EWP group?

[colleen costello]

Luna, if you can find it before you go, the best $11 you will spend is on the Hidden Mickeys guidebook. Some of the WDW gift shops have it. Mom got it for us and the clues are SO much fun. We found Mickeys all over the World!

The GF gingerbread house will have a sign telling you how many Mickeys are hidden. And I want to hear all about the Cindy buffet as we are getting ready to make reservations to try it in March.

Elaine, I can't believe 10 days! You must be so excited. The decorations at OKW are very cool.

xoxo

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Whew, it has been busy around here. Guess you all wanted to test out the modifications. How did you like 'em? Remember I am a gadget goddess. LOL

Luna, glad you missed me. I have been reading when I got a chance but just did not have time to post. Has been hectic around here. We leave tomorrow and what with the holidays every minute is full. I used to be able to juggle it better when I were a young thing, like yourself. (grin) I used to be a waitress myself and I was awful at it and hated it with a passion. Ever notice that the more attention, mess or noise a party makes the lower the tip they leave? Your wedding party sounds like one of my regular family gatherings and I am usually the only waitstaff. Wonder if people have noticed that I have slowly retreated from such duty? You can see the EWP from the Grand Floridian. A tip from me, show up about a half hour earlier than what they tell you cause you never know when it will actually run. I bet you can see Wishes from there also. It was really quite awesome from the Poly when Rider and I saw it together. Different from the park but still good. Just a few days until you are in the magic.

Helenabear, I have noticed your hair also. It is so shiny and healthy looking. Mine is so curly and frizzy. Is it hard to take care of? I could tell the dress was expensive (but bet you got a bargain). I have very good taste. I dress the way I do cause that is all they make for fat ladies. If I ever get to a normal size I am headed to Korets. I love their stuff. I wish I were going back to DW, this is my favorite time to go. There is an AP showing of the Osborne lights on the 19th. Will you or Luna be able to see them? I like to take the monorail resort tour and see the decorations as well.

Rider, my darned thing won't show me any posts past 10 so I am going to go back and read your posts and answer them in a minute. I know better than to hit "back" cause this post will disappear. (grrrrr)

SG/Linda

Colleen, did your little ones like their toys I sent them? I hope so. I got serenaded by a church children's choir today. It was so very cute.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Hey there Lisa! No wonder I could not remember what you had posted. You have not posted since your great news. Hoping that you are out celebrating and enjoying yourself.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving all! We are headed to Ohio and will see you when we return.

SG/Linda

 

[TalkisCheap]

Hi!!! Sorry I haven't posted in a while, and also that I haven't had a chance to catch up. I've been reading off and on, but never posted...although I got about half way done a few before having to leave before finishing them

Life's been pretty busy here, I made the basketball team{I think I last posted before that } and so I've been having 2 hour practices every week. Our first game is a week from today...only one more practice before that!! I'm not sure how we'll do, but I'l hopeful. We have a lot of talent, so I hope we can pull it all together and do well . I finished school till January{we also take a break, since we found not much school got done in december anyway, with all the shopping and such} so I'll have more time to get stuff done. I want to finish a cross-stitch I've been working on for a over a year, and I need to finish my shopping. It's amazing that Thanksgiving is already here, and Christmas and the new year is right around the corner. Even at 13, I can't imagine how fast this year has flown by...I'm sad to see it go. But, I'm always sad when the year, or a school year comes to an end. Always a lot of good memories to look back on, and miss.

As far as high school goes, today I wrote my rough draft of my application essay, seeing as it's due the 5th, and I was putting it off as long as possible. Although I'm a pretty good writer, it's one of my least favorite things to do, and I also prolong it. So, when we get home it'll have to be finalized and sent in almost immidetly, seeing as I'm applying early decision to HS. I took the entrance exam a few weeks ago, and I'm awaiting the results...anxiously I'm quite nervous as to my scores.

Well, I have cookies in the oven and I still haven't packed anything. We're leaving around 6 tomorrow morning to go to my grandparents until Saturday. I'll be sure and read everything when I get home Have a wonderful thanskgiving everyone!!!

Caroline

 

[lunabkat]

Hi all!

Hope everyone has a great thanksgiving holiday, it looks like half of our crowd is going to be away, drive safe.

