EWP group?

[IASW Rider]

Hey Everyone!

Sorry that I haven't been in touch in awhile - busy week! I've been catching up on everyone's posts - glad to hear that all is well! Thanks for posting the wonderful photos, Elaine! You friend and her wedding party look wonderful! And YOU look great - I love your dress! That's a fantastic color on you! (I'll let you tell Colleen which person you are, in the pictures - we'll keep her guessing! ) And lots of good luck with the showings of your house, Colleen! I "escape" to the Boards to think of WDW and "get away from it all", too! Glad to hear that you enjoyed basketball camp, Caroline! And have a great visit with your cousins and a fun trip to Cape Cod, too! Great to see you, Depply! And thanks so much for your wonderful note, Linda - will write back as soon as I can! (I'm sneaking onto the computer while Frank has stepped away for a moment, again - need to "give it back to him" so that he can "go back to school" in a few minutes!) And I think that you should have your own Home Improvement show on HGTV or The Learning Channel! People could learn a lot from not only your artistic and technical skills, but also your ability to do such great work on a predetermined budget!

All is well, here. My big "accomplishment" of the day is that I finally completed my Grad School application! Woo Hoo! I'd been procrastinating about writing the essay for so long, but I finally got it done! Mind you, it's not even due until November 1st, but I really wanted to get it submitted now, so that it's off my mind and so that I can concentrate on spending the rest of the summer preparing for the GRE (and hopefully ultimately doing well enough to get me admitted for the spring semester)! I know that spending a gorgeous summer holiday weekend day working on an application doesn't sound like much fun..........but at least I drafted the essay while sitting outside on my deck in my bathing suit! No big plans for the rest of the weekend (which is good because our next few weekends will be very busy) - just going to my sister-in-law's tomorrow - I think that she's having a small get-together.

Will be thinking of all of the fireworks at WDW, tomorrow night - I'm sure that they put on an even more spectacular show than usual, on the 4th of July! And I understand that the EWP has a special show that they do (seriously!) on July 4th, too. Maybe we should take a Suite "field trip" out to our exclusive EWP Suite beach to watch the special edition of the EWP, tomorrow night - what do you all say?

Hope that all is well with all of you and hope that you're all enjoying the holiday weekend! Talk to you soon!

 

[angelina]

Hi, everyone, just stopping by to wish you a happy 4th! I have enjoyed reading and catching up on all the posts, and it's nice to meet those of you who've joined in.

We've been staying busy with basebal and softball, and trying to go to the pool in between rain showers. I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm SICK of all the rain! We've gone from severe drought in the last few years to torrential amounts of rain for more than a month! Usually you can count on a thunderstorm in the afternoons a couple of times a week, but we go to bed listening to the rumbling, wake up with it, and then on and off thunderstorms all day! Enough already!!!

It sounds like there've been a couple of great trips to WDW since I checked in last. Would love to go again one day in the not too distant future, so I'm saving a little here and there!

Depply, I rented Secret Window yesterday, but haven't had a chance to watch it yet. I was hoping to later tonight when the kids get to sleep.

Colleen, I have had two friends in the last year who needed to sell their houses, one due to a job transfer and the other family wanted to move into a larger house a block away from their kids' school. I'm a little sketchy on the details, but they both buried a statue of St. Joseph upside down in their front yards, and said a prayer every day for a number of days, and were successful fairly quickly. I wish I could remember the details, but it really was remarkable. Good luck with your prospective buyers!

Elaine, the pictures from your friend's wedding were beautiful!
What a lovely place to hold the ceremony. My step sister was married at a beautiful bed and breakfast on the water in St. Petersburg several years ago and we stayed in the two bedroom carriage house. It was a lot of fun.


Ladies, it's been a long time since I've stopped in, but I'll keep in touch.

Angelina

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Rider, my friend who bought a second home in The Villages will be at DW tomorrow, lucky duck. LOL She deserves such luck. She is Dorthea's daughter and loves DW even more than any one on these boards. Hard to believe, but true. When we get together we are capable of chatting for hours just on our favorite subject. I think she will be there for the Food & Wine Festival this fall and hopefully they will be there when we are so we can get together. Would be loverly. LOL Hooray for you finishing way ahead of schedule. You are a smart lady. While others will be frantically coming up with something at the last minute you will be sitting serene and satisfied. I are proud of you!!

