EWP group?

[SlightlyGoofy]

Imagine words like "Constitution", "Revolutionary" and "Independence" tripping lightly off the tongue of a 7 year old. Imagine this grandma's heart beaming from ear to ear. LOL BTW, he asked if I knew the 7 continents and I allowed that I could probably name them whereupon he rattled them off and informed me that he was the only one in his class that could. My Dalton does not like to talk on the phone but he regaled me for a couple of hours the other night, reading and commenting in an aside that he LOVES history. As he has an overdue book out from the library he is not allowed to take any books out so I am contemplating slipping over and paying his debt in order to make the books flow again but it would probably not be a good thing if I got caught and caught I surely would be. He will be here tonight so there will be a big supply of books for him to read. We also live right behind the library. I added another carton of books to my car trunk, Christmas ones. Luckily I have a hand truck so I can load them in and out of the building. I am too old to carry that much. :jumping4:

Elaine, what a nice wedding picture. Is just what I would have been doing, dancing with a child. LOL Looks as though the dress was not only great fitting but comfortable as well. I keep forgetting to ask you about the picture on your posts. I stood and looked at that scene on this last trip and am thinking it is in EPCOT over near France, England or whatever but am not sure. I thought it was such a neat touch and so Disney.

Lisa, great attitude about your car and you are all so right in that it is a blessing that it happened in the driveway as opposed to going to coming from a distance. I like those disrespected Christmas letters as well. No way would I expect someone to handwrite all that stuff out and if not for the printed mass mailing I would not get to read much besides a signature. I did not do one this year myself but I do appreciate the ones I do get. Your mil loves Sponge Bob? Bet it is for the same reasons I do. It reminds me of the Beanie and Cecil cartoons of my youth, snappy dialouge and adult humor hidden amongst the childish tomfoolery. I read, one time, about a mother who made Christmas bags from cloth to put presents in and they were recycled within the family which saved a bunch cost and workwise. She even bought the cloth after Christmas at a discount. My kind of lady. The side dishes are supposed to be comfort type foods and not this haute cuisine that they put in magazines IMO.

Caroline, I love hearing about your cousins by the dozens. Is a perfect childhood (although you are a bit past that LOL). My father would not allow us any contact with other family members so I am not close with my cousins. I kept in touch via the computer with one for a few years but she passed away last year. I am grateful for that though. You cannot have the connections in later life if you do not have something to build upon from your youth. I am with your mom on slippery roads. At your age and level of fitness you can well afford to eat full fat, full sugar cookies. Enjoy them while you may cause old age will ruin your fun one day, far away.

I made a big pot of chili and have the makings in the machine for a huge loaf of Italian Bread for dinner tonight in case my dd decided to shock me and stay for dinner when they pick up my grandson. They are going around delivering stuff for the church tonight.

I am headed to the nursing home to visit Mary (who has hopes of getting to get out and live with a brother in Florida) and then to the Community Center to read the kids the story of Pecos Bill who once roped a tornado. I had a time finding that particular book but hope it will be worth it. I figure the boys will like it more than the girls though.

SG/Linda

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Everyone!

Sorry that this is a quick one, but I just wanted to wish Elaine BON VOYAGE! Have a fantastic trip and a wonderful time "at home"! Can't wait to hear all about it, upon your return! And thanks so much for posting the link to those great pictures from the wedding that you attended! You look wonderful in that dress - it's a great color and style on you! And you have such beautiful eyes - I think that this is the first time that you've posted a really close up photo of yourself! And it was so neat to see your cousins, too! Anyway, be sure to stop by the Suite for your BON VOYAGE party, tonight! We'll get "the boys" working on that, right away!

I hope that everything winds up working out for Mary, Linda - that would be wonderful. How did everything go at the Community Center? It's obvious that your love of reading is contagious - just look at your Dalton! It's fantastic that he not only enjoys reading so much, but that he also enjoys discussing the topics he's learned, with you! You've got some smart Grandsons, there! And the cloth gift bag idea is a great one - the bag almost becomes like an "heirloom", as it's passed from family member to family member - that is such a neat idea! And I love "SpongeBob", too (still haven't been able to find time to see his movie yet, though!)

