EWP group?

[twinscandc]

Hello everyone...

Just stopping by to show off my new signature!! Mark's dad gave us a new digital camera, so that is my new project these days. We really didn't know how to use it when we went to WDW last year and only took a hand full of photo's with it. Now I know better!! That camera is fun!! And, you can do tons of stuff with it. Now I need to buy a bigger memory card.

Then, just yesterday I started using Snapfish to store some of my photos and then got a wild hair today to see if I could put a photo or two on my signature....and guess what??? I did it!! It was a snap!!

You can probably tell, I'm a little sleep deprived and just the little things interests me these days!! I long for the days that I can just do what I want, when I want!! Nursing a baby is a full time job!! I'm not sure how I ever did it with TWO babies....the first 6 months of the girls lives are just a blur in my mind!! I'm glad I had the sense to take picutes back then, because that's my only memory!!

Carson is doing well....but is a growing boy and wants to be fed ALL THE TIME!! Other than that, he is just precious!

I hope all is well with everyone else!! Take care and I'll write more the next time I get a "break" in feeding!!


Becki
aka: twinscandc

 

[colleen costello]

Becki, how lovely to hear from you! How nice to see you had a minute to post. Congratulations on your beautiful boy, and how nice that you have a great new camera to record his first months. Every time Carson wants to nurse, remember that every ounce of your precious milk is keeping him healthy and safe. Every time he nurses he will grow a little bit, and before you know it he won't need to eat quite so often! I am the biggest supporter of nursing but even I remember there were times where I just wished my HUSBAND had the milk supply. Hang in there -- you know how soon they get big. Erin is almost 12 and it's all I can do to get a kiss these days.. Pretty sad!

Ladies, there is big news in our family. My Mom and Dad sold their house! They are so excited, because they are almost Florida residents. Now they have to pick a house in the Villages and pack up everything -- YIKES! I keep telling Mom "Keep your eyes on the prize" because we would all LOVE to be in her shoes... I am ready to retire to Florida!

Love to all.

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Everyone!

Just popping by to say a quick "hello"! Things should FINALLY be calming down for me, next week, when the last of my huge assignments is due and the last of my presentations is over. Then, you will be subjected to so many posts from me that you will all be sick of me!

Just wanted to let you know that I'm thinking of you all!

I haven't had a chance to see "Shalom in the Home" yet, Linda, but I did read about it! Will respond to your e-mails as soon as I can - thanks for thinking of us!

Great to hear from you, Becki, and I love the gorgeous new photos in your signature! Hope that all is well with you and your family! So glad to hear that Carson is well and that he's all settled in to your family!

Congratulations to your parents, Colleen! That is wonderful news! I'll bet that they can't wait to move into their beautiful new home in the Villages and become official Florida residents! The North East will miss them, for sure........but they will be closer to Mickey, all the time!

Nothing new, here - just inundated with end-of-semester-projects-in-lieu-of-final-exams in all 3 of my classes. Will take a break this weekend, though - going to NYC to see my friend Gary perform with his new band on Friday night, then we're going to see one of the opening weekend games of our local minor league baseball team, the Somerset Patriots, on Saturday night - can't wait! So glad that baseball season (and spring time) are FINALLY here! LET'S GO METS!!!!!!

And.........in 3.5 weeks, we will be back in the Land of Magic, then sailing the high seas with Mickey, cavorting with dolphins in Nassau, and lounging on Castaway Cay - yipee!

Hope that all is well with all of you! Will be in touch again, as soon as I can! Hope that you're all having a nice week!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Lisa, if anyone is capable of cavorting it would be you and Frank. Gal, you could never bore us if you tried. Your life is so exciting and interesting that just being able to share it with you is about to wear me out. Speaking of wearing out, I almost had to go the emergency room today. I got up extra early to get to town and back before school let out for a half day and was walking around and noticed that nothing hurt. That had to be a sign that something was seriously wrong. The aches are back now so all is well. I just must not have been all the way awake and the pain had not gotten through my semi conscious state. I bet you will be getting some inside info for your trip next year to Europe from the crew on this trip. You have a knack for getting to know the very best people.