I got a note on my check this week about the bridezilla on Saturday. Apparently she was pissed that her stuff was moved (by the matre'd of the other party, not me" and complained about it to the owner. I had cleared with MY boss (the matre'd of our party) for all the stuff to be left in the bridal room because i knew the bride would blow a gasket if her stuff was touched, but the other M'D decided to move the stuff and royally ticked her off. So I get a note stating what the procedure is for bridal personal items, as if i need waitress 101 or something. I am ready to smack her with an ugly stick.

When i get to work on Saturday i am showing the note to my M'D and letting him know how po'd i am.



Caroline, you sound like such a busy young thing, i hope you rest up during your break, get those cookies!

Can we have a party at the Wilderness Lodge soon? I hear their cabana boys are hot.

Take care,

LL

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Luna, sounds as if the bride has already been hit with an ugly stick. Seems as people spend a lot more time on the wedding than the marriage. I especially worry about the costs and often starting out a marriage in deep debt because of all the show. I got married at the courthouse and we were barely able to buy a few White Castles for our reception but we had bought a home and a car so I was fine with all that. Dh forgot to buy a wedding ring and stopped at Stuckey's for a $3 ring. I still have it too. LOL

I will gladly plan a WL party for you so that you can check out the hot stuff over there. For myself I will be content to sit and watch you young ones enjoy the scenery. At my age, a good sense of humor and some intelligence interests me more than good pecs. (grin)

Caroline, it sure is true that you do not get much done in school, home or otherwise in December. My oldest grandson once asked me home school him as he had figured out that he would only have to 'suffer" a couple of hours a day instead of several. LOL If I had more respect and could have been more effective I might have agreed to it. "A prophet without honor" is what I am. Seem to be able to help others but not my own. (sigh) I am surprised to hear that you do not like to write. We usually enjoy that which we do well. Maybe it is just that application which does not interest you? What kind of cookies? If they are FF/SF and non caloric I will be right over.

SG/Linda

 

[helenabear]

Hi all... busy day here yesterday so I didn't catch up the way I hoped to last night. I went and helped my dad buy a new cell phone and plan after work, and then I came home and "played travel agent" for a friend of mine looking for a hotel. Now I am at work... slow day and nothing really to do. Brought a book thoguh.

I didn't realize GF had a Cindy gala feast! I wonder why I wasn't aware (she's my favorite princess). I hope you enjoy that one Lauralee!
I agree with Colleen about that Hidden Mickey book. It is very cute with all the clues and everything in it. I have misplaced mine somewhere, but loved it when I had it.

Linda, I hope you have a safe trip this weekend. I did finally just see your e-mails you sent (I rarely check that e-mail address) and it looks like a nice place you'll be at!
Thank you for the hair compliment. I admit I am lucky to be able to grow hair long and healthy looking. It's actually easier for me to take care of it longer than short.
Oh and yes, I got a decent deal on that dress I am a bargain shopper

Caroline, sounds like you have a busy life now! Glad to see you stop in though. I hope you also have a great weekend and good luck with the application to HS!

That bride sounds postively awful!!! I probably wouldn't think much of it myself. But I hope she will see what is important in life and won't be so unhappy sounding later. To find fault in so much, always makes me wonder if taht person can ever be happy.

We aren't doing much this weekend, except the wedding, things with friends on Friday and dinner tomorrow at my grandmothers. Should be a busy weekend, but not too bad. I have lots of cleaning and packing to do between now and next Friday as well!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Elaine, had to smile at your idea of a laid back weekend. I would be faltering at all that.

I knew you got a bargain on the dress that is why I made the comment. You are my kind of gal, down to earth and sensible but open to all that life has to give. Rare combination.

The happiest people are NOT those who have everything but those who are satisfied with what they have, some people can never be satisfied. I feef badly for them.

Have to go pack now. Have been up since 5 and am sure I am going to crash hard and early tonight so I have to get it done while I can. I did get the window replaced this morning. I am happy about that as I did not want to leave without a working storm door. Snow due tonight but not much so you and I should be driving on dry roads tomorrow. We might pass each other.