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

 

[lunabkat]

hi all

wow, having a heck of a time signing in i am. for a minute i thought i was going to have to re-register

sounds like everyone had a good thanksgiving. Linda, you sure know how to throw a party, too bad we are not all relations, then holidays would REALLY be fun. Dalton is a very lucky dgs, you are the kind of nana every child deserves, are you looking for any adoptees, i have two in mind (you could adopt me too, i was a very good daughter (okay, maybe not good, how about fun?)

elaine, have a great trip, still sorry we are missing each other. I bet you are already packed and raring to go. Sounds like your wedding was fun, good for you, i always wonder about people who can't go out and enjoy themselves at these functions. Cut loose and have a few i always say. You gotta let the hair down once in a while. By the way, i am sure you looked stunning, haven't gotten to the pics yet, but with that dress you couldn't miss.

rider, you are sooooo busy i can't stand it, you exhaust me. Sounds like you enjoy it tho, i know i do. It sounds wacked but the stress of the holiday rush makes it go by so much quicker for me. I also have done almost all of my shopping thru email (tho the Bridgewater commons mall is literally 3 mins. from my house, timed it once, what WAS my dh thinking?) I have all the girls presents, just need to wrap it all. Only have my dear bil, my dh, his mom, his sisters and their dh's and the family pets (two dogs, three cats, including my own, can't shop too early for them for luna b (i say b is for bad, but yesterday my hubby announced to the dd's it stood for Bartholomew, too funny) because he unwraps other kitties presents, that bad cat

the dd's have a cold (they share practically everything) and have been waking me up several times a nite all week, i am about to drop. I work tomorrow nite, sat. and sun., and if i don't get some real sleep soon i think i will pop. i have to say i have been quite grouchy these last few nites, can't help it, i try to be patient, but yikes! i am averageing about 4 hr. of sleep a nite for a week and frankly, i am an 8 hour girl.


i am really close to that east coast meet in the summer, are you all going? I think it would be such fun for us all to meet there if it wasn't too far for everyone

adding a flower because dd#2 has requested it and i see no reason not to indulge her.

Elaine, we are having the boys get a crudite tray (first time i saw this word, i thought it was pronounce krud-ites, no lie) and a pitcher of whatever you like best. I am thinking we need some dance music and an awesome view of the ewp.

ciao!

Lauralee

 

[lunabkat]

caroline dear, sorry, if posted before i spoke to you (how rude) your cookies sound delicious and i am sure you love the holiday rush too. You sound like such a busy young girl. Hope you get tons of great stuff for the holidays (and rest a little too), take care and talk soon,

LL

 

[helenabear]

Just wanted to stop in quickly and say hi... thanks for the send off party and I will see you all when I return!!

 

[IASW Rider]

Hey Everyone!

Hope that you're all having a great weekend! And hope that Elaine is already having a great time in her new "home" at WDW!

Hi Lauralee! How are your DD's feeling? I hope that they are feeling much better, by now - it's probably this crazy "back and forth" weather that we've been having! For those of you who live elsewhere, it's in the low 30's here right now - but it's supposed to be 65 degrees in the North East on Tuesday! No wonder everyone is getting sick! It sounds like you're way ahead with your holiday shopping, Lauralee! And I think it's so nice that you get your family pets gifts, too - we get our cats and my sister-in-law's cats (our cats' "cousins"!) and my mother-in-law's bird (all the cats' "aunt"!) gifts every year, too! Are you and your family totally psyched for your trip, at this point?

Not too much to report, here - just got incredibly busy with lots of errands and appointments at the end of this week. We're off to a friend's holiday party, now! Tomorrow, I'll be getting ready for my grad school orientation, which is on Monday!

Hope that all is well with all of you! Talk to you soon!

 

[colleen costello]

Hi everyone. Well am I silly... Here I thought there was no activity in the suite for ages, because I hadn't received any of the little Email notices. Today I got one and see I have missed DAYS of action! Now I have learned my lesson -- will check even when my computer doesn't tell me to.

So I guess I missed the departure of our dear Helenabear? I am DROOLING just thinking about OKW. It is a wonderful place to stay, and will be all the more wonderful because Ohio is in dead, gray winter now. When we go to Orlando in the Spring, I tell friends here it is like when Dorothy wakes up in Oz, and suddenly everything is in tecnicolor. The change overnight from winter to tropics is quite amazing, and has magical powers. Last year when I was ailing with that darn kidney stone, I am convinced it was the sights and smells of the flowers that healed me.

Mother in law is here for a visit. We have kept busy and all is proceeding as well as could be expected. Hubby is more agitated than me as I have been hiding out. Pal Marla and I went to eat last night, talked Disney like crazy, then hit the mall. It was lots of fun just being together. As you all know, a friend who doesn't get glazed over when you speak of WDW is a valuable thing!

I got my Xmas cards in the mail and tomorrow I will begin wrapping the kids' gifts to store away for Christmas Eve. Then the kids and I will being wrapping and sorting all the little things we have for the legions of kind folks at our schools. Then we will wrap and pack all the gifts that have to be mailed East. Only two weeks of school left so there is lots to be done! We hope to go to the Indianapolis "Christmas at the Zoo" next weekend. They have ziillions of lights all over the zoo, and the big glass atrium of the adjoining gardens is full of miniature trains. They sell cocoa and play Christmas music and it is a lot of fuin IF it's not too cold. I am a complete winter wimp and if it's really freezing we just skip it!

Hope everyone is doing well. Luna, get those girls better and thank your lucky stars they are sick NOW. They are bound to be healthy in Orlando!

