EWP group?

[SlightlyGoofy]

It is so painful to incur an expected expense but those ones that sneak up on us are the hardest. There is always something more fun we could have spent the money on. I hope that fixes your car for a long time, Lisa. That is why I buy Camry's. In over twenty years of having them (3 so far) I have only had one non maintenance repair and that was when Tom broke the door handle. Oops, forgot the $50 when the cheap oil place broke something. If I won the lottery I would buy another Camry. Have to confess I did something stupid the other day. I had an extremely busy day Tuesday and when it was time to pick Tom up from bowling to take him to his banquet I was worn out so I decided to take a break, recline the seat and read some magazines a friend had given me instead of going inside to wait for him. I have automatic lights on the car but they do NOT work unless you open the door to exit the car. Luckily there were two knights in white armour equipped with jumper cables who saved my bacon. I had dropped my AAA since they had moved the office so far away and $160 a year is just too darn much for those of us who keep our vehicles in good condtion IMHO. I am going to bake the guys a lemon meringue pie to take next week.

100%. I knew you were worrying about nothing. Now don't cha stress yourself out too much over trying to keep up those standards though. You are so darned good at so many things that trying to be perfect all at of them could take away from a lot of the fun you have in you too. I am proud of you though. I know that you work hard. Does Frank sign your report cards?

I thought maybe I had a virus but I have been scanning all day long and cannot come up with any problems in that area. I am not able to save my info to a disk either and cannot find a restore point either. I had it set for every so often and since I had only had to use it once had not been paying much attention to it. I had read that some Dell 4700's had an issue but I think that has been fixed. Dell always comes out the highest with Consumer Reports so that is what I have been looking to buy when I get a new one. I missed a great deal last week that someone posted on the Boards but I got there a bit too late, through my own fault. Everything just seems unstable. I can shut it down and most of the time it will all come up alright but sometimes it does not. I will keep playing with it. One good thing about today's computers is that they have several ways to do most everything and common sense does miracles.

I had a moment the other day. After I dropped Tom off at his banquet I drove for a bit to get the battery back up and then came back to the church. I was kind of all aflutter because I do not do stuff like that often and was feeling badly about it so I did not eat anything and since I could not hear much of anything I just looked around the room. Right in front of me was a beautiful quilt. I was drawn to a pink square as it is my favorite color and discovered that different families had made their own squares for the quilt. Great idea! Just above the pink square was a blue one with a tiny Noah's ar on it. I looked at for a bit before I discovered that it was twinscandc's family square!! She says she chose the Noah's Ark cause God was sending her children, two by two. LOL

I just bet that many of our other members were volleyball players as well. I would be the only one people might not think was. I used a hula hoop to teach myself to serve to a specific opposing player so that I would be welcome on a team since I was surely not going to be sliding across the floor, on purpose.

I just love the effort you put into the seders and such with your family. They sound so lovely and loving. Does your uncle have someone staying with him now? It is wonderful that he was able to be there for at least one night.

Statistics would not be my thing. I have trouble relating to numbers that are not personally relevant. Has been my curse in school. I could never do what you are doing. Am glad someone is though.

It is drizzling rain here today so I have been weeding gardens, It is easier that way. I have a lot of bulbs to plant too. One of my credit card companies gave me $20 just to use my card this week and then the hardware sent me a $10 gift certificate so I spent it all on flowers. Wish someone would send me a certificate to plant them. (greedy are I not?)

Three weeks to go until you are there. I am wondering if your trip and Becki's might not overlap? We did not need many snow days this year so it should be out early. When she gets back maybe we can get together with Colleen and have the largest Suite Meet in our history. Can't let you and Lauralee have all the fun.

SG/Linda

 

[colleen costello]

Hi all! Linda, I was thinking of you today. Our fundraiser candles were delivered to Erin's school and the lady who helped us said "Well, I am off to Hope next." I was laughing at what a "small world" it indeed is. Told her I have a pal there, who knows lots of schoolkids thru her grands... Surely Hope is not so big as to have more than 1 elementary school? These are wonderful candles and you may well have been solicited if they are what your local school sold. We were happy with our profit and our now planning our big end-of-the-year carnival.

I have been calling DVC member services every day, making Priority Seatings for our July trip (nice DVC perk). I am caving into my obsessive compulsive tendencies and "double-booking." I am making reservations for lunch AND dinner most days (at the same place), as not sure which we will use. I have general plans but not TOO specific... So far the DVC ladies have said this is fine, but I have a bit of guilt... I suppose as long as I call to cancel whichever one we WON'T use on any given day, I won't go to PS Purgatory. I just get so anxious trying to plan for all contingencies, The problem is the darn weather -- I can't control it! I can look at maps, menus, charts, and reviews but the doggone weather can still cause me to get a late start or cancel an evening... Maybe Mickey needs to put the whole place under a giant dome?

School is getting crazy as it always does in the last weeks. Lots of field trips, field days, special events. It is a flurry of activity and I run around like a crazy chicken-woman, from school to school. Often I find two things conflict and I am sent into a dizzing panic of Mommy-guilt, wondering which kid I should acommodate on the given day. Thank goodness I only have two children!

I received today the wedding invitation for the "Big Jersey Wedding" we will attend in June. This trip is turning into a huge pain, costing a fortune in clothes and gifts and travel. It has me downright cranky! The truth is (and Linda will back me up here) that Hoosiers are a very casual bunch, and I have grown lazy. The kind of outfit that counts as "dressy enough for a wedding" in Indiana is not even close to what that means in Eastern NJ... So I have a sick feeling that my little family is going to look likea bunch of bumpkins off the onion cart, despite my shopping and spending. I keep picturing us walking into a roomful of Carmella Sopranos, with beaded gowns, gigantic hair and long (fake) nails! Honestly I am not even sure where I COULD purchase the right kind of outfit for this extravaganza, certainly not here in Bloomington. Rest assured that I will show up as promised, however, because this whole silly affair is affording me a wonderful opportunity: I am going ot meet Lisa! We are going to get together and carry on and talk Mickey for hours. I have warned her that if she drags poor Frank along, he may not know what hit him. My Mom wants to come to, and I just can't wait. I keep telling myself that all the grief of travel with the kiddos will be worth it for an afternoon with the Rossellos!

