Lisa's Wish Journal - Now we have gone Dopey.

[lolakat]

Oh, this whole business with your Gram sounds terrible. Such a shame your lawyer couldn't make the court date so this could all be settled. I don't know how the neighbor lives with himself picking on an old woman like that. Hang in there!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Lisa, I am so sorry you are going through this. Frankly, this guy sounds insane. It sounds to me like this judge is on your side, along with the law. But in the meantime, I will for sure say prayers. You and Gram do not deserve this.

You are one strong lady!

And Happy Birthday a bit late, I am sorry I didn't even know it was your day. Your party sounds fun, you really needed that!

Hang in there, surely this will be over soon.

 

[toystoryduo]

Sending prayers your way, my friend. How has your week been?

 

[eyor44]

Hello there. Didn't realize how long it had been since I had been on.
The week has gone good.
Gram update: The neighbor has supposedly gotten a lawyer also and has not bothered her since. I have had different people stopping by at different times of the day and she has returned to her normal schedule. We have talked about her maintaining her awareness of what is going on around her and being extra careful safety wise. I just don't trust this guy at all.

Exercise schedule:
Monday - dance
Tuesday - nothing, DS had a dental appt
Wednesday - dance
Thursday - walk
Friday - nothing

Last night we were on the interstate going to dinner when all the sudden there was a lot of smoke behind us. DH and I were both looking in the rearview mirrors going "where is the smoke coming from?" I said, "I think it's us" Yep, it was us. Transmission. Luckily we were by an exit and able to get off. Yeah for AAA though. They were very nice, got a tow truck out and checked on us a couple of times before he arrived. There was an accident on the interstate right where we were stopped (happened right before we got to that spot) and it was real bad, about 5-6 cars, one burned, so there were lots of ambulances, police, firetrucks, etc. Took the tow truck extra time to get to us. He checked the truck before he loaded it and told DH what it was. Hopefully just a hose came loose and didn't do any damage to the actual transmission. Thankfully it was just he and I and the kids were with us. DH was rather bummed that our evening was messed up (dinner, JCPenneys and Target), but I was like, well we are still spending time together. We did get dinner and go to Penneys though. My friend Mary has offered us to use one of their extra cars so we don't have to rent one. All in all it will work out. The truck has 240,000 miles on it, been paid off for 6 years and we rarely have any problems with it. And, here is the biggie, we have the money to pay for the repairs, even if it is the transmission. Which is HUGE for us. The money was actually for something else, but we have it if we need it.
And since DH had a meeting this morning, DD spent the night with a friend and DS is refreeing a soccer game, I get a couple hours by myself.

Thanks for stopping by and checking on me.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Lisa, I am glad your Gram is being extra careful and has people to look out for her. Its just appalling that an elderly woman is being put in this position by this guy. Maybe his lawyer gave him some good advice and that's why he has backed off. Just makes me angry and I can only imagine what it does to you!

That is good news you guys have the money to pay for the car. Doesn't that feel good?

Your exercise looks good, as busy as you are with all you have going on, that is very admirable you are keeping active and working out! Great job!

OH and on my journal you mentioned your dd thinks you all day. My dd also thinks I sit on the computer a lot. I tell her "I Wish"! They'll learn someday when they are grown up how much their moms did!

 

[eyor44]

Hi Amy, thanks for stopping by.
Good news on the truck is a hose came loose. Easy fix and no damage was done to the transmission. God is good! And yes, that would we have needed to pay for it we could have.

Gram is still doing good. Everything is quiet on the home front. Three weeks until court. Patience, patience......

Dance last night was good, but am I sore. I had planned to walk today, but at the last minute I had to stay late at work. Oh well.....there is always tomorrow. Of course I had to walk to other buildings three times today (and in the wrong shoes) so that should count for something.

DH goes on a short trip tomorrow, so my schedule is modified for a couple days. We have a 5K at work Thursday and I am trying to get that garage cleaned.

Yes, I do all day at work, but not how I would like. DIS and Allears would be my sites of choice, not travel software that doesn't work or training.

 

[eyor44]

Had a hard time getting started this morning. Haven't slept well the past couple of nights due to DH's snoring. When I don't sleep well, I get tense and then my muscles tense up, which makes my legs hurt and then I have trouble getting up. Plus a front was going through (very slowly) today and my ears were bothering me. Not for a good start to the day. I made it out, but never really got going. Didn't walk or dance today, just couldn't get into it.

