EWP group?

[colleen costello]

"Neverland" was the movie mentioned. Anyone know what it's about?

 

[helenabear]

Colleen, from what I understand it is kind of a biography of JM Barrie who wrote Peter Pan... just based on the time of his life when he wrote the book. That one is due out in October I think.

 

[IASW Rider]

Hey Everyone!

Isn't Johnny also slated to play Willy Wonka in the upcoming re-make of the movie??? Can't wait to see that!

I also enjoyed the Academy Awards on Sunday night and thought that Billy Crystal did a great job! So glad that he was the host again, this year - others have done well, but he's always the best with his little "one-liners" and his memorably inserting himself into clips of the nominated films!

I was thinking of you, Depply! But Johnny handled his loss with grace. Hopefully he got to pick up his SAG award from last week, while he was in town! I loved when the red carpet guy brought the youngest nominee over to meet him, in the theater, since she had told him that she thought that Johnny was a "stud"!

Glad that you liked the photos, Colleen! You'll definitely have to let me know if or when you and your family are planning to come East, this summer - maybe we can meet you on the Boardwalk for some Jenkinson's taffy or a humungous piece of pizza or an Italian ice or a big funnel cake or........!

Hope that you had a nice trip, last weekend, Linda! And congratulations on that loss - that's great! The meal that you had sounds yummy - I really do have to try substituting cauliflower for potatoes or macaroni, one of these years - every time you mention doing or having that, I think "I really need to try that"! I saw a recipe somewhere for substituting cauliflower for popcorn, as well - I think that you sent it to me! I recently tried making the hummus that was in one of the cookbooks that you sent to me and it came out really well!

As for Mel Gibson and his film........don't get me started........maybe I shouldn't say anything. I understand and appreciate what he is trying to do by making the film, and I'm sure that it's a masterpiece artistically and maybe even spiritually. I just worry that it will encourage a lot of anti semitism in people who wouldn't have otherwise had reasons to think ill of the Jews - in "ignorant people". And that's the last thing that we need, right now, with all of the anti Israel sentiment that has arisen as the result of the recent (perpetual?) issues with the Palestinians. I just fear that the film will give some people the "wrong idea" and will fuel the fires of others who were already anti semites, walking into the theater. Of course, I say all of this based only on what I've read or heard on television - I'm petrified of "gory" films and this one is supposed to be so violent that I would be afraid to see it, regardless of the subject matter. As for Mel Gibson, himself........I don't think that he's been presenting himself very well, lately. I felt like throwing something at the TV when Diane Sawyer interviewed him a few weeks ago. I don't agree with his attitudes about certain topics which he made evident in the past. I hope that I haven't offended anyone here by saying these things - it's just my opinion and perspective.

On to lighter topics...........!

Sounds like you have a lot of meets to look forward to, Elaine! Have you done any more planning for your upcoming DL trip? How are your friend's wedding plans coming along?

I had the strangest dream last night, Linda - I dreamt that I was in WDW with my mother - not Frank - and we realized that we were very late in meeting you and Tom for dinner. So we ran (yes, my mother ran, too - she couldn't even walk for the past 5 years!) down to the Poly dock. The EWP was coming by, but it was moving at like 50 miles per hour and there was no music! My mother went to the end of the pier to look for you and I went to the beach. My mother came back and said that you weren't there - in fact, no one was! We dejectedly went back into the Poly and found you in the lobby! Then, all of a sudden, Frank was with me instead of my mother! We looked out the window, and the EWP was passing by again, with no music, going 50 miles per hour in the opposite direction! It was very strange! All this to say.........that is NOT the way that the evening will really play out, when we meet in May!

Hi out there, Angie and Wendy!

Have a great day, Everyone!

 

[helenabear]

Last I heard about Willy Wonka was over the summer... he was offered the role, but haven't heard much since then. I think he'd make an excellent Wonka!

I loved that part too when that Billy guy or whatever his name was, brought her over to meet him. He was very gracious and it was neat to see that.

Not doing much planning on DL right now. I have my air booked and the hotel is booked. We will have to wait to do much more planning I think.

