EWP group?

[SlightlyGoofy]

Dan, is so very true that we have a bright bunch here. Gives me much hope for the future if this is representative of the generation to come. I am in awe of all the youngsters on here. I am by far the senior so they are ALL youngsters to me.

I had thought you went to DW or DL a whole lot more often but if you can only go one time a year you sure picked the best time. Just something about walking around in 90 degree weather, flowers blooming and Christmas decorations everywhere and when the 'snow' falls on Main Street it becomes a bit surreal. LOL

FPgurl, you just 'feel' like you are the only girl home on Friday night. Is not so bad. You could be out with a bunch of jerks having a terrible time or something. You are just picky about who you spend time with or have succumbed the common problem of the boys your age not being smart enough to appreciate your many attributes. I often give thanks that the boys in my school did not find me appealing. Was the best thing that ever could have happened to me. I have seen how they turned out. Ugh!! I have found that the super stars in school peak often peak early. Is better to be at your best for the majority of your life rather than four years of it. If I can see how awesome you are in just reading your posts you will see the day when you will be glad of a night home alone, just for the peace and quiet. LOL How wonderful, a scholarship!! See, I am not the only one with faith in you!!! (doing a happy dance for one smart young lady)

Helenabear, DVC? Wonderful for you both. You will greatly enjoy it through the years. If I were younger I would be sorely tempted myself. I bet you have figured out how to get the most days out of your points too. Do you know which resort will be your 'home"? Glad you enjoyed the concert but then I think you enjoy most everything.

Rider, only a month to go? Hope I get everything done in time. Was going to work in the yard today but was sick most of the night. Old age is NOT for sissies.

My step daughter who is almost my age called today to announce that she just took the test and passed it for her GED. I am thrilled. Better late than never. I sincerely hope that this is the first step in a better life for her.

SG/Linda

 

[IASW Rider]

Hey Everyone!

Hope that you are feeling better, Linda! And congratulations to your step-daughter - that is wonderful news! Less than a month, now - just 29 more days! Will respond to your e-mail a little bit later!

Congratulations on your scholarship, Emily! That is fantastic news, too! And I'm sure that Bruce will tour again, soon - he usually does those "surprise shows" at the last minute, at the very least! And sometimes, if we go see someone else perform at the PNC Bank (formerly Garden State) Arts Center, Bruce will just randomly show up and jam with whomever the performer is! I'm sure that he will be back up there, too! Congratulations on your softball win, too! I'm sure that this is just the beginning of a great season for you!

That's so neat that you and your family will soon be DVC members, Elaine! It is sooooooo tempting - we've had the video and information about DVC for months..........but are too afraid to really LOOK at any of it, for fear of "losing control" and just going for it, without thinking it through enough! Maybe some day..........But I know exactly what you mean about how it makes more sense to become a member of DVC than to keep traveling to WDW as frequently as you do, without it. We've discussed that rationale when thinking about joining, as well. Had we done it 5 years ago, all of those trips would have been essentially "paid for" with our DVC membership, by now! Thoughts for the future! I'm sure that that Josh Groban concert was just fabulous. He is amazing. I'll never forget the first time I heard him sing - on an episode of "Ally McBeal", several years ago - and thinking "who IS that man?????". He just has an extraordinary voice. I'm glad that he seems to be touring regularly, now - maybe we'll have another chance to see him.

Hi Dan! Thanks so much for stopping in to the Suite to visit with us! Always wonderful to "see" you!

Hope that you are no longer aggravated, Caroline! It sounds like you have so much going on - just take one thing at a time, and I'm sure that they will all turn out well - don't let them all overwhelm you! And I hope that you were able to "steal" a few of those cookies that you were baking for / with your sister, too!

I agree with Dan - we sure do have some sharp, intelligent, great people, here in the Suite!

How are you doing out there, Angie, Wendy, Colleen, and Depply?

Well, time for me to tackle a bit more of the INFAMOUS NUTRITION PROJECT, now. I finished just about all of it, the other day..........but for some reason, my total numbers of calories and macro / micronutrients consumed per each day analyzed came out differently than the totals when I analyzed each food consumed on each day separately...........so I'm going to have to run all of the calculations again - FUN!

Oh well - it's finally a beautiful day, here in Central NJ - 70 degrees and sunny - all of the flowers are blooming and the grass is really green, as the result of all of the rain that we had last week - I hope to get out there and enjoy some of the day, too!

Have a great weekend, Everyone!

 

[TalkisCheap]

Hey everyone!

Well, I'm finally home, and exhausted after two days of waking WAY too early, answering many a questions to prospective home-schoolers, and having a blast with an awesome girl I met at the conference, I'm home!

