EWP group?

[colleen costello]

Hi everyone. Hope everyone is well and good. Lisa, I owe you an Email and I promise it'll come... I have been so busy at school all week. We had our yearly PTO fundraiser and all week I have been tallying candle orders and counting up checks. As I am no math genius it took the better part of my week. Luckily today we got the last of the orders accounted for. We made over $4000 which is a fortune for a small group of Moms

Lisa, my parents have been driving all sorts of odd routes this week to get where they have to go -- eastern PA is terribly flooded, too. Mom says the worst of it is over by now but I guess the downtown area of Easton, where they live, was well under water. Yikes!

Linda, wish I was coming with you to see "Mama Mia." I LOVE Abba! I guess there is no acounting for taste... I can't resist their cheery pop muzak and I have heard great things about the show. Please let us all know how it goes.

What is this I see about your family replacing WDW with Gatlinburg? Gatlinburg is scenic and there is lots for families but we Disney nuts here know it isn't even in the same LEAGUE as Orlando! Luckily you get enough regular Mickey trips that you'll be able to emjoy Tennessee with your family. I know being with your grands is what floats your boat so you'll have fun no matter WHERE you go!

Lisa, I guess you are our "next member to travel to WDW." It will be so much fun for all of us when you get back and share info and pics. I am still planning to post some pictures but we have been painting so much that the weekends fly by. This Saturday we will paint the family room and then the whole downstairs will be done, at least what I can do. The painter is doing to do the entryway so Scott and I don't fall to our middle-aged deaths from a scaffold. Then I can hang up my brush and roller and get to landscaping and working outside. I won't paint anymore until next fall. Most of the upstairs is minor work anyhow.

Love to all.

 

[IASW Rider]

Hey Everyone!

Hi Colleen! Don't worry about being in touch - I understand - please don't rush - just be in touch when ever you have a chance or are in the mood! I'm all bogged down with my school stuff, anyway!

Lots of good luck with your painting, this weekend - I'm sure that it will all come out wonderfully, as your other rooms have! Are you going to be painting your family room the same color as your living room and / or kitchen? Or are you doing something slightly different, but in the same "theme" / "family" of colors? I'm sure that you will be happy when it's all done, and then you can all admire and enjoy your beautiful "new" downstairs!

You would love "Mama Mia" too, Colleen - I know that Linda will enjoy it! In addition to including all of Abba's biggest hits (and a few of their lesser-known songs, too) in the score, the story is very cute, and there is a surprise at the end, too! It's a fun show - when we saw it in 2003, everyone around us was singing along with the performers! And then during the finale, the cast encourages everyone to get up and dance by their seats! (That was also the case when we saw "Saturday Night Fever" on Broadway in 2000 - the whole audience got up and danced, during the finale!)

Actually, I believe that Elaine might actually be the next Suite mate to head to WDW, if I am not mistaken - I think that she may be going a week or two before Frank and I go. Regardless, I can't believe that our trip is just a little over a month away, and that I'm in the "home stretch" of my semester at school! I have so much to accomplish before we leave that it seems like the next 6 weeks will be never-ending......but I have a feeling that they might just fly by!

Anyway, hope that all is well with all of you and hope that you're all having a great weekend! Talk to you soon!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

I would not think of asking to go along to Gatlinburg. I figure if they wanted me they would ask and since they are going with several other couples it would feel like butting in. I dared with DW cause I just love the place so much and you never know when the last chance to be with my grands there will be. I do not go to their house without being invited either. Was there at Easter so I figure that it is for the year. Some years I have never set foot there. Makes me a bit sad as I would like to be closer to my dd but at least I do get to see my grandkids.

The sale went perfectly yesterday. I sold almost everything I had and I had a truckload and then some. I set up Friday night and sold from 8-1 the next day. Started out slow but then things went nuts and people were throwing money at me. I made a bunch of nice large ladies happy too. I sort of watched the door and when I saw someone of the right size I invited them over to pick through my old clothing (very nice and some quite expensive). One lady could not afford much so I practically gave some items to her. I remember what it was like cause when you are that big you never find things at garage sales and if you do they are usually in pretty bad shape. Made quite a bit toward an AP too. Since I will probably accrue enough rewards for the other that is a big thing. Most important thing is that I cleared out the basement room though.

