Looking For Control Freaks & Worry Warts too (Part 2)

[flying_babyb]

5 days till my trip, all packed and darn it doncha know...... I sprained my wrist. I fell off of a 1 foot stool onto our kitchen floor DARN

 

[letthewookiewin]

Hi and welcome. I agree get the package and if you don't want to go give them away. By the way the story is always the same so does it really matter who reads it?

True if it's the telling of the Christmas story it is the same, which is why the narrator is important. I can go to any of the large churches in our area and hear the telling of the Christmas story and wonderful choirs sing Christmas songs. To us the thing that would make it worth taking away from our spending time in the park, is the narrator. We only get to WDW every other year, so we have to maximize our time in the parks.

 

[tttessa]

Cracks me up how you "translate" for us Yanks!

<cut>

$12.00!!!!! ARe you serious?

Now Kara - you know I have to translate - remember the biscuits and gravy..... yeughhh (over here that would literally mean cookies with meat juices.... first time over there I did wonder what would be put in front of us......)

And $12 oh yes deadly serious - and.... MOST OF IT IS TAX!!!! put on us by our "wonderful" government.... though, luckily we are in a "nice" democracy so I do have the freedom to whinge about it..... (for now...)

Tessa

 

[DizzyErin]

Erin - sorry you're in a funk - that's why two trips to Disny in a month will do to you! Seriously, vent away - that's what we're here for!

I hear ya! Hang in there and know we are here for ya!

Thanks girl's life right now just sucks more than ever and i know it's just because i'm feeling low but still can't help it you know!! Thanks

Now the baaaaaaaaaad news...... Unfortunately we won't be that side of the pond for at LEAST 3 years..... - not fair, but as with all these things - it is the money.... we could holiday in this country for about one 5th the price of going over to the US, so need to do some serious saving. Only way to get back sooner is if I get a job doing more hours ....NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.... With fuel price increases it is bad enough (fuel surcharges now mean an extra £800/ $1600 on our flight prices!!) - even our fuel for the car is now around £6/$12 (that's TWELVE DOLLARS!!!) per gallon!!!!!!!!!! Seriously!!!!
Tessa

Oh Tessa i am sooo with you .. i can barely afford to use my car right now and don't get me started on price of food going up .. loaf of bread i usually buy has gone up 20p (about 40 cents for the ladies that need the translation haha) what's that all about gggrrrr ... I am still VERY determined that our stupid government etc etc will not spoil my surprise 2010 wdw trip .. let them be warned!!!!!!!

Now it's off to plan her birthday party for tomorrow - DD8 --- DD9!

Ooh my DD had her 9th b'day this year and i am with you next year double figures and it only gets scarier!!

Jillian

, Renee

, Laura

, Tina

, Keahi

, Tessa & Erin (y'all haven't recently fallen, been medicated, or live in a cold state that I love to tease about, so you're safe from my mocking smileys just this time!!!!).

Oh i feel so left out surely there must be something you can come up with just for me

I have Chloe at home today off sick .. not sure she's that sick but i am hahaha so i let her stay off shush though don't tell hahaha .. I know you ladies are all so very far away but thanks for being here for me

 

[karajeboo]

Pam - Oh how fun - you're reporting LIVE!!!! Glad that DH is surviving - just take it easy and ENJOY!!! You're there!!!!

Tessa - I do laugh at the language barrier. We have totally butchered the English language over here. Two years ago at Magic Kingdom, we met up with a nice family from the UK. They had a DD Ally's age and they let her sit up by the curb with them. Very nice folks. Someone asked the mother for the time and she responded with "half past 8" the person looked at her like she had two heads. I remember the woman said, "oh, I forgot where I am.... 8:30." It's just the small things (even I don't look at biscuits and gravy the same anymore!).

Erin and Debbie - hope you're feeling better this morning!

Jillian - is today your start date with JC? As soon as our friends leave after the 4th, I'm going back on JC. I just feel so "squishy" around the middle. As a joke, right after Ally was born Jeff bought me a string bikini - now, I don't think I EVER wore such a skimpy bikini, even in my younger, trimmer days. It was a joke because I swore I would drop that baby weight, right? WRONG! So after seeing some of these women at the beach yesterday, I came home and tried on this itty bitty bikini. I can't beat myself up too much though, because I wouldn't wear it anyway. But what I really noticed is the weight I lost around my shoulders, neck, collarbone area. If it weren't for my jelly belly, I might actually be able to pull off a two piece! So that is my goal. Not a true bikini, just a modest two piece with a fairly firm belly. I've always carried my weight there, even when I was really small. So that will be my challenge. In fact, I think I'll hop on the elliptical today and get started!