Hope all is well with everyone. We have a birthday party at the skating rink tomorrow, then -- what else? -- more painting!

Love to all.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Hi there Colleen! I had to smile at your description of Indiana as laid back. Shure is and I am darned lucky it is cause I shure aint't too darned fancy. I even entertained Becki in my bare feet. Hick that I are. LOL I have a sil from NJ and she dresses a bit differently than I do but then Lisa is always so understated and elegant. Does not pay to generalize I guess. LOL I was blessed to have had a mil who took me aside and taught me that less is more but I fear I took it a bit too far. I bet you will look wonderful in whatever you decide to wear and I somehow do not think you will let others determine what is right for YOU.

Making plans is almost, not quite, but almost the best part of the trip. By making plans we can live and relive our trips. I recently made a slide show of my Disney photos to use for a screen saver and I so enjoy seeing my favorite places flash by. Are you planning to eat at any new places this time?

Yes, we have but one elementary and one high school with grades K-2 up the road a bit. I think I was asked about the candles but I just do not buy overpriced things. I often give a donation and they can use 100% of the proceeds. We had an auction here one time that I liked. It was for the HS students though. They auctioned off their services for a day. Great way to make money IMHO. Works in this small town though since everyone knows everyone. You would not want your child off at some strangers home.

A dear friend of mine died yesterday. It was the Trivia Master who headed the group I have belonged to for the past few years. He will be sorely missed and my brain will probably atrophy from lack of use.

Never fear about Frank, he can hold his own just fine. He is a bit quiet but it is the intelligent kind of quiet where he is scoping out the situation and since he had the great taste to marry Lisa you just know that he has a great sense of humor as well as a sense of adventure. They are the nicest couple in the world and you will have a fantastic time cause you are no slouch yourself.

SG/Linda

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Everyone!

Hi Linda and Colleen!

So sorry that I had not been able to stop in sooner! And thank you both so much for your wonderful words - you both are too kind!

First of all, Colleen, I must reiterate that you and your family are going to look fantastic at that wedding and will put all of the Jersey folks to shame! I'm sure that you will all have a great time! And we can't wait to meet you, too!

We've been thinking about you and Tom, Linda, as we think about our upcoming annual-first-night-dinner at 'Ohana! We will miss you both being there with us, sharing the endless parade of meats-on-skewers, and seeing the EWP with you, too! We will be thinking of you!

As for entertaining in your bare feet, I rarely wear shoes or socks around the house, unless it's really cold - I am barefoot most of the time - any entertaining I do is probably done in bare feet, and I don't even realize it!

That's a great idea about making a donation to a school so that they will receive 100% of the proceeds, Linda! We just got a fundraiser in the mail from the 7 year old son of some friends of ours, asking us to subscribe to magazines to benefit his school. We certainly want to help out........but between Frank and me, we already subscribe to at least 15 different magazines, and with school we find that we have to "struggle" to keep up with them all (and hate giving them away without reading them)! Maybe I will offer to make a donation, instead of getting another magazine subscription that we don't need.

As always, I agree with you that planning a WDW trip is half the fun! I love hearing about all of the PS's that Colleen is making for her upcoming summer trip - it helps us get psyched for our trip, which is now just 13 days away - woo hoo!

Uh oh - I just noticed the time - time to run to my very last class of the semester (actually just a review for the final), before final exams! Sorry to end this so abruptly! Hope that all is well with you both and your families! And thanks so much again for all of your thoughtful and wonderful words!

And hope that all is well with the rest of you fellow Suite Mates out there, too! Talk to you soon!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Dear Lisa, of all the souveniers I bring back from DW the most precious are the memories and the people we spent time with. Our time together ranks right up there as the best. Hopefully we will be able to replicate it someday soon.

I should have figured you for a barefooter. I yam what I yam and all. No sense in trying to be anything else.

The schools are sorely pressed for money in this economy and they need all the help they can get. I used to subscribe to National Geographic World for two teachers but they have since retired. It is amazing the money that teachers have to pay out of their pockets in order to give the kids things they need. Sometimes even buying a warm coat for kids or shoes. Our PTO gives each teacher a stipend to be used as they see fit each year. I do not like the fund raisers around here where the kids go door to door and in big cities and areas it would be even more fearful. I do not know the answer. Actually I do have a few thoughts but will not get into it here.

The kids at the Community Center have been meeting at the local playground since the renovation has started on their building. I think I will take my carload of books down to the playground tomorrow and see if anyone wants to read down there. Might be a nice change of scenery. Only having a half day of school tomorrow so Dalton will be coming. His 8th birthday is this weekend so he has a busy time ahead of him. He wanted the Lego Police Set but it will not come in until next week, unless a miracle happens.

I came straight from town and went to a mother daughter banquet this evening. I picked up a dear friend and took her with me. She and her husband are up in years and getting awfully fragile so I think she enjoyed being out and about a bit. I enjoyed spending time with her too. She is a sweetheart. Only bad thing I can say about her is that she makes the most delicious homemade chocolate concoctions. Scary. LOL

Might I ask how far you live from the school? I get a sense that it is not very far as you always seem to be dashing off there. How many hours do you have to attend each week. I hope you enjoyed your last class and are now busy doing the important things of life, planning your upcoming trip.