Lisa, the nicest thing about this group is how laid back and relaxed everyone is. The best friends are the low maintenence kind imho. Sometimes life just catches us up and takes us away for a bit. I did not get to boogie in the aisles at Mama Mia, they were having a collection for the Aids organization that night so maybe that is why. I love surprise endings and that one got me and I am hard to trick. LOL I am so glad we went. Riverdance is on next but I do not think I would enjoy that one as much. There is a production called "Menopause" that looks promising but I am worried about whether I could hear the words well enough. I am sure that all the work you have to do the next few weeks will go quicker because of what is waiting at the end of it. You will sorely deserve that vacation but it will make it all that more special.

Helenabear, I hope you and Luis have a magical time in DW and please post a report when you get back. I know you will have pictures. LOL Do you have anything new planned for this time? I thrive on trying new things each and every trip. For every one I cross out I come up with 2 new ones for the next trip. LOL

Colleen, I am sure glad that you have hired someone to do the high parts as it would be terrible for you two old people to risk your delicate necks. LOL Actually I have hired someone to do a hall for me too. Will be the first time I have ever hired someone to do painting for me. I am a bit nervous cause he made the remark that he was not as 'perfect' a painter as I am. Since he is not too high priced I will deal with it. The walls and ceiling are going to be the same color so I can touch up if need be. I just want nice and clean. Is a basement hallway, upstairs is another story altogether. Have you just about gotten all the rooms done now? Congratulations on the great fund raising. I usually just give a donation as it is cheaper than buying some of the stuff they sell. I have too much stuff as it is. LOL I hope that the PA flooding does not get to the Johnstown stage. Is your parent's home safe? The government finally came in and tore down the downtown part of my hometown after the last flood. Is strange to see now. BTW, I wish you had gone to Mama Mia with me too. I hear that the shows are cheaper in Bloomington (easier for me to drive too) Maybe someday we can go to a show together?

I bought a huge box of children's books yesterday. One lady had a bunch and I asked her to make me a deal after the sale. Only paid $10 for them all and added quite a few to my collection and have many others that I can give to the kids to take home with them. While I was at it I color coded the books to make it easier for the kids to pick books in their reading level. Too easy and they learn nothing, too hard and they get frustrated. I love Accelerated Reading programs!!! One of the books is Abraham Lincoln Jokes - two of Dalton's things!! Strange child. Ummm, wonder where he got it from?? (be kind ladies)

SG/Linda

 

[IASW Rider]

Hey Everyone!

Hi Linda! How are you doing? That's so nice that you found so many great children's books to add to your library / collection! It's so nice that you have them on hand for the children - and that you take the time to divide them into reading levels, as well! You are probably much more efficient than most teachers or librarians are!

And congratulations on the success that you had with your sale, as well! That's great news, and I'm sure that your items did make lots of people happy! It's always satisfying to come across some great finds at garage sales (or flea markets, etc.)!

I hope that your DD does invite you and Tom along, if they decide to go to Gatlinburg. I'm sure that you would all have a good time together, and I'm sure that she knows how much it would mean to you both and to Austin and Dalton to spend some nice vacation time together! Have they decided when they might go? I think that they were originally thinking of this summer?

Glad to hear that you enjoyed "Mama Mia"! I didn't see the surprise at the end of the show coming, either! But I thought that the way that it ended was very nice! I have never seen "Riverdance" or "Lord of the Dance", but Frank has seen both and he really enjoyed them. I have read good things about the NY production of "Menopause: The Musical" - I believe that it's been playing Off-Broadway for awhile, now - but unfortunately, I don't know very much else about it!

As always, not too much to report, here - just plugging away at school stuff! But we and the kitties are fine, the weather is getting nicer, and all of the flowers are in bloom, now, so those are good things!

Hope that all is well with you, Tom, and your family!

And hope that all is well with all of you Ladies, out there!

Have a great day, Everyone!

 

[angelina]

Hi, everyone, I'm just sticking my head in to say hi. I tried to read a couple of pages back, to catch up, but I'm afraid I've been away too long to ever get back in the swing of things. I have a bit of Disney news I thought you all might find interesting. The Black Pearl is ready to cast off this weekend. Actually, Disney imagineers and local shipbuilders are putting the finishing touches on the new ship to be used in the POTC sequels at a shipbuilding facility in Bayou LaBatre, and it's set to leave Saturday for Dominica. My Children are out of school tomorrow and I promised to take them there to try to find it. I don't know how successful we'll be, though. Once they put the tall masts on the ship, it won't be able to come back under the bridge to the upper bayou, so it may not be so easy to find. They've been testing its seaworthiness today.

I will check back with you all later. I hope things are going will with all of you.

