EWP group?

[angelina]

Lisa, it must be terribly difficult for you to continue to work in your office under those circumstances. Keep your chin up, things will work out as they're meant to.

What a wonderful surprise to find that you had to get an entirely new wedding gown--You're going to look beautiful in it. Just a few more weeks! How are the shower plans coming along? I take it everything else is already taken care for the wedding day? Those last days drag by so slowly. Have you sent out your invitations, yet? That always makes it so official, and then the gifts begin arriving...

Reading about the winery near SG, and your wine tasting last weekend reminded me of a spoof that some of our local DJ's did on the radio years ago about the Heiny winery. They would make these official sounding commercial about this place that supposedly existed "over the bay" as we say, in "Beautiful Baldwin County." They would talk about things to "do" with your Heiny, such as, "how do you make a Heiny float? Put two scoops of vanilla ice cream in your Heiny." The jokes went on and on, and people actually believed that there was such a place! They were the morning DJ's, and I used to wake up to this stuff. It really was too funny.

The dreaded Brownie sleep over is this weekend at my house, and I have a lot of cleaning to do today and tomorrow, as Friday is Field day at school and I will be there all day. Dh and ds are leaving to do guy things Friday evening, so it's just us girls until 8:00 am Sat. morning, when we have a softball game for dd.

SG, the peppers sound delicious, BTW. I used to love them!

 

[helenabear]

Hello there everyone!

Wow you all have been rather chatty lately. I keep wanting to come in and take the time to post but I usually don't find the time to sit down and say all that I wanted to with you all I did try to reply yesterday but the server was busy and I didn't get back to replying later on.

Angelina, I am glad that you all had a good time at the beach! What a wonderful way to have spent the weekend! I do hope you get to do it more often as it sounds like a great way to get away from it all! I haven't had luck with the dress really. I was thinking this weekend I really HAVE to get out to JCPenney's outlet to see what they have. I did find a dress that is okay but really they are too much money for what I want to spend. What I am hoping is one style of dress that I found will be at the Outlet so I can get it for much less than retail. I like it, but not enough to spend so much money on it. Oh and best of luck this weekend... you will need it!!!

Rider, I cannot wait to see the pictures of you in your dres!!! I can only imagine how beautiful you look in it! And to lose 4 dress sizes!!! WOW!!! You must be tiny by now I am so sorry you have to deal with what you do at work. Maybe it is a sign you should find a new company. I am sure after 12 years that just stinks, but maybe it is time to move on... no matter what remember you are a great person and they really are making a mistake by not keeping you on! Don't take it personally though, someone may feel threatened by your presense or even something as stupid as worrying that you will quit after you get married so they think they are "doing you a favor" or the like. Who knows... but it is their mistake. But the upside is that you can post all you like now and not care

SG, I am terribly proud of your weight loss. To be smaller than you have in 10 years is a wonderful thing! Really!!! I am sure with all these wonderful foods you have been preparing the pounds will just slide right on off! And I promise I will wave on my way to Chicago when I go in June!

I had a bad day yesterday. Long story short I blew up at Luis for something I shouldn't have. He is getting more calls about possible job openings so please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. He really needs a new job for his self-esteem more than anything else.

Otherwise life is good... the cats are nice and work isn't quite killing me anymore The weather here is supposed to be beautiful for the next few days with warm (70's) and sunny I hope you all are having a wonderful day

 

[IASW Rider]

Hello!

How are you all doing, today?

I'm sorry to hear that you felt badly about blowing up at Luis, Helenabear. Don't worry, though - I'm sure that he understands that it was just "in the heat of the moment" - that happens to everyone at one time or another - I'm sure that everything is all right, now. That's great that he's getting calls about more possible jobs! That, in and of itself, will definitely boost his morale and I'm sure that it makes him feel proud! I'm sure that he will find something great, soon! Let us know how it goes at the JC Penney outlet - maybe you'll find just the kind of dress you're looking for, at a much better price than in the retail stores, at the outlet! Good luck - I'm sure that you will find something beautiful!

And lots of good luck to you, this weekend, Angelina! I'm sure that even though the Brownie weekend will be hectic, it will be a lot of fun, too! They'll all be so cute! How did Field Day go? I liked your description of the "Heiny place" with the "Heiny winery"! That is funny!

Thanks again for your supportiveness and for listening to my whining (.....my "heiny whining"??? Hee hee!). I'm trying to come out of the "blue funk" that I was in all last week. I actually got a call from Human Resources about one of the jobs that I posted for, yesterday. She said that I was the strongest candidate and she would highly recommend me to the hiring manager. So, who knows? Even if I don't wind up getting an interview out of the deal, at least it's hopeful and at least it shows me that there might be a way to get a job around this place without having to "know someone" or "be friends with the 'right people' ", you know? Sort of restores my faith in a system of "fairness". We'll see. You're absolutely right about maybe looking elsewhere after 12 years, Helenabear. But truth be told........I'm a bit lazy! It's easier for me to try to look for a job internally than to "go outside", right now, so I'm just sticking to internal posting, for now. Also, it would be nice to hold on to my tenure.....and it would be nice to commute to work with Frank every day, since most of the jobs are at the location where he works (my division is the only one at the location where I work)! Thank you all again for your encouragement!