I'm agoin' to be dreaming of giant seasoned shrimps tonight. Best I ever had and I have had a lot of shrimp in my life.

Good night Suite Ladies, SG/Linda

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Am I the only one who has noticed a slight lapse in service around the Suite? Just small things such as a tad bit of dust in the corners, our meals are not appearing quite as quickly and such. At first I just thought that maybe spring fever had hit and the fellers were getting out into the parks a bit more than they had been but last night it hit me.

I was watching American Idol when I realized that there was a familar face on the screen. I had not noticed before because he always wore his hair differently around here. Who knew that our dear Bodacious's last name was Bice?

Now I am a doddering old lady and am not prone to notice men the age of my son, sort of a thing of mine, but I gotta root for Bo's to win the contest even though he might not be available for the Suite anymore. I am hoping it is his talent and personality I am attracted to.

SG/Linda

 

[colleen costello]

Hi All! I had a very exciting Disney day today! I got up this morning and called the reservation line, and lo and behold! The AP rates were out for late summer. I scored 5 nights at Port Orleans French Quarter, the only Mod we have yet to try. The rate was $99 per night so my balance when I get down there will be under $400. Pretty good deal! I also discovered that since FQ no longer has a sit-down restaurant, my Disney Dining Card will get me 20% off at their food court! Sounds good to me... The kids are happy about trying out the "serpent" slide. Erin has wanted to go there since seeing a picture of the beast a few years back. So we'll have 5 nights at FQ then 6 at Beach Club Villas. I am very excited about having a trip so long that it puts me up in the category of Linda and Tom's "mega-stays!"

I called back later as I have been doing every day for the past week... Been making Priority Seatings one day at a time. Today they informed me they are no longer Priority Seatings! For the life of me I can't recall what they are calling them now but this new change in lingo is surely big news...Tomorrow when I call again I will WRITE DOWN what the new term is and we can all memorize it.. Meanwhile I made a seating for Chef Mickey's for TWELVE... God help the waitress! It will be my family of 4 plus my parents, my friend John and his wife and 2 daughters plus his parents (who live in The Villages like Linda's pal and are a walking commercial for the joys of Florida retirement, according to John). I can just IMAGINE the roar of the 12 of us, catching up and carrying on. It should be a lot of fun.

So that's all. Still busy at school every day with various trips and events and programs. The last month is always crazy. Hope all is well with everyone in the Suite. Lisa, I will Email you ASAP!

xoxo

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Colleen, you will be making 'advance reservations' now. I know many used to misunderstand what Priority Reservations were and got upset when they had some waiting time with PR. DW's reservations are really more like when you call ahead to some restaurants. You do not go right in but are seated in the order that you arrive. LOL

POR? That is my favorite resort that we have stayed at. I think you will absolutely love it. It is also so romantic there and is small enough that you and your hubby could take a small stroll when the kids are asleep. I know you are like me and would not want to be out of room sight but just being outside of the room after spending several days cooped up together can be a Godsend. LOL Back when we used to stay there they had a sit down restaurant too and it was better than most of the deluxes IMO. I hope they still have the piano player in the evenings. It is a most delightful way to wind down the day. My grands are bound and determined that they want to stay there someday for the pool slide. I took them over for a tour once and they fell in love with the place. I am so happy for you and you got a great price too. The lowest I have seen is $74 but $99 right now is super and I would not want certain things to happen again that would make the bottom dollar prices necessary again. Even I am NOT that cheap. Make sure to have some beignets for breakfast at least one morning. Boatwright's used to be one our favorites but alas, no more. You can even take the boat over to DTD in the evenings. The bus service is great also. You done good gal!!!

I wonder if you guys are going to be at Chef Mickey's the same night that my friend who runs the Community Center is. She will be there Memorial Day weekend for a three day trip, her first. Poor dear. I am trying to tell her not to judge possible future trips by this one. Her sister is getting married there. The waitstaff at DW is well able to handle your party. They have far worse things to handle than a bunch of fun loving Disney fans. LOL

My friend from The Villages just got home a couple of weeks ago and is now in the process of taking down her Christmas tree. Since she is even more Disney nuts than you all are, hard to believe isn't it??, she has literally hundreds of tiny Disney ornaments to carefully pack away. Must be a bit surreal.

BTW, you only have to add 11 days to your trip to match our personal best. I am thinking 14 next trip, we shall see. Gotta see the performers schedule for the F&W shows first. I am grateful that there was no one I really cared about on the F&G schedule as I had seen them all.

Looking forward to a get together with you after you get rested up from your trip. Lotsa pictures to look at too.

Love, SG/Linda

 

[IASW Rider]

Hey Everyone!

Hi Linda and Colleen!

Linda - fear not - Boatwright's is still there! (At least it had better be, because we are planning to eat there in less than 2 weeks! ) It's the sit down restaurant in French Quarter (I can't recall its name) that closed. I think it's sort of strange that there is only one sit down restaurant for such a huge resort (if you count French Quarter and Riverside as "one resort"), but at least each one does have its own food court! And the piano player is definitely still at Riverside in the lounge - you can hear him while you're eating dinner in Boatwright's too!

So THAT explains why we haven't seen our Suite gentlemen around here, lately - they are all in California, cheering on Bo in "American Idol"! Oh well, if they have to be in the greater Los Angeles area, maybe they can stop by Disneyland and visit the Happiest Homecoming Celebration, there!

Speaking of which, HAPPY 05/05/05, Everyone!

Happy Birthday to Dalton! Are you all having a party for him, this weekend? Wow - 8 years old - he is really growing up! I'm sure that he is going to love his Legos, too!

I am so sorry to hear about your Trivia Master friend. That is very sad. I'm sure that he knows how many people cared about him and how many people he brought together through the Trivia competitions. Hopefully you all can continue to play in his honor and in his memory.

