afraid of bad weather going to or from DW. Thought I had that covered but Mother Nature is a fickle person. LOL

Headed out for the day in a bit as it is our 30th anniversary. Am taking Tom to see Jerry Lee Lewis (surprise). He is a big fan and I am not so that is my present to him. Bought him some new trousers (in style) last night and I have him color coordinated and properly dressed for the occasion. Not sure if this is our anniversary of our marriage or when I adopted him. (grin)

Our son's birthday is tomorrow and I found a perfect card for him. Hope he is allowed to see it. (sigh)

Weight is not doing so good this week. Have eaten out too much and am up one pound. Hope to walk some of it off today. One of the few pleasures of being large is that you consume more calories than most people. LOL

Have a safe trip home Lisa and it is so nice of you to think of us while you are visiting.

SG/Linda

 

[jstmee]

My kiddos have put up the Halloween decorations. I usually do it, but have no desire this year. So, I'm glad they found the boxes and they seem to be having fun with it. They are all at the park now playing. The leaves are almost gone now, but we had a beautiful fall, the trees were very colorful this year.

I can't remember if I wrote that I'm going to have a Cardiac Catherization in a week and a half. The doc thinks it should be okay, but wants to check.

I've been applying for more jobs also. I have an interview on Tues. for a Radiology Secy. at the hospital. It's 35 hours a week, so I will do my best to land that job. I also went to a place that does telesales. "You know, the credit card people that call you up and annoy you"-I may do that for awhile also until DH gets something. The part-time job my DH thought he might get, didn't happen. They hired a contract company instead.

The good thing about this is that the kids will appreciate things more. They are being very good about everything and not even batting an eyelid at the "leftovers" and such that we are eating more than ever. Thank goodness we live in a part of the country that a 50 lb. bag of potatoes is $5.00........

I am also grateful that my DH's job is still paying for the internet service so we can still be online. Whew. What what I do without it. I'm sure I'd survive.


I love hearing about all of you planning your vacations. Whoo Hoo, coming right around the corner!!!!!!

Elaine, 9 days without Louis, I'm sure you are going to miss him, your trip this time around is a solo one isn't it? But, enjoy, enjoy, enjoy......

Linda, it's funny you mentioned not getting enough fat. When my DS had his muscle problems in his legs, the chiropractor said he wasn't getting enough fatty acids and that was why he was having the problems.

Lisa, I hope you had a good time visiting the in-laws. You were able to sneak away and send us a message.

Well, it's the supper time. Mealtime seems to come around much to often. Aaargh, I better go fix something for the troops.

Later gators, Wendy

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

The temps went from the 80's into the 20's last night. Does not look like my flowers were affected too much. Have a very small yard and all the gardens are next to buildings and fences and such and that offers some protection. Would not mind them freezing as I need to get the yard ready for winter before we leave for DW and I hate cutting pretty flowers. LOL

Jstmee, have had a cardiac cath and my best advice to you is to take something good to read. The hardest part was lying still for so many hours. Because of my weight I did not require a sandbag on the incision site. Hey, told you there were as many good things about being fat as not. (grin) Be careful when you first get up. I am not a weak person and I almost passed out. The accumulation of gas while you lay still is weakening. After I made it to the bathroom I felt much better. LOL I know what you mean about eating a lot of potatoes. If you are interested in any cheap recipes please let me know. Have been extremely poor in my life at different times and have had to learn how to stretch a dollar six ways to Sunday. You are so right in that the kids will learn so much from this (hopefully brief) time of turmoil. It is hard to appreciate something that you have always had. Your kids sound like such nice ones, Halloween decorations and I think I remember them doing the Christmas decorations last year. How loving they are and I bet they are quite a comfort to you when you are feeling so badly. I will be rooting for the job for you. Sounds like a winner.

Yesterday was our 30th anniversary. I took Tom to see JerryLee Lewis down in Brown County and then out to eat. He was a happy fellow. I survived. Woke up with a temp of over a hundred. Knew something was wrong when I was shivering as I am a warm blooded woman. Took some Tylenol and laid down for a bit until I was safe to drive.