Talk, are you attending or conducting the basketball camp? Dalton went to a camp this summer. Sounds as if you have a great week coming up. Bet you guys will have some memorable adventures.

Helenabear, I am surely glad that I have not forgotten what Luis looked like. I am truly terrible at remembering people and names but was sure I would remember you guys. One of the wonderful things about having such a small group is that we truly do get to know each other. I almost feel like you guys are family to me.

Colleen, you have been watching Sell this House and other H&G shows or something cause you have this house selling thing down pat. Only thing you have not mentioned is having a loaf of bread in the oven. You can put an onion in one low if you are pressed for time. A lot of buyers have no imagination and you have to beat them over the head to get them to see the potential. Hopefully you will NOT get any hard sells like myself as I notice every tiny detail and notice when they put a twin or toddlers bed in a room to make it look more spacious. LOL I was in your neck of the woods yesterday. Had to go to Ryan's to pick up that big prize that Tom won. (yawning) It was a rip off and not worth the trip but I made the most of it and went by to visit an old friend. I had not seen her in twenty years or so. She was a former neighbor. We had exchanged Christmas cards and occasional phone calls through the years but just had not gotten to see each other in person. A few years ago her daughter surprised me with a visit and threw me into an asthma attack from happiness. I thought of you when I passed by the Gnawbone Marathon station. LOL My friend works at the log cabin BBQ place right up the road. Maybe we might meet there as they have some pretty good sounding salads. Would be more WW friendly.

Lots of yardwork done here today. Where in the world do all those weeds come from? I pull almost everyday and still they take over the gardens.

We are going to Ceraland to see some bands and watch the fireworks tomorrow, weather permitting. I think dd and family are coming also. I hope so, fireworks are not as much fun without a child to watch them with. Santa Claus is the same.

I just watched the most awesome movie. It is an older one that I had missed along the way, "Artificial Intelligence". It was so thought provoking and I needed many tissues to get through. it. If I fast forward through a couple of tiny scenes it might be appropriate for the boys to watch.

Happy Fourth of July to you all!!

SG/Linda

 

[colleen costello]

HI girls! Angelina, I have heard about St. Joseph. I was a terrible Catholic as a child and have NO idea who he is -- what he is "in charge of" -- but others have told me about him. I guess I need to call my Nanny, who is 84. She knows all the saints and their jurisdictions -- she can probably tell me why St. Joseph can help me. I have been trying to make the place smell good, too. I baked an apple pie for a 2nd showing but the darn people decided our woodsy lot would not help their allergies. As my eyes are glued shut today with allergy goo, I must admit that perhaps they were right

Linda, I saw "AI" in the theater and it really disturbed me. Some scenes were just horrific and although Scott bought it on DVD, I haven't been able to watch it. I would like to, because I have a THING for Jude Law, especially when he is all dolled up as a sex-machine robot (what a birthday gift THAT would make!) but the movie just really rattled me. Seeing all of humanity ultimately perish was bad enough, but that poor little kid still waiting for his Mom to love him, well that just did me in. Too much for my sad heart. Anymore, I just like comedies. We rented "Fifty First Dates" and even THAT made me cry!

Girls, I was lucky enough to see the WDW July 4th fireworks from our beloved Poly beach 2 years ago. We had just got DVC and went for the opening of Beach Club Villas. It was VERY exciting. We went over to the Poly to eat and watch the fireworks from the beach. I see why this is now discouraged... All heck was breaking loose! People everywhere. The fireworks were the best I have ever seen. Now I remember -- vaguely -- the 1976 show over the Statue of Liberty, and those were pretty nifty, but no one puts on a show like Mickey. You literally did not know where to look. They were shooting them off from all over -- then castle, over by the Contemporary, over by the Grand Floridian -- one after another after another. It was amazing, and has ruined every fireworks show since, as none compare. Indiana U has them tomorrow night, and we'll go, but I am spoiled and will NOT be impressed

We have a BBQ at my Pal Tisha's house. I am bringing lots of fruit and "healthy" goodies for the Weight Watchers in the group. I fully plan on overeating, but at least it will be on healthy food!