Some good news. We came into some unexpected money. When we realized what we were getting, we agreed to put it towards a bill. One of those credit cards I am trying so desperately to pay off. Then the check came yesterday and DH wanted to sit down and discuss how we were going to use it. mmmmmm.....thought we had already decided. These conversations never go well and I was almost sick dreading it. But we sat down and talked about it and we were both in agreement what to do. We also just filed our taxes and are getting a bit back, so he wanted to add that in. So I deposited the check today and made a payment to the bill tonight. Felt really good doing that.

I don't know why I am having such problems with paying these off. I do need to get DH on board with the budget. He is really bad about, after I have paid the bills, to bring me something else. Then I have to juggle everything and we end up going over budget. Not good. We talked a bit about it last night. He is very slowly coming into some understanding, I think. I hope. I can see a very faint light at the end of the tunnel and I want it to get brighter, a lot brighter.

Things are good here. The weather is good, which is good for the budget. I recieved a huge power bill yesterday and I was like I did not expect to be that big. Guess that was part of what was making me sick last night. I checked the meter and thankfully we are only using half the amount per day this cycle as we did last month.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Lisa, I hear you on those power bills. We had a real cold snap a few weeks ago and my heating bill reflected that. I can only imagine what your electic bill is in the summer with the hot weather you have. Yikes!

That is great news on the car repair and great news you got a bit of extra money to put towards a bill. That always feels good.

I can relate to the budget issue with your dh. I swear, most couples seem to go through this and it does get frustrating. Dh is famous for not putting stuff in the checkbook he buys via the debit card. I am now giving him cash and telling him to leave our check card alone! Its good that you and your dh talked about it, that's the only way to get on the same page financially.

Glad Gram is doing well. Three weeks and then this will hopefully be behind you all!

 

[toystoryduo]

Woohoo for unexpected money!!!

I hope you're feeling better today.

I'm glad that things are going well for your gram. Sending prayers...

I hope you have a wonderful day, my friend!

 

[eyor44]

Thanks Amy and Tracy.

Amy would you believe that my electric bill is higher in the winter? Yep, although July and August come rather close, January and February are our highest months. We have what is called strip heating and completely electric. We can't have a heat pump because they are efficient enough for me. I always felt cold and with my arthritise that wasn't good. Now I don't have near the problems with my feet, but we do pay for it.

Thank you both, Gram is doing good. She was telling me last night about all the different people who have been stopping by her house checking on her. She doesn't have a clue that I put out the word she needed it, and that is good.

April and I did the 5K today and we did great. Our time was 39 minutes, which is awesome for us. April has been walking almost every day at the track by her house and she didn't have near the trouble keeping up with me. I was so happy for her. She has really been working hard. I think I have created a monster though. We will be doing 3 walks in April. MS 5K , Easter 5K and Crecent City Classic 10K.

Okay a bit of bad news. DH and I both work for the government. There is a very good possiblity that we will be laid off the first full week of March. The office will stay open with a bare bones crew and neither of us are included in that. Last time this happened it was for 4.5 days for me and we got paid. This time is could be a couple weeks and we won't get paid. We are mere pawns between the Republicans and the President and it really doesn't feel good. Already we didn't get a COL increase this year and they cut what is being put into social security. Now this. What's bad is if this happens, it won't just effect us, but a lot of other people with the trickle down effect. I am trying not to worry, but it seems every time I start to get things to work right, something completely out of my control happens. Well, the pantry, freezer and cupboards are full and we have plenty to occupy us here should we get an unpaid vacation.

 

[toystoryduo]

Great job on the 5K, Lisa!!!

I'm so sorry to hear about the situation at work! When will you know for sure? I'll be praying, my friend.

I hope you have a nice evening.

 

[eyor44]

Thanks Tracy

We have a two week delay on the furlough. Hopefully our wonderful government can come to an agreement between now and then. I'm trying to be optimistic. But I just keep coming back to: October 1 is on every calendar I look at. How hard is it to get your job done on time when you are very aware of the deadline? It never changes. If I missed deadlines every year like they do, I'd have been out of a job a very long time ago. Oh, just a soapbox of mine and I need to get off of it.

So Tracy after reading your last entry on your thread I feel a bit (okay a lot) guilty about what I am about to post.