If you didn't get all that, I left at 4 Friday morning to make it to Bethel, Maine for a homeschoolers convention. My mom was a spokesperson for Calvert, the curriculum we use, and I helped when people came to our table and answered questions about how I liked it. Then this really nice girl came to our table with her mom and we became friends and hung out all of friday and saturday till we left about 4 to come home. For something I didn't want to go to, I had a fun time...though I might have enjoyed track practice that I missed, only for the reason I really need to practice!!

Just got done reading all your posts while I was away so here's my little imput -

I know I did sound a tad selfish about my whole baking incident, but I do so much more than my brother and sister combined(ok my brother is at college...so he doesn't count). Usually, my sister just takes advantage of me being so nice, and doing anything she asks...and usually doesn't thank me.

Emily - that's so awesome about your scholarship! And I laughed really hard about your "Sharp as a spoon" comment! I hope you did look on FAQ on the Tech board cause I don't really get it...so I couldn't explain it...I just copyed what they put!!

Well, I'm FREEEEZING and so I'm going to get a blanket or something...and then have some dinner. Have a great evening everyone!!


-Caroline

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

I think I am rested up from the past week. It was a killer and I did not really do all that much. Old age stinks. LOL

Caroline, I am so very interested in homeschooling from a students perspective. I am not against such but am worried about my Fab Four (grandkids) as I fear their mom does so for the wrong reasons. Is a scary situation. I know that I can teach a student far more in an hour than they can learn all day long in a group sometimes. Different kids learn differently. It is amazing how teaching one subject can lead to another and another and it is so much easier to learn when it is put into perspective. Have you ever gone to 'regular' school? I can tell that you have had well rounded and loving education. Is it your mom or dad, or both, that have been your primary teacher(s)? FYI siblings will continue to be a pain forever, if you are lucky enough to have them still be around. I am the oldest of 8 and I know, golly do I know!! LOL The very bestest of friends and relatives always take you for granted. Maybe you need to be a little less available so that she will notice all that you do for her? Hope you were able to get warmed up.

Lisa, I wish I could help you with your problem but unfortunately I could add the same numbers one hundred times and come up with one hundred and one answers. I was once put in an accounting department, in error, and almost suffered a mental breakdown. I am sure you will figure it out. Take a break and go back with fresh eyes and mind. Works for me, usually. I have been thinking of you all day. Worked in the yard and kept telling myself that my reward would be meeting you in DW. I am compulsive and need to have everything 'perfect' before we leave. I even change the sheets the day we leave so I have a fresh bed waiting when I get home. I are one sick puppy. LOL I had forgotten about Josh being on Ally McBeal. Sure had a lot of good music on that show. I miss it although the later shows were not nearly as good as the first ones. I enjoy quirky shows (Northern Exposure etc.).

Just saw where Bette Midler lost a bunch of weight on the South Beach diet. I had a hamburger patty on a bed of greens with Walden Farms (0 calorie/sugar/carb) dressing. Never thought I would see the day when veggies would take the place of bread in my life. LOL

See you all later. I am headed over to the Grand Floridian and see if I can check out the fireworks. A friend of mine says you can even see Tink fly from there. That I gotta see!!

SG/Linda

 

[IASW Rider]

Oooh - I hope that we really DO get to see Wishes, in 28 days (!!!!) from the Poly beach / dock, Linda! Don't know if we'll be able to see Tinkerbelle fly from there (my eyesight isn't THAT sharp!), but I'll bet that we will be able to see a good deal of the show!

I also do things like change the sheets on the bed, get all the laundry done, and other such things before we leave on vacation! It's nice to come home and not have to worry about things like those (especially because we usually come home to cat food and litter spilled all over the floor by our crazy kitties, who tend to "rebel" when we are gone for a week, and leave us with lots of messes to clean, upon our return! My Dad tries to keep up with them, but I think that they somehow know exactly when we're going to come home and make sure to spill things all over the place after my father's last visit with them and just in time for our arrival)!

I also saw the piece about how Bette Midler and President Clinton lost a lot of weight on the South Beach Diet (maybe it was in People Magazine?)! We had a guest lecturer - and expert on Obesity - in my Nutrition and Health class on Friday. He said that the South Beach Diet, Atkins, and The Zone are, in reality, the SAME DIETS, because they all instruct one to essentially EAT LESS FOOD! What a simple concept! He was illustrating that all of these popular diets really just "boil down to" reducing caloric intake, by different means, and that's why people have success on each of them! I still say that each person should just "do" whatever s/he has been successful with in the past and whatever s/he feels comfortable with! I also replace bread, pasta, and rice with vegetables almost all the time..........I've had lots of "bread cravings" this week, though - just limited them to slices of reduced calorie wheat bread, though!