Love to all.

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Colleen!

It sounds like you have your work cut out for you, with all of your gift wrapping and packing plans! It sounds like you are very organized and I'm sure that you, Erin, and Ian will make quite the successful "production line" in terms of getting everything ready to go!

That Christmas at the Zoo event sounds so nice! I hope that the weather holds out so that you have a nice, comfortable weekend during which to go! You'll have to tell us all about it!

I wonder what Elaine is doing, right now........maybe she's on a Segway, zooming all over Epcot? Or at a character meal? Or meeting with some DIS pals? Or relaxing at an OKW pool? I hope that she's having a great time, whatever she may be doing!

Not too much to report from here! We had fun at our friends' holiday party, last night - played an 80's trivia game and caught up with some folks whom we hadn't seen in awhile. Today, we're just relaxing, and I'm going through all of the stuff that I'll need for my orientation tomorrow. It's from 7:30 AM - 3:00 PM - a long day! But it will be a good way to "immerse myself" in the atmosphere, there!

Hope that you're all having a nice weekend! Talk to you soon!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Thank God for those manic periods or nothing would get done around here. I bought my Christmas present yesterday, a Panasonic DVD recorder/VHS. Hooked it up right the first time and have been happily transferring all my hundreds of hours of video tape to DVD ever since. I always buy one thing for the 'house' and this is it for the year. Manged to get the price down from $400 to $300 by watching for sales and finding a big rebate online. After I get all the nuances figured out I am going to do it for hire in order to recoup my expenses and be able to afford a digital camera soon. I love gadgets. LOL

Have also cleaned the house, wrapped presents and cooked an entire turkey meal (almost ready) today along with making a huge batch of peanut butter fudge for my dear grandson as per his request. He has many activities today and says he needs the energy. We are going to the church to watch him perform with his puppet group this evening.

Elaine, how I envy you being at DW especially this time of the year. There is something so magical about being on Main Street with the Christmas decorations, fake snow AND flowers blooming while we walk around in our shorts and short sleeve shirts that cannot me matched for sheer magic. Next year I will be there and you can envy me UNLESS you chose to join me there!! LOL

Lisa, I am going to transfer the tapes that you sent me also. Would you like me to mail you a copy as the DVD is much more stable and will outlast the VHS format? A trival evening with friends? How wonderful! I have no one to play trivia with. Is so sad. (smile) Dalton did beat me two games to one with Hangman yesterday. I do not cut much slack either. He was allowed to use a dictionary but stumped me with his own words, granted they were three small ones rather than one longer one but it worked. LOL

Lauralee, I am sorely tempted to take you on your offer to adopt me, or the other way around. Sounds as if you could use an overprotective grandma like myself. It would not work though cause you might be tempted to say thank you when I take the kids so you can get some rest, call me just to talk sometimes, or even invite me to your house more than once (or usually never) a year and heavens forbid give me a hug and I would drop dead of shock. If it were not for my warped sense of humor I might be a tad bit bitter.

Colleen, as usual you put me to shame with all that you manage to accomplish. I would still be unloading boxes from the move let alone getting the holidays all wrapped up as you are doing. I have wanted to do Christmas at the Zoo but because I do not drive after dark, especially in the big city, it is not likely to happen. The Producers is going to be at Clowes in February and I am afraid to sign up for the tour cause I worry about whether I would be able to get 15 miles away to where I am supposed to meet the bus. Is hard being phobic and having good sense. I am blessed with a close friend who loves Disney also but unfortunately since her hubby retired she spends more time there than here and I do not get to visit with her nearly as much. I am sorry that your mil is stressing out. Is there a chance that you think she is judgemental or something and it might not be? I wish the world were a place where people could sit down, talk calmly and truthfully, and settle things. Would save ever oh so much trouble and strife. Pay her a compliment and see if she does not warm up a bit maybe? As nice as you are I am sure that you are a wonderful dil as well. Seeing your son happy and having such great grandchildren should be enough to melt any mil's heart IMHO.

Got to go carve the turkey. Hope Tom can make it all the way from the bedroom to the kitchen to eat. He has such a hard life.

SG/Linda

 

[colleen costello]

These new Boards are driving me crazy. When I hit "post reply," the screen that comes up doesn't always look the same. This does not agree with me. I am a creature of habit and worrying about my posts going into the abyss makes me mad! Now here at the bottom of the screen I have two options: "Post quick reply" or "Go advanced." Now what the heck is the difference? Does choosing "advanced" edit my post, and make my life sound more exciting? I guess I may never know... I am going with "quick!"