Elaine, good luck on getting that essay in early. Your story brings back memories... I remember dreading the GRE and also the essay to get into IU. Luckily they accepted me and here I am almost 20 years a Hoosier! If anyone had told me when I was in high school that I would marry a boy from that school and live in Indiana, I would NEVER have believed it! Funny how things turn out.

I am off to clean up a bit in case some weirdos wand to look at my house tomorrow. I guess I'd better read up on this St. Joseph...

xoxo

 

[helenabear]

Just saw some fireworks and wanted to say hi to everyone!!

Caroline, I am so glad you had a good time at camp!!! Sorry you were bruised though! Enjoy your familiy while they are visiting!!!

Lisa, congrats on getting that application completed!!! I admit I had no desire to go to grad school so I am always impressed when I hear others do it!!! Good luck!

Angelina, it is always wonderful to see you again! Sounds like you have been very busy though. Oh and I bet your sister's wedding was beautiful. I love location weddings like that

LOL, Linda! I should have actually taken a picture of Luis, but by the time I really saw him that night I was beat from doing everything before hand for Dawn's wedding. I swear wedidngs are harder on the wedding party than the bride sometimes

Colleen, I bet watching the 4th fireworks from the Polynesian would have been wonderful! If I didn't intentionally avoid crowds in summer, I would go to watch.

 

[IASW Rider]

Happy 4th of July, Everyone!

Hope that you all enjoy your various fireworks shows and other outings, today and tonight! (Though it would be great if we could all see them from the Poly beach, tonight, as Colleen was describing...........WOW! That must have been wonderful!)

Great to hear from you, Angie! Thanks for stopping by! Glad to hear that all is well, down there! And you're welcome to come up here to escape the rain - our weather has been perfect, lately!

Hi Linda, Elaine, and Caroline!

Oops - here comes Frank to "go to school" for the day on the computer (isn't it sad that he's required to "check in" and post for his class on the 4th of July??? )!

Hope that all is well with all of you out there, Depply, Emily, and Wendy!

And hope that everyone has a great holiday!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

There we were sitting in and around the minivan waiting for the fireworks to start when I glanced over and saw both of my boys standing up, with their hands over their heart. My deaf ears had not noticed that the Star Spangled Banner was playing. I was so touched and proud of them. I am often the only one who stands when the flag goes past our house at the Heritage Days parade. I am only second generation and we do not take this country for granted. Just had to share that moment. I brought one home with me but was not up to both. I cheated on my diet and had two boneless pork chop sandwiches. Well worth it but did no damage that I have noticed. With my luck they will catch up with me just before weigh in tomorrow though. LOL

Helenabear, weddings are only harder on the bridal party than the bride when she is lucky enough to have such responsible friends as yourself.

Angelina, we must have been posting at the same time! Sorry I missed you. We have been getting some much needed rain so maybe we got some of that you did not want?? LOL How about planning your next DW trip in May? We already have a couple of people planning on a meet (including myself maybe). Just think of the bunch of us on the beach at the Poly after a delightful meal at O'Hana's? What could possibly be better? Those kids really keep you hopping don't they? Is a good thing, and it is so interesting to hear what they are up to. (hint) LOL I will have to remember your tip for when we decide to finally move. Hope your 4th was wonderful and looking forward to hearing more from you when you get a chance.

Rider, you are so kind to allow Frank to use the computer. LOL Bet you will be almost as thrilled as he will be when it is all done and over with. Does he like the computer classes better than the 'real' thing? He has to go in person to take tests?

Colleen, I cried almost throughout the whole movie of AI. It broke my heart to see that little boy hunting for love and not getting it. The scene where Jude Law is practicing his profession is the one I would have to delete for Dalton but am betting he would love the rest of the movie as it has so much of Pinocchio in it. He is a good one for noticing tidbits from other movies in other shows. Did any weirdos show up to look at your house? LOL Are you planning on having an Open House sometime? Is a good way to get lots of people in and even some of the lookers might tell someone else about the house.

Hoping to get some of my stuff upstairs today. It takes me a really long time to do this as I have to go step by step and rest. Dalton took two bags up at one t ime for me the other day and I was so grateful. I have a leak somewhere and need to find someone to help me look for it as it is in a place I cannot get to. Have not needed a plumber in years and have no idea who to call. It is the small things in life that drive me nuts.