And thank you for your compliments, too! Please - I wish that I was "tiny"! I have a long way to go before I ever become remotely "tiny".....assuming I ever get there! But I was very happy with the "dress incident"! And even though it's been a pain (expense wise) buying all new clothes for our WDW honeymoon........I'm pleased to say that they are all 3 sizes smaller than the shorts and tank tops that I wore there last year! Yipee!

Well, my shower-that's-supposed-to-be-a-surprise-but-won't-be is tomorrow! It's funny - I spoke to my friend who organized it, today, and she didn't let on at all. At the end of our phone conversation, she even said "we have to make a plan to get together some time soon...." It was all I could do not to say "see ya tomorrow!" Hee hee! I suppose I feel more comfortable with the idea, now - and more comfortable knowing that there is really no way that my parents could find out and make me miserable over it, for no reason. (I haven't even told them "the whole story" about my work situation.......even not knowing all of the details, my mother has made nasty comments, implying that I'm getting "fired" because I'm not good enough. So I just don't want to have to deal with her irrational thoughts about a shower, and my father going along with her to "keep the peace", on top of that.) Anyway......I am looking forward to seeing many of my girl friends from elementary school, high school, and college together in one place - it's so rare that that happens, since we all live in different parts of NJ or in NYC, and everyone is so busy. I'm sure that it will be fun - I just hope that I can act surprised and not give away the fact that I knew about it ahead of time! I will bring my camera (Frank said that he can make it look like he brought it along because he'd known that I would want it) and will take some pictures and put them on line.

We did send out the invitations, around Passover and Easter, and responses have been rolling in, slowly but surely. It's fun to come home from work and see if any have arrived and then try to guess who they're from before opening them! In the mean time, we're going to buy our wedding rings next weekend and bring still photographs to the photographer to use in our video, we have a meeting with the band the weekend after that, and the travel agent called this morning and told me that our final WDW payment is due - yea!!!!

Thinking about the wedding, I almost forget (though there's really no way that I would ever forget!) that we are going to WDW so soon, too! I already made all of our priority seatings and mapped out what we are going to do on each day. In a few weeks, I will call CRO and make sure that the Poly knows to give us the same room that we had last year....so that we will be in the exact same place where Frank proposed to me, exactly one year to the day later! I can't wait to see the new parades! And, after 11 years, I will FINALLY get to see SpectroMagic! I confirmed that it will be running the last 2 nights that we are there, so on our last night, we are going to have dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table, then see SpectroMagic and Fantasy in the Sky! I saw the SpectroMagic floats up close, in daylight, when we took the Backstage Magic tour, last year, but I only saw them "in action" at night once, from afar, in 1991.

Hey SG! You tempt us by discussing your recipes, leave us starving, then disappear and don't tell us more about them???? Seriously - I want to hear more about those stuffed peppers (so does Frank!)!

How are you doing, out there, Jstmee? Did you decide to apply for the position that you mentioned? Keep us posted!

Hope that you're all doing well and that you all have a great weekend! Time to pretend to do work, again (hee hee!)! Take care and I'll talk to you soon!

 

[jstmee]

Gosh! I feel like I've been away for an eternity. Everytime I come here it's "Server Busy". AAArrgh.

Lisa, I feel like you are in a Cinderella story with your dress being sized down and eating at the Royal Table and getting ready for your wedding. It is all so very romantic. I hope your "surprise" shower was fabulous. As for the job situation, I wish you didn't have to deal with that before your wedding, etc.

Angelina, Brownie, brownies everwhere. I am sending sleep PD your way to make all the little brownies get tired and sleep soundly.

SG, I'm so proud of your weight loss. I gave up after a few weeks and haven't been able to do a thing again. Keep it up no matter what. There's a saying "There's nothing that tastes as good as the feeling of being thin".

helenabear, I hope you find the dress you are looking for and that all calms down on the home front. I'm sure it will.

I am almost sure that I won't apply for the Rec. Director job. The job will have a lot of politics, since it's a town paid position and it is a salaried paid position with many hours. I don't think I want that responsibility again right now, with the kids and all. Now, here's the kicker! We have a papermill in town and they are hiring spare production workers. Shift work, 12 hour shifts. I am seriously thinking of this because I'd get paid for whatever hours I work and I'd go in, work and leave the work at work when i come home. It's a job that mostly men get, and it's a very depressed town, etc. I don't know that I'd even be considered or if I even want to be considered, but I might try.

The kids have been outside all day, it's been a nice 50F today, the snow is finally melting. It freezes back up in the evening though.