I figured out where I went wrong with the math for my project.........silly me - I was trying to list the percentages of my total energy intake that are comprised of protein, fat, and carbohydrates...........but I kept dividing the total in grams by the total number of calories...........I had forgotten to convert grams to calories! Once I did that, the numbers came out slightly more accurately..........only instead of adding up to 100%, they've somehow added up to 106%! Oh well - that's closer than the original numbers that I was coming up with!

Glad to hear that you had a great time at the Conference, Caroline! I'm also very interested to hear about your experieces with home schooling - it's really neat to learn about - I never knew anyone who is / was home schooled before. I didn't realize that there were conferences, such as the one that you and your Mom attended, either. I think that that's wonderful.

And I don't think that you sounded "selfish" at all - you were just a little frustrated and "venting" at the time - that doesn't make you "selfish"! We all get aggravated from time to time - that's one of the great things about this Suite - it's a place to come to just talk to friends, share special experiences or events, or even "blow off steam" when we need to!

Hope that you're all having a nice weekend! It's a little below 80 degrees, beautiful, and sunny here, today! Hope that you're all experiencing some nice, spring weather! Talk to you soon!

 

[helenabear]

Hi everyone! Been busy again lately. I was up in Cleveland yesterday for a bridal shower, we are redoing the wiring in the kitchen so we are busy with that too.

Emily, congratulations on your scholarship!!! That is wonderful news!!!! Congrats on your win as well. I am sure with time, you will do so much better! And I'm impressed, I stink at hitting a baseball with a bat

Hi Dan! Always nice to see you!

Linda, as long as everything goes well, we will have OKW as our new home. We have done a lot of number crunching and this looks perfect for us.

Lisa, I do think that with your travel habits DVC might work for you too... but if you don't think you'll be going back every year it might not work out. It is a good way to stay at a Deluxe though and save money. And yes, Josh Groban was on Ally McBeal singing "To where you are" Beautiful song!

Caroline, I hear you on the sibling thing. I get a bit "used" by my siblings as well. Venting is needed now and then. And like Linda, I am interested to know your feelings on homeschooling. A friend of mine has an Aunt who homeschools and sadly, for some of the wrong reasons. Sadly, one of her children has social issues because she was never pushed into doing any activities to help her socialize. For the most part though, I think parents do great and the kids do well

Glad you figured out your nutrition math, Lisa! And I do agree, a lot of the diets just reduce calorie intake! So you have to do what works for you

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

We went to Columbus to see the short film festival. A lot of drek but a few good things. They need to eliminate a lot of things before next years event IMHO. It ran two hours over the alloted 3 hours. Was interesting though. We are spending the evening watching home improvement shows. Just watched the Home Free show where people can win having their mortgages paid off. Believe me, having no mortgage makes all the difference in the world and it is easily attainable by paying a very little bit extra a month. For every hundred or so you are paying only a few dollars is actually going toward the principal usually. The earlier you start the more you save. Since you repay about $3 for every $1 you borrow you can save really big bucks. (I am on my soap box again, just knock me off gals) LOL

Helenabear, if money were no object OKW would be my favorite resort as well, I think. Is not that we cannot afford to spend a few nights there just has never happened. I read a thread recently that said that the DVC is great for those who stay at the better places but not so much for us cheapskates that stay at the AS. If it were just buying the points I woud be on it like a dog on a bone but I are scared of those maintance fees. I am thinking of trying Pop Century in November. If we ever go to Disney and do not plan to go to the parks I would really go for one of the upscale resorts. I bet you could have a great time just lounging around the area. We are only in the room long enough to bathe and sleep when we go to the parks though. Congratulations on your purchase. I am sure that it will be perfect for you both.

I am not against homeschooling, even though my dil might tell somebody that. There are plenty of kids slipping through the cracks and suffering severe abuse of many kinds in the public school system too. My mantra is that people often do bad things for good reasons and good things for bad reasons so it is all in the intent IMHO.

Rider, my friend said that she could not exactly see Tink but she could see the light desending and since she knew what it was she could "see" her. Househunters HGTV, had an episode on buying homes in the Garden State. I got sticker shock though. Think I had better stick in the cheap part of the country and just visit you all rich folks. LOL

Glad you got your math sort of figured out. Gets confusing. When I do my taxes I leave them for about a week and then go over them again to make sure that I did them right.

