EWP group?

[SlightlyGoofy]

Hi there Elaine, I knew it! LOL Who else has a heart big enough to do such great things for everyone else. I think I have even been hugged by the tag fairy. LOL No tag though. Would be interesting to see what they might think up for me though. I will patiently await my turn as I am a very good girl. (and deserve a reward?) grin I had wondered where you were. Sent you a few emails from time to time in hopes of catching your attention. How many meets did you go to this summer? Did you ever get any of the projects done in your house that you spoke of when you bought it? Much harder to do things once you move in and have furniture in the way. Any hopes of you coming to WDW next May? Just full of questions I are.

Lisa, I heard that my oldest granddaughter is being allowed to go to preschool. The boys were allowed to go also, at the church school but there were constant threats to pull them out if they did not do every single thing Miss Linda wanted them to do. I know that this sounds like it could not possibly be true but the truth is even worse. I bit my tongue and never said anything and sometimes feel very guilty about it. The boys were not allowed to attend school after the church preschool. Am hoping that my son will insist on the girls getting to go for their sake but if he gives the girls the opportunity and not the boys I will be ashamed. Too many emotions here. Ddil's mother has gotten out of the hospital but is still in bad shape. She was not expected to live so that is something.

You find the neatest things. I will tell my other Disney crazy friend and she will be so jealous but since she is presently in Florida closing on her new second home (45 minutes from DW) you might be a bit green eyed as well. LOL

I am glad to hear that you had a good experience with David Cassidy. It is so sad when we meet our idols and it does not turn out well. I went from the farm to working at a country music station when I was young and meeting many of the people I had listened to for years and was greatly disappointed in many of them.

The place we ate at was called Batar. It is local.

Enjoy your last days in the sun. You might be able to catch a few rays on the Quad between classes though.

Angelina, are you resting on the couch with relief after getting the kiddies off for school? Don't blame you if you are. We will wait patiently for you to come back to the Suite and regale us with tales of your s ummer.

Jstmee, are you lurking somewhere? Many thoughts of you and yours have been thunk around here and we would be so relieved to hear something from you at all. You are not forgotten.

SG/Linda

 

[helenabear]

Hi Linda! I don't want to confuse you... I am no Tag Fairy... I have met a Tag Fairy and spoken with several of them in private, but no Tag Fairy here. Sometimes they just pop out of no where when they see something funny or neat in a post!

You know I haven't gotten any e-mails from you. It was actually a post card from Lisa that Luis forgot to give me that got me searching for you all. Have you been sending it to my old yahoo account? If so I never check that one anymore. About a year or two ago I had to switch to my Road Runner account. Let me know if you need htat one.

Meets this summer? I know you all knew about Towncrier's and then shortly after I went to WDW. The next meet I went to was in Indy. The next one after was a meet with the Ya Yas that I post with. The following weekend I was at Riddle Con. Then I had a weekend off where I went to the Ohio State Fair. Last weekend I was in N. KY at Shep & Believe's home for a meet. Next up should be one or so in September and possibly Oct/Nov for Chicago. Nope, haven't gotten a lot of the projects done. Really most of what I want to do is more of "fall/winter projects" (like painting). I have picked my paint though so when I find a good weekend I'll do that.

I still feel like I am catching up with you all... again so sorry I was MIA for a while

Elaine

 

[jstmee]

I have not been here for so long, but my ears have been burning to check in. I've been working full-time, holding down the fort with the 4 "teens" and yet another health problem (Sarcoidosis)-it doesn't bother me much though, it's a lung disease of unknown origin. It's an autoimmune disease, so that could be part of all my other challenges. Oh well. lol But, just had to stop in and say hi to all my buddies, I'm on a computer all day and work and I'm so busy I never have time to get on my personal one. We did get to take a vacation, I had to go south for a couple of doctor visits so I incorporated that into a vacation to Myrtle Beach, we went to timeshare presentations to get a cheap hotel rate and on the way home stopped at Hershey Park in PA. Definately not WDW but it's way better than nothing. I have dreams of a Disney Cruise.