I hope everyone is well. Take care. Wendy

 

[angelina]

SG, where are you? You haven't been around lately, or are you having trouble getting into the suite like the rest of us? It sure has been busy around here lately!

Well, the sleep over is OVER. Actually, it wasn't too bad. We had 17 or 19 girls attend, with one casualty at 10:00. My sister knew what time it was before she even looked at the clock because that's the same time the "I wanna call my mommy" started at my niece's slumber party last summer. We had pizza, games and relays, made friendship bracelets, ate cookies, then settled down with a movie. The last die-hards gave it up around midnight, although a late round of very loud fireworks at the baseball game season opener gave most of us a start. It really sounded more like explosions that fireworks, maybe because of the fog and rain or whatever. I guess the world situation has me spooked.

Gotta go, dh needs the computer. I'll check in tomorrow.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

I are gonna try one more time, again!

Angelina, you are a braver woman than I. I used to do such things in my youth but not anymore. I am so deaf the girls would get away with murder. LOL I do kid my sil that he slept with my daughter for the first time (I hope) at my house. It was her graduation party and everyone stayed up so late and just fell asleep on the living room floor. I would rather have had that than tired kids trying to drive home. You only had one girl go home early? Not bad. Hope she was not too embarrassed. That age is rough. I don't suppose any of them stayed around to help clean up? LOL I am helping plan an overnight party at the library for the 6th graders who help out. We are going to have pizza after everyone gets the library put to rest for the summer but I am going home to sleep in my own bed while other, younger people do the duty of the 'all night' party. (grin) BTW, did you serve any GS cookies?

Jstmee, you just quoted last week's WW inspirational saying. I am trying to convince myself of the truth of that fact. Have had a hard but OP (On Program) week. I combined my exercise with shopping today. I went to the Wal Mart Super Store and spent 2 hours walking around and around and looking up the calories etc. on about a million products. Found something great TGIF Quesadillias for only 6 points for the whole box. Hope they taste good. Have you all noticed that I talk more about food now that I can't have much? (grin) You are probably right about the Park Director's job but gee I wish you would give it a try as you seem like such a natural. IMHO it is better to work at something you enjoy because you will just naturally be good at it and when you are good at something you usually are rewarded with feeling proud of yourself and most of the time you are rewarded in monetary and other enticements as well. Anytime you work with a group of people you are bound to have some conflicts and being the only woman would be very stressful also. I am sure that you will soar at whatever you decide to do though.

Rider, are you still at your party? I can just imagine how much fun it must be. Wonder what some of your friends that you have not seen in a while think of your transformation. You would look funny if you were 'tiny' as you are not built for that style. You looked great before and are now just a bit more great!! I am still getting good vibes about your job prospects. I have such a lovely picture of you and Frank in perfect tandem on your way to and from work and living an idyllic and fantastic married life. How very romantic you are to plan to spend your honeymoon in the very same room as where you started making your wedding/marriage plans. Makes this old lady misty just thinking about it.

Helenabear, please stop beating yourself up for being human. I am sure that Luis understood and he will have his turn one day also. My theory is that we often take out our frustrations on those we love and trust the most cause they will forgive and love us anyway. The best part is making up anyway. Wouldn't it be funny if you find the perfect dress at the Outlet since I had to remind you it was there? Ain't that the way, in that we tend to take for granted the the things near to home? I have a footstool that I bought there.

I spent 2 hours walking around the stores today in an effort to get my exercise in and get my shopping done at the same time. I have a terrible fear of animals (please forgive me) and cannot walk around the town. We have had several dog bite victims in the past few years and that does not help matters. While I am afraid of animals I would never hurt one and that is a lot different from being an animal 'hater'. Not sure why this is as I have pictures of me as a child with a dog and riding a horse. Might have something to do with the fact that my dad kept very mean hunting dogs and he trained them up in ways that were similar to his child rearing techniques. I have been walking in place in front of the tv and trying to use the treadmill when I can get my DH out of the way for a bit. Digging in the garden helps some also. I am going to put in a lighting system in the backyard next week. I enjoy productive exercise more than exercise for it's own sake.

Change of subject - am I the only one who watches "Changing Spaces"? Love it.

Your rambling friend, SG/Linda

 

[angelina]

We spent the entire day working in the yard, blowing the old oak leaves out of flower beds (my job) and edging, mowing, fertilizing, and planting. I don't know about the rest of you, but more leaves fall in the spring down here than in the autumn, LOL. We were just finishing up with the planting and raking when the rain started, so we took a short break, the sun came out, and I put Miracle Grow on my flowering plants and bushes. There are so many things I'd love to do in my yard, but will have to do it a little at a time.

Everyone's ready for dinner now, and I have to get the little one out of the tub, but will check in later, if I don't fall asleep. I can't wait to hear how Lisa's party went.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Good evening Angelina!

