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

[lwilliam]

Debi! Welcome back! I'll write back later, I have to go fight with the girls!
That was a GREAT one JoAnn....sounds like our house.

Tyler is fighting against studying for his LAST day of finals.....
he didn't bring home the notes to study for one of the finals how convenient.
ONE of my girlfriends, who has a son in Tyler's grade told me her
son's theory about studying for finals: "If I don't know it by now, I'm not gonna know it" - I thought that was funny, but I don't dare tell Tyler!

My night is consisting of typing...doing some "extra paying job" for someone - hey, if it buys me a , I'll do it.

 

[jlawall]

Ok, I'm back! Thx for the support, Lucy, it's nice to know I'm not alone!

So Debi, it sounds like you have a lot on your mind right, good luck with those tough decisions!

It's nice to hear how the "other half" lives, Jenny, keep thinking of us working women............................

I saw the Break-Up last night , I'm so on "Team Aniston." Vince Vaughn is such a playboy and Jen was really cute and I liked the movie. I still feel bad for everything she's been through.

The weather is much nicer this week, the heat and humidity have left for a few days!!

Hope all are well and the fish are biting!!

 

[jfis1020]

Well, the "other half" (as JoAnn referred to me as ) is so tired and sore, she can hardly walk!!! I really have overdone it! I had back surgery in Oct. 2001 and sometimes forget my limitations. So, today I pay!! I can't complain around here or I get in trouble. I have been told to take it easy and didn't so, I keep my mouth shut!!!!

There is still furniture to be moved from John's room to the basement and vise versa. I finally told Mark that I was calling a colleague today. I will pay him and a buddy to move everything! He was totally in agreement. Between Mark's work schedule (Mon-Thurs) and baseball games, it's much easier to get Jim to do it (and he's younger than us!!!). I hate weekend projects. To me, weekends are for LIVING!!!

Speaking of little league.....7 GAMES this week! two last night, one tonight, and two Wed. and Thurs!!! Mark and I ate dinner at 10 p.m. last night. That's real good for the metabolism!!! Can you imagine if ALL THREE KIDS played???

 

[lwilliam]

14 year old boys!

 

[DisneyMom13]

Thanks for all your words of encouragement. You know I love you guys and you always make me smile The one thing that is keeping me going these days is knowing I will see you all soon (and Allie too)

Jenny Boy, I don't miss those days, running in every direction to soccer, softball, Girl Scouts, eating at 10:00 at night just so we can all eat dinner together (I have this thing about eating dinner together as a family)...been there, done that....

Lucy - The only difference between Tyler and Briana is that Briana DOES NOT know it all...But she actually brought a book home with her yesterday...not sure if she opened it, but she did bring it a home..I guess a step in the right direction And she is going to a math review after school tomorrow. She knows if she goes to summer school, she is the one getting her butt out of bed and taking the bus...plus she has to pay for it out of her own $$$. Ouch! I keep reminding her that no one in our family has ever gone to summer school...does she want to be the first???

Looks like a beautiful day here in NYC, sun is out no humidity, no rain...

Have a great day all!
Debi

 

[lwilliam]

Allie, who????

joking......

I'm in a mood (what else is new, Bob would say) - 14 year old boys

 

[jlawall]

Soon, I'll be on the other half, too, Jenny! Just 6 kid days to go, it, I will really miss my guys soon , it's actually more fun there than at home...............

Hang in there, Luce, it's almost over!

GL, Debs, I know Bri will pull thru!

As soon as school lets out, I'm going to start researching the Med cruise, I'm beginning to get psyched!!!

 

[lwilliam]

Taking "the day"....yearly, at the end of the school year, i take tyler out for lunch for a special treat, so today is the day.....pizza hut buffet for him
and a friend....oh, by the way, i'm sick too....HEY, I've got 33 years of sick days and when I finally can retire I don't get paid for all of them anyway, so
give me a break. I don't use them during the school year unless I'm dying, too busy in the office, so, in the summer, a day here or there....give me a break

Anyway, after seeing what has been in his locker ALL year...I AM sick. Things I should have seen a long time ago!
One more morning to get him up....it can't come too soon.

Still thinking of Debs

 

[lwilliam]

SO, Lucy, you were SO EXCITED for Tyler to be home for the summer, and already you've taken FOUR Advil! AND, the Book of Me took a WHOLE year to create and doesn't he leave it at Pizza Hut this afternoon......and I had to drive back and get it
AND, now the entire house is CLEAN and the grass is freshly cut and Tyler and his friend are playing outside in the rain, and we all know what comes next , unless I lock the doors!

