Hey! July 30th, 2005 cruise to Mexico DISfriends!

[jfis1020]

Debi, Jenny and JoAnn,

Thanks so much for your advice and kind words. I think my biggest concern is the class size.

I'll seek your guidance soon regarding mean little girls next. Details to follow...stay tuned.

This weekend we begin Christmas prep. We'll be getting the outdoor light display organized and tested. The house will be outlined in white lights next week. It requires 40ft ladders to reach the high peaks so we hire someone to do that part. Ted doesn't like heights. We have an ever increasing lawn display to include a flamingo and a couple of palm trees. Jimmy Buffett's "Christmas Island" serves as inspiration. This year we (I say we...it's all me, poor Ted is just along for the ride and to do the grunt work) have added an outdoor projector. I go for the tastefully Griswald look. Ted fears I've crossed that fine line between tasteful and tacky but everyone loves it. Our house won the "Visions of Sugar Plums" category in our neighborhood holiday lights competition. We were the hands down best overall. I am after that $25 gift certificate again this year so I've had to step it up a notch. I'm sure the competition will be elevated this year. Our grand illumination is Sunday 27 November. I invite all of our neighbors for a cookie swap and hot chocolate and spiked cider in blatant attempt to buy their votes. I can't wait to see the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights at MGM during our trip next month and I would love to see the tree in Rockefeller Center. I love to cruise through different neighborhoods while listening to Christmas music and sipping cocoa to look at the light displays. We usually take Owen and Amy with us but that special family time filled with Christmas spirit is lost on them. They whine and complain that they're bored. This year I'm dumping the kids so Ted and I can go out for a nice dinner and then go look at the Christmas lights in peace.

You totally amaze me Kathy! I have a hard time keeping my head above water! I definitely want to see pictures of the "Schafer Christmas Spectacular"!!!!

Poor Mashall so badly wants us to put up lights. Now folks, remember I am married to an accountant. The possibility of lights at our house relies on me!! That just isn't going to happen right now. I need some lessons and guidance on this area! One of these days I will surprise everyone, but not this year! Honestly, if I gave the kid the job, he could probably figure it out before I could!!!

I just returned from the Indy airport. Mark came back from Dallas! I am so excited! Usually when he's gone I do really well, but this has been a tough trip for me. Of course you know about the infamous visit from the deputies, but last night was BAD!!! We dismissed the students early because of a dangerous line of storms (only 5-10 minutes). My principal encouraged us to go ahead and go home. I went, of course, because I am terribly afraid of storms. I called Mom and told her to "report" to my house. She lives in a trailer, as I have said before, and that was one less thing to worry about. I have a huge basement and the safest place in our house is the kids' Playroom!!! Well, the darn sirens went off three times in a four hour period. I ended up taking dinner down to the basement because every time we started to eat, they'd spot a funnel cloud. Mind you, we live in the hilly portion of the state!!! I was in tears by the time bedtime rolled around. The kids are out of whack, not to mention myself. I am looking forward to a routine again. BTW ~ Mark found me in the bar at TGI Fridays at the airport. I was already into my 2nd margarita by the time he touched down!! Mom had the kids, so he drove us home!!!!! I am just thankful that there were no more touchdowns in the area. Now............it's snowing tonight!!!!!!

Lucy and Lynn I am really worried about you two! Lurk no more, let us know you are o.k.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jfis1020]

Debi, Jenny and JoAnn,

Thanks so much for your advice and kind words. I think my biggest concern is the class size.

I'll seek your guidance soon regarding mean little girls next. Details to follow...stay tuned.

This weekend we begin Christmas prep. We'll be getting the outdoor light display organized and tested. The house will be outlined in white lights next week. It requires 40ft ladders to reach the high peaks so we hire someone to do that part. Ted doesn't like heights. We have an ever increasing lawn display to include a flamingo and a couple of palm trees. Jimmy Buffett's "Christmas Island" serves as inspiration. This year we (I say we...it's all me, poor Ted is just along for the ride and to do the grunt work) have added an outdoor projector. I go for the tastefully Griswald look. Ted fears I've crossed that fine line between tasteful and tacky but everyone loves it. Our house won the "Visions of Sugar Plums" category in our neighborhood holiday lights competition. We were the hands down best overall. I am after that $25 gift certificate again this year so I've had to step it up a notch. I'm sure the competition will be elevated this year. Our grand illumination is Sunday 27 November. I invite all of our neighbors for a cookie swap and hot chocolate and spiked cider in blatant attempt to buy their votes. I can't wait to see the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights at MGM during our trip next month and I would love to see the tree in Rockefeller Center. I love to cruise through different neighborhoods while listening to Christmas music and sipping cocoa to look at the light displays. We usually take Owen and Amy with us but that special family time filled with Christmas spirit is lost on them. They whine and complain that they're bored. This year I'm dumping the kids so Ted and I can go out for a nice dinner and then go look at the Christmas lights in peace.

