EWP group?

[IASW Rider]

Hey Everyone!

Hi Linda!

Thanks for sending over those links - the lamp that you're interested in is beautiful! In fact, all of Thelma's stained glass lamps are gorgeous! I always loved lamps and chandeliers like those. My father has a beautiful Tiffany chandelier hanging in his dining room.........and we have a pretty good "fake" version, hanging in ours! I hope that you have a nice trip, this weekend! And so glad that our date is set for 'Ohana, too! I'm not surprised at all that you got that half million dollar question on "Millionaire" correct - after all, you ARE a Disney-MGM Studios "Millionaire"-Hot-Seat-Star! Sorry to hear about Dalton's report card, but you're right - he's probably just too smart and so his frustration about perhaps being ahead of his classmates might be coming out in some of his behaviors. It's good that his teacher sees that he's intellectually advanced and that that probably accounts for his actions. I'm sure that it's nothing to worry about and that his next marks will reflect the improvements! And it's so great that your reading students are so motivated - it sounds like you have a great bunch, there!

To answer your questions, I am hoping to take some classes this summer in preparation for hopefully applying to the School of Public Planning and Policy in the fall. There are a few pre-requisite classes that I need to complete in order to apply, so I'm hoping to "get those out of the way" over the summer. I haven't done anything about a job search - I'm just so preoccupied with figuring out what the heck I'm doing with my life - and probably some other stuff that I can't identify - that I haven't been able to concentrate on job searching. I have, however, joined a Nutrition Advocates program on campus. Even though the rest of the group members are 16 - 18 years younger than I am (?!?!), I figure that getting some practice presenting nutrition education seminars on campus would be a good experience for me, and would be something field-related to stick on my resume. I'll figure it all out, one of these years!

Hi Colleen!

That's so wonderful that your next WDW trip is coming up so soon.......and that you have another one planned so soon after that! As Linda said, so sorry that we will both be down there right in between your 2 trips! But you and your family will be at the Poly during my DH's and my "traditional week" there - we've stayed at the Poly during the 1st week of June for the past 4 years! He proposed to me there on 6/3/01, we started our honeymoon there on 6/3/02, and we celebrated our first wedding anniversary there on 6/2/03! We're "breaking tradition" and going to POR / DCL in May this year, because that fits in best with our respective school terms. Anyway, I know that you and your family will have a fantastic time on both trips! And that's so neat that your Mom and hopefully your Dad will be joining you all on the latter trip! You are all going to have such a great time! And I hope that the weather holds out for your drive, as well! With the exception of one day of snow showers, it's been relatively warm and clear here, for the past few days, too - and they're predicting that the temperatures might be in the 60's, this weekend - yea!!!!

So neat that you're familiar with the Flemington outlets and stores - and of course with the Point Pleasant Boardwalk........Jenkinson's........Martell's...........! Here are some pictures that may bring back the memories of summer and get you looking forward to your next visit to the Garden State:

http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/li...did=&.done=http://photos.yahoo.com/lisaruthb5

(so sorry for the long link! And so sorry to bore you with these again, Linda, as you've already seen them!)

Speaking of Flemington, have you ever visited New Hope, PA? That's another neat place for shopping and dining! And I'm sure that you're familiar with the annual Balloon Festival at the Readington Airport, too?

Well, time to get some work done before Frank comes home! Hope that all is well with all of you and hope that you're all having a good night!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Hi there Rider!

I must have not stated it correctly but Dalton got the equivalant of a straight A report card. He always gets A's on his academics but has some problems with sitting still and being as mannerly as he might be. Nothing big, just little things cause he is ornery, like his grandma., LOL I had explained to him that the "N's for Needs Improvement" were just a way of his teacher telling him what he needed to work on and he took it to heart and worked at them. He does not like getting less than the best and sometimes gets down on himself. If he does not make a basket or something he will say "I stink", so I am working on him to have more confidence and learn that mistakes are opportunities and not failures. I explain to all the kids that the only way to not make a mistake is to do nothing and that is the biggest mistake of all. LOL

Are you considering a public service career? If so, I would vote for you. There is much need of people with your skills in that area and you could go far.