Angelina

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Angie, I did not see that you had come to the Suite!! We have missed your smiling face. How are you and yours doing? Are you still catering? Thanks for the info on the pirate ship. Disney is always doing something special. I am surprised that one of your kids will not be steering the ship. Hey, it is not too late, anything might happen, especially to you. LOL

Lisa, I was my plan to be either a teacher or a librarian way back when. I have OCD and I love it. LOL No way I would go to Garlinburg. It is a different kettle of fish. I would slow them down and I would not do that. Dalton took several books home with him to enjoy. He read two of them here this afternoon. There were only 2 in the pile I put aside for him that he did not want. He is reading one about the Golden Spike right now. Two of my sisters have decided to come here rather than have me to drive there (I am grateful) so we are going to have a girl's weekend. Tom will go to visit his brother and since I do not drink anything I will do the driving and we are planning on a comedy club and maybe seeing Menopause. Seems like our kind of play. LOL They can tell me what is going on it I cannot hear. Comes in handy having much younger sisters. LOL Do you guys ever go yard saling? They have a huge one on Route 50, goes through several states. It is fun hunting for bargains but unfortunately I have a good imagination and end up thinking I can use almost everything. LOL I found some bargains at a place nearby that is going out of business. I got the nicest yard things for pennies on the dollar. Two things were metal stands/columns that I am using on my side steps for decoration and also something to help me keep my balance when going up and down the steps. Much needed and pretty too. Hopefully the school work is under control, or nearly so. Do you find it hard to work on your own? I have a feeling the answer is no. It takes a special person to be so dedicated and organized. But then you ARE.

SG/Linda

 

[angelina]

Hi, Guys. I read in this morning's paper that sea trials went well and today the Pearl is being fitted with its masts and sails. We are going to see if we can catch a glimpse of the ship later this morning. At any rate, there is a great article on al.com about the trip out of the bayou yesterday. I wish there were pictures on the website like there are in the paper.

Linda, thanks for the picture! I didn't realize they were so grown up--I guess time really does fly.

I haven't done any catering since Christmas--too stressful on my own and the kids have me busy with baseball,t-ball and basketball. Meg went to state in the free-throw competition and took second place--with a jammed middle finger, too. She's been invited to play on a tournament basketball team, but she already had signed up for softball, and she's one of the pitchers. I don't know if we can pull this off, but we'll try. Basketball is her true love these days.

I've been going to obedience training with our golden retriever, and would like to have hhim certified to be a therapy dog. We could go to childrens' hospitals and nurning homes to visit. He has a wonderful disposition and good temperament,so he may be suited to that kind of work. He's almost 7 months old now, and must be a year to take the test, so we'll keep working.

I'm jealous of all the plays and musicals you all get to see. Lisa, you get to see all the good ones! Did I read that you have another trip coming up? Are you sstaying at the Poly? I love the Kona coffee idea--what a terrific way to keep the vacation memories going! And is Elaine there now? I went to bed last night remembering the spectromagic parade--it's one of my favorite things to see there. I'm hoping to get the soundtrack the next time we're there. No plans right now, but maybe next year, if things work out. I had planned a trip for this summer, but car repairs and a cruise in december(ugh) ate up my savings, so I had to start over.

Linda, what happened to Depply? I thought she'd love to hear about the ship, but didn't see any posts from her in the last 2 or 3 pages I read.

Well, gotta run, the kids are ransacking the kitchen. See you later

Angelina

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Howdy there Angie. Thank you for the update on the Pearl. I am jealous that you are getting to see it first hand but who knows maybe someday. (sigh)

I am not quite sure where the youngsters such as Depply are right now. They stop by when they have the time and it is always awesome to hear what they are up to but being young they are off and about with their own most of the time and us oldsters have to content ourselves with occasional updates. They add so much life to the Suite and are such extraordinary people.

Yes, my boys are growing up so fast. Dalton has turned into a local basketball star. He is a sight to behold. I have a few pics of him in action. Sort of like a mouse in that he fits into small places and sneaks away with the cheese/basketball. He makes a lot of baskets as well but is too much into 3 pointers right now. Got to get him calmed down a bit and more reliable. Austin has a girlfriend and drives everything he can get his hands on. Congratulations to your dd's achievements. Is there anything that gal cannot do? Tell her that I won a volleyball tournament with a broken finger (gotten during the game) once so I am a competitor as well. Amazing what adreneline will get you to do. LOL

When we buy AP's we will go this fall and then twice next year as well so maybe you guys will be there sometime when we are. Would be a dream come true. Please let us know when you get dates set as someone here will surely be there then.