Linda

 

[IASW Rider]

Hey Everyone!

Hope that you all had a great weekend!

I loved your recounting of your Boys listening to the National Anthem with their hands over their hearts, standing at attention! That is so sweet - they are obviously very special people! So I guess that Jackie and Austin have returned from Church Camp? Did they enjoy themselves? And did they receive all of your post cards? Is Dalton still staying with you, or is he just visiting during the daytimes, now?

Did you have any promising prospective buyers come by to see your home this weekend, Colleen? I'll bet that they'll be lining up before you know it, if they haven't already!

I was also very touched by the film "AI". It was very disturbing and provocative, but I thought that it was a great movie and that Haley Joel Osmet did a fantastic job in it. And Jude Law was amazing, as well. I remember seeing it pretty late at night at my in-laws', a year or 2 ago, and kind of feeling "freaked out" while thinking about it, after we went to sleep! It was very affecting.

We saw "The Stepford Wives" on Friday. I expected THAT to be somewhat "freaky" (ie: scary) like the original film was, but it was actually pretty funny and light. The original movie and the book were real "thrillers", but this re-make was cute and entertaining. Bette Midler had all of the best and funniest lines, and Glenn Close was great in it, too!

You must really be counting down to your DL trip now, Elaine!

I agree with Linda, Angie - how does a trip to WDW next May sound to you?

How are you doing out there, Caroline, Depply, Emily, and Wendy? Hope that you all enjoyed the long weekend!

The rest of our weekend was pretty quiet.............because Frank spent most of it on the computer, finishing up his weekly projects for school! You're right, Linda - I will be as happy as Frank is that his class is ending in a few days.........because then I will have "free reign" over our computer, again! And Frank is not taking another class until September, so that he will have some more free time to enjoy the summer on the evenings and weekends. He does enjoy going to class online - as he commutes about 45 minutes each way to work, it would be harder on him to then have to drive somewhere to physically attend a class. And he can "sneak on" to the school's website at work and try to get some school work done there - when he has the time to do so. Otherwise, it's flexible enough such that he can "go to school" at any time that's convenient for him. On the "down side", each class is 5 weeks long..........so the amount of material that would be covered during a regular 12 week college class is "crammed" into a much shorter period of time, thus making for tons of assignments back-to-back. I'm glad that Frank is finishing his degree (and that his work is paying for it, too! ) and I know that he is, too, despite the long hours and all of the work that he's putting into it. It will be worth it in the end. And who knows? Maybe he'll continue on and do some graduate work via the University of Phoenix online, afterwards?

Speaking of "graduate work", I'm off to get my Application and Letters of Recommendation Forms in the mail, right now! Now I'm free to concentrate on studying my GRE stuff for the rest of the summer..............FUN! But at least I'll know that the only thing that the Admissions Office will be waiting for will be my test score, before they can make a decision.

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

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Yep, my boys are sure special but then all children are. Some just get a better start than others but then some that are neglected thrive like weeds. Who knows? Just love them and help them along the way. LOL

Lisa, camp went well but Austin confided in me that some girl kissed him, three times. He atested that it was not welcomed but I know he is a fast runner so I have my doubts. Feel a bit jealous as he has only allowed me to kiss him on the top of his hairy head since he was a baby. LOL You saw the picture of the young man, with that face and dark eyes with long eye lashes and his manners he is a heartbreaker. I am glad that he shows some signs of being a bit smarter than his forebears. His mom is a bit freaked out as he wants to ask a girl to his 13th birthday party. I say, serves her right!!!! (great big mom grin)

Dalton was the star at the closing ceremonies as Jackie had him brought down to recite the books of the Bible and say some other thing that I have forgotten. He insisted on being first cause everyone else bored him. He is a pro with a microphone as he has had one here for years. He watches movies and then quotes vast passages. The bad thing is that his sense of humor tends toward the Dave Letterman variety rather than someone of more style and substance as I might prefer but Old Dave has not done so badly and by the time Dalton is ready Dave will be in a nursing home somewhere while his son rocks HIM to sleep.