For about the past 11 years, DH and DS have gone camping Memorial Day weekend. They used to go to Gulfshores, AL with one of DH's friends and his DS same age as ours. When a hurricane went through in 2002 they switched to North Carolina. This year was to be the year DD got to go.....and me. A couple weeks ago, DH says that he's been thinking and this was always his and DS' trip and given that DS will be going to college in a couple years, he would like to keep it just the two of them. No problem for me, but DD is going to be really disappointed. I've been thinking that she and I should have our own trip, but have never acted on it. So this year I am. She has done so well in school, never a problem to get her there and she has perfect attendance so far. Something I am very thankful for as it means she hasn't been sick. So I was thinking where to take her. The answer was obvious. But could we afford it. So, I ask DH for his budget for the camping trip and the figures I came up with for our trip was the same.
So after much soul searching, yes, this is where you come in Tracy. I have been working so hard on getting rid of bills and to do this it will take me a bit longer to pay off the last one. I am feeling extreme guilt over that, but am going to work harder on it. (I've been making people sit in the dark to get the power bill down. ) I'm only half serious. I let them have one lamp on in a room.
Okay if you have made it through all of that, you have already guessed where we are going haven't you?

I am going to take DD to Disney all by ourselves!

We will leave after they get out of school on their last day and stop half way. We will spend 4.5 days at Disney doing whatever DD wants to do. I was only going for 3 originally, but DH said he didn't think that was long enough for that drive. Okay so I played around with dates and would you believe it is cheaper for me to go an extra day? Discounts, go figure. But I'll take it. Means an extra day off of work which will be tight, but I'll manage.

Now main thing that could derail this plan is the furlough that is still looming over us. So, we will see. Thankfully with a room only at Disney you can cancel just a couple days before you are to arrive. This will be a complete surprise for DD. I am not going to tell her until we are on our way.

So, what do you all think?

 

[toystoryduo]

I am sooo excited for you!!! A mother/daughter trip to Disney sounds like such a blast! I'm sure you and your DD will have a wonderful time!

Please don't feel guilty, Lisa. I did take September's trip off the table, but we have a two week trip scheduled for December and I am so looking forward to that. I want you and your DD to have one of the BEST trips to Disney EVER!!!

I hope everything works out with your job situation. I honestly don't understand what is going on with our government these days. Sending prayers your way, my friend!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Lisa, I am so sorry about this furlough situation. You are so right, you are just pawns for a bunch of whiney butt babies in Washington that get benefits for life, salary for life and ruin life for everyone else. Frankly, they all make me sick right now. I am telling you, the Wish Board is a prime example of how people all over the planet are struggling. Its just scary. There are days when I think about what Dan makes now vs. what he made a year ago and I almost go into full panic attack.

But I am so glad you and dd are going to WDW!! What are your dates? Ours are June 6-20th, maybe we'll be there at the same time?

So glad Gram is being watched over by good friends!

 

[eyor44]

I have got the bestest Wish Sis'.

Thank you for being excited for us. Not definite by any means, but I am making plans as if it is. Things just keep falling into place. Like the hotel I chose to stay at on the way down. I check it again today and was able to get it for $5 cheaper than a couple days ago, so I booked it. I am praying it really works out.
Amy - our dates are May 25-30. I can combine my off day with the holiday weekend and just take 2 days off to have the 6 days. I was going to stay at AKL on points or POFQ, but I can get an extra day for cheaper by staying at POP. Odd thing about that. POP didn't show up as available until I added the extra day.

Exercise has not been good this week, but food has. Dance Monday night was great. I really feel as if I am getting it and we are almost done learning our dance. I have to work on the finer points, but I'm getting the steps. I haven't been able to walk. Work and weather have gotten in the way this week. Plus I think I may have had a virus. I got a headache on Wednesday afternoon and didn't get rid of it fully until Friday morning. One of those where I couldn't really eat (so food was good) and my sleep got all mixed up. I think it was a virus cause now I have stomach sores in my mouth. so that is the only thing I can think of.

Another bright note. My friend April is pregnant. She isn't telling anyone yet, cause she doesn't want her DD to know, just in case. Funny thing about her, she is still determined that we are going to do the marathon in January. She told her DH that he would be keeping the baby while we went. Good thing we have a couple months until we sign up.

 

[eyor44]

My TA just sent me an email requesting my AP number as she said she found an AP discount for my dates. I didn't think those dates were out yet, but she is great at finding discounts. Guess what? I am getting a new AP through work cause it is cheaper than renewing through Disney. She is going to call tomorrow and see if they will let her book the AP discount over the phone without my number. Fingers crossed, toes crossed and prayers said. Hope God doesn't mind my praying for an extra discount. If it is what I think it is, I would save about another $60. Oh, I hope.........