Uh oh crisis with kids, i'll check in again

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

My post just disappeared!! Ahhhhh!! Will try to reconstruct.

Jstmee, I am so delighted to hear from you. Rider and I were just talking about you the other day. When last we heard from you there was so much going on and not too much of it good that we have been worried. I am glad that you were able to find a bit of fun along with your doctors visits. We love the Myrtle Beach area also but living in a landlocked state just looking at the ocean thrills us. LOL Please come by when you can as we truly care about you and love to know how you are doing. We are here for you.

Helenabear, I did not think that you personally were the tag fairy but am thinking that you are very good friends with him and his wife. Just a thought but it is something that they would be capable of doing IMHO. You are not home enough to get any redecorating done. Good for you!!

Now, if only Angie would come by today the Suite would be full for the first time in a long time. (hint and a smile)

SG/Linda

 

[helenabear]

Wendy, so good to see you again. It sure sounds like you are a busy busy one. I haven't heard of Sarcoidosis, but I hope it is something that you are able to live with okay. Glad you were able to get a vacation in to Myrtle Beach. I have never been myself but I have heard nice things about it. And Hershey Park too... what fun Hope the kid crisis wasn't anything too bad.

Oh and Linda... I think I know who you are referring to as the Tag Fairy and you are wrong again there... there are more than one... like I said I have met one and spoken personally with a few others via PM. I haven't spoken with a few in a while so I don't think I have much leverage with them anymore. They seem to strike randomly and pick the best of the best with posts

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Wendy, I just did a search on your condition and hoping that your will be one of the cases where it goes away and never returns. When our immune system goes awry it causes a lot of different things. What did you do in Myrtle Beach? Did the kids enjoy the surf?

Elaine,shucks and darn. I thought I was right. Oh well, not the first time I have been wrong. LOL Whomever thought up the idea sure added some more magic to the boards and it is such a friendly and wonderful thing for them to do.

Headed for the showers now in preparation for the coming day.

SG/Linda

 

[IASW Rider]

Welcome back, Elaine and Wendy! We sure have missed you both, around here!

Glad that it was my post card that brought you back to visit the Suite, Elaine! I had a feeling that you had been attending lots of fun Meets, this summer! Will have to keep my eyes open for those Tag Fairies! I wonder who they could be........!

So great to hear from you, Wendy! We've been thinking about you and hoping that you might stop by! I also hope that your condition is one which can be treated and cured such that it won't recur. And glad to hear that you were able to get away and relax, for a bit! Hope that you're enjoying your job and not working too hard!

Hi Linda! It's so nice to have our Suite Mates back here, with us! While Angie is out of the Suite, maybe we can all plan her surprise birthday celebration! We'll surprise her when she comes to visit us, next!

Hope that you're all having a great weekend! We've been having a whirlwind weekend of visiting with various friends, since this is really our last weekend of the summer. Frank starts his first class next Thursday, and my final orientation is on Friday, with my classes starting the Tuesday after Labor Day weekend. So, we're off to our next destination - to soak up some sun with my best friend from high school and her family, at their swim club, now! Spent yesterday with an old friend of Frank's, not far from the shore, and will be going to a BBQ with a bunch of old ML friends, tomorrow!

Hope that all is well with all of you! So happy to see that our Suite is all full of friends, again!

 

[jstmee]

Oh my! How could I have forgotten how much pampering we get here in this suite. It warms by heart to see you all again.

I probably won't go back to the posts to catch up, but it seems like all of you are busy as usual.

Elaine, you are "meet" happy

Lisa, good luck with school.

My DH took a couple of courses lately. He's now an Ed Tech at our local high school. He's part of the "No Child Left Behind" initiative. He helps students that fall behind and need some help. He loves it and is taking a course in Teaching the Exceptional Child now.

SG you are as kind as ever.

The Sarcoidosis that I have seems to be mild and currently only effects the lining of my bronchial airway, causes some swelling, but otherwise unoticeable. This certainly explains a lot about my tiredness etc. that I've had the past few years.

I really, really enjoy my job. I register patients for the ER. I went to full time in January and quit the other part-time job. For awhile I was working both fulltime and parttime jobs. Whew. But we do what we have to do.