Tammie - you are so close now!!!!

Jeff has 90,000 Hilton Honors points to use by the end of July - he got them when he "lived" at the Hampton Inn here for 5 months before we all moved down - so we're looking for somewhere close that we could do for a weekend and stay for FREE! There's a beautiful hotel south of Tampa, right on the beach (probably a 4 hr drive), or Cocoa Beach (about 2 1/2 hrs) so we could also do Kennedy Space Center. Or Savannah (one of my favorite cities!) right on the river walk. Then of course there is Orlando. If we chose the Orlando location, we'd probably take Ally to Sea World and then any time we had left over of course we'd run over to WDW. So of course I'm pushing for Orlando. And as much as Jeff wants to complain, when I was looking for a beach hotel to use the points, he asks me, "Have you checked Orlando?" So really, he's just as bad as me!!!!

OK, off to shower and start my day and my week. Much cleaning and picking up this week - we have friends getting in Saturday afternoon!!!!

 

[karajeboo]

Oh i feel so left out surely there must be something you can come up with just for me

I have Chloe at home today off sick .. not sure she's that sick but i am hahaha so i let her stay off shush though don't tell hahaha .. I know you ladies are all so very far away but thanks for being here for me

OK, Erin, I can't find just the right smiley for you - but I will! Don't worry!

I remember keeping Ally home from daycare a couple of years ago on a day that the media was "warning" us about with a big terror threat. I pretended to be sick and kept her home. I had a really hard time after 9/11 and I still get really nervous in certain situations.

Babyb - you're really close now!

Wookie - did you book the package?

 

[TinaLala]

Morning everyone! well it's Monday and I'm back to the grind. Today is DD8's last day of school. Can't wait to get the report card. I just found out from a mom yesterday at DD8's birthday party that their teacher is a real B****. I guess the kids have been yelled at all year because they have been wild. Listening to DD8 there were a few kids in the classroom that were bad, but not everyone. Well this explains why we had problems this year. If DD8 was being yelled at at school and I'm on her case at home, she's probably happy school is over and that lady isn't going to be yelling at her. She's telling me her class has been losing their recess time all year because some kids were crazy. Poor thing.

Well I've been trying to deal a disney trip for 4th of July but it's a no go because it's too darn expensive! What happened to the god old das when I could go to disney fo 5 days and fly for $1000???

Oh well. Have a great Monday!!!

 

[karajeboo]

Tina - I can so sympathize with the school issue. Ally had that problem all year. There were one or two kids who were really bad, always getting sent to the principal's office for stealing, and just general bad behaviour. Ally was always telling me how they missed recess because of this. I'm sorry, but I think 1st grade is a little young to penalize the entire class because of one or two kids. They're too young to realize the repercussions, and the other kids are too quick to forgive and forget so it never sinks in to the bad kids. I had so many issues with her school, that's just one of many. And each grade at her school has a mega class - 30 kids and two teachers, while the normal classes are around 18 kids with one teacher. Of course Ally was in the mega class this year. I already told Jeff that if she gets that in 2nd grade I'm going to petition to get her moved. I don't care how many teachers there are, 30 7 years olds are hard to control! And Ally had a total of 4 teachers since November! One left after December, so she got a new one, then the one she'd had from the beginning left at the beginning of May on maternity leave. That's tough on kids, too. I can't believe school is just now getting out up north - when do they go back? Ally's last day was June 4th and I think she starts back August 18th.

 

[soontobewed07]

We made it!!! The flight was delayed by 2 hrs so we didn't get into Tampa until 10pm. Got to WDW this morning. Saratoga Springs was a complete mad house!!! Never seen a check in so busy before. Some poor soul must have thrown up outside because they were cleaning something up and using that yucky smelling stuff they used back in school to clean up vomit. Hopefully it's not a virus.

Dh is getting by with his back. The whirpool is helping it. Can't wait to get to MK and Beach Club too!

If Cammie checks in...tell her to keep an eye out for me. Family of 5. Fluffy mom, dad bent slightly forward because of his back, a strawberry blonde12 and blonde13 both with braces and a 5 yo. We'll all have white family t shirts on. I gave her my cell #, but I can't find my charger!!!