Amy - I know what you are thinking....hmmmmm, thought she said she would never use a TA. Well, this is a friend who has her own travel agency, Love the Mouse (her last name is Love and she "Loves" the Mouse, isn't that cool?) and she specializes in Disney. She loves Disney like we do and is a DVC owner and has been a Disney Travel Agent (with another company) for years. Plus she gives me my reservation number so I can make my own ADRs and stuff. She understands my control issues and really works with me (and laughs at me) when I am trying to make reservations. She's a great TA and a great friend. I love her DSis' and her DM also. You should hear some of the stories from their trips. Hilarious. If I could just get them to share with me their secret spot for watching parades. I think I will have to go with them one time to get that secret.

 

[eyor44]

Not as big of savings as I thought, but savings none the less. My TA just saved me another $32. Every little bit helps and I am very grateful for it.

Figure out that Free Dining would not save any $$ for just me and DD, it would actually cost us more. We will be eating breakfast in the room, sharing meals, carry lots of snacks and drinks and since I am driving, I'll be able to take along the small frig and toaster. So I am very happy with the AP discount.

 

[toystoryduo]

Woohoo!!! A $32 savings means at least 10 Mickey bars!!! (I love that smilie! ) Congrats on the savings!

Hope you have a great day tomorrow!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Lisa, I am so glad things are falling into place for you trip! But bummed we'll miss each by a week. Oh well, Disney isn't going anywhere and neither are we, that Wish Sis Meet at WDW is a promise I am making to all of us, including me! Just have to wait it out I guess.

Yeah, for a value for an adult and a child, fd wouldn't work out as much of a discount. Esp for counter serve.

I had a TA for years but she quit, otherwise I would be using her still. She was okay with my constant changes! I started using another agent from that same office but she went on a cruise and it was during that time a very large discount for Easter Week came out. With just two weeks to go for my trip, I couldn't get the covering agent to get on the ball and it was so stressful not having control of my reservation I gave up on TA's for awhile. I also will only use one next time that communicates by phone and email. Sometimes its much easier to communicate via phone and have one conversation to talk it out vs. emailing back and forth the same questions but having it take days to resolve. But I am happy you have a good one, they are worth their weight in gold and I still miss mine!

That is great news about April. It takes a lot of faith and courage to try again, I am so glad she did. She has a great attitude! That marathon will be the perfect get away for a new mom!

 

[eyor44]

Things have been off for me the past couple of days as we are at the end of the Mardi Gras season here. The kids are off from school and DH and I went to a Mardi Gras Ball last night. I was to be off from work both yesterday and today, but had to go in yesterday morning for a meeting. Since I had to go in, I decided to go in at regular time. 5:30am Yeah, not to smart. We didn't get home until 2:00am this morning so I was up for 22 hours straight. I was one tired pup today. Food was not very good yesterday. I didn't take lunch with me yesterday as I was only going to be in for 1/2 day and planned to eat lunch at home. DH called and asked me to stop at the store. I left work later than I had planned, couldn't find what I needed at WalMart and had to ask for help. (I do wish they would stop moving stuff so much. ) and was starving by the time I got home. So I grabbed something quick. I was hungry again by the time we got to DH's friend's apartment and his DW got out some snacks. At the Ball we didn't have dinner, everyone just brings finger foods. So I snacked......A LOT. I did think to bring a vegie tray and fruit tray, but I ate a lot of cheese and crackers. If we ever go to one again, I am going to plan the food much better. We didn't have dance last night and today the weather was too bad to go out walking. Tomorrow I hope to be able to do dance at work during my exercise time. Gotta get back into the groove. I've lost it.

I need some financial intervention here. This trip for DD and I will only work if I do it on the inexpensive side. I realized that Disney had never reimbursed me for the dining credits I used in November at CRT. I have started that process and got to thinking. Well, if they are going to reimburse me then I'll have that money and can take DD this trip. Now, we all know how impossible reservations to CRT should be to get less than three months out, but would you believe that there are availabilities? and I almost made reservations. I discovered that I am very quickly sliding into the oh, we can do this and this...... I gotta stop! I didn't make the reservations. I have been trying to get DD to tell me her favorite restaurant and she says she doesn't have a favorite, she likes them all. That she doesn't really have a favorite anything at Disney, she is just so happy to be there she doesn't care where we eat.
But she does keep reminding me of the four rides she doesn't like. She still has no clue about the trip. I can talk Disney all I want as she is used to that. But it isn't going to happen if I don't stop spending $$$$$. Got to stop, got to keep it simple.......HELP!!!!!!