I am never bored by your pictures. I truly enjoy learning how others live and where they do so. I have learned so much that I did not know about New Jersey from you and am sure that I will learn even more from Colleen although it sounds as if you both are wise in the same areas. In your classes have you ever studied something called agoraphobia? I have a moderate case and it is awfully hard on me to do different things so I travel a lot by television and now the Internet. I visited the Great Wall of China this afternoon. Travel Channel. LOL I have seen the clay soldiers in person though. We have gone to several art exhibits in Memphis and the Chinese exhibit was one. Poor Helenabear had to travel to meet with me in Columbus cause I was scared to death to try to find a place to meet her at. I have no sense of direction. Have an index card with the directions, down to exit numbers, on how to get to Disney World. Is one reason why I love it there so much, as there are no things I fear there, at least that I cannot avoid. No Tower of Terror for me!!! It has only been the last couple of trips that I have been able to drive around the area much.

I don't tell many people about this deficiency of mine but want you to be prepared for who I am in May. Some thing I am stuck up or something but I am just a quivering shell of a woman. LOL

Wish I were as smart as I tell my kids to be. (grin) Them that can't teach.

SG/Linda

 

[helenabear]

Oh my goodness... my e-mail wasn't receiving *ANY* e-mail notifications from here and everytime I checked my user CP the thread didn't come up so I thought it was just quiet! Well today I started getting them for all the threads and WOW!!!

So I'll say quickly welcome Colleen!!!!! I will do a real read through and catchup later tonight I hope

 

[colleen costello]

Linda, I don't know if I shared with you (all) how wonderful my parents are. THEY bought DVC and put it in my name "so the nursing home never takes it!" My parents are financally secure and have worked hard for a lot of years for a nice retirement. They bought DVC so we could all have a wonderful week at Disney together every Spring! With any leftover points, I can sneak in a 2nd trip if I want -- I am good at stretching those points! I am not a "Deluxe" traveler at this point in my life. I am home with the kids so we don't have a big vacation budget. Mom and Dad made wonderful vacations possible... DVC is really the best gift I ever got...

It's a real treat to meet internet/DIS pals at WDW. I am dying to go to one of the meets with Deb Wills, Jennifer and Dave from Passporter, etc. To me these folks are real celebs! In July 2002 we were at Beach Club Villas when they opened -- very exciting. There I met "Zamgwar" who writes articles for WDWIG (Allears.net). I about died! He is a real charmer, so kind and funny and meeting him and his family was a real thrill for me. Scott just mocks me and calls the Boards "My little Disney friends!"

Someday we will all meet up at WDW!

Colleen

 

[colleen costello]

Linda, I just read your lastpost. Please don't think issues of agoraphobia make you "any less." Just as you tell your grandson, we are all individuals. I am glad Disney is one of the places you deem "safe" so you can enjoy it!

I am a very anxious person. I struggle with it daily. In college I started to have terrible panic attacks, and only after moving to Indiana did I learn how crippling these can be. I worked myself into a lack-of-sleep induced depression and lost a ton of weight. For the first time in my life I couldn't eat so I KNEW I was ill. Luckily I was in graduate school for counseling psych, and some of my profs also worked at the local mental health center. I got lots of counseling and "survived." Currently I am on a wonderful antidepressant medicine which has helped me immensely. I sleep like a log, even when stressed, and although I get anxious, it no longer escalates into panic. Still, I have my limitations. I worry a lot about the kids. I am TERRIFIED to fly -- even before 9/11 I was scared; now -- forget it! We always drive to WDW and I feel guilty because the damn planes are safer than the highway -- but just THINKING about flying makes me clammy! I won't go on thrill rides; for me Peter Pan is a stretch (heights!).

Linda, just keep in mind that you are a "work in progress." At various times in your life, your anxiety will ebb and flow. One wonderful friend/counselor reminded me that EVERYONE has weaknesses, limitations. Some people have poor vision or hearing, some are anxious or tend to depression. Some struggle with bad backs or ulcers, or weight. I have gained a ton since I went on my medicine, but I feel I would rather be "fat and happy" so for now I am just trying my best no to gain any more... But I must admit when you talk about "meeting up" I think "too fat." I know that's silly... No one else CARES that I am overweight... But these are issues I struggle with. Remember EVERYONE has issues. No one's life is "charmed." Go easy on yourself!