Sounds as if you had a busy and productive day. Doesn't it feel good to stand back and see what you have accomplished? I have all my flowerbeds cleaned out and mulched and am now thinking of planting some veggies. It is supposed to be 87 tomorrow, a record for this part of the country this time of the year! Hope the a/c is in working condition.

I use Miracle Gro also. One thing I also do is go to the Garden Club sales where they sell cuttings of their plants. I have tried to organize a plant swap with my club members many times to no avail. Have learned the hard way that getting cuttings of plants from my country neighbors is not always a good idea as those plants tend to take over and that does not work well in my tiny and very organized yard. I am so anal that I have had to learn to throw my bulbs and plant them where they lay or I end up with rows of 'soldiers'. LOL

Can you send pictures of your beautiful gardens when they bloom?

Hope you sitting with your feet up and relaxing. You deserve it!

SG/Linda

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Everyone!

How are you all doing, today? You all sound so busy! Lots of great things going on!

Wendy - I think that you should go for which ever job you feel will make you the happiest (as Linda said), and which ever will fit into your lifestyle more comfortably. I'm beginning to realize that it's more important to have the right balance in your life and not to compromise the important things (like the time that you spend with your family) for work, no matter how interesting that work might be. I'm sure that you will make the right decision for yourself and that it will be a great one! I can't believe that you STILL have snow on the ground, there! Glad to hear that it's finally warming up, though! You're welcome to visit sunny and (now) 85 degree New Jersey any time!

Angie - Glad to hear that you survived your Brownie sleep over! It sounds like you all had a lot of fun - lots of great activities (I wouldn't have minded being invited and doing all of those fun things - hee hee!)! It was really nice of you to host it! And it sounds like you're making a lot of progress with your gardening and landscaping! I really admire your work - I know that I would not have the patience or talent to do it! I'm sure that all of your plants and flowers look great!

Linda - I'm sure that you are staying OP a lot more than you are giving yourself credit for! You've already accomplished so much, and I'm sure that you're accomplishing more and more every day! It's great that you're walking and combining that with other activities, like shopping - but then again, you are always an efficient multi-tasker! I'm sure that those pounds are just dropping off so quickly that you'll need to go shopping......for a new wardrobe.....soon!

Hi out there, Helenabear! How are you doing? Any luck finding a dress over the weekend?

Thank you all for thinking of me! My shower was very nice! The best part was seeing so many of my friends, sitting around the table in the restaurant, all together, when Frank and I arrived. They were all very sweet. I just get so embarrassed, being the center of attention! I'd rather hide behind my camera and take pictures of everyone else! I feel badly that I didn't get to speak to each person, individually, for longer periods of time - it was just so overwhelming! And they gave me some wonderful gifts, as well. The mother of my best friend from high school had just returned from WDW, and she brought WDW gift certificates (I didn't even know that there was such a thing!) back for us. This same friend's sister travels to Japan on business just about every month, and she brought us back souvenirs from TDS and just general Japanese Disney souvenirs (like cookies shaped like Mickey Mouse in samurai costume!) I had had so much anxiety about the shower, my parents finding out about it, etc., beforehand, but I feel so much better, now. And I'm glad that I let go of some of that paranoia, so that I could really enjoy myself on Saturday! It was really very nice of them all to come and do that for me - some of my friends traveled 50 - 100 miles to be there, and the shower was only about 3 hours long! Anyway, if you'd like to be bored by some more of my pictures, )) they're in the "Lisa's Bridal Shower" album at this link:

http://photos.yahoo.com/lisaandfrankmagicalyear

It was a wonderful weekend in general - the weather really warmed up - it was in the 80's over the weekend and has been that way since - and Frank and I did absolutely nothing on Sunday, which was fantastic! We started our "Disney film festival" - we're trying to watch a Disney animated movie almost every night until we go - we "kicked off" with "The Little Mermaid" (lots of good EWP soundtrack music in that film! ) and "Beauty and the Beast", over the weekend! I'm off from work, tomorrow - I have another fitting for my dress, and I'm going to get my birth certificate and divorce decree out of my safe deposit box so that they will be ready when we apply for our marriage license in a few weeks. I also have a baby shower gift to pick up for a co-worker, too. Then, I'm going to take the rest of the day to do my favorite thing......nothing! Maybe I'll catch a few episodes of "A Wedding Story"! (speaking of TLC shows, I do watch "Trading Spaces" occasionally, when I'm home during the day, Linda!) Tonight, the lady who does my hair is going to practice styling it with my veil.

Well, normally I would say "time to get back to work"......but instead I'll say "time to get back to obligatorily (is that a word? Hee hee!) sitting here at my desk"!