You totally amaze me Kathy! I have a hard time keeping my head above water! I definitely want to see pictures of the "Schafer Christmas Spectacular"!!!!

Poor Mashall so badly wants us to put up lights. Now folks, remember I am married to an accountant. The possibility of lights at our house relies on me!! That just isn't going to happen right now. I need some lessons and guidance on this area! One of these days I will surprise everyone, but not this year! Honestly, if I gave the kid the job, he could probably figure it out before I could!!!

I just returned from the Indy airport. Mark came back from Dallas! I am so excited! Usually when he's gone I do really well, but this has been a tough trip for me. Of course you know about the infamous visit from the deputies, but last night was BAD!!! We dismissed the students early because of a dangerous line of storms (only 5-10 minutes). My principal encouraged us to go ahead and go home. I went, of course, because I am terribly afraid of storms. I called Mom and told her to "report" to my house. She lives in a trailer, as I have said before, and that was one less thing to worry about. I have a huge basement and the safest place in our house is the kids' Playroom!!! Well, the darn sirens went off three times in a four hour period. I ended up taking dinner down to the basement because every time we started to eat, they'd spot a funnel cloud. Mind you, we live in the hilly portion of the state!!! I was in tears by the time bedtime rolled around. The kids are out of whack, not to mention myself. I am looking forward to a routine again. BTW ~ Mark found me in the bar at TGI Fridays at the airport. I was already into my 2nd margarita by the time he touched down!! Mom had the kids, so he drove us home!!!!! After all that weather.... Now............it's snowing tonight!!!!!!

Lucy and Lynn I am really worried about you two! Lurk no more, let us know you are o.k.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jlawall]

Thx Leslie for the update but, hmmmmmmmmm..........I'm not sure if Alaska is where I want to be in the summer of 07!

Jenny, you brought me to tears! I was thinking of you tonight with the weather so crazy!! I'm glad you are all safe and sound........

Just so everyone knows................I BOUGHT AN AMAZING SNOWGLOBE display for my front yard,.........I will be taking a pic and trying to post it to our thread.........DON'T BE JEALOUS!!!

 

[littleowensmommy]

It's been 8 days!!! Come on Lucy.

We got some great shots of our lights last year. It snowed here the day after Christmas which made for our best shot. I may use it in our Christmas card this year. I can try to forward a picture in an email. I have no idea how to post it here.

 

[littleowensmommy]

I hope it goes through OK. I emailed it to myself and I received it so it should be OK. I didn't have the snow picture as an attachment so I'll have to get Ted to put it in the correct format for email.

The large wreath on the front wall of the house is being replaced with a projected image this year. I haven't decided on the image yet but I think it will be a color image of Santa in his sleigh with reindeer. I ordered the projector from Razlight and they have too many images to choose from.

 

[lwilliam]

thanks for caring

SO, SO, busy, you can't believe - may I just say, this musical is the best musical our high school has ever seen! And that statement is not just from me, it is from parents who have already seen it. We have sold more tickets already for this show than we have ever sold. The phone at home is ringing constantly. Only one problem, trying to keep the leads in the play healthy - they are also passing around a very bad cold, including Bob. We cannot afford for anyone to be sick. Last night we put on the performance for senior citizens....they loved it. Last weekend Bob and I hosted a party for the parents who put in so much time for the show - party ran till 2:00 in the morning - i finally chased everyone out! This weekend is our real show,
Friday, Saturday, and for the first time a Sunday matinee.

I apologize for not chatting about our upcoming get-together - believe me, people, we ARE excited and can't wait to see you guys but right now, it is "all about Beauty and the Beast".

Alaska?

Kathy - LOVED the lights and what a beautiful home

Lynn - Bob swears he is going to drive overnight at Christmas just so we can see you and Keith for a few minutes before you leave for the ship.

 

[jlawall]

Hey Lucy! Sorry about the cold, Ken and I had it two weeks ago! Best wishes for show weekend! Our oldest used to perform in musicals when she was younger - it's so much work but so much fun!! Break a leg!

Loved the pics, Kathy!!

 

[jfis1020]

Kathy I loved the lights! Very tastefully done, I might add!

JoAnn I think I saw the snow globe tonight at CVS. They are so cool! Bet that guy who thought of that becomes a rich dude!! Why couldn't we have done that?

Lucy (a.k.a. "Beauty" Best wishes for a smooth weekend. Tell "Beasty Bob" to break a leg!!!! Hope you shake the colds. Mark has a good remedy he thinks......he uses his buddy "Jack Daniels"!!

cheers!