I am driving the pickup to take Tom bowling today as I have to do a lot of garden shopping. Sprng has arrived early here and I am ready to plant. LOL My cutrate buys really add interest to the front gardens. Now that I have a digital camera I can bore you all with photos of my projects. Have to get my hair cut today as well otherwise it will take a bush hog to do it. Find a new purse and my day will be complete. So nice to not have anything more worrisome to worry about today. Tomorrow may be a different story but for today all is well.

SG/Linda

 

[IASW Rider]

Hey Everyone!

Hi Angie!!!!! Great to hear from you!!!!!! Welcome back!!! So glad to see that you stopped by! And so glad to hear that all is well! How is Meghan's finger doing? I hope that it will be feeling much better, soon! She is quite the athlete - it sounds like she does a great job with basketball, and I'm sure that she'll have a great season with her softball team, as well! How is everyone else doing? I think it's a wonderful idea that you might have your puppy certified as a therapy dog! We have some friends who have their pit bull (believe it or not) certified as a therapy dog, and they love visiting the patients at hospitals and residents in senior centers and seeing how happy their doggie's visits make them! And your dog is so pretty, too! It's so neat that the PoC ship was so close by - I will have to check out the web site when I am finished posting here!

We are heading back to WDW - exactly one month from today, in fact! We are doing the exact same thing that we did last year - we'll be spending 4 days at Port Orleans Riverside and then 3 days on the Disney Wonder in the Bahamas - can't wait! Of course we will go over and visit the Poly, though - and have dinner in 'Ohana and breakfast in the Kona Cafe! We do miss staying there, but we do the cruise as a land / sea package, and it's much more affordable to stay in a Moderate resort (and the corresponding stateroom "category" on the ship") than to do the package with a Deluxe resort. In the mean time, we really enjoyed staying in POR last year, and we're looking forward to staying there again, this year! And yes - it's great to be able to have coffee from the Kona Cafe delivered right to your door! If you're interested in doing the same, I will give you the "super secret direct telephone number" of the Kona Coffee Bar, so that you can order some over the phone!

Hi Linda! If what you've done in your garden and around your yards in the past years is any indication of what you're planning for this spring, I'm sure that the areas around your home are going to look just beautiful! You will have to take pictures with your new digital camera and send them to us so that we can see your great work! It's so nice that your sisters are coming to visit - I'll bet that you will all have a great time together! You'll have to give us your review of "Menopause", too! You should get your basketball star together with Angie's basketball star - maybe our athletic younger Suite-mates could coach them and give them tips, and then they can all start an all-star team!

We don't see too many yard sales right around our immediate area, but it is fun to go to flea markets and craft sales, etc.! I love finding good buys, too - I feel so "accomplished" if I can find a good deal on something, like that - or if I can find something very rare that is not easily found anywhere else!

As for doing school work alone, I actually prefer it. As much as I love people and being around others, when it comes to any sort of work, I have always been a bit of a "loner" ("only child thing", I guess! ). I always like to feel fully responsible for whatever I do - good or bad - and I don't like relying on other people, when it comes to either professional work or something for which I will receive a grade. So I am perfectly happy on my own!

Well, the first draft of my fast food / obesity project is just about done..........even though I recently realized that I may need to re-work a big part of it. It's just a hypothetical program - not one that will actually be "produced" - the professor just wants to see that we are applying learning theories correctly and can structure a health education program properly. My "problem" is that I have most of my recruiting coming from a Weight Watchers membership.........and then realized that there would be no truly valid way to assess the success of my program if I did.........because there would be no way to say that the participants lost weight as the result of my program, since most of them would be on Weight Watchers, anyway! Oh well - back to the drawing board! Actually, I might just leave it the way it is and see what the professor has to say.........this is just the first draft.........she will review it this week and then the final draft is due at the beginning of May. In the mean time, while working on that, this weekend, I also have an epidemiology test to study for, too. UGH.

Frank is going to his mother's to celebrate her birthday, this weekend, and is leaving straight from work today, so I won't see him again until Sunday. I would have gone with him, but I just have too much work to do. It will be nice to have a quiet weekend, anyway! I will rent some "chick flicks" that Frank wouldn't be interested in (so that I have a chance to see them while he is away) to entertain myself during the evenings!