BUT, the kid got the highest score on the book AND won a certificate (best cover for the 8th grade)(thanks to his father's creativity) - Tyler is not
a kid who is embarrassed that he travels to Disneyworld so often (Bryan was) so the theme of his book/life was all about travel. Bob and Tyler thought out this great idea to cover the book with a map, and create licenses for the title page....it was awesome. He included pictures from California and Hollywood, spoke about Grand Cayman, Key West, etc. SEE, guys, it isn't a total waste of money (as many of our "jealous" friends say about us and all our vacations!) and the boy has been educated on all these trips. AND, while Bob and Tyler were studying for science, I heard them discussing the Energy ride at EPCOT.

It IS jealousy from some of our friends, isn't it? And that is why Bob and I adore you people so much, because we have so much in common - Disney, and our love for Disney. (sorry, had to include that one)

Well, Lucy, it was nice talking with 'ya!

 

[jlawall]

Nice use of similies, Luce! Very entertaining.... ........about the jealous friends and traveling comments,....I HEAR YA!

Last week, one of the teachers in my school was teaching a probability question.....the statement was....."I will take 8 vacations this year"....the answer was supposed to be "unlikely" but she said, "Unless you're Mrs. Lawall!" Frankly, I found that comment rude! Hey, YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE!

I was looking around on the Med threads and the excursions are looking really interesting (and expensive!) I'm going to start looking as soon as school lets out ( instead of painting like Jenny! )

One day closer..............................

 

[littleowensmommy]

Yesterday was their last day. Owen was a sheep in the school play, "The Cheese Stands Alone". Tonight is his piano recital at the 'cat house'. We're all supposed to bring cookies or a finger food to share but I can't imagine eating there. Ted didn't even want to sit on the couch at the last recital. We added an additional night at Hilton Head. They had a great DVC discount cash rate for this Saturday so we'll be on our way at 5:00am that morning. ($315.00 vs. 84 DVC pts for a 2-bdr villa...what a deal!) We're taking the kids on an aligator boat tour one morning. They're so excited. On Monday evening they are doing "Kids' Night Out" at the resort and Ted and I will go out to dinner alone. They'll have a pizza party and then go to see "Cars". We were planning to take them tomorrow since I got 4 free movie tickets from Toys R Us. I guess I'll save them for a rainy day. They won't mind seeing it again.

Chin up Debi, I know nothing will keep you down for long! I'm so excited for our weekend in WDW!

Way to go Tyler!!! Lucy, you must be one proud mama! Now let that boy sleep!

My camera comes today! I can't wait!

Jenny, You're working way too hard! It better be all fun and games after this week!

JoAnn, You're almost there....

 

[jfis1020]

The coffee tastes good today!

I get the idea that Lucy talks to herself A LOT!!! She seems so good at it!

I'd love to see this "Book of Me". It sounds like something I'd enjoy doing with my kids. I always tell my students that projects like that, however painful they are at the time for them and their parents (i.e. Lucy!), they make great treasures. I tell them to put them away and several years later, they will pull them out and have so much fun looking back. We have always done timelines of their lives and parents talk about looking back through old pictures and loving it!

As we continued to move John into the basement (now done!)we had to clean some closets. John and I came upon a cool closet of pictures yesterday. We found great pictures of my dad (his name was John, but called Jack), who my kids never knew. The coolest were some postcards my grandmother had that had postmarks back to 1913!! It was fun to show my kids their family since most died before my kids were born. There were things from my childhood, like my first ball uniform, girl scout (yeah, believe it!) sash, etc. Someone kept really great scrapbooks of Mark's basketball career (he was all-state!), but we mostly laughed at how SKINNY he was! We had a blast looking through all that stuff! I spent way too much time reminiscing, but it was fun!

JoAnn I am pulling for you and the end of the year. I can't help but to notice that you are planning for the Med., but don't you cruise in a few days?? You have been so quiet about that. I'd be bubbling!!!

Oh, the jealousy thing........ There is one guy at the Little League fields that came up to me the other day and asked if we were going to the Reds games that weekend. I told him yes, and he proceeded to go into the "it must be nice" pity party. I wanted to say, if you don't want to know, don't ask! One coach told me that one year he wants John for All-Stars, which means he must committ to the month of July to be here. John keeps saying "why would I want to do that and miss my family trips (his dad takes him in July too!). This guy just doesn't get it. One year he wanted John to stay so bad in town and play that he tried and tried to convince John how much "fun" it would be. That was the year of our DCL Western cruise and his dad took him on Carnival to the Western two weeks later (the kid has a rough life, right? )! John was appaled that this guy thought he'd give up one cruise, let alone TWO!!!

I get the Disney thing too. I have one girlfriend that "tries" to act as if she knows all about WDW (and has been there twice for 3 days each). I just listen! The other person usually will cut her off and ask me something! Fortunately, there is a PTO parent whose family has boo-koo DVC points and she seeks me out occasionally to talk Disney. She has the same issue we do. Now, her parents just this week moved to Florida from NJ!!! She is so pumped! They go July 8th!! One year we met at the Boardwalk pool and had a blast! Now, do people seem jealous, but seek you out when they want to "know something"??? When people ask me about us traveling so much I just tell them, when I die.....I'll die HAPPY!! I am doing everthing I want to do NOW! Hakuna Matata folks!!!!