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

 

[helenabear]

Hi everyone! I know, long time no see. I had something happen on Monday that kept me away from stopping in. My hard drive up and died on me. I had really no warning… of course a friend of mine reminded me that I had many troubles with a few programs crashing here and there but I thought it was the programs and there was no showing that anything on my hard drive was failing or going corrupt. So Monday I didn’t get the time to come in here to relax. I had so much I needed to catch up on. I admit I wandered by and listened but didn’t have the time to sit and talk myself. So I have no one’s e-mail here anymore… please please send me an e-mail with your address and I will have it again Thank you guys for that!!!

I had every intention of coming in here yesterday as well I was all set to come in and sit down for a nice long chat when I was told something that made me want to go for a walk. So I went for a walk. I must have been gone an hour. When I came back I had to go to the store and a few other things so, shame on me, I checked in and listened some more then left again. So today, no excuses! I am stopping in and not worrying about it

I think in regards to that situation with Luis, I was more upset about picking on him for something he had already felt bad about. It was just one of those days… I shouldn’t have said what I did but he forgave me the moment I said it. I admit I get stressed easily knowing I am financially responsible for us. Some can handle it, I can’t and I know it We’re okay and keep praying or sending good thoughts that my dear will get a good job soon!!! He needs it for himself more than anything else!

Rider, I am wishing you all the best in your job hunt. I completely understand why you don’t want to look outside the company. 12 years is a long time to just let go. I hope you get that job you posted for! It sounds like your wedding and honeymoon are moving along nicely!!! Enjoy getting your RSVPs that was so much fun to see them all come it. Your bridal shower pictures were wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing them with us!!! Really they were great and it looked like a good time was had by all. Those Mickey cookies were something else! They were absolutely cute Oh and 3 dress sizes is a great accomplishment! Really be proud of that!

Jstmee, good luck with all your job searching. I hope you can get the job at the paper mill if that is what you really want to do. I can understand about not wanting to go for the one job of the Rec. Director as I wouldn’t want to get caught up in politics either!

Angelina, I am so glad to know you made it through the sleep over. One “casualty” out of that many is not bad at all!!! Glad to hear you survived as well. I can understand your fear about the fireworks. Many are a little more on edge still after what happened in September. It sounds like you are getting a lot done in your yard. I too have so much I’d love to do, but really don’t have time to. Last night I had to dig out some dead plants that the previous owner planted last year. We are getting our tulips up now and these dead plants (which I now know for certain are dead and won’t come back) were just making the tulips look bad. So I took them out and hopefully the tulips can flourish more. Once a few more open up, I will take pictures to show you all.

SG, I really need to get to JC Penney’s. I didn’t make it Saturday for various reasons but I do hope to get there this weekend. Penney’s carries a dress that I like a lot, but not for $130 if you understand. I am hoping to find the same dress slightly off or whatever may be the case for much less. If I do I will buy it. I know I have a long way to go on the wedding, but if I don’t find a dress by the end of the summer, I will need to look at bridal shops for a true brides maid dress and I really don’t want to have to do that.

Well I have babbled a lot and I hope you all are doing well. I hope my life will not be so busy as it has been and I look forward to this warm week of 80s Yes we have 80’s here in April. It’s funny because we have been getting a degree or higher than Orlando & Tampa recently… soon we’ll be going there in spring in summer to cool down I hope you all are having a great day

 

[IASW Rider]

Hey Everyone!

How are you all doing, today?

Thanks and glad that you enjoyed the pictures, Helenabear! And thanks for your encouragement with my charming job situation. UGH. I'm sure that Luis will find something wonderful, soon - lots of PD coming your way, as always! Sorry that I have not been able to respond to your e-mail - I will, soon!

I've fallen behind on my correspondence again, but this time, you'll never guess why! You'll never believe what I did to myself this time........on Tuesday night, I was innocently opening a bottle of wine......and struggling to pull the cork out.......and when I finally did, my hand flew up and hit my face. I didn't really think anything of it.....it was just a little sore and red. But the following morning, I blew my nose and the entire area between my eye and cheek blew up like a balloon and turned pink and purple! So Frank took me to the emergency room - we were there almost all day - I had a CAT-scan......and it turns out that I fractured my orbit (that is, the thin bony structure that protects our eyes)! I can't believe that I did that to myself! I was really freaked out and petrified - especially since the emergency room Dr. referred me to a PLASTIC SURGEON for further consultation and said that I would probably need surgery to correct it! I was flipping out, thinking about the wedding, thinking about the possibility of not being able to fly to WDW, etc. But, Frank took me to the plastic surgeon yesterday, and as it turns out, the fracture is so minor that I don't need to have surgery (thank God) and he said that the bone (and the swelling) should heal by itself. Whew! What a thing to have to go through! At least I'm trying to develop a sense of humor about it, now (ie: "I know that I shouldn't BEAT MYSELF UP....", "BEHOLD, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA"!, etc.). Frank is calling me "Rocky", now, and offering to drive me to Philadelphia, so that I can run up the steps of the Art Museum and jump up and down. Well.....at least I should look slightly more human by the time of my wedding! And at least I don't have to go back to the prison - uh, I mean work - for awhile!