Have to go to Farm Bureau meeting tonight to vote for sil. Always know he wants something when I hear his voice on the phone. He is nice sounding when he wants something. Sure wish someone would call up to say "Hi, how are you doing" sometime. Have to go pick up Dalton and his gang at 11 and deliver the other kids to their daycares and bring Mr. D back here for the rest of the day. Austin will be here after school, drive them into town with us and then drive them and their Mom back home after we vote. Hope some of this activity gets rid of that pesky pound that is lingering. With what I have eaten this week it could be much more than a pound so I should not care but we are having a contest at TOPS. Everyone put $2 worth of quarters into a film container and if you gain you have to add a quarter and if you lose you take out a quarter. First one to empty their container wins all the money. Now the money is small but I am a competitive person and I wanna win it all!!!! LOL Would pay for a few Dole Whips at least. (grin)

Have to file a report on my restaurant shop I did Saturday night. usually file them the next day but was very busy yesterday. Will not be able to give them high marks as it was n ot their finest hour.

Any input on which days to go to which parks is most appreciated. We want to hit the night parades/fireworks/ shows at each park as we will be there 12 days. Have the restaurants all picked out.

Have a great day all and please drop by and let us know what you are up to. I enjoy thinking of you all as I wind my way through my day.

SG/Linda

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Everyone!

You know, I don't know what my problem is. When I was working, it seemed that I had more time to visit the Boards (by sneaking on to them at work) than I do now, that I am not working! Also (if you happen to notice the time at which I am sending this message), I seem to have developed even more "severe" insomnia than I had when I was working - I am wide awake, right now! So so so sorry that I haven't been around very much lately. And so sorry that I haven't been able to catch up on everyone's posts. I am going to do that now, then I will post a "real message" tomorrow!

I am thinking of all of you and hope that all is well! Talk to you all, tomorrow! Have a good night!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Dear Lisa

I know exactly where you are coming from. I have found that when I am very busy I am more focused and organized. Since Tom's retirement I have gotten off kilter and in terrible confusion. Any big change in lifestyle will do that to one. I am sure that you will settle down to some kind of a routine after a bit. Just go with the flow and enjoy doing things that you would never have had time to do before for a bit. You will be back at the grind soon enough and I would not want you to regret things that you might not have gotten around to. As long as Frank and you are happy, nothing else matters.

Congratulations on the weight loss! Those pounds were lost with great effort and at an especially stressful time in your life so you should be doubly proud.

Hope that the weather is holding for everyone and that any of our friends in the East are surviving the awful times as best they can and that it all ends quickly and well.

I am swinging back and forth between looking forward to a visit to WDW soon and dread of all the work that I have yet to do in order to be able to do it. Getting the outside work done before we leave is a necessity especially with the unseasonable weather we are having.

Helenabear must be out and about at another meet of some sort or out partying with Luis. Young couples have more energy than us old fogies. (grin)

Justmee and family are hunkering down for a relaxing evening at home, NOT. Those people never sit still!!!!

Angelina, I would like to pack your address and phone number just in case we get a wild hair and decide to check out Fairhope. Please PM me?

Headed over to the House of Blues to check out the music tonight. Got to have a little beat to get me in the mood.

SG/Linda

 

[IASW Rider]

Wow! I am so behind the times! I am soooo sorry that I haven't been around lately, with so much going on with all of you! I promise not to stay away for such a long time, again!

Belated Happy Anniversary, Linda!! I'm glad to hear that you and Tom had a great one and a nice time at the concert! And belated Happy Birthday to your DS, too! And lots of luck to your SIL in the election! And.....congratulations, Ms. Skinny, on losing even more weight! You are amazing! You'll have to start doing seminars for us, here in the Suite, and teaching our Suite gentlemen how to cook tasty, low fat fare, for us Suite residents! Glad to hear that you're all ready to go to WDW! In terms of which parks on which days....I was never very good at making predictions, but one thing that I observed is that the MK is INCREDIBLY CROWDED on weekend days (well, it's probably very crowded EVERY day, but especially on weekends, when local visitors tend to congregate there!). Hopefully the crowds won't be too bad when you are there - from what I've read on the Boards, the crowds have been pretty light. Will pick up, though, next month, if you're going to be there during Food and Wine Festival time, I imagine.