Off to "work"!!! (seriously) (I think these are ballerinas...see the finger on the head as they spin?)

 

[DisneyMom13]

I totally agree Jenny. Micco and I always say you can't take it with you. When we die, we may not leave much for the kids other than the house, but we will have left them with many great memories and scrapbooks to prove it! When we had Briana's Sweet 16, the theme was tropical. There were 10 tables altogether, and each one was named after an island or tropical place that she has been to. How many 16 year olds can say they have been to all those places (and more)? And next year, God willing, she will be able to say that she has been to Europe.

Way to go Tyler (and Bob too) on the The Book of Me. Another way that scrapbooking is being brought into the schools is through projects like that, and you know I love it!!!

Oh by the way, Lynn - just curious about you Brits. You have some strange contests over there that I keep seeing on the news...like cheese chasing and shin kicking. What is up with that???

Another rainy day here in Staten Island, yuck!!!! Have a good one all!
Debi

 

[LynnTarrant]

You know Debi, I saw those two contests on the news too all I can say is there are some very odd customs around and sometimes i wonder how mad the world can get.
I just got a very funny e mail that i have to share with you teachers
This is the message that the Pacific Palisades High School (California) staff voted unanimously to record on their school telephone answering machine. This is the actual answering machine message for the school.This came about because they implemented a policy requiring students and parents to be responsible for their children's absences and missing homework. The school and teachers are being sued by parents who want their children's failing grades changed to passing grades - even though those children were absent 15-30 times during the semester and did not complete enough schoolwork to pass their classes.



The outgoing message:




"Hello! You have reached the automated answering service of your school. In order to assist you in connecting to the right staff member, please listen to all the options before making a selection:




* To lie about why your child is absent - Press 1



* To make excuses for why your child did not do his work- Press 2



* To complain about what we do - Press 3



* To swear at staff members - Press 4



* To ask why you didn't get information that was already enclosed in your newsletter and several flyers mailed to you - Press 5



* If you want us to raise your child - Press 6



* If you want to reach out and touch, slap or hit someone - Press 7



* To request another teacher, for the third time this year - Press 8



* To complain about bus transportation - Press 9



* To complain about school lunches - Press 0




* If you realize this is the real world and your child must be accountable and responsible for his/her own behaviour, class work, homework and that it's not the teachers' fault for your child's lack of effort:



Hang up and have a nice day!



I can definitely relate to this how about you!

 

[lwilliam]

I LOVE IT!
I've pressed "6"

 

[jfis1020]

Lynn~ I had seen that before, but loved hearing it again!! What a hoot!! Isn't that the truth sometimes???

Well, we've accomplished 6 games this week (one got postponed). I feel like I have really made it!!! Time to head to the city tomorrow and party on!!!

 

[jlawall]

OK, Lynn, now you are truly my FAVORITE!!, no seriously, you are ALL MY FAVES! I don't want to get unprofessional, but you all know me too well !!!! Thx all I have to say about that!

Today was as nuts as I expected, for all the poss, I have one crazy neg......I'm trying to build my ups but it's tough!! Wish me luck!

I love you guys, Jenny, I've recently booked my excursions for the 6/23 cruise, it involves, beaches, kayaking, wild dolphins, zip lines, go-karts and manatees,...................to be truthful, I'm planning on spending a lot of time alone by the pool or beach...............

 

[littleowensmommy]

Well we made it through the recital but it will be the last time Owen wears his suit. I bought it for him last summer for the cruise and my cousin's wedding. I can't believe how much he's grown this year. He has no need for a suit this year so I'll wait until next spring to get him a new one in time for our cruise.

Have a great time on your cruise, JoAnn! I spoke with Keith at All Seasons yesterday and he told me that a couple of the TAs just got back from a cruise aboard Freedom of the Seas. They said it was spectacular. Maybe we could all consider this as a DIS reunion for the Summer of 2008.

It's raining here again this morning but it's supposed to clear up in a couple of hours. If so, we'll spend the day at the pool and then pack up this evening. We hit the road tomorrow. It's nice to be taking a trip where you don't have to worry about how much your suitcase weighs. We bring all of our own beach stuff...chairs, umbrella, cooler, etc. This will be so much easier than our August marathon trip. That one is going to be a packing nightmare.

JoAnn, I look forward to hearing about your Med research. I haven't done much except to set a budget and book a private tour of Rome. Keith said that sales have really dropped off. I bet they'll end up offering Florida resident rates and military discounts...I'm hoping anyway. DCL usually never offers Florida resident or military rates in the summer but this year they are available. I wonder why bookings are off?

5 more pounds...

 

[jfis1020]

5 more pounds...

YOU GO GIRL!!!!

 

[lwilliam]

I FOUND IT! (5 lbs!)