School is not very far away from where we live, at all - just 4 miles away, right next to one of the Rutgers campuses! Both UMDNJ and Rutgers have campuses in the 2 towns that our next to ours, New Brunswick and Piscataway. UMDNJ is also affiliated with 2 major hospitals which are located in New Brunswick. So it doesn't take very much time for me to get there, at all - it's just a quick hop across the Raritan River to Piscataway to get to the School of Public Health!

I love those shrimps at 'Ohana too, Linda! YUM! I also love all of the neat appetizers that they put on the lazy susan! I just love that place!

Hi Colleen! No problem - please be in touch when ever you have a chance - it's always great to hear from you! And CONGRATULATIONS on getting your reservation at POFQ!!!! I knew that it would work out for you all! And it's so neat that you made that great, "communal" PS - uh, I mean - "AR" (?!?!) for Chef Mickey's, too! You are all going to have a blast!

In case anyone is interested, Regis and Kelly will be showing pieces from WDW next Wednesday, Thursday (when the show will be broadcast live from WDW), and Friday (they will be in DL on Monday and Tuesday). They've already started taping segments for next week's shows! Also, keep your eyes open for Happiest Homecoming Celebration pieces on "Good Morning, America" next week, too!

One more final exam and then I'm done! And just 10 more days 'til we blast off for THE PROMISED LAND!

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

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Hi ya Lisa!! I did not make myself clear when I was rambling on about POR. I do not even remember the name of the sit down restaurant there but it was good and the prices were reasonable. Had to be back in those days for us to have been able to afford it. LOL Since Boatwrights is not too far away I had thought that Colleen and gang might end up there one night. It used to be such a great place to eat as the food was so original, alligator and all kinds of sweet potato things. They still have some sweet potato items. You can tell by how quiet the place is that others feel likewise. We usually go over to the old DL to hear the piano player in the lounge, choosing to sit in the front area so that we are not made to get up and perform LOL but there also used to be a piano player in the area in front of the bar/lounge at POR. I got drunk there one time. Long, embarrassing story. Does not take much to ge me drunk mind you and it wasted a whole day of Disney so I have sworn off since then.

How convenient to be so close to your campus. As I remember there were sometimes several hours between classes and to be able to go home rather than have to hang around is a great luxury.

I am not sure that Darth our trivia master knew how much he meant to us all. He was a very special guy but he did not have much self confidence in spite of having plenty of reason to have plenty. I doubt that anyone would step forward to do as much work as he had done and especially with such a high degree of trustworthyness. It is am important quality to have so that people feel the game was fair and square. Many who run such games do so out of a need to be in charge and boss of it all and often have favorites. I will greatly miss him and the game. It was truly the highlight of my week. I am the final Grand Poohbah of the game, Small comfort.

I saw some scenes from both DW and DL on the Good Morning America show today. Lots on the new stunt show and it looked like lots of fun. I even got to see the interior of Walt's apartment at DL.

Promised land huh? I have friends who are there now but they went to Israel, I will have to tell them they were wrong. LOL I get chills walking into Monicello or any such historic home and cannot imagine how I would feel being in the Holy Land. Even more emotional than when I enter DW and that is saying something.

I have the front gardens planted and watered today but am taking a break now as I have to stop to get a bit sick in between jobs. Old age is such fun. Ok, so I am not all that old yet but at this rate I am not sure but that I am glad of the fact that I will probably not make it It was so bad yesterday that Dalton offered to help me up from the couch. I sang him a verse or two of High Hopes, especially the ant and the rubber tree plant.

Yes, big doings for Dalton's birthday weekend. Everyone is gathering at our daughters for Sunday. Will be our second invite of the year. While I am glad of it I am sorely worried about dd getting any rest herself. I am going to make the deviled eggs and potato salad so that she will not stay up all night doing it, she would. Dalton has requested that I make some Cherry Fluff and hide it in his refrigerator (does not like to share).

The Community Center was fantastic yesterday as I got two kids who had never read a book to read one and they were so very proud of themselves. Now, if only I have a few other volumes in their level so that I can keep them going. Long rule Dr. Suess!!!

05/05/05?? I had not even noticed that. Trust you to notice and alert us. I depend you for such.

Feeling better and I am off to plant the geraniums now.

SG/Linda

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Everyone!

Happy Mother's Day to all of the wonderful Mothers in the Suite! When the boys get back from cheering on Bo, on "American Idol", they will be putting together a lovely brunch for all of you in 1900 Park Faire!

Hi Linda!

You know, I was kicking myself after I read that they showed all kinds of stuff from WDW and DL on "Good Morning, America" on Thursday morning! I had turned on "GMA" several mornings last week, thinking that they might show footage then, but like an idiot, it didn't occur to me to turn on the TV that morning! Fortunately, my friend Mike (the one who works at the Motor Stunt Show) taped it and has already transferred it to DVD, so I am going to steal a copy from him. He said that the broadcast of the Stunt Show stuff was actually shot live on Thursday morning (he's the Show Controller / Special Effects guru, so he was responsible for all of the explosions that you saw in those scenes!). Also, in case anyone is interested there will be WDW footage shown on "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" tomorrow night!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DALTON! I'm sure that his party will be wonderful! And please save me some of those deviled eggs - I just love those!

They definitely still have the sweet potato things at Boatwright's! They even have sweet potato pancakes on the breakfast menu! Unfortunately, I'm not a sweet potato / yam fan, but Frank loves them and he really enjoyed some of those dishes, there, last year! Sorry that I misunderstood - I definitely remember there being a sit down restaurant at POFQ, years ago. It's strange that they now only have one sit down restaurant for such a huge resort ("counting" FQ and Riverside as one resort). But the food courts in both are very good! I just love that place - I know that Colleen and her family will enjoy staying there (and then she can give us her "official ranking" of all of the Moderate Resorts, since after staying in FQ, she will have stayed in each and every one of them!)