Colleen, thank you so much for the great pics of your parents new home. I hope they got enough bedrooms for your many planned visits. If they get lonely they can invite me down for a year or so. Never you mind about not getting any hugs from Erin. My darling son gave me a hug almost every single day of his life right up until the moment he moved out, took a bank account with him and brought the police to my home. Ya just never know. My dd asked me if I missed all the work he did around here. I was speechless (hard to believe huh?) and then I replied that out of all the things I do miss work was not even on the first page. I did get to see a picture of him today. He has not changed much in looks. You would know he was mine. Always will be too.

Becki, has Carson gained any weight? I have been wondering if his wt loss was just the normal after birth bit that happens often? Hooray for the new camera. It was the perfect gift and one that will give you many opportunities to capture special moments. Of course it is the 'little' things that interest you at the moment. One special little thing in particular. Everything else will wait. My little one had bad colic and would only sleep belly to belly with his mom. You don't get much sleep when you are afraid you will roll over and crush a baby. I am still working on catching up on my sleep.

My veggie garden is not only planted but thriving. I cannot believe how early spring has come here. It is usually the second week of May before we can be declared 'frost free". It did get a bit cold last night but not freezing. I am looking forward to that first pan of stuffed peppers. I love the things but only with my homegrown veggies.

I finally got the garden arbor that I bought last year put together and installed. It is a lovely thing and closes off our private yard even more. The neighbors like it as well and since we sort of share it that is a good thing.

I am at the age when I spend a lot of time at funeral parlors. We went to see the husband of a friend last night and tomorrow we have to go to the funeral of a man Tom used to work with. He is several years younger than I and a couple decades younger than Tom. Very sad all around.

I am not sure if I have mentioned it but my weight is slowly, very slowly going down again. I was the best loser for the month in January, February and again in April. Please do not ask about March. (painful) I have a goal in mind that I would like to get to before we go to DW in September. It would be a horrific number for the rest of you ladies but for me it would be a dream. I am getting a look at what my goal of under 200 pounds will look like by seeing how my dd looks and she looks fantastic and I dare say no one would know she weighs as much as she still does. We are sort of like Pall Malls. (you youngsters would not know that their slogan used to be "so round, so firm, so fully packed". I have one out of three , just gotta work on the other two.

Your Slightly Goofy friend, Linda

 

[twinscandc]

We took Carson to his one month Doctor's appointment today and he has gained 2 lbs. in one month!!! I was so worried that after he lost some weight in the hospital, that he wasn't gaining!! With breastfeeding, you're never really know how much they are taking in. Well, Carson must be getting plenty, because he sure packed on the lbs!!!! It makes it seem so much more worth the work and the late night feedings to know that he is growing, growing, growing!! I just had to share my good news!!!!

Other news....Mark and I decided that it would be better for Carson if he didn't have to endure the 18 hour drive down to WDW, so Carson and I are flying!! The girls are very self-sufficient (they are 9 going on 19! ha ha), and I believe they will be fine driving with just Mark. We got pretty good airfare with Southwest, but the flight down doesn't get into MCO until 11:45pm!! Mark and the girls will hopefully get into Orlando earlier during that day and will just have to make a late night trip to the airport. I'm wondering how Carson will do with the ear pressure. I've been reading that it's best to nurse him on take off and landing. I'm kind of nervous about it.

Well, I need to get the girls back inside the house! They already took their showers, but somehow managed to go back outside to jump a few more times on the tampoline while I was feeding the baby. Now, I look outside and they are playing whiffle ball in the back yard with several other neighborhood kids!! I'm glad it's almost summer vacation....they hate going to bed when it's still light outside.

I hope all is well with everyone else!! Take Care!

Becki

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Howdy there Becki!! I knew that Carson would thrive under your tender, loving care. I just love all that hair on his head. Watch out cause that sometimes goes away only to return in full force. You must remember that I am now on my 3rd generation of kids and know it all.

Feeding Carson will not only help him with the flight but keep you occupied and out of any possible trouble. I sure hope you have a late day at the parks planned for the next day after that late night pick up at the airport. You are a braver woman than I but then we already knew that.