I saw Bette the other day and she looked great. She was telling about the SBD. My take on 'diets' is that they never succeed unless they fit the person's lifestyle. If I am a meat eater and am craving it I might eat a salad instead, soup instead, fruit instead and THEN give in and eat the meat while if I had just eaten what I was craving to begin with it would have been far less expensive, caloriewise. Making better choices within a category is useful as well. (soapbox again, sigh)

I will be dedicating tomorrow to you as well. I am going to scrub and seal my side steps and repot some flowers in fake clay pots to brighten up the area. Since they tore down the house next door it has given a whole new perspective to our house. I might even get the veggie garden all dug up too, if energy permits. I could get so much more done if I did not have to stop to cook meals and such. (whining)

Good night to everyone and keep dreaming those Disney dreams!

SG/Linda

 

[TalkisCheap]

Hello everyone!

Vacation, and especially the weather, has been heaven down here! Been into the 70's these past two days!! Very pleasent...though it is rumored to be moving through and more cold air shall come our way...oh well! I love Maine...and wouldn't enjoy living anywhere else!!

About homeschooling - what exactly would you like to know about it? I saw a few questions and so I thought I would at least answer those. I went to a Private, Catholic school for kindergarden and first grade. My older brother, sister, and myself were taken out when the new principle and new priest at the adjoing church basically called my parents liars and made the last few months of school there miserable for us. So, this is my 6th year being homeschooled.

My mom stays home and teaches me while my dad works(I believe someone a while back asked what he did and I never did reply...) at Fairchild Semi-conductor as the 'Director of Investor Relations'(Ah, yes, wasn't it when I mentioned the reason we went to Florida was for his conference? And someone asked what he did to have a 'High Yield' conference).

I was always angry when people made comments about homeschooled kids not being 'normal' and always took offense to it. My brother, sister, several friends, my three cousins, and me have all been homeschooled. Going to the convention, though, I sort of understood what some people were talking about. They weren't so much NOT normal..just different. A few parents I talked to said their children were afraid to go into Public Schools or be around non-homeschooled kids. I LIVE at my middle school and only have a few homeschooled friends. I thought that was a little odd, and it seemed the reasons most parents there homeschooled was really more to shelter their kids, than educate them better. A family that goes to my church is homeschooling their daughter for just that reason. They own no computer or tv and do not subsribe to a newspaper. Their daughter really does not go many places besides to close friends houses and church events. I really feel sorry for her because they cannot shelter her forever.

Well, it's dinnertime(supposedly) and I'm starving anyway! Have a nice evening, everyone!!


-Caroline

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Caroline, you are a very good advocate for homeschooling. It is all in the intentions IMHO. I truly do understand parents not wanting their kids exposed to some of the dreck of society but have seen how the sheltered fare when faced with the cold reality of real life. It sounds to me as if you have the best of all worlds in that you have access to the world and can learn at your own pace. Many kids would not be capable of doing as you have done though. It is so darned hard to know what to do to make thing perfect for your children. Sounds as if your parents should be given much praise also. About how many hours a day, on average, do you spend studying and what courses are you curently involved with? Do you chose your courses? You live at your middle school? I am dense, do not understand. So much to learn and so few years left. LOL

I have been asked to keep my Dalton for the whole summer. It will mean giving up so very much but I really feel that he deserves the time and opportunities I can give him. The town library is right behind my house so there will be no shortage of books to read and he has a very extensive social life. His dad will keep him a day or maybe two a week so it might not be so very bad. I only worry because my sil does not let me know his plans and I have had to sit at home for the day expecting a grandkid and then they do not show up. Would not mind if he would just let me know. Will help them out as they just bought a new vehicle and will save big bucks over paying daycare. When judged the heart wins over the head though.

24 days left until we leave for Florida! Time is flying by. I went on a shopping spree today, budget be darned (edited for young ears). LOL I found so many things that had been on my list for so long. I bought a beautiful garden sculpture of a boy and girl, sitting on a bench, reading. How could I resist? Bought a lime green shirt too. (grin)

Hope the storms go away soon and that none of you are affected. Good night, sweet dreams

SG/Linda

 

[helenabear]

I don't think I could have said it better myself, Linda! I have to agree wit hwhat you said. I was a bit curious, Caroline, as the only kid I knew who talked about homeschooling hated it... but I do think that his mother did it solely out of sheltering more than anything else. You sound like you have a perfect school life there... better than some public school kids I do have a question though, a friend of mine out in CA is doing a co-op/homeschool due to lack of numbers in registration (she is way out in no man's land) do you stick to a "regular" school schedule as in try to do classes at certain times for so many days a year? Or are you more flexible and go "all year"? Just curious... acutally I know many schools that are trying the 'year round' thing so I guess that might be more of a regional type of question than nything else (if I hadn't lost you there)