SG/Linda

 

[colleen costello]

Hi girls. Seems like everyone has been busy. It is that time of year. I have been doing a lot of "last minute" Christmas shopping. I have a rule for myself that I try hard to be 99 percent DONE by Thanksgiving. When things turn ugly in the stores, I can sit by and say "I am finished," grinning like the Cheshire (sp?) Cat. Today I hit Target (love that place!) and Bath & Body Works. Whose day can't be made a bit nicer by a squirt of scented soap? I like to get all finished and then start wrapping. It is the wrapping I procrastinate on, because it is overwhelming. As I have said before, being Santa is no easy task. A friend told me the other day that she feared that if she dropped dead tomorrow, her kids would never get another Xmas gift, so clueless is her hubby. I had to agree. My husband is blissfully ignorant of the effort behind making the list, checking it twice, finding the stuff and carting it home, wrapping it all (in secret!), making sure the appropriate batteries are on hand, sticking to the budget (the nastiest part) and finally, trying hard not to give the same gift you mailed LAST year when good ideas are so hard to come by! YIKES! Pity Rider who does all this times two, as she and Frank celebrate Hannukah AND Christmas! I can't even imagine that one!

So from now on, all my shopping can be "for fun," just walking the mall and smiling because I know I am finished! I have big plans as I LOVE the malls at Holiday time. I saw Santa today. School was in session and he looked bored!

My friend Tisha has finalized her plans for March and I am very excited to have two days to spend together with her family in March. She got a great rate for 2 nights at Pop Century and will hang out with us at the Lodge. We plan to ride the monorail that night and have dinner, decided most likely on Chef Mickey's. The food is great and there is something to please everyone, and the characters can't be beat. Who can resist Mickey and the gang? The next day we will do the MK together, and my kids are so excited about being there with their best pals. It has made the anticipation of the trip all the nicer. My plan, remember, is to convince my friend about the merits of WDW, so she stops threatening me with a "Diseny intervention!"

Scott just showed up with a pizza, bless his heart. I hate to cook!

Happy Thansgiving to all.

PS, Linda, YES, the kids LOVED the little Legos and stuffed bear. Thank you!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Exciting time was had by all in our town today. I spent the afternoon, huddled in a highway, with a gang of nervous kids. Would ya believe we had a tornado warning, not a watch, mind you - a warning!! It was scary but I managed to convince the kids that if an old lady like myself had not been blown away by a tornado they were likely safe. They loved my Pecos Bills stories about how he roped a tornado and hauled it another county. LOL I am just plain full of it. Had to call my house and tell hubby to head for the bathroom cause he would still be sitting, in front of the tv and windown if I had not. Ever heard of someone not knowing enough to get in from the rain?? LOL

I am jealous Colleen, I am not even as far ahead of schedule as usual and there you are all set for the holidays. BTW, shop at Cracker Barrel and some other places and they will wrap the presents for free! BTW., are you aware that Hannukah has 8 gift giving days? There are many dietary requirements too such as different dishes for certain foods etc. too. Makes me glad to be a Christian and only have to deal with turkey and dressing but Rider handles both with equal aplomb.

How wonderful that you will have a friend to share DW with. Any chance that you and she might get away alone for a leisurely walk around the World Showcase? Send dh and kiddies over to Universal and stay behing. (hint)

Glad the kids liked their small gifts. I have to go back to packing and such. I got behind because of the storms. It is supposed to snow tonight. Indiana weather. Ugh!! Hope it melts quickly cause I do not drive on snow or ice and I must get to Columbus by hook or crook.

SG/Linda

 

[colleen costello]

Linda, I was praying for you yesterday around 4pm. When the Indianapolis Channel 8 weather lady actually said "Look out in Hope IN" I almost called you. Had visions of you so engrossed in some home renovation project that you might blow away and not know what hit you. Then I thought of the last big tornado to hit Ellettsville. I called my friend Debbie and we were gabbing about the storm. When the line went dead, she thought "Maybe it's worse than it seems" and got her toddler and went to the closet (I was safe in my basement). That darn thing near flattened her neighborhood! She said the whole house shook! Her next-door neighbor's home was uninhabitable. Had to be completely rebuilt. So I have learned NOT to keep my friends on the phone in bad weather, unless they have basements! Where were you? Helping at shcool? Why "highway?"

Glad you are safe!

I am going to make cupcakes to take to our Thanksgiving dinner. Also bringing the potatoes but Kroger made those. They come in bags and they are the BEST. Yum.

Happy T-day to all.

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Everyone!