When Dalton was little he used to go look out the door to see if it was dark and time to go to sleep. He will be nine this Saturday. Time sure does fly. We got him a week at soccer camp and the equipment. He is well suited for the sport. I am going to see if there is anything similar in Columbus this summer so that he might get a bit more practice. He is a double threat in that he gets great grades and is good at sports. Lucky boy!

My friend's name is Lovena. She and I were co leaders of 4-H for many years and her son and mine were best buddies. She refuses to talk about the upcoming operation and I am very worried about her. Thank you so much for caring.

We planted watermelons today and maybe, if all goes well, we will have some to share. If you happen to be in town in a few weeks I will have peppers and tomatoes a plenty and you are most welcome to help yourself even if I am not at home. Please disregard any weeds. I do well early in the season but seem to lose some interest when it gets very hot.

Are you guys on the dining plan? If so, have you seen the posts about a possible change in the snack credits? Evidentally you can now get any snack or side that is under $4. Tom is truly in HOG heaven.

Have a safe and wonderful trip with your little guy and I am looking forward to lunch and catching up when you return and get rested up.

Hugs, Linda

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Everyone!

I'm finally "back" - yea!!! I finally see "the light at the end of the tunnel" - just one more paper to hand in and one more class to attend, and then my semester is finally, thankfully OVER! This past week has been the most hectic of all, but I've gotten through it and can now finally start allowing myself to think about and enjoy last-minute plans for our upcoming WDW trip!

Hi Linda! Congratulations on your most recent "biggest loser" weight losses! I have no doubt that you will reach your goal way before your Fall WDW trip! And your vegetable / fruit garden sound wonderful - I wish that we lived close enough so that I could see it! Early Happy Birthday to Dalton! I can't believe that he is going to be 9 years old! We've been in this Suite a LOOONG time - I remember when you were celebrating his 5th Birthday!

Hi Becki! Congratulations to you and Carson on his great and healthy weight gain! And that's so neat that you both will be flying to Orlando! I'm sure that he will do beautifully on his first plane ride! And it's nice that your girls and DH will be there to keep each other company and to keep one another entertained on the drive down! When are you all leaving? I'm so excited for you all! We'll be right behind you - we're leaving on the 21st!

I wish that I had something interesting to report, but it's just been school, school, school for the most part, around here!

Just wanted to stop by and say "hi"! I promise to be around more, from here on in, and I look forward to keeping up with everyone's posts in "real time"! Have a great day, Everyone!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Hi there Lisa!!

I am surely glad to hear that you are seeing the light and it is not THAT light. It is hard to believe that one day you will look back on these days with smiles and fond memories but there it is . I cannot wait until I get to send you a graduation card.

Yes, Dalton is going to be nine. He called me twice tonight. Once to tell me that he came in 3rd in the Science Fair. I wonder if he might not have been a victim of his own talent as his presentation looked so good that even I questioned if he did it himself. He did. We got him a week at soccer camp for his present. He is made for that sport as he is sort of like a mouse in getting in and out of close quarters and fast.

Tom will be up very early tomorrow as they are having a breakfast at the church as a fund raiser for Austin's missionary trip to the wilds of W. Va. (I hope he heeds his hillbilly granny's advice and tones down the 'preaching' and makes friends). Tom is always able to get up when there is food available. Maybe a pizza on a stick might get him to move more?

I bought a flat of Wave Petunias and got some in red, white and blue for the back of the property. They are great plants in that they spread so big and you get a lot of bang, and not much work, for your efforts. Carpet roses are also favorites for the same reasons and they bloom from early spring to frost. Perfect plants.

Life is boring here as well except for a wonderful postcard I got in the mail the other day. I am going to see if I can find something interesting from here but have my doubts. Maybe on our upcoming small trip?

Take care all and sweet dreams to Carson. He needs all the rest he can get for his upcoming trip.

Love and Smiles,Linda

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Everyone!

Hi Linda!

And Happy Birthday to Dalton! Hope that he is having a great Birthday weekend! And congratulations to him on his Science Fair honors, as well! When will Austin be going on his mission to WV? I'm sure that he will enjoy it - that's my father-in-law's favorite place (and home state, which he visits just about every other month to hunt and / or fish) and I understand that it is beautiful, there! How was your breakfast at your church?