I admit, Linda, DVC is definitely not for everyone. It all depends on your vacation habits. For you, it wouldn't work (I believe). I am just looking at the rise in hotel costs and it is getting to be outrageous. The attendence is up and I would imagine these AP rates that are so easy to get now will be a thing of the past. I also admit that the value resorts they have now do not appeal to me. Not for "ammenities" or "size" but for pure atmosphere. I do spend enough time back at my room to notice wehre I am. Honestly I would rather stay at a Comfort Inn with blah theming vs All Stars. IF they had a blah looking value, I would try it, but just me, I cannot get into the large icons. Obviously that is why Disney has what they have... what I love, others may dislike! But this is the only way I will be able to afford to take my family (sister included) for years to come. That's when it can be a big saver... I would save $1800 alone on a 2 bedroom in the first year for one week. I'd even come out ahead if I got 45% off on a room with AP. So it is worth it

Sounds like you had a good time shopping today too. I can't believe you will be there so shortly! I also hpoe you get Dalton for the summer... I am sure it would be perfect!!!

 

[FPgurl04]

thanks for all of the support and congratulations! i feel loved!

i am very rpoud because i have figured out how to use my dell dj (the dell ipod)!!! i'm so excited.

urgh, have to go now. sorry for such a short drop in...

 

[IASW Rider]

Hey everyone!

How are you all doing, today?

I want to hear more about your curriculum, too, Caroline! I echo Linda's and Elaine's questions - what classes are you taking, now? Do you go to school all year round, or just during the "traditional school year"? Are the sports teams that you're involved with associated with your local public or private school, or are they sponsored by your town or community? As your teacher, does your Mom need to submit your grades to a governing body, of some sort, so that you have a "transcript" somewhere that "proves" that you've been home schooled (ie: to send to colleges eventually, etc.)? Or does your Mom create a transcript for you based on official home schooling guidelines?

Congratulations on learning how to use your new dell "ipod", Emily! Those are so neat!

That's wonderful that Dalton will be staying with you all summer, Linda! I'm sure that you will both keep eachother very busy and have a lot of fun! In the mean time, it sounds like you are keeping busy on your own, what with your continued home projects! And sounds like a great shopping spree, too! I agree with you about the "giving in to your initial craving" theory - to just go ahead and HAVE whatever it is you're craving, rather than having something else........then just going back to have the original item, a few hundred calories later! I think that we've all "fallen prey" to that at one point or another!

Whose bridal shower did you attend, Elaine - is that your friend's, who's getting married soon? OKW sounds great - it's so exciting that you're going to be an owner, soon! When will you be able to begin taking advantage of your ownership (ie: will you be able to use your points right away, or will you have to wait a few months)? I still kick myself for not having joined sooner - especially after staying at the Poly for each of the past 5 years - not to mention staying at POR this year! I agree with you - WDW has something for everyone's style and budget. We also spend enough time in our room and around our resort to want certain ammenities that the value resorts may not have. We only take one "real" vacation per year, and when we go, we hope to have a bit of "luxury" for the money that we are spending! Some friends of ours who've always stayed at moderate resorts recently returned from WDW after having stayed in a value resort for the first time. While they said that their little daughter loved the atmosphere (and that it was a great place for people with small children), they said that they were very disappointed with their room and missed some of the things that they took for granted in moderate resort rooms (like the Mickey Mouse toiletries, a coffee maker in the room, etc.). Frank and I are so "spoiled" that we're wondering how we will "survive" at a resort without monorail access, for the first time, this year! Can't wait to hear your "review" of POR, after you return! I'm sure that it's really nice - I know that Linda's said that she likes the restaurant there, and others have said that the rooms and grounds are really nice, too.

I'm in a nostalgic mood, this week, because I remember that I was in WDW exactly 26 years ago, this week! It was the last trip that my mother and I took there, together, and I remember it like it was yesterday! Of course, the MK was the only park, back in those days, and we spent every day there! I can't even count how many times we must have ridden IASW and how many times we watched the EWP, that week!

My concession to getting ready for our upcoming trip was buying a few new outfits (one of which I can wear to my 20th high school reunion, which is coming up in 2 weeks!) - not too "dressy" but not too "casual" - even appropriate for wearing in the parks - and buying some new underwear, too! Frank still needs to buy a sports jacket before we go, because apparently, 2 of the restaurants on the Wonder require that men wear them to dinner. 24 more days - yea!!!!!!!!!! Continental called us a few days ago to inform us that both of our flights will be leaving earlier than originally scheduled. So we will be touching down in the "promised land" - Orlando, that is - before 10:00 AM on the 16th! That will give us a full day to relax and situate ourselves before our "date" with Linda and Tom! Maybe we will be able to sneak in some park time that day, after all...........!