Just my opinion!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Coleen, from what I have been through lately with a friend of mine I have to comment on what a good daughter you are to your good parents. I have a friend, a year younger than I, who has had her home taken by her only son and dil and has been put in a nursing home. Even though they live in the same town they don't visit often and she is resisting moving to Florida to be with family that wants her so that she can be here for her son, if he needs her. Is a very sad situation and especially so since the son went to school with my kids and was a frequent guest in our home and one of my 4-H kids. The mother had to care for her many siblings for years and then care for a sick husband for nearly 30 years. She bought her small home from the money she earned cleaning houses. The town has rallied around her but the son and dil told her that because she 'lied' they have lost all their friends in town. I cannot fathom people who would treat anyone that way let alone their own parent. Family is the most important thing in the world.

Being home with your kids is far more important than going first class to DW IMHO. Years from now, when you are basking at Boardwalk or the Poly you will appreciate it all the more but there is no really bad place to be as long as you are at DW. LOL Bet your kids will want you guys to come along on their adult vacations to the Magic Kingdom one day. Do you fix food at the resort to save on time and money? I hate fighting the food courts in the morning and evening. If I had kids who would be interested in Disney I would love to have a time share there myself. My sil has said no more for him. He is more of a Universal person. I say, we all go and he can go over to Universal while us chicken wander DW. LOL

Have you ever been to any Disney meets? I have met Nativetxn and Dan Murphy so far. I went to one in Indpls one time. Helenabear is our resident expert on nearby meets and has even hosted her own in Columbus, Ohio. I met a few people from the boards on our last trip. It is always wonderful to put a face to a name and just like the parks, you meet the best people on these boards. Disney is the common denominator. Anyone who loves Disney cannot be evil. LOL BTW, I would love to meet all or some of the people that you have met as I have read much about and by them. I owe much to them for their reviews and such.

Where would Scott rather vacation or does he just enjoy teasing you? Tom would follow me anywhere I want to go. He will turn 70 next year and I am trying to think of something special to do. Am thinking a roadtrip with no plans so I cannot get lost. Just wander around and stop where we want. He is much older than I am. We went on a plantation tour, by accident, on our 25th anniversary. It could not have been more perfect if we had planned it that way. Even dinner the night of our anniversary was magical. Long story but very memorable. I had to carry a big flashlight to see the snakes and beat off the alligators. LOL

SG/Linda

 

[colleen costello]

Linda, Scott is actually a saint and just torments me because Disney is an obsession with me. When we get down there he has a ball. He can hardly say NO to me because I am such a good budget-worker. I can do Disney on $50 a day! I am a real cheapskate. I pack food for the trip down and we shop at Winn Dixie when we arrive. We eat cereal in the room and I pack little snacks and my reusable Brita water bottle for the parks. I bring Cokes and pretzels to the pools and we eat at the Perkins a lot because it is so cheap. We do a lot of free stuff (monorials, boats, etc). My babies are little (almost 6 and almost 10) and really all they want to do is swim. To me the best DVC perk is the "pool hopping" because we try out every pool in the place. Last trip we went to Coronado Springs, and before that the Boardwalk. Every pool is a whole new world for my kids!

So for now, we go cheap. We have fun but don't go into debt, either. When we travel with my parents, they treat us to nice meals but we STILL do Perkins... Last time we went to Kona Cafe and it was WONDERFUL! I want to do Morocco in Epcot... Haven't been there in YEARS.

We haven't done Universal yet. I have read about it and there are just too many "scary" rides to make it worth it. I am afraid of heights and don't think being dropped off a building is fun! Disney is just my happy place!