It's only 42 degrees up here tonight. I think I'll hang out in the suite and sit in the hot tub to rest my sore muscles.

Glad to be here. Wendy

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Wendy, that is the purpose of the Suite, to pamper us and help us with all that our daily lives take out of us. I hope you enjoyed your soak and found the tray of delectables that Angie ordered up for you. She is in charge of ordering up the menus for the day since she is a pro at food prep. Doesn't have to do any of the work, just put in the order with the fellers. It sounds as if your life has come together very nicely and I am overjoyed to hear that both you and your dh have jobs that you enjoy. Please tell your husband that he is a hero for what he does. Is a job close to my own heart. I bet that you make it much easier for some of the stressed people you see in the ER. I think that people who have health problems of their own are best suited to help other sick people. You could send a few of those cool degrees out way and I promise to send you some of our warmth back. Would it not be wonderful if such were possible?

Lisa, I will leave it up to you to plan Angie's birthday celebration as you are our consumate Disney expert. One of the people I know from another forum is going to be at Disney when we plan on being there also. I enjoy things more with people. Of course, at WDW you can sit down on a bench and get up with another friend. LOL I met a couple last time and the man was in a wheelchair so we saved seats for them at all the parades and such so they could do a few extra things that they might not have gotten to do otherwise. She was a bit more friendly than he was but he loosened up a bit as we got to know each other better.

Have not had the best day here. Got news that my cousin who is only a year younger than me passed away Thursday. My father kept us away from family so I only got to really know her through emails the past few years. She had cancer and fought a good fight and is now at peace.

Heard from the other grandma that she ran into our son and her granddaughter (our dil) on the street up there. They walked right by without a glance. The poor children did not even know that they had just walked by their great grandmother. Sad. I know it would have broken my heart to see them but not be able to hug them also.

We are going to some open houses tomorrow and go to pick up a new coffee table while in town. Trying to get a sense of what we can afford and what we want. It takes us old folks a long time to change. LOL

Slightly Goofy Linda

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi again, Wendy!

So nice to see you back, around here! And so glad to hear that your health condition is mild and does not cause you more discomfort or greater concern. Also, so glad to hear that you and your DH have settled into careers that you enjoy and which give you fulfillment. That is wonderful! I agree with Linda - I'm sure that your thoughtfulness and sensitivity makes you wonderful at your work with ER patients! How are your children doing? Have they returned to school, yet? Are you and your DH involved with any sports teams, this fall? It's unseasonably cool, down here in NJ, too. The evenings have been especially chilly, for this time of year. Frank and I were sitting out on our deck on Saturday night, and actually had to come in and get jackets to wear!

Hi Linda!

I'm so sorry to hear about your cousin. I'm sure that she appreciated your support and your getting to know one another, and I'm sure that that was very special to her. As you said, she is at peace, now - hopefully that thought can provide you with a bit of comfort, at this difficult time.

I'm also sorry to hear that your grandchildrens' Great Grandmother had that horrible experience of seeing but not being acknowledged by her family. I'm sure that that was very painful for her. I just don't understand what your DIL is thinking or what she's hoping to accomplish by keeping your grandchildren away from the majority of your (and her) family(ies). It's so incredibly sad to think of those kids growing up without the benefit of such loving and supportive people in their lives. Well, as I've said - maybe somehow that will change, as the children get older. Maybe somehow, your DIL will realize the err of her ways and will allow you all to share in their lives.

How was your open house touring, yesterday? Did you happen to see any places that looked interesting or promising?

We had a bit of a rough weekend, at the end. One of our cats, Laverne, hadn't been acting like herself, for the past few days. She was very lethargic and didn't seem interested in anything - all she did was sleep in one place. She wasn't even interested in food, which is very unusual for her. So finally, yesterday morning, when she totally ignored the food that I put down for her, we knew that we had to do something, so we brought her to an emergency veterinary hospital. The doctor there wanted to do some blood work, so we waited around all day to get in touch with him, for the results. As it turned out, he wanted to keep her overnight, so now I'm waiting to hear from him, again, about how she's doing. I'm going to take her home, today, and hope to bring her to her regular vet. I don't know how much I trust the emergency vet guy, but our regular vet isn't open on the weekends, so we had no choice but to bring her to his place. Anyway, I'm a nervous wreck, as I sit and wait to pick her up. The doctor said that he could see nothing obviously "wrong" with her, initially. I'm hoping that maybe she just has a little cold or virus, or something. UGH. I wish that animals could speak to us and tell us what's wrong!