Linda, if you are wanting to see Xmas at the Zoo you let me know. Hubby gripes every year I drag him, the sourpuss. If you could make it to Bloomington, I would pick you up and take you with myself and the kiddos. You would have to drive home in the dark from Bloomington, but this is a route well traveled. Let me know, and Scott would owe you one for rescuing him from a holiday tradition. I LOVE the Zoo Xmas, although they have so many lights up you can get a bit dizzy. We haven't seen the holiday trains yet and the kids are looking forward to that. They play Christmas music and sell cocoa and it is lots of fun, plus cheap entertainment (we have a membership so it's free!) at a time when I am inevitably broke from Xmas overspending... You let me know as I make the offer sincerely.

Yes, dear guest is judgemental all right. Griped to hubby that it was good I was making meatballs with dinner as we had "eaten too many carbohydrates all weekend." Truth is, we LIVE on carbohydrates most weekends. No adverse affects yet... But evidently my meal planning doesn't measure up.. Oh well...

Lisa, tomorrow is your big day on campus. Let us know how it goes, and good luck with the math test. I will join you all in imagining the fun Elaine is having.

xoxo

 

[depplyinluv]

Hello everyone!
just a note: this has just been posted on another thread, so it might show up around the site a few times:

p.s.- I miss you ladies !

A word of caution: very Long!

Hello everyone. I haven't been in for awhile, but I stopped in basically to explain why and wish everyone happy holidays and such. (Is it me, or did this whole site completely change?) :/

anyways, I don't think I've been on since October, shame on me! But it's because the internet in my room won't work and the only working internet is in my brother's room, but he currently isn't using his room so that's why I'm here. I have also started to play Varsisty Ice Hockey, so that is extremely time consuming, and I'm taking guitar lessons now. And homework, can't forget about that :'(

but now I really need to ask for everyone's prayers.

Last Saturday (11/27), My dad, step-mom, and Brother were involved in a serious car accident. I suppose I can just post the article, and then I'll write what it left out.
http://www4.fosters.com/november_20...u_11.28.04e.asp
^^^ that's the first one..
the picture shown, that black car is actually what used to be my dad's pick up truck. As you can probably tell, the grand marquise hit right on the driver's side, where my dad was. In the article, it says that all 3 occupants of the pick-up truck were wearing seatbelts- that's actually not true. My dad and step-mom weren't wearing theres. If my brother wasn't , he may not be here right now.
alright well here's the second article:
http://www4.fosters.com/november_20...o_11.29.04c.asp

about that article, my dad did more than just breaking his leg, but i'll get to that. second, my brother is only 11 ..
and now for the third article (tons of mistakes...stupid newspaper)
http://www4.fosters.com/november_20...o_11.30.04c.asp

and now to break it down:
my dad, bro, and step-mom were driving to pick up some doors at Home Depot. They were probably 10 minutes from the store when they were hit. My dad said he saw the car in front of them pull off to the right, and then they were hit. The truck is totalled(sp?). But luckily my family made it out w/o fatal injuries. My prayers go out to the woman who died and her family.
My dad suffered a shattered knee and ankle on his left leg, and also a bone-deep cut. On his right leg, broken tibia and completely shattered ankle and heel. He face was a little banged up, but no head injuries thankfully. My brother (11 y/0) suffered broken bones in/under his left eye. He had a severe fraction in his left leg, and also a bone-deep cut. He also had internal stomach bleeding. My step-mom suffered a shattered forearm and wrist on her left arm, severe chest bruising, broken tooth, and bruising to her face.
My brother left Frisbee hospital to be transported to Maine probably about 4 hours after he got there. His eye at the time looked like a purple softball with blood oozing from it (sorry for the graphic-ness!) But I'm thankful that they got him out of that hospital when they did. He got pins put into his leg, and the bones in his eye will naturally heal back into place, so no plastic surgery, and the internal bleeding stopped around tuesday. He came home Friday 12/3, so he is occupying the family room downstairs. He is such a trooper, It wasn't more than 3 years ago he had meningitus for the 2cd time...

My dad was in Frisbee until Friday when they moved him to NorthEast rehab in Portland, so my brother go to see him. They did one surgery at Frisbee, that was on his knee/kneecap. I really wished he had gone sooner, the care he received at Frisbee was terrible. in his words: "I wouldn't even send my dog here."
From being in frisbee, he's gotten pneumonia, bowel problems, and a yeast infection in his mouth (sounds fun, huh?)