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

 

[colleen costello]

HI everyone. I need lots of good wishes! There is a great big house for sale on our beautiful street and we are getting ready to make an offer on it. It's bigger and more expensive than any upgrade we planned on, but we are going to GO FOR IT! I am lucky I don't live in NJ anymore; back there the place would cost too much! We love our street and don't want to move away so this is a wonderful opportunity. I am learning fast, however, that the real estate world is STRESSFUL! I am in contact with a local realtor and hope he can appraise my place FAST so I can make a reasonable offer on house #2. Then I have to face the music and CLEAN. I am a busy Mom with 2 kids and 2 cats and my house is hardly "ready to show." This weekend I will farm the kids out to trusted pals and Scott and I will have to have at it... We have to figure out how to make the place look "uncluttered..." The fact that it IS so cluttered is why we want to move!!!

So pray realty prayers for me. If all goes well we can make an offer and I will move from 1632 Limestone Drive to 1832 Limestone Drive. Linda, you'll have to come see it if we get it. It's a bigger house than I ever hoped for... and am hoping it all works out. I am trying to be calm but that's not in my nature... I may take up drinking... (ha!)

Talk to you all soon!

 

[helenabear]

Emily so glad that you figured out the Dell DJ thing! Music is a great thing to have with you at all times!

Lisa, that bridal shower was for my friend Dawn, the one I am reading at the wedding for. Acutally she is the only one I know getting married right now I do hear you on the "spoiling" thing. Mine really isn't as much as lack of a sit down or Mickey soaps, as much as it is the over all feel of a resort. That's why I do fine with a moderate because the theming is great!!! The rest doesn't matter so much. And I find the bus system wonderful no matter where I stay. I do think if you look into DVC that you should try resale. I do have someone I am working with who is great!!! So if you are ever interested let me know and I'll pass on her info to you. And I will do my best to give you a review of POR before you leave

Colleen, wishing you all the very best with the house. I hope you get it!!!!

Well I should go... dinner is almost ready and I need to get paking for Chicago

 

[TalkisCheap]

Good luck with your house Colleen!! Hope all goes well! I know my Uncle and Aunt are having a bit of trouble selling their house...and they have had plenty of stress, especially with their terrible real estate agent!!

As for the homeschooling - I don't literally live there, I just meant I spend soo much time there(there every weekday afternoon, and sometimes on weekends) that it is like living there!

The way we homeschool is that we buy a complete school year(books, paper, supplies..everything) from Calvert School in Baltimore. Calvert has a real, priavte, day school as well as the homeschooling options. The supplies/ books etc. we are sent are all the books used by the day school. There are 160 days of lessons. But, every 20 lessons(days of school) I take a test in every subject(Math, Spelling, Reading, Grammar, Science, History, Art History, Geography and I write several compositions)(I also have art but there is no test) and these tests are sent in to a real teacher in Baltimore who corrects and grades all of my papers and sends them back. This way, I have grades to present when I apply to high schools and colleges. The textbooks also come with a Lesson Manual which tells us exactly what we should do each day to finish each book by the end of the year.

I have to complete every book and pass every test to able to recieve a certificate stating I completed the whole school year. Then(I'm not sure if this is in every state, or just in some such as Maine) at the end of the school year, my mom sends all of my tests and compositions to somewhere(sorry, not quite sure how it works)and they go over my papers and make sure I was educated well enough to go on to my next year of schooling.

Because I only have to complete roughly 185 days of school all together, I only work from when regular schools around us go back(beginning of Spetember) till mid May(I have 18 lessons plus the days for tests left). I usually start school aroun 8:30 and work till whenever we finish we depends. If we have something to do the next day say a dentist appointment, then we work longer to make up for the work we won't do the next day. Usually I end around 1:45 because I have to get ready for track practice but even when I don't have sports we only really work till around 2 unless we need to make up work. I also have a long winter break lasting from Thanksgiving till New Years. We take it because with all the holidays and commotion that come with them, we wouldn't get much school done anyway so we figured we might as well not worry about how little school we finish, and just take a longer break. It really does make the holidays much less stressful for my mom.

For my 8th grade year, I am looking into taking Spanish so I can have some base for when I go to high school. I wanted to take German, but since I won't be able to take it again till College, it seemed a waste to learn now. My parents did say I could take some courses when I am a senior at one of the colleges around here before I go, since I want to minor in German and spend some time there during my college years.