You will have to take some photos of all of your beautiful plants and flowers, this spring / summer! I'm sure that your landscaping looks wonderful, and I can't wait to hear how your vegetables and fruits come out, too!

I want to wish Becki and her family an early BON VOYAGE, since I'm not sure exactly when they are leaving for WDW. I'll have to ask some of our Suite fellows, to see if they know...........we need to plan a gala BON VOYAGE party for them, especially since this will be Carson's first trip there!

How are you doing out there, Colleen? Please drop by and say "hi", if you have a chance!

Not too much to report, here - just catching up (and I mean CATCHING UP!) on some things around the house, this weekend. Put together my very last (yea!) paper of the semester, yesterday, and am doing a lot of cleaning, today, while Frank repaints our deck furniture to get it all spruced up for summer! I have one more class meeting, tomorrow night, and just that one paper to hand in, then I'm DONE! Yea!!!!! Unfortunately, I have to report for jury duty at 8:30 AM tomorrow morning........I hope that I won't get stuck there, all week!

The only other interesting thing to report is that we received our travel documents from DCL, a few days ago, and we got exactly the stateroom assignment / location that we were hoping for! It's in a location that most people find least desirable (as it is directly under the "Adult Entertainment District" and some find it to be "too loud"), but it's our favorite place to stay BECAUSE of that fact (and we never experienced any noise disturbances when we stayed in that part of the ship, 2 years ago)! It's also directly under the adult pool area, the Walt Disney Theatre, and directly above where we disembark at Nassau. So we are really pleased! We hope that we will be just as happy with our room location at CBR! We'll find out, just 2 weeks from today!

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

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Hi ya Lisa!!

I have to report that Dalton lied to me. He brought out his science project to show to everyone and it had a 1st place ribbon on it instead of the 3rd place. Wonder where he got that odd sense of humor from. Probably from the same place that gave him the idea to write a list of 'cuss' words, properly spelled. (sigh) Must be the BOY side of him but I doubt he will be doing that one again. I am sure he will come up with something else though.

Austin is far too busy with many jobs this summer to get into too much trouble. He has a car to support now.

I am not certain of the exact date that Becki is headed toward The Promised Land but I think it must be soon. I remember noting that it was before the normal 6 week checkup though. Babies are so much more portable than they used to be and I think that is a good thing. Can you just imagine the thoughts that Carson will have in his head, unexpressed? Poor kid will think life is all fun. Since he had the good luck to be born into the right family it is not too far from the truth, for him and his sisters.

You and are of the same mindset when it comes to locations. I prefer to be near the center of all the action. I hear reports of people complaining about noise and such but I have never had a problem. Might be that I do not hear well but I have friends who hear very well who have not had any problems either. The worst thing I ever had was a child, next door, who kept slamming his room door but one look out my door and a smile at his mom fixed that right up. Being near an elevator is an enviable location. You do not want to waste time getting to the action.

Have you stayed at the CBR before? I do not remember you saying you had. If not, be aware that the rooms are awfully spread out and look exactly the same. That being said I have a friend who would not stay anywhere else. She is one of those 'sick' individuals who exercises while at DW though.

Tell Frank that I just toss my plastic chairs out in heavy rain storms. I am sooooo lazy. Bet your furniture looks great though. I like to think of you guys sitting out there with an adult beverage relaxing after a full day and looking at the NJ sunsets.

What part of W. Va. does your fil visit? Tom was born there and I was born and raised just a few miles from the border myself. We find it extremely funny that our grandson is going on a mission there and a bit worried as we know how many of the people there are not interested in being told that their way is wrong. I agree with them but hope they have mercy on my poor grandson who is very sweet and not a bit stuck up and might learn something from them instead.

I ate a bit of scrambled eggs and two sausage links at the breakfast which is far more than I usually eat for breakfast. There is not enough space to report on what Tom ate.