So.....that's what's been new around here! Never a dull moment, right?

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

 

[angelina]

Well, I guess that's ONE way to get out of work, LOL. Maybe next time you could just fake a cold? I hope it gets better, soon!

I think I heard that things are cooling down for some of you this weekend? I think for once, it's been warmer up north than it is down here. This week has been really warm for spring, but it's so nice. I've spent a lot of time in my yard the last few days, buying impatiens to plant on the shady side of the yard, while the little girls played nearby.

I just picked up the other 3 from school, and they're all outside playing. We have two ball games tomorrow, and my sister and I are giving a shower for an old friend/neighbor of ours tomorrow. We're also having pizza and bingo at church tonight, so I guess we'll be going up there later. It's a lot of fun for the kids, they act like they haven't seen their friends in years, instead of hours! On Sunday, most of the 2nd grade parents are taking a bus trip to New Orleans for the day, but I have to stay home and take my kids to my cousin's son's birthday, and it's the cousins/aunt/uncle that we apparently aren't speaking to since the "Grandmother Incident." UGH!!! I'd rather be anywhere but there, especially since my sister is going on the trip, and getting her MIL to take her girls to the party! I'm throwing a pity party for myself--wanna come?

Enough of that--I feel like I haven't heard from anyone in so long! I hope you all keep checking in, even if it's just to say, "Hi." Have a great weekend!!! Lisa, I hope your face gets better soon--Take it easy, o.k.?

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Dear Lisa, you and my son would make a pair. He once hit himself in the eye with his knee. I won't bore you with all the details but it entailed a late night trip to the emergency room and it scared his sister so badly that she was nice to him for a couple of days. LOL I am so glad that you did not do any permanent damage to yourself or your wedding plans. It would have been a bad omen for the bride to start out with a black eye. LOL I really enjoyed perusing your photo album. I am one of those people who check out the details in the background. There was much evidence of great friends and love. You deserve it all!!!

Yes, Angelina, we need to come down to your area to cool off. I had to turn the a/c on a few days ago and it has been in the high 80's and low 90's for several days. There is a chance of thunderstorms coming in tonight to cool things off but if they drift a bit too far one way or the other we will swelter again tomorrow. Just to make sure it cools off I have plants sitting out. Usually works. (smile) I think you deserve a "Super Mom" medal for all the projects and amusements you provide for your own and their friends. Making memories!!!

Helenabear, I can well understand the stresses that you and Luis are going through. Please believe when I tell you that these are the times that make a marriage. While you are going through it things look bleak but after you have survived it will be a stronger bond between you both. It must be hard for Luis to have to work at something beneath is abilities and at less pay and it must be hard on you having to be the strong one at this time. It is so wonderful how you guys can disagree or even be a bit disagreeable from time to time, as humans are wont, and kiss and make up easily also. It is a great trait and I am so glad that you both have that ability. Holding grudges is awfully lonely. Counting the days until we meet.

Jstmee, have you decided which job(s) you are most interested in? Have a feeling that you will do well wherever you land. Managing a home makes one able to handle all sorts of situations. How have you been feeling? Spring seems to bring on all kinds of aches and pains. It is my way of getting out of Spring Cleaning. LOL

Weigh in was yesterday and it showed a 4.4# loss. I have added another star to my ribbon. You get a ribbon when you lose your first 10#'s and then a star for each 5#'s after. The key seems to be eating at the limit of what is allowed. I started off gangbusters and hunkered down to eat as little as possible and was only losing a pound or so for several weeks and then I decided to listen to what people were advising. Strange, but it seems to be working. If I can lose a bit over 2#'s I will get another star next week.

I took my little fellow to the school library today to pick out a few books at their sale. He loves books. He even got to see his big brother as he was headed to his class room.

Working in the yard and keeping up with some other spring type chores are keeping me busy these days. I have even had a bit of time to do some extra reading. I have a book on Adams right now that is fascinating. I love history.

My heart is with the passengers on the train that crashed. I believe a lot of them were returning from DW and it is a sad end to a vacation. I remember after 9-11 when people were calling for riding that train rather than flying and I was thinking that the risk was about even, in my mind. Of course, when a train tips over it does not have as far to fall. I am sure more people were hurt in cars driving to and from also. Wish I could envelope the world in my arms and keep everyone safe.

Slightly Goofy/Linda

 

[helenabear]

Hi all! I am popping in very very quickly to say hi to you all. Tonight I went to my first DIS Meet ever. It was rather small (13 total including families) but it was very nice considering it was put together at the "last minute" So now I am more than ready to meet up with Linda here And then onto my meet in June This was a lot of fun and I'd say GO FOR IT to you all here I took some pictures and I wanted to share the link with you all

Columbus DIS Meet Pictures

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Dear Elaine
That is what I get for not reading the boards more often (other than this one of course). I would have been delighted to have surprised you with my arrival at your DIS meet. It looks as if you all had a great time.