I will have to make a comment back to you Lisa, on the Mel Gibson movie. Everyone I have spoken to has not said anything about anti-semitism being displayed at all. It didn't matter really that the people were Jewish and those I spoke with who are devout Christians believe a "cumulative we" sent him to his death. I know as a whole, the Jewish religion is not looked down upon by my church and actually embraced as that was the religion of Jesus. I am babbling, but I think some of the fears were brought up before anyone was even able to see it. I may or may not see it, but I do not need a movie like that to show me what happened. Especially if it is so close to the Bible as many have stated. Maybe some will try to see it that way about it being negative, but all I knew who went to see it, didn't feel that way at all... the underlying basis that people feel is that he died for our sins, and no one religion or person was at fault. I hope that might help you feel a little more at ease knowing an average point of view from it
Not sure about what Mel Gibson truly feels about certain things though as I could care less what many others opinions are

Oh and the wedding planning seems to be okay. I talk with Dawn now and then and she seems a bit stressed but okay with how things are moving along.

Well I should get back to work. Have a great day all!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Dearest Lisa/Rider, your dream interested me much as I had often wished I could have met your mother. I bet we would have had lots in common. Meeting someone who had a lot in making you who you are would have been wonderful. She gave you the gift of loving Disney and whenever you go you carry those memories with you so it is most fitting that she was running across the sands with you. No worries about the May date with EWP, I promise you that I will be there early. If you should happen to run late, never fear and for heaven's sake do not run or put yourself at risk. In my old age I have learned to take things as they come and they most often come about even better than planned.

As far as Mel Gibson's movie goes, I am of the opinon that we are all called for different walks of life and those ignorant people will find some excuse to be a**h***s no matter what. Most people find love when they read the Bible but those who are bent on finding evil will find it wherever they look. I happen to believe that Jesus was the Savior but firmly believe that others have their right to their opinons and strongly disagree with anyone who tries to tell me who will and who will not make into Heaven. Seems to me that is not a Godly thing to do and I give praise that those people are not the ones who will be sitting on judgement for me or mine. Much evil has been brought about in the name of religion and I think it gives the devil much delight to bring it about. I always thought a lot of Mel's looks but I am looking a lot harder nowadays. Not sure what to think. I am interested in seeing what he thinks on screen but I am strong willed enough to come away with my own thoughts on the matter. When I lived in Indianapolis in the 60's there was a preacher man named Jim Jones. My independent nature saved me from his clutches and I cling to my odd ball ideas and will fight to the death for anyone else's right to think their thoughts even if in opposition to mine. Is what makes this country great IMHO. I am for religion but not much for organized religion. Would rather put my money into people rather than buildings but that is me. Hopefully the terrors of the past have at least taught us that we all must stand up against hatred, in any form. All it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to remain silent and I am hoping that loud voices will rise up and overpower the weak bullies who need to use hatred to build their own pathetic self esteem. Enuff of my stuff!!

Johnny Depp will make a wonderful Willie Wonka. That is one of my grandson's favorite movies. One of my Fab Four is named Willie and he loved that movie. I gave him a copy and hope that he gets to see it and thinks of me sometimes. I saw him on an interview this evening and he said he was home with a sick child the night of the SAG awards. Seems like the man has his priorities straight. Helenabear, I can read lips and Mr. Depp was most gracious to the young lady and was complimenting her hugely when they were introduced. It is nice to see someone who does not buy into all the celebrity stuff. Awfully hard to do though, I guess. I am interested in hearing your report on DL. I believe you said you had been there before? Have heard that it is hard after you have been to DW since it is smaller and more crowded etc. but many of the attractions seem to be a bit different and that would be interesting.

Had a wonderful phone conversation with my boys last night. Austin called to ask about his birthday money (his birthday is in July). Wanted to know if he could have an advance. I thought he wanted it for a trip he is making this weekend. No, he wanted it so he could donate it to a young man in the community that needs surgery. I told him that I had already made a donation but he insisted that he wanted to give his birthday money for the cause. I was so proud I could burst. Having a hard time explaining to granddad that buying him something more for his birthday would take away from the sacrifice though. I could hear my little guy reading out loud in the background and occasionally hollering "Be quiet, can't you see I am trying to read?" LOL He, sort of, got in trouble in school. His assignment was to write three sentences to make a story and he wrote much more. Wonder where he got that from? (great big grin)

Colleen, are you all packed? Where do you stop on the way down or back? We found a great place last time. Small shopping mall with loads of restaurants and a motel, prices were great also. Having a motel and food next to each other is important for someone like myself who is directionally limited and night blind to boot. Are the kids excited? Hubby giving you a hard t ime? LOl Are you a super planner like Lisa or a wing it person like Elaine or a mixture as myself?