Tom went to visit his brother today so I have about a day and a half to get many projects done. I planted a flat of flowers, pulled weeds, watered and fed all my plants, took down the shower curtain and am getting ready to scrub it all up and put up a nice clean shower curtain liner tomorrow. I have the spreader filled with Weed n Feed for tomorrow early morning and hope to get the doors and steps all washed up. I have 4 so that will take awhile. Community Center in the afternoon and paperwork tomorrow evening. I put together a new lawn mower and installed all the fluids in the right places this week and gave the old mower to my bil. I caught Tom with a bungie cord holding the top of the mower in place. If the blade had hit the cord it would have thrown it with enough force to have done some serious damage. Seemed cheaper and safer to buy a new one. He seldom mows but when he does it is interesting.

Does anyone happen to have watched Illuminations from the stage area at the front of WS just after you walk across the bridge from FW? I had a report of that and it sounds promising. A friend told me that the CM's inforce a no standing rule there as well. It is closer to the front of the park at closing and that would be a big plus. We usually stop at the Fountainview to watch the hordes leave the park.

Hugs and Smiles, your very busy friend, Linda

 

[twinscandc]

Hello Lisa, Colleen and Linda (and anyone else that might be reading)!!

All is well here at our house. Carson is still eating every 3 hours and I beginning to wonder how I'm going to do once I go back to work, which just happens to be next Wednesday, 5/17. I am NOT looking forward to it!! I've enjoyed my time off!! My boss is not too happy with me because I will come back to work, only to take vacation time two weeks later!! Oh well, he'll just have to get over it! I'm his best employee!! ha ha!!

We leave for WDW in 4 weeks!! Mark's nephew is graduating from High School on 5/27, so we have to be in town for that. Mark and the girls will leave early on 6/2 and then my flight is on 6/3. I cant' believe Carson will be 9 weeks old by then!

We are the most easy going kind of people and so I'm hoping that we will just be able to go with the flow down there. My philosphy is: If Carson is just going to eat, sleep and poop here, he can eat, sleep and poop in WDW also (and what better place!!). We only plan to do one day in the parks. The rest of the time we are going to lay around and eat wonderfully on the DDP!! I'm so excited with the new addition of snacks!!! We did make PS for Hoop Dee-Doo which will be a first for us!! We can't wait!!

So, on to other things.....

Lisa, your trip is quickly approaching!! There for awhile I thought we would be there about the same time, but you will probably be going home as we are coming down. Are you at CBR first and then the cruise? Also, I'm not sure if I've ever figured out what field of study you are in? Are you close in completing your school work?

Linda, how was Dalton's birthday? He's the big 9!! Is he in the 3rd grade? That is so funny about the science project!! Was he surprised with your soccer camp present? Is that a soccer camp through the local Parks and Rec? I was looking at the Parks and Rec summer guide and I remember seeing several sport camps that they are offering. I think I'm going to sign the girls up for the East Volleyball camp. Also, I am going to take you up on your offer of tomatoes!! I love BLT's in the summer time! It makes my mouth water thinking about it. What kind of jobs does Austin have this summer?

Colleen, what's the latest with your parents? Have they picked out their house yet? What is the villages? Are they Disney "people"?

Well, off to bed! It's been a busy day.

Best Wishes to all!!

Twinscandc
aka: Becki

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Becki, how did I get the idea that you were going to DW just a couple of weeks after Carson was born? (sigh) Senility can be your friend but I fear it must be when I get a bit further along and do not realize that I have lost my mind.

Every 3 hours? Even I can remember those days. My solution was to keep my babies next to the bed so I could just roll over once in awhile. How are you coping with having two others to care for too? Your girls are so well behaved I am sure that they are doing all they can to make it easier for you though. They strike me a very mature for their ages.

Please let me know what you think of Hoop de Doo as I did not plan it being as we are rural folk and see that sort of Hoop de Doo in our regular lives. Tom is only interested in food. I did think that the undulating grass skirts at the Luau might interest him some though. The man is lazy not dead.

Dalton's name was in the paper today for making the honor roll. Yes, he is in the third grade. If he could get over his sometimes inappropriate outbursts he would be nearly perfect. We will both work on that this summer. I could use a brush up also.

I will have to check the parks and rec website and see if they have anything soccer related. Dalton was fully outfitted at his birthday party and is ready. I told him that he should ignore the coach as Dalton knows it all AND that if a maneuver is a bit hard he should give up. Reverse Psychology works very well with him.