Maybe you can take Tom to Chicago? Lots to see there. Lots of people here go to the Smoky Mts. in Tennessee. How about Dresden Ohio? I keep asking Scott to take me to the Longaberger factory but he says NO WAY... What about the dreaded Branson, Missouri? I hate country muzak so Branson would be a HELL for me but lots of people LOVE it! So many choices...

xoxo

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Colleen, you are a doll and have made me feel so much better. sometimes I get to thinking I am the only one with these problems. I am so darned good at counseling others but not myself. Am too rich to afford counseling though. I am afflicted with several of the problems you mentioned in that I am deaf, limp, fat and scared to death of most everything. I love to walk but end up walking at the mall or in the house, on bad days, cause I am terrified of animals. Some people think that means that I hate animals and that is far from the truth, just scared and the poor dears can sense it and it terrifies them. I am going to visit a sick friend next week and feel awful that I have to request that her poor doggie stay in the garage until I leave. If it were not for the fact that she is very sick and is scheduled for surgery in about a week I would just pick her up as I usually do and we go out to eat. I feel awful asking anyone, human or otherwise, to change for my visit especially when it is their home.

I do Disney on the cheap also and had forgotten that me met over the Perkin's thread. I love it there. We stopped at another one on the way home and were so disappointed. The one at Disney is awesome. I am a Secret Shopper and so I tend to grade every establishment I go into. I am the evil person who says that it is alright to take a microwave to the resorts. I put it on the luggage rack and store the food in a drawer and we are set to go. We only eat out once a day. With my diet I really cannot eat more than that anyway and standing in line for ages in the food court mornings and night are not the way I want to start or end my Disney days. We have been retired for about 4 years and all my years of being a cheapskate have paid off. I shudder to think how we would live if I had not socked away a bit for the extras in life. We don't owe a penny for anything and hope to keep it that way. I put money away each month so when it is time to buy a new car we can pay cash. You are a homemaker par excellence. I fully concur that a stay at home mom can often save more money than she can earn in the marketplace. There is a downside to it also, sometimes though.

The Coranado pool is awesome. Have you tried the one at Port Orleans? That used to be our favorite resort and am waiting to hear if they have restored any of the extras that we used to love and might spend a bit more to stay there in November. Worth it if they have.

Your children are about the ages of my two grandsons that I see often. I just love them to death. One was hanging on my leg at school the other day telling me that he loved me, I told him I was sort of fond of him myself. LOL

You are braver than I as I don't think I could do Peter Pan's Flight. I am scared of heights as well. With a hearing loss you do not have much of a sense of balance.

We have been to the Smoky's many times, Branson, once, Dresden, once and I would be terrified to go to Chicago. I do have a bil who lives nearby and if he would drive us, sober, I might consider it. Tom is a bit hard to take care of. He wanders off and sometimes does unusual things so I like to keep the stress down to avoid such occurences. I grew up with listening to country music on the car radio. we did not have one in the house, so I like the old music but my favorite music is Motown type.

I am contemplating a meandering road trip through the southern states and checking out some of the retirement communities. Doubt I would do it, but the sound of an easy to maintain housing community with ammenties to keep Tom occupied sounds interesting to me. He does not wake up until ten or later most days and then walks from the bedroom, thru the dining room, into the kitchen and spends his days watching tv. Is hard on me as I have all the work to do and have to make sure that he is fed on schedule and such. Just cannot get excited about doing work when someone else is not doing anything. Don't mind doing the work but just do not want to see him laying there while I do. Retirement blues. LOL

BTW, are you aware that the Longaberger factory has a store that sells things at a discount? You could get together with Helenabear and go and check out the giant basket and all. Good food there also. The factory is awesome. I was in awe of the facilities for the workers and the daycare program they have. I like happy workers.

I have to go pack for our trip now. See you all when I return. Have made this trip so many times that I do not need an index card anymore. LOL

SG/Linda

 

[colleen costello]

Linda, you are so kind. I am so glad you invited me to join your group here! I just wanted to add that when we go down to WDW in two weeks, we have our first night at Riverside (saving points!). I will report back on the pool situation once I return. We stayed at Riverside for a night at Thanksgiving (again saving points!) and the refurbished main pool was a real hit with my kids. They went down the slide about a million times. It is not a scary, fast one, but more like the one at Coronado. They wanted to swim the next morning too, so Scott kept them at the pool while I unpacked us at Old Key West. Riverside is a favorite of mine!