Anyway, hope that all is well with all of you! Hope that you all have a great weekend!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Lisa, I hear you on liking to work on your own. Guess mine started in HS when I was appointed to a committee to make the prom decorations. Guess who ended up making every single rose? That is when I learned that it was easier to work alone. I wasted a lot of time trying to get the other organized and present to work. When that failed I just sighed and set out on my task. Took me most of a semester but was a well earned lesson. Bet I could still make those darned roses. LOL I am VP of every organization I belong to. Fits me well, I just fill in where I am needed and am not in charge of anything. Love it. LOL

I fear your assessment of your project is true, in that your chosen focus group would not give you an accurate view of what you are attempting to prove. Would you happen to have access to a work group (as they are the most frequent fast food buyers) or is this all just on paper and not actual? I seldom, if ever, take a survey or report seriously cause it matters so much who is commissioning it and their pov. Wendy's and other restaurants have started offering some healthy items but the things that are on sale are always the worst things you can buy, the sliced apples at McD being the exception. If you think of it the most healthy foods that you can eat are more easily acquired at a grocery store, and for much less than a restaurant. I often stop at a grocery when we are vacation and pick up things for meals. Fruit, yogurt and such.

I fear it would not work for Angie's daughter and my grandson to play on a team together as he is already enamoured of her picture and is easily distracted by beauty. LOL I pray that he will be able to avoid getting married until he is at least graduated from HS. He has given me much to worry about in that area. (sigh)

Clean house day today and have been getting a bit of outside work done as well. The front is mostly done and now I have to start down the alley. Oh joy!! If I had gotten the mulching done last fall things would be much easier but I had a DW trip planned and we had an early winter. Excuses, excuses. I am currently trying to plot ways to cut down on the yard chores. Have gone to fake plants for the front porch. (lazy me)

Enjoy your weekend. It is wonderful that Frank is so attentive to his mom and that you are comfortable with it. Unfortunately some couples do not know how important families are. What chick flicks are you looking forward to? I am watching a lot more movies since our local video outlet has offered rentals for only a $1. Almost any movie is worth that and it it is only a five minute walk to return or pick up. I have it made.

SG/Linda

 

[IASW Rider]

Hello Everyone!

Hi Linda! How are you doing? And how is that landscaping coming along?

Yes, my project is just "hypothetical" - it's not an actual program that will be held or offered to real people. But I did want to make it as authentic as possible. My professor is away this weekend, but my teaching assistant e-mailed back to me (after I inquired of both of them whether I need to totally re-work the paper) and said that while in "real life" recruiting from Weight Watchers might be an issue (in terms of eventually evaluating the success of my program), for the purposes of this project, I could probably leave it as is. I figure that if the professor e-mails back to me and tells me that it would be better that I change it, I will do so. Aside from that, I'll just leave it alone. I think that the real purpose of this project is to demonstrate that we can put the concepts and theories that we've learned this semester to practical, contextual use - rather than actually creating programs that will actually be used, using statistical measures to test their validity, etc..........that will come in later classes for me, though! So I'm putting that project aside for now and am concentrating on studying for the test that I will have in the other class, on Monday night. Sorry - pretty boring stuff!

I rented "Closer" last night - very good film, excellent performances, but it was very hard to sympathize with any of the characters, since they all seemed heartless and despicable in their own ways. But the 4 lead actors were fantastic. I also rented "Garden State" which was a bit odd, but entertaining. Frank and I rented "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" before he left for the weekend - another interesting, but strange film - with very good performances by Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet.

Anyway, back to the books! Hope that all is well with you, Tom, and your family!

And hope that all is well with all of you, out there! Have a great weekend, Everyone!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Hi there Lisa!

Been spending time digging holes around here. I have a supply of free dirt for the digging and I have been making liberal use of it. Goes against this country gal's nature to pay for dirt. LOL

Yes, your project sounds like a lot more fun than studying for a test. Having a faulty memory I used to type my textbook pages. Somehow the very nature of typing the information seemed to install into my hard memory better than just plain reading it. As much as I love to read you would think it would be different but it is not. I always play with my new gadgets before reading the instruction manual, if in fact I ever do read it. Only in dire circumstances. LOL

Garden State is the only movie that you mentioned that I have ever heard of. I will have to see if I can find the others. I saw a copy of Jersey Girl the other day and thought of you. I like the stereotype that goes along with being a Jersey Girl, attitude and smart. Not sure that you have much attitude though as you are just too darned sweet but if you hang around with me a bit longer I can fix that.

It is beautiful around here and Colleen and I are planning another get together. Think we can talk Becki into joining us? Sort of a mini Suite Meet.

SG/Linda

 

[twinscandc]

Hello Everyone!!

I'm so sorry that I have been "around" lately!! Work is really crazy right now - I'm probably working about 50 hours/week - just crazy!! I went to a awesome Woman's conference (Woman of Faith) this weekend in Columbus, Ohio with some ladies for our church! We had a great time. The speakers were fantastic as well as the music, etc. I'm just a little tired this morning!