My step-mom was fortunate to be able to share a room with him while they were at Frisbee. She was released Wednesday to go home.She's doing really well, even with the 2 huge gashes on her legs..eww..i saw them being stitched up...but she's walking great, and she's doing fine

My dad is scheduled for his last surgery (hopefully) this Wednesday at Maine Medical Center. The doctors are going to reconstruct the bones in his heel and ankle.

phew. glad I got most of that out.
anyways, thanks for reading, I miss all of you so much!
peacefully yours,
depplyinluv



***I hope everyone here is doing well, as well as your families! If I can, I will read the previous posts!***

 

[lunabkat]

Hi all.

for cryin' out loud what is up with this board? Everytime i check the email, i have to relog in twice in order to post, and then sometimes it won't post anyway Also, i haven't gotten any new emails about new posts, i just figured i would check thru an old one - ah...progress!

elaine - hope you are having a blast, we miss you, but will endure so you can have a good time

rider, now i am sick, just starting. I think the worst day should be thursday and on the mend by friday. Never say die i always say. the girls sound alot better, if they are still coughing i am going to take them to the dr. on friday before we leave to make sure there are no ear infections, yada, yada, yada.

colleen, you sound like you really enjoy that christmas zoo, it sounds like fun, the girls would love it. I hope it isn't too cold for you. Happy wrapping!

Linda, i certainly would thank you and appreciate you, now don't swoon , but i would probably even hang out with you for no reason other than to enjoy your company (how radical, eh?) I hope tom made it to the dinner table alright, the trials and tribulations of others , imagine your not bringing him dinner in bed! When i go to work on the weekend (nites) i have found that if i spend the day getting the house in order i come home to a disaster and if i leave the house a disaster i don't notice much of a difference, so much for being appreciated. So the "maid" has decided to take work weekends off and if anyone wants the place clean they can either help the "maid" or live in squalor

Got the Christmass tree up yesterday, today its the ornaments. Tonight, gift wrapping, tomorrow start to pack! Its so exciting, i don't know if the girls are more excited about christmas or disney - the little darlings are zipping around in a state of excitement off and on all day. Hope they don't pop before we get there.

When we get home we need to go shopping for their "brother" Luna. I believe he is bucking for a new catnip mouse or two. My husband says, no more beds! (he has3, not counting our beds which he takes over as he pleases). What can i say, he's a collecter.

deeplyinluv, you and your family are in my prayers, i hope it all works out well and i am so sorry to hear about your families troubles. Thank god your brother was wearing his seatbelt. God bless you and take care.

I will try to get back to the boards before i leave,

Love to all

LL

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Depply, you poor dear. This is an awful (the wreck and injuries) and wonderous holiday (no one was killed, thank God). I cannot imagine what all you must be going through but I bet you are doing all you can to help your beloved family. Please know that all you DIS friends are holding you in their hearts and hoping that all is back to normal very soon. You have our prayers, pixie dust and love. If you ever need to vent we are here for you and if you have to be absent because of everything that is going on do not worry, we will hold your place, not that anyone could fill it anyway.

Luna, you are far smarter than I am in cutting back on your duties. Seems people only notice that which we do NOT do. (sigh) Unfortunately my threshold for dirt is much lower than anyone else's around here. I once hung a sign on my children's bathroom diavowing any responsibility for such. I hate that old ad about 'ring around the collar". Even as a youngster I thought that man should have washed his darned neck instead of the woman having to scrub the collar. I hope you are wrong about coming down with something and if you do that it is of short duration. You do understand, that as a woman, you are not permitted a sick day do you not? I would have served my husband his meal in bed but it is hard enough cleaning up the floor in the kit chen after he eats. He is messier than any of the grandkids. Is why he watches tv in the kitchen. I got tired of trying to clean up all the coffee and tea stains from the dozens of cups he drinks a day. He carries the cup sideways and is always amazed that it seems to spill on the way from the kitchen to wherever he is headed. I would love to hang out with you also. You seem to be ALMOST as evil as I am. LOL

Colleen, you are so very kind. It is an offer that I am most tempted to take you up on just so I could spend time with your beautiful children. Thank you so much for the card. It is going up in a place of honor and I will keep the picture in my friends photo book. I do not think that I am up to driving about 100 miles to meet you to go to the zoo and I am far too slow and would just hold you and the kids up. Have you considered inviting a nearby friend and children to join you which would alleviate your hubby's pain and give you good company as well? I am sorry that 'dear guest' is being a pain but from what you told me it is wonderful that you all invite her to share the holidays at all. Maybe if you think of it this way it will be a bit easier, she obviously is comfortable saying any old thing that comes to her mind so that is a bit 'flattering' and you care about what she 'thinks' so that is a good thing too. She is not staying until after Christmas is she? If so, buy her a Poor Richard's Almanac and bookmark the part about 'fish and company stinking after three days". LOL

Lisa, hope the day went well for you. A journey of a thousand miles starts with a first step and you are off on such an exciting and wonderful journey. Bet you make it in record time too.

I bet Elaine is enjoying the resort Christmas decorations. I read a thread that told about playing Bus Bingo. I added it to my 'to do' list. Basically you walk out of your resort and hop on the first bus to a park that you come to and then get on the first bus to a resort you see, get off explore and repeat until worn out. Sounds like a blast.