Only had a half pound loss this week but at least it is in the right direction. LOL

Good night, sweet dreams and see ya later!

SG/Linda

 

[helenabear]

Linda... what you said about religion is absolutely wonderful and exactly how I feel!!!!! Luis and I have trouble seeing eye to eye on this, but we manage. We were both raised Catholic and I kind of venture to my own feelings that are Catholic influenced My sister is a bit like me but has incorperated many religions (from all over the world) to help define her spiritual beliefs. I do believe that if there truly is a higher power that s/he is more open than some seem to imply.... now I'll hush

You should be very proud of your little man there... that is so precious and wonderful... I am near speechless He has wonderful influences in his life, I am sure!!!!

I agree, Mr. Depp was most gracious and complimented her in ways that were genuine and so wonderful to watch... sweet moment

I will let you know hwo DL is! I haven't been since 1988 so my memory is fuzzy... but I will be able to at least (in a way) compare it to WDW

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Helenabear, thank you so much for your kind words. Talking about religion, politics and some other subjects is such a delicate matter. I am all for tolerance and understanding. Who I am is not who I was when I was younger and I sincerely hope I am even more evolved in my later years. The one religious stance that will get my dander up is when someone states that their way is the 'only' way and they condemn others to dire futures. I figure if very educated, brilliant people who devote their lives to studying the Bible and other writings, can read the ancient languages and have access to the original documents cannot agree on everything who in the heck am I to decide what is what. I go by my gut. If it feels right (not necessarily good) I go with it. I stumble and get up and keep on trying. Is what most of us do and I pray it is enough. I will pass on one truth that I have discovered, God speaks to us all even when we do not comprehend. If you ever think God is speaking to you and are concerned over whether it is He/She or the 'other feller', stop and think. If it is easy, it is probably the evil side speaking. If difficult and not necessarily what you want to do it is probably the Higher Spirit speaking. Sad, but true. (smile) Took me decades to learn that fact and I pass it on to you young ones to save you some time, LOL

Differences in a marriage can be a great thing. I tell my grands and other small friends to expand their horizons and thinking differently as well as trying new things is a great way to live. Sure are odd thoughts for an agoraphobic/panophobic to have though. (smile)

Headed to the school later and we are going to read Dr. Seuss books in honor of the great man himself. Read an interview by his widow this morning and she said that she would never, again, allow a live movie of any of the characters after the Cat in the Hat fiasco. I hope they lost their shirt in merchandizing products and video sales. I will not be buying it. I was not too pleased with the 'big knockers' thing in the Haunted Mansion. I sort of like the odd adult comment that is well above the heads of children tucked in to keep us adults mildly amused while taking our dear litle ones to movies but kids are so much smarter than they used to be. Scary. I am not easily shocked either.

Opinions, I got 'em!!! LOL Love to hear others opinions as well. Is the only way I can learn. I live by the adage that you can disagree without being disagreeable. If I say something you think stupid, step up and educate me. I am willing to listen and learn.

SG/Linda

 

[colleen costello]

Girls, I am slowly packing. I am a real planner, not a "wing it" person at all. I pack early and make reservations so I know we have a decent hotel. We will stay in Morrow, Georgia overnight, just south of Atlanta. We used to go to Macon but that's a bit too far and we would all get cranky! We stay in a little Quality Inn right off the highway and they give you breakfast. Next morning, up and out and ready for Mickey! My parents fly down and will meet us there.