How is everyone? Slighty Goofy....I've been meaning to give you a call when in your little neck of the woods....I'm there just about everyday now because my client is really struggling (home issues, substance use, etc.) I'm sorry that I haven't gotten touch with you. There is just not enough hours in the day!! I would really like to see how your landscape adventures are coming!!

The mini suite meet sounds good!! Maybe we could meet in Nashville and do lunch or something!! Just let me know!

Besides working a lot of hours, we are very busy with the girls....They just ended their Basketball season and now we are starting Softball. Of course, Mark and I want to be involved, so somehow we always end up coaching their teams!! I'm playing Softball myself on Wednesday nights and Volleyball on Tuesday nights. I'm very athletic and love the excercise (although, by my waist line you wouldn't be able to tell!! - I also love food!!) You're probably figuring out why I'm so busy!!

We are looking forward to our trip to the most magical place on earth!! Can't wait!! We leave in 35 days!!! By that time, I'm probably going to collapse when we get on that airplane!! Mark and I are going to surprise the girls by renting a convertible while down there!! Should be a great time!! I'll try to get on the internet at some point and post about our trip!!

Hope everyone is doing well....I've been reading along on this post and I'm really jealous of Rider going on her cruise!! We love DCL!! Only been one time, but would love to go again!!

Take care everyone and have a terrific Monday!!

twinscandc/aka: Becki

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Becki, never you fear. This is a laid back kind of place and you jest come and go as the mood hits. Life gets in the way and especially when you are doing such important work as you do, your family AND taking care of other families. I admire people who do such work. I have to confess that I would be terrified of your job. Fear comes from ignorance and even though I grew up in the 60's I have no experience with drugs. My father was a hypocondriac and so I have had an adversion to any medication, legal or otherwise. Too much going on in our area about meth and such and since my two grandsons live on a farm and my other ones lives in a very bad part of the area I am always worried. If you ever come across a child that goes to the Community Center you could tell them that I am there to help them with any school work or whatever. Sometimes just having someone pay attention to you and let you know that you are important is enough to change a life. I know, I was that child once.

If you ever want to come by please feel free. Will have to take me as I am since I am not very fancy and sometimes look downright grungy. I have so many flower beds that I have to work in the yard almost every day and even then I do not keep them as I would like. Going to kill weeds today. Hope it does not rain and ruin my efforts. I tend to care for those spots I can see rather than those others can see. LOL I fixed up the inside of the house long before I got to the outside. I am so selfish. (smile)

I bet my sister, who lives in Columbus, Ohio, might have been at the Woman of Faith thing. I think my daughter was to have gome to something there but have not heard more. If you ever go again please let me know and maybe Nellie can give you a guided tour of the town. She is that kind of lady. If you ever see a puppet program from the Hope Baptist, check out the tall boy, he is my grandson. They give programs at the local churches. If you have not had them at yours you might consider it. They are very good. Austin is joining the Purity Club this weekend. I think that is a great idea, if the kids join of their own free will. Does not work otherwise but it is always good to strive for perfection, in all things. He is so good looking and popular with the girls that I pray that he does not get serious, married or anything until he is mature enough to make the right decsions. He is also sweet and that is a horrible combination. LOL

I love volleyball and have several trophies. I weighed about 350 when I played so I had to have some kind of talent. I taught myself to serve to point by using a hula hoop. Worked pretty good. I sure was not able to slide along the floor going after balls like some. LOL It is so good that you guys are involved with the girls sports teams.

They have some good bargains on DCL later in the year. I am considering adding a 3-4 night cruise to our November vacation. I cannot plan such too far in advance so we shall see. If it is meant to be, it will be.

I hope the girls do not have the same problem with the convertible as our son did. He was convinced that when the top went up it was going to 'eat' him. LOL He was scared of the dinosaur exhibit at the Children's Museum as well. He is 6 fioot 5 and over 300 pounds now LOL

Bet the girls are excited and ready for the trip. Any new things you are planning on trying this time? Old favorites and new things are what I look forward to.

Your friend, Linda aka Slightly Goofy ak The Reading Lady

 

[twinscandc]

Thanks Slightly Goofy (and eveyone else) for being understanding!! I get here when I can, but it's good to know that you guys are always a click away.

Had a rough day in court today. Very emotional for my client. I felt so bad for her. She is 14 years old and lives with her mom. Her dad lives near Cincinnati and doesn't have much to do with her, but whenever there is a court hearing for her, he tries to march in on his "white horse" and try to save the day, saying all these things about her, etc. It's so hard for her. Then, after the hearing is over, he leaves without much of a goodbye. I'd like to strangle him!!