 

[IASW Rider]

Whoa - I'm with Elaine - who knew that I was missing all of these great posts?????? WOW! And figures - I would have to sign on and come to the Suite at a time when I don't have very much time to post!

Eagerly awaiting your trip report regarding your night at POR, Colleen - we will be staying there for the first time in May. Linda has said great things about the resort, and I am curious to hear your assessment as well!

And I couldn't have said better what Colleen said about the issues, insecurities, things that make us self-conscious, etc. We do all have them (God knows that I have plenty! ) - but that's part of what makes us all unique individuals! I beat myself up all the time because of my current "lack of direction" or because my weight hasn't changed in awhile or because I freaked out and made a fool of myself by charging out the "chicken exit" of Alien Encounter last year! But that's OK! And I think that we are all "agoraphobic" to some extent or another. Lately, I've preferred e-mailing to calling my friends or seeing them in person, because I'm just not in the mood to "talk" - I'm so preoccupied with so many things that I can't put my finger on. And we're all fearful of certain things. You know that you are a wonderful person (and you ARE a great "counselor", as you said! ) and you do so many special things for so many people! Your kindness and thoughtfulness are what's important - not some silly "phobias" that we all have, in one form or another!

So sorry that I misunderstood about Dalton's report card! OK - that sounds much more reasonable - I couldn't imagine him getting anything other than straight A's or the equivalent, thereof! As I said, those "Needs Improvements" are probably just the result of his advanced intelligence - and the great marks prove that!

Thanks so much for sharing your feelings with us, Colleen! We are very happy to have you here in the Suite, as well! And that is so wonderful that your parents are sharing their DVC membership with you and that your family has the opportunity to vacation together so often! That is really wonderful!

So sorry that I don't have time to post more, now! Just wanted to wish you all a great weekend!

 

[colleen costello]

Rider, I have stayed at "Dixie Landings" many times and I believe you will love it. It is very beautiful there. The landscaping is gorgeous, flowers everywhere. Our favorite is the "Alligator Bayou" section but the whole resort is great. There is a good food court, a nice sit-down restaurant and lots of pretty public areas. The resort straddles a beautiful river (you can rent boats) and there are great pools. We love this place and go back repeatedly. If you interested, there is a great review at WDWIG. Visit the site and look up "Zamgwar's" reviews -- they are indexed now. He has a great review of Riverside. He talks about how "upscale" the place is for a reasonable price.

I will bore you all with details once I am back!

 

[IASW Rider]

I won't be "bored" at all, Colleen, and neither will anyone else! Thanks so much for the details and your impressions of POR! I'm sure that it will be nice and that we'll really enjoy it there! It will be interesting to stay somewhere other than a MK resort for the first time, ever. I know that it's time for us to "branch out" and try some place new!

You must be getting soooooo excited about your trip!!

Did you have a chance to check out my Point Pleasant pictures? Bring back the memories of summer............*SIGH* Well, it's 58 degrees and as "summer-like" as the weather has been in months, here in the Garden State today. And they're predicting 60 degree temperatures and even thunderstorms for early this coming week! Maybe summer isn't so far off, after all.........I can just hear the sound of the waves "down the shore" and the sound of Bruce blasting from open car windows.........!

 

[colleen costello]

Rider, I had forgotten to look at the Pt. Pleasant photos and I just did! They are great ... I recognized a lot of the buildings! One of the things I MOST miss about the East Coast is ITALIAN ICE! Yum... We had great Italian ice on the Boardwalk at WDW last summer. When I commented on how good it was and how it tasted like "back home" the vendor told me it was from a place in NJ! All the good food is from NJ!

We will be in Disney this June, then come home to recuperate and spoil the kitties, who pine when the kids leave. Then in late July we'll be home to Mom and Dad in Easton, PA (home of Binney & Smith, makers of Crayola Crayons!) and we will definitely road trip to Pt. Pleasant. We'll eat pizza and frozen custard and the kids can ride the rides. I LOVE Jenkinsons' and have my neighbor Kay, who babysits the cats for me, addicted to Jenkinson's salt water taffy. I always bring it back for her... I LOVE the Jersey shore. I can still remember going when I was a kid. We used to go to Asbury Park when I was really little, before it got old and scary. Fora ll I know, Bruce Springsteen was on a ride next to me!