I will do most of my packing this weekend. I'll get everyone's summery clothes into the suitcases. We leave Thursday and I will be busy at school all week so I will get a jump start. I like to clean the house some before leaving -- it's bad enough coming home to a clean house -- and batten down the hatches for Oliver and Oscar, our kitties who stay behind. Next-door-neighbor girl takes great care of them while we are gone. I pay her and she is always glad to make extra money for college, and her Mom supervises if there is any problem. Last trip (November) our elderly cat nearly croaked while we were in Florida. I should have boarded him at the vet but didn't have the heart... He was hiding and not eating and I was so afraid he would die "alone" while we were at WDW. So distressing -- such guilt! Thank goodness the neighbor gave him hospice care until we got home a week later and he actually hung in until 12/31. Finally had to put him to sleep, bless his heart. He was almost 18! Had a good life. Scott and I took it hard -- we got him just after moving to Indiana for grad school. We were skinny then, and broke, no kids. He was our first pet "together" and was a real love. Thank goodness we got 2 kitties a year ago; we knew that would ease the pain of KC's death for the kids...

SO... Hopefully on this trip, no traumas. Last time it was the sick cat, plus two kids sick with sore throats (the joys of traveling at Thanksgiving time). I was giving Ian Motrin on the way down and he barfed all over himself and the booster seat. We stopped at a hotel to use the public restroom, cleaned up Ian and the van, and hit a Walmart for a new Booster -- had to abandon the old one it STUNK! What a trip from HELL! Despite the cat and the throats, it turned out to be a really nice trip... Go figure!

Hope everyone is having the Spring-type weather we are having here!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Colleen, did you know that the only thing that seperates disaster from being funny is time? Honestly, the things that go wrong will be the very memories that you will treasure, someday. LOL

I well remember those trips from Hell. My husband is not terribly fond of children and those two and three week 'vacations' were murder, on all of us. I used to get down and kiss the kitchen floor when we got home from one of them. I do not miss them at all!!

I clean the house well before we leave as I want nice clean beds to return to and am so anal that I kick Tom out of the house for my last tour through before locking up and leaving. In the past he has gone around and turned on the water or unlocked a previously unlocked door as I was going around checking other things. Only bad part is that if something goes wrong now, it is always my fault. LOL

I plan and worry and run myself ragged until we are out of the garage and the door is down. I check twice. LOL Then I start enjoying myself.

You have this trip down pat. Hope you do not have a lot of problems getting around the busy Columbus traffic. I just cannot think of another way for you to avoid it unless you come through Attaberry and get on 65 at Taylorsville and I think that might add some miles to your trip. The way they laid out things on that end of Columbus is quite confusing to even locals. Forget trying to follow 46 through Columbus. LOL

Sounds as if you have lovely neighbors that you can trust to keep an eye on things for you while you are gone and that is a great help. Hopefully this wonderful weather will continue and this trip will go smoothly and bring many happy memories. If all trips were uneventful we surely would not appreciate the ones that do. LOL

SG/Linda

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Just noticed that the email notification box is not checked in my reply. Bet that is why people are not getting notices. It must be slipping off the page as I know I had mine set for automatic notification. Just thought you all might want to check yours.

SG/Linda

 

[colleen costello]

I am also now in charge of the "last search before leaving." Scott is a complete goober about packing for a trip. Last time he forgot his eyelasses! Now this is a man who admits he can't see the big "E" at the top of the eye chart... He wears contacts but sometimes gets allergy eyes (hello? Florida? Pollen!) so we had to have my pal Tammie, who lives a minute away, come into the house, find the glasses, and FedEx them to Old Key West. Again, this last trip was a DOOZY! ANother time he forgot his bathing suit, once it was his replacement contacts... OY!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

LOL, Colleen!! I have been married for over 30 years and for the first ten I thought Tom might be mentally disabled. The last twenty or so, after I got a bit smarter, I have discovered that he is the smartest of the both of us. By not being able to do anything, he does not have to do anything.

I have repeatedly tried to explain that if I have to handle all of the work around here I am not likely to have the energy to provide the entertainment opportunities that he might enjoy. He loves his visits with his brother in Brown County as he takes him all kinds of places and picks up the tab. Since my bil does not cook, clean or do any other domestic activity he has more energy than I do. I enjoy those visits as well. I spend a few hours the first day getting the house all cleaned up and even find time to do a bit of reading and can actually enjoy a leisurely visit to the bathroom without being interupted to answer the phone or, believe it or not, change the channel on the remote. My bil has put in a request for Tom next weekend and I am going to pack his bag as I have some wild plans. I am going to paint the upstairs bathroom while he is gone. LOL

Tom has lost his eye glasses most everywhere we have traveled. I finally figured out, by accident, that he can use eyeglasses bought at Wal Mart and that has saved some stress and strain as well as many dollars. If I had the time spent hunting for things he had lost back I would be a mere teenager.