I was elected Co Leader of the TOPS group today. No one else wanted it and I was guilted into taking it. Hope I do not get impeached.

Frank is wise in gathering all the knowledge and diplomas he can at his jobs expense. It will give him much more worth in the work place and if they have a big investment in him they are far more likely to want to keep him around for a long time IMHO. I would rather cram my lessons into less time myself. I am single minded and once I get started I am off to the races and like to get finished, fast.

Books and movies sure have the power to change lives and thoughts. I think of some of the books that did that for me "Anne Frank's Diary", "Gentleman's Agreement", "To Kill a Mockingbird", anything by Ayn Rand, Pearl Buck and so on and on. I want to see the new Stepford Wives as I just love anything that Bette Midler does. I have always loved her. I have a rather ribald sense of humor although many (locally) that know me would not know so. (grin)

Busy day today and am worn out. Found out that my friend, Mary, has been transferred to another nursing home, far away. Poor lady, now she has nothing. At least here she had a few people to visit her and the church picked her up for services and events. I am afraid that suicide is much on her mind and I am not sure I would blame her although I do try to tell her that she is here for a reason. Not sure I would be that strong myself but then I expect nothing and that is much better than the poor people who do. (sigh)

Thinking about May and keeping the gloomy thoughts at bay. I have never spent a whole month in Florida, should be interesting.

SG/Linda

 

[colleen costello]

Somehow I am out of the loop. What's this about a month in Florida? Can I come?

Please, fill me in!

Linda, very sorry for your friend. Was she transferred against her wishes?

Colleen

 

[helenabear]

LIsa, sorry Frank had to "go to school" on the 4th. Seems odd that they would make them do it on a Holiday and a Sunday! Good luck to Frank as he finishes and I hope all goes well with your applications!

Linda, awwww... how precious that Austin got a couple kisses. I know probably not wanted but so cute at that age all the same Sounds like you have been quite busy! I hope that you don't wear yourself out too much!

Like Colleen, I wasn't aware of a whole month in Florida! I am totally undecided about a May WDW trip. We might try a cruise to Mexico and if we do that, no WDW spring trip for me. I'll have to wait and see.

I should sign off soon! See y'all later

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Hi Coleen

I am sorry, maybe I had said something to Rider and not posted it here but we are contemplating renting a house at The Villages for a month next year. When talk of an EWP meet came up it occured to me that we would only be an hour away so it would not be impossible to slip over for a day or so, AP's or not. LOL

Yes, you may come to visit us if you want. It would be fun!!

My friend has no control over her life at all. Her son and dil "helped" themselves to her house, her money and everything. They took all her possessions and sold them at a yardsale and made her all sorts of promises if she would sign the house over. Medicare has caught up with them and is not paying for her nursing home care any more so she was transferred to a cheaper facility. If it were me I would jump off a cliff. I cannot think of anything more painful than to have your own child do this to you. I was her son's 4-H leader and he spent a lot of time here as he went to school with my daughter. I fear that a lot of dominos are going to fall - the son will be in big trouble and might go to jail or at least have to pay back all the money and he is not able to do that, his wife will desert the ship when he has nothing left (rats do that) and the poor lady who bought Mary's house might lose out as the house was sold fraudulantly. That lady is in bad health too. I am going to try to drive down to see her sometime this week. She is a year younger than I am. It is a very frustrating situation. Frankly she looks and does better when in a nursing home than when she was living with her family as they treated her so very badly. I am not fool enough to sign anything over to anyone though. I am packing it in the trunk and taking it with me. (smile)

Helenabear, you and Luis would be most welcome to visit me as well if you do get to Florida but I am guessing that since none of you are retired and do not have the time that us old folks do that it would be best for us to come over and meet you all. So glad that you think Austin is precious but I am afraid he is a bit precocious instead. His dad was showing him pictures of bathing beauties at a very young age (not a good thing to my mind) and he was showing a very mature interest. He seems to be quite a ladies man but in a good way as he is very mannerly but he is darned good looking and they chase him a lot. I hope he is able to keep his cool and not get married young or foolishly. He has enough problems. You should have seen him dancing at a family wedding, two girls at a time and so very coooool. (shivering with grandmotherly fear) I would just love to have one non redneck wedding in my family before I die. In my family formal means white shotguns. LOL

SG/Linda

 

[TalkisCheap]

Hello everyone!!