I have my cookie dough all made and all of my fudges. Austin was in a puppet show (starring roll) at church last night and popped in for a fudge fix and asked for some to take to his friends (about a dozen or so). LOL

There is a thread on here where people at DW send postcards to children who are awaiting a future trip. One lady who is a second grade teacher requested someone to write to her class. She contacted me today to thank me for my letter and suggest some future topics and asked if I minded if her kids wrote me letters. Mind, I still have bunches I have received from other kids through the years and treasure them. Will be my favorite present this year I think..

I have a Christmas party tomorrow and another one on Wednesday. I am thankful that they are both AFTER weigh in. Will give me 5 days to make amends. (grin)

SG/Linda

 

[colleen costello]

Hi ladies. Depply, you have my sympathies. Glad everyone is well. They were blessed with a "close call" and I am glad that is all it was... So scary that are lives so depend on the other crazies on the road. Take care of your family and yourself; you are in our thoughts!

Linda, we don't move too fast at the zoo but of course I understand. For you to go via Bloomington would certainly be what my Dad always called "the drunks' tour..." I will share details when we are back. I informed Scrooge today that he would be taking us next weekend and no buts about it. I think he will actually enjoy the holiday trains. My kids were really interested in the mini trains we saw at Epcot in March. I think it was in Germany (Linda, I think you told me it WAS in Germany...) Anyhow, I think the mini trains will be very cute, plus the atrium is heated! It is supposed to be warmish all week so I hope we can go Saturday evening.

Our dear houseguest departed today quite early. The weekend went better than it might have, blessedly short. I can now look forward to the arrival of MY crazy family, who, while dysfunctional, are loads of fun. I got all the kids' presents wrapped today and now we can settle in to wrap for all the grandparents and teachers, which is always fun.

Linda, I got reimbursed today for my "secret shopper" meal. It was a great dinner and lots of fun. I hope they were happy with my report. Perhaps I am not critical enough as I am so glad when I don't have to cook that I generally enjoy most places... It was a fun way to et a free meal out.

Where is our dear Rider? Probably recovering from her stressful morning at school. Lisa, let us know how it all went, even the dreaded math test!

Luna, hope you are still feeling healthy so you can enjoy these exciting days before your trip. Keep us posted!

Colleen

 

[colleen costello]

PS... Luna, as you are the queen of kitty beds, please advise. The kids have been hounding me to get one for our two princes. Which type is best? There is one that is sort of like a little triangular igloo that they can go into. There is also a type that is just an oval quilted bed with sides a few inches high, and sheepskin-type plush inside. I am leaning toward that one. Please advise...

 

[depplyinluv]

hello ladies! I'm going to stop in here real quick between writing a western civ essay and talking to my dad...

lunabkat- I don't think i've ever seen you here before, but here's a long awaited 'welcome' from me. I'm depplyinluv (or amanda) nice to meet you

thank you so much for your prayers. I am also so glad he was wearing his seatbelt, I just can't bear to think about what could have happened.


Linda- This really is an awful but wonderous time. I'm just so thankful my family is still here today. I've been going through a lot, but I'm ok (except for the emergency trip to my doctor's friday...severe asthma attack). I'm so glad I could get on the DIS to share what happened. It feels so good to know that people are praying for me and my family. Oh and don't worry, I'll probably be back on to vent later
thanks a lot for remembering me in my absense. I really do miss it here, and I'm glad no one will take my place


Colleen- it was definately a close call. Ah, the road is such a dangerous place..I'm so scared to start driving ( oh my goodness, that's in 3 months!) ...I will take care of myself and my family, and thank you so much for putting us in your thoughts and prayers.

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Everyone,

So sorry that I wasn't able to check in sooner - great to hear from you, Amanda, and thanks for taking the time to share your great (ice hockey, guitar lessons, great first semester at school) and frightening news with us. I echo everyone else by saying thank God your father, step-mother, and brother were all right. And wishing them all continued speedy, comfortable, and successful recoveries. I can't imagine how scared you all must have been and how difficult it has been while your Dad was having surgery and the subsequent "issues" after being in the first hospital, while your step-mother and brother have been recuperating - all during the holiday season, no less. But it sounds like everyone is slowly getting better (your brother's eye will be fine - believe it or not, I fractured the same bone, a few years ago, and it healed within a month and no one would ever know, now) and we'll all be thinking of you and praying that you can all put that horrible event behind you all and look forward to wonderful holidays and a very happy 2005!

Thanks so much for offering to transfer that video footage onto DVD for us, Linda! Sure - if you happen to have a chance - and ONLY if you happen to have a chance - that would be wonderful! It sounds like a wonderful new "toy" you have there! I would go crazy with something like that - I would do exactly what you're doing - transferring hours and hours of home video footage onto DVD as "back ups"! We actually had most of our WDW footage (1999 - 2002) transferred onto DVD by a professional - I still have to get around to transferring 2003 and 2004! But it sounds like you are really enjoying the new DVDR / VCR - you deserve to get yourself a nice gift like that! Frank and I also try to get something for each other / "for the house" each year, and this year it will have to be a new computer. We have to face facts that no matter what we do, we DO need to upgrade, and FAST - before both of us go back to school next month! How did your turkey dinner go over? I'm sure that Tom loved it! And that peanut butter fudge sounds "evil"!