Was not as bad when he was still working as I could delude myself into thinking he was doing something but no more. (sigh)

My little grandson told grandad that this was grandma's house cause she took care of it. He also loves to play checkers with grandad, when he can tear himself away from the tv, as he can beat him. LOL

Whatever you do, do NOT ever let your hubby retire. Is an awful thing for a marriage. I have friends who have had problems but then their husbands found a hobby or even a part time job, no such luck here. I would go to work but would not have a house to return to if I did so. (can you tell I am on my last nerve?) LOL

Do you pack for your hubby in order to prevent his forgetting anything? If so, he won!!!! (grin) Men are sly creatures and not nearly as dumb as they might have us believe. If only we were capable of living in utter chaos and dishevel then we might be able to fight back. (grin)

Is OY a New Jersey saying? (I am kidding)

Your strange new friend, SG/Linda

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi everyone,

Sorry that I haven't been able to check in, in a bit, and sorry that I can't post for very long right now (for a change!)! It's been very busy, these past few days. But I wanted to say "hi" and that I'm thinking of you all!

I enjoyed reading your insightful spiritual and philosophical thoughts, Elaine and Linda, and I loved your recounting what Austin asked to do with his birthday money - that is just wonderful! As Elaine said, he obviously has some great and very special people influencing his life! And I enjoyed reading about your trip preparations, Colleen! I'm just sorry to hear about your children not feeling well and your cat's not being well, during your last trip. Well, everything will be perfect on your upcoming trip, I'm sure!

Again, so sorry that I don't have time to properly respond to all of your great posts! I've been tearing my hair out, doing research about whether tranferring to an undergraduate or a graduate level Public Health degree program would be more appropriate (and realistic) for me, so I've been very preoccupied. Hope to be "back to normal", soon! Oh - and a Central NJ DIS Meet is in the works for June - I'm so excited - I will finally get to go to one of the world famous DIS Meets!

Hope that all is well with all of you!

 

[IASW Rider]

Just wanted to "bump us up" and wish you all a great weekend!

 

[colleen costello]

Ian had his birthday party today. Monday he turns 6; where does the time go? I can remember the day he was born like "yesterday." He was so sweet and terribly ugly and I just adored him! He nursed really well right away, and was just so sweet and so "easy" -- and after a few weeks he even got pretty! He is my sweetie. Some girl will marry him someday and it will KILL me... But for now it's birthday parties and fun. He had 12 friends come and we played mini-golf and had pizza and cake. Lots of presents and fun. Now that the party is settled and done I can PACK! We leave for Florida on Thursday. I really love to pack. People hate it but I LOVE it... It's a challenge, knowing what you need and what you don't, and organizing it all and getting it into the suitcases. I am like a general when I pack and nobody better mess with me! Poor Scott just lays low while I check and recheck my lists. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (which Scott accuses me of having!) comes in handy while packing...

The Florida weather forecase is sunny and warm for our week there. March is a great time to visit. Very little rain and temps between 75 and 85 -- perfect. Warm enough to swim but not too hot for fun. I can't WAIT! I am more than ready for some sunshine and flowers. Indiana had a mild winter this year (at least by me, how about you, Linda?) but it's very gray here. No green yet. Going to Florida this time of year is like waking up in Oz -- technicolor! I smile just thinking about it. My favorite part is checking in! You drive up and just look at the resort and the whole vacation awaits you. You're so full of HOPE -- all anticipation for the great times ahead. Checking into the room really is the BEST part for me! When we drive up I just FLY out of the van, and run in to get in the line. I gab with anyone unfortunate enough to be in line with me! I am such a spaz by the time I greet the CM, it's a wonder they can deal with me. I instantly start negotiating about the room -- need a bathtub, please, no parking lot view, not too far from the action -- I am TERRIBLE. Last June I was so bad the young man at the desk, bless his heart, he WALKED us up to our room to make sure it was "OK." I guess he figured he was dealing with a potential nut who needed to be appeased... In any case, we got a great room!