Well, a few posts to catch up on, but I'm done. My family left earlier this morning for massachusets, where we'll be joining them friday morning at my gradnparents house for the weekend. I had a wonderful time with them, as I always do! We're all very close, since we grew up together, and close enough in age to share the same girlie interests!! It's really great how it works out though, with my sister and my cousin both 17, then I'm 13 and my cousin is 15 and we've been inseperable since my birth, really. And then my older cousin is 19 and so usually is with my sister and middle cousin, but we all watched chick flicks, and went shopping for clothes and ate lots of junk food while telling stories about friends/boys and playing games. I'm so thankful our parents went through the trouble of traveling with three small kids each to get us together as much as possible. I see my friend's families who were never together when they were younger, and so barely know their familes now. My cousin is my best friend, and we can always talk about everything. And unlike friends who move away and lose contact, we'll always be there for each other.


Because my family was here, not much has happened besides that. I missed tennis and track Monday because they were here, but I have track tonight and my track meet tomorrow. Probably my most exciting news is us going to New York not this weekend, but next weekend which will be fun. Especially because we'll be staying in the same hotel as my cousins who are going also, so that will be fun.


I hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July. We did. After church, we spent the day at the beach, and then went to the fireworks later. It was also my Aunt's birthday so we had a little party after the fireworks. It was a wonderful day, one of the best I've ever had!


Basketball camp was given by our high school, and I participated in it. I'm steal feeling the bruises, but for the most part I'm recovered. Tired, but that's because I never got a chance to catch up on sleep with my cousins here and staying up till 2-3 in the morning. Now going away this weekend, and coming back late Sunday night just to wake up early Monday for another week of basketball camp will be a little exhausting. Especially since this weekend I'll be chasing around a 3 year old and 2 year old, since my aunt and uncle always leave that to the 5 girls. I love my little cousins, and I don't see them alot, but I have a feeling by the end of basketball camp, I'm just going to collapse!!


I don't really think there is much to comment on -- Rider, that's wonderful your husband is finishing his degree. Colleen, have you sold your house not?? If not, P& PD you will soon!! My aunt and uncle still haven't sold theirs...we're very nervous, and our fingers are crossed for them as well!! SG, you lucky duck, going to Florida for a month!! My grandparents go for a few monthes every year, and always invite us down, but with my sister in school, and then working on weekends, it's always too much to find a time to go down. But, march will come soon enough when I'll be back, and I'm so excited!!


Well, I hope everyone has a great afternoon!!


Caroline

 

[colleen costello]

Hi girls. Caroline, no news on my house yet. Every day I do something to make it look nicer. Today I went out and washed windows with a snazzy new squeegie-thingy I bought at Lowe's. This would have been painless except for the mosquitoes dive-bombing me (in broad daylight!) and the discovery of a TARANTULA living under the eaves just outside one kitchen window. I will not be opening any windows on that side of the house until after the first frost! I am praying for your Aunt and Uncle so they don't have to be separated. Nowadays I pray realty prayers for everyone as I have learned how stressful it can be.

Linda, now I understand your "month in Florida" plan. I was confused, and things were complicated by the fact that here in Bloomington, "The Villages" is an organization that runs group homes for the developmentally disabled. I thought perhaps you were having Tom committed... Your plan sounds great. Please let me know where this is located? I think you have said an hour from WDW, so my guess is down toward Tampa? Wherever it is, it sounds wonderful. May is supposed to be a non-crowded time at WDW so you'll have to make some road trips! Someday our paths will cross in Orlando!

My friend Jenny is down at WDW now, at the Boardwalk Villas. She will Email me with good details once she returns. Then we can wait together as her next trip will be for Spring Break in 2005 March, like mine. She teaches 4th grade at our school so we typically do some trips at the same time. She photographed me flying out of the mouth of the evil clown slide at Boardwalk last summer. I was terrified and will NEVER do that slide again. She has promised not to reveal the photo to anyone unless I run for president someday!

Hope you are all doing well. I am off to search for kids' clearance clothes at LandsEnd.com, one of my favorite pastimes... I love bargains!