And glad to hear that you're all ready to go, too, Elaine! You are going to have so much fun! I'm sure that you will miss Luis and the kitties, but you will have a bunch of your DIS friends there and are sure to have a blast! I can't wait to hear all about the CP and MVMCP! I wonder if you'll get to see the Very Merry Christmas Parade being taped for the TV telecast, too! And both you and Linda have to visit the new Journey Into Imagination ride - it's very cute - say "hi" to Figment for me! And please ride IASW and think of me! And of course......see the EWP! Congratulations to Luis on becoming a permanent member of his team at work - that is great news!!

It sounds like you are busy as ever, up there, Wendy! Lots of good luck with your upcoming procedure - I'm sure that all will go well. And lots of good luck with your job prospects, too! I actually had a phone job, many years ago, that sounds similar to the one which you were describing. I worked for a market research firm, during college, and did phone surveys. I was hung up on a lot, but that was OK! It was interesting to hear the people's responses to the surveys that I did get to complete. They ranged in topics from TV shows (I think our client was Neilsen of the Neilsen Ratings) to luxury cars (our client was Mercedes) to hair care products (our client was Jheri Curl), to many others! Good luck with whatever you choose to do! I'm sorry to hear that the part time job did not work out for your DH. Hang in there - as you said, and as Linda said, these times will pass and it's wonderful that your children appreciate what they have and that you are all taking each day as it comes, together! These things always have a way of working themselves out (says she, the unemployed person who lives in denial, and has a negative physical reaction when the thought of looking for a new job enters her mind! ). Hopefully, before you know it, you will all be able to put this difficult time behind you and look back on it and appreciate all the things that you did to make it work and to make your family even stronger!

How are you doing out there, Angie? I hope that the bad weather has completely passed and that you won't be subjected to any more horrible storms!

Everything has been fine, here! I wish I had some interesting news to report, but I don't! I'm just hanging in and consciously appreciating each day that I have to myself, while I'm still getting paid and not having to work. Thanks to Linda and the great cookbook and recipes that she sent to me, I am becoming quite the "accomplished" chef........or at least a decent one! Frank seems to enjoy being my "guinea pig" as I try each new recipe out on him! It's nice to have the time to put a real recipe together, as opposed to the quickie meals that I would throw together after work, when I was going into the office every day! And it's fun to try new things! Tonight, we are going out to dinner though, because we are celebrating our 3 year dating anniversary! (ie: the 3 year anniversary of our first date. And we owe it all to the MK parade Cinderella, who told me to go to that "Royal Ball" to find my prince! ) I'm going to take the opportunity to wear one of my new dresses and am looking forward to a nice, relaxing evening!

The visit with the in-laws was nice. I think that we are all becoming more comfortable with one another, as we get to know eachother better, and now that Frank's family knows some of my family, I think that they feel closer to me, too.

My parents are hanging in there. I spent some time with them this week, relieving my father, so that he could go to some doctor's appointments. My mother and I got along very well - we mostly talked about WDW, actually! But it's inconsistent - I now realize that some of her behavior and the way that she acts towards me has to do with various medications that she is on (my father never tells me about her various medications and illnesses until they are either over or not as serious. He recently told me that she had a bad kidney infection - from not moving around enough - right before our wedding, and the doctor had wanted her to go into the hospital. My father didn't want her in the hospital, though, so the doctor prescribed the same antibiotic that people use to treat anthrax, and the infection cleared up. But now she has another one, and the medication that the doctor has her on makes her so lethargic that she slipped out of her bed, the other day, and my father had to call the EMT's to lift her up and get her back into bed. That's the sort of thing that my father doesn't tell me until afterwards.). Anyway, it's a pretty depressing situation over there - again, I'm in denial - I try not to think about the reality of what's going on with my mother's health, much less the strain that my father puts on himself. At least my mother and I have been getting along all right, recently.

Speaking of health issues, I had my annual exam, last week, and because my grandmother had breast cancer, my doctor prescribed a mammogram for me even though I'm 35. I'm a little nervous about it (I'm having it next month), because I've heard all of the horror stories about how painful or uncomfortable it can be, but I know that it's a good thing and I'm glad that I am going to do it.