Starting some packing today. I am an obsessive-compulsive list-maker/packer and I am already organizing the kids' clothes. It's easy to pack for Spring Break because the clothes we pack are ones we are not using...

xoxo

 

[depplyinluv]

<marquee><font size=7 color=red>GOOD MORNING LADIES!!! </font></marquee>


im really excited this morning because "The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King won 11, yes thats right, eleven oscars last night!........all the "hobbits" were crying....aww...


....and now we come to my bad news....

Johnny Depp did not win , sean penn did.....which i expected so i wasn't as mad as i could have been
..

he'll get an award for a more serious role because the academy is well....old and traditional....so....




but lotr won so...thats good!



well i better be getting ready for school now....i only got 3 hours of sleep so i could watch the oscar post show....


welcome colleen!!!!!!!

Linda...you know i almost got a wall poster of JD from 21 jump street but it was a little much....

hope everyone is having a wonderful week!

 

[helenabear]

Lisa, I am glad that I wasn't the only one!! I know that e-mail notifications were down and apparently mine were out for quite some time. Then all of a sudden *poof* I was getting them again

I realize every time I try to come in and catch up tons more posts have been made So I will just say hi and try to read it all when I can. I just haven't been on the comptuer near as much as I used to be.

Colleen, I can't wait to hear all about your trip as well!!!! I do love hearing trip reports And pictures... I love pictures too!!!!

Linda, would you believe that I have never been to that longaberger facotory and don't even *gasp* care for their baskets? Rather silly, I know, but I just couldn't justify spending the money for them.

LOL, yep used to go to a ton of meets... then they changed the set up of the boards so that the meets all had to be addressed in one place. Really cut down on the number we've had. But I do have one planned this month in MI, April in Chicago and May (provided Towncrier is up to it) in Ohio. I think the joke was that there might be one in June at KY and in July I am headed out to Disneyland with DISers. Many people here have become real life friends as much as anything else.

Depply I missed most of the ceremony last night but am totally 100% thrilled with the winnings of ROTK!!!! Totally deserved them!!!! I really wish that Johnny had won for his role, but I understand they always pick "traditional drama" more than anything else. He will get it some day.

Well I need to fly... work is calling my name. Have a great day all!

 

[colleen costello]

I was watching Regis and Kelly this morning and a woman on the show (their entertainment correspondent, I guess) was reporting back about the Oscars event. She said that one director told Johnny "Not to worry he'll win next year" for this next movie he is in -- but I didn't recognize the name. Isn't there a thriller being advertised now? I think I saw a commercial with him...

 

[helenabear]

Colleen, you are right, on March 12th, Johnny's latest movie will be released. It is called Secret Window... I think based on a Steven King book too. If I were into that type of movie I'd go see it! I hope his time does come... he is a very deserving actor

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

I got home last night but was too darned tired to do much except fall in bed. I did watch the opening of the Oscars. Was not quite as good as I had hoped for but it is almost impossible for Billy to outdo himself each and every time.

Depply, I can understand your disappointment in Johnny not getting his dues but it often happens this way. Some people win, when they are not all that good, cause few good movies were made that year and then in years when they have many good ones the competition is just plain too much. I have seen many people win in years that they might not have deserved it because the voters felt badly cause they did not win another year.. Is so subjective and you are right in that drama usually trumps comedy. Comedy is harder a lot of times. Have read many good reports from critics on Johnny's performance in Pirates. Pirates did much better than Haunted Mansion and I believe that the choice of stars made the difference. I love his irreverance. LOL

Helenabear, I don't are for Lonaberger baskets either and would not want to own one let alone dozens. Collectibles lose their value so quickly. It is all smoke and mirrors and when the smoke clears many are left holding a lot of worthless 'stuff'. I buy what I like and that way I don't care about the value. If you read the Longaberger story you could see how they went from bankruptcy to success just by playing on some people's quest for the impossible or expensive. JMO Sounds as if you are going to have a busy year with all the meets. Will Luis be able to go to many of them with you? Yes, the people on these boards are easy to make friends with.