Well, we have just a week and a day until we blast off - yipee! Now I just have to make myself calm down and concentrate so that I can get through my last final on Monday night........and then.........LET THE PACKING FRENZY BEGIN!

Guess what? When I e-mailed the final draft of my big Health Education project to my professor, she wrote back to confirm receipt, told me that it was nice to have me in her class..........and offered me a Graduate Research Assistant position! I'm not sure that I will take it, as it's not really in my area of interest (plus I don't know if / how it would fit into my summer class schedule, fall class schedule, how long-term it would be, etc.), but whether or not I do, I am very flattered that she thought of me and asked - ESPECIALLY since that professor is not only my Advisor, but she's also the Chair of the Health Education Department!

Congratulations on inspiring 2 new readers at the Community Center! That is wonderful, and it must be such a great feeling to know that you have started them on a path of discovery through reading! (I love to read!)

And I'm sure that your gardens look great, too! Remember to send lots of pictures when they are complete!

Speaking of "the Promised Land", my father is actually thinking about going there (to Israel, that is) with my uncle, this summer. He has never been there before and has always wanted to go. My uncle has been there many times, knows his way around very well, and even lived there on a Kibbutz (sort of like a communal farm, where everyone lives together and works the land) for awhile. But my uncle's Parkinson's has been getting worse and they're not sure that they will be able to go. My father feels that maybe being in Israel will lift my uncle's spirits and will make him feel better, but my uncle is hesitant to have to sit on a plane for 14 hours (he has difficulty sitting or standing for long periods of time) and is afraid of falling when walking. He's going to his specialist in a few weeks, so I guess they will wait to hear what the doctor says before making a final decision. On the one hand, I hope that they go because I know how much my uncle loves it there and I know that it would mean a lot to my father to go. On the other hand, I would be nervous about their going there, not just because of the constant threat of violence but because of both of their health(s) and their being so far away. We'll see what happens.

ANYWAY, hope that all is well with all of you and hope that you're all having a great weekend! Take care.

 

[TalkisCheap]

Yes, I know...long time no post! And I'm very sorry to admit that. I love hearing about everything going on but it seems like all the days run together and the unread posts amount quickly! School is almost done for the year{11 days, hopefully!} and so keeping caught up will definitely be a lot easier when I have a chance to really sit down before 6 p.m.! I have to thank Slightly Goofy for her stop by the teen thread which influenced me to come and post, and beg your forgiveness for being absent so long!

I'm sure I missed a lot, so if anything important happened in my absense I'd appreciate a recap and in return I'm definitely keeping caught up from now on! I sorely miss the going ons of all of our suite members!

Life is hectic as usual around here. I can't believe I'm almost down 8th grade - and homeschooling! As anxious as I am to have this year over, I'm more anxious for the next school year to arrive! Although I won't pretend I'm not scared by the concept of a completely new school filled with strangers, and the daunting task of expiriencing schoolwork{and homework} for the first time since 1st grade, the excitement of a drastic life change will be quite welcome in my rather monotonous life! However there are only 24 hours in a day, and I'm a little worried everything I want to do next year will fit in! Honors courses, various clubs, and a Class A sport every season is a little overwhelming to think of now but I'm sure once I get into the swing of high school everything will run smoothly!

Besides finishing this year of school and preparing for next year, track season has gotten into full swing. Our first meet was rained out, but our second was Wednesday. I didn't do as well as I would have liked, but I finished 1st in the high jump, 2nd in the 400, and my relay team finished 1st. I've been working at the high school meets the past two weeks, where I worked at the high jump and so I've been exposed to the best{and worst} techniques and I really feel I can excel by the end of the year if I set my mind to it. My coachs certainly believe in me, which gives me confidence, and I really want to do well this year and establish a good reputation for next year. Especially since I'm going to a school with a virtually non-exsistant track team{the school I'm going to, if you remember, is a private, catholic establishment that was all boys until 5 years ago. So, needless to say their girl's sports programs arn't the strongest.}

So that's what has been going on with me. Although looking back at the little I have to do in a day compared to all my parents and even my two older siblings accomplish, makes me wonder how they fit any more in! It seems that days are flying by, and most of the time I wish I could slow it down. Only four weeks and I'll be saying goodbye to my two favorite coaches, and my countless friends I see just at track. It's amazing how fast three years can go by, and it seems like just yesterday I was entering sixth grade, in a new town, without knowing a person. At the same time, though, it's astonishing to think of all that has happened since then and how I've changed and grown{hopefully all for the better!} since that time.

My family is good, as I hope all of your's are as well! It's quite a relief around here now that my sister has chosen which university she's planning on attending, and having her future settled. After many discussions, several tear filled ones, and much to my parent's happiness she's decided on Fairfield Univeristy in Connecticut. My parents really thought it was a good fit for her, and although it was not her first choice, the financial aid, my parent's persuassion, and several of her fellow classmates going there as well, finally settled the decision and made for a much more pleasent household! My brother is doing well at Villanova, and it's startling to think he'll be halfway done college on Wednesday!

Well, it's late and I'm tired. I'm getting over a cold and last night my friend slept over so I've been a little sleep deprived. I'm glad I came in time to wish all you mother's a VERY Happy Mother's Day! I'll be spending tomorrow at my Uncle's with my family to celebrate, and I hope you all have a special day as well. Take care,

Caroline

 

[colleen costello]

Hi everyone! Caroline, how nice to hear from you. Hope you have a nice day with your Mom! It seems to me that any Mom who homeschools deserves EXTRA accolades!