On a different kind of "health note", I've officially lost 75 pounds, as of this week. Yipee! It's so weird - I don't know that I could pick up a 75 pound object - so I wonder how it was that I was carrying an additional 75 pounds around with me, every day! Anyway, I'm glad that they're gone! Even though I haven't been sleeping very well (and I've probably been smoking too many cigarettes, 'cause I'm home all day), I feel very healthy and strong and "lighter" / "springier", lately. Maybe it's because the proverbial "weight" of having to deal with my horrible work situation has been "lifted from my shoulders", in addition to actually being physically stronger than I was a year ago.

I hope that all is well with all of you and your families, and that you're all having a nice weekend!

Anyone want to join me at the Kona Cafe, for a late lunch / early dinner? (In reality, as I sit here and write, I am drinking a cup of Kona coffee from the Kona Cafe, as we brought some back with us, when we were there in June - we only drink it on special occasions, though!)

Talk to you all again, soon!

 

[helenabear]

Hi there everyone! I haven't been getting the e-mail notifications so I didn't think that anyone had come here as of late!

Linda, no CP for me. This is the first time I have ever been during the holidays. Before we could only go during the summer months so this will be a first for me. I am doing the CP & MVMCP to make sure I am able to see it all as I hear all of it is beautiful! And a very happy belated anniversary to the both of you! I hope you both were able to enjoy it.

Wendy, wishing you all the best in everything right now. Sounds like you have a full plate there! Do let us know how it all goes and I hope that sometime soon you will have a nice, quiet & "easy" time soon

Lisa, congrats on your weight loss! I agree that MK is very busy on Friday & Saturday (and then on Sunday due to EE) because those are definitely the nights they always have the fireworks. Although Linda, you will be going during a very very low attendence time so hopefully you won't see many crowds anyway. I will look forward to my 8 days on my own. I will be around a ton of friends and I will have my cell phone so I can at least call Luis and have him call me anytime we want.

Well I was in Chicago last weekend for a very nice meet. I was able to see a lot of old friends there and meet a few new ones. Here is a link to my Chicago Meet Pictures for those who wanted to see them. I hope you all have a great day

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Wow, I step out for a bit of fresh air and you all snuck in on me. How lovely to see you. Lisa, as usual you are beautiful and especially so with your 75 pound loss. Whenever you get to feeling down and less than perfect (BTW, stop that right now!!!) just pick up a couple of 5 pound sacks of flour or sugar and contemplate just how many of those you have lost. On those weeks when you 'only' lose 1/4th pound get a stick of butter out and look at it a bit.

As far as your job denial thing goes IMHO this is about the best possible time you could be 'unemployed" as you have so very much going on in your life right now and need the time. Between being a newlywed and having a sick mother and a father who needs help you have plenty to do. I am glad to hear that there has come an understanding between your mother and yourself. I always felt that there was so mental reason for her ways since a mother who was wonderful enough to share DW with you could not be a bad person and I knew that you were such a loving and wonderful daughter that she could not help knowing that unless there was something terribly wrong. How wonderfully loving and totally mistaken your dad is for trying to spare you the details of their old age.

Magic Kingdom is pretty crowded most of the time but one of the perks of going for longer stretches is that you can go with the flow. I have 3 days set aside for MK and want to make sure to be there for the evening celebration one night but we can go late afternoon, get our favorite rocking chairs and sit and enjoy it all. Might even try the railroad station this time as it would have a better view of the fireworks and be close to the exits.

Elaine, what wonderful pictures and the commentary was excellent. Thank you so much for sharing them with us. I enjoyed seeing Marie and some other familiar names. Is always nice to put a face to a name. Marie looks just as I had imagined her. Beautiful and friendly.

Went to church this morning and then spent almost the rest of the day at the hardware store and am tired out. When I was younger I had the energy and no money and now I have money and no energy.

Just about have my plans finalized. My sister is coming over for a weekend and we are planning on going to the fabulous Italian restaurant we went to last time and I even found a $15 coupon on the Internet for it. Since the prices were very reasonable last time the coupon is quite generous. Better start saving up points so I can enjoy myself. LOL

I am up for Kona's. Will someone please let me have just one Koko Puff as I have never had one?

SG/Linda