I am extremely distressed at not seeing any good pictures of Luis. He does not have to be shy around us. By chance is he the one who 'x'd out the unshaved photo of himself?

There were so many beautiful children for me to play with. Like all the kids in Lake Wobegon they appear to be above average. LOL

Thank you so much for taking the time and trouble to share your day with us. Getting a bit nervous about our meeting even though I know you are a kind person who will not scare me too much. (grin)

Being a lazy person I stretched our comfortor out on the line in hopes that rain would wash away some of the winter woes. It is so darn big that it will not fit in my washer and I used to take it in to the laundramat where only the $5 washer would accomodate it's bulk. One time I was in a rush and had no time to take it for a drive so I threw it up on the line and hosed it down. It turned out so great that I have continued to do so (or wait for free water from the sky). I do it almost every month and it is so much gentler on the fabric and smells so great when it comes back to the bedroom. We had a lovely rain that took away some of the heat and washed away some dirt on the patio making me a happy lady this morning.

I am off for my weekly walk at Wal Mart. I go over to a nearby town and walk every single aisle in the Super store 3-4 times stopping to check out bargains as I go. Not quite as much fun as DW but will have to do for now.

I hope it warmed up where you needed it and cooled down elsewhere and hopefully our Rider was not affected by the earthquake in the NY area.

Slightly Goofy

 

[bashful64]

Hi everyone! After a self imposed break from the boards I am slowly returning to DIS life. I hope that you are all doing well.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Hey there Bashful

We had given up on ever getting to see you again. Many conjectures on what all might be going on in your life so please give it up and spill the beans?

Just sit right down here, put your feet up and I will make sure that the guys mix your favorite drink and bake up a few goodies to keep your energy up as you tell your tales.


Has life been treating as you should be treated? Your Suite Sisters want to know it all, well some will do. LOL

Slightly Goofy

 

[IASW Rider]

Hey Bashful! Great to hear from you! Thanks for dropping by! Come back again, soon - we miss you!!!!

Thanks for sharing those great photos from the Columbus DIS Meet, Helenabear! You and Luis look great, as always! And I loved those pictures with Towncrier Mickey - that is so funny! Thanks for sharing the link! That's so neat that you all spoke with Dan there, too!

Thanks for your thoughts, Angelina and SG! I can't believe what a clumsy oaf I am! Well, at least the area under my eye is not quite as swollen as it was, before, and has gone from the lovely 2-toned pink and red color scheme to a more rainbow-like purple-maroon-yellow combo, now! (hee hee! ) I just hope that the bone underneath is healing properly. And you're right, Angelina - I guess I COULD HAVE chosen an "easier" way to get out of work (hee hee!). But that's the one redeeming thing about this experience - having a good reason not to have to look at that place or those people for another week. Actually, the redeeming thing is learning to take care of myself better and being more careful and being grateful for my health and what I have. I know that that sounds corny, but when I think about how many worse consequences could have resulted from that accident, I am very grateful for what I do have and promise myself not to rush around so much and be careless with things or situations that could hurt me, in the future.

Sounds like you have quite a weekend ahead of you (or actually already in progress), Angelina! I hope that that party with your family goes well! I'm sure that it will - it might just be a lot more pleasant than you envision it being! Maybe when all of the adults see how much fun all of the children are having, they will forget or put aside all of the "stuff" that has kept them apart for this time and will view the situation differently and put all of that behind them. Please let us know how it goes! And hope that your games go well, too! Yes, it was very warm here, this week, as well - 80's and 90's! Unfortunately, I've been cooped up inside, in the air conditioning, for most of the week, so I really haven't been able to enjoy the summerlike temperatures. It's supposed to go down into the 40's tonight, and remain steady in the 60's for most of next week.

Congratulations on your ribbon and on all of your stars, SG! Those are fantastic accomplishments! You must be so proud of all that you have done so far, and all that you know you'll do in the future! Your ribbon will be so full of stars that......you'll need a second ribbon! That's really neat about how you hang your comforter out on the line! We never had a clothesline at our house, but my father always talks about how nice everything smelled when his mother would bring things in off of her line. Frank's mother uses a clothesline - maybe I should see how everything smells and feels when she brings things in, the next time that we're down there! And thanks for your kind words about my photos! Last weekend seems so long ago.........especially since I've been looking more like "The Phantom of the Opera" since then! (hee hee!) Yes, I am very lucky to have such special and long-time friends. The people in those photos are my closest friends from elementary school and / or high school and / or college, and one from work, and the mother of 2 of them. I've known each of them for over 15 years (the 2 that I've known the longest, I've known for 31 years), and am very lucky to have them in my life! It was very nice of them to take the time and travel so far to do that for me!