Girls, that now-closed restaurant at PO-FQ was my dad's FAVE. I think it was "Bonfamille's" or something very close to that. We ate there for breakfast once and my Dad has never forgotten it. Neither have we... He ordered a crawfish omelette! EEEW! Now if you ask me, a crawfish looks an awful lot like a cockroach, and my Mom agrees. He ordered it and we were just about ILL watching him eat it. On the top of the thing they sat a whole crawfish, cooked, and I swear the eyes looked at you before you dug in. So that omelette and the now-closed restaurant are a part of our family's "Disney folkore."

I am looking forward to staying at PO-FQ in less than 90 days. All week I made "Advanced Reservations" at all sorts of wonderful places. Got Boma, 'Ohana, Chef Mickey's, Hollywood and Vine, Kona, Sci-Fi at MGM and Cape May Cafe. We will of course have a meal or two at Beaches & Cream, but they don't accept reservations. Of course we'll fill in with pancake dinners at Perkins! I am really looking forward to the trip. While I love Riverside, I think the smaller size of French Quarter wil be perfect for steamy July. Then it's over to Beach Club Villas, where my parents have never stayed. I think they'll love it!

I am having a GREAT Mother's Day weekend. Yesterday we went to the home improvement store and I got a new mailbox and a tree for Mom's day. We got the nice mailbox with the newspaper box included right in there (so we can toss the tacky plastic news box that was attached to the old mailbox) and we got a River Birch tree and planted it on the front lawn. I also got some annual flowers and potted them. We spent the afternoon installing all of our purchases and at night we hit the local ice cream place and I got butter pecan, my favorite. Then we all watched a movie together. Today we are going to my friend Tisha's for a BBQ. The weather is warm and sunny and we have taken advantage of that!

Hope everyone enjoys the rest of this lovely weekend. Happy Mother's Day to all!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Colleen, surely you did not mean to say that any mother who has Caroline around all day long deserves a special prize? LOL I love those mailboxes, they make the whole street look nicer and they are almost indestructible. I bought my dd and dsil one for Christmas a few years back and they were underwhelmed but they are won over now, especially since I pointed out the fact that it was black and gold (Purdue colors). Did your dh plant everything for you or did you have to install your Mother's Day presents? I see you, laying in the lounge, pointing out what you wanted done. (dreams are nice) Might I suggest that you try out the Golden Corral, near Perkin's on your next trip? If you pick up a coupon book in the entry you can get breakfast for $5 , including drinks (oj, coffee, hot cocoa etc.) The buffet is not to be believed, especially for that price. Several different versions of each breakfast favorite and so pretty as well. I am afraid that Perkin's had declined in status on our last trip. The Ale House is fantastic as well. Bonfamille's was the name of the restaurant. You named my hubby's favorite breakfast dish too. Ugh!!

Caroline, being homeschooled, especially as well as you have, has more than prepared you to face the world of high school. My only fear for you is that you might find many to be very immature but then you will also find that out in the cold cruel world. So you do not think you are up to your family standards? Bet you are the only one who feels that way. It is touching that you respect your family so much though. I can never figure out when you sleep as it is. Hooray for your sister making the big decision. I bet it is a relief for her also. Getting through college without incuring huge debts is a good thing.

You will be a great asset to your new school in setting up a better sports program. Since you are a leader you can make your mark there and know that you have helped others on their way as well.

In life nothing stays the same. Many people, places and possessions will pass through your life and each will change you and teach you. It is NOT what happens to you but how you deal with it that counts and you are well on your way already.

Lisa, I am surprised at your getting the job offer. Actually I am most surprised that it has not happened before now. LOL How wonderful would it be if you could get a job so close to home, whether that one or a better one some day. I can see you in academia. Oh, I hope that your dad and uncle can make that trip. Maybe a guided tour would be best so that they would not have much stress and would have someone to watch over them in case of illness? Dalton had a great birthday but got hurt last night bouncing on a trampoline. A friend of mine was there and told me got hurt and sat all alone on a chair afterward. I guess I am too much of a fussy mother as I would have been holding him. Heck, who am I kidding, I would be holding a strange crying kid too. LOL Sorry, the deviled eggs were the first to go. Great low carb food ya know.

I am glad that your friend was able to copy the DW shows for you. Thanks to your heads up I am taping the Makeover show to see later. We are watching Elvis tonight. Thank you, thank you verry much! (grin)

SG/Linda

 

[IASW Rider]

Hey Everyone!

Hope that you all had a very Happy Mother's Day! And hope that Dalton had a Happy Birthday, too, Linda! I'm sorry to hear about his getting hurt, though - how is he feeling, now? I hope that he forgot all about being hurt and was able to enjoy his special day! (AND that cherry fluff! )

I LOVED the story about your father's crawfish omelette, Colleen! That is so funny! (I'm glad that I didn't have to see it, though.......it sounds kinda scary! ) So glad to hear that your trip plans are coming along nicely and that you've secured all of those great PS's! And I'm sure that the outside of your house is looking just as beautiful as the newly re-painted inside is!

CONGRATULATIONS on finishing 8th grade, Caroline! That is so exciting - it's a real milestone! And I'm sure that you will do wonderfully in your new school, next year - it's like a whole new "chapter" of your life is beginning - it's a great time for you! And no doubt you will have an amazing track season, as always - you'll have to keep us posted about your meets! Great to hear from you and so glad to hear that all is well with you and your family! Congratulations to your brother for being half way done with college and congratulations to your sister for selecting one! Lots of great things happening for all of you and lots of great things to look forward to!

Well, I've officially finished my first semester of graduate school, now, with my last exam completed last night! Now we'll just have to see how my grades come out.........! Of course, I ceremoniously received my summer session term bill, today - great timing! Anyway, now that that exam is over, I can concentrate on the REALLY important stuff..........GETTING READY TO GO TO WDW!!!!!!!