Linda, it is so cool that you have played Volleyball. It is truely my favorite sport. I played all through High School and then got a (small) scholarship to play in college. I hope to be playing until the day I can no longer get out of bed. It's sounds as if we have several athletes (or parents of athletes) around this suite!!

Rider - I love doing research for projects such as yours. I think it's so interesting to study people's behavior and choices, etc. What is your course of study?

I've got to get going.....more court tomorrow. I don't think tomorrow will be as bad as today! Atleast I hope not!!

Have a great day!

Twinscandc aka: Becki

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Good morning Becki

It is indeed a small world but then when you live in a small community like we do it is much easier to be done. Pastor Tim went to school with my sil. He seems very nice. Even though I could not join the church, would have been convenient, the people are nice. I have many friends who have been members all their lives. If I see him I will tell him hi from you.

I liked volleyball cause I am nearsighted and cannot do the sports that involve smaller equipment.

My heart goes out to that girl. Do you use the child advocates in your cases? It is something I would have loved to do but Tom would have a cat fit. He gets upset enough at me volunteering at the Community Center. I have a step daughter, near my age, and she is a constant worry. My dh once told me that it could not be his fault as he had not had anything to do with her until she was in her 30's. (sigh) Bet that jerk from Cincinnati thinks his poor daughters problems are all the fault of the mother since she is the one raising her. When you are abused as a child you have a high probability of marrying someone who will abuse you, is what you are used to. I fell into that trap when I was young but for the sake of my child I got out of it. There is one little girl at the CC who casually told me one day "I have a picture of my mommy. It was taken before she died. ***** killed my mommy". I pray that ****** was not also this child's father. Small comfort. There is so much sadness in the world that sometimes we forget that there is much more happiness. I bet that you and I know a lot of the same children. So many wander the streets, day after day, just looking for a bit of attention. I am so glad that I am a fat grandma and can get away with giving it to them. There are a group of boys who skateboard at the church next door and they are constanting being chased away. They do not bother me. Looks like fun. I know that the church cannot but worry about a possible lawsuit if one of them were hurt. Things we so much simplier when mine were growing up. There were so many more places for them to go and things for them to do.

I am not sure when the new church is going to be started. My sil says this year but I know that money is hard to come by just now. If it is meant to be it will be. If you have my grandson's puppet group at your church I will probably be there also. He likes it when I show up at his activities.

I am going to send you a pm so that you can tell me the church so I will know.

See you in a bit.

SG/Linda

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

I thought I would stop by the Suite and let you all know that there will be a Mini Meet of the Suite on Monday at noon. Becki is coming by for lunch. Would be a dream come true if Colleen could come too but that would probably be too good to be true. We will all have to plan a Brown County meet as that is about half way between us all. All of the meets in the Suite have all been of only two of us at a time but someday we will manage a bigger one, I hope, I hope. LOL

Slightly Goofy

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Today was a red letter day! We had a mini meet between myself, SG and twinscandc, Becki at my home. It was so nice of her to take the time out of her busy day to come by. Before she got here my grandson, Dalton, wanted to know who she was and I told him a bit about her. When I got to what she does for a living (helping troubled families) he smiled and said "Oh, like Mary Poppins"! Yes, just like. LOL

She brought me a garden rock with a frog on it (how did she know I collect frogs?) and an adorable garden stake that I decided was far too pretty to trust to the elements so it is residing comfortably in my favorite plant. Dalton was gifted also and enjoyed playing with the tiny additions to his playset. Thank you Becki but please do not feel like you have to bring anything other than yourself when you come by, and I hope you do so often.

Becki brought a photo album of their last Disney vacation. Such a beautiful family she has and it was fun seeing them react to all the characters.

It is so funny all the similarities that we are finding in our lives. We are even doing the same kind of diet so lunch was easy to whomp up. I hope she did not get offended by my casual attire as I only wear shoes on formal occasions and when I drive. You can take the hick out of the country but you cannot take the country out of the hick. LOL

Special thanks to the men in my life,my dh who allowed us to talk (being hard of hearing it is extremely hard for me to follow a conversation with more than one person) and then my small grandson who played all by himself for an hour. Since he is usually to be found on my lap or at least nearby it was a great gift from him. I spoiled them this afternoon in thanks. Tom is sitting in the kitchen enjoying a big bowl of rice pudding, one of his favorites (made from scratch). All is well in my world.

Slightly Goofy/Linda

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Everyone!

Hi Linda and Becki!