Colleen, I enjoy PO so much because of the ambience. It is almost like walking around the French Quarter and being a smaller resort it is more intimate and such. Used to love going over to Boatwright's to eat but since they did away with the sweet potato biscuits Tom is not as fond of it anymore. I used to think that it was far more deserving of a luxury price than many of the the so called luxury resorts.

Rider, after visiting my dear friend, who has been the most amazing and loving woman and seeing how she is being treated in her last days I have come to the conclusion that if she is not accorded the love and respect she is due I should not feel so badly myself. I ain't near as perfect. (using incorrect grammar for effect LOL) Phobias are problems when they affect your life and mine sorely affect mine. I can overcome some when doing for someone else but when it is just for myself I am incapacitated.. I drove a dear friend for radiation treatments on ice and snow but am paralyzed when it comes to driving myself alone. Must be the oldest child syndrome? I was always so impressed with how you handled the difficult people in your life, you never gave up on them and that is an admirable and wonderful thing but then you ARE both.

My scales say I am down about 1.5 for the week. Not bad, especially when you consider that I was forced to eat out so much while out of town. I had lunch with my best friend from grade school and she suggested Ruby Tuesday. Imagine my delight when I discovered they had a full low carb menu in addition to their regular food. I had a small steak, cauliflower taters (like I make) a creamed spinach dish (yummy) and believe it or not a cheesecake that only had 6 g of carbs. I was in hog heaven, literally!! I am noticing that more and restaurants are advertising low carb menus but it is mostly a chunk of meat and a half a plate of limp broccoli.

I love scary movies and grew up on them so I will see the Stephen King movie for sure. I grew up watching the old Alfred Hitchcock movies and tv shows. I hate being able to figure out what the ending is going to be. I loved Mystic River. Did not want to go see it but Tom insisted and I am glad he did. Planning on going to see the Passion this week but have many conflicting opinions so far. The Bible I read says that love is all but taken out of context people often find hatred and that is wrong. IMHO I am most disturbed to find out who Mel Gibson's father is and what he believes. Makes me reconsider an actor that I have always enjoyed. Don't think this movie is for children but daughter is bound and determined that her children see it. It is awfully hard keeping my mouth shut but I try hard to be a good mother/mother in law/grandma. Sure glad I have somewhere to vent though or the top of my curly head would explode!! (smile)

Have to go figure out what dinner is going to be. Hard to get back to the real world.

SG/Linda

 

[depplyinluv]

<font color=blue>helenabear,</font> i know im so thrilled that they won 11/11!!!


LOTR definately deserved every award
they're saying the academy awards weren't as thrilling because lotr won and billy crystal was blah but i thought they were fine.

<font color=red>colleen</font> he probably wont win anything for "secret window" which is based on a steven king novel....but maybe "j.m . barrie's neverland?"



<font color=orange>Linda</font> ...i know i know....i understand sean penns win ....johnny will get it for sure some other year i think that comedic performances are chosen by truly great actors because they know they're taking arisk most of the time....and i think someday you knwo i bet the acadmey will make a separate category ....but in essence(sp?) they shouldnt because they're all actors, just because they act in a different type of movie doesn mean they should get "snubbed" and stuff...anyways....


also good job w/ keeping your weight down

 

[helenabear]

Linda, I am with you on collectibles! Sometimes you win... a lot of the time you don't! Of course that doesn't stop me from collecting my bears that I do. But they aren't anything special. As for the meets, Luis will go with me to the one in March, May & June. I will be going to Chicago and DL by "myself" THese are mostly "girlie times" though so I think he'd be happier at home

You know from what I understand about Mel Gibson per the interviews, he all but states how he doesn't agree with his father. Apparently one of the interviewers tried to get him to go further and flat out say what he truly felt of his father, but I had to respect him for not bad mouthing him. I can understand how he feels because I grew up with my mom believing things that I think are narrowminded. We butted heads quite often. I might want to wait to see the movie at home though... when I can privately deal with my emotions with it.

I didn't get to watch all the ceremony last night, but I thought Billy Crystal was funny! And it would have been exciting to me to be able to watch them win time after time... not boring! When a movie is good I am thrilled for so many wins! But to each their own I guess Well I need to get my laundry now