The sports I play are for all different things. I run cross country and track for my middle school, and I made the basketball team this past winter for our middle school as well. I play softball through our little league which is seperate from the middle school and parks and rec. I play tennis also through a seperate league that offers lessons/matches all year round, though I do it only in the fall and winter monthes. During the summer, through our parks and rec, I do several basketball camps, a seperate tennis league/lessons, and a competitive track league. I also do a basketball camp through my sister and maybe my high school about 45 minutes away. This year 2 of my friends are even going to do it with me!! I also ski in the winter with my family, though for the last couple of years I have taken lessons and gone on trips skiing through our parks and rec programs as well.

Well, it's dinnertime and I must go. Hope everyone is well, and has a wonderful evening!!

-Caroline

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Colleen, how wonderful. I am hoping you get your dream house. It will be as much trouble to move from one house to the other even though they are close by. Takes as much effort to pack either way but will be a bit easier as you will not have a long commute. I will take you up on that invitation one of these days. Your husband being knowledgeable about real estate matters probably knows to watch out for agents who will tell you that your house is worth much more to get your listing. You could end up making an offer on the new house anticipating a larger price on your house. Make an offer contingent on selling your place at a certain price to cover your bases. Will make him/her work a lot harder since they will be getting two commissions. LOL Rent a storage place, ask a neighbor if you can store things in their garage or even store extra stuff in your own garage. Prospective buyers will accept a crowded garage more than a house. Ever notice that the model homes have small scale light colored furnishings in order to trick you into thinking the house is larger than it is? Ever watch HGTV and the shows that fix houses up on the cheap to sell? Interesting and informative. Many buyers are so blind that they cannot see past a bit of wall color. I have found I can buy a house cheaper just because of ugly wallpaper. LOL I look at the 'bones'. Keeping my fingers crossed for you and yours to be able to spread out in all that space soon.

Caroline, what a wonderful educational life you have. I repeat that you are due much credit for being the type of student who can accomplish this. Is why you seem so much more mature than your age as well. I think my little guy would do well in such an environment too. The public school lets you join in their athletic programs? I have heard of such and greatly applaud it. I like the idea of school vouchers. I think you would see a great change in schools if such were to happen. It is unfair that your parents must pay to support public schools while paying the full burden of your materials and such. I know of the Calvert program. I did not realize that they graded your work. I like the idea. Do you have to appear somewhere to take your tests or do you take them at home? When I took the Mensa test I was allowed to take the preliminary at home but had to do a supervised test to qualify for membership. I have a friend who is teaching college courses over the Internet. Several of her tudents are serving in Iraq. One had his laptop go down due to sand and his commanding officer offered his equipment so the fellow could turn in his homework. I love technology. I see a day when students will be doing much of their learning on the computer. Computers do not have personality quirks and do not become irritated or bored and the students will each be able towork at their own speed. As it is now they have to work at the median speed which is hard on the top and bottom of the class. What I see is a lack of confidence in many cases and if they are working on their own they do not have to fear so much peer pressure. Competition is good also, but a bit later in the educational process IMHO.

Elaine. I totally agree with you about the theming at the AS. I hate the bright colors at Music. I do not stay at Movies cause I do not want to take a room away from a small child who would appreciate it there more than I do. My favorite resort is Port Orleans. I used to enjoy the suites way back when. They are SOG now. No themeing but comfortable and quiet. The Poly is a bit hectic for me and the Contemporary is worn looking. I have looked at several resorts but found another one I really like except OKW. Resales are cheaper than buying new? Would mean that they are not holding their value though. I worry about the fees going way up when the units reach a certain age when the major parts start to go. Did your loan go through? How many points did you buy? Snoopy, aren't I? Do not answer if you do not want to.


FPgurl, of course you figured out how to use your new equipment. Your young brain does not have to overcome the fear that old brains do. LOL May you have music with you always. Ever listen to any 'old' stuff?

Lisa, I am glad to hear that you will be getting in earlier. I got the extra day cause I did not want a repeat of the debacle of last year when you and Elaine missed each other by such a small amount of time. Thank you so much for the pictures. I had to buy a few items as well but did not go too overboard. I hate the idea of spending big bucks on clothes that I will only be able to wear for a short period of time. I am now at the stage when I change sizes every ten pounds or so. It took about 50 pounds for me to have to downsize at first.

DD took Austin to the specialist in Indy yesterday and they learned that the surgery is too high risk and the outcome not likely to be effective so nothing can be done. They gave him some tools to help him to be able to read his schoolwork a bit better. He will only be able to get a daytime driver's license and that is only if his sight does not get worse with age. Luckily we live in a small town and allowance can be made so he will be able to drive farm equipment and such.