So sorry that I haven't been in touch in so long, but I just wanted to stop by and wish you all and your families a wonderful Thanksgiving and a great day! Thinking of you all! Talk to you soon!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Dear Colleen, thank you so much for the prayers. They were sorely needed. I am sorry I mistyped and meant hallway, not highway. LOL The power of prayers is awesome as honestly the clouds parted around the center of our town and did not do much damage. It was scary looking and the poor kids were besides themselves cause the lady had to holler (it was noisy) to get the kids in the hallway. Is right next to a bathroom. I am going to suggest that we put up some pictures or something to make the hallway more friendly looking. I was so proud of the young people who are aides as they got right down and were cuddling the kids close to them and making them feel a lot better. My dear Dalton (as he told me later) was at his little cousins house explaining all about storms and tornadoes to him and why he should NOT be scared. Since, not so long ago, he was terribly scared himself I was pleased to hear that he had heeded my stories and was passing them on. Got to make sure that he does know to be careful anyway though as you never know. I do not answer the phone in bad weather. I check my answering machine just in case it might be an emergency and I do have basement but there are windows so we go to the bathroom under the stairs. I remember when the storms were in your area and had alerted your EWP group to send pixie dust your way also. Thank you again.

Helenabear, I waved in the general direction of your Columbus home as we went the Cincinnati route since some of the other roads were in danger of being slick or getting snowed on and made it to Columbus before we got any bad weather. The temps made it worrisome though. Hope your holidays were wonderful and you will be safely back home before anything starts up again.

Rider, WTG on the turkey!!! The hardest part of any holiday meal is getting it all done at the same time but I know you accomplished that easily and with grace. I am worn out and about to crawl into bed and get some sleep. Will report on my Thanksgiving when I am more lucid but will say this - I woke up the same house with my four older siblings this morning, first time in about 40 years and it was wonderful. Also, no fights broke out. Only complaint was that there will be no stories to be told about this holiday but I figure that, given time, someone will come up with something to tell, true or not. LOL

SG/Linda

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Everyone!

Yea! The Boards are back! And they look great, too! I had tried to post yesterday, but got the message that the Boards would be down for 24 - 48 hours - it looks like they have returned, early!

How were all of your holidays? Ours was very nice! I have to say, I was very impressed with myself, making my first Thanksgiving dinner! I managed to have every dish ready at the same time, and managed to serve them all while they were still hot - amazing! My father and uncle really enjoyed themselves - they stayed all day, into the evening, which was nice! Frank and his family called us from South Jersey and passed the phone around, so everyone got to talk to everyone.

The rest of the weekend has been quiet, but productive. Got lots of gift wrapping done, and finished up all of our holiday cards. Today, my best friend Gary and his partner Stephen took me out to lunch at a beautiful restaurant near Trenton - it's in the middle of a sculpture garden in a park owned by the Johnson family (of Johnson & Johnson fame), and it was just lovely. Then we went to the mall and Stephen (who is North America's Creative Director for Villeroy and Boch) worked his "magic" and got me an amazing discount on the set of flatware that Frank and I are going to give his mother for Christmas - it's nice to have friends in high places!

Will be spending the rest of the evening relaxing, watching rented movies, and wrapping more gifts. Frank will be back tomorrow - yea!

Oooh - I just got an e-mail that someone else posted in the Suite, but I haven't opened it up yet to see who posted as I am writing this! So "hello" to whomever posted just before me!

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

 

[lunabkat]

Hi all.

Wow, had a time getting in today, couldn't remember my password (LOL).

Hope everyone had a good thanksgiving (or 'hanksgivin as it is called in my house. Like the new smilies.

Linda, sounds like you had quite the time this week with that tornado. We had a warning once and i was in the downstairs closet with the girls and the cat (Luna) till daddy came home. It was very scary, both for the tornado and the possbility of spiders in the dark closet.

I can't beleive its only two weeks till disney, i feel i should be doing something but it is too early to pack and i have pretty much planned out everything.

by the way, it looks as if we are not going to make that sidetrip to my dh's sister apparently when he mentioned it to her she rolled her eyes and seemed less than enthusiastic - why? don't know, don't care

I am stillnot quite certain if my dmil is coming or not, i guess we will find out the night before, oh well, i know WE are going

do you think if we left out milk and cookies (or cheese?) (or rum?) the tag fairies might come be and visit? I must admit to being quite curious about them though i have never been visited, do you think they are related to Tink?