Have to run and put the small one to bed. She was up until 12am last night!!

Pam

Woo Hoo you are at our favorite place. Please tell Cammie to be careful with her Credit Card info. The manager at WL was just arressted ::cop: for stealing CC#'s and charged 1200 on someones card.

Thanks girl's life right now just sucks more than ever and i know it's just because i'm feeling low but still can't help it you know!! Thanks



Oh Tessa i am sooo with you .. i can barely afford to use my car right now and don't get me started on price of food going up .. loaf of bread i usually buy has gone up 20p (about 40 cents for the ladies that need the translation haha) what's that all about gggrrrr ... I am still VERY determined that our stupid government etc etc will not spoil my surprise 2010 wdw trip .. let them be warned!!!!!!!



Ooh my DD had her 9th b'day this year and i am with you next year double figures and it only gets scarier!!



Oh i feel so left out surely there must be something you can come up with just for me

I have Chloe at home today off sick .. not sure she's that sick but i am hahaha so i let her stay off shush though don't tell hahaha .. I know you ladies are all so very far away but thanks for being here for me

Erin we all have BAD days. It's hard being a mom you are doing a great job

Pam - Oh how fun - you're reporting LIVE!!!! Glad that DH is surviving - just take it easy and ENJOY!!! You're there!!!!

Tessa - I do laugh at the language barrier. We have totally butchered the English language over here. Two years ago at Magic Kingdom, we met up with a nice family from the UK. They had a DD Ally's age and they let her sit up by the curb with them. Very nice folks. Someone asked the mother for the time and she responded with "half past 8" the person looked at her like she had two heads. I remember the woman said, "oh, I forgot where I am.... 8:30." It's just the small things (even I don't look at biscuits and gravy the same anymore!).

Erin and Debbie - hope you're feeling better this morning!

Jillian - is today your start date with JC? As soon as our friends leave after the 4th, I'm going back on JC. I just feel so "squishy" around the middle. As a joke, right after Ally was born Jeff bought me a string bikini - now, I don't think I EVER wore such a skimpy bikini, even in my younger, trimmer days. It was a joke because I swore I would drop that baby weight, right? WRONG! So after seeing some of these women at the beach yesterday, I came home and tried on this itty bitty bikini. I can't beat myself up too much though, because I wouldn't wear it anyway. But what I really noticed is the weight I lost around my shoulders, neck, collarbone area. If it weren't for my jelly belly, I might actually be able to pull off a two piece! So that is my goal. Not a true bikini, just a modest two piece with a fairly firm belly. I've always carried my weight there, even when I was really small. So that will be my challenge. In fact, I think I'll hop on the elliptical today and get started!

Yes I am going to try and see how I like it. I cancelled my membership at YMCA and changed to Planet Fitness the Y had so many rules and I couldn't bring Luca with me because I couldn't bring him in the changing room with me. I joined so we could swim together and then I could drop him in daycare and then go run well they don't allow boys of any age in the womens locker room they only allow you to change in a family bathroom that is always wet and only has a bathroom changing table.

Tammie - you are so close now!!!!

Jeff has 90,000 Hilton Honors points to use by the end of July - he got them when he "lived" at the Hampton Inn here for 5 months before we all moved down - so we're looking for somewhere close that we could do for a weekend and stay for FREE! There's a beautiful hotel south of Tampa, right on the beach (probably a 4 hr drive), or Cocoa Beach (about 2 1/2 hrs) so we could also do Kennedy Space Center. Or Savannah (one of my favorite cities!) right on the river walk. Then of course there is Orlando. If we chose the Orlando location, we'd probably take Ally to Sea World and then any time we had left over of course we'd run over to WDW. So of course I'm pushing for Orlando. And as much as Jeff wants to complain, when I was looking for a beach hotel to use the points, he asks me, "Have you checked Orlando?" So really, he's just as bad as me!!!!

See I am always afraid dare I say it I will get tired of the World. I LOVE it there but I need a change every once in a while. We will be going to niagra falls for a long weekend this summer.

OK, off to shower and start my day and my week. Much cleaning and picking up this week - we have friends getting in Saturday afternoon!!!!