 

[TalkisCheap]

Originally posted by colleen costello
Hi girls. Caroline, no news on my house yet. Every day I do something to make it look nicer. Today I went out and washed windows with a snazzy new squeegie-thingy I bought at Lowe's. This would have been painless except for the mosquitoes dive-bombing me (in broad daylight!) and the discovery of a TARANTULA living under the eaves just outside one kitchen window. I will not be opening any windows on that side of the house until after the first frost! I am praying for your Aunt and Uncle so they don't have to be separated. Nowadays I pray realty prayers for everyone as I have learned how stressful it can be.

Well, I'm sure those extra clean windows will attract lots of buyers Good luck, I'll pray for you! Thanks for the prayers for my Aunt and Uncle. No news yet. They've had plenty of lookers...but not many takers. We're all very anxious! I myself don't know how stressful it can be, at the age of 13, but I know it is stressful for my family to sit as no one buys my Aunt and Uncle's house and the moving date looms closer!


Well, not much to comment on, as only Colleen has posted, and that's good because I have to pack and get ready before my track meet. If I don't get on before I leave, I'll talk to you all Sunday or Monday night!! Have a wonderful weekend!

 

[helenabear]

Hi all, quick check in from work... I have a meeting to go to in a few

Linda, if I make it down to Florida when you are there next May, I will definitely try to meet up with you. That would be neat! And yes, it would be easy to come over and not even have to spend any time in the park at all.
How old is Austin? I was picturing a (probably way too) young boy running around being silly. Not quite what you had painted just now.
And I think that is awful about your friend and how she was treated!!!

Caroline, it sounds like you have managed to keep yourself very busy (even if only with family) lately!!! Are you enjoying the summer months so far? Enjoy your trip this weekend.

Colleen, I am sure all the little things will help you sell!! But that icky thing would have given me a heart attack I think! I would have had someone out to kill it asap!!!

Well I just got notice my meeting was canceled. But I hope you all have a great day

 

[colleen costello]

Helenabear, it will be so nice if you and Linda get to rendezvous in FLorida! It's fun to meet pals there, kind of "extra special." I can't even imagine how over-the-moon I will be if my parents finally retire down there...I am already planning my Florida Christmases!

Don't worry; the tarantula can't get inside. And I know that at least in Indiana, the big scary guys aren't poisonous. The only venomous one here is a tiny brown one we rarely see, thank goodness! I try hard not to squish anything unless I REALLY have to. Anything that could sting my kids is a goner, and if a roach from the landscaping gets in, they are also flattened and flushed. But anything else we try to catch in a cup and release. It drives my husband nuts -- he just wants to squish them!

When I was 12 my grandfather, who lived in the apartment downstairs, was diagnosed with advanced cancer and was dead within 3 months. The time he was dying was very surreal and hard for me to understand. I remember wondering about life and death and how we really don't understand very much! I would look at little bugs, and think "They are alive, and healthy, but he is going to die." To this day it bothers me to kill anything. I know it's silly but I can hardly bear it. I think my Pop's death made me wimpy for life. I can't bear the news from Iraq -- I start bawling every time someone is killed. Overall I am just very squeamish about death and even a smushed possum on the road upsets me! So THAT is why I guess I will just keep away from that dopey stpider til October!

I am determined to get the kdis out to do something today. Yesterday we hung out and they fought too much. Might go up to the closest Disney Store and shop. That'll do ME good!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Colleen, I am strange, I am terrified of dogs but not of snakes or bugs. I used to collect bugs when I was a kid, did not have any toys so I had an active imagination. Still do. LOL I take the harmless bugs outside as well. They have very short life spans and it would break my heart to take that little bit away from them. Roaches and such are another matter though. Ugh!! Dalton will be so jealous when he hears about your tarantula. He wants one in the worst way and is most disappointed that we do not have one in the garage doorway. There is a spider's web there and I am leaving it as we like to look at the design. He loves animals and is most distressed that his farmer dad and brother do not feel as sentimental about them. They run over so many dogs and such that they are hardened. I think I cry more over them than they do. Austin bawled when his first dog was killed but no more. Life is precious for anyone or anything IMHO. By the time you get done fixing that place up you might not want to leave it . Well, maybe? LOL Watch out for the Brown Recluse!!! Copperheads abound in that area as well.