Hope you all have a great day, it is pouring over here, my poor yard is a virtual mud pit.

Bye,

LL

 

[helenabear]

Hi all... busy weekend and didn't get any time to come in and wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. So sorry for missing that! Weekend was nice, but busy. And this week is packing for WDW.

Linda, I have to agree with you. The truly happy are ones who love what they have, not wish they could have more. I hope that all people will find happiness someday though. The eternal optimist here I guess.

Colleen, I love your attitude about shopping. I admit with my small list, I do a lot of my shopping online. I don't have to deal with teh stores and everything is bought long in advance. I have one teeny thing I'd like to get for my dad, but haven't decided what it will be yet. Oh and maybe a tiny thing for my friend Dawn as well... but those are fun gifts... and if I don't find anything else, I'll be happy.
I do have to buy wrapping paper though... that's one part I am never too keen on

Glad that the tornados didn't touch your house, Linda. We were just under a watch, but it was pretty bad weather from here down south to Alabama I guess. Nasty thunderstorms... and we wound up with snow the next day!!!!
And we wound up with some of those nasty roads. We had gotten a very very early start on Thanksgiving and hit a couple ice patches. Glad you took the better route to where you were going. Wasn't nice out at all!

Lisa, glad you were able to stop in! It seems that the boards were back up just in time for me to be super busy and not be able to take advantage of them working

Larualee, it is never too early to start packing I have been going through my laundry and trying to get everything all set up for Friday. I wish I didn't work this week so I could be sure to get it all done, but oh well! And glad you won't have to make htat side trip after all! I wouldn't be too happy with that.

Well I should get moving on work and some other stuff. Been going back and forth between working and organizing thoughts for all I need to get done this week and next!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Rider, I am amazed that you did not see me rushing out of the Suite as you came in. I are not that small after all. LOL Sounds as if your holidays were all you could have hoped for. Part of what I enjoyed was that we sat around talking. When my dd and dsil do come over they either eat and run or curl up on the couch and go to sleep. I am sort of honored with the later as I do know how hectic their life is with family and church but sure do wish we had a closer relationship. I have a better time with just the boys. They are talkers. LOL What kinds of side dishes did you make? I cheated and had a bit of dressing on Friday, had to have something holiday like as we were forced to eat at a steakhouse on Thanksgiving.

Helenabear, would it not be wonderful if everyone could be happy? Not sure that being satisfied is always a good thing though as ambition would be lost and so much else also. Life is a constant struggle with balance. IMHO I am glad to hear that I made a wise choice in taking the southern route but am surely sorry to hear that you guys ran into some bad roads. I bought a Sponge Bob pillowcase to put Dalton's gifts in, saves a lot of work and was only a tiny bit more than wrapping paper would have been. Our house has been standing for over a hundred years so I always figure it will withstand anything that happens in my lifetime. (I hope) Will you be going back for Christmas? Maybe you can stop at Clifton Mills then. Did you get the website I sent? Tom was disappointed but they were not open on Thanksgiving anyway.

Luna, the spiders would not have fazed me one bit but the cat sure would. My ds has a cat but the poor thing is so old and calm that it did not bother me and I even was able to pet her. Guess your dsil is not anymore inclined than you and dh are. Sad, in a way but it works for now. That is difficult not knowing if your mil will be coming or not. They can be so useful at times. Do your dear ones wanna go out to play in the mudpit? Bet they do, the delightful dears. LOL

Have to go fix lunch. I made some homemade veggie soup yesterday and will have to live on it today as the scales took a hit this morning. Will be a close call as to whether I have a loss or not tomorrow. A small loss, every week, is much better than a big one occasionally along with big gains.

SG/Linda

 

[TalkisCheap]

Hello!!