Morning everyone! well it's Monday and I'm back to the grind. Today is DD8's last day of school. Can't wait to get the report card. I just found out from a mom yesterday at DD8's birthday party that their teacher is a real B****. I guess the kids have been yelled at all year because they have been wild. Listening to DD8 there were a few kids in the classroom that were bad, but not everyone. Well this explains why we had problems this year. If DD8 was being yelled at at school and I'm on her case at home, she's probably happy school is over and that lady isn't going to be yelling at her. She's telling me her class has been losing their recess time all year because some kids were crazy. Poor thing.

Well I've been trying to deal a disney trip for 4th of July but it's a no go because it's too darn expensive! What happened to the god old das when I could go to disney fo 5 days and fly for $1000???

Tina Jet blue is having 10% sale on fares before 10/31

Oh well. Have a great Monday!!!

Tina - I can so sympathize with the school issue. Ally had that problem all year. There were one or two kids who were really bad, always getting sent to the principal's office for stealing, and just general bad behaviour. Ally was always telling me how they missed recess because of this. I'm sorry, but I think 1st grade is a little young to penalize the entire class because of one or two kids. They're too young to realize the repercussions, and the other kids are too quick to forgive and forget so it never sinks in to the bad kids. I had so many issues with her school, that's just one of many. And each grade at her school has a mega class - 30 kids and two teachers, while the normal classes are around 18 kids with one teacher. Of course Ally was in the mega class this year. I already told Jeff that if she gets that in 2nd grade I'm going to petition to get her moved. I don't care how many teachers there are, 30 7 years olds are hard to control! And Ally had a total of 4 teachers since November! One left after December, so she got a new one, then the one she'd had from the beginning left at the beginning of May on maternity leave. That's tough on kids, too. I can't believe school is just now getting out up north - when do they go back? Ally's last day was June 4th and I think she starts back August 18th.

School here starts usually after labor day and then ends between June 14th and whenever before July 1st Don't forget we have snow days we have to make up!!!!

 

[karajeboo]

Jeff just told me about a golf weekend that he's going on sometime in Oct somewhere in Georgia (obviously, I'm not about the details! ), so Ally and I are planning what to do while he's gone!!! Know what I'm thinking???

Sadly, no, not what you think. Instead, we're going to Ripley's Believe it or Not in St Augustine!!! Seriously! Never been to one of those and I think Ally would like it. And the new addition to the outlet malls will be done, so we'll go start Christmas shopping, too! Honestly, Ally and I have so much fun together, just the two of us, we stop for coffee and scones (hot chocolate for her!), we'll grab a hot pretzel, pick up hair accessories, yes, all those ways I spoil her that Jeff doesn't know about!

Jeff said he would leave about 5am on Friday morning to meet up with someone in Charleston, then they cruise on over to the resort - I encouraged him to just leave from work Thurs night and drive the 4 hrs to Charleston. That way he can get a good night's rest, yada yada yada. Wonder if he realizes that I'm trying to get rid of him!!!

 

[ahibird]

I can't believe school is just now getting out up north - when do they go back? Ally's last day was June 4th and I think she starts back August 18th.

School here starts usually after labor day and then ends between June 14th and whenever before July 1st Don't forget we have snow days we have to make up!!!!

Wow. DS' last day was June 3rd and he goes back on July 28th -- Yup, he starts back up in almost one month. Because they start so early, they get 2 weeks off for fall break (that's when we can go to WDW), 3 weeks at Christmas, and 2 weeks in the Spring. But still, it is a short summer...

 

[Debbie6221]

Hi Girls,
OMG Keahi that's a short summer but the breaks sound great! I still love my nice almost 3 month summer. We are in Chicago (CPS) so we won't go back until after Labor Day (yeah us!).

Tina...that stinks your DDs teacher was a *****. It makes for a hard year.

letthewookiewin....did you do anything this morning with the ressies?

Kara...
RE your DD you sound just like me! But when did it start? My DD is only 5 and a half and it sounds like we are dealing with the same problems!
I am not kidding you when I tell you my kids have a Mom with multiple personalities! I am really trying but some times I get so mad! Summer is better because I feel better in the summer. Anxiety is usually worse in the Fall for me and I majorily stress at the holidays but now I have been anxious because of this whole summer home thing so I have been short with the kids and I feel so bad then. One day at a time, right?

Hi to everyone else...I better run for now!

How exciting to hear from Pam straight from WDW! I went to stalk, I mean call Cammie but I don't have her cell phone. I needed a pick me up and wanted to hear something WDW in the backround!