How are you feeling, Lauralee? Come on! You have to get yourself and everyone else all healthy and ready to go to WDW!!!

Colleen - how did your day of relaxing, gift wrapping, and getting ready for the holidays go, yesterday! I know that it was much deserved, after what you endured this weekend! I'm sure that you are relieved that it is all over, and know that you did a good thing by having her share some time with you, Scott, and your children. Still, she had no right to comment on / criticize anything that you served - ESPECIALLY since she was a guest in YOUR home! And - I will reiterate - it is the official opinion of the American Dietetic Association that there is NO SUCH THING AS "TOO MANY CARBS"! People who say things like that don't even understand what a "carbohydrate" actually IS! What does she think vegetables "are"? Or fruits? Or oatmeal? Well........they're not proteins.......and they're not fats.......so they must be.......CARBOHYDRATES! And no one can say that vegetables, fruits, or oatmeal aren't "healthy" things to eat! So don't worry about her and her little comments (maybe she was somehow trying to show that she "cares" by giving you "helpful cooking tips"?) - just know that you do a wonderful job of cooking and taking care of your family! We actually have several cat beds, ourselves, but find that our cats mostly like using other things "as" beds - the rocking chair, a basket, the bottom "floor" of our "kitty condo", etc. Each of our cats has his / her own favorite place(s) in our house, where we can almost always find them napping! There is actually another reason that we can't buy any more cat beds........our one male cat already destroyed 2 of the soft, fleecy variety.......because even though he has long since been "snipped"..........he still likes to "simulate the act" with any soft thing he happens to get his paws on (ie: sweaters, towels, blankets, jackets).......and thus ruined 2 soft cat beds by dragging them around the house and "having his way with them"! (I am NOT kidding! That's one confused cat, there! ) The weird thing is that he never really expresses "interest" in our other 4 female cats........just inanimate objects! The vet says that he is expressing his "dominance" by doing that - that it's actually an aggressive behavior - not an "intimate" one - and that he's somehow trying to show all the female cats that he's "boss" by doing that..........we just think that he kinda looks silly!

Moving right along............! Thank you all for thinking of me, yesterday! I did survive my orientation, as well as the stupid algebra test that I had to take, first thing in the morning (I have no idea how I did - let the chips fall where they may, I guess. I may wind up having to take the elementary algebra class that I successfully avoided all last year, after all! ). The orientation was great - but very overwhelming - tons and tons of information being thrown at us without a break! Each of the 5 departments (Health Education / Behavioral Science, BioStatistics, Epidemiology, Health Systems / Policy, and Environmental Health) did short presentations about their work and classes, and then there was a presentation regarding the fieldwork which we will have to complete before graduation. They also had presentations by representatives of the libraries, safety officers, compliance department, administrative offices, etc. Then the Student Association took us on tours of the UMDNJ campus, which is comprised of our School of Public Health, the Robert Wood Johnson School of Medicine, the Center for Biomedical Research, the School of Medicine research facility, and the UMDNJ / Rutgers Library of Science and Medicine. After that, we met with our advisors and registered for classes and parking permits, and posed for our photo ID pictures. It was a very full day! But I'm all registered for my classes, now. I will start off "easy" by taking 2 instead of 3, this first semester - sort of "ease back into" school mode! I'll be taking Intro to Health Education and Behavioral Science (that's my concentration) and Principles of Epidemiology (which I understand involves a fairly significant quantitative aspect........UGH!!!) Classes start 2 days after my birthday in mid-January, so I'll have to celebrate while I can! At least I have a little over a month to get myself emotionally and mentally ready for this new adventure!

Anyway, wouldn't you know that Frank's holiday dinner at work is scheduled for TONIGHT???? I wouldn't want him to miss it, and I know that he's been looking forward to it. So I am going to celebrate the first night of Chanukah with my father - he is coming over and I'm taking him out to dinner! By the time we get back, hopefully Frank will be back too, and we can all light the menorah together! (Then we're having our real celebration when my father, uncle, and sister-in-law come over for dinner and the gift exchange on Thursday night).

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

 

[lunabkat]

Hi all,

Colleen, as the duly recognized Queen of the Kitty Beds for the King of the Kats, we give two paws up for the oval bed with the soft fleece liner. Our kitty is fairly big (as most King of the Kats are, the better with which to kit other kitty butt ) so we actually got him a small dog bed (shhhh!) instead of the kitty variety (which we believe were round).