Anyway...........hope that you're all having a nice day! Talk to you soon!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Rider, I am sorry to hear that Laverne is not feeling well. I know that you can tell more about her and what is going on than any doctor. Children or animals the people that live with and care for them know best. I hope you find that she is simply suffering from seperation anxiety as I bet she has enjoyed having you home for this past year and senses that you will be gone a lot soon. Is my wish.

Dil told one of her sisters that she just needed to get rid of all the people in their life so she could gain control of her life. I think control is the answer to it all. My father was the same way, he was uneducated and felt inferior so he kept us close so we would not have much of anything else to compare life to. Unfortunately, for him, we were all readers and learned a lot about the world and left home ASAP. The other grandma told me that she had had such problems with Miss Linda in the past and if she gave her some money it was good for a bit. This woman does not play those games. Would not be good for the kids in any case. Will wait it out and hope for things to come around one day. My bestest friend, and most wonderful person, Dorthea, has a grandson that comes to see her often but she did not see him while he was growing up because of his dad. If it can happen to this most perfect of women who am I to to bemoan my fate?

Such a great day here. We bought a new coffee table yesterday and when I got it home I found it was defective. I spent the night berating myself for being ignorant enough to not use a credit card to pay for it and thus give me some leverage. The store owner was very gracious and it was no problem to switch it for a good one. All that worry for nothing.

The state of IN has been undergoing a radical change of how property taxes are figured and there has been massive revolts as some people, mostly people with older homes like ours, are finding themselves paying double or even triple and more. Found out today that we will actually be paying a bit less than before. Such a load off my mind.

We did find a couple of houses that we liked. One was in a new subdivision for older, retired people. Covenants and all. While I enjoy the idea of perfection I am not sure that we could live up to the requirements. LOL One house was older and the floorplan was excellent but I could still see several things I would need to do, a new kitchen for starters. I am a nit picking type person. Not my best trait. Only expect perfection from myself though.

I will be checking messages and hoping to hear an update on Laverne. I think I still have her picture in a file somewhere.


SG/Linda

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Linda!

Thank you for your kind words, as always. Laverne is still in the hospital, and we're trying to continue to think positively. They have determined that there is something wrong with her liver, but cannot determine exactly what it is, or how to treat it. So today she's going to have an ultrasound and a biopsy, so that they can reach a diagnosis. We're praying that it's "just" an infection or inflammation of some sort - or a chronic treatable disease like hepititis. Hopefully we'll know a little more information by tonight. It's rough - I'm trying not to worry or think too much about it, but it's so hard. And the other cats are all confused and are looking for her. I just hope that everything will be all right.

I think that you're absolutely right about it being all about control, with your DIL. Maybe withholding her children from the rest of their family is the only sort of "power" that she feels she has, and doesn't even think about how that affects the quality of her kids' lives (not to mention her other family members). But as you said, Dorthea was faced with a similar situation, and it wound up resolving itself........so hopefully the same thing will happen in your family, sooner than later!

Glad to hear that you were able to replace your coffee table! I would have been feeling the exact same way, until I knew that it could be replaced. Glad to hear that it wound up working out and that you're pleased with it!

And that's great that it turns out that your taxes may actually decrease, amidst the sea of increases, out there! I'm sure that that's quite a relief!

It's nice that you and Tom are taking your time looking at prospective new homes, to really see what's out there and what would be best for you both. Besides, I'm sure that it's fun looking at them all - I remember I enjoyed looking at all of the houses, when I was house shopping, 9 years ago - even the ones in which I immediately knew that I was not interested. It was still interesting to look at them all.