I'm glad everyone had good Thanksgivings, besides some bad roads on your travels. Luckily, we arrived in Cape Cod when it was just sprinkling which saved my mom much aggrivation and a fight or two over my dad/brother driving to fast on slick roads My mom is not one on driving in bad weather Mine was wonderful as well. I always enjoy seeing my family, especially my cousin, Emily, and my best friend. She's two years older than me, but we've always been very close our whole lives. It's funny how it turned out in my mom's family, my mom and her sister are less than a year apart and had children very close. My cousin is 5 days younger than my brother, other cousin is a few months younger than my sister, and Emily is two years older than me. Then my mom's two brothers got married late and so makes the 'second generation' of cousins - Two 4 year olds, a 2 year old, and an 8 month year old makes for fun holidays, as it's always wonderful to play with my younger cousins. They love playing with 'the girls' {my mom's sister has 3 girls, and then me and my sister} and we spent the whole time entertaining them, watching kid movies, everything. Besides that, the food was fantastic as well. I am always thankful I was born into a family with wonderful cooks. I look at my best friend, Shawn's family, and her mother's idea of cooking is pasta out of a box and jar sauce Thanksgiving is my favorite meal of the year, as we get food we never have all year like french stuffing and such Oh..and my cookies were Ginger Snaps and Chocolate Chip...sorry, they were full fat/sugar but I found them wonderful...I probably ate 3/4 of the ginger snaps, as they're my favorite!

It's wonderful to be on vacation...sleeping in late. Although I know as much as I do not like waking up early and doing school, I do find myself a little bored by the end of it. The first few days back to school are enjoyable before they begin getting monotonous. Although life won't be to boring, with the shopping, wrapping, decorations, preparations, and basketball! Our first game is tomorrow, and I can say I'm very excited! Although, I'm a little nervous to how we'll do. We have a lot of talent, but some of our players are a little more interested in trying to be the star of our team, than running our plays...hopefully they'll be alright in our game!!

Wow, those warnings must be scary! I'm glad I live in Maine where we don't get those{or at least..many, as I never remember one!} because I'd be having a heart attack! Glad everyone was fine!

My Christmas shopping is almost done. It's easy as I don't buy many presents, just my two sets of grandparents, cousins, and my immediate family. Oh, and small gifts for my closet friends. I only need a few more presents - my dad, brother, and grandparents. Although, my mom has a lot more shopping to do, although I can't go on all her excursions{she say's I already know too many of my presents, as I picked most of the clothing items out!} I want to go with her on some, as I just love to walk through the stores with the Christmas music playing, the decorations out, and I just love to shop!

I'm hoping I'll be receiving my entrance exam results soon...it was 2 weeks yesterday, and so it should be coming any day. I also finished my essay, but I have to revise it, copy it on to the paper, and wait for my mom to finish her part. It is usually true I enjoy things I'm good at...writing just doesn't interest me, I've just become good at it seeing as I have to write A LOT for Calvert{my homeschooling curriculum} My application essat was not that bad though, I had a choice of three, and I like the one I chose, and I think I explained it, and related it to going to high school well. It was titled "Ships are safe in a harbor, but that is not what ships are meant for" so I wrote about how that relates to me, and other students applying there, leaving their town{harbor} and expanding their horizens. Especially for me, as I won't know anyone going in, as it's 45 minutes from my town.

Well, my mom is visiting Fairfield University with my sister today, as she needed to have an interview with the college before being able to apply, and I promised I'd make dinner for her{it has to cook in the crockpot} so I should probably go start that so it is ready in time! Have a wonderful day everyone!

Caroline

 

[IASW Rider]

Hey Everyone!

Wow - the Suite has been so busy that if I don't stop by for a day or 2, I find that I've fallen way behind on all of your posts!

So glad that you were able to avoid that tornado, Linda! That must have been very scary! I love the idea of putting Dalton's gifts in a SpongeBob pillow case - maybe we should do that for my MIL - she is a huge SpongeBob fan! I can't say that my father and uncle helped with the dishes on Thanksgiving........but that was OK - I didn't mind doing them - I just took my time, cleaning up, while they watched "Calendar Girls" on video, in the living room (my father has a huge, long-standing crush on Helen Mirren!). I sort of listened in, a bit, but I tried not to - I want to watch the movie in its entirety with Frank, some time. I'm not surprised that you feel that the book was better than the film - that is so often the case (more often than not, in my opinion!). I wish that I could say that my side dishes were more impressive, but they were the "standards": mashed potatoes, stuffing, yams, asparagus, cranberry sauce, and salad - most of it "pre-fabricated".........sort of like my potato pancakes will be, on Chanukah! The turkey was freshly prepared, though, as will be my brisket on Chanukah!