 

[LynnTarrant]

Hi everyone
Back from the land of the sick, just catching up now feeling a bit out of the loop!! thanks for all your good wishes

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend in NYC

Jenny I loved the Thanksgiving card it's an iconic song amongst my school friends so even though we don't celebrate thanksgiving I've sent them all the card so funny
Bob and Lucy hope everything goes well with the show and that we can catch up at Disney
What about you Cathy will we be able to touch base?
4 weeks tonight and I'll be travelling to the airport wow

I'm sorry about your Med plans but Alaska is high on our list and if the Magic is going there then I'll be on it!!

 

[littleowensmommy]

I'd love to touch base with you. We arrive on Friday 16 December and we're staying at SSR. We're going to MGM that afternoon/evening with dinner at Hollywood & Vine and then the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights and Fantasmic. On Saturday 17 December we'll be in the Magic Kingdom. We have reservations at CRT. I still have 2 extra spots if you'd like to join us for breakfast. That evening we'll dine at Chef Mickey's in the Contemporary. On Sunday 18 December we're planning to go to DTD in the morning and then rest at the resort/pool before heading over to MVMCP in the Magic Kingdom later that afternoon. We're having dinner at LTT that evening. On Monday and Tuesday we'll be in the Magic Kingdom. On Monday evening 19 December we'll be in Epcot (no kids...moms' night out) at the 6:45pm CP followed by dinner at LeCellier. On Tuesday evening 20 December we'll be at Mickey's Backyard BBQ at Fort Wilderness. We fly back to Virginia on Wednesday 21 December. Ted is not going on this trip. I am traveling with 4 of my neighbors and our 9 respective children, ranging in age from 18 months to 6 years old.

Just let me know where we intersect your schedule. I'll send you a pm with my cell phone #.

 

[jfis1020]

Hi everyone
4 weeks tonight and I'll be travelling to the airport wow

I am so envious! I have to wait until March! That makes me about 17 weeks out!!! EEK!

Thank goodness for the "Big Apple Getaway"!!!!!

 

[jlawall]

I agree, Kathy is so in the KNOW when planning for WDW. I still have to see if we can go in the Spring, I'll try to book next week!!

 

[jlawall]

I read on the regular DIScruise boards that the Med cruise in still alive and well for the summer of 2007.............my family is pressuring me to go for a RCCL trip in the summer of 2006 so we are considering a trip out of Baltimore for a 9-day cruise to the Western Caribbean..................I'll keep you posted!!

 

[DisneyMom13]

Hi guys,
Sorry I haven't been around in awhile. It has been a busy weekend. Micco returns from hunting tonight, I had classes all day yesterday and did a birthday party on Friday. Thank God business is picking up.

Lucy and Bob - I hope the show was a great success, I am sure it was. I can't wait to see the pics, bring them with you.

Jenny - I am glad you are alright girlfriend...but don't move to Cincinnati, I heard today on the news that it is the most unhealthiest city in the US for women.

Well, we are going to beat you all to Disney. Although we will only be there for a day, and are not getting to go to the parks, Alex and I will be traveling to Disney on December 8th for an audition. We haven't heard any news yet if she was accepted into the program, but little things are falling into place (and I have a good feeling about it), so we have booked this on a wing and a prayer. So now I need you all to say a prayer that she gets into the program and I am not wasting my $$$ to go down there. Hopefully we will have good news by the time we see some of you next weekend. Who knows she could be Mickey????? We are staying at Port Orleans Riverside. Has anyone ever stayed there.

We are really looking forward to our weekend, guess I better start getting down and dirty and getting this house cleaned. LOL. At least my house will be decorated for Christmas by then (minus the tree - we are cutting one down on the 11th). I love Christmas.

Have a great day all!

Debi

 

[LynnTarrant]

Good Luck Alex they'll be daft to turn you down you are so much fun and so bubbly and friendly, we'd want to meet you in Disney who do I write to to tell them to give you the Gig!!!!

 

[jfis1020]

I personally think Alex has a "magical" personality by nature. I believe I told Debbie that the day I met Alex! She is something to be proud of!

Yes, we were really depressed last night after the Bengals' loss. Worse off, a three hour drive home. Mark is really bummed. I feel worse for him and John. They are so into it. I love it, don't get me wrong, however when I wake up the next morning I am happy to be breathing! We are EXTREMELY tired, in fact we are heading off to bed right now. Traffic was a nightmare. It's only 90 miles apart from Indy to Cincy, so the interstate was bad. Downtown was a deadlock at one point. We got home at 11:45 p.m., then I had to get up and pick up the kids by 7:00 a.m. for school. I kept standing and walking today for fear of falling asleep if I sat!!

So, everyone have big plans for Thanksgiving. Honestly, Mark & I are taking M&M to BOB EVANS!! They don't eat traditional foods and I am not cooking for the two of us a big meal! We'll come home and put up the tree. I'll be ready for a break anyway. I have packing to do for NYC!! We see the Ravens and Bengals on Sunday!