I showed Frank the Quaker Silo Hotel website that you sent over, and he was fascinated by it - he even checked out the rates - maybe we will come out and sleep in a silo, after all, at some point!

Have a nice day!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Hi there Rider!

Talk about coincidences, yesterday morning one of my sisters called me from her car and she was on her way to one of her company's other offices - was Quaker Square. I asked her to pick up some brochures on the silo hotel to send to you. Not sure if she will remember and it will be a few weeks until I see her but am hoping it works out. We have eaten in a restaurant somewhere that was converted silo also. Tom cannot remember where it was and neither can I but it was lovely. Probably memorable, for most people. LOL My sisters often call me when they are traveling so we can chat. Scares me to death cause I fear hearing a big crash and then nothing. Just the mother in me, I am sure. There are lots of ways to be distracted while driving and I am not in favor of any of them. I check for vehicles nearby before I change the radio station or anything.

I hope that they find out what is wrong with Laverne today and it is something easily and inexpensively corrected. It is terrible to have to think of the cost. Do you have insurance on your animals? I have read of such and think it is a great idea.

I am truly concerned for Miss Linda, rather than her mother, as far as their visiting before the mother passes away. The mother was no mother as far as I am concerned and Miss Linda is quite right to be less than thrilled with her but that does not excuse treating others badly cause you were IMHO. I just do not want my dil to suffer from regrets in addition to all her other problems. If you treat those who treat you badly badly also you are just reinforcing their warped view of the world and it brings you down to their level. Giving love for hate has much more of an effect, on yourself, if no one else. Hatred rots you away and does no good for anything.

I had put away some extra money for the expected tax increase so that means I have a few extra dollars ( a lot of extra dollars) to spend at Disney! Heard that the new codes are coming out tomororw. Will be Friday before I have time to make ressies though as I need to coordinate a couple of other things too. Thursday is Tom's birthday so I am spending it with him. Will go watch him bowl ( a big sacrifice on my part) and then take him out to eat. We have some plans this weekend also. Hope I can get The Villages and DW all planned for the right times. Would be a dream. One of my friends is down there right now looking at her newly completed home and they will probably be down there when we are planning on going and it would be great to have someone to show us around. I am always the one to be in charge of anything so if I get a chance to sit in the backseat and be taken I always accept and am grateful to let someone else be the Boss. LOL

One of our hobbies has always been to look at houses. I get so many ideas from them all, large and small. In Akron they have a beautiful home to tour so if you and Frank make it to the Silo you will have to check that out also.

Back to the saltmines for me, catching up on work around here today.

Love to all my Suite Mates, Linda/SG

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Linda!

I hope that we do get to make it out to the silos - it looks like a nice weekend getaway! And the surrounding area looks really nice, too! It's so neat that they also have a converted mill and factory serving as a restaurant and store, now! It would be neat to see what one of those round guest rooms looks like. (Hey! That's a new idea for a Disney Resort theme - a hotel with all of the buildings shaped like barns and silos, and themed to the classic Disney barnyard shorts of the 30's and 40's!)

That's great that you will wind up having more money to spend at WDW, as the result of your forethought and having saved the money for the higher taxes which you anticipated having to pay! When will you be making your actual fall reservations?

I hope that Tom has a very Happy Birthday, today! Maybe our Suite gentlemen can set up a bowling themed party for him! And then we can all go and pose for pictures with him, near the giant bowling icons at the Pop Century Resort!

Laverne is hanging in there, thanks for asking. We got some hopefully hopeful news, last night. After her ultrasound, they determined that she has too much fat in her liver. It got there because something (perhaps a virus) caused her to stop eating, which messed up her metabolism and the way that her liver processes fats. Believe it or not, the way that they are trying to get her "back in balance" is by trying to get her to eat! It's ironic because she is our largest cat, once weighing in at 20 pounds, and she made herself sick by NOT eating! Anyway, they got her to eat a whole bowl of food, last night. If she continues to eat on her own, then her metabolism should come back into "whack", and she will be able to come home in a few days. (The worst case scenario would be if she doesn't eat on her own, they will have to force feed her via a surgically inserted tube. At least they ruled out cancer, thank God.) We're hoping that she keeps eating well! It's been a very upsetting and unsettling few days.