I know exactly what you mean, Colleen, about having that feeling of satisfaction and being able to be happy and just enjoy walking through the malls / stores at this time of year, when you know that all of your shopping is done! I feel that way about receiving holiday cards, too - I can only relax and allow myself to really enjoy opening the mailbox to find lots of neat cards and pictures, when I know that we have already sent out our cards! That's one of my favorite things about this time of year - hearing from some people whom I ONLY hear from at this time of year! And I love receiving people's "annual holiday letters" and seeing recent pictures of themselves and / or their families!

Elaine and Lauralee - you both must be getting so excited about your upcoming trips! I can't believe that it's finally almost December and that your vacations are just around the corner! So glad to hear that everything worked out and that you don't have to worry about the prospect of taking that side trip to your SIL's house, Lauralee - you must feel relieved! Just concentrate on all of the plans, which you so carefully and thoughtfully made for your family, and get psyched about the fact that your trip is only mere weeks away! And I'm sure that you are looking forward to "going home" for the first time, Elaine! (I'm with you on the online shopping, too - I much prefer it to braving the malls and stores at this time of year, and in general! It's nice to have the gifts just delivered right to our door, so I can unpack them.......then wrap them! )

Hey Caroline! Great to hear from you! And so glad to hear that all is well and that you enjoyed your holiday and the time spent with your cousins! (I also have a cousin who is very close to my age - she's exactly a year, a month, and a day younger than I am, and we always used to spend every holiday together. We are both only children, too, so we would pretend that we were sisters! ) How did your first basketball game go? I'm sure that you and your teammates had a great victory! And lots of good luck with the completion of your application - it sounds like you are just about finished! I'm sure that your essay will turn out wonderfully. Even though you say that you're not very interested in writing, it is clear that you are a very good writer, just by reading the informal messages that you post, here! Also, it sounds like you have given a lot of thought to the essay topic and know exactly how to relate your experiences to it, which will make it even more interesting and relevant. I'm sure that your application will be very impressive and that the admissions committee will have some very positive feedback for you! When is the application deadline? And when might you hear back - is it rolling admission? We'll all be rooting for you, here in the Suite!

Not too much to report - just sitting here waiting for Goodyear to call and tell me that my car is ready. For the first time since I've had it, it just wouldn't start this morning! That kinda stinks, since I had a ton of errands that I wanted to take care of, today, as well as a doctor's appointment that I had to cancel. UGH. These things always have to happen at the least opportune times! Anyway, at least my car wouldn't start when it was parked in my driveway, rather than it breaking down when I was elsewhere, so at least I didn't get stuck somewhere! And fortunately, the shop is close enough to my house that I was able to walk back, so I snuck in a little extra exercise, too!

Send some of that veggie soup over here, Linda - it's very cold and windy here, today! I should actually whip up a batch, myself - I made my own soup all last winter.......I guess I haven't "fully accepted" the fact that it's now late fall (even though Thanksgiving just passed!) yet - especially since we had unseasonably warm weather, in the mid-60's, just a few days ago!

Anyway, hope that all is well with all of you and hope that you're all having a nice day!

 

[helenabear]

Hi all... taking a break from work and making up a list of things I need to buy for my trip. Hopefully if it isn't raining, I will get most of this during lunch.

Linda, I may have forgotten (but thought to say in a post) to tell you that I did get your e-mail with the Clifton Mills information. I rarely check my yahoo e-mail account though, so it took me a while to see it. We won't be going back to my grandmother's anytime soon. Christmas will be at home at my Dad's since all kids will be in town for it

Caroline, sounds like you had a nice holiday as well. We have something similar in my family with the generations. I am the youngest grandkid (at 27) and the oldest grandkid on my mom's side is 45 years old (we are about 18 years apart... pretty much a generation away). So it is interesting to see my family because of it.
As for those weather warnings, I honestly think you just kind of get used to it. Very rarely do they scare me (only a small few storms in my time really have). Just like I would probably "die" if I had to deal with all the snow y'all get up there. We get freezing cold, but fortunately not usually more than 20-30" of snow total a year!
I hope you hear good results from your entrance exam soon!

Lisa, I hope nothing was terribly wrong with your car!! Always a pain when things like that happen. Yep, excited about "going home" on Friday. I am more so that Luis will be with me so that makes it all the better

Oh, since y'all saw the other pictures, here is a picture of me at the wedding with one of my cousins (Wendy) and her DD (Barbara)
Enjoy
Wedding pictures