I would be delighted for you to share my tomatoes, peppers or watermelons. I will even deliver to your home if need be. Nothing beats home grown. Wish I could share with everyone else. (BTW, Lisa, did I tell you that I planted one tomato plant in YOUR honor, sort of. It is a Rudgers variety. Not quite the same but I will think of you anyway.)

I bet you have lots of dark rides and shows planned for your upcoming trip. At least I am betting that Carson is hoping so.

I think I have gotten most of the things on my list done today but still see several more things I wish I could have finished. Maybe I will get my second wind later tonight.

One of my students made me a sign that says "I love you". Hope I did not get into trouble cause I told her that I loved her right back. One of my other students will be headed to first grade next year and since I know her teacher I have promised that I will come out to the school and help her if she needs it next year. It is very rewarding and especially so this year. I will miss them this summer when I am reduced to one (albeit special) student. We have plans.

Have a great night and see in on the veranda later.

Love and Hugs, Linda /SG

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

How many of you caught the last episode of "The Apprentice"? It was filmed at Rutgers.

I actually stopped multitasking and devoted my full attention to the show. That is something I seldom do as TV is more of a background noise for me.

It was wonderful to see the places that our dear Lisa trods in her everyday life and when she was a mere slip of a teenager.

Just thought I would drop by and say what a beautiful campus it is and how glad I was to see the girls win!!

Linda

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Everyone!

Linda, Colleen, and Becki, I'm so sorry that I didn't "get" here earlier to wish you all a very Happy Mother's Day! We were away at my in-laws' in South Jersey, this weekend, and I tried to sign on to the Boards several times, there, but for some reason, the site wouldn't let me (maybe because I am signed on, on my home computer?). Anyway, I wanted to let you know that I was thinking of you all, today, and hope that you all had very special Mother's Days!

I'm so sorry that we will miss one another at WDW, Becki! But you will be there during our "Special Week" - my husband, Frank, proposed to me at the Poly on 6/3/01 (just after our original EWP Suite thread started! ), we were married on 6/2/02 and began our honeymoon at the Poly on 6/3/02, and then celebrated our first anniversary at the Poly, beginning on 6/3/03! We always used to go to WDW during the first week of June - our annual anniversary vacation! The past 2 years (and this year), we "moved back" and started going in May, because it worked into our school and work schedules better, that way. But the first week in June has always been a very special one for us at WDW, and we are honored to know that you all will be there - and that Carson will be making his first trip there - during our special and favorite week! I know that you will all have a wonderful time! And that's so neat that you are going to the Hoop Dee Doo - that's one of my favorite memories of my childhood trips to WDW - my Mom always used to take my cousin and me, and we always had a lot of fun! Some time, I will have to drag Frank there to see the show, for old time's sake - and also to show him Fort Wilderness! We saw the Luau (the old version - pre-Lilo and Stitch) on our first trip to WDW together, in 2000, and that was a lot of fun, as always! The Luau also brings back great memories of my childhood trips to WDW! I'm sure that you and Tom would really enjoy it, if you choose to go, Linda!

For the past 3 years, we have done the land / sea WDW / DCL package, spending the first 4 days of our vacation on land at WDW (this year at CBR - the past 2 years at POR) and then the last 3 days on the Wonder in Nassau and Disney's island, Castaway Cay! It's "the best of both worlds"! We love the package so much that we LITERALLY booked this year's vacation WHILE WE WERE ON THE SHIP, last year! And it won't be so heartbreaking disembarking the Wonder this year, either, since we are already booked on the Mediterranean cruise on the Disney Magic for next July! (PLUS, we will sneak in at least a long weekend at WDW, in honor of my 40th Birthday, next year! )

Thanks for asking about my "academic career" - I am almost finished with my Masters of Public Health program (Health Education concentration) at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey ("UMDNJ") School of Public Health. I have one more semester of classes to go (in the fall - unfortunately no classes that I need are offered, over the summer), and then I will begin my fieldwork (probably 2 semesters), which I will ultimately present before I graduate (probably in Spring, 2008). The past year went very quickly - I can't believe that I am almost finished with my class work - I will actually miss the classroom portion of my program............even though it makes me stressed and nuts with deadlines and drives me crazy..........I really do enjoy being in class! (I never thought that I would hear myself say that, so many years after graduating from college! )

Lots of good luck with your return to your office! It's great that you can sort of "ease yourself back into the routine".........and then have your vacation to look forward to, in just 2 weeks! That's definitely the "way to do it"!