Helenabear, I am appalled at how my friend is being treated too. Am hoping to see her tomorrow. She is down nearer Colleen than me now, Martinsville. I will try to send you a picture of my grandsons if I have one scanned in. Austin will be 13 this week but is a very mature and handsome boy. Dalton just turned 7 and is both immature and mature, just as he should be. One of his words for the week was incorrigable. He gives me a regular word or phrase and I give him a fancy word to fit it. He speaks very well and remembers each word and the meaning and uses them to good advantage. He taught himself multiplication in a few minutes while I was fixing lunch. Not used to working with the gifted but I will attempt to adjust. LOL I am going to do some white on white sponging in the bathroom and got the idea from you, thank you. The walls are in pretty good shape but there are a couple of wavy spots and I think that will hide them somewhat and look elegant to boot.

Talk, you are as lucky to have your family as they are to have you!! Would you believe one of my sisters will be in NYC next week as well? She will be at the Pennsylvania Hotel, just in case miracles would happen. It sounds as if you are having a dream summer vacation. These are times that will stay with you forever and warm the cockles of your heart when you get old and grey, like me. (smile)

I installed a new optical mouse on my computer today. Not sure what all it will do but will check it out when I get a chance. Have been dealing with a water leak of some sort. Cannot figure out where it is coming from. I spread a tarp in the basement so I can at least figure out if it is from below or above. We have a wonderful basement so it is not a real problem except that it is running up our water bill. I have been turning off the water main overnight and for part of the day. Really makes you appreciate such a taken for granted utility. I do not care to pay a fortune for someone else to figure out what is leaking and there is a good chance that I can fix it if it is something simple. No big problem , just a small pain. Thank goodness for my friend who put in the hand rail or I would be having a lot more trouble.

County fair this week so we will be out there a lot to see the boys show their animals and look at their 4-H projects. I was a 4-H leader for years but neither have ever asked me to help. I was a judge too. A prophet is without honor etc. LOL

SG/Linda

 

[helenabear]

Colleen I know exactly what you mean about meeting up with friends down there. It really has made my last four trips extra special to go there and to even "room with" friends. Truly a magical experience

I remember about tarantuals here in Ohio as well. I don't think we have the poisonous kind around here (and if so they would be rare) but all spiders give me the creeps! I just shudder thinking about it all.
I am a bit like you with some of the living creatures, but unfortunately spiders aren't one of them I do become upset when I see any sort of roadkill around here... I sort of say a prayer every time I pass by one on the road. Strange I am sure.

Oh wow, Linda, I guess I didn't realize the boys were getting that old. I suppose I hear about them at an age in the beginning and then forget they grow every year I am sure with a little guiding from all the family both will grow up to be wonderful people
I hope you are also able to visit your friend soon. I am sure she would love the support!

I have to admit I love optical mice! I really ought to bring mine into work, but I haven't yet. They just run better for longer amounts of time.

Oh and since y'all love pictures... here's some of my furbabies. I just got a new camera so I have been playing with it quite a bit

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Helenabear, I am only going to start worrying when Austin starts kissing back! LOL He is so grownup in so many ways and still a sweet child in others. He still sits on my lap and calls his parents Mommy and Daddy. I will hate it when that changes.

I see you sent pictures of your 'children' as well. Bet they are better behaved than mine. (smile) Every living creature should be lucky enough to be cared for as they are.

Without spiders we would be overrun with so many other bugs that we would soon wish them back. Is hard to understand why some creatures much exist but there it is. Bet they wonder why we are here also. LOL

Colleen, I just finished reading all your restaurant reviews. I bet I could tell which ones you wrote first since some were far more wordy than others. I took note of what you liked, although you seemed to love everything. LOL

Rider, does Rutgers rule the world? Everywhere I look I see someone from there on tv. I guess I just pay more attention now that I have a dear friend from there.

The county fair started Friday so we will be there most every day for the next week and a half. Have to support the boys. Doubt that either one will do very well but those are the ones who need more support. I hope we do not have a rerun of the year that the steer tried to stomp Austin to death. Even his hard hearted mother was scared looking. I was about to jump in the ring myself. More grey hairs for me. LOL

SG/Linda