 

[Whipperwhirl]

Hello Fellow Worry Warts - I am an overplanning, overprepared, overacheiver. I started out with the distinct intention of keeping our trip to Disney this year (the first since 2002) simple. The more I read online - the more books I have bought - the more it has become a scheduled, budgeted, and all-out panic filled worry fest.

I have 3 kids (DS 3.8, DD 8.5, and DH 37.6). Our WDW trip (CBR / deluxe DP / PH) is 12/26-1/3/08. Even though I have been there twice before (honeymoon 96 and Feb 02) I did not think to research dates when I booked our trip - What a novel idea I said to myself - Lets give the kids a trip to disney for Christmas - We will wrap it up - and put it under the tree. My daughter will pass out in delight - my son will jump and down on top of her - what a christmas morning it will be. DD will get to brag to all her spoiled cousins all day on the 25th and then we will leave the day after christmas - spend new years in the happiest place on earth. Who else would think to do something like this . . . um . . . . everyone appearently!

I bought the airline tickets - purchased the package - and then decided to research dates - DUMB! Now Im worried about everything - transportation, hotel (switched 3 times now), dining reservations, birthday special surprises - nevermind that - If I dont drop dead on the way to the airport from exhaustion - - - I will be surprised.

Here are my big worries for today:

1. What are my limitations when ordering a birthday cake to be delivered at CRT (That we will hopefully get dinner reservations at on 12/29). Birthday cakes are a big deal to us - we love em. Im willing to spend a bit extra to get a super duper cake that we may not even be able to finish. How early is too early to order.

2. How do I make the most of my business trip to Orlando in December. Will the hotel (CBR) hang onto a tub or box full of stuff for us for 22 days.

3. How do I keep the secret for another six months - Im dying here . . .

I look forward to venting my concerns in the warmth of your understanding - thanks for being here - Whip

 

[karajeboo]

Hello Fellow Worry Warts - I am an overplanning, overprepared, overacheiver. I started out with the distinct intention of keeping our trip to Disney this year (the first since 2002) simple. The more I read online - the more books I have bought - the more it has become a scheduled, budgeted, and all-out panic filled worry fest.

I have 3 kids (DS 3.8, DD 8.5, and DH 37.6). Our WDW trip (CBR / deluxe DP / PH) is 12/26-1/3/08. Even though I have been there twice before (honeymoon 96 and Feb 02) I did not think to research dates when I booked our trip - What a novel idea I said to myself - Lets give the kids a trip to disney for Christmas - We will wrap it up - and put it under the tree. My daughter will pass out in delight - my son will jump and down on top of her - what a christmas morning it will be. DD will get to brag to all her spoiled cousins all day on the 25th and then we will leave the day after christmas - spend new years in the happiest place on earth. Who else would think to do something like this . . . um . . . . everyone appearently!

I bought the airline tickets - purchased the package - and then decided to research dates - DUMB! Now Im worried about everything - transportation, hotel (switched 3 times now), dining reservations, birthday special surprises - nevermind that - If I dont drop dead on the way to the airport from exhaustion - - - I will be surprised.

Here are my big worries for today:

1. What are my limitations when ordering a birthday cake to be delivered at CRT (That we will hopefully get dinner reservations at on 12/29). Birthday cakes are a big deal to us - we love em. Im willing to spend a bit extra to get a super duper cake that we may not even be able to finish. How early is too early to order.

2. How do I make the most of my business trip to Orlando in December. Will the hotel (CBR) hang onto a tub or box full of stuff for us for 22 days.

3. How do I keep the secret for another six months - Im dying here . . .

I look forward to venting my concerns in the warmth of your understanding - thanks for being here - Whip

Wow! You do sound stressed! And to that we say

cause that's what we do here! I personally have never been that week but I think you're right about it being busy! But you're there for what, 8 days? I think if you take advantage of EMH mornings, you will be fine. I was reading one of the websites and they do list New Years Eve and New Years Day as the two busiest days of the year, but the other days are only showing moderately busy. So get a lot done the 26th - 30th, get to whichever park you want to see EARLY on both the 31st and the 1st, and then bail out whenever you want. I think a lot of people get there for New Years and leave on the 2nd. I'm sure some others here will have better advice (I'm just going by what I've read here).