We have found these to be both durable and washable/dryable and Luna absolutely adores his, he spends most of his quality napping time in this bed and it is big enough for him to stretch out, should Himself so desire, or curl up, or sleep on his back with his belly out for all to see (please, do NOT touch the belly)> Although, if you have a cat that is a hider, they might prefer the enclosed bed, there isn't alot of room in them unless your cat is small and/or likes to sleep curled up most of the time. We also bought ours at Target last year, one side of the pillow is plush sheeplike and the other side is flannel plain, green by the way. Hope this helps

Linda, do you also make chocolate fudge? MMMMMM! You know, i try and pick up around here, but it is a thankless task. There are things that need to be cleaned in this house that i didn't even know got dirty for goodness sakes. where's Hazel when ya need her?

by the way, thank you all for your good wishes and thoughts about my being sick. I woke up today with nary a sniffle, why? Don't know, don't care. I just know that i am feeling much better and the kids seem better today too, although that cough is hanging on a little, like they always do.

Hi elaine, hope you are seeing and doing it all out there!


Amanda, you sound like another very busy young girl who checks in with us every so often, it is a pleasure to meet you. Prayers for the continued good healing of your family

Rider, Algebra - two words - Yu Uck!! I have tried for years (not without a break of course) to understand algebra and all i do is blow a couple of spark plugs, it is worse than a foreign language for me. I have always been a word person, i seem to transpose numbers off and on so i always try to be extra careful with "the math".

Well, i am off to start packing. I wrapped about 3/4's of my gifts last night so at least i am ahead there. I am starting to pack the girls carry ons and find out if we are leaving the car at the airport or taking a limo.

I will check back before i leave if i can.

good thoughts for all,

LL

 

[depplyinluv]

Lisa- algebra is horrible. I had algebra one last year...so hard! But I'm sure you did fine
thanks for all your well wishes, I got to see my dad last night..he is looking and feeling so much better. He is going into surgery today, from what I collected they are going to be putting a metal plate in the bottom of his foot and screwing bones into it...fun...and he might be receiving a new kneecap.
My brother saw the plastic surgeon for his eye yesterday as well....but the surgeon said there is still a lot of swelling underneath his eyeball..so he has to go back in January.

anyways, have a Happy Chanukah ( we lit candles last night in my dad's hospital room- don't tell!)
and a happy 2005 to you too!
(that's hilarious what your cat does to the cat beds! )

LL- I am very busy lol. I used to be on here a lot more when my internet was working in my room. Thank you again for the prayers
--I just purchased 3 fleece mat beds filled with catnip for my kitties...but the last time i got a cat bed, not one of the cats used it. We have a small kitty condo with one spot to sleep, and that's where my girl cat hangs out a lot...

well I guess I will get ready for school now, I have a two hour delay today!

talk to you ladies real soon
-depply

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Everyone!

I hope that your father's surgery goes well, today, Amanda! We will certainly be thinking of him and wishing him a quick and successful procedure and a comfortable and speedy recovery! That's so nice that you lit the candles in his hospital room - I'm sure that that cheered him up and made it feel more like home for him! Happy Chanukah, by the way! And I hope that your brother isn't worried about seeing the plastic surgeon - I had to see one, too, when I had the same fracture. He said that the bones would just heal themselves. I went back 6 months later and he said that everything was fine. And my swelling went away pretty quickly, too. In fact, I had injured myself just 2 months before my wedding (you can imagine how freaked out I was at the prospect of walking down the aisle with a big, purple eye!) and everything was fine and completely back to normal well in advance of that date! Anyway, I hope that your father, step-mother, and brother are doing well and are feeling better every day!

So glad that there are others out there who hate algebra as much as I do! At least I know that I'm not alone! I really thought that I was through with that horrible subject, but it looks like it will continue to come back and haunt me again and again!

All of this talk about cat beds - we also have something that I refer to as "the space ship". It's a covered basket in the shape of a half circle, with a round top, a flat bottom, and a circular opening in the front with a pillow inside. I think that it's really intended for (a) kitten(s), but one of our adult cats squeezes herself in there and basically takes up the entire surface area of the floor of the basket, with her head sort of sticking out the opening. When she goes in there, I ask her what part of space she's flying off to, today, and whether she's planning to visit with her martian friends! I'll see if I can find a picture to post - it's quite a sight!

Your DD's holiday concert sounded very nice, Colleen! I'm sure that Erin did a wonderful job and that the hand bells sounded beautiful, too - definitely great instruments of the season!

We had a nice first night of Chanukah, last night. Frank managed to beat my father and me home from his work holiday dinner, by about 20 minutes, so we were all able to light the menorah together when my father and I got home. And there were some nice gifts waiting for me on the kitchen table when we got home, too! After my father left, Frank and I relaxed with a bottle of wine and watched a very "critical" episode of our soap opera, on tape - an 8 month long storyline finally wrapped up yesterday, and we had been waiting for months for the "crucial" episode to air! I know - we're very silly!

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