I want to post pics when I get back. Going to try to have Scott help me do that. Meanwhile, I am off to pack!

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Colleen!

Happy Birthday to Ian! I hope that he (and all of you) has a wonderful day! Glad to hear that he had a nice and fun party!

I love to pack, too! I love doing all of the WDW preparation stuff - looking through planning books (even though after 13 visits, I pretty much know everything by heart!), reading the Boards, making PS's.........I love all of it! We took care of the balance of our upcoming trip with Dreams Unlimited this morning, and I even loved that, too! I would start packing now, for 2 months from now, if I could! And I know exactly what you're saying about running to get on line to check in when you arrive and speaking with other guests or CM's - I do the same thing! I'm so excited for you - just 3 more days until you blast off!

I don't know how it is out there, today, but we actually have SNOW again, here, today - UGH. Last week was so beautiful, with weather in the 50's and 60's.........and today we wake up to white, all over the place! I could definitely use some of that WDW Oz-like technicolor, right about now!

How is everyone else doing, out there?

All is well, here. Tomorrow is Frank's birthday, and wouldn't you know that I have 2 back-to-back exams in the morning........and a 3 hour night class tomorrow night??? Figures that his birthday would have to fall on a Tuesday! I'm hoping that the evening class might let out a bit early so that I can rush home, change, and take him out to dinner! I'm going to give him his presents at midnight tonight, though. I got him some summer shirts for our trip........and I tucked tickets to Bette Midler's concert into the pocket of one of the shirts, too! I hope that he will be surprised - I know that he really wanted to see her show, and it's next Saturday night!

Time to get back to studying! Hope that all is well with all of you!

Have a great day!

 

[helenabear]

Hi all!! Been busy and haven't been online near as much as usual. I have a break here at work so I thought I'd come in and say hi!

Colleen, a very happy birthday to Ian!!! And enjoy the preparations for your trip!! I am quite the opposite of you... I hate to pack. Not sure what it is about packing that I dislike so, but I do avoid it as much as possible. I couldn't imagine these trips from hell as you said. I travel alone and 9 times out of 10, it is cheaper for me to fly than to drive. Plus going alone it is safer that way. So I hope this trip goes well for you!!!!

Linda, I knew about that auto reply thing being turned off. Unfortunately that wasn't the problem. I know the admins reset it and for soem reason a good number of the road runner users were not getting any notifications at all for subscribed threads! I actually do have that opiton turned off too since I reply to a ton of threads... I don't want/need to be notified of all those I do reply to. You have me curious, what route do you take when you go to Florida? I haven't had to ride in a car there in ages so I wouldn't even begin to know how to get there.

Lisa, I hope Frank has a wonderful birthday tomorrow!!! So sweet of you to do the presents at midnight... although on a weeknight I might be too tired to enjoy them then I hope you can take him out to dinner, but if not hopefully you can celebrate it another time Sounds like some good gifts too!

Well I probably should get back and check on some things here. I have been looking to see if any DL discounts have come out for the hotel and trying to figure out what I might like to do while in Chicago. I hope all is well with everyone

 

[colleen costello]

Please pray for me, or meditate, or visualize good karma or something... I have been uncomfortable all weekend and was diagnosed this morning with a KIDNEY STONE! Ugh... Relieved to have a diagnosis but my Spring Break trip is only a "maybe" at this point. I have to see if the darn thing is on it's way out or is stuck. I see the urologist in the morning and will needle him re: Disney. Ugh. Great timing... It's a 2-day drive so without a clean bill of health, I am grounded.

I'll keep you posted. I am going to go sulk and feel sorry for myself...

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Dear Colleen, around here we spread liberal amounts of Pixie Dust to cover most any situation and/or religion or whatever. I am so sorry to hear of your pain. In an effort to salvage a bit of your peace of mind I will tell you that I am surely glad that, if this had to beset you, it is best that it stuck while you are near to home. (closing my eyes and chanting)
Kidney stone, kidney stone, go away,
Let Colleen go on her trip far away,
Make the pain quickly pass,
And not be so much of a pain in the ummmmm. (better let this one go) LOL

Your love for your son is so well written and expressed in your post. I hope you are writing some of these thoughts down so they can read them someday. The party sounded wonderful. You are giving your children so many happy memories. You know you may luck out and get a great dil who will add to your family instead of subtracting.