But what a fun and exciting Christmas morning that will be!!!! I'm sure it will memorable, to say the least, but you've got to keep the secret!

 

[karajeboo]

BTW, Whip, where in CT? My husband grew up in Watertown.

 

[Whipperwhirl]

I was born in Watertown - what a small world - we are in Torrington now.

 

[letthewookiewin]

letthewookiewin....did you do anything this morning with the ressies?

I decided to go ahead and book for the 5:00 PM show on the 13th and convert our lunch ressie for Garden Grill for the Candlelight Processional package. When I finally got through they said that Garden Grill was not available for that, so I booked Rose and Crown on the 12th. Then I told the CM that I really didn't want to do it on the 12th b/c I didn't like the narrator. I already had ADR's for the night of the 12th and 13th, and I didn't want to loose those. She suggested that I move Teppan Edo to an early time and then go to the 8:15 PM show and it would be a great way to end the trip. I did and then she even double checked to make sure that I didn't double book any ADR's. We will eat at Teppan Edo no matter what. If I just can't drag my DH to the actualy Candlelight Processional b/c he doesn't like the narrator, then I will just go to the regular line and give the badges to a family of 4. A lot of it will depend on how my 9 year old is behaving that day. He has Epilepsy and Autism Spectrum. After spending that much time in the parks he may not sit for an hour to see it.

 

[TinaLala]

I just found out that the 3 musketeers who were trouble makers in DD8's class this year are going to be in her class next year!!!! Plus her teacher is about 25 years old, which should be exciting when she's got three boys who are wild! DD8 doesn't want me to change her class, but I'm going to wait to see how she does and then I'll change it!

Oh great here comes a week of rain!! Haven't mowed my lawn in over a week, no wonder the snakes are starting to come out!

 

[karajeboo]

I was born in Watertown - what a small world - we are in Torrington now.

Wow! Jeff will be shocked to hear this!!!

I just found out that the 3 musketeers who were trouble makers in DD8's class this year are going to be in her class next year!!!! Plus her teacher is about 25 years old, which should be exciting when she's got three boys who are wild! DD8 doesn't want me to change her class, but I'm going to wait to see how she does and then I'll change it!

Oh great here comes a week of rain!! Haven't mowed my lawn in over a week, no wonder the snakes are starting to come out!

Speaking of snakes..... I saw my first "Mr NoShoulders" yesterday in our back yard. I was cool as a cucumber and I think if I hadn't been talking to Jeff on the phone (who was threatening to not come home!!!) I could've gone to the garage, gotten a shovel, and taken him out. Instead, I was kinda fascinated watching him. It was just a black snake, and first I saw him in the woods, slowly making his way toward our yard, he was long and skinny, the skinny is what calmed me, I think. He came all the way in the yard and stopped about 10 ft from the back porch, popped his head up and just looked at me. I estimated he was about 18" or so. Then ever so slowly he turned around and went back into the woods. Once he got out of the yard, I could see his whole body and he was more like 3-4 FEET long! A couple guys at the clubhouse told me not to worry about black snakes (I know this, but Jeff is totally freaked!), but to definitely worry about brown (rattle snakes) and striped (coral snakes), both in the neighborhood and both very poisonous. Super!

HOw about I worry about staying locked up in my house?

 

[tttessa]

<cut>
And each grade at her school has a mega class - 30 kids and two teachers, while the normal classes are around 18 kids with one teacher.
<cut>

Kara - OMG!!!!! we have classes of 30 kids with ONE teacher as standard over here!!!! Eighteen kids would be absolute luxury!! My youngest has 22 as her birth year 2002 was a low year for number of births round here. Our infant years- reception (age 4//5) year 1 (age 5/6) and year 2 (age 6/7) generally only have one teacher and a classroom assistant who takes small groups for reading practice etc...

Year 3 onwards so age 8 up generally has 30 kids each class with just one teacher .

Our teachers would probably faint to only have 18 kids each.... shows our differing cultures I guess...

SNAKES ..... nooooooooooo..... did i tell you about my friend at college.... she woke up to find one IN HER BED!!!!!! actually IN HER BED someone in halls of residence let their snake out and it got away..... luckily a "harmless" 4 foot constrictor.... I have never once got into bed without checking under both the bed and the covers since then - 22 YEARS ago - that's how much impression it made on me!!!

what with all the snakes, lizards, skinks, scorpions etc.... sleep well......

Tessa