We actually have looked into pet insurance, but found that the costs are too high to justify our getting it, since all of our cats are generally in good health, and the insurance usually doesn't cover "standard stuff" like check ups, immunizations, teeth cleanings, etc. Now that our cats are getting a bit older, and this is Laverne's second major illness (which warranted a week long stay at the vet), we may look into it, again. Her current hospital visit is going to be very expensive (the ultrasound that she had, alone, will probably be $500 - $600), but it's worth it. I told the doctors that I didn't care what they had to do, or how much it cost, I just wanted her to be better. We can deal with the bill, later - even though it's a concern, of course, it's the least of my worries. I just want Laverne to come home and to have confidence that she will not have a relapse!

Boy, what a way to spend my last few days of "freedom"! At least I can rest a bit easier, now that I know that things are hopefully looking up, and get out there and enjoy the beautiful weather! I have my final orientation, tomorrow, a break for Labor Day weekend (where did the summer go?), and then back to school on Tuesday! Frank started his first class, online, today. It will be interesting to see how the whole online class process works. They actually take attendance, too - Frank is required to post on the site to indicate when he's "on" and taking a class, and he's required to be online at least 5 days a week. He also has regular text books, in addition to the online lectures.

I agree with you about hate breeding hate and wearing away at people. It's nice of you to be concerned about your DIL, in addition to those around her, whose lives she is affecting by her attitude and actions. And you're right - she is bound to have regrets, as time passes. But perhaps it will be those regrets that will assist in causing her to see how she is damaging your / her family by isolating her children (and herself and your DS), as she has, and will ultimately cause her to change her thinking and behavior. I can't imagine her imposing such "restrictions" on the family, forever - she will wind up extremely lonely, when her children are old enough to be more independent, and choose to go off on their own, and hopefully seek out the family whom they've not been able to know.

Hope that all is well with all of you, out there, and hope that you all have a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

 

[IASW Rider]

Yea! It looks like Laverne is "out of the woods"! This afternoon, the vet said that she's doing better than any of the other animals who are there, now! She's been eating on her own and everything! The vet says that if she continues to improve at this rate, she may be able to come home tomorrow. But I may want to keep her there just one more day, just to be sure that she's as healthy as possible, before she comes home and re-joins the brood, so I might ask if she can stay until Saturday, just to be safe. Anyway, we're very relieved!

Went to the college bookstore and bought my $94 Intro. to Foods and Nutrition book, today - OY.

Hope that you're all having a great day!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Dear Lisa

I was watching the Laverne and Shirley reunion show a bit ago and thinking of your 'babies". I am relieved to hear that Laverne is out of the woods and on her way home. I am sure that wanting to get home was a big part of her rallying to get well. If I could get treated like she does I would not want to be away either.

Tom had a nice birthday. I took him bowling and stayed to watch. He made a couple of strikes today. We went out to eat afterward and he seemed to enjoy it. Jackie came by after work and brought him a book about cars which he loved. They did not stay long as they were on their way to the church. Don't know when the boys get their homework done. I do not dislike churches but 6 or 7 days a week is too much for my poor tired body. Yes. I know that He has done so much for us but if I moved into the church and prayed constantly it would still not be enough to repay Him and I doubt (hope) He does not expect such. I find God in details and am hard pressed not to bless His name daily, just not in a building. (smile)

I do not hate my dil. I dislike what she does and worry about her temperment hurting the family. I worry greatly about what harvest she will reap one day. I know what happened when my father died.

I bet that the pet insurance would be even more expensive now as I am sure that they take the age of the animals into account and might not cover pre existing conditions. Might be cheaper to just put a set amount away each month for future emergencies. I always put a certain amount away out of the budget for unplaned items and then if it is not used all up or at all I just top it off the next year. I have always found that if you put money away you do not have as many emergencies than if you do not. Seems to work that way.

I sure hope that $94 was for a n ew book and not a used one. OY!!! If Frank is not home one night will you take his class for him? I love the idea of taking classes at home over the computer, Bet it is the future of education. Wish it were cheaper though.