We'll be bringing in the suitcases to air them out, soon, and I'm already accumulating the "weird stuff" = stuff that we're most likely to forget to pack, like our cell phone charger, stamps, video cassettes for the camcorder, etc. and putting them all in one place so that we don't forget them! Just 5 more days!

We've been taping "Regis and Kelly", this week - they've been having some cute segments from DL. They'll be in WDW the rest of the week, so we'll have to be sure to tape those and see them, too!

Anyway, time to think about what to make for dinner. I like what I'll be "making" for dinner next week better, though...........PS's! (or whatever they're called, now! ) Hope that all is well with all of you and hope that you had a great weekend! I'll check in again before we blast off!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Lisa, we are like minded. I always air out my suitcases and start getting the odd things ready too. I do keep a couple of fabric softener sheets in my suitcase so that it smells good when I open it though. The hardest part of packing was always the 'bathroom' stuff so I finally bought a small case that holds it all and it is always ready to go as I refill it after each trip. I also keep a master list of things to do before and after the trip so that I do not forget as many things. LOL

A crawfish is a nasty looking creature. Figures that Tom would like it. He is attracted to strange things. Ummmm, I had better think THAT one over LOL

I hope the tutiion bill was not too hard to contemplate. They are raising prices around here like crazy. It is frightening to think what college will cost when Dalton comes of age. I may well be the oldest Wal Mart greeter in history. I know that your grades will validate whatever the cost of your education though.

I caught a few minutes of Regis this morning before I had to head out and was struck by how tiny their castle is. I have a whole folder of Castle photos in my files. Is one of my favorite scenes.

Are you guys going to do that meal plan? Have I asked you if you were going to try any new places, or are there any you have NOT tried?

Never fear about dear Dalton, the kid bounces. He is tough. He was glad to have grandma's attention though. Austin was sick last week too and I had to go get him at school as he had a terrible headache. His face was as red as a beet. They are not allowed to give an aspirn or Tylenol nowadays. I got him back on his feet after some medication and a few hours of sleep though.

I am taking a group to tour our new Hospice facility tomorrow. It is such a comfort to know that we have something like that available around here. It is a beautiful place and I am sure comforts many families.

SG/Linda

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Linda!

So glad to hear that Dalton was all right and that Austin is feeling better, too!

And when Frank and I were watching the "Regis and Kelly" tape last night, we were also commenting on how tiny Sleeping Beauty Castle is! It's like a little, miniature version of Cinderella Castle! I'm sure that it is breathtaking to see, in person, though - and I like the way that they decorated both castles for the 50 Years celebration (a lot better than the big, pink "cake" in 1996! )! I hope that we get to visit DL some day - it would be neat to see "the original", although I can't imagine that it wouldn't be a bit disappointing after being at WDW so many times!

We are not doing the meal plan, since our land stay is part of the cruise package (all of our meals on the ship are "taken care of", though, with the exception of a $10 fee to dine in the "adult restaurant", Palo, which is amazing!). But that's OK - we tend not to eat every meal, anyway, and the one time that I did do the meal plan, I felt compelled to eat big meals at sit-down restaurants 3 times a day, to "justify" the cost of the plan. It's better for us when we "do our own thing"!

We are going back to our "old favorites": 'Ohana (of course! ) on Sunday night, the Hollywood Brown Derby on Monday, and the Kona Cafe on Wednesday morning. And then Wednesday night.........unbeknowst to Frank (and I hope that I can KEEP IT THAT WAY until then! ), we are having dinner at Victoria and Albert's, as one of my (early) anniversary gifts to Frank! I'm still figuring out how I will convince Frank that he needs to wear a jacket to Narcoossee's, which is where he THINKS that we're having dinner that night! I know that it's ridiculously expensive, but we love food and wine and we always talk about how we "have to try Victoria and Albert's some day"..........so what the heck? We only live once - why wait? We also left 2 nights open for meeting up with our CM pals, so we'll probably be dining in the World Showcase (their favorite) on one of those evenings.

I can't wait to check out the "new and improved" IASW and see the new shows........and gather my courage to try Soarin'!

I apologize for failing to respond to your suggestion in your last post - if my father and uncle were to go to Israel this summer, my father himself would be the "caretaker" (as he always is - like I always say, he missed his calling and really should have been a doctor or a nurse!), looking out for my uncle, getting him a wheelchair in the airport if he needs it, etc. As for touring, they wouldn't tour very much - my uncle has seen everything after being there so many times and my father is only really interested in seeing the Western / Wailing Wall. If he wanted to see anything else, I'm sure that my uncle would "guide" or advise - neither of them have any patience for formal tours! I hope that they get to go, too.........although I would be a nervous wreck with both of them so far away in a country that is prone to violence, for 3 weeks!

That's so nice that you're taking the group to tour the hospice facility, tomorrow - I also think it's nice that there is a place like that in your area, and it's nice of you to bring people to show them!

My term bill wasn't anything that I didn't expect.......I'd estimated how much the classes would be before I registered, so that I wouldn't be totally shocked when the tuition bill came. The classes are actually not all that more expensive than the undergraduate classes that I was taking at Rutgers last year were (surprisingly!). It helps that I live in state, too! Since I'm only taking 2 or 3 classes at a time, the tuition is sort of "staggered" the tuition so that I don't get hit with huge amounts all at once (likewise I take 2 or 3 classes at a time so that I don't get hit with huge amounts of work at once)!