I went to see my friend at the nursing home and she is torn up. Medicare found out about her son and dil taking control of her assets and then putting her in the nursing home and they are going after the money. Checks were written and signed fraudulently also. I have known the son since he was small and I am ashamed and heartbroken. All the mom could keep saying to the lawyer was that she would not testify as she is afraid she is going to lose her son and never see her grandkids again. The legal person told her that he is an adult and made his choices. Heartbreaking, there but for the will of God go I. I would not be foolish enough to trust that much though. Have seen too much in my many years. I would be so ashamed to act in such a way. My father was abusive and yet I went to see him and took care to see that he had what he needed before he died. Repaying evil with evil is not a way to go IMHO.

SG/Linda

 

[FPgurl04]

softball game cancelled tonight. i have to play 2 games on sunday, practice saturday, and have another game on monday.

sry for the 2nd short post. west wing is on!!!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Fast Pitch, I am watching "West Wing" as well. You have good taste in tv shows. LOL We will watch it together. BTW, I forgot to tell you that you ARE loved!

SG/Linda

 

[colleen costello]

Linda, I already have scoped out a local storage unit. A teacher at our school has a realty hubby who owns/rents these. They are standing by with one for me. Meanwhile the local realtor is due soon. Boy, did we clean last night! Of course our "deal" will depend on selling this house for a good price. Otherwise I am staying put. The house I am in now is really wonderful. We did a good job picking the floorplan and furnishing in "neutrals." Nice big rooms, juts not enough of them! All weekend I hear fights between kids and Dad about what to do in the "great room" -- he wants music and they want tv/Nintendo; Erin wants Animal channel and Ian wants Cartoon Network -- enough already! The new house has a living area AND a den!

I will keep you all posted. This is very stressful and I kind of want to dig a hole and stick my head in the sand... Of course then my large heinie will be poking up... Is there NO good solution???

 

[IASW Rider]

Hey Everyone!

Lots of good luck with your prospective home sale and purchase, Colleen! That's so wonderful that you found such a great house........literally down the street from where you are, now! Even though I'm sure that this is a hectic time for you, it sounds like you and Scott are going about everything in a very logical and organized manner - I have a feeling that you will be pleasantly surprised when you learn what your current house might sell for, and when you see the interest that your home generates, once it's on the market!

Thanks for describing your school life, Caroline! That is so neat! As I said, I never knew anyone who was home schooled before, so it's really interesting to hear about how it "works", how you're graded, what your Mom's responsibilities are, how many hours a day you're in class, how you participate in sports and other activities, etc. Will you continue to be home schooled through high school? Or will you be attending a private high school?

Lots of good luck with those upcoming games, Emily!

Thanks for the advice, Elaine! I'm curious to hear the answers to the questions that Linda asked you about DVC, too (if you don't mind!)! We're also "into" the theming of the various resorts. And it's nice when the one in which you're staying has a sit down restaurant or 2. We love staying near the MK for many reasons (the first of which being........that we're NEAR THE MK, of course! ), among them that there are so many nice places to have dinner around there, between the Poly, the GF, the Contemporary, and the WL. Not too long of a "commute"! And, as I said, we are totally spoiled by the monorail, as well! Then again, we've never stayed in any other area of the "world" - it will be interesting to see how "the other side of town" compares to the one with which we are most familiar!

Even though it's a little "inconvenient" to have to keep buying new clothes so often..........it's fantastic that your clothing size changes so frequently and so easily, now, Linda! I know what you're saying about not buying too much at once - I only own 1 pair of jeans, because I grew out of the last few pair that I bought so quickly! The rest of the time, I've just been wearing leggings to school, because one can wear them at any size! My size hasn't changed significantly, this year - all in all, I've only lost about 7 pounds since last spring. So this is the first year in the past 3 that I won't have to buy all new shorts for WDW. But that's OK - the ones from last year are a bit baggy, anyway!

I'm sorry again to hear about the assessment of Austin's eye sight. But as I said, he - and your family - are very resourceful, and I'm sure that he will have all of the help and encouragement that he needs to be very successful! And I'm glad to hear that he will be able to (continue to?) operate farm equipment, as well - I was thinking of that when you mentioned the driver's license issue. It's great that he has some tools to make his school work easier and more comfortable to work with, too.

I'm sorry to hear about your friend in the nursing home and her son and DIL's actions. That is very sad - and I'm sure very disappointing, too. It's terrible when we hear about things like those happening.

On a happier note, if I may......... 23 more days!

Time to get some school stuff done! It will be hard to concentrate, though - it's sunny and beautiful outside, today, and they're predicting temperatures in the high 70's by this afternoon! Maybe I'll start working on my tan, so that I won't be so pasty and pale when I see you, Linda!

Have a great day, Everyone!