Bill My Rudi Johnson jersey is NOT in the closet. I think we can still make the playoffs, however we are going to have to step it up a notch!!

JoAnn The letters are about finished. I'll probably mail them tomorrow or Wednesday. They'll have them by return from break. I had three girls who wrote two because you had exactly the same number of boys, but three more girls. Hope that is o.k. Didn't want to leave anyone out.

Debi I'll get the flight info to you this weekend or the first of the week.

Lucy I miss you so!

Lynn Your countdown is so close! How exciting for you and Keith! I wish we were going to FL and could meet up!!

 

[jlawall]

Ok......, Lynn, I'm jealous

Kathy, I'm jealous

Debi, even though it's such a short trip, I'm jealous(Alex, has SUCH a great personality, once they meet her, she's in!!)

Lucy, I'm jealous

Did I miss anyone?? How can all of you be going to WDW, before I do.........I haven't been able to call DVC during the week to see if I can redeem some points for a visit Easter week..............I HAVE TO DO IT TOMORROW!!!

Jenny, I'm so psyched about the letters, the kids will be so impressed! Finally, my summer trips are enhancing my class!! I've had conferences all day and night and I had a great time with my parents. I'm alittle exhausted but I only have about 7 left now!

 

[littleowensmommy]

I wish I could join you all in NYC next week. Don't have too much fun without me. Lucy and Bob, when are you driving back from WDW? You could visit us here in Southeastern Virginia if you like.

It has been raining here since Sunday night. It's supposed to clear out today but it is going to be very windy. I can hear it gusting outside right now, in fact.

Debi, that is really exiting about Alex. I've never heard of the program so if anyone can direct me to more information I'd appreciate it.

JoAnn, are you considering cancelling the 24 June DCL cruise? When is the 9-day RCCL cruise out of Baltimore?

My bet is still on the Med for 2007.

Jenny, I was thinking of you all on Sunday afternoon during the game. Ted watched it on TV. He said it was a great game. He bought Owen a Redskins Jersey the other day so Owen can wear his shirt on Sunday just like dad. I couldn't believe it when I saw the bill...$57.74! When I questioned Ted as to why it was so expensive he told me it was because it's officially licensed by the NFL. Give me a break!

JoAnn, I saw giant inflatable snowglobes in Lowe's the other day. They even blow "snow".

 

[jfis1020]

Jenny, I was thinking of you all on Sunday afternoon during the game. Ted watched it on TV. He said it was a great game. He bought Owen a Redskins Jersey the other day so Owen can wear his shirt on Sunday just like dad. I couldn't believe it when I saw the bill...$57.74! When I questioned Ted as to why it was so expensive he told me it was because it's officially licensed by the NFL. Give me a break!

Just be glad he "only" came home with the $57.00 one. The replica sewn on ones (his is probably screened) are as much as $160.00!!

Last Halloween for MNSSHP we ALL wore ours (except Mallory wouldn't wear hers, but opted for the Ben-Gal cheerleader outfit). I make a great Rudi Johnson!!! That was all Mark's doing!!!

JoAnn I love conferences (most of the time). You really start to understand your kids, right???

 

[lwilliam]

Everyone - thanks for your good wishes on the musical - it was THE MOST SUCCESSFUL musical our high school has ever done. First time our school has ever done three shows, and each show we sold approx. 950 tickets.
Everyone was so sad when it was over - kids crying all over the place - and adults (yes, me too)....I brought all the parents tissues because I knew it
would be a tear-jerker. The exciting part on Sunday was our guest from
Disneyworld. Turns out the girl who plays Belle at Disney MGM Studios was home (in Allentown) and came to our show. She is so beautiful...and it turns out she is going to my university and then working at Disney on holidays (Alex, just like you want to do!) - she is a music major here at Kutztown.
I want to brag when I say she said our show was incredible...she hung around after the show to meet OUR kids because she was so excited about their talent.
Then, Sunday night came around and all the sets were torn down....so sad.
When we go to Disney at Christmas, she will be there and she wants us to call her to see HER show and have reserved seats for us! COOL!
Back to our trip at Disney.....Bob has decided to drive THRU THE NIGHT so we can get there in time to see Lynn and Keith. We are using our points at the Beach Club Villas.
Kathy, we are driving home New Year's Eve DAY, quickly, because Bob must work New Year's Day - thanks for the offer - BUT, beware, we are planning a trip to Williamsburg next year, if you are still living there we will be stopping at your house.

We are also making our plans for next summer - can't decide where to stay, i know we should stay at our 'home' Saratoga, but I think we are leaning towards Boardwalk - never stayed there and I know Jenny loves it.

Don't worry, Debs, about Alex - we are always in Disney and can watch over her for you!

I'll get back to you real soon about 'our weekend' - so exciting.