Congratulations to Dalton on his honor roll announcement in the newspaper, Linda! That is such great news and such a nice "Birthday gift" for him! And I am very honored that you have Rutgers tomatoes growing in your garden! That's what we do, here in NJ.........develop new varities of tomatoes! And yes, we specially watched the Rutgers episode of "The Apprentice" last Monday night (the Alumni Association had sent a blast e-mail to everyone, letting everyone know that it was going to be on). Frank and I have watched "The Apprentice" in previous seasons, but weren't following it, this time around. But we had to watch the Rutgers episode, of course! I participated in many similar tailgates before football games, "back in the day"! It was nice that they showed the stadium and other locations - we can see the top of the stadium (which is right across the Raritan River from us - barely 5 miles away) from our deck and can always see the lights when it's lit up for a nighttime event. In fact, the Goodyear Blimp often flies right over our house when there is a big event going on in Rutgers Stadium! And the stadium is also practically right next door to my UMDNJ campus in Piscataway, too!

That was so sweet of your student to make the "I love you" sign for you! Though I am not surprised - I'm sure that all of your students are very attached to you and that you have touched all of their lives in a very special way!

All is well, here. Will be spending most of the week continuing to "wind down" from my crazy school semester and jury duty responsibilities of last week..........and finally getting around to organizing and packing! Yipee! We leave at 5:00 AM (for a 7:00 AM flight), next Sunday morning! The final countdown begins...........! All PS's have been made, all shore excursions (we're doing the dolphin encounter in Nassau - can't wait! ) have been confirmed..........we're definitely "getting there", slowly but surely!

Hope that all is well with all of you and hope that you all have a great week! Talk to you soon!

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Everyone!

Just wanted to stop by the Suite to say "hello" and to wish you all a nice weekend and week ahead! We'll be blasting off for WDW at 5:00 AM on Sunday morning (our flight leaves Newark at 7:00 AM - nothing like getting an early start, as I always say! ), so I wanted to be sure to post now, in case I don't have a chance to do so, tomorrow! We'll be at CBR until Thursday morning, at which time we'll leave for Port Canaveral and board the Wonder! We'll be back home on Sunday night (the 28th). And then we can start figuring out when we're going to return to WDW in 2007 (Food and Wine Festival? ) and start counting down to our Mediterranean cruise on the Magic in July of next year, too!

Hope that all is well with all of you! We'll be thinking of you all, when we are in THE LAND OF MAGIC! Take care and talk to you all, soon! Love ya! Lisa

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Colleen and I are all alone in the Suite as everyone else is either at DW or on their way. Poor us. Of course Colleen just came back and I am planning our next trip but it still does not seem fair.

I am imagining Frank and Lisa sipping Mai Tai's on the deck of the Disney Cruise Line and planning their next day's activities. I hope they have a Disney trivia game aboard ship as they usually give out a free cruise the winners and we all know who would win that game!!

I wish that we could read Carson's mind and what he is thinking of this great new world that he has just come into. I can see his sisters introducing him into the Disney Delights that they have enjoyed for years. He has a lot of catching up to do and I bet he is up to the task.

As much work as it has taken to catch up with the mini vacation we just returned from I cannot imagine how much work it will be after our big fall trip. I think I shall do as Scarlett and 'think about it tomorrow'.


Bon Voyage, safe traveling and Magical Memories to you all!!

Love, Hugs and Smiles, SG/Linda

 

[colleen costello]

Hi Everyone (or just Linda!)... Checking in quickly here with an update. I am inundated right now with carnival planning. Friday is our big end-of-the-school year luau and all heck is breaking loose. PTO will be the death of me yet! This morning when I got home from the school I had a wonderful message from Lisa, almost as nice as speaking to her directly. Last night she and Frank had their traditional "first dinner" at 'Ohana, and they were joined afterward by Lisa's friends Mike and Danny, who live in Orlando. Today they were off to the Studios and lunch was planned at the Brown Derby. Tonight they are trying BOMA for the first time, and I am excited for them as that is such a wonderful, festive place. Tomorrow I think they are doing Animal Kingdom, where Lisa plans to shop while Frank braves "Everest" with their Orlando pals.