So sorry that I missed so many of your posts! And glad to hear that you both had a nice time together, yesterday! It's so nice that you both had a chance to get together and spend some time, catching up in person! I always say that one of these years, we will have a full Suite Meet.........of course the ultimate place for us all to meet would be WDW (so that we could watch the EWP together!)........but if that can't be arranged, I say that the Suite Meet should be somewhere near where you all live, since Colleen is also close by and Elaine isn't too far away, either!

How have you all been doing? Glad to hear that all is well with your little ladies, Becki, and your little gentlemen, Linda!

I was also a volleyball player - in high school - I was even Varsity and JV captain, "back in the day", and I went to Olympic Volleyball camp, too, believe it or not! I haven't had a chance to play in awhile - I joke that I only play sports with nets - volleyball, tennis, etc.! But it was always fun!

I didn't realize that you had a WDW trip coming up so soon, Becki! Where will you all be staying? On what date are you actually leaving? The convertible sounds great - you will have to take lots of pictures! I have a feeling that Elaine is getting ready to leave on a WDW trip, very soon - next week, if I am remembering correctly?

We have a little less than 3 weeks to go, ourselves! I just have to get through any revisions to my final project that my Health Ed. professor wants me to make, my final exam in Epi, and then I am free to think only about our trip! (By then it will be time to start packing, since my exam is 6 days before we leave! )

I just started a Masters of Public Health program, Becki - concentrating in Health Education. I'd eventually like to design diabetes prevention / nutrition education programs, or write for a nutrition education publication. I'm just finishing my first semester, now - will take classes straight through the summer, into the fall - I have a ways to go, but I am enjoying it, so far!

Your work sounds so interesting! But I can imagine - as you said - that some of the people with whom you come in contact and some of the situations that you see and deal with can be upsetting, emotionally affecting, etc., which can be difficult. Still, it must be so rewarding and satisfying, as well!

How is everything going out there, Linda? How are all of your gardening projects coming along? You definitely have to take some pictures with your new digital camera and send them to us, so that we can see how beautiful your gardens look, when you are all finished! What else has been new, out there? I feel badly that I am only now catching up on your news of the past week or 2!

This is the first time that I have been on the Boards in a little over a week - first I was scrambling to finish the first draft of that Health Ed. project, then I had to quickly finish shopping and start getting things ready for Passover, which we celebrated on Saturday and Sunday nights. Passover has always been my favorite holiday - since it falls in the spring, when things are just starting to turn green and pretty, and since there are so many fun songs to sing and neat foods to eat! We had very small Seders (dinners) - just Frank, my father, my uncle, and me (and my uncle wasn't feeling well enough to come back on the second night - his Parkinson's is making him more and more uncomfortable - so that night it was just the 3 of us). But they were nice, and the dinners came out well, so I was relieved and happy!

Now I have a relatively quiet week - had my last Epi. lecture last night (all about infectious diseases - which is what I thought the majority of the subject matter in that class would deal with, all along! I was wrong - the majority of the subject matter dealt with different study designs and statistical measures of disease prevalence, efficacy of treatments and screening tests, etc.), and just listening to my classmates' oral presentations in Health Ed. tomorrow night (since I "got mine over with" last week - yea! ). Then I will start studying for that last exam!

That's about all the "excitement" from the Garden State! Hope that all is well with all of you and hope that you're all having a nice week! Take care.

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Everyone!

Just wanted to wish you all a nice weekend, in case I don't get to stop by again, for a few days!

Not too much to report from the North East, today - Frank is off, today, I'm having my car serviced (of course it's just a standard oil change appointment........but they found $780 worth of other things to fix......), and we're going to see "Sahara", this afternoon. Got the first draft of my BIG PROJECT back, last night, and got a perfect score on it - so I'm "batting 1000" in that class - perfect scores on everything, so far......I just hope that I don't mess up my "record" with the final draft of this Health Ed. program!

To continue with the baseball "theme", we just got some NY Mets tickets for the first of many games we hope to see, this season. Even though Flushing is a bit of a trek for us (really only 40 miles away, but there is always traffic and construction getting from here to Queens), I've always loved going out to Shea Stadium. Besides, then we can visit the World's Fair Grounds, again - the birthplace of IASW!

Hope that all is well with all of you! And hope that everything is all right with your computer, Linda! (May I ask - what do you think was / is the issue with it? I hope that it's not "Dell-related"........I was so nervous about getting a Dell when we got our new computer in January, because I had heard some stories about various issues that people have had with them........so far so good with ours.......I hope that yours is OK, too!)

Take care and talk to you soon!