Well, Frank and I bought our wedding rings, today! Yea! I just chose a plain, relatively thin plain platinum band, that matches and fits nicely under my engagement ring. Frank chose a thicker plain platinum band, rimmed with yellow gold (to match his father's yellow gold and diamond ring, which he wears every day on his other hand). I'm glad that we got that taken care of! We also stopped by the photographer's to drop off pictures of us as children and together, for our wedding video. Just 43 more days (and 44 more days till we're in WDW!)!

Hope that all is well with all of you! As always, thank you all for always being there to listen, to share your lives and your stories, to always make me smile, and for being such great and special friends! You are all such wonderful people and I'm so glad that we've been here in the Suite for almost a year! Here's to many more great years of friendship and fun in the Suite!

 

[helenabear]

Hello there everyone! I am sorry that my last post was so short. I was kind of tired and wanted to get that up before any of you saw the post and felt left out The meet was a lot of fun! I am considering making a 2 hour drive on May 26th to go to a Memorial Day cookout at Towncrier's home. I won't say anything for certain though. I do have the meet in June in Chicago and there is another one in Columbus on July 13th at the Columbus Zoo (for anyone interested in traveling that far ) I can't believe I am planning all these meets but they are fun

SG, I have no idea why you would be nervous to meet me at all! I am nice enough (at least the first time) for you to have nothing to worry about. Actually I am nervous to meet you. You are such a dear and I am always afraid to disappoint those I meet. But we will be fine and we'll have at least a few pictures to show the ladies here Oh and congrats on your weight loss!!! Keep it up you are doing wonderful

Rider, how is your face doing? I am so glad to know that you won't have to have surgery before your wedding. That would probably scare me as well! I just hope that you will be back to yourself soon and the brusing goes away! I think you do need to go to Philly and get that picture of you on those stairs doing the "Rocky" impression

Angelina, I would be more than happy to join you in your party (pity or not). I am hoping right now that your weather is now warmer than what we have currently (it is about 45 degrees now) and I could use the warmth

Bashful, it was so good to see you again!!! Please stop by more often. We miss you here and would love to hear all about what you have been up to lately

Jstmee, I hope all is well with you! Stop in when you get a chance.

Well I finally took SG's advice and I went to JC Penney Outlet on Saturday to look for a dress. Believe it or not, I found one. It wasn't exactly what I was looking for, but for $8.99 who am I to complain... did I really say $8.99 Yes I did Actually it was $9.51 with tax The best part is my sister approves of the dress. So I have a dress I paid less than $10 for and my sister likes it

Yes yes, you all will get pictures. I tried to get pictures of me in the dress but none turned out because we tried taking them outside with the sun blaring in my face... so I took a few today and put them on my web page along with a few pictures of our plants outside. So without further ado, here is the link Dress & More

I hope you all like them. Have a great day everyone

 

[IASW Rider]

Hey!

Where is everyone??? Did I scare everyone away when I came into the Suite with my bruised face??!! Well, don't be afraid - the "Phantom of the Opera" has left the building - my face is completely back to normal, now! (though that might be "scary", in and of itself - hee hee!)

How have you all been doing? What's been new?

Today is the last day of my "medical leave" from work. I feel almost guilty saying it, but it has been so nice and so relaxing not having to go into that place and do work for no reason (ie: it's not like anything I do there will help my career, no matter how well I do, since they don't want me there, anyway). And I've accomplished a lot of things for the wedding, getting ready for our honeymoon, and just general things around the house, too. I believe that I am healing well. My face has been hurting a bit, but I think that that might just be my usual allergy / sinus pressure and that I'm just being paranoid. The nurse told me that if I work out like I had been before, my face will hurt. She said that I am allowed to do non-impact type exercises, so I've been using Frank's Life Cycle. It's not as "active" as the aerobics that I'm used to doing, but I sweat, so I guess that I'm accomplishing something by using it! I'm hoping that my face hurting is not as a result of that and that I'm just imagining things because that nurse put the idea into my head. I just don't want to "backslide" after getting myself into whatever shape I'm in, after all these months, you know?

Called WDW yesterday to begin my "campaign" to get our engagement room at the Poly back, in June for our honeymoon! I also charged up all of my video camera batteries and bought tons of batteries for my digital camera and film for my "regular" camera, in preparation for our trip. Just 39 more days - yipee!

I cannot believe that you paid less than $10 for that dress, Helenabear! How did you manage that??? That's amazing!! It looks really nice - like exactly what you had been looking for! I'm sure that it looks great on you, too - you'll have to send us pictures of yourself wearing it! Glad that your sister likes it, too! And your flowers look really pretty!

That's so neat that there are all of these DIS Meets coming up in your area! I wish that I could fly out there, and check one of them out! When are you and SG getting together? Your meeting is coming up soon, isn't it? That's going to be so much fun for you both! Once again, I remind you both to TAKE LOTS OF PICTURES!!!!!!!!!!!

Hope that all is well with all of you, out there, and hope that I didn't scare you all away with my Halloween-like face, last week!

Have a great day and I'll talk to you soon!