Lisa also said they were enjoying Carribean Beach Resort. She said they had a comfortable, colorful room. The weather is very hot -- ninety-five degrees -- but she said "WHo cares? I am here!" Great attitude It is so exciting to hear from friends who are down there, almost as good as being there myself.

Love to all. I will resurface after this Friday evening, when the carnival is finished.

xoxo

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Hey Colleen! What do ya mean JUST??? lol

It has been beyond hectic here as well. I think I forgot, in the trauma of the moment, to tell you that my grandson's great grandma died a couple of days ago. Austin found her. Thankfully the dear lady passed away peacefully on her sofa that was a bit of a comfort. Other happenings as well but that is the main distraction at the moment.

95 degrees? Whew, I hope that means this fall will be cooler than average. Unlike most asthmatics I can bear the cold but not the heat. What I remember most about the CBR is the long walk to everything and all the rooms looked alike so I often had to walk twice or thrice the distance as I kept getting lost.

I hope Lisa and Frank and friends get the waterfall section of Boma's and be sure to try some of the butternut squash soup. I dream about that stuff and I am not much of a soup person. Zebra Domes are highly overated in my opinion.

Colleen, do not despair of the PTO. At least you will have the comfort of knowing that you did all that you could for your kids, along with the many others, so that if they should falter along the highway of life you can know "you done your best'. Of course YOUR children are going to trod the straight and narrow as that is the only way you can afford those Disney vacations that they have become accustomed to.

Dalton threw this at me the other night - among his many reasons for wanting to move to Miami (CSI, cool factor, boats, strange flora and fauna etc.) it is also closer to Disney World. How can one argue against that kind of logic??

This will be my last day at the Community Center for this school year I will have a student body of one this summer. The list is long and interesting for what is to be taught and learned. I have a feeling that I will be learning just as much as the student though. He regaled me with a complete bio on Bram Stoker, author of "Dracula" including how it was based on Vlad the Impaler etc. He told me things that I did not even know. I love it!!

I spent the morning laying out the new path for my garden arch. I am using old carpet to form the base and keep weeds away for awhile and then pouring sand on top to anchor the stepping stones. It looks so lovely.

No big exciting life here. Mundane though it might be it is my life and I cope by living vicariously through your fabulous and fun filled reports. Hurry up and fill my life with some trip reports. I am drowning in a sea of tedium.

Love and Hugs, SG/Linda

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

I have got to haul out that last box of Nice n Easy. Here is what happened to me today.

I was finishing up my last day at the Community Center and stopped to visit with the director who asked me if I would do double duty next year and come in early to work with the 4 year olds before the after school bunch come in. Sounded great to me until - - - - -

She told me that she hoped that she would be as active as I when she gets to my age.

Now this old broad spent the day trimming bushes, digging a trench and various other things before I went over to sit comfortably with the little ones.

I think I am about ten years older than she. Lucky for her I have a sense of humor and am looking forward to working with more children next year. I have a hidden talent. I can read upside down and that comes in handy when reading to wee ones who want to see the pictures while I read.

Just thought you youngsters would enjoy hearing from this old, decrepit and aged woman.

Love, hugs, smiles, SG/Linda

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Hello everyone!!

I was surfing the Net looking for some song lyrics and midi's that I could use as background music for a dvd that my sister and I are putting together for the family. The music is rather obscure, odd songs that our mom used to sing. She was a belter of music and could sing in tune and well which is far more than I can attempt.

I found several songs I was looking for then when I tried the last song "You Gotta Love Your Mama Every Night" you will never guess what I came up with. There was only one hit and that was an old post I had posted here years ago. lol

It was so much fun reading some of the old posts and thinking about old friends. We sure have come a long way together. May it continue. We have got to all get together at DW one of these years.

Hugs and Smiles, Linda/SG