OK - time to tear myself away from the computer and get some more things done! Have a good night and talk to you soon!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Dear Lisa, as usual you have come up with the perfect way to celebrate an occasion. I can see you guys at V&A and cannot wait to hear what you think of it. Will you be at a Chef's Table? I fear I would not survive the second course if wine was included. As you might remember I get drunk rather easily but I am violently allergic to wine, sulfites. Do you have your meal selections made? Bet you do. LOL

Can you imagine how crowded the center part of the Castle must get at DL? I guess even dear Walt had not idea how many people would flock to his park. There was a site that told of the many differences between the two parks and some parts of DL sounded interesting but it is not something I am likely to ever see. Wish I were more capable but alas I am not. The pink castle was a bust with me also. The Castle is the centerpiece of the park and when it is so different it is most disappointing. I have enjoyed seeing pictures of the newest version and I think it looks similar but a bit special. Congrats to the Imagineers.

I have considered the meal plans from every point of view and fear that while we might save a few dollars I would gain far more pounds and it is not worth it for me. Have read of many having problems getting PS (or whatever) for their restaurant of choice and ending up with many extra coupons left over and that would negate any possible savings. We are not much on the fancy restaurants anyway cause Tom has to have a lot. I well remember his face when we ate at the Brown Derby one time. LOL Luckily I had plenty of the Cobb Salad to share or he would have died of starvation. I truly enjoyed the Kona Cafe. We went to go to O'Hana's one night and had to settle but it was fantastic albeit I did NOT like the KoKo Puffs. Must be because I make my own from scratch and it is hard to beat anything freshly made.

I bet you notice every single new nuance of IASW. Is in your nature to do such. I hope they did not mess up my White Room though, that is my favorite part. You do the Soaring and make a report because unless I should decide to commit suicide by fear it ain't a gonna happen. (to me)

It is fantastic that your dad is in such good shape that he is not only able to take such a trip but take care of his brother too. He is doing so well. I remember when you worried about him. Parents are as able to surprise as their children. LOL

The Hospice was wonderful. So much attention to detail and so homey feeling, if you live in perfection. Family friendly. I am thrilled to know that not only is something like available for myself or family but I know many of the people who run it so it means a bit more. It is not for profit so Medicare and/or private insurance are billed but anything not covered is not billed. It is one of the things that Tom and I contribute to. Since we do not support a church we donate a percentage of our income to a select group of things that we believe in. Might not be for everyone but works for us.

I did not doubt that two such financially savvy people would have failed to plan for tuition bills. If only everyone had such training. I think our school children need some training in basic life skills, although I doubt that many of them would appreciate the lessons until later in life. I left home without even having lit a match or used a paring knife. Everything I learned I did the hard way.

I will be going to Helenabear's neck of the woods the end of the month. My sister is having surgery and for some reason she thinks I am the only one who can possibly take care of her just because I used to change her diapers. She lives in a tri level house so I should get plenty of exercise. The plan is for me to spend a few days but you never know so I cannot tell you when I will be back. I am to leave the 27th.

Would you believe I missed a visit by Becki? To make it worse she sent me an email that she might come by Friday and I just remembered I promised someone I would go see them at a Senior Fair thing in Columbus.

Turned the air conditioning on for the first time this season. All seems to be working well. I hate that first moment when you turn things on for the season as sometimes you get an unpleasant surprise. I had a rather bad asthma attact at the Hospice so I decided it was better to spend some bucks on cooling the house rather than cooling my heels in a hospital. No fool I. (sometimes)

I had better get some work done. It is going to cooler tomorrow and the weeds await.

SG/Linda

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

I am truly a terrible person. Today is nice and cool and since it rained last night it was a perfect day for pulling the myriad weeds that have sprouted up with all the rain and sun. Did I do that? No, but it is NOT by fault. Regis and Kelly came on and promised me sights of Disney. I am amply supplied with various recording devices that could have saved the material for a more appropriate time but instead I decided to dust the living room. It is now the cleanest room in my house. Each book has been removed and dusted underneath. My collection of Disney toys are immaculate and shining. Even my desk has clean spots on it. I am truly a Disneyaholic and the worst thing is that I am unrepentant.

I kept hoping that Becki might come by and share my addiction too. Only thing better than a Disney day is having a similarly afflicted person to share it with you.

Slightly Goofy/Linda

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Linda!

You are not a "terrible person" - you can take care of those weeds another time! It sounds like you got plenty done inside your house, anyway!

That's so nice that you are going out to be with your sister while / after she has her surgery. It's not a serious procedure, I hope? I'm sure that she will be comforted by knowing that you will be there for her when it's all finished, and I'm sure that your presence will help speed her recovery!

I also think that your idea of contributing to organizations and causes which you feel worthy is a wonderful idea - we do the same thing, and we contribute to our synagogue by paying annual dues, too. The Hospice sounds like a wonderful and valuable place to have nearby.

We watched Regis and Kelly the past several days, too! I love seeing all of the "backdrops" of WDW and the cute little segments that they've been doing (like Kelly interviewing the kids in DL and her taking her staff on their workouts through the parks, today). Can't wait to see Regis try to become a stunt person at LMA, tomorrow! It was also neat to see the musical numbers from Cinderellabration (our Princess pal was in that piece! She was Snow White!) and Festival of the Lion King, too!

I didn't reserve us the Chef's Table at V&A's - I figured that dinner will be expensive enough at a "regular table"! I doubt that we'll do the wine pairings, either - we'll just pace ourselves with individual glasses of wine, there. They say that a typical dinner there can take up to 3 hours.......and our PS is at 9:30 PM..........when I made the PS the lady told me to expect that we will be there past midnight! I don't know exactly what we'll be having for dinner because they change the menu at V&A's every night. But I do know that we will be receiving a souvenir "copy" of our menu, with our names, the date, and the fact that we're celebrating our 3rd anniversary printed on it! Again - I hope that I can keep it a secret until next Wednesday night!

Well, time to go.........it's time for the annual ritual of bringing the suitcases in from the garage and starting to air them out - yipee!

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