I posted earlier in the day and wrote quite a comprehensive note. Must have been too much for the system to handle as it seems to have disappeared. I even re read it after I posted so I know it was there. (bummer)

Rider, please tell Frank that I am so sorry that I was not able to get a card to him on his very special day. Just got so much stuff going on that I am far behind on all cards and such. Just called my brother for his birthday. You sure married good. Anyone who loves Bette is aces with me. I have been a fan of hers since her bathhouse days. I love the off beat and witty not to mention talented.

Helenabear, we take 65S thru Louisville to Nashville, 24 to Chattanooga, 75 thru Atlanta (do NOT take the bypass) past Ocala and then onto the Turnpike to DW. Is almost exactly 1,000 miles and I can easily drive it in a day and a half. Those higher mph states make it easier. I do not drive after dark and Tom will not leave without breakfast in his belly so we do not suffer overly much. The rules of the house is that I stop each two hours or 100 miles, whichever comes first. LOL

The scuttlebutt is that room discounts are due out tomorrow. I hope so as I am getting anxious to get dates set. Have been invited to spend a few days at a retirement community only 10 miles from property so we may stop there also. If only it were an owner property as we are allergic to paying $100's a month in lot fees and such. Tom wants to go over and check out a place in Lake Placid too. Would mean having to postpone going to Fairhope though. I would hate that as I am so looking forward to meeting Angelina.

Packing is easy for me as I keep a small bag filled with tolietries and such at the ready and that is the hardest part of packing other than that I can just take outfits out of the closet, on their hangers, fold in half and count out the right amount of underwear plus an extra set for emergencies and am ready to go. LOL


Depply, you must be off watching all those tv shows about Johnny. He is everywhere nowadays and deservedly so. I like the fact that he seems to carefully chose his roles instead of just taking any old thing that comes his way. I read where some Disney people were less than pleased when they first saw his take on the part of Jack Sparrow. Sure glad they did not decide to take it in a different direction. POTC or Haunted Mansion? Casting is everything.

Guess you all will just have to wonder at all the info I am leaving out of this post. LOL I am going to 'copy' this just to make sure.

Have to get my rest so I can get up and start calling if the codes come out tomorrow.

Good night and sweet dreams for all and hoping that some things come to pass for poor Colleen. I am sure her family is rooting for it also.

SG/Linda

 

[IASW Rider]

COLLEEN!!!!!!!

How are you feeling?????? So sorry to hear that you're suffering with this kidney stone at all, muchless so close to your scheduled trip! I hope that it resolves itself and that your doctor has given you the go-ahead to continue with your vacation plans! Hopefully it will just dissolve by itself, and not cause you any more pain or discomfort. We will all be thinking of you, here in the Suite, and praying for your speedy recovery!

Are you going to Chicago this coming weekend, Elaine? Is there a DIS Meet there? I'm sure that you will have a great time, and I know that you are familiar with the city. That's such a great place - there are always so many neat things to see and do there! Were you able to find any good DL discount information?

And have you been able to find any good WDW discount information, Linda? I can't believe that our trips are coming up so soon!

Thanks so much to you and Tom and Elaine for thinking of Frank on his birthday! It was so kind of you all to do so, and he really appreciated it! He did have a nice day, yesterday. The people with whom he works took him out for a nice lunch, and we did get to go out to dinner at our favorite little Italian restaurant last night, too (I zoomed home from class and tried to transform myself into someone presentable, and then we made it out the door by 8:00 PM!). My father and uncle are taking us out on Friday night, too, and then we'll go to the concert on Saturday night! Yeah, we've been long time fans of Bette Midler, too, and it's so rare that she tours that I had to take advantage of the opportunity to see her - especially since I knew that Frank really wanted to! I think that we're going to watch "Beaches" tonight - that's my favorite of all of her movies!

I hope that you are able to visit Fairhope and meet Angie on your way to Florida, Linda! I'm still hoping that we can somehow pull off our "kidnapping caper" and get her to come to WDW!

There's a great article about Johnny in Time Magazine this week, if you haven't already seen it, Depply!

Hope that all is well with all of you! We're thinking of you, Colleen! Have a great day and talk to you all, soon!