I am dead dog tired and about ready to crash. Got to get up early and make those ressies. $49 a night at the AS!!!!!! Am planning on booking 10 nites. Hope the snow stays away though. Not in FL but the trip down and back.

SG/Linda

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

I wanted you all to be among the first to know that we are going to Disney, I hope.

I just called and easily got ressies for Novbember 7th-16 at AS Sports, Touchdown Bldg, back near the bus stop and parking lot.

Only worry is the weather and I am sure that you guys can arrange for the Suite Studs to keep the roads clear until I get there and get me safely back home as well.

SG/Linda

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Everyone! Hope that you're all having a great Labor Day Weekend! Can't believe that this is the "end of summer" - as always, it flew by way too quickly!

Hi Linda!

So glad to hear that you've begun to make your arrangements for your upcoming WDW trip! You must be getting so excited! And I'm sure that when you see your friend, who was just at the Villages, you will be even more in the "WDW State of Mind"!

Glad to hear that Tom had a nice birthday, doing the things that he enjoys and spending time with you and your family!

Laverne seems to be getting back to herself and feeling better, every day! Thank God! She is eating and drinking regularly and has much more energy than she did, last week. I think that it will take a few more days before she is completely "back to normal", but she is certainly improving every day, and we're grateful for that! We're so happy to have her home!

We've been having a nice Labor Day weekend. Spent all day Friday on campus, for my final orientation, which was fun. We had a quiet day on Saturday, then went to a huge BBQ at a friend of Frank's and his sister's, yesterday. They have a big blowout, every Labor Day weekend, and it's always a lot of fun. The husband of this couple belongs to a band called "Mid Life Crisis" (which I know that I've mentioned in the past, as they are very aptly named - a bunch of middle aged men who think that they are rock stars! They are very good, though! ), and the band always plays in the family's really nice basement bar area. They have a special part of the basement set up like a stage, with all of the band's instruments and equipment - it's really neat. Anyway, today we're just relaxing and getting ready for the big week, ahead!

Frank is getting used to the way that his on line class works. It's really interesting - he proves his attendance and does his assignments by "posting" to the University of Phoenix's web site - similar to how we post, here. He seems to be getting into a routine and is doing a lot of reading for his class.

In the mean time, my "big day" is tomorrow! I'm most nervous about getting to campus and finding that all of the commuter lots are full - something that I never had to think about, years ago, when I lived on campus! I'm fortunate, though - my uncle's house (formerly my grandparents' house) is right down the street from my campus. So if worse comes to worst and I can't find parking anywhere, I can always park in his driveway! Anyway, I have 3 classes tomorrow, beginning at 11:30 AM. I'm wondering if the first week of school will be the way that I remember it being, years ago, where the professors basically distribute each class's syllabus, go over the basics of the class.......and then let everyone go, without homework! I always remember the first week of each semester being pretty "light", that way - I hope that I don't get bombarded with assignments too quickly! I need to "ease myself back in" to the schedule!

I will try to post as often as I can, when school starts. I'll have limited on line access during the day, though I know that there are computer labs with internet access, scattered about the campus. I'll have to find them, for quick DIS breaks, between classes! And I'll definitely check my e-mail and the Boards, when I'm home at night, or early in the morning.

Anyway, hope that all is well with all of you! Take care and talk to you soon!

 

[IASW Rider]

Just wanted to check in and say "hi" and "hope that you're all having a great week"!

I found the computer labs, on campus, so I may be able to occasionally pop in and check the Boards, during the day!

Having a fun but exhausting week, back in the world of academia! (Since when did they give so many reading assignments, during the first week of school??!! And since when was so much walking between classes involved???!!! )

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

 

[IASW Rider]

Just "bumping" us back up!

I survived my first week of classes! It was a much bigger adjustment than I'd anticipated, but it's great (let's see if I'm still saying that, a few weeks from now! )! I'm totally inundated with reading assignments, though, so I have my weekend cut out for me. Fortunately, so is Frank, so we will both be doing the same thing